by E J Darling
“Where is Maeve?” He knew his voice hitched, but there was a sense of urgency he needed to convey. “I need to know, and I have a sick feeling you know more than you’re letting on.”
Zeke stepped closer toward Keeli, until she was backing into her room. If she wanted him to be the master of the home, he’d show her how he could behave. She’d admitted to certain things about him, and he couldn’t ignore that. Not truly. He could pretend she didn’t get under his skin, but her honest words had wedged her there.
When he made it through, he closed the door behind him. “Where is she?”
“I don’t know.” He knew she was lying. She cared for Maeve more than she respected Zeke’s authority and that he knew. “I swear I do not.” She shook her head, stepping backward slowly. “I just know she went to look for him.”
“Where, Keeli?”
“Your office,” she blurted, and cowered to the bed.
Zeke stopped in his tracks. His mind connected the recent events and looking back only tore what little heart he had left. “You played me.” It wasn’t a question.
“Sir, no!” She stepped towards him now, as he backed away. “I swear I would never!”
“You played me, to spare her time in my office.” Zeke shook his head and tore his hand away when she tried grasping for it. “You tried to fool me, tried to make me think you truly cared.”
“Zekekiel, please stop. I–”
He threw a hand up, silencing her. Tears ran down her pale cheeks, and just a moment ago he would have wiped them away for her. Now, he didn’t care. She fucking played him, and it had been all too easy.
“Don’t speak, you’ve already said enough to give me cause to remove you from my home.”
Keeli whimpered, holding her hands over her mouth as she fell to the floor. It had no effect on him, or so he’d like to think.
“If anything happens to her, I will hold you personally responsible.”
Zeke turned out of the room, slamming the door behind him. Inside he was frantic, thinking of all the things Maeve could have gotten herself into. He hoped his threat with Keeli held enough weight to never make her challenge him like that again, but he knew he’d regret it in time. That wasn’t for him to deal with now, though. He needed to find Maeve, and Kade. Quickly.
Striding down the stairs as quickly as he could, Zeke worked feverishly on his portable pad. He went straight to Teakin’s file and pulled up his location. There were too many targets on Teakin’s back to leave him in Maevelin’s care, and now, he knew exactly where the male was. That was the reason he’d gone behind Maevelin’s back. There were too many ways for a slave to go missing on Ascena Pura, especially under the current political climate.
It only took him a moment to find Teakin, where if he were still Maevelin’s property, it may have taken hours to find the codes he needed. He didn’t regret what he’d done.
Prison.
Zeke tapped away, going deeper. He pulled up the logs of the prison in question and found three males on the documents. A Slyger, a nasty little slug creature, a Tallel, and an unknown alien race. “My ass.” There was little doubt in him that the unknown alien was Teakin, and someone with connections put him in that cell, so no one would have been notified their slave was locked away. Whoever it was, was smart. But, no one took Zekekiel Vint’s property. No one. It didn’t matter how long he’d known the male or how little, he was Zeke’s, and under his protection. It was a matter of pride, of ego, and he had both in stride.
Roth was gone when he made it back to his office, and the room was empty. Good. He didn’t need any more of his friend’s protests, had bigger issues that needed his attention. He’d found Teakin, but Maevelin, the one he truly cared for, was still missing. The anger over someone taking Teakin may be out of pride, but Maevelin was personal, and rage boiled.
She wasn’t a slave any longer, therefore he couldn’t find her just by pulling up a file. But, he’d kept her bars in and they still had a tracking device on them. He tossed his portable to the side and pulled up the bigger screen on his desk.
Carefully, he typed in the code for Maevelin’s tracking device from memory. The icon spun for a long moment. Entrancing and enraging him at the same time. The screen turned red and Zeke clenched his fists, inhaling deep to calm himself before he ended up smashing the screen to pieces.
ACCESS DENIED.
Nothing enraged him more. Nothing. The last time he’d been denied access to someone that belonged to him, he’d never seen her again. It wouldn’t happen again. Maevelin was going to come home. He’d die before he lost another one. He wasn’t the same male that lost Arlo. Zeke was smarter, better, and had more allies in his pocket this time around. She’d be found, and the one who took her wouldn’t see another day. He vowed it.
Zeke stood and paced his room, his hand rubbing his jaw until it hurt. Normally, he was good at thinking and deciding, but this time his mind was in a flurry of emotion he couldn’t quite bottle down. It was hitting too close to home. Someone wished him to suffer. It was too personal.
“Sir?” A timid voice called from the door, but Zeke ignored it, not wanting to deal with yet one more fucking problem. “Zekekiel.” The once delicate voice was now firm, and it got his attention.
Keeli stepped into his office without invitation. He’d liked that quiet side of her that came out when she needed it to. There was strength and beauty in that half breed, and he could gorge himself on it. She didn’t approach, and he didn’t feel approachable as she stood there ten feet away, plastered to the door behind her.
How could someone so seemingly timid walk straight into a monster’s den? Maybe there really was a fire inside her she didn’t let anyone see. He hated that he wanted to know, wanted to see that fire for himself. She played him, and he would never forget that.
“What could you possibly want?” He rolled his eyes and feigned interest in her. “I don’t have the time to deal with your lies right now so spare me.”
Keeli looked around the room, anywhere but at him, and he knew he’d hurt her. He didn’t care, though.
He cocked a brow. “Well?”
“I wanted to help you find them.”
He scoffed and threw his head back to stare at the ceiling instead of her eyes. “How could you possibly do that?” When he dropped his head, he regretted looking at her once again, but he couldn't’ keep avoiding it.
She shrugged. “Two minds are better than one.”
He stood there a moment, staring at the female who’d hurt him more than he realized, or than he cared to admit. “Find then. What do you have in mind?”
“Do you have a location?” She looked at her bars.
“I have his.” Zeke looked over at the desk and the red screen which continued to taunt him. “I do not have hers. Something has happened to her, I fear.”
Keeli looked around the room again, still appearing too afraid to look him in the eye. Good. She should feel shame for what she’d done. “I uhh–” Her pause only sent him over the edge.
“If you have something to say Keeli, spit it out.”
The delicate and fair female stood straighter, and looked him in the eyes. “My room is next to hers, sir.”
“And?”
“And,” she drew out. “I would bet my life that the one person that could find her right now, would be Teakin.”
His brows furrowed and he took a step back. “Why would you say that?”
Keeli cleared her throat, but after, she padded for a chair and sat in it. Her hand reached out and patted the one beside her. He didn’t have time for that. Maevelin was out there without protection. Soon, she could be lost to him completely. “Sit,” she demanded.
He hesitated for only a moment more before he did as she asked.
“I’ve never had a child, nor did I ever know my parents.” Her voice came out sweeter than he’d ever heard it, and the attention she paid to him didn’t sit well. No kindness ever did. “But, if you’ll allow me to speak candidly
, I think I may be able to offer some insight.”
“Do it.”
She sat straighter, proudly, but cleared her throat as if nervous. Keeli was a walking contradiction. “Teakin loves Maeve, sir.”
“Don’t use sir, please.” He hated when she did that, but realized now how he’d lost respect and control over the household. He didn’t demand it anymore, and he didn’t know how he felt about that realization.
She nodded and continued. “She loves him. Do you know anything about Turnish mating traditions, Zeke?”
He knew nearly everything about Turnish mating traditions, and his stomach turned as his eyes widened. He’d been so blind. Keeli grimaced, and he felt sick to his stomach.
“I understand, despite how you present yourself, that you may see Maevelin like a daughter.” Was he that transparent? Zeke stood to his feet, not able to look the pale beauty in the face. “I’m telling you this, not to make you angry or disgusted, but to say that–”
“Teakin could find her.” He spun on his heel and looked her in the eye. She smiled at him and nodded. “You’re a smart one, Keeli.”
She ducked her head and stared at her hands she’d folded in her lap. “Thank you, s– I mean Zekekiel.”
There wasn’t much time. He needed to go to Teakin and get him out of that cell. He could be the key in finding Maevelin, whether that disgusted him or not. He could take his anger out on him after she’d been found.
Thirty-Five
Someone approached.
The light dimmed in the prison, but the figure walked with confidence and a presence that would only befall someone of high standing.
“We were just talking about you,” Teak sneered. He’d been in there too long, was starving and the need for Maeve was worse than ever. There was little Vint could do to him now that hadn’t already been done, and tempting the male’s anger was the only thing he had left.
He’d been taken from Maeve, more than likely by Vint’s own hand, so he was already living his worst nightmare. The only thing left was death, but that couldn’t happen. If Vint knew the bond he and Maevelin shared, there was no way he would allow Teak death.
Zekekiel stopped in front of Teak’s cell, the blue light tinting his pale face. He hated that face. It had everything he wanted in life, and even now, it taunted him. But, the longer Teak looked at that face, the more he saw. Intelligence radiated off the male like the heat from his own cage.
Zeke slowly took his gaze to Teak’s right, to the cell holding the Tallel. “I highly doubt you were both talking about me.”
If only he could strip that smug look off Vint’s face, he’d be happier. He stood from the dirt, straightening his back, the only thing that hadn’t been stripped of him was his pride. It made them roughly the same height and size from what Teak knew was truly beneath those robes. He approached the bars, but didn’t touch them. Just close enough to feel the heat radiating on his skin. “What could you possibly want of me now, Vint?” He clenched his jaw and let it go. “I am where you always wished me to be. Am I not?”
The male was silent for a long moment, only infuriating Teak’s pride more. “It is nice to see you behind these bars, but I didn’t put you here. I said you would be safe from me, and I keep my word. Looks like you pissed off someone else.”
“It is an easy thing to do on this planet.”
Zeke tipped his head in near agreement. “Unfortunately, you know as well as I do that I cannot allow you to die. I will not forfeit her life. Not even to see you hang.”
“You came here for a reason, Vint. What was it?” He was already tired of the games, didn’t care if Vint knew about the bond or not. But it was happenstance such a thing had fortunate timing.
Vint stood straighter, his eyes darkening. “Maevelin.”
Teak smiled. Even the mention of her name could bring him bliss. “Is my master demanding you release me, hmm?”
“She is no longer your master, nor does she have the ability to ask for your release.”
Teak slammed against the bars in fury. He gripped Vint by the robes and pulled him in hard. The bars burned his flesh, searing the skin before his black blood could form a drop, but just the thought of Vint doing something to his bonded mate burned even hotter.
He smiled as the smell of burning robes hit his nose. He’d be marred with scars up to his bicep, but it was nothing when compared to the one he’d given Vint in the split second he’d grabbed, and pulled him into them. He’d marked the perfect specimen of a male, branded him on his chest to remember that he’d fucked with Teakin Kade. He didn’t truly believe Vint’s claim, couldn’t believe anything the male said. He could be exactly the one who put him in that hell, but if he touched Maeve, he’d fucking kill him and all the masters of that world who put themselves on pedestals.
“If you tell me that you touched one hair on her head, I will fucking kill you, and set fire to your precious planet. I will watch it burn until nothing is left.” He grit his teeth and whispered over the hum of the cell bars, the tinge of burned cloth and flesh, then finally pushed Vint away.
He heard the Tallel in his cell panting his enraged breaths. What power did Vint hold over the species of the planet? It was impossible to see the sentiment behind the lies and false purity. The smug look on Vint’s face had Teak wishing he brought that to the bars instead of his chest. If he was in pain from his wounds, he didn’t show it.
“In a few moments, Teakin,” Vint spoke softly, not once wincing at the burns on his chest, “you’ll be happy I have acquired you from your love.” He spat the last word, as if it burned his serpent tongue to say it.
“What could you possibly know of love?” He was already done with the bullshit.
“I know a great deal. Will you listen? Time is of the essence.” He righted his robe and stood resolute. “And I’ve allowed you to waste enough time.”
Allowed? Vint didn’t allow anything. Teakin had taken it, and if only for a moment, controlled the situation. He stepped away from the burning bars, ignoring his own pain, and folded his arms over his chest. “I’m listening.”
“Twenty six cycles ago, the love of my life was taken from me, body and soul. The only thing worse than that was my tiny daughter, still a baby, was ripped from her mother’s arms and taken somewhere I could never find. I know what love is, Teakin. Maevelin is the only thing I have in my life that is worth anything to me, and I do not mean credits. I love her.” He paused and looked Teak up and down before continuing. “Not as you love her, but as a father loves a daughter.”
Teak knew the shock was evident on his face. The Tallek didn’t look to be lying. There was honesty in his voice and despair on his face. He hadn’t done anything to Maeve, but something had happened.
“I took her from that hell I know you’ve seen. She was dirty, too small for her age, and no one would claim her when asked. I took her home, fed her, looked after her, made sure she was educated. She has been safe under my hand her entire life and I made sure her fate would never be her ancestors.”
Stunned silent, Teak could only listen to the words that came from the male he never thought had a heart before. It was clear now, Vint had no part in anything that had befallen Teak. Not at the risk of his precious Maevelin. “Where is she?” He may have asked the question aloud, but knew the answer would hurt.
“She went looking for you. She has not returned.”
“That means nothing. She could be anywhere in this city and just didn’t want to tell you.”
Vint reached in his robes and pulled out a portable pad. He turned it around to show Teak a red screen. ACCESS DENIED flashed across it.
His brows furrowed as he stepped closer, unfamiliar with the program. “What is that?”
“It is the access code to her tracking device.” Vint’s face twisted in rage, and he slammed the device into the dirt floor. “Someone has changed it. Someone has betrayed me.”
Rage boiled inside Teak’s veins and he roared in anger. He’d kill whoever had
his Mahla, and they’d never touch her again. He’d make sure of it.
“I had hoped you’d feel that way. Do you have any ideas on who would take her?”
“Yes.” He refused to swallow down the growl that permeated his chest, and clenched his jaw as his canines ached, until his teeth threatened to crack. He knew exactly who had her. “And you won’t like who it is.”
“Tell me.” Vint’s face went feral and rigid. His anger rivaled Teak’s and he fed from it.
The portable pad chimed and flashed from the floor. Vint picked it up as it went to another screen, and turned it away from Teak.
It felt like an eternity he stood there waiting for Vint to say something. “What is it?”
Vint cut his eyes toward him. “Trident. Someone is attempting to use it to leave the planet.” Vint tapped the screen in a hurry, but Teak didn’t know what he was doing. “There is no manifest.”
Teak growled again, the sound low and deep in his chest. He was ready for the fight ahead, his body hot and primed. He was more certain now than ever before.
Vint looked him in the eyes, they glowed that bright yellow that told of his own anger, betrayal, and realization of who had Maeve.
“Roth,” they said in unison.
Vint slid in a key and metal scraped against metal. The blue electricity, which held him in, faded, and Vint stepped back, dropping his robes to the dirt floor. The male’s body was in impeccable form and he realized then the male didn’t look his age at all.
“We go together. This is a betrayal I will not see go unpunished.”
“I won’t allow him to live, Vint.”
Zekekiel Vint stood straighter, more resolute than before. “Neither will I.”
Teak nodded and ran out of the dark prison, Vint on his heels.
A transport waited outside the front gate and no one dared stop them as they ran out. Being with the master had its perks. There was virtually no where they couldn’t go or didn’t have access to. That made Teak think. He threw himself into the transport, and it rocked from side to side. Vint slid in beside him and yelled his commands to the driver. They took off faster than Teak realized the transport could go, and the tall trees blurred by as they made their way to the port.
