The League 3: Paradise City

by Sherrilyn Kenyon

  Devyn almost laughed at himself. What use would his promise be? Where she was concerned, he couldn't maintain his normal control. He'd been trying to avoid her since she first stepped on board his ship and what had it gotten him? Rock-heavies.

  No, she wouldn't listen to him any more than he'd listened to his father when his father had warned him about Onone. All he could do was offer her friendship and a promise that if she ever needed him, he would be there.

  "Good-bye, Alix Garran. I hope you at least find what you're looking for," he whispered, knowing for him the search would never cease.

  Chapter Seven

  Irn sat in the captain's chair, eyeing the tracking scanner. The Mariah continued to blink on screen and he altered his course to make sure his prey didn't leave his range. A smile curved his lips and he felt like laughing. Of course he never laughed, not anymore.

  "Captain?"

  He looked over at his second-in-command, Frinskey, an Yrprian reject who reminded him of a fuzzy shoe. Worse than his appearance and whiny, hissing speech, the alien's skin stank to the six corners of Perulia. But after the last few months, he'd grown almost accustomed to it.

  Frinskey squirmed in his chair. "Werren wants to know if we're to maintain pursuit. After seeing the Mariah's weapons spec, he thinks we should—"

  "He thinks?" Irn snarled. "Open the channel."

  An image of Werren's handsome face flashed onto his screen. He hated handsome people almost as much as he hated life.

  "Captain," Werren said in greeting.

  Irn curled his lip. "What's this about your thinking?"

  Werren turned a strange shade of green. "Nothing," he said, his voice as breathless as a cornered virgin.

  Narrowing his eyes on the space scab, he knew Werren would desert him at the first opportunity, but he had no intention of losing a pilot with Werren's skill. He'd kill him first. "You'll follow my lead without question. That is unless you want to end up like your former captain."

  Werren's face paled.

  Satisfied that he had quelled the moron, Irn cut the channel. "Anyone else want to question me?" he asked sadistically, delighting in the way his own crew cringed.

  Once more he felt like laughing. Triumph would soon be his. At long last he would have his vengeance against his enemy's seed. Still, it seemed small compensation for thirty years of hard prison labor and the loss of his younger brother—the only person he'd ever given a damn about.

  Aye, he'd make Malena's son squirm. He wouldn't just open Devyn's main artery and watch him die. No, he intended to cut him into pieces, film every incision, and make sure Malena Laing Kell received a copy of her son's death. He'd tear Devyn apart just like the inmates had done to his brother, and she'd watch, helpless to stop it.

  Irn drummed his fingers against his armrest, all the while watching the screen's blip.

  When he'd finally gotten out of prison, he'd wanted to go after the jarlia and kill her, but that took more money than he'd had. And no one wanted to hire a man who had just done thirty years for murder, rape, drug running, and child molestation. No one other than Alix's father. That old, stupid, drunken bastard hadn't thought twice about checking his faked credentials. Garran had earned what he got.

  Irn's sight dimmed. He could still remember the first time he'd seen Garran's daughter and her stuck-up ways. If he hadn't needed the money so bad, he'd have humbled her the first week on board their rickety old freighter. But he'd waited, knowing eventually he'd have enough money to get back at Malena and Alix.

  He growled low in his throat. But he'd waited too damned long. After he killed Alix's father, she'd escaped him. But not this time. First he'd finish his business with Devyn; then he'd take pleasure in making the haughty bitch serve every want and need he'd ever had.

  * * *

  Alix left the closet with the last of her clothes. Sighing wistfully, she took one final look around her room. Would she ever again have anything so nice?

  "I really wish you'd reconsider," Zarina said from the plush chair next to the porthole.

  "What's to consider?" Alix said with a confidence she didn't feel. She'd give anything to stay, but she knew it was impossible.

  Zarina held the blue choker she'd bought for her on Nera, lacing the sparkling jewels between long, graceful fingers. She met Alix's gaze and Alix immediately noticed the sudden calculating gleam in her eyes. Trepidation filled her. The princess was planning something. Heaven only knew what she'd come up with now.

  Zarina smiled. "If you really are leaving, could I buy you one last going-away present?"

  She hadn't known Zarina long, but she'd already learned to be wary of Zarina when she had that mischievous gleam in her eyes. "I don't know."

  Zarina smiled so sweetly Alix felt awful for questioning her intentions. "Please? I want to do one last thing. I promise no one will get hurt, nor will any Keepers be involved."

  Despite herself, Alix smiled. Part of her wanted to run the moment the ship's ramp was lowered, but the other part of her didn't want to leave at all. She would never again see Zarina, Sway, or Devyn. Pain coiled inside her like a vicious snake sent to tear her insides apart.

  Breathing deeply, she tried to think up reasons why she couldn't do what Zarina asked. She couldn't find one single reason not to give in to Zarina's wishes.

  "Okay," she said at last. "But remember you promised no jail."

  Zarina laughed. "No jail."

  She rose to her feet and grabbed Alix by the arm. "Come on, let's go annoy the guys while they try to land us."

  Alix's throat tightened. Could she stand seeing Devyn one last time? If she saw him again, could she leave him? "I don't know if that's such a good idea."

  "Vriska! Of course it's a good idea."

  Reluctantly, Alix allowed Zarina to pull her down the corridor and into the control room. As soon as she entered, she wished she'd listened to herself and had stayed in her room.

  Devyn stood with his back to them, but even so she ached for him. Biting her lower lip, Alix suppressed the wave of tears that threatened to spill down her cheeks. How could she leave him? Why must she leave him when all she really wanted was to stay and be near him forever?

  Sway turned around to face Devyn. "I've got the landing bay controller."

  Devyn nodded his head and for the first time, Alix realized he wore the communications headset and was talking privately with someone over the hailing channel.

  "Uh, Dad," he said as if to interrupt someone. He turned around and glanced at Alix and she noted his frustration. He clenched his jaw and rolled his eyes. "Dad," he repeated. "No!" he said emphatically. "Don't put Mom on. Dad! Don't. . . Hi, Mom," he said, then sighed.

  Alix gave a small laugh. Devyn folded his arms over his chest, looked at her, and, smiling, shook his head. Alix could hear excited chatter even from her distance, but couldn't make out any of the words.

  "No, Mom, we're . . . She's . . . But... If you'll . . ." Devyn shook his head. "Here," he said, tossing the headset to Zarina. "Talk to her so I can land this damned thing."

  Alix laughed.

  Devyn cast her a menacing glare. "I'm glad someone's amused."

  Sway leaned back and eyed Devyn. "Actually, we're all amused."

  "Ha, ha," Devyn said, sitting in his chair and taking the controls.

  Alix took her chair and belted herself in.

  "He's been a beast to me!"

  Shocked by the words, Alix turned to look at Zarina, who cast Devyn an evil smirk as she sat in her own chair.

  "No, he didn't do that. But still—" Now Zarina looked flustered.

  "Just wait," Sway said to Alix. "You'll see how hard it is to say a word around Devyn's mother."

  Alix smiled again. She could just imagine what the woman who had given birth to a man like Devyn must look like. No doubt gorgeous, his mother probably towered over them all, and as far as her being protective, well, Alix couldn't blame her in the least. If Devyn belonged to her, she'd be the same way.

&
nbsp; With all the longing swirling inside her, she watched Devyn, trying to absorb every part of him into her memory so she could recall his image on future lonely nights when she couldn't sleep. Her lips trembled.

  She loved every minute detail of him—the way his hair flopped down over his eyes, the shape of his mouth, those dark, wonderful eyes.

  An image of him in his exercise shorts scorched her. She gripped the arms of her chair and fought against her surging desire. If she could go back, she'd have her one night with him, consequences be damned.

  "Aunt Malena," Zarina said, "I think we just landed. Okay, I'll tell him. Yes. Okay, bye."

  Zarina set the headset down and gave a heavy sigh. "Boy, Devyn, your mom sure can talk."

  "You should be grateful she's never lectured you. If not for my dad, I guarantee I'd be deaf by now."

  Despite his humorous remark, a lump constricted Alix's throat. She'd miss Devyn, Sway, and Zarina. In fact, it was harder to leave them than it had been to sell her father's freighter and leave her so-called home.

  Devyn locked down their gear, then moved to stand next to Alix. "My parents have invited all of us to dinner. I was wondering if you'd like to join us before you leave."

  Alix swallowed to clear her throat and ignored the excited voice in her head that begged her to say yes.

  She couldn't bring herself to meet Devyn's gaze. Instead, she kept her eyes focused on the center of his chest. "I'm not—"

  "C'mon, Alix," Zarina said. "You've got to eat anyway."

  Frowning, she knew she should deny both of them, but she couldn't. Devyn and Zarina had been too kind to her. As Zarina had said, she had to eat anyway, so why not have a few more hours with the only real friends she'd ever known?

  "Okay," she said, looking up at Devyn.

  Relief shone in his eyes. He offered her a smile, then turned to release the ship's ramp.

  She followed Sway, Devyn, and Zarina to the center of the ship where the door was located. As soon as Sway pushed the controls, Devyn's mother rushed in and grabbed him in an embrace that had Alix flinching at its tightness.

  Dazed by the sight of his mother, Alix stared at the tiny woman who barely reached above the middle of Devyn's chest. From the way they all acted and talked, she'd been certain his mother was over forty feet tall.

  Dark brown hair had been swept up into an intricate coiffure that hung around his mother's face and shoulders in soft, shiny ringlets. Never in her life had she seen any woman more beautiful. Not even Zarina.

  His mother certainly didn't look like any bounder Alix had ever beheld.

  "My baby!" she cried, clutching Devyn to her. "I've missed you so much." She pulled back from him and quickly scanned his body.

  Alix squelched her smile at the blush that spread over Devyn's cheeks and the way he blustered under her scrutiny.

  Looking at his face, his mother gave a cry of dismay, cupped his chin in her hand, and brushed his hair back from his eyes. "You look like you've not been sleeping well."

  She glanced over her shoulder. "Valerian, look at him. His eyes are bloodshot."

  His mother turned back to Devyn and touched his cheek and forehead as if feeling for a fever. "Have you been eating right? I brought more cookies, but if—"

  "Malena, please," Devyn's father said, pulling her back against his chest and encircling her waist with his arms. A wide smile curved his lips, and Alix was amazed at how much father and son favored each other. "Devyn can take care of himself. He looks fine to me."

  Malena lifted her chin and pouted. "But his eyes—"

  Valerian shook his head. "If you didn't call him in the middle of the night, he might be able to get more rest."

  Alix hid her smile at the way his mother shifted indignantly. Elbowing her husband, Devyn's mother pushed herself away and went to hug Zarina and Sway.

  While his wife was preoccupied, Devyn's father hugged him, and Alix didn't miss the way his father's hands tightened around Devyn as if he wanted to duplicate his wife's embrace and never let go of his son. All too well, she understood that need.

  His father released him, then turned to face her. "You must be the new engineer, Alix," he said, extending his hand out to her.

  "Yes, sir." She took his hand and shook it.

  "I'm Valerian Kell," he said with a smile. "And the worry rat is my wife, Malena."

  Malena lifted a finely arched brow and swept a look over Valerian that spoke more of her irritation than any words. "I wouldn't worry so much if Devyn took after me and not you and Calix. I swear the three of you are on a crusade to shorten my life."

  Alix glanced at Devyn to see how he was dealing with their presence. Humor danced in his eyes and she knew he didn't mind his parents at all.

  Malena finally turned her probing amber stare to Alix. "Aren't you a pretty little thing," she said, bringing a stinging heat to Alix's cheeks. "No wonder Devyn's voice softens when he speaks of you."

  "Mother!"

  Alix's eyes widened in shock over Malena's disclosure.

  Malena waved a hand at Devyn's outrage as she disregarded him. "Now, Devyn, I'm too old for you to chastise me. If I can't speak my mind, then why was I given one?"

  Devyn's face flushed a shade that Alix was sure matched her own.

  "Dad, can't you muzzle her?"

  Valerian smiled. "I could, but I happen to enjoy her comments. Besides, when you're around, she's not picking on me."

  Alix laughed, which brought an angry glare from Devyn. "Sorry," she said, but his features didn't soften.

  "Hey, I've got an idea," Zarina spoke up, breaking them apart.

  She moved to stand between Valerian and Malena and took each one by the arm. "Why don't you two take Devyn and spend some time by yourselves for a while?"

  At least Devyn's glare went to a new target. He cleared his throat. "I don't really have—"

  "What a great idea," Malena spoke up. "We hardly ever get to see him anymore and we could use a few hours."

  Devyn looked to his father for help. "Dad?"

  Valerian shook his head. "I love you, Dev, but I also love your mother and she's the one I have to live with. You're on your own."

  Malena turned to Devyn, her face that of a guileless angel, and Alix wished she could learn how to be so manipulative while looking so beautiful and sweet. "You wouldn't want to hurt my feelings, would you, Devyn?"

  Devyn's frown melted into a smile and he hugged his mother. "No, I could never do anything to hurt you."

  Zarina gave Alix a conspiratorial wink. "Well then, you go along now and—"

  "You're coming, too," Devyn said, his face stern.

  Duplicating Malena's beguiling look, Zarina batted her lashes. "I would just be intruding."

  Valerian cocked his brow in a way that reminded Alix an awful lot of Devyn when he was irritated or thoughtful. "I think I agree with—"

  "I won't get into any trouble," she promised. "I'll stay right by Sway and Alix, and they can watch over me until dinner."

  Alix bit her lips to keep from smiling. She didn't know what Zarina was planning, but she was learning a lot by observing the way Zarina got what she wanted.

  "Now look who's being overprotective," Malena said. "She can take care of herself."

  Valerian's mouth dropped.

  Disregarding his shock, Malena turned to Zarina. "You'd better show up at dinner. If you try to escape again, I'll hunt you myself."

  For once, Alix saw trepidation in Zarina's eyes. "Yes, ma'am."

  Alix watched them go, a lump in her stomach. They were such a handsome, loving family. What she wouldn't give to have grown up in such a home, surrounded by that kind of love and laughter.

  If only she could give such a life to her children. But who was she fooling? Any child she bore would automatically be a slave and she refused to bequeath that status to anyone.

  As soon as they disappeared into the crowd, Zarina turned to face Sway. "Batten down the hatches, flybaby. We're going shopping."

&nb
sp; "Shopping?" Alix and Sway asked simultaneously.

  Alix swallowed; she hated shopping.

  Zarina pushed Sway toward the control room. "I'm going, and if you let me out of your sight, Devyn will have your head. So lock up and join us."