The Demon's Change

by Donna McDonald

  When she finally stood alone on the mat and the males were all down, Gwen pulled back the energy she had been using to anticipate their actions. She walked around as she tried to shed the urge she always had to yell like an animal after a fight. She could never pinpoint the moment in her life that such a strange leaning had been born in her. Nevertheless the desire remained, no matter how much control she practiced. The more powerful she became, the more difficult it was not to call out at the ultimate moment of triumph.

  “Are we finished, Commander?” Karr asked. “The captain has asked me to mind the bridge again while he works on something else. I need to report shortly.”

  Gwen nodded. “Glad to see you so excited about bridge duty, Ensign Karr.”

  Karr smiled. “I consider it an honor that Captain Synar keeps asking.”

  Gwen rubbed her hair until she felt it standing on end. “Yeah, we’re done for today. Thanks for sparring—all of you. I’m not going to forget that you’re brave enough to keep volunteering. Try to talk some of your buddies into taking a turn. Taunts about the size of their bonding organs are not only allowed, but encouraged.”

  She heard the males all laughing as they trailed out of the Guardian 13’s most excellently decked out training area. Still pacing she looked at the amazing equipment lining the walls, including a row of weapons, some of which she didn’t even recognize. Jurek had danced around like a kid when he first saw them, touching them with the same reverence Zade showed for the spiritual objects he kept in his mediation room.

  “Five? Why five?”

  Gwen looked up at the person asking the question. Damn, she was still breathing hard. Five had been a serious workout. “I’m moving up in quantity every few weeks until some group of them manages to kick my ass and put me on the mat. I figure that’s going to show me my limit.”

  Ania nodded as she walked across the gleaming training floor. It was made of composite materials that would cushion the fall of even the heaviest of warriors. When she got to where Gwen paced on the mat, she stopped to study the female.

  Harboring no illusions, she saw the good and the bad in the Earthling commander. She also saw a female that she respected and liked.

  “Got time to talk?” Ania asked.

  “Sure. How are you feeling today?” Gwen asked first, knowing the sedative’s effects were just now subsiding.

  Ania shrugged. “I feel fine physically. Emotionally, I’m still angry at the male that put children in me without my knowledge or permission. The spirits of the beings I carry have not yet aligned with mine so they do not seem real yet. All other issues I’m having pale in comparison.”

  Gwen laughed at Ania’s prissy but proper words. “Synar is so happy you’re pregnant that he’s puffed up with it.”

  “Puffed up?” Ania asked, confused at the description.

  “Puffed up as in Synar is acting all proud about siring the children. It’s rolling off into other parts of his character too. You should have seen him when we met with three dressed out Peace Alliance generals. He ignored their uniforms and gave them so much snarky hell I hardly recognized him. Synar has been a very different individual since you’ve been back in his life,” Gwen declared.

  Ania nodded even as she frowned. “The reverse is also true. Being exposed to Liam Synar has had a profound effect on me as well.”

  “Don’t worry. The most profound effect isn’t showing yet. It’s probably going to be a bit before the rest of the crew notices your new level of personal growth,” Gwen teased.

  “I wasn’t necessarily referring to the gestation process, but I guess that is the case as well.”

  Ania frowned harder at the bloated image of herself that popped into her mind.

  Gwen shook her head. “What I said was meant as a joke, Ania. I was teasing.”

  “Sorry. My sense of humor is buried under too much stress. Will you stop pacing for a moment? I want to look in your eyes when I apologize to you,” Ania ordered, her words both terse and stern.

  Gwen stopped walking then, her gaze popping to Ania’s in surprise. “Apologize? For what?”

  Ania swallowed hard, collecting her courage to speak.

  “I tried to kill you, Gwen. I would have killed all of you if I could have managed to do so. Something possessed me without my knowledge, and in a far more pervasive way than Malachi ever did. My anger toward the invading energy was as blinding and sharp as a stun from a laser weapon. I reacted poorly. The only explanation I’ve come up with is that I struck out to fight whatever was visible, because I was unable to do anything about what was not.”

  Gwen walked over to look down at the smaller female she both liked and respected.

  “You didn’t really try to kill me, Ania. I know you would never do that unless I was being a threat to all those around me. I blame whatever the hell took you over. But for the record, I was doing my damn best to stop you or kill you back, and I would have if it been the last resort. Fortunately, that step wasn’t necessary. But it did take me, Zade, and Synar all three to stop you, not to mention an assortment of ensigns. Let’s just say I’ll never doubt anything you say about your skills again. Zade never slept until the sedation took full effect on you.”

  Ania nodded as her chin dropped to her chest. “I’m glad Dorian was there. No other warrior . . . well, no matter. He was there and it serves no good to speculate. I just wanted to be sure you knew that what I did was not something I would normally do without unquestionable provocation.”

  Gwen snorted. “Don’t waste any energy on guilt or trying to explain your actions. I never even went there in my head, not even once. If anything, I thought you’d be pissed at me.”

  “Are we true enough friends that you would grant me all your faith?” Ania asked.

  Gwen nodded. “Yes, of course. Why do you ask?”

  Ania stepped closer and looked up in the Earthling’s sincere gaze.

  “Because I want you to see my true nature without blinders. Malachi cannot be the only one because he would never willingly take the life of his host. I am capable of much evil, Gwen. Each moment I breathe, I have to work on fostering the good in my spirit because wicked words taste like the sweetest dessert to my tongue. I may be reformed, but I am still a self-serving creature. It is that misguided being that you must kill if there is ever a profound reason to do so. Feel no regret if that step must be taken. You would only be releasing my spirit so it could come back and try to be better next time around.”

  Seeing the guilt-ridden Pleiadian waiting for some response to her confession, Gwen nodded that she’d heard.

  “Fine. I’ll keep that in mind for the future. Let me know when you’re tired of doing penance because I want to talk about something more important than your guilt. We’ve already started planning the next mission.”

  “If you can set what I did to you aside so easily, then I guess I am finished,” Ania said, still not sure that Gwen understood.

  “Good. Let’s get something to eat first. I thought the Liberator’s dining area was nice. The Guardian 13 has more luxuries than I have ever seen on a star cruiser. Chef is serving gourmet these days. No one is ever late for their scheduled meal time.”

  “Eating with others would be a pleasant change of pace. I’ve been dining in the captain’s private area. Synar loves keeping me as confined as possible to our quarters.”

  “Private dining area? Wonder if Zade and I have one? I thought that little room next to our quarters was for storage,” Gwen mused aloud as they walked down the much longer halls of the new ship.

  “I don’t know about Dorian, but I’m fairly sure you should have one. You’re the Commander,” Ania said.

  Gwen smiled as it was the first time she’d ever heard someone call her that title.

  “Yeah. That’s right. I am. Being mated to the Siren clouds my thinking. I forgot that in the eyes of the Peace Alliance I’m the one with clout. Thanks for the heads up. I’ll be talking to the bursar tomorrow.”

  Ania
laughed at Gwen’s pretended interest in her rank benefits. The warrior female would always eat with her crew, whether it aligned with ship etiquette or not. Any one of the warriors that served under her would step in front of a fight knife to save her, even the young ensigns. Of course, they all knew just how far Gwen would go to protect them as well.

  “So tell me about the mission,” Ania said finally, matching her pace to the taller female’s stride.

  “We’re heading to Norblade to find a missing Allurean,” Gwen said.

  “Allurean? I thought their species was extinct,” Ania said, her interest snagged.

  “Kefira said the Peace Alliance has been sheltering an Allurean in exchange for the female allowing her regeneration process to be studied. In other words, they have turned the last living Allurean into a science experiment, just like what happened to the rest of her dead species. She’s paying for her keep by letting them take blood and harvest skin samples,” Gwen said, her mouth curling with distaste. “I don’t know why yet, but I get a damn knot in my stomach every time I think about what they’ve been doing to her.”

  Ania nodded. “That’s your intuition talking through your body’s reactions. Perhaps you’re not convinced she’s volunteering.”

  Gwen nodded back. “Yes. Something like that. I guess I’m wondering if we’re just going to be rescuing her from one kind of prison to send her back to another.”

  ***

  “You wanted to see me, Captain?” Karr said, taking the seat Synar indicated across the desk in the Captain’s workroom.

  “Yes. Your Peace Alliance contract is coming up for renewal soon. I wanted to see what your intentions were. Are you seeking a commission with another ship?” Synar asked.

  Karr looked down. Shades of Kellnor, who had told him? “Yes. It’s on Lieutenant Warro’s old ship—the Paladin.”

  “It’s certainly fancier, but that ship is not any better equipped than the Guardian 13. Are they promising you a chance at lieutenant?” Synar demanded.

  The answer was in the ensign’s constant shifting in his chair. Finally, Karr nodded reluctantly. Synar nodded back.

  “Would you be interested in staying if I made you the same offer? I need more crew right now, not less. Your service has been excellent. I want you to stay. We can put in a field promotion to lieutenant and see what happens. I’ve gotten a yes for every one I’ve submitted lately.”

  Karr looked away. “They also told me that it was guaranteed that I would go on missions.”

  Synar laughed. “I can match that easily enough. You can go on the current one no matter what your decision is about staying or leaving. We’re going to Norblade. It would be a good one for you to assist—in a limited capacity at first, of course.”

  Karr sighed. “Sir? May I be frank?”

  Synar raised an eyebrow. “I wouldn’t have it any other way, Ensign.”

  “There aren’t enough females on our crew. I’m tired of spending my days off with angry, frustrated males. I’d like to have a more well-rounded social life.”

  Synar laughed. “Yes, I have heard that complaint from my mostly male crew before. So that’s the real reason why you’re leaving?”

  “Yes, sir. I like this crew just fine. There are likely no better warriors in the Peace Alliance than here.” Karr watched Synar for signs of irritation, relieved when he found none.

  “What if I offered passage to some Siren escorts? Would that work?” Synar asked.

  Karr shrugged. “It would help. In my dealings with them, I haven’t found those females particularly interested in socializing. They’re not really fun except for bonding. Plus, they’re very clinical about their interactions. I feel like I’m an experiment for them. A couple even rushed to their coms to make notes after we were done. I gave them up long ago.”

  “Hmm . . . they rushed to their com units? You might want to consider that a compliment, Ensign. With their experience, I imagine they don’t run across males worthy of notes very often,” Synar said, grinning at his young ensign’s flushing face.

  Karr cleared his throat. “I keep thinking that it would be nice to hang out with fellow officers. Not like the commander, but you know . . . maybe another female of rank . . . someone I could talk to about . . . work things.”

  “Like Medic Ador?” When Karr sighed, Synar grinned. “Now don’t get upset, Karr. Boca never mentioned it or complained. You know I’m very intuitive, especially about the energy settings of crew members.”

  “With all respect Captain, I would rather not discuss Boca. My inclinations remain my business where she is concerned. Yes, I favored her. She did not return that interest. In fact, we never even had a discussion about it. Until Dr. Chiang started growling over her, I would have said that she didn’t even like males.”

  “You’re not alone in that sentiment. I imagine Boca would have said the same of herself,” Synar said, drumming fingers on his new desk. “Okay. So Siren escorts are a possibility for other males, but you’d prefer more female crew. Let me see if I can make both those happen. After the mission, can we discuss this again before you say yes to the Paladin’s offer?”

  Karr nodded. “Of course, sir. While I have this chance, let me just say that I appreciate the opportunities you’ve given me to mind the bridge.”

  Synar bowed his head. “You’ve earned them. And my existing lieutenants appreciate the break.”

  “Anything else we need to discuss?” Karr asked. He let himself smile at his Norblade captain genuinely. It didn’t get to happen often.

  “I’m good for now if you are,” Synar said. “Give me a little time and I’ll try to find some females for you. Thanks for coming by so promptly.”

  Karr bowed his head again before taking his leave.

  Chapter 7

  Ensign Vetin passed the portable com to his supervisor for signoff. “The last of Liberator’s tools and supplies have been stored. It all fit in the one rack just like you thought, and with some space left over.”

  Ji snorted. He imagined the entire content of the Liberator, including crew possessions, could have been easily stacked in the new shuttle dock, and with space enough to walk around the entirety after. The Guardian 13 was large and spacious. While it wasn’t quite the size of the Paladin, or nearly as streamlined, everything was at least upgraded to the latest and the best. He’d already had to consult operating manuals for several new versions of equipment.

  “Good work, Ensign. By the way, I heard you were close friends to the previous head of Engineering. My condolences for the loss of your friend. In my culture, we allow a full month off for mourning. I commend you for remaining in service,” Ji said.

  Vetin nodded. “Your concern is appreciated, sir. Ensign Whun and I went through academy together. Captain Synar said he died trying to save someone’s life. That’s a very honorable way to die given what we do. Truth is, Whun hated working in Engineering. Captain Synar made him so he could move Chiang to Medical. Chiang loved working here. I don’t understand the thinking around moving people into jobs they hate, but I suppose Captain Synar has his reasons.”

  “Yes. Well, anyone serving in the Peace Alliance needs to be ready to serve wherever they are needed most,” Ji said, giving the junior officer another smile.

  “Is that why you’re here? Did the Peace Alliance ask you to leave your captain’s commission to help us?” Ensign Vetin asked.

  Ji pondered the question and how to answer. He doubted the young Greggor male would understand his willingness to trade his career for a single sleep cycle in the arms of a female. He barely understood it himself.

  “Something like that,” Ji said carefully, thinking of the sealed records he and Synar had entered into his career log. “I’d like to share those reasons with you, but they are Code 3 locked.”

  As Vetin bowed his head in understanding, Ji saw the object of his obsession standing just a few feet away. It was as if his thoughts had conjured her. When Vetin straightened and turned to follow his line of vision
, the Greggor’s understanding smile faded completely. It was a strange reaction for the younger male to have given Seta’s attractiveness, but there was no discreet way to ask him about it.

  “Sorry if I’m interrupting your work, Ensign. I need to speak to Lieutenant Warro if you can spare him.”

  Ji saw Vetin frown hard, but the Greggor’s negative reaction evoked no answering response from Seta. After a tense silence, Ji watched as Vetin bucked up enough to answer.

  “No worries, Lieutenant Trax. Lieutenant Warro and I are finished,” Vetin said.

  Ji handed the portable com back to the nervous Greggor just before the male fled. Even after Vetin was out of hearing range, Ji kept his gaze fixed on Seta. Unlike the weirdly squeamish young Greggor, he was taking in the sight of the female in front of him like a male dying of visual thirst. It was all he could do to keep his distance. The need to touch her was incredibly strong now that she was so close. Perhaps he needed to get his libido control implant checked.

  “How are you settling in on the Guardian 13?” she asked.

  Ji shrugged at the question. “It only took two timekeeper revolutions to transfer the Liberator’s meager cargo onto the Guardian 13. How about you?”

  Seta looked down. “I’m moved, but still adjusting to Rena and I having separate quarters. She was quite eager for her independence. I think my . . . I think the entity I host is a trial to Rena’s spiritual energy setting. I miss my sibling’s friendly chatter—at least I miss the way she was before she got depressed.”

  Ji smiled as he nodded. “I come from a very old Rylen family. My parents were encouraged to produce a significant quantity of full Sirens since many of our kind are now hybrid. I have two sisters and three brothers—all full Sirens like me. Of course, we are hundreds of years apart in age. I was born just before the youngest.”