She was jolted out of this warm haze as feral eyes, black as night with only the narrowest amber ring glittered down at her.
“No. You chose to stay!”
She moaned, eyes flicking open as the pain of loss returned. Kusac tilted her back in his arms, lowering his face to hers, his eyes as dark as she’d remembered. His mouth closed on hers, his kiss both frantic and compelling.
You promised to stay with me, he sent fiercely. Don’t you dare try and slip away from me again! Gods, Carrie, I can’t bring her back, but I’ll give you as many cubs as you want!
He released her as she started to cry again. This time the grief seemed to come from deep within her. She clung to him as he carried her back into the house and up to their room.
Gradually the hurt began to diminish and she realized that she could still sense the Clan— worried and concerned about one of their own— hovering at the edges of her mind. Satisfied that all would now be well, their presence faded, leaving the Leskas alone.
She looked around the room at the anxious faces of her family and realized at last that she had come home. At the back of the room stood Kaid, and in his eyes and mind she saw approbation.
Vanna pushed past Konis and turned to shoo them all out. “Carrie needs to rest now,” she said firmly as they began to leave. “You, too,” she said to Kusac.
“No, I want him to stay,” Carrie said.
“I want you to rest, cub. You’ll heal faster if you do.”
“I’ll rest better knowing he’s beside me.”
Vanna sighed. “You’re as bad as each other,” she grumbled as she and Chena settled Carrie back into bed. “You can stay,” she said to Kusac, “but only if you persuade her to sleep.”
“We’ll both sleep,” he said, lying down on top of the bed beside Carrie. He curled himself round behind her, carefully stretching his injured arm across her body to hold her hand. His tail flicked protectively across her legs. Sleep, before Vanna scolds us both, he sent as he gently nuzzled the back of her neck.
*
By evening, Carrie was more like herself, still subdued and saddened but no longer broadcasting a terrible sense of loss.
As Kusac sat beside her and took her hand, he felt a familiar flare of desire that he swiftly blocked, annoyed with himself for responding to the demands of their Link rather than the needs of his Leska, especially when there was no similar response from her. He remained with her for some time before she finally persuaded him to go and eat with his family.
While Vanna changed her dressings, Carrie was aware that her friend was preoccupied and she gently probed to find the underlying cause. What she discovered gave her cause to think.
Her task completed, Vanna said good night and went off duty, leaving Chena to hand Carrie the light meal that had been brought up to the bedroom for her.
She toyed with the food, eating about half before she knew Kusac was on his way back upstairs. She handed the tray to Chena.
“I’ve had enough,” she said, moving restlessly. “My leg and arm hurt and I can’t get comfortable. Can you give me something to help me sleep? Something stronger than I had this morning so I don’t wake up during the night.”
Chena put the tray on the chest at the end of the bed and went over to the dresser where Vanna kept Carrie’s chart and drugs. She checked the chart, then picked up one of the bottles.
“No problem,” she said, coming back over to her and pouring her a glass of water. “This should help you,” she said.
Carrie smiled her thanks, taking the tablets and washing them down with the water. She returned the glass and let Chena settle her more comfortably.
Kusac came in, a book in his hands. “I thought I’d read to you,” he said, making himself comfortable on the bed beside her.
Chena went out, gently closing the door.
“What a nice thought,” Carrie said. “I’m afraid I’ve just taken a sleeping pill, though. Perhaps tomorrow?”
“All right,” he agreed, putting the book aside. “I’ll just talk to you till you fall asleep.” Already he could sense her mind becoming fuzzy.
“I didn’t know they worked so quickly,” she agreed sleepily. “I’d like you to talk to Vanna, Kusac. She’s troubled at the moment and I think you could help each other.”
Kusac frowned. “Troubled? How?”
She’s unhappy. Go and talk to her. She was beginning to drift into sleep.
All right, but how can she help me? I don’t understand what you mean, he replied, concerned.
Go and see her, she sent, waving him away with a limp hand. She’s in the garden.
Kusac sighed, leaning over to kiss her on the forehead. “I’ll go. Sleep well.”
She murmured good night as he left the room.
Kusac headed downstairs, reaching out mentally to locate Vanna. As Carrie had said, she was in the garden, sitting on the bench. As he came between the high hedges, Vanna looked up, startled to see him.
“Is something wrong?” she asked, concern on her face.
“Not with Carrie,” he replied. “She wanted me to come and see you.”
“Me? Whatever for?”
Kusac sat down beside her. “She said you needed to talk to me.”
A frown creased Vanna’s nose. “I don’t know where she got that idea from,” she said, beginning to look uncomfortable.
“Is Brynne with someone just now?” he asked abruptly.
“Yes, but what has…”
“Carrie’s been picking you up,” he said angrily, “and doing a little probing on her own account. I’m sorry. She had no justification for prying, and no right to ask me to speak to you at this time.”
He put a sympathetic hand on her shoulder, only to snatch it back as the sudden shock of their physical contact jolted through him, so highly sexually charged were they to their separate partners.
“We’ve been set up by Carrie, Vanna,” he said grimly, trying to sense his Leska. He could feel her faint presence but before he could let her know how angry he was, she was sending to him.
You and Vanna both need someone now, came the very faint thought. What better way to show her that what she has with Brynne is better than anything you two could have, than to spend the night with her? It will also make Brynne more careful of her.
Kusac’s reply was a white hot fury of rage. I won’t be used, Carrie!
You’re making an exchange. Your need for hers. The thought faded as she drifted beyond him into sleep.
“What is it? What’s happened?” demanded Vanna, grabbing him by the arm and triggering the same response again. It left neither of them with any illusions about their present physical or mental state.
“Carrie got Chena to drug her up, then sent me to you, knowing that Brynne was with another female,” he said angrily. “She must have sensed me earlier this evening. She’s throwing us together. I apologize for her, Vanna. Good night.” He got up and turned to leave.
Again Vanna grasped him by the arm, this time refusing to let go when the reaction surged through her. “Wait,” she said, her ears flattening. “Why not, if Carrie’s willing?”
“It would be a mistake, Vanna. What about Brynne?”
“What about him? If he can go off with another female, then I’m free to please myself. But I don’t understand why Carrie would do this. Terrans don’t have our attitude toward pairings.”
“Her attitudes are becoming more Sholan,” he said slowly, thinking over what Carrie had actually said and realizing there was some sense to it. He tried to block the resonance building between him and Vanna, but found it almost impossible to ignore.
He turned. “It’s too easy for emotions to get involved, Vanna, especially for you.”
“I know. If you stay, I realize it’s only because Carrie’s ill.” She was projecting so much hope that mentally he backed away, wondering if Carrie’s plan could possibly work. His need for hers though: it was the Sholan way. Before he’d met Carrie he wouldn’t have thought twic
e about it.
“Come with me, then,” he said decisively.
“Where are we going?” she asked as he took her arm and led her into the darkness.
“Away from the house,” he replied, waiting a moment for his eyes to adjust to the night. As they made their way through the shrubland and across the fields Kusac sensed several of the watchers including T’Chebbi. He reached again for Carrie, but she remained deeply asleep.
At length, a barn loomed in the near distance and he headed toward it.
“A barn!” said Vanna, slightly aghast as she realized where they were going.
“Yes. It was the regular meeting place for couples when I was young.” He grinned, his teeth a flash of white in the dark. “I only went there a couple of times myself, but I know Taizia uses it fairly often.”
He felt her slow down. “It’s all right,” he reassured her. “There’s no one there, and we won’t be disturbed.” He pushed the door open, standing back for her to enter first.
“A barn with well oiled hinges,” she murmured, shaking her head as she looked around.
Kusac moved toward the few bales of last year’s straw that were piled in the far corner. He scrambled on top of them and crouching down, held out his hand to Vanna.
“It hasn’t changed,” he said, pulling her up and steadying her.
She stumbled, swaying for a moment before she lost her balance. With a sharp cry of fright, she went crashing down onto the straw on the lower level behind them, dragging Kusac along with her.
He landed on top of her, knocking the breath from her lungs.
“I suppose that’s one way of getting down here,” said Kusac, raising himself on his forearms and shaking his head to rid it of straw. He reached out to unfasten her coat, letting it fall open behind her.
“Another time, another place, isn’t that what we once said, Vanna?” he asked, touching her cheek as her arms came up around him.
The pull of their separate Links surged through them, but this time neither of them let go. Their minds met as telepaths’ minds did, but it held little of the magic they shared with their Leskas. Through Vanna, Kusac sensed Brynne push his partner aside as the human felt Vanna’s response to him. With a thought, Kusac blocked Brynne out and turned his attention back to Vanna.
She was breathing so rapidly now that she could hardly catch her breath. Her hands clutched at his tabard, claws coming out in her almost frantic need to touch him.
He caught her hands in one of his, lifting them to his mouth as he moved to kneel beside her.
“Not so fast,” he murmured, licking her fingers. “We’ve all night.” He leaned forward, unfastening her jacket while against his mouth, her fingers trembled.
He let them go, urging her to sit up while he pushed her coat and jacket free of her arms. Again, she reached for him, taking hold of his tunic.
“Still too fast,” he chided, pushing her hands away, unfastening it and taking it off himself. “I can’t see Garras being so quick. Brynne, perhaps, but not Garras.”
She gave a short laugh. “It’s just that I need to feel you warm and alive! You came so close to death again.”
“Shh, I know,” he said, lying down beside her again and beginning to nuzzle her cheek and ear. “Tell me,” he asked between licks, “does Brynne give you Terran kisses?”
“I don’t know,” she said, sighing as finally her hands were able to touch him. Show me, she sent as his mouth covered hers.
*
A false dawn lit the sky as Kusac left Vanna in the garden by the house. He was glad Carrie had pushed them together. Vanna was sweeter than any Sholan female he’d known, and he was pleased to have had the opportunity to know her body and mind better.
He padded silently upstairs into their rooms, nodding to Kaid as he passed him. Carrie was still fast asleep, as was Chena in her makeshift bed. A note lay on the drawer unit and he stopped to read it.
“Brynne called at the sixteenth hour, asking for Vanna or Kusac. When I said neither of you was available, he broke the connection. He seemed displeased over something.”
He shrugged, screwing up the note and throwing it in the bin nearby. He had expected as much. That was something Vanna would shortly be sorting out for herself. Heading for the bathroom, he took a quick shower, luxuriating in the warm water. The walk back had been chilly.
Going over to the bed, he checked Carrie again. She was beginning to stir. Her hand reached unerringly for his, giving it a gentle squeeze.
You’re back?
I’m back. He sat beside her.
Not there. Come in beside me, she sent sleepily, moving over to make room.
He got up and crawled in beside her, sliding an arm under her neck and her uninjured side.
You feel better now, more relaxed, and you smell nice. She wriggled closer to him, pillowing her head on his chest.
Strangely enough, I am. From what Vanna and Brynne have experienced, I didn’t expect it to work for me. He relaxed against her, enjoying being close to her again. There was a rightness about the feel of her both mentally and physically, something that Vanna, being Sholan, had lacked for him.
Brynne hasn’t been with someone he cared about. I know you don’t see Vanna as a lover, she sent hastily, feeling his rebuttal, but I know that, like me, you feel something special for her.
Kusac subsided, knowing she had correctly sensed his feelings for their friend. I don’t think it eased Vanna’s predicament, he sent. She was more tense than before when I left her. It was dangerous to pair with her, she believes herself to be too much in love with me. I think your plan could go wrong.
We’ll see. Remember, Brynne was experiencing what she experienced, and from what you say, her physical need hasn’t been diminished, nor will it be until she’s with him.
Kusac yawned. We’ll see. I cut Brynne out at the start because I don’t appreciate an audience. He called earlier. When I left her, Vanna was going back to the guild. I hope she can handle him after this. It won’t exactly endear either her or me to him.
When she realizes you can’t satisfy her, that only Brynne can, she continued, ignoring his protestations, her attitude to you will change, you’ll see. Not that I mean to infer you’re lacking as a lover, she added hastily, running her hand across his chest.
“Honestly, Carrie,” he murmured, wrapping his other arm around her waist and hugging her as tightly as he dared, “first you throw me at Vanna, then you try to arouse me yourself! I’ve had enough excitement for one night. Let’s just hope you’re right. Now go to sleep,” he said, relaxing his hold on her.
Do you regret not having a Sholan Leska? came the wistful thought. She felt the equivalent of a mental laugh.
Jealous? Don’t be. I’m not in love with Vanna, and we both discovered that even leaving the Leska bond aside, a Terran lover has something no Sholan could ever have, he sent sleepily.
What’s that? she asked, but he was already asleep.
*
Kaid woke to someone shaking him. He reached out and grabbed at him just as he realized it was Rulla.
“Kaid, it’s Dzaka. He’s gone, and he’s taken Vanna with him.”
Kaid sat up, blinking. “What d’you mean, taken Vanna?”
“I was on patrol near the garages when Dzaka came up behind me and knocked me out. I came to just in time to see him lifting Vanna into an aircar.”
Kaid began to swear as he pushed the covers back and got up. “Are you all right?” he asked, throwing a quick glance at Rulla as he pulled on his jacket.
“I’ll do,” he said, gingerly touching the back of his head. “It happened about an hour ago. I’ve no idea where he was taking her.”
Kaid fastened his belt, pulling his gun from under the pillow and pushing it into the side holster. “Tell T’Chebbi what’s happened while I try to contact Brynne. He must have some idea of where she is. Dzaka will regret this night’s work,” he said coldly.
*
Vanna was just beginning
to come round as she felt the aircar being buffeted from side to side by heavy winds. An involuntary groan escaped her before she could stop it.
“I’m sorry I had to treat you so roughly, Physician Vanna, but I needed you to come with me, and I knew you wouldn’t come voluntarily.”
She recognized the voice. It was Dzaka. Groggily, she pushed herself up into a sitting position. Her head ached, and as she put her hand up to it, she realized why. There was a lump on the back of it where Dzaka must have knocked her out.
“Don’t bother trying to reach your Leska, Vanna,” he said apologetically. “I gave you a dose of one of your suppressant drugs. You won’t be able to use your Link.”
“What the hell are you doing, Dzaka?” she demanded, bracing herself as the craft was hit by the crosswind yet again. “Why have you kidnapped me? Where are you taking me?”
“Kidnapped’s a harsh word, Vanna. I’m merely borrowing you for a few hours.”
She could feel the craft starting to descend.
“We’re almost there.”
“Where the hell is ‘there’?”
“Dzahai Stronghold,” he said. “Now I’m afraid I must ask you to be quiet while I concentrate on landing. The wind’s unusually strong tonight. It might be wise if you took one of the seats and fastened the safety belt.”
She sat silently till the craft came to a stop and Dzaka had turned off the engines. “Why couldn’t you have just asked me to come here with you?”
“Because Kaid wouldn’t have allowed it,” said Dzaka, turning round and getting out of his seat. “Now if you would be so kind as to come with me without making a fuss, I’d appreciate it. They are expecting us.”
Realizing there was no point in struggling or trying to run from him, she left the craft peacefully. Holding her by the arm, he led her across to a side entrance then up the flight of stairs till they came to a wooden door. Knocking first, he pushed the door open and took her in.
A figure dressed in long purple robes rose and came over to greet her. “Thank you for accepting our invitation, my dear,” he said, holding his palm out to her. “My name is Lijou. I’m head of the Priests of Vartra. My colleague is Ghezu, Leader of the Brotherhood.”
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