“Computer set fastest course to Kalaman and estimate time of journey.”
“Setting course,” the computer responded to his order. “Estimated time is one point three-five planetary days.”
“We’ll make it.” She’d known it would be close. “Artemis is closer.”
“I assumed so.” He held up his hand. “Computer, contact Gravasian command. Find out which vessels are close to Kalaman. Send destination to King Agman el Gravaso. Inform him target should be on site in two days.”
“Contacting now.”
It was done. All she could do was pray her family stayed safe in the meantime.
Strong arms came around her. “You’re not alone,” he reminded her. “If there’s any way possible, we’ll free them.”
She appreciated that he didn’t try to sugarcoat things, didn’t make promises he couldn’t keep.
“Thank you.” Depending on someone was foreign territory for her, but Spear had never let her down. He’d never lied to her, and she trusted he never would.
Chapter Twelve
He wasn’t lying to Sass. He was simply avoiding the conversation until the final fight with Artemis was done. It would be foolhardy to do anything to upset her equilibrium at this time.
And telling her he was the king’s son and planned to marry her would do just that.
Duty to his world had always come first. And while he would never shirk that, he now wanted more. There’d been a void in his life that Sass had filled.
Would she reject him when she discovered the truth?
She didn’t need him. Not really.
She had no idea of his social status or that he was rich in his own right. If it came down to it, she might be clever enough to evade him if she ran. He couldn’t take that chance.
They’d spent the time they’d had on the trip to Kalaman making plans. There was really no way to create a cohesive one. They’d mostly be relying on their wits, reacting as the situation evolved.
They’d made love again, but underlying the passion was the truth that one or both of them might not make it out of this alive.
I have to protect her.
“Are you ready?” Decked out in her usual black pants, top, and jacket with weapons strapped on her thighs and at her waist, she looked like the assassin she was. There were at least a half a dozen knives hidden under her clothes. The garrote bracelet was snapped onto her wrist. She was leaving nothing behind.
Like her, he was dressed all in black with his battlesuit underneath. He wore a helmet and visor to protect his body and his identity. Knives were strapped all down his chest and two blasters were strapped to his waist.
“I’m ready.” His first instinct was to lock her on the ship and do this himself, but that would destroy any trust she had in him. She’d survived her entire life until now. He had to trust in her skills.
“Any sign of Artemis?” They were on the control deck, watching their destination get larger in the viewing screen as they moved closer.
“Computer, commence sweep of the area and planet surface.”
“Commencing,” the robotic voice confirmed.
“Will she land her ship or keep it in orbit and take a shuttle to the surface?” There’d been no time for him to do his own reconnaissance. He was relying totally on Sass for information. He hated going in blind, but there was no choice.
“I really can’t say. This is huge, so she might land. It’s usually deserted on Kalaman, but there’s no telling. Mercenaries will sometimes use it for a swap. And some planets actually collect the sand and use the minerals they extract from it. But there’s no permanent settlement.”
He’d researched the planet and knew all that. It was Artemis who was the unknown.
“Large vessel in the western quadrant of Kalaman. Origin unknown. Unregistered,” the computer told them.
“That will be her.” Sass took a deep breath and finally looked at him. “I wish you’d stay here and let me do this.”
His entire body tensed but he forced himself to relax. “You can’t do it alone. That’s not a disparagement of your skills, but a fact. Your family will likely be held in a separate location.”
“I know.” Stoic as she was, he’d come to know her well and could see she was struggling to maintain her composure. “She’s early.”
“And undoubtedly knows we’re here. There’s no time to wait for reinforcements.” He took her by the shoulders. “If the worst happens, you will be avenged. We all will. The Gravasian government will bring the whole force of their might to bear on tracking down Artemis and destroying her.” Of that, there was no doubt.
“Thank you.” She stroked her fingers down the visor. He wished it was his skin she was touching but couldn’t afford the distraction.
“Let’s do this.”
Right on cue, the communication console beeped. “Ship on the surface hailing us, sir,” the computer said.
“I’ll be waiting.” He stepped outside of viewing range. “Computer, open communication.” From his remote viewing screen, he watched as a black void appeared. Even now, Artemis was playing it safe.
“You’re early. And that is not your vessel.” The voice was sharp and familiar. It was the woman Sass had contacted before. But was Artemis truly onsite? There was no way to know except in person.
Sass lounged in his Captain’s chair, one leg dangling over the arm. “It belonged to a competitor. I liked it, so I took it.”
There was a cruel edge to the woman’s laugh. “You’ve done well, child. My techs can’t identify it.”
“It’s special.” Sass tapped her lips and gave a satisfied smile. They’d discussed the best way to play this out to get what they wanted. “It actually goes with the items I stole from the auction.”
There was an audible gasp. “It’s Gravasian?”
“Yes, and don’t worry. I disabled all tracking so it can’t be traced. I’m not keen on getting blown out of the heavens.”
Even now, their vessel was sending its position to the Gravasian high command.
“Land. I want to see it.”
Sass shook her head. “I want Zaxe and Delphi there.”
“You don’t make demands.” Outrage filled her voice. This was a woman used to being obeyed.
“Think of it as a goodwill gesture. I took out a Gravasian and got their tech. You’re going to be rich. And if I did it once, I can do it again. Think about that.”
“You want to cut a deal.”
“Yes, and I’ll only do it in person with you there, along with my family.”
“And if I don’t?” Warning filled her tone. An ultimatum was a dangerous thing to hand this woman.
“I want my family safe.” The raw honesty in her voice was unmistakable. “Give me that and this is the first of many Gravasian pieces of tech I’ll be able to get you.”
Sass had assured him that power and wealth drove Artemis. She already had more than she could ever need but coveted more. It was an obsession.
“Land and we’ll discuss things on my ship.” The connection ended.
“Communication is shut down,” the computer confirmed.
Spear raised his visor and went to Sass. She was pale, but determined. Even now, her hand rested on the handles of her blasters. Did she even realize? This woman was a fighter. Her weapons were her touchstones.
“It’s done,” he told her. “The first step has been taken.” The waiting was always the hardest part of any mission. “Computer, engage all shields and take us down to the surface.”
“Engaging shields.”
“When this is over,” he told her, “we need to talk about what comes next.”
She tilted her head to one side and raised her brows.
“I’m not letting you go.” He dragged her into his arms and kissed her. The passion was raw and primal. He devoured her, loving the way she gave as good as she got, driving her tongue into his mouth and laying claim.
Her lips were puffy and her cheeks rosy. She slamm
ed his visor into place, rolled her shoulders, and headed toward the cargo bay. “Let’s do this.”
It hadn’t escaped him that she hadn’t given him a reply. She expected to die. It was up to him to make certain that didn’t happen.
****
Spear walked behind her, his presence looming large. She could still taste him on her lips, feel the heat from his big body warming her.
He wanted to keep her. Not for her skills, not because they’d grown up together and depended on one another, but simply for herself.
Life had finally given her everything she’d always dreamed about just to take it away.
Threatening Artemis was the only way to get her to show in person. It had also sealed Sass’s fate. No way would her boss let her live. She eliminated any and all she saw as a danger. And she’d used Sass’s death as a warning to all the rest to fall in line.
If the Gravasians were here, things might be different. But it was just the two of them against the full might of Artemis and her crew. She had her own private contingent of guards who’d lay down their lives for her, as well as a ship fully equipped with laser cannons. Not to mention assassins who’d do almost anything to curry her favor.
Yup, Sass was a dead woman walking.
When they reached the cargo bay, he touched her shoulder. She took a step away. “I can’t.” That was all she could get out past the lump of fear in her throat. If he touched her, showed any sympathy, she might crumble under the pressure. All the missions she’d been on and she hadn’t been nervous. This was different.
Before, it had always been her life on the line. Yes, Delphi and Zaxe were at risk, but Sass had always assumed if she gave it her all and died in whatever assignment she’d been sent on, Artemis would spare them and continue to use them. They were valuable and highly skilled assassins.
Now it was her life, her family’s, and Spear’s on the line.
The ship rocked slightly as it set down on the sandy ground. “Ship has landed. Shields fully engaged,” they were informed.
“Don’t come out unless necessary. And if it comes to it, get out of here.” Without waiting for a reply, she hit the button on the panel and the hatch slid open.
The winds blew sands between the two vessels. The oppressive heat smashed into her as the sun relentlessly beat down on the planet’s surface. She held up her hand to shield her eyes from the glare and debris.
Artemis’s huge, sleek ship made theirs look tiny in comparison, but Spear had assured her the laser cannons on his ship could take it down, if necessary.
Apparently Gravasian tech was that good. He’d told her it was a fairly new upgrade because of some past problem. She didn’t ask what had brought about the change, because honestly, she was probably better off not knowing. It was mindboggling to imagine what a warship would be like.
No matter what happened, this ended here and now.
After two decades of being in servitude to the other woman, it was finally time for her to be liberated. If nothing else, she’d die a free woman, master of her own fate.
A lower hatch opened on the other ship. Dressed in black body armor, Artemis stepped out, flanked by six guards, three on each side. Nothing but the best protection for her while the rest of them were expendable.
“A bit of overkill, don’t you think?” She wanted to keep her nemesis off-balance without antagonizing her to the point she’d do something rash.
“As you reminded me, you’re my best assassin. I’d be a fool not to protect myself.” She raised her hand and motioned. Zaxe and Delphi were marched out, both of them with their hands cuffed behind them. A single guard stood behind each of them with a blaster pointed at their heads.
Her fingers twitched to take out the guards, but there were too many of them.
“Tell me. Why shouldn’t I kill you now and take everything for myself?” Artemis strode forward a few more steps but halted while still a safe distance to her ship.
Sass held up her hand. The guards all snapped into action, their blasters leveled at her. “Easy there. I’ve rigged the ship to explode.” She waggled the box in her hand. It was nothing more than a communicator, but they couldn’t know that. “My hand twitches and we’re all going to be splattered across this lovely desert.”
Artemis raised her hand and the guards lowered their blasters.
“You’re trying my patience.” Cheeks flushed and hands shaking from anger, Artemis was at her breaking point.
“I honestly don’t mean to, but you sent another assassin after me.”
Several of the guards seemed surprised, but none would step in to help. They were too loyal.
“A precaution and someone to help you, if needed.”
“Poor choice, then, as he tried to kill me and take these.” She tossed the bag with the Gravasian knife and blaster onto the hot sands between them.
Artemis licked her lips and gasped. On another woman, it might be a sign of sexual arousal. And maybe it was. She had a lust for power that could not be slaked.
“Get it,” she ordered one of her men. He retrieved it and returned to her. She opened the bag and thrust her hand inside, pulling out the blaster. “It’s similar to ours.” She frowned, turned to one of her men, and fired. He flew back, screaming as the skin was melted from his flesh. He twitched several times before going silent. “Effective.” Sounding pleased, she turned the weapon on Sass.
“Ah. Ah.” She held the fake remote detonator high as a reminder.
“Do you think you can really get away from me?” She caressed the metal casing of the blaster before examining the knife. “Titansteel. I’ve never actually seen it.”
Artemis secured the items, drew a blade of her own, and threw it so fast it was a blur. “No!” Sass screamed. She fired on Artemis, no longer caring about trying to reason.
The knife hit Zaxe and he went down, but he didn’t stay there. As soon as his back hit the unforgiving sand, he kicked up and back with his feet, striking the guard in the chin.
Delphi was also on the move. She dropped and rolled, taking down the guard nearest her and slipping her cuffed hands through her legs and around to her front in a heartbeat. She wrapped her bound hands around the guard’s neck and yanked hard, taking him out while using his dead body as protection.
Artemis was already retreating onto her ship, taking the auction items with her. Can’t let her have them. She couldn’t be allowed to use it or sell it.
Sass gave chase, dodging and weaving as she ran, heart racing and lungs heaving. All around her, guards dropped in quick succession.
Spear.
He had her back.
Her feet sank into the sand. The outer door the ship slammed shut behind the fleeing woman and her two remaining guards. “Fuck!”
Too late for Artemis, but Zaxe and Delphi were still alive. She turned and ran toward her siblings. They had to get out of here before it was too late.
Both of them were on their feet and had liberated blasters from the downed guards. Even with a knife sticking out of his left shoulder, Zaxe appeared relaxed, flashing a grin. “You make quite an entrance.”
“Come on. We’ve got to go.” As soon as Artemis had sufficient distance from them so her vessel wouldn’t suffer any damage, she’d blow them and their ship.
He gave a curt nod, wrapped his arm around his sister, and followed, keeping one eye on Spear. No time to explain his presence. The large ship was lifting off. Sand scoured her bare skin as it was whipped up. Sass could almost feel the woman’s glee, imagine her on the control deck, ready to give the order to destroy them.
“Run!” Her words were swallowed by the roar of the engines and the sand storm engulfing them.
A hand clamped down on her wrist and she was dragged through the maelstrom.
Almost there.
She stumbled up the short ramp alongside Spear, coughing as the dust threatened to choke her. As soon as she gained the safety of the cargo bay, she whirled around, searching through the debris. Where we
re they?
Zaxe dragged himself and his sister on board, collapsing onto the floor.
“Now,” she yelled to Spear.
The door slammed shut.
“Engage full shields and defensive maneuvers,” he ordered. “Hold on,” he warned.
“Engaging.” The computer replied at the same time their vessel shot from the surface into space. Only Spear’s hold on her kept her from slamming to the opposite side of the cargo bay. Delphi and Zaxe weren’t that lucky, sliding across the floor and hitting the metal wall. Delphi managed to get her legs out, using them to absorb some of the shock.
Zaxe groaned. “What in the name of Melton and his fiery hell just happened?” Melton was the god of the Zaxian version of Hell and one of her brother’s favorite ways to express his displeasure. He managed to turn himself around so his back was to the wall and Delphi was tucked under his good arm.
Laughter bubbled up inside her, a combination of relief, disbelief, and some slight hysteria. Their plan worked. It had actually worked. She glanced up at Spear, who was formidable hidden beneath his helmet, and then back at Zaxe. “We rescued you. Surprise.”
Chapter Thirteen
Artemis had to die. Not only for her crimes against his world and family, but also because of what she’d done to Sass. She’d tried to kill his woman.
His heart pounded in his chest and adrenaline raced through his bloodstream. The beast inside him demanded he hunt down his prey and destroy it. If it hadn’t been for his overriding need to protect Sass and get her to safety, he would have already dispatched the woman.
Sass tilted her head back, her eyes clouding with worry. “Artemis has the auction items. Your brother’s blaster and knife. We have to get it back.” Gripping his arms, she bit her bottom lip. “I’m sorry. That should never have happened. That’s on me.”
She took a step back. “I’ll take whatever punishment is deemed appropriate, but remember, the king promised me my family would live.”
Did she really think he was going to kill her, even now? Exasperation warred with love. The woman was more honorable than anyone he’d ever met.
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