Ravager's Redemption (The Argadian Heart Book 3)

by Adrianna Dane

  The one from behind came around to stand next to the other one as Daelyn stood there trembling, trying to regain her composure, the need to reach release a fierce beacon throbbing inside her body.

  She reached inside herself, seeking frantically for self-control. This female standing here was no one she recognized and it scared her. Yet Daelyn could not allow the fear to gain the upper hand, nor the desire for consummation of the sex act.

  Slowly she raised her head to look at the guards, who had savage smirks on their faces as they watched her.

  “I think she will do. The Commander likes them hot and ready to do anything. We’ve just warmed her up for him.” The first one turned back to her. “Get dressed, you passed.”

  Shakily, she reached down for her tunic and donned it, then straightened and waited as he walked toward her.

  He leaned close. “What do you say?”

  A knife in her hand right now would gut him nicely. How she yearned to see him dead at her feet.

  “T-thank you for allowing me to enter.”

  “How about ‘thank you for warming me up for the Commander’? Maybe ‘thank you for not making me rut like an animal here on the ground before letting me pass’?”

  She was on the verge of losing it, but this time it was because she wanted to wrap her hands around his neck and ease the life slowly from his body.

  “Y-yes, thank you for—preparing me—for my meeting with the Commander.”

  He reached out and clamped a hand on her arm and dragged her forward.

  “I’ll be right back. I want to make sure she gets to the Tribunal Leader safely.” He yanked her forward as the other guard opened the gate. “You’ve been an enjoyable distraction in a boring day.”

  Daelyn retained her self-control and only hoped she had held their attention long enough for the others to do as they needed. By Mylonna, if she did escape with her life, she was determined these two would be the first to die before she left.

  Two Enforcers appeared to be waiting for them inside the second gate. Unexpectedly, the guard accompanying her yanked her forward, skewing her balance, and shoved her to the ground at their feet.

  “Here she is, the one he’s been waiting for.”

  She had been right—the guards at the gate knew exactly who Daelyn was supposed to be and she would now be served up to Tribunal Leader Clorial Zydon with relish. They probably expected to get a nice reward for their efforts.

  The Enforcers clamped onto each of her arms, lifting her unceremoniously from the ground, dragging her across the yard and toward another door. She struggled to regain her footing as they entered the building and stepped into a tubulator that carried them up. There was complete silence as the doors opened and they dragged her to another door and into a large room.

  A man rose from behind the desk. He had a head of thick, black silvered hair and a full beard. Studying her closely, he then circled the desk to stand in front of her. Reaching out, he yanked the wig from her head and her white hair spilled to her shoulders.

  Anger simmered in his eyes. He turned to arrow a look at each of the Enforcers.

  “Leave us,” he bit out. “And see that the guards are doubled around my special guests in the prison below ground. Immediately.”

  Both men nodded, released their grip, and left the room.

  Zydon’s attention turned back to her. “You are not my daughter. Whatever her plan is, she will not succeed.” He thrust a hand in her hair. Gripping tightly, arching her neck back, he leaned in close. “What is your name? I see you were once one of ours, now apparently turned rebel. Well, my sacrificial lamb, I will enjoy coaxing the answers from you now that you have your emotions back.” His eyes raked down her body and then he smiled a feral, eager expression that made her want to shudder with dread. “I would never refuse so fine a gift.”

  CHAPTER SIX

  Devon slowly rose to his feet. He circled the room, touched the walls, then looked upward to the small patch of sky visible far above. He raised a tightly fisted hand to his chest, above his heart.

  “She is near,” he said quietly.

  Alekos scrambled to his feet. “You’re certain?”

  “I feel her.” He pressed his hand tighter over his heart.

  Devon frowned, his eyebrows drawing together. “The beats of her heart are oddly patterned.”

  “Fear?” Alekos suggested.

  “There is that, but it feels like some odd, softer, tiny echo.” He hunched forward and closed his eyes.

  Alekos waited, trying to remain patient, as Devon focused inward. Suddenly, Devon’s spine stiffened and his eyes shot open, his focus riveted to the patch of sky.

  “Mylonna! It cannot be possible.” He jerked around to face Alekos, his expression exhibiting a myriad of emotions. The color of his eyes went dark and then lightened. Fear, anger, joy, all passed across his face in a fraction of time.

  “What is it? Is she in danger? Can you communicate with her?”

  “No-no. I can sense her emotions, the rhythms of her heartbeat. This is something I never expected. She should not be here.” He began to pace the small confines of their prison like a caged lion.

  He stopped, pivoted around and met Alekos’ worried expression with a tortured one of his own. “She is with child. It is the fragile echo I hear. If anything happens to her or the babe, I will personally see to the destruction of Zydon, one way or the other. We have to get out of here.”

  Alekos stalked over to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. “I know Eluria—she will not take unnecessary chances. She’s very capable, you know that. You must focus. If they are close, we need to be ready.”

  Devon took a deep breath. Alekos understood he was trying to steady his emotions, then he nodded. “You’re right. At least we were able to remove the restraints. When an opportunity presents itself we will be ready—we must be. Guardian would not have given us this precious gift of Beyond if he meant to rip it from us in this manner.”

  “Exactly. Remember that, Devon. She will get us out of here. She rescued not only Kierra, but Jarek as well from Odon’s death compound, this should be a walk in the gardens for her.”

  A loud explosion almost sent them to the floor as the earth shuddered beneath them.

  “It’s begun,” Alekos said. “We’ll be out of here before you know it. And you’ll be with Eluria.”

  Another explosion rocked the walls of their prison, followed by three more in quick succession. They braced themselves against the stone walls as debris showered down on them from above their heads.

  Staying far back from the center of the room, they circled around toward the door. Alekos saw Devon close his eyes, apparently again focused inward.

  “I must draw her to us. I cannot communicate directly, but I can direct rhythms toward her so she will know where we’re located.”

  They waited, tense and ready. Alekos moved to the other side of the door, knowing that anyone could walk through it—friend or foe.

  They stared at each other as the clang of a key inserted into the lock drew their attention. It clicked and the door squeaked open. A man fell headlong onto the floor, following by three people rushing into the room.

  “Devon!” Alekos recognized Eluria’s voice.

  Devon stepped away from the wall. “I’m, na nivia.”

  She rushed into his arms. “Thank Mylonna, you are well.” Her hands brushed across his chest as she examined the bruising left by the guards. “My father will pay for this.”

  Alekos stepped forward. “There is no time now. We have to get out of here. How many are with you?”

  Eluria turned toward Alekos and smiled. “Alekos, I would have preferred our reunion under better circumstances. You’re right, we must leave. There are enough with me to keep them busy until we get out of here. As soon as I give them the signal, they will withdraw and meet us back at the ship.”

  “Then let’s get out of here. We’ll come back and take care of your father another day. In our own time.
”

  As Devon attempted to push her toward the door, she resisted. “You don’t understand. It’s not that simple.”

  “What is it?”

  She looked up at Devon. “Daelyn acted as decoy to draw their attention and give us time to set the charges. I cannot leave her if there is any chance of rescuing her.”

  “Who is this Daelyn?” Alekos wanted to know. It couldn’t be, could it? That name.

  Eluria turned to him. “She’s an ex-Enforcer who has joined us. It was she who came up with the plan, knowing my father would probably be watching and waiting for me. She disguised herself as me and attempted to get through the gates as a twilight companion. We hoped she would turn their attention in her direction to give us time to get you out. Apparently, she succeeded. I cannot just leave her here.”

  Fuck! An ex-Enforcer. There couldn’t be two with that name.

  “You have no choice,” Alekos said, knowing the odds of finding the woman before Zydon killed her, where high. “She apparently accepted her fate so that you and Devon could get out alive. If you go after her now, she will have given her life for nothing.”

  Eluria shook her head. “I can’t do it, Alekos. I cannot leave her.”

  It figured. Alekos looked over Eluria’s head at Devon. “Still as stubborn as ever.”

  “I doubt that will ever change,” Devon responded.

  Alekos again turned his attention to Eluria. He sighed. This wasn’t going to be easy. “You and Devon must get out. I’m used to working alone and I’ll go for her. Tell me where the ship is and we’ll meet you there if I’m successful. If not—” He shrugged and looked at Devon. “You know what to do.”

  “But you have no idea where she is,” Eluria protested.

  “Where do you think she would have been taken?”

  She hesitated just a fraction of a moment before answering. “If I know my father he would have had her brought to his office for questioning. That’s probably where she is now.”

  Alekos nodded. “All right. Tell me how to get there, and give me directions to the ship.”

  “If you do this alone, you could be killed. We’ve only just found you. Your mother would never forgive me if I let you do this.”

  “Tell you what. Let me take these two”—he nodded to the others who accompanied her into the cell, one of whom had just finished binding the guard who let them into the cell, “and we’ll call it done.” He saw her hesitation. “Come on, Eluria, we don’t have all day, we’ve wasted enough time arguing.”

  “All right,” she finally agreed and explained quickly how to reach her father’s office and the location of the ship. She then handed him an extra diffuser she slipped from her belt.

  “Devon, get her out of here. Maybe we’ll have time to catch up later. Take care of each other.”

  Devon clasped Alekos’ arm and then pulled Eluria out the door and was gone.

  Alekos turned back to the two men who awaited his orders. “All right then, follow me and let’s make this quick.”

  They rushed after him out the door and to the tubulator, taking it all the way up to the second floor. When the doors opened they were ready.

  The floor was silent, not a person in sight. Slowly, they made their way down the hall to the door at the end. Alekos wasted no time removing the diffuser from his belt, pointed it at the lock, then stepped to the side, motioning to the others to move back. He fired at the panel and the door slid open.

  Alekos hesitated for a moment, then cautiously stepped forward. Zydon did not appear to be inside, but his eyes caught something from the far side of the room.

  He stepped farther inside and the others followed him, fanning to either side. “Wait here,” he directed. “Watch for signs of any movement.”

  His attention was drawn again to the far wall, where he made out an overturned chair. He inhaled sharply when he saw the bloodied body tied to it. Noting the white hair, he knew this must be the female, Daelyn.

  Quickly, he crossed the room, bent down, and gently lifted her head looking for signs of life. She was still breathing, yet shock coursed through him as he studied her features. Brutalized by Zydon, obviously. But it was a mixture of emotions that claimed him. He had to set that all side because he’d made Eluria a promise.

  Fate had certainly played the meanest of jokes on him. Of all the ill luck, this had to be the one woman in this whole planetary system he would have wanted to see suffer for her sins. But looking at her now, it was some other emotion than anger that seemed to grip him. He forced it aside. It was really tempting to just leave her there. But Eluria would have his head if Alekos so much as hesitated in doing everything he could to get her out.

  Lowering the setting on his diffuser, he used it to expeditiously destroy the knots of cloth confining her, a soft moan of protest was the only indication she was still alive.

  He lifted her into his arms, flashes of memory washing over him of another time when he had enjoyed her softness—just before she had tried to kill him.

  Pushing any thoughts of tenderness down into the deep well inside where it belonged, he slung her over his shoulder and pivoted around. He’d promised Eluria, and by Haydon, he would keep that promise.

  “All right,” he said, “we have what we came for, let’s get out of here.”

  Jogging out the door and racing toward the elevator, he knew there wasn’t a moment to lose. He couldn’t think about the female, because any memories he had should be hate and the need for revenge. It figured Guardian would play this sort of trick on him.

  He’d had the chance to leave her to her fate, yet he knew, even without Eluria’s urging, he couldn’t have left her there. She could have killed him and ended everything on that long ago day, and Alekos still wondered why she hadn’t. He didn’t know her name back then—it hadn’t seemed important at the time. He had, of course, learned it during the ensuing years.

  The woman had stopped short of kill him. At the very least he had to return the favor—a life for a life. But that’s where it ended. This paid his debt in full.

  So why the Haydon did he try to cushion her against his body, want to protect her from harm? And why was he so filled with rage at her mistreatment by Zydon?

  She didn’t deserve his consideration. She was an assassin, the worst because she used her seductive body to entice and then kill with no emotion involved in any respect. Not one speck of concern for her victims.

  One thing he knew was that he did not want to be around when she regained consciousness. She was a tempting bit, albeit, a venomous one, and he wanted no part of her. He’d tasted more than enough of her brand of seduction.

  Alekos felt every inch of her against his body. Her softly rounded breasts taunted him. It was going to be a long journey back to Ednos—if they got out of there alive, that is.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Commander Clorial Zydon. She studied him, waiting, as the waves of drug-induced arousal washed through her. He was the enemy, no matter what her body tried to tell her, she had to stay in control with her mind.

  He was still a handsome man. No wonder females flocked to his gates. It was not just his title, but the energy and power he exuded.

  Unlike Odon, who had bled evil from every pore, this man was a dark soul cloaked in beauty, wooing the unsuspecting into his web far too easily.

  He raised a hand to place it beneath her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. His eyes seemed to laser deep inside her, then she saw surprise reflected there.

  “You are drugged. The radiance of sex is manufactured. I would not have expected it from an experienced Enforcer. Who are you? You should have been able to project sufficiently to gain entrance past the guards.”

  She refused to answer him, continuing to hope she was buying enough time for the others to complete their tasks and get out of the compound.

  “Answer me,” he barked and she flinched at the sudden change in attitude, his look hardening, demanding.

  Inhaling deeply, she fought for co
mposure. “My name is unimportant, Commander.”

  He leaned closer. He was now near enough for her to almost reach out and taste his skin. Her shax convulsed as he pressed more intimately toward her. She refused to back away, to show fear.

  His eyes roved over her face, his hands snaked out to grab her hips and draw her against him. She could feel the hardness of his erection again her body, felt the desire rise to the surface seeking release.

  She fought its effect on her, refusing to give in, even though Daelyn was certain she could distract him using sex for quite a sufficient period of time to allow the others to gain their freedom.

  What he would do with her when it was over, she had no idea, but the purpose of her subterfuge was to turn his attention from them to her.

  She licked her lips and attempted to soften her body, pressing closer to him. Reaching up, she cupped his face. “I have heard many stories of your expertise, Commander. I’m not sure who you are waiting for, but I am here now. The rebels gave me back my emotions, but I am no rebel. I have come to you for help.”

  Daelyn saw interest peak in his gaze, yet his eyes were still tinged with suspicion.

  “Why should I believe a turned Enforcer about anything?”

  She reached up to stroke the tips of her fingers along the contour of his face. Her Enforcer training should be good for something and the presence of the drug would at least help to make her efforts more believable.

  “What have you to lose, Commander? I’m an unarmed female inside your compound surrounded by your guards. Show me how to feel the emotions I must mimic without the drug. Show me how to use them to help the Tribunal and I am all yours.”

  He lowered his head and possessed her lips. Forcing her head back, he claimed her. She felt the heat rise inside her, consuming her. It was as though her body was a flame of arousal, which he stoked, adding fuel to the already roaring blaze.

  Remembering why she was there became more difficult in the need to assuage the flaring heat of lust. She stroked his back, slid her hands down along his hips, over his ass.