Crusader

by Cyndi Friberg

  “Do you work with the aliens or are you trying to stop whatever they’re doing on Earth?”

  “It’s my job to apprehend the one who attacked you.”

  That seemed plausible, yet it was still frustratingly vague. “You’re a cop or a bounty hunter?”

  He tossed her the bag of candy then sat in a chair facing hers. “Eat or your wooziness will get worse.”

  He was clearly comfortable giving orders, but she didn’t feel strong enough to object. She sat down then reached into the bag and grabbed a handful of the chocolate teardrops. “What are they called?”

  “Hershey Kisses.”

  She rolled her eyes, not in the mood for any form of humor. As she struggled to organize her thoughts into succinct questions, her gaze drifted to the spot across the room where she’d been stabbed. She’d collapsed on the carpet and blood had been everywhere, yet no sign of the struggle remained. “What happened to the mess?”

  “I took care of it.” His dark brows arched. “Would you rather I left it for you?”

  At least he hadn’t tried to convince her she’d imagined the entire thing. Rather than fixate on the unimportant detail, she returned to her original question. “The man you’re attempting to apprehend. Do you know what his race is called? I know there are others like him on Earth. I’ve seen them.”

  “They’re called Rodytes. When did you first see one and how many have you seen?”

  Her heart fluttered, making her feel almost giddy. He’d just confirmed that she hadn’t imagined them, had even given them a name. Rodytes. Her father had been involved with Rodytes.

  And she wasn’t crazy! She wanted to shout it from the rooftops. She’d lived with the stigma of emotional disorders for most of her life and now someone had confirmed her wild stories.

  Emboldened by the validation, she let the story come pouring out. “My mother thought my father was cheating on her, so I tried to prove her wrong. I was so desperate to save their marriage that I hitchhiked all the way to Dad’s lab.”

  “Hitch hiked? I’m unfamiliar with the term.”

  More proof that he wasn’t human. “I asked complete strangers for a ride in their cars. It used to be a common practice, but it’s no longer safe. Too many whack jobs running around out there.”

  He nodded, but she wasn’t sure he understood. “What happened at the lab?”

  “That’s when I saw the first one, the first Rodyte.”

  “Male or female?”

  “Male.”

  “Other than his eyes, was there anything remarkable about his appearance?”

  He kept each question conversational. It just felt natural to respond. “He had blue streaks in his hair, but the man who attacked me didn’t. Maybe the blue streaks were cosmetic.”

  Bandar shook his head. “The vast majority of Rodytes have dark hair, but only organic or pureblood Rodytes have the highlights. Generally the highlights match the phitons in their eyes, which come in a variety of colors by the way.”

  “Phitons? Do you mean the glowy rings in their eyes?”

  “Yes, though the rings don’t always glow. Generally that’s a sign of elevated emotion or the access of a magic ability.”

  “Good to know.” Magic ability? Rodytes could work magic? She shook away the distraction. She’d never understand all this if she didn’t focus on one thing at a time. “The three I’ve seen all had blue rings in their eyes and all three were glowing.”

  “Tell me about the third one.”

  Ashley hesitated. Her encounter with the female Rodyte led to sixteen years of humiliation and self-doubt. Did she really want to reveal such a hurtful incident to a complete stranger? He watched her silently, obviously waiting for her answer. Now that she could see him clearly, she was even more convinced he wasn’t human. He was too big, too intense, too damn savage. He’d been nothing but kind to her, but menace simmered just below the surface of his calm exterior.

  “You might not even realize what you know,” he coaxed. “Every detail is important.”

  Pausing long enough to unwrap another piece of candy, she decided to tell him the entire story. “She was actually the second one I saw. The man tonight was the third.” Ashley put the chocolate in her mouth before it melted on her fingers and went to work unwrapping the next one. “I knew my mother wouldn’t believe what I’d seen at the lab, so I never mentioned it to her. Besides, I was only thirteen. I didn’t want to admit I’d hitchhiked all the way to the lab.” She shivered. “I was damn lucky I made it there and back safely. It was a really stupid thing to do.”

  “Was the female also at your father’s lab?”

  “Oh no, she was in my father’s bed—on top of him to be exact.” The silky-sweet taste coating her mouth didn’t make the memories any easier to bear. She’d been old enough to understand sex, but she’d never actually seen two people going at it. Up close and personal, and one of the participants had been her father. She shuddered, the image still amazingly clear after all these years. “Mom and I returned early from a shopping spree and we walked in on Dad and the Rodyte woman. She grabbed her clothes and ran from the room while my parents started screaming at each other. I was too horrified to look at my father, so my gaze just sort of stuck to his lover. Her long black hair was streaked with blue and the rings in her eyes were so bright her entire gaze glowed like sapphires.” She’d also been strikingly attractive, just like all the other Rodytes Ashley had seen.

  Just like Bandar.

  “Did your mother see her?”

  Ashley shook her head. “All she saw was a naked woman having sex with her husband. I told her what I’d seen a few days later, even admitted what I’d seen at the lab. She didn’t believe me, thought it was my mind’s way of dealing with the shock of seeing my father’s infidelity firsthand.”

  “What about your father? How did he react when you told him what you’d seen?”

  “I never really got the chance. Mom kicked him out, so I had to sneak around to see him at all. Besides, our relationship was so strained after that night we never talked about anything important. By the time I turned eighteen and could see him whenever I wanted, I’d spent so much time with therapists they’d convinced me I’d imagined the strange glowing eyes.” She put sarcastic emphasis on the last phrase. If the story ended there, she might have been content with the outcome. As it was, she’d barely begun to explore her unanswered questions and Bandar was the first person she’d met who was likely to know what the hell she was talking about.

  “Did you reconnect with your father after you turned eighteen?”

  Apparently he wasn’t finished with his interrogation. He better intend on being as cooperative as she’d been or they were going to have a serious problem. “Sort of. We shared awkward lunches and numerous phone calls, but it was never the same. He was distant and, I don’t know, troubled, as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders.”

  “How did he die?”

  She set the candy aside, more interested in her elusive visitor than her favorite comfort food. “Are you going to answer my questions once I’ve answered all of yours? Maybe I should hold off until I’ve learned some of the things I want to know.”

  He smiled and Ashley’s heart did an irrational flip. No one should be allowed to be that attractive. It wasn’t fair to everyone else. “Ask away. I have nothing to hide.”

  There was just enough challenge in his tone to make her respond in kind. “Are you wearing contacts or were your eyes altered in some way?” It wasn’t the first question she’d meant to ask, but it was suddenly the most important. She’d trusted him with one of the most painful memories of her life. If he wasn’t willing to share as well, she was wasting her time.

  He laughed and glanced away. Guilty conscious? “You think I’m Rodyte?”

  “Don’t answer my questions with questions. It’s annoying.” All amusement vanished from his expression and his features hardened. So why wasn’t she afraid?

  “Indulging your
curiosity puts you in danger.”

  “I’m already in danger and we both know it.” Her throat tightened as she heard her own words. “How long do we have before my attacker returns?”

  Chapter Two

  Ashley was right. Bandar tensed as the reminder set his instincts on high alert. Every moment they lingered in this apartment increased the chances of another run-in with his shadow. On his own, he would welcome the opportunity to capture or vanquish his foe. But his first priority had to be protecting this fragile female. Not only did she appeal to him as a male, she was also important to his mission. In fact, she was the only promising lead he’d uncovered since arriving on Earth. He couldn’t afford to compromise this opportunity with recklessness.

  “It’s possible he searched your dwelling while I was dealing with your injuries,” Bandar told her. “But it would be a wise precaution to relocate.” He’d searched the place while she slept and found nothing out of place, and nothing of interest. Keyran’s guards had ensured that his shadow hadn’t returned. Still, he didn’t want to frighten her.

  “I’m not going anywhere until you prove I can trust you.” Stubbornness lit her leaf-green eyes and pressed her full lips into an adorable pout.

  “I saved your life. Shouldn’t that be proof enough?” He crossed his legs at the ankle and tried not to be amused by her flash of spirit. She’d be safer if she was intimidated enough to obey his orders without question.

  “All that proves is I’m more valuable to you alive than dead.” She paused, waiting until he met her gaze. “I’m not a fool, Bandar. You want the same thing the other man wants. You’re just not willing to kill to get it.”

  He arched one of his brows at the statement. He was willing to kill, if circumstances warranted. He just wasn’t willing to kill an innocent. “Don’t be fooled by my civility. I only kill when there’s no other choice, but I’m no stranger to bloodshed.”

  After a silent pause she shook her head, but a hesitant smile parted her lips. “Is that supposed to comfort or frighten me?”

  “Neither. It’s a statement of fact. I prefer compromise to violence, but I can be violent. I reward honesty and punish deceit. You’ve been honest, so I’ll reward you.”

  The most intriguing flush spread across her cheeks and she suddenly looked away. “Do I get to choose my reward?”

  Desire washed over him in tingling waves, unexpected, yet not unwelcome. He’d heard the people of Earth found Rodytes attractive. He was certainly drawn to her. But was he ruthless enough to exploit the advantage? “I thought you wanted answers. If you have something else in mind, I’m more than willing to negotiate.”

  Her chin came up and her breasts rose and fell as she steadied herself with a deep breath. “I want nothing more than honest information.” As if to reinforce the statement, she looked into his eyes.

  She was a feisty little thing. He fought back a smile. Regardless of how adorable he found her, he had to stay focused on his mission. “As you suspected, my father was Rodyte. My mother was a war bride, a captive from the planet of Bilarri. Children resulting from such unions are known as battle born.”

  Her brows drew together as she struggled for understanding. “Are the two planets still at war?”

  “Yes.”

  “Is it still common to capture war brides?” The disapproval in her tone made it clear she found the idea objectionable. “Rodytes don’t have a problem using women as weapons of war?”

  “It’s a complicated tradition, one rapidly fading into the past. The majority of Rodyte soldiers are now battle born and the battle born want nothing to do with the practice of war brides.”

  “I’m glad to hear it. I’m not a big fan of war in the first place, but making war on women seems…cowardly.”

  He’d introduced the tangent, but it had distracted her long enough. So he nudged the conversation back on course. “You asked about my eyes. I’m wearing contacts so my appearance doesn’t draw attention. I’ll remove them for you later, but we really should find a safer place to spend what’s left of the night.”

  “What’s left of the night?” She looked around the room until her gaze landed on a small black box with an illuminated display. “2:14?” She shot to her feet and crept farther away from him. “I’ve lost seven hours.” Her hand pressed over her mended side, her eyes wide and disbelieving. “Where did you take me and how were you able to…”

  Color drained from her face so Bandar stood and approached her slowly, ready to scoop her up in his arms if her legs failed again. “I told you, your injuries were regenerated and where I took you isn’t important.”

  She held him off with an upraised hand, looking less panicked but still suspicious. “If Rodytes can regenerate flesh and travel through space, why are you interested in my father’s research? He was remarkable compared to other humans, but his work must seem primitive compared to you.”

  “I’ll explain as much as I know once we’ve relocated.”

  Mistrust flickered deep in her gaze and she took another step backward. “We don’t need to do anything. I’ll go stay with one of my friends until your friend has had more than enough time to search this apartment.”

  “He is not my friend and this is not a negotiation. We stay together until the danger has passed.”

  Her hands moved to her hips and her stubborn little chin tilted up again. “Then I’m your prisoner?”

  “You’re my responsibility.”

  She stared at him in mutinous silence, likely debating her limited options. Finally, her stance relaxed and she asked, “Where are you taking me and how long will I be gone?”

  “I’m not sure yet. Go pack a bag with what you’ll need for several days. I’ll determine our destination.”

  Her only response was a single nod, but the calculated gleam in her eyes made him follow her back into the bedroom. She was still a long way from surrender.

  “Seriously?” She started to open the closet then stopped and glared at him. “Are you going to follow me around like a puppy?”

  “Likely. I’ve promised to keep you safe and I take my promises seriously.” With obvious reluctance, she returned to her task, so he sent a telepathic ping to Keyran Tarr.

  So what’s the verdict? The commander responded. Who is she and does she know anything useful?

  Right to the point as usual. Bandar let his gaze linger on his feisty companion as he conversed with his old friend. She’s Daniel Kane’s daughter, as I thought, and her usefulness is still to be determined. I need more time with her, but we can’t stay here. My shadow will doubtlessly return.

  You’re not bringing her on board my ship. Irron has been running his mouth about how lucky you are to guard such a stunning female. I’d have a mutiny on my hands.

  He couldn’t argue with the doctor’s assessment. Bandar found her stunning as well. That’s not what I had in mind. I thought I’d take her to the Bunker, but someone needs to be here in case my shadow returns. He needs to be questioned as well.

  I’ll send the security team back down and tell them to stay out of sight. Keyran paused, then added, Your search turned up nothing?

  Not a thing and Ashley confirmed that there’s nothing here to find. Hopefully, my shadow won’t realize that.

  You’ll need permission from Nazerel or Morgan if you’re going to take her to the Bunker.

  I know.

  Are you sure further exposure is necessary? You can’t afford to be distracted right now.

  She knows more than she’s told me and she already knew about us. She’d seen Rodytes with her father. I have nothing to lose and everything to gain by spending more time with her.

  If you say so. A mocking chuckle rumbled across their link. Just keep it in your pants.

  Keyran pinched off the connection and Bandar cursed. Was he letting his attraction to Ashley influence his decisions? He watched her for a few seconds then shook his head. There was no denying he was drawn to her, but this wasn’t about romance. Securing Daniel’s
research was his primary objective and he was certain Ashley knew a lot more than she’d confessed.

  He sent a telepathic ping to Nazerel and waited for his cousin to respond. It was the middle of the night and Nazerel was newly mated. He was likely in bed.

  Hey, Bandar. What’s up? Not surprisingly, Nazerel sounded slightly groggy. He’d only been on Earth a few months, but he spent all his time surrounded by humans. It was likely Nazerel didn’t even realize he’d responded in English rather than Rodyte.

  Sorry about the hour. I need to bring a human female to the Bunker for questioning and it can’t wait until morning. It could take a few days to complete the interrogation. Would you clear me for entry?

  You’ll need to minimize her contact with our personnel and supervise her 24/7.

  Understood, Bandar assured him.

  Then I’ll notify security.

  Thank you.

  See you soon.

  Ashley placed a stack of folded clothes into a canvas shoulder bag, tossed some personal items in on top, then zipped it shut. “Did you decide where we’re going?”

  “I did.” He watched her closely. She sat on the edge of the bed as she put on her socks and shoes. Her easy acceptance of his orders seemed highly suspicious and her gaze kept darting around the room. Was she looking for a weapon or planning an escape? One thing was certain. She wasn’t as calm as she appeared.

  “And did you decide how long we’ll be gone? If it’s more than a day or two, I need to rearrange my schedule.”

  Bandar picked up her bag and slung the long strap over his shoulder. “We’ll have to take each day as it comes. I’m sorry. I can’t give you a better answer.” He held out his hand. “Come here.”

  Her brows drew together as she stood then edged toward the door. “I need my purse.”

  He was relatively certain she didn’t have her phone on her and she’d be less likely to run away if she had no means of communication and no form of currency. He preferred to think of this as protective custody, but she was more or less his prisoner.