Rebel's Karma

by Rebecca Zanetti

  Benny went with it, kicking up hard and beneath the chin of the other soldier, who got a shot off before dropping to a knee.

  Pain pierced Benny’s jaw, and his blood burst red across the cell bars. He kicked down, knocking the gun into the cell. Then he let his weight fall, grabbed the braid of the Cyst holding him, and threw the muscled jerk over his shoulder to land on top of the soldier on his knees.

  They both crashed to the ground.

  Benny ducked inside the cell, grabbed the gun, and turned to fire into the faces of both soldiers. The green lasers shot out of the gun and turned to metal upon impacting with flesh. Both males dropped unconscious for now. The bullets wouldn’t keep them down for long.

  He tucked the gun in his bloody jeans and turned down the corridor.

  Karma stood at the bottom of the steps, her eyes wide with shock. Then she turned to run.

  He was on her before she cleared the second step.

  * * * *

  Hard arms grabbed her from behind, and Karma struggled, fighting with all she had. Her head thunked against the stone wall before he could prevent her movement, and lightning flashed behind her eyes. The violence had been so easy for Benny. He’d taken down three soldiers, Cyst soldiers, without much effort. In fact, he’d appeared more methodical than emotional. How was that even possible?

  She went with instinct, fighting him, trying not to throw up. Dizziness swamped her, and she couldn’t think. He’d shot those Cysts so casually—one even in the eye. Yes, they’d live, but it took forever to regrow an eye.

  He caught her up, his hands firm with only her clothing protecting her skin, and ran up the stairs as if he hadn’t been injured and she didn’t weigh a thing. Blood flowed down his neck, and she looked up to see part of his jaw and teeth visible with the skin and muscle torn away from his lower face.

  Her stomach lurched. She hunched into herself as he cradled her against his hard-as-rock chest. This was a mistake. This was insane. “Put me down,” she whispered, trying to curl into a ball.

  “No.” He cleared the stairs and turned the corner.

  Panic caught her, and she wriggled in his arms, punching him as hard as she could in the chest. Then she struggled, unable to think, only needing to run. To get away. Her mind went numb, and her body fought on its own.

  He shot three guards in succession, running past them and outside into the chilly autumn night. Then he fired up into the air, and the green lasers arced gracefully toward the stars.

  Confusion muddled her pounding head. Had she given herself a concussion? The dark world swirled around her, and she had to close her eyes to try to balance herself. Why had Benny shot toward the sky? None of this was making sense.

  Her head hurt. Badly. Even so, she opened her eyes, seeking escape.

  The night lit up in every direction as explosions blew all around them. Heat blasted into her, and she screamed.

  Benny held her tighter and started running full-bore toward the nearby forest. “Hold on, sweetheart. You’re almost safe.”

  Safe? She couldn’t think. “No,” she whispered, the dizziness taking away her breath and forcing her to close her eyes. Or maybe it was the speed with which he ran. The wind buzzed across her skin.

  Bullets hit the ground around them, spitting up dirt.

  She opened her eyes again, seeing several helicopters to the left with Cyst and Kurjan soldiers firing from the sides. “We will not survive this.” Then she noted the soldiers ducking as green laser shots burst out from the trees, several striking the nearest helicopter.

  He dodged between two trees, his big body bending over her, protecting her, as bullets hit his back and his neck. He growled low but didn’t slow his pace.

  Then two soldiers appeared behind him to cover his retreat, returning more fire toward the Kurjans. “We have to go faster. Shut your eyes,” he ordered, ducking his head and plowing through the forest so quickly the trees became a blur. The smell of blood competed with the strong scents of pine and dirt.

  She had no choice but to obey, holding herself stiff, silently saying a prayer taught to her by her mother many, many years ago. One she’d all but forgotten until right now. Going with the enemy was a mistake, but once again, she was helpless. The twins had been taken away in one of the earlier helicopters, and she couldn’t get to them. She couldn’t save them.

  Terror and pain welled up inside her, and she banished all emotion, attempting to go numb. Once again. At the same time, she tried to heal her head, letting the pain ease away.

  The wind chilled her, while the immortal heated her, the contrast adding more confusion. He ran as silently as any predator, his movements economical, and energetic tingles popped in the air around them as he healed his wounds.

  They ran for longer than she could count, and she drifted off, trying not to think of the girls.

  “Start her up,” Benny bellowed out of the blue.

  She twisted in his arms and turned her head to see a dark, sleek craft in a small clearing. A large male with piercing pewter-gray eyes jumped in front of what turned out to be a helicopter. The low hum of its engines immediately vibrated through the air.

  Benny leaped into the open door at the rear of the craft, and two males followed suit, the last one shutting the door.

  Then they were rising into the sky, where the copter was soon blanketed by thick clouds.

  Benny gently set her on the seat next to him, facing the other two across an aisle. “Are you all right?” he asked, bending toward her and studying her neck.

  The interior light flipped on.

  She blinked, wincing as her eyes and then her head protested. “I am fine.”

  He looked closer. “No mating allergy? Did you heal your temple?” He’d noticed she had bumped her head?

  She tried to make herself as small as possible. “My head is healed, and I am not feeling the effects of any mating allergy.” The two soldiers across from them watched her. They both had dark hair that reached their shoulders, incredible aqua-colored eyes, and muscled bodies.

  Benny sat back, giving her space. “Karma, please meet Ronan Kayrs and Quade Kayrs.” He pointed at the pilot. “That’s Garrett Kayrs—their great-great-nephew—or something like that. The Kayrs family reproduces like jackalopes, and it’s tough to keep their lineage straight.”

  Garrett looked over his shoulder, his eyes mesmerizing. “There’s no such thing as jackalopes, and you know it.”

  “I’ve seen one,” Benny countered instantly, resting his head back and shutting his eyes. More healing tingles emerged from him.

  Garrett snorted and turned back to flying the craft.

  Karma tried to take a deep breath, but her lungs refused to cooperate. Garrett Kayrs was the King of the Realm’s nephew, and the other two males were probably more than a thousand years old. All of the males in the helicopter were members of the Seven, whose goal was to kill every enhanced woman and then destroy Ulric.

  “Do you know who we are?” Ronan asked, his eyes looking more green than blue.

  “Yes. I’ve heard stories about the Seven and you.” She wasn’t a good liar, so why bother? “Are you going to kill me?”

  Benny opened his eyes and turned his head to face her. “Kill you? We just saved you.”

  Saved her for what? She didn’t want to know, but she had to ask. “What now?”

  “Now we see the queen,” Benny said. “You’ll like her.”

  The small interior swam around Karma, and she tried not to cry. The Queen of the Realm? She was the most frightening female alive on the planet. They were going to let the queen kill her.

  She wasn’t ready to die.

  Chapter Four

  Rain beat down on them as Garrett landed the craft like a pro, and Benny opened the door and kicked out the steps, wishing he’d brought an umbrella. The weather at Realm Headquarters in nor
thern Idaho was unpredictable in the fall, and rain seemed to be a constant. He jumped out and noted the SUV waiting by the landing strip with armed Realm soldiers at the ready. “I don’t think your uncle is happy to see us.”

  Garrett, leaving the craft running, leaped out of the pilot’s seat. “Sure, he is.”

  Right. Benny motioned Karma out, wanting to give her space. The woman had gone starkly pale, and she seemed to need distance. “Come on out, Karma. You’ll like the queen.”

  If anything, Karma turned even paler. Yet she took the two steps down, looking as regal as any member of royalty. Her hair was still in that tight bun, and Benny itched to release it. The one time he’d met her before, she’d had her hair loose, and it had been a stunning mass of curls. Of course, they’d both been pretending to be somebody else at the time. Who knew the mating mark would appear on his hand after touching her?

  She stood in the rain and lifted her face, letting the water sluice over her smooth skin. The lights from the nearest hangar highlighted her classic bone structure and hourglass figure.

  He’d always liked a woman with decent hips and ass. She was short for him at maybe only five nine, but she had those curves. Delectable ones. “This way.” He turned toward the running SUV, his gaze focused on the nearest soldier. When they reached the overhang of the hangar, he relaxed as he made sure Karma stayed dry. “Hi, Max.”

  Max Petrovsky was one of the king’s guard dogs, and Benny had always kind of liked him. Most immortals had a secondary eye color that emerged during dangerous or emotional moments, and Max’s were a very cool pink. “Hi.” He looked them over, gave Garrett a nod, and then set his feet. “You all need to be searched for weapons before I take you to the lodge.”

  Garrett strode forward and clapped Max on the shoulder. “We’re armed, Uncle Max. No worries.”

  Max’s nostrils flared, and he kept his gaze on Benny. “Benjamin?”

  Figures Max would be okay with Garrett having weapons. “Just the usual. Gun at waist, in left boot, and thigh holster. Knives in all sorts of interesting places, and if you try to body cavity–search me, I might have to kill you.”

  Max rolled his eyes. “I’d rather shoot myself, Reese.” His gaze gentled as he turned his attention to Karma. “How about you, miss?”

  She slowly shook her head, standing in that completely still way she had. At least the eaves protected her from the weather.

  The helicopter lifted into the air, and the ancient Kayrs brothers took off.

  Max watched them go. “Good move. I don’t think Dage is all that happy with his great-uncles, considering you all won’t come clean about the Seven.”

  Benny shrugged. It was frankly a miracle that the king hadn’t kidnapped Garrett and held him until he gave up the information, but Garrett was solid. He’d never tell. “Blood oaths and all of that. It’s raining. Let’s get going.” The Seven had taken a vow of secrecy, and the King and his Realm knew too much as it was.

  Max frowned. “I’m sorry, but your friend is going to meet with the queen. I have to check her for weapons.”

  The monster deep down inside Benny stretched lazily awake. “Oh, I don’t think so. You touch her, and we really will have a problem.” His blood started to hum with power.

  Karma edged slightly closer to him as if unconsciously seeking protection. He stood straighter, willing and able to provide that for her. “You’re okay, darlin’. Nobody is gonna touch you—I promise.”

  “Except the queen,” she whispered, her voice shaking.

  Garrett sighed. “Yeah, that’s true. Maybe she’ll chase Benny with the syringe first. That’s always fun to watch.” It was the first joke the kid had made in way too long.

  Benny grimaced. Ever since the marking had appeared on his hand, for a Kurjan Soti no less, the queen had been relentless in her zeal to test his blood. He’d let her fill vials a couple of times, and now that he had Karma near, the queen would no doubt come at him again. “Just wait, Kayrs. She’ll want your blood soon enough. You are a member of the Seven now, you know.” While the queen didn’t know the full truth about the Seven, she knew they existed, and she wanted to do all kinds of tests on them.

  Garrett growled. “I’m not having blood taken until I get sleep and a decent breakfast.”

  Karma swallowed. “When it’s over, I’d like to be laid to rest near a river, if that’s okay.” She clasped her hands together. “Unless I’m incinerated. Then maybe the ashes scattered by a river?”

  Max’s gaze went flat, and he froze in place. “What the hell?”

  Garrett frowned and moved closer to Benny. “What exactly did you tell her?”

  “Nothing,” Benny said, eyeing the pale blonde. His pale blonde. “Honey, what are you talking about?”

  She lifted her chin and strode toward the SUV, her skirt swishing around her ankles. “You don’t need to lie to me, Benjamin. I’m ready to meet the queen.” She paused, looking over her shoulder at Max, still safe beneath the eaves. “I do not have any weapons, but it’s permissible for you to search me.”

  Max pivoted, and Benny stopped him with a hand on his arm. “You’re not touching her.” All the same, he did understand the need to protect the queen. Karma had lived with their enemy for a couple of centuries. “I’ll search her. You can watch.”

  He moved toward the woman. “Put your arms straight out.”

  When she did so, facing away from him, he carefully patted her down, making sure not to touch her skin. The allergic reaction could still take place with the material between them, but if he went fast, it’d be okay. Every touch to her curves was torture, and he tried to hide his arousal. “Karma? You’re not going to die tonight.”

  She didn’t answer him. The woman didn’t make a lick of sense. He’d have to sort her out after they got to the lodge.

  He was quick, but by the time he’d patted down her ass, he was on fire. His blood burst through his veins, heating him even more, and his entire body had gone rock hard.

  After the mating mark had appeared three years ago, he knew he had to rescue her. But that was it. He’d never contemplated taking a mate—and it appeared she was in agreement. He should be pleased.

  The beast deep down inside him howled.

  * * * *

  Realm Headquarters was a surprise. The main building looked like a ski lodge, or what Karma figured a ski lodge would look like. She’d been escorted past a wide gathering room and down a lovely hallway to what appeared to be a comfortable waiting area, complete with a silent television on the wall. She sat in a thick, plush chair, her hands clasped loosely on her lap.

  Benjamin sat next to her, shifting his bulk as if he couldn’t get comfortable. “Why do you think you’re going to die?” he asked.

  She eyed the wide double wooden doors across the sparkling floor. Why was Benjamin acting dumb? “I know about the queen and her experiments,” she said calmly. The Queen of the Realm was well known for torturing subjects in the name of science. The Kurjans had been graphic when depicting the atrocities the queen had performed on enhanced females as well as immortals in her quest for knowledge.

  Queen Kayrs was a monster.

  Benjamin groaned. “Well, she is a little obsessed, I admit. But if you just give her what she wants, she usually leaves you alone for a little while.”

  What if what she wanted was to hear Karma scream? To see how high her pain tolerance really was—an experiment Karma understood was one of the queen’s favorite pastimes. “I am weak when it comes to pain,” Karma admitted. “Before this happens, could you reassure me that Rose is safe?” Karma would always wonder if she’d made a mistake, helping Benjamin rescue the toddler from the Kurjans three years ago.

  “Of course she’s safe,” Benjamin said.

  To get through the next few minutes, Karma had to trust that he was telling the truth. “I would have liked to have seen her
again.”

  Before Benjamin could answer, the doors opened, and a petite female rushed out. She wore ripped jeans, tennis shoes, and a T-shirt with what looked like a cartoon dog on it. A white lab coat hung on her slender frame, unfastened. Oh. It figured a lab assistant would prepare Karma for the experiments. It was late, probably after midnight. Perhaps she’d be left alone until the queen arose. No doubt the woman slept late.

  Benjamin stood.

  The lab tech went to him for a quick hug before stepping back. “Benny. It’s so good to see you.” The female’s thick black hair was in a smooth ponytail, and her blue eyes sparkled happily. She truly was stunning.

  The oddest and most out-of-place sense of jealousy attacked Karma.

  Benny patted the woman’s back. “You, too. Emma? This is Karma.” He gestured to Karma.

  Karma stood. “Hello.” This Emma felt like a good person, although she was much too familiar with Benjamin. Maybe she’d help Karma end all of this quickly. To think the Kurjans wanted her mate bond destroyed by the virus the Queen of the Realm had discovered. Karma wouldn’t survive that long.

  Emma held out a hand, her eyes focused and intelligent. Seeking. “Karma. It’s lovely to meet you.”

  Karma hesitated and then accepted the handshake. She’d forgotten other species shook hands as a greeting. When the tech released her, she stepped back, her knees against the chair.

  Emma’s eyebrow rose. “Honey, if you don’t want to do this tonight, we can meet up in the morning. Maybe after you’ve slept?”

  A side door opened, and a male stepped out of what appeared to be a conference room. Unrelenting power emanated from him. “That’s fine, but I want her scanned first. Weapons, tracking devices, anything else.” He had black hair, burnished silver eyes, and a body made for war.

  Karma’s knees weakened. On all that was holy. It was the King of the Realm. She’d seen pictures of him at Kurjan headquarters through the years. Was she supposed to curtsy? If she did, she’d fall on her face. Besides, her legs were frozen.

  His expression softened. “Karma, I’m Dage. I apologize for all that you’re about to go through.” Amusement and resignation glimmered in his otherworldly eyes.