Flames of Hope

by Cassandra L Shaw

  “Hidden this far in of the main highway they’ll be illegal hunters, for sure. Would normally be too easy to come and go without being found. Katoom Eli and Crea jointly manage this part of the park. Symion Crea clan manage the other side. But the area in between is huge.”

  “Symion Crea…they’d be about three hours away.”

  “About that by the main road. Their back lands connect on the other side, but the park is over five thousand square miles.”

  “Isn’t there any help from Parks?”

  “Ranger huts right in the center. Isolated. During busy hunting times, they hire Crea and Eli who don’t wish to be part of a clan.

  “Loners.”

  Tariq dropped the binoculars and pulled out his com. “Shit, still no signal.”

  Jinx checked his com, shook his head. “You’re worried they’ve been taken? Kidnapped?”

  “No. This is too remote. These guys will be hunters wanting trophies. Bet they’ve chosen this site because of the hot springs. Stupid, murderous fools, we’re going to bust their asses.”

  “Let’s hunt for a signal and call it in.” Another vehicle rumbled up the road at the base of the valley. Tariq lifted his binoculars and zeroed in. A pale-colored, battered van headed for the same area. It pulled up, and two men got out. Four others joined them and headed for the rear door. The door lifted and the men piled in.

  Four men reemerged fast, two flew out the back and skidded across the track. One just lying there.

  “What the fuck?”

  A huge male, glowing gold and in his full beast, thrashed around, chains dangling from his neck, legs, arms, staggering out of the truck as if he’d been drugged.

  Someone from the other side of the van shoved a long stick at the Crea. The Crea shuddered and fell onto his back, thrashed, and went still.

  “Shit, Jinx, we’ve found a kidnapped Crea. Head up the mountain at maximum speed. We need signal.”

  #

  Kaid’s personal link screamed out the emergency waa-waa-waa. He sat up and grabbed it, shoved his hair out of his face, put his hand on Bliss, who sat bolt upright, panic on her face. Ringer jumped on the bed and barked.

  “Kaid.”

  “Tariq and Jinx have found a camp where at least one Crea has been attacked, looks like a kidnap. At least ten men on-site in an illegal camp in the top left quarter of our area of responsibility.” Dan’s voice came over the link.

  “Zane?”

  “Being contacted as we speak. Hang on.” He heard Dan muttering something on the link. “What?”

  “Zane has four trucks and fifteen guys who can be on the road in fifteen.”

  “Good. We need the same. I’ll open the weapons room.”

  He rolled out of bed and dragged on thick combat pants, boots, and a liquid Kevlar-soaked combat shirt. The shirt was a new issue for all his soldiers, after he and Dan were shot by a blaster weeks ago. While he dressed, he told Bliss what was happening. Bliss, Ringer her golden shadow, followed him into the living room, where he opened the door to the secret weapons room.

  “Can I do anything to help?”

  He touched her cheek. “Stay inside. Don’t leave the inner compound until I return. Anything seems out of the ordinary, raise the alarm and get all the women and children to head for the tunnels. What Tariq’s seen could be a diversion tactic.”

  “Doubtful in such a remote area. But we’ll be fine, and I know the routine. You think this could be our missing Eli and Crea?”

  “That’s my hope.”

  Someone pounded on their thick, Kevlar-soaked wooden entrance doors. Bliss hurried over, checked through the eye scope, and opened it. Dan, Rooster, and six other soldiers tramped inside.

  Dan entered the weapons room and helped Kaid select weapons and hand them out to the men. Kaid would make sure they’d pack on the heavy side, because who knew what awaited them in that park?

  #

  The Blood Drainer woke before dawn to his beeping link. He yawned, scratched his balls, and reached for the device. Captured, lone gold-bearer. Transported to location.

  He smiled. Guess he’d be doing a meet and greet this afternoon. Hiring the brainless goons had proved a brilliant plan and fruitful return on investment. It was said the best leaders didn’t do the dirty work.

  24

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Jasmine rolled over, grabbed her link off the bedside table, and scowled. The encrypted number told her it was the FBPI, and for them to wake her when she was meant to be on sabbatical meant something bad. Nerves thrumming, she jolted upright, quickly keyed the eight-digit answering key number into her link. A click told her she’d been successful. The other side of the bed was empty, and cold. What a shocker.

  “Dancing 654 eclipse.” She stated her code so the person calling knew the correct person or agent had answered. The Dancing was her team’s name, the 654 the last three digits of her badge number, and eclipse the word for the week sent to agents by a regular encrypted link every Sunday night.

  “Agent 654, Jasmine. We have a situation. Agent 741, Ramine, drove to Katoom yesterday evening. His plans were to meet with Zane, the Katoom Crea leader, in the morning to set up coordinated surveillance teams of suspected Pures sympathizers who reside in the area. However, 741, Ramine went off-line yesterday evening. He did not make contact with Agent 154, Clare, to confirm his location and status at the normal eight pm check-in.”

  Jasmine ran her hand under her hair to rub at a suddenly tense neck. “And?”

  “We believe you are currently residing in Katoom Eli’s clan, so we need you to check out the Katoom Crea clan, and Katoom itself.”

  “Me?” Normally this would be a team response. “Alone?”

  “You have contacts and clan in the region, and, I believe, have met the Crea leader. We think you will be able to get a greater level of assistance than unknown agents at the current time. Things are tense amongst the subs, Crea especially. Trust of humans is becoming an issue, and we only have human agents in the region at this time.”

  “Yeah, sure. I’ll see what I can do.”

  She listened to more instructions, hopped out of bed, and walked out into the living room, heading for the coffee maker. She’d need a cup as she got ready to leave.

  She looked over at Xylvar. “I have to go to Katoom.”

  Xylvar who’d been sitting quietly at the window, the blinds set to see outside, but blocking the outside world from looking in, looked over his shoulder at her.

  He looked her over, his gaze flicking several times to her hair. “Why?”

  Jasmine started to run her fingers through her hair, but stopped when she saw his mouth twitch. She was either making it worse, or her reaction to his assessment amused him. After that one hot session on the couch, Xylvar had not come near her.

  Probably a good reaction to something that should not have happened between two people who did not get along. Probably a sensible way to react when they were work partners who needed to cohabit in the same unit, and the same bed. And probably the correct way to react when the lead male in the act pretended what happened meant no more than holding hands might between a real couple.

  “Ramine, a Crea, and one of the team of FBPI agents I work with regularly, has disappeared. He was in Katoom to meet with Zane about setting up a team of Crea, Eli, and FBPI agents in the region for surveillance of suspected Pure sympathizers. He’s gone off grid, no contact, and can’t be contacted. That’s not like Ramine. He must be in trouble.”

  Xylvar spun his chair around to face her. “You think he’s another victim?”

  “I do, though it’d be pretty hard to find someone around Katoom brave enough to take a large Crea male. I’m not saying there aren’t racists in among the population, but the locals know what a sub can do to a human. And except for a select few, most live in harmony with Eli and the Crea. It’s the best mixed-species town I’ve ever seen. And better now than ever, now the Crea and Eli are working together.” All because Bliss b
efriended Crea, Eli, and human. She had no barriers, no prejudices.

  “Who says it’s a human taking the Crea and Eli?”

  “Ugly thought, but relevant. A fellow Eli killed Gene, Kaid’s best friend, and then hunted Kaid.”

  Xylvar’s silver rose, and his face hardened. “Dempster, the scum. Not all Crea or Eli are nice, mentally stable individuals. I’ll come with you.”

  “You can’t. It’s FBPI business.”

  “Tough shit. I don’t answer to you or the FBPI. Someone put a tracking device on you last night. And part of that same couple had a feeling they recognized you, probably as Storm. I’m glued to your side, day, night, even when you wiz. Call Kaid and get them to set aside a cabin for us.”

  #

  Two hours later, after checking their vehicle for trackers and driving a circuitous route to check for a tail, Jasmine stood outside the room Ramine had booked into the previous night in Katoom.

  Xylvar waited beside Jasmine for the manager. “I don’t understand why he didn’t organize to stay on Crea clan reserve.”

  “Ramine is a clanless loner. Works on our team, but usually on surveillance, and doesn’t deal well with authority. Apparently, he used to be a team player, fun guy. A soldier in his old clan back in New York state, insane on a Mule overdose, murdered Ramine’s mate. He’s been a loner ever since.”

  The manager arrived, puffing. “As I said, I saw the male put his gear in the room, then head out, I assumed to go to Bourke’s Bar for a meal.”

  “You didn’t see him return?”

  “No, but I go to my own suite after seven. Unless someone buzzes with a late booking, or because they’re having a hassle, I don’t see or hear shit. My rooms are soundproof.”

  He unlocked the door and pushed it open. “I’ll stay by the door if you don’t mind. I know you’re FBPI, but if something goes missing, it’s my ass that’ll end up in a cell.”

  Jasmine nodded. “No problem.” She walked in and Xylvar followed. He wheeled toward the bag sitting on the small table. Jasmine headed for the bathroom.

  “Looks like he took a shower. Shaving gear, soap, toothbrush, all the usual, are here, and the towel’s still a little damp.” She walked back out.

  Xylvar pushed open the bag. “Three changes of clothes. One spare pair of shoes. A electro bookcase open to a novel.”

  “Travels light.”

  Xylvar looked into the bag, then back at Jasmine. “If you say so.”

  “Fine. It’s a man’s bag. I can’t find a link.” She pulled open the bedside drawer. Shook her head.

  Xylvar turned to the manager. “Is the bar the only place that serves meals?”

  The manager shook his head. “No, there’s a café, and a small restaurant that is a couples’ hangout. But they’re only open a few nights a week.”

  “Let’s go and check out the café and restaurant first, so we can strike that off our list. Then we’ll hit the bar.”

  Neither the café nor the restaurant had been open the evening before. Jasmine let Xylvar go through the Bourke’s Bar door first. She nodded to Peter, the local sheriff. She’d talk to him later. Explain what was going on.

  The bar was open, running a breakfast special. The smell of pancakes, bacon, eggs, and coffee filled the air. Jasmine’s stomach rumbled. Xylvar smiled. “We should get breakfast, could be a long day.”

  “I agree. We’ll order, then ask questions. Eat fast.” They headed for the highly polished long wooden bar. Jasmine grabbed a menu, scanned it, and handed it to Xylvar. Near her hand, two sets of what looked like claw gouges marred the wood. When she ran her eye along the bar, she noted many more gouges. “Guess the odd Crea or Eli at the bar get a bit tense.”

  A man, whose name tag identified him as Roy Bourke, nodded. “Sometimes in a bar where there too much liquor, emotions run over. What can I get you two?”

  They ordered pancakes with bacon and eggs, maple syrup, orange juice, and coffees.

  “Pick a table, and I’ll have Dorothy bring out the coffee.”

  Several tables were taken. One taken by a family, another with a single male shoveling his meal in like he hadn’t eaten for several days. His scruffy stubble said he might have been out in the forest for a few days. He turned toward Jasmine, giving her a cool assessment, his Eli eyes meeting hers. She hadn’t met him in Katoom’s Eli clan, but then, he seemed to be a loner.

  Xylvar rolled past the Eli, staring into the male’s eyes, coming to a stop beside him.

  “You not from around here?”

  The Eli straightened, seem braced for a fight. “What’s it to you?”

  Xylvar cocked his head, and Jasmine knew he was digging into the male’s mind. “Probably not much. You walked the highway to here during the night?”

  “Free world.”

  “Some say it’s not.”

  “You and your mate from the local Eli clan?”

  “We know of them, and she’s not my mate.”

  The male ran his silvery blue eyes over Jasmine once more. “What a fool.”

  Xylvar rolled his shoulders. Jasmine could almost feel his growing annoyance.

  She put her hand on Xylvar’s shoulder and pointed to Roy from behind bar heading toward them with coffee. She waved at him, indicating to put their coffee on the table in the far corner, knowing Xylvar was headed for the key, see-all spot in the bar.

  She met the Eli’s appraisal. “Are you heading for the local Eli Clan land?”

  “I am. Got some news they might be interested in. Will hike there after I’ve eaten.”

  “No vehicle?

  “At home. I was camping in my backlands, fixing fences. Someone came to my ranch, burned all my buildings, stole my vehicle, and then I found evidence someone was still hanging around. Lucky I had my identification and some credits with my gear. Only bought the place from a Crea family a few weeks back. Figuring I needed some sort of clan backup, I hiked over the mountain toward Katoom land. My family came from here once, and they left under the old leader to get away from the Mule production. Heard clan is clean now.”

  She ran his face and scent through her mind, but couldn’t place him from when she lived in clan as a child. “They are. If you contacted them, they would have come to you, or sent someone to get you.”

  “On that same fence-fixing trek, I was hijacked by an angry bear. In the fight, my link was smashed.”

  Xylvar nodded. “Rough week.”

  “Sure had better.”

  They went to their tables, both draining their coffees, attesting to their exhaustion. Roy came over to refill them.

  Jasmine put her hand on his arm to stop him from automatically veering off to fill more cups. She tipped her head toward Xylvar. “I’m Jasmine, and this is Xylvar. We’re looking for a Crea friend of mine. A male, tall even for a sub, short-cropped, dark hair. Eyes almost pure gold, rimmed with green.” She turned her link toward Roy to show him a halo of Ramine. “We have reason to believe he came in here last night for a meal.”

  “Sure. Quiet. Ordered, ate, and left without saying more than what it took to place his order.”

  “Anyone follow him out, take an interest in him?”

  “Not more’n any unknown Crea male would get in a small, mixed-species town. Can I ask why you’re asking? I’m guessing he planned to head to the Crea clan up the road.”

  “He appears to be missing.”

  Roy scratched his well-shaven jaw, his dark eyes assessing her and Xylvar. “When he left, he turned left. Otherwise, I know nothing, but there’s been a lot of activity in town lately, bringing in folk we’ve never seen before. Crea, Eli, and human. Katoom scored a bit of media coverage few weeks back, which often brings in the stickybeaks. Nut jobs included. Doubt such a big Crea male would be in any trouble, though.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Hope you find him.”

  So did she.

  Their food arrived, so they dove into their meal. After telling the Eli male, Joshua, they’d pick him up o
utside the bar in an hour, they walked out the door. A delivery truck drove up to the three shops Bliss owned and managed.

  Xylvar scrutinized the truck. “It would take some strength to apprehend and overpower a male as large as you’ve indicated.”

  She rubbed her face. “Tranqs would help.”

  “Would have to be before his beast rose too thickly, or else it would be hard for the needle to penetrate his metal skin.”

  She pictured the scenario in her mind. “So he’s walking back to his room, full stomach, maybe a beer. Looking forward to a quiet night. Some jerk drives by, shoots him with tranq. Easy enough to get them if you have the contact. A game warden would have the equipment.”

  “Huh, yeah, and most other nut jobs who wanted to get ahold of it.”

  They turned left, and Xylvar looked up a side road. “His room was at the back of the motel. He would probably have headed down here to get to his room. I can see a yellow wall of the motel from here. Be the quickest route.”

  “And the road’s unlit, bar the single lamppost at the next crossing.”

  Halfway down the lane, Xylvar stopped and rolled over to the other side of the road. “Something or someone large fell into that bush. See the broken twigs, the fresh leaves on the ground?”

  Jasmine joined him. “There’s marks on the grass and dirt indicating a scuffle.” She dropped into a crouch. “Three different shoe treads and sizes.”

  She leaned down and scrambled under the bush, coming out with a cracked link.

  “A link.” She hurried to Xylvar’s side. “Can you crack the fingerprint pass?”

  “Not here. Let’s door-knock to see if anyone heard or saw anything odd last night.”

  “Mmm, I think we should get Peter, the Katoom sheriff, involved with that part. He’s human, and we might have more luck with him at our side.”

  She pulled out her own link and called Peter, who arrived within minutes. Jasmine smiled at Peter as he joined them. Peter looked at least ten years younger than his real age, and his easygoing nature meant the locals liked and trusted him, and strangers underestimated the steel within the man.