Absolution
Delroi Prophecy Four
By
Loribelle Hunt
PUBLISHED BY:
Loribelle Hunt
Copyright Ó 2014 Loribelle Hunt
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
Anna Leigh Gray set out to save her daughter. While her former allies, the evil and malicious Tel Group has been dealt a major blow, they haven’t been destroyed and their sights are focused on one thing. Killing Zola. To protect her Anna Leigh has to get to Delroi. The last thing she expects is being claimed by the dangerous, sexy Xan Bana. His telepathy is as strong as hers, his mind is fascinating, and he has moves in the bedroom she’d never been aware she missing. But he’s an enigmatic warrior and she’s not convinced his motives are pure.
Xan Bana never expected to find a mate or take over leadership of his clan. Both are a challenge he’s looking forward to. Dealing with a clan that is in disarray is easier than getting to know the woman who now stands at his side, however. When they arrive on Delroi, they help Zola all they can but a ghost from the past almost kills her.Now he’s in a race against time to keep his mate, protect her daughter, and save the son she’d thought lost long ago.
Earth
Chapter One
Anna Leigh stared at the screen, rereading the message from Britt Anderson. She wanted to know Anna Leigh’s price for the names. This was the risky part. She had no idea what her daughter had told Britt, but it couldn’t be good. Not that Britt had mentioned Zola. Anna Leigh wasn’t surprised. She hadn’t really expected any kind of acknowledgement. Didn’t deserve it.
That didn’t mean she was giving up hope that someday, somehow she could make it up to her daughter. To do that she had to get to Delroi. She could demand asylum for the names. It was the kind of thing they’d expect. They might give it to her, but she couldn’t be sure. She could just give them the names as an offer of good faith and ask for asylum. And they could deny her. She’d have to find another way onto the planet then. She took a deep breath and replied to the message. Twelve names. Eight Tel agents. Four Delroi rebels.
An hour later she had an offer. Since she’d freely given over the names, they would grant her request, but it would require she perform a favor for them in return. Leaning back in her chair, she considered it. It seemed simple enough on the surface. They were holding a warrior--a suspected rebel--and they thought her unique talents would be useful in questioning him. In other words, would she use her telepathy to search his mind? If she was interested she had twenty four hours to get to their base and perform the task. After that she was on her own. It wasn’t a choice at all. She sent her acceptance.
Several hours later she drove through the gates of a former Alliance military base that had been taken over by the invading Delroi. She followed the directions to the Southern clans’ headquarters. The streets and grassy areas were neatly tended, the feel of the place serene. She parked in front of the specified building and hesitated next to her car. They were waiting for her, several warriors, big and hulking and severe looking. They all had the facial tattoos of the southern clans. She was an assassin and a spy. She made no excuses for what she was, but there was no way she could walk out of this alive if it was a trap. Might as well get it over with. Inhaling deeply, fortifying her resolve, she stepped forward and climbed the steps. One of them stepped forward to meet her and she let her senses expand, realized he had a natural shield. She’d bet they all did. She could get through it if she had to, her touch more skillful than most telepaths, but she’d only do so if it proved necessary for survival. A new personal rule, a promise to Zola that she wasn’t even aware Anna Leigh’d made.
“Ms. Gray. I’m Galinn.”
She nodded. “Anna Leigh is fine.”
“Anna Leigh then,” he said. “I’ll need your weapons.”
Of course. She handed over two pistols and a blade. He gave her a steady look.
“We don’t have to do this the hard way.”
He’d obviously been warned about her occupation. Sighing, she gave him two more knives. Even without her weapons she was hardly unarmed. Finally he turned and walked inside where several more warriors waited. He handed her weapons to one of them without a word and continued through the spacious lobby to a door tucked in the back corner. They entered a conference room and a man turned from the window to greet them. Anna Leigh felt a jolt of recognition and saw her shock reflected in his eyes, which made no sense. She’d never seen him before in her life. Then why did she feel like she knew him? Like he knew her? The real woman.
If he was human she’d peg him as a soldier, probably a high ranking officer, and an extremely well taken care of fifty year old. Or thereabouts. He was a few inches over six feet, had cat green eyes, and short black hair that was beginning to silver. Tattoos stretched down the right side of his face and arm. He was sexy as hell and he was a telepath. His power stroked over her, almost seductively. He was also pissed off. He held her gaze as he spoke.
“Galinn, tell Barak I apologize but I will have to decline his offer.”
“He’ll banish you, Xan, and leave you stranded here.”
“I can always appeal to the Overchief.”
Galinn shook his head. “He won’t hear you out.”
The stranger switched to another language and without even thinking about it, she slipped into his mind for the translation. She was there to judge his trustworthiness after all.
“There are some things a der’lan should never know.”
Galinn’s eyes widened a fraction before he regained control. What the hell was that?
“That complicates things,” Galinn muttered in English.
“What’s a der’lan?”
The new guy, Xan, glared at her. “I didn’t give you permission to enter my mind.”
She shrugged. “I don’t care. I agreed to do a job for Britt Anderson. In exchange, I get off this planet. It would be much easier for both of us if you cooperated. It’s you right? The one she wants to make sure can be trusted?”
He didn’t respond, though his expression was easy enough to read. He wanted her gone.
“There is a problem,” Galinn interjected.
“No,” she snapped, not thinking before she spoke because she was unbelievably--unaccountably--angry at this Xan guy for standing in her way. “There isn’t. I need to get to Delroi. You want to be cleared. And I need to know if I need to kill you before I leave.”
Xan laughed. “You think you could kill me, love?”
She didn’t joke back, didn’t tease. She let her power rise.
“Britt wouldn’t use me unless she thought you might be a rebel. Am I right? Don’t bother answering, I can see that I am.” She took a step forward. “You have no idea the lengths I will go to, that I have gone to, to survive this long. I would slit your throat without any hesitation at all if that was
the price for this trip.”
“The Delroi don’t use women as assassins,” he snarled, stalking closer though they were still separated by several feet. She was tempted to close the distance. To turn this altercation into something else entirely.
“I am not Delroi,” she said, resisting the urge. Galinn looked like he wanted to intervene but wasn’t sure how. “Can we get on with this? Britt hinted that I could leave tonight once this is finished.”
“I’m sorry, my lady, I can’t compel Xan in this. You will have to convince him yourself.”
She glared at them both but neither relented. “If I ever discover that my next words were repeated I will hunt you both down and make you pray for a slow death.”
She got no response. So be it. They’d been warned and she wasn’t above manipulating them to get what she wanted. It was no secret the Delroi were overprotective when it came to women.
“My daughter is being hunted by two different organizations. One is a group of human psychics. The other is your rebels. I am of no help to her here.”
Xan scowled at Galinn. “I imagine I won’t be briefed until I agree to this.”
“I can’t guarantee that you will be then.”
Xan’s expression turned hard. “Oh, I will be.”
He pulled a chair out from the table. “Come on, love. Let’s get this over with.”
“What changed your mind? Being suspected of being a rebel?”
He shook his head. “I am no rebel. But if I don’t allow this, I won’t be in a position to protect you or your daughter.”
“Why would you want to help me?” she asked.
She pretended to be suspicious at his sudden turn around. Maybe this was the test. She took the seat next to him and he held his hand out. She had no idea why she took it.
“It’s complicated and I don’t think you’d believe me. Get this over with, Anna Leigh. Once I am reinstated we can be on our way.”
“Why are you in such a hurry?”
His smile was grim and promised retribution. She was intrigued. “My cousin is my clan chief. Turns out he’s neck deep in the rebellion. I’m the only one who can take over the clan. Otherwise, it will be absorbed by another.”
“You were willing to do whatever was necessary before I walked in,” she said softly. “What changed?”
Many people were afraid of her, but he had no idea who she was and it definitely wasn’t fear she picked up from him. He stroked his thumb over her wrist and her pulse stuttered in response. He gave her a smile that was pure masculine confidence.
“Shouldn’t you be worried about clearing my name first?” he countered, avoiding the question and using her inexplicable attraction to him. She might regret not pursuing it later but at least she’d be on a spaceship when it happened.
“Fine. Lower your shields.”
Chapter Two
Xan stared at Anna Leigh. She was medium height, curvy, with bright green eyes and dark blond hair that fell around her shoulders. He couldn’t believe she was here, had long ago given up all hope of finding his der’lan, the mate of his heart. In his youth--when he had allowed himself to imagine her--he’d envisioned a gentle, protected Delroi female. At first glance, she appeared the part. A beautiful fragile looking woman. But Anna Leigh definitely wasn’t that, thank the gods. Such a woman would never suit the man he was now. There was nothing soft or helpless about this woman. She was tough and edgy. Beautiful, but clearly dangerous. It made him feel a hell of a lot better about what she needed to do. He was a warrior. Hard, commanding, and unrelenting. With most of the women from his world he’d have to hold back everything that made him who he was. Not with Anna Leigh, though.
He wondered if she would soften under other circumstances. Had a sudden vision of her sweet and compliant in his bed. Unfortunately, that would have to wait. He had to lower his shields, let her crawl around his head, and hope he had the will to not bind her to him right then and there. The words of the ancient prayer ran through his mind, but he ignored them as he slowly lowered his shields.
Her mind stroked against his, confident and powerful, and while she didn’t hesitate to look at his memories, his life, she kept hers blocked from him. That wouldn’t do at all. He studied her shields, saw a couple of weak spots, and contemplated breaking through. Gently, of course, he didn’t want to hurt her. Then Galinn sat down beside him and he changed his mind. For what he planned, he needed privacy. Her gaze focused on him and she pulled her hand free as if singed.
“He isn’t a rebel,” she said to Galinn, who rose.
“I’ll make my report.”
“Am I free to go?” Xan asked.
“Unofficially. You can return to your clan headquarters, but don’t leave yet. Your men are waiting in the lobby.”
There was a very subtle influence on your and Xan understood that Galinn had been careful about who he’d let in. He could have told him that all the Bana warriors on Earth were his. He’d handpicked most. The others were men his cousin was stupid enough to throw away. He sat his hand on Anna Leigh’s lower back and steered her towards the door.
“Let me know as soon as we can depart,” Xan said. Galinn was the Saber Clan representative on Earth. He had a more direct access to Barak Trace, the chief who led all the Southern clans, than Xan did so he would get the orders first.
“Of course, General.”
Anna Leigh dug her heels in before they could leave, however. “My weapons?”
Galinn looked to him for permission and he nodded. “Follow me.”
The woman at his side fumed. He felt her anger, smoldering and volatile just under the surface. In the lobby, Galinn stopped at the guard station to retrieve her weapons. He watched as she secreted away two pistols and three blades. Damn, she hadn’t been kidding when she’d said she could slit his throat. He might have to ban all weapons from their bedroom until he was sure he was safe. Judging by her expression that wouldn’t be anytime soon.
“Is there anything else?” he asked.
“I’m ready to be on my way,” Anna Leigh interjected, turning to Galinn. “Have the arrangements been made for me to leave?”
“They’re in progress,” the other man lied smoothly. He knew even if those plans had been made, Xan would change them. “Xan will escort you to a place you can wait. He has the next ship leaving for Delroi.”
She was very good at hiding it, but her suspicions had been aroused. She expected to be imprisoned, or worse. There was no way to convince her other than showing her, however, so he didn’t try to allay her fears. Instead, he led her outside, indicating his warriors should follow.
“Where are we going?” she asked when they reached the sidewalk.
He pointed across the parade field. “The building on the far corner. Did you bring anything with you?”
“A laptop and some clothes.”
“I’ll send someone for them.”
At his nod, one of his younger warriors set off for the task while the rest of them crossed the field. No one spoke until they were safely inside.
“My lord,” Kaal greeted him inside. Xan looked up sharply, realizing what had happened. He’d known when he was brought in for questioning, but this made it real. Mikail was either in custody already and stripped of his rank or dead. There was nothing standing in the way of Xan taking over the clan.
“When?” he asked.
“We just received word. Lord Trace wants you to contact him as soon as possible.”
“I’ll do it now.” He looked around at the gathered warriors. “Make sure my shuttle is here and the ship is ready to depart. Kaal, Nero, and Deal stay close. We have a lot of work to do to save the clan.”
The idea made his blood rush. It had been a long time since he’d felt like he had real purpose. Anna Leigh made a subtle shifting motion as if to step away. He looked down to meet her gaze, suddenly struck by how small she was. And remembered the clan wasn’t his only purpose now. If it was anyone but Barak Trace waiting for him to call,
he would put it off and try to seduce his der’lan. Her eyes widened and this time she did take a cautious step back.
“Where can I wait? I know you have things to do.”
She seemed suddenly aware that they were alone. Her wariness amazed him. Such a strong, independent woman nervous? Surely that improved his odds. Of course, it wasn’t an attack she was leery of. She could handle herself in that situation. Interesting.
“Come to my office. You’re going to Delroi so this concerns you too.”
A few minutes later Barak and a woman Xan had only heard rumors about faced him from the large comm screen in his office. Barak’s gaze settled on Anna Leigh.
“Ms. Gray, I assume?”
He leveled a calculating and suspicious look on her, but other than an acknowledging nod she didn’t react. Since he was certain Galinn had reported that she was his der’lan, Xan didn’t bring it up. He should probably explain the situation to her first. Instead he focused on the backdrop behind them.
“You’re at the Bana stronghold.”
“Yes,” Barak replied. “Mikail and dozens of his warriors are in custody. We have a group we’re uncertain of, and another group he apparently intended to use as shields.”
“They’d never cooperate.” He knew the warriors of his clan. Those who’d stayed true to their oaths at least. They were from the deep desert, were fierce and brutal.
“Under normal circumstances,” Barak agreed. “But he had their families brought here too.”
“Keep him alive until I get there.” He was clan chief now and he intended to bathe in Mikail’s blood. There were no words to describe the depth of his fury. He struggled to contain it and only managed to do so because Anna Leigh squeezed his hand. He wondered if she was even aware of the unspoken support.
“Did you find the Tel agents?” she asked.
Barak looked at Britt. Some might have thought he was looking to her for permission, but Xan suspected they were speaking telepathically.
“Parker and Zola killed two of them a few days ago. There were none at the stronghold when we arrived and I haven’t found a useable memory yet. They’re being very careful.”
Absolution (Delroi Prophecy Book 4) Page 1
