Forsaken

by Cyndi Friberg

  He growled and then nipped her earlobe. “I need to hear you say all sorts of things.”

  “I noticed.” She crawled forward, separating their bodies in the process. “Have you seen Ashley since this morning? Is she doing better?”

  “I spoke with Bandar. He said she’s still sort of withdrawn, but she was doing better.”

  “Good. I’ve been worried about her all day.” Rather than dress, as he’d expected, she spread out on his shirt with her hands folded behind her head. Her legs were crossed at the ankle, so it wasn’t a blatantly sexual pose. Still, his body responded to her nudity and to the strength of his scent on her flesh. She was his and he couldn’t seem to stop wanting her.

  He sat down beside her and ran his hand from her throat to her navel. “We can stop by their cabin when and if I get my fill of you.”

  She glanced at his crotch and smiled. “Still hungry I see.”

  “I’m insatiable where you’re concerned.” She started to say something, but he held up his hand as his com-bot chimed inside his head. Knowing she couldn’t hear the sound, he responded verbally as well as telepathically. “This is Tarr. Go ahead.”

  He was expecting one of his bridge officers, but Bandar responded. Akim just took the bait. Sental has a lock on the target. Raylon and Zilor are waiting for you.

  “I’m on my way. Can Raina ride this out with you and Ashley?”

  Of course. Do you want me to come get her?

  “Meet us on the concourse.”

  Copy that.

  Raina was already up and dressing by the time he finished the conversation. That didn’t surprise him, but the first words out of her mouth dropped his jaw.

  “Why isn’t Bandar part of this mission? Are three people going to be enough?”

  He planted his fists on his hips and stared into her eyes. “How long have you been able to read my mind?”

  Raina balled up Kotto’s shirt and threw it at him. “Get dressed.” She softened the order with a smile. “I’ll explain on the way.”

  “Well, I don’t have much time, so you better start talking.” He quickly donned his uniform then leaned against a tree to tug on his boots.

  “I’ve always had the bad habit of finishing people’s sentences for them,” Raina began as they walked out of the jungle. “My aunt told me it revealed a psychic aptitude. She said if I tried hard enough, I’d be able to anticipate what people were going to say before they said it.”

  “And can you?”

  She shook her head. “I tried for years, but it never really happened until…”

  “Until you were intimate with me?”

  Kotto spared her the embarrassment of saying an obscene phrase and he’d even used polite terms for his description. He could be such a sweetheart when he wanted to be. “I can hear you clearly unless you’re blocking me and for the last couple of days I’ve been able to guess what most people were about to say seventy-five percent of the time.”

  “If your grandmother was a descendant of the original refugees, then magic is in your bloodline,” Kotto said thoughtfully. They were nearly through the residential villages, which didn’t leave long for this conversation. “You mentioned an aunt. By any chance does she have any psychic aptitudes?”

  Shit. She still wasn’t sure she wanted to tell them about Indigo.

  “Who is Indigo?” Kotto asked with a challenging smile.

  “Get out of my head.” She shoved him sideways. “You’re right. That’s rude.”

  He laughed. “I was just checking to see if the connection was interactive. Imagine my surprise. You’ve been holding out on me.”

  “My mother might have an identical twin sister.”

  That brought Kotto to a stop as he turned to face her. “The aunt you mentioned has the exact same DNA as your mother?”

  There was no point in denying it. He’d just have Bandar ask Ashley. And Ashley was clearly incapable of keeping anything from her soul mate. “Yes.”

  “Does she happen to have a daughter named Indigo?” Kotto crossed his arms over his chest. “She’s almost guaranteed to have the protein marker. Why would you keep this from me?”

  “Indigo is…different. She has a very big personality. Trust me you don’t want her running around on a ship full of men.”

  “We can start with a DNA sample,” Kotto suggested. “We’ll run her pattern through the database before we expose her to any of this.”

  That actually wasn’t a horrible idea. “Then if she doesn’t match anyone, there’s no reason to tell her anything.”

  “And if she does,” his tone took on an edge of warning, “we can strategize about how to manage her ‘big personality’.”

  She sighed, feeling a bit outmaneuvered. Kotto might be her lover, but he never stopped being a battle born commander. “Let me think about it.” They started walking again, his long strides obviously trying to make up for the time they’d lost. He was on his way to rescue Chandar. She couldn’t blame him for his haste. “It’s been forever since I saw Indigo. She might enjoy it if I showed up at her shop one afternoon.”

  “What sort of shop?” Kotto wanted to know.

  They stepped onto the lowest commercial tier and Raina blew out a breath. The main concourse was up on four and the elevators were still offline. They’d have to hoof it. She shook her head. Not that her legs couldn’t use the workout. “Indigo’s into holistic wellness. Her shop sells a little bit of everything and offers all sorts of lifestyle coaching.”

  Never one to ignore an evasion, Kotto asked, “She’s a healer or an herbalist?”

  “Sort of both.”

  They reached the top tier before he paused again. “Just spit it out, Raina. I hate word games.”

  Unless the words are obscene. She arched her brow in silent challenge as she pushed the thought into his mind.

  “Is Indigo able to heal?” Kotto didn’t react to her taunt. She wasn’t sure if he’d heard her or not.

  “She claims she can. I’ve never actually seen her do it.”

  A slow sexy smile parted his lips. “Was that so hard?”

  Bandar, Raylon and Zilor were waiting as Kotto hurried her down the concourse. With the two brothers standing side by side, their resemblance was even more striking. Apparently, the Nox bloodline produced visually stunning males. Was the elusive General Nox good looking as well as powerful? Human females wouldn’t stand a chance against such temptations.

  “Do they have sisters or is it just the three sons?” she asked just before they reached the others.

  “Just three sons.” He caught her face between his hands and kissed her mouth. “Bandar will have to answer any other questions. This is urgent.”

  “I know it is. Why are you still standing here? Go.” She pushed him toward the others hard enough to make Raylon smile. Zilor just looked confused.

  The Phantom had docked in the slip directly across from the Crusader. Raina knew nothing about spaceships, but the Phantom’s sleek hull and angular wings made it look mean. And fast.

  She moved closer to Bandar as the other three disappeared inside the new ship. “Is it as fast as it looks?”

  “She,” Bandar corrected. “Is she as fast as she looks.”

  Raina shook her head. “I thought that was a human thing, prescribing gender to inanimate objects.”

  “The tradition began in our star system,” he insisted. “Humans picked it up from us.”

  “If you say so.”

  Bandar motioned her toward one of the airlocks leading back to the Crusader.

  “How did you get stuck babysitting me?”

  “It’s a three-man mission and they’re the three most qualified to go. I like to maintain my own opinions, but my brother happens to be right about this.”

  The airlock was noisy and narrow, so she didn’t bother speaking again until they reached the central court. They took a lift to the starlight lounge and Raina headed for the door that led to the command deck.

  Bandar lightl
y caught her arm and motioned her toward one of the tables. “Danvier is working with Ashley. It’s probably best if we give them a few minutes.”

  She accepted his suggestion and slipped onto a chair that allowed her to look out over the other tables. It wasn’t much of a lounge, just a semi-secluded area with an automated bar. Well, this was a warship. She should probably be more surprised that there was any sort of lounge.

  Bandar joined her a few minutes later and set a glass of what looked like blood in front of her with a smile. “It tastes better than it looks. Ashley actually likes it.” A tumbler of something cloudy and blue was in his other hand. “This burns like battery acid. Stick with the blood wine.”

  She picked up the glass and took a judicious sip, but the taste was light and fruity with just a hint of spice. A larger sip revealed a bit more heat, but like Ashley, Raina enjoyed it. “I guess I’m part vampire.”

  “More like part Bilarrian. That’s where the stuff is made, but it’s ridiculously popular all over our star system.”

  Never a fan of small talk, Raina dove right in. “I thought harbingers were valuable because they can see the future. Is Danvier a healer too? What is he doing with Ashley?”

  “He can’t heal in a physical sense, but he knows exactly what Ashley saw and he can help bring her through it.” A certain tension in Bandar’s voice made it obvious he only allowed this because he thought it would benefit his mate.

  “If any of my questions are too personal, just tell me to shut up.”

  He nodded once, acknowledging the offer.

  “Has Ashley started the transformation process?”

  Bandar shook his head. “The first infusion was scheduled for this morning, but Chandar had other plans.” He sighed then tossed back half of his blue stuff. “That sounded really callous. Of course, Chandar is more important than anything else right now. I just hate that Ashley is caught in the middle—again.”

  “How was she caught in the middle before?”

  “Somehow Chandar networked with Ashley’s mind, then Ashley tapped into mine. It allowed Chandar to guide us right to her.”

  This was the first Raina had heard of it. “Are you afraid she’ll do the same thing as soon as she realizes they’re on board the…bad ship. Sorry, I’ve forgotten the name.”

  “Akim commands the Relentless. It’s a sister ship to this one, which gives Kotto an advantage. As far as Chandar using Ashley again, there’s no reason for her to reach out to Ashley.”

  “Kotto is a blood relative too.” She paused to enjoy the wine for a moment then had to ask, “I’m presuming Zilor knows how to fly the new ship and Kotto is Chandar’s blood relative. So what makes Raylon the best man for this job?”

  “If there will be fighting, and it’s likely their will, then Raylon is the best man for any job.”

  * * * * *

  It had been almost a year since Kotto had seen Raylon in action. He’d forgotten how fast the older man could move. Raylon really was one of the finest warriors Rodymia had ever produced. Zilor flew the Phantom so close to the Relentless—without being detected—that they could have knocked on the viewports. They used a shield modulator, a gift from the technomages during the first rescue attempt, to weaken a small section of the ship’s defenses. Then they’d bio-streamed through the opening and began their search for Chandar.

  Kotto and Raylon stood back to back, flexblades drawn, listening and scanning. The rhythm of the ship didn’t change. There were no alarms, no telepathic pulses warning of intruders.

  We’re in. Raylon used the private comlink they’d established for this mission to keep Zilor informed. They couldn’t risk having the signals of their com-bots intercepted. Everyone was determined to pull this thing off without complications.

  Do you sense her? Raylon sounded grim and resolute.

  Kotto shook his head, refusing to be distracted.

  They crept down the hallway together, Kotto in the lead. This was deck three aft, nothing but cargo bays and storage containers. It had been a safe place to materialize, but it was a long way from the populated areas of the ship.

  Anything? Raylon accented the question with an impatient glare.

  No, but there are only so many places a female harbinger can be contained.

  As long as she’s at full strength, Raylon specified.

  Anger rushed through Kotto at the pessimistic thought, but Raylon wasn’t being a prick. He was being realistic. Kotto took a deep breath and channeled energy into his scans. He had to find her. His entire family was counting on him.

  If she doesn’t reach out to you soon, I’m going to start kicking in doors. So point me in the right direction.

  Kotto knew which cabin she’d occupied during the first raid, but even Akim wasn’t that predictable.

  Who’s there? Fear stabbed into Kotto’s mind along with the question. I can—sense you. Will you take me home?

  Kotto tensed, dread threatening to choke off his air. That had been Chandar’s voice, and yet it wasn’t Chandar. That person sounded strange, almost childlike.

  Was this a cruel trap? It couldn’t be. She’d reached out across their blood link. It had to be Chandar.

  We’re on our way, sweetheart. He sent warmth and reassurance flowing into her mind. We’ll be right there.

  But how… Who… He sensed only confusion for a moment and then, Do you know who I am?

  Oh gods, had she said “who” or “where”? What had they done to her?

  His trot became a jog as her signal became clearer.

  Keep talking, Chandar. We’re coming.

  Motioning Raylon onward, they rushed down a secluded corridor then scrambled up a utility ladder until they reached deck two. Akim must have her stashed in some sort of medical treatment room. The realization left Kotto cold. Her signal was leading him toward the infirmary.

  Fear and panic blasted him in dizzying waves, but the emotions weren’t his, they were hers. Did she realize her emotions were transmitting so strongly? Did she have any control left? Rather than trying to calm her, Kotto ran. Raylon stayed with him every step of the way.

  They rounded a corner and found four guards blocking their path.

  “Shit,” Kotto sneered.

  This was no coincidence, which meant more men were headed their way.

  Kotto engaged the nearest guard, while Raylon drew the attention of another two. They all fought with blades, mostly knives. Raylon and Kotto swung their flexblades. The weapons seamlessly morphed from lethal katana to dagger or stiletto then back depending on the hand signals and mental direction of the wielder. Pulse pistols could rupture the hull and no one wanted to risk decompression while fighting on their own ship.

  Zilor! Things just got hot, Raylon warned. Lock on to our position and be ready to pull us out when I say now.

  Signal locked and ready. Zilor replied, but wisely said nothing more.

  Kotto punched one guard squarely in the face while he kicked the knife out of the hand of another. Someone flew at him from behind, so he ducked and grabbed the man around the neck, flinging him up and over. The man grunted as his back smacked the deck then his head slammed down and his eyes rolled up in his head.

  The guards had been wearing armor. This fool was in a simple uniform and his pulse pistol was still strapped to his side. Who trained these men? Were they even Rodytes?

  By the time Kotto looked up, through his haze of disgust, Raylon had incapacitated five soldiers, the two original guards and three more besides.

  “She’s in there.” Kotto pointed at the door behind Raylon.

  Raylon ripped off his helmet and stood beneath the scanner beam. “Security override, Raylon Lasenger, authorization 649.”

  Confused by the action, Kotto could only gape as the door obediently parted. “Why did that work here?”

  “Thanks to Garin it works on any door in the Rodyte fleet.” Raylon grinned and motioned Kotto into the room. “And the authorization can’t be deleted without his personal code
.”

  Chandar huddled in the far corner of the railed bed, legs drawn up to her chest, eyes luminous. A cable, which was bolted to the wall, was attached to the wide, padded collar secured around her throat. She’d been clawing at the collar and the flesh on her neck was deeply gouged and bloody. She had medi-bots, for gods’ sake. Why wasn’t she healing?

  “Chandar.” Kotto moved slowly toward the bed, refusing to see all of the other signs of abuse on her pale body. They had less than no time, but she was obviously terrified. “Chandar, its Uncle Kotto. You know me, sweetheart. You’ve known me for years.”

  She curled into a tighter ball and turned her face toward the wall. “No more. Please, no more.”

  “Grab her and let’s go!” Raylon snapped. “We don’t have time for nice.”

  A ship-wide alarm sounded and Kotto cringed.

  Raylon’s reaction was more direct. He snarled, “Fuck.” And took over. He stormed into the room and shouldered Kotto out of his way.

  Chandar watched him with wide assessing eyes. “Why are you here?”

  “To save you,” he stated emphatically. “I am here for you.” He tossed his helmet to Kotto and drew a laser knife from his boot. Not bothering with the collar, he severed the cable, shoved the knife back into his boot and scooped her up into his arms.

  After a surprised yelp, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her face against his chest. “You’re here for me,” she whispered in a strange singsong tone. “You are mine.”

  Raylon looked at Kotto, not sure how to react. Kotto had no advice, so Raylon said, “That’s right, angel. I’m yours.” He moved to the middle of the room and motioned Kotto closer. “Stay with me and no one will ever hurt you again.”

  They heard an enraged scream and booted feet running down the hall, but Akim was two seconds too late.

  “Now!” Raylon shouted and Zilor bio-streamed them back to the Phantom.

  Kotto stumbled forward, caught off-guard by the sudden pitch of the ship.