Fire's Touch (The Enlightened Species Book Three)

by Hales, Wendy S.

  “My severance package can’t be negated. It’s part of my contract. You will hear from my lawyer,” the man sputtered.

  “I look forward to it. Then I will know who to refer the sexual harassment suit against you and Winkel Holdings to for further damages … once I use your severance to settle out our side of the claim.” The man’s face paled as Stacey’s words sunk in. The guard grabbed him under the arm and towed him from the room.

  “Now, Mr. Ling—” Stacey addressed the Oriental man who had not stopped gaping since he walked in on his boss get serviced by the intern. Wide-eyed and speechless, the man stepped to the center of the camera, standing behind the newly vacated chair. “I’ve followed your tenure with Cey Textiles. I believe you have the correct vision for my company. If I offer you the COO position, are you amenable?”

  A deer in the headlights. The analogy of the guy’s face floated into Conlon’s mind. Talk about putting the guy on the spot. Stacey didn’t pussyfoot around when it came to business. Conlon could feel himself falling deeper under her spell as she waited patiently for Ling to compose himself.

  Ling look into the chair with a disgusted expression. Conlon thought the man would turn the job down. Then he swallowed hard and met Stacey’s image directly. “If I can have this chair replaced immediately … then I would love the position.”

  To the obvious amazement of the others watching, Stacey laughed. The sound was so beautiful, Conlon felt it all the way through him. She needed to laugh more. It brightened her entire face. He’d heard a semblance of it on the plane, but it had nothing on the honest spontaneity in this laugh. Fully contagious, it made everyone join in once the shock wore off.

  Stacey wiped a tear from her face and gave an irritated glance over her shoulder at Conlon. What did I do? The memory of her passionate cries against her bedroom wall floated into his mind. He’d improved her mood. He quirked an unapologetic brow at her, chuckling when her scowl deepened. She turned back to the monitors, dismissing him. Conlon noted the gratitude Mark directed at him. Well, at least Stacey’s personal assistant appreciated Stacey’s improved mood, even if she didn’t.

  “All those in favor of making VP Ling the new Chief Operating Officer of Cey Textiles, say aye.”

  For the next hour, Stacey handled different details of each individual company represented. She knew and addressed problems that the COOs seemed unaware of. Her attention to detail and innovative solutions were amazing. Conlon sat back watching her do her thing. Nothing got past her. The respect she commanded from her corporate heads became apparent. Stacey was more than a figurehead—she was the backbone of her conglomeration. She wore the responsibility with dignity and pride. She could lead the SOSC without question. Hell, she could hold her own against the speaker of the Volaticus High Panel.

  Chapter Twelve

  Huey took a deep, fortifying breath and opened the door to Herme’s office. The ancient healer looked up at him and rose from his seat with a welcoming smile. “That was fast. Thank you for coming on such short notice.” Herme placed a hand to Huey’s shoulder in greeting. Thankfully, the healer didn’t seem to notice that Huey’s hand shook in returning the greeting. “Shall we?”

  They walked to the SOSC central lab together. The SOSC had a nice setup … nicer that what Osiris had shown him, though once Huey was in charge he’d bring his lab up to this level. “What do you need me for?” Huey finally asked.

  Herme chuckled. “It’s actually kind of a mystery. I have the genetic profile of one of the children from a few years back that we have been unable to match paternally. Then someone called me with a hunch. I don’t have the actual DNA signature of the male that could potentially be the father, but I have one of a close family member. You think you could take a look and let me know the probability?”

  Herme showed him to a station that had already been prepared by the healer for his arrival. It sounded simple enough. Huey looked over the files and samples then nodded to his former friend. “Can I ask one question?”

  “Shoot.” Herme answered, still smiling.

  Huey tried to swallow, but his mouth was too dry. “Why me?” His voice cracked with the question.

  Herme cocked his head as if the answer were obvious. “Couple of reasons, actually. First off, you are the best at this type of thing. Don’t get me wrong … you’re a great healer, but this type of thing is what you truly excel at. Always have.” Herme’s response sat in direct contradiction to Osiris’s assertion that his scientific mind would get him killed by the SOSC. “Second—and this is on the down-low, if you know what I mean—” Herme glanced over his shoulder to ensure that no one had entered behind them, “—some of our files have been compromised, and I need this done by someone I trust.”

  Huey felt like slime, but he nodded. Aligning to Osiris was beginning to feel like a HUGE mistake. Then he remembered the Oracle Jefferson. The cure to Hulven male sterility needed to be found. Finding that cure meant aligning with Osiris. Much as he hated the betrayal Herme would feel once the truth of the files came out, Huey hated the idea of his kind living a hopeless existence even more.

  “I’ll have your results to you within a few hours,” Huey answered with confidence. The great healer thanked him again and left him to his work.

  It took less than twenty minute before Huey tapped on the healer’s door with the results. Herme welcomed him again. “That was certainly fast.”

  Huey handed over the paperwork. “The genetic markers show your subject as the father. That cut the time down dramatically.”

  Herme’s eyes widened and his complexion turned pallid; if Huey didn’t know better, he’d wonder if the healer were ill as he stared at the irrefutable proof Huey had handed him. As if the documentation weren’t enough, Herme met his gaze. “There can be no mistake?” He held the papers up in reference.

  Huey shook his head, “No sir. I ran it three times. Subject ‘A’ is the biological sire of subject ‘B.’” The great healer leaned back far in his chair. His expression traversed from disbelief, to acceptance, to confusion, to realization, and then to excitement in a fraction of a second. One thing Huey had always admired about Herme was his brilliance.

  “Could you hang around and check one more thing for me?” Herme pleaded with his eyes. Much as Huey wanted to get the hell out of there, he couldn’t refuse the healer. He nodded and received a beaming, grateful smile in return.

  Herme grabbed a phone that surely was a secure line. It looked a lot like the SAT phone Osiris had given him, which currently felt like it was burning a hole in Huey’s pocket. “Hey, Sargon, I got a tip earlier and I need some additional info. The tipster mentioned an attraction between Conlon Einar and the female he’s assigned too. I know it’s a long shot and a bit rude, but you think you could inquire whether the girl might be his bloodmate? It’s important … really important. Yep, I’ll hold.” Herme clicked into his computer at a furious rate while speaking. “He is? He told you that? … Thanks…. Yeah, the security team is running video from all over headquarters right now. I’ll let you know.”

  Video that will show that I am a rogue spy. Huey felt his pulse rate rise. Fates, he didn’t have much time. Herme grabbed a bunch of papers off his printer and handed them over. “Tell me what the chemical, biological, and physiological compatibility is between these three people.”

  Huey accepted the papers and practically ran back to the lab, feeling a desperate need to complete Herme’s request and then run like hell. He wasn’t cut out for this James Bond bullshit. Like it or not, he was tied to Osiris forever.

  ****

  Two chortals and a short underground traverse later, Mattie barged into her mother’s chambers without knocking. Confusion and hurt buried under layers of pissed-off had her standing before her mother with fists clenched at her sides.

  “Matilina, I didn’t expect y—” Queen Della looked startled and happy at Mattie’s arrival. Mattie loved her mother, adored her, but right now she wanted to strangle her.

&
nbsp; “Did you disown Cassiopeia? Cast her out of our colony like garbage?” Mattie demanded. Queen Della’s expression transformed into a mask of sad regret and determination, giving Mattie the answer she sought without words. “Why, mother? How could you do such a thing? How could you let me believe my sister abandoned me … abandoned us?”

  “It’s not that simple. I did it to protect you, to protect the colony. Cassiopeia’s action forced my hand. In a manner, she made her bed. Expunging her was the kindest thing I could do for her and protect you and the colony.” The sincerity of her mother’s word shined in her bright amber eyes, which glistened with barely contained tears. Her mother never cried. Seeing her pain took much of the air out of Mattie’s angry balloon, leaving her at the mercy of a wave of confusion.

  “What could she have done to deserve such a harsh punishment, Mother?”

  Queen Della settled regally into a plush chair. “I intervened before she accomplished her treasonous act … barely. Had she succeeded in her plan, it would have destroyed us all. Don’t ask me for specifics, daughter. I will not give them.”

  Mattie knew pushing her mother for more on the subject would prove fruitless. She asked one final question. “Did you place the ‘do not disclose’ clause on her SOSC file?”

  Her mother narrowed her eyes as if internally debating whether or not to answer. With a sigh she nodded. “I did. I told the SOSC she might be in danger; I wanted to protect her … mostly from her own weakness.” Weak? Cassie? No way.

  Mattie replayed her conversation with her mother over and over in her mind. The last day Cassie had been home, she’d been so happy. They’d spent the afternoon laughing together while they practiced shape-shifting. It didn’t make sense. It had never made any fucking sense. Treason. That was not a word her mother would use lightly. She needed to talk to Cassie, but first she needed to put her thoughts in order.

  It was well past a considerate hour for a visit when she stepped through the chortal onto the pacific island known as “‘Meshy Hell.” With a nod to the guards on duty, she made her way to Mick’s quarters. He wasn’t expecting her either—not that it mattered—he would be there for her, the way he’d been since the moment they met at the shore of one of the natural springs on the island. If she had the luxury of choosing her mate, it would be Mick, even if it meant she’d never have children. Kids made her nervous anyway. She loved him, though neither of them had ever uttered the words. She was pretty sure he loved her too. In lieu of having what she truly wanted, she’d had to settle for being his best friend … with benefits. Oh, the benefits are divine, she thought with her first smile in what felt like days on her face.

  The unlocked door was an invitation she took readily; the sandalwood male scent of him reached her. “Hey, beautiful, I was just thinking about you. Did you come to spend my last night at Meshy Hell with me?” His sleepy greeting sent a shiver down her spine.

  Without hesitation, she shucked out of her clothes and climbed between the covers he held up for her, snuggling against his warmth before the first of many tears soaked his chest. Lying in his strong arms with his hand buried in her hair, she sobbed like a baby, releasing all the emotions pent inside. Mick never said a word as he held her tightly till she’d cried herself out.

  Instinctively he knew what she needed tonight. He always was in tune with her needs. Tenderly he made love to her, filling the hollow recess left behind after her outpouring of emotion. He knew her so well, played her body’s symphony masterfully, a mutual give and take that left her breathless and pliant beneath him. Free from the duty and obligations of her station, Mick gave her reins to be simply … herself. No expectations, no judgments, just unconditional acceptance and the absolute surety that Matalina Aleen, the individual, mattered, not her crown, station, or throne.

  Sated, she unfolded the events since she and Conlon stood in front of the coffee shop, which felt like forever ago, while Mick rubbed her back and listened. “… Stacey’s really something. She has this long, thick, wavy black hair that any Tellus would kill for, but her skin is like white porcelain, and her eyes are the most amazing color of sapphire blue. She looks like the fairytale princess Snow White with curves. She’s feisty, though—girl’s not afraid to speak her mind, that’s for sure.” It took a minute before she realized Mick’s hand had stopped rubbing her back and his whole body was tense. She lifted her head from his chest to look at his face. His expression was shell-shocked. “What’s wrong?”

  He let out a deep, shaky sigh. “Does she smell of coconut?” Mattie nodded. “I know her. I’ve wondered if she were one of the rescued. I’m glad she’s okay.” His voice didn’t sound glad; it was full of self-recrimination and remorse. She knew he’d done a lot of shitty things in the name of his father, knew he battled with his conscience. She also knew he’d done everything in his power to make up for his past-doings. Had helped the SOSC in every way he could, and still did. This was different somehow.

  They had never beat around the bush with each other, and Mattie wasn’t going to start now. “Tell me.”

  Mick sat at the edge of the bed, his back to her, and dropped his face into his hands. Mattie reached out to touch his back but his next words halted her. “I raped her.”

  Mattie felt like cold water had just been thrown on her. “You what?” She didn’t believe it. She couldn’t believe it. Not Mick, no way.

  “It was something I’d sworn never to do and I never did, except her. I don’t expect you to understand or forgive me. I wouldn’t blame you if you never spoke to me again.” He gave a self-depreciating snort. “I will never forgive myself.” He told her the whole sordid story.

  Even with everything Mick told her, Mattie still felt a thread of denial at what he said. “Were you raptured by her estrus pheromones? I’ve heard they are powerful and difficult to resist for males.”

  His shoulders sagged under the burden of guilt. “In the breeding labs, I guarded the females in estrus hundreds of times, and yeah, just like any male, my body reacted, but never like that. I never lost control, not even close—none of the Hulven males did. Maybe because we’re sterile, the female fertility doesn’t affect us the same way it does an Elven. I don’t know.”

  “How many others raped her during her estrus?”

  Mick’s head snapped around and his gaze clashed with hers. His dentes flashed from the moonlight filtering through the window. “No one! I would have killed any male who tried to touch her.” Mattie had never seen a more ferocious look on his face. Fates, he was gloriously handsome. His actions were more of a protector than a perpetrator.

  She couldn’t help it; even if he’d once raped someone, it didn’t negate her feelings for him. No one except her had a clue how much he suffered. The punishment he inflicted upon himself far outweighed anything someone else could dole out. Mick was a man blind to the honor inside him. He was unable and unwilling to recognize that he had worth despite the sins of his past. Nothing Mattie could say would ever convince him of that; he had to discover it on his own. All she could do was give back to him the gift he’d always given her: acceptance … love.

  He didn’t push her away when she crawled into his lap, straddling him. “Then how did she get pregnant, Mick? Stacey has an Elven son.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Finally—Cassie dropped into a chair for the first time since the SOSC had shown up on their doorstep. She’d packed up Johnny, Stacey, and herself as quick as possible, but now a list of stuff left behind that they might need crowded her thoughts.

  Meg’s flight from Seattle had landed earlier. Cassie had taken Johnny to the playground while Meg got unpacked in the room she would be sharing with Cassie. Johnny had fallen asleep an hour ago, and Meg now sat with him, giving Cassie a much-needed break.

  On second thought, a moment to herself was a bad thing. Cassie sat on Conlon’s porch waiting for Stacey to arrive, feeling so alone her heart hurt in her chest. Maybe when Stacey returned she would just go on her own again. Her phone vibra
ted with an incoming text: “Are we really staying at Conlon’s?”

  Cassie couldn’t help but grin; no doubt Stacey was scared out of her mind over Conlon and trying to hide her fear from him. Conlon wasn’t much different; of all the Einar brothers, he’d always been the most tight-lipped. Cassie would bet anything Stacey and Conlon had spent hours going out of their way not to talk. Fates forbid one of them would slip up and share a personal hope, fear, dream, or desire. No question they were bloodmate-compatible. The question would be whether either of them would pull their head out of their ass and realize it or push each other away.

  A pulse of energy at the chortal brought her to full alert. That was fast. She expected to see Stacey emerge … instead it was Mattie. Their eyes clashed across the distance of the campus. Cassie felt herself flinch, expecting to see the same anger as earlier. Instead she saw a sad resignation that surprised her. Why the sudden change? Mattie strode up and sat down in the chair next to her with a sigh.

  “Can we talk? I’m sorry I was such a … bitch before.” Mattie’s demeanor had changed dramatically; she seemed almost defeated.

  “What’s wrong, Mattie?” Without her sister glaring daggers at her, she could see something was really eating Mattie up inside. It was more than their conflict.

  “Stacey told me you never meant for me not to find you … and Mother admitted she placed a ‘do not disclose’ clause on your SOSC file to make it impossible.” Cassie had already figured that out. Her mother really did hate her. “Will you please tell me what happened?”

  Mattie would still have to mate Hans, even if she knew Cassie was in love with him. Part of her was grateful to the queen for stopping her that night. If her mother hadn’t caught her in the hall outside Hans’ guest chambers, Cassie’s selfishness could have destroyed their colony. It had taken her years to understand that … to forgive her mother. Cassie might not have known about the clause her mother placed on her file, but she understood it.