Barron's Last Stand (The Black Wing Chronicles Book 3)

by JC Cassels

  “People are watching.”

  Leaning forward, she kissed his jaw. “Tell them to go,” she whispered.

  “Umm…”

  “Trust me, My Lord.”

  Chase cleared his throat. “Leave us.”

  “You heard his lordship,” Kendall said. “Let’s go.”

  Tese’s mouth covered his, but there was something mechanical about her kiss, missing the usual spark.

  Behind them, seats creaked and fabric rustled as the Janizary rose from their seats and shuffled out.

  Through shuttered eyes, she watched them depart. When the hatch slid shut, she lifted her head.

  “I’m sorry, Chase,” she smiled. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”

  “Is that what Kendall meant? For you to act like a damn mistress? You’re not…”

  “I know.”

  “We’re not…”

  “I know.”

  “Well then what…?”

  She silenced him with a kiss.

  This time she meant it.

  He forgot what he was saying. Just when he’d nearly forgotten everything, she broke the kiss. He followed her, wanting more.

  She stopped him with a laugh and her fingers against his lips.

  “Down, boy,” she teased. “This isn’t what I had in mind just now.”

  “Sure fooled me.” He smiled to let her know he didn’t mind. “So what exactly are you doing, sitting on my lap kissing me like this?”

  “This,” she indicated their intimate embrace, “is an implication of what we’re doing. This is for their benefit.”

  “I’m confused.” Chase reclined his seat. “You’re not actually sitting on my lap?”

  “We’re talking.”

  He nodded. “Is that what we’re doing?”

  “For now,” she smiled.

  “Well, if you want me to pay attention to anything you have to say, you might want to get up, otherwise, I’m too distracted.”

  With a smile, she gracefully extricated herself from his lap and resumed her seat across from him.

  “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “You’re going to give me some kind of inspirational speech, aren’t you?” He locked his fingers together behind his head and stretched his legs out in front of him.

  “You don’t need one,” she said.

  “I’m out of my depth.”

  “You’re really not.”

  “I’m no Sovran.”

  “The chip in your hand says otherwise,” she said. “You need to trust that.” Leaning forward, she crossed her forearms on her lap. “Always remember one thing, that chip says you are the most important person in every room, save the one with Lord Marin.”

  “And you.”

  A hint of pink touched her cheeks and she lowered her gaze. “Chase, you musn’t say things like that.”

  “Don’t you dare,” he said. “After all this time, you know how I feel about you.”

  “Chase, I love you, too, but I have to look at reality. No Sovran ever had a Joy Babe as anything but a courtesan.”

  “I’m not a Sovran.”

  “Yes, you are!” She met his stare. “You are a Sovran. Saying you’re not won’t change that. Now, please listen to me. I’m trying to help you.”

  “Fine,” he said. “I’m the most important person in every room except when Lord Marin is present. Got it.”

  “That means if you want to be alone, you don’t get up and walk out,” she said. “You order everyone else out.”

  “What if I want to be someplace else?”

  “Then you can leave.” She smiled. “Everyone else is beneath you. You have no equal.”

  “No wonder Dev hates Sovrans.”

  She went on as if he hadn’t spoken. “Demand respect. If anyone treats you with less than deference, it is imperative that you call them on it. No slight, however small, can go unchallenged. The Sovran’s authority must remain absolute. Not even his mistress may challenge him with impunity. I’m dangerous to them because you’ve given me so much of your confidence. Courtiers will seek to control you by causing you to doubt anyone in whom you’ve placed your trust. If we stay long enough, you’ll hear ugly gossip about me, and about Kendall. Don’t be surprised if they accuse us of colluding against you, being lovers. The only power courtiers have lies in their influence over the Sovran.”

  “But I’m not…”

  “If Lord Marin dies, you may well be the First Sector Overlord, whether you want it or not. You have to accept the possibility, Chase.”

  He swallowed hard. “I don’t know if I can do that.”

  “You must.” She buried her face in her hands. “Have you paid no attention to interstellar politics lately?”

  “Not really. I’m more of a sports and entertainment guy.”

  Slowly she lifted her head. “Someone, or a group, is going around destabilizing the Commonwealth. The attacks on Altair and Redmaster Blue nearly destroyed the Commonwealth Bank and Trust. Lesser financial institutions have been shaken. Our economy is on the brink of collapse. When that goes down, everything will follow. Altair was the lynchpin that held it together. Add to that weakening the House of Marin by taking down the Overlord and leaving an ill-prepared Heir in his place and then you have put the Commonwealth itself on the brink of failure. The economy fails, leaving the population in crisis and desperate for strong leadership. The House of Marin falls, leaving a power vacuum. The Barron’s treason forfeits her rights to her title, allowing command of the Black Wing to pass to her Regent. In a power vacuum, on the brink of civil war, the one who can command the loyalty of the Black Wing will be the most powerful leader in the Commonwealth.”

  She held out her hands to him. Leaning forward, he placed his hands in hers.

  “The economy is shaken. Lord Marin is incapacitated. The Barron is being blamed. The only thing that can save the Commonwealth from falling into the hands of these madmen is you, Chase Fossey.”

  “We are screwed.”

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Tese’s words still ringing in his ears, Chase stared out the window of the diplomatic ground cruiser lost in thought, scarcely noticing the scenery as the ancient architecture of the city flashed past.

  It was little wonder that Dev had been less-than-enthusiastic about their audience with the Sovran the last time they’d come. His brother’s silent, surly brooding finally made sense. He had always chided Dev for avoiding mundane responsibilities, but with the weight of the Commonwealth hanging over him, it was perfectly understandable that he’d avoid attachments to chain him down. He always knew he’d be forced to leave behind whatever life he’d built for himself some day to take over the Sovran House of Marin.

  The more Chase thought about it, the greater his certainty that Dev was Marin’s chosen Heir. The one and only time Chase had met Lord Marin, he’d been polite but dismissive, preferring to speak in private with his brother.

  Seeing that encounter in a new light, Chase realized there had been far more to the ultimatum the Overlord had handed down to his brother that day. Dev had said only that he’d been reassigned to Trisdos and given one month to close out his affairs on Cormoran before returning for good.

  The massive outer gates of the Sovran Palace swung wide to accommodate the convoy.

  Dev would have seen this place as a prison, not a refuge and certainly not a home. He’d escaped at the first opportunity.

  Chase didn’t blame him.

  He wouldn’t mind making a break for it, himself.

  Tese slipped her hand in his, silently offering what comfort and reassurance she could.

  A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. He lifted her hand to his lips.

  After what felt like forever, the cruiser and escort vehicles parked in the interior courtyard he remembered from before. Cooing to Dash, Tese pulled her hand from his and turned to see to the boy. A black-clad bodyguard opened the door and stood back, his eyes roaming the wal
ls.

  Heaving a resigned sigh, Chase stepped out onto the ancient cobblestones and peered up at the imposing edifice.

  Liveried staff of more species than Chase could name lined the wide steps.

  “It’s not every day they greet a new Overlord,” Tese said softly, hugging Dash close to her chest.

  Chase gave her a sharp look, but said nothing.

  “Welcome home, Sir!”

  Crider, the Overlord’s shiny, silver android aide descended the steps with only the slightest clanking of metal against tread. His servomotors hummed discreetly as he quickly made his way to Chase’s side.

  “It is so good to see you again, Mister Fossey,” Crider said. “I trust you had a pleasant trip?”

  “Uneventful, Crider,” Chase said. “Thank you. It’s – uh – good to see you again, too.”

  “Apartments have been prepared for you, Sir.” Crider waved and two female servants stepped forward. “I’ve had the nursery readied for the young Master.”

  Chase’s eyes narrowed. “Is the nursery in my apartment?”

  “No, Sir. The nursery is…”

  “Dash will be staying with me in whatever suite of rooms you have for us.”

  “Us, Sir? Will Miss Kiara…?”

  “Miss Kiara will be staying in my apartment,” Chase said. “Me, Dash, Tese… all together.”

  Crider bowed. “Yes, Sir. Very well, Sir. All will be as you wish.”

  He turned and gestured to the servants. The two who had stepped forward bobbed in obedience, then scurried off to make the changes. He gestured to another female servant, who stepped forward.

  “Shall I have Amashi show Miss Kiara to your apartment, Sir? The Delian you requested is awaiting you in the Sovran’s study.”

  “The Delian?” Chase’s brow furrowed.

  “Yes, Sir,” Kendall said. “You thought he might be able to communicate with your father, remember?”

  Chase remembered no such thing. He dutifully nodded anyway. He looked to Tese.

  “You go ahead and get Dash settled in.” He lifted his hands in a small shrug. “Duty calls.”

  Tese, lowered her eyes and dipped into a graceful curtsy. “As you wish, Sir.”

  Biting back comment, Chase followed Crider into the palace, Kendall close behind him. Telling himself this was only temporary, Chase stared straight ahead, his jaw clenched. He tried to ignore the servants and courtiers bowing and curtseying as he passed, each act of obeisance making him increasingly uncomfortable with each step.

  The gallery outside the Overlord’s study was blissfully empty. Chase had finally begun to calm by the time Crider opened the huge double doors leading to the Sovran’s inner sanctum.

  A massive desk weighed down one end of the enormous room, while several brown leather chairs gathered around an imaging platform at the opposite end of the room.

  The click of the door lock engaging behind them echoed through the room.

  Taking his time, Adin, only son of the Kohl family of the Delian Oligarchy rose from the depths of the nearest chair. Slight of build, with the effortless elegance of hereditary nobility, Adin perfectly executed a formal court bow. When he straightened, an impish gleam lit his green eyes. With one hand, he touched the jeweled band woven through his reddish-blond hair in a saucy salute.

  “I am at your service, My Lord Chase,” he said with a grin.

  Chase let out his breath in a huff, relieved to see his brother’s associate. “Don’t you dare get all deferential on me, Adin, or I swear I’ll have you executed.”

  “And don’t call him, My Lord,” Kendall said. “He hates that.”

  Lifting his chin, Adin studied him with undisguised amusement. “I’ll bear that in mind.” His eyes narrowed. “So, it’s true. You are chipped, just like Blade. Well, well…”

  Chase pointed a finger at him. “Whatever you’re thinking, just stop.”

  Spotting the bar, his shoulders slumped in relief. “I need a drink,” Chase said. “Anybody else want one?”

  Crider moved to intercept him. “Here, Sir…let me.”

  Chase stopped in his tracks and turned in a wide circle, taking in the huge study, lined with artifacts from all over the Commonwealth.

  “What the hell is going on?” He shook his head. “I feel like I’ve stepped into some weird alternate reality. All I want to do is take my kid and go home.” He scrubbed his face with his hands. “Somebody please tell me you’ve heard from my brother?”

  Crider pressed a glass of amber liquid into his hand.

  “That’s why I’m here.” Adin gestured toward the other chairs. “Sit.”

  Chase downed the drink in a single swallow, welcoming the burn as it traveled down his throat. He handed the empty glass back to the android and gestured for another. He dropped into a chair and peered hopefully at Adin.

  “Yes, yes,” Adin said. “I’ll tell you everything, just stop shouting at me.”

  Chase shook his head. “I didn’t…”

  “You’re thinking too loud,” Kendall clarified.

  With a sigh, Chase dropped his head back against the overstuffed chair. “Sorry, not used to overly sensitive telepaths.”

  Dismissing his apology with a wave, Adin lowered himself into his seat. “I enjoy your surface thoughts, Chase. You’re a funny guy.”

  “You said you heard from Blade?” Kendall prompted.

  “He contacted me from Chiron Station,” Adin said. “It would seem that the party responsible for the Akita prison break was none other than his wife.”

  Ian’s eyes narrowed. “That means she wouldn’t have had time to try to kill Marin and get all the way across the Commonwealth to Akita.”

  Adin nodded.

  “So Bo didn’t do it?” Chase said.

  “She didn’t have the time. It’s a massive setup,” Adin said. “It’s a coordinated attack on Altair to…”

  “Take down the economy, yeah,” Chase said. “Tell me something I don’t know.”

  “Bo is being framed for the attack on Marin…”

  “So she loses command of the Black Wing,” Chase finished. “Where is my brother?”

  “I was really looking forward to revealing this diabolical plan in all its complex glory.” Adin sighed. “Oh well. Blade contacted me from Chiron to tell me it’s time to go on the offensive. We need to remove the Overlord for his safety. He didn’t know you were on your way. Royce contacted me from Altair. He found Edge, and we came up with a pretty good plan. With your help, Chase, we can get Lord Marin out of here immediately with no one being any the wiser.”

  Chase blinked. “You want me to help you kidnap a Sovran?”

  “Yes,” Adin canted his head. “Was I unclear about that?”

  “Isn’t that…like…treason?”

  “No,” Adin said. “It’s not like treason. It is treason. That’s why I need your help.”

  Chase looked to the android. “Crider, where’s my drink?”

  Adin sighed. “You’re the Sovran Heir.”

  “As far as anyone knows,” Kendall added.

  “Yes, so it wouldn’t really be kidnapping inasmuch as it would be removing him to protective custody,” Adin said.

  Chase gratefully took another drink from the android. “But I thought Dev was the Sovran Heir?”

  “He is…at least we think he is.” Adin shrugged. “Crider, who is really Daavin Marin? Agent Devon or Mister Fossey?”

  “Access to that information is denied.”

  Kendall grabbed Chase’s wrist and tapped his palm sharply. The light flashed. “Say ‘Sovran Authorization Daavin Marin, confirm.’”

  Chase gaped at him.

  “Say it!”

  “S-Sovran Authorization Daavin Marin, confirm.”

  “Authorization accepted. Access denied.”

  Leaning back in his seat Adin contemplated the android. “Interesting.”

  Kendall nodded. “I’ve never seen that before.”

  Chase looked from one to the ot
her. “What? What’s wrong?”

  “I’ve never seen a Sovran chip denied anything.”

  “You mean Dev’s?”

  Adin nodded. “He is using it more and more these days.”

  Chase looked to the android. “Crider, when and where was the last place Agent Devon activated his chip?”

  “Searching…”

  Adin frowned. “I asked him the same question when I arrived. He told me to bugger off.”

  “Not in those words,” Kendall said.

  “No, but he may as well have.”

  Chase waggled his fingers at them. “Sovran Authorization,” he said.

  “Agent Devon last accessed his chip to download a coded message from a communications array routed through to Chiron Station.”

  “So he was on Chiron at the time?”

  “No, he was aboard a ship of unknown registry.”

  “Unknown registry?” Adin echoed. “Barron’s ship?”

  “Well if he knew that, he wouldn’t be saying it had an unknown registry, now would he?” Kendall said.

  “Was it a Tau-class cruiser?” Chase asked.

  “Yes, Sir.”

  “He’s with Bo.” Chase sighed. “On their way here, I hope?”

  “Insufficient data.”

  “Who was the message from?” Ian asked.

  “From you, Agent Kendall.”

  Ian nodded. “They’re on their way here. Crider, calculate an ETA.”

  “By my estimate, they will be arriving the day after tomorrow.”

  Ian shook his head. “That doesn’t leave us much time.”

  “Crider,” Adin said. “Notify Mister Fossey’s security detail that he wishes to visit Lord Marin at First Sovran Medical immediately.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “I do?”

  Adin pulled a com-set from his pocket and keyed a code. “Royce, we’re on our way.”

  Kendall bared his teeth in a grin. “So, Chase, you ready to kidnap a Sovran?”

  Chase shook his head. “Is anyone ever ready for something like that?”

  “Shall I notify Miss Kiara, Sir?” Crider asked.

  “No,” Chase said. He covered his eyes with his hand and drained his glass for a second time. “Let’s leave her some plausible deniability. No need for all of us to face the executioner over this.”