by C. J. Barry
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New Concepts Publishing
www.newconceptspublishing.com
Copyright ©2002 by Cindy Barry
First published by New Concepts Publishing, November 2002
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NOTICE: This work is copyrighted. It is licensed only for use by the original purchaser. Making copies of this work or distributing it to any unauthorized person by any means, including without limit email, floppy disk, file transfer, paper print out, or any other method constitutes a violation of International copyright law and subjects the violator to severe fines or imprisonment.
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UNCHAINED
By
C.J. Barry
(c) copyright Cindy Barry, November 2002
Cover art by Eliza Black, (c) November 2002
New Concepts Publishing
4729 Humphreys Rd.
Lake Park, GA 31636
www.newconceptspublishing.com
PROLOGUE
It was a scream that woke her. In sleepy confusion, Cidra sat up in bed and blinked into the darkness of her bedroom. All lights were dead on the control panel by the door.
Another scream—her mother's. Never in all her fifteen years had Cidra heard such a terrifying sound. The last remnants of sleep disappeared with the unmistakable crackle of laser gunfire from the far end of the house. Chains of panic squeezed at her throat. Heart pounding, she swung her feet to the floor and crossed the dark room to her closed door. Her hand was on the opener when another barrage of laser blasts and the shouts of strangers rang out, this time much closer.
She hit the alarm on the control panel to warn the rest of her family, initiating a drill her military father insisted they all learn in case of emergency.
As footsteps thundered through her beloved home amid crashing doors and shattering windows, she stared at the lifeless alarm. No power. No alarm.
The smell of smoke finally jerked her out of dazed horror. She dropped to her knees and with trembling hands pried open one of the floor panels that concealed a small opening. Intruders moved down the hall outside her door.
Without looking back, she dropped into the pitch black void of the secret tunnel that ran under her house. Once in the tunnel, she closed the tile door over her head and locked it down. It was then she remembered her light stick. In her bedroom. But the mistake was quickly forgotten with the vibrations of footsteps overhead.
Who were they? These people who were destroying her life?
Silent tears burned a trail down her face as she listened to the pillaging above. There would be nothing left of her room, her home. She knew that. But it could be worse. She only hoped her parents and brothers had already escaped ahead of her through their own hidden floor panels.
In absolute and unrelenting darkness, the tunnel lay empty and quiet but for her own ragged breathing. Stagnant air filled the low, narrow passageway. The dirt floor was cold and alien beneath her bare feet.
Placing a hand against each wall for guidance, she began a blind journey toward the safe house as her father had instructed, fingers groping for what she could not see. The tunnel seemed so much longer than she remembered in their practice runs, endless and terrifying. Something scurried by her foot. Her heartbeat became unbearably loud in her ears. With each small step forward, she fought back the paralyzing grip of utter darkness.
An abrupt incline signaled the end of the tunnel. With whole-hearted relief, Cidra felt around for the door latch and stumbled through the doorway into the deserted old house.
Avion's giant moon cast a ghostly glow through silent rooms as Cidra searched for her parents and her younger brothers. Empty. She must be the first one. Exhausted, she slumped down a wall to the floor facing the tunnel's door. They would be here any minute. She wrapped the filthy nightgown around her legs and waited for her family to arrive.
A gentle hand shook her awake. Cidra squinted at a familiar face bathed in brilliant daylight. Slowly, blue eyes and white hair came into focus.
"Syrus,” she said, her voice raw.
The old man gave her a weak smile. “Cidra."
She stared at him, wondering why her father's old friend was here with her, why she had slept against a wall, why her eyes burned. Reality invaded in a sickening rush.
She looked frantically around the room. “Where are they?"
The old man worked his mouth for a few seconds before he finally spoke. “They didn't make it. I'm sorry."
Tears rimmed Syrus’ eyes as he took her hand in his. “There's serious trouble, love. You had better come with me."
CHAPTER ONE
TEN YEARS LATER
Cidra leaned on her shovel and gazed out over the Lake of Ares.
Riotous colors skimmed across the water, compliments of the exotic birds for which her home planet of Avion was renowned. Late day sunlight kissed the top of each gentle wave, casting brilliance to the kaleidoscope flashes of wings and plumage. Sweeping branches of ancient Bani trees hung low over rocky shores where spindly-legged waders strutted and preened.
A sad, fleeting smile touched her lips.
It was a perfect day.
A good day to bury Syrus Almazan.
Cidra looked down at the open grave and fought back another wave of tears. He had been more than her friend. He had opened his home, guaranteed her safety, and become the family she desperately needed. The tears that stung her eyes burned no less for him than they had for her family, murdered long ago.
Cidra took a deep breath and immersed herself in the songs and whistles resonating through the lush forest until the painful flood of emotion passed.
The moment broken by a nearby groan, she glanced over at her dear friend Barrios, clearly exerting himself far more than he had in recent history. His flushed face dripped with perspiration under a ring of silver hair that circled his head like a crown. Barrios wore his superb culinary skills shamelessly, quite rotund and determined to stay that way sustained by four solid meals a day.
She pushed aside the stark reality that she was completely alone now but for him. Lucky for her, he also happened to be her best friend. As she smiled warmly at him, he grunted hard and looked as if he too, might expire on the spot.
Cidra straightened. That, she definitely couldn't handle.
As she was about to return to the grim task at hand, the first tingle of forewarning welled up within her. Laying trust to it, she let it envelop her, turning her senses up to full volume. Slowly, she turned her head toward the single, well-concealed path from Syrus’ cottage.
Someone was coming. No one knew of this little clearing except a few, close friends. Very few. Very close.
Cidra gripped her shovel across her body with both hands. She was painfully aware they were trapped. They would not be able to see the uninvited party until he was upon them, and there was no time, no place to hide. Her blood pumped faster, her breathing quickened to match it. A hasty glance at Barrios told her he was totally unaware of her tension or of any potential danger.
She rolled her eyes to the stars.
"Barrios, someone's coming,” she whispered as loudly as she dared.
The older man stopped mid-throw and looked up toward the footpath.
Cidra cursed silently for coming down here unarmed. Well, who expected trouble during a burial?
With a slight shudder, she realized this would be the first challenge to her Kin-sha prowess. As only a Kin-sha master could, Syrus had taught her the ancient warrior skill of hand-to-hand combat, weapons use, and the quiet, dignified philosophy that was Kin-sha. His gift to her. Her own personal power.
The flash of excitement faded to dismay with the sheer power the intruder exhibited as he slashed down the narrow path, closing fast. Cidra frowned. Apparently, he wasn't worried about making
his presence known.
He was either a clumsy friend or a very confident enemy.
Every fiber of her being stood on high alert. The dense foliage parted and a large man crashed through. He was tall and lean, moving with the confidence of a dangerous predator. Her mind quickly registered broad shoulders, slim hips, and simmering, effortless power. Short, dark hair framed a handsome face and the piercing eyes of a hunter. He wore a white shirt and snug-fitting tan pants tucked into well-worn brown boots.
The laser pistol hanging off one hip and a short plasma blade strapped comfortably to the other thigh made it clear this was a man prepared for anything. Furthermore, he looked neither clumsy nor friendly—a bad sign in a potentially dangerous package.
She could defend herself, but she wasn't sure about protecting Barrios, too. No less a Kin-sha warrior than Syrus, Barrios believed with his heart far more than he practiced with his body. In no way could he be considered in peak form.
If this intruder wasn't a friend, they were in trouble.
The man stopped long enough to survey the scene before him, frowned and walked toward Cidra, moving with long strides. She noticed him glance at the shovel in her hands and wisely come to a halt outside striking distance.
"I guess I'm too late to meet with Syrus.” The voice was deep and smooth.
At once, a pair of silver gray eyes locked onto hers with enough intensity to shake her to the bone. A prickly shiver started in her scalp and raced down her back. His eyes narrowed, looking deep into hers. The world around her slid away. The sensation was distinctly uncomfortable and unwelcome.
Cidra took a deep breath. “Who are you?"
"Grey Stone. A friend of Syrus'. He called me two days ago and asked me to come to Avion. I got here as soon as I could, but obviously not soon enough,” he muttered, dropping his gaze to the fresh grave.
Cidra looked him over suspiciously. So, he was a friend with very bad timing or a lying enemy disappointed he had been beaten to the punch.
"He died last night in his sleep.” She hoped the man would be satisfied with that and leave.
Unfortunately, the man didn't budge and all it did was prompt the vision of Syrus lying peacefully in his bed with the morning light filtering through his window. She shook off the morbid image. It was not the way she wanted to remember her dear friend and mentor.
Besides, at this point she had a bigger problem and he was eyeing her like his next meal.
Barrios finally stepped forward and stretched out a hand to Grey. “I'm Barrios, caretaker of Syrus’ home and part-time grave digger,” he acknowledged ruefully. “I've heard Syrus mention you a few times. You're an interstellar treasure hunter, right? Sounds adventurous.” Barrios flashed a broad grin.
Grey returned the customary handshake. “You could say that, but it's not quite as exciting as you might think. Mostly a lot of tedious research and traveling around in circles."
He turned his sights back on her with unsettling deliberation. “You must be Cidra. Just as Syrus described you. Without the shovel, of course. Is that a new Kin-sha weapon these days? I've been away for a while.” A wry smile spread across his face. It was both devastating and distracting. Just what she needed.
Not amused, Cidra answered, “Actually, it is. I could give you a graphic demonstration, if you'd like."
"Plenty of time for that later.” He threw out coolly, locking his steely gaze on her. “I'm supposed to take you with me."
"What?” She took a quick step back and shot Barrios an accusing look. He gave a helpless shrug.
Narrowing her eyes at Grey, she demanded, “What are you talking about?"
"I made a promise to Syrus that I would take you on as part of my crew.” He watched her intently. “I take it he didn't mention it."
"No, he didn't,” Cidra shot back. Panic and anger surged through her. It was a toss up as to who she was more furious at: Syrus for taking charge of her life and bringing this unnerving stranger all the way out here, or this overconfident man who so casually decreed her future. Her knuckles turned white on the shovel. Lucky for Syrus, he was already dead.
Fine. Enemy it is. Weapon ready.
"I suppose you have some proof besides your word.” She thrust her chin up. Even as she spoke, dread welled up within her. What had that sweet old man done?
Grey's humor disappeared quite rapidly, replaced by a foreboding coolness. He took a single, intimidating step toward her.
"My word is as good as it gets.” He said it as if he lived by it.
She resisted the overwhelming urge to step back. Enemies she knew how to handle.
Barrios cleared his throat, breaking the escalating tension. “I think you can safely assume that Stone is speaking the truth, Cidra. Syrus spoke highly of him. Said he was a man of honor."
Cidra glared at him. “I don't care, Barrios. How dare Syrus do this without asking me first? I won't be forced into something I know nothing about."
Turning back to Grey, she added, “With someone I know nothing about."
For a few seconds, nothing happened. Then she watched in wary amazement as he crossed his arms over his chest and relaxed.
"I think Syrus was trying to do what he felt was best for you,” Grey said softly. “You clearly meant a great deal to him. Avion isn't a safe place for a trained Kin-sha.” Then he paused. “I have a feeling he realized he was going to die very soon. He probably didn't want to worry you."
Cidra glowered at him, unwilling to admit that he was right on all counts. Even as she struggled to come up with a reply, the word ‘freedom’ whispered in her ear. What started as a flicker rumbled into a flood—an elusive, unattainable dream until this moment.
She looked into his eyes. They didn't waver, didn't give. A hard man with hard eyes. Lucky her.
What could Syrus possibly have on such a man to ask this favor and have it granted so fast? Especially considering who she was. Unless...
Oh no. She almost gasped aloud. Syrus hadn't told him.
If he had, Grey Stone would not be standing here waiting for her response. He'd be running. Fast. In the other direction. She should tell him and watch helplessly as all hope vanished with him. ‘Freedom’ whispered, louder this time and sweet. She would tell him later.
Her eyes narrowed. Stone, by the time we are done, I may be your next enemy.
Barrios shuffled uncomfortably next to her, looking around for an escape route.
"Perhaps we should finish laying Syrus to rest and continue this discussion after dinner. It's getting late,” she said calmly.
Out of the corner of her eye, Cidra saw Barrios’ head shoot up in surprise. Probably more for the mention of dinner than anything else.
Grey gave her a quick, cool assessment with those hunter's eyes that could drill into her very soul.
"Fine.” He moved closer, masculine scent and body heat swept her senses. Then without another word, he turned abruptly away.
Cidra realized she had been holding her breath during the brief exchange. Determined not to give him the satisfaction that he could shake her to the core with one look, she exhaled a slow, silent breath. Only then did she notice that her hands were empty and he was using her shovel to help Barrios. He didn't ask, he didn't offer, he simply took it from her.
Deliberate or not, the point was made. Grey Stone was in charge.
She grimaced. No doubt about it. He would not be pleased when he found out who she was.
CHAPTER TWO
The succulent aroma of delicately roasted game bird and fresh bounty from the gardens filled the cozy dining room. Grey sat across from Barrios and Cidra, enjoying one of the best meals of his life.
Grey conceded that excellent cuisine ranked high as a personal passion of his. With technology came pre-made, instant food but the taste reflected mass processing. Freshly prepared fare was becoming a lost art.
He discreetly eyed Cidra while she stared at her meal. She had been quiet since they returned from the gravesite. He got the impres
sion that he was experiencing a brief reprieve. At least that's what he hoped. He liked the fighter he'd met this afternoon much better. Grey tried hard not to smile. Feisty. Not for every man, but personally he liked feisty.
She had looked rather fierce standing there with that shovel. Syrus mentioned she was a fully trained Kin-sha and she certainly had the body to prove it: lean and graceful, concealed power, hidden strength.
Grey gave her credit for not taking a swing at him earlier when he threw out his bombshell. He had witnessed an honest reaction. She'd held up well, no loss of control. Syrus had not disappointed him.
Grey studied her classic features, enhanced and caressed by soft candlelight. Auburn hair spilled over her shoulders en masse. A thin crease etched between her brows, her mind deep in concentration. Full lips lent a sensual pout to her distant expression. Something in those clear blue eyes spoke of an indomitable spirit and maturity beyond her years. Clear, calm, centered.
He shook his head and almost laughed aloud at how Syrus had described her with comments like ‘a hard worker’ and ‘learns quickly.’ The old man must have been going blind. Those weren't exactly the phrases Grey would have used. In fact, he was conjuring up a few new ones right now.
Pulling his gaze away from her, he glanced around. The dining room had not changed since he had been a Kin-sha student here fifteen years ago. The large oval table and chairs sat twelve generously. Wood paneled walls and coffered ceiling completed the cozy room.
His eyes finally settled on the vacant chair at the head of the table—Syrus’ chair. He felt the loss deeply. The man had been more than a teacher and had made Grey feel like more than a student. It seemed a lifetime ago. The turning point in his life. Everyone had them. Some you chose. Some chose you.
His gaze flickered back to Cidra as she shoved her food around her plate. He wondered if she had such a turning point in her life.
Cidra sighed softly. As usual, Barrios had outdone himself. Too bad she left her appetite down by the lake. Syrus was gone. The fabric of her life was starting to wear thin. This was grief, plain and simple. She had lived through it before. It would pass as it always did and she would move forward as Syrus had taught her, stronger but without Syrus.
