by Kiersten Fay
“Cale! Are you okay?” He looked at her and she gasped. Glass shards penetrated his skin. One eye was closed, bleeding, and beginning to swell. “Oh, gods! Cale I'm so sorry. I…are you smiling?”
“That was the shit!” he bellowed.
“But your eye…”
“In an hour, it'll heal. Next time I won't be looking straight at the bulb.”
“Next time!”
“Yeah, you're going to do that again.” He scrambled for another light bulb. “Try not to blow it up this time.”
They'd gone through seven light bulbs, all exploded.
Now, beside her, Bastian seethed. “Know that I'm not happy about this. I thought we had an agreement. No more using your gift.”
“We agreed that I wouldn't use it on the ship, unless absolutely necessary,” she quickly added, then looked away to hide her worried expression.
“What is it? Are you feeling alright?”
“No, I'm fine. It's just…I feel like I'm changing. Rather, my gift is changing, or growing, or something. I need to get a handle on it or I'm afraid it will consume me. Training with Cale this morning felt…right. If I can learn to harness it, then maybe next time I won't almost die.”
“There isn't going to be a next time.”
“There might be. And even if there isn't, I still feel like I should explore my gift, instead of burying it.”
Bastian gave her a weary look, but nodded, seeing that this was important to her. “I want you to be careful, go slow.”
“I will, on one condition.” He raised an eyebrow. “You give up on Darius.”
“No deal.”
“Then I want to go with you.” Secretly, she thought if she could evolve her gift, she could help in taking Darius out. But she knew there was no way Sebastian would willingly let her anywhere near him again. In the back of her mind she knew she was grasping at straws, but what else could she do? She didn't feel right about letting Sebastian risk his life—and Cale's too—for her revenge.
“Again, no deal.”
Anya's shoulders slumped. “I'll be so worried if you go.”
“I know, but he is a threat to you. It's the only way I know to keep you safe. Tell you what, I'll let you choose the place where you, Marik, and Sonya will stay until Cale and I get back.”
Hmm…an opportunity?
She could reject every place they offered. She would keep Bastian so busy looking for the perfect hideout he would never be able to go after Darius.
“And no turning down every location just to keep me with you.” His lips twitched.
Damn.
She pursed her lips in displeasure.
Bastian chuckled.
* * *
——
* * *
“What do you mean you told her she could go!” Sebastian bellowed. Is everyone working against me?
In the bridge, Cale was seated at his station waiting for the ship to dock. Sonya had just entered, with Anya trailing behind, to give him this nasty bit of news.
Blithely, Sonya replied, “It's not a big deal.”
“The hell it isn't! These are pirates we're talking about.”
“You don't seem to mind that I'm going,” Sonya countered.
“Sunny, you can take care of yourself, for the most part.”
“What do you mean for the most part?”
Anya interjected, “I want to go. I'm getting all stark crazy.”
“It's stir crazy,” Sebastian grumbled.
They were but minutes from reaching the coordinates Ethanule had given them. The expedition party was to be himself, Cale, Sonya, Aidan, and a few other crew members. He thought, with three demons, any problems would be quickly subdued, but that was before the addition of Anya.
“I don't feel right about this.” Sebastian's instincts were raging at him. Keep her safe!
“Please, I really do want to go. Besides, I'll have three surly demons to protect me,” she said, echoing his thoughts. “I promise to stay out of the way.” Her big blue eyes beseeched. As if he could say no to something she desired.
Grudgingly, he said, “Fine, but stay near me at all times, and keep quiet.” Her smile was radiant, making him greedy for her. Once this was finished, he'd set to claiming his mate once and for all.
Cale rolled his eyes. “Ah, enough with the sweetness, it leaves a bad taste in my mouth.” To Aidan, he said, “Hey, mate, where is this place? Thought we'd be there by now.”
“I've checked the coordinates three times. We should be right on top of it. I've been scanning the area, there's nothing here.”
The room went quiet.
“Trap?” Cale suggested.
Just then Aidan's computer chirped, indicating an incoming transmission.
Ethanule appeared on screen, seated in a chair that bordered on a throne. His dress was that of before, aristocratically precise, with his deep-green coat and gold buckles that decorated each pocket.
Sebastian noticed a tilt of Anya's head as she appraised Ethanule.
Gritting his teeth, Sebastian said, “Is this some kind of trick? We've followed your directions. Why are you not here?”
“Well, we've moved of course.”
Sonya chimed in. “Obviously.”
Ethanule's gaze trailed down the length of Sonya's body and slowly back up. Cale stood to his full height, and Sebastian moved to block his view of both Sonya and Anya.
Anya merely peeked around his massive body, while Sonya pushed him aside and brazenly crossed her arms in a challenging gesture. Her tail flicked.
“Nice tail,” Ethanule said.
“What's your game, pirate?” Cale snapped.
Phlegmatic, he replied, “There's no game. The move was unavoidable. You'll see when you get here. I'm sending you a secure signal. Trace it. I'll expect you soon.”
The screen went black.
Sonya humphed. “What a pompous ass!”
“Well, that pompous ass is going to get us our pay and get these wards down so we can get the fuck off this ship already,” Cale snapped.
Aidan called from his console, “Captain, I have a trace on the signal. I'd say we can be there in two hours.”
“Good, let's finish this. Approach cautiously. Keep your eyes open for anything.”
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Anya mouth to Sonya, “He looked nice.”
“Sweetie,” she replied. “Your record with men is one-in-zero.” She glanced at Sebastian. “And your taste is questionable. Trust me, that pirate has one hell of an ego on him.”
* * *
——
* * *
Sebastian made a gesture to Sonya. One that Anya had come to know as flipping the bird. Sonya returned the gesture with a playful grin.
Cale added to Sonya, “His ego couldn't possibly be bigger than yours.”
“Bite me, Cale,” Sonya replied.
“Not if you were the last female left in the universe.”
Anya could only smile at the way the siblings interacted. It was rough, but at the same time cute, in a way. They obviously cared for each other, but ripped on each other relentlessly. She loved it.
Ethanule, to say the least, was intriguing. She couldn't get a read on him—since he wasn't actually in the room—but…there was something odd about him.
In her ear, Sebastian whispered. “Is it necessary that you go? We'll have plenty of time for sightseeing later. I can show you worlds the likes of which you could not imagine. A pirate's lair would be anything but interesting in comparison.”
“How could you say what would be interesting to me and what wouldn't? I think a pirate's lair should be very interesting.” And, she added to herself, if Sebastian was going, then so would she. She intended to prove that he didn't need to leave her behind for any reason.
The group watched through the large window as they came upon thick clusters of space debris. Small at first, but as Marada progressed, the dust and debris grew into small rocks, and then boulders, and larger st
ill. Aidan had to maneuver the ship around them.
“I think we're here,” Aidan finally said.
All she could see was a huge asteroid. And they were heading right for it.
The ship began to slow. Sebastian and the others watched quietly. Then she noticed a notch in the rock that looked deliberate. The lines were too straight to be natural.
“His base is inside an asteroid?” Sonya said incredulously.
Aidan eased the ship into the docking station. As they crossed the threshold, Anya felt a powerful release of energy. Sebastian noticed her slight intake of breath and gave her a questioning look.
“I think I just felt the wards dissipate.”
Behind them, a thick metal wall dropped down, closing with a heavy sound. Loud whooshing indicated that the docking bay was being securely sealed and pressurized.
“Alright.” Sebastian had transitioned into captain mode. “Let's go. Anya stays behind me. The rest follow behind her.” Sonya exited the ship at Anya's side. Aidan and Cale took up the rear. Cale carried the package they'd come all this way to deliver.
Two strong looking males greeted them. They both had light colored hair and deeply tanned skin. Saying nothing, the guards bowed politely, turned, and gestured that the group was to follow.
At an unhurried pace, they walked through bare halls carved from the rock, dirt, and ice that made up the core of the asteroid. Lights were hung garishly along one side of the cave like structures, illuminating their way. A fine dust and bits of rock covered the floor.
And the smell was amazing. It was thick and dingy and didn't smell particularly great, but it was raw. Anya inhaled deeply, remembering the scent of real dirt.
The two silent guards led them through a maze of dark, identical caves until they reached a brightly lit, open area. The ceiling was carved twice as high and curved near the top.
More guards lined the outer edge of the room. Ethanule sat, kingly, against the far wall. Studiously, he raked his gaze over the group, lingering briefly on Anya, then Sonya, then finally the package in Cale's arms. His eyes twinkled.
“Thank you,” he started. “Your services are much appreciated. You have no idea how important these are to me.”
Anya figured the these he referred to was whatever resided in the box, and dismissed his phrasing. She was more interested in the odd energy she was reading from him.
Sebastian replied, “You're welcome. I trust the wards were taken care of when we entered?”
“Of course, of course. There is nothing to worry about.”
With a tilt to his lips, Ethanule focused on Anya again. She couldn't put her finger on it, but there was something strange in his essence.
Bastian took a step closer. “I assume that our pay is ready as well?”
Ethanule smiled.
Until now, she had been ignoring the energy imprints of the guards, because they'd been nothing but benign, but the sudden shift crashed into her. “Bastian, the guards!”
It was too late. When she turned to him, a long dart had already penetrated his neck. He bellowed before crumbling to his feet. The others were taken down just as quickly.
She felt a prick in her arm. A dart was there. She had time to pull it out before everything went black.
Chapter 20
A steady cloud of haze blanketed Anya's mind. Her body was heavy and sluggish to respond. Clumsily, she pushed a lock of hair out of her face and rubbed her tired eyes.
Cool air swept over her cheeks, but the rest of her body was quite warm.
Recalling the point of a dart sticking out of her flesh, she squinted her eyes open. Dark red-brown blocks of a wall faced her. Rising up on her elbows, she surveyed the rest of her surroundings.
She was in a small cell, alone.
Where were Sebastian and the others?
The same dark blocks that made up the walls also lined the floor. She could tell they were thick, maybe by a foot. The only way out, a single heavy door with a small barred window placed just high enough that she would need to jump to see out of it.
Compared with the overall look of the cell, the accommodations were surprising. Instead of waking up shivering on a cold floor, she was on a soft mattress and pillow with a plush blanket wrapped around her. There was a tray of food sitting just beside the bulky door. On closer inspection, she expected it to be old or spoiled, but it wasn't. It looked…fresh.
Odd.
Not knowing what else to do, she pushed the blanket off her and moved to the door. To her great disappointment, the lock was the kind that required a metal key. She pushed on the door, suspecting it wouldn't budge, but still she had to try.
Sensing Sebastian was near, she whispered, “Sebastian?”
“Anya!” His voice rang out, followed by a loud clang as if he'd slammed into metal. “Are you okay?”
“I'm fine. Where is everyone?”
Sonya answered. “We're all here.” Their voices were close.
“You're all where?”
“We're all together in this cell. Sounds like we're just next to you.”
“Why am I not with you?”
“We don't know.”
Sebastian snarled, “Have they hurt you? Why have you not made yourself known until now?”
“I just woke up. How long have you been awake?”
“A couple of days,” He sounded exhausted.
“Days? Have I been sleeping that long?”
Sonya's voiced, “Aidan only woke up a few hours ago. Some of the others are still out. Sebastian, Cale, and I were the first to wake. Let me tell you what a blast that has been,” she added sarcastically. “Whatever they shot us with was potent enough to take down a demon so it's having a stronger effect on everyone else.”
“What about Marada? What of the people on board?”
“We don't know.”
Three loud bangs echoed outside her door, followed by a snarling Sebastian.
“What was that?” Anya asked.
Blasé, Sonya replied, “Sebastian and Cale have been taking turns getting intimately acquainted with a five inch thick metal door.”
She heard Cale say, “Anya, can you…you know…with your lock?”
Sebastian interrupted. “No, we'll find another way.”
Confused, Anya replied, “What do you mean? The locks need a key.” Her statement was followed by a brief silence.
“Your lock isn't electronic?”
“No.”
“Fuck,” Cale said bleakly.
“What's the matter?” she asked.
“Ours is.”
Anya digested this information. The cell with all the demons and crew members was secured by an electronic lock, and hers was not. Could the pirates know of her ability? Had they taken this precaution because they suspected she might breach a mechanized lock?
“Dammit,” Sebastian bit out. “Anya, I'll get you out of there.”
“Actually,” a new voice corrected. “I'll get her out of there.”
A string of curses flew from all three demons.
“Energetic bunch you all are,” Ethanule said, ignoring their graphic threats.
Anya backed away from the door when she heard the sound of a key being inserted.
Click.
Ethanule was taller than she thought he would be, as tall as Sebastian. His frame just as big. He was covered by a long dark coat over a deep-red sweater, black pants and heavy boots. The only trinkets he wore were the thick gold bands on his fingers.
Ethanule smiled at her appraisal of him and bowed. “You like?”
With disdain, she replied, “Why have you locked us up?”
Tilting his head in confusion, he said, “To keep you from leaving, of course.”
Obviously. “Why would you want to do that?”
He shrugged. “To answer that, I'll need you to come with me.”
Sebastian howled, “Let me out of here, you traitorous vermin. I will rip your head from your body.”
To Anya, Ethanule
said, “Well, now I will definitely not be letting him out.” He turned abruptly. “Follow me. My chambers will provide some much needed privacy.”
Anya took a step out of her cell. Two guards lined the wall facing the cell doors. Ethanule kept walking as if he expected her to just follow.
She did.
“If you harm her in any way, you will regret it!” Sebastian grated.
From behind her, she heard Cale add, “That's not a threat, mate, that's a fact.”
When they reached one of the dim hallways Ethanule commented to himself, “Fascinating. Loyalty in demons is difficult to inspire.” He gave her an admiring glance and walked on. “I apologize about the tranquilizer. I hadn't wanted you to sleep quite so long, and that particular dart was not meant for you, but…no harm done.”
“Thank you for your concern,” Anya said, mimicking Sonya's sarcastic tone. “Why don't you get to the point?”
“Just as impatient as your demons, aren't you?” Ethanule stopped and opened a large door, gesturing for her to enter. When she didn't, he said, “Come on, I will not harm you.”
“You'll understand if I don't believe you.”
“Pirates honor.”
Anya entered the room, not because she trusted him, but because she knew he wasn't really giving her a choice. The two guards had trailed close behind.
His chamber was magnificent in its splendor. Red, orange, and green linen draped the entire room, floor to ceiling. The ground was not dirt and dust, but a spread of lush burgundy carpet. Lanterns lined the walls and hung from the ceiling, giving off a warm glow throughout the room.
There were three large chairs arranged around a small table. A large desk sat against the wall opposite the door. A heavy book lay atop it, the cover and spine shimmering with gold.
Next to the desk, now open and empty, was the package Cale had been carrying—the package that Sebastian was supposed to have been paid for.
Her rage flared.
She heard a soft click and turned to see that Ethanule had closed the door behind him, watching her intently. No guards had followed. Anya took an involuntary step back into her fighting stance. He only smiled, enraging her further.
