Defiant (Battle Born Book 13)

by Cyndi Friberg

  “You’re probably right.” Lenore’s response sounded and looked convincing, but Jenna knew her mother too well. Lenore was worried, and so was Jenna. True coincidences were few and far between. Was Abaddon cruel enough to use an elderly woman as collateral to control one of his spies? Unfortunately, she was pretty sure she knew the answer.

  “If you give me her name and address, I can ask my people to check into it.” Drex offered as the women slipped into tense silence.

  Thea’s chin raised and her shoulders squared. “Why would they bother? My grandmother is far beyond childbearing years.”

  “Let him help,” Lenore insisted. “Rodyte technology is exactly what we need to locate her. If she’s out on one of these activities, the battle born should be able to tell you in a matter of minutes.”

  With obvious reluctance, Lenore gave him the information.

  There wasn’t much more they could do until they had more information, so Jenna changed tactics. “I want you to understand exactly who we are and what we’re trying to accomplish. Then you can decide for yourself if you’re willing to help us. Cards on the table. We’ll never mislead you, never pretend to be something we’re not.”

  Thea nodded, but doubt still thinned her lips.

  “Rodytes have been here much longer than most humans realize,” Lenore began when Jenna didn’t immediately launch her explanation. “I met a young man named Fiezor when I was just nineteen. He was gallant and mysterious, shrewdly intelligent, and I fell head over heels in love with him. We became lovers and things got serious. He wanted me to meet his family. On the way out to their secluded complex, he told me the most outlandish tale. At first I thought he was teasing me, seeing how far he could take the story before I called him on it. Then we arrived at the settlement and my understanding of the universe was transformed.”

  Thea didn’t react to the revelation. Apparently, she’d already known. She looked from Lenore to Jenna and back. “Am I supposed to be shocked? Abaddon already told me that your daughter is a half breed.”

  “We prefer hybrid,” Jenna stressed. “I’m a human/Rodyte hybrid.”

  “Which is why you could read my mind,” Thea mused. “If you’re half alien, you probably don’t consider yourself a traitor to the human race. So what are you trying to do?”

  “You’re jumping ahead,” Jenna commented. “You’ve heard how my parents met, not how they parted. My father was a liar and a fraud. He held my mother captive and gave her an injection that allowed him to get her pregnant even though he knew she wasn’t ready for a child.”

  “And this is supposed to convince me to help them?” A bit of Thea’s spirit returned. Her cheeks flushed and emotion smoldered in her eyes. “They claim the ‘volunteers’ are willing too. How do we know what’s really going on up there.”

  Jenna shook her head, irritation starting to take hold. “You keep rushing to the finish line. Do you want to hear this or not?”

  Thea thought for a minute then sighed. “Go on. I’ll try not to interrupt again.”

  “Needless to say, by the time my mother escaped the compound and returned to New York, with a newborn she didn’t really want in tow, she—”

  “Jenna, that’s not true,” her mother cut in. “I had always wanted children. I just wasn’t ready for them when your father decided it was time. I was horrified by what he was willing to do to have his own way. I love you with all my heart, and never regretted bringing you into this world.”

  “Shall I come back when you’ve worked out the story?”

  Jenna turned on Thea, eyes flashing. “We’re trying to help you. There is no reason for your shitty attitude.”

  “She’s trying to help me,” she pointed to Lenore. “You want to recruit me for a rebellion to which I’m diametrically opposed. The RF leaders might have secrets and ulterior motives, but I still believe in the cause. Earth for humans! It’s not just a slogan. It’s a battle cry.”

  “I hated them too,” Jenna told her, but felt the opportunity slipping away. “That’s the point I was trying to make. I lived my entire life believing Rodytes were self-serving villains who forced their will on others. Then I actually met one.”

  They stared at each other for a long, silent moment, then Jenna shook her head. “I’m sorry, Mom. I don’t see it. Until she’s ready to let go and move on, we can’t help her.” Without giving Thea an opportunity to respond, Jenna stood and walked from the room.

  * * * * *

  Arton the Heretic lowered his cowl as he sat down beside Torrin Havier. They were on a commuter shuttle headed back to the Triumphant from Outpost L.A. Arton’s features and fingertips were altered by holo-masks, allowing him to move about in battle born territory. He didn’t consider the battle born his enemies, but he wasn’t sure they would feel the same. He’d been watching Torrin for several hours, assessing his attitude and personality as he went about the mundane. Commuter travel, even on faster-than-light shuttles, was tedious and frustrating. Luckily for Arton, he seldom bothered with conventional forms of transportation.

  “So what did you decide?” Torrin asked as the shuttle lunged into motion. The seats were small and both men were broad-shouldered, obliterating anything resembling personal space.

  “Pardon me?” Arton looked at him with a blank expression.

  “You’ve been following me all morning. Did you decide whatever it is you’re supposed to decide? Or are you just keeping track of me.”

  Arton was shocked that Torrin was aware of him. He’d been careful. Much of the time Arton had been shielded, invisible to biological sight. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  Torrin scoffed. “Right.” He closed his eyes and leaned his head against his seat back, clearly meaning to ignore Arton.

  Rex Dravon had reported a favorable assessment of Torrin. The smuggler found Torrin likable and ripe for recruitment. So Arton decided to take a closer look. He just hadn’t expected Torrin to realize he was being watched.

  Fascinated by the development, Arton lowered his voice. “When did you spot me?”

  “At the café.” Torrin opened his eyes but maintained his bored expression. “The place was packed. They asked everyone who was dining alone to move to the counter, but the waitress avoided you like a pestilence. She was clearly afraid, so I asked her who you were and why you deserved special treatment. She said, ‘That’s Arton the Heretic,’ like that should have explained everything.”

  Arton tensed. This was only the third time he’d used this appearance. How had the waitress figured out who he was? He hadn’t bothered with a voice modulator. Had she recognized his voice? He shook away the distraction. The Outcasts were on their way out of this star system anyway. Soon secrecy would be unnecessary. “Don’t believe everything you hear about me. My reputation has evolved over many years.”

  Torrin finally turned his head, brow raised. “I can say the same. Once I’d noticed you, I kept seeing you. It didn’t take me long to realize you were tailing me.”

  “And to answer your original question,” Arton said, already sensing a kindred spirit, “I’m not sure what to make of you.”

  A faint smile curved Torrin’s lips as he faced forward again. “Likewise.” Arton thought the conversation ended, then Torrin asked, “Did you send Rex Dravon, or did the overlord send you both?”

  “We thought our interest might come better from one of the brotherhood. You don’t seem the type to respond well to authority figures.”

  A half-laugh rumbled in Torrin’s chest. “You’ve got me all figured out.”

  Arton stared at Torrin’s profile for a moment. His features were bold, rugged lines and slashing angles. Even from the side, he looked dangerous. “If you’re satisfied with your current situation, we’ll back off. But we honestly feel we have more to offer than the battle born.”

  Torrin glanced at him, smoky-green eyes swirling for a split second. “I’m always interested in new opportunities. I’ve yet to hear what you’re offering.”
>
  “We’re offering the freedom to shape the future anyway you like.”

  Torrin shrugged. “I have that now.”

  “Do you? I happen to know General Lux better than most. Freedom is not something he offers those under his command.”

  “I work with Sedrik Lux, not for him.”

  Arton arched his brows. “Does he know that?”

  Torrin searched his gaze, speculation clear in his expression. “Did you abandon your post, soldier? I’ve heard that many of the Outcasts are deserters.”

  He was right about deserters joining the Outcast ranks, but it was one of the few accusations that didn’t apply to Arton. “Try again. You’re not even close. I was never in the military.”

  “Then why do you know so much about General Lux?” Challenge replaced the lazy playfulness in Torrin’s voice.

  “He’s my brother.”

  “Really?” He clearly had Torrin’s attention now. “Is that why General Lux hasn’t driven the Outcasts out of Earth-space? They easily have the firepower to overtake you.”

  Arton tensed. Unsure if he liked the implications in Torrin’s deep tone. “The battle born have other concerns at the moment. Are you interested or not?”

  “I’m interested in a more detailed conversation. I don’t yet have enough information for any sort of decision. My arrangement with the battle born is stable. That’s a quality not easily found in my line of work.”

  Arton accepted the statement with a stiff nod. His opinion of Torrin was less positive than it had been when the conversation started. The assassin was certainly a cocky son of a bitch. And you’re not? his inner voice challenged. If he were honest, all of the Outcasts were arrogant. It was part of their charm. “If the overlord is interested in a sit down, are you willing to hear him out?”

  “Sure. I’d like to meet your mysterious overlord. The stories I’ve heard about him are even more interesting than the stories I’ve heard about you.”

  And Arton was back to liking him again. He inwardly shook his head. Outwardly, he nodded. “We’ll be in touch.” He didn’t bother explaining what he intended. He released his safety restraints and walked to the tiny lavatory in the back of the shuttle. Unwilling to subject himself to conventional transportation any longer than necessary, Arton deactivated the holo-mask and bio-streamed off the shuttle.

  * * * * *

  Much later that afternoon, Drex and Jenna strolled through Central Park hand in hand. He was fascinated by the towering trees and well-tended footpaths. Humans in exercise clothing or on strange manually propelled conveyances frequently sped past because of their leisurely pace. Drex refused to rush. His life was often crammed full of activities, and he had no doubt external demands would soon have them rushing again. But for this one day, he intended to enjoy his mate’s homeworld to the fullest.

  Jenna quickly noticed his interest in their surroundings. “I thought you’d been to Earth before.”

  “I have, numerous times in fact. Twice my mission took place in the Bunker and the other assignments were completed in much smaller cities. Discretion has been a focus for decades. It really limited our exposure to human cultures.”

  “New York is unique. It’s a patchwork quilt of global influences. I don’t think there’s a truer reflection of what America is all about.” Pride shone through in her expression. She clearly loved her hometown. “Are the cities on Rodymia so very different?”

  “Rodymia is much smaller than Earth, so the inhabitable areas are more densely populated.” He motioned to the open area surrounding them. “This would be considered wasted space.”

  “That would be intolerable to me. I’ve lived in Manhattan my entire life, but the city can still become claustrophobic. Without a place to step out into the open and hear the birds sing, I’d be miserable.”

  “We’re not encumbered by transportation,” Drex reminded. “There are wildlife reserves and wilderness parks mere minutes away from any of our cities. They’re just separate from our urban developments. Besides, VR simulators create environments every bit as visceral as this in the privacy of our living rooms. If we were in my home right now, I’d undress you and give you pleasure right here in the sun-bathed grass.”

  She shivered and color climbed up her neck. “A very appealing thought, but we’d be arrested for it here.”

  They continued to stroll through the park, their conversation light and easy. Now that she’d allowed herself to think of a future together, much of the earlier tension had dissipated. He was disappointed that she hadn’t surrendered completely, but he was relatively certain it was just a matter of time. As she’d told Thea, Jenna had spent most of her life hating Rodytes. Prejudice couldn’t be overcome in the blink of an eye.

  It was nearly dark by the time they returned to the brownstone. Lenore and Thea were nowhere in sight. They’d either retired to their bedrooms, or left the building. The first possibility was much more probable.

  He’d contacted Sedrik and Morgan earlier in the day, asking each to investigate Grandma Helen’s disappearance. He’d yet to hear how the investigations went, so he took a moment to check in again.

  Morgan answered first, informing him that her team quickly confirmed that Helen had not been on any of the activities, nor had she returned to the assisted living community. Morgan assured him she would keep digging, that each possible lead was being pursued. Unfortunately, Sedrik’s report was basically the same. His men had determined Helen was actually missing, but they had no idea about her current location. Her DNA pattern was not on record with any human source, so even Rodyte scanners were useless. Still, they would keep searching.

  “Any news?” Jenna asked, easily guessing what his sudden silence meant.

  He shook his head. “Helen is definitely missing. Neither the battle born nor Morgan’s agents have turned up anything yet. They’re at the complex interviewing residents.” He glanced at the main stairs, wondering if they should update Thea.

  Jenna saw the direction of his stare and shook her head. “If Thea asks, we’ll tell her. But there’s nothing we can do right now. If she managed to fall asleep, bad news can wait until morning. She’s clearly exhausted.”

  She was right. Everything that could be done was being done. So Drex agreed to wait until morning to inform Thea that her last living relative was more than likely in the hands of RF leadership. No doubt, she’d be devastated—again.

  Drex knew neither he nor Jenna would be able to set the incident aside entirely, but worrying accomplished nothing. Trained investigators and Rodyte hunters were scouring the area for clues. Two concerned lawyers would just be in the way if they went to Florida.

  Determined to focus on his mate as much as possible, he followed Jenna into the spacious kitchen. The rest of the house had a formal elegance, while the kitchen was warm and welcoming. It was easy to picture Jenna growing up here, standing at the counter with long pigtails, mixing cookie dough or stirring a stew pot. Of course, her teacher would have been a servant not her mother. Children of the upper classes were generally reared by staff.

  He pushed away the past with a sigh. Their relationship was at an important stage right now. One wrong move could send Jenna scurrying back behind her emotional barricade. Another night of tender intimacy and free-flowing emotions, however, would help stabilize their situation considerably.

  They’d eaten lunch late in the afternoon, so neither was particularly hungry. Instead, Jenna prepared an edible treat called popcorn and they snuggled up on the wide leather couch to enjoy an entertainment vid filled with improbable action and profanity. She was clearly engrossed by the silliness, but Drex was more interested in her and the strange snack she’d offered him.

  Not wanting to hurt her feelings, he tentatively placed one of the fluffy white pieces in his mouth. She was happily munching the stuff, so he began to chew. As the morsel broke down, rich saltiness spread across his tongue, leaving annoying flecks stuck in his teeth. The entire experience was very strange, but h
e took another piece and then another. Soon he was munching the snack as enthusiastically as she, but he couldn’t explain why.

  “What is in the coating?” He licked the slick substance off his fingers and barely suppressed a moan. “I’m pretty sure it’s addictive.”

  She laughed. “It’s just salt and butter, but I agree. When the two combine, it’s highly addictive.”

  They finished the bowl of popcorn and washed it down with glasses of wine. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer to his side. Without the distraction of the addictive snack, his attention quickly focused on her. He peeled the sweeter down her arm so he could touch her skin. She shivered and glanced at him, but turned back to the entertainment vid.

  He wasn’t sure if her interest in the “movie” was real, or if she was subtly challenging him. Either way he was more than ready to vanquish the competition. Keeping his head low, he moved off the sofa and knelt on the floor in front of her.

  “What are you doing?” The amusement in her voice and the hot gleam in her eyes assured him she knew exactly what he had in mind. “The movie’s not over.”

  “Ignore me.” He infused the words with challenge. “Watch your movie.”

  She grinned, but her gaze shifted back to the large display across the room.

  Her feet were bare as she’d left her sandals by the front door when they returned from the park. He picked up one dainty foot and massaged it, paying special attention to the arch. She moaned and her eyelids drooped as his thumb circled the pressure point.

  “Do that and I’ll fall asleep,” she cautioned.

  “I don’t want that.” He moved his hands to her ankle and then her calf, loving the feel of her smooth skin beneath his fingers. Her body was soft and warm, so different from his. He was fascinated by the contrast. She began to squirm when his hand skated over her knee, but he didn’t continue his ascent. Instead, he switched sides and worked his way back down.

  “Drex.” She sounded breathless and needy, yet he’d barely begun to touch her. “Let’s go upstairs.”