by Kiersten Fay
Then, slowly, he brushed her hair aside, revealing one distinct ear.
“What?” Her body grew tense. “Never seen pointed ears before?”
He smirked. “I've seen ears like yours more often than you might think.”
She stilled, and then gave him her profile. “You have?”
“Yes,” he replied, excited to find interest layered beneath her anger. “I'll tell you about it if you like, though I much prefer conversations face to face. If I let you go, will you promise not to attack me again?”
She seemed to consider this for a moment before offering a tight nod. As soon as he released her, she darted to the other side of the room.
He took a seat in one of the nearby chairs and leaned back. “Please have a seat,” he encouraged. When she didn’t, he added. “I've already given my word that I will not harm you.”
“My friends are locked up against their will. Some of them are still unconscious from the drug you shot into them. The word of a pirate does not hold much weight with me at the moment.”
“Touché,” he said with renewed admiration. She had a fiery spirit.
He wanted to ask about Darius, about what sort of threat he posed, but she seemed too skittish for the moment. There were other matters to discuss first, anyway.
Silence reigned between them, but to his delight, her expression became curious. “Tell me, where have you seen ears like mine?”
“Before we get to that, would you like a drink? Something to eat?”
She raised her chin, but did not reply.
“You must be hungry after two days of restful sleep.”
She continued to stare.
“Suit yourself.” He stood, and she jumped back. He gave her a chafed look as he walked past her to the desk. Placing a hand on the large book, he said, “This will tell you everything you need to know. All you have to do, Analia, is open it.”
Her eyes widened at the use of her name.
“Yes, I know who you are. I know more about you than perhaps you do.”
“Like what?” She narrowed her gaze.
“You don't remember your people? Your home planet? What happened there?”
She looked at the book and then at the empty package on the floor. “Is that book what we came to deliver?”
He nodded.
“And it holds the answers that I seek?”
“Yes.”
“But you seek these answers as well?” She tilted her head.
“I do.”
“Why, then, do you need me? Why not just open the book and see for yourself?”
“It's been enchanted to open for only three people in the universe.”
“And somehow I'm one of the three?” Disbelief coated her words. “Where are the others?”
“That's what I hope to find out.”
She seemed to digest the information, glancing between him and the book as if she didn’t know which one worried her most. Finally, she took a step closer. “How do I open it?”
He nodded in encouragement. “You must only touch the lock.”
She ran her fingers over the cover as though it were a delicate piece of artwork, her eyes entranced. Perhaps she felt the power flowing off it.
“Tell me,” he said, unable to hold off his curiosity a moment longer. “What do you know of a man named Darius?”
She yanked the heavy book up with both hands and heaved it off the desk. He saw rather than felt the book connect with his head. The ground came next, then blackness.
His eyes fluttered open. He pulled himself off the ground and pressed his palm over the throbbing bump on his skull. A quick survey of the room told him Analia was gone. And she’d taken the book.
Remarkable! Her intention had been completely hidden to him.
He pressed a set of buttons on his console to bring up his computer and opened a direct connection to Oxnel’s handheld.
Before he could relay the events, Oxnel bellowed, “They’re escaping, sir.”
Ethan suppressed a groan. “Gather the men and meet me in the docking station. That’s where they’ll head.”
Chapter 4
Sonya leaned against the cell wall, cleaning the dried dirt from under her nails.
Aidan and the other crew members had finally roused from their slumber and groggily paced the small cell. Sebastian continued to work on the door, the skin of his shoulder beginning to crack and bleed from the repeated abuse.
“What happened?” Aidan rubbed both hands over his face.
Sonya gave a harsh laugh. “What do you think happened? Surprise, surprise, betrayed by a pirate. Who’d have thought?” Sarcasm dripped from her words.
“You know,” Cale snapped, “That’s not helpful.”
“Oh? And what would be helpful, Cale? Breaking my arm on a door that won’t budge?”
“At least you’d have something new to complain about!”
Sonya bristled and took a step toward him. “Fuck off, Cale. That should be easy enough for you.”
Cale responded in kind. “You’d be wise to shut your mouth. Now.”
“Make me!”
Aidan barricaded himself between them. “Enough, both of you. Beating each other senseless won’t—”
Sebastian stilled, both palms planted against the door, his gaze intent through the small barred window. Moments later, Sonya caught Anya’s scent.
She heard shuffling movements outside the door, and then Anya’s scream echoed down the hall.
Sebastian’s roar reverberated off the walls of their cell. The madness of the Edge effectively dug its claws into him, driving him harder than ever into the thick door. The metal bowed under the onslaught as Anya continued to scream for him.
Sonya felt herself slipping to the Edge as well, wanting more than anything to rip through the walls and introduce her claws to Anya’s attackers.
Anya went quiet. Sonya’s breath caught.
Sebastian turned wild, clawing and tearing at the barrier between him and his mate. Sonya backed away, and everyone but Cale followed suit.
Terrible urgency beat in Sonya’s chest, yet she had no idea what to do.
Then a strange sensation began to crawl across her skin. A pop rang out and the lights flashed bright, blinding her for a moment. The bulbs overhead shattered.
Sonya’s eyes quickly adjusted to the darkness. The distinct sound of the lock mechanism clicked just as Sebastian broke through, nearly tearing the door off its hinges.
Anya stood outside the cell, gasping for air, yet smiling triumphantly. Sebastian shot forward to scoop Anya up and squeeze her to his chest, burying his head in her hair. Anya wrapped her arms around him and closed her eyes.
Sonya scanned dark cavern, ready to take on the guards, but they had fled, no doubt frightened by Anya’s mysterious power. Or perhaps the raging demons ready to take their heads.
“Let's get to the ship,” Cale grumbled from out of the darkness.
“Agreed,” Sebastian replied, setting Anya on her feet.
Sonya made her way toward the open corridor, ready to take on anyone who tried to stop them. Hopefully it would be that damn Pirate King.
Anya shouted from behind. “Wait! The book.”
“What book?” Sebastian looked around as if he had missed something.
Anya pointed into the darkness. “I left a book on the ground here, just by the wall.”
Sebastian roamed his gaze across the floor. “Anya, there is no book.”
“There must be.” Anya crouched and patted blindly at the ground. Her vision in the dark was not as well defined as theirs. “It must be here.”
Sebastian took on a concerned look. “There is nothing, love. We must go.”
Anya’s shoulders sank, her expression bleak, but she relented.
Sebastian claimed the lead as they made their way through the stony maze, following the familiar scent of Marada’s metallic tang. He halted his step, placing himself at Anya’s front. Sonya paused behind them, sensing it too.
Danger loomed.
“The ship is just up ahead,” Sebastian whispered. “But we're not alone.”
With a bit more caution, they continued on.
In the distance, a group of dark shadows blocked their way. Sonya steeled herself for battle.
Ethanule stood with five guards on either side of him, weapons drawn. The pirate held a large object in his arms. Sonya tilted her head. Could that be the book Anya spoke of?
“Analia,” the pirate began. “We seem to have gotten off on the wrong foot. I apologize. There are things you need to know. Things about our people.”
The last few words forced an icy chill up Sonya’s spine. Anya had once revealed that she knew nothing of her kind. Didn’t even know where she came from or what she was.
“Our people?” Anya gasped.
“We are the same, you and I.” The pirate lowered his weapon.
Sonya huffed. “Ha! He's lying.” Surely this was a trick. This pirate thought to appeal to Anya’s ignorance and naivety—an undergoing that was far too easy, unfortunately.
Ethanule shot Sonya an indignant look and then reached a hand up to brush his white-blond hair to the side, revealing a pointed ear that resembled Anya’s. Sonya gasped just as Anya sucked in a breath and reached out mindlessly. Sebastian gently held her back by the shoulder.
Ethanule dropped his hand and continued. “I was about to tell you just before your pesky crack to my head. That hurt, by the way.” He gave a crooked smile.
Anya scowled. “Why did you lock us up? Why drug us?”
Sonya jutted her chin, waiting for his response.
“I feared you were being held captive by these demons,” Ethanule said. “There are many who develop an unnatural obsession with our kind. I meant only to protect you.”
Sonya had to admit, he was skilled at personifying sincerity.
“And the lock on my door?” Anya replied.
“In—which it seems to be the case—you were with these demons by choice, I did not want you able to flee before I could speak with you.”
“So you do know what I can do?” Anya hissed.
“I have been told, yes.”
“By who?” she demanded.
Ethanule hesitated, lowering his eyes. He let out a broken breath and replied, “Your father.”
Sonya gasped. A distinct shade of green crawled along Anya’s skin, and Sebastian had to steady her on her feet.
Sonya ground her teeth, not sure what to say or do. Her mind screamed that this couldn’t possibly be right. He was a despicable, lying pirate, and all this was yet another farce.
Ethanule continued in a soft tone. “I can explain everything if you'll let me.”
Anya’s throat visibly worked, but she seemed to regain some composure. “Why did you ask me about Darius?”
“What!” Sebastian bellowed, a hint of the Edge returning to his eyes.
Sonya balled her fist. For years, Darius had held Anya captive, used her, hurt her in unspeakable ways. And if these bastards were in league with him, the walls would drink of their blood.
Ethanule did not look as daunted as he should. “He contacted me. Asked me about a woman fitting Analia's description. I didn't like what I saw in his eyes when he spoke of you, so I told him I'd seen no such female.”
Sonya studied the pirate in detail, but his expression was true and his stance nonthreatening. Even his guards had lowered their weapons.
“We must go, now!” Sebastian motioned his crew forward despite the armed guards still blocking their way.
Ethanule motioned for his men to stand down.
“Tell me Ethanule,” Sebastian growled. “Do you know how far away his ship was when he contacted you?”
“I do not.” Ethanule fell in step beside Sebastian as though to debate a plan of action. “Who is this Darius?”
Sonya answered in a scathing tone, “You spoke of unnatural obsession? Well, he's the prime example.”
Still looking utterly shocked, Anya began firing off questions so quickly, Sonya could hardly keep up. “What of my father? Where is he? How did he know I'd come to be here? How is it he knew to tell you of me? Does he still live? Does he know where I've been?”
Ethanule edged, “As far as I know, he lives. As for the other stuff, we will have plenty of time to speak of it later. Seems the demon's in a hurry.”
Anya halted. Sonya took note of the wild look in her eyes. She wasn’t taking this news well. Likewise, aggression and the desire to rip these bastards apart still burned in Sonya’s veins.
Enunciating each word, Anya demanded, “Does he know where I've been?”
Ethanule gave a heavy sigh and replied, “Analia, it's complicated.” He tried to avert his gaze, but the guilt was clear.
“Do you know?”
He paused. “I've been told very little. But what I was told…I'm…sorry.”
Sonya wondered how this male, or the alleged father, knew anything of Anya’s past. She wanted to rail at him for not doing something about it, if it were indeed the truth.
“It's why I suspected the demons, but now I'm thinking…” Ethanule looked to Sebastian, “Darius?”
Sebastian gave a tight nod, a muscle ticking in his jaw.
“There's much I must explain. It's not as simple as you think. If your father could have done something, I know—”
“Enough,” Anya snapped. There was true pain in her voice. “I don't want to hear any more.” With a firm step, she stomped past them toward the ship.
Sonya would have gone a step further and knocked the son of a bitch on his ass. In fact, maybe she would do Anya a solid. Sebastian seemed to read her intent and shook his head. Sonya sneered, but kept her fists to herself.
“I'm coming with you,” Ethanule informed Sebastian.
Sonya snorted out a humorless laugh.
Sebastian’s expression grew dark. “Is that what you think?”
“Remember, I'm the one in control of all the guns.” The pirate smirked.
Sebastian spared a glance to a nearby guard and kept moving. Bullets hurt, but rarely packed the power to incapacitate a demon.
“It's important that I explain things to her.” Ethanule sounded desperate. “I must stay with her until I can. It's my duty, to my people, my king…”
Sonya scoffed and walked away. There was no time for argument. Not when Darius was sniffing out their trail.
Anya stood by the ship, her shoulders hunched and arms hugging her torso. She appeared to need her solitude, so Sonya veered toward a smooth wall and leaned against it with her arms crossed. Her gaze slipped to Ethanule pleading with Sebastian.
After a moment, Ethanule headed toward Anya…alone. Sonya nearly lunged to hold him back, but Sebastian signaled everyone to give them space. What could he be thinking? The pirate could feed her any manner of nonsense.
Catching her apprehension, Sebastian again motioned for her to stay back. She threw her arms in the air.
They didn’t have time for this!
She narrowed her eyes on Ethanule, hoping to read some of the words he whispered to Anya.
Ethanule smiled at Anya, unaware that he was being watched. Sonya’s teeth clenched. She would love nothing more than to slap that grin right off his face.
Her gaze drifted past his straight nose toward his irises. They were blue, like Anya’s, but different in shade, deeper and filled with a keen intellect…and something else she couldn’t describe.
She jumped as Cale appeared next to her, mimicking her stance against the wall. Sebastian stood nearby as well, not taking his eyes from Anya.
“What do you think?” Cale asked.
“I don't like him,” Sonya grumbled. “I don't trust him. He's a damn pirate. Anya has wanted to find someone like her and then boom, here he is? It's too coincidental.”
Cale nodded. “I would have loved to see Anya crack him over the head.”
Sonya grinned at the visual.
Anya’s lip quivered at someth
ing Ethanule said. Sebastian lurched forward, reaching them in a matter of seconds. Sonya and Cale hurried after him.
“What did he say to you?” Sebastian demanded, barring himself between the two.
Anya burrowed her face in Sebastian’s chest.
Sonya raised an accusing brow at Ethanule, but he didn’t notice. His attention remained on Anya and Sebastian’s embrace, expression stony.
“I told her that our people are at war, and they are depending on her,” Ethanule said.
“I can't think,” Anya mumbled. “Ethanule wants to come with us.” She looked up at Sebastian with mixture of terror and hope. “What do you think?”
“I think you should at least listen to what he has to say.” Sebastian gazed down at Anya.
Sonya opened her mouth to argue.
Sebastian took Anya’s chin between his thumb and forefinger. “Then, if you want, I will kill him for you.”
Sonya gave a curt nod. That was more like it.
With a crooked smile, Ethanule scoffed. “You could try, demon.”
Anya looked him over for a moment and then sighed. “Alright.”
Sonya groaned in defeat.
Oxnel pulled Ethan aside, away from the others. “If you leave, you will be relinquishing your status as leader.”
Ethan patted his friend on the shoulder. “It was never my plan to stay.”
Oxnel’s lips thinned. “Think on what you do. You cannot return and reclaim your position. I could not allow it. You understand?”
Ethan nodded. He would need to challenge not only Oxnel, as the new leader, but also each and every Denaloid for that right. A task that had nearly killed him the first time.
He pointed toward the docked ship. “I wish you luck, but they are my destiny now.”
“Then good luck to you as well,” Oxnel replied, glancing at Marada’s crew. “It appears as though you’re going to need it.”
Ethan smiled. “Indeed.” Convincing the princess’s entourage to trust him fully was going to be arduous. His gift offered him the impression that each of them wanted to knock him on his ass and leave him here. He supposed drugging them and locking them up may not have been the best course of action, but it was in the interest of the princess’s safety. They would have done the same in his position.
