Kyele's Passion: A World Beyond Book 4

by Michelle Howard

Kyele’s shoulders eased as he exchanged looks with Khane. He didn’t have a problem with him going as long as he understood Kyele would be in charge. There was only one question left to ask. “Capture or eliminate?”

  No one in the room flinched.

  “Capture if possible. Having Lothar alive to question would be an asset.”

  Kyele nodded but wasn’t making a guarantee. “I’ll take Creed and Markus.”

  The two men straightened in their chair. Any of the others would do but if Kyele strayed from the mission, they would back him up without question.

  “If that’s all, the meeting is done.” Before anyone could rise to leave Torkel’s demeanor changed, his brown eyes warmed. “Kyele, congratulations on entering the presentation.”

  Surprised glances turned his way and murmurs of congratulations. He sheathed his knife and stood. “I want Joni to be my Chosen.”

  Saying it aloud increased his nerves. It was official now. The message from the Commission arrived in the morning, confirming his request. Throughout the day he contemplated how he’d handle it if Joni changed her mind. How could he go on after knowing her touch, her passion and her love?

  Then he remembered how she looked spread in his bed on the rumpled sheets, her eyes dancing and a smug grin curving her lips. Joni wouldn’t change her mind and the resolve settled in his gut. For the first time he could sincerely say he trusted a female.

  The smile spreading across Jaron’s face contained enough mischief for Kyele to shoot him a warning glare. Though, it did nothing to stop his next statement. “Does she want to be yours is the real question?”

  Kyele didn’t bother answering and left among a round of laughter from the other members of the Unit but it didn’t offend him because under the humor he sensed their happiness for him. For once Kyele got to be happy too.

  ***

  He found Joni eating with her friends. Lissi, Faye, and Sylvie sat at the table with her and each of them seemed to be laughing at some hidden joke. When he approached, they all grew quiet. He was used to the reaction. Joni turned in her seat and pleasure lit her face. He paused to take in her natural reaction to seeing him. Joni leaped out of her seat and curled into his side, one arm going about the back of his waist and the other pressing a palm flat on his mid-section. Everything in him calmed at her touch.

  “How was your meeting?”

  He glanced down at her shining face. “I leave shortly with Creed, Markus and Khane.”

  “But the presentation.” Her smile fell and she stiffened as she sought to pull away.

  Kyele caught her in his arms, refusing to relinquish his hold. “I’ll be back in time for the Chosen ceremony.”

  She nibbled her bottom lip and the temptation to kiss the full mouth covered in glitter proved too hard to resist. He pressed his mouth to hers in a firm kiss intending to be brief but she curled her fingers into his shirt and slipped her tongue between his lips. Kyele groaned and drew her hips forward.

  The whistles and cheers caused him to jerk back. The females watched avidly. Joni patted his cheek, tossing her hair over her shoulder. “I love you. Ignore them.”

  She said it so easily. No expectation implied only a genuine desire to share her feelings. Kyele ran a hand through the loose red waves. She treated him as if he were special and precious. Unfamiliar emotion choked him but he needed her to know she was not alone in risking her heart. “I love you, little Earthling.”

  Her cheeks pinkened and his shaft hardened. Lust spiked in his groin. A typical reaction around Joni but this wasn’t the time or place. She glanced down and discretely caressed the bulge outlined in his pants. Kyele gripped the back of her neck and flexed his fingers in warning. He would not leave the mission more aroused than the kiss already caused.

  With another toss of her hair, she smirked then rejoined the others. “Be careful and remember what we discussed.”

  She referenced his need to make The Collector pay. Kyele for the first time in his life took the coward’s way and inclined his head without answering then strode from the room, his mind on how he could complete the mission and seek vengeance.

  ***

  “Did scary Jutak say he loved you?” Sylvie asked, an impish smile playing about her mouth.

  Joni shrugged, holding in her smug pleasure. Her heart overflowed with love for Kyele and nothing could distract from the feeling.

  Faye grinned. “I think it’s sweet.”

  “Sweet? We’re talking about Kyele, right?” Sylvie placed her hand on Faye’s forehead. “Is the pregnancy making you ill?”

  Lissi chuckled. “It is nice to see him content. Joni brings him happiness and I for one like it.”

  Joni winked at Lissi. “You’re the smart one sitting at the table.”

  “Hey!” Faye and Sylvie protested at the same time.

  Laughing, Joni directed the attention to both of them. “How are your men handling the baby planning?”

  “Torkel is better but he watches me closely as if the baby will explode from my stomach at any moment. I told him we have months to prepare.” Faye glanced at Sylvie who bounced in her seat.

  “I think Arak’s papan is more excited than both of us and his maman is planning a visit. Arak’s little sisters are driving her crazy and they want to meet their brother.”

  Arak’s maman, a full Argoran shifter, lived with her mate on Argora and their two daughters while he had remained with his papan on Enotia.

  Conversation continued with plans for the babies who would arrive very close together. Joni enjoyed listening to her friends. When she’d signed for the Singles Program on Earth this was what she’d wished for and now she had it in spite of all the difficulty she’d gone through to get it. Pride stiffened her back. The Marenians hadn’t broken her nor had they destroyed her dreams and one day she and Kyele would welcome children with the same excitement and anticipation as Sylvie and Faye.

  ***

  Markus, Creed and Khane crouched beside Kyele at the back door of a tunnel they’d discovered, which lead into the building housing the Marenian’s latest slave auction. From the exterior it appeared to be a common bar. In fact, the owners of Siim’s originally intended to use it to entertain off-world visitors but the planet’s dry clime and barren landscape negated their plans. Now it sat unused, its ragged appearance a reminder of what could have been. Or it did until the Marenians moved in with their criminal activity.

  Kyele adjusted the mask over his face and checked his face shield for a secure fit. The others mimicked his actions with their own equipment. The heavy dust blowing in the air built at an incredible rate and clogged lungs to the point breathing became difficult after long term exposure.

  “Ready?” Kyele asked, withdrawing his laser.

  He received affirmative grunts and took the lead, kicking the door in. It splintered from the impact of his boot. No alarm sounded thanks to Jaron disabling it. They charged in, ducked low and raced down the dusty interior. Loud bidding echoed from ahead leading to one of the rooms further down. Kyele signaled with a fist up and they stopped behind him.

  “Jaron said Lothar allegedly arrived this morning and Vee believes he’ll stay to the back and not in the front where customers can see him.”

  Dim light at the end of the tunnel represented their objective. On one side of a stage a crowd awaited with the intent to purchase beings forced into sexual servitude. The slaves should be in the back and they’d have to be careful not to harm any of them in their efforts to capture the head of the ring. Lothar had a proven history of disposing of slaves and those around him without regard for the lives lost.

  “Khane you and Markus head to the front and mingle with the buyers. See if you can confirm of visual of Lothar or Arlo.” Arlo was of particular interest to Kyele since one of the males he tortured claimed the Marenian had knowledge of the attack.

  Markus removed his mask and filter, placing both in his pocket. He withdrew a plain shirt from his pack and slid it over the highly recognizable
uniform with the Jutak emblem on the front. Khane did the same but paused at the entryway into the front room. “Remember to stay focused on the mission, Kyele. We’re here for Lothar.”

  Lips pressed tight, Kyele secured his weapon and pulled out his knife. “I know.”

  Creed remained silent at his side. After another moment, Markus and Khane disappeared through the door. Kyele turned away immediately, footsteps light as he moved toward the back.

  “I follow your lead, Kyele. Whatever you need,” Creed muttered in his comm.

  Kyele exhaled, a veil of calm falling over him as they walked into the staging area for the sex slaves. Cages lined one wall containing women and men in various stages of dress with a few completely nude. Bruises were visible on many and Kyele shoved back the memory of Joni being in a similar situation. She was safe back on Enotia. Her nightmare was over.

  As he and Creed walked past the first cages, the occupants cried out and shied away. Anger swirled inside his chest and the burning in his eyes hinted they were probably glowing.

  “Jutak. Jutak.” A few murmured.

  Creed cursed violently drawing Kyele’s attention. His teammate knelt beside a crate crammed in a corner. Blood and other fluid covered the bars and the floor. Kyele’s lungs seized at the sight of the occupant. He walked over and gripped Creed’s shoulder to keep him from reaching inside. Curled in the corner sat a girl who could have been Suravi’s age. Thin and filthy she shivered when she met their gazes. Dirt tracks lined her cheeks.

  “I cannot leave her, Kyele. Do not ask me.”

  They saw many things like this but at times it hit closer to the core of what made them Jutaks.

  “If we take care of Lothar, everyone in here will be freed.” Kyele waited, knowing time was of the essence.

  At some point the guards would return to check on the merchandise or hear the growing excitement of the prisoners. The gleam in the eyes of the captives once they recognized Jutak warriors threatened to expose them. A few would stay silent because they wanted to be rescued but the others would cry out to the guards. The desolation in their eyes said they’d lost hope and turning in elite warriors might garner them leeway during their imprisonment.

  Creed stood. Beneath his mask, his eyes burned and waves of anger pulsed from him. “Let’s find him.”

  “You check there.” Kyele pointed to a narrow passage that lead to a closed door. “I’ll go this way.”

  “Comm if you need me or run into Lothar.”

  They parted, stealth in every move. Kyele kept his back to the wall and halted at a dead end. No rooms or offices this way. “Nothing here. Markus, Khane do you have eyes on target?”

  “No visuals,” Markus spoke in a murmur, the low hum of voices trickling in via the comm as well.

  “He might not be here. Jaron gave us limited time. If we can’t verify, we need to signal for Torkel and Team One to evac the premises and arrest those present,” Khane added.

  Torkel made it clear rescuing any slaves was the priority if they couldn’t find Lothar. He was adamant about not leaving them behind to suffer at the hands of the Marenians. As a result Team One awaited Kyele’s contact before they moved in.

  If Creed didn’t find any sign of Lothar, Kyele would notify the team. Saving others from this fate ruled out his need to see to those who’d abused Joni.

  “Affirmative.” He switched to a separate channel to reach Creed directly. “Creed, status report.”

  Nothing.

  Kyele tried again but received the same lack of a response. His brows furrowed and a wave of trepidation shot through him. Creed not answering wasn’t good. He was reliable without fail. The idea the Jutak could have run into something he couldn’t handle was plausible, though the odds were minimum. He wouldn’t panic since a comm malfunction could be to blame. A simple check down the other hall to the office where they’d split would give him the answer to the other man’s whereabouts.

  Kyele turned and froze. Standing feet away was a Marenian holding a laser aimed at him. Horns curved from his head amidst shoulder length black hair. Dark brown eyes narrowed, taking his measure.

  “Jutak.”

  Kyele didn’t bother denying his identity while mentally running through his options. Torkel wanted this quiet and clean. He should at least attempt to give his Unit Leader what he wanted. Kyele shifted forms and flew toward the slaver. Seconds away from contact, he shifted and plowed his fist into the large man’s midsection and swiped up with his arm, causing the laser to slip from his hold and land behind them.

  The Marenian lunged for him and grabbed Kyele by the neck, slamming him into the wall. Kyele didn’t put up a struggle. This wasn’t the one he wanted. Arlo had a distinctive crooked horn.

  “I know you,” the Marenian snarled as they stared across at one another. “You’re the rabid one. An animal running wild under the Jutak leader, Torkel.”

  Arak. Kyele forced a smirk to his lips. “I think you have me confused with my friend.”

  The Marenian snorted. “No. You’re crazier than the half-Argoran.”

  “You’re right.” Kyele eased his knife out and pressed it directly against the groin within reach. His lips tipped up in the corner as the Marenian’s gaze dropped down to take in his precarious position.

  To his surprise the Marenian laughed. Then the barrel of a laser tapped Kyele’s temple. Kyele never noticed him drawing the second weapon. Tension filled the moment. Neither of them lowered their guard as they aimed at one another. Moments ticked by. With a plunge of his blade Kyele could sever arteries and the Marenian would bleed out and just as easily the Marenian could pull the trigger.

  The question of who was faster lay in the open, yet neither wanted to be the slowest in this circumstance.

  “Kyele, get out of there. Markus and Khane have been spotted. We’re coming in hot and the timer on the explosives are set,” Jaron’s voice in the comm at his ear was a relief.

  Khane set the explosives as soon as they arrived but only Jaron held remote access to detonate in case they ran into trouble. The Marenian leaned close enough to hear every word.

  Kyele arched a brow. “Looks like we have two choices. Stay and die or allow each other to go.”

  “You’re with the Jutak Torkel Alonson, aren’t you?”

  There was a note in his voice, Kyele couldn’t identify. An eagerness for the answer glittered from the Marenian’s eyes. The nose, the set of the eyes…there was nothing to connect the two but recognition clicked and he suddenly knew who this was.

  “Niko, Lothar’s son, aren’t you?” Kyele framed the question the same way.

  The slow smile on Niko’s face did not reassure nor did he confirm. Kyele mentally prepared to fight in order to get out of this. He had Joni waiting for him. At last there was someone he could reach out to who would accept him. Stained soul and all. He could shift, kill Niko and meet Jaron and the team in the time it took to blink. If the Marenian didn’t pull the trigger reflexively.

  The door burst open and Torkel stormed in. He came to an abrupt halt when he spotted Kyele in a standoff with the Marenian. “What are you waiting for?”

  Khane rushed through the door next, confusion lighting his eyes at the tableau before him. The right sleeve of Khane’s uniform was completely missing and his hood was pushed back revealing his sweat soaked features. Both men held their lasers sights on the Marenian.

  “Release him!” Torkel ordered.

  Niko tightened his grip on Kyele’s throat, forcing his head to tilt at a painful angle. The hold impaired his breathing and his pulse sped up.

  Niko smirked, eyeing the three of them. Then he focused on Khane. “Mating bands? And you without your mate.” He snorted on a laugh. “That’s rich.”

  Khane let out a low snarl, his face flushing.

  “Another time Jutaks.” Niko offered an odd salute, blaster to his temple. His gaze paused on Torkel before he leaped straight up and swung his legs over the rafter of the industrial piping that made u
p the ceiling. Khane and Torkel fired but Nikol was on his feet instantly, racing away.

  Torkel let out a string of curses and rammed his fist into the nearby wall. Kyele sheathed his knife and glanced at Khane.

  “Don’t ask,” Khane said, pain evident in his grimace.

  “How long?” Torkel braced a shoulder under Khane’s arm as the male suddenly leaned to the side.

  “Seven years. My first Jutak assignment undercover. I was transferred to your Unit right after.”

  Torkel stared.

  “I don’t talk about it,” Khane repeated. “Ever.”

  “Torkel, Khane and Kyele, you need to get out now! Creed and Markus managed to evacuate the slaves who didn’t flee at our approach. Geile and Gregir secured several guards attempting to escape as well.”

  Torkel helped Khane as they rushed back the way they came. His Unit Leader glanced at Kyele from the side of his eyes. “Any luck on Lothar?”

  “No sign.”

  Lothar didn’t do anything according to plan. The man was obviously smarter than they gave him credit. If he’d planned to intend initially something must have changed his mind and the decision saved him from being in the custody of Jutaks this very moment.

  Torkel nodded and they all made their way out.

  ***

  The Jutaks reached their waiting shuttle with little time to spare. Explosives boomed, breaking the quiet of the night. The roof of Siims caved into the pressure as another round of explosives went off. Engines fired and the craft rose on a metallic whine and shot straight up into the sky.

  Nikol’s chest squeezed and the increasing pressure made him gasp. Nikol had lost his ability to believe in love a long time ago. He’d done things he could never take back. His hands twitched. No one would ever be able to scrub the stain from his fingers. He curled them into fists. These tools brought down more criminals than he’d helped.

  “What do you want us to do, Niko? The army has been summoned and are closing in. The Jutak scum destroyed everything and we lost our precious inventory.”