by Morgan Hawke
The rehkyt moved cautiously toward the robed man, his chin up and his body tense. He towered head and shoulders over the smaller Skeldhi. The rehkyt took the smaller man’s hands, trembled hard, and dropped to his knees as though felled by a blow.
The Skeldhi sucked in a sharp breath and closed his eyes, gripping the other man’s hands.
Khan nodded. Fast impression. Good match.
Fallon blinked. Wow ...
The leather-clad Skeldhi handed the robed man the chain lead.
The rehkyt released his new owner’s hands and lifted his chin so that the lead could be attached to his chain collar.
The entire audience murmured.
The rehkyt rose to his feet and walked off stage following the smaller man.
The bell rang again.
The energy grid blocking the stairs disappeared.
Khan held out his hand. “The sword.”
Fallon jolted hard but pulled the sword from her sash. “It’s my turn?” Her mouth went dry and she had to swallow. “‘Syr?”
Khan took the sheathed sword from her hands. “Go up the stairs. You’re permitted to look at the audience in this instance.”
“Great ...” Fallon wiped her damp hands on her blue sash.
Sobehk rolled his eyes. “Oh, I almost forgot. That has to come off, too.” He leaned forward and tugged the sash free from Fallon’s hips.
Fallon’s chest tightened. Without Khan’s sword and Sobehk’s sash, she suddenly felt naked and exposed in a way that had nothing to do with bare skin.
“A’syr Sobehk?”
Fallon, Khan, and Sobehk froze. All three looked up the glass-lined aisle steps.
A pair of older men came toward them. One man wore pale yellow and cream robes with a heavy bronze over-robe. The other was in copper and scarlet with a black over-robe. They reeked of money and power.
Fallon frowned. They looked ... familiar. They were familiar. They were the two men with the prince.
Sobehk straightened and pasted on a smile. “Ehnya’dhyt Dhuet and Ehnya’dhyt Sehnby, I’m honored.”
Fallon eyed Sobehk. He wasn’t honored; he was suspicious as fury.
Khan casually examined the band on his wrist. He gave Fallon a look of complete triumph. Get behind me and do not let them touch you.
Them? Fallon moved behind him and frowned. It can’t be that simple.
Most crimes committed are incredibly simple. Khan lowered his chin and stepped forward, next to Sobehk. And for the most mundane of reasons.
Both councilors stopped a full sword-length away. The councilor on the right tugged on his black robes and lowered his chin, peering directly at Sobehk. “I would like to restate my original offer to buy your rehkyt .”
Sobehk politely lifted his chin and briefly flicked his gaze away. “I’m honored, Ehnya’dhyt Dhuet, however ...”
“I’ll double my offer.”
Ehnya’dhyt Sehnby, on the left, settled his bronze robes closer around him and smiled at his companion. “I’ll triple mine.”
Sobehk straightened to his full height, but his eyes widened. “‘Syrs, I don’t understand, why do you want my rehkyt so badly?” A thought speared toward Khan. You’d think they’d have figured out by now that their money and positions are not going to impress me into selling her to them.
Khan’s mouth tightened briefly. It normally works on the lower ranks. Most A’syr would sell to them just for the right to brag that they sold to a councilor. They’re not used to dealing with your sheer stubbornness.
Ehnya’dhyt Sehnby smiled briefly and tilted his head in a slightly less aggressive posture than his black-robed companion. “The prince is my nephew, my sister’s son. He has spoken of nothing but her since he saw her ... I thought she would make the perfect gift.”
Ehnya’dhyt Dhuet curled his lip and folded back the sleeves of his black robe, revealing the scarlet sleeve under it. “That’s all well and fine, but the boy needs a proper bodyguard that he will actually remain with.” He gave Sobehk a sour smile. “The prince has a habit of locking his guards out of his rooms.” His smile disappeared. “Sooner or later, this habit will cost him his life.”
Fallon frowned. They didn’t sound like they were looking for an assassin.
People lie. Khan’s thoughts shimmered with derision.
“Oh, and one other thing.” Ehnya’dhyt Sehnby lifted his brows and smiled. “It seems that there is some question to the validity of your ownership, A’syr Sobehk. Would you be so kind as to allow your rehkyt to be tested?” He stepped to the side.
A’syr Mohr was revealed behind them in his gray medic’s robes. He stared hard at Sobehk, his mouth tight, his hands firmly behind him.
Fallon felt a growl rising in her chest. He must have finally recognized Khan and figured out what they were doing.
Sobehk narrowed his gaze on Mohr. “The ownership of my rehkyt was tested at the doors of this hall.”
Mohr’s gaze focused on Fallon, bypassing Khan completely.
Fallon’s frown deepened. Mohr wasn’t acting like he recognized Khan. But if he didn’t recognize Khan, and one of them had the other half of the code, then ... What in fury was going on?
Ehnya’dhyt Sehnby’s gaze chilled. “Yes, but how thoroughly?”
Ehnya’dhyt Dhuet rolled his eyes.
Fallon felt some kind of tense communication pass between Sobehk and Khan, bypassing her completely.
Sobehk smiled coldly. “May I suggest another way to determine rightful ownership, councilors?”
All three men focused on Sobehk.
Sobehk deliberately lowered his chin and smiled, baring his long teeth. “Purchase.”
Khan grabbed Fallon by the arm and propelled her up the short flight of stairs and onto the stage. The energy grid snapped closed behind her, locking her in.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
A sea of shadowed, staring figures and their hushed whispers washed and eddied all the way around the circular stage.
Fallon suddenly and viscerally understood why the rehkyt male had paced and smelled of fear. The complete attention of all those people and the total lack of any place to hide brought the hair up on her neck and soaked her back with sweat.
She reached out to Khan and Sobehk, wondering what was going on, and touched ... nothing. They were gone.
Fallon’s heart hammering in her chest, she moved back toward the stairs. They weren’t there either. The aisle was empty. Shit ... She was alone.
Alone with a million people staring at her.
She started pacing from one end of the stage to the other, just to keep from screaming. She had no idea what was going on. If they were bidding -- or fighting, there was no way of knowing. There was no sound but whispers and the clicking of her boot heels. For an eternity.
The bell sounded.
Fallon nearly jumped out of her skin. It was over. Her inner chrono stated that only thirty-five minutes had passed. Her head lifted and she looked around. There was no trace of anyone headed for the stage. Where in bleeding fury were they?
Movement at the back of the stage caught her eye. Someone came up the steps swathed from head to foot and beyond in a long heavy crimson and gold court robe tied with a black and gold sash. A deep hood obscured the face completely.
The energy grid parted.
The pungent scent of warmed silk and heavy spice obscured the scent of his body, but Fallon could tell it was definitely a Skeldhi male.
He stepped onto the stage. In a calm, smooth stride, he moved toward the center of the stage.
Oh ... shit ...She backed away, bared her long teeth, and growled in warning.
He stopped in the center of the stage. He extended his arms forward and turned his left wrist up. A knife flashed.
The sea of whispers became a hushed sighing of expectation.
Blood spattered the smooth black floor. The perfume of warm copper richness filled her nose.
Fallon froze and her growl stopped cold. She knew that sce
nt.
The figure tilted his head up and she saw copper eyes. Khan smiled and whispered. “Come.”
Mindless with relief, Fallon lunged across the stage. Thank the Maker. I was going freaking insane! The overwhelming scent of his blood filled her head. Urgent, raging hunger for the taste of his blood exploded within her. The sheer physical intensity was as terrifying as it was sudden. She stopped a pace away and trembled. She needed ... A small whimper escaped. She needed ...him .
Khan spread his other hand flat out and lowered it. “Down, get down.”
Her eyes locked on the rivulet of crimson dripping from his wrist, she dropped to her knees and opened her mouth. Want ...
Khan pressed his bleeding wrist to her mouth.
She grabbed him around the legs and sank her teeth into his wrist around the cut. She swallowed a burning mouthful. Something around her heart unknotted. She moaned.
Khan gasped and staggered just a little. He caught the back of her ponytail with his other hand and turned her head toward the audience.
The audience released a collective sigh.
Fallon barely saw the people staring with rapt attention. She leaned her cheek against his thigh, sucking hard. She swallowed a second mouthful. Every drop of fear and tension disappeared. She slumped just a little against his legs.
Enough. Khan groaned and pulled his wrist away.
Fallon made a sound of protest, but she released him.
Khan grinned and lifted his wrist to his mouth to lick the wounds. Any more and you’ll be intoxicated.
Fallon licked her lips for the last taste. So? Her gaze was drawn to the drops of scarlet on the shining floor.
Khan’s eyes narrowed. Don’t you dare lick the floor. He pulled his black chain collar and matching lead from his sash.
Fallon smiled and lifted her chin. I’m not that feral .
With you? One never knows. Khan unfastened the steel chain from around her throat and tucked it into his sash. You continue to surprise me. He snapped his black chain collar and its matching lead around her throat. His gaze slid to the people all around. Shall we go?
Fallon lunged up onto her feet and grabbed him in a sudden hug. Thank you.
Khan rocked back on his heels and set an arm around her, holding her close. For what?
Oh, I dunno ...Fallon turned her face into the neck of his hood. I’ll think of something.
Khan snorted and gently pushed her back. Enough, let’s get off this stage. I’m sweltering in this robe.
Fallon followed Khan down the stairs at the back of the stage, staring at the design embroidered in heavy gold on the back of his robe. The design was the same one as his tattoo, only this time she could see what it was, a predatory raptor with a gold disk over its head. The wings were arched down as though soaring upward. Where are we going? Where’s Sobehk?
Khan headed up the nearest aisle and the lift at the end. You and I are going to the suite next to Sobehk’s. I’m expecting a visit from a very upset young prince. Sobehk is waiting for us one level up.
People stood to watch them pass, apparently trying to see Khan’s carefully averted face.
Fallon focused on her feet as she followed him up the stairs rather than the people staring. That reminds me, did you get them?
The councilors? Khan’s anger washed hot and heavy through the link. No. One does not arrest an Ehnya’dhyt in public, never mind two. My men will take them in the halls quietly.
Fallon stopped at Khan’s side by a polished lift door. Which one had the code?
Khan hit the call button on the wall. There was no way to tell with them standing that close together. I’ll have to check them both personally as soon as they’re collected.
The lift door opened. Ehnya’dhyt Sehnby smiled from just within the lift doors. Against either side of the lift were two thoroughly human men in familiar uniforms, their bolt rifles pointed directly at Khan’s broad chest.
Fallon sucked in a sharp breath. Moribund Company goons ... And neither she nor Khan had swords.
Ehnya’dhyt Sehnby dropped his chin. “Why don’t you join me, Ehnya’dhyt Khansu?” His gaze focused on Fallon. “I wish to congratulate you on your new purchase.”
Khan dropped her lead and lunged, snarling, into the lift, shoving the councilor against the back wall hard with his arm against the other man’s throat.
Ehnya’dhyt Sehnby gasped as he stared at Khan. “You!” He grabbed hold of Khan’s arms. “Impostor!” He snarled, snapping his long teeth in Khan’s face.
Fallon lunged into the lift, snarling and lashing out at the guards with her booted feet.
Khan bared his teeth at Fallon. “Get the fuck away!”
Fallon felt the command slam through her collar. She jerked back out of the lift. “No!”
The door closed as the guards converged on Khan’s struggling form.
“Khan!” She slammed her fist on the door. “Damn you!” She closed her eyes and reached, screaming through the collar’s link. Sobehk!
Noise erupted around her.
Fallon turned to find armored guards and men in robes running at her. She didn’t think, she dove under the seats and bolted on hands and knees. Sobehk!
An eternity of running under seats, dodging hands and hiding in shadows passed.
Isabeau! Sobehk’s mental voice was furious and terrified, all at the same time. Where are you?
Sobehk? Fallon poked her head up from behind a seat. Here! She looked about. I don’t see you!
I’m in front of one of the lifts. A trickle of relief threaded his voice.
Fallon’s gaze was drawn to the glowing sapphire blue figure standing before a lift two doors away. His formal over-robe was gone, but it was Sobehk.
I’m coming! Lunging over the tops of seats, she dodged grabbing hands and shouting figures. She dove into the aisle and bolted to Sobehk’s side, grabbing his robes with both hands.
Sobehk shoved her behind him and held up his hands. “I have her! It’s all right! Was anyone hurt?”
The guards insisted that all she did was run. Even though she was supposed to be a dangerous Prime, no one was bitten or harmed in any way. Their mouths curved in derision. They were not impressed.
“You’d rather she’d lost control and attacked?” Sobehk bared his teeth at them. “Do you have any idea what she’s capable of?”
The guards and a surprising number of the robed dignitaries backed up. Apparently more than a few had seen the ship’s vid on the news broadcast. Apologies and compliments on her admirable control spilled from multiple throats.
Sobehk turned and hit the lift call button. “I’ll get her back to her owner.”
The guards and the rest of the crowd dispersed in a hurry.
The door opened. Fallon stood, releasing Sobehk’s robes and.
Sobehk pushed her into the lift. “Where’s Khan?”
Khan ...Fallon dropped to her knees as though struck. “They took him!” She turned and knotted her fingers into his robes. “They took him!” Sudden white-hot rage seared through her. She lunged back onto her feet, tugging on the front of his robes. “I have to get him back!”
“Isabeau!” Sobehk grabbed her upper arms, his blue eyes hot with anger. “Who took him?”
Fallon’s lips curled back and hate boiled in her snarling voice. “Ehnya’dhyt Sehnby and the Moribund Company.”
“What?” Sobehk’s face went slack. “Ehnya’dhyt Sehnby? Then it must have been him with the code to make you an assassin.”
“Fuck that!” Fallon’s claws dug into his robes. “I have to get Khan back! ”
Sobehk shook his head. “Wait, this doesn’t make any sense! Why did they take him and not you?”
“Because the arrogant idiot threw himself into the lift and then ordered me out of it!” She released Sobehk so she could slam her foot against the lift wall. It made a very satisfactory bang. “I’m going to kick --”Bang! “-- his fucking --”Bang! “-- ass!” Bang! “For doing something so stupid! ”
She kicked the wall twice, leaving a rather satisfying dent in the metal.
Sobehk paced. “I’ll get his men on it.”
“Good idea. You do that.” Fallon paced the other way, thinking hard and fast. “You nail those fuckers to the wall while I go get him.”
Sobehk jerked to a halt. “You what? ”
Fallon stopped by the lift panel. “I couldn’t get him before, because the lifts wouldn’t open for me. I’m in one now. Now, I can go get him. I’ll notify you as soon as I have him.”
“Oh, Blood and Chaos, no, you won’t!” Sobehk’s brows dipped and a growl rumbled. “You’re not going anywhere without me!”
Fallon growled. “You are not getting hurt again trying to do something I can do better!”
The lift door opened behind Sobehk.
Sobehk snarled. “What the fuck can you do that I can’t?”
Fallon lashed out and kicked him in the hip.
Sobehk flew backwards out of the lift and landed on his back in a carpeted hallway. He gasped and sat up. “Isabeau!”
Fallon stuck her head out of the lift door. “If he’s anywhere on this station, I can find him. You can’t.” She pulled her head back in, and the door closed.
His fist thumped against the outside of the door. Isabeau! Are you out of your mind? Panic colored his thoughts.
Fallon moved to the lift panel. Sobehk, I’ve been stealing people from the Moribund Company most of my life. She pulled one of Khan’s thin stiletto daggers from the seam of her boot. I’ll get him, but I need you to be ready to come get us once I get him out.
Isabeau, this is insane! There was less panic in his mental voice, and more anger.
No, it’s not. Trust me. I know what I’m doing. She jammed the dagger into the panel’s seam and peeled a corner of it back. Go get his men, and be ready to move fast. This won’t take long.
How much time do you need? His panic was definitely fading, and determination was replacing his temper burst with something much colder and far more vicious.
That depends on how far away he is. As soon as I have him, I’ll contact you. She poked through the wires and microprocessors. The damned thing was in here somewhere; there was always one in a lift panel. I have to concentrate. I’ll contact you as soon as I know something.
