“It’s … possible. Perhaps this is unrelated to the problems we’ve had on Myrrh. But, keep an eye on the five men—I don’t want them to know anything about the plan. Head back with them to our Adrielian Headquarters, but I want you—and only you—to be at the rendezvous. Watch your back.”
“It’s curious, though,” Darius wondered. “If our antagonist is a Revolutionary, why would he want to do all this?”
“He may only want to exchange the princess for riches. If he wants her dead, it must be some sort of personal quest.”
“But, who would want to kill her?”
“You forget, Darius, that small minds envy great power. She would be the queen. Some hate her for her eminence.”
The dark man glanced sidelong at the green eyes. “Then you, my friend, should be the most hated man on Adriel.”
***
Sarra paced the stone floor, her gaze fleeting to and fro from Raine to the large window. He stood with his hands behind his back, staring up at the cold gray sky. It had held his fascination ever since they had entered this room, a suite adjoining a small shipping port, one of the few buildings in this Kalcoonian village.
“What are you watching for?” she finally cried. “Do you think that the assassin will come?”
“No. I’m waiting for a ship.”
“What ship? Ohhh, no—where are we going now?”
“The end of the road,” he whispered.
“What?”
He turned around, looking ruggedly handsome in his long mosaic coat. “The end of the road,” he repeated. “Your father is complying with my demands.”
Her eyes flew open wide. “You mean—”
“You’ll soon be free.”
Sarra stumbled backward and found the bed, and sat. She gaped at his somber face, scarcely daring to believe that it was true. She rose and moved about erratically, anxiously wringing her hands. “This is … news.”
“Like a dream come true?” he quipped.
She nodded, but didn’t feel so convinced. It was what she had wanted for what seemed ages, but now that the time was here …
He stepped into her path, placing his hands on her shoulders. Something in the warm way his green eyes searched her made her shyly look away.
“We’ve had a good time, all things considered,” he said softly. “I’ll miss you when I’m alone in my bed. But we can be together sometimes, on Adriel. Now that I know that you really do want me.”
“What?” she gasped, and moved away from him.
“You want me. You told me so.”
“No, I didn’t!”
“You sure did. ‘I want you,’ you said. ‘Take me away to the stars. We could run away.’”
The words were hauntingly familiar, making her horrified. “That night—I was intoxicated! Surely you don’t believe—”
“I know. Tamfonite works better than any sophisticated truth serum.”
Sarra felt like he had just stripped her naked, leaving her without secrets—or dignity.
“Of course,” he said as he began to aimlessly pace, “in reality we couldn’t run away. “But we could visit the stars. We could set up a rendezvous—that is, if you would let yourself see beyond your pride—I wouldn’t want an army to ambush me. We could meet at times when you are lonely … yearning. You shall be my mistress. It may take a while for you to accept the situation—maybe it wouldn’t work, at all. But truly, even you can’t deny this—shall we say—unique sexual bond that we have together.”
Sarra gawked at him like he was a creature of the likes she’d never seen before. “Incredible! You would make a princess your mistress and give it no more thought than you would for a whore!”
“No, I’d give little consideration to a whore. With you, I would be besieged with regards. You are a magnificent … sensual woman …”
As he came near—lustily—she skittered away to the far side of the room and held up her fist in warning. “You are forgetting something, aren’t you? The FAS will get you! Blessed will be that day!”
He thrust his hands onto his hips, scowling. “So stubborn. Don’t you know by now that I’ll always escape the snare?”
Sarra strove to keep her frustration off of her face. “The time will come.”
“I’ll slip away.”
“No,” she said levelly. “You are not invincible. You may have gotten what you wanted from my father, but I know it wasn’t as easy as you presumed. All your changes of plans … I don’t know—since you’re so afraid to tell me—but could it be that my father’s men have been a bit too clever for you, always keeping you on the run?” she taunted.
“Merely a brief delay in the triumph of justice.”
“What did my father have to give you, anyway?”
He shrugged. “Guns.”
“Guns! You will ransom me for illegal weapons?”
“It’s a little more than that.”
“What? Oh—I see! You want more M-5s so you can truly make war, and—”
He sighed, weary of it all. “You’ll find out soon enough. We’ve only a few days left, Princess. Let’s make the best of them.”
Sarra tried to evade him, but she couldn’t escape his embrace. Tears reached her eyes while he kissed her, long and deep; he knew that this would make her yield. She was weak and dizzy when he reluctantly pulled away.
“Damn!” he uttered. “It’s here.”
She caught a glimpse of the ship out the window as it began a vertical landing into the port.
Sarra’s dour mood hadn’t lessened when she was on the bridge of the CC-D spacecraft, one nearly identical to the one that had crashed on Myrrh but modified somewhat to suit the needs of its Kalcoonian owner. Raine—as bossy as always—snapped his orders to the two Kalcoonian crewmen who went about readying the vessel for a long flight. He had more patience with Chonna, the commander, treating him with respect—at least, as much respect as a savage could muster.
When he came near her, she purposely narrowed her eyes. “Where are you taking me now?” she asked testily.
“A safe place.”
“Where?”
“Somewhere.”
“So, the whole trip in an ice-box?” she accused, motioning at the beasts.
“No. It will be just you and me, love.”
She cursed vehemently, not wanting to let him know that that was what she was hoping for.
He chuckled and nudged her down into a chair. “Relax. I’ll be right back.”
He disappeared beyond the doors with a Kalcoonian crewman. Chonna and the other one remained behind, eyeing her warily a moment before continuing on with their business. In a huff she crossed her arms and turned to look down on the empty piers in the idle port.
She wrinkled her nose, recalling his philosophical proposal. How unfair it was that he believed that she wanted him even after she was free! But, he wasn’t stupid—he had to know that she couldn’t succumb to being his mistress. No doubt he’d just slip away for forever, escaping the punishment for his crimes.
“There has to be a way!” she whispered.
If she could somehow contact the Adrielian Embassy on the space station above the planet, she could make certain that he would be captured and brought to trial.
Guiding her chair around, she studied command control. She fought off the impulse to run for the door, knowing that she wouldn’t get far. She longed to possess one of the laser guns the Kalcoons had in their vests. A ‘sto’, meaning ‘protector’ in Kalcoonian, was somewhat different than an M-5—being longer and thicker—but the end result of the weapon’s current was the same.
The inspiration struck her like a bolt out of the blue. A smile spread slowly across her face. She’d show Raine Nicks how much she ‘wanted’ him!
Sarra summoned up a happy mood. As she neared the beasts, they became alert, in a battle stance.
“Hel TrenTay,” she said gruffly, meaning: ‘I thank you.’
The duo looked confused.
“Sver?” C
honna asked suspiciously. Why?
“Hel shoo min Adriel. Bashery!” I’ll be free soon. At last!
They relaxed, believing that her presence was less of a threat. She hid her smugness behind her friendly face. “Kan brena. Hel troont!” Kan is nice. I’ll be back!
It can be quite imposing when a Kalcoon smiles. She somehow didn’t cringe, seeing all their sharp and jagged teeth.
“Daray!” the crewman said, politely. Please do!
When she began moving, they became cautious again. She put her hands behind her back, roaming around as if merely curious about the bridge. “Pru Tay shoo abi?” Are you coming, also?
“Tunn.” No.
Absently, she touched the comm panel.
Promptly, the commander was there by her side. “Trant cra cra!” Don’t touch!
“Blen!” she apologized.
She hugged her coat tighter about her. “Hel syto! Acu?” I’m cold. How do I get comfortable?
He rushed off an explanation she couldn’t quite comprehend, but she nodded like she understood.
Sarra desperately attempted to hide her nervousness. She must hurry—Raine could return at any moment!
She rubbed an arm of her coat, pretending to marvel about the soft fur. “Brena,” she said. Nice. With sudden interest, she glanced at the behemoth’s arm. “Woochay. Helig?” Curious. May I?
He crooned out an embarrassed sound and held out his limb for her. She fought off her repulsion as she touched the matted, bristly hair, hoping that she looked pleased while inspecting his elbow, moving up toward his vest …
And then she had it. She sprang backward, set the sto on the ‘kill’ setting, and aimed it. The other Kalcoon sluggishly drew his weapon, but she was quick to caution him with hers. “Tunn!” she warned.
He dropped his firearm and retreated.
Sarra had never possessed such a fluent Kalcoonian tongue while she snarled off her threats to the startled creatures. She took the weapon up off the floor, made them give up the remote, and locked the doors. She forced the crewman to stand helplessly by the exit and sat the captain down at the helm.
“Call up security!” she commanded in Kalcoonian.
He just sat there, silently.
“You own this ship—you know how! Do it now, before you anger me!” she communicated.
His thick fingers punched in his password, and soon he had access to the security system.
“Call up ignition control,” she ordered.
“Tunn!” he protested.
“Do it!”
His secret code came onto the panel.
“I need access in,” she urged, calmer now.
Very reluctantly, Chonna gave up the sequence that would give her free reign over the ship’s engines.
Then, with the help of the sto, she proceeded to lock her two prisoners in the bath.
Back on the bridge, the computer’s masculine voice periodically requested her instructions. “Computer,” she said. “Void the previous ignition code. Change the code to …”
As she thought of Raine, the new password popped into her head. “I won!”
The computer converted her words into numbers, locking the code in its memory; in order for the ship to start again, the words ‘I won’ would have to be deployed. She then exited the controls, with the spacecraft under her power.
She briefly praised herself for her knowledge. Her desire to be a star pilot had given her an unquenchable thirst for learning all about the intricacies of common ships. She had wanted to be ready if—perhaps one day—her dream would come true. But, not today, it wouldn’t. It wasn’t her intent to steal the ship; she didn’t quite dare attempt a manual docking at the space station all by her inexperienced self. She’d contact the diplomats and have them come down. This would be far less risky.
She sat at the comm and succeeded in finding a direct channel.
A man’s voice replied, “Kan’s Space Station Three, Embassy to Planet Adriel. Identify yourself.”
“I’m Princess Sarra of Adriel! Please send help—capture my abductor!”
A moment passed.
“Certainly!”
Suddenly, the frequency jammed. Her efforts to get communications back failed, but she decided that enough had been said before the malfunction.
Overjoyed, she leapt onto her feet. Rescue!
She released the Kalcoons from the bath, and they feared the sto but were sheepish about having fallen prey to feminine wiles—Human, at that.
“Go to Nicks. Tell him to come to me,” she demanded.
They stumbled off to their dreaded task.
Sarra fidgeted, bracing herself for his certain rage. Her doubts started to surface, for there were times before when she thought that she had outsmarted him, but he had always found a way to overpower her. Taking every precaution, she hid the second sto within a supply bin in the galley. Just in case …
On the bridge again, she activated the heaters, and warmth began flooding the ship—she may as well be comfortable while she waited. She took off her heavy coat and leaned her back against the wall by the door, setting her sto on stun. She would hold him at gunpoint and do what she must to keep him here.
Any moment, now …
Chapter 17
Sarra flinched as the door slid apart. Raine charged into the bridge, his eyes telling of dire consequences for her actions. He noted her weapon and brandished his M-5 menacing1y before he stalked over to the helm. He worked on the panel, calling up security, but when he tried ignition he was denied access. Cursing savagely, he turned around to give her a vicious glare.
Sarra was beginning to enjoy herself. “What—it won’t start?” she asked, innocently.
“Dammit, woman! I turn my back for a minute and you’re all claws!”
She smiled sweetly, glad to see him frustrated for once. He had a tight control on his rage, his lips pale and his knuckles white, but she felt confident—if he made a wrong move she would simply use her sto. He was trapped. He couldn’t run.
She eyed him, smugly. She would bring him home as her prize and convince her father to imprison him—instead of execution—and let him regret all that he had done to her for the rest of his life. The secret of her shame would still be safe; if he revealed that she had been his lover she’d simply deny it. She would be the victor—and he, the fool.
“All right, woman!” he snarled. “What’s the code?”
She shrugged.
“Let’s handle this like adults and put down the weapons,” he tried.
She steadily shook her head.
“But Princess, I was just about to bring you to Adriel!”
“Ohhhh—you are quick with a lie! You said that you were bringing me to a safe place! Adriel is the most dangerous place of all for you!”
“Why are you doing this? I said that I’ll free you soon.”
“Perhaps I don’t want my abductor to escape without paying for his crimes.”
“You are waiting for the embassy to capture me?”
Surprised and confused, she murmured, “Yes. They will be here soon.”
He chuckled, vengefully. “No, they won’t. The embassy is another area we Revolutionaries have managed to infiltrate.”
“I don’t believe you!”
“There’s no one to rescue you.”
“They’ll come! We’re staying right here!”
Raine was losing his patience. He had underestimated her again, and she had put him in quite a dilemma. At first, when the two distraught Kalcoons told him about her trickery, he supposed that she would steal the ship. Her plan of holding him here was just as disastrous, for although Jenkins—the rebel at the space station—had cut short her message, perhaps the FAS patrolling Kan had heard her. If he would stun her, and she him, precious time would be lost—with possible deadly consequences for him.
“We have a problem here, don’t we?” he rallied.
“No problem,” she replied flippantly. “Relax. Sit.”
S
he returned his glower as he moved to the helm. “Try all you like,” she taunted while he worked on the panel. “You’ll never find the—”
The engines began humming and she straightened.
“Ah! There we are!” he cried, relieved.
“What!” Panicking, Sarra waved him back so that she could get at the controls to stop the powering of the engines. She kept her gun aimed on him and crept closer, all the while watching his mocking face. Believing that there was enough distance between them, she glanced quickly at the helm …
There was a blur at the corner of her eye and his boot hit her hand with a brutal force. Her finger landed on the trigger before the sto flew away, and the blue laser beam struck the port, sparkling and skittering upon it until the waves were gone.
Screeching and seething, she attacked him wildly, but soon she was in the cradle of his arms. He dropped her down into the command chair, and it was his ominous M-5 that made her take heed.
“Now maybe we’ll get somewhere,” he said calmly, shutting down the helm.
Sarra gnashed her teeth, realizing that it wasn’t the engines she had heard, it was the shields—she hadn’t sabotaged the defense systems. In space the shields are silent, but when stationary the misplaced energy makes a sound.
“Damn you!” she hissed, more so enraged by her own stupidity.
“Where’s the other sto?” he asked hotly.
“What other?”
“There were two Kalcoons and only one sto. Where is it?”
“There was only one!” she lied smoothly, already plotting on how to get at the hidden weapon.
Raine wasn’t convinced, but he was certain that his M-5 would keep her under control. She sat there all defiant and haughty, and he refused to give in to remorse when seeing her absently rubbing her injured wrist. She had best start cooperating. He needed this CC-D ship—the only one of its kind currently on Kan—if the signature code switch were to succeed. He decided against contacting Darius, since he was well on his way to Adriel. He would keep things as they were and make her tell him the command that would start the engines.
Queen of the Stars (The Royals of Adriel Book 1) Page 21
