Irresistible (Delroi Prophecy)

by Hunt, Loribelle

  “And what am I doing while you work?” she asked suspiciously. He better not expect to lock her up inside.

  “It’s tourist season there. I brought extra warriors and I’m sure Falkor will too. It’s a lovely city. Not the Keep, but…” he said and shrugged.

  She’d like to think he was learning, but he wasn’t making any effort to shield his mind. He was thinking about how fierce the chief in the Green Zone was, the lengths he would go to protect his clan. Kaje thought she would be as safe there as she would be at the Keep. She didn’t waste her breath arguing.

  “Where are we staying?” she asked instead.

  “The Trace’s have a house in the city. We’ll all stay there.”

  Excellent. Hopefully, she and Zola would get the chance to talk to Janice privately. Too bad Britt Trace wouldn’t also be there.

  “How long till we get there?”

  “Not long, actually. It’s much closer than Saber City.”

  They’d left the Keep and flown north over the ocean. He leaned over her and pointed out the window where she could see small dots, islands in the distance.

  “The Green Zone. Thirty minutes or so. Most of the clan’s holdings are the islands. They also have a couple of small territories on both continents.”

  “Cool.” She needed to study the typography of Delroi more. “Are there more places like the Keep?”

  “There are other clans on oases but none like the Keep,” he chided.

  She laughed and patted his arm. “Of course not, babe.”

  She could have kicked herself for letting the endearment slip because he was so damned thrilled about it. He thought she was coming around.

  “Don’t read anything into that. It doesn’t mean anything,” she warned softly.

  He laced their fingers together and grinned. “Liar.”

  She couldn’t decide if she was irritated or bemused, and stared out the window, silent, as they drew closer to their destination. He didn’t push her to talk. Neither said a word until they’d landed and stepped off the shuttle. A porter gathered all their bags into a small cart and drove off, while the rest of the party began to walk. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing. Green Zone was the perfect description. It wasn’t like anything she’d seen on Delroi. She felt like she was walking through a barely claimed jungle. The buildings were like the Keep, six and seven stories, stone and whitewashed, but that’s where the similarities ended. She’d seen a lot of color in the Keep, carefully cultivated flowering vines and bushes. But this city? It was an explosion of green. Towering trees, huge flowering bushes. It was gorgeous. But maybe she’d gotten used to the Keep because she thought maybe this city was trying too hard.

  They walked down a wide stately street a couple of blocks before turning up a path to a three story house with wide verandas that seemed to wrap all the way around. For a moment she felt like she was back in New Orleans without the Spanish moss, though this place was obviously much older. The door opened before they could knock and Sergei Trace stepped out. His gaze went straight to Zola.

  “Problem?” she asked her friend who gave a very slight shake of her head.

  “Welcome,” he said, stepping back to allow everyone to enter. Falkor and Janice stepped out of another room. She turned to her mate and kissed his cheek.

  “I think the Earthlings need a minute,” she said softly to Falkor who nodded. Janice indicated Parker and Zola should follow her through the door she’d just exited. Kaje held Parker back with a questioning look.

  “I’ll be fine.”

  He let her go reluctantly. There might be hope for him after all. And then he ruined it. “Keep the connection open. You said he’s dangerous,” he added before she could bitch. He had a good point.

  “Okay.”

  Janice, Sergei, and Zola were waiting when she entered and closed the door behind her.

  “Britt got a message for you,” Janice said, looking at Zola. “From her source inside Tel.”

  Zola stiffened. “She can’t be trusted.”

  Kaje was a still, alert presence in her mind.

  “Who? Britt? Or the source?”

  “The source,” Zola said, taking a deep breath. “That line of communication was originally started by my brother. I took it over when he was murdered.”

  “You know who’s running it now,” Sergei said.

  Zola blanched and Parker gave him a measuring gaze. Was Zola afraid of Sergei? Was it his reputation and power that unsettled Zola? Or was it the identity of the source?

  “I have a good idea who it is. I won’t, I can’t betray her. But you shouldn’t trust her.”

  “You were a committee member,” he said harshly. “You aren’t in a position to bargain.”

  Parker almost staggered under the power, the rage, suddenly pulsing through the room.

  “I’m coming in,” Kaje snapped.

  “No! I can handle this.”

  “You need to rein it in if you don’t want Kaje busting in here,” she said to Sergei, stepping in front of Zola. She didn’t need Kaje’s help. She was stronger than Sergei.

  “She’s Tel. You can’t trust her.”

  “So are you and Janice. I trust Zola. I don’t know you two.”

  The reminder worked and the dangerous swelling of power dissipated. Zola stepped to her side.

  “Nothing with Tel is ever as it seems,” Zola said. She looked calm, her mind was tranquil, but rage was raw in her voice. “I haven’t snapped your neck, yet, have I? If I was still loyal to them you would all be dead and I’d be back on Earth.”

  Parker stared at Zola. Hell, they all did.

  “I think it’s time we all start sharing some secrets,” Janice said.

  Zola shuddered, took a deep breath. “I apologize. I rarely lose my temper.”

  Janice nodded. “Rage can be a dangerous thing,” she said softly. “The source can’t be trusted?”

  Zola shook her head and Janice handed her a printed message. “We haven’t tried to break the code yet, but that’s just a courtesy.”

  Zola bent her head to read it. “She says there were six surviving committee members including herself and obviously not counting me. One is dead. She doesn’t say but I’m assuming she was responsible. Before he died she verified he has spies on Delroi and informants within the rebels. She says she’s going to try to find out their names.” She paused. “She must have another source to go to. Probably another committee member,” she mused.

  “Who sent this message?” Janice asked, softly, gently.

  Zola was quiet so long Parker didn’t think she’d answer.

  “Anna Leigh Gray. My mother.”

  Silence could be a cold, lonely, angry thing. If it was anyone else Parker would have wrapped her arms around them to comfort. Zola wore her pain like armor. She shot Parker a small smile, appreciation and affection on a narrow mental thought.

  “I don’t know what she’s up to,” Zola said, handing the paper back to Janice. “But she can’t be trusted.”

  Kaje didn’t announce his entrance this time, and Vidar and Falkor followed. Falkor was clearly suspicious. Vidar went to stand at Zola’s side, his stance that of a protective older brother.

  “Do you think she has the names? Or can get them?” Janice asked.

  “I don’t know. But if she does, you can be sure it will come at a price.”

  “And what about you?” Sergei asked, still distrustful, and from what Parker knew about his past she didn’t really blame him.

  “Ask Britt how long that Tel source has been available to her. My brother was killed five years ago.” Her smile was brittle. “I took over for him then. You’re on my short list of those who could have killed him, by the way. The only reason I never came after you was I knew you didn’t know who you killed.”

  His expression went blank. “Who was he?”

  “You would have been told he was an enemy agent. In Chili. I don’t know what name he was using,” she said.

  Parker
saw relief flash over his face. “It wasn’t me. I never had a job there.”

  Zola nodded. “That leaves two.”

  “What are we going to do about Tel?” Janice said, changing the subject.

  Parker knew there was only one real option. “Let them come to us,” she said.

  The others turned to look at her, except for Kaje who stood behind her, arms wrapped her waist. She shrugged. “Will they be able to resist striking at all of us at one time in one place?”

  “The Rebirth Celebration,” Zola said, in case anyone didn’t know what Parker referred to.

  “Yep.”

  “You’re assuming they can get here in two weeks time or will be able to mobilize that fast,” Falkor said.

  “I’m assuming they already have. I just think we should be ready for them to strike then.”

  “Why do you think they’re already moving?” Janice said.

  “The rebels made a move for us the day we arrived. If they are in contact with Tel that would have been passed on then. They would have known who rescued us before we got here, probably within hours of the rescue.”

  Falkor and Janice exchanged a long look and Parker knew they were talking telepathically. For a second, she was envious before she reminded herself Kaje was unlikely to be capable of the depth of commitment she saw in the other couple.

  “Can we pass on a message for you? Would that make her more likely to share her information?”

  Zola shook her head. “Don’t give her any verification that I’m here or alive. If you haven’t done so already.”

  “We haven’t responded to it at all.”

  “You should deny all knowledge of me, but ask for these names if she gets them. She’ll know you’re lying,” Zola said with a shrug. “But we are spies.”

  “Not anymore,” Janice responded, softly, a hint of admonishment in her tone.

  Zola’s lips curved in an almost imperceptible smile. “That dream is easier for you than me. One day. Maybe.”

  “She doesn’t trust us to protect her,” Vidar said.

  “I don’t know much, but I suspect she was raised in a nightmare,” she responded. And she was struck by his concern, by his protectiveness. “Is she your der’lan?”

  “No. But I think she has one. Back at the Keep.”

  Parker almost felt bad for him, whoever he was. If he expected to crack open Zola’s heart he had a long road ahead.

  Chapter Ten

  The next two days passed in a blur. Kaje was so busy dealing with the trade agreement that he barely had time to register the revelations of their arrival. The agreement wasn’t really a trade contract either, though the final proposals would be finalized today. They’d be leaving for the Keep right after lunch. He knew Parker had enjoyed herself, but he’d be damned glad to go home and have her to himself. Falkor shoved a tablet under his nose, the final paperwork.

  “You aren’t paying attention,” his old friend said. His tone was dry and mocking. “Must be besotted.”

  Kaje laughed. “You think?”

  Before he met Parker, he would have taken exception to the accusation. Now he didn’t really care. Falkor snorted.

  “Definitely.” A moment’s pause. “I noticed you allow your woman to go armed.”

  Kaje cocked an eyebrow. “So do you.”

  Falkor nodded. To tell the truth, Kaje wasn’t sure how he felt about that. However, Lady Rona had made Parker a priestess and he had no legal right to interfere with the goddess cult, even if that meant his mate went out and about the city making herself a target. They would have a very intimate conversation about that later and reach some kind of compromise they could both live with, he was sure. For now, in this place, he didn’t expect any trouble so he wouldn’t protest too much. Besides, he liked knowing she could defend herself in more ways than one. Not that he’d ever admit that to her. He focused on the screen before him.

  “This is pretty standard. The exceptions are with movements of the Green clan around the southern clans.”

  “They want to be treated as one of us,” Falkor said softly. “The interesting thing is how they want to do that.”

  They wanted to make an alliance with Barak, staying neutral, but with the benefits the Clan of the Keep had.

  “We have conditions,” Kaje said. “First, Barak has to approve, of course. They would have the same obligations that we do, and be answerable to us as well as you. Second, they have to come to the Keep to do this. We can’t agree to parts of it without the approval of the goddess’s high priestess and that part they have to take up with her.”

  The Green Zone’s chief had actually asked to have the clan’s goddess temple reopened. It was an unprecedented request and Kaje wasn’t sure what to make of it.

  “Agreed,” Falkor said. “He’s already spoken to Lady Rona. I think you der’lan is taking the other ladies there now.”

  “We’re more concerned about what their goal is. This clan has never sworn allegiance to anyone but the Overchief and they’ve never been in an inferior bargaining position as far as trade goes.” Kaje paused. “They have a higher female birth rate too, so it isn’t access.”

  “I have no answers for you,” Falkor said.

  “I suggest we invite them to the Keep for the celebration. Wait to make the final decision after everyone meets in person.”

  “Can we afford to make them angry? They do control most of the food production on the planet.”

  Kaje shrugged. “They still need us as much as we need them, and we have Earth as a new resource.”

  Falkor leaned back with an amused expression. “You are as devious as they say, aren’t you?”

  Kaje grinned. “Raised from the cradle.”

  “There is definitely more to this than we’re hearing. Too bad Roarr couldn’t come.” Falkor’s smile was biting. “Why is that?”

  Kaje had known this would come up. “His mate is pregnant. He isn’t in a frame of mind to let her out of the Keep or to spend a night away.”

  Falkor looked half happy and half insulted. “Why didn’t he tell me?”

  “There wasn’t time to send a paper message and we want to keep this quiet as long as possible. There is too much attention on the Earthling mates as it is. Especially these three. At this time. The prophecy…”

  Falkor shot him a pointed look. “Your mate is one of those women.”

  Kaje was still adjusting to that and it wasn’t easy. He was a warrior. He was supposed to protect his mate. But this was prophecy, and even though she was a healer, she was also a warrior.

  “My mate is one of those women,” Kaje finally said. “The Keep will stand by them. Will always stand with them.”

  Falkor looked at him a long time. “Even Zola?”

  Kaje saw something in Zola, a loyalty and honor and determination, he doubted few others saw. And he knew damned well she was Jarek’s mate. She might be a little bad, but she wasn’t evil. She’d make a damned good warrior.

  “Even Zola,” Kaje said.

  Falkor nodded. “Then the Traces stand with you, old friend.”

  ***

  Parker was surprised that she liked Janice. She wore this perfect ice queen socialite shell, but she had a dry, sarcastic humor that spoke of intelligence and assurance. They met in the foyer on their last day in the city. Janice, Parker, and Zola. All three of them wore black combat pants and boots. There they differed. Janice wore a black t-shit like any military issue they’d see on Earth. But Parker and Zola had married their Earth bottom attire with the blood red tops worn by the goddess cult on Delroi. Then they’d strapped on weapons. She was relieved to see Janice had done the same. Several warriors looked on with disapproval, but none said a word. She was wearing goddess colors. Had the tattoos. They couldn’t say anything. And after everything she’d been through over the last half year? There was no fucking way she was going unarmed. The men on Delroi would just have to accept that their world was changing.

  “Are the others here yet?” she
asked.

  “They’re going to meet us on the way since we’re walking.”

  They were going to check out the city’s goddess temple. Rona had got a request for some of the senior ladies in the city to see it, to reopen it, and asked Parker to escort them. It made her nervous. She was terrified she’d screw it up. Do something wrong. Say something wrong. Rona had just laughed and said to relax. So here she was, leaving the house and going to meet the women who were mated to the top leaders in the clan so they could have a look inside the goddess temple. She didn’t like it. It felt crass. It felt like a set up. She felt watched every freaking step of the way. Zola caught her eye.

  “I feel it too,” she said softly. “Something is very wrong.”

  But then they turned a corner and their party was waiting for them. One of them was the healer from the ship, Erika, and Parker started to relax a bit. She hadn’t spent a lot of time with the woman, but it was enough to know she was solid. The other two women were introduced as the clan chief’s wife and daughter. They had their own guards with them, and the women were chatty. Parker tuned them out and let Janice deal with the small talk. It wasn’t long before they reached a large square with a temple on each corner. The goddess temple was easy to identify and Parker turned in its direction. She climbed up the steps and set her palm on the access plate. By then, they’d drawn a crowd. She figured no one had been inside for awhile, but she didn’t find what she expected. It wasn’t dusty. It didn’t have that odd musty smell old buildings did.

  The women entered and the local men moved to follow them. She stepped forward and shook her head. “You can’t come in here. You know that.”

  “I can’t leave my chief’s der’lan unprotected.”

  She shrugged. “That’s your business. No male may cross this threshold and you know it. They knew it when they made the request.”

  His face twisted in protest and he took a step forward anyway. Vidar blocked him.

  “You want to try going through a Keep warrior to get in there?” he asked softly. Dangerously.

  With a muttered curse and a glare, the other warrior backed off. “It’s on you then, Lord Stian.”

  Vidar gave him a slow lazy smile that almost made her cringe.