Stolen Moments (A World Beyond Book 8)

by Michelle Howard

  Another two intruders stormed into their alcove, pushing and shoving a trembling group of young women. The men she’d witnessed rushing by. “Get with the others!”

  They stumbled and cried out, but raced to join the knot of people. Shaya understood their relief. It was natural to hope there was safety in numbers.

  Jordan stopped in front of a portly man in the familiar gray uniform of a government employee. Shaya recognized him since he’d greeted her and Marlin upon their arrival and given them special seating because he knew how much Torkel was interested in the Jutaks. “You! Come here.”

  Tak straightened his shoulders and moved forward with crisp steps. Jordan grabbed him by the collar of his jacket and pulled him off balance the rest of the way. Several people gasped.

  Jordan clenched his fingers in the fabric and tugged again, forcing Tak down to his knees. Despite the rough handling, not once did Tak flinch or make a sound. The only visible sign of Tak’s anger was his narrowed-eyed stare.

  Jordan leaned over him, pressing the muzzle of his laser to Tak’s temple and tapped. A cruel grin twisted Jordan’s lips. “How do you contact your Prime Minister?”

  Tak remained tight lipped.

  “I. Said. How. Do. You. Contact. Him?” With each word, Jordan pressed the tip of the laser into the side of Tak’s head. Shaya could see the red crease from where she stood. “If you don’t answer, I will have my men start shooting.”

  In spite of the weapon aimed right at his head, Tak shoved to his feet and gritted out, “The communicators.”

  Satisfaction gleamed as Jordan smiled and waved the barrel of the laser toward the crowd. “Get back with the others.”

  Tak tugged at his crumpled uniform jacket and joined them. Shaya breathed a sigh of relief, carefully watching as a communicator was ordered to be found. Jordan spun around to face them. “Everyone in the room over there.”

  Shaya glanced behind them and one of the guards opened the door to the mini-ballroom that was used for charity functions. Along with everyone else, she was herded from the hall and into the larger space.

  There had to be over fifty guests with her. She remembered her surprise at the exclusive guest list containing over a hundred names. That meant half of the people visiting had either left earlier or escaped when chaos erupted.

  As soon as the last person entered, the door was locked. Shaya inhaled sharply, fear tickling at her senses. The ballroom was empty of any significant furniture, a few round tables turned sideways and propped along the wall. A rack of chairs on a green skid had been left in a corner. The shiny tiled floors mocked with its brilliant sheen from an enthusiastic cleaner and the soaring ceiling added to the vast feeling.

  “Stay calm,” Jordan spoke with a smirk as a communicator was handed to him. “If your Prime Minister is as earnest as he claims, this will all be over soon.”

  He fiddled with the device for a few moments then cursed under his breath. “I need the Prime Minister’s comm code.”

  Once more no one volunteered the information.

  “I’m very tired of playing.” Without further warning, Jordan shot at the woman who’d been clinging to her Chosen.

  She screamed and grabbed at her calf. Her Chosen dropped beside her, both their hands pressing down on the bleeding wound. They were so young, tears streaming down both their faces.

  Without pausing Jordan aimed at another and fired. The victim clutched his arm and fell against the wall behind him. The color leached from his face as he clasped his injured forearm. It was more than Shaya could take. She pushed beyond a few bodies to get in front of the row of shuddering people. “Enough! You said no one would get hurt.”

  Jordan eyed her speculatively and lowered his weapon. “Do you have the comm code I seek?”

  Shaya nodded and recited the code that would give him direct access. It was a small thing to reveal to prevent him from injuring any others because no matter what Jordan said, it was clear they were all at risk regardless of how his conversation with the Prime Minister went.

  While he placed the call, Shaya made a fervent wish. Please, love, take care of our children if I don’t make it.

  Chapter 3

  After seeing Torkel and Lissi head in the general direction of his office, Marlin stopped an employee rushing by. “What’s going on?”

  The red-faced young woman spoke in a rapid whisper, throwing glances over her shoulder all the while. “Armed intruders. Get out before they catch you too.”

  She darted away before Marlin could question her further.

  “Alonson.”

  Marlin turned at the call. Striding toward him with determined steps and dressed entirely in an intimidating black uniform was one of his closest friends. It had been almost a year since they last connected. “It’s good to see you, Taig.”

  They embraced and clapped one another on the back. Taig Vorik stepped away first, his blue eyes piercing Marlin with an intense stare. “I knew you were on site. Hoped to the stars you’d made it out. Where is your family?”

  Marlin shook his head. “We were still in the room for the Jutak warriors’ presentation when they struck. I sent Torkel and Lissi ahead to hide in my office.”

  Taig gripped the back of his neck with one hand and dropped the other to his hip and the laser holstered there. “What of Shaya?”

  Marlin pretended to not hear how his friend’s tone softened on his Chosen’s name. There was no room for concern because Shaya had walked the sands toward him, not Taig. “Missing. She went to the cleansing room on the lower level before the attack occurred. I’m on my way to search for her.”

  Fear flashed in Taig’s gaze, gone in an instant. “The benefit of the demonstration being held here is that there is a full Jutak team on premise. We’ll find her.”

  It was what Marlin had to cling to. Shaya was smart. Brilliant. If trapped inside, he had utmost faith his Chosen would find a way to survive. Not if. Marlin bit back a sigh. No way would Shaya leave him and their children. She was somewhere in this building. He only hoped he managed to find her before anything happened.

  Taig tapped the discreet black bud in his ear and waved his fingers for Marlin to follow as he turned away. “Vorik, here. Check in.”

  Unable to hear the Jutak’s on the other end of the conversation, Marlin kept pace as they hurried down the carpeted hall. He ignored the artifacts on display which had held Lissi’s attention, ignored the abandoned feel on this floor and ruthlessly crushed the terror trying to take hold of him.

  “Approaching your location now.” Taig faced Marlin as they neared a closed door. “My team’s on the other side.”

  Marlin didn’t allow himself to feel relief. That wouldn’t happen until he had his family safe and at home. They entered the room which wasn’t much bigger than a storage area. There were boxed supplies crammed in a corner with miscellaneous racks stacked on top. A few he recognized as cleaning material.

  His gaze landed on the other occupants. Four soldiers with black masks pushed up on their heads waited. Blond hair disheveled, they stood upright, gazes burning. Dressed in black from head to toe, each wore a deadly knife strapped on one thigh and a hand-held laser strapped on the other.

  “This is a good friend of mine, Marlin Alonson.”

  The men eyed him carefully then nodded.

  “Give me a report,” Taig demanded.

  “Six armed intruders invaded the center on the main floor of the hall using force and smoke bombs directly following the event. During the confusion, they seem to have taken many of the guest hostage.”

  Marlin froze, listening intently as they exchanged details and the sparse amount of information they’d gathered. Taig clenched his jaw during the recital, closing his eyes at one point and muttering a curse.

  While they discussed solutions and probable countermeasures, Marlin fought the need to act without caution. It wasn’t easy when part of him wanted to rush out and find Shaya. He surveyed the room they were in again. With six fairly lar
ge men in the space, it was close quarters.

  “Marlin, my team and I will do recon and return here with a status,” Taig said as he redirected his attention toward him.

  Shaking his head, Marlin rejected the idea instantly. To the depths of his soul, if someone harmed Shaya, he wouldn’t be able to restrain himself. “No. I’m not leaving Shaya alone out there.”

  Taig’s lips firmed. “She won’t be alone. There are dozens of people being held with her.”

  Marlin remained silent refusing to comply. Taig called him an unsavory name, drawing startled glances from his men, but a reluctant grin from Marlin.

  “This is what we do, Marlin. It’s safer to have any non-military away from harm.”

  Correct, but Marlin wasn’t just anyone. He was an administrative government employee whose position required he interact with several key leaders on Enotia and though not a soldier in the military or an elite Jutak, he was comfortable with the use of weapons from the mandatory classes he’d taken.

  When it came to his Chosen, his security clearance more than covered his lack of direct military expertise. “Do what you need to do, Taig, and I’ll do what I need to do.”

  A rough exhale was his only response as the men with Taig pulled their knitted face masks down, once more obscuring their features. “Stubborn ebo.”

  The insult flew over Marlin’s head. He’d been called worst. Taig unsnapped the holster on his left thigh and whipped out a wicked sharp knife, passing it to Marlin. The leather grip was firm in his hand. Next Taig reached into one of the many pockets on his pants and passed over a small black circle. Marlin closed his fingers around the spare comm.

  Without another word, Taig whirled his pointer finger in a circle and the four men with him eased out of the door, steps quiet despite their large statures.

  Marlin waited a beat to give them time then slid out as well. The hallways on this floor were now clear, an unnatural emptiness given the earlier crowd and excitement of the day’s event. Marlin timed his approach toward the floor below this one, pausing every few feet until he reached the lobby and central entrance. As he drew close, distant murmurs hinted at the attackers’ progress.

  At the bottom of the stairs, Marlin ducked behind the thick pillars and rises which made up the grand staircase. The intruders rounded up any visitors caught in the open. An occasional sharp feminine cry or muffled male groan filtered from the other side of his hiding spot. Not knowing if Shaya was among them was like a dagger to the chest, causing Marlin’s heart to stutter. He leaned his back against the wall for support. My Chosen, my Chosen. Stay safe.

  Tension creasing his shoulders, Marlin inhaled deeply then released on a breath and hustled forward. A little farther down the hall and he’d be in full view of anyone coming into the double foyer of the main entry, one on each side of the hall. There were two large rooms in this area often used for charity events or hosting an evening celebration. Both doors were currently closed, leaving no sign as to which was in use.

  After digging in his pocket, Marlin pulled out the round disk and looped the thin wire about his lobe, pushing the small comm into his ear.

  “Dining hall clear,” a cold voice stated.

  “Conference room three has guests hiding. Moving to secure location on the next floor.”

  “Confirmed.” Taig’s voice he easily recognized.

  Marlin was grateful his friend was the Team Leader in charge of the Jutak warriors presenting today. He trusted him to get everyone through whatever this was safely. If anyone could get all of the visitors out of this hostage situation alive, it was Taig. He didn’t understand the meaning of defeat.

  Now that Marlin knew what areas they were covering, he could proceed with checking these two larger rooms. The elaborate light fixtures above with their multifaceted tubing would leave him completely exposed with little defense once he stepped from behind the staircase.

  Running through various scenarios left him with the same option. There really was no other choice. Marlin crept forward, feet silent on the rich red carpet.

  Traces of dirt spattered the floor in a dizzying pattern from an overturned planter. Marlin stepped over the shards carefully and moved on. The risk, if caught, meant potential death. His. Even the thought of losing his life didn’t deter him. Marlin had only to think of his family and he was resigned to his path.

  His grip tightened on the knife Taig had handed him. He was thankful to have a weapon. If a fight erupted, he’d have some form of protection.

  Muting the comm to eliminate distraction, Marlin reached the first door, a quick glance around assured he was still alone in the vast lobby. Slowly he extended his hand to twist the metallic yellow knob. Not a creak or squeak. Adrenaline shot pulses racing through his chest. Marlin braced himself for what he might see on the other side and pushed it open all the way.

  Empty.

  He collapsed against the frame, eyes closed, and let the emotions crash through him until his nerves settled again. Shoving away from the jamb, he made a quick circuit about the twenty by twenty room, confirming there was no one inside. He was almost back to the door when he heard it. A quiet sniffle from the stack of frames along the wall to his left.

  Hefting the knife in case of attack, Marlin strode toward the sound and shoved the stack aside to reveal an elderly woman frozen in place, hands over her blonde head as she stared back.

  Marlin dropped to a squat and gripped her shoulder. She trembled beneath his touch. “You’re alright. Sorry.”

  “What h-happened?” Her voice broke on the question.

  “I’m not sure, but its best you stay here. Rescue will be on their way.” He gave a firm squeeze and rose.

  Back in the hall, Marlin flipped the lock before shutting the door. No one was getting in without brute force and hopefully it would give her time to hide or escape if possible. He faced the opposite end of the hall. That left checking the second ballroom. It was the only other space on this level large enough to house a group of people.

  He didn’t think whoever had stormed into the building were on the second floor because all of the commotion had started on this level of the main floor.

  “No one here.”

  At the brusque comment, Marlin ducked behind an alcove and a potted tree decoration just in time. An individual dressed in unrelenting black carrying a heavy duty automated laser walked up the hall in his direction.

  “There is no one else on this floor. I sent Wes and Carden to check upstairs, but neither is answering their portable communicators.”

  Taig and his soldiers probably had something to do with that. At least that was what Marlin hoped as the two opened the door to the room he’d been heading for. A burst of conversation came out which was quickly muffled by the closing of the door behind them.

  Marlin waited for the count of five then commed Taig directly.

  “Vorik.”

  “I believe the intruders have gathered on the lower level in the small scale ballroom. Two by the name of Wes and Carden have been noted as missing for failure to check in.”

  Taig responded in a hushed murmur. “Confirmed, Alonson. What is your position?”

  Marlin eased forward, glancing over his shoulder every few steps until he neared the room where he believed the rest of the guests were being held. “Small scale ballroom, of course. I need to know Shaya is safe.”

  Taig cursed then the comm fell silent. Marlin pressed his ear to the door and held still. Taig’s voice muttered, “Don’t get killed, Alonson or I swear it will be me Shaya walks toward in the next presentation when this is done.”

  Unexpectedly a grin crossed Marlin’s face. Taig Vorik was a good man, a strong Enotian and a Jutak warrior making a name for himself on the elite force. Even Marlin in his non-combative position managed to hear the whispers about the fearless leader.

  “Good luck with that, Taig.” Marlin muted the comm and focused on hearing what he could through the door.

  ***

  Shaya
eyed Jordan as two of his men entered the room and they began arguing in whispered tones. She couldn’t hear any of what they said, but Jordan wasn’t pleased. The communicator in his hand buzzed and triumph lit his eyes.

  “This is Jordan. Am I speaking with the Prime Minister of Enotia?”

  The response must have been what he wanted to hear because Jordan grinned and signaled to the two others who also smiled broadly, a congratulatory look passing amongst them. Jordan’s voice carried on his demand.

  “I want the prisoner, Arid Samba, released to our care. He is not to be transported to Dorlo, the prison colony.”

  Shaya couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Arid was the distant relative of an Enotian woman from off world. He’d come to Enotian in an attempt to hide after his sentencing for unspeakable crimes. Thanks to the bounty alert flashing his holo-image everywhere, he’d been caught and was being held until guards from the judicial system arrived to take him to Dorlo.

  A few minutes more talking and Jordan’s glee turned, his expression darkening as his lips pressed tight. “What are you saying, Prime Minister?”

  A harsh curse and then Jordan stabbed his finger on the comm ending the communication. When he lifted his gaze to scan the crowd, Shaya was sure she wasn’t the only one who flinched from the cruelty twisting his mouth.

  He raised his weapon and gestured to his three partners then the gathered crowd. “It seems Enotia does not understand what I am willing to do in order to get what I want. Arid will not suffer locked away on a vicious prison colony subjected to all manners of maltreatment.”

  Jordan snarled the last, spittle gathering at the corners of his mouth. He stormed closer and pointed at a trembling female hovering in a corner, shoulders hunched in her pretty bright top as she tried to shrink away.

  “You, come forward. For every delay in freeing Arid, I will harm the hostages.” He flicked his finger on the comm and placed it to his ear while one of his men dragged the crying woman forward.