Cam handed the warriors their cloaks. Donning the long material, they pulled the hoods up to shelter their faces.
Leaving the settlement, the crew walked behind and on either side of the Reekas to form a barricade between them and the people of Oslow, while Darvk and Maverk led the way.
Relieved to be leaving the danger behind, Darvk had to steel himself from verbally tearing a strip off Tenia then and there. It was something best left for the safety of the ship.
Once out of Oslow and on the open road, Reya spoke quietly to Tenia, and Darvk glanced over his shoulder to see her shaking her head while flicking him a quick glance. He might not have known Reya long - less than fifteen minutes, in fact - but he could take a guess at the conversation. Reya wanted to run, and Tenia was refusing.
Interesting.
It still didn’t lessen his anger, but it tempered it enough that he could concentrate on the road ahead.
“This journey just gets more and more interesting,” Maverk commented cheerfully.
“You think?” Darvk replied sardonically.
“You don’t?” Maverk jerked a thumb over his shoulder. “Two Reekas. That’s double the-” He stopped, tension flooding through him.
Darvk halted, the tension spreading throughout his crew as they faced the eight men who stepped like wraiths onto the road from the heavily wooded forest. They were dressed in pants, boots, and shirts of varying styles, and all were carrying long lasers strapped to their backs. Five of them had ropes coiled at their hips, while the one who appeared to be the spokesman carried a bullwhip.
“Are you Darvk of Daamen?” Pale grey eyes studied him closely.
“I am. Who are you?”
“He’s Cormac, the head bounty hunter of this pack of jackals.” Reya slid between the traders with Tenia by her side.
“You and your sister.” Cormac eyed her. “Well, well, well. I’ve been hunting you a long time, Reya. Slippery piece, aren’t you?”
“I’m here now.” The invitation was clear.
“Enough!” Darvk scowled, catching Tenia by the arm and pulling her slightly behind him. “What do you want?”
“I’ve been hunting Reya for two month-”
“Two months?” Her eyebrows arched. “You’re getting slow.”
“This wench belongs to me, and I don’t appreciate anyone hunting her.” Maverk’s eyes narrowed warningly. “Change your intention when it comes to her, hunter, or I’ll change them for you.”
“You might have fooled those soldiers but not me.” Cormac’s eyes cut to the blonde trader. “When did you buy her?”
“That’s not your business. She’s with me and that’s an end to it.”
“I see. Finally had to hide behind a man, warrior?”
Expression blank, Reya didn’t reply.
Fingering the bullwhip, Cormac’s attention returned to the two traders. “How much do you want for both of them?”
Darvk’s voice hardened. “Neither is for sale.”
“Anything can be bought for a price. Name it and we’ll take these killers off your hands.”
The crew stirred restlessly, muttering angrily.
Darvk gave Tenia’s arm a reassuring squeeze, but before he could reply, Reya said scathingly, “You can’t handle us, Cormac. You’ve been hunting me for two months and I’ve given you the slip more times than you can count. Not to mention how hard a time you’ve had of it trying to catch any Reeka warrior. We outclass, outfight and outrun you. Always have done, always will.”
The words were insulting, the intent clear. Reya was goading the hunter, and doing a damn fine job of it.
Cormac uncoiled the bullwhip with a vicious crack.
Before anyone had time to react, Reya dropped to one knee, her fingers diving into her right boot. Straightening with a dagger in her fist, the morning sun flashed off the sharp blade as she darted away from the traders.
Darvk swore as all hell broke loose.
The bounty hunters reached for knives while the traders surged forward, Maverk running for Cormac whose bullwhip cracked and snaked through the air at Reya. Tenia moved faster, passing Maverk, then she was diving and catching the hunter around the knees, bringing him to the ground and grabbing for the bullwhip in his hand as they hit the grass.
He lashed out at her then froze as he found himself staring up at Reya where she now knelt at his head with the sharp tip of the dagger pressed to his throat.
“Not nice, Cormac, not nice at all. An apology is in order.”
“Go to-” He stopped as the dagger flicked, a nick appearing in his skin followed by a trickle of blood.
“Hell? That’s where you’ll be going, hunter.” Reya pressed harder with the dagger. “How many of us have you hunted and killed now, Cormac?”
Any second blood was going to be spilled.
The bounty hunters had frozen, some in the grips of the traders, others watching the threatening scene playing out between the warriors and their leader. Darvk saw their set expressions, knew that if this continued it would end in bloodshed and a shit-load of lawful consequences that would rock the Lawful Sector.
The Intergalactic Peace Ship would be set on arresting Tenia and Reya for their part in the murder of a bounty hunter, and he and Maverk would refuse to hand them over which would result in… Nay, he wouldn’t - couldn’t - allow this to escalate further.
“Reya!” Maverk snapped, at the same time Darvk growled, “Tenia, don’t push me any further!”
Immediately Reya’s gaze snapped up to Darvk. “Touch her and I’ll kill you.”
“So quick to kill a friend,” Cormac said tightly.
“Is this a personal vendetta, Cormac? I didn’t think you cared so much.”
“The Inka Empire will pay for your head, Reya, as will a lot of others, but you’re also on my personal list.”
“That fills me with such warmth.” She smiled frostily. “I’ll carve my name into your cheek so you won’t forget me, shall I?”
The bounty hunter didn’t flinch.
“Reya, don’t!” Maverk reached for her.
Reya was quicker, the knife flashing in the sun, but instead of cutting him, she smashed the hilt into his temple. His eyes rolled back in his head as he blacked out.
Before the bounty hunters could move, two of the big traders had drawn lasers aimed on them. They froze, hands raised.
“Everybody just stay bloody calm,” Darvk barked. “Reya, Tenia, get back from Cormac.”
**
Reya’s cold gaze lifted to lock with Tenia’s. No mercy showed in her sister’s eyes, yet Tenia took heart from the fact that she didn’t kill Cormac when she could so easily have cut his throat.
Before she could do anything, a strong arm curled around her waist to pluck her off the ground from where she knelt beside the now unconscious bounty hunter, and she was swung around to face blazing blue eyes.
“By God, when we get back to the ship you’ll pay for this day’s disobedience,” Darvk growled. “Do you have any idea what your actions could have caused?”
In an instant Reya was on her feet and lunging for him, but Maverk jumped her from behind. Her tactics changed immediately, elbow slamming back into his stomach followed by a punch to the side of the jaw, sending him staggering back.
Her attack lasted seconds, three of the big Daamens jumping her. Within seconds Jase, Morgan and Cam brought her down, kicking and cursing, onto her back, holding her captive.
“No! Let her go!” Tenia cried. “Darvk, she doesn’t understand! Please!”
Leaving her struggling in Red and Garrets’ holds, he strode over to join Maverk, who was rubbing his throbbing jaw. “’Tis the second time I’ve been hit in the stomach by one of these wenches.”
“You bastard!” Reya snarled. “Face me like a man and I’ll do more than that!”
“We don’t mean you harm.” Darvk sought to reassure her.
“Yet you threaten my sister? You lying, low-life scum!”
Hea
rt in mouth, Tenia watched, wondering how in stars name this was going to play out. Reya wasn’t going to back down, but nor were the traders. Would Darvk be able to convince her to trust the Daamens?
Darvk turned to the bounty hunters waiting silently. “Pick up your leader and get out of here.”
One of the bounty hunters with a long Mohawk strode across to Cormac’s unconscious body, a blonde-haired bounty hunter following. Together, they hauled Cormac up, the blonde hunter hoisting him over his shoulder.
“You killed one of our pack, Reya.” The Mohawked hunter looked across at her expressionlessly. “Be thankful that the law is on your side for once, but know this - one foot outside the Daamen’s circle, you leave their protection, you run away, you do anything that separates you from them, and you’re ours.”
“Death wish, hunter,” Maverk growled.
Might be a death wish to say such a thing, but Tenia knew the law would step in for a runaway slave. The capture of one could result in them being returned to their owner, or if deemed a threat, they could be gaoled or hung.
If a runaway Reeka was caught by bounty hunters, then death would be exactly what they faced.
Without another word, the hunters retreated to the forest, their steps so quiet, their movements guarded, and they vanished among the heavy leaves.
Now it was just the Daamens and the two Reekas on the road.
“Keep an eye out,” Darvk told one of his crew.
Laser in hand, the trader nodded, his attention focussed on the forest by the roadside.
Expression serious, Maverk hunkered down by Reya’s shoulder. “Tenia will not be harmed.”
Controlling his anger, Darvk knelt down on Reya’s other side. “She was warned not to go into the settlement because of the soldiers.”
“You may have bought her, trader, but you don’t own her.”
“I beg to differ, and for her own safety that will remain so.”
“And for your safety, as far as anyone is concerned, you now belong to me,” Maverk informed Reya cheerfully.
“Belong to you? Me?” The coldness of her eyes glittered like chips of ice. “You’re deluded. I belong to no one.”
“Let’s look at it another way,” Darvk said calmly. “Until we discover the truth, you both remain under our protection. That way you need not be looking over your shoulders for soldiers, hunters, and slavers. By now the Inka Empire will have been informed that Maverk has claimed you.”
“No one claims me.” She glanced pointedly at the traders holding her down. “Let me up.”
Darvk gestured for Tenia who was released immediately. She hurried up and his hand reached out to steady her as she dropped to her knees beside him.
“Reya, please listen,” Tenia almost begged. “It’s better to have help in our search. To be able to concentrate on finding the truth without worrying about hunters. You must see that. Especially after the soldiers in the settlement and then the hunters just now.”
“You honestly expect me to trust these traders?” A muscle ticked in her sister’s jaw. “What’s to stop them turning on us when it suits them? It’s happened before, as you experienced.”
“Not with the Daamens.”
Reya’s eyes narrowed. “You trust too easily, little sister.”
This wasn’t going to work. Reya wasn’t going to talk freely while the Daamens were around. While she was held down on the ground by them. Captured.
Tenia looked at Darvk. “Let me talk to her alone.”
“Nay,” he responded instantly. “You’ll both run.”
“See?” Reya’s icy gaze narrowed knowingly. “They expect your trust but have no intention of returning it.”
“I give you my word.” Tenia met his gaze squarely. “I swear we won’t run.”
Darvk hesitated.
She gestured around at the traders. “There are how many of you to the two of us? We can’t run, we won’t run. But I need to speak to Reya alone. Trust me.”
Darvk glanced at Maverk. “What do you think?”
“As the lass says, we ask them to trust us. Maybe it’s time to trust them in turn. After all, Tenia has been trustworthy.”
“There is the little matter of her running away during the night.”
Fair point, but it didn’t help the situation. “I had every intention of returning if I lived, Darvk.”
His expression wasn’t encouraging. “If you lived?”
“Darvk-”
“There’s no need to explain to anyone.” Reya strained her wrists against the hold that Red had on them. “Don’t beg, don’t plead.”
“Fiery little thing, aren’t you?” Maverk observed cheerfully, adding when she glared coldly up at him, “This trip just keeps getting more and more interesting.”
“You’re not helping,” Tenia said tightly.
Maverk grinned.
Tenia laid a hand on Darvk’s forearm, capturing his attention. As he regarded her soberly, she said softly, “I ran, but I was coming back. I’ve found my sister and now I need to convince her that we can trust you. That she can trust you as I do.”
For several seconds Darvk studied her face before switching his attention to the beautiful warrior still pinned to the ground. “You’re right, we can’t ask for trust if we’re not going to give it.” He nodded. “Very well, lass, speak to your sister privately, but we won’t be far off.” He gestured to his friends. “Release her.”
No sooner had the restraining hands lifted than Reya rolled swiftly to her feet. Thankfully, she didn’t fight or run, but her gaze was definitely assessing the wary men and their positions. Silence filled the area as the Daamens moved far enough away to give the warriors privacy, but they maintained a loose circle, ready to close in on them if required.
“Reya.” Tenia touched her arm.
Her narrowed gaze switched to Tenia.
“Darvk and his men believe we’re innocent of that massacre that outlawed us. They’re trying to find the truth.”
“Have they hurt you in any way?” Reya’s face was cold, but concern was plain in her voice.
“No. In fact, they took care of me when I was injured even though I fought.”
“So you haven’t lost your will to fight. I was starting to wonder.”
That stung. “How can you can say that after I fought beside you?”
Her older sister stared down at her, then a chilling smile twisted soft lips. “Just like old times, eh?”
Seeing the remoteness enter her eyes, Tenia wondered what she’d been through since they’d last parted. She’d always been controlled, sometimes emotionless, but there was something more now, something that made it harder to read her sister’s eyes and expression.
Reya glanced at Darvk. “Does he treat you well?”
“Yes.”
“I guess you won’t run, given the chance?”
“No. I gave my word.”
“Words are just that.” Reya arched an eyebrow at her. “It doesn’t stop us, you know.”
“I don’t break my word.”
“You were always full of emotion.”
“You always said it would be my downfall.”
Silence fell while Reya studied Tenia. Slowly her gaze shifted to the Daamens, again assessing each one. Finally, she folded her arms. “I guess we’re stuck with them, then, for a while.”
Relief slid through Tenia. “You’ll stay?”
“I only just found you. I’m not about to walk off and leave you.”
Flinging her arms around Reya’s neck, Tenia hugged her. “I’ve missed you so!”
Reya squeezed her hard. “Just keep that idiot blonde away from me.”
This time it was Tenia who glanced over at the Daamens. Maverk and Darvk were talking quietly as they watched the two sisters. There was no doubting Maverk was a stirrer, she just hoped he didn’t push Reya too far. “He’s okay.”
“He’s an idiot.”
“But one we need right now.”
“Matter of
opinion.”
Chapter 6
Sitting opposite the Reekas in the dining cabin, Darvk broke the tense silence. “Before we go any further, there are some things we need to sort out first. For starters, neither of you is to leave this ship without one of us with you. Understand?”
“Are you helping us or holding us prisoner?” Reya asked coolly.
“’Tis for your safety,” Maverk answered. “From hunters-”
“Listen, pretty boy, those hunters won’t stop trying to kill or capture us, so stop fooling yourself.”
“You must admit that you’re safer now.”
“That remains to be seen.”
Darvk folded his arms atop the table top. “If you want to find out the truth, it’ll be quicker done with us. Now your word not to leave us.”
“My word? Oh, yes, my word,” Reya said consideringly.
Tenia swallowed, knowing that her sister had no intention of keeping it if it didn’t suit her. “Reya…” There was no way she could break her loyalty. “You say what you must.”
Reya looked Darvk right in the eye and lied. “My word on it.”
Tenia had no doubt that he suspected her sister of not being quite sincere, but he simply switched his attention to her. “Your word, Tenia, or you won’t be allowed the freedom of this ship as before, and you will be under guard whenever we land.”
“I won’t run away again.”
“Your word.” He was relentless.
“I just told you.”
“Your word.”
“Fine, my word. Happy?’ Irritated, she frowned. “Don’t you trust me?”
“You put yourself in danger. What do you think?”
“My sister was out there, I don’t for one minute regret what I did.” She couldn’t resist pointing out, “If I’d waited for you, I might have missed her.”
A scowl settled across his roughly-hewn, handsome features. “I told you we’d look this morning.”
“You didn’t even know where to begin. Did you expect an unknown warrior to just fall from the sky or appear like magic?”
Darvk’s teeth clenched as he stared at her.
Tenia’s gaze didn’t falter.
She was aware of Reya and Maverk watching, just as she was aware of Reya’s attention turning to Maverk as she sized him up, waiting for his reaction.
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