Tracker

by Cyndi Friberg

  “Can we at least try?”

  “Of course.” He took a step toward Sara, then paused and looked at Xorran. “I’ll try to talk her through it, but I might need to touch her again.”

  “Understood,” Xorran grumbled, arms crossed over his chest. Wenny’s leash was still looped around his wrist though there was plenty of slack in the long synth-leather strap.

  He had yet to act on his jealous instincts, so Sara let his attitude slide. She’d always steered clear of possessive men, found the characteristic often led to violence. Xorran was clearly possessive, yet he seemed focused on her safety rather than some deep-seated insecurity that he couldn’t trust her. She wanted to learn more about him before she decided if it was a problem or not.

  Torrin stood in front of her, within reach, but his arms remained at his sides. “Let’s start with the basics. Could you feel it when I entered your mind?”

  “Definitely.” Torrin felt like a force of nature. She couldn’t imagine anyone not realizing he was there.

  “Good. Then follow with your mind. I’m going to lead you to the nanites.”

  “Okay.” She sounded as uncertain as she felt. He might think this was simple, but it was surreal for her. He entered gradually. Not only could she sense his energy, she could sense the care with which he worked. The narrow stream wound and dipped, flowing like water, or blood. Then he stopped and tingles burst deep inside her mind.

  “Can you feel that pulse?”

  “Yes.” She closed her eyes, concentrated, tuning everything out but Torrin’s voice and the pulses of energy.

  “I’m going to switch to Sarronti so you can feel the translator working. Memorize the sensations, the direction of the energy, the speed with which it flows.”

  She nodded.

  “Ignore my words. Focus on the nanites. Try to see them if you can.”

  She pictured tiny fireworks, miniature bursts of silver and gold. He continued to speak, but she wasn’t listening. His energy meshed with hers, then drew her closer to the translator. He flowed through the microscopic circuitry, guiding her, teaching her. He demonstrated how the devise worked, and how she could control it. After she’d followed him through several rotations, he paused.

  “Say ‘have a nice day’,” he coached.

  “Have a nice day,” she said in English.

  He captured the pulse and looped it through the translator. The phrase repeated in Sarronti. The words weren’t audible, yet she heard them clearly in her mind. “Lartice san esfarno.” Her eyes flew open as she spoke the words aloud, then gave a happy cry. “I did it.” She looked at her teacher, his stern expression curbing her enthusiasm. “Was that right?”

  “You tell me, but try it without me this time.”

  It was awkward and took much more concentration, but she finally heard the Sarronti phrase and repeated it aloud. “I was almost right. Have a nice day is lartice sin esf marono.”

  “Much better.” Torrin finally smiled. “Now all it will take is practice. But remember practice doesn’t make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect, so check your accuracy until it becomes more natural.” He stepped back and motioned toward the cat. “Are you trying to tame the karron, and does the overlord know she’s here?”

  “The overlord knows and the cub is the reason the elves let Sara go,” Torrin told him.

  Confusion still clouded his gaze, but he didn’t ask for clarification. Instead, he turned to Sara and asked, “Did you need anything else?”

  “No. You’ve been extremely helpful. Thanks again.”

  He dipped his head with a faint smile, then departed.

  XORRAN WATCHED THE assassin until the forest swallowed his tall form. He hated that Sara kept turning to Torrin for assistance. He wanted to provide for all her needs, and ensure she was happy. Being this focused on another person was so strange. He’d always been concerned about his fellow soldiers, and then the males under his command. This was different, infinitely more intense. He wanted Sara to trust him and turn to him whenever she needed anything. It was physically painful to stand aside and let another male assist her.

  She knelt in front of Wenny and spoke in stilting Sarronti. The cat didn’t speak out loud, but apparently both Sara and Torrin were able to hear the cub’s thoughts. After numerous exchanges, Sara stood and brushed off her knees.

  “I didn’t think humans were telepathic,” he grumbled. Was he really jealous of a cat?

  “I’m not. This has never happened before.”

  “Then how are you doing it?”

  “I’m not doing anything,” she insisted. “Wenny must have created some sort of link.”

  He accepted the explanation with a thoughtful nod. “Will she show us one of the entrances?”

  Sara placed her index finger over her lips and shook her head. “We’ll be right back,” she told the cat, then led him from the enclosure. They walked well out of earshot before Sara stopped again. “She’s remarkably intelligent, but she’s also leery of us. I said one negative thing about Isolaund and Wenny’s responses became very guarded, almost hostile. She’s upset that she was sent away, and she is still loyal to ‘the master’.”

  “Damn.”

  “Oh, I haven’t given up,” she insisted. “I hate to trick her, but I don’t see any other way. We’ll pretend we received word from Isolaund that it’s safe for Wenny to return to the Underground. Then we’ll take her to the area of the forest where I emerged with Arrista. Hopefully, Wenny will get excited about going home and do the rest.”

  “And I’ll pray she doesn’t rip us to shreds when she realizes she’s not going home and we tricked her.”

  She stilled, concern filling her expressive eyes. “I hadn’t thought of that.”

  He considered the options for a moment, then said, “Let’s check with Dr. Foran, see if he can give us some sort of fast-acting sedative to use if things get ugly.”

  “That’s probably wise. If Wenny is anything like a human child, we could be in for a world-class tantrum.”

  Sara looked back toward the enclosure. “Maybe I should stay with her while you go—”

  “Not a chance. She’s safely confined and the construction site is teeming with workers. You’re not staying here without me.”

  She smiled and color spread across her cheeks. “My striptease in front of the warlord was an exception not the rule.”

  He returned her smile, warmed by the memory. She’d been fiercely protective last night, like a mother guarding her young. And seeing her calves and lower thighs simply made him eager to see the rest of her supple body. “I only have your word on that, now don’t I?” He moved closer, needing to touch her.

  “My word should be good enough.” She lifted her chin and playfully glared at him. “I’ll never consider the claim of someone who doesn’t trust me.”

  “Trust must be earned,” he said sternly, thoroughly enjoying their game. “And you’ve been very naughty.”

  “Is that right?” Her brows arched and she placed her hands on his chest. “What’s your strategy for reforming my behavior?”

  His heart leapt at her touch and desire stirred inside him, rapidly building to a demanding roar. “I could lock you in my cabin. That will keep you out of mischief.”

  She grinned. “Thea and I caused all sorts of mischief when the overlord locked us inside a cabin.”

  “His mistake was leaving you together.”

  She laughed. “His mistake was leaving us unguarded.”

  “A mistake I’ll be sure to avoid. In fact, the only way to ensure your appropriate behavior is if I guard you myself.”

  Challenge arched her brows even more dramatically. “You think you can handle me?”

  “I’d sure as hells like to try.” He leaned down and cupped her ass with both hands, easily lifting her off her feet.

  She gasped, then laughed as she wrapped her legs around his hips. “I didn’t realize you were an exhibitionist.” She loosely circled his neck with her arms. “Thi
s should be fun.”

  Her gaze locked with his and her smile never wavered, so the importance of her words took a moment to sink in. Exhibitionist? He wasn’t even sure what that meant. Then he looked to his left and groaned. The workers had all stopped and were watching them with lustful fascination. Did they honestly expect him to strip her naked and claim her right there in the grass? Well, if they hadn’t had an audience...

  Instead, he squeezed her butt and nipped her jaw. “We better take this somewhere a little more private.”

  “Why?” she whispered. “I’m not shy.”

  Desire exploded through his body as he imagined her wild and uninhibited, so lost in passion that she didn’t care who was watching. She didn’t pull away as he lowered his head, so he sealed his mouth over hers and filled his lungs with her scent. Her lips parted beneath his and her tongue boldly sought out his. They kissed and kissed until his knees threatened to give out and he had no choice but to come up for air.

  “Dr. Foran,” she panted, when he tried to capture her lips again.

  “What about him?” Xorran supported her with one arm and fisted the back of her hair, slowly pulling her head back until their gazes locked.

  “We need to go see if he has a sedative that will be safe to use on Wenny.” Her breath puffed across his lips and her legs still clung to his sides.

  Gradually, the world came back into focus. Sara was right. They couldn’t do this right now. Heather was still in danger and Sara had no intention of resting until she knew her friend was safe. Accepting the inevitable, he reluctantly slid her down his body and set her feet on the ground. His aroused body protested loudly as he stepped back. “Shall we?” He swept his arm toward the path leading to the Wheel.

  A collective groan erupted at the construction site, and Xorran remembered their audience.

  Sara waved and blew them kisses, then called out, “Get back to work or I’ll sic my battle cat on you!”

  Laughter rumbled through the workers, then they turned and resumed their tasks.

  Xorran and Sara walked for a moment in silence. He fought for composure, but he wasn’t sure what occupied her mind. She seemed agitated though he couldn’t name the cause.

  “Are you all right?” he finally asked as they neared the Wheel. “You seem distracted.”

  She glanced at him, then stopped walking and met his gaze. “You’re not what I expected. My other suitors were very different from you.”

  He searched her expression, trying to understand her emotions. She seemed controlled, even guarded right now. It was hard to believe this was the same woman who had kissed him so passionately a few minutes before. Of course, it hadn’t taken him long to figure out her sarcasm and humor were tools she used to keep anyone from getting too close. He’d only sensed her emotions a couple of times, and each had been while she was extremely upset. “Is that good or bad?”

  “Good for you, and I haven’t decided for me.”

  She sounded sincere, but her answer seemed needlessly vague. With everything that was going on, he was tempted to leave it alone, give her the space she appeared to need. Yet she’d stopped walking as she brought up the subject, so it was obviously important to her. “How am I different?”

  She started to speak, then sighed and looked away. “I don’t know how to say this without insulting you.”

  “Just say it. I’m pretty hard to offend.” Ordinarily, he wouldn’t give a damn what anyone thought about him. But Sara was no random female. He wanted her as his mate, which made her opinion of him crucial.

  “You don’t seem as obsessed with all this as the others. You didn’t even care enough about finding a mate to see how many females you matched. That part really bugs me. Do you even want a mate, or do you feel obligated to court me because we’re compatible, and that’s what the Outcasts expect of you?”

  He caught her wrist and drew her into the trees beside the path. “After last night, can you really doubt how much I want you?”

  “I know you want to have sex with me. That’s not what I’m asking. Do you want to share your life with another person? Are you ready to commit to me for the rest of your life, never touch another female? Do you want children?”

  He placed his hands on her shoulders, wishing they were alone instead of two steps away from a busy trail. “Most battle born soldiers don’t dare to dream of such things. They are unattainable to us. The rebellion changed that, gave us license to dream. But I’m...” He lowered his arms and shifted his gaze beyond her. “I’ve been at the mercy of others for so long that this still doesn’t feel quite real.”

  She nodded and the tension melted from her shoulders. “I’ve been there. Actually, I’m still there.”

  He met her gaze again and gently took her hand. “I don’t want to give you the wrong impression, Sara. This might have come out of nowhere for me, but I’m thrilled by the opportunity. And the answer to all of your questions is yes. Yes, I desperately want a mate. Yes, I’m more than ready to commit to you. And yes, I want as many children as you’re willing to give me.”

  Her only response was a smile as she pulled him back onto the path. Soon they headed up the ramp leading to deck one of the Viper. The commons was unusually crowded and it was clear from the excited buzz of overlapping conversations that something important was about to happen.

  Sara paused near one of the other females and asked, “What’s going on?”

  The female, a rosy-cheeked blonde, responded, “There’s supposed to be some big announcement.”

  All the ships were integrated now, so the overlord could easily send his signal to every display on all twelve ships. Humans seemed to band together whenever they faced uncertainty, so maybe this gathering was to be expected.

  Their exchange seemed to be over, so he started across the room.

  “Wait. I want to hear this,” she objected.

  “If it’s important, the announcement will be transmitted throughout the Wheel. There’s no need to wait around.”

  Her steps still dragged, but she continued walking.

  They’d just reached deck two when the transmission began. The overlord’s face filled every surface capable of producing an image. Xorran stopped and faced the display inset in the corridor wall. Sara stood beside him, tense and silent.

  Kage had styled his hair, creating a tall, stiff ridge down the center while leaving the sides bare. The effect was most dramatic when paired with his barbarian-inspired garments. Today, however, he wore a khaki uniform, just like everyone else.

  “Gossip pisses me off,” he began without preamble. “Though peppered with elements of truth, it’s ever-changing and never accurate. So, I thought I’d take a minute and set the record straight. As you’ve likely heard, we are not alone on this planet. We’ve encountered a race of beings known as the Sarronti. We know they visited Earth, so it’s likely they’re responsible for your mythological elves. We know very little about them, but we’re actively working to learn more. For obvious reasons, they consider us a threat. It is not my intention to start a war. However, we will defend ourselves.” He went on to explain about the kidnapping and the captured elf, as well as most of what Sara had told him.

  “Do you realize how much of this he knows because of me?” Sara whispered as the overlord rambled on.

  Xorran looked at her and smiled. “I’m proud of you and so is the overlord. You showed remarkable bravery in the face of terrifying danger.”

  She met his gaze for a moment before returning her attention to the display. “I wasn’t fishing for compliments. It still seems like a bad dream.”

  He reached over and slipped his arm around her shoulders. “You’re safe now and we’ll get Heather back very soon.”

  “One last thing,” the overlord was saying. “I’ve debated long and hard about this decision, but I feel it’s time.” He squared his already broad shoulders and import roughened his voice. “Any female who has interacted with at least three of her potential mates and still wishes to
return to Earth will be allowed to leave. Retired General Kryton Lux has agreed to facilitate transportation. I fervently hope every one of you will decide to stay, but the decision is yours.”

  The image blinked off, but Xorran just stood there. Was the overlord serious? Without the females this place was just another mercenary outpost. “Did you know about this?” he asked Sara.

  She nodded. “Lily told me at lunch.”

  The tension in her tone dropped a rock into the pit of his stomach. “Are you considering it? How many suitors did you refuse before you met me?”

  “Four.”

  “Then you qualify for this...ride home. Are you planning to leave?” His heart lodged so firmly in his throat that he barely got the words out.

  She shook her head. “Not right now anyway.” A smile tugged at one corner of her mouth. “I can’t leave Wenny.”

  “Is Wenny the only thing keeping you here?” If she wasn’t serious about this, he’d rather know now. It wouldn’t make her rejection any easier to bear, but at least it would be over quickly.

  “I really like you, Xorran, and I didn’t think I would.” She took a deep breath and paused to lick her lips. “That’s why I’m being completely honest with you. Being kidnapped is making this decision much harder than it would have been on Earth. I love the idea of having a mate, and children are something I’ve always wanted. But I’m not sure I can sacrifice all the other people in my life so I can build a future with you.”

  “You don’t have to choose one or the other,” he insisted. “I have access to spaceships. I can take you home to see your family. And the ban on off-world communications was to keep the battle born from finding out our location. If we’re not hiding anymore, I can arrange for you to speak with anyone you like. I’ll get clearance to make the call right now if that will make you happy.” He took a deep breath and backed off. He was starting to sound desperate and that wouldn’t help his cause. He had to earn her trust, not guilt her into feeling sorry for him.

  “I won’t lie to you. I simply don’t know what I want right now.”