“I can’t wait, Doc. I won’t. I’ve already let her down, and she needs me right now.”
“Let’s at least see if she’s all right before you go off half-cocked and tip your hand.” Victor reached into his coat pocket. “Here. I’ve patched the video streaming from her room to my phone.” He swiped the screen a few times and then handed the device to Jax. “Here’s the live feed.”
Jax watched Nya come from the shower in nothing but a towel, her hair dripping wet. Her stilted movements were so different from the way she usually walked. She lost the bath sheet and sat naked, scooping her hair to one side and brushing it to its end.
Jax scowled. Damn it. What was she doing? She knew the room was wired, someone would be watching. It wasn’t in her nature to be an exhibitionist.
“I’ll take care of the video once we’re done here.” Victor looked away.
Nya set the brush down and slipped under the comforter, turning her head away from the camera.
Still. Jax had never seen her so still.
“Something’s wrong. I’m going to her right now.”
Victor took his phone back and straightened to his full height. “She’s mine to counsel.”
“Damn it, Doc. Don’t do this.”
His voice softened. “I don’t want to give Alexandra the weapon she needs to have you disqualified.”
“Let her try.” Jax’s voice lowered to a menacing growl.
Victor put his arm around his friend’s shoulder. “Trust me. I’ll watch her through the night. You go. Get some rest, and we’ll deal with things in the morning.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Diaphanous curtains billowed as a frigid breeze blew through the open window. Goosebumps peppered Nya’s skin, and she rolled over, dissecting the odd sensation of outwardly being so cold while heat pulsed from within.
Weak sunlight brightened the dismal sky, signaling the dawn of a new day.
Physically exhausted and emotionally numb, she made her way to the dressing area, ignoring the constant aches in her muscles and joints. If she didn’t know that Scythians were immune to Allos viruses, she’d swear she had the flu.
She stumbled in front of the mirror and took a hard look. Hives splotched her neck and torso, leaving angry patches of raised welts. A permanent flush graced her cheeks and the bridge of her nose, bringing out the dark circles blooming under her eyes.
She grabbed a blue turtleneck and a pair of black jeans.
Thank God Victor hadn’t shown up last night demanding a recap of her time with Aren.
A soft knock sounded from the front. Nya groaned, heading toward the door.
“Victor, I don’t want to talk about ...” her voice stuck in her throat as she looked into familiar dark velvet eyes.
“Vtachi.” Jax’s voice held such longing and a quiet desperation.
She took in his five o’clock shadow and rumpled clothes. His eyes sparked with sheer need, and she blinked back the tears.
He reached for her. Memories of Penn flooded her mind, and she stepped back.
“When did you get here?”
“Late last night. I wanted to come to you then, but Victor didn’t think it was a good idea.”
She glanced down the hall. “Probably for the best. I’m sure Alexandra has her eyes on me.”
He reached for her again, this time pulling her in for a tight hug.
“God, I’ve missed you,” he whispered, his lips grazing her jaw.
His touch eased the heat running through her, and for just a moment she gave in, melting into him.
Footsteps echoed down the corridor, bringing her to her senses and she tensed.
Jax put a little space between them, his eyes boring into hers. “Are you okay?”
She ignored the question. “How was your mission?”
“Complicated.”
She leaned back against the doorframe. “Well, I hope everything turns out all right.”
“It might be rocky for a year or so, but I have faith it will work out in the end.” He placed his palm on her cheek. “You’re too warm.”
“I'm all right.” She pulled away. “We should probably head down to the dining hall. The others will be waiting.”
Jax kissed her forehead before he wove his fingers through hers. “You should know, your official candidates met with the press late last night.”
They started down the hall.
“Oh?”
“Yes. The Chancellor felt it best to address the growing controversy as soon as I got back.”
“What did you tell the press about where you’d been?”
“That I had been working with a patient in the ward as a personal favor to the Chancellor.”
“And they bought it?”
Jax smirked. “It seems so.”
“Shouldn’t I have been there?”
He stopped at the top of the stairs. “Probably, but Killian and I argued the point the news would be less sensational if you weren’t there to field awkward questions.”
“Oh, okay.”
Silence, mired in distance, surrounded them as they made their way to the dining hall.
Her other four candidates stood as soon as she entered the room. Nya let go of Jax’s hand and pasted on a smile.
She hugged Killian, Giovanni, and Luka before facing Aren. He stood, his eyes askance, not meeting her gaze.
She stood on her toes and pulled him close, straining to whisper in his ear. “I’m sorry.”
Surprised, Aren’s gaze found hers. “I believe I should be saying that to you.”
“Last night wasn’t your fault.”
The others uncomfortably shifted in their place, but Nya ignored them. “I promise. This one’s on me.”
The least she could do was try and ease his guilt—she’d be damned if a fine male like Aren spent his life blaming himself for something he didn’t do.
Aren’s hands gripped hers as he held her gaze. “Next time, you lead.”
She looked away. There wasn’t going to be a next time. Aren deserved better. They all did.
“Sounds good,” she said, squeezing his hand before letting go.
Jax assessed her every move as she rolled her head from side to side before taking her seat.
Nya guided the conversation with endless questions about the press conference, making sure no one ventured into the sensitive waters regarding her time with Aren. Her candidates answered in soft voices, their worry obvious. After the last plate had cleared, the crowd thinned, and champions headed to the arena.
“I’m afraid we part ways here.” Nya stood. “I’m expected on the field to watch the uncommitted spar for the last time, and then my team has requested I meet them early.”
Killian set down his cup. “That’s odd. Did you question why the change in schedule?”
She shrugged. “No. They cleared it through Victor, though.”
All eyes pointed toward her guide, and he stood, his shrink expression firmly in place. “Yes, well. If you’ll excuse us, I’d rather go through the kitchen, so we aren’t hounded by the press.
Chairs scraped across the mahogany floor as everyone stood. Killian, Giovanni, Luka, and Aren hugged her in turn.
Jax hung back, following Nya and Victor out of the dining hall and into the corridor. They stopped in a small servants’ area that held several custodial closets.
“No more than five minutes, Nick.” Victor turned and walked into the washroom.
Jax’s fingers gently enveloped her hand, his thumb finding her scar. “Talk to me, Vtachi.”
“What is there to say?”
He leaned in, his voice became husky and warm. “I’m sorry I left. I should have defied Alexandra’s orders, consequences be damned. But I’m here now. Please, talk to me.”
Her heart stuttered as she stared into his deep, intelligent eyes. God, she wanted to rely on him, she really did.
Dmitri’s deep voice rumbled in the back of her mind ... She is a gift for my son. I promised him l
ong ago ... Leave her with us, and the cloning research stops immediately.
Defiled ... tainted.
She rubbed her forehead as her chin quivered. “It doesn’t matter now.”
Jax’s palm caressed her shoulder. “Of course it does.”
She looked up, her heart aching at the sight of him. “I did what you asked and kept an open mind.”
Jax swallowed a few times. “And?”
A tear streamed down her cheek. “I should have run.”
The quiet confession sent Jax reeling. What the hell happened last night? “Damn it, Vtachi. That’s not true, and we both know it.”
“Everything all right, Ny?” Killian stepped from the shadows.
Jax glared at the other warrior. There was a reason Killian’s call sign was Ghost. Right now, he just wanted to the warrior to disappear.
Nya wiped her eyes. “Yeah. Everything’s fine.”
Killian crossed his arms as he leaned against the doorframe. “Doesn’t look like it from where I’m standing.”
She met his gaze with a watery smile. “Really. I’m okay. Thanks, though.”
He glanced at Jax and then focused on her. “You need me, you know where I am.”
Victor came from the bathroom just as Killian walked away. He cleared his throat. “Are you ready, Anya?”
“Yes.” Nya searched Jax’s face like she was trying to memorize every feature. “I’m sorry. For everything.”
They watched her weave through the kitchen’s stainless steel workstations and head out the back door.
“She’s choosing someone else, isn’t she?” Jax’s voice turned husky.
“She hasn’t expressed an interest in any other warriors.” Victor clapped his hand on his friend’s back before they headed outside.
Blades of light cut across the cobblestoned lane as the sun broke through the clouds.
“Why does Nya’s team want to meet with her early?” Jax asked as they neared the arena.
Victor smirked. “You forget that I create her schedule, which means I’ve built in some time for a session before dinner.”
“She won’t be too happy.”
“She’ll adjust.”
They watched Nya pass through the coliseum’s arched entrance. She never looked back.
Jax’s heart sank. “Get to the bottom of it, Doc.”
Victor’s eyes became grave. “She’s a loose cannon right now. I have no idea what she remembered with Aren nor how she’s processing it. I know it goes without saying, but I cannot manipulate the situation. I won’t give her an opinion on whom she should choose, nor will I betray her confidence. Not even for you, my friend.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Nya didn’t wait for Victor to join her. Instead, she headed straight toward the center of the sparring field. Males dipped and jabbed as they tried to bring the other to the ground. The past few days the arena had taken on an intense frenzy, and today was no different.
“Anya.” A copper-skinned male looked up from his fight and motioned for his partner that he needed a break. He jogged to where she stood. “I thought that was you.”
Nya’s eyes sparked in recognition. “Pacha. How are you?”
He smiled. “I’m better now that you’re here.”
She took a deep breath but her emotions stayed close to the surface.
“Would you care to walk with me?” Pacha held out his hand.
Nya hesitated before she took it. “All right.”
They passed the target field, and Pacha sighed. “My culture teaches true happiness is found when we focus on what is instead of concentrating on what is not.”
She rubbed her forehead. With all the shit she had going on, she didn’t need riddles right now. “Pacha, I already have my—”
“Hear me out, please.” He squeezed her hand. “All week I’ve seen you concentrate on what you didn’t have. The Moor throwing you off kilter, you struggling to find something in common with the Italian, your attraction for the Scotsman, and then feeling guilty about it because he wasn’t the one you wanted. The Tova leaving when he should have stayed.”
She stopped and pulled her hand from his. “You were the one that leaked the rumor to the press.”
“I was tired of watching you cover for a warrior who put a mission above the needs of his prospective mate.”
“How in the hell do you know all this anyway?”
He took her hand again. “Because I watch with the eyes of my ancestors.”
“What does that even mean?” She spoke through clenched teeth.
His dark eyes gentled as he smiled. “It means I see you, and I understand. I meant no malice toward the Tova, I only wanted you to see there are other options.”
She took a deep breath. “I’m listening.”
“Tonight, if you find you need a way out, consider me. Our mating can be whatever you want it to be. I will abide by your wishes.” He grew near, his musky smell a combination of virile male, earth, and sunshine. “Know this. My tribe lives among some of the most rugged terrains. We still have villages the Allos know nothing about—even the Tovaris haven’t been able to find them. You want time away from this world, we’ll head into the Andes Mountains and not come out for years, the Society be damned.”
Her brows rose as she kept his gaze.
“Anya, I’m another option. One that doesn’t require that you sacrifice a future to escape the past.”
He brought her hand to his full lips, kissed her knuckles, then walked away.
Dumbfounded, she just stood there. How did he know?
“What was that about?” Victor came from behind.
“Nothing. Pacha and I were talking.”
Victor frowned. “Never underestimate his kind. They are as elusive as they are intelligent.”
“I think I’ve seen enough.” Nya’s eyes flickered back to the Incan.
Victor studied her for a moment. “As you wish. Your lunch will be delivered to your room, and you’ll have time to rest before your team arrives.”
She doggedly made her way toward the front of the arena with Victor following closely behind.
“Chancellor, there’s a call for you on line two.”
Alexandra looked up from her report. “Who is it?”
“Wouldn’t say, ma’am. When I asked, he said he’s coming to collect what is his. Said you’d know what he was talking about.”
Alexandra blanched. “I’ll be in the War Room, and I’m not to be disturbed.”
The warrior tipped her head and walked away.
The Chancellor hurried through the monitor room and into the inner chamber where the retinal scanner stood. Red light swept across her vision, and a moment later the tumblers clicked in place. A hidden panel slid open, and she crossed the threshold and waited for the door to close behind her.
She picked up the phone. “This is Alexandra Vasilica.”
“My dear Chancellor. The last time we spoke I was but a child.”
Alexandra’s hand shook as she fumbled in her pocket for a smoke. “I want nothing to do with you.”
“Why? You’ll find it much easier to deal with me than Dmitri.”
She lit the hand-rolled and took a big drag. “I highly doubt that.”
He sighed. “Lexi, I—”
“Don’t call me that.”
Penn chuckled. “Why not? My father referred to you often that way. He was, after all, your friend, was he not?”
Silence.
Penn took a deep breath and sighed. “Oh, Lexi, I know all about your time with Dmitri. Surely you haven’t forgotten the summer you rebelled against your Society. Imagine what the Senate would say. Their fearless leader whoring herself out. It would be bad enough if it were with a common Allos, but the Drahzdan Tsar? Why, I’m sure they would love that, now wouldn’t they?”
She closed her eyes. “What do you want?”
“Exactly what I told your assistant. Four years ago, you took something from me. And now,
I’m taking back what is mine.”
“She was never yours, and the answer is no.”
“I’m not asking for permission, Lexi. This is merely a courtesy call. As we speak, my men are getting in position to extract my fiancée from your consulate.”
“That’s impossible. No Drahzda could get on Scythian soil, especially during the Trials.”
“And yet, we have. My Ana will be back home within a day or two. Do what you must, but if I were you, I’d spin the situation to my advantage.”
“And how am I supposed to do that? Tonight, Anya will declare her Chosen. There is sure to be a media firestorm if she doesn’t show. Not to mention the entire Scythian world is watching. When it comes out you’ve taken her the Senate will demand we go to war.”
Penn chuckled. “And Scythians are supposed to be the intelligent ones. I’ll wait until after your precious ceremony. When we come for her, leak the break-in to your press. We have an expendable team nearby for you to capture, which you will report as a failed terrorist attempt on the trials. You’ll look like the hero, and the alleged attack will serve as a nice distraction.”
“And when she doesn’t show for her first official sparring session with her Chosen?”
“Surely you can make something up that seems plausible. You are, after all, the leader of the entire Society.”
Alexandra grew quiet. “She doesn’t want you, you know.”
“You’re wrong.” Penn’s voice became aggressive. “My Ana loves me. She always has.”
The silence stretched as Alexandra’s mind raced. She hated being cornered. “I can’t let this happen. Not again.”
“I have footage of you in Dmitri’s bed.”
“Release whatever you want. I’ll have our experts say the film was doctored—the Senate will believe it is nothing more than an attempt to discredit me.”
“And while you are calming the firestorm and smothering conspiracy theories, I’ll take my Ana anyway and then put all our resources on the cloning technology we’ve been sitting on for years.” Penn’s voice gentled. “Lexi, work with me as you did Dmitri. Together, we could fight the injustices of the world. The Society could make great strides in getting terrorism under control while I spend my time solidifying the Drahzda’s hold on Mother Russia. The world is a delicate balance of political maneuvering, you know that. We are on the brink of humanity imploding on itself. Let’s not add a war between the Drahzda and the Scythians to the chaos.”
The Scythian Trials Page 26