Vendel Rising Omnibus

by L A Warren

  Dove groaned.

  Jeena winced.

  “Give him a chance,” Dove said.

  “No, I think Carek and I understand each other. He wants something I don’t want to give. If you could keep him away from me, I’d appreciate it.”

  “Come, kid, you need to get ready for your race,” Jeena said. “We’ll keep him away for now, but eventually, the two of you are going to have to settle this.”

  “I don’t think that’s possible,” Elise said.

  “Whatever, kid.” Jeena walked her toward the jump-jet hangar. “Let’s focus on the race. You have a timed trial up first. You have to hit the rings solid. Things aren’t yet tight enough that you need to pick up any of the bonus rings. As long as the race feels good, or if you think one is easy to hit, play it safe. As for Rabbit and Fox, obliterate your opponent. Now is the time to develop a reputation. Make them sweat and keep them guessing.”

  Elise breathed in deeply. It suddenly got very real. Jeena’s instructions continued and Elise struggled to pay attention to her jump-jet instructor’s final words of advice.

  “Rabbit and Fox is a triple elimination competition for the jump-jet circuit. You’ll fly against most pilots several times. Based on your rankings, you’ll either advance or not. Your flight today is against a pilot named Malikai.”

  “I know that pilot. He ran a race with Zander. He only won because Zander got cocky.”

  “Zander’s harmless, but don’t underestimate Malikai. Obnoxious and more boastful than he should be, Malikai is the real fox. I’ve come up against him before. He’s the only pilot I lost a race to. He’ll have no problem leaving you in the dust if you’re not careful.”

  “Well, I’m up for a challenge. Which one is first?”

  “Time trial,” Dove chimed in.

  “Good, it’ll give my head time to clear before facing off against Malikai.”

  They walked into the hangar and, without any ceremony, Elise slipped into her flightsuit and Jeena banged Elise’s helmet with her fist to wish her luck.

  Elise didn’t need luck, she had more than enough skill, and she wasn’t being cocky.

  After her time trial, which she smashed, she had a few moments to collect herself and prepare for her race against Malikai. Elise settled her jump-jet into its berth and climbed out of the cockpit. A man in a red flight suit stood next to Jeena. A shimmering mist concealed his features. Dove stood beside Jeena, closer than normal, and had a hand on Jeena’s arm, holding her back.

  “Well, Chickadee,” Malikai turned to Elise, “looks like we get to face off together in the first round.”

  The reflective visor of her helmet hid her features, but she wished for a veil of mist. Malikai had a presence about him which had her wanting to take a step back in retreat.

  Jeena spoke for her. “The kid is going to kick your butt, Malikai.”

  “Hardly, even you couldn’t do that.” Malikai carried himself with self-assurance and filled the space with his arrogance.

  “I beat you,” Jeena asserted.

  “You got lucky and slipped through that fifth ring. Took away something precious from me as I remember it.”

  “It’s not like you needed the win, or the prize money. I think we all know you hail from a different caste than the rest of us.”

  “We’re all equals in the jump-jet competitions, my dear. But I wasn’t talking about the prize money. I was thinking more of the other prize I lost.”

  “Go suck fumes.”

  Elise held perfectly still, content to be ignored. Dove hovered, but even he didn’t move a muscle as Jeena faced Malikai.

  Malikai jerked his chin toward Elise, to which she responded by taking a step back. “What about your student here? I’ve taken a look at some of her practice runs. Shows promise. Care to make that same wager, Jeena?”

  “No.”

  “Well, Chickadee, looks like your mentor has no faith in you.”

  “Shove it, Malikai,” Jeena said. “The kid has nothing to do with you. Play nice or leave.” The muscles in Jeena’s jaw clenched.

  Elise had never seen her friend so mad. Jeena’s knuckles were white and her face beet red. But that was nothing compared to Dove. He had both hands on her arms, restraining her from lunging at the pilot. He was beginning to breathe hard from the effort of holding her back.

  “I’ve waited a long time, Jeena, and I always get what I want.” Malikai turned and strode off.

  “What was all of that?” she whispered when Malikai was far enough away and out of earshot.

  “Old business, kid,” Jeena said. “Dove, if you ever hold me back like that again, I’m gonna’ fry you in your ship’s exhaust.” She shrugged out of his grip.

  “Getting into a fight with a lord is poor form,” he said, “even if he is veiled.”

  “He—” Jeena stamped her foot and screamed. Crew from adjoining jump-jets whipped their heads around at the sound. “He infuriates me.”

  “Why?” Elise asked innocently.

  “Old business, kid. I made a foolish wager after winning nine straight jump-jet finals.”

  “What was the bet?”

  Dove bit his lower lip. “Oh, kid, I wish I’d thought to tell you that particular story sooner.”

  Jeena glared at Dove, but then glanced at Elise. “I made a stupid bet with that man and I barely pulled my ass out of the fire. Custom is strict in many ways, but that doesn’t mean men are content to wait around for the woman they want to want them back. Malikai took an interest in me and tricked me into betting away my security.”

  “How could he possibly do that?” Elise asked.

  Jeena’s eyes clouded over.

  Dove answered for Jeena. “He convinced her to agree to matrimony if he beat her at the Imperial finals. If she won, he agreed to buy her a brand-new ship and fund her maintenance costs for life. Thus the origin of Champions Riot. It’s a pretty snazzy little ship. Has a berth for two, although she has never tried it out.” He wriggled his eyebrows.

  Jeena slugged him. “Dove, someday you’ll go too far.”

  “A man can only hope.” His face broke into a huge crooked grin.

  “In the end, I won the finals,” Jeena explained. “The Emperor’s Bet had been placed on me, so the payout was triple what I’d hoped for. I didn’t need Malikai’s ship or his financing. I took it though and he hasn’t stopped hounding me. I jump ship whenever I find out he’s close. He’s kept a really low profile on this mission. Although, it finally explains why repairs to the Spider Devil have been delayed. I bet Malikai’s hands are involved in that.”

  “What about the Spider Devil?” Elise asked. And what was the Emperor’s Bet?

  “Malikai holds a grudge against me,” Dove said. “You saw how he acted, like I wasn’t even here?” He coughed. “Luv, the kid has to get ready.”

  “Yes, dear.” Jeena tugged on his nose. “Come kid, back up into the cockpit you go.”

  “But I just got back.” Elise climbed on board when Jeena gave her a look.

  “You’re up against Malikai next. Don’t blow it.”

  The next hour tested her skill. Malikai taunted her at every turn during their race, proving to be a formidable opponent. She did not beat him, but neither did she lose to him.

  She took Fox on the first race and hit him by the forty-eighth ring, earning a single point. He took Fox next and scored two points when he hit her before the halfway mark at the nineteenth ring. In the final race, since she was behind in points, Elise got to pick Rabbit or Fox. She chose Fox and hit the rear of his craft moments before he screamed through the fiftieth ring. They tied two against two.

  “You barely pulled that one off, Chickadee,” Malikai said through the communications channel. “Doesn’t do either of us any good in the rankings. Ties work against us.”

  “Then you should’ve worked harder to win,” she countered, rising to his challenge.

  “Hardly, you got lucky. Barely got me either time, and I never throw a race.”


  “No barely about it. I think it’s pretty clear I hit you. Don’t think anyone’s going to ask for a sudden replay to make sure.”

  Malikai paused for a long moment, then he chuckled through the communications channel.

  “By the gods. Sudden replay, is it? You know, I agree. I don’t think anyone will ask for that, but a rematch? A rematch is definitely in order. I’m certain I can teach you a lesson you’ll never forget.”

  “Threatening the newbie on the circuit? That’s just plain rude. What are you afraid of, Malikai? Afraid a newbie will put you in your place?”

  “I’m not afraid of much. How about you? What do you fear? Care to make a wager?”

  “What like that stupid one you tried to pull on Jeena? No way.”

  “Not exactly like that one. I was thinking of something else.”

  “Sorry, not interested. If you’re good enough, maybe I’ll see you in the finals.”

  “The finals are several cycles away. Do you think you’ll still be around?”

  “Where exactly do you think I’ll go?”

  “Obviously, I’ve underestimated you.” He paused. “You know, I’m dying to find out how far you make it. I’m of a mind to let this play out. Jump-jet eliminations can get pretty hairy, Chickadee. Watch your back. I’m going to see exactly how far you actually get with this little game.” Malikai engaged his thrusters and nosed her out of her reentry glide path.

  She banked hard and swore under her breath. His jump-jet entered the pick-up tube and disappeared into the bowels of the Gambit. She realigned her flight path and followed behind him.

  Jeena and Dove stood at the jump-jet dock. Jeena’s eyes were alight and she bounced on her toes. Dove stood solidly, and brushed away a tear from his left eye when he thought no one was looking. The crane lowered the jump-jet into its berth, released the clamps, and moved back to its next task. Elise popped the cockpit hatch release and climbed down.

  Jeena grabbed her in a hug. “You did it!”

  Elise hugged her back. “I didn’t win, just tied.”

  “I don’t care. Malikai is one of the best jump-jet pilots on the circuit and you scored two hits on him. Two!” She thumped Elise on the back and stepped out of the way for Dove to claim a hug.

  “Well, I’ll tell you what,” Dove said, “from the way Malikai stalked out of here, you really pissed that bastard off.”

  “Poor loser?” Elise kissed Dove’s thick nose.

  Jeena leaned on Elise’s shoulder. “Naw, kid, he’s always been the moody type. Aggressive as hell, and moody as shit. When you go up against him later, remember that. He holds grudges.”

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Gambit, Day 261

  Elise didn’t hang around to celebrate her jump-jet tie with Jeena and Dove. She begged off, complaining of a headache. Sleep called to her, and with Gregor’s new training schedule, she only had a few hours to revive her sleep-deprived body.

  I want to fly again, Malice grumbled. We should have beat that pilot.

  With a roll of her eyes, she ignored Malice and fell into bed. Less than an hour later, it was with great annoyance that she found someone shaking her awake. She shoved the annoying hands to the side.

  The kiss on her lips came as a surprise.

  The laughing eyes of Gregor took her breath away.

  He sat on her bed, staring at her with an unreadable expression, and shook his head. “My little opés. Just when I think we understand each other, you surprise me.”

  “Gregor, what do you mean?”

  She pushed her hair back from her face and smoothed out the tangles. Her chest ached from the sudden beating of her heart. Gregor’s presence simply had that effect on her. Another time, another place, different circumstances, and she would be aching for so much more from him. With great difficulty, she reminded herself why she needed to hate him.

  “I love hearing my name on your lips. It reminds me how far we’ve come, you and I. No more lying, just a wish to please me. I like that.”

  Elise struggled with the duality of his expression. Behind the laughing eyes, a simmering anger lurked. He was furious about something, but he was also incredibly pleased. She couldn’t make sense of it.

  “The High Tender was quite pleased by your performance in his office. I brought him to examine the construct you made for me.” He continued, “I’m upset with him, and I wanted to tell you why, because I know how this is going to make you feel.”

  His eyes grew cold and flat.

  Elise shivered.

  He gave her a slow kiss. It was one of his possessive kisses, one he had not given her in a long time. The kiss was delivered in such a way to remind her that she was his and he controlled every part of her.

  “Gregor,” she said, making sure to speak his name. She had no idea where he was coming from at the moment. “What have I done wrong?”

  He laughed hard. Glittering eyes fixed her in his gaze. “Opés, you amaze me, but that is not why I’m here. You need to ask what it is that will upset you.”

  “I don’t know what we’re talking about.”

  What has happened? Whimper wailed in the background. What do we have to prepare for now? Shriek! Shriek? What’s going on!

  Shh! He’ll tell us, he’s just trying to bait us right now, Shriek soothed.

  Gregor traced a finger across Elise’s forehead and stared into her eyes. “Do you remember last night?”

  Elise sat up straight in the bed. They’d spoken of the Binding and sex. Is that what this was about? Had he received the official go ahead for the Binding Rite?

  Her heart thudded in her chest.

  No, no, no! her sisters broke out in chorus.

  Her voice came out in a whisper, “You’ve been relieved of your oath? If that is the news, then it would make me happy, not upset,” she lied. It seemed that’s all she ever did with Gregor, except when he kissed her. Vector, Activator, Blood Rite, whatever was at work on her body, manufactured or not, his kisses felt real.

  Her stomach churned at that thought. At how she’d accepted that piece of her new life.

  She wasn’t ready for what came next, even if she craved physical union with Gregor.

  “Look me in the eye and tell me that is not a lie, opés.” His tone darkened and the tattoo danced over his brow.

  She shook with the chill in his voice and picked her words carefully. “It is not a lie, Gregor, but perhaps not the whole truth.”

  “Omission is very much a lie in my mind.”

  She placed a hand on his arm, and withdrew it when he stiffened. “Gregor, the Binding Rite scares me. I don’t know what to expect, but once I feel your touch, I’m sure that will fade. It’s difficult to think of much else when you have me in your arms.”

  “Then you’re ready?” He cocked his head and his eyes glittered again. “Right now? You’re ready to complete the Binding Rite?”

  “I’ll never be ready. That’s the truth, but if it’s time, then I will not fight you.”

  There would be no reason to fight. Her war against the Vendel would end in complete failure.

  She silenced the wails of her sisters.

  It was finally over. She had lost.

  Elise touched his forehead and traced the outline of the imperial tattoo stamped over his brow. “Such a unique tattoo. I’ve always found it fascinating.” She sighed and surrendered. Alice would be so upset. Her hopes of escape were over. “Did I do something between last night and now to anger you? I won’t fight the binding.”

  All hope had vanished.

  He gave her one of his tender, non-hurried kisses. When he withdrew, his eyes held a degree of warmth.

  “I came to tell you the High Tender is ecstatic at the progress you’ve made and feels more exposure to the Gambit’s WOR will only improve the strength of our Binding. He wants you to provide fresh eyes to his personal project. It’s something we’re looking at to combine the power of the WOR and combat the S’Lorek. He delayed my request with the
High Council in hopes the bond between us strengthens, so that when we do Bind, the bond will be at its strongest. After last night, I thought you would take the news poorly, especially considering how eager you seemed to proceed?”

  Wait. What? Whimper cried.

  What the hell is going on? Malice asked.

  Elise’s breath caught. Slowly, his words penetrated the haze of defeat shrouding her mind.

  We’ve been granted a reprieve! Shriek shouted.

  Then Elise realized what happened. In that moment, she had accepted complete, absolute, no-going back defeat. It blew her away. She wasn’t one to give up.

  “Opés,” he said, “you need to take a breath.”

  Elise shook. “Gregor, hold me!”

  It didn’t make sense to seek his embrace, but she needed the contact of a warm body. She needed to cling to someone, even if that person was her sworn enemy. Even if he was slowly becoming something more.

  You turn to him for comfort? the silent unnamed sister whispered from the dark.

  Gregor wrapped his arms around Elise and held her tight.

  “Elise, what’s wrong?” He gave her one of his tender, protective kisses.

  They sat in silence while she wept.

  “Are you all right?”

  He smoothed her hair and stroked the nape of her neck.

  Her tears soaked his shirt. “I’m sorry, Gregor. Forgive me. I thought I had it controlled.”

  “At least that reaction was honest.”

  “There’s still a part of my me which remembers Earth. What I’ve lost. What you’ve taken.” She glanced into his silver eyes as a knife twisted in her heart. How she ached to hold him.

  He’s the enemy, the lurker whisper.

  Is he? It was hard to know anymore. She took a breath and it shuddered out of her, loosening the constriction around her heart. “I can’t make sense of my feelings. I hate you, yet I crave your touch. How does that make any sense? I wish it would end. I crave my freedom, yet, my dreams are filled with nothing but you. I don’t know what’s happening to me.”

  He kissed her brow. “Hate is a strong emotion, difficult to maintain for any length of time. You need to accept your new life. I’m a part of it. You have to let go of your anger if you’re ever to live here. What I’ve done has been necessary, Elise. Someday, you’ll understand and accept it for what it is, and hopefully you’ll let go of your hatred. You don’t need to fight me. It will only cause you more pain in the end. And I wish to give you a life worth living. A life full of joy, not pain.”