Varian grinned. Jana’s reaction couldn’t have been more perfect. “Stick close, little moonbeam,” he advised as he walked away. Confident his scheme of deception was in motion, he relaxed.
Jana glared at his retreating back. He could be so insufferable, so mean, so arrogant! When Varian realized that Jana hadn’t followed him, he turned, came back, and reached out to take her hand. Jana tried to yank it out of his grasp. He scowled and squeezed it until she winced and relented. As if he were issuing orders for her conduct, he whispered, “I’m being an ass again. Sorry, Jana. Let’s get this nasty affair over quickly.”
Jana looked up into his roguish face and frowned in confusion. “You are one exasperating, bewildering man, Varian Saar.”
“It runs in the blood,” he mirthfully replied. “You’re stuck with me.”
“Fat chance,” she scoffed distractedly, bringing hearty laughter from the man at her side.
A distinguished man of around sixty approached them. There was a genteel aura about him. The smile he sent to Jana was warm, but the one for Varian exhibited deep respect and admiration. He was introduced as Avatar Suran, the ruler of the planet. The impressive man held up his hand in greeting, palm facing Jana. She nervously lifted her hand and pressed her palm against his as she had been taught aboard Varian’s ship.
“It’s a pleasure, Dr. Greyson,” the ivory-faced man told her.
“It’s an honor to meet you, sir,” she replied courteously, wondering why Varian had given her medical status along with her full name.
The man looked at Varian and smiled. “Her publicity speaks truthfully. Some man will be extremely lucky to acquire such a superior mate.” He dropped the small box in his hand, spilling its contents. While he chatted with Jana, Varian hunkered down and politely retrieved the box and items, slipping a miniature tape into the box. “If I were younger and single, I would be compelled to spend my entire fortune on a jewel like you. Thank you, Varian,” the man said cheerfully as he accepted the box and held it tightly. His dark eyes briefly fused with fathomless blue ones. “I’d best get along home. I have some vital business to handle. You take care of this little gem. If I were the Wanderlust captain, she wouldn’t be for sale,” Suran declared boldly, to Varian’s vexation. Suran chuckled, then strolled away.
To dispel Varian’s sudden dark mood, Jana impishly singsonged, “If I were the Wanderlust captain, I wouldn’t be a prisoner; you would be mine and I won’t reveal what I would do with you. He was very nice,” she added seriously, as if the previous remarks were forgotten.
Fortunately the auction went off without any unpleasantness or trouble, to Jana’s astonishment. After each successful bidding, the woman was taken away gently and respectfully. Nothing in the buyers’ expressions or moods suggested that these charls were anything less than priceless treasures or cherished mates.
Varian left during the final sale. Jana returned to the ship with Nigel, Tristan, Martella, Vaiden, Daxley, and Baruch. Later, she dined with them in the Stardust Room, acutely aware of Varian’s absence and painfully suspecting the reason behind it: Rayna. After a game of Laius with Nigel as the winner, Jana returned to her quarters for a restless night’s sleep.
Zan’s space cruiser was swiftly heading for his rendezvous with Canissia Garthon’s ship. The pictures of Jana and Varian at the auction on Zamarra would be delivered by Canissia to Prince Taemin and his father, Jurad…
Moloch Shira, too, had been surreptitiously observing the couple all day, frequently changing disguises to avoid being noticed as he took notes and pictures for Ryker Triloni. As prearranged, he had retrieved the report packet from the traitorous officer on Varian’s ship. Added to his investigation of Jana and Varian today, Ryker Triloni should be able to obtain a good, close look at the relationship between his half brother and the alien enchantress.
Chapter Ten
Jana was awakened by gentle nudgings. “Your monitor isn’t on, Jana. You must rise and hurry. We leave for Thule in less than an hour.”
“What?” Jana mumbled drowsily. She yawned and stretched, trying to come to full awareness as she looked into Martella’s anxious face.
“Didn’t Commander Saar tell you, you’re to attend the auction on each planet? We reached Thule early this morning. You bathe and dress, and I’ll order your breakfast. It’ll be in the servo when you finish. Your clothes are on the sofa. Hurry along, or we’ll keep everyone waiting.”
As Tristan, Martella, and Jana were transported to Thule a short time later, she wondered if there was a special reason why Varian had left before them. If it was to meet another woman, why had he taken Nigel along?
Jana watched the planet surface grow larger and clearer. As with Zamarra, the cities and private dwellings of Thule were covered with massive clear domes. This time, according to Tristan’s explanation, the inverted beehives were constructed to protect the inhabitants from excessively hot rays from their two moons, which were more like reflective suns. She searched the horizon in every direction. She could make out at least three enormous domes which were like the hubs of wagon wheels, with clear tunnels radiating like spokes in all directions to smaller domes, which in turn radiated in a half-moon design to five even smaller domes. She was told that each community was self-contained, but was connected to all others by an underground tram system.
Jana observed her surroundings as they hurried to the building where the charl exhibition and sale would take place. Most of the dwellings were flat-roofed and square. There was a wide range of exterior paint colors on the stuccolike surfaces, but all were in soft hues. Most windows and doors were in arch designs. The structure where the auction was to be held seemed to be a dinner theater from its interior design.
Jana was seated near an open arch. Martella and Tristan left her to carry out their assigned duties but it wasn’t long before Nigel came to join her. Pleased with his arrival, Jana relaxed as much as this repulsive occasion would permit. The auction began without Varian.
“This is so humiliating, Nigel. And it’s so hard to be displayed and be forced to watch others being sold, including Susan,” she remarked hotly, gesturing at the stage where her former rival stood in a beguiling pose next to Stephanie.
“I’m sorry if it offends you, Jana.” Nigel saw the fires of rebellion dancing within her eyes. He knew Varian would be forced to react harshly if she relented to those emotions. Nothing and no one must interfere with their mission. When it looked as if she were about to loudly protest this practice, he warned, “Don’t interfere, Jana. You wouldn’t want to join them today.” He nodded toward the stage. “If you publicly embarrass Varian, he will be forced to punish you harshly. Such actions would have a detrimental effect on your impending fate. Please, stay calm and quiet,” he entreated her. “Don’t forget you’re a captive, and he’s a Star Fleet commander.”
Jana almost bit her tongue to curb her surly response. She trembled from the effort required to keep her body in the chair. She vainly tried to shut out the bargaining sounds which reached her ears. Even if none of the patrons were crude or impolite, this procedure distressed her greatly.
A staggering realization had touched Jana this morning; she would soon find herself on a similar platform enduring this procedure. Nigel’s words vanquished her courage. She, also, was a defenseless captive, soon to be sold to the highest bidder. She had to get away from here. When it came time for Susan’s sale, Jana experienced no relief and delight. She was the first captive to be sold whom Jana had known closely.
“The ladies’ room is just outside the doorway, Nigel. May I be excused for a few minutes? I promise to return shortly.” She smiled genially to deceive him. She would allow enough time for this detestable business to be completed without her presence. Surely it couldn’t last much longer.
Nigel nodded permission. He knew that Varian was meeting with Thule’s planetary ruler, Avatar Feaji, at this very moment to pass along the secret mission tape. Still, Nigel wished Varian would arrive soon.
/> Jana hurried down the hallway, oblivious to a man who was observing her carefully. As she passed through an arch, she was intercepted and halted. “If you’ll excuse me, sir,” she hinted politely and tried to pass him.
The man seized her right arm in an uncomfortable grip. He realized that Jana did not remember seeing him yesterday on Zamarra when her contemptuous gaze swept over him. His leering half-smile infuriated her. She yanked on her arm and demanded, “Release me this instant. How dare you touch me!”
“Shut up, alien whore. I want to check out the merchandise. You are the widely acclaimed jewel of Saar’s collection?” He sneered at her. “Are you really worth so much money, Jana Greyson? From what I hear, Saar has already sampled this delectable product and everyone knows a used product sells for less. What kind of bargain is he offering for an ex-mistress these days? Usually they’re not worth much when he finishes with them.” Moloch used his crude insults and frightening implications to draw more facts from Jana for Ryker. He had already passed Ryker’s latest message to the spy aboard the Wanderlust: orders to supply Canissia with duplicates of the exact information and pictures which the spy had already passed to Ryker via Moloch yesterday.
Jana stiffened as his eyes insultingly drifted over her. “I must admit, Saar does have excellent taste, as usual. At least you should be well trained to service your new owner. Is that so?” he asked.
Jana jerked her arm free and landed a stunning slap across the man’s face. “You bastard! How dare you touch me or insult me! Get out of my way!”
“In case you’ve been denied the facts, my lovely and fiery Earthling, captives go to the highest bidder. You’ve nothing to say about your sale or new owner, nor does your captor. Since I’m an extremely wealthy man who intends to place a bid on you, I suggest you be nicer. You could regret this foolish conduct when you find yourself my mate in fifteen days.”
Despite her rising panic and fear, Jana bravely shouted, “Let me go!”
“Oh, yes,” he murmured ominously, “I’m going to enjoy taming you, my little wildcat. My name is Moloch Shira. I’m from this planet of Thule, and no doubt your imminent mate. I should warn you, Jana, I can be extremely gentle and pleasant or I can be extremely tough and harsh.” His smile and gaze were as hard as stone. “If you show me you can be agreeable and you still have something left over after Varian’s voracious feeding, I might offer you a lengthier relationship than he gave you. Our colorings would blend perfectly in our offspring.”
“I would rather die than have you touch me.”
“Die? Not hardly. Rumor accurately has it you’ll demand the highest price ever paid for any alien mate. Men all over this galaxy are plotting for your bid. I can make you beg for death every night, if you want it that way. For you see, Jana Greyson, I can easily afford your price. So I would soften that tongue if I were you, little ice-maiden. I would be willing to bet a small fortune you’re worth every katooga Saar is asking, just as I’m willing to bet an equal fortune you’re not Saar’s mistress. The truth will come out at your auction on Rigel; Saar must declare your sexual status. Unless he’s been careless and allowed one of his officers to taste your sweet charms,” he murmured huskily as his fingers drifted down her left arm, “you’ll be sold as a virgin. Isn’t that right, Jana? Saar has seduced countless women in his day and will lay countless more, but he would never make love to an alien breeder. No, Varian Saar would never reveal such a humiliating weakness.”
Moloch noted her hesitation to deny his words. He observed her acute fear. Jana was a surprise to him. He had expected matchless beauty and charm and intelligence, but not such magnetic vulnerability and softness. Moloch’s hand slid up her arm and captured a breast.
Jana reacted immediately. She balled her fist and hit him with all her strength. The man grabbed her wrists and warned, “You’ll pay for that, alien witch! You will pay dearly every time I take you. If I have to spend every katooga I have to purchase you, I will. After I’ve sated myself, I’ll sell you to the meanest bastard I can locate.” His green eyes glittered with vengeful fires.
“Varian will kill you for this. Let go of me!” Jana shrieked at him.
Jana fell backward against the wall as Moloch was forcefully seized and thrown to the hard floor. Moloch glared up into the blue eyes of Varian Saar as they blazed with fury. Varian’s expression was like a mask of pure rage which instilled caution in Moloch. Jana was too shaky to fling herself into Varian’s arms; it wasn’t necessary.
Varian stepped over to her, his strong arms encompassed her and held her tightly against his taut frame. He lifted her chin and gazed into her petrified eyes. “You all right, moonbeam?” he questioned tenderly.
Jana’s wide gaze shifted to the man who was brushing off his garments. She buried her face against Varian’s chest. She didn’t see the murderous look in Varian’s eyes as he comforted her in a deceptively calm tone.
“You’re safe, Jana. This reckless fool won’t come near you again.” Varian wanted nothing more than to tear Moloch limb from limb. He suspected Moloch was currently employed by Ryker. He brought his intense rage under control. Moloch’s day would come, just like Ryker’s…
Moloch had gleaned the clues Ryker needed. Varian’s look, voice, and possessive embrace had told him plenty. Still, he couldn’t resist goading him. If Ryker didn’t want Jana, then he certainly did! “A misunderstanding. Your little alien just changed her mind about trying to bribe me into buying her. Confronted with all that beauty and charm, I lost my head. You are still planning to sell her in two weeks?”
Jana’s head jerked around in disbelief. “That’s a lie! I never—”
Varian’s finger on her lips shushed her. “Never mind, moonbeam. The truth is obvious. Moloch and I have our differences, but we know each other well. He thinks he has a grievance against me, but he’s wrong.”
Moloch grinned malevolently and said, “I will make certain I’m on Rigel for this special auction. She’s one gem I’m determined to have, Saar, at any price. I’ll be seeing you both soon.”
Varian felt Jana sway weakly against him. His embrace involuntarily tightened around her shoulders. “There will be no samples today or any other day. If you dare come near Jana again before the auction, I’ll make you regret ever seeing me. Do we understand each other?” he snarled, teeth bared like a wild animal about to attack his prey.
“Perfectly. Be sure you protect her from your black moods and your lust. Most buyers don’t like tarnished treasures, even exquisite ones.”
As Varian struggled to retain his precarious grip on his temper, Jana watched the noxious creature swagger away. Hurt and resentment filled her. She pushed herself out of his arms. “Thanks for the rescue,” she murmured.
“I should have guarded you better, moonbeam. You would tempt even the gods to seize you. A mortal man is powerless to resist you, if he finds you alone and defenseless. I’ll make certain this never happens again. I could have beaten Moloch senseless, but it isn’t wise for a starship commander to kill such a rich and powerful man for offending a…you.” Varian wanted to bite off his tongue for his stupid choice of words. He had best settle down.
So, chivalry was wasted on a mere charl, a slave. Jana felt as if Varian had punched her forcefully in the abdomen. Apparently he had lied to her. So much for defending her. Had he been misleading her all along, perhaps to make her docile and pliant?
As if reading her thoughts, Varian promised, “I’ll kill any man, including Moloch, if he ever harms you. You have my word, Jana.”
She looked up at him. His voice had been cold and credible. His eyes looked honest. “You can’t make such a promise, Commander Saar. Once I’m sold, your power over me will end, as will your protection. If I understand this procedure correctly, you’ll have nothing to say about my sale or my owner. Don’t try to control me with such harmful lies. I can’t afford to offend prospective buyers, like I did Moloch. You know what can happen if a beast like that purchases me. Are you sure these dis
plays are necessary? We’re talking about my safety and survival,” she reminded him.
“No matter who buys you, Jana, he will never harm you. If he tries, I’ll find a way to stop him. If necessary, I’ll provoke him into a lethal fight. I swear to you, I’ll never allow any man to hurt you.”
“Why can’t you keep me, Varian?” Jana bravely queried. “I promise I’ll do anything you ask. I won’t interfere in your private life. Can’t you buy me or arrange to keep me? Even if you don’t want me as your mate, you could find something useful for me to do. I swear, no questions or pressure.”
Varian was caught off guard by her plea. “Don’t do this, Jana. You ask for the impossible. There is no place in my life for a woman, especially no time soon. I could make your life as miserable as Moloch could,” he reasoned firmly. He waited for her denial or protest to come, which it did not.
“Is the money so important? If you can’t keep me, then why can’t you sell me or give me to someone like Nigel. He needs a mate, doesn’t he? He’s kind and gentle, and he likes me for myself. If not Nigel, then someone like him. Surely you have some kind friends who are single. You captured me; don’t you have a right to dispose of me as you see fit?”
Varian needed to halt this conversation quickly. There was only one way. “I don’t own you, Jana; the Supreme Council does. I can’t select your buyer, and Nigel can’t afford your opening bid. Nor can he or any starship officer keep a mistress or mate on board. And what intelligent man could leave a tempting mate like you behind? He’d never keep his mind on his duty. I’m sorry, Jana, but I have no control over this matter.”
“You captured me, Varian, doesn’t that give you some responsibility where my life is concerned? Do my existence and happiness mean nothing to you?”
“I promised you safety, Jana, that’s the best I can offer,” he replied, knowing full well he could and was going to do more…
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