Ryol took another swipe at his brow with the handkerchief as he stared down at his brother’s finger poking into his chest. He clutched a medallion that hung around his neck and glared from Blane to Sharlene. “How many colonists have survived?” he demanded.
Ange saw a shadow pass over the woman’s face. “Fifty.”
“Then we’ve brought more than enough.” Ryol glanced up at the sky. “I don’t see either of the moons.”
If his too-casual tone hadn’t alerted Ange, the way Blane’s shoulders jerked would have. The younger brother barked out a laugh. “They’re still up there. I saw them as we came in for a landing.”
“Oh, yes.” A smug expression settled on Ryol’s face. “I don’t need to depend on you for information about the moons. It cost me a fair sum, but I had an astronomer back in the Federation access the old records on this colony and compute the moon cycles for me. The double risings will begin tomorrow night.”
Blane lifted his eyebrows. “Your timing is excellent as always.”
“I make my own luck,” Ryol said. He smiled at Ange’s puzzled expression. “Kyffin’s two moons rise at exactly the same time during one two-day period of the planet’s rotational cycle only.”
Ange nodded her understanding. “That’s why you were in such a hurry to get here.”
A smug smile turned up the corners of his mouth. “Yes. It was a last-minute decision to come now. I thought I had enough—no matter. I thought I could wait, but my business is increasing at an exponential rate.”
The scorn in Blane’s eyes deepened. “You can’t miss a chance to make more money, you mean.”
Ryol laughed. “That money got you here.”
Blane squared his shoulders. “I’ve never taken a credit from you. I’ve earned my own way from the day I was hijacked aboard ship. I’ve only come along on this trip to get back to Kyffin—”
“Fine,” Ryol interrupted. “Get back to your colonists if you’ve missed them so much.”
Blood rose in Blane’s cheeks. “I need reassurance that you’re going to honor our agreement. Otherwise I won’t set foot in the meadow.”
A dangerous gleam appeared in Ryol’s dark eyes. “I’ve brought the supplies. And as for the rest, that’s contingent on my getting what I need for Scent of Magic. You’re well aware of that.”
Blane thrust out his jaw. “I’ll do what you ask. But I warn you—again—that the meadow is a dangerous place.”
“Your warnings won’t stop me,” Ryol snapped.
“See you there, brother.” With a sneer, Blane grabbed Sharlene’s arm and turned her back toward the colony buildings. The two of them walked away, deep in conversation.
Ryol eyed Ange as if he’d forgotten her presence. “The excitement of returning to Kyffin seems to have affected my brother’s good judgment, captain. I might require your protection tomorrow tonight.”
“In the meadow?” She lifted a questioning eyebrow at him.
“Yes. I’ll explain the whole thing to you as soon as you’ve offloaded the supplies.”
“Maybe you should talk to Blane, try to calm him down.”
Ryol gave his head a negative shake, his eyes icy with anger. “Blane’s all bluster. He won’t hurt me, and he won’t stop me. There’s a fortune to be made tomorrow.”
Chapter Five
Ange glanced toward the settlement. Blane and Sharlene were almost to the first concrete building. “It doesn’t sound as if we’ll be staying long on Kyffin,” she said to Ryol.
He sniffed the air with distain. “No, I think not. If I am lucky I shall finish my business here in a few days. You’d better catch up to those two and see where Sharlene wants you to unload the supplies.” As he spoke, he started back up the ship’s ramp.
Ange felt as if she’d been dismissed. She clenched her fists in frustration. She’d risked the Abandoned Zone to make this trip yet she had no clue what the two brothers had been arguing about. Maybe she could pump Blane for more information. He was angry at Ryol and angry men usually wanted to talk about whatever was upsetting them.
Half turning, she took a final look at Hawk’s Flight. The hatch was shut already. Good. At least Jake could be trusted to obey her orders and stay inside guarding the ship until she got a better idea of what was going on.
According to the ship’s library files, Kyffin was an unexplored world with nothing of obvious value. Most of the planet was covered by ocean. An ice age had buried the one big continent hundreds of meters deep under glaciers. Only a belt of mountainous volcanic islands near the equator was habitable. Humans had settled the planet more than a century ago, near the end of their first wave of expansion into the galaxy, because it was one of the few planets in the quadrant suitable for human life. The planners had probably intended to use it as a way station for further exploration.
Then, a civil war within the Federation had brought an end to support for the colony worlds. Cut off from any help, many of them had perished in the fifty or so years before the Second Federation rose from the ashes of the First. It was easy to plunk down a colony on a world. Long-term survival was another story. Planets had a way of fighting back against the human race as it swarmed through the stars. A century had passed since first landing on Kyffin. The people here had been on their own for a long time.
“Wait!” Ange hurried across the field between the landing pad and the small huddle of buildings. Hawk’s Flight had scanned the drab utilitarian structures from space. Now that she was on the ground, she could see the concrete had crumbled away in many places and the tall grass grew right up to the edges of the outer walls.
From past experience, Ange knew that the four buildings contained apartments for the settlers and office and manufacturing spaces. She’d seen many such settlements. They were built for efficiency after first landing on a planet. Later they were torn down and their materials used to build real homes and other structures that reflected some sense of beauty and civilization.
If the colony was a success, that is. Instead, New Hope had turned into Lost Hope.
Blane stopped at the entrance to one of the buildings, turned and watched her come up to him. Sharlene whispered something in his ear and walked inside.
Trying to ignore the violent flutter of her heart, Ange halted at a safe distance. A polite smile crossed her face “Look, I know you and your brother aren’t getting along. I want to help.”
His incredibly sexy eyes blazed with anger. “I don’t need your help.”
Something stung the back of Ange’s neck. She slapped her skin and made a face. Planets—weather and bugs and rotten smells. She rubbed the tender spot on her neck and listened to the eerie silence around her. She’d been on enough worlds to know they were noisy places. There was none of that here. No cheerful bird songs, no hum of bees. The forest and the jagged blue peaks of the mountain range rising beyond the clearing where the colony stood formed a depressing backdrop wherever she looked. Nature dominated, not man. A dull red sun shed its subdued light in a gray sky. A chill wind ruffled the tops of the pale yellow grass.
Kyffin was a depressing world, made worse by the failure of the colony.
Ange wondered why the original settlers had chosen such an inhospitable spot. Ryol had claimed the thick forest made farming difficult. And they’d settled too far from the sea to make fishing practical. Maybe the mountains held some rare minerals.
Whatever had brought their ancestors, there weren’t enough colonists left for a viable future. Within a few decades the colony would be doomed to extinction. She tried to imagine struggling day-to-day for survival knowing in the end you would die and nothing would be left. Maybe Blane had a reason for his anger.
She shivered and forced a light tone into her voice. “Looks like it’s been a struggle.”
He arched his brows. “You might say that. Originally, five hundred came here. Barely got the buildings up when the Federation decided to have its glorious civil war. Half the colony left then, fleeing back to their home w
orlds.” He laughed. “They were the smart ones.”
Ange groped for something positive to say. “They’re doing better than most lost colonies if they’ve kept the machinery running.”
“A lot of it is self-repairing. The problem is parts. Sharlene just told me they haven’t seen a supply ship—or any ship—land for ten years. Not since my dear brother kidnapped me.” He shrugged his shoulders, disgust on his face.
Ange tried to look sympathetic. “It must be tough to see what’s happened in your absence”
Blane’s expression hardened. “Exactly. I’m surprised Ryol dares to show his face.”
Ange was surprised, too. Whatever his reason for returning, it must be something important. Blane seemed to know what it was. A question formed on her lips just as her nose started to tickle in an alarming way. She held her breath but the tickle only intensified. A moment later an explosive sneeze racked her lungs.
“Dirt balls!” She stomped her foot, which resulted in a puff of dirt. The wind caught it and blew it up toward her nostrils. She sneezed again and cursed.
Blane looked away, his lips twitching. Amusement rumbled in his voice. “I take it you’re not too impressed with my home world.”
“I prefer space. I’ll be glad when I can get off this stinking planet.”
To her surprise, he looked offended. “Maybe you’d better join Ryol on the ship.”
She bit her lip. The man might be sexy as hell but he was touchy, stubborn, ornery…she controlled her anger and forced a brisk, businesslike tone into her voice. “I need to offload the cargo and make sure your brother can finish his business.” Remembering his earlier threat, she felt compelled to add a warning. “If you interfere, I’ll stop you.”
“How do you intend to do that? You have no inkling what Ryol plans to do.”
Ange put her hands on her hips. “I would if you’d tell me.”
“You’d better ask Ryol.” Blane turned on his heel and marched into the building without a backward glance.
“Listen, you—” Ange glared at his back as he disappeared. Two brothers, and both of them jerks. She scuffled a foot through the dust, wondering what she was going to do. Would she even be in this situation if it weren’t for Blane?
With a sigh, she remembered that he’d rescued her from an attempted rape. Shaking her head, Ange hurried through the door after him. She had to find out what these two brothers were up to.
“Oh, hello!” She pulled to a halt, half-blind in the darkness of the building’s interior. She could just make out three figures. Sharlene stood to one side while a second woman embraced Blane.
Their chatter stopped when they saw her. Jealousy seized Ange’s heart as she darted a glance from one to the other. This strange woman must have known Blane once, maybe even lived in the same building with him—knew him intimately, no doubt. Instantly, she found herself wondering how intimately.
“Hello.” The woman who’d hugged Blane tossed a long, blonde braid over her shoulder and directed an icy stare at Ange. “Blane tells me you brought him home.”
“Yes, I did.”
She wet her lips. Her thin face made her hungry brown eyes look huge. “Quite a ship you’ve got. Big. How many crew members do you have?”
The short hairs on the back of Ange’s neck stirred. She’d heard stories of people in abandoned colonies who’d tried to take over ships when they landed. She eyed the three of them, glad for the stun gun concealed under her jacket. “Enough,” she lied, hoping Blane wouldn’t contradict her.
“Leave the lady alone, Marirose.” Unexpectedly, Blane came to her defense. “She only just landed. She doesn’t want to be pestered with questions.”
Marirose laughed, her brown eyes warming with some inner amusement. “Whatever you want. You must remember how eager I always was to please you.” A saucy grin swept across her face and her hand stroked Blane’s arm.
Blane wrapped his arms around both women’s waists and turned toward a corridor with what seemed like practiced ease. “Shouldn’t you two be getting back to let the others know what’s going on?”
“They’ll want to hear what you have to say,” Sharlene reminded him, pulling free of his grip.
Blane stopped and stared down at his sister, his manner clearly conveying that she’d have to wait. “Tell them to be patient. I’ll meet with everyone as soon as I can. The captain and I need to discuss offloading her cargo first. Don’t we, captain?”
“Of course. That’s why I’m here.”
“Is it?” He turned on her, his eyes bright in the dim light. “I thought you were here to collect the money and run.”
Marirose giggled with pleasure at Blane’s outburst. He glared at both women and they retreated down a corridor. Ignoring Ange, Blane turned on his heel and headed in the opposite direction.
Ange had half a mind to leave him to his snit, but she’d contracted to deliver the cargo and that was what she intended to do. She followed him and caught up. Seeing the angry look on his face, she decided on a professional approach. “I’ll arrange to offload the supplies anywhere you want.”
“You’re a real angel of mercy.” His long stride took them deeper into the warehouse building. No one was around. The few windows they passed were covered with dust.
“I’m doing my job. And I’m not your brother.”
He stopped and stared down at her. She planted her hands on her hips and met his challenging look with her own. After a minute, his lips twitched and then dazzling white teeth flashed in his sun-browned face. A dimple appeared on his cheek. Ange’s heart gave a little thump. Her knees grew weak.
“No, you’re certainly not,” he said in a gruff voice. “Follow me.”
Turning again, he led the way through a maze of hallways. Ange was amazed that he remembered the way without hesitation after so many years. They passed through a long-deserted office space and came out into a large, echoing room in the back.
“The colony’s warehouse, such as it is.”
She glanced around. “It’s empty.”
“Well, yes, we’d used up our supplies even before I left. But as you see, there’s still equipment to offload your ship.” He pointed at two trucks with cranes parked in a far corner. A battered desk occupied the corner where they were talking. He crossed over to it and sat down on the scarred top. “If you’ll open the ship’s cargo hatch, I’ll unload it and make sure it’s divided up fairly among the colonists.”
The pale sunlight from the window behind him outlined his broad shoulders and caught the gold strands in his dark brown hair. Ange took in a long breath and stepped closer. “I’m sure you’ll be fair,” she murmured.
“Are you? You don’t even know me.” He raised one dark eyebrow.
She took another step closer, aware that for the past hour he’d been as careful to keep some distance between them as she was. His evasiveness intrigued her. She was close enough now to catch his masculine scent. He smelled of sunlight and forest and wide open spaces. He smelled of a whole world she’d never known. Was it Scent of Magic that enchanted her, or was it him? She had to know. Her legs grew weak as fire blazed to life and heated her center. The sound of her quickened breathing echoed through the open space.
He narrowed his eyes and got to his feet again. Close up, he towered over her by a head. A guarded look appeared on his face as he gripped her shoulders. The violet eyes that stared into hers were unexpectedly kind.
“I know you’re attracted to me, but you have no idea why. What you’re feeling right now is not real.”
She shivered, sure the growing lust coursing through her body showed in her expression. Her skin practically smoked wherever he touched her. Her insides flamed with desire. She licked dry lips and concentrated on his words. He was trying to warn her that she was reacting to his scent, not to him. Her heart warmed at his honesty. He didn’t need to tell her. He had no idea she suffered from the same curse. He’d only caught her scent once, and then he’d thought she was wearing Scent
of Magic.
But she wasn’t.
He was the one wearing Scent of Magic. Or was he?
Suddenly uncertain, she pressed her body against his rock hard chest. She ran her hands over his shoulders, enjoying the sensation of his well-defined muscles under her palms.
“It feels real.” Her eyelids fluttered closed and she succumbed to his enticing aroma for a sensuous moment.
“An illusion.” He traced her jaw line with a gentle finger and smiled. As he bent over her, she heard him take a deep breath, knew he was inhaling the fragrance of her hair.
“Ahhh—” A low, soft sound of pleasure came from his throat. He swallowed and his voice took on a wondering note. “You smell—delicious. Wonderful. You smell like—like springtime when the world was young. Like magic.”
“So do you.” Once again his masculine aroma transported her to another world, a world that shimmered with desire. She molded her body to his, breathing harder, and ran her hands slowly, seductively up the strong pillars of his thighs. His body radiated heat and sex. Her pupils widened, drinking him in, until the dim light from the windows behind him blinded her. Surrounded by a radiant nimbus, he blazed with light like a god.
She arched her brows. What was wrong with her? She knew better than to stand here with her nose pressed against his chest, breathing him in. Whether the scent was his or the perfume’s, she knew what it could do. She was the captain of a starship, a clear-headed woman with heavy responsibilities. Not some sex-crazed teenager looking for a bit of excitement.
“Ange.” His voice was a whisper, the soft expiration of his breath stirring her hair. His cheek brushed across her temple, his silky hair caressing her skin. She shuddered from her head to her toes as he nibbled on the lobe, his warm breath blowing into the delicate shell of her ear.
Closing her eyes, she lifted her face and waited for the kiss she knew was about to come. His mouth descended, his lips slashing across hers with fierce eagerness, exploring, tasting. His kiss was masterful, possessive, like a brand searing her heart. His hands dropped from her shoulders to her waist. Drawing her up against the massive barrel of his chest, he plundered her mouth. She could feel his heart pounding as he held her close, could taste his tongue entering her mouth, probing with a boldness that enraptured her.
Scent Of Magic Page 6