Phoenix in Flames

by Jaleta Clegg

  "Lucas, what a pleasure," Shomies purred.

  I'd been so shocked at his entrance I'd missed the names of the others. Not that it mattered. For the first time, I knew with a certainty I couldn't explain that I wasn't going to escape, not this time. Seeing Luke Verity and Shomies Pardui together, I knew I didn't have a chance, not the slimmest chance, of surviving. I sank down slowly, sitting hunched up on the scrap of floor that was my prison.

  "So you were the one," Luke said. He crossed the room to stand not far from me. "I wondered who had more cash. If I'd had another two weeks, you would never have won that auction. My assets these days aren't very liquid." He laughed as if it were a hilarious joke.

  "It takes time to sell black market liquor." Shomies put her hand on his arm, steering him away from me towards the dinner table.

  "Drugs are much more marketable?" Luke asked. "Is that what you're hinting at?"

  Shomies laughed. "Much more. And much more lucrative, as you will see."

  They sat at the table, three men and the one woman. Shomies courted them as potential clients for her goods. My stomach twisted as I realized how warped her world was. She manufactured drugs, the highly addictive illegal kind.

  I'd underestimated her again. I thought the shara on Dadilan was a sideline, a way to make money. From what she was saying, she had been dabbling in designer drugs for years. She'd finally pulled together enough clients, and enough money, to buy this mansion. The scientists she'd brought in were her staff, cooking up her drugs. Nevis weed was nothing compared to her concoctions. Glitter, stardust, comet smash, those were child's play. Shomies was the mind behind some of the galaxy's worst drugs. They were discussing a new product. Shomies called it sugar candy. I sat in my corner and felt sick.

  If there were any way I could have stopped her, I would have, even if it cost me my life. I'd seen what glitter did to people. Sugar candy made glitter look like aspirin. The fact that she'd linked up with Luke Verity only made it worse. I knew what he could do to people first hand. I'd spent weeks as his prisoner. He was convinced I was a Patrol agent. He blamed me for the raid that destroyed his chances then. Obviously, he had made up for lost time. He acted like a big player while they ate dinner.

  I watched him flirt with Shomies. He was almost believable. He kept looking past her, at me, while he made his suggestive remarks. I shivered and wrapped my arms around myself.

  Luke Verity, or Lucas Vulme as he called himself now, was Rigellan. He wasn't human. I wondered how repulsed Shomies would be when she found out. If she found out. Maybe it wouldn't bother her. The memory of that horrible night when I'd found out the hard way made me gag. I could still feel the tentacles from his tongue twisting in my mouth. It was the only time he'd kissed me. It was one of the memories I would have gladly erased, if I could.

  I couldn't do this. I couldn't pretend I was strong. I couldn't face him. I fervently hoped Shomies would be too jealous to give me to him.

  The dinner dragged on through three courses and dessert. They finally moved away from the table, over to the fireplace for drinks. Rivian served the drinks, playing his part faultlessly except for the angry, jealous look in his dark eyes every time he came close to Luke. I silently hoped Rivian would stab Luke, except Rivian wouldn't stand a chance. I surprised myself into realizing I didn't want to see Rivian hurt more than he already was. He would have been decent, if he were away from Shomies and her influence.

  The party dragged on. After a couple of drinks, they were very good friends. They drifted over to my square.

  "So this is what you spent all that money on," the woman said. "She doesn't look like much."

  "She's deceptive," Shomies answered. She tried to steer them away.

  "Dace, isn't it?" one of the men asked. "I've heard about her. She's supposed to be eight feet tall, with blasters shooting out of both arms and missile launchers in her boots."

  I sat in my hunched spot as far from the carpet as I could get. I had the wall at my back. I would have hidden in the bathroom except I knew Shomies would have dragged me out and humiliated me if I'd tried.

  "Don't underestimate her," Luke said. "She's one of the Patrol's finest."

  "Let her out of that odd pen of yours and we'll see how good she really is," the woman offered. She fingered the knife on her belt.

  "I paid too much to let you have all the fun, Gildeer," Shomies said, her voice smooth. She couldn't disguise the bite in her words, though. "Maybe in a month or two, when I'm tired of her."

  "Well, it was an enlightening evening," the last man spoke up. "I've got a shipment to run tomorrow. I'll let you know my decision later."

  He headed for the door. Shomies walked with him. The others trailed after, all except Luke. He stayed where he was, standing just the other side of the line between carpet and fibermat. He sipped his drink, watching me coldly.

  Shomies finished her goodbyes and came back. She stopped to pour another drink before joining Luke.

  "I'll pay you whatever price you want for her," Luke said.

  "She isn't for sale," Shomies answered.

  "Then one week," Luke said. "I won't kill her."

  "But you would damage her. I paid for the privilege. I am going to exercise it." She looked at me and smiled. I shivered, thinking of large reptilian smiles.

  "One night, Shomies. You name your price."

  "Why do you want her so badly, Lucas? I admit I'm curious what hold she has over you." She smiled flirtatiously at him. "She said no and you can't handle it. Tell me I'm right."

  Luke smiled stiffly. "You're right. I'll give you a thousand."

  "No," Shomies said. She yawned, patting her mouth delicately. "My final answer. You can't offer me enough, Lucas. She's mine."

  Shomies left, walking ponderously up the stairs. Luke stayed, staring down at me while he finished off his drink.

  "Don't worry, Dace," he whispered when he was done. "I'll find a way."

  Rivian banged a pot in the sink. Nione walked across the room and out the far door. Luke watched them, a smile playing across his mouth. He glanced down at me a final time before walking away.

  I watched his back, waiting for him to leave, to get in his flitter and leave. I silently urged him to go. I wanted my boredom back. I felt cold and sick just being that close to him.

  He didn't go outside. He went up the stairs. I shivered when I realized he was staying the night, a guest of Shomies.

  I heard music upstairs and guessed Shomies was giving him a private show. I silently hoped she would distract him enough that he would forget me.

  I wrapped my arms around myself, shivering inside. The music went on for some time. Rivian finished his cleaning. He picked up a glass and a bottle and went to sit in the far corner of the huge room. I guessed he was drowning his jealousy the only way he safely could. I hugged myself and tried not to fall asleep as the lights slowly dimmed.

  I dozed off sometime after the music stopped. I slept lightly, tormented by nightmares. I kept reliving the night when Luke had forced that obscene kiss on me. I kept jerking awake.

  At first I thought it was another nightmare, the kind where you dream you wake up but you are still asleep. The room was dark. A dark figure leaned over me. I smelled alcohol on his breath.

  "She said no, her final answer," he whispered. "She can't stop me."

  I shrank back against the wall, unable to scream. I was petrified with terror. Luke was here. I had no way to stop him, to fight back. He grabbed the front of my shift and jerked me to my feet.

  "This time you know what you're getting," he whispered.

  He pulled me closer, waggling his tongue suggestively. I swallowed nausea and kicked him in the shin. I was aiming for his groin with my knee but he was too quick. He jerked me closer, wrapping his arms around me. My bare foot scraped over his boot.

  "Fight me, yes," he whispered.

  His arms were like steel around me. I struggled to get my hands free. He pulled me closer, trapping me against him. I jerk
ed my head back, away from him. He laughed and waggled his tongue. I almost threw up.

  "Let her go."

  The lights snapped on. Rivian stood behind Luke. Luke whirled me around so he could face Rivian.

  "What are you going to do, pretty boy? Fight for her honor? She doesn't have any." Luke pulled me even closer, shifting one arm up to circle my neck.

  "I said, let her go."

  "And if I don't?" Luke pulled me up against him and licked my cheek. I jerked away from him as far as I could. It wasn't far enough. Light years wouldn't have been far enough.

  Rivian jumped for Luke, his fist out. The blow was unexpected. Luke staggered back a step. Rivian didn't follow up the blow. He cradled his fist as if it hurt.

  Luke snarled and shoved me to the side. He charged at Rivian and knocked me down. I sprawled halfway onto the carpet. My arms began to buzz with pain. The collar around my neck tightened. I gasped for air as it closed tighter. I couldn't breathe.

  I was on my side, staring out into the room while the collar slowly strangled me. Luke shoved Rivian back, slamming his fists into his face over and over. Rivian had his hands up, trying to protect himself. No one had taught him how to fight. Rivian was going to lose.

  I'd be dead before Luke was done pummeling Rivian into the carpet. Lights flashed where there shouldn't be any. Dots danced in front of me. I couldn't breathe. Pain raged through the half of me that was on the carpet. I couldn't move. I couldn't drag myself back onto the square. I let my eyes slide shut.

  I heard voices, commotion, confusion, erupt around me. I was drifting away. It was dim, not important. There was shouting. There was the sound of a stunner firing. I vaguely wondered who was being shot. If it was Luke, I was only disappointed it wasn't a blaster.

  Hands grabbed me, yanking me back onto the bare floor. The collar relaxed. I coughed and dragged a painful breath in. I didn't want to live. The rough hands wouldn't let me die. I gave up and opened my eyes. The collar was still tight enough to make breathing difficult. I dragged in another wheezing breath.

  Shomies frowned. The thugs dragged an unconscious Luke away, through the glass doors into the courtyard. The fluttering girls hovered around Rivian, wrapping bandages around his hands and dabbing at the blood on his face. The rough hands that wouldn't let me die belonged to Nione. She thumped me on the back. I wheezed again, sucking in air through the too-tight collar.

  "It needs reset," Shomies said. She bent down and lifted a square of carpet. She fiddled with something. It was suddenly a lot easier to breathe.

  Nione let go of me. I sagged back on the floor.

  "She'll be fine," Nione said. "A little bruised is all. What of Lucas? He may cause trouble for you."

  "He abused my hospitality," Shomies said coldly. She was still watching me. I breathed again and watched her face. "Lucas will have a lot to answer for. He isn't the one with the power here."

  "Yes, Hom," Nione said and bowed her head towards Shomies. "Do you wish me to post a guard?"

  "It won't be necessary," Shomies said. She turned away from me. "Set the alarms. Go now, all of you." She clapped her hands.

  The fluttering girls scampered up the stairs. The thugs looked at Nione. She nodded. They went down the other stairs. I heard a flitter lift off into the night.

  "Night flying is dangerous," Shomies said to Nione.

  "His pilot is good. He'll make it," Nione answered.

  "You don't have to sound so certain." Shomies pouted.

  "She's dangerous, Hom. I've said it before and I'll say it again. Get rid of her." She pointed at me. They both turned to look. I huddled on the blanket and tried to look helpless.

  "You have your orders," Shomies said. "Don't presume to tell me how to run my life or my personal interests."

  "Yes, Gentle Hom," Nione gave Shomies a half bow before turning and walking away through the hidden door.

  Shomies gave me a long look. "You were scared witless of him. Why, Dace? Why should one man frighten you so much?"

  "He's Rigellan," I said, my voice a hoarse whisper of sound.

  The smile spreading over her face made me shiver all over again. "That explains much."

  The stairs creaked as she walked up them.

  They'd forgotten Rivian. He was still sitting in the chair near the fireplace. He held a cloth to his nose. I studied his face while the lights dimmed until I couldn't see him anymore.

  "Thank you," I said quietly to the shape in the darkness.

  He sighed and stirred in his chair.

  "Maybe you're right," he said. "Maybe we should try to escape. Except it's too late for both of us."

  "It isn't too late, Rivian. We could go now. Steal a flitter."

  "And then what?" The cloth muffled his words. "It's too late."

  "Anything is better than this. I know where the controller is now. I can get the collar off." If I stretched and fell just right, I'd be on top of it. I only hoped I could figure out how to deactivate it before I choked to death.

  "Didn't you listen? Shomies Pardui deals in drugs. Not just any drugs. She specializes in designer drugs, made to order."

  "And what does that have to do with us?" I asked, dense as usual.

  "I thought you were smarter. Who do you think she tests her new drugs on?"

  "She made you take her drugs?" I quit thinking about the collar. "It won't be easy, but we can find a medical facility for you."

  "Withdrawal usually kills more people than the drug does," he answered, cutting me off. "She tested a new drug on you."

  I quit thinking about escape entirely. "She did what?"

  "Odorless, tasteless, she put it in your food."

  "I don't feel any different."

  "It's supposed to be that way. By tomorrow morning, you'll be feeling it."

  "What are you saying, Rivian?" I was cold all through now.

  "You didn't get your dose today. By tomorrow morning the withdrawal symptoms will have set in. You'll wish you were dead long before you really are."

  "Is this why you stay with her?" I hugged myself again. I'd found something worse than my nightmares about Luke Verity.

  "I don't have a choice," he said.

  Chapter 45

  "A man's home is his castle," Ren Matthias said to himself as he settled into his new chair. The chair obediently reclined. Tiny massaging fingers began to knead his back, focusing on the points where the muscles were tightest. He sighed with pleasure and closed his eyes.

  The mansion was a castle. Fortress was a better word. It was plenty big enough for him but not so big that his so-called friends would try to move in. It was equipped with all the security money could buy along with several guards. He'd bought their loyalty. He was safe and secure and richer than he ever dreamed. And it was all his. Largo had disappeared somewhere on him. He'd never returned from his errand.

  "Ah, well," he said to himself. "It just means I don't have to share."

  His eyes drifted shut to the sweet strains of music, the soft orchestra he had programmed earlier. It amazed him how much happiness money really could buy.

  "Nice place you got here."

  He jerked back awake. His eyes flew open. The voice was male and unfamiliar. The chair sensed his movement and snapped upright.

  "Who are you and what are you doing here?" Matthias demanded.

  Clark sauntered past his chair, his hands in his pockets. He took his time studying the artwork on the walls. Matthias reached for the alarm button, the one that would summon his guards. Tayvis grabbed his shoulder and slammed him back into the chair.

  "I wouldn't try that if I were you," he said.

  Matthias stared up at Tayvis looming over him, fear in his eyes. Clark walked back towards them, taking his time.

  "You want money? I'll get it for you. Just say how much," Matthias bargained. He tried to sound hard and mean and failed.

  "We just want information," Clark said. He grabbed Matthias's other shoulder and slammed him back in the chair. The chair obedient
ly reclined.

  Matthias scrabbled to get out. They leaned on his shoulders, pinning him in place. The chair sensed that he was tense. The massaging fingers started on his back.

  "What do you want to know?" Matthias offered.

  "Who did you sell her to?" Clark asked.

  "I don't know what you're talking about," Matthias answered.

  "Hey, Paltronis," Clark called. "I think Matthias here wants a pedicure."

  "What?" Matthias was completely confused now. He looked down the length of the chair to his bare feet.

  Paltronis stepped around the chair to where he could see her. He paled. She was short and stocky and looked tougher than any of the people Matthias dealt with. She stopped at the end of the chair, looking down at his bare feet. She pulled a knife from a sheath on her leg. The whispery noise it made as it came clear sounded loud in the suddenly quiet room.

  "Do you want me to just take a bit off the top?" Paltronis asked.

  She grabbed his toe before he could think to move it. She pinched it in her free hand. The other hand brought the big knife close to the nail on his toe. She grinned at him as she slid it slowly across the end of the nail. He shivered and tried to jerk his foot back. She held it without any apparent effort.

  She moved so quickly he didn't see the knife until it was planted in the chair between his feet. She still held his toe in one hand. Her other now held a sliver of his toenail.

  "Is this what you wanted?" she asked Clark. "Because it would be just as easy to take off the whole nail. Or the whole toe. Or maybe I could just cut a piece right down the center."

  "Who did you sell her too?" Clark demanded.

  "I don't know," Matthias whimpered.

  Paltronis tossed the scrap of nail onto the floor and fingered his toes. The knife quivered as the chair sought to ease his tension with the massager.

  "Maybe just the end of this one," she said.

  "I don't know," Matthias screamed. "The buyer was anonymous. Phil the Banker handled the transaction."