Calm Before the Storm

by Cara Lake

  The room was dimly lit by a dozen candles, its centerpiece a luxurious four-poster bed laden with silks and cushions. Just as Tani had said, the room also boasted a variety of pleasure toys laid out for those clients who enjoyed such stimulation. “So, ladies!” he said, settling back, arms open wide in suggestive invitation. “I’d like to see you both naked.”

  Tani lifted her eyebrows and turned to Cassi. “What do you think? He wants to see us naked. Should we comply?”

  “Maybe, but perhaps he should be naked too. Unless he’s got something to hide?”

  Abrasax puffed out his chest. “I’ll let you strip me, ladies—prepare to be dazzled!” Cassi nearly choked. The guy was serious! She couldn’t imagine anything worse than Abrasax naked and dangling.

  Tani was barely managing to keep a straight face. “We’ll strip you but you mustn’t touch us while we do it.”

  She began to undo his shirt, straddling his chest. “Arms up above your head!” she ordered. He seemed to like that. As Tani did her thing, distracting Abrasax, Cassi began to gently rub a silk scarf over his arms while coaxing them up above his head. Just as Tani finished stripping his lower half of clothing, Cassi pinned his hands together and began tying the silk around his wrists in a loose knot.

  Abrasax didn’t seem to notice, too inebriated and engrossed as he was, watching Tani moving sensuously around him removing the rest of his clothes. She spread his legs. He licked his lips. Cassi had by now tied each end of the scarf to each post on either side of his head but continued to stroke his arms. He was so mesmerized by Tani he hadn’t noticed the restraint.

  Tani was wriggling up his legs and it was clear Abrasax was expecting her to go down on him, his erection pointedly asking for some lip action. As if meaning to oblige, Tani lowered her head but then suddenly switched direction, roughly clipping his ankle into one of the two shackles attached to the posts at the bottom of the bed.

  Abrasax began to look a little confused trying to lift himself up to see what she was doing. His struggles tightened the knots at his wrists and he jerked back in surprise when he found he couldn’t move very far. “I didn’t realize this was part of the game.” His voice was slurry from the alcohol but he was still smiling.

  “Not your game,” replied Tani tying up his other leg, “but ours. Don’t you recognize us yet, Abi? I thought you were cleverer than this but I guess when it comes down to it you’re just like any other male of the species, led by his dick.”

  The smile faded as Abrasax began to panic, the scarf pulling tighter as he struggled. “What are you doing? Who are you?”

  Cassi took the opportunity to grab some handcuffs from the pile of toys, clipping them around his wrists to make doubly sure he was confined. Tani had found a leather gag. “Just lie there and relax,” she soothed. “We wouldn’t want you disturbing the other patrons by screaming your enjoyment.”

  Cassi laughed and thanked her lucky stars that saevici like Abrasax were unable to shift when under the influence! His eyes were murderous and widened in recognition as they both stood in front of him.

  “Yes, Abrasax,” cooed Cassi, “it is me!” She held up the pendants. “Thanks for the present. We’ll return them to their rightful owners. You don’t need to worry your little head.” She looked down to where his dick now lay flaccid against his thigh. “Or maybe you do!” She shrugged. “C’mon, T, let’s go. I’m sure Abrasax doesn’t want us cluttering the bedroom any longer than necessary.”

  “Oh, really, do we have to go?” Tani sighed. “I was just thinking about all those toys hanging on the wall. I really wanted to use a couple of those riding crops on him.”

  Cassi shook her head. “I think that would be too much for him. Look, he’s flagging already.”

  “You’re right,” agreed Tani. “Until next time, Abi. If I see Choronzon I’ll tell him you’re a little tied up right now. I’m sure he’ll understand.” She patted him on the head.

  The look on his face was priceless and Cassi felt no small amount of satisfaction as they left Abrasax naked and bound, sure that if there really was such a thing as karma, then she was a righteous bitch with a great sense of humor and Abrasax was enjoying her own special brand of it.

  Feeling satisfied with the evening’s work, they made their way surreptitiously along the corridor into an empty room. “Let’s split up and take a pendant each,” suggested Tani, “in case little Abi gets released sooner rather than later.” Arranging to meet at the starportal Borealis had mentioned, they gave each other a hug and went their separate ways, Cassi deciding to exit via the window and Tani saying she would go back through the brothel.

  Cassi suspected Tani was actively searching for information on the man she was duty bound to meet in the near future. Apparently her duality partner was to be found somewhere on Ophiuchus. It was hard for Cassi to imagine how Tani must feel knowing that somewhere out there her fate was waiting for her and that they might never meet. Or if they did, it could potentially be the death of her.

  Seconds later her feet touched the ground and she sped off into the darkness. Faltering when she arrived at the crossroads, Cassi hesitated weighing her options. The Rasal gate or Phenex’s palace? Perhaps a diversion was in order. Cassi’s instincts as a Eunomi warrior could not be denied. She switched direction and headed for the palace where she knew all the action was sure to be found.

  * * * * *

  Tani inched her way through the orgy that was now in full swing, a number of hands grabbing her along the way. She shrugged them off and was halfway across the room when she felt the tingling prickle of hairs straightening on the back of her neck. She turned her gaze to survey the room, and a dark head in the far corner caught her attention, a tall man with his back to her in discussion with the proprietor.

  She was conscious of the sudden diffusion of energy that flowed from her body across the throng, searching for a conduit, as if sensing a connection. The tall man turned almost as if he were sensing the pulse that was leaving her body, seeking…something? His face still in shadow, she was just about to switch direction to investigate when she glimpsed Alcina on the stairs and realized she was probably here looking for Abrasax. Damn! Focus on the job in hand. She looked back but the man had gone. Feeling empty, Tani gritted her teeth and headed for the back exit.

  It was hard to escape the feeling that perhaps she had just encountered her fate, crossed paths with the man she was destined to seek out. However, tonight was not the night. She would return, and when she did, she knew that the Gilded Lily would be her first port of call. Right now getting the pendant off Ophiuchus was more important than her fate. The cold night air bit into her flesh through the skimpy clothes. Scratch that. Warm clothing was the first item on the agenda, then the starportal. Tani disappeared into the night.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Tyr was led out of the great hall flanked by two shedu guards and followed by a number of Choronzon’s entourage. The Ophiuchan warlord, Phenex, was one of them and as they entered a large chamber containing weaponry of every kind, he planted himself in front of Tyr, his attitude full of hostility. “So you are War?” he sneered. “Why are you challenging the Lord of the Abyss? You should be proud to give your allegiance to him and the Discordant cause.”

  Tyr surveyed Phenex critically. He was tall but not as tall as himself, with long blond hair tied back into a braid, a dark blond beard and whiskers. His appearance reminded Tyr of one of his own Norse ancestors. He stood in front of Tyr, arms across his chest, aggression in his eyes that blatantly challenged. “I owe him nothing,” Tyr replied, refusing to be intimidated.

  Phenex leaned forward. “You are new to this world, Earthani!” He spat the word at Tyr obviously considering it a great insult. “You do not yet realize our ways. The Lord of the Abyss is not to be toyed with. You think to save your woman—think again! Choronzon will kill her anyway…after he uses her.” Tyr’s blood burned white hot. He grabbed Phenex by the throat.

  “Then I will kill
him and all of you,” he growled savagely. “I am War after all.”

  “You are only the vessel for the essence of War—you are not War itself.” Phenex spat back at him. The shedu guards dragged Tyr back, allowing Phenex to break free. They held both his arms as Phenex took the opportunity to punch him hard in the gut. “You are not indestructible, Earthani!”

  Tyr fell to his knees the air knocked from his lungs.

  Bending down as Tyr regained his breath, Phenex whispered in his ear, “I am master here, not you. Even if you beat this champion you will be nothing more than a bonded slave. Keep that in mind before you touch your betters.” He snapped his fingers signaling the shedu to pull him up. “Choose your weapons, War. You don’t want to keep Choronzon waiting. He might get hungry and take a bite out of your little whore.”

  Tyr stood, ignoring the burn and trying to regain his composure. He had to remain focused. He glanced around at the array of weapons. Borealis had praised him for his skill with the long sword so he tested one for weight and balance wishing he could slice off Phenex’s head with it. Unfortunately he thought that Choronzon might object to that so he confined himself to imagining it was Phenex’s head he was swinging at as he tried it out for size.

  “You are also lucky,” said Phenex, watching Tyr execute practice swings with the sword, “that Choronzon has a weird sense of fair play. He will match like for like. He has sent for an Earthani champion and not a shedu or saevici. Personally, I’d like to see you pitted against a chemosh beast. I doubt you would last more than two minutes.”

  Tyr knew Phenex was trying to rile him again and knock him off balance. He refused to play that game. His experience as a boxer had taught him the benefits of keeping a clear head and there was no way he would jeopardize Irina by deviating from his usual strategy. He continued to try out swords until finally he found one that felt good.

  “An excellent choice,” said Phenex as if surprised by Tyr’s ability to source a good weapon. “You’ll need this.” He threw Tyr a shield. “Now come. No more time wasting.”

  He led Tyr back into the great hall, their entrance greeted by a barrage of shouts, jeering and taunts. Tyr sought Irina’s slim form and found her still seated at Choronzon’s feet. At least he wasn’t pawing at her but instead was chewing some kind of bone. The thought of what that bone could be sent ice sliding through his chest. He felt a sudden crackle of energy and warmth displacing the ice with reassurance and love. It was Irina. He sent the emotions back to her magnified, the magnetic compulsion between them bolstering his determination to succeed and keep her safe. A sudden loud roar erupted from the back of the great hall. Tyr reluctantly withdrew his attention from Irina and turned to face his opponent.

  He supposed he wasn’t really surprised that it was Jaro Rodach who strode toward him fully armed and ready for battle. Silver eyes filled with aggression fixed on Tyr as Rodach prowled into the gladiatorial ring, bare-chested, muscles taut, a predatory male out for blood. Having fought him before, fist against fist, Tyr knew his moves well and if this had been any normal contest he would have been confident of an easy win. But this time it was different. This time they were fighting with weapons and Irina’s life was in the balance. He steeled himself to meet his foe.

  Rodach stopped in front of him, leaving only two feet of space between them. Mercury silver eyes met his black ones, the iciness in his gaze a contradiction to the rage and fury that Tyr sensed as it seeped from Jaro’s skin and into the arena. “Bellor,” he said coolly. The one word, a challenge.

  “Rodach,” Tyr acknowledged, accepting his salute.

  They were both of a similar height, broad and muscular. Both exuding raw power and savage masculinity. Both radiating danger. Tyr knew they were evenly matched and standing face to face as they were, it was almost if he were staring at the brother he never had. If the circumstances had been different, Tyr could have called Jaro a friend. Even though he knew Jaro hated him, he was a fighter he respected and it weighed heavily on his mind that he was going to have to kill him.

  “I guess finally I’m getting that rematch,” said Jaro, eyes glinting with anticipation. Tyr could sense his anger but also something curious. The anger was not solely directed at him. Rodach’s rage was a festering wound, open and bloody, the pus and gore seeping from every pore of his skin, crawling in every direction. He had no love for Choronzon, Phenex or any of the Discordants. He had no love at all.

  “Why are you fighting for him?” Tyr asked. “You know what he is. The last time we fought you had some honor, some loyalty.”

  “I have no morals, no loyalty to anyone or anything. You should know that by now,” replied Jaro. “All I have inside me is anger.”

  “What happened to you?”

  Jaro gave a shrug. “Life,” he said flatly, silver eyes narrowing. The blue that ringed his mercury irises intensified. “And now we need to fight!” He swung his blade toward Tyr, catching him unawares and almost slicing into his arm. Tyr pivoted away andnarrowly missed being caught. A loud roar broke from the crowd as they realized that the battle was on. Tyr steadied his shield and circled Rodach warily. He had always been a cunning opponent and Tyr would have to tread carefully.

  His foe grinned smugly. “Too used to waiting for a bell?”

  “Nah! Just waiting for you to make a fool of yourself.”

  Rodach swung at him again, a wild slashing that cost him more in energy than it did Tyr to jump out of his way. Tyr smiled to himself. Jaro’s weakness. He was easy to rile and that would be his downfall. Tyr drew back. His strategy was clear. Let Jaro attack, draw him in, tire him. Frustrate him. If he knew Jaro, he would soon lose his cool and then Tyr would go in for the kill. Their swords met again. A clanging of furious metal echoed around the space, reverberating amid the noise of the onlookers who were mostly baying for Tyr’s blood.

  Jaro advanced, slicing at his legs, forcing Tyr to jump and spin away to the side. Tyr swung his blade but Jaro managed to kick out, knocking him backward. Rodach’s sword slashed down at Tyr’s head but he rolled away quickly springing to his feet, charging back at Jaro, weapon glancing off his shield. They drew back from each other. “What’s the matter, Rodach,” Tyr taunted. “Out of breath already?”

  Rodach’s eyes narrowed. “Worry about yourself, Bellor, and then about your woman. Choronzon is not known for honoring his word.”

  “Then he will die.”

  Rodach scoffed. “You think just because you are War you are invincible? He will bind you to him. You will be a slave just as I am. Do you think I really want this? I have no choice.”

  “There’s always a choice.”

  Rodach laughed again sounding bitter as they continued the dance, blades clashing, each matching the other strike for strike. “You know nothing. You cannot break such a slave bond, Bellor. The only outcome is torture and death. So it’s either you or me and I’m sorry for it. In many ways I have respected you as an opponent but I choose to live… so…” He whirled his blade quickly arcing down toward Tyr’s neck. Having anticipated the move Tyr dodged to the side and found Rodach open.

  Tyr could easily thrust his sword into Rodach’s spleen but he hesitated, Rodach’s words echoing in his head. Tyr had thought he was a mercenary, paid well for his services but it seemed that was wrong. Jaro was a slave. Expendable. His hesitation allowed Jaro to jump to his feet and twist away.

  “Boring!” Choronzon’s voice cut through the noise of the crowd. “Too much chat—not enough action.” He pulled Irina up by her arm, grabbed her cheeks with one hand and licked her face. “Do I need to remind you of what you fight for, War?”

  Tyr burned to take off Choronzon’s head for even breathing the same air as Irina, but logic held him in check. He faced Rodach again, tamping down the fury heating his blood. “Sorry, Rodach!” he shouted, pressing forward to attack. “This is a fight I have to win!” Swords crashed together, the metal grating as steel met iron. They continued to combat each other’s moves, evenly matching eac
h other blow for blow.

  “Let’s make it more interesting,” ordered Choronzon. “Release the balauri!” As he spoke, three large trap doors opened up on the arena floor each one expelling a balauri, a three-headed dragon with dripping fangs and snapping jaws.

  Both of the combatants had to jump to avoid the snap of those lethal teeth, the balauri having no discrimination for their food. They would eat anything, their first goal to pierce and poison their prey into paralysis.

  However, Choronzon wasn’t making that easy for his pets. They were all leashed, being able to move only a few feet from their lairs. Rodach began to laugh. “That should show you, Bellor. Choronzon couldn’t give a flying fuck about either of us!” He slashed at Tyr again.

  Tyr managed to spin around narrowly avoiding one of the beasts. He realized in that moment that he would have to kill Jaro and he regretted that. But Irina was more important. His brain calculated his next few moves. Rodach attacked again as expected and Tyr twisted away, quickly gaining an advantage. Jaro stumbled. As he did, one of the balauri broke free from its chain causing the crowd to roar in panic. It lunged forward excitedly toward the two men, its three heads snapping, vicious jaws opened to take a bite out of Rodach’s arm as he lay helpless on the ground.

  “Fuck!” Tyr cursed. He couldn’t watch it happen. Lunging toward the beast he sliced off two of the heads before it reached Jaro. He then swung wildly at the third head just as its jaws were about to snap at the fallen man. Tyr managed to deflect its teeth and stab it in the neck but as the beast’s head whipped sideways, it glanced off Jaro’s shield and it rebounded in Tyr’s direction its mouth gnashing in surprise. Tyr fell to the ground, the balauri landing on top of him, crimson blood gushing from the wound at its throat.