Unique Ink

by Cyndi Friberg

  “Some can, but it would have been many years before the Shadow Assassins were allowed to claim a mate.”

  Claim a mate? She shivered again, yet this time the reaction felt warm and tingly instead of cold and unpleasant. Claiming her was what her imaginary lover did every time she summoned him to her dreams. “Why weren’t they allowed to find mates?” She softened the phrase for her comfort, but Nazerel and the others definitely seemed more like the claiming type.

  “Instead of going to prison, they were given mandatory years of service with the Ontarian military.”

  “Then Nazerel and his men are deserters? That’s a serious crime on Earth.”

  “It is on Ontariese as well, but leaving the military without permission is a minor infraction compared to their other crimes. Shadow Assassins used to hunt their mates. They’d kidnap a female and take her to the Shadow Maze where she would be held until she had a child. If it was a boy, she was released while the child was kept with his father. If she had—”

  “Wait a minute. They would keep women prisoner for a year or more?” She pushed to her feet and moved to the other side of the room. It wasn’t much of a separation, but she suddenly felt threatened by the entire situation. “If these women were kidnapped, they didn’t willingly participate in the breeding program. Were they raped over and over until…” Her voice broke and she furiously blinked back tears. It was too horrible to even imagine. She’d never been forced to have sex, but she knew what it was like to be helpless, powerless, utterly at the mercy of others. Her entire childhood had been one intolerable situation after another, and her teenage years had been even worse.

  “They claim rape is abhorrent to them, that each woman was gradually seduced.” She started to object, but he stopped her. “I’m not trying to justify any of this. I’m just passing on information. Personally, I’m right there with you. Even if it was seduction rather than rape, the distinction doesn’t justify the rest.”

  “And after months of imprisonment and abuse, their reward was having their baby stolen from them?” She felt physically ill as if someone had just kicked her in the stomach.

  He swiveled his chair to face her but didn’t rise. She was glad he didn’t try to touch her. She was holding on to her composure by a thread. Any physical contact at this point would have made it impossible to hold back the flood of emotions.

  “It was a barbaric practice and it has been stopped on Ontariese.” He spoke carefully and an emotionless mask took over his features.

  Had they relocated their disgusting operation to Earth? That was the logical conclusion. Still, she was stuck on the specifics. “What happened if she had a girl?”

  “Either both would be released or she would remain a prisoner and her captor would try again.”

  And if she couldn’t conceive or she produced girl after girl? How long would they keep her—it didn’t matter. It was no longer happening on Ontariese. But what about Earth? “Is this why they’re here? Are they kidnapping human females?”

  “They’ve taken it a step further. They’re hunting mates and attempting to transfer their powers into the females. We’ve found six of their failed attempts, but there have probably been more.”

  Dread knotted her stomach so tightly her legs shook so she returned to the table and sank onto her chair. “What does all of this have to do with me?”

  “That’s what we’re trying to figure out. If you’d been targeted as a mate, they most likely would have made their move already. But I don’t believe in coincidence. Sevrin didn’t just happen upon your shop. She doesn’t do anything without a specific reason.” He crossed his arms over his chest, prominently displaying his impressive biceps. “Now is there anything else you can tell me, anything that might help us understand Sevrin’s motivation?”

  She hadn’t felt safe for months and Elias’ story compounded her foreboding. Sevrin’s interest in her had always felt personal, personal and creepy. She might be making the biggest mistake of her life, but she needed to trust someone, someone with a whole lot more power than she possessed. Elias had offered her information. It could all be bullshit, but she didn’t think it was. Too much of what he’d said confirmed what she already knew.

  “They get off on pain.”

  His gaze narrowed and he unfolded his arms. “I thought all you did was tattoo them.”

  “That’s what I’m talking about.” Why did he persist in putting her in bed with one or more of those muscle-bound lunatics? “Lots of people get a rush while they’re under the needle, but it was like a drug to Nazerel and the others. They craved it, needed it. I think Sevrin was using it to keep them calm and under control.”

  “They were ruthlessly trained from birth to be impervious to pain. Maybe one of their strategies is learning how to process pain as pleasure.”

  That was a trivial fact, interesting yet unlikely to be helpful. He was obviously waiting for something more, something strategic. After a tense pause, she said, “Sevrin didn’t trust Nazerel.”

  “We’re aware of the friction, but what led you to that conclusion?” He twisted to the side and stood, anxious energy setting him in motion.

  “She wanted me to spy on him for her, see if he was saying anything to his buddies that he wasn’t supposed to share.” They’d basically switch places. She sat at the table, chair turned sideways so she could watch him prowl about the tiny room.

  “And did you?”

  “There was a small problem with her wish.” His arched eyebrow prompted her to explain. “I didn’t speak their language.”

  His gaze bore into hers, sharp with sudden interest. “Did she have a solution for that complication?”

  “Yeah, she took me to a hotel room and hooked me up to this machine. I’d never seen anything like it. The thing made me feel like crap for days afterwards, but it worked. I could suddenly understand all the obnoxious things they’d been saying behind my back.”

  He shook his head, clearly upset by something she’d just told him. “Language infusers have to be carefully calibrated for each user. She never should have used one in a hotel room.”

  Language infuser was the exact term Sevrin had used for the brain-scrambling device. Apparently, Roxie had been in more danger than she realized. “I feel fine now. Though unpleasant, the side effects were temporary.”

  “I’ll ask one of the Mystics to scan you, make sure you’re really okay.” He pushed his hand through his dark hair, making the natural waves more pronounced. “Did you learn anything from Nazerel?”

  “I learned that this planet was making him paranoid and he was sick and tired of irrational humans. The bizarre phrases, as well as the fact that I’d just learned a new language in less than a day, were what convinced me I was in way over my head.”

  “You’re right about that. You stumbled over an interdimensional hornets’ nest.”

  “Lucky me.” She swiveled her chair back around so she didn’t have to put up with his penetrating stare. “That’s honestly all I know. Can I go home now?”

  Chapter Three

  Sevrin stood in the middle of a sprawling field of wind turbines. The rhythmic whoosh of the massive blades vibrated through her body and made the air sizzle with energy. As wind farms went, this one was small yet strategically located along US 93. She was less than an hour from Las Vegas yet far enough removed from the never-ending action to remain inconspicuous, almost invisible. No more dank warehouses or shabby motels. She’d always found it amusing to hid in plain sight.

  Her new headquarters sprawled beneath her feet; its massive need for energy provided by the oddly graceful giants surrounding her. Wind farms had become so common along these barren stretches of highway that no one gave this one a second thought. A small maintenance building was the only overt sign of civilization, so there was nothing here to draw attention.

  Construction of the underground complex had blended with assembly of the wind turbines. Large equipment was large equipment to the untrained eye. And human proje
cts were notoriously ineffective, stretching on for years when they should have been completed in a matter of weeks. All of this worked to her advantage and would continue to mask her movements well into the future. Her guards used utility trucks and SUVs stylishly labeled with the Boulder City Energy Solutions logo. And she filtered enough money through the imaginary corporation to make it appear legitimate.

  A supply convoy had arrived two weeks before, landing deep in the desert. Her staff had been shuttled from the landing area in sightseeing buses and they were only allowed to leave “the Farm” a few at a time, escorted by one of her guards. She’d assured them they weren’t prisoners. However, interaction with the indigenous population was grounds for immediate termination. A smile curved Sevrin’s mouth as she pictured their faces. She’d used the word intentionally, leaving them to wonder if she meant she would end their employment or something more nefarious.

  The laboratories and medical facilities were equipped with the newest and best Rodymia had to offer. She’d even tried to make the living quarters and common areas comfortable in an attempt to minimize restlessness. Besides, the faster each staff member completed their assigned task, the faster they could return to Rodymia.

  “Everything seems to have settled into a routine below.” Marat, Sevrin’s head of security, walked out of the maintenance building and moved up beside her. Marat meant more to Sevrin than any of her family members. She depended on his wisdom, his steadfast calm. He was part mentor, part parent, and her only confidante.

  “What about Orrit and Salidan?” She glanced up at him and paused. Usually she found character and experience etched into his wrinkled features. Today, he just looked tired. She started to ask him what was wrong then shook away the impulse. If she detected any weakness in Marat, he would demand that she replace him. Her safety was his purpose in life and he took the responsibility very seriously. “Have they stopped threatening to sabotage the program?”

  “The warning from your uncle settled them down, at least outwardly. No one likes to be scolded by the Crown Stirate of Rodymia.” He crossed his brawny arms over his chest and gazed out across the churning field of turbines. “Orrit is the instigator. Salidan follows his lead.”

  “Are they lovers?”

  “I’m not sure. If they are, they’re extremely discrete.”

  She walked toward the maintenance building and Marat fell in step beside her. “How close are their sleeping quarters?”

  “Adjacent with one room separating them.”

  She arched her brow at that. “Close yet distant enough to leave some doubt.” She had no problem with staff fraternization. The gods knew there wasn’t much else to do on this primitive rock. However, knowing about such relationships could be advantageous when it came time to motivate a reluctant subordinate. In this case, Salidan had a bonded mate and Sevrin doubted the wealthy female would react well if she found out Salidan was offering his body to someone else.

  Marat opened the door for her and she stepped inside the blessed coolness of the air-conditioned building. “Why did humans choose to populate an area of their planet that is so inhospitable?” She looked up at Marat and shook her head. “It makes no sense to me.”

  Marat chuckled. “Much of what humans do makes no sense to me.”

  A numerical keypad limited access to a room labeled “utility closet”. Behind a sliding panel near the back of the long, narrow closet waited a second door, which required a facial scan. Only the élite members of Sevrin’s staff had been registered with the security system. Everyone else required an escort into or out of the Farm.

  The primary elevator took them to the commons, which was currently empty. Good. Everyone should be hard at work. There was a freight elevator as well, but it was located on the other end of the complex, closer to the storage areas.

  “Do you have specific plans for this evening? Anything I need to know about?”

  Before she could answer Marat, Flynn rushed into the commons, obviously agitated about something. “It is ridiculous that I must endure these indignities every time I leave this place.” Anger tightened his features and made his voice snarl. A secret thrill raced through her body. She liked him best when he was like this, savage and impossible to control.

  Always the consummate professional, Marat slipped away without another word.

  Flynn advanced, yet she didn’t back down. Soon they stood toe-to-toe. He glared down at her and she breathed in his aggression, allowing his strength to soothe her in ways she would never admit. All her life she’d worked to convince those around her she was strong and ruthless, a worthy successor for her infamous father. She didn’t want a protector, didn’t need to be sheltered. But just once, it would be nice to have someone at her side, someone strong and capable, someone she could depend on and trust. Like Marat, only much younger and more attractive.

  “You’re earning my trust,” she reminded him. “That’s an ongoing process.” He made a dissatisfied sound, but didn’t argue. “You were drugged the first time I brought you here. Today you were only blindfolded. My indulgence will increase as your cooperation continues.”

  He grabbed the back of her neck with one hand and banded her waist with his other arm, drawing her against him with one firm yank. “You know I’ll punish you as soon as we’re alone. Is that why you continue to provoke me?”

  She concealed her arousal with a bored expression. If she let him simmer for the next few hours, their nightly session would be even more intense. “The security measures are necessary. I won’t relent. Now what did you learn? How did Nazerel react to the new rules?”

  Gradually his fingers loosened and he lowered his arms, taking one step back. “Nazerel wants to see you, explain his concerns face-to-face.”

  “His ‘concerns’.” She laughed, already missing the firm pressure of Flynn’s hands and the nearness of his warm body. She shouldn’t allow herself to enjoy him so much. Depending on him for her pleasure gave him power over her. But she couldn’t help the cravings of her body. Flynn was by far the most entertaining hunter she’d taken to her bed and they’d barely begun to explore the pleasure they could give each other. “He agreed to submit to the new procedures?”

  “Of course not. He wants you to come to him.”

  “Well, the next time I have a reason for visiting Team Southwest I’ll—”

  “About the name. Nazerel has secured the allegiance of all the former Team West members. They are now members of Team South, so it’s really just the new Team South house.”

  Labels were an incidental detail, yet the principle frustrated Sevrin. Every time she turned around, Nazerel found a way to rub her face in his authority. The men cooperated with her because there was no viable alternative, but they chose to follow him. “What about you? You’re a member of Team West. In fact, you’re the strongest remaining member of Team West. Why did you allow Nazerel to take over your team?”

  “The men no longer trust me.” His hungry gaze swept over her body as he added, “They know where my allegiance lies.”

  She scoffed under her breath. If only she were so certain of his allegiance. Like the others, Flynn was manipulating the situation to his advantage in every way he could. He might willingly pleasure her body, but he didn’t trust her, sure as hells didn’t respect her. “I’ll deal with Nazerel. Did you inform the entire house or just him?”

  “I told the team leader and he’ll tell the men. It’s not my place to manage his team.”

  “Then how do you know he told them anything? He’s stubborn enough to ignore the new procedures and continue on as if nothing happened.”

  “In which case the guards you stationed at the Team South house will start shooting. Nazerel can be irrationally stubborn, but he’s not stupid. He will never intentionally endanger his men.”

  “My men,” she snapped. “You are all my men.”

  “Of course, mistress. It was just a figure of speech.”

  It wasn’t and they both knew it. Nazerel was the
true leader of the Shadow Assassins. She was just their employer. “I have work to do. I’ll see you later.” She dismissed him with an impatient wave of her hand.

  She’d had enough of stubborn employees and insubordination. She was Rodyte royalty and people would start treating her accordingly or they would find out why the name Keire was whispered with fear and awe. Quentin wasn’t as brutal as her father Pern had been. Still, anyone who underestimated a Keire was soon shown the error of their thinking.

  Storming through the living quarters, she headed for Orrit’s lab with long, purposeful strides. The research wing was on the right, medical facilities on the left, security and technology straight ahead. Four smaller labs surrounded Orrit’s work area. Researchers and scientists moved freely between the five rooms, sharing information and assisting each other with complications. The sense of community was tangible. But then, she’d given them a common ground when she sent each a royal summons. They had been dragged away from their own projects, forced to abandon their families. They’d been transported to a distant planet and were basically captives until they’d each accomplished their goals. And each despised her for her heavy-handed tactics. She didn’t care if they grumbled and glared, as long as the produced results.

  Orrit paused his holographic simulation as her entrance silenced the room.

  “Leave us.” She didn’t need to say more, the others hustled out the nearest door.

  “I’m not quite ready for a full report,” Orrit told her as she approached his workstation. With silver sprinkled dark hair and perfect posture, he looked right at home in the orderly environment.

  Her temper fizzled and her curiosity engaged as she absorbed the implications of his statement. “There’s been progress since your last report?” That had been five days ago. How much could he have accomplished in less than a week?

  “Significant.” He slipped his hands into the pockets of his light blue lab coat as he glared into her eyes. “You wanted results. I got you results.”