Unique Ink

by Cyndi Friberg

  Before Roxie could respond, someone knocked on the door. Elias reluctantly left her side and opened the door for Lor.

  “I’ll have two new Mystics within the hour and an additional four by morning,” Lor told them.

  Morgan nodded. “Good. We need all of the help we can get.”

  Elias returned to Roxie’s side and placed his hand at the small of her back. They faced each other in a messy circle in the middle of Elias’ living area. Judging from their disheveled clothing and the purple smudges under their eyes, neither Morgan nor Lor had been to bed yet. A conference room would have been more comfortable, but everyone was too focused on strategy to relocate.

  “Did Lor tell you about my lack of abilities?” Roxie asked Morgan.

  “Yes and my geneticists think the transformation wasn’t triggered because your mother already had alien DNA. All of the empowered daughters were born to full-blooded humans.”

  “Good to know,” Elias muttered though he wasn’t sure how, or if, it affected the current situation.

  “Will the Rodytes be able to tell that I don’t have abilities?” Roxie asked. “Can they scan me like Lor did?”

  She’d posed the question to Morgan, but Lor answered. “Their skills are different than mine. All of the Shadow Assassins on Earth functioned as hunters. If any of them had sweeper skills, we’d be in trouble, but I just confirmed that they do not.”

  “Wasn’t Nazerel eligible for both programs?” Morgan sounded as if she were reluctant to bring it up.

  “He was, but he was never trained as a sweeper. I just spoke with Varrik about this very thing.”

  “Who is Varrik?” Roxie wanted to know.

  “He was the alpha sweeper,” Lor told her. “Likely the most powerful of all Shadow Assassins.”

  “He’s the one who helped them liberate the Shadow Maze, so most consider him a traitor,” Elias added.

  “We need to get moving,” Morgan reminded. “Have you two worked out the details of your cover story?”

  “We have,” Elias assured.

  “Then the next step is being seen together. Don’t wait around for Sevrin. She might not want you to know she’s there. Take him to your shop, introduce him to your friends, act like you’re in a new relationship and can’t keep your hands off each other.” She glanced at the rumpled bed and smiled. “Somehow, I don’t think that will be too difficult.”

  Lor took a step forward angling his body more fully toward Elias and Roxie. “I’ll have my team in place within the hour. Most of the time you won’t see us, but you’ll have backup at all times. If you’re willing to permit it, I’d like to form a telepathic link so we can speak to you directly. I also had another thought.”

  “I’m listening,” Roxie said.

  “Now that you’ve been intimate, I can create a proximity bond.”

  She looked around, obviously panicked. “Elias said this room wasn’t monitored. How do you know…”

  Lor just smiled. “Lucky guess.”

  Elias moved his hand from her back and interlaced their fingers. “Basic powers of observation. The room is not monitored. What’s a proximity bond?”

  “It’s a metaphysical link that tethers you together. Where one goes the other will follow.”

  “Even if I’m teleported?” No one could have missed the hope in Roxie’s tone.

  “Yes,” Lor assured with another smile. “But emotions and thoughts can escape across the link so it’s not wise to create such a bond unless the couple shares some level of intimacy.”

  “I’m game,” Elias said without hesitation. If Roxie didn’t have to face this alone, any emotional sharing would be worth it. Besides it might be interesting if she could feel the full impact of his attraction to her. It would obliterate her fear that he still considered her an assignment.

  “Having to go through this alone was my biggest fear,” she admitted. “I’d welcome the bond.”

  “You were never going to be alone,” Lor stressed. “We just had to work out the logistics.”

  “I hate to rush you,” Morgan said, “but we don’t have a lot of time. We have to get you two in place before Sevrin arrives.”

  “Wait a minute.” Suspicion and anger suddenly animated her delicate features. “If Sevrin’s lover is your spy, why do you even need me? Can’t he tell you where the new lab is located?”

  Morgan shook her head. “Nothing is ever simple when Sevrin is involved. Flynn is either drugged or blindfolded when he’s taken to the complex. He doesn’t know the exact location. We know it takes less than an hour to reach, so our search area has shrunk considerably. But that still leaves a lot of ground to cover.”

  “Are you sure you can trust Flynn. He’s kind of an asshole.”

  The description made Morgan smile. “He’s been playing up his ruthlessness to attract Sevrin’s attention.”

  “And Nazerel’s,” Roxie countered. “Those two are thick as thieves.”

  “That’s by design, as well. I promise you. He’s one of the good guys.”

  Roxie waved away the subject. “It makes no difference to me, except it sounds like I’m still needed.”

  “Definitely.” Morgan’s expression grew serious and she moved directly in front of Roxie. “We’re doing everything we can to mitigate the danger, but you’re still taking a huge risk. I’m aware of all you’re risking and appreciate your willingness to help us.”

  Roxie smiled. “Careful, ma’am. You’re going to ruin your reputation as a hard-ass.”

  Morgan chuckled. “Well, we can’t have that.” She motioned Lor forward and moved out of the way. “Get busy, Master dar Joon. We haven’t got all day.”

  “Or all night as it were,” Lor muttered. “Frist things first, I’ll anchor a telepathic link with each of you and then I’ll form the proximity bond.”

  Elias had been working with the Mystics for almost two months now and they still managed to amaze him. Lor was skilled and powerful, and Elias barely felt it when Lor anchored the first link.

  Can you hear me? Elias nodded and Lor smiled. The link is interactive. You can respond silently.

  That will come in handy. Will Roxie and I be able to talk mind-to-mind?

  Only when the link is already open. The connection must be activated by a Mystic.

  Lor moved closer to Roxie and asked, “Are you ready?”

  “I should be used to this by now.” She sighed, but her fingers tightened against Elias’ hand. “Go ahead.”

  For a moment Elias sensed nothing and then his connection with Lor tingled and expanded. Like an operator searching for a radio signal, his mind filled with white noise then Lor’s thoughts cut through the static.

  Is my signal clear? Lor looked at Roxie and she nodded. Try to respond. We need to be able to hear you as well.

  We? She turned her head sharply and looked up at Elias. Can he hear my thoughts too?

  Lor chuckled, but his expression remained patient. Only after a Mystic has opened the link. But you need to be careful what you say. Anyone skilled with telepathic links can access this connection. If I shield it any more securely, you wouldn’t be able to hear me.

  She accepted the limitation with obvious disappointment. Okay. I can hear you fine.

  Can you hear me? Elias asked.

  Loud and clear.

  And that’s all there is to it. Lor smiled at Roxie. Now that wasn’t so bad, was it?

  She blinked a couple of times then shook her head. “No, but you’re not finished.”

  “The proximity bond is only a little more complicated, still nothing to fear.” Lor held out his hand, palm up. “Place your hands on mine. You must be touching each other as well as me.” Elias put his free hand on top of Lor’s and Roxie followed his example. “Roxie, your hand must touch mine as well as his.”

  “Sorry.” She curved her fingers until her palm pressed against his hand and her fingertips rested on Lor’s.

  “Now try to relax and accept the new sensations. It will feel st
range, but it shouldn’t be painful.”

  Roxie closed her eyes, but Elias watched her. He could still feel her silken skin as he slid his hands over her body. A faint hint of her taste lingered on his tongue, teasing him, making him hungry for more. With a frustrated sigh, he dragged his gaze away. His distraction endangered them both. He needed to resist these feelings and focus on her safety. At least until the danger had passed.

  It was just easier said than done.

  As if to mock his determination, emotions flowed into his mind and cascaded through his body, pulsing desire and urgent anticipation. He wasn’t the only one remembering their love play and Roxie’s imagination was just as detailed as his. Elias shivered and finally closed his eyes.

  “That should do it.” Lor’s voice sounded strained as if he was trying not to laugh. “The next few days should be interesting for you two.”

  “How far apart can we get?” Roxie asked.

  Elias opened his eyes and arched his brow. “Trying to escape me already?”

  “Actually I was wondering if I could still use the bathroom alone. If you must know.”

  She was lying. He could see a clear image of them together in a steamy shower and he was more than open to the idea.

  “The bond will keep you within ten feet of each other. That should give you enough of a separation for bodily functions and the occasional moment of privacy.”

  “Why don’t you see if it works?” Morgan suggested.

  Roxie rushed toward the bathroom and Elias felt a shockingly strong pull as she hit the proximity limit. He was literally dragged across the floor until they were within ten feet of each other again. “Okay, this is going to be strange.”

  “Better strange than separated.” Roxie looked at him, a complex tangle of emotions making her blue eyes shine. “And I think you should have this.” She held out the suppression collar. “If he’s focused on me, you’ll have a better chance of actually getting that thing around his neck.”

  He wasn’t sure he agreed with her, but he accepted the device. She was obviously overwhelmed and he would do everything in his power to make her feel safe. “Whatever you need, I’m there.”

  She smiled. “I appreciate you doing this for me.”

  He started to say it was his job, but the words felt dishonest now. She was more than his assignment and he couldn’t pretend otherwise. “We’ll get through this together.”

  * * * * *

  Sevrin stood in the parking lot outside Roxie’s apartment building, feeling like a desperate voyeur. “Are you sure she’s in there?”

  Flynn shrugged. “That’s where she lives.” He pointed to the corner unit on the second floor. “Whether or not she’s in there is anyone’s guess.” He scraped at the pavement with the toe of his boot, obviously restless and annoyed. “I could slip in behind an invisibility shield, but every time I use my abilities I risk detection. A wise woman once told me that.”

  Her only response was a smirk. She’d issued the warning because the hunters had been using their abilities indiscriminately. People on Ontariese were used to Mystics flashing into sight and walking through walls. Earth was different. Humans stopped and stared when anything out of the ordinary happened. And worse, they whipped out their phones and started recording.

  “Why don’t you go up there and knock on the door,” he suggested.

  “Maybe I will.” The sarcastic retort sprang automatically to her lips, but the idea took root within her mind. If the Mystic Militia had gotten to Roxie, Sevrin needed to know about it now. She could not allow Lor and his team of busybodies to realize Roxie’s true value. Sevrin had suffered too many setbacks already. She had no choice but to press onward. “If they tagged her, will you be able to sense it?”

  Flynn stopped fidgeting and looked at her. “My abilities don’t work that way.”

  “Your father was a sweeper. Didn’t you inherit any of his abilities?” Flynn frequently bragged about all of the things his father had been able to do. Only Varrik, the alpha sweeper, had been more skilled, at least according to Flynn’s stories.

  “My aptitudes more closely aligned with hunter training.”

  She glared up at him. “That didn’t answer the question. Can you sense Mystic energy or not?”

  “I can, but Roxie is a hybrid. Mystic energy will resonate from her even if her abilities are latent. It’s unlikely I will be able to sort through the specifics with any reliability.”

  “We know Lor and at least two of his men were in her shop. I need to know what happened after Nazerel left.”

  “And you think she’s going to tell you?” His scoff, though quiet, made her palm itch for contact with his lean cheek. She tolerated insubordination from no one. “She’s terrified of you.”

  “Exactly,” she snapped. “And I want to make damn sure she stays that way.”

  “She’ll tell the Mystic Militia you’re still in town. Right now, they have no idea where you are.”

  “Maybe, and maybe not. There was no way to completely shield the arrival of the supply convoy. We avoided human detection, but any Ontarian ship would have been able to identify where the transports landed. If Lor is as clever as they say, he knows we’re still in the area. I’m not quite ready for Roxie, but from this point on, I need to know her exact location.” With her decision made, Sevrin smoothed down her narrow skirt and started across the parking lot.

  It was still early, yet already the sun glared across a cloudless sky. Rodymia was hot compared to Ontariese and Bilarri, but the air was soft and moist, and trees were plentiful. It was far superior to this barren wasteland. She took the nearest staircase to the second floor then strode to Roxie’s front door. The complex was clean and well-maintained, yet far from luxurious. There was no doorbell, so she raised the metal knocker and rapped several times. When no one responded, she had Flynn pound with the heel of his hand.

  “What do you want?” Roxie called without opening the door.

  “I just want to speak with you. Open the door.”

  “I can hear you just fine like this.”

  Sevrin looked around to make sure no one was about then moved closer to Flynn. “Flash me inside.”

  “Say please.” He leaned down and nipped the side of her throat.

  “We don’t have time for this.” She smacked his shoulder. “Flash me inside.”

  His arm encircled her waist and he yanked her hard against him. An instant later, they stood in the front room of Roxie’s apartment.

  “How did he…”

  Roxie’s shock was almost believable. “Don’t pretend you’ve never seen someone teleport before. I know for a fact you have.”

  Instantly Roxie dropped her little-girl-lost act. “Fine.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “I did everything you asked me to do. What do you want now?”

  “Where did they take you after Nazerel left your shop?” Sevrin watched Roxie carefully, waiting for a twitch or guilty glance, any sign of deception.

  “They all went after Nazerel. I never left my shop.”

  Roxie remained composed and sounded sincere, but Sevrin knew better. “You’re lying. After an inadvertent exposure, you would have been debriefed. Where did they take you and what did they do?”

  “This is between you and them,” Roxie insisted. “I want nothing to do with it!”

  Sevrin crossed her arms under her breasts, pleased by the flicker of fear in Roxie’s gaze. She was a latent hybrid, unaware of her true worth. She should be frightened. “Answer a few simple questions and I’ll be on my way.”

  The bedroom door inched open and Flynn sprang into action. He flew across the room and kicked the door inward, driving the unseen observer back. But rather than retreat, the dark-haired man attacked in an admirable—though foolish—attempt at bravery. The stranger slammed his shoulder into Flynn’s stomach, wrapped his arms around his hips and drove Flynn to the floor, flat on his back. Momentum carried the stranger down as well. Flynn gasped in a breath then his hands glo
wed as he prepared to launch energy pulses at the other male.

  “Don’t kill him,” Sevrin commanded, her voice sharp and urgent. “I want to speak with him.”

  Flynn’s fingers curled and the glow slowly dimmed. “Get off me, human.” He snarled the last word, making it sound extremely unpleasant.

  The human climbed off Flynn, and Sevrin had her first good look at him. He was tall and muscular, with short yet wavy hair. His sharp green gaze settled on her for just a moment before he looked at Roxie. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine. You should have stayed out of sight.”

  Roxie was trying to protect this mass of muscle? How sweet. “Who are you?” She moved closer, wanting a better look at his eyes. Was he truly human or an Ontarian in disguise?

  “He has nothing to do with this.” Roxie reached for her upper arm, but Flynn intercepted her attempt, moving her hand well out of range. Roxie jerked her arm out of Flynn’s grasp and insinuated herself between Sevrin and Elias.

  The human wrapped his arm around her waist and kissed the top of her head. “I can take care of myself, darlin’. You don’t need to worry about me.”

  There was a slight accent to his speech that Sevrin found intriguing. Was he Roxie’s lover or something more interesting? “I wasn’t aware you had a significant other,” she prompted. “Why have I never seen him before?”

  “This is the first time we’ve actually been together.”

  “Let me guess,” Sevrin muttered. “You met online.”

  Roxie’s gaze sharpened as she shot back. “Recent events prompted his visit.”

  It was an explanation and yet so much was left undefined. “Which events do you mean and from where does your handsome suitor hale?”

  “That would be Austin, Texas, ma’am.” He held out his hand with an unassuming smile. He was like a large canine, ever eager to please his master. She wasn’t sure if she was amused or disgusted by his friendliness. It was foolish for anyone to be that trusting.

  After a quick handshake, Sevrin focused on Roxie again. “What happened after Nazerel left?”

  Roxie licked her lips, clearly uncomfortable with the subject. “The weapon he discharged gave me a terrible headache.”