by Cara Bristol
The Alpha glanced at the food, then at Nibor. “There is no panna?”
“My apologies, Commander, but there is not. I thought we had two loaves remaining, but I erred. I have dough rising, now. I promise there will panna for the midday meal,” Nibor said.
Petty, but Urazi took satisfaction in the cook’s screwup.
Marlix waved him off before gripping the edge of the table. “If a lack of panna is the worst that happens today, we shall be fortunate indeed.”
Nibor made himself scarce, and they began to eat. Tara relished the gruel, judging from the avidness with which she spooned it into her mouth. Although the porridge had been mixed with cream and sweetened by honey, it tasted like sand to Urazi. Marlix appeared to have no appetite either, and, after two mouthfuls, set down his spoon. He sought Urazi’s gaze. “Tara has been privy to my decision, but you should be aware I have negotiated with Commander Ilian for Anika to become his breeder.”
Urazi flinched. Though he’d known, to hear the edict spoken hit him like an angry blow to the chest, provoking an urge to leap across the table and grab Marlix by the throat.
“Anika will produce a fine, strong son for Ilian.” Marlix sounded confident and proud. “His son will be my relation, which will strengthen the alliance between our two provinces.” If Urazi did not know the Alpha as well as he did, he would have sworn Marlix’s smile held a taunt. Urazi clenched his fists under the table.
If he attacked an Alpha, he would be flogged—if he wasn’t killed. Alphas were selected, in part, due to their superior physical structure and strength, further honed and hardened by torturous training. Those who survived the academy emerged as unbeatable warriors. Were he to challenge the Alpha to a dola, Urazi would not stand a chance of survival.
“Anika can be willful, but I suspect Ilian shall enjoy taming her.” Marlix chuckled. “And once she has conceived, she will settle down.” He tilted his head and stroked his jaw in speculation. “Although considering that she and Jergan had mated, but produced no offspring, I suspect impregnation may require many couplings.”
Urazi squeezed his already-tight fists.
Impassive golden eyes met his across the length of the table. “She will provide a sexual outlet for Ilian’s beta, as well.”
Urazi leaped to his feet. His chair smashed into the wall.
“Commander!” Zoulin, one of Marlix’s alpha guards assigned to the domicile, appeared. “Begging your pardon for the interruption, but Alpha Ilian has requested permission to enter.”
Marlix frowned. “Ilian is here? Did he not receive my communiqué that you would deliver Anika to him?”
Zoulin remained at attention. “I would not know, Commander.”
Marlix shrugged. “By all means, admit him, bring him to the dining chamber, and instruct Nibor to prepare another place.
“As you will.” Zoulin saluted.
“Oh, and Zoulin, rouse Anika and inform her she is to report posthaste.”
“Certainly,” Zoulin said and departed.
Marlix shook his head. “Anika sulks in refusal to admit what is best for her. It is time she comes to terms with it. Once she holds Ilian’s son in her arms, she will be happy.”
“Sometimes, you make me so mad, I could spit,” Tara burst out, but Urazi stood frozen to the stone floor.
Marlix cocked his head. “And what is your opinion, Urazi?”
You will not give her to Ilian. I will not allow it. I will kill you first.
To save Anika would require nothing less than killing the Alpha to whom he’d pledged his allegiance. Nor would Ilian willingly surrender her. Urazi could not fight one Alpha, let alone two. And how would he care for a breeder? Had the Enclave still existed, they could have resided there, but its denizens had scattered right before Qalin had burned it to the ground, and the village had never been rebuilt. It sickened him to admit it, but Anika would be better served with Ilian.
The Alpha in question swept into the room, and Marlix rose to greet him. “Kianiko.” Marlix initiated the Bridge of Amity by clasping Ilian’s right shoulder. On his shirt, Ilian wore a pin denoting his province and rank, since his winter uniform covered both arms, his torso, and his nipple insignia.
Ilian returned the gesture of friendship by gripping Marlix’s left shoulder. “Kianiko.”
They dropped their arms, and Marlix motioned to the table. “Sit, please. Join us for the morning meal.”
“Thank you.”
Marlix drew his brows together. “Did you not receive my message that I would have Anika delivered to you today?”
“I did receive it, but since I met with Commander Dak in a strategy session and was halfway here, I decided to retrieve her myself and save you the trouble.” Ilian took the seat Marlix offered.
“That is most considerate.”
Nibor arrived and set a bowl of creamed acca in front of the Alpha. “Thank you,” Ilian said with a smile, although Protocol did not require one to recognize the efforts of servants. He turned his attention to Urazi, who still stood, gripping the edge of the table. “How are you, Urazi? Fully recovered after your convalescence?”
Urazi gritted his teeth. “I am well. Thank you for asking.” He could not watch Marlix present Anika to Ilian. Anguish and aggression churned and surged inside, seeking an outlet.
Before he committed a life-ending act, Urazi nodded at Marlix. “If I may, I shall leave you two—”
“Commander!” Zoulin charged into the room, his normally florid face pale. He snapped a salute to Ilian, his nervous gaze skittering between the two Alphas. “Anika is not here.”
Marlix’s expression turned thunderous. “She has refused to come?”
“No, Commander. I mean she is not in the domicile. I have searched the entire abode.”
Everyone started at Zoulin’s announcement, except for Tara who ducked her head and rearranged her eating utensils once again.
“Her quarters?” Marlix asked.
“She was not there, Commander.”
“The bathing chamber?”
Zoulin stood at attention, staring straight ahead. “Commander, I took the liberty of checking the gene scanner. According to the log, Anika exited the abode at 01:00.”
Relief and shock battled. That she was missing meant Marlix could not turn her over to Ilian, but Urazi feared Anika had climbed out of the kettle to land in the open flame. A lone female could not survive—
“Look outside. She could not have traveled far.”
“At once, Commander.” Zoulin saluted and hurried from the room.
Marlix sighed and twisted his mouth. “You have my sincerest apologies, Commander Ilian. I assure you, Anika will be disciplined for the way she has dishonored you.”
“Do not worry about it.” Ilian downplayed the insult with a wave. “This is not the first time a female has acted rashly, and I doubt it will be the last.”
Marlix settled his gaze on Tara. “What do you know about Anika’s disappearance?” he asked in deadly calm voice.
Tara wet her lips. “Why should I know anything about it?”
Marlix slammed his fist on the table, causing Tara to jump and crockery to clatter. “This is no child’s game of cover and find. There is more at stake than her egregious disrespect toward Ilian. Do you not realize Commander Qalin has put a bounty on all who reside within my domicile? You, Anika, and Urazi are his top targets.”
“Because of what happened in the woods? But Anika did not do anything. Urazi and I killed his guards.”
“To undermine me, Qalin knows he has only to capture one of you,” Marlix said. “Tell me what you know about Anika’s disappearance.”
Tara looked stricken. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know how serious it was!”
“We are at war!” Urazi gasped, astonished by her naiveté. “How could it not be serious?” For Anika to serve Ilian seemed like a lesser evil now. He would hand her over to Ilian himself, if it would ensure her security. Only an Alpha could protect someone from the ire o
f another Alpha. Qalin was the most ruthless and feared of all five Commanders who ruled Parseon, feeding his hunger for power with the blood of innocents.
Marlix fixed his gaze on Tara. “Where did she go?”
“I don’t know,” Tara twisted her hands. “She didn’t tell me.”
“But you knew she planned to leave.”
She nodded.
“Go to our chamber,” Marlix ordered her. “You and I will talk later.”
Tara pushed away from the table. “I’m sorry,” she apologized again, in a trembling voice. “You can bring her home, can’t you?”
“I hope so.” Marlix sighed, his expression grim. “Qalin presents the biggest threat, but not the sole one. Anarchists, looters, and other opportunists prey on the vulnerable. Any one of them would view Anika as fair game.”
“I didn’t realize….” Tara slumped and crept out of the room.
Marlix faced Ilian. “I assure you Anika will atone for her disrespect.”
Ilian nodded and stood up. “You have your hands full. I will return to my province. Keep me informed of your progress.”
“Of course.” He and Ilian exchanged a farewell, then the other Alpha left.
Marlix stalked back and forth, his boots thudding on the stone floor. “What could Anika have been thinking?”
Urazi wished he knew. How like a female to do something so ill-conceived, so ill-considered. What could have made her run away? To bear an Alpha’s sons was the greatest honor a female could achieve. But though he feared for her safety, selfishness cheered that she would not become Ilian’s breeder today.
“I do not have the guards to spare to search for a wayward female!” Marlix paced. “I need every single alpha to hold back Qalin’s advance.”
Urazi’s heart rate sped up. “I can search for her.”
Marlix did not even hesitate. “No, I need you here.”
“To do what?” he asked. Nibor handled domestic duties; Tara served as confidant. Urazi had begun to feel like the guest who’d overstayed his welcome.
“To remain safe. You were nearly killed by Qalin’s guard. I can send Zoulin and a few others to search for her. Though Zoulin is new, he came recommended by one of my subcommanders. He will find Anika.”
Which Urazi could not. Marlix could not have made it any plainer. In the woods near the Enclave, he had botched the rescue of Tara and Anika, and his opportunity to prove himself, by ending up a casualty who had required medical intervention. The shame would follow him for the rest of his days. But his gut tightened with resolve. “I have the best chance of anyone to convince her to come home. We have developed an…amity.”
But had they? He wasn’t sure anymore. He and Anika had shared long conversations and had laughed together as if they were kith. But when they’d lain naked, she had not even hinted of her intentions. No, she’d confided in Tara.
“An amity?” Marlix’s piercing eyes narrowed, but then he shook his head. “No. You shall remain here. No convincing will be required. Anika will be located, arrested, and delivered to Commander Ilian.” Marlix unclipped his personal communication device from his belt and delivered orders to Zoulin.
Chapter Four
One month later
“What province did you say you were from?” Icor, his face blackened by soot, except for a pus-oozing red scar zigzagging from eye to chin, stared at Urazi from across the smoking fire.
“I did not.” Urazi picked a stringy strand of meat from his teeth with his dagger. He had found a sizable fowl scratching along the road and had wrung its neck, intending to eat it when he stopped for the night. Just as dusk had darkened the sky, he’d happened upon two males hunkered around a fire, sheltered from the worst of the bitter wind by a lean-to of metal scraps and half-rotted boards. A TERRAN BAZAAR sign that once had symbolized a thriving economy and a promising future served as roof paneling for the makeshift dwelling.
Urazi had offered to share his meal in exchange for a night’s haven.
“What brings you to these parts?” Suspicion narrowed Icor’s eyes. Distrust had replaced hunger, now that the latter had been appeased.
The feeling was mutual. “What makes you think I am not from here?” Urazi parried.
“An inflection in your speech indicates you originate from another province.” The alpha’s accurate perception increased Urazi’s wariness. Who were these males who wore tattered uniforms of status? Why did they huddle in squalor rather than supporting the war effort—for whatever side?
Were they deserters? Refugees? Robbers? Spies? Urazi had encountered all four during his month’s journey.
First, he had searched Marlix’s province. After finding no trace of Anika, with hope sinking, he’d expanded his search to Commander Dak’s territory. Anika had lived at the Enclave and, before that, at the BCF, both of which were in Dak’s territory. In hindsight, Urazi realized he should have begun here. The region probably felt like home, and where did one flee to but home?
Urazi schooled his expression. He had assumed he would have found Anika by now. Of course, a chance existed Zoulin had located her already and delivered her to Ilian. Urazi had no way of knowing because he’d left his PCD at the domicile so Marlix could not track him. He forged on because he had nothing to return to except a flogging. The Alpha would be furious he’d disobeyed his direct order, and regardless of preference, Marlix would have no choice but to make an example of Urazi to retain his honor.
Urazi could endure the strike of the barbed-tipped whip if it would save Anika. He was less certain he could bear to hand her over her to Ilian, but his ability to care for her had lessened since he’d become a fugitive. He sized up his camp mates. Perhaps they were betas on the run in alpha dress, too?
Urazi’s hair had been cut shorter than the chin-length beta style, a holdover from the time he and Marlix had donned disguises and hidden at the Enclave, but Urazi had trimmed the regrowth and donned a gray winter alpha uniform.
By far, his behavior represented the biggest element of his masquerade. Urazi affected the bold strut and the hard stare of a male of status. Sometimes he almost believed his fiction. Most often, reason ruled, and he remained conscious of the fraud he was.
“We are all from somewhere,” Urazi answered, sharpening his dagger on a stone. “The war has turned many into itinerants.”
Hoari, the questioner’s companion, nodded. “Many have passed through.”
Caution urged reticence, but he would not locate Anika if he did not inquire. “I am looking for someone,” he admitted. “A female.”
“They are skittish and hard to catch.” Hoari’s ribald bark hinted he was not averse to bending Protocol and slaking his lust with an available female.
Icor did not join in the humor, but picked up an unsually small knife and stabbed it into the fowl carcass, which they’d picked clean.
“Who is this female you seek?” Hoari asked.
“I had purchased a breeder, but she escaped before I could take possession.” Urazi assembled a story, avoiding mention of Anika’s link to Ilian or Marlix in case his camp mates’ loyalties resided with the Qalin-Artom bloc.
“How long has she been missing?”
“About a month.”
Hoari drew his brows together in a pensive frown. “About three weeks ago, we captured a female for our use, but I do not think she is the one you seek.”
“Female drakor.” Icor spat.
Do not let it be Anika. I would prefer to not find her than to think she encountered these alphas. “And why is that? Was her appearance so unseemly that she would produce ugly offspring?” He faked a casual, humorous tone.
“She was not unattractive for a female,” Hoari replied. “She had a bounty of hair and amber eyes. She wore the oddest footwear. Terran, I suspect.”
Urazi’s blood chilled. What had they done to her? “What happened?”
“She attacked Icor and escaped.” Hoari motioned toward his wounded companion.
Urazi closed his e
yes in thankfulness. He sucked in a surreptitious breath of relief, but rage began to build. He opened his eyes. The answer to the next question would determine whether Icor and Hoari lived or died.
He twisted his mouth into a semblance of a grin and stroked the blade of his knife. “Did you at least get to use her before she fled?”
* * * *
“Hold steady. Grip the stock from below with your left hand. Do not get in the way of the bolt.” Grogan stepped so close, his hardened manhood prodded Anika’s left flank. She gritted her teeth, and considered dropping her trigger finger to reach into her boot for Tara’s knitting needle.
Yes. Hold steady now, Grogan.
“Line your target between the crosshairs.”
Target in sight. Anika closed her left eye and peered through the scope with her right at the life-size outline of a male sketched in soot on an unrolled parchment scroll tacked to a tree fifty meters away. Focused on the round smudge, center torso.
Grogan pressed his stiffened manhood into the crease of her buttocks. “Squeeze…the trigger.”
Anika superimposed her instructor’s likeness onto the faceless target and discharged the bolt. The string recoiled with a pop and released the arrow. With satisfying thunk, it embedded in the target. Lowering her weapon, Anika stepped out of range of the alpha and strode to examine the result.
Right through the heart.
“Fair. For a female,” Grogan judged.
She compared her results—dead center—with Grogan’s. He’d missed the middle completely, hitting outside the outline. Perhaps the weight of his erection had unbalanced his shot.
She marched to the starting line with Grogan dogging her heels, flinging advice as wild as his aim. She shot better than every male of the Resistance, but walked a precarious path, awakening each morn to wonder if this would be the day she would fall prey to her compatriots. To Grogan, who had singled her out for special training.
But joining the Guerilla Resistance against Qalin and Artom was preferable to facing what lay outside the camp. Anika shuddered.