Breaking Ice (The Jendari Book 2)

by Delwyn Jenkins

  “About what you’d expect.” The doctor sounded calm and unruffled, but that didn’t necessarily signify that all was well.

  “She’s not making any sense. Is she still lucid, in your opinion?”

  “Hard to tell. Her vitals are within acceptable parameters for this kind of interrogation.”

  Karol nodded, even though the doctor couldn’t see him. “Good, thanks.”

  He turned back to the subject and ran her words through his head. If he was reading it right, Shallamar was a person who was either a friend or family member of the alien they’d kidnapped. But how did that fit in with the subject of having sex with a Jendari? And why was it so important that it was the second thing that came to her mind when interrogated about that night?

  Taking a bottle of water from the table, he walked over to his asset and gave her a few sips. Screwing the lid back on, he strolled around the chair, trying to refine his strategy. His asset wouldn’t last much longer, and Karol had a feeling he was about to uncover something important. He approached the chair, carefully framing his next question.

  Then the lights went out, pitching the basement in to complete darkness.

  ****

  Kasim crouched near the electrified fence in lepardine form. The pulse weapon Zendar was about to release was calibrated to take out all electronics with a half-mile radius, which included power and cell coverage. The moment she set off her device, Lioth would trigger his weapon, which would render any human in the vicinity safely unconscious. Which was why the rhe’hashan were in their animal forms. The pulse weapon wouldn’t knock them out, but it would render them ineffective if they were traveling on two legs. In their alternative form, they were immune to the pulse and its effects.

  Keeping his eyes glued to the nearest pair of guards, Kasim waited. Finally, the lights went out, and the humans crumbled to the ground. Phasing back into his skin, he took a small torch from a pouch in his belt and proceeded to cut through the wire fence. If he’d been on his own, he would have simply scaled the barrier, but he didn’t want to risk Shallamar cutting herself on the razor wire at the top of the fence.

  Within seconds, he was through the wire, holding it back for his me’hendra to enter. Leaving the bodies of the guards for his brothers to deal with, Kasim raced for the building that housed the only female life-sign. Shallamar ran beside him, his constant partner in battle as in all things.

  Their target building had several doors, and the first one Kasim tried was locked. Unwilling to waste time looking for another entrance, he pulled a lock-bomb from his belt. No bigger than his thumb-nail, the thin wafer of explosive was powerful enough to blow the lock on most doors. Pressing it to the mechanism, Kasim and Shallamar stepped around the corner so he could safely trigger the device. A small pop and the deed was done.

  Rushing back, he yanked open the still-smoking door and headed inside. The lights came back on—thank you, Deasun—so Kasim picked up his speed. He and Shallamar ran the length of the building, dodging furniture and fallen bodies. Following the readout on his gauntlet, Kasim came to a halt when his beacon overlapped Winter’s signal.

  “She’s on a different floor,” he said to Shallamar. “Up or down?”

  Shallamar sniffed the air. Me think … down.

  “Let’s go.”

  They had a fifty-fifty chance either way, and Shallamar’s worst guess was better than his best one. It took them two corridors and three turnarounds before they found the stairs to the lower levels. When they came to a door with two guards lying unconscious at the threshold, Kasim knew they were close.

  He stepped over the humans, blew the door, and then rushed inside. Descending the metal stairs two at a time, he landed on the concrete floor at a run. But as he turned to face the room he saw Winter, and all the power went out of his legs. The sight of her, half-naked and tied to a chair, hit him so hard his knees buckled. Unable to keep his balance, he hit the floor in a painful, ungainly heap. And his eyes never left Winter’s still form. Gasping for air he couldn’t find, he scrambled forward on all fours.

  When he finally reached his mate, he ran his hands over her body. Too cold, too clammy. Panicked, he cupped her face and gently lifted her head. Pale skin, slack mouth, her scent reeking of fear and pain.

  “No,” he whispered. “Please, Badria. Don’t take her from me.” His heart seized and the sense of loss wiped every sane thought from his mind.

  Shallamar butted his arm. She no dead. She sleeping like other humans.

  What? He turned to her, the tears in his eyes blurring his vision.

  You looking but not seeing. She no dead.

  Shallamar’s words pushed his terror back far enough for him to regain some sense. He was a fully trained, battle-experienced rhe’hashan, and the possibility of losing Winter had eradicated every bit of knowledge he possessed.

  Cursing under his breath, he checked her pulse—thready but there—and began unbuckling her restraints. As he freed her, he looked around for something to cover her with, but the room was bare. Pulling off his top, he slipped it over her head and down her body, not bothering to put her arms in the sleeves.

  Gathering her close, he lifted her into his arms and followed Shallamar out of the basement. He was dangerously single-focused as he made his way through the building and out onto ground level.

  Halfway across the compound car park, Tallis and Itohan caught up with them. “Deasun, Hadar, Lioth, and Zendar are staying here to clean up. I’ll take you and Winter back to my place.”

  “No.” Kasim squeezed her tight against his chest. “I want her in my home.”

  “I’m sure you do.” Tallis moved closer, offering support by proximity rather than touch. “But Winter’s welfare has to come first. She’s been through a terrible ordeal and I think she’ll need the comfort of other humans. And Jasmine is her best friend.”

  Kasim wanted to believe that he was the only comfort Winter would need, but he wasn’t sure that was true. Tallis’s argument was logical—maybe even right—but Kasim couldn’t bring himself to just roll over. Walking through the quiet darkness with his mate in his arms, he offered up the truth.

  “I thought I’d lost her. I thought she was dead or … worse.” He turned his head to meet Tallis’s gaze. “I’ve only just got her back and I need to reassure myself that she’s safe and whole.”

  “And you can’t do that at my place?”

  “No.” If the lovely Jasmine got her hands on her best friend, Kasim would be pushed out so far and so fast his feet wouldn’t even touch the floor. Not out of any maliciousness on Jaz’s part, but because she loved Winter so much. Well, Kasim loved Winter, too, and he wasn’t giving up his woman without a fight. “Let me take her home. If she needs you or Jasmine, you’re only a minute away via transit.”

  Tallis gave him a long look as he kept pace. “All right. I understand your need to keep your mate close and have her all to yourself. I had the same reaction when we rescued Jaz.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I’ve got your back, my brother.” Tallis gave Kasim a companionable slap on the shoulder. “But you’re going to owe me. Jaz is going to be pissed about having to wait to see Winter.”

  Too bad. Kasim wasn’t in the right headspace to share Winter and—unless she protested—he was going to keep her to himself for a little while. They needed to discuss their relationship and the future they could have together.

  He looked down at the limp form in his arms. He had so much to tell her, and he had no idea if she’d want to hear any of it once she regained consciousness. After what those HEC bastards had done to her, only the Goddess knew what shape his mate would be in.

  That thought reminded him of another piece of business.

  “There was a man in the basement with Winter,” he said to Tallis. “It looked as though he’d been interrogating her.”

  “One of the higher-ups, do you think?”

  “It seems likely.” They wouldn’t have gone to all this trouble to
capture and imprison Winter, only to have a low-level member question her.

  “I’ll let the others know. Perhaps if we ask nicely, Hadar might have a little talk with him.”

  Kasim enjoyed his first genuine smile for days. When Hadar was sufficiently motivated, he redefined the term ruthless. “Hadar is a good choice. With a bit of luck, he’ll invite Kotiri along as well.”

  Tallis looked at the lax bundle in Kasim’s arms. “After what they did to Winter, I think all the me’hendras would be involved if we let them.”

  “Sounds good to me.”

  The me’hendras were haughty and arrogant, and they usually treated anyone but their own rhe’hashan with mild contempt. But they were crazy loyal. Come at a rhe’hashan, or his mate, and all bets were off. If Shallamar accepted Winter as Kasim’s mate, the me’hendra would consider her part of their pack. Then nothing would stop them going after the men who’d taken her.

  Letting that fact settle around him like a warm blanket, Kasim climbed into the SUV. Tucking Winter close to his body, he waited until Tallis had them underway. Then, when they were safely on the road, Kasim closed his eyes and sang the song of healing.

  The divine energy of the Goddess filled him, flooding his body with light and love. He sang quietly, his mouth so close to Winter’s ear her hair tangled in his beard. Holding her with fierce tenderness, he sent his healing magic into her body.

  He only wished he had the skills to heal her emotions as well.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Winter woke with a jolt and she jerked upright, scrambling away from the threat before her eyes fully opened. She hit a wall and in desperation she tried to climb it, the instinct to run overwhelming everything else.

  Panicked, she couldn’t see or hear. The only thing she knew was that she had to get away.

  Then she felt a heavy body press against her. Strong, furry, and careful, the feline eased its way between her and the wall. Pushing her back onto … a bed?

  Finally, her senses kicked in and she realised she was in a bedroom. Kasim’s, judging by the lepardine who was currently sharing the mattress with her. Panting, she dropped to her knees and pushed her sweat-tangled hair from her face. Hardly daring to believe she was free, despite the evidence of her own eyes, she reached out. Gently, she smoothed her hand over Kasim’s cheek and jaw, sliding her fingers into the warmth of his snowy fur.

  “You found me.” She heard the tone of wonder in her own voice. “Somehow you found me.”

  He turned his head to lick her arm, and in that moment of contact Winter realized she was safe.

  That revelation should have given her comfort, but instead it pulled the lid off her emotions. Every feeling of the last few days bubbled up and mixed together until her body was too small to contain it all. Fear, anger, powerlessness, frustration, pain—it all churned and surged until it forced its way out in big, wracking sobs.

  Crawling closer to Kasim, she wrapped her arms around his heavy body and cried her heart out. She was so overwhelmed she couldn’t hold anything in. She didn’t care about her pride or what Kasim might think, and she didn’t have the will or the energy to hide what she was feeling. Surrendering to her emotions, she curled over the lepardine, buried her face in his fur, and let everything pour out.

  At some point during her crying jag, Kasim phased back to his rhe’hashan form. When Winter’s tears finally slowed, she found herself curled up in his lap, his arms firm and strong around her, his bare skin under her cheek.

  Finally finding her voice, she petted his naked chest. “What happened to your shirt?”

  “You’re wearing it.”

  “Oh.” She didn’t move from where she’d plastered herself to the front of his body. “How long have I been here?”

  “Six hours. You slept for a quite a while.” His hand stroked over her head. “How do you feel?”

  “Exhausted.” Although some of that was probably the aftermath of her emotional outburst.

  “Can you stay awake long enough for a bath? You’ll feel much better cleaned up and wearing your own clothes.”

  True. But she preferred the feel of his shirt on her skin. “I think I can handle a bath.”

  “Good. Wait here.”

  Kasim settled her on the bed, pulled the comforter over her, and strolled off into the en suite bathroom. As soon as he was out of sight, Winter’s fear came back in a panicky rush. Intellectually, she knew she was safe, that Kasim wouldn’t let anyone hurt her. But her emotions hadn’t received the memo and the darkness filled her mind, sending tremors through her body.

  In an instant, she was back in that basement, agony ripping through her like wildfire. Spilling every secret she knew just to make it stop.

  “Oh, my God.” She jerked upright, scrambled out of bed and ran for the bathroom. Dropping to her knees next to the toilet, she threw up everything in her stomach. And then she kept retching, even when there was nothing left to bring up. As her muscles spasmed and heaved, Kasim held her, wiping her face with a cool flannel and holding back her hair.

  When her stomach finally stopped cramping, she was pale and shaking. Kasim waited a few minutes to make sure she was done, then scooped her up and took her back to bed. He snuggled in behind her, spooning her tight to his body. His kindness hurt her heart, because she knew she didn’t deserve it.

  “You’re safe now. Go to sleep.”

  “I can’t.” The oblivion of sleep sounded wonderful, but her guilt chased any drowsiness away. Her betrayal ate at her like acid. She knew more about the Jendari than most humans, and now, thanks to her, that information was in the hands of the HEC. Hot tears of shame burned her eyes, and it took a moment for her to push past the devastation clogging her throat.

  “Kasim. We need to talk.” Even though it was the last thing she wanted.

  “Later. You need to rest now.”

  Snuggling closer, Kasim put his lips to her ear and began to sing. Winter didn’t understand the words, but the tone was so pure, and the melody so perfect, it filled her with light. Wrapped in the bliss of Kasim’s song, Winter sipped into a dreamless sleep.

  ****

  Hours later, she awoke stiff, sore, and ashamed. Lying quietly in Kasim’s arms, Winter tried to work through her feelings and decide the best course of action. She’d have to confess everything, including the fact she’d spilled secrets not her own.

  But not yet. Kasim’s body was warm and strong at her back, and she opened herself up to him, as if she could absorb him through her skin. He might want to care for her now, but when he found out what she did, he’d kick her to the curb. And quite rightly.

  Winter wasn’t a coward, and she was prepared to take the consequences of her actions. She just wasn’t sure she could do it yet. And she certainly wouldn’t be able to have that conversation lying in Kasim’s arms.

  Forcing herself to do what was right instead of what she wanted, Winter tried to ease out of the bed.

  She progressed all of two inches before Kasim tightened his hold and drew her back against his body. “Where are you going?”

  She didn’t have the room to turn and face him, so she lifted her hand and laid it against his beard-covered cheek. “I’m going to shower. Alone.” Just in case he had any ideas. “Then you and I are going to talk.”

  “Let me finish running your bath.” He nuzzled her neck. “We can talk while I clean you up.”

  “Not this time.” Probably never again. Winter fought against the despair that threatened to overwhelm her. “I need some time on my own.”

  Kasim must have heard something in her tone, because he loosened his grip and allowed her to slide out of bed. His ice-blue eyes never left her. “Are you sure?”

  “Yes. Just give me ten minutes.” She looked at him stretched out on the bed and tried to engrave the image into her mind. “I’ll meet you in the lounge room.”

  Turning away before she lost her nerve, Winter headed into the bathroom.

  The opulence of the enormous, black
marble space seemed to mock her as she pulled Kasim’s shirt from her body. Folding the fabric carefully, she sat it on the bench before stripping out of her panties and tank top. Those two items she rolled up and threw in the small trash can next to the double vanity. There was no way she was wearing them again.

  Walking to the wall-length shower recess, she turned on the faucet and waited for the water to get steamy hot. Then she stepped under the spray and washed herself head to toe. Twice.

  No matter how hard she scrubbed, she couldn’t remove the residual fear that clung to her skin. Nor could she wash away the guilt that weighed so heavily on her shoulders. She had no idea how to tell Kasim of her betrayal. She ran the words through her head over and over, trying to find the right combination. As if the order of the words would make a difference.

  No matter how she constructed her confession, the result would be the same. Once he found out what she done, how she’d put them all in danger, he’d never want to see her again.

  Standing under the hot spray with her head bowed, Winter gathered her emotions and shoved them down deep. If she was going to get through this, she’d have to do it without feeling anything.

  “Winter.” Kasim’s voice came from outside the steam box she’d created in the shower.

  She straightened, wiping the water from her face. “Yes?”

  “Jasmine sent some clothes over for you. I’ll leave them on the counter.”

  “Thank you.” Praying he’d just dump the clothes and leave, she watched his foggy image through the glass screen. He put the items on the counter, paused for long enough that she started to worry, then turned and left without another word.

  Thank God. Winter slumped against the tiled wall and dragged in a shaky breath. This was going to be bad. Really, really bad.

  Ten minutes later, she was dry, dressed in a lightweight sweater and yoga pants. She’d pulled her damp hair into a messy bun and left her feet bare. Not great protection as far as emotional armor went, but she could only work with what she had.

  She walked across the hardwood floors of the loft bedroom and made her way down the stairs. Each tread bringing her closer to the end of her remarkable encounter with Kasim. Her knees wobbled and her stomach churned so hard and fast, she worried she might need to dash to the bathroom again.