Born of Fire

by Sherrilyn Kenyon

  She turned toward Syn, who stepped back, eyes wide, as if he feared she might hit him next. Grabbing him by the shirt, she pulled him from the room.

  Syn was stunned and amazed by what Shahara had done. No one had ever defended him like that. The fact that she had . . .

  He could kiss her.

  "Damn, Shay . . . damn."

  She sighed as the lift's doors closed behind them. "I know. I'm not a lady."

  He cupped her cheek in his hand and tilted her face until she looked up at him. "You're more of a lady than any woman I've ever met. And I would take one of you over a thousand Maras any day. Thank you."

  She smiled a smile that warmed him. "You're welcome . . . You think she called security?"

  "Yes."

  "We need to run as soon as the doors open, don't we?"

  He laughed. "Always."

  Sure enough, the doors opened to show four security guards waiting on them.

  Syn let out a tired sigh as he tucked the chip in his pocket. "You kick down two and I've got the others."

  "You got it." She headed for the furthest two while he took out the two closest. She caught the first one with a kick to the groin that dropped him and the second with a chop to his throat and a percussion blow to his ears.

  An alarm sounded.

  Syn left his two vics on the floor and grabbed her hand to pull her through the building and out to the yard. It was a close escape, but again, they made it off campus and back to the hangar before anyone else found them.

  Unfortunately, getting out of the hangar wasn't quite so easy since they had it sealed off and refused to give them flight clearance.

  Seated in the fighter while Vik shook in her arms, she looked over at Syn. "What are we going to do?"

  "Bet our lives that they don't want to shut this hangar down for a few weeks to do repairs."

  Her stomach hit the floor at his tone of voice. She had a sick feeling she knew what he meant. "Don't."

  The word had barely left her lips before Syn gunned the engines. "Open the doors or I'm blasting them out," he told the controller.

  "Shut down your engines. Now!"

  Syn didn't hesitate.

  Shahara bit her lip to keep from crying out in protest as he opened fire on the doors. Vik actually prayed in her lap.

  "Syn . . . we're not going to make it."

  He didn't back off.

  Suddenly, the doors snapped open and he flew through them.

  Shahara leaned her head back and groaned out loud as she tried to calm herself. "I really hate it when you do that."

  He laughed. "Yeah . . . I prefer to be drunk when I do it. It's easier that way."

  "Drunk or sober, you have more balls than any man I've ever known."

  "You've never flown with your brother."

  He had a good point. Caillen was one step just this side of crazy. And most days it wasn't even a full step.

  Raking her hands through her hair, she glanced over at him. "So what's the plan now?"

  He cleared orbit before he answered. "Hail Merjack."

  She watched as he plugged in the frequency to call him. He answered almost immediately.

  Syn's voice was deceptively calm. "I have the chip."

  "Good rat." His tone was filled with disdain. "I see you've finally come to your senses about giving me what I want."

  Syn's eyes hardened. "Where do we make the exchange?"

  "Primer's Point at Ritadaria's Olten Square. Tonight at eight."

  "Wait," Shahara said, sitting forward to allow Merjack to see her. "I'll bring the chip to you and you better have my sister there."

  A slow smile curved his lips as he saw her. "Well, well, the tracer has finally shown herself. Very well. I'll see you then." He cut the transmission.

  Syn turned his murderous glare to her. "What are you doing?"

  If only she knew . . . but her primary focus was to keep him out of jail. "He can't capture you if you're not there."

  His features softened. "No, but he can take you."

  "He won't."

  "What makes you so sure?"

  "Trust me," she said, hoping she could work out another deal with Merjack before it was too late.

  If not, Syn would probably kill her himself.

  Shahara checked her chronometer as she waited at the designated time and place. It was almost eight-thirty and still no Merjack.

  What could be keeping him?

  The old rundown docks were no place to be at this hour. A dreadful cold seeped into every part of her, numbing her hands and face, even her thighs. Her teeth chattering, she rubbed her gloved hands together, trying to bring at least a little sensation back into her fingertips. As she breathed into them, her breath formed a glowing circle around them.

  Maybe coming out here hadn't been such a good idea after all.

  Could something have happened to Merjack? He'd been so anxious to have the chip that she couldn't believe he hadn't been here the moment she arrived, waiting on her. Indeed, that she'd expected.

  But this . . . this defied logic.

  Frowning, she checked her chronometer again. She'd wait until nine, provided she didn't die of exposure, then she'd head back . . .

  Time dragged by as she paced, searching every shadow, hoping it would turn into Merjack. Yet over and over again she was disappointed.

  Finally, nine came and went.

  Did this mean Tessa was dead?

  Or something worse? Had he detected Vik, who was watching for her, and decided not to go through with it?

  Terrified of all the scenarios that ended with Tessa or Syn dead, Shahara made her way slowly back to the waiting shuttle and to their hotel room.

  It didn't take long to reach it. Vik stayed outside while she went upstairs to find Syn.

  He was alone in the room, working on his computer. He stood up as soon as he saw her and crossed the distance between them.

  "Well?"

  The hopeful look on his face did nothing to improve the lump in her stomach. Frustrated, she sighed. "He didn't show."

  His eyes darkened. "What do you mean, he didn't show?"

  What had him mad? It was her sister in danger and she was the one who'd been freezing her better parts off for the last hour. "Nobody came."

  The blood drained from his face. "Dear gods, Shahara . . . tell me you didn't."

  Her heart stopped in terror.

  Had he guessed her real mission?

  "Didn't what?" she asked slowly, the knot in her stomach tightening as she dreaded his answer.

  A thunderous knock sounded on the door.

  "Lead them back here." Syn rushed for the bedroom.

  Shahara started after him, but the doors caved in and a dozen enforcers entered with their weapons aimed straight at her. Targeting lasers danced over her body.

  She froze instantly, putting her hands up to keep from getting shot.

  Merjack entered the room to glare at her. "Where is the rat?" he sneered.

  Before she could answer, Syn emerged from the bedroom and tossed a smoke bomb at them. With a deafening clatter and a white spark, it detonated. Smoke obscured everything and the sounds of ragged coughs filled her ears.

  Out of the haze, a hand grabbed her arm. "C'mon," Syn said, hauling her away from the men.

  They made it to the hallway. As they rushed for the stairs, an orange blast sizzled just to the left of Syn's face, barely missing him.

  Terrified of him getting killed, Shahara pulled him to a stop. If they kept running, Merjack and crew would mow them down in the stairwell. She knew it.

  "We have to run."

  "No, Syn. They'll kill you. Don't do this. I don't want to watch you die in my arms. Please."

  Syn grimaced at her as those words tore him apart. The fact that she cared . . .

  He turned around with his arms raised so that they could apprehend him.

  Merjack approached them with an evil grin. "Nice move with the smoke cover, rat, but wholly ineffectual." He lower

ed his blaster until it pointed straight at her heart. "Now drop your weapon or I'll kill the woman."

  Syn complied without hesitation.

  Shahara's heart thudded as his blaster clamored to the floor. This was it, her worst nightmare come to light. Syn would be going back to jail.

  Please let me wake up . . .

  But she didn't, and the closer Merjack got to them, the more she regretted the bargain she'd made.

  Merjack sneered at Syn. "Hands behind your head and down on your knees with your ankles crossed."

  She heard Syn's angry, ragged breathing as he did what Merjack ordered. She knew how much it galled him to willingly subject himself to their custody. Her heart ached at seeing him in that vulnerable position.

  Even so, there was no fear, no submission in his eyes--something she found incredible given how severely he'd been beaten before and how much Merjack wanted him executed.

  He was amazing in his defiance.

  Merjack turned his gaze to her. "Now the chip, Seax Dagan."

  Shahara stepped in front of Syn in an effort to shield him with her body. "You had no right to involve my sister," she snarled, wanting to tear Merjack apart. "Where is she?"

  "She's in good health."

  "She better be." And Shahara was far from relieved by his assurance. How could she trust a man so ruthless?

  "Now give me that damned chip."

  Looking over her shoulder, she saw Syn there with his gaze on the floor. The air around him was rife with anger and disgust.

  She turned her attention back to Merjack. Why do you need Syn?"

  He raked her with a disparaging lip curl. "You're so naive. Now give me the chip and stand aside, seax, or I'll kill you both."

  She laughed darkly. "I don't think you're that brave. Your son may be president of your tiny little planet, but even he can't protect you from my brethren should you kill me without a warrant for my death."

  Fear flickered in his eyes a moment before Merjack got control of himself.

  Holding to the thought that her threat gave him pause, she considered fighting. But Merjack had them effectively covered. And as she looked past his shoulder, she noted his men kept emerging from the smoke, their blasters aimed straight at them.

  No, she couldn't fight against a number that large. Not even Syn was that good.

  For now, she had to stay alive. Alive she could do something for him.

  Maybe.

  "Are you going to give me the chip, seax, or not?"

  Syn held his breath, waiting for her to decide. He couldn't understand why she was even bothering to talk to Merjack.

  Why hadn't she fought against him before his men had surrounded them?

  Shahara took the chip from her pocket and handed it to Merjack.

  "No!" Syn shouted, lunging at her as she handed it over. Someone hit him across the back of his head. Pain exploded, dulling his sight, and he fell forward on all fours.

  Shahara didn't so much as flinch.

  "Good job," Merjack congratulated the man who'd struck Syn. He turned to face Shahara. "Now to you, seax. I believe we agreed on a million credits for the delivery of Syn and the chip. Should I just credit your account?"

  Syn couldn't breathe as he heard those words.

  No . . . she wouldn't have done this to him.

  She wouldn't. Not his Shahara. Not after all they'd been through and shared.

  But looking up at her, he saw the truth. She wouldn't even meet his gaze.

  Merjack holstered his blaster. "You'll be happy to know we released your sister this morning, just like I promised. She should be safe and sound at home."

  "She better be."

  Shocked to the core of his being, Syn stared up at Shahara.

  It had all been a trick? Everything they'd shared? Every word she'd uttered?

  Every gentle touch?

  Disbelief tore through him.

  She'd sold him out from the very beginning.

  No wonder she'd taken him back to her place that first day. She'd never been in any real danger. Merjack had known she'd taken him. Had planned for her to get him to take her to the chip.

  And, like a fool, he'd fallen for it. Every bit of it.

  Just like he'd fallen for her. I am the most pathetic creature ever born.

  And she was worse than Mara. At least his ex-wife hadn't killed him. She'd only threatened to.

  Shahara knew that chip was the only way he could ever barter to save his life. Without it, his testimony was worthless. No one would ever believe a filch.

  "You bitch!" he snarled, rushing for her throat.

  Another soldier clubbed him across the back.

  Shahara came forward and stood above him.

  He looked up at her through the blood stinging his eyes from the first blow and saw the callousness of her face.

  Just for an instant, something flickered in the depths of her gaze that belied the coldness of her voice. Or maybe he just imagined it, like he'd imagined the fact she had a heart.

  "What was it you said, Syn? We all use each other." She shrugged. "What can I say? I needed the money."

  He glared at her, hating her for everything. So that was the price for his life. One million credits. He supposed he should feel honored. It was a high price for a piece of shit gutter rat.

  But it was a bargain for the heart he'd given her--for what he would have given her had she only asked.

  One of the guards wrenched his arms behind his back and cuffed them together, then pulled him to his feet. They hauled him out of the room and to the lifts.

  Shahara stood, watching them.

  Merjack laughed as he entered the lift with Syn and three guards. "I always love dealing with seaxes, don't you, rat? They're so loyal to the letter of the law."

  Syn couldn't speak as he glared at the woman he'd stupidly given his heart to. The one woman he'd deluded himself into believing would stand at his back and protect it.

  In the end, she was just like all the others.

  When will I learn?

  Well, the good news was that he'd never be betrayed again. He wouldn't live long enough for it.

  Shahara watched the doors close, then she sank slowly to her knees. This wasn't the way it was supposed to end. She'd hoped to convince Merjack that she'd killed Syn and he would content himself with the chip alone.

  She'd never counted on him following her back to the hotel and capturing Syn. Damn him!

  What was she going to do? Every part of her screamed in rebellion of what she'd done. Syn was innocent and she'd just given him over to his executioner.

  So much for her oaths.

  What have I done?

  Tears welled in her eyes, but she blinked them back. She couldn't let her emotions rule her. She had only a tiny bit of time before Merjack learned the truth of what she'd really done.

  And when he did, he would kill them both.

  CHAPTER 20

  On trembling legs, Shahara strode into the Overseer's Trigon Court that was located in Central City on Gondara. Here was the highest bastion of law and order in the entire Ichidian Universe. This was where every law in their world was made and the only place one could be repealed or overturned. The overseer was the high judge of a five-judge panel and her verdict on any case was final and supreme.

  Not even The League could override one of her decisions. She was the voice of the law and she was the last hope Shahara had of freeing Syn from prison.

  Centuries after The League had thrown off the chains of the warlord tyrant Emperor Justicale, their leaders had come together to ensure peace and law for everyone--to make sure that no other warlord ever proclaimed himself dictator again. They established the five judges and assigned them the task of seeking out injustice and crime on any planet.

  As a seax, she was their soldier who was charged with finding injustices and reporting them, as well as bringing in any criminal wanted by the high court.

  All seaxes had sworn to listen for tales of political corruption or human rights violations, investigate it and report their findings to the overseer. Once they found their evidence, the overseer's court heard the testimony and passed judgment.

  It was also the overseer's prerogative to review any case on any planet that seemed to be a miscarriage of justice and retry the case.

  In their world, the overseer was the most powerful person alive. And even though Shahara had never before met her, she was an integral part of the overseer's world.

  With a confidence she didn't feel, she approached the secretary's desk.

  A few years older than her, the man's hair was already turning gray, giving him a distinguished appearance. He looked up from his work. "May I help you?"

  Shahara lifted her chin. "I need to see the Overseer."

  "Your name?"

  "Seax Shahara Dagan."

  He checked his computer log. "I'm sorry, Seax Dagan. You don't have an appointment, and the Mistress of Justice has a number of meetings this afternoon. I'm afraid I can't squeeze you in today. Would you like to schedule an appointment for next week?"

  Next week? Was he kidding?

  Syn would be dead by then, and that was the one thing she could never allow.

  "No, I don't."

  He looked back down, dismissing her.

  Fiercely determined, Shahara sidestepped his desk and headed straight for the office behind him.

  "Wait! You can't go . . ."

  The two guards who flanked the door went to grab her. Shahara sidestepped the first one and shoved him into the other, unbalancing them. Sliding herself into the office, she slammed the door shut in their faces. She locked it tight while the secretary's muffled voice continued to berate her from the other side.

  Her entire body quivering in fear, she turned around slowly.

  The office was rather barren given the amount of authority the overseer was charged with. All it contained was two chairs set before a large, ornately carved desk. Flags from all the organized worlds and empires were set along the left wall, while an electronic map of all the planets, colonies, and outposts took up the opposite side of the room.

  The place was huge, no doubt to intimidate all who entered. It certainly had that effect on her.

  The overseer stared at her from over her computer with a puzzled frown. "Excuse me," she said in a gentle, yet haughty tone. "Just who are you and how did you get in here?"

  Taking a deep breath for courage, Shahara forced herself to walk the long distance to the overseer's desk. "I'm here to right a gross injustice, Mistress."

  Probably in her mid to late sixties, the overseer still retained a face that could only be described as beautiful and serene.

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