by Kayla Stonor
He tracked the scent of target number two.
Chapter Three
“I have killed your enemies. Thirteen men in pursuit of you. UR forces have neutralized the dampening field and my ship will land shortly. Then I will escort you to your father.” Oltu watched Gabrielle rise to her feet and sought to divert rebellion before it took breath. “The threat against you is not done. You are the president’s daughter. New extremist forces will arise.”
“But I can’t leave now. I have a job to do.”
“Colonel Tennant can complete negotiations.”
“Tennant? No—”
“Is the colonel not capable?”
“Of course, but—”
“Your presence endangers the alliance you seek. Few of the Salhi escaped the attack.”
Her face paled. “You’re saying I’m responsible for the attack? No! Those bastards would have attacked any UR official in negotiations with the Salhi!”
“The attack proves the Salhi have security problems to overcome. Colonel Tennant is qualified to deal with the unexpected and is expendable.”
“Expendable?”
Oltu clenched and unclenched his fist, fought an urge to teach her submission. Shaking her head, fury distorting her features, Gabrielle moved forward, her own fists clenched to her sides, until they stood toe to toe. Oltu inhaled her intoxicating perfume, his Qui rising.
“You hate this, don’t you?” She snarled the words; each syllable chewed up and spat out with targeted precision. “You want to put me down, force me to your will, but I am the President’s daughter and you serve the will of the Qui Empress, and despite all your influence in the Royal Court, she would never permit you to harm me.”
Oltu absorbed her fighting words, Qui fury tempered by a rising pride. This enchanting storm of defiance aroused unaccustomed feelings, powerful feelings. He noticed how his human body distanced him from his Qui. Lord Ardant had mentioned a similar notion, something about visualizing his Qui inside a cage. Oltu needed to hone his discipline.
“You possess a rare beauty.” His fingers lifted to capture a curl of silken gold and watched confusion rub the edge off her anger.
“You won’t harm me. I know you are more than capable, but something stopped you before and,” a calculating look shifted in her eyes, “you made me a promise.”
Oltu dropped her hair before the touch of her burned him from the inside out, his lust for her inflamed by the boldness of her assertion. He had given Gabrielle leverage against him and she had been thinking in his absence, assessing her value. He could snap her neck, render her speechless with one touch, and yet she knew he would not.
“What promise?”
“You vowed you wouldn’t be parted from me.” Her eyes narrowed. “You won’t kill me, nor will you harm me. You can’t force me against my will, not without endless confrontation, and then there’s the risk of violating the Qui Treaty. A Lord, a Qui of the Royal Court of Katar, wouldn’t take that risk. And since I refuse to leave… you are obliged to remain at my side, in the Fringes, to protect me. Keep me safe.”
This dangerous, alluring creature twisted his words to entrap him in an artful web of her control—a test of his honor—abuse of his good intentions.
A skilled negotiator indeed.
The hum of his transport landing outside their refuge broke her steady gaze. She glanced towards the entryway and Oltu took a deep breath, surprised to find how he needed the air in his lungs.
A growl emitted from deep inside him. “You speak true, unless...” He took pleasure in the way her attention snapped back to him. “... I abandon all honor.”
A crack in Gabrielle’s confidence drew the color from her cheeks. His ship’s arrival created a narrow window of opportunity. He could take her, vanish them both into the icy embrace of space. Her tripping heartbeat thickened his cock. Fear stalked her veins even as she held her ground, stubborn chin lifting, challenging him.
Temptation tore at him, whipped his desire for this fragile woman to a frenzy.
Duty stayed his hand. Such an act would betray every tenet he upheld. The loss of honor mere seconds away chilled his blood. He stamped on an urge to shift.
She grabbed his arm. “Lord Oltu, understand what my mission means to me. I fought hard to be here. I can do this. I need to do this. Don’t...”
Words failed her, passion choking her voice. He felt the strength of her hand around his. Curiosity filled him, quickly followed by a rarely felt sensation—wonder. Humans had a capacity for such selfless resolve, but whereas General Jaden drew on his inner strength and training, Gabrielle relied on her wits and influence.
She entertained him. She offered a fascinating journey he might enjoy.
Oltu removed her hand, raised her delicate fingers to his lips as he exuded his mating scent. The rising flush on her cheeks only enhanced her beauty. He inhaled deeply, enjoyed the sweet taste of her arousal. Such a gem deserved better than a weak-willed pretender enthralled to the baser desires of his kind.
He would live up to his promise to her.
“Then you must accept my protection,” he proclaimed, his decision made.
Her lips parted, surprise widening her eyes, and Oltu snared her within his arms. Grabbing her around the waist, he pulled her against his aching erection and dipped his head towards her soft lips, holding her when her legs proved unable to support her weight. “Honor decrees I warn you. My protection to your cause is expensive. If I must bend my will to yours, you must give me something of yourself in return. I have needs and you test me beyond measure.”
He heard her breath hitch inside her throat. She stood stiffly in his arms.
“You cannot hurt me.”
The woman continued to negotiate despite his vow never to harm her. Her lips were tilted up towards his; he could almost taste her blood. So delicate, yet promising such pleasure. Perhaps she feared his size. “Never beyond your endurance.”
A curious shadow darted across her eyes, her round, velvety black pupils dilating for a brief second before recovering. “Then you must also grant me the pleasure I seek and I decree the terms of my surrender.”
Oltu hesitated, sensing danger, but he liked the sound of her surrender. “A fair trade. I will take only what you are willing to give.”
Her lips tightened. “I reserve the right to go free and forego your protection, at any time, with a single word.”
Gabrielle threw in the deal-killing stipulation at the last possible moment. She would hold an unwelcome advantage, but United Regions forces advanced on his ship, the window of opportunity narrowed and he read commitment to her challenge. If he granted anything less, he would lose her. He could not forsake his honor, nor could he watch her go.
Had she forgotten his vow?
“You have the word of a Qui.”
His word for now, he could not guarantee the future.
She swallowed; her pulse still on fire. “Then we have a deal.”
Oltu struck. He grabbed her curls, pulled her close and pressed his lips on hers. She tasted of nectar so pure he groaned, her kiss even sweeter than their first. Tense in his arms, her hands pressed against his arms, Gabrielle’s resistance softened as his human tongue probed deep, his mating pheromone subverting her will. Scales broke out across Oltu’s body. He wanted to take her now, here on the dirt-ridden floor. He needed to force her understanding that no Qui could withstand this accursed human attraction, and that no human could resist the attentions of a Qui. It took every shred of strength he possessed to break the contact and push her away as the door opened.
Gabrielle swayed without his support, her eyes glazed. She licked her lips, her tongue finding the slight nick he’d inflicted. Surprise widened her eyes, his bite unnoticed in the moment. Skal, this woman promised such delight. She raised a shaky hand, eyes drawn to the newcomer standing on the threshold, human testosterone mixed with the fumes of a smoking weapon.
“Cale,” Gabrielle whispered.
Colonel
Tennant’s gruff, suspicious voice responded. “Gabrielle.” A slight question in her name conveyed disbelief, or shock.
Oltu swiveled on his heel and returned the colonel’s suspicious glare with a raised eyebrow. The colonel’s weapon targeted Oltu’s heart. Perhaps Colonel Tennant did not care for the alliance between Earth and the Qui. Oltu considered forcing the human to fire, interested to discover if this man would risk a diplomatic crisis.
Instead he rolled a hand towards Gabrielle as he addressed the UR soldier. “As agreed, I have recovered the president’s daughter.”
“The United Regions thanks you for your services, Lord Oltu.” Tennant replied, his polite words thickened by the mistrust oozing from his every pore.
Oltu released a calculated smirk, one designed to infuriate. The colonel seethed with an ingrained agitation, hatred honed by years of war with the K’lahn. Tennant had been party to the handover of General Jaden to the Empress in exchange for the Qui Treaty, and again, he had delivered Jaden to Oltu following the Empress’s abduction by the Surashan. As far as Oltu knew, Jaden harbored the colonel no ill will. Both times, the general suffered great humiliation in front of his fellow friend and officer Tennant, but Jaden and Tennant accepted the burden of duty. Oltu scented Tennant’s begrudging acceptance of the situation. Colonel Tennant dared not interfere, indeed Oltu welcomed the insights the man’s presence offered.
Gabrielle appeared consumed with anger.
Interesting...
Oltu ignored Tennant’s still-raised weapon and swept his arm into the slightest of bows, pleased his shoulder bone did not protest the gesture. “You offer gratitude too soon, Colonel. My services to Earth have barely begun.”
*****
Gabrielle ground her teeth.
The power play between Oltu and Cale confirmed Oltu had forced her hand. He’d known the UR forces were close. If she’d held out longer, Cale would have arrived, she could have re-established contact with the Salhi with the support of her security team, and Oltu would have been forced to let her go, his duty to respect her father and the Qui-Treaty. He’d manipulated the situation to entrap her. And he praised her negotiating skills? Ha! She could slap herself in the face right now. She’d played right into his slick maneuvering.
Her eyes narrowed on the Qui.
Too late, Oltu wouldn’t let her renege on their deal.
Now she had both an arrogant Qui noble and a protective ex-lover to manage. Well, Cale Tennant lost any right to an opinion when he dumped her, which made Oltu her priority.
“Colonel Tennant,” she said formally. “Lord Oltu has promised to help me complete my peace mission with the Salhi.”
Cale glanced at her, his eyes snapping a warning that she didn’t get to manipulate him here. The field of battle was his world, and right now, she was his mission.
Shit.
Gabrielle winced, letting him know she heard his message loud and clear, thankful that Cale at least lowered his weapon. She noticed the scales on Oltu’s skin recede as tensions stepped back from the brink.
“I have orders to escort you home, ma’am,” Cale advised with no pretense at apology.
She gaped at him. “What? Why? It wasn’t the Salhi who attacked me. The al-Doziyen killed many of their negotiation party, Abbas defended me with his life—” Gabrielle choked on the memory, the acrid smell of plasma char and weapons fire. The terrorists bore guns salvaged from the debris of the thirty-year war with the K’lahn.
Vivid flashbacks of the attack, screams and overwhelming chaos, flowed over her senses.
Abbas had grabbed her by the arm and pulled her to the floor. They’d crawled under the tent sheet and into the ruins of a nearby building. Other Salhi had formed a defense line.
Sheer gratitude had overwhelmed her, preconceived notions wiped away as these courageous men from the Fringes battled to protect her. In the mayhem, she’d murmured, “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
Her words had drawn Abbas’ attention. To her surprise, he had placed two fingers on the sleeve covering her forearm. “You are not the first, Gabrielle Khanum,” adding the customary honorific to her name. “We protect all the innocent. The al-Doziyen rule through fear and our resistance has been silent. Until now.” His voice had become urgent. “You must survive so others can find their way home. You must escape. Tell our story to the world.”
Seconds later, his blood and brains had sprayed Gabrielle’s face. She’d stood frozen in horror, Abbas sprawled at her feet. Mouth open, unable to speak or function, Gabrielle stared at the grisly mess until another Salhi had grabbed her by the waist and hauled her farther into the ruins. He’d pulled up a trapdoor, gestured her inside...
Cale’s voice pulled her out of that endless tunnel of memory.
She blinked, nodded, although she hadn’t a clue what he’d said.
“... Doziyen who attacked you are close behind us. Salhi are helping us hold them back but we have to leave. A transport is landing now. Gabrielle, are you okay?”
“Yes, yes, I’m fine.”
“My ship is closer,” Oltu pointed out.
They both looked at him as weapons fire broke out so close Gabrielle flinched. Cale grimaced and Gabrielle sensed he listened to Central Command via his cochlea implant. He nodded at Oltu. “Fine. We go in your ship, the three of us. My team and air support will handle things here.”
He didn’t wait for agreement, nudging them forward with his weapon. Outside, Gabrielle caught traces of fire chasing away the UR air support and guessed Cale had ordered the transport to pull out of the hot zone. She looked for Oltu’s ship, frowned but then a horizontal shaft of light caught her attention. An opening appeared giving the impression of a small cave hovering mid-air. Oltu’s ship was cloaked, Qui stealth technology the UR had yet to apply to its own fleet.
Oltu dived in first. Cale helped Gabrielle in and then sealed the exit. Gabrielle scanned the ship’s contained bridge with a door hatch to the rear. A slight shifting beneath her feet told her they were already ascending. Cale gestured her to a seat in the wall. She placed her hands on the arm rests and a harness automatically enclosed her. Oltu looked around and the satisfied gleam in his lizard eyes closed her throat. The restraints became hands holding her down. Fear tarred her skin, she couldn’t breathe. She tried to get up, shift position.
Help me!
Cale looked over from the cockpit where he monitored the ship’s systems. His eyes locked on hers and darkened. “Just a few minutes,” he said, his voice low, projecting reassurance. “Breathe, Gaby.”
She focused on his words, sucked in air, and the panic receded.
The harness pinning her to the seat was a safety restraint, nothing more.
She caught Oltu’s sidelong glance. He no longer looked so smug.
Gravity pulled her sideways as the ship turned and then compensators kicked in.
“Where are you taking us?” Cale demanded.
Oltu ignored him. “You are free to move,” he said to Gabrielle as her harness retracted.
Suppressing a shudder, she jumped up. “Patch me through to my father,” she ordered. Both Oltu and Cale looked at her. Oltu’s objection was easily countered. “Please.”
The Qui shrugged and set up the connection.
“Make it secure,” Cale instructed, earning a glare from their pilot.
Within seconds her father’s face appeared on the front view screen.
“Gabrielle, Command just reported your implants are back online.” Her father’s eyes scanned her and then his shoulders relaxed, the anxiety in his expression easing. His attention shifted. “Lord Oltu, you have my sincere gratitude. Colonel Tennant, I received your report. I trust your injuries are healing well.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Mr. President,” Gabrielle interjected. “This mission isn’t over. If anything, the Salhi have proven trustworthy allies. Several good men and women died protecting me and there are more spread throughout the Persian Fringe. They’ve wanted to rea
ch out—”
“Gabrielle, I trust your assessment and I want a full debriefing, but you’re my daughter and that makes you a glaring target. Your security has been compromised. It’s not just your safety, but those accompanying you. If we cannot ensure safe negotiations, the day’s lost before it begins.”
Oltu stepped in. “The Qui support the United Regions’ efforts to enforce order in the Fringes, President Rooster. I will take responsibility for Gabrielle’s security.”
“You’ll do no such thing,” Cale snarled. Frustration built on his face. “Sir, Lord Oltu is allowing personal interest to affect his judgment.”
On screen her father’s frown had deepened to a scowl. “We’ll discuss this back at Central Command.”
Anxiety set Gabrielle’s pulse racing. Once home, her father would never authorize a second mission—not one where his daughter led negotiations. “Dad, wait! Abbas said there were others. I think he meant others like me.” She braced for her father’s reaction. “Others like Ben. Suppose—”
Her father had paled and guilt blocked further words. Invoking her brother’s name was cruel, but if there was any possibility Ben had survived...
“Gaby, you can’t know that,” Cale whispered, aghast. “What are you doing?”
“I checked the records before I came. Ben’s transport went down in this region.”
“But don’t you think if Ben survived he’d have gotten word to us?”
“Who is Ben?” Oltu asked, his tone ominous, dangerous.
Startled, Gabrielle stared at him. Oltu was an overlord of the K’lahn. Not only that, it was Oltu’s father who ordered the K’lahn invasion, but his sister the Empress had been the one to end it. Conflicting feelings overwhelmed her, the intensity of Oltu’s scrutiny reminding her of the involuntary attraction between them.
Her stomach revolted, nausea forced her to focus on her breathing.
“Ben Rooster is Gabrielle’s older brother,” Cale answered for her. “We fought in the resistance together. He wasn’t much more than a kid when he got captured.”