He frowned, running through what he’d said to her. It all seemed to make sense to him. A knock sounded on the door, and he pivoted, putting himself between her and any threat. “What?” He pulled it open.
Max stood on the other side and shoved a tray piled high with dishes toward him. “Emma was worried you two hadn’t eaten and sent this. Apparently she remembers last time you were here, when you ate all the cookies and I almost had to kill you.” With a smart-assed grin, the soldier turned and strode away.
Ha. It’d be a good fight. Benny turned and carried the tray to the coffee table in front of the fireplace. “Come eat, Karma.” He wasn’t doing a very good job of caring for her. The female probably hadn’t eaten in way too long. For that matter, neither had he.
She kept him in her sights as she crossed around the table and took the leather chair on the other side of the sofa.
Perhaps she needed some space after spending time in the lab. He could understand. So instead of sitting on the sofa closer to her, he took the opposite chair and lifted the coverings off the plates to reveal baked chicken, potatoes, green beans, and sourdough bread. The final plate held all sorts of different cookies. He smiled. “The peanut butter are the best, but the chocolate chip ones aren’t bad.”
She folded her hands in her lap, watching him.
The female had the oddest way about her. He handed her a plate. “You need to eat.”
She set the plate on her lap and reached for a napkin. Utensils fell out as she opened it, and she caught them.
He lifted the bottle of wine and whistled. “The queen sent the good stuff. She must like you.” He poured two very generous glasses and nudged one toward the female.
“I’m still alive,” Karma agreed, taking a bite of the chicken.
Benny chuckled. “I can see that.” He set his plate on his lap and took a deep drink of the wine. “It’s good. Have some.”
She took a sip, and color finally brushed across her high cheekbones. “It is good.”
“It’s a Jadot Le Montrachet, sweetheart. It had better be good.” He took another bite of chicken. “How did it go with Emma?”
Karma stiffened. “I do not know what you expect me to say.”
He paused with a forkful of green beans halfway to his mouth. “I expect you to say the truth.”
“Oh.” Her body seemed to relax, and she ate more of the chicken, chewing thoughtfully. “The queen was much different from what I expected. She just wanted to talk tonight. I’m sure the torture will start tomorrow.”
He barked out a laugh. “The torture. Exactly. You have no idea.” He munched happily on his chicken, pausing to look up at her eyes. Pain flashed in them for the briefest of seconds, and then she looked down. “Karma?”
She shook her head.
He set his plate on the coffee table. “Look at me.” He put bite into his tone this time.
She jumped and then looked up, her eyes wide.
He didn’t know how to deal with delicate or fragile females, and there was no doubt the woman staring so regally at him was both. She was also terrified. He rubbed the scruff at his chin. When had he last shaved? “If you don’t want to give blood, you don’t have to. If you want me to take you away from Realm Headquarters right now, I’ll do it. Just stop being so afraid. Nobody is going to hurt you.”
Even her scoff was delicate. “You brought me here for the queen to experiment upon. I doubt she’ll just let us leave.”
What the hell? “Experiment on?” Holy shit, he’d missed something. Something big. He moved to the sofa, sitting at the end close to her. She immediately shrank away, and his temper stirred even more. He swallowed several times to keep it at bay. “Honey? Emma draws blood from every immortal she can chase down. She studies it to help humans, and maybe us if a virus ever threatens us again. That’s all. She conducts experiments in the lab, but not on bodies. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her use even a mouse in a lab experiment.”
Karma’s mouth tightened. “I have heard the stories about her.”
What was the correct approach here? Benny reached for a cookie and chewed, his mind spinning. “We should probably start there, then. Tell me about the stories.”
“No.” Karma looked surprised at herself for a moment. Perhaps she didn’t say no often.
Just how bad was it in the Kurjan world for a Soti without a mate? Benny took another cookie and shoved down the anger inside him. “Okay. You certainly don’t have to do or say anything you don’t want.” When she just sniffed, he had to grin. “However, I have to tell you, somebody has filled you full of bull…nonsense. The queen has never tortured a soul.”
Karma’s gaze flickered away and then back. “She doesn’t tear the skin off enhanced females to see how fast they recuperate?”
Benny lost the grin. His gut chilled. “Hell no.”
* * * *
Karma’s mind frazzled, and it was difficult to concentrate. Male heat washed over her at Benjamin’s nearness, along with that scent of wildness, citrus, and the woods that always clung to him. Her body grew sensitive so close to him—was it because of the bizarre mating mark? The fact that she’d caused his mark when she’d already been mated was unheard of. Until now.
She retreated into her calm facade. “It is well known that the queen tortures the enemy for fun. For her own research and enjoyment.”
Benjamin sat back, his eyes a burning combination of metallic colors. “Let me get this straight. When I left you with Emma earlier today, you thought I was handing you over to have your skin torn from your body?” Because he was a hybrid, his voice was naturally low and hoarse. It lowered even more with his question.
She squirmed on her chair. Was there a correct answer? She was accustomed to fading into the background to keep herself safe, but right now, there was nowhere to go.
His gaze swept her face, and then he dropped his head into his hands. “All right.” He lifted up, scrubbed both cheeks, and then pinched the bridge of his nose. “Okay.” Then he pressed his thumbs to the corners of his eyes and shut them. “I see.”
Was he having some sort of stroke? “Benjamin?” she whispered.
He lifted his head and let his hands drop to his black cargo pants. His fingers tangled and then folded together. He took a deep breath. Then another. “Where were you born?”
The question threw her completely out of the moment. “I was born in a small town in Sweden.”
“When?”
She struggled to remember. “Late seventeen hundreds, in the spring. May first, actually.” She hadn’t thought about her birthday in centuries.
He handed her a peanut-butter cookie. “Your name is interesting, considering you’re Swedish. Isn’t Karma a Hindu name?”
She nodded. “The Vikings traded with the people of Constantinople and brought home spices. My mother heard the name from one of them. She liked it, and Krama means ‘to hug’ in my native language, so it’s close to that, too.”
His smile was too charming for her peace of mind. “When did you get mated?”
She took a bite, letting the delicious sugar ease her fear. “I was seventeen, I think.” It was so long ago. “His name was Kraig, and he died that first year.” She’d been a widow forever.
“You didn’t go back home?”
“No. I belonged to the Kurjans by then. I’ve worked for them and helped throughout the years.” She’d made some friends, and now she had the twins to protect. How was she going to help them?
“Did he hurt you, Karma?” Benny asked, his tone gentle.
She blinked. “Not really. My dowry was a good one, and I knew what my wifely duties meant. Mating wasn’t much different. Of course, my family and I were humans—they did not know I had mated an immortal. Kraig took me away right afterward, so I never saw them again.” Despite her gifts, she’d never seen any family member once they�
�d crossed into the beyond. Perhaps that was part of the rules she had never understood.
“Huh. What’s your enhancement? Are you psychic?” Benjamin took another cookie.
Her body was weary and her mind fuzzy. She couldn’t help relaxing against the chair. It was too much effort to lie to him, and it didn’t really matter what he thought of her, so she told the truth for once. Not even the Kurjans knew about her gift. “No. I can sometimes channel those who’ve not crossed over completely. Not often, but it does happen.”
His eyebrows rose. Oddly enough, he appeared intrigued. “You see dead people?”
Her face heated. Why had she just trusted him with such a private secret? Because it felt right, somehow. “Yes. You said you wanted the truth.”
“I do. Always.” He tugged on his ear. “Do you think the Kurjans always tell the truth?”
She finished the cookie. “No. I have seen them tell falsehoods.”
He handed her another one—this one oatmeal with raisins. “Is it possible they lied to you about Emma? That they lied to all of the enhanced women or anybody thinking of escaping from them?”
She chewed and thought about it. Her body was almost too tired to worry about that right now. “I do not know.”
“That’s fair.” He tipped back his glass and finished his wine. “Tell me how to convince you, and I’ll do it right now.”
She wanted to beg him to take her away from there. To challenge him to see if he’d do as she asked. That was not the plan, however. She searched for words to use. “Promise me you won’t let the queen torture me.”
“The queen would never do such a thing,” Benjamin said, pouring them both more wine. “However, if it makes you feel better, I vow to you on the souls of my ancestors that I will not allow anybody to torture you. You don’t even have to give her blood tomorrow if you don’t want to do so.”
Could she believe him? Did she have a choice? She required direction and had none. Were the Kurjans watching? If so, she had to do this correctly and follow the plan. “All right.” She looked around. “Are there two bedrooms in your suite?”
“No. You take the bedroom. I’ll take the couch.” He tossed his napkin on his plate.
She coughed. He was a deadly warrior and she a servant. What was he talking about? Was this another test? “I shall take the sofa and you the bed. You’re too large for this furniture.”
He grinned. “I’m too large for most furniture. Now, take the bedroom, Karma. I’m not going to argue with you about it.” While he usually appeared relaxed, there was an iron-steel determination just beneath his casual attitude.
She immediately stood and grasped her full wineglass. “Very well. I shall see you tomorrow.”
He held up his hand to show his marking. “We do need to talk about this tomorrow.”
She grew still.
He waved that hand. “I don’t expect you to mate me, and I’m not mate material anyway. But this does mean I’m responsible for you, and I want you to let me help you. We’ll get you settled wherever you want with a good life. It’s totally up to you.”
She truly had no words, although it made sense he didn’t want to mate. She should feel relief; the hollow sensation in her belly did not make sense. “Good night, Benjamin.”
“’Night.” He gathered the plates and dishes together.
She swept by him and entered the master bedroom, shutting the door. Pain immediately slashed into the right side of her head, and she pressed the heel of her palm to her eye, biting her lip to keep from crying out. Sucking back a sob, she tripped past the bed to what must be the bathroom. She scrambled for the light, pushing her face toward the ornate mirror and lifting her hand.
Blood dribbled from her right eye. She wiped it away, looking closer to see if the implant was visible. Her eye looked normal, but her eyeball and her ear throbbed from the activation of the device. The Kurjan tech had said it wouldn’t be detected and then would be activated about three hours after any test the Realm performed. So Grumpy Gus had done what the tech had promised.
She winced at the continuing pain in her head.
The Kurjans were now watching…and listening.
Chapter Seven
Midmorning, a soft knock on the bedroom door pulled Karma out of her whirling thoughts. She’d showered and dressed in the available clothing, but it was not working. The jeans did not feel right, although the shirt was flowered and soft. But it was short-sleeved, and much of her skin was exposed. She thought about donning the skirt she’d worn the day before, but it was stained with dirt and blood.
She felt as if sharp knives spun inside her head, sticking directly into the back of her eye after ripping through her right eardrum.
“Karma? It’s Emma,” the queen said, her voice quiet through the door.
Karma jumped off the bed and looked around. She’d tidied the monstrously sized bed and hung up her towels in the bathroom. She hurried toward the door and opened it, steeling her shoulders.
Emma stood with a handful of clothing in her arms. Today the queen’s dark hair fell around her shoulders, and her eyes were brighter after a night of sleep. Concern glowed in them, however. “I thought about the clothes we left for you and what you were wearing last night. It seems you’re more comfortable in skirts and all, so we ran to town earlier to see what we could find.” She rolled her eyes. “Let me rephrase that. I asked people to run to town because Dage is over-the-top protective right now with two members of the Seven here at Realm Headquarters. He’s being a pain in my ass.”
Karma took a step back. Fear thundered in her ears. “You’re speaking of the King of the Realm? Your mate?” Did the woman like being beaten?
Emma snorted. “Yeah. Him.” She pushed the clothing into Karma’s arms. “Find something to make you comfortable, and then come on out for breakfast. I’ll set your table by the window. I thought we should talk.”
Karma stumbled back and let Emma close the door. Was the queen truly insane? She turned and set the bundle on the bed, rifling through it with pleasure. A lovely floral skirt with matching burgundy-colored tights fit perfectly, and she pulled the softest blue cardigan over her shirt and instantly felt more like herself. Once she’d laced up her boots, she double-checked her braid and then strode outside to find the queen at a small table by the window.
“Come on over.” Emma gestured her to the table, where plates of food smelled delicious. “I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I made scrambled eggs, hash browns, bacon, biscuits and gravy, and pancakes.” She reached for a carafe. “Coffee or tea?”
“Coffee, please.” Karma sat, her aching mind spinning. The queen was serving her? That wasn’t right. “Did you say you made breakfast?”
Emma held the carafe gracefully. “I sometimes like to cook to let my mind wander. I’m nowhere near as good at it as most of my friends or my sister or Max, but I try.” She finished pouring and nudged sugar and cream across the table. “Here you go.”
Karma poured a little cream and took a sip, nearly humming at the delicious taste. “Wonderful.”
Emma leaned in, her cup already in her hands. “I have to confess, Max made the coffee. He’s a genius with it, and the butthead won’t share how or why.”
Karma sucked in air. “You speak disrespectfully of the soldiers. Is it only when they are absent?”
Emma chuckled, although her eyes remained serious. “No. I told Max he was a jackass just an hour ago, and believe me, I read Dage the riot act when he said I couldn’t go into town today. Are you not allowed to speak your mind in the Kurjan stronghold?”
“Not like that.” Karma cleared her throat. “It was kind of you to find me additional clothing. I am much more comfortable in a skirt.” Whenever she wore jeans, she felt vulnerable for some reason.
Emma shrugged. “You do you, girl. If you want to wear skirts, wear them.”
How in the world was this female a queen? “I don’t understand you,” Karma confessed. She’d read many romance novels through the years, since the Kurjan soldiers considered them silly and allowed them in the camps. The women in them were strong and impressive. Maybe there was more truth in those slices of escape than she’d thought? If so, where were the sheiks with the ripped abs? Thinking about it, she took a bite of the eggs. They were delicious.
Emma dug into her food. “I talked to Benny earlier today and then figured we should have our own discussion.”
“Where is Benjamin today, if it’s okay to inquire?” Karma asked.
Emma looked up. “All right. First things first. You can ask, say, demand, or yell anything you want to while you’re here. Heck. While you’re anywhere except, apparently, the Kurjan Headquarters. Right now, Benny is sparring with Talen in the gym, working off some steam. Then they’ll probably grab breakfast and start arguing about the Realm and the Seven. After that, they might spar again, depending on how well the argument goes.” She grinned.
Karma’s head ached, and while she wanted to do her job, she didn’t want to get Emma into trouble. “I see.” The Kurjans could now see through her right eye and hear through her right ear.
Emma nudged the pancake plate closer. “I put huckleberries in the pancakes. Have you had any before?” When Karma shook her head, Emma nearly hopped with excitement. “They’re exquisite, and you can only get them here or in Montana. They only grow wild, and they’re a lot sweeter than blueberries. I hope you like them.”
Karma dutifully took two pancakes. “Thank you.”
“Karma?” Emma’s voice softened. “The Kurjans lied to you. I don’t hurt people. Never have and never will. I’d like to think of myself as a healer who uses science and has the best equipment in the entire world.”
Karma met Emma’s blue gaze evenly, her chest settling. “I thought about this last night and realized it is entirely possible the Kurjans lied about you.” She didn’t care if they heard her since it seemed to be the truth. “I apologize for thinking the worst.”
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