Jazon reached out to take her hand, but she folded her arms across his chest. He realized that she would only ever reject him. Tracy was a traditionalist. She would never encourage friendly or romantic gestures from him. The fleeting thoughts he had entertained of winning her for himself vanished. He needed to keep his mind on his mission and not on a female. Felix could have clones imbued with his knowledge poised to harm Teagan, Empress Neema, or the children. It was his job to eliminate the clones and bring their creator into custody. It was time for him to accept that any happiness that came to him would come vicariously through his brothers.
“You look much more professional in your uniform,” Tracy said as she glanced up at his hair. It appeared to have grown some since the picture had been taken.
“I am a merchant from the Empire buying supplies to sell to the Eloneave on Talpa. I need to look the part and not the soldier.”
“That makes sense.”
“We will gather intelligence secretly.”
“Do you know anything yet?”
“I know you aren’t heading the cloning research or involved with it in any way. We will learn more on Epopeus.” Jazon stood.
“I want to help,” Tracy said in a rush.
“Alright. We will devise a cover story for you, and it needs to be quick. Your babysitter has reported you to be missing.”
“Babysitter?”
Jazon raised an eyebrow at her.
“Angelica. She’s my brothers’ nanny. I better call her.”
“First, we must decide what to tell her.”
“That’s simple. I decided to apply for a research position on Epopeus at the University of Oceanonics for graduate credit. I’ve decided to become a doctor like my father. I’m an adult. I can go wherever I please. I booked cheap passage on your merchant ship.”
“I will clear it with my team.” Jazon gave her a quick bow and went to the lift.
In a matter of minutes, Tracy had her missing person’s status revoked and Angelica calmed. That Angelica and the Enforcers knew her itinerary relieved much of her apprehension. If the hybrid and the Parvacs had intended to abduct her, they wouldn’t have allowed the communication. However, now whoever had killed her father knew where she was and where she was going. Also, whoever did run the lab in the middle of Fig Forest must have realized by now that her father’s vid-screen was missing. Would whoever he was come looking for her?
By the second day of her impromptu journey, Tracy was feeling less on edge. Captain Agata was formally polite, Lieutenant Vasco flirted with her, and Jazon had been quiet and reserved.
“Lady Tracy, a message is coming through for you. Can we trust you?” Captain Agata asked.
“Yes, I won’t tell what we are really doing.”
Jazon said, “I’ll make certain of it,” to Captain Agata.
Tracy bristled. He had some nerve. When the Captain put the message through to the wall-mounted vid-screen, Tracy was surprised. It was the last person she had expected to call. She had expected it to be her mother or Duran along with a heated argument. Instead, it was Strass.
“Tracy, what do you think you’re doing?” Strass was furious. “You told me one thing when I asked to see you, but instead you were planning to run away?”
“Strass, I knew you wouldn’t understand. I’ve decided to attend graduate classes and intend to secure an internship.”
“Not if I have anything to say about it. Turn around and come home. I’ll pay your passage fees.”
“I’m not going home. I can never go home. It was sold. Remember?”
“You have a new home for now, and I intend for you to have one with me.”
“What?” Tracy asked.
“You must know that I intend to make you one of my wives, Tracy,” Strass said in a patient, condescending tone.
“No, I didn’t realize that. Your attention quickly strays elsewhere.”
Strass gave her a sympathetic look. Jazon observed the boy. He had a weak chin, a scrawny neck, and a mousey look about him.
“Tracy, come now. What do you expect? You are often more interested in your samples than you are in me. However, I’m willing to overlook your eccentricities and take you in.”
Strass had been the only boy to show any interest in her. She had been thrilled with his attentions. Strass was a third son of a prominent family. Marrying him would secure her future. Even if she did become a forgotten wife, she would be financially safe. Pursuing her doctorate would destroy her chances of receiving another offer of marriage. She was sure of it. What should she do?
“Lady Tracy, I beg you. Please, give me a chance to win your affections for myself. If after my business on Epopeus concludes and I have not convinced you to accept me, I will return you to the scrawny arms of this boy. However, I believe you will be more content within my embrace,” Jazon said from where he had gone down to his knee before her. “Play along,” Jazon whispered into her mind.
Reaching out, he trailed his fingers along her white throat while sending all of his desire coursing through his touch. Tracy’s head fell back to the couch as pleasure unlike anything she had ever imagined tingled through her. She cried out as that pleasure centered between her thighs with an almost seismic intensity as her world shook. Unable to resist, Jazon buried his fingers into her thick black hair and kissed her with the depth of his pain and longing.
When he ended the kiss, he said against her lips, “Stay with me, Tracy. I need you. I would worship you for all of my days. You deserve more than some spoiled boy.”
Jazon turned his attention back to the little prick who had insulted Tracy. Jazon had seen his type before. The puny little narcissist would wear her down piece by piece, and make her feel like she deserved it. He should do Tracy a favor and twist Strass’ head off of his neck for her.
“How dare you attempt to steal my female from me?”
“She isn’t yours until she places her palm on the scanner,” Jazon countered.
“She is mine! She has given herself to me!” Strass yelled in impotent fury.
“Well, you must not have given her enough, or she wouldn’t have decided to leave you. Accept it. She was finished with you before she ever met me.”
“You will pay for this, merchant! My father will deal with you!” Strass screamed.
Jazon started laughing harder than he could ever remember having laughed before. “You really are just a boy. Look, son. Be glad Tracy gave you any of her attention at all. She is way out of your league. She’s out of mine, too. However, unlike you, I’m aware of it and plan to learn from your mistakes. You’ve only got yourself to blame. You should have treated her better while you had the chance.” Jazon ended the call.
Tracy had listened from where she laid boneless against the couch. She hadn’t seen Strass’ reactions because all she could see were flashes of lights on the inside of her eyelids.
“Are you alright?” Jazon asked concerned. He hadn’t ever known of a female to react in such a way to just a touch and a kiss. “That boy must have the lovemaking skills of an aged slug. Maybe, you should rest for a while.”
Tracy gave an inarticulate squeak for an answer. Her brain felt like it had been rented out for a fireworks exhibit. Jazon picked Tracy up and carried her to his bed. When he tucked her in, she didn’t slap his hands away.
Chapter Five
Jazon did something that he had sworn he would never do. For the remainder of the short jaunt to Epopeus, he became a coward. He forcefully shielded himself from her thoughts. To Tracy, he was a filthy experiment. For all he knew, she might prefer Strass, a pathetic excuse for a male, to him. She might be angry with him for destroying her chances.
“Jazon, make it up to her,” Agata said.
“What?” he asked, torn from his miserable thoughts.
“Give her a surprise, something to make her feel special,” Vasco suggested.
“Diamonds, the bigger and clearer the better,” Agata said.
“No, lab equipment,
” Jazon said as inspiration struck. “We’ll put her to work on her father’s theories. I’ll get her to collect specimens on Epopeus. That will make her happy.”
“Medical is small, but there should be enough room,” Vasco said.
“Yes,” Jazon agreed. He returned his attention to Duran Jarreau. “This bastard is off with the wife, sifting through her memories of her husband’s work under the guise of a honeymoon. However, soon he will realize that Daddy’s little girl is the one with all of the answers. Then, he’s gonna come for her.”
“Good. Then, we will pull the answers to our questions from him,” Vasco said.
Tracy had been left alone on the habitation deck, and she feared she knew why. After the mind-blowing pleasure and kiss that Jazon had given her, he had vanished afterwards, just as Strass tended to do. She was ashamed to admit it to herself, but she must be a terrible kisser. Tracy was mortified. At least now she knew without a doubt that her decision to focus on science was the best one for her. She didn’t have what it took to keep a Laconian male interested.
At dinner, she listened to their plans for Epopeus. Jazon didn’t make eye contact with her. She couldn’t blame him. All she had done was insult him, attack him with her fists, and treat him with contempt. Even after her reprehensible behavior, he had defended her to Strass. Now, Jazon must think of her as rude, cruel, and a sexual bore. She hadn’t felt so humiliated since the night she had snuck off with Strass and given him her virginity. He had become agitated with her attempts to move with him and had finally yelled at her to be still. She would never forget her tears from the pain and embarrassment of her first time. Jazon’s kiss and subsequent rejection had brought all of those memories back.
Jazon went to his quarters, keeping his mind firmly shielded from Tracy, and meditated for a few hours before he was able to go to sleep. Unfortunately, he couldn’t block his empathic bond to her, and her embarrassment and revulsion were clear. He had no idea how to apologize for kissing her.
After docking on Epopeus, Agata and Vasco implemented their plan to plant spyware at the nanite company. Jazon was nervous to approach Tracy. However, he hardened himself to her possible reactions. Jazon had become accustomed to being treated with contempt and scorn. Tracy was no different. Living on Parvac where he and his brothers had earned acceptance had given him hope. He needed to kill that hope and put it away from him for good.
“Are you ready, Lady Tracy?” he asked.
“Yes, what do you want me to do?”
“Today, I am supposed to appear the merchant. The Eloneave are jungle dwellers and have few comforts. If you see something they might find useful, point it out.”
“Alright.”
Jazon placed protective eyewear on her palm and provided her with a jar of sun cream. The brilliance of the two suns of Epopeus could pose serious hazards to the unwary.
They spent the early morning hours buying sturdy pots, pans, and cooking utensils. Tracy pushed her protective glasses back up her nose.
“What are the Eloneave like?” she asked.
Jazon said, “They are desperate to create a new civilization for themselves. For many years, they survived in life ships and feared they would die in space. Their children had never felt a planet beneath their feet. That is something I had not thought of. I should know better. Children like toys. The Eloneave did not waste their resources on such things.”
“There,” Tracy said as she pointed out a toy store on the other side of the market.
Thinking of Peter, Jazon bought a crate of rattles. Then, he purchased just as many dolls and toy transports. “The large land transport is full. It’s time to return to the ship. Then, I have one more trip in mind.”
Tracy was silent during the drive to the land port. While in the toy store, she had caught Jazon looking with naked longing at a couple with their small family. He had quickly hidden it. She had also taken note of the distrust and sometimes hostility with which other Laconians treated Jazon. She felt absolutely wretched for how she had treated him. The more she was around him, the more she realized that his tough persona and acerbic comments were his armor against rejection. Tracy had spent her life being loved and adored by her family. She had enjoyed the respect with which her father had been treated within the academic community. How different it must have been for Jazon.
At the land port, he drove into the ship and got out. Tracy hopped down from her seat and closed her door.
“What’s next?” she asked.
“It’s just an idea. With Epopeus’ oceans, it is the perfect place for you to collect samples. I had hoped you might attempt to understand your father’s breakthrough. You could use the equipment in medical. Anything you discover could help us find new leads in the case.”
The disgust he had felt from her all day was replaced with excitement. “Yes, I could do that!”
Jazon nodded at her. “Very good. Which beach would you prefer?”
Thoughtfully, she said, “Wait. First, we need to get a tank for the samples.”
“Let’s go,” he said as he got into a different transport.
Tracy directed him to the university. Near it was a store that sold specimen tanks and specialized research equipment. Tracy blushed at him as he paid the six thousand credits for her supplies. Next, Jazon drove for an hour to the beach where Tracy assured him she could find sea stars. Jazon drove them down a sandy road that was shaded by flowering jungle trees. It was a nice change feeling excitement from Tracy. The ride was somewhat bumpy, but he was able to drive them onto the beach. The bright suns reflected off of the hood of the transport, making him more appreciative of his protective eyewear.
Tracy had started removing her shoes and rolling up her pants, so he did the same. Jazon glanced over at her smile but quickly gazed out of her window as if he had been looking at the waves as they rolled upon the shore.
“I love that sound,” Tracy said as she closed her eyes against the bright suns and listened to the waves roar across the sand.
Jazon went to the back and attached an anti-grav unit to the plasti tank she had purchased. Their toes sank into the hot sand. Tracy ran across it to the wet sand and laughed as water lapped over her toes. The wind whipped her black hair around, and she tried to make it stay behind her ears.
“Wait. What was that? You were just smiling! I saw it with my own two eyes,” Tracy said.
Jazon shrugged.
Embarrassed that her attempt at being playful had failed, Tracy pointed. “Up ahead, under the shade of that outcropping is a depression where ocean water collects. That’s where my father took me.” She had to speak up to be heard over the waves and wind.
Jazon followed after her with the tank.
Tracy waded into the water. It felt cool and refreshing against her hot skin. Large rocks and colonies of coral created a warm habitat for a thriving community of colorful fish. It looked like a large circular pool had formed out of rock that had been smoothed by time and waves. Sand covered its bottom. It was deeper nearer the ocean where fresh seawater entered the pool through a narrow chasm in the rock. Large predators wouldn’t be able to enter.
She was chest deep in the water and walking toward several sea stars that clung to a rock just below the surface. They were the same bright red color as the flowers that grew abundantly in the jungle trees. Something slithering out of the coral caught Jazon’s eye.
“Tracy!” Jazon jumped into the water, grabbed Tracy, put her up onto his shoulder, and drew his knife.
The yellow sea snake carried a painful venom in its bite that could be fatal to such a tiny female. He put her onto the sand and climbed out after her. Tracy stared up at the dripping wet male above her. His shirt clung to him along with a dusting of white sand. He turned from her before she could ask him to give her another chance at kissing. Jazon watched as the sea snake squeezed between the fissure in the rock and swam out into the open ocean. He turned back to Tracy. She was soaking wet, laying on the sand, with her head resting on
a black pillow of her hair. Jazon’s cock became stone. He was so painfully hard that he thought his cock would break off. Not wanting to humiliate himself anymore with Tracy, he turned his back and slid into the pool.
“It should be safe now,” he said. Jazon held his hand up to Tracy. Taking it, she climbed back down and forced her disappointment away.
She peered down through the water at a couple of sea stars. “These two specimens look good. Will you please fill the tank? I’ll just put them in it along with their rock.”
After they had accomplished their goal and had loaded the sea stars into the transport, they sat on the beach to dry.
“Jazon, thank you. That was very brave. We are miles away from a medical unit. A bite from that sea snake would have been agonizing.”
Gruffly, Jazon said, “It is my duty to protect you.” He had taken his shirt off to dry. He shook it out before putting it back on. “We should go before your skin burns.”
Tracy could have gone without the reminder. The Eriopis females of Epopeus were mostly tan and blonde. Like most males, Jazon must have found the women on the planet to be very attractive. Tracy was all too aware of her pale skin and slim build. They rode back to the ship in silence. Night had fallen by the time they got back. While she showered, the men set up her lab. Then, they disappeared to the bridge to listen in at the nanite company.
That night, Tracy had difficulty sleeping. Dreams of Jazon, looking down at her through dark glasses with his solid black eyes, brown hair dripping with ocean water, and his shirt clinging to him tormented her. He had jumped into the water between her and a venomous sea snake. It was the bravest thing she had ever seen, but he acted like it was nothing. The unrelenting ache stayed with her through breakfast. She noticed Jazon scowling at her clothing. The sun and ocean water had unevenly bleached her shirt and pants. It embarrassed her further.
“I’m taking Lady Tracy to grab a few things. When we return, we can depart to investigate the facility on Leucon,” Jazon said.
“Yes, sir,” Captain Agata said.
Jazon: An Omnes Videntes Novel Page 4