Death Waltz

by A. M. Hargrove

  “At least you only have a couple more months.” Xarrid watched Jurek’s face darken with pain.

  “What if she doesn’t make it through? What if I lose her?” Jurek asked.

  “You can’t think like that. Just keep her safe during her journey and when the time comes, do all you can for her.”

  “Xarrid, you’ve been a great friend to me. Thanks for keeping her pregnancy to yourself.”

  “Hey, I gave you my word. And I seem to remember a time when you brought me out of my darkness. I think if it hadn’t been for you, Saylan never would’ve survived, nor would I.”

  The two men shared a knowing look.

  “So what are we going to do about January?” Xarrid asked.

  “I’ll move a damn mountain to get her back, if I must. I need to get a few of my team here.” Then his voice boomed, “Tak, Ludo, Marik.”

  The three Praestani joined him and they tried to reconstruct what happened. After the Vesturions looked at the security vids the best thing they could surmise was that January had dozed off and Abaddon had gotten to her that way.

  Tak was acting peculiar and Jurek finally said, “Tak, if you have something to say, just say it, dammit.”

  “There’s been an unusual amount of activity centered around Xanthus.”

  “And? Don’t make me guess at this. I’m tired of this crap.”

  “What if they took her there?” Tak said.

  “That’s a possibility. But how did they get in here. None of the vids show them?” Jurek asked.

  “Teleporter right to this room. If it were a Vesturion teleporter, our security wouldn’t pick it up because it would recognize it as one of its own,” Xarrid said.

  Jurek knew how easy it would be for a Xanthian to get a Vesturion teleporter. Hell, one of them could have Tommy’s teleporter for that matter.

  “Distinct possibility.” Jurek started thinking. Maybe the Xanthians had the little ones too and were holding them as well. “I want a thorough sweep of Xanthus. Get as many heads as you need to do this.” Then he went back over to where Rykerian sat. “Rykerian, I need a full portfolio of photos. Everything you have on the two little ones and January. We’re sending a team to run a search on Xanthus.”

  Rykerian nodded and led him to another compsys. After a few keystrokes, holographic images of the family popped up and he moved out of the way so Jurek could have free range. When Jurek got all he needed, he captured everything on a device.

  “Tak, how many men do you need for this?”

  “Ten.”

  “Round them up and take this so you can make sure each man memorizes every image. Then be on your way. Keep me apprised of the situation. I’ll be on Praestan if you need me.”

  Tak, Ludo, and Marik left. Jurek told Rykerian he needed to come back to Praestan with him. His children needed him and he wasn’t safe any longer here on Vesturon. Praestan was the only place that Abaddon could not get to him. Before Jurek left with Rykerian, he told Xarrid to let the Yarristers know that they could visit Rykerian on Praestan whenever they wanted. Rykerian needed the support of his family and Jurek would only be able to do so much.

  When they were back on Praestan, Rykerian asked Jurek what the odds of getting January back were.

  “I want you to level with me,” he said.

  “Rykerian, I love your mate like a sister. I won’t stop searching for her until I’ve moved that final mountain. You can count on me.”

  Rykerian’s cobalt blue eyes held Jurek’s lavender ones as he nodded. Then he said, “I know we’ve had our differences in the past, but I’d like to put them behind us. At least for my part I am. Thank you for what you’re doing for our children. January appreciated it very much. And she loves you too, you know.”

  “Yeah, I do know. I know she’s tried to explain it to you, but we never could figure out how we were so linked. At least we couldn’t until Liasare entered the picture.”

  Rykerian rubbed his eyes. “She always said the same thing.”

  “We’ll find her. We have to.”

  There was something in Jurek’s voice that alerted Rykerian. “What? What aren’t you telling me?”

  “Nothing. It’s nothing. At least not about January.”

  “Then what?” Rykerian asked.

  Jurek hedged for a moment, then said, “You have enough on your plate. You don’t need anything else.”

  “No. Tell me. The distraction is welcome.”

  “It’s Liasare. She’s pregnant. And I’m losing my bloody sanity.”

  Rykerian half smiled. “I remember when Therron was born. Just wait.”

  “You know the chances of Liasare surviving the birth are slim, right?”

  “I don’t understand.”

  He explained the situation to Rykerian but was surprised by his response.

  “This time it’ll be different, Jurek. She’s different. Her power is so strong. She’ll not only survive, but will be the answer to the Praestani’s weakened state.”

  “How ...?”

  “Don’t ask me how I know, I just do.”

  “I pray you’re right. And speaking of, I need to find her because I’ve been gone far longer than I anticipated.”

  “Go, and thanks for everything.”

  ***

  Where is he? Liasare sat at the big window seat in their quarters on Lare-Stell, staring out at the stars. Jurek had been gone for over five hours now. It shouldn’t have taken this long to get January back to Praestan.

  “What the devil is going on?” she asked no one in particular. She was tired of sitting but she didn’t want to go anywhere else. She knew this would be the first place he would check when he returned.

  Walking to the transmuter, she had it conjure up another huge meal for her. She had eaten more than she could calculate today. This constant hunger was like nothing she’d ever known. Ravenous. She had to eat. Simple as that.

  Tapping the window, the screen lit up with the security room. “Yes, my lady.” A young man appeared in the screen.

  “Any word?”

  “No, my lady.”

  “Thank you. Please let me know if you hear anything.”

  “I will, my lady.” He bowed and then the screen switched back to the stars.

  I need to work out. I can’t sit here, pondering this whole mess.

  She walked to the closet and changed into her workout gear. The pants were stretched tight across her abdomen, indicating to her that she was indeed sporting a big bump. Then she put on her shirt. She had to laugh. She looked like she swallowed a melon. Too bad. She flashed to the training room and geared up for a session with the sword.

  She began her workout with some stretching. After that, she moved into her swordplay. It was always better to practice with an opponent, but tonight she had none and with her being pregnant, it was probably better she didn’t. After a couple of hours, when her muscles should’ve felt sore, she had a feeling of exhilaration. Sweat poured off her and not a piece of her clothing was dry. Wiping her face with her sleeve, she was returning her sword and glove to their storage cabinet when she felt his presence.

  She quickly closed the cabinet door and spun around, but was met with a set of angry dark eyes. Jurek lips were pressed into a thin line and he said through clenched jaws, “Just what the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

  His anger surprised her, leaving her speechless. The huge smile on her face quickly transformed into a frown, as she tried to understand why he was so enraged.

  “I asked you a fucking question! Are you deaf? Has this pregnancy affected your ability to hear too?”

  Liasare swallowed the huge lump that lodged in her throat. Her heart slammed into her ribs as his voice cut into her. Why was he acting like this?

  “N-no. I can hear just fine.”

  “Well? Then why the hell are you down here?”

  “Why are you so angry with me?”

  “Godammit, Liasare. Can I not even get a fucking answer from you? It’s either ‘I
’m hungry.’ Or ‘I’m tired.’ And that’s when you’re not in tears over something ridiculous. Why the fuck are you down here, slinging a sword around? Now answer me!”

  She hadn’t seen him this angry in a long time and it upset her terribly. Normally, she would’ve fired right back at him, but this pregnancy had made her so sensitive and emotional, she couldn’t think of anything to say. Her mouth opened and closed a few times and then she burst into tears as she ran out of the room. She heard him shouting at her, but she kept moving, not wanting to be around his acerbic comments any longer. Liasare wasn’t even sure where she went. Her eyes, blurry from her tears, clouded her vision. But it didn’t matter because she just had to get away from him. After rushing down the corridor for several minutes, she realized she had to get off of Lare-Stell so she flashed to the sanctuary.

  As she stood in their bedroom and looked out the window, she was reminded that she needed to bathe by the clothes that stuck to her still clammy skin. Deciding that she would rather swim in the pool under the waterfalls instead, she stripped and flashed herself there. When she waded into the water, she felt slightly calmer, but she still puzzled over Jurek’s anger. Why did he lash out at her like that? He knew how her emotions were flip-flopping lately. They had had that conversation the day before. Is he that dense, she wondered?

  The waterfalls beckoned so she swam there and let the water wash over her. At least here she felt a sense of peace, knowing her head wasn’t about to be snapped off. Her tranquility didn’t last long enough. She should’ve known he’d follow her. All the neurons in her body fired as she heard him bellow, “What the hell are you doing out here all alone?”

  That was it. She’d reached her maximum capacity of his dickfaced comments and bullying remarks. She flashed herself out of the water and materialized next to him.

  “Who the fuck do you think you are? What gives you the right to speak to me that way? Do you think you can treat me so callously and act like you own me? Well allow me to clue you in on a little secret. YOU CAN’T, YOU ASSHOLE!” She didn’t give him a chance to respond, because she flashed back inside, naked and dripping wet.

  Liasare knew the Furies had possessed her. She tried, she truly did, but she was so outraged that she couldn’t stop the destruction that followed. She hadn’t yet mastered self-restraint over her lethal powers, so when the laser beam shot out of her eyes, it commenced to pulverize some of the furniture in their bedroom. A scream ripped through her body, peeling her lips back from her teeth, as her body shuddered from the violence of it. The powerful force that took hold of her coupled with her lack of ability to control it frightened her. And even more so, she was unnerved that Jurek was the cause of it all. When it all ceased and the power surge diminished, her legs folded under her and she crumpled like a crushed up candy wrapper.

  Jurek walked in and didn’t see her at first. His heart slammed into his throat when he saw the devastation she had unleashed in the room.

  “Liasare? Where are you? Are you okay?”

  She recognized the fretfulness in his voice and could feel it in the air. But her breath was coming in gasps and she couldn’t speak. Jurek did a quick scan of the debris and saw her lying in a heap next to the bed. He was by her side in an instant, picking her up.

  “Bloody hell, are you okay? Did you do all of this?”

  “I ... I ...” she couldn’t seem to catch her breath.

  He put his hand on her forehead and she felt his warmth flow into her. It eased her breathing and she sighed.

  She opened her eyes and said, “Don’t ever piss me off again.”

  “You’re okay?”

  “I think so. I think I just need a minute.” She closed her eyes.

  Jurek set her down on the bed, which had somehow escaped Liasare’s wrath, and then took a seat by her side. She was still naked and he put his palm on her belly.

  Her lids fluttered open and she said, “Smidgen sure is complicating things.”

  “I feel like I’m the one that’s pregnant,” Jurek remarked.

  Liasare made a giant snorting noise.

  “What? You don’t think my emotions are involved in this?”

  She raised herself up on her elbows and glared at him. “When you have megahormones raging through your veins turning you into a fucking weapon of mass destruction, yeah, then I’ll grant you that. I’m fucking possessed, dude. You were lucky you weren’t in here. No telling what would’ve happened. And that freaks the shit out of me.”

  “Yeah? Well seeing you slinging a fucking Praestani sword around freaked the shit out of me too. Do you even know what would’ve happened if you’d have nicked yourself with that thing? That was Tak’s sword. You could’ve mortally wounded yourself. You should never have gone down there alone. And then swimming under a blasted waterfall? Again, all alone. And not even letting Brinna know you were back here? You’re putting yourself and Smidgen at unnecessary risk. There are currents in this pool created by that waterfall, Liasare. What the fuck were you thinking?”

  “I was thinking about getting away from your domineering and rude ass, that’s what I was thinking.”

  Jurek’s jaws clamped together so hard she could hear his teeth click. He rotated his head, attempting to ease the tension in his neck because there was no way he was having any luck easing the tension going on between the two of them. He took a deep breath and let it all out, slowly.

  “Gods, you are so ...”

  “What? Tell me, Jurek. What am I?”

  “The most beautiful, glorious and frustrating female I’ve ever known and I’m hopelessly at my wits end trying to figure out what to do to protect you.”

  Jurek watched her face morph from being pinched and angry into a face that literally glowed. Her skin flushed pink and a smile spread across it that lit up the damn room.

  “Really?”

  “Yes, really. Why do you think I was so upset? I worry like crazy about something happening to you and Smidgen. If I had my way, I would tie you to the bed for the next three months. But I know you’d have none of that. Liasare, I can barely sleep at night, because I can’t stand the thought of something happening to you. I lie in bed trying to think of ways to keep you safe. So when I’m gone and then return to find you swinging a sword that’s been forged using Praestani power and not your own, what do you expect of me? I’m sorry I flipped, but I’d do it again if I caught you doing something so foolish as that.”

  “Can you do me a favor and not act like such a fuck when you do? You treat me like a worthless piece of shit and the way you speak to me is ... well I can’t explain it without wanting to punch you right in the kisser.” She screwed up her face and added, “And don’t you even think about laughing. I’m dead serious here. If you ever talk to me like that again, I’m leaving you. For good.”

  Jurek thought very carefully how he would tell her what he needed to say next. It wasn’t something they had discussed before their mating ritual, but it never occurred to him they would get to this point.

  “Love, I need to let you in on something. You can’t leave me.”

  “Of course I can. I can just poof away somewhere.”

  “Negative. It doesn’t work quite like that. Once we’re mated in the Praestani rite, we’re together, as in forever. So if you shift into energy with the intention of leaving, I go with you. No sneaky poofing.”

  “You’re just filled with all sorts of wisdom, aren’t you?”

  “Er, I have something else to tell you.”

  “Now what?”

  “Abaddon has January.”

  Liasare sat straight up in the bed and said nothing. Her head spun with Jurek’s words. She wasn’t sure if she should get up and do what? It was the most helpless she’d felt since she couldn’t find Tommy.

  “Wh-wh-wh ...”

  “Breathe. I need you to stay calm for me. That’s why I was gone for so long.” He took her hands in his and held them, sliding his thumbs back and forth across the tops of them. That didn’t
last long. She pulled her hands out of his grip and threw them around his waist, pulling him close to her.

  “What are we going to do?” she murmured against his chest. “This is as bad as it can be.”

  “No. He won’t hurt them.”

  “You’re wrong. I can feel their pain. I just didn’t recognize it as such because my stupid hormones have had me so jacked up.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes. I can hear their cries.”

  “Shut it down, Liasare. Now. You can’t allow him to get into your head. It will only weaken you. And it won’t help us because it will cloud your ability to think clearly.”

  “I’m past that now.”

  “Doesn’t matter. Shut it down.” He put his hands on her shoulders and pulled her away from him so he could look into her eyes. “I know what I’m talking about and you must trust me. If there was ever a time to put your trust in me, it’s now, love. Shut it down.”

  She nodded, but her body shuddered with the pain of it all. “What will we do?”

  “We have to go back to Earth, but I worry about you in your condition.”

  “Really? Look around you. Do you think I’m weak? This is mega me. I’m lethal in this condition. If he comes near me, I’ll destroy him.”

  “That’s what he wants you to think. Your behavior is erratic and irrational. And don’t look at me like that. You know I’m right. You’ve said it yourself. He’s counting on that. The bad thing is ... I’m worried he’ll use it as a weakness and exploit it and use it against you. That could be your downfall.”

  Liasare knew Jurek’s reasoning was sound. Her problem was she didn’t know if she had the patience to deal with it.

  “This is going to make me even crazier than I already am. And how long can they hold out?”

  “Gods help me,” Jurek responded, trying to add some humor to the conversation.

  “That’s not funny.”

  “I suppose it isn’t. I know this is going to take its toll on you. But you have to stay strong for Smidgen.”

  Liasare’s brow furrowed. “Wait a second. How can Abaddon even know I’m pregnant? I haven’t been to Earth where he can have access to me since before I found out?”