“Well, do what we’ve done, then you wouldn’t need to skulk.”
Callum’s eyes narrowed. “No thank you. I’m not actually into self-mutilation.”
They’d been locked in argument all day. Callum wanted to go public—let the world see what was happening, what they were becoming.
Whatever that was.
He was eager to find out. And that was the other thing— right now, any research they did into the changes had to be done clandestinely, and he wanted a major push—put a shitload of money and every resource they could get their hands on into finding out exactly what they were becoming. That meant research into Trakis Seven as that was the only planet where Meridian had ever been found. But no one spent time on Trakis Seven unless they had to. The planet was lethal to anyone who hadn’t had the Meridian treatment—those sentenced to the mines lasted anywhere between two weeks and two years, but eventually, they all died, and not a good death. And even those that had taken the treatment found the planet an uncomfortable place to be.
But it appeared he was the only one who wanted to know the truth. The rest of them would rather pretend the changes weren’t happening.
They’d all be shaken by Aiden’s suicide. Hell, Callum had been shaken—despite the fact that Aiden had always been an asshole, and he was hardly going to miss the man.
But while the suicide had shocked them all, the fallout from that suicide had left them stunned. That a motley bunch of misfit space pirates knew the truth terrified them. They’d gone all out to silence the crew of El Cazador and been furious that Callum had had them in his grasp, but let them go free.
They claimed their argument was a financial one; the Collective’s wealth was based on the sale of Meridian. And would anyone be willing to pay the exorbitant prices if they knew the truth—that they were turning into something other than human.
Personally, Callum thought—yes—they’d pay. But that was beside the point. Their financial security was no longer dependent on Meridian; they had expanded until they controlled half the known universe—the profitable half.
He’d told the Council that he’d had no choice but to let the crew of the El Cazador go after that final showdown a month ago. But there was always a choice. The truth was an idea had been forming in his mind for a long time. The crew of the El Cazador had just been the catalyst that had crystallized the idea into something tangible. Given him a possible means to perform his plan.
And if he was honest, there was something else. Closing his eyes, an image formed in his mind. A woman with a long sinuous body and yellow snake eyes that hadn’t left him for the entire time they’d been together.
His body tightened at the memory, and amazingly, his cock hardened in his pants. He frowned at the unexpected feeling. How long was it since any woman had affected him that way? Longer than he could remember. He’d presumed his low sexual libido was another long term response to Meridian. Now he wasn’t so sure.
Maybe he’d just been as bored with sex as he was with everything else these days.
Now, for the first time in years, he was actually looking forward to something. He pictured her again and savored the heat that coiled low in his belly.
“So?” Tyler asked. “Are we all in agreement? You’ll go along with the majority vote of the Council and give out the publicity statement we prepared.”
Callum nodded.
“And you’ll cover those up?” Tyler nodded at the wings.
“Of course,” he said smoothly and watched the relief blossom on the faces around the table.
Your new friends are coming in to land. The colonel’s words sounded in his mind.
Good. Let’s do this.
He picked up his cloak from the back of his chair and flung it around his shoulders, covering, if not hiding, the wings. He nodded at the colonel and strode toward the big set of double doors that led to the stadium.
Outside, he could hear the murmur of a thousand voices. He’d invited the entire world’s press here, and now the Council wanted him to keep quiet. He was fed up with the lot of them. They’d had a month to come to terms with this and still they cowered in fear.
He hesitated in the doorway, and the colonel came up beside him.
You’re sure about this? You won’t wait and take The Endeavor when she’s done.
The Endeavor was Callum’s new super star cruiser. She was a beauty, the most advanced ship ever built, but there had been some problems with the initial test-flights, and he didn’t want to wait until the modifications were completed.
I’m sure.
You still plan to go to Trakis Two?
Callum glanced at his friend, but the colonel’s face was expressionless. If you still want me to.
The colonel nodded and reached into his pocket, pulling out a small package. Would you g ive Rosalie this from me?
Callum stared at the package for a second, then back up at the colonel’s face. Why don’t you come? Give it to her yourself?
She doesn’t want to see me. She made that perfectly clear. But she’ll see you, and I just need to know she’s all right.
Fifty years ago, the colonel had fallen in love with a mortal.
Rosalie had stayed with him for over thirty years until she’d started to age while the colonel had stayed exactly the same.
Callum had offered her the Meridian treatment. Which was actually a more valuable offer than either she or the colonel realized—but she’d refused. Some people couldn’t face the idea of eternity. She also couldn’t face growing steadily older while the colonel stayed forever young. She’d left and nearly broken his friend’s heart. Now she ran a bar on Trakis Two, and Callum had offered to visit her, check she was doing okay—it was as good a place as any to meet up with Venna, his science officer. He knew the colonel still cared for Rosalie and he’d done a lot for Callum.
Was in fact the only person he truly trusted.
Then just come along for the ride—it might be fun.
Fun? I’ve forgotten what that is. The colonel gave him a wry smile and pressed the package into his hand. I can’t. If I was so close, then I’d need to see her. I couldn’t do that to her. Besides, I need to stay with my men. I have a feeling you might be in need of an army in the not too distant future.
Callum glanced at him sharply. What have you heard?
You know the Church has been in chaos since their High Priest disappeared.
Callum nodded impatiently. The old High Priest, Hezrai Fischer, had vanished over a month ago. The timing was suspect, and Callum had the idea that the disappearance was somehow tied in with Aiden’s death, but if anybody within the Church knew anything, they weren’t talking.
Well it looks like they’ve picked a new leader. I just got word that Temperance Hatcher has come out on top. He was appointed High Priest a week ago.
Great. Why the hell wasn’t I told before?
I just found out. The colonel shrugged. Fischer was our main source of information within the Church. He was high up and reliable—we didn’t need anyone else while he was in charge. Now we’re having to build up our network from nothing.
Hezrai Fischer had been another asshole, but he had outwardly supported the Collective, and Callum knew Aiden had made some sort of deal with the man before going completely off his rocker and killing himself. But this man, Temperance Hatcher, was a total fanatic who loathed the Collective.
Are you monitoring them?
We have people in there. Apparently, his first order was to mobilize the Church’s army.
Why didn’t you tell me before?
There was nothing to tell. Until Taylor was given the job, it was all speculation. Besides, I never actually thought you’d go through with this.
This?
This carnival. Do you really plan on leaving?
Hell yeah. He cast the other man a speculative look. You think they’re right? You think we should just hide this away? He waved a hand at his back and the wings folded neatly under the cloak, but still v
ery obvious. Pretend it’s not happening?
No. But you’ve been building up to this for a long time. I reckon you need to blow off some steam, then maybe you can come back and make some sensible decisions.
Sensible? He shuddered.
We need leadership now, more than ever. This isn’t just going to affect the Council but every member of the Collective.
I’ve left you in charge.
What? The colonel sounded shocked.
I’ve left a document stating you have my full powers within the Council.
Shit, I don’t want that, Callum.
Hard luck. Now, let’s do this.
He strode out through the open doors and the crowd roared as he came into sight. Glancing across the vast stadium, he spotted the mark 3 space cruiser touching down lightly on the landing pad. Black and sleek, with the words, El Cazador de la Sangre, in silver script on the side. It looked like his ride was here. He stepped up to the podium, and raised a hand to quiet the crowd.
“Welcome, people of the worlds.”
The masses quieted as he spoke, until an expectant silence filled the stadium.
“Over a thousand years ago, we fled our dying world in search of a place we could call home. And for over five hundred years, we roamed the vast emptiness of space until we finally came to rest in the Trakis system. And here we found suns that would warm us, air we could breathe, and food we could eat.”
So far so good. He could sense the waves of complacency wafting off the council behind him. Time to shake them up a little—or a lot.
“But we also discovered something else, something beyond our wildest dreams and the secret to man’s greatest fear. We found the gift of immortality. But every gift comes with a price. I have come to believe it is a price worth paying. I hope the rest of the world will see it as the same.”
He fingered the edges of the cloak. “So, with that in mind, I have brought you all together today to show you the new, improved Collective.”
Chapter 2
They’d touched down smoothly on a raised landing platform that looked out over a vast, packed stadium. Tannis pressed her palm to the panel, and the doors of the docking bay slid open.
Rico and Skylar were at her back, Rico stayed in the shadows of the docking bay—he didn’t do sunlight, and outside the mid-afternoon sun was hot and bright. Skylar followed her out; they stood side by side and stared down at the mass of writhing humanity below them. Around the edges of the crowd, the black uniforms of the corps could clearly be seen.
All attention focused on the podium at the front of the stadium and the man who stood alone. Even from this distance, he made an imposing figure. His eyes glowed violet in his lean, handsome face as he stared out over the crowds. For a second, he looked straight at her, and a frisson of sensation skittered down her spine. Tall, he presented a bulky figure beneath the dark cloak he wore. Tannis had seen what was beneath that covering. Was he about to reveal himself to the world?
A movement to the side of them distracted her, and she swung around as four men in corps uniforms stepped onto the landing pad. She cast a brief glance at Skylar who shrugged.
“Can we help you?” Tannis asked.
“We’re the private bodyguard of the Leader.”
“So?”
“We were ordered to wait with you.”
“Are these guys for real?” she asked Skylar.
“Yes, look at the insignia.”
Tannis peered at the chest of the first guy, the usual violet insignia of the Corps was there, but circled with a gold C. “Freaking cool,” she said. “Just don’t get in the way.”
“Something’s happening,” Skylar murmured from beside her.
Tannis turned her gaze away from the soldiers and back to the podium. Callum was leaning toward the speaker now. He started to speak, his voice rolling around the stadium. He had the most amazing presence and his words—despite being nothing new— sent little shivers running through her. She’d never been one for speeches, but she could have listened to that voice all day. Quite happily, just stood here and stared at him. She sighed.
“You have got him bad, haven’t you?” Skylar spoke from beside her, her tone amused. Tannis ignored the comment, mainly because at that moment, Callum paused.
Was this it?
“So, with that in mind, I have brought you here today to show you the new, improved Collective.” His voice boomed around the stadium.
Taking a step back, he loosened the cloak at his throat and it slipped from his shoulders revealing the wings folded neatly against his back. Then they spread, almost six feet in span, black and leathery. They flexed slowly, beating the air with an audible whoosh. The crowd gasped beneath him.
He looked up toward where Tannis stood, and she thought he nodded once, but he was too far away to be sure. Then he flexed the wings again and rose into the air.
“Holy freaking moly.”
She’d known what to expect but all the same, her mouth dropped open. For a few seconds, he hovered over the podium, then the wings flapped, and he was heading toward them. Sort of.
He didn’t appear to have much control, and he wavered almost as though he’d taken too many pinkies—the popular recreational drugs found in every bar on the planet. Finally, he straightened up, and he was hurtling their way, fast. Too fast.
“Shit, he’s going to crash.”
Close up and spread out, the wings were enormous, shadowing out the sun. Tannis poised ready to dive out of the way, but at the last minute, when it seemed impossible that he wouldn’t smash straight into them, the wings folded and he dropped to the ground with a thud.
Rolling, he was on his feet in moments—she got the distinct impression that he’d had a lot of practice at falling. He brushed himself off and looked around.
“Bloody exhibitionist,” Rico muttered from the doorway behind her.
Too right, but who wouldn’t be if you were five hundred years old, and The Leader of the Universe, and you had wings… All the same, she’d rather put off a confrontation with Rico until they were safely in the air. She turned briefly. “Go get us ready for take-off.”
His eyes narrowed, but he spun on his heel and stalked away.
“Are we ready to go?” Callum asked.
Tannis opened her mouth to answer and then realized he wasn’t speaking to her, but to the guard beside him. A flicker of irritation poked her in the gut. She was captain; it was up to her to say whether they were ready to go or not. And what the hell did he mean by “we”? No way was she having a load of hard-assed, heavily armed bodyguards on her ship. “We?”
He turned to look at her, and she was caught in that violet stare. He seemed to look straight into her mind, then he frowned.
“Captain?”
“Yeah, that would be me.”
“I thought I made my instructions clear. You were to be ready to take off immediately.”
“Yeah, but just who exactly is taking off?”
He’d half-turned away, and he swung back around and stared as though he didn’t quite understand the question. She was beginning to thing he might not be too bright, which was a pity. Maybe he was some sort of figurehead, not in charge at all, just somebody who acted as a front because he was stunningly gorgeous which took people’s minds of the fact that he was spouting garbage—like all politicians.
“None of your concern. I’ve hired this ship. Now get us in the air.”
“I don’t think so. You’ll tell them”—Tannis nodded toward his guard—“to stand down or you won’t be in the air, unless you flap those pretty wings again.”
He appeared puzzled. Yeah the sad fact was—he obviously wasn’t all there. That was maybe another side-effect of the Meridian treatment—killed off the brain cells. A mixture of emotions washed over her, mainly regret mingled with relief— she really hadn’t wanted to have a crush on him. She turned to go, when she caught a slight movement of his head, and heard the rasp of a weapon as the guard beside her drew his la
ser pistol.
Bastard. Did he think she was an idiot?
Skylar and Daisy emerged from the ship, side by side, blasters drawn.
Tannis glanced from the guard with the laser pistol—the other three hadn’t drawn their weapons yet—to Skylar and Daisy.
She smirked. “I think my guns are bigger than yours.”
Callum frowned. “What’s the problem? I’ve employed you.
Are you incapable of taking simple orders?”
Someone sniggered behind her; she guessed it was Daisy.
Suddenly, she’d had enough. They were out of here.
“Keep them covered,” she said and stepped back. She kept moving backward, not taking her eyes off Callum until she reached the ramp of the ship. He was still frowning; obviously, it hadn’t occurred to him that not everyone was willing to blindly follow his every command. This would be a good learning process.
“I don’t go anywhere without my bodyguards.”
Tannis paused as he spoke, but no way was she letting four heavily-armed, no doubt highly trained men on board El Cazador.
She’d seen Skylar in action, so she knew what the soldiers trained by the Corps were capable of, and four of them might be able to take the ship. She wasn’t risking it. “Then I guess we’ll see you around. Or not.”
She forced herself to turn and walk away, but it was hard.
She wanted to do this job so much, each step was a torment, but something told her if she showed any weakness, he would walk all over her. He was too used to getting his own way, and he had to realize right now that anybody stepping on board El Cazador put themselves under her command.
“Wait.”
She’d reached the top of the ramp and was about to step between Skylar and Daisy when he spoke again. She turned slowly.
“For some strange god-forsaken reason—I trust you.”
“That’s sweet of you. So?”
He said nothing—out loud, but the guard holstered his weapon.
“Sir, the colonel said…”
Again, Callum didn’t speak, but the guard shut up abruptly and stepped back.
Nina Croft Page 3