He stared around the room, his gaze settling for a second on Callum. His eyes widened a little, no doubt taking in the wings.
Callum held his stare and the expression didn’t change, the cold sneer remaining firmly in place. He moved on and his expression warmed. Callum followed his gaze. Tannis.
She’d showered and changed into tight black pants, tucked into knee-high boots that made her legs look impossibly long, and a bright red shirt that hugged her small breasts. There was something different about her. He frowned and realized she was wearing make-up—subtle but there—black smudged around her eyes so the yellow stood out stark, and her lips were red to match her shirt. And earrings, long glittering drops that swung against her slender, white neck.
Something ugly stirred to life inside him. If she’d done this for Devlin Starke there was going to be trouble. He looked away, straight into the vampire’s dark eyes. Rico raised one eyebrow.
Callum ignored him and slunk lower in his seat, folding his arms across his chest. Amusement flashed across Rico’s face, and Callum scowled. He got the impression the vampire knew exactly what was going through his mind. Well, at least he was providing amusement.
But in truth, he couldn’t ever remember being jealous. How was he supposed to know how to behave?
Tannis was obviously still pissed at him. She couldn’t really see anything in that guy, just because he had a cool scar and no wings, and hadn’t actually been responsible for torturing her during her childhood and indirectly murdering her sister.
Rico pulled a silver flask from his pocket and tossed it over.
Callum caught it and nodded his thanks. After unscrewing the top, he lifted it to his mouth and took a deep pull. At least he was just about recovered from the poison.
He lowered the flask as Venna appeared in the open doorway.
She didn’t look happy to be there, but then who could blame her?
She must have realized she was far from popular on this ship, and she wasn’t used to that—she liked to be liked. She’d been skulking in her shuttle, but he’d ordered her to be present at this meeting. He still wanted her with them on Trakis Seven; she had done more research on the planet than anyone. If he was going to find some answers in the limited time they had before the planet’s bloody nature drove them away, then he needed her expertise.
She scuttled around the edge of the room, took a chair at the back, and tried to make herself small.
Tannis was whispering to Starke. Finally, she nodded, headed over, and took the seat next to him, which surprised him. He held out Rico’s flask, and she frowned but took it and sipped delicately.
Who was she trying to impress? He’d seen her drinking, and she could drink even Rico under the table. Probably didn’t want to smudge her lipstick.
Starke turned to face them.
“My brother reckons we can trust you. The rest of my people aren’t so sure. But fuck with us, and you’ll regret it.”
“Ooo, I’m sooo scared,” Jon muttered from the seat behind him.
Callum grinned. It appeared there was someone else the werewolf didn’t like, besides him.
“Shut up, Jon,” Tannis snapped.
“Right,” Stark ignored both comments. “So we have that out of the way. We need a plan.”
“What we need is some serious fire-power,” Rico said. “Can you provide that?”
“We have enough to take on those Church ships.”
“And win? You know the rebels don’t have that good a reputation when it comes to seeing things through.”
Tannis glared at him.
Rico shrugged. “I’m just pointing out a few truths.”
“Like we’ve got so many other options,” Tannis said. “Do you mind not screwing this up.”
Starke leaned back against the wall and watched them.
“Finished? Yes, we can win.”
“Good, that’s all I needed to know.”
It took an hour to hammer out the plan.
“Right, we’ll aim to intercept them here.” Rico pointed at a spot on the monitor. “Devlin’s guys will take out the guard ships, while El Cazador concentrates on the main target. Afterwards, Devlin and his pals can go off and do whatever he does, and we’ll continue on to Trakis Seven. We’ll get as close as we can, then whoever is going will have to complete the journey in the shuttle.
I’ve heard Trakis Seven isn’t a pleasant place to visit.”
“No, it’s not pleasant,” Callum said. “Though you might survive. I don’t think a vampire has ever landed there.”
“I’d prefer not to test it.” He shuddered. “I’ve heard it’s not a good death.”
No, Callum had seen most of his crew die from exposure to Trakis Seven, and it had not been pretty. He tried not to think of all the people who had been sent there since they’d discovered Meridian. Sent by the Collective to work the mines and die on that hideous lump of poisoned rock.
He’d justified it by telling himself that they were criminals, but now he’d learned that innocent people had also died in the mines.
Their only crime being they were not entirely human.
With a start of shock, he realized that Tannis would have been one of those people if she hadn’t escaped from the research center.
They would have taken her to Trakis Seven, and she would have died, in a week, maybe not for a year. He had heard of people who lasted two years, but he was sure at the end of that time they’d been desperate for death. An image of her body ravaged by poison flashed through his mind.
“What’s the matter?” she asked
He glanced up to find her watching him, her brows drawn together.
“Nothing.” What could he say? He was running the complete gamut of emotions these days. Guilt, jealousy…
Maybe it would be best if the planet was destroyed. He hadn’t allowed himself to consider that option. But what if they were to just allow this take its course and let the Church destroy Trakis Seven once and for all. But he had promised Tannis the Meridian treatment, and he wanted to give that to her. Maybe it would make up in some small way for the past.
But there was more; he needed to find out the truth about what he was, what he was becoming, and every instinct told him the answers were to be found on Trakis Seven. Somehow, he had to find a way to get the planet to give up its secrets.
“Okay, so we have four days until we intercept the ships,”
Tannis said. “That long enough for your guys to get there?”
Starke nodded. “I’m still getting the numbers in, but I should know later tonight.”
“Then I think we’re finished for now, not much else we can do until we know what fire-power we have on our side. We’ll meet again tomorrow and go over the details.”
The meeting was obviously over. Callum got to his feet, meaning to get close to Tannis and stick close while that slimy bastard was on board. Hopefully, that wouldn’t be for long. No doubt, he’d be heading back to his own ship now they were done.
And good riddance.
Starke approached her, and Callum’s eyes narrowed on the other man. “Captain, can I speak with you for a moment?”
Callum shifted closer so he could hear the conversation.
“Callum?” Venna’s soft voice spoke at his side.
He turned away impatiently.
She shifted from foot to foot, casting furtive glances around the room. “Will you walk me back to my shuttle?”
“Why?”
“I don’t think they like me.” She nodded towards the small knot of people by the door. The crew didn’t look too friendly.
He glanced back at Tannis, who stood close to Starke, but Rico was still seated, so he reckoned it was safe to leave them for a minute. And it was his fault Venna was here. He supposed he couldn’t just abandon her, much as he would have liked to—it wasn’t part of his new caring image. All the same, he hustled her out of the room as fast as he could.
…
Tannis was consci
ous of Callum leaving with Venna and had to keep her feet firmly placed to stop herself following. She sighed and looked back at Devlin.
“Is it okay if I stay on board?” Devlin asked. “I want to spend some time with Tris.”
“No problem. Though we’re pretty pushed for space right now.”
“That’s okay, I’ll bunk in with Tris.” He gave her a slow smile.
“Unless I get a better offer.”
He was flirting with her, and she wasn’t sure how she felt about that. He was such a contradiction. The deadly terrorist who’d killed hundreds, and this man who wanted to spend time with his brother. She had a thought. “Your bodyguards aren’t staying are they?” There certainly wasn’t enough room for them.
“No, I’ve sent them back. They weren’t happy—they don’t think I’m safe with you. They think you’ll take advantage of me.”
He gave her a slow smile that banished the sneer from his face.
“Will you take advantage of me, snake-lady? If I ask nicely?”
She was aware the rest of the crew had left, even Rico who had loitered as though he didn’t want to leave her alone.
She studied him for a moment, a small frown pulling her lips.
“The Trog said you were obviously GM, but I can’t see it.”
He raised his brows, then turned his back on her. She frowned, wondering what he was doing. Then he gripped the hem of his T-shirt, pulled it over his head, and tossed it onto the chair.
“Wow.” The word slipped out. She glanced at the open doorway where everyone had disappeared, not knowing whether she wished somebody would come back, or she was glad they were alone. She turned back to Devlin. He was very easy to look at.
His back was broad at the shoulders, tapering to a narrow waist. His skin had the sheen of good health, though it wasn’t that which held her attention. Faint rosettes of color, black on gold marked his back. Jaguar rings.
He turned, and she found herself very close to the smooth swell of his chest. The jaguar markings tinged his skin around the sides, fading to leave his chest a creamy gold. A line of hair dissected his ridged belly, the same gold, disappearing into the waistband of his pants.
“There are also these.” He took her hand in his and moved her fingers so they pressed against the pad of his. A sharp claw emerged.
“Retractable claws—cool.”
He stroked the sharp claw lightly across her palm, and a shiver ran through her. But when he reached up to grasp her shoulder, she backed away.
“I have things to do,” she said.
And ran.
Chapter 12
Callum was racing back to the conference room when he bumped into Rico. Literally. He hadn’t been looking where he was going, and it was like running into a blaster shield.
“Shit.”
Rico grinned. “In a hurry?”
For a moment, Callum peered down the corridor. “No.”
“Then come with me,” Rico said. “I have something for you.”
“Really? A present? How nice but…”
“She’s only pissing you off. Don’t rise to it.”
For a second he hesitated, then he shrugged. “Lead the way.”
He followed Rico back the way he had come, down into the docking bay, intrigued despite himself. The area was large and empty except for the two shuttles parked at the far side. Rico ignored them and crossed the room in the opposite direction, coming to a halt beside a large cabinet with double doors. He pressed his palm to the panel and the doors slid apart revealing an extensive stash of weapons.
Callum watched in silence as Rico studied the contents. He didn’t think the vampire meant to shoot him, but all the same, his gut tightened. Rico selected a weapons belt and handed it over.
Callum didn’t ask just fastened it around his waist. Next, Rico picked up a laser pistol and weighed it in his hand, then put it down and tried another. He glanced at Callum.
“I take it you do know how to use one of these things?”
“It’s been a while.”
“I bet it has. How long a while?”
Callum thought back. The truth was he couldn’t remember when he had last worn a weapon. There was no need really when you spent your whole life in meetings, had an army at your disposal, and a set of personal guards at your back.
“Three hundred years give or take.”
“Christos.” Rico studied him as though he were something curious. “Oh, well, just make sure you learn how to use it. I don’t want you shooting anyone by accident.”
He tossed the pistol to Callum, who caught it easily and slid it into the weapons belt. The grip felt good in his hand, and he flexed his fingers. But he needed to understand one thing. “Why?”
“Starke is staying on board and this is my ship. If anyone gets to kill you, it’s going to be me. Or the captain, I might let her if she still wants to and she asks me nicely.”
“Why’s Starke staying on the ship?” He had a few ideas, but he really hoped he was wrong.
“He says he wants to spend time with his brother, and he’s probably telling the truth.”
“So why give me the gun?”
“His brother isn’t the only one he wants to spend time with.
He’s got his eyes on the captain, and she’s still pissed enough with you that she might just think it’s worth leading him on. In which case, seems he’s got a gun, it’s only fair you have one as well.”
“Good. I think.”
“Besides, I don’t know him, and I don’t trust him.”
That was good news. “Why?”
“Because he’s an idealist. He sees things as black and white, and I’m guessing, to his eyes, you’re as black as they come.”
“But not in yours?”
“I’m no idealist. Besides…” He hesitated as if unsure where to go on.
“Besides?”
“I lived on Earth. The place was a mess, much worse than here.
You lot might not be perfect, but you’re doing an okay job. Except for the GM thing, but you’re going to put that right. Right?”
“It’s top of my list.”
“Good. And while I might not think much of the Collective as a whole, you’re a damn sight better than the alternative.”
“Thanks. I think. By ‘alternative’ I presume you mean the Church. Why do you hate them so much? Is it the whole vampire thing?”
“No. I hated them before I became a vampire. You could say I became a vampire because I hated them.” He sighed. “I grew up in a time when the Church was powerful, even more powerful than today.”
“I take it you were never a believer.”
Rico cast him an incredulous look. “Do I look like an idiot?
Though strangely I’ve come to believe there’s something out there, just not the crap the priests spout.” He shrugged. “They killed my wife. Claimed she was a witch and burnt her at the stake.”
“And was she? A witch, I mean?”
Rico glanced at him sharply. “You know, you’re the first person to ask me that. Most people assume not, but in fact, by the rules of the day she was. Enough—it was a long time ago and in a faraway place.” He nodded at the laser pistol at Callum’s waist.
“Let’s give you a go with that thing—see just how bad things are.”
He flicked a switch and a target appeared on the far wall.
Callum drew the weapon, flipped the power on, and shot a blast. Once he’d been good at this—the best—and he swore softly when he only clipped the edge of the target.
“I guess you’re more used to the old fashioned type with bullets.”
“Ha-ha.”
“But you’re not completely without hope, you just need some practice. With these things, it’s not enough to be able to shoot and hit a target. If you’re good you can deflect the incoming blasts, even direct them back at the shooter. Janey has some training programs on file somewhere. Ask her nicely, and she’ll dig them out for you.”
Callum sent him a look of complete disbelief. “Is this the Janey that offered to murder me presuming Tannis didn’t want to do it herself?”
“If Tannis wanted to kill you, you’d be dead. If she didn’t when she first found out, then chances are, she’s not going to now.”
Callum had an idea that the vampire wasn’t always so talkative and he had a thousand things he wanted to know. “What was she like when you met?”
“What do you think she was like—fucked-up.” He considered Callum for a moment. “Let me give you a word of advice—get the crew on your side.”
Callum snorted. “Is that even possible?”
“Maybe not, but you can try. For a start, you might tone down that massive superiority complex you’ve got going.”
Callum grinned. “That’ll be hard.”
“I’ll bet—but try.” He leaned against the wall as Callum tried a few more shots at the target, hitting it this time. He holstered the pistol.
“So the crew?” Callum asked.
“Most of Jon is just talk. He’s been acting mean for so long, it’s become a habit.”
“Yeah, I can see that underneath, he’s just a big fluffy dog.
What about the little priestess?”
“Alex knows what it’s like to be in a position of power and not be able to totally control things. Play it right, and she’ll sympathize.
Plus she has this whole ‘to forgive is divine’ thing going on. She wants to forgive—all you have to do is ask nicely.”
“Janey?”
“Janey likes to flirt, but she doesn’t really like men.”
“Why?”
“Her business, but you’ll get points if you don’t flirt back. And don’t try to manipulate her—she’s got the best brain I’ve ever come across and she’ll see right through you.”
“The green girl?”
“Daisy? She’s already half infatuated with you. You can fly and to Daisy, that puts you on a whole different level from the rest of mankind. Be her friend and she’ll love you forever.” He gave Callum a sharp look. “Just don’t take advantage of that.”
Callum was actually shocked at the thought. “It never even crossed my mind.”
Nina Croft Page 17