They lay together sated, bodies as closely entwined as two humans can be.
“Now it’s your turn to be patient,” he whispered, stroking her hair away from her face. “Give me but a few minutes, and then we’ll begin again, and take our time, all right? I want to pleasure you properly.”
“Trust me, you achieved that goal, but I’m not opposed to more.” She laughed, running her hand down his chest and abdomen, to where their bodies were still joined, finding him already more than a little aroused. It pleased her that she had such an effect on him. “If all we have is this one night,” she said, staring into his eyes, “I want to make it so memorable that the Red Lady couldn’t erase the moments no matter what she did to us.”
“Beloved, we’ve already accomplished that.” He kissed her softly. “But we can and will embellish upon the excellent beginning.”
CHAPTER FIVE
In the morning, she dressed and went out to find food for them, over his protests. “You’re too recognizable, you said so yourself,” she told him. “I’m just a down on her luck woman of no special significance.” She gestured at her clothes. “These weren’t high fashion to begin with and now, after yesterday mingling with the crowds in the bazaar, a grease stain or two from the bad food we’ve been eating, and tearing strips off the shirt to make you a bandage, I look even more disreputable. I’ll fit right in on the street. There are at least five different automated fast food stalls close by.” She held out her hand. “Give me the credits and shut up.”
“So commanding.” He dug the requested funds from the pocket of his discarded pants and handed them over, clasping her wrist as he did so, holding her in place. “Be careful. Please.”
Twilka gazed into his eyes. “I promise. But we have to have food. You may be healing faster than a normal person would, but your body needs energy.” Heat bloomed in her cheeks. “Especially after the way we spent the night.”
“Don’t be gone long.” He rose, grabbing his pants and getting dressed.
Twilka slipped out the hotel’s rear exit and picked her way through a garbage-strewn alley to connect with the main street. She kept her head tucked and her hands in her pockets, shivering against the morning chill. It was a work day on this world and even in the slum men and women were hurrying to their jobs. She mingled with the crowd and passed up the closest eatery vendor, drifting along in the wake of a group of women roughly her age. Although she didn’t see police or any sign of the Brotherhood, the back of her neck tingled and she was tense as she bought breakfast sandwiches and cups of synthcaff, using nearly all the credits. About to leave the shop to set foot on the sidewalk, she froze as two D’nvannae walked past, constantly scanning the crowd. Twilka retreated a step, earning herself a shove from the impatient person behind her. Juggling the two cups of synthcaff, she emerged from the eatery, strolling casually in the direction the D’nvannae had gone, but staying well back. The Brothers were using a handheld tracking device and paused for a moment in front of the hotel, heads together, studying the readout.
She stopped to stare at the flickering holos in a dingy store window as one Brother glanced at his surroundings, as if searching for someone. Studying them in the faint reflection on the streaked window, she thought their tattoos were intricate but nowhere near as high level as Khevan’s. Are they from Temple Home or local talent?
When the man swiveled his head to scrutinize the immediate vicinity, Twilka traveled in the other direction, making a turn at the corner, handing one synthcaff to an old man begging beside an empty store, slurping the other awkwardly as she ran, sack of food clutched in her free hand. She ducked into the rear entrance of the hotel and scrambled up the old fashioned staircase, glad she had such strong leg muscles from all her years of avoiding gravlifts. Her hand was trembling as she tried to activate the door to their room, but after two tries she was inside.
The portal slammed shut and she leaned against the panel, her chest heaving.
Khevan stared at her. “I gather we’re in trouble?”
She tossed him the food bag. “D’nvannae right outside the hotel. They didn’t see me. We’ve got to go before they surround the place, so eat fast.”
“How many?” He extracted the greasy meatroll from the container and wolfed it down in three bites.
She handed him the dregs of the synthcaff. “Two, equipped with a high tech tracking device in the Red Lady’s trademark scarlet finish. If they’ve trailed us here, they’ll be able to pinpoint the room, right? How the seven hells are they following you?”
“All D’nvannae carry a trace element of the Lady’s essence in their blood. An unfortunate side effect of the oath ceremony. I was hoping this rural temple wouldn’t have access to the sophisticated technology, although I did sweep our hotel room yesterday when we left, to nullify the traceability just in case. But I can be tracked in the open as well, if the operator knows what he or she is doing. The Lady keeps this a secret and severely limits the number of such scanners for obvious reasons.”
“So these guys must be from Temple Home then.”
“Most likely.” He was on his feet. “The compliance squad.”
“Can you do the invisibility thing? Can they see you?”
He paused. “I can only maintain it for a brief time, but no, the brothers wouldn’t be able to penetrate the cloaking. What do you have in mind?”
“Let’s go out the back and you stay invisible as long as you can. I’ve already been in their vicinity out on the street and no one noticed me, so maybe my disguise is good enough. You must be their primary target. We need to get out of this area and get to the spaceport. Nick is arriving any time now—he might even be on the planet already.”
Shrugging into his jacket after a cursory look under the bandage at his knife wound, he said, “You’re putting a lot of faith in our old friend.”
“You bet I am. He worked miracles getting us off the Nebula Dream alive.”
Khevan nodded. “I can’t deny the truth.”
“And he does have the ability to ask the Mellureans for help—the Red Lady has to listen to them, everyone in the Sectors does.”
“The Brothers know we’re here, pointless to sweep the room clean now,” Khevan said. “Ready to go?”
“No, but we’d better move.” She swallowed hard and tried to calm her hammering pulse. This could become a walking nightmare if the D’nvannae were waiting in the corridor.
She emerged on Khevan’s heels, relieved to find the hall empty, and hastened to the stairs, Khevan in front. Twilka’s nerves were ragged as she made a rapid descent to the ground floor and the rear entrance she’d used moments earlier. “Let me go first,” she said. “I’ll check the alley. Then you can do your handy trick and join me if the coast is clear. I’ll head left at the end of the street and we’ll go east from there, toward the spaceport.”
“West. We’ll lay a false trail, as if we might be headed to the White Lady’s temple, useless though it would be. Then we can double back toward the spaceport.”
Hand on the door access, she said, “Sounds good.” Opening the portal, she stepped confidently into the alley, forcing herself to keep moving when she found a D’nvannae Brother waiting there, trying to act as if his presence had no significance to her. Head down, she kept close to the wall and scurried a few steps.
A groundcar pulled up, blocking the end of the alley. She faltered, then continued in that direction anyway. What else was there to do?
“Twilka Zabour?”
Ignoring the man, she walked faster.
He grabbed her by the elbow, a grip she couldn’t break. Dragging her into the center of the alley, blaster in his other hand, the Brother said, “I’ll kill her now, Khevan, if you don’t show yourself. I know you’re here.”
“No!” Twilka screamed and launched herself at her captor, trying to punch and kick him.
Laughing, the man handed her off to another D’nvannae who’d come up behind them. “Hold this wildcat for me while I deal wit
h the traitor.”
As she was forced to her knees on the damp pavement with a blaster aimed at her head, Twilka watched Khevan shed his invisibility. Four of the Brotherhood surrounded him, shoving him against the wall, hands raised.
“Let her go, Harbin,” Khevan said, as the men disarmed him, not missing a single visible or hidden weapon on his person. “This is between the Lady and me; the woman’s not truly involved.”
Head tilted, the leader studied him for a moment, before pivoting on his heel and assessing Twilka. “She’s got a kill contract on her head. I’d say she’s involved.” He walked to where Twilka knelt and grabbed her by the hair, examining her face. “Not very impressive. Certainly not enough to inspire a man like you to try to thwart the Lady,” he said to Khevan over his shoulder. “I expected more.” He leaned closer, staring into Twilka’s eyes now. “You don’t resemble your holographs without all the façade of complicated makeup. Disappointing.”
She surged upward, trying to bite him, head butt him, take action to express her defiance, no matter how ineffective, but Harbin stepped adroitly away and the other brother seized her, shoving her into the submissive pose on her knees again.
“She does have pale fire,” Harbin said. “A flicker.” He strolled to where Khevan knelt, hands behind his head. “You were foolish to accept the last assignment with the archaeological expedition and leave Temple Home. One might almost think you wanted to keep your distance from our beloved and benevolent goddess. The Lady was lonely and there I was, ready to step in.”
So this was all about Temple politics. Twilka studied the men surrounding her. The six Brothers had detailed tariqnas. High ranking, with Harbin being maybe a shade below Khevan, judging by the complexity of his tattoo.
“Only so many places at the Red Lady’s table, only so many spots for upholding the duties of tazlin,” Harbin said, while she was evaluating the caliber of the men confronting them. “I might not have dared to move had you been there, or perhaps I’d have taken steps against one of the others at your rarefied level, but since you were conveniently absent, and remain a bit tainted from your earlier desertion, I seized my chance for advancement. I whispered doubt into her ear, subtle comments when the opportunities presented themselves, eventually suggested a test of faith and loyalty to resolve the uncertainty I’d created.”
“You talk too much,” Khevan said. “If you have to tell me how brilliant you are…”
Harbin spun on his heel to glance at Twilka. “The Lady remembered you and not fondly, which helped my cause.”
Clenching her jaw, Twilka said, “Not one of my better memories either. Your Lady is a bitch.”
Quicker than a cat, Harbin was at her side again, raising his arm to deliver a blow which sent Twilka spinning to the trash-strewn pavement. He stood over her, nudging her none too gently in the ribs with the toe of his boot. “Speak with disrespect of the Lady again and you’ll suffer more pain before I enforce the kill order.”
Wondering if her jaw was broken, dizzy from the blow and the impact when her head hit the street, Twilka enunciated as clearly as she could. “Fuck her. And you.”
Attempting to intervene, Khevan fought his captors. “Leave her alone. Your quarrel is with me.”
“Your turn will come.” Harbin flicked his fingers at the guard, who pulled Twilka upright, the rough handling increasing her dizziness. He drew his ruby-handled knife and stepped closer. “A moment’s indulgence, Brother Khevan, while I carry out the assignment given to you. Watch and learn.”
“Preexisting contract of protection, never revoked or cancelled,” Khevan shouted. “By the Lady’s own law you can’t kill this woman.”
Confused, Twilka stared at him.
Harbin toyed with the knife, running the blade along her cheek, not breaking the skin, and lifting one curl of her hair in an obscene parody of a caress. “No such contract is registered. Are you adding perjury to your crimes?”
“A Brother may contract for service personally and render the payment to the treasury later,” Khevan said.
“Do you have proof?”
Khevan shifted his arms fractionally and in a heartbeat the four men surrounding him had their scarlet blasters aimed at his head. Raising his empty hands high in the air, he said, “I give you my word; I’m only reaching for the proof you’ve requested.”
“Let him play this charade out. If he attempts treachery, shoot to stun.” Harbin appeared unconcerned by any resistance Khevan might undertake.
The circle of watchful D’nvannae shifted to allow Khevan space, blasters still at the ready. Khevan opened the small pouch at his belt and withdrew something too small for Twilka to see, not to mention the fact her vision was blurred at the moment. Another man took the item from Khevan and handed it to the waiting Harbin. He took a small scanner tipped with a glinting ruby from his vest pocket and ran it over his palm, where the offering lay. There was a flare of red light, tiny but unmistakable. Twilka thought Khevan sagged, as if in relief.
But we never agreed to a contract. I didn’t pay him anything to seal such a bond, not now, not five years ago. She bit her lip to keep from saying anything out loud.
Khevan frowned at her, reinforcing the concept that this was the time to remain silent.
“Release her,” Harbin said with a casual wave of the hand. “Antecedent protective contract verified, nullifying the current kill contract, both now hereby cancelled and void.” He flipped the token in her direction and, reflexively, Twilka reached to catch it. “Lucky happenstance for you.” Pointing the knife at her, he said, “You’re free to go. Stay under the scanners and the Lady may forget about you, once she’s finished with him. I certainly don’t care if you live or die. You have no value once he’s neutralized.”
Rising to her feet with difficulty as the Brother behind her backed away, she said, “What will happen to Khevan?”
“None of your concern.” Harbin issued orders to his men. “Lock him in the restraints. We’ve wasted enough time here. Only one thing left to do and we can be on our way home as the Lady commands.”
Eyes locked on her, Khevan offered no resistance as his arms were cuffed behind him.
Harbin drew his knife and stood beside his prisoner, hand grasping Khevan’s braid, pulling his head back so his neck was exposed.
“No!” Twilka screamed and took a step, stumbling and falling to her knees.
“He’s disgraced,” Harbin said. “But never fear, I’m not planning to kill him while you watch. His fate is at the whim of the Lady and she wishes to enjoy each protracted moment of his death.” He hacked at Khevan’s black hair, severing the tightly braided queue and tossing it to the ground. Sliding the knife into its sheath, he took the blaster from the nearest brother and burned the hair into ash. “Put him in the groundcar.”
Giving her one last glance, as if trying to memorize her face, Khevan allowed himself to be wrestled away to the waiting vehicle.
“I wish I could say it’s been a pleasure, but sadly, it wasn’t.” Harbin’s tone was chiding.
“You’ll pay for this,” she said wildly, wiping blood from her split lip.
“No, I won’t. On the contrary, the Lady stands ready to reward me richly for besting your former lover in our little temple games. Pray we never meet again, Twilka Zabour. I won’t spare you twice.” Turning on his heel, he walked to a second car which had pulled up behind the first. A moment later, Twilka was choking on the fumes as the procession sped off.
She pulled herself to the small platform at the hotel’s back door and sat for a moment. Slowly uncurling her hand, she realized she held a small golden charm in the shape of a combined star and moon. Instinctively she put a hand to her neck, where the trinket had once been part of an elaborate, many stranded necklace, a one of a kind designer original. But when I tried to contract with him on the Nebula Dream, to give him the jewelry as payment to get me to safety, he refused. And then the pirates stole the necklace…when did he take this? Her vision wavered a
nd she realized people were beginning to venture into the alley, encroaching on her personal space. Hastily, she stowed the precious charm in her pocket and got to her feet, swaying precariously. Hunched against the pain in her head and jaw, she staggered out of the lane, heading east in line with her original plan, toward the spaceport. Moving as fast as she could, she put distance between herself and the spot where Khevan had been taken.
No one followed her, for which she was grateful. She figured she looked so unattractive by now, dirty, disheveled and bleeding, people would give her a wide berth. She had to stop frequently to rest, leaning on the wall of whatever building was closest. Twilka overheard disdainful comments made by passersby, assuming she was high on feelgoods. Once she felt she’d gone far enough for it to be safe, she ducked into an access driveway and took out her personal AI. Punching in the code for Nick Jameson took three shaky tries. While she waited for the connection to open, she closed her eyes and slid down the rough wall, sitting on the damp ground.
“What the seven hells happened to you?” Nick was staring at her in the vid.
“Nice to see you again too, soldier.”
“Where are you? Where’s Khevan?”
“Gone. The Brotherhood took him. I don’t know where I am.” She swallowed, the flat metallic taste of blood in her throat. “I think I’m going to be sick or pass out, or both.”
“Leave the link open so I can home in on you. I see you’re close to the spaceport. I’ll be there in ten minutes or less.” Eyes narrowed, he leaned closer in the vid. “Stay awake, Twilka; promise me you won’t go to sleep.”
“I promise.” She could barely form the words. The pain in her head was hot, blinding her, and her jaw ached when she talked. She tucked the AI into her pocket and concentrated on staying conscious. Nick was coming. He and Mara would make everything all right.
At first she feared she’d returned to her nightmare. Feebly she struck out, hands fisted.
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