“I love the whole house. It’s like you, complex in its simplicity.”
He laughed, looping his arm round her waist to draw her down beside him. Before he could, her hand slid up to the back of his neck and closed over his scruff. With an effort of will, he lay still, waiting to see what she’d do next. He’d never submitted to a female before.
She leaned over him, her kisses gentle, first on one lip, then the other, then her tongue flicked across them both as she laughingly teased him.
He tried to capture her with his teeth, but she deftly avoided him, choosing instead to close hers on the lower edge of his ear. With a small growl, he reached up to take hold of her chin when suddenly she released his ear and tightened her grip on his scruff, pulling his head back till his neck was arched toward her.
Now he froze, unable to move, caught between his response as a warrior and a lover, feeling suddenly exposed and vulnerable.
“I’m not letting you go this time,” she said, her voice a low purr before she closed her teeth over his larynx, pressing them hard into his flesh.
Her teeth might be small and blunt compared to his, but there was no doubt in his mind that they possessed an equal ability to kill. A momentary panic rushed through him, then suddenly, as she released him, he found himself wanting her more than ever. Confused, his hands clutched her close, finding her as willing as he was. As their bodies joined, once more their minds began to share.
*
Dzaka was waiting for them when they arrived home, and his father’s warmth of greeting surprised him.
“Tomorrow, early, we have business to attend to at the Arrazo estate,” Kaid said, his arm still around Dzaka’s shoulders. “Where is everyone?”
“In the garage, packing equipment,” said Dzaka.
“You walk with Carrie, I want to go on ahead.”
Dzaka slowed down, looking at Carrie, who merely shrugged and linked her arm in his.
“We keep getting left like this, don’t we, Dzaka?” she said with a smile. “So it’s time to confront your grandparents, is it? I think Kusac will want to go, possibly even my bond-father. It’ll be quite a meeting.”
“It’s not necessary, Clan Leader,” he murmured, beginning to walk again. “I have what I wantedâ my father. And I know he and Khemu cared for me. It’s all I need.”
“Stop the titles, Dzaka. I keep telling you, and you still keep doing it!” she said, giving his arm a shake. “You’re already my bond-son through Tallinu, and will be my bond-brother as well when you and Kitra become life-mates.”
“I’ve no aspirations in that direction, Carrie,” he said hastily.
“No, but Kitra has, I’ll warrant, and you’d not object, now would you? Truth,” she said as he hesitated.
Dzaka grinned down at her. “No, I wouldn’t,” he said candidly. “Question for question, Carrie. How is my father really?”
“He’s fine, Dzaka,” she said. “It takes time to get over what he went through, but it truly is behind him now.”
“Thank Vartra,” he sighed as they walked into the garage.
You heard Him, too? Kaid was asking Kusac.
Even T’Chebbi heard it, but only through me, Kusac replied, looking up at him from where he was squatting on the floor amid a pile of crates and various goods. We sensed little more, though.
Nor us. The message was meant for Carrie, obviously, but I think it was also intended to reassure us.
Having you back with us, and seeing Carrie content, is all the reassurance I need, Tallinu. “Well come home, Kaid,” Kusac said, holding out his hand.
*
The call came during third meal as they sat round the table in the kitchen with T’Chebbi, Kitra, and Dzaka. Kusac took it on his wrist com.
“General Raiban from Shanagi,” said Ni’Zulhu’s voice.
Kusac looked at Kaid as he rose to his feet. “They’re bringing the mission forward.”
Kaid nodded. “Wouldn’t surprise me. It’s been three months since they heard from Jo Edwards and her party. Take the call. I’ll alert Quin and Conrad,” he said getting up.
When Kusac returned, he looked round the small group. “We leave for Chagda Station at dusk tomorrow,” he said. “Once there, we meet Captain Kishasayzar and the crew of the Hkariyash. They’ll be taking us to Jalna.”
“We’re undercover from the moment we leave the estate,” warned Kaid, glancing from T’Chebbi to Carrie and Kusac. “Conrad and Quin will be smuggled aboard with our trade goods. From that point on, we’re a delegation of U’Churian merchants escorting a Solnian representative on her first trip to Jalna.”
T’Chebbi rose. “I get this dye from Vanna for us.”
Kaid grasped her gently by the arm. “Eat first. We have time enough. Conrad and Quin will join us after their meal. Kusac, you have estate business to discuss with Garras. You deal with that. Carrie, you have Jack and Jiszoe to see. Kashini’s welfare is all you need worry about. We four can see to the rest till you’re free.”
As he was speaking, Kusac rejoined his mate at the table, well aware of her numbed reaction to the news.
I’m not ready. Jack and Jiszoe were going to move in here to look after Kashini. It’s too soon!
Perhaps it’s better this way, less time to dread our parting from her, he sent, wrapping an arm round her shoulders. Nothing can be as bad as the Margins.
Kaid leaned across the table, reaching out to touch her hand briefly. “We’re ready, Carrie. Don’t worry. I watched you all training today. We’ll be fine. It won’t be long before you’re back with your cub, I promise.”
“Don’t make promises, Kaid,” she said, letting him hold her fingertips for a moment. “We don’t know what will happen out there. I have to find my own way of coping.” She smiled briefly at him then picked up her fork again. “I don’t know about you, but I’m not prepared to face Zhala’s wrath if we let her meal spoil!”
“Most of the work is done,” said Kaid, reaching for a piece of bread. “Your early start has put us ahead of schedule, Kusac. We’ll need to work through much of the night, but we can be ready.”
“I’ll call in the other Brothers to help us. If we do the organization and they do the packing, we should be finished soon enough.”
*
Later that night, Konis arrived. As Dzaka ushered him into the den, he stopped to survey Kaid. “Now you and Kusac could be brothers.” he said. “Vanna’s dye works well. How long will it last? I’m not sure I like the longer pelts, though.”
“It’s augmented by slow release drugs, like the longer fur,” said Kusac, getting up to greet him. “My pelt’s been growing for some time now. You never mentioned it before.”
“I see you fairly regularly, Kusac,” Konis said, coming down to join them. “Kaid I haven’t seen for some time. The change in him seems greater. You’re well, I take it?” he asked Kaid, clasping his arm in passing.
“Fine now, Clan Lord.”
“Konis will do,” he said, lowering himself onto the settee. “Try and find a moment to go and say good-bye to your mother and Taizia, Kusac. They’re both fretting themselves into a real state.”
“Is that why you’re here?” Kusac grinned, heading over to the dresser that held their collection of spirits. “Nezzu?”
“I’d prefer that Keissian brandy, if you have any,” he said hopefully. “Don’t let me hold you back, by the way. Can I do anything to help?”
“Yes,” said Kaid before Kusac could speak. “There is something you could do for me.”
Kusac looked at him in surprise as he pulled a bottle of brandy from the cupboard. “You, Kaid?” he asked, picking up several glasses.
“Neul Arrazo,” said Konis. “Am I right?”
Kaid’s mouth opened in a smile. “Well guessed, Konis. I intended to see him tomorrow, but we’ll not have time now. I don’t want to leave the matter of Dzaka’s legitimacy unfinished.”
Konis nodded. “I understand, but it’s better left to me. My office
has been preparing the case against him, and Neul will be told about Dzaka, believe me. Your son has been registered by me on the Clan records; that’s what matters most. However, right now we have a complication with the Arrazo Clan.”
Kusac’s ears swiveled forward to catch every word as he handed small glasses of the liquor to his father and Kaid. “What complication?” he asked.
“His youngest son, Taynar, is missing, and with him, his Leska, a Human called Kate Harvey.”
“A mixed pair? Why weren’t we told?” asked Kusac.
“Where did they go missing?”
“The information’s been restricted because of the circumstances surrounding their disappearance,” said Konis. “I’m now at liberty to tell you, though.”
*
At dusk the following day, they left for Chagda Station on a routine military flight. Carrie was inconsolable, sitting silently for the duration, refusing to talk. Leaving Kashini had been as big a wrench as she’d feared, and nothing Kusac or Kaid could do or say lessened it.
As they docked, Conrad and Quin were concealed in their containers for immediate transportation to the hold of the Hkariyash. Once there, they’d be released. The Sholan contingent and Carrie made their way in a more orthodox fashion to the bar where they were to meet with Captain Kishasayzar. The formalities of their cover observed, they accompanied the Sumaan back to his ship where loading had been completed. Within the hour, they had undocked and were heading out of the Sholan system for Jalna.
*
“He’s unconscious, Master Rhyaz,” said the physician, stepping back from where Kezule lay slumped on the table. “I strongly recommend that you let him recover fully before any more of this kind of questioning. He’s told you all he’s going to for now. This is his third day of it.”
Rhyaz wondered if he could hear a slight note of censure in the other’s voice. “Can he manage without treatment?” he asked tiredly, massaging his right hand. He’d managed to hit it on the side of the chair and it hurt like hell right now. These sessions took their toll on him also, in more ways than one.
“The female’s got enough knowledge to doctor him in there, if that’s what you mean,” Fazzu said. “He’s got no serious injuries.”
“Send in basic first aid, nothing more.”
“Master Rhyaz,” said L’Seuli, touching him on the arm to get his attention. “We should leave. You also need attention.”
He nodded and followed his aide outside. “In the control room, L’Seuli. I want to observe his return.” He didn’t, but he needed to.
As they entered, he noted that there were two new faces on duty.
“Mito and Anders are on leave, Master Rhyaz,” said Zhyaf, looking round. “This is Dzyash,” he said, indicating the male, “and Nayla, our linguist.”
“Your medikit please, Dzyash,” said L’Seuli, grabbing a vacant chair.
Rhyaz nodded a greeting to them and took the chair L’Seuli had procured.
“Master Rhyaz, your hand, if you please,” he said, placing the kit on the counter and opening it.
Rhyaz held his hand out and turned his attention to the window, watching Keeza. She was pacing the room, her tail flicking angrily from side to side.
“She’s been like that for the last half hour,” said Zhyaf.
“Angry, is she?” he asked, wincing as L’Seuli wiped the cut with antiseptic.
“Rage would be a more appropriate description. He may be a captive, but she feels we’re treating him as if he were also a criminal.”
“We don’t treat criminals like this,” said Rhyaz.
“Don’t expect logic from her, Master Rhyaz,” warned Zhyaf. “Psychologically she’s in her own world, one she shares with him. Her current state is such that you should alert the guards to be careful of her when they take him back.”
“Do it,” snapped Rhyaz, trying not to hiss as L’Seuli sprayed his knuckles with the standard anti-inflammatory and antibiotic spray. It hurt, but he’d rather it did; he didn’t want to go the way of Ghezu.
“I think you’ve chipped or cracked the bone,” said L’Seuli. “It’s going to be painful for a good few days, I’m afraid.”
“It’s painful now, dammit,” he said, snatching his hand back. “What’s she planning to do?” he demanded of Zhyaf.
“Her thoughts are jumbled… Too confused,” apologized the telepath. “All I can say is her mood’s unstable.”
“Order the guards to shoot her if necessary.” He heard Zhyaf’s sharp intake of breath followed by L’Seuli’s quiet answer as he turned his attention to what was about to happen on the other side of the viewing screen.
“They use stunners, Zhyaf. We don’t risk more powerful weapons around Kezule.”
*
Her senses stretched to the utmost, Keeza heard the faint sound as the door began to open. Swinging round from her position by the table, she watched two guards come into the room. Rifles trained on her, they took up positions that covered her but left the doorway clear.
They brought Kezule in next, his limp form supported by two more troopers. She began to growl deep in her throat as she saw the condition he was in. Never taking her eyes off them, she watched as they deposited him on the bed and backed away. One of Fazzu’s assistants followed, carrying a tray of first aid equipment. Nervously he edged past her, put down the tray, and was about to leave when she attacked him.
Kezule had begun to stir as they laid him down, and the sound of her enraged roar was enough to make him painfully turn his head to see what was happening.
“Vartra’s bones!” swore Dzyash, watching as she knocked the medic to the ground and pulled her arm back, claws fully extended, ready to strike him.
The beams from two stunners hit her simultaneously in the back and, yowling in agony, Keeza collapsed to the floor.
Rhyaz stood up. He’d seen enough. “L’Seuli,” he said in an undervoice as they left the control room, “I’m going to make damned sure Raiban pays everything that Keeza Lassah is due, and then some!”
“Yes, sir,” his aide murmured, following him along the corridor.
*
Kezule drifted in and out of consciousness for the next few hours. When he finally surfaced, the female was still lying where she’d fallen. Every breath sent fire across his chest, causing him to gasp. They’d concentrated on his ribs again. He found slowing his breathing was of little help this time, it barely touched the pain he was suffering. He needed to exert some control, and that would take him dangerously close to a laalgo level, but he needed to be able to concentrate if he was to assess the damage they’d done.
He slowed his heart rate to the point where he began to feel light-headed, then, increasing it a fraction, waited. Gradually the pain of breathing began to recede. Now he could turn his mind inward. The God-King be praised that they knew nothing of his abilities to control his body functions.
What he found left him shaken. This time, the fact that they knew so little about his physiology had worked against him. Damage, serious damage, had been done to those parts of his internal system that allowed him to boost his ability to repair himself. And his reserves were too low to rely on time alone. Though they didn’t know it, this last session of questioning could cost him his life.
*
“I can’t tell what the hell’s going on here, Zhyaf,” said Dzyash, turning to look at him. “The readings are all over the place. First his blood pressure drops like a stone, then it’s up! Now, from the looks of it, he’s about to go into shock. I want a physician on standby. I’m not prepared to be responsible for him.”
“Call one, then,” said Zhyaf. “Don’t look to me to make your decisions, Dzyash. You’re in charge of the bio-readings. If you think he needs a medic, call one.” He saw the other’s look, felt his purposely unconcealed anger, and decided he’d better explain. “Send for the medic now,” he said, turning to give the youth his full attention.
“I apologize for sounding brusque, Dzyash, but I’m cons
tantly monitoring Keeza, and I’m concerned about her. You have to use your own judgment here. Situations can develop in seconds, giving us no time to confer. You wouldn’t have been picked for the project if you didn’t have the necessary skills.”
Dzyash nodded. Turning his gaze back to the bio-readings, he asked, “How is she? Will she come around soon?”
“She’s moving toward consciousness now. Just coming out of a state akin to a very powerful dream, but I can’t make sense of it. Her thoughts are even more confused than they were before. I get wisps of memories of her experiences before she was processed, but not enough to cause real problems. I am concerned as to her mental well-being, though. She is seriously disturbed, but then, going through this, what can I expect? It’s utterly barbaric!”
“We’re getting results, though,” said Nayla. “In this case, surely the end justifies the means?”
The door opened and Fazzu, still on call, entered. “What’s up?” he asked, going over to Dzyash’s work station to look at the traces. “Looks reasonably stable to me.”
“He is now, but the readings suggested he was about to go into shock a few minutes ago. I’d prefer it if you stayed until he’s really stable.”
“Very well,” said Fazzu, putting his medikit on the counter and pulling a chair up beside Dzyash. “I’ve no other patients tonight.”
*
As she came round, Keeza’s muscles spasmed involuntarily, making her moan with pain. Her limbs were a mass of prickling tingles as the circulation began to return to them. She remembered Kezule and raised her head, looking over to where he lay on the bed.
He was facing her, and she could see the angry swelling around the blood-encrusted cut on his cheek. “Come,” he hissed, gesturing her over with an unsteady hand. “Need help.”
She got to her feet, unable to stop herself mewling in pain as she forced herself upright. Stopping at the table, she picked up the tray of antiseptics and bandages.
“Later,” he said, pushing it aside as she stood beside him. “Get food. Need food now. Must eat to heal.” His words were punctuated by small hisses of pain.
“How? How can I get food?” she asked.
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