“Doesn’t sound like much of an alliance if they’re not taking your calls.” She kept her voice light and only slightly mocking. “How long have your attempts gone unanswered? Weeks? Months? Good lord, has it been years?”
“You think you’re so smart,” he sneered. “But you don’t know nearly as much as you think you do.”
He’s shutting down. Move on. Ask him about Solar Warden. The explosion, that sort of thing.
“Did you punish Royce Marsden for blowing up the restaurant? Civilian targets aren’t really your style.” Emotion twisted through her as her mind went back to that horrible night. The smell of smoke always accompanied the memories. Smoke, and muffled screams.
“I already told you, I had nothing to do with that.” He looked at Chandar then back at Alyssa, eyes still hostile, tone defensive. “It wasn’t really Royce’s fault either. The detonation timers malfunctioned. The bombs were supposed to go off in an automated warehouse. No one was supposed to be hurt.”
“Eleven people died, and many were injured,” Alyssa stressed. “The manager lost her mate, and they’re not even Rodyte.”
“What do you want me to say? It was an accident.”
Alyssa was too upset to speak. She was haunted by the manager’s expression, the anguish and confusion. It had all happened in a few short minutes, but Alyssa would never forget.
“How can we find Royce Marsden?” Chandar’s voice was firm, her expression unyielding.
“He’s my responsibility. I’ll take care of it.”
“You’re on the moon, with no way to contact anyone on Earth,” Alyssa pointed out. “Has that really sunk in yet? You won’t be taking care of anything for a very long time.”
He crossed his arms over his chest and went back to silently glaring.
“Let’s step outside for a bit.” Chandar motioned toward the corridor.
Alyssa followed her out of the interrogation room and a short distance down the hallway.
“He sang like a bird.” Chandar smiled brightly. “He just doesn’t realize it.”
“What did his thoughts tell you? Did he really answer all those questions?”
“He didn’t know the answer to some, but he answered most of them. Let’s go find Raylon. I need to update him while the answers are still clear in my mind.” She glanced into the distance, then said, “He’s in his office. I told him we’d meet him there.”
They took a shuttle back to Lunar Nine and went straight to the governor’s office. Raylon stood as they entered and motioned his mate to him. He indulged in a long hug and a tender kiss before nodding toward the chair beside Alyssa.
“How did it go? You sounded excited.”
“She was amazing,” Chandar enthused.
“Me?” Alyssa laughed. “I just rattled off questions.”
“You did much more than that. You knew just how to ask each one so he’d be tempted to answer.” She looked at Raylon and smiled, love shining in her eyes. “He said very little, but his thoughts told us all sorts of interesting things.” She tucked a wisp of silvery hair behind her ear. “Where do I begin? There are multiple portals scattered across Earth. That’s how the Evonti come and go.”
Raylon didn’t seem surprised, which confused Alyssa. Had the battle born found more than one of the mysterious portals?
“Did he give locations or indicate an exact number?” Raylon asked excitedly.
“This was one five-minute session,” Chandar objected with a chuckle. “We’re just getting started.”
“What else did he tell you?”
“There is trouble in paradise. He hasn’t seen his contact for months, and that’s highly unusual. He has attempted to contact the Evonti repeatedly but there has been no response.”
“Really? That’s interesting, or at least potentially interesting.” Raylon looked off into the distance, clearly lost in speculation. “Take the Evonti out of the equation and everything becomes so much simpler.”
“We don’t know that they’re out of the equation,” Chandar cautioned. “It could be an issue with Martin’s contact personally, or even Martin himself. Maybe he’s been blacklisted.”
He nodded, expression still slightly distracted. “Did he order the explosion?”
“Definitely not. Royce Marsden acted on his own. The bombs were meant to go off in one of the warehouses, which are automated. No one was supposed to have been hurt.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Raylon said firmly. “If they hadn’t sent bombs to Lunar Nine, eleven people would still be alive. Someone is taking responsibility for that. I guarantee it.”
“Relax love.” She smiled again, obviously enjoying his passion as much as his tenderness. “He’ll give us Marsden. He probably would have done so tonight, but I felt like we’d pushed him far enough.”
“Did you ask about his alliance with the Outcasts?”
“We did. The Outcasts want what every battle born male wants, access to their magic.”
“A human can’t give them that,” Raylon argued. “We have the only proven procedure and the formula that makes it work.”
Chandar raised her hand and rubbed the back of her neck, suddenly looking tired. Apparently, scanning minds was harder than it appeared. “Martin made the promise on behalf of the Evonti. However, he has not cleared it with his contact, or anyone else. He doesn’t know if they can replicate our results. In fact, he doesn’t even know if he can convince them to try.”
“That’s one hells of a crossfire. I’m not sure who is more dangerous Kage Razel and his army of misfits or the Evonti.” He blew out a ragged breath and pushed back from his desk. “You two did good, really damn good.”
Warmed by the praise, Alyssa looked at Chandar. “I take it you want to do this again.”
“Is that all right with you?”
Chandar reached over and lightly touched Alyssa’s arm. The contact had been lightning fast, yet encouragement and peace unfurled inside her.
“I’m sorry,” the harbinger went on. “It was impolite of me not to ask. Will you please help me again? We make a wonderful team.”
“It’s the least I can do. I’m in kiss-up mode, remember?”
“Well, I’ll take whatever help you’re willing to give.” Raylon flashed a rare smile. “Are you heading back to the Intrepid or can I convince you to go get some sleep?”
“There’s no way I’ll be able to sleep until Dakar is out of danger.”
“He’s out of danger now.”
She still shook her head. “I need to touch his hand and see his chest rise and fall.”
“Fair enough. I figured that was your answer, but felt obligated to try.”
When Alyssa stood, the other two did the same.
“Let me know when you’re ready for more,” Chandar said softly. “It doesn’t have to be tomorrow. I’m sure you’re exhausted.”
“So are you,” Alyssa pointed out. “But as long as Dakar really is recovering, I’m game for round two tomorrow.”
“All right. Then com me and I’ll meet you at the shuttle.”
“Will do.” She started to leave, then turned back around. “It was really nice meeting you. You’re very impressive.”
Chandar inclined her head as she’d done when they met. “Until then.”
* * * * *
Royce Marsden clenched his fists and silently counted to ten. He’d mentally braced for another encounter with Kage Razel, but in typical “overlord” style, the bastard zagged when most would have zigged. Royce requested an interactive com with Overlord Razel, gagging on each submissive word as he dictated the message to the computer. Royce had been respectful and polite, and still Kage pawned him off on an underling.
The brute, who couldn’t be bothered to introduce himself, bio-streamed into Royce’s workroom without warning ten minutes after Royce sent his request. The brute was nearly as tall as his boss, but more sleekly muscled. His hair was a strange mixture of black and white, and silver rings gleamed from inside his light gra
y eyes. Was he even Rodyte? All the others had dark hair and brown eyes.
His outfit, what little there was of it, was similar to the overlord’s. He was shirtless, except for the wide weapon bands crisscrossing his chest, and he wore black pants and knee-high boots.
“What do you want?” The Outcast looked around the messy workroom with obvious distaste as he waited for Royce.
“I wanted to speak with the overlord.”
“Too bad. You get me.”
His palms began to sting and Royce realized he was clutching his hands too tightly. “And you are?”
“Losing interest in this conversation.”
Fine. If he wanted direct. He’d get direct. “Shadow Leader has been captured by the battle born.”
“We’re aware.”
And they’d still responded to his request for an audience. That was encouraging at least. “I was contacted by a liaison this morning and assured that Solar Warden is still a priority for the U.S. Government.”
“Meaning?”
Was this idiot capable of stringing together more than five words? “Meaning, our alliance is still in effect. I’ll help you access the Evonti and you will—”
“How?”
“How what?” Now he sounded like an imbecile. “How will I contact the Evonti?”
“Your superior had access to them, but none of our information indicates that you do.”
Royce tensed. It was true, but how did the Outcasts know so much about him? It was unnerving, and extremely inconvenient. Kage wasn’t supporting Solar Warden out of the kindness of his heart. He wanted access to his latent magic. Or at least he wanted it for his men. Shadow Leader was convinced Kage wasn’t battle born. If Royce couldn’t broker a deal between the Outcasts and the Evonti, Kage had no reason to be involved in any of this. He’d made that clear from the start.
The brute stared at him with icicle eyes, silver rings gleaming. Suddenly, and for no apparent reason, the son of a bitch grinned. “Relax, human. The situation just got a lot more interesting.”
What the hell was that supposed to mean?
One of the bridge officers burst into the workroom, expression wild. “Colonel, come quickly! We have a visitor.” Without waiting to see if Royce followed, he ran from the room.
Royce jogged the short distance to the control center, too confused to be afraid. He staggered to a stop just inside the doorway and the Outcast shoved him farther into the room so he could enter as well.
A…creature stood in front of the main viewscreen, fists firmly planted on its lean hips. It wore clothing, so Royce presumed it was sentient. Still, it could barely be considered humanoid. More like amphibian-ish. Hairless and earless, the head was ridged from front to back. Deep-set, solid black eyes and sharp cheekbones were its only features. A lipless slit served as a mouth and horizontal ripples in both sides of its neck appeared to be providing it with breath. Its skin was grayish green and a geometric pattern repeated over the entire surface of its face and neck. Or were they scales? Royce shivered.
Everyone just stared at the creature, shocked beyond words. Had it bio-streamed on board, like an Outcast or did it have true mystic abilities.
The Outcast recovered first. He stepped forward, covered his heart with his fist and bowed from the waist. “It’s an honor to meet you. I am Arton the Heretic, representative of the Outcast Nation.”
Arton? As in Arton Lux? Royce looked at him with new interest. This had to be the long-lost brother of the Rodyte general. Which meant he was a freaking harbinger! The realization jolted Royce out of his silent stupor. No wonder the bastard had sensed the creature’s arrival. Well, he would not be out done by an Outcast. He stepped back to Arton’s side and followed his lead. “I’m Colonel Royce Marsden of the United States of America. Please state your business on my ship.”
“My personal designation does not translate to your primitive language. You may refer to me as Evonti 247.” The creature’s mouth didn’t move, yet its words were audible. “Do you speak for Martin Wallace?”
“I do,” Royce said proudly.
“I do not,” Arton stressed. “My people have much more to offer the Evonti than any human.”
Evonti 247 tilted its head, then it blinked, but the filmy lids swept in from left and right rather than up and down. Suddenly the image flickered, distorting for a moment before it refocused. A hologram! “Our needs are not a secret, and we do not care who meets our goals as long as the goals are reached in a timely manner.”
“Martin Wallace has been abducted by the enemy,” Arton told the holographic Evonti.
Royce wanted to punch the harbinger right in his smug face. The Evonti didn’t need to know the circumstances surrounding his promotion.
“His fate is irrelevant. Our goals are unchanged.”
“Could you please review them for me?” No one was fooled by the question. Royce was just as clueless about the Evonti as Arton, and they both knew it.
247’s neck flaps rippled several times before he spoke again. “We want the Rodytes off our moon as quickly as possible.”
Off their moon? Now the Evonti thought they owned the moon? Had the entire universe lost its mind?
Instead of confronting him—or her—regarding the claim, Royce asked, “And what are you offering whomever accomplishes your goals?”
“Are you sure you speak for Martin Wallace? Why would his designee not know these things?”
“He is a pretender with no real power.” Determination hardened Arton’s features, made him look fierce despite his bizarre outfit. “My people are battle tested and much better equipped to assist you in your endeavors.”
“And in return?” 247 wanted to know.
“The battle born have found a way to unleash their abilities. Are you aware of this development?”
“Of course, and we find it troubling.”
Arton accepted the statement with a tense nod, then continued, “Do the Evonti have similar capabilities?”
247 waved away the question, shocking Royce again. Its fingers were webbed. Definitely amphibious.
“Rodyte medicine is primitive compared to our capabilities. We can also give you access to your magic. Is that your price to meet our goals?”
Damn it. They were about to strike a bargain that circumvented Earth. “Does your agreement with Martin Wallace mean nothing? I thought the Evonti were honorable.” It was a gamble, but he had nothing else.
“Our agreement stands,” it said firmly. “If you complete the task first, we will provide the original concessions.”
His relieved sigh came half a second too soon.
“But if the Heretic’s people succeed first, they will have their magic.” Apparently satisfied with the outcome, Evonti 247—or its holographic image—disappeared.
Royce spun toward Arton, glaring up at the taller man. “You traitorous son of a whore! We’re supposed to be allies.”
“Our interest has always been in the Evonti. Earth has nothing to offer us.”
“Really? If I’m not mistaken the battle born transformation protocol requires something that comes from Earth.”
One of Arton’s brows arched in silent challenge. “Don’t confuse us with the spineless battle born. When the Outcasts are ready for our mates, we will simply claim them.”
* * * * *
Dakar felt the subtle pull of reality and swam deeper into the blackness. The last thing he remembered was consuming pain, struggling to breathe and panic.
Alyssa. Her image flared within his mind and panic echoed through his being. He couldn’t lose her now! They’d just formed the soul bond, had just begun to understand each other. She’d sacrificed her family and the only life she’d known to become his mate. He couldn’t leave her all alone in his world.
Turning around, he struggled through the darkness, projecting his consciousness toward reality. His senses hummed and unfamiliar smells filled his nose. Where was he? The mission. Had they completed the mission?
He
became aware of his body gradually. He lay flat on his back. His chest ached, but the searing pain was gone. He tried to open his eyes, but his lids felt weighted. Stubbornly ignoring the resistance, he blinked until his lids remained open. Light pierced his eyes and stabbed into his brain. He groaned, but fought against the urge to squeeze his eyes shut again.
“Dakar.” Joy filled Alyssa’s voice, then tingling heat rolled across their link soothing his mind and relaxing his body. “Oh, my love. I’ve missed you so.” She raised his hand to her lips and kissed his knuckles.
His vision finally focused and he saw her lovely face. His mate, his everything. “Where am I?”
“The Intrepid. You gave us all quite a scare.” She looked tired. He’d have to make sure she got some rest.
“How long have I been out?”
“Three days. The regeneration was extensive. Dr. Mintell refused to release you from sedation until you were fully recovered.”
Every joint in his body ached and his head throbbed. “This is fully recovered?” He chuckled. “I must have been a mess.”
She nodded and tears filled her eyes, making them shimmer in the defused light of the treatment room. “Your armor fractured, and not just in one place. It was like a spider web of access fissures. You are really lucky to be alive.” She pressed her cheek to his hand as the tears spilled from her eyes. “I almost lost you.”
“I’m too stubborn to die.” He tried to smile, but didn’t quite succeed. “It will take more than an Outcast traitor to keep me away from you.” He scooted to the very edge of the surface pad, then patted the bed next to him. “Come here.” She crawled onto the bed, lying on her side, their faces inches from each other. “No more worrying.” He kissed the tip of her nose.
She laughed then sighed. “Easier said than done. I couldn’t sense you, had no way of knowing if you would ever come back to me.”
Enforcer (Battle Born Book 11) Page 20