Xairn nodded. “I have no choice.”
“It’s a trap,” she told him. “You know it is, Xairn. A trap to draw us out.”
“Which is why you’re not coming with me.” He was already out of bed and dressing. Lauren couldn’t help noticing that he was ignoring all the human clothes her mother had bought him and pulling on his old black leather flight pants instead.
“But—”
“He wants you, Lauren.” Xairn pointed a finger at her. “He thinks I’ll come back to his side and reveal your location if he uses my…her for bait. Maybe he even hopes I’ll bring you back with me. But that is not going to happen. You’re staying here, safe with Little One while I go take care of this matter.”
“Stay here while you walk into danger? I don’t think so!” Lauren frowned indignantly. “I’m coming with you.”
Xairn shook his head. “That is exactly what he wants. Don’t you see? The girls who have been taken—”
“Girls? As in more than one?”
He nodded rapidly. “Yes, I saw on the flatscreen that another was taken recently and she had hair just like yours. I didn’t want to say anything but those girls both had something that made them similar to you. He’s trying to find you and I can’t let him. I have to save my mother and stop him once and for all.”
“But you’ll be killed!” Lauren protested. “There are hundreds of those horrible vat-grown Frankenstein things up there. Not to mention the fact that your father has all those weird powers—”
“Like the power to get inside a person’s head and read their thoughts? The power to make someone do as he tells them, whether they want to or not?” Xairn said quietly.
“I…yes,” Lauren said in a small voice. “Xairn—”
“I have those abilities now, too,” he reminded her gently. “And they’re growing. I’m not sure but I think being close to you is making them grow. Our lovemaking has caused my power to expand somehow.”
“But baby, your father has had them for years. He knows how to use them. He—”
“I’m going,” he cut her off. Then his voice dropped to a more gentle register. “Lauren, please, try to understand—she’s my mother. I have to save her. You love your own mother very much—you know you’d do the same for her.”
When he put it that way, Lauren knew she had to let him go. But still, she couldn’t help the fear that filled her throat—like a wad of dry cotton that made it impossible to swallow.
“Please.” Xairn held out his hand. “Give me the ring, Lauren. The ship won’t work without it.”
She fingered the slim, silver O-ring which had come to mean so much to her. It said he loved her, that he would stay with her and try to work things out. And we did work things out! We finally found a way to stay together! And now he’s asking for it back—leaving. Oh, it’s not fair. Please, God, so not fair…
“I know it’s not fair.” Xairn drew her suddenly into a desperately tight hug. Holding her close, he pressed his face to her hair and inhaled, as though he wanted to take her scent with him. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I love you but I have to go.”
Lauren felt the tears coming but she struggled to hold them back. He was determined to do this and there nothing she could say would stop him. At least she could be as brave as he was about it. “All right,” she said, trying to keep her voice from trembling. “But…but don’t go alone.”
Xairn pulled back and looked at her, frowning. “And who exactly am I supposed to take with me? I told you, Lauren, I won’t let you put yourself in danger by coming.”
“Not me.” She sniffed. “You’re right—I wouldn’t be much use to you in a fight. But what about Deep and Lock or some of the other Kindred? You helped them when we all escaped from your home world. Don’t they owe you one?”
“Owe me one?” He shook his head. “No, I don’t think so. We fought on the same side on my home world because we had no choice. But the Scourge and the Kindred are enemies. I can’t ask them to help.”
“Then I will.” Lauren struggled out of his embrace and began getting dressed herself. “I’m going down to the HKR building right now to place a call to the Mother ship. I can’t let you go up there without backup. I don’t care what you say—they owe you some help. And they strike me as the kind of people who always pay their debts.”
Xairn frowned and then sighed. “All right. I don’t expect anything will come of it but I’ll wait a little while if it will make you feel better. Tell them I’ll be in orbit around the dark side of the moon. But if they don’t come soon, I’m going in alone.”
“Don’t do that, please! I’m sure I can convince them.” Lauren pulled on her clothes hastily and stuffed her feet into a pair of shoes. “Please, baby.”
“I told you I’d wait a little while.” He held out his hand again. “The ring?”
Fighting back tears, Lauren worked the silver O-ring off her finger and placed it in the center of his broad palm. Then she lost the battle with her emotions. Throwing herself against his chest, she locked her arms around his neck and sobbed.
“I love you, Xairn. Please be careful. Please come back to me—swear you will.”
He held her tight and she felt his big form tremble and knew he was crying too. “I will,” he whispered, his voice hoarse with sorrow. “I swear it, Lauren, I will come back to you. I will.”
Chapter Thirty-five
“So he’s going up there alone unless someone will help him.” Lauren’s voice was choked with sobs and from what she could see on the viewscreen, it looked to Kat like she’d gotten dressed in the dark. Her blouse was inside out and her hair was wild. But that was to be expected when your man went off on a suicide mission, she supposed.
“Oh Lauren,” she said, wishing the other girl was up on the Mother ship so she could put her arms around her and comfort her. “I’m so sorry.”
“I’m sorry too.” Lauren blotted her eyes with her inside out sleeve. “I know this is a horrible thing to ask you but I didn’t know who else to turn to.”
“You did the right thing, calling us.” Deep stepped up behind Kat and Lock joined him. “We will answer the call for help and come to the aid of our brother.”
“What brother? Who are you talking about and why did you call us?” Baird and Sylvan suddenly crowded into the viewing room, followed by Sophia and Liv. “What’s going on?”
“Xairn is going to confront his father—er, the AllFather right now at the Fathership,” Kat explained, feeling numb. “He’s going alone unless he gets some help.”
“He is not going alone,” Deep said. “I’m going with him.”
“As am I.” Lock nodded.
“Going to the Fathership with only a few warriors is a suicide mission,” Baird objected, frowning. “I know you helped each other on the Scourge home world, Deep, but just because this Scourge has chosen to sacrifice himself is no reason for you and Lock to join him.”
Deep shook his head. “You don’t understand. I have to help him—I was ordered to do so.”
“Ordered?” Sylvan raised one blond eyebrow. “By who?”
“By the Goddess.” Deep spoke in a low voice as he met each male’s eyes in turn. “You all know that I was on the brink of death—in fact, I was dead—during the last joining that Kat and Lock and I participated in before we were bonded. But what I haven’t told any of you—not even Kat—was how I was saved.”
“Are you saying the Goddess herself rescued you?” Baird asked, frowning.
Deep nodded. “My spirit was caught in the AllFather’s grip and I knew I would never be able to return to my body. I was ready to die and then…she saved me. While I was in her presence she told me she had a special interest in Xairn. She said a war was coming—a conflict with the AllFather that would make all our battles up until now seem insignificant.”
“And you think this is what she was talking about?” Sylvan asked. “This confrontation that Xairn is going into with the AllFather?”
Deep nodded again. “Her exact wor
ds were: ‘I charge you, Warrior, that you give him aid if he asks it of you. That you help him in any way you can. And that you not speak of this until the time is right.’” He lifted his chin. “I think now the time is right. I hope you understand, brothers, why I have to go.”
“I do.” Sylvan nodded. “And I think I must go as well.”
“And me,” Baird said.
“Baird?” Olivia’s face was white as a sheet and she cupped her rounded belly protectively. “Do you…you really have to?”
“Lilenta…” Baird drew his pregnant wife to him and kissed her tenderly on the forehead. “I know this is a frightening thing but I feel it’s meant to be. The Goddess has touched all our lives in one way or another since I first called you as my bride. I think she means for us to take part in this conflict.”
“I feel the same way,” Sylvan said thoughtfully. “She has made herself known to us in ways that most Kindred do not get to experience. We should consider ourselves blessed.”
Sophia’s green eyes overflowed with tears. “I always knew something like this might…might happen,” she whispered, clinging to Sylvan. “I guess it goes with the territory—marrying a warrior and all. But…I didn’t think it would happen this soon.”
“I didn’t either, but it has.” Kat took a deep breath and lifted her chin, trying to be strong. “Girls, I know we hoped it would never come to this but it has. And if our males are brave enough to go face this threat, I think we have to be brave enough to let them. And I think—I hope—that the Goddess will protect them through it.”
“I hope you’re right.” Liv’s silver-gray eyes were shiny with tears too. “I hope you are, Kat, because I don’t know what I’d do if—” But she stopped, unable to say it.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” Lauren whispered from the viewscreen. “I feel horrible. I was hoping you could get a whole squadron of Kindred together—like an army or something—not just the four of you.”
Baird shook his head. “Not without involving the Council and that would take far too long.”
“Besides, a smaller force might be more effective.” Sylvan looked thoughtful. “No doubt the AllFather is only expecting Xairn to show up and that’s all he’s prepared for. If we attacked with an army, he’d mobilize all his forces and we’d be locked in a stand-off—unable to get to him. But a single ship with what he believes is only one passenger is no threat.”
“You’re right, Brother.” Deep sounded excited. “He’ll let us in by the front door without suspecting a thing.”
“So you’ll have him outnumbered?” Sophia asked hopefully.
“Except for the thousands of vat-grown soldiers who live only to serve that evil bastard’s will,” Liv said flatly. “Sorry,” she said when her twin gave her a reproachful look. “But aren’t they supposed to be like fighting machines?”
“They’re big but they can also be slow and stupid,” Kat said, trying to comfort Sophie. “Then can’t even work guns—uh, blazers—because they’re too dumb to know how to use them.”
“We’ll use that to our advantage,” Sylvan said, kissing his bride. “Please, Talana, don’t cry. I’ll be coming back to you—I swear it.”
“You’d better.” She clung to him and pressed her face to his neck. “You’d better come back to me, Sylvan. I don’t…don’t think I could live without you.”
“That goes double for me,” Liv said in a trembling voice.
“Lilenta, please try to understand—” Baird began but she held up a hand to stop him.
“Spare me the ‘I could not love thee half so much, loved I not honor more’ speech. I know you’re going and I know why. Just remember your son, Baird.” She patted her belly again.
“I’ll remember and I’ll return to both of you.” He kissed her gently and then leaned down to kiss her belly as well.
“Well…” Kat turned to her own two males who were standing on either side of her, as always. “I guess we’d better get in on the goodbye action too. I…I…” Suddenly hot tears were pouring down her cheeks. “I’m sorry,” she gasped. “Here I am making speeches about being brave and I can’t…can’t even keep from…from crying myself.”
“It’s all right, my lady,” Lock murmured as he and Deep both embraced her, holding her in the special three-way hug she’d come to love so much.
“Hold on, little Kat.” Deep kissed her deeply and stroked her hair. “The Goddess sent me back to you once—she will not fail to keep Lock and myself safe for you again.”
“I hope you’re right.” Kat sniffed and tried to get hold of herself. “God, I really, really hope you are, Deep.”
“I am,” he said firmly but she couldn’t help thinking that she saw some doubt in his black eyes. Doubt mixed with determination—he was going to do this no matter what she said. All of their males were. The only thing she and Liv and Sophie could do was pray for their safe return.
“I love you,” she said and heard the simple sentiment echoed throughout the viewing room as all the warriors got a last hug and kiss. Then they filed out of the doorway one by one, heads up, shoulders back, the light of battle in their eyes. Though she knew it might be the last time she saw Deep and Lock, Kat couldn’t help the stirrings of pride in her heart. They were males of valor—honor and courage ran in their veins like blood. She had never been more proud—and more unhappy—to be mated to her Kindred males.
As the males left, Nadiah came in the door. “What are you all doing in here and where are Sylvan and the rest of them going? Hello, Lauren.” She nodded at the viewscreen and Lauren nodded back miserably. “What’s wrong?”
Sophia pounced on her. “Nadiah! Xairn has gone to confront the AllFather and Sylvan and Baird and Deep and Lock are going to help him. We’re all scared to death but you—you have the gift—the Sight!”
Olivia’s eyes were wide. “She does, doesn’t she? Quick, Nadiah—can you see anything? Do you feel anything?”
Kat couldn’t help feeling sorry for the poor girl. “Come on, you guys, she can’t just turn it on like a switch.” She looked at Nadiah hopefully. “Uh, can you?”
“Not usually,” Naidah said carefully. “But…I can try.”
“Please do,” begged Sophie. “Please!”
“All right.” Taking a deep breath, Nadiah closed her eyes and appeared to concentrate deeply. But when she looked up, there was a troubled expression on her face. “Nothing,” she said quietly. “I see nothing but darkness. I’m sorry.”
Chapter Thirty-six
Xairn stared fixedly at the controls of the Kindred ship wondering how much longer he should wait. It was stupid, really, expecting warriors who were technically his enemies to come to his aid. He was only waiting because he had promised Lauren he would. But he couldn’t put off the confrontation with the AllFather much longer—not if he hoped to keep his mother alive.
Gods, after all these years, he couldn’t believe that he might actually see her, that she might speak his name in that soft, clear voice he’d heard so often in dreams. When he was a child he used to wish for her constantly, especially after he was taken from his nurse. His father had fed his feelings of yearning and abandonment, deliberately showing him images of his mother over and over again in order to draw sustenance from Xairn’s pain.
Mother, he thought, staring out at the endless black reaches of space being displayed on the viewscreen. For so many years I longed for you. I’ll save you from him even if it kills me. I swear I will.
Suddenly a very strong feeling that someone wanted to talk to him intruded on his thoughts. Surprised, he opened himself to the new feeling. “Is someone there?”
“Forgive me for bespeaking you, Brother, but we wanted you to know we’re on our way,” a voice said in his head.
“Deep?” Xairn could hardly believe it. “Are you and Lock coming?”
“Along with two of our brothers. Together we’ll do what has to be done.” Deep sounded confident. Just the sound of his mind-voice gave Xairn a boost and h
e realized he really was glad that the Kindred warriors he had met so briefly were willing to help.
“Thank you, he sent. I am deeply in your debt. I know you have no obligation to help one who you consider an enemy.”
“You’re no enemy,” Deep sent back. “Though you are Scourge and we are Kindred, we’re brothers beneath the skin.”
There was a sudden hollow pounding at the door of the Kindred ship and Xairn heard Deep shout, “Open up, it’s us.”
Quickly he went to the airlock and engaged it, making a seal with the other ship. Then he swung the metal door inward, welcoming the Kindred warriors inside. Deep and Lock he knew by sight but there were two more—a Beast Kindred and a Blood Kindred if he was not mistaken, whom Deep introduced as Baird and Sylvan. One had black hair and the other had blond but both of them had grim, battle-ready expressions on their faces.
“Welcome,” Xairn said stiffly. “You have my gratitude.”
“Didn’t I tell you we were brothers beneath the skin?” Deep stepped forward and hugged him, pounding him on the back in a warrior’s embrace. Pulling back he surveyed Xairn. “And speaking of skin, just look at yours! I wondered how you were passing as human down on Earth.”
“I had my DNA altered,” Xairn said. “I believe Lauren finds my appearance much more palatable now.”
“Yeah, you’re pretty all right.” The Beast Kindred called Baird gave him a white grin. “But we don’t give a damn what you look like—it’s how you fight that counts.”
“I am ready to fight,” Xairn told him. “Ready to kill that bastard who raised me in such pain and misery. He has my mother. I don’t know if Lauren told you that but she is the reason I have to do this.”
“We understand,” Sylvan, the blond warrior said. “And we’re ready to help you make the fight. But a little strategy before we go charging in would probably be prudent.”
“I agree.” Xairn nodded. “My father will be expecting me to come alone or with Lauren. He still seeks her to fulfill the prophesy. That’s why he’s trying to lure me back to the Fathership.”
Brides of the Kindred Volume One Page 160