by Owner
Although he tried to hide it, when she felt lust from Var, it thrilled her. The warlord usually kept tight control of his emotions, at least, those of his emotions that she read. Lust, coming from this king, made her ill.
The guard grabbed her arm and reached to tear her clothing. He hadn’t put his glove back on and his other hand held her bare forearm. Bess dove into his subconscious and enhanced his worst nightmare before sending it back to him. Her speed was like lightning. She was getting better and she could project with little effort while touching someone’s skin. The guard jerked back and fell in his effort to get away. The nightmare image she sent to his brain would keep him awake for a long while.
The king’s attention zeroed in on the guard. “What?”
“Sh-she did something to me!” He struggled. When he finally stood, Bess saw that the guard had lost control of his bladder. The tension in the room ratcheted up.
“What happened?” The king looked from the guard to Bess. “Well?”
“She burned me.”
“It looks like he tried to put the fire out.” She wasn’t sure who made that comment, but she heard giggles from some in the room.
The king looked at the guard and tightened his eyes. He held up a hand, as if to call for quiet and turned his full attention on Bess. She felt as if ugly bugs crawled over her skin. “What did you do, empath?”
Bess used her best innocent expression. “I’m sorry if I caused him distress. It is safer if people don’t touch us.”
“I suggest you learn to control that.” The king took a step away from her.
“Of course.”
“I own you, now. You will do what I tell you. Even an empath can be punished for disobedience.” He turned and moved back to his throne chair. “What is your name?”
The guard, now screaming gibberish, was hauled away by two other guards. Bess noticed they wore their gloves when touching him.
“I am called Bess, my liege.” Ah, the honorific pleased him.
The king nodded.
Bess kept her face a mask even though the fear and apprehension of his people unsettled her. She had never been the focus of so much dread from so many at the same time.
She felt the king’s impatience. With her?
He motioned to a tall female who came through a doorway she hadn’t seen. “This is Solange, a slave who will assist you while you learn your place and duties.”
The other empath! Bess held onto her control when Solange approached. Clearly, no one else saw her for what she was. Solange was the other MX. Bess knew her as Katy from the Facility. Katy had the wonderful gift of disguising her appearance.
Eager to talk to one of her own kind and encouraged to find another empath, Bess followed Katy out of the throne room.
Chapter 30
Koda studied the map on the table. He glanced up at Lodi and Dare.
“When did the Conglomerate learn to block transmissions on so large a scale?”
Dare checked his com. “This is unprecedented for them. I suspect it is not technology they developed. They bought it or...”
“Stole it.” Lodi said. “Disgusting mongrels.”
Koda focused on Dare again. “How much time will you need to find the device and dismantle it?”
Dare, straddling the back of the chair, rubbed his chin. “I modified a com to help me locate the source of the disruption within a short time span. It will probably be up high, so we will have to get to it. I cannot determine where the disruption is located unless I go there. Time to dismantle the machine depends on the how it is constructed. I can destroy it in a short time, but I want to take it apart to find out how they they built it. And see if they bypassed our safeguards on the krystile.”
“You leave with the warriors,” Koda said.
“Ready to go.” Dare nodded.
Koda pursed his lips. “What would this device look like?”
Dare frowned. “Big. It would probably take two or three men to carry. The main thing is the power. They would need a lot of power to run it.”
Lodi stiffened. “Krystile power?”
When Dare nodded Lodi said. “Are you saying the Conglomerate is using our krystiles against us?”
Dare inclined his head slightly. “I believe they are. The energy needed for this level of disruption would require...”
“The power of krystiles.” Lodi finished.
“That would be the ideal power source,” Dare agreed.
Koda leaned forward, his fisted hands on the table. “I would know if someone sold krystiles to the Conglomerate and if so, who.”
“I think we may have a traitor.” Dare said.
Lodi spoke. “My guess is this will lead back to Veck. Our uncle hides in the mountains like a coward. How could he get his hands on krystiles?”
“Veck may not be the only traitor,” Koda said. He knew that his uncle had tried and failed before to make a deal with the Conglomerate. Veck had to be dealt with. As soon as he had time, he would take care of Veck.
Koda tried to shrug the tension out of his shoulders. He took a deep breath. “First, we must locate and stop the device. Second, we must learn how the krystiles are being obtained by our enemies. Then we will make sure this does not happen again.”
Koda turned away from the map. “We have heard nothing from Var and Mack, and Foord is still with the ship.”
“Correct,” Dare agreed. “We can still communicate with Foord because the com device on the ship is heavily shielded.” He paused before adding, “I picked up a large transport of Cowls headed in their direction.”
Lodi rocked back on his heels. “I hate Cowls.”
Koda squared his shoulders. “When will they arrive?”
“With their current speed, I think it will take them about five days.”
“We will move fast then.” Koda straightened. “Notify Foord of our findings. Lodi, call the warlords together. We need a planning session.”
“Got it. Time for a powwow.” Lodi left the room.
Chapter 31
Bess followed Katy to a second floor room. After she unlocked the door and they entered, she turned and said, “We’re alone now.”
“How?” Bess whispered and grasped Katy’s hands in her own.
Katy smiled and hugged her. Bess was afraid to let go of her. Another empath alive! She could not contain her smile.
Bess let Katy pull her to the bed beside her while she took a moment to look over the room. Her new prison had a bed, a chair, and a small table with a water pitcher and a basin. The walls and floor were stone. Dark blue curtains covered the window. A small fireplace on the far wall needed to be lit to drive away the chill in the air.
“It’s okay.” Katy’s voice sounded soothing, but Bess was so excited she couldn’t be still.
“I think they are killing...”
Katy cut her off. “All I’ve heard are rumors, but you and I are still alive. I’m glad to see you. Yes, I think they are killing empaths. I know there is a big price on our heads. How did you get here?” Katy asked.
Getting her breathing back under control, Bess answered. “I was captured by a warlord. He says he is taking me to sanctuary.”
Bess absorbed Katy’s mistrust. Katy laughed. “Of course he is.”
“You believe him?” Katy frowned. “Oh. You do.” She shook her head. “Hon...”
Bess broke in. “I don’t know what or who to believe. Everyone hunts us. Actually, he bought or stole me off a slave line. Katy, one of my abductors had seen an empath killed in an arena.”
“I know,” Katy said.
“You know about the arena?”
“I heard the rumors, yes.”
“How are you here?” Bess asked.
“My handler sold me to a gripper. Evidently, we bring a high price. Since... You do know about the Facility closing.”
Bess nodded. “I only recently found out.”
“Since the Facility ended the program, my handler sold me. Many have been sold. I’
ve overheard conversations about it. Our future was always uncertain, but I didn’t expect this so soon. If we’d been together, we’d have had a better chance.” Katy sighed. “Now we are scattered and hunted.”
The sadness in Katy’s eyes almost undid her. Bess took a deep breath. “Do you know what became of the warlord they brought in with me?”
Katy shook her head. “I don’t know, but I’ll find out for you.”
“Good. I need to know. I want to help him.”
Katy nodded, but Bess felt her skepticism.
“What happened to your handler?” Katy asked.
Holding hands, Bess and Katy connected so Katy could view everything as Bess told her story. Katy listened intently and tried to hide her shock. “I am so sorry. That was not your fault. And those — those men, they — I’m glad you killed them.”
Bess raised her brows. “I’m grateful for your compassion, but... I feel so bad. I never wanted to hurt anyone. You have a wonderful gift and mine is horrible!”
Katy shook her head. “The normals imprisoned and enslaved us.” Katy said nothing for a moment. “And now they want to kill us... in an arena... for the entertainment of the deranged fools in the Conglomerate. No more guilt over your gift. If it were mine, I would have used it several times. Bess,” Katy leaned forward, “we are fighting for our lives. I will help you to control it, but if you want to feel bad about something, feel bad for the empaths the normals slaughtered.”
When Bess got her emotions under control again, Katy asked, “Do you trust this warlord?”
Bess looked away, then at Katy. “He isn’t human. He’s — something else.” She hated that she sounded like she was making excuses for Var. “I do not understand what I feel for him. At times I didn’t trust him, but he has saved me more than once. My feelings for him are — deep.”
“Bess, trust does not come easy to us for good reason.”
Bess felt Katy’s reluctance to trust and realized nothing she could do would help. She searched her heart and realized how fortunate she was that she could trust Var. Poor Katy might never be able to trust a normal. “I do trust him.”
Katy tilted her head. “Bess, you used your gift to save yourself once.”
Bess nodded.
“And you can do it again,” Katy said. “If your gift were mine, I would use it without regret.”
Bess smiled. “If only we could trade.”
“We will use whatever is available and hopefully we’ll find a place to live in peace.”
“That is what the warlord promises,” Bess said.
Katy considered. “It will be wonderful if it’s true.” She surveyed the small room. “There is a normal here called Myra. She hates you and she is dangerous. I haven’t touched her, but she’s instigated some awful things since she’s been here.”
Bess jerked her head up. “Did the Conglomerate pay Myra to find me?”
When Katy shrugged, Bess continued. “The warlords who had me bought two other women. They were supposed to draw attention away from me as we traveled.” Bess was silent for a minute. “Myra led us into a trap. While I was sleeping, she called to me for help. I must have walked in my sleep. The warlord was out checking on horses or something. I woke up standing in the middle of the trap.”
Katy sighed. “So she knows you’re a dream walker and she hopes to get something for turning you over to the Conglo. I think she wants your warlord, too. I’ve heard her mention him. I don’t know if there’s a bounty on him or not.” Katy’s whisper became more hushed. “I did plan an escape. I’ll tell you more about it later. Right now, I must go.”
Bess dreamed of Var’s naked body against her own. He teased her with his mouth, with his touch. She writhed under him and pleaded with him to give her something. When she awakened, she felt her face burn with embarrassment at her body’s reaction to the dream. The room felt empty. She felt empty. Hollow. Bess needed Var, wanted him. Her desire ran deep within her soul, might even be part of her...
It wasn’t right that thoughts of him could do this to her body — her heart. No it wasn’t right.
Chapter 32
Nothing moved. Bess looked out over the courtyard and the wall that surrounded the castle. She must rescue Var. He’d saved her often enough, and her chances of escape improved with him. At least, that’s what she told herself. In truth, she wanted, needed to see him. From this vantage point, she couldn’t even see the guards. Reminding herself to relax her jaw against the frustration, she paced the small room again.
Bess wanted to be with Var, far away from this place and be done with running and hiding and being captured and bought and sold and dressed up like this or that and paraded around. She no longer wanted to guard what she said, to always keep her expression blank, to avoid touching anyone, to keep her abilities under control, to constantly fight the emotions of others lest they take over her own. She yearned for a normal life. It was always out of reach. An empath, especially an eMpath with eXtra abilities, would never be able to experience normal. As often as she longed to be normal and without the abilities, she only knew this way of life. She’d read the thoughts and emotions of enough normals to know that they didn’t think their lives perfect either.
Her refusal to read Myra led them into that ambush. Myra showed no hesitation in harming Amage in order to set a trap for them. It had been the woman’s goal all along to trap her for the Conglomerate. In doing so, she also caught Var.
If she ever got to see him again, she would — what would she do? Her ignorance and timidity caused this mess. She had let Var ride into the trap. She couldn’t undo it. Timidity is a weakness and her weakness landed them squarely where Myra wanted them.
At least the king left her alone. That might prove to be a bad thing and it increased her agitation. So she sat alone with only her self-recrimination for company.
Hearing a key in the lock, she raced to the door to see Katy entering. “I know where your warlord is.”
Bess grabbed the tray of food from Katy and moved it out of their way. “I am ready to go.” She could feel Katy’s excitement. Both of them had a lot of experience breaking the rules, Katy because she could and Bess because her Handler didn’t care.
“We must wait until dark. After the evening meal, I’ll come for you. Wear this. Be sure to tie your hair up under this headdress.”
Bess wrung her hands. “Thank you. You are kind and brave.”
“We will help each other. I only hope this warrior is deserving of your concern.”
“I hope so, too,” Bess muttered.
What would she say to him? Would he be glad to see her? Should she fall to her knees and ask him to forgive her? Her nervousness and trepidation increased tenfold during the afternoon as her restlessness drove her to keep moving and try to walk off some of the nervous energy she could not contain.
After the evening meal, she changed into the loose black pants and a matching fitted blouse, similar to what the people who worked within the castle wore. She cinched the tight black corset around her waist on the outside of the blouse.
Then she waited, and paced. Time slowed down. Bess thought, paced and glanced out the window every time she passed it. Shadows lengthened, oh so slowly. When she finally heard the key in the lock, her heart threatened to jump from her chest.
Katy entered and closed the door behind her. “I will lock the door when we leave,” she whispered. “It would not do for someone to come in and find that you are not here.” Katy used the key to lock the door from the inside. The woman moved to the wall opposite the bed and pushed a stone. A small panel section of the wall opened. “The castle has many secret passageways,” Katy explained as she lit a candle. “And no, I could not tell you sooner for fear you would have tried this on your own.”
Bess smiled. “How did you know about the passage?”
Katy smiled, “I’ve been here for some time and I like to explore.”
Bess squeezed through the narrow opening after Katy. The floor slanted do
wnward and Bess stepped carefully on the uneven path. The place smelled of damp stone. It would be difficult to pass through this tunnel without a light. They passed by several doorways, finally arriving at the end of the narrow hallway.
Katy listened at the wooden door before easing it open with great care.
Relief flooded Bess when she breathed clean night air. They were at the back of the castle. She followed the taller empath through a door and down earthen steps into a building with straw on the floor. Dungeon, she thought.
Katy tiptoed to a door and unlocked it with a key. “No one will bother you, but there isn’t much time. I’ll wait at the entrance.”
Bess’s hand trembled as she lifted the lock on the door. She held her breath and peered into the low light.
Var stood in the center of the room wearing nothing. His hands were chained to a huge square beam that rested on his shoulders.
Bess hurried across the floor, careful to make no sound. Var was covered with cuts and bruises, and blood.
He watched her like a hawk, his expression unreadable.
“Warlord Var.” Unable to hide the tremor in her voice, she stopped within reach of him. That thing must be heavy, how long had he stood there and held it.
“I would know why you are here.” His gravelly voice matched his harsh expression.
Bess found a bucket of water, but no cup. She saw no way he could reach it to drink. She moved it closer to him and cupped her hands together to offer him the water.
Var took a long time. She felt his feelings wrapped tight within him. He leaned forward and drank the water from her hands. Once again, his sheer size amazed her as did all the power in his muscled body. To have such a large creature drinking from her hands gave Bess a feeling of intimacy.
When he bent forward, she saw his back, bloody from new whip marks. Bess moved behind him when he finished drinking from her hands. “I will heal you.”
“No.”
Bess pulled her hands back quickly and forced them to her side.