by Auryn Hadley
She snarled, leaning away from his hands. "Treat me like a beast and I will act like one," she warned him.
"Do not tempt me," he growled. "Put on the damned collar."
Her eyes flicked to his shoulder, seeing nothing more than the red spider on his black uniform. "Who are you?" she demanded.
"Lieutenant Narnx Zaryn, second officer of the Black Widow Company, thanks to you."
"To me?"
He nodded. "You killed Jakabsin in Yager's crossing, giving me the promotion. You really going to make me put this on you?"
"Why are you giving me the option?" she asked softly.
He smiled. "You were promised to me, if you live through this. I'm hoping to see that you do."
"Then you can chain me yourself."
He sighed and held up the resin collar, glancing at the men by the fire. "Sal, I do not want to be the man to put you in chains. You play your part; I'll play mine. Let's just make this work?"
She shrugged her hands free of the ropes, both of them well aware that they'd never held her, and reached up to touch his face. Her fingers met his skin, and she clenched her jaw against the gasp, Her eyes darted between his, seeking some external sign of what his mind held, finding nothing but a flawless facade.
"I didn't know you could read," he whispered.
"Among other things."
Narnx nodded. "Willing to put this on, now?"
She nodded and took the collar. Narnx's mind was filled with nothing but his confusion about his people. He'd been kept isolated, forced to pretend to be human, but his instincts hammered at him. He had no love for Terric, but he'd never had a reason to get away, either. He also knew that he was drawn to Sal like a moth to a flame and he held onto the idea of her the same way she held onto the hope of freedom.
She closed the collar around her throat, and Narnx locked it with a key. Sal's eyes followed the ring as he returned it to his belt. He knew she could enthrall him, yet he made no effort to stop her.
"I need to pee," she said innocently.
"Robson?" Narnx called. "We're gonna walk the bitch."
"Yes, sir," the man called back, pulling himself to his feet.
"We aren't allowed to be out of sight with you," he told Sal. "Always in pairs, so you can't control both of us."
"Since you have me on a leash, does that mean I get my legs free?"
Narnx looked at Blaec's body then shrugged. "Sure. You won't leave him."
He shoved at her hip, rolling her face down on the wagon bed, and worked the knot at the back of her legs. She felt the bonds loosen and blood rushed to her legs. With a sigh, Sal flexed her ankles, testing them for soundness before she turned to her back and slid toward the tail of the wagon.
"You hurt him, and I will kill all of you. You know that, right?"
Robson laughed, walking up. "You say that, yet you're the one wearing the leash."
She paused, the man's scent hitting her. "I remember you," she growled. "You sang so sweetly. Did you tell your unit what happened?"
He hit her, his fist slamming into the side of her face, and Sal snarled, lunging at him. Her teeth grabbed his shoulder, sinking deep into the flesh before the collar began digging into her neck.
"Let him go," Narnx ordered. Her only response was to growl and bite deeper. "Captain Vitus has a dagger to Blaec's throat. You don't let go of Robson and your lover's blood will spill."
She halted the growl and released the man, slowly looking up. A dark skinned human leaned over the edge of the wagon, one hand holding Blaec's head up, the other pressing a blade against the soft flesh of his neck.
"Heal him," the captain demanded.
"I can't," Sal said.
"Heal him, or I bleed your lover dry."
"I fucking can't!" Sal roared. "I'm a shifter, not a healer. You picked the wrong iliri."
The Captain looked to Narnx, and he nodded. "Kaisae's skills and shifting are the only things we've heard of. Shift and Risk are their healers."
"Then how did you survive Anglia?" the Captain asked.
Sal chuckled. "Grauori."
"Dogs?"
She shrugged, looking at him innocently. "My ancestors. I really am part bitch. I'm surprised Judoc didn't make that more clear."
"He's mad," Narnx said. "You sent him back completely broken."
"Shame." Sal wiped her hands together and lifted herself to her feet. "Can I find a tree to hike my leg against, now?"
Narnx sighed. "Someone clean up Robson's shoulder. Who's coming with?"
"I'll go," a large man offered, walking up beside Sal. He looked down at her and laughed. "Pretty sure I'm stronger than you, so let's not try any shit, ok?"
Sal's eyes rested on his bare hands as she took a long, deep breath - tasting his scent - then nodded. "Deal."
She turned for the trees, walking before them even as Narnx held the end of her leash. He tugged at her neck occasionally, but always gently, refusing to let her get too far ahead. When the light of the fire was no longer visible, Sal found a depression and turned to the men, fumbling at her pants.
"You humans have some strange fetishes," she told the big man. "Never could understand the things that get you off."
"It's called guard duty," he replied.
"Don't try it," Narnx warned her.
Sal just shrugged and shoved her pants to her ankles, squatting in the short grass. She honestly needed to relieve herself, but it had never stopped her before. This time, it was simply a good excuse to get away from the ears of the Terrans. With a satisfied and overly dramatic sigh, she stood and pulled her pants up, well aware that the human was looking at her pale legs.
"You can't read the tattoos," she told him, concentrating on how harmless she was.
"You did that on purpose?" he asked.
She pushed at the sleeve of her shirt, exposing the swirls along her arms, surprised at how easy the man was making this. "Yeah. It's the story of my life, written in my language. White is for love, red is for pain."
"Huh. Is that red?" He reached out to grab her.
His fingers closed on her skin, and his eyes rolled into his head as he crumpled to the ground. Narnx surged forward, yanking at her throat.
"They will kill Blaec for that," he hissed.
"He's asleep," Sal said. "That's all. He'll wake and only remember what I tell him. I plan to give him a memory of me jerking away, you stopping me, and him slipping. That's why he's on the ground, nothing more."
"Shit," Narnx breathed. "You can do that?"
Sal nodded, stepping closer to the iliri. "That and more. Now start talking."
"Your leash is in my hand, and you think you're giving the orders?"
She closed the distance between them quickly, her hand grabbing his face. "Yes," she whispered, locking her eyes to his.
Through her touch she shoved at his mind, making him delirious with his need for her, seducing him completely. It was one of the strongest defenses her people had, making their leaders sexually desirable to both iliran and human males. Science still didn't completely understand how it was possible, but Sal knew it was through the abilities of her mind, not her body. It worked as well on Narnx as it had on every man she'd ever tried.
He stepped into her, his hands wrapping around her back, dropping the end of the leash as he bent his mouth to hers. Sal nipped at his lip and released him from her spell as she stepped away, the free end of her tether now in her own hand.
"So, can we talk?" she asked.
He looked around, confused, his fingers touching where her teeth had grazed his mouth. "How? Wha?"
"Yeah, I forgot to mention that part. What the hell are you doing? I'm assuming we'll be missed if we don't return, so talk quickly."
"Makiel assigned the Widows to hunt you down and bring you back. He's convinced that possessing you will halt the usurpers."
"So what game are you playing?"
Narnx sighed, glancing over his shoulder. "My hands are tied. I have no interest in wiping out
my own species, but I'd rather not die, either. I'm doing what I can, Sal."
"You're the only one that knows about my species, aren't you?"
"Yeah. That's why I was sent. I don't know if I'm going to be able to get you free. Makiel did promise that when he's done with you, I could have you. Worst case, I'd planned to set you free then."
"And Blaec?"
Narnx shook his head. "I convinced them not to kill him in Syhar. I'm trying, but I don't know how long I can keep him safe. Blaec Doll has hurt the Empire too much, and we've lost too many men."
She sucked in a shuddering breath, hearing the truth in his words. "Get him free, and I'll do anything you ask. Please, Narnx. Just save him."
"I'll try, Kaisae. Wake up Themis and let's feed you."
She tossed him the end of her leash and turned to the man on the ground, gently touching his hand, altering his memories of the events. "He's going to come awake quickly," she warned.
The words were no sooner out of her mouth than he groaned and surged to his feet. "Cunt!" he snapped.
"Don't ever touch me," Sal warned as Narnx yanked her back.
Themis grabbed her, his hands on her bare flesh, and looked at her tattoos. His fingers pressed hard into her skin, intentionally trying to bruise her, and Sal dropped her ears, trying to pull away.
"You're just a little thing, aren't you," Themis hissed. "You'd snap like a twig. Don't know why everyone thinks you're so damned special."
"Let go," Sal begged, tugging at her arm just hard enough to make the man think she was trying.
"Corporal," Narnx said. "The bitch is done. We're supposed to keep her in one piece until we get back."
Sal's ear flicked to him and the human laughed. "She doesn't even know where she's going."
Narnx chuckled cruelly. "You get to see the Nebula II."
Sal forced herself to look confused, turning from one to the other. "I don't know where that is."
"Good," Themis said, leading the way back to camp. "C'mon now little bitch. If you sit nicely, we'll even give you scraps."
She emerged from the trees to see Blaec with his own collar on, chained to the side of the wagon. Humans were throwing the bones of their meal at him, but he was still too groggy from the drugs to dodge. Narnx drug her next to him and locked her resin leash to another ring.
"Blaec?" Sal asked.
"My head's fucking killing me," he told her.
"Shut it," Narnx warned.
Sal moved closer, stretching her leash to its limits, and Blaec shifted toward her. They were just able to reach, and she pressed herself into his chest. They won't hurt me, she told him as she worked to flush the toxin from his body again. But, love, you're not safe.
I got that. I'm not leaving you, Sal.
You are if you can get free. It's the only way you can save me. I'm pretty sure we're still in Unav.
He nodded. Or Escea. I think we're near the border. We just passed over the mountains.
I'm also pretty sure Narnx is on our side, but I wouldn't trust him too far. He's confused and thinks I'm some kind of icon for what he could become. I'll use him as long as I need to. If that will get you free, you have to go.
They'll hunt me down, baby. I'm not Cyno to disappear into the landscape.
She growled, realizing he was right. So what? If you stay, they'll use you against me.
He sighed, looking at the men. How many can you enthrall?
If they aren't in a link, only one at a time. It takes too much concentration.
Ok. So we use that as a last ditch effort. If you can thrall them, you can kill them, right?
She caught his eyes and nodded. It's all the same thing. I just tell their brain to rupture or their heart to stop, but it takes focus. Narnx has some ideas of what I can do, but he's not sure what's an act and what's real.
Blaec chuckled softly. Can't you just seduce them? Kinda hard to keep our hands off you when you do that.
I've never done that to you.
He kissed the top of her head gently. Well, there goes that excuse for my stupidity. Guess you're just that good in bed? Get some sleep, Sal. I'll watch your back.
She curled closer. Wake me if one comes near.
"Promise," he whispered, tilting her head up to kiss her.
Sal kissed back passionately, aware it might be the last time. She tried to memorize the feel, scent, and taste of him. "I love you, Blaec Doll," she whispered before pressing her head against his chest and forcing herself to relax.
Across the fire, Narnx watched the pair casually while he ate. Blaec looked up and met his eyes, then wrapped his arms tighter around Sal's body. "Mine," he mouthed. Narnx glanced down and nodded slightly, acknowledging the Dernor's claim on his mate.
"Don't tell me you're soft on that girl?" one of the soldiers teased.
Narnx grinned. "Soft isn't the problem. Not my fault I wasn't born into the right species."
"Oh!" the man said, laughing. "You mean you wanna fuck the little white bitch?"
Narnx lifted his pale eyes, the corner of his mouth turned up slightly. "Kinsa, you trying to say you wouldn't screw that?"
"Fuck no," Kinsa said, shaking his head. "She's got a head like a damned mouse, and the ears to match. Don't tell me you missed those teeth."
Narnx smiled. "You know we don't feel pain the same way you do, right?"
"Serious?"
Narnx just nodded. "Let's just say those teeth are about as appealing to me as a tight virgin is to you."
Kinsa slapped Narnx's shoulder. "All this time I thought you'd been tamed. Guess you can put a dress on a monkey, but you can't make it sing."
Narnx shrugged away the insult. "I still sing better than you. And dance. And shoot. Yeah, pretty much everything. So who's the monkey?"
"Go feed your pet," Kinsa grumbled, no longer enjoying the conversation.
"Not a bad idea," Narnx agreed. "I hear that's the best way to tame a wild creature. Build trust with food."
He stood and filled a plate with the undercooked portions from the meat over the fire, heaping it full, then grabbed a pitcher of water and made his way toward the wagon. Blaec watched him, waiting until he was sure the meal truly was for them before he woke Sal.
"Sweetness?"
"I haven't slept yet," she assured him.
"Food," Narnx said, setting the plate before them. "Water. Sorry, no cups."
Blaec grabbed a well-cooked piece and nodded for Sal to take the nearly raw meat in the middle of the pile. She did, glancing at him appreciatively before turning back to Narnx.
"Are we going to be drugged again?"
He nodded. "Chloroform. No more andromedotoxin. I've explained how it can become fatal, and that Blaec is our best asset right now to ensure your cooperation. I don't think they truly believe me."
Sal growled as her mind worked. "So you feed us one day in six - "
"We left Syhar almost ten days ago," Narnx said softly.
Sal's ears drooped. "That's worse. You want to keep us weak. You keep us drugged, making it impossible for us to get the upper hand. How long until we reach our destination?"
"You'll wake up there next."
"Fuck," she hissed. "Get him free, and I'll stay with you, Narnx. I'll be your play thing in ways that you can't even imagine, just don't let them kill Blaec."
"No," Blaec said, but Sal glared at him.
"It's not your choice," she snarled.
"To live or die is my choice. I will not leave you in chains, Sal. I'm in the middle of this war to make sure that our people don't have to live in chains."
"Narnx?" Sal asked. "Please."
He shook his head. "Eat. Drink. Sleep. We'll be there in four days."
They're going to torture me, Sal, Blaec told her. It's the only power over you they have. Make me sleep, baby. It doesn't hurt if you knock me out.
She nodded, the truth of his words too painful for her to bear. I promise.
And don't tell them anything, he insisted. They can't
get to Jase and Zep, sweetness. If they do, they can kill you.
Blaec? You can't leave me here alone.
He sighed and looked up at the cloudy sky, a handful of stars peeking through a break in the clouds. You're never alone, Sal. Jase and Zep are with you even now, and you know it. You're the greatest assassin on the continent. You'll be fine.
We'll both be fine, and I'll make them all pay for this.
He closed his eyes. I know. I saw.
Chapter 21
"Any ideas?" Zep asked, looking down at the soldiers filling the pass below.
"Maybe ask the Terran?" Jase glanced behind him.
Zep moved away from the ridge. "Guess it couldn't hurt."
Quietly they climbed back the way they had come, carefully making their way down the sheer face of rocks. Razor and Risk rested their legs, sitting on rough boulders while the horses ate their ration of grain. Marin, the Terran soldier, lay on the dirt, his eyes closed as he napped. He wasn't chained. He was still guarded, yet he made no effort to leave, not even with his countrymen less than a kilometer away.
At the sound of their feet, Razor looked up. "Yeah, your faces say it all. So how are we getting through?"
"Told ya," Marin said, not even bothering to open his eyes.
"I only have one idea left." Jase looked higher up the mountain.
Zep groaned. "Means we lose the horses, which will make us slower on the other side."
The four Blades looked at each other, trying to decide their best option. Risk sighed and wiped at his eyes before shoving his head into his hands. Razor shifted over and rubbed the pale man's shoulder, offering what emotional support he could.
"Razor, you'll need to take the mounts back," Zep said. "Everyone's headed to Issevi, so meet them there. Swap mounts and keep moving because it's too dangerous to stop. Risk, Jase, and I will continue. We can grab something on the other side, I'm sure."
"You'd better make it back safe," Razor said. "I can't take another loss. You've got to save them."
"This means that much to you?" Marin asked, sitting up.
Jase nodded and sank to the dirt, wrapping his arms around his legs. "It does. Blaec is my brother. He gave me respect and made me see that while I was na like the rest of our people, that did na mean I was less. He taught me ta be proud of what I am."