Blazing (Valos of Sonhadra Book 3)

by Nancey Cummings

  He could kill Sarsen. If he didn’t think his mate might be a little annoyed at the demise of one of her mates, he’d lay Sarsen out cold. They had clashed plenty of times in the past. Sarsen was too used to giving orders and being obeyed and Asche was too used to following his own pleasure of the moment for the two males to have never clashed. However, Asche never thought he’d find himself in the position of being the responsible one.

  It was unnatural.

  Something troubled Sarsen and until the male confessed, Asche glumly followed him back to the Forge.

  Over the last few days, Sarsen worked to separate broken heartstones from the undamaged. Asche fashioned cushioned trays to hold the most fragile of the stones. He knew what Sarsen was doing. He separated hope from hopeless, trying to control his own wildly expanding emotions with a near endless task.

  Their mate had no means to return to her people. He understood that much. What he also understood was that she may, at some point in the future, try to leave Sonhadra. Her spirit demanded the freedom to choose her fate. This brought him comfort, knowing his mate willingly joined his triad, not because it was the only option. For Sarsen, this only created panic.

  “Can you reshape this?” Sarsen thrust out a heartstone. Yesterday he matched heartstones to the fallen bodies in the Forge and calculated which ones had the best chance of revival.

  Asche examined the cracked heartstone. The fissures went all the way to the core. The renewing fires had long since evaporated. “I can reseal the surface, but I do not know that it will function.”

  “Will you try?”

  Asche took the heartstone without answering. Of course he would try. Lucie asked him to help Sarsen. He didn’t need to insult Asche by asking if the male planned to renege.

  Contemplating the cracks in the heartstone, Asche knelt at the edge of the renewal pool. The molten liquid bubbled and churned. He could manipulate the surface and reseal the cracks, but the fire was gone. The stone would be empty and lifeless. If there was any chance of success, he needed to rekindle the fire.

  He plunged the heartstone into the pool. Heat penetrated deep into his hand, spreading up his arm like wildfire. He hissed. The renewal fires were always unpleasant, but he could suffer mindlessly. Focusing on the heartstone in his hand amplified the pain coursing through his body.

  Seal the cracks. The material responded to his will, reshaping and flowing.

  With a shout, he yanked his hand out of the liquid fires and stumbled back. Landing on his ass, he cradled the heartstone to his chest.

  “Did it work?”

  Asche held out the heartstone for inspection. His own palm glowed red from heat, but the heartstone glowed hotter. It burned a brilliant white. Too hot. An incandescent light filled the vault.

  “Is it supposed to do that?”

  With a loud pop and crack, the light vanished. Asche watched helplessly as the hearthstone crumbled to dust, taking with it a valo’s life that could never be recovered.

  “No. It wasn’t supposed to do that.”

  Sarsen hung his head and sighed deeply before standing. “Again.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Lucinda

  Days passed. She could have easily lost track of time if her guys hadn’t made a sleep schedule. Sarsen one night, Ertale the next and then Asche. Sometimes Asche invited himself for a sleepover on Ertale’s night. The big guy didn’t seem to mind Asche being greedy, and she didn’t mind the extra attention. She’d gone for so long without affection or touch that she relished every soft caress and kiss like a parched landscaping soaking up the rain at drought’s end.

  She liked the physical aspect of their relationship—she was only human—but more than that, she liked them. She really liked them. Asche made her laugh. Ertale said so much with so little. She loved talking with him and watching his body language. He was sexy and thoughtful. And Sarsen—

  She had to admit that she loved the way he got her fired up. Half the time she wanted to pull her hair out and the other she wanted to tackle him to the ground and kiss him until they were just a pile of naked limbs and desire. He made her feel alive.

  Earth became more distant with each passing day and she didn’t mind. Outside of her brother, Earth had meant nothing but suffering and loss for her.

  Things were different on Sonhadra. She was different. She didn’t have a past or any criminal convictions. A fresh start became more than a saying, it was reality. If she went back to Earth, nothing would be different. She’d maybe avoid capture for a day, a week at most, and maybe scratch a few names off her list. The two biggest offenders were already gone, Dr. Sobin and Halliday, and with every passing day, her need for revenge faded. The anger still simmered, but the fever seemed to have broken. It no longer consumed her. If her ultimate goal was to keep her brother and his kids safe, then letting everyone back on Earth think she’d perished in the crash was the best solution. Antony would be free to live his life in safety, and she was freed from blackmail.

  Being stranded on an alien planet was the best thing to ever happen to her.

  She turned the tower into a makeshift lab, scrounging equipment from around the city. The only place the guys felt she was safe from stray critters, the tower perched well above the miasma of the caldera and had fresh air.

  She had potted samples arranged to catch the best sunlight. She was still trying to determine optimal growing conditions. All the samples Sarsen brought her were forest growing, so she started with partial sun, moist soil and would adjust as needed. Today the bark of a tree the valos had used for pain relief interested her. She suspected the tea contained a crude form of aspirin. The possibilities were exciting, especially since she gave away her stockpile of medication to the survivor group in the forest. They would run out and perhaps come to the city in the caldera to seek aid. Lucie looked forward to actually having a treatment available.

  A hand clamped over her face, covering her mouth and nose. An arm wrapped around her, pinning her against a man’s chest. From the soft grip and the lack of searing heat, he had to be human.

  “Scream and I’ll kill you. Don’t try my patience, Lucky.”

  Halliday. Fucking Halliday.

  “Understood?” She nodded. His hand eased but the arm clamped around her chest remained in place. “Do you know how long I’ve waited to get you alone?”

  “But you’re dead.”

  “Well, you do crappy work, Lucky. Next time you leave a man for dead, check his pulse or slit his throat.”

  Shit. She hadn’t checked his pulse. She hadn’t checked anything. The vault opened and she got distracted what with the coming face to face with aliens. Shame shifted in her gut, cold and hard. She’d never even asked what happened to Halliday’s body. “How did you get back in?”

  “Back in? I never left. After you left me bleeding out, I hid away in one of the many abundant and empty buildings.” One hand gripped her throat but not enough to constrict her airways. Not yet. His breath was hot and fetid against her face. “Just in case you get ideas, I should let you know that I had plenty of time to explore. Lots of interesting things in this place. Dangerous things.” Halliday drew back his arm and something cold and metallic rolled across her abdomen. “Like this. It’s a little larger than I’m used to but it’s safe to say that its only job is to go boom. It even has a hairpin trigger. Play nice, Lucky, or I’ll blow us both up.”

  He couldn’t know that without testing out a few and she hadn’t heard any explosions. He bluffed.

  His hand increased the pressure on her throat. Bluffing or not, she couldn’t take the risk that he told the truth. He was insane, pure and simple.

  Her pulse pounded in her throat and she nodded.

  “Good girl. Now, do you know how long I’ve waited for you to open this door?”

  “It was unlocked.”

  “For you. It has a biosignature. Only you can unlock it.”

  “I’m not alone. My guys will be here any moment.” Ertale was downstairs
. Sarsen and Asche continued their work in the Forge, but Ertale was nearby.

  “Oh, yes. I’ve seen you fucking with your aliens.” His grip tightened momentarily. “Made yourself at home, did you? Good thing they’re not too picky about appearance or is Earth pussy just that tasty?”

  “Ertale will be here any minute. I’ve seen him tear apart a fire monster with his bare hands. He’s mean and jealous. Doesn’t like anyone touching his property,” she added for good measure. “Leave now while you still have all your arms and legs.”

  “You mean the one that’s too big to get up the stairs? I don’t tolerate liars so don’t tell me another.”

  Lucie refused to panic. Nothing good came from panic. She’d think of a way out of this. Halliday wasn’t that bright, just mean.

  He shuffled, turning her in place to the bank of alien computers and tech. “Now listen. I need two things, but I don’t necessarily need you. Got it?” He gave her a shake.

  “Yeah. Got it.”

  “One, you’re going to activate those machines and we’re calling home.”

  “I don’t know how—”

  The grip on her throat tightened, constricting her air. She gasped but no sound came out. A lightheaded buzzing filled her ears. Her fingers scrambled against the hand clutching her throat, unable to budge it. Her eyes watered. There was no doubt in her mind that Halliday would do it. He’d kill her. He’d squeeze the life out of her and feel zero remorse.

  His grip relaxed. Lucie gasped, drawing in a ragged breath.

  “It’s bio-locked,” he hissed. “Only you can use it so I don’t want to hear excuses.”

  How did he know that? This was his first trip to the top of the tower.

  As if sensing her thoughts, Halliday said, “Haven’t you noticed how those native creatures can’t use anything high-tech in this place?”

  “Yes,” she answered, but not really. She’d never noticed. It never came up.

  “They’re locked out, but human DNA can open a few doors.” He giggled. A crawling shudder ran over her body. “And the toys can only be played with by one person.” The grenade rolled across her stomach. “So don’t get any bright ideas about taking this from me. You can’t use it.”

  “But what if I refuse to help you?”

  “I’ll blow you up.”

  “Do it,” she said without hesitation.

  He paused. “That was silly of me, threatening to harm something that held no value to you. All this heat makes it hard to think.”

  Halliday was wrong. Her life had value. When they were on the Concord, she would have agreed with him but not anymore. This was her home. She didn’t want to spend a day without her Fire Valos. She didn’t want to leave them. She loved them.

  “Behave or I’ll start tossing bombs at your creatures.”

  “Don’t—”

  “You’re not in a position to negotiate. I’ve seen your negotiation position, Lucky, when you’re down on all fours, letting those things fuck you like animals. It’s disgusting.”

  Lucie swallowed her instinct to argue and defend her valos. They were the best men she knew and nothing they did together was disgusting or shameful. “What’s the second thing?”

  “Oh?” Halliday paused, as if he’d forgotten his list of demands. “Nothing too strenuous for you. Just tell your creatures to back off and I’ll think about letting you live.”

  “They won’t go for that.” They really wouldn’t.

  “I don’t care what they think!” Halliday shoved her forward, sending her crashing into the console. The hard surface knocked the air out of her lungs. “They’ll do as I say or I’ll get rid of their fuck toy. Do we understand each other?”

  Halliday pressed up against her. One hand lifted the skirt of her dress and the other held her down. Rough, chapped palms skimmed over her ass. Something—she knew what but didn’t want to admit it—poked her. “I must be desperate because you’re starting to look good, Lucky.”

  Screw everything about this situation. Lucie was done being a victim. If Halliday killed her or beat her to a pulp, fine. It was better than whatever he was thinking.

  “Ertale! Help!” The shout tore from her raw, abused throat.

  Halliday grabbed her hair, yanked her back and slammed her face into the console. She felt her nose give way first, the coppery tang of blood flooding her mouth. She kicked and flailed her arms, twisting and desperate to break his hold. She managed to face him. He was a tangled mass of dirty hair and filthy beard and wild, glazed eyes. His guard uniform hung off his shoulders, barely more than tatters. Raggedy, he was still strong and used his larger size to hold her against the console. She couldn’t break free and continued to scream until she went completely hoarse. Her fingers knocked the grenade out of Halliday’s hands. It clattered to the floor and rolled towards the stairwell.

  He held out the pin, still clutched in his fingers.

  The world’s sound faded and all she could hear was the blood pounding in her ears, counting down her last heartbeats in the universe. She didn’t want to go. She didn’t want to leave her guys alone. She would give anything for one more moment with them—

  The room filled with white light and the floor gave way.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Ertale

  Despair tore sound from his throat. For the first time in a thousand years, he cried. The walls of the caldera echoed his pain. The voices of his brothers joined his anguish as they raced towards the tower.

  Ertale had no time to wait for them. He threw himself at the doorway, battering the stone until it admitted him. She was screaming. Lucie was screaming for help. She was not alone. His heartstone burned with pure terror.

  A flash and bang and the tower trembled. Stone fell around him but he felt nothing. He threw up his arm, shield deflecting. He moved up the stairs, aware that the metal trembled and then folded, plunging him back down.

  Heavy stone piled on his shield. Both arms held the shield in place while the tower collapsed around him.

  He couldn’t hear Lucie. Not her cries. Not her breaths. Not her heartbeat.

  Dust filled the air.

  His heartstone still pulsed. Faintly. She was still alive.

  He shifted enough stones to turn himself in her direction, then he dug. Every stone he shifted sent a cascade of smaller pebbles and dust falling down. Larger chunks required careful consideration. He needed to free himself, but he also needed the stones to stay put, to not hurt Lucie further.

  A large slab covered his head, blocking his path. The slab rested on a precarious pile that looked ready to fall over if he nudged it the wrong way. Tunneling under the slab was the safest option, but that would take additional time.

  The slab glowed faintly and then wavered. A small opening appeared and a charcoal shaded hand poked through. “Ertale?”

  He touched the hand.

  “Thank the fires.” Ertale could hear Asche’s sigh of relief. “I’m working to get you out but it’s not going to be fast.”

  He grabbed Asche’s hand and pushed it up the hole, wishing he had a way to tell his triad brother to forget him and find Lucie.

  “Don’t be stubborn. This isn’t a misguided sentiment of love. We need every pair of hands to move rock.” Asche always understood how Ertale’s mind worked. He tapped Asche’s hand. “This is rather complicated to do when I can’t see the target, so be still.”

  Rubble shifted slower than Ertale would like, but he kept still to avoid jostling precariously balanced stones. He pushed when directed and lifted the large slab, sliding it to one side. Eventually, they made a hole large enough for him to crawl through. Sarsen and Asche grabbed an arm, hauling him out.

  Partially standing, the tower was a broken, jagged mess. The stairs stopped in mid air, sheared away. Stones, crushed glass panels from the dome and broken machinery stretched further than Ertale could comprehend. Lucie was in there. Somewhere.

  He closed his eyes, listening closely for her heartbeat. Faint, like t
he rain falling over the caldera but never making it in, just the whisper of movement in the air.

  There.

  Ertale pointed in the correct direction. The valos dug.

  Sarsen

  They uncovered the first human. It was male. Ertale dragged the limp, bloody body clear of the rubble and dropped it on the ground. He immediately went back to finding their Lucie.

  The sun slipped beyond the rim of the caldera. The half-light of dusk settled over the city. Light from the sunstones refracted on the dust lingering in the air.

  Sarsen recognized the male. The strange human fur covered his face but could not disguise his thin, almost starving, look. Enough of the male remained the same that Sarsen identified him as the male who’d attacked Lucie in the Forge. The same male that Lucie hit in the head and sacrificed his blood to open the vault.

  A new emotion settled in the pit of his stomach. It was heavier than dread. Colder than guilt.

  Responsibility.

  This was his fault.

  Sarsen allowed himself to be distracted by the vault and the heartstone, by the intriguing female who offered so much, and by the thawing of his own numbed emotions.

  He should have disposed of the male who dared to harm Lucie. Even not knowing her significance at the time, it was wrong to allow a Creator to come to harm. He knew what the male did was wrong at the time, but Sarsen did nothing.

  How many warnings did he have that something was amiss in the city? How many times did he catch a strange scent and ignore it, explaining it away as Lucie trying his patience? How many times did he catch Ertale scanning the empty levels, searching for an unseen threat? That should have been his first clue.

  “I’m sorry I ignored your warning, brother,” Sarsen said. “I will do better.” If Sonhadra allowed him to have his mate back, he would strive to listen and understand the messages in silence.

  The male did not breathe. Good. Sarsen would not have to pretend to be upset that he executed a living person.