by Kiersten Fay
“They kept youthatisolated?” Marik replied.
Dammit! She was doing that damn talking-without-thinking thing again.
“That’s why everything seems so new to you?” Sebastian tone went empty,but his grip tightened around his glass. Cale said nothing but his expression had gone dark.
Just then Sonya saved her by plopping down on an empty chair. “I’m closing up shop, you guys want anything else?”
“Yes.” The three replied in a near unified voice.
Anya stood, taking their gazes with her. “Not me, I’m tired.” She said, using the opportunity for escape. “I’l see you in the morning Cale.”
Chapter 10
Anya entered her room.
On the way,she wondered at Sebastian’s next scheme. Perhaps he’d ripped up the floor of her room, or flooded it. She expected almost anything …
except what she found.
A large mustard colored couch stood in place of the old one.
Running her hand along the back, it was soft and looked as though new. Bewildered, Anya testedthecushions, burrowing her bodyintotheir softness. The plushy fabricformed neatlyto her curves.
Why he’d done this she didn’t know. At the moment she didn’t care. Like a siren’s cal , the softness of the couch was lul ing her to lie her body down. She was exhausted from the day’s events. Every muscle screamed at her, and her emotions were stil a little raw.
During training, when she tapped into her anger, her mind lost control and threatened to delve into madness from the wretchedness of her memories. As always she was tempted to embrace the madness, but as always something was there to keep her from it. This time it was Sebastian. Bastian held her tight, enveloping her in his warm strength and masculine scent. Al she could do was hold on to him until the turmoil inside her abated. His muscular arms pul ed her to him, warming her, pul ing her out of her insanity, making her feel safe.
When she was ful y herself again embarrassmenthadflooded her.Had there beenpity in their eyes? She didn’t want their pity. She wanted them to think of her as strong,and capable. Like someone who could take care of herself.
She wanted to see herself that way too.
That’s why she would continue to train with Cale, not because Bastian ordered her to, but because it would benefitherin the end. She would learn al shecould, and would never losecontrol as she did today.
But first, sleep.
Her body ached,and her lids grew heavy. But before she al owed herself to sleep she forced herself into the shower to let the warm water relax her further.
The kindness everyone was showing her was overwhelming, fil ing her up with so much appreciation and gratitude, until she overflowed with it.
She suspected Bastian knew the dangerous position she’d put them in, and stil he was kind to her. Was even al owing her training so she can one day defend herself, as wel as a job that wil bring her money when it is time for her to leaveMarada. Why was he giving her so much when she could give nothing in return, besides a constant threat to al of their lives? The guilt sat like a clump of iron in the pit of her stomach.
Showered anddressed, Anya reentered her room. Steam poured from the bathroom,dissipating into nothingness. The contrast of the cooler air slammed into her,and she quickly curledup on the couch, blanket and pil ow in place.
This new couch was much larger than the previous one, al owingher to stretch out ful y instead of the scrunched position shehad beenforced to take with the old one. Sinking in,Anyalet herself drift.
Once again, Anyawoke to a darkened room. Lifting herself from the couch she scouted for Sebastian. The room wasempty, and no dark shadows loomed ominously in the corners.Disappointmentgrippedher, she was hoping to thank him.
Ignoring the pang of wistfulnessAnyaprepared to meet Cale in the training room. She made her way past the nursery, beautiful mixtures of smel s and energy licked at her skin. The lively vegetation from within cal ed to her. With only aquickpeekinside, she walked past.
Cale was standing in the same spotas yesterday. Anya smiled and greeted him warmly. He only nodded, which she thought, for him, was like a twirling-hug-embrace.
“We’re going to practice some of the holds from yesterday. Don’t hold back. Try as hard as you can to get free.”
Feeling total y unprepared for the umpteenth time Cale was behind her in an instant. His huge arm wrapped itself tightly around her neck. He squeezed,hard. The strength of his grip told her that he wasn’t going to hold back either.After a moment of hesitation, Anyafound his foot with her heel.
He stumbled back, taking her with him,but showed no other signs of discomfort. He stil had a tight hold on her neck. Stomping again she caught his toe,then immediately elbowed him in the stomach.
Stil he held tight.
“You’re not trying. Do I have to give you some incentive?” His grip tightened cutting off herlungs. Gasping for air her heart lurched, Cale wasn’t playing.Had he decided that she was a liability?As she struggled and clawed at his arm,Cale’svoice remained calm. “Keep your wits, think logical y. You only have a minute or two before your lack of air wil cause you to pass out, precious moments to make a quick lifesaving decision. Just keepyour focusand think.”
She couldn’t breathe.Thatwas al she could think about. Distressed she struggled harder, fighting for air.
Think.
Cale’s words from yesterday echoed in her head.Bring a man to his knees.
He would be expecting it though.
She felt the slow leaking of darkness fil her as her lungs screamedin her chest. Raising her leg, Anyafeigned another kick to his foot. He took the bait.
While he was focused on moving his foot, she crashed her fist backashard as she could. It worked better than she thought.
Cale’s grip fel away, al owing her to flingher body out of his reach. He’d fal en to one knee and visibly struggled for breath, clutching himself. Anya heaved, sucking in air as hard as she could. Her vision began to clear. Cale’s agony came into view.
In a fit of regret she dropped beside him. “I’m sorry.”
He ground out, “Why are you apologizing? I was strangling you. You did as I asked. Nice move by the way.” His scowl and grating tone contradicted the compliment.
“Thank you. I don’t like hurting people who have been nice to me.”
“Then why would you feel bad about hurting me?” He stood as though he had recovered, but Anya could stil sense his pain. His voice had lowered to a deep mater-of-fact tone. “I’ve shown you no kindness.”
“Yes you have. Maybe the least of anyone here, but stil … in your own way, you and everyone on this ship has shown me more kindness than I’ve ever known. I am so … it’s … too much sometimes. Overwhelms me.”
Cale pinned her with a heavy stare.
“Besides, you’re teaching me to defend myself. No matter if you are awful to me for the rest of my time here, that is something I wil forever be grateful for.”
Helifted himself off the groundand turned away. During her speech he had become quiet, unreadable. Void of emotion.Do al demons have that ability?
“Next you’l learn some combination moves,” He said,as if he hadn’t heard a word she’d just spoken. Analia had a feeling this was his way of keeping people at a distance. He wanted to remain distant and closed off from those around him, almost dead to the world.
For most of her life that was what she wanted too. Many times she was able to recede into the back of her mind, sometimes feeling completely detached from her body, while life continued without her. For weeks, sometimes months, she could stay that way—unfeeling and, in a way, free—unfortunately not forever. She always came back to reality.
Pushing her thoughts away, Analia faced Cale,waitingfor the next lesson.
This damn endless space.
Maradawas moving at a steady pace,soon they would be approaching the warring zones.
After Anya had offered her preference for the warring zones, Sebastian knew he needed
to be on guard for whoevermightcomeafter her. He almostwantedthem to come, so he could destroy them thoroughly and with much pain. But this job—which he now regretted taking—was like an ever-present burden he couldn’t get rid of quick enough. It was taking too long and steeling precious time he could be using to find Anya a safe place to hide while he hunted down those who would do her harm.
No one in, no one out. Fucking wards.
It would be months before he could track down the male whose guts he wanted to squish between his fingers. Whose pulse he wanted to feel quicken with fear before it faded into agony. Whose pleas for mercy he wanted to laugh at before he ripped his head from his neck.
Soon.
Whoever this person was had kept Anya isolated, treating her only gods knows how. Not as she should be treated, that he knew for sure. Somehow, amazingly,she remained kind and gentle. How she could be, after the life she lead, he didn’t know. She should be jaded and ful of deep-seated rage like Marik had been, like Marik stil was.
Of course, deep downAnyadid have some rage. Cale had been so shocked by her outburst that he seemed at a loss what to do, backing away from a fight for thefirsttime ever.
Sebastian chuckled at that. Cale wil never live it down, as far as Sebastian was concerned.
But then she’d col apsed, utterly consumed by her sorrow. She looked so fragile. Sebastian could do nothing but hold her as tight as he could in an unpracticed attempt at providing comfort. She had stiffened in his arms as though the gesture was foreign to her as wel , most likely it was. But after a moment she softened and leaned into him. Holding her like that, feeling her in his arms, instantly becameas natural as breathing. In that moment he thought he could have held her forever.
Thinking of her now made him wonder what she might be doing. A glance at the time told him she’d be training with Cale.ShouldIbe there?
“Captain.” Aidan cal ed, interrupting his thought. “We’ve crossed over. We are official y within the warring zone.”
Sebastian refocused his thoughts. His crew was counting on him to keep them safe. He needed to focus on the task at hand. “Keep al sensors open for approaching ships.” Sebastian replied. “Al weapons remain online at al times until we pass through.”
“Yes Captain.”
“Engage shields, ful power. Aidan, get us the fuck through this quickly and untouched.”
“Got it Captain.”
Aidan was the ships lead pilot, and a damn good one at that. Such a young male, yet his skil s were that of a veteran three times his age. He was a descendant of the dragon clans, and nearly al dragons had an affinity for flight. Aidan had made a nameforhimself navigatingPhase Ninewhen he was only in his twenties.
Phase Ninewas a racing competition created by the twelve al ied planets. Anyonefrom any race was invited toenter for the glory and honorofyour people.
The obstacles were deadly and everyone who entered knew not al would return alive. Aidan not only returned,but he had been declared the winner.
His win was bittersweet though. Aidan’s wife and child had been slaughtered in a random act of violence while he was away. He hadn’t learned of the tragedy until he returned home in victory.
Aidan never raced again, but the only thing he knew was flying, so he’d eventual y found his way toMarada. Sebastian was grateful for his presence. There was no one better to get them through thislong journey.
Analia was almost finished with her shift. Marik was busy in thegal eywith threeful tables of orders she’d given him. Over the last few days he’d shown concerned for her, questioning her about each session with Cale. Every day she reassured him that she was fine and the training was going wel .
Sebastiandidn’tappearin her roomagain. Nor did he attend lunch, or indulge in a drink.In factshe hadn’t seen him since that night at the bar. Now that she was settled in, he was leaving her to the care of the other three demons.
Many people continued to pour into thesalon. However, the invasive interrogations have eased, melding seamlessly into the pleasures of idle chitchat.
The two young girls, Spectra and Edenya, often came to share gossip with her. They loved to speak of the many places they’d visited in their lives,and often repeated the names of planets orspacecitiesshe should visit. Anya would smile and listen with politeness and assured them she would try her best to go everywhere they suggested, knowing she most likely never would.
It didn’t matter if there were a thousand perfect places in the universe, she only needed one. Oneperfect …home.
Xandar entered the salon and waved at her, a crafty grin curled his lips. He motioned with his head for her to join him as he claimed an empty table.
“Hi Anya. How is your day going?” He asked with sparkling eyes.
“My day is going just fine. What would you like to order? Marik has been working on a slow-cooked roast for today. It is very excel ent.”
“I actual y didn’t come here for lunch. I came to ask you if you would be my date for a party that’s coming up.”
She searched her memory for his meaning. Date, she knew, meant a specific day. Apartywas a celebration. She’d never been to one before. His phrasing perplexed her.
Her confusion must have been visible because he reiterated. “I mean I would like you to accompany me to the party, as my date.”
“Date.” She repeated. “Meaning to join you in celebration?”
“Yes.” He paused. “Wel sort of, there’s a little more to it than that.”
She waited expectantly.
He scratched the back of his neck. A nervous reaction? “Wel , we would spend the evening together talking and maybe dancing, I would bring you drinks or food. Things like that. And we would get to know each other better.”
Dancing? “I have never danced.” Although she always wanted to.
“That’s okay, we don’t have to dance. I’m not much of a dancer myself.”
“No, I would like to dance.”
“Then we’l dance.” His grin was catching. “Al night if you want.”
Anya laughed. “Okay, I’l go with you to this celebration. When is it to take place?”
“A few days I think. I’l let you know when I find out for sure.” He rushed from the room before she could askany morequestions. Shrugging Anya entered thegal eyto clean a little before she left for the pub.
“Marik, have you ever been a …date? Or is that only a word for a female?”
Tensing,Marik turned to her with a questioning look. “It’s a general term. Why are you asking?”
“Xandarsaid there’s to be a celebrationand he asked me to be his date.”
Marik raised an eyebrow. “How the hel does he know? It hasn’t even been announced.” Cursing under his breath Marik shook his head. “That little shit must have overheard …” trailing off he pinned her with a glare. “Did you say yes?”
She cocked her head. “Did I make a mistake?”
“No. No you didn’t do anything wrong.”
Analia didn’t believe him. He looked worried. She opened her mouth to inquire more, but he quickly shooed her out the door.
“I’l finish up here, you should get tothe pub. Ask Sonyafor date advice. I don’t have al that much experience to offer.”
“Sonya has experience?”
“Uh …” He shrugged. “Doesn’t matter,she’d stil have better advice for you than I would.”
Anya didn’t understand but she went anyway. Marik’s agitation seemed to grow the longer she stayed. She couldn’t understand what her mistake had been. Perhaps Sonya could enlighten her.
As Sonya fil ed drink orders shehappilyreplied to Anya’s question. At firstshe’d been startled that Anya was asking about dating, but then Sonyafelt relieved that Bastian had final y accepted his attraction tothe girl. “A date can be a lot of things. People go on dates to get to know each other better,or to find a connection, or to just be with the other person because you’re attracted tothem. Sometimes you get dressed up depending on the occasion.
” Lining up four shot glasses Sonya fil ed them in one clean swoop. She loved her job. “Why are you asking about this? Did someone ask you out?” Sonya edged, expecting to get al the details about how Sebastian had asked her.
“Xandar asked me to be his date …”
Sonya slammed the bottle on the bar, eyes riveted to the brimming shot glasses. “Did he?” That little bastard must have overheard them talking the other day. Sonya had suggested that they throw a party for Anya and explained that she’d never celebrated a birthday and had probably never even celebrated anything. Their natural male reactions were shrugs, grumbling,andfinal ycompliance.
“Marik was unhappy about this as wel . Why?” Anya asked.
“Oh Hun, we’re not unhappy. We’re just surprised I guess.” And a little worried, Sonya added to herself. Bastian is going to go bal istic when he hears this.
“Do you like Xandar?”
Anya shrugged. “He’s been kind. I stil don’t understand though. I have spent an evening here with Xandar. What is the difference?”
Sonya thought it was best to be as blunt as possible. “That wasn’t a date. Guys tend to expect thingsduring, or after adate. He might justhold your hand, ortry for a kiss. Or,he mightbe hoping toget into your pants.”
Anya looked considerate for a moment. “Get into my pants?” Then her eyes widened. “And if I refuse?”
“You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. Just make it clear to him if you want him to keep his distance. Remember, you’re the one in control.
You say what happens and what doesn’t happen.”
Anya was turning a sickly shade of green.
“Are you okay?”
“This is more significant than I thought.”
“Listen, we’l al be there. You won’t be left alone. Everyone on the ship wil be there and over half would be wil ing to kil the man if he tries anything funny.”