by Diane Rapp
She sobbed and heard Salizar’s angry voice command them to halt. Her ribs ached and her lungs burned as she panted against the cloth. An acrid smell seeped into the cloth and she felt dizzy. They drugged her! Is this how the old woman intended to make her comply?
*****
At the spaceport, Andrew’s eyes rolled back in his head, and his body was drenched with sweat. Felesia sat beside him, feeling helpless.
“What’s happening?” Jordan asked.
“It’s Lauryn,” Felesia said. “Andrew’s linked with her mind.”
“Can’t you help?”
“She panicked but Andrew calmed her. Should we take the dragons out and grab Lauryn now?” Felesia clenched her fists in anger.
“If we’d known she’d run, we would have done that already.” Jordan tried to soothe Felesia. “There was no time to prepare and the riders caught her.”
Felesia glared at him. “What are they doing in those tents?” She stomped outside, feeling useless. Arrow landed on her shoulder, uttering a trill of comfort, and leaned against Felesia’s neck. The panther appeared a moment later and rubbed Felesia’s legs like a giant housecat.
“We need to do something to help. She’s so close. Those barbarians sit in that camp doing something to Lauryn while we wait to spring a trap. I must go get her.”
“No, Felesia.” Shariel’s voice startled her, and Felesia swung around. “Andrew woke up and says she’s not hurt. You can’t rush off now.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. We need your strength to support the illusion tomorrow. Get some sleep.” Shariel smiled, her white teeth gleaming.
Felesia nodded. “I guess you’re right.” They went back into the cave together.
Andrew slept quietly, while the others huddled near the small campfire. Felesia slept in her warm bedroll as Marra purred. The giant cat’s rumble vibrated through Felesia’s body as she dreamed of sauntering through white sand on soft padded feet.
*****
Marra’s tail twitched and her claws flexed. Felesia moaned and Marra slipped past sleeping humans, who slept in the red glow of dying embers. Marra stretched, arching her back and digging her claws into the soil. She yawned and left the cave. The cool night wind ruffled her fur and scents coaxed her to hunt. Her blood pounded and the rhythm of her pants matched the hunter’s heartbeat.
She needed to sink fangs into the soft neck of her kill and taste his blood. Marra stood outside the cave as night smells tempted her. Small game scurried to safety in a desperate attempt to escape the smell of the predator. They did not interest her. She wanted to hunt the prey waiting in the desert.
Slipping down rocks that led onto luminous sand, an acrid smoke filled her nostrils. She remembered the hated smell of a familiar enemy. Feral anger turned into bloodlust and her rough tongue ruffled quivering whiskers.
She ran with a loping gate.
Horses whinnied as the cat approached, but their men slept unaware of the danger. Marra’s sleek black body melted into the shadows. She trotted through a maze of tents and caught the scent of the girl—so much like Felesia.
A tendril of thought reached Felesia. Marra felt pleased when Felesia urged her on. She sliced the membrane that trapped the girl with sharp claws and entered the flimsy cave. Felesia’s mind rejoiced when Marra found Lauryn. She purred and nudged Lauryn softly with her wet nose.
The girl failed to wake.
Marra sniffed. She detected the tangy scent of drugs and a spicy man-odor. She discovered a man creeping into the tent. Felesia’s mind screamed that the man planned to attack the unconscious girl.
A crackling snarl startled Salizar. He stood still. With Marra’s night vision, she saw the man plainly, standing naked in the moonlight. His eyes looked round and he smelled of fear, but the man reached for a weapon in a pile of discarded clothes.
Polished metal glinted as Marra sprang. Razor-sharp claws sank into soft flesh as she knocked him onto the ground. Marra’s front feet stood on the bare chest as she prepared to taste his blood.
“Marra, don’t kill him,” Lauryn called out in a groggy voice. Felesia’s mind responded to her sister and told Marra to stop.
The cat snarled. A tangy scent of blood filled her nostrils and saliva dripped from her fangs as she anticipated the taste. Her claws flexed, sinking the tips into the soft flesh of the trembling creature.
Marra stop! Felesia’s mind begged.
The cat obeyed. She moved away from the man and sat next to the girl. Lauryn stroked Marra’s thick fur and the cat leaned against her body, methodically licking her paws and staring at the man.
Salizar sat up slowly. “You command the cat?”
Lauryn shook her head. “She’s linked to my sister. She wanted to kill you, but I don’t want you to die.”
“Why not?”
“I’m a healer not a killer. Try to touch me again, and I’ll let her finish the job.” Marra’s rough tongue licked her hand. “Go back to Felesia. I’m fine.” The cat eyed the man, uttering a low growl. She rose in a liquid motion, long black tail whipping, and pushed through the tear in the tent.
Lauryn put her hand over Salizar’s wound, easing his pain.
“Why did you run away?” he asked.
Lauryn said, “I saw your death in a vision. I don’t want you to die and I thought my people might kill you to set me free.”
“My future is written.” Salizar sounded depressed.
“Do you want to fulfill your mother’s prophesy with your life?” She released his arm and saw that the bleeding stopped. He searched Lauryn’s face.
“Why do you care?”
“I don’t want anyone to die.”
Salizar frowned. “I asked my mother if she saw me in the future with my sons. She wouldn’t tell me. Did your vision show me with my son?”
“No.”
Salizar looked vulnerable. She felt like offering comfort but it was too dangerous. His eyes hardened. “Hear my words. You will bear my son.” He left before she could say anything.
“No. I will not let that happen,” she said to the empty tent.
*****
The spaceport looked deserted, but Salizar felt suspicious. Where was the giant cat, a familiar of Lauryn’s sister? His mother shook her head as he met her gaze.
She sensed nothing.
Salizar disliked the necessity of returning to the ruins. Rumors claimed that Donovan’s man, Trenton, walked through solid walls, while other riders saw a beam of light cut through rock. Jarrack found a spacer weapon at this place and used it to trap Donovan. Stories of the black box that captured a man’s soul filled his childhood and his nightmares.
The spaceport was a place of power. Salizar wanted to use that power to his advantage. His mother’s vision showed him victorious against Andrew in this same place. Surely her vision was right.
Salizar’s arm ached from the cat’s claws. Numb fingers grasped the hilt of his sword without strength and a tingling sensation crept up the base of his skull. He saw his enemy ahead. Something spooked the horses and eerie voices whispered his name. Salizar shouted and charged swinging his sword.
Spurred by the battle cry of their leader, frightened riders followed. The enemy stood in the open. Three identical Samurai warriors brandished polished swords! Did they intend to defeat his band with only three men? The war cry turned into a strangled scream as he slashed through a Samurai. The man vanished and appeared at his right. Salizar rushed another Samurai but the enemy vanished again.
Samurai were everywhere. Grinning faces taunted them from every angle, their bodies moving in unison. Salizar’s horse whirled, whipping its head away from an apparition that appeared under its nose. Salizar fell from the horse into the sword of the enemy. The man was gone before the blade pierced him.
“Evil spirits!” his men screamed. Salizar cursed and studied the phantoms, attempting to find blood and bone inside one of the figures. He had little time to reflect.
Dragons swooped f
rom the heights, shrieking as their outstretched talons knocked riders off their mounts. The three phantom Samurai were joined by armed soldiers in flesh and blood. Terrified desert warriors fell from to the ground, cowering, while a handful of real Samurai removed their weapons. The dragons herded the horses to a paddock.
Alone, Salizar stood in a miasma of smoke and dust, his men defeated by a few men and many ghosts. Marasuta raised his sword. Salizar lunged at the warrior but the Samurai blocked his attack with ease. A bone-jarring vibration opened Salizar’s wound. He swung the scimitar up in a deadly arc meant to gut the enemy, but Marasuta kicked and caught Salizar in the chest. The scimitar clattered from a useless hand.
The Samurai bowed, claiming the weapon. Salizar saw that Lauryn was joined by Felesia and a girl with dark hair and black eyes. He recognized the panther at Felesia’s feet.
“We’re under your control,” Salizar said. “What do you intend?”
“We will release the captives,” Andrew said. He wrapped an arm around Lauryn’s shoulder.
Salizar underestimated Andrew. “You steal my wives?”
“We do not kidnap and rape women to make them marry.”
Salizar bristled. “I raped no one, ask her.” Salizar nodded at Lauryn.
“No, your rape attempt failed. I don’t need to ask because our minds are linked. She repelled the attack and then you drugged her. The panther stopped you again.”
Salizar raised an eyebrow and turned to Lauryn. “We spent a night alone in a tent. By the laws of the desert you’re my wife.”
Lauryn shook her head. “The laws of the desert carry no weight. When I marry it will be to a man I love.” She grasped Andrew’s hand.
Salizar’s face darkened and he glared at Andrew. “I won’t rest until you fulfill my mother’s prophecy.” He stomped toward his men. “Secure your mounts. The woman stays with her protector.”
Tamarind uttered a small gasp. “You leave me alone in his harem?”
Lauryn smiled at her friend. “Salizar will find other wives to keep you company. Duty to his tribe will demand it.” She touched Tamarind’s necklace. “Perhaps our sons will be friends one day.”
Salizar’s mother sat on her horse, frowning. Her piercing gaze held Lauryn transfixed for a moment, and then she turned her mount to follow her son.
Lauryn sighed as Salizar and his party rode out of the spaceport. Andrew squeezed her hand.
“You thought he’d die today?”
“I saw his death…but visions can be wrong.” Lauryn enjoyed the comforting thoughts he sent.
“I was worried about you.” His voice vibrated with pain.
“I know, my love.” By touching his mind during this ordeal, she understood how much he loved her. “I hurt you when I let Salizar kiss me, and I’m sorry. Since sharing a mental connection with you, I realize that it’s your love I want. I’ll never hurt you again, I promise.”
He kissed her fingertips. “I enjoy touching your mind, feeling your love.”
She absorbed Andrew’s love and returned it without fear. She’d seen the king he would become and knew she must help him prepare for the responsibility. She shivered at the memory of Salizar, trying to force her into a loveless marriage. He needed her future son to gain power, but she wouldn’t let him have her son.
Our son. Andrew’s mental words felt emphatic. We’ll protect our son from the likes of Salizar, and anyone else who tries to harm him.
Lauryn’s love for Andrew grew as she thought of raising their children together. “Our children,” she said aloud, “will have a loving father. He’s a man filled with gentleness and strength. Drako must survive so we can make a future together.”
25 ~ FREMONT’S BARGAIN
The parapets were lined with curious faces peering out as the flock of dragons flew toward the castle. Donovan and his party elbowed through the crowd that stood gaping at the sight.
“Trenton, give me your telescope,” Donovan said.
Trenton handed it over with regret. “Don’t forget to let me take a look.”
Donovan nodded and focused the telescope to see who was riding the dragons. “I’ll be damned! It’s Krystal, Alex, and Felesia, plus a few others. They hitched a ride with dragons.”
“Maggie’s not aboard?” Trenton sounded angry.
“See for yourself.” Donovan handed the glass back and ran into the courtyard. “They’ll be landing soon.”
Flash led her dragon friends into the central courtyard and squawked happily. The humans climbed from their saddles and Shariel stood stroking Dazzle as she praised the dragons.
Donovan stomped toward the dragons, but backed away as the largest one hissed and stretched its wings protectively over its human cargo. Krystal laughed and ran to her chastened husband.
“They’re protective, Donovan. Make friends by projecting happy colors to their minds, and they’ll let you approach.”
Donovan saw the bruise on Krystal’s forehead. “You’re injured!” He turned to Alex. “You said nothing about that!”
“I told you we sustained minor injuries. It looks worse than it is, so let’s get inside and discuss what is happening! Felesia rescued a group of Jarrack’s children with her dragon friends. They’ve established a riding school at the spaceport and will soon have a flock of trained dragons.”
“Good! We may need all the help we can get.”
Felesia dragged a dark haired girl through the crowd. “Father, I’d like you to meet Shariel! She’s the one organizing our dragon school.”
Donovan smiled. “I heard about you.”
The girl blanched and dropped her gaze to the ground. Donovan softened his tone. “It’s all been good, my girl. You’re very brave to rescue your siblings from the desert riders.”
Shariel raised her eyes and said, “We need a safe place to keep the children. They must have a chance to prove their worth and make people forget the circumstances of their birth.”
Donovan nodded. “We’ll discuss their future at length.” He glanced to the king’s tower and frowned. “Right now, I suggest you stay outside the castle with your dragons. We don’t want people to panic.”
Shariel smiled and Donovan caught his breath. The girl looked nothing like her father with that glorious grin. “Brandon and I will take them out to hunt in the mountains. Have someone call me when they need a ride.”
Donovan watched the girl vault onto the dragon and sit in the saddle. She issued mental commands filled with colors that Donovan didn’t understand. The dragons lifted off in an organized order and flew over the courtyard. Flash was the only dragon that stayed behind.
“How safe is it to fly on a dragon’s back like that?” Donovan asked.
Krystal said, “It’s marvelous. Even Alex relaxed and enjoyed the scenery. You’ve got to try it.”
He squeezed her waist and kissed the bruise on her forehead. “I hope I have time. We’ve got a few surprises here.”
They walked through the thick crowd and Donovan led them to his private hall. The doctor halted at the door and stared at the rotund priest.
Donovan sighed. “Dr. Alexander, may I introduce you to…”
“Jarrack!” The doctor spat the word. “You managed to inhabit a foreign body.” Dr. Alexander studied the face of his enemy and shrugged. “Apparently this new body altered your powers.”
Krystal stepped around her companions, towering over Jarrack. “I sense that he’s now an empath. You can feel emotions, can’t you?”
“Yes and I can hear thoughts.” Jarrack answered, his brows knitting. “Fremont will negotiate with the doctor.”
Alex turned to Donovan. “Fremont sent a coded message to his ship and gained us time to negotiate. That’s why we asked you to come here, Alex. Fremont must speak with you himself.”
Krystal sat on the arm of Donovan’s chair, sliding a soft hand along the back of his neck for reassurance. Jarrack sank his bulk onto a soft chair and wiped his brow.
“I told Donovan yester
day that I spoke with Fremont and he sent a message to stop the next missile attack. Fremont accepted me as Jarrack and believes I can help him conquer Drako. Fremont was ordered to bring Dr. Alexander back to the Institute, but he’s free to kill the rest of you. The secret for processing mendilium crystals is your only bargaining chip. I told him that I learned to Transfer without using machines, so he’s anxious to take me back.”
Jarrack’s face looked animated. “Strike a bargain with Fremont for supplies and repairs to your defense system. I just want to leave on that ship. You’ll be rid of the Institute and your old enemy at the same time. I’m sure both prospects appeal to you.” His eyes met Dr. Alexander’s gaze. “Tell them doctor. You know I’m telling the truth.”
Dr. Alexander frowned. “Yes. Your words are true, but you’re hiding something.” He shrugged and turned toward Donovan. “He’s clever. Perhaps he left out something that nullifies the rest of his statement but his facts are accurate.”
Donovan stared at his ring which glowed white. “We won’t give them Dr. Alexander!”
Jarrack nodded. “I told Fremont as much. Perhaps there’s a way to give the Institute what it wants, while insuring the doctor’s safety.”
“Will Fremont agree?” Dr. Alexander asked.
Jarrack grinned. “He’s eager to secure glory. If he brings back a person who can Transfer without a machine, he’ll achieve more glory than taking an uncooperative prisoner. Give them good crystals and he might accept your terms.”
Dr. Alexander rubbed his chin. “Jarrack, I sense that you lost the ability to Transfer without machinery when you entered the Bishop’s body.”
“Yes, but Fremont doesn’t know the truth.”
Donovan shot out of his chair. “What? He’s the same crafty liar, twisting the facts. If he leaves Drako, what stops him from giving the Institute a way to accomplish what they want?”
Dr. Alexander’s voice sounded soft. “He can’t give them anything, because his abilities changed.”