by Anna Hackett
“Must be treasure hunters after our find,” Zayn said with a frown.
“Wrong again,” Eos replied. “I ran a search. The ship’s coming up as Institute.”
The Institute of Historical Preservation was here? Nik frowned. Jesus, he would have preferred rival treasure hunters. They’d be more trustworthy. “What the hell do they want?”
“I suggest we don’t hang around long enough to find out,” Dathan said.
“They’ve just launched a shuttle, so be quick. See you when you get back,” Eos signed off.
Nik studied the idol and the platform.
“Now what?” Zayn asked.
“Let’s all run to the middle at the same time. That should, hopefully, keep the platform steady,” Nik said.
“And after that?” Zayn peered over the side. “It’s a long way down.”
Dathan’s gaze narrowed. “Let’s grab the idol, then all three of us need to run back to the grappler line at the same time.”
“The platform will tip,” Nik said.
“Yeah, but if we hold onto the line, we can use it to swing back to the other side.”
If the damn thing held carrying the weight of three fully-grown men. Nik took a deep breath. “Not many other options. Ready?”
His brothers nodded.
“Go!”
They sprinted for the pedestal. The platform wobbled beneath them, but stayed reasonably stable. Nik lifted the golden idol off the platform. His heart thudded. It was in excellent condition. He couldn’t wait to get it under a scanner and study it. So many old Earth records were lost, but he might be able to track down something on it.
“All right.” Dathan was looking at the grappler line. “Ready for phase two?”
“Not really.” Nik tucked the idol into his backpack.
“I’m ready.” Zayn looked just a little too excited about this bit. He’d always been the daredevil.
“On three. One.” Dathan tensed. “Two. Three!”
Together, they raced for the line.
The platform tipped under their combined weight. As Nik’s boots slid downward, he cursed. Dathan grabbed the line first, swinging off the platform. Zayn leapt off the platform, grabbing the line with both hands. Nik slid the last few meters and with a silent prayer, fell into space. Darkness yawned below like deepest space. At the last second, he reached out and nabbed the line with one hand.
“Nice save, bro,” Dathan said. “Ready for a swing?”
Nik rolled his eyes. He was pretty sure he wouldn’t be swinging across terrifying abysses on nice, boring, professional archeological digs. He nodded.
Dathan released the grappler from the now-vertical platform, and they swung back toward the other side.
“Woo hoo!” Zayn’s voice echoed in the cavern.
Behind them, Nik heard a crashing sound. Ahead, the sheer wall of rock rose up to meet them.
He tensed. Damn. This was going to hurt.
They slammed into the wall. Pain flared in Nik’s shoulder, and Zayn’s boots slapped him in the face. Below him, he heard Dathan swearing with his usual impressive vocabulary of the galaxy’s curse words.
But they were all alive, hanging from the grappler line. Dathan pressed the retract button and the three of them whizzed upward.
Nik pulled himself over the edge and sat for a second, staring back at the pillar of rock that had once held the platform. The platform was completely gone now—no doubt smashed to a million pieces below.
Dathan finished retracting the grappler and slipped it onto his belt. “Come on, boys. Let’s get out of here before those dickhead Institute grunts show up.”
They jogged back out of the cavern, avoiding the booby traps. At the cave entrance, they paused, the humidity smacking them in the face. Even the dappled light was harsh on the eyes.
Nik glanced around. The insects were making a huge racket in the trees, but the vegetation looked as it had before. There was no sign of an Institute team hacking away at it.
Dathan consulted his Sync, then nodded. “This way.”
The three of them moved in single file, following the trail Nik had cut through earlier.
Suddenly, a man clothed in a gray and black uniform stepped in front of them. And lifted a laser pistol.
“Stay where you are. The Galactic Institute of Historical Preservation has invoked the right to obtain any artifacts found on this planet.”
Dathan raised a brow and looked at Nik. “We got any artifacts?”
“Nope. Just out for a stroll.”
The Institute agent frowned. “Stay where you are. You will be searched and questioned.”
Dathan snorted. “Not today.” He threw something.
The small silver ball hit the agent in the chest and exploded. Pink goo splattered everywhere and the agent cursed, trying to pull the stuff off with no success.
“Let’s go,” Dathan said with a wave.
The brothers moved into a run.
“Lala gave you some of her goo balls?” Nik asked.
“Yeah. She said she was trying a new recipe. Stickier than before.”
Nik shook his head. The young explosives expert they’d adopted last year was trouble from the top of her wild pink hair to the bottom of her scuffed, pink combat boots. But the girl was a genius with explosives. At least, they’d mostly convinced her to stop blowing stuff up and stick to less lethal things like the goo balls.
As Nik vaulted over a fallen tree, he focused on running. They dodged under vines, leapt over fallen logs and skirted low-hanging branches. They heard voices yelling behind them.
“They’re coming,” Zayn said.
Damn Institute. Nik had left them years ago, and they still managed to bother him, now and then. Lately, they’d left him all sorts of messages asking for a meeting. He’d ignored every single one.
They broke into a clearing and ahead of them stood a line of four gray-and-black-suited agents.
“Fuck,” Dathan bit out. They skidded to a halt.
“Our boss would like a word with you, Dr. Phoenix,” a tall agent with dark skin asked, his face set in an impassive mask.
Nik froze, his gaze going to the man’s face. A man who’d once been his best friend. Until Nik discovered he was as rotten as the rest of the Institute. “Galen. So, you’re with Institute Security, now.”
“Yes.” Galen Ryant looked older, harsher. “Now, like I said, my boss wants to talk.”
Nik took a deep breath. “Sorry, I’m busy today. Tell him to call ahead and make an appointment.”
Zayn snorted. “Since when did you find a sense of humor?”
He speared his youngest brother with a look he’d reserved for rowdy students back when he’d been with the Institute.
“I’m sorry.” Galen stepped forward and raised his hand, holding something. “That wasn’t a question.”
Next thing Nik knew, pain raced through his body. His muscles contracted, his teeth clicked closed. He fell to his knees, one hand fumbling at the side of his neck. A Tase weapon.
He heard his brothers yelling, then they, too, dropped down beside him, jerking violently from the electrical volts running through them.
Damn Institute. On that final thought, Nik blacked out.
Chapter Two
When Nik came to, he saw Galen rifling through Nik’s backpack. When the man pulled the idol out of the bag, he studied it with a raised brow before showing it to the others. Then he shoved the statue at one of the other agents and barked out some orders.
Nik closed his eyes for a second and willed the nausea from the Tase away. His thoughts turned to Galen Ryant. He’d once been a good man. The best. Until Nik had uncovered what he’d been doing.
Rough hands grabbed Nik, yanking him from his thoughts and hefting him to his feet, an agent on either side of him. His brothers received the same treatment.
They were marched unceremoniously through the jungle.
Once they’d cleared the treeline, Nik spotted a sleek shuttle
sitting in a flat clearing. A small crowd of people stood in front of it, all watching their approach. The Institute logo was painted prominently on the ship’s side. The Institute was always well funded. His jaw tightened. Not all of it legally.
They were released, and Nik worked hard to stay on his feet. The effects of the stun had almost worn off, but he was still feeling a little lightheaded.
“You tased them?” An outraged female voice.
A woman pushed through the agents. She was tiny, five feet tall, with a compact, little body and a fall of sunny-gold hair. “I asked them to convince you to talk with me.” She glared at Galen. “This was not what I had in mind, Agent Ryant.” She drew herself up and managed an embarrassed smile. “I’m Dr. Avril Luma-Smythe. It’s an absolute pleasure to meet you, Dr. Phoenix. I’m so sorry it had to be like this.” Her smile lit up her pretty face. “I studied your papers on Terran History for my dissertation.”
He blinked. He recognized her name. She was one of the new assistant-directors at the Institute. He studied her harder, looking past the cute face and earnest energy. She was young for the role, which either meant she was very smart and good at her job, or corrupt. She would have been a new intake in the final years before he left…or was fired, depending on who you talked to.
He cleared his throat. “I wish I could say it was nice to meet you.”
“Yes. Well…is there anything I can get for you, or your brothers?” She glanced at the glowering Dathan and grinning Zayn. “I know the effects of the Tase are uncomfortable.”
“We’ll take our acquisition and then we’ll be leaving,” Nik said.
She eyed the idol one of the agents was still holding. Her eyes widened. “A gold statue of the Inca sun god, Inti? My gosh, if it’s real, it’s worth a pretty e-cred. But the archeological value is immense.” She crossed her hands in front of her body. “Look, let’s just table that for now. I need to talk with you about something else.” She tilted her head, her pretty blue eyes glowing. “I’ve tried to contact you numerous times but you wouldn’t return my calls. I was getting a little desperate.”
“I’m sorry, Dr. Luma-Symthe, you seem nice enough…”
She smiled. “Thank you. And please, call me Avril.”
She really was a cute thing. In a different lifetime, he would have been interested in talking history with her…and coaxing her into bed. “Avril, I’m not interested in whatever the Institute has to say. Even if they picked someone attractive to pass on the message.”
She blushed prettily. “I have a job for you.”
“I left the Institute’s employ. Surely you know all the sordid details.” He wondered if she was up to her pretty neck in it all, too. He hoped not.
“He was fired,” Dathan added unhelpfully.
Nik shot his brother a scowl.
“I don’t care about the past. The Institute needs your help.” Her expression turned serious. “I need your help.” Her voice lowered. “I need someone I can trust with…precious pieces of history.”
Dammit, his interest was piqued. He knew she was alluding to the dark elements within the Institute who didn’t give a damn about protecting history.
He drew in a breath but stayed silent.
Buoyed by his lack of pushback, she kept going. “I’m mounting an expedition.”
Don’t go there, Niklas. The past was the past, and often it was best left buried. He knew that better than anyone. “Not interested. Sorry.”
She kept going like he hadn’t spoken. “I’ve hired outside help…some retrieval specialists.”
He arched a brow. “You mean treasure hunters.”
“Right.” Her mouth twisted slightly, as though he’d said a bad word.
“Still not interested.” Although he had to admit, he was curious what would motivate the Institute to hire treasure hunters.
She smiled. “Even in an expedition to Earth?”
Nik stilled. He heard Dathan and Zayn gasp. Everything inside Nik went quiet. Earth had been a long-held dream of his. One he’d given up on when he’d left the Institute.
“An expedition to Earth would be too expensive. It’s a hell of a long trip and there’s nothing left there.” Destroyed by a war and the ravages of millennia. “And it’s protected.”
The Galactic Ruling Council lets no one near the planet.
Dr. Luma-Smythe straightened and smiled again. “I have the permits already.” She reached out and touched his arm. “It’s been kept very quiet, but a new space-time distortion appeared recently. One that forms a bridge right into Earth’s star system.”
He felt like he’d been hit in the gut by a hard punch.
“I’d really like you on the expedition,” she said.
Temptation. He stood there, aware everyone was staring at him. Dathan’s gaze was moving around like he was having a seizure. It was clear he didn’t like the idea.
“I know Earth is a radioactive mess, and there have long been rumors that it’s…dangerous, thanks to those early expeditions. Well, the ones that returned. This trip won’t be easy or anything like a regular Institute dig.” She spread her hands out. “That’s why I fought to be able to hire treasure hunters who are more experienced with…expeditions like this.”
Nik assessed the facts. He had the knowledge of Earth’s history and the treasure-hunting experience. The chance to see Earth, to hunt for her treasures, versus working with the very people who destroyed his career. Finally, with a heavy heart, he shook his head. “The Institute cannot be trusted. Sorry, but it’s a no.”
The astro-archeologist’s shoulders sagged, the light going out of her eyes. “I understand. But if you change your mind, let me know.” She motioned to her agents who headed back toward their shuttle.
“Excuse me?” Dathan swaggered forward. “Our treasure. Seized legally under Statute 700-135 of the Artifact Retrieval Act.”
Nik ran his tongue over his teeth. Dathan hated quoting statutes.
Dr. Luma-Smythe smiled. “Of course. Agent Ryant, please return the idol to the Phoenix brothers.”
Galen did not look happy, but reluctantly handed the idol to Niklas. Their eyes met and Nik forced the pain of looking at his former friend away.
Nik, Dathan and Zayn watched as the remainder of the Institute crew boarded and the shuttle took off.
“What the hell was that all about?” Dathan said. “The Institute wanting to hire treasure hunters? Galaxy’s gone crazy.”
Nik kept his gaze on the shuttle. “Yeah.”
“You made the right choice, Nik,” Zayn said. “Getting involved in Institute business would only get sticky.”
Z was right. But still…Earth. The chance to set foot on her soil, to see the remnants of the world that had seeded so much life in the galaxy. It was a hard thing to turn down.
Cranky, hot and aching, he turned away. “Come on, let’s get back to the Infinitas.” He wanted a shower, and then to lock himself away in his cabin to sleep.
No snakes, no booby traps and no Institute.
***
Nik snapped awake, a hard pressure bearing down on his chest.
A dark shape loomed over him. Someone was straddling his chest, pinning his arms to his sides. He started to move, but then he felt the prick of a blade at his throat.
He focused on his attacker, just a dim shadow against the white blur of stars at interstellar speed outside the window of his cabin on the Infinitas.
A long, lean shadow wearing full-body, black light armor.
And he smelled her. Synth leather and steel.
“Nera,” he growled.
She tilted her helmeted head, then pressed a button on the side of her neck. The visor retracted, leaving a clear view of the most stunning face he’d ever seen.
Nera Darc—beautiful woman and deadly treasure hunter.
Her platinum-blonde hair was cut short, feathering around her face. High cheekbones, lush lips and eyes of innumerable colors—like a multi-hued nebula.
She had a
long, gently-curved body to go with the face, and he’d given up trying to work out all the ways she was trained to maim and kill. He’d seen her use Tase stunners, laser pistols, sniper rifles, throwing stars and, of course, her signature sword. She favored her throwing stars and sword, though, and was dangerous with both.
“Niklas. Heard you had an eventful day.”
Her voice was cool. She could have been talking about star charts for all the emotion in her.
But something inside him told him there was heat in her, buried deep.
“Why are you here?” he asked. He managed to look around her to the desk built into the wall. Above it was a small mirror that covered up a high-tech safe where he’d stashed the Inca idol. Thankfully, the mirror and the safe appeared untouched.
She moved her knees and they jammed harder into the sides of his chest, making it hard to breathe.
“I’m curious. I want to know what the Institute wanted with you.”
His gaze narrowed. Nera was not curious. She was smart, calculating and cunning. If she was after information, she had something planned.
“None of your business.”
She increased the pressure on her knees again and he hissed. Dammit. He could feel the warmth of her through the skintight suit she wore. His cock was hard as a rock. Anytime she got near him, it went out of control.
He’d tried to tell himself about a thousand times—she was a rival, she was dangerous. Hell, she’d tried to kill him and his brothers numerous times. He frowned. He knew her well enough now to know that if she really wanted him dead, he’d be dead. He let his eyes close. He was so wrong in the head when it came to this woman.
The blade was back at his throat. A slight prick. His frown deepened. No, it wasn’t a knife—it was her nails.
“I want to know, Niklas,” she said silkily.
His cock jumped and he cursed mentally. Why her? Why couldn’t he be attracted to some easy, comfortable woman? He liked them smart, sure, and Nera was definitely that, but someone like Avril Luma-Smythe would have been a far better choice. A safer choice.
Nera’s nails dug deeper. “Don’t force me to hurt you.”
Instead, he wanted this dangerous, untouchable and complicated woman. God, he even liked it when she hurt him. “We both know you won’t do any real damage.”