Dina dismounted and followed the man to where a rocky overhang provided shade. Two rocks in the shade served as seats. She wondered if the formation was natural or man-made.
“Natural, believe it or not.” Rayn pulled two bottles from behind the rocks, opened one, and sat down. He held the second out to her. “Here.”
“I have my own. What is this place?”
“Save your water. Skimmers have been known to break down in the desert. This is Kathedra Kap.”
“Mine is cold.”
“Suit yourself, but take one of these to replace your own.”
There was no point in arguing further. Dina palmed the nose of plastic offered by his outstretched hand, returned to her skimmer, deposited the bottle he had given her, and pulled out one of her own. She returned to the overhang.
Rayn nodded toward the smooth rock next to him. “Have a seat. The stone’s cool.”
Dina stared at the stone bench and then at the mirrored mask-eyes. “I’ll stand.”
He laughed, and the muffled sound gave her chills in spite of the heat.
“If you’re afraid of me, perhaps you shouldn’t have come.”
She squirmed out of her hood and jacket, already sticky with sweat, and opened her bottle. She shook her head to loosen the strands of hair plastered to her face, tilted her chin, and swigged the cool water. Taking a deep breath, she dropped her gaze and eyed Rayn. “Fear has nothing to do with it.”
He tugged at his hood, quickly freeing the long hair that clung to the sides of his face in damp ribbons, and when their gazes locked, neither spoke.
Sit.
Dina blinked, and almost as though the heat had dizzied her, sagged to the bench next to Rayn. She thought it was the tawny eyes that held her in thrall and tried to look away. Why was she rational except when she looked into those eyes?
A sly smile flirted with the corners of Rayn’s mouth, and he turned away with a low chuckle.
She frowned. “Are none of my thoughts safe from you?”
“Don’t raise your hackles. I’m not probing you. But your thoughts are so . . . surface, so transparent, it’s as if you’re talking to me. I can’t help hearing them.”
“You have me at a distinct disadvantage. I blamed myself for losing my temper with you, but I see it would be impossible to win any sparring match with you.”
“You’re not a dens, but you’re clearly gifted. A novice, is all. That doesn’t mean you can’t sharpen your skills.”
“So I can be an arrogant . . .”
“ . . . manipulative, son-of-a-bitch like me,” he finished. “Right.”
“No thanks. You and I have nothing in common, and I prefer to keep it that way.”
One side of Rayn’s mouth pulled down, and he leaned toward her to shrug off his jacket.
“We have more in common than you think,” he breathed, almost in her ear. He had nothing on under the jacket except a cooling vest. The loose web of fibers snared her gaze and did nothing to hide the tanned skin, the hard, lean muscles of his torso, or the dark hair that glistened with trapped beads of sweat.
In spite of the vest, heat radiated from the man’s body in a wave that assaulted every one of Dina’s senses. She could almost taste his scent on her tongue, cool and hot at the same time. She shook her head. No, she had nothing in common with this animal.
“Hardly.” Why was she sitting so close to him?
The smile flicked again. “All right. Let’s find some common ground. Let’s agree for now that I’m a dangerous, good-for-nothing, reprehensible creature so we can move on to other topics. Why did you want to see me . . . so badly? And the truth this time, please.”
“That, you surely must know. You seem to know everything else.”
Rayn gave her an impatient look that said “enough of this.”
Dina sighed and relented. “All right. You know that in the past seven months eight miners have been killed.” Dina paused, and when Rayn nodded, she continued. “The local officials haven’t been able to learn the killer’s identity. My partner and I were asked here to further the investigation.” She hesitated again, and drew a deep breath. “I believe there isn’t anything that happens in this desert that you’re not aware of. I need any information you have regarding these killings. There’s no reason to believe that the killer will stop, unless he’s caught.”
Rayn’s eyes seemed to bore into her, and for a moment, he said nothing. His features displayed no emotions, but the intense gaze and slight muscle twitch in his jaw spoiled the mask of total impassivity. The muscle twitch was an involuntary movement Dina had noticed numerous times in Jon’s face. When he’s upset, she thought.
When Rayn replied at last, his voice was bland. “I don’t know who the killer is. The only thing I can tell you with absolute certainty is that the killer is not one of my people.”
Damn! “I can’t believe that there isn’t something you know. You have a very efficient and organized band of men and women. Practically an eye and ear behind every rock. Something that might even have seemed insignificant to you may help me.”
“I can’t tell you what I don’t know. I think you overestimate my powers just a little.”
Dina gave her head a single shake, sending her hair flying over her left shoulder. “What? The all-knowing dens telling me that I have overestimated his powers? I don’t think so. You wanted the truth so badly, why don’t you give it yourself?”
“I realize you believe I’m lying, but in fact the killer has confined his deeds to the mines. I haven’t seen anything, and none of my people have reported anything. It’s true that a few ex-miners have joined the Dailjan, but they’re simple men, frightened by what happened, and seeking only a safe existence. I probe everyone who joins the Dailjan. If the killer were here, or if anyone had any information about the killer, I would be aware of it, believe me.”
Dina took a quick, deep breath and looked away in frustration. “It doesn’t make any sense.” She looked back at Rayn. “Would you allow me to interview those ex-miners?”
“I’d have to discuss it with my men. They weren’t happy yesterday to have the law inside Sanctuary.”
“It would just be me. Not Rzije, not the AEA.” Dina paused. “DeStar, will you help me?” Her words surprised herself.
“Somehow, I don’t think you mean help you with the questioning of the ex-miners.”
She hesitated again. What was she doing? It was as if someone else were speaking the words.
“Ah . . . no. I mean, will you help me with the investigation? With your knowledge of the desert, and your . . . abilities, you could be invaluable to me.”
He appeared to study her. “Ten minutes ago you said you would rather . . . what was it? ‘Choke on the dust of this planet’ than ask me for anything. Now you not only have questions, you want my help. And yet, I sense your request is sincere. What changed your mind?”
She kept her eyes on him and didn’t reply, mostly because she didn’t have an answer, but partly, she had to admit, because he fascinated her. She told herself it was because she had never seen a dens before. She took in the full mouth, then followed the clean, angled lines of his jaw to where the exodite stud flashed at his ear. Below the cheekbones, shadows delineated the smooth planes of his face. How could a dens look like this? He was so different from any of the likenesses she had ever seen of them. Not exactly handsome in the same way Jon was, Rayn nevertheless possessed an irresistible quality she couldn’t quite understand.
Dina sucked in a quick, deep breath that caught in her throat. The matter at hand, girl! The investigation, of course. She had to do everything and anything to further the investigation. But somehow she sensed that there was something more, but something she couldn’t, or wasn’t prepared to, put into words. She felt confused, and it scared her. Her mind had always
been so clear. But not now. She wondered if the dens was playing with her mind. Damn him! How was she ever to know?
“I’m sure you know the answer to that better than I do.” Her answer left a sour taste in her mouth.
Rayn did understand it better than she did. It was his power. His helping her was not a suggestion he had planted in her mind. Even so, his power had influenced her. It seduced people, even the strong-willed and clear thinkers. And while his plan of seduction had originally involved a sexual conquest, nothing more, he had to admit to the pleasure he felt at her unsolicited request. He had given her but a tiny taste of his mastery of the mind, and already she wanted more. And you will keep coming back for more, little girl, no matter what your feelings for me are.
“Give me a day to think about your request. Call for me tomorrow.”
“One day. No more.” She pulled on her jacket. “By the way, when I called you earlier today, was I projecting enough? I wasn’t sure if you could hear me.”
“You were, in fact, shouting. But you’re forcing it. You’re using your conscious mind too much. Back off on the ego and try to let your instincts take over.”
“I’m not sure I know how to do that.”
“Just don’t try so hard. Your powers, as I said, are strong, but your techniques need mastering.”
She hesitated and looked down at the hood in her hand, as if examining it.
Rayn sighed. Too easily he picked up her thoughts. She didn’t want to learn anything from a beast. Well, she needed mastering. In more ways than one.
“I’ll think about that, too. I’ll give you my answer tomorrow.”
She scrunched the hood. “I suppose I should thank you for seeing me,” she said dryly.
“Here. You’ll damage the oxygen feed.” Rayn stepped closer to her, untangled the headgear from her grasp, and standing close enough to feel her heartbeat, raised his arms over her head to position the hood. “Don’t thank me,” he whispered, his hands frozen above her. His eyes held hers for a brief moment. “You’ll soon be cursing my very existence. Believe me.” He eased her hood on, his hands gliding over her shoulders before she shook him off and ran to her skimmer.
RAYN WAS TROUBLED that night, more troubled than he’d been in a long time. All he could think about was the lightning storm named Dina Marlijn. Honesty, he thought bitterly. He had demanded it of her, but it was the last thing he could give of himself. She had truly caught him off guard today. He wanted her—that hadn’t changed—and his hunger for her submission was keener than ever, but he had been totally unprepared for her request for help. The rules of the game would have to be changed.
He had no doubt she would play her part. As strong and independent as she was, she would come to him, investigation or no investigation. His power would lure her, power that even held in check would draw her like an animal to a water hole. Her instinctive need to connect with him, as much as she would try to fight it, would override all else, even to the point of destruction. She would willingly risk her identity, her pride, even her career, everything she was and everything she had. She, with her request for help, had significantly upped the ante.
He’d been primed for a quick liaison in the desert, not for destroying her. Not that he wasn’t capable of it.
He stood by one of the entrances to Sanctuary. This was normally his favorite time of day, as the low sun turned the seemingly colorless desert into a shifting kaleidoscope of blues, purples, burgundies, and gold. He turned toward the east, away from the sun, but tonight his eyes didn’t even notice the bands of aqua, shell pink, and blue that melted into each other above the horizon.
He turned back to the west as the sun eased itself into the cradle of the hills and snuggled into their depths. The desert glowed with merkwia, the brief twilight of Exodus, and for a moment a halo of lemon yellow crowned the far-off mountains of the western Chayne. Above the yellow the sky gleamed a phosphorescent green, and higher still, the clear blue sky was already deepening to its shade of night. Rayn saw none of it.
The private, well-hidden entrance was one only he and a few well-chosen comrades knew about. Even distracted, he sensed Alessane gliding up the corridor behind him. He felt her full breasts against his back as she pressed herself to him and slid her arms around him. “Star . . . you haven’t eaten. What’s wrong?”
For someone with no telepathic ability, Alessane was surprisingly intuitive. He thought for a moment how to answer her. He didn’t like to lie to those close to him, and he mused that it probably wouldn’t do any good anyway. Alee would know soon enough, if she didn’t already, that their unusual female visitor was the cause of his moodiness. He was saved from having to answer as Alee did it for him.
“It’s the woman, isn’t it?”
Rayn lowered his head and placed his hand over hers, squeezing it gently.
“What do you see in her? She’s ill-mannered and skinny. You saved her life, and all she did was insult you.”
Rayn smiled. “Alee . . . eavesdropping at your listening post again?” He knew it was a habit Alee had, and Rayn could never bring himself to scold her too harshly.
“I was curious.”
“I’ll bet you were. Well, you don’t have to worry. I don’t think I’ll be seeing her again.”
Alee laughed, and her laughter was gentle and soothing to his ears, like distant wind chimes caught in a soft breeze. “Star, for someone as knowing and intelligent as you are, you say some stupid things.”
She sighed and released her hold on Rayn. Without another word, Alee padded softly back down the corridor.
Damn. Rayn opened his eyes, and the faces of the rocks were dark.
Seven
The Hot Touch
DINA.
She was in her room, tired, but unable to sleep. The single word, as always, was liquid in her mind, trickling downward in a runnel that gave her chills. This time, though, the chills ran deeper, triggering sensations that seeped into her very core. She was annoyed by the uncontrollable feelings. She fought for control in every aspect of her life, and this was a battle she didn’t want to lose. But she couldn’t deny the arousal his Voice stirred. Above all, though, he surprised her. She hadn’t expected an answer this quickly.
Yes, DeStar. She instinctively started to turn to the west, toward the Voice.
I cannot help you.
Her head froze in mid-turn, and her parted lips widened. This was not the response she had expected. The anticipation she had felt at hearing his Voice evaporated like steam, and her anger, always close at hand where Rayn was concerned, roiled up. You mean won’t.
As you wish.
Why not?
To be close to me is too dangerous. As I have no knowledge to impart to you regarding your killings, there’s no reason to risk that danger.
I’m willing to risk it.
But I’m not.
She had to think quickly. She couldn’t let him end things this way. She had to see him again, had to convince him somehow to help her. What would change his mind? What could she appeal to?
DeStar, let’s at least discuss this face-to-face, tomorrow.
No. The matter is closed.
Rayn . . . She used his given name without even realizing it. She waited, but there was no response. DeStar, I know you can hear me. I won’t give up on this. I’ll keep calling you day and night until you answer me and agree to see me. Rayn . . .
This has to work, she thought. She waited a moment, then called again. Rayn.
Meet me tomorrow at Kathedra Kap, same time.
This time she shivered at the hollowness of his voice.
DINA ARRIVED THE following day at Kathedra and chose to wait in the shadow cast by a crooked tor. She shaded her eyes and studied the harsh curves of the windswept formation. This was not a good idea. She laughed underneath her h
ood. That had to be the understatement of her career. It was not only not a good idea, it was foolhardy and downright dangerous. It wasn’t like her to be reckless. What was she doing alone in the desert seeking help from a dens? She shook her head.
Rayn had almost certainly already lied to her. Everyone lies to the law. All the time. Even those with nothing to hide. It was a given that all law enforcement officers dealt with. Even if it wasn’t, a dens would be the last person to tell her the truth.
Yet she had come. She had to try. The man was a passkey to all that went on in the desert, and she, with her ability, was the only one who could turn him. DeStar would never cooperate with Jon, and as for the AEA . . . She laughed again. They weren’t even aware of the existence of the dens. They would never be able to successfully negotiate with him. Negotiate. That’s what she would have to do. She would have to find something the dens wanted, and then she would have to make him believe she could provide it for him.
A rogue thought broke away from her stream of consciousness. Would she still be here even if there were no investigation? She didn’t want to think about that. She didn’t want to think about the allure his eyes and voice held, a temptation that was undeniable even if the man hadn’t had the power to compel.
There was an investigation. Moreover, she couldn’t rule him out as a suspect. Could this man have murdered the miners? She had run his name through her computer, and as expected, had turned up nothing. She had to try to find out more about him, had to try to elicit his cooperation. She waited and watched the sunlight sparkle off the mica chips embedded in the granite.
He’d come. He needed this as much as she did. Being late was just his way of exerting control. She shifted her seat on the skimmer and pulled on parts of her weather suit. In spite of the shade and her cooling vest, portions of the tunic jacket were sticking to the sweat on her body. Krek.
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