“No,” Joshua said. “It’s over. After last night, our air fleet is down by more than two-thirds. Without ZCA, we have nothing. Richert knows it.”
Birn bellowed, “It’s over when I say it’s over!”
“Birn,” Ray said quietly.
Birn strode to the video console and slammed down his fist. The TV screen froze. “I am baron now. The men will follow my orders.”
“Logically, victory is impossible,” Ray returned. “ZCA houses most of our remaining aircraft. We may have fifty birds scattered throughout the territory. We can’t win against Richert with fifty birds.”
“Our army is strong,” Birn argued. “We can take Richert.” Gaze hot and nostrils flaring, he turned to Joshua. “Give me ZCA’s coordinates. Our divisions can be there in a day. We’ll blow Richert sky high.”
“You’d destroy ZCA?” Joshua said with disbelief.
“Better than letting that bastard control it. Give me the coordinates!”
“No.”
“I’ll throw you in prison!” Birn shouted.
“Birn,” Ray interjected coolly. “It’s over.”
One by one, the other high level commanders in the room agreed with Ray and Joshua’s assessment of the situation. Surrender was inevitable. The deaths of more men would be a waste.
Fury pulsed Birn’s cheeks. He said nothing for long minutes. Then he slammed a fist onto the viewer button again. Birn’s moment of power had come and gone in the blink of an eye.
Richert leaned forward, hands clasped. His glittering eyes looked like black, expectant beetles, eager to devour their territory in one gulp. “Well?” he said with ill hidden glee. “Have you come to a decision?”
Birn’s fists clenched. It appeared he’d sooner vomit than say the words required of him.
Long moments passed.
“Well?” Richert snapped.
With ill grace, Birn spat, “We surrender, you two-faced old coot.”
Richert leaned back, his lips curved in a satisfied smile. “Good. Open up a shuttle bay. I’ll arrive within the hour to finalize the terms of surrender. And,” he finished testily, “I want both Joshua and Anya present.”
The screen went black.
Anya crossed her arms and hugged them to her middle. She felt sick to her very soul and trembled with fury. Richert had behaved exactly true to form. Why was she so surprised, then? She wasn’t sure what she had expected from him, but this complete stabbing in the back was intolerable. After everything Joshua had done by killing Onred and defeating the Altai regime, they had still lost Donetsk. Not to Onred, but to her equally bloodthirsty uncle.
Without a word, she turned and bolted from the room. She had to warn her siblings. What did Richert intend to do with them all? He had said no more bloodshed was necessary, but why should she trust him now? He had wanted to kill her father. Would Richert want to exact his final revenge upon herself and her siblings—Jason’s offspring? She had to prepare her family for the worst.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
With a start, Anya discovered Joshua silently matching her stride when she turned into the corridor leading to her family’s new suite of rooms.
She dashed tears away. “I’ll gather everyone together. We need to warn them.”
Joshua took her hand. “Look at me.” He stopped, and so she did, too. That direct brown gaze steadied her, and his warm hands enveloped hers. “It will do no good to frighten them,” he said quietly. “Let them rest. When we know the terms of surrender, we’ll tell them together.”
More tears formed. “You don’t think Richert will…will kill them? Do you think he’ll kill us all?”
Joshua drew her closer. “No. I don’t.”
Her lips trembled. “But how do you know? We’re a threat to his power. He’s hated our family for twenty-four years!”
“He hated your father and your mother. Richert’s a ruthless old bastard, but he’s fair. I don’t think he’ll condemn the children for the sins of their parents.”
Joshua seemed so certain. Could he be right? But after Richert’s backstabbing power grab, how could she trust that any decency lived in her uncle?
“I feel betrayed,” she admitted, taking a deep breath. “I was foolish. I’d started to trust him…a little. I was so stupid.” She bit her lip. “But now… I was so wrong about him. I feel like I can’t trust my judgment anymore. I’m scared.”
“I’ll protect you. And I will protect Marli, Elise, Damon, and David, too. Richert will not hurt you. I have a plan. If we need to escape, we’ll go together.”
Her hands tightened around his. “Yes.” She wanted to be with Joshua, always and forever. If that meant they had to live in a freezing cave, or travel halfway around the world in order to be safe, she would be happy, as long as she was with him.
His warm palms gently framed her face and he kissed her. Anya’s heart bloomed with joy, and overflowed with love. Fiercely, her arms went around his neck, and she buried her cheek in his shoulder. “I love you so much, Joshua. Please don’t ever leave me.”
His arms closed around her, but he didn’t answer. Fear arose again. She pulled back and searched his eyes. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“I’ll bargain for your safety. But I’m not sure what Richert will do with me.”
More fear welled. Slowly, she said, “You mean you’re the real threat to him. Donetsk would follow you to the grave, and Richert knows it.”
His features remained impassive. “You will be safe,” he repeated. “I will make sure of it. I’m expendable. I’ve told you that from the beginning.”
“You are not!”
Gently, he disentangled her arms. “I need to make preparations before Richert arrives. I’ll see you in the Command Center.”
He turned on his heel and strode down the hall. It reminded Anya of when he had ordered her to marry Onred, and afterward he had walked away, leaving her alone. Now, at last, she understood what a sacrifice that had been for him. Just as walking away from her now would be a sacrifice, too. She also knew, if necessary, that he would offer his life in exchange for hers. The knowledge made her feel sick and horrified.
One thing remained for sure. She wouldn’t let that happen. She would never lose Joshua to Richert’s sly, bloody machinations. Never.
* * * * *
Anya stood in the shadows of the shuttle bay and watched Birn, Ray, and Joshua greet Richert as he rolled off the shuttle in his wheelchair. It again struck her how frail her uncle looked. His large frame hunched forward, and the black uniform, piped with maroon edging, hung from his gaunt, bony shoulders. The baron’s skin and knobby fingers looked as papery as ever, but he held his head erect, with fierce pride. An unknown emotion glittered in those black eyes. Richert saw her, but made no sign of acknowledgement. Neither did she to him.
Four burly guards accompanied the territory baron, along with a young man she guessed to be his sixteen-year-old son. The boy had black hair, like his father, was whipcord lean, and possessed eyes as dark as midnight.
Birn led the way to the Command Center. Richert rolled along next with his men, and they were followed by Ray, Joshua, and herself. Additional commanders awaited their arrival in the conference room. They would be witnesses to the exchange of power.
Richert wheeled up to the long edge of the conference table. Two of his men flanked him, and two stood behind him, hands on their lasers. Anya sat across from him, with Ray to her right, then Joshua, and then Birn at the head of the table. The other commanders sat to Anya’s left.
Richert pointed to the far end of the table, where the young man had taken a seat. “Dominic. My son,” was all he said by way of introduction. His obsidian eyes gleamed at Anya.
Expression deliberately cool, she broke eye contact and offered a small smile to her cousin. Dominic’s lips flickered up in return.
What would it be like to be raised by a bitter man like Richert? Anya felt pity for the boy.
“Tablet,” Richert said curtly, a
nd one of the beefy men extracted a tablet from a black briefcase. When the guard plugged it into the conference table, the computer screens imbedded in the table glowed to life. The screen before Anya revealed the document in Richert’s tablet. It was simply labeled, “Surrender Document.”
“Read it,” Richert ordered. “And sign it. Every one of you.”
Anya read the brief document. Basically, Donetsk Territory would surrender all territory, cities, greenhouses, intelligence…everything…to Richert, effective immediately. Signatures appeared on the screen as the commanders signed in real time. At the very bottom of the page, Richert signed with flourish. Slowly, Anya picked up her stylus. When Joshua’s bold signature appeared, she signed below it. Birn’s was a dark, angry scrawl.
Richert smiled and handed the tablet back to the guard. “History is made. From now on, I call the shots for Donetsk.”
“Until you’re dead, old man,” muttered Birn.
Richert scowled. “You are dismissed. Leave your bars with my men. Your new assignment will be janitor in Omsk’s prison.”
Birn’s mouth opened and closed like a fish gulping for air.
“Get out.” Bony fingers snapped, but Richert didn’t look at Birn again. His opaque black eyes glared at the other occupants of the table. “Any more insubordination?”
Anya itched to tell the old man off, but kept her mouth shut.
Richert’s gaze lingered on her. Did a faint smile twitch his lips? The sadistic dictator.
Birn’s fist slammed into the wall as he exited.
“Good,” Richert said. “Now we can have a civilized conversation.”
Unable to stay silent a second longer, Anya demanded, “What do you intend to do with us?”
“If you shut up, I’ll tell you.”
Anya glared. Richert scowled back.
Anya sealed her lips, and crossed her arms for good measure. Now she was certain that amusement twitched her uncle’s lips.
“Good,” Richert growled. “You’ll have plenty of time to talk later. For now, everyone will listen to me. I’ve got two orders of business to complete. Then I’ll allow discussion.”
Anya thought of a particularly pertinent comment she’d like to make, but swallowed it with great difficulty.
“First,” Richert said, “Donetsk now operates under the same laws as Tarim. Same goes for Altai Territory, but that’s a mess. Onred’s daughter remains a threat—she probably escaped, and we can’t find Cadmus. We’ll sort that out later.”
Ray dared to speak. “How are your laws different than ours?”
“Good question.” Richert’s gaze bored into Joshua. “That damn fool protector law is dead. All penalties are erased.”
Anya’s mouth dropped open. Joshua’s lifted brow revealed his surprise as well.
“Other laws will change, too,” Richert finished testily. “Lisa will upload the documents to Zyra this afternoon.”
Anya’s heart pounded unnaturally fast. Why would Richert deliberately state that that one, specific law had changed? She glanced at Joshua. It was almost as if…
“Second,” Richert growled, “since all power now cedes to me and my heirs, the current baron of Donetsk must surrender to me all objects of his office. Later, that will include keys, codes, etc. For now—for symbolism’s sake—he will surrender the baron’s jacket.”
Stricken, Anya gazed at Joshua. This moment had been inevitable, of course. But it pained her to see Joshua peel off the baron’s jacket that he had worn for so long and so well. Although he’d come into power by a fluke of fate, he had earned that jacket, many, many times over.
Although Joshua’s face appeared emotionless when he delivered it to Richert, she knew how deeply it must hurt him to give it up. He had poured his whole life, heart, and soul into Donetsk. And now every bit of the power and respect he had earned would be stripped from him forever. In that moment, she hated Richert perfectly.
“Now what?” Her voice trembled. “Shall we all get down and…”
“Watch your mouth,” Richert snapped.
“You double-crossed us, and you want me to stay quiet?”
“Anya.”
She fell silent at Joshua’s quiet tone, but her cheeks felt hot. He was right, of course. Starting a fight would only deteriorate matters. Richert had won. But it was hard to accept gracefully.
Richert’s eyes gleamed, as if pleased by this interchange. His black gaze bored into her. “I’ve said this before. You look like your mother, but your mouth…and your fiery spirit…come only from your father.”
Anya wasn’t sure how to respond. It actually sounded like a compliment. Coming from a crotchety, bitter old man who had hated her father, she must be mistaken. “Thank you.” Whether she said it to be polite or sarcastic, she wasn’t certain.
Richert nodded. “Now, to my final order of business. I am an old man. I’ve decided to transfer the leadership of Donetsk Territory to someone I trust. It will not be my first-in-command, since I’ve recently learned that he’s been poisoning me.”
Anya gasped.
Richert’s eyes gleamed. “Ironic, isn’t it? That’s how my brother died. Now my first-in-command will suffer the same death he designed for me.” He coughed suddenly and harshly, and then wheezed for air. One of the guards swiftly put an oxygen mask to his mouth.
Long, gasping breaths later, Richert shoved it aside. “I may die soon. I need someone to take the reins for me. Since I’ve decided I can trust only family, I’ll transfer leadership of Donetsk to my oldest heir.”
Anya’s gaze swiveled to Dominic. That’s why Richert’s son had come. Surprise registered on his young face. As well it might. He was still too young to take leadership. Or perhaps that was another of the laws Richert had changed. Did it matter, in any case? Richert was the dictator here. Whatever he said would be. Anya certainly had no say in the matter. Richert only wanted Joshua, herself, and the other commanders present to witness Donetsk’s power transfer to his son.
Richert settled Joshua’s jacket into neat lines on his lap and rolled back from the table. He slowly steamed for his son.
Anya closed her eyes. This drama was too much. She just wanted it over. She wanted to ask Richert what he meant to do with her family and Joshua. And then they could make plans for the future.
“Open your eyes, Anya,” Ray murmured.
When she did, she was surprised to discover that Richert had rolled past Dominic and now rounded the table, heading toward the commanders on her side of the table. He bypassed both of them, too, and halted beside her.
Bewildered, she stared at him. Why had he stopped?
Richert’s papery lips cracked into a smile. He cackled. “I’ve still got some surprises up my sleeve.” He lifted the cream jacket and carefully placed it on her lap. “Choose the only man who will fill this jacket properly.”
Her fingers cautiously touched the fine fabric, still warm from Joshua’s body. “I don’t understand.”
Richert cleared his throat. “This coat belongs to my oldest heir. Since she is a woman, the jacket will belong to her husband. I’m still a chauvinist at heart.”
Richert’s meaning finally registered. Shocked, she retorted, “I am not your daughter.” Her high voice cracked. “I’m Jason Dubrovnyk’s daughter.”
“I thought so, too. For twenty-three years.” The old man’s eyes glistened. It couldn’t be from moisture, surely. “But when I met you…there was just something about you. Your fire and gumption were nothing like my brother.” He cleared his throat again. “He was a mean, sadistic brute. That morning, back in Aksu, I took your juice glass and gave it to my lab. They triple checked, to be sure. You are my daughter, Anya Dubrovnyk. Mine and my Rachel’s.” His hand shook as it smeared a tear beneath his eye. “Like it or not,” he added gruffly. “That’s the fact.”
Unable to speak, Anya could only stare at the testy, unpredictable old baron. He couldn’t be right. Her whole world…everything she had ever believed would turn upside
down. But she could also see that Richert believed he spoke the truth. He would never give power to Jason’s daughter. He would never cry over a girl who wasn’t his own flesh and blood.
Her throat felt suddenly full and choked. Her trembling hand smoothed Joshua’s fine coat. “They lied to you about the DNA tests?”
“Jason did. I don’t know if your mother knew the truth.”
Anya swiftly shook her head. “She didn’t. I would have sensed…something.”
Richert nodded abruptly. “The jacket is yours. Choose wisely.” He wheeled around, so his back faced her. “The meeting is over.” Over his shoulder, he added, “But we’ll share ZCA. I’m no fool.”
Dominic, looking as stunned as the other men at the table, rose and followed his father out of the room. He was her brother. Her half brother. And Marli and the others were her half siblings, too. But forever in her heart they would be her whole family.
Anya couldn’t move. She could barely think.
Ray put a brief, cool hand on her shoulder. “Congratulations,” he said quietly, and left with the other commanders.
Only Joshua remained. He took Ray’s chair and faced her, his knees touching her own. “How are you holding up?”
“I don’t know. I can’t…can’t get my head around it.”
“It will take a while.”
Anya ran a palm over the smooth jacket. “The Old Barons’ protector law is dead.” She couldn’t believe it. The weight of it…the relief…she could barely touch the wonder of it.
Joshua smiled. “I heard.”
“I almost think he did that…for us.”
“I think he did. In Aksu, Richert figured out what I felt for you. I tried to deny it, but he wouldn’t bite.”
Anya looked down at the jacket. Richert had deliberately abolished the law for them. In her heart, she believed that that had been his complex, inexplicable way of telling her that he loved her. “He wants me to choose the only man who will fit this jacket.”
“You have plenty of time to look around. I’m sure you’ll have lots of applicants.”
Ice Baron (Ice Chronicles, Book One (science fiction romance)) Page 26