by Debbie Behan
Aurek left a few hours later.
‘We will have to do this again.’ Caitlin hugged him.
‘The gods would surely not put me through such torture.’ He gave her his funny distorted grin that gave her the giggles.
‘Then be good or I will be sent to your door,’ she warned.
An incline of his head and he was gone. He was a ruler, she now guessed, as they were the only ones permitted the luxury of instant transportation.
Jett took her home the next day. She felt safe here on Pluto and just for a minute had reservations.
‘Is it safe to go back? What if Orion learns of my return and decides on a full-scale assault? I’m not sure if I am well enough to handle such an attack.’
‘Oh I don’t think that’s going to happen, in fact I’m sure you’ll always be safe from him now on. Trust me.’ He smiled.
Caitlin didn’t really understand what he meant but trusted him implicitly.
Orion’s Surprise
Visitor
Back home, Axon showered Caitlin with gifts, flowers and even took time off work for a couple of days to be with her. She had enjoyed every minute with him but now it was time for him to go back to work, Caitlin wished she could as well.
‘I’m completely healed,’ she told Axon.
‘Soon.’ He kissed a sulky Caitlin goodbye.
Jett rang her most days to check up on how she was and today came for a visit. She was thrilled to see him and taking his hand, walked with him around the outer grounds of the Estate. The wolves kept guard, and Russo’s eyes almost closed, with the tight rein he kept on her. No trust in Jett, not one little bit. Caitlin ignored the daggers Russo gave and sat on a boulder by a rocky stream to chat.
‘You have your energy back. I can feel your powers spiking. There must be a need for you out there again. Has Axon allowed you to go back to work yet?’ He sat on a large rock next to her.
‘I hope to go back tomorrow. I’m so sick of this sitting around.’ A kick sent her shoe flying and she stretched out her leg, dipping her toe in the cold water, wiggling it around.
‘What about you; is Melita back yet?’
‘Comes home today for good. I intend to go via her mum’s after I leave here and pick her up.’ Jett tossed a rock in the water and watched it skip along the surface.
‘And – isn’t it your wedding anniversary. What have you planned?’ Caitlin asked.
He smiled. ‘I intend to take a few days off to spend with her. Maybe I’ll take her on a second honeymoon.’
‘Aw, that is so sweet.’ She leaned over and stifled a chuckle. ‘You – romantic.’
‘Stop it Glow. I can be just as caring as the next bloke.’
‘How many centuries would you say it’s been since you took her somewhere special other than her wedding night?’ Caitlin said.
‘Point taken and if I leave it any longer it will be that again. Ready to go back?’ He stood, Caitlin gripped his outstretched hand as he hoisted her up, and they walked back arm in arm.
‘Friends always.’ He hugged her as his image shimmered from sight.
Caitlin woke excited the next day. She had talked Axon into going back to work and this was her first official mission. She hadn’t been on a horse since the bomb blast and today she would meet the ruler from Orion’s Belt; the fool responsible for hurting her, almost killing her.
Orion had not given up his quest to hunt back on Taurus and without permission, although caught, had taken his dogs there twice. Aurus, the ruler of Taurus, was beside himself and approached Aldebaran for assistance. Aldebaran was furious Orion had broken the treaty and threatened that if the Cloud Riders didn’t sort it out soon, he would.
As Cassie’s father became entangled in another war, Kayden worried for his wife’s safety and pulled her from there and she joined him at Axon’s with the rest of the team. It was a full house and yet both teams seemed to manage to keep out of each other’s way. In fact, Kayden and his team had only just arrived back from speaking to Orion. Kayden had been hopeful before they left and had laid his bets on Cassie being able to turn it around. She’d been sick while Caitlin was, as the link between the females was stronger than that with the men. Both were well now and this had been Cassie’s first mission too.
‘How did it go?’ Axon asked as the team stomped past.
‘He’s a hard headed son of a bitch,’ said Kayden.
‘Did Cassie wear him down at all?’
Kayden shook his head. ‘Wouldn’t even talk to her, and we got nothing. I had to hold Woody back from giving him a good thump when he was so arrogant to the men.’
‘It’s your zone, Kayden. But remember I have a vested interest in this; he nearly killed one of my team. So if you want help, just say the word. Maybe a bit of extra muscle will alter the self-indulgent dictator. ’
‘That is exactly what I hoped you’d say.’ Kayden wiped the sweat from his brow. ‘But I had my sights on just one of them.’
‘Caitlin.’
‘I’d like her to take a crack at it. That power she used to calm the gods might just work. Settle him down just enough to allow us some kind of exchange with him while she keeps the big guy quiet.’
‘She’d jump at the chance to get out there again, but I was going to give the Macro Riders something easy for a couple of weeks until I was sure she was okay.’
‘Axon, if it were one of the men that wore the blast, would you be so protective? The girls are just as tough as the guys. Don’t baby any of them; they have a job to do. If she says she’s ready, she is. Get her out there and let her do what she’s been given this gift to do. I bet Rory agrees with me.’
Axon’s face reddened. They hadn’t had words in a long time and doing so in his own home made it worse. ‘I do not baby her, ever! And I take offence to you insinuating that I – do!’’
Kayden raised his eyebrow with a cheeky smile.
It calmed Axon. ‘Okay, well maybe I was. Rory said the same a couple of nights ago.’ He screwed his lips up in a grumpy answering smile of sorts.
‘I need her,’ Kayden said.
‘You just stirred me, you sod, to get me to give her up, didn’t you?’
Kayden slapped his shoulder. ‘Let me shout a refreshment.’
‘Might as well. Better make it a starstarter, straight. You don’t give up when you get your mind set on something and I know I‘m not going to win, am I?’
‘And a cigar.’ Kayden grinned.
Axon gave up. Kayden was his equal, not only in power but in mindset. He had Buckley’s and none of convincing Kayden that if Cassie couldn’t do it, Caitlin had no hope. Kayden knew as well as Axon did that Caitlin had something unusual, something neither of them had seen before, and if Kayden had his way, she’d be on his team. He just thanked the heavens it was Rory she was loyal to and hoped it would always be him she came home to. ‘I’m coming then.’ Axon’s stubbornness was met with a laugh.
‘Thought you’d say that.’
‘Well, after I talk Rory into letting me be the one to go with her. He’s so pig headed.’
‘Mmm love to be a fly on the wall with you two,’ Kayden said.
‘No different to you and Woody.’
‘Point taken – now, about that starstarter.’
‘And cigar,’ Axon added, his smile wide.
****
Caitlin was to ride on a new horse today. Shargan was still recovering from being hurt in the same accident. The perceptive mare had felt her fear, run towards her and received shrapnel in her rump. It was the piece that would have decapitated Caitlin if the mare had not intervened. The bravery didn’t go unnoticed, and the steed received VIP treatment back on the Pegasus constellation where she continued to recover.
‘This horse better not put me in a stupid dress.’ Caitlin looked indignant as Axon lifted her up onto the horse. She liked the pants and boots that Shargan dressed her in, and pouted as the magic powered up and continued to sulk while she waited for the glow to dissipa
te.
‘Wow.’ He stepped back and gave her a wolf whistle.
Caitlin looked down, excited for just a second at Axon’s reaction, until she saw what she wore.
‘Oh – my – goodness, hell no.’ Her hands went to her face, unimpressed. ‘I knew it.’
The fleck in the sheer golden fabric glistened in the light. The material fell soft and loose down her back to reveal a tattoo of Shargan. The front fell softly across her chest in light folds that left little to the imagination and the gown that somehow gathered in the right places, sat elegantly around the horse. It was of such a heavenly softness that even with the slightest of movement it lit up like fairy dust.
‘Where’s the halo? Bet it’s dropped and strangling you,’ Rory teased as he arrived in time to see them off. His look alone let Caitlin know he was very pleased she was back on a horse.
‘Smart-aleck!’ She put her arms out to Axon, moving her fingers at him impatiently. ‘New horse, this one’s crackers.’
‘You’re staying put. We haven’t time and anyway, I like it.’ Axon grinned and jumped on his horse as they lifted so quickly off the ground she had no chance to make any further protests.
‘You did that deliberately Kayden,’ she sulked.
‘And if we are going to suck in the stubborn rogue ruler, I need a true angel on board to do it. Now quit the antics and enjoy the ride.’
‘Hate you!’
‘Love you!’ Kayden turned and winked, as his comment made her smile.
‘Okay but if he laughs at me I’m hopping on your horse, dressing like a man and whipping your hide.’
Axon and Kayden cracked up laughing. They both knew she wouldn’t shut up now until they got there and looked forward to the laugh along the way. Axon had fallen for her the very first trip. He met his match that day and gave in as they all had to befriend this mysterious beauty.
Kayden led and as they hit the clouds all chatter ceased and his was the last word. If she doesn’t dazzle our boy in that outfit today I give up, he said.
Axon glanced at Caitlin, aware she would hate this voiceless part of the journey where noise was silent due to the magic of the approaching portal.
****
The landing on Orion’s Belt was swift and precise as all horses lined up parallel to the army that awaited them. Guns weren’t aimed, but at the ready as if they expected trouble. Caitlin turned quickly to Kayden. They looked trigger-happy and there was an awful lot of rifle power.
Settle Cait, this is our usual welcome; Orion knows our power and is just flexing his muscles.
Orion was the hunter and to take her mind off the explosive situation, Caitlin glanced around to distinguish the prodigy that defined his home world. The mountain range stretched out as far as the eye could see, rivers twisted within the gullies and the tallest of trees lined the waterways. His home from the air looked like a tropical holiday resort and now in front, the enormity of the two-storey building filled her with a sense of helplessness. No wonder this guy wasn’t interested in making amends; he had it all and what do you offer a man that has everything? This was going to be a tough assignment and Caitlin suddenly felt very unsure of her abilities. She tried to subdue the anger that kept raging for his vicious attack against her friends and for the pain he caused personally.
Axon saw the frown, picked up her hand and held it. ‘I can see your emotions are all over the place, but you know how to control that.’
‘I want to blow him up when I meet him. See how he likes it!’
‘Caitlin! Kayden has taught you how to deal with it so now do it, or we go home.’
She closed her eyes and did as she was trained. Using her inner power she found the fiery anger and in her mind doused it with water. Flames out she took a deep breath as she opened her eyes and smiled. ‘See how long it lasts this time.’
‘If anyone can, I know you can do this.’ He smiled. ‘Now go do your thing and if it goes nowhere, believe me it’s not from lack of magical sexiness.’ He grinned. ‘And if you do lose it, I won’t be mad. We’ll just have to find another way.’
‘I won’t disappoint you Axon, just need to know you will support whatever I need to do.’
‘I will.’
****
They were shown into Orion’s home, an enormous entrance similar to a grand six-star luxurious motel. Through double doors the room acted as a lavish sitting room that looked out over the outdoor entertaining area, complete with pool and meticulously manicured hedges and trees. This was surrounded by accommodation units and from the air she knew each had its own jetty and motorised fishing boat.
She eyed the white furniture against blood red carpets. On the walls hung heads of beasts; the colours and décor were proof of his love to hunt. The splash of white gave her a hint that there wasn’t only just darkness in his heart.
The twitter of birds caught her off guard. He had living creatures amongst the deadness of animal heads that hung heavily on the walls. The rug on the floor even sported a head. She wondered what sort of man would enjoy the hunt so very much he was ready to take up arms, and start a war to have his own way. To judge him she felt the need to try this sport first.
Outside on the veranda she put her hand up. The colourful birds thrilled her when they perched on her palm.
She heard Kayden speak to Orion as he came into the room, but he made no response. She lifted her hand for the birds to fly off so she could turn and meet him, intrigued to talk to the person who owned all this magnificence, yet was unsatisfied. Still smiling at the birds, Caitlin turned to meet Aurek.
What’s he doing here?
Aurek snapped his fingers at a servant. ‘Fix the guests a beverage.’ His arrogant tone surprised her.
He turned to Kayden. ‘Is this one of your Riders?’
Kayden nodded a response. ‘Her name is Caitlin.’
Before Kayden could finish the introductions, Aurek hushed him with an upraised arm. ‘It is Glow Girl I need to speak to. Amuse yourselves. Get a drink, whatever. Just give me a minute.’
Orion had no intention to wait for permission; he had to have time alone with her. Had Glow Girl tricked him? Did she know him? To lose her friendship shook him to the core, in fact Orion barely kept it together as he led Caitlin quickly outside and into the garden.
It was in that moment when a stunned Axon and Kayden clicked that this was the friend she had met at Jett’s. They could read how annoyed with her he was and were both ready to snatch her away if he flexed his muscles. They both knew Orion well. He was full of games; it was in his nature. Neither trusted him and what would happen next was anyone’s guess.
‘Did you know who I was? You did, didn’t you? What game are you playing? I thought we were friends. This isn’t good, Glow. You should have told me who you were.’ He was angry, yet shattered at the same time.
Tears stung her eyes. She didn’t understand his attack. ‘I’m not here to see you, Aurek. I’ve come to talk to Orion. He’s the sod that nearly blew me up. I have no beef with you.’
His tone grew almost high pitched. ‘That was you!’ His hand ran roughly over his matted hair. The dreadlocks today were clean and a little frizzy at the roots from a vigorous lather. She could see his mind tick over. ‘All the bruises! I did that to you?- Are you serious?’ The bench seat creaked as the force of his body weight sat heavily on it.
‘You’re Orion! No! You couldn’t be that arrogant, hot-tempered, selfish man.’ She collapsed beside him, bewildered. ‘You’re lying to me, you’re my friend. We drank together, laughed and even shared deep secrets together. Please don’t say you’re him.’
‘I’m so sorry Glow. I’m the monster you hate. Hell, I feel sick that I did that to you.’ Orion got up and paced. Glow Girl had her head down and to lose her respect and friendship at this point, shook him. Why he felt this way towards her he had no clue, but knew if it wasn’t sorted out somehow, it was him that would be the loser here. He bent down. ‘Your bruises…’ He shook his head and
looked to the ground. ‘I wanted to kill the bastard that did that to you, and now I find it was me.’ Orion glared at her. ‘Why are you here? How can you sit here and not run?’
They locked eyes while time paused, as if she saw deep in his soul, yet knew that was impossible, or was it? I will miss you Glow. His eyes betrayed his thought. She ran a hand lightly down his cheek, her next words so quiet he strained to hear. ‘You’re just Aurek to me, and you’re my friend. Before when you did that you were Orion. Aurek could never do that, to me.’
She patted the seat beside her and as if under a spell, he moved at her request. As she stood up the effect was angelic. Her gown looked saintly and floated with each movement. She turned her back on him and he eyed the flawless complexion of a woman he would most likely never see again. The thought stabbed at him.
He dropped his eyes and felt the softest touch lift his chin. ‘Look, all gone. Not even a scar. Feel.’ She shifted so his hand could feel her and at the same time gave him the most adorable smile that moved him.
He rolled his eyes as she watched him intently. ‘Yes it’s better now.’ He kept hold of her.
‘Orion is evil and it was immorally wicked of him to have attacked our group. As a result, I ended up in much pain and I should have you flogged for such an act. However, as my friend Aurek you have never harmed me and even now you feel sick to think you did so. How about we start again? You know who I am and vice-versa.’
‘No Caitlin, you are Glow Girl to me and so you never have to think of me so poorly. I would like to keep the name you gave me when you knew me as your friend.’
She smiled. ‘Aurek.’
‘Yes Glow.’
‘Does that mean we can put aside our true selves and as friends, talk.’
‘I would like that, if you can put what happened aside.’
‘I can do better than that. Caitlin, the Rider, in your company does not exist. We are the two we were when we met at Jett’s. Teasing, fun loving buddies.’
‘I would appreciate that more than you know.’
‘Me too.’
‘So what now?’
Get up and show me this oasis. I couldn’t believe what I saw when we flew in. You’re one hell-of-a-catch! Want to marry me too?’