Outlaw

by Angela Verdenius

Lightening split the sky and the heavens opened up, the rain pelting down, the wind whipping it into their faces.

  The traders cursed.

  Darvk tapped her shoulder. “Let’s go before we catch our deaths from cold!”

  “Wait.” She wriggled forward, eyes narrowed against the driving rain. “Who are the soldiers, Reya? Can you make out the insignia on the vehicle?”

  “There is no insignia.” Reya peered through a small eyeglass at the soldiers running for shelter. “Well, what do you know?”

  “Who is it?”

  “They have a dragon badge on their uniforms. Shari’s Dragon soldiers are down there.”

  “Let me see.” Tenia took the eyeglass.

  As Darvk waited, Tenia peered down at the figures below. Lowering the eyeglass, she nodded. “Dragon soldiers.”

  The sky was black, the surroundings hazy and dim.

  Reya looked at her sister. “It’s the perfect weather for us to go down and investigate further.”

  Maverk shook his head. “One slip on these wet slopes and you’ll slide right down into the settlement.”

  “I won’t slip.”

  “Damn it, Reya, nay.”

  Darvk caught the glance she and Tenia shared, realised belatedly that a silent message passed between them. Before he could grab Tenia or warn Maverk, the warriors were on their feet and heading down the incline in a crouch.

  “Bloody hell! You men stay here. I’m going down after those two little witches in case they’re spotted.” Darvk got to his feet to see Maverk already starting down the incline.

  Obviously his friend had the same thought.

  The Reekas were fleet of foot, but the Daamens had long legs that powerfully ate up the distance separating them. As the traders arrived at the bottom of the slope, the warriors made for the nearest hover vehicle to peer around it. The ruined building the soldiers had gone into was only a dim outline in the rain and gathering darkness.

  Maverk had just neared Reya when she slid out from behind the hover vehicle and disappeared around a crumbling wall of stone. Silently he slid out after her.

  Darvk was almost at Tenia’s side but not soon enough to stop her from bending low and moving with swift agility to the building next to the one the soldiers sheltered in. Once there, she dropped to one knee as she studied the surroundings again.

  She glanced back, and even through the driving rain he could see her startled expression when he broke cover and headed for her. Rather than wait for him, however, she quickly slipped around the back of the building.

  Darvk was hot on her heels, rounding the corner bent double in time to see Reya already kneeling beneath the shuttered window of the stone building the soldiers were in. Tenia dropped to one knee beneath the window she was closest to, opposite Reya.

  Frowning, Reya jerked her thumb over her shoulder and mouthed ‘Maverk’. Then their attention was turned to the voice coming from behind the broken shutter. She frowned even more when she spotted Darvk crouch down behind Tenia.

  Hating the thought that they were so close to the soldiers, that the wenches had risked their safety yet again, Darvk had to admit the lousy weather was good cover. It didn’t, however, appease his annoyance.

  The soldier’s conversation drifted out of the gaping hole where a window once sheltered it.

  “When this rain eases, we search the ruins.”

  “I don’t know why Shari’s so worried. Nothing was left behind.”

  “We made sure of that,” a third voice said.

  Maverk came around the corner of the building. Moving stealthily, he dropped down behind Reya. She and Tenia ignored the men at their backs, their attention focussed on the talk coming from the ruins.

  “Nothing was left to indicate that anyone else was here,” the second voice grouched. “Sent out to this forsaken ruin to do something we’ve already done.”

  So, the Inka Dragon soldiers had been here before. Darvk arched an eyebrow at Maverk.

  “Shari worries too much.” The voice came closer and the listeners flattened against the wall. Thunder rumbled as the flimsy shutter was pushed open above them. “Bloody rain and wind, it’s freezing. Shari should come out and take care of his own dirty business.”

  “Don’t let him hear you say that or you’ll hang like those Reekas.”

  The shutter banged shut, the soldier’s voice moving away. “I wonder why he hates them so much? He went to a lot of effort to…” Thunder boomed, drowning out the rest of his words.

  “Who knows?” the first voice said as the thunder died away. “But he’s worried that evidence may have been left behind, and it’s our job to make doubly sure that none exists.”

  “Reckon it’s got something to do with those traders asking questions at Bendya and Syran?”

  “Most definitely, also the fact that Karana’s brats are under their protection. Now he can’t get to them.”

  “For now.” The first soldier chuckled. “But he’ll find a way.”

  “Enough talking,” someone else said. “Let’s get some sleep until this blasted rain stops, then we can search the ruins and get out of here.”

  Murmurs of agreement met this and silence fell.

  When minutes passed with nothing further happening or being spoken, Tenia and Reya nodded to each other. Tenia turned her head and looked at Darvk, gesturing with one hand that they were leaving. He fell in behind her, intent on guarding their rear as Reya pulled ahead to be beside her sister. Maverk remained behind to aid Darvk in guarding.

  Stealthily they made their way back to the hover vehicle. A quick but thorough study of the surroundings showed it was clear, and they went back up the incline, coming up and over the top to drop down beside the four crewmembers who waited, anxious and shivering.

  “Where the hell have you been?” Red’s teeth were chattering.

  Darvk scowled as he watched Tenia take the eyeglass from Red’s hand and train it on the settlement. “On a bloody suicide mission.”

  She scanned the ruins and the direction that they’d come from. “No one follows. We made it without being seen.”

  Reya nodded, and everyone edged back until they were out of sight of the settlement before standing up.

  “Bloody hell, don’t you ever obey orders?” Darvk yelled above the wind that was still lashing them with rain.

  Tenia clamped her hand over his mouth and shook her head, pointing in the direction of the valley.

  He pushed her hand aside. “It’s a bloody raging gale out here! No one will hear me.”

  Tenia and Reya exchanged exasperated looks before striding quickly back to the spaceship.

  Gritting his teeth, Darvk followed, Maverk beside him. Red, Shamon, Borga, and Simon trudged along behind them, shaking with cold.

  The big trade ship looming out of the gloom was a welcome sight. The ramp lowered and the group trooped quickly up it and into the cargo hold, where they were met by the rest of the crew carrying towels.

  “We were starting to get worried.” Garret handed Darvk a huge towel. “Run into trouble?”

  “Not for want of trying,” he retorted, throwing a black look at Tenia.

  “We needed to go down and find out why the soldiers were there,” she said calmly.

  “Soldiers?” Cam’s dark brows shot up.

  “Aye, soldiers. These little fools went straight down into the settlement amongst them.” Maverk towelled his dripping, blonde hair vigorously. “I shouldn’t be surprised.”

  “The weather was perfect for going down undetected,” Reya replied. “If you weren’t so worried about getting wet, pretty boy, you’d have realized that yourself.”

  Morgan let loose with a loud guffaw.

  Maverk glared at him.

  “She’s right.” Stepping up beside her sister, Tenia stood with legs braced apart. “Do you honestly think that we’d have found out what we did if the weather had been lovely and sunny? There’s no way the soldiers would have sat around talking if that was so.”
>
  Darvk had to acknowledge she was right. But if they’d been spotted they could have been killed. “That’s not the issue, lass.”

  “Then what is?” The light of battle lit her eyes.

  Reya merely arched an eyebrow.

  “Care to have a little wager on the winners of this argument?” Aamun whispered to Heddam.

  “Five dinnos on the wenches.”

  “The issue is the danger you consistently put yourself in,” Darvk snapped. “You act without thinking or consulting.”

  “We knew what we were doing,” she replied. Then had the audacity to add, “You should have stayed atop the valley and let us go in alone. We knew what we were doing.”

  “The issue is supposed to be about finding the truth,” Reya pointed out coldly. “Cringing and running every time things get uncomfortable is not going to do it.”

  “Oooh, right to the bone,” Heddam whispered admiringly.

  “I’m surprised you haven’t killed men with that razor sharp tongue. Are you sure you need the daggers to do it for you?” Maverk stomped forward furiously.

  “Leave her alone,” Tenia said sharply, then sneezed.

  Immediately Darvk’s anger changed to concern as he felt her cold skin. “You’re freezing.” He looked around at his wet, shivering friends. “We all are. I suggest hot showers and a change of clothes, then we can meet in the dining cabin and talk again.”

  It would also give him time to cool down before he said something he’d regret, something that might push Reya into trying to convince her sister to leave. For better or worse, they were in it together, and he meant it to remain that way. Keeping Tenia close and out of danger, as well as her sister, was paramount.

  Ascending on the platform lift silently, they went to their cabins.

  ~ * ~

  Warm and dressed in dry clothes, the sisters were already sitting at the tablewhen Darvk and Maverk entered the dining cabin.

  Darvk’s eyes immediately settled on Tenia. Going by her wary expression, she doubtless expected a furious tirade. Instead he said calmly, “Right, now let’s try to discuss this rationally.”

  Some of the tension eased from her. “It was perfect timing to go into the settlement.”

  “What if you’d been seen?”

  “Visibility was nearly nil. Finding out the truth when we’ve been outlawed is full of risks, Darvk, and it’s one we’re willing to take.”

  Reya added, “You do realize, traders, that you have put yourselves at risk by helping us?”

  “That’s different,” Maverk drawled.

  “How so?”

  “Just because.”

  “Pretty boy, you’d still be clueless if it wasn’t for us. We found out that Shari and his Dragon soldiers are hiding something about that massacre, and we also know they’re checking for evidence of some kind left behind. Left to you, we’d still know nothing.”

  “Are you always so contemptuous of others?” he asked idly. “Or just me in particular?”

  “I don’t take stupidity well.”

  Darvk interrupted before his friend could start an argument with the red-headed wench. “I have to admit that what you say is true, Reya. We know more now than we did before, but it doesn’t mean that we agree to the risks you both took.”

  “Just to breathe is a risk when everyone wants you dead or enslaved.”

  “There’s no denying that, but we need to discuss and agree on issues if we’re to work as a team.”

  Tenia actually smiled at him, a full-on smile of thanks and gratitude, and it caught him right in the solar plexus. A little spiral of heat slid through him at the memory of those soft lips beneath his, her sweet taste-

  “Jase is keeping the settlement under scanner so that we can monitor the movements of the soldiers.” Maverk broke into Darvk’s thoughts. Picking up a thick mug, he poured a hot drink from the urn and returned to the table. “We don’t need to go so close again.”

  Darvk brought his mind back to business. “I think we should lift off into space while the rain is heavy so they don’t stumble upon us.”

  Tenia shook her head. “That may not be such a good idea. What if the ship that brought them is still up there? It may pick us up on their radar.”

  “If it hasn’t already done so,” Reya added.

  “No problem,” Maverk said. “We have a device fitted to this ship that can make us undetectable to other ships.”

  “You have a radar blocker? Where did you manage to get hold of that? It’s not something easily obtainable.”

  “We trade with many planets.” His eyes gleamed. “How about you?”

  She shrugged. “I’m a mercenary. What’s our next plan?”

  Tenia looked at him. “It would be better to be up in space, but can we still track the soldiers’ movements in the settlement?”

  “Aye. And we can also hear them if we attach a small communicator beneath their vehicles and hide one near the settlement. We’ll hear all that goes on in the ruins and around the vehicles.”

  “Good.” She stood up. “Let’s go and do it now.”

  Oh, no way was his wench putting herself in more danger. “Maverk and I will go.”

  “We can go with you.”

  “It’s only to attach the communicators. You’ve already been soaked once, I don’t want you sick.”

  “I won’t get sick, and besides, I thought we were a team.”

  Damn it, she had him there. Trust had to go both ways. Damn it.

  Correctly interpreting his scowl, Maverk sighed.

  “All right, but Maverk and I will put the communicators beneath the vehicles, while you two keep watch on the ruins from the top of the valley.” He pointed at her. “Agreed, Tenia?”

  The little gleam of victory was definitely in her eyes as she nodded. She looked so devious yet innocent at the same time, he couldn’t stop his lips quirking at the corner in reluctant amusement. God, the wench was making him go grey.

  ~ * ~

  It had been a long day, Tenia thought, plaiting her hair in readiness for bed, but the day had been a successful one. Hopefully the morning would bring news of the soldiers’ movements.

  Even though her sister slept in another cabin not far down the corridor, Tenia still found it hard to believe that after all this time she was actually here, on the ship, safe with her. Though she shouldn’t, she couldn’t help but admire Maverk for being game to bait Reya. Normally one look at those cold eyes was enough to shut up anyone dumb enough to tease her, but Maverk seemed to take enjoyment in baiting her.

  Man had a death wish.

  Rubbing her arm, Tenia knew they were lucky that the Daamens had come. Lucky she’d been bought by Darvk, that her sister had been taken into the fold - however reluctantly on Reya’s part - lucky that Darvk believed in the Reekas’ innocence.

  Okay, maybe not innocent so much as that he could see the inconsistencies in the historical details and - yes, he believed her account. He did believe in the innocence of the Reekas.

  Warmth washed through at the memory of his anger turning to reluctant amusement, the way he shook his head at her. The ways he sought to protect her. Yes, it could be annoying when she was used to running her own life, but she wasn’t stupid enough to believe the Reekas didn’t need help. If they were to show the universe they were innocent, that they didn’t deserve to be hunted, they needed help.

  Darvk offered it freely. His crew offered it. They’d befriended her and Reya, treated them with respect.

  A quiet knock sounded on her door and she frowned. It was late and everyone had long ago retired to bed except herself. Or so she’d thought. Obviously someone was still awake. Maybe Reya?

  Padding to the door in bare feet, she opened it, surprise filling her. “Darvk?”

  His gaze swept over her, making her suddenly aware that she wore nothing but a nightgown with a low neckline. When she drew in a deep breath, his eyes went to her breasts then flickered back up to her face, and this time her breath hitc
hed at the desire now evident.

  Desire that had her nipples pebbling.

  Not wanting him to see her response, she folded her arms, realizing she’d made a mistake when the movement pushed her breasts up. Quickly dropping her arms to her sides, she forced herself to speak calmly. “Is there something you wanted?”

  “Aye,” Darvk replied softly. “I want to give you something.” There was a wealth of meaning in not only the words, but the deep tone.

  Her mouth went dry.

  “This flower blooms in the midst of storms, hence its name of Storm Blossom.”

  That wasn’t what she’d expected. “What?”

  “This.” He held out the most beautiful flower she’d ever seen. Layer upon layer of petals in a circle, smallest on the outside to the largest in the centre forming a dome, delicate petals a deep violet shot through with pale pink and lavender. The scent it released was elusive, a faint whiff of rain on a breeze tinged with sweetness.

  Amazed, she reached out with one finger to tentatively touch a petal. “It’s so…so…I can’t even find the word to describe it.”

  “It reminds me of you, which is why I picked it.”

  Now she was startled. “Me?”

  “Delicate and sweet, yet strong enough to brave the storm.” His eyes softened, warmed.

  “No one has ever called me delicate before.” Flustered, she dropped her gaze back to the flower. “Certainly not sweet.”

  “The violet is the exact colour of your eyes when passion darkens them.”

  Words failed her and she swallowed.

  He moved closer, reached out, and she held her breath as one large, callused finger tilted her chin up. She saw the intent in his eyes, the way he angled his head as he lowered towards her, and she released her breath on a sigh as his mouth covered hers in a kiss that was gentle yet possessive. Definitely possessive. Definitely gentle. A combination that had her heart hammering.

  He didn’t pull her against him, his mouth the only thing that touched her, yet it was all she needed to make her sway closer, lean in to the kiss, welcome it.

  Yes, welcomed it. Welcomed his kiss, the closeness, the intimacy. She was drawn to him, wanted him, wasn’t going to deny it. She was conscious of the heat of his body seeping into her skin even though the only thing touching were their lips, and the sensation of his long, thick hair brushing her cheek. It was a heady combination when his clean, male scent was added to it.