by ML Guida
Topaz lifted his eyebrow. “You really think you can keep him in bed?”
“No,” he said grimly. “I’ll prepare a sedative, but it won’t last long. And you’ll be in a wheelchair. You’ve just had surgery, Tash. You’re not going to walk out of here like it’s a skip in the park.”
Tash rolled his eyes. “I realize that doctor, but thank you.”
Scarlett kissed Tash’s bruised knuckles. “You’re a stubborn bear.”
“Tell me about it.” Topaz grinned.
Tash gripped her hand. “Scarlett, you have to use your psychic powers at that trial.”
She scowled. “What do you mean?”
“Don’t you see? Half of Dad’s crew will be there. They think he’s guilty. You have to undue the Telsa Sifter’s affects. You have to open their minds. You have to make them remember.”
“But I can’t do that.”
“You used telepathy in the cave. Didn’t you?”
Doubt filled her eyes. “Yes, but––”
Topaz interrupted. “Scarlett, you’re powerful. Only a powerful psychic would have been able to reach me when I was a dragon. If you hadn’t reached out to me, I wouldn’t have known to break down that door.”
She lowered her gaze. “That was pure luck.”
Topaz shook his head. “No, it wasn’t. If you’ll excuse me, I have to return to the bridge. We’ll land on Zalara soon.”
Tash squeezed her hand gently. “Will you at least try?”
She looked at him. “I’ll try. For you.”
Tash sighed with relief. He asked hesitantly, “What happened? Did everyone make it out?”
“Yes!” Clayton blurted. “You did it! You saved my little sister.”
“The Arians are resting in their quarters,” Scarlett said. “The doctors have been treating their wounds.”
Tash slowly noticed he wasn’t the only one in sickbay. A couple of men and women were stretched out on the beds. One of the women was Agnes. Hoss sat at her side.
“Is she going to make it?”
Scarlett dapped the sweat on his forehead. “Yes. Agnes will be fine. It’s like magic in here. Just rest before we land.” She kissed him briefly on the lips. “I’ll be right here.”
He smiled. “Promise?”
“Always.”
Scarlett pushed Tash down a marbled hallway to the court room, which seemed more like a palace than a building. Gold and silver lined the walls that had portraits of dragons and kings.
Every one of her muscles twitched and with every step she took, her stomach flip-flopped. Tash wanted her to use her psychic abilities to have his dad’s crew remember. What if she couldn’t?
Clayton walked alongside Tash. Even cleaned up, the poor boy looked like a starved waif. His shaggy hair was trimmed and clean, but his clothes hung off his slender frame. Her goal was to fatten him up and never let him worry about when his next meal was coming.
Topaz was on the other side of Clayton. The rest of the rescued Arians followed them.
Her heart pressed against her ribs, cutting off her air. They’d been through so much. What if the judge wouldn’t listen? She had to make those people remember. She’d been able to get through to a dragon, she had to get through to those Arians’ closed minds.
She thought her life was over when the blast of the mine tossed Tash through the air as if he were a piece of paper.
No one spoke and the thump of Tash’s wheelchair twisted her nerves even tighter.
Topaz pointed. “Finbar’s trial is behind those gold doors.”
The doors opened and a tall dark-haired man emerged. He hurried over. “Tash, it’s good you’re here. Things aren’t going well.”
“Rye, this is my mate, Scarlett. Scarlett, this is my younger brother, Rye.”
“Scarlett,” he said. “You’re the one we’ve been waiting for. This is it. You’ve got to get those Arians to remember or my dad will be executed.” His voice quivered with excitement and fear.
Blood thundered through her veins, turning her skin red-hot. Not the way she wanted to meet his people. No, how do you. No, nice to meet you. Just get in there and make people remember the worst horror of their lives as if it were a snap.
“Give her a minute, Rye,” Tash said. “She can do it.”
Scarlett’s legs trembled and she held on tight to Tash’s chair to keep from falling.
“Hurry.” Rye ran his hand through his hair. “The judge is ready to order Dad’s execution right now.”
“Wait,” Tash said. “Did you find out which ambassador planted the bomb on their ship?”
“No, the Telsa Sifter revealed that all of them were telling the truth.”
Tash swore. “Someone else must be responsible.”
Scarlett swallowed back the frustration in her throat. Tash and Topaz had been so sure that their machine would have ferreted out the culprit. Now, everything rested with her.
Two guards warily watched them approach. Their giant size made her insides quake, but she forced herself to lift her chin as if she had a right to be there. Clayton clasped her arm tightly and buried his face into her sleeve.
One of the guards held up his hand. “Halt, the trial is in progress, and Judge Marley has issued a command that no one may enter once the trial has commenced. He’s extremely cranky, because his allergies have kicked in.”
“I don’t think so,” Rye said. “King Greum sent me out to get my brother, his mate, and the others, and bring them into the courtroom. Do you really want me to go back inside and tell him that you’re disobeying his order?”
The guard’s face paled. He glanced at the other guard who shrugged.
“I’m not going against the king,” he said. Obviously, they feared their king more than they did the judge.
They opened up the double doors to a crowded courtroom. Everyone turned to stare at them.
The judge, a long-haired scowling man, slammed a gavel. “What is the meaning of this?”
Scarlett froze and she could feel the blood drain from her face. She knew that nasal voice. “Tash, it’s…it’s him. The voice from my visions.” Her tone wasn’t audible.
“Scarlett.” Clayton dug his fingers into her arm. “It’s…it’s The Master.”
“The Master…it’s The Master.” Someone growled behind them.
“He’s a murderer.”
“He’s a traitor.”
“Scarlett,” Tash said. “Use your ability now.”
Fear pulsed through every artery, but she had to do this. For Tash. For Clayton. For everyone who had faith in her.
She blocked out the noise bustling around her. The hairs on the back of her neck itched and tingles swept over her. She drew on every ounce of power she had.
The vision came. Remember….
Something pushed the vision away and snapped her head back. Gritting her teeth, she held up her shaking palm and in a loud voice yelled. “Remember!”
A loud snap broke and roar like a freight train blocked out everything in the room. Arians cried out, but then silence.
Scarlett was back on Sutois. But instead of in the jungle, they were in a dark, damp cave. Blue veins sparkled in the rocks embedded in the walls. Cold air seeped into her bones.
Marley faced a man who looked like Tash, but was older. His face was blackened and his clothes torn. Anger flashed in his eyes.
Behind him, Gogs and Kamtrinians pointed weapons at frightened men and women.
“As you can see, Captain Finbar. You have a choice. I have half your crew. It’s up to you whether they live or die.” His nasal voice sent chills down Scarlett’s back.
“You can’t do this, Marley,” Captain Finbar said. “You’re a member of the United Planet Confederation. You swore an oath.”
“That oath means nothing to me.” He narrowed his eyes and lifted up a fist. “With the nitrinium, I’ll be the most powerful Drykian in the universe.”
“Why do you need my crew?”
“Isn’t it obvious? I
need workers.”
Finbar jerked his hand. “You have Gogs. You have Kamtrinians. Let them do your dirty work.”
“Sorry, Captain. You and your crew know my secret. That’s something I can’t have.”
“Take me and let my people go.”
Marley laughed. “One worker, I don’t think so. Besides, the Confederation will hunt down this planet looking for a missing captain.” He snapped his fingers.
One of the Kamtrinians handed him what looked like a silver pen.
Captain Finbar stared. “What is that thing?”
Marley shrugged. “It’s like the Telsa Sifter, but more powerful. For supplying the Kamtrinians with the nitrinium, they’ve supplied me with some of their technology.” He lifted the pen. “This is one of them.”
“What does it do?” Wariness filled his voice.
“It plants memories. Memories I want your crew safe up on the Intrepid to remember. You will take this and turn it on. Your crew will remember what I want them to remember.”
Captain Finbar folded his arms across his chest. “What if I won’t do it?”
Marley tilted his head. One of the Gogs grabbed a woman who kicked and screamed. The Gog opened its mouth revealing jagged sharp teeth.
“Shall I have him eat her?”
Finbar put up his palms. “No, please, no.”
“I thought so. Put her down.”
The Gog released the woman who fell to the ground sobbing.
“So, do we have a deal Captain? Your crew will work for me mining the nitrinium, and I’ll protect them from the Gogs and the Kamtrinians. But if you tell anyone, you’ll sign their death warrant. You’ll never save them in time.”
Finbar swore. “You can’t be serious.”
“Oh, but I am.”
Defeat and hate flickered in Finbar’s eyes. “You promise they’ll be safe?”
“Once the mine is done, I’ll release them.”
Finbar lowered his head. “I don’t have a choice.”
“True. You don’t. Take the Born Represser and do as I say. Or the Gogs will have a feast to remember.”
Finbar took the Born Represser in his shaking hand.
And Marley let loose a sinister laugh that curled Scarlett’s toes.
Blinding pain exploded in Scarlett’s mind as if a bomb went off in her head. She cried out and collapsed. Sweat drizzled into her eyes, and she gasped for breath.
“Scarlett.” Clayton grabbed her arm. “Are you okay?”
She patted his trembling hand. “I will be.” But black dots danced in front of her eyes and her stomach churned around like a blender. She struggled to breathe.
Rye knelt next to her. “I can’t believe it. I never experienced anything like it. A movie played in my head.”
“It wasn’t Finbar.” Someone yelled.
“Marley betrayed us.”
“Finbar’s innocent.”
More voices burst out all around them, but all Scarlett could do inhale and exhale.
The judge’s face paled, and the lines around his face tightened. He ran down the platform and headed for the door.
But a roar shook the room that made people gasp.
Tash bolted out of his wheelchair as if he’d forgotten he’d had surgery.
She reached for him with a trembling hand. “Tash, no.”
But her pleas fell on deaf ears. Tash shifted into a bear and lunged.
“Tash.” Topaz ran after him.
Heart palpitations thundered in Scarlett’s chest. Tingles raced down her arms, turning her fingers and legs numb.
Tash’s claws extended and his snarls would have scared the crap out of a polar bear.
The judge turned, his eyes wide, and shifted into a snarling lion. He lifted his paw and swiped, hitting Tash across the face. Blood sprayed across the courtroom. Tash growled with anguish. The lion and bear clawed each other and bit each other. Their bodies slammed into the judge’s platform and the tables. Yellow and brown fur and blood flew into the air.
Fear shut down Scarlett’s heart and lungs. Tears pressed against the back of her eyelids.
Don’t let him die. Don’t let him die.
Paws and claws tore into flesh. Deep bloody scratches marred Tash’s brown fur, opening up his wounds. Scarlett screamed and covered her mouth.
People yelled and stood. The guards raced toward the two brawling beasts.
Tash gripped the judge’s throat and bit down hard, pinning the beast to the floor. The lion released a pleading yelp, blood dripping out of its mouth.
Topaz clasped Tash’s huge shoulder. “Let him go, Tash.”
Tash shook him and the lion whimpered. He dropped him onto the floor then shifted back into a humanoid. Tash collapsed onto one knee, and Topaz caught him.
His face was ashen and he panted heavily. “My dad’s…my dad’s innocent.”
An older man knelt next to Tash. “Son, what have you done? How did you learn the truth?”
Tash pointed a shaky finger. “My mate. She’s a psychic. She unlocked people’s minds.”
Everyone in the room turned where he was pointing except for Marley who had shifted back into a humanoid. Blood dripped down his throat.
Scarlett shook, and her heart thundered between her ears.
Rye helped Scarlett stand. “This is Scarlett. She’s the one who showed you the truth.”
People shuffled past Scarlett, Rye, and Clayton.
The older man’s eyes glistened with tears. He gripped Tash’s arm. “My crew. They’re back.” His voice shook.
Excited and angry voices broke out all around Scarlett.
“Captain Finbar, we’re back,” someone cried.
“Marley lied. He fed Arians to the Gogs.”
Clayton looked up at Scarlett with his huge eyes, swimming in tears. “Don’t let The Master get me.”
She rubbed his back. “Don’t hurry, honey. People know the truth. Marley can’t hurt you anymore.”
People jammed in front of her, cutting her off from Tash and Topaz. Voices were going off at once. She ushered Clayton to an empty chair. “Wait here.”
He shook his head and wrapped his thin arms around her neck, nearly choking her. “No, you promised not to leave me. He’ll get me.”
She put her hands on his surprisingly strong arms. “Clayton, you’re choking me.”
“Don’t leave me, please.” He refused to let go.
“Clayton, I have to get to Tash. He’s hurt.”
But the sea of people had grown and the angry and panic voices hinted that a mob was about to break out.
“Kill Marley.”
“Hang him.”
“Silence,” a loud male voice cried. But the crowd started pushing and shoving each other.
All hell was about to break out in the small courtroom.
A black dragon, bigger even than Topaz, appeared, quieting the crowd.
Scarlett gasped and hugged Clayton tight. His heart was beating as fiercely as hers.
The dragon shifted back into what she assumed was a man. The energy fluttering through her helped her breathe normally.
She whispered into the boy’s ear. “It’s all right, Clayton. Everything’s going to be fine.” She stroked the back of his head.
“I am King Greum. We will have order. Everyone back up and give us room. Contact the medical team to tend to Captain Tash and Judge Marley.” His authoritative tone brought order to the chaos.
Someone growled. “Let Marley die!”
Scarlett tensed and turned Clayton’s head, not wanting him to see the judge ripped apart.
King Greum yelled, “Silence!”
She shook and nearly jumped out of her skin. But she had to remain strong not just for Clayton, but for Tash.
The jeers died down.
“As I said, contact the medical team to care for both the judge and Captain Tash. Captain Topaz will relay what happened earlier. We already know what happened with Finbar, thanks to Tash’s mate. Please, Captain Topaz,
continue. His voice is the only one I want to hear.” His commanding voice calmed the crowd or maybe he put the fear of God into them.
Weariness gripped Scarlett. Her muscles and power were drained. She sank in a chair next to Clayton and sighed with relief.
A medical team rushed in with stretchers to tend to the fallen judge and Tash. Scarlett was done with court. She just wanted to go home. Back to the Intrepid.
She took Clayton’s hand. “Come on, Clayton, let’s go.”
“Okay,” he said slowly.
The medical team carried both the judge and Tash out on stretchers.
Her skin tingled. She forced her shaky legs to move and took deep breaths to calm the panic that still threatened to emerge. She’d done the impossible, and all she wanted to do was sleep for a week.
She held Clayton’s sweating hand and followed the medics out of the courtroom. Her heart swelled with pride. Tash had saved his people and brought the evil to justice.
But he wasn’t just a hero for his people. He was her hero, because he pushed her to do what she never thought possible. Thanks to him, she no longer looked at her visions as a curse. They were a gift that had not only saved his people back on Sutois, but had saved him.
Her duty was to be by her mate’s side. He was the love of her life, and she’d follow him no matter where he wanted to go.
Epilogue
Scarlett lay naked curled up next to Tash who was still asleep. His warm breath tickled the back of her neck. Her inner thighs throbbed from their last love-making marathon. She’d never get tired of waking to this.
Clayton and his younger sister were down the hall from them. Tash had enlarged the captain’s quarters to include two other bedrooms and a living room for their little family. The Intrepid was their home and would always be their home.
Judge Marley was now in the hot seat and the United Planet of Confederation was peeling away his background. They were on a hunt for the missing nitrinum.
Right now, that would wait.
All she cared about was that Tash’s dad was safe. Since she and Tash had adopted Clayton and his sister, they’d become instant grandparents who tended to spoil them.
Scarlett sighed. After what Clayton and his little sister had been through, they both deserved a little spoiling.