Alien Hostage (25 page)

The air left Falinset’s body as if he’d been punched in the gut. Yet again, Maf used Wekniz and Nur like pawns, playing at his old games and not caring who it hurt.

Maf sighed, his expression filling with regret. “I do not want to threaten you, Falinset. You are my son. I want us to be like other fathers and sons. Why won’t you give me a chance?”

His hurt fell on deaf ears. Falinset seethed. “You threaten my clanmates and expect me to accept you?”

“It was my threats that gave you those clanmates you dote on so, Falinset. I can give you even more.”

“You have nothing I want, Maf. Nothing.”

Maf winced, but his attractive face, so at odds with the deformed body, formed a smile. “I think I do. I have something beyond the continued safety of your clanmates’ parents to offer you. All you have to do is hand over what belongs to me.”

“What would that be?” He had nothing to lose by holding onto the pretense.

“You know what I’m talking about. You can’t get them off Lobam. The moon is under my control. No coms, no shuttle, nothing can get past my forces. If I wanted to, I could easily take what I want. I have not yet done so because I want us to come to an agreement, something that will benefit us both.”

Falinset froze. He’d agreed with Wekniz that Maf’s reach on Lobam was probably enough to present a serious danger to them. But to have control over the entire moon? Over its elected governors and city assemblies? Over all the military installations? Over the off-planet com system itself? Surely his influence didn’t extend that far.

Maf followed up the stark threat with the fatherly tones that set Falinset’s teeth on edge. “I wish to reward your loyalty to me. The exchange I’ve arranged is to your greater benefit. Sitrel will visit in a few days with my offer.”

Falinset wanted to tell Maf what he could do with his offer. However, the elder Dramok looked pleased with himself and utterly sure of Falinset. What could Maf offer that would convince him to give up the princess and Tasha?

At any rate, he needed whatever extra time he could get. He had to find some wiggle room to get the princess off Lobam.

Falinset tried to talk to the other man, but he could barely breathe, let alone speak. He wasn’t even sure what he could say. After Maf’s claims of controlling the whole of Lobam, he couldn’t find his voice.

Maf chuckled, so sure of himself that he found humor in the situation. “Give my regards to your clan and guests. I will be in contact soon.”

His image winked out as the frequency was broken. It was a full minute before Falinset could move from his chair.

* * * *

Night fell on the home of Clan Falinset, ending another day of siege. Wekniz’s heart was heavy as he wandered into the common room, and not because Nur’s cologne still reeked at the front part of the house. Life had been fraught with difficulty for what felt like forever. Still, with Falinset and Nur to share his days and nights with, existence had tipped in the favor of being worthwhile. The last three days, that balance had noticeably shifted in the other direction.

Feeling helpless was alien to most Nobeks. Members of his breed were notorious for trying to force their way out of untenable situations, even if the odds meant they had no hope. It was better to fight a losing battle than to not fight at all.

Yet that was what Wekniz was being forced to do. Fighting meant getting his head blown off by Nobeks who had no honor at all. Then his clan, a young woman, and a little child would be left utterly defenseless, with no one to champion them. He could only bide his time and hope the opportunity would come when he could wreak vengeance on those who were stripping away his dignity one painful layer at a time. Until then, Ket and his men were having a field day stomping on his self-respect.

He stopped short when he realized Tasha sat on the lounger, staring into the crackling firepit. She was lost in thought. From the expression drawing her pretty face long, those thoughts were not good ones.

He hated seeing her like that. He wanted to gather her in his arms and tell her it would be all right. That he’d figure a way to save her and her cousin. He wanted to feed her lies as pretty as she was so she didn’t look so lost and frightened.

Not knowing if she wanted the intrusion, he cleared his throat. She looked up at him and smiled. His heart thumped hard to see how the brighter emotion took her from lovely to beautiful.

Encouraged by the smile he asked, “May I join you? If you’d rather be alone—”

She patted the seat of the lounger next to her. “Of course you can come in. It’s your home, after all.”

Wekniz sat down. He tried not to crowd her, but he couldn’t make himself sit more than a few inches away. He’d wished for the opportunity to talk –
really
talk to her. Now that he had the chance, he had no idea what he should say. What could he say? ‘I’m sorry’ was so trite, so useless. Yet he wanted to apologize for not having gotten her and Noelle to safety. And then he wanted to tell her she was the bravest, most beautiful woman he’d ever met.

He was sure he could feel her warmth, even with space between them.  Her sweet scent drifted to him, a fragrance he’d grown used to from smelling it on Nur these last couple of days. He swallowed hard. It wasn’t surprising to Wekniz that a woman would find his Imdiko attractive. Despite all Nur’s protestations to the contrary, Wekniz thought his clanmate was quite handsome. More importantly, he was caring. He seemed to have a sixth sense as far as what it took to make others comfortable in his presence, a boon when it came to grooming his fashionable clientele.

Wekniz felt Tasha’s gaze on him. He was aware he was not attractive. The scars left on him from the burning, collapsing building were marks of honor he wore proudly, but he knew a female of Tasha’s rank had suitors much more pleasing to look at. Certainly none of them had half a face that looked perpetually pissed off.

At least he sat on the right side of her, his profile displaying the unmarked side of his face. Now if he could figure out something to say, something besides the bad news he’d just received.

He began lamely, his tone formal and stilted. “Nur had a client tonight.”

“One who had a big party to attend in the city, he said. He left without trouble, I hope?”

Her voice was as appealing as the rest of her, the tone sexily husky and flowing in his ear like wine. Wekniz struggled to keep up his end of the conversation. “He was questioned before they let him get in the shuttle. I saw another shuttle follow him.” Mother of All help any bastard who bothered Nur out of Wekniz’s presence. He’d wear the shithead’s ears for a necklace.

The conversation wasn’t going to be nice, as much as the Nobek wished he could while the time away with idle chitchat. He wasn’t much for small talk; he just wanted to listen to Tasha’s voice. Unfortunately, he had bad news to share. “It bodes ill that the guards aren’t bothering to hide that they’re watching us. And Falinset just finished telling me about a very frightening conversation he had with Maf.”

He felt Tasha’s interest sharpen. “He talked to him? What was said?”

The fear in her voice struck Wekniz in the gut. He turned to face her at last, and caught his breath at her expression. She wore the same anxiety that had filled her tone, but there was also anger. A lot of anger, fury in fact, as befitted someone who readied to protect those she loved. It was a Nobek expression through and through.

Just as he’d been impressed with Tasha for escaping Maf’s prison camp, so he was impressed now. Wekniz had not been sure what to expect from Earther women. The news vids of Empress Jessica had shown she was no weakling, but he’d not been sure if she was the rule or the exception for her kind.

Whichever it was, the strength of character certainly ran in her bloodline. Her cousin Tasha showed all the same strength. The way her eyes blazed now, Wekniz thought she’d be a fearsome opponent for anyone who crossed her, no matter how big. Put a weapon in her hand, and she’d probably know how to use it.

Damn, she excited him.

Hoping his words wouldn’t drive that brave front away, Wekniz told her, “Maf knows you’re here. Falinset refused to admit to it, but well, this is where we’re at. He also told Falinset right out that he was the Basma.”

He filled her in on the whole sorry tale, including that she and Noelle were trapped on Lobam and Maf claimed to have complete control over the moon, including communications.

As he spoke, he watched Tasha’s face. There were moments her mood turned bleak, others where she shook her head in disbelief. More often she maintained the angry demeanor. By the time he finished updating her, she’d gone stoic, her expression offering nothing of her mood.

“So now what happens?” she said in a businesslike tone.

Wekniz snorted derision. “The usual threats and bargaining from Maf. He’s convinced he will someday win Falinset’s affections.”

“Can he?”

Wekniz shook his head adamantly. “Never. I confess I fear the day Maf figures that out. His desperate wish to have Falinset call him father will turn into vengeance I can’t even guess at. What he might do to harm my Dramok or Imdiko in retribution chills my soul.”

He thought he detected a minute tremor in Tasha’s otherwise stiff posture. He had the urge to take her hand and comfort her. Perhaps he would receive some comfort himself, though he’d never admit to wanting it. Maf could do so many things to injure his clanmates, things Wekniz could not defend them against. It turned his gut icy with dread.

He dared not touch her however. Wekniz did not want to see her turn away in disgust … or worse yet, accept his touch out of pity.

He was startled when Tasha took his hand instead. He gazed into her clear blue-green eyes, eyes filled with warmth and compassion. That warmth, absent the pity he abhorred, thawed some of the awful dismay that Wekniz had carried for so long. He turned his hand over to grip back and smiled.

Her voice was soft as she asked, “What is it that monster has on you? How can Maf continue to manipulate your clan?”

“He knows things about my parent clan. Nur’s too. He used his knowledge to blackmail them into arranging for us to clan with Falinset. He continues to force our compliance with what he knows of their activities.”

Her eyes narrowed. “What kind of knowledge? What have your parents done?”

Wekniz didn’t want to tell her. Yet she deserved to know as much as he could tell her as to why she and Noelle remained in danger. “My parent clan has ties with important companies. Companies that manufacture weapons and high-profile security systems. Companies with military contracts. Years ago, they broke faith with their employers.”

Shame burned his face as he spoke of his parents. He wished he didn’t still fear for them, not when they deserved any punishment they got. That residual loyalty, no longer deserved, would not be banished no matter how hard he tried to do so.

It was difficult to meet the gaze of the lovely woman next to him. Yet Tasha didn’t look at him with judgment. Interest, but no censure. Some of Wekniz’s tension bled away.

She asked, “Did they smuggle arms or something like that?”

“They embezzled. These companies have large government contracts, which means a lot of money lying around. My parents had access to it and couldn’t handle the temptation. Maf is on several boards and committees that oversee these contracts, and he found out.”

“They could have all gone to prison. Instead, he made a deal with them,” Tasha said in a thoughtful voice. She still displayed no sign of judgment.

Relaxing more, Wekniz said, “I think they’ve begun to smuggle weapons and secrets for him in the last few years. And do other things too, like sabotage. I don’t know the extent, and I’m afraid to know. I hear a few hints here and there, but I try to keep as unaware of their activities as possible.”

Her brow crinkled as she thought. He let her, content to feel the soft warmth of her small hand in his. He realized that her attitude made her seem bigger than she was. Right now, her fingers looked as tiny and slender as Noelle’s, especially compared to his big paws. Had she really escaped Ket and a squad of armed soldiers? It seemed impossible as he examined that delicate hand.

Her voice roused him from his ruminations. “Wekniz, I wonder about these companies your parents work with. One wouldn’t happen to be a supplier of those insanely expensive personal trackers?”

“Maybe.” It was his turn to consider. He thought for a moment before nodding his head. “Yes, they contract with Hirmav Security Systems. Hirmav manufactures trackers.”

Tasha’s eyes went wide. “And your parents have had their fingers in that particular company for at least three years. Maybe more.”

“Several years, I believe. Why?”

“Noelle has a long-range tracker implanted somewhere on her body. Maf should have never been able to get her off Kalquor because of that. I had wondered how he managed it.”

The cold ball of ice grew heavy in Wekniz’s stomach again. Surely his parent clan wouldn’t have been able to do something like that?

“Mother of All,” he groaned. He turned away from Tasha.

Her hand squeezed his. “It has nothing to do with you, Wekniz. You did nothing wrong.”

“Except not report them. I should have a long time ago, but at one time they hated what they were doing.”