City Of Tears (16 page)

“Vee took her.”

“Off the
Gale?
”

“Why do you sound surprised?”

“You’re right, I shouldn’t be. Try and calm Krysta down. She’s not listening to me at the moment.”

Lyrik smiled. Krysta was a handful on a good day.

“What happened to Saebin?” she demanded without preamble. “Her fear spiked through me like a bolt of lightning. Where is she?”

“Someone tried to kill her. He claimed to be NRS, but I’m not convinced. Vee took her off the ship.”

“I’ll meet you at the Conservatory.”

* * * * *

Cyrus stood at the window in his spacious office, overlooking the City of Tears. The view was spectacular from the top floor of the Warlords’ Headquarters, but he found no solace in the majestic vista. Lyrik was out there somewhere with D-159. His son’s betrayal upset him less than the disastrous loose end. He’d worked too hard for his plans to implode now.

His companel beeped, and he walked to his desk, wanting to see who it was before he responded. “Well, it’s about time,” he muttered when he saw Pern Keire’s favorite alias. “What can I do for you?”

“I should be asking you the same.” Pern’s voice was randomly modulated. “We are enjoying your gift. You were right. She is perfect for us. How can I repay your generosity?”

“By not allowing my generosity to distract you from our mutual goals. The agenda we agreed upon leaves no room for error.”

“We are well ahead of schedule.” A tinge of annoyance penetrated the modulation. “Have you managed to recapture the stray?”

“I haven’t received final confirmation, but I’m confident the situation is under control.”

“I hope your confidence is justified. As you said, our agenda leaves no room for error.”

The transmission ended, and Cyrus stepped away from his desk. Damn Lyrik to hell. He didn’t need this complication. Not only had Lyrik rescued a D-class assassin, he’d stolen a ship Cyrus needed badly. Heaving a frustrated sigh, he moved back to the window. The tracker teams would find him. Even Lyrik couldn’t stay hidden forever.

Cyrus’s thoughts drifted to Ensley. He pictured her naked, kneeling submissively with her thighs parted. The Rodytes would train her, show her how a female should behave. They would control her with pleasure and pain until she wasn’t sure which she preferred.

Blood flooded his groin, and he closed his eyes, savoring the anticipation. She had spurned him, turned a deaf ear to his needs, yet the memory had lost its sting. Taking a woman by force was punishable by death on Ontariese. Not even the overlord was exempt from the rule. So he wouldn’t take her by force. He’d wait until she was properly trained, and then her Rodyte master would command her to do whatever Cyrus wanted.

“Close slats.” He braced his legs apart as the blinds rotated. Unfastening his pants, he eased his hand inside. She would pleasure him with her mouth while Pern and Jaden watched, but when he rutted between her thighs they would be alone.

* * * * *

Darkness receded by degrees. Saebin heard voices chanting, their words unknown to her. She moved her arms, expecting to find herself bound. Her muscles protested the exertion, but she wasn’t restrained.

“How do ye feel?”

“
You
. How do
you
feel? Unless you want Seth to sound like an ancient, you have to break yourself of the thees and thous.” Krysta’s voice rolled across her senses with comforting familiarity.

“I was not speaking with Seth, I was —”

“That’s almost as bad as thee and thou. Say, ‘I was talking to Saebin, not Seth.’”

“I will ban
thee
from the Conservatory unless
ye
show the proper respect.”

Krysta laughed.

Saebin opened her eyes and groaned, only able to make out shapes and shadows. “Where am I?”

Warm fingers closed around her hand. “Close your eyes. They’re covered in a healing salve. That’s why you can’t see.” Krysta’s voice was much closer now. “You’re at the Conservatory. Do you know what that means?”

Saebin nodded. “That’s where we were headed when Tann attacked me.” The incident passed through her mind in slow motion, every kick, every lunge, and the burning mist. “My abilities didn’t affect him. He should have gone down with the first pulse.”

“Lyrik said they found something implanted in his head.”

“Where is Lyrik?” Her heartbeat leapt so suddenly her armor had to compensate.

“He’s still on the
Gale
. Only Mystics are allowed inside the Conservatory.”

“How did I get here?” Every muscle in her body ached, and her head pounded. She remembered the panic, the disbelief. She had been dying.

“Vee brought you here. Say, ‘Thank you, Vee.’”

Saebin licked her lips. Why would Vee save her life? She had tried to kill him.

“Ye did not try to kill me,” the male voice responded to her thought. “Ye —”

“You.” Krysta persisted.

“You were not in control at that time.”

Saebin wasn’t sure she could have been so forgiving. “Thank you.”

“Your armor is counterproductive to the healers,” Krysta said. “You’ll recover more quickly if you let us take it off.”

Saebin stiffened and pulled her hand out of the light grip. Tann shouldn’t have been able to attack her. How did she know this was Krysta? Voices were easy to replicate. Fear and frustration tugged at each other, growing stronger with each turn.

A cool palm pressed down over her forehead, and soothing warmth inundated her mind. “No harm will come to you here. If you wish, you can see your surroundings through my eyes.”

If Vee hadn’t saved her, how had she been saved? Was it easier to believe in an elaborate conspiracy than a stranger’s kindness? A powerful presence hovered beyond her consciousness, waiting, unwilling to intrude.

“I don’t know how,” she whispered.

“May I enter?”

She nodded, and the presence eased into her mind. Brilliant and ageless, Vee surrounded her with his being. Her pulse quickened. He calmed her before her armor had a chance to respond. She saw herself as he saw her, lying on a narrow cot, her hair wild about her face, his hand resting across her forehead. Without moving his fingers, he turned his head. Krysta stood beside him, looking rather disheveled. Her gaze filled with compassion and concern.

“You see,” he said. “There is nothing to fear.”

Relaxing against the cot, she blew out a tense breath. “I released my sensor inputs. It’s safe to take off my armor.”

Merry laughter drew Saebin from her restful slumber. The healers had congregated around her cot at regular intervals for the first day. Her body absorbed their energy like a sponge. Light still stung her eyes, but they hadn’t felt it necessary to reapply the salve.

“Lor, stop it.” The playful reprimand was followed by another peal of laughter.

Saebin opened her eyes and waited for her vision to adjust to the dim light inside the infirmary. A tall, blond man had a girl trapped against the far wall. If her rosy cheeks and coquettish smile were any indication, she was a willing captive in his arms.

“Give me a kiss, and I’ll let you go.”

“If I let you kiss me, I won’t want you to let me go, and you are a heartless flirt.”

He staggered back dramatically. “You wound me. I put my entire heart into my flirting. Why do you —”

“She’s awake, Lor.” The girl motioned urgently. “Your patient awaits.”

He turned toward Saebin, and the girl slipped through the open archway. Lor was younger than she had first thought, late teens at the most. Crossing to her cot, he produced a less flirtatious smile.

“I hope our playfulness didn’t disturb you.” He had a nice voice and beautiful turquoise eyes.

“Not at all.” Saebin envied his carefree cheer. “Your companion seemed to be agreeable to the game.”

“She’s right. I am a terrible flirt.” He raised his hands helplessly. “I see a female, and I want to kiss her. It’s simply beyond my control.”

Saebin laughed, finding his candor charming. “I hope you don’t intend to kiss me. I’ve just been through a horrible ordeal.”

“Your ordeal is not what dissuades me. My master told me you belong to one of the warlords.” His voice dropped dramatically. “Is that true? Are you the warlord’s woman?”

She had no intention of discussing her personal life with this bold lad. The Mystics didn’t keep slaves, so he must be referring to his mentor, a Master Level Mage. “Who is your master?”

“Master Tal. The High Queen is his life mate. I’m told you are her niece.”

“That’s the rumor.” She shifted the pillow behind her and propped herself up against the wall. “Will you please let Master Vee know I’m feeling much better?”

“Of course, Mistress. I’ll return momentarily.”

He departed through the same archway the girl had used. Saebin released her breath in a long sigh. Was she the warlord’s woman? The thought made her heartbeat speed up and tension gather low in her belly. She had been swept from the arms of death, and now she was ready to live.

* * * * *

“It’s been three days,” Lyrik snapped. “I want to see her.”

“We thought you might feel that way.” Krysta grinned. “That’s why we had her moved to one of the visitor bungalows.” Krysta took his hand and opened a transport conduit, the motion effortless and graceful. He was amazed by the progress she had made in only a cycle. She was a far different person from the belligerent rebel he’d met on Earth.

They stepped into the conduit, and everything blurred. Shapes become indistinguishable in the rapidly spinning mass of color. Sound faded to static, then exploded in a mighty roar as they were propelled through space. Lyrik held tightly to Kysta’s hand, exhilarated by the momentum.

The roaring subsided, and the spinning slowed as they reached the other side. They emerged in a grassy clearing, and Krysta closed the conduit behind them. A row of cottages marched along the banks of Mystic Brook. Krysta motioned toward the one on the end.

“Isn’t this outside the shield? I’m not comfortable with this. I’ll take her back to the
Gale
.”

“Nice try. They expanded the shield because of the protestors. She’s perfectly safe, and so are you.” She winked at him. “Vee isn’t taking any chances. Now relax.”

After a perfunctory knock, Krysta pushed open the door and entered the bungalow. Lyrik followed her inside. His gaze moved immediately to Saebin, and a thick lump formed in his throat. Rich blond hair framed her face and spilled across her shoulders. Healthy color crowned her cheeks, and her eyes sparkled as she met his gaze. Gone was her body armor, and in its place was a flowing robe of midnight blue. He crossed the room and cupped her cheek, struggling to believe she was real.

“You look amazing.” His voice hitched, and he shook his head. “How do you feel?”

“Lucky to be alive and mad as hell.”

He smiled. “Understandable on both accounts.”

“We have been focused entirely on her recovery,” Vee said. Lyrik glanced at him, embarrassed to realize he hadn’t noticed the Mystic in the room. “The time has come for answers.”

“What do you need to know?” Lyrik sat in the chair beside Saebin and clasped her hand between his.

“What have ye — you —” Vee shot Krysta an annoyed glare as he corrected himself. “— learned about the assassin?”

“He left a note on Saebin giving credit to the NRS. Tann might have been a member, but it’s highly unlikely they acted alone.” Lyrik hesitated, his gaze drifting to Saebin. How much should he say in front of her? She had been through so much already.

“Don’t let the robe fool you,” she squeezed his hand, “I’m tougher than I look.”

“The note said ‘all abominations must die.’”

Krysta gasped. “What about Seth? Will they target him next? He’s a Level Four, the vilest abomination of all.” Biting sarcasm sliced through her tone, and she stepped closer to Vee.

“I’ve heard that phrase before.” Saebin brushed a lock of hair off her forehead. “What does it mean?”

“Seth is the new and improved version of us.” Kysta’s voice returned to normal as she explained. “No one knows what abilities he’ll develop, or if he’ll develop any at all. Hydran grew more ambitious with each of his creations. We honestly don’t know what will happen as he matures.” She glanced at Vee, resolve hardening her expression. The world might consider her Seth’s aunt, but Krysta emanated maternal ferocity. “The NRS isn’t alone in their animosity. Most of the members of the Joint Council think Seth should have been terminated.”

“I will bring my son to the Conservatory until the crisis has passed.” Vee sounded grim and determined. “We are better able to protect him.”

“I agree.”

They sat in thoughtful silence for a moment. Lyrik stroked Saebin’s hand, wishing they were alone. His logical nature understood he wasn’t responsible for the events his father had set in motion, but he couldn’t suppress his frustration. Saebin should be reveling in her new found freedom, not fighting for her life.

Vee looked at Krysta. “Were you able to sense Saebin while you were on the Day Moon?” Krysta shook her head and glanced away, as if her inability was a cause for shame. “Then it is safe to assume Cyrus was shielding the laboratory. He likely used the same technology Hydran incorporated in the shield suits.” Vee paused again, then turned to Saebin. “What did Krystabel say to you as you awakened?”

“She said she’d released my Mystic abilities, and she cautioned me not to let anyone realize I was in control of my armor.”

“Shortly after awakening you teleported to Firestone Valley?”

“Is there some reason for this review?” Lyrik grumbled.

Vee ignored his impatience. “It is possible the teleportation was simply the result of a surge in your power. It is also possible it had greater significance.”

“What sort of significance?” Krysta asked.

“The device we found in Tann was powered by firestone,” Lyrik said. “Has firestone ever been charged without a Mystic infusing it with energy?”

“I have never heard of such a thing.” Vee’s intricately woven hair coiled around his shoulders like a shimmering snake. Lyrik shuddered.
Shapeshifters
. “Once charged, firestones are long lasting and stable. If they have found a way to infuse them with another form of energy …” His words trailed away, and his expression revealed concern. This wasn’t good. As Dro Tar would say, Vee had the best poker face on the planet.