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Authors: Kiersten Fay

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BOOK: Demon Possession
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Sebastian shrugged, unconcerned. “I wil offer to take three percent off the agreed price.”

Darius, visibly agitated now, leaned back in his chair. “Make it thirty percent.”

“Eight percent.”

Through clenched teeth Darius replied. “I wil accept no less than twenty percent off.”

Sebastian pretended to weigh his options. “Then I am sorry, I’l have to decline your offer.” He stood, indicating the end of negotiations and his patience.

Sebastian had many other contacts that would pay adequately for his supplies. He held out his hand in a businesslike gesture, resolution covering his features.

Darius eyed his outstretched arm with disgust. “Fifteen percent,” He growled.

Offering himafake look of indecision, Sebastian pul ed his hand back and contemplated the new offer. If he had more time he would have argued further, but he needed to be on his way. “I think I can deal with that.” He didn’t offer his hand again, and neither did Darius.

Darius reached to unlock a drawer low on his desk, lifting from it a smal black box. Reaching in, he counted, then recounted the correct number of chips before tossing them on the desk in front of Sebastian.

Sebastian gathered the payment, bid Darius farewel , and proceeded back to his ship, passing a handful of bodyguards on his way out. He couldn’t wait to get back. Next stop promised to be a big job, one of their biggest. Sebastian was about to negotiate a contract with the Serakian’s—an ancient and wise race, known for their peaceful and gentle nature. When riled, however, they proved to be exceptional y fierce.

To anyone who chooses to accept, the Serakian’s were offering a generous sum to transport a curiously smal amount of cargo. He’d received the notice just after he’d negotiated the contract with Darius. Now that the contract was fulfil ed, he and his crew would head straight to the Serakian rendezvous point. Luckily it wasn’t too far from their current location, and should only take a week or so of travel.

The commission from this coming job could feed his crew for months, maybe a year. Sebastian was protective of his crew. He was their leader, their captain. Every action he took affected them as much as it did him. Many in his crew were next to family. Of the more than two-hundred crew members more than half were loyal friends, but only two were blood relations—his sister Sonya and his brother Calic.

With a sense of satisfaction, Sebastian crossed onto his ship. Calic grunted a nod at him. Calic was his second-in-command. He was a tough leader, and an even tougher adversary. When they would spar Calic held nothing back, as if he possessed a deep rage clawing for release. Calic demonstrated a ferocity Sebastian had never seen the likes of.

Sebastian had the same rage bubbling inside him. However, he was able to focus it differently. Focus on the survival of his crew, and on each commission.

Sebastian understood where the malice came from. They’d both been betrayed by the women they loved. Both Calic’s beloved mate and their own mother had turned their backs on themat the worst possible moment.

Calic had loved his mate, trusted her completely. He’d been devastated.

As a result, both Calic and Sebastian kept their women at a distance. Only using them for what was necessary and discarding them the moment after.

The only difference between the two was that Sebastian never slept with anyone aboard theMarada, though more than enough women lived on the ship—

a few had even propositioned him. It was a strict policy he tried to enforce with everyone, including Cale. But, like many, Calic refused to submit.

“Is everything unloaded?”

Calic nodded. “Yeah, how did it go with Darius?”

“He got fifteen percent off.”

“Huh. Not too bad.” Calic pressed a series of buttons on the control pad and the docking hatch began to close. Metal screeched against metal as the heavy locks moved into place and a faint hiss as the door sealed shut.

They made their way to the bridge, where Sebastian claimed his position at the center console. As ordered, the crew was at their posts with the ship ready for departure. Suddenly, an unfamiliar fragrance fil ed the space around him. He sniffed the air, it was feminine. “Cale! Have you had a female in here?”

Calic laughed carelessly. Self-conceit dripping from his words, “Depends on when you’re referring to.”

“Keep them out of the control room,” Sebastian scolded. If he was going to consistently break the rules, there were plenty of other appropriate places to do it.

So help me, if he had her on my console!

Calic just shrugged in response.

Not soon enough the ship roared to life. Sebastian was eager to get to the rendezvous location and accept the contract before anyone else beat him to it.

His ship was fast, but they’d been delayed due to the contract with Darius. In hindsight he regretted accepting the commission, but the deal had been struck and Sebastian always fulfil ed his contracts. He just hoped the delay hadn’t cost him.

Sebastian wasn’ttooworried however. The Serakian’s stipulations were extreme to say the least. Even though the pay was great, he doubted many would be eager to take on the job.

His crew barked out their actions as the thrusters fired, surgingMaradaforward. With the course set Sebastian eased into his seat. The crew seemed to relax along with him.

For a long while he watched the stars, twinkling like trapped firebugs, thinking over his checklist of supplies. Previous to the meeting with Darius they’d made several stops, stocking up in preparation for the long trip ahead. He wasn’t certain how long their journey would take, just that it would be a great distance. That could mean weeks or months, or gods forbid, years. He wanted to make sure they were ful y prepared for whatever was required.

Even though they were currently better stocked than they’d ever been he would stil barter for more supplies from the Serakian’s. Being over prepared would set him more at ease with what he was about to put his crew through.

Analia woke. The unfamiliar rumbling of the ship reverberated through her core. How long had she been asleep? Obviously long enough that the scraps of food she’d last eaten were al but consumed by her body. The ache in her stomach punished her for it. She was weak, struggling to even move her arms, wrapping one around herself for added comfort. Icy chil s racked her. Shivering she stifled a groan, remembering where she was. A strange ship and an unknown crew. Her heart jumped as realization hit her.

I’m Free.

It was done. She was no longer on The Hel Ship. Grinning stupidly, tears began to stream down her temples. She had to keep herself from laughing out loud. A weight seemed to have lifted from her chest, making her feel lighter.Freedom, her mind repeated the word.

Her joy was cut short, feeling herself going weaker by the minute. Her already cramped space seemed to grow smal er by each breath, the already dim light growing dimmer. Shifting her body in an attempt at a more comfortable position, she rested her head on the crook of her arm and stared at the blank gray wal . Once more, her stomach growled. She clutched it tightly in an attempt to silence it.

She could only hope they docked soon so she could escapethisship and disappear into a faceless crowd. Her pulse jerked at the prospect. Being away from The Hel Ship was nearly intoxicating. But she knew even though she’d escaped she wasn’t safe yet.

Getting on this ship had been easier than she could have imagined. Surely it would be just as easy getting off, Right?

At the thought of Darius she grinned anew, imagining the look on his face when he found that his precious Analia was missing.

Did she just giggle?It was possible she was becoming delusional from thirst and hunger.

Just once, she would have loved to see the look of defeat on his face. To revel in the fact that she alone had bested him. Would he be engulfed in rage?

Would he regret his treatment of her?Doubtful. Or would he set out straightaway to find her. Fear prickled her and she lost her good mood. That’s exactly what he would do.

Theyhadto pul into a port soon. This was a merchant ship after al .

Thinking back, did she cover her tracks wel enough? Would the search take long enough for her tocarry outher plan, or was he already on his way to claim her once more. She bit her lip with worry. There had been other ships to come and go that day. Hopeful y he wouldseek them outfirst.

Please let him check the others first.

She found it was becoming harder to keep her eyes open. Voices trailed through the smal grated door. To stay awake she tried to concentrate on the conversation outside. It must be the captain’s voice that she heard the loudest. His words were muffled. She scooted closer to the door to listen.

Someone was saying something about … wards?

“Once the wards are in place, you may begin your long journey.” This came from a commanding voice, a female voice.

“My men are gathering the supplies you promised.”The captain?“They should be back shortly.” He paused. “Is this it? Is this al we are to transport?”

“That is al that was requested of us. It is enough,” The woman’s voice proclaimed. “The contents of this box are without price. Irreplaceable. This is a very important task you undertake. Ethanule’s reasoning for choosingyouabove al others is … beyond me. Know this … if this box does not reach its intended destination you wil face the wrath of my entire race as wel as Ethanule’s.”

Analia’s curiosity was piqued.

“I assure you, Lady Hieskita, we are excel ent at what we do. There is no doubt …”

“You understand your journey wil take you through the warring territories. Have you no reservations about that?” The womaninterrupted.

“There are ways around those zones. It would only make the trip a little longer to avoid them. And if we must, we have maneuvered those territories many times before.” The captain’s reply sounded as though he was smiling at the chal enge.

“You ful y understand the wards then? What wil happen if they’re breached?”

“Yes,” He tried to conceal the exasperation in his tone. “If anyone leaves or enters the ship before the package is delivered the contract is annul ed … and we are stil required to deliver the package,without pay,” he said robotical y, emphasizing the last words. “Or riskwar from both you and Ethanule.”

Lady Hieskita humphed and said nothing more.

Analia laid back, alarmed by their words.Wards? Long journey? No one on or off the ship!She had to make her move now. But how? Her mind felt dul but she could tel there were many people out there. Too many for a clean escape, especial y with her slow reflexes and weary body. More than that, she had no idea where they were. How far had they come? Realizing now that she had no experience with new places, new cultures. She’d have no idea how to act, who to trust, how not to get herself kil ed.

Maybe she could wait it out. How long could this trip be?

Over her long life—and thanks to Darius’s favorite punishment—she found herself able to go without food for longer and longer periods of time. But how much longer could she last? Furthermore how long had it already been? She had no idea how long she’d been asleep. She was losing track of time. By the ferocity of her hunger she didn’t think she could hold out much longer.

By the sound of soft approaching voices, the decision to stay and wait-it-out was made for her. It seemed the crew had returned with the awaited supplies.

The captain took one last moment to reassure the Lady Hieskita.

“I pray for your safe journey,” She replied. Then the room went silent until she began chanting. Ancient sounding words that dripped with power and energy fil ed the empty space around her. Energy slithered and writhed around her, it clung to her—tiny tendrils clamoring, seeking a way inside. At first she resisted, using her own energy to push against it, but it pushed harder. The power didn’t feel malicious, just strong. Analia relaxed a little, al owing the strange energy to do as it wished. Flittering through her like a warm embrace before dissipating.

When the woman’s chanting died out she said simply, “The wards are in place.”

The captain said his goodbyes and thanked the woman. After a short while, a great sound rumbled the ship.

The ship was on the move once again.

Analia’s body felt colder and weaker than before. Her initial resistance to the odd energy had cost her. Breaths coming in short spurts, she curled into a bal in an attempt to warm her shuddering body. When that didn’t work she al owed the weariness to overcome and she welcomed the cradling arms of unconsciousness.

Sebastian was damn curious about that box. Never had a job been racked with such complications. His crew was used to docking at a space city every-so-often for supplies, equipment, and entertainment.They’d never gone more than a few weeks without stopping for some reason or another.

They were stocked to the brim for this trip, but it wil be a trial for the crew, being onboard the ship for so long. After receiving their intended destination from Lady Hieskita he figured the trip could take a little more than eight months, maybe ten. Once the job was completed he would make sure they al had some much-needed time away from theMarada. Maybe find a cozy planet, brimming with fresh women.

The wards spooked him, knowing they were there yet unseen, like a parasite attached to his beloved ship. In the past he had refused many jobs, due to such restrictions in the contract. This one however, promised to pay the equivalent of more than ten commissions combined, nearly double what he’d first thought it would be. He couldn’t refuse.

To his utter shock, Ethanule had personal y requested theMaradafor this mission.Why?

Ethanule was the leader of a smal faction of pirates. They’d done one job for him in the past, a smal commission at that. There was nothing chal enging about it, nothing that would prove any real worth as a merchant or a cargo ship. And Sebastian hadn’t hid his distaste for pirates. His family openly disliked them, since their father had been brutal y murdered by pirates.

But sometimes, a job is just a job.

His thoughts drifted back to the parcel. What could be so important that came in such a smal package? That which could invoke the wrath of an entire race? This commission could either be a great achievement or his utter destruction.

BOOK: Demon Possession
6.24Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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