Leaving Earth (18 page)

They finally entered the family's quarters. Laney was pacing angrily and demanded answers as soon as they crossed the threshold. "What the hell happened?" Kendall sighed and sank into the deep couch. He was torn between fury and admiration when she spoke and revealed everything she and Britt had discovered. Alrik swore under his breath before speaking quietly into his communicator, ordering the detainment of the rest of the lab's employees. They'd be questioned for involvement later. Laney grumbled something about notifying Earth before stalking out of the room. For now, they had everything under control. It was his turn.

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Leaving Earth

by Loribelle Hunt

He took Kendall's hand and pulled her to her feet, led her down the hall to their room. Adrenalin still surged through him and he planned to take full advantage of it. Inside he pushed the door closed behind them with a soft click and turned to face her. She waited quietly in the center of the room, hands clasped before her, eyes downcast. Not quite perfect.

"Strip, Kendall."

She caught her breath, lifted rebellious eyes, but didn't protest his command. While she removed her clothes, he opened his toy closet and activated two switches. One lowered restraints from the ceiling and the other rolled back two sections of floor that revealed more. He found three more items and dropped them on the bed as he passed it. He didn't speak as he returned to her, fastening first her wrists above her head, then her ankles to the floor. Stepping back, he admired her, arms and legs spread, flushed skin. Hard nipples. The blindfold went on. Almost perfect. He reached behind him and picked up a fur-covered paddle from the bed. He stroked it softly over her skin, loving the way her skin flushed, the way her breathing grew panted. He felt the anticipation in her mind, the need. Here at least, he was the master.

He tapped her bottom with the paddle lightly. Testing. Teasing. She moaned and moved into the next stroke. And the next. He kept the hits soft, just this side of stinging. Smiled at the way she strained against her ties trying to move closer, trying to edge him on. She bit on her bottom lip and he felt her protest in her mind, felt her desire for more 167

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pain, faster. He wasn't about to comply with even unspoken demands.

Moving back to the bed, he picked up the small mechanized balls and returned to her, shared the picture she made in his mind. With one hand, he spread the lips of her sex, found her wet and wanting. Her hips jerked into the touch and he slapped her clit.

"Still," he growled. He inserted the balls, flipped the switch concealed in his pocket to turn them on to a low buzz. Then he flipped the paddle around, to the hard leather covered side and began in earnest. He tried not to channel anything but his love for her, his concern for her safety and worry over her rash behavior, but his need to punish her crept in anyway. His need to dominate, to make her understand he would not bend in this.

The balls rested against her G-spot, the hard leather of the paddle quickly turned her ass and thighs a nice rosy red. She hung from the restraints, panting, an expression close to bliss on her face. Perfect. Absolutely perfect and all his. He wanted to fuck her, just like this, but he still felt the twinge of defiance buried in her mind. She thought she was submitting, but as long as she tried to keep that part of herself hidden it wasn't truly possible.

He pulled off the blindfold, needed to see the greedy lust in her eyes, then sank to his knees in front of her. She cried out when he leaned forward and blew a hot breath across her sex. Stopped breathing when he flicked her clit with the tip of his tongue. She wanted to come, trembled with the need and he was pleased that she held back. And she would continue to 168

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whether she liked it or not. He went to work on her, with his mouth and his fingers. He was merciless, kept her riding a sharp edge of pleasure and pain. He was desperate, needed her to feel his hunger, his anger, his fear. His total
need
of her. He refused to let her come and then she was crying, begging him to stop.

"Daggar, please." He stood and met her gaze. His cock was so impossibly hard it was a wonder he didn't die from the strain.

"What,
der'lan
?"

"Don't punish me, us, for acting to protect you. Just as you would have done. Don't do that to me. To us." Her words made him pause, consider. He searched her mind, brutally pushing his way past all her barriers. He thought she'd only meant to assert her independence again, but he found a worry as deep as his. And something else. Acceptance. Of him. Of the bond between them. Still, he couldn't let this go.

"Security is my expertise. You have to leave that to me." She narrowed her eyes, glared. "Like you deferred to medical expertise?"

He had to smile. She would be defiant till the end. He was starting to realize he didn't want her any other way. "So neither one of us is any good at acceding to another authority."

She smiled back, but her reluctance was clear. "I guess not."

He couldn't wait any longer, had to have her. He stripped his clothes off and then released her ankles, slowly pulled the 169

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balls free from her cunt. Stepping forward, he gripped her hips and lifted her so she could wrap her legs around his back.

"I can't wait," he whispered, but he should. For a bed, for some sense of tenderness to come back to him.

"No, don't wait," she gasped as he plunged into her.

* * * *

Kendall woke alone the next morning, and stretched her arms over her head, flinching a little when worn-out muscles protested. Sighing, she rolled out of bed, not ready to leave the warmth of the blankets, not sure if she could face Daggar this morning. But he'd left the door cracked open a bit and the scent of coffee beckoned to her.

She hurried through a shower, dressed and joined the others. She stopped dead in her tracks when she entered the living area, staring at a huge picture window that hadn't been there before.

Works like the wall in our room, baby
. She heard the amusement in Daggar's tone.

She didn't approach, though she wanted a better look. The city stretched out below them and the landscape beyond it was stark, barren, vast desert. She wanted to see it by daylight, but it could wait. Britt sat on a seat before the glass and seemed to wear solitude like a cloak. It was clear to Kendall she didn't want to be bothered, so she turned the other way, got a cup of coffee and joined the others on the couch. Daggar pulled her close and nuzzled her neck.

"What's wrong with Britt?" she asked Laney quietly. 170

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"No idea." Laney shrugged but her eyes were anything but indifferent. "I was hoping you could get it out of her. She hasn't said a word."

Kendall sighed and went to sit on the long seat next to Britt, who was staring outside. "What's up?"

"I have to go after him," she said without looking at Kendall. She sounded anguished, and when she turned to meet Kendall's eyes she could see the woman hadn't slept at all. "The smart thing to do would be to get on the first transport back to Earth."

"Then why don't you?" she asked gently. She already had an idea of what was going on.

Britt's eyes were shadowed. Sad. It was alarming to see so much emotion from the former spy, who rarely showed any.

"I tried. I can't leave him." She sighed. "I don't
do
relationships."

Kendall didn't remind her that not long ago they'd all said that. She wouldn't go back for anything.

"I really suck at them," Britt continued, covering her face.

"But I can't get him out of my head. Somehow he's under my skin."

Britt's attitude, her despair, alarmed Kendall. She hadn't thought the bond could be formed, could be fully functioning without a physical connection and she hadn't thought things had progressed that far. "Did you sleep with him?" The hell with being too personal. Technically she was Britt's doctor. That gave her the right to ask uncomfortable questions.

"No!" Britt's answer really was shocked, not faked at all. 171

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Daggar was in her head, eavesdropping and just as worried. He thought the two were fully bonded and never would have believed it was possible without a sexual connection. Was it a testament to how strong Barak's spirit was? Or Britt's? He came over and sat, pulling Kendall into his lap.

"Do you know where he is? Can you track him?" Kendall forced the denial from her lips. Someone had to go after Barak, but did it have to be Daggar?

Don't worry, my heart.
He lifted her hand to his lips, nibbled her knuckles.
I'm not going anywhere. We'll send
Jaxon.

Who is he?

He's in charge of Laney's Guard. One of Barak's men.
Britt eyed them suspiciously. Kendall hated to see her old friend looking at her like that. "What are you two talking about?"

Kendall didn't reply to the odd question. How did Britt know they were speaking to each other?

"There's a certain energy, when you communicate with someone psychically," Britt added.

"Ah, I think I understand now," Daggar said.

"What?" Kendall asked, surprised and a little hurt that her old friend was a psychic and had never told her.

"I always suspected Barak had the gift. He's too good at his job for it to be all paranoia and instinct. Stands to reason it would strengthen an existing talent since it forges one where none has been before."

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Instead of reassuring Britt, his words seemed to frighten her. She looked cornered.

"Did you get a look at the attackers?" he asked Kendall.

"No."

"They were like him," Britt whispered. "I saw it in his mind. Tattoos on their faces. They've taken him someplace ... far away."

"Gone to ground in the South then." He nodded at Britt.

"I'll make the arrangements."

She held his gaze a long moment, before also nodding and standing. "I'll pack."

When she was gone, Kendall turned to Daggar. "We can't let her go alone."

"She won't." He stroked her cheek and she struggled to keep the touch from distracting her. "She'll have Barak's people with her. You know her. She'll be fine." It hardly seemed fair that he trusted Britt to take care of herself but no other woman. She glared at him. "If it was me or Laney, you'd be raising hell."

"Yeah, well." His grin was wry. "I've read her file." She narrowed her eyes. "But not mine?" She could read his discomfort easily now and nodded. "You did. And still don't trust me to take care of myself."

"I trust you implicitly, baby. To take care of yourself and me. And I hope one day you can repay the favor." He moved her from his lap and to the seat, then stood and held out his hand. "For now, we have an appointment we're going to be late for."

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She gulped and stared at his hand, knowing she had to go through with it, but not sure if she could. She rose slowly and placed her palm in his. Searched his gaze for ... something. And found reassurance. He nodded once and they left the room first, then the warrior's compound.

He led her through a new maze of corridors until finally they were in another of those big common areas. Like the others, several halls led into it, like spokes on a wagon wheel. But unlike the others it was not a bustle of activity. Many people lingered, but it was quiet, somber. Then she noticed the temples, great stone columns carved into the high walls with double doors behind them. There were four of them and she looked at Daggar with confusion. He'd said they worshipped three Gods. That there would be three witnesses. He squeezed her hand, not answering the questions he must feel in her mind, and walked to one of the temples on one end of the row. She hesitated, turning to look at the building next to them. It looked empty while the other three showed some signs of life. Three priests waited on the steps before the door of the one they approached and one stepped forward to join them. He bowed deeply to Daggar then turned and did the same to her.

"You are curious about our fourth temple, my lady?" She met his gaze evenly, hoping she was successful at channeling the icy façade she was known for. It was a sham, but he didn't have to know that. "Yes." His eyes flashed respect and something else. Hope maybe?

"It is said that the people of Delroi once worshipped three Gods and a Goddess. That she embodied all that we cherish in 174

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women. The skill of the healer. The eye of the artist. A mother's fierce protectiveness."

"And what happened to her?"

He smiled, but it was sad. "The clans fought. The castes fought. Over whom she should belong to. Over who could worship her best. She despaired and left this world until the time comes when she is once again appreciated by all, protector of all."

She looked over her shoulder wondering why the abandoned temple seemed to call so much to her, but she pushed it from her mind. She was here for another reason entirely. "A sad story."

"Yes. It is said," he paused and she groaned inwardly hoping the priest wasn't going into lecture mode, "that one day three women will come to us, representing each aspect of the Goddess. That her worship will resume then. That power will once again be equal and shared on Delroi." She looked at Daggar, wondering if the priest's words were a dig against his rule and the warrior caste.
No. He's talking about power between the sexes
. His disapproval was evident in his tone but he never tried to silence the priest.

The priest turned and led them up the steps, walking next to her. "I understand you're a friend of Alrik's
der'lan
? You're a healer?"

She wondered at his familiarity. It hadn't been her experience that people spoke of Alrik or Daggar by their first names.
He's our uncle. The warrior god's High Priest.