Moonbeams and magic (6 page)

The owner smiled. "Haven't seen you for a while, Yana. It's good to have you back; you give this place a glow with your beauty."

"Your tongue is smooth and your words are pleasing to hear, Radu. I have been in my abode; I was in need for a few deegas' rest and quiet."

As he drew her drink from one of the large kegs in a row on the wall, he said, "I was afraid you had started visiting another location."

Yana's gaze drifted over the rotund alien with gray hair and eyes, a Ceyxan of at least sixty yings. His rippled forehead and the countless solid gray circles on his pale skin, were traits of those of his race of a certain age. He was always genial to her and to most of his customers. One of a few men who did not have a criminal past, she could not imagine why he would want to live in Tochara and serve such evil. "There is no place in the settlement as nice as yours, Radu. The others are too rough and crowded for a

gentle woman of my tastes. The Skull's Den is clean and safe and serves the best quality drinks and refreshments."

Radu pushed the plantinien chip back to her "Those words and your adornment of my place earned you a free drink."

"You are a kind and generous man, a good friend. Thank you."

After the owner excused himself to serve others, Yana turned and glanced around the location that was separated into three areas. In one, games of various types were being played and enjoyed. In another, a few pairs danced, some of them doing little more than rubbing their bodies together in time to the music. Men outnumbered women; and most females present were either visitors to Tochara, or were mates or lovers of villites who lived in the settlement. When Pleasure Givers were not sating men's desires—which was rare—they served drinks for Radu. But most customers had to go to the bar for their needs, where two men assisted the owner. The third area was for drinkers and talkers, her location.

Yana recognized familiar faces, whether or not she knew their names and foul deeds. Many of them sold stolen goods to Tochar and paid him a yearly fee for the privilege of existing in this rugged haven; others were buyers of those goods or had stopped by for rest and diversions. She didn't see any of the leader's thirty Enforcers and assumed they were on guard at the defense sites and water sources or patrolling the settlement. Nor did she see Auken, Sach, or Moig and surmised they were secluded with Pleasure Givers on the next level. She had learned that a few of those desire-saters were males who dressed and looked like females, as some men preferred that type of erotic satisfaction. Also on the upper level were small chambers where patrons could indulge in various drugs, alone or with a partner. Virtual reality devices were located there in private cubicles; some, she had heard, of-

fered sexual games which evoked incredible sensations when enhanced by drugs, but she had never been tempted to try them. She had a virtual reality unit on her ship for diversion and for practice sessions with assignments, one which could be programed with any image and scene she desired and which allowed her to either control the action or allow the situation to travel where it willed.

Yana's roaming gaze paused and drifted over Dagan Latu who sat alone at a table with a drink before him and his eyes focused on her. She complimented herself for seizing his attention so quickly—even though her Yana facade and manner were responsible—and before she got close enough for her special fragrance to ensnare him. One of the few unoccupied tables was beside his position, so she walked in that direction with a subtle sway to her hips.

Dagan observed the voluptuous creature with eyes as blue as a Kalfan sky in summer and features that were flawless in shape and size. Her hair was thick and long, with little curl, and as golden as the midnight sun that orbited his world. Her figure and movements were perfection. She was clad in a multicolored jumpsuit with flesh-revealing circles along the lengths of her arms and legs, and with matching cutouts at her abdomen and back. He noted a wide gold ring around her slender neck. It was her sole adornment, as no jewelry graced her ears, wrists, or fingers. A lazette was secured to one sleek thigh just above the knee, the fake jewels of its holder catching light and sparkling as she moved. There was a sultriness and allure about her that was arousing, especially since it had been a long time since he had enjoyed sex, a fact he had been reminded of during his two encounters with Starla. He had hoped Starla would appear this evening, but that seemed unlikely now; perhaps that denial was fortunate since he seemed to be susceptible to the enchanting pirate.

As the striking creature neared, Dagan smiled and stood to seat her, assuming from her thorough scan of his person

that she was joining him. He was amused and bewildered when she broke their visual bond with nonchalance and claimed the next table, putting her back to him. Almost feeling foolish, he sat down. He realized she was from the Asisa Galaxy, as the faint blue tinge to her hair, skin, and sclera of her eyes were traits of that alien race. He couldn't help but wonder what she was doing in a rough and crude settlement like Tochara. He ruled out the position of a Pleasure Giver, as she would be occupied on the next level of the Skull's Den. He doubted she was anyone's steady companion, as no intelligent man would allow her to come there alone. A lack of a marriage band on her wrist told him she was mateless. She must be a regular customer, since Radu appeared well acquainted with her. For certain, she was not Tochar's lover; he had seen that redhead earlier and knew she was Binixe, an hermaphroditic race from a planet in the Thracian Galaxy.

Dagan leaned back in his seat, sipped his drink, and tried to ignore her. He was about as successftil as the other men present, who were almost drooling over the beauty. He decided that either she was off limits or had scorned them in the past because none approached her, which increased his curiosity. Her heady fragrance filled his nose, despite competition from the many other smells in the area. It was as if she exuded a powerful pheromone which stimulated his sex glands and enticed him as potently as Starla Vedris did. He looked at her tresses flowing over the chair and halting near a slim waist. Vain and a teaser, he concluded. He wasn't in the mood for games, and conceit always cooled his physical interest in a female, no matter her beauty, or how badly he needed sexual release.

Yana sensed his potent gaze. She was not surprised he didn't approach her after a seeming rebuff on her part. In fact, she was glad he did not pour himself over her in an attempt to lure her into a casual sexual encounter, though he must be fighting a fierce battle to resist her Kalfan mat-

ing scent. Cypher had prepared the pheromone and mixed it with an exotic floral aroma, and she had appHed it sparingly for this first encounter. Four men who were regular patrons asked her to dance or to join them, and she told them she was waiting for a companion to arrive. After a fifth, a stranger to Tochara, proved difficult to discourage for a while, she turned and asked Dagan, "Would you mind sitting with me while I have my drink so I can enjoy it without being bothered again?"

Dagan was taken off-guard by the request, spoken in a sof^ and polite tone. "I'm comfortable here, but you can join me if you wish. I assure you you'll be safe and untroubled at my table. Conversation is by your choice."

Yana took the seat across from him and smiled. "Thank you for the assistance. May I buy you a drink out of gratitude?"

"Later, if you're here when I finish this one. Name's Dagan Latu."

"I'm Yana. Have you just arrived? I don't recall seeing you before."

Dagan lowered his glass, and his gaze met hers. Mysteries intrigued and challenged him, so he would play along with her ruse, because he was convinced she had intended to join him from the preon she had arrived. Perhaps she worked for Tochar and he was being studied. "That means you must be a regular in here during stopovers or you live in Tochara." It was a statement on his part, not a question.

"Both. Is this a visit for you or a move here?" [

"I'll be around for a long time. I just hired on to work I for Tochar." I

Yana lifted her light-brown brows and widened her gaze ;| to indicate surprise. "Every man in the settlement craves \ such an elite position, so you must possess many skills to catch Tochar's eye. He hires only the best."

He changed the subject abruptly. "I thought I caught your eye for a while there, but I guess I was mistaken."

I

That was not the response she expected, but her wits did

not scatter for more than a few moments. She lowered her long lashes and smiled before meeting his gaze again. "You did, but I don't approach strangers and normally do not accept their invitations to join them."

"Unless you require one's assistance or protection." He watched her eyes brighten and her lips give way to another radiant smile as she nodded.

"I don't like to cause noisy scenes and Radu doesn't tolerate trouble. In a settlement where men vastly outnumber women, it is difficult to be left alone when I only want to relax and have a drink."

"Even if females outnumbered males, you would have that problem. What do you do in Tochara?" he asked, wording his query with care.

"Very little. I'm only staying for a short time longer. There was a situation I had to escape and decided this was the last place anyone would search for me. I didn't realize Tochara was so . . . primitive. Fortunately, I know how to protect myself and to survive even under crude conditions." She laughed when he sent her a doubtful grin. "I meant, defend myself during perilous situations. Men like those five are nothing more than nuisances who need to be sent away quickly and quietly to avoid drawing unwanted attention and embarrassment to myself Or to them, since men do not take such predicaments well. As soon as matters are settled and it's safe, I'll return to where I came ft-om."

Dagan leaned forward, propped his arms on the table, and ventured, "Which is the Asisia Galaxy."

She feigned a look of dismay to lure him into her spell. She reasoned that a man like him would be drawn to a woman in danger, snared by a challenging mystery, not to mention highly responsive to the sensuous image Yakir had given her, and weakened by the captivating fragrance. "You know me? Were you sent to locate and retrieve me? I rarely

talk with anyone, and when I do, it's to the wrong man. Your vile task will not be easy; I have sanctuary here."

Dagan grasped her hand and kept her from rising to depart, noting how soft and warm her skin was. He was intrigued by her distress and hints, as he hadn't heard anything about a political upheaval in that location. No bi-jonis had been summoned, and its ruler had no daughters. That left him with the conclusion that the matter was a personal dilemma. "Don't panic, Yana; I'm not here because of you. I guessed from your colorings."

Her gaze seemingly searched his as she asked, "Is that the truth?"

He nodded and smiled. "You're still safe, so relax. Is it something you want to talk about with me? Can I help in some way? I'll guard your secret."

"Perhaps you would, but I'll keep it for now." As she finished her drink, she realized either he would be dead tomorrow or he would become one of her targets as Tochar's hireling. Both thoughts were unsettling, and it was more strenuous than she had imagined to spend time with the appealing and disturbing man while on constant alert against slips. She had made the initial contact and seized his interest; that was sufficient for now.

"Would you like to have another drink to calm you?" he offered.

"Thank you, but no. It's late and I need to leave."

"Will I see you again?" he asked, suspecting he would.

"If you're alone when I return next time, I'll join you and stay longer, or you can join me if I arrive first."

"Can I walk you to your dwelling?"

"It isn't necessary. Perhaps next time, after I know you better."

Dagan was unsure how to interpret her meaning. "If you need me for anything, anything, Yana, Radu knows where to find me."

She nodded acceptance of his offer, whatever it entailed.

She stood and said, "Thank you for the rescue and I look forward to seeing you again."

"Any time, Yana." He watched her enter the women's private chamber. Radu approached and blocked his view as he was deciding whether or not to follow her to see where she lived and check if she met with anyone.

The owner of the Skull's Den interrupted his thoughts. "Your abode is cleaned and ready to habitate," Radu said. "Drose will guide you there at your signal."

"Thank you. Tochar will be pleased by the good service I've received. I needed the bath, food, and fresh garment." He looked the owner deep in the eyes. "Tell me, Radu, do you know who Yana is and why she is in Tochara?"

The stocky man knew, but felt it was Yana's right and place to reveal those facts if she chose to do so. "My mouth does not travel across other's space. She visits here on occasion, but keeps to herself. You're a lucky man to have shared a drink with her; that's a rare event for Yana. I can tell you no more. Summon Drose when you're ready to leave."

Dagan realized the man knew more than he had revealed, but was glad Radu wasn't a loose talker. He watched for Yana to reappear, and finally decided she had left while his view was obstructed. A woman that beautiftil and alluring, he reasoned, couldn't be hard to locate if he decided to do so another time. Too restless for sleep, and the hour too early, he purchased another drink and settled back in his chair to observe some more. It remained to be seen if signing on with Tochar would be profitable, but it surely would be challenging, and he had no choice under the circumstances in any case.

Only an hora passed before Starla Vedris arrived, glanced around, and locked gazes with him. He lifted his hand and motioned for her to join him. From her expression and stroll to the bar, it appeared as if this wasn't his night to succeed with any woman. He realized he was wrong again as he

watched her purchase a drink, then walk toward him. His lagging energy was renewed and thoughts of Yana vanished just by looking at the beautiful and mysterious spaceki. His keen wits went on alert and he prepared to see what he could learn about the lovely space pirate and his other teammates.