Quest For Earth (20 page)

And a warning wailed like a careening asteroid in her mind, that this would be a disastrous mistake.

Her body shaking as if from a lethal fever, she forced herself to withdraw.

He smiled.

By the glorious goddess Cercis, he did more than smile.

It was triumph etched in every sharp, hungry plane of his face. In the intensity of his gaze. In the deep mobile curve of his mouth. In the waiting stance of his tense body.

Soon.

Had he read her thoughts? Or worse, her heart?

He sounded so smug, a quaking surge of excitement travelled through her trembling limbs.

She broke her stare.

‘Time for you to rest,' he said, his voice gruff and deep. ‘Close your eyes, Sherise, while I play for you.'

Too tired to argue any further and confused at how quickly she'd come to care for a man who was almost a stranger, she curled up in the furs. Haunting, deep notes filled the air, the tones rich and evocative. Sherise opened her eyes to see Maaka, sitting cross-legged with a long wooden pipe placed between his lips, his hands moving along the smooth timber in a slow caress.

The tune tugged her heart. It spoke to her of legends and myths, love lost and the fight for freedom.

Gradually she relaxed and fell into a profound sleep, knowing he maintained a vigil by her side.

Chapter 14

As soon as she woke, Sherise had requested to return to the healing cave where she relieved Bree and Maaka departed in search of Kondo. He found his quarry in the Hall with his back against the wall.

But Maaka was not fooled by the seemingly casual pose. He suspected the warlord kept a sharp watch on the comings and goings of the Lycaneans and the Freebers. Another who didn't trust him. And he had good reason.

Despite his feelings for Sherise, or perhaps because of them, Maaka was determined to press on with his plans. At any moment, Sherise and her people could leave Earth and with their departure would go his race's last hope of a future.

Disappointment from her lack of trust in him still hammered like physical blows inside his heart. He couldn't believe how much her suspicions hurt. During the long night while he watched over her, he kept reminding himself of all they could lose. This was bigger than his own desires, bigger than Sherise's determination to deny their connection; this was two entire races' survival at stake.

He had to gain the Star People's support. Or failing that, he'd do whatever was necessary so his people could live.

Maaka rubbed a hand over his bristly jaw as he sidestepped recumbent bodies huddled under furs and considered Kondo's continued diligence to duty, despite the fatigue he must be feeling.

Could the warrior's stamina stem from the result of controlled breeding or perhaps the product of imbibing chemicals? Either answer could be of considerable use to his people. With his sweet Sherise busy tending the wounded, now would be the perfect time to garner more information.

And, if he was lucky, an ally.

A grim smile twisted his lips and Maaka closed the distance with quick strides. He sank into a crouch beside Kondo.

Kondo remained still, staring ahead into the shadowed cavern. ‘Where are my females?'

Maaka swallowed the swift surge of fury, guessing the other man deliberately baited him. ‘My mate and her friend see to the wounded.'

The other man merely grunted.

Maaka's respect rose further when his opponent failed to respond. A well-seasoned fighter, this man. He rested his head against the rock and sighed. ‘As leader of my people, I hold their future in my hands. You have seen a little of the hardship we face with our day-to-day battle to survive.' He spread his hands wide, indicating the primitive surroundings. ‘I must know whether an advanced race such as yours pose a threat to us.'

Kondo turned to meet his gaze. ‘We are not meant to be here.'

Maaka considered the stark statement for several beats. ‘Aah, then a mistake with your navigation. Your star ship was off course?'

‘In part. It was our intention to arrive on this planet but in your past. For us, this time here and now is the future.'

Maaka's heart rate kicked up a notch. ‘You must be keen to return to your own time.'

‘What any of us wants is immaterial. The only fact that matters is that we are stuck on this rock.'

Was that resentment in the warrior's harsh tones? ‘I find it hard to believe your people would make such an error.'

‘A Relic does not make such simple errors!' As quickly as his outrage flashed, it passed and Kondo shrugged. A despondent gesture. ‘Nor did the Darkon technology fail. In the middle of your galaxy of stars, there is a vortex through which our ships can traverse from one world to another. We collided with the wreck of another ship and were thrown off course.'

‘Your ship must have sustained damage, then.'

‘For a barbarian, you are intelligent.'

‘Ah hah, I see I am in the company of another intellect.' Maaka grinned and dummy punched him in the chest. ‘Perhaps we can be of use to each other.'

Kondo compressed his lips.

‘How damaged is your ship?'

‘The chance of repairing her sufficiently to return to our home is slim.'

‘Tell me, my friend. You refer to yourself as a Relic. Who are the Darkons then?'

‘The guardians of our galaxy. They keep the peace now that the war is over.' Kondo slid a glance in Maaka's direction. ‘We were enemies once, but I have sworn an oath of allegiance to their leader.'

‘A man of loyalty,' drawled Maaka. He fielded the irate glare directed at him and remained impassive. ‘This will not test your vow, Kondo. I merely suggest a friendship of sorts.'

‘She is not for you,' Kondo said flatly.

With difficulty, Maaka reined in his anger. ‘Nor is she for you.'

‘She is a Darkon and will never renege on her duty to protect those under her care.'

‘I would not have her otherwise,' Maaka said agreeably.

Kondo gave a short laugh. ‘You are as wily as she, a pity you will never come to know this yourself. What is it that you have in mind?'

‘Join forces with me and fight by my side. With access to your weapons and technology, I know we will prevail against my enemies. I will accept no less. The Corporation must be destroyed. If not, my people will continue to suffer until our bones are reduced to dust.' Should he share his suspicions about the Teacher?
I have no evidence of his involvement with any of the Corporation's decisions. I will wait for Kondo's decision before telling him more.

Kondo frowned. ‘And what of the Puridean people themselves? What will happen to them?'

‘They will be given the opportunity to surrender. Come, you have been inside the Fortress, seen how they want for nothing. And now you are here. Look around, my friend, and tell me if my people deserve this desperate life. Every day we struggle for food and fresh water. Every day there is the chance one or more of us will be attacked by the Half-dead and turn. Of all that we suffer, for a Lycanean that is worse than death.'

The Relic warlord remained silent for a few moments. ‘I have little authority on our ship and cannot guarantee the Darkons will agree. However, I will put forward your words to the Darkon Commander. On behalf of my men, I will consider your offer. But, Maaka, I will not wage war on the Darkons. Nor will I do anything to imperil their safety or endanger Sherise.'

Maaka's twitched his eyebrows together. ‘How many men will follow you?'

‘I have twenty loyal to me and my name. I am a Relic warlord, once leader of my people and the enemy of the Darkons until circumstances changed. I surrendered my leadership to my younger brother and embarked on what I hoped would be an easy journey to another universe while I decided on my future path.' The arrogance left Kondo's voice and it was his turn to sigh heavily. ‘With what has happened to our ship, I am thinking I made a poor choice.'

‘If your ship cannot be repaired, my friend, then this land will be your home. You will do well to consider on which side you will fight.'

‘Then you are determined on war.'

Maaka met his gaze with a steady stare. ‘I fight for freedom, for equality, for a right to live without fear.

‘And …?'

‘For retribution for those who were turned into monsters. And for the dead, slaughtered before their time.'

A slow smile split the Relic's face. ‘My favourite battle cry.'

‘That is good. Let me tell you a little of our past so you may judge for yourself.' In a low tone, Maaka continued, ‘The Corporation has weapons against which we cannot defend ourselves. In the tales of our Elders, our people also lived within the compound, but we were driven out because we were not pure. Some say we were bred to be that way. Banished to the Outworld with little protection, we have fought for every breath that we have taken. Now, we are hunted by the Half-dead as a food source and hunted by demon gods for sport.'

‘The Half-dead I have met, but these demons? This is not the first time you have mentioned them.'

‘I admit I have never seen one myself. But they appeared one day in my parents' lifetime and were responsible for terrible carnage of my people. No one knew where they came from or disappeared to, but they ride the storm clouds that emerge from the east.'

Kondo spat onto the ground. ‘To my mind, they sound like foolish superstition.'

‘Our Elders assure us they are not myths. They wore armour which I believe to be similar to yours.' Maaka waited a beat. His people needed this warrior on their side. Others would follow and bring with them both knowledge and technology. He only hoped he had read correctly the restless spirit that existed inside the other man. He managed a nonchalant tone. ‘Do we have an alliance?'

‘I will consider the matter. But I need to know more, like what type of weapons the Purideans have.' Kondo's gaze shifted and his eyes widened.

Maaka turned swiftly. His Sherise stood, her gently square chin raised high, foot tapping against stone, with her eyes narrowed as she glared from one man to the other.

He rose in one fluid movement and stepped forward but she pushed past him as if he was as insignificant as a hairworm.

Leon's oath!

He had done nothing to incur the sting of guilt that pricked his soul.

How much had she heard? Maaka mentally reviewed his conversation with the Relic but could discern nothing which should cause any agitation. His mate was no stranger to war, of that much he was certain. She would know of the necessity to fight for survival. For her to learn their story should only influence her to believe in their cause. He shifted his weight, the cool sand melding beneath his feet, trickling over his toes and soothing his irritation. With determination he thrust aside the sudden realisation that he needed her to believe … in him.

‘Tell me, Kondo, what is this matter you need to consider?' Sherise asked with contempt.

The Relic warlord, who had risen to his feet at her appearance, hesitated. Kondo had a bitter downward tilt to his thinned mouth. Nostrils flared wide, he stared back at Sherise who stood her ground and continued her interrogation.

‘Do not look to Maaka for guidance. Surely you can answer without help from him?' Sherise tossed her head and Maaka hooked his hands into his belt before he could give into the urge to run his fingers through that long, glistening mass as inky dark as the night sky before a thunderstorm. In his cave the evening before, if he'd given her the slightest encouragement, she would have gifted him with her body. He wished he had given into his primal urge to mate with his woman.

But he wanted more.

Nay, he needed more.

And he was certain, with time, he would win her heart and soul.

He leaned against the rock wall, giving the impression of indolence, inwardly amused at the flash of irritation that marred her pretty face. He admired her thick black lashes as she looked him over. She turned her shoulder to him, her manner as coolly assured as any warrior, and he grinned even while he wondered about her past.

‘The Lycanean requests assistance with his cause. A matter that will be discussed with the Commander upon our return. You will not be privy to the outcome.' Kondo, radiating an aura of bristling anger, turned smartly on his heel and marched across the cavern.

Brows raised, Maaka eyed the warrior's retreating back. Yes, there was definite resentment simmering beneath the other's armour. He turned and met his woman's frigid stare. Perhaps he also should escape. His sweet Sherise looked angry enough to face down an entire horde of Half-deads, and win.

Still, any opportunity to discover more about his chosen mate should not be ignored. He gave into his constant desire to touch her and reached out to caress the soft skin of her cheekbone, following the line of her regrettably stubborn chin.

She knocked his hand aside. ‘The Darkons will not help you in your war.'

Her lack of empathy banished the pleasant fantasies he had been indulging as ruthlessly as the predators that hunted his kind. Surely she could see how desperate their situation was? Disappointment grew as he examined her confident countenance. He clamped down on the hot words in his mind that clamoured to be voiced.

‘I find it strange how positive you are of your leader's decision. How does a woman whose role is that of a translator know of such matters?'

She did not flinch.

In fact, her chin tipped higher.

‘It is logical. Our mission on this planet has nought to do with any war and our directives are clear. We will not get involved in petty skirmishes over a pile of dirt and rubble.'

Eyes narrowed, he thrust his face mere inches from hers. ‘Did you not hear what I said? We fight for our survival.'

Sherise shrugged but he noted the pinkish blush which stained her face and how she fluttered her lashes to evade his gaze.