Rage to Adore (3 page)

“I would much rather talk about you,” purred Morana, pursuing
her original point. “You are very…delectable.”

Tani sighed, took a deep breath and turned to face her,
arching a brow. “You know why I am here, Morana. I don’t have time for
distractions.”

Morana pouted. “That’s a real shame. I could certainly
introduce you to a great many people who would love your company. Red hair and
amethyst eyes are an unusual combination.” She was standing in front of Tani
now, playing with a strand of her red hair, rolling it around in her fingers.

Tani withdrew toward the balcony, removing the strand from
Morana’s grasp. “How can I put this without offending you?” she said. “I’m not
interested in anything other than identifying and extracting the Esseni potential.
I’m here on business.”

“All work and no play will make Tani a very dull girl,”
laughed Morana. “Have it your way, Tanith Laska, but you will find Serpens a
city of many pleasures and they are hard to resist. I am willing to bet that
you will partake in some of those activities before you leave us.”

“I’m willing to bet I won’t,” Tani countered. “I have great
self-control.” And wasn’t that the truth. It would have shocked many of her
friends back on Lyra to know Tani was still a virgin. She had a reputation for
being flirty and fun and she had certainly kissed many men, enjoying what they
had to offer but only to a point. Her enjoyment of males had always been
tempered by that knowledge that she was destined for one man. Each kiss she
experienced, even if sweet at first, had only left a bitter taste in her mouth,
for what was the point of having a more intimate relationship with a man when
she knew it would never be permanent?

Her destiny was to find Hate and to be with him. Or at least
to try to be with him. If he would have her. And that rankled too. She had been
brought up to do her duty and she would accept whoever he turned out to be. But
would he accept her? And what if he were some vile Ophichi warlord? Could she
really go through with it? Could she really forget her Eunomi warrior vows and
see the universe remain unbalanced and in chaos? Damn! He’d be lucky to have
her. Whoever he was, he should be down on his knees with happiness and
gratitude to the fates!

“Oh well,” said Morana, a touch wistfully. “I’d love to see
you lose that control. What is it about you Eunomi that makes you so stubborn
and honorable?” There was a hint of regret in her tone that made Tani wonder if
there wasn’t more to Morana than the pleasure-seeking, hedonistic façade she
projected. “Going back to your original question,” Morana continued, “Lord
Phenex and his mistress are throwing a party tomorrow night. All of Serpens’s
rich and mighty will attend, including your Esseni potential.”

“So he is one of the rich and mighty?”

“Oh yes. He has connections in high places and runs an
export business that is highly lucrative.”

So he was more of a businessman than a warlord. That calmed
Tani’s misgivings somewhat. “And his name?”

“Lorcan—Lorcan Rodach.”

Anticipation

Anticipation was burning at a fever pitch and had been all
day. Tonight was the night. Everything she had worked for, trained for,
prepared for. Her whole life had been a prelude to this night.
Just kill me
now.
To say she was scared would be an understatement. Tani was terrified,
her father’s words echoing in her head.
Duty and honor, Tani, the mantle has
passed to you. For the sake of our family honor you must fulfill your duty.

Tani tried to relax but her whole body was shaking. She
stood on the balcony, breathing in deeply, trying to grasp some semblance of
calm. The air was crisp, a slight chill pervading the atmosphere. Serpens lay
beneath her. Morana’s house was built high up in the hills, where the
privileged few had created a secure enclave away from the riffraff. In the
distance Tani could plainly see the ghetto areas of the city, the vast trawl of
dirty decaying alleyways where the poor dwelt like rats in a rubbish dump.
Poverty was their only crime.

During her last visit, Tani had walked those streets, and
seen that hate, greed and brutality were the main forces governing the
conditions of existence. She had the power within her to improve those
conditions for the impoverished. If she could bond with Hate there would be
more chances for kindness, more caring and more love. It all circled back to
duty. The pressure weighed on her heart. It all relied on one man and his
reaction to her. She straightened her spine, steeling her nerves to face the
unknown, hearing a knock that heralded the start of the countdown to her
destiny.

The door opened and Tani swiveled around as Morana entered.
She was a vision in gold and red as she slid gracefully into the room, carrying
a green dress. “This is for you,” she said with a smile. “Serpens society
expects the best and although your clothes are decent, this will be much more
noticeable.”

“I don’t intend to be high profile,” Tani said. “I’m here to
find someone, not to be found myself.”

“Yes but it is sometimes easier to find what you’re looking
for if you’re more visible. Besides, I think you’ll look amazing in it.”

Morana laid the dress on the bed. As she bent to smooth down
the skirt, Tani noticed what looked like fresh puncture marks on Morana’s neck.
It seemed that Morana had a sanguini lover who drank from her. A wealthy
sanguini in her position would allow that type of contact only from a person
with whom they were very intimate. She wondered if the lover was male or female
and where they resided in the house. Morana had spent the day at home,
preparing for the party, and there had been no visitors. Tani thought it
strange that Morana hadn’t introduced her to this mysterious lover. She hoped
to Gaia it wasn’t because she was still hoping for an opportunity with Tani.

Aware of Morana’s penetrating gaze, Tani focused her
attention on the dress. She had to admit it was an exquisite gown with a
layered skirt of jade green, the shimmering iridescent fabric floating beneath
a beaded corset. If nothing else, Morana had excellent taste. It was impossible
for Tani to refuse.

Sometimes Tanith felt as if she had a split personality. Her
warrior training had given her the strength and ability to challenge the most
competitive testosterone-fueled male warriors and win. It was something she
thrived on and she wasn’t afraid to get sweaty and dirty in the process. But
there was the alternate side of her psyche that adored dressing in beautiful
clothes, being admired and feeling desirable.

Tani was by no means vain about her looks. Too many men had
told her she was attractive but she was more athletic and toned than many of
her friends, lacking the soft curves that males seemed to lust after. When it
came down to it, her capable attitude didn’t inspire the kind of devotion Tani
witnessed amongst couples she knew. Men didn’t open doors for her as they did
for her friend Irina, the Esseni of Peace, or treat her as if she were fragile
or a precious object to be treasured.

Irina had actually complained that her partner duality, Tyr,
the Esseni of War, was so obsessed with keeping her safe that he would probably
prefer it if she were dressed in Kevlar and layers of bubble wrap. How would it
feel to inspire that kind of devotion? If anyone treated her like that she
would probably kick their butt for it, although it would be nice to know
someone cared that much, even if it was annoying.

The dress fit perfectly. Morana stood watching as Tani
smoothed down the skirt, a satisfied expression on her face. “How could anyone
resist you in that dress?” she purred.

“You’d be surprised,” said Tani.

“Oh, I don’t think you’ll have any problems attracting
Lorcan Rodach’s attention. I know for a fact that he likes redheads.”

For some reason that thought was depressing to Tani. She
didn’t want to be just one of many. She was meant to be special to her partner
Esseni. The way Irina had described the bond made it sound magickal. Irina had
sworn that Tanith would experience an indescribable connection with her
partner, something so strong and powerful that it would be almost impossible to
resist.

Brushing these confusing thoughts aside, Tani stood facing
the mirror and assessed her appearance. Her long dark-red hair, perhaps her
most startling feature other than the deep unusual amethyst of her eyes, had
been swept up onto her head into an arrangement that to her looked fairly
ridiculous. But it was the Ophiuchi style and Morana had insisted. The effect
was startling, accentuating the warm gold of her skin, emphasizing the flawless
bone structure she was lucky to have been born with. She did not look like
herself, which was somehow a good thing, as Tani had realized that in order to
survive on Ophiuchus she was going to have to put on one hell of an act.
Inhaling a deep breath, she turned to face Morana.

“I guess I’m ready.”

“I would say you are more than ready,” agreed Morana, a
strange light in her eyes. “I can’t wait to see how Serpens society reacts to
you.”

Tani frowned at that. Morana sounded as if she had another
agenda and again Borealis’s warning flashed through her brain. Her hostess’s
motivations were unknown, just like Hate’s and Tani was going to have to watch
her back.

Adrenaline overtook her when she entered Phenex’s palace.
Tani’s every sense heightened, alert to the sights and sounds of pleasure
wafting raucously through the richly decorated great hall. Serpens’s higher
echelons had gathered in full force to pay homage to their overlord. An ocean
of glittering jewels bedecked the necks, heads, arms and hands of the society
beauties and shimmered with iridescence so bright the light was almost
blinding.

Although cutthroat and barbaric in their savagery, Ophiuchi
warlords like Phenex maintained the façade of civility and reveled in their
wealth through the power of materialism. Their blatant flaunting of opulence was
a message to the masses. We are your superiors—keep in line or you will be
crushed.

Their society was rigid in its hierarchy—warlords, nobility,
advisors, workers, and slaves. Movement from one level to another was rare. The
guests here understood the message and all of them echoed their superiors’
actions, treating their own subordinates with similar disdain and cruelty.

You could not be wealthy on Ophiuchus and be kind. Tani had
to remember that. These people were some of the most ruthless in the universe.
If they knew what she was, her life would be forfeit, sold to the highest
bidder. The Esseni potential she sought was also one of them. A knot of fear
wound around her gut at the thought of the unknown.

Squelching her sudden anxiety, she followed Morana through
the assembled throng, admiring the way her hostess cut a path through the crowd
with ease.

Morana radiated a presence that demanded attention and the
sidelong glances cast in her direction were tinged not only with respect and
admiration but also with more than a little fear. Tani wondered what actions by
Morana had engendered that reaction.

They drew level with the glitterati assembled on the high
platform, smug and sure in their position of superiority. Two enormous shedu
guards in their Earthani form pulled back as the two ladies approached, letting
Morana pass without question.

“She’s with me.” Morana spoke without looking back, just as
the shedu were about to block Tani’s path. They withdrew immediately.

“Ah, Lady Morana, as lovely as ever.” Phenex was
unmistakably the overlord of all here. A huge beast of a male, long dirty blond
hair braided down his back, dressed in fur and leather, he appeared like a Viking
warlord of old as he sat on his throne surveying the worshipping throng.

Morana made an elegant curtsey, her long multicolored hair
glinting with coppery-blonde highlights as the lights flickered and sparkled
around her. The red of her dress was a vivid echo of the charisma she held. All
eyes were drawn to her, and Tani could not deny that she was the most striking
woman here. The woman seated beside Phenex curled her lip in disdain.
No
love lost there.
Another puzzle in the mystery that was Morana.

Morana rose and gestured Tani forward. “May I present Tanith
Laska, my Lord Phenex, a dear old friend come to visit.”

Phenex rose, a lazy grin on his face as his hard eyes raked
lasciviously over Tani’s body, lingering overtly on her breasts and hips. He
held out his hand, cold fingers locking over hers as he pressed a serpent’s
kiss to her knuckles. “To what do we owe the pleasure?” he murmured, his hot
breath fouling the air around them. She bent a knee as Morana had taught her,
skin crawling to escape from his grasp. A layer of evil hung over Phenex, a
slick coat of cruelty and ruthlessness that she really did not want to touch.

Her instinct for acting kicked in as she gritted her teeth. “I
haven’t seen Morana in an age, Lord Phenex, and it seemed like a good excuse to
sample the delights of your fair city,” Tani answered, fluttering her lashes a
little, but she hoped not so much that he would think she was interested.

“She is looking for a man, my lord,” cut in Morana. “Her
father has decided that it is time she settles down and marries.”

Tani glared at Morana. Her visit was meant to be low-key.
She had not wanted to draw too much attention to herself, but now all of Serpens
would be alerted to her presence, particularly if they thought her a wealthy
heiress.

Phenex stared at her more intently now. “Really?” he drawled,
his attention caught. “We must ensure that you do not leave us disappointed.”

On his right, the dark-haired woman who sat by his side rose
and moved near, touching Phenex on the arm, her indigo eyes cold as a polar
storm. “My lord, we mustn’t divert the Lady Tanith from her quest. I’m sure
Morana has lined up many eligible young men for her to meet. Morana knows
everybody, Lady Tanith, she is intimately acquainted with any number of males,
although,” she turned to Morana smiling sweetly, “there may be some you wouldn’t
want to introduce her to. Her father might not thank you for it.”

“Oh, I don’t know,” Morana gushed back at her. “You could
give me a run for the money on that score, Lady Sitri. I know some of the
pleasures you like to dabble in.”

Cold indigo eyes narrowed in anger. Her step forward was prevented
by Phenex’s hand. “Lady Tanith, I hope we will meet again. Meanwhile I will let
you escape and give you over to Morana to introduce you to the eligible males.”
He bent his head toward her, hot breath in her ear. “I am hoping that none will
be to your liking,” he whispered. Louder. “I trust she will also ensure you are
able to sample all the delights of our fair city, Lady Tanith. Farewell.”

Phenex inclined his head finally, letting go of her hand.
Tani was relieved the ordeal with Phenex was nearly over. There was something
so brutal in his bearing. The lady with the indigo eyes obviously had some
claim on him or thought she did and was hurling mental daggers at Tani’s chest
as Phenex’s gaze remained on her.
If looks could kill. Not interested, bitch.

Morana led Tani away and as they rejoined the main crowd,
turned to face her, hands on hips. “Could be you just made life very difficult
for yourself,” she said, smiling.

“What do you mean?”

“Phenex is interested in you, and the blue-eyed bitch,”
Morana jerked a thumb, “she is not only Phenex’s mistress, she is also your
potential Esseni’s mother.”

Oh dear Lord. Shoot me now.
“You could have warned
me!” Tani chewed her lip in frustration. This was not a good start.

“Could have, but didn’t.” Morana winked teasingly at her.

“Guess that shows how much I can trust you. Are you
deliberately trying to make my life difficult?”

“It’s just so much more fun this way,” laughed Morana. “Besides
I can never pass on an opportunity to rile Sitri. She is such a bitch. It gives
me the greatest pleasure.”

“Is she an ex-lover of yours by any chance?”

Morana rolled her eyes. “I have much better taste than that.”

“Oh yeah?” Tani pushed, not forgiving her for the unwanted
attention. “And who or what is to your taste?”

Morana smiled in a way that made Tani even more curious about
her. “You’d be surprised.”

I bet.

“Let me take you to your man,” said Morana, changing the
subject as she walked away. Her words made Tani pause.
Your man.
Did
Morana know more about Tani’s mission than she was supposed to? That was a
concern but one she pushed to the back of her mind with the realization that
the moment she had been waiting for had finally arrived. Tani’s heart sped up.
Her nervous anticipation was at boiling point. The encounter with Phenex and
Sitri had only served to intensify the bubbling sensation in the pit of her
stomach. She had to admit, his mother was attractive although she seemed to
have the personality of a snake. If her son possessed her dark hair, indigo
eyes and even half her looks, it would be a nice bonus but only if he hadn’t
inherited her character.