Theron stepped back and ripped the blade out. More of the yellow green fluid gushed out and seeped onto his shirt. He dropped the weapon and it clattered to the floor near her foot. “You should be safe to wait here for them. I must find Talon.”

  He hit the release for the double doors and slid through the opening the moment it was wide enough and vanished. Lissi leaned back from her seated position and fervently prayed he was right. If so, she would be on her way home soon.

  The horror of what she’d been through coalesced in her mind. There was no time to dwell though. Lissi pushed up to her feet and headed back the direction they’d come. If Kyele was this way, it meant the Jutaks were this way. Adrenaline gave her strength all the while she wondered how her brother and his men dealt with this on a daily bases.

  ***

  After reviewing 3-D maps, Jahul sent Arak and Kyele to focus on one section of the resort while he and Rydak looked for Lissi in another area. Rydak trailed Jahul as they opened closed doors and unlocked secured areas. Each cavernous room catered to a fetish or featured a desirable local for those who paid for the privilege.

  As caught up as he was in looking for Lissi, Rydak didn’t blink twice at some of the exotic displays. Occasionally Jahul blushed and would slam a door shut.

  “The things people will pay for,” Jahul joked as they made their way down another endless corridor of doors. The last one opened into an island oasis. Enhanced trees swayed from an artificial breeze overhead, lounges with plump cushions were placed strategically in the opened space and at the center a large oval lagoon held prominence. The ceiling had been converted to appear as a blue lit sky, the holo images of flying creatures adding to the realism.

  Jahul came to a stop and rubbed at his brow. “I keep thinking we’re wasting valuable time. If we had an idea of where Di-Tel set-up his base, it would narrow our hunt.”

  Too bad they couldn’t ask him.

  “I found a body.” Arak’s voice whispered across their comm.

  Gorge rose in Rydak’s throat and his stomach dropped. A body? Jahul tapped his ear piece and gripped Rydak’s upper arm as he headed for the door. “Details, Arak. I don’t need Rydak to give out on me.”

  “Apologies. Male, head shot. I’m on the second level, room A222. Kyele and I split for faster results. No signs of Lissi but I believe Di-Tel left an explosive present behind.”

  Rydak signaled to Jahul he was fine and they both ran toward Arak’s location.

  “Do you need help?”

  “It’s been dismantled. Carefully. Completely intact but in a way it couldn’t start a small spark if reset.”

  Arak’s tone conveyed his confusion. Rydak didn’t blame him. Why would Di-Tel set a bomb and then not blow this place to beyond? It didn’t make sense nor was it in character. He and Jahul took the lift to the next level up. A222 was immediately to their right. Jahul entered and Rydak covered their backs.

  Inside they found Arak kneeling next to the device with its frozen timer display. He rose at their arrival and slid his laser into his thigh holster.

  “Anything from Kyele?” Jahul asked after a cursory scan of the room.

  A turned over chair caught Rydak’s attention. He walked over and kicked at the pieces. His eyes noticed a flash of gold. Rydak bent over and stirred it with the toe of his boot. Blonde hair. One single, long strand.

  His skin prickled with awareness and sudden knowledge. Relief. Anticipation. Rydak drowned in both. “She was here.”

  Arak and Jahul came closer and Rydak nodded toward the floor. He read the doubt in Arak’s blue eyes before he shoved his mask to his forehead and squinted. Arak ruffled his dark hair. “It could be anyone’s, Rydak. I don’t won’t you to get your hopes up.”

  It could be, but it wasn’t. It was Lissi’s. He knew it deep down in his gut. “She was here. Maybe tied to the chair and escaped.”

  Jahul cleared his throat. “If Lissi was here, why wouldn’t she wait in one place for us?”

  A good question. Lissi wouldn’t have left of her own will if she knew they were here and bound to look for her. Tension among the three of them thickened.

  The comm in Rydak’s ear clicked. Arak and Jahul touched theirs as well. Kyele spoke in a deep rumble. “I spotted Lissi. She was being taken away by a tall male in the hall toward deck C. I shot at him and wounded him with one of my knives, not wanting to risk hitting Lissi but he kept going.”

  Rydak bolted for the door before Kyele finished talking, Arak and Jahul trailing close behind. Deck C wasn’t far from where they were. Rydak swallowed past the lump in his throat. There was no doubt in his mind, if this male got Lissi off Lafette they’d lose her. He had to reach her in time.

  Urgency rode them all. Torkel’s rage at the loss of his sister during this mission would be unfathomable. Imagining his own devastation wasn’t something Rydak wanted to contemplate. Jahul put on a burst of speed and flew by him.

  As soon as they whipped around the next corner, Jahul shot up the ramp to deck C and laser fire blasted over their heads. Arak snarled and had his weapon out and returned fire at the assailant. The slim figured rolled behind an abandoned storage rack.

  More blasts came from the left. Two. Males more than likely who worked with Di-Tel. Jahul ducked to one side as he exploded into the deck C and dropped behind cover. Rydak burst full speed into the open behind him. It was his biggest mistake. Something he never would have done if not for his personal connection to Lissi. Alarm spiked in his chest. He was fully exposed.

  “Get down!” Jahul ordered.

  Rydak dropped but there was nowhere to go. Streams of laser hit the wall behind where his head had been. Arak fired and the roar of weapons filled Rydak’s ears. He started to stand and make a run back toward the hall.

  “No!” Jahul rushed toward Rydak and dove onto him. They both slammed onto the floor, Jahul on top. Footsteps ran in the opposite direction. One of the assailants was getting away.

  Rydak sensed Arak hesitate. “Go!”

  His friend raced off. Rydak pushed up from the floor, noticing the scorch marks and patted Jahul’s shoulder in thanks. “I owe you again, I guess.”

  He waited for Jahul’s patented chuckle but only received a gurgle in response. Rydak glanced down. The front of Jahul’s uniform glistened and his eyes gleamed with acceptance. Calm descended over Rydak. He immediately opened the pouch on his belt and pulled out absorb pads. He ripped Jahul’s black vest off and tore the shirt down the middle. His stomach dropped and sweat gathered on his temple.

  The wound was bad. A direct laser hit to the mid-section and strong enough to blast through their specially made protective vests. No matter. Rydak pulled his mask off and then Jahul’s. His Team Leader’s face grew chalky, his lips parted to speak but nothing came out.

  Rydak worked efficiently and placed the pads over the center of the injury with one hand and tapped his ear bud with the other. “Jahul’s down.”

  “I found Lissi,” Kyele countered at the same time.

  Rydak dropped his head and blinked back the sting of tears. Fate and its fickle ways. Through numb lips, he forced the question out. “Is...she fine?”

  Rydak continued to administer aid to his Team Leader as he waited, breath lodged in his chest for Kyele’s answer. “Yes.”

  “I’m heading back,” Arak said.

  “No,” Jahul protested. “Find them, Arak.”

  “Too late. Two males boarded a speeder and are clearing for take-off from the loading dock. A battle cruiser is also within sight.”

  A battle cruiser. Torkel hadn’t wasted time calling favors. At least this meant a full medic and the necessary equipment to help Jahul. Rydak wiped his sweaty face on his forearm to clear his vision. The cloths pressed to Jahul’s abdomen ran red. “Why, Jahul?”

  His Team Leader could have easily avoided the laser fire. Jahul grimaced. “You were in the way.” A weak cough. “Always slow.”

  Rydak tried to smile at the familiar joke but his heart felt torn down the middle. His Team Leader and the only Enotian in the Unit who could understand how Rydak suffered from his empathic gift was dying. But Jahul was so much more than that. He was a friend. A good one and the best to work with.

  Jahul grasped Rydak’s leather covered hand. “Do you sense her when you touch?”

  His brows drew close. “Lissi?”

  Jahul’s lips twitched. “Who else, Rydak?”

  “No.” When he touched Lissi Alonson, she was a blank slate. “I can’t read her. Not her thoughts, not her emotions.”

  “Good,” Jahul choked and a thin line of blood ran from his mouth.

  More sweat popped on Rydak’s forehead and dripped down his nose. This was the part of being a Jutak he didn’t like. Waiting for help and worrying.

  “I couldn’t sense my Chosen throughout our time together,” Jahul continued. “It’s a good thing for a man not to know his female’s every thought.”

  Rydak bowed his head. To still be affected by your Chosen years later. Rydak hoped to be so blessed. “Hold on, Jahul.”

  “Listen to me carefully, Rydak.”

  Jahul’s grip on his hand became solid. Unbreakable. Blue eyes lit with a fierce inner light. “Don’t waste my sacrifice. Live and love. A Chosen is a gift.”

  He and Lissi weren’t at that point yet. He had every intention of tying her to him every way possible.

  “Promise me, Ry—”

  Rydak would have done anything for him. “I promise, Jahul.”

  “Jutak warriors!”

  The shouts came from behind him. Relief slammed into Rydak. “Over here. Medic needed stat.”

  Torkel slid to his knees beside him and cursed. Khane reached for his neutralizer but Torkel stopped him.

  Rydak glanced down and his heart shattered. Jahul’s sightless blue eyes stared at the ceiling.

  Chapter 23

  The sound of running steps had Lissi slowing to a stop. A black clad figure paused at the end of the hall. Fear left a metallic taste in her mouth but she recognized the uniform and the green eyes blazing in her direction. He slowed to a cautious walk and stopped in front of her before shoving the bottom half of his mask up to reveal his scarred visage.

  Relief flared to life. She lifted her arm to show him what she’d managed to bring with her. “I think this is yours, Kyele.”

  He picked up the knife, wiped it on the leg of his pants and slid it into its sheath with a grunt. “You are safe now, Lissi.”

  Lissi tumbled toward his arms, catching the ruthless soldier by surprise as evident by his startled eyes. “I want Rydak.”

  He caught her against his chest, keeping his hands cupped about her elbows. “I will contact him now.”

  Lissi waited as Kyele tapped his ear piece then said a few words to someone. She wished she could hear Rydak’s voice. Tell him of her love.

  Kyele kept his expression clear but his body stilled. Lissi’s heart thudded and she clutched the sleeve of his shirt. “Tell me.”

  “We need to leave.” He paused, head tipped to the side and she knew he was listening to something important. His lips pressed together and he nudged Lissi’s shoulder, turning her toward the double doors. “Your brother is here.”

  What was he avoiding telling her? Lissi dug her heels in. Nothing else mattered in this moment other than getting the answer to her question. “Has Rydak been hurt?”

  He shook his dark head, continuing to herd her along. “Jaard is fine.”

  Lissi went but only because she didn’t believe Kyele would lie about that. Which meant whatever happened involved one of the others. She couldn’t imagine anything else.

  Lissi didn’t breathe easy until she reached the safety and secure walls of the battle cruiser. Kyele disappeared at some point but the medical personnel treated her with utmost care. It was in the middle of answering questions that the door to the sterile all white room opened and her brother stormed in.

  Torkel didn’t stop until he reached the bed she sat on the edge of and grabbed her close. Lissi leaned into the strength of his brawny arms and inhaled his familiar scent. He pulled back and clasped her face in the palms of his large hands. “You are in such trouble.”

  Tears filled her eyes but Lissi laughed weakly. “Does Maman and Papan know?”

  “I have assured them you are well.” His thumbs brushed at the wet tracks. “They worried but are happy to know we are on our way home.”

  Lissi nodded and sniffed. Torkel tugged on her hair and moved back a step. “I need to meet with the teams to discuss everything but Rydak will be here shortly.”

  “Madlyn.” Memories of her ideal flashed through his mind. “Madlyn from school told Di-Tel about my connection to you. It’s how he knew who I was. He seemed to really have an issue with the Jutaks.”

  His deep growl rolled from his chest and his already large form bulked up. “There will be a formal inquiry. Madlyn will receive proper discipline if proved guilty of jeopardizing your safety.”

  Lissi couldn’t find it in herself to sympathize for her friend. Madlyn hadn’t hesitated in volunteering personal details about Lissi. She started to add more of her ordeal when the metallic doors opened once more but this time a lean, graceful male with disheveled blond hair entered the room and sent her heart soaring. Lissi smiled, forcing back the urge to cry. She leaped off the bed and ran toward him. “Rydak!”

  He caught her in a firm hold and snagged her in close as he pressed kisses to her face. “Lissi. Lissi.”

  He rocked her in his embrace and she realized her tough Jutak was shaking. “I’m alright.”

  “I love you. I love you.”

  Her chest almost burst from containing her happiness. She burrowed against his neck. “I love you. So much Rydak.”

  ***

  Bad news followed bad.

  Rydak held a sleeping Lissi during the trip back to Enotia. A thick, brown blanket was draped over her shoulders and clutched tight between her fingers. All of them had been assigned private quarters but Lissi refused to stay in medical or her own room. She’d threatened her brother until he agreed to let her stay with Rydak. Reluctantly, Rydak left her in medical to finish, trusting the guards to escort her back once cleared.

  Later when Kyele opened the door to his room, Lissi ignored his gathered teammates as she made her way to where Rydak sat, climbed into his lap and promptly fell asleep. The medic had treated her few bruises and pronounced her fit. That had been several hours ago and Rydak feared moving less he wake her. The others had gradually left leaving him alone with Torkel.

  “I’m sorry to deliver it to you this way, Rydak but knew you’d want to know immediately.”

  Genuine remorse darkened Torkel’s brown eyes, because there was no good time to find out his Nonja had passed away peacefully while he was out rescuing Lissi.

  “She left arrangements in the event of her death. The advantage of her sight you could say.” Rydak would only to need follow her detailed instructions.

  “The Jutaks will stand by you for whatever you need.” Torkel nodded at his sister. “I can’t thank you enough.”

  Rydak smoothed a hand down tousled blonde curls. Leather against silk. He wanted to take off his glove, feel the rich texture beneath his hand and bury his face in the scent of a freshly cleaned Lissi. The only reason Rydak held back from the skin to skin contact he craved was because he feared he’d break down and cry.

  “No thanks for doing what we’re trained to do,” he said instead.

  Torkel smirked and his brow winged upward. “My sister is more than a mission for you.”

  True. “I know.”

  “I only ask that you make her happy, Rydak.”

  “Every day she’ll let me.” Rydak breathed the words against her forehead. He cleared his throat and eyed Torkel. “Any more word or detail on the two others Lissi mentioned?”

  No recorded database contained the names Theron or Talon in any variation. From the way she described them, it seemed as if the males had changed their minds about working with Di-Tel. If not for their assistance in the end, Lissi claimed she might not have survived.

  “Nothing.” The disgruntled expression on Torkel’s face gave Rydak a small spurt of humor.

  “What about the guests? Complaints?”

  Everything had been rushed. Torkel’s arrival, a transport to load Jahul because Rydak refused to leave his side and then waiting until Kyele brought Lissi onboard the cruiser.

  “None.” Torkel shifted on his feet. With an abrupt expulsion of breath, he nodded once more to Rydak. “I will talk to my sister later.”

  Unable to deal with the onslaught of emotions, Rydak leaned back in the lounger and closed his eyes as Torkel left. Lissi twisted about and settled with her head resting on his chest. “Rydak?”

  “I am here.” He tipped his face down to see her but she was already back to sleep.

  He briefly considered making his way to the small bed then decided to rest exactly where they were. Exhaustion hit hard and Rydak’s eyes closed on his next breath.

  Lissi shifting about woke him in what seemed like minutes later. Her breath was like puffs of air on his chest where his shirt parted. Long slim legs straightened out and she stirred enough to lift her head. “You’re here.”

  As if he wanted to be anywhere else. “Yes.”

  “How close are we to home?”

  Rydak took the opportunity to stretch out on his right side on the lounger and fixed Lissi to lie between his thighs facing him. “We will land shortly.”

  As soon as he had her situated, he ripped his glove off of his left hand. His fingers hovered inches from her jaw. Lissi clasped his hand and drew it to her mouth to kiss his palm.

  Touch. Rydak trembled and dropped his head to hers. No intrusive thoughts. Silence. Suddenly the impact of everything he’d gone through in a short time slammed into him. Worry for Lissi, the loss of Jahul, the loss of his nonja. He wouldn’t have been able to deal with someone else’s emotions on top of his own.

  “I need you, Lissi.”

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20