3013: Targeted (12 page)

There were four of them at the table, Brandt, T’karra, Hawke, and the guest of honor, Rael. As far as anyone else knew, T’karra had invited the D’Aire to be her guest for a free meal, specially prepared by her kitchen staff as an apology for what had happened to them the night before. Rael’s two companions had already left the station and were on their way home, but Rael had accepted on their behalf. In truth, they were here so that Rael would be in close proximity to the few members of the pack who could possibly be their traitor. It left T’karra exposed, which was why Hawke was so on edge, but it was the best plan they could come up with.

He still didn’t like it.

“I hate this plan,” Hawke muttered as he fought the urge to scan the area for threats…again.

T’karra scowled at him from across the table. “Considering this was my idea, I’m really starting to take offense to your comments,
tikta
.”

Rael arched a white brow, and for a second, Hawke could have sworn the bastard smirked. “A lovely blossom, but easily bruised by the slightest touch…and sadly lost when the Zyphir destroyed your planet. I am curious as to why you would call him that, T’karra.”

She laughed. “Mostly, I do it to annoy them, but there is another reason. When I was a child, I would spend hours looking through the files about my lost homeworld. I wanted to know what had been taken from me, all the things I would never experience for myself. Out of everything I learned about, the pictures and descriptions of that delicate flower stayed with me. Like the blade all Krytos carry to represent our determination to never let another take our homes from us again, the flower came to represent something to me, something precious.”

Rael nodded, his iridescent eyes gleaming with admiration and understanding. “You are a most interesting female, T’karra of the Ryvern pack. I see why your fathers left this place in your keeping when they moved on.”

Hawke gave out a startled cough. “Your fathers are still alive? Then how is it you’re the leader here?”

Brandt snickered. “Nice to see you paid close attention to the files we were supposed to read on the way here, hotshot.”

T’karra interjected before Hawke could fire back a retort. “My fathers made the decision to leave for D’Aire homeworld a few years ago. They chose to leave the sanctuary to me, and I defended my right to rule. I wasn’t aware that Rael knew my fathers, however.”

The D’Aire shrugged his shoulders in an elegant gesture. “I spent some time at the colony where your fathers now reside. Stories about this place and your family were one of the reasons I decided to travel here. I enjoy new experiences, and the Black Hole’s reputation made me curious. Of course, if I had known how that was going to end, I might have reconsidered my journey.”

T’karra felt a wave of regret and anger wash over her. “I hope that tonight’s dinner begins to make amends for what happened to you and your companions. You should’ve been safe here.
Everyone
should be safe here. This is a place of sanctuary, and I’ve failed in my duty to make it so.”

Hawke took one of her hand and Brandt the other, but it was Rael who spoke first. “You haven’t failed, you cannot fail unless you give up. You don’t strike me as one who would ever walk away from a fight, but you have to remember, some battles take longer than others. I believe you will win in the end.”

“That sounded a whole lot better than what I was going to say, so I’m going to just nod and agree with Rael,” Hawke said.

Brandt squeezed her hand and gave her an encouraging smile. “I’ve just got one thing to add. I know that this is your home and your pack, but that doesn’t mean you have to fight for them all by yourself. We’ve got your back.”

Rael gave the three of them a long, thoughtful look and then smiled. A move that transformed his already handsome face into something impossibly beautiful. “It is always a joy to witness the beginning of a lifelong bond. I believe the three of you are truly blessed to have found each other.”

“Lifelong what? Oh, no. We’re not—I mean, we’ve only started—they are not my mates, Rael.”

A low, unhappy, growl rumbled in Hawke’s chest, and Brandt’s normally impassive expression tightened into a brief frown before smoothing over again.
What the hell was that about?
They couldn’t be unhappy she’d told Rael they weren’t mates, could they? Holy stars, they hadn’t been together a day yet, not even a Krytos male would dare be
that
arrogant.

Rael looked pointedly at the table at their joined hands. “If you say so.”

“I have more pressing issues than my relationship status to deal with at the moment.”

“Indeed. I hope I’ll be able to assist you with that. As I explained before, I will not delve into their minds, as that would be invasive and extremely distasteful to me. I will scan their surface thoughts, though, and if I sense anything I think is important, I’ll let you know.”

“This is yet another debt of honor I will owe you, Rael. Thank you for your help.”

“I do not believe there is a debt between us, but if you feel differently, then I may have a solution that helps us both. As you know, my traveling companions have returned home. I’d like to stay here for a while yet, but I could do with some advice finding lodgings.”

“You are welcome to stay here, at the sanctuary. You wouldn’t be the first of your kind to spend some time living at the Black Hole.” She made the offer without hesitation.

“I’d be pleased to be your guest, but I don’t need the formal protection of your sanctuary.”

“If you don’t mind my asking, why did your friends leave?” Hawke asked.

“The night we were attacked, we were here celebrating the news that my friend’s keeper had learned she was with child. It is their first, and he did not want to be away from her during such a special time. He hurried home, and his brother went with him. It seems it was fated for me to remain here so that I can help you find the ones responsible for attacking me and my friends. When I do return home, I will be able to tell the others that justice was done.”

“If we find the traitor,” T’karra muttered, giving voice to the doubts that haunted her.

Rael’s eyes narrowed with determination. “We will. They are here, somewhere, and eventually they will give themselves away.”

“I like the way you think, Rael. To justice being served,” Brandt said as he raised his glass to the D’Aire and then took a sip of his drink. The others followed suit, and T’karra sent up a silent prayer to her ancestors that justice would not be long in coming…and that no more blood would be shed in the meantime.

***

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Brandt was starting to worry they were on the wrong track. Over the course of the evening, they’d eaten, talked, and waited as one by one their suspects had dropped by to speak with T’karra. She’d been out of the sanctuary long enough that no one thought twice about her request for an update, and it gave Rael an opportunity to scan them. So far, he hadn’t detected anything suspicious, and their pool of potential suspects was dwindling fast.

The crowds had thinned out in the past half an hour, until the majority of the beings present were either regulars or members of the sanctuary pack. The dark atmosphere of the bar felt more dangerous now. Somewhere nearby, walking through the shadows or working just out of sight, was their traitor, and T’karra had made sure she was a highly visible target.

They were seated in the middle of the bar, and she had dressed to attract attention, selecting a crimson skirt and top that glowed like a flame even in the dim light of the bar. She had a gold armband clasped around her bicep, and golden threads woven into her clothing that glittered and sparkled when she moved. She’d even added a few golden bells to the tips of her braids, and they chimed now and then as she shifted in her seat.

T’karra was gorgeous, and when this investigation was over, he had every intention of taking her out again. For a real date this time, one where the three of them could eat and laugh and learn about each other, like a proper trio. She had told Rael they weren’t her mates, and that was true, for now. He and Hawke had talked earlier, though, and they were in agreement. They both wanted T’karra, and once things were back to normal, they were going to court her properly, in the way of her species. They may not be her mates yet, but they planned on doing all they could to convince her they damned well should be.

An older Krytos with silver in his hair came through the doors that led to the kitchen, carrying a tray full of desserts. The moment T’karra saw him, her face lit up. “Uncle, you didn’t have to bring those out yourself. Everyone, this is Mek, brother to one of my fathers. He runs the kitchen and makes the best desserts you have ever tasted.”

He set the tray down on the table and stood back to gesture to the confections it contained. “I brought a selection for you all to choose from, and of course, a piece of chocolate and spice cake for you, T’karra. I made it today when I heard you would be joining us for dinner.”

“You spoil me, Uncle.” T’karra took the plate closest to her, and Brandt had to admit that the chocolate concoction looked delicious.

Mek crossed his arms over his broad chest and looked down at T’karra. “Someone has to. You have no mates to watch over you, and now, not even your brothers are on hand to help you run this place, or this pack. You should have mates by now, a family to dote on. This place is too much for you. I told your fathers that before you left, but they didn’t agree. They didn’t understand what you would have to sacrifice to carry this burden.”

T’karra’s eyes narrowed, and for a moment, Brandt thought he saw a flash of crimson in those dark depths. When she spoke her fangs flashed behind her lips, another sign she was displeased. “Being leader of this pack is not a burden, it’s an honor, and the day that it becomes too much for me, I will step down. Today is not that day.”

Her uncle nodded once. His expression was as cold and unreadable as a granite slab. “As you will. I shall leave you to your guests now. I hope you enjoy your desserts.”

He walked away, leaving the four of them in awkward silence.

“Is he always that charming?” Hawke asked as he reached for one of the remaining plates, this one containing some kind of flakey pastry covered in whipped cream.

T’karra watched Mek walk away, her anger at his words fading quickly. She was more concerned about him than ever. Something wasn’t right, but he refused to go to the med-bay to get checked over.

“He didn’t use to be, but lately something’s been off. I think it’s the headaches he’s been having. Sometimes they’re so bad, he can’t even come to work.”

She glanced over at Rael, whose gaze didn’t leave Mek until he disappeared through the doors that led to the kitchen. The moment he was gone, Rael blinked several times, then he reached out to knock the fork from T’karra’s hand as she was about to take a bite of her cake.

What the hell?

“Explain why the fuck you did that,” she snarled at Rael.

“You don’t want to consume that,” Rael informed her as he reached over and removed the plate of cake. He went to set it down in front of Hawke, but then he stopped and handed it to Brandt instead.

“I’m with T’karra. What the fuck’s going on?” Hawke demanded.

Rael pointed to the chocolate cake. “Silver nitrate. He put it in the dessert.”

T’karra stomach curdled at Rael’s blunt words, and she had to clench her teeth together to hold back the howl of betrayal that rose in her throat.

“You’re sure?” Brandt’s voice held a dark edge she’d never heard from him before, and it resonated with the pain and anger that filled her own heart.

“His thoughts were so loud I would have heard them without trying. There was so much hatred and anger, and something else behind it, like a shadow that clouded his mind. It wasn’t until he was returning to the kitchen that I caught him thinking about silver…and what he’d done.”

Soul-sick and angry, T’karra was still struggling to find her voice when Hawke leaned in and brushed a kiss to her cheek before whispering so softly that even her enhanced hearing barely caught the words. “You’ve got this, and we’ve got your back. You’re not alone, baby. Now, go kick some ass.”

She nodded and drew in a slow breath, clearing her mind and pushing her emotions aside. Later, she’d have to deal with the feelings of betrayal and anger churning inside her, but not now. Now, she had a pack to protect and a threat to deal with.

“As we planned?” Brandt asked, and T’karra nodded in affirmation. They had discussed this part before ever stepping foot in the bar. Once Rael identified the suspect, he would depart, while she and the two commanders took the traitor into custody. Once the interrogation was done and they had the answers they needed, Mek would be handed over to T’karra to face the judgment of the pack.

Rael raised a finger, drawing her attention back to him. “Before you face your uncle, you should know he is driven by jealousy and rage beyond anything I’ve ever experienced, and it is all directed at you, T’karra. In another species, that would be bad enough, but in a Krytos…you should guard yourself carefully when you confront him. I will go now, and make some inquiries of my own. The shadow I sensed in his mind disturbs me. I’ve never come across anything like it before, but it’s likely someone else has. If I find anything of value to your investigation, I will let you know.”

He stood, then paused and glanced down at her again. “I’m sorry for the pain you’re feeling. It is never an easy thing to know you have been betrayed by someone you trusted.”

He took his leave then, and T’karra knew the time had come. Without looking at either of her men, she blew out a breath and stood up. “Tell your men to take their positions outside and remind them to stay put. If they come in here armed, my security will tear them to shreds, and none of us want that.”

Hawke chuckled, but there was no humor in the sound. “That would take too much paperwork. Our guys have their orders. They’ll stay outside unless those orders change.”

“The same goes for the two of you. This may be your station, but this is my pack. Whatever happens, you can’t interfere.”

Brandt frowned. “That wasn’t what we agreed on.”

“Like hell we’re staying out of it. If he goes for you, I’m going to kill him.”

“No, you’re not. I lead because I proved myself capable. If you fight this battle for me, there will be those who will say I had to rely on human outsiders to protect me. That’s not going to happen.” She shot Hawke a pointed look. “As I demonstrated this morning, I do not need anyone’s protection. I
am
grateful for your support, though.”

Brandt finished keying in a quick command on his wrist-unit, instruction to one of his men to gather up the desserts on their table as evidence. If T’karra had eaten the cake, she might have died before anyone could have figured out what was happening. “We’re here for you. We’ll always be here for you.”

“We’ll talk about
always
later,
tikta
.” She rolled her shoulders and headed for the kitchen, looking every inch the leader he knew she was. He and Hawke fell in a few steps behind her, both of them aware that things were about to get more than a little dangerous.

“Our girl is officially in ass-kicking mode. Don’t worry, Brandt, if things get rough, I promise to save you from the big, bad beasts.”

Brandt shot him a disgusted look. “I don’t need saving, asshole.”

“I’m going to remember you said that. After they’ve torn you into bite-sized chunks, I promise to cry at the funeral and only say nice things. Maybe T’karra and I will even name our firstborn after you…if it’s a girl.”

From ahead of them, T’karra snorted with laughter. “Like I’d let you have any say in the naming of children, Hawke. You’re named for a bird, for star’s sake.”

Brandt barely managed to stifle his laughter. Now was not the time for it, but damn, he loved T’karra’s sense of humor. Even now, when her world was as dark as the void outside the station, she was still cracking jokes and marching to meet the darkness head on. She was the most fascinating, sexy, determined female he’d ever met, and there wasn’t a doubt in his mind she was going to be theirs.

He and Hawke had never failed to achieve a mission, not once in their entire friendship, and they sure as hell weren’t going to start now.

* * * *

T’karra stepped into the kitchen and for a single moment, everything felt normal. The scents of food, the frenzied to-and-fro of the staff, the sizzle of the grills, all of it was just as it should be. It was comfortable, safe, the way it had been for her since she’d been a child and used to sneak down to the kitchen to watch, and sneak the occasional treat. Her uncle Mek had been in charge in this kitchen for as long as she could remember, slipping her tidbits and teaching her to cook even before she was tall enough to use the grill without having to stand on a stool. So many happy memories, and now, they were all tainted by the knowledge he had stood in this very kitchen and baked a cake that had only one purpose.

To kill her.

He was standing at his usual station, back to the door and his focus entirely on whatever dish he was currently preparing.

“Uncle. You need to come with me now.” She projected her voice to carry over the din, and she was pleased to note that none of the emotions churning inside her could be heard when she spoke.

Mek stiffened at the sound of her voice. Without a word, he stopped what he was doing and turned, his fingers still wrapped around the handle of a wicked looking chef’s knife. She heard Hawke’s breath hiss through his teeth, and she hoped he remembered what she’d told them. This was her fight, and they couldn’t interfere.

“Was the dessert unsatisfactory?” Mek asked, and for the first time, she made herself look past her memories and truly see her uncle as he was now. His eyes were sunken and shadowed, and there were new lines in his face. As if he’d aged a decade in the last few months.

“You need to put down the knife and come with me to my office, now. This is a pack matter, Mek of the Ryvern pack, and you will do as you are bid.”

His lip curled into a snarl that bared his fangs. “And if I don’t?”

The moment he spoke, all other activity stopped. Everyone present turned their complete attention on T’karra and her uncle, waiting in silence for her response to his defiance. She drew herself up to her full height, met his gaze and gave her answer. “I am your leader. You know what happens if you refuse my orders.”

“You are no leader. You are a weak, mateless female who should never have been given the responsibility that this place represents. Our home was invaded, our lives threatened, your own brother attacked, and there has been no justice. You left this place to cower in fear, trusting in humans to protect you instead of your family.”

“I
am
the leader here, Mek. The day I claimed leadership, I was challenged twice and defeated them both. I proved myself that day, and every day since. Since you have spoken your mind here, then I shall as well. You have failed this pack. I believe that you are the traitor I’ve been hunting. I accuse you of treachery, of endangering this sanctuary and all within it. Tonight, you served me a dish laced with silver nitrate. You intended to poison me, Uncle, and now you will answer for what you’ve done.”

Snarls, growls, and soft noises of surprise filled the kitchen, but Mek ignored everything going on around him. His gaze was locked on hers, and his eyes were already turning red as he spat out his response.

“I will never answer to the likes of you!”

T’karra stood her ground, keeping her arms at her sides and her beast in check as her uncle shifted to battle-form and went on the attack. Too much hinged on this moment, and despite everything he’d done, she wasn’t ready to kill him. Not unless she had to.