City Of Tears (13 page)

A faint memory stirred more an impression than anything. Flowing white hair, identical faces, others called them the elders.

“Have you ever dreamed of our mother?” She felt silly asking, but she needed to know if the images she had seen had been more than dreams. Krysta has more control over her Mystic abilities. She had the benefit of a full cycle of training.

“She appeared to me shortly after we arrived, but it wasn’t a dream, it was a vision. She insisted I fight to keep Seth alive, that he was the key to her … resurrection is the wrong word because I know she’s still alive. Somehow Seth will be instrumental in bringing Mother back.”

“I’ve only heard her voice, but when I came out of the trance, I …”

“Smelled flowers?”

Saebin nodded, relieved to realize she wasn’t losing her mind. “Who is Seth? His name is never far from your mind.”

“Are you always this clairvoyant?”

She shook her head. “The suit intensifies my abilities. Would you rather not talk about him?”

“It’s complicated.” Krysta sighed and pivoted in her chair to meet Saebin’s gaze. “Seth is Belle’s son. I’ve been helping Vee raise him since … Belle didn’t survive Seth’s birth. When her energy dispersed it was absorbed into my body, which caused the change in my eyes.”

“I’m so sorry. Losing your twin must have been devastating.”

“Yes and no. I miss her, but she’s a part of me now.”

Saebin sensed that there was much more to the story than Krysta was saying. They’d explore the subject at more length when the timing was better. “Vee is the child’s father?”

“Yes.” Krysta took Saebin’s hands and shared an image of the boy. Wavy dark hair and vivid green eyes, chubby cheeks, and an engaging smile.

“He’s adorable.” Level Four. The phrase formed along with the image, echoing like a voice down a long corridor. What did Level Four have to do with Seth? She started to ask, when Lyrik interrupted.

“Show time, ladies. We’ve just been cleared to land.”

Dro Tar tapped the audiocom hooked around her ear and spoke in rapid Ontarian. Lyrik entered their clearance code into the navconsole and released control to the space station. Multi-leveled bays spread out before them in a wide U-shape.

“That’s the
Gale
.” Lyrik pointed to a ship slightly larger than the other transports. Constructed of a sleek, iridescent alloy, the ship gleamed in the station’s bright lights.

“The crew is standing by,” Dro Tar told him. “There are two guards flanking the main hatch, two stationed in engineering, and an additional two on the bridge. Hermlin’s brother will create a distraction while they get the first two guards onto the ship.”

Lyrik nodded. “Tell him we’ll head for the bridge. Engineering is closer to the main hatch.”

Tension rippled though the shuttle. Saebin licked her lips. If any of the guards sounded an alarm, they would have to fight their way out. The
Gale
filled the viewscreen as they were drawn into the bay directly underneath the larger ship.

“How are you going to play this?” Lyrik asked Krysta.

“I’m going to wait until all hell breaks loose, then I’ll stand on the concourse and watch the show.” She shrugged. “We’re one of a dozen shuttles arriving right now. I have a legitimate reason for being here, so Cyrus can kiss my ass.”

“You tell him.” Dro Tar laughed.

“I’m not sure Trey would appreciate the suggestion,” Lyrik said with a grin.

The shuttle glided to a stop, perfectly centered in the tiny landing bay. Lyrik launched the post-trip routine and unfastened his safety restraints. “Shall we?”

They moved to the middle of the shuttle. Krysta extended her arms and closed her eyes, moving slowly toward the aft until she found a location she liked. “This will connect with the main cargo bay.”

“Perfect,” Lyrik said. “We can take the lift directly to the bridge.” He turned to Dro Tar. “Signal the others. We’re a go.”

Waves of Mystic energy radiated off Krysta as she formed the transport conduit. Saebin’s sensory inputs hummed. Sporadic signals darted through her body. She tuned them out, focusing entirely on her role in the mission. Concentrating the energy pulses into a shimmering vortex, Krysta breached the shuttle’s hull and drilled into the
Gale
.

“I’m through.” Krysta panted, her arms trembling. “Go now. I can’t hold this for long.”

Dro Tar stepped beneath the opening, and the conduit transported her onto the other ship. Lyrik thanked Krysta for her assistance, then stepped under the conduit.

“We have much still to say to each other,” Saebin said in a hurried rush. “I’ll contact you soon.” Krysta could only nod. Her features were tense and strained with her effort to maintain the portal. The conduit deposited Saebin in the main cargo bay of the
Gale
. She gasped, extending her arms as she adjusted to the sudden change in position. It had been like sliding
up
a recreation chute.

“Let’s go.” Lyrik nodded toward the lift, his weapon drawn and ready.

“Hermlin’s team is onboard.” Dro Tar reported. “The first two guards were subdued without incident.”

They took the lift to the bridge, carefully flanking the door so they wouldn’t be vulnerable as the panel slid opened. Dro Tar steadied her gun with both hands, her gaze narrowed and watchful.

“Drop your weapons!”

Lyrik ignored the order and fired at the nearest guard. Dro Tar ducked, avoiding a colorful burst from the second guard. Without stepping off the lift, Saebin sent out a powerful mental pulse. The guards dropped to the floor in hapless sprawls — and so did Dro Tar.

“Damn. I didn’t mean to turn her off.”

“You did good. We couldn’t risk their setting off —” Lights flashed and sirens wailed in the maintenance bay. “— an alarm. Hermlin report. What is your status?” Lyrik rushed across the bridge and activated the main control console. “Can you rouse Dro Tar, or does it have to wear off?”

“I’ll try.” Kneeling beside the other woman, Saebin eased into her mind.

“Anything?” Lyrik raced between two consoles, his anxiety mounting. “I really need her if we’re going to pull this off.”

The lift buzzed, so Saebin dragged Dro Tar clear of the doorway. “Someone just activated the lift. Check and make sure it was one of us.”

“Hermlin, who’s in the lift? Copy. The guards are secured in the brig. Hermlin’s on his way up.”

“I can’t rouse her. I’m sorry.”

“Then, come here. My arms aren’t long enough to reach both stations.” She hurried to his side. A chair was positioned in front of the console. He stepped back and let her slide in. “I have it all set to go. As soon as I tell you, slide your thumb along here and push in on this.” His fingers hovered above the controls as he demonstrated what he needed her to do.

“Got it.”

“All right. Wait for my signal.” He sat in the other chair, his fingers flying across the controls with obvious urgency.

Three men emerged from the lift, all panting and agitated. “They’ve got us tethered, sir,” one of the men announced.

“Take these two to the brig, then hold on tight. It’s going to be interesting for a while.”

The man who had spoken remained on the bridge as the other two dragged the unconscious guards into the lift. “Is Dro Tar wounded? What can I do?”

“She’ll be fine, but secure her for take off. I’m going to have to break free of the tether.”

Without argument, the man lifted Dro Tar into a nearby seat and secured her with safety restraints.

“Hermlin, take over weapons. Saebin, strap in.”

Saebin fastened the safety restraints and waited for Lyrik’s signal. The floor vibrated, and a low rumble drowned out everything else.

“Cease and desist, or we will open fire!” A sharp male voice cut through the den.

“Sure you will,” Lyrik muttered. “Come on, Trey.”

“Is Director dar Aune going to override their controls?” Hermlin asked.

“That’s the plan, but he should have cut through by now.”

“You’ll tear the ship apart if you continue with this foolishness,” Cyrus snapped over general com.

Saebin stiffened. His voice was all too familiar. She’d been hearing it for months. Constructing a detailed image of the overlord, she directed a Mystic compulsion deep into his mind.

Saebin, tell them to abort. You’ll have to make a run for it in my shuttle. They’ve got Trey locked out
.

She ignored Krysta’s frantic urging and reinforced her Mystic transmission. She visualized Cyrus, manipulating him like a puppet.
Release the tether
, she commanded, and he obeyed.
Authorize our departure
.

“What the hell.” Lyrik looked at her. “They just cleared us to launch. Did you do this?”

She smiled. “I told you shutting people off wasn’t my only trick.”

Pern folded his hands on his flat belly, his eyes narrowed and intense. “Is this technology only effective with Ontarian Mystics, or can it be adjusted to accommodate any frequency range?”

The question made Ensley’s mouth go dry. She was exhausted, physically and emotionally drained. With subtle threats and glib ultimatums, Jaden had kept her on task, compelling her to drive herself harder than she’d ever attempted before. They had refined her design, accomplishing more in one day than she had managed in three months on her own.

“My research was greatly limited by my situation.”

Pern waved away her response with an impatient snarl. “How did you first discover that Mystic energy resonates within a consistent frequency range?”

She had sent him a complete background report on the project. Hadn’t he bothered to open the file? “Our team of scientists was attempting to reproduce and intensify the abilities common among Ontarian Mystics. During the course of our study, we discovered that there was an energy spike whenever one of these abilities manifested. The stronger the ability the more powerful the spike.”

“And this spike of energy always resonated within the specified frequency range?”

“Yes. The original test subjects all had close genetic ties. I was concerned that this genetic similarity might account for the consistency. But since coming to Ontariese, I’ve been able to establish that it was not a genetic anomaly. All Ontarian Mystics utilize energy that resonates within this frequency range.”

“Which brings us back to my original question. If the frequency range of other Mystics can be identified, will your technology affect other races?”

“It’s my hypothesis that this pattern will be found in all Mystic beings. The actual range may vary, but I believe we will find a consistent pattern within each race. Unfortunately I haven’t had the opportunity to test my hypothesis. I’ve only had access to Ontarian Mystics.”

Pern’s gaze swept the length of her body, then he glanced at Jaden. The other man stood a step back from her, silent and watchful.

“I’m sorry, sir.” Ensley licked her lips as tension mounted within her. “I’m not sure I understand how these questions pertain to my device. Firestones are indigenous to Ontariese. To my knowledge they don’t exist anywhere else.”

“Being able to charge firestones without the assistance of an Ontarian Mystic is appealing and potentially lucrative, but you must know I’m interested in more than this one device. There are numerous applications for your theory.”

As Dr. Hydran had discovered. Ensley shoved back her flicker of hesitation. She could have melded with the population on Ontariese, lived out the rest of her life in peaceful mediocrity. An ordinary life had never appealed to Ensley, and it never would.

“The possible applications are dazzling.” She curved her mouth into a soft smile as she lowered her gaze. “I look forward to exploring them for you.”

“Jaden, remove her clothing and take down her hair. She makes me want to rut, and I can’t figure out why. She isn’t beautiful. Her body is barely average. Is there something unique in your scent?”

Finally! It had been months since she’d had a real lover. There’d been plenty of opportunity on Ontariese, but she’d needed to keep a low profile. Simulators couldn’t carry tales.

Don’t appear too eager, or this will be your first and last opportunity to pleasure a Stirate. He likes a bit of resistance in his females
.

Jaden’s advice caught her by surprise, but her soft gasp was perfect. She licked her lips again and glanced at Pern. “Sir, I thought we understood each other. I’m here to —”

“You’re here to do whatever I command.”

Jaden moved up behind her, reaching around to unfasten her blouse without blocking Pern’s view of her body. She grabbed Jaden’s wrist. He pulled her arms behind her back and held them with one hand, while he continued undressing her with the other.

“I’m not a whore. This is not why I agreed to board your ship.”

“Women are more easily enjoyed when they are silent.” Pern relaxed in his chair, the blue ring in his dark eyes glowing.

Momentarily releasing her arms, Jaden removed her blouse and reached for the fastenings at the back of her skirt.

“No. I want her to do it. Lift your skirt,
female
, and remove your undergarments.”

If you refuse, he will hurt you, but it will drive him wild with desire.

She straightened her shoulders and shook off Jaden’s restraining hands. “If you want my panties off, you’ll have to take them off yourself.” Her heart hammered in her chest. Her nipples had formed tight, tingling points. Could he distinguish desire from fear?

“Jaden, lift her to my desk. I want her kneeling in front of me.” The ring in Pern’s eyes burned brighter, and a cruel smile curved his lips.

Ensley struggled. Her breasts swayed, and her back arched as Jaden moved her into position. He remained in front of the desk, holding her arms behind her back. Pern pushed his chair back and stood. “Your breasts are too small.” He squeezed them both, his hands warm and firm. “But your nipples are lovely, so responsive and eager to please.” He rolled the aching buds, massaging and tugging until she groaned. She closed her eyes against the onslaught of sensation. He must not realize how easily she could be won. Pain shot into her chest as he pinched her nipples. “Do not close your eyes. I honor you with my touch. You will keep your eyes open.”