Found (4 page)

“But of course!” Blix laughed. “What else
would I want?”

“I…I don’t know.” There was no way she was
going to tell him she’d been afraid he wanted
her.

“I was certain you would have some in a
vessel like this. They always stocked this particular model with
plenty to spare.” Blix looked around the small ship approvingly.
“But you didn’t seem inclined to let me in—which was why I created
a small, ah, illusion, to facilitate my entrance into your lovely
ship.”

Lauren shook her head. “I still don’t
understand how you were able to do that. How did you make yourself
look exactly like a rabbit? Like…”

“Like Mr. Kittles?” He raised one pale blond
eyebrow at her. “It wasn’t hard at all, my dear. You think
very
loudly. You really should try to stop that.”

“I do?” Lauren put a hand to her temple and
frowned. “But what about the weird dragon thing that was after
you?”

“All part of the illusion.” Blix assured
her.

“Illusion? But that thing was
real.
The door cut off a piece of its tongue.” Launre pointed to the
slimy black chunk still twitching on the metal floor.

“That
did
smart a bit.” Blix went to
stand by the chunk of tongue. Pointing one foot delicately, he
touched it with the toe of his brown boot. There was a faint but
disgusting sucking sound and the slimy mess was somehow suddenly
absorbed into his foot. “It was me,” he explained as Lauren’s eyes
got wide. “All of it. The bunny, the dragon—this form too. Don’t I
look slightly familiar?”

Lauren looked at him, frowning. “If you had
brown eyes instead of purple I’d say you looked like a grown up
version of—”

“Scott Snyder—the first boy you ever kissed.”
Blix smiled at her, his purple eyes flashing briefly brown. “He was
a senior and you were just a freshman. You weren’t supposed to be
out with him at all but you couldn’t resist—he was forbidden fruit.
And the way he
kissed.
Just thinking about it still makes
your toes curl, doesn’t it, my dear? Positively
yummy.”

“Don’t do that.” Lauren frowned. “Don’t go
into my head. I don’t like that.”

“I beg your pardon,” Blix managed to sound
contrite and amused at the same time. “I didn’t mean to upset you.
On the contrary—I wish to put you at ease.”

“Well you’re not doing a very good job.”
Lauren put a hand on her hip. “Look, it was nice of you to drop in
and all but my, uh…” She started to say ‘boyfriend’ but that
description of Xairn didn’t really fit. “My
protector
who
happens to be a very large, aggressive Scourge warrior will be back
at any second,” she continued. “So it’s probably better if you
leave. Now.”

“Very well.” Blix nodded humbly. “I realize
that I used trickery to gain entry to your ship and my harmless
little illusion has made you angry so I will go. But please
consider doing business with me in the future. For just a few of
those food cubes I’d be willing to give you enough creds to live
comfortably here in
O’ah
for a year.”

“A year?” Lauren looked at the cupboard
filled with cubes uncertainly. It wasn’t like she could eat them
all. And maybe she could just sell him the ones that rehydrated
into worms. Those she was
never
going to eat. If Xairn
really was gone, she’d need a way to survive.
No, don’t think
like that. He’s not really gone—he’ll be back.
But she was no
longer so sure.

“Indeed.” Blix nodded gravely. “And a year on
my planet is the length of five of your Earth years. As a token of
my good faith and willingness to do business with you, please
accept these.” With a flourish, he produced what looked like a
stack of colorful scarves from beneath his purple cloak and pressed
them into Lauren’s hands.

“What are they?” She frowned at the neatly
folded bundle.

“Contemporary fashions from the
Narn
district right here in the city. If you put them on, you can blend
right in at the marketplace.” Blix sniffed delicately. “I’m afraid
the outfit you have on now would brand you as something of a
country bumpkin. Only peasants and old ladies would wear such a
thing.”

Lauren looked down at the shapeless
silver-blue muumuu and made a face. “Yeah, on my planet too.”

“Well then.” Blix smiled at her and made a
low bow. “I’ll take my leave. But please feel free to visit my
booth in the marketplace. It’s just to the right of the mouth of
the alley. And bring a few food cubes if you’re willing to sell.
Only…” He hesitated dramatically.

“Only what?” Lauren asked, trying not to
sound impatient. Though Blix was turning out to be harmless, she
still didn’t like him invading her space.

“Only you’ll need to come today if you want
to make a sale. I’m leaving the district tomorrow for an
interstellar buying trip and I won’t be back for quite awhile—what
would amount to a year in your Earth time.”

Lauren bit her lip. “I don’t know…”

“Well, take your time and think about it.”
Blix smiled. “I’m sure you have enough food cubes to keep you alive
until I come back. I mean if your paramour never returns, which is
a distinct possibility since he has gone to the splicing district
alone.”

“Stop that.” Lauren put a hand to her head.
“I told you I don’t like it. And Xairn is fine. I know he is.” She
lifted her chin, trying to make herself believe it.

“Forgive me. A force of habit and nothing
more, I assure you.” He made another bow. “If you wish to do
business with me, I’m just around the corner, as you know.”

Lauren frowned indecisively. “But I was told
not to leave the ship under any circumstances.”

“Very wise advice—as long as your lover is
here to serve as a go-between to the outside world. Of course if
you’re on your own—and I’m sorry, my dear, but you very well may
be—you’ll need to get out and learn to fend for yourself. You’re
sitting on a goldmine here.” He nodded at the cabinet full of food
cubes. “But you can’t do anything about it if you just stay inside
your ship and eat up all the profits.”

“All right. But, uh, is it safe? For me to go
out there alone?”

“As long as you blend in.” He nodded at the
stack of colorful clothes in her hands. “Wear those and you won’t
have any problems. If anyone asks, say you’re an associate of mine
and they’ll treat you appropriately.” He pressed the release for
the door to the ship and it slid open silently. “I hope to see you
soon, Lauren. Until then I bid you adieu.”

He stepped to the open doorway and shimmered
as he had before. Suddenly Mr. Kittles was back, his whiskers
twitching. The rabbit bowed low again and then hopped down the
steps and into the dim alley where he disappeared into the violet
gloom.

Xairn finally reached the edge of the
splicing district, his lungs burning in his chest. The plasti-glass
tube he was in ended abruptly and his forward momentum almost took
him over the edge. He gripped the sides of the tube tightly and
looked down into the purple gloom hundreds of feet below, searching
desperately for an air-cab or a cloud cushion which would have been
the fastest way down. But neither was apparent.

He cursed softly in his native tongue. There
was no time to wait around, hoping for quick transportation. Lauren
was in danger. Even now she might be—Xairn cut off that train of
thought ruthlessly. He couldn’t think about what might be happening
to her. Not if he didn’t want to go completely mad. He would have
to climb down the long, latticed tube support system and hope he
got to her in time.

“Should have told her more,” he muttered to
himself as he swung out onto the ledge and gripped the first
slippery metal rung tightly. He felt for a lower rung with his foot
and found it, his boot scraping against it loudly in the empty air.
“Should have told her what goes on in this damn city.”

Yes, he should have told her more. Should
have told her the reason she shouldn’t go outside the ship. Most of
all, he should have told her the reason she shouldn’t bargain or
trade with anyone. But he hadn’t wanted to frighten her. Hadn’t
wanted to tell her that the splicing sheds weren’t the worst place
a visitor to
O’ah
could end up if they weren’t careful.

“Be careful, Lauren,” he begged under his
breath as he began the long, dizzying descent. Not for the first
time, he wished he had a telepathic link with her, like the Kindred
had with their brides. It would be so convenient to be able to
contact her mind-to-mind. Of course that kind of intimacy only came
with bonding and he knew no female as beautiful and perfect as
Lauren would want to bond with a Scourge. Especially not one with
such twisted urges…

Stop it. Stop thinking about it and
concentrate on climbing. One wrong move and you’ll be splattered
like a bug on the pavement. Who will help Lauren then? Who will
save her from that bastard, the Spider?

Xairn knew the answer to that question—no
one. He had brought Lauren to a strange and dangerous planet
lightyears from her home and she had come with him willingly and
trustingly. Because he had promised to keep her safe. When he had
made that promise, Xairn had thought the worst thing he’d have to
protect her from was himself. The dark desires she woke in him made
him fearful and wary of getting too close to the tempting little
female. But the things Spider would do to her…

Don’t think about it. Just climb!

Xairn tried to take his own advice but it was
hard. So damn hard when he knew she was in terrible danger and
there was nothing he could do to help her.

Be safe, Lauren,
he thought, wishing
he could send the thought across space and somehow reach her.
Be
safe and whatever you do, stay inside the ship!

“Good, you’re finally here.” A Kindred
warrior with coal black hair and eyes dragged Rast out of the
transport tube. “I’m Deep, Lock’s brother. Cutting things a little
close, aren’t you?”

Rast was so dizzy from the jerky motion of
the tube he was seeing double for a moment. “What are you talking
about?” he growled, frowning at the warrior. “I came on the day we
agreed on.”

“Yes but these things always take time to
prepare for, no matter how ‘simple and elegant’ they’re supposed to
be. But that’s how it goes when it comes to Earth females.” The
warrior called Deep sounded like he was complaining but there was a
fond smile on his face as he spoke. “Well, come on—you’re here now
and that’s what counts. But you can’t wear
that.”

Rast frowned down at the conservative black
pants and gray sports jacket he was wearing. “Excuse the hell out
of me. I didn’t realize seeing Commander Sylvan was such a formal
occasion or I would have brought my tux.”

Deep shook his head. “That wouldn’t be
appropriate attire either. Didn’t anyone tell you the males are all
wearing the native costume of Tranq Prime?”

Rast was getting more and more irritated.
“No. I don’t know what the hell the ‘native costume’ is and I don’t
have one with me either. So I guess I’ll have to see him as
is.”

“And ruin everything? I don’t think so.” Deep
glared at him. “Lucky for you, I have an extra
tharp
and
some boots Sylvan said should fit you on hand. Come to the changing
area and hurry—we don’t have long to get to the sacred grove.”

Before Rast could protest, the large Kindred
had turned and was leading the way through a park-like expanse of
green and purple grass. They appeared to be headed toward a
sheltered area filled with well tended trees where presumably
Commander Sylvan was waiting. It was irritating in the extreme, but
it seemed there was little choice but to follow him.

“Oh my God, Sophie—he’s here.” Kat rushed
back into the changing area bubbling with excitement.

“Who’s here?” Olivia asked. “Sylvan’s
friend?”

Kat nodded. “Lock just bespoke me. He got him
off the shuttle and sent him through the transport tube to Deep.
He’s getting dressed right now.”

“Thank God!” Sophie looked relieved. “But the
ceremony’s about to start. Will he be ready in time?”

“Don’t worry about that,” Kat said. “Deep
says he’ll shove him in a
tharp
and sneak him into line
right beside Baird and no one will even notice. Because all eyes
will be on
you,
my darling gorgeous Sophie.”

Sophie smiled and Nadiah, who had been
standing quietly in the corner of the changing tent thought that
she really did look radiantly lovely.

“So you were right,” Olivia said, turning to
her with a friendly smile. “He did make it here on time.”

“I knew he would,” Nadiah said quietly.

Olivia arched an eyebrow at Kat. “And are his
eyes green like Nadiah, uh, forsaw?”

“Hang on, I’ll ask.” Kat put a hand to her
temple and closed her eyes briefly. Clearly she was using the
mental link all Kindred brides got when they bonded to their males
to communicate with one of her mates. She opened her eyes after a
second. “Yup. Lock says his eyes are truegreen—the color of the
First Kindred males. The ones who started out on the Kindred home
world before they made any genetic trades.”

“Wasn’t Sylvan and Baird’s father a First
Kindred?” Olivia asked.

Sophie nodded. “I’m pretty sure he was. It’s
too bad he died before we got to know our guys.” She turned to
Nadiah. “You really predicted that perfectly—I’m impressed.”

“Thank you.” Nadiah beamed. Her grandmamam
had told her there would be skeptics if she revealed her powers and
she had been right. It was nice to feel vindicated.

“So
is
he one of the First Kindred?”
Kat asked curiously. “I mean, could you see that when you, uh,
forsaw him?”

Nadiah frowned. “The Sight can be tricky—it’s
not like someone injecting a huge dose of information into your
head. I see things—mostly in dreams or visions—and I have to
interpret them. But I
did
get a glimpse of his standing
before the throne of the Mother of All Life wearing the ceremonial
robes of the First Kindred.”