Mine to Take (11 page)

“Because…you would not seek me out like this if it were otherwise.” Traed slammed his horn on the table.

“Hmmm.” Yaniff stroked Bojo’s feathers. “Perhaps I simply want to converse with you?”

“No.”

“Hmm.” Yaniff motioned the serving man to bring him a horn of
keeran.
“Perhaps I simply want to share a drink with you?”

“No,
Yaniff.”

The server placed the horn before the old wizard. Picking it up, the ancient wizard sipped it contemplatively. “Come now, Traed, at least give me a chance. A man who does not know what he seeks cannot recognize it when he finds it.”

The flat of Traed’s palm came down on the tabletop. He leaned forward, pastel eyes glittering. “All you need is a chance! Think you I have forgotten how you maneuvered me the last time, sending me to Ree Gen Cee Ing Land after Rejar? Playing us both so that I would reveal
my power to the Guild in order to save him while he would come to acknowledge his place within the Charl? Meddling in our lives?”

The lad had the right of it there. Yaniff shrugged nonchalantly. “I am a wizard—it is what we do.”

As if that was an explanation. Traed’s eyes sparked briefly. “I will not do it, Yaniff.”

“Very well.” Yaniff sipped his drink again.

Traed nodded curtly, going back to his own drink.

Whereupon Yaniff tossed a figurative thunderbolt. “I suppose,” he mumbled into the horn, “that Gian Ren will be lost to us forever, then.”

Traed choked on his drink. Obligingly, the crafty wizard leaned over and slapped his back.

“Are you telling me,” he sputtered, “that the Guild had the audacity to ask me to go after him?”

“Well…not quite.”

The jade eyes narrowed to thin slits.

“They are not exactly asking.”

“I see. As usual, they decree and expect others to follow. Well, I might remind them that I was never fully initiated into the Charl. I owe them no allegiance.”

“Hmm.” Yaniff sipped some more
keeran.
Waiting patiently for the pot to boil.

“How dare they think I would honor such a call!”

“Hmm?”

“Did they think to ensnare me with my ‘family honor’? I owe them nothing and will give them the same!”

“Hmmm.”

“Perhaps they think I would feel bound to you, Yaniff? Because I wear your Cearix? Then they know me not!”

“Hmmm.”

Traed slammed back his chair, his jade eyes sparking. “I care not for such honor I tell you!”

The pot is boiling.
As if he had not a care in the world,
Yaniff finished his drink.
Time to add the spice.
“One might say Gian is almost a blood relative to you, what with his relation to Rejar and, in a way, Krue.”

Traed paused in his tirade.

Ah, the magic word.
Yaniff knew that Traed secretly longed for the recognition of Krue, a man he respected and loved as a father. The man who was prevented from raising him as his son-of-the-line.

Bested, Traed closed his eyes. “This is the last time, Yaniff.”

The corners of Yaniff’s lips lifted ever so slightly.
Not quite.
“You must leave at once, Traed; the situation is most grave.”

“Do you know where he was headed when he left M’yan?”

“Not entirely. There is speculation he was headed in the direction of the far rim. There is a planet there that concerns me, called Ganakari. I have followed ‘sight’ of him to that place but lost it. Start there.”

Traed nodded resignedly. Yaniff stood to leave.

The green-eyed man forestalled him by placing his hand on his arm. “I am not doing this for the reason you think, Yaniff.”

“Of course not. You would never want to be confused with being honorable, Traed.”

Traed’s hand automatically went to the Cearix on his belt.

Yaniff chuckled. “As I said. In any event, you do not know what I think, Traed.”

The compelling eyes captured the old man. “That is true. It is what makes you so all-powerful, Yaniff.”

Not
all
powerful, the old wizard thought tiredly as he left.

No, not all.

When Yaniff returned to his cottage, his new student, Rejar ta’al Krue, was pacing the floor like a caged beast.

Again, Yaniff was not surprised.

For a man who was Familiar in appearance and abilities, yet held within him a revered Aviaran bloodline, Rejar was a most stubborn apprentice. He resented what he perceived as his loss of autonomy. He was always tugging on the imaginary collar of the Charl that had been placed about him.

Yaniff chuckled. Truly, the bloodline of Krue was a trial to him. Between Lorgin, Rejar, and Traed, he was kept fairly busy. Then again, they were an enjoyable lot. What was more, they were
his
lot. He tickled Bojo under a wing playfully as he closed the rickety wooden door behind him. Some days it was good to be a cryptic wizard.

Rejar stopped pacing to glare at the old mystic; his blue/ gold eyes narrowing.

Here
it comes,
Yaniff snickered to himself.
Part two.

Purposely ignoring the Familiar, Yaniff made his way to the table. Tomes of wizardry were scattered about its scarred wooden surface. Bojo rose from his shoulders to settle on his usual perch in the rafters as Yaniff sat down and opened an ancient leather-bound journal.

He began to read a passage out loud to Krue’s youngest son.

Rejar began pacing again. Familiars always had to be watched when they paced. It was a sure sign trouble was brewing.

Yaniff ignored the signs, continuing with the particularly boring passage on the obscure nature of elements.

A barely audible groan reached Yaniff.

He tried not to smile as he read aloud. Rejar was a trial, but he had a certain way about him. Yaniff was very fond of Rejar. “‘And so from this we see that the elemental transitions are accomplished when’—Rejar, are you listening
to me?” Yaniff did not look up as he perused the passage.

A gust of air left the Familiar’s disgusted albeit beautiful lips. Impatient with the endless lessons (which had only just begun), he stormed over to the window and stared moodily outside at the yellow sunshine. It was a perfect day.

Which didn’t help matters.

Familiars loved to be out and about looking for mischief on a day such as this. Who knew what delicious adventures awaited the bold? Rejar stared longingly out the window.

Trills sang in the trees, crystal chimes tinkled in a light wind that carried the scent of
tasmin
blossoms. He sighed, wondering what his wife, Lilac, was doing. His lovely “flower” had bloomed on Aviara just as he had predicted. In fact, she was starting to develop some interesting thorns. He shook his head, recalling their past eve together and how it had ended up. He grinned sexily at the heated memory.

Perhaps she was lying under a tree right now taking a midday nap? Yes, with her hair spread out across the grass and her luscious lips slightly parted, waiting for…

“Rejar.”

“Yes…yes…I am listening,” he murmured distractedly. He would bend over and lightly press—

The corners of Yaniff’s lips lifted ever so slightly. As a seventh-level mystic, Yaniff had the ability to read minds. However, he did not have to read Rejar ta’al Krue’s mind to know what the frisky Familiar was thinking. Ah, youth.

“That is good…that is good,” the old wizard replied, not taking his eyes off his book. “Because if you were not, you would be missing a very important lesson.”

That was it.
Rejar fumed. He was bored beyond belief!
Why had he ever agreed to this? These lessons were tedious beyond endurance.

He
had
tried.

It was not as if he hadn’t tried!

He could not believe his brother Lorgin had suffered through—No. Knowing Lorgin, he could believe it. His brother was a paragon. Nothing ever bothered him! He snorted disgustedly.

Well, he was a Familiar, not a Charl!

Enough was enough.

“Yaniff.”

Yaniff went on with the lesson, apparently not even hearing him.

“Yaniff!” he intoned slightly louder and with much more authority.

“Hmm?” Yaniff looked up, seemingly perplexed; he seemed oblivious to his student’s boredom.

Rejar’s blue/gold eyes flashed in irritation. The old man had no idea what he was going through! Hands on lean hips, he emphatically stated, “These lessons are not to my liking.”

“Oh?” Yaniff appeared surprised. “And what makes you think they should be to your liking?”

Exasperated—and recognizing that the old mystic was about to ensnare him in a dance of logic that he would invariably lose—Rejar threw his hands up in the air, resuming his pacing back and forth in front of the table. “I cannot stay caged up in here like this all day!”

The wizard scratched his head. “Why not?”

Rejar all but roared.
“Because it is not my nature!”

Yaniff’s eyes, darker than the darkest night, gleamed. “Ah.”

“Perhaps Lorgin or even Traed could—” Rejar stopped in midstride and pivoted about to stare at Yaniff. “What mean you, ‘ah’?”

Yaniff shrugged. “I never said where the lessons must be.”

Rejar scrutinized him through slitted eyes. “Then why have you kept me penned up in here for weeks?”

Yaniff raised an eyebrow. “I have heard that no one can keep a Familiar who does not want to be kept.”

It came to Rejar at once. “That was the real lesson, was it not?” He gestured to the books strewn about the table. “Not these other teachings.”

“Yes. Always know your true nature, Rejar. When you do, no one, not even me, can pull you from it.”

Rejar let the old man’s words sink in. He had yet to discover the total scope of his
true
nature, but for now he had learned a valuable thing.

“So we may go outside and walk awhile?” He opened the door, letting the fresh air in. The gentle breeze ruffled the long strands of his jet-black hair.

“Of course.” Yaniff got up and joined the Familiar who was also part Aviaran.

“You might have told me sooner,” Rejar murmured as they stepped outside into the warm Aviaran sunshine.

“It was not for me to say. It was for you to realize.”

“Mmm. I suppose Lorgin realized it much sooner.”

“Lorgin never had this particular lesson.”

Rejar looked at him, surprised.

“Each student is different inside, Rejar, and so no two are ever trained the same.” Yaniff smiled softly. “It is what makes us both student and teacher to each other; it is what makes us always learn.”

Rejar seriously considered his master’s words. “I see.”

“So there is your second lesson for the day, Rejar. Remember that learning is like breathing—once we cease, we are no longer of this plane.”

With a flick of his fingers he closed the door behind them.

She could not look at him without wanting him.

Jenise walked alongside the Familiar, keeping her head averted, her gaze anywhere but on the sensual feline man. The tips of her ears turned pink with desire as she recalled everything he had done to her during the night. Who would believe a man could have such devastating abilities?

In no time at all he’d had her screaming in ecstasy and yes, begging him for more. Jenise, who had always thought of herself as an extremely independent, reserved person, found it highly embarrassing.

After he had done that—that
thing
to her, she could do naught but moan in his arms like an enflamed
ticna.
Her thoughts strayed back to that incredible moment. Enhancing…

It was as if every part of her had become sexually sensitized at the same time. It was as if the Familiar had transferred his own sexual energy to her, making himself pulse throughout her body! The erogenous surge had been too much. It had shattered her, making her scream out the Familiar’s name over and over.

She’d lost herself in the alien augmentation. To
him.

Gian had simply rumbled his approval and taken her to a new peak. Although he was gentle in his movements, that did not stop him from bringing her to incredible heights.

And the more he gave to her, the more lost she became.

Her brow furrowed. She didn’t like that part. The surrender.

Afterwards, she had cried in his arms as he held her. Cried for the beautiful yet frightening pleasure he had given her. Gian had comforted her and stroked her, telling her in that husky purr of his that he had shown her only a small portion of what he wished to do for her, what he could do for her.

He had kissed her face tenderly, along her hairline—small scattered kisses—while he hugged her tightly to him. All the while, he whispered things to her in a language she did not understand.

That worried her too.

His deep voice murmured against her, uttering things that sounded forbidden. The soothing, sexy murmurs had a spellbinding effect on her. The Familiar had created a profound need in her, and because of it she was vulnerable to him.

He was overpowering…in his mastery, his sensuality, his appearance, his personality, and his command.

Jenise wasn’t sure exactly what to do with him!

One steamy glance from those sultry green/gold eyes, which were shadowed over by those thick black lashes, rendered her captive. No wonder women craved these Familiars so!

They were akin to the rarest, finest delicacy. A succulent, delicious, completely unpredictable treat. A delicacy that could deliver untold ecstasy.

These Familiars could become highly addictive!

Which explained why they were hunted after in certain sectors.

Jenise was confused. While she enjoyed the ecstasy part, it seemed to her that such pleasures could prove dangerous. In what way she wasn’t sure—but females had to
be very cautious, even with ordinary males. With a man like Gian, who knew what trouble would ensue?

Since they had started out across the plains early that morning, she had discovered a new disturbing element in their relationship. It seemed that every time the man caught her in his heated dual-colored stare, she went breathless right to the pit of her stomach.

The other day, when he had helped her out of the tree and set her down on the ground, his smoldering gaze had perused her length in a slow, deliberate way. She had actually tingled all over. Then the tips of her ears had turned pink.

His mouth had curved in that secret way as he tucked a small reddish purple flower in her hair. She wondered how much he knew.

Perhaps they should part company soon? A pang tugged her at that idea, for she had come to truly like Gian Ren.

Deciding not to think about it any further for the time being, she trudged across the endless plain next to him. The binary suns rose higher in the sky and the temperature became unbearably hot. She started to untie her cloak.

“Leave it.” Gian had been constantly scanning the terrain; she was surprised he was so aware of her actions.

She gave him a questioning look.

“Even though it is very hot, the cloak will protect you from the damaging rays of the suns.”

“But I just want to remove it for a short time.”

“No.” His hand stayed hers. “A short time is all it will take. We are close to this planet’s equator. The rays of the suns are too potent. Make sure your hood covers you completely,
taja.”

It was then that she noticed how red the skin of his
naked back was. Since she had been avoiding looking at him, it hadn’t occurred to her that, being shirtless and barefoot, he was almost fully exposed to the lethal rays.

“Gian! You are burned! Here, take my cloak to protect you.” She started to remove it, but he forestalled her.

“No, I will be fine, I assure you.” Her attentive gesture touched him. “Later I will transform into my other self. When I change back I will be as I was, free of injury.”

“But surely it is painful for you?” A thought struck her. If Gian were in his cat form, his fur would protect him. “Why do you not transform now?”

He did not answer her directly. He pointed to the far horizon. “You see that mountain in the distance? We must head there.”

He will not transform because of me, she realized. For some reason the Familiar felt better able to protect her if he remained in his human form. On the one hand, Jenise was touched by the gallant gesture. On the other hand, she did not want the man to bake to a crisp under the blazing suns.

She touched his forearm lightly. “Gian, we have encountered nothing of concern here. Please spare yourself this unnecessary affliction.”

Gian looked down at her with hooded eyes.
“Taja,
this landscape is alive with alien life forms just waiting to harm us.”

She blanched.

“Do you see the yellowish brush on the rocks as it ripples?”

She nodded warily.

“It is not what it appears. It is a complex symbiotic life form that is extremely dangerous. One of many we have passed.”

Jenise swallowed.

“The brush consists of needlelike appendages which
are highly toxic. If threatened in any way, they will shoot quills at us as we pass.”

Jenise’s mouth parted as she scanned the landscape. The entire plain was covered with them! “What is keeping them from attacking?”

“I have been sending them
a flicker-warning.
They seem to understand and respect it—to our benefit. That could change at any moment.”

“I—I see.”

“It appears we have entered this place at the time of their seasonal migration—when the suns are at their hottest.”

“Was that why you took us into the
nanyat
last night?”

“One of the reasons.”

Jenise was not sure she wanted to know his other reasons. “But this is a trade route! Between Tunnels!”

“Perhaps that was why that particular Tunnel was so inactive. Apparently it is not peak season for this route.” He smiled slightly at his own understatement. The planet was a camouflaged hotbed of danger.

“Would you like me to rub
systale
water on your back? The minerals may help the stinging.”

“As much as I would love the feel of your hand upon me, Creamcat, I must decline. We have to conserve the water for now.”

Jenise nodded.

“We should make the base of the mountain before nightfall. It should not be too difficult to find a small shelter for the night, on the mountainside.”

“Where is the Tunnel point? Are there intelligent beings here, do you think? What kind of trade do you suppose goes on? Will we see a caravan?”

Despite the danger, the creamcat was excited about the adventure. Gian was amused. Yes, she had many traits in common with his people. He reached over and pulled her
hood about her face. When he was finished, only her small nose peeked out.

He chuckled, yanking the hood again so it cloaked her entirely. He would not want such an engaging little feature to burn. “The Tunnel point is in the center of the mountain.”

Jenise gasped. “How could that be? How will we reach it?”

“We must climb to the top. It will be an exercise, but not too strenuous; I can make out an ascending path carved into the side of the mountain.” Familiar eyesight was especially acute.

“Oh.” The news of the long climb in the burning heat did not excite her.

Gian smiled. “The mountain is a dormant crater, hollow on the inside. My guess is that a similar carved path will lead us down into its center.”

“What an odd place for a people to live,” she commented.

“There are no intelligent beings here, Jenise. This planet is simply a link between your world and a sponsoring world, which sought to broaden its scope by allowing the link. Do you know anything about the sponsoring world at the other side of the next Tunnel?”

“I know only that each of the three Tunnel points on Ganakari leads to a different world. My mother’s mate did not wish me to know too much, for fear I would leave when I reached adulthood.”

“He loved you like a daughter, did he not?” Gian asked intuitively.

A shield went over her lovely aqua eyes. “He caged us.”

Gian watched her carefully. She had much to reveal to him, and perhaps to herself. Again he realized the difficult path he faced with her. “There is a difference between caging and protecting,” he said softly.

“I do not wish to discuss this with you.”

Gian decided to let the matter rest for now. There would be time enough later for him to explore this with her.
If
they survived. “Very well.”

They continued on, neither speaking, each pursuing his own thoughts on the same topic.

By midday the shadow of the mountain stretched over them.

The dome looked higher up close than it had from a distance. Its craggy peaks blocked the suns from view.

Gian knew they would have to make the next Tunnel point as quickly as possible, for there was nothing that could sustain them on this planet.

He was severely burned. Still, he led Jenise along the base of the mountain to the carved-out platforms which trailed up its side. Strange symbols were carved into the edges of the stone platforms, their meaning lost on the two travelers.

Jenise noted that Gian’s steps were unsteady.

A few times she had caught him shivering as if he had a chill. There was no doubt in her mind that he had been poisoned by the fierce rays of the suns. She hoped he would be able to end his suffering soon by transforming himself. Never would she forget that he had done this for her, guarded her from the hostile life forms on the planet.

The Familiar had taken responsibility for her.
This behavior puzzled Jenise. It was not what she’d expected from one of his kind.

He was a complicated man. And a very ill one. He needed shelter.

“Do you see a place for us to rest the night, Gian? I think I am too weary to go on.” She was not that tired;
she was thinking of him. The proud Familiar would continue to protect her until he passed out or worse.

“There is an outcropping a little ways up the path. It should lead to shelter.” His handsome face was blistered red, his lips cracked and swollen. Despite it all, he was still somehow beautiful.

He stumbled on the path. Jenise winced in sympathy; she couldn’t even imagine the pain he must be in. She quickly went to his aid, lifting his arm over her shoulder.

Without meaning to, her arm brushed against his injured skin. He could not suppress the groan that escaped his lips.

Jenise had had enough of his stubbornness. “Gian, you will transform yourself right now! We have left the floor of the plain and I see none of the spiny creatures anymore.”

The authoritative tone she used amused him. If it weren’t for the fact that it would hurt too much, he would have grinned. Oh yes,
he,
Guardian of the Mist, would be sure to respond to such a command.

He shook his head, then winced at the pain the movement caused.

“There are other dangers,” he replied just as authoritatively. “I will not leave you unprotected.”

“I do not understand you! I assure you, I will be most careful, you need not worry about me.”

This time he did try to smile, but failed. The woman had no idea of the dangers to watch for here. He could not send a powerful enough
flicker-warning
in his cat form; without his protection she would be overtaken very quickly. “You will forgive me, Creamcat, but it is the way we Familiar men are.”

“With everyone?” A line of confusion marred her smooth brow. She hadn’t heard that.

“No, not everyone. Now tell me what you see to the right of those steps ahead.”

She sucked in her breath. “Why can you not see for yourself?”

“I am having trouble focusing,” he reluctantly admitted.

She exhaled heavily.
Males.
“There is an opening in the rock wall; perhaps a small cave.”

“Good.” He staggered slightly. “We need to get there quickly, Jenise. If I fall here, you will not be able to get me to shelter—I will be too heavy for you.”

Jenise nodded. That was definitely true.

They made their way to the small cave. Abruptly, he stopped her before they entered. “Wait!” His eyes were now swollen shut but he seemed to be using his other senses to “see” danger.

“I can detect no life forms within; it appears to be safe, but be on your guard.”

“Yes, I will.”

They entered the small opening. As soon as they were out of the daylight, Gian sank to the ground, almost taking Jenise with him.

“Please, Gian, change now!” She was beginning to get frightened for him.

“I cannot, Jenise.”

“What?
Why not?” she asked, horrified.

“My energy levels are too low.” He shook with a chill.

“Why did you do this?”

His teeth began to chatter. “I have already ex-explained that to you.”

Not completely.
Jenise gave him a speculative look before she asked, “What will you do?”

“I can sense water…there is another cavern behind this; if there is a small pool there, I will go into the water to see if it will help the burning. One thing is
certain, we must get to the next Tunnel point as soon as possible, for I have seen nothing on this planet that can sustain us.”