Shielder — A new Science Fiction Romance (Book 1, Shielder Series) (11 page)

Nessa breathed a sigh of relief. Moriah
understood her predicament and hopefully would help her.

Her hostess poured more tea into their cups.
"How long have you been with this shadower?"

"About seven ship cycles. I must get away
from him. If I don't get to Zirak soon, I'll miss the eclipse."

Moriah studied her closely. "Nessa, has this
man hurt you in any way?"

Quite the opposite, in fact, Nessa thought.
Chase had treated her seizures and insisted she eat well. He
certainly hadn't acted in any manner she would have expected from a
shadower. She shook her head. "No."

Concern etched Moriah's lovely features. "I
know what most shadowers are like. You can tell me the truth,
Nessa. I'll help you if I can. Has the man forced you to do
anything against your will?"

Nessa had no idea what she meant. "I'm not
sure."

Moriah leaned forward, placing her hand over
Nessa's. "Goodness, but you might be as innocent as you seem. Let
me rephrase the question. Has he tried to mate with you?"

A heated flush spread across Nessa's face as
she remembered Chase's kisses, his hand on her breast. "Well…not
really. I mean, we haven't mated."

"That's a relief."

"He did kiss me." Now why had she blurted
that out? Uncomfortable with the discussion, Nessa looked away from
her hostess. She had no reason to mention the kissing; she couldn't
imagine Chase ever wanting to repeat the experience. "But it
probably won't happen again."

"What makes you think that?"

Nessa fingered her tattered tunic. "Just
look at me. No man is going to want me."

Moriah squeezed her hand. "Why in the
universe not?"

Why not indeed? Nessa fought back her
despair. Wasn't it obvious? "I'm not only unattractive, but I have
physical defects as well."

"You mean your limp?" Moriah scoffed.
"That's nothing. Listen, Nessa, beauty isn't just a surface
commodity. Looks can be bought. A good heart can't."

Nessa didn't bother to reveal the fact she
also had seizures. Nothing Moriah said could change the truth.
She'd been told often enough by her own people how undesirable she
was.

"This is very interesting," Moriah mused. "A
shadower has spent seven cycles alone with you, and he's only
kissed you. At least he's not a rapist, which is good thing. Maybe
his preferences veer away from females."

She leaned toward Nessa. "Who is this
man?"

A chime sounded before Nessa could reply. "A
customer at this hour?" Moriah stood and hurriedly gathered her
hair and began winding it into a bun. "I always keep my hair up and
wear a loose robe when I'm doing business, especially with these
space scum. It keeps things more professional, and I certainly
don't want to give them any ideas, if you know what I mean."

Nessa looked at her blankly, and she paused.
"No, I guess you don't. Seven cycles with a shadower, and you're
still innocent. Amazing."

Nessa watched, fascinated, as her hostess
deftly tucked her glorious hair into a severe knot.

"Moriah? Where are you?" a familiar voice
called out, and heavy footsteps approached the alcove.

Nessa's breath caught, the well-known
sensation signaling another Shielder's presence jolting through
her. She rose from her chair as Sabin came through the crystal
beads separating the alcove from the mercantile.

He halted when he saw her. "What are you
doing here?" he growled and strode toward her.

She grabbed the chair for support as her leg
threatened to give out. Would she ever get away from this man? "Why
aren't you with Chase?" she asked.

"Why aren't you on the ship, where you
belong?" he shot back.

"Wait just a minute here!" Moriah
interjected. Her eyes narrow with suspicion, she marched over to
Sabin and jabbed him in the chest. "How do you know Nessa? Do you
know the son of an Antek who's dragging this poor girl all over the
quadrant instead of taking her where she needs to go? If you
do—"

"Mori, Mori!" Sabin took the hand stabbing
him and lifted it to his lips. "I travel light years through the
quadrant to reach you and all I get for my efforts are harsh words.
Aren't you glad to see me?" He kissed her hand.

She pulled free. "No. Especially if you're
in cahoots with the shadower mistreating Nessa. I want to know
what's going on."

"I had nothing to do with this, Mori. She's
traveling with McKnight."

"Chase?" Moriah looked incredulously from
Sabin to Nessa. "Is that true, Nessa?"

Nessa nodded, and Moriah seemed truly taken
aback. "Chase McKnight. That explains a lot of things…I think." She
tapped her cheek thoughtfully. "But he kissed you…."

"He kissed her?" Sabin scowled at Nessa.
"Why, you little gold digger— Ouch!" he yelped, as Moriah punched
him in the chest.

"This is not Nessa's doing. Chase is to
blame here," she said. "Not only has he kept her on his ship
against her will, but he refuses to take her to Zirak. He needs to
be put in his place."

"And you're just the person to do it, Mori."
Sabin rubbed his chest. "So stop taking it out on me, sweetheart.
You love me, remember?"

Moriah sniffed. "Sometimes."

"Come on," Sabin wheedled, pulling her
against him. "You're happy to see me. Admit it."

She didn't offer much resistance. "Not
really."

Nessa watched them with interest. She sensed
an underlying tension between the two that really had nothing to do
with their conversation. The tension didn't seem to be anger or
enmity. More like the odd energy she experienced around Chase,
similar to the sensations that left her breathless and her heart
racing.

"Well, then maybe I'll just have to change
your mind," Sabin said huskily.

He lowered his head, but Moriah turned her
face. "We have an audience."

His accusing gaze shot to Nessa. "So we do."
Heaving a sigh, he released Moriah. "Have you got anything for me?"
he asked, his voice lower, more serious now.

"Yes. The merchandise arrived two days ago.
I'll get it for you." She slipped through an entry at the rear of
the alcove, leaving Nessa alone with Sabin.

He turned his attention on her. "Just what
do you think you're doing, leaving the ship and wandering around
Calt by yourself? Stars, this hellhole is dangerous for an armed
man, much less a lone woman. Chase needs to lock you up."

"Chase needs to honor his word," Nessa
retorted fiercely. "He promised to get me to a transport, but shows
no signs of doing so. I have to get to Zirak soon."

"What's your hurry? And don't give me that
song and dance about the eclipse and the shrine of Shara. I've
never known a Shielder to be a cult member."

Not giving her a chance to reply, Sabin
activated the comlink on his wrist. "Hey, old man. I've got Nessa
with me. Found her at Moriah's."

Nessa stood too far away to hear Chase's
response, but she could well imagine what he might have to say
about her leaving the ship against orders.

Sabin shook his head. "I have no idea. She
was just sitting at Moriah's table, drinking tea like they were old
friends." He listened a moment. "Okay. We'll meet you outside of
Mori's in five minutes."

He punched off the com. The look he gave
Nessa appeared sympathetic, but she knew better. "I wouldn't want
to be in your shoes when Chase gets here. He's not very happy with
you right now."

"I'm not very happy with him, either," she
replied with a bravado she didn't feel. Now she probably would
spend the remainder of the trip in the brig.

Moriah returned just then and Sabin moved to
the end of the alcove with her. She handed him a small package and
they talked in low voices.

Wondering if she might be able to give Sabin
the slip, Nessa sidled through the beads into the main chamber, and
headed toward the entry.

"Don't even think about it," Sabin called
after her. "Stay right there. Chase will be here in just a
minute."

She sighed, realizing she could not elude
Sabin and Chase when she didn't even know where to look for
transport. Somehow, she didn't think Moriah would offer a haven
from the two. She'd have to fall back on her computer program and
see if she could access Chase's ship operations.

Resigned, she turned her attention to the
vast array of goods in the mercantile. The brightly colored
clothing interested her the most. A Saija silk robe in a deep
russet color caught her eye. She couldn't help but stroke the
whispery fabric. She'd never felt anything so soft.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Moriah spoke quietly
from behind her.

Nessa drew back. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't
have touched it. I've never seen anything so fine."

"Saija silk is meant to be touched. No harm
done." Smiling gently, Moriah patted her shoulder. "Nessa, you
really need to go with Chase. He's one of the few shadowers who can
be trusted to get you safely to your destination."

That might be true, Nessa thought, if she
wasn't a Shielder. But if Chase discovered that fact, her days
would be numbered. Prisoners in a Controller holding facility had
short life spans indeed. And if she didn't get to Santerra within
the next few weeks, her life was over anyway. No, she couldn't
depend on Chase for anything. She'd have to find another way,
although for now, she had no choice.

She gave the robe one last glance and turned
back. "Thank you for the tea and the caroba, Moriah."

"Any time, little friend." Moriah offered
her hand once more. "Good luck. I hope you make it to your eclipse
and that your goddess smiles upon you."

Sabin grunted and rolled his eyes. "Fat
chance." He hugged Moriah, holding her close a long moment. "I
don't know how long I'll be. We'll be stirring up the riffraff out
there, so there might be some laser action. You be careful, Mori.
Stay inside and don't take any unnecessary chances, you
understand?"

"You worry too much, shadower. I can take
care of myself."

"Be careful," Sabin repeated, his hands
lingering on her hips as he released her. "Later."

"Promises, promises. Bye, Nessa."

Moriah watched Sabin and Nessa leave. They
stepped out into the lifeless surroundings that seemed even bleaker
after being inside Moriah's wonderful store. The dusty thoroughfare
remained deserted. Obviously, the inhabitants of Calt were late
risers.

Sabin glanced around. "Where is McKnight? I
guess we'll meet him halfway." Taking Nessa's arm firmly, he
marched her toward the landing strip. The sun rode higher now,
raising the temperature to almost unbearable limits with its
ascent. The wavering heat waves created distorted images of the
hodgepodge of ships. Struggling to keep up with him, she drew in a
searing breath.

"Damn fool thing to do," Sabin muttered,
pulling her along without any regard for her leg. "For a Shielder,
you don't show much intelligence. I should just leave you alone out
here and let the riffraff finish you off. I don't have time to play
protector to a crippled runt."

His words hit home with stinging accuracy.
Nessa jerked back. "Why don't you just leave me, then? I'd rather
deal with known criminals than a traitor."

He swung around, grabbing her shoulders in a
punishing grip. "Don't tempt me. If you were my responsibility, I'd
have washed my hands of you long before now." He glanced up.
"There's Chase."

Chase strode toward them, his rapid stride
eating up the distance. He had on his helmet, with the visor up.
Sabin gripped Nessa's arm as if afraid she might try to flee. The
thought had definite appeal as Chase approached. He must be furious
with her, yet his expression was cold.

He stopped beside them, hardly sparing her a
glance. "Thanks for holding her, Travers. Did you make
arrangements?"

"Yeah. Meet me at Giza's in thirty minutes.
Thorne will be there by then. It should be safe enough. It's way
too early for most of the space scum to be up and about."

"All right." Chase took her arm. "I'll take
Nessa back to the ship, then meet you there. Be very careful."

Sabin looked offended. "I always am. It's
the older ones I worry about.
You
be careful, old man."

Chase snorted. "You don't know Dansan like I
do. Believe me, age and experience help when dealing with that
criminal. I repeat, be careful."

"I will." Sabin headed back into the
settlement.

Without another word, Chase turned toward
the landing strip. He also walked rapidly, without regard for
Nessa's awkward gait. Determined not to complain, she stumbled
along beside him.

They had passed one building when he halted.
Nessa looked to where his attention was focused, but she could see
nothing except a cloud of dust.

"Someone's coming," he hissed in a low
voice. "Quick! We have to get out of sight." He half dragged, half
carried her back to the building they'd just passed and hauled her
around the corner.

He squatted down, pulling her with him.
"Stay close to the building," he whispered, then crawled forward to
peer around the corner. He drew back quickly. "That's Brutus, one
of Dansan's henchmen. What in the Abyss is he up to? Don't make a
sound."

He pressed flat against the wall, forcing
Nessa to do the same. He slipped the rifle off his shoulder. She
could see the cloud of sand signaling the approaching being. The
involuntary gasp that escaped her when Brutus walked past would
have given them away if Chase hadn't clamped his hand over her
mouth. She couldn't help herself. It was an Antek! Hulking and
ominous, he lumbered by, unaware of their presence.

Chase leaned close to her ear. "Not another
sound until I say," he whispered. Nessa nodded. Releasing her, he
scooted to the corner and peeked around. "By the fires! He's headed
for Giza's."

He sank back against the wall, glaring at
her. "From now on, try to control yourself, before you get us
killed. One more screwup like that and I'll gag you."