True Believers (18 page)

Gilgamesh nodded, pleased with the answer. “Good,” he said. “We may need that too.” He turned to Denman. “My servant is sending you coordinates on where to find us. I would rather discuss my needs on board your ship. In private.”

The screen snapped to black. Jessit checked the connection. It was severed, but a new transmission replaced it immediately. Earth coordinates. He ordered a stealth shuttle and an honor guard. Company was coming.

Jessit wanted to escort Gilgamesh himself, but he still suffered from the effects of the
menze.
He sent for El'asai instead in the hopes the physician could give him something to counteract the consequences of the hallucinogen. Kalya was more than happy to take his place as escort. It was probably for the best.

He put the ship on high alert, ordering every crewman to dress uniform. He also sent word to Rachel that Gilgamesh was coming, certain she'd want to see him.

Jessit sat back while El'asai pumped him full of an antigen for the
menze.
He felt better almost right away, grateful to have the fog lifted from his brain at last.

Senit helped him with his jacket, a long velveteen coat in emerald-green. Jessit never liked it much, but he wanted to savor what little time he had left in uniform. Senit brought out a bone-inlayed chest full of his medals, but Jessit waved it away.

“You said this was full dress.”

“Not the medals. There's no need for them.”

Senit poked through the perfectly organized box and pulled out one bauble, a large silver and gold star cluster. “Wear this one at least.”

The award for honor.
The High Counselor, Jovan Marik, presented that one. He took it out of Senit's hands and traced the carved ivy leaves around the star. A grimace cut down either side of his face. He deserved this one least of all.

Jessit straightened his collar tabs. “That will do, Senit. Hurry down to the docking bay and make sure everything is in order. I'll collect the Lady.”

“Taelen—”

“I'm fine. And we have work to do. Go.”

Alone at last, Jessit headed for Rachel's quarters. He wanted to speak with her before Gilgamesh arrived. There was comfort in her arms and the understanding one could only find in a lover's soft words. He intended to hoard those moments while he could.

Rachel looked as if she had walked out of a painting. Skin the color of dark honey, she glowed when she smiled, making her appear otherworldly and rare. None of her seemed real. She was magic personified and he was under her spell. Her dark hair was pinned up high, and he felt a little weak as he followed the curve of her long, smooth neck. Rachel smiled at him kindly, getting up on her tiptoes to kiss him on the cheek.

“You look nice,” she said. Her voice was shy and almost childlike, beaming at him like a woman in love.

“Thank you. So do you.” He closed the door behind him, giving them a moment alone.

“Rachel. Why does Lord Gilgamesh wish to see me here?”

She shrugged. “He might think it's safer here. I don't know.” She tugged on his sash and straightened his ceremonial dagger.

He wanted to feel sorry for himself over what he was about to lose but knew there were more pressing concerns. He had found the gods. Their world would never be the same again. And the gods were entrusting him with a new mission. That too had to take precedence over his personal trials.

Jessit pressed his face toward Rachel's and kissed her. He would miss
this
most of all.

Rachel stroked his cheek, a pained look on her face. “What's wrong?”

“It is nothing, my Lady.”

“Lady? Are we standing on ceremony now, Commander?”

“Not if it displeases you. I thought perhaps we should observe protocol during Lord Gilgamesh's visit.”

“I suppose that would be prudent. Gilgamesh does enjoy the pomp of ceremony. We better be on our way. My father doesn't like to be kept waiting.”

“Father?”

She blushed and looked away guiltily. “I guess I should have told you that.”

They hurried to the docking bay and arrived just before the shuttle landed. Kalya disembarked first, his ruddy skin flamed with emotion and pride. Gilgamesh appeared next, looking regal and poised, dressed black on black. At first, Jessit thought the man immediately following Gilgamesh was a stranger but when he took a closer look, he recognized the face. It was the man the soldiers pulled off the cliff.

Rachel recognized him too and bolted from ranks, ignoring her father altogether. She jumped into the younger man's arms. He whirled her around, squeezing her tight. Their lips met, and he kissed her without apology or shame.

Jessit balled his hands into fists. He was glad they remained safely behind his back and away from view.

Gilgamesh looked amused. “You see, Rachel, I brought your friend with me.”

She walked up to her father and kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you for saving him, Apa.”

Kalya looked upset that his formal introductions had been marred, but he did his best to recover. Jessit bowed low to Gilgamesh, his right hand touching his chest and then his forehead in the sign of respect.

Gilgamesh embraced Jessit, kissing him on both cheeks. “I am pleased to finally meet you in the flesh, Taelen Jessit.” He peered over at Rachel. “I trust my daughter has been safe here.”

Jessit wasn't sure how to answer. Rachel was safe, but he doubted a father would be pleased to know that her benefactor also bedded her. Fortunately, Rachel answered in his stead.

“I've been in good hands, Gilgamesh.” Rachel pulled the blond giant forward, dressed as resplendently as Gilgamesh, and introduced him. “Taelen, I want you to meet Paul Domino. He's part of my research team.”

Rachel's friend greeted him with bright blue eyes that sparkled. Was there a challenge in them? Jessit thought so. The kiss Domino exchanged with Rachel looked fiery enough to burn the bed sheets. Jessit returned a curt nod. Silently, they measured one another.

Why did he feel jealous? It wasn't as if he had any right to her. Besides, what use would she have for a castrated priest? Bile rose to his mouth. He had lost the fight without ever reaching the ring.

Rachel commanded their attention once more. “Well, Gilgamesh? What was so important that you had to come up here?”

He matched her haughty tone with his own. “I will speak with Commander Jessit in private. Go and play with your little friend.” He nodded to Domino. “That young man has missed you.”

Jessit masked his displeasure while he watched Paul Domino take Rachel into his arms once more. Locking his jaw, he showed Gilgamesh to a private meeting room while Domino disappeared with Rachel on his arm. His insides burned with envy. They looked like old lovers. And she seemed happy with him. Too happy. After all Jessit had suffered, in the end he meant nothing to her.

Kalya tried to work his way into their meeting, but Gilgamesh ignored his pleas. It made Jessit feel good that his military worth still counted for something. He offered the Divinity his best wine, but Gilgamesh waved it away. Jessit scraped the glass stopper back on the bottle in disappointment. He could've used that drink.

Gilgamesh was here on business, and he did not mince words. “Commander, you once told me you were the faithful.”

“I am, Lord. Your word is my will.”

“My sources tell me that you have been monitoring this planet for some time.”

Jessit felt his defenses go up. Military protocol forbad him to speak of such things, but this was a Divinity. And he was the faithful. He couldn't lie. “Our equipment is very sophisticated, sir.”

“Is it sophisticated enough to stop the humans from warping the electromagnetic field surrounding this planet?”

He shook his head. “We have no means of influencing it, if that is what you are asking. We are not even sure the location of its hub.”

Gilgamesh looked more annoyed than defeated. “It’s in a city called Chicago.”

Jessit struggled with the word for a moment, trying to make sure he pronounced it correctly. “Shee-ka-go. I think I have heard of this place.”

“You haven't heard of
this
place. They've submerged the hub in a very deep lake. If I give you the general coordinates can you get me photographs of the underwater landmarks?”

Jessit gathered his wits. “Yes, sir. I think we can.”

“Get me my information. I am sending Paul Domino down there. He may be able to access the computer and destroy the transmitter.”

“Paul Domino?”

Gilgamesh clucked at Jessit with amused curiosity. “Do you know him, Commander?”

“No, sir. But I know his type.” His hands clenched, but he relaxed them when he realized his unseemly behavior. He looked up at Gilgamesh, his veiled contempt for Domino now in the open. He needed to be frank with his Holiness. Lives could be at stake, and he didn't want them to rest at the hands of some fool. “With respect, sir, he is an archeologist, certainly untrained in covert operations. He may have misled both you and the Lady Rachel.” The last part grated out of him.

Gilgamesh grunted an acknowledgement. “The young man seems to have struck a nerve in you, Taelen. Is that jealousy I hear? Perhaps my daughter has been busy stroking both your egos.”

Jessit straightened to attention.

“Think me a fool, Taelen?”

“No, my Lord. I merely think—”

“Your job is to get my information. I will decide where to put my confidence. Paul Domino understands computers. More importantly, he understands this computer, which is of more use to me than what you have offered so far.”

Could he muddle things any further? He had let his emotions speak for him, and now it had cost him the confidence of a god.

He bowed low before Gilgamesh. “I beg forgiveness, Lord. My arrogance diminishes me. I will, of course, provide any assistance Paul Domino may need.”

That seemed to cool Gilgamesh's ire. He waved Jessit away with a grand flourish. Jessit set the wheels in motion and ordered every map and intelligence information they had on file. He didn't need an unhappy deity on his ship. He knew the wrath of his gods far too well.

***

Rachel danced in Paul's arms while she led him back to her quarters. They chattered nonstop, happy to see one another alive. When he got her behind closed doors, he kissed her again, harder, deeper. He fondled the long row of buttons on the back of her dress and unhitched the first one. She pulled away. “Paul, no.”

“Oh no, you don't. You're not going to put me off any longer. I thought I lost you once, and I swore I wasn't going to lose you again. When this little job for Gilgamesh is done, I am taking you far away from here, and we are going to spend the next six weeks in bed making love.”

“Paul. I can't. I won't.” This was awkward. After three years of celibacy, how did she end up with two men at once?

“Rachel, you don't have to hide anymore. I've seen too much, heard too much. I know who and what you are, and I don't care. I know you love me. Don't deny it.”

Rachel tried to wet her lips but her mouth went dry. “Paul, I can't because there's someone else.” She hung her head. “I'm sorry.”

He barked a mirthless laugh. “We've only been separated a few days. How the hell can you find someone else? Who is he?”

“Does it matter?”

“Yeah, sweetheart, it does. If I'm going to get jilted, I want to know by whom.”

She averted her gaze, but he lifted her chin to make her look at him. There was anger in those brilliant blue eyes and then blanket realization.

“Oh, it couldn't be. Not him.”

Rachel turned away, her fingers fiddling with a long ribbon that wrapped around her waist.

Paul threw his hands up. “Well, of course. Why not go for the alien who ordered Denman to turn you over to him? For crying out loud, Rachel. He's using you. Can't you see that?”

“It's not like that.” She scolded him like an angry cat, her fists batting at his chest without the sake of claws.

“Really? I suppose he kisses your feet before he kisses anything else on your body. You being a god and all.”

“Stop it!” Rachel screeched at him but he never missed a beat. He wanted her angry.

“Am I supposed to grovel at your feet too? Is that what you're waiting for?”

Now he was just being belligerent. “Damn it, Paul, why the hell are you here? I know Gilgamesh didn't bring you up here just to see me.”

“No, princess, he didn't. He wants me to do a job for him. He wants me to hack into a high-security computer system. The man is convinced the freakin' com-web is killing your people.”

She knew it sounded crazy. It wasn't much to go on, only speculation, but it was all they had.

“Something is hurting us. Gilgamesh wasn't making that up. But how does he expect you to help?”

Paul's face turned somber. “Everything's run by computer. And the computer running the com-web is the next-generation platform of the computer running that lovely military resort where we've been guests the last few days. I hacked myself out of there, and Gilgamesh is hoping I can hack into this new system.” He kicked the carpet. “I agreed, knowing it would keep you safe. You're all I've thought about these last few days.”

Paul rubbed a smooth fingertip down her cheek. She felt one of her tears follow it down. “I'd be good for you, Rachel. We'd be good together. Besides, it's not as if 'soldier boy' is going to give all this up to be with you. You know the type. He's married to the military.”

He was right. It wasn't hard to see where Jessit's loyalties lay. She knew she had no future with him. But Paul was a different story. Now that estrus had passed, Gilgamesh couldn't have his breeding auction, and she was free to spend her time with whomever she wished.

Her
na'hala
tasted Paul gently. He'd already been taken, probably more than once.

Damn it, Gilgamesh. Not Paul too.

Paul's spirit had been compromised. It was too fractured to go beyond when his mortal life was over. She didn't have to worry about hurting him. Someone else had done that.

She wanted to beg forgiveness when she looked into his trusting eyes; instead she buried her grief. There was no power mighty enough to restore what had been stolen from him. And those who hurt him would never be tried. It was up to her to make amends. “Can you hack into that computer?”

He nodded. “I think so. But I need some interference to blind the computer long enough for me to get in.”

“Okay.” She smoothed out her dress. “I can do that.”

“How can you—”

She pressed two fingertips against his lips. “Trust me. I'll get you in. We're a team, remember?”