Zealot (17 page)

She didn’t seem surprised by the revelation. In fact, her expression didn’t change at all. “I didn’t sever the link. My mother did.” She shifted her gaze back to Indigo as she explained, “I was simply too young to stop her. By the time I was strong enough to reestablish the connection, I didn’t see the point. Many years had passed. Everyone had already grieved my passing. I didn’t see what was gained by reopening the wound.”

“Did you know what Pyre and Quinton had in mind for you?”

“I didn’t know who my master would be, but I knew I’d be awarded. That’s the fate of every harbinger.”

Indigo wasn’t sure she believed Chandar’s casual demeanor. She appeared calm, almost indifferent. As if the events had no meaning or influence on her current situation.

“And the second reason?” Chandar prompted after a short, thoughtful pause.

“There were two rescue missions. The first failed. After the first attempt, Akim felt it necessary to wipe your memory.” She still just stared back at Indigo, stone-faced and silent. People often resisted concepts they didn’t want to understand, so Indigo became less diplomatic. “He didn’t want anyone to know how you’d been treated. I only know a few of the details, but you’re a very beautiful woman. It doesn’t take much imagination to figure out the sorts of indignities you were forced to endure.”

Chandar accepted the information with a tense nod. “You can say it, Indigo. He raped me, likely every night for the past two years. Sexual service is often demanded of female harbingers. That’s still not as bad as some of the things I was imagining.” Despite her assertion, Chandar didn’t sound convincing. “What’s the last piece of evidence?”

“You grew desperate enough to break your silence.”

That seemed to shock Chandar. “I did? What did I do?”

“You called out telepathically, and one of the people who received your message was Ashley. She’s a Rodyte/human hybrid, like me, so she wasn’t able to shield her mind and protect herself from the intensity of your signal.”

“Oh gods, how badly did I hurt her?”

“She’s almost fully recovered, but you transmitted images and emotions along with your cry for help. I haven’t spoken with Ashley yet, and I’m not sure the details are important, but Akim and his brother deserve to burn in hell for what they put you through.”

A false calm settled over Chandar’s features, like the eerie smile on a porcelain doll. “Thank you for being so honest. Everyone is afraid of me. They treat me like a child, act like I’m going to shatter, or explode and take them all with me.”

Chandar was right, but Indigo also understood how hard it was to be natural with someone who had suffered so much. “They’re just worried about you because they care so deeply.”

Without further comment, Chandar lightly touched the wall and switched to Rodyte as she said, “Random images of space to this viewscreen.” The images started flashing across the entire surface of the wall and she moved her hand back to the arm of the chair.

Could images be projected on every wall in Rodymia? How had Chandar known how to activate the display? The detail didn’t matter. Chandar was obviously finished talking for tonight. She needed time to adjust to all she’d lost, and all she’d suffered. At the very least, she’d lost two years of her life. And her mother stood back and let it happen. The realization nagged away in the back of Indigo’s mind. It was likely Chandar would make the connection before too long and Indigo needed to be ready for the avalanche of emotions that would doubtlessly follow.

“I think we’ve accomplished enough for the first day.” She started to return her chair to its original position then decided it was pointless. Chandar was obviously not ready to give up her protective corner, even if the location of that corner had changed. “Why don’t you go take your bath and try to relax. If you need anything, I’ll be next door or in the courtyard.”

When she was almost to the door Chandar stopped her. “Could I be pregnant?”

Indigo carefully calmed her expression before she turned around. “Don’t Rodytes have to bond before they can produce children?”

“But I can’t remember anything about those two years. How do I know he didn’t convince me to bond with him? You’re presuming it was always rape, but two years is a very long time.”

Rather than soothe her with false reassurance, Indigo said, “I’ll get some sort of pregnancy test, so we can know for sure.”

“Thank you.” Finally emotions sparked to life within Chandar’s eyes, but they were so bleak, so hopeless that Indigo almost ran back across the room and wrapped her arms around the other woman.

“Would you like me to stay? You don’t have to take a bath if you’d rather—”

“I’m fine. A bath sounds wonderful.” Her voice was stronger, more convincing, but her gaze was still shattered.

When Indigo emerged from Chandar’s suite, she looked rather shaken. Zilor had been enjoying a casual conversation with Danvier, though they were both dying to know what was going on inside the suite. In fact, Zilor had suggested they turn on the audio feed as a safety precaution. Danvier just glared at him. So, they sat on the end of adjacent benches facing each other across one of the closed doorways. Danvier shot to his feet as soon as he saw Indigo then met her halfway across the courtyard.

“Is she all right? You look pale.” He lightly grasped Indigo’s elbow and Zilor felt his eyes narrow. They weren’t genetically compatible, so Danvier wasn’t competition. Still, Zilor didn’t like to see any male’s hands on his mate.

His mate? All he had to do was best her other potential matches and convince Indigo of the fact.

“Chandar’s fine and I’m just tired. You don’t need to worry about either of us.” She slipped her arm out of Danvier’s light grasp and continued across the courtyard toward Zilor. “Do I have enough time to visit with Raina before dinner?”

“Dinner is whenever we choose to make it, so take as long as you like. Raina stopped by while you were working with Chandar. We weren’t sure how long you’d be, so she just left the suitcase.”

She glanced around the courtyard. “What suitcase?”

“I put it in your suite.”

“Thanks. I hope my mom wasn’t too obnoxious.”

“Raina didn’t seem upset,” he assured her.

“Good. And speaking of dinner, where do we go for food?”

“We wondered the same thing and then Danvier noticed there are seven doors but only six suites.” Zilor motioned toward the extra door which was directly across from the archway leading back to the main complex. When she didn’t immediately investigate, he stood and opened the door. Indigo walked into the newly discovered room, brushing past him in the process. Her scent filled his nose and desire rolled through him, curling his fingers around the edge of the door. Gods how he wanted to touch her.

“This is cool.” She walked across the room, skirting the round table with its twelve chairs. Contained within a transparent sphere, the room seemed to float in midair. The outer walls presented a stunning panorama of the docking area and the three ships secured there. “Love the view, but how do we make dinner? There’s not even a microwave.”

Zilor pointed to the large kiosk beside the sink. “Nutrition generator. Most call them nutri-gens. It has a large catalogue of edible options. Unfortunately, not many are from Earth. You might be stuck with a hamburger or pizza until we chase down some other patterns. I know Bandar has uploaded several for Ashley on the ship. I’ll find out what it takes to transfer the info to this nutri-gen.”

“I’m not hard to feed.” She looked at the machine suspiciously, but didn’t ask any questions about how it worked. Not a good sign. Indigo was always full of questions. “Where can I find Raina?”

“She’s probably in the jungle. It’s not far from here.” Again she didn’t ask any questions, so Zilor started to worry. He told Danvier where they were going then led Indigo back across the railed walkway and through one of the residential villages. “Did the session not go well?”

“The session was fine. We’re still very early in the process. Why do you ask?”

“Because you’re not usually this…quiet.”

“I’m processing, I’ll admit. But I can’t talk to you about the details. What happens in my sessions is between me and my patients. If I don’t protect their privacy, my patients will never trust me.”

He wasn’t pleased with the explanation, but he accepted it with a nod. “Is there something in particular you want to ask Raina or do you just need a familiar face?”

“A little of both. I have some specific questions, but I also need the calming presence of an old friend.”

“That’s understandable.” He hoped his tone didn’t reveal how disappointed he felt. He wanted Indigo to be comfortable with him, to share her fears and aspirations.

They walked along in silence for a few minutes. Indigo seemed lost in thought and Zilor wasn’t sure how to reach her. An express passageway led them around most of the industrial clutter and deposited them near the agricultural quadrant, which was informally known as the jungle. He scanned open the door and motioned Indigo onward.

“Ask her to show you the grotto.” Wanting to respect her wishes, he didn’t follow her inside.

“Where are you going?” She stuck her foot in the threshold so the doors didn’t close.

“To move my things to the Pavilion. Com me when you’re finished and I’ll escort you back.”

“I don’t need an escort. I’m sure I can find my way back.”

He moved forward and placed his hands on her shoulders. Awareness arced between them, making his fingers tingle. “Unmated females don’t go anywhere without an escort. It’s one of the new rules. The only alternative is bio-streaming everywhere you go.”

“Fine.” Rather than twisting away from his hands, she moved closer. “I’ll com you when Raina has had enough of my whining.”

Encouraged by her reluctance to separate, he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her against him. “I won’t be gone long.” Then he bent and kissed her. His lips had barely settled over hers when a shrill alarm echoed through the jungle.

“In or out,” Raina called from halfway across the large room. “The door doesn’t like to be held open.”

Indigo smiled then pushed him backward and blew him a kiss. “I’ll com you,” she promised half a second before the door closed in his face.

Zilor stepped back from the doorway with a smile then shook away the very pleasant distraction and returned to his cabin on the
Crusader.
Gathering his possessions, he stuffed them into a travel bag. He’d hurriedly packed when Danvier received his sister’s cry for help, so most of his things were still on board the
Undaunted
. No matter, he’d been trained to adjust to any environment and improvise anything that wasn’t readily available. Battle born soldiers always traveled light.

It had been a couple of days since he checked in with Garin, but Zilor hesitated to do so now. He wasn’t sure how much Garin needed to know or which facts would needlessly complicate the report. Who was he kidding? He didn’t want to tell Garin about Indigo for very selfish reasons. Garin needed to know a healer had been recruited for Chandar and what they’d learned about Tandori Tribe. However, the rest was debatable. He sighed. Dr. Irron knew about Garin’s compatibility with Indigo so it was just a matter of time before everyone found out. It was probably best if Garin heard it from Zilor. He didn’t want it to seem like he was being evasive. Even if he was.

After clearing his mind with a deep breath, he accessed the familial link he shared with his brothers and pinged Garin’s mind.

Garin answered with his usual directness.
Where have you been for the past few days?

Recruiting some help for Chandar.

He could picture Garin’s thoughtful nod. It was a common expression on the face of the eldest Nox brother.
Kotto mentioned something about a hybrid healer. Are her abilities genuine?

She’s not actually a healer. She’s a soul seer and yes, her abilities are real.

Hold on. I have to take this.
Their link remained active, so Zilor just waited for Garin’s return. Interruptions were inevitable when conversing with someone like Garin. He was one of four generals and even the other generals frequently looked to Garin for guidance.
Sorry about that. Is Chandar responding to the treatment?

We’re hopeful, but it’s too soon to tell.

Does this new female have the protein marker in her blood?

And here it came, the point of no return. It would be suspicious as hell’s rings if he confessed that Indigo was compatible, but didn’t tell Garin the rest.
Yes. She’s been tested and her profile was run through the new data base.

A warm chuckle preceded Garin’s next thought.
Let me guess, she’s compatible with you?

Me and seventy-some others.
He used a light, conversational tone, hoping to minimize his next statement.
Your name was on the list, in case you’re interested.
His entire being froze as he waited for Garin’s response. If Garin displayed any interest in Indigo, Zilor was morally obligated to step aside.

I haven’t got time for a mistress much less a mate. She’s all yours.

Zilor grinned, relieved and overjoyed that his brother couldn’t see him.
I’m glad you feel that way. She had to be marked before Kotto would allow her on the ship.

And you selflessly agreed to mark her?
Another deep laugh rumbled across their link.
Wasn’t that how it started with Bandar and Ashley?

It was, and they seem happy. I don’t see a problem.

In an instant, the humor evaporated out of Garin’s tone.
Her other matches might disagree. We cannot allow this to become a bride hunt. Each female so far has chosen the first male who had any contact with her. That’s a dangerous precedence.

Zilor tensed. This wasn’t as bad as
Garin showing an interest himself, but allowing competitors anywhere near Indigo was troubling.
She must have options. I understand that.

Is the secondary database functional yet? Irron seemed confident that they could mitigate this sort of thing.

Sental was still tweaking it, but the trial runs were encouraging.

Good. Prioritize her list and notify the top five matches.

Zilor clenched his fists in an effort to keep the anger from his voice.
And if I’m not one of her top five?

You’ll wait your turn, like all the others. This has to be fair for everyone. I can’t make an exception for you.
After a tense pause Garin asked,
Do I need to have someone else assigned to protect her?

No, sir. I understand your expectations.

Garin sighed and his voice softened, took on the protective tone of a big brother rather than the autocratic snap of a general.
I know that seems harsh, but the example we set now will determine how we interact with humans for years to come. We can’t be above our own rules or we’re no better than the elite.

I know, and I agree. But you haven’t met Indigo. She’s special. And she’s mine.
He didn’t transmit the last thought, but it resonated through his soul.

You’re special too, Zilor. If you’re meant to be together, you’ll top her list.

Zilor knew he should tell Garin that Indigo was a direct descendant of Tandori Tribe. Mating bonds were frequently used to solidify alliances. Garin might not have time for a mate. However, it was likely he’d make time for a beneficial alliance. Zilor formed the words, intending to share the detail with his brother, but the revelation lodged in the back of his mind.

Let me know how things turn out with Chandar.
Impatience crept back into Garin’s tone.

Of course.

Without bothering with goodbye, Garin simply pinched off the connection.

* * * * *

“This place is amazing.” Indigo slowly turned around, taking in the multi-level plant trays and simulated sunlight from every angle. The enormous room went on and on, challenging the scope of her vision. Once returned to full capacity, the crops grown in this area would provide fresh fruits and vegetables for the occupants of Lunar 9. “Why do they call it the jungle?”

Raina laughed as she wiped her grimy hands on her jeans. “You should have seen it two weeks ago. Believe me, it deserved the name.”

Completing her circle, Indigo faced her cousin. “How did you get it under control so quickly?”

“With a small army of battle born workers. All you have to do is give these men a mission and stand back and watch it happen. They’re very industrious. It’s a tragedy that all that potential has gone to waste.”

Apparently, Raina wasn’t just enamored with her mate. She’d also fallen under the spell of his comrades. The battle born cause was compelling. Who wasn’t moved by the age-old struggle for freedom or the cry of the oppressed? But Indigo was still afraid that battle born warriors were willing to gain their freedom at the expense of human females.

“Okay, it’s just you and me.” Indigo waited until Raina looked at her to continue. “How can you be sure that anything Kotto tells you is true? They could be here paving the way for a massive invasion force.”

Raina dismissed Indigo’s concern with the wave of her hand. “If the Rodytes wanted to take over Earth, they would have done so a long time ago. Our natural resources are more plentiful than theirs, but their technology has made them less dependent on such things. If they were interested in colonization, they’d choose something closer to home and much less populated. There’s little room for expansion on Earth. To put it bluntly, Earth is simply more trouble than it’s worth.”

“But how do you
know
that? Everything you’ve learned about Rodymia comes from Kotto.”

“That’s not true. I needed to be able to read reports and understand diagrams, so I underwent a language infusion. Now that I’m literate in Rodyte, I’ve done all sorts of research.”