Alien Attachments (23 page)

“Something wrong, Father?” Ian asked.

“Unless I’m mistaken, I’ve just received a not-so-thinly veiled threat.”

“Prayda?” Mordo asked.

“Even more disturbing than that,” Rucon said getting up from his desk. He walked around and leaned against it, facing them with a puzzled look.

“Who could be worse than Prayda? Surely not Emperor Korzan?”

Rucon shook his head. “The guild. That was the head Portal Master.”

“Might I hazard a guess as to why he called?” Mordo asked.

“What do you know?” Rucon asked.

Mordo crossed his arms. “Was it to do with Armond?”

“Yes. It was an odd conversation. In short, they want him back. I pointed out that although he’s taken an oath to protect this family, he is, at the end, a free man. They wanted me to send him to the headquarters and implied that it would be a one way trip. I’m fairly certain there was a threat in there for us as well. What’s going on, Mordo?”

“I got word last night from my old friend, Durgan. There is a serious divide in the guild. Between the empire and the Portal Masters, order is crumbling all around.”

Rucon looked around his plush library and sighed. “I’ll send word. All families coming with us will board my ships tonight after dark. We leave first thing tomorrow.”

“I take it you heard?” Balastar said from the doorway. “Sorry, I’m a few minutes early. Samuel said you were expecting me and to come on in.”

“Yes, come in.” Rucon stood to shake hands.

Ian and Mordo greeted the councilman and they took seats around the fireplace.

Balastar didn’t waist time. “I assume your accelerated move schedule is due to the emperor being dethroned?”

Rucon began to respond when his com let three loud beeps. “One moment.” He answered the device with a curt “Rucon.” He listened for a few moments. “Thank you, my friend. We’ll see to the details after I get everyone to Earth. You should know, there is trouble in the guild. I suspect you’ll be hearing from them before long. I’ll contact you when we’re safe. Good luck.” He turned to Balastar. “I’ve heard now. That was Admiral Macon. The military and GTO are moving forward with a coalition. Effective immediately, the emperor’s authority is no longer recognized. The Cavacents have also been granted planetary rulership over Earth. You must have some good sources to hear before me,” he told Balastar.

“Mine is on the GTO side. Old family friend. He knew my father and welcomes this day. I hadn’t heard about your confirmation for Earth. That’s great news. Congratulations.”

“Thank you. Now what’s on your mind?”

Balastar paused. “My father had a great deal of respect for you, Rucon. I want you to know that I do as well. I’d like to join forces. My mother is on her way to her home world. I would like to go with you to Earth. You’ll have my full loyalty, of course.”

“We’d be happy to have you, son. Mind if I ask why Earth?” Rucon said.

“Two reasons. One, as I’m sure you’re aware is Dani Standich.”

The increasingly familiar turmoil raged through Ian at the mention of her name, but he managed to remain still.

“The other,” Balastar continued, “is a desire to enter the shipping business. My father was a tremendous statesman and managed our family’s fortunes as best he could. I’m afraid I have no desire to follow in his footsteps. Now that the council is no longer relevant, it seems a good time to make a change. I’ve already purchased a modest transport ship. I was hoping I could learn the business from the best.”

Rucon laughed. “You have the personality for a trader. I’d be honored.”

The two men shook hands.

“Now,” Rucon said, “what else needs to be moved on your end?”

“I’ve got—”

Help!

It was Dani’s voice, broadcast louder than anything Ian had ever heard.

“What the hell?”

The others heard it too, but Ian was in her head, like the Torog attack on Como. She was terrified. She was in the arena and Armond was going to kill her.

“The arena, now!”

* * * *

It didn’t take long for Dani to figure out that Armond was serious. At first she thought he was just testing her limits, but the burn on her left thigh said otherwise. A reflex move took her just far enough to survive.

“Armond! What are you doing?” Dani called out before rolling away. She ran a few paces up the hill.

“You’re a problem, Dani Standich. I’m simply providing the best solution. Nothing personal,” Armond called back. The spot she’d occupied a moment before exploded into a mass of leaves and dirt.

“Why, are you doing this?” Dani sprinted away, favoring her left leg.

“Because you’re poison to the Cavacent family. Ian is tied to you in an unfortunate manner and Rucon, for reasons I can’t fathom, would risk his life and fortunes to protect you. He may feel honor bound, but I am not so affected. Your death will free the family I’m sworn to protect.”

The trees overhead disintegrated. She covered her head as debris rained down on her.

“What are you talking about?”
Shit. I can’t keep this up. “Help!”
She didn’t know who she was calling, but she wasn’t going to last much longer. Almost instantly, images of her and Ian flashed in her mind. Together on Como, the glow in his eyes. She pressed against her temples, willing it to stop. “Armond, I didn’t know what was happening with Ian—what it meant. He didn’t tell me.”

“You lie. I’ve been watching. You’re tormenting Ian, weakening him, little by little until he gives in to you.”

“Like hell, you’ve got it all wrong.” Dani’s anger flared and she moved behind a new group of boulders. Sweat poured down her face, stinging her eyes.

“And Balastar,” Armond called out, moving. “Are you trying to make Ian jealous?”

“Hell, no.” Dani realized she’d stayed motionless too long when Armond’s psi gripped her waist and flung her through the air. She slammed into a tree, her head, shoulder, and back exploding in pain.
“Help!”
Dani’s psi pulsed with her cry. She didn’t know what it meant and had no time to figure it out. She scraped across the rough bark and fell to the ground. Armond lost his grip as soon as she landed.
Get up, get up.
Dani ignored the pain assaulting her body and half crawled, half slid down a slope. She aimed for a large mass of boulders, hoping for a place to hide.

“Come now, Dani. No sense drawing this out.” His voice echoed in the desert landscape.

She slid behind a large rock and tried to calm her breathing.
“Armond, when we get back to Earth, I’ll leave Cat Island and never see Ian again. The Cavacents will be safe. Please don’t do this.” She bolted to the left. The rocks where she’d been a moment ago rattled and moved. He used his psi to find her.

“Not good enough, Dani. As long as you live, he’ll be connected to you,” Armond said.

He’s playing with me
. The bastard could end the sim anytime. “You can’t be sure of that. I’m human. It’s probably different.” Dani moved left again and tripped over a rock.
Shit.

That was all he needed. He had her pinned tight. No matter how hard she tried she couldn’t focus her own psi. Her head pounded. She couldn’t concentrate. And there were voices, too many voices.

He lifted her with his psi and brought her closer to where he stood until he stared into her eyes.

He’s going to kill me!
An odd pulse of psi had her head banging. The voices got louder. Ian, Rucon…screaming at her. Balastar? She tried to look around to see if they were there, but Armond had her immobilized. Another onslaught of images, memories of her and Ian ricocheted around her head.

“Say goodbye, Dani,” Armond said, raising his laser.

Ian’s voice tore through her fog. “
Tell him ‘sleeping beauty.’ Now.”

“Sleeping beauty,” Dani said. Each word sent a searing pain through her head.

“What?” Armond asked.

“Sleeping beauty,” Dani said it louder. And then she heard the voices, for real this time.

Armond swore under his breath, but he didn’t fire.

Bet you’re sorry you played with me now, aren’t you?
Dani wanted to smash his pretty albino face in.

“You heard the code, put her down,” Rucon’s voice boomed through the arena.

Footsteps from different directions echoed around her head.

“Kill the sim, Armond. Now,” Ian called out.

The boulders and trees melted away.

Armond set her down none too gently.

More footsteps and Dani blinked in disbelief. Rucon and Ian weren’t alone. Mordo, Marco, Ria, and Balastar were all there as well. Mara stepped out from behind Rucon. They all had their weapons and psi focused on Armond. Ria and Balastar hurried to Dani’s side.

“How did you all know?” Dani asked.

“Are you kidding?” Ria asked. “Girl, when you broadcast, it’s like a Ternian Zook.”

“A what?”

“Remind me to show you a vid. They’re pretty amazing. And loud. Really loud. It’s so cool you can do that. Yet another super power. What’s next?” Ria placed her hands on Dani’s shoulder and leg and closed her eyes. “Hold still a minute.”

Ria’s psi poured over her like a soothing compress, rippling inside her body. Images of damaged tissue and broken bones flashed in her mind.

Ria opened her eyes and addressed Rucon. “She’s got a couple of broken ribs, a small fracture in her skull and a nasty burn on her leg. Nothing we can’t take care of. This will hold her for now.” She turned to Armond. “What in Goddess’ name were you doing, you arrogant, pompous ass?”

Armond ignored her and addressed Rucon. “With all due respect, I was taking care of the most imminent threat to the Cavacent family.”

Everyone spoke at once.

“Killing her isn’t going to solve anything,” Ria said.

“She can’t be the only human with psi,” Marco added.

“It’s not your place to make decisions for this clan,” Rucon said.

Armond showed no trace of emotion. “It is my belief that your judgment has become clouded. You cannot harm the human because of the connection that has begun between her and your son. I can take care of this for you now.” Armond took a step toward Dani and everyone reacted. Balastar and Ria stepped in front of Dani and the others raised their weapons.

“Stop,” Rucon barked. “Attempt to exceed your authority one more time, and I will end your life, regardless of your abilities with portals. Do not make it necessary.”

Mara paled, her hand covered her mouth. “What connection?” She asked it quietly at first, then shouted it. “What connection?”

Dani had never heard her raise her voice, but she had a set of lungs on her, that was for sure.

“Your son is bonding with a human,” Armond said. “If they were to produce a child and the emperor were to find out—”

“The Cavacent clan would be cast out, penniless and powerless,” Rucon finished for him. “You think this didn’t occur to me?”

Mara turned to Ian. “Is this true?”

Ian glanced at Dani. He ran a hand through his hair and let out a breath. He smiled at her then. A full-blown smile. Something she hadn’t seen since their night together. No. It was the storeroom
.
The memory of his voice shocked her.
You’re beautiful when you’re angry, luv.

“It is true, Mother,” Ian said. “But she’s human. I knew the rules. I knew I couldn’t let it happen. We don’t even know if the bond could be completed.”

Dani’s breath caught, and Balastar put a hand on her shoulder.

“But that’s—” Mara stammered. “You can’t—I—” She spun around and stared at Rucon, fists balled at her side. “You knew,” Mara said. “You knew and you let it go on. How could you do that? To your own son?”

“Enough!” Rucon said. “He has it under control. With the empire destroyed and our move to Earth, soon it won’t matter. They can do what they choose.”

“What?” Multiple voices said in unison.

“It’s true. We just got word. Evacuation starts now.”

Mara glared at him.

“I did what I thought was right,” he said to her with a tight jaw.

“Right? Rucon Cavacent, you hypocrite. He needs to know. Everything. They both need to know so they can stop this farce and finish their bond.”

“Like hell,” Dani said. Judging by the other’s reactions, she wasn’t the only one confused here.

Ian approached his mother. “What are you talking about? What do I need to know?”

The look of fury Mara threw her husband made them all wince, including Rucon.

“Rules can be broken, Ian,” Mara said. “And your bond can be completed. Your father knows that better than anyone. He wasn’t capable of denying our bond even for a moment. You can’t ignore it. You two”—she looked from Ian to Dani—“belong together.”

“Excuse me?” Dani sat up straighter, biting back a groan as pain shot through her ribs. “Get me up, now.” Balastar and Ria helped her to her feet. The thought of giving in to the bond, to Ian, sent panic coursing through her. “I don’t care about this psi bonding…” Dani scoured her brain for the right word and gave up. “This thing. I don’t care. No one and no
thing
is going to decide my fate for me. You got that? My future. My choice.”

“Wait a minute,” Ian said. “What do you mean father wasn’t able to deny your bond? Why would he?”

Mara relaxed her fists and stood up straight. “You all need to hear this.” She looked around, making eye contact with each person there. She inhaled deeply. “Earth isn’t just Dani’s home. It’s mine as well.”

“Uh, oh,” Ria mumbled.

She’s human?
Dani didn’t bother hiding her surprise. “You’re human?”

Marco startled everyone with a loud noise, something between a yell and a laugh. “You mean to tell us, he’s half human?” He nodded to Ian. “Strongest psi in generations and it’s because he’s half human?” Marco laughed now. “That’s awesome!”

“Shut up, Marco.” Ria glared at him.

“Right,” he said, still clearly amused.

Ian stared at his mother, her words sinking in. “Were you planning on sharing this information with me?” The tension in his body was palpable. He was completely absorbed in what she’d said. The shock and disbelief on his face quickly turned to anger. He was pissed.

Rucon took over for the distraught Mara. “I decided it would be best to keep it from you. Your mother wanted to tell you when you were old enough, but I convinced her not to. You couldn’t divulge that which you didn’t know.”