As she hurried to her rendezvous Liane shuddered at the thought of a life in total darkness, never to see the sun again. It struck an answering chord within her. If it were one thing that filled her with horror, it was the thought of going unseeing and alone into those pits, but she wouldn't let herself think about thatat least not yet.
One obstacle at a time, she thought, and the first was to get inside the mine. She had yet to decide how she'd get rid of her tour guide after that. Somehow, though, in the process, she needed to obtain his pass. It was the only way into the pits and back out of the mine as well.
He was waiting for her in the alley behind the tavern. A grim-faced, unkempt man, he impatiently waved her over as she approached.
''What took you so long, femina?" he growled as he pulled her to him. "I don't like being teased."
Liane leaned back from him, his ale-soaked breath nauseating her. "I came as soon as my shift was over."
She made a motion as if to go. "I'm ready to see the mine."
The miner jerked her back to him. "Not so fast, femina." A feral grin twisted his face. "A tour of the famous Pits of Fodina has a price, and I intend on collecting it in advance."
Before Liane could protest, his mouth, wet and sloppy, lowered to hers. His burly arms clamped around her, anchoring her arms to her sides. She struggled wildly, nearly smothered by his lips.
When she stomped down hard on his instep, the miner's hold loosened. Liane reared back against the circle of his arms, raising her leg in a desperate attempt to knee him in the groin. The man recognized the age-old ploy. He shoved her away, hard and viciously, and she slammed into the tavern's stone wall.
Pain shot through her as the rough rocks tore into her back, ripping fresh wounds atop the old ones. The miner's fist connected with her jaw, and she sank to the ground. Bright lights sparkled in a whirling pit of blackness, as Liane struggled against an unconsciousness that would leave her helpless before the man's lustful onslaught. Gasping for breath she fought against the darkness and won.
But it was still too late. The man towering above her loosened his breeches and lowered himself onto her.
Liane screamed and struck out at the leering, greasy face. She hit him, smashing his lips against his teeth. The man yelped in pain as blood oozed from his torn lip. Surprise flashed across his face. Then he scowled, his expression darkening in rage.
"You'll pay, and pay dearly for that, femina!" he snarled. Grabbing her flailing hands, he roughly pinned them above her head.
Panic rising within her, Liane twisted and bucked against him. She'd fight until there was no breath left in her body before she'd submit to another rape, but even as she struggled, her strength ebbed. She was no match for him. And all the while he watched, holding her down, knowing it was but a matter of time.
At last she lay there, trembling with exhaustion, gasping for air. The miner's hand moved to her breeches. Sheer terror shot through Liane. "Pplease!" she whispered. "No!"
"I suggest you do what the femina asks," came a deep voice from behind them.
The miner reared around. The loosening of his grip gave Liane the chance to free her hands, and she weakly pushed herself up on one elbow. Grateful eyes sought out the man who'd come to her rescue.
It was the blond stranger from the tavern. Though she wondered at his motives for being here, considering his unsettling interest in her all sol, Liane would accept any assistance at this point.
"She's mine," the miner spat. "You know it's first come, first served. If you want her afterwards, she's yours."
"No, I think not," the tall man drawled silkily. As he spoke, a small stun gun appeared in his hand. Before the miner could even protest the stranger fired, and the miner slumped across Liane.
She shoved him off her, then turned her gaze to the blond man towering above her. She eyed him warily. "Should I thank you or prepare myself for another battle?"
He threw back his head and gave a shout of laughter. "No battle, I promise, femina."
The stunner disappeared back up his sleeve, and he offered her his hand. "I'm not particularly fond of split lips, and you seem quite adept at dishing them out."
Liane accepted his hand and was effortlessly pulled to her feet. "My thanks, then."
She grimaced, suddenly aware, once again, of the pain of her raw wounds. They felt like they were on fire. She swayed, suddenly light-headed.
Her rescuer noticed the change in her and grabbed both arms to steady her, peering at Liane intently.
"What's wrong, femina? Did he hurt you?"
Liane shook her head. "II,'m all right. His roughness reopened some old wounds on my back, that's all."
He swung her around, then cursed softly. "You're bleeding. What happened?"
"A rapax wanted me for supper."
She turned back around, right into his arms, and froze.
The smoky gloom of the tavern had muted his eyes, but now, up close, Liane saw they were dark brown with dancing golden lights. His cleanly chiseled jaw was shadowed with the stubble of a beard, and his skin was deeply tanned. His was the face of a coldly ruthless man, but a strikingly handsome one, nonetheless. She swallowed hard and backed away.
He smiled. "You have nothing to fear from me, femina. My tastes don't run to rape. Now, tell me, why were you out here with that miner? Don't you know all feminas who work in Fodina are considered available? As crude as this might sound, you were asking for just what you got, meeting him like this."
Liane squashed a surge of indignation. This was no time for an argument. Besides, as much as she hated to admit it, he was right. She had taken a terrible risk. There just weren't many risk-free options in a place like Fodina.
Should she trust him? There really wasn't much choice, and he did seem more decent than the rest.
"He promised me a tour of the mines," she explained. "It's imperative I get into them."
"Why?" Her eyes searched his, looking for something, anything, to pin her trust upon. His dark gaze was imperturbable, but she thought she saw something.
"II have a friend in the pits. I must get him out."
A slow, lazy grin spread across his face. "A friend, eh? I don't know if I care to risk my life for just a friend."
Wild hope surged through Liane. "You'd help me? I don't have much, just what I've managed to earn at the tavern these past few sols, but I'd gladly give it to you."
"Keep your money, femina," he drawled. "I have more than one reason for taking you into the mines. I need a way to get in myself, one that won't rouse suspicion. Giving a femina a tour isn't an uncommon ploy. I'll help you if you agree to help me."
Liane's eyes narrowed. "Why do you want to get in the mines?"
"I'm a tracker. I'm looking for someone."
Her worst fears sprang to life. If he were sent by Necator . . .!
"Who?" she demanded. "Who are you looking for?"
He regarded her with lifted brow. "Why do you ask? Is your friend perhaps a wanted man?"
Trackers, Liane knew, remembering the Atroxes, sold themselves to the highest bidders. They were generally unprincipled, always on the lookout for an opportunity to collect bounties. Even if Karic wasn't who this man sought, he might haul him back to Primasedes if he knew Necator wanted him. But what could she say, now that she'd all but given it away?
She clung to the tiny bit of trust building in her for the blond stranger. He didn't seem like the others. Somehow, Liane sensed he was strong and true, that his hardened, cynical exterior was nothing more than a facade. Oh, if she'd only her mind seeking abilities to verify her perceptions! But she didn't, not anymore. She'd have to trust her instincts.
Liane nodded. "In a sense I suppose he is, but through no fault of his own. You must believe that."
"Tell me who he is."
She momentarily recoiled at the hard bite to his words. "Promise me you'll not take him back."
"I can't promise that. It's up to you. Tell me or I won't help you."
There was no other choice. She had to tell him and risk the chance it was Karic he sought. But if it weren't . . .
"His name is Karic. The Lord Commander wants him."
His rigid jaw relaxed. "He's not the one I'm looking for. I'd never work for Necator, no matter the price. His policies are slowly destroying this planet. I'm ashamed to admit he's a countryman."
Liane gripped his arm, delight brightening her face. "You're Bellatorian then? So am I."
He grinned. "I thought as much. Your breeding shows. What's your name, femina?"
"Liane Allador." She couldn't help a shy smile.
It was a slow, tender movement and lit up her features, making her even more beautiful, if that were possible. The tracker inhaled a ragged breath. If he weren't on such a vital mission, if she weren't so obviously in love with the man trapped in the mine . . .
He wrenched himself back to reality. "I'm very pleased to meet you, Liane. My name's Gage Bardwin." He extended his hand.
She accepted it, surprise filling her. Everyone had heard of the famous tracker Gage Bardwin. He worked for pay, not bounty, and lots of it. Only the wealthiest, most powerful of men could afford him. It was said he only went after hardened, dangerous criminals and always brought them back. But, as well-known and talked about as his exploits were over the cycles, she'd expected a much older man. Why, he looked to be only about cycles!
"I am honored to meet you," Liane murmured, squelching the impulse to ask his true age.
His mouth quirked humorously. "Well, that's the first time anyone's been honored by my acquaintance, but thank you."
Gage's expression sobered. "Now, enough of the introductions and mutual admiration. We need a mining pass."
He squatted beside the unconscious miner and retrieved the pass from about the man's neck. Rising, Gage cocked his head, a thoughtful light gleaming in his dark eyes. "I suggest you bandage your wounds and put on a clean tunic. A bloodstained back might draw unnecessary attention to us in the mines. I'll wait for you here."
She smiled up at him. "Thank you, Gage. For everything."
With that, Liane headed back to the tavern. Gage Bardwin watched until her slender form disappeared from view. She was a naive little fool to trust so easily, he thought, especially the kind of man he'd become. With a bitter shake of his head, he found a comfortable spot to await her return.
As dusk settled behind the distant horizon they headed up into the foothills toward the Pits of Fodina. "What pit is your friend in?" Gage asked as they neared the entrance to the mine. "I'll get you past the force field with the pass, then come back to let you out at a prearranged time. I need to do a little searching of my own in some of the buildings while you're occupied finding your friend."
Liane nervously averted her gaze. "I'm not exactly sure where he is."
Gage grabbed her arm, halting her. "You've no idea, do you? Femina, there are over ten pits in that mine. It's too dangerous to casually stroll from one to the other, peeking in, calling out to see if he's there. You've got to come up with a better plan than that, or this little adventure of yours is over right now."
"But how could I have possibly found out where he is?" Liane gazed up at him imploringly. "My only hope is to sense his presence. I had that power once; perhaps some of it still remains."
His dark eyes narrowed. "What are you? A Sententian?"
"I was."
He knew there was a story behind that simple admission, but this wasn't the time to ask. Gage sighed. "Yours is a weak, foolhardy plan."
"But you'll help me?" She couldn't hide the relieved eagerness in her voice.
"Only for a time," he said, marveling at his own foolishness in going along with it. "But if you can't identify the exact pit he's in within a half hora . . ."
Gratitude rushed through her. "Thank you, Gage. I understand. I won't endanger your mission any longer than that. I can always come back and try again."
He gave her a curious look. "You'd do better to attempt this with me and, if it fails, give it up. This is far too dangerous to continue indefinitely. You'll soon end up deador worse."
She sadly shook her head. "If you had a friend, someone you cared for, could you live with yourself knowing he was down in those pits?"
"Loyalty is too costly an emotion for a man like me. I rarely indulge in it."
"But you're helping me," she softly countered.
His jaw tightened. "Only because it suits my needs, femina. Don't delude yourself."
"I don't believe that, Gage." Her eyes, luminous with admiration, stared up at him. "You're not that cold or hard-hearted."
"Well, it doesn't matter anyway," he growled. "We're wasting valuable time standing here."
He pulled her forward. "Let's go."
They soon reached the mine entrance. After a few lewdly suggestive comments from the guard, the man allowed them to enter. As they neared the first set of pits Liane closed her mind to any sensations save that of Karic's presence. She felt nothing, even after a time of intense concentration.