Taming a Healer: 3 (Galactic Lust) (14 page)

Who happens to be a high-ranking Governance officer. Even
Gabriel said he believed he knew what this man would do to him.

“Please don’t refer to me by a title. My name is Sadie.”

“All right, Sadie. I too will never get used to being a
sergeant
.
Please, call me Reina.”

Sadie sighed and rubbed her eyes.

“Do they bother you?”

“Pardon?”

“Your eyes,” Reina said, taking a step closer. “We have an
excellent physician on board. I could summon him.”

“No. No thank you. I wish to see Gabriel and Nolan.”

“I’m afraid that’s impossible at the moment. Gage is
currently with them. Perhaps when he’s finished.”

“What do you mean,
finished?
”

“Please, Sadie. Relax.”

Each and every one of her nerves stretched until they
screamed. Her head pounded from the air pressure within the room. She’d never
been aboard a vessel and in all of her life, she’d never wanted to venture into
space. She certainly didn’t appreciate being detained while Gabriel’s brother
spoke with the men and determined their fate.

The woman standing across from her changed subtly. Her
stance grew rigid as the pupils of her eyes expanded, swallowing the whites of
her eyes. Sadie stumbled onto the bed and held her hands out, conjuring a
barrier to protect herself from the alien woman.

No.

Sadie heard the foreign voice within her head.

I mean you no harm.

“Then you’ll get out of my head!” She drew heat from the pit
of her stomach and made it flow from her hands. Before the wave reached Reina,
Sadie stopped it. She didn’t really want to hurt the woman, especially with Gabriel’s
and Nolan’s lives hanging in the balance. She’d wanted to warn her.

“I’m sorry. I only meant to comfort you,” Reina said,
blinking repeatedly and taking a step backward.

She couldn’t say exactly what had just taken place, but as
the strange woman had mentally reached out to her, Sadie also gleaned a glimpse
inside of her. Sadie let her arms fall to her sides and the wave of heat
dissipated. “Why are you filled with grief?”

“Do you have psychic abilities?”

“Not that I’m aware of. Does your grief come from empathy?
Do you feel sorry for me because of what’s happening to Gabriel and Nolan?”
Although Sadie wanted to believe Reina had good intentions, she couldn’t help
but wonder why the woman would try to steal into her mind. It didn’t seem to be
an honest thing to do. In fact, besides being extremely creepy it was downright
rude.

Reina raised a hand to her mouth. “By the stars, no! To the
best of my knowledge, both men are in extremely good health.”

Sadie studied her and accepted what she said to be the truth.
Reina’s eyes returned to normal and Sadie noticed the grief-stricken expression
upon her face. It hadn’t been
that
long since she’d witnessed similar
expressions on the faces of her tribesman when they’d lost a loved one. This
wasn’t about Gabriel and Nolan. Sadie drew and released a deep breath. “Can I
help?”

Reina sat down and folded her hands. “I never meant for you
to see my pain. Please forgive me. I should’ve known better. I haven’t been
much assistance lately, especially with tracking.”

She wasn’t exactly sure what Reina referred to, but remained
silent, giving her an opportunity to speak.

“This business with Gabriel and Nolan is quite ill-timed.
Gage and I are facing a very difficult situation. Please don’t misunderstand
though. Our dilemma won’t interfere with Gage’s duty to a pair of hunters,
especially when one is his brother.”

“Is he determining their fate?”

“No, not at this time. As I said, he’s merely speaking to
them to determine the need for a trial. Gabriel was on a death watch prior to
his…absence.”

“And?”

“Gage will establish if he deserted with a clear or clouded
mind. If he’s suffering, there won’t be a trial. He and Nolan will be shown
mercy.”

“Mercy? You mean murdered.”

“Mercy. I’ve only witnessed the end-stage of a hunter’s life
once. Believe me, he was shown mercy.”

“And if he no longer suffers from a clouded mind?”

Reina blinked several times before lowering her gaze. “That
would mean he and Nolan became renegade with full knowledge. They would stand
trial.”

Sadie shot to her feet. “And is your precious Lieutenant
General smart enough to gather all the facts prior to killing them or putting
them on trial before killing them?”

“You’re twisting my words.”

“Renegade from the Governance with a clear mind would equate
to a death sentence. Correct? What am I missing?”

Reina also stood. “It’s not what you think!”

“Clarify it for me then! What part don’t I understand?”

Reina sobbed and covered her face with her hands as the door
to the room slid open. Without having seen him before, she knew that Gabriel’s
brother filled the doorway. He immediately walked to his wife and gathered her
into his arms. “Reina, what’s happened?”

“Nothing. Nonsense.” She wiped tears before gazing up at
him. The tight coil of black hair at the back of her head unraveled. Shining
tendrils of curls flowed to her waist. “I came to speak with Sadie to see if
she could help.”

“Sweet one,” he said, stroking the side of her face.

Before he could say anything more, she added, “And you can
plainly see I’ve done nothing but upset our guest.”

“You’re exhausted, Reina. Go to him and then go to our
chamber and get some sleep. Dr. Nare will give you a sedative.”

Was Gabriel ill? Who did Gage refer to?

Reina turned to her. “Please, forgive me. My husband can
give you the reassurances I couldn’t. I’m sorry for upsetting you. I had no
right to come here to ask for assistance.”

Reina departed and Sadie couldn’t help but notice the
intense regard the general gave. A fool could see how deeply he cared for his
wife. Although when he turned to face her, an impenetrable stony gaze concealed
any concern that might’ve been displayed previously. “Please,” he said
extending his hand, “sit and I’ll try to answer questions you must have.”

Sadie hesitantly sat and the Lieutenant General seated
himself on the chair Reina had used. His appearance resembled Gabriel so much,
she found a lump forming in her throat. Certainly he wouldn’t condemn Gabriel
and Nolan to death.

“
Shae-shondah—
” he began.

“I am indeed a healer but prefer the use of my name, if you
will. It’s Sadie.”

“Sadie,” he said, intently studying her. “Please call me
Gage.”

She wondered if he didn’t also have some form of psychic
ability. An uneasy feeling settled into the pit of her stomach as he gazed,
assessing her, gleaning information without saying a word.

“Lieutenant General?” He appeared to be lost in thought and
with him silently staring, Sadie fidgeted uncomfortably.

“Forgive me. Your eyes drew my attention. Gabriel said
they’d changed while you fought the creatures.”

“I haven’t seen a mirror yet, but I don’t doubt they’re not
a natural color. They don’t bother me though. I see quite well. I’m sorry if
they trouble you.”

“They don’t bother me in the least. My wife also possesses
unusual abilities. Her eyes also change.”

“I saw. She tried reading my mind.”

“I highly doubt that. Perhaps you misunderstood her
intentions.”

“She said she wanted to reassure me.”

He sighed quietly. “Take my wife at her word. If that’s what
she told you, that was her intention.”

They could spend hours chatting endlessly. After the last
few days, she couldn’t muster any patience. “Reina said you spoke with Gabriel
and Nolan. Have you drawn any conclusions?”

“Several, actually.” He stood and paced the small room.
“Both men are in complete control, not only physically, but mentally. They’ve
been thoroughly examined physically and psychologically. Gabriel would not have
been placed on a death watch had this been the case prior to his landing on
Natura. Now, they’re in exceedingly good health.”

Thankfully she’d been wrong about Gabriel’s brother. She’d
believed he’d find a reason to kill them. Perhaps the seed of worry had been
planted with Gabriel’s certainty that Gage would strictly abide by Governance
rules.

“So they won’t be punished for desertion.”

“It’s not quite that simple.”

She threw up her hand before slapping it against the bed.
“Well of course it isn’t! It’s never easy.”

“You’re overwrought.”

“Horse piss. I’m angry that you obviously haven’t drawn the
right conclusions. Otherwise you’d be telling me that they are without blame
and won’t be murdered.”

His spine stiffened and his shoulders squared. “You’ve been
through a great ordeal.”

She slid off the bed and faced him. “My recent past doesn’t
have a damn thing to do with anything happening right now. If you truly feel
the need to keep making excuses for me, please, do so. But don’t expect me to
politely take a hint and change my tone of voice! I blame you for what happened
on Natura after you refused to help me and my tribe!”

“You can’t possibly blame me.”

“I can! Gabriel and Nolan wouldn’t have come to me, had you
given aid when we requested it. Gabriel and Nolan did what you wouldn’t. They
shouldn’t be punished for that!”

His entire stance changed as he rubbed his temples. “I
understand you’ve been involved with Gabriel.”

Heat burned her neck before rising to her cheeks. “Is that
any of your business?”

“As an officer of the Governance, it is. Regardless of the
circumstance, he shouldn’t have permitted intimacies. Not without permission.”

She nearly choked on the words balling in her throat before
taking and releasing a few deep breaths. The man didn’t appear at all
comfortable with the topic. She’d make sure he’d regret bringing it up. “He’s a
man before he’s an assassin for you. How could you, his brother, condone his
training? He was taken from your parents before he even reached adolescence! As
an older brother, didn’t you feel any type of sympathy for him? Or were you too
wrapped up in the Governance to care about what happened to him?”

“I received constant updates on him.”

“Well then, forgive me, I had it all wrong.” The sarcasm
dripping from her words, damned him.

“It’s where he needed to be, despite what any of us wanted.”

“How could you believe that? Are you that muddled by the
influence of your leaders that you wouldn’t question how your own brother
should be treated?”

“Cease speaking of things you know nothing about.”

His low, intentional growl didn’t deter her in the least.
“Since I’ve spent more time with Gabriel than you have, I’d say I know a hell
of a lot more about the subject than you do.”

“Those born like Gabriel need to be handled differently. Do
you think Domineer families enjoy sending their children away?”

“They must.” She glared at him. “Because they do. Don’t you
think love and nurturing is important to a child born with hindered emotions?”

“Do you think we’ve always sent afflicted young boys away?
There wasn’t always a Governance.” The hatred in his voice was nearly
palatable.

“They’ve been a driving force in the galaxy for decades. Now
that you have a position of authority, you won’t even consider challenging
these barbaric practices.”

“No,” he said, leaning against the wall.

“Because you’re afraid of questioning your superiors.”

“No.”

“Then why? A different manner of raising those like Gabriel
might extend their lives.”

“It won’t.”

“Are you sure?”

His expression changed from anger to acute pain. Even when
Gabriel suffered with the illness, he’d never appeared as Gage did then.

“I’m sure,” he said quietly.

With his change in demeanor, her anger bled away. “How?”

He lowered his gaze. His chest expanded with a deep
inhalation of air. He held it and slowly released it. When he glanced up, a
defeated expression replaced the one from a moment prior. “Because my son was
born like Gabriel. We kept him with us aboard ship. His mother nurtured him and
I taught him the ways of a soldier. He’s years younger than my brother and he’s
dying. Horribly. He’s just reached his twenty-first birthday.” He walked to the
door and it slid open. Standing with his back to her, he said, “Excuse me.”

Sadie woke when a hand gently grasped her shoulder. She came
to her senses slowly, having a hard time breaking the hold of the deep,
dreamless sleep. Perhaps it had to do with the meal she’d been served just
hours prior.

Reina sat next to her on the edge of the bed. In the dim
light, Sadie could see her swollen eyes and tear stained cheeks.

“Will you help me? Please?” Reina asked.

Sadie slowly sat and rubbed her eyes. Before she’d fallen
asleep, the door to her room had been locked and she hadn’t been able to figure
out how to summon someone. She’d come from the relief area to find the food. As
far as she was concerned, she was a prisoner. “I doubt I can. I haven’t seen
Gabriel or Nolan. I don’t know if they’re dead or alive. No one has made
mention of whether or not anyone is searching Natura for more survivors.” She
glared at the woman. “You haven’t been very hospitable. No, I don’t believe
I’ll do a damned thing for you.”

Reina’s eyes opened wide. She gripped Sadie’s shoulder
tighter. “I’ll take you to Gabriel and Nolan. Would you help me after seeing
them?”

“You must want something very badly, Reina. What is it?”

She stood and held her hands out. Sadie accepted them and
Reina pulled her from the bed. Reina bent, retrieved Sadie’s clean animal-skin
boots and handed them to her. “We must hurry. There isn’t much time. If Gage
suspects I’ve come to you…”

“You haven’t told your husband you want my help?”

Reina glanced down. “We’ve spoken of it. He believes it’s
time to end Jacob’s suffering. Please, we must hurry.”

“He plans on killing your son?” If that was true, what
chance did Gabriel and Nolan have?

“He loves him so much.” Reina sobbed and placed her face in
her hands.

“He couldn’t if he’d give up hope. You don’t do that with
your child. You never give up hope!”

“You haven’t seen. He’s in so much pain. It’s gone on for so
long.”

Sadie sat and slid on her boots. She’d go to the young man
with Reina first. She’d find Gabriel and Nolan next. If she needed to, she’d
use force. Reina’s maniac husband wouldn’t be putting anyone to death any time
soon.

Sadie walked to the door. “Take me to Jacob. I’ll try to
help.”

“What about Gabriel?”

“Regardless of the outcome with your son, I
will
see
my hunters.”

Reina breezed past her and the once-locked door slid open.
They walked down one corridor after the next. The other soldiers saluted Reina
when they passed. Sadie assumed it was due to her husband’s rank, not hers.

Eventually they neared an area with medical symbols above
the door. The double-wide entryway swooshed open and they entered the ship’s
sickbay. It resembled the infirmary in the gated compound on Natura where the
hunters had once trained.

An elderly man stood from a chair that’d been next to a bed.
She studied him for a moment. She knew without asking, the man was a man of
medicine. He obviously felt at ease in the room as he glanced at the readouts
above the bed.

“Dr. Nare,” Reina said, walking to the side of the bed.
“This is the young woman I’ve told you about. This is Sadie.”

Dr. Nare stepped around Reina and extended his hand. Sadie
accepted his firm shake. It was her first. Until then, she believed the custom
only extended between males.

“
Shae-shondah
,” he said, “thank you for agreeing to come.”

“I’m surprised you’d welcome me into your realm, Dr. Nare. I
thought the Governance was far beyond tribal healers.”

“As you can see, I’ve been around for a long time. Nothing
we’ve done has come close to the results your matron obtained so many years
ago, or more recently, those you’ve achieved.”

“She’d never healed a hunter.”

“You have. I’ve examined Gabriel and Nolan.” His gestures
became animated and he spoke quickly. “Although their emotions remain somewhat
blunted, I imagine that’s because they’ve been subdued so long. I never
believed that a man could be born without emotion. I knew something locked
their feelings away. What did you do? What did you find?”

She opened her mouth and before she could speak, he said, “I
would bet my retirement that you found something abnormal in the brain. It’s
where we’ve concentrated our studies, and regardless of what form of scan we’ve
used, it shows nothing. Everything is perfectly normal.”

Sadie smiled at the older man’s exuberance. She could spend
a great deal of time talking to him. “Yes, Dr. Nare, the anomaly is in the
brain.”

“How? Where?”

“It’s an area that’s normal for everyone else. There’s a
hairlike fiber that extends between tissue.”

Reina said, “Can you show him so he can help Jacob?”

A loud groan followed by a masculine scream filled the room.
Sadie’s attention turned toward the young man restrained on the bed. He jerked
against the restraints holding him. His eyelids were swollen and surrounded his
completely black eyes. She’d seen that very trait when his mother had tried to
read Sadie’s mind.

A smell drifted to her. Death. She knew it well enough. His
hollowed cheeks and thin, bony arms attested to how long he’d suffered. Dark
hair framed his face, a trait he’d inherited from his matron. Perhaps he
deteriorated at such a young age because of his mixed blood.

“Your heritage, Reina?” she asked.

“Raven.”

“Do Raven males also have the illness?”

“It’s unknown,” Reina replied. “Ravens don’t produce males.
Jacob is a miracle. My breed, with a very, very rare exception gives birth to
females. I’m one of the few of my clan who lives apart from it.” She clasped
her hands together. “Can you give Dr. Nare the information to help him?”

“I’ve never dealt with a Raven.”

“Please, show me what you know and I’ll try something,
anything to give him more time,” Dr. Nare said.

She met his gaze. “You do know he’s close to death.”

“Yes, that’s why we must hurry.”

“There won’t be time.” Sadie walked to the side of the bed
and began drawing heat from her chest into her palms. Jacob had less than an
hour of life left. She could smell death on his breath. It seeped from his
pores.

Holding her opened palms over his chest, she said, “This may
hurt a bit, Jacob. Please try to hold still.”

She summoned Ayasha and asked for guidance. As she slipped
away from reality, she heard Lieutenant General Ryker’s thundering voice. “Get
her away from my son!”

* * * * *

Gabriel paced the confines of the cell while Nolan tossed
and turned on the cot. Gage said he would bring Sadie to see him. That’d been
hours ago. He and Nolan submitted to testing without hesitation. They’d been
questioned about their reasoning for going to Natura. Their fate now rested in
the hands of a brother Gabriel barely knew. He’d heard rumors over the years
about Gage and his outstanding ability to lead. Would blood be thicker than
Governance regulations?

The door to the cell block opened and a ten-man escort
entered. A Sergeant said, “On your feet, hunters. You’ve been summoned by the
Lieutenant General.”

Nolan rose and the cell door opened. Gabriel waited to be
cuffed, but was surprised when they were permitted to leave without actual
physical restraints. It couldn’t be more obvious the men sent to fetch them
weren’t comfortable. Palms rested on weapons and a few of the younger men
placed their fingers on the triggers. Gabriel and Nolan glanced at each other
and smiled. Nolan shook his head. “Young ’uns.”

As the escort led them down corridors, Gabriel couldn’t wait
to greet his brother and thank him. Gage had agreed to let them see Sadie. He’d
thought they’d bring Sadie to the cell. Seeing her outside of it would be even
better.

Gabriel considered his next conversation with Gage as they
walked. If Gage ultimately found him and Nolan guilty, Gage would need to make
a promise and not break it. He needed to ensure that he would personally find
Sadie a home. One where she could use her gifts and thrive. After a lifetime of
Gabriel’s service, wouldn’t Gage feel obligated to honor the simple request?

They were led to the sickbay. After the doors opened, the
men in the escort stepped aside. Apparently he and Nolan should enter. What he
found inside immediately raised his pulse. Despite air blowing from the vents
in the ceiling, the temperature inside the room was sweltering. Sadie hovered
over a young man on a sick bed. Her ashen complexion and shaking arms clearly
relayed her exhaustion.

Gage turned and walked toward them. “Is this common? Should
she be stopped?”

“How long has she been working on him?” Gabriel asked.

“Hours.”

“Have you given her water?”

“No. Dr. Nare tried interrupting her by touching her arm.
He’s in the next bed down with severe burns to his hands.” Gage pulled his
weapon. “I’ll ask only once more. Should she be stopped?”

Gabriel visually scanned her patient. A dark-haired young
man lay peacefully against the bed. “What’s wrong with him?”

“He’s dying. The same as you and Nolan.”

“Impossible. He’s too young and his hair is pitch black.”

Gage gestured with his gun toward the bed. “Reina requested
aid from the healer. Our son—your nephew—is currently under her care.”

He gazed into his brother’s eyes. He’d heard Gage had
married a Raven. He also knew that Ravens only gave birth to females. When
Gabriel’s handler had given him the news that Gage’s wife had delivered a
healthy child, Gabriel naturally assumed it’d been female. He’d received no
further updates from then on. For all he knew, his brother had a dozen
children.

“He’s only what, twenty?”

“Twenty-one. The illness progressed in him quickly. The
first signs appeared only a few months ago. He’s been restrained on that bed…”

Gabriel didn’t need to
read
his brothers expression
or study his body language to know or understand the pain filling him. He felt
it himself, deep in his chest. Empathy. No one had ever told him that the
emotion caused such a ripping sensation.

He suddenly wanted to offer reassurance to ease both of
their pain. “Let her tend your boy. Let me give her water.”

“Several times she’s burned Jacob before healing him. This
all appears to be some form of barbaric torture to me.”

“It’s necessary. I’m sorry.”

Sadness creased his older brother’s features. “It’s
difficult to see her cause burns. He’s been through so much.”

“She would never cause unnecessary pain or damage.” Gabriel
wanted to know something. “Does he have siblings?”

“No.” His jaw clenched before the frown deepened.

“Does that bother you?” Gabriel asked, wondering why Gage
appeared saddened.

“No,” he said, stowing his weapon. “It bothers me you didn’t
know how many children I have.”

Their lives had taken different paths. Gabriel offered an
excuse. “Service for the Governance doesn’t allow for close family ties.”

“It’s not conducive to keeping close relationships, but
let’s place the blame where it belongs. I’ve been remiss in keeping contact with
you.” He extended his hand, gesturing into the room. “Give her water. I’ll
permit this only for a short time more. My son has suffered enough.”

Gabriel led and Nolan followed. One of the medics handed him
a glass of water. He accepted it and walked to Sadie. He stood to her left and
Nolan stood at her right. Gabriel said, “Bitty healer, I have something for you
to drink.”

Gabriel winced when she opened her eyes and turned toward
him. The red etched throughout her irises still bothered him. He touched her
cheek and she tilted her head, increasing the contact. Her lips were beyond
chapped. They held small blisters. He held the glass to her lips and she
greedily drank. When she’d finished, the medic handed him another glass.

Nolan said, “The boy also needs fluids.”

Gabriel watched as the medic stayed clear of the bed and
handed a glass of water to Nolan. From the expression on the medics face, the
boy had obviously given him some trouble. Nolan accepted the glass and lifted
Jacob, supporting the back of his neck. His nephew turned his head. Gabriel
stared at the black orbs where his eyes should be. Another trait from his
mother? It certainly didn’t come from the Domineer blood in his veins.

“Thank you,” the boy said, winded from gulping the liquid.

Gage’s wife ran to the side of the bed. “Jacob?”

His head jerked in her direction. “I’m well, mother.”

Gage appeared beside Gabriel. “I’d say you’re greatly
improved. How do you feel?”

Jacob attempted to sit but couldn’t manage it because of the
restraints. He flopped back against the bed. “Well enough to have these
removed, sir.”

“Let’s leave them in place for a spell, son. You’ve been
quite the handful the last few weeks.”

“Forgive me, sir. It was beyond my control.” He glanced
around, observing the people surrounding his bed. “Hunters? Did you summon them
to help me?”

“Jacob,” Gage said, “This is your uncle Gabriel and his
partner, Nolan.”

Jacob studied him intently with the eerie pitch-black orbs.
“You were placed on a death watch, sir. Yet here you are, without restraints or
a laser pointed at your head.”

Gabriel smirked. “I’ve been given more time.” He stroked
Sadie’s cheek. “I’d say
Shae-shondah’s
healed you as well.”

She shook her head. “I haven’t. Not yet. Before the sickness
comes back over him, let me finish.”

Gabriel placed his fingers under her chin to keep her
attention. “You’ve been at this for hours. What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know,” she said, wiping her forehead.

A gust of wind could knock her over. “Stop for now. Rest.”

“No. It’s different with Jacob. Everything within him is
progressing at twice the rate it did with you and Nolan. He was nearly dead
when I laid my hands on him. It simply took me time to bring him back from the
brink. You and Nolan were much healthier.”