CALLEY (RIBUS 7 Book 3) (41 page)

He held her tight while she continued to cry, his own tears threatening. “Maybe you are right about another thing too, my Lady. Maybe you do know him better than me.” Dar squeezed his eyes shut as he rocked her. “As soon as I am able, I will take you back to him.”

Chelan became very still, then she looked at him, her eyes wild. “And you will stay by me?”

Dar shook his head slowly. “No, my Lady.”

Chelan quaked. “I could order you.”

Dar continued to shake his head. “I would defy you.”

“If you love me so much, how can you force me to pick between you and Korba?”

“If you love me so much, how can you return to him?”

Chelan sprang to her feet. “Because he—”

Dar rose up and grabbed her arms roughly. “Because he
what
, Chelan? Because he protects you now as he did from Ticees? Because he gives you his child? Because he shelters you?” Dar’s tears finally flowed and he clenched his teeth, his voice racked with pain. “Because he can make love to you like no other.” And he released her, nearly shoving her backward.

Chelan was stunned, and she watched in mute silence as he turned from her and disappeared into the blackness of the forest. Then she crumpled to the ground, her mind in turmoil, her heart in tatters. She sat still for a long time, her head held in her hands.

Finally, all his words clawed into war-weary mind. He was right. He was the one she wanted. She had always loved the blonde Warlord in ways she could not hope to understand. He had always attracted her in ways she had not taken the time to fathom. And even when she had been in Korba’s arms, Dar’s mere presence could make her heart jump. Her loss of him so many years ago had actually pushed her to Korba in a way, and now she realized that. It was not that she did not love Korba deeply, but she had always repressed her feelings for Dar because of him.

Chelan shuddered, the ultimate realization of her feelings for the unique man flooding her senses. She still could not fully comprehend what it was about Dar that tugged at a special place in her heart. She shivered. Maybe it was his innate savagery, a trait even more finally honed in him than in Korba, or maybe it was something much more simple and much more basal. Either way, she was his prey, the prey he had stalked now for years at the expense of his career and all that he valued. And now she wanted to submit to him, allowing the predator in him to consume her.

She looked toward the forest and drew the blanket tight about her. Then she staggered away from the tent. “Dar!” she yelled. She listened carefully but heard nothing. “Dar!” But he was gone.

Chelan spent the rest of the day wandering aimlessly about the campsite. She knew that she could never hope to track the elusive Warlord with all his strength and endurance. He could keep her at bay for a lifetime if he chose.

As night fell, Chelan curled up in his tent, marginally comforted by his scent and his belongings. But when morning dawned and he still had not returned, Chelan was beside herself with grief. The day was beautiful, but she didn’t notice. She was numb with pain, and just when she thought things were as bad as they could be, they were about to get a lot worse.

*****

The truck rattled to a stop at the far end of the lake. “Looks like it’s just us,” declared Hugh exuberantly.

“Yeah, c’mon, guys. Let’s do some heavy-duty partying,” added Seth as he pushed his buddy out of the rusty old truck, the two men sprawling on the ground in laughter.

Dave chuckled at them and then leaned on the steering wheel. He looked out over the tranquil lake. “Hey, how about after a few more brews, we go hunting something?”

Seth brushed himself off. “Yeah, like what?”

Dave looked at him. “There’s always ducks and squirrels at the far end.”

Hugh picked himself up. “Nah. Let’s not. Damn gun makes too much noise. Never liked the little vermin anyway.”

Seth started to laugh and punched at Hugh playfully. “Well, that’s why you should shoot them.”

Dave chuckled with them and clambered out of the cab. He rounded the truck then stretched. “Ahh, Hugh’s right. Let’s just go up to that grassy clearing at the far end and have ourselves a quiet party. I got lots of weed on me. You guys bring the beer.”

Seth rubbed at his crotch. “Shoulda brought Mindy with us.”

Hugh snickered. “Ah shit—she was so loaded after last night. She’s probably still passed out.”

Seth shrugged. “Still coulda brought her along. She’s gotta wake up sooner or later.”

Dave slithered out of his coat and threw it in the back of the truck. “I don’t know why you guys keep with that bag. She’s all used up.”

“Hey!” Seth said defensively. “When she’s awake, she’s good for something.” And Hugh and Seth fell together laughing.

Dave shook his head. “She’s gonna give you guys a dose some day.”

“Ah, c’mon, Dave, lighten up. You’re just miffed ’cause you ain’t got none lately,” said Hugh, and the two men began to guffaw again.

“Oh yeah, go ahead and laugh. You won’t be so cocky once I get ol’ Candy in the sack. Then you guys’ll be drooling all over the place.”

“Oh c’mon, Dave,” chided Hugh. “You ain’t never going to shag old Candy. She’s too good for ya.”

Dave straightened his shoulders and grinned at his two buddies. “Oh yeah? Wanna bet?”

“Sure,” they challenged in unison.

“Okay, you’re on. By month’s end, you’ll see.”

They slapped hands. “If you lose, you buy us both a case of beer,” said Seth.

Dave grinned. “And if I win?”

Hugh and Seth looked at each other. “Oh shit, then we’ll buy you a case of beer,” Hugh said. And all three howled.

Seth finally straightened his lanky body and looked down the lake. “Let’s take the rifle just in case.”

Dave shrugged. “Okay, but you get to lug it along.”

Seth reached into the cab and grabbed the small-caliber gun.

Hugh snagged the two cases of beer and all three set out. Halfway around the lake, Hugh trudged to a halt and collapsed to the ground.

“Whaddya doin’, for Christ sake?” snarled Seth.

“Ahh, shut up. I’m tired. This damn lake’s gettin’ longer every year.”

Dave laughed. “So’s your beer gut, you sloth. Christ, you’re only twenty-seven and you look like shit. Get off your fat ass and let’s go.”

“Yeah, well, you two don’t look so hot yourselves. Greasemonkeying all day in that shithole of a garage ain’t exactly an Olympic sport, you know.”

“C’mon,” prodded Seth. “I’ll help with the beer.”

Hugh cackled. “Never mind. I’ll lighten the load myself.” And he popped a can open and began pouring it down his throat.

Dave shrugged. “Might as well help him out.”

“Might as well,” agreed Seth. And both men sat down.

When they finished, Seth crushed his can and threw it into the bushes.

Dave laughed. “Shouldn’t litter. It’s against the law.” And he threw his can to the side.

All three men rolled in contortions. Hugh finally righted himself and belched. “Okay, I’m all fueled up. Let’s go.”

They picked themselves up and started off once again. They stumbled and staggered along until the clearing flashed through the dense bush. Suddenly, Dave stopped and pushed the other two up short. “Shut up!” he hushed sternly.

Both men suddenly sobered. “What is it?” whispered Hugh.

“Someone’s here,” returned Dave. “There’s tents in the clearing.”

“Ah, shit,” moaned Seth.

Dave slapped him in the chest. “Shut up. Let’s see who it is first, then we can go somewhere else if need be.”

“Who’da thought anyone would be camping up here this time of year?” whined Hugh.

Dave waved his hand at the others and they all crouched down in the bushes. They watched the clearing for a time but saw nothing. Hugh reached for another beer and cracked it open.

Seth whacked him over the head. “Shut up, man! Someone’s gonna hear you.”

“Go to hell.” And Hugh started on the beer.

Dave scowled at them. “Lay off that stuff right now. We may need our senses.”

The men stopped their squabbling. Dave looked back out to the clearing. “Jesus H. Christ. Will you look at that!”

Seth and Hugh looked up just in time to see the young woman creep out of the tent. “Whoowee,” whispered Seth as he cleared his shaggy blonde hair out of his eyes. “We got ourselves a live one.”

Dave glowered at him. “Shut up the fuck up and sit down. She’s probably not alone.”

Hugh’s mouth dropped. “Hey, that’s the little honey we tried to pick up last September.”

Dave looked back at her and squinted. “How can you tell?”

“Just look at the hair.”

Dave’s eyes lit. “Well, I’ll be damned. Hey, didn’t we offer to bring her up here?”

Hugh belched. “Yup. And she turned ya down flat, just like Candy.”

Dave glared at him. “Be quiet. Now, I think we should be gentlemen. We’ll pay her a friendly visit and she can join our party.”

Seth nodded toward her, his humor replaced by thoughts of the party they could have. He rubbed at his whiskered jaw. “Better check for a companion first. Pretty little chicky like that probably has one somewhere.”

Dave nodded. “Okay, I’ve only had a couple of beers. You guys stay here. You’re too damn clumsy. She’ll hear ya a mile away. I’ll circle around and come back via the ridge.”

They nodded as Dave set out. Seth reached for another brew. He studied Hugh. “Might be a good day after all, old buddy.”

Hugh nodded eagerly. “Yeah, she’s a beaut.” He looked at Seth. “Think she’s alone?”

Seth sat back. “Hope so. Would be a shame to let all that go to waste.”

Hugh snickered. “And you were worried about not bringing Mindy.”

Seth laughed and then sat up straight. “Oh shit! Look.”

Both men craned their necks. They watched as the woman picked her way down to the beach. There she pulled her shirt over her head and squatted down in just her jeans. She splashed her face with the cool water, letting it trickle down her throat.

Hugh’s jaw was on the ground, his eyes as large as saucers. “Turn around, baby, come on, turn around.” And he rubbed his crotch lewdly.

Seth chuckled. “Will you get your tongue in your mouth? Shit, as soon as Dave gets back we’ll get a closer look.”

Then they watched as she stood and slipped back into the shirt, pulling out her hair and shaking it. Hugh’s fist hit the dirt. “Damn,” he mumbled. “She didn’t even turn around and I’ve already got a hard-on.”

She walked over to the large rock and perched up on it. Then she began to comb out her long locks in the morning light. “Jesus, I’d know that hair anywhere,” commented Seth.

Hugh nodded. “Yeah, bet it’s easy to get ahold of.” And he laughed.

But Seth did not laugh. He squirmed slightly and adjusted his pants to relieve some pressure. “Damn, where is Dave? I’m going to burst.”

Suddenly, Dave appeared. “Looks all clear. No sign of fresh prints anywhere. The main trail back there is all clear too.”

“I don’t know…” began Hugh apprehensively.

Seth looked at him. “Oh, what’s wrong with a little visit? Besides, the other tent could be for supplies.”

Dave grinned. “Seth is right. Let’s leave the beer and gun here and go say hi.” The three men stood up from the bushes.

*****

Chelan set the brush down and tossed her head back. She heard a rustle and pirouetted off the rock, expecting to greet Dar. But her face fell. Instantly, she recognized the three men who had tried to pick her up when she had first arrived back on Earth.

She glanced toward the tents, thinking of the knives, but her hope faded. There were three of them, and they were already too close.

“Hey, there. Fancy meeting you up here,” began one of them.

Chelan eyed him warily. She looked at his unshaven face and unruly hair, his grease-stained hands on his hips as he stopped just in front of her.

“Hi,” she finally responded.

The man looked around. “Nice day, hey?”

Chelan nodded. “Yes, very nice.”

Another stepped forward, his eyes glued to her chest. He cleared his unkempt blonde hair from his eyes. “Come here much?”

Chelan shook her head. “Not recently. My dad and I used to a lot.”

The blonde nodded. “He here now?”

“No, my husband is.”

The first man frowned and looked around. “Husband,” he repeated dryly. “Well, we just came over to say hi and offer you a drink. If he’s around, call him over. He can have a beer with us.”

“He’ll be back shortly. I’m sure he’d like a cool one,” Chelan assured him.

“Uh-huh, well,
we’ll just hang around and wait for him if that’s okay?”

Chelan glanced toward the tents. “Can I get you something to eat?” she asked, and she took a step to the side.

But the first man intercepted her. “Oh, no, thank you, honey. We just ate.”

Chelan remained still. She thought of running, for it was obvious that they were out of shape. But that thought came abruptly to an end as the blonde man stepped up to her side, blocking her escape.

“So,” the leader began as he grinned and picked at his teeth. “You should have come up here with us last September. This was where we were headed.”