Crusader (Battle Born Book 1) (31 page)

“What is Lunar 9?” Ashley asked.

“It’s a scientific outpost inside Earth’s moon,” Raylon told her casually.

She gaped at him. “There’s a Rodyte outpost inside Earth’s moon?”

“Several actually,” he admitted with a cheeky smile. “Lunar 9 was the last and largest.”

“Unbelievable.” There was so much hostility in Morgan’s tone that Nazerel reached over and took her hand. “This is the first I’ve heard of it. Do Rodytes understand what alliance means?”

Raylon chuckled. “You’re Director Hoyt, I take it?”

“I am.”

“I’ve heard a lot about you. I’m Raylon Lasenger.”

“Garin’s enforcer.” Nazerel’s light tone did nothing to defuse the tension building around them.

Raylon shrugged, clearly unconcerned with the title. “Garin’s ready to start moving forward. Things on Rodymia are deteriorating faster than anticipated, so we need to start making preparations.”

“Preparations for what?” Uncertainty rippled across their link as Ashley glanced at Bandar.

“Arrival of the battle born.”

Ashley shot to her feet. “I knew it! You are invading. This is what you’ve been planning all along.” She glared at Bandar, then Raylon, and suddenly their empathic link slammed shut. Apparently, his nanites were responding to her brainwaves now. It was doubtful she even realized what she’d done.

Raylon’s smile didn’t warm his eyes as he motioned her back down in her seat. “Relax, Ms. Kane. We’re a long way from an ‘invasion’, but I won’t lie to you. We’re the vanguard for a much larger force. We’re looking for allies not adversaries and there’s a lot we can offer humans in exchange for access to willing females. Do I need to say that part again? We are only interested in creating bonds with
willing
females. But regardless of the complications, the battle born will no longer tolerate being manipulated and abused.”

She just stared at Raylon in mutinous silence.

Taking advantage of the opening, Bandar asked, “What’s going to happen to Keyran once he’s returned to the
Undaunted
?”

“He’ll be reassigned to a position with less responsibility. Garin loves the old man. You of all people know how much they mean to each other. But Keyran screwed up. Garin had no choice but to make an example out of him. Orders must be obeyed or the entire system falls apart. Frankly, you’re damn lucky he focused his ire on Keyran. He was justified in recalling all three of you.”

“I understand.” The situation hadn’t been black and white. If he’d lost Abigail’s signal, they might never have located the
Relentless
again. Still, he understood Raylon’s position. They’d greatly increased the risk by acting on impulse.

Raylon pushed back from the table and stood then turned toward Kotto. “I’d like to use the
Crusader
as my headquarters, as long as you have no objections.”

It was a courtesy and everyone knew it. “Of course, sir,” Kotto replied. “Will you require staff as well?”

“They’ve already been selected. We arrived on the
Intrepid,
but their mission will keep them on the move. It makes more sense for me to be on the
Crusader
. My staff can double up, which means I’ll need three cabins including my own.”

“That won’t be a problem.” Their conversation continued as they left the conference room.

“That was—unexpected.” Nazerel muttered as he pushed to his feet.

“Not really.” Bandar sighed as he stood as well. “Even Keyran knew Garin would have to replace him.”

“I meant Lunar 9. Why wake it up after all these years?”

“Neutral ground?” Morgan suggested. “It will give them a place to set up shop while they negotiate with…” She looked at Bandar, eyes narrowed. “Do you know which government General Nox plans to approach?”

Bandar shook his head and crossed his arms over his chest. “Garin has been frustratingly tightlipped lately. I don’t think he’s intentionally keeping things from me. He’s just incredibly busy.”

Apparently tired of looking up at their men, the females both stood.

“Well, he’s playing two roles, rebel leader and loyal general,” Morgan reminded. “That’s a lot to juggle even for a Nox.”

After a thoughtful pause, Nazerel asked, “How well do you know Kotto?”

“I know of him more than actually knowing him. He’s Keyran’s baby brother. We’ve never really interacted. But I trust my brother. If Garin thought Kotto was the best man for the job, then I’ll give him the benefit of a doubt.”

Suddenly, curiosity animated Nazerel’s expression and he looked at Ashley. “You never told us how you did it. How were you able to guide us through the ship?”

“Pyre Sterling is Chandar’s mother,” Morgan told the men. “Chandar sensed a blood relative and activated a familial connection with Ashley. Then she used Ashley’s link with Bandar to—”

“But she wasn’t just mind sharing.” The more Bandar thought about the specifics of what Chandar had done, the more impossible it seemed. “She was aware of where I was and everything that was happening around me.”

“She’s an organic female harbinger,” Nazerel stressed each word in the impressive list. “It’s likely she doesn’t even know the full extent of her powers.”

A surge of guilt and sympathy reopened their empathic link and Bandar swept Ashley into a comforting hug. “Oh, angel, this was not your fault.”

“Your connection to Chandar is likely our only hope of finding her again,” Nazerel stressed. ”And we will find her again.”

Ashley looked into Bandar’s eyes and found the strength to smile. “Because we won’t stop looking until we do?”

“Exactly.” He reinforced the claim with a tender kiss.

“Let’s give them some privacy.” Without waiting for Nazerel to agree, Morgan dragged him from the room.

Bandar rested his hands on her hips, leaving enough space between them so they could see each other’s faces. “So, have you ever wanted to visit the moon?”

She smiled then laughed, her joy curling into his mind. “You’re serious?”

“I completed my mission. Not only does the research team have Daniel Kane’s documentation, they have samples from his primary test subject. Until General Nox defines my next mission, I’m just along for the ride.”

“I’d love to explore the moon with you, as long as we take my mother home first.” She shook her head with a guilty smile. “I love her dearly and would have died if anything happened to her, but she knows how to push my buttons like no one else.”

“I’m pretty sure that can be arranged.” He smoothed her hair back from her face as her features tensed.

“What about Chandar?”

“I haven’t forgotten about Chandar.” He moved his hands to her shoulders and pulled her closer. “Now that Garin knows she’s alive, no force in the universe will protect Akim. Chandar will be rescued and we will play a part. However, that part will likely be less direct than it was before.”

“And you’re okay with that?”

“Military life quickly teaches you that you won’t always be the one to lead the charge. That doesn’t make you less valuable than the person who does.”

She moved even closer, wrapping her arms around his waist. “So where does this leave us?”

“We can shape our future however we want. That’s the point of all this. We’re attempting to give battle born sons new and different options.”

“But those options can’t be paid for at the expense of human females.”

He eased her back and framed her face with his hands. “Have I taken advantage of you?”

“No, but—”

“But nothing. Each battle born son must find his mate before any of this means anything. If he senses his true mate, he will feel for her the way I feel for you. These things cannot be faked and they cannot be forced. We are no danger to human females.”

“I want to believe that so badly.”

“Why would you doubt my words when you’ve experienced it for yourself?”

She hesitated a moment longer, then blew out a shaky breath. “It always comes down to trust, doesn’t it? I have to trust that you’ll protect my people because they’re important to me.”

“That’s a good reason, but I’ll give you an even better one. I will protect your people because they’re the best hope my people have of building a future far different from the one we’re allowed on Rodymia. We’re in this together, which is as it should be for mates.”

She wrapped her arms around him again and pressed her face against his chest. “I know you have things you should be doing, but I can hardly believe we survived. Can you hold me for just a little while?”

He picked her up and kissed her with all the love overflowing his heart.
Regardless of the pressures demanding my time, angel, I will always make time for you.

Book Two

Kotto and Raina’s story

Coming later this year!

Find out how it all began.

Shadow Assassins, Book One

Royal Obsession

Cyndi Friberg

FREE download at many retailers!

Radical separatists, created at the onset of the Great Conflict, have been made obsolete by years of peace. They live in their subterranean Shadow Maze and only emerge when it’s time to breed. For Varrik, that time is now.

Varrik, current leader of the Shadow Assassins, knows his people are on the verge of extinction. If they cannot adapt, they will die. Yet if his son were a direct descendant of the High Queen it would secure a place for future generations. Protecting his people is his first priority, so Varrik assembles a hunting party and kidnaps the royal twins. He is determined to claim the eldest for his own.

Echo, the younger princess, knows her pampered sister will never survive the sexual appetites of their virile captor. Echo doesn’t understand the powerful attraction she feels for Varrik, but drawing his attention is a far better choice than allowing him to overwhelm her twin. She doesn’t expect to find him fascinating or to crave the demanding passion he ignites. Can a dominating warrior and his willing captive bring light to the Shadow Maze?

Royal Obsession

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Copyright © 2013 Cyndi Friberg.

With concentrated effort, Echo eased out of her sister’s mind and shielded her end of the link. She collided with Lor dar Joon and gasped. His large hands clasped her upper arms, steadying her until she regained her footing.

“Your face is flushed and your expression dreamy.” A knowing smile parted his lips. “Either you were having very naughty thoughts, or E’Lanna is with Zane—again.”

Lor had been her father’s apprentice until he completed his training four cycles ago. Echo had spent half her childhood enamored with him, yet she had come to think of him as a close friend by the time she saw male appreciation in his eyes. Her mother, High Queen Charlotte, would doubtlessly welcome a match between them. The House of Joon had resented the House of Aune for centuries. The hostilities escalated with frustrating regularity, despite Charlotte’s best efforts to establish lasting peace.

“Did Father send you after me?” She smoothed the heavily embroidered material of her bodice against her ribs, her senses still humming. Strolling to a nearby tree, she leaned against the trunk, needing the stability at her back. Her teasing tastes of passion had never produced the sort of emotions E’Lanna enjoyed with Zane.

Lor moved closer, the wind playing through his curly blond hair. “As a matter of fact, he did. You shouldn’t be out here alone.”

“I’m not alone.” She glanced up at him and offered her best flirtatious smile. “I have you to protect me.”

He placed his hands on either side of her shoulders, his turquoise gaze searching her face. “What makes you think you’re safe with me?”

“You would never do anything to displease Father.” A note of disappointment bled through in her tone.

“Unlike Zane?” He brushed her cheek with his knuckles then reluctantly stepped back. “Are they out here, or were you entertaining wicked thoughts?”

“I was enjoying the sunset,” she claimed with innocent bravado.

“But you’d rather be enjoying passionate kisses and bold caresses?” A strand of her hair flitted against her check. He tucked it behind her ear, his fingers lingering against her skin. “Will you stop moping if I kiss you?”

“I am not moping!” She averted her gaze. Lor was handsome and experienced, intelligent and kind. She had often wondered what it would feel like to kiss him. With a deep chuckle, he pulled her into his arms and pressed his mouth over hers. She wrapped her arms around his back and parted her lips, waiting for the first brush of his tongue.

He took his time, nibbling at her lips and tracing her mouth with the tip of his tongue. When he finally delved into her mouth, she was panting and restless. His tongue stroked hers, traced her teeth, then stroked hers some more. She waited for the knee-melting heat, the rush of tingling fire E’Lanna felt each time Zane kissed her. Lor’s mouth was warm, his body strong, but the kiss was no more than pleasant.

Some unseen force slammed Lor forward, knocking Echo against the tree. She yelped. He groaned then sank to his knees. He was jarred sideways and flipped onto his stomach. He went wild, kicking and thrashing as unseen hands restrained him. Echo screamed, reaching out with her mind. Lor bucked and heaved against the ground. Fire erupted around him, triggered by his pyrokinetic gift.

E’Lanna’s mind reflected Echo’s fear. Was the same thing happening to E’Lanna, or was she reacting to Echo’s terror? Lor’s hands were trapped beneath him, while the grass around him sizzled. Did the assailants know he could throw fire?

She was dragged away from the tree, her attackers vague distortions against the coming night. Invisible arms wrapped around her, pulling her tight against a tangible body. They were real. She just couldn’t see them.

E’Lanna’s emotions prevented Echo from reaching farther. She screamed again, but they were far from the visitors’ hall.

Sound swelled, building from a distant buzz to a deafening roar as a transport conduit swallowed her whole. Light blinded her, then oppressive darkness closed in, compressing her chest and weighting her limbs. She trembled in her captor’s arms, lacking the breath to speak, much less fight.

The pressure eased, but the darkness remained. She blinked rapidly, struggling to bring anything into focus. Hands pushed her to her knees, and a gruff voice activated a row of firestones set high in the barren walls.

Light flashed again, and E’Lanna appeared, trapped between two burly men. She was forced to her knees beside Echo. The men took up positions within easy reach of their prisoner.

Are you hurt?
Echo sent the question directly to E’Lanna’s mind.

No. Are you?
E’Lanna covered her mouth with her hand, her shoulders shaking.

Don’t speak out loud, and don’t react to my thoughts.

One of the villains materialized in front of E’Lanna. Tall and lean, with rawboned features and fierce eyes, he took E’Lanna’s chin and forced her to raise her face. “Which one are you?”

Don’t answer him!

His dark head whipped around, and his gaze collided with Echo’s. Pitch-black, his pupils and irises were separated by an intense blue ring. Blue strands threaded through his long black hair. Rodyte! They’d been kidnapped by the Rodytes.

“I can sense telepathic communication.” He strolled toward her, his expression insolent. “If you have something to say, say it out loud.”

She raised her chin and looked away, her lips pressed into a mutinous line.

Warm and unexpected, his deep, rumbling laughter rolled across her senses. He curved his fingers around her chin and turned her head until she looked into his eyes.

“Hello, Echo. Silence can’t disguise that fiery temper.” He motioned toward E’Lanna without taking his gaze from Echo’s face. “Take that one to my room.”

“No!” The word burst from Echo before she could stop the impulse.

He arched one dark brow and pulled her to her feet. “Are you volunteering to take her place? I hadn’t expected you to be so eager.”

Echo, don’t. At least I know what to expect. I won’t let this beast be your first
.

Before she could correct E’Lanna’s misconception, their captor spoke again. With his hands still encircling Echo’s upper arms, he looked at E’Lanna. “If we hadn’t arrived when we did, some blond Mystic would have been her first. She was all but begging him to take her when we found them in the moonlight.”

Echo gasped. He couldn’t just sense telepathic communication, he could hear every word.

“This one was with a man as well,” one of E’Lanna’s captors volunteered. “From the way they were going at it, I don’t think it was her first time.”

The fierce-eyed man nodded. “Then take E’Lanna to a holding cell. She can’t be mounted until after she bleeds again. Pass the word.
No one
is to touch her.”

Echo felt the blood drain from her face. They wanted to make sure E’Lanna wasn’t pregnant before they “mounted” her? That meant they intended to keep them for weeks, perhaps longer. Echo couldn’t succumb to the terror surging through her mind. She had to think, strategize. Where were they? Why had they been taken? The last question sent a shudder down her spine. Why was pretty damn obvious—they were here to be “mounted”.

E’Lanna was dragged from the room by two of the men who had abducted her. Could all of them create invisibility shields?

“Let’s go.” The leader nodded toward the doorway.

Echo laughed.
Let’s not.
It was irrational to think she was going to stroll off to his bedchamber to be raped. He didn’t react to her laughter or the accompanying thought. Apparently it was only telepathic transmissions he could intercept.

“You’re going to be a lot more trouble than your sister, aren’t you?”

“You have no idea.”