PrimalHunger (19 page)

“How did you stop it back then?” Mase’s question was
hesitant. Kendra would likely have to rebuild the confidence of her team after
it was all said and done.

Reeva stepped forward. “We shocked it, temporarily
restrained it and dropped the thing in the middle of the Miora flats. The
slimes did the rest.”

Azros glanced at Kendra, noting the stone-faced expression
that told him she was slamming up walls. He wanted to hold her, make sure she
was okay.

Azros’ attention was drawn to the assassin. “Is it a
machine?”

“Mostly. A small part of the body is human based, but not
enough to live outside the body.” The doctor sighed. “It’s that small part that
makes these killers legal citizens, and not war machines.”

“So they haven’t done anything illegal, or violated any
treaties,” Destiny mused.

“Same old bullshit,” Kendra muttered.

“Because of the direct blow to the central core,” the doctor
gestured at the knife protruding from the eye socket and glared at Kendra, “I
can’t extract any information.”

Kendra pointedly ignored the comment. She flexed her arm,
lifting it to test the bandaging.

The doctor sighed, muttering, “I love being ignored. Kendra,
I need a live sample of the tissue to determine whether it is lab created or
not.”

Kendra tilted her head. “I tell you what, Doc. Next time I’m
faced with a deadly assassin, I’ll make sure you’re with me so you can poke and
prod him to your heart’s content. That
thing
,” she gestured forcefully
to the table, “nearly killed Azros, and if Shyla is to be believed, it was
planted here to kill me.”

“Thank you, Doctor. Do you have anything else to add?”
Destiny’s clipped voice spoke of urgency and irritation.

“Nothing more at this time.” The doctor shoved her hands
deep in lab coat pockets, backing away from the table.

Destiny looked up. “Reeva, you’re next.”

“Was there a data upload before its death?” Kendra looked at
Reeva.

“Yes. Our systems couldn’t stop it.” The woman shook her
head. “The ship is too close. The signal transmitted immediately. We have no
way of knowing the full extent of the upload, or whether any data was corrupted
by our systems.”

Shyla pounded a fist on the table. “She’ll know you’re alive
the moment she sees the playback.”

“This isn’t the first assassin sent after me. How many more
are there?” Kendra brushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

“Skreeta is paranoid. I have a dozen on my roster, and who
knows how many off it.” She considered Kendra. “Although now that I know you’re
still alive, it puts her paranoia in an all new perspective.”

Destiny planted her palms on the table. “We found Maya’s
body, and from Dr. Monroe’s tests, her death occurred weeks ago. How did we not
know there was an enemy among us?” Destiny’s voice was full of frustration.

The body twitched and everyone jumped back. “What exactly
are these things?” The question came from Reeva.

Shyla sighed. “They’re called Kagami dolls, because of their
ability to mirror the appearance of a target. It assimilates the DNA of the
victim, and can draw on it for the rest of their lives.”

“How did it get here?”
And was the vehicle still
available?
Azros might need a quick way to get Kendra out of harm’s way.

Shyla tapped her fingernail on the table, considering. “The
Kagami likely came in as a customer, and then killed Maya. How simple would it
be to take over her position?”

“Jackson. Get me a list of all guests for the past six
weeks. I want logs of all incoming and outgoing ships, people, supplies, you
name it. This Kagami doll never left or we would have scanned her body, so I
need to know who, how and when.” Her fingers tapped a restless pattern against
the table. “And Jackson…”

“Yes, Mistress?”

“I need it yesterday.”

Jackson nodded. “On it.” He strode from the room.

“It’s easy to pick up gossip as one of the girls. Tactically
it makes sense, and if she performed well Destiny wouldn’t know the difference.”
Kendra pounded a fist against the palm of her hand. “I should have caught
this.”

Destiny clicked her tongue in irritation. “Useless talk.
Figure out what we can do to keep it from happening again. I don’t like this.
We seem to be in the middle of a brewing war.” She turned her attention back to
Shyla. “Why did she plant her doll weeks ago? Are we sure Kendra was the
original target?”

Shyla shrugged. “I don’t know. My mother may be insane, but
she has the most devious and dangerous mind of anyone I know. She had to have
her reasons. Skreeta is the only one that has the codes to change the prime
directives, and select a new target. According to the information I’ve
accessed, she’s released multiple assassins all over this sector. Maybe she
sees this planet as a tactical advantage, but I’m shooting the dark at this
point. This could get ugly really fast.”

Kendra paced. He could see her mind working, running all the
angles. If he tried harder, he could just touch the feather wisps of her mind.
A tiny thought here and there. He wished she would open up to him. She was so
close they could almost touch.

“My people can’t stay on her ship. They’re being drugged,
abused and used for sex and slavery. I won’t let it continue.” He didn’t
mention the next step would be freeing the mining asteroid. He needed his
people and a ship for that. His gaze moved to the door. Was there a ship
available? Should he mention the possibility?

Shyla nodded slowly. “I hear you, Azros, but you can’t just
storm the
Calypso
and expect to survive. You’ve seen the interior. You
know it was luck that got you off the ship last time. The forces are too great,
and my mother is constantly plugged in. She sees
everything
. Since you
left, security is impossible to slip through.”

“I have the schematics. We have surprise on our side.”

A wry smile twisted Shyla’s lips. “
Calypso
has
tactical advantage. The only way you’d make it onboard is if my mother left
with her security entourage. Even then…”

Azros clenched his fists in irritation. Her advice was sound,
but it didn’t make it any easier to swallow.

“Just how paranoid is Skreeta?” Kendra’s question was spoken
with purpose. A smile ghosted across her lips.

Shyla looked at Kendra, assessing her. “In her mind,
everyone is out to get her. She prepares for almost every possible scenario.”

“Even the return of a blood heir?”

Azros stared at Kendra in surprise.

Shyla shook her head. “She will stop at nothing to kill you,
cousin. Her paranoia is extreme, to say the least. What are you going to
do…call the T’oatha Balleh? You know how that will end.”

Kendra’s expression hardened. “I am not the same unskilled
girl I was back then.”

“What is the T’oatha Balleh?” Azros asked the question, but
neither of the Sheon chose to answer. That just pissed him off.

Shyla stared back at her cousin, nodding slowly. “That may
be, but you’d have to play to your advantage. She will cheat.”

“I know.” Kendra leaned against the wall, crossing her arms.
She looked at Azros. From the depths of her gaze, infinite sadness and regret
pierced his heart. “The T’oatha Balleh is an ancient ritual of our people.
Skreeta follows the old ways.”

Azros clenched his fists against his body. “She uses torture
for pleasure. Her sociopathic tendencies led to the murder of my crew’s mates.
I can’t imagine this T’oatha Balleh is a tea party.” Azros spoke quietly, but
his voice carried throughout the room. Kendra reached out to him, touching his
arm. That small touch did more for his helpless fury than anything else could
have. He covered her hand with his.

Kendra turned back to Shyla. “Does she still believe my
family wanted the throne?”

“More than anything. She also believes that the blood
spilled here on this planet cursed the queen with dementia. The only way to
purify the line is through combat.”

Kendra looked at Destiny. “She’s going to know I’m alive.
I’d rather face her head-on than wait for death from the shadows. This has to
end. Now.” Azros agreed, but he planned to have Kendra far away by the time
everything went down.

Destiny nodded. She looked up at Reeva. “I want all
personnel scanned for circuitry, but be discreet.”

Reeva nodded. “Yes ma’am.” She gave Kendra a nod that she
returned.

“One more thing,” Destiny called to Reeva.

Reeva stopped.

“Until this situation is resolved, Chief St. Thomas is off
duty. You’ll be taking on her roles and responsibilities.”

Kendra gasped. Her cheeks blushed crimson. He could see the
carefully reined in fury.

Reeva looked at Kendra. Kendra gave a slight nod and Reeva
left.

Destiny looked at Kendra. “Your face is known by her
people.”

“I can’t just sit around and wait for the next assassin.
What the hell am I supposed to do in the meantime?”

“That’s easy.” Destiny smiled. “We have to make room for the
Sheon Ambassador’s visit.”

Kendra’s expression grew thoughtful. “The local Sheon
Ambassador would have a security team with her.”

Destiny nodded. “It’s the only way I’m going to let this go
on. We’ll start the ball rolling on my territory. I won’t let her take you.”

Kendra clenched her jaw and nodded. “Roger that.” Azros
couldn’t fight the sense of relief Destiny had just provided him. Ambassadors
have bodyguards, and he needed to stay close to her.

Destiny’s gaze zeroed in on Azros. “I’m sure you’ve noticed
that we are far more than just a brothel, Azros. There is a solid mission of
territorial peace that I will enforce, but I won’t force my people into a
slaughter. If you can come up with a viable plan for the rescue of your people,
one that both Jackson and I approve, I’ll let any volunteer come with you.” She
gestured around the room. “All security personnel in this room have been
individually briefed. You’ll have your pick from them so memorize their faces.”

Azros nodded. It was the best he was going to get.

“I’ll give you limited access to David. He may be able to
help you, as well.”

Azros gave a small bow. “Thank you, Mistress Destiny.”

Mase stepped up. “I’ll take him, ma’am.”

Destiny nodded. Mase looked to Kendra, and she nodded.

Azros tucked a finger under Kendra’s chin, lifting it. His
mouth descended. Her eyes closed. When his lips touched hers, her mouth opened
with a sigh. Their tongues met with a long-denied need. He stroked and teased,
then gently ended the kiss. “I believe we have unfinished business.” He brushed
his lips against hers.

Kendra’s eyes fluttered back open. “I’m looking forward to
it.”

So was he, but he couldn’t help but feel there was an
undercurrent of something dark in Kendra’s words.

Chapter Ten

Kendra watched him leave, couldn’t tear her gaze away from
the way he walked. The quiet way he moved.

The rest of the crew was dismissed, and now Kendra faced a
ghost in her past. Destiny sat in a chair, and they followed her lead. For a
moment, she wished Azros was with her. His strength would be a balm against the
living nightmare of her past.

“You have questions.” Shyla adjusted her robe. It was a robe
Kendra recognized. Destiny Palace guests used them to remain discreet.

“Why are you here?” Kendra remembered the darkest day of her
life, and the shining moment when a little girl had left her a knife. That
little girl had grown into a woman. Was she willing to go the distance to end
this once and for all?

“I’m on this planet because my mother believes others are
plotting against her. It is my job to scout out any potential threat and report
it.”

“Are you going to do that?” Destiny asked the question with
an icy calm.

“No. I am here to stop a war.” Shyla shifted in her seat.
“She wants everything, Kendra, and will stop at nothing to get it.” Stark
sadness swelled in the depths of her gaze. Kendra wasn’t buying it. “You have
no idea what she has done to the Valorians who were unable to escape with
Azros. It’s horrific. The things she’s done…” Shyla shook her head. “The things
I’ve had to do…” Her throat grew dry with emotion. “I should have stopped this a
long time ago.”

Kendra didn’t want to be swayed by her cousin’s words, but
found her heart opening.
You’re such a fool. Blindly trusting your blood,
just like your parents.
“How can you move around down here? Won’t your
mother suspect?”

“I appealed to her paranoia, mentioned an unsettling feeling
I had about a few of the people here. I wanted to investigate and she gave me
leave to do so. I’m already overdue with my report.” Shyla looked from Kendra
to Destiny. “So what should I say?”

Destiny leaned back in the chair, seemingly completely at
ease. “Tell her everything.” She steepled her fingers. “Tell her that Kendra is
alive, and that all her worst fears are coming true. Appeal to her paranoia. If
we can get her off the ship, maybe your Azros will have a chance.”

Destiny had a plan, but Kendra had one of her own. So far,
they followed the same path. “I hope you’re right.” Kendra linked her fingers
and pressed them against her stomach. “I hope both of you are right, otherwise
we’re all going to die.”

“No one knows the risks better than I do.” Shyla stood and
bowed to them both. “If this is going to work, I’ll have to rush back to the
ship.” She looked at Destiny, assessing her. “I, too, hope you know what you’re
doing. She is ruthless.” She pulled the hood up, hiding her face.

Destiny nodded. “So do I.” Her smile sent chills down
Kendra’s spine.

They watched her cousin exit. The door closed and Destiny
finally let her mask slip. Worry and anxiety crossed her face. She regarded
Kendra. “This is quite a mess, my friend.”