Shamara (15 page)

He looked so different here, laughing with Tyna and Marna, smiling broadly as he teased the children. He seemed younger, happier, as if he'd forgotten his burdens for a brief time. His flashing smile and the sparkle in his eyes made him look even more handsome.

Eirene couldn't help but stare. She'd sensed his power and fortitude, but hadn’t comprehended how truly dynamic and charismatic he was. Here, the force of his presence lit up the hall, and everyone gravitated toward him. He was a true leader, she realized, with the heart and soul and courage to inspire others to follow.

"Impressive, isn't he?" Janaye murmured.

Startled, Eirene turned to see those discerning gray eyes fixed on her. "Yes, he is," she answered honestly, suspecting it was futile to deny the truth to Janaye.

Janaye looked at Jarek. "He's destined for greatness, that one. The stars were aligned with providence the day he was born."

Eirene could easily believe that Jarek would achieve monumental things, but she knew she wasn't the one to help him reach those heights of greatness. Her powers were worthless—even dangerous—as long as she couldn't handle them.

Jarek strode toward them, and her breath caught. She tried to ignore her reaction to him, reminding herself the only reason she was with him was because he had kidnapped her. He stopped by Janaye's chair and leaned down to kiss her. "Ah, here's my favorite lady. I'll bet you've been flirting with all the men, breaking their hearts."

"Jarek, you charmer. I can understand why mothers hide their daughters when you come around." Janaye beamed at him with genuine affection. "You're looking good, young man. When are you going to settle down and give this old woman more children to love?"

"Maybe when mothers stop hiding their daughters," he teased and squatted beside her. "How are you feeling?" He took both her hands in his, serious now. "Did the medicine Chase sent help any?"

She shrugged away his concern. "Some. I'm just old. My journey on this plane is winding down."

"We'd like to keep you around a while longer. So you take care, okay?" He pressed his hand against her face and rose to greet Gabe.

Gabe pushed to his feet and gave Jarek a big hug. "Good to see you, boy. Sad news about your father. He was a good man—damn good!"

Eirene started at this news. When had Jarek lost his father? She watched him and saw the shadow cross his face, the sadness that filled his dark eyes.

"Yeah, he was a good man," he said. "But in a way, I'm glad he won't be around to see what's coming."

Gabe's brow furrowed. "Don't tell me it's gotten worse. Blazing hells! How much more can we take?"

"Not much. But I've got a plan, sir. I'm hoping we can discuss it while I'm on Risa. I'd like your input."

Gabe beamed with pride. "Of course, Captain. I haven't planned any tactical maneuvers in a while, but I'd love to hear what you have in mind. You're a fine military commander. We're damn lucky to have you taking up where your father left off."

Jarek shook his head. "I'm not so sure about that, Elder. If my ideas don't work, I fear for our survival."

He now looked exhausted. Eirene knew he hadn't gotten much sleep during the trip from Elysia to Risa. He'd remained in the cockpit most of the time, on the lookout for more attacks. A surprising concern gnawed at her. Impulsively, she stood and pushed another chair into the circle, next to her own. "Here," she offered. "Why don't you sit down?"

He flashed her a startled look, then nodded gratefully. "Thank you." He sank into the chair, absently rubbing his right arm.

She knew the laser wound still hurt him. She'd put a fresh bandage on it this morning. It was healing, but still tender. Yet he'd managed to toss squealing, excited children into the air. She wondered if he ever put his own needs first.

"I see you've met Eirene." He reached out, placing his hand on her arm. "I'm hoping she'll help us with my most crucial plan."

She clenched her hands in her lap. He didn't play fair. He was as relentless as the sun's rays beating down on Travan's caked ground. She couldn't help him. Spirit, she hated being torn like this; hated her incompetence. But there was more than just the fact she couldn't control her powers. If the knowledge she was an Enhancer got out, it could only lead to one thing: a living hell in the clutches of the Controllers or some other faction just as evil.

"Yes," Janaye said slowly, catching everyone's attention. She stared straight ahead, seemingly at nothing, her eyes unfocused. "Eirene has her own special destiny to fulfill."

Eirene turned from Janaye to find Jarek staring at her, determination heating his eyes. Great. Already, he was swaying Janaye to his side. Weary of the emotional tug-of-war, she stood. "I'd like to go to my quarters now."

"The evening meal is ready," Moriah announced from the galley. "Come on, everyone."

The children shrieked their approval and raced for the tables, the adults following at a more leisurely pace. Gabe and Jarek helped Janaye to her feet. Leaning heavily on her thick yarton cane, she laboriously made her way to the tables, Gabe at her side.

Her chest tight with frustration, Eirene turned away, but Jarek caught her arm. She whirled, longing to inflict bodily damage upon him. Her fierce reaction startled her; she'd never been a violent person. "Let me go."

"I'm simply escorting you to the meal."

She couldn't sense his thoughts or feelings. Why then, did she have such strong emotional and physical reactions to him? She took the offensive, knowing no other way to defend herself against him. "I don't want you telling these people I'm working with you. What does it take to get the truth through your thick head? I can't help you!"

"Come on," he said quietly, ignoring her outburst and tugging her toward the tables. "Tyna and Marna are much better cooks than I am. And these are special people. You'll enjoy sharing this meal with them."

She
was
hungry, and Jarek's skill in the galley was limited to only a few dishes. Giving in, she allowed him to lead her to a table. Dishes clattered and jovial voices filled the air as food was passed and the plates were filled. Then, at Janaye's command, a hush fell over the room, and she thanked Spirit for blessing them with food. The hubbub of voices resumed, and everyone dug in.

The food was simple, but good: fresh bread, cheese, and an assortment of vegetables. Eirene ate slowly, too intrigued by the social dynamics of the group to pay much attention to what was on her plate. The relaxed atmosphere and easy bantering between the men and women amazed her the most.

On Travan, there had been total segregation between males and females, except when the men visited the women's compound to appease their sexual urges. The men ate in their opulent dining hall, their food prepared by the women. After the men were seen to, the women gathered in small groups in their drafty tents and shared a much plainer fare than the men enjoyed.

But here, as on Saron and Elysia, men and women mingled freely and equally, with no sign of male dominance. The women outnumbered the men, and the men treated them with deference and respect. All the men but Elder Gabe and Jarek were mated, and they displayed a sincere affection and caring toward their mates. Eirene sensed no tension or strain from anyone, only a comfortable air of camaraderie.

The colony members appeared to be a cohesive, supportive group. They were like a large family, something she had never experienced. Feeling more out of place than ever, she envied them. Her mother had died when she was an infant, and she'd never known her father very well. She'd always hoped they would have a relationship, but he'd left, and then died seven seasons ago.

With Rayna's passing, Eirene no longer had any emotional attachments to Travan. She'd never fit in with the other women in the compound, perhaps because of her unusual abilities. Outside her dwindling hopes of settling on Elysia, she had nowhere to go, no place where she belonged.

She remained quiet, only answering when spoken to. Oddly enough, no one pressed her about her past or her home. When the meal was over, she rose and started stacking dishes.

"Oh, no, you don't," Moriah said, coming up behind her. "We'll put you to work soon enough, I promise, but not tonight. The children are responsible for clearing the tables after each meal, and we have a rotating schedule for the chores that need to be done. You're not on the work detail—yet."

"Okay," Eirene conceded gratefully. She was tired, probably off balance from a new environment and meeting so many people.

"Would you like to go to your quarters now? You're welcome to remain in the hall and visit. Most of the adults will be up a while yet."

"My quarters, please," Eirene answered. She needed time to herself, to regroup and plan her next course of action.

"All right. I'll take you."

They walked outside. The temperature had cooled pleasantly, and Eirene took a deep breath. The air was fresh and clear, scented with the masses of huge flowers growing along the path. "It's beautiful here," she told Moriah.

"Thanks. I think so, too." Moriah looked around the compound. "No matter how far I travel, this will always be home."

Home.
Longing reverberated through Eirene. Longing for a safe haven. For the freedom to make her own choices and to lead a simple, fulfilling life. And now, after witnessing the closeness of these people, she realized she wanted something else.

A place where she belonged.

*  *  * 

Jarek watched Eirene leave the hall. Next to Moriah’s height, she was petite, yet well-curved. The tunic she wore hugged her figure, emphasizing her generous breasts and trim waist, while the leggings outlined her shapely legs. He felt the familiar tightening in his body and mentally clamped down on the unbidden urges.

He couldn't allow his desires to take precedence over duty. He didn't understand the pull he felt to Eirene, but there was no need to analyze it. He could never act on it.

She'd been quiet tonight, her expressive eyes large as she intently watched Risa's boisterous inhabitants at the evening meal. She'd ignored him, but then that was her usual reaction when she was upset.

"So she's the reason for your odd behavior."

He turned to find Sabin watching him. "What do you mean?"

"You hightailed it off Chase's ship when you were still as weak as a baby kerani, determined to return to Saron. Yet Chase said he distinctly heard Celie say the equipment you wanted was on Aldon. I figured something or
someone
on Saron must be critical to your plans if you went there first. And here you are, with Eirene. I've never known you to dally with any female, especially when our people are in dire need. Normally, I'd be inclined to assume her presence here is not personal, except you watch her like a starving lanrax tracks a krat. Something must be up."

Was his fascination with Eirene that obvious? Wearily, Jarek rubbed his throbbing arm. "Speaking of lanraxes, I have one I need to unload from my ship. She's bound to be hungry and angry at me for leaving her."

Sabin raised dark eyebrows. "Avoiding my question?"

No. As a matter of fact, I'm going to need all the help I can get from you and Moriah. I intend to tell you everything."

"Sounds like a long and interesting story."

More like inconceivable…impossible…crazy. Jarek wondered how his friend was going to react to his wild speculations. "You may think I've lost my mind when I tell you my plan."

"I seriously doubt that. You're the most centered person I know." Sabin gestured toward the chairs in the middle of the hall. "Why don't I get us a drink? You can tell me about this plan of yours."

He was back in a moment, carrying a bottle of Elysian liquor and two glasses, and took the chair next to Jarek. He filled one glass and handed it to Jarek, then filled the second one for himself. Sitting back, he raised his glass. "To friendship. And to the survival of our people."

"I'll drink to that." Jarek took a sip, admiring the smoothness of the liquor. Moriah's delivery business ensured they had the best products available.

"So, tell me about it," Sabin urged.

"Won't Moriah be joining us?"

"No." Sabin shook his head ruefully. "With the pregnancy, she fatigues easily and usually retires early. If you need her input, we'll go over it again with her tomorrow. You can't leave until Radd gets back, anyway."

Jarek downed the rest of his drink. "Well, here goes," he muttered, and proceeded to tell Sabin his theory about the wormhole within the black hole, and its possible connection to the Enhancers.

He went over being shot at the Pleasure Dome, explaining that Eirene had been nearby when it happened. He told Sabin about his belief she had healed him, and that she was an Enhancer. He did not volunteer the information that she had actually been at the Dome in the role of a courtesan, or that she'd been a virgin.

Whatever conclusions Sabin drew about Eirene being in the Pleasure Dome, he didn't voice them. But he did listen intently, and sat in thoughtful silence for a long moment after Jarek finished. "That's quite a theory," he said finally. "I've heard tales about Enhancers, but I always wondered if there was any truth to them."

"The Shens seem to think they existed," Jarek observed.

"You have a point. And Moriah has a great deal of respect for the Shens, especially Eark. If he told Celie that equipment came from Enhancers, then there's a strong possibility the stories are true. Still, that doesn't mean any Enhancers still exist."

"There are a lot of stories circulating about Enhancers being discovered," Jarek argued. "Too many to discount. And there's the fact that my wound was healed by the time I reached Chase. That, and my memory of Eirene healing me."

"Damn, this is amazing," Sabin said.

Jarek leaned back and ran his hand through his hair. "So, do you think I'm crazy?"

Sabin sighed and stared at his glass. "No," he said slowly, looking up at Jarek. "You're not crazy, san Ranul. At least, I hope not. Because if you are, then I am, too. I'm actually starting to believe there could be Enhancers among us—and that your plan might work."