The Two Towers (36 page)

Kayla was dimly aware of movement off to her side but she wasn't willing to look away from Alec.

“Kayla, sweetheart, you need to break the connection. You don’t want to do this.”

Carl? At the sound of his voice, Kayla turned to look at him. The concern and longing in his gaze surprised her and she started to reach out to him. Her energy flow faltered and she felt Alec wince from the lapse. Her eyes immediately flew back to Alec. She realized she was hurting him from the withdrawal and started to increase the energy again. Alec shook his head.

“No, Kayla, you have to stop. It’s just like before. It’ll hurt for a few minutes but it’ll be okay. I’ll still be here for you. One day, we will complete the connection. But the time isn’t now.”

He leaned toward her and pressed his lips against hers in a promise. When he pulled away, she withdrew her energy from him. She felt his agony and yearning. It hurt her almost as much as it hurt him. He held her for a long moment, simply stroking her hair. His voice was gentle when he said, “Break the connection now, Kayla.”

She nodded and pulled the threads of energy away from him. She gasped at the sharp stab of emptiness where she had once felt completely connected. It seemed even more painful this time than it had been the previous day.

“It’s because we have a more permanent bond now.
Too much energy was exchanged. If we were fully bonded to one another, you wouldn’t feel that pain.”

She nodded and then looked over at Carl. His expression was full of agony. “I’m okay, Carl.”

Holding out his hand to her, Carl helped her up. He yanked her to him and held her tightly as though he was afraid to let her go. Kayla wrapped her arms around him, resting her head against his chest. She'd scared him. Hell, she'd scared herself. She needed to try to make sense of her chaotic emotions, but she felt too raw.

Seara looked at Alec in concern and asked, “Are you all right, Alec? I didn’t think what you did was possible.”

He stood up and looked at Kayla and Carl in each other’s arms. “I’m fine.”

Kayla turned to look at Alec, feeling torn between the two men. She couldn’t deny her feelings for both of them. They each represented something distinctly different. Carl was part of the world she had grown up knowing, whereas Alec touched her on a primal level she was strangely drawn to but didn’t understand.

Alec gave her an understanding look. His thoughts touched her mind. “
I know you’re torn. I can be as patient as you need me to be, Kayla.”

Kayla swallowed and didn’t answer. She turned to Seara and asked, “Did it work? Is the bracelet deactivated?”

“Yes,” Seara admitted and jingled the inert piece of jewelry on her wrist. “It’s an ordinary bracelet now. But you two can’t do that again. It’s far too dangerous until you’ve been trained.”

Kayla looked as though she was about to object. Alec stepped forward. “She’s right, Kayla. I don’t think either one of us can go through this again. It’ll continue to be more painful.”

Carl lifted his head, his grip tightening on Kayla's waist possessively. “Painful? It looked as though you were enjoying it well enough a few minutes ago when you were kissing her.”

Alec regarded Carl with a look that would have sent most people running in fear. “You know absolutely nothing about us. Your ignorance is the only thing that makes your presence remotely tolerable.”

Carl met Alec's look with one of his own. “And since you stepped in Kayla’s life, you’ve done nothing but try to use her for your own means.”

Alec’s eyes narrowed and he said in a dangerous voice, “You’ve crossed the line, Trader.”

Carl released Kayla and took a step toward Alec. “So have you.”

“Stop! Both of you,” Kayla said in frustration. “Carl, Alec didn’t do anything wrong.” At Alec’s smug expression, she added, “And Alec, stop baiting him.” She looked back and forth between both of them. “We have enough to worry about without having to worry about your egos. If you two are determined to have this out and kick each other’s asses, fine. But leave me out of it. I don’t feel like dealing with this crap.”

She gave them both an irritated look and stormed out of the room.

* * * *

Seara smiled in amusement at the surprised look on Carl’s and Alec’s faces. “Excuse me. I’m going to join my daughter.”

Carl and Alec turned to glare at each other once again. Cruncher cleared his throat. “Well, that was exciting. If I wasn’t awake before, I am now. Anyone want some breakfast?”

Carl ignored him, focusing on Alec. “I don’t know what sort of mind games you’re playing with Kayla, but this needs to end. She doesn’t belong to you. If you hope to change that by creating some sort of mental connection with her, you’re wrong. It won’t happen.”

Alec looked at Carl with contempt. “You are an outsider and oblivious to our ways. Let me be clear so you don’t misunderstand. Kayla has always belonged to me and she always will. She may believe she cares for you and on some level that might even be true. But don’t delude yourself into thinking you’ll ever be more than a distraction to her.”

Carl's fists itched to wipe the smug expression off Alec's face. The only thing that stayed his hand was his knowledge that Alec didn't truly understand Kayla. Trying to possess someone like her was like trapping sunlight in a jar. “Have you tried telling Kayla she belongs to you? I guarantee she’ll set the record straight.”

Alec looked amused. “I don’t need to tell her. On some level, she already knows. The only reason we’re not fully bonded at this moment is because I refused. One day soon she’ll come to me again and ask me to claim her. I won’t refuse again.”

Reason left him. Carl leaped forward toward Alec. He'd kill him if he touched Kayla again. Cruncher grabbed him, holding him back while Carl struggled against his grip. “Boss, he’s an Omni. Come on, man. Don’t do this.”

“At least your crew has some sense,” Alec said coolly and walked out of the room.

Carl jerked away from Cruncher and punched the wall in frustration. He paced back and forth, furious for losing control and letting Alec get the upper hand. Cruncher rubbed his chin. “Look, the guy is an ass but I’m not sure this is the best way to handle it.”

“I’ll tell you how I’d like to handle it,” Carl fumed.

“I bet.” Cruncher clapped his hand on Carl’s shoulder. “A day or two more and we’ll be out of here. I have a hunch Kayla’s going to be coming with us regardless of what happens here. You have to keep it together until then.”

Carl ran his hands over his face. He just hoped she was still willing to leave after everything that happened with Alec a few minutes ago. He couldn't get that damn kiss out of his head. “Yeah, that’s what she said this morning.”

“There you go then. He’s not worth it, man. Taking him on will only end badly for us.”

“Shit, Cruncher, what the hell is wrong with me?”

Cruncher chuckled. “My guess? You’ve got it bad for our little dark-haired firebrand.”

Carl rested his hands on the table and sighed. When it came to Kayla, he seemed to lose all sense of reason, and logic flew out the window. “Yeah, I do. I don’t know what the hell I’m doing anymore.”

“My advice is to ignore him. Kayla’s going to do what she’s going to do. But she had a point. This guy is trying to bait you. Don’t let him get to you.”

Carl frowned. “You’re right. Dammit, you’re right.”

“So how about that breakfast?” Cruncher grinned and lifted a brow.

“Yeah, sure. Why the hell not?” He didn't need to leave Alec alone with Kayla any longer than necessary.

* * * *

She felt Alec approach behind her but she didn't turn. Wrapping her arms over her chest, she tried to rub away the chill. She should be glad about what they accomplished with Seara's bracelet but she couldn't help but wonder at the cost. She'd spent so much of her life simply trying to survive; she never had to think about the consequences before.

Alec took her elbow and turned her toward him. She looked away, unwilling to meet his eyes.

“There's nothing to be ashamed of,” he said in a low voice.

She didn't reply, pressing her finger to her lips, thinking about the kiss they shared. Was it shame? Maybe, in part. After all, she'd practically thrown herself at Alec – again. It wasn't fair to either Alec or Carl. But she was more confused than anything else. It seemed the more confused she became, the more she wanted to retreat. Running off and forming her own camp was still looking like an attractive alternative.

Carl and Cruncher emerged from the safe room, the door sliding shut behind them. She didn't want to deal with another altercation. She looked up and her eyes locked with Carl's. He hesitated for a moment and she thought he'd come over to her as Alec had. Instead, he turned to the table and had a seat with the rest of the crew. Her mouth curved in a small smile. They may not share a connection, but he always seemed to know what she needed and she loved him for it.

Love? She paused, testing the word out in her head and it felt…right. She didn't need an energy bond with him to know how she felt about him. She loved him.

Before she could assess her feelings further, the door chimed and silenced all of the conversations in the room. Seara looked at Alec in alarm. He shook his head. “I don’t know, Seara. My guess is my father.”

Alec reached out to Kayla with his thoughts. “
I’ll protect you as best I can.”

Kayla nodded at him. Seara went to the door, nervously twisting the bracelet around her wrist. She reappeared a moment later with Edwin, Director Borshin, and Cessel.

Edwin looked around at Carl’s crew with disapproval. “Seara, your choice of company is proving rather questionable.”

Seara lifted her chin and gestured to the crew with a regal sweep of her hand. “These are my daughter’s friends, Edwin. They are welcome here as long as they’d like. That is, unless the High Council plans on interfering in more of my personal matters.”

Edwin’s mouth twitched slightly. “I understand your daughter has agreed to cooperate with us. I’ve brought Cessel to administer a blood test to determine if she’s stable enough to have the bracelet equipped.”

Cessel stepped forward, his movements stiff and wary. “My apologies, Mistress Rath’Varein. This will only take a moment.”

“Go ahead,”
Alec instructed her. “
Whatever happens, follow my lead. If we’re lucky, your system won’t be stable enough for the bracelet yet. Otherwise, I’ll need you to play along with me.”

Kayla stepped forward, masking her apprehension, and pressed her thumb against the testing device. A moment later, the monitor beeped. Cessel looked down at the display. “She’s stable. We can fit her for the bracelet now.”

“Excellent,” Edwin declared, rubbing his hands together. “Kayla, you’ll need to go with Cessel and Director Borshin. It shouldn’t take more than an hour.”

Kayla's gaze darted to Alec, seeking guidance. He didn't look at her, his focus on his father. “I demand my right to appeal this decision before the High Council.”

Edwin looked mildly surprised at his son’s objection. “On what grounds?”

“It’s my intent to claim this woman,” he declared in a formal voice. “I have been given an exemption from wearing the bracelet due to the nature of my talents. Any claim on her could be compromised if she wears the device.”

Seara muffled a gasp at the announcement.

Edwin’s eyes narrowed and he demanded, “Just what sort of game are you playing, Alec?”

Alec regarded his father and moved to stand beside Kayla. He linked his arm with hers, a show of solidarity. “There is no game. She has asked me to claim her twice now. The claim has not yet been completed, but it is my intention to do so.”

Edwin perused Kayla slowly as though assessing the validity of Alec's words. She leaned closer to Alec, hoping he knew what he was doing. “Very well. The High Council is meeting in an hour to discuss the final trader bid this evening. You may present your argument then.”

She felt Alec tense beside her and he shook his head. “That is insufficient. I require additional time to properly prepare for an appeal.”

Edwin regarded his son in annoyance, his patience clearly at an end. “Your request is denied. You have one hour. If the High Council does not grant your appeal, I will see her outfitted with the bracelet by the end of the day.”

Edwin motioned for Director Borshin and Cessel to follow him and headed for the door. When they had left, Kayla asked, “What’s this about an appeal?”

Alec sighed and took Kayla’s hand. He led her back to the safe room so he could explain without worrying about their conversation being monitored. Seara, Carl, and Veridian followed them.

When the safe room door closed and security had been enabled, he said, “I was trying to buy us some time. We aren’t in a position where we can directly challenge the High Council. There’s no way we can safely deactivate the rest of the bracelets.”

“Okay. So I just go in there, tell them I want you to claim me, and they drop this crazy bracelet nonsense? That sounds easy enough.”

“I’m afraid not. They’ll ask several questions and you won’t be able to lie to them. They have security features set up in the room that can detect if you’re lying. The safest approach is to give them as little information as possible while remaining honest.”

Seara looked at Kayla and added, “That’s not all. By doing this, you’re formally announcing your intention to allow Alec to claim you. It’s essentially like an engagement, only more intricate.”

The testosterone level in the room shot up. The look in Carl's eyes was murderous. “Engaged? Why not help us get her out of the towers?”

“I know my father. He’ll throw every last resource into hunting her down. He got a taste of what Kayla is capable of doing and he wants it for himself. I’ll do whatever is necessary to keep Kayla from wearing the bracelet.”

Seara frowned. “As much as I hate to admit it, Alec is right. Edwin’s fixated on Kayla. He’s not going to let up. As it is, there’s a good chance he’ll push for this appeal to be denied.”

“Well, shit,” Kayla muttered. This whole situation kept getting better and better.