Zealot (19 page)

“What was that about?” Indigo asked as Raina’s attention refocused on her.

“Dr. Irron has a present for you.”

Indigo cringed. “I’m not sure I want a present from a Rodyte doctor.”

“Irron is half human, so he’s more trustworthy than most.”

“Did he say what the present was?” Indigo was relatively sure she didn’t want to know.

“Nope, just that a runner was on his way.”

They returned to the jungle as they waited for the runner. He arrived a few minutes later and handed Indigo a thin, rectangular device. “It’s tuned to your faceprint, ma’am.” After that inadequate explanation, he took off as abruptly as he’d arrived.

Indigo looked at Raina for more information. “Do you know what that means?”

“It’s called a datapad. It’s a fancy tablet computer. Hold it up in front of your face. As soon as it verifies your identity, it will come to life.”

Hesitantly, Indigo held the datapad up in front of her face. A blip of light flashed across the screen and then Dr. Irron’s image appeared. “I’m glad I caught you away from Zilor. This is
your
decision. Don’t let that rascal pressure you.”

Indigo glanced at Raina and muttered, “Easier said than done.”

Raina’s only reaction was a distracted smile and the doctor’s voice drew their attention back to the datapad.

“General Nox asked me to use our prioritizing matrix to bring some order to the results from your blood test. Following are two separate lists of your top five matches. The first list is the top five males hoping to participate in the transformation program. The second list is the top five males who will accept the match regardless of whether or not you agree to participate in the transformation study. The two males with the elite tag by their names are full-blooded Rodyte. They’re part of the rebellion, but they’re not battle born.

“I’m not sure if Zilor told you or not, but I’m a full disclosure sort of person. We know about your Tandori blood, so the political advantage of bonding with you was factored into the results. This affected the second list more than the first. Once you read the profiles you’ll understand what I mean. I attached profiles of each male, so you can decide which, if any, you’d like to meet. If none of these appeal to you, we’ll try again. Luckily, you have lots of options.” He completed his explanation with a playful wink then two neat columns of names replaced his image. She thought the message was finished, but the doctor’s voice warned, “I’ll give you two days to look over everything before I notify the men.”

For a long time Indigo just stared at the double column of names while her heart thudded in her chest. Did her destiny lie with one of these men? Destiny? Silently, she shook her head. Did she even believe in destiny? She believed in God, a creating force that wrote the laws of nature. But destiny was more personal, more intrusive.

“Were you aware that we have Tandori blood?” Raina’s quiet voice cut into Indigo’s stupor. “Kotto mentioned it last night, but that was the first I’d heard about it.”

“Mom told me after Vinton Tandori’s surprise visit,” Indigo admitted. “How did Kotto find out? For that matter, how did Zilor?”

“Kotto said that Vinton’s sudden interest seemed more than official, so Zilor compared your DNA profile against one of the Tandoris. No one mentioned it to you?”

“No one has said a word.”

“And you didn’t say anything to Zilor?”

She shook her head then turned the datapad so Raina could see the screen. “How many of these guys do you know?”

“The list on the left are battle born. I’ve met three of the five, but the only one I actually know is Zilor. And you know him better than I do.”

Indigo looked at the familiar name and her heart began to pound. “He’s my number one match,” she whispered the words, barely able to believe what the screen indicated. “My number one match just happens to be the person they sent to recruit me? Did Zilor have anything to do with these lists?”

“I don’t think so. A man named Sental wrote the program and Dr. Irron has no reason to stack the deck for Zilor or anyone else. Irron’s top priority is the study’s success.” After a tense pause Raina added, “This is just a happy coincidence.”

“I don’t believe in coincidence.” Indigo blew out a shuddering breath then turned her attention to the other list of names. “If I choose one of these men, I wouldn’t have to go through the transformation at all?”

“Bonding with a Rodyte still triggers changes, but the mutation wouldn’t be as significant and it would happen naturally.” Raina pointed to the first name on the list. “You’re still stuck with a Nox, but Garin appears to be a better match if you’re only interested in joining the alliance.”

Zilor was number two on the right side, so he must have agreed to bond even if the female wouldn’t attempt to free his magic. She couldn’t decide if she was relieved or frustrated by the claim. The problem was, she didn’t believe it. Zilor might think he’d be content without the opportunity, but he desperately wanted to free his magic. In the end, he would likely resent his mate for holding him back.

“Why do you seem upset? I know you really like him. This solves all sorts of problems.”

She crossed her arms, pressing the datapad to her chest. “I really like him because some chemical reaction in my body is making him irresistible.” The mysterious
pull
was definitely engaged, but she couldn’t stop thinking about him even when he wasn’t there to trigger the chemical reaction. Zilor was just plain likable.

“None of this will work until you stop lying to yourself,” Raina offered with her usual candor. “Stay focused on Chandar as long as you can. She really needs a friend right now. But be prepared. These guys aren’t going to make it easy for you.”

“Tell me about it. I’ve already experienced Zilor’s…zeal.”

Thankfully, Raina let the subject drop. “How did Chandar react to you? Kotto said something about soul strings. What’s that about?”

“Apparently, there’s a name for what I do. I can manipulate soul strands. People like me are known as soul seers.” She explained what she saw and how people were helped when she restored the flow of energy.

“You’ve actually seen Chandar’s soul strands?”

“I have, but I didn’t attempt to adjust them. She’s so fragile. We’re going to have to take things nice and slow.”

“That’s understandable. I’m glad the move went smoothly and I know you can help her heal.”

Indigo accepted the encouragement with a nod, but already her mind had drifted onward. Inviting Zilor to dinner had been an impulse. The more time she spent with him, the more likely it was they’d end up in bed. She couldn’t blame him for the frustrating pattern either. She touched him just as often as he touched her. The sensible thing to do was invite someone else to join them for dinner. At least that way they’d be less likely to strip each other naked and test the stability of the table. Heat crawled up her neck and her core began to ache. Lying to herself was pointless. She wanted to be alone with him, wanted to learn more about him and exchange playful banter. And when they ran out of things to say and tension drew them ever closer, she wanted to end up in his bed.

But did she want him enough to consider the rest? Bonding with any of the Rodytes would literally change her. She’d become part of a different society, a different world. She’d also live twice as long and she’d no longer have to lie about how she was able to help people. If she was brutally honest with herself, Zilor wasn’t the only temptation. Being surrounded by people who acknowledged the existence of magic was almost as appealing as her potential mate.

“I should probably let you get back to work. There will be no fresh fruit for any of us until you get this place running again.”

“Actually, I was pretty much done for the day,” Raina assured her. “I’ll walk you back to the Pavilion. Then you can introduce me to Chandar, if she’ll let you.”

“Don’t take offense, but I think I’m supposed to call for one of the men.”

Raina pulled up her pant leg and drew a small weapon from the holster strapped to her lower leg. “I’m bonded now, so the escort rule no longer applies. But I have a very protective mate. I’m supposed to shoot first and ask questions after if anyone steps out of line.”

“Does that include me?” Indigo asked with a smile.

Striking a dramatic pose with the pistol carefully pointed up, Raina said, “No one is safe from my lethal stinger, so don’t piss me off.”

The claim was so out of character for her bookish cousin, Indigo couldn’t help but laugh.

* * * * *

“You didn’t eat much.” Zilor motioned toward Indigo’s plate. “Was something wrong with the hamburger?”

She pushed back from the table and rubbed her neck. “The food is fine. It’s just been a long day.”

Their conversation had been light and superficial, which frustrated the hells out of him. She’d spent more time staring out at the concourses than looking at him. “Did Raina upset you? You seem distracted.”

“I am distracted.” Finally, her gaze returned to his face and lingered. “Anyone would be. I thought Chandar was going to be the biggest challenge I’d face up here. Instead, she’s the only part of this that makes sense.”

“Talk to me. Maybe I can help clear away the confusion.”

She smiled and her blue eyes warmed. “You’re at the heart of my confusion. How can you possibly help?”

Now he was confused. “What don’t you understand about me? I’ve tried to be completely transparent with you.”

Her smile faded and her expression took on a hint of wistfulness. “That’s part of what I find so confounding. I’ve never known anyone who was so faultlessly honest. It’s hard to believe you don’t have an ulterior motive or some hidden agenda.”

“I try not to play those games. People might not agree with my fervor at times, but everyone knows exactly where I stand.”

“Fervor.” She stood and walked over to the slightly convex exterior wall which overlooked the mini-spaceport. “Raina said you’re a zealot, that you dedicate yourself completely to whatever you’re trying to accomplish.”

He joined her, standing at an angle so he could see her face. “Is there something wrong with dedication?”

“Not at all.” She glanced at him then away. The tension in her posture told him more about her mood than her words. She’d been like this, stiff and distant, ever since she returned from the jungle. “I admire the quality. It’s just hard to believe I inspired it.”

He trailed his fingertip from her shoulder to her elbow, unable to resist the temptation of her bare skin. “You underestimate your appeal.”

“It’s more accurate to say I
had been
underestimating my appeal.” For a moment she said nothing more, just stared out at the ships. “Dr. Irron gave me the first two lists of my top five matches.”

His heart lurched and his hands curled into fists. He’d hoped he’d have at least one more night with her before Irron muddied the waters. This was the first he’d heard of it. The realization jarred him out of his discontent and all the way into panic. “Have the top matches been notified?”

“Not yet.” Her features gave nothing away.

“Was my name on the list?” His breath caught in his throat as he waited for her answer.

She looked up at him and nervously licked her lips. “We can barely keep our hands off each other. Was there ever any doubt?”

He released his pent-up breath as silently as possible. She didn’t seem pleased by the news. “What were the other four names? Wait, you said two lists. Why were there two?”

“Five battle born males who want access to their magic and five males who simply want a mate.” She paused for just an instant then tilted her head. “No, that’s not accurate either. One list wants me because I’m a human/Rodyte hybrid and the other list is rebels who will benefit from bonding with a Tandori.”

Tension rippled through his body, followed closely by guilt’s sharp sting. “I wasn’t sure if you knew about the Tandori connection.”

She laughed, but it was a bitter, humorless sound. “You didn’t mention it because you were trying to protect me? I think you guys have just about worn out that excuse.”

“We’ve talked about all sorts of things and you never mentioned it to me. It was really your secret to share.”

With an impatient motion, she dismissed his claim. “This explains why you feel so threatened by Garin.” Despite the displeasure in her tone, her shoulders began to relax. “The busy male might not bother with a female, but what general would disregard a political opportunity. You’re not worried about your big brother stealing your girlfriend. You’re afraid your superior officer will outmaneuver you.”

“You mean much more to me than that and you know it.” The words came out in a menacing growl. Her stubbornness challenged his aggressive nature. If she kept this up, she’d find herself over his shoulder and they’d fight it out on the surface of his bed.

“You couldn’t possibly know what I know because
I
don’t know what I…” Her sentenced trailed away into a helpless laugh. “Do you understand why I’m distracted?”

“I didn’t intentionally deceive you.” It was important that she understood that much at least. “I didn’t want you to feel—like you’re feeling right now. You are not a commodity. You’re a treasure, someone to be cherished and—”