Zealot (26 page)

“Who the fuck do you think you are!” The man yanked on his pants and spun as he fumbled with the fastenings. “If you—” His eyes widened as he saw Zilor.

Zilor charged toward Akim in blind fury, but the bastard slapped his forearm and triggered an emergency extraction. Akim’s body dematerialized and Zilor’s momentum slammed him into the wall on the other side of the small apartment.

The
Relentless,
like the
Phantom,
was undetectable to scanners, so he knew running after Akim was pointless. Instead, Zilor turned toward the bed, flexblade still in hand, and said, “I’ll double whatever he pays you if you tell me where he hides his ship.”

Lynn lay on her side, head propped on one hand, unconcerned with her nudity. Her powder-blue hair and gray skin tone identified her species as Lanterian, yet her sharply angled features and oversized eyes indicated other contributors to her ancestry. “Are you Bandar or Zilor?”

He cocked his head and sheathed his flexblade. Akim’s scent permeated the room, making Zilor’s skin crawl. “Are those my only two choices?”

“If you’d been Garin, Akim would have stuck around and tried to kill you. Akim despises that one.”

“What makes you think I’m one of the Nox brothers?”

She shot him an impatient look as she slowly sat up. She still made no effort to cover herself. Her large round eyes swept down the length of his body. “If you’re after Akim, you’re one of the rebels, yet the first words out of your mouth offered the sort of money most battle born soldiers don’t possess.” Her dark gaze returned to his face and she swung her legs over the side of the bed. Rather than lewdly displaying her sex, she crossed her legs and leaned back on her hands. “You better be Zilor. If there’s one out there even better looking than you, I’m in serious trouble.”

Her airy charm dismantled the rest of his anger, but being enveloped in Akim’s scent kept his heart thudding in his chest. He’d been so damn close. “Zilor Nox, at your service.” He swept his arm in front of him and bent from the waist as he made the introduction. “Please forgive the rude interruption. Are you willing to help me or not?”

“Oh, I’m willing. Unfortunately, I’m not able. According to Akim, there’s no need for an old-fashioned hideout because his ship is undetectable, even to other Rodytes.”

Which was the primary reason they had yet to force another confrontation with the bastard. He started to leave then paused, “Will you be charged for the door?”

Her leg bobbed out a lazy rhythm as she shook her head. “If the superintendent won’t fix it, I’ll sic Milanni on him. She takes good care of her girls.”

If Lynn knew nothing, it was doubtful her madam would be any better informed. Still, Zilor felt compelled to ask, “Any idea where Milanni has been these past few days?”

“Milanni don’t answer to anyone.”

He hadn’t expected any other answer. “Would you happen to know when she’ll be back?”

“Are you trying to find Akim or Milanni? If you’re looking for Akim, Milanni can’t help you. Akim has avoided her like the plague ever since their blow up over the female harbinger.” Lynn pushed off the mattress and stood beside the bed. “Did someone at the club tell you about that?”

Was she offering to fill him in or just wondering how he’d found out about her relationship with Akim? It didn’t matter. Finding Akim here had answered all his questions. The answers just hadn’t led to the desired outcome. “I know all about the harbinger.”

“Well, I’m not sure how much this is worth, but I’m willing to explain why Akim was still here this morning.” She moved closer, hips swaying, gaze filled with sensual promise.

Zilor cringed as Akim’s scent grew even stronger. He needed to move this along or he was going to lose the contents of his stomach or put his fist through a wall. “Let me hear your explanation and then I’ll determine the value.”

Her smooth gray shoulders rolled in a subtle shrug. “Technically, you’re still on Akim’s time, so what the hell. He’s a good customer, but he’s not the kind to stick around after he’s enjoyed himself. Last night he was positively bubbly. At first he refused to tell me what we were celebrating, but Lanterian wine is famous for loosening tongues.” She paused and looked at him expectantly. “Intrigued, yet?”

“Half now, half when you’ve answered all my questions.”

She smiled and her dusky blue lips made her teeth look particularly white. “You’re quite the negotiator.” She opened her hand, palm up. He pressed his thumb against the center of her palm, activating the subdermal scanner. Then he approved the partial transfer of funds with a mental pulse. “Apparently, Akim sneaked into your secret base and took pictures of the ships docked there. He was trying to find out if some newfangled spy ship had been released without the crown’s permission and ended up finding out a whole hell of a lot more.”

Dread spread through Zilor veins like ice water. “How did he sneak past our defenses? It’s not like he could have climbed a fence or something.”

“Let me see if I can remember exactly what he said. Once I got him talking, he wouldn’t shut up.” Her gaze lifted as if she were reading the answer off the ceiling. “They took the backup shield generator that was meant for his main ship and installed it in one of his shuttles. Then he just flew right in without anyone realizing he was there.”

Unbelievable.
A team of heavily armed soldiers guarded the entrance to Lunar 9 24/7, but they couldn’t respond to something they couldn’t see. “How many ships were docked when he was there?”

“Three. The little spy ship, some sort of hospital ship, and the one just like his.”

In other words, the
Phantom,
the
Intrepid,
and the
Crusader
. “What did he do with the pictures?” He knew the answer. He just needed to confirm that they were totally screwed before he told anyone else.

“He showed everything to Quinton, of course. The crown stirate has been furious with Akim ever since he lost the female harbinger. Akim was hopeful that this new info would go a long way toward restoring Quinton’s faith in him.”

“Unfortunately for me, he’s probably right.” He motioned toward her hand then authorized the remainder of the funds. “It’s been a pleasure doing business with you.”

She laughed. “Stick around, big boy, and I’ll show you what real pleasure is.”

With a distracted smile he waved goodbye and left her tiny apartment.

* * * * *

Two agonizing hours passed as Indigo and Danvier waited for Chandar to emerge from her trance. Her breathing was steady and her pulse strong so Indigo didn’t immediately call for a medical team. The last thing Chandar needed was to wake up in the infirmary, surrounded by unfamiliar men. Danvier carried his sister into her bedroom and placed her on the bed. But minutes became hours and Chandar didn’t stir, so Danvier asked Dr. Irron to come to the Pavilion and check her out.

“All her vital signs are normal,” Irron reported after scanning her from head to toe. “Her brainwaves are a bit strange, but that’s not unusual for a harbinger. I can give her something that will force her out of this, but I’m not sure it’s wise. It makes more sense to let this run its course.” Danvier and Indigo agreed, so the doctor returned to the infirmary.

That had been twenty minutes ago and Chandar still lay motionless and completely unresponsive.

“We have to do something.” Danvier paused near the head of the bed, but he was obviously reluctant to touch her.

Indigo searched her mind for the hundredth time, but nothing came to her. Vison trances were a little outside of her field of expertise. “She responds to Raylon. Is he nearby?”

Danvier shook his head. “I hate to keep involving him. This really isn’t his problem.”

“It is as long as she needs him. She’s making progress, but we can’t disregard their connection because it’s inconvenient.”

“I’m not worried about inconveniencing Raylon,” Danvier snapped, his voice sharp and impatient. Chandar seemed to be the only person or thing with the power to penetrate his customary reserve. It was obvious he loved his sister dearly. “I’m worried that Raylon will start thinking of her as his.”

“You don’t trust him?” It was only a question if he chose to respond.

“I don’t trust anyone with her.” His silver
phitons
flashed as he looked into Indigo’s eyes. “Except for you.”

Pleased by the vote of confidence, she offered him a warm smile. “Can you go get Raylon, please?”

Rather than leave the room, Danvier contacted Raylon telepathically and asked that he come to the Pavilion. “He’s on his way.”

“I keep forgetting I have a cell phone in my head.”

“Practice with Zilor. Your emotional connection will make him easy to locate.”

She nodded, acknowledging the suggestion while heat crawled up her neck. Did everyone know where she’d spent the last couple of nights? And did she even care if they did? A spark of warmth ignited deep in her belly, momentarily soothing the tension that had been twisting through her ever since Chandar collapsed. Zilor was the light, the guiding force that made the rest of this craziness not only bearable but exciting. Without him…she didn’t even want to consider what her life would be like without him. The possibility was too depressing.

Raylon arrived a few minutes later, looking dark and deadly, as always. “What’s wrong?” Alarm flashed through his gaze, making his green
phitons
gleam, but that was the only hint of emotion his rugged features revealed.

“I believe she’s in the grip of a vision trance, but we can’t rouse her,” Danvier explained.

“How long has she been out?” Raylon shouldered Danvier out of the way and sat down on the edge of the bed.

“Over two hours.”

“Chandar.” Rayon touched her shoulder but she didn’t stir. He gave her a little shake. She remained motionless. “Chandar, you need to wake up now.” His tone was surprisingly warm, yet firm. Even having seen the transformation from battle-hardened warrior to tender protector before, Indigo was amazed by the change. Raylon was an entirely different person whenever he touched Chandar.

Chandar murmured, shifting restlessly on the bed.

“Chandar, you’re safe.” He pressed his hand against the side of her face and leaned close to her ear. “I’m here now. There’s nothing to fear.”

As Indigo suspected, Chandar pressed into Raylon’s touch and turned toward him.

“That’s right, angel. Come back to us.” After a short pause he whispered, “Come back to me.”

Danvier glowered at the last phrase, but remained a step back from the bed.

Chandar rolled her head back and forth as her breathing turned ragged. “We have to warn him.” She blinked repeatedly though her eyes remained unfocused. “They’re in danger!” She cried out sharply and arched nearly off the bed.

Raylon pulled her onto his lap, supporting her back with one arm as he minimized her thrashing with the other. “Let go of the vision. Come back to us.”

Gradually, Chandar’s gaze cleared and her struggles eased. She raised her hand, lightly stroking Raylon’s bristled jaw as she whispered, “We have to warn them.”

“Warn who, Chandar? Tell me what you saw.”

She sat up and pushed her fingers through her messy hair, but made no move to leave the shelter of his embrace. Danvier’s hands closed into fists yet he’d regained control of his expression.

“I saw a throne room, huge and lavish.” Chandar looked into Raylon’s eyes, tuning out the rest of the world. “Zilor and his brothers stood before the crown stirate. They argued, but Garin refused to back down. Quinton ordered his men to arrest the brothers and they were dragged away in restraints. If they walk blindly into that meeting, they will never be free again.”

Danvier moved closer to the bed, drawing Chandar’s attention. “Is the event still fluid?”

“Yes. My vision was a warning. The events can be changed.”

“Then we must change them.” Raylon eased her to sit on the bed beside him though his hand remained at the small of her back, calming her, soothing her. “Where is Bandar?” He looked at Indigo with a knowing smile. “Zilor is about ten minutes out.” His gaze shifted to Danvier as he added, “Round up everyone and I’ll meet you in the conference room in twenty minutes. I need to finish up what you interrupted before I can give you my undivided attention.” He gave Chandar’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze before he left, but he missed the momentary panic in her eyes.

Indigo sat down next to Chandar before she could retreat completely into her fake calm. “You did really well. This was an important first step.”

When Chandar turned and looked into Indigo’s eyes her fear and desperation were visible again. “I didn’t want the visions to return.”

“How can you say that?” Indigo glared at Danvier and he immediately saw the error of his ways. “I’m sorry. It’s your life. The choice should be yours.”

Feeling sorry for the conflicted harbinger, Indigo threw him a bone. “Danvier reacted because your power is a rare and wonderful thing when used as it was meant to be.”

“It has brought me nothing but pain.” The last word sounded strangled. “I wanted a normal life, a life without envy and danger.”