Consort (Beyond Ontariese 6) (30 page)

“
Where are your women?” Her
breasts swelled into view with each deep breath. “The only reason
you would want to make sure E’Lanna isn’t pregnant is if …
This isn’t about ransom, is it?”

Echo knew she was breathing
too fast. She pressed her hand over her chest and looked away from
her captor. She couldn’t think with his piercing gaze focused on
her. His hair had come loose during their tussle in the exercise
room. The wavy strands softened his angular features, made
him
almost
handsome.

The things he’d described still played
through her mind. She pictured herself bound and naked while he
aroused her until she screamed. Despite his misconception, she
wasn’t a virgin. Her experience was limited, but his erotic threat
had sent her senses reeling. Only once had a lover touched her
intimately with his mouth. The brief, hurried caress had distracted
her, teased her, and made her long for more.

What is wrong with
me?

He wanted to mount her,
cover her, like a stallion covers a mare. Breeding. This had
nothing to do with ransom. She was here to be
bred
.

Her eyes widened, and she staggered
back a step. Icy realization clarified her mind. Stories from her
childhood, whispered horrors she’d nearly forgotten, came back in
terrifying waves. “We’re in the Shadow Maze.” She held up her hand,
as if the feeble gesture could ward him off. “You’re a Shadow
Assassin.”

This couldn’t be real! She flung
herself toward the privacy panel. His arm banded her waist,
bringing her up short. She struggled against his hold, kicking back
at him and clawing his arm. She had to escape! Learn everything she
could about this place and … No one ever escaped the Shadow
Maze.

He wouldn’t just mount her; he’d take
her over and over until she got pregnant. Then he’d keep her here
until she delivered the child. If the child was male, she’d be
released, but the child would stay with him. If the child was
female, he might release them both, or he might try again. Either
way her mind would be scrambled. Every woman released from the
Shadow Maze had only fragmented bits of memory. Some welcomed the
oblivion. Others mourned for the child wrested from their
arms.

The warlords had been searching for
this place for decades to no avail. How could she hope to
escape?

“
I can’t do this.” She
sobbed. “Please, don’t make me do this.” Fear dissolved her anger,
and her knees buckled. He swept her into his arms and crossed the
room, sitting her on one of the chairs arranged against the wall.
She wept, her face buried in her hands.

“
The situation is only as
unpleasant as you’re determined to make it.”

That brought up her head. “What is
that supposed to mean?” She wiped her tears on the back of her hand
and glared at him.

“
I heard enough of your
conversation with the blond man to know you’re curious about sex.”
His tone was even, yet under the calm she sensed determination.
“Unlike most men, we are trained in the art of pleasure. We have
only one mate, and she is often reluctant. So, we learn what will
please her most. I know techniques that would make an experienced
woman tremble. I will assuage your curiosity as no man in the world
above can.”

He’d seen her with Lor,
heard their teasing banter. Lor had been kissing her when they
attacked. He might believe she was a virgin, but he knew she wasn’t
afraid. He stood just out of reach, his hands clasped behind his
back. “I’m not
that
curious.”

His lips twitched, and he shook his
head, then surrendered to the smile. She crossed her arms over her
breasts, her heart fluttering madly. His eyes sparkled when he
smiled and distinct brackets framed his mouth. Lowering her gaze to
the center of his chest, she gave herself a mental shake. He was
ruthless. She couldn’t afford to be drawn in by a charming
smile.

“
This is going to happen,”
he said in the same calm tone. “The only question is when and in
what manner.”

“
How
comforting.”

In an effort to avoid looking at her
captor, Echo glanced around her cage. Firestones were inset at
regular intervals high on the stone walls. As well as providing
light and warmth, the shimmering crimson stones detracted from the
endless gray. A rustic table with four chairs occupied one corner,
while a massive bed dominated the opposite end of the oblong
room.

There had to be something she could do
to stop this, something she could offer him—other than her body.
She was not without resources. One of the men in the training room
had referred to him as commander. He was obviously no ordinary
soldier.

Preparing herself for the most
important negotiation of her life, she met his gaze. “Any woman can
give you a son. Why squander this opportunity on such a paltry
outcome? My father is Head Master over all the Mystics, and my
mother is High Queen. Surely you can think of
something—”

He struck like a coiled serpent, fast
and accurate. His fingers tangled in her hair as he leaned down and
brought his face close to hers. “My son will descend from the two
most powerful Mystics on this wretched planet. What could be more
important than that?”

“
If you’re bent on this
demented course, then you don’t need my sister.” She grabbed his
wrist, but he wasn’t really hurting her, just exerting enough
pressure to keep her still. “Let E’Lanna go, and I’ll—”

“
You’re in no position to
negotiate. You will bear my son, and your sister’s master will be
chosen as soon as we are certain she isn’t already
pregnant.”

He pulled her to her feet and spun her
around, unfastening the gown with shocking ease. She reached for
E’Lanna, scanning without specific communication. E’Lanna sensed
her and expanded the link, allowing Echo to see through her eyes.
The holding cell was a stone cube with a bunk, a stool, and basic
utilities.

I reached Father, but I
didn’t know what to tell him. I don’t know where we
are
. The thought whispered in her mind
accompanied by a ripple of frustration.

Echo waited for her captor to react.
His hand stroked from the small of her back to the nape of her
neck, but he said nothing. Had E’Lanna figured out who held them
and why?

Is he still with
you?

Echo answered with a wave of anxiety,
unwilling to push her luck. He eased the gown off her shoulders and
down her arms. She clutched the front to her breasts as his fingers
explored her back and shoulders.

I’m so
sorry
, E’Lanna whispered.

How was she supposed to respond to
that? He pulled the rest of the pins from her hair and raked his
fingers through the long strands, unwinding the curls and freeing
the braids.

Do you want me to stay
with you?

Echo shuddered at the
thought.
No. There’s nothing you can
do
.

About the
Author

Anything-but-Ordinary is
Cyndi's creed and her writing reflects her dedication to the
concept. She writes in a variety of genres, but seems happiest in
outer space. Her books have been nominated for numerous awards,
and
Taken by Storm
was named Best Fantasy/Science Fiction Romance of the year by
Romance Reviews Today.

She lives in Colorado with her high
school sweetheart turned husband of many years. With a pampered cat
curled on the corner of her desk, she dreams of fascinating words
and larger than life adventures -- and wouldn't have it any other
way! 

Webs
ite / Blog: 
http://www.cyndifriberg.com