Defender (Battle Born Book 4) (16 page)

“Worse, so much worse. He’s going to try to take control of the Integration Guild.”

Arrix lowered his hands and looked at her, clearly surprised by her answer. “The other guild masters will never allow that to happen.”

“We know that, but apparently Quinton doesn’t realize how much they hate him.” With an exasperated sigh, she ran both hands through her hair. “This did not turn out the way I expected.” No reason for him to know that the primary reason was a galactic misstep on her part. “As soon as we’re airborne, we have to start making coms. We have to get to the guild masters before Quinton moves on the IG. That’s the only way to avert this disaster.”

* * * * *

Five days had passed since Chandar’s restoration and still she hadn’t had a vision. Long, in-depth sessions with Indigo kept frustration from completely overwhelming Chandar, but she still felt useless. Broken.

“You can’t let this defeat you,” Indigo said as they left Chandar’s suite and entered the courtyard. One of the maintenance teams discovered a program that changed the esthetics of the common area. The fountain and benches remained the same, but the sky and surrounding images could be altered, creating a variety of settings. Currently the program created a cool, autumn scene, complete with the tranquil haze of twilight.

“I’m not sure what else to do.” Chandar sat on the edge of the fountain facing Indigo, who sat on one of the benches. “I’ve tried every technique I know and my gift still won’t engage.”

“Not every technique.” The deep male voice came from somewhere behind her.

Chandar quickly stood and turned around, moving to one side so she could see around the fountain. Vox stood just inside the archway leading to the rest of Lunar Nine. She hadn’t seen him since her restoration, had wondered if he’d returned to Bilarri. “Which techniques have I not tried?”

“The ones I taught you.” He strolled toward her, his movements smooth yet powerful. Though he lacked the height and obvious brawn of a Rodyte warrior, his body was perfectly proportioned and lean. His red phitons seemed unusually bright, yet she wasn’t sure if it was the color or a reflection of the power at his disposal. The close-clipped beard shadowing his jawline was new. In all her memories of Vox, he’d been clean-shaven. She’d always found him handsome, but now the attraction felt casual, unimportant.

His clothing, though common on Bilarri, distinguished him from the uniformed Rodytes. A hip-length tunic of red and gold was belted at the waist. His tan-colored pants were tightly braided from something that looked like leather, though she doubted it was actually animal skin. Kneehigh boots completed the ensemble, which was rich yet oddly sedate for a Bilarrian prince. And unlike the warriors, Vox appeared to be unarmed. The thought made her shiver. It was a misleading illusion. A Bilarrian mage was never without weapons.

“How do you know which techniques she’s tried?” Indigo stood as well and rushed to Chandar’s side. Her overprotectiveness was sweet, but misplaced when it came to Vox.

Chandar reached over and touched her arm. “I remember him clearly now. He’s more than earned my trust. Just like you, he’s here to help.”

Indigo nodded though her gaze remained narrowed and watchful, and she didn’t move from Chandar’s side.

Vox stepped closer, stopping just out of reach. “When your abilities remain elusive, what are the two paths by which you can access your energy?”

“Pleasure and pain.” Chandar glanced at Indigo. Did she know where this conversation was leading? Had Vox told her about his unconventional techniques? “When you trained me before I wasn’t involved with anyone.”

A warm chuckle rumbled from Vox’s throat. “I’m not suggesting we resume training. The technique is simple and your choice of partner is none of my business.” He shifted his focus to Indigo and smiled, the expression did little to counteract the power pulsing from his body. “In fact, Chandar is not the reason I’m here today. I came to speak with you.”

“About what?” Indigo had taken her suspicion down a notch or two, but tension still thinned her lips.

“I know you’ve been working with Danvier on basic concentration exercises, but one of my aunts is a soul seer. I’m more familiar with your gift than Danvier. And once I’ve taught you all I can, I’ll put you in touch with my aunt.”

Indigo looked from Vox to Chandar and back. “You’re willing to stay here and train me or would I have to travel to your planet?”

“I’d be willing to stay, for a while,” he assured her. “There are many on my planet who are interested in this rebellion.”

“Interested enough to support our cause?” Chandar suggested with a smile.

“Unlikely. I’m an observer nothing more.”

Chandar thought they’d reached consensus when Indigo cleared her throat and asked, “Do all of your techniques require…physical stimulation?”

He laughed and shook his head. “The techniques I taught Chandar are used as a last resort. You have yet to learn basic skills. There will be no need for anything else for a very long time.”

Indigo finally relaxed enough to smile. “Then I’d be honored to work with you. I’m anxious to learn all I can about my gift.”

* * * * *

Raylon widened his stance and threw a fast right hook. Garin’s head snapped to the side, but the impact didn’t slow him down. He retaliated with a vicious series of jabs. A burst of pain announced the location of each blow: ribs, shoulder, stomach, then ribs again. Raylon staggered back with a grunt then repositioned. They’d been at this for nearly an hour. Padded gloves and protective headgear kept them from doing any lasting damage, but the precautions did little to lessen the pain.

“I’m getting bored, Lasenger,” Garin growled out the warning around his mouth guard. “Stop holding back or I’ll find someone else to pummel.”

Not only was Garin his best friend, he was Raylon’s superior officer. Decades of training objected each time Raylon landed a punch. “Don’t want to mess up that pretty face.”

“My face isn’t that pretty. Now get on with it or get back to work. This is a waste of time.” Carefully keeping his fists up, he motioned for Raylon to advance.

“Just remember you asked for it.” Raylon unleashed his nanites and immediately felt a rush of strength and energy. His muscles twitched and his skin hummed as he emptied his mind of every thought but destruction. He fought better on instinct, moved faster and more accurately anticipated his opponents’ moves. Decades of discipline and lethal engagements had fine-tuned his senses and imprinted his entire body with muscle memory.

When Raylon only stood at the ready, Garin charged. Raylon pivoted at the last second and slammed his elbow into Garin’s back. Garin spun, kicking out sharply with one leg as he balanced on the other. Anticipating the maneuver, Raylon leapt over Garin’s leg then used gravity, and the weight of his body, to drive Garin to the springy floor of the training cage.

Cheers erupted all around them. Raylon ignored the noise. He straddled Garin and pounded his torso and face. Garin did his best to deflect the punches, but Raylon landed more than he missed.

A warning signal blared, yanking Raylon back to reality. He lowered his fists then scrambled to his feet and held out his hand toward Garin. Panting harshly and blinking blood out of his eyes, Garin took Raylon’s hand and managed to get his feet underneath him.

Raylon looked around. For some reason everyone in the fitness center gathered around whenever he entered the training cage. He looked at Garin’s bloodied face and grimaced. Kotto had looked even worse when they’d finished “training”. If he analyzed the reasons for his brutality, he’d end up scheduling sessions with Indigo. This was just as cathartic as the touchy-feely shit and a lot more fun.

The cage attendant, who had doubtlessly halted the fight, tossed them towels and opened the door. Raylon wiped his face and neck, expecting sweat, but mopping up a shocking amount of blood instead.

“Are you going to tell me what this was about?” Garin’s towel was equally bloody.

“You provoked me.” It was a pointless excuse but he couldn’t stop the impulse.

Garin’s scowl warned him that they were past evasions. “I provoked you because you clearly needed the release. The question is, what caused the emotional buildup.”

Raylon scoffed. “You sound like Indigo.”

“Cut the shit, Raylon. What has you so knotted up?”

He shot Garin an impatient look and headed for the open door. “Can’t you guess?” He tossed the question over his shoulder and kept right on walking. He made it to the locker room before Garin grabbed his arm and spun him around.

“Vox said she asked you to spend the night right after the restoration?” He scrubbed his face with his free hand as he let go of Raylon’s arm. “What happened?”

“She got scared.” He grabbed Garin’s towel and handed both to a passing attendant. Then he waited for the boy to move out of earshot before he went on. “I don’t blame her for any of it. It would have been shocking if she hadn’t been afraid. But she’s ignored me ever since. Won’t even look at me.”

Garin’s brows drew together, creating furrows in his forehead. “I can understand giving her some space, but it’s been almost a week. Sounds like she’s not the only one avoiding the situation.”

“I’m a warrior. I beat the shit out of people and kill things. If she were in danger, I wouldn’t hesitate.” He spread his arms and shook his head. “I don’t know how to help her heal.”

“Then ask Indigo for suggestions.” The corners of Garin’s mouth quirked as he added, “Or you could ask Vox for ideas.”

“That’s not funny. Danvier has been keeping an eye on Vox for me. That’s the only reason I’ve left Chandar’s side.”

“Well, someone has to make the next move and it doesn’t sound like it’s going to be Chandar.” The attendant returned with fresh towels and Garin headed for the showers. “Figure it out,” Garin called without turning around. “I need your head on something other than Chandar.”

Raylon lingered for a moment in the quiet locker room, alone with his troubled thoughts. Garin was right. He’d allowed Chandar to avoid him for too long. Until she told him pointblank that she wanted him to leave her alone, he was going to keep trying. A smile curved his lips as he walked toward the showers. Even if she told him to get lost, he’d do his best to change her mind. Raylon was many things, but no one had ever accused him of being a quitter.

After a thorough scrubbing, he dressed in the clean uniform he’d brought along for that purpose. He combed his hair and cleaned his teeth then looked for Garin, but the general had already departed. Raylon returned to the Pavilion via the express tunnel. But his boots skid to a stop as he entered the courtyard. The area looked completely different. Gone was the expansive sky with its multitude of stars. Instead he was surrounded by leafy trees, resplendent with all the colors of autumn.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?”

Chandar’s sweet voice played across his senses as tangibly as a touch. “It’s lovely, but who changed the programing?”

“The maintenance team found the old routine while they were running diagnostics.” She was dressed in harbinger robes and her amazing hair was bound in a simple braid, which she’d draped over one shoulder. It didn’t make sense, but he found this look even sexier than the revealing dress she’d borrowed from Indigo. Well, maybe not sexier, but more appealing, a truer representation of her natural beauty.

Should he bring up the fact that she hadn’t spoken one word to him in the past five days or just continue on as if nothing were wrong? He didn’t want to ignore it entirely, but he didn’t want to put her on the defensive either. Instead, he drew her hands to his lips and kissed her knuckles. “I missed you, angel.”

Her fingers curved around his hand and she slowly lowered her gaze. “I’m sorry I’ve been ignoring you. This is all more confusing than I’d hoped it would be.”

“I’m here for you. Whatever you need.” She rolled her bottom lip inward and pressed her teeth into the tender fullness. Desire pulsed inside him. He’d love to nibble on her lips, or any other part of her body she’d allow him near. He heard his own thought and tensed. Only Chandar had the power to make him plead like an infatuated youth. If she ever chose to use her power over him, he’d be in serious trouble.

“I’m glad you said that.” She sighed then hesitantly looked up. “I need something only you can give me.”

Despite the sincerity in her words, guilt shadowed her gaze. What did she have to feel guilty about? He should be thrilled that they were finally talking again, but his instincts engaged and he’d learned long ago to trust that nagging sensation in the back of his mind. “Name it.”

Rather than moving closer, she pulled her hands out of his light grasp and took a step back. “I haven’t been able to trigger a vision.” Her tone was hushed, as if she were confessing something shameful. Maybe to a harbinger this was shameful. It still didn’t explain the guilt.

“It’s only been a few days. You’re still healing.”

“This is too important. The rebellion can’t move forward until the
Relentless
is located and every conventional means has already been exhausted.”

He caught her hand and drew her back to his side. “It doesn’t have to be you. Danvier is a harbinger too.”

Her thick-lashed eyes looked particularly blue, the silver rings wide and shimmering. “My brother is exhausting himself with his efforts to summon a vision. If it were his vision to receive, he would have succeeded by now.”

“The same could be said about you.”

She shook her head and dropped her gaze to his chest. Her lips parted as if she’d speak and then she pressed them together.

He curved his fingers around her chin and guided her gaze back to his. “What do you need from me?”

“What you tried to give me in the shower.” She tried to look away, but he tightened his fingers just enough to prevent her retreat.

She’d just given him permission to kiss her, touch her, bring her pleasure—yet she’d never felt so far away. “What happened to not wanting to use me as your sex toy?”

“I’ve tried everything else.” Her lips trembled and her hand shook as she pushed his hand away from her face. “Strong emotions can open pathways to harbinger energy. If I allow you to touch me…” Her shoulders lifted in a helpless shrug. “I don’t know what else to do.”