Defender (Battle Born Book 4) (22 page)

An unexpected smile gradually parted his lips. “I did say that, didn’t I?”

“You’ll be generously compensated as soon as the target is aboard my shuttle.”

He gazed past her for a moment, clearly lost in thought. “You don’t know what you’re asking. I helped design the security system for IG Headquarters. It’s nearly impossible to penetrate, even for someone with my skills.”

“You said ‘nearly impossible’,” she pointed out.

“I’m probably going to regret this, but give me an hour and I’ll see what I can do.” He pulled the mantle over his shoulders as if he meant to leave.

“Wait,” she called. “I haven’t told you who I need you to kidnap.”

“You didn’t need to speak her name. Your mind has been screaming it ever since I arrived.” Without further ado, he teleported off the ship.

The vision blurred, collapsing in on itself as the scene shifted then reformed. Chandar knew better than fighting against the currents of her power. Resistance was exhausting and painful, it was better to go where she was led.

She heard an indignant shriek, then, “Get your hands off me!”

The savage-looking man returned as abruptly as he’d departed and he had a struggling female in tow. His target? Most likely. Why else would he have brought her aboard? Time had passed, Chandar was certain, but she wasn’t sure how much.

“Calm down,” Pyre insisted. “You won’t be harmed if you cooperate. Believe it or not, this is for your protection.”

“You’ll never get away with this.” The new female tugged against the restraints binding her wrists, as if her anger alone would free her. She was delicate, both in features and in build. Her hair was light for a Rodyte, warm brown with golden highlights. And blue-ringed dark eyes dominated her other features.

Pyre pushed her down into one of the empty seats. “Stay there!”

The savage held out his hand and Pyre pressed her thumb into the center of his palm, likely authorizing the transaction. He watched the subdermal display until he saw what he wanted. “Nice doing business with you.” He offered her a mocking bow as he drew his mantel over his shoulders. “Have fun. She’s a wild one.” Then he vanished again.

“Let’s go.” Pyre motioned to the dark-haired man in the shuttle’s pilot seat then turned back to her prisoner. She fastened her prisoner’s safety restraints before sitting in one of the seats facing the outraged woman. “Relax. No harm will come to you
if
you behave.”

“Who was that monster? How did he get inside IG Headquarters?” She shook her head. “None of this makes sense.” When Pyre didn’t reply, the other woman continued her rant. “You said this is for my protection. So why am I bound?” She raised her wrists to emphasize her point.

Pyre smiled as she secured her own restraints. “The Tandori temper is legendary. I’m not taking any chances.”

The woman’s shock was nearly comical. Apparently, she hadn’t realized Pyre knew who she was. “If you’re after a Tandori, you’ve kidnapped the wrong person. My name is—”

“Haven Tandori. Don’t bother with denials. I have DNA tests confirming your identity.”

For a moment Haven just glared at Pyre then she switched tactics. “I was perfectly safe where I was. What, exactly, are you protecting me from?”

“Quinton was about to summon you to court so he could arrest you. When you failed to appear—which we both know you would have—he’d have sent guards to IG Headquarters. Just say thank you.”

The vision suddenly released, propelling Chandar back to reality. She emerged with a gasp and blinked until her physical eyes focused.

Danvier knelt by her chair, concern creasing his brow, silver phitons glowing. “Are you all right? Your eyes turned entirely silver. Do they always do that when you have a vision?”

“Not always, but I’m still recovering from my awakening.” Her mouth was so dry she could hardly speak. “Could you get me a glass of water?”

“Of course. Are you steady enough to sit?”

It wasn’t until he asked that she realized he was basically holding her upright in the chair. “I’m fine. You can let go.”

Chandar?
The concern in Raylon’s tone was echoed by a wave of protective anxiety.
What’s going on?

I had another vision. Where are you?

In the conference room on the
Crusader
. Do you need me?

Are you with Garin?

He chuckled.
Should I be jealous?

She was too muddled to appreciate his humor.
If it’s all right, I’ll have Danvier bring me to you.

We’re not alone
, he stressed.
Are you sure? We can come to you as soon as this briefing is finished.

No need. I have to leave my gilded cage sometime.

Then I’ll see you soon.

Danvier handed her a glass of water but hovered beside her rather than returning to his chair. “I let Raylon know what happened. They’re waiting for us in the conference room aboard the
Crusader
.”

“We’re going there? Are you sure? You still look horribly pale.”

She smiled and set down her glass. “I’m always pale, as are you.” She pushed back from the table and stood. She still felt woozy, but a change of scenery was long overdue.

The express tunnel circumvented the majority of the outpost and led them to the bottom of the commercial tiers. Each level was smaller than the last and a wide, twisting staircase connected each tier while allowing customers to see merchant signs and window displays on other levels.

Chandar headed for the staircase, but Danvier led her to an elevator instead. “I don’t want to end up carrying you.”

“Do you turn into an invalid after you have a vision?” She reluctantly stepped into the elevator.

“Level Four.” Once the car was set in motion, he answered her question. “I’m not recovering from a major trauma.”

It was a fair point, but she was getting tired of being coddled like a child. “I could have done the stairs.”

“We’ll take them on the ship if it will make you feel better.”

It wasn’t worth arguing over, so she let the subject drop.

“Did our conversation trigger the vision?” he asked as they exited the elevator.

“Yes.” Knowing she was about to explain what she’d seen, she didn’t elaborate.

“Then this involves Pyre not Milanni?”

She smiled at him. “Are you really so curious you can’t wait another few minutes?”

“I try very hard to be patient, but it’s an ongoing struggle.”

She’d had her face pressed against Raylon’s neck when she arrived on Lunar Nine
,
then she’d spent the next week inside his cabin aboard the
Crusader
. She’d been bio-streamed to the Pavilion, so this was her first in-person look at the ships. The
Crusader
and the
Intrepid
had been joined by the
Destroyer
, a large, overtly aggressive battleship, and two smaller ships. There were now six Covert Strike Ships, known as CSS shuttles or the Phantom series. The small, agile ships had numerous innovative systems that made them ideal for spy missions or anything requiring speed. The dual-level docking area could accommodate forty ships and Chandar was certain it wouldn’t be long before every slip was filled with a rebel vessel. After all, Garin had the majority of the Rodyte fleet at his command.

Danvier tucked her hand into the bend of his elbow as he led her to one of the security check points leading to the
Crusader
. After confirming their identities and clearance with a full body scan, the guards allowed them aboard.

“I didn’t locate the
Relentless
,” she told him as they walked down a short corridor. “If that’s what you were hoping.”

“That was in the back of my mind until you said this involves Pyre. Now I’m just curious.”

True to his word, he led her to a utility stairwell, but after climbing up only one level, she was shaking all over again. “You win. I’m still wobbly. Let’s find an elevator.”

He obliged without so much as a smug smile. His serene persona could make him seem detached, indifferent, but she’d glimpsed behind his mask often enough to know a caring person was tucked away inside his stoic exterior.

The conference room was on level one, adjacent to the command center. The
Crusader
was nearly indistinguishable from the
Relentless
, but Chandar had never been in this part of either ship before. Raylon was standing in the doorway as they arrived and he gave Chandar a reassuring kiss before escorting her into the room. She wasn’t sure why he was being so careful until she saw the crowd awaiting her. Apparently, she’d interrupted a full-scale briefing. Every seat at the table was filled and chairs had been set up around the room’s perimeter. Even with the additional seating, several officers stood wherever they could find floor space.

“This is Chandar Evon.” Garin motioned her toward the chair he’d just vacated. “Obviously, she’s a harbinger and she has information for us.”

She sank onto the seat and Raylon stood behind her, lightly resting his hands on her shoulders.
It will help more if I can look at you as I speak.

He immediately moved to stand beside Garin, well within her line of sight.

Everyone present focused on her and silence spread throughout the room. She was safe here. No one would harm her. In fact, each man here would fight to protect her. They were honorable men. Still, she felt their gazes moving over her face and their obvious expectation pressed her down into the chair. They were waiting for a harbinger to reveal her psychic insights. This was who she was, what she did.

Warm reassurance flowed into her mind. Raylon didn’t say anything. They no longer needed words. All she had to do was look at him with fear in her eyes and he’d rush her from the room. No questions asked. No recriminations. But that wasn’t what she wanted. She wanted to fulfil her destiny, to move beyond the fear and reclaim her true potential. After calming herself with a deep breath, she licked her lips, and looked at Raylon. He smiled warmly, but didn’t prompt her verbally, didn’t rush her in any way.

She cleared her throat and folded her hands on the tabletop in an effort to hide their trembling. “I had a vision a short time ago.” Danvier moved into her peripheral vision on the other side of the table so she shifted her gaze to his familiar face. “There was some time distortion involved, but I believe the events were taking place more or less as I saw them.”

“What did you see?” Garin’s tone was nonconfrontational, yet his meaning was clear. Get to the point as quickly as possible.

“Pyre Sterling kidnapped Haven Tandori, or actually arranged to have her kidnapped.”

“Didn’t you say Haven Tandori was Javin’s mate?” She didn’t know the officer’s name, but he was looking at Garin anyway.

“I did,” the general confirmed.

“Then someone snatched her out of IG Headquarters?” the officer looked at her this time, clearly doubtful of her information. “Harbingers are impressive, ma’am, but how in hells rings did Pyre manage that one?”

“She hired a…I don’t know what this man was, but he could teleport at the very least.”

“Did you see the man clearly?” Garin asked.

“I did. He could have been Rodyte, though he had no visible phitons. His hair was dark, but strangely styled, shaved on the sides yet long down the center. And his skin was infused with artwork.”

“Sounds like an outcast,” someone suggested. “Show her an image of Kage Razel.”

“
Crusader
, display image of Kage Razel, current leader of the outcasts,” Raylon rattled off the search criteria and a moment later a holoimage of the kidnapper appeared above the conference table.

“Yes. That’s him.” Chandar shivered, remembering his piercing eyes and savage demeanor. “Who are the outcasts?”

“They’re a group of technomages that are no longer acknowledged by the IG,” Garin explained. Speculation rumbled through the room, but a sharp gesture from Garin brought them back on task. “Do you know where Pyre took her?”

“I don’t,” Chandar admitted. “They were in a shuttle, so they couldn’t have gone too far. It was very strange. Pyre insisted that Haven had been taken for her protection.”

“Do you know her true motivation?” Kotto asked. There were so many people in the room, she hadn’t even noticed her uncle until he spoke.

“Pyre said Quinton was about to arrest Haven, so it’s possible that Pyre really was protecting her. The vision ended abruptly. Anything else would be speculation on my part.”

“Thank you.” Garin moved back across the room, obviously intending to return to his chair.

Chandar scrambled up from the chair and hurried from the room. Her heart raced and her mouth was dry again. Danvier and Raylon followed her out into the corridor.

“I’m so sorry, angel.” Raylon pulled her into a frim hug. “The room filled up moments after we spoke. I didn’t know Garin had summoned half the star system.”

“I’m fine.” She eased back from his chest so she could see his face. “A little rattled, but I’ll survive. Each time I face my fear, it gets easier. I’m getting stronger.”

“You’re amazing.” He took her face between his hands and kissed her. “I’ll be back in time for dinner and at least one episode of
Firefly
. I promise.”

“I’ll see you then.” They kissed again then she headed back to the Pavilion with Danvier.

Chapter Ten

Raylon watched Chandar walk down the hallway until she turned a corner, his chest tight with a bizarre mixture of pride and longing. She’d faced a room full of war-hardened soldiers and calmly explained what her vision had revealed. He was amazed by the progress she was making. A few short weeks ago, she wouldn’t leave his cabin and refused to speak with anyone but him. Chandar was reemerging as the strong, capable harbinger she’d been before her captivity. Her metamorphosis pleased him, but it also created a nagging worry in the back of his mind. Would she eventually outgrow her need for him?

“Does Tandori Tribe have any way of communicating with Rodymia?” Raylon wasn’t sure who asked the question, but it drew his attention back to the conference room. Leaving his disconcerting thoughts in the corridor, he returned to his earlier position in the far corner. Garin was conducting the meeting so everyone was positioned so they could see him. Raylon stood so he could also see as many of the others as possible. If anyone’s loyalty was wavering, they needed to know immediately.