fortuneswheel (76 page)

* * *

A false dawn lit the sky as Kusac left Vanna in the garden by the house. He was glad Carrie had pushed them together. Vanna was sweeter than any Sholan female he'd known, and he was pleased to have had the opportunity to know her body and mind better.
He padded silently upstairs into their rooms, nodding to Kaid as he passed him. Carrie was still fast asleep, as was Chena in her makeshift bed. A note lay on the drawer unit and he stopped to read it.
"Brynne called at the sixteenth hour, asking for Vanna or Kusac. When I said neither of you was available, he broke the connection. He seemed displeased over something."
He shrugged, screwing up the note and throwing it in the bin nearby. He had expected as much. That was something Vanna would shortly be sorting out for herself. Heading for the bathroom, he took a quick shower, luxuriating in the warm water. The walk back had been chilly.
Going over to the bed, he checked Carrie again. She was beginning to stir. Her hand reached unerringly for his, giving it a gentle squeeze.
You're back?
I'm back.
He sat beside her.
Not there. Come in beside me,
she sent sleepily, moving over to make room.
He got up and crawled in beside her, sliding an arm under her neck and her uninjured side.
You feel better now, more relaxed, and you smell nice.
She wriggled closer to him, pillowing her head on his chest.
Strangely enough, I am. From what Vanna and Brynne
have experienced, I didn't expect it to work for me.
He relaxed against her, enjoying being close to her again. There was a rightness about the feel of her both mentally and physically, something that Vanna, being Sholan, had lacked for him.
Brynne hasn't been with someone he cared about. I know
you don't see Vanna as a lover,
she sent hastily, feeling his rebuttal,
but I know that, like me, you feel something special
for her.
Kusac subsided, knowing she had correctly sensed his feelings for their friend.
I don't think it eased Vanna's predicament,
he sent.
She was more tense than before when I
left her. It was dangerous to pair with her, she believes herself to be too much in love with me. I think your plan could
go wrong.
We'll see. Remember, Brynne was experiencing what she
experienced, and from what you say, her physical need
hasn't been diminished, nor will it be until she's with him.
Kusac yawned.
We'll see. I cut Brynne out at the start be-
cause I don't appreciate an audience. He called earlier.
When I left her, Vanna was going back to the guild. I hope
she can handle him after this. It won't exactly endear either
her or me to him.
When she realizes you can't satisfy her, that only Brynne
can,
she continued, ignoring his protestations,
her attitude to
you will change, you'll see. Not that I mean to infer you're
lacking as a lover,
she added hastily, running her hand across his chest.
"Honestly, Carrie," he murmured, wrapping his other arm around her waist and hugging her as tightly as he dared, "first you throw me at Vanna, then you try to arouse me yourself! I've had enough excitement for one night. Let's just hope you're right. Now go to sleep," he said, relaxing his hold on her.
Do you regret not having a Sholan Leska?
came the wistful thought. She felt the equivalent of a mental laugh.
Jealous? Don't be. I'm not in love with Vanna, and we
both discovered that even leaving the Leska bond aside, a
Terran lover has something no Sholan could ever have,
he sent sleepily.
What's that?
she asked, but he was already asleep.

* * *

Kaid woke to someone shaking him. He reached out and grabbed at him just as he realized it was Rulla.
"Kaid, it's Dzaka. He's gone, and he's taken Vanna with him."
Kaid sat up, blinking. "What d'you mean, taken Vanna?"
"I was on patrol near the garages when Dzaka came up behind me and knocked me out. I came to just in time to see him lifting Vanna into an aircar."
Kaid began to swear as he pushed the covers back and got up. "Are you all right?" he asked, throwing a quick glance at Rulla as he pulled on his jacket.
"I'll do," he said, gingerly touching the back of his head. "It happened about an hour ago. I've no idea where he was taking her."
Kaid fastened his belt, pulling his gun from under the pillow and pushing it into the side holster. "Tell T'Chebbi what's happened while I try to contact Brynne. He must have some idea of where she is. Dzaka will regret this night's work," he said coldly.

* * *

Vanna was just beginning to come round as she felt the aircar being buffeted from side to side by heavy winds. An involuntary groan escaped her before she could stop it.
"I'm sorry I had to treat you so roughly, Physician Vanna, but I needed you to come with me, and I knew you wouldn't come voluntarily."
She recognized the voice. It was Dzaka. Groggily, she pushed herself up into a sitting position. Her head ached, and as she put her hand up to it, she realized why. There was a lump on the back of it where Dzaka must have knocked her out.
"Don't bother trying to reach your Leska, Vanna," he said apologetically. "I gave you a dose of one of your suppressant drugs. You won't be able to use your Link."
"What the hell are you doing, Dzaka?" she demanded, bracing herself as the craft was hit by the crosswind yet again. "Why have you kidnapped me? Where are you taking me?"
"Kidnapped's a harsh word, Vanna. I'm merely borrowing you for a few hours."
She could feel the craft starting to descend.
"We're almost there."
"Where the hell is 'there'?"
"Dzahai Stronghold," he said. "Now I'm afraid I must ask you to be quiet while I concentrate on landing. The wind's unusually strong tonight. It might be wise if you took one of the seats and fastened the safety belt."
She sat silently till the craft came to a stop and Dzaka had turned off the engines. "Why couldn't you have just asked me to come here with you?"
"Because Kaid wouldn't have allowed it," said Dzaka, turning round and getting out of his seat. "Now if you would be so kind as to come with me without making a fuss, I'd appreciate it. They are expecting us."
Realizing there was no point in struggling or trying to run from him, she left the craft peacefully. Holding her by the arm, he led her across to a side entrance then up the flight of stairs till they came to a wooden door. Knocking first, he pushed the door open and took her in.
A figure dressed in long purple robes rose and came over to greet her. "Thank you for accepting our invitation, my dear," he said, holding his palm out to her. "My name is Lijou. I'm head of the Priests of Vartra. My colleague is Ghezu, Leader of the Brotherhood."
Vanna ignored the outstretched hand. "I've been brought here against my will, and drugged so I can't reach my Leska," she said, her voice low and angry. "I demand to be taken back to the Aldatan estate immediately."
Lijou turned and walked back toward the desk set in the center of the room. "Oh, I think you'll be glad we... persuaded you to come when you've seen what I want to show you," he said. "Bring her over, Dzaka, if you please. You see, Physician Kyjishi, we have need of your experience, and your professional eye."
Despite trying to dig her claws into the thick carpeting underfoot, Dzaka urged her over toward where Ghezu sat. A white cloth covered the desk, concealing what was on top of it.
"In return for identifying these objects, we're prepared to offer you something we hope you will consider carefully," continued Lijou.
"We're offering you membership in the Brotherhood," said Ghezu. "With us you needn't fear that we'll treat you the way the Telepath Guild did. We've more respect for our members. Since you and your Leska can fight, here you can train those skills without the mental discomfort you would suffer at the Warrior Guild."
Vanna looked at them in disbelief. "You've had me knocked out, drugged with psychic suppressants, and kidnapped here, and you say you'll treat me better than the Telepath Guild? Do I look like a congenital idiot?" she asked angrily, trying to pull away from Dzaka, who continued to hold onto her firmly.
"I regret the necessity for our less than gentle treatment," said Lijou. "However, it will not be repeated, I assure you. We want your cooperation not your fear. Will you look at what we have to show you now that you're here?"
"Forget it! I refuse to help you at all! If you want my cooperation, return me to the Aldatan estate then invite me here. I might just come, but I wouldn't bet on it," she said sarcastically.
Lijou lifted the cloth off the table. "Just look, Physician Kyjishi. We needed someone with a medical background who could identify these remains."
Despite herself, Vanna looked. With a hiss of indrawn breath, she moved closer to the table, reaching out to touch the bones lying there.
"Where the hell did you get these? They're Valtegan bones!"
"They were found in one of our ancient ruined cities," said Lijou...