Irresistible (Delroi Prophecy) (9 page)

They walked down a wide stately street a
couple of blocks before turning up a path to a three story house with wide
verandas that seemed to wrap all the way around. For a moment she felt like she
was back in New Orleans without the Spanish moss, though this place was
obviously much older. The door opened before they could knock and Sergei Trace
stepped out. His gaze went straight to Zola.

“Problem?”
she asked her friend who gave a very slight shake of her head.

“Welcome,” he said, stepping back to
allow everyone to enter. Falkor and Janice stepped out of another room. She
turned to her mate and kissed his cheek.

“I think the Earthlings need a minute,”
she said softly to Falkor who nodded. Janice indicated Parker and Zola should
follow her through the door she’d just exited. Kaje held Parker back with a
questioning look.

“I’ll
be fine.”

He let her go reluctantly. There might
be hope for him after all. And then he ruined it.
“Keep the connection open. You said he’s dangerous,”
he added
before she could bitch. He had a good point.

“Okay.”

Janice, Sergei, and Zola were waiting
when she entered and closed the door behind her.

“Britt got a message for you,” Janice
said, looking at Zola. “From her source inside Tel.”

Zola stiffened. “She can’t be trusted.”

Kaje was a still, alert presence in her
mind.

“Who? Britt? Or the source?”

“The source,” Zola said, taking a deep
breath. “That line of communication was originally started by my brother. I
took it over when he was murdered.”

“You know who’s running it now,” Sergei
said.

Zola blanched and Parker gave him a
measuring gaze. Was Zola afraid of Sergei? Was it his reputation and power that
unsettled Zola? Or was it the identity of the source?

“I have a good idea who it is. I won’t,
I
can’t
betray her. But you shouldn’t
trust her.”

“You were a committee member,” he said
harshly. “You aren’t in a position to bargain.”

Parker almost staggered under the power,
the rage, suddenly pulsing through the room.

“I’m
coming in,”
Kaje snapped.

“No!
I can handle this.”

“You need to rein it in if you don’t
want Kaje busting in here,” she said to Sergei, stepping in front of Zola. She
didn’t need Kaje’s help. She was stronger than Sergei.

“She’s Tel. You can’t trust her.”

“So are you and Janice. I trust Zola. I
don’t know you two.”

The reminder worked and the dangerous
swelling of power dissipated. Zola stepped to her side.

“Nothing with Tel is ever as it seems,”
Zola said. She looked calm, her mind was tranquil, but rage was raw in her
voice. “I haven’t snapped your neck, yet, have I? If I was still loyal to them
you would all be dead and I’d be back on Earth.”

Parker stared at Zola. Hell, they all
did.

“I think it’s time we all start sharing
some secrets,” Janice said.

Zola shuddered, took a deep breath. “I
apologize. I rarely lose my temper.”

Janice nodded. “Rage can be a dangerous
thing,” she said softly. “The source can’t be trusted?”

Zola shook her head and Janice handed
her a printed message. “We haven’t tried to break the code yet, but that’s just
a courtesy.”

Zola bent her head to read it. “She says
there were six surviving committee members including herself and obviously not
counting me. One is dead. She doesn’t say but I’m assuming she was responsible.
Before he died she verified he has spies on Delroi and informants within the
rebels. She says she’s going to try to find out their names.” She paused. “She
must have another source to go to. Probably another committee member,” she
mused.

“Who sent this message?” Janice asked,
softly, gently.

Zola was quiet so long Parker didn’t
think she’d answer.

“Anna Leigh Gray. My mother.”

Silence could be a cold, lonely, angry
thing. If it was anyone else Parker would have wrapped her arms around them to
comfort. Zola wore her pain like armor. She shot Parker a small smile,
appreciation and affection on a narrow mental thought.

“I don’t know what she’s up to,” Zola
said, handing the paper back to Janice. “But she can’t be trusted.”

Kaje didn’t announce his entrance this
time, and Vidar and Falkor followed. Falkor was clearly suspicious. Vidar went
to stand at Zola’s side, his stance that of a protective older brother.

“Do you think she has the names? Or can
get them?” Janice asked.

“I don’t know. But if she does, you can
be sure it will come at a price.”

“And what about you?” Sergei asked, still
distrustful, and from what Parker knew about his past she didn’t really blame
him.

“Ask Britt how long that Tel source has
been available to her. My brother was killed five years ago.” Her smile was
brittle. “I took over for him then. You’re on my short list of those who could
have killed him, by the way. The only reason I never came after you was I knew
you didn’t know who you killed.”

His expression went blank. “Who was he?”

“You would have been told he was an
enemy agent. In Chili. I don’t know what name he was using,” she said.

Parker saw relief flash over his face. “It
wasn’t me. I never had a job there.”

Zola nodded. “That leaves two.”

“What are we going to do about Tel?”
Janice said, changing the subject.

Parker knew there was only one real
option. “Let them come to us,” she said.

The others turned to look at her, except
for Kaje who stood behind her, arms wrapped her waist. She shrugged. “Will they
be able to resist striking at all of us at one time in one place?”

“The Rebirth Celebration,” Zola said, in
case anyone didn’t know what Parker referred to.

“Yep.”

“You’re assuming they can get here in
two weeks time or will be able to mobilize that fast,” Falkor said.

“I’m assuming they already
have
. I just think we should be ready
for them to strike then.”

“Why do you think they’re already
moving?” Janice said.

“The rebels made a move for us the day
we arrived. If they are in contact with Tel that would have been passed on
then. They would have known who rescued us before we got here, probably within
hours of the rescue.”

Falkor and Janice exchanged a long look
and Parker knew they were talking telepathically. For a second, she was envious
before she reminded herself Kaje was unlikely to be capable of the depth of
commitment she saw in the other couple.

“Can we pass on a message for you? Would
that make her more likely to share her information?”

Zola shook her head. “Don’t give her any
verification that I’m here or alive. If you haven’t done so already.”

“We haven’t responded to it at all.”

“You should deny all knowledge of me,
but ask for these names if she gets them. She’ll know you’re lying,” Zola said
with a shrug. “But we
are
spies.”

“Not anymore,” Janice responded, softly,
a hint of admonishment in her tone.

Zola’s lips curved in an almost
imperceptible smile. “That dream is easier for you than me. One day. Maybe.”

“She
doesn’t trust us to protect her,”
Vidar said.

“I
don’t know much, but I suspect she was raised in a nightmare,”
she
responded. And she was struck by his concern, by his protectiveness.
“Is she your der’lan?”

“No.
But I think she has one. Back at the Keep.”

Parker almost felt bad for him, whoever
he was. If he expected to crack open Zola’s heart he had a long road ahead.

Chapter Ten

The next two days passed in a blur. Kaje
was so busy dealing with the trade agreement that he barely had time to
register the revelations of their arrival. The agreement wasn’t really a trade
contract either, though the final proposals would be finalized today. They’d be
leaving for the Keep right after lunch. He knew Parker had enjoyed herself, but
he’d be damned glad to go home and have her to himself. Falkor shoved a tablet
under his nose, the final paperwork.

“You aren’t paying attention,” his old
friend said. His tone was dry and mocking. “Must be besotted.”

Kaje laughed. “You think?”

Before he met Parker, he would have
taken exception to the accusation. Now he didn’t really care. Falkor snorted.

“Definitely.” A moment’s pause. “I
noticed you allow your woman to go armed.”

Kaje cocked an eyebrow. “So do you.”

Falkor nodded. To tell the truth, Kaje
wasn’t sure how he felt about that. However, Lady Rona had made Parker a
priestess and he had no legal right to interfere with the goddess cult, even if
that meant his mate went out and about the city making herself a target. They
would have a very intimate conversation about that later and reach some kind of
compromise they could both live with, he was sure. For now, in this place, he
didn’t expect any trouble so he wouldn’t protest too much. Besides, he liked
knowing she could defend herself in more ways than one. Not that he’d ever
admit that to her. He focused on the screen before him.

“This is pretty standard. The exceptions
are with movements of the Green clan around the southern clans.”

“They want to be treated as one of us,”
Falkor said softly. “The interesting thing is how they want to do that.”

They wanted to make an alliance with Barak,
staying neutral, but with the benefits the Clan of the Keep had.

“We have conditions,” Kaje said. “First,
Barak has to approve, of course. They would have the same obligations that we
do, and be answerable to us as well as you. Second, they have to come to the
Keep to do this. We can’t agree to parts of it without the approval of the
goddess’s high priestess and that part they have to take up with her.”

The Green Zone’s chief had actually
asked to have the clan’s goddess temple reopened. It was an unprecedented
request and Kaje wasn’t sure what to make of it.

“Agreed,” Falkor said. “He’s already
spoken to Lady Rona. I think you
der’lan
is taking the other ladies there now.”

“We’re more concerned about what their goal
is. This clan has never sworn allegiance to anyone but the Overchief and
they’ve never been in an inferior bargaining position as far as trade goes.”
Kaje paused. “They have a higher female birth rate too, so it isn’t access.”

“I have no answers for you,” Falkor
said.

“I suggest we invite them to the Keep
for the celebration. Wait to make the final decision after everyone meets in
person.”

“Can we afford to make them angry? They do
control most of the food production on the planet.”

Kaje shrugged. “They still need us as
much as we need them, and we have Earth as a new resource.”

Falkor leaned back with an amused
expression. “You are as devious as they say, aren’t you?”

Kaje grinned. “Raised from the cradle.”

“There is definitely more to this than
we’re hearing. Too bad Roarr couldn’t come.” Falkor’s smile was biting. “Why is
that?”

Kaje had known this would come up. “His
mate is pregnant. He isn’t in a frame of mind to let her out of the Keep or to
spend a night away.”

Falkor looked half happy and half insulted.
“Why didn’t he tell me?”

“There wasn’t time to send a paper
message and we want to keep this quiet as long as possible. There is too much
attention on the Earthling mates as it is. Especially these three. At this
time. The prophecy…”

Falkor shot him a pointed look. “Your
mate is one of those women.”

Kaje was still adjusting to that and it
wasn’t easy. He was a warrior. He was supposed to protect his mate. But this
was prophecy, and even though she was a healer, she was also a warrior.

“My mate is one of those women,” Kaje
finally said. “The Keep will stand by them. Will always stand with them.”

Falkor looked at him a long time. “Even
Zola?”

Kaje saw something in Zola, a loyalty
and honor and determination, he doubted few others saw. And he knew damned well
she was Jarek’s mate. She might be a little bad, but she wasn’t evil. She’d
make a damned good warrior.

“Even Zola,” Kaje said.

Falkor nodded. “Then the Traces stand
with you, old friend.”

***

Parker was surprised that she liked
Janice. She wore this perfect ice queen socialite shell, but she had a dry,
sarcastic humor that spoke of intelligence and assurance. They met in the foyer
on their last day in the city. Janice, Parker, and Zola. All three of them wore
black combat pants and boots. There they differed. Janice wore a black t-shit
like any military issue they’d see on Earth. But Parker and Zola had married
their Earth bottom attire with the blood red tops worn by the goddess cult on
Delroi. Then they’d strapped on weapons. She was relieved to see Janice had
done the same. Several warriors looked on with disapproval, but none said a
word. She was wearing goddess colors. Had the tattoos. They couldn’t say
anything. And after everything she’d been through over the last half year? There
was no fucking way she was going unarmed. The men on Delroi would just have to
accept that their world was changing.

“Are the others here yet?” she asked.

“They’re going to meet us on the way
since we’re walking.”

They were going to check out the city’s
goddess temple. Rona had got a request for some of the senior ladies in the
city to see it, to reopen it, and asked Parker to escort them. It made her
nervous. She was terrified she’d screw it up. Do something wrong. Say something
wrong. Rona had just laughed and said to relax. So here she was, leaving the
house and going to meet the women who were mated to the top leaders in the clan
so they could have a look inside the goddess temple. She didn’t like it. It
felt crass. It felt like a set up. She felt watched every freaking step of the
way. Zola caught her eye.

“I feel it too,” she said softly. “Something
is very wrong.”

But then they turned a corner and their
party was waiting for them. One of them was the healer from the ship, Erika,
and Parker started to relax a bit. She hadn’t spent a lot of time with the
woman, but it was enough to know she was solid. The other two women were
introduced as the clan chief’s wife and daughter. They had their own guards
with them, and the women were chatty. Parker tuned them out and let Janice deal
with the small talk. It wasn’t long before they reached a large square with a
temple on each corner. The goddess temple was easy to identify and Parker
turned in its direction. She climbed up the steps and set her palm on the
access plate. By then, they’d drawn a crowd. She figured no one had been inside
for awhile, but she didn’t find what she expected. It wasn’t dusty. It didn’t
have that odd musty smell old buildings did.

The women entered and the local men
moved to follow them. She stepped forward and shook her head. “You can’t come
in here. You know that.”

“I can’t leave my chief’s
der’lan
unprotected.”

She shrugged. “That’s your business. No
male may cross this threshold and you know it. They knew it when they made the
request.”

His face twisted in protest and he took
a step forward anyway. Vidar blocked him.

“You want to try going through a Keep
warrior to get in there?” he asked softly. Dangerously.

With a muttered curse and a glare, the
other warrior backed off. “It’s on you then, Lord Stian.”

Vidar gave him a slow lazy smile that
almost made her cringe.

“In
the mood to start a fight?”
she asked.

“I
don’t like bullies.”

His response was short and curt so she
assumed there was some kind of history between them.

“No.
I just know the type,”
he added, picking up her
curiosity.

“Well.
Thanks. We’ll be fine.”

He flashed her a grin. “I know. Go do
your thing, priestess.”

She couldn’t help but grin back. Then
Parker stepped inside, activated the pressure plate to close the door, and
turned to face the others. Marina, the Green Zone chief’s wife, exhaled a long
sigh of relief and suspicion that was suddenly stark on her face. What the
fuck?

“You look like a woman who’s not sure
where she’s safe,” Janice said softly.

Marina never looked at Janice though.
She held Parker’s gaze several long seconds before lifting her sleeve to reveal
her forearm. The goddess tattoos stretched down her arm. The situation kept
getting odder.

“Are you seeking sanctuary?” Parker
asked. “You could have gone directly to Rona for that.”

Marina smiled, a brief flash of joy in
her eyes. “I would never abandon my mate or my clan.”

“But?” Zola asked.

“We have recently acquired information about
a…theft that the Keep will be interested in.”

Parker arched her eyebrows. “You should
be going to Roarr or Kaje then. Not me.”

“This is the most secure way to pass
along the information. It’s the only place we could be sure there are no
recording devices and no way to intercept a non-tech message.” She paused. “Besides,
you’re a priestess and Kaje Stian’s mate, right? Rona trusts you. I trust Rona.”

Holy shit, she was not expecting that.
She’d figured Rona was feeling her out, or indulging her. Trust? That was an
expensive commodity. It made her uncomfortable. She didn’t want it. Or did she?
She couldn’t deny she found it damned hard to resist Kaje. Could he be what he
promised? Did she want him to? Fuck yes. It wasn’t just the sex either. As much
as she tried not to read him, some things were unavoidable. Smart, strong,
loyal. There was a lot to admire in Kaje. But was he capable of fidelity to one
woman? And she had no business of thinking about that now.

“I am a priestess,” she acknowledged,
without confirming a connection with Kaje. “And the rest of my allegiances
belong to the Keep.”

Because even though priestesses belonged
to the goddess cult they had a home clan. Marina gave her a short nod. “Fair
enough.”

“What’s your information?” Parker asked.

“We have a contact among the rebels.”

“What? How?” Janice stepped in and her
mind, her authority radiated. Pure assassin. Pissed and so powerful. Parker
didn’t blame her. She had hoped coming to Delroi meant no more rebels. No more
attempts to catch and contain and use her.

“It’s not like you think, Lady Trace,”
Marina said mildly. “Someone approached a family member. We thought we’d check
it out. Rebellion doesn’t do us any good. It hurts our clan, frankly.”

“Huh,” Janice said, her tone musing and
speculative. “So you have a spy in the rebellion.”

“Yes.”

“Who?” Parker asked. She needed that
name. Whoever it was, he would affect her future.

Marina shook her head. “I can’t give you
his name. However, I have other information.”

“You want to trade,” Zola said, her
voice hard and cold. “That’s what this whole visit has been about.”

“No. We’ll give you what we know, except
the informant’s name, and hope that you see that as a show of good faith.”

“We
could take it from her mind,”
Zola said to Parker.

“That
makes us as bad as Tel.”

A heavy sigh in her mind.
“Being the good guys sucks.”

Parker might have been worried but she
heard an edge of amusement under Zola’s tone.

“What information do you have?” Janice
asked.

“We think that the Petra clan and the
Bana clan have banded together with Earthling rebels to defeat the Torfas and
Traces.”

Parker was pissed. Not that there was
rebellion brewing on Delroi. She already knew that. She hated being uninformed
and Kaje, given half a chance, wouldn’t tell her shit. But what really pissed
her off was her new start was already getting fucked with. She reached out to
Kaje.

“You
have a problem. A serious one.”

“Parker?
What’s wrong, mate?”

“Are
you with the Green Zone chief?”

There was a pause in her mind.
“No.”

“What’s the theft you’re worried about?”
she asked Marina, using her abilities to encourage an answer while also sharing
her mind with Kaje.

“I don’t know. But I do have the
coordinates.”

“Give them to me,” she said and shared
them with Kaje. He was already aware of the location. He had been there. And
hadn’t told her a damned thing.