Kierra's Thread (Argadian Heart Trilogy Book 2) (7 page)

Kierra’s heart thumped, her stomach churned. Not only was
she about to rescue Jarek, but for the first time in years she would again be
face to face with Odon and his odious Enforcers.

These were the males who had made her life torture. They had
taken her purity and used it against her. The remembered pain of those years
filled her mind. The only thing that had saved her sanity had been Jarek and
her link to him. And it filled her with rage to think she was unable to help
him in the same way.

But she would not fail him. They would set him free.

“Prepare yourselves.” Devon’s dark tone brought her back to
what lay ahead. Her hand tightened on the diffuser.

Devon moved to the side of the tubulator in front of Eluria.
Without saying a word, he pivoted around to Eluria, sank his fist into her hair,
and dropped his head down to kiss her. Before it could register on anyone, he
had whirled around and assumed a stance of defense.

Kierra knew her reflexes would not be as fast as the others
who had trained and fought before. She stepped to the other side behind Corbin
and Torak—not so much for protection, but so as not to hinder their aim. She
saw a flicker of emotion pass across Eluria’s face just before she crouched and
pointed her weapon, one hand steadying the other, her eyes flared burgundy bright
with determination.

Burgundy, the color of a tafai, in Union to Devon. So much
had occurred in such a short period of time. The return of her brother, his
Union with Eluria, and now the capture of Jarek. Within weeks everything had
changed. This would be a decisive moment. Whether they lived or died would
hinge on the opening of the tubulator doors and how quickly their reflexes
would respond. And how fast the Enforcers would react.

The tubulator came to a halt and the doors slid open. Before
Kierra could blink, it seemed the others had deciphered friend from foe and
flashes of light surrounded her as the diffusers found their marks and forms
disintegrated in front of her. Before she could target and get off a charge
they had overtaken the Enforcers in the room.

Devon, moving like a blur, was out the door and into the
room, with Eluria following close behind. “Out and take cover,” he shouted.
Corbin and Torak surged out of the tubulator and Kierra followed close behind.

Sliding to a stop behind a desk, she spotted Jarek and her
heart filled with rage. And then she found Odon. A black fog of hate enveloped
her—all the memories of Before surging and blinding her.

Odon. Hated, masochistic son of a swinerd. She saw the
collar around Jarek’s neck, remembered the pain in his mind. And remembered the
memory room she’d encountered accidentally. What he had done to Jarek. What
Jarek had suffered to protect her.

“No more!” Her scream released an explosive tempest tinged
by all her memories. She stood without thought to her own safety and pointed
the diffuser at Odon who was crouched behind a desk at the far end of the room.
He was exchanging fire with Devon, as Eluria, Torak, and Corbin pinned two
others at the end of the room with their diffusers.

“Kierra, get down!” Vaguely she heard Devon’s urgent
warning. But it didn’t matter. Nothing mattered but destroying once and for all
the evil that Tribunal Leader Odon represented.

Her diffuser failed to discharge. It didn’t matter. She
flung it aside. Surging across the room toward Odon, she yanked the dagger from
her belt. Ignoring everything, she hurled herself over the desk, directly at
Odon with the dagger raised. As they fell to the floor, she brought the dagger
down with all her strength and buried it to the hilt in his neck. Yanking it
out, she gripped it with both hands and drove it through his chest.

His eyes bulged, his mouth opened and closed like that of a
bluefish, and blood and foam gurgled out.

“Never again,” she vowed as she again buried the dagger
deep. “You will never hurt another. Never.” Over and over she plunged the
dagger, her memories spurring her on. Odon’s blood covered her, she wiped a
hand across her eyes to clear them.  Blood smeared across her face, the
stench of death was overpowering.

A part of her knew he was dead, but she couldn’t stop. She
raised her arm to strike again, but an iron grip stopped her.

She looked up, and found it was Devon who’d halted her.
“He’s done, Kierra.” Great heaving sobs burst from her. Tears mingled with the
blood.

She heard a movement and turned her head to see what it was.
A man dressed in a lab coat crouched beneath the desk. Moving away from Odon’s
body, she turned to the coward beneath the desk.

“Eluria,” she called. “Your ex-betrothed awaits.” Leaning
forward, she curled her blood-covered fingers into the lapels of the coat and
dragged him forward. Odon’s son, Skorda. This was the man Eluria’s father had
sought to buy for her as taman, to achieve more power. The “thing” Eluria had
managed to elude by becoming a Twilight Companion.

“Let me go! I’ll do whatever you want, but don’t kill me.”

“Why? What value do you have that you think we’d want to
preserve your life?”

Skorda’s eyes shifted back and forth like a trapped rodent
as he fought Kierra’s grip. “I’m the only one who knows how to manipulate the
mind altering program.”

Devon’s hands gripped her shoulders lifting her away from
Skorda.

“Let me handle this, Kierra.”

“No, if he knows how to manipulate the program, he can help
Jarek.”

“I know. Go with Eluria.” Devon helped her to her feet and
walked her away to where Eluria stood. “Help her get cleaned up. Kierra, when
Jarek awakens, you don’t want him to see you like this.”

She looked down at her hands and for the first time realized
what she must look like covered in Odon’s blood. Kierra turned to look back
over her shoulder toward where she knew Odon’s lifeless body lay, but Devon
blocked her view.

“No, Kierra, you don’t need to see him. He’s dead. He won’t
hurt you or anyone else ever again. We’ll see what Skorda has to barter with.
He’ll be useful in getting us out of here as well.”

Eluria put an arm around her to lead her toward a basin to
clean away some of the blood. Kierra looked to where Jarek was still
unconscious, still bound. “Release him.” She tried to break free of Eluria to
go to him, but Eluria’s grasp was firm.

“Let Devon do what he must, Kierra.” She gently forced
Kierra in the other direction.

“I need to go to him. He needs me.”

“Don’t let her thoughtwalk,” Devon said from the other side
of the room. “Skorda will attempt to revert what he’s done and it could damage
her mind, or inadvertently cause a problem with Jarek.”

“You don’t understand,” Kierra sobbed. “I need to let him
know we’re here, that he’s safe and everything will be all right.”

“We don’t know that yet. Do not thoughtwalk. That’s an
order.”

“Devon—”

“Kierra, let Devon do what he must. Let’s get you cleaned
up.”

“I can’t bear to see him like this. What if he severs the
thread, not realizing he’s safe?”

“It’s in Guardian’s hands now. Let them do what they must.”

*         
*          *

An hour later, Skorda sat back in his chair. “That’s all I
can do. It isn’t everything, but it’s more than he had. The process isn’t
supposed to be reversible.”

“Get him out of those restraints,” Kierra demanded.

Corbin and Torak looked to Devon and he nodded. Jarek moaned
and Kierra knew he was returning to consciousness. She hurried over as Corbin
and Torak helped him away from the wall and settled him into a chair.

Kierra knelt in front of him. When he opened his eyes, she
was there. She waited, her breath locked in her chest. Would he recognize her?
How much damage had Odon done?

She saw the bruises on his body, the cut to his head, and
she knew the damage done to his mind. She wanted to hold him, wanted to
thoughtwalk to be with him in mind as well as physically.

She stroked the side of his face and he opened his eyes. At
least they weren’t the turbulent stormy gray—they were green. She exhaled when
she saw the recognition flare when he looked at her.

“Kierra.” His voice was hoarse. He reached out and cupped
her face. She saw him wince at the movement. His face was lined with deep
grooves, a reminder of the pain he’d suffered. She wanted to kill Odon all over
again.

Then she saw the concern reflect in his eyes. “Are you
hurt?”

She looked down and realized although she’d been able to
wash away most of the blood from her skin, her uniform was still drenched with
it. She shook her head. “Odon’s blood.”

His gaze flickered away from her and scanned the room.
“Where is he?”

“He’s dead. He won’t be causing anyone pain again.”

“How?”

“Kierra killed him,” Eluria answered. “She got to him before
any of us could.”

Jarek looked up at her, confusion evident on his face. “What
do you mean she got to him?”

“She used a dagger. She’s been hiding one great wealth of
courage or she was just plain crazy,” Eluria said. “You’d have been proud of
her though.”

Jarek cupped Kierra’s face. “You shouldn’t have come here at
all. You could have been killed.”

“You know I couldn’t have stayed away. Would you have if it
had been me?”

He didn’t respond, but simply brushed his lips against hers
in a gentle kiss. “You saved my life.”

“Devon wouldn’t let me thoughtwalk to come to you.” She shot
a venomous look at her brother.

“He was right. You shouldn’t have come when you did. You
could have been damaged.”

“Can you walk, Bakari?” Devon wanted to know.

Jarek looked over at him. “One way or the other. I’ve had
enough of a revisit to this dwelling of Haydon.”

Devon nodded. “Our friend here, Skorda, will get us out of
here. Won’t you, Skorda? You see, he likes life and we’ve come to an agreement
on a few things, haven’t we?”

Skorda nodded but wouldn’t look at any of them. He fidgeted
and swallowed nervously. Who would have thought that Tribunal Leader Odon would
breed such a coward? She guessed it served him right.

“This lab needs to be destroyed. Corbin, do you have the
explosives? Let’s get them set and get out of here.” He turned back to Skorda.
“Now tell me about this drug and the program you used on Jarek.”

Skorda licked his lips. “Wh-what do you want to know?”

“Don’t be stupid, you white-bellied slitherer. I want to
make sure everything is destroyed. Are there any other copies of the program?
What about the drug?”

“It was still in the experimental stages. It was contained
here in the lab until my father was satisfied with its effect. This was
supposed to be the final test.” His glance flickered over to Jarek and then
away quickly.

“All right. Get those charges set and let’s get out of here.
Skorda, you get to come with us.” Devon lifted him roughly from the chair.

“What do you mean?” he screeched. “I’ve done what you
asked.”

“We’re not out of here yet. You’re going to make sure we all
get out of here safely. Let’s go.”

Corbin and Torak strode back into the room a short time
later. “All set,” Corbin said as he tossed the empty backpack onto the desk
after pulling free the detonator. “Once we’re outside the gates, I’ll press the
little red button. This place will go up like a skyfire in midsummer.”

“Bakari, you going to make it?”

Jarek rose to his feet, weaved a bit, but managed to remain
standing. Kierra moved next to him and put an arm around his waist to lend
support. Torak went to his other side.

Kierra looked at Devon. “He’ll make it. Lead the way.”

Devon pushed Skorda ahead of him toward the tubulator. “You
first, Skorda. Watch what you say and how you say it and you’ll get out of here
with your skin intact. Just remember—we die, you die first.”

Devon pushed the button and the door slid open. He shoved
Skorda inside. Torak and Kierra moved slowly, assisting Jarek. Eluria and
Corbin followed behind.

“Beam us up, Eluria.” Kierra saw Eluria roll her eyes at
Devon’s comment and she smiled.

“He’ll never change.”

Eluria punched the button. “He’s so addicted to those old
Earth shows. I sometimes don’t know how he stands himself.”

The door slid closed and they waited impatiently for it to
arrive at the top level.

Time was short and Kierra now wondered how much of Jarek’s
memories were recovered. He’d said sanctuary was gone forever. If it truly was,
she would create a new one for them. She knew he’d created sanctuary from the
memories of his beloved Serdion. It was his only retreat from the reality of
Odon.

She’d never been to Serdion when it had been a thriving
planet. She would find a way to give him back what he’d lost one way or the
other.

And then she also realized something else. Devon and Eluria
had both touched her. That had been something she’d been unable to tolerate in
the years since escaping from the compound. It had only been recently Jarek was
able to touch her without the veil of pain consuming her. She hadn’t tried with
anyone else.

But today there’d been not even a twinge. Had all that rage
and anger she’d bottled inside been released when she’d finally confronted
Odon? She didn’t know and there was no time to examine the feelings now. Once
they were away and safe again, then she would have time to understand what had
happened.

For right now she was just grateful Jarek was safe. And Odon
was dead.

As luck would have it, when they exited the building housing
the laboratory, two Enforcers pulled up in a hovercade.

“Cause any problems, Skorda, and you’ll be joining your father,”
Devon warned. “Keep it simple, but get us the use of that hovercade—now.” He
gave him a little push forward, and turned back to the others. “Wait here,
until I signal.”

Eluria looked about to protest, but then seemed to think
better of it and closed her mouth.

Kierra couldn’t hear the exchange between Skorda and the
guards, but saw them vacate the hovercade and race toward the building. Devon
turned and motioned to Eluria and the others.

Devon pushed Skorda into the back seat and motion for Corbin
and Torak to flank him on either side. Kierra helped Jarek in next to Torak and
then crushed in front next to Eluria. Once they were all settled, Devon started
the vehicle and turned toward the gate.

“What did you tell them?” Eluria wanted to know.

“That there’s been an accident in the lab and my father
needed help. The shape Jarek’s in helped to convince them.”

“How did you explain us?”

“Skorda told them I was sent to assist with Odon’s secret
project and you were part of the new team provided to assess its value to the
Tribunal.”

Eluria craned her neck. “Skorda, I’m proud of you. That was
some pretty slick thinking.”

Kierra turned around to look at Skorda. Cowardly
slitherer—and thank Symion for it. If his life weren’t his first priority, he’d
have been dead back in the lab and of no use in helping them escape from the
compound, nor in helping Jarek recover some of his memories.

Skorda grimaced when they hit a bump and grabbed for the
back of the front seat. “What are you going to do with me? I’ve done what you
asked, now let me go.”

“We’ll negotiate that later,” Devon said as they passed the
gate. “Corbin, now would be a good time to detonate those charges.”

Corbin pulled out the small black box. “Ready for some
fireworks? Cause it’s going to be real pretty.” He pressed the little red
button.

Devon didn’t stop the vehicle, but looked in the mirror.
Everyone else turned around to watch. They felt the ground rumble beneath them,
and Devon swerved the vehicle, then regained control.

The roar was followed by bursts of light cascading in the
sky above the compound. Even the walls of the compound crumbled to dust.

“How much explosive did you bring in that little bag?” Devon
asked.

Corbin chuckled. “Enough to make an impression. Wouldn’t
want anyone to forget we were here. Isn’t it beautiful?”

“Well, Skorda, guess you better come with us. Looks like
home isn’t what it used to be.”

“That isn’t what we agreed!”

“I don’t recall any particular agreement other than that
you’d get to live. I’m thinking the rebellion could use whatever information
you might have, especially regarding this new little technique your father came
up with.”

“I won’t help the rebellion.”

“Would you rather be dead then?”

Only silence met Devon’s question. Answer enough.

“Yes, well I thought so. You may even come to see our side
of things. You never can tell.”

There was no more conversation until they came to a
screeching halt next to a grouping of trees some distance from the site of the
compound.

“Everybody out.” Devon stepped out of the vehicle, pulled
out the transmitter, and the ship wavered, then appeared. “Let’s get out of
here before whoever is left tries to come after us.”

“They will come,” Skorda said. “The ships aren’t housed
within the compound. They’re kept in a bunker several kilometers away, just in
case something like this should happen.”

“Well, then, let’s move. We don’t have time to waste.”

Once they were inside and prepared for take-off, Kierra
turned to look at Jarek. “Are you all right?”

He nodded. “I am now. There’s no need to worry.”

“I almost lost you, I can’t help but worry.”

His gaze slid over her and it was like a shutter came down.
“You shouldn’t have come here, Kierra. Look at you. What you were forced to
relive.”

“You can’t mean that. How could I not come? Would you have
stayed behind?”

“That’s not the point. You’re only just recovering. How many
years has it taken?”

“Stop Jarek. Not another word. You’ve been through a lot.
You did what you had to do—well, so did I. Did you ever think that maybe I had
to do this to recover completely? That I needed to face it in order to overcome
it? Maybe I’ve allowed you to protect me too much.”

He sighed, leaned back, and closed his eyes. “I’m sorry,
Kierra. I shouldn’t be yelling at you.”

“As soon as we get back, Dr. Xander can take a look at you.
It will be all right.”

He didn’t open his eyes. “There are things that couldn’t be
reversed.”

She heard the tiredness in his voice. They needed to get
back, and he needed time to rest.

He opened his eyes and looked at her. “Don’t try to
thoughtwalk to me. Promise me.”

“Why? I want to be there for you. You’ve always been there
for me, you would refuse me this?”

He nodded. “For now. Yes. I told you, there are things that
couldn’t be reversed. I need time to assess the amount of damage.”

“Can’t I help you?”

“Not with this. Give me time.”

She was hurt that Jarek didn’t think she was capable of
helping him. But as with most males, she knew she needed to give him room. So
instead, she reached out to touch his hand.

He looked at her, first in concern, then in surprise. He
didn’t move to take her hand, but she felt a tremor pass through him. She
threaded her fingers with his. It felt so good to touch him, and not a twinge
of pain passed through her.

“All that pain and rage was locked inside me with no way to
release it. Today it was purged.”

The ship swerved suddenly. “Hold tight everyone,” Devon said
as he punched in coordinates. “We’ve got a tail. I’m going to try some fancy
piloting.”

“Can we outmaneuver them?” Eluria asked.

“I told you they’d come after us,” Skorda whined.

“Sit tight, Skorda, you haven’t lost skin yet.”

“They’ve got a bigger ship, but we’ve got better
maneuverability.”

“What about cloaking?” Eluria asked.

“Power’s low, I don’t want to take a chance right now. As I
said, we’re faster and smaller. There’s an asteroid cluster ahead. We might be
able to use that to shield us. Once we’re closer to Ednos, I’ll engage
cloaking.”

Jarek’s fingers tightened on Kierra’s. The ship shuddered as
an energy burst from the other ship skimmed them.

“That was a close one,” Devon said as he veered the ship.
“Haydon, there’s another ship coming up. What the—”

“What is it, Devon?” Eluria asked as she rose from her seat
to hurry over to read the controls on the console. “It’s not a Tribunal ship.
It looks like…the Raven.”

Kierra’s heart seemed to shudder to a stop. “Do you think
it’s—”

“I don’t know. We haven’t heard anything of him for quite
some time.”

“We’re being hailed,” Devon said.

“Hail Freelion ship. Who commands?” the voice inquired.

Eluria looked at Devon and nodded. “It sounds like Alekos.”

Devon turned back to the console. “Captain Devon Andromeda
here. Who hails and who do I have to thank?”

There was a chuckle of laughter. “So the stories I heard
were true. The vaunted Elite Enforcer himself has turned rebel.”

Eluria made a face and leaned forward. “Alekos come back
with us.”

“Ah, Eluria Zydon. I’d know that voice anywhere. Beautiful
and deadly still I would imagine.”

“Tafai to your brother as well, whelp. Come home. Kierra is
here.”

“Congratulations are in order then. It’s about time.”

Eluria turned back toward Kierra. “Come talk with him. Maybe
we can convince him to return with us.”

Kierra rose and went to the console. “Alekos? It’s Kierra.”

“Sweet Kierra. What are you doing so far from home? You
sound—different.”

“Alekos, come home. Please. We need you with us. I am
better. Come home so we can share our adventures. Odon is dead, as are my
ghosts.”

“I’m happy for you, Kierra. I can’t go back to Ednos. I’m
far past that point. Devon—take care of our family. I’m glad you’re all safe.
I’ll watch your back until you reach safety.”

“Alekos come back with us. We’ve been separated too long,”
Devon urged.

“Can’t do it brother. Maybe once the Tribunal is defeated.
In the meantime, live long and be victorious, brother.”

Devon chuckled. “You mangled that one, little brother.”

“Just checking to see if you remembered. Guess that memory
is in good working order. Over and out.”

“Alekos— Haydon, he’s stubborn.”

Eluria smiled. “Reminds me of someone else I know. At least
we know he’s alive.”

“Do you think he’ll ever come home?” Kierra asked.

“One day, I hope so,” Devon answered. “Let’s get back to
Ednos. Odon is gone, but the rest of the Tribunal still needs to be dealt
with.”

“Like my father.”

Kierra reached out and placed a comforting hand on Eluria’s
shoulder as Devon reached for her hand.

“Hopefully, it won’t mean his death,” Devon tried to
reassure her.

“He would not hesitate to take mine,” she responded sadly.

Kierra stepped away to return to her seat and give Devon and
Eluria time alone. Her gaze met Jarek’s green intent stare and she felt warmth
flood through her. She wanted what Devon and Eluria had found. And now she had
a chance to have it.

With purpose she knelt before Jarek, took his hands, and
held them to her face. “I won’t let you do what I did, Jarek. I won’t let you
hide from me.”

“I don’t plan to do that. I just need time.”

“Is it the reversal you fear, or is it because I have now
seen what you’ve kept hidden from me? What are you really worried about?”

His hands against her face were warm and strong. She turned
her head and kissed the palm of one hand, and heard his sharp intake of breath.
She wasn’t sure she could give him the time he seemed to need.

It was as though her body had been in deep hibernation and
the tingling awareness she now felt seemed to burn through her. She’d waited
years to feel this way and didn’t want to wait any longer to seal with him. Her
body was alive, primed, and ready for consummation.

Unfortunately, it was now Jarek who needed time. He’d been
so patient with her all these years. She guessed it was her turn.

“I never wanted you to know about that time. What he
demanded and what I gave. I was afraid it would change what you felt for me. I
never wanted you to feel you owed me anything. I didn’t want you to know about
what happened.”

“How could you think what I felt for you is a debt? I may
not have known all the locked rooms in your mind, but I knew the essence of who
you are. Nothing could change how I feel about you. Whatever secrets you have,
you have been by my side,
inside my mind
. I love you. You have stood
between me and the darkness for so long. Let me help you now.”

He groaned and gently pushed her from him. “Soon, Kierra..
It feels I have lost something of myself. Let me find out how much first. It’s
one thing to not be able to control what is done to the physical, but I always
had control of my inner being. This time it wasn’t just my body, he raped my
mind—took away that last vestige of control. He planned to do it in such a way
that I wouldn’t remember who I was. I would have been a thing he created in
every sense.”

When he leaned back in his chair, Kierra’s heart cried out
at the defeat she saw.

“To lose that kind of control and have no power to stop it—I
can’t begin to express what that feels like.” He glanced at Skorda. “One of the
things I’m determined is that the process he developed never finds a home with
the Tribunal or anyone else. Whatever it takes.”

“What are you trying to say, Jarek? I sense something you
aren’t telling me. Something about you—about us.”

It wasn’t that he only physically pulled away, but she felt
a tightening of the thread that bound them. As though mentally he was trying to
pull away from her as far as he could. And that frightened her more than
anything.

Kierra would try to be patient, but if he didn’t come to
her, she would go to him. She was afraid of what he might do in the meantime
and she meant to have a word with Devon to be watchful.

“I’ll give you the time you ask for. But don’t take too
long. I’ve wasted enough of our time together.”

She rose and walked back to her seat. A leaden weight sat in
the pit of Kierra’s stomach. She could only hope he didn’t become desperate
enough to try to cut the thread that bound them. That she could not allow.