Sarazen's Vengeance: Book 1.1 (20 page)

“Yes, but did you 
see
 your sire take his last breath?” Brennaugh pressed. Staring him down.

After a time, Ohlen had to admit he had not in fact seen his sire die. He recalled the hot taste of the blood in his mouth. The gurgling sounds his sire made as he dropped to his knees. But because of the rage, the blood-lust, Ohlen had turned and run into the night. Into the forest.

It was some time before Brennaugh spoke, but when he did, there was a note of triumph in his tone.

“You were not present the night of the celebration.”

Ohlen tilted his head, frowning at his fellow warrior. “No, we were not. I was told it was a spectacle.”

Brennaugh’s lips quirked slightly. “It was. Especially the moment when Tarek’s sire tore the heart from T’mai’s false mate. With his bare hand. I must contact Falken. We are nearly to the citadel. Return to your quarters. I will contact you when we are clear to disembark.”

****

Ohlen was still looking a little shell-shocked by the time the door to their quarters closed. He sat down on the end of the bed and hung his head. Elbows braced on his knees, his hands clasped behind his skull. His posture screaming his discomfort and disbelief. Andi supposed it wasn’t every day that someone told you the person you’d spent your entire life thinking you’d killed, wasn’t dead. She didn’t know what to do. Leave him be? Try to comfort him?

“I cannot tell if you hesitate there because you no longer wish to touch me. Or for some other reason.” Ohlen’s voice was a hoarse rasp.

It jerked on her heartstrings to hear her immensely strong warrior sound so low. Andi was across the room within seconds. She pushed on his shoulders and hopped up to straddle his thighs. Sitting astride his lap so she could hug him and have them eye to eye at the same time.

“I hesitated because I don’t know what to do. How to comfort you. I didn’t hear you say a single thing that would make me not want to touch you.”

Ohlen gave a soft grunt, closing his vibrant eyes to rest his brow on hers.

“Did you not hear me say I tore out my sire’s throat?”

“I did. How old were you?”

He drew in a deep breath, swallowing thickly. Thoughtfully quiet for a moment.

“To be honest it has been so long I am not certain. Twelve, perhaps thirteen of your Earth years.”

Twelve or thirteen years old. By Sarazen standards, he would have been a baby still. A cub. One who had just witnessed his father brutally kill his even younger brother and his mother. She stroked her hands over the markings on his skull. Touched her lips to his brow and sat there like that for a minute.

“What I heard you say, was even as a boy you had the heart of a warrior. Is that one of the memories you didn’t share with me?”

He nodded. Lifting his face again so he could rub his nose up alongside hers.

“After my sire, after I thought I had killed him, I ran into the forest. I let my beast take over. Let the blood-lust consume me. There would be days of lucidity. Days I would wake with the remnants of smaller animals, sometimes larger animals in pieces all around me and no memory of having massacred them. Tarut was once the most sought after tracker. He would go into the wilderness for days at a time to hone his skills. He caught my scent on one of these excursions. Tracked me for weeks before he finally caught me and brought me back. I did not share these memories for fear that you would think less of me. Or perhaps prevent you from trusting in my control. My ability to protect you from anything, even myself. I see now that my fears were foolish.”

Andi hummed a soft sound of amusement, glad when his hands started their familiar roam of her body.

“Very foolish. Why do you think Brennaugh was so thrilled to hear that your father and Tarek’s father used the same method to kill someone?”

“I don’t know. I suspect we will find out soon.”

Twenty Four

Upon returning to the citadel, she and Ohlen were asked to accompany Brennaugh and Ga’rae up to Tarek’s office. Falken was waiting for them, looking grim, yet morbidly delighted. It was a truly scary expression to see on his handsome face. One that made her swallow nervously when the door shut and loudly locked behind them. Ohlen pushed her down into a chair, standing right behind her with his arms crossed over his chest. His feet braced like he was waiting to take a hit. Falken looked at her and gravely inclined his head to her.

“We are very glad you are unharmed. Your ordeal was not in vain. Brennaugh and I believe that with what you saw and heard, we are closer to identifying the conspirators’ intent on harming our mates.”

Andi made herself smile a little. Thanked him, and then it was like she suddenly became invisible. Brennaugh, Ga’rae, Falken and Ohlen started to discuss what had been done. Right over her head.

“As a result of Andi’s sketch, we have identified this male as a primary player.” Brennaugh brought up her sketch onto a view screen. “The one Andi heard called, Amaro? Is in fact Ohlen’s sire, Ma’ta. He was believed to have been dead. I looked up his service record and it is reported by his superiors many times, his preferred method of killing an enemy was removal of the heart. Using only his hand.” Brennaugh reached out and made a fist.

Falken grunted and nodded. “Because of our growing suspicions and in light of Andi’s abduction. The information we have gained, I gave the order to take T’kalis into custody. I suggested to him that if he was innocent of any involvement in the attacks on our females, he would have no objections to further questioning. Regrettably, he did not go quietly. Ga’rae, you will scan the former 
Asho
. I want to know every inch of that male, inside and out. Any abnormalities, I want them dissected down to cellular level if need be, until a definitive explanation is provided.”

Ga’rae gave a tight nod, biceps bulging as he too took a wide-legged stance.

“You suspect some kind of impersonation or deception?” The medic asked.

Falken’s brows jumped up suggestively. “Each of our beasts has a unique killing blow. It is well known that Tarek’s sire most often used his teeth to rip out the throats of traitors. There has been speculation over the years as to how T’kalis was able to overcome the madness after having lost his mate.”

Brennaugh nodded and picked up the story. “We are old enough to remember how crazed with vengeance T’kalis was for the first two revolutions after his 
Asho’na’s 
death. Then suddenly the rage calmed? It is not unheard of, but neither is it normal. I assumed that it was just further evidence to prove the strength of the unbroken line of our pride leaders. That his madness was vented during the wars. I would like to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that is the truth.”

The warriors all nodded. Each deep in thought until Ohlen sighed heavily.

“We know the traitors who took my mate have used banned technology. It is obvious they will go to any length they must, to gain their desired results. I for one am most curious about what they are seeking from Ga’rae’s data tablet. What research they are willing to kill a mated pair to achieve. Andi heard the males discussing how their attempts to acquire the research data from Ga’rae’s quarters had been foiled. The traitors are still within the fortress.”

Her mate looked to the dark haired medic. Ga’rae simply shrugged, frowning darkly at the unit on his wrist.

“This is the only data tablet I have recorded research notes onto. There is nothing on it save what I have devoted to the study of our unique bonding with the humans. How our blood affects theirs. What abnormalities and differences are present. I have disabled the up-link and all programs that could possibly be used to steal or transfer the data. It is protected and encrypted. Each file. I will not allow Gwen to keep notes of her own on any other tablet. Any research we do, it is together, and on this unit. Knowing the traitors are so bent on gaining our data, I will review it more thoroughly. After scanning T’kalis, perhaps I will have an idea of what it is they want from the research. Has Tarek been notified?”

Falken snorted, lips curving in an amused little smirk.

“No. Clary was quite clear on her desire to have no contact with anyone in the citadel. Not unless the territory was being invaded, or in danger of exploding. Our ruling pair will be returning this evening. Brennaugh and I will update Tarek then.”

****

Two days later it was confirmed that T’kalis was the one responsible for the leak of information to the traitors. Responsible, due to the intricate web of technology implanted in his brain. It was created and used by the same race of aliens responsible for having created the molecular displacement tech. The Adiveeze.

The implant in T’kali’s brain had in effect, turned him into a drone. The Adiveeze were known for implanting similar technology into slaves and selling them to be used as spies. Organic material surrounded the implants filaments, thereby making the tech nearly invisible to initial scans. Implants that controlled speech, emotion, movement, basically made the person into a puppet. The person on the other end of the strings could be in the next room, or across the solar system. It didn’t matter. So long as the person implanted was alive they were able to be manipulated. Giving the traitors the perfect way to infiltrate the citadel.

It was impossible to say how long ago T’kalis had been implanted. After having examined Niora’s remains once again, Ga’rae discovered an implant inside her mind as well. Which explained why, when T’mai had gone to his father with his concerns about their mating, T’kalis had brushed them off as no real concern. One spy, protecting another.

Ohlen had told her all of this and immediately Andi had freaked out that she might have been implanted. She had no idea how long she had been unconscious for. What could have been done to her without her ever knowing. She practically ran into Ga’rae’s lab and demanded he check her for an implant. The total lack of surprise on Ga’rae’s face clued her in to the fact that he had been working up to asking for a scan for the very same reason.

She was practically vibrating with tension, waiting for the holographic rendition of her body to form in the air above her. Ohlen stood close to the table, trying not to look as tense as she felt.

“There is no implant. However,” Ga’rae’s sigh had her throwing her hand out towards Ohlen. Needing to touch him, needing him to help her prepare for the worst.

“Even after three days and three injections of the antitoxin, I see no substantial improvement to the area of your brain damaged by the 
flurra
 pollen.”

Ohlen helped her to sit up. Standing close enough to hold her, while Ga’rae continued.

“With your permission, I will take another blood sample. I am attempting to determine the exact components used to create the toxin. Once that is done I may be able to create the antitoxin specific to the potency of the pollen and counteract its effects. I cannot say with certainty that it will fix anything. The damage may be permanent.”

Ga’rae was gentle in his delivery of that news, but it did little to diminish the blow. Though Andi had already suspected it would be that way, deep down, she grieved the loss of that telepathic link. The closeness their bond brought. Her mate helped her up off the table, dropping a kiss to her hair once she settled at his side. She smiled up at him with all the strength she could muster. He was right there. Alive. His arms around her. Everything would be alright.

“What will happen to T’kalis? Does he know anything about who is behind all the intrigue?” she asked Ga’rae. Wanting to know if they were any closer to an end to the danger. Any closer to finding the rest of their enemies.

Ga’rae cleared his throat uncomfortably. “Unfortunately, when I removed the implant T’kalis reverted almost instantly to a state of feral madness. The 
Asho
 and 
Asha
 are conferring with one another to determine their sire’s fate. It is my opinion-“

The medic stopped speaking when a trill sounded in the room. He muttered darkly and reached over to activate the view screen.

“Speak!” Ga’rae barked. The image they were seeing was one of a warrior’s face as he ran through the citadel streets below. Using his wrist unit to have directly made the call.

“Ga’rae, we have reports coming in throughout several sections of the citadel. Five warriors have without warning gone feral. Ten others have dropped to their knees screaming, clutching their head and bleeding from their ears. Three of those ten are dead. The 
Asho
 commands you to be ready for triage.”

Ga’rae confirmed he would be ready. Snarling while he called for Gwen and several other trusted medics to join him.

“It seems our traitors are cleaning up their mess.” Ohlen rumbled.