The Saga Begins [Nuworld 1] (31 page)

Tara’s body now shook uncontrollably, and the tears fell from her eyes so rapidly she could barely see her parents standing in front of her. She opened her mouth to talk, but instead savage sobs came out. She gave up and fell into the nearest chair, holding her head in her hands as she cried hysterically.

“Tara, control yourself.” Reena wrapped her arms around Tara. “What has happened? How can we help if you don’t talk to us?”

Patha sat in the chair next to them.

“Oh god…it’s awful. Awful. I just…just can’t believe it.”

“What? Has someone been hurt? The children? Lord Darius?” Patha asked each question with alarm deepening his voice.

“I found,” Tara tried to say the words that would only cause her more pain. “I mean I saw—” She stopped talking and took a deep breath.

Now that she was here, with both her parents looking on with incredible worry, she wasn’t so sure she could actually form the sentences. She’d have to describe what she’d witnessed and renew her shame of betrayal. Tara didn’t think she could handle that right now.

“Say it quickly, child.” Reena saw the pain in her daughter’s face and no matter how much she wiped the tears, more followed.

“I found Darius with another woman.” She quit crying and felt an incredible numbing sensation ooze over her. “I heard them talking…and she was…she was naked. Darius has taken a mistress.”

“Oh child, no.” Reena wrapped her arms around Tara. “I’m so sorry.”

Patha leaned back in the chair and crossed his arms, but didn’t speak.

Tara wanted more of a reaction, and decided to keep talking since she’d been able to get out the ugliest of the words.

“I went out looking for him.” Her eyes moved from one to the other. “I found him all right. The son of a bitch was with the whore.” Anger replaced her tears, and her temper raged once again.

Patha frowned. “Tara, what did you do?”

“I killed his precious mistress, if that’s what you’re wondering.” She stood and walked to the door, then turned and looked at the two of them. “I will get the children, and we’ll be back. We’re going with you.” She reached for the door.

Patha grabbed her arm. “Tara, where is Darius?”

“He’s where I found him.”

Patha looked her in the eyes, studying her as if seeking an answer he hadn’t heard yet. “You didn’t kill him, did you?”

Tara yanked her arms from his grasp and turned her rage on him.

Reena gasped as her eyes shifted from papa to daughter.

Patha, on the other hand, didn’t look away from Tara. He crossed his arms, waiting for her answer. He appeared to Tara as he had over so many winters—the patient, but stern gaze that awaited her confession of the truth. Never had she been able to lie to the man, and in truth she had never tried to. She saw no reason to change that pattern now.

“How dare you show more concern for that man’s wellbeing than mine? I have been wronged, and you care if the man is alive or dead?” Tara’s voice shook from the anger she was experiencing. “He’s been having sex with another woman. Who knows how many women he’s been with? He’s a liar and a cheat!”

“You’re a strong woman, Tara. You can straighten him out.”

“I’m not going to do anything with him. He’s broken my trust and that can’t be restored.” Tara still glared at Patha. “There will be no second chance.”

“Tara, this is bigger than simply your emotions.” Patha was straightforward. “The two of you have an obligation to two different races. You must stay and work it out with him. You’re under contract. It’s as simple as that. These people need your strength.”

“I’m not the one who broke the contract.” Tara opened the door and ran from the trailer.

Chapter Twelve

Tara’s mind raced as she drove back to the house. Patha was going to try and stop her. It would only be a matter of time before Darius would communicate with him. She knew he wouldn’t contact anyone with a lower rank and risk humiliation and gossip. Patha would go get him. All either one of them cared about were the nations they controlled, and no thought was given to the feelings of those around them.

Her anger escalated, as it became clear to her that to Patha her claim was an arrangement of convenience…a merger to unite two nations. It was no more than a business deal to him. He would have her continue without love or feeling toward Darius, just to keep the two races together. She didn’t have the ability to do that. It was her love for Darius that had motivated her actions and without it; she was of no use here.

She lifted the microphone on her landlink and called the house.

Syra answered the phone, which was the first thing that had gone right since she’d left. It would be easier to get the babies out of the house if Hilda weren’t involved.

“Syra, I need you to do something for me.” Tara concentrated on making her voice sound as calm and pleasant as possible.

“Hi, the babies are fine.” Syra assumed Tara was checking up on her.

“Great, I knew you could handle it. Now, I need you to load the babies into the jeep for me. Pack a bag with several of their outfits and a blanket or two. I’ll also need a basket with some food in it. Can you do that for me?”

“Sure. Where are we going?”

“I thought I’d give you the rest of the afternoon off. The babies and I are going to say goodbye to several people before they leave,” Tara lied. “I’ll be there in a minute.”

Syra was loading the jeep when Tara pulled up. She slowly guided her bike onto a flat trailer parked nearby. Syra started to watch with curiosity, but left to get the babies, who were still in the house.

Tara backed the jeep up to the hitch and attached the trailer to the back of the vehicle. She then went inside and hugged her babies before running upstairs to grab a few things. Once in her bedroom, she flew through the closet, hurriedly pulling out several outfits and throwing them into her bag. She turned to leave the room and then on second thought stopped and walked over to Darius’ dresser. There was a small box buried under his clothes in the bottom drawer. Opening it, she saw several small bags filled with gold coins and a few priceless jewels. She hesitated and then dumped the contents into her bag. He’d robbed her, and now she was robbing him. She would need money and Gothman dollars would do her no good outside of Gothman.

Syra was talking to Hilda, who’d just returned when Tara went back downstairs. Tara quickly thought of what she would say to the obvious questions as she approached the old lady.

“Did you have a nice time?” Tara asked as she walked past Hilda to go out the back door.

“Ah, it was nice to see everyone, it was.” Hilda followed Tara. “I see you took my advice on the nanny.”

“Yes, it was a good idea.” Tara turned and smiled calmly at Hilda.

“Where are you going?”

“We’re going to go say goodbye to several of the Runners before they leave. I’ll be gone most of the day. I’m leaving Syra here, if you don’t mind. I told her she could have the afternoon off, but I don’t see why you can’t put her to work if you like.” Tara checked to see that she had everything she needed.

“Have fun, my lady. I’ll spend the time getting to know the girl, I will.” Hilda waved as Tara slowly drove down the driveway.

She followed the road to town until she was sure anyone watching from the house could no longer see her. She then pulled off and started heading for a back lane that would turn south. There was no doubt she’d be followed, and all measures would be made to stop her. Her load was heavy, and she would not be able to travel quickly. She turned to look at Andru and Ana who were turning their heads to watch the surroundings move past them. Her stomach was tied in knots, and she knew it would stay that way until she was out of Gothman territory.

The first hour passed peacefully. She drove through the meadows on the backside of the hills. It seemed ironic that if Darius had been up on the cliff he would have seen her movements, but Tara felt safe assuming he’d not been able to climb up the cliff in his present condition. She actually started to enjoy the beautiful day and forced all thoughts of what had happened out of her head.

The landlink next to her started blinking as someone tried to reach her. There was little doubt as to what the message might say, and without looking to see who could be transmitting, she hit delete.

It wasn’t much longer before she heard the sound of motorcycles behind her. She’d expected this. Gothman would not let her go without a fight. There was no way she could outrun the bikes, and she knew this. She drove with one hand and opened the suitcase on the floor of the jeep with the other. Inside were several hand bombs and two Eliminators.

She pulled an Eliminator out and set it on the seat next to her. She covered her babies with Runner blankets made out of the same black material as her clothing; they were bulletproof and would protect the children if things got really ugly.

Several of the bikes were close enough that she could see the guards’ faces. She detonated one of the hand bombs and threw it. The three motorcycles skidded sideways across the field. Turning to focus her attention on her driving, she glanced at her babies, making sure the blanket remained secure.

“We’ll be through this part soon, my dears,” Tara said and hoped her voice calmed her wide-eyed children. She placed her flat palm on one child’s head, and then the other, reassuring herself that they were securely belted in, so that the rough ride jostled them as little as possible.

She heard the other motorcycles in pursuit slow at the explosion. All she could do was continue to drive.

Gothman territory ended just several miles ahead and then she would be in Freeland territory. Briefly, she wondered if they’d continue their pursuit over the border. She didn’t have long to wonder as she watched the remaining guards close in behind her. Darius probably assumed he could chase her to the borders of Trueland, and no one would dare to stop him—the pompous ass.

Tara counted four Gothman as they increased speed in an attempt to pass and force her to stop the jeep.

“Damn,” she hissed, as one of the bikes swerved dangerously close to a front tire.

Tara knew she couldn’t make any sharp turns with the trailer hitched behind her. And she couldn’t fire at all four of them at once. “But I can take you out one at a time,” she yelled through the wind, as she leaned past the windshield and shot the rider who had attempted to drive into her.

Tara noticed none of them had drawn their weapons. Obviously, they had instructions not to shoot her. Another guard pulled to the other side of her, while the third pulled alongside the trailer behind her. Tara swiveled her head back and forth in an attempt to keep tabs on what both men were doing. The jeep bounced over a small gully in the ground, and Tara cursed. Andru howled in protest, and Ana’s tiny fists shot forward, knocking the blanket down to the babies’ waists.

“We are going to make it through this,” Tara said more to herself than to her children. She gripped the steering wheel with one fist, fought to secure the blanket with her free hand, and dared to turn the jeep just enough to delay either guard from boarding her.

Tara wouldn’t risk shooting behind her, but had no problem eliminating the guard next to her. Now there were only two guards. She didn’t see others pursuing her and was a little put out that this was all the fight Darius would make for her.

“You really didn’t know me that well, Darius, did you?” Tara spoke into the air as her gaze darted from the two mirrors on either side, allowing her to see behind her, and to the side of the jeep, where one of the Gothman drove in plain view. “Not only did you think I could easily be deceived, but you think four of your guards are all it takes to capture me.”

The guard behind her boarded the trailer and began climbing toward the jeep. She wasn’t sure where he thought he was going to go, but if he crawled any closer, he’d be on top of the children. The second guard also mounted the trailer, letting his bike slide on its side to a stop. He successfully detached the trailer from the jeep and held on as the trailer slowed to a stop. Had Darius given orders to retrieve her bike if they couldn’t retrieve her?

She was able to move a lot easier without the trailer attached and curved the jeep around quickly. The guard hanging on to the back of the jeep slid as she spun the vehicle around. When he was on the side of the jeep, she aimed her small laser, and the man propelled from the jeep, rolling along the ground for quite a distance.

“I think we might have pulled this off.” Tara smiled at her children, who both acknowledged her voice with frowns. Ana let out a shriek, which Andru quickly imitated. “Just a little bit longer, sweethearts,” Tara reassured them.

Now for her bike. She drove head on toward the remaining guard, who was struggling to start her bike. The bike was still strapped to the trailer, and he used it as a shield while he watched her approach. If he guessed she would not shoot at her bike, he was right. She stopped the jeep within shouting distance from the bike and got out, carrying her laser by her side. “What are your orders, Gothman?” she asked as she walked toward him.

“You need to come back with me, my Lady.” His voice was shaking as he spoke.

Tara could tell he was young. “You won’t be successful today in capturing me. Do you realize that?”

The guard peeked at her from behind her bike.