Fallen Star (43 page)

Khan took the sheathed sword from her hands. “Go up the stairs. You’re permitted to look at the audience in this instance.”

“Great ...” Fallon wiped her damp hands on her blue sash.

Sobehk rolled his eyes. “Oh, I almost forgot. That has to come off, too.” He leaned forward and tugged the sash free from Fallon’s hips.

Fallon’s chest tightened. Without Khan’s sword and Sobehk’s sash, she suddenly felt naked and exposed in a way that had nothing to do with bare skin.

“
A’syr
Sobehk?”

Fallon, Khan, and Sobehk froze. All three looked up the glass-lined aisle steps.

A pair of older men came toward them. One man wore pale yellow and cream robes with a heavy bronze over-robe. The other was in copper and scarlet with a black over-robe. They reeked of money and power.

Fallon frowned. They looked ... familiar. They
were
familiar. They were the two men with the prince.

Sobehk straightened and pasted on a smile. “
Ehnya’dhyt
Dhuet and
Ehnya’dhyt
Sehnby, I’m honored.”

Fallon eyed Sobehk. He wasn’t honored; he was suspicious as fury.

Khan casually examined the band on his wrist. He gave Fallon a look of complete triumph.
Get behind me and do not let them touch you.

Them?
Fallon moved behind him and frowned.
It
can’t
be that simple.

Most crimes committed are incredibly simple.
Khan lowered his chin and stepped forward, next to Sobehk.
And for the most mundane of reasons.

Both councilors stopped a full sword-length away. The councilor on the right tugged on his black robes and lowered his chin, peering directly at Sobehk. “I would like to restate my original offer to buy your
rehkyt
.”

Sobehk politely lifted his chin and briefly flicked his gaze away. “I’m honored,
Ehnya’dhyt
Dhuet, however ...”

“I’ll double my offer.”

Ehnya’dhyt
Sehnby, on the left, settled his bronze robes closer around him and smiled at his companion. “I’ll triple mine.”

Sobehk straightened to his full height, but his eyes widened. “
‘Syr
s, I don’t understand, why do you want my
rehkyt
so badly?” A thought speared toward Khan.
You’d think they’d have figured out by now that their money and positions are not going to impress me into selling her to them.

Khan’s mouth tightened briefly.
It normally works on the lower ranks. Most
A’syr
would sell to them just for the right to brag that they sold to a councilor. They’re not used to dealing with your sheer stubbornness.

Ehnya’dhyt
Sehnby smiled briefly and tilted his head in a slightly less aggressive posture than his black-robed companion. “The prince is my nephew, my sister’s son. He has spoken of nothing but her since he saw her ... I thought she would make the perfect gift.”

Ehnya’dhyt
Dhuet curled his lip and folded back the sleeves of his black robe, revealing the scarlet sleeve under it. “That’s all well and fine, but the boy needs a proper bodyguard that he will actually remain with.” He gave Sobehk a sour smile. “The prince has a habit of locking his guards out of his rooms.” His smile disappeared. “Sooner or later, this habit will cost him his life.”

Fallon frowned. They didn’t
sound
like they were looking for an assassin.

People lie.
Khan’s thoughts shimmered with derision.

“Oh, and one other thing.”
Ehnya’dhyt
Sehnby lifted his brows and smiled. “It seems that there is some question to the validity of your ownership,
A’syr
Sobehk. Would you be so kind as to allow your
rehkyt
to be tested?” He stepped to the side.

A’syr
Mohr was revealed behind them in his gray medic’s robes. He stared hard at Sobehk, his mouth tight, his hands firmly behind him.

Fallon felt a growl rising in her chest. He must have finally recognized Khan and figured out what they were doing.

Sobehk narrowed his gaze on Mohr. “The ownership of my
rehkyt
was tested at the doors of this hall.”

Mohr’s gaze focused on Fallon, bypassing Khan completely.

Fallon’s frown deepened. Mohr wasn’t acting like he recognized Khan. But if he
didn’t
recognize Khan, and one of them had the other half of the code, then ... What in fury was going on?

Ehnya’dhyt
Sehnby’s gaze chilled. “Yes, but how thoroughly?”

Ehnya’dhyt
Dhuet rolled his eyes.

Fallon felt some kind of tense communication pass between Sobehk and Khan, bypassing her completely.

Sobehk smiled coldly. “May I suggest another way to determine rightful ownership, councilors?”

All three men focused on Sobehk.

Sobehk deliberately lowered his chin and smiled, baring his long teeth. “Purchase.”

Khan grabbed Fallon by the arm and propelled her up the short flight of stairs and onto the stage. The energy grid snapped closed behind her, locking her in.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

A sea of shadowed, staring figures and their hushed whispers washed and eddied all the way around the circular stage.

Fallon suddenly and viscerally understood why the
rehkyt
male had paced and smelled of fear. The complete attention of all those people and the total lack of any place to hide brought the hair up on her neck and soaked her back with sweat.

She reached out to Khan and Sobehk, wondering what was going on, and touched ... nothing. They were gone.

Fallon’s heart hammering in her chest, she moved back toward the stairs. They weren’t there either. The aisle was empty.
Shit ...
She was alone.

Alone with a million people staring at her.

She started pacing from one end of the stage to the other, just to keep from screaming. She had no idea what was going on. If they were bidding -- or fighting, there was no way of knowing. There was no sound but whispers and the clicking of her boot heels. For an eternity.

The bell sounded.

Fallon nearly jumped out of her skin. It was over. Her inner chrono stated that only thirty-five minutes had passed. Her head lifted and she looked around. There was no trace of anyone headed for the stage. Where in bleeding fury were they?

Movement at the back of the stage caught her eye. Someone came up the steps swathed from head to foot and beyond in a long heavy crimson and gold court robe tied with a black and gold sash. A deep hood obscured the face completely.

The energy grid parted.

The pungent scent of warmed silk and heavy spice obscured the scent of his body, but Fallon could tell it was definitely a Skeldhi male.

He stepped onto the stage. In a calm, smooth stride, he moved toward the center of the stage.

Oh ... shit ...
She backed away, bared her long teeth, and growled in warning.

He stopped in the center of the stage. He extended his arms forward and turned his left wrist up. A knife flashed.

The sea of whispers became a hushed sighing of expectation.

Blood spattered the smooth black floor. The perfume of warm copper richness filled her nose.

Fallon froze and her growl stopped cold. She
knew
that scent.

The figure tilted his head up and she saw copper eyes. Khan smiled and whispered. “Come.”

Mindless with relief, Fallon lunged across the stage.
Thank the Maker. I was going freaking insane!
The overwhelming scent of his blood filled her head. Urgent, raging hunger for the taste of his blood exploded within her. The sheer physical intensity was as terrifying as it was sudden. She stopped a pace away and trembled. She
needed
 ... A small whimper escaped. She needed ...
him
.

Khan spread his other hand flat out and lowered it. “Down, get down.”

Her eyes locked on the rivulet of crimson dripping from his wrist, she dropped to her knees and opened her mouth.
Want ...

Khan pressed his bleeding wrist to her mouth.

She grabbed him around the legs and sank her teeth into his wrist around the cut. She swallowed a burning mouthful. Something around her heart unknotted. She moaned.

Khan gasped and staggered just a little. He caught the back of her ponytail with his other hand and turned her head toward the audience.

The audience released a collective sigh.

Fallon barely saw the people staring with rapt attention. She leaned her cheek against his thigh, sucking hard. She swallowed a second mouthful. Every drop of fear and tension disappeared. She slumped just a little against his legs.

Enough
. Khan groaned and pulled his wrist away.

Fallon made a sound of protest, but she released him.

Khan grinned and lifted his wrist to his mouth to lick the wounds.
Any more and you’ll be intoxicated.

Fallon licked her lips for the last taste.
So?
Her gaze was drawn to the drops of scarlet on the shining floor.

Khan’s eyes narrowed.
Don’t you
dare
lick the floor.
He pulled his black chain collar and matching lead from his sash.

Fallon smiled and lifted her chin.
I’m not
that
feral
.

With you? One never knows.
Khan unfastened the steel chain from around her throat and tucked it into his sash.
You continue to surprise me.
He snapped his black chain collar and its matching lead around her throat. His gaze slid to the people all around.
Shall we go?

Fallon lunged up onto her feet and grabbed him in a sudden hug.
Thank you.

Khan rocked back on his heels and set an arm around her, holding her close.
For what?

Oh, I dunno ...
Fallon turned her face into the neck of his hood.
I’ll think of something.

Khan snorted and gently pushed her back.
Enough, let’s get off this stage. I’m sweltering in this robe.

Fallon followed Khan down the stairs at the back of the stage, staring at the design embroidered in heavy gold on the back of his robe. The design was the same one as his tattoo, only this time she could see what it was, a predatory raptor with a gold disk over its head. The wings were arched down as though soaring upward.
Where are we going? Where’s Sobehk?

Khan headed up the nearest aisle and the lift at the end.
You and I are going to the suite next to Sobehk’s. I’m expecting a visit from a very upset young prince. Sobehk is waiting for us one level up.

People stood to watch them pass, apparently trying to see Khan’s carefully averted face.

Fallon focused on her feet as she followed him up the stairs rather than the people staring.
That reminds me, did you get them?

The councilors?
Khan’s anger washed hot and heavy through the link. N
o. One does not arrest an
Ehnya’dhyt
in public, never mind two. My men will take them in the halls quietly.

Fallon stopped at Khan’s side by a polished lift door.
Which one had the code?

Khan hit the call button on the wall.
There was no way to tell with them standing that close together. I’ll have to check them both personally as soon as they’re collected.

The lift door opened.
Ehnya’dhyt
Sehnby smiled from just within the lift doors. Against either side of the lift were two thoroughly human men in familiar uniforms, their bolt rifles pointed directly at Khan’s broad chest.

Fallon sucked in a sharp breath.
Moribund Company goons ...
And neither she nor Khan had swords.

Ehnya’dhyt
Sehnby dropped his chin. “Why don’t you join me,
Ehnya’dhyt
Khansu?” His gaze focused on Fallon. “I wish to congratulate you on your new purchase.”

Khan dropped her lead and lunged, snarling, into the lift, shoving the councilor against the back wall hard with his arm against the other man’s throat.

Ehnya’dhyt
Sehnby gasped as he stared at Khan. “You!” He grabbed hold of Khan’s arms. “Impostor!” He snarled, snapping his long teeth in Khan’s face.

Fallon lunged into the lift, snarling and lashing out at the guards with her booted feet.

Khan bared his teeth at Fallon. “Get the fuck away!”

Fallon felt the command slam through her collar. She jerked back out of the lift. “No!”

The door closed as the guards converged on Khan’s struggling form.

“Khan!” She slammed her fist on the door. “Damn you!” She closed her eyes and reached, screaming through the collar’s link.
Sobehk!

Noise erupted around her.

Fallon turned to find armored guards and men in robes running at her. She didn’t think, she dove under the seats and bolted on hands and knees.
Sobehk!

An eternity of running under seats, dodging hands and hiding in shadows passed.

Isabeau!
Sobehk’s mental voice was furious and terrified, all at the same time.
Where are you?

Sobehk?
Fallon poked her head up from behind a seat.
Here!
She looked about.
I don’t see you!

I’m in front of one of the lifts.
A trickle of relief threaded his voice.

Fallon’s gaze was drawn to the glowing sapphire blue figure standing before a lift two doors away. His formal over-robe was gone, but it was Sobehk.

I’m coming!
Lunging over the tops of seats, she dodged grabbing hands and shouting figures. She dove into the aisle and bolted to Sobehk’s side, grabbing his robes with both hands.

Sobehk shoved her behind him and held up his hands. “I have her! It’s all right! Was anyone hurt?”

The guards insisted that all she did was run. Even though she was supposed to be a dangerous Prime, no one was bitten or harmed in any way. Their mouths curved in derision. They were not impressed.