Kyele's Passion: A World Beyond Book 4 (19 page)

Kyele wasn’t sure if what he was about to attempt would work but he had to try. His ability to destroy an enemy from the inside could help him save the female he’d waited too long to claim.

Chapter 24

She was burning up. Flames ravaged Joni’s body and muted the sounds around her. The one constant was her need for Kyele. She called for him repeatedly but the pain battered her back. She couldn’t feel him holding her any more and her body wouldn’t respond to her commands. Each time she tried to jerk her arms and legs free something held her immobile.

“Kyele!”

Did she call for him or was it her imagination? Occasionally, she thought he was there and then the liquid fire would burn through her veins again, throwing Joni into a tailspin. Panic resurfaced and she renewed her struggle.

“I’m here, Joni.”

“Kyele?”

The voice and tone changed, became sinister. “Did you think I’d let you go?”

Joni cringed. She knew that voice. Knew the vile man who owned it.

“I’ve got you.”

Joni jerked, body trembling. Kyele or Dr. Kirkem? In the darkness she couldn’t tell. How was she to find her way?”

“Trust me, little Earthling.”

Joni turned toward the dark whisper and followed blindly. Kyele. It didn’t matter if she was lost. She trusted Kyele.

“Like you trusted me?” Laughter accompanied the question.

Joni spun around searching for the source of evil.

“I will never let him hurt you again.”

Warmth suffused her. Stumbling down an unlit path, Joni pressed forward. If she could reach Kyele everything would be fine.

“You belong to me now.” This was a different voice but one as vile as the other.

Pressing her hands to her ears, Joni charged down a narrow hall, escape her only thought. Surrounded by malevolence, her breath came in pants. She ran faster as fear kept pace. The more she ran, the more the ominous feeling grew deep inside of her. The walls swelled as if coming to life. Joni was as brave as the next woman but even she knew the value of hiding.

‘Kill the Jutaks. Kill the Jutaks.’

The chant was back in stereo. She didn’t want to hurt her friends.

Images and flashes of those who bought her from the Marenians flipped through her memory. Each one refreshed the pain she thought she’d managed to suppress

“Put them in the cage. Sell them with the rest and get a good price.”

Joni froze. Her heart pounded in her chest but she didn’t take another step. The voice of the Marenian rang clear.

“I’ve got you, Joni.”

Shaking her head, Joni dropped to her knees. Kyele wasn’t here. She wasn’t safe. Throwing back her head, she screamed. And screamed.

“Joni.” Kyele’s voice snapped her to attention and her screams cut off abruptly. “I’ll make it all go away.”

This time when she opened her eyes, her dark soldier knelt beside her, his hand extended palm up. Lines of strain bracketed his mouth. His dark eyes glinted with turmoil, the look in them merciless.

“Kyele?” Was he really with her?

“It’s over, Joni.”

Crying out in relief, she dove for his arms and sobbed as he enfolded her in a cocoon of safety. As she came down from the high, his reassuring hold told her she didn’t have to run any more.

***

When he came out from cleansing her body of the poison, Kyele shuddered. He dragged a deep ragged breath into his starving lungs and leaned his head against hers. Not only had he eradicated the hallucinogenic, Kyele came out of her mind space with secrets he hadn’t planned to pull from her memories. Secrets that made him snarl and gnash his teeth together.

He clasped Joni’s hand with his. His fingers trembled. Nothing shook Kyele but sitting beside her, his heart slowing its rapid beat he could only stare. He nuzzled the back of her hand, thankful she was still with him. The truth of what she meant to him could not be ignored.

Kyele never doubted that he cared for Joni. He reacted too strongly to her. Now he realized it was more. He loved her. For the first time in his life, he loved someone and he’d almost lost her.

“Kyele?”

Even weak, her voice stirred him. “Yes, Earthling?”

He found himself caught in the glow of her golden eyes. Joni never looked at him different. Even after witnessing the destruction he could cause. She accepted him at a level he’d never dared to expect from anyone.

Her brow creased and her lips pursed. “Enough with the Earthling.”

An unwilling grin tugged at Kyele’s lips. He kissed her temple because he could and eased back to study her face. No longer pale, her skin glowed with a peach tint. Her health appeared fully restored. Relief crashed into him and it was fortunate he was already propped on his knees or he would have fallen to the floor.

“Tired,” she whispered.

“Then sleep.” He brushed a knuckle across her satiny cheek. “Just sleep for now.”

Kyele needed time to plan how to act on the information he’d pulled from her. His expression darkened as he rolled to his feet.

They would pay. Every buyer who’d laid a hand on her would pay because Kyele knew their names now. Their faces. His lips curled into a cruel slant as he contemplated their demise.

“I’m sorry,” Joni said, turning her head to the side to see him.

“For what?”

Her lips curved. “Trying to kill you ring a bell?”

He chuckled. “Forgiven.”

“Your eyes are…”

Kyele waited. He’d heard it all before. The dark green gaze he’d inherited form his mother often glowed with the darkness of his father’s nature. Many times they’d been referred to as a killer’s eyes.

“You’re eyes are beautiful,” she finished.

His chest cracked wide open. Kyele leaned over again and kissed her eyelids closed. “Rest,
tesa
.”

Kyele stayed with Joni, ignoring the staff who came to check on the machines and make notations. As soon as he assured himself she slept, Kyele left the medic center.

Dr. Maku met him in the hall and gave him a sharp look. Kyele spoke first. “Remove Joni’s restraints.”

“Did she awaken?”

“Yes.”

The medic exhaled in frustration. “Why didn’t you send for me immediately?”

Because he’d needed to let Joni get much needed sleep. She’d been tormented throughout this process. “She’s resting again.”

“Is there a change in her condition?”

Kyele didn’t bother to lie. “The drug has been removed from her system.”

They stared at one another. Dr. Maku’s gaze was full of questions but he knew better than to ask Kyele about personal details. Only Joni was capable of getting him to share about his past.

Another sigh. “Fine. I will check on her status and speak with her when she’s awake.”

Kyele shrugged and left. What he’d done to heal Joni didn’t make sense but he believed without a doubt she’d recover fully. All that was left was to find out who’d done this. He avoided all of his team members as he dressed in his combat gear, placing his spare weapons and extra laser fuel cells in a bag over his shoulder. When Kyele took the hover-car, only one thought guided him.

Revenge.

As the son of the Butcher, he knew all about how to exact revenge

Chapter 25

When the door opened, Joni rolled over and opened her eyes.

Dr. Maku came in and cleared his throat. “How are you?”

This was her last meeting with the medic. Whatever Kyele had done cleared Joni of any lingering effects from the drug. The headaches and the menacing whispers were thankfully gone.

“Joni?”

She attempted her usual bravado. “I’m fine.”

His grin was weak at best.
Be afraid of the killer Earth woman
. Joni snorted, not finding herself funny at all.

“Well, that’s good to hear.” He tapped away on his data pad, avoiding her gaze.

Joni had never had a problem with the medic before and wasn’t sure what the issue was now. Laia had seemed more sedate as well when she came in earlier to go over Joni’s vitals. Maybe attempting to kill their friends hadn’t gone over well. Not that she’d had any control of herself.

Dr. Maku cleared his throat. “I have everything on file from this incident. From all accounting, you’ve fully recovered. If you feel any pain, please let me know immediately.”

“Okay.”

He offered a wain smile and left. Joni sat back in the bed, plucking at the dismal blue paper jumpsuit. She didn’t have long to ponder his odd behavior. Sylvie, Lissi and Faye burst into the room each wearing triumphant grins.

“We’re busting you out,” Sylvie exclaimed and whipped the sheet from Joni’s lower half.

“What?” Joni glanced from one to the other.

“Dr. Maku said you can go. Everything in the blood work looks fine and whatever nasty bug you had is gone.” Faye opened a bag and pulled out clothes Joni recognized as those she’d packed to move here.

Lissi strode toward the bed and leaned over to kiss Joni on the cheek. The affection caught her by surprise. “I am glad you are well, Joni.”

Joni pushed off the bed, staring in confusion. Everyone’s behavior started to bother her. “Where’s Kyele?”

Not once during her three day stay did he come to visit. At first, Joni thought he wanted her to rest but various members of the Unit had stopped in to check on her. All of them appeared relieved at her good health. Jaron stayed longer than the rest, laughing and sharing stories of past missions with humorous endings. Arak came every time Sylvie stopped by but the one Jutak she longed to see never showed.

“Um…Kyele is sorta missing.” Sylvie plunked down on the end of Joni’s bed.

Joni snatched up the pair of skin tight black pants and mint green tee shirt. Worry leached the color from her face. “What do you mean he’s missing?”

“Arak says he left right after…everything.”

After her drug induced meltdown. “No one thought to tell me?”

Sylvie had the grace to blush.

Faye jumped in to speak. “He’s not responding when Torkel tries to reach him on the comm.”

Not what she wanted to hear. Smoothing down her clothes, Joni reached for the flat shoes Lissi handed over. She balanced one hand on the bed to slide them on her feet. Her breath grew ragged as concern overshadowed her relief at being allowed to leave the medic center.

“Has he ever done this before? Maybe he’s on a mission.”

Dismay turned the corners of Faye’s mouth down. “Torkel would never send Kyele out without the team for back up. He only allows the guys from Team Three to take on undercover assignments or solo missions.”

She was right. Joni knew this after all the time she spent with the Jutaks. But that didn’t answer where Kyele had gone. “I’m going to see Torkel.”

The others didn’t try to dissuade her. Sylvie and Lissi went their own way after Sylvie squeezed Joni tight once more. “I’m glad you’re better, Joni.”

“You and me, Sylvie. Always.”

Sylvie leaned back meeting her stare. “Always, Joni.”

Faye walked with Joni to the home she shared with Torkel on the next floor. As soon as they reached Faye’s place, the door opened revealing the man Joni wanted to see. Faye kissed her Chosen after greeting him. “Torkel, Joni wishes to talk to you.”

“Of course.” Torkel broke his gaze away from Faye and eyed Joni. “Will you give us a moment Faye?”

Faye patted his chest. “I’m going to run back down and stop in the rec room. Find me when you’re done”

The two exchanged heated glances before Faye left and closed the door quietly behind her. Joni cleared her throat once they were alone. She didn’t often have the opportunity to be with the huge Unit Leader without others present.

“Would you like to sit, Joni?” Torkel waved his hand at the seating area.

Nodding, Joni cleared her throat and took a seat on a soft lounge chair. She’d visited Faye plenty of times since coming to Enotia and signs of the woman’s presence was stamped all over from the holo frames, flowers and feminine touches of décor like the plump colorful pillows thrown sporadically over the furniture.

Torkel sat across from her on a low table. Despite the height disparity between the table and the chair she sat on, he was still taller than her, leaving Joni to tip her head back to meet his eyes. Her heart pounded at the way he studied her with narrowed brown eyes. Joni resisted the urge to huddle in her seat. Tipping her chin up, she asked, “Where’s Kyele?”

“I’d like to know the answer to that as well.” Torkel leaned forward, keeping her beneath his penetrating stare. “Did he say anything to you before he left?”

Joni snorted. “I didn’t know he was gone. When I woke, he was there. I was a little off from…from whatever drug they gave me.”

“I understand. We have managed to figure out that you were injected during the attack on the facility. Do you recall how it occurred?”

It didn’t take her a minute for the memory to come to her. Joni sat up straighter. “The last man I stabbed. He said something about killing Jutaks. I thought he was making a threat. Then something pricked my leg.”

Torkel nodded his dark head. “It makes sense. An implanted suggestion and a deadly hallucinogen. We were able to conclude that what happened that day is separate from the attempt on you at your place a week later.”

“Dr. Kirkem.”

“Dr. Kirkem.” Torkel said the name at the same time she spoke.

Joni swallowed. “You know about him?”

How much did he know? She’d shared her experience with him but not in as much detail as what she’d told Kyele.

Torkel tipped his head to the side. “Dr. Kirkem is known as The Collector in some circles. His illegal activities have been noted here and there but not enough to push him higher on the criminal watch list. Jutaks would never be sent after him based on his low level activity in comparison to others we have to deal with.”

Biting her bottom lip, she asked a question on the forefront of her mind. “Does that mean he can come here and get me without you all helping?”

“Never.” Torkel sat up with a jerk and placed a hand on her knee. She hadn’t expected the consoling touch. “We will protect you because it is our job and because you are a friend. Never doubt this.”

Joni blinked back embarrassing tears. “Thank you, Torkel. I didn’t know if the Jutaks could interfere since he purchased me.”

A rare smile crossed his face. “Aside from the fact that owning people is illegal, Kyele would have something to say about that.”