Rebellion (14 page)

A knock at the door pulled his attention back. “Come.”

Old Merrin ambled in and bowed slightly, but not enough to show the respect owed to the leader of the guild. As always, his robes were wrinkled and hung askew on his shoulders.

“What news?”

Merrin instructed his aide to wait outside. Once the door closed, he ambled over to Loc’s desk and situated himself into one of the three guest chairs. He took his time.

Loc’s anger rose as he waited for the man to settle.

“It has begun.”

“I assume you are referring to the abduction of Vertan citizens.”

Merrin nodded.

“How many?”

“Only two so far. They are on the trail of a third that escaped.”

Loc turned back to the storm. He silently cursed the eleven Portal Masters who had escaped to Earth. If he ever got them back…of course, they would live. The guild needed their psi, but their lives would be misery. He would see to it.

Never in the history of the guild had their secrets been so close to being exposed. Finding Sandarians with strong enough psi to become Portal Masters, and convincing them to do so, was a slow and tedious process. Not many men were willing to give up their future families and lives for the guild. Once they joined, they were Portal Masters for life and would remain in the compound. It had been a hard truth to swallow. Loc himself had believed the guild was a religious order that served a god. A god that spoke only to a select few. The elders had explained to him, upon his election as head of the guild, the religion was a ruse. Another means to keep those indoctrinated in the compound. It was not a terrible fate. The walled grounds spanned nearly a mile. Once they had resided outside the town of Ardos, but after five hundred years, Ardos and its suburbs surrounded the compound. Because of their source of power, the mysterious orb deep underground, they could never move. Or so he’d been told. To this day, the origins of the object were still a mystery.

And now, they were severely restricted in the number of masters needed to create portals. Requests had been coming in from the new GTO. Requests they had not fulfilled. With the Portal Masters remaining on Sandaria, there was only a limited number of portals they could create. They needed to get enough Vertans to implement their plan. They would create portals with the alternate psi. They would retain their control. He would see to it.

Loc turned back to Merrin. “We need more than three Vertans.”

“Indeed. Our previous efforts to contain the citizens to their planet were highly effective. In order to fulfill our quota, the Torogs ask permission to abduct the required number directly from Vertan itself.”

Loc grimaced. It was dirty business, ripping people from their lives. “You have my permission. Where are the two you have now?”

“On their way from Florin 5.”

“And the new compound?”

“It will be complete within the week, before their arrival.”

They’d agreed that the captive Vertans would live in a separate compound far from the city of Ardos. They would remain there for the rest of their lives, serving the guild.

Loc soothed his conscience with the knowledge that the guild would treat them exceptionally well, as long as they behaved. There were worse fates that could befall a soul. “Fine. Keep me up to date.”

Instead of standing to go, Merrin remained seated.

“Is there more?”

“We have a problem.”

“Ha. Other than trying to contain an entire planet? Or implementing a plan that requires us to acquire and imprison over a dozen hostages? Do tell, Master Merrin.”

Merrin steepled his fingers and gazed at Loc over their tips. “Portals are failing.”

“That’s not funny, old man.”

“Then I suggest you pay attention. We neglected to tell you everything about the guild.”

Anger washed over him, and Loc wondered how many more secrets they’d kept from him. “Surely, it cannot be worse than our current issues.”

“Much worse.”

Loc ground his teeth in an effort to remain calm. “Explain how it is that portals can fail.”

“One of the reasons we go out of our way to ensure no one leaves the compound has to do with how the portals are sustained. Once a master helps create a portal, he is tied to it forever.”

“And?”

“And a large number of our masters are absent. The Portals can sustain themselves for only so long. Under normal conditions, they pull from the master’s psi as needed. That cannot happen if the Portal Masters are not present. They fail.”

Loc leaned back in his chair, stunned. Shock turned to rage, and he slammed his fist down on his desk. “I am the head of the guild. There are to be no more secrets. Would you care to tell me on whose authority this information was withheld from me?”

Merrin rose slowly to his feet. “I think we both know the answer to that. You may be head of the guild but do not think for one moment that you have all the power.”

Rage burned inside of Loc. “Well then, I suggest you get your little Torogs moving. If you fail to pull off this plan, I will hold you responsible under guild law.”

“Fool.” Merrin snarled. “If this plan fails, there will be no guild.”

That son of a crag’s mate is going to pay for this.
Someone had given Ria a bottle of water, but other than that, she’d been bound hand and foot
like a fracking criminal
and kept hooded. It didn’t take long to discover whatever they had tied her up with somehow bound her psi to her body. As much as she hated ties, she appreciated their usefulness.

After an hour or so, they packed her back into a vehicle, restraining her body to the seat. She wasn’t going anywhere, but she’d be safe in a crash—how comforting. A short time later, voices spoke outside the cruiser, but she couldn’t make out what was being said. Ty was there. She knew that. She
felt
that. The door opened on the other side of the vehicle.

Ty.
She recognized his psi, his energy. There was an underlying musk to the way he smelled, so much like her favorite perfume.
Time for a new scent.

From the sound of it, he was in the back compartment. Probably facing her. A slight motion told her they were moving.

“Enjoying yourself, Red?”

His voice resonated deep within. She tried to lean back, get some distance, but there was no place to go. “I told you not to call me that.”

“And I told you it suits you. Even if your hair is mostly covered at the moment.”

“Yeah, about that. Get this thing off me.”

“Can’t do that until we get where we’re going.” Anger edged his voice.

“Why did you bring me with you?”

“None of your business.”

“Are you insane?”

* * * *

Was he? Maybe. From the moment Ty had slipped into the car, he knew proximity was going to be a problem with her. He sensed her presence like magnetic north and knew she’d feel it, too. That’s why he’d asked to take the ride out to the lodge with her alone. He’d keep his distance moving forward but needed to set some rules. At least that’s what he told himself. And who knew? Maybe he was insane. Twenty minutes later, they were deep into the forest, flying low over the treetops. He leaned forward, elbows on knees, and studied her. She smelled of fresh soap and something else. “We won’t hurt you if you cooperate. Where we’re going there is no escape, so don’t even think about it.”

“You haven’t answered my question.” The hood muffled her voice.

Ty ran his hands through his hair. Riding with her, this close for so long, wasn’t such a good idea. His desire grew with every second. The cabin smelled of…them.

With lightening speed, he reached over and pulled the hood off her head.

Her head jerked up, eyes wide. He stared into their green depths.

Her breath hitched as their psi connected. “You didn’t tell me you were Curzan.”

Pleasure coursed through him at the sound of her voice. “You didn’t ask.” He partially stood and placed his hands on the seat on either side of her. He leaned closer and inhaled deeply. Inches from her ear, he said, “Maybe I am insane.” He brushed his lips against her neck. Memories flooded back of their night together. The touch of her skin ignited his psi as pleasure coursed through him.

Her body shivered, but she didn’t resist. No, she leaned her head back, giving him better access. He trailed his tongue along her collarbone and back up to her jaw. She tasted salty sweet and her smell was intoxicating.

Energy built up inside as he inhaled her aroma, then exhaled a long, low growl. She moaned in response and turned to meet his lips with her own. Their psi erupted in waves of pleasure as their tongues danced around each other. Goddess help him, but he wanted to consume this woman. It was a foreign sensation with the psi-bands on. Only by touching her could he feel her psi. Her skin. She was soft and silky and he needed more.
She was Sandarian military
.

Ty flung himself backward and slid as far away from her as possible. He’d done it again. Just like at the jail. No thought had occurred before he was next to her, running his lips down that silky neck.

Sandarian military.

His heart pounded, and he clenched his fists, letting the anger build. “Rule number one, we stay away from each other.”

“Ya think?” Her eyes flashed with anger of her own as she wiped her lips with bound hands.

“Rule number two, the bands stay on at all times. No psi. You’re outnumbered and out-gunned.”

Her eyes narrowed, but she said nothing.

“I don’t want this to be any harder than necessary. Where we’re going doesn’t lend itself to escape. You try, you die. You behave, and you’ll have more freedoms. You got that?”

She remained silent, which was probably just as well. The more she spoke, the more his psi resonated with her energy. A twinge of the pleasure he’d felt when he kissed her trickled down his spine.
She’s military. Sandarian fracking military. I should dump her in the forest and let the woricks take care of her.

* * * *

Ria sat rigid, looking into liquid gray eyes. Eyes, no doubt, that belonged to her psi-mate. Darl said Curzans were thought to be little better than animals. What Ty did to her body and psi made her sick at heart. Her system was in shock. With nothing more than a touch from him, her brain short-circuited. All thoughts ceased as pleasure took over. Her lack of control terrified her. The fact that he’d pulled away pissed her off because she knew, even if she’d been able, she wouldn’t have.

Aside from that one snarky response, she couldn’t talk. Wouldn’t talk. She had no idea what words would come out of her mouth if she did.

They spent the rest of the ride in silence. More and more, Ria wanted out of the cruiser. Like an attack of claustrophobia, she fought a feeling of panic. The cords around her wrists didn’t help any. His closeness undermined her resolve. She couldn’t help but remember his touch. Finally, the cruiser slowed and descended, and she welcomed the distraction. Through the canopy of trees below, she could make out a large dwelling of some kind. It was well camouflaged and easily missed if you didn’t know what to look for. The cruiser pulled into a large barn next to two other vehicles.

Ty was out the door before the vehicle touched down. As soon as he left, her anxiety subsided, and she breathed easier.

The vehicles were parked in one corner of the barn. She recognized the massive animals in stalls along one wall. Like horses on Earth, only stockier with shorter necks and longer legs, thick as tree trunks. Strong and sturdy, nothing spooked them, which made them excellent mounts for hunting. Ty told her she couldn’t escape.
You try, you die.
His voice echoed with a shiver down her spine.

Ria counted five people as they left the barn and headed for the main building. There was a massive bulk of a man holding the arm of a shorter, stout woman. A teenage girl and an exotic looking beauty were talking to Ty.

Good. She can keep him out of my hair.
Two other men unloaded crates onto a hovering platform and followed the others. Pet goons, how nice. She tested her restraints and wasn’t surprised when they didn’t budge. Scanning the large space, she made mental note of everything stored along the walls. It was sparse, but there were a few things that might help during an escape.

You better watch your back, Ty Sordina, because you picked the wrong person to mess with.
Even the thought of his name riled her insides.

They left her there for a good fifteen minutes before one of the goons came out and released her seat restraints. She stepped out of the cruiser and stretched as best she could before letting him lead her out of the barn.

The thick smell of the forest was everywhere. The woods were dense, and off in the distance, came the faint sound of water. Above the treetops, mountain peaks soared, blocking the direct light of Mitah’s sun. They climbed a flight of steps to the front entrance and went inside. A massive great room with an oversized fireplace greeted them. Heads of animals, some with hair, others with thick looking hides, adorned the walls. Large, small, reptilian, it was all there. Numerous paintings depicting scenes of hunts covered the remaining space.

Ria wasn’t sure what to expect. The goons were clearly security dudes, but the others didn’t seem to be. Ty’s family maybe? Except for the woman. She was beautiful and carried herself with confidence. Unless Ria was wrong, she also had the hots for Ty. She desperately wanted not to care about that. Really, really wanted not to care. She tried to ignore the sensation spreading through her as she remembered his touch.

Goon dudes didn’t seem to know what to do with her so they all just stood in the entryway.

Footsteps echoed closer from the other end of the room. The large man she’d seen earlier emerged from a hallway on the far side. He paused a moment when he saw her, then came forward with a determined look on his face. He stopped a pace in front of her. Head tilted slightly, he reached out a hand. “Name’s Merek.”

* * * *

Stewing, Mortog paced in his office. The jailbreak of Ty Sordina was unthinkable. The imbecile had taken the EP as well, or had she been part of the escape? He drummed his fingers on his polished wood desk. Having heard the news, Rucon Cavacent was on his way over. Normally, this wouldn’t present a problem, but it appeared the man was impervious to Mortog’s special skill. That made him dangerous. He’d have ordered him killed if not for his connections within the military. Still, perhaps there was a way.