Shamara (23 page)

Jarek gave her his nova-wattage smile. "Oh, I'm certain we can. I'll be glad to demonstrate, if you don't believe me."

"Let me go." She shoved against him, fear and frustration churning inside her.

His expression turned serious, and he released her. She slid off the bunk and grabbed her tunic. Keeping her back to him, she put it on. Her emotions were all jumbled, and she was so confused. If only Rayna were here to discuss this.

She felt Jarek moving behind her. His hands settled on her shoulders, their warmth seeping through the silk fabric to her chilled skin beneath.

"I didn't mean to make light of the situation," he said gently. "I'll wager a guess that you're afraid of your powers. Maybe you don't understand them, or don't have full control over them yet. You still haven't admitted to having them, at least not in so many words."

He massaged her tense shoulders. "What about my injury at the Pleasure Dome? You saved my life, Eirene. This is a miracle, a gift from Spirit. What a waste it would be for you not to use it."

He didn't understand. It wasn't a gift. It was a curse.

"I know a lot of this is new to you," he continued. "Mating certainly is. I suspect using your powers is also new. You'll get used to these situations, and learn how to cope with them."

Eirene was more convinced than ever that he was wrong. How could she control powers when she didn't even know she was expending them?

He pulled her back against him, rested his chin on her head. "Do you regret what we just did?"

No. She didn't regret that at all. She'd never dreamed anything could be so incredible, so intense and pleasurable. And she cared for Jarek, far more than was prudent. He evoked alarming responses within her, both emotional and physical.

Even now, her body stirred in reaction to his nearness, the heat of his big body behind her, the feel of his arms around her. Even now, she again craved his kiss, his touch, the feel of him inside her. What madness was this?

"No," she whispered, unable to lie to him about what they had just shared. "I don't regret it."

"Good." A wealth of satisfaction deepened his voice. "Come here." He turned her in his arms and tilted her face up. He kissed her heatedly, as if they hadn't just lain together. And, Spirit help her, she wanted to mate with him again. She felt bereft when he pulled back.

"We'll work through this together," he promised, his eyes dark with passion. "Come back to bed with me. Let me love you again."

She hesitated, desire battling fear.

"If the energy surge happens again, we'll deal with it," Jarek reassured her. "With practice, you'll learn how to control it." He grinned, a mischievous glint dancing into his eyes. "And we'll practice as much as you want, until you master the energy."

She wanted to refuse. But, oh, she wanted this…wanted him. She rationalized that perhaps the energy surge had just been a fluke. It had never happened to her before.

He kissed her again, and her fears wavered. It wouldn't happen a second time, she told herself. She'd keep the energy tightly contained. Now she knew what to expect.

She didn't object when Jarek removed her tunic and carried her back to the bunk. And, like a ship being sucked into a black hole, she found herself hopelessly lost in a vortex of emotion and passion.

*  *  *

Eirene stood next to Jarek, watching while he bartered for weapons. Turlock's men had helped themselves to virtually everything on his ship—suspensions for the food replicator, weapons, medicines, various other supplies.

Fortunately, the gold for the equipment on Aldon had been hidden in the concealed compartment in the galley. Still, Jarek now had to delve into his precious stash of miterons to replace necessities.

As he argued with the vendor—thankfully, not the foul Jaccian who'd sold Eirene the stunner—she looked out over Saron's main square. The kaleidoscope of color and movement and sound from the masses of beings moving through the marketplace was no longer so overwhelming. Neither was the emotional bombardment, as she was learning to block much of it out. She found little comfort in that accomplishment.

She did not have control over the activation of her powers.

When she'd mated with Jarek the second time, again reaching a planet-shattering completion, her energy had surged. Even with her aware of it, even with her trying desperately to contain it at the peak of pleasure, she'd been unable to do so. The surge had been even wilder this time, giving Jarek several strong jolts. He claimed most of the energy had enhanced the pleasure. She wondered what the rest of it had done.

And once again, she'd linked telepathically with him. It was an eerie sensation, having another person's voice in your head; knowing that your own thoughts would be broadcast to another, no matter how private or intimate.

She didn't like it at all. Despite Jarek's reassurances that she'd develop the skills to maintain control, she was unconvinced. She had no idea what to do at this point. She didn't see how she could avoid traveling to Aldon with him, but after she proved her powers were useless, what then? She knew she couldn't stay with him forever. There were no commitments binding them together, and his people needed him too badly. Yet, for now, she intended to enjoy every moment she had with him.

She scanned the many stalls and carts with their bright displays of goods, and the hawking vendors trying to draw customers. Her attention fixed on a nearby cart that caught her interest. Herbs. Medicinal herbs, from the looks of them.

Under Rayna's tutelage, she had studied herbs for many seasons. Even though wouldn’t attempt using her powers for healing, she'd hoped she could at least be a conventional healer, like Darya. So she had studied hard and learned all she could about natural and synthesized medicines.

Wondering if the vendor might have some herbs she'd never seen before, or might be able to impart some new knowledge, Eirene stared longingly at the cart.

She turned back to the weapon transaction. "Jarek."

"That's space piracy!" he declared to the dealer. "Thirty miterons for the rifle. That's my final offer." He looked at her. "What is it?"

She pointed toward the cart. "I'd like to go look at those medicinal herbs."

He hesitated. "I'm afraid I don't have enough gold for you to purchase anything."

Guilt swept through her. She still had many of the jewels from the daggers in her satchel. She should offer them to Jarek, to help replenish his supplies and buy the equipment on Aldon. And she would, she decided, after they reached Aldon. If his gold wasn't enough for the Shens, she'd offer the jewels. At least she could give him that.

"I don't want to buy anything," she assured him. "I just want to see what the vendor has."

"Sure. Go ahead. Just stay nearby. Turlock or his men might be around. We'll get out of here as soon as I have what we need."

Eirene nodded and walked over to the cart. Moments later, she was engrossed in studying several new herbs, while the vendor enthusiastically extolled their amazing medicinal powers. Smiling to herself, she discounted most of the woman's extravagant claims.

As she reached for another container, a buzz of voices and emotions drew her attention. She felt an unusually high level of curiosity and excitement, even for Saron. Curious, she glanced toward the square's center and saw a regiment of Anteks shoving through the crowds. She'd seen Anteks a few times, when they'd come to Travan to trade on behalf of the Controllers.

They were ugly; hulky in build, but with small heads, and snouts instead of noses, and little beady eyes. Spiked bristles covered their heads and their necks, and rows of sharp teeth created their slash of a mouth. The laser rifles they carried and brandished freely ensured a wide berth as the crowds hastily moved back.

Not certain she wanted to know their purpose, Eirene returned her attention to the herbs, then froze as a unique energy assaulted her senses. The energy was strong, unusually so for the average being, and radiated incredible fright.

Trapped. Terrified. Fully aware that a horrible fate waited.

The feelings, gyrating in an unstable pattern, were overwhelming. She battled not to give in to the sense of utter panic stirring inside her. Who—or what—was broadcasting so strongly?

Giving in to the morbid pull, she turned back toward the Anteks. They yelled and shoved a few hapless beings out of the way. Then she saw him. A young man with pale skin that contrasted sharply with the midnight hair that flowed halfway down his back. Stumbling along behind the Anteks, he kept his eyes down. His hands were shackled in front of him. More Anteks closed the ranks behind him.

He was the one generating the bombardment of emotional energy, either too frightened or too inexperienced to control it.
He was an Enhancer.

Eirene knew that with intuitive certainty. The energy felt too strong and too familiar for there to be any other explanation. Her own undisciplined energies must have been broadcasting, allowing him to sense her presence. He lifted his head and looked directly at her.

Another Enhancer.
He was another Enhancer.

Unable to look away, she left the cart and walked closer to the progression of Anteks and their prisoner. Drawing abreast, she moved sideways with them, staring at the young man. He watched her, turning his head to keep her in sight as she dropped behind, hampered by the crowd.

She could see his eyes now, a deep blue, much like her own. Despair and resignation, an incredible sadness, all swirled in the depths of those eyes. She tried to get closer, and he shook his head in warning.

An Antek shoved him from behind, and he stumbled forward. Falling back even farther, Eirene scrambled to keep up and see where the soldiers were taking him. Her mind reeled with shock. Where had this man come from? How many other Enhancers were out there in this vast quadrant? And, more crucial right now, where was he being taken?

She got her answer moments later, when she shoved through the crowd just in time to see the young man being led into a large, iridescent-stoned building on the east side of the square. Moving closer, Eirene read the view board, which videovised an upcoming auction of an extremely rare item. The message didn't state specifically what the item might be, but she knew.

With nausea roiling in her stomach, and a heavy heart, she knew. This was the auction of an Enhancer to the highest bidder. Of their own accord, her legs carried her up the shimmering, multihued steps to the huge Variana marble doors. She didn't know what she'd do when she got inside, only that she must see the man.

Two Anteks flanking the massive entry pointed their rifles at her. "Where's your pass, lady?" one snorted, drool hanging from his mouth.

He smelled awful. She struggled not to gag. "My pass?"

"This is a private transaction. Not open to public. Get going before I shoot."

Eirene stepped back, the full impact of the situation hitting her. There was nothing, absolutely nothing, she could do to help that young man inside. At least ten Anteks lined the front of the building, and she'd seen more than that go in with their prize.

Sick to her soul, she turned away and slowly descended the steps. Here it was, clearly laid out before her—the horrific fate befalling any Enhancer who was discovered. And yet…

As much as the thought of being found out terrified her, the growing need to do whatever she could to help Jarek—to help the entire Shielder race—overrode her fear. All her life, she’d been taught it was her duty to help those in need. If she thought only of herself, then she dishonored Rayna and those of her race. She was ready to risk her own life for a far greater cause.

Except for one problem: she had no real control over her powers. The times she’d tried to use them, she’d caused more harm—
great
harm, in one instance—than good. Even her determination to help couldn’t change that fact.

At this point, all she could offer Jarek were her support on the journey to Aldon and the jewels in her daggers. It was very little in the face of the Shielders’ struggle for survival, but all she could give. Resolved, she started back to find him.

A powerful arm snaked around her chest with stunning swiftness, and she was yanked backward against a large body. Just as quickly, she was spun around and her hood jerked off. For a millisecond, all she could see was a stocky chest.

"Well, well, niece," came a chillingly familiar voice above her head. "I thought you were long gone from Saron. What a surprise.

"Shock evaporated rational thought. Slowly, she tilted her head to face her uncle.

A sneer slashed across Vaden's cruel face. "You've led me on quite a chase, girl. You probably thought I had given up." He dug his fingers painfully into her upper arms. Wincing, she bit her lips together. She wouldn't cry out, no matter what.

"But I never give up—especially when I've been cheated," he hissed.

He jerked his head, and four men stepped out from behind him, weapons gleaming in their hands. The cold fist of fear squeezed Eirene's heart, as she recognized them as Turlock's men—the ones she had stunned. She had never wished for death, but right now, it might be preferable to the alternative. Her chest heaving, she battled to stay calm.

"You made me look like a fool, niece," her uncle growled. "And you ruined an important trade deal. Traitorous bitch. You'll pay, I promise."

He grasped her chin, turning her bruised face into the light and inspecting it. "Looks like someone already got tired of your treachery. But what I have in mind will be far more painful than this was."

He brought his face within millimeters of hers. His breath was foul, reeking of strong liquor. "Tell me, girl, are you still a virgin? Or have you lain with san Ranul and half the male population of the quadrant, like some cheap slut? Turlock's men here—" he paused and gestured to the ugly brutes behind him, "—claim you were acting like a bitch in heat, but swear they never had you."

He tightened his cruel grip and shook her. "The truth. Tell me!"