The Sunfire (26 page)

His hand skipped briefly over her breast then, restless, he
smoothed his palm down over her ribs, lingering at her waist, her hip, her
thigh, where he finally curled his fingers over the flight suit still covering
her legs. Instinctively, she hooked her calf over his, fearful he would be
coming to his senses any time now and would try to pull away, just like he did
the last time.

But he didn’t pull away.

Instead he rolled onto his back, rolling Miranda with him
until she was sprawled over him. With their positions reversed, she tunnelled
the fingers of one hand through the silk of his hair and curled the others
around his nape. She felt his hands running down the length of her back, from
her shoulders down to her bottom and then to her thighs, before they retraced
the journey in a more leisurely fashion. Then he roped his arms around her
waist and held her fast against him, so he could wreck more havoc on her mouth.

“Don’t leave me tonight.” The words escaped from her, before
she even realised she had said them out loud. “I don’t want to be alone.”

Jon reared up, gazing at her intently, his eyes just as dark
as Sejanus’ had been when he touched her hours before. However, his eyes did
not leave her cold all over, but started a fire blazing hot and wild inside
her, like nothing she’d ever felt before.

“You won’t be alone tonight. I promise,” he said.

*****

As Miranda once again stared into the emptiness of Sejanus’
eyes, she remembered the previous night. Drawing on the feelings of safety and
comfort Jon instilled in her and surrounding herself with them like a blanket.
Jon had already gone when she finally awoke, but she could still feel his
warmth from where he had laid next to her during the night. They had slept
together entwined, this time with no barrier separating them. The warmth and
scent of Jon had surrounded her, strong and reassuring. She had slept
peacefully in the knowledge that while she lay within his arms, nothing could
possibly hurt her. She knew in the hours and days ahead she would need to draw
on every drop of that strength.

Upon arriving back in Sejanus’ office for the second time,
Miranda sensed the subtle shift in the mood of the room. It certainty seemed
like Sejanus was expecting trouble, as unlike their first meeting, this time a
number of guards were stationed in strategic places around the room. Jon, however,
had not even broken stride upon entering the room, he simply let his gaze
linger on them for an instant before dismissing them out of hand. Taking
another look at Jon from the corner of her eye, she envied his confidence, as
inside she could feel a tendril of unease beginning to spread over her. Her
heart beat a little faster, fearful of what was going to transpire next. The
expression on Jon’s face made her catch her breath, as his jaw was tight and
his eyes were furious. He looked as if he was barely able to contain his
simmering anger.

“I must say that I am surprised Admiral,” Sejanus said in an
amused tone, after Jon explained what he was prepared to offer in place of the
Princess. “I never took you for the type of person who would share.” He shot Jon
a sardonic look.

Jon could already feel his patience starting to fray, as he
was growing tired of this charade and itched for the time Sejanus would end it
and they could bring this game of his to its inevitable conclusion. Yet, once
again, he had to remind himself that for the moment Sejanus held all the cards
and he would need to play by his rules. But only for a very short while longer.

“Just answer the damn question,” Jon replied, consciously
forcing himself not to roll his eyes in disdain. “Do you agree to the terms or
don’t you?”

Sejanus looked thoughtful for a moment, before a sly
expression slowly crept across his face. “I’m not sure,” he mused aloud. “I
have no way to compare if the gifts are of comparable worth, but perhaps you
could advise me? Who was the better lay, the beautiful Captain here or the
Princess?”

Jon’s eyes narrowed as he stared at Sejanus intently. “I
don’t know what you are talking about
.
”

“Oh come Commander,” he interrupted, clapping his hands
together in child-like delight. “No need to be so modest. Even this far out on
the rim we heard the rumours about the mighty Praetorian Commander and the last
Imperial Princess. Please do not continue to insult my intelligence with this
farce you have been perpetuating. I doubt you can continue to claim you are
Harkov when my spies reliably inform me he has been dead for weeks. Not unless
you plan to claim to be his recently departed spirit?” Sejanus crowed with
obvious delight and self-satisfaction, immeasurably proud of himself for finally
revealing Jon’s true identity.

However, the pleased expression on Sejanus’s face slipped
slightly when he noticed that far from being surprised, or despondent at the
ruse finally being over, Jon was staring at him with an intent expression. At
the same time, the sight of Jon seemed to flicker and waver, as if he was
consciously casting off a disguise, to reveal his true identity. For Jon seemed
to grow in size and stature, his previous demeanour of irritation and
frustration replaced with one of cold, laser-like intensity, his eyes darkening
to a flinty-grey, the intensity of his stare increasing in order of magnitude.
As he took a step closer towards Sejanus, he seemed to grow even more daunting
and intimidating with each step.

Sejanus unconsciously took a step back, alarmed by the
sudden change in the demeanour of the man. For suddenly, it had felt as if the
power and control in the room had abruptly shifted and Sejanus was finally
facing what Jon truly was
—
the Praetorian Commander.
Implacable, unyielding, with eyes blazing, being the undisputed leader of that
group of legendary warriors Sejanus had been so callously cast out from. Even
without the sword, Sejanus was reminded of a younger Gideon, his nemesis who
had once taken everything from him.

“I wondered how much longer you would insist on carrying on
this charade,” Jon insisted with a cold glare. “I was getting a headache
continually forced to act like that over-confident, talkative dolt. I did the
galaxy a favour by sending him back to hell, on a one-way ticket. You will
share the same fate shortly, unless you take me to the Emperor immediately.”
Jon did not need to act self-important like Sejanus did, he simply stated the
edict as if the outcome was already predetermined. “Take me to him. Now,” he commanded,
his voice cracking like a whip, causing even Sejanus’ hair to stand on end.

With a conscious effort Sejanus reminded himself that in
this place, at this time, he was still firmly in control. He still held Marcus
captive and he would soon have the Princess. Radec was just a solitary man,
even more so without his fabled sword.

“You!” Sejanus practically screamed, pointing his finger
accusingly at Jon. “Do not tell me what to do in my office and, what’s more, on
my planet. For here you are nothing, being only a loyal subject with no master,
commander of a regiment that has long since passed into the history books. You
are simply a single, solitary man, who is powerless and helpless, you can do
nothing except threaten and bluster.”

“Take care Sejanus,” Jon whispered in a deathly quiet tone
of voice, taking a step closer. “For you are starting to sound much like
Harkov. He said much the same thing to me, whilst seated on his flagship,
surrounded by the full might of an Imperial Taskforce. He also accused me of
being powerless and helpless. Right up until the moment I smashed his mighty
flagship, with him in it, into a million pieces across my knee, like a child’s
toy. You should fear me, what I am capable of doing, as there are no limits, no
constraints to my wrath, when angered. I will unleash the forces of hell on you
and I will tear this planet apart rock-by-rock until it is nothing but the same
floating ball of dust that it once came from. Give me Marcus and I will leave,
never to return, but cross me at your peril Sejanus.”

Sejanus seemed to shrink away from him, aghast at the
transformation. It appeared as though, instead of Radec standing in front of
him, it was a malevolent entity from some sort of nightmare realm. The lights
in the room seemed to flicker with his words, a cold breeze blowing over him as
if the very gates of hell were slowly being forced open.

“You seem to have failed to pay attention to my first
demonstration of power over life and death,” Sejanus finally rallied. Taking a
firm grip on his sword his eyes swivelled around to the guards in the room
surrounding the Commander, as if to draw strength from them. “So perhaps you
need another demonstration? This one a little more, personal.” Sejanus seemed
to ooze malice.

“If he takes one more step forward kill him!” Sejanus told
the guards, who finally seemed to come to life, drawing their pistols and
pointing them directly at the Commander. Meanwhile Sejanus moved swiftly
towards Miranda, who had been frozen on the spot, unable to reconcile the man
now standing in the middle of the room with the one who held her so gently only
hours before.

Just like the young woman the day before, Sejanus reached
around Miranda’s neck with a strong forearm, immobilising her, pulling her
firmly towards his chest, at the same time twisting her around until she was
facing Jon. Miranda paled at the sound of the sword slowly being withdrawn from
its sheath.

She could feel the sharp point of the blade jutting into her
lower back.

She slowly raised her eyes to hold Jon’s stare, expecting to
see worry, fear, even anger. Instead all she recognised was a quiet confidence.
With a small, subtle shake of his head, Jon managed to convey a multitude of
feelings and impressions to her. That she was not to move, she would be fine
and he would not allow any harm to come to her. That it was he was in control
of the situation this time.

Miranda released the breath she had been unconsciously
holding, finally breathing easily once again. She felt the tendril of doubt,
which had been residing in her stomach all morning, finally unfurl and
disappear altogether. The entire room seemed to fade away, only leaving her and
Jon, with his reassuring presence. She suddenly felt safe and secure. It didn’t
matter anymore that she had some madman restraining her, with an incredibly
sharp blade dug into her back. Miranda knew she was safe, as Jon was there with
her and he would never allow any harm to befall her.

With sudden realisation, Miranda finally understood what it
must have been like for Sofia to have this man constantly at her side, keeping
her safe and secure. Firm in the knowledge nothing in the world could possibly
harm her, because it was first going to have to get past him, and never in a
million years was he going to allow that to happen.

Suddenly time seemed to speed up again and the room came
back into focus. Miranda could still feel Sejanus’ harsh breathing against the
nape of her neck, yet for some reason he seemed to be hesitant and unsure, as
if he was waiting for something he wasn’t sure would happen.

Jon viewed the scene in front of him calmly and made no move
to intervene, as he had looked into Sejanus’ soul, that vile cesspit, and
finally understood him. For he realised Sejanus took pleasure in people’s pain
but, more than that, he fed off their emotions, their fear, horror or hate. But
Miranda was not projecting any of these as she stood as still as a statue,
patient, almost seemingly indifferent.

Sejanus had no idea what to do, as none of his previous
victim’s had ever acted in such a manner. Glancing at the Commander, who was
still standing there unmoved, as if he were indifferent to the events taking
place in front of him, he licked his lips and his gaze fell down to the
luscious neck on display in front of him. He grew hard and his breathing became
ragged, as he remembered how she had felt when he ran his finger over her body
earlier. Finally, returning his sword to its sheath, he leaned forward and,
with his eyes locked on Radec, he licked along the length of her neck. He enjoyed
the shudder he felt run through her body and the sweet tangy taste of her skin.

“Take her to my personal chambers,” Sejanus ordered the
nearest guard, pushing her towards him. “I will be there shortly.” The guard
caught Miranda by the arm as she stumbled in his direction. Once again she shot
a short, concerned glance at Jon, who once again nodded slowly. Manhandling
her, the guard pushed her out of the room, leaving only Sejanus, Jon and the
few remaining guards.

Approaching Jon, who was still rooted to the middle of the
room, with several pistols pointing unwaveringly at him, Sejanus sneered at
him. “You should not be the only one who gets to decide who the better fuck
is.” At the stunned expression on Jon’s face, Sejanus carried on, delightedly.
“So you didn’t know Marcus offered the Princess to me first? Well I hate to
break the news to you,
Commander
, but you were hardly the first in line.
Similarly with the beautiful Captain, I always insist on sampling any rewards
beforehand to confirm their worth.”

Meanwhile Jon had gone a deep purple, the blood rushing to
his face, when at last he realised his deepest, darkest fears had come to
fruition. Fisting his hand in the pocket of his uniform
,
Jon
finally lost control. He could see nothing else but the man he was going to
kill in front of him and nothing else mattered. Not Miranda, not Marcus, not
the dozens of pistols pointing in his direction.

With a wordless cry, in the blink of an eye, he was within
arm’s reach of Sejanus. His right arm shot out, hand fastening firmly around
his throat, like a clamp and slowly, but surely, he tightened his vice-like
grip.

Sejanus was stunned, as he had never seen a man move so
fast. One minute Radec was standing in front of him and the next he had his
hand around his throat. Desperately Sejanus reached up, trying to prise the
hand away from him, but this was impossible, as Radec’s grip was like steel,
the hand an ever-tightening vice. Unable to draw breath, Sejanus slumped to his
knees, Jon doing likewise to continue to hold on to him. Both on their knees,
faces only centimetres apart, Sejanus started to see stars, his vision slowly
fading as he failed to draw oxygen into his lungs, his body starting to shut
down.