Escape From Zulaire Read online

  “But if this is a Shenti attempt to take over rule of Zulaire, why did they kill Kane? He was honorary Shenti. It doesn’t make sense.” Andi’s stomach was in knots, vertigo making her senses swirl. A tragedy beyond anything I could have imagined.

  “Someone commits a crime, someone else takes revenge and the innocents get caught in the middle, because of who they are, who they were with, who they know. Sometimes being in the wrong spot at the wrong time gets a person killed,” Deverane said, his tone gentle. “I don’t want it to happen to you.”

  A vision of the atrocity committed on her friend battered Andi. What would I do if I got caught in a similar situation? I didn’t even bring my personal blaster.

  She stood, resting her hand on Deverane’s arm for a moment. “I’ll go back to the capital with you in the morning. And…thank you.”

  “In the—” He glared at her, eyebrows drawing together in an impressive frown, forehead wrinkles deepening even more. “Have you been listening, Miss Markriss? This planet is in a precarious state. We can’t wait for your convenience. We need to leave tonight. The sooner the better.”

  Andi walked to the door. “I don’t think we can leave tonight, Captain, no matter what you want.”

  The door handle moved under her hand. Startled, she released it, falling back a pace or two. When the door opened, Iraku stood there, condescending as ever, face contorted in a sneer, lips pursed in disapproval. Hands on their curved belt knives, two of the armed household guards stood a few steps away. Startled by their hostile expressions, Andi retreated a step.

  Addrerssing her but staring at Deverane, Iraku asked, “Is there a problem, miss? Lady Tonkiln wishes to speak with you regarding the presentation at tonight’s ceremony.”

  Andi shook her head. “No problem, I’ll be right there.” She turned to Deverane, holding out one hand, palm up. “Better ask your sergeant what’s wrong with the APC’s engine.”

  “What are you talking about?” Deverane strode to her side.

  “He told me there was an engine problem. The corporal said it was going to take all night to fix. Listen, assuming your men can’t repair the APC tonight, I’ll go to the reception, do my duty for Loxton, and leave with you in the morning. No problem.”

  What Deverane would have said next, Andi didn’t wait to hear. After all, the Tonkilns had a small army of Naranti servants and household guards. Every Obati household in the summer colony did. The well-trained security force ought to be enough protection from any hotheaded Shenti warriors bent on making mischief.

  Rolling her shoulders as she walked down the hall, she took a deep, calming breath. We can’t leave now anyway, so I might as well stick with protocol. Nothing’s likely to happen tonight, not here in the middle of the Obati stronghold.

  Chapter Two

  Although she packed a single suitcase with essentials before dressing for the reception and driving over with Lady Tonkiln, Andi refused to let herself worry too much about Captain Deverane’s dire news. Although the massacre of Kane’s team was a heartbreaking, shocking tragedy, the crew had been half the planet away. Surely whoever was trying to foment rebellion in the south didn’t affect the situation here. Dave always was an alarmist. Loxton won’t appreciate his abandoning the planet. Can you say career-ending move? Yes, she’d travel back to the capital with the Sectors soldiers tomorrow, but for tonight, she couldn’t find a reason good enough to shirk her duty.

  Despite a nagging headache, she got through the dinner and made her well-practiced, flowery speech as she presented the Loxton gift, which was well received by Lysanda and her groom. When the dancing began, Andi stood on the sidelines, remembering the end-of-summer party last year, when she and Gul Tonkiln had been together. Although their breakup had been mutual, she still felt a brief flash of regret, tempered by the sure knowledge nothing long term would have developed between them. Careless, handsome Gul Tonkiln, oldest son of the ruler, who’d sworn he’d be here this weekend. He hadn’t even bothered to show up for Lysanda’s handfasting ceremony earlier in the day. Well, what did I really expect? This is classic Gul behavior. Obviously, nothing’s changed.

  A deep, rich voice spoke to her in Basic. “Waiting for someone? Or will I do?”

  Deverane stood in front of her, his wide shoulders blocking her view of the room. He bowed very slightly, but his intense gaze never left her face.

  A hot little tingle of electricity ran through Andi’s nerves. I never expected to see him here.

  “Don’t tell me you were invited?” How did he manage that? Looking down on anyone not in their noble caste, the Obati made their parties hard to crash. Outworlders weren’t normally included on the guest lists, but Loxton was important to Zulaire’s intergalactic credit balance, which explained Andi’s access.

  Deverane still wore his camouflage fatigues but had pinned on his silver captain’s bars. Riding his hip was a Mark 27 blaster.

  Andi pointed at the weapon. “You always wear a sidearm to formal occasions?”

  “On this planet I do.” He rested his hand on the blaster’s butt. “I invited myself, and the doorkeeper didn’t quite know what to do, so she let me in. With Mawreg incursions in the adjoining Sectors, we’re an important presence on Zulaire. Nobody wants to piss off the Sectors when the enemy might just decide your planet is a tempting target.” The captain glanced around the crowded room, full of laughing, dancing Obati and Shenti. The pounding music was fast, with a heavy bass line. “Pretty good turnout. Took me a few minutes to work my way over here. I saw you dancing when I came in.”

  Andi’s cheeks flamed. He was watching me? Wasn’t at my most graceful, not doing that awkward step. She hoped the subdued lighting would hide her embarrassment. “I was dancing with a business acquaintance.” Right, a jerk trying to get certain personal fringe benefits from throwing large shipping orders Loxton’s way. Won’t be dancing with him again. Not after what she’d told him to do with his order.

  “I see.” Very slowly, the captain’s gaze traveled from her head to her toes and back again. “Great dress, by the way. Nice shade of blue.” The pupils of his eyes were huge, sparkling.

  Could all-business Captain Deverane be trying to get on my good side with compliments? Hers was a knockout dress, though. Much better than the borrowed, overfussy getup she’d had to wear for Lysanda’s ceremony earlier in the day. Low-cut, sheer, pale-blue offworld silk with subtle flowers woven into the fabric, the dress flowed over a tight, blue bodysuit. This outfit could hold its own with any other woman’s at the party. The dress cost her a chunk of last quarter’s salary. I wish Loxton’s accountants understood the necessity of blending in with the clients.

  “You don’t strike me as the type to notice what a woman is wearing, unless she’s a soldier out of uniform,” she said. Teasing Deverane seemed safer somehow than acknowledging the compliment outright.

  “Hey, I’m serious.” His genuine smile and twinkling eyes took ten years off his face.

  “Well, thank you, sir.” Why is this new side of Deverane making me tongue tied? Andi cleared her throat, fidgeting with her necklace.

  “Let’s declare a truce.” He held out his hand, palm up. “I recognize this song the band is attempting to play. It was popular at Sector Hub when I was last posted there. I do know how to dance.” This last was said directly into her ear. His breath whispered over her skin, tickled her cheek in a way that gave her butterflies. The captain nodded toward the dance floor and winked.

  The orchestra had switched to a slower, more romantic tune, and the lights dimmed to match the shift in mood.

  “I never thought of dancing as a military skill.” Still a little flustered, she stepped onto the polished hardwood floor. Her fingers trembled ever so slightly as his closed around them.

  Deverane encircled her waist with one arm, tugged her close and swirled her into the throng of couples. He was smooth and sure at following the intricate patterns demanded by the music. “Command believes we should know all about maneuve
ring in tight situations. I learned at Star Guard Academy as a cadet. Some skills stay with you for life.” The captain avoided mishap by swinging her around a couple doing exuberant, sweeping turns, hogging the floor. Twirling Andi out, then back, he held her tight for the next series of steps.

  He was warm, solid against her, all muscle. Catching a whiff of his intriguing scent, she inhaled, trying to ignore the way her nipples pebbled and tightened. I’d better watch myself, this officer is affecting me on more than one level. Andi relaxed as the music played on. They moved so smoothly together, as if they’d been dance partners before, maybe in another life.

  He grinned down at her, green eyes gleaming. “I’m sorry I was so abrupt this afternoon.”

  “Apology accepted. Why are you here at this party, though? To kidnap me? After all, you do have orders, right?”

  Deverane looked away for a second. “Not orders to kidnap civilians under the protection of the Planetary High Lord.” The words were clipped, bitten off, his voice low and tense.

  Andi decided to ignore the odd undertone. “Not that I’m ungrateful for the dance, but I never expected to see you here.”

  “I never expected you to leave the house and be here.” He sounded annoyed. “The situation is unsafe, you’re unprotected, vulnerable—”

  “You don’t think the Tonkiln’s protection will be enough?” She was surprised.

  “No.” Breaking off the dance, he stared into her eyes, still holding her close. Annoyed couples bumped into them on both sides. Andi staggered, and the captain steadied her, but another somewhat inebriated couple jostled him. Shielding her from the impact, Deverane fended off the other dancers with his hip and elbow. “Look, we can’t stand here to discuss it. And we sure as hell can’t dance and have a debate. Agreed?”

  She nodded, but with a sigh. He was the best partner she’d ever danced with. It had been effortless to follow his lead, like flying. Why couldn’t this have lasted longer before reality broke in on us? “We don’t have to go back to the Tonkilns’ yet, do we? Is the APC repaired?”

  “No, my men are working on it. Let me get you something to drink, and we’ll step outside where we won’t draw so much attention.” Deverane led her by the hand through the throng of onlookers, back to the intimate groupings of small tables along the wall. Giggling, a cluster of the younger Obati ladies talked animatedly, stealing glances at her. The scrutiny made Andi tense, on edge. She could imagine what trend the gossip was taking.

  What would Gul say?

  Does he know about this good-looking offworlder?

  Is she trying to make him jealous? Clever girl!

  She dropped Deverane’s hand. “I’ll meet you at the western door,” Andi said over her shoulder, already walking away along the line of tables. Deliberately, she kept her pace slow and unhurried. One never exhibits undue haste in front of the Obati nobility.

  Slipping outside, Andi waited in the gloom by the vine-covered pillars. She hummed under her breath, the song they’d been dancing to, trying to block the amorous sounds coming from couples sprawled on the double-wide lounges scattered outside the ballroom. As soon as Deverane walked out, she went to meet him, accepting the cold drink he offered her. She waved her free hand toward the tree line just off the patio. “Can we walk down to the lake? With the two moons out tonight, it’s clear enough, and this is one of my favorite places on Zulaire. If what you’ve told me about an impending war is true, I may never be here again.”

  “All right, but we’re not going to stay long.” Taking her elbow in a light clasp, Deverane guided her down the shallow stairs toward the lake.

  “I can leave,” Andi said, sipping her drink. “Lady Tonkiln went home with a headache right after all the gifts were tallied. And I haven’t seen Lysanda and her groom since the dancing started. My duties are complete.”

  Arm in arm, they strolled past a reflecting pool. The captain kept gazing around, checking the area for threats, apparently. Military reflexes, no doubt. His actions reminded her why she was really here in the moonlight with this handsome man—politics, not pleasure. Sighing, she chose the flagstone pathway toward the lake, which gleamed gray blue in the moonlight ahead of them. Not far from shore, the trees on a small island cast odd black shadows onto the calm waters. Misty clouds were coming to rest on the distant mountains.

  They walked for a few minutes, not touching but companionably close. She was very conscious of him at her back, ready to shield her from any danger they might encounter. Pausing at the lakeshore, Andi savored the peaceful scene, allowing the lapping of the waves to calm her nerves a bit.

  “A beautiful place.” Deverane moved to stand right beside her, his hip brushing hers. Even the slight contact sent sizzling sparks through her nerve endings. Apparently unaware of the effect he was having on her, he gazed out over the lake. “Serene.”

  Andi laughed. “You should have seen it during the day, when the children were riding their personal aquatic craft. So much noise. I pity the poor water creatures.”

  He glanced at her sequined dance shoes gleaming in the moonlight. “Your feet must be tired. Are there benches?”

  Warmed by his attentiveness to her comfort, Andi couldn’t help wishing just a little that they weren’t out together because of the unsettled circumstances between the Clans.Why couldn’t I have met this intriguing guy some other time? “Over here.”

  He followed her onto another path made from crushed white rock. Artistically rustic, but still comfortable, wooden benches were placed at intervals along the shore. Selecting one a few yards from the entrance to the path, Andi sat down. Taking a longer swallow from her drink, she savored the fruity taste, berries and citrus with a biting alcoholic kicker. Raising his glass, Deverane took a sip, rolling it around in his mouth to appreciate the blend. She watched the muscles in his throat work as he finally swallowed. He smiled. “Good stuff. Packs a punch but smooth.”

  Sipping her own drink, she stared unseeing at the silvery waters. Conflicting thoughts warred in her head – an increasing interest in, and attraction to, the man beside her versus the memories of what he’d told her about the atrocities going on elsewhere, the death of her friend Kane…Rubbing her forehead, she felt a headache coming on.

  A pair of night hunting birds called from the woods behind them. In the parking area on the other side of the celebration hall, a groundcar alarm blared then abruptly cut off.

  Andi stood up, putting her glass down on the bench before resting her hand on Deverane’s arm. “I think we’d better go. Everything you’ve told me today is making me nervous, although I still find it hard to believe there’s danger to Lord Tonkiln’s family, or any of the others out here.”

  “Maybe the Naranti mediators can reduce the tension levels. I understand it’s worked before,” he said. “Not my problem, however. Command doesn’t want any Sectors citizens caught in a Zulairian concern.”

  She turned her head away from him. Even with their own citizens getting killed in the crossfire, the Sectors would take a hands-off stance, leaving the people of Zulaire to solve the problems. The offworld government didn’t care if it meant years of local bloodshed. “Sectors doesn’t want to have to get involved, you mean.”

  “Right.” Crisply, Deverane nodded. “Zulaire provides some essential minerals, from the Abuzan Range, but we’ve secured and supplied the mine to withstand a two-year siege.”

  Andi took a last look at the lake, trying to imprint the quiet scene on her memory. “What did Lady Tonkiln say when you decided to spend the night?”

  “A lot of gracious nonsense. The old harridan didn’t mean a word of it. She left it to Iraku to decide where to quarter us. He must dislike outworlders even more than she does, because he stuck us in the big transport barn with our vehicles.” He smiled, but his clenched jaw betrayed his true feelings on the subject.

  “You’re not serious?” Andi did a double take. “You’re an officer. Weren’t you provided a room in the main house?”

  �
�Iraku offered a room to me. But I’ll be damned if I’m going to sleep in a posh mansion while my men bunk in a garage.” Tossing the remainder of his drink into the shrubbery, Deverane set the heavy, engraved glass on the bench.

  She shivered, rubbing her arms, trying to soothe away the goosebumps brought on by the night breeze.

  Giving her a concerned look, he stood up. “I’m an idiot. I should have thought to ask if you had a wrap before we came out here.”

  “It’s all right. I’ll be fine. I’m upset about my friends and concerned about everything you just told me.”

  “The situation report was a lot to take in, I know.” Deverane moved closer to her, heat radiating from his body. Slowly he reached out with one hand to circle her wrist, tugging her gently closer, until she was right up against him. “Better?”

  Andi nodded, placing her hands on his chest, enjoying the feeling of their bodies together, the implicit intimacy holding promise for what might happen later.

  The lights along the path and beside the benches flickered and went out, plunging them into darkness.

  Glancing around, Deverane frowned in the moonlight. He released her, keeping one hand around her wrist and putting the other on the butt of his blaster. “Is that normal?”

  “The generators have been known to be troublesome in the summer. Probably nothing.” The moment was gone, the spell she’d been under broken. Am I disappointed? Relieved? Things had been moving way too fast between them for people who had just met. “Fortunately, we still have enough moonlight to see the path.” Andi took a step toward the clubhouse.

  He tightened his grip on her wrist, forcing her to stop. “Wait.”

  Yelling broke out in the large building on the rise behind them. Glaring, sporadic flashes burst from the general direction of the parking area and from the main wing of the celebration hall itself. Making the forest brighter than day, a sizable explosion obliterated the light of the two moons for a moment. Clapping her hands to her ears at the concussion, Andi ducked, crowding into the reassuringly hard-muscled captain.