Absolution (Delroi Prophecy Book 4) Read online

  He felt Anna Leigh first relax then tense as Britt spoke.

  “Zola and her friends are okay, though?”

  Britt took a full minute to reply. “I really don’t think you need to worry about their safety. When you get on the ship access the latest media feeds from the Green Zone.”

  He could feel Anna Leigh’s eagerness to do just that. He had no idea how long it had been since she’d seen her daughter but realized it must have been quite some time.

  “Is she someplace safe?”

  “Trust me, there are few places safer,” Barak said and continued at Xan’s questioning look. “The Keep.”

  He knew the Keep well. The former Steward had been a good friend of his.

  “The Keep’s warriors are excellent,” he told Anna Leigh. “They’ll keep her safe.”

  Britt snorted. “You guys are all alike. You didn’t listen to a word I said. She doesn’t need protecting. You’ll understand when you see the vids.”

  He wanted to ask more but Barak changed the subject. “You have a real mess here, Xan. How many warriors do you have with you that you can trust?”

  “All the Bana warriors on Earth are mine. That’s why they’re here.”

  “How many?”

  “About five hundred.” It was a very small percentage of the Delroi on planet, but his clan was smaller than most and Mikail had refused to give up more. Barak nodded.

  “Make arrangements to rotate them home then. We’ll augment the loss from other places. You have two starships in orbit?”

  “Yes. The second ship will be several days behind us.”

  “Report to me here. I’ll have the Bana house in Saber City opened and cleaned too.”

  “Thank you. Anything else, my lord?”

  “Not on the comm,” he said and signed off.

  That was curious and disturbing. Had the Trace’s security been compromised?

  “They sure went from suspicious to trusting quick,” Anna Leigh said.

  “You think it’s a trap?”

  Lure him home, pretend they accepted him at his word, and follow him to the rebels. It would be a good plan, if he were a rebel.

  “You don’t?”

  He shook his head. “No. Kaje, who is Steward of the Keep, and Falkor, Barak’s brother and second in command, probably vouched for me before they even sent you in.”

  She didn’t say anything.

  “They don’t trust you though.” He couldn’t explain how he knew, but he was certain of it.

  “I know,” she said softly. “It doesn’t matter as long as I get there.”

  He wanted to know why. Wanted to peel away all her secrets. It would have to be on the way home when he could focus solely on her, however. He pressed a series of buttons on his desktop and a moment later Kaal, Nero, and Deal joined them in the office. Anna Leigh moved to a small couch under the window while his warriors took the armchairs. He expected at least one of them to protest Anna Leigh’s presence. Warrior der’lan’s rarely participated in strategy meetings. He didn’t want that kind of relationship with his mate though. He wanted a partner. None of his advisors said anything, however, and perhaps he shouldn’t be surprised. Kaal was one of his oldest friends. They’d fought countless battles together. His der’lan was a priestess of the goddess cult. A strong woman who could hold her own against her warrior mate, refused to be protected and cosseted. She was on their starship and Xan knew Kaal would be relieved to back to her.

  “We’re going home,” he said without preamble. “How many can leave immediately and how long will it take for the rest?”

  “I can have one hundred warriors ready to travel in an hour, my Lord. The ship is prepared,” Nero said. “It will take ten to fourteen days to pack up the rest of the men and the equipment.”

  “You have a week,” he said. “Kaal, you have the advance party. My der’lan and I will be on that shuttle in ten minutes.”

  Kaal nodded sharply, his expression never changing though his eyes gleamed, and left the room, the others following him. Xan heard orders being barked out in the main room and the sounds of several people moving at once. Anna Leigh rose and walked to his desk in a smooth sensual stride that made him want to take her then and there.

  “Der’lan?”

  “Why haven’t you tried to find it in my mind?”

  She shook her head. “It wasn’t what Britt asked me to look for and I’m trying to stay out of people’s minds if I don’t have permission.”

  He cocked an eyebrow. “Used to just taking what you want?”

  “As a measure of last resort, yes.”

  Her answer was honest and forthright. Maybe a little morally ambiguous. He didn’t sense any regret, any hesitation in her resolve to do what many telepaths balked at.

  “Are you going to answer me?”

  He stood, walked around the desk, and took her hand. “Yes, but it will have to wait. We need to get to the shuttle.”

  Chapter Three

  Transportation to the starship proved to be anticlimactic. Her first trip into space and there wasn’t even a window to look out. She’d spent the time listening to Xan and Kaal, who used two computer tablets and reviewed all the current information they had on the Bana clan. He was serious, focused, almost brusque. Intriguing. He scowled as they reviewed the clan’s inventory and she had to fight the urge to reach up and smooth his brow. It was completely and totally out of character, but instead of being afraid of her reaction to him she was fascinated.

  The shuttle slowed, turned, and came to a stop. Xan motioned her down the exit ramp first. She didn’t get a chance to look around the huge hanger bay before he put his palm on her back and steered her to a doorway that slid silently open. Kaal followed them.

  “Let me know when we’re ready to depart,” he ordered, turning as the warrior gave him a crisp nod.

  “Where are we going?” she asked.

  “Our quarters.”

  She stopped. Taking a hell of a lot for granted, wasn’t he? “Excuse me? Ours?”

  “I’ll explain,” he said, holding his hand out to her. “But not in the corridor where anyone can eavesdrop.”

  Okay, he had a point there. She didn’t take his hand, however, just continued down the hall. He stayed at her side but he didn’t touch her. Finally they stopped at a door and he put his palm on the plate. It slid open and he stepped aside so she could enter first. She caught her breath. There was the view she’d been missing. They were in a living room type of area and the opposite wall was all glass. On the other side, Earth seemed almost close enough to touch.

  “From here, it’s very pretty,” Xan said, his voice a soft rumble that almost made her ignore the insult.

  “Some of it is very pretty up close.”

  The corner of one lip twitched up and she got the impression he was repressing a smile. Teasing her. “Some of it is,” he agreed mildly.

  “Let’s make a deal, here and now. I won’t bullshit you and you don’t bullshit me.”

  “Agreed.”

  “Wonderful. So can you tell me now what the hell a der’lan is? And what does it have to do with me?”

  Instinct screamed she wasn’t going to like his explanation. He walked to the bar that ran along one side of the room, picked up a bottle, and poured two glasses of a blue liquid. He gestured to the chairs near the window, taking a seat only after she did. She accepted a glass and took a careful sip. It was sweet and light.

  “It’s gazzi. Wine native to my world.”

  “It’s good.” She paused. “My question?”

  He took a drink before answering. “The closest translation of der’lan is mate of my heart.”

  She was unaccustomed to being surprised, but his answer really threw her for a loop. She’d expected some kind of claim--prisoner maybe. His my der’lan had sounded plenty possessive, but this was obviously something much more.

  “What does that have to do with me? You never saw me before today.”

  “My people ha
ve the ability to bond with a woman. When they find the one that is theirs.”

  Bond? Theirs? She didn’t like the sound of that.

  “And how does one determine who this mate is?” she asked, making sure her voice dripped ice.

  It did not have the desired effect. His eyes heated as they swept over her and she responded. Her nipples hardened and a nervous fluttering started in her stomach. The reaction was so sudden she checked her shields to make sure he wasn’t trying to influence her. She didn’t find anything, but she’d seen inside his mind and knew it was a talent he’d perfected. If he tried it on her she wasn’t sure she’d even know.

  “I thought we agreed no bullshit?”

  “We did. You think I’m trying to compel you? Because your body is responding to me and you can’t find a rational explanation for it?”

  She didn’t answer. She focused on controlling her reaction and maintaining a calm demeanor.

  “I will never try to coerce you, Anna Leigh. That isn’t what’s happening between us. We know when we meet our der’lan because of this connection. What we feel when we meet.”

  “What do you feel?” she asked, almost afraid to hear the answer.

  He shrugged one shoulder. “Desire. Possessiveness. The urge to…dominate and control.”

  His voice dropped as he spoke, the deep, rough timbre enflaming her libido. Xan represented a major threat to her control.

  “It’s your turn to answer some questions.”

  Quid pro quo. Here she felt on firmer ground. “Ask.”

  “Who are you? Why don’t they trust you?”

  “Anna Leigh Gray. Telepath. Government agent.” She smiled. “Not much to tell really.”

  His eyes turned cold and hard. “This won’t work if you lie to me.”

  “Technically,” she said. “None of that was a lie.”

  “Is there anything about you that’s real?”

  She sighed. “I stopped asking that question years ago, Xan.”

  “I’m doing the asking,” he said softly. And his eyes made it clear he wasn’t giving up.

  “There is an organization so secret most people haven’t even heard rumors of it. It began as an intelligence agency for the Alliance and became the power behind the government. It was made up of people with mental talents, mostly telepaths and telekinetics. We called it The Tel Group.”

  “You were a part of this group?”

  She nodded.

  “I don’t hear anything dishonorable yet.”

  “We had a policy of recruiting people when they were children. Some of them didn’t come eagerly. All in the name of the cause, of course. Protecting the Alliance. To do that we had to keep replenishing the numbers because the enemy had telepaths and telekinetics too. Some people escaped us, managed to survive to adulthood and hide. We hunted them. We assassinated for political and economic gain, too. Started wars between other countries when it suited our needs.

  “And we had detractors in our own ranks. It wasn’t until my son was killed at the order of one of my fellow committee members that my eyes were truly opened. My daughter, Zola, took over her brother’s activities. Thankfully, she was much better at hiding her trail. I stayed where I was, covered for her when I could, and she never knew.”

  Zola wouldn’t have believed Anna Leigh had made such a turn around. Now she believed, as her children had, that Tel needed to be dragged into the light day and held accountable for its crimes. Politically that wasn’t a viable option so Anna Leigh would settle for destroying the beast.

  “Unfortunately, a year ago Zola got too close to one of our members. He had her imprisoned and tortured.”

  Xan growled. “Where is this man?”

  “Dead.”

  “You?”

  “Of course. My daughter thinks I’m the enemy, Xan, and that’s fine. I can probably help her better if that’s what everyone believes. But there are six Tel agents on Delroi. They’ve been ordered to kill Zola and the two women who were rescued with her.

  “Zola had a way to funnel information to Britt Anderson when she was still an intelligence officer here on Earth. I began to utilize it when Zola was taken, and when an opportunity arose I gave Britt the information she needed to get the women out and kill most of the committee members.”

  She couldn’t believe she’d told him so much or how easy it had been to do it. It had been years since she’d had someone to confide in. It felt good and that made her suspicions rise again.

  “How does this bond work?” she asked, apprehensive even though she found no evidence of such a thing in her mind.

  He gave her a lazy smile that made her toes curl. “I’m looking forward to showing you.”

  Bad idea. She wanted to take him up on it, just to feel the pleasure those eyes promised her. Very bad idea.

  “That wasn’t an answer,” she said.

  “There’s a prayer. Once I say it the bond will form.”

  “Impossible.”

  “Would you like me to show you?”

  His tone was light and teasing but his eyes were dead serious. Maybe there was something to this prayer business after all, even if it defied science. Either way she couldn’t risk it. She shook her head.

  “No thanks.”

  He leaned forward, lifted his hand and brushed the tips of his fingers down the side of her face.

  “You don’t have much choice, love. The connection between our minds is forming, without even using the prayer. It started the moment we met. Then you entered my mind. Your soul knows mine whether you’re ready to admit it or not.”

  His statement, his certainty, stunned her for about half a second. Then she panicked, desperately searching for signs of a bond. She didn’t find anything and her heart settled to its normal beat, though she acknowledged the danger gazing back at her.

  “What do you want from me?”

  “For now, a meal and conversation,” he said and stood. He took her hands and pulled her to her feet. They were too close. She could feel the warmth of his body, inhale his masculine scent. She should move away but couldn’t find the will. “We should get to know each other. Would you like to see the ship?”

  She definitely wanted to see the ship, but she needed something else first. She nodded. “Yes, but after I see the video Britt spoke of.”

  “Of course.”

  She ignored a pang of regret when he released her hands and walked to the large screen on one wall. What the hell was wrong with her? He pressed buttons and it lit up. She moved closer and saw a touch screen keyboard and menu of options. They were in Delroi so she couldn’t read it but she guessed as Xan typed in his query. A moment later the video filled the screen. She held her breath as she watched Zola and Parker walk into the middle of a firefight. Nothing came close to touching them however as Zola used her considerable power to deflect all projectiles and laser fire. She’d never seen anything like it. Would have denied it was possible if she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes. The battle lasted only moments, but she had Xan replay it twice more before the fear receded and she convinced herself Zola was okay.

  “The rumors are true,” he said softly.

  “What?” She was confused. What rumor could have anything to do with her daughter?

  “We have a prophecy on Delroi that the goddess will return with the arrival of three women from another world who represent all her aspects: warrior, healer, and artist. There has been much speculation since Earthling women started immigrating to Delroi.”

  First bonding now prophecy? For such a scientifically advanced species they seemed pretty damned superstitious.

  “And you think Zola is one of those women?”

  He replayed the video. “Have you ever seen anything like that before?”

  She shook her head.

  “Which one is she?” he asked.

  “The redhead.”

  “Telekinetic,” he said. “And a very strong one. I’d say she’s safe until our arrival. I doubt Roarr will allow them to lea
ve the Keep.”

  She knew her disbelief bled from her mind because he cocked an eyebrow at her. “What?”

  “You honestly think anyone could stop her if she decided to leave?”

  He glanced back at the still on the screen. “Perhaps I should warn them. If the belief is widespread she is one of the goddess’s vessels if isn’t safe for her to leave the safety of the Keep,” he mused. “At least I should let them know we’re coming. You could probably speak to her.”

  “No.” She made her voice cold and reserved even though she was desperate to hear her daughter’s voice. “That’ll just make her more determined. I’m going to have a hard enough time getting her to see me. Besides, don’t you have a clan to put back together?”

  He’d turned to her as she spoke, moved close enough to share the same air. He lifted his hand and gently palmed her nape, his thumb moving lazily over her racing pulse. “We have a clan to put back together,” he corrected her.

  He seemed so certain, so sure they would be together for the long haul. She didn’t know whether to be excited or terrified. It had been years since she’d allowed herself to dream of being free of Tel. Of having a life of her own. Sharing it. And she wasn’t free to chase that dream yet. His eyes narrowed and she realized he’d read her thoughts.

  “You may not have the freedom you yearn for,” he said in a hard tone. “But you are not alone.”

  How long would that last? He was here now, sure and determined, but he knew nothing about her. Didn’t know the kind of person she was or had been.

  “You have no faith, Anna Leigh,” he whispered. “No hope.”

  She swallowed hard, unable to deny the accusation.

  “You will,” he promised.

  Then he kissed her. It was nothing like what she’d expected from such a tough, hardened warrior. His lips brushed over hers. Feather soft. Tender. His tongue stroked over the seam of her mouth, begging entry and she opened for him, expecting the kiss to heat up. She wanted it to, craved the passion she sensed lurking just under the surface. It didn’t. One hand stroked up and down her back. Slow. Leisurely. His other rested high on her side, so close to her breast she felt a surge of anticipation.