Mystic

Mystic

Aubrey Ross Enemy Embrace, Book Four

When Miranda, a famous mystic therapist, is slipped a ring imprinted with images of murder victims, Enforcer Drake O’Bannon agrees to protect her. Drake has no use for mystics. It doesn’t matter that she’s intelligent and caring—and makes him want to explore every inch of her curvaceous body with his hands, lips and tongue. Only a fool would trust a woman who reads minds for a living. And Drake is nobody’s fool. The mystic link she uses to show him the images ignites their smoldering attraction. His assignment is to ensure her safety, not provide her next orgasm. Miranda understands the danger is real, but she trusts her abilities. Despite his determination to protect Miranda, Drake fears his desire for her endangers them both.

Ellora’s Cave Publishing

www.ellorascave.com

Mystic ISBN 9781419931956 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Mystic Copyright © 2011 Aubrey Ross Edited by Mary Moran Cover art by Dar Albert Electronic book publication April 2011 The terms Romantica® and Quickies® are registered trademarks of Ellora’s Cave Publishing. With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the publisher, Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.® 1056 Home Avenue, Akron OH 44310-3502. Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded or distributed via the Internet or any other means, electronic or print, without the publisher’s permission. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. (http://www.fbi.gov/ipr/). Please purchase only authorized electronic or print editions and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted material. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated. This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the authors’ imagination and used fictitiously.

MYSTIC Aubrey Ross

Mystic

Chapter One “Nicay is either cheating on me again or something is horribly wrong.” Aysha held out her hand, a large emerald ring balanced on her palm. “Either way, I need to know.” Miranda hesitated for a moment. Aysha had come to her eight months before, complaining of anxiety attacks and continual mistrust after finding her husband in bed with another woman. Miranda had counseled the couple through the crisis, yet Aysha remained suspicious and insecure. “What specifically led you to believe Nicay is seeing someone else?” Playing into Aysha’s paranoia was counterproductive to her recovery, so Miranda kept her hands in her lap and ignored the proffered ring. “You don’t believe me.” Aysha pressed her lips into a grim line, ruining the pouty fullness she purchased at the finest beautification salons Halley Prime had to offer. “You’ve been on his side ever since you met him. I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re the one he…” She heaved a sigh, straightened her shoulders then continued in a calmer tone. “I didn’t mean that. I trust you, Dr. Kayten, but you don’t know Nicay like I do.” “I’m not on anyone’s side, Aysha. I simply asked for more information.” Closing her immaculately manicured fingers around the ring, Aysha settled back in her chair and crossed her legs. Pink undertones had been infused in her sleek blonde hair, making her skin appear pale and perfect. Adorned in a tailored dress of powder blue, her figure was slim yet curvaceous, reflecting the focus she put on her outward appearance. “I’ve given him the benefit of the doubt. I’ve stopped checking up on him, and I don’t activate a tracker every time I see or hear of him being around another woman. I really am getting better.” “Is that his wedding ring?” Aysha nodded, so Miranda asked, “Does he know you have it?” “He left it on the kitchen counter. Not near the sink, as if he’d washed his hands, but in plain sight to make sure I’d spot it.” Her well-shaped brows arched as she waited for Miranda to react to the information. “There’s only one reason a man does that. He’s found someone else and he’s going to leave me. This is his way of preparing me for…” There were numerous explanations for the development, but that Aysha had made up her mind was obvious. “Let’s focus on facts, all right? Has there been any other indication that Nicay has resumed his affair?” “He wasn’t in bed when I woke up this morning. It’s possible he came in while I was sleeping and left again before I woke up, but that seems unlikely.”

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Miranda accepted the details with a nod and bolstered her professional detachment. Her empathic abilities only allowed her to sense emotion. Interpreting what those emotions signified was far more complicated. Nicay had seemed genuinely repentant and determined to rebuild the trust shattered by his affair. His current state of mind, however, could be far different than the last time he’d accompanied his wife to one of these sessions. “How did he justify his late arrival last night?” “He had a meeting, as usual. It was logged on the corporate calendar as well as his workstation, but he’s used that ploy before.” If Aysha had stopped checking up on her wayward husband, how had she verified his alibi? Not wanting to add fuel to the fire, Miranda let the comment slide. “When did you notice his wedding ring?” “This morning.” Aysha fiddled with the jewel-encrusted circle, her light-blue eyes filled with anger and pain. “Did you try to contact him this morning?” “Of course.” Impatience crept into her tone. “None of his associates have seen him since he left last night. My first instinct was to notify security, but they don’t take me seriously anymore.” Little wonder. Aysha had reported her husband missing at least four times in the last year and had filed a proximity limitation only to be arrested for violating the order, which had been issued for her protection. Her behavior was erratic to say the least. Scooting to the edge of her seat, Miranda crossed her legs at the ankle. “Does he have a nanocom or does he still utilize an external communication device?” “His nanocom was deactivated sometime yesterday. The diagnostic routine indicates it’s not malfunctioning. He must have powered it down.” Miranda glanced at the ring as she tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. Aysha could be very convincing when she turned on the vulnerability. Still, most of what she’d offered today was objective information. “Put the ring on my desk. My schedule is packed, so I won’t be able to scan it until late this afternoon.” It was a test of sorts. If Aysha honestly wanted information, she’d be willing to wait. If this was another one of her bids for attention, she’d have an excuse for why the scan had to be performed immediately. Much to Miranda’s surprise, Aysha stood and walked to the workstation tucked in the back corner of the office. “If you’re able to pick up anything, will you please contact me right away?” She placed the ring in the center of the desk and turned around. “Of course.” This was unlike her tempestuous client. Aysha paused at the office door and looked into Miranda’s eyes. “I find myself hoping he’s in trouble rather than with someone else. Does that make me a bad person?” Before Miranda could assure her the reaction was common, Aysha left the room. 6

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Curious now, Miranda stood and placed her datapad on the seat of her chair. She spent far more time in this spacious office than in her tiny apartment two tram stops down the commuter line. She approached her desk and focused on the emerald ring. Many inanimate objects absorbed energy. The longer an object remained in contact with a living being, the more of the person’s energy it absorbed. Strong bursts of emotion often imprinted so deeply Miranda was able to visualize the events. In the past, Miranda had successfully used the technique to locate people. Rather like certain canines tracked scent, Miranda followed energy signatures. The only problem was she wasn’t sure Nicay wanted or would welcome her involvement. Well, Aysha was her client, not Nicay. If Nicay had strayed again, despite his earnest promises to his wife, Aysha had the right to know. Cupping her hand over the ring, Miranda felt a faint resonance pulse against her palm. Complex and convoluted, this was definitely human energy. Images flickered within her mind like the dancing flames of a distant fire. She saw the golden glow of blonde hair and the unmistakable rocking of male hips. A long, erect cock slid between deeply flushed lips. Even half-formed, there was no mistaking this image. But had Nicay been indulging his passion or had he been watching someone else? The scene focused. A man stood at an angle to the door in a richly appointed office. Beyond him, through a transparent wall, the unmistakable skyline of New Shardrake shone against a hazy night sky. He held the back of Aysha’s pink-tinted hair with one hand as he vigorously fucked her mouth. Her blouse hung open from her shoulders, her bra cups lowered to expose her breasts. His free hand moved from one generous mound to the other, rolling and pinching her nipples. Miranda started to end the scan. The woman was clearly Aysha, so there was no reason to relive the event. Then a masculine hand clutched the doorframe across the office from the amorous couple. Pressure turned his knuckles white and sorrow welled within the watcher. Furious denials clogged the back of his throat. The emerald ring sparkled on his third finger, and Miranda shuddered. Why would Aysha ask her to scan the ring when she was the one who had been unfaithful? Unless she didn’t realize Nicay had seen her. “Swallow me, bitch. I want to feel you gag on my rod!” The harsh command shocked Miranda. Had Aysha been forced? Was this a cry for help? Uncomfortable with the explicit image, Miranda forced herself to maintain the scan. She couldn’t break contact until she understood the dynamics of what she was seeing. Why hadn’t Nicay intervened? That was his wife on her knees, being used by another man! Aysha tilted her head back and swallowed. She gagged then swallowed again. Miranda couldn’t really see the man. His dark hair curled over the collar of his linen shirt, and gray dress pants sagged around his lean hips. He grasped Aysha’s face

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between his hands and drew nearly out of her mouth. To Miranda’s astonishment, Aysha clutched his hips and sucked him back into her mouth. “Greedy little slut, aren’t you?” His head dropped back on his shoulders as she swirled her tongue around the tip of his cock before resuming her firm suction. “Are you ready to give me what I really want?” Relaxing her lips, Aysha allowed his shaft to slip from her mouth as she leaned back on her heels. “Why can’t we just fuck?” She continued to work him with her hand as she looked up into his eyes. “You can’t tell me you don’t enjoy being inside me. I know you do.” “I told you not to come back until you were ready to surrender everything. So why are you here?” Miranda had seen enough. Aysha was obviously a willing participant. She just didn’t realize her husband had watched from the shadows. And Aysha’s conclusion about the ring might well be accurate. Nicay probably left it as a warning of his intention to end the marriage. Once a relationship deteriorated into retaliatory affairs, it seldom recovered. Decreasing her connection with the ring, Miranda tried to end the scan. A stinging sensation erupted in her mind, and the image flashed back into brilliant clarity. Apparently, there was something more she was meant to see. Over the past few years, she’d learned to trust her instincts and her abilities. The few times she’d fought mystic impulses had led to disaster. She relaxed and let the scene resume. “I’ll do anything else.” Aysha grabbed his wrist as he started to fasten his pants. Miranda sensed her desire and her desperation. Demanding need pulsed through Miranda, making her breasts feel heavy and her pussy ache. These were Aysha’s feelings, not hers. Still, Miranda pressed her thighs together and steadied herself against her workstation. “Exclusions are not an option.” He twisted his wrist out of Aysha’s grasp and moved behind the desk. “You are either my lover or you’re not. My lovers surrender unconditionally, and they’re rewarded accordingly.” Miranda could see the man’s face now. He seemed familiar, yet she couldn’t identify him. Not classically handsome by any means, the man was best described as ordinary. Age was hard to determine when beautification salons could so effectively change outward appearance. Even so, this man was at least ten years older than Nicay and far less attractive. Shaking with unrequited passion, Aysha stood and unzipped her skirt. Miranda’s nipples hardened and moisture gathered between her thighs. She’d scanned sexual memories before, but they had never been this stimulating. With a practiced wiggle, Aysha pushed her skirt past her hips and sent her blouse sailing to the floor. Miranda couldn’t help admiring the elegant length of her spine and the sleek perfection of her ass, which was tantalizingly displayed by a black thong. After discarding her bra, Aysha moved to the side of her lover’s desk. 8

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“Can you promise it won’t hurt?” Her voice was tremulous. “It always hurts the first time.” “That’s the problem. It won’t be the first time.” She licked her lips and glanced away from the man’s penetrating stare. “Nicay got adventurous one night and fucked me up the ass. It hurt like hell. I have no desire to go through that again.” A fresh wave of emotion emanated from the ring. Shame, regret and anger twisted around each other in a painful knot. This had to have been horrible for Nicay. So why had he allowed it to continue? Again, Miranda tried to end the scan and heat spread through her brain. She groaned. Instinct was no longer guiding her. The memory was enhanced with a compulsion. She’d never experienced anything like it before. The harder she concentrated on severing the link, the more painful it became. Perhaps if she identified Aysha’s lover, the connection would release. She really didn’t want to watch Aysha take it up the ass, even if anticipation was making Miranda’s senses hum. “I will do everything in my power to ensure you find pleasure as I take you, but there might still be pain.” His autocratic tenderness was confusing and stimulating. Miranda tried to stay focused on the implications of the scene, not the graphic act unfolding before her, but her body’s response wasn’t making it easy. “If this is the only way.” Despite her forlorn expression, lust thrummed through Aysha’s body and spilled into Miranda. Aysha might be uneasy about what was about to happen, but it excited her too. “Lean forward and open yourself for me. I won’t take you unless you’re willing.” After one last hesitation, Aysha bent over the desk. Her face was turned in the opposite direction so she didn’t see his wicked smile. He pulled open one of the desk drawers and placed a tube of lubricant on the desktop. Then he pushed his chair back and stood. “You have such a beautiful body. I’m tempted to lock you away and keep you naked. Would you like that, little slut? Your only purpose in life would be to pleasure me.” “I think I’d get rather bored,” she whispered. “I know how often you’d have time to visit me.” He dragged her thong down to her knees then scraped his fingernails against the backs of her thighs and over her smooth white bottom. “Reach back with both hands and offer me your ass.” “Please just do it.” She shifted restlessly and lifted her hips in blatant offering. Miranda gasped as a realization lumbered through her lust-addled brain. This wasn’t Aysha’s memory. She shouldn’t be sensing Aysha’s emotions. “I don’t want to play these games.”

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He brought his hand down hard against one ass cheek and then the other. Aysha gasped, and her ivory skin blossomed with rosy color. “I never play games. Now offer me your ass or get out.” With a sound part whimper and part cry, Aysha grasped her pink cheeks and pulled them apart. This flattened her breasts against his desk and made it impossible for her to lift her head. “So beautiful,” her lover murmured. He kept his body angled slightly to the side almost as if… Did he know Nicay was watching? A ripple of fury told her Nicay had come to the same conclusion. The other man stroked Aysha’s folds and traced her creamy slit. Firm circles and careful squeezes on her swollen clit soon had her writhing against the desk. Miranda helplessly rocked her hips, receiving just enough sensation from the scan to drive her crazy. The man thrust two fingers into Aysha’s pussy, fucking her fast and hard. Her hands started to slip, releasing her ass cheeks. “Keep yourself open!” She adjusted her grip and shifted her stance. The man thrust in hard enough to slam her hips against the desk. Then he leaned down and licked her puckered opening. Shocked by the lewd caress, Aysha shuddered. “You’re mine, sweet slut. All of you, to do with as I wish.” He pushed his tongue against her tight little hole until the tip breached her anus. Aysha cried out and arched with a sudden climax. The man chuckled, his mouth pressed against her flesh as he continued to stimulate her. She wiggled and squirmed. Miranda couldn’t see what he was doing, but Aysha was nearing another orgasm. “Oh no you don’t.” He straightened and reached for the lubricant he’d placed on the desktop earlier. He left her on display as he stepped back and freed his erection. Presented from Nicay’s perspective, the image focused on her body. Her pussy was deeply flushed, her outer lips swollen. Cream slicked her thighs and gleamed on her folds. Her hands held tightly to her ass, brazenly parting the way for her lover. For a moment, the image went black. Had Nicay closed his eyes? Miranda remained trapped within the scan. Her own pussy ached so badly she wanted to scream, but her body was all but paralyzed by the compulsion. When the image reformed, the man was removing an applicator from Aysha’s ass. Lubricant drizzled out and he smoothed it around her anus, making the bud shiny. He positioned himself against her then moved his hands to her hips. “Don’t fight it. Push onto me as I push in.” Surprised by his caring, Miranda watched the thick length of his cock disappear into Aysha’s body. Her nails dug into her cheeks and she whimpered, obviously uncomfortable despite the lube. The man didn’t stop until his body was flush with hers. “You can let go now.”

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Aysha moved her hands to the edge of the desk and released her pent-up breath. “That wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought.” “Nicay never should have hurt you.” He slipped one hand between her body and the desk as he drew his hips back. “Concentrate on the slide of my cock in your ass.” She closed her eyes and shivered as he filled her again and again. He caressed her pussy from the front while he fucked her ass with long, steady strokes. Her panting soon turned to cries of pleasure, and Nicay turned his face away. “Harder.” Aysha’s throaty cry snapped Nicay’s attention back to the desk. “Fuck me harder! Never stop.” Grasping her elbows, the man drew her arms back and increased the speed of his thrusting. “Is this what you want, my greedy whore?” His voice was a barely discernable growl. “Beg me or I won’t let you come.” “Please,” she whimpered. “Please what?” “Please let me come.” He rammed into her over and over. She dissolved into rhythmic groans, her head tossing from side to side. Nicay released the doorframe and lowered his hand as he stumbled away. The image faded, leaving Miranda shaken. From their first session on, Aysha had painted herself as the hapless victim, manipulated and misused by men. Learning of Aysha’s duplicity hadn’t brought Miranda any closer to uncovering what had happened to Nicay. Had he left the ring for Aysha, knowing she would bring it to Miranda? Even if he had, who was responsible for the compulsion? To her knowledge, Nicay had no paranormal abilities. Miranda studied the ring more closely, activating only the most superficial scan. She had no desire to witness more of Aysha’s misbehavior. The emerald was organic, as was the setting. Highly concentrated energy swirled around and emanated from the polished alloy and the gem. This was no memory echo. Something far more complex had left its mark on the ring. Reinforcing her mental shields, she hesitantly accessed the psychic energy. Searing pain stabbed into her brain. White light burst behind her eyes and drove the breath from her lungs. Images bombarded her brain in a sickening barrage. The harder she tried to control the inundation, the more intense the sensation became. Screams of pain and the stench of fear, flailing arms and convulsing bodies, contorted features and rivers of blood, she couldn’t escape the horror. She watched life after life fade from terrified eyes. Like a clumsy montage, the images overlapped and melded. Suddenly the office came back into focus and the action slowed. Aysha was nowhere in sight, but her lover was arguing with a stout blond man. Although Miranda couldn’t understand their words, she’d heard the language before. The quarrel

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escalated, and Aysha’s lover backhanded the blond. Blood flew from his nose as his head snapped to the side. “Kisauk taylin evanta stee,” he shouted at Aysha’s lover. With his ire spent, the blond trembled and sank to his knees, arms raised to ward off his attacker. He begged, terror clear in his wide blue eyes. Miranda couldn’t comprehend his rapid speech, and the older man was unmoved by the pleas. With lethal calm, Aysha’s lover pulled a metallic wand from his pocket and touched it to the side of the blond man’s neck. The blond convulsed violently, writhing at the other man’s feet. He gasped and gagged while blood oozed from his nose and mouth. Aysha’s lover stared down at the blond with icy indifference until his flailing stilled. As abruptly as the image began, it ended. Miranda staggered back and pressed her fists to her temples. It felt as if her brain were trying to escape the confines of her skull and she hadn’t even touched the ring! Panting harshly, she rubbed her stinging eyes with one hand and braced herself against the edge of the desk with the other. What the hell had just happened? Even as violent as the memories had been, they didn’t account for the pain. She’d heard of psy-bombs, but she’d never experienced one before. Her head throbbed, her scalp tingled, and her lips had gone numb. Had Nicay been present for the murders or was his role more direct? What other explanation could there be for the images? She took a deep breath and then another. The ring belonged to Nicay, but it was possible he was sending her a message as opposed to confessing his crimes. Or Aysha and her lover could be using the ring to frame Nicay. Shaking away the speculation, Miranda calmed her thoughts. Her top priority had to be identifying Aysha’s lover and his blond victim. That image had been unmistakable. Once she solved the first mystery, she’d unravel the rest. Rubbing her temples with firm circles, she forced herself to think through the pain. There was no way she could do this alone. Pulling out her desk chair, she slipped in behind her workstation and activated the communications console. E. Ritter. She’d worked with him for three years and still didn’t know if E was his first initial or his designation as an enforcer. She honestly didn’t care. Ritter was the only person on the Coalition Security Force who had ever taken her seriously. Trepidation raced down her spine. Believing in her abilities was a nice consolation. Ritter would need to protect her from a man who amused himself with another man’s wife and killed without changing his expression.

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Chapter Two Drake O’Bannon activated the autopilot on the patrol cruiser and pivoted to face his partner. “Are you going to tell me what this is about or should I verify our destination with dispatch?” Everett Ritter was fidgeting, and Ritter never fidgeted. “I’ve tried to leave you out of these situations as much as I can.” “These situations?” Drake shook his head and glanced out the window as the cruiser turned into the heart of the pleasure district. Brightly lit cabarets, sexual salons, and casinos towered on either side of the thoroughfare. In accordance with decency ordinances, the holographic advertisements remained scantily clad, though come-hither smiles and provocative poses left no doubt about the sorts of entertainments available inside the glitzy buildings. “I need to meet with one of my informants,” Ritter muttered. “She sounded pretty rattled, and this one doesn’t spook easily.” “This is one of your paranormal informants?” It took all his willpower not to roll his eyes. “Does she read minds, see visions or talk to the dead?” “Just wait in the cruiser. It shouldn’t take long.” “Why do you put up with this bullshit?” Drake reactivated manual navigation, needing something to occupy his hands. Although they’d worked together for six years, Drake had only learned of Ritter’s fascination with paranormal phenomenon in the past few months. “None of their mumbo-jumbo is admissible in court. We still have to find real evidence even when one of your mystics offers you tidbits from beyond.” Ritter’s chin came up, and Drake hid his smile. He’d done it now. Ritter would defend his paranormal informants until their shift ended—if he spoke at all. Drake knew better than to question the value of his partner’s precious mystics. Ritter hadn’t confided the reason for his devotion to their cause, but it ran deep. “Out of our last six arrests, how many resulted in convictions because of information provided by gifted informants?” “None. Each case was proved with a combination of meticulous investigation and a variety of forensic evidence.” “You’re full of shit and we both know it. We wouldn’t have known where to collect all that precious evidence if it hadn’t been for my ‘mystics’. I predict a time, not too far in the future, when paranormal teams will be part of every precinct in New Shardrake.” “Is that your opinion or do you have it from a mystic authority?” “You can be a real asshole. You know that, don’t you?” Drake laughed. “You make sure I never forget.” 13

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Ritter waved away the subject and pointed to an especially shabby hotel on their right. “Set down in front of room nine. We’re responding to a complaint of disorderly conduct.” Drake snorted. “Finding an occupant in a place like this who isn’t being disorderly would be far more remarkable.” “If I’d had more time to plan the meeting, I wouldn’t have arrived in a CSF cruiser. Admin might consider this unmarked, but no one down here is fooled.” Drake started to get out and Ritter waved him back into the small ship. “This one is special. I don’t want her to bolt. It really might be better if you wait out here.” “You have a partner for a reason. I won’t say a word.” Ritter paused for a chuckle. “If you make it through this exchange without speaking, I’ll resign.” After scrunching his face into a mock sneer, Drake said, “And have to break in a new partner? Not a chance.” He drew his pistol but kept it out of sight while Ritter moved toward the door. The portal swung inward before Ritter could tap his knuckles against the warped surface. Both men ducked into the dimly lit hotel room, and Drake made a quick security assessment as Ritter engaged the informant. The adjoining room was a utilitarian bathroom and the only visible window faced the shuttle lot. The stale smell of cheap perfume vied for attention with spilled liquor and undertones Drake didn’t want to identify. The shabby carpet and ramshackle furniture only made the elegant informant appear all the more out of place. She stood in the center of the room with her hands buried in the pockets of her synthleather coat as if she were afraid to touch anything. Silky black hair brushed her shoulders and exotic eyes dominated her delicate features. Although tall and curvaceous, there was something almost elfish about her appearance. “Who is he?” she asked Ritter, but her gold-flecked brown eyes were fixed on Drake. “My partner. I didn’t have time to ditch him.” Ritter ended the statement with a shrug. “Ignore the scowl. He’s one of the good guys.” “With or without a scowling partner, I’m not sure how much I can tell you.” Ritter groaned. “If you’re going to retreat into that doctor-patient confidentiality bullshit, why did you contact me?” “I think someone tried to kill me.” “What?” Ritter circled her still form, obviously reluctant to touch her. “Are you injured? What happened?” She glanced at Drake before pulling one of her hands from her coat pocket. “One of my patients asked me to scan this ring. When I did… It’s hard to explain. I reinforced my mental shields before it did any real damage, but I’ve never experienced anything

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like it before. It was far more complex and powerful than a memory echo. I suspect it was meant to incapacitate if not kill me.” “You in particular or anyone who scanned the ring?” Drake asked. Ritter laughed and slapped Drake on the back. “I knew my career was safe with you.” “I’m glad you find this amusing,” the dark-haired beauty said in a cool, clipped tone. “My head is still pounding, and what’s to say they won’t try again if they find out the ring failed?” “Miranda, we weren’t laughing at you. It was a private joke.” “Private jokes are rude, and nothing about this is funny.” “Miranda Kayten?” Drake took a slow step forward. He should have realized. Even without the digital enhancements utilized in advertisements and interactive broadcasts, she was stunning. Miranda’s reputation was legendary. She had a cult following and the reluctant respect of many hardcore skeptics. Her picture-perfect face hadn’t hurt her popularity, but how had Ritter crossed paths with this enigmatic celebrity? “Drake O’Bannon, this is Miranda Kayten.” Ritter’s dark gaze gleamed and a knowing smile curved his lips. “She’s my most dependable mystic by far.” Before Drake could explain the sarcasm in his partner’s tone, she waved away his concern. “I don’t consider mystic an insult, and even if I did, I’ve been called far worse.” She turned toward the tiny table near the window and placed the ring on a bed of tissues. Her coat parted, treating Drake to a glimpse of sleekly curved legs. Her slim skirt ended at mid-thigh, but his imagination was happy to fill in the blanks. He saw her dressed in seamed stockings and high heels, leaning over the desk to better display her sweetly curved ass… You really are a bastard, O’Bannon. Get your mind back on the job! “I didn’t sense anything unusual at first,” she told Ritter. “The image was unexpected, but nothing I hadn’t witnessed before. Then the ring took control of the connection. It’s either infused with psychic compulsion or there’s some sort of device embedded in the setting.” Ritter glanced toward the door. “I need to get some things from the cruiser. Do you promise to behave?” he asked Drake. “I’ll make sure he does,” Mirada replied with the hint of a smile. Surprised by her subtle charm, Drake holstered his gun as Ritter slipped out of the hotel room. “How long have you worked for CSF?” “I don’t work for CSF. Prefect VinDerley approached me about four years ago, asking for my unofficial assistance with several delicate situations. When he was satisfied with my results and confident in my discretion, he recruited me as a consultant, still unofficially of course.”

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“Of course.” The enforcers were a division of CSF, yet they remained separate from ordinary security officers. Most of their cases were classified and information was dispersed on a need-to-know basis. Consultants always operated off the grid. Even so, he was Ritter’s partner. Why had he kept his interaction with Miranda a secret? “Is Ritter your only contact?” “No, just my favorite.” The hint of a smile turned up the corners of her mouth. After a short pause, he asked, “Who gave you the ring?” “I doubt the person who gave me the ring is responsible for whatever it’s doing. At worst, she’s an accomplice, at best, an unknowing pawn.” Her neat sidestep sent his suspicion into overdrive. “Who are you trying to protect? An imminent threat to yourself or someone else frees you from confidentiality laws. You were attacked. You’re exempt from legal repercussions.” “Most of what I know is potentially dangerous to someone in some way. Where should I draw the line? If my patients can’t trust me, I’m of no use to them.” “Are you a medical doctor or some sort of counselor?” “I’m a psychiatrist who happens to be psychic.” She leaned her hip against the edge of the writing desk and allowed a smile to part her lips. “I can read your mind while I’m shrinking your head. It’s no surprise suits like you want to keep me in the shadows.” “I’m not even wearing a jacket, much less a suit,” he objected, indicating his casual attire. “I’m not fooled by the clothes, Enforcer O’Bannon. You’re a suit, and suits don’t trust mystics.” “Genuine psychics are few and far between.” Genuine or fraud, this one was easy on the eyes. Ritter returned with a sculpted alloy case. “You haven’t strangled him. That’s a good sign.” “Is he really so hard to get along with?” “He can be.” Opening the case across the desk beside the ring, Ritter removed a scanner Drake had never seen before. “Who’s funding your pet project? CSF doesn’t have the budget for… What the hell is that thing?” “Psychic energy, like any other form of energy, creates various patterns. This allows me to determine which kind is present and measure the saturation. It will also detect any foreign object embedded in the emerald or alloy.” Ritter used the tissues to insulate his fingers from the ring and positioned it upright against the desktop. After several seconds and numerous adjustments to the scanner’s control pad, he said, “I don’t think it’s a psy-bomb. Whatever you felt must have—” A shaft of light burst from the emerald and shot through the scanner, illuminating Ritter’s face. Ritter screamed, barely managing to turn his head to the side. Drake swept 16

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the desktop with his forearm, batting the ring out of Ritter’s hand. Miranda pried the smoking scanner from his seared fingers as the stench of burning flesh erupted in the room. “What the fuck just happened?” Drake caught Ritter as his legs gave out beneath him. Ritter squeezed his eyes shut and shook convulsively. Miranda tossed the scanner aside and helped Drake lower Ritter to the floor. They knelt side by side, Ritter spread out in front of them. Reaching for his comlink, Drake prepared to call medassist. “Don’t!” Ritter gritted out between clenched teeth. He’d opened his eyes, but his features remained tense and pale. “We can’t explain this without revealing her location.” “I’ll protect her. You need help now!” Miranda placed her hand on Drake’s shoulder and soothing warmth swept into his chest. “Let me see what I can do then we’ll work out a story.” Without further explanation, she covered Ritter’s eyes with one hand and his burned hand with the other. Disbelief washed over Drake. They couldn’t expect him to kneel there uselessly while his partner died! Drake’s heart lurched and the hairs on the back of his neck prickled as he watched Miranda. He couldn’t actually see the transfer, but he sensed energy stirring all around him. Her hands trembled and her lips moved in a soundless chant. Ritter moaned and Drake leaned closer, afraid to speak, unwilling to distract her in any way. She eased her hold on Ritter’s hand, stroking his fingers until he unclenched his fist. An imprint of the scanner had been branded into his palm. Drake’s stomach tightened. He was sickened more by the excruciating pain Ritter must be feeling than the sight of charred flesh. Over and over, she circled his hand, hovering above the wound. With growing amazement, Drake watched the flesh mend a bit more with each rotation. This couldn’t be real. Mystic healing had never been proved in a controlled environment. So how was it happening before his eyes? She maintained the slow sweeping circles until Ritter’s palm was barely pink then she focused on his eyes. Time passed. Minutes, hours, Drake wasn’t sure. Perspiration dotted her brow and her lips parted with each ragged gasp. She shuddered and swayed. Drake instinctively wrapped his arm around her waist, supporting her against his side. With a muffled groan, she turned into his embrace and whispered, “I’ve done all I can.” Drake lifted Miranda into his arms and she sighed, resting her head on his shoulder. Healing wasn’t her primary gift. It was always exhausting when she

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channeled so much energy into one of her lesser abilities. She shifted, undeniably aware of his strong arms and the sculpted chest pressed against her side. He carried her to the bed and carefully placed her on top of the dingy bedspread. “Are you all right?” He brushed her hair back from her face, his gaze searching her features with concern and curiosity. She didn’t need to touch his mind to interpret that expression. He enjoyed her physical attributes, yet the stubborn set of his jaw and the slight narrowing of his leafgreen eyes revealed his resistance to what he’d just seen. How typical. Ritter was the only enforcer she’d met who was worth the effort it took to maintain a conversation. “I’ll be fine.” She sat up, trying to decrease her contact with the grungy bedding. “Just give me a minute.” “Take all the time you need.” His gaze darted to Ritter then located the mangled scanner in the far corner of the room. An intriguing undertone in his fresh, spicy scent lingered in her nose. Soap, shampoo and a hint of aftershave mixed with something dark and evocative. Was it possible he had latent abilities? He certainly smelled like magic. Though rugged and unabashedly masculine, his features were symmetrical and appealing. His dark hair had a tendency to curl, despite his obvious effort to tame it. He was probably annoyed by his physical appearance. A handsome face and tall, broadshouldered body would make it harder to blend into a crowd. Enforcers liked to remain unnoticed until they were ready to strike. As he glanced again at Ritter, Drake’s expression tensed. “Why hasn’t he stirred?” “He will. The pulse momentarily overloaded his brain, but I sensed no permanent damage.” “I still think he should be examined by a doctor.” She arched her brow as their gazes clashed. “Don’t you mean another doctor?” His skepticism was so common she tried not to take offense. “Nothing I learned in medical school would have helped him as quickly or allowed him to heal as completely as the energy transfer you just witnessed.” “I’ve never met a legitimate psychic healer before. That was pretty amazing.” Every word was spoken with obvious reluctance. Ritter groaned and struggled to a sitting position. He took one look at them and shook his head. “Couldn’t you have waited until I left the room?” Drake ambled across the floor, presenting Miranda with an intriguing view of his dramatically tapered back and tight butt. “How do you feel?” Drake asked his partner. “Like I got shot in the head with a stun blast.” He flexed his nearly healed fingers and looked at Miranda. “That scanner cooked my hand. Did you do this?”

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“I tried.” She swung her legs over the side of the bed and attempted to stand. Her wobbly legs refused to support her, so she sat on the edge of the bed. “I’m not technically a healer.” Drake’s startled expression made her smile. “What are you—technically?” he asked. “Whatever the situation requires.” The Perrlain Tribe was big into labels and inflexible traditions. She refused to be quantified. Accepting her ambiguous answer with a distracted nod, Drake turned back to Ritter. “Did you get any useful readings before the ring attacked your toy?” “There’s nothing inorganic in the ring.” Drake helped Ritter to his feet and Ritter rubbed his temples, much as Miranda had done after her contact with the ring. “My brain was flooded with images. The transfer was so fast it was little more than a sickening blur.” His dark gaze settled on Miranda with a combination of regret and expectation. “You can’t hide from this, Miranda. Who gave you the ring and what did you see when you scanned it?” Rubbing the back of her neck, she accepted the truth in his statement. She’d known her career was over when she contacted him. No, her career was over when she stumbled into the middle of this power struggle. She’d obviously learned something she wasn’t supposed to know. Unfortunately for her, she wasn’t sure what that something was or who didn’t want her to know it. “The ring belongs to Nicay Testalanti.” The men exchanged uneasy glances. They obviously knew the name. No surprise there, everyone in New Shardrake had heard of the Testalanti brothers. “I have no idea who rigged it to blast energy like that.” She pushed to her feet and took a step toward Ritter as guilt twisted through her abdomen. “I honestly thought it had fully discharged or I never would have given it to you.” “It’s not your fault and you repaired the damage.” Ritter closed the distance between them and gave her shoulders a reassuring squeeze. “Were you able to manage the images?” “That’s surprisingly hard to explain.” She glanced at Drake. Everything would have been easier if Ritter had come alone. She slipped her hands back into the pockets of her coat as she debated how much to say. “You can trust him,” Ritter told her. “He covers my back on a daily basis.” She didn’t really have a choice. She’d witnessed at least one murder and suspected she’d seen the faces of a whole lot more. “Aysha gave me the ring. She was afraid something had happened to Nicay.” “If her husband is missing, how did she get the ring?” Drake asked, confirming Miranda’s conclusion that he had at least a rudimentary knowledge of Testalanti family dynamics. “She told me he’d left it for her to find. That’s why I expected to encounter images either proving her suspicions or indicating what had happened to Nicay.”

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“I don’t understand how all this works,” Drake said. “Did Aysha know what you’d see when you scanned the ring?” “My gift allows me to relive memories. Aysha knew I’d see what happened to Nicay the last time he wore the ring.” With a frustrated sigh, Miranda finger combed her hair out of her eyes. “I doubt she realized what I’d see.” “What did you see?” Drake prompted, a tinge of impatience sharpening his tone. “I saw Aysha having sex with her lover.” “How would that image have ended up imprinted on the ring?” Ritter asked. “Nicay must have caught them in the act.” Drake looked at Miranda for confirmation. She nodded. “Nicay definitely saw them. The memory’s perspective confirmed that much. I think the other man realized Nicay was watching, but I’m not sure about Aysha.” “Why would Aysha have intentionally exposed herself by asking you to scan the ring?” Ritter flexed his fingers, his expression distant and thoughtful. Miranda tried not to remember all the ways Aysha had exposed herself. “It’s possible I wasn’t meant to survive the scan.” “Why would anyone want you dead?” Ritter shook his head, clearly upset by the possibility. “Can you identify Aysha’s lover?” Drake asked. His gaze settled on her face and awareness wash over her. She’d never seen eyes quite like his before, dark green, yet brilliantly reflective and far more expressive than he realized. “I’d recognize him if I saw him again. I can go through profiles or whatever. I’m as curious to know who he is as you are, but we need to understand what happened with the ring. If there is no technological device, then the pulse was psychic. I can’t think of anyone in New Shardrake who has that sort of power.” Ritter reached for her hand, dragging it out of her coat pocket. “Did you see more than Aysha and her lover? As the pulse blasted into my brain, I saw terrified faces and… Most of the images I saw were violent.” Shuddering, Miranda nodded. “I saw those images too.” “And you think Nicay was involved in what you saw?” Drake crossed his arms over his chest, a hint of suspicion lingering in his eyes. “I have no doubt he’s a thief and a conman, but none of our intel indicates he’s violent.” “It’s complicated,” Miranda told him. “All I can verify is that at some point Nicay was exposed to the images imprinted on the ring.” “If Nicay was wearing the ring,” he put in as his disbelief gathered momentum. His point was valid, but his attitude annoyed her. “Nicay could have committed the murders, witnessed them or simply seen the victims on the infostream. Take your skepticism a step further, and you could argue that everything I saw was nothing more than the memory of an entertainment vid or simulation.” 20

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“Your instincts are impeccable,” Ritter countered with equal conviction. “What do you think—” “It doesn’t matter what any of us think,” Drake insisted. “It matters what we can prove.” Unable to suppress the impulse, Miranda wrapped her fingers around Drake’s wrist and sent clear memory segments stabbing into his mind. He gasped and tugged against her hold. His head rocked back and his eyes squeezed shut as she reinforced the connection. “Miranda.” Ritter placed his hand on her shoulder and warning snapped in his tone. She released Drake’s wrist and he stumbled back a step, shaking his head. “You know better than that. Mental links of any kind must be consensual.” “Yes sir.” She put sarcastic emphasis on the title. “I just didn’t feel like arguing with him for the rest of the night.” “Do you have any idea what you just showed me?” Drake’s voice sounded strained and disbelieving. She’d sent him flashes of the sex scene, and the one clear murder in its entirety. “I thought this might be important. Why do you think I contacted Ritter?” Each volley brought them closer until they stood toe to toe. Stepping between them, Ritter smoothly backed them off. “Stop sparring long enough to tell me what’s going on.” He looked at Drake and asked, “What did she show you?”

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Chapter Three Still rattled from the rude intrusion into his consciousness, it took Drake a moment to answer. “Aysha’s lover is Kwinton Rizaria.” “Holy mother of God,” Ritter muttered. “Are you sure?” Drake’s laugh was sharp and abrupt. “This is your area of expertise. I deal in cold, hard facts.” “What exactly did you show him?” He’d posed the question to Miranda, but Drake replied, “Kwinton Rizaria had Aysha Testalanti bent over his desk. Do I need to be more specific? Then he used an equalizer to brain fry a blond man. I’m not sure who the vic was, but I know I’ve seen him before.” “Are you sure it was Kwinton?” Ritter persisted. “Who is Kwinton Rizaria?” Miranda asked. Drake just shook his head. She had no idea what she’d stumbled into. “We suspect he’s Nicay’s boss,” Ritter explained, “but we’ve been unable to substantiate a connection. We have plenty of circumstantial evidence linking Nicay’s older brother Cephus with Kwinton. Unfortunately, these guys know how to cover their tracks. I’d hoped Nicay hadn’t followed in his brother’s footsteps. It looks like my hopes were in vain.” “I tend to be more realistic than my partner,” Drake said. “There was never any doubt in my mind that they both work for Kwinton. Nicay is the brains and Cephus is the brawn.” “I’m not sure that answered my question. If the Testalanti brothers work for Kwinton, what do they do?” Drake knew he was jaded. Suspicion and mistrust were occupational hazards. Still, sharing information with Miranda was inevitable if they were going to work together. “On the surface, Rizaria is a shrewd businessman with a wide range of interests. Beneath his semi-legitimate façade, however, is a labyrinth of crime and corruption encompassing everything from narcotics to trafficking infants.” “Why hasn’t he been arrested if you know he’s a criminal?” “Because what we know and what we can prove are two different things. He’s smart, he’s careful and he knows how to work the system.” “And anyone who opposes him has a way of disappearing before we can convince them to cooperate,” Ritter added.

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“I’ve worked this case longer than anyone else.” Drake stepped up beside Ritter, trying to make each movement nonthreatening. He couldn’t afford to spook her now. If the rest of the images in Miranda’s mind were as damning as the glimpse she’d given him, she might possess enough information to build some much-needed momentum. “Can you show me the other faces?” “It’s a wonderful idea, but she can’t do it here. Miranda’s safety has to be our top priority.” Drake began to pace as he often did when he was anxious. He raked his hair with his hand and looked at Ritter. “How much does admin know about your other duties?” “About as much as you did before tonight. The other enforcers think I’m a joke, and it suits my purpose to let them dismiss me. Admin has been told to back off by someone they can’t afford to ignore.” “How widespread is your support system? What is Prefect VinDerley’s interest in mystics?” Ritter averted his gaze and said, “I can’t tell you any more than you’ve learned tonight. I’ll request a clearance waiver, but for now you’ll have to trust me.” While Drake absorbed the implications of that statement, Ritter turned to Miranda. “The only way to keep you safe is to let them think the ring worked. That will take some time to arrange. Is there anywhere you can go until we have a better understanding of what’s going on here?” “Can’t I just check into a hotel?” “This is the sort of hotel that doesn’t require identification.” Ritter motioned to the room surrounding them. “Do you want to stay here?” “I know where we can take her,” Drake grumbled. “We can’t take her anywhere. My connection with mystics makes me a liability. You have to disappear with her until the news of her death is spread throughout New Shardrake.” “Are you okay with that?” he asked Miranda. One of her eyebrows arched and she tightened the belt around her waist. “Why wouldn’t I be? I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.” “Glad to hear it, because I want you to show me every image that ring left inside your brain. Maybe together we can figure out what it all means.” “Why don’t we take a walk,” Ritter said. Understanding the subtle command in Ritter’s suggestion, Drake followed him out into the cool spring night. They crossed the shuttle lot and entered the cruiser before Ritter spoke again. “Are you going to take her to your brother’s place?” “Reluctantly. Jericho and I might not see eye to eye on a lot of things but he understands discretion and security.”

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Ritter nodded, yet his gaze remained troubled. “Did Miranda lose consciousness while she healed me?” “She went weak and shaky, but she never actually passed out. Why do you ask?” He started to speak then looked off into the distance. “If I’m going to protect her, I need to understand what I’m up against and what she needs.” Although Drake understood Ritter’s caution, it didn’t keep him from being annoyed. Didn’t six years of partnership count for anything? “When a mystic’s energy stores are depleted, the most effective way to restore their levels is to siphon energy from those around them.” “What if no one around them has psychic energy?” “Everyone has psychic energy, most just have no idea how to access or control it.” Drake wasn’t sure what to make of that statement, so he asked, “What does this have to do with Miranda?” “She has always been reluctant to ‘feed’ off others without their knowledge and consent, swears she won’t live like a vampire.” “Then how does she rebuild her energy stores?” “Usually food and time is all she needs. When that’s not the case, she asks another mystic to infuse her.” Ritter met his gaze before he continued. “If you take her into hiding, she won’t have access to other mystics and the memory transfers you have in mind can be very taxing.” “What’s the alternative to mystic infusion?” “Sex.” “I can’t fuck someone under my protection.” Although fucking Miranda under different circumstances held absolute appeal. “Then arrange for her to spend time with someone who will. That shouldn’t be hard in Jericho’s funhouse. She’ll become more sexually aggressive as her need for energy increases. She’s more like a vampire than she’s willing to admit.” “What are her powers? Can she read my mind? Invade my dreams? Make me want her?” Ritter chuckled. “Does she need to make you want her? I was hard for a week the first time I saw her in person.” “She’s utterly fuckable, but you’re evading the issue. Just how powerful is she?” “Her people would label her a temporal guide, but Miranda hates labels.” Drake felt his eyes widen. “She can travel through time?” “Nothing so dramatic. Ask nicely and she’ll explain it to you, but you’ll have to stop provoking her.” Drake just smiled. He enjoyed watching her eyes flash and her cheeks flush. Furthermore, she didn’t seem to be the least bit intimidated by him. Few women could give as good as they got. He suspected Miranda was one of those few. 24

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“How are we going to explain your absence?” Ritter’s question drew him back to the present. “Let’s just stick to the basics. Take the cruiser by my apartment building before you return to headquarters. We’ll say I got sick near the end of our shift, so you took me home. Then I’ll call in until we know what we’re dealing with.” “Works for me. Miranda knows how to contact me off the grid if the need arises.” Drake shook his head. “Why do I get the feeling she knows you better than I do?” Ritter chuckled and nodded toward the door. “It’s better if you stay off the trams. Will Jericho send a shuttle?” “All I have to do is hint that a beautiful woman is in danger and my big brother will rearrange the world.”

***** “This had better be your idea of a joke.” Miranda glared at Drake as their small, private shuttle pulled up to the side entrance of the Fantasy Forum. She should have realized something was suspicious when Drake insisted they walk several blocks from the ramshackle hotel before boarding the VIP shuttle. “I know what goes on in places like this.” “We’re not here to sample the amenities. I know the owner. He’ll make sure no one else knows you’re here.” “You know Jericho James?” “I knew him long before he was the fantasy king of New Shardrake. He’s already insisted on meeting you. I didn’t realize you were a fan.” “I’m not.” A robotic doorman opened the hatch and lowered the stairs. Miranda pulled the hood of her coat up to shadow her face. “Why would someone in your line of work be friends with someone in his line of work?” Drake unfastened his safety restraints and stood. “I never said we were friends.” After descending the stairs, he turned back toward the interior of the shuttle and proffered his hand. Miranda placed her fingers on his, and rich, intoxicating energy rolled up her arm and swirled through her chest, hardening her nipples. Was she just responding to an attractive man or was Drake a latent? The longer she spent with him, the more convinced she became that there was something to her suspicion. Her steps faltered, and he cupped her elbow with his other hand. “Are you all right?” “Nothing a massive hot fudge sundae and a good night’s sleep won’t fix.” She wanted to believe her own words, but she felt restless and anxious. Ritter was off to make sure everyone believed she was dead and her safety now depended on a man she barely knew.

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An attendant, also robotic, rushed forward as they entered the hotel. His burgundy uniform was identical to the doorman’s except for the color of his collar and turnedback cuffs. Unlike pleasure ‘bots, which were as lifelike as possible, servant-class robots were designed to be instantly identifiable as AI. “Mr. James told me you’d need access to the private elevator.” His voice was synthesized and his movements mechanical. “Shall I send a bellhop for your luggage?” “Our luggage is arriving separately,” Drake told him without pause. “Is our room ready? My wife isn’t feeling well.” “Of course, sir. Would you like me to contact a physician?” “That’s not necessary. The journey was simply more taxing than we anticipated.” “Shall I ride up with you and explain the room’s—” “That won’t be necessary. We’ve stayed here before.” With a stiff nod, the attendant handed Drake an oblong crystal. “This will activate the lift and open your door. The companel defaults to the highest privacy settings, but you can interact with other occupants or watch the action on the casino floor and in the various lounges if that interests you. If you have any questions or wish to access any of the amenities that require an appointment, simply activate the concierge.” “Thank you.” Drake took the crystal and placed his hand on the small of Miranda’s back. The electric awareness arced again, causing her to shiver. The corridor veered to the right where a bank of elevators awaited them. Drake inserted the crystal and summoned the private lift. “Do you stay here often?” It was really none of her business, but his connection to Jericho was an intriguing anomaly. “I’ve never stayed here before. I just didn’t want to listen to the attendant ramble for the next half-hour.” He folded his arms across his brawny chest and narrowed his gaze on her face. “Would it surprise you if I had? Even enforcers are allowed to unwind now and then.” “I’m not begrudging you some entertainment. You just don’t seem the type to indulge your imagination.” The door slid open, and he swept his arm toward the corridor beyond. “You have a rather pronounced opinion of me given the fact we just met.” “I’ve been in your mind.” She raised her eyebrows ominously, unable to resist the temptation. “What’s that supposed to mean?” She stepped out of the elevator, Drake half a step behind her. “What’s our room number?” He stomped off down the hall, and she released a throaty chuckle. How did he go through life so tightly wound? She wanted to scan his mind, to explore his motivations and the latent abilities she’d sensed before. How would he react if he turned out to be a

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dreaded mystic? She sighed and pushed the impulse aside. Sending him the images had been necessary. Assuaging her curiosity was not. Their suite consisted of three rooms. The main sitting area was separated from the dining room by a sculpted archway while the bedroom was completely enclosed. Decorated in burgundy and cream with gilt accents, the overall effect was lavish elegance. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a spectacular view of New Shardrake with its towering spires and immaculate promenades. “Who is paying for this?” She couldn’t help but wonder. The suite was easily twice the size of her modest apartment. “I asked Jericho for discreet accommodations. He took the rest upon himself.” She slipped out of her coat and draped it over the back of a chair. “A man after my own heart.” Kicking off her high-heeled shoes, she crossed to the windows and took in the view. “So, what’s the plan?” Drake remained where he was, not far from the entrance. She could see his reflection in the window, and she took full advantage of the opportunity. He raked his hair with one hand, leaving the shiny mass in charming disarray. “Your safety is my only concern at the moment. As I’m able to study the images in the ring, my strategy will evolve.” “None of the images are admissible in court, so why bother?” He didn’t respond immediately. Her question appeared to have taken him aback. Turning around, she strolled across the room and sat on the synthleather sofa. “That’s an odd question for a mystic.” “Is it? I’ve dealt with skepticism and prejudice my entire life.” “The skeptics haven’t hurt your career.” He moved closer, resting his hands on the back of the chair facing her. “You’ve even converted a few of your most passionate opponents.” She didn’t miss the sarcasm in his tone. It was a pointless debate. He had no respect for anyone with psychic abilities, and she didn’t have the time or energy to change his mind. “They need to pick up Aysha. I don’t think she realizes what she’s done.” “How can you believe that after seeing her in action? She’s Rizaria’s mistress and she tried to kill you.” “No one is that good an actor. She had no idea what the ring contained. If Rizaria is as dangerous as you say, Aysha is in serious trouble. It might have been inadvertent, but she betrayed him.” “Again your trusting nature is showing. It’s likely Rizaria himself is responsible for the ring. Why would he punish her for carrying out his orders?” “Why would Rizaria want me dead? I hadn’t even heard his name until you identified him.” That gave him pause. “Nothing in your dealings with Nicay or Aysha exposed you to information about Rizaria?” 27

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“Just the images contained in the ring. And even then, I had no idea who he was.” She scooted to the edge of her seat, careful to keep her knees together. “It doesn’t make sense to load down a murder weapon with incriminating evidence.” “You have a point.” She smiled. His pained expression revealed how infrequently he had to concede. “Then will you have someone arrest Aysha?” “We can’t tip our hand. Once Ritter releases your cover story to the media, we’ll have more freedom. Until then, we work on unraveling the images.” “I don’t like it.” She crossed her legs and tugged down the hem of her skirt. “Can you dispatch someone to follow her or—” “Is this a premonition sort of thing? What exactly is a temporal guide?” “A meaningless label. The Perrlain try to force everything into neat little boxes. Life doesn’t work that way, and people sure as hell don’t think that way.” “Fine. Call it whatever you like. Just explain the extent of your abilities.” “This has nothing to do with my abilities.” She sighed. “I’m just worried about one of my patients.” “She’s already under surveillance. We’ve suspected she was more involved than her husband realized for quite some time.” His expression softened and he relaxed enough to sit. “We’re going to be constant companions for a while. Why don’t we try to break the ice?” “Show me yours and I’ll show you mine?” “Something like that. Weren’t you born on Temple-Tuttle?” She nodded. “Why did you leave?” “The Perrlain elders had my life planned out from the moment of my conception, but I didn’t agree with their plans. I saw no justification for too many of their traditions, so they banished me.” “Just like that?” He snapped his fingers. “No. The banishment came after years of rebellion and passionate objections.” She took a deep breath and looked at her hands. “Why is this relevant now?” “I apologize. I didn’t realize you’d left under duress.” “I was more than ready to leave, but I miss my family.” “They’re still on Temple-Tuttle?” “My brother and middle sister are. My younger sister recently had an epiphany similar to mine. She seems genuinely happy.” “How long have you been in New Shardrake?” “Do I get to interrogate you next?” A smile transformed his face. He looked younger and his green eyes shimmered with subtle warmth. If he smiled more often, he would be devastating.

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“I didn’t mean for it to feel like an interrogation. I get the impression that you’re far more complicated than your professional persona.” “Thank you, I think.” Someone knocked on the door, drawing their attention. Drake rolled his eyes as he pushed to his feet. Was he annoyed by the interruption or was he not looking forward to a visit from their host? Drake checked the security screen inset in the wall before he opened the door. “We’ve been expecting you.” His deep voice was definitely tinged with annoyance. A tall broad-shouldered man ambled into the room. His curling dark hair and vivid green eyes made her glance back at Drake. “Don’t pretend you’re not happy to see me. We both know you love it here.” With a derisive snort, Drake kicked the door shut and followed the other man across the room. “I’m Jericho James.” The visitor lightly clasped her hand and raised it to his lips. “I’ll do everything in my power to make your stay enjoyable.”

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Chapter Four Lopeka inhaled deeply, savoring the sharp scent of fear. Aysha knelt before her, naked, helpless yet insolent. Her arms were tied behind her back, knees and ankles also bound. Pink-streaked hair streamed across her face and her breasts quivered with each contrived sob. Lopeka was unmoved by her beauty and indifferent to her pleas. Vibrant life emanated from her like the aroma of a long-awaited meal. “Please. I’ll do anything you want,” Aysha simpered. “Just don’t hurt me.” “And she will, my love,” Kwinton Rizaria said. “Aysha is nothing if not accommodating.” Breath hissed out of Aysha’s mouth, and she glared at Kwinton through the strands of her hair. “There are no words vile enough to describe you.” His indolent smile was far more provoking than words. “Let’s begin again,” Lopeka said. “What were you doing with Miranda this morning?” “She’s my therapist.” Her hostile gaze shot to Kwinton and rebelliousness lifted her chin. “Kwinton sent me to spy on her.” “But your reports have become vague and infrequent.” Kwinton pushed to his feet. Lopeka warned him back with an upraised hand. This was her interrogation. He knew better than to interfere. “Have you fallen under the spell of New Shardrake’s favorite mystic?” he persisted despite Lopeka’s annoyance. If Kwinton had known how insulting she found the jibe, he would have kept his mouth shut. She was the most powerful mystic in New Shardrake, and he better never forget it! “You saw her two days ago.” Lopeka used the polished crook of her ebony cane to raise Aysha’s chin. “This morning was an unscheduled meeting. What was so important?” “Nicay and I had a fight. I needed someone to talk to.” Emotions rolled across Lopeka’s empathic receptors. “That’s partially true, but I still sense deception.” “I’m upset! What do you want from me?” Lopeka drew back her cane and genuine fear widened Aysha’s eyes. “It was a question, not a complaint. I don’t understand what you want.”

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Savoring the intoxicating rush of power, Lopeka slowly lowered the cane and rested both hands on the elaborate hilt. “Kwinton, get Aysha something to drink. I think she needs a few minutes to consider her options.” He looked confused but went into the adjoining kitchen. Aysha followed his movements as much as her awkward position allowed. Kwinton assured Lopeka that each room in the Pleasure Palace was soundproof, but the sprawling city just beyond the windows made her uncomfortable. She’d come to New Shardrake eleven years before, drawn by the promise of adventure and the opportunity to hide her activities in the crush of humanity. Nothing went unnoticed on Temple-Tuttle and the Perrlain Tribe had carelessly cast her out. But here, she could indulge her desires and gorge on an inexhaustible sea of energy. “What are you going to do with me?” Aysha’s voice sounded thin and uncertain. “That’s entirely up to you.” Lopeka sat on the sofa Kwinton had just vacated and rested her cane across her knees. She stared into Aysha’s eyes and opened her mind to the blonde’s emotions. Pride and defiance still simmered behind her tearful façade. She was waiting for Kwinton to save her, confident in her physical appeal. A secretive smile curved Lopeka’s lips as she broke contact with her captive. Kwinton returned with a glass of water. “Is there something in that?” Aysha looked to Lopeka for the answer. Good. Let her wonder. Let her analyze every sensation, dreading the onset of some nonexistent chemical. Aysha had yet to comprehend her true situation. “I’m not thirsty. I—” He grabbed her hair and forced her head back. She stubbornly closed her mouth, so he drizzled water into her nose. With a frantic, sputtering gasp, she opened her mouth and accepted the liquid as he slowly poured it down her throat. “Swallow it all,” he taunted. “We both know how well you swallow things.” He set the glass aside then his gaze moved back to Aysha with lecherous interest. “Come here, love.” Lopeka put sarcastic emphasis on the endearment. Kwinton was a necessary inconvenience. He was the face she used to interact with the world. Aysha watched him closely, waiting for him to object to the command. “What shall we do while she ponders her fate?” He stalked toward the sofa, gaze narrowed and bright. “We aren’t going to do anything. You are going to lick my pussy like an obedient slave.” His steps faltered and his expression hardened. He had no problem licking her pussy. He did so frequently and with obvious enthusiasm. But to be ordered around like a lackey in front of Aysha obviously infuriated him. “Why don’t we pleasure each other?” He did his best to make the suggestion sound imperious. “No one has to wait that way.” “I’m not in the mood to indulge you. Now get on your knees.”

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His nostrils flared and his hands clenched. Lopeka drew her flowing skirt up to her waist and spread her thighs. Aysha followed the exchange with tentative fascination. It was important that she understand the true dynamics before they continued. With obvious reluctance, Kwinton knelt. “This wasn’t necessary,” he whispered. “I disagree.” She looked down at her smooth mound and lifted one of her legs to his shoulder. “Get busy.” Kwinton latched on to her pussy with punishing force, sucking and scraping her folds with his teeth. She slapped the side of his head and snapped, “Hurt me again and I’ll make you bleed!” He slipped his hands beneath her ass and raised her to his mouth. She found his thigh with her free foot and rocked her hips, grinding her sex against his lips. Aysha watched in stunned disbelief. “Oh yes. Right there. Suck my clit.” Lopeka stared at her captive, gauging her reaction to the scene. Her nipples hardened and her lips trembled. Was she imagining Kwinton between her thighs or fearing that she’d be required to take his place? Lopeka preferred men to women, but so did Aysha. It was exhilarating to show the blonde just how useless her beauty was now. Kwinton worked his tongue in and out of her core. His thumb circled her clit, quickly building her orgasm. Aroused more by his resentment than his skill, Lopeka rested her head against the back of the sofa and concentrated on the pleasure gathering within her. Tingling heat rippled along her inner muscles. “Fingers, quick. I need something to squeeze.” He thrust two fingers into her passage and lashed her clit with his tongue. She threw back her head and surrendered to the sharp burst of sensation. “Very nice.” She sighed. Sitting back on his heels, he removed his fingers and wiped his mouth on his sleeve. “Remove your pants.” Anger flashed in his gaze, but he reached for his belt buckle. “Did you question my authority?” “I made a suggestion, nothing more.” “You didn’t immediately comply with what I told you to do. That’s the same as disobeying. Do you deserve to be punished?” His expression swung from dread to lust and back to dread. Lopeka carefully guarded her emotions. Nothing was more stimulating than making a proud man grovel. “I asked you a question.” “Yes. I deserve punishment.” He pushed his pants and underwear to his knees. It was more degrading when he didn’t fully undress. This wasn’t the first time they’d played this game, just the first time they’d had an audience. “Hands and knees. Angle yourself so Aysha can see what I’m doing.” While he arranged himself in front of Aysha, Lopeka retrieved a disposable tube of lubricant. The point of this was to debase not injure him. 32

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“You made Aysha take it up the ass while her husband looked on in horror, didn’t you?” Aysha gasped and the color drained from her face. “Didn’t you know Nicay was watching? You look genuinely horrified.” “Oh my God.” She hid behind her hair and her whimpers seemed genuine for the first time. “No wonder he took off.” That snapped them both to attention. Kwinton pushed off the floor and grabbed the back of Aysha’s hair, forcing her to meet his hostile gaze. “What do you mean he took off?” “Why do you think I went to see Miranda? Nicay left me!” Kwinton looked at Lopeka for confirmation. She scanned the blonde’s mind, probing more aggressively than she had before. “I sense no deception, but she’s hiding something.” “You’re both crazy!” Aysha tugged against Kwinton’s hold, tears swimming behind her long eyelashes. “I haven’t lied. I’ve done everything you told me to.” Lopeka shifted her gaze from Aysha to Kwinton. He needed to be punished, but the blonde couldn’t be allowed to regain her composure. A smile twisted her lips. She’d simply multitask. “As you were,” she told Kwinton. His mouth opened as if he would object then he snapped his jaw shut and resumed his position. “Have you ever been caned?” she asked the blonde. Aysha shook her head, fear spreading across her features. “You’ve spoiled her, Kwinton. As often as you’ve fucked her, she should be fully trained by now.” She slapped his ass hard. First one side and then the other. He grunted, his muscles flexing against the sting. “This wakes up his nerve endings, preparing him for stronger sensations.” Aysha nervously licked her lips and glanced at the red handprints on his swarthy skin. With cruel deliberation, Lopeka took the small tube of lubricant and inserted it into his rectum. “I thought you were going to cane him.” Aysha’s voice was barely more than a whisper. “There are many ways to use a cane.” Leering into Aysha’s eyes, Lopeka removed the rubber skid guard from the end of her cane and caressed the smooth ebony shaft. “I’m feeling generous, Kwinton. Would you prefer pleasure or pain?” He trembled, head sagging forward on his shoulders. She’d never met a person who derived more enjoyment from brutality. It was easier for a man with his reputation to dole out punishment than to admit that he craved it. “Pain.”

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She chuckled at his weakness and brought the cane down across his firm ass cheeks. He cried out and arched his back, his cock springing to life with predictable vitality. “Harder,” he urged, beyond caring, beyond pride. With practiced control, she avoided the raised welts, connecting with fresh skin each time she swung the cane. He tossed his head. His screams were music to her ears. “Fuck me please. Mistress, fuck me now!” She squeezed the lube into his passage and tossed the flattened tube aside. Without hesitation, she thrust the cane into his ass. Her gaze connected with Aysha’s as she fucked Kwinton with careful, steady strokes. He lowered his head to the floor, resting his forehead on his folded arms. Aysha squeezed her eyes shut as a bright flush spread over her breasts. Was she wet and aching or terrified? It didn’t matter. Lopeka could manipulate either reaction to her advantage. Focusing on Kwinton, she kept each thrust relatively shallow. As soon as she caressed his prostrate, he’d go off like a rocket. His hips rose with greedy determination. She allowed the small rebellion. He could set the depth, but she would control the speed. He cried out suddenly, his ass cheeks clenching. His cock jerked wildly, spurting cum onto the synthwood floor. She savored his low moan as she drew the cane out. “Stay just like that. I want to look at you.” Placing the cane on the floor beside him, she stepped back to enjoy the obscene tableau. His clothes were disheveled and sweat gleamed on his lean flesh. Welts striped his ass and the backs of his thighs, and the proof of his surrender was visible beneath the arch of his body. The sight sent hot tingles racing through her. She turned to Aysha and took a deep breath. Now the real fun could begin. “How are you feeling, pretty whore?” Aysha whimpered and turned her face away. “Did watching his degradation turn you on?” She knelt at Aysha’s side and nudged her thighs apart. With her knees and ankles bound, she wasn’t able to make much room. “Let’s see if you’re wet.” She traced a path through her slick folds and thrust her middle finger up into Aysha’s cunt. The blonde gasped and shuddered. “You’re not just wet, you’re sopping. Did you already come?” “Please. I don’t want…” “Sure you do. You’re so turned-on I could make you come with the flick of my thumb.” Tears trailed down her face. “Don’t hurt me. I’ll—” Lopeka found her clit and pinched the swollen nub, the pressure too vicious to trigger an orgasm. Aysha screamed and rocked back until her ass rested on her heels. “I’ll tell you everything. I’ll lick your pussy. I’ll… Tell me what you want.”

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She grasped Aysha’s bound wrists, steadying her torso as she ruthlessly twisted one of her nipples. “Talk. I might stop if I hear something that interests me.” “Nicay left his wedding ring on the counter. I took it to Miranda to scan. I honestly don’t know where he is. Oh fuck, that hurts! Please. I don’t know what else to tell you.” Pulling her hand away from Aysha’s breast, Lopeka grasped her chin. “Don’t tell me anything. Accept me into your mind. Show me exactly what happened. Hold nothing back.”

***** Drake had the irrational need to jerk Miranda’s hand out of Jericho’s grasp. Her gaze filled with feminine awareness as Jericho brushed her knuckles with his lips. “This is business, Jimmy,” Drake grumbled. “Back off.” “Jimmy?” Jericho laughed. “Is that supposed to put me in my place?” “Unfortunately, we’re stuck in your place until the danger passes. Don’t complicate the situation by hitting on my—” “I introduced myself.” He released her hand and returned Drake’s glare. In an instant, lethal intensity sliced through his suave veneer. “Don’t provoke me. I’m well aware of the situation.” Miranda stood and insinuated herself between the men. “Come on, boys. There’s no need for aggression.” Amusement shimmered in her hazel eyes, making the golden shards brighter. “I take it you’re related?” “Why would you say that?” Drake asked. “Failed friendships seldom generate this level of hostility.” “My brother James O’Bannon disappeared years ago.” Drake spoke to Miranda, but his gaze remained on Jericho. “Around the same time Jericho James came into being?” Drake nodded, wrestling old resentments back under control. “Jericho has no family.” He might be charming and likable, but he was a ruthless criminal. She curved her arm around Jericho’s elbow and raised her chin. “I know what it’s like to be abandoned by your family.” To Drake’s surprise, Jericho uncoiled her arm and eased away. “You’ve gotten the wrong impression, doll. James walked out on his family, not the other way around.” “I see.” Her gaze returned to Drake with new interest and determination swelled within him. He wanted to capture her attention so completely that Jericho faded from view. It was his responsibility to shield her from any potential danger, and that included Jericho. “Is the room satisfactory?” Jericho asked. “Did the attendant detail the amenities?”

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Her expression turned speculative as she studied one brother and then the other. “Which amenities do you mean? Drake dismissed the attendant in the lobby.” “He was obviously in a hurry to be alone with you.” Jericho smiled. “I can’t fault him for that strategy.” She lowered her lashes with another flirtatious smile, and Drake’s nails bit into his palms. They were just talking, so why was he filled with the urge to jerk them apart and pummel Jericho within an inch of his life? “This is one of our seclusion suites. It’s designed to be all-inclusive. Food will be delivered three times a day. You can make selections from our extensive menu or allow the chefs to surprise you. The private simulation chamber is a scaled-down version of the units used downstairs. The experience is just as stimulating, but the programs are somewhat limited by available space.” “We won’t be using the simulator,” Drake insisted. “We have work to do.” The statement was as much a reminder to his libido as a warning to Jericho. “Speak for yourself,” she replied. “I’ve always believed in rewarding myself for a job well done.” “Would you like a demonstration?” Jericho motioned toward the door tucked into the back corner of the room. Drake neatly blocked their path. “I can show her how it works when and if we accomplish our goals for today.” “Is he always like this?” Miranda asked Jericho sotto voce. “Persistence is his middle name.” “Persistence is a laudable quality,” she subjected Drake to the full power of her expressive eyes, “when it’s balanced with patience and compassion.” “I think Drake is more interested in justice.” “You say that like it’s a bad thing,” Drake objected. “One person’s justice often results in another’s destruction. The universe is ruthless that way. Someone always pays.” “I’m craving a hot fudge sundae. Any chance that can be arranged?” “I’ll take care of it immediately.” She held out her hand toward Jericho. “Thanks for your hospitality. I really don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t taken me in.” Jericho settled for a handshake this time, but his gaze caressed her face. “If you need anything else—anything at all—don’t hesitate to ask.” Her eyebrows drew together as she considered the offer. “Is Ritter going to have my things sent over?” she asked Drake. “I hate to be blunt, Miranda, but you’re dead.” Her flash of vulnerability made him regret his candor. She didn’t deserve his surliness. None of this was her fault. “Make a list of what you need. If Jericho can’t arrange it, I’ll take care of it myself.”

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“I seriously doubt there will be anything I can’t get. In fact, why don’t I take her off your hands altogether? I’m sure she’ll be infinitely more satisfied with me.” She placed her hand on Jericho’s upper arm and Drake fought back a snarl. He felt restless and possessive, and none of it made sense. Yes, she was beautiful and successful, but she enjoyed her celebrity far too much, and worst of all, she was a mystic. “I appreciate the offer, Mr. James, but we really are here for a reason.” “Please call me Jericho.” “All right, Jericho.” She was flirting with him again! Drake didn’t know why he was surprised. Everyone flirted with Jericho. He was charming and approachable and…the polar opposite of his grumpy younger brother. “Don’t you have a hotel to run?” “Unfortunately I do. Just as soon as I’ve seen to the lady’s sundae.” He kissed Miranda on the cheek and headed for the door. “Jericho,” she brought him up short half a step from the exit, “do you know what ‘Kisauk taylin evanta stee’ means?” “Did someone say that to you?” “It was spoken by a man right before he was murdered. What does it mean?” “‘Torment in this life and the next.’ It’s a Wirtanen curse.” “Thank you.” “No problem.” After indulging in another lingering stare, Jericho left the suite. “What made you think he would recognize the phrase?” “He interacts with people from all over the star system.” She shrugged. “We didn’t have anything to lose by asking him.” “I agree.” He inclined his head with a reluctant smile. “Great instincts.” “Thank you.” Her smile came much more readily. “The people on Wirtanen are laborers. Most of them have less than nothing. Why would a powerful businessman bother with someone like that?” “That’s what we need to find out.” Miranda’s heart gave a surprising flutter as they returned to the sofa. Why did she respond so strongly to this man? Jericho was a far more obvious choice. Drake could be insensitive and rude, yet his focus made her feel safe. She had always thrived on challenge, and Drake was more complicated than most. She sensed a multifaceted personality beneath his professional reserve, and she was anxious to explore each element. “I wasn’t ready for the images when you sent them to me before,” Drake said. “I’m sure there was a lot I missed.” 37

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“Do we have to do this right now?” She rubbed her temples. Concern softened his expression, but his posture remained resolute. “If you give me a few more details, I’ll be able to work while you rest. If you’re honestly too tired, I’ll wait.” Rest wouldn’t alleviate her fatigue, and the sundae had been more of an indulgence than a solution. I’ll show you the images again if you fuck me afterward. She could just imagine how he’d respond to that proposal. No, she could control her hunger, could carefully ration her energy. “Which scene interested you most?” She shot him a sidelong glance with the hint of a smile. “Despite Aysha’s physical attributes, I’ve never been content to watch.” His tone had a throaty rumble that sent tingles down her spine. “Let me see the blond Wirtanen.” With a heavy sigh, she raised her hands to his face and stared into his eyes. “Accept me into your mind. Any resistance will only tire me further.” “I’m not trying to keep you out.” “Every person is born with some level of shielding. It’s instinctive, a survival mechanism. Relax.” She reestablished a basic link, using the same pathway she’d accessed before. “Close your eyes. Listen to my voice and take slow, deep breaths.” His chest rose and fell, and his eyelids lowered. Still, the barrier remained strong. She’d shoved through the first time, rudely bombarding his untrained mind with images and sensations. He wanted to analyze the scene, study the details. A forced connection wouldn’t provide him with that level of control. “Picture a doorway.” The link between their minds allowed her to see what he imagined. “Good. Now reach for the handle and open the door.” His hand extended and he rotated the lever. Without her prompting, he pulled the door aside and allowed her into his mind. She penetrated slowly, stabilizing the connection as she ventured deeper. Vibrant and passionate, his personality surrounded her. She sensed his sharp intellect and the meticulous control he used to subdue his emotions. She longed to wander, to discover the events that had forged his need for control and fueled his emotional reserve. That wasn’t why she was here. They had a mystery to solve that had nothing to do with his past. “All right.” She shifted her hold, pushing her fingers into his hair and circling his temples with her thumbs. “I’m going to establish the setting first. Tell me when you can see the office clearly.” A shudder passed through his body. “Ritter has no idea how powerful you really are. Does he?” She didn’t let the awe in his tone distract her from the task. If anyone realized the true scope of her abilities, they’d lock her away or neutralize the threat permanently. It

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took all her willpower and training to suppress her darker instinct. Surrounding herself with people who needed her help allowed her to channel her consuming ambition into constructive means. Still, the temptation was always there, a ravening beast locked within the depths of her being. “Can you see the office?” “As if I were standing in it.” “I’ll run the scene in real time first. Then I’ll slow it down and let you see it from several angles.” She patiently responded to his requests, slowing down the action, focusing on each face and panning around the room. His hair caressed her fingers and his nearness tantalized. She inhaled deeply, letting his warm, spicy scent insulate her from the violence. She studied his features and memorized the texture of his skin. His lips parted, inviting her kiss and threatening her concentration. A firm knock at the door shattered the tension. “That’s probably my ice cream.” He nodded, blinking repeatedly as if to clear his vision. “I’ll get started.” She activated the hall monitor and found a robotic server waiting in the hall, a silver tray neatly balanced on the palm of his raised hand. She opened the door and he lifted the domed cover with a dramatic flourish. “Compliments of Mr. James.” He held up a hot fudge sundae, complete with whipped cream and a cherry. “Thank you. I’ll savor every bite.” After locking the door, she returned to the sofa. Drake sat at the work station, searching through video files. His face was presented in profile. “Is there anything else I can do?” “Not right now. If I can’t identify the blond, I’ll have you show me some of the other faces.” She took a bite of the sundae and smiled. Rich hot fudge mixed with cool, sweet ice cream, tantalizing her senses. This was almost as good as sex. Her gaze drifted back to Drake and she reconsidered. Did he approach sex with focused efficiency or did he allow himself to unwind? It didn’t matter. She forced her attention back on the dessert in her hand. His only interest in her was the images in her mind. He’d made that much abundantly clear. The treat tasted worse with each bite she took, so she set the half-eaten sundae on the coffee table. She wanted him, needed him. The darkness within her stirred, stretched and expanded. Slip into his mind. With a flicker of compulsion, you can make him desperate for you. The temptation spread like cancer, dangerous, insidious. No! She would not use her abilities to bend another to her will. If he had no interest in a passionate tumble, she’d find someone who did. 39

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“Computer, play Next Time by Foreplay.” The band’s name made Drake look up, his gaze wide and curious. “Will the music bother you? I’m bored.” He just shook his head and returned his gaze to the vidscreen. She stood and moved to the center of the room as the song began. The mid-tempo ballad was perfect for what she had in mind. She positioned herself slightly back and to the side, a tantalizing shape in his peripheral vision. Swaying her hips, she ran her hands down her sides, skimming the outer fullness of her breasts. She turned, rotating her pelvis with teasing undulation. Heat sparked between her thighs, spreading up and outward, making her groan. She pressed her thighs together and caressed her torso, drawing ever nearer to her breasts. “Computer, pause.” He pushed his chair back so forcefully it toppled. “Did you intentionally leave the link active?” “I don’t think so.” She could remember withdrawing, but a wicked laugh echoed through the darkness deep inside her mind. “How bad will this get?” She stared into his eyes, revealing the urgency of her desire. “Bad.” “I’ll fire up the simulator.” He took a purposeful step in that direction. “It won’t help.” He paused and looked back at her. “Why not?” “I don’t need an orgasm. I need you to fuck me.”

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Chapter Five Her smoldering gaze returned to his mouth and lust stabbed through Drake’s body. Ritter had warned him. Still, he hadn’t expected her to come right out and say it. “You need energy.” “Yes. Sexual release provides the most concentrated source.” He glanced toward the door leading to the simulator. “As long as you don’t select anything that interacts with the other guests, we should be—” “I don’t need an orgasm,” she said more forcefully. She sauntered toward him, breasts heaving beneath the slinky material of her blouse. “I need to tap your energy while you have an orgasm—or several orgasms. How resilient are you?” His cock bucked against the front of his pants, more than ready to cooperate. He shoved his hands into his pockets, not trusting his self-control. “Sex tends to be a bit distracting. How can I ensure your safety while I… There has to be another way.” “Only Ritter and Jericho know I’m still alive.” Challenge arched her brow. “Ritter is rather busy at the moment, but Jericho seemed—” “No! We’ll figure out some sort of compromise.” A wicked smile parted her lips, and she reached for his belt buckle. “I know just the thing.” He caught her wrist with one hand and tangled his fingers in the back of her hair. “I was thinking of something a bit less personal.” Her gaze narrowed. “You’re hard as a rock. Am I supposed to believe you don’t want me?” “What I want has nothing to do with it. You’re my responsibility, and I don’t mix business and pleasure.” “Then what did you have in mind?” She twisted out of his grasp. Her eyes dilated and her cheeks flushed. She obviously needed to come as badly as he did, but that didn’t change the facts. Her behavior was a symptom of her depleted energy, not some grand passion for him. “The simulator creates a second barrier against intruders. That will allow me to relax—a bit.” “I’d rather you point your weapon at the door and let me suck you off right here.” Her inviting smile sent another wave of lust crashing down upon him. She didn’t mean it! She was begging for energy, not sex. “We either use the simulator or you go…meditate.”

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She crossed her arms under her breasts and closed her eyes. “Fine. I’ll take what I can get.” He hurried to the simulator and activated the control panel. There had to be a simulation that would allow them sexual release without compromising their safety. He scrolled through the menus until he found the perfect setup. After inputting his selections, he motioned her toward the controls. “I could guess at your preferences, but it will work better if you provide honest information.” She answered the first few questions without comment. “Are you comfortable with coercion?” she read from the screen. “Which program did you select?” “Finish the questionnaire and you’ll see.” Her gaze flew to his from time to time, but she finished the questions without another outburst. The door hissed softly as it slid open. They entered the rectangular compartment and the lights dimmed. The darkness only lasted a moment, but Miranda reached for his arm. “Your usual table, Mr. O’Bannon?” The female’s voice was a sultry purr. A rotating spotlight brought her tall, curvaceous body into focus for an instant before the darkness swallowed her again. “Yes. Make sure I have a clear view of every corner of the room.” “Of course. This way.” As if responding to her directive, red lights illuminated the scene. Metallic blue boots climbed high onto her thighs, and the stiletto heels were capped in gold. A strapless bustier and matching thong completed her provocative costume. Oblong tables were scattered around a small stage. Drake covered Miranda’s hand with his as they followed the hostess to a table in the far corner of the room. Music erupted, a heavy, driving beat pulsing through the haze. Muffled voices and the occasional peal of laughter intruded on the song, yet the other patrons remained in shadow. “A strip club?” Miranda pulled her hand out from under his. “This is the best you could do?” “This isn’t an ordinary strip club. The experience is interactive.” He drew her attention to the panel inset in the table. “This controls the entertainment. Each table votes on what takes place onstage.” He paged through the images, making his selections as he went. “Hold on! That was my image.” “Yes it was, and the other tables agreed that you should entertain us.” Miranda gasped at the implication. “I don’t think so! You had your opportunity to be entertained by me.” 42

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“It looks like my companion requires some assistance.” Lust sizzled across their mental link. He was seriously turned-on by this scenario. Or was her burning desire amplifying his? The sensation was so demanding, she honestly couldn’t tell where it originated. Strong hands grasped her upper arms, hauling her off the chair. She struggled against her unseen captors, tugging and twisting to no avail. “Wait a goddamned minute! This was not part of our agreement!” Drake’s only response was a lazy smile. As they neared the stage, she finally got a good look at her “assistants”. They were both sleekly muscled and barely dressed. Bare chests gleamed in the crimson light, dark eyes flashing. One had short black hair, the other tawny locks that brushed his wide shoulders. Slow-melting heat cascaded through her body. This was a game, an erotic temptation. What did she have to lose? Drake lounged in his chair, his gaze penetrating the gloom. Was it really less involving to watch than to accept the pleasure she’d offered before? “This won’t give me what I need,” she objected. “You have to come for it to do any good.” “I’ll come that much faster after I’ve watched them pleasure you.” Why didn’t he just pleasure her? She was more than ready to feel his touch and lose herself in his kiss. He can’t. He’s your protector. He must remain objective and alert. Black and Gold lifted her to the stage then joined her upon the small platform. Gold stood to her right and Black to her left. With obvious purpose and coordinated speed, they stripped her. Whistles and catcalls erupted all around her. This is just a simulation. None of it is real. Except for Drake. He sat in the shadows, a silent witness to her seduction. The Perrlain taught that the human body was beautiful and that there was no shame in expressing one’s sexuality. If he wanted a show, she’d give him one! Raising her arms and moving her feet, she wiggled out of her garments. Gold knelt at her side as Black pressed in close behind her. Drawing her wrists to the small of her back, Black thrust out her breasts. Gold moved her legs farther apart and teased her inner thighs. “Does she please you, Sir?” Gold pivoted toward Drake as he spoke. “She’s lovely, but is she responsive? Kiss her. See if you can make her wet with nothing more than your kiss.” Drake fell quite naturally into his role. Was this a common fantasy for him or something more tangible? Pushing to his feet, Gold took her face between his hands. “Part your lips, sweet slave. We must prepare you for your Master.” Master? Before she could react to the absurdity, Gold’s warm lips covered hers. She tried to twist away, but Black tightened his hold on her arms. 43

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“Easy, love,” Gold whispered against her lips. “No one is going to hurt you.” Her answers to the setup questions went tumbling through her mind. She wasn’t opposed to coercion, restricted movement heightened her desire, and—though, she found the idea tantalizing—she had never been aroused through pain. Gold’s mouth slid against hers, patiently waiting for her to accept his kiss. “Relax, Miranda,” Drake coaxed. “I gave you full access to my mind. It’s your turn to surrender.” With a shiver, she parted her lips and accepted Gold’s tongue into her mouth. His breath was warm and tasted faintly of spiced wine. She released the tension in her shoulders and offered a tentative response. “That’s right,” Black whispered. “Let go. We’ll take care of you.” On and on, Gold kissed her, sliding and probing, nipping and licking at her parted lips. “Is she wet?” Drake’s voice intruded on the sensual spell Gold had been weaving. A hand pushed between her thighs, and Gold groaned. “I’ll take that as a yes.” Gold’s fingers glided over her damp flesh, parting her folds and circling her clit. She jerked and trembled, unable to do more than accept what he gave. “Make her come now,” Drake directed, his tone suddenly harsh. “Both of you use your fingers.” Each command Drake uttered built the tension within her. How many times had he watched his “slave” be prepared for his pleasure? Had he fucked them onstage as others looked on? How far would he take this simulation? Gold moved back to her side, allowing Drake to see exactly what he was doing. Black shifted her wrists into one hand so he could caress her breasts with the other. He sucked on the side of her neck, launching hot tingles deep into her abdomen. Music swirled around her and her body took on the throbbing rhythm of the song. She rocked her hips, boldly thrusting herself onto Gold’s fingers. Her inner muscles tightened and she tossed her head, feeling wild and restless. She searched for Drake, needing to see his reaction to her display. Did her abandon please him? Would he fuck her now? The rotating light passed over his body and she whimpered. He’d shoved aside the table and the hostess now knelt between his legs. The steady bobbing of her head left no doubt what she was doing. Why had he accepted her mouth when he’d rejected the same pleasure from Miranda? She tugged against the hands restraining her, anger driving back her impending climax. “Oh no you don’t.” Black turned her head to the side and found her mouth. His kiss was more aggressive, more possessive, more in keeping with the shift in her mood.

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Gold lifted one of her feet and rested it against his thigh. His hand moved faster and stabbed deeper into her cream-slicked core. She squeezed his fingers and closed her eyes, shutting out the image of Drake and the hostess. Desire rippled across their link, combining with her arousal and speeding her toward completion. Fingers thrust into her again and again. She pictured Drake on the floor before her, possessive fire burning in his eyes. Pleasure burst within her, instantaneously echoed by Drake’s climax. Her scream was muffled by Black’s mouth, but Drake’s sharp cry sliced through the music. She held perfectly still as sensations coursed through her and passed to him. Nearly forgetting the reason for the exhibition, she shook away the muddle and reached for his mind. Energy seethed and boiled like a cauldron of lava. She accessed the stream, bathing herself in the sparkling ripples, savoring each tingling pulse.

***** Kwinton knelt beside Aysha’s naked body, his fingers pressed against her slender throat. “She’s dead.” “I told her not to resist.” Lopeka flicked a tiny piece of lint off her sleeve before returning her gaze to Kwinton. “I have yet to encounter a mind I couldn’t penetrate, but there are complications when I must be aggressive.” “This is one hell of a complication. She’s no use to us now.” “She outlived her usefulness when she went running to Miranda!” Pushing to his feet with as much dignity as his sore muscles allowed, Kwinton squared his shoulders and glared into her eyes. “Are you jealous, my love? You have a tendency to overreact whenever Miranda is involved.” Lopeka stood as well, arms akimbo. “You think I overreacted? Aren’t you even curious to know what I learned?” “Aysha was the only person on Halley Prime who didn’t know Nicay was about to leave her. I doubt you learned anything I didn’t already know.” “This is far more important than where you put your dick! Did you give Nicay access to the serum?” All of Kwinton’s bluster evaporated in an instant. He took a step closer and lowered his voice. “What are you talking about?” “Aysha saw Nicay injecting something into his arm. He refused to tell her what it was, and he destroyed the syringe before she could have it analyzed.” “What makes you think it was the serum? It could have been any number of recreational compounds.” “He inadvertently knocked Aysha backward during their argument.” She paused for effect. “She was still halfway across the room, well out of arm’s reach.” “That doesn’t… Some abilities are amplified by strong emotions.”

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A caustic laugh burst from her throat. “You’ll never accomplish anything if you keep lying to yourself. He was juiced, plain and simple. There is no mistaking the symptoms.” “The serum is meticulously inventoried. There is no way he could have gotten his hands on the serum without my knowing about it.” “I suggest you double-check your meticulous inventory while I search for our little lost lamb.”

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Chapter Six Drake waited until Miranda eased out of his mind before he ended the simulation. “Did you get what you needed?” She quickly donned her clothes, her gaze averted. “For now.” Watching Miranda abandon herself to pleasure had been far more stimulating than the simulated mouth sucking at his cock. He’d tried to remain detached and objective, but Miranda was incredible. He wanted to lick every millimeter of her luscious body then capture her gasp with his mouth as he drove his full length into her creamy passage. He swallowed past the lump in his throat and adjusted his pants. He couldn’t fuck her, but wanting her this badly was almost as distracting. “Did you get what you needed?” She looked pointedly at the bulge in the front of his pants. “I got what I’m allowed as long as I’m responsible for your safety.” She made a derisive sound and headed for the door. “So tell me about this club. Are you a regular?” “This is a composite of several popular clubs.” He followed her out into the living room. “I’m not a regular anywhere.” “But this is more than a fantasy? You seemed quite comfortable in the role of Master.” “Did you enjoy being my slave?” Before she could reply, the communications computer interrupted their conversation. “You have an urgent message. Shall I put it through?” “Is she talking to you or me?” Miranda asked. He walked to the companel. “It’s for me. Computer, activate the message.” “Where the hell have you been?” Ritter asked. Drake hadn’t expected a live message. Finger combing his hair off his forehead, he stepped closer to the console and blocked his partner’s view of Miranda. “We were reviewing the images. What’s going on?” “Aysha is missing. She went in for her weekly massage and no one has seen her since.” Drake grimaced as Miranda’s warning echoed through his mind. “Is this just FYI or is there something you want us to do?” “If Miranda senses anything, let me know.” “Of course.” 47

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“Sector security just responded to Miranda’s crime scene. News of her death will be released within the hour. Are you making any progress with the images?” “Maybe.” If each psychic exchange would be followed by a sexual encounter, this might be the most complicated assignment of his life. He wanted nothing more than to fuck Miranda, but the rational part of his nature couldn’t ignore the risks. Aysha’s disappearance was further proof. These were very dangerous men. “We’re pretty sure the last victim was Wirtanen.” “Really? Why would Rizaria bother with a laborer?” “That’s what I intend to find out.” “Do you have a contact on Wirtanen?” “No. But I know someone who does.” That seemed to be his answer to everything today. “Gotcha. Keep me informed.” The comscreen went blank and Drake turned around. Miranda stood a step away, arms folded under her breasts. Her face had gone from ivory to pale, and she pressed her lips into a grim line. “I told you she was in danger.” “I’m not sure what more we could have done. She was under continual surveillance.” “It was obviously not enough!” Tears swam behind her long lashes and her bottom lip trembled. “I should have been more insistent. I should have…” He reached for her as the first tear trailed down her cheek. She jerked away and shot him an impatient glare. “Why didn’t you listen to me?” “I listened.” He hated the defensiveness welling within him. He didn’t feel the need to justify his actions to most people. Why was her opinion of him any different? “If you’re dead, there’s no reason for Kwinton to go after Aysha. This doesn’t make sense.” “You’re acting on the assumption that Kwinton sent Aysha to kill me. It looks more like he knew nothing about it.” “Then who? Did Nicay have a reason to attack you?” She paused, her expression tense and thoughtful. “Not that I know of.” “For all we know, Aysha’s disappearance could be completely unrelated to you.” “I think we both know that’s not likely.” He tried to soothe her with a smile. “I didn’t say it was likely, I just offered another possibility.” “Neither of us will get far on wishful thinking.” “I can’t argue with that.” He exhaled and steered her toward the dining room. “Ice cream isn’t much of a meal. Why don’t I order sandwiches or something?” “A glass of wine would be wonderful, but I’m not hungry.”

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He entered their order through the sideboard computer then joined her at the dining room table. “How long have you been treating Nicay and Aysha? Who approached you first?” “Aysha contacted me about eight months ago.” She opened her mouth as if to say more, then heaved a sigh and lapsed into silence. “Ever the vigilant doctor? I thought we were beyond all that.” “It just feels wrong.” She shook her head with a sad little smile. “I suppose you’re right. I’ll either help you find her or find out that breaking her confidence didn’t matter in the least. Aysha suspected Nicay was cheating on her. That’s what brought her to me.” “Was he?” “Yes. But he admitted to the affair, and I thought they had worked through their differences. Then she showed up at my office this morning, or was that yesterday morning by now?” She turned her head and looked across the room. The cityscape beyond the picture window still featured lights against a darkened sky. “What time is it?” “The time is two fourteen a.m.,” the computer answered for him. “Nicay had to have suspected Aysha would bring the ring to you,” Drake mused. “That’s a reasonable assumption.” “And to your knowledge he had no reason to hurt you.” “I already said that. What are you getting at?” “Is it possible the pain was unintentional?” She folded her hands on the tabletop and stared beyond him for a moment. “You’re suggesting Nicay wanted to incriminate Kwinton without endangering himself.” “I’m not sure that’s possible. No one crosses Kwinton and lives to tell that tale.” The speculation in her eyes turned to fear and Drake cursed his tactlessness. “You’re safe, Miranda. I won’t let anything happen to you.” “I’m sure the men tailing Aysha had the same dedication.” She rolled her shoulders and her expression cleared. “There was one anomaly in the memory echo that we haven’t explored.” “What’s that?” “As I scanned the ring, the images were presented from Nicay’s perspective, yet I could sense Aysha’s emotions.” “What’s the significance of that? I’m not sure how your ability works.” With a sigh, she slumped in her chair and explained. “The Perrlain call what I do temporal guidance. I can access events in the past, present and future by linking directly to a person’s mind or scanning an object with which they have had prolonged contact.” “Then you can see the future.”

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“It’s not as significant as you make it sound. The future is in continual flux. Events change and evolve as the present becomes the past. Most people think of the present as the entire span of their life, but it doesn’t work that way. In less than an instant, a future event is experienced and becomes part of the past. The present is infinitesimal.” He took a moment to absorb her explanation. “What exactly does your ability allow you to do?” “Of the three temporal conditions, the past is the most stable. I can access a person’s memories, see what they saw and feel what they felt. My empathic sensitivity works in the present and the future also, just not as well as in the past.” He was still trying to wrap his mind around her ability. Never mind what she did with the information she accessed. “So what was different when you scanned the ring?” “I was observing Nicay’s memories, so I shouldn’t have been able to sense Aysha’s emotions.” “Unless Nichay is empathic.” “Exactly. He never revealed any mystic abilities during our sessions, but that doesn’t mean he has none.” “You think it was an intentional omission?” “I don’t know what to think. It’s just odd.” Past, present and future… “Can you use the ring to find Nicay? Follow his energy signature to wherever he is now?” She heaved another sigh and pushed her fingers through her hair. “I honestly thought it was a psy-bomb, so I didn’t try to scan deeper.” “How do we decrease the risk so you can try again?” He hated to push, but identifying victims wouldn’t change their fate. Nicay was the best lead they had right now. “I’m not sure. Let me think about it.”

***** A server droid arrived with their food a short time later. Drake munched on a sandwich while Miranda strolled around the suite, wineglass held loosely in one hand. “Does Ritter still have the ring?” she asked after a long period of silence. “If Kwinton snatched Aysha—and he is our most likely suspect—then he probably knows Aysha came to see me.” “He gave it to me and planted a replica at the crime scene.” “Speaking of crime scenes,” she paused for a sip of wine. “Who was elected to play the part of my dead body?” “The ring ignited a fire, and you were burned beyond recognition. DNA records will be used for your identification.”

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The image of a charred body flashed through her mind, and Miranda shuddered. “So even if Kwinton knows what’s on the ring, he’ll presume I was killed before I could pass it on.” “Which should buy us enough time to locate Nicay.” Even Drake didn’t sound convinced. “What about the Wirtanen connection? You told Ritter you knew someone who might be able to help.” “No,” he smiled, “I told him I knew someone who knew someone who might be able to help.” “Jericho again?” “Unfortunately.” He wiped his mouth on a linen napkin then set it beside his plate. “I’m running up quite a tab with my big brother.” “Why did he part ways with your family? Are your parents still alive?” “It’s a long story, and my mother is still alive.” “I told you about my past.” “You didn’t ask about my past. You asked about Jericho’s and that’s not my story to tell.” “All right.” She refilled her glass before going on, “Tell me your story.” “Right now? We have far more important things to—” “I need to know that my trust is justified. I offered you a glimpse into my past. Now it’s your turn to surrender.” “I’ve heard that somewhere before.” A wry smile quirked one corner of his mouth. “I was an excellent student, graduated top of my class. I was recruited by the Coalition’s Covert Corps halfway through my senior year and reported for duty two weeks after graduation. I served in the CCC for six years then accepted an honorable discharge.” “You exchanged the military for law enforcement? That’s not much of a change.” He pushed back from the table far enough to cross his legs. “I started out as a consultant, but they eventually offered me a long-term contract that fit my needs.” “How long have you worked as an enforcer?” “Eight years.” “Well, that covers your resume. Now tell me something about you. Do you have a hobby? Significant other?” “There hasn’t been a significant other for quite awhile. And I tend to have projects rather than hobbies.” “I’m not sure what that means.” “We’re wasting time.” He pushed his empty plate aside and stood. “Are you willing to try the ring again or not?” “Now you’ve piqued my interest. Tell me something personal and I’ll take another look at the ring.” 51

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“Finding Nicay is in your best interest. This isn’t a game.” “Life is the ultimate game.” He stared at her for a long moment, his thoughts well-guarded. “I’m going to get the Wirtanen ball rolling then we’ll talk about the ring.” Miranda didn’t argue. It likely was in her best interest to find Nicay. They could spend the rest of their lives trying to figure out his motivation and still not understand what he had been trying to accomplish. Drake sent a message to Jericho, and he responded before Drake could step back from the companel. “What can I do for you?” Jericho sat behind a glass-topped desk, looking debonair and commanding. “Do you have a contact on Wirtanen? Someone who knows what’s going on and who you can trust implicitly?” He folded his hands on the desktop and leaned toward the transmitter. “Why do you ask?” “There are some pretty strong indications that my case leads to Wirtanen.” Jericho scratched his chin as he entered several commands into his desktop. “She’s the cautious type. There’s no way she’ll talk to you unless I’m in on the conversation.” “So introduce us and then log off.” “I need to have some idea of what I’m vouching for.” “You’re vouching for me.” Challenge arched Jericho’s brow. “When has that ever been enough of an incentive?” “The longer it takes us to unravel this mess, the longer Miranda will be in danger.” “The longer Miranda is in danger, the longer she’ll need me.” Drake stepped aside with an impatient gesture. “I can’t talk to him when he gets like this.” Miranda smiled and approached the companel. “I’m sure antagonizing Drake is amusing, but we really do need your help.” “Anything for you, doll. Give me a few minutes to track her down.” A solid blue screen indicated the companel had gone into standby mode. “He’s not much older than you, is he? I bet you two have been sparring for longer than you can remember.” “He’s been rattling my cage for longer than I can remember.” “Do you feel trapped by your life? Why did you put yourself in a cage?” “Don’t you dare psychoanalyze me. I’m not in love with my mother, and I was content and well-adjusted as a child.” She laughed. “So what happened to you?”

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“Very funny.” Jericho’s image came back onscreen. “I’m going to switch you over to an encrypted channel. The screen will go blank for a bit.” When the image came back into focus, the screen was split down the middle. Jericho occupied one side and a red-haired woman was pictured on the other. “Blaze, that’s my brother and his partner in crime.” “She looks a lot like Miranda Kayten,” Blaze said with a narrowed and suspicious gaze. “I get that a lot,” Miranda replied. “Do you know a man named Kwinton Rizaria?” Drake came right to the point. “Why do you want to know?” “We have a recording of him frying the brain of a blond man in his mid-thirties. Right before Rizaria grabs him, the blond curses him in Wirtanen.” “Just because someone speaks our language doesn’t mean they’re from the outpost.” “Blaze,” Jericho drew her attention, “tell him what you know.” “If this happened two weeks ago, you’re probably talking about CJ Kaffee. He was overseeing the production of God knows what, but he’s been missing since Rizaria’s thugs came in their private cruiser and collected him.” “Do you have his personnel file?” Drake asked. “Yeah, hold on.” She looked down, but the shot was too tight to allow Miranda to see what she was doing. An employee badge appeared at the bottom of their screen. “Is that him?” Drake looked at her for confirmation before responding. “Yes, that’s him.” “You have no idea what he was producing?” Miranda asked. “A chemical compound of some sort,” Blaze said. “My best guess is pharmaceutical.” “Any legitimate medication must be produced on Halley Prime,” Drake objected. “It’s the only way to ensure standards and authenticity.” “I never said it was legitimate. Drug companies move production to Wirtanen for one of two reasons. The high cost of overhead on Halley Prime or to avoid accountability.” “Where is the laboratory located?” Drake’s eyes took on a dangerous gleam. “I might arrange a surprise inspection.” “An inspector goes near that place and I’m dead. You have no idea what I’ve risked by talking to you.” “They’re not going to do anything that might cast suspicion on you.” Jericho looked pointedly at Drake as he added, “I’ll make sure of it.” “This was a mistake.” Blaze ended the transmission without another word. “If anything happens to Blaze because she talked to you—” 53

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“Save your threats,” Drake grumbled. “I always protect my informants.” “We appreciate your getting her to talk to us.” Miranda tried to smooth over the tension. “This gives us more pieces to the puzzle.” “How do you know her anyway? If I’m not mistaken, that was Beatrice ‘Blaze’ Conroy, head of security on Wirtanen?” “She heads one of three security teams.” “That didn’t answer that question,” Drake persisted. “I might have made special allowances for her employees to ensure they sped up production of certain technologies.” He ended the statement with an utterly unrepentant grin. “Technologies like that simulator for instance.” “I’ll leave the details to your imagination.”

***** Miranda curled up on the sofa while Drake researched possible locations for the laboratory. Blaze’s fear was justified and they all knew it. People like Rizaria had no tolerance for snitches. Nothing they did could lead back to the information she had given them. After sleeping for a couple of hours, Miranda grew restless. “Is there another access station? I can dig through records as well as anyone.” Drake looked up and rubbed the back of his neck. His eyes were blurry and bloodshot. “I have a better idea. You go lie down. A sleep-deprived protector is no good to anyone.” “I’d argue, but I was running on fumes before this thing got started.” He went into the bedroom, and she took his place at the workstation in the living room. She paged through the files he’d highlighted and continued from where he’d left off. The first three hours passed rapidly then boredom set in and her mind started to wander. I tend to have projects rather than hobbies. What had he meant by that? A quick search on his name was all it took to answer the question. Despite his gruff exterior, Drake was a regular philanthropist. The O’Bannon Foundation offered assistance to almost anyone in need. Their programs were varied and award-winning. She was reading a glowing testimonial from one of his numerous employees when the man himself strolled back into the living room. “What are you reading?” She didn’t bother closing the file. “I’ve heard of several of your programs, but I’ve never heard of the O’Bannon Foundation. Is that intentional?” “I’m not sure how my foundation is going to help us find Nicay.” Pivoting to face him, she smiled. He’d taken a quick shower and shaved before returning to the living room. “You didn’t really expect me to shrug it off. Did you?” 54

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“I suppose not.” His dark gaze searched her face and the familiar awareness sizzled back to life. “Do you see why I don’t have time for hobbies?” “Or a significant other?” “Between my day job and my ongoing projects, there isn’t a lot of time for anything else.” “So prioritize.” He was smart and successful, ambitious and far more tenderhearted than he let on. She couldn’t believe someone hadn’t snatched him up already. “Everyone needs someone to share their triumphs. It’s so sad when you have to celebrate alone.” “The voice of experience?” He captured her hands with his long, warm fingers and drew her to her feet. “If memory serves, you don’t have a significant other either.” “Guilty as charged.” She nodded toward the workstation. “I found a couple locations that might warrant a closer look.” “You didn’t spend this entire time researching me?” She just smiled. “You look so fresh and alive. I think I’ll take a shower too. Could you order a light brunch? Make sure there’s plenty of coffee.”

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Chapter Seven The rest of the day passed with a comfortable rhythm. Ritter checked in and let them know the media had picked up the story of Miranda’s tragic death. She watched the newscast feeling sick and shaky. The ruse was necessary. If Kwinton had any idea she was still alive, the situation would be far worse. “Blaze could really speed things up,” Drake muttered. He left the workstation in the far corner of the living room and crossed to the vidscreen where she was standing. “But I hate to involve her again.” Miranda turned off the infostream with a voice command and turned to face him. “I have a better idea. Why don’t I see what else I can learn from the ring? It really is our best bet.” He took her hand and pulled her closer. As the hours passed he’d found endless reasons to touch her. His hand came to rest on her shoulders as she sat at the workstation and pressed against the small of her back when they moved from one room to the next. His fingers skimmed down her arm or lightly stroked her hair. She hadn’t thought much of the first few caresses, but the evidence was rapidly mounting. Her protector was attracted to her. “What made you change your mind?” His voice was soft as desire eroded his professional detachment. “Aysha. I don’t know if she’s still alive, but they can’t be allowed to claim another victim.” He started to say something then changed his mind. She easily guessed his thought. “I understand that she was far more involved than I first realized, but she doesn’t deserve to die.” He nodded. “Is there anything we can do to decrease the risk of injury? I can’t heal you if it goes off again.” “I’ve had sleep and food. The only thing left is sex.” His smile faded as she stared into his eyes. “It will help to stockpile your energy or you just have an itch?” “Oh, I definitely have an itch, but it will help me greatly if my energy levels are completely replenished. My shields will be stronger and I’ll have more control.” “Damn it, Miranda. I’m supposed to protect you.” “Protect me from what? This hotel has better security than most government buildings. There are additional sensors in this suite, and still more in the simulator.” That caught his attention. “You want to use the simulator again?” “Only to enhance our pleasure. If you honestly can’t fuck me, I’ll have Jericho make other arrangements.” 56

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“You’re not going to fuck Jericho!” “That’s not what I said, now was it?” She suddenly wished his jealousy were more about her and less about his brother. “You don’t want me, but you don’t want anyone else to have me. That’s not fair.” He yanked her into his arms, his mouth hovering over hers. “I’ve never had to fight this hard to keep my hands to myself. How can you believe I don’t want you?” “Then let’s do something about it.” “Contraception?” His tone grew harsh as tension escalated. “My inoculations are up to date. Are yours?” “Yes.” “Then can we do this? Please.” She added the last with a beckoning smile. He answered with a kiss. His lips teased, sliding back and forth for endless moments, while his hands stroked up and down her back. She nipped him, illustrating her impatience. He nipped her in return, refusing to be rushed. With a frustrated hiss, she grabbed the back of his neck and sealed her mouth over his. A chuckle rumbled through his chest as his tongue gently probed. She’d never realized that tenderness could be so exasperating. She wanted him demanding and wild, consuming her as if he would die without her. “Which simulation did you have in mind?” he whispered against her parted lips. “I get to choose this time?” “That seems only fair.” She eased out of his embrace and walked to the control panel beside the simulator’s door. “Stay back. I want this to be a surprise. Give me a few minutes to make sure everything is perfect. Then take off your boots and your shirt and join me inside.” Drake’s pulse raced as he waited for Miranda to set up the simulation. He shouldn’t be doing this. Mixing business and pleasure never turned out well. She was the most alluring woman he’d ever met. He tugged off his boots. She was his assignment. He’d never wanted anyone as badly as he wanted her. His shirt went sailing across the room. She was his assignment. She honestly needed the energy. She was his assignment! The door slid open and he heard her voice from inside the simulator. “I’m ready.” Anticipation moved through his body in a slow, intoxicating swirl. He paused to savor the sensation and to banish the remnants of his resistance. Her enemies thought she was dead. He smiled at the justification. He wanted her and she wanted him. Protocol be damned! “Are you coming?” She sounded both hopeful and concerned. With a deep, steadying breath, he walked into the simulator.

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A warm breeze caressed his bare chest as he took in the peaceful scene. Suspended between dusk and night, Temple-Tuttle’s pristine sky spread before him. Lush trees surrounded a grassy clearing and wavering torches were their only light. Had Miranda chosen this setting because of its familiarity, or did she want to share her homeworld with him? A scuffling sound and the distinct rattle of chains drew his gaze from the scenery. Chains? He moved deeper into the simulation, searching the shadows for his first glimpse of her. She was shoved into the circle of torchlight by a man with long gray hair. His hostile gaze held Drake’s for only a moment before Drake focused on her. A filmy, sleeveless gown was her only garment. Her arms were bound behind her back and shackles had been clasped around her ankles. Long and loose, her hair flowed to her shoulders and down her back, one silky lock angled across her eye. Anger surged within him. How dare this wrinkled old man treat her so roughly! “You have brought me to this.” The old man’s voice was tense and unsteady. “Call off your troops and she is yours.” Drake’s anger eased as understanding unfurled within him. She might not have been ready to voice the admission, but she’d obviously enjoyed the submissive role. “If I continue the campaign, she’ll be mine in a matter of days.” “And this wilderness will be laid to waste,” the chief snapped. “You’ve made it clear that you want my daughter, but she’s not the only reason you came. My people will evacuate the sector. All the natural resources will be yours. This war will end. No one else needs to die.” Salvation through sex? He fought back a smile, enjoying the parallel. “Surrender is unconditional. You have two days to get off my land.” Hope lit the old man’s eyes. “Then you won’t—” “Oh no. Your daughter will entertain me during those two days. She will allow me to fuck her in any way I choose, as often as I choose, without resistance or argument.” The chief’s uncertain gaze moved to Miranda. “You must do this,” he whispered. “Go to hell.” She sneered. “Please sir,” the chief looked back at Drake, “you cannot punish the rest of us for her rebellion. She has always been spirited.” “I’m not intimidated by her spirit. It will be my pleasure to earn her surrender.” “You will not force her?” Drake laughed. “I’ve never raped a woman, and I have no intention of starting with her.” “Miranda, you have to see that I have no other choice. I must weigh your temporary unhappiness against the lives of our people.” “Get out of my sight. I will not ease your conscience for this atrocity!”

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After a tense pause, the chief disappeared into the darkness. “If you think I’m going to lie back and spread my legs for you, you are deluded.” Excitement gathered steam, building within him until his fingers tingled and his cock ached with need. She was utterly desirable with the moonlight shining in her hair and defiance flashing in her eyes. “I would be disappointed if I didn’t have to win you.” “Win me? Am I a prize? Is this a game to you?” He approached slowly, anxious to touch her yet knowing she’d pull away. “Isn’t life the ultimate game? I’ve thought of little but possessing you since I set foot on these shores. As your father said, the planet’s bounty drew me here, but you are the richest treasure.” “You would do well not to mention that man again.” True resentment added credence to her hostile words. She tilted her head so her hair obstructed her face. “You said you wouldn’t force me. Did you mean what you said?” “I always mean what I say.” She tossed her head and sent her hair flying over her shoulders. “Well, I will never submit willingly, so this is futile.” Unable to resist any longer, he ran his knuckles along her jawline. So stubborn. So incredibly beautiful. “They say you’re a powerful mystic. That you can see into the future.” He moved closer, teasing her parted lips with the warmth of his breath. “If you look into your future, you will find me there.” “Two days isn’t much of a future.” She nervously licked her lips, her tongue inadvertently brushing his lips. Before she could turn her head or arch away, he tangled his fingers in the back of her hair and closed the distance between them. Her lips trembled beneath his, soft and warm, gently parted, waiting for the first thrust of his tongue. He denied her, building the tension as he savored anticipation’s sizzle. “We will have far more than two days.” He grasped the front of her gown and ripped the thin material to her waist. “I have no intention of giving you back.” With a few strategic yanks, he stripped the offending garment from her body. He circled her, admiring her from every angle. “I will be nothing but trouble. Why would you even consider keeping me?” He paused behind her, mesmerized by the perfection of her shape and the smooth expanse of her skin. Indulging his need to touch her again, he traced her spine with his index finger. “This isn’t the first time I’ve seen you.” He moved closer and lowered his voice. “We’ve been scouting out the settlements for nearly a year. I saw you during our first expedition. You were near a bathing pool and two men were pleasuring you. One was dark, the other light.” “They are my guards. It is their responsibility to see to my needs.” 59

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He spun her around and yanked her against him, cupping her chin with his palm. “I saw how they met your needs. You were wild and unashamed as they licked your pussy and finger-fucked you. Each time you came only reinforced my determination to have you.” “So have me,” she snapped. “I’m tired of this game. Take my body any way you like. You will not really touch me.” “You think not?” He grabbed her upper arm and drew her toward one of the massive shade trees. “Before this night is over, you will surrender willingly. No, you will crave me so badly, you’ll beg for my cock.” She scoffed. “I’ve never begged for a cock. You suffer from delusions of grandeur.” “We shall see.” Miranda had never been so excited in her life. When she’d seen a ceremonial circle on Temple-Tuttle listed on the menu, she couldn’t resist. Her father had never given her to an enemy, but his stubborn inflexibility had hurt nearly as much. She figured this might be cathartic. At the very least, it offered a perfect scenario to further explore their chosen roles. Drake unfastened one of her wristcuffs and tossed the connecting chain over a thick branch. When he refastened the cuff, her arms were raised above her head. The forest floor was cool beneath her bare feet and the breeze teased her skin. “What is this?” Stepping in front of her, he held out a shallow bowl mounded with juicy tersatta pulp. “Where did you get that?” He broke character for a moment. “The program is intuitive. Apparently it thinks I might have need of this. Tell me how it’s used.” “Can’t you guess?” He rubbed the pulp between his fingers and raised it toward his nose, inhaling the sweet scent. “Is it edible?” “Yes, but it’s not meant as a snack.” His eyes shimmered in the moonlight. “It feels cool and slick.” He took a tentative taste. “My tongue is tingling and so are my fingers.” A wicked chuckle announced his intentions. He scooped up a small mound and smoothed it over her nipples. “Do I have the idea now?” Sensation burned into her chest, and her nipples formed tight, needy peaks. Either she had forgotten how powerfully her body reacted to tersatta or the simulator had overestimated the fruit’s effect. “That’s too much.” She wiggled and twisted, unable to stand still. He bent to her breasts and licked half of the pulp away. “Better?” “This isn’t fair.” She panted. “You’re cheating.”

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He trailed his fingers across her belly, creating dark-red streaks on her skin. “You selected the scenario.” “I didn’t realize it came with all the trimmings.” Bending to one knee, he unfastened her leg restraints and tossed them aside. “Spread your thighs. I want to look at you.” Authority snapped through his tone, and his expression was inscrutable. Her Master had returned. She moved her feet apart and studied his face, searching for any hint of his reaction. “Farther.” Her thighs parted and then her sex, offering him an unobstructed view of her most secret flesh. Careful not to gather too much, he coated his fingers with the tersatta pulp and raised his hand to her folds. She trembled and moaned as his gentle touch created incongruous sensations. His fingers whispered over her sensitive flesh, yet the pulp ignited a hailstorm of arousal. He breathed against her. Heat sank into her crease and spiraled up her passage. She rocked her hips and tossed her head. “Stop fighting it.” He grabbed her hips and stopped her restless motion. “Be still. Accept the heat, savor the intensity. Let it flow through you and out of you.” She sucked in a ragged breath. “Rub a fistful of that stuff on your cock and let’s see how long you can stand still.” With mocking deliberation, he licked the juice from his fingers and set the bowl on the ground. He unfastened his pants, letting them sag around his lean hips as he reached inside and released his erection. “I want you naked.” She heard the words before she realized she’d whispered them. A sexy smile parted his lips. He pushed his pants down and kicked them aside. He raised the bowl toward her and dragged his fingers through the slush. “Is this enough?” She couldn’t speak, so she nodded. He returned the bowl to the ground before arranging himself before her. With a wide stance and hips slightly canted, he cradled his balls in one hand and smeared the tersatta pulp along his shaft with the other. “Oh,” he gasped, “this is sharper than I thought.” He closed his eyes for a moment, but his hands continued their skillful massage. His left hand gently rolled while his right pumped with long, firm strokes. “Now stop and just stand there.” He lowered his arms to his sides and stared into her eyes. “When you fixate on the destination, you miss out on the journey itself. Arousal is just as important as release.” His cock rose high and hard, his skin bright red from the tersatta juice. He looked savage and ravenous, still and predatory. His muscles flexed and his cock bobbed, but he remained relatively still. “All right. I get it. You’re stronger than me.” 61

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“No, I’m not. I’ve just had better training. Unfortunately, we don’t have time for the rest of this lesson.” She licked her lips and looked at his erection. “Will you finish? I’ve never seen a man do that.” He closed his fist around his shaft, his fingers not quite meeting in the middle. “You want to watch me jack off?” “Will you be able to get hard again?” “I say we find out.” The desire blazing in his eyes made her skin tingle. Even lust-crazed and ready to be ravaged, she found him beautiful. Moonlight shadowed his sharp cheekbones, casting his features in high relief. His hands resumed their dual stimulation, and his gaze devoured her. She watched the motion, fascinated by the stark, sexual display. She was at his mercy, yet he’d responded to her challenge and granted her request. A bead of moisture formed on the very tip of his cock. His pumping hand moved faster. Tension gripped his body, making his muscles bunch and flex. She imagined her hand covering his, taking over the frantic movement. She wanted his length moving against her fingers, wanted to feel the heat of his cum when he finally lost control. His head dropped back on his shoulders, and he slowly pulled down on his balls. Was he trying to fight back his orgasm or intensifying the sensation? It didn’t matter. She needed to take advantage of his arousal and the energy generated by his release. She slipped into his mind. Heat surrounded her, lashed through her, momentarily blinding her with their intensity. This was Drake. Beneath his discipline and control, he was a consuming flame! His energy flowed into her, freely offered and thankfully received. More. Take more. Drain him dry! She used the intensity of his personality to force back the dark urge. She would never intentionally harm Drake or anyone! A raw, strangled cry escaped his throat, and he came in rhythmic jets. Pleasure shoved into her, saturating her being along with his energy. Pale liquid arced toward her and showered the ground between her feet. It took several moments for her to regain her composure. She fidgeted restlessly, the darkness barely contained. He rubbed his shaft, passing his thumb over the flared head. “Did you enjoy the show?”

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Chapter Eight Drake could barely think through the ringing in his ears. He’d just shot his cum into the grass and already his balls tingled with a new cycle of arousal. Miranda fidgeted a bit, her gaze warm and caressing. They’d departed a bit from their roles, but he couldn’t bring himself to release her, and she seemed to be in no hurry to be free. “Thanks for indulging me, but I think I’m ready to participate now.” “Are you?” He straightened his shoulders and schooled his expression. “As delightful as you look like this, I need you on your knees.” She glanced at his cock, and he chuckled. “Don’t try to anticipate what’s going to happen. Relax and let me guide you.” He spotted an exposed root perfect for what he had in mind and released the chain connecting her wristcuffs. “Kneel here and place your hands near this root.” Without too much hesitation, she followed his directives. He looped the chain through the root then reconnected her cuffs. Her silky skin gleamed in the moonlight, and her dark hair streamed to the ground, partially obscuring her face. “Have you ever been spanked by a lover?” She shook her head. “I don’t see how people can find pleasure like that.” “I’d like to show you. Can you trust me enough to try it once? If you honestly find no value in the exercise, I’ll never bring it up again.” “I’m your captive. Do I really have a choice?” He smiled, understanding her roundabout consent, but it wasn’t good enough for him. “You’ll always have a choice. Do I have your permission to use my hand on your ass?” She shot him an impatient glare. “You’re not playing your part very well.” “I’m enjoying the setting, but this is no longer a game. If we’re going to fuck, you need to understand what I need from a partner.” “I understand…Sir.” She added the title after a quick pause. “And you submit willingly?” “Yes.” To make sure he believed her, she moved her legs farther apart. Just the sight of her bold offering made his gut clench and his heart hammer. He wanted to kneel behind her and slam into her waiting warmth. Her initiation was too important for such a lack of discipline. “You have a fabulous ass, soft and round yet tight enough to withstand a firm hand.” As if to illustrate his point, he brought his palm down against her behind. She yelped then went perfectly still. “Let me feel what you’re feeling.”

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She pushed into his mind without her usual finesse. Her lack of composure pleased him greatly. Her mind was a maelstrom of conflicting emotions, pleasure and uncertainty, shame and enjoyment. He focused her thoughts with another spank. Heat rolled across their mental link, slow and intoxicating. “Tighten your inner muscles, absorb the heat.” He gave her time to obey before he swung his hand again. He reached beneath her and rolled her nipples, first one and then the other. “Listen to your body. What are you feeling?” “It stings, yet it triggers sensations in unexpected places.” He lightly rubbed her pink ass, easing his thumbs deep into the crease between her silken cheeks. “You are so soft.” “Why did you stop?” The question was so quiet he could barely hear her. His heart leapt at her encouragement. He mustn’t rush her, even if she urged him on. He applied two more slaps to each side then let the heat spread. Her thighs trembled and her ass swayed gently from side to side. If no one had spanked her, it was likely she’d never tried anal interaction. Dipping his fingers in the slick juice, he painted her crack and circled her tightly puckered anus. She gasped and started each time his finger passed over the “forbidden” opening. “That really burns.” She passed the sensation across their link and Drake moaned. “See.” “What I see is how easy it would be to make you come like this.” He pushed his middle finger into her ass and waited for the frantic spasms to still before he rotated his wrist and slowly drew out. “Oh my God! Do it again.” With a wicked smile, he obliged, pushing deeper than he’d gone the first time. Her passage gripped him snugly, her flesh unbelievably hot. He filled her and filled her, pushing in fast and drawing out slowly. She lowered her head to her hands and accepted the new form of stimulation. “Come for me, Miranda. I won’t fuck you until you come.” “I don’t think I can. It just feels so… I had no idea…” He knew a few careful tugs on her clit would launch her into orgasm, but he wanted her body to learn other paths to completion. “Bear down, love. Squeeze me tight.” She arched her back and rocked onto his finger as her inner muscles worked. He pulled out completely and ruthlessly teased her opening. “Touch me. Please just touch my clit and I’ll come.” “No.” Instead, he brought his hand down one last time as his finger thrust back in. She cried out and her body rippled. Thrilled by her surrender, he prolonged her release with the caress she’d requested before. He softly circled her clit while her body throbbed on and on.

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Miranda trembled, afraid to move, half afraid to breathe. Drake caressed her ass, stirring echoes of the heat his spanking had generated. His fingers still slid in her crack, occasionally circling her anus, but the contact was soothing now, almost relaxing. She knew men and women found pleasure in many ways. She’d seen people assfuck before she left Temple-Tuttle. Still, she’d never pictured herself chained to the ground, handprints glowing on her ass while her Master savored the aftershocks of her shattering orgasm. “Are you going to fuck me like that?” “You’re too tight. We’ll have to work up to it.” Relief left her weak and sleepy. She turned her head to the side and let him play. “Is there enough slack in the chain for you to turn over?” “I think so, if I keep my hands above my head.” He swept her up, rotated her body and placed her on her back. Then he arranged her arms at a comfortable angle. She bent her knees and made room for him between her thighs. He knelt in position, but went still as his gaze focused on her sex. “Hold still. You do not have permission to come.” She whimpered as he lowered his mouth to her pussy. Oral sex got her off faster and stronger than anything else. His tongue traced her slit, pausing to dip into her creamy opening each time he passed. “Oh yes!” He slipped his hands beneath her bottom and raised her to his mouth. The pressure against her sensitive skin sent a fresh wave of heat curling through her abdomen. He sucked on her folds, intentionally ignoring her clit. “Hold perfectly still. If you come, I will punish you.” She bit down on her lower lip to keep from screaming her frustration. He closed his lips around her clit and slowly sucked. “Stop! I can’t—” “Fight it off. Gain control of your response.” His mouth returned to the ultrasensitive bud as tears escaped the corners of her eyes. She clenched her fists and forced her inner muscles to relax. His lips released her and his tongue began to lick. He circled and flicked, driving her right to the brink again and again. “I hate you!” she sobbed when he finally raised his head from between her trembling thighs. “Do you?” Positioning himself at her entrance, he paused for a smile. “Do you hate all of me?” He circled like a ship in a holding pattern, nudging her clit at the top of each rotation. “I can’t go on until you beg me.” She screamed then planted her heels in the grass and pushed up, trying to drive him into her core. “Fuck me, damn you!” He caught the bend of her knees and pushed her legs wide. “I need the words, sweetheart. Tell me exactly what you want.” Approaching from below, he notched himself against her entrance.

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“I want your cock inside me. Fuck me hard. Fuck me now.” “My pleasure.” Deeper and deeper, he pushed into her pulsing cunt. Her walls spread, opened and clung. He moved his hands to her waist and stared into her eyes. When his entire length filled her, he paused for a long, passionate kiss. Her legs arched over his, her heels caressing his legs. He brushed the hair back from her face and took the kiss deeper. He pulled his hips back, drawing his cock nearly out of her body. She squeezed him tightly, desperate for the fullness and the physical connection of their entwined bodies. With powerful thrusts, he filled her again and again. The fast, steady rhythm soon had her gasping and wild. She raised her legs high against his sides and lost herself in the present. No past, no future, just this blessed, fleeting moment in time. Their mouths pressed and their bodies clung, each forceful lunge driving them closer to completion. Energy sizzled along their link. She opened her mind to the transfer as she opened her body to his penetration. They melded, joining on a level most people would never understand. “Now!” He sounded harsh and commanding. She arched, wrapping her legs around his waist as pleasure exploded within him. The hot, liquid spurts deep inside her triggered her final orgasm. She kissed him with possessive ferocity, not fully understanding the intensity of her response. They collapsed into the grass. He had the presence of mind to roll to his side before he surrendered to sleep. She gave one amused tug on her wristcuffs then snuggled against his side.

***** “I think you should activate our mental link,” Drake told her several hours later. “If I sense any hint of danger, I’ll pull you out.” Miranda stood beside the workstation in the living room. The emerald ring rested on a square cloth. The sparkling gem seemed to mock her. It was night again, and they were no closer to unraveling the mystery. That wasn’t exactly true. They had random facts and puzzle pieces. Drake had identified about half of the victims. The challenge was figuring out how everything they’d learned fit together. Jericho had provided the items she requested, and it felt wonderful to be in new clothes. Her tailored black slacks were tasteful and the synthsilk blouse flowed along simple yet elegant lines. Despite his flamboyant occupation, Jericho appreciated quality. Dragging her gaze away from the ring, she realized the importance of what Drake had just suggested. “You can sense my emotions when our minds are linked?” “Is that unusual?”

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“Very. Many people sense the actual connection. They’re aware of a foreign presence in their mind. But you should only sense my emotions if I’m intentionally transmitting them.” “Well, it’s not working that way between you and me.” “Neither of your parents had mystic abilities?” “No. My father was CCC, and my mother was a negotiator until she retired three years ago.” “She worked with Ashton VinDerley?” His expression tensed, and annoyance clouded his gaze. “She trained VinDerley. He was her protégée. What does all this have to do with scanning the ring?” “I’ve sensed latent abilities in you since you walked in with Ritter. I have no idea why your mother would keep this from you, but it’s very likely she passed on her abilities to you.” “But she doesn’t have any mystic abilities.” “She does if she’s a negotiator. Never mind. It doesn’t matter.” She motioned toward the ring. “Having a safety net is a great idea. Let’s get started.” She was well-rested, and her energy levels had never been higher. Reaching for Drake’s mind, she activated their connection. A contented smile curved her lips and heat rolled through her body. She’d exchanged energy and created psychic connections with countless people down through the years, but it had never felt so comfortable or so secure. Are you ready? She sent the question directly to his mind. Go for it. I’ve got your back. She glanced at him and smiled. The realization was pleasant and he had communicated effortlessly, further proof that he was no ordinary enforcer. Shaking away the tangent, she focused on the ring. The pain had intensified whenever she tried to pull away. Was success as simple as not resisting? She scanned the ring, bracing herself for the mental barrage. The sex scene sprang to life within her mind, the images and emotions just as disturbing as she remembered. Rather than pulling back from them, she drove deeper, moving past the incident as quickly as she could. Approval rained down upon her, warm and tingling. She hadn’t been sure if Drake would see what she was seeing. Apparently he would. Try not to react. I really need to concentrate. Sorry. Unable to savor his approval, she pushed deeper into the memories. Faces flashed through her mind. She let the images scroll until CJ Kaffee came into view. The action slowed. Despite her attempt to move beyond it, she was forced to watch the entire scene again.

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This murder had affected Nicay more profoundly than the others. The memory was more detailed. A sense of urgency permeated the scene. As Kaffee flailed at Kwinton’s feet, Miranda searched for an exit, a hidden link to something more. Darkness closed in around her. She intensified her scan. This couldn’t be all there was! A soft groan drew her attention to the fallen Wirtanen. Nicay snatched the employee ID card off the front of Kaffee’s uniform and stealthily tucked it up his sleeve. Kwinton hadn’t seen him take it. Nicay had made sure he wasn’t seen. Encouraged by the new tidbit, Miranda ended the scan. Her connection to the memories eased, drawing her back into the present. Pain spiked through her brain, and she was sucked through a metaphysical vortex. Reality blurred. Pressure crushed her, forcing the breath from her lungs. She scrambled for an anchor, some way to resist, terrified that the violent suction would separate her mind from her body. A plaintive moan penetrated the darkness. She focused on the sound and the sucking sensation eased. She inhaled slowly, easing the burning in her lungs. Shapes formed within the gloom. She concentrated, analyzing the shapes and desperately searching for anything familiar. The oppressive pressure receded, leaving her shaken and confused. Light came and went in sickening waves. Water-stained walls appeared first, followed by the details of a shabby room. Nicay lay on his side on a narrow bed, arms wrapped around his middle. He rocked back and forth, moaning. She frantically reached for his mind. Where are you? We can’t help if we don’t know where you are. He looked around the room, searching for something that would reveal his location. Hopelessness chased away his tenuous surge of determination. Too late. No, it’s not! Just tell me how to find you. Pasodertta 3-49. What does that mean? I don’t understand. He closed his eyes and slipped into darkness, severing the link. “Damn it!” Miranda shook away the last of the metaphysical haze. Drake stepped up beside her and pulled her into his arms. The embrace was welcome and surprisingly natural, but she only indulged herself for a moment. “Do you have any idea what he meant?” “It doesn’t mean a thing to me. Let’s see if infosearch can help.” It took a couple tries to get the spelling correct, but infosearch revealed that Pasodertta was a multi-building tenement reserved for employees on Wirtanen. “Who occupies unit forty-nine of building three?” “CJ Kaffee,” the computer told Miranda. “I would have been surprised with any other answer.”

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“What does Nicay gain by taking over Kaffee’s identity? That’s a serious downward trade.” Drake rubbed his chin as he often did when his mind was scrambling for answers. “Blaze said Kaffee was missing. Nicay hasn’t assumed his identity. He’s just hiding out in his apartment.” “I get an echo of your impressions. Were you able to sense what was wrong with him?” Sooner or later, she would get him to admit that he was empathic separate from her. His resentment of mystics needed to be put to rest. “I felt pain and desperation, but I wasn’t able to discern the cause.” “Well, he was in pretty bad shape. We better get moving.” “I’m supposed to be dead. We can’t go trotting off to Wirtanen without blowing my cover.” “I’m well aware of that.” Drake rolled his shoulders. “There’s only one person I know who goes wherever he pleases without anyone batting an eye.” “Are you about to add another line to your tab?” She did her best to hide her smile, but it tugged at the corners of her mouth with stubborn determination.

***** “No fucking way!” Drake folded his arms over his chest and glared at Jericho. “I’ll figure out something else.” “It makes perfect sense and you know it. Stop being so stubborn.” “I need your cruiser. There is no reason for you to play chauffeur!” “Actually it makes more sense for you to pose as my pilot, not the other way around.” Before Drake could laugh in his face, Miranda placed hand on his upper arm. He refused to look at her. She was too damn persuasive. “We don’t have time to make other arrangements,” she said softly. “We go together or you don’t go at all.” Jericho let the ultimatum hang for a moment before he added, “Make up your mind.” “Why are you so anxious to make yourself part of this mess?” “You made me part of this mess when you first asked for my help.” Drake shot him an impatient glance. “That didn’t answer the question. What do you get out of it?” “I’m bored. Is that so hard to believe? It’s been a long time since I got my hands dirty, so to speak.” A throb erupted behind Drake’s eyes, and he rubbed his temples. He really didn’t need the aggravation.

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Chapter Nine “Did you figure out how much of the serum is missing?” Lopeka didn’t bother turning around. She’d sensed Kwinton’s frustration before he entered the room. He’d honestly believed he couldn’t be duped. His arrogance made him easy to manipulate. She paused the holo-projection and set aside her bowl of popcorn. Nothing soothed her nerves like a good whodunit. Kwinton rounded the couch and stood in front of her, partially blocking her view of the frozen hologram. “Why were you so certain I was wrong?” He sounded tentative rather than belligerent, so Lopeka answered honestly. “It was the only thing that made sense. Even with all of his training, Nicay’s abilities barely registered.” “He got away with an entire shipment.” Kwinton shook his head, obviously distressed by his incompetence. “I don’t think it ever left Wirtanen.” “If we find the serum, we’ll find Nicay.” “We have to be careful. We can’t risk drawing attention to the lab.” Nothing like stating the obvious. “Can I trust you with this task or do I need to take care of it myself?” Determination ignited within his eyes and Lopeka wanted to laugh. He’d fly off to Wirtanen, convinced the opportunity presented him with a way to vindicate himself. The truth was Lopeka sensed the enemy closing in and she refused to get caught in the crossfire. If Kwinton could silence Nicay, wonderful. If not, she would silence Kwinton. “I’ll leave in the morning. I won’t fail you again.” “Good.” He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, looking everywhere but at her. “Is there something else?” “The serum is losing its effectiveness,” he muttered. “I barely noticed a difference after my last injection.” “I told you the effects are temporary. You build up a tolerance each time you shoot up, and you shoot up more often than you should.” “I… Apprehending Nicay would be easier if I were operating at full strength.” “What do you want? Just say it.” His helplessness amused yet annoyed her. She had hoped he would prove more of a challenge. “Can’t you infuse me directly? Just this one time, so I can complete this mission.” Direct infusions had been necessary in the beginning, but they’d optimized the serum and made direct infusions obsolete. “If you don’t respond to the serum, you won’t respond to a direct infusion.” 70

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“How do you know?” Desperation sharpened his tone. “I’m willing to try.” “Of course you are. You’re not the one who will feel fatigued and sickly for the next week. Take another dose of the serum and go find Nicay.” His hands clenched and unclenched. Hostility burned in his eyes, but he inclined his head. “I’ll see you when I return.” “If you return,” Lopeka whispered under her breath.

***** They wouldn’t arrive on Wirtanen for another three hours. Miranda had tried to reestablish her link with Nicay twice, but her efforts had been in vain. The easy rapport between Drake and Jericho amazed Miranda. After a string of curses and a short period of grumbling, Drake had accepted the fact that they weren’t going anywhere without Jericho’s help. She still didn’t understand the flares of hostility. When they weren’t threatening to kill each other, they got along quite well. “Were you able to enjoy any of the room’s amenities or has Drake kept your nose to the grindstone for the past two days?” Jericho lounged in the pilot’s chair. He swiveled around as he asked the question and crossed his booted feet at the ankle. “We managed to strike a balance,” she told him. “Did you enjoy the simulator?” “That’s none of your damn business,” Drake insisted. “I’m not sure about that. She looks a little pale to me.” He shifted his gaze to her face and went on, “How are your energy levels? If your shields slip while we’re sneaking around on Wirtanen, you could give us all away.” “What do you know about her shields?” “She radiates mystic energy like no one I’ve ever encountered. Anyone with the slightest sensitivity can feel her coming.” Offended by the charge, Miranda poured energy into her shields. “What do you feel now?” “Nothing, but how long can you keep it up?” “As long as I need to.” “I’m not willing to take that chance.” He confirmed their position on the navpanel then unfastened his safety restraints. “My abilities are minimal and Drake’s barely exist. However, we both make fantastic feeders because of our ancestry.” “What the hell are you talking about?” Drake snapped. “We don’t have mystics in our ancestry.” “Why did your mother keep this from him?” she asked Jericho. “It isn’t just Mom. Both our parents are highly sensitive.”

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“You’re full of shit.” Drake swiveled back around and stared at the main viewscreen. “You know how they feel about mystics.” “Yeah, supernatural abilities are evidence of tainted blood and corrupted DNA. Mystics are prone to crime and ruthless manipulation. Isn’t that what you were taught?” “They’re not that bad.” “Actually, that’s true. Their supposed prejudice against mystics is all an act. Mom and Dad were running black ops before either of us was born. They weren’t sure how to balance their need for secrecy with the inquisitive minds of their children.” “What did they do?” Miranda asked, fascinated by this glimpse into Drake’s formative years. “They told me bits and pieces, never dreaming I’d object to their hypocrisy.” “You left because Father disapproved of your friends and refused to sanction your marriage,” Drake objected as he turned to face them. “You were running with prostitutes and smugglers. And that woman… You turned your back on your family for a relationship that lasted less than a year.” “Dawn was an excuse to disentangle myself from their grand deception. I never had any intention of marrying her.” Drake stared at him for a long time, his features shaped by confusion and resentment. “I don’t believe you.” Jericho ignored the cutting remark and continued his explanation. “Rather than risk another disaster, they chose a vastly different strategy with Drake. They denied their abilities entirely and allowed long-standing prejudice to take root within his mind.” “Mystic abilities aren’t that unusual,” Miranda objected. “Not on Temple-Tuttle. But on Halley Prime it’s a completely different story. People who have mystic abilities are met with mistrust and scorn. They have been since the outpost was established.” “So they pretend they’re…normal?” Jericho nodded. “And their dishonesty reinforces the prejudice.” “That’s irrational.” “When has prejudice ever been rational?” The implications shocked Miranda. She understood exactly what he was talking about. She’d been subjected to the hostility he described. “Is Ritter part of this?” Drake asked. “Ritter is the prefect’s lapdog. He’s mostly harmless, but he keeps his fingers on the pulse of the mystic community and reports everything he learns back to VinDerley.” “My God, this is disgusting,” Miranda said.

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“I agree. The most amazing thing is they find ways to justify it, at least in their own corrupt minds. VinDerley is protecting his wife and son. Ashton’s ability to negotiate is dependent upon the parties not realizing he’s sensing their emotions and so on.” “That’s no excuse,” Drake said. A strained silence followed as Drake and Miranda soaked it all in. “So, there you have it.” Jericho smiled. “I’m not quite the bastard you’ve been led to believe.” “My mind is buzzing,” Drake admitted. “All these conversations are running through my memory, incident after incident where they twisted my thinking. I can’t believe… No, that’s the problem, I can believe. I do believe.” “That’s the first step.” “What’s the second?” Miranda wanted to know. “Convincing someone else that the bullshit is wrong.” “There has to be something more we can do.” Drake shook his head. “The council just implemented all sorts of new policies. Their approval rating has never been higher.” “Support for the outposts was desperately needed,” Jericho mused, “but the reformations have just begun. I honestly think we need to wipe the slate clean and start over.” “You don’t mean…” Jericho laughed at her shocked expression. “I’m suggesting a recall of the current council, not assassinations.” “Good.” “Can we get back to the original topic now? Do you need to feed or not?” Miranda licked her lips. Her link with Nicay had drained her more than she’d expected. Long-range links were always tricky. Still, her levels were far from depleted. “I’ll be fine.” “And if she’s not fine, I’ll be the one to feed her,” Drake insisted. Jericho glanced at his control panel then said, “We have two hours and nineteen minutes before we walk into hell. Are you really willing to risk her life to keep me from touching her? I’ve been a feeder long enough to assess her need.” “You’re a feeder?” Drake sounded revolted. “You literally offer your energy to any mystic who wants it?” “Hardly. I have a close circle of friends who benefit from the richness of my energy. I don’t want to fuck her, you idiot. Well, I don’t just want to fuck her. She’ll be safer if we top off her tank.” “What a charming analogy,” Miranda grumbled. Releasing his safety restraints with a clatter, Drake pushed to his feet. “Is any of this true?” He stalked toward her as he waited for her answer. 73

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It took a moment for her to muster the courage to meet his gaze. “Are you asking about the cover-up or the other thing?” He crossed his arms over his chest. “Which do you think? Will you benefit from another feeding?” “Yes.” “And will you benefit more if you receive energy from two separate donors?” She tried to look away, but he caught her chin between his thumb and forefinger. “Do you want Jericho to fuck you?” Panic welled within her, yet lust was hard on its heels. “I don’t want him the same way I want you.” “How do you want me?” “I don’t think she’s suggesting positions,” Jericho interjected. “I understand that,” Drake replied without breaking eye contact with her. “Just this once and only because you’re in danger.” “All right.” Holy shit, had she just agreed to fuck them both? Anticipation shoved to the front of her emotional line, filling her with anxious energy. “How are we going to… What did you… I’ve never done this before.” “I know.” Drake framed her face with his hands and covered her mouth with his. The kiss was slow and sweet. Tenderness infused each slide of his lips. “I’ve been aching to continue your training,” he whispered against her parted lips. “Are you ready for the next lesson?” “Yes Sir,” she breathed the words into his mouth, unsure if he wanted Jericho to realize the nature of their relationship. “Then undress for me.” “Is that wise?” “I wouldn’t have suggested it if I weren’t confident we had plenty of time.” The ship was largely automated. Sensors would alert them to any danger and announce their approach to the outpost. Jericho sat in his chair, silently watching her fidget. Drake returned to his seat beside his brother. His expression was grim but his eyes were warm. She raised her hands to the decorative buttons at the front of her blouse. The men followed her motion with their gazes. They were so similar in appearance, there was no doubt they were from the same gene pool. Drake appeared more distinguished, even in casual clothes. Jericho’s hair was longer, accenting its tendency to curl. “I think she could use your help,” Drake said. “If we wait for her, we’ll be orbiting Wirtanen before we see her panties.” Jericho had no objection. He approached her with a confident stride and moved behind her so his tall form didn’t obstruct Drake’s view. His fingers were steady and fast, working the row of buttons in a flash and lowering the side zipper on her slacks.

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“Kick off your shoes, doll,” he urged as he slipped her blouse off her shoulders. She did, and her pants soon joined her discarded top. “Leave the panties but get rid of that bra,” Drake instructed. Jericho obliged and Miranda shivered. He had a way of skimming his fingertips across her skin as he moved. They brushed down her arms and across her torso, along her ribs and between her breasts. Her nipples gathered and tingled and he hadn’t even touched them yet. “Touch her through her panties while you suckle her breasts. The object of today’s lesson is anticipation, so don’t let her come.” With a nod of understanding, Jericho angled her so Drake could see them both. Jericho splayed his fingers against her back as he bent to her breasts. She dropped her head back on her shoulders, and her hair swished against her bare skin. His mouth was firm, his tongue swirling as his lips drew her in. Knowing Drake watched every move only heightened her arousal. Was he turned-on by the sight or did jealousy eclipse his desire? She lightly touched his mind, meaning to answer her own questions. He welcomed her with shimmering threads that curled through her and wrapped around her. Safe and secure within his mental embrace, she responded more freely to Jericho. Pushing her fingers into his hair, she pressed against his face. He released one nipple and moved to the other breast as his hand descended. He cupped her mound and rotated the heel of his hand. She wiggled, needing a more specific stimulation. “Always in a hurry,” Drake chided. “Let the sensations build. Enjoy each one fully. Don’t rush on to the next.” Jericho turned her and pulled her back against his body. He wrapped his arms around her, pressing his erection against the small of her back. He covered her sex with one hand and worked her nipples with the other. “She’s already soaked her panties.” As if to illustrate his claim, he slid his middle finger into the damp slit separating her nether lips. She shuddered and closed her eyes. “You do not have permission to come,” Drake reminded sharply. “I know!” she cried. Up and down, Jericho rubbed against her clit. The material was no barrier against the teasing friction. Tension built and cream flowed, humiliating in its profusion. It would be so easy to just let go! Suddenly his hand was gone and her eyes flew open. Drake stood before her, a pleased smile bowing his lips. “Very good. Clasp your hands together behind Jericho’s neck.” She started to turn around, but he stopped her. “No. Like this.” He guided her hands up and back until she was able to entwine her fingers behind Jericho. Her back arched, thrusting out her breasts. “Very nice.” He knelt in front of her and Jericho went back to work on her nipples. Oh, this was bad. Four hands to torment her, two mouths to tease her, and she still didn’t have permission to come!

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Drake dragged her panties down and she stepped out of them. He raised them to his face and inhaled her scent. On any other day, she would have cringed at the action. Today, her pussy clenched and her pulse raced. “I want some more of that.” He placed his hands on her hips and bent toward the apex of her thighs. “Move your legs apart, love. Give me some room.” Drake didn’t lick her immediately. He explored with his fingers, sliding easily in her slick folds. “So soft.” His finger pushed up into her vagina. “So damn hot.” He pumped twice then added a second finger. “Jericho, feel free to join the fun.” Jericho unhooked her hands and moved them to Drake’s shoulders. Drake’s fingers slid in and out of her cunt, rocking her up onto the balls of her feet. Jericho was only gone a moment then she felt his hands brushing up and down her spine. “Has she required discipline?” He touched the silken skin on her ass. “Ask her. I’ve got better things to do with my mouth.” Drake’s tongue pushed into her sex, expertly locating her clit. Miranda gasped then sighed as she finally received the caress her body had been craving. “Have you had your first spanking, doll?” Jericho squeezed both cheeks as he waited for her answer. “Yes.” “Did you enjoy it?” “I didn’t want to, but he cheated.” “How did he cheat?” “He used his fingers.” “Like he’s using them now or like I’m about to use mine?” She couldn’t think with Drake’s tongue circling her clit and his fingers reminding her how wonderful it felt to have something to squeeze. Teetering on the brink of release, she pressed forward, trying to increase the pressure on her clit. “Answer the question.” Drake pulled back so he could speak and the wave of sensation dissipated. “Damn it! I was almost there.” “You don’t have permission to come,” Drake reminded her. “You are so cruel.” “I’m just getting started,” he said with a sexy smile. He moved back to his chair and motioned her over by crooking his finger. “I want your mouth, but I think Jericho wants to spank you.” She bit back an objection, reminding herself how wonderful it had been the night before. Drake knew more about her pleasure than she did. All she had to do was trust him. Drake held out his hand and she moved forward. “Bend over my lap and rest your forearms across my thighs.”

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She bent over and moved her legs apart, offering Jericho her ass. Her hands clenched into fists. This was likely not the last time her ass would be offered to Jericho. Drake stroked her hair and her back as Jericho slipped his belt free from his pant loops. It was a woven mesh, not synthleather as she’d first feared. “Relax,” Drake said. “I suspect he’s even better at this than I am.” A moment after she released the tension in her muscles, Jericho swung the belt. It snapped against her skin with a shocking sting, more localized and intense than the sensation created by Drake’s hand. She gasped and struggled. The hand stroking her hair suddenly held her in place. “Feel the burn, absorb it into your body,” Drake instructed. After the panic subsided, she realized the sting left behind an insidious heat. It crawled through her flesh, spreading fire in its wake. “Ready?” Drake’s hand resumed its stroking. She nodded, not trusting her voice. Knowing better what to expect, the second lash passed more quickly into heat. Jericho aimed each strike with expert skill, kissing a different area of her tender flesh. Her bottom burned and her pussy throbbed more persistently than ever before. “May I come?” She moaned as an especially sharp lash spiked her arousal. “If you can come without touching your clit.” The next swing wrapped the belt around her thigh, the end grazing her folds. She shrieked helplessly as release tore through her body. She came hard and fast, the sensations shocking. Stars danced before her eyes and her knees buckled. She sobbed against Drake’s lap, too confused for rational thought. “Is something wrong with me?” Drake parted his legs and pulled her up for a lingering kiss. “You’re amazing.” “I must be seriously twisted,” she whispered. “I don’t understand why that worked.” He smiled and kissed the corners of her mouth. His tenderness was poignant and unexpected. “It worked because your body found a way to channel the stimulation into the desired result. Most people are never so fortunate.” He kissed her again and then nodded toward Jericho. “His skill is undeniable. I want you to show him your appreciation. Will you do that for me?” “I thought you wanted my mouth?” “Anticipation. Remember. I’m willing to wait.” Drake looked at his brother and asked, “Where’d you stash the lube?” “Should be some in the drawer to your right. There’s probably something in there to soothe the welts as well.” Jericho returned to his seat and watched her approach. She stood before him and lowered her gaze. “Will you allow me to thank you?”

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“I’d like that very much.” He slid to the edge of the seat and placed his hands on the armrests, clearly expecting her to do the rest. She started to kneel, but Drake grabbed her hips. “Bend over. I need you like this.” Understanding spread through her, rekindling the heat detonated by Jericho’s belt. She unfastened the front of Jericho’s pants and paused to caress him through his underwear. He was long and marble-hard. Drake smoothed something cool and slick over her skin. “This will ease the soreness without numbing you completely. I’m sure you’ll want to savor the heightened sensitivity.” Heat spread through the cool as his fingers pressed against her marks. She shivered and hid her face with the fall of her hair. If she concentrated on the convoluted sensations, she just might come again. She turned her attention to Jericho’s cock, peeling back his underwear as she guided the head to her mouth. Her lips encircled him and her tongue swirled across the tapered crown. He tugged his pants farther down, freeing his erection completely. She curved her fist around the base of his shaft while she caressed the tip with her tongue. “No one comes until we’re joined, agreed?” “Agreed.” Jericho’s voice sounded suspiciously tense. Cupping his heavy sac in one hand, she sucked him deeper into her mouth. “Oh fuck, that feels good!” Drake stroked her folds, taking full advantage of her exposed position. He gently pulled on her clit, and she cried out. The sound was muffled by Jericho’s cock, but Drake understood her meaning and moved on. He pushed his fingers into her pussy, matching the rhythm of her bobbing head. She felt something warm slip down between her ass cheeks. This was different than what he’d used to soothe her skin. His fingers slid free of her cunt, and she whimpered. “Sorry, darling, I need both hands.” He parted her cheeks and gently circled her anus. Something small slipped into her ass with just a hint of pressure. The warm gush of lubricant followed, and she shivered. Her ass cheeks tingled from the cooling salve, amplifying the heat. Drake pulled out the applicator and pushed into her with his finger. He breached her easily and slid smoothly. Each long outstroke sent sensations curling deep into her body. She tried not to tense. Drake knew what he was doing. He would guide her into the unknown, if she allowed herself to trust him. A second finger created more pressure, and he moved a bit faster. She pulled Jericho out of her mouth and dragged her tongue down the underside to his balls. Drake worked a third finger in and patiently stretched her muscular ring. Miranda whimpered as the pressure swung precariously close to pain. “We’re almost there, love,” Drake soothed. “Just a little more.” 78

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Jericho reached beneath her and caressed her breasts. He teased her nipples lightly with his thumbs while she carefully sucked on his balls. “She’s ready,” Drake said. And Miranda trembled.

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Chapter Ten Jericho eased her away from his crotch so he could slip out from beneath her. She rested her forearms on his chair and closed her eyes. Drake continued the steady shuttle of his fingers. The pressure was familiar now. Her body had accepted the new stimulation. In one smooth motion, Drake withdrew and Jericho pushed inside. The pressure increased. Her pussy clenched and her breath escaped in a shuddering sigh. He drove deeper, filling her to capacity and beyond. She tossed her head and arched her hips, pushing out against him. Urgent, overwhelmed, she wanted to buck him off, yet she couldn’t wait to feel him pounding into her. “She is so fucking tight,” Jericho groaned. His thighs pressed against hers and his entire length stretched her back passage. “Move or pull out.” She gasped. “This is cruel.” After pausing long enough to wash his hands, Drake moved to her side and reached between her thighs. His fingers passed over her clit, and Miranda yelped. Jericho drew back even more slowly than he’d entered. “Feel the slide. Draw the pleasure inward.” Miranda moaned. “You’re killing me. I can’t take any more teasing.” Ignoring her objection, the men worked together to shatter her control. Drake paired each of Jericho’s slow, deep thrusts with an equally lazy rotation of his fingers. She clawed at the seat cushion and shook, her legs wobbling beneath her. Drake raised her arms and moved onto the chair in front of her. He drew her forward until her forehead rested on his shoulder. She clung to Drake as Jericho became more aggressive. Harder and faster, Jericho drove into her ass. Her fingers tangled in Drake’s shirt, and she buried her face against the side of his neck. He rubbed her back and caressed her breasts, his hands firm and reassuring. Jericho panted, his hips slapping against her tender skin. “Feed,” he forced the word out between tightly clenched teeth. Prompted by his strangled reminder, Miranda penetrated his mind. Lust blasted across the connection, propelling her to the very edge of orgasm. He was open and waiting, his energy concentrated and plentiful. She took what she needed without hesitation, absorbing his essence into herself. He gasped and thrust hard enough to rock her forward. Pleasure swung like a pendulum, passing from him into her and back, building intensity with each swing. His

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fingers dug into her hips and he shuddered in release. Energy surged into her mind as his seed burst into her body. Before she could catch her breath, Jericho separated their bodies and lifted her onto the chair. She straddled Drake’s lap, her knees tucked tightly against his hips. Jericho pulled her arms behind her back and angled her for Drake’s possession. Excitement took another turn, beginning a new cycle of arousal. How could the sensations regroup so fast? Drake caressed her breasts, his gaze boring into hers. Even with her on top, he controlled the action. “Are you ready for more or should I let you catch your breath?” “Breathing is overrated.” Her statement made him smile. He’d freed his cock while she was feeding from Jericho. The warm column of flesh pressed against her mound, and her folds were pillowed on his balls. “Lift her for me, Jericho.” He raised her until Drake had enough room to navigate. Drake positioned his cock at her vaginal opening then paused. “Lower her slowly. I want to savor the heat of her pussy as it surrounds me.” Happy to oblige, Jericho eased her onto Drake’s shaft. Miranda rested her head against Jericho’s shoulder and concentrated on the fullness and the slide. Drake arched his back when Jericho lifted her the second time. He kept his cock buried until his ass was off the seat then he relaxed his muscles and pulled nearly out. Jericho understood the new strategy. He kept her centered above Drake, and Drake lunged up into her. The upward stab was somehow more aggressive. Miranda couldn’t move, could only enjoy Drake’s determined thrusts. Come to me, love. Feed until you can’t take any more. She smiled as his voice sounded within her mind. Their connection felt natural, effortless. She drew him into her mind as he lunged up into her body. Jericho’s energy had been more potent, but Drake’s was sweeter, more appealing to her. With a contented sigh, she ceased the transfer but left the connection open. His emotions flowed freely, tenderness, protectiveness and scorching desire. She responded with equal intensity, revealing herself without reservation. Tension spun out of control. Her inner muscles clenched and her blood boiled. She twisted against Jericho’s hold, needing to touch Drake. “Release her.” Drake clasped her to his chest an instant after Jericho’s arms let go. They moved together, unashamed of their hunger. Urgent, desperate for completion, they ground and thrust. Miranda came a split second before Drake. She bit back a scream and shook as waves of pleasure crashed down upon her. He arched off the seat, releasing his seed deep inside her. 81

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“I hate to be an asshole,” Jericho said after a long, silent pause, “but you’re in my chair.” Drake chuckled, which made his cock buck inside Miranda. She groaned softly, refusing to let go. Warm lethargy swirled around him, tempting him to ignore his brother and slump farther into the chair. “Hold on.” He wrapped his arms around her, lifting her against him as he moved to one of the other chairs. “How much time is left?” “Half an hour, give or take.” “You better go put yourself back together,” he told Miranda. She made a disapproving sound as she disentangled their bodies and gathered her discarded clothes. He righted his pants as she slipped into the lavatory. “I’m not sure if I should thank you or beat the hell out of you.” He glanced at Jericho in time to see the end of his triumphant smile. “In a few short hours, you dismantled my world and fucked the only woman who’s touched my heart in a very long time.” “Your world was an illusion and Miranda needed—” “You better leave that one alone.” “Consider it left.” “Why did you wait so long to defend yourself?” “You weren’t ready to listen until an extraordinary mystic shook up your preconceptions.” That was certainly true. Miranda’s abilities and selflessness challenged everything he’d been taught about mystics. She wasn’t manipulative and dishonest. She used her abilities to help people work through their emotional trials. Drake gave himself a mental shake and focused on the challenge awaiting them. “Did Blaze respond to your message or are we on our own?” “She hadn’t responded before we took off. That doesn’t mean she didn’t get the message.” Miranda returned a few minutes later, looking flushed and content and utterly stunning. “I’m the pilot-bodyguard, and you’re one of Jericho’s elite guests.” “I remember the part I’m supposed to play,” she assured him. “What did you do with my hat?” “It’s in the corner compartment along with your purse.” The hat had a mesh veil that distorted the details of her features. She tucked her hair up under the crown, creating a misleading bob. Holding the identification card Jericho had replicated for her, she settled in one of the passenger chairs for their descent into Wirtanen.

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“The primitive conditions work to our advantage,” Jericho said as they waited for landing clearance. “There are guards but no automated surveillance systems. They’ll check our ident-cards. That’s about all.” True to his word, Jericho landed his cruiser in the designated bay and led them down the crude concourse. A security gate separated the concourse from the rest of the terminal, but a bored guard waved them past after glancing at their ident-cards. “Jericho James,” a tense female voice drew their attention to the left as they passed beyond rows of connected seats, “you better have a damn good reason for summoning me like one of your servants.” Jericho bent from the waist and swept his arm in front of him in an exaggerated bow. “Blaze, my dear, I’m thrilled that you deemed me worthy of your attention.” “Oh, cut the bullshit and tell me what this is about.” Blaze was even more attractive in person than she’d been on the video feed. Darkred hair framed her oval face. Her eyes were so light a gray they appeared metallic. A sleeveless vest outlined her round breasts and trim waist, and those supple synthleather pants were downright cruel. Drake allowed his mind to acknowledge her pleasing shape then he glanced at Miranda. She would look just as good in synthleather pants and their connection was beyond anything he’d ever dreamed. “One of your workers has been playing havoc with my customers. I don’t ordinarily become involved, but this is a very special customer.” He made a bland gesture toward Miranda without using her name. “Notify the enforcers. I don’t have time to resolve your problems, even if they are special.” “Unacceptable!” Jericho stepped toward her, his voice cracking like a whip. “My customer has been wronged by one of your workers, and we have no intention of leaving Wirtanen until the situation is resolved.” Drake and Miranda exchanged concerned glances. Wasn’t he laying it on a bit thick? “Listen, Jericho.” She emphasized his name with obvious disdain. “I won’t be bullied by—” “I’m not asking for your assistance, I’m insisting that you take responsibility for the actions of one of your workers.” His voice grew louder with each word. “Let’s take this somewhere else,” Blaze snapped. “You’re making a scene.” She stomped off through the gathering crowd of curious onlookers. Jericho fell in line a few paces behind her, leaving Drake and Miranda to follow him. His hostility was obviously a ploy, but did Blaze realize what he was up to? Drake reached for Miranda’s hand before he realized what he was doing. He placed his hand at the small of her back instead, unable to entirely suppress his need to touch her. Blaze ducked into a small lounge, and the others filed in after her. 83

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“What part of ‘leave me out of this’ didn’t you understand?” She crossed her arms over her chest and narrowed her gaze on Jericho’s face. “We’re not going near Rizaria’s lab,” Jericho said. “At least not right away.” “Then what are you doing here? No! Forget I asked. I really don’t want to know.” “We needed a reason to search one of the employee apartments,” Miranda explained. Blaze’s silvery gaze zoomed in on the other woman. “The Miranda Kayten lookalike, I presume? What’s your interest in all this?” “I think one of my patients is here on Wirtanen, and he’s in desperate need of medical attention.” “One of your patients?” Blaze arched her brow and moved closer. “You’re not a lookalike at all, are you? Did you stage your own death?” “A necessary deception.” Blaze looked at Jericho then back at Miranda. “Which complex?” “Pasodertta.” “Let me guess. Unit forty-nine in building three.” “Why would that be your conclusion?” Miranda asked. “Because I’m not a fool.” “Has anyone been in the unit since Kaffee was reported missing?” Blaze shrugged. “Each complex has its own supervisor. The supervisor reported the unit empty, but there’s no telling whether or not he actually checked.” “It would be less conspicuous if you let us in rather than breaking down the door,” Jericho offered her an encouraging smile. Drake watched the conversation in amused silence. The other two had the situation under control. “Let’s get this over with,” Blaze grumbled. “We can take my skimmer.” It took twenty minutes to reach the housing complex. Drake had been to Wirtanen before, but the stark, unforgiving conditions never failed to move him. The buildings crowded the street, creating metal canyons and cluttered alleys. Plumes of steam and filth billowed up into the hazy sky. The council had dispatched essential relief and support to the workers, but short of abandoning the outpost, Drake couldn’t imagine anything that would make Wirtanen bearable. “That’s Pasodertta.” Blaze swung the skimmer around to the right and through a metal arch. The buildings were identical, the layout well-organized. Patches of scraggly grass broke up the slabs of concrete. Large numbers designated one building from the next. She parked the skimmer in front of building three and hopped to the ground. “It should be quiet inside. Everyone is at their stations or asleep. You want the ninth unit on the fourth floor.”

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With a small pulse pistol tucked into the back of his pants, Drake took the lead as they headed for the building. Metal stairs ascended to the fourth floor and he headed down the narrow hallway. Stale air and insufficient light made the trek seem far longer than it should have been. Unit nine was the second door on the right. Blaze gave a perfunctory knock before deactivating the lock with her ident-card. “Security. We’re coming in.” She eased the door inward then paused. Drake pulled his pistol and motioned her back with a stiff nod. She rolled her eyes but obeyed. Pushing the door wider a centimeter at a time, he searched the shadowed interior for any sign of a threat. The main room was clear, so he crept toward the bedroom. Blaze activated the lights as he reached the door. “Didn’t Miranda say you’re looking for a sick person?” “Taking things for granted isn’t just reckless, it’s dangerous,” Drake replied. “Despite our economic disadvantages, the crime rate on Wirtanen is lower than it is on Halley Prime. No one has anything worth stealing.” “I wasn’t worried about being robbed.” He checked the bedroom then motioned Miranda inside. He knew they were searching for Nicay. Still, his mind refused to accept that the cadaverous man huddled beneath a mound of covers was their target. Miranda rushed to the bedside and reached for his hand. “My God, Nicay. Who did this to you?” A sad smile curved his colorless lips. “I injected myself.” He wheezed, his eyes momentarily closing. “Can’t blame this on them.” “Injected yourself with what? Who do you mean by ‘them’?” “Dresser.” He pointed behind her, his hand trembling within her grasp. Drake crossed to the dresser and found a small alloy case. It lay open like a book, the contents protected by foam packing. He lifted one of the vials and looked at the pale blue liquid. “What is this?” “Serum.” Nicay raised the sheet to his mouth as he coughed. “Kwinton’s secret weapon.” “We have to get him to a hospital,” Miranda said. “Medevac is on the way,” Blaze said from the doorway. Drake felt a pang of anger disrupt his pity. Nicay had left the ring for Aysha, knowing full well she’d take it to Miranda. All the danger Miranda faced now could be laid at Nicay’s feet. Miranda turned back to her wayward patient. “What does the serum do? Did you realize it would make you sick?” He shook his head. “Kwinton takes it like a junkie, and he’s stronger than ever.” “But what is it?” she asked again.

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“It makes us supermystics…like you.” He added the last with a shaky smile. “It’s all worked out.” Nicay’s voice grew stronger, and he struggled to sit. “I just ran out of steam.” Drake lifted the datapad beside the case and activated the handheld device. “What’s your password?” “Aysha cet Nicay.” He spelled out the words. Floor plans and diagrams scrolled across the surface of the datapad. By the fourth screen, Drake understood what he was seeing. “Are you sure it’s safe? What happens if the serum becomes airborne, or—” “Must be injected.” Nicay coughed spasmodically before adding, “Must be destroyed!” Drake started to ask Nicay more questions, but he slipped into unconsciousness. The medevac team arrived a few minutes later and loaded Nicay onto a hovergurney. Drake gave them one of the vials and told them he had injected himself with the contents. “Will he survive?” Jericho asked the question on everyone’s mind. “It’s too soon to know,” one of the medics told him as they maneuvered the stretcher through the bedroom doorway. Silence descended as the urgency dissolved. Nicay would likely be stabilized here then sent to Halley Prime for further treatment. That was standard procedure for citizens of Halley Prime. The medical facilities on Wirtanen were basic at best. “What do we do now?” Jericho asked. They stood in a messy cluster in the main room of the apartment. Drake handed the datapad to Miranda. “We pick up where Nicay left off. Thanks to him, you won’t be safe until this is over.” “Meaning?” Blaze persisted. Miranda paged back to the beginning of the outline and placed the datapad on the wobbly coffee table. She activated the holo-projector with a voice command. “This is the lab where the serum is being produced.” The floor plan rotated so everyone could see. “How can a chemical give a person paranormal abilities?” Jericho asked. “We don’t know that it’s a chemical. It could be a retrovirus or nanites,” Drake mused. Miranda advanced to the next image, a map indicating the laboratory’s location. “What it is isn’t nearly as important as bringing production to a permanent stop.” Blaze glanced at the image then returned her gaze to Miranda. “Obviously we can’t allow Kwinton Rizaria to create a private army of mystics, but what gives you the right to destroy such a revolutionary discovery?”

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Drake tried to imagine anyone who could responsibly manage such a program and shook his head. “The risk of this power falling into the wrong hands is too great. No one can be trusted with such a temptation.” “Besides,” Jericho added. “It didn’t work out so well for Nicay.” “True,” Blaze relented. Drake scrubbed his jaw with his fingers and sighed. “We have to move before word of Nicay’s condition reaches Kwinton.” Blaze nodded in reluctant agreement. “We won’t get a second chance.” “This is what I’m thinking,” Drake began. “You and Jericho evacuate the workers. Say there’s a gas leak or whatever the hell will get everyone out of the building.” “And you and Miranda get to blow the place up?” Jericho grumbled. “I know our job is more fun, but the workers know Blaze.” “It makes perfect sense,” he muttered. “But I don’t have to like it. And where do we get explosives in the next ten minutes?” Drake walked to the duffle bags stacked in the corner and unzipped the one on top. He angled the bag so the others could see the compact and lethal charges. “Nicay had it all worked out, remember? He just ran out of steam.”

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Chapter Eleven Miranda rolled up her pant legs, determined to keep the material free from the primordial ooze coating every surface in the utility tunnel. “This is disgusting.” Even her low tone seemed to echo off the slimy walls, and she shuddered. “I should have gone with Blaze.” “You’d draw attention anywhere you went. You’re clearly not from Wirtanen.” “Is that a compliment?” He smiled. “From my perspective, it is. Wirtanen men might find you a bit— delicate, but I enjoy your sophistication.” “Delicate? I’ve never thought of myself as delicate.” Her heel slipped across an especially slick patch and she waved her arms for balance. He tried to disguise his chuckle as a cough and failed. “Don’t you dare laugh at me!” He settled for a smile. Duffle bags bumped against her hips. They each carried two, but he had shifted part of her load into his bags. She wasn’t some hothouse flower, protected from the harsh realities of life. She was accomplished and… Okay, so maybe he was better equipped for a black ops outing than she was, that didn’t make her useless. “You’re sulking.” “I am not. I’m trying not to throw up.” “We’re almost there.” He tapped the audiocom hooked over his ear. “How’s it going, Jericho?” After a brief pause, he nodded. “Copy.” “What did he say?” “Blaze had to arrest the shift supervisor, but everyone’s out now.” “Do you trust Nicay’s diagram? We don’t want to bring down the entire block.” “Give me a little credit. I had advanced munitions training in the CCC.” “Sorry.” He used a scanner to verify their position before setting the first set of charges. “Now we need the other access tunnel.” They backtracked to the last intersection and jogged over to the parallel tunnel. “What should we do with the serum?” she muttered. “I can’t help feeling like Kwinton isn’t the top of this food chain. Is it possible the council knows about his secret weapon?” “Anything is possible. We have to make the best decisions based on the information we have.”

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“One hurdle at a time.” “Exactly.” He set the rest of the charges, and they left the empty duffle bags in the utility tunnels. They hustled back to the juncture where they’d climbed down. Miranda exhaled as she reached the top of the metal ladder. The air topside smelled almost fresh after the putrid vapors below. They ran two blocks south then followed the cross street to the intersection where Jericho waited with Blaze’s skimmer. “She thought it would be better if she was surrounded by her people when all hell breaks loose.” “Can’t fault that logic,” Drake said. Miranda climbed aboard the skimmer and fastened her lap restraint. “Ready?” She and Jericho nodded, so Drake triggered the detonators. Time missed a beat as they waited for the explosion. A low boom vibrated the ground, followed half a second later by another. Glass shattered and pressure ripped through the darkened structure. Flames burst into the twilight sky, propelling chunks of debris up and out. “Off we go.” Jericho jammed the skimmer into full acceleration, slamming the others back in their seats. Smaller explosions echoed until the lab was no more than a glow on the horizon. “That was fun. What shall we do next?”

***** Lopeka swung her cane so fast Kwinton didn’t see it coming. The slender shaft slammed into his side and pain shot up her arms. Only the unmistakable sound of bone cracking kept her from repeating the blow. She soothed her fury with violent imaginings. Debilitating her best assassin would be counterproductive. His knees buckled and his face turned gray, but he didn’t make a sound. “Nicay is en route to Halley Prime and my lab is smoldering rubble! Nicay was on Wirtanen. Why are you still here?” “I checked every flight off Halley Prime for the past three weeks,” he croaked. “How did he travel without logging his movements?” “There are benefits to citizenship, but there are disadvantages too. Nicay obviously figured that out.” She took a deep breath and rested both hands on the hilt of her cane. “I suppose expecting you to play detective was my first mistake. You are an assassin, not a tracker.” “How can I regain your respect?” He’d never had her respect, but she didn’t bother to correct the assumption. “You can prove your usefulness three hours from now. The ship transporting Nicay will arrive at the trauma center, and you’re going to be waiting for him. I don’t care how you do it, but do not show your face again until Nicay is dead.”

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“I won’t disappoint you again.”

***** Miranda slipped off her shoes and tossed them across the bedroom. “I will never forget that smell. I knew Wirtanen was industrial, but I feel tainted.” “Let’s take a long, hot shower.” She smiled. “Don’t you need to check in with Ritter?” “I haven’t decided yet.” He pulled his shirt off over his head and tucked his pistol into the drawer of the nightstand. “What do you mean?” He sat on the side of the bed to tug off his boots. “Your suspicions have gotten me thinking. What if Kwinton is protected by someone higher up? I won’t rest until that bastard is locked up.” “You think Ritter might be involved?” “I hope not. He’s the best partner I’ve ever had. But Jericho’s right, Ritter is in tight with the prefect. I’m not taking any chances.” “You’re going to go after Kwinton yourself?” “We just threw down the gauntlet, sweetheart. I think he’ll come after us.” She paused in her bra and panties. “That’s not very comforting.” He crossed the room and placed his hands on her shoulders. “I don’t mean to frighten you, but we have to be realistic.” “You’re right. I’ve never been one to bury my head in the sand.” They finished undressing and walked into the bathroom. Drake adjusted the water while she laid out fresh towels. She moved beneath the showerhead and warm water cascaded over her body. “This feels wonderful.” He wrapped his arms around her from behind and pulled her close. “Yes, it does.” If the hardness forming against her back was any indication, he meant more than the water. “I know blowing up the lab was the right thing to do, but I’m not sure we should destroy the serum.” His hands moved up and down her arms, his fingers brushing against the fullness of her breasts. “Why not?” He moved her hair out of the way and nuzzled her neck. She better make her point quickly. He was already good and distracted. “We sent a vial with the medical team. They’ll have it analyzed. If we get rid of the serum, we have no way of protecting ourselves.” “You’re not talking about enhancing your abilities, are you?” He sounded aghast. “Of course not. I’m talking about a negotiation tool, safely locked away in case we need it.”

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“Let me think about it. I can’t help remembering what that stuff did to Nicay.” She turned to face him, refusing to think about his obvious arousal or about how good his hands felt sliding over her skin. “I think Nicay intentionally imprinted his memory on the ring. The artificial intensity is what hurt when I viewed the images.” “I came to the same conclusion. He knew Aysha would take the ring to you and you would follow the images to him. If you exposed his boss in the process, so much the better.” “I can’t decide if he had a fundamental objection to what Kwinton was doing or if he was just trying to get back at the man who was screwing his wife.” “Either way, he put you in needless danger.” His hostility made her smile. She didn’t mind his scowls nearly so much when they were on her behalf rather than pointed at her. “So, we found Nicay. The lab is destroyed and we have the last of the serum.” “As soon as we take out Kwinton, I’ll be able to exhale.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “Now on to more important things. Do you need energy?” What she needed was a moment away from his penetrating stare, so she turned to the shampoo dispenser. She still couldn’t believe all the things they’d done on the way to Wirtanen. She didn’t regret what had happened, but the memories were surreal. “I don’t think I’ll need to feed again for a month or two.” He traced her spine with his fingertip. “I’m glad. I want to make love because it feels so damn good, not because you need energy.” She turned around with a dreamy smile and drizzled shampoo into his hair. “I have no objections.” “We’ll have to work on your enthusiasm.” She scrubbed his hair and washed his body, enjoying the feel of his hardened muscles beneath her palms. Her fingers slid over his shoulders and onto his back, following the course of the suds. His ass tensed as she explored, tracing a soapy path into the crack between his firm cheeks. “Do you enjoy any of the pleasures you’ve introduced me to in the past few days?” Without waiting for his answer, she lubricated her hands with conditioner and continued her exploration. He groaned when her fingers curved around his cock and growled when she teased his anus with her other hand. His shaft twitched within the circle of her fingers, but other than the telltale jump in his pulse, he remained perfectly still. She entered him slowly. Had she been this tight? The moisture left her mouth as she remembered the fullness of Jericho’s cock as it filled her again and again. Her eyelids drooped, and she dragged her fist down the length of Drake’s cock. She swiped her thumb over his tip while she drove her finger deeper. He dragged in a

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gulping breath and flattened his hands against the wall in front of him. His chest heaved, his cock growing even harder as she slid her finger in and out of his ass. “Have you ever let a man fuck you?” she asked in a throaty whisper. “Long, long time ago.” “But you enjoy this, don’t you?” “God yes!” “Do you want my mouth or my finger?” “Both. Use your finger while you suck me off.” “Say please.” He growled again and grabbed her wrist, slowly pulling her finger from his ass as he pulled her around in front of him. “Please give your Master what he needs.” “Always, my love.” She slipped to her knees and started to reach behind him. “It works better if you come up between my legs.” She’d never heard his voice so tense or unsteady. Feminine power rushed through her body, hardening her nipples and increasing the pressure between her legs. She watched his face. He clutched his jaw and closed his eyes. They would definitely have to explore this chink in his armor. Taking a moment to rinse the residue off his cock, she reached up and dispensed more conditioner into her left hand. She let the thick glob roll down across her middle finger then maneuvered her hand between his legs. He moved his feet farther apart and leaned his shoulders against the wall. His unabashed desire was thrilling. He offered himself to her without shame or reservation. She licked her way around his tip before closing her lips and sucking him into her mouth. With the distinct vein rubbing against her tongue, she found his anus and smeared him with conditioner. His hand cupped her face, but he didn’t rush her. She breached his body and paused to savor his helpless shiver. He was every bit as susceptible to pleasure as she. With slow deliberation, she drove into his ass while she firmly sucked on his cock. His fingers moved to her hair, tightening and releasing without actually pulling. She moved slowly at first, pushing inward at the same time she was pulling back until only his tip remained in her mouth. “Faster.” She heard the “please” in his tone even if he’d omitted the word. She increased her speed and the pressure of her lips. His hips rocked gently, his butt cheeks taut against her hand. A faint saltiness coated her tongue, and she savored the taste, understanding how close he was to surrender. He arched, pushing clear to the back of her mouth. She thrust her finger deep, and a hoarse cry tore from his throat. His seed jetted down her throat, and his passage contracted with a matching rhythm.

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Heat swept over her entire body and echoes of his orgasm throbbed in her core. She swallowed and licked until the last shiver passed. “I’m not sure I can walk.” He laughed. “Do you think you can carry me to the bed?” She smiled up at him, feeling inordinately pleased with herself. “I can try.”

***** Naked to the waist and kneeling on a ceremonial mat, Lopeka swung the multistrand whip over one shoulder and then the other. Each lash was strong enough to awaken her nerve endings without jarring her from her meditation. Her breasts swayed, the nipples tight and tingly, and her breathing took on the rhythm of the whip. Inhale, right. Exhale, left… Darkness spread out before her, endless velvety oblivion. She floated, searching, scanning, opening herself more completely than she’d ever dared. Pleasure rippled through the metaphysical abyss—not just anyone’s pleasure, Miranda’s. Only Miranda could sense her true nature. Only Miranda was a worthy adversary. Following the waves of arousal, Lopeka located her prey, her unknowing nemesis, the daughter of her rival and hated enemy. Miranda pressed against a tiled shower stall. A dark-haired man knelt before her, his face pressed against her pussy, obviously the source of her pleasure. Lopeka ignored the tingle between her own thighs and carefully expanded the scene. She saw the opulent bathroom, the hotel suite and finally the glitzy Fantasy Forum. She chuckled under her breath and let the whip drop to the decorative mat. After pushing to her feet, she crossed the room and looked out the window. She could see the massive hotel from her bedroom on the fourteenth floor of the Pleasure Palace. It was too ironic to endure. “You started without me.” She hadn’t heard Kwinton enter, but she suppressed a gasp and turned around. “You better have good news for me. I’m not feeling particularly forgiving.” He pulled his hand out of his pocket and held up a vial of serum. “Not only is Nicay dead, but I recovered this from his personal effects.” He tossed the tiny bottle to her with a pleased smile. She caught the vial in one hand without taking her gaze from his face. “Perhaps you’re not as useless as I’d thought.” The smile faltered and his gaze narrowed. “Utilize my skills with more discretion and you’ll have better results.” Surprise sparked to life within his eyes when she said, “I agree.” She let him relax, lull himself into a false sense of security. “I found Miranda.” “Miranda is dead.”

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“That’s what they wanted us to believe, but Nicay was in no condition to blow up the lab.” Kwinton shook his head, gaze narrowed with consternation. “Miranda had no motivation.” “I suspect her reason had something to do with the man I saw licking her pussy. I didn’t get a good look at him, as his face was buried between her legs, but I’m pretty sure he is Ritter’s partner.” “Ritter has remained two steps behind us for the past three years.” “Until now.” “Nicay was found by a security officer on Wirtanen.” Kwinton began to pace, and the tension in his expression increased. “He could have assembled a team before the serum started to degenerate.” “He could have, but he didn’t. Miranda led Ritter and his partner right to him, and then those nosy enforcers blew up the lab. You must admit that makes more sense than a half-dead thug.” He stopped his nervous trek and slipped both hands into the pockets of his pants. “None of it really matters. Nicay is dead. We obviously need to relocate. I suggest we do so in a less-conspicuous location.” “I like Halley Prime.” She enjoyed being obstinate. “It’s simply too dangerous. The council is onto us. It was only a matter of time until they—” “Were you castrated while you were at that fucking hospital? What is wrong with you? I intend to take over the council, replace those antiquated relics with mystics under my control.” “I understand your intentions, Mistress. I am curious about your strategy.” She found herself at her window again, gazing out at the Fantasy Forum. “I need Miranda, and I need her alive. I know that’s more complicated than your usual assignments. Do you think you’re up to the task?” He licked his lips and tried to sound calm. “Do you have a plan or is that my responsibility as well?” “As you said before, your strength appears to be implementing plans, not devising them.” When she faced him again, he was looking at her breasts. It pleased her to know pain was not the only thing he desired from her. “You may suck my nipples while I explain, but only if you continue to pay attention.” “I am listening.” He cupped one breast and suckled the other, his lips firm and warm. “You have two main obstacles, well, three if you count her lover.” He released her with a wet pop and looked into her eyes. “What are the other two?”

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“Your identity and her location.” She guided his head back to her breast, enjoying the slow, deep pull of his eager mouth. “I can’t change my identity.” He continued the teasing with his fingers while he made the comment. Lust surged, ravenous and demanding. The intensity shocked her, and she moaned. She should have waited to start this until after they’d spoken. Moving to the sofa, she bent over the high padded back and spread her legs. “I have need of your cock. Fuck me hard and don’t speak again until after I come.” A moment passed as he freed his erection. She closed her eyes and let anticipation fuel her need. He raised her skirt and thrust into her waiting pussy without further preliminaries. His hot, hard rod slid easily in her juicy core. “Harder!” She went up on the balls of her feet and angled her hips so he dragged the front wall of her passage. “Use my clit.” His arm curved around her hip, his fingers finding the swollen knot. He pinched as he thrust inward and tugged as he pulled out. They slapped together noisily, her harsh breathing amplified by the ringing in her ears. Her orgasm sprang suddenly. She sucked in a deep breath and rode the throbbing sensation as he continued his forceful ride. He obviously hadn’t managed to climax with her. Too bad for him. She shoved him away and flipped down her skirt. He glared at her, his cock wet and horribly engorged. “Keep it hard while I finish my explanation and I’ll reward you.” He said nothing, but his fist demonstrated his intention. She walked to the small table in the kitchenette and picked up the package that had arrived the day before. “Have you ever seen one of these?” His hand continued to move as he peered through the transparent lid at the tiny sliver nestled on the dense packing material. “What is it?” “An ident-chip. The kind injected into the hand of every citizen of Halley Prime.” “I already have one.” She tried not to let her impatience show. “You need a different one if you’re going to check in to the Fantasy Forum.” “Why would I do that?” His voice rose half an octave. “That’s where Miranda is hiding. You check in to the suite next to hers, figure out a clever way to get through the wall and work your magic on her lover. Once the enforcer is dead, bring Miranda to me. Do you have any questions?” “It’s a little hard to concentrate right now!” She kept her rejoinder to herself. “Hold out your right hand.” Without warning, she pulled the stiletto out of the handle of her cane and sliced open the top of his hand, halfway between his thumb and index finger.

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“You fucking crazy bitch! That hurts! Do you want me to bleed to death?” Shivers of excitement skittered down her spine. “You need to dig in the hole and find your ident-chip. And keep that dick hard. If it goes soft, we’re done for the night.” Huffing like a runner, he waddled over to the sink and activated the faucet. Blood and water streamed across his hand, and a nonstop string of profanity tumbled from his mouth. His cock wagged in front of him, miraculously erect. “We have to be certain it’s out,” she said. “If you wash it down the sink, we’ll never know.” “You sadistic whore.” He slapped his hand against the counter and turned his face away. “Make sure!” Opening the wound with her fingers, she let his groan vibrate through her, stoking her smoldering fires. She hadn’t been this excited in months. With the pair of tweezers she’d set out earlier, she probed for the tiny transceiver. The tweezers closed on something harder than tissue, and she stealthily set it aside, returning the tweezers to the wound. “Is it there?” he gasped. “Fuck, that hurts.” She watched him in morbid fascination. His lips trembled and tears escaped the corner of his eyes. Her pussy fluttered, and she lowered her gaze, not surprised to find him stroking himself again. These sensations were too delicious to squander. She didn’t want the pain to trigger his release, so she slowly withdrew the tweezers. “I’m pretty sure this is it.” “Pretty sure?” His gaze was bright and glassy, his tone breathless and tight. “Do you need to dig around to be positive?” “Does it feel that good?” His dilated pupils and the condition of his cock spoke more eloquently than words. “We need to seal the wound and insert the new chip from the other side. It will look suspicious if we create two scars on the top of your right hand.” “Can’t you just shove the new one into this hole?” “The risk of infection is too great.” She had no idea if that were true. She just wanted to prolong the experience. Leaving him slumped against the countertop, she took the medkit out of the cupboard and sealed the seeping gash. Her attention kept gravitating to his erection as she waited for the seam to set. “Are you ready for your reward?” “What did you have in mind?” “You can fuck me while I insert the new chip.” She took off her skirt and ran her hands from her breasts to her thighs. Turning to face the counter, she made sure she could reach everything she would need to insert the new chip. “Move in close and give me your hand.” He pressed against her back and placed his hand on the countertop. “Put it in me…now.”

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He had to bend his knees to achieve the right angle, but he filled her with his hard flesh. Her blade sliced, and he thrust so hard it raised her feet off the floor. She shoved the chip into the wound, and he was lost. Ramming her with manic speed, he took full advantage of her generosity.

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Chapter Twelve Weak and tingly from her recent orgasm, Miranda cuddled against Drake’s chest as he carried her out of the bathroom and crossed to the bed. The things he did with his mouth were unbelievable. She felt content and lazy, tempted to spend the rest of her life nestled in his embrace. He set her down beside the bed and took a step back. His gaze was passion bright, caressing, but a hint of calculation sliced through the heat. “What are you thinking?” Sparks of desire awakened her smoldering senses. “I was toying with the idea of making you wait while I set up another simulation.” She released a theatrical groan. “You already taught me anticipation. Can’t we move on to something else?” “You respond without hesitation. You’re reasonably obedient. You find pleasure in giving pleasure. Patience is really the only thing you lack.” “I won’t come until you do. Make it last as long as you like.” “Deal.” He picked her up and tossed her to the middle of the bed. She bounced, laughing merrily. “You dare to laugh at me, you saucy wench?” He crawled on top of her and nipped the side of her neck. With a dramatic flourish, he pried her legs apart. Each of his antics only made her laugh harder. Playfulness was a side of Drake she’d never seen. She gazed into his eyes, thrilled by the complexities. He was intense, at times overbearing, then he would turn around and be gentle and protective. Framing his face with her hands, she guided his mouth to hers. They both tasted faintly of each other, which intensified the intimacy. His tongue curled around hers as he slowly pulled away. “I need you in my mind. This just doesn’t feel right without you there.” She’d wanted to reestablish the link an instant after she’d eased from his mind. His being was so vital, so passionate, she felt his absence like a physical ache. A gentle smile parted his lips as their spirits merged. “My turn,” he whispered. His cock entered slowly, allowing them to savor every centimeter of the joining. She wrapped her legs around his waist and clung to him. For a long time they remained still, lost in each other’s eyes. She tightened her inner muscles with a mischievous smile. “Maybe I won’t wait. If I disobey, you’ll be forced to punish me.” The clever barb had the desired effect. He pulled back slowly and thrust back in with one powerful lunge. “Oh yes.” She sighed and squeezed him again.

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“I think I’ll get a riding crop. You seem determined to jockey me.” She caught her lower lip between her teeth. The moderate rocking of his hips kept her good and interested without driving her anywhere near completion. “If I’m the jockey, wouldn’t I get the whip?” “Bad example, I admit. But I think you’d enjoy a good…” His sentence trailed away, and he came to rest deep inside her. He gritted his teeth and closed his eyes, holding perfectly still. “Damn, that was close,” he whispered then released his pent-up breath. She unhooked her ankles and moved her feet to the mattress so she could meet his thrusts. “Does the thought of whipping me excite you?” His gaze narrowed just a bit. “You certainly took well to the belt.” Resentment tinged his words and he withdrew his emotions, leaving her empty and alone. “I thought we weren’t going to talk about that?” He pulled out with a ragged sigh and rocked back onto his heels. “He stole two firsts from us.” “He didn’t steal anything. We agreed to let him join us. We both agreed. Why is this bothering you now?” He glanced away for a moment then his being flowed back into her mind. “Can you feel what I feel when I look at you?” “You know I can.” Emotions were harder to decipher than people realized. She felt his desire because it was unmistakable, but the rest was a jumble. Warm, soothing affection twisted around harsh possessiveness. “Then you must know I love you.” “Love is a complex combination of emotions. When a person says they love a book, it’s not the same as the love they feel for their mate.” “I want you physically. But what I’m feeling now is so much more…convoluted than anything I’ve ever felt before.” “I feel it too, Drake. Your emotions feed off mine and mine draw strength from yours. We’re in this together. Mystic connections either pull people together or push them apart. As you said, it’s hard to be deceptive when your lover is in your mind.” “Sharing you with Jericho was exciting. I can’t pretend it didn’t turn me on.” He obviously needed to talk about it, so she listened with her heart. His willingness to make himself vulnerable dispersed her frustration. “If you have feelings for him, I need to know now.” “I like Jericho. I hope you can learn to enjoy each other’s company, but friendship is all I feel for your brother.” She opened her mind and invited him deeper, revealing the depths of her feelings for him. “Will anyone ever be able to compete with that?” A hesitant smile was his only response.

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She sat as best she could with him kneeling between her legs and pressed a quick kiss to the corners of his mouth. “I need my Master inside me badly. Do you know where I can find him?” His smile broadened and he supported her back as he lowered her to the mattress. “I’ll never leave you again. Never doubt what I’m feeling.” Curving his hands around the bend of her knees, he spread her legs and pushed back into her waiting pussy. Emotion sizzled across their link, filling her with contentment and warmth. Their gazes locked, communicating affection and tenderness as their bodies rocked. He caressed her face and held her snugly to his chest as he moved between her thighs. A surge of emotion accompanied each thrust. He filled her body and flowed through her mind, their union absolute. She stroked his back and squeezed his ass as the intensity mounted. Harder and deeper, he drove them higher. Hot, tingling pressure gathered in her core, pulsing up her spine and shooting down her legs. She gasped and arched, desperate for completion yet never wanting it to end. He stiffened against her and throbbed inside her, his powerful release triggering her orgasm. She cried out as pleasure spun through her, blurring reality. The room fell away, and she clung to Drake, awed by the silence. The darkness inside her was still. She felt no urge to feed, no drive for conquest and power. Tears swam before her eyes, so she pressed her face against the side of his throat. After a lifetime of inner turmoil, her soul was at peace.

***** The companel sounded, dragging Drake out of the blissful afterglow. He raised his head and glared at the blinking light. “Computer, identify caller.” “Mr. James is waiting for your response,” the computer informed him. “Jericho knows better than to interrupt.” Drake crawled off the side of the bed and tossed the covers over Miranda. He grabbed a robe out of the bathroom before activating the companel. “This better be important.” Drake stood as close to the screen as he could, blocking the rest of the room with his body. “A man identifying himself as Clive Burrows just checked in to the hotel.” “And why does this interest me?” “You’ve had ample time to fuck her. What’s your problem?” “Sorry. Who is Clive Burrows?” “According to his ident-chip, no one of consequence. However, I run a full-body scan on all my guests, and facial recognition indicates that Clive Burrows is Kwinton Rizaria.”

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“You have my attention.” “Ordinarily the anomaly would have been noted, and we would have waited to see if our indecisive guest caused any trouble, but he requested the suite adjacent to yours. When the desk clerk told him the suite wasn’t available, he became belligerent. She called me, and I was intrigued, so I okayed the room assignment. I suspect you’ll soon have company. I’m going to turn on internal surveillance. Tell Miranda to get dressed.” Drake turned toward the bed and found Miranda darting into the bathroom. “I heard,” she said as she closed the door. “I called Ritter,” Jericho said, drawing Drake’s attention back to the screen. “This is too big for my security team. Our focus has always been preventing trouble. Once the bullets start flying, we call in the enforcers.” “Wise policy. What did Ritter say?” “He’s about five minutes out. I’ll fill him in when he arrives, and he can decide what to do after that.” Drake nodded, and Jericho ended the transmission. Rushing across the bedroom, Drake tucked his pistol into the pocket of his robe. If Miranda noticed it, fine, but he wanted to downplay this as much as possible. She emerged a few minutes later in a smaller version of his bathrobe. “What does Kwinton think he’s going to do, come crashing through the wall?” “Stranger things have happened. Let’s curl up on the couch and watch a movie.” “I thought he had hit men to do his dirty work,” she grumbled as they went into the outer room. Drake wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her against his side. “We’ll be fine, sweetheart. Jericho called Ritter. I’m sure all sorts of backup are on the way.” “Do you have your gun?” He patted his pocket. “Armed and ready. No one is going to hurt you.” “Should we dump the serum? Maybe that’s what he’s after?” “If it is, we’ll give it to him or at least use it to negotiate. I doubt he knows about the vial we sent with Nicay. That gives us a pretty solid bluff. The next move is his. We’re just going to be a little more prepared than he’s expecting.” She curled up against his side as he activated a movie, but he could almost hear the whir of her thoughts. I can hear you thinking. Her startled gaze flew to his and he smiled. That’s the first time you initiated telepathic communication. I deactivated our link, so this is all you, Enforcer O’Bannon. He kissed her temple. Does this make me a mystic? Would that be so bad? His arm gave her an affectionate squeeze. Why did Jericho call Ritter? You weren’t sure if you wanted him involved. Jericho didn’t ask for my input, he just made the call. 101

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She was silent again and tension built, becoming almost palpable. A door slammed somewhere beyond their suite, and Miranda started. Relax, sweetheart. You’re watching a movie in the arms of your lover. We’re sitting here like red meat being dangled before a carnivore. A softer clatter drew her attention to the simulator. Did you hear that? I believe our visitor just arrived. He came through the wall! I was joking, but he came through the goddamn wall. He had to have had detailed diagrams of these rooms. As long as we weren’t using the simulator, it gave him a perfect entry point. Lie back and show off those legs. I need a distraction. She reclined on her back as he crept across the room, positioning himself to one side of the doorway. Bending one knee, she let the robe gape and positioned her long, toned legs to best advantage. He dragged his gaze away and pulled his gun from his pocket. She wasn’t supposed to distract him! They waited, listening for the slightest shuffle inside the simulator. Miranda fidgeted with her belt and rearranged the decorative pillows behind her back. Helpless, Drake followed the graceful line of her legs from ankle to mid-thigh. God, she had fabulous legs. A faint hiss snapped his attention back to the doorway. A pulse pistol, similar to his, emerged from the simulator followed by the hand clasping the weapon. Drake didn’t wait to see more. He slammed his arm down across the intruder’s wrist and jerked him into the living room. Kwinton caught his balance and spun to face Drake, the pistol still clutched in his hand. With a bruising uppercut, Drake jerked Kwinton’s head to the side. Not giving him time to shake off the blow, Drake punched him in the stomach and reached for the gun. Drake twisted viciously. Kwinton yelped and his fingers released. Drake tossed the gun out of reach and tried to twist Kwinton’s arm behind his back. Infuriated and desperate, Kwinton went for Drake’s throat. Drake threaded his arms through the circle created by Kwinton’s frantic grasp and jerked his forearms outward. Air rushed into his lungs, but Kwinton didn’t let go. Drake maneuvered his foot behind Kwinton’s and shoved with all his might. Kwinton stumbled back, his hands releasing as he lost his balance. Drake followed him down, flipping him over and securing him against the floor before he could regain control of the situation. When he felt it was safe to divide his attention, he found Miranda covering him with Kwinton’s gun. He smiled. She might not enjoy tromping through the sewers, but she held together in a fight. Jericho and Ritter burst into the room half a second later. “Unbelievable.” Ritter chuckled. “I leave you two alone for a couple of days and you blow my case wide open.” 102

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“Your case?” Drake shot him an impatient glower. Ritter knelt beside him and secured Kwinton’s wrists and ankles before helping Drake haul him to his feet. “Special assignment from Prefect VinDerley.” He motioned toward the dining room. “Could you grab one of those chairs?” Jericho obliged and they forcefully seated Kwinton. Ritter produced a long strap and bound him directly to the chair. “We know you have a partner, and we know she’s running the show. Your only hope of avoiding a complete mind sweep is to start talking now.” Kwinton smirked at Ritter then turned his face away. “Fine. We’ll send you back and let her take care of you. I suspect her justice will be less forgiving than ours.” The insolent mask slipped. “You don’t know where she is or we wouldn’t be having this conversation.” “True. But if we turn you loose in a public place, I suspect she’ll find you without too much trouble. She’s outmaneuvered us often enough. We suspect she’s tapped into our communications.” “If she gets her hands on me again, I’m dead.” “So give me a reason to give a damn.” Drake glanced at Miranda, wondering how she was reacting to this new development. Each time they thought their struggle had ended, they turned a corner and a new challenge appeared. She watched Kwinton intently, her expression carefully guarded. Are you all right? Part of me wants to squash him like a bug. I could reach into his mind and… The more rational part understands that we need him. She sent the thought without taking her eyes off Kwinton. Kwinton’s shoulders slumped and he lowered his gaze. “What do you want to know?” “Start with this magic elixir. What is it and how does it work?” “She was trying to make her abilities stronger, but she was already the most powerful mystic I’ve ever known.” “All right, since you brought her up. Tell me about your boss.” “She calls herself Lopeka, but I know that’s not her real name. She was still trying to decide which name to use when I first met her.” “Where did she come from? What do you know about her background?” “She was born on Temple-Tuttle, and she hates Miranda with a consuming passion.”

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Drake looked at her again. Confusion crept into her gaze, yet she remained silent and let Ritter do his job. She looked so alone, standing there with a pulse pistol clasped in her hand. He moved to her side and took the gun from her. After setting the weapon on the end table, he wrapped his arm around her waist. “You said she was trying to make herself stronger. Did her goals change?” “The only new ability she developed was to… I don’t know how to explain it. She can manipulate energy. She can take it or give it whenever she wants.” “That’s not unusual. Most mystics can transfer energy.” “Trust me, this is different. She can convert her mystic energy into a sort of ooze.” Miranda looked up at Drake, clearly surprised by the revelation. “The substance she creates becomes the serum,” Kwinton added. “And what does the serum do?” “It intensifies the abilities of people like me, people whose powers are hardly noticeable. But there are side effects with some people, and she hasn’t been able to figure out why. Nicay injected himself with the same batch I use and it just about killed him.” “We’re aware of that.” Ritter crossed his arms over his chest. “What was her ultimate goal?” “Her short-term goal was control of the Comet Coalition. Long term… Who knows. Take over the universe.” “Why did she dispatch you here tonight?” “I was supposed to kill him,” Kwinton nodded toward Drake, “and bring Miranda back to her.” “Really?” Ritter’s gaze shot to Drake before he went on. “Abduction is much more dangerous than assassination. Why does she want Miranda alive?” “I have no idea. Maybe she wants to be the one to kill her. What does it matter now?” Ritter’s gaze returned to Drake. “We’ll never get another opportunity like this one.” “You’re not using her as bait.” Miranda laughed. “What was I doing on the couch?” “That was different. I was right here with you.” “So we shove a directional charge up his ass and give him an empty pistol,” Ritter said without inflection. Miranda gasped. “Is that legal?” Ritter smiled at her while menace hardened his gaze. “You watched him brain fry CJ Kaffee without blinking an eye. Would you like to hear how he killed some of his other victims?” “It’s not my fault,” Kwinton cried. “She controls anyone who uses the serum, and the injections are so fucking addictive. It’s like her ambition and her hunger for violence 104

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are imprinted on… I don’t know how to explain it. All I know is it makes you want what she wants and withdrawal is more painful than anything you can imagine.” Ritter shot Kwinton an impatient glare. “I’d almost feel sorry for you if you hadn’t killed at least three people before you joined up with her. Maybe she sped you along the path, but you were well on your way to depravity when she first found you.” “Where is she?” Drake asked. “She rents rooms at the Pleasure Palace,” Kwinton replied. “Makes sense.” Jericho nodded. “Their security is almost as good as mine.” Kwinton couldn’t conceal his smirk. “We made you at the front desk,” Jericho defended. “You were only allowed to check in because we knew what you were planning.” Kwinton tugged against his restraints. “You’ll never take Lopeka alive. She’ll mindfuck anyone who enters the room.” “What exactly are her abilities?” Drake wanted to know. “I only know what I’ve seen. She refuses to explain herself to anyone.” “So what have you seen?” Ritter snapped. “Stop dancing around the issue.” “It seems like she can reach into a person’s mind and change their reality to whatever she wants it to be. I’ve seen people scream and tear at their clothes as if something were crawling all over them. She enjoys catching people on fire. They’re never really on fire, you understand. She just makes them believe they are.” “We get the idea.” “Once she’s finished amusing herself, she just turns them off. She reaches into their mind and convinces them they’re dead.” “Charming,” Ritter grumbled. “How the hell do you fight someone like that?” Jericho muttered. “You reach into her mind and convince her she’s powerless,” Miranda said. Everyone turned and looked at her, but Drake posed the question, “Can you do that?”

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Chapter Thirteen Miranda took a deep breath and thought about her answer before she volunteered. “Manipulating thought is the temptation of many mystics. Temporal guides are especially susceptible. We’re supposed to observe, never tamper with the events we witness. Some can’t resist tweaking a memory here or altering a perception there until they’re corrupted by the power.” “You think that’s what happened to Lopeka?” Drake asked. “When members of the Perrlain Tribe misuse their gifts, they’re banished from our lands. Before they go, their abilities are contained, suppressed so they can’t access them. Most times, the barriers hold, but there are stories of exiles who have eroded the mental blocks or found ways around them.” “Your abilities weren’t suppressed when you were exiled,” Kwinton pointed out. “I hadn’t misused my abilities. I just refused to abide by their rules.” She slipped her hands into the pockets of her robe, feeling both vulnerable and empowered. If Lopeka were a temporal guide gone bad, and every indication they had pointed in that direction, Miranda was their only hope of stopping her. “So we’re back to the original question,” Ritter said. “Can you take on Lopeka?” “I have to try.” “Not a chance.” Drake clasped her shoulders and turned her toward him. “We’ll take her out with a sniper. She’ll never see it coming.” “If she’s released the full scope of her mystic power, she’ll sense the danger long before the bullet strikes. Self-preservation is a powerful force. I’ll have to shield Kwinton’s mind from her. I can’t shield a bullet. She wants me alive, likely to create a second serum. We can use that against her.” “I don’t like it.” She smiled and touched his face. “I don’t like it either, but what choice do we have? She has to be stopped.” “Are we agreed?” Ritter asked, obviously anxious to get started. Drake’s gaze never left her face. “If she wants to do this, I’ll support her decision.” “I’ll be right back.” Ritter left the suite without further explanation. “Are you really going to shove something up Kwinton’s ass?” “It will control his behavior.” He slid his hand up to her neck and brushed his thumb along her jawline. “If he makes one wrong move or says one wrong word, he’s dead and we’ll attack in force.” “Won’t an explosion kill me too?” 106

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“The charge is only strong enough to scramble his insides.” “Have you used this tactic before?” “Don’t ask questions when you obviously would rather not know.” “Good idea.” She tugged on the belt to her bathrobe. “I suppose I should get dressed.” Drake reluctantly lowered his hands to his sides. “Had you anticipated that possibility?” he asked Kwinton. “How were you going to get her out of here dressed in a bathrobe?” “I anticipated every possibility.” “Except our being ready for you?” Miranda responded. He just glared. Miranda was in the bedroom when Ritter returned. The screams and burst of profanity told her exactly what they were doing. She waited until the noise settled down before she returned to the outer room. Easing the door open, she gazed out. Kwinton stood beside the chair he’d previously occupied, his face flushed, gaze smoldering. “And I thought she was a sick fuck,” he muttered. “You enjoyed that.” “What I’d really enjoy is setting it off,” Ritter corrected. “So don’t provoke me.” Drake saw her peeking out and motioned her forward. “Are you ready?” “As ready as I’ll ever be.” He gave her a tiny audiocom that rested discreetly in her ear channel. “The stealth models never receive as well as their big brothers, but we should be able to hear you.” He glanced at his partner. “Why don’t you gather up his gear? It’s best if he doesn’t know exactly what we have planned.” Ritter nodded toward the simulator, using the bomb’s controller to set Kwinton in motion. As soon as the two disappeared from view, Drake pulled Miranda into his arms and kissed her long and deeply. “I hate this. I should be there to protect you, not watching from a surveillance ship.” She returned his kiss before she replied, “This is my field of expertise. I’ll be fine.” “If things get ugly, put as much distance between you and Kwinton as possible.” A certain gleam in his eyes made her ask, “Any particular reason?” “Kwinton’s your ticket into her lair. He’s also plan B.” “I thought you said the bomb would only scramble his insides.” “The little one will.” He grinned. “I see. How far away do I need to be?” “Out of the room at least, off the floor would be better.” Miranda couldn’t decide if she was intimidated or comforted by the knowledge. Would more innocent people have to die to end Lopeka’s reign?

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Not if she could help it! Determination surged. She was descended from the most powerful mystics in the star system. Her training and experience had strengthened her confidence and honed her skills. She was strong and she was ready. Kwinton maneuvered his skimmer with mechanical efficiency. “They’re going to kill me anyway. You realize that, don’t you? As soon as you take out Lopeka, they’ll detonate the bomb.” She didn’t know if that was true, and she wasn’t sure if she cared one way or the other. Kwinton enjoyed killing. People like that were never reformed. He led her to a side entrance and Miranda tried not to gawk. Most of the action at the Fantasy Forum took place behind closed doors. The Pleasure Palace flaunted its amenities with decadent enthusiasm. They crossed an area reserved for discipline, and Miranda’s dark nature stirred. On one side, a whip-wielding Mistress marked the back and buttocks of her masked thrall. His body bowed each time the lash connected with his flesh, and his cock bucked in wild approval. Miranda turned her head sharply, and her steps faltered. A woman was restrained over a high, padded rail. Her body bent almost in half, arms and legs securely bound, all her secrets exposed. Her ass bore the marks of recent attention, and her Master vigorously fucked her dripping pussy with a sleek metal dildo. His naked assistants used similar toys in the woman’s mouth and upturned ass. Bloodlust unfurled within Miranda. Dark, potent hunger seeped into her bones and muddled her thinking. She clenched her hands until her nails bit into her palms. A mocking chuckle intruded and the beast tossed its head. “I’ll make sure Lopeka knows you’re desperate for discipline. She’ll be happy to introduce you to the brutal pleasure of pain.” “Shut up.” She shoved him toward the bank of elevators. They took a lift to the fourth floor. The corridor was sedate after the opulent excess of the lower level. She followed Kwinton in tense silence, banishing the lingering tingles of her dark desire. “Wait.” Miranda stopped. “I need to establish a barrier or she’ll know that you betrayed her.” He stiffened at the reminder. “I was going to drug you. You’d better stagger and slur your speech.” “I can do that.” She entered his mind only far enough to erect the shield. His being hovered beyond her like a thundercloud, dark and malevolent, undeniably destructive. With the shield in place, she let her body go limp, trying not to cringe as he wrapped his arm around her. “If you want someone to whip you and then fuck you up the ass, I’d like to apply for the position.”

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She didn’t respond to his whispered taunt. Instead, she focused on what she was about to do. He kicked at the door with his foot, keeping Miranda clasped tightly against him. “Hurry up. This bitch is heavier than she looks.” The door opened and Kwinton dragged her inside. With her head wobbling drunkenly, she turned and looked at Lopeka. “Do I…know you?” Her words were stilted and slurred. “What did you do to her? And what the hell took so long?” Kwinton propelled her toward the nearest chair. “You wanted Nicay dead. He’s dead. You wanted her lover snuffed, so I snuffed him. You wanted her alive, and here she is. What more do you want from me?” Her gaze narrowed on his face. “I can’t sense you. Why are you…” She lifted her hand, and his neck jerked to an unnatural angle. He collapsed in an ungainly heap, and she turned her gaze on Miranda. “Good, but not good enough.” Miranda stood, gathering energy into the center of her being as she prepared for battle. “You wanted me here, so I came. But I’m only mildly interested in the conversation.” “Do you remember me? You were quite young when I left the tribe.” “You didn’t leave the tribe. You tried to kill my mother, and you were banished in disgrace. Even a child doesn’t forget something like that.” “You were banished too! Don’t pretend that you’re better than me.” Lopeka tossed her hair and thrust into Miranda’s mind. Miranda blocked the attack with a surge of energy. The compulsion fizzled but searing pain throbbed through her head. “What do you want? You’ll find controlling me is more challenging than fools like Rizaria.” “So proud. So confident. If I let you into my mind for even a moment, you’d tremble and moan.” “You’re proud of your depravity?” Miranda scoffed. “Well, I’m proud of my ancestry. That is why I’m here, isn’t it? You want to tap into that power?” “The serum works. Don’t you see? My essence allowed lesser mystics to rise to my level. And your essence will allow me to evolve. We can have anything we want. Imagine the possibilities.” Miranda’s dark nature tossed restless and hungry, drawn by Lopeka’s evil. “Why would I even consider sharing my power with you or anyone else?” Miranda raised her chin and narrowed her gaze. “You think to intimidate me with your corruption? Let’s see how you like mine.” Releasing her hold on the darkness, Miranda shoved into Lopeka’s mind. Lopeka screamed, raising her arms in front of her face. “Get on your knees!” “I will serve you, if you only allow me to share in your—”

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“Never!” She raised her hand, and Lopeka stumbled backward then fell to her knees. “You are unworthy of my abilities. You are unworthy of any ability.” “Stop it!” Lopeka clutched her head, shaking from side to side. Disguising her true purpose with pain, Miranda worked within Lopeka’s mind. She constructed impenetrable barriers around Lopeka’s mystic energy. Shrieking and clawing at her hair, Lopeka fought against the separation. “Beg for your life and I might be generous.” “Please, Miranda.” Lopeka grabbed Miranda’s ankle and rested her forehead on Miranda’s shoe. “I beg you! My life is yours.” “I’ll hold you to that vow.” She released her hold as abruptly as she’d established the link. “I want the names of your network and anyone who came in contact with the serum.” Lopeka curled on her side, sobbing pathetically. Miranda stared down at her defeated foe and the darkness within her railed. Finish her! Suck her dry! Absorb her power! Take her, use her, kill her now. What are you waiting for? Drake’s team swarmed the room, and Miranda dragged her gaze away from Lopeka. The urges echoed through her mind. Everyone looked at her with a combination of wonder and fear. She wrapped her arms around herself and pressed her back against the wall. All her hard-won control was shattered. The darkness was stronger than ever before. “That was extraordinary.” Drake reached for her, but she twisted away. “Stay away from me.” Her voice shook almost as much as her hands. “The battle has just begun.”

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Chapter Fourteen Despite Miranda’s objections, Drake wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. “I’ll help you. There is no reason for you to be alone.” “I don’t want to hurt you.” Her inner beast bucked and reared, desperate for energy, demanding pain. Having Lopeka grovel at her feet had been the most exhilarating experience of her life. She wanted more, needed to feed the darkness and savor the thrill. “You won’t hurt me.” Conviction rang in his tone. “We’ll battle through this together.” Her knees buckled, and he swept her up in his arms, rushing from the room without a backward glance. She squeezed her eyes shut, knowing further stimulation was the last thing she needed. The throbbing in her head was echoing throughout her body. She clung to him, burying her face against his throat. Sudden acceleration told her they’d reached a skimmer. She focused on her breathing, determined to gain some control before they reached the Fantasy Forum. If not for Drake’s support, she never would have made it to their room. She was trembling so badly she couldn’t make her limbs cooperate. “What do you need? I’ll do whatever it takes.” Unable to speak, she showed him the woman from the Pleasure Palace and infused the image with urgency. He didn’t hesitate. He pulled her shirt off over her head and unclasped her bra. “Kick off your shoes and unfasten your pants. I expect better from my slave.” His imperious tone was a salve to her frayed nerves. She craved his mastery, needed to surrender control of her body, so she could battle the impulses of her mind. She wiggled out of her shoes and lowered her zipper, her hands still shaking. He grabbed her from behind, fondling her breasts with one hand while he shoved the other inside her pants. “Move your legs apart. Make room for my fingers. Your cunt belongs to me.” She groaned and rested her head against his shoulder. His fingers closed on her nipple and her clit, working them with the same tugging rhythm. Desire flared through her, driving back the darker needs. She licked her lips and relaxed against him, safe in his embrace. “Better, but you’re not very wet. Push your pants to your ankles but leave them there. I want you disheveled, not naked.”

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His fingers curved over her mound, the firm pressure nearing pain as she frantically pushed down her pants. The seemingly careless treatment sent her senses soaring. He wrapped his arm around her waist and thrust two fingers into her pussy. She rocked back against him as he fucked her fast and hard. “Is this what you want? Are you so desperate for my cock you can hardly stand?” A soft moan was her only response. “Not desperate yet, huh? We’ll have to work on that.” He pulled out and she whimpered, her inner muscles clenching on emptiness. He lifted her to his shoulder, her pants still tangled around her ankles. Pausing long enough to grab the straps Ritter had used on Kwinton, Drake carried her into the bedroom. Anticipation sizzled along her nerve endings. Would he push her hard enough to conquer the beast? Did he have any idea what it would take? She wanted to devour him, to shove into his mind with the careless brutality she had unleashed on Lopeka. The darkness surged, and she growled. He slapped her ass hard. “Behave! There’ll be none of that.” He set her on her knees, her feet dangling over the side of the bed. Then he pulled her arms behind her back and secured them with Ritter’s cuffs. She tried to look at him, but he turned her head back around and bent her over. Her forehead rested against the bed and her breasts obstructed her view. He moved her knees apart, which brought her loosely bound ankles together. “Don’t move. I want to look at you.” Her body was open and utterly at his mercy. Submitted and surrendered. The darkness shrank away, horrified by the weakness. Hot tingles sped up her spin, triggering a liquid response deep in her body. He opened a compartment somewhere behind her then returned to the bedside. His finger pushed into her pussy then retreated, not even a teasing hint of what she needed. “Much better. Tell me how this feels.” Something nudged against her opening, something thick and cold! She lunged forward in an effort to escape the icy invasion, but he caught her bound wrists and brought his hand down hard on her ass. “Don’t move. Concentrate on the sensation. Tell me what you feel.” “It’s cold,” she whispered, and he returned her to her original position. “Of course it’s cold. What else do you feel?” “Thickness. It’s nearly as big around as you.” He chuckled. “We’ll test that opinion in a bit.” As he slid the cold toy in and out of her cunt, he added another sensation. Something warm touched her anus, warm and thin and slippery. It entered smoothly, the heat accenting the cold and vice versa.

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She shook, unwilling to displease him again. The darkness retreated from her willing helplessness, easing its hold on her mind. “Harder,” she pleaded, and he changed tactics, synchronizing his thrusts. He fucked her cunt with ice and her ass with flame as she trembled before him. “Open our link, Miranda. I want you in my mind.” She shook her head and he pulled out both toys. With a strangled moan, she fell over sideways. “I don’t want you to see me like this.” He set the dildos aside and stared into her eyes. “I love you. Share this with me.” “You won’t love me if you see—” “I’ll always love you. Let me ease your pain.” For so long she’d battled these feelings alone, kept careful rein on her inner darkness. “I’m afraid.” “You don’t need to be. I’m here.” He sat down beside her and pulled her onto his lap. With an urgent tug, he rid her of the pants then cupped her chin with his hand. “I want all of you.” Drake waited for Miranda to push into his mind, half-afraid she’d deny him. He understood her conflict now. She didn’t want to become like Lopeka, an amoral being ravenous for power. And her abilities were greater so the temptation was too. He wasn’t quite sure why she found comfort in his aggression, but he was more than willing to give her what she needed, especially when their desires so perfectly aligned. “What happens when you disobey my directives?” He traced her lower lip with his thumb. “You punish me.” “Are you going to establish our link?” She shook her head and lowered her lashes. He reached behind her and triggered one of her cuffs with his thumbprint. Panic filled her eyes, and he smiled. “I have no intention of letting you go. I just want your arms free for a while.” She licked her lips and looked at the assortment of toys he’d taken out. He stood, pulled the desk chair to the foot of the bed, and sat. “Come here. I want you on your back with your legs open wide so I can reach you easily.” He placed a remote-control butt plug and a set of nipple triggers on the corner of the bed as she positioned herself before him. “Today we’ll test the limits of your endurance. I want you to come as often as you can. Hold nothing back.” “That’s my punishment?” “No. Your punishment is not having my cock inside you. You refuse to give me your mind, so you will not have my cock.” Her lips parted as if she would argue then she turned her face away. “Reach between your thighs and stroke your clit until you come. Do it now.”

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She kept her face turned as she obeyed. Parting her outer lips with one hand, she found her clit with the other and quickly found a motion that brought her to orgasm. “That wasn’t very impressive, was it? Let me see if I can do better.” He coated his fingers with her cream and circled the swollen nub. She rocked into his touch, her lips pressed tightly together. It took a bit longer, but the climax only lasted a few seconds. “Sit up. We’re going to try something new.” He picked up the nipple stimulators and bent to her breast, suckling firmly until her nipple was hard. A thin wire ring compressed the tight peak and a flat trigger rested directly over the tip. He placed the second stimulator before he explained. “These work together with the butt plug. I can activate pressure or vibration or a combination of sensations. Now turn over so I can insert the plug.” She looked mutinous for a moment then turned over and drew her legs beneath her. He was almost disappointed that she didn’t argue. She was still slick from the fire wand, but he smeared lube over the plug just to be certain he didn’t hurt her. With the plug inserted well into her ass, he scooted back so she could stand in front of him. She watched him, silently waiting for the first ping of the new toys. He stripped off his clothes and squirted lubricant into his palm. “Watch me. See what your stubbornness has cost you.” He activated vibration and slight pressure, watching as the nipple rings tightened and released, tightened and released. “You can lean against the bed if you need to, but you may not sit down.” He held his balls in one hand and stroked his shaft with the other. Her eyes were huge, her lips trembling as she watched him pleasure himself. She arched her neck and pressed her hand against her upper chest, knowing better than to touch her nipples. The stimulators worked wonderfully. Was the butt plug equally rousing? “I can’t stand this.” She hissed out a breath and pushed into his mind. Blazing need exploded through him, shoving him so close to release that he gasped and jerked his hand away. He bit down hard on his lower lip, using the sharp sting to drive back the blinding pleasure. “I think that’s enough of that.” She whimpered and wiggled as he removed the stimulators and the plug. “On your back. I want to enjoy all this hot, musky cream.” “Please Sir. I ache.” “And whose fault is that?” “Mine.” She scooted back on the bed and spread her legs, her breasts quivering with each ragged breath. He knelt on the floor and pulled her toward him, draping her legs over his shoulders. She was soft and hot and so excited she came within seconds. Drunk on her passion and thrilled by her unencumbered response, he lowered one leg to the bed and opened her wider. With his gaze locked with hers, he licked her slit and teased her clit. She jumped and trembled, her pleasure flooding his mind.

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“In me,” she whispered. “Oh please fuck me with your tongue.” He pushed his tongue into her cunt until his lips pressed firmly against her folds then he pulled back and did it again and again. Her taste filled his mouth, her heat surrounded his tongue, and he felt his balls draw up tight, threatening to end their love play. “Shit.” He groaned and rested his forehead on her belly. His cock pounded and his balls burned. “Please, Drake. I need you now.” He felt her desperation in his mind and understood the significance of his name. Abandoning her “punishment”, he impaled her with one brutal stroke. She came hard, each rhythmic spasm adding to his torment. Waiting for the last twinge to pass, he grasped her hips and reached for her mind. She wrapped herself around him, saturating him with tenderness and gratitude. He pulled back and drove deep, savoring the firm grasp of her body. She was so wet her cream coated her inner thighs, and still she gripped him so hard he saw stars. She rocked into his movements, matching him stroke for stroke. He cupped her breast and kissed her mouth, wanting everything all at once. They took and they gave, perfectly balanced and unified. The wildness within her stilled, and the sweet, giving mystic emerged. He encouraged the transition with the power of his love, revealing the depths of his devotion. His balls tingled and tightened, announcing his impending release. He framed her face with his hands and stared into her eyes, determined to take her with him. Now, my love. Come for me now. The command was gentle yet insistent, and her body obeyed. She pulsed around him as he exploded into her. Clasping her to his chest, he rolled them to their sides and stroked the hair back from her damp face. Her eyes were clear, her lips smiling. All he could sense now was lethargy and peace. He kissed her with all the love in his heart and settled her into the contours of his body. “This wasn’t exactly the ending I had planned.” She reached up and mirrored his caress. “This was the ending I’ve dreamed of all my life. I can’t imagine anything more perfect.”

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About the Author Aubrey Ross writes an eclectic assortment of erotic fiction. From power struggles between futuristic clans to adventurous mystic guardians, her stories are filled with passion and imagination. Some of her recent awards include an EPPIE finalist, two Passionate Plume finalists and a CAPA nomination from the Romance Studio. With a pampered cat curled on the corner of her desk, Aubrey dreams up fascinating words and larger than life adventures—and wouldn’t have it any other way! Aubrey welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.

Tell Us What You Think We appreciate hearing reader opinions about our books. You can email us at [email protected].

Also by Aubrey Ross Crimson Awakening Crimson Carousel 1: A Taste of Twilight Crimson Carousel 2: A Taste of Midnight Crimson Carousel 3: A Taste of Oblivion Crimson Carousel 4: A Taste of Dawn Crimson Prey Crimson Thrall Dream Warriors Ellora’s Cavemen: Flavors of Ecstasy IV anthology Enemy Embrace 1: Rebel Enemy Embrace 2: Toymaker Enemy Embrace 3: Replicant Enslaved Hearts 1: Captives Enslaved Hearts 2: Pleasures Enslaved Hearts 3: Secrets Intimate Invasion 1: Forgotten Hope Intimate Invasion 2: Forsaken Desire Intimate Invasion 3: Forced Alliance Sensual Captivity 1: Shifter Sensual Captivity 2: Seducer Sensual Captivity 3: Sorcerer Sensual Captivity 4: Specter Sensual Captivity 5: Seer Soul Kisses Velvet Deception

Print books by Aubrey Ross Candy Cravings anthology

Ellora’s Cavemen: Flavors of Ecstasy IV anthology Sensual Captivity: Seducer Sensual Captivity: Shifter Sensual Captivity: Sorcerer Sensual Captivity: Specter

Discover for yourself why readers can’t get enough of the multiple award-winning publisher Ellora’s Cave. Whether you prefer e-books or paperbacks, be sure to visit EC on the web at www.ellorascave.com for an erotic reading experience that will leave you breathless.

www.ellorascave.com