Chapter Thirty-three
Deep was already lying on the bed, on his side when Kat and Lock entered the bedroom. Maybe it was because he was still bare-chested but to Kat, the dark twin looked even bigger and more imposing reclining.
“Lie down on your side with your back to me,” he said brusquely, patting the mattress in front of him. “Take off your robe first.”
Kat shivered as she removed the blue satin robe. The nighty that went with it had thin spaghetti straps and the front of it was mostly see-through lace. She could feel her nipples tighten with fear and anxiety as she laid the robe aside on the end of the enormous bed.
The bed itself—or sleeping platform as the Kindred called it—was bigger than anything she’d ever seen. It was about half again as wide as a King-sized mattress from Earth and Deep had covered it with a dark green duvet. It has to be this big, she thought, trying not to look at him as she climbed onto it. To hold two guys their size…and a woman between them. Oh God, I can’t believe I’m doing this!
“Wait.” Deep help up a hand just as she was about to lie down where he’d indicated.
“What?” Kat paused awkwardly on her knees, one arm held over the see-through front of her nightgown.
“Drop your arm.” Deep’s black eyes were half-lidded with lust. “I want to see you.”
“That’s enough, Deep.” Lock sounded angry. “Kat’s here for our help—not your personal enjoyment.”
Deep’s eyes flashed. “But I should get some personal enjoyment from this—and so should you, Brother. We’re about to engage in the most risky, strenuous joining of our lives, with a focus we’ve only used once before. I think that merits a little pleasure on our part—even if it is only visual.”
“No, it doesn’t,” Lock said angrily. “You—”
“It’s all right,” Kat interrupted and was amazed at how calm she sounded. “Deep’s right—I’m asking you to do something you wouldn’t normally do, in order to save my friend.” She looked at Deep directly. “I know you hate me and that’s all right—I don’t care how you feel about me as long as we find Sophie. But if this is what it takes to make you hate me a little less…” Slowly, she dropped her arm and sat back, allowing him a perfect view of her full breasts pressing against the see-through blue lace.
Deep’s eyes widened as he drank her in. “Brother,” he said hoarsely to Lock, who was still standing behind Kat. “You should really see this for yourself. I’ve never seen an elite so generously endowed before.”
“No.” Lock sounded grim. “I won’t exploit the lady Kat that way. I refuse—”
“Lock…” Kat looked over her shoulder at him and beckoned. “It’s all right,” she said again. “If…if you want to look too, I mean.”
“I shouldn’t…” He seemed frozen by indecision but Kat could see the hunger on his face—the same need that burned in Deep’s black eyes.
“Come on,” she said quietly, still surprised at her own bravery. “Join us on the bed.”
Reluctantly, Lock came around the side of the bed and sat across from Deep. At first he didn’t look at her but finally he raised his eyes. “Beautiful,” he whispered reverently, and Kat swore she could almost feel his gaze caressing her like the softest touch imaginable. “So full, so ripe…”
Kat sat there quietly, allowing the brothers to look at her. Once again she was filled with a sense of unreality. No one had ever stared at her with such longing before—or such naked lust as she saw in Deep’s eyes.
Her too-large breasts and full hips had always been a source of shame to her. How often had she been the butt of a well placed fat joke? How many years of her life had she spent dieting and exercising, trying vainly to get thinner? A size eighteen was the lowest she’d ever gotten to, despite all her hard work. Her body didn’t seem to care that she was eating lettuce instead of chocolate and going to the gym every day—it was determined to stay curvy. As her grandmother often told her, “Honey, some people just aren’t meant to be skinny.”
Do they really like what they see? Despite the admiration in the coal black and chocolate brown eyes, it was still hard to believe. Kat knew lots of guys who liked big breasts, but only if they were attached to a stick-thin, skinny-minnie woman. As though it was normal to see a pair of triple-Ds on a petite size two. And Kat was anything but petite. Thinking of that made the old body insecurities rise in her again and she longed to cover up.
Clearing her throat, she looked at Deep. “Are you satisfied? Seen enough to make you happy?”
“It’s never enough, not with you little Kat.” His voice was a deep, lustful growl. “And nothing would satisfy me but filling you with my cock while Lock did the same.”
“Deep…” There was a warning note in Lock’s voice. “Don’t scare her. Can’t you see this is hard enough for Kat as it is? She’s very gracious to allow us to view her beautiful body so openly.”
“I’m not scared.” Kat raised her chin and gave Deep a level look. “You can fantasize all you want to, as long as you realize that you will never have me that way. Understand?”
Some emotion flashed in his black eyes and was gone before she could recognize it. “Of course, my Lady,” he murmured in a soft, angry tone. “I understand completely .” His eyes met Kat’s and he held her gaze for a long, breathless moment of silence. Though she wanted badly to look away, somehow she couldn’t.
“Enough stalling,” Lock said at last, breaking the strange stalemate. “Come lie between us, Kat. We need to find Sophia if we can.”
“You’re right.” Taking a deep breath, Kat moved up to the head of the bed and lay on her side facing Lock. “Now what?” she asked, looking up at him.
“Now this.” Suddenly Deep was right behind her—the entire expanse of his broad, bare chest pressed against her thinly covered back.
Kat jumped in surprise, but then Lock was there too, facing her with an arm over her hips. “It’s all right, Kat,” he murmured, reaching up to stroke her cheek. “Just breathe. We won’t hurt you.”
The familiar, frightening tingle of pleasure raced through her as they both touched her at once and Kat wasn’t sure if she believed him. On one hand, she would have bet any amount of money that Lock would behave like a perfect gentleman. On the other, having Deep right behind her was like lying unprotected in the jungle and knowing that a hungry panther was at her back. Still, panicking wasn’t going to help anything.
Have to stay calm, she told herself sternly, even as the pleasure of their touch teased her unmercifully. I can’t help find Sophie if I’m freaking out. Relax, just breathe like Lock said. Breathe…
Slowly she got control of herself. The claustrophobic feeling of being sandwiched between two large, male bodies faded somewhat, to be replaced by a sense of enveloping warmth. The pleasure was still there but now it was like an undercurrent—something she could control if she concentrated hard enough. That alone made Kat feel immeasurably better. It’s all right, she thought. I don’t have to lose control if I don’t want to—no matter how good it feels.
“Better now?” Lock asked softly, his brown eyes anxious.
“Yes, thank you,” she whispered. “It’s just…a little scary.”
“You wouldn’t be the first Earth female to be frightened of being between us.” Deep’s voice rumbled through her and she could feel his hot breath on the back of her neck.
“Yes, but I’ll be the first to slap you if you try anything,” Kat responded tartly.
“You mean like this?” A large, warm hand suddenly cupped one of her breasts, making her gasp and tremble with a combination of anger and pleasure.
She twisted her neck around to look at him. “You—I just told you—”
“What?” Deep murmured, his black eyes blazing into hers. “What did you tell me, little Kat?”
“That I wouldn’t put up with anything. So stop it right now!”
The hand cupping her breast stayed firmly in place. “I’m afraid you’ll have to put up with more than this if you want to find your friend,” Deep drawled in her ear.
“He’s right.”
“What?” Kat looked back to find Lock giving her an apologetic look.
“We’ll need skin-to-skin contact—a lot of it, in order to cast the net so far,” he said. “Deep in particular will need to touch you in order to build up enough power to generate the net. So it’s better that you get used to his hands on your body now, Kat.”
“I…I don’t buy that,” she said, her voice trembling. “Is this what you did with your old focus—the one who trained you?”
“Of course not—F’lir was male,” Deep said.
“His mind meshed much more effortlessly with ours than yours does,” Lock explained. “It was enough for us to all simply lay in close proximity to each other with a bare minimum of contact. But your mind, Kat…”
“Is different. Very different,” Deep finished softly. “So we have to work extra hard to achieve a good connection. Like this.” The hand holding her breast squeezed gently, making Kat bite back a gasp.
“We’ll go slowly,” Lock promised her, his deep brown eyes searching hers as he stroked her cheek. “But you must accept the fact that we need to touch you very intimately, my lady.”
Kat closed her eyes briefly. I can do this. I can do this. I have to do this. “All right,” she said at last, looking at Lock again. “But try…try not to go too far.”
“And how far would that be?” Deep murmured, plucking her nipple gently through the thin lace, sending tingles of pleasure through her body. “How far would you go to save your friend, little Kat? Would you let me touch your bare skin? Stroke these beautiful breasts with nothing between us?”
Kat bit her lip and tried to breathe. “If…if you have to,” she whispered hoarsely.
“And what if I have to go farther?” Deep growled, his breath hot in her ear. “Would you part your legs for me and let me cup your pussy? Would you let me spread you open? Let me stroke your inner folds and slide my fingers deep inside your cunt?”
His hot words brought back the erotic image the three of them had shared during their first joining and Kat felt herself trembling with a mixture fear and desire. “Is that…” She cleared her throat and tried to keep her voice from trembling. “Will that really be necessary?”
“Hopefully not,” Lock assured her. “Deep is just laying out some possible scenarios.”
“But…but…I understand about the skin-to-skin contact,” Kat said. “But why does it have to be so…so intimate?”
“So sexual , you mean?” Deep tugged at her nipple again. “Because, little Kat,” he rumbled as he cupped her other breast with his left hand. “Sex generates emotion and emotion generates power .” He pinched both nipples lightly to emphasize the last word and Kat couldn’t help but gasp.
“Are you all right?” Lock looked at her anxiously. “Did he hurt you? I won’t allow that.”
“N-no,” Kat admitted in a choked voice. “He…he didn’t.”
“Of course not.” Deep pulled her closer until she could feel the long, hard ridge of his cock pressing against her ass. “I would never hurt our sweet little Kat. I only wish to bring her pleasure—even if she doesn’t want anything to do with me.”
“I never said—”
“Oh, yes you did,” Deep interrupted her. “Of course I’m sure when you said it, you never thought you’d be in this position, did you? But that’s all right,” he continued softly in her ear. “I’m not the type to hold a grudge for more than forty or fifty of your Earth years.”
Oh God! Kat squeezed her eyes closed. I’m in trouble. So much trouble here.
“Kat,” Lock murmured. He called her name again and finally she opened her eyes. “It’s all right,” he told her. “Deep isn’t as unforgiving as he’d like you to believe. If you can relax and open to him, he’ll be less angry and it will make the connection between the three of us deeper.”
How can I relax with someone who so obviously hates me? she couldn’t help thinking.
But he doesn’t hate you, Lock murmured into her mind and she realized the mental connection was open—between herself and the light twin, at least. Quite the opposite, my lady. He cares more deeply than you might suppose. More deeply than he will even admit to himself.
Kat didn’t know if he was right or not but she did her best. She took a deep breath and stopped fighting the hands that were cupping her breasts. Up until now she’d been tense, trying to hold herself away from the intimate invasion of Deep’s touch as much as possible. Now she let the tension melt from her body and allowed herself to press forward, letting her breasts fill his palms completely and with no resistance.
Kat? The new voice inside her head was hoarse and uncertain—very definitely Deep’s.
“Do what you have to do,” she whispered. “Just this once I give you permission. I give you…myself.” But only for Sophie’s sake, she thought but didn’t add.
“That’s good.” Lock kissed her forehead gently. “Very good, Kat. Just relax for a moment and let Deep see if he has enough power.”
Kat rested between them. Deep was still gently twisting her nipples and she tried to ignore the sparks of pleasure his touch shot through her body and straight to the vee between her legs. God, she felt like she was on fire and every instinct she had was screaming that this was wrong, was dangerous . That she had to jump up and run away again. But we have to find Sophie. And this is the only way. Grimly, she ignored her instincts and concentrated on opening herself instead.
Your self sacrifice is most touching, little Kat, she heard Deep growl in her head. But I’m afraid your resolve is about to be tested. Strong hands twisted in the lace of her nighty and gave a sharp jerk.
Kat gasped as the fragile spaghetti straps popped and the blue satin material slithered down to her waist, leaving her breasts completely bare. For a moment panic took her but then she heard Lock’s soothing voice in her mind.
It’s all right, he reassured her as Deep cupped her now naked breasts. Deep just needs more power. Let him touch you, Kat. Don’t fight him.
So beautiful. So full and ripe and luscious, Deep murmured in her head. And your scent…gods, it’s enough to drive a male crazy.
They smelled pretty incredible themselves, Kat couldn’t help thinking. Deep was exuding a dark spice that seemed to get inside her head and make her drunk. Lock’s aroma was lighter but just as enticing. It was warm and comforting, making her wish she could wrap herself up in it and just breathe it in. Isn’t there something I should remember here? Something about when a Kindred warrior smells really good…?
The thought was driven clean out of her head by Deep’s next words.
Brother, he sent, now speaking to Lock. Taste her for me. Suck her plump nipples and let me know if her flavor is equal to her delicious aroma.
May I? Lock held her gaze for a moment, his true brown eyes filled with longing and need.
Kat felt like she was drowning between them. God, she really shouldn’t be doing this. And yet…somehow she couldn’t seem to stop. Slowly she nodded.
Thank you, my lady. Lock pressed a chaste kiss to her lips and then moved lower and cupped one of her breasts, which Deep reluctantly relinquished. Keeping his eyes locked with hers, he lapped gently at the sensitive pink bud, making Kat gasp with sudden pleasure.
Well? Deep wanted to know. How does she taste?
Give me a moment—I haven’t finished yet. I need to taste her more deeply. Slowly, deliberately, Lock sucked her nipple deep into his hot, wet mouth, taking as much of her breast between his lips as he could.
Kat moaned aloud as he sucked, drawing on her nipple gently at first and then harder. Though neither one of the brothers had tried to touch her between her legs, her pussy throbbed with desire and she could feel Deep’s cock throbbing in response against her ass.
Well? Deep said again.
Lock released her nipple with obvious reluctance and answered aloud. “Delicious,” he assured his brother, his voice hoarse with need. He looked at Kat. “May I taste the other one as well?”
“If…if you want to.” Kat wished her voice didn’t tremble so much but she couldn’t help it. The feeling of being bracketed by two hard, male bodies and the sweet sensation of both Deep and Lock teasing and tasting her tight buds was almost too much to bear.
Watch him do it, Deep whispered in her mind, as Lock leaned down to take her other nipple in his mouth. Watch him taste you, little Kat.
Kat couldn’t have looked away if she wanted to. The sight of Lock lapping and sucking her bare breast was intensely erotic. Once again she felt sparks of pleasure shooting from her sensitive tip to her swollen pussy.
Does it feel good? Deep murmured inside her head. Do you like letting Lock suck your sweet nipples?
Yes, she whispered back, using her mind voice again, giving in to the connection.
And does it make you wet, little Kat? Is your soft little pussy all hot and slippery with your juices?
Kat squirmed uncomfortably. Of course she was wet—how could she help it? But she didn’t want to admit it, not to Deep. And for some reason it was much harder to lie through their mental connection than when she was speaking out loud. “I…I don’t know , ” she said at last.
You don’t know, hmm? Deep sounded both aroused and amused. Maybe I should find out. Tell me, Kat, what would I find if you spread your legs for me now? If I parted your pussy with my tongue, would you have honey for me to taste? Or would I have to keep tasting you, licking and sucking your sweet little cunt to make it flow? As he spoke, he sent her a mental picture of his broad shoulders splitting her thighs wide, as she opened for him. His dark head was pressed between her legs and he was working her hard with his tongue as Lock continued to suck her nipples…
“Don’t,” Kat whispered out loud. “You…you’re not playing fair.”
Who said it was a game? Deep whispered inside her head. I’m deadly serious, little Kat. I want to know if you’re wet. Want to know if the way Lock and I touch you affects you.
I’m wet, all right? I…I can’t help it, she sent in frustration. Are you happy now?
Not nearly as happy as I’d be if I could taste your wetness. He sent her the erotic image again and Kat thought she was going to explode. But just then Lock released her nipple and looked up.
“Thank you for allowing me to taste you, my lady,” he murmured.
“It…it’s all right,” Kat whispered breathlessly. “Do…do we have enough power now to find Sophie? Or do you need…need to do more?”
“What do you mean by ‘more?’” Deep growled softly in her ear. “Are you asking if I need to do this?” His large hand parted her thighs and Kat gasped as his long, seeking fingers slid into her panties . Mmm, you are wet. So hot and wet and swollen I can feel your pussy lips opening for me…inviting me in. One long finger slid up and down her slit, not quite entering her but threatening to at any moment.
“Deep…” she gasped helplessly as his fingertip barely brushed her swollen clit. “Are you sure? Do…do you have to?”
His hand lingered on her, cupping her pussy intimately in his warm palm. “Do I have to? No,” he murmured in her ear. “But will you let me, little Kat? Will you let me spread you open and explore your pussy, as you allowed Lock to suck your nipples?”
There was a depth of longing in his deep voice that was hard to deny. Again Kat had the sensation of drowning, of getting into something she didn’t understand, far over her head. This is dangerous, screamed a little voice in her head. Don’t go too far. Stop while you still can!
“I…I can’t,” she said at last. “I’m sorry Deep but if you don’t really need to…”
“Very well.” His voice was cold as he withdrew his hand. “I understand—you’re only here to find your friend.”
“Deep—” she began.
Well then, let’s find her. His mental tone was brisk. I think we have enough power now. But you’d better prepare yourself, Kat. You must open yourself to both of us. Let Lock and I fill you completely before we can cast the net.
Are you serious? Kat could scarcely believe him. Like I’m not open enough already?
You’re not, Kat, Lock murmured. There are places in your mind…doors you have closed against us. We could break those doors down if we wanted to—your mind is unshielded, after all. But if we do that, we’ll damage the fragile connection between us. You have to open up on your own.
And this is really necessary? Mentally, she cringed at the idea of what they might see.
If you want to find your friend, it is. Deep sounded stern. Then his tone became a little gentler. Don’t worry, little Kat…it’s not as though we’re going to linger over your most intimate secrets. We just need to fill you completely in order for this to work. No door must be shut against us.
All right then. I…I’ll try. It was an effort, and the warm tingle of sexual current running through her body didn’t help. But Kat forced herself to stop holding back mentally as she had forced herself to stop holding back physically earlier.
At once a new rush of memories raced by her. Horrible, embarrassing, mortifying memories she never wanted anyone to see—they came out in a flood. Learning to skate and falling down in front of everyone when I was a kid…
That time in class when the teacher called on me to give a book report and I hadn’t even read the book…
Being stood up on junior prom night when everyone else had a date. Spending the night alone eating ice cream and crying…
And then, worst of all—the one thing she really wanted to forget and didn’t want anyone else to see…
My first time. It was with Tommy Barnes in the back of his dad’s van. He spent weeks pretending he really cared, telling me he loved me, taking me out and then I finally let him do it. It hurt so much I could barely breathe but at least it was over fast. It was worse the next day when he told everyone in the senior class what we’d done. Walking the halls with everyone looking at me, knowing that I had let him do that to me. The laughter and jeers… Feeling horrible…ashamed, stained. If it hadn’t been for Sophie and Liv sticking by me I don’t know how I could have stood it…
Suddenly Lock’s mental voice interrupted the flow. This male hurt you and then bragged about it to his friends?
Where does he live? Deep demanded, his mental tone filled with rage. Tell us, Kat and I swear he won’t draw breath for very long.
Kat didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. They had seen her worst memory and instead of reviling her, they wanted to avenge her. I really appreciate the offer you guys but that was a long time ago. Besides, Tommy wound up living in a doublewide and working at a greasy spoon type diner on the wrong end of town. So you could say he got what was coming to him already.
I don’t agree with you. Such callous treatment of a female ought to be punished. Deep’s tone was ominous. You gave yourself to him—gave him the pleasure of your body and the purity of your heart and he returned your trust with betrayal. Such a male should not be allowed to live.
I’m with you, Brother, but Kat is right about one thing—we need to concentrate on finding Sophia, Lock sent. Never fear, our grudge against the male who hurt our Kat will keep.
Kat sensed some mental grumbling from the dark twin as though he wasn’t nearly satisfied to leave Tommy Barnes alone. But before she could answer she saw something amazing.
Oh, she gasped as the connection between them deepened immeasurably. She saw the blue and white globe of Earth, just as she had before. Then, suddenly, they began to rush forward. Past the grayish, pocked face of the moon, past the arid red deserts of Mars—she watched them zip by with wonder. The immensity of Jupiter made her mind whirl and the rings of Saturn were barely a blur. Onward they sped, making Kat feel lighter than air as heavenly bodies whizzed past her. Then she heard Deep’s voice in her mind.
Did you enjoy the tour of your solar system, Kat?
Yes. It was…amazing.
I’m glad you liked it. Because now that we’ve reached the edge of it, we must go faster or we’ll never get to Tranq Prime.
As he spoke, the space around them began to blur. Distant stars that were mere diamond specs set in dark velvet suddenly grew terrifyingly immense and then receded to nothing again as they sped by them. Or in one case, through them. Kat barely had time to cry out as they entered a burning ball of flame so bright it would have blinded her if she’d been looking at it with her physical eyes. But almost before the cry left her lips, they were through it and whooshing forward again at a dizzying speed.
Lock laughed softly in her mind. Bet you never thought you’d see the inside of a star first-hand, did you my lady?
No. Kat still couldn’t believe it. This is unbelievable!
It’s fairly amazing, Lock admitted. I never knew Deep could take us so far.
I’ve always wanted to test the limits of our power. Deep sounded as though he was smiling for once and Kat could see why. Shooting through the universe this way was the most exhilarating sensation she’d ever had—it was like every roller coaster she’d ever been on, to the thousandth power. How could anyone help being elated at the giddy, exciting feeling of flying through space at the speed of light?
I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself but we’re actually moving faster than the speed of light now, Deep informed her. We have to if we want to get to Tranq Prime in time to find Sophia.
But…but I thought that was impossible, Kat protested. How can we be moving faster than the speed of light?
Because we’re not physically here, Lock explained. Our bodies are still lying on the bed. But our minds are free to wander. Anything is possible on the astral plane.
Especially if you have enough power, Deep growled. Hang on, we’re about to go even faster.
As soon as he spoke, everything began to blur. Kat half wished she could close her eyes but that seemed to be impossible in this state. The sensation of speed was so great she could barely stand it. She was sure if her physical body had been subjected to such stress she would have been vaporized in an instant. Then just as she thought she couldn’t take it anymore, they came to an abrupt halt in front of a graying white globe.
Tranq Prime, Deep explained. It’s mostly ice locked and the people live underground. Lock, is the net ready?
I have it woven. I just need to cast.
I hope you made it big enough. We need to cover the entire planet and all the outlying space around it as well. Remember, she could be anywhere in this sector.
I understand. Get ready.
Kat sensed a tension from Lock, as though he was about to lift an immensely heavy weight or do some other physically strenuous activity. She hoped that he had gotten enough power from their earlier exchange to do what he needed to do.
I’m all right, Lock assured her, obviously feeling her worry. It was Deep that needed most of the power to get us here and hold us in position. Just be ready when the net is cast—concentrate on Sophia.
All right. Concentrating hard, Kat pictured her friend—Sophia’s large green eyes fringed thickly with dark lashes, her lovely long chestnut hair, the sweet, shy way she spoke, her willingness to help, her compassion, her tender heart that ached for anyone in pain, even if it was someone who had hurt her… Sophie, she thought urgently, as the brilliant, shimmering net flowed outward, covering Tranq Prime and all the space around it. Sophie, I know you’re here somewhere—at least I think you are. I found you once—please let me be able to find you again! Please!
But though she searched and searched for the tugging of a familiar mind, she felt nothing.
Anything? Lock sent after a few moments.
Kat wanted to cry. No, nothing. I—wait!
What is it? Deep asked but Kat shushed him.
Let me concentrate. Something was moving in the corner of her mind. A tugging so faint she could barely feel it. As she focused on it, it began to grow stronger.
Kat rushed outward along the shining strands of the net, following the tiny familiar tug. It was leading away from Tranq Prime, taking her into deep orbit around the frozen planet—so deep that it was barely a speck in the sky by the time she found…
Wait a minute. Kat frowned. That’s not a ship. It’s just a rock.
An asteroid, Deep sent.
But…how can Sophie be inside a rock? Kat doubtfully eyed the vaguely spherical shape floating in space.
If that’s where the tugging is leading you, let it, Lock told her. Go deep, Kat. Let the feeling pull you in.
All right but I still don’t see how she could be in there. Again feeling like an unseen bird, Kat dived straight at the rocky grey surface of the asteroid which seemed to be about the size of a large house.
To her surprise instead of speeding through a solid mass of rock and gravel, Kat suddenly found herself inside a hollow metal shell. What the…?
It’s a ship! Lock sent excitedly. One built to look like an asteroid! Quickly, Kat, can you see Sophia?
Very quickly, Deep growled in her mind. I can’t hold us here, this far from our bodies much longer. Hurry Kat!
I’m hurrying! Speed was no issue. In her disembodied state she could flit around more quickly than a hummingbird fluttered its wings. Sophie was very near now, she could feel it—could feel the terror and distress emanating from her friend.
She rushed through a dark, narrow hallway and out into a larger room with a wide bank of controls and an enormous viewscreen. Projected on its vast surface was a being in a shadowy hood with burning red eyes.
Oh my God! Kat flinched at the sense of pure evil that flowed from the enormous image.
The AllFather, Deep sent grimly. So it is the Scourge who have her.
Was there ever any doubt? Lock returned. We knew they were hunting her, though we still don’t know why they want her.
And we don’t have time to find out, either. Deep’s mental voice was strained. Where’s Sophia?
Here! And oh my God… Kat couldn’t go on. Sophie was standing naked with her hands fisted at her sides, looking up at the viewscreen. The terror on her face was heartbreaking but she wasn’t crying aloud. Instead, silent tears ran down her cheeks as her eyes remained fixed on the hideous face of the AllFather. Behind her stood a tall man, as massive and muscular as any Kindred, but with pale grey skin. He had proud, stern features and red eyes with black hair, which she assumed was normal for the Scourge. It was hard to know since she’d never seen one in person before.
Sophie, she sent, trying to make contact with her friend. Sophie, hang on! We can see you and we’ll tell Sylvan where you are. Help is coming, just hold on!
She can’t hear you, Deep said, his mental voice still strained. We’re on a different plane than she is right now. But we have to get back soon.
I know, Kat whispered through their link. But poor Sophie. She—
Just at that moment the viewscreen went blank and the horrible face of the AllFather disappeared. Kat felt an immense sense of relief—as though a burden had been lifted from her mind. Oh, he’s gone! Thank—
And then the man behind her drew a knife.
Oh God! No—no! Kat rushed forward, forgetting that she couldn’t be heard or seen, and tried to knock the long, black-edged blade from his hand. No, don’t you touch her you son of a bitch! Don’t you dare—
Suddenly she felt the rubber band sensation she’d felt before—the feeling of being pulled backwards at tremendous speed whether she wanted to go or not.
No! No, please! she begged, but there was no stopping. Helplessly she watched as her friend disappeared. Suddenly they were through the metal hull of the asteroid ship and then it was nothing more than a spec in space. Tranq Prime disappeared and its far distant sun became nothing but a winking dot. Stars, planets, and vast swatches of black, open space rushed by them twice as fast, fifty times as fast, a hundred times as fast as they had on the journey there.
The rest was a blur so intense she couldn’t distinguish anything but black and white, dark and bright. In less time than she would have thought possible, she found herself back in her body which felt terribly tired and weak. A throbbing, pounding headache bloomed behind her eyes like a poisonous black rose. Not that she cared how she felt at the moment.
“He’s going to kill her,” she gasped, sitting up despite her dizziness and pain. “I know it! I know it.”
“Not if Sylvan can get to her in time,” Lock said grimly. “Did you mark the location, Deep? We don’t have time to triangulate right now.”
“I’ve got it.” Deep was already climbing out of bed. He half staggered and then regained his balance, which made Kat wonder if the joining had drained him too. “On my way to the view-room now.” He looked at Kat. “You said Sylvan’s waiting for the call?”
She nodded weakly. Now that she was sitting up, colored lights were flashing before her eyes and she was feeling decidedly nauseous. The headache was growing in intensity, becoming so sharp it was blinding.
Deep gave her a worried look. “Take care of her, Brother. I must go now.”
“Go!” Lock sat up as well and pulled Kat into his arms. “I’ll care for our Kat.”
Deep frowned. “She’s not ours, Lock—not really. You’d do well to remember that.” And then he was gone, running to warn Sylvan and give him the location of the strange ship where Sophie was being held.
Oh please, Kat thought as the world spun around her and started to go dark. Please let him be in time. I don’t see how he can be, but please…
* * * * *
Deep pounded down the long metal corridor in his bare feet, grimly intent on his mission. He felt weak from the incredibly intense joining, but he ignored the physical limitations his body wanted to impose on him contemptuously. There was no time for frailty or hesitation—his second brother’s life was in danger.
Because it wasn’t just Sophia that would die if Sylvan didn’t get to her in time.
Deep had seen the look in the male’s eyes when he stood ready to protect her—to defend her with his life if need be. Sylvan might have survived Feenah’s rejection but he wouldn’t survive Sophia’s death, of that Deep was certain.
Amazing that he could let himself feel so intensely for a female again after what Feenah put him through. Amazing and stupid—such emotional weakness only leads to pain. But he hoped he was wrong in Sylvan’s case. Hoped his second brother was in time to save the woman he so desperately loved.
He was running so fast he nearly passed the view-room. It was basically a lounge with a large viewscreen mounted on the wall for long distance and multi-light year communications. Skidding to a halt, he rushed inside to see a red eyed Olivia huddled against Baird, who was doing his best to comfort her. She looked up the moment he came in, a mixture of hope and fear flitting across her face.
“Deep? Did you find her?”
“We did,” he said shortly. “Call Sylvan— now.”
Baird was already punching a series of numbers into the viewscreen’s controls and in less than a minute Sylvan’s face appeared on the screen. Deep bit back a startled curse when he saw his second brother—Sylvan had never looked worse.
Gone was the cool, collected warrior who never showed the least emotion no matter how hopeless the situation. Desperate eyes stared into his and it was like looking into the abyss. But there was no time for commiseration.
“Where is she?” Sylvan asked hoarsely. “Is she alive?”
“She was a moment ago,” Deep said grimly. “But she’s in danger—grave danger, my brother.”
The change in Sylvan was immediate. The pupils of his ice blue eyes expanded and went blood red. At the same time his fangs punched out, long, sharp and utterly lethal. “Where?” he growled, his voice dropping an octave from its usual baritone to a menacing bass. “Tell me where.”
Deep rattled off a string of coordinates and then repeated them more slowly to make sure Sylvan got them right. “She’s in a ship that’s built to resemble an asteroid,” he added. “I don’t know where the entrance is.”
Sylvan cursed. “The asteroid that followed us through the fold! I wondered how the Scourge could’ve gotten all the way to Tranq Prime without us knowing!” He glared at Deep. “Don’t worry about the entrance—I’ll cut my way in.”
“Go quickly, Brother,” Deep said. “And be cautious—I only saw one Scourge holding her but he’s armed.”
“Armed or not, soon he’ll be dead .” Sylvan’s eyes blazed with rage and then his image was gone—popping out of view as quickly as it had appeared.
Deep shook his head and stared at the blank screen. The goddess give you speed, Brother! I hope you reach her in time.