Chapter 8
Talon was practically vibrating with impatience in his little room in the attic. As if it wasn’t bad enough that his intimate bond with Cat tortured him every day, he also had to listen to what the girls were doing with their customers. The walls were paper thin, and every time he heard one of the women purr, beg, or moan, he would think about Cat. He had only made love to her once, and his throbbing and impatient member demanded a second, third, and fourth time. As soon as possible.
The only thing that distracted him from his longing was thinking about the plan. Shazuul updated him every day on Cat’s progress. He grumbled his thanks to the Sethari. Shazuul was teaching Cat how to use her entire range of her powers and was of the opinion that it wouldn’t be a problem for them to put the king in a mental pinch. We implant him thought about zoo, the Sethari said, looking especially pleased. King volunteer go to Krak. Promise kept. Problem solved.
“And then Cat and I can get out of here? Just like that, without any further demands?” Talon suspected that Sharita and Shazuul were keeping something from him, but he didn’t know what it could be. The more he met with the Sethari, the more trustworthy he seemed to Talon. In the meantime, he had to admit that he believed that Shazuul really wanted to protect Cat. At the same time, he was almost one hundred percent certain that Shazuul was holding something back. It might be something unimportant that had nothing to do with his and Cat’s, future, but… well, he wasn’t sure. Every time Talon tried to get to the bottom of it, Shazuul ended their visit or refused to speak. There had been only one time when Shazuul had allowed himself to say something about it. Cat must leave Earth. You make sure. Take her away. As soon as possible. Or big danger. Talon, who was sick and tired of insinuations, bit down on his lip and clenched his fists, so he wouldn’t lose all self-control.
“How much longer?” he asked on the third day. Next door, one of the girls was at it again. He was embarrassed about how much the smacking sounds, and the raw, manly moans that came with very smack, were arousing his imagination. Before he could fence in his thoughts, he imagined exposing Cat’s lovely ass, putting her over his knee and raining his hand down on her firm, white butt cheeks. Not too hard, of course. Just enough to make her tender skin turn red. Then he would kiss the prickling pain away, on her ass and also on…
Shazuul cleared his throat discreetly, and with a jolt, Talon returned to reality. He stared angrily at the Sethari, who shrugged. “Thoughts on Talon’s face,” he said with his rusty voice. “Shazuul not in Talon’s head.”
Right, Talon thought and sighed.
“No demands for Cat and Talon,” Shazuul assured him. Something flew over his small, wrinkly face. Talon looked at him a little closer and squinted. To his surprise, Shazuul looked away.
And then Talon understood.
“You made a deal with Sharita, didn’t you?” he asked and had the satisfaction of seeing Shazuul flinch. In Talon’s chest, disbelief and excitement were fighting for supremacy. He couldn’t sit any longer and jumped up. “You,” he said, forgetting that he shouldn’t raise his voice for fear of disturbing the customers, “offered yourself and your skills in exchange for Sharita’s assistance, and she was all too happy to accept your offer, I would imagine.” His dark voice had dropped by an octave.
Shazuul looked at him, with a look of guilt and pride. This time, he didn’t choose the detour over words that were spoken out loud, and for the first time, Talon didn’t care that the little guy was in his head.
Cat must leave, the Sethari repeated. He seemed to be searching for words, but eventually gave up. Instead, he sent images to Talon.
A middle-aged man and woman brought Cat to a school. Now she will be occupied, and won’t worry about her brother’s disappearance anymore, the woman said. She reached into the pocket of her jacket, pulled out a silver flask out and took a big swig. Are you sure the boy is far enough away?
The man took her hand and squeezed it. I made sure that he will not return to Earth for the next twenty years, the man reassured her. The woman sighed loudly and tried to take another drink, but the man tore the small bottle from her hands and threw it at the curb. The woman watched with regret as the contents flowed into the gutter.
You know that they hate both of us, she said softly. Tears shimmered in her eyes.
I know how hard that is for you, he said, and took her in his arms protectively. We love them and can’t show it, but we promised to protect them from any danger, even if it might cost us our lives.
The woman sobbed quietly and laid her head against the man’s chest. I don’t care about my life, she cried. My soul… that is a different story.
Come on, Jennifer, think about the fact that both children are safe, he mumbled with his lips into her hair. The day will come when both will find out how much you loved them and what you did for them. I promise you that.
Are you sure that nothing will happen to her at the academy? she asked, hesitating. The Mind Readers are tightly connected to the government, and if they discover what Cat is really capable of, then… Her voice died.
Don’t worry, the man repeated. I know someone who will keep an eye on Cat and take care of her. Nothing will happen to her. Coran is in good hands, as well.
Talon looked at Shazuul. “Those were Cat’s adoptive parents, correct? And the man was talking about you. You really did watch over them your whole life.” Talon swallowed. “Thank you.” And then, so he wouldn’t appear too soft-hearted, he added, “You don’t have to, anymore. She has me now.”
Shazuul nodded without changing his demeanor. Cat still has to leave.
“Why now, and why so quickly? Is it the Mind Readers? Are they after her?”
Mind Readers only part of problem, the Sethari explained. Coran coming back. Cat cannot see him. Dangerous together.
Talon’s eyebrows shot up quizzically, but he could tell that Shazuul wasn’t going to tell him anything else. If he was honest with himself, then it didn’t matter at all to him why Cat had to flee Earth so urgently. The only thing that mattered was that she went with him.
“When is the king arriving here?” Talon could have sworn that Shazuul was grinning.
Tomorrow evening. Get ready.
Talon had been ready for days, but he didn’t say anything. His answer consisted of a nod. “Great. The countdown is running.”