16

While everyone, well, at least the colonel and the Old Man, thought they were having kinky alien sex, Sara and Fyn went up to the top of the ship and sat on the catwalk and held hands and talked. Fyn made holding hands almost as pleasant as alien sex, he was so thorough.

Had to love a guy who paid that much attention to detail.

They talked about when they were young, things they remembered, stuff they had in common, things they hated—nothing about the Leader or the Dusan. Sara wanted to avoid the subject, since he wasn’t going to be happy she’d volunteered to be bait for Adin.

“So what is it you’re trying not to tell me,” Fyn suddenly asked.

“What?”

“Your eyes give you away, too. What don’t you want to tell me?”

“Oh. That.” She looked down. “Let’s not ruin this time. I don’t want to think about any of it.” She looked at him hopefully. It was the truth. Just not all of it.

“Sara.”

His head angled, so he could look at her through his dreads. His brow arched, but it was his expression that did it. It was the cut-the-crap one, but with a bit of husband thrown in. Wow.

It worked, too. She heard herself tell him.

Pissed was an understatement.

“No. Not going to happen.”

“Fyn, it’s a good plan and you know it.” He just stared at her. “Okay, if I’m out of it, so are you.”

He opened his mouth then shut it again. Opened it again.

“It’s different.”

“Cause you’re a guy?”

“I know you know how to fight, so fight. Just don’t do this.”

“If I don’t, then Adin won’t come. Even if we win, it will just be a patch job, a temporary measure. If we don’t stand against them here, against them right now it will just get worse.”

His expression didn’t change.

“Adin will lay waste to this galaxy and move on to mine, spreading his misery everywhere he can. And he might figure out how to get his hands on the Garradian stuff and be even more dangerous.”

“He doesn’t just want the stuff. He wants you.”

Sara didn’t flinch from his look. “I know.”

“You still have nightmares about what he did to you. What if—” He stopped. “He has more ships. More men. Even if the Gadi join us, it won’t be enough. And they probably won’t. They don’t have the will to fight anymore. All they’ve ever done is survive.”

“I know.” She hadn’t spent a lot of time thinking about it, but she knew the odds were against them. The thought of seeing Adin again made her feel sick to her stomach but part of her wanted it. Part of her wanted to face him and beat him.

“Early in our country’s history, we were out manned and so out gunned. We’d been at war for a while and it wasn’t going well. It was winter. Our men were freezing and starving, dying of disease. Some wanted to give up. A man, a Patriot, named Thomas Paine wrote, these are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. We won that war, we won our freedom. And that was just the first time we won when everyone thought we couldn’t.”

She was quiet for a moment, then she looked at Fyn.

“We can do this. But even if we lose this battle we have to do it. Failure is only final if you stop trying.”

He was quiet so long, she wondered if he’d ever speak.

“The summer solider…”

There was an odd note to his voice and he sounded far away. She couldn’t read his eyes.

She tried to smile. “Where are you?”

He jerked and smiled. “I’m here.”

But he wasn’t. Not completely. She felt an odd, almost panic. She climbed into his lap and started kissing the side of his face.

“Let’s go down and make me feel married. I think I need a little more convincing.”

He obliged with the proper amount of enthusiasm but she still felt uneasy when she left him to dress for the dinner. Maybe it was time to start asking him some questions.

When Sara arrived at the dinner party, she was not happy to discover she was the only woman in the room.

Sara could see both full bird colonels, Carey, Gaedon, Mr. Pretty Leader and his security detail. And Briggs. There were some jarheads stationed around the room, too, their security guys, looking suitably intimidating.

Fyn had bailed. She didn’t blame him. Couldn’t be that fun to have some twerp looking your wife over like she was a heifer at an auction. But she missed him. It was definitely an odd wedding day, even for someone with low expectations.

Gaedon saw her enter and directed Helfron’s attention her way. She’d have to thank him for that later.

The Leader did another examination of her person, spending extra time on her legs, now that they were somewhat visible. Sara could feel her temper try to do its thing. This galaxy was bad for her self-control.

Gaedon approached her. “The Leader would like to speak to you, Captain.”

“It’s not like I’m hiding. He wants to talk to me, I’m right here.”

“If you read the instructions—”

“Actually, I didn’t get around to it. Sorry.” She smiled, well sort of. A no teeth one.

“You’re being very difficult.”

“I only promised to meet him.” She shrugged.

“It wouldn’t hurt you to talk to him.”

“You’re appealing to the wrong person.” Briggs joined them with a wide grin. “You want Donovan to move her ass anywhere the colonel’s the man for the job.”

Sara looked at him. “You just had to tell him, didn’t you?”

Sara turned back to Gaedon, but he’d already left, on a heading for the Old Man.

“Let’s get something to drink and see if it works,” Briggs suggested. “Wonder if they are serving actual booze this time?”

They were, but Sara still chose a glass of fizzy water. No reason to fuel her fire some more.

“Perhaps we could all be seated.” Kilburn was at his most diplomatic as he directed the seating traffic.

The Leader looked a bit smug when Sara finally had to enter his orbit. She’d been seated next to him—the same chair she’d sat in for Adin’s visit.

Great.

She saw Helfron look at her cover with distaste. He reached for it and she blocked his move with her forearm. He looked surprised. Sara was a bit surprised, too. She hadn’t meant to block him. It just happened. For a long moment they stared at each other through crossed arms.

He pulled his arm back, but he looked...not happy.

Actually, she wasn’t supposed to have it on, but since the leader hadn’t liked the Kevlar helmet, she figured he’d hate this one and technically women could wear a hat indoors, as she’d pointed out to Carey when she sought his permission to wear it.

“Take it off.”

“Yeah, that’ll happen.” She pulled out her chair and dropped into it with an ungraceful plop. She knew she looked a bit sulky. She’d spent lots of time in various principles offices perfecting the look.

He sat down, too, a look that was almost bewildered on his face.

“Why do you do what he says, but ignore my commands?”

Sara looked at him. “Colonel Halliwell is my commanding officer. If I don’t obey his orders, I get shot.”

He frowned. “I am a guest. A leader of my people.”

“I know.” Sara looked at him, her eyes wide and innocent. “That’s why I haven’t tossed you on your pink ass.”

Gaedon may have whimpered.

“What is an ass?”

Sara’s brows arched. It was dang hard to insult someone in this galaxy.

“An ass is what you’re sitting on. For some guys, it is also where their brain is stored.”

This time Gaedon did whimper.

Did the leader’s lips twitch? He might have been amused. It was hard to say. He had the poker face thing down pretty good when he wanted to—though it was a very prissy poker face.

Sara reminded herself not to under estimate him. He hadn’t gotten to be leader just by wearing…pink.

“You could not toss me. I am a male. And my guard would stop you.”

Sara looked at the two men, flanking his chair. Those two couldn’t make her break a sweat, let alone stop her.

“Yeah, if it makes you feel better. Sure. They’d stop me.” She took a drink of water.

Now he looked openly amused. “You think you could toss my men on this ass thing?”

She smiled then. “With my hands tied together.”

He sat back a bit, his pose an arrogant sprawl. “This I would like to see.”

Sara started to push her chair back.

“Captain.”

She looked at the Old Man. “Yes, sir.” Sulky did a come back.

The Leader held up his hand. “Please, Colonel. I would like to see this. I assure you my men will not injure her.”

“It’s not the Captain I’m worried about.”

Helfron’s brows arched almost to his blonde hairline.

“You do not know my men.”

“You don’t know Donovan.”

They exchanged long stares. Then Helfron snapped his fingers and pointed to the side. His two men moved away from the table.

Sara looked at them. They didn’t look ready. They were both in the poker-down-the-back stance and staring straight ahead.

Sara looked at the Old Man.

He sighed, but finally nodded.

“It’s their funeral, Donovan.” Briggs grinned a bit evilly.

Sara pushed back her chair and stood up, using her hands to smooth her skirt down, with just a bit of a hip wriggle. She was not above using feminine crap to tilt the odds in her favor.

She turned, stepping out of her low heels, feeling the floor with the bottom of her feet, finding her stance. Her skirt was too narrow for her to use her legs really effectively without a lot of sharing. She’d rather avoid it. She started thinking, planning her moves.

The two men had been staring straight ahead. Now she saw their eyes watch her, though neither man moved anything but the eye balls. They didn’t look too worried as she moved into striking distance.

Her arm flashed out.

The guy on the right blocked her with a look that was almost bored on his face.

“Not bad.” She gave him an approving smile, a half throttle one. Her fist shot toward the guy on the left.

He blocked it, too. A smirk edged out his bored.

“Excellent.” She smiled at them again, bumping up the volume on the smile. She gave a small sigh and fluttered her lashes, like she was giving up.

Their chests puffed a bit. And they took their eyes off her.

She spun toward the guy on the left, bringing her knee up into his groin. As he doubled over, the other guy started to move in on her. Her elbow jerked back, catching him in the solar plexus. When he doubled over, she applied some more elbow to the back of his neck. He went down. Not on his ass, but close enough to count.

She shouldn’t have been able to use that move on them again. Apparently they didn’t update their tactics after a skirmish.

She could have finished off the other guy, but it seemed like over kill. She left him standing there clutching himself.

When she sat down the silence at the table was…a bit intense. Sara finally looked at Helfron. His expression still didn’t give much away.

“Gaedon said you were unusual.”

“Not to be offensive, but I’m really not. Just about anyone on this ship could take those two. Sparring isn’t about being the biggest or even the strongest. It’s about…physics.” Or some kind of science. Maybe.

“Physics?” He frowned.

“Force and counter force. Leverage—and surprise. You underestimated me. So did they. They probably won’t make that mistake again.”

He grinned. “Neither will I.” He leaned slightly toward her. “And you should not underestimate me.”

Please, don’t say it.

“You should know that I always get what I want.”

He said it.

She pressed her lips together. That was about to change.

Sara excused herself from the meal before dessert—a sacrifice but one she was willing to make—to go prep for the club. And because her stomach was roiling. Didn’t want to power puke it back up, not even into the Leader’s pink lap.

Sara hadn’t done anything too offensive at dinner. She didn’t want her behavior to reflect badly on the Old Man, the USAF or her country. Mostly she’d tried to ignore the Leader. When that didn’t work, she used monosyllables. And when those didn’t work, she’d just stare at him and blink. Then look away. Helfron didn’t appear to like any of it.

Life was a bitch sometimes.

There was one, bad moment when it become clear the Leader already had a bunch of mates back on Gadi. Something Gaedon had completely failed to mention during the negotiation. There was a tense silence at the table, while those who knew her waited to see what she’d say. Or do.

Sara blinked a couple of times. “How nice for you.”

The sighs of relief ruffled the edges of her hair.

“And for my mates. I am very demanding.”

Sara gave him a fake smile. “I noticed.”

And it made her nauseous.

She shoved her chair back. “May I be excused, Colonel? I need to change.”

In an odd twist, Gaedon seemed relieved to have her leave. Maybe he was nauseous, too.

She’d thought long and hard about what to wear. Now that she’d met the leader, she still wasn’t sure what the right move was. He was an interesting character study in contrasts. All that pink on the outside and on the inside…what?

Something about him reminded her of…something, if she could just remember what. Her brain-housing group had just had too much to deal with today. It was more inclined to ache than cough up obscure information.

She slipped into a pair of Capri length jeans, wondering where Fyn was and if he was all right. Something she’d said was bothering him. Surely he didn’t think that she thought he was a sunshine soldier?

She pulled on a shirt that left her mid-section bare, slumped off one shoulder, and hugged her body. She found the temporary tattoo and the faux belly ring she won at poker one night, and added them to ensemble.

She added mousse to her hair, crimping it to wind-tossed with her hands, then applied make-up that made her eyes jump out of her pale face. To her lips she added the same red as her high-heeled shoes.

Helfron wasn’t the only one who could add a few inches to his height.

She studied the effect, well, as much as she could see. Her hair was longer than she usually wore it. The extra length worked with her trashy look.

Lastly, she added her sunglasses. She needed a bit of protection if she was going to do this. She adjusted them part way down her nose, so she could look over them if she needed to.

She’d already emailed Foster a list of songs to start out with. They all had the benefit of being loud. It was nice of Gaedon to tell the leader Sara had a “quite nice voice.”

Foster had emailed her back a one-word response: Damn.

He didn’t seem able to expand on that when he saw her.

“I was thinking we could do the lights a little differently, too.” Sara tried to ignore the looks the guys were giving her. “I don’t want our guests to see me until the music starts.”

“What are you up to?” Foster wanted to know.

“Nothing that hasn’t been approved by the Old Man.”

“So that guy really does want to marry you?”

Sara wasn’t offended he sounded surprised. She would have rubbed her face, but she didn’t want to smear her new look.

“I’m hoping to change his mind.”

Foster looked her up and down. “I don’t think that’s the way to do it.”

“He’s the prissy leader of a bunch of planets. Do you really think he wants to marry trailer park trash?”

“Well, when you put it that way…” He looked her up and down and grinned. “…no I’d still want this.”

“Well, you’re not a leader person. Can we do it?”

“Hey, we’re the finest fighting force in three galaxies. We can do anything.”

Deliver the girl and all is forgiven.

Fyn stared at the note, wondering which member of the Gadi delegation was the Ojemba enforcer.

So, now Kalian knew Fyn was alive and he knew that Miri’s descendent had returned to the galaxy.

No surprise he wanted her.

He might believe Fyn would deliver Sara to him. Or he was making sure Fyn wouldn’t…before making his own move on her. Or he was hoping Fyn would believe he had time to consider the order.

Kalian might accept one of the earth’s ships instead, but he’d know Fyn was more loyal to Sara than the Ojemba. They’d get all the information they could from him and then he’d be eliminated.

The only way to return and survive was to hand them Sara. And even then, he might not.

Summer soldiers…

Sara’s words had cut deep and left him floundering, trying to figure out what kind of soldier he was. He’d sworn an oath to the Ojemba and meant every word. He still did, to the extent that he would give his life to defeat the Dusan.

He just couldn’t give Sara’s life to them. It was her life to give or not give. She’d chosen her cause and no one should take that from her. Especially not someone who loved her.

He was going to have to tell Colonel Halliwell about the Ojemba. He’d know Fyn withheld information from him. He’d be disappointed. They might throw him in the brig. Or off the ship.

He could live with that, but what about Sara? Could he make them understand just how dangerous and deadly the Ojemba was to them and to her? He knew their methods. He’d come up with some of them.

He couldn’t go to the dinner until he figured out what to do before Sara read all this in his eyes. He’d seen questions in her eyes this afternoon. He didn’t know why she hadn’t asked, was just grateful she hadn’t.

He wished he could talk to the colonel now, but he was at the dinner, too. So was Carey. He had to be there in the club. That set up was a lot more vulnerable to an Ojemba style attack.

There wasn’t much Kalian wouldn’t do to get Sara.

Or much he wouldn’t do to stop him.

When his door buzzed, Fyn tensed, wondering if it was Sara, but it was just Carey.

“You missed a great dinner, Chewie,” he said, still grinning. “Donovan tossed the leader’s guards on their asses, well, sort of, and you should have seen her face when she found out the pretty boy has a freaking harem at home. We got to get a good seat at the club. She’s got some serious steam building up again.”

He punched Fyn’s arm.

“Be good for you tonight, if she doesn’t get herself some brig time again.” His brows went up. “You ready?”

Fyn nodded. If she was in the brig, he’d know where she was. And they might be together.

When they arrived, the band area was dark, which was odd. He could see figures moving there, so the band was there. Anyone who could be was there had showed up, but the Gadi delegation hadn’t arrived yet.

Colonel had added plenty of security. There were guys positioned around the room. That was good.

There was a stir at the door and the guests arrived. Kilburn was in the group, but not the colonel. Fyn wished he dared leave to talk to him.

He hadn’t felt this itchy since that time he’d been a Dusan watcher near the outpost where Sara came to grief and almost got taken out by a patrol. Something was about to break. He could feel it in his bones.

Despite the relaxed atmosphere, it seemed the crew felt it, too. There was an extra watchfulness about them. Of course, there were six ships sitting out there. And a buttload of Dusan ones getting ready to visit.

When the Gadi leader was settled, Kilburn signaled for the band to start. There was the now familiar stir from the stage, then a scream from one of the instruments signaled it was beginning. The lights flashed on with the slam of music.

Fyn’s jaw…dropped. Was that his Sara? She looked wild and well, sexy. She’d covered her eyes with dark glasses, and her mouth was a slash of red in her pale face. It was her hair, but…not. It went in all directions, good directions. Sexy directions. Her pants hugged her like they never planned to leave. Her shirt hugged her, too—except for the part that drooped off one shoulder. He’d kissed that shoulder. Something glinted in her bare stomach, catching the light as she moved with the music. She moved…a lot. He’d never seen her move that much. It was really…nice.

“Damn.” Carey took a deep breath. “Damn.”

If that was trashy, he liked it.

The song was loud and wild all the way to the end. When she turned in a circle, singing about tight jeans, Fyn saw something on her back, just above the edge of her pants. A drawing. He wasn’t the only one who liked that. The song was about getting a little crazy, but she looked a lot crazy. In a good way.

Crazy and loud seemed to be the theme of the first set. As she sang, Sara stayed inside the music, only this time she was letting it out, too. Her voice had a rough edge to it and he vaguely wondered what a wooly bully was. And an Egyptian.

Even the pictures flashing on the monitors didn’t help that much.

It was as if she’d finally turned herself loose. At one point she got close to Foster, so close only the microphone separated them. They sang to each other like lovers. He might have got up and punched Foster, but Sara looked over her shoulder and winked at him over the top of the glasses. When she wasn’t singing or playing, she…danced.

And when she sang, it felt like a verbal throw down—Fyn knew he felt knocked on his ass. When she peeked over the glasses, her eyes were smoky and mysterious and he wanted to go pull her off the stage and show her how married she was again. Stake a claim for everyone to see.

If the Gadi leader knew Sara was gunning for him, it didn’t show on his face. Helfron looked a bit amused and a bit bored. As if he sensed Fyn’s gaze, he looked at him. There was nothing in the leader’s eyes to make Fyn uneasy but he was.

When the set ended Sara grabbed a bottle of water and stalked over to them. She pulled a chair in between Fyn and Briggs and collapsed into it. Her hair clung damply to her face and her skin glistened with sweat. She took a long drink of the water, then held the bottle against her neck.

She wiped her mouth. “So?”

Briggs just snorted.

What was in her belly circle? He tried to touch it, but she caught his hand. He looked at her. “Can we leave?”

He could protect her while he was jumping her bones.

Sara grinned. “We could try.”

Carey looked over her shoulder. “They got the doorway covered. I figured the noise would run them off before now.”

Sara sighed. “So did I. But I’m not tapped out yet. I can be loud for as long as necessary. I’m motivated.”

“And most of us will need cold showers before the night is over.” Carey grinned.

“We got incoming.” Briggs pushed back his chair and stood up.

Sara stood, too, and turned to face the fire, hoping some of it would be friendly. It was Gaedon and Kilburn. The leader was still in his chair. Sara felt her gaze narrow. Surely Kilburn wasn’t throwing in with the enemy now, when the battle was almost won?

“Captain.” Gaedon bowed gravely. “We are preparing to depart. Our Leader wishes to—”

He stopped. Maybe he wasn’t sure what the Leader wanted to do. Or didn’t dare tell her. She looked at Kilburn.

He tugged at his shirt collar. “It would be courteous to tell him good-bye, Captain.”

“Good-bye. I can do that.” She stepped around Fyn, her hand brushing his, and strolled over to the Gadi leader. It was second nature to go into at ease position, her hands clasped behind her back, even though she wasn’t in uniform. She tucked her chin, so she could look at him over the top of her sunglasses.

“The Commander says you have to leave, sir.”

She could feel sweat tricking down the side of her face and took a swipe at it. Something flickered in his eyes for a moment. Maybe Foster was right. Maybe the prissy boy liked sweaty girls.

“I hope you enjoyed your visit,” she added politely.

“Do you?” His brows arched a bit. “Or do you just hope I got your message?”

Sara thought for a minute. “Both.”

He gestured toward the chair across from him.

“Will you sit?”

A request? An actual request? Sara felt her brows go up. Without comment, she turned the indicated chair around and straddled it, resting her arms on the back. Her gaze grazed past the guys she’d beat up.

“Sorry about the thrashing, guys.”

The two she’d thrashed didn’t look at her or respond. The six guards did move around them, creating an almost private perimeter for them, by facing out. Sara looked around, then back at the leader. She wasn’t too worried. They still hadn’t learned not to turn their backs on her.

“I’d be happy to give them a few tips.”

He looked amused. “I will take your offer under consideration, Captain.”

Wow, now he called her by her rank. He was almost acting like a human being. What was he up to?

“You seem to enjoy this?” He waved his hand gracefully toward the wider club area.

“Yes, I do.” She started to tap out a song on her own arm, as music played in her head.

“Did Xever see this?”

She nodded.

“And then he wished to mate with you.”

Sara felt color warm her cheeks. What was it about the word mate that just sounded so, so…so.

“Yeah, it was the singing that made him interested in me. Not my likeness to Miri.”

Helfron’s brows arched. “You think it is not possible to want the key and,” his gaze swept over her, “you?”

“I don’t think either of you would have given me a second look if it weren’t for the key. Though, I’ll give you chops for offering the bond thing.” Even if the offer included a freaking harem.

“Chops?”

There was something wrong about that word coming out of his mouth.

“It’s a good thing.”

“What did Xever offer?”

Not that it was any of his business…

“An unending gig as a prostitute.”

His brows arched.

“Selling your body for money only without the money part.”

He nodded thoughtfully. “Yet even with chops you decline my offer.”

He didn’t look upset, just curious.

She lifted her chin, letting the glasses hide her expression. “I’m sure the commander told you that I’m already involved with someone else.”

“Among our people, some women chose to have more than one mate. You could have all I have offered and someone else. Naturally I’d have to be first mate.”

Something else Gaedon had failed to mention.

“Too late for that.”

“First in importance, not first in line.”

“Oh.” Sara blinked. “Our people only have one mate at a time.”

Helfron’s eyes sparked with amusement. “It is the same with us. It is physics, is it not?”

Sara had to chuckle. “I suppose it is.” He knew that wasn’t what she meant. “Don’t know how you juggle more than one relationship, though, even if it is one at a time.”

It was his turn to shrug, the movement elegant. “Some are easier than others.”

“Well, most of the people who know me would tell you I’m not ever easy.” She forgot she was being mean to him and grinned.

He smiled back. It was actually kind of charming without the petulance. He was very good looking, even if he was wearing pink satin and a shit load of lace.

“I had noticed.”

Sara shrugged. “I’m afraid the temper goes with the hair.” Had Miri had a temper, too? She’d certainly had the hair.

His gaze went to her hair and lingered, but what he thought of it, he kept to himself.

“May I ask a question?” Sara arched her brows. He nodded, almost warily it seemed. “If I were to accept your offer, would you permit me to do this?” She indicated the club.

He stared at her for a moment. “Our ways are different.”

“Had a feeling you’d say that.” She shrugged. “Deal breaker for me.”

“There are many types of harmonies.”

“But I like this kind.”

He nodded slowly, almost absently, as if he’d already moved on. Kind of cold, but okay.

“So, this war of Miri’s you, your people, think you can finish it?” He looked and sounded skeptical.

Miri’s war? Excuse me? But she didn’t say it. Be hard to explain how she knew what she knew.

“Shouldn’t it be finished? It’s gone on a long time.”

“Your colonel believes the Dusan will attack here first. Why should we get involved if we are not the target?”

“You’re not the primary target. If he beats us, it’s just a hyper-hop, skip and jump to you.”

“This is Gaedon’s assessment, as well.” His lids drooped even lower, as if assessments were too, too boring. “He believes Xever would not need so large a fleet to eliminate these two ships.”

He made them sound like paper ships.

“Maybe. Or we scared the crap out of him.”

His gaze skimmed the room. “You think you are so frightening?”

“Just because we play hard, doesn’t mean we can’t kick ass when we need to. And we did kick his ass. Twice. Adin under estimated us. Now you think he’s over estimating us. But he still doesn’t get it.” And neither do you.

“Get what?”

“That not being our friend is a bad thing.”

A small smile curved the edges of his mouth.

“I see.”

She hoped he did. It was about time someone did.

He hesitated. “Even if we were to defeat this armada Xever is putting together, it will not be the end of the Dusan. They will just build more ships.”

Sara shrugged. “Lop off the head of the monster and it dies.”

“Adin Xever won’t risk his own life. It is too dear to him.”

“My money’s on the colonel. He’ll get him to come out and play.” Sara dropped her chin and let him see a wide-eyed blink.

There was an odd, sharpening of interest. It didn’t show in his eyes. It was an under current that flowed between them. Had she said something she shouldn’t?

“Perhaps he will come to get you, key keeper.”

Sara chuckled softly, her chin lifting again. “I’m not a key keeper.”

It was the truth. She was the key.

No surprise he didn’t believe her.

“If that is true, as the descendent of Miri, you could still bestow symbolic power to the right side.”

“The only power I’ve ever sought, or could bestow, is self-determination. And I can only bestow that on myself. That would be the self part.” The conversation had taken an odd turn. “We have a saying in my world about absolute power corrupting absolutely.”

His mouth tightened a bit. “We have not misused our power.”

“But you haven’t used it. You’ve let tyranny flourish, almost unchecked.”

He didn’t like that, but he hid it better this time.

“You say what you think.”

It didn’t sound like a compliment.

“So do you.” She wasn’t being complimentary either.

His eyes heated suddenly. “Not everything.”

Sara shrugged. “I’m not a leader, so I can.”

His lids lifted. “You are wrong.” His gaze swept around. “And this is not your proper setting.”

Something wasn’t right. They were fencing, but it was more like he was probing her defenses, finding her boundaries, rather than trying to persuade her to change her mind. She laughed softly.

“You think a pile of rock, prostitute clothes, and a girl bird, are my proper setting?”

Another elegant shrug, but his eyes told her he didn’t like her assessment of his gifts.

Sara rested her chin on her arms and studied him over the top of her glasses before she spoke.

“I hate to tell you,” actually she didn’t, “but this is a huge step up from my previous setting. You think I’m acting trashy to put you off. I’m just getting in touch with my roots tonight.” She stared at him, but he didn’t say anything. “I worked my ass off to get here. This is where I live and it is completely my proper setting because I chose it. It is the only setting that would make me happy.”

This flash of anger seemed to please him. Was he even listening to her? She couldn’t tell and it made her uneasy.

“And trust me, you don’t want me to be unhappy. It’s not pretty. The red hair isn’t just for show.”

His gaze was almost caressing as it swept across her.

“Where one comes from is not nearly as important as where one finishes.”

“That sounds like something Evie would have said.”

“Evie?”

“She was one of the people who raised me—one of the many people.”

“You are fond of her.”

It wasn’t a question, but Sara answered. “I was. She didn’t knock me around.”

His brows shot up. “Knock?”

“Hit. Slap. Kick.” She didn’t like remembering it or telling anyone about it, but he needed to understand just how motivated she was.

She straightened up, but kept her chin down so he could see her eyes. “She taught me to never go some place where, say, some leader had to give me permission to do this. Or tried to change me into something I’m not.”

His lids lowered and he looked thoughtful. One of his long, white fingers tapped the tabletop. The silence got uncomfortably long before he spoke again.

“Gaedon said you would not change your mind.”

“He’s a smart man.”

“I thought you had unduly influenced him with some song he heard. Perhaps I would understand if you sang it for me?”

Sara shook her head. “You’ll just have to trust your guy is telling the truth.”

She let him see her eyes, let him see she meant it. No way in hell she was singing that song in front of everyone. Be easier to strip naked.

“You are very determined.”

“That is probably an understatement.”

He looked at her for another long, somewhat uncomfortable minute. He looked down, one white finger tracing a pattern on the table.

“Did Gaedon tell you what he was doing that day you met?”

Sara felt uneasy go on steroids. Why the sudden change in direction? She lifted her chin, so he couldn’t read her eyes.

“After his guys shot me with the stun gun, we quit exchanging information.”

“According to our sources, Kalian was going to attack some of our supply transports. I sent him there to protect them.”

Kalian? Sara’s lashes flicked down and then up. Thank goodness he couldn’t see it. Even that small sign would have told him what he wanted.

“And did Gaedon succeed?” She sounded indifferent. Amazing. She was so not indifferent.

“You distracted him from that goal.”

“Sorry.” She managed a shrug and felt her insides crack. Her chest felt tight and her heart hurt.

He smiled. “He did not appear. He seems to have excellent sources, too, almost as good as ours.”

He looked at Fyn, then back at her.

“But I’m sure you already know that about the Ojemba.”

Again, his gaze flicked in Fyn’s direction.

Sara made her lips curve and her shoulders shrugged again. The moment drew out. What was he waiting for? Or was that hoping for? Finally she arched her brows.

“Was there something else? It’s time for the next set to start.”

He rose and before she could react, got a hold of her hand, his grip surprising strong for a prissy boy. He pressed his mouth to the back, his touch oddly sensual, and then released her.

She tucked the hand behind her and surreptitiously rubbed it against the side of her pants. It took an effort to meet his gaze with continued calm, but she was motivated. She would not let him see he’d scored a hit if it killed her.

“Until we meet again, Sara.”

Sara jumped up, her heels putting her about three inches taller. He had to look up at her.

She nodded her head once. “Good-bye.”

He smiled, but didn’t speak. His guard spun sharply and formed around him and they all left.

Sara didn’t move. She couldn’t. She felt frozen. That was actually a good thing. This was not a good time to think. Or act. Or go to pieces.

Gaedon stepped into her line of sight. Sara saw herself hold out her hand to him. It felt like it belonged to someone else.

“Good luck to you, sir.” Her voice wasn’t hers either. She sounded calm. She wasn’t calm. Not even close.

He took her hand in both of his and smiled with great charm.

“You see, he is not as bad as you thought.”

Actually, he might have been worse.

“He needs to work on the clothes. In my culture, they give off a message he might not like.” Her voice sounded light and amused. How was that possible?

His brows arched a bit. “A message?”

“Pretty in pink screams, I like guys, where I come from. Course, maybe he wants to say that? Does he shop on both sides of the street?” Cause he’d been sending some “I like girls” vibes her way.

His eyes widened. “I…no. What he wears is the traditional dress of a Gadi Leader. He wears it because he must.”

“If you’re the leader, can’t you…I don’t know, change that?” She was talking, she was freaking joking. It was good, but it was weird.

“I suppose he could. Perhaps I will mention it to him.” He grinned. “You’re going to change our culture one way or another, aren’t you?”

“You can’t blame a girl for trying.”

“I would not blame you if you succeeded.”

He turned and left the room. Sara stood there. How long did she have to wait before they’d be out of sight? She tapped into the cameras and watched them head for their ship, the MP’s escorting them, too. And Kilburn. She hadn’t noticed him leave. That was kind of disturbing. Her vision had gone tunnel.

She heard the guys warming up again. She couldn’t do this. She needed air. She needed to get out. Now.

Fyn stared at Sara. Why didn’t she turn around? What had the Gadi leader said to her? She’d seemed fine, had even smiled at him, but now she just stood there staring at the door. Her fists clenched and she bolted out the door. Crap. She shouldn’t be alone with the Gadi still on board.

He went after her, but didn’t catch up with her until she reached her quarters. Inside, he found her sitting on the bed, staring straight ahead, her face oddly blank. He closed the door.

“Are you sick?” He went to sit down by her, but she looked at him, stopping him cold.

He hadn’t been on the receiving end of one of her steely looks since the cave. And that look hadn’t been this steely.

“Who’s Kalian?”

He sank onto the stool. His shoulders heaved once in a sigh.

“He is the leader of the Ojemba.” It was a relief to finally say it. Before she could ask the next question, he added, “For a long time, the Gadi have been weary of fighting. They’ve let the Dusan grow in power, let them pick off a planet here, one there. Only now, when their own planet is threatened, are they worried.”

Sara didn’t speak. She just looked at him.

“The Ojemba was organized to fight back, to fill the void.”

“Why would the Gadi want to stop them then?” She spoke slowly, as if she were having trouble figuring out what to say.

“The Ojemba have no home world. Supplies are necessary.”

There was a long silence.

“So, why the big secret?”

“What?”

“Why couldn’t you tell me, your wife, and the people who befriended you, who got your ass off Kikk, that you’re Ojemba?”

“The Dusan hunt the Ojemba relentlessly. Secrecy is our only protection.” And it wasn’t a great one.

Her brows. “Who would we tell?”

Fyn sighed, but before he could think of what to say, she went on.

“What did you do for them that you didn’t want me to know?”

He jerked. “It wasn’t that.” It could have been. Kalian had wanted him to become an enforcer that last time, but Fyn had refused. Kalian had been furious and that’s when he’d given him the assignment to go to Kikk. Had Kalian known it would be a one-way trip? “I did special missions, special assignments, for Kalian.”

“So, when you crashed on Kikk, you were on assignment. Let’s see if I can guess what you were looking for?” Her lower lip trembled before she could stop it. “You must have thought you hit the mother lode when I dropped in your lap.”

He wasn’t exactly sure what a mother lode was, but he knew what she meant. Her lack of trust was a knife to his heart, but he could not blame her. His story sounded thin, but she did not know the Ojemba. And he didn’t want her to know them.

“When you fell in my lap, all I could think of was you.” Her brows arched. His hands curled into fists. “When I didn’t return—the Ojemba have no problem leaving people behind. I thought I was done with them.”

“But you’re not?”

He didn’t look away from her. “They aren’t done with me. I’ve been contacted.”

“How is that possible?”

“One of the Gadi delegation is Ojemba. Kalian has soldiers in many places.” He didn’t want to say it. “He wants you.”

“Well, he’ll have to take a number and get in line.”

Fyn wanted to grab her and shake her. “Don’t underestimate him. What Kalian wants, he gets.”

Sara’s brows shot up. “Not everything. The Dusan are still around.”

Fyn felt his face tighten. “An Ojemba operative penetrated the Dusan high command and assassinated one of the ruling inner circle. It is not an army. It is covert.” He remembered the word she’d used on the planet. “In my time with them, we have caused serious damage to the Dusan. It is possible we stopped several worlds from being invaded. Xever would give as much for Kalian as he’d give to get you.”

“How did the operative get in and out?”

“He did not get out.”

She paled. “So he sends his men to die while he does what? Who is he? Where is he?”

“To my knowledge, no one knows who he is.”

“You trust him, but he doesn’t trust you? Not impressed.”

“He has survived to keep the fight alive.”

“Okay, he’s good, but if we’d known, you could have kept out of sight. The Old Man asked who the major players were. I’d call Kalian and the Ojemba very major.”

“I took an oath, a blood oath, never to reveal my association with them for any reason. Would you have me break my bond?”

For the first time since he’d come in, she looked away.

“I took an oath, too.” Her voice was low. “I have to tell the colonel.”

Now she looked at him, her eyes brightened by tears.

“No.” He shook his head.

“I have to. I could be charged with treason—”

“I’ll tell him.” Now he couldn’t tell her that was already the plan. Why should she believe him? He heard her voice again. The sunshine soldier. It wasn’t just his oath to the Ojemba that had driven him since Ionia fell to the Dusan. He’d made a promise to himself, to Fiona, to all of Ionia. At the time, the Ojemba seemed the only way to fulfill that oath.

It wasn’t Sara’s fault he’d let himself get distracted. All she’d done was be herself be impossible to resist. She had his heart, she always would, but his mind, his body, his life if need be, belonged to this galaxy until the Dusan were defeated. He was not a sunshine soldier.

He’d learned much from his time with her people. He knew that Kalian’s way was not the way to succeed. He wasn’t fighting to win either.

He wanted to fight side by side with these people. He wanted to fight with people who believed in victory. He hoped he got the chance. But if they wouldn’t let him, he would find another way.

He hoped they wouldn’t get in his way. They hadn’t yet seen what he could do.

He stood up. “I should go.”

She didn’t look up, but as he turned away from her...

“Fyn.”

It was a cry that spun him around.

She hurled into his arms. Her mouth found his and clung. She tasted of good-bye. He pulled her arms from around his neck and stepped back, then turned and left without looking back. Even when he thought he heard a sob.

His payment to the gods had come due.