Nika turned off the teletron and paced the chamber with a sigh. She folded her arms across her breasts, wincing as they ached slightly. Perhaps Brendon had been a little too rough in his loving last night, though when she thought about it she only remembered the pleasure of his mouth and teeth upon her breasts.
She fidgeted with the cuff of the shirt she wore; glad she’d thought to sneak it from Brendon’s drawer. It kept her warm without inhibiting her movement, falling just past her thighs.
A bit hungry, she eyed the small refrigeration unit in the corner of the room. Brendon had told her she was free to have any food in there, but so far she hadn’t partaken of any.
She’d been nauseous all morning. There was a churning in her stomach and urge to vomit. She knew it to be from the stress. And unfortunately, the idea of food just made her sicker.
And Gods. The isolation was awful. Such a stark reminder of the life she’d lived while on Zortou. Even Tresden, somewhat. She hadn’t really enjoyed her freedom until she’d come to Belton.
A quick glance at the time showed she still had hours until Brendon would return.
Her stomach roiled and she exhaled a shuddering breath. Though she was excited for his return—any reason to see him again—she did not look forward to the news he would bring. She was all too aware that with each passing moment she grew closer to a life that would not be worth living.
A series of beeps came from the door and she spun, her brows rising in dismay. Had he returned so early?
The door hissed open and pleasure spread through her.
“You’ve returned?” she murmured.
“I have a small lunch break.” He strode across the room and gathered her into his arms, burying his nose against her hair. “Gods, I’ve missed you, love.”
“You’ve been gone but a few hours.” She gave a slight laugh, and slid her arms around his waist, pressing her face against his shoulder and inhaling the comforting scent of him.
“Have you come to any decisions?” she asked finally, seeing no point in tiptoeing around their situation.
His chest swelled against her. “I have decided to meet with my superiors and beg for leniency. Perhaps we can retrieve the specimens—”
“It’s not possible. They’ve already retrieved them…by now they assume me dead, Brendon. They would not come forward with the samples.”
“Who are you working for?” he demanded, pushing away from her. “I must know, Nika.”
“Bren—”
“I swear on my life it will not leave this room. I will keep this inside my head only. But I must know.”
She stared at him, saw the frustration and pain there. Little by little her resolve crumbled. The secret she’d vowed to take to the grave suddenly did not seem quite important enough to hide from Brendon.
“But if you know…your own military could try and take the information from you,” she said softly.
“I would not break.”
“And yet I thought the same about myself.” She gave him a wry smile and then let out a quiet sigh. “I come from the planet Tresden. I’ve lived there for two years since the liberation.”
“Tresden.” His brows drew together and he gave a sharp shake of his head. “I’ve not heard of it.”
“It is relatively small. Unknown. Peaceful, though. Only women reside on the planet. By choice, of course. It’s became a haven for them of sorts.”
“Hmm.” He stared at her for a moment and tilted his head, understanding dawning in his gaze. “Do they steal the specimens to procreate?”
“Yes. To continue their race. But not any specimens will do. They want strong babies. The best of genetics. To raise a perfect army if they were to be discovered and attacked.”
“That is ludicrous.”
“Perhaps,” she agreed. “But it is their way.”
Funny how she’d come to thinking of the people of Tresden as “them” instead of “our”. And now, having been away from the planet for a bit, she could see just how ludicrous the mission might seem to an outsider. In truth, it probably was.
Her eyes closed and she had a sudden urge to curl up in the fetal position and sob. Damn it all. What was wrong with her?
“I wish I had never taken this mission,” she finally whispered aloud, feeling at peace to finally be able to make the admission. “If I could undo what I have done I would. We are now locked in this web of lies and—” She choked on the rest of her words, tears creeping out of the corners of her eyes.
“Nika, love. Do not cry,” Brendon muttered raggedly, and once again she was in his arms, his hands sweeping down her back to comfort her. “We shall find a way out of this.”
“How? There is no way, Brendon. None.”
“Nonsense. Emmett and I have been discussing possibilities all morning.”
“Have you? Such as?”
“No more for now.” He set her aside and went to retrieve the small bag he’d dropped by the door. “I have brought you food.”
“Oh.” She took the small round bread he placed in her hand.
Her stomach growled at the smell of yeast and sugar, but she wondered if it would stay put once in her belly.
“Thank you, Brendon.”
They sat on the bed, eating in silence. Finally a half hour had passed and Brendon rose with regret on his face.
“I wish I could stay longer.”
“You must go,” she agreed, and caught his hand, giving it a soft squeeze.
“Yes. But I will return before you realize it.” He slid his hands around her waist and lifted her to her knees on the mattress.
Her mouth tilted up to meet his when his head dipped. He kissed her slowly and thoroughly, tasting and exploring her like it was their first time.
By the time he lifted his head, her legs were shaking and her heart had softened.
She stared into his eyes and her entire world tilted. Without a doubt, she had fallen hopelessly in love with this man. The realization ripped the breath from her body and made every muscle in her body weaken.
Gods, this could not bode well for her. For either of them. A panicked whimper escaped.
“I will see you through this,” Brendon whispered, kissing her forehead once more. “This is not the end.”
The fear ripped through her again, but not for herself this time. At how much he was willing to sacrifice for her. I love him.
“I won’t let you do it, Brendon,” she said thickly. “I will not let you destroy yourself to save me.”
His body tensed against her before he sighed. “It is not your decision to make.”
She pressed her palm against his cheek, the tiny graze of his stubble pricking into her soft flesh reminding her how real this moment was.
“Do not be a fool. Promise me.”
“I can promise nothing,” he muttered and pulled away from her.
A moment later he was gone from his chamber.
The minutes ticked by and she was once again shrouded in solitude, with only her distressing thoughts to keep her company.
Finally she slipped into a light slumber once more.
* * * *
The beeps at the door jerked her from her drowsy state and she climbed off the bed.
Had he returned again?
But as the door slid open her jaw flapped in disbelief, unable to help being overwhelmed as Molly and Talia strode into the room followed by two unknown men.
Molly rushed forward and threw her arms about Nika. “Oh thank gods you are well. I was so worried.”
“Molly? What is the meaning of this? Why are you all here?”
“We’ve come to free you,” Talia said calmly from behind Molly.
“Free me,” Nika repeated uneasily. “But why?”
“Why?” Molly’s eyes grew round. “Nika, you cannot be serious. Because you are being falsely imprisoned—”
“But I am not.” Nika stepped back with a groan and shook her head. “Truly, you all should not have come here. I am guilty of what they say.”
“But we are here,” the darker of the men said with an exasperated sigh and gestured to the other man. “And Thomas has risked quite a bit by abusing his privileges from the military. So please, none of this ‘I’ll stay behind’ stuff.”
Nika glanced at the other man, a uniformed soldier who stood quietly but confidently near the door.
Gods. When would it end? Now there were more people who were risking their necks for her.
“I do not understand,” Nika’s voice cracked. “Why would any of you do this for me? You do not know me. I am nothing to you. And I am not a good person.”
“I do not quite believe that.” Talia stepped forward, her blue eyes gentle and without judgment. “I may not know you now, Nika. But I know the girl you used to be. The girl we both once were. I know the pain you have endured. The scars on your heart as well as your body. Because I have them, too. And perhaps it led you to make poor choices in the life you lead now, but it is not too late to change. It is never too late.”
Nika’s throat burned with the effort to hold back tears. She ground her teeth together. She would not cry again.
“You are wrong. It is already too late.”
“Talia.” The darker man cleared his throat.
Talia turned. “Yes, Dane?”
“Thomas and I will take leave now. You know you can call our mobile if you need further assistance. But, really, I would much rather we be clear of here as soon as possible.”
Thomas shook his head. “I do not mind staying—”
“No.” Talia interrupted and lifted a hand. “Dane is right. We are grateful for what you have done, but now you must go. It is too much of a risk.”
Thomas gave a slight nod, though he did not look satisfied. “All right. We will leave. Good luck to you, Nika. And please do not hesitate to call us again if you need us.”
Dane took his arm and they left the room together.
Nika watched them go, relieved that at least they were putting themselves farther away from being discovered. She could not let any of these people be punished for her mistake.
The nausea swelled inside her again and she clutched her stomach.
“Excuse me,” Nika muttered, pushing past the two women and stumbling into the bathing chamber where she heaved up what little food contents were in her stomach from lunch.
When she returned, her head was light and she was again fatigued.
“Thank you, Talia. Molly.” Nika’s head moved slowly back and forth in a negative gesture. “But I cannot allow this risk. I will not be leaving this chamber until Brendon turns me over to the military.”
“Do not be a fool!” Molly hissed and stepped forward, grasping Nika’s hands. “I know not entirely what has occurred, but there are whispers running about and I have a fairly good idea. You should run while you still have time.”
“You do not realize what you ask. I cannot do that to Brendon!” Nika protested, tugging her hands away and crossing the room to the refrigeration unit.
“You would not be doing it to Brendon, you would be doing it for him,” Talia said softly. “And for the babe you carry.”
Nika froze, in the midst of pouring herself a glass of water. “What did you say?”
“You are with child, are you not?” Talia asked.
“I assumed,” Molly inserted quickly. “The past week while at the lodge you showed many symptoms…”
“No.” Nika’s heart pounded furiously in her chest at the possibility, even as she knew it couldn’t be true. “It is impossible. I was given an injection before I came to Belton.”
Talia’s brows rose. “The same injections we were given on Zortou?”
“I imagine.”
Molly cleared her throat. “What if—”
“It is not possible,” Nika repeated, a bit more forcefully this time as she shook her head.
“All right. Perhaps you are not with child,” Talia said carefully. “But if by some chance you were and you stayed and became a prisoner of Belton…then when the babe is born they would discover the paternity soon enough.”
“And would that not point further guilt at Brendon?” Molly inserted. “Put him in further trouble?”
“They would know Brendon was not involved in my mission,” Nika said firmly. “That he was just another victim.”
Nika pressed a hand to her head, willing it to stop spinning. It was an impossibility. Being pregnant. But what if they were right and by some chance—a dark thought flickered through her mind, causing her heart to pinch and her mouth to dry out.
No…Rachel would never have done that to me.
“Can you be sure?” Talia prodded softly.
“It’s irrelevant. I am not with child!” Nika yelled, slicing an unsteady hand through the air.
Molly and Talia exchanged meaningful looks and then gave a slight nod.
“All right,” Talia agreed gently. “But, regardless, time is running out, Nika. We must leave now.”
“I’m afraid time already has run out, ladies.”
The raspy voice came from the doorway and they all spun to see to whom it belonged. Nika’s gaze narrowed as the unidentifiable cloaked man strode briskly into the room.
“Though I must thank you—or your friends who’ve gone now—for gaining me entrance into this bed chamber. It proved to be quite the challenge for me.”
“Oh gods.” Molly stumbled backward, just as the man lurched at her. There was a sickening crunch as something connected with the back of her head and then Molly crumpled to the floor.
No! Nika let out a roar of rage, even as fear also slipped through her. She clenched her fists, turning her attention from where Molly lay motionless on the floor.
She stepped forward, placing herself between the man and Talia.
Maybe she hadn’t been able to foresee the attack on Molly, but the devil of a man would not lay one hand on Talia or her baby.
“Who are you?” Talia croaked in alarm. “What do you want?”
It was hard to gather his expression from his shadowed face, but Nika could hear the amusement in his tone as he murmured, “Not you, lovely.”
Time to take this bastard out of commission. Nika leapt at him, hoping to catch him off balance as he went for Talia. But he obviously expected that.
Before she could blink—or even get within feet of him—he’d pulled some form of club from his cloak and swung it at her.
It slammed into her rib cage, knocking the air from her body and her to the ground. Pain radiated through her, beyond the slight bruise she’d had when Brendon had kicked her ribs.
She attempted to crawl to her knees, gasping in a silent breath. From the corner of her eye she watched the man turn and stride toward Talia.
“Please, no!” Talia cried out. “Do not hurt my baby.”
“Stop!” Nika ground out, fear for her childhood friend raging through her as she tried to crawl forward.
The man blocked her vision as he grabbed Talia. There was no sickening crunch as there’d been with Molly. But a moment later he lowered Talia’s limp body to the floor.
“I will kill you for this,” Nika muttered, barely able to pull herself to her feet. “Perhaps not today. But—”
“Save the dramatics.” He gripped her hair, tugging her head back.
There was a small sting on the side of her neck, and then the darkness rushed up to meet her.