Cursed Read online

  Her official manner and the badge had worked wonders. The seven foot tall Kindred guard had meekly let her past and she had found herself in the small, bare antechamber, separated from the Council room by only a metal door. Settling in to listen, Charlie had learned some truly horrifying facts about the Dark Kindred and their plans for total domination of the Earth.

  “How can we stop them if they have superior numbers and fire power?” Stavros asked. “The inhabitants of Earth can be somewhat stubborn and irritating at times but in working there I have come to love the planet as my own home. I will do anything I can to protect it and the people who live there.”

  “That is what we hoped you would say,” Commander Sylvan replied. “We have the beginnings of a plan predicated on a prophesy given to us by the Goddess. Will you hear it?”

  “Of course. Please proceed.”

  “Very well:

  “Cursed to find an early grave

  Will be the one the Light to Save

  The Pain of others he must feel

  The wounds of others he can heal

  To stop the evil he must find

  The Heart of Love in J’lorgon’s Mind

  To bring it to the void and cold

  And cast it in, he must be bold.

  For…”

  There was a lingering pause on the other side of the door. Then Stavros said, “If he what?”

  “Unfortunately, we do not know—the prophesy is incomplete although we have people working to find the rest of it.”

  “It clearly seems to indicate someone of my situation, though.” Stavros sounded thoughtful. “Cursed to find an early grave and the pain of others he must feel—that clearly indicates a Sin Eater.”

  An early grave? What do they mean by that? Charlie frowned but the conversation in the other room was already moving on.

  “We thought so too which was why we need you so urgently, Commander Stavros,” one of the other Council members said.

  “But you need me to do what?” Stavros sounded perplexed. “What is the Heart of Love and where is J’lorgon’s Mind?”

  “I’ll let Commander Lock answer that,” Sylvan said. “He has been researching the matter extensively and in fact, has only just returned from a fact-finding trip.”

  Commander Lock? Charlie felt a shock go through her. That’s not the one who…no it can’t be. Then a new voice began and she forced herself to listen.

  “J’lorgon’s Mind is a place of healing and wisdom in the Crab Nebula founded by the great Syntharian healer, T’dai al J’Lorgon,” a new voice said. “It is a retreat of sorts—a place where those who are weary in body and soul can find refreshment and renewal.”

  “And the Heart of Love?” Stavros asked.

  “A priceless artifact at the center of the resort. The reports of what it actually is very greatly. Some say it is a sacred pink synthar-crystal carved with the runes for love and understanding.. Others say it is a rare pygmy Manai tree which blossoms only in the presence of true and unconditional love. Some say it is actually the preserved heart of T’dai al J’Lorgon himself which fills whomever stands near it with love and understanding towards all living beings.”

  “So we’re not sure what it is?” Sylvan asked.

  “I couldn’t find out for sure. But according to the prophesy, we need it—it’s the only way to defeat the Dark Kindred. And I did find out one thing—the one who claims the Heart of Love is the only one who can use it effectively. All the legends agree on that.”

  “Naturally this priceless relic isn’t for sale,” Sylvan said dryly.

  “Of course not—it’s closely guarded,” Lock admitted. “Though I dislike duplicity, I am afraid it will have to be taken. But not by force—the wards and security systems around the resort are much too complicated to make that a feasible option. No, it must be taken by subterfuge by someone working on the inside.”

  “All right, that sounds simple enough,” Stavros rumbled. “I’ll pose as a weary pilgrim to this resort—this J’lorgon’s Mind. Then once I infiltrate it, I’ll find a way to get past the security and take the Heart of Love.”

  “Unfortunately, it’s not quite as simple as that,” Lock said. “You see, J’lorgon’s Mind is a retreat for couples. You’ll need a female to go with you and pose as your mate. The two of you will pretend to be having problems and say that you need healing for your troubled relationship.”

  “What?” For the first time Stavros sounded really disconcerted. “But I don’t know of any female I can take with me to help enact this subterfuge!”

  “That is a problem.” Sylvan sounded like he was frowning. “Though it sounds simple on the outside, we would have to find a female willing to go into danger. Stealing such a priceless and closely guarded artifact will not be without considerable risks.”

  “It would have to be an unmated female,” another councilor said. “One who was already mated to another warrior would never be able to act the part convincingly.”

  “Not to mention the fact that she would be covered in her mate’s scent, proclaiming the lie to anyone with a halfway decent sense of smell,” another male voice rumbled.

  “You are right,” Lock said. “It must be an unmated female.”

  “Well that could be a problem.” Sylvan sighed. “Since the war with Earth started, we have a lack of unmated females. In fact, I don’t think there is a single female who isn’t spoken for on the entire Mother Ship.”

  Charlie didn’t give herself time to think about it, she just barged right into the Council room.

  “Oh yes there is,” she said. “I’m here and I’ll go.”

  * * * * *

  “Charlotte?” Stavros looked at her, shocked. “What are you doing here?” he demanded when he could finally get his brain to work.

  “Volunteering.” She raised an eyebrow at him. “Is that a problem?”

  Commander Sylvan frowned at her. “The problem is that you have apparently been listening in on a private and highly confidential meeting.”

  “Yes I have.” Charlotte lifted her chin regally and Stav couldn’t help admiring her composure. Here she stood, admitting to what amounted to espionage, yet she was absolutely fearless.

  “Isn’t this the female who captured Commander Stavros in the first place?” one of the Councilors asked, frowning at her from his place around the semi-circular table. “Isn’t she an agent of the Anti-Kindred organization committed to forcing all our kind to leave Earth for good?”

  “I believe she is,” Commander Sylvan said mildly. “Though in Commander Stavros’s defense, he broke free of captivity and took his captor hostage—that is how she comes to be here on the Mother Ship with us.”

  “Why did he bring her up here if she’s anti-Kindred?” a black haired warrior asked.

  “I believe there was some…misunderstanding about her medical condition,” Sylvan said delicately. “He brought her for her own safety but there is, of course, no way to return her. Not now at any rate, with the Dark Kindred blockading the Earth. And—”

  “Listen,” Charlotte said impatiently, breaking in. “I’ve been standing outside this room for the past hour listening to everything those Dark Kindred—the Enhanced Ones—want to do to my planet. How they want to makes us slaves and take our emotions and strip mine the Earth like some giant coal pit…” She choked slightly but made herself continue. “Well, I’m not going to let that happen. I want to help get rid of them.”

  “I don’t think you quite understand what you’re offering,” Commander Lock, who had gone on the fact finding mission said. “J’lorgon’s Mind bills itself as a very serious and exclusive resort. Their security is no laughing matter.”

  “Commander Lock, right?” Charlotte snapped.

  “Well…yes.” He frowned.

  “You’re a Twin Kindred, right? So where’s your brother?” Charlotte demanded.

  Lock frowned. “He is…with our mate and our children at the moment. Why do you ask?”

  “No