Twisted: Brides of the Kindred 23 Read online

  “And how do you propose to do that?” Councilor Lor’iim asked, frowning.

  “In such a way that Gorn never even knows that it is gone,” Sylvan said. “We are in the process of manufacturing an exact replica, but the process of making a credible fake will be a long and delicate one due to the intricate shading of the crystal. We need someone in Gorn’s home to plant the fake when it is ready and to guard the real Shannom-rah from the Knower until that time.”

  “So you need someone to go undercover as…what? A servant?” Councilor Bel’icos asked.

  “I was thinking, why not a Replicant?” Sylvan said. “Our intelligence indicates he trusts them more that humanoid servants—a Replicant would be beyond suspicion and probably have full access to the Shannom-rah.”

  “So someone has to go to the Replicant brothel and just hope that he buys them?” Councilor Lor’iim asked, raising one eyebrow skeptically.

  “Not for long,” Sylvan said. “There is an auction coming up in a few days time. We could plant our agent there. My understanding is that Gorn will be at the auction, looking to buy a Replicant who can cook to his satisfaction.”

  Suddenly Dark, the Kindred warrior who had been silent at Sophie’s side all this time, jumped up and began to pace.

  “Dark?” Nikki looked at him uncertainly. “Are you okay? What’s wrong?”

  “This is it—this is the mission I dreamed of.” Dark looked up, speaking to Sylvan. “Forgive me, Head Councilor, but I believe that I am meant to do this—I and no other.”

  “Oh?” Sylvan frowned. “And why do you say that?”

  “I had a dream last night.” Dark was still pacing, still running his hands through his hair as he spoke. “It was so strong—so real—I couldn’t forget it. In it, I saw a female with a bruised face and then she faded and I saw a crystal that was pure white with rainbow colors shot through it.”

  “That’s the Shannom-rah,” Nikki said excitedly. “Did you ever see it in Mistress Hellenix’s collection when she had you as her slave?”

  Dark shook his head. “No—she never trusted me with it. She held the key to that particular collection herself. But I saw it in my dream and I heard a female voice saying to me—‘You must go. A life for a life.’”

  “A life for a life?” Sylvan frowned. “What does that mean?”

  “I think it means the way in which I was saved from Mistress Hellenix in the first place,” Dark said. “Mistress Nicole traded her ex-mate for me and my younger brother. I owe a life-debt for that.”

  Sophie looked at her new friend in surprise.

  “You, uh, traded your ex husband away to Mistress Hellenix?” she asked in a low voice.

  “Well, it wasn’t like she gave me much choice.” Nikki pursed her lips. “She liked Gary, for some reason. And who knows where he is now that she’s been captured and taken into custody?”

  “Her slaves were auctioned off as well,” Sylvan said, addressing her implied question. “I’m afraid they went to all quarters of the galaxy so it’s impossible to know where your ex-mate is now.”

  “No great loss,” Malik growled and Dark nodded in agreement. Sophie thought Nikki looked conflicted about it—probably on behalf of his kids. From the bits and pieces the other woman had let drop, it sounded like her ex had planned to clean out their mutual account and run out on her. No great loss indeed.

  “So, to return to the matter at hand, you think you are meant to be our agent in this matter?” Sylvan asked, speaking to Dark. “Because of your dream?”

  “I wasn’t sure until now,” Dark admitted. “But then you said he’s looking for a cook.”

  “So…you can cook?” Sylvan raised an eyebrow at him.

  “I used to own my own restaurant on Rigelis Prime before I was captured by the Yonnites,” Dark said shortly. “Which isn’t too far from the Trollox home world—so I even know some of the dishes this bastard is likely to want. So yes, Head Councilor, I believe this mission is meant for me.”

  “But it is the Kindred of the Mother Ship who are in danger—not your own branch of the Kindred,” Councilor Lor’iim protested. “Er…if you don’t mind me asking, what is your branch? You have fangs like a Blood Kindred but your coloration…”

  “I know I look wrong. Most blood kindred look like Commander Sylvan there.” Dark gestured at Sylvan, who had blond hair and pale blue eyes, as did most Blood Kindred. He, in contrast, had flashing dark bronze eyes and black hair, worn a bit long and shaggy. “My mother was a rare Blood Kindred female,” he continued, “And my father was a Dark Healer.”

  “A Dark Healer?” Sophie murmured, surprised. “What’s that?”

  “Dark Healers are a race of people who can heal the physical and emotional wounds of others, but at a cost to themselves,” Sylvan said. He frowned. “Not that you’ll probably need it, but do you have the ability of your father’s people?”

  Dark nodded, grudgingly, Sophie thought.

  “I do. Not that I ever use it. I worked in a kitchen, remember? Not a counseling office.”

  “Well, most Blood Kindred are able to heal their mates, anyway,” Sophie remarked. “Maybe you’ll use your ability when you find the right woman.”

  The look on Dark’s face grew hard.

  “Sorry, but I just spent the last five cycles being owned and abused by a female. Forgive me if I’m not in a hurry to commit to one right away.”

  “I spent as many and more cycles as Mistress Hellenix’s slave and when the Goddess sent the right female to me, she looked exactly like my Mistress and captor,” Malik remarked quietly, locking eyes with Nikki. “Still, I gave her my whole heart—I couldn’t help it. When the time is right, you’ll know.”

  “I believe we are getting somewhat off the subject,” Councilor Bel’icos remarked. “The question before the Council is, do we believe that this warrior—Dark—is the right one to send on this mission?”

  “He just spent the last five years serving a tyrannical Mistress so you know he knows how to act like a servant,” Sophie pointed out.

  “Also, he can cook the right kind of food to tempt Gorn,” Sylvan said. “And he believes that the Goddess wants him to go.”

  “Is that the only reason you want to go?” Councilor Lor’iim asked Dark.

  “Hell, no, I don’t want to go,” Dark growled, frowning at the Councilor. “But I need to go. I must repay my debt—a life for a life, as the Goddess said. I would still be in bondage somewhere if Nicole hadn’t traded for me—and my younger brother as well.” He shook his head. “Thank the Goddess she freed him before she was captured and her other slaves were sold. He is safe at home now on Rigelis Prime. I was going to join him there, but now it’s clear I must do this first.”

  “I think the will of the Goddess is that Dark should act as our agent in this matter,” Sylvan said quietly. “All who agree—a show of hands, please?”

  Almost every hand was raised, Sophie saw approvingly. She didn’t know all of Dark’s story, but he really did seem to be the perfect person for this mission.

  “Very well. The motion carries.” Sylvan nodded and banged the speaking stone again. “In that case, we will adjourn so that Dark can get ready for his journey.”

  “Thank you.” Dark nodded and looked around the room. “I won’t let you down.”

  Sylvan put a hand on the other warrior’s shoulder.

  “We know you won’t, Brother, and we thank you for submitting yourself to the will of the Goddess in this matter.”

  Dark nodded shortly. “You’re welcome. It’s no less than my honor demands. I will go and serve in Gorn’s domicile and watch the real Shannom-rah until you can get the fake to me and I can exchange them and get the real one back to you.”

  “But what about the rest of your dream?” Sophie couldn’t help asking. “Didn’t you say you saw a woman with a bruised face?”

  Dark shrugged, his broad shoulders rolling.

  “For a moment only. I don’t even know if she was part of the dream or