Brides of the Kindred Read online

  “They do if someone is using a molecular transfer beam,” Baird said grimly. “Clothes left behind—nothing taken but her—it has to be. The beam won’t transport anything but living tissue.”

  “What?” Liv rounded on him. “What are you talking about?”

  “It’s a new technology—the Kindred have been working on it, mainly because we were pretty sure the Scourge were trying to develop it too.” Baird shook his head. “Looks like the Scourge beat us to it.”

  “Well if you guys have a beam too, then can’t you just beam her back?” Olivia demanded. “Beam her home?”

  “I’m afraid not, Lilenta.” Baird put an arm around her shoulders. “Ours isn’t operational yet and besides, we don’t know where she is. The universe is a vast place—I don’t think you realize how vast. And Sophia could literally be anywhere in it.”

  “Not if the Scourge have her,” Kat said, frowning. “Chances are she’s back on their Fathership.”

  “I don’t think so.” Baird shook his head. “If she was back in our area, we would have seen the fold in space. There’s been no energy disturbance at all from the Scourge—in fact, they’ve been remarkably silent for the past couple of days.”

  “I tried calling her on a Think-me, but there was no answer—she must be someplace that’s shielded against thoughts. But that doesn’t matter—I’m going to find her.” Sylvan ran a hand through his hair. Kat thought that even on the viewscreen he looked terrible—like a man on the brittle, crumbling edge of insanity. “I have to.”

  “How?” Baird said reasonably. “She could be anywhere.”

  “If they didn’t fold space back to your sector, they should still be in mine.” Sylvan shook his head. “Only…there aren’t any unidentified ships in the Tranq Prime orbit. But gods, I have to find her.”

  “I know how you feel,” Baird said grimly. “But you have to get hold of yourself, Brother. You won’t do her any good flying off half-cocked.”

  “You don’t understand.” Sylvan’s voice was low and troubled. “I have to find her—and in the next forty-eight hours.”

  Olivia frowned. “Why the next forty-eight hours?”

  “Because…” Sylvan pressed the heel of his hand to his forehead. “Because just before she was taken I found out that she’d contracted Blood Fever. I have to find her in forty-eight hours so I can cure her. After that…it will be too late.”

  “Oh my God.” Liv put a hand to her eyes and started to sob. Apparently she knew something about the mysterious disease Sophie had been diagnosed with—maybe because of her work in the med station. Baird looked grim also.

  Kat wished she could ask for details but there was really no time. Her eyes snapped back up to the viewscreen where Sylvan was talking again.

  “I’m going to start with a narrow orbit and work my way out,” he was saying. “That way I can’t miss anything. And then—”

  “Stop.” Kat spoke up for the first time.

  Everyone looked at her. “Stop what?” Liv demanded.

  “Sylvan, don’t go anywhere,” Kat told him. “Stay where you are—there’s no point in you flying around in circles. Just give me some time to see if I can locate Sophie.”

  “You?” He frowned. “How are you going to locate her?”

  Kat put a hand on her hip. “The same way I located you guys before when you were lost in the mountains.” Her heart was beating so hard she could feel it in every part of her body but she made herself go on. “I…I’ll get help from Lock and Deep.”

  “But…but I thought you never wanted anything to do with them ever again,” Liv said though her tears.

  “I don’t,” Kat said grimly. “But there’s no other way.” She looked back up at the viewscreen. “Just give me a little time, Sylvan. A couple of hours, that’s all I ask.”

  “You may be asking too much,” Sylvan said grimly. “One or two hours could mean the difference between life and death.”

  “But what if you go off and she’s in the opposite direction you’re flying?” Olivia demanded, swiping at her eyes. “Please, Sylvan, I believe in Kat. Just give her two hours to try.”

  Sylvan looked at Baird. “Brother? What do you think?”

  Baird nodded slowly. “I don’t honestly know if even Lock and Deep can find her over such a great distance. But my heart tells me we should try. Give Kat the time, Sylvan.”

  Sylvan nodded reluctantly and looked at Kat. “Please,” he said hoarsely. “Please find her.”

  Liv reached for her hand and squeezed it tightly. “Yes, Kat—please.”

  Kat swallowed hard and tried not to let the fear she was feeling show. “I’ll do my best.”

  * * * * *

  “Well, well. Look who it is.” Deep’s voice was sardonic but his eyes blazed as he looked Kat up and down. He was standing in the doorway of the suite he shared with Lock wearing a pair of black sleep pants—and nothing else.

  “Who is it?” Lock’s voice, floating out from inside the suite, sounded sleepy.

  “Come see for yourself, Brother.” Deep folded his arms over his broad chest and leaned against the doorway, smirking. “It seems our little Kat has something to say…and apparently she’s in a hurry to say it. Too much of a hurry to even get dressed properly.” His eyes roved over Kat’s blue satin nighty and matching robe.

  Kat resisted the urge to cover herself. “Give me a break,” she snapped. “It’s the middle of the night and I didn’t have time to change.” The set was a recent acquisition, bought from one of the clothing shops that catered to Earth brides. Kat had searched and searched for something more comfortable and less sexy—something like her sock monkey pjs back home—but apparently none of the new brides was into comfort over fashion. Which made sense—they were all essentially on their honeymoons. But still…

  “What are you talking about?” Lock came to the door, rubbing his eyes. His dark blond hair was tousled and he was wearing sleep pants that matched his twin’s, but his were a deep maroon that showed off his golden tan skin. In fact, both brothers looked absolutely gorgeous. Which isn’t making this any easier, Kat thought grimly.

  “Kat!” Lock seemed surprised, as though he hadn’t really believed his brother. “Welcome. Why are you just standing out there?”

  Kat lifted her chin. “I haven’t been invited in.”

  “What’s wrong with you?” Lock frowned at his brother. “How can you leave her standing there in the corridor half dressed, for any male to see? Invite her in.”

  “Come in, Lady Kat.” Deep made a sweeping bow. “That is, if you can suddenly stand the sight of us.”

  Kat took a deep breath. Well, she had known she was going to have to eat some humble pie—she just hadn’t known that Deep would start dishing it out quite so quickly.

  “I’m here because I need your help,” she said. Stepping into their suite and passing between their two large, male bodies was incredibly hard but she forced herself to do it anyway. And she only jumped a little when the door swooshed shut behind her.

  “Our help, hmmm? And why would we want to help you?” Deep arched one black eyebrow at her, his arms still crossed over his chest.

  “Let her talk, Deep,” Lock snapped. He gestured at the couch. “Would you like to have a seat? It’s a little early for klava but I think I have some left from yesterday’s delivery.”

  “Klava would be great.” Kat smiled at him gratefully as she sank down on the extra long couch. “But I really don’t have much time.”

  “It’ll just take a minute.” Lock nodded at his brother. “Deep, come help me.”

  Giving her a last, speculative look, Deep nodded at Kat and sauntered into the kitchen.

  * * * * *

  Deep leaned back against the food prep counter frowning. “I assume you can manage the klava by yourself, Brother. So the reason you need me in the kitchen must be for a heart-to-heart chat.”

  “Exactly.” Lock put down the klava tray he’d picked up and came to stand directly in front o