Assassin: Outcasts, #4

Chapter One

Torrin Havier paused outside the war room to rub the back of his neck. Promises of a simple life, one free from oppressive rules and prejudice, had motivated him to join the Outcasts a couple of months ago. But his life had been anything but simple ever since.

Hoping to establish a colony all their own, the war-weary mercenaries journeyed to OP3, a seemingly uninhabited planet in a remote corner of space far from the political conflicts and bigotry that had shaped so many of their lives. Only trouble was, the planet wasn’t uninhabited. A species of elf-like beings, the Sarronti, lived underground and hadn’t taken well to the invasion. A series of attacks followed. The latest had been a kidnapping, and Torrin had been part of the small team sent to rescue one of the victims. The other captive had already been released.

Torrin stepped closer to the door, and the computer announced his arrival. Someone on the inside approved the visit, and the door slid open. The room was oblong. A raised table, with eight coordinating chairs, the only furniture. A door in the adjacent wall allowed occupants to move into and out of the command center of the Viper, one of twelve structurally identical ships that had been connected forming a massive circular complex. The Wheel was now the home, headquarters, and social center for three thousand male Outcasts and their potential mates.

Overlord Kage Razel and his top adviser Warlord Torak Payne faced each other at the far end of the table. Their expressions were tense and conflicted. Out of habit, Torrin activated his ocular sensor cluster and a stream of information scrolled across the right side of his vision. He looked at the overlord, and the sensors detected his heart rate and body temperature, pupil size and muscle contractions too subtle for Torrin’s natural eye to spot. More could be learned by analyzing nonverbal reactions than listening to the words most people spoke.

Great job, you two. Kage motioned to the chair next to Torak’s. Have a seat.

Torrin wasn’t sure why this debriefing was necessary. Xorran, the third member of their team, had already updated the overlord on the outcome of the mission. They were supposed to retrieve Heather, one of the females the Sarronti had stolen, and that’s exactly what they did. Well, almost exactly.

Trying not to let his annoyance show, Torrin slipped onto the indicated chair and looked at Torak. The ocular readout changed, providing information on the warlord.

Relax, brother. We’re not in trouble. Torak was blond, a rarity among the Outcasts. His eyes were also light, silvery gray rather than dark brown. His phitons, the incandescent rings separating his irises from his pupils, were vivid blue, a color Torrin had never seen before. Torak’s frequent smiles and willingness to laugh contrasted with his ruthless nature. It took a lot to piss off the warlord, but once riled, he was a force of nature.

The mission was an unquestionable success, Kage began, drawing Torrin’s attention back to him. With dark hair and eyes, the overlord looked more like the other Outcasts than the warlord. Still, there were some important distinctions. Kage had no phitons, at least none visible. And twice, when the overlord was agitated, Torrin had seen a subtle rotation in his ink-black eyes. The phenomenon had been so subtle, Torrin doubted anyone else noticed, but it hinted at Ontarian heritage. It had been easy for Torrin to spot the tell because he had Ontarian blood too. I’m thrilled that Heather was retrieved without needless bloodshed, but we need to deal with the complications.

Complications? Torrin challenged the plural. I can only think of one, and she’s in main medical.

We now have two elves in our custody, Kage reminded. Have you forgotten about Farlo, General Alonov’s son?

Actually, Torrin had. He’d been so completely focused on his mission that he’d yet to consider possible ramifications. When the Sarronti originally kidnapped Heather and Sara, the Outcasts had managed to capture one of the raiding party. Sara had negotiated her own release. But the attempt at a prisoner exchange failed, so Torrin, Xorran and Torak had been sent in to rescue Heather. Her rescue now left the Sarronti with no leverage that would enable them to recover Farlo Alonov.

General Alonov isn’t going to rest while his son is at our mercy, Kage concluded. We have to be ready for an attack. It’s only a matter of time before it happens.

"Is Farlo still aboard the Viper?" Torak wanted to know.

Kage nodded. He’s down in detention. The Sarronti have never attempted to breach our defenses. I don’t see a reason to move him.

Torak nodded, obviously in agreement with the overlord’s assessment.

And the other complication is even trickier, Kage continued when the other two remained silent for several seconds. You might not have done the little elf a favor by dragging her up here.

The little elf was one gorgeous Sarronti female named Arrista. We had no choice but to bring her too, Torrin stressed. If we’d left her there in the grotto, Alonov would have killed her. The feisty little Sarronti had been grappling with General Alonov when the rescue party arrived. If Arrista hadn’t intervened, the depraved Sarronti general would have raped Heather long before Torrin and the others arrived. As it was, Arrista got a punch in the face for her trouble, but Heather had escaped unharmed.

Stop being so defensive, the overlord insisted. I agree that there was no other choice. However, considering what Arrista interrupted, she’s likely still in danger. Alonov doesn’t strike me as the type to leave witnesses alive.

Torrin glanced at Torak. The warlord looked just as uncomfortable as Torrin. One of them was about to be designated as babysitter to the elf. Torrin hated to throw a brother to the wolves, but the last thing he needed was a spirited female underfoot. It’s probably safer to take her off-world.

A harsh, hallow laugh burst from Torak. "Not a chance, cyborg. My crew is just starting to accept my command. There is no way I’m allowing a Sarronti female onboard the Relentless."

Torrin hated being called cyborg, and the warlord knew it, which was why he refused to stop. Torak teased everyone, so Torrin tried not to take offense. Besides, he’d started it by volunteering Torak to guard the elf.

Unfortunately, Torrin, I agree with Torak, the overlord told him. Besides, Dr. Foran told me Arrista seems attached to you.

That’s the problem, Torrin stressed. She looks at me like I’m the damn savior of the star system. I might have helped her escape danger, but I’m no one’s idea of a savior. You need to assign her to someone else.

The impassioned plea had no effect on the overlord. She’s scared, and you make her feel safe. It just makes sense to let you guard her. Once Alonov is neutralized, I’ll reassess.

What about what she makes me feel? he grumbled.

Torak made a sound, a half-chuckle, half-snort. I second that question.

She’s pretty, I take it? Kage crossed his arms over his chest as a cunning gleam lit his dark eyes.

Torak is pretty, Torrin jibed. This female is...you have to see her to understand. His smart aleck response earned him a punch in the arm from the scowling warlord.

Kage looked at Torak. Is she that beautiful?

She’s gorgeous, the warlord said without pause. Genetically compatible or not, she’s guaranteed to cause a stir.

That brings up a damn good point. Stroking his chin, Kage contemplated the options. We need to find out if Sarronti females are genetically compatible with us. We’ve already lost thirty-two possible mates because of Skyla Lux’s ultimatum. We need to replace them quickly, or moral will go to hells.

Skyla Lux was a powerful Bilarrian mystic who agreed to help with the transformation necessary for the Outcasts to reproduce, but she had one nonnegotiable condition. All of the human females had to be given the option of returning to Earth rather than selecting a mate. Though it would slow things down considerably, Torrin understood the condition. The humans had been taken from Earth without their consent, so they deserved an opportunity to refuse.

I hadn’t thought about the elves as possible mates, Torak admitted.

That’s why I’m overlord and you’re just a measly warlord, Kage said playfully. Then he looked at Torrin and sighed. Sorry, Torrin. It needs to be you. I don’t want Arrista traumatized any more than she is right now. She knows the underground, knows Isolaund. We need information badly, and she’s our best chance of finally getting some.

Isolaund. The name made Torrin tense. She was the powerful Sarronti female with whom the Outcasts had first made contact. The ruthless bitch had been sabotaging their attempts at civility ever since. And Arrista was Isolaund’s personal servant.

Torak laughed as he slapped Torrin on the back. Did you hear that, brother? The elf is your ‘best chance of finally getting some.’

A reluctant smile tugged at Torrin’s lips. Not everyone understood the warlord’s sense of humor, but Torrin was really starting to like him. You giving me permission to seduce the elf, sir? he asked Kage. In that case, I’m all in.

Kage tensed, all playfulness gone from his face. I’m giving you permission to keep her safe. That means from everyone, including you.

Clearly, this was a losing battle. Once the overlord made up his mind, he seldom changed it. Then I need to be moved to a cabin near hers. Where is she assigned?

The wily gleam in Kage’s eyes became even more apparent. The safest place for her is with you, meaning in your cabin.

You’ve got to be joking.

Not at all. I want eyes on her twenty-four-seven. That means you.

Torrin narrowed his gaze and clenched his fists. This couldn’t be happening. Look but don’t touch, twenty-four-seven. What did I do to piss you off?

Kage shrugged, obviously unmoved by Torrin’s anger. "It’s not a punishment, and I never said you couldn’t touch her. I said you couldn’t seduce her. If she initiates anything, I don’t need to know about it. What transpires between consenting adults is none of my business."

Another wicked chuckle rumbled through Torak’s chest. A series of romances between Sarronti females and trusted Outcasts might motivate the guiding council to find a peaceful solution to this conflict.

What a clever idea. Kage smiled. Wish I’d thought of it.

CAREFUL TO KEEP HERSELF completely covered, Arrista drew her legs up under her dress and wrapped her arms around her knees. She made herself as small as possible, hoping the strangers surrounding her would forget she was there. She sat on a padded table in a circular room the Outcasts called main medical. There was nothing in the underground to compare with this place. Sarronti healers went wherever they were needed. The sick or injured were not brought to the healers. That seemed backward to Arrista.

Still, this was not the world below. It was likely she would never see the underground again. Grief constricted her chest, and tears blurred her vision. She stubbornly blinked them away and breathed through the tightness in her chest. The underground was the only home she’d ever known. The Sarronti, with all of their flaws, were her people. Without them, her future was uncertain at best.

The Outcasts claimed she was not in imminent danger. But why should she believe the Outcasts? They were mercenaries, criminals, invaders. Who in their right mind would trust such beings? They swore she had been rescued, not kidnapped, that she was free to return to the world below whenever she liked. She knew returning was impossible. If she returned to the underground now, General Alonov would finish what he’d started in the grotto.

The scene came back in nauseating flashes, making Arrista’s head pound. Heather’s terrified screams echoed in Arrista’s ears, and General Alonov’s fury twisted image seemed indelibly imprinted on her memory. It didn’t matter that he had been attempting to rape the young human. It was not Arrista’s place to interfere with any of the Ayrontu. Those of the highest designation did whatever they wanted, and none was ever held accountable for their actions. Still, Arrista acted on instinct, throwing herself at the general as if she had any hope of preventing his evil deed. And as a result, his massive fist rocketed toward her, catching her squarely in the face. Blinding pain, then blackness until she woke in Torrin’s arms.

Torrin, her rescuer, savior, master, yet even he was the enemy. It was all so confusing. How could she serve the enemy? Lady Isolaund, Arrista’s true mistress, was unreachable now, so how could Arrista do anything else? She must serve someone, and Torrin had risked his life to rush her away from life-threatening danger. According to Sarronti law, he now owned her. He’d flatly refused to even consider such a concept, so she needed to convince him to accept her willing service and start assigning her tasks. Maybe if he allowed her to clean, cook, and see to his daily needs, he would not expect her to service him in bed. It was probably unrealistic, but she desperately wanted things to be different. If the Outcasts treated her with any hint of respect, it would be worth all that she’d left behind.

Her head throbbed, despite the efforts of the Outcast physician. She should be grateful all she suffered was a lingering headache. The ruthless general had literally broken her face. The Outcast doctor repaired something called the zygomatic arch, restoring her cheekbone so it matched the other side. He also resolved the concussion left behind by Alonov’s fist.

Arrista shuddered, and her lips trembled. She was Niffal. Physical punishments were nothing new for those of the lowest designation. She was frequently slapped or shoved. She’d even endured a beating or two, but no one had ever rendered her unconscious before. And the abuse had just begun. If the Outcasts hadn’t arrived when they did, Arrista knew without doubt that her suffering would have been much, much worse. General Alonov was known for his brutality and dark appetites. But the Outcasts hadn’t responded to Arrista’s terror. They’d been searching for Heather, a precious human female. Arrista had been an afterthought, an unexpected complication to their rescue mission.

A glass of water slowly entered her peripheral vision. You need to drink. Doctor’s orders.

Arrista looked up and found Heather standing beside the padded table. Accepting the water with a wane smile, she responded, And you’re supposed to be in bed.

Thanks to a recent injection of Outcast lenitas, or what they called com-bots, Arrista could now speak Rodyte. According to Lady Isolaund’s spies, most of the Outcasts were hybrids. Their genetics included a variety of worlds, though the planet of origin for most was Rodymia. Many spoke more than one language, so Rodyte was designated as their common tongue. Arrista could also speak English, though not nearly as well as Rodyte. English was favored by the human females like Heather. Lady Isolaund had taught Arrista many things about the far away planet in preparation for a visit that never took place.

Heather pulled a face, making her look childish. That’s not a bed. It’s a treatment table, and I want out of this place as soon as possible.

I feel the same, but... She sighed, knowing Heather would not understand her dilemma. None of these beings comprehended Sarronti ways.

The shallow female didn’t even pick up on Arrista’s anxiety. Instead the human said, I wanted to thank you for helping me. If you hadn’t taken on that horrible man, he would have hurt, maybe even killed me.

Pleasantly surprised by Heather’s gratitude, Arrista smiled. You’re welcome. Too many of the Ayrontu do whatever they please without any sort of consequence. I could not stand by and let him hurt another helpless female.

Another? Her voice raised an octave, and her eyes grew round. He’s done this sort of thing before?

There have been whispers about his depravity as long as I can remember, Arrista admitted. General Alonov is evil, and everyone knows it.

That’s not right. Your people need to take care of it immediately.

Arrista agreed wholeheartedly but said only, "It is doubtful