Free darknadir by Lisanne Norman Page B

to cleanse his own system and fulfil his obligation to her by releasing her from the compulsion his bite had caused. He'd wanted to mate with her as little as she'd wanted it, but it was the only way to neutralize the chemicals his teeth had injected into her. There had been no pleasure in it for him. It was yet another of the indignities their captivity had imposed on him, and for that, those who'd brought him to this time would suffer!

When he reached their estate, then he'd begin to redress the balance— once they'd returned them all to his time. What they had done to him would be nothing to the sweet revenge he'd take on them!

He took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain calm. Anger was good, but not yet. Later, when he had the Human female and the two male Sholans to vent it on— and maybe that hatchling of theirs, too. Time now to hunt, eat, and move cautiously onward to the Valsgarth estate.

     
    * * *
     
    Kaid walked down the corridor leading from the bridge to the cabin he and T'Chebbi shared with Giyesh. They'd all found themselves sharing quarters with crew members, undoubtedly so Tirak's people could keep an eye on them. Around him, like a heartbeat, he could hear the ever-present sound of the ship's engines. Another day, Tirak had said, then they'd be at jump point. It was taking them only three days to reach the requisite velocity. They must be traveling faster than the Alliance craft could, but Tirak was keeping those details to himself. Perhaps the Cabbarans had other technology that no one was speaking about.

As Kaid approached the doorway to his assigned cabin, he pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind and pressed the lock. Giyesh was off at her post and everyone was waiting, crowded into the limited space. He could feel their curiosity as he crossed over to the chair left vacant for him. He let his gaze linger on Kate and Taynar, the young Leska pair. They sat close together, Kate obviously still overwhelmed by recent events.

"I've been speaking to Captain Kishasayzar on Jalna," he said, taking his seat. "The Rhijissoh is expected there within the next four days and all is going as planned for the proposed Contact talks. Railin is now firmly entrenched in his position as the new Port Lord."

"What about Killian? Did he cause any trouble over our escape?" asked Jo. "And what about the laser gun we left behind?"

Kaid's mouth opened in a faint grin. "The laser blew the minute Killian's men tried to move it, taking out the whole wall of his barn. He had some idea of using it on the port once he realized Railin had taken you there. It took Ashay showing off his shuttle piloting skills again to make Killian calm down enough to sit at the table with Railin and the others to form a ruling council for Jalna. I think they'll do well."

"What's this meeting all about?" Rezac demanded suddenly. "We've been on board for two days now and you've told us damned little about what's going on here. I think we're due an explanation."

"It's time we had a debriefing," Kaid agreed quietly. "Before I begin, I want to remind you we are guests on this craft. Treaty negotiations have begun, and due to the unique circumstances we all find ourselves in, an interim agreement has been signed. We are allied with both the U'Churians and the Cabbarans. I expect you to behave accordingly." Again, he glanced around the room, ignoring the slightly raised eye ridge from T'Chebbi. She'd understand he couldn't have briefed her sooner.

"I'm assuming no one knows anything here, so I'll start from the beginning. Two Valtegan shuttles landed on Jalna some six or so months ago. One landed outside the Port, then crashed on takeoff, the other touched down to sell the four Sholan prisoners it carried and to buy supplies. Jo's party were sent to Jalna at the request of the Chemerians to find out about the first Valtegan craft, the one that crashed. Since Jalna is in what the Chemerians consider their home territory, until now all