Ripples of energy spark from the shimmering, blue-black blade. It’s been too long since I’ve killed with it, and the weapon has grown hungry. That shard of Orb in the hilt of my weapon glimmers, like the eye of some otherworldly beast, aching to be sated.
Kit looks into my eyes. No fear flashes through them as I sweep the blade through the air…
…and take his head clean from his shoulders.
Kit’s headless body stands tall and proud for just one moment longer. Then, a stream of blood shoots from his neck, reaching the ceiling.
Finally, his body crumples to the deck; to lie alongside his severed head.
Gaul and Anton stare at me with wordless hate – but not for long.
With a single swing, I take both of their heads from their shoulders, too. They collapse to the floor, life blood spilling out across the deck.
There’s silence in the mess hall. There’s silence inside my heart. I just took the lives of three men I’d known for centuries. The blood of my most trusted warriors now pools at my feet.
I deactivate my humming Orb-Blade, and turn to address my crew.
“Does anyone else have a problem with the way I lead? Then, challenge me! My triad will take on any one of you!”
My voice booms out as I level the challenge to my men – but not a one of them can meet my eyes. There are no more rumbles of dissent. I’ve quelled them.
It only cost me the lives of three of the men I was closest to.
Tasha is standing behind me in disbelief. She’d been so angry with me earlier – so furious. Now, she just looks numb. I guess she wasn’t expecting such harsh judgement, especially after I’d been so lenient with her.
I turn and meet her eyes. It’s harder to look at Tasha than even the hundreds of warriors who’d witnessed the execution.
Tasha didn’t hate me after I spanked her. She’s smart enough to know why it had to happen – especially after she’d challenged my authority.
But for putting her best friend in danger? For letting Kit and his triad nearly claim Sawoot?
I can see the loathing in her eyes. The bond between her and Sawoot is closer than just a captain and her first officer. They’re as close to each other as I am to my triad. Even with the pathetically short life span of a human, and the lack of a true Bond between them, those two women share everything.
I step forward, and my voice is stern as I tell Tasha:
“I placed a member of your crew in danger. You are my prisoner. You are my responsibility – and therefore, so is the life and protection of those who serve you. You have my apologies, Captain Tasha – and hopefully you will see that such behavior is not tolerated on board The Instigator.”
Tasha remains silent – awed by what she’d just witnessed.
I step forward again.
“Now, ask me for a reasonable recompense, and I shall grant it – as penance for my mistake.”
Tasha steps forward. Her eyes are challenging. “I accept your compensation – and I ask for free run of your ship – for me, and for my crew.”
All eyes are on me – those of Tasha, Sawoot, and my own crew.
I’m left juggling the responsibilities of being a leader. I must be true to my word – not too lenient, but not too harsh.
Prisoners.
I have to remember that Tasha, Sawoot, and the other humans are still my prisoners – but my grounds for holding them is growing shakier by the moment.
My crew already knows I have no plans to turn Tasha or her crew in, and during my career I’ve even taken on the same less-than-legal assignments as the one they’ve committed.
Right now, we’re all in possession of stolen property. I have no legal basis for holding Tasha and her crew aboard my ship – not while I keep those twenty-six Orbs in my hold, and have no intention to return them any time soon.
And yet, I must hold her. I can taste how right she feels. There’s a real chance that Tasha is my Fated Mate – and until I claim her as my own, I’ll never know for sure. I’ll be left wondering if she’s the one – the destined woman my battle-brothers and I have been seeking our entire lives.
I take a deep breath, and my mind races. Eventually, I reach a decision.
“Captain Tasha – I hear your request, and I can offer you this: I cannot allow the men who tried to kill my crew to be free, but the remaining three of you will have free rein of the ship – under close supervision. That’s you, your first officer, and the technician; who I’m told did not willingly participate in the assault on my crewman.”
Tasha listens to this raptly.
“You will have free rein – but be accompanied at all times by the triad of Garrick. They’re the warriors who saved Sawoot from those would-be rapists.”
Tasha has fire in her eyes, and for a second I think she’s going to test me. If she oversteps her boundaries one more time, I’ll have to take her down a notch; and that will not be enjoyable for her, or aid me in determining whether or not Tasha is our Fated Mate. However, this is still my ship, and after what has just happened, it needs to be clear that everybody on The Instigator is required to follow my rules.
Perhaps understanding this, Tasha thinks better of her defiance, and nods.
“Thank you.”
My eyes narrow. I know how hard it must have been for her to give me that courtesy when she clearly resents me so much for putting her friend in danger. However, Tasha is smart enough to know the precarious situation I’m in. In fact, she might be wondering why I’m willing to give her anything, considering my crew is growing increasingly restless with my
