Riane Lasair DARK ANGELI BY RIANE LASAIR Venus Press LLC 2 DARK ANGELI The scanning, uploading and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal, and punishable by law. Please purchase only authoriz ed electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product o f the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, places, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. DARK ANGELI Copyright © 2006 by Riane Lasair ISBN: 1-59836-348-4 Cover Art © 2006 by Dan Skinner All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any form without permission, except as provided by the U.S. Copyright Law. Printed and bound in the United States of America. For information, you can find us on the web at www.VenusPress.com 3 Riane Lasair Dedication: To Nikita who never let me forget who my friends are. Thank you all for your support and encouragement. And to Tracey, who always was there to encourage me. 4 DARK ANGELI Chapter One Commander Mishka Sakar stood over the bodies o f the fallen like an avenging angel. Her long black hair was plated into a thick rope hanging down her back, whipping back and forth along the long line of her back in the violent winds that fanned the fires that had erupted during the fighting. Her sword, in one hand, dripped red with the blood of the fallen laying around her on the hard ground of the inner walls. In her other hand she had coiled a whip, perched on her hip above her armored leggings. The cries of the wounded rose around her, but her eye s remained empty. Scanning the ground around her and the battlements she noted soldiers rounding up those who survived the battle. “Call the healers!” she began to move through the fallen, friend and foe alike. Already ships were landing a safe distance away from the fighting, healers and assistants were swarming out to treat the injured. Deep inside the fortified main complex was her goal. She could see her guard pulling men out into the main hall. She would deal with them when her liege lord arrived. Nodding to other commanders as she made her way deeper into the bowels of the complex, she noted the computer systems were now down and allowed herself a small thrill of victory. Her own soldiers would be taking control of all systems very soon. Reaching her destination, followed by no less than six of her personal guard, she keyed the opening to the cellblocks. Inside she could hear the moans of those held inside small boxes, piled six high, in four levels. Lifting her gaze she looked over the cell doors and noted that there were no guards. They must have been called when the fighting broke out above ground. “Get the men in here. I want healers to tend to the wounded here before the survivors above.” She walked down the corridor , her boots ringing aga inst metal with each step, and climbed the stairs to the next level. There were over two hundred cells and from what she could see, every one was occupied with no less than three people. A chill worked its way up her spine as she looked into each window. “We have four healers on the way as we speak , my lady, the rest should arrive shortly from above.” The gruff voice of Rayce, her second in command, echoed slightly as he followed her down the walkway. 5 Riane Lasair “Have we located the Commander of this complex? ” she asked off hand, almost musical as her tone of voice changed. It was a warning to Rayce that she was almost at the end of her patience after viewing the carnage within the small cells. Wincing slightly, he looked to the others below; with a confirming nod f rom one of his soldiers he took relish in reporting, “Yes, my lady. He and his core guard are being held above for your arrival and that of Lord Grayson.” “Good.” Looking over at one of her guard she made an abbreviated motion with her chin. “Mathew, go above and order our men to scour the complex. I want every body accounted for, I want every file secured, round up all the technicians and discover if they were working for the leader willingly or against it. ” she snapped out her orders as she moved back to the main hall, her guards followed her. “Get someone down here to start opening those cages. Make the living facilities available to our men.” “Already done, my lady.” Rayce nodded. “I have secured you a room already and a link to Lord Grayson whenever you are ready.” “I don’t have time for that now. ” She bristled with an angry shrug. Her eyes, a strange color of deep reddish brown, burned with anger. They were framed by a thick set of lashes, as black as her hair, and perfect eyebrows arched over t hem. Her eyes tipped up at the corners, leading a cat like grace on her face. Her lips were now twisted in an angry grimace, but usually in repose were luscious and full. Her graceful nose expanding as she breathed through her nose and out her mouth through clenched teeth. Her armor glinted in the dim light coming from the emergency lighting through out the complex. Boots rapped on the metal flooring as she walked up the platform and into the lift. Rayce and his men moved as one unit behind her into th e lift as she pressed the setting to raise them up to the upper levels of the complex. Watching the communication channels on the panel she saw that the computers were now under their control and the back up generators were even now kicking in. Technicians would be securing the systems one by one. She had greatly relished destroying their generators on the first pass before landing outside the main walls of the complex. After a year of planning, taking out their ships one by one, she had finally reached her goal. Entering the main rooms of the complex she saw the survivors of the battle secured in shackles being guarded by fifty of her soldiers. “Lady.” One of the technicians, a captain, overseeing the other techs, moved up close. He presented his report silently to her, handing over the digital plate. She quickly read over the information and smiled grimly. Her eyes took on a different light, causing several of the guard to shift nervously around her. 6 DARK ANGELI “Relax gentlemen.” A smile graced her relaxed lips. “Captain, I have men below working at freeing the prisoners. See that these men, ” Glaring at the captives, “grace those cells, one in each. I want no less than four guards on each level to ensure that silence is retained. If any of them whisper a word. ..” She made sure she retained eye contact with the men now in their custody, “if a word is whispered at any time, I want the man killed.” The captain nodded and barked out orders to the men guarding the prisoners. Over the course of the night, she watched as each of the cells was emptied of their prisoners, and the captives that had survived the battle were placed inside. Moving through the now formed lines of pallets in the main hall, she watched healers move from those that had been released from the ce lls below. Most moaned pitifully on the makeshift pallets, while others were in blessed oblivion. There were old men, as well as women with children who clutched their hands sitting close to the pallets. The sight of the children tore at her insides, seeing their scarred flesh and ragged clothing. Snagging a passing guard, she hissed at him while her hand gripped the cloth of his shirt. “I want all the extra bedding stripped within the hour. Give the children extra rations of food and allow them to cov er themselves.” Her eyes snapped with fire as she glared at the man who stiffened in her grasp her. “By your will , Lady.” He gave an abbreviated bow , eyes never leaving hers, allowing himself to breathe a bit easier as she released him, and marched off. Rayce stepped close, his head bent close to her so no one could hear. “Your quarters await, Lady. Lord Grayson wishes a communication as soon as possible. I have arranged a meal in your quarters.” Even as her eyes watched the retreating soldier, she nodd ed absently and allowed Rayce to pull her down the hall to her rooms. Once there, she saw a bath steaming ready for her. Ignoring her second in command she began to pull off her armor, eager to submerge her tired muscles in the hot water before her. “Put the call through, then go and rest Rayce.” Unlacing her pants, she didn’t look up to see if he heard or not. With her back to the view screen she heard the chime announcing the call connection. “My lord Grayson.” Pulling off her top and tossing it into a chair for later cleaning, she moved closer to the steaming pool near her, unwinding her hair, she savored the easing of the tension in her scalp. “Commander Sakar.” He had a voice that never stopped being a soothing balm to her wounded soul. “I take it the plan was a success?” Still with her back to him, she submerged herself in the water, rising and pushing the excess water out of her face and smoothing back her hair, unaware of the sight of the 7 Riane Lasair water flowing down smooth skin, caressing her high firm br easts. Her eyes closed she soaped her hair as she made her report. “Yes, my lord Grayson. I have one hundred and seventy-five officers and enlisted men of the enemy presently in their own prison cells. I have his previous tenants currently in the great room being tended by our healers. Computers are secured as well as the computer files . No one will be tampering with anything until the Empires technicians can get here and take charge.” “Very good, Commander. I knew I chose right when I selected you to implement the plan. You can expect to see me within the next three days, as well as the royal guard.” His voice changed, more somber he added, “Get some rest Commander, you look tired.” She looked over her shoulder at Grayson, and froze. Through the viewing screen, she saw the whole of the royal family sitting there watching as she leisurely took her bath. She could see the unholy mirth shining in Grayson’s eyes as he saw her recognition. Taking a deep breath, she wound her hair into a towel and resumed her bath. If they wanted to watch her bathe, then who was she to stop them from watching? Picking up a new Achi sponge, she applied the thick soap and lathered it up. Looking over her shoulder, she applied the Achi now filled with the thick soap to her shoulder, and watched as Grayson followed the movements, as if mesmerized. A small smile curved her lips as a knowing look entered her eyes. Running the sponge up and down her arm then over her breast, the thick fragrant suds clung to her skin, both hiding and accenting her curves. A ring ran through her nipple and winked in the light of the candles she lit to provide additional soothing scents to the room, as well as lighting. Just then Rayce entered and bowed to the screen, keeping his eyes averted. “My lady.” “What is it, Rayce?” Turning, her back facing the viewing screen, her tattoo was clearly visible to everyone. The panther filled up the whole of her back, its tail curling around her left hip, dipping around her abdomen. The claws extended on t he front paws grazed her right shoulder, its eyes gleaming out of the face that was turned to the viewer. Razor sharp teeth were revealed in the open snarl. The tattoo was very detailed, and viewing it, the individual hairs that made up the fur of the ca t could be clearly seen. The eyes were the exact same color as her own, which caused some to comment on it when they saw the tattoo. Some whispered that it was almost as if the cat was alive on her back, and they were one being. She often scoffed at the m, but a secretive smile usually accompanied the words. 8 DARK ANGELI Rayce cleared his throat and read off the report. “We have uncovered a total of one hundred seventy-eight prisoners still alive from the attack. Thirty -three wounded of ours accounted for. Two dead, and one critical asking for you personally, I said I would speak to you first. I have technicians checking through every mine, gem, and ore to be accounted for. We wait for Lord Grayson to arrive to take control.” “Very good, Rayce. Grayson will be here in three days. Inform the guard that the prisoners are not to be questioned until Grayson is here. Sequester Halmand away from his staff. I want a guard on him around the clock. Visual, not just listening , Rayce.” she warned. “Then have someone count the stores in the house. I want to make sure my men are fed. If more is needed, scrounge from the ships stores. ” She paused, looking over her shoulder at the screen, “With your permission, my lord?” “I agree with your orders, Commander Sakar. We will s ee you in a few days. ” With another nodding bow, the screen went blank. With an outward calm she finished her bath, ignoring the tremors running through her from just seeing his face on the screen. **** Inside the fortified craft speeding towards Alpha N ine, Lord Hawk Grayson, sipped at his ale and pondered the reports coming from his commander. Of all of his commanders, Mishka Sakar was the best, most aggressive one he had. He had followed her progress through the ranks of the Imperial Army from early on. Mishka had been aggressive since day one, and many of the younger recruits took great pleasure in trying to beat that trait out of her. Some said she felt she was superior to many in the ranks. Hawk saw it as she simply believed she could do anything better. She was quicker, smarter, thought things through rather than going into any situation blindly. Mishka was adept at puzzles and as such, she went at each encounter looking for the puzzle, searching for a weak spot within the enemy’s ranks. Most often she found that weak link and exploited it. He made it a point to learn everything he could about the young, Mishka Sakar. Many did not know of her real abilities and he kept her secrets as if they were his own. After working alongside her these man y years, he knew her reaction to any given situation. Hearing about the wounded children, Hawk knew that his commander was seething for blood. She wanted to kill Halmand with her bare hands, that much was clear in her eyes as she had reported to him just moments ago. “Captain.” He called out softly, aware the Imperial family was watching him covertly. “Send a message.” “Sire?” the captain stood ready by his shoulder. 9 Riane Lasair “Reiterate to the Commander that Halmand will be alive when we arrive. I expect the order to be obeyed.” His soft voice hid a steel interior that expected his orders to be obeyed without question. “Yes Sire.” The captain snapped a salute to him and turned to quickly relay the order. “I do not think I remember Commander Sakar, Grayson. ” Elaine, the Imperial consort watched him, her mouth curved in a soft smile. Her hand idly played up and down her Emperor’s thigh. “I have had her working the rim for the past few cycles. With so much inactivity out in the rim sectors, I felt she needed a ch ange from the norm, and selected her for this mission.” His grin widened, and he broke out into laughter, “I know she relished the opportunity to release some tension.” “She is very pretty. ” The tone in her voice sent a warning shiver down Hawk’s spine. “A very intricate tattoo on her back. Maybe she should take some vacation time at the capitol?” She looked up at the Emperor questioningly. “I do not think that would be a good idea, my Emperor. ” Hawk snapped, his eyes going dark. Anyone who knew him would take it as the warning it was, but Elaine was too stupid to realize it. “And why not? ” Elaine pouted. She slumped further into the Emperor’s side, stroking his chest with her free hand. “Because Commander Mishka Sakar is a Cormidion.” Glaring at the woman with open hostility he continued, ignoring the arched look from the Emperor. “I do not think you could keep up with her. ” He watched as Elaine paled and he smiled in dark relief. His eyes remained deadly as he pondered the consort, before raising his eyes to meet that of the Emperor. What he saw there confirmed his suspicions. The current consort would be on her way out in a few weeks if not months. The emperor eyed Elaine with disgust , and grabbing her hand in a brutal grip, flung it away from him. One of his attendants took that as a sign and gently pulled the consort away from the Emperor. It wasn’t that the Emperor was malicious or even jaded. It was simply that the Emperor Karvon didn’t take lightly to users and it seemed that Elaine was a user of the highest level. He ignored the way the consort’s eyes filmed over prettily with tears, her lower lip trembling, seeing it for the act it was. Elaine glared at the Emperor behind his back as the attendants closed in on her. Hawk noticed the glint i n her eye as he willed her to face him and gave her a silent warning. Stop or pay the consequences. 10