Jeanne G'Fellers - No Sister of Mine by Jeanne G'Fellers (the rosie project .txt) 📕

face. “Want a hit to celebrate, my sweet? No? Well, we’ll just save it for your next lesson.” Victory permeated her drawl. “Sentry, open communications with Saria Four. We have a deal to make.”

The Predator was a mere hour away when the transmission arrived. Belsas and Chandrey were already on the battle deck waiting when Krell and Firman stormed in. “Anything yet?” asked Krell.

“No. Communications is stalling until we can pinpoint their exact location.” Belsas waved them to empty seats adjacent the viewer. “It shouldn’t be long.”

The lift hatch opened again and Ockson, Malley in tow, rushed onto the deck. “Whellen,” huffed the master Engineer, skidding into a chair, “cut on the viewer and inform the main that we’re ready.”

Chandrey grasped Belsas’s hand. “Don’t worry, pet.” Belsas smiled tenderly at her. “Cance can’t harm you from this distance.”

“Yes she can.” Chandrey’s voice trembled. “She has LaRenna.”

“A temporary condition I plan on remedying.” They settled into their respective seats but remained closely linked under the table, Chandrey’s slender fingers disappearing in Belsas’s supporting grip.

Ockson tapped the table. “We’re ready.”

All eyes focused on the wall screen as Cance Creiloff’s belligerent sneer came into focus. Two long scratches jagged across her face and her bottom lip was swollen. “Hello, Belsas.” Her voice fairly oozed hollow sweetness. Chandrey shuddered and jumped at the sound, finding herself more shaken than she had anticipated. “Good to see you, too, Chandrey.” Cance laughed. “How are you, darling? You look well. Miss me?”

“No games.” Belsas drew forward, partially shielding Chandrey from view. “What are your terms?”

“Not so fast, old girl. I have a question for you first.” Cance sighed at the sight of Chandrey’s flowing hair. The desire was still there, as sickeningly overpowering as the need for control that accompanied it. “Some things never change, do they, Chandrey my love? The mere sight of you still drives me wild.” Cance held up her hand as if to stop the flood of emotions unleashed by the sight of LaRenna’s gentler raiser. “No, no, there’s no time to express what I’ve been holding back all these passes. Maybe later. Preferably face to face. Right now, I have business to discuss with your sorry bitch of a guardian. So, Belsas, history comes to haunt the historian. How does it feel to be on the receiving end for a change?”

“I’m not playing your games this time, Cance.” Belsas could feel Chandrey’s grasp increasing, slick with sweat, underneath the table. “Bring her back.”

“Bring who back?” Cance winked at Chandrey.

“You know who. What’s your price?”

“Wellll . . .” Cance dragged the word to its fullest. “How about safe passage for three out of Sarian space?”

“You’re charged with mass murder,” replied Belsas. “I can’t grant passage with that on your head and you know it.”

“Belsas.” Bitterness replaced Cance’s sugary tone. “They were only Auts. I was doing the Kinship a favor. The least you can do is promise passage.”

“No, I can’t.”

Cance’s mouth began to twitch. “You can do anything you damn well please, you puckered excuse for a Taelach. Now give me what I need and I’ll consider your request.”

“I’ll give you passage back to Trimar until you stand judgment. The Iralian comes straight into custody. Brandoff is dead, so I know nothing of your third member. Tell me who it is and I may grant them passage to Trimar.”

Cance avoided the last remark. “What Iralian?”

“We found a single four-toe track at the Waterlead.” Krell joined the conversation.

“Who’s your overgrown lackey, Belsas?”

“One of my assistants. Listen, Cance, I—”

“I . . . don’t . . . think . . . so.” The words inched out in slow, stabbing pulses, Cance’s smile broadening with each syllable. “You’re Krell, aren’t you? You’re the one she cries for every time I do her. I’ve heard your name so many times it disgusts me. Brandoff gave her a beating over it and she still wouldn’t shut up. You better talk some sense into that high and mighty leader of yours, otherwise, you’ll never see your fresh-tasting little girl again. I demand safe passage for myself and two others through all Sarian space. No deals. No exceptions.”

“You’ve already stated your—”

Cance cut Krell short. “Don’t interrupt me, Kimshee. I wasn’t finished. These are the only terms I will accept. In return, I’ll give back what’s left of your woman.”

“Cance Creiloff,” bellowed Belsas, “if you’ve done as much as touched one hair on her head, so help me I’ll—”

“You’ll what?” Cance was openly amused by the threat. “I have her. She’s mine to do with as I please. Not only have I touched every hair on her entire body, I’ve kissed, fondled, and made sweet, sweet, delicious love to them. She’s perfect, just like Chandrey. She still has a thing or two to learn about ownership, but she’s a smart girl and I’m a willing teacher. Why, I’ve even gone as far as to blood-mark her. What are you going to do about it, Belsas, blow me from the sky? I have your precious daughter with me. Go ahead, I dare you!”

“All your talk means nothing if she’s dead,” said Krell after a moment’s silence. “Let us see her.”

“Take my word for it. I don’t have to prove a damn thing, you Kimshee slut.”

“Then we must presume she’s dead.” Krell’s heart broke at the prospect. “No deals.”

“You’re letting a mere first Kimshee do your negotiating, Belsas?” Cance laughed haughtily. “You must be getting feebleminded in your old age. Chandrey, how could you choose such a rusted-up creature over me? I’ve aged decidedly better than that and so have you.”

“You’ve aged like the sorry addict you’ve become.” Chandrey spoke with a strength she never knew she possessed. “What Krell says stands. Show us LaRenna. Let us talk to her or I’ll personally issue the order to destroy you.”

“My, my, my, but haven’t we gotten feisty over time. Belsas must not beat you enough. Now I know where LaRenna gets the idea she’s equal to a guardian. I slapped it out of you