Determine Read online

  A murmur of laughter rippled through the Guardians.

  Warp said, “It was nice running into you again.”

  Starburn rose when she did, still holding her hand. He walked her and Liskey to the door, leaning in to whisper in her ear. “I am hoping that we meet again, Hydra. Twice was not enough.” She turned to tell him that she agreed, but her lips collided with his, and what started as an accidental connection turned into a heated kiss.

  * * * *

  Warp turned to Breaker, “I don’t think he is going to let her stay here, do you?”

  Tangle snorted. “With the energy she offered to me with that light touch, I would stand in line if he wouldn’t kill me. I am fairly sure that she will be coming with us, whether she knows it or not.” Breaker smiled, “I am just hoping that Liskey is the kind to visit her friend during school holidays. I am sure that I would enjoy the company.” Warp shook his head as the kiss between the normally staid Starburn and the alien took on an urgency. The Guardians’ captain was gripping the woman’s waist with one hand and holding her head with the other. She wasn’t getting away any time soon.

  The reporter who had masqueraded as a server was on the other side of the diner door.

  Warp winced. “Damn. Well that cinched it. That picture is going to be on the newsreels within minutes. I thought him holding her hand was going to cause enough of a fuss. This is going to be very annoying for her.”

  The Guardians chose their companions discreetly. Not only did they not want to make them targets for harm, but also the reporters and newsreels were highly invasive on some worlds, and once the identity of a companion was known, their privacy went out the window.

  It was only a matter of time before Hydra was a target, but Warp was sure that Starburn had decided on the charming alien. Being a half-breed himself, Starburn was not hung up on Nyal bloodlines. She may have been born on an Alliance world, but Hydra was going to meet her destiny in the Nyal Imperium.

  Chapter Three

  In the hired skimmer, Hydra could not stop touching her lips. They still burned and tingled from Starburn’s kiss. Breaker had peeled him away from her, muttering about him doing enough damage.

  “I thought he wasn’t going to release you.” Liskey was still blinking in shock. Breaker had landed a quick kiss on her as well.

  “I didn’t think he was either. I was just hanging there.” She shivered. He had literally lifted her against him and held her where he wanted her. It wasn’t unexpected in Nyal males, but Hydra had never been on the receiving end of that kind of attention before. Shock was a polite term for what she was feeling, raging hormones was another.

  “Well, you can brag of a moment that no other women on Deyfell 4 can. You were kissed in a public venue by one of the Guardians.”

  “So were you.”

  “Yes, but Breaker didn’t explore the sharpness of my teeth with her tongue.”

  Hydrangea blushed. “Well, I think we should put this behind us. They are leaving in two weeks, and after that, this will all be a memory.” Liskey leaned against her for comfort, so Hydra stroked her hair.

  The skimmer passed a huge view screen and the breath left Hydra’s lungs. “Holy hell.” Starburn had a woman in his arms and that woman was being held flat against him while he ravished her mouth. The woman’s face wasn’t clear, but the clothing and hair were unmistakable.

  Even Hydra’s students commented on the natural silver frosting that coated her hair. Anyone with eyes was going to figure it out in a matter of a few moments.

  Liskey sat up and stared at the image as the kiss went on and on. “Wow. It looks even more intimate at ten times normal size.”

  “Oh lord.” She couldn’t look away. The words beneath in Nyal script said, Is Starburn making time with a mystery woman, or has he found the one?

  Nausea rippled through her. “This is going to get me ejected, isn’t it?”

  Liskey gave her a helpless look. “Maybe they won’t see it?”

  There was a stringent regulation for behaviour of visiting instructors. Hydra was getting the feeling that this was going to qualify as inappropriate behaviour.

  “Why didn’t you tell us that you were seeing one of the Guardians?” Her department coordinator was delighted with the image on the screen.

  Hydra rubbed her neck and shrugged. “I am not really seeing him. I met him twice, and we had just agreed that with the Guardians moving on and my contract being up before they return, it would not work out. It was a farewell kiss if you must know.”

  Srevil Quarthur shook his head. “That does not look like farewell. That looks more like, this will continue as soon as we have privacy.” Hydra’s blush heated her face. “So, I am not dismissed as an instructor?”

  “Of course not. He is a Guardian. It isn’t like he is another instructor. Starburn is a treasure of the system. He could choose any woman on any world he visits, and he chose you. It is a tremendous honour.” Srevil got a sly look on his face. “The coordinator for the Guardians demanded that you not be relieved of your duties by the way. The Academy head assured them that your contract would not be cancelled prematurely due to this publicity.”

  She sat with relief in the chair in front of the desk that he had offered to her earlier. “That was nice of them.”

  “Yes, but it does belie your earlier statement that it was farewell. Since the Guardians will only be here for two weeks, you may want to take some days off to spend time with him. There is nothing wrong with that.”

  She rubbed at her forehead. “Why is everyone reacting this way? My students applauded me, the kitchen staff wanted my autograph and I was offered a parking space when I don’t even have a vehicle.”

  “The Guardians keep us safe. No one can stop every bad thing from happening, but they are willing to try in any circumstances that raise their heads. The sacrifice that they make is appreciated, and if one of our people can ease their burden in any way, it is up to us to offer them up for that purpose.”

  Hydra couldn’t stop her eyes from widening.

  “Oh. All right. Well, I don’t think that it will come up again.”

  She was getting ready to rise when Srevil’s receptionist came in, flushed with a silly smile.

  “Instructor Graham? There is someone to see you in the outer office.”

  Srevil grinned, and she winced as she rose to her feet.

  Srevil said, “I will have Uli cancel your classes for the next few days.”

  Hydra was drenched in shame as she left the administrator’s office, but she stopped with a jolt when Warp greeted her. “Hello, Warp.” He smiled. “I did not think to meet you again. Would you come with me on a short trip, Hydra?”

  “Where are we going?” She bit her lip.

  “To our base. Starburn wishes to see you, but he isn’t up and around right now.” Concern rippled through her.

  “What happened?”

  Warp offered her his arm, and she took it, letting him lead her out of the admin building and down to a private transport.

  Students and instructors alike stopped to stare at them.

  He helped her inside the vehicle, and she settled against the cushions. A driver lifted off, and without a word, they were increasing height and speed, approaching the sound barrier and then passing it.

  Hydra’s nails were dug into the cushions as the flight took several dips and shudders that she wasn’t too fond of.

  “You don’t fly much, do you?” Warp was smiling.

  “Not if I can help it. Space flight is easier than atmospheric any day.”

  “Right, that reminds me. Starburn was working on a meteor shower last night, and he exhausted himself. He is recuperating at our base, and I thought you would help speed the process.”

  “Wait, he didn’t ask for me?” This was going to be so embarrassing.

  “Not verbally, no. But, according to Breaker, his last thought was of you before he passed out, so I came to get you.” He looked so pleased with himself.

/>   “I am not a toy to be fetched.”

  “No, but you are the woman he wants. Either way, he is not going to say no. Are you?” She scowled at Warp, but he was wearing an innocent expression behind his mask. She crossed her arms and tipped into him when the pilot took a sudden left and she overbalanced.

  He caught her and held onto her for the rest of the ride.

  An island provided them with privacy and a central launch site for disasters. She had to admit that comic book villains back on Earth had the right idea. It was convenient.

  After a bumpy landing, Warp helped her out of the transport and into a building carved into the side of a mountain. “I am guessing that a previous Guardian did this?”

  “Yes. When we leave, another contingent will come and occupy this facility for six months. We all try and leave a little something. I added the gym and Tangle arranged the gardens.” His chest was puffed out with pride.

  “What did Breaker contribute?”

  The woman in question came forward, no mask, no uniform, only a soft dress and slippers with her dark hair flowing down her back.

  “Breaker kept her mouth shut, which is very hard for her to do. Welcome to Guardian Island, Hydra.”

  “Thank you, you look very nice today. Casual suits you.” She smiled, and Warp urged her up into the building with a hand on her back.

  “Warp is in a hurry to get into more comfortable clothing as well. Those suits are impressive, but they are heavy.” Breaker came with them, her skirt swaying with every step. “So, did Liskey ask about me?”

  “Today? I haven’t seen her, but she seems to think she is just a rest stop for you, so she isn’t pinning her hopes and dreams on being swept away.”

  “You are direct, aren’t you? I read it in your mind and it is the same thing that came out of your mouth. You still haven’t done research on the Guardians, though you did want to. You are holding to your personal business being separate from ours. Admirable. Futile but admirable.” Breaker skipped along ahead of them.

  Hydra looked around at the huge vaulted ceilings, the giant kitchen, large dining room and huge social pit. Outside, she could see a stone deck and the beginnings of an amazing yard and garden.

  “This way. All of our private quarters are arranged by our rank. Starburn’s is this way.” She nodded and followed to the room that had Starburn’s name on a plaque.

  “The doors here don’t lock. Just go on in, be there when he wakes up. You offer more than you know.” Warp’s solemn words were stated before he turned and left her in front of Starburn’s room.

  She reached for the handle and eased the door open as quietly as she could. Wishing that she were wearing something pretty for once and not her uniform, she slipped inside.

  Chapter Four

  Starburn had a very nice room. It was huge, with the same vaulted ceiling as the main areas. It took a bit of searching to find the invalid that she had come to see, but when she found him, she sat at his side, holding a gasp of pain inside. She could smell the burn before her eyes were willing to fix on him.

  Starburn’s features were scorched, his skin was hot to the touch and he was wearing nothing but a sheet. He was lying on his back and was completely motionless.

  Not knowing what else to do, she took his hand. His palm was one part of his body that wasn’t scorched.

  He shifted as she touched him, a slight twist from one side to the other that she would have missed if she hadn’t been staring at him.

  Looking down at the hand she was holding, a wave of healed flesh was working its way up his arm. She blinked and wondered if her eyes were playing tricks, but the smooth skin worked up over his elbow, to his bicep and up over his shoulder.

  She tried to see if she was giving him any of her energy, but she felt fine. Her concern for him swamped her senses as the wave of healing crept up his neck and worked its way over his dark mocha skin.

  She sat in the room with its curtains drawn and watched him with what little light was available.

  Hydra was so busy watching the cascade of healing that she missed it when his eyes opened.

  “What are you doing here?” Without his mask, he was striking, all hard planes and angles.

  “Warp came to get me. He seemed to think I would be useful.” She continued to hold his hand as the wave of healing crept down his other arm.

  She could feel his gaze on her features. “How far does the burn go?”

  A sly look came to his eyes. “Take a look.” She pursed her lips, reached out and yanked the sheet up to check his feet. There was some scorching on his calves, so she held onto him until that was healed as well.

  Starburn chuckled. “Spoilsport.”

  “You were eighty percent covered with scorches and blisters, and you are joking about it?”

  He shrugged and squeezed her hand. “Well, my lower body isn’t in pain. For some reason, the sheet isn’t touching it anymore.” She glanced and closed her eyes as the image of the silken tent he was pitching burned into her mind. “Juvenile.”

  “Just enjoying the moment. I have heard a few tales of women first brought to the Guardian base. They didn’t simply walk into a room and try to help the person they were brought to see. Almost all went exploring the moment they found their patient asleep. We do tests from time to time.” He shrugged but didn’t release her hand.

  His healing sped up dramatically, and she sighed in relief when he wasn’t wearing any additional marks on his skin. She flicked the sheet back over his long, well-shaped feet and turned to him. “Well, you are better. Do you think someone will give me a lift back home now?” He didn’t answer. He pulled her down to him and kissed her. Being held in his arms while he was naked and in bed was a far cry from his armour and her outerwear in the diner. While there were no locks on the doors, she was not sure that Breaker was above eavesdropping.

  When Starburn broke their kiss and cupped her chin, his red gazed burned into her blue one. “The loveliest, most open-hearted, generous female I have met in years. Why hasn’t anyone swept you off your feet?”

  “Usually, I am standing on them and have no urge to fall. The other thing is that I am under behavioural restraint at the Academy. Apparently, that does not fall into the category of stress relief for Guardians. I could screw the whole base and no one would care.”

  He scowled. “I would. It would be very difficult for me to continue to work with anyone once I turned them into ash.”

  Hydra blinked, and she tried to determine if he was serious. He was.

  “Um, as interesting as this day has been for me, I think I should be getting back to the mainland.” She tried to remove her face from his grip. His fingers tightened.

  “I don’t think you realize the situation you are in. You have seen the Guardians unmasked. You are now a security risk. You aren’t leaving this island.”

  “What? I came here because I thought you needed me. I am not going to be a prisoner.” He smiled at her outrage. “I have never had a woman in my bed who was not pleased to be there.”

  “You yanked me into your bed. I didn’t enter it voluntarily.”

  He leaned in and his lips were less than an inch from hers. “You are correct, but perhaps I should put more effort into making your presence here voluntary.”

  The door to his quarters opened, and Breaker walked in with a data pad in her hands, her uniform and mask in place. “Starburn, we have a call.”

  He cursed and gave Hydra a quick kiss before flipping back the covers and pulling on a clean uniform.

  Breaker took a look at Hydra and smiled. “We are close to the same size. You can find some less-than-ugly clothes in my closet until we can bring your things from the mainland.”

  Hydra was sitting on Starburn’s bed and staring at them as it dawned that the entire group had orchestrated her visit to their secret base.

  “Tangle didn’t want to participate. He stayed out in his garden when Warp went to get you.” Breaker read the mission report while Starbur
n covered his newly healed flesh with the armour.

  Feeling like an idiot, Hydra looked to Starburn as he set his mask in place. “You would have healed just fine if I wasn’t here.” Breaker snorted. “He had to stop his body from healing to do this.”

  “Breaker! Shut up!” Starburn was finally catching on to Hydra’s mood.

  She got to her feet and backed away, irritation and anger at being manipulated were riding high in her mind. “I want to be returned to the Academy.”

  Starburn walked up to her, every inch the captain of a group of deadly super-beings. “We will talk when I get back. The base is at your disposal.”

  He opened the balcony doors, grabbed Breaker by the waist and flew up and out of his rooms. A sleek shuttle was waiting for them and Hydra was left by herself in the lair of the Guardians.

  Part of her was in awe, the other part of her wanted to wrap the whole place in toilet paper.

  Chapter Five

  Rummaging through Breaker’s clothing brought an unexpected dividend. She found an elegant white gown and ballet slippers with straps. The gown was simple enough for evenings and far more comfortable than her instructor uniform with its knee-length vest that pulled every time she moved.

  For the first hour, she played dress up then, wearing the gown, she took a seat in the conversation pit, watching the newsreels about the residue of the meteor storm and the Guardians’ efforts to take out the remains of the falling rocks while helping protect the infrastructure of the town in the pathway.

  Long-range images of Starburn effortlessly flying from rock to rock, blowing them to hell made Hydra unaccountably nervous. From what she was seeing, he had a protective shielding that kept him from the back-blast as he struck meteor after meteor.

  She got so agitated that she went for a walk on the beach. Light faded and the stars came out, but the Guardians didn’t return. Hydra listened to the waves beating against the shore.

  Without something to do, she felt at loose ends.