Lady Read online

  “Right.” She turned to Devnin. “What does your family do?”

  He blushed, “They own several farms and run a small piece of the coastline as magistrates and curates.”

  Uadon chuckled. “And lords and earls and dukes. The Niil family are very large and very well connected. Devnin’s branch runs a resort town and the lands surrounding it.”

  “I see. Well, I have never been one for resorts.” She smiled at Devnin, and he took her hand, pressing a kiss to it and supplying her with warmth. “I am more of an icy mountaintop kind of girl.”

  He slid an arm around her shoulder and tugged her against him. “A woman after my own heart.”

  She smiled and put her hand on his thigh, moving it up and chilling him as she went. He pulled her tight and whispered, “Behave.”

  Rox removed her hand, but he grabbed it, putting it back in his lap.

  “Behave a little.”

  Snickering at the table was doubtlessly bad manners, but she couldn’t help it.

  Uadon asked, “So, Roxelena, what did you do on your world?”

  “Call me Rox or Lady if you can’t manage it.” She leaned against Devnin. “I repaired cooling units. I had an interest in the science of thermodynamics, and it was easy enough to move on into coolant-unit repair. Hot turning to cold was my forte.”

  Pleska nodded. “We often seek out places to hide our talent while we are growing. I took up courses in zoology so that I could find out which animals I could influence. Uadon went into geology and Devnin studied volcanology. All so that we could hide in plain sight. When we master our genetic burden, we can come into the light, but when I grew up, there was no Guardian outpost here.”

  Uadon nodded and Pleska wove her hand through his on the table.

  “When they offered us the chance to join the Guardian program, it was an opportunity that none of us had dreamed of. Our first assignments were less than successful, but when we agreed that Skorin should be in charge, things became easier on the group missions. We had spent so much time working on our own that becoming a group was awkward unless one of us created an operational framework.”

  Uadon rumbled, “It made things easier, but on our individual missions, we followed our instincts. It has been several years now, and we have defended Irudan against all comers.”

  Rox grinned, “Can any of you tell me why everything is underground?”

  They all started talking at once, and Rox sat back to learn about the underground cities of Irudan.

  Chapter Eight

  Pleska held up her hand. “Before we give her a lecture, let’s clear the table and get comfortable. It is a good story, but we need the prop of the projector.”

  They got the table cleared in a few minutes, and then, they were all sitting in the common area with tea and caf at the ready.

  Pleska set the holo projector in the centre of the table and went through the data crystals until she found the one she wanted.

  “Uadon, do you want to start?”

  He leaned back and began. “In the beginning of its development, Irudan was an empty world and then an asteroid passed close enough to drop bio-rich minerals onto the surface and beneath it. This was the start of the change in the soil. The bacteria that spread through the planet caused anything planted in it to grow lush and vibrant.

  “Colonists from dozens of worlds arrived here and put down roots, so to speak. They blended into the species we are today, so now, we are Irudanoi.”

  The images were of a world being pelted by meteors and rapidly reforming until green covered the surface.

  The projection showed the landing crafts and cities sprang up on the surface of the planet.

  Pleska took up the narration. “The plants and trees that were grown and offered for sale to other worlds were getting attention. Attacks on the population commenced and they had to find cover.”

  The images showed ships being dropped from larger vessels and scorching the surface as they raided research farms and storage facilities.

  The cities got smaller and disappeared.

  “First, the inhabitants tunnelled into the mountains, and then, they sought out geological specialists and began to build underground in the caverns that had been created millennia ago by a growing world.”

  Images began to appear of underground cities and tunnels with tubes and trains.

  “We had to find low-emission power sources and began to trade with our neighbors.”

  Shuttles flew to and from the surface carrying plant materials and herbs with medical purposes.

  “The medical interest was the primary focus as that brought the greatest return in materials and that is what our people focussed on. In two hundred years, they went from surface dwellers to a peaceful society that travels and does most of its living underground. Our numbers are not large, but we have been far safer under our crops than right next to them.”

  Rox took it all in and nodded. “That makes sense. Why did you need Guardians?”

  Devnin tapped a code into the projector and images of fields razed black, smoldering orchards and storage buildings torn open to expose their interiors.

  “Despite our population being safe, our crops and creations were not. They needed defenses, and for a while, the Nyal Imperium was willing to oblige, but with the Raiders pressing in on the edges and distant settlements, the warriors were needed elsewhere. The project became an option, suggested by a member of the Imperial family who happened to have a talent himself.

  “Planets with an existing paranormal bloodline in their population were invited to fill the Guardian bases with locals. Because of the persistent invasions, Irudan had set in place immigration controls. With research espionage a possibility, our world was sealed to those who were not of our bloodlines or married to one who was.

  “All trades and transactions are done off world by negotiators, and we send orders up to the space station and receive the goods they bring in the same way. Irudan has gone from a world that welcomed all colonists to something that cannot afford to invite in strangers.”

  Rox blinked. “Which explains my swearing loyalty to Irudan in my wedding vows.”

  The gathered Guardians laughed.

  Rowen appeared and nodded to the images. “Ah, the history of Irudan, picture book version.”

  Rox nodded and then stared in amazement. “Wow. You look great.”

  Rowen made a face and touched the back of her head. “Thank you. It has taken practice, but I no longer need to go to a salon to get my hair done.”

  The other human was wearing a gown that was tight in the bodice, flowing in the skirt and had ribbons winding around her arms into jeweled cuffs. More jewels were around her neck and some were dotted in her hair.

  When Skorin appeared, he was just as splendid but far more predatory. He kissed Rowen on her neck and offered her his arm. “Please, excuse us. We have to go dance and eat damp hor d’ouvres. Don’t wait up.”

  Rowen laughed and waved as they left and stepped into the night air heading for the long, low vehicle that Rox hadn’t seen in action yet.

  The skimmer encapsulated them once they were comfortably seated, and they lifted off to fly into the night sky.

  Devnin smiled. “They are going to be late, they always are. At least he doesn’t have to wear a helmet anymore.”

  “Why did you wear a helmet, and why did you stop?”

  Uadon chuckled. “That one I can answer. Because of their status as both Guardians and nobles, Devnin and Skorin were in danger of being distracted on the job by women throwing themselves at them. They weren’t wearing marriage bands and that brought things into a tempting light. If the nobles were seen to be Guardians, their families would be hounded with offers.”

  “Families do the matchmaking?”

  “The children ask their parents, and the parents apply the pressure.” Uadon lifted Pleska’s hand to his lips. It seemed a casual but heartfelt gesture, and it was complete
ly natural.

  Rox laughed. “Did Pleska apply the pressure?”

  Uadon grinned. “As did my parents. She and I met during the call for talents, and we couldn’t take our eyes off each other.”

  Pleska cuddled up to him, and Uadon put his arm around her.

  Pleska sighed, “He was building a rock wall and I sent bees to circle his head while he was focussing. It was very childish behaviour, but it got his attention. We exchanged particulars during one of the lectures, and back at my room, my first call was to my family.”

  “I did the same. We were married before the Guardian base was complete.”

  Rox asked, “So, no dating, courtship, formal gatherings?”

  Pleska and Uadon looked at each other and shook their heads.

  Uadon said, “There was no need. When you have a paranormal element in your life and you meet someone who not only understands but also compliments your talent, you grab them and don’t let go. I could not even imagine being with someone who didn’t know or understand the pressure of our position.”

  Pleska snorted, “And our families were just happy that we met someone who matched what we needed. They agreed with alacrity despite the differences of our upbringing.”

  A chime sounded and Devnin groaned. He headed to the com room and came back looking surprised. “This one is for you, Lady. Get your trident; I will meet you at the flier.”

  Rox got to her feet and sprinted to her quarters. She grabbed her trident, whipped off her robes and headed back to the exit with her instrument aimed toward the ceiling.

  It seemed strange to be getting undressed for work, but she was on an alien world covered by a garden, and she had never imagined being comfortable with either idea. Now, she was sprinting into the night, flinging her limbs around a man who conjured fire, and she had no idea how this had come to be the most natural thing in the world.

  “Lady, we are heading toward a fungus research centre. They have lost cooling on one of their more dangerous floors, and they need you to keep the floor of the facility cold while they affect repairs.”

  “Why?”

  “Something to do with the spores being toxic. I am afraid you are going to need a bio-suit.”

  “That isn’t going to be good.”

  He chuckled. “I am aware of that. I will be nearby and you can take breaks to warm up as necessary.”

  The hint was that he would use his heat on her, but she didn’t mind. It might be just the thing she needed to keep from stealing what she required.

  She held tight with her left arm and watched their approach to the mountain range. She loved mountains; the cooler temperatures suited her temperament.

  Lady grinned, “Don’t let me get carried away. I don’t want to cool your blood.”

  “You have a decidedly heated effect on me, so it does not seem that a cooling is likely. I promise to tell you if you work me too hard.”

  She blushed until they landed at the subtle entrance of the research facility. With her head high, she walked next to Fire Fall as he used the code to enter the building.

  Lady stepped forward and prepared to work the night shift.

  Chapter Nine

  The bio-suit was baggy, and it kept her from using her trident. She stood in the centre of the fungal trays and panels and brought the temperature out of the danger zone.

  Once everything was at the nominal temperature, she watched the techs working on the coolant system and decided to relieve her boredom. “May I help?”

  One of the techs looked at her with surprise. “You are helping by keeping the spore release from occurring.”

  “I mean with the technical aspects. I could help you deal with the short in the line.”

  “The short?”

  “The electrical panel has shorted out. It is common in greenhouses when there is an air-circulation issue.” She waved at the panels of fungus behind her. It was rather attractive, a hot pink and lavender mix.

  Lady had been briefed as she clambered into the suit. The spores would invade her lungs and transform into a slick gel that would suffocate her in minutes. They were nutritious in their fungal state and could grow anywhere, but the spore release was deadly dangerous and the batch on this level was ready to pop.

  The increase in temperature would not normally be an issue but none of the collection equipment was at this facility. It was all across the globe and being packed for transport. It would take twelve hours to arrive and three to set up. It was going to be a long night if the temperature control wasn’t fixed.

  “We have a systematic check protocol. We will check on the short, don’t worry.”

  She watched the thermometer on her wrist and kept the room cool, careful not to drain heat from the two workers at the controls.

  She paced the room, examining the fungus and keeping an eye on the temperature.

  It was boring, so she found a chair, propped her chin on her fist and watched the techs work in their thick gloves and suits.

  If she hadn’t known what she was looking at, she wouldn’t have seen the sleight of hand that would have scuppered the entire repair an hour after it was made.

  She walked up behind the man and chilled him into a coma. His friend jumped and looked at her. She took her finger and worked it behind the line that had just been scored.

  “He sliced the line. We need to fix it.”

  “How did you spot that?”

  “I know how to repair a cooling system. I can help you, and then, I can go home.” She smiled but was unsure if he could see her features through the mask. Instead, she pulled a fresh section of tubing and started to splice it in with the fittings from the kit.

  “You know what you are doing.”

  “This is not my first time. Let’s get going. If I get too cool, I start looking for heat sources and you are far too close for safety.”

  They worked rapidly, pausing only when she had to check the temperature and keep it in the safe zone. The panel showed the signs of the tampering that she was now sure of. When the man next to her roused, she chilled him again. The possible deaths of five researchers who would have stumbled into the deadly zone in the morning were reason enough to keep him on the edge of death.

  Her body was demanding more heat than the fungus could provide. She moved quickly when she saw her companion’s hands begin to shake.

  They tested the connections, sealed the panels and watched the monitor show activity.

  “Cease to cool the room.”

  Lady nodded. “I have. Please excuse me while I drag this man to the door. We will call the peacekeepers and get him into custody. Why would he do this?”

  The other tech put his equipment into his kit. “Research funds are handed out with safety records being part of the grant criteria. This facility has had two fatalities in the last five years. Each time, an inquest has judged them accidents. I am guessing that that is not the case.”

  Lady hauled the man across the floor by his feet. She dragged him to the door and asked the tech. “What is the temperature?”

  “Holding just above freezing.”

  “Good. I need to have a moment with my husband before I start giving hypothermia to the entire facility.”

  He nodded, and when she opened the door to the first of the three airlocks, he joined her.

  Lady dragged her prisoner to the second lock for more decontamination, even rolling him over.

  The third lock had Fire Fall waiting on the other side. After the third round of decontamination, she was able to leave the lock with her prisoner and strip out of her bio-suit.

  The tech did the same, but he paused in shock when she peeled down to her uniform.

  Fire Fall was on his knees next to the prisoner, warming him up.

  “He is the saboteur, Fire Fall. Call the peacekeepers and then help me get warm.”

  He made the call while working on the cold man.

  She waited and began to drain some
of his heat to keep herself sociable.

  When her victim stirred, his companion took lengths of wire and bound his wrists and ankles.

  Fire Fall sighed and got to his feet. “He is taken care of, now I believe you requested my assistance?”

  She walked up to him and wrapped her arms around him. “I believe I did. Consider this part of your duty.”

  He kissed her and flame roared between them, disappearing into her lips and eliciting a gasp out of the tech she had worked with.

  She shifted her grip and cupped her husband’s head, drawing in the heat into her until her skin no longer felt chilled. He held her and continued to share the flame until he had satisfied his own needs as well.

  He lifted his head and smiled. “Well done, Lady.”

  “Thank you. One final check on the temperature, and when the peacekeepers collect the saboteur, we can be on our way.”

  “You will have to testify to why you think he is the one.”

  “I don’t have a problem with that. If I am not on an assignment, I have no problem at all.” She smiled. “Uphold the honour of Irudan.”

  He laughed and put his hand on her waist, “I get the feeling that you will have to keep that in mind frequently. We are a difficult people.”

  The evening administrator came up and had to be briefed on the tech’s situation, the fungus issue and the incoming peacekeepers. At the administrator’s request, they hauled their prisoner to the door and waited outside.

  The administrator promised to put a guard on the room to monitor the temperature until the harvesting equipment arrived. If it fluctuated more than five degrees, they would call her back.

  She took her trident back from Fire Fall, and when the peacekeepers had her statement and the silent tech, she was delighted to be back on her way to the Guardian base.

  She held onto Fire Fall during the flight, but she teetered violently before they landed, and when they were on the ground, everything tilted to one side.

  Fire Fall held her in his arms and carried her through the silent base. No one was awake to see her in his arms, her trident dragging along the ground.