Chapter.

27.

Devyn kept a car in this world, so I left the one I'd stolen and climbed into his-a sleek red Jaguar parked in back of the home. As we drove to EenLi's second warehouse, my stomach tightened and my blood heated. Soft cla.s.sical music poured from the speakers, which surprised me. I'd expected Devyn to like gyrating rock, fast and hard, the way he wanted his s.e.x.

Minutes dragged by as we sped down the highway.

More minutes dragged by.

Even more pa.s.sed without a word.

"What did you think of my kiss?" he asked me. I think he asked just to cut through the silence. Maybe to relieve my tension.

"It was...good."

"Good? Good!" His amber eyes gleamed with affront. "I expect to hear words likemagnificent. Wondrous. Unequalled. Notgood. "

"It was missing something, okay? Don't be a baby."

"It was missing nothing."

I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Mind if I give you a piece of advice, Devyn?"

"Yes." He still sounded offended. "I do mind."

"Don't force your way into a woman's life. The kiss would have been a whole lot better if I'd wanted to give it to you."

"There would not have been a kiss if I hadn't pushed you for it." He shifted in his seat. "You will not think I am missing something when we have our night together."

I gave no reply. I didn't know what to say, really. I'd give him his night because I'd promised it to him. That didn't mean I'd enjoy it or be an eager partic.i.p.ant.

At last we reached our destination. We slowed, then stopped altogether. There was a long, long line of cars ahead of us, awaiting the valet, I supposed. Facing the window, I cast my gaze to the dusty, s.p.a.cious warehouse. A crowd of people, other-worlder and human combined, ambled inside, nearly busting the building at its seams.

"We have the other warehouse under surveillance. Why aren't agents all over this place?"

"Your surveillance cameras are easily rigged. Isn't that the reason they were outlawed without license?"

My lips dipped in a frown, and I tangled a hand through my hair. "All right. This is what we're going to do," I told Devyn on a sigh. "When we get inside, I want you to pretend to be eager to take part in the auction. I also want you to pretend to be my master."

"Pretend?" He caressed his thick fingers over the program box and grinned at me.

"Yes, d.a.m.n it. Pretend," I said, purposefully mistaking his meaning. "You can act, can't you?" The car eased forward a bit.

"Oh, I know I can. But can you? You will have to act the part of my slave."

His enjoyment irritated me. "I will." I hated to rely on him so much, but it couldn't be helped. I couldn't do this without him, and we both knew it. Not successfully, at least. First Lucius, now Devyn. I'd always been a woman who prided myself on getting the job done right all on my own. Admitting I needed help left a bitter taste in my mouth. Right now I was too concerned with saving the man I loved to give a s.h.i.t.

Loved?

I almost groaned. I did, I realized. I loved him. Somehow, during this mission, he'd become everything to me. He was smart, resourceful. Intense. Sarcastic. He was everything I'd needed in my life, but hadn't known until just now.

The car moved another inch. "Once Lucius and the others are safe, I'll need you to get me close to EenLi. He will be here tonight, won't he?"

"He has attended every auction in the past, so I expect him to be at this one. Are you going to kill him?"

"Yes," I answered without hesitation, relish dripping from my tone.

Devyn's head tilted to the side as he considered my words. "I do not think I want him dead."

"Why the h.e.l.l not? He's evil."

"Yes, but he supplies my women."

I rolled my eyes. "Why do you enslave women like that? You're a handsome man. Females of every race would willingly come to you if you only asked."

One of his brows arched. "You wouldn't. Youdidn't. "

Good point. "I'm an exception to the rule."

"Not for long," he said c.o.c.kily. As he spoke, he reached over and traced a fingertip over my thigh. His skin was callused and surprisingly cool, a sweet contrast to the heat outside.

"Get your hand off me before you don't have a hand to remove. Your night hasn't started yet."

His mouth stretched wide in a grin, but he did as I'd asked and removed his hand. "Touchy, touchy. You should be rejoicing, little Raka. One day soon, if not this very night, you're going to be lying in my arms. Where is your joy? Your words of thanks?"

"Your other women got to scratch you and draw your blood. That's the only thought giving me joy right now."

"Silly woman." His grin slowly faded. His expression became deadly serious. Gone was the man of easy humor, and in his place was the king of Targon. I didn't know what had brought about the change, but I could guess. He'd actually begun to enjoy the intrigue and danger of this mission, and he wanted to win.

"When we get inside," he said, his tone as cool as his touch had been, "you need to walk two steps behind me. You will sit at my feet when I take a chair." His gaze flicked over my black pants and shirt. "You'll need something s.e.xier to wear. I would never bring my slave out in public like that. What happened to your pink clothing?"

"I trashed it. And I have nothing else to wear."

"Then strip," he said, as if it was a perfectly natural thing to demand of me.

Scowling, I ripped off my shirt and threw the material in the back seat, leaving me in my bra. It was black, not particularly s.e.xy, but it did showcase my golden skin in a nice way. Several blade handles poked above the waist of my pants. Without the shirt, my guns were also visible. I had to remove most of them.

"Take off the pants," Devyn ordered.

"Go to h.e.l.l," I said, but withdrew my knife and cut the legs off of the pants until I wore the tiniest sc.r.a.p of material-barely covering the curve of my a.s.s.

"Much better. Now release your hair from confinement."

I ripped the band from my hair, and the silky strands instantly fell over my shoulders, down my back.

"I cannot wait to have you," he said on a breath of desire.

Well, he was just going to have to.

Our car finally moved to the front of the line and stopped. A cowboy-clad human opened my door, and I emerged. The midnight air boasted the scent of hay and car fumes. The human's eyes drank me in, his expression lighting with awe. I don't think he even realized he was reaching out to me, to caress a hand down my bare stomach. I stepped aside, not wanting his fingers anywhere on me.

Devyn came around the car and moved in front of me, looking s.e.xy as h.e.l.l in his moss green kilt and white shirt. His glossy brown hair was pulled back in a ponytail. His amber eyes were alive. Without a word, he began walking, expecting me to follow. I did. The crowd parted automatically for him as we entered the building. I felt many stares but I didn't acknowledge them.

My boots bit into the dirt floor. Devyn stopped several times to speak with an acquaintance, and I used the time to search for EenLi. He was nowhere that I could see, and that caused shards of frustration to cut through me. What if he did not attend?

I was soon led to a group of folding chairs lined up in front of a scaffold. My heart thundered in my chest. Atop the scaffold were the "slaves." Their hands were tied over their heads and anch.o.r.ed to a wooden beam. They wore gauzy white robes, easily parted and removable for viewing.

I saw the five women from the cell, and my knees almost buckled in relief. Their expressions were pale with fear, but they were alive. There were six other women, as well, but I didn't recognize them. Nor did I recognize the strong, muscled men bound beside them. My gaze darted to the others, the ones in back, but I couldn't see them all.Lucius, Lucius, my mind chanted as I searched for him, praying he was here. My muscles kept a viselike grip on my bones.

The Targon king claimed a seat on the first row. Recalling his words to me, I stiffly sank down at his feet. G.o.d, I didn't want to. I wanted to stand, to scream, to act.Patience, I reminded myself.Patience.

He patted my head. "Good girl," he said, obviously enjoying himself.

My new position did not change my actions. I continued to scan the slaves. The one at the end of the scaffold was partially hidden by shadows and the two men who were inspecting him. The slave's legs were extended, his robe parted, and I could see his bronzed skin. For a minute, my lungs refused to draw in a breath.

I gulped, willing the men to move out of my line of vision. Sweat beaded on my forehead. My shaky hands clutched at the dirt beneath me.Move, my mind screamed. Patience proved too elusive, so I gave up the effort to find it.

Finally the men ambled off the scaffold, giving me a clear view of the slave.

My lungs jolted into motion, and at last I sucked in a breath. I nearly jumped to my feet and raced up those wooden stairs. He was here. Lucius was here. And he was alive. Relief and joy pounded through me so potently, I could have wept. His features were blank and pale; his fake scar was gone, and I was willing to bet his contacts had been removed. His robe covered his shoulder and chest, so I couldn't see his wound. His clothes weren't b.l.o.o.d.y, so that meant he'd been bandaged up.

"I told you he would be here," Devyn said.

A woman approached Lucius, parted his robe, and gazed at his nakedness. Her large frame blocked my own viewing. Lucius pa.s.sively accepted her perusal, which wasn't like him. What was wrong with him?

I didn't want to, but I switched my attention to Devyn. "See the woman at the end of the scaffold?"

Without looking down at me, he nodded.

"Get her to move. Please."

In the next instant, the woman yelped and tumbled off the edge as if she'd been propelled by a great gust of wind. I jolted to my feet, hoping to gain Lucius's attention.

His gaze was moving listlessly over the crowd, then...our eyes locked.

Relief, hope, joy, fury, all washed over his face-all the emotions I felt-and he snapped out of his pa.s.sive haze. He jerked against the ties at his wrists, shaking the entire scaffold.

"Take me to him," I whispered, looking down at Devyn. "Please."

"Of course. A favor for a favor," he said. He stood, eyes straight ahead. "You will follow me on your knees, slave."

I bent down and crawled after him. Sand and rocks dug into my skin. I even crawled up the splintery steps. I endured it without comment, knowing where it was leading me.

When we reached Lucius, Devyn stopped and grinned over at him. "We're going to buy you," he said. "You will belong to us."

Lucius had eyes only for me. "Is she-"

"She is fine."

I nodded to let him know it was true.

"She has bargained much to get you free. I hope you appreciate her."

Lucius's brow wrinkled in curiosity, but Devyn didn't explain. He walked away, back to his chair, and I had to follow him. I wanted to run back to Lucius, almost did in fact. Devyn sensed it and locked me in place with his mental shield. As my heart thumped and my blood rushed, I tried to tell Lucius with my eyes that everything really was going to be okay.

"Eden," the Targon said suddenly, "my calves are aching from those stairs. Ma.s.sage the muscles for me."

I leveled him my deadliest glare. He gave an almost imperceptible nod to Lucius and released me from the frozen stun. Free to move, I began kneading my fingers into his calves. I used so much force, he hissed in a breath of pain that he tried to cover with a cough. "This isn't a game," I growled quietly.

Lucius looked at Devyn, then at me, and a light of understanding dawned in his eyes. Furious, he bucked against his chains, causing a trickle of blood to run down his arms.

"Put him to sleep," I beseeched, stopping my ma.s.sage and giving the Targon my full attention. "Please, put him to sleep like you did before. The guards will subdue him if this continues."

With another stiff nod, he gazed over at Lucius, and within seconds Lucius's muscles were relaxing. His head lolled forward as he sank into a deep slumber.

"Thank you," I whispered. "Thank you."

"Do you see? I'm not such a bad man, Eden."

"Do I owe you another kiss?" I couldn't keep the aggravation from my voice.

He frowned. "Iam capable of giving free gifts."

Just then, the murmurs of the crowd quieted. The people began to part, and whispers of "EenLi" surfaced. My head whipped up, and I scanned the building. My eyes narrowed as deep-seated loathing filled me.

EenLi had just entered the warehouse.

Chapter.

28.

Everyone hurriedly claimed their seats while EenLi climbed the stairs and meandered his way to center stage. As he walked, he waved and winked at the crowd as if he were a superstar and everyone here was his devoted fan. Full cowboy regalia covered his thin Mec body. Cowboy hat, vest, chaps. He looked ridiculous. Smiling, he held up his hands in a gesture for utter silence.

My hatred grew and festered, bubbled over and spewed. I could throw my dagger at his throat, but I didn't want a long-distance kill this time. I wanted up close and personal, so there would be no doubt of his death, no mistake.

"Can you put everyone to sleep?" I quietly asked Devyn. If the crowd, guards, and EenLi pa.s.sed out cold, I would blithely walk onto the stage and stab EenLi in the heart. Not that he had one.

Devyn thought about it for a moment. "One at a time, but yes, I could do it."