Shaking his head at Mira's undue haste to flee his presence, Nykyrian took his precious bundle into one of the sleeping chambers and carefully placed her on the large bed. He covered her with an extra blanket.

As he stepped away from the bed, he heard her whispering in her sleep. Entranced by her melodic voice, he turned back to take a final look at her peacefully resting form.

He stood over her, intoxicated by the smoothness of her features, her pert nose, the high cheekbones, her finely arched brows. Her long, dark brown hair fell in soft ringlets about her. He traced the line of her cheek, tempted to remove his glove and feel the softness he knew her flawless skin would hold.

He sensed Mira's presence as she returned. Looking up, he saw Mira's questioning brown eyes.

Nykyrian ached to kiss Kiara. He almost did. Only the knowledge of Mira's curious stare kept him from removing his helmet and yielding to his burning want.

Some things were not his to feel, or experience.

With a curt nod to Mira, he left the room.

Nykyrian rejoined his friends downstairs, anxious to finish his business and return the dancer before she distracted him further from his obligations.

Quickly, he led his three soldiers to their council chambers, where Jayne was already seated and waiting for them.

The room was covered with a myriad of star charts, maps and computer terminals. Beeps and hisses filled the air as information passed through the equipment. Everything was neat, tidy and efficient, just the way he liked his life.

Nykyrian walked to the printer nearest him and pulled off several sheets of paper.

As he waited for his friends to remove their helmets and take their chairs, Nykyrianperused the listed items. While he studied the lines, an unbidden image of Kiara drifted before his eyes. Grinding his teeth, he forced his thoughts to business.

Nykyrian gave the small group a cursory glance, took his seat, and placed the stack of papers before him. He turned to Rachol. "I take it the Probekeins hired Chenz and Petiri."

Rachol nodded.

"Send a message to Tiarun Biardi stating that I'll return his daughter. I want him to know the OMG had nothing to do with her abduction." He narrowed his eyes. "I would hate to be shot down for a good deed."

Rachol nodded again, and made a quick note on his computer ledger. "I got the news from one of our spies that the Gouran Consulate fell apart yesterday when the Probekeins threatened to tear apart the Councilors' kids. Eight contracts were drawn up for the terminations. Six children have been found dead, including Councilor Serela's boy we saw last night. I'll make sure word gets around Chenz's death was because of his brutal murder of the kid."

Nykyrian mentally flashed on Serela's tormented face and the sight of the poor, mutilated boy. If Kiara hadn't been aboard Chenz's ship, he would have torn the scab into pieces. "Other than Chenz, who were the others who accepted the Probekeins'

contracts?"

"Don't know," Rachol answered.

Nykyrian rubbed his jaw. "What were the negotiations between the Probekeins and Gourans over?"

At Rachol's negative head shake, Nykyrian scowled. "You're supposed to stay informed of all contracts for assassinations. I want you to find out the definite reasons for the killings as well as the name on the last contract and who holds it. My guess is, the murders are over the new weapon the Probekeins are building. If not, we need to know!"

Nykyrian sat back in his chair. "You'd best inform Biardi immediately his daughter is safe. I'm sure he's about crazed over her disappearance."

Rachol stood, moving to comply with Nykyrian's directive.

"I think we should target Emperor Abenbi," Hauk said, watching Rachol leave. "It's timewe showed the Probekeins they can't continue to frighten other governments."

Nykyrian shook his head. "That's not our decision. We had best attend to our contracted hits. Our backlog is already too long. It'll be several weeks before we can take on any new assignments. At this point, it would have to be a major emergency for new hire."

Jayne sighed irritably. "Why don't we expand our number?" she asked, toying with her long, black hair. "Surely out of the multitude we employ, there are a few suitable to doing the physical executions of contracts."

Nykyrian cocked his brow. "Would you trust them at your back? The five of us are friends, have been so for years. Our loyalty to one another is without question. Are you willing to put your life at the disposal of a stranger?"

"Not with the price on my head," Jayne answered. "I suppose you're right."

Rachol returned. "Biardi will be expecting you," he said to Nykyrian. "He also wants a meeting with me. Funny how we're wanted criminals until they need us," Rachol mumbled, sitting down. "I think Biardi's going to propose a contact for Kiara's protection."

Nykyrian's heart quickened. "Did you schedule a meeting?"

"This evening."

Hauk turned around in his chair, a smirk twisting his lips. "I thought we were too backlogged to take on anything new."

Nykyrian shot him a venomous glare. Hauk held his hands up apologetically. Satisfied that Hauk knew better than to question him further, Nykyrian retrieved the sheets from the table and handed them out to the appropriate specialist.

Hauk complained immediately about his schedule. "Why am I always the back-up for Darling and Jayne?" he muttered. "Especially Darling. I wish you would teach him how to breach access codes. He's dangerous!"

"Me dangerous? Last time we went out together, you set off two alarms. For a circuitry engineer, you're seriously lacking."

"Careful human," Hauk warned, showing Darling his fangs. "I might get hungry one of these nights and decide we no longer need a Weapons Tech."Nykyrian shook his head at their play, knowing they were good friends, but continually harassed one another about their racial differences.

Darling was from Caron, a human system. Hauk was Andarion- an advanced human, predatorial race that sometimes fed on lesser human's meat. A hybrid of the two races, Nykyrian often found himself settling their skirmishes.

Hauk had the traditional Andarion features, an exceptionally handsome face-the Andarions valued physical beauty above everything. Hauk's long, black hair fell in a warrior's braid down his back to his waist. White irises ringed in red, stared laughingly at Darling. The long canine teeth flashed as Hauk smiled. Nykyrian was grateful his own teeth were smaller versions of Hauk's. Still, they were long enough to mark him as a bastard half-breed, especially when combined with his eyes.

"Jayne," Nykyrian said, facing the assassin. "If you need help with your hits, I'll back you. That will free up some of Hauk's time." Jayne gave him a seductive smile. She loved the thrill of hunting and killing the corrupt. Nykyrian remembered a time past when he had shared her enthusiasm, but those days had long fled. Now, he just wanted peace and solitude.

"The number is low this week, "Jayne said, scanning her list. "I think I could schedule an opportunity to take out Abenbi." She smiled at Hauk.

Nykyrian shook his head. "Stick with the assigned political assassinations. I want no messages of the Probekein Emperor's murder."

Hauk curled his lip and sat forward in his chair. "He deserves to die!"

Nykyrian tensed at the direct confrontation. "We need solid proof before we act. When I have it, I shall gladly allow you and Jayne to have him," he compromised, unwilling to fight with one of his few true friends. He had enough enemies for that.

Hauk retreated back into his chair.

Nykyrian glanced around at each of them. "We haven't any missions in the near future that will require the entire group. There are some overlaps, note them and plan accordingly. Keep your links open in case of an emergency. Our next meeting is in eight days, the time is noted on your schedule. Good luck," Nykyrian finished more out of habit than necessity.

The members grabbed their helmets and took their leave. Rachol remained seated withNykyrian, waiting for the room to clear.

As the door closed, he turned to face Nykyrian. "I don't know if you should accept Biardi's contract. We can't afford liabilities."

Nykyrian hated the way Rachol was able to read him. Though he kept his expressions and moods carefully guarded, Rachol had always possessed an uncanny ability to see past his facade. "I really wish you would stop second guessing my thoughts. We're too back-logged to take on any more. You'll have to apologize to her father. Tell him to call out his Gourish troops to protect her."

Nykyrian stood. He moved to the right wall and pushed the buttons for his change of clothes. "We're not baby sitters," he finished, stripping his battlesuit off.

Rachol turned his back to Nykyrian and continued talking, "You're attracted to her?"

"I'm not blind," Nykyrian snapped. "Can you tell me she holds no appeal for you?"

Rachol laughed. "Oh yeah. But, I also know how many times you've gone to see her dance. Face it, Kip, you're infatuated with the woman, and that's not like you."

"I lust for her, nothing more." Nykyrian replaced the wall. Picking up his boots from the floor, he sat in his chair.

"Nothing more?" Rachol asked, swinging his chair around to face him with a cocked eyebrow.

Nykyrian glowered at him as he jerked his boots on. "This discussion is terminated." He retrieved his glasses from the table and put them on to hide his odd green, human eyes.

With one last grimace at Rachol, he left the room.

Nykyrian disregarded Rachol's words. He was a soldier, not some love-besotted fool. All too well, he knew his duties and obligations, nothing would ever distract him from them.

Making his way toward Mira and her post, Nykyrian was glad to shed his Nemesis guise. The birth of Nemesis had been necessity- it left him free to roam without many snipers taking shots at him. And with his hybrid looks, if the authorities were to ever learn the identity of Nemesis, it wouldn't take his enemies long to find him.

For now, people assumed Nykyrian Quiakides to be a minion of the Nemesis; a role that suited him well. As long as his identity was secret, he could maintain a quasi-normalexistence.

He reminded himself that his identity was only one of many reasons he could never involve himself with someone. If he had learned anything in his life, it was that no one could ever be trusted.

People were his friends, until he looked the other way.

Nykyrian stifled the emotions that filled him as he thought of Kiara, and reverted to the soothing emptiness he relied upon.

Two.

Once again, Kiara woke to unfamiliar surroundings. She recalled Nemesis and jolted up, her heart lodged painfully in her throat.

Where was she? What had they done with her?

Kiara searched the room hurriedly with her eyes, looking for some clue about her fate.

The dim overhead light reflected against the pale steel walls, giving them a strange, shadowlike appearance. Drawn by a sudden movement in one corner, she focused her eyes on a pudgy, elder woman who watched her from a reclining chair.

"You're safe." The woman smiled sweetly, her aged face that of a kind grandmother.

"No one here will hurt you."

The woman's dark brown eyes glowed with honesty and warmth. Kiara trusted her.

Surveying the room as the lights brightened, she noticed the richness of the furnishings.

The bed she sat upon was made of dark, carved wood, a rarity few could afford. White gossamer sheers hung over the tall posts, shielding the bed from a stray draft.

Kiara looked back at the woman. "Where am I?" she asked.

"The where isn't important. You'll be home soon now that you're awake." She stood, beaming with a face Kiara recognized as one belonging to a fan. "Are you hungry or thirsty?"

At Kiara's declination, she moved toward the door. "My name's Mira. You stay here andI'll retrieve your battlesuit."

Kiara watched her leave. In the still quietness of the room, she heard the fierce wind outside and an insistent thumping. Her gaze was drawn to the brightly colored windows on the far wall. An odd-shaped tree blew in the strong wind, knocking branches against the window. Kiara felt every bit as controlled by unseen forces and just as helpless against them.

Kiara sighed, her thoughts turning toward her father. No doubt he was frantically hurling angry curses at his poor soldiers, ordering them out to search every fraction of space for her. Her throat tightened as she prayed these people really intended to return her to Gouran.

The door slid open, startling her from her thoughts.

She turned to see a man entering, not Mira. Kiara pulled the cover to her chin, hesitant toward the stranger, not quite afraid, but definitely grateful for the tiny amount of protection the sheers provided her.

Nykyrian paused. He had assumed Kiara would still be asleep. He should have known better.

Her wide, amber eyes watched him with keen interest. Morbidly, he wondered what they would look like if he were to announce himself as the feared, unholy Nemesis.

But then, he knew all too well what her reaction would be. Her eyes would grow wide in panic, she would no doubt scream in terror, and beg for her life.

He breathed a weary sigh.

Her gaze drifted over him, and his body immediately reacted as if she had caressed him with her hands.

She was the only woman he had wanted in many years. It took all his self-control not to yield to his torturous desire to kiss her and find out how it felt to have her slender arms wrapped tightly about him while he buried himself deep within her. He also felt another need he couldn't quite name.

Kiara's heart raced. The man was tall, dressed all in black. Even through the sheer veil separating them, the silver inlays on his boots and gun-belt shimmered in the light. A thin, black coat trailed to his ankles, pulled back on the left side to show the presence ofa holstered blaster.

The first three buttons of his silk shirt were left undone, displaying the promise of a tanned, well-muscled body. A deep scar ran from the base of his throat along his collarbone, disappearing under the shirt. She had a strong desire to investigate where that scar led.

Even though the top half of his face was covered by dark opaque glasses, she could tell he was extremely handsome. His face, tanned and clean-shaven, held a look of steeled determination. His long, almost white blond hair was braided down his back. By that, she knew he was a warrior of superb skill.

An aura of power and danger emanated from him, intoxicating her. She could almost feel the strength of his body.

"I assume Mira has gone for clothing," he said in an accent she couldn't quite place and a deep-timbred voice that sent shivers along her body.

"You're Andarion," she said, noting his teeth. She was slightly afraid at the revelation.

Nykyrian opened his mouth and ran his tongue over his long, canine teeth. "Don't worry, I don't eat humans," he replied.

Kiara was relieved. "Are you the one who will take me home?" she asked as he came forward to lean against the tall bedpost.

"If you prefer, I can find a human to deliver you."

She considered him for a moment. Maybe it would be safer to have a human escort.

Kiara lowered her gaze down his body, admiring the casual pose. His tight, leather pants emphasized the muscled thighs beneath. Her blood ignited. Never had she been so attracted to a man. Licking her suddenly dry lips, she decided she could tolerate him long enough to return her.

"No, I trust you." Kiara smiled.