aLetas get you settled first.a Tara parked behind the house. Tara gave Syra a quick tour of the home and showed her where her bedroom would be. She gave her old room to the girl, knowing Hilda wouldnat mind. After Syra seemed somewhat familiar with her surroundings, Tara decided to put her to the test and announced she was going to take a short ride and would be back in a few hours.

Her bike felt so good underneath her. She leaned forward and took off with enthusiasm. She had decided she would go look for Darius. It had entered her mind, while she was showing Syra around, that she would now be able to spend more time with him. She wasnat sure where he was at the moment and hadnat taken time before leaving the house to track him on her landlink. After driving through the town looking for him, she wondered if he was out joyriding, too.

Tara drove through some of the hills surrounding the town, slowly taking in the aroma of blooming flowers. It was fun driving through the trees, weaving in and out of the brush. Once she hit the open meadow, she pushed her bike and flew at speeds shead only dreamed about over the past winter.

Instinctively she headed for the back hills, to the cliff where Darius had taken her on their first motorcycle ride, where the twins had been conceived. Now, it was her favorite spot, as well. She imagined her Darius sitting on the edge of the cliff overlooking his reign, lost in thought. She would sneak up on him, giving her Runner skills some much-needed practice.

Tara smiled, deciding she would take him right there and pa.s.sionately make love to him. Their lovemaking was often interrupted or hurried since their children had been born. They were way past due for some incredible foreplay and heated s.e.x. She drove faster, skillfully dodging the ruts in the earth, dwelling on her thoughts.

She bypa.s.sed the rugged rocky road leading up the hill, knowing the motorcycle would make too much noise going over the rocks. It was a slow climb driving through the jagged rocks and tall gra.s.s alongside the road, but she enjoyed it. Her heart leapt as she saw Dariusa bike in the gra.s.sy meadow. She parked a fair distance before the trees ended and quietly dismounted.

Tara crept through the trees, but the excited pounding of her heart soon changed as she heard voices.

aWhy must you always bring me here, my lord?a a female voice said. aJust once it would be nice if you would have me in a bed.a Tara almost tripped over a loose branch before she dropped to the ground and crawled through the gra.s.s. She couldnat believe what she just heard. Images of Dariusa face, so full of love and concern throughout her labor, appeared in her mind. She could feel his tender caresses when another memory came to hera"he was holding her, telling her she was beautiful even though she was pregnant with the twins.

The man had told her that he loved her. The pain she felt as she watched her claim through the trees shadowed all pain she had ever experienced in her life.

aShouldnat a lordas mistress enjoy some of the fruits of his success?a Tara could see the woman now. Dariusa profile faced her, and she could tell he was looking toward the cliff.

Her heart seemed to stop beating. She couldnat breathe. The air had turned to poison.

Tara sucked in breaths trying to gain control of herself so she could make sense of what she saw in front of her.

He was with another woman.

How could this be? Head given no indication he was having an affair. The blood boiled inside Tara as she listened to the conversation.

aDonat presume youare anything that merits a t.i.tle,a Darius said.

Tara could see the womanas face, or better yet, the girlas face, noathe wh.o.r.eas face! She was youngatoo youngamore than likely not even twenty winters. Her long reddish-blonde hair fell in a ma.s.s of curls down her back. Tara was sure she would vomit at the beauty of the little tramp.

Tara watched in disbelief as the girl slowly undressed in front of Darius. She was experienced; Tara guessed shead undressed in front of men before, seducing them with a toss of her long hair. And the way she played with each b.u.t.ton before releasing it! She let her dress fall to the ground, then reached for Dariusa shirt.

Tara was horrified. Her body began to shake. She couldnat seem to stop it.

The wh.o.r.e placed her hand on Darius, and he didnat stop her. The man showed no apparent emotion, but he let the wh.o.r.e touch him and didnat make a move to prevent her. His gaze appeared to rest somewhere other than the wh.o.r.eas face.

Tara squeezed her eyes closed, momentarily refusing to accept the fact that Darius, her man, her claim, allowed the wh.o.r.e to playfully pull at his shirt until it released from his pants.

He placed his hands on her b.r.e.a.s.t.s.

Tara grew livid.

aYouall have me, my Lord, wonat you?a The wh.o.r.e ran her hands up Dariusa chest underneath his loosened shirt.

aNo, he will not.a Tara walked into the open.

Every muscle in her body spasmed; she feared she might collapse in front of Darius and the female who still had her wicked hand on his chest. Taraas legs felt mechanical, but they didnat fail her. She pulled her small laser out and aimed it at the woman. The woman screamed and tried to cover her naked body with her arms.

Completely taken off guard, Darius dropped his hands from the womanas b.r.e.a.s.t.s and stepped back.

aGet dressed and get out of here,a Tara ordered, her laser still aimed at the girl.

Darius put his hands out in front of him, his palms facing Tara. aTara, donat do anything youall regret.a aWhy not? You have.a The blood boiling in her veins showed right through her eyes. Tara could see red dots popping in her vision. There was more anger in her than shead ever experienced before. She shot a venomous look at the wh.o.r.e who was frantically trying to get her dress back on. Tara felt a warped satisfaction that her body shook so violently she could hardly step into her clothes.

aDonat bother with the dress, b.i.t.c.h.a The snarl coming out of Tara was absolutely evil. aJust run. Run naked, and let the whole world see you for the f.u.c.king wh.o.r.e you are.a The woman froze and stared at Tara in absolute horror.

Darius started moving slowly to Tara.

aRun!a Tara screamed and raised her gun to the womanas head.

Now the woman screamed and with dress in hand took off toward the trees.

Taraas body didnat move when she fired the laser, sending the wh.o.r.eas naked body flying into the trees.

Darius lunged at Tara.

She dodged away from his attack and then turned the gun on him, forcing him to a dead stop.

aTara! Put it down.a aDonat speak to me. I donat need words to add to the scene I just witnessed.a She pointed the gun at his head.

aPut down the gun. Itas done.a aYou wonat get out of this that easily.a Tara breathed in gulps of air, as if shead just run up the side of the hill.

He looked at her, not saying a word.

She stood there thinking for a minute. The silver weapon didnat budge from its target.

aPlease then, my lady, put down the gun.a Tara noticed something she hadnat seen in Darius before: fear. The recognition of the emotion seemed to also bear witness to every other fault the man possessed. She c.o.c.ked her head and studied Darius, as if truly seeing him for the first time. She lowered the gun.

Darius exhaled noticeably.

Tara watched him. She saw Darius with painful clarity at that momenta"as if every trait, character defect, every emotion that made the man who he was, had been labeled clearly on him for her appraisal. Tara didnat see good looks, she didnat see s.e.x appeal, and there was no hint of the magnificent warrior. What she saw was a man, impure and tainted, and she wasnat impressed.

Intentionally and with premeditation, Tara raised her laser again and felt a calming satisfaction as his eyes widened, and his lips parted. Then without hesitating, she shot him in the foot.

He went down on one knee and grabbed the bleeding foot with both hands.

aI am no longer your lady.a She turned and walked away. Bile churned within her, and the spasms made her muscles quiver, but she managed composure. Darius wouldnat see her break from his deed. She wouldnat give him the satisfaction of seeing how he had affected her.

aTara, where are you going? Come back here.a She could feel the pain in his voice, but wasnat sure if it was from being shot, having been caught, or having heard her last words. There was so much anger and pain racking her entire body that she could no longer speak. She pa.s.sed his bike and headed to the forest. On impulse, she turned and shot the gas tank out of his bike.

aTara, you canat leave.a That was the last she heard him say. She ran. Reaching her bike, she climbed on and destroyed the ground and most of the foliage surrounding it as she spun around and tore out of the forest.

Her fury surpa.s.sed the pain she was feeling at that moment. She could not get out of her head what shead seen in the clearing. How he had betrayed her! s.h.i.t, the woman was no more than a girl. How could he have done something like this to her, to them, to the twins, their new family? Head brought that tramp to their magical spot. How could he be so callous?

As she drove back toward the house, she began to wonder how long head been unfaithful. She remembered the words Mikel had spoken before Darius had killed him. They haunted her.

Anger so intense she could barely stand it coursed through her. She couldnat go back to the house in this condition.

She drove to the Blood Circle Clan, intent upon talking to Patha. She would leave with him. There was no way she could stay here. Darius had been unfaithful, and he had destroyed trust in their relationship.

Tears burned her eyes as she drove. No, he was no longer a lord, not in her eyes. He did not deserve any t.i.tle of respect. He was Darius, a Gothman, and shead been fooled into believing he actually thought more of her than he would a Gothman woman.

Her bike slid to a stop in front of Pathaas trailer. She jumped off and pulled open the trailer door with a force fueled by the fury reeking havoc inside her body.

Patha was sitting at the table talking to Reena and stood with a start as the door to his trailer flew open.

Tara noticed his surprised expression and knew no one entered his trailer without knocking. She stood in front of the two of them and quickly shut the door behind her. She was shaking and knew her face was stained from splattering dirt and tears.

aChild, whatas wrong?a Reena spoke first as she too jumped up and quickly moved around the table.

Taraas body now shook uncontrollably, and the tears fell from her eyes so rapidly she could barely see her parents standing in front of her. She opened her mouth to talk, but instead savage sobs came out. She gave up and fell into the nearest chair, holding her head in her hands as she cried hysterically.

aTara, control yourself.a Reena wrapped her arms around Tara. aWhat has happened? How can we help if you donat talk to us?a Patha sat in the chair next to them.

aOh G.o.daitas awful. Awful. I justajust canat believe it.a aWhat? Has someone been hurt? The children? Lord Darius?a Patha asked each question with alarm deepening his voice.

aI found,a Tara tried to say the words that would only cause her more pain. aI mean I sawa"a She stopped talking and took a deep breath.

Now that she was here, with both her parents looking on with incredible worry, she wasnat so sure she could actually form the sentences. Shead have to describe what shead witnessed and renew her shame of betrayal. Tara didnat think she could handle that right now.

aSay it quickly, child.a Reena saw the pain in her daughteras face and no matter how much she wiped the tears, more followed.

aI found Darius with another woman.a She quit crying and felt an incredible numbing sensation ooze over her. aI heard them talkingaand she wasashe was naked. Darius has taken a mistress.a aOh child, no.a Reena wrapped her arms around Tara. aIam so sorry.a Patha leaned back in the chair and crossed his arms, but didnat speak.

Tara wanted more of a reaction, and decided to keep talking since shead been able to get out the ugliest of the words.

aI went out looking for him.a Her eyes moved from one to the other. aI found him all right. The son of a b.i.t.c.h was with the wh.o.r.e.a Anger replaced her tears, and her temper raged once again.

Patha frowned. aTara, what did you do?a aI killed his precious mistress, if thatas what youare wondering.a She stood and walked to the door, then turned and looked at the two of them. aI will get the children, and weall be back. Weare going with you.a She reached for the door.

Patha grabbed her arm. aTara, where is Darius?a aHeas where I found him.a Patha looked her in the eyes, studying her as if seeking an answer he hadnat heard yet. aYou didnat kill him, did you?a Tara yanked her arms from his grasp and turned her rage on him.

Reena gasped as her eyes shifted from papa to daughter.

Patha, on the other hand, didnat look away from Tara. He crossed his arms, waiting for her answer. He appeared to Tara as he had over so many wintersa"the patient, but stern gaze that awaited her confession of the truth. Never had she been able to lie to the man, and in truth she had never tried to. She saw no reason to change that pattern now.

aHow dare you show more concern for that manas wellbeing than mine? I have been wronged, and you care if the man is alive or dead?a Taraas voice shook from the anger she was experiencing. aHeas been having s.e.x with another woman. Who knows how many women heas been with? Heas a liar and a cheat!a aYouare a strong woman, Tara. You can straighten him out.a aIam not going to do anything with him. Heas broken my trust and that canat be restored.a Tara still glared at Patha. aThere will be no second chance.a aTara, this is bigger than simply your emotions.a Patha was straightforward. aThe two of you have an obligation to two different races. You must stay and work it out with him. Youare under contract. Itas as simple as that. These people need your strength.a aIam not the one who broke the contract.a Tara opened the door and ran from the trailer.

Chapter Twelve.

Taraas mind raced as she drove back to the house. Patha was going to try and stop her. It would only be a matter of time before Darius would communicate with him. She knew he wouldnat contact anyone with a lower rank and risk humiliation and gossip. Patha would go get him. All either one of them cared about were the nations they controlled, and no thought was given to the feelings of those around them.

Her anger escalated, as it became clear to her that to Patha her claim was an arrangement of convenienceaa merger to unite two nations. It was no more than a business deal to him. He would have her continue without love or feeling toward Darius, just to keep the two races together. She didnat have the ability to do that. It was her love for Darius that had motivated her actions and without it; she was of no use here.

She lifted the microphone on her landlink and called the house.

Syra answered the phone, which was the first thing that had gone right since shead left. It would be easier to get the babies out of the house if Hilda werenat involved.

aSyra, I need you to do something for me.a Tara concentrated on making her voice sound as calm and pleasant as possible.

aHi, the babies are fine.a Syra a.s.sumed Tara was checking up on her.

aGreat, I knew you could handle it. Now, I need you to load the babies into the jeep for me. Pack a bag with several of their outfits and a blanket or two. Iall also need a basket with some food in it. Can you do that for me?a aSure. Where are we going?a aI thought Iad give you the rest of the afternoon off. The babies and I are going to say goodbye to several people before they leave,a Tara lied. aIall be there in a minute.a Syra was loading the jeep when Tara pulled up. She slowly guided her bike onto a flat trailer parked nearby. Syra started to watch with curiosity, but left to get the babies, who were still in the house.

Tara backed the jeep up to the hitch and attached the trailer to the back of the vehicle. She then went inside and hugged her babies before running upstairs to grab a few things. Once in her bedroom, she flew through the closet, hurriedly pulling out several outfits and throwing them into her bag. She turned to leave the room and then on second thought stopped and walked over to Dariusa dresser. There was a small box buried under his clothes in the bottom drawer. Opening it, she saw several small bags filled with gold coins and a few priceless jewels. She hesitated and then dumped the contents into her bag. Head robbed her, and now she was robbing him. She would need money and Gothman dollars would do her no good outside of Gothman.

Syra was talking to Hilda, whoad just returned when Tara went back downstairs. Tara quickly thought of what she would say to the obvious questions as she approached the old lady.

aDid you have a nice time?a Tara asked as she walked past Hilda to go out the back door.

aAh, it was nice to see everyone, it was.a Hilda followed Tara. aI see you took my advice on the nanny.a aYes, it was a good idea.a Tara turned and smiled calmly at Hilda.

aWhere are you going?a aWeare going to go say goodbye to several of the Runners before they leave. Iall be gone most of the day. Iam leaving Syra here, if you donat mind. I told her she could have the afternoon off, but I donat see why you canat put her to work if you like.a Tara checked to see that she had everything she needed.

aHave fun, my lady. Iall spend the time getting to know the girl, I will.a Hilda waved as Tara slowly drove down the driveway.

She followed the road to town until she was sure anyone watching from the house could no longer see her. She then pulled off and started heading for a back lane that would turn south. There was no doubt shead be followed, and all measures would be made to stop her. Her load was heavy, and she would not be able to travel quickly. She turned to look at Andru and Ana who were turning their heads to watch the surroundings move past them. Her stomach was tied in knots, and she knew it would stay that way until she was out of Gothman territory.

The first hour pa.s.sed peacefully. She drove through the meadows on the backside of the hills. It seemed ironic that if Darius had been up on the cliff he would have seen her movements, but Tara felt safe a.s.suming head not been able to climb up the cliff in his present condition. She actually started to enjoy the beautiful day and forced all thoughts of what had happened out of her head.

The landlink next to her started blinking as someone tried to reach her. There was little doubt as to what the message might say, and without looking to see who could be transmitting, she hit delete.

It wasnat much longer before she heard the sound of motorcycles behind her. Shead expected this. Gothman would not let her go without a fight. There was no way she could outrun the bikes, and she knew this. She drove with one hand and opened the suitcase on the floor of the jeep with the other. Inside were several hand bombs and two Eliminators.

She pulled an Eliminator out and set it on the seat next to her. She covered her babies with Runner blankets made out of the same black material as her clothing; they were bulletproof and would protect the children if things got really ugly.

Several of the bikes were close enough that she could see the guardsa faces. She detonated one of the hand bombs and threw it. The three motorcycles skidded sideways across the field. Turning to focus her attention on her driving, she glanced at her babies, making sure the blanket remained secure.

aWeall be through this part soon, my dears,a Tara said and hoped her voice calmed her wide-eyed children. She placed her flat palm on one childas head, and then the other, rea.s.suring herself that they were securely belted in, so that the rough ride jostled them as little as possible.

She heard the other motorcycles in pursuit slow at the explosion. All she could do was continue to drive.

Gothman territory ended just several miles ahead and then she would be in Freeland territory. Briefly, she wondered if theyad continue their pursuit over the border. She didnat have long to wonder as she watched the remaining guards close in behind her. Darius probably a.s.sumed he could chase her to the borders of Trueland, and no one would dare to stop hima"the pompous a.s.s.

Tara counted four Gothman as they increased speed in an attempt to pa.s.s and force her to stop the jeep.

ad.a.m.n,a she hissed, as one of the bikes swerved dangerously close to a front tire.

Tara knew she couldnat make any sharp turns with the trailer hitched behind her. And she couldnat fire at all four of them at once. aBut I can take you out one at a time,a she yelled through the wind, as she leaned past the windshield and shot the rider who had attempted to drive into her.

Tara noticed none of them had drawn their weapons. Obviously, they had instructions not to shoot her. Another guard pulled to the other side of her, while the third pulled alongside the trailer behind her. Tara swiveled her head back and forth in an attempt to keep tabs on what both men were doing. The jeep bounced over a small gully in the ground, and Tara cursed. Andru howled in protest, and Anaas tiny fists shot forward, knocking the blanket down to the babiesa waists.