The Price of Power Read online

  Dove conferred with Jeena in a flash of expressions, a personal code known only to them. Elise recognized the close familiarity the two shared which made words unnecessary. It developed sometimes between individuals who’d grown to know each other very well over many years—centuries perhaps? Finally, Dove shrugged and Jeena nodded.

  “Hell, how do you two do that? ESP? You know, you should just make it all official.”

  Jeena opened her mouth to speak.

  Carek silenced her. “Oh, shut up Jeena. We all know what you’re going to say. Dove, you’re a fool.” He waggled his finger in Dove’s face. “Come on, let’s toast your 6th, so I can get to know your new friend better.” He offered his arm to Elise.

  After a moment of hesitation, and a worried glance to Jeena, who nodded encouragement, Elise allowed Carek to lead her off the platform. Dove put an arm around Jeena and Elise found herself surrounded by an enemy who looked a lot like very good friends.

  Chapter Five

  New Terra Histories by Malita s’Lissa s’vlor

  I had such a visceral reaction to the Tenders, the WOR-guards, and the Vendel lords. I hated them. The sight of those men caused my blood pressure to soar and the muscles in my jaw to clench.

  I plotted their downfall every day.

  But the Vendel people?

  Fortune smiled on me the day I met my Vendel friends.

  They gave me back my humanity.

  They gave me hope.

  Chapter Six

  Gambit, Day 150

  After her ten days of Tender Training, Elise settled back into a routine. She began each morning with a run, followed by WOR-skill training with Gregor, a blessed two-hour break with lunch, and then more WOR-skill training with Gregor and the High Tender to finish the day. High Tender Marcus pulled off her personal WOR-guard patrol, making it easier to slip away to Sector F every other night where she trained with Jeena.

  Each night she whispered her prayer for invisibility and a calmness came over her as she escaped the prison of the Confinement Deck.

  When she couldn’t make it to the flight deck, she practiced on the flimsy in the virtual world of the am-net. Her hand touched the gel coating and the bio-gel hooked into her senses and transported her into a world where flight became her universe.

  Unlike WOR-skill training, Elise’s aptitude with the jump-jet took off. Her eidetic memory allowed her to breeze through the technical manuals. Knowledge of thrust, momentum, and velocity was no different for the Vendel than it had been on Earth with her stunt plane.

  The hardest part was in learning the controls. Her mind longed for a simple joystick. Flying using the palms of her hands—the seat of the pants analogy didn’t translate into Vendel flight lingo—took longer to figure out. Once she did, Elise found success with every scenario Jeena devised.

  Not that she was a perfect student. Dove kept a tally of her deaths in his particularly quirky way.

  Carek had found his use as well.

  Dove was more than willing to instruct her in the use of the snarking pad, but was a little hesitant as he got to know her better. As he wormed his way into a protective role, it started to get downright weird. Carek was more than willing to help Elise explore the full capabilities of the snarking pad.

  Days passed, cycles turned and counted out Sun cycles. Back on Earth, she would call them months, and she was still no closer to a solution of how to escape. She sat beneath Champion’s Riot going over jump-jet strategy with Jeena and thought how routine her life had become. How complacent she had become terrified her, but she didn’t see a way past it.

  “Kid? Did you hear me? I said Carek put up the fee.” Jeena nudged her knee.

  Elise startled. “What?”

  “You’re daydreaming again.”

  “Sorry. I’m worried.” She shrugged. “It seems like I’m getting nowhere.”

  “But that’s just it. I just told you.”

  “Told me what?”

  “Kid, your jump-jet fee is set. You’ve been entered into the competition. We’re on track.”

  “What do I owe him?”

  “Nothing.” Jeena chuckled. “If a man offers, a woman accepts.”

  “But it doesn’t seem right. What does he expect from me?”

  “Carek? Nothing, kid. He wants the pleasure of your company. You provide him with a necessary diversion and you don’t have to worry about him. He won’t push for anything more than a confirmed place on your snark list.”

  “I’m a diversion for what?”

  “He’s part of the neural mind conclave.” Jeena gave Elise a look like that should mean something.

  Elise shrugged.

  “He spends his day hooked into the am-net—full immersion? Neural Conclave members lose a bit of themselves over time—hazard of the job. Carek’s using you to keep in touch with reality and tap into his humanity. That’s all he wants out of you.”

  Elise liked Carek, but was leery about developing too close of a relationship, which was challenging considering the intimacy of the snarking pad. He reminded her of those quietly brilliant men who hovered around the edges of society, except Carek was energetic, an animated storyteller, and a prankster.

  Watching Carek tease Dove had become one of her favorite past-times. She loved the puzzle Carek posed. Despite an otherwise outgoing personality, he really did have his head in the clouds most of the time, or rather, in the am-net, although she didn’t understand what full immersion meant.

  “Now let’s run that sim again,” Jeena said. “I want you to work on hitting the bonus rings.”

  Elise suppressed a sigh. She didn’t want Jeena to pick up on her fatigue.

  The pace of training—physical, WOR-skill, jump-jet—confounded her ability to stay awake some days.

  Train. Train. Train.

  It was all she did anymore. Fortunately, Malice helped. Her sister snapped and growled when Elise’s head dipped during WOR-skill training, or when her mind wandered during jump-jet flight lessons.

  Despite her achievement with the jump-jet, however, Elise continued to lag behind in WOR-skill. It bothered not just her, but Gregor and the High Tender as well. Her continued failure was on all their minds.

  Gregor was supposed to start her on the first skill of the Rod. Except, he’d promised her a surprise. His surprises tended to worry her, which made it difficult to focus on Jeena’s jump-jet lesson.

  Elise looked at Jeena. “I’m sorry, but I can’t seem to focus. I need to get back to my sponsor…before he notices I’m gone.”

  Jeena patted her knee. “I understand. Maybe next time we’ll take the jump-jet out for a spin?”

  Elise smiled. “I would like that.” When she flew the jump-jet, she felt free.

  Chapter Seven

  Gambit, Day 181

  Elise hurried back to the Confinement Deck and slipped beneath the covers an hour before the awakening bell rang. When she woke, it was to find instructions left by High Tender Marcus.

  He moved her mealtime back and sent her to the track to run. The change in routine was a little strange, but she didn’t question him. She—they—never questioned the High Tender. Her mind was a little crowded what with sharing it with Whimper, Malice, and the mostly silent Shriek.

  Elise finished her run and headed to the showers. She washed quickly and rushed out, rubbing her hair with a towel. Staring at the floor, she padded on bare feet to her bench. Two pairs of black, shiny boots brought her to an abrupt halt.

  Her breath caught and she raised her head to greet Gregor and High Tender Marcus. Her nudity meant nothing anymore. High Tender Marcus didn’t care, and Gregor’s restraint remained wire tight.

  She stepped up to Gregor and gave him a kiss on the cheek. It had become a part of their greeting ritual. “Gregor, good morning.” She held the towel in front of her damp skin. “High Tender Marcus, good morning.”

  The High Tender’s expression was a mask of disapproval and made her flinch. Gregor, however, gave her one of his sm
irks and his smile broke into a crooked grin. The grueling pace of training left Gregor precious few opportunities to be alone with his property. Not that he didn’t steal kisses when and where he could.

  He raked his eyes up and down her body and said, “It’s a pleasure to see you.” His eyes twinkled with amusement when she didn’t cover herself and allowed him an uninterrupted view of her body.

  High Tender Marcus turned dark, judgmental eyes to the emperor. “I will accompany you.”

  Elise deferred to the High Tender, once again thinking how dangerous it would be to get caught in the middle of these two men.

  Gregor stepped to the side to reveal a shimmering pile of deep green silk and lace. The High Tender rolled his eyes. What a funny expression on the stern man’s face.

  “Why Gregor, that’s beautiful.” She held the dress up.

  “Yes, opés, it brings out the color of your eyes.”

  As always, Gregor tied the corset as the High Tender coughed into his fist. She looked at him and tilted her head. She was missing something.

  Gregor tugged on the laces and the garment squeezed her waist. He ran a finger up her spine and across her shoulder. His finger came back to trace the edges of the collar she wore. A line of blistering heat marked the path of his touch. He pressed a hand to her back and gave her a gentle push toward the washroom.

  “Go do you hair and put on your bands of rank. I’m anxious to leave.”

  Elise headed to the washroom and heard the High Tender’s low rumble as she turned the corner. “Must you insist on corsets with the back ties?”

  “She lives to please me. We’ve achieved that much.”

  “I achieved that with Tender Training.”

  Elise worked to straighten out the tangles in her hair. She finger-dried her hair at one of the drying vents. For a moment, she stood in front of the mirror, examining her reflection, surprised at the beauty uncovered by the dress.

  The collar at her neck glinted in the soft light, reminding her of what she had become, a slave. She wasn’t supposed to be able to remove it, but she’d figured out the clasp. She slipped on the five armbands which denoted her as a fifth rank WOR.

  Taking one last glance at herself in the mirror. Elise spun on her heals and walked out.

  I’m not your filthy slave, Gregor. I’m not your slave!

  Malice cackled in the background. Are you certain?

  Gregor smiled as she approached. She wanted to rip that smile off his face, but had to portray a meekness she did not feel. Her submission to him was the key to her freedom. She hated it, but fed it. There was no other choice.

  He led her out and around the sleeping quarters. They paused at the palm pad at the base of the stairs. He logged her out, and then led her out of the Confinement Deck. The High Tender kept his distance and followed.

  “You haven’t taken me off the Confinement Deck in months. Are you taking me to your quarters?” She twisted around to glance at the High Tender.

  “Sadly not, opés. But, I promise to find some time for us to be alone.”

  “Can’t you just order him away like last time?”

  “Not anymore.” Gregor didn’t elaborate.

  He took her to one of Gambit’s circumferential parks. A modest breakfast spread on a large quilt had been prepared for them. He seated her on the ground and took a seat opposite her. The High Tender retreated to a bench twenty-feet away, and sat where he could keep an eye on them. Gregor placed her back to the High Tender.

  He jerked his chin toward the High Tender. “He thinks to act the chaperone. Despite my word, he’s hesitant to leave us alone.”

  “Yes, Gregor.” Elise looked down and eyed the food spread out. She was thankful for the High Tender’s presence. A part of her hoped it would remain the routine as Gregor’s advances only became bolder with the passage of time.

  “Look at me,” he commanded.

  Elise brought her chin up and gazed into his eyes. “Yes, Gregor.” She kept her expression blank, but inwardly she cringed.

  “I expected more of a reaction out of you. This is a treat after all.” He arched a brow in question. “How about some breakfast?” Gregor filled a plate with food. He held it out.

  “Thank you.” Elise leaned forward to take the plate. Gregor held it steady, but didn’t release it. His eyes flicked to her lips and he leaned forward. Elise held herself perfectly still as he brushed his lips against hers in a soft kiss.

  He leaned back and frowned. “What’s wrong?”

  “Is he staring at us? I feel his eyes boring a hole in my back. It’s weird.” She took the plate and set it down. Her hand reached out to rest on top of his.

  “Are you not happy to be alone with me?”

  She laughed. “Please, we are very much, not alone.”

  He frowned and narrowed his eyes. The tattoo over his brow danced ominously.

  Elise placed a finger on his lips. “You know I won’t lie to you. While I would like nothing else than to have you pull me into those bushes over there and take me with this passion you control so well, you don’t seem to want to do that. Sitting not more than a few feet from High Tender Marcus while you kiss me, and he watches, is uncomfortable.”

  “I don’t mind kissing you in front of Lord vlor’Vardhal.”

  “I do.” She grabbed a pastry and took a bite. It gave her a minute to collect her thoughts.

  “Hm.” Gregor leaned back and stretched his legs out.

  Good, no more kissing, Malice hissed.

  Shriek and Whimper remained silent. They rarely revealed themselves.

  Elise took another bite.

  Gregor’s next words hit her with all the subtleness of a lightning bolt. “Opés, I want you to show me the fifth skill of the Bar again. Now.”

  Elise didn’t hesitate and obeyed without thought. With her mouth still full, she looked at the food spread out on the blanket. She picked four grapes and they floated into position as she started them in their orbits. Once they were all rotating around a common center, she spun each along its axis.

  Gregor reached into a tin and tossed a handful of crushed nuts on the blanket. “Add these.”

  Elise blinked and complied.

  He tossed her an orange, an apple and two nectarines. “Add these.”

  The orange rotated outside the orbit of the nuts. The apple came next and she added the nectarines without batting an eye.

  Gregor leaned over to a basket and pulled out a large grapefruit. “I want this one in the middle. You need to expand the rings to make room.” He tossed the grapefruit into the air and Elise caught it with her mind before it landed.

  The grapefruit hovered over her rotating construct while she considered how to fit it in. She had to push the innermost grapes outward before the grapefruit slipped into place. The outer orbits rippled and expanded to make room.

  “Tilt the whole thing ninety degrees and elevate it so the High Tender can see.”

  She did exactly as Gregor instructed.

  I’m his trained dog. I didn’t even think. What just happened?

  Her heart leapt in her throat as the implication of what she just did sank in. She’d struggled with this for the past cycle and never performed this flawlessly, but then she wasn’t thinking, just reacting.

  To Gregor.

  A trained slave. This is what I’ve become.

  The High Tender joined them. He grabbed a handful of fruit. “S’vlor,” he said.

  She regarded him, tears brimming in her eyes. “Yes, High Tender.”

  “I expect obedience.” His tone slipped into the terror of Tender Training.

  Whimper made mewing sounds.

  Shriek shuddered.

  Malice hissed.

  Elise hushed them. The High Tender is speaking!

  Don’t disobey him. Shriek cowered. I don’t want to feel the braklav.

  The High Tender cupped ten grapes and held an orange in his other hand. “Make another construct.” He flicked his eyes up and she
followed his gaze as he threw the fruit into the air.

  They couldn’t disobey the High Tender. That brought the braklav.

  Malice hissed.

  Whimper moaned.

  Shriek screamed. Do it. Do it. Do. It!

  Elise reacted on instinct, determined to keep her sisters safe from the High Tender and his braklav.

  All ten grapes sailed through the air. At their furthest point, she caught them and forced them into position. The orange fell and smacked into the ground. The rind cracked. She snatched it, sealed the crack, and shoved it into place.

  Her original construct rotated in the air behind her, completely forgotten. She had been forced to tie it off when the High Tender tossed the grapes. If she hadn’t, it would’ve fallen, and that would’ve made Gregor mad. They never made Gregor mad. He’s the one who brought the High Tender to task.

  One of the grapes in the second group wobbled. She nudged it back into a stable orbit.

  Gregor walked over to her first rotating mass of fruit and pointed to the third grape. “What is this?”

  She stared at him, not understanding the question. It was a grape. But he knew that. Why would he ask her such a stupid question? She looked at the first mass of fruit, rotating in silent precision.

  It all fell into place as she saw the arrangement of the fruit mirroring her home solar system. With that sudden realization, both rotating masses came crashing to the ground.

  “You tricked me.” It was all she could manage to say.

  “It was no trick.”

  High Tender Marcus stepped forward, kicking grapes out of his way. “S’vlor, your master asked you a question.”

  Fruit littered the ground. The grapefruit had split under the impact of its ten-foot fall. One of the oranges didn’t look much better.

  High Tender Marcus took a step. Gregor placed a restraining hand on the High Tender’s chest and the advance stopped.

  Sneaky bastards, Malice muttered.

  Answer him, Whimper cried.

  He asked a question. We must answer, or they’ll use the braklav. Shriek rattled inside Elise’s mind. I’m not ready. I’m not prepared!