Cursed Read online

  Her official manner and the badge had worked wonders. The seven foot tall Kindred guard had meekly let her past and she had found herself in the small, bare antechamber, separated from the Council room by only a metal door. Settling in to listen, Charlie had learned some truly horrifying facts about the Dark Kindred and their plans for total domination of the Earth.

  “How can we stop them if they have superior numbers and fire power?” Stavros asked. “The inhabitants of Earth can be somewhat stubborn and irritating at times but in working there I have come to love the planet as my own home. I will do anything I can to protect it and the people who live there.”

  “That is what we hoped you would say,” Commander Sylvan replied. “We have the beginnings of a plan predicated on a prophesy given to us by the Goddess. Will you hear it?”

  “Of course. Please proceed.”

  “Very well:

  “Cursed to find an early grave

  Will be the one the Light to Save

  The Pain of others he must feel

  The wounds of others he can heal

  To stop the evil he must find

  The Heart of Love in J’lorgon’s Mind

  To bring it to the void and cold

  And cast it in, he must be bold.

  For…”

  There was a lingering pause on the other side of the door. Then Stavros said, “If he what?”

  “Unfortunately, we do not know—the prophesy is incomplete although we have people working to find the rest of it.”

  “It clearly seems to indicate someone of my situation, though.” Stavros sounded thoughtful. “Cursed to find an early grave and the pain of others he must feel—that clearly indicates a Sin Eater.”

  An early grave? What do they mean by that? Charlie frowned but the conversation in the other room was already moving on.

  “We thought so too which was why we need you so urgently, Commander Stavros,” one of the other Council members said.

  “But you need me to do what?” Stavros sounded perplexed. “What is the Heart of Love and where is J’lorgon’s Mind?”

  “I’ll let Commander Lock answer that,” Sylvan said. “He has been researching the matter extensively and in fact, has only just returned from a fact-finding trip.”

  Commander Lock? Charlie felt a shock go through her. That’s not the one who…no it can’t be. Then a new voice began and she forced herself to listen.

  “J’lorgon’s Mind is a place of healing and wisdom in the Crab Nebula founded by the great Syntharian healer, T’dai al J’Lorgon,” a new voice said. “It is a retreat of sorts—a place where those who are weary in body and soul can find refreshment and renewal.”

  “And the Heart of Love?” Stavros asked.

  “A priceless artifact at the center of the resort. The reports of what it actually is very greatly. Some say it is a sacred pink synthar-crystal carved with the runes for love and understanding.. Others say it is a rare pygmy Manai tree which blossoms only in the presence of true and unconditional love. Some say it is actually the preserved heart of T’dai al J’Lorgon himself which fills whomever stands near it with love and understanding towards all living beings.”

  “So we’re not sure what it is?” Sylvan asked.

  “I couldn’t find out for sure. But according to the prophesy, we need it—it’s the only way to defeat the Dark Kindred. And I did find out one thing—the one who claims the Heart of Love is the only one who can use it effectively. All the legends agree on that.”

  “Naturally this priceless relic isn’t for sale,” Sylvan said dryly.

  “Of course not—it’s closely guarded,” Lock admitted. “Though I dislike duplicity, I am afraid it will have to be taken. But not by force—the wards and security systems around the resort are much too complicated to make that a feasible option. No, it must be taken by subterfuge by someone working on the inside.”

  “All right, that sounds simple enough,” Stavros rumbled. “I’ll pose as a weary pilgrim to this resort—this J’lorgon’s Mind. Then once I infiltrate it, I’ll find a way to get past the security and take the Heart of Love.”

  “Unfortunately, it’s not quite as simple as that,” Lock said. “You see, J’lorgon’s Mind is a retreat for couples. You’ll need a female to go with you and pose as your mate. The two of you will pretend to be having problems and say that you need healing for your troubled relationship.”

  “What?” For the first time Stavros sounded really disconcerted. “But I don’t know of any female I can take with me to help enact this subterfuge!”

  “That is a problem.” Sylvan sounded like he was frowning. “Though it sounds simple on the outside, we would have to find a female willing to go into danger. Stealing such a priceless and closely guarded artifact will not be without considerable risks.”

  “It would have to be an unmated female,” another councilor said. “One who was already mated to another warrior would never be able to act the part convincingly.”

  “Not to mention the fact that she would be covered in her mate’s scent, proclaiming the lie to anyone with a halfway decent sense of smell,” another male voice rumbled.

  “You are right,” Lock said. “It must be an unmated female.”

  “Well that could be a problem.” Sylvan sighed. “Since the war with Earth started, we have a lack of unmated females. In fact, I don’t think there is a single female who isn’t spoken for on the entire Mother Ship.”

  Charlie didn’t give herself time to think about it, she just barged right into the Council room.

  “Oh yes there is,” she said. “I’m here and I’ll go.”

  * * * * *

  “Charlotte?” Stavros looked at her, shocked. “What are you doing here?” he demanded when he could finally get his brain to work.

  “Volunteering.” She raised an eyebrow at him. “Is that a problem?”

  Commander Sylvan frowned at her. “The problem is that you have apparently been listening in on a private and highly confidential meeting.”

  “Yes I have.” Charlotte lifted her chin regally and Stav couldn’t help admiring her composure. Here she stood, admitting to what amounted to espionage, yet she was absolutely fearless.

  “Isn’t this the female who captured Commander Stavros in the first place?” one of the Councilors asked, frowning at her from his place around the semi-circular table. “Isn’t she an agent of the Anti-Kindred organization committed to forcing all our kind to leave Earth for good?”

  “I believe she is,” Commander Sylvan said mildly. “Though in Commander Stavros’s defense, he broke free of captivity and took his captor hostage—that is how she comes to be here on the Mother Ship with us.”

  “Why did he bring her up here if she’s anti-Kindred?” a black haired warrior asked.

  “I believe there was some…misunderstanding about her medical condition,” Sylvan said delicately. “He brought her for her own safety but there is, of course, no way to return her. Not now at any rate, with the Dark Kindred blockading the Earth. And—”

  “Listen,” Charlotte said impatiently, breaking in. “I’ve been standing outside this room for the past hour listening to everything those Dark Kindred—the Enhanced Ones—want to do to my planet. How they want to makes us slaves and take our emotions and strip mine the Earth like some giant coal pit…” She choked slightly but made herself continue. “Well, I’m not going to let that happen. I want to help get rid of them.”

  “I don’t think you quite understand what you’re offering,” Commander Lock, who had gone on the fact finding mission said. “J’lorgon’s Mind bills itself as a very serious and exclusive resort. Their security is no laughing matter.”

  “Commander Lock, right?” Charlotte snapped.

  “Well…yes.” He frowned.

  “You’re a Twin Kindred, right? So where’s your brother?” Charlotte demanded.

  Lock frowned. “He is…with our mate and our children at the moment. Why do you ask?”

  “No
reason.” Charlotte was still glaring at him for some reason Stav couldn’t understand.

  “Well, as I was saying,” Lock continued uneasily. “You and Commander Stavros would have to be completely convincing. If you weren’t the consequences could be…” He spread his hands. “Well, they could be most severe.”

  Charlotte lifted her chin even higher, her big brown eyes blazing.

  “I’m not afraid.”

  “You’re not a friend of the Kindred either,” one of the Councilors pointed out, glaring at her. “This is out of the question. This female needs to be ejected at once!”

  “No, wait!” Stav strode forward and stood by her side. “Let us at least hear what she has to say.” He glanced at her. “I haven’t known Charlotte Sayers long but I have a high regard for her talents and intelligence.”

  “As Commander Stavros knows her best, I think we should defer to his judgment,” Commander Sylvan said. “As temporary acting head of the Council, I authorize you to proceed.” He nodded at Charlotte who nodded frostily back.

  “Thank you, Commander Sylvan. First of all, some of you have said I’m anti-Kindred—well, I am.” This statement engendered angry murmurs from the Council table but she raised her voice and went on. “And I have good reason to be.” She glared once more at Commander Lock for some reason before continuing. “But then I started hearing you talk about these other guys—the Dark Kindred. Has anyone here ever heard the saying, ‘the enemy of my enemy is my friend?’”

  Lock nodded. “I have heard that, yes.”

  “Well that’s the case here,” Charlotte said, crossing her arms over her chest. “I’m not wild about the Kindred being on Earth but at least none of you ever tried to enslave us or take away our emotions or steal our natural resources. If I had to pick, I’d say you guys are most definitely the lesser of the two evils.”

  “How very kind of you,” the black haired Councilor said sarcastically. “But isn’t that what the humans call, ‘damning us with faint praise?’”

  “Call it what you want,” Charlotte said stubbornly. “The fact is, I want to work with you to get these other guys out of Earth’s air space and as far away from my home world as possible.”

  “That seems entirely plausible and a very noble goal,” Commander Sylvan said neutrally. “But good intentions aside, we do not know you well enough to ascertain if you are equipped for this kind of dangerous and delicate mission.”

  “She is a peace keeping officer on Earth,” Stavros offered. He wasn’t sure why he was arguing to have her join him. It would doubtless only complicate his mission and make his life unbearably awkward. But somehow he kept talking. “Or she was before she joined the EPB. So she does have some experience.”

  “Stavros is right,” Charlotte said, giving him a nod. “I spent a considerable amount of time with the Asheville PD both in uniform and as a detective. Also, I’ve been on undercover stings before. Mostly vice and a few drug busts but I know my way around a covert op. I’m not going to freak out halfway through and go all girly and blow my cover—if that’s what you’re worried about.” She raised an eyebrow at Sylvan who was regarding her with new respect.

  “Your history is most impressive, Agent Sayers,” he said, nodding. “But I have to stress again how dangerous this mission is. It may sound simple, posing as a couple, but if you’re caught, especially while you’re trying to steal the Heart of Love…”

  “You could be killed,” Lock finished for him. “J’lorgon’s Mind is more than just a couples retreat, it is a religious establishment. The councilors there are also priests and priestesses—any dishonesty is taken as blasphemy and punished most harshly.”

  Stavros saw Charlotte’s slim throat move as she swallowed nervously but she kept her chin high and her gaze steady.

  “So it’s dangerous—I understand that. But what are my options if I don’t go help Stavros get this thing you need—this weapon to defeat the Dark Kindred? What should I do, wait around to have my feelings sucked out and be sent off as a slave to some weird alien planet I’ve never seen before?” She shook her head decisively. “Huh-uh—I don’t think so. I’m a proactive kind of girl, Commander Sylvan. I want to be doing something to help my planet survive. Not just sitting on the sidelines, giving a half-assed cheer while somebody else runs to the ball to the goalpost and the band plays the fight song.”

  “Um…” Commander Sylvan cocked his head to one side. “Your metaphor is lost on me but I think I understand your commitment, Agent Sayers. If this Council is in agreement and Commander Stavros is willing, I would agree to your involvement in this mission.” He turned to the Council who were still seated around the semi-circular table. “All in favor knock once.”

  Almost every single Councilor knocked their knuckles once against the stone-wood table.

  “Opposed, knock twice,” Sylvan said.

  There were a few double knocks but no more than two.

  “Well…” Sylvan looked at Stavros. “A majority of the Council is in favor. Commander Stavros, how do you feel about it? I know you haven’t known Agent Sayers for very long and your first meeting wasn’t under the best of circumstances—do you really believe you can work with her on such a difficult and dangerous mission?”

  “I do.” Stavros gave his ascent without hesitation. Though it was going to make his life difficult, he had no reservations about the abilities of the female beside him. He knew that Charlie had what it took to pull this off. She might be stubborn and obstinate at times but she was also extremely courageous. She would be a good person to have at his back.

  And in your bed…especially if you’re pretending to be a troubled romantic couple, whispered a little voice in his head. Stavros pushed it sternly to one side. This was purely business—he needed a partner to make this mission work and Charlotte had volunteered. End of story.

  Except that wasn’t the end of it. Even as he watched her nod and accept handshakes and thanks from the Council members who approved of her going with him, Stav couldn’t help remembering the taste of her lips and the feel of her in his arms. No matter how many times he told himself that they would simply be working together in a professional capacity, he couldn’t help wondering exactly what they would have to do in order to carry off their cover story…and how interesting it might get posing with Charlie as his bride.

  Chapter Eleven

  “I can’t believe you volunteered like that! You’re so brave.”

  Becca stared at her in admiration and Charlie tried not to blush. It was the day after the Council meeting and they were sitting around Kat’s apartment or suite, as the living areas were called on the Mother Ship, having a good luck going away party. Kat had insisted on throwing the get together since she and Stavros were to start on their mission almost immediately and she wanted Charlie to have a proper send off.

  My send off to a mission where I have to pretend Stavros and I are a couple. Ha—like that would ever happen for real.

  The thought brought back the disturbing dream she’d had the night before. In it, she and the big Kindred were taking some kind of exercise class together but for some reason, they had to be naked to do it. The instructor had been a little green man—the kind of stereotypical alien you always saw in low budget science fiction movies—only he had long antennae on top of his bald head and he talked like Yoda. In the dream, he had been instructing them on how to remove each other’s clothing…

  “Reveal your partner’s body little by little, you must,” he had intoned in a high, squeaky voice that reminded Charlie of a clarinet that needed a new reed. “Begin with the top, you will.”

  In the dream, Charlie had eagerly taken off the big Kindred’s uniform shirt, revealing his muscular bare chest. But she had been nervous and reluctant to let him do the same to her.

  “It’s all right,” Stavros had murmured, cupping her cheek. “You know I’ll be gentle with you, Charlotte.”

  “I know,” she whispered and allowed him to unbutton her blouse. For some
reason in the dream she didn’t have a bra on and when he pulled her blouse apart, her bare breasts came into view. Charlie shrank away, trying to hide herself but the instructor had announced that they must appreciate each other’s bodies and not hide so she was forced to drop her arms.

  At first she and Stavros just looked at each other but then the instructor came over and said they must “anoint each other with healing oils.” Charlie had opened her mouth to ask where she was supposed get these healing oils when the alien instructor told her to hold out her hands. When she did, he squirted a copious amount of slippery pink oil into her palms from one of the antae on his head. He gave some to Stavros as well and then told them to begin.

  As before, the big Kindred let her go first. Charlie spent a long, leisurely time oiling up his broad chest and shoulders as well as tracing his six-pack abs. But when she tried to do his back, he shook his head.

  “No, Charlotte—now it’s my turn.”

  He came around behind her and began to stroke up and down her arms and sides, his big, warm hands leaving trails of the slippery oil as he worked.

  “Is this all right?” he murmured in her ear. “Do you like it when I do this—when I touch you this way?”

  Blushing and shaking with shame and desire, Charlie had admitted that she did like it very much.

  “Good,” he growled, soft and hot in her ear. “And what about this?”

  His big palms cupped her breasts, stroking up, spreading the slick oil over her sensitive mounds and the tight peaks of her nipples.

  Charlie moaned and then gasped as he pinched her sensitive tips between thumb and forefinger and tugged gently. Sparks of pleasure/pain ran down to the spot between her legs and her pussy was suddenly liquid with heat.

  “Do you like that?” he murmured, still twisting and tugging. “You like it when I tease your hot little nipples? Does it make your pussy wet?”

  Charlie had been forced to admit that it did.

  “Good,” he said again. “Because now I’m going to taste your nipples and make you even wetter.”