Mercenary Read online

  Mercenary

  Heart’s Desire…or Soul Destroyed

  By

  Angela Verdenius

  (Sci-fi Romance)

  Copyright 2003 Angela Verdenius

  Second Edition 2019

  All Rights Reserved

  Cover by Melody Simmons

  ebook Edition License Notes

  No part of this book may be reproduced or copied without prior consent of the author & publisher.

  All characters and towns are figments of the author’s imagination and bear no resemblance to any person living or deceased.

  Table of Contents

  Foreword

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Coming

  Bio

  Other books by this Author

  Foreword

  This is a previously published series undergoing a complete revision/re-edit/rewrite, bringing it up to date and involving some changes that are big or small depending on what is needed in comparison to when it was originally created.

  These stories are romances with action, set on distant worlds and in outer space, with a variety of heroes, heroines, and interesting side-characters (both funny, good and bad), most of whom later feature in their own books. Not heavy on sci-fi technology, the stories are very much character driven, and so saying the intimacy between the couples range from sweet to hot, depending on the storyline and the characters. Like real people, they are all different.

  Though it’s a series, each book is a stand-alone story with a different couple.

  I hope you take pleasure in reading what I took pleasure in creating, whether this is your first time or a revisit.

  Oh, and if you’re not Australian, you will find some of the spelling different. I’m an Aussie, and I spell the Aussie way, so if you think you’ve stumbled upon an error, it may not be!

  Cheers

  Angela

  Chapter 1

  Planet within the Outlaw Sector

  The fortress was under attack, but not by sophisticated weaponry and fighter craft; a hundred and fifty miles away spaceships flew and lasers fired, but electrical currents in the atmosphere on this section of the planet made anything electronic burn out quickly. No, the leader of the invaders thought to himself grimly, spaceships and lasers were out of the question in this forsaken part of the planet.

  Swords, spears, arrows and battering rams weren’t. Zormar could hear horses stamping and snorting in the shelter of the trees to which they were tethered. They were being made nervous by the shouts and screams and smell of blood.

  The continuous thud of the battering ram sounded rhythmically in the air as it pounded at the huge wooden gates, the harsh voice of his commander ringing out in encouragement.

  It would not be long before they broke through into the stronghold.

  ~ * ~

  “Damn it to hell!” Vanc strode up and down the great hall. “How close?”

  “The gates are holding up…for now.”

  “Who’s the leader of the attackers? Zormar does not have the brains to do this!”

  The man-at-arms swallowed at the furious look on the master of the fortress’ face. “I have heard the whispers that it is-”

  The door slammed open, a soldier staggering agonisingly inside with an arrow protruding from his shoulder. “The walls! They are scaling the walls on all sides!”

  Snarling his rage while drawing his sword, Vanc ran outside into the battle. Looking up at the towering walls, his incredulous gaze saw the tops of metal ladders everywhere. His archers were crowding the walkways firing arrows downward at the invaders while only a minimum of soldiers pressed in behind them. Down at the gate the thud of the battering ram could still be heard and most of his soldiers were there, ready to take on the invaders when the gate finally gave.

  It was a clever ruse.

  “The walls! The walls!” he screamed while charging up the stone steps leading to the walkway encircling the inside of the fortress walls. “Soldiers to the walls! Our danger is from there!”

  His words choked off as he came to an abrupt halt at the top. Four archers staggered back, arrows protruding from their chests, to fall backward over the walkway as they plummeted to their deaths below in the courtyard.

  The first of the invaders came over the top of the wall and Vanc found himself staring into glacier-green eyes, her expression so coldly controlled that he momentarily faltered.

  It was his undoing, his last sight before death claimed him by a sword thrust to the heart.

  He fell dead at the beautiful warrior’s feet.

  His soldiers surged forward but it was too late. Invaders swarmed over the top of the wall, led by another warrior woman.

  Their swords flashing mercilessly as they pressed forward to lead the invaders to victory, the two warriors fought as savagely as their male companions.

  ~ * ~

  Arms akimbo, Zormar smirked. The fortress was his at last! He didn’t try to fool himself into thinking that he could have done it alone. No, he had others to thank for his victory.

  Squinting through the thick smoky haze that filled the courtyard, the one he sought appeared, striding through the press of soldiers towards him with her companion by her side. Unconsciously the soldiers parted to let them through their ranks.

  He watched them, noting how they towered above the men in the yard by at least a head. They were dressed alike, divided leather skirts that came to mid-thigh, sleeveless vests that laced down the front, rawhide boots that stopped below their knees and fingerless, metal lined gloves that came up to their elbows. Small silver hoops pierced their earlobes, two in the right and four in the left, and each wore a plain silver band around their left upper arm. They walked with long, lithe strides, their bloodied swords sheathed on their backs, blood spattered over their clothes and skin. The dirt and smoke smudging their faces couldn’t distract from their beauty.

  He wasn’t fooled, though. These warriors possessed great strength, speed and skill when it came to fighting. He, for one, would not cross them.

  Hire them, yes. Use them as his killing machines, yes. But never cross them.

  He studied them as they halted before him.

  Dana, the one with the blonde bob, was a fiery one. Dark hazel eyes spat fire and she had a nasty habit of gazing down her short, straight nose at men that rubbed them the wrong way. A real man-hater, that one.

  The one that chilled him, though, was the warrior with the wild red/gold curls pulled back in a tight braid wound around her head, keeping the mass out of grasping hands and her face while she fought. Above the short, tip-tilted nose was a pair of glacier-green eyes. Cold. Deadly. Like the woman herself.

  No, he wouldn’t cross these Reeka warrior women, these mercenaries. Now that the fortress was taken, he would pay them and send them on their way. Although, if he could convince them to stay in his employ, no other outlaw district lord would dare attack him.

  “Reya, I wish you would reconsider and stay for a time.”

  She shook her head. “Our job is done. Just pay us and we’ll be on our way.”

  Sighing, Zormar nodded and turned to his commander. “Bring the money.”

  “And the horses,” Dana added.

  “And the horses.”

  Within minutes the two war-horses were brought forward and the Reekas mounted them quickly and easily. Zormar handed Reya a pouch. Opening it,
she peered inside at the contents before nodding with satisfaction and dropping it into the pack that lay behind the saddle. Without another word, she nodded to Zormar, wheeled the horse about and rode from the fortress, Dana following behind her.

  With a shrug, Zormar turned away. Now that the fortress was his, he had other things to think about than mercenaries. Besides, as all knew, if anyone had need of the Reeka warriors they only had to put a notice up in the taverns and pass the word. Sooner or later, Reya and Dana would turn up.

  ~ * ~

  Daamen

  Lawful Sector

  Standing at the bedroom window, Tenia stared out over the town. White buildings gave an image of coolness in the warm summer sunshine, the sound of children’s laughter floating through the air.

  Large hands rested on her shoulders to pull her back against a muscular chest. “What ails you, lass?”

  “I worry for Reya. She’s been gone for a year, and the things I hear back worry me so.”

  Darvk sighed. Aye, his sister-by-marriage worried him as well. “Lass, there’s not a lot we can do. Would you have me drag her back here?”

  The golden head tipped back and beautiful violet eyes met his, a sparkle of amusement in their depths. “Do you really think you could drag her back against her will?”

  “For you, I would.” Eyes warm with love gazed down at her.

  “Seriously, Darvk, they tread a fine line. One wrong step and they could be outlawed again.”

  Placing his hand gently on her rounded stomach where their unborn babe lay, he sought to reassure her. “Reya and Dana fight for outlaws, true, but against other outlaws, not law-abiding people. While they do so they cannot be outlawed. That can happen only if they attack the innocent.”

  “I know.” Sighing, she looked once more out of the window. “I had thought they would settle once we were pardoned, but it seems I was wrong. Some demon drives her onward.”

  “Reya?”

  “Who else? She is so frozen inside. I fear one day she’ll shatter.”

  He rubbed her stomach comfortingly. “It worries Maverk also.”

  She placed her hand over his. “He doesn’t say so, but he misses her. She left while he was away on that trading trip, remember? I don’t think he’s really ever forgiven her for that.”

  “Nay, but he couldn’t have stopped her even if he’d been here.” Darvk smiled slightly. “Garret wasn’t very happy that Dana followed her, either.”

  Turning in her husband’s arms, Tenia gazed up at him seriously. “I would have my sister here for the birth of our baby.”

  “You’re not due for three months, lass.”

  “It will take at least that long to find them.” Her lips pursed thoughtfully. “Maybe I should go and seek them myself.”

  “What? In your condition?” He frowned. “Nay. We can send messages.”

  “Which they may not receive. I have a strong gut feeling that Reya is in trouble.”

  “Danger?”

  “From herself.”

  “Ah, so the birth of the babe is just an excuse for her to return.”

  Worried unhappiness gripped her tightly. “I’m so afraid for her. She’s on a path of self-destruction and no one knows why. If I could just see her, talk to her...”

  “You think she will open up and tell you her dark secret?” Darvk cupped her smooth cheek tenderly. “‘Tis extremely unlikely, lass.”

  “But I must try.” Tears shimmered in her eyes. “She is my sister, and Dana is my cousin who also treads a dangerous path in following her.”

  Darvk drew her into his embrace, cradling her close. “Very well, lass. I’ll send someone to find them and give your message of the coming birth of the babe.”

  “Thank you.” She kissed him softly. “Who will you send?”

  A devilish sparkle lit the vivid blue eyes. “Oh, this is definitely the job for Maverk and Garret. They’ve been looking for an excuse to go and find those two wenches!”

  Tenia couldn’t help but laugh. “Is it wise to send those particular two?”

  “Trust me, lass, they’d never forgive me if I sent anyone else.” He gave a wistful sigh. “Oh, to be a fly on the wall when they all come face-to-face.”

  ~ * ~

  The tavern barman looked up as two men entered the nearly deserted bar in the early morning. Nervously he took in their outlines. They were huge, each standing at least seven feet tall, towering over the brutish bouncer who leaned sleepily against the wall. Their chests beneath the sleeveless open vests rippled with muscle, their arms bulging with the same. Coarse material pants skimmed long, strong legs and were tucked into low-heeled boots.

  The two men approached the bar and now he could see them more clearly. The one on the left had brown eyes and blonde hair tied at the nape, while the one on the right had grey eyes and brown hair that hung loose and shaggy. Both sported a small silver hoop in their left earlobes.

  The barman sighed with relief at the recognition that they were Daamen traders. Outlaws as big as these two giants could have torn the place apart. The Daamens, while having a love of brawling, weren’t outlaws and didn’t cause damage deliberately. Unlike the outlaws who lived in this settlement of Kyro.

  “’Morning, friends,” he greeted. “What can I do for you?”

  “I’m Maverk.” The blonde nodded pleasantly. “This is my friend Garret.”

  The barman nodded. “Simet’s my name.”

  “Well now, Simet, we need some information.”

  Immediately his eyes became guarded. “That’s not healthy around here on the edge of the Outlaw Sector.”

  Maverk laughed. “Relax, I’m not looking for bounty!”

  “Nay,” Garret added. “What we seek is information on two wenches.”

  “Wenches?” Simet’s face cleared. “There’s a couple upstairs-”

  “Not them.” Maverk grinned. “The two we seek are Reekas.”

  Simet’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “Reekas?”

  “They’re friends of ours.”

  For several seconds Simet stared at them before recognition flared across his face. “Weren’t you both a part of that Daamen crew that cleared the name of the Reeka warriors two years ago?”

  “That’s us. Now, about-”

  “I can still remember that fight between those Reekas and the Inka soldiers out front and how you giants waded into the fight. What a night that was!”

  “Er... aye. The two we seek-”

  “Can’t be Tenia, the golden-haired one,” Simet informed them knowledgeably. “She wed your captain. Must be that older sister of hers, Reya.”

  Maverk snapped his fingers and pointed at the barman. “Exactly!”

  “And a blonde,” Garret added, “fiery little thing.”

  “’Little?’” Simet raised his eyebrows. “Don’t know about being little. They’re nearly as tall as you two are. But fiery, yeah, Dana is fiery all right. Not like Reya, she can freeze a man with just one look.”

  “You obviously know them, then?”

  “I surely do.” He rested both elbows comfortably on the bar. “Well, not know them personally. Does anyone know them personally?”

  Maverk and Garret exchanged glances.

  “I mean apart from the Daamens,” Simet added. “Anyway, they came in here covered in blood and dirt from a battle with a district lord, looking for a place to rest up.”

  Garret’s eyes lit up. “Which room are they in?”

  “Oh, they’re not here anymore. That was two weeks ago.”

  “Where are they now?” Maverk asked exasperatedly.

  Simet tapped his chin thoughtfully and his face brightened. “They were heading for another job.”

  “Where?”

  “Now that I don’t know. Those warriors say nothing.”

  “So how do you know they were heading for another job?”

  “Because they’re mercenaries.” The barman rolled his eyes. “They’re in demand by warring district lords.”


  Maverk scratched his head. “All right, which district lords are fighting now?”

  “You’re kidding!”

  “Nay.”

  “Let me see,” Simet said sarcastically. “Where would you like me to start?”

  “I get your point.” Maverk sighed. “Just write them down and we’ll check out the nearest settlements to them.”

  “You’re not serious.”

  “I’m deadly serious.”

  Twenty minutes later, the traders left the tavern with a small piece of paper in Maverk’s hand.

  Shaking his head, Simet started wiping down the bar. That he knew of, there were six different battles which he’d put on that list - two were on Ulon, one on Lanta and two on Vendor. It’d take the traders a couple of weeks to cover the three planets in their quest to find the Reeka warriors.

  That’s if they were still on any of those planets.

  ~*~

  Heart pounding and drenched in sweat, Reya jolted awake. Glancing across the cold embers of the campfire, she was relieved to see that Dana still slept peacefully.

  Quietly getting to her feet, she made her way to the nearby river where she washed her face before stopping to stare down at her reflection in the calm waters. Her haunted eyes gazed back up at her.

  Why couldn’t she forget? The cries, the agony, the stunned disbelief, the horror. The orders she’d given, that she herself had helped fulfil, still had the power to make her cringe inwardly, came back to haunt her dreams, but even worse…even worse than what she’d done, what she’d ordered to be done, was the feeling that something else had happened that fateful day.

  Something very wrong, very…dark.

  Something that crawled down her spine like talons, mixed with her self-loathing to stir a stomach-roiling pit of horror. Only she didn’t know what it was, what had happened. Yes, she knew the first part, lived with her decision, but the unknown…

  “Forget it,” she whispered harshly. “What happened is done. Nothing can change it.”

  “Are you all right, sister?”