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  “Tenia?” His relieved sigh at her lack of response was audible, and she heard him leave the cabin.

  Patiently, she waited until she was certain that those in the ship were asleep. Patience was an important weapon in any battle, in both the hunt and escape. Patience meant mistakes were avoided.

  After several hours passed, she judged it safe and opened the door to hear the odd reassuring snores of the slumbering traders.

  Patience had paid off yet again.

  Donning the long cloak, she stepped into the dimly lit corridor and started for the platform lift, realising at the last minute that the noise of the lift descending might awaken someone and lead to the discovery of her absence.

  Heaven help her then.

  She took the stairs, going down them with swift litheness.

  Once in the cargo hold, she searched for a laser, but the only weapons were some swords in a heavy trunk. It was too late to go back upstairs and try to find anything, the only weapons she knew of were those the traders carried if needed, and those were kept in their cabins. No way was she going to risk sneaking into a cabin and waking someone. There might be something in the control cabin, but again, it was too risky. She’d have to make do with the sword, so she belted it around her waist under the cloak.

  The ramp was down, a sure indication that some of the crew still hadn’t returned. The invisible security shield around the big trading spaceship only allowed authorized people in and out. Since she had started working in with Darvk to find the truth, her body pattern had been entered into the ships computers as an authorized person, so all she had to do was walk down the ramp and into the settlement.

  Her mind went to Darvk, asleep and unaware, and she nearly balked at leaving.

  Nearly.

  Straightening her shoulders, she headed for the lights of the settlement.

  One of her sister warriors was there, she could feel it.

  ~ * ~

  Oslow was crawling with soldiers. While she kept to the dark shadows of the alleys, she noted derisively how they kept to the light.

  It hadn’t taken her long to recognize them as Inkas, their pale grey jackets and trousers trimmed with white braid.

  One of the passing soldiers peered into the alley, his eyes narrowing beneath his peaked cap as he tried to see into the darkness. Tenia was glad her - well, truthfully, Darvk’s - cloak was dark brown with a hood that covered the gold of her hair and hid her face from view.

  The soldier’s companion said something and they continued on their way. Waiting quietly, she was rewarded when a furtive figure, bent over, scurried past her suddenly, disappearing around the corner of the poorly lit street. That was a good indication that the soldiers were no longer in the vicinity. Keeping to the shadows with sword in hand beneath the cloak, she resumed walking, slipping from shadow to shadow, working her way though the alleys while keeping an eye on the streets beyond.

  A cool breeze blew; dawn was appearing on the horizon. She cursed silently. Since arriving she’d been combing the back streets, but it had been slow going, dodging the patrols of soldiers and staying clear of the night population who prowled the streets. Already during the night she’d passed two dead men whose throats were cut and pockets empty. The night air had been disturbed three times by screams and curses, and patrols of soldiers had raced to different areas each time. The night streets were definitely no place for law-biding citizens in this sprawling settlement.

  The dawn was eerily quiet, an unsettled time of peace.

  Seeing the sun start to appear, she frowned. If Darvk found her before she found her sister warrior - wait. A tall, cloaked figure slipping into the alley across the street caught her eye. Could it be…? Heart thumping, she glanced around to find the street deserted. Quickly she crossed it and entered the alley. Pressing back against the wall, she saw the end of the cloak disappear around a corner up ahead.

  Unfortunately, she lost the figure when she was forced to hide behind some crates while a squad of soldiers passed the alley opening.

  Time was escaping but it wasn’t all bad. While the daylight was a curse in one way, at least she stood a better chance of passing unnoticed in the busy day crowd that was fast gathering. The markets opened early and were soon packed with merchants, soldiers, and everyone else, be they law-biding or not, and there was a good percentage of the not so law-biding present. It was easy to blend in with the crowd, moving with the flow, keeping her eyes alert for a figure similarly clad in a cloak.

  Instinctively, she knew the woman she searched for was the same cloaked figure she’d followed and lost earlier. There was something so familiar about the way the figure moved, the lightness of foot, the way it slipped so easily into the shadows and disappeared so swiftly.

  Then she saw Darvk on the other side of the street, his vivid blue eyes scanning the crowd. Quickly she turned away, a sense of foreboding slipping through her. Even from where she stood the blaze in his eyes of combined worry and fury was clear.

  More of the Daamen crew were in the street, their height setting them head and shoulders above everyone else, their rakishly handsome features and muscular builds making them easy to see.

  She slipped into a side street that led onto another street, much wider and less crowded. The merchant stalls lining the edges were a better quality. This street was obviously more prestigious.

  A squad of soldiers rapidly approaching from the right had her swiftly moving through the crowd out of the way. They passed, only one glancing at her before turning forward again.

  Drawing the hood further over her face, she started down the middle of the street, scanning each side as she went. People jostled past her, busy on their errands.

  A hand grabbed her arm and a voice ordered in a low tone, “We’re being watched. Don’t look at me and keep walking.”

  The surprise wasn’t in the fact that the Reeka had found her, it was that the husky voice was so familiar. So sweetly familiar.

  Obeying instinctively, trusting in the cloaked woman at her side, Tenia continued walking even as her heart pounded. After so long, could it possibly be…?

  “Slow down a bit. Don’t appear as though we’re hurrying.”

  There was only one person she knew who was so calm right in the middle of enemy territory. “Reya?” She kept her eyes ahead, but her arm trembled and she felt it squeezed affectionately.

  “Hello, little sister. Keep walking.”

  A lump rose in her throat. After all this time, Reya was here and nothing had changed. Her big sister was still looking out for her.

  “Do you have a sword under that cloak, Tenia?”

  “Yes, why?”

  “Because we have company closing in.”

  Ahead of them appeared a squad of five soldiers. She risked a glance beside her and it was the same cloaked, hooded figure she’d followed earlier.

  The head turned towards her, revealing glacier green eyes and curving, full red lips. “It’s good to see you again, sister.”

  “Reya, I-”

  “You two! Halt!” A soldier’s voice ordered loudly.

  “I think he means us,” Reya drawled.

  Just when she’d found her sister, things had taken a turn for the worst. “I think you’re right.”

  They stopped, Reya turning to face the soldiers who were nearing, while Tenia stayed where she was, facing the soldiers who were approaching from the rear.

  Both small squads of soldiers came to a stop a short distance away, while the crowd rapidly backed up to the walls that lined the streets.

  “Surrender yourselves in the name of the Inka Empire, outlaws!” The sergeant stepped forward warily.

  “You’re mistaken,” Reya replied calmly. “We’re Oslow citizens.”

  Without bothering to reply, he jerked his head at the soldiers. “Bring them in. Swords only.”

  Knowing how Shari wanted the Reeka warriors so badly, Tenia wasn’t surprised that the soldiers didn’t use lasers. This was the more affluent
part of the settlement. The soldiers weren’t going to risk the laser fire burning through the Reekas and possibly into a rich merchant. The Inkas needed to keep this clean so their leader remained blameless.

  If anyone got hurt, that blame would fall squarely at the feet of the Reeka warriors.

  Drawing their swords, the soldiers started forward.

  “Well, this is it, Tenia.” Reya smiled coldly. “Party time.”

  Tenia threw her cloak aside, dimly aware of Reya’s landing not far off. Swords in hand, they each stepped to their right so that they stood back to back.

  The horrified and fascinated responses were almost immediate.

  “It’s true! Some of the Reeka warrior women still live!”

  “It’s lucky we weren’t murdered in our beds!”

  “What are they doing back here?”

  “Come to finish the job, I’d wager!”

  “Thank God for the Inka soldiers!”

  Assessing the warriors, the soldiers stopped and eyed them speculatively. The sisters stood tall and straight, legs braced apart, booted feet planted firmly on the cobblestones.

  “Come on, gents, let’s be having you.” Reya swung the sword lazily through the air.

  “They seem a little hesitant. Change of heart do you think?” Tenia raised one brow.

  “Inkas don’t have hearts.”

  Two soldiers from each side broke rank and headed towards them.

  The familiar adrenaline started to pump through her veins. “I’m glad we found each other, Reya.”

  “Me too. Freedom or death.”

  “Freedom or death.”

  The soldiers lunged forward, and the sound of clashing swords filled the air, followed by the Reekas’ battle cry. “To arms, sister!”

  ~ * ~

  Hearing the harsh metallic sounds, Darvk’s heart froze in his chest. Desperately, his gaze sought and found the entrance to the next street, and he ploughed through the crowd, who cursed and swore at him.

  They cursed even more when the six crewmembers accompanying him followed from different directions.

  Now the clash of swords rang louder, followed by a cry of pain.

  Battling their way through the gawking bystanders, the traders pushed through the jostling crowd in the side street and broke through into the marketplace. Over the top of the bystanders, Darvk saw the scene that would stay forever in his memory.

  Two Reeka warriors were battling it out with six soldiers, their swords clashing as they ducked and wove around the soldier’s attack. It was three soldiers against one warrior in what should have been unbeatable odds, but the two unconscious soldiers on the ground testified to the fact that it had originally been four to one.

  Even as the scene registered in Darvk’s shocked brain, he saw Tenia neatly sidestep the downward, deadly sweep of a slashing blade and bring the edge of her palm up in a short, sharp arc, straight into the windpipe of the soldier, downing him in one hit. Without stopping to check he was down, she spun around, sword arm outstretched, and neatly slashed a crimson line across the third soldier’s chest.

  While she was doing this, the warrior with the red-gold curls was on the attack, the two soldiers she fought stumbling back from the blur of her sword. A third soldier ran at her from behind, his weapon upraised to deal a killing blow. Some instinct made her whip around suddenly, her sword arcing up to block the downward blow. Swinging one leg to catch him in the groin with a crippling kick, she sent him writhing onto the cobblestones.

  It happened in a matter of seconds, the three soldiers that were still standing backing off to a safer distance as they eyed the warriors whom immediately came together, back to back.

  The woman with the red-gold curls laughed mockingly. “I don’t think they want to play anymore, Tenia.”

  Dread washed through him, fear that the soldiers would draw their lasers and kill the wenches. Just as quickly, knowing this was no time to panic and do something incredibly stupid - like get himself and his friends killed at the same time - he shoved aside his emotions and pushed his way to the edge of the crowd.

  “Call her!” Morgan hissed from behind him.

  “No,” he snapped back immediately. “If we distract them, those soldiers will cut down both wenches. We have to get their attention as well.” Before he could do anything further, a squad of seven soldiers burst through the crowd on the other side. “Bloody hell!”

  “Well, look here,” the husky tone of the second warrior was taunting. “Reinforcements have arrived.”

  “Lucky us, Reya.” Tenia wiped the blade of her sword across her skirt, leaving a crimson smear on the soft leather.

  Reya. The sister. Darvk and Maverk exchanged grim looks.

  “Stop now, outlaws, and you won’t be hurt,” growled the sergeant.

  Reya’s laugh was cold. “I’d be more worried about yourself, soldier.”

  “This is your last warning.”

  “I’m just shaking in my boots. Now show some guts. Then again, maybe I’ll do that for you.”

  “Have it your way.” Drawing his sword, he gestured to his men.

  The danger was escalating. Unable to wait any longer to form a better plan, Darvk stepped onto the street halfway between the warriors and the advancing soldiers. “Hold it! What do you mean by attacking my slave?”

  Tenia didn’t look at him, but she stiffened. “I think our reinforcements have arrived as well.”

  “The trader who bought you.” Reya didn’t take her attention from the soldiers. “We can kill him, too.”

  “No,” Tenia said tightly. “He’s been helping me.”

  Swinging the sword in a deceptively lazy arc, her sister didn’t reply.

  “Trust me, Reya, please. It’s our only hope of escaping this.”

  “I meant us to escape anyway.”

  “Reya!”

  “I won’t kill him. Yet.”

  Puzzled, the sergeant looked at Darvk. “What slave?”

  “The golden-haired one is mine.”

  “Says who? She’s an outlaw.”

  “Says my brand on her thigh.”

  Morgan and Heddam appeared from the crowd to stand behind the three soldiers facing Tenia. Dark acknowledged their decision, appreciated it, but kept his attention on the sergeant. There would be time to thank them later, right now he had to try and keep this boiling vat of violence from erupting into bloodshed.

  There was only one way.

  “What is your name?” The sergeant frowned.

  “Darvk of Daamen. I bought her some weeks ago. Check with Shari, your leader, if you wish.”

  “What of the other?”

  Brown eyes gleaming, Maverk moved forward. “She belongs to me.”

  When Reya glanced fleetingly him, Maverk winked at her before returning his attention to the sergeant.

  “Why do you allow them to roam around armed?” the sergeant demanded.

  “Have you seen some of the low lives here?” Darvk replied calmly. “But I hardly expected them to be attacked by soldiers.”

  “It’s our duty to bring in outlaws.”

  “Not when they belong to someone else. That’s stealing.”

  As the sergeant scrutinized the giants, Darvk knew he was thinking the exact same thing a lot of people thought when first meeting the Daamen traders. Their long hair and coarse clothing gave them an uncivilized, dangerous appearance. The sergeant looked at the outlaws and back at the traders, his jaw tightening and teeth clenching.

  Darvk’s eyes narrowed in satisfaction. Oh aye, this soldier wanted to run him through but if he did, it would resonate badly through the Lawful Sector. Attacking lawful citizens, stealing their slaves, the Inka Empire would be dealt a blow not to mention making an enemy of the Daamens, and even worse, having to answer to the Intergalactic Peace Ship that governed the Lawful Sector.

  Nostrils flaring, scowl heavy, the sergeant sheathed his sword. “Take your women and go.” He added curtly, “But while in the limits of Oslow, they
must be unarmed and never leave your presence.”

  Darvk watched as the soldiers collected their unconscious comrades.

  “Move along, citizens, show’s over!” one of them called.

  Another soldier started to get the crowd moving.

  They did move but kept a safe distance, their fascinated and resentful gazes on the two Reeka warriors standing in the middle of the street.

  Darvk and Maverk approached the Reekas, the rest of the crew falling in around them, keeping their eyes on the surroundings.

  Anger and relief warring for supremacy, Darvk held out his hand to Tenia in silent command.

  Equally silent, she sheathed the sword and unbuckled the belt, handing it to him while meeting his gaze unflinchingly.

  Oh, this wench was defiant, all right. In part he admired that defiance, liked it, but another part wanted to shake her for being so bloody stupid as to place herself in such a dangerous situation. If she’d been captured or died… His heart hitched. That didn’t cool his anger any, either.

  Biting back the words trembling on his lips, Darvk brought his emotions under tight control. He glanced at his friend to find Maverk studying Reya.

  There was no doubt Reya was as beautiful as Tenia, but Maverk was regarding her a little more curiously. Whereas Maverk held Tenia in the same affection as a younger sister, Reya was producing a different emotion in his friend. There was something untamed in those glacial eyes, a wildness that appealed to Maverk.

  The man must have a walking death wish to be so intrigued by the cold, deadly wench.

  Maverk held out a hand, palm up, and wiggled his fingers.

  Reya raised her eyebrows.

  “Your sword,” Maverk said almost conversationally.

  “Ah, my sword.” She sheathed it, unbuckled the belt and slapped it into his hand with force.

  “Thank you kindly,” he said cheerfully. “I’d have hated to take it from you.”

  Darvk barely refrained from rolling his eyes.

  Heddam, now standing behind the warriors, wasn’t so polite. He rolled his eyes with exaggerated sarcasm.

  Reya’s gaze raked Maverk’s features coldly but before she could give a cutting retort, Darvk said, “Let’s get back to the ship.”