Page 20 of Tamed

Zevon’s features tensed and he scooted to the edge of the sofa. “My father bought her from her master so he could free her. But yes, she spent almost a year in a pleasure den.”

She had always tried not to judge sex workers too harshly. If consenting adults chose to buy and sell pleasure, why should she care? But this was something entirely different. Sex slaves had no rights, no choices. They were not allowed to say no. “I’m so sorry. That had to have been horrible for her.”

Zevon shrugged again, his features entirely void of emotion. “If she had not been captured and trained as a concubine, she never would have met my father. Her master was one of my father’s best customers.”

“What business was your father in?” Kendra was almost afraid to ask. It was obvious that her questions were annoying Zevon.

“He provided private security to those wealthy and powerful enough to need it.” Before she could ask any other questions about his parents, Zevon rattled off the surrounding facts. Clearly, he was ready for a different subject. “Both of my parents have passed beyond. I had three siblings, but my brother drowned when we were teens. My sisters are both mated and producing offspring at an alarming rate. I’m the only one in my family that can manipulate magic.”

He’d successfully anticipated most of her questions, so Kendra just smiled.

“How old were you when your power first manifested?” Arcon wanted to know.

“Eleven. I was with a group of friends and started hearing their thoughts and sensing their emotions. The ability was easy to hide and it allowed me to manipulate others so I didn’t tell anyone for almost two years.”

“But?” Kendra prompted. Testing at the Citadel was available to anyone, but there had to be a reason for the assessment. “When and why did you fess up that you had powers?”

“It was a couple of months before my thirteenth birthday and one of my friends made me furious. We were attracted to the same girl and each believed that she was responding to us. A fight ensued and I started manifesting spontaneous fireballs. I nearly burned down the school. Needless to say, I was shipped off to the Citadel a few days later and was immediately accepted as a trainee.”

“At thirteen?” she objected. “I’ve noticed a few baby-faced trainees, but no one that young.”

“Manipulating magic is dangerous, so the Citadel leadership has always preferred to deal with young adults. Eighteen is the average age for entrance into the programs. However, exceptions are made from those with particularly volatile powers. I definitely qualified.”

“You already admitted that you’re empathic and telepathic,” Kendra listed. “You can create fireballs. What else can you do?”

“My primary element is fire,” he reminded. “I have a scattering of Houkdi abilities, but mostly I just burn or blow shit up.”

Challenge arched Arcon’s brows. “Then the story I heard about the Rowitton is exaggerated?”

Zevon scoffed. “Depends which version you were told.”

“The Rowitton was a transport ship that dared to pass through Torretian space. They were slightly off course, but the Torretian patrol was preparing to shoot them down.” Arcon looked at Kendra to ensure that she was understanding the nuances of the story. “The ship was loaded with families, males, females, and children, many, many children. But the Torretians didn’t care. The ship didn’t have permission to be there so they had been ordered to shoot them down.”

“That’s ridiculous. Why would anyone do that?”

“The order came from Jevara’s father and anyone that dared to question one of his orders died. Anyway, Zevon—according to the story I was told—reached into the Torretian ship and fused their engines. It disabled the ship without causing an explosion that would have destroyed both ships. He disabled their weapons systems as well. Not one life was lost that day and the Rowitton held nearly two thousand.”

Smiling now, she looked at Zevon. “How accurate is that version of the story?”

He shrugged but amusement gleamed in his golden eyes. “I disabled the engines, but I only assisted with the weapons systems. There were three of us there that day. I don’t know why I end up with all the credit.”

“What about the fall of Jaefar or Sorrin Lantar’s rescue? Weren’t those solo missions?”

“Are you writing my biography?” Zevon waved away the attention. “Your accomplishments are just as impressive. Shall we review a few of those?”

“No,” Arcon insisted.

At the same time, Kendra urged, “Yes!”

Zevon laughed. “What we’ve done in the past is not nearly as interesting as what we will be able to do as a triad. I suggest we focus on convincing our female to accept our claim. That’s why we’re here after all.”

Heat cascaded through Kendra’s body and her nipples peaked beneath the clingy fabric of her dress. Her desire had been simmering all day, but she’d just learned more about Zevon in the past few minutes than he’d told her in the last three days. And they’d been together nearly the entire time. She didn’t want the exchange to end.

“What role do you see me playing if I remain at the Citadel permanently?” Arcon asked.

If? Kendra’s heart did a little flip. Was it still if? Of course it was. She wasn’t sure she wanted them to claim her. It was only fair that they make sure this was what they wanted too. Soul bonding was forever.

“That’s entirely up to you.” Zevon stood up and crossed to the beverage dispenser. “Is Pyronese wine all right?” She nodded so he looked at Arcon. “Do you want another drink?” Arcon shook his head. “You’re a damn good trainer,” Zevon went on as the printer created the first drink. “But I’m not sure that will challenge you for long. What sort of contracts did you accept as you jaunted around from star system to star system?”

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