Page 148 of Alien Haven

“Under the supervision of my father, who insisted on the responsibility.” Charity grimaced and hurried on to finish the tale. “I was given a false identity in order to live safely with my aunt and uncle in Galactic Council space. When the Darks invaded and took over, we escaped to Alpha Space Station. There, I was identified and outed by a Dark-ridden member of the GC. The Earthtiques on Mercy and New Bethlehem, probably in the governments’ highest offices, put a bounty on my head.”

“For what purpose? You were just a kid when it all went down.”

“They’re fanatics, Ilid. The Earthtiques in charge think if they can capture me and force me to admit Copeland’s still alive, they can turn back the clock and make Earthers live under their religious tyranny again.”

Detodev frowned. “The so-called faked footage of Copeland in a cell that went out a few weeks back—?”

Charity nodded. “It was real. We’re pretty sure the Darks were behind it.”

“If the Earthers are at each other’s throats and set against Kalquor, it’ll help the Darks get a foothold.” Ilid looked sick. “The old ruse of ‘divide and conquer.’”

“Exactly.”

“I’m sorry you’re caught in the middle of it.”

“I can’t believe you went through such an awful ordeal,” Mitag said. “You were only fifteen when Copeland decided to marry you? That’s disgusting!”

“Beware the holiest of holy rollers. In my experience, they’re usually the worst of the bunch.” She gazed at them. “There’s my tale in a nutshell. I’m trusting you guys by telling you the truth. Quid pro quo, gentlemen. Who’s next?”

Detodev had glowered fiercely through her story. “Isn’t one awful history enough? I hate how you were victimized by that sanctimonious bastard. I don’t want to hear if Ilid and Mitag had to deal with anything even half as bad.”

“You simply don’t want to share.” Mitag’s tone was gentle.

“Why should I? I’m in no danger the way she is. Why is this discussion necessary? It’s on the level of introducing ourselves to potential clanmates’ parents. I have no intention of joining a clan.”

Charity gazed at him, recognizing the angry outburst for what it was: a Nobek’s helplessness to defend those he cared for from past hurts. His own personal pain and fear of revealing it played a part as well.

Her hand covered his. For a wonder, he didn’t draw from her as she’d half-expected him to, though he continued to glare at her.

“If you’re near me, you need to understand the danger you could be in. As for why you should share your stories, I get the idea you’re open to being friends. Friends are honest with each other. Forget clan stuff; if we can’t be ourselves when we’re together, then mere friendship is impossible.” Charity glanced around the table to include Ilid and Mitag. “I want us to be friends. Though I can’t wait to get off Planet Farm Hell, I’ll be up front on another matter: having indulged in one Kalquorian—” she grinned at Detodev “—the chance to enjoy sex with three guys at once is exciting. But only if we’re friends, which meansyou have to tell me who you are. You have to trust me as I’ve trusted you.”

* * * *

Scott O’Neal edged close to the open window. He’d followed the Nath woman and her Kalq friends to this home on the outskirts of Sunrise. Having lived on Haven among its Kalqs and Kalq-loving freaks for seven stomach-churning years, he was aware whom the pleasant house and its neat lawn belonged to: Nobek Detodev, a coward who avoided conflict as much as possible.

O’Neal was a few feet from the window when he heard a woman’s throaty laugh. On the heels of it came the comment, “Well, who wouldn’t want to win the triple crown of cocks? Or would it be more accurate to call it a six-pack, since you have two apiece?”

The ribald statement was greeted by low masculine laughter. Scott snarled to hear one answer, “If it weren’t for the table covering the evidence, you’d know I’m up to the challenge.”

More laughter, then quieter mutterings he couldn’t make out. O’Neal bared his teeth. Were the demons even now naked and reaching for the Jezebel? Had wicked debauchery begun in earnest? He crept closer, determined to see the wicked scene. He clutched his holstered blaster on his hip. It was illegal for him to possess it since he wasn’t a member of law enforcement or the military, but legalities on an immoral planet had never been high on his priorities. When surrounded by evil, a man had to take precautions.

Sometimes a man had to act righteously whether he was in danger or not.

O’Neal could finish the Kalqs while they concentrated on the whore. He could grab Nath and bring her to badly neededjudgment from those who’d pay him well for her capture. Maybe he’d get Wilkes’ share too.

Wilkes sure as hell didn’t deserve the bounty. He was playing it too safe, trying to sneak the slut to New Bethlehem instead of simply grabbing her and making her confess to the Holy Leader’s whereabouts. O’Neal had a vision of himself leading the charge to rescue Browning Copeland, the hero of Old Earth who’d put things right again.

His hold on the blaster tightened. The house was isolated. Probably no one would hear the blaster go off. If they did, if they cared enough for a coward Nobek to investigate, he and the whore would be long gone.

He drew level with the window and peered in.

* * * *

Having used raunchy humor to relax her tense companions a touch, Charity returned to a serious state. Her voice low in gentle encouragement, she said, “Come on, guys. Time to ‘fess up.”

Detodev’s gaze lowered to his empty plate. He refused to speak. Ilid hunched. Sadness pulled at his features. He showed no sign he’d break the silence either.

“Have any of you ever heard of Clan Cyret? They were in the news, oh, it would have been about twenty-one years ago.” Mitag glanced at them in turn. His usually bright features were calm but tight.

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