Page 37 of Benet

“I think three Badari will be sufficient,” Kyden said in a dry tone. “I have a bad feeling about this turn of events and I want you as backup on the ship. If things go south, tell the captain to leave orbit and head for home. Elara can figure out what to do next.”

Benet could tell through the pack bond Talinn didn’t much like his orders but when the men rushed outside, he peeled off and sprinted to their vehicle, roaring off in the direction of the spaceport before he and Kyden were inside Dmitri’s car. The elder Badari was too keyed up to let the car’s AI drive and handled the controls himself, careening through deserted streets at speeds well above the speed limit and arriving at their destination in a fairly brief time. He parked with a protest from the engine and then Benet and his brothers ran to the building.

It was security access controlled but Dmitri had a passcode given to him by the Empress’s security forces which worked nearly everywhere so he got them inside. “Top floor penthouse,” he said as they entered the marble-floored foyer. “The gravlift is over here.”

Benet took the lead, spiraling upward in the silvery stream as fast as he could go and was already pounding on the penthouse door by the time Kyden and Dmitri arrived. The portal slid aside and Marushka fell into his arms. She was weeping and bloody, her dress was torn and she had ugly purple bruises forming on her neck where Vasili had evidently choked her at some point.

“I didn’t know what to do,” she wailed as Benet moved her inside so the others could enter behind him. “I didn’t mean to kill him. I was trying to end things gracefully tonight, give him back his ring and explain myself—” She ended on a gulp and a shaky breath, swaying in Benet’s grasp.

“Show us,” Kyden said, taking charge. “Where’s the prince?”

“In the dining room.” She pointed in the direction of the hall.

Eyes glowing, baring their fangs, Kyden and Dmitri headed that way. If Vasili was alive, he wouldn’t be for long.

“I’ll kill him if he isn’t dead,” Benet said with fervor., hoping the other Badari would keep the man alive for his vengeance. He might not have an inner beast the way they did, but he was raging to deliver retribution to Marushka’s abuser.

She gave him a hug but her face was set in sad lines. “We’d better follow them.”

When he arrived in the dining room, Benet was astounded by the scene of destruction. The tablecloth was half off the table, with dishes and food scattered everywhere. The prince lay in a pool of blood, on his back, eyes staring sightlessly at the ceiling. A steak knife protruded from his gut.

“At first he was reasonable, kind even,” she said in a monotone. “He invited me to dinner so we could part as friends. I was such a fool. I came, made a pretty speech, handed him the ring and he—he refused to take it. He grabbed me and said he’d have what he’d been promised and no dog of a Badari would get in his way. We fought, he tore my dress and when he saw the golden circle on my shoulder, he went insane, I truly believe. I told him it was our mate mark and he swore he’d cut it off my body. He was choking me. I was close to blacking out and I knew he’d carry out his threat and rape me besides. I fumbled for anything to strike back with and I felt the hilt of the steak knife. I—I stabbed him three times before he let me go.” She took a deep breath and Benet held her close. “When I close my eyes I see the expression on his face as he fell.”

“I think we all agree he deserved to die,” Kyden said. “Right now we have to figure out what to do to minimize the danger to you and to us if we’re found here.”

“I’ll say I murdered him,” Dmitri announced. “Pretend I found out too late he’d lured Marushka here, I broke in to find him choking her and I killed him.”

“Which is incredibly gallant but even in Outlier the authorities must know a Badari doesn’t use a knife to kill.” Kyden flashed his talons. “We have better weapons. Will the authorities believe you?”

“Many truths are buried in Outlier cemeteries,” Dmitri said. “It’ll depend on what the Empress wants to happen. Marushka will be my witness.”

“No, no I won’t,” she said on the edge of hysteria. “I’m not going to allow you to take the blame for my actions. It was self-defense. I won’t be punished for defending myself.”

Dmitri came to her and Benet released his hold on her. “Devochka, listen to me. The authorities are just as likely to charge you anyway if you don’t support my confession. And the news and the gossips will have a field day dissecting your life and your relationship with Benet. We need to get you out of here. I’ll wait for the police by myself.”

“I’m not leaving her here in Outlier,” Benet said, “Not after this. We have to take her with us.” He glared at Kyden. He stripped off his tee shirt and gave it to Marushka, since her torn gown was gaping and revealing her lacy underthings.

“Thank you,” she said. “This is all such a mess?—”

There was pounding at the door and muffled shouts to open up.

Before Benet could take any action, the door splintered open and a phalanx of police and private security guards rushed in, weapons at the ready.

“I killed him,” Benet said calmly, stepping in front of Marushka. She shrieked and tried to push him aside.

“He’s lying to save me,” she yelled at the police captain. “It was self-defense.”

“They’re both lying,” Dmitri roared at the top of his lungs, silencing everyone else. “I did it.”

Kyden shook his head but didn’t join in the mass confessions. Brandishing his blaster, the police officer turned to him. “What do you have to say?”

“Not a thing. We want to speak to a lawyer.” Kyden’s calm demeanor seemed to upset the police even more than the multiple confessions. The Alpha focused on Benet and the two Outliers and pushed a burst of Alpha power at them, judging by the jolt Benet received to ensure compliance with the forthcoming order.. “No one says another word until we have a lawyer.”

* * *

The four of them had been hustled off to an imperial prison, taken in separate groundcars, handcuffed and shackled. Benet was outraged Marushka had been treated in such rude fashion but he was helpless to do anything about the rough treatment. Now they waited in a large cell, all four of them. He was seated on one of the wooden shelves serving as beds and Marushka was using his lap as a pillow while she tried to nap. Water had been brought but no food.

Dmitri had insisted the four had to be allowed to remain together and the police captain eventually agreed. No one knew exactly what the Badari’s status or his authority might be and he did after all report directly to the Empress so the officer obviously took the safest route until more could be learned.

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