Page 63 of Shattered Silence

“That’s a yes?”

“Affirmative. And just in case you’re curious, Kordolians like their coffee strong and bitter.”

“Just like them, right?”

“Oh, but there’s sweetness in there too. It just takes a little time to come out.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

The exercise pool on the lowermost deck was in use when Enki arrived. Splashes and shouts echoed throughout the vast chamber, and he caught sight of a group of four Kordolian warriors playing takrit, an old Lost Tribes game of skill involving a heavy ball made from stone and leather.

Upon seeing Enki, one of the soldiers stopped, a panicked expression crossing his face as recognition dawned. He muttered something to his companions in Aikun and they all swam to the edge of the pool and got out, silently dipping their heads in acknowledgement. They might not know his name, but they knew what he was.

In the old military, the First Division had always been given a wide berth. As rumors of impossible missions and brutal world-breaking swirled, their notoriety grew, and some idiot introduced the idea that the First Division had been touched by the hand of Kaiin, the death-god himself.

The notion stuck. People feared them, and even in the New Universe, some things never changed. The fading patter of wet feet and dripping bodies told Enki the four warriors had left him in peace.

That suited him just fine. Exhaling, he tried to force some of the tension out of his body, but his efforts were futile. The hold Layla had on him was just too strong. His heart raced, pumping pure lust through his veins. He threw off his kashkan and dived into the cold dark waters, sinking to the bottom of the pool.

Water surrounded him in a frigid embrace. The transparent bottom of the pool looked out onto the stars, giving him a perfect view of the infinite Universe. The glittering stars had been his favorite thing to look at, until Layla came along. Now, he couldn’t get her perfect face out of his mind.

Enki closed his eyes, welcoming the cold and silence. The lack of air didn’t bother him. He could go for a long time without breathing, the nanites sustaining his oxygen-deprived cells. Submerging himself in the pool was an old trick he’d learned from cycles upon cycles of Tharian-induced madness. Down here, it was much easier to overcome the Tharian’s infernal rantings.

Layla was a different matter. He couldn’t get her out of his mind. She pervaded every pore, every cell, every fiber of his being.

It was strange; he’d always expected he would dislike humans if he ever had anything to do with them. On the surface, they appeared to be fickle, contrary beings. Weak in body and foolish, they refused to understand their place in the Universe. He’d never had any interest in getting to know any of them.

But now the madness had overtaken him, so he had to do this.

Tharian. For the first time in his life, he summoned the cursed creature, calling it.

No response.

Enki bristled, suspecting the Tharian was being silent on purpose. Do not act obtuse with me, Tharian. He gathered his willpower and put the Tharian in a tight mental stranglehold. You are in my head. You come out when I tell you to.

A pause, then it surfaced, radiating surliness. I do have a name, warrior.

Enki wasn’t interested in pleasantries. I want to bargain.

Bargain? The Tharian sounded genuinely surprised. What could you possibly want from me, oh mighty one?

Enki ignored the sarcasm. Slowly, carefully, he let his guard down, just a little. It was the first time he had ever done so, and it was hard, especially with this cursed mating fever coursing through his body. Being in control was much easier than letting go, but he had to do this. He extended his senses into the underwater silence, trying to draw the stillness into his restless soul. I… I have a request to make of you. In return, I will grant you a request of your own.

Anything?

I do not lie, Tharian. If it is within my power, I will grant it to you, but first, you must do as I command.

I… will consider. To his surprise, the Tharian was receptive. What is it you require of me?

I need you to submerge.

To…

Submerge. Disappear. Give me a moment of peace. I am tired of your incessant interruptions. I am about to do something very important, and you are not to emerge until I give you permission. Do not interrupt.

I understand. The Tharian radiated amusement. You are besotted with her, aren’t you? You want me to give you some privacy while you—

I do not need your analysis, Tharian. Do you agree to my terms?

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