SCS Dark Star Read online

  “Yes, that’s him.” Veloki leaned forward eagerly.

  “Unfortunately, the Guild claimed all the psions before their pods could be opened. Your Mark is at the Guild Hall now. You can send him a message, could be that once he’s done with Guild training, he’ll contact you.”

  “What is the Guild?” Veloki controlled his anger, knowing it a reaction to the news and not this man’s fault at all. He didn’t understand why Mark had been claimed and he hadn’t, he was as powerful as psion as the man was, perhaps more so. Did this Guild not realize that?

  “The Psionics Guild. The Guild trains all those with psionic ability. Once training is complete, these psions can hold any number of highly paid, well-respected positions.” Dave offered a smile, his scent of understanding and sympathy helped calm Loki. “It’s frustrating for the families of those claimed, especially since it isn’t voluntary, but the alternative of rogue psions or worse, insane psions, is just too risky.”

  “Mark was already trained,” Veloki protested, though he knew it was futile.

  Dave wrote a few things down on a square of paper and offered it to him. “This is where you can send Mark your message. Your guide can help you with it.”

  Veloki nodded and accepted the piece of paper. “Thank you. Is there anything else I need to do now?”

  Dave shook his head. “Not at the moment. Now is the time for you to meet Kellin and get settled in, okay?”

  “Okay.” Veloki smiled at him. “Thank you for your help.” He ducked back outside, taking a deep breath of the crisp mountain air. The familiar skyline of the Rockies pleased him, he’d come to love these mountains during the war—a war that is now long over, he reminded himself. He found the next building, noted the five black circles—like the face of a die—and padded up to its door.

  After a moment, he squared his shoulders and ducked inside. He glanced around, nearly overwhelmed by the concentration of human scent in there. There were many more humans in this building than there had been in the last one, and most of them were right in front of him. These humans were all young, and they’d been talking animatedly as he entered. They fell silent by stages as they turned to regard him. He found their collected gazes to be almost as unsettling as their collective scent. He licked his lips, suddenly too nervous to speak.

  One of the young men smiled at him sympathetically. “It is a bit overwhelming, isn’t it?”

  Loki nodded at him gratefully. “Yes. Thank you. I’m looking for Kellin?”

  The young man’s smile grew wider. “Well, that would be me, actually. That means that you must be Veloki?”

  He nodded, focusing on him. Kellin was handsome enough, he supposed, though he was no expert on human appearance. He smelled beautiful—healthy, young, and human for a base, topped with excitement, friendliness, and a touch of lust. Loki liked him instantly.

  They walked out of the building together before Kellin asked, “So, what do you want to do first? I can show you where you’ll be sleeping, or we could go get something to eat. What would you like to do?”

  Veloki looked at him uncertainly; he wasn’t used to being the one who set the agenda. But as he could hardly even recall the taste of food, he replied, “If it pleases you, sir, could we eat first?”

  The surprise in his scent explained the odd look Kellin gave him. “Certainly. This way. And just call me Kellin, please. I’m sure you were already told this, but my purpose is to help you settle in here in this modern age. I’m sure everything must seem very strange to you, and you probably feel frightened by this new life. But I’m here for you. Anything you need, any problem or issue, it’s my job to help you resolve it all.”

  “Thank you,” Veloki replied noncommittally. He hadn’t yet decided if he liked the new status quo. His childhood had been normal for a Rovani, in that he’d spent fifteen years learning how to be an exceptional slave. His crop had been the first that the Breedmasters had withheld from auction, out of fear of the alien Q’Kathi. After the massacre, he’d spent the next five years fighting a war—he’d lost family and friends both in the massacre and in the fighting that followed. But he’d gained as well, not only experience and skills, but also a human to call his own. And now, his human was gone. He was not happy about that, and this Kellin was no replacement for Mark.

  Kellin gave him another look. Clearly, the man had expected more of an answer.

  “My pardon, but I’m too confused to be frightened. This is so very different from everything I’ve known that I really have no idea what to expect. I was trained to be a slave, a gladiator, or a soldier, and while I managed to help the older males in the war, I don’t know what else I might be good for.”

  “You can be anything you set your mind to. You can do anything you want with your life. Slavery has been illegal for centuries. I’m here to help you adjust to this, to freedom, to a new life free of bondage.”

  Veloki snorted at the words. They sounded very rehearsed to him. “Do you have any concept of slavery, Kellin? Do you have any idea of what this bondage you speak of really is?”

  Kellin opened his mouth only to close it with a snap. They walked in silence until, finally, he said, “No, you’re right. I don’t know what slavery was like, nor do I wish to. But, have you considered that I don’t need to understand slavery to help you? Your old life, that of slavery, is gone. It’s never going to return. You must move forward and discover a life of freedom, and that is a journey I can help you with.”

  Veloki studied Kellin, sampling the man’s scent automatically. The human was sincere. He truly wanted to help Veloki. The sheer amount of caring he sensed from this man was stunning. How can he care so much about someone he’s only just met? Loki nodded to him. “You present a well-reasoned argument, sir. I would be honored to have your assistance in this journey you speak of.”

  Kellin smiled, relief in his scent. “Thank you. And please, call me Kellin, or Kell. By the way, on a personal note, has anyone ever told you just how incredibly beautiful you are?”

  I should have expected that, Loki realized, given the amount of lust he’s feeling. He shrugged a shoulder and deflected the subject. “You should see my father then.” You’re not Mark, and I’m not interested. He almost believed himself.

  “Oh, I have.” Kellin openly appraised him, raking his gaze from Loki’s head to his feet and back up. “Yeraki’s a handsome fellow, no doubt about it, but you’re just as spectacular as he is.”

  “Is that a general observation or an invitation?” This is getting annoying, not to mention hypocritical. First, you speak of freedom then you tell me you want to use me.

  “It’s only an invitation if you want it to be. It’s your choice who you sleep with or not, Veloki. I’ve heard the Breedmasters have a shot they can give you that turns off your sex drive, so I’m not just saying that. I’m only indicating my appreciation for your appearance and my willingness. It’s entirely up to you to decide if you want me that way or not.”

  Veloki was surprised, not by the offer, but by his mention of the sex-drive-inhibiting shot. If it really were being made available, he wouldn’t be forced by his own sex drive to sleep with anyone if he didn’t want to. Curiosity caused him to ask, “Have you ever slept with a Rovani?”

  Kellin shook his head, his nearly perpetual smile breaking out again. “Well, no, I haven’t. But I’m no silly virgin with no idea of what he wants, either.”

  Veloki had to smile at that. “I never thought that of you, sir.”

  “So, you do know how to smile. I’d begun to wonder.”

  * * * *

  “Here’s the dining tent,” Kellin announced airily, gesturing to the largest pavilion in the village. It was blue and white but otherwise unmarked. He continued to study his charge as Veloki studied the pavilion. I wonder what you’re thinking. The Rovani’s impassive expression gave nothing away. Kellin headed for the entrance, and sure enough, Veloki fell into step with him. My God, he’s beautiful. I thought Yeraki was a looker, but wow!

  Veloki was white where his sire was silver, with silver-grey stripes and spots instead of charcoal. His mane, spinal ridge, and tail were solid silver, and they sparkled like diamonds in the sunlight. His eyes were the same perfect, brilliant green as his father’s. He moved with the same, sexy grace that marked all his people.

  Kellin could hardly keep from drooling. To distract himself, he showed Veloki where the trays were. They each took a tray and approached the serving line. The offerings were buffet style and labeled with pictures as well as words. Not all the Rovania could read yet, but all of them needed reading glasses. Veloki appeared to ignore the signs. He studied the food, his nostrils visibly quivering as he sampled the scents.

  During their orientation, they’d been warned about the power of the Rovani nose: Nothing you feel will be secret from them. By scent alone, they can tell your mood, your state of health, what you ate last, the last dozen people you’ve been in contact with, the last person you’ve slept with if that’s happened in the past week—assume they know everything.

  Veloki found the pan of mixed meats the Breedmasters had insisted on. The meats were cubed and barely seared, nearly raw by conventional standards, but Kellin had heard the Rovania preferred that stuff to everything else on offer. Sure enough, Veloki scooped a generous pile of the meat onto his tray. He added a pair of boiled eggs and several slices of cheese, all different types. Kellin made his own selections while watching Veloki, and they finished at about the same time.

  Veloki looked over the tables, mostly empty at the moment, then made a beeline for a table in the corner. Kellin took note of the table’s other occupant and swallowed heavily.

  “Sire, may we join you?”

  Yeraki glanced up, a s
ingle eyebrow arching. Veloki had a pleasant tenor voice, making Yeri’s baritone sound even deeper in comparison. “Of course,” said the older Rovani, “Like you even have to ask.” He glanced at them both, and Kellin could see the amusement in his expression—he was making no effort to hide it.

  Once they were both seated, Yeri asked, “Who’s your friend?”

  Veloki glanced at Kellin then cleared his throat. “Sire, this is Kellin, my guide. Kellin, this is Yeraki.”

  Kellin smiled. “I’m pleased to meet you, sir.”

  Yeraki’s eyebrow arched even higher. “Indeed.” He appraised Kellin briefly before he glanced at Veloki. “My, my, you certainly managed to luck out, hmm?”

  Veloki rolled his eyes. “Sire, I’m sure you had nothing to do with it, either.”

  Kellin interrupted, wondering if the older male was implying what he thought. “What are you two talking about?”

  Yeraki grinned, a friendly expression despite the sharp teeth that filled his mouth. “We were discussing how Loki ended up with such a handsome guide as yourself.”

  He is implying what I thought. Kellin could feel the heat on his face as he blushed. “Oh.” Eager to change the subject, he asked, “Veloki, why do you call him sire?”

  Veloki shrugged. “Habit, really. As a child, I addressed all the studs as sire. Plus, he really is my sire, so it’s hard for me to call him anything else. Rovani studs aren’t like human fathers.”

  “I disagree with that,” Yeri said quietly. He picked up his mug and took a sip with surprising delicacy. He was silent as he enjoyed the flavor of the mouthful, but once he’d swallowed, he said, “It’s more correct to say that we were neither encouraged nor permitted to show our affection to our young. No survival value in it, we were tasked with teaching you enough to survive the arenas.”

  Loki inclined his head. “I am corrected, baba.”

  Yeri nearly choked in surprised laughter. Setting his mug down, he proceeded to glare at Veloki.

  Kellin chuckled at that, which earned him his very own glare from the old stud. Here was one Rovani who had no trouble looking a human in the eye. A chill crept up his spine as Yeri held his gaze with insolent ease and he suddenly remembered that Yeri had been a successful gladiator in his youth. Kellin swallowed and looked down at his plate.

  “Do you have a guide, sire?” Veloki spoke into the silence as if unaware of what had just happened.

  Yeri shook his head. “No, son, I don’t have the time for that. It was really meant for the broods and you youngsters.” He glanced at Kellin again, this time the expression was far more sympathetic than the killer’s eye he’d shown last time. “What made you decide to volunteer, Kellin?”

  “I’m pre-med. I was told that by helping the Rovania, my application to medical college would be advanced, above and beyond the credits we’re earning for this. But I was mostly excited by the prospect of meeting the Rovania. I always loved the stories about your race when I was younger. So, when they asked for volunteers, I signed on.”

  Yeraki’s gaze slid to Veloki. “You see, son, almost all of our volunteers tell me the same thing. They’re all young, in college, and idealistic. Not that idealism is a bad thing, but can you even imagine me with a guide Kellin’s age?”

  Veloki grinned. “I think it’d be hysterical but not at all fair to your poor guide. And then, what would Lee do for a bed warmer?”

  Kellin felt his eyes widening at Veloki’s implication. Everyone knew Doctor Tavlakis, after all. He looked at Yeraki, wondering if Veloki was speaking the truth. Were Yeri and the doctor lovers?

  The old stud was staring at Loki expressionlessly. “I could always send you to him, Loki. I recall that you only lasted four days in the belt.”

  Veloki blushed furiously at Yeraki’s response, and Kellin looked from one to the other before asking, “The belt? What belt?”

  Yeraki raised an eyebrow, and without taking his eyes off Veloki, he explained, “At one specific point during training, chastity belts are placed on all the Rovania of that class. This is done not to be cruel, but to help the gatakia learn something about their own bodies. The belts are supposed to remain on for one week. But not all the young Rovania can last the whole week. Those Rovania are considered to be the most responsive, the most sensitive, and they are given extra training once identified by the belt test.”

  Kellin licked his lips. “That doesn’t sound so bad, so why does Veloki look so embarrassed?”

  Yeraki finally looked at him, releasing Veloki from his disconcerting gaze. There was a slight, almost sardonic, smile on his lips. “Because it is the female Rovani who is supposed to be responsive and sensitive, not the male. Very few males ever test responsive in this way. Veloki was the only male his age unable to last the week. None of the males in the year before his, or following his, were unable to last the week, either.”

  Kellin laid a comforting hand on Veloki’s arm as he stared at Yeraki. While in training to become a Rovani guide, the sex drive had been explained to them fully, so he knew something of what Yeraki was talking about. He’d also learned that he would have to make the first overture to his charge, for the Rovania were not very good at taking the initiative. He considered Yeraki, wondering what would make a male more responsive than the norm. Smiling, he cocked his head at the stud. “Well, it’s hardly Veloki’s fault that he’s so sensitive, is it. I’d think that something like that would be primarily a genetic matter... so the question is, Yeraki, how long did you last in the belt?”

  Yeraki’s smile widened. “You’re not only handsome, but you’re also smart,” he observed lightly, “because sexual responsiveness is a genetic issue in the Rovani race, and it’s thanks to the Chrazo blood that both Veloki and I are sensitive.” He glanced at Veloki before he added, “And for the record, son, you outlasted me. I only lasted three days in that damned belt. Your grandmother, Zora, holds the record though—only twenty-four hours and she was begging for it to come off.”

  Veloki cleared his throat. “I actually came over here to ask you something important, sire.”

  Yeri’s smile faded as he studied his son. He nodded. “You can always ask. I’ll answer if I can.”

  “Mark. Where did he go and why?”

  The older Rovani took a deep breath then sighed softly. “The Psionics Guild claimed him and all our human psion friends. They took Angel, Erika, Jim, Krista, and Kyle as well as Mark.”

  “Why didn’t—”

  “Stop.” Yeri cut him off before he could finish the question. “We are not alone here. The Guild is not our friend, Loki. Do not invite trouble.”

  Chapter Four: Options

  Brochures filled the low table that was the centerpiece of the front room of the two-room cabin Veloki shared with Kellin. Some of the brochures urged him to attend various universities, some of them advertised jobs that he could do right now or with just a little more training. Boxes and boxes of these things had arrived, purportedly to help the Rovania decide on their futures. The problem was that none of the brochures interested him.

  “I don’t want more schooling,” Veloki told his attentive friend. “I want to do something, but I want to do something exciting, something worthwhile.” He swept a hand over the occupation brochures. “This is boring. Dancing? Acting? Bah. I want to do something completely different, Kellin. I want to break with tradition, not do exactly what half the females of my race are doing.”

  “Your race is uniquely suited to the performance arts,” Kellin pointed out wryly, “but I take your point.” He pulled a brochure out from the bottom of the pile. “Have you seen this one? It might suit you. The Service doesn’t require a lot of additional schooling, and you’d definitely be doing something non-traditional.”

  Veloki accepted the stiff, glossy paper. It was probably colorful to human eyes. He glanced at it then blinked and took a closer look. The Service had several options to choose from. “Space Corps? What is that?”

  “The military. Look, if you enlist, the first thing they do is test you to see what you’re good at. Then, they match you to a job, train you—and the training is pretty fast, I’ve heard, and then, you’re assigned to a ship.”