Star's Storm(20)
“How? How could you know?” Star asked softly.
“Because I was Tai Tek’s Captain of the Guard. It was my job to keep him safe, alive,” Dakar answered harshly. “I was undercover. Lord Ajaska suspected Tai Tek was behind the deaths of several councilmen years ago. I was assigned to his House. I pledged total loyalty to him and over time worked my way up to Captain of the Guard.”
“Won’t he know that you betrayed him?” Star asked, turning so she could look at the face of the man who suddenly appeared darker and more dangerous than she remembered.
Dakar shook his head briefly. “He believes I was killed during the battle. Images of my body, riddled with laser blasts, were sent out. My brother publicly condemned me as a traitor to our people. As far as everyone is concerned, I no longer exist,” he explained in an emotionless voice.
“But,” Star began shaking her head in confusion. “Wouldn’t people recognize you?”
Madas chuckled. “No, they would not. I had a most difficult time in understanding why Dakar was in my dream. I knew Adron very well having met him many times over the years during meetings with Tai Tek. I did not recognize Dakar as being Adron, Kel Mul Kar’s brother. Only Torak, Manota, and River are aware of his identity.”
Star’s forehead creased in confusion. How could no one recognize him? She shook her head trying to clear it. The movement cause her head to spin.
“Drink,” Madas encouraged, releasing Star’s hands so she could pour a cup of hot tea from the tray sitting on the small end table next to them. Madas pressed the cup into Star’s hand. “You must be ready.”
“I don’t understand,” Star confessed looking back and forth between Dakar’s tired face and Madas.
“I underwent facial reconstruction so I wouldn’t be recognized,” Dakar said, the muscle in his jaw ticking fiercely. “It was the only way without truly dying. When my brother was given the assignment to go with Manota to your home world, Torak asked that I step in to protect Lady River. He felt since I knew Tai Tek and how he thought, I would know better than anyone how to protect his mate from being assassinated should Tai Tek try again. In addition, it gave me more time to – adjust to my new features.”
“I approached Dakar,” Madas said with a smug smile curling her thin lips. “After a few words, I knew why he was in my dream.”
“You tricked me,” Dakar muttered with flashing eyes.
“Yes I did, didn’t I?” Madas said with a twinkle in her eyes.
“So what do we do now? Where do you think Jazin is being held?” Star asked anxiously, leaning forward. “When can we leave?”
“We go after your mate is what we do now,” Madas said with a chuckle. “Dakar believes he knows where Lord Jazin is being held based on the descriptions from my dream.”
“He is being held on Geylur Prime II. I’m sure of it. Tai Tek has a prison base there and the description matches the terrain of the planet,” Dakar replied, throwing a dark look at Madas.
“We leave within the hour,” Madas grinned. “I have appropriated an elite Tearnat star ship for our journey. It is a gift from a friend of Lord Jazin. It is a prototype that holds much promise, I have been assured. It just needs to be tested.”
“Who will be going with us?” Star asked looking back and forth when Dakar snorted at Madas’ use of the word ‘appropriated’.
“Just us,” Madas said with a hiss of excitement.
Dakar grunted. “We both felt that the fewer people who knew what we up to, the better. The prison is a fortress. I am not even sure how we will be able to get into it much less get back out.”
“I need to see River before we go,” Star said looking steadily at Madas. “She has some items I need to borrow.”
“Call her but make sure she understands that she must tell no one, including her mate if possible,” Madas said rising to her feet. “I will pick up the items you need on my way out and meet you at the star ship.”
Star rose as well. She looked at the huge female Tearnat with her heart in her eyes. “You really are very beautiful,” Star said giving into the urge to wrap her arms tightly around the other female. “Thank you for giving me hope.”
“It is my pleasure, little warrior,” Madas hissed quietly, holding Star tightly against her for a moment before she pulled away to brush Star’s long hair back from her face. “I look forward to seeing the female warrior in action. Something tells me your enemies will not know how to handle you.”
Star’s eyes glittered with determination. “They are going to learn what happens when they mess with my family,” she bit out fiercely.