BloodLust (Rise of the Iliri Book 1) Read online

  Seems Cessa had a little more speed in her after all, girly. He laughed in her head. But you're gonna have to help me walk her out when you get back here. Poor mare's nostrils are about the size of your eyes. You did it, Sal! You did it.

  She heard what he said, but it took a moment before the news sank in. Not only had she passed the most critical test, but she'd also succeeded at the mission! She looked around at the grinning faces of the Black Blades. A few medics wandered among them, checking the "casualties" for actual injuries while all around her, men stood tired and covered in sweat. Her weapons forgotten in her hands, she stared, dazed, realizing what this meant.

  She had passed the trials. She would be a Black Blade.

  Chapter 16

  All total, they "killed" thirty-one men: ten infantry at the creek bed, five snipers in the trees, four light cavalry, and the twelve heavy cavalry cadets with the medical students. No participants had been seriously injured, and the bruise to Sal's face was one of the worst of the training mission. The Blades made a fuss over her – Zep even let her out of her promise to help walk his horse out. In the end, the last trial of the Black Blades was considered to be a success by all, except those who hadn't passed it.

  The veteran had led the Blades right into the snipers, counting on their combat abilities to overcome anything in their way, never thinking of distance weapons. He'd been politely dismissed with a recommendation to an infantry based outfit. Doron Passel had fared a bit better. He armed Shift and Risk with bows then became distraught when Shift's aim had been as poor as he claimed. Zep and Razor had been "taken out" by snipers before Passel adjusted and rescued the Lieutenant himself. When the Calvary gave chase, he ordered the Blades to cover him, leaving the medics behind without a second thought, losing the entire force before he got even half way to the safe zone. Mounted on the slower palfrey, he never stood a chance of outrunning the fleet rouncies the cavalry used.

  The Blades had shared their perspectives of the previous missions with her, and now, standing before the Lieutenant's door, she waited anxiously to be invited in. The latch finally clicked open and Passel walked out, a bland expression on his face. Beyond him, she could see the entire outfit clustered around the Lieutenant's desk before the door closed.

  "It's a good recommendation for me, Luxx," Passel said, pasting on something that resembled a smile. "I really thought this time would work out, but LT assures me I'll have elite forces seeking me out with the recommendation he's going to write."

  "I'm sorry, Passel, but you'll make the next one, we both know it."

  "I think so, too. I heard you did well. Congratulations." He tried to smile again, but Sal could hear his disappointment.

  "Thank you. I appreciate it. Good luck to you, sir."

  He nodded at her then made his way back toward his cabin, most likely to begin packing.

  She took a deep breath and released it, unsure of what came next. Lifting her bruised chin, all she could do was walk in the door, giving her pale eyes a second to adjust to the dimly lit room. The Blades crowded the space, the Lieutenant seated behind his desk, all in their full black uniform. He gestured for her to take a seat.

  "Private Salryc Luxx," he began, "you not only completed the mission you were given, you also adapted and passed the final trial. Perfectly, I might add. Your total score, out of a possible one thousand points, was nine hundred eighty-seven. To date, this is the best score ever given to a recruit for the Black Blades."

  Sal's eyes widened. She thought she was doing well, but she'd had no idea of her score, until now.

  The Lieutenant continued. "I would like to formally offer you a position with the Black Blades. Will you accept?"

  "I would be honored, sir," she replied, her stomach in knots.

  Beside her, Arctic stood and made his way to her side. She glanced up at him as he reached down for her collar. With one hand on the underside, he opened the other, showing her a pin in the shape of a pair of swords, crossed into an X, made of some dark stone. With a quick glance into her eyes, he secured it and stepped back. Around her, the men grinned.

  Shift winked at her. "You're one of us now, sister."

  "Yeah, but I can't look at her and think 'sister'," Zep joked.

  Glancing over to the Lieutenant, Sal could see a sadness in his eyes. Her position with the Blades replaced that of a man he'd been very close to. He smiled at her, letting the men offer her a drink and fill her with congratulations, but she noticed that his fingers played with the chain of her necklace. The large opal was the color of her own iliri eyes, and she wondered what would happen when he grasped the meaning. She didn't dare let her gaze linger too long.

  Looking around the room, she saw Zep and Cyno leaning casually against the far wall. Zep smiled at her openly, but Cyno cocked his head slightly, glancing from the Lieutenant's hands back to Sal. When he realized she watched him, Cyno met her gaze with no trace of emotion on his face. He took a long, deep breath, and Sal realized that he knew.

  Pushing her concerns away, she tried to enjoy the moment. She'd achieved what she'd dedicated her life to. As a Black Blade, she was someone, not just another iliri to be pushed around. She was supposed to be thrilled, not nervous.

  But the Lieutenant's mood cut the celebration short. After only a few drinks, Sal was directed to see Shift to have her bruised face healed then begin packing her old uniforms. Training started the next morning.

  ***

  When she returned to her rooms, a new uniform in the style of the Black Blades was waiting on her bed. The black was stark against her skin, but she liked the look. Shift had come and gone, her bruises now faded to little more than a memory, and he warned that the next morning would be the start of her new life. Her old uniforms were now stored in the regulation bag all common soldiers were issued.

  All that remained in her closets were the clothes the Blades had purchased for her and the outfits she had for Siana, almost as if her old life had never happened. It seemed like she'd been here forever, but counting back, only a little over a week had passed. Would she miss the blue she'd grown accustomed to over so many years?

  A soft tap at her door pulled her thoughts to the present. Without checking for a mental signature, she unpinned the latch, finding herself face to face with the Lieutenant.

  "May I?" he asked politely.

  After a stunned pause she said, "Come in, sir," and moved aside for him.

  "I have a few other things to go over with you, and I figured you wouldn't want it to be public knowledge."

  She nodded, unsure of what to say.

  "I was just looking through your file and saw that you're listed as a Private, First Class. Is that right?" His eyes glinted mischievously.

  "Yes, sir, it is."

  "Well, as your commanding officer I'm authorized to raise your rank to that which I see more fitting. I believe we'll jump right up to Corporal, if that suits you?"

  "Uh," she stammered, "sir? That's three ranks! I'd hoped to be raised to Specialist, with Lance Corporal by the end of the year. Wow... why, though?"

  "Well, you have what it takes. Not only did you figure out my little test, you also put the right men in the right places for this mission rather than trying to get as many accolades as possible. To me, that says you have the ability to lead, and in our unit, we often end up giving orders to the regular military. A Corporal isn't someone that people choose to ignore. Basically, it just makes my life easier, and I think you honestly deserve it."

  "Thank you, sir! I don't know what to say, but... yeah... thank you!" The words tumbled out of her mouth.

  "And here's a form outlining your wage schedule." He passed her a folded piece of paper. "As an elite solider you get hazard pay on top of your rank wages."

  She opened the page and saw a number four times what she'd been earning. Scanning down, she realized that was before the hazard pay bonus. Due to her promotion and service in the elite forces, her weekly pay would now exceed what she'd previously made in
a month. Sal stared at the numbers for a moment, unable to wrap her mind around them.

  "I also noticed," LT said, "that your wages were on the lower end of your rank scale while at your last station. This is common with iliri and iliri crossbreds. Having suffered it myself, I decided to fix that for you."

  She glanced up at him and all she could do was share her feelings. A line of her amazement and gratitude swept over him, and the Lieutenant nodded to let her know he understood. "Look, Sal, I also have to address something with you. It's sensitive, so please tell me if I'm out of line."

  "Yes, sir."

  "I've never had a woman in my unit before. You know we work closely together and often spend quite a lot of time in the field, right?"

  "Yes, sir, I do. That's why I wanted to join the Blades so badly."

  "Well, I need to know your thoughts on relationships within the unit." He sat down in the one chair the room held, gesturing for Sal to take the bed next to him.

  "I'm not sure I'm following you."

  "I assume you are attracted to men? If not, that does make this easier."

  "Sorry, LT." She tried out the more casual form of his name. "I do like men."

  "Ok, so what happens when you end up in bed with one of them?" he asked. "I'm not really sure how to be polite about this, but you and I do need to know. I mean, they're men, and have been trying to get your attention. I can't tell you not to take them up on it – and Sal, I wouldn't do that – I just need to know what happens when someone gets jealous or upset."

  "Sir, I'm iliri. Casual sex is about the best I can hope to get. I'd like to say that it won't be a problem, but I hope to serve with you for a few years at least. They may see me as safer than another woman, and at times I may be. It's just how it is in a unit."

  "I know. That's why I had to ask. Do you think you can keep it from causing a rift in the Blades?"

  "I honestly do. A few minutes ago, I would have said that my rank made it unlikely to be a concern, but since you just granted me a commission with the promotion, the regulations against it are gone. That doesn't change the fact that I'm still iliri. Men don't really look for long term relationships with my kind."

  He paused, cocking his head slightly. "You haven't realized yet that all of the Blades, except Zep, are iliri?"

  "Crossbreds, yeah."

  "The Black Blades excel because we're iliri."

  That wasn't what she'd expected him to say. "I understand, sir."

  "Sal," he tried, pausing. "I don't think you do. I'm saying this not as your commanding officer, but as an iliri. You need to understand that not all men think the same. We don't all want dark skins and dull teeth." He ducked his head and smiled at the ground. "I know you find it hard to believe, but quite a few of the Blades find you attractive. They prefer your white skin and iliran traits to those of humans because you're our own kind. It doesn't often work the other way around."

  Sal looked away, embarrassed, but the words made her smile. "Sir, I've never had men interested in me. Not like that." She shrugged. "I guess you'll just have to trust me."

  "I do trust you, Sal, that's why we accepted you. It's been a long time since I've been impressed by a recruit."

  "I swear to you, sir, I'm more interested in being a good soldier than in finding a mate. I won't let my gender disrupt your unit."

  "Our unit, Corporal. Just so long as we're on the same page. I'm sorry to have brought it up at all." The Lieutenant eased himself up, the awkward conversation over.

  He turned to leave, but stopped suddenly. Following his gaze, she saw her wardrobe standing open, the copper and green dress she'd worn as Siana hanging in plain sight. He had to recognize it! Panic welled up as she tried to think of a way to explain it – a lie to stop what she knew was coming.

  "Is that yours?" LT asked too carefully.

  Too late. "It is." She stood, her ears dropping in shame.

  He looked deep in her eyes for a moment, his body stiff, the scent of fear trickling off him. Looking down, he pulled his hand from his pocket and looked at it. When his fingers opened, she saw the opal clenched in his fist.

  "Where are you from, Sal?"

  "Merriton. I was the slave of a merchant."

  Before she could blink, he closed the space between them, his expression unreadable. She stepped back until she hit the wall, and he followed, his face mere inches from her own, no trace of emotion visible. Her heart hammered in her chest and her stomach coiled. She wanted him to know, but he'd given her so much. She didn't want to be the one to betray him.

  "How?" he whispered, his lip lifting to show his teeth in an iliran snarl.

  "The iliri have abilities, sir, and I found mine. I seem to be able to change. I can take on the form I need at the time."

  "So you decided to infiltrate me?" he asked, neither amused nor angry. He simply asked.

  "Not exactly. I tripped. That was honest. I'd been looking for the others and found myself face first in your lap. I tried to excuse myself a few times but never quite could." She kept her sentences short, just simple explanations. "I found myself losing sight of my mission a few times, and the hours slipped away from me."

  "Me, too," he whispered, his eyes flicking to the ground while his mind replayed the memories.

  "When I invited you to my room, I tried to convince myself that my orders made me do it, sir, but that's a lie. I invited you to my room because I hoped that you'd take longer to figure it out." She took a deep breath, then blurted, "I know I was out of line, and that as an iliri I had no right to do that, but," she took a deep breath, "I couldn't stop myself."

  It was true. It was all true and she knew he could smell it. Dangling between them was an unspoken question: was she the only one to feel something that night? His answer was to press his mouth softly into hers.

  Just a gentle and sweet kiss, nothing more. She relaxed into his touch, feeling his skin, then it was over, teasing her. A muffled complaint came from the back of her throat as he pulled away. Looking up, she met pale green eyes. Then she felt it.

  A line of thought entered her mind, determined. Rather than fighting him, she opened up, waiting for him to grab her memory of their night together.

  "I can't find it," he said.

  "Here." She guided him to the dark corner where she hid it. His mind only tasted the surface before he broke off.

  "It really was you?" he asked.

  Timidly, she nodded.

  Again, he pulled her against him. This time, Sal let her mouth submit to his, and she savored the taste of him. His tongue caressed hers, ignoring the danger of her teeth. She wanted this, but he was too tense. When her hand found the side of his face, Blaec shied away, breaking the contact.

  "This can't happen, you know." He made it a statement, but she still answered.

  "I know, sir." Their eyes met for a long time before Sal realized it must be said. "Sir, if you want me to refuse the outfit, I still can. The paperwork hasn't been processed. I can find an excuse the men will believe."

  "It wouldn't change anything between us, Sal."

  "I know, but it might make life easier for you. I betrayed you, and you don't need to be reminded of that each time you turn around."

  "No one can let you down if you haven't been leaning on them," he quoted. "You were right. And you did not betray me. Siana made it clear that she wouldn't be around long. She told me blatantly that our relationship couldn't continue. I accepted that when I agreed to come up to her – your – room. This has changed something between us, but I doubt it's what you'd expect."

  She waited for him to continue, feeling his mood lighten as he came to his decision.

  "Sal, I'm not used to people getting one over on me. You not only did that, but you also followed my orders to the letter and the spirit. You learned about our secret trial, then you encouraged me to change it in a way that made both of us happy. You kept this secret hidden and you showed no sign of what we shared. All of this while you managed to complete the tasks I g
ave you, found an ability that is beyond priceless to our type of outfit, and on top of that, you eased the burden I refused to share with my men.

  "No, Sal, the only thing this changes is how much I do respect you. You will stay with the Blades, on one condition." He smiled when he said it.

  "Sir?"

  "You may find me taking you up on your suggestion. Siana made me realize that a long, lonely life is not what I want. If I need an ear, will you lend me one?"

  "Of course!" Her mind spun. This was not the reaction she'd expected.

  "And please," he said, "wear this. You chose a good chain for it and it should withstand what we put it though. I think it would be good to remind both of us why you gave it to me."

  He handed her the necklace, but rather than accept it, she turned and lifted her long, pale locks above her neck. Blaec stepped close, his breath on her ear as he clasped it around her neck. The opal fell just at the hollow of her throat. The large stone would be visible above her uniform but not loose enough to slap around in her combat training. She'd chosen it because it matched her natural eyes, convincing herself that it complimented a more formal outfit she'd anticipated using in her role as Siana.

  "Can we tell the men?" LT asked when she released her hair and faced him.

  She raised an eyebrow and found herself giggling. "That I seduced you?"

  "No!" He laughed. "That you found your ability. I'd planned to make Risk work you through a few of the common ones, hoping to trigger something. Now that we know what it is, I can have him find ways to perfect your use of it."

  Still giggling, she nodded. "Sure, that I think you can tell them."

  He turned to leave, but she dared to grab him before he opened the door. "Blaec, I just..." she felt herself fumbling for words, "I want you to know it meant something to me. I know you can't, but... the offer will always be there."

  He seemed to change the subject. "Did I tell you I went to meet Siana for lunch? She'd already left, as you know, but I wanted to tell her why she seemed so familiar. After thinking about her all day, I realized she reminded me of you. She smelled like you. In so many ways she was like you, but unlike you, she was safe and right there within my reach."