Born of Fire

What could be keeping him?

The old rundown docks were no place to be at this hour. A dreadful cold seeped into every part of her, numbing her hands and face, even her thighs. Her teeth chattering, she rubbed her gloved hands together, trying to bring at least a little sensation back into her fingertips. As she breathed into them, her breath formed a glowing circle around them.

Maybe coming out here hadn’t been such a good idea after all.

Could something have happened to Merjack? He’d been so anxious to have the chip that she couldn’t believe he hadn’t been here the moment she arrived, waiting on her. Indeed, that she’d expected.

But this . . . this defied logic.

Frowning, she checked her chronometer again. She’d wait until nine, provided she didn’t die of exposure, then she’d head back . . .

Time dragged by as she paced, searching every shadow, hoping it would turn into Merjack. Yet over and over again she was disappointed.

Finally, nine came and went.

Did this mean Tessa was dead?

Or something worse? Had he detected Vik, who was watching for her, and decided not to go through with it?

Terrified of all the scenarios that ended with Tessa or Syn dead, Shahara made her way slowly back to the waiting shuttle and to their hotel room.

It didn’t take long to reach it. Vik stayed outside while she went upstairs to find Syn.

He was alone in the room, working on his computer. He stood up as soon as he saw her and crossed the distance between them.

“Well?”

The hopeful look on his face did nothing to improve the lump in her stomach. Frustrated, she sighed. “He didn’t show.”

His eyes darkened. “What do you mean, he didn’t show?”

What had him mad? It was her sister in danger and she was the one who’d been freezing her better parts off for the last hour. “Nobody came.”

The blood drained from his face. “Dear gods, Shahara . . . tell me you didn’t.”

Her heart stopped in terror.

Had he guessed her real mission?

“Didn’t what?” she asked slowly, the knot in her stomach tightening as she dreaded his answer.

A thunderous knock sounded on the door.

“Lead them back here.” Syn rushed for the bedroom.

Shahara started after him, but the doors caved in and a dozen enforcers entered with their weapons aimed straight at her. Targeting lasers danced over her body.

She froze instantly, putting her hands up to keep from getting shot.

Merjack entered the room to glare at her. “Where is the rat?” he sneered.

Before she could answer, Syn emerged from the bedroom and tossed a smoke bomb at them. With a deafening clatter and a white spark, it detonated. Smoke obscured everything and the sounds of ragged coughs filled her ears.

Out of the haze, a hand grabbed her arm. “C’mon,” Syn said, hauling her away from the men.

They made it to the hallway. As they rushed for the stairs, an orange blast sizzled just to the left of Syn’s face, barely missing him.

Terrified of him getting killed, Shahara pulled him to a stop. If they kept running, Merjack and crew would mow them down in the stairwell. She knew it.

“We have to run.”

“No, Syn. They’ll kill you. Don’t do this. I don’t want to watch you die in my arms. Please.”

Syn grimaced at her as those words tore him apart. The fact that she cared . . .

He turned around with his arms raised so that they could apprehend him.

Merjack approached them with an evil grin. “Nice move with the smoke cover, rat, but wholly ineffectual.” He lowered his blaster until it pointed straight at her heart. “Now drop your weapon or I’ll kill the woman.”

Syn complied without hesitation.

Shahara’s heart thudded as his blaster clamored to the floor. This was it, her worst nightmare come to light. Syn would be going back to jail.

Please let me wake up . . .

But she didn’t, and the closer Merjack got to them, the more she regretted the bargain she’d made.

Merjack sneered at Syn. “Hands behind your head and down on your knees with your ankles crossed.”

She heard Syn’s angry, ragged breathing as he did what Merjack ordered. She knew how much it galled him to willingly subject himself to their custody. Her heart ached at seeing him in that vulnerable position.

Even so, there was no fear, no submission in his eyes—something she found incredible given how severely he’d been beaten before and how much Merjack wanted him executed.

He was amazing in his defiance.

Merjack turned his gaze to her. “Now the chip, Seax Dagan.”

Shahara stepped in front of Syn in an effort to shield him with her body. “You had no right to involve my sister,” she snarled, wanting to tear Merjack apart. “Where is she?”

“She’s in good health.”

“She better be.” And Shahara was far from relieved by his assurance. How could she trust a man so ruthless?

“Now give me that damned chip.”