Born of Fire

They had to have that chip!

The little bastard could ruin them and be damned if he’d lose his life and position to something as low as a Wade.

He looked at the guards and the interrogator before he replaced Syn’s muzzle—it wouldn’t do to have him talk to anyone but them. “Take him to solitary and keep him there until I say otherwise.”

The three guards unchained Syn from the wall. Instead of falling down like a normal person, somehow he managed to stay standing as they cuffed his hands behind his back.

Syn’s strength awed him.

And before they led him away, Syn cast him a cold, evil glare that was all too familiar. One that made the hair on the back of his neck rise in fear.

But then what had he expected? Syn was the son of Idirian Wade—the sickest, most lethal criminal to have ever been conceived.

And Wades didn’t buckle easily.

Jonas turned to face him. His blue eyes mirrored the same fears and concerns Uriah had. “What are we going to do, Father?”

“Relax, Jonas. You are one of the most powerful leaders in the United Systems. Fretting doesn’t become you.”

“Neither does a public trial and execution.”

“I can control him.”

Jonas shook his head. “That’s what you said when he was merely a child. If you couldn’t break him then, what the hell makes you think you can break him twenty-three years later? We have to have that chip! I’ve come too far to have some gutter rat bring me down now.”

Uriah ran his hand across his jaw. Wades weren’t really gutter rats. They were sharks. And if one didn’t watch one’s leg, it would be painfully cut off.

Along with other things.

Still, he hadn’t known Syn was a Wade the first time around. Now he was prepared. After all, he’d been the one to bring Syn’s father to trial and execution. A feat that had earned him the honor and gratitude of all governments.

He knew what to expect from Syn now.

“As I said, I’m in control of the situation. I will think of a way to break him. Don’t worry.” Even as he said the words, Uriah couldn’t suppress the memory of Idirian Wade’s execution.

Wade had walked into the termination booth without fear or remorse. Never in his life had he seen anyone so calm.

So purely evil.

As the gas seeped into the room, Idirian had looked at him and smiled as if to say “I’ll get you someday.”

Uriah had thought then as he did now that surely evil like that didn’t die.

Maybe his son was his vengeance on him after all . . .

“Sir?”

He jumped at the sound of Warden Traysen’s voice. He hadn’t realized Traysen had remained while Syn was taken to his cell. Had it been any man other than Traysen, he’d now be dead. But Uriah had learned a long time ago that this seax’s loyalty belonged solely to him.

“What is it, Traysen?”

“I think I may know of a solution.”

He exchanged an interested look with his son. “Yes?”

“You remember my colleague, Seax Dagan?”

“The girl who gave him to us?”

“Yes, sir. I think she may be of use to you again.” Jonas scowled. “How is that?”

“I think she could persuade him to lead her to the chip.”

Uriah scoffed at the ludicrousness of that. “How? Syn would never trust her again after what she did to him.”

“Maybe, maybe not. But if anyone in the universe exists who can accomplish this feat, it is she. I’ve never known anyone more resourceful or cunning. I believe if you give her a chance, she will prove most worthy.”

Still Uriah wasn’t convinced. He didn’t like dealing with unknown people he couldn’t control. “Why would she do this for us?”

“She has a family she helps support, one of whom has a severe gambling problem, and another with congenital medical necessities. Dagan is desperate and poor, and in grave need of money. For, let’s say, a million credits, I’m sure she’d do anything. And ask no questions.”

Jonas sucked his breath in. “I don’t know, Father. She’s a Seax, sworn to their oaths. Why would she—”

“Traysen is also a Seax,” Uriah said with a smile. “Their loyalty can be bought. Is that not right, Traysen?”

“Yes, sir. Everyone has a price tag. It’s just a question of how much.”

Jonas crossed the room to stand directly in front of Traysen so that he could give him a menacing glare. “You better be sure of her greed.”

“I’d bet my life on it.”

“Good, because that’s exactly what you’ll pay with, Traysen, if you’re wrong.” Stroking his chin, Jonas looked back at his father. “Do it then and let’s hope it works.”





CHAPTER 5