War Bride (Battle Born #7)(3)
“She was warm and loving, like you.”
Skyla laughed. “I can be warm and loving, but I can also be stubborn and ambitious.”
Rona didn’t bother arguing. They both knew it was true. “Those qualities come from your father. The Hautell family has always been an ambitious lot.”
“I should get going.” Skyla smoothed down her full skirt and checked to make sure not too much cleavage was showing. “I’m sure the guests are starting to arrive and I have a decision to make.” She slid her feet into matching satin slippers and gave Rona a quick hug.
“Choose wisely. Your partner will be with you for the rest of your life.”
Skyla opened the outer door to her suite and found Ditten in the hallway as she’d expected. With long dark hair swept back from his sharp-featured face and incandescent rings separating his black pupils from his equally dark irises, he looked unmistakably Bilarrian. The rings in Ditten’s eyes were red, denoting his birth in the mountain region of Hautell. He was lean and agile rather than heavily muscled—like the Rodyte soldier.
“We should use the walkway,” he told her after offering the perfunctory bow. “It’s safer than crossing the yard.”
The elevated walkway leading from the private apartments of Maletta Estate to the entertainment wing was enclosed and stuffy. Skyla had always hated the claustrophobic tube. The night would be long, the ballroom crowded. She hated to deprive herself of the final few minutes of tranquility before the mid-summer festival began, but she had never been one to take foolish chances.
“All right.” With a frustrated sigh, she started off down the corridor, Ditten half a step behind. “How much did you hear?”
“All of it.” His answer didn’t surprise her. As well as having excellent hearing, Ditten was a powerful telepath. He routinely scanned her mind, per her brother’s orders. Simolta insisted the practice was necessary for her protection, but Skyla felt violated by the overreach. But then Simolta had many policies she considered excessive.
“And did you inform my brother?” This question was almost as unnecessary as her first. Ditten worked for her brother, not for her.
“Of course.” She looked back at her bodyguard and allowed her annoyance to show. “I know you feel like we smother you, but we really are trying to keep you safe.”
“I know.” Her statement neither agreed with nor argued against their approach to her security.
*
General Kryton Lux eased his shuttle another centimeter closer to the security grid surrounding Maletta Estate. The external shields of the shuttle had been meticulously tuned so they mimicked the energy signature of the security grid. Energy would be deflected around the shuttle without disrupting the flow or setting off perimeter alarms. He’d used this trick countless times before and it had never failed. The maneuver took patience and precision, but once the shuttle was in place it would act as a gateway, while the security grid remained intact.
“Almost there,” he muttered, more to himself than his companion.
“Take your time. We’ve got all night.” Amusement rippled through Tonn Fyvre’s tone, drawing an annoyed glance from his commander.
“Have you located our target?” Kryton countered as the shuttle finally settled into position.
“I have and she’s on the move, so ignore my smartass remark. We don’t have much time.”
Kryton paused long enough to ensure that the shields were doing their job, then lifted the arm of the pilot’s seat and slipped out into the narrow aisle. “You have the suppression collar?”
“Affirmative.” Tonn stood and followed as soon as Kryton was out of his way.
“I know the bodyguard can throw fire, but he likely has other abilities. I’ll let you strike first.”
“Or you can collar the guard and let me capture the girl?” Tonn wiggled his eyebrows with a hopeful grin.
“No one touches her but me.”
Tonn’s buoyant mood evaporated and he inclined his head. “Of course, sir. I understand the plan and I’m prepared.”
“Then let’s go hunting.” Kryton triggered the hatch and drew his sidearm. Stealth was the name of this game, but it never hurt to be prepared for the unexpected. Their strike had to be fast and focused. He wanted to be long gone by the time Skyla’s absence was noticed.
The estate had been built in a valley, so the ground had a distinct slope. Even though his pace was brisk, he placed his feet carefully, not willing to reveal his position. The sun had set, though it was not yet fully dark. Indigenous tree cover gave way to manicured bushes and neat rows of smaller, flowering trees.
They’re headed for the elevated walkway. Tonn’s voice sounded within Kryton’s mind, transmitted there by com-bots. Many Rodyte technologies simulated Bilarrian abilities.
Kryton had hoped she’d walk across the yard. Close-quarter confrontations were always tricky. Even so, he’d planned for this choice as well.
An emergency evacuation stairwell midway through the walkway would provide their access point, but only if they were in position before Skyla and her bodyguard arrived. Kryton reached level ground and took off running. Though Tonn moved silently, Kryton could feel the slight breeze created by his pumping arms and legs.
Kryton reached the door to the stairwell and pulled a small device out of his pocket. Unlike most of the doors on the estate, which were protected by biometric or telepathic locks, this lock required an antiquated alphanumeric code. It was an oversight Kryton was happy to exploit. Within seconds the code generator provided the appropriate combination and the locking mechanism released.