Beneath the Fallen City, Jamie A. Waters [ebook reader .TXT] 📗

into the towers until yesterday.”

“I hacked into OmniLab’s files and read about the security bracelets. They learned how to make them from the Aurelia Data Cube–the same data cube I stole. Cessel, one of the scientists here, discovered a layer of encrypted data that described a way to combine energy resources. The High Council modified the design on the data cube to develop the bracelets. If I can study it a bit more, I think I can figure out how to deactivate them.”

Carl swore. Of course it would all come back to that damn data cube and she’d feel responsible. Kayla had one of the most ass-backward moral compasses of anyone he’d ever met. He shook his head to refuse. His first priority was making sure she was safe. He just needed her to see reason.

“When we get you out of here, you can take your time and study the information. We’ll come back, and you can try deactivating them.”

“No.” Kayla crossed her arms over her chest, and he grimaced at the stubborn set of her jaw. “I’m not leaving. I’m responsible for this, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to leave these people under the thumb of that asshole.”

Rand had been silently watching the exchange but decided to interrupt. “Carl, she’s right. If she can do this, she can shift the balance of power back the way it’s supposed to be. You haven’t lived here for several years. Life under Edwin Tal’Vayr hasn’t been pleasant. He’s got a chokehold on everyone.”

Carl sighed and ran his hands over his face in resignation. The last thing Kayla needed was another ally supporting her insane plan. Rand had no idea what he was encouraging. “Kayla, you make it incredibly difficult to keep you alive.”

She laughed and kissed his cheek before turning back to Rand. “Thank you for allowing me to stay here. I have a small favor to ask though.”

“What do you need?”

She gestured to her rumpled evening gown and grinned. “Can I use your shower and borrow some clothes?”

He chuckled. “Of course. My bedroom is right through that door. Grab whatever you need. The bathroom is next door to my room.”

She thanked him again and headed toward the door he indicated.

Rand shook his head as she disappeared through the door. “If anyone had told me Andrei Rath’Varein’s daughter would be borrowing my clothes and taking a shower in my bathroom, I never would have believed them.”

“No kidding,” Carl muttered, still debating on whether it might be safer for everyone to simply knock Kayla unconscious and drag her out of the towers. “I need a drink.”

“I imagine so,” Rand said with a chuckle. He walked into the living area and stepped up to a small bar built into the wall. He poured two glasses and handed one to Carl.

Carl took a sip. “Of course it would be scotch. You might not want to let Kayla know you have this.”

Rand raised an eyebrow. “She doesn’t like it?”

“She likes it a little too much.” He chuckled and took another drink. “You met her yesterday?”

Rand nodded. “Alec Tal’Vayr brought her to the introductory dinner last night. The two of them together caused quite a stir.”

“What do you mean?”

“Alec’s in line to take one of the empty positions on the High Council in the next few weeks, maybe even sooner. If so, he’ll be the youngest High Council member in history. Having Kayla Rath’Varein on his arm last night was a pretty significant boost to that claim. It weakened the arguments of the holdouts. A lot of people are interested in seeing those two families merge. He didn’t leave her side all night.”

“So I heard,” Carl replied in a dry voice, his fingers tightening around the glass in his hand. The thought of Alec’s hands on Kayla made him see red.

Rand studied his friend. “I know that look. You’re into her, aren’t you?”

Carl put his glass down to keep from breaking it and scowled.

Rand laughed at his reaction. “Carl, as your friend, I agree she’s absolutely gorgeous. I mean, hell, she’s a knockout. But I’d stay away if I were you. Not only is she a Rath’Varein, but it’s pretty obvious Alec Tal’Vayr’s got his eye on her.”

“Don’t bother. I’ve already given myself the lecture.”

“Have another drink, my friend. You need it,” Rand said with a grin and leaned forward. “So tell me how you met her. I’ve heard the rumors, but I’m curious about the truth.”

Carl poured himself another drink and launched into the story about Ramiro. By the time he finished, Kayla reappeared wearing a long T-shirt. Her hair was slightly damp and fell loose around her face. Her legs and feet were bare. She walked over to them and looked at Carl’s glass with interest.

“Is that what I think it is?”

Carl stared at her for a long moment before he realized she’d asked him a question. He blinked, trying to clear his head from the lust-induced haze. “I think I need to pick you up some clothes.”

Rand coughed. “Please don’t on my account.”

Carl shot him a dark look, and he glanced away, pretending to be interested in a spot on the ceiling. Kayla looked down and shrugged. “I’m wearing more now than I was last night in that dress.”

Carl admired her legs. Modesty had never been a virtue shared by the ruin rats. “I’m not so sure about that.”

She tapped on his glass. “Are you going to share?”

“Only if you promise you’ll stay in this room.”

“Fine,” she agreed, and he poured her a glass. She took a sip, leaning against him while he slipped his arm around her waist. Rand raised his eyebrows at Carl but didn’t comment.

“For what’s it worth, you’ve got my support on the whole trader thing,” Kayla told Rand.

“For what it’s worth, I appreciate it,” he returned with a chuckle and lifted his glass in salute.

She grinned at him. “If you’ve got access to a computer, I can get started working on the Aurelia Data Cube.”

“Sure. I’ll be right back. I can set up a terminal for you out here.”

After he left, Kayla put her glass down and turned to look up at Carl. “Thanks for helping me with this. I owe you.”

When she looked at him like that, he wondered what he wouldn’t do for her. “You don’t need to thank me for anything, Kayla.”

“You sure about that? You might like what I had in mind.” She smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck.

Her suggestive teasing made the blood rush to other parts of his anatomy. “Damn, woman, you’re going to be the death of me.” He pulled her close and kissed her deeply. His hands wandered down her slim figure, and he wrapped his arms around her possessively. He wanted to press her up against the wall and devour her right there.

Rand cleared his throat loudly as he stepped back into the room with the computer terminal. Kayla spun around to face Rand. “Oops.”

“Don’t mind me,” Rand said and began setting up the terminal.

Carl sighed and released Kayla. “We need to talk about your timing, Rand.”

Rand smirked. “Yeah, considering you’re in enough trouble as it is, my timing is the least of your worries.”

Carl’s commlink beeped, and he flipped it open. Xantham’s voice came over the device. “Boss, Alec just showed up. They’re searching your family’s quarters right now. You might want to get over here.”

“I’ll be there in a few minutes.” He disconnected the call and turned to Kayla. He hated to leave her, but he had little choice. At least Rand would look out for her. “Don’t worry. We knew this was going to happen. Just stay here and you’ll be fine.”

She nodded, and he kissed her again. He turned to Rand. “Thanks again for this. I’ll be back in a few hours. I just need to make sure they don’t follow me here.”

“No problem,” Rand replied. “Kayla, you can get started using the system. I’ll walk Carl out.”

She agreed and sat in front of the computer terminal.

Rand led Carl to the front door and said quietly, “You didn’t mention she was into you too. Alec Tal’Vayr isn’t going to like that.”

With more cockiness than he felt, Carl replied, “He’ll have to get over it.” He had no intention of letting her go, Inner Circle or not. Someone like Alec Tal’Vayr couldn’t even begin to understand Kayla or make her happy. “Thanks again for this. I’ll see you a bit later.”

Carl left Rand and went to the supply station to drop off his inventory list and make arrangements to pick up the new shipment. He made it a point to chat with the woman behind the counter to make sure she’d remember him. Once he’d established an alibi, he headed back to his family’s quarters.

OmniLab Security was still searching his family’s quarters when he arrived. Rina rushed up to him, wringing her hands worriedly. “Carl, what’s going on? They’re searching your father’s office and going through his files.”

“I’m sorry, Mom. I’m sure they’ll be finished soon.”

Cruncher approached him. “They have techs working on our computers right now.”

Carl nodded, confident they wouldn’t find anything, and walked into the common room. Alec was standing over a technician while they searched Xantham’s computer.

Alec gave Carl a sharp look and demanded, “Where is she?”

Carl made a show of looking around the room. “Who?”

Alec’s eyes narrowed, and he said in a low voice, “Don’t