Moonbeams and magic by Janelle Taylor Read Free Book Online

all perils involved. Perhaps a full pardon would ensure Dagan's assistance, as a matter of such grave importance surely justified the rewarding of one.
    The only way she could determine his real character was to get close to him, but not as Starla, whom he surely would be watching closely after her defiance. Yet, a sensuous and seductive Yana might be able to entice facts from him if he was a boaster trying to impress her and lure her to a sleeper

    beneath him. Besides, he might not live past Tochar's truth serum test in the morning. That thought distressed her more than she cared to admit or consider.
    "So, he has been a bijoni as Tochar said, a fighter for hire in matters which meant nothing to him except payment and stimulating risks. That fact strikes me as surprising and peculiar for the kind of man he seems to be, self-contained and self-reliant. What is his loyalty record?"
    "He has not betrayed any superior from his past; nor have they exposed him," Cypher revealed. "Since leaving their hire, all are victims of annihilator units, captives on penal colonies, or are hiding in other galaxies. Use caution on him, Bree-Kayah. His physical effect on you could be perilous and distracting. I can detect every time your thoughts drift and you think about him; you did so before speaking again. Is that not accurate?"
    Starla laughed. "Perhaps I should remove my wrist device when I'm with him so you can't read my mind and worry about me."
    Cypher's silver visual sensors focused on the young woman whom he loved, if that was possible in his nonhu-man state. At a height of seventy-six hapaxs, seven hapaxs taller than his companion, she had to look upward to meet his unreadable gaze. The expression in her eyes troubled him, as did the unknown factor who evoked it. "There is conflict within you concerning him. Do not forget who and what you are and why you are here. Do not forget he is an adversary, the same as Tochar and his space pirates."
    "I know, my friend, and I'm grateftil for your concern and affection; I'm glad your program allows you to experience such perceptions. I promise to be careful around Da-gan, if he lives past tomorrow. Tochar will be giving him Thorin to test his credibility, and he might fail that examination. Wouldn't it be wonderful if I could infuse Tochar with a dose, question him, and finalize this mission? I doubt the fiendal has had access to Rendelar to make him im-

    mune; that chemical and process are guarded too well and only a skilled scientist like my mother can use them properly and safely. Besides, Tochar never allows anyone to get that close to him except Auken, Sach, Moig, and Palesa, who aren't threats to him. I wish his dwelling was penetrable by our probing devices so we could hear what is said at all times; he would have no secrets then to keep us here. Even with the needed coordinates recorded in our system, I can't transport into his chamber to search it, since we can't scan it for anyone's presence. I'm not worried about his session with Dagan tomorrow; I can elude any disclosure problems. But for some crazy reason I can't explain, I want him to survive it."
    She changed the subject to her assignment. "We have one important advantage: from what I overheard between Auken and Sach, Tochar is storing the moonbeams we've stolen so far. When he has an ample supply of the five types of crystals, he plans to summon buyers from Ceyx and from his Thracian world. At least the crystals haven't fallen into enemy hands. If we can discover where they're hidden, perhaps we can destroy them before a deal takes place. Since we can't recover them, that was Raz Yakir's order if the opportunity arose. To avoid suspicion, I haven't asked any questions about the moonbeams. If I can earn their complete trust, perhaps I will be told or shown where they are being kept."
    "With the Latu complication, it is good Tochar lacks the scientific ability and source to check for the detection of Rendelar in your body."
    "If