T. A. Chase

Firebird-Part Eleven

Rue couldn’t believe it. He’d never been found out before. He smiled to himself. Of course, he’d never gone up against a stone-cold killer like Vlatko. Glancing around the clearing, he wondered if Vlatko was telling the truth. His eyes settled on the dark man and the flaming bird her held.

“That has to hurt, man.” It wasn’t what he wanted to say but his tongue-brain connection had been interrupted by shock.

Those dark eyes watched him, ignoring the striking beak of the bird. “Not really with all the bonus the body armor gives me, the drawback is loss of nerve-endings I don’t feel pain.”

“Don’t feel pain? That’s seriously fucked up.” Rue shook his head.

“Makes sense, doesn’t it? If you want to make a ruthless killer, you’ve got to make him pain free. Deaden his nerve endings certain places. Bingo. Got a killer.” Vlatko lifted his arm, forcing the firebird to step off onto a branch.

Rue tensed. Here was when Vlatko grabbed him and killed him. The thief hoped Sysu enjoyed all of Rue’s money. He figured his friend wouldn’t waste time emptying out the back accounts when Rue didn’t return.

Vlatko moved back in the direction of the hut.

“Wait. Aren’t you going to kill me?” Rue snapped his mouth shut. Damn. No need to give the man suggestions.

Vlatko grinned over a broad shoulder at him. “Rue, I knew before you woke up this morning why you were really here. I could have killed you without any trouble then. I prefer not to kill anymore.”

Rue was dumb founded. He hadn’t thought about that. Vlatko could have easily broken his neck with those big hands. “Why?”

The man shrugged. “Boredom, I think. You’ve been the most fun I’ve had since I landed on this planet. Listen, I don’t plan on killing you, so relax. I’ll give you a couple weeks to try and find the information. Afterwards, if you haven’t found them, I’ll let you contact whenever you want.”

“Even if it’s the I.U.M.?”

“The I.U.M. will be sending a unit in to find you. Stealing the President’s Heart is a big deal.” Vlatko held the ruby up.

“It’s not the President’s Heart. The agent I met who gave me the details for this job said that jewel I’d be stealing was a plant. It’s all part of the cover story.” A sick feeling rolled over him when Vlatko shook his head.

“Never trust the I.U.M. They’ll screw you over as soon as they can. There’s a reason why they wanted the Heart stolen. A combination of reasons. Gives them a chance to catch you. Matchov is an independent planet. Without the Heart, they’ll get into trouble and the I.U.M. can move in to save them. Last, it gives you a reason to end up on my planet. Maybe the universally famous Rue can find the files when no one else can.” Vlatko strolled over to him and cupped his face.

He swallowed. It wasn’t a good idea, but hell, he’d never been good. Rising up on his toes, he pressed his lips against Vlatko’s.

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