Games Empaths Play Page 2

  Tamping down her exasperation, Astra tried to remain calm. “You forget, Father, that I don’t work exclusively for Crysocorp. I couldn’t have been here any earlier. The rules regarding the laws of negotiation and merging are clear on when to bring in an empath.”

  “Don’t tell me the laws, daughter. Since I am descended from one of the original families, I think I know full well the laws.” He glared at her while she looked back at him, showing no emotion. “But we think they had an empath with them the entire time before this.”

  “Oh? Why would you think that?”

  Her favourite uncle, Stavros, spoke up. “Because they would bend on certain points that would’ve been overlooked until empaths would’ve been brought in.”

  Astra paused. Was it possible? Did Helsguard Corporation in fact have an empath among the negotiation team prior to the empathic portion of negotiation as specified by law? If so, what would it mean for her family and taking care of their employees? Her thoughts wandered back to Timeon and Noah. She knew Noah was the empath, but that Timeon had some telepathic speaking ability. But if Timeon was head of the company, he had to attend negotiations. Noah wouldn’t. He’s a registered empath, just as I am. Best to go in and find out why my relatives feel this way.

  “I’m going to go in and look things over before we convene for this portion of negotiations,” Astra said quietly. “You all figure out what you’re willing to give up and what must remain during the merger. If you do not, then it will fall to me to decide what’s best for the company, and you might not like what I choose.”

  Without waiting for her father’s reaction, she walked into the large white marble building. Wearing her professional armour -- a dress, and her hair up in a French-styled twist -- she knew she looked every inch the professional empathic negotiator, even if she felt burdened inside. The company was, in truth, mostly hers, and the family knew it. They made and marketed products for empaths and their companions. Because she was the highest-level empath, she had inherited controlling portion of the company, something that many of her relatives ignored because she was willing to let them run it while she had her life. Now she might be forced to be the boss of a company she didn’t want, didn’t have a use for, and didn’t have time to run.

  Rubbing her neck, she made her way to the elevator, where she would be identified by retinal scan and brought to the correct floor. Her world was a technological marvel, but in many ways very backwards. For all the reverence shown empaths for making their world easier to live in, especially in handling emotional aspects, it was feared that the empaths would lose control to the point of trying to take over, perhaps ridding Peruth of nonempaths.

  Ever since meeting Noah and Timeon, her dreams had shifted slightly into what it would be like to be touched like Lady Innana’s lovers had touched her. Then there was the research on the rights and demands placed on empaths. What she had found had shocked her to the core.

  Shaking off those thoughts, Astra stepped into the elevator and faced the front. As she did, a small camera lowered in front of her face. Without blinking she spoke. “Astra of House Crysomark and empath consultant for Crysocorp.”

  “Identification confirmed and verified. Welcome to the Mediation Centre. You will be on the tenth floor today, Lady Astra,” the computer announced.

  “My thanks, Hall.”

  The ride was swift and controlled. Once the white doors opened, the muted blues and greens of the Empathic Negotiation level greeted her. These colours were used to help keep empaths on an even keel as they helped both parties come to an agreeable resolution in business matters. Today, though, she wasn’t sure that the colours alone would be enough. She was still perturbed by Uncle Stavros’s accusations, and that unsettled her. If Timeon was using his empathic skills and he didn’t have himself listed with the Hall as being empathic, then she was obligated by law to report him or lose her credentials.

  Without thought, she took a right and found the area for empaths to prepare for their cases. No one was there, to her relief. As she walked past the barrier that probed her for empathic skills to keep out non-empaths, she sighed as she heard the subharmonics set in her tones to bring out emotional balance.

  One of the pale grey chairs beckoned to her, and she sank into its softness, allowing it to adjust to her temperature and build. As it adjusted, she felt the subharmonic amp adjust for her specific needs, doing ringing lower tones that helped ease the pain in her head and between her shoulder blades where tension built up first. Sighing, she allowed herself to slip into a meditative state, sensing the pressures slipping away.

  Giving herself the time to recenter reminded her just how much time and energy the world government of Peruth spent on helping empaths. Though there were points of contention, at least she knew she was highly valued for her skill, if treated more like a thing than a person. The soothing sounds of water, low-toned bells, and the scents of peppermint and orange helped release the last tension caused by her thoughts, achieving a state that gave her a way to see truth from lie, even of the most subtle kind. Being a class-ten empath meant that she could effectively stop all mediation and arrest those who were working for their own benefit at the expense of others. In fact, she was getting ready for another undercover case once this deal with her family’s business was completed.

  A small, chiming bell caught her attention as another empath entered the room. She kept her eyes on the mutating colours floating before her and allowed her fellow empath consultant their own privacy. Closing her eyes, she afforded the other empath the courtesy of being left unknown to anyone but themself. No empath would ever willingly read a person unless they were in a boardroom situation or were asked to do so. Between empaths, it was a matter of respecting the personal shielding that each had. Sighing, she inhaled deeply, allowing herself to believe that she could help negotiate well for her family and for the other company, as well.

  A double bell with the lower then higher half-tone signaled that it was time for her case to start. Opening her eyes, she blinked as she noticed Noah looking out the window in front of her. Wordlessly, she stood and turned toward the doorway.

  “Good morning, Lady Astra,” he said without looking at her.

  “Morning to you, Lord Noah.”

  “Just Noah. Our family is a bit lower in rank. At most, you can call me Sir.” He chuckled as he faced her.

  “I don’t use my title unless necessary,” she replied, drinking in his attire and how sexy he looked against the blues of the room. He wore a midnight-blue shirt and dark grey pants. His House’s traditional insignia was embroidered on the matching grey jacket. There wasn’t a tie in sight, which didn’t surprise her. He wasn’t the tie type.

  “Ah. Astra, then. Shall I escort you to the chamber where our families and business partners wait for our arrival?”

  She flashed him a knowing smile. “Trying to provide a unified front?”

  “You’ve got to admit, House Helspawn has offered an attractive merger package.”

  Astra’s hand went to the amethyst set in the titanium torc around her neck. Fiddling with it, sliding it back and forth, she pondered how to say what needed to be said. Finally, the words came to her. “Yes, it would be an attractive merger package if my company didn’t hold the higher sales as well as the better products. You approached us about the merger. Though we don’t have as much ready cash crystals as your company, we are the one given higher regards. Your comprehensive package doesn’t cover those let go, nor does it allow for bidding for positions within the joint company. And it fails to allow for the letting go of Helsguard employees if they’re less appropriate for the job.”

  Noah stepped back, and Astra smirked. She had been right in her thoughts -- Noah had no clue about her place within Crysocorp. He had just thought he could push his way through with the empathic aspects without worrying about the business problems. You have no idea what I am or what I won’t allow. You sold me short, and you’ll pay for that, Noah.

  “I s
ee. Since we’re the ones offering to merge, why should we take the personnel cut?”

  “Ah, but that’s the rub, isn’t it?” Astra nodded toward the entrance. “Instead of taking Helsguard’s fair share of cuts, they’re wanting to make Crysocorp take them all. That is unacceptable and will be considered unfair conduct by the CEO of Crysocorp.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding! Everyone knows that that the CEO of Crysocorp has nothing to do with the daily running of the company.”

  Astra smirked and bowed. “That’s right, I don’t. But I do know what I will accept, and as a class-ten, I outrank you in both business and empathic decisions. You had best inform Timeon that unless he’s willing to cut his staff by an equal amount as Crysocorp, and the best suited keep their jobs, I’ll be turning him in to the authorities for being an unregistered empath.”

  With a flourish, she walked out the door, leaving Noah behind to stare. Gods above, that felt good. Almost too good.

  Did you hear her, brother? Noah asked in amazement.

  Most definitely. Seems our wife has hidden talents and is more than we could have ever hoped for.

  We’re fucked if we don’t give in. She will turn you over to the authorities. Astra does not lightly threaten things. I’ve heard about her tactics, and she’s very honest.

  Timeon laughed. Yes, but on some level, you’re turned on by her behaviour, aren’t you?

  Yes, but so are you.

  Not like you, Noah. Not like you. Catch up to her, and tell her we will make the necessary adjustments. She has a valid point, one that I think she was saving ’til just this kind of moment. Now go charm her for us before some asshole claims her for himself.

  Noah saluted as he strolled after Astra. His brother was right -- if other Houses realized just how special Astra was, it wouldn’t be long before they set their sights on the unmarried first daughter of House Crysomark. When he and Timeon had come of marriageable age, they’d done the smart thing -- taken control of the family business, helped build it up, and then began methodically searching for women who could handle their unique psi talents as well as their need to share. Astra had crossed their radar because of her status and the fact that she was considered one of the most powerful receiver empaths. But their investigation into Astra’s history showed that some of the records of her empathic-level testing had been tampered with, especially the broadcasting portions. They wanted answers for her and from her on why.

  I have a feeling she has no clue that there was tampering. If she did, then her life would only be in service for our world, not for her own pleasure or life. They would force her to further the aims of Peruth and the government, not what is best for her and her family. Noah walked more quickly and tugged on Astra’s bare arm. “Lady Astra Crysomark, one moment, please.”

  “Yes, Sir Noah Helspawn?” Her voice was frosty, as was her icy gaze.

  Those sapphire eyes could radiate death or passion. Noah pulled her to an alcove where they could invoke an empathic privacy bubble. She waited until he erected the privacy shielding before she opened her mouth. Before she could utter anything, his fingers covered her mouth while he spoke instead.

  “We agree to what you’ve asked, as long as you abide by your promise not to turn Timeon over to authorities. There are reasons he’s unregistered as an empath. He’s a pure telepath as long as he’s had touch contact with a person. He doesn’t wish to be a plaything of the government flunkies as they try to figure out how such a thing developed within our House. We’re entrusting you with this information as a symbol of our faith.”

  Slowly his fingers traced her lips and pulled away. She looked at his fingers, then into his eyes. As she swallowed, her lips trembled. “I told you I’d be quiet as long as you complied. Thank you for telling me. Let’s go in now.”

  Noah placed a hand under her chin and lifted it so their eyes met. “Are you afraid of me, Astra?”

  “No!”

  “Liar,” he whispered as his thumb caressed her lower lip. “You’re afraid of me and what I do to you. You’re trembling.”

  “You surprised me. That’s all,” she countered, leaning toward him. “If you’re ready, we should go in and deal with both our companies.”

  He moved into her personal space and pressed against her empathically. “My brother and I would like to thank you later for your discretion.”

  “Thanks, but no, thanks. Not during negotiations. Perhaps after,” she said as she bypassed him and cancelled the privacy bubble.

  Noah watched Astra walk away and chuckled to himself. She was going to be a hell of conquest. All that built-up passion tightly controlled under her empathic leash. Getting her to give in and let it flow through her was going to make him a very happy man. No, he and his brother very happy men, he corrected.

  Following her lead, he went to the door and opened it for her. “After you, Lady Astra,” he announced formally, calling the chamber to attention.

  The assembly stood as both Noah and Astra entered the room. The walls were various shades of blue and green, while the tables and chairs were made of pale oak with dark blue coverings. Noah walked to the front, where Astra stood waving him over to the two specially designed seats waiting for them. Empaths were given seats that helped nestle the body and thus protected them from psychic attacks.

  Easing herself into the blue and cream oval chair on the left, Astra felt it adjust to her comfort level. The neck support billowed slightly, ensuring her maximum comfort for the long day ahead. Why people couldn’t be as efficient as the makers of this chair was beyond her. “Sir Noah Helspawn and I were comparing notes and making some adjustments. Thanks to both Houses, Crysomark and Helspawn, for their patience.”

  Noah sat in the green and cream oval chair on the right. As he adjusted himself in the chair, he added, “In fact, Helsguard Corp has agreed to one major conflict point -- that of firing people only from one firm. We are willing to match reduction numbers in forces where there is overlap.”

  “Yes, in fact, what will happen is that any personnel in overlap will be allowed to put forth their résumés and their stats on what they do before a committee that will be composed of one empath, two members of House Helspawn, and two from Crysomark. The better employee will be kept on, and the person let go will be given a generous severance package if another equivalent job can’t be found for them within the merged company.”

  She shot a smile at Noah, then at Timeon. Both inclined their heads toward her, bowing to her way of negotiating around a point that could have taken them weeks to deal with if it hadn’t been for her classification. She picked up a few plasti-sheets and thumbed through the information. I take it your nods mean you’re acceding to this?

  Damn straight. It’s fair, and with an empath there as the tie-breaker, it’ll keep both sides honest. Great compromise, Astra, Noah answered.

  Good. Now, about this next set of decisions -- what does Helspawn want in regards to daily running? I’ve read the circuitous requests, and I’m asking you straight.

  We want to be part of it. Not just the monetary end. We want to be involved in the process of creating these products, start to finish, including marketing.

  Astra rolled her eyes. Then why the hell didn’t you just say so? Iji’s cock, it’d be easier to handle than this excuse for circular reasoning.

  Noah laughed in her head at her comment. Let’s see what the boards have to say.

  Astra nodded and motioned for him to take the lead on this part. Best to have him come out with what Helsguard Corp really wanted than for her to do it. At least this way, she could defuse her own family and some of the other board members of Crysocorp. “Noah, would you please talk about the daily running of the merged company and how your part would like to work it out?”

  Noah took over, his chair inching forward to draw attention toward him. As he started talking, Astra leaned back and opened her shields to take in the emotions from both sides. The initial anger from the Crysomark board slowly gave way to curi
osity and suspicion. Per the norm, her father was generating enough distrust to infect the others. Thank Iji that he can’t broadcast his emotions any higher than a class-two empath. I’d have to fine him, otherwise, she thought to herself.

  She slowly allowed her gift to scan the Helsguard Corp board and found herself riveted by the emotion that Timeon was generating. On the surface level, he was agreeing with various facets that Noah was speaking about, but below that, he was thinking of her. Not in the boardroom, but in his bed.

  Wiggling in her seat, she tried to forget what she felt, but then something deeper grabbed her attention. Though Noah was talking to both boards, empathically he was stroking her arm.

  I want you, Astra. In her mind’s eye, she saw him approach her in a separate, almost dreamlike state. Suddenly, she felt part of herself enter the dream.

  Chapter Three

  She stood before Noah. Looking down at herself, she noticed she was in almost see-through sapphire lace. Her gaze went back to Noah, who stood there dressed in black leather from neck to toe. “Um, you want me? Want me how? Looking like a common slut?”

  “You’re not a common slut, Astra. You’re a beautiful, sensual empath who deserves to be treated to passion as it’s meant to be. Not anything like what the government says we’re allowed to experience,” Noah said as his hand stroked down her bare arm until his fingers interlocked with hers. He drew her toward a large bed covered in dark red sheets. “Let me please you, Astra.”

  “But the others ... the boardroom,” she exclaimed before his mouth covered hers.

  His taste wasn’t like the drones allowed her by the government. Noah tasted of sex, sinful chocolate, and something totally male. Even his body heat turned her on. Slowly she drifted into the moment, and her hands slid up to play with his dark hair. Tongue slid upon tongue as their kiss intensified.