Shattered Dreams

Fayt stared at himself in the bathroom mirror, and he tried to recognize the person staring back. Low-riding jeans clung to his hips and pressed tightly against his aching groin, and a glittery green, tight-fitting, sleeveless shirt adorned his torso, barely disguising his lean build. Gentle smudges of black lined his eyes, emphasizing their green colour, and he recently re-coloured his hair so no one could see the blue roots under the pale blond. Sparkles were scattered throughout his dyed locks, and Fayt knew he no longer resembled the seventeen year old he once was. Rather, it was Fen, the persona he had created for himself when he left his home, and Fayt was not sure he cared for what he had to do as Fen.

'I don't have a choice, though,' he told himself. 'It's this or letting someone use me to kill others. At least this I can handle. I can always say 'no.''

"You look troubled, Fen," a male voice commented. "What is bothering you?"

Fayt recognized the voice as belonging to Lance, his blond-haired bodyguard. From what he understood, Lance was around twenty-four years of age, and he had been employed by Jaak for the last four years or so. However, unlike Fayt, Lance did not start out as a prostitute but as a bodyguard. It was how Jaak operated. What qualities Jaak used to determine how he was going to employ a person, Fayt did not know, but he definitely understood why Lance had never been a prostitute. The older blond could shoot the iciest of glares at anyone and send that person running. In the last week and a half since they started working together as a permanent team, Fayt had not escaped any of those stares, either, but then, for some reason, Lance did not truly scare him. If anything, such looks from Lance aroused Fayt, and there were a couple of nights when he intentionally invoked Lance's ire for those sensations alone. The older blond, however caught on to what Fayt was trying to do, and he initially refused to even glance at Fayt once he discovered the younger man's motives. His attempts failed but also yielded other stimulating benefits. In Fayt's mind, he and Lance had created the perfect team, and the younger man knew he would not want anyone else as his bodyguard.

At Lance's inquiry, Fayt shook his head, and he offered the other blond a faint smile.

"I was just thinking. It's nothing, really."

"It did not look like nothing," Lance observed, frowning. The blond always frowned, and Fayt wondered about that. "In fact, I daresay you look like you were questioning yourself about something."

"If I was, I have my answer," Fayt replied, his eyes raking over Lance's trim yet muscular body. Every night, Lance's chest pressed against Fayt's back, but the two never coupled. Though Lance aroused Fayt when very few others could, the older man had yet to use such information to his advantage, which often had Fayt wondering what it would be like for he and Lance to have sex together. Fayt knew Lance was very well endowed, and he admitted, if only to himself, there were times when he imagined his clients were Lance instead.

"I see," Lance murmured. "Are you sure there is nothing really bothering you?"

'There are worlds of things bothering me,' Fayt thought. 'But if I say anything to anyone about who I really am and what I know, then they'll find me, and they'll destroy the entire place. I can't allow that to happen. Not now. Not ever.'

"I'm sure," Fayt replied, smiling. "And I'm ready."

Lance raised an eyebrow at him, his gaze piercing into Fayt's soul. His blue eyes then traveled along Fayt's body, taking in the details, and sending little shivers of delight coursing through Fayt's blood. Then he nodded.

"I suppose you are," he murmured. "Just so you are aware, Fen, it is quite crowded down there tonight. You may end up servicing a few in the corner booths. Master Jaak won't like it, but it can't be avoided."

Fayt fought back a groan and a sigh. A crowded establishment meant more than a busy night, and he had more than half a mind to ask Jaak if he could do something other than sell his body for the pleasure of others. The waiters and bartenders always commented on the kinds of tips they received for providing excellent service.

'Maybe some other time,' he told himself as he strengthened his resolve and straightened his shoulders. 'I agreed to do this. Besides, I don't have to service anyone I don't want to. Jaak's already told me that.'

"Let's go then," Fayt said. Lance nodded and stepped to one side so Fayt could exit the bathroom. As they left the room, Fayt kept his gaze straight ahead, but his mind was turning over numbers.

On average, Fayt entertained twelve customers a night, more than any of the newer prostitutes. He knew because Lance had told him the numbers. Jaak had hired three new prostitutes the week before Fayt started working and four more prostitutes after as well as several more bodyguards, waiters, and bartenders. Many of Jaak's male clientele often clamoured for Fayt out of the newer employees as well, their times ranging from fifteen minutes to over an hour. Why they sought him over the others, Fayt could not begin to say. He only knew they wanted to own him for a short amount of time, and they always, always paid for the pleasure of doing so. The evening ahead of him promised to be no exception, but he could not think of a number for the evening.

'If it's me they want, it's me they get,' Fayt thought as he and Lance reached the stairs. He paused for a moment to survey the crowd, noting which people were regulars for other prostitutes and which individuals he could approach without worry. In gazing at the crowd and noticing how even the waiters had a hard time moving around, Fayt knew what he needed to do. He did not like it, but the establishment was too crowded for him to take the evening off. Lance leaned in closer.

"Do you have your magic number for tonight?" the blond asked. Fayt shook his head 'no' and exhaled softly.

"Tonight," Fayt murmured, "I just want to get through. Nothing more, nothing less. No magic numbers to attain. It won't even be worth it. I'm just not sure where to start."

"Then start with the redhead in the far corner," Lance suggested, his head gesturing towards the individual. "All others are overlooking him except for those with their regulars, and he is getting quite angry over it. He is here for sex and sex alone. That is all he usually ever comes in here for, anyway."

"Any reason why they're ignoring him?"

"Their bodyguards are probably telling them he is quite rough when it comes to sex," Lance murmured, "which he is. However, he never strikes a prostitute in the face or anywhere else, and he never goes over the time he pays for. Also, he is known to hand out additional cash for those who really please him."

Fayt licked his lips, his mouth feeling dry. While he did not care for rough sex, Fayt was at least willing to oblige such customers. After all, he had serviced Gahnzah a few times during the week, and that man left marks on occasion. Gahnzah was also the only man he did not use Lance as a fantasy when they were alone. His wolf-like regular thrilled him like no other, and he often found himself wondering if Lance were the same way in bed. Fayt nodded.

"All right," he said. "The redhead it is. Do you know what his name is?"

"His name? His name is Marlock."

* * *

Admiral Jeffrey Caine tapped his fingers, a sign of his growing impatience, and he glanced at his digital clock. It read four p.m., and there were still no signs of his guests. They were fifteen minutes late for the meeting they requested, something the young admiral found to be most rude and disrespectful. If they expected him to be waiting at a designated time, Jeffrey Caine believed they should follow the example they set forth.

Out of the Pangalactic Federation's officers, Jeffrey Caine was one of the youngest to have achieved the rank of Admiral and in a short amount of time, too. By the time he graduated from the academy, Jeffrey knew where he wanted to be in his life, and he started to blaze through the ranks, earning accolade after accolade. He learned to tear through the political tape and nonsense, becoming a tough negotiator with the worlds not members of the Pangalactic Federation. Most of those leaders had a hard time believing he was only twenty-eight, but then Jeffrey hardly cared what such fools thought. His missions and his peers were among the things that mattered most to the admiral, and that was how Jeffrey intended to keep things.

However, Jeffrey had a dark side, a desire he kept hidden under tight lock and key. It was this desire, this . . . obsession he used to fuel his drive for excellence for if anyone knew, his career in the Pangalactic Federation army would be over. Admiral Jeffery Caine, star member of the Pangalactic Federation next to Commodore Whitcomb, had a taste for seventeen-year-old boys.

Not just any seventeen-year-old boy would do, either. The young man had to possess certain qualities and charms to arouse Jeffrey. He preferred the slender ones with the slight muscular build, the bright and disarming smiles, and the intelligence to keep their mouths shut about their encounters with the admiral. They were young men willing to try something different because their social situations did not allow them to do so otherwise, and Jeffery was observant enough to know which ones he could seduce and which ones he could not.

His current mission involved finding the missing Fayt Leingod. According to the reports from the Leingods and his superiors, Fayt went missing around the time of his seventeenth birthday, and his parents had more than generously provided a recent photo of their missing son. Already a high school graduate, Fayt appeared to be living up to his parents' reputations. A glance at his holo photo told Jeffrey Caine nearly everything he needed to know about the boy. There were the charming and disarming smile, the bright green eyes, and the slender yet slightly muscular build. In the holo photo, Fayt held a basketball, reportedly his favourite sport.

Fayt Leingod was Jeffrey's newest obsession. Since he received Fayt's picture, Jeffrey imagined what the boy would feel like next to his skin, the tight heat that would be unique to Fayt alone, and how delicious it would be to claim Fayt as one of his conquests. There was only one problem with Jeffrey enacting his dreams.

Since Fayt's disappearance around his seventeenth birthday, no one had come forward with any information to the boy's whereabouts. Robert and Ryoko Leingod, according to the reports, believed their son had been kidnapped while they were at their research lab, but the kidnappers had not issued any ransom demands. In Jeffrey's mind, if someone had kidnapped the boy but not issued any demands, then Fayt had been taken for one purpose alone.

The seventeen-year-old was now quite possibly someone's sex slave, and he was being forced to pleasure others. He was probably even being physically abused, slapped around and slammed into walls and other terrible things. Such thoughts churned Jeffrey's stomach – he wanted to be Fayt Leingod's first – but his mind was already working on how he could turn such a situation to his advantage. He and he alone would rescue Fayt from whatever hells the boy now endured. For that, Fayt would be grateful and more than willing to give Jeffrey what he wanted. All he had to do was find Fayt.

The conference room door hissed open at that moment, interrupting Jeffrey's line of thinking. Walking in were the Leingods, one Blair Lansfeld, a delegate from Quark, and a delegate from Klaus. Jeffrey shoved his thoughts of Fayt out of his mind, a scowl on his features. A glance at his digital clock told him this meeting was now twenty minutes late in starting, a fact he found quite displeasing.

'Ah well,' he thought. 'If this leads to information on Fayt Leingod's whereabouts, I can endure such indignities. At least Aquariana is not too far from Klaus. I can indulge in my fantasies there until I find the boy and then . . . he will be mine.'

* * *

Marlock felt as if he had died and gone to heaven. Fires of lust and carnal pleasure coursed through his blood as he inhaled the sweet scents of sweat and sex. He loved coming to Jaak's establishment whenever he received the chance. The drinks were cold, the food hot and prepared the way he liked it, and the whores knew how to make a guy feel like a million fol.

However, when he first entered Jaak's early in the evening, the place was packed to the gills, and all of the longtime prostitutes were entertaining regular customers or preparing to do so. There were several new faces as well, and seeing the pretty new female whores sent a direct message to his groin. He tried waving them over, but none of them seemed interested in him. They never once looked in his direction, and Marlock was of the mind to walk into Jaak's office and complain. Hell, he was still of the mind to complain to Jaak. The girls were not supposed to ignore a potential customer!

Then Fen, pretty, green-eyed Fen, approached him and asked if he would like some company. The boy even smiled coquettishly at him, promising to make it worth his while. Marlock wanted to tell the boy to leave, he was not interested in male companionship for the night, but he found he could not turn the boy away. Fen possessed a nice, lithe physique, and Marlock ached for some action. It was for one night, and at that moment for Marlock sex was sex. He needed a pliant body next to his, yielding to his demands and hungers, and Fen was offering just what he needed.

Now Marlock was glad Fen approached him and offered his services. The boy never once complained about how rough he was being or how he hurt. Instead, Fen performed beyond Marlock's expectations, and the redhead decided to let Jaak know what a keeper he had in Fen.

As he dressed himself, his desires sated, he glanced over at the blond-haired boy on the bed. Fen sat on the edge, the sheets covering parts of his body, and he was raising a bottle of water to his lips. Marlock paused for a moment, marveling at how sexy the boy looked, even with his hair a mess and his body covered in sweat. He reached into his pockets and pulled out a few extra coins of substantial amount, tossing them onto the foot of the bed. Fen glanced at him as he did.

"For you," Marlock said. "Thanks."

Before the boy could say anything to him, Marlock tucked in his shirt and walked out the door.

* * *

"Hey, Lance . . ."

Fighting back a sigh and growl of frustration, Luther turned his head towards the one who had spoken. It was no secret he had held out for four years in receiving a permanent assignment, and a few of the newer bodyguards found such a fact amusing. Throughout the week, the newer guards tried riling Luther over the situation. Some even tried to brag about their wards and compared them to Fen, which was something Luther did not understand. The prostitutes were not in competition with each other, and the newer ones could not keep up with Fen anyway. For some reason he only knew, Fen was on a personal mission of some kind, and it was in his head on what he needed to average on a night. If the others did not understand that, well, they were idiots in Luther's opinion, anyway.

"What, Burns?"

"I hear Fen approached Marlock," the other guard said, snickering. "Guess he won't be coming out the rest of the night. Now my girl can get some serious clients."

"Perhaps your girl should keep her mouth shut on what she dreams of doing with her life and focus more on her duties," Luther retorted. "Maybe then her clients won't flee after fifteen minutes. At least Fen gives the people what they want without complaint."

"Why, you . . ."

Luther narrowed his eyes, his gaze becoming like ice. Burns stopped in his tracks, fear replacing anger and indignation, and Luther felt satisfied yet a little baffled. His actions made him think of Fen.

For some reason, Fen liked Luther's icy stares. They aroused the boy, and there were times when the younger blond tried goading Luther into giving him such a look. Luther did not understand such behaviour, but he understood it helped Fen with his job. The gods only knew the boy never wanted to be a prostitute.

It was in thinking of the younger blond that Fen stepped out of his room, dressed once more. This time, instead of the green shirt, Fen had chosen a pale violet, silk shirt complete with the black leather boots and low riding jeans. The young man looked like a rock star, and his eyes shone with determination. Luther watched as Burns' jaw dropped, and a smirk touched the blond's features. He loved it when his fellow co-workers were surprised, and his ward often baffled them as much as he did Luther.

Fen noticed Luther's smile, but said nothing about it. Instead, he said the words Burns probably never expected to hear.

"Okay, I'm ready."

* * *

"Let me get this straight," Jeffrey murmured, rubbing his temples. "Ms Lansfeld, you're saying your brother left home a few years ago, after learning he had . . . special powers, right?"

"Yes," the violet-haired woman said, nodding. "That is correct. Our parents had the Leingods conduct the test. The results showed he possessed great capacity for Creation symbology. When I heard of Fayt Leingod's disappearance, I thought it was just a little too coincidental."

"And this same test was performed on your son, Fayt?" he asked.

"That is correct," Robert Leingod answered.

"What were his results?"

"Fayt showed capacity for Destruction symbology," the professor answered. "He is, in fact, Luther's opposite when it comes to abilities. If the two were ever to fight, the results would be quite catastrophic. We do not know what would happen, however, if they were to work together towards a common goal."

"Does Luther know about Fayt?"

"No," Ryoko Leingod said. "He was tested two years before we tested Fayt. Why we chose to do that, I'm not sure, but we did."

"Why?" Blair inquired. "What are you thinking, Admiral?"

"I was thinking if Luther knew about Fayt, he might have taken the boy from Earth to another location," Jeffrey murmured. "Especially if they are opposites and in knowledge of your research. You are correct, Ms Lansfeld. The fact they have both disappeared is a little too coincidental."

"Luther and Fayt have never met each other," Robert said. "Luther was at our lab twice, and both times Fayt was in school. Even if they had, there's no way for Luther to know about Fayt's abilities and vice versa. Not unless both were able to hack into the research lab's main computer and search for each other's results, which I seriously doubt. We have some of the most advanced technologies protecting our systems."

"And Luther would never take a young boy from his home like that," Blair said, her tone one of injury.

"I see," Jeffrey murmured again. His head ached, and he wanted nothing more than to head for Aquariana to relieve some of his stress. At least on Aquariana it was not illegal for him to have sex with seventeen-year-old boys, and he could disguise himself so no one would know he frequented establishments that employed such youths for sexual services.

However, he was in the process of gathering information so he could find his newest obsession. Where Luther Lansfeld factored into Fayt's disappearance act, Jeffrey could not say, but he somehow felt the two could both be connected. He also knew exactly why Blair and the Leingods were searching for their missing family members. Everything was in the reports handed to him by the Pangalactic Federation president. The admiral then glanced at the Quark member.

"Mr. Lieber, you've been rather quiet through these proceedings," Jeffrey commented. "Is there something about this that displeases you?"

"I just don't understand why you're involving Klaus and Quark," the man retorted. "You know we share no love for the Pangalactic Federation."

"Professors, I believe this would be better explained by you," Jeffrey said. "You, after all, know what is at stake."

"Don't remind us," Robert Leingod said, his voice bordering on growling. Even his wife looked upset.

"What is at stake?" the Klausian delegate asked. "I mean, I understand what is being said about the powers of these two young men, but I do not see how it is relevant to both Klaus and Quark."

"Have you ever heard of the Solarisiana?" Ryoko asked.

"Only as a myth," Lieber replied. "And only that it is a place of great power. Whoever can tap into it can either destroy worlds or create them."

"Or both, if one in possession of the right powers, such as the Creation and Destruction symbols," Robert said. "The Solarisiana is quite real. Ryoko and I discovered it when Fayt was twelve years old."

"There are some in the Pangalactic Federation who believe Luther and Fayt are the keys to unlocking the Solarisiana's potential," Ryoko added. "Among them, a few want to use Fayt and Luther to harvest those powers and unleash great devastation on those who will not bend to the Pangalactic Federation's wishes."

"Which includes Quark," Lieber murmured. His face had gone unusually pale.

"That is correct," Jeffrey said. "Now do you see why it is important for Klaus and Quark to be a part of this search?"

"Yes . . ." To this, Lieber sighed and shook his head. "The captain is going to hate me for this but . . . what is it that you need us to do?"

"It's quite simple," Jeffrey said. "Find Fayt Leingod and Luther Lansfeld. Quark can go where the Federation cannot. If you find them, retrieve them and come back to Earth."

"How old is Luther, Ms Lansfeld?" the Klausian delegate murmured.

"He's twenty-four."

"And you say Fayt is only seventeen?" the Klausian asked. Robert and Ryoko Leingod nodded.

"Yes. That is correct."

"Were there any signs he had been taken against his will?"

"None that anyone could see," Ryoko answered. The Klausian delegate nodded.

"Very well then. We will search for Fayt only."

"But . . ." Blair began.

"Ms Lansfeld, I am sorry. I know you are worried for your brother, but he is at an age where he can go wherever he chooses," the Klausian said. "In fact, he left at an age where it is acceptable for him to do so. Klaus will not force him to return to a place he clearly does not wish to be. Fayt, however, is not at that age yet. We will search for him, but for one year only."

"What?"

"Again, Professors, I am sorry," the Klausian said, "but it appears to me that Fayt may have left of his own accord. Perhaps with someone, perhaps not. I have no proof saying one way or another. If he was taken, as you claim, then I pray he finds a way to escape so he can contact you and he can return home. I truly do."

"And if he left of his own volition?" Jeffrey asked. "What then?"

"Well, once he is eighteen, by Earth standards, he is free to go wherever he chooses. Is that not correct?"

"It is . . ." Robert reluctantly conceded.

"I thought as much," the Klausian said. "Let us hope then he left home of his own accord."

"And why should we hope that?" Robert demanded.

"Because," Lieber said, "if someone has taken him, then that someone is already at the Solarisiana, and the world as we know it will be gone."

"Point well taken, Mr. Lieber," Jeffrey murmured. "Point well taken. I will relay your concerns back to the Federation president. It is definitely worth investigating."

"Please see that you do," Lieber said. "I would hate to see my people destroyed over a stupid little thing like a difference in opinion. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must report to the captain."

Without another word, Lieber and the Klausian delegate rose to their feet and left. Blair Lansfeld and the Leingods lingered for a moment longer before they, too, exited the room. Alone at last, Jeffrey sighed and rubbed his temples. With the press of a button, he contacted his second in command.

"Smythe, send a priority message to the Federation president and tell him we may need ships by the Solarisiana. The Klausian had a point. If Fayt Leingod was kidnapped, his abductors are quite possibly heading there as we speak. Then set a course for Aquariana once our guests have boarded their shuttles and left. I think we are in need of a small break before all hell breaks loose. Let me know what the president's orders for us are."

"Understood, sir. We'll be orbiting Aquariana in less than two hours."

"Good. Contact me when we arrive."

With the communication link switched off, Jeffrey leaned back in his chair and called up the holo picture he had of Fayt. Bright green eyes stared at him, and Jeffrey smiled.

"I won't keep you waiting long," he promised the picture. "I swear that I won't. I just need a little distraction in the meantime. I'm sure you will understand."

The picture said nothing in reply, but then Jeffrey had expected nothing in return. He closed his eyes and allowed visions of Fayt to enter his mind . . .

* * *

"Fen, have you got a moment?"

Fayt glanced up at his boss and nodded. Jaak motioned for him to follow, heading to the main room's storage area. Fayt rose to his feet, trailing behind his boss. He noticed Lance watching them and walking a small distance behind him, but he said nothing to his bodyguard. Chances were, Lance would find out what Jaak wanted anyway so there was no point in waving the older blond off.

Jaak stopped in a secluded area, and he turned to wait for Fayt to reach him. His expression was unreadable to the teen, and, for a moment, Fayt thought he had done something to upset his boss. Fayt stopped when he was a few feet away from the platinum blond.

"Is something wrong, Master Jaak?" he asked. To that, Jaak shook his head.

"No . . . nothing's wrong," Jaak murmured. "It's actually rather . . . unusual."

"Unusual, Master Jaak?"

The platinum blond reached over and grasped Fayt by his shoulders. His eyes burned with an intense light, and Fayt wanted to shrink on himself under such scrutiny.

"Yes, Fen, unusual. I know you're tired and that you probably want to rest after the busy night you've had, but I've received a request from a very, very important individual. He wishes to remain anonymous at this point, and he's paying well enough for such a privilege. I'm only saying this because I'm sure you'll recognize him when you meet him."

"What is he requesting?" Fayt inquired, knowing he would not get the client's name right away from Jaak. The platinum blond sighed.

"He's requesting the company of a seventeen-year-old boy, and he's given specific criteria in what he is seeking. Undoubtedly, he's also making his requests to the other establishments, but you're the only one I know of who closely matches what he's wanting. You know to treat him right. That isn't what I'm worried about. What I need is for you to not tell a soul about who this client is. Am I understood?"

"Yes, Master Jaak," Fayt murmured.

"Good. Lance, I'm sure you'll recognize him as well. The rule of secrecy goes for you, too, and I'll make sure the hallways are clear until he's gone. However, just because he is who he is doesn't mean he can abuse Fen in any way he likes. The first sign of trouble, he's out of here, and he won't be allowed back. Am I understood?"

"Of course, Master Jaak," Lance replied smoothly.

"Excellent. We'll wait here for him."

"How long will he be, Master Jaak?" Fayt asked. Relief that he was not in trouble fluttered around in the pit of his stomach yet he could not shake the sensation something about this was a little off.

"He should be here any moment."

As if on cue, the sound of a transporter coming to life entered Fayt's hearing, and the blue-white light of the machinery flashed in his eyes. Moments later, a man in his late twenties appeared, and Fayt felt panic trying to take over. He certainly did recognize the man standing in the transporter. He had heard his friend Sophia fawn over this man with his strong, athletic build, his piercing grey eyes, and his light brown hair. Hell, every girl Fayt knew gushed over how handsome and brave this man was, and how he was an admiral at the age of twenty-eight.

Standing before him was Fayt's worst nightmare come true. Admiral Jeffrey Caine of the Pangalactic Federation was undoubtedly looking for him, if his parents had even bothered to search for him.

'This is it. It's over . . . I've got to get out of here.'

Those grey eyes were now focused on Fayt, surveying him from head to foot. They kept him from fleeing as he wanted, and Fayt forced himself to smile demurely at the man. A smile and appreciation lit the admiral's features as he glanced back at Jaak.

"So this is the one? He certainly does meet all of my criteria," Admiral Jeffrey Caine murmured. "I can hardly wait to see how he performs."

"I'm sure you can't," Jaak replied. "However, before you can receive any services, I need the cash upfront and to lay some ground rules."

"Ground rules? For a whore house?" Admiral Caine blinked his eyes at this. Jaak nodded.

"Oh, yes. Ground rules," he said. "I don't let just anyone come in here and start screwing with my staff. It's bad business. And if you want the time with Fen, I suggest you listen to what I have to say."

"You act as if you have never been refused anything a day in your life," Admiral Caine commented. His tone sent a shiver down Fayt's spine, and the teen wanted nothing more than to flee this location. "What makes you think you can deny me what I want? How do you know I will not simply take that which I desire?"

"Because I have the staff to make your life a hell if you don't listen," Jaak replied. "I will protect what is mine, and there is nothing you can do to stop me. And I can let your superiors know of your, uh, preferences. That's what."

To that, Admiral Caine scowled, and his eyes traveled from Fayt to Lance. Realization dawned in his eyes, and he nodded, displeasure still evident on his face. Fayt's wish to disappear continued to grow.

"Very well then. What are these rules of yours?"

"I thought you might see it my way," Jaak said, smiling. He then glanced at Fayt and winked. "Most who come here usually do. After all, I only employ the best, and that's what you'll be getting."

"I am sure, Jaak. Of that, I am very sure. Now let us hurry with these ground rules. Time is precious to me, you know."

"Of course, Admiral. As you wish."

* * *

Fen, in Jeffrey's opinion, was one fine specimen of a seventeen-year-old. His legs were long and athletic, his body lithe and well kept, and he had the most charming and disarming smile. Everything about the seventeen-year-old was damn near perfect, though he was not Fayt Leingod, but then it hardly mattered for the moment. He was getting what he wanted to tide him over until he could hold Fayt, though he disliked the notion of a bodyguard outside the room. He had asked for discretion when he contacted Jaak. A bodyguard outside was not discretion!

'Then again,' Jeffrey mused as he gazed at Fen's bare buttocks, 'I can see why Jaak would want to protect such a beauteous creature. I know I would if this boy were in my possession.'

Fen turned around to face him, a faint smile on the boy's features. He then gestured to the bed. For some reason, Jeffrey believed he was looking at Fayt Leingod and not some seventeen-year-old prostitute. Their features were similar enough, but Jeffrey could not bring himself to believe Fen and Fayt were the same person. Fayt Leingod, in his estimation, would never willingly sell his body to another, and Jaak's establishment possessed the reputation of hiring only those interested and willing to be a whore, if only for a short while.

"I'm ready whenever you are," he said in a demure tone. Jeffrey smiled and nodded, slowly approaching the youth. His arms slid around Fen's waist and down to his buttocks. Already, he felt intoxicated by the boy's presence, and his body ached, yearning for release.

"As am I," the admiral murmured. "Let the fun begin."