Chapter 10.

Haunting of the past

The next morning when Kyra woke up, she was glad her night went by without any strange dreams. She stretched her slender body and then she walked into the refresher to get ready for the day.

Maul was already at the console when she entered the control room. She walked up behind him and looked out the window. The sun was already up, the air outside shimmered with heat.

"Does this place ever gets any rain?" She asked.

"I don't know." He answered. "I barely know anything about this place." He added flatly. "I have the coordinates to the Jedi's hiding place. We are going to pay a surprise and deadly visit to them today." Maul said in a malicious voice. He thought about telling her the information he took from the Jedi, but somehow he didn't think it was a good idea. Therefore, he kept it to himself.

Kyra turned to face him and asked. "How long do we have to wait, before we leave today?"

"Until sunset." He replied.

"Then we have plenty of time to discuss something I wanted to talk about with you." Kyra said with apprehension in her voice.

Maul somehow sensed that this discussion would not bode well with him, but he let her roll with it.

"When I was in THAT state." Kyra started to speak. "As you know, I was not really myself, that something evil and dark took over my mind."

Kyra stopped and looked at Maul's concerned face. She wasn't sure how he would act when she'll bring this subject up. But she wanted to talk about it, to let it out even if it meant to bring up painful and dark memories.

"When I was in your mind, I saw something very disturbing." She took a deep breath and then continued. "I saw you with Master when you were just a little boy. You looked so sweet and innocent. I saw him taking you because he saw the potential in you and not in your mother."

Maul somehow knew where this was going and he didn't like it.

"I saw you when you were only a baby getting your first tattoos by your mother's orders. Then I saw you getting them by Master. I saw him with you, placing those needles into your flesh while you were hanging by your arms from a hand lock device." Kyra's voice was rising a bit with emotions now. "I felt your pain." She said through gritted teeth. "I felt your hunger for more! I felt you embracing the full power of the Dark side through your Sith training with Master. He gave you all his anger and pain, while to me he gave all his strength and devotion!" She was shouting now, her anger rising within each breath. "How dare he do that?!" Kyra yelled. "Why he gave one everything and gave the other nothing but pain and suffering?"

Suddenly, Maul jumped up, grabbed her by the arms, and pulled her closer until his chest was brushing against her body. As he lowered his face to hers, in a deep, guttural voice, he growled. "Don't you EVER talk to me about this again!"

His eyes grew dark with rage as he stared at her with contempt, but Kyra was not afraid of him. His intimidating stare didn't scare her. Deep down she knew she made a mistake to bring up this subject, but she wanted him to know that she felt his pain and wanted to share this burden with him. And possibly comfort him in some way.

Maul felt enraged. He hated the thought that she was able to access this private information. These were his memories! How dare she bring this up! Then, he loosened his grip on her arms, when he realized he wanted to hurt her in his rage. Letting out a frustrated sigh, he looked into her eyes and saw nothing but affection.

From her eyes, his attention turned to her slightly parted lips. Without saying a word, Maul crushed his lips to hers. Then his tongue entered her mouth and found hers. It was an incredible feeling making him tremble. With passion, Kyra returned the kiss, enjoying this precious moment. Wrapping her slender arms around his muscular shoulders, she cradled his neck while they passionately embraced each other.

Maul was losing this battle. His desire for this woman felt overwhelming. How could she do this to him? He couldn't understand why this was happening. He knew they needed to stop before they both do something they might regret later.

But Maker it felt too damn good, Maul thought with disheartenment.

Slowly, his hands traveled down to the small of her back, there, he hesitated for a second. Then he felt her hands moving upward on the back of his head toward one of his horns. Wrapping her fingers around one of them gave Maul an amazing sensation. While she played with his horns, Maul's hands slid further down to her shapely backside. It felt firm and soft at the same time, just the perfect size for his hands. As he playfully squeezed her backside, she giggled into his mouth.

And that's when the intercom suddenly beeped in and Master's hologram appeared on the console.

In an instant, they separated. Breathing hard and fast, Maul quickly turned his back to Kyra. He didn't want her to see his excitement. With a flushed face, Kyra turned toward the hologram. Quickly, she pulled herself together and walked up to the console.

"My Master." Kyra said in a quivering voice. Then she cleared her throat and said: "How unexpected of you to call at this hour?"

Master's voice came through the intercom. " Kyra." He said. "My only and one Kyra, I need to speak with you." He said with a small smile.

"Yes, Master." Kyra replied swiftly.

"Tonight is the night." He said with a hint of darkness and anticipation in his voice.

"I want you to be ready for whatever comes in your way, Kyra. This mission is very important to me and to you as well." He said. "In time you'll understand."

Kyra gazed at Master's glowing hologram with a concerned look on her faces. She didn't understand why Master was speaking in riddles. But before she could have asked him about what he meant, he spoke up again: "Darth Maul will help you to take care of this mission. You are both strong and capable to complete this task." Then he paused for a second and said. "And Kyra, I do not want you to disappoint me."

"No, Master." Kyra replied. "I will never do that."

"Very well then." He replied with a satisfied look on his face. "I will see you both soon."

As Master's hologram disappeared, Kyra turned to face Maul, who sat in one of the passenger seats behind her.

Maul's thoughts were in turmoil thinking about what went on just a couple of seconds ago between them. He berated himself for being weak and stupid. He let his guard down and now they both may have to pay the price. He did not want this to happen. A moment of weakness could cost him everything. Maul swore to himself that he would not allow this to happen again.

Looking at her, he wanted to tell her about the possible connection between her and those Jedi, but he just couldn't bring himself to do that. If he would bring this up, it would only confuse Kyra, and he wanted her clear-headed before the fight. Because Maul knew, it was going to be a fight. A fight, which he was looking forward to with great satisfaction.