| |
LARIA
Shortly after Garyck retrieved our belongings from the solarveyor, Celeste, Sloane, and I set off to find a place to sleep for the night. There were several darkened rooms at the end of a short hallway. I chose the one to my right, then felt along the wall inside until I found the switch for the glow emitter. After giving it a single tap, the interior filled with light. “At least they kept the solars charged.”
It was obvious the males manning the outpost hadn’t expended any energy maintaining the buildings. A thin film of fine-grained sand coated the floor, and a stale smell lingered in the air. The inside of the building may have lacked a recent cleaning, but the furniture and bedding appeared to be in decent condition. The room contained four separate beds, each designed to accommodate one person. Two of them were shorter in length than the others.
Finding the varying sizes wasn’t uncommon. Nor was having more than one family live and work together on the small farming settlements. I walked over to the bed closest to the door, then set the bag containing my belongings on the floor.
“Looks like whoever lived here before had several young children.” Celeste skimmed her fingertips along the shortened bed mat as she moved across the room.
“We can check out one of the other rooms.” I was afraid being reminded of children made Celeste think about the sister she’d lost.
“No, this is fine.” There was a tightness in her voice that I wished I hadn’t heard. “Besides, there’s no way the guys will fit in these beds.” She glanced at me over her shoulder, a half smile on her lips.
Sloane giggled and wandered toward one of the smaller beds. “Yeah, can you imagine one of the ketaurrans trying to squeeze their big hulking frames onto one of these?”
Thinking about a bed, any bed, and Jardun at the same time had heat rising on my cheeks. I quickly pushed the thoughts aside and removed the blanket from my bed. I gave it a thorough shake to make sure no little crawly things had made a home in it. I especially hated the crognats.
The pale gold creatures were a cross between a beetle and a miniature lizard. They liked to find dark, cool places to hide. Most of the time, they were harmless unless you happened to roll over on one in your sleep. That’s when you discovered they had a sharp stinger and knew how to use it. They might not be poisonous, but the nasty red welt from their sting burned for a couple of days.
After doing the same with her blanket, Sloane knelt in the middle of the bed she’d selected beneath the room’s only window. She pushed aside the two sheets of faded and worn fabric used to keep out sunlight, then stretched out the accordion-style interior shutters that formed a protective panel across the panes. After securing the pin-type locks in place, she reached behind her back and retrieved the two thin knives she’d hidden inside her boots.
“What are you planning to do with those?” Celeste asked.
Sloane jammed one blade on each side of the frame between the wall and the shutter. “It’s an extra precaution in case the creepy guys next door get any ideas.” She spun around and plopped on the edge of the bed, then flashed Celeste and me a mischievous grin.
Using the knives as reinforcement was a deterrent. They wouldn’t prevent someone determined to get inside from entering, but they would rattle against the pane and provide us with a warning. As an additional precaution, I planned to sleep with one of my blades tucked under the bed’s padding.
“Definitely a good idea.” I shuddered, remembering what Tarzel had planned for us. Prior to our arrival, we’d agreed to let Jardun and the other males perform their imaginary roles as the drezdarr’s high-ranking emissaries. After seeing the so-called soldiers and their human friend Rick, my warning senses were tingling that there was something extremely wrong with the situation. I was glad I’d tucked a thin blade inside my boot for protection, and was even happier when Jardun announced we’d be spending the night in a separate building.
The great thing about having friends who’d shared the same life experiences and fought by your side through some incredibly high-risk situations was the ability to communicate to one another without saying a word.
Celeste, Sloane, and I had shared one of those knowing looks the minute we’d entered the main outpost. It was a silent and unanimous decision to forgo Jardun’s instructions if things headed in a bad direction.
Celeste plopped down on her bed, then patted the thinly padded surface. “Not much to it, but I guess it beats sleeping on one of the benches in the transport.”
“So, Laria.” Sloane drew out my name as if it were a question. She was swinging her legs up and down like an excited child.
“Yeah,” I replied, then leaned against the wall with my arms crossed, waiting to see what kind of trouble she planned on starting.
“Did you notice the way Jardun’s muscles rippled when he pinned Tarzel to the wall?”
Yes, I’d noticed. It was hard not to. The male had a presence that demanded attention. I didn’t think there was a female on the planet who wouldn’t stop to notice him.
“And the growling...quite an impressive display.” Celeste pushed off her bed, then walked over and plopped down next to Sloane. “I think he has a thing for Laria.”
Playful teasing or not, this wasn’t a discussion I wanted to have with my friends, yet a part of me was curious to hear what they had to say. “And why would you think that?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because he was going to rip the guy’s throat out for touching you,” Sloane said.
“Do I need to remind you that the ketaurrans are hardwired to be overly protective of women?” It was the same excuse I’d been telling myself since the incident with the other males.
“Oh, I’d say he’s hardwired, all right. Or at least he gets har...”
Celeste nudged Sloane with her shoulder, cutting her off before she could finish. “Is sex all you think about?”
“Nooo. Sex is not all I think about.” Sloane smirked and returned the nudge. “Although, you have to admit, with all those firm bodies running around, there’s a lot of temptation.”
I’d seen the way she watched Garyck, and I couldn’t resist getting in some teasing of my own. Anything to keep her focus off Jardun. “Are you sure it’s not one particular muscled male whose body you can’t keep your eyes off of?”
“No clue what you’re talking about,” Sloane huffed, then further added to her denial. “He’s too grumpy for my tastes.”
“Uh-huh.” Celeste winked at me.
Burke appeared in the doorway and leaned against the frame. “Everything okay in here?”
“Fine, why?” Celeste’s humor faded with the cool look she shot in his direction.
We were all still disappointed by the way he’d deceived us, but Celeste was known to hold a grudge way longer than Sloane and I.
“Come on, I said I was sorry.” He held out his hands and took a few steps into the room. “If I promise not to do it again, would you at least pretend to forgive me?”
It was hard to resist his charming grin, and hearing him use the word “promise” was an added bonus. Burke was smart. He knew if he wanted to continue getting our help in the future, he’d have to stand by his word.
“What do you think?” I glanced at Sloane, then Celeste.
Sloane shrugged. “I guess I can pretend.”
Celeste tapped her chin, then, after a long pause, finally said, “I suppose...for now.”
Yeah, she was definitely holding a grudge. One I was certain she’d passively make Burke pay for during the entire trip.
“Great.” Burke clapped his hands together. “So who’s hungry?”
Jardun
“I’m telling you, the heat is too high. You’re going to burn the meat,” Sloane said as she tried to reach past Garyck and adjust the solar regulator on the countertop cooking unit.
Garyck snorted and swatted at her with his tail. Sloane stepped back, frowning. “Do that again and I’m going to tie the end in a knot.”
Listening to the two argue as they prepared our meal was most amusing. The small female’s chatter was focused on critiquing Garyck’s cooking abilities. There was a time, before he was captured and tortured by some of Sarus’s men, that my friend laughed and engaged in any discussion. Now he only spoke when he had something relevant to say. The conversation between the two was mainly one-sided, but Sloane did not seem to have any problems interpreting Garyck’s grunts accurately.
Celeste and Laria were standing nearby, leaning against another section of the counter and sipping drinks. I was not sure if they were there to protect their friend from Garyck—he would never harm a female—or were enjoying the couple’s banter. Their occasional giggle made me believe they found the interaction as entertaining as I did.
Laria glanced in my direction, caught me staring, our gazes locked briefly before she returned to silently observing Sloane torment Garyck. She fascinated me, and not for the first time since we’d left the city had I questioned my decision to allow the females to accompany us. I knew she was well trained; I’d witnessed her skills firsthand. And, according to Burke, Celeste and Sloane were equally equipped to handle whatever we faced.
I leaned back in my chair and took a long, much-needed swallow of the fermented ale Zaedon had found when he inspected the items kept in the adjacent building used for storage. I relished the burn as the bitter homemade brew trailed down my throat.
I contemplated the delays in our progress to find Vurell, worried whether or not he was still alive and if we would be successful in obtaining the antidote for Khyron.
It seemed even the weather had aligned with those determined to keep me from saving my friend. The storm had passed, but the substantial amount of water that had fallen prevented us from leaving before the rise of tomorrow’s sun. The long trip combined with the overcast sky had depleted most of the solarveyor’s energy reserve. It would only take a few hours of direct sunlight to replenish, but it was time we could not afford to spare.
The success or failure of this mission rested on my shoulders, on my leadership, on my abilities to keep my team and the others safe.
My thoughts drifted to the males in the other building and the possible threat they posed. Most ketaurran soldiers did well in a fight, but their skills were no match for a vryndarr. Besides our expertise with a blade, we were trained to be adept at stealth and able to move through the shadows undetected. I had learned long ago to improvise, to use anything in my surroundings to survive.
As I replayed my interaction with Tarzel, the image of his hand wrapping around Laria’s wrist filled my mind. I had scented his arousal, knew that he wanted her badly. My body tensed, and I was forced to suppress a growl to keep the others from questioning my thoughts.
I did not trust any of the males and believed the females would not be safe until we were far away from the outpost. In case my suspicions were correct, Zaedon, Garyck, and I would take turns patrolling the surrounding area throughout the night.
“Food smells good.” Zaedon strolled into the room from the corridor leading to the sleeping quarters. One of the rooms provided a view of the building occupied by Tarzel and his males. “Their lights remain on, and no one has exited the dwelling,” he reported before pulling out a chair and sitting.
Burke picked up an empty mug from the table and filled it with ale before taking the seat next to mine. “We may have another problem.”
“If you are going to warn me about the other males, it is not necessary,” I said.
“No, this has to do with their friend Rick.” He placed his drink on the table, absently running his fingertips along the mug’s exterior.
I had hoped the issue regarding Laria and her friends was the only thing I needed to worry about before we left in the morning. I rubbed my forehead, the tension I’d eased earlier returning, and waited for Burke to continue.
“He looked familiar.” Burke scratched the dark stubble on his chin. “I know I’ve seen him before, but I can’t remember where.”
“I got the impression he recognized you too.” Celeste placed a stack of empty plates on the end of the table, then set one in front of each seat.
“Do you think he’s one of Doyle’s men?” Laria asked as she helped Sloane carry the platters of meat and set them in the middle of the table.
“Being this close to the wastelands and not believing in coincidences... I’d have to say it’s possible,” Burke said.
I had worried that Rick might somehow be connected to Doyle as well, that word of our arrival would reach the mercenary long before we left in the morning. If Burke’s speculations were correct, then Doyle would be prepared for our arrival and be monitoring the main access road leading into the Quaddrien.
I waited for everyone to take a seat and finish putting food on their plates. “What more can you tell us about Doyle?”
“He’s a mean son of a bitch. Cruel to his men...obsessed with power.” Burke speared a piece of meat with a thin blade and held it inches from his mouth. “I hated being under his command when we were on the ship.” He took a bite, chewed, swallowed, then continued. “After the crash, he got worse. It was like something snapped inside his mind, and he turned on anyone who voiced an opinion different from his.”
Burke glanced reflectively around the table. “Some of the guys who worked under him before we arrived stayed with him. The others ended up following me to the settlements. After he took up with Sarus, we were afraid of what he’d do to the families, so we stayed together, did our best to protect them.”
This was the first time Burke had offered an explanation of why he did what he did. I had never encountered Doyle personally but knew the two males were very different. Doyle was a heartless mercenary driven by power and greed. Lives, unless they gained him coins, held no value.
Burke at least possessed some ethical standards. His standards did not always reach a high level, but they did exist. And there were times, though rare, when his aid and acquisition talents did not come with a price.
“His men are ruthless, so everyone needs to be extra careful once we get inside the ship.” Burke’s gaze moved from Celeste to Sloane, then to Laria, where it remained the longest.
I was annoyed by the extra attention the male was giving Laria and quickly changed the subject. “Doyle and his men are not the only things we need to worry about. There are creatures in the Quaddrien who do not like visitors.” I lifted the last piece of meat on my plate to my lips.
Sloane pushed her plate aside. “Please tell me we aren’t going to run into any more of those desert dwellers.”
“You mean the luzardees?” I asked.
Sloane snapped her fingers. “Yes, them.”
I understood her concern. A handful of the males could be easily dealt with, but greater numbers would put us at a very bad disadvantage. “Even though they make their homes in desert areas, they prefer to stay away from the wastelands.”
“So, what kind of creatures are you talking about, then?” Worry crept into Celeste’s voice.
“The kind that slither and do not hesitate to attack if you get too close to their nest.” Zaedon grinned, then reached for the last of his ale.
My friend’s reference to the snakkrils was accurate. The creature avoided the heat and hunted during the evening, burrowed deep in the sandy areas, keeping their nests where it was cooler. If the rains had flooded the area, the top layer of sand could have shifted locations, distorting the solid areas. If we were not careful, we could inadvertently travel across a nest and awaken one of the nocturnal animals.
I knew from experience how difficult it was to survive in the Quaddrien. As a young male barely able to wield a practice sword, I’d spent a full cycle of the planet’s moons in the desolate area. It was part of the training expected of anyone who wished to become a vryndarr.
“Funny how no one mentioned that little detail when we were volunteered to help with this mission.” I was glad Celeste’s anger was focused on Burke and not Laria. Burke might have negotiated the terms, but technically, Laria was the one who’d finally convinced her friends to help.
“Hey, you’re being paid well for your time.” Burke held up his hands palm out, then leaned back and locked them behind his head. “And it’s for a good cause.”
Laria rolled her eyes. “Speaking of causes, how do you plan to get us inside the ship without being seen by Doyle and his men?”
“I’m familiar with the layout of the interior passageways, the ones only the engineers had access to,” Burke said.
“I thought you worked security. How do you know about those corridors?” The way Sloane posed the question made me wonder if she was familiar with the alternative access as well.
“After the crash, one of the engineers responsible for maintaining ship functions relocated with my group. During our time together, he explained the inner workings in great detail.”
“Where is this male now? Why did you not bring him along to show us the way?” Zaedon asked.
Burke drained the last of his drink, a solemn expression on his face. “Because he died. He was killed shortly after the war started.”
“I’m so sorry.” Laria placed a comforting hand on Burke’s arm.
“It was a long time ago, but thanks.” Burke placed his hand over hers, lingering longer than the normal connection between friends would dictate.
If there was more to their relationship than that of a working partnership, I was in no mood to witness it. The thought of them sharing a bed, of him seeing her naked and exploring what I longed to touch, set anger rippling through me. I controlled my unwanted irrational emotions by downing the remainder of my drink, and slamming the mug on the table harder than I had intended to.
“Everything okay, Jardun?” Zaedon asked, quirking a questioning brow, then perceptively glancing between Laria and me.
“Everything is fine.” It was not like me to feel so unbalanced, so out of control. I feared if I remained in the room any longer, I would embarrass myself, or worse, attack Burke for my unproved suspicion. I rose from my seat to leave. “I suggest we retire. We have a long trip ahead of us.”
Zaedon was halfway out of his seat when I clamped my hand on his shoulder. “Get some rest, my friend. I will take the first watch.” I did not stay around to hear any objections, but hastily left the building.
***
ONCE I WAS OUTSIDE with the door closed behind me, I inhaled several deep breaths to calm my irritation. I moved to the end of the platform, finding a place where I could observe the surroundings from within the shadows.
A few minutes later, the door opened and Laria slipped through the exit, her movements silent, stealthy. She had no reason to venture outside where it wasn’t safe, and I immediately became suspicious. Had my instincts about the female been wrong? I remained unmoving, waiting to see what she would do.
“Jardun.” She spoke into the cool evening air, her gaze scanning the area beyond the platform, then shifting in my direction as if she could sense my presence in the darkness.
“Here.” I moved into the dim light peeking through the interior window coverings. “Why are you not retiring with the others?” I feared mentioning my desire to keep her safe would lead to an angry discussion about her capabilities. I enjoyed seeing the fire in her green eyes, but did not want it to be there because of an argument. I wanted it to be the result of my touch.
“I’m not ready to sleep and... You seemed upset.” She bit her lower lip. “I thought you might like some company, maybe want to talk. But if you’d rather be alone, I can go back inside.” She hitched her thumb toward the door.
I should have let her go, insisted she return to her friends. Instead, my wayward tail circled the back of her legs, ensuring she did not leave. “No, I would like you to stay...please.”
She nodded. “Okay.”
She didn’t seem to mind having me hold her inches away from my body, but the warmth seeping through her pants was affecting my scales. I forced my tail away, severing our contact before my arousal became apparent.
She was an anomaly who’d saved my life. A fierce warrior wrapped in the guise of a beautiful female, and there was so much more I wished to know about her.
One of the first mandates Khyron had ordered after becoming our leader was for all those closest to him to view the data the Earthers had provided his father. He believed the best way to bring unity to the inhabitants of Ketaurrios began with understanding and accepting their differences.
I had been fascinated by human cultures and customs. I struggled with comprehending why some humans believed in fate, yet had been curious about the concept when I had come across it during my studies. I’d found similarities between their belief of love found at first sight and our belief of finding our mate by scent.
Many questions I had never considered before ran through my mind. If fate existed, did it also play a role in choosing our future? There was a time long ago when finding a female, my ketiorra, and having a family was something I longed for. Before I could find the one female whose scent enticed me, I had been given the opportunity to join the vryndarr and protect the leader of my people. My ventures were risky, and other than having the company of the males, some of whom were my closest friends, being a warrior had become a solitary existence, not one meant to be shared with a female.
Had fate purposely put Laria in my path? No female, past or present, had ever stirred the heat within me the way she did. Could she be a part of my future, the one I’d dreamed about before the war, then afterward had given up hope of ever obtaining?
Her gaze locked with mine as if she could hear my thoughts. The moment was brief, and after showing me a hint of a smile, she broke the silence between us. “You’re worried about the drezdarr, aren’t you?”
For only being acquainted a short time, she was more perceptive than Zaedon. “That among other things.”
“If Doyle has the antidote, we’ll find it.”
Her confidence was reassuring, had a calming effect, and helped ease some of my tension. “I hope you are right.”
She leaned against the building’s exterior, still close enough for me to touch.
After staring into the darkness beyond the platform, she shifted her gaze toward me. “Do you think the soldiers next door are working with Doyle?”
“It had crossed my mind.” It wouldn’t be the first time some of my kind had betrayed my people for personal gain. Sarus was a good example of what happened when someone let the need for power control their decisions. I did not know her well enough to share my private views about the male or my belief that he was still alive.
She tapped the fingertips of one hand against her thigh. “I assume you’re working on a contingency plan.”
I smiled, impressed by her wisdom. “Not only are you a skilled warrior, but you think like a vryndarr.”
“Was that a compliment?” She laughed. “For a mere female?”
“I am quickly discovering there is nothing simple about you.” I tucked a lock of hair that had escaped her braid behind her ear. She sucked in a breath, trembling beneath my touch. Unable to resist the urge to taste her lips any longer, I covered her mouth with mine. It was a gentle brush against fuller, softer flesh, more enticing than the females of my species.
Her soft whimper and the way she pressed against my body encouraged me to place my hands on her hips and pull her closer. I deepened the kiss, my tongue caressing hers, a dance that had me yearning for more.
I was so consumed with Laria’s response and the pleasure of having her in my arms that my mind barely registered the door opening and the interior light splashing onto the platform. I released her seconds before Burke stepped through the doorway.
“Jardun.” His gaze swept from me to Laria, his brow furrowing. “Sorry, didn’t mean to interrupt.”
His irritated tone conflicted with his statement, making me wonder if he truly regretted his intrusion.
“I thought you’d want to know that I’ll be taking the next shift. Wake me when you’re ready.” Burke spun on his heels to go back inside, closing the door behind him harder than necessary.
“I should probably...” Laria glanced at the closed door.
“Of course.” I reluctantly released her hand. Encouraging her to stay, to continue what I’d started, was tempting. But allowing myself to get closer, to become emotionally attached to her, was a distraction I couldn’t afford. Not with so many lives counting on me to make rational decisions.
