by Hacket, Anna
They entered the station, closing the door behind them. Lights clicked on and Eve gasped.
The space was like a tiny grotto. The air was warm, greenery grew down the walls, and to one side, was a small flow of water trickling out of the wall like a tiny waterfall, falling into a small, blue pool. On the other side of the dome was a hammock strung up for resting, and containers of supplies.
At that moment, Davion wavered from the pain, swaying on his feet.
Eve gripped him tighter. “Come on, warrior.”
She helped him over to a rock ledge, and he collapsed with a grunt. Then she tore through the supplies. She pulled out the glowing, red healing havv. His own symbiont was already working hard to repair the damage to his body, but the added havv would help. She wet a cloth and started cleaning his wounds.
“The havv was created by our first warrior, Eschar.” He started talking to take his mind off the pain. “It’s the same color as the sacred, symbiont-infused gem that is housed in her temple.”
“You worship your first warriors.” Eve squeezed the havv on and it moved along the cuts and wounds.
“We don’t consider them gods, but we revere them. Remember and honor their service.” He sucked in some air. “There was a fourth warrior, Cren. He was disgraced when he tried to kill the others. We remember him for his disloyalty.” Pain flared and Davion pressed his lips together.
“Can you have another stim?” she asked.
He nodded and she pressed it to his neck. “Talk to me. Distract me.”
“You know my story.”
“You didn’t tell me exactly why Space Corps threw you in prison.”
“Ugh. That is a crapola story.” She smoothed a hand over his chest.
He pressed his hand over hers. “You’re a brilliant, resilient fighter, Eve. Loyal, reliable, and dedicated. An asset that shouldn’t be rotting in a cell.”
She smiled at him. “It was because of the Haumea Incident. My ship, the Orion, encountered a Kantos ship near Haumea. That’s an ellipsoid dwarf planet out beyond Neptune’s orbit in our solar system.” Her smile faded away. “My captain—”
“The incompetent idiot.”
“Right. Bobby J. Hathaway. His mother is a Rear-Admiral in Space Corps.”
“Ah.” Davion was completely focused on her, forgetting his pain.
“Yes, ah. Anyway, the Kantos were attacking a cargo ship en route to a colony on the moon of Triton. Every suggestion I made on how to lure it away and attack it, was rebuffed. Bobby had his own ideas.”
When she fell silent, Davion touched her cheek. “And?”
“The cargo ship was destroyed. All fifty-five crew were killed.” Her voice was flat. “The Orion took fire and we lost three of our best engineers.”
“And they forced you to take the fall.”
“They needed someone to blame, and Rear-Admiral Hathaway ensured it wasn’t her son.” A look crossed Eve’s face—half sad, half angry.
And Space Corps, the organization Eve had trusted and given her loyalty to, had abandoned her.
A spasm of pain rocketed through him and he groaned. Eve made a sound of sympathy and gently kissed his shoulder, right beside a nasty gash. He just stared at her dark head.
She nodded to the hammock. “Why don’t you rest?” She pressed some nutrition packs into his hands. “Eat and sleep.” She scowled at him. “Don’t think I don’t know that you’re hurt worse than you’re letting on.”
He smiled weakly at her. “I’m healing.”
“Good.” She squeezed his hands. “Because you scared the hell out of me.”
“At first light, we hunt for those sons of Cren,” he growled.
She smiled. “Oh yeah.”
Davion tugged her closer, needing the feel of her. He pressed his lips to hers in a slow, unhurried kiss.
Then she pulled back. “You need rest.”
“I need to clean up first.” He started stripping off the rest of his gear. Naked, he rose, and Eve hurried to him. He didn’t tell her he was already feeling much better and stronger.
She helped him sit down beside the small waterfall. Unlike the other rest station, the water here was pleasantly warm. When he reached to scoop up some water, she stopped him. Dipping a clean cloth into the water, she turned and started running it over his chest and arms.
Moving behind him, she bathed his back, then moved again to kneel in front of him. Davion breathed deep. The cloth made steady strokes over his chest, his abdomen. Eve was staring at his skin, and the look on her face was one he couldn’t quite identify.
Each stroke made his pain drift away. Each stroke had desire igniting and flaring inside him.
She shifted between his thighs, the cloth moving down. As she washed his cock, it hardened under her touch.
Her gaze flicked up to his, need meeting need. “You’re hurt—”
“Already healing.” He waved at the knitting cuts on his skin. “I need something else far more important now.”
Eve rose and he lifted his hands, unfastening her clothes.
“You should rest,” she said.
He ignored her, yanking at her pants. He stood, pulling her in for a hard, needy kiss.
Together, they stepped into the pool, close to the small waterfall. The water was enjoyable, and Davion took his time cleaning the blood and sweat off her skin. She ducked under the water and emerged, her dark hair plastered to her head.
She nudged him back onto the rock edge and slid onto his lap. He shifted, his cock rubbing against her slick folds. She made a small, husky sound and then she sank down on his cock.
“Oh, God, you fill me up,” she moaned.
He gritted his teeth at the pleasure of her tight warmth squeezing him.
Then she started to ride. There was nothing sweet or patient now, it was hard and fast. He pressed his mouth to hers, drinking in her taste and swallowing her cries.
Neither of them lasted long. They hammered out all their frustration and fear on each other until he slammed her down hard, driving his cock deep inside. She cried out, her nails scoring his skin as she came. Then Davion poured himself inside her.
He pressed his cheek to her neck. Yes, he was feeling much, much better.
He rose, Eve in his arms. She made a small sound of protest, but he ignored her. He carried her to the hammock and climbed in with her.
They snuggled in the mesh netting, tangled up with each other. He pulled one of the thin blankets over them.
“Eve—”
“Shh. We’re safe right now. Let’s just rest.”
They settled in the hammock, Eve wrapped around him. He buried his face in her hair and was surprised to find himself quickly sliding into sleep.
When Davion woke, she was still asleep. Looking down at her still form, he felt a huge rush of love. He, one of the most dedicated Eon Warriors, had fallen in love. Completely. With everything he had.
Eve Traynor was his mate. She eased things inside him, made him feel more than he’d ever felt before, and she could command his symbiont.
He stroked a hand down her arm, marveling at the softness of her skin. He cupped one full breast, rolling her nipple between his fingers.
She woke with a moan. Then, he maneuvered her so that she was sitting up, straddling his chest. The hammock rocked in response.
“Something on your mind, War Commander?” she purred.
“Yes.” He gripped her hips and jerked her forward. Her knees slid up either side of his head so she was straddling his face. Perfect. He put his mouth on her.
“Oh, my God.”
Her hands gripped his hair. He licked and sucked her. By Eschar, he loved the taste of her.
She slid her hands up her belly and cupped her breasts. His cock pulsed. She was the sexiest, hungriest lover he’d ever had.
Then she scooted backward, moving out of range of his mouth. She curled a hand around his cock.
“No.” He grabbed her hand. “I want to watch you come first.”
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br /> He shifted her hand until it slid between her thighs. Their joined fingers brushed her clit and she jerked. Davion moved a hand over hers, his finger alongside hers, rolling her slick clit. She lifted her hips, panting, and twined their fingers together. She slid them lower, then pushed so both their fingers slid inside her. She let out a husky cry.
Cren. So damn sexy. He worked their fingers inside her, her hips shifting restlessly. Then he shoved her hand away, slid two fingers back inside her, and thumbed her clit.
“Davion…I…yes…”
She threw her head back, the hammock rocking wildly. Her cries echoed off the walls.
Then she dropped forward, her hand sliding down to grip his cock. He groaned and arched up.
“Yes. Now I get to drive you out of your mind.” She stroked him, then grabbed one of his hands, and wrapped it around his cock with hers. They pumped him together.
“You are so beautiful,” he said.
Her face flushed. He meant every word. He loved that she was so open in her reactions with him, that she trusted him.
“Now, put me inside you,” he ordered.
With a smile, she moved again, the hammock swinging. She straddled him, aimed his cock between her legs, and sank down.
“Oh.” Her eyes were on him.
Connected. He felt his symbiont pulse, a rush of feeling filling him. Heat, desire, caring. With a start, he realized it wasn’t just his emotions alone. Cren. He was sensing Eve’s emotions in the air as well, amplified by his helian.
Her eyes widened. “I can feel…”
“What I feel.”
“Davion.” She arched, coming again.
He lifted his hips up, powering inside her. His. Them. Joined. He couldn’t form full thoughts, just felt all the churning emotions inside him.
“Come with me, baby.” Her lips parted. “Come on me this time, on my skin.”
He groaned, and as his orgasm hit, he pulled out of her. The warmth of his come splashed on her belly and his. He groaned again, seeing Eve touch the fluid.
Finally, she collapsed against him, the hammock still rocking. He turned his head and kissed her.
She made a humming noise. “That was…”
“Yes,” he agreed.
After a few minutes, they roused enough to climb out of the hammock and head back to the small waterfall to clean up. Davion felt energized.
He found a cloth and cleaned off their skin. As he washed her belly, she smiled at him sleepily.
“Rest now, shara.” He nudged her back into the hammock and followed her in.
“What’s shara mean?”
“It’s an endearment. What the warrior Alqin called his mate Eschar.”
“Sounds pretty.”
Pulling her close, Davion drifted off. But he was well aware that the morning would come, and once again, they’d have to fight for their survival.
And now, for Davion, Eve’s survival was more important to him than anything. His arms tightened. She was his and he would fight anyone in order to keep her by his side. Even his own people.
Chapter Fifteen
A night of rest and sex could work wonders.
Eve moved effortlessly through the long grass. Her body felt loose and limber. She was also filled with energy.
And raw determination. This time, she and Davion were the hunters.
The Kantos were the prey.
If they could find the bastards. So far, no sign of them. She let out a small growl.
“Good hunters are patient, Eve,” Davion said.
She growled again. “You might have noticed that I won’t be winning any medals for patience.”
He grinned at her. God, when he grinned, he looked years younger. She grinned back. And damned if the war commander didn’t look proud of her. Everyone else she knew had considered her boldness and impatience a detriment. Not Davion.
But when he jerked to a halt and straightened, her happy feeling faded fast. He scanned the grass ahead, and she lifted her blasters.
“What?”
“We’re being hunted.”
A shiver worked down her spine. “Kantos?”
“Most likely.” He moved closer. “Stay alert.”
They jogged forward, the grass whispering in the light breeze. Overhead was a cloudless, blue sky, and not a starship to be seen.
They both knew that if Davion’s message had made it through, his warriors should have been here by now.
She blew out a breath. One thing at a time. Take down the Kantos, then worry about getting off Hunter7.
Suddenly, a creature burst out of the long grass.
“Fuck.” Eve stumbled back.
It looked like a giant praying mantis. Its hard shell was bright green, its upper body held upright. There were giant pincers at its gaping mouth, and it moved on six long, sturdy legs.
“What the hell is this one?” she called out.
The creature squawked, flattening the grass beneath it.
“A mantio,” Davion said. “A bug the Kantos have bred to be killers. They’re vicious and quick.”
Why could the Kantos bugs never be cuddly and soft? She aimed one of her blasters, the autotargeting helping her line up the shot.
She fired and then Davion rushed forward, his sword forming on his arm. He slashed at the creature, and it reared back with a screech. Eve rushed in beside him, her own sword forming. Together, they pushed in, slashing and stabbing.
They fought together, darting in and out to fight the mantio.
Davion was right, the bug was fast. As sharp pincers rushed at Eve, she leaped back and spun.
As they fought, she noticed the creature’s skin start to change color. She kept fighting, watching as the green turned to gold.
The next time she darted in, she was surprised by the wave of heat coming off it. Inside the mantio’s belly, a shadow began to twist and move.
“Davion…”
“It’s going to undergo metamorphosis. They usually shed their old skin and grow larger.”
Shit. Enough. Eve snatched a small Eon grenade off her belt. She thumbed it and waited for the blue lights on it to flare. Then she ran a few steps, dodged one of the creature’s legs, and slid in, feet-first, like she was coming in to home base.
She came in to land beneath the mantio. Reaching up, she slapped the grenade onto its skin.
It shrieked, and Eve turned, and rolled out from under it. Jumping up, she sprinted back toward Davion.
“Down!” She waved her arms. “Grenade.”
He swung an arm around her and hauled her to the ground. They hit hard, the air rushing out of her. Then Davion crawled over her, covering her with his body.
The grenade exploded. Bits of dirt and clumps of grass landed near them, as well as chunks of… Well, she preferred not to focus on the chunks of bug.
Davion lifted his head and grimaced. “You’re bloodthirsty.”
She pressed a kiss to his jaw. “You love it.”
He sighed. “I do.”
The earth rumbled beneath them.
“Biome change.” Davion helped her up.
They stood together, holding hands. “What now?”
Eve figured she should be used to it by this point, but when the ground started splitting open, her pulse still began to race. A crack opened up close to their boots, and they both backed up. She wondered what was next. She waited, expecting to see mountains rise into the sky or crazy vegetation spill out everywhere.
But nothing happened.
More cracks opened up, and she watched the grass shrivel up. She heard the sound of running water in the cracks.
“Oh, no,” Davion murmured.
“Was that a good ‘oh, no’ or a bad ‘oh, no’?”
“I believe there is only the bad kind in this place.”
Water bubbled up out of the cracks.
Eve tilted her head. “Water? That doesn’t seem too bad.”
A giant gush rushed out of a large crack, washing up to the
ir thighs. Oh, shit.
Another wave roared out of a large crack and crashed into them. It knocked them off their feet, and Eve found herself being rushed along the ground, like they were caught in a tidal wave.
She spat out some water and felt herself dropping. Davion cursed, and they were washed over a ridge that hadn’t been there moments before.
Splash.
They landed in water.
It closed over Eve’s head and she kicked. Her head broke the surface, and she took a deep breath. She wiped the water from her eyes, treading water to stay afloat.
Davion was treading water beside her. “Aquatic biome.”
Eve turned her head, her belly feeling like it had a coil of wire inside. She watched the last of the long grass disappear under the waves.
There was water as far she could see.
“Fucking great.”
“We’ll be fine.” He touched her hair.
“Right. We have to swim, and who knows what the hell is below us.”
Davion grimaced. “Probably best not to think of that.”
“Now all I’m hearing is the Jaws theme tune.”
He frowned. “Jaws?”
“Remind me to show you the movie sometime.”
“I think I see land in that direction.”
Eve squinted at the dark smudge. “Maybe.”
“Time for a swim, my Earth warrior.”
With a kick, Eve started out. Davion sliced easily through the water. Thankfully, the swells weren’t too big.
“I wanted a beach, but this wasn’t exactly what I was thinking,” she muttered. “It would definitely be improved with an actual dry, sandy beach, and with drinks with little umbrellas in them.”
Davion frowned. “You put umbrellas in drinks?”
“Never mind.” Then she spotted something in the distance. She stopped, treading water. Something was on the water, moving in their direction
“Davion?”
He looked as well, a muscle ticking in his jaw. “Kantos.”
She sighed. It was too much to ask that the bastards had drowned. The power-hungry aliens just kept coming.
