by Anna Hackett
Nisid moved closer. The council have developed a pathogen. One to disrupt an Eon’s bond with their helian. And kill the helian.
Kaira sucked in a breath. “We saw experiments on one of the battlecruisers.”
Nisid nodded. They have a pathogen ready to test.
A muscle in Thane’s jaw ticked. “We have to stop it.”
The pathogen is in the base.
Kaira pushed her hair back. “So, you’ll help us get in, get a distress call out—”
I can show you where the communications equipment is.
“You’ll come with us?” she asked.
Nisid looked at Thane. If you guarantee to get my people off Crolla, I will do whatever is required in order to assist you.
“Then after we get the message out, you’ll show us where they keep the pathogen?” Thane asked.
Nisid inclined his head.
“Okay, let’s—”
Frantic buzzing. Two soldiers covered in scars rushed into the cavern.
Nisid stiffened. Kantos juvenile soldiers and bugs are headed this way. They’re not ours.
“We need to go.” Kaira rose.
The juveniles here are vicious. Hungry to prove themselves.
Suddenly, a high-pitched buzzing screeched through the air and several flying insects rushed into the cavern.
They looked like bees, but larger. Their furry bodies were black-and-gray striped. They had sharp stingers on their tails.
Go. Nisid rushed forward, his good arm up and slashing at an alien bee.
“Come on.” Thane grabbed Kaira’s hand.
Several of Nisid’s soldiers raced for the exit.
A bee swooped and skewered one of the soldiers with a stinger.
The soldier froze, then its body jerked and shuddered, hitting the ground. The toxin caused seizures.
A bee raced at Kaira and Thane. Thane formed an axe and swung at the bee.
It dodged and Kaira ducked. Thane swung again.
His blade clipped the alien insect’s wings, and it hit the ground and tumbled through the dirt.
Nisid’s soldiers pounced on it.
Thane and Kaira ducked and dodged to the exit.
Come on. Nisid appeared, charging past them. My soldiers will take care of the last of them. Follow me.
They raced outside.
Several of Nisid’s soldiers closed in around Thane and Kaira. Like they were protecting them.
Protected by rogue Kantos soldiers. She shook her head and focused on running over the uneven ground. Hell had frozen over.
We have another hideout.
She looked at the Kantos leader. “Where?”
There. He lifted his arm.
Ahead was a dense patch of jungle. It was dominated by the biggest trees Kaira had ever seen.
A wild, harsh howl echoed from the forest, raising the hair on the back of her neck.
Great.
Thane gritted his teeth, jogging toward the patch of dangerous jungle.
They had no other choice but to trust their new allies. He hoped this wasn’t an elaborate trap.
The sound of fighting dimmed behind them. Nisid’s soldiers were fighting the Kantos that had found them.
In here. Nisid waved Thane and Kaira into the jungle. The juvenile soldiers won’t follow here.
“Why?” Kaira asked dubiously.
There are creatures in here that they don’t want to face. Don’t worry, my people know their way through here.
The humidity rose instantly, and the scent of trees and rotting leaves filled Thane’s senses. He stayed close to Kaira.
They shoved through some thick bushes, thorns pricking at their armor.
They came out in a clearing.
“Oh, wow,” Kaira breathed.
Enormous flowers, taller than Thane, filled the clearing. They were bell-shaped, and vibrant in pinks and greens and yellows. A pungent scent filled the air.
Nearby, there were large towers of fungus-like growths.
“It’s beautiful,” she said.
Do not touch the flowers. Nisid swiveled to face them. They secrete a deadly poison.
The Kantos continued on, weaving through the giant flower patch.
They came to a gently flowing stream. A strange animal with giant eyes was drinking.
“It looks a little like a deer,” Kaira whispered.
It had long spindly legs, a gray hide, and a long snout. It spotted them, made a clicking sound, then bounded into the undergrowth.
It is a little farther to our base. Come on.
They crossed the stream and reached another clearing. Huge trees, bigger than anything Thane had seen before, loomed above. Their branches spread wide, loaded with dark-green leaves.
They crossed a grassy area.
Kaira stumbled. “What the hell?”
Thane glanced down and saw that the grass had wrapped around her ankle. She tried to pull free, but the grass tightened its hold.
“What is it with the plants on this damn planet? They hate me.”
He formed a knife, then slashed the grass to free her.
No! Nisid’s frantic mental voice.
Thane swiveled. “What?”
It will trigger a defense response in the grass.
Suddenly, all around them, shoots sprouted. Red flowers unfurled.
“They look like tulips,” Kaira said.
Each flower released a puff of pollen into the air.
Don’t breathe it in. Nisid was agitated. Run.
Thane took Kaira’s arm. Cren. They sprinted forward, running through the field of flowers.
Kaira started choking. “Can’t…breathe.”
Her eyes were swollen and red, tears streaming down her face.
“You’re having some sort of allergic reaction.” Thane gave the command to form helmets. The clear covering slid across their faces, but he still heard her wheezing breaths.
He swung her small, compact body into his arms and picked up speed, following Nisid to the trees.
The rest of the rogue soldiers crossed the flower field.
Thane set Kaira down and their helmets retracted. He pulled out his water bottle.
“Lean forward. I’m going to rinse your face.”
She did and he pressed a hand to the back of her neck. He rinsed her face gently.
“That feels better already.” Her voice was husky. “The burning’s stopping.”
The grass here is very aggressive. Nisid hovered. Are you all right, Terran?
“Yes. And my name is Kaira.”
Nisid was silent for a moment. Kaira.
“And I’m Thane. Medical Commander Thane Kann-Eon.”
Nisid inclined his head. Our base is close. You can rest there.
Thane moved to lift Kaira again but she pressed a hand to his chest. “I can walk, Thane.”
He smiled. “I like carrying you.”
A strange look crossed her face. “I like you carrying me, too.”
He tucked some of her hair behind her ear, then stroked the edge of her swollen eye, wiping away the remnants of her tears.
He stayed close as Nisid led them deeper into the trees.
The jungle and its wildlife help to protect our base.
A second later, the Kantos leader motioned upward, and Thane lifted his head. He sucked in a breath.
Wooden platforms and walkways had been built in the tops of the trees.
“A treehouse village.” Kaira grinned. “Every little kid’s idea of fun.”
A ramp was lowered down, and they walked up into the canopy of the huge, alien trees. More rogue soldiers bustled around.
The place was incredible. Nisid led them to a large, circular platform ringed by a wooden railing. Some sort of gathering place. Other walkways led off it.
Thane noted lots of domed structures dotted around the treetops. Individual cabins. He saw some smaller Kantos wandering around, peeking looks at them. Juveniles.
Nisid’s people were breeding.
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This is our home. For now. We don’t kill except for food or to defend ourselves. We have a right to live.
“I agreed to our deal, Nisid. We’ll get you and your people off Crolla. To do that, we need to get to the base and get a message to the Eon. Then we steal the pathogen. I will not let the Kantos council hurt my people or Kaira’s.”
She smiled at him.
The pathogen is well protected, Thane.
“I don’t care. Whatever it takes. The bond between a helian and an Eon warrior is sacred. It enrages me to know that the Kantos council are planning to destroy that.”
They are driven by the hunger. Ravenous for more. They lead their soldiers to slaughter. We are expendable to them. If you are prey, like Terrans, you are food. If you’re an enemy, like the Eon, then you are to be destroyed.
“I will stop them,” Thane said. “I’ll give my life to do it if I have to.”
Chapter Eleven
Kaira leaned against the railing, the breeze ruffling her hair. The ground was far below, the jungle spreading out as far she could see.
It was beautiful…and deadly.
A tree nearby was loaded with tempting-looking, glowing-red fruits. No doubt poisonous. She could also see the field of neon flowers they’d passed.
Squawks echoed nearby, then some screeches. Branches of neighboring trees rustled.
Turning her head, she heard Thane’s deep voice. He was talking with Nisid. She ran her gaze over his intense, focused face.
Despite the dangers of this planet, right now, high up in these trees, she felt safe.
For a moment, she wouldn’t worry about how they’d get off the planet, how they’d survive. They were alive, and she was damn glad about that.
With a nod, Thane left Nisid. As he walked down a narrow, wooden bridge, his gaze met hers.
“Okay?” he asked.
She nodded. “Just enjoying this little reprieve.” Just like their night with the Mollai, she’d appreciate the respite.
He leaned against the railing beside her, handsome face in profile.
“It’s good for the body to recover. Nisid’s people are readying some rooms for us. We can clean up, eat, get another good night’s sleep.”
“Did he discuss a plan?”
“He’s going to talk it over with his best people.”
Kaira licked her lips. “The pathogen—”
The green strands in Thane’s eyes glowed. “I will find it. It is a risk to my people. If our bonds with our helians are destroyed…” He shook his head, his voice vibrating with anger. “Helians will die. Eon will die. Earth will be defenseless.”
And the Kantos would invade and ravage. Her stomach turned over.
“I won’t let it happen,” Thane repeated.
“Even if we destroy this pathogen, they can make more.”
“I don’t want to destroy it. I want to take it with us. We can study it and find a way to develop something to stop it.”
She nodded.
“Kaira…” He took her hand. “This mission will be dangerous. The first thing I wanted to say, even knowing how you feel about mating, is it has been an honor to be mated to a woman like you. Courageous, good, honorable.”
Her heart thumped in her chest. “Thane—”
“I need you to promise me something.”
She nodded.
“If I die on this mission, promise me that you’ll get the pathogen to my ship. To the Eon.”
Her fingers clenched on his. “Don’t talk like that. You aren’t going to die.”
“Promise me.” His gaze was direct, intense, boring into hers.
“I promise,” she whispered.
He touched her cheek, a brush of fingers. It felt electric on her skin.
“Thank you.” He stepped back. “I need to check some more things with Nisid. He said someone would show us our accommodation soon.” Thane smiled. “And there will be water for a bath.”
Kaira forced a smile. “I’d sell my soul to be really clean.” The sponge bath she’d managed with the Mollai hadn’t quite cut it.
“I’ll see you later.”
She watched him stride away, and her smile slipped.
He was ready to die to get the pathogen and stop the Kantos.
And to save her.
She knew in her bones that he’d die to keep her safe.
Kaira’s hands clamped on the railing. She’d lost two men who had meant the world to her. It had hurt like nothing else. It had left her in pieces, helpless, grief stricken.
Since then, she’d held herself back from people. She sucked in a deep breath. She’d stopped dancing, stopped doing anything for pure enjoyment. During these intense days, since they’d been taken by the Kantos, she and Thane had only had each other to depend on. She already trusted him.
How would she feel if he died here on Crolla?
Pain stabbed at her.
She sucked in some quick breaths. She didn’t want to lose him. He was strong, steady, brave.
And she wanted him.
Desperately.
She knew the mating bond amplified those feelings, but Kaira was honest with herself. Mating or not, she would be attracted to Thane Kann-Eon.
He could die.
She glanced sightlessly over at the jungle below. Hell, both of them could die breaking into the Kantos base.
A buzzing sound filled the air.
She turned. A small Kantos with a bent, hunched back stood nearby. It shot her a shy look, then glanced away. It waved an arm to a nearby walkway.
“Our rooms are ready?” Kaira asked.
The Kantos nodded and took a few steps across the walkway, then paused.
Kaira followed.
They moved from one walkway to the next, and then she spotted two dome-shaped cabins, side by side.
A sturdy, wooden door was set in front of each of them, and it looked like the structures were made of some web-like substance, interwoven with sticks and leaves.
Kaira opened the door and ducked inside.
It wasn’t big. The cozy, round space had a pallet on the wooden floor, topped with a fur blanket, and a carved, wooden tub filled with water. A small table held a plate of fruits and some kind of dried meat.
She looked at the Kantos. “Thank you.”
With a nod, the alien left.
There was an adjoining door and she opened it. Thane’s room was identical to hers.
Okay, bath first.
She willed away her armor and watched the scales melt away. Next, she stripped her clothes off. The water wasn’t warm, but it wasn’t cold either. She stepped in. She didn’t care that it was lukewarm. As long as she could get clean.
She sank into the water. Hanging from a small hook, she saw filmy, white fabric.
A loose dress with thin straps at the shoulders. She reached out and touched it. It was nearly translucent, like it was spun from the finest silk.
It would do. It’d be nice not to wear her dirty sports bra.
She sank into the water and stifled a groan.
If this was her last night alive, this wasn’t too bad.
She glanced at the adjoining door, her mind whirring with thoughts and images, wants and needs.
Thane stomped into the room he’d been assigned.
He felt tired, dusty, and worried. The thoughts of the pathogen, and what it could do to the Eon churned inside him.
No.
He removed his armor with a thought. The wooden tub filled with water beckoned. Methodically, he stripped his borrowed gray pants off, then leaned over to splash water onto his face.
He wouldn’t let it happen. He’d die to stop the pathogen.
And to get Kaira off this cren-cursed planet.
He wanted her safe and alive, to live the life she wanted. To do whatever made her happy. He glanced at the adjoining door, then he grabbed a cloth and got into the tub.
He leaned back against the edge. He never thought he’d have a mate. It shouldn’t hurt t
his much to have her, but know he couldn’t touch her. To know that he’d lose her.
He dumped water over his head.
He tried not to think about waking to her stroking his cock. To spilling his release on her belly.
With a groan, he splashed water on his face. He had his duty. That had to be enough.
Small cramps knotted in his gut. He groaned and breathed through it. In the danger of the attack, and meeting Nisid, the symptoms of the mating fever had dulled.
He was an Eon warrior. He’d get through this.
All of a sudden, the adjoining door opened and he tensed. Kaira appeared in the doorway, her wet hair loose, and a diaphanous dress covering her small body.
She saw him in the tub and paused. “Can I come in?”
He nodded wordlessly.
As she moved, the dress flowed around her. It was almost sheer, and he could see the shadow of her dark nipples. He bit back a groan.
She reached the tub, a strange, intense look on her face. “Let me.” She took the cloth from his hand.
She moved behind him, reached forward and dipped the cloth in the water, then she started washing his back.
Helpless, Thane leaned forward, his chin dropping to his chest. The brush of her fingers on his skin felt so good.
“You have a bruise.” She gently touched his shoulder blade.
“My helian will fix it.”
She washed his back, setting desire alive in his body. His cock lengthened. If she looked into the water, she couldn’t miss it.
This was torture, but he didn’t stop her.
“You really believe we can get the pathogen and get off this planet?” she asked.
“Yes.” He put all his conviction in his voice. “I won’t accept anything less.”
Her hands stilled. “You’re a hell of a man, Thane Kann-Eon. I admire your determination.”
He turned his head to look back at her. Cren, she was beautiful. “If we don’t fight for what we believe in, for what we love, life isn’t worth living.”
She nodded. “I want to be with you, Thane. I want tonight to be ours.”
All sound ceased. Every muscle in his body froze.
“What are you saying?” His voice was deep, held an edge.
Her strong, unwavering gaze met his. “I want to make love with you.”
Her words were like a punch to his body. His cock throbbed.
