Ki's Redemption

by Keri Kruspe

  The rush of warm breath entering her lungs made her lightheaded. The clean scent was sheer pleasure as it flowed inside her body. With great care, she tested her eyelids to see if she could open them. After two unsuccessful attempts, she pushed them up and closed them against the bright light. It was frustrating not to be able to put her arms over her eyes, but they refused to move. The orange light behind her closed lids was sharp and painful, but hey, it meant she was in control. Taking in another deep breath, she lifted her heavy lids. Slowly…ever so slowly, she acclimated to the change in vision. Images blurred, her eyes watered, and tears rolled down to pool at the outer shell of her ears. Her tongue was thick and dry.

  “Sherri?” Ki’s deep voice was a low whisper. “Are you all right?”

  “Ki?” A dark outline moved into her line of sight. Her head rolled at the sound of the masculine voice and she blinked to focus. As his face became clearer, her tears washed away. Mesmerizing dual colored irises were thin lines of blue and green around the widened iridescent dark-green of his pupils.

  “How do you feel?” The lush lips thinned under his close-cropped beard as he leaned closer.

  “How do you know it’s me?” She choked in gratitude that he seemed to recognize her. Tension squeezed at the base of her neck as she clenched her knuckles hard enough her hands numbed. What if he doubted who she was?

  Ki gave a winsome smile, the tips of his sharp fangs peeking between full lips. “When Maynwaring is in charge, your eyes change.”

  He reached over and pushed away a stray bang that was getting into her eyes. A soft scent of sea breeze drifted from him.

  With a jerk, he pulled back.

  Sherri blinked. “Oh, okay.” Was there a problem touching her? She watched his tightened fist as he placed it on his lap before glancing at his stony expression. “Has that happened before?”

  “I don’t know. I only became aware he’d taken over this time, but it’s possible.”

  Well crap, she didn’t like that idea. She also didn’t like how his brow and face creased into a frown. The stern expression frankly scared the shit out of her. A shiver slithered down her spine.

  “Last thing I remember was talking to D’zia and Lora when Elemi’s alarms went off.” Her teeth worried her lower lip. “Then I woke up in a really dark place, trapped with something evil.”

  “How did you get out?”

  Heat crept up her neck. “I created a safe bubble and started a fiery tornado to whip around me. When the winds caught him, I threw his happy ass into a black hole.” She jutted her jaw. “Let’s just hope he stays there until I can figure out how to get rid of him.”

  “Had you any indication he’d gotten out before?”

  “To be honest, I have no idea.”

  Ki rubbed the side of his bearded jaw and sat back. “Elemi, disengage the stasis field around Sherri.”

  A short snort came from the ship. “Do I have to?”

  Ki’s mouth twitched before they pressed together. “Yes, and thank you.”

  A light tingling pinched before her muscles relaxed in response to Elemi turning off the stasis field. Sherri flexed her fingers and wiggled her toes, delighting in the simple movement of basic motor skills.

  Running her trembling fingers through her snarled hair, she gave him a wide smile and pushed upright on the thin cot in the small room. Good thing she’d worn a sweater. The air was nippy, and she rubbed her arms in reaction.

  Sherri swung her legs to the side and faced the large Zerin sitting on a chair next to her. “How long was I out and where are we?” She looked around. Uh-oh, she couldn’t hear the hum of Elemi’s engines.

  It was easy to tell they were still in the sentient ship. The black walls had minimum lighting, and the air retained that recycled smell she’d noticed with any space-going vessel she’d been in. The cot might be comfortable enough, even with its narrow width and short length. Nothing else to see but the small chair Ki had squeezed his massive body into.

  “We’ve had to make a forced landing on an ice asteroid. We were under attack and Elemi brought us here to avoid detection.”

  “Under attack? How is that possible?” Wasn’t this “special” ship all but undetectable to outside forces? She might be petty, but a snarky comment was needed. “If I remember correctly, isn’t Elemi infallible? I thought no one could find her.”

  “I am quite convinced it’s all your fault.” Elemi’s superior tone answered. “You must have given them the information not only where to find me but how to detect my beautiful self.”

  Sherri’s mouth opened in shock. “Hey, wait a minute, you bitch…”

  “Now, Sherri.” Ki patted her hand as he spoke in a quiet, rumbling voice. “Let’s take a moment to examine where we are. No need to get into an altercation with the ship.”

  Not get in an altercation… Sherri seethed. He was taking this nasty little ship's side? The middle of her chest squeezed.

  Something in her expression must have alarmed him. Dual-colored eyes widened as he leaned closer. “No, don’t get the wrong idea.” With a glare at the ceiling, he addressed Elemi. “No one is blaming you for anything.”

  Elemi snorted.

  “What I’m trying to say is.” He enfolded her clenched fists. “Maynwaring could have circumvented you and alerted someone to find us.”

  Sherri snapped her jaw closed. Did the pirate take over without her knowing? “Do you think that’s what happened?” At his nod, her stomach dropped. No reason to feel responsible, but still… “Do you know who chased us?”

  “Of course. I’ve run a complete analysis on the invaders,” Elemi huffed. “The data you’ve requested is ready, Ki dearest.”

  Ki closed his eyes.

  Sherri pressed her lips so she wouldn’t laugh at his pained expression.

  “Thank you, Elemi. Sherri and I will join you in the cockpit momentarily. Please disengage and allow us some privacy.”

  “That is an unwise request, dearest,” Elemi protested. “Why, she might be possessed at any time and…”

  “Elemi, disengage.” The sharp tone didn’t encourage arguing.

  “Anything for you, Ki, dearest.” There was a watery sniff before a ping sounded.

  Sherri wasn’t sure if the ship left or just tried to make them think she had. Since they couldn’t go anywhere that Elemi didn’t have access to, worrying about privacy was a moot point.

  So, why did Ki say he wanted to talk to her in private? Looking into his grim, unsmiling face, she pulled the bottom lip between her teeth and gnawed on the sensitive skin. Last time she was this nervous, she had been waiting to see if she passed her doctorate program. It didn’t help he directed that disappointed scowl at her, either.

  Chapter Four

  KI

  Sherri was trying to kill him. She should just take out a disintegration blaster and be done with it. And if she chewed on that plump lower lip any harder, he’d have to soothe that offended skin with his tongue—just before he plunged into her hot mouth. By the father of everything, he was falling fast for this tempting human.

  About time you realized it.

  Ki mentally shook his head to disagree with Grirryrth. Even if he wanted to make his interest known to her, he wouldn’t. Especially since he halfway suspected she might be his TrueBond…

  She is.

  … the whole concept was too dangerous, especially with Maynwaring in the picture.

  That female is only dangerous to your own stubborn, stupid ideas. Once we mate, your preconceived concepts will change.

  Ki ground his back molars. He refused to have this conversation with the dragon.

  “Sherri, here’s where we are.” Ki waited until he had her full attention. “We are being chased by a terrorist faction called the ‘Warriors of Light.’ Their only goal is to cause chaos in the established galactic government and eliminate those who don’t believe in their extremist views.”

  If her twisted expression was anything to go by, he’d confuse
d her. He released her clenched hands and sat back. “While I can’t be sure, I assume they’re here at Maynwaring’s request to rescue him.”

  “That doesn’t make any sense.” Her hand waved to encompass herself. “He can’t go anywhere without me…” She stopped and her eyes widened. “Wait, he wants to leave in my body?” With her deep breath her full breasts heaved up and down.

  Make her do that again.

  Ki ignored the dragon’s statement. “Right now, he wouldn’t have any other option.” The thought of the extremists being anywhere near Sherri had his shoulders tense. “Since we’re aware of what he’s done, we can prevent that from happening.”

  A cynical mink eyebrow rose. “Oh yeah? And just how are we going to do that?”

  “We’ll just have Elemi…”

  “Help! Enemy troops are circling around me!” The panic is Elemi’s voice was unmistakable. “Ki, they’ve got another disintegration cannon! Ack!”

  Oh, for the love of the Goddess… “Activate complete visual!” Ki jumped out of the chair and it toppled to the floor with a loud thud.

  At his command, the walls disappeared, and he had an unobstructed view of a ragged troop that surrounded the ship. The sound outside was muted, but it was easy to see the piercing icicles as a harsh wind whipped around the figures. The blinding mix of the white and gray atmosphere blurred the dark outlines scattered on the snow-strewn ground. Even so, the visual was sharp enough to confirm each troop carried a bevy of assorted weapons. The disintegration cannon aimed at them made Ki tighten his jaw in determination.

  “Holy shit! That doesn’t look good.”

  No point in commenting on Sherri’s statement of the obvious. “Elemi, status and analysis.” He went to the console and blinked open a program.

  “Analyzing,” came the terse reply.

  While the ship was processing his request, he opened a communication channel with D’zia. Zerin was too far away for real-time conversations, so no chance of alerting his friend Qay.

  “D’zia here.” His young friend appeared in a holographic image with a frown. “What happened? You and Sherri all right?”

  “No,” Ki answered. “The WOL attacked, and we had to force land on a rogue asteroid.”

  “Attacked? Danka shit! I thought you lost them.”

  A deep voice interrupted. “Someone hurt my glorious Elemi?” JR10’s silver body rested on D’zia’s shoulder and gave a light hop as he spoke. “Elemi, baby… are you okay, my dove?”

  The ship’s watery sniffle caused Ki to pinch the bridge of his nose.

  “Oh, JR10, you have no idea of the horrors I’ve been through…”

  They didn’t have time for theatrics. “Enough, Elemi. Report on our current status.”

  “Fine.” Another sniff. “A troop of the Warriors of Light, consisting of approximately 250 soldiers, surrounds us. Each one is armed with varying degrees of personal weapons along with that horrible disintegration cannon. It can completely eliminate our existence.”

  The theatrical watery tone gave him a headache.

  “Not only that, they’ve put a restraining net over my glorious body and I can’t move!” The last word ended in a loud wail.

  Ki winced at the noise and agreed with D’zia’s frown as he asked, “How did they find you?”

  “It’s all my fault,” Sherri whispered.

  She stated it loud enough for D’zia to hear. “What? Why would you say that?”

  Ki reached over and placed a light hand on her shoulder to make her face him. “It’s Maynwaring’s fault, not yours.” He let go and turned back to D’zia before she could argue the point. “Right now we have to figure a way out of this mess.” Ki gave his friend a hard stare. “D’zia, it’s imperative you get word to Qay and the Imperial Forces immediately. Even though we might not make it to Earth before the Chancellor’s armada does, they have to be involved quicker than we thought.”

  D’zia blinked for a moment as JR10 crawled up to whisper something in his ear. “I don’t know, JR10. I don’t think that’s a good idea. We’re already deep in debt with them…”

  Ki’s expression hardened at the furtive discussion D’zia and his bot were having without him. “What’s going on?”

  “Oh, I…” He stopped as JR10’s forelegs waved and he continued to speak into D’zia’s ear.

  Movement caught Ki’s attention.

  The troops split and a lone figure walked with an arrogant stride down the open corridor they made as they stepped back. Slow, casual as if he hadn’t a care in the galaxy, the male made it to the front of the battle line. He was clad completely in black, including a cloak and a helmet covering his head with a vertical slit for his eyes and an opening to reveal his thin mouth.

  The icy winds of the asteroid didn’t appear to faze the leader or his troops. The subzero temperature had to be grueling.

  Ki looked closer at the male, not able to determine what species he was, but suspected he observed a fellow Zerin. The build and height was typical for a male in his prime. It went well with the arrogance and display of confidence. Something about him bothered Ki. Do we know him? Ki asked Grirryrth.

  The symbiont dragon stretched his senses. Hard to tell while I’m on the ship. The dragon paused. However, I too, suspect we know who he is. I will remain vigilant.

  Ki nodded while he gave Sherri a sharp glance. With a whiter-than-normal face, she wound her fingers around his forearm. He doubted she was aware what she was doing. A deep breath brought in her subtle scent of spicy sweetness. It calmed his tense nerves.

  Not that he’d admit the implications of how her touch soothed him.

  “We demand your surrender, M’alalu Ki E’eur.” The leader boomed his demand across the icy landscape outside.

  With Elemi’s abilities, it wasn’t hard to hear what the male said.

  “Bring the human woman out and abandon the 11-15 ship you stole.”

  Ki snorted in disgust. Just who did this puntneji think he was talking to?

  “Ki,” Elemi whispered.

  The tone took Ki aback. Why was she whispering?

  “Not now, Elemi.” Ki’s attention was consumed by the troop movements as they closed the ranks behind the leader.

  “Ki,” her tone came out louder this time. “We’re in trouble.”

  He took his eyes away from the scene in front of him and glanced at the ceiling in exasperation before his attention jerked by the scream of D’zia’s Spybot.

  “Elemi!” JR10 shouted in the communication vid. “Transfer now!”

  The lights, vid, and outside projection went out, leaving the room in the dark. A sharp pain pinched the back of Ki’s neck before his mind shut down.

  * * *

  SHERRI

  The rat-bastard did it to Sherri again. Damn slimy alien took over her body and held her prisoner in a clear bubble. God, what she wouldn’t give to wring his skinny, worthless piece-of-shit neck. Her primal scream of frustration didn’t change anything.

  Hey, wait a minute…she could see and hear what was going on. Well, at least, she thought she could. There were shadowy movements inside a gray rectangle, like a movie screen with the surrounding sound muffled. It reminded her of the old time stereo one of her foster parents had.

  It was, safe to say, an improvement over the last time he’d taken over. Whereas before she had no idea he took her over, now she’d be awake for the horror show Maynwaring was creating. Ha! Just watch her get control again.

  All she had to do was figure out how.

  A dim light caught her attention. She couldn’t be squinting with her eyes since she wasn’t in physical form, but it was what she imagined doing. Slowly, the picture became clearer. It took a moment before she recognized Ki’s prone figure lying on the floor. His massive chest rose up and down and his fingers twitched. Thank God, he was alive!

  “NO!”

  Was that her voice? It was throwing a hissy fit worthy of any preteen denied the latest smart phone.

&nbs
p; An empty hypodermic flew across the room.

  “I want that ship back! Bring her back!” Her foot swung back and kicked the limp Zerin.

  Sherri watched in horror as her foot pulled back and forth to give Ki a couple more hard kicks. Oh, no you don’t! Determined, Sherri concentrated on pulling the foot back and gave a whoop of joy when she caused the limb to shudder and falter.

  “Let me go! Let me go!”

  For once, her screeching voice was music to her ears. She’d made a breakthrough! Yeah, and bonus for pissing the pirate off. It was now one of her new favorite things.

  “Bitch!” Her voice wailed as the pirate warned Sherri. “I’ve got control and there’s nothing you can do about it.”

  Oh, yeah? That’s it genius, taunt the jerk and make him mad. I don’t think so. This is my body and I want it back!

  “Denied,” the pirate replied with a sneer, still using her voice.

  Wow, she’d never heard that level of contempt roll off her tongue before.

  “No matter. I have more important things to do besides talking to an insignificant hysta.”

  Asshole did not just call her a whore. Look, buddy, I…

  “Rux, get your ass in here.” Maynwaring ignored her as he used her voice to speak into the communication vid he’d been working on. Instead of showing an image of D’zia, a black-clad thug took up the screen.

  Sherri couldn’t remember when the switch went from Ki’s friend to an unknown Zerin.

  Helmet held under his arm, the male Zerin had a callous, unyielding appearance. A life lived hard was stamped on his face—furrowed forehead and hard-lipped mouth. His dual colored frog- and spinach-green eyes might have been attractive if they weren’t set in a block of ice. His black hair was sweat-slicked against his forehead, the traditional warrior braid absent at his right temple. “Just how do you propose I get in?” The man growled. “Open the Goddess-damn door and I’d be happy to oblige.”

  “I can’t!” Maynwaring screamed and stomped Sherri’s foot. “The sentient ship escaped somehow and I have no way to regain control.”