“I have wronged you.” He hoped his voice wasn’t too growly and that she heard the remorse in his tone as he diverted his eyes.
“Then I guess that makes us even.”
His gaze swung back to hers, shocked that she understood him, till he recalled the language implant injector that had been in his pack when he was apprehended. She grimaced nervously and what she said struck him.
“Even? You think what I did to you makes us even? How?” Vintor frowned.
“I am who I am, and you are who you are, and we are where we are.” She glanced nervously toward the upper corner of the room at a spot near the ceiling.
Vintor nodded morosely, her response twisting his gut in knots. Perhaps she was more responsible for him being here than he realized.
“But we do not have to be enemies. My people mean you no harm. I mean you no harm. I know that races say this sort of thing with twisted intent. And I know that what I’ve done to you and to the males who captured me doesn’t give credence to my message of peace, but I mean it to the very marrow of my bones.”
“I’m sure my people would prefer we not be enemies. It’s comforting to know you are here on a peaceful mission. The spec-ops attacked you and you defended yourself. That is understandable. And as far as I’m concerned, you were drugged yesterday. I don’t blame you for what you did.”
“Thank you for understanding.” Vintor sighed in relief. If he could make her believe the Cadi meant well it would go a long way not just in earning his freedom, but completing the mission.
“It’s my fault really. I was the one responsible for your care and giving you the drugs.” The remorse in her eyes was apparent as her brows knit together.
“Are you also responsible for fixing this?” He pointed to the stitched-up wound on his abdomen.
“Yes.” She nodded without glancing down.
He was suddenly amused as he recalled how uncomfortable humans were with nudity. The goddess was apparently a medic and should be accustomed to such a thing, and yet she diverted her eyes from the sight of his maleness.
Or perhaps she doesn’t want the reminder of the way you mounted her. Forgiveness is a far cry from being happy or comfortable with what you did.
“Thank you for repairing my injuries.” He grabbed the sheet from the mattress on the floor and wrapped it around his waist, then sat beside the tray of food. “And thank you for the meal.”
“You’re welcome,” she said, looking relieved. “I’ll see if they can bring you something to wear.”
He grabbed a round red orb and sniffed it before taking a bite. It was juicy and sweet. It was the first food he’d been in the mood to eat and was much welcome.
“If you have any sway with your people, I must find my fellow warrior, retrieve our cruiser, and contact my companions on your moon. We have a very important mission here on your planet.” Vintor glanced up from his tray to find her silently staring at him, so he continued. “I don’t mean to frighten you, but your people are in danger from a race of reptilian flesh merchants. My people came to guarantee your safety. Then all this happened.”
“I’m glad you like the food. You need your nourishment. That’s called an apple.” She pointed to the red orb. “That’s turkey. It’s a bird. But if you don’t eat meat, there’s also green beans.”
Vintor tilted his head at her curious reply. She glossed right over what he said and instead described the food, which though good wasn’t important.
Maybe the thought of coming under attack is too much for her to process.
“I’m sorry. I keep forgetting how unfamiliar your people are with the existence of other races. But you must convey how important this threat is. This reptilian species will amass several vessels and quickly strip your world of not just its inhabitants, but its resources. You must unify as a people and accept our aid before it’s too late.” He tried again to impress upon her the severity of what her people faced.
“My name is Maya, Maya Roberts.”
Vintor tried not to be frustrated. He knew Maya understood him, but she kept evading the serious discussion. She clearly wasn’t comfortable with it and he couldn’t blame her. He gave up and followed her lead, changing the subject. It was an honor she was willing to share her name. That was a step in the right direction. He put down the scoop-shaped utensil and concentrated fully on her.
“Mi-yaaa.” No. He shook his head, that didn’t sound right. “My-yuh. My-uh.”
“That’s it!”
Her luscious full lips tipped up in a genuine smile and it was a sight to behold. The way her cheeks and nose scrunched up were adorable. The ever-present crease in her forehead disappeared, and her whole expression brightened. It was breathtaking, and he nearly clutched his chest to feel if his heart still beat. He returned the smile, careful not to expose his canines.
“That is a lovely name. I am Vintor, Vintor quo Fortis.” He placed his fist to his heart and bowed in a formal greeting.
“Nice to meet you, Vin-tarrr.”
He smiled at how she put too much emphasis on the end of his name in an attempt to say it.
“I got that wrong, didn’t I?” she snorted.
“I don’t mind. You may call me whatever you wish.”
Anything she said sounded lyrical the way it fell from her tongue. Human speech wasn’t nearly as harsh as the Cadi dialect. Maya’s mouth tipped up in subtle smile.
“What?” he asked, wanting to know what made her smile like that.
“I didn’t know your name, so I called you Red.” She appeared embarrassed by the admission.
“Why does that bother you?”
“It’s generally not a good idea, not here,” she whispered.
“Ah.” She was supposed to remain aloof. It gave him a thrill that she hadn’t. “I assume you settled on that because of my skin tone?” He glanced down at himself, then grinned. “Well, I thought of you as a goddess.”
“Oh.” Maya’s cheeks turned a shade darker.
Vintor couldn’t help himself as he laughed at her response.
“I did not know your people had such variety. Your skin, your eyes and hair span a vast range. It is very exotic.” He found himself shifting closer to her, ignoring the rest of his meal. Surprisingly, she didn’t retreat.
“Exotic,” she laughed. It was such a compelling sound.
“Yes. My people are terribly bland by comparison.” He pointed to his red skin, black eyes and matching hair. “If you want to call me Red, I’ll happily answer to it.”
“I can’t do that. It’s not your name.”
“It’s all right.” He shrugged. “Most of the humans I know have difficulty pronouncing Cadi names.”
“Wait, what?” Maya gasped and she stared wide-eyed at him.
“It’s a long story, but the Cadi have rescued a handful of humans unfortunate enough to find themselves in the reptile’s clutches.”
“I see. Thank you. If you’re done eating, I should examine your stitches.”
Usually humans wanted to know the whole story, they were a curious species. But Maya was uncomfortable again. He could tell by the way her shoulders tensed up and she changed the subject.
“That is fine.” Vintor leaned back.
Maya knelt beside him and placed her delicate tawny fingers on his abdomen. Vintor couldn’t help jumping in response to her touch.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Is that tender?”
“No.”
He grit his teeth, willing his shaft to behave as Maya examined him. Frustratingly, the damn thing jerked beneath the sheet as her fingers grazed the skin perilously close to his hips. Vintor closed his eyes and took several deep breaths. Being so close to his bonded and not touching her was killing him. Her hand cupped his cheek and his eyes flew open.
“Are you sure you are all right?”
Her eyes were filled with such concern, and her face hovered so close to his he couldn’t restrain himself. Vintor flipped, pinning Maya beneath him on the floor. Her eyes widened
in shock. The rational part of his brain screamed at him to get off her before he ruined everything. She had been growing comfortable with him and had even relaxed. It was more than he could’ve hoped for. But he wasn’t in control of himself.
“No. I need to touch you,” he rumbled, his face a breadth from hers.
His gums ached as the spicy conjugo serum filled his mouth, begging him to mark her again. Her body was so soft as he pressed against the length of her. Unlike Cadi females, humans had such full, mouth-watering breasts. And their hips were so lush. It was like they were made specifically to cradle a warrior as he pounded out his lust. The slight swell of Maya’s tummy made him picture her swollen with his young. Goddess, it was enough to drive him insane.
He looked down at her lips as she panted, and they reminded him of other lips, swollen with desire. Before she could object he descended and kissed her. It was a human custom, but it suddenly held irresistible appeal. Shock stole over him when Maya moaned and arched into him. Her tongue pressed into his mouth and flicked against one canine. A spike of pleasure shot through him and he spurt more conjugo serum into her mouth. He never knew his canines were so sensitive.
Maya moaned deeper and started frantically sucking at his tongue and lips, nipping him with increasing fervor. He rolled his hips, nestled between her splayed thighs, and reveled in the delicious friction on his shaft. Her legs wrapped around his hips, and she clutched his shoulders, kneading them rhythmically. He suddenly found his mouth poised at her neck, ready to strike.
No. He halted as he stared at the conjugo marks on her neck.
“I am sorry.” He lifted his face from her neck.
“No. I’m sorry.” Maya frowned as she shook her head, her arms and legs releasing their hold on him. “I can’t believe I keep doing this. You’re trapped here,” she choked, moisture welling up in her eyes.
“No, goddess, don’t cry. I’m the one who is wrong. I gave you the conjugo bond without your consent.” He caressed her cheek.
“But if I hadn’t drugged you, you wouldn’t have mated one of the people responsible for all this. I’m sorry. I don’t understand how you can even stand looking at me.” The tears spilled from her large, dark eyes and streamed down her cheeks.
“Did you want to imprison and drug me?”
“No, never. I’m really glad I was able to heal you, but I wouldn’t wish this place on anyone.” Crushing pain filled her voice and he knew without a doubt she was being sincere. She wasn’t his enemy after all. The elation nearly overwhelmed him. “They want me to question you, except I know whatever you say they’ll twist it around and still won’t release you,” she whispered the confession directly into his ear.
“Ah.” He nodded. That explains why she changed the subject and kept glancing toward the ceiling. They were under surveillance. He should’ve known.
Maya
It had been incredibly tricky talking to Vintor, carefully censoring how she replied, knowing there was a microphone in the room. She really wanted to reassure him that she didn’t blame him for what happened. He didn’t deserve to bear the guilt for something that wasn’t his fault. It was such a relief getting things off her chest. It was also good hearing what he had to say, again confirming he wasn’t the threat to humanity they made him out to be. Not that that mattered to her superiors.
“They’ve threatened you, haven’t they?” he rumbled softly in her ear.
She nodded.
“No one threatens my mate,” he angrily hissed.
It was such a sweet sentiment. She knew nothing of his culture, but there was no way he should be held to this crazy mating given the circumstances. Not to mention they were different species and chance encounters weren’t the basis for lasting relationships.
“You didn’t do it willingly, so it doesn’t count. You’re not obligated to me,” she whispered into his ear.
“I understand. You are willing to forgive me, but that doesn’t mean you wish to be bonded to me.” Vintor rolled off her. He looked so solemn and sad that it broke her heart.
“I...”
“It does not matter,” he cut her off. “The ones who run this place shouldn’t treat anyone the way they have. They chase their tails while a bigger predator looms in the shadows waiting to pounce. I refuse to be a victim of their foolishness. And when I get out of here, I’ll make sure you are free, too.”
Vintor said it with such conviction she almost believed him, except she’d been around long enough to know there was only one way out of this place, and that was with a toe tag.
Maya coughed. She couldn’t seem to catch her breath all of a sudden. Vintor shook his head, looking just as dazed as she felt.
“Gas,” Maya murmured, noticing the pungent acidic odor that filled the cell. She tried to get up, but her head spun.
“I’m utterly disappointed, Dr. Roberts,” Emil Hayden’s angry voice echoed in the room.
She blinked and looked around for the butcher, then realized his voice was coming through the speaker. From his tone she’d fucked up big time. Vintor must’ve seen the terror in her eyes because he released a feral growl and staggered to his feet. He swung around, his tail lashing wildly, looking for the source of the voice before dropping to his knees.
“I’m sorry.” Maya’s eyes widened hearing Laney apologize.
They know! Laney must’ve gotten the implant and they brought her into the observation room to listen. They knew everything Vintor shared and what she didn’t.
“I gave you a second chance and you threw it away,” Emil bellowed as the room grew dim.
5 Nightmare
Maya
She awoke with a start and found herself strapped to an examination chair, restraints immobilizing her wrists and ankles. Maya frowned at seeing her two favorite people, General Frank Offutt and Dr. Emil Hayden.
“You, Dr. Maya Roberts, have been found guilty of treason against the United States of America, and I dare say the world,” General Offutt barked at her.
She wanted to tell the general where he could shove his patriotism but didn’t dare. They could still make her life a living hell, whatever was left of it.
“What did you do to Vintor?” she demanded as calmly as she could.
“Your concern should be for your own people, not the subject,” Emil said with a disappointed shake of his head.
“I am concerned—for everyone,” she bit out. “His people are here to help us.”
“Help?! One of those things abducted my god-daughters and twisted a good friend of mine with lies!” General Offutt roared.
Maya refused to believe that, not with how earnest Vintor had been about the peaceful intent of their mission.
“Easy, Frank. Don’t you have a meeting to apprehend the other subject?” Emil patted the general’s shoulder.
“Yes. I want to be here when you put this traitor down.”
She watched the general stalk off then turned back to Dr. Hayden.
“We gave you an important job to do. But rather than use the unique response the subject had to you, you turned into a traitorous whore. Thankfully there was another willing and capable of doing the job you couldn’t accomplish. Although we didn’t really need your intel to find the subject’s ship, and it’s currently being gone over with a fine-tooth comb.”
Her shoulders slumped hearing Vintor’s means for getting off Earth was in custody. Worse, it sounded like the general was about to capture his friend.
“You don’t have to do this to them,” her voice trembled as she spoke.
“Don’t fear, we have no intention of delivering the subject to the same fate that awaits you. He still has a use. We need to confirm the identity of these reptiles who plan on invading and just how much of a threat his kind poses. And we need a bargaining chip if his people stationed on the moon come looking for him before our Miran Sona allies arrive.”
“Allies?” Maya laughed. “You have a fine way of treating your allies.”
“Don’t be a fo
ol. You know as well as I do how these mutually beneficial arrangements work. As many of our people as the Miran Sona have taken, it is doubtful they’ll miss a few of their own. It was a small price considering how little they’ve compensated us. It’s just a shame you couldn’t accomplish the other job we hired you for. I had such high hopes.” Emil scowled at her.
She wasn’t sorry at all for failing to give him the apocalyptic virus.
“If the Miran Sona are protecting us from invaders, I’d say that’s rather hefty compensation,” Maya countered with a shake of her head.
“You really do hold an affinity for these foreigners,” Emil scoffed, then tilted his head as he studied her.
A frisson of terror coursed up her spine. She could see Emil was plotting something and that didn’t bode well for her.
“Perhaps you still have some use.” His lips tilted up in a cruel smirk.
Maya struggled as Dr. Hayden placed a mask over her mouth. His sour, wrinkly face was the last horrible sight she saw as she again lapsed into oblivion.
Vintor quo Fortis
His head was pounding as he roused on the floor. He didn’t need to open his eyes to know Maya had been taken from the cell. A growl vibrated his chest as rage surged through him. It was swiftly followed by crippling fear and his tail went ramrod straight. Based on how much Maya’s scent had faded, he’d been out for half a day at least. That was more than enough time for the vile human warriors to inflict all manner of horrors on his bonded. The fear reflected in her eyes before they passed out haunted him.
No, stay focused, he coached himself as he pulled on the green breeches and top that had been left for him, then sat mulling over his plight.
Vintor leapt to his feet and stared at the door. The time for feeling sorry over his failure and what he’d done to Maya had passed. Although the mission may not solely depend on him, it was clear the fate of one very precious human did. He had to get out of this cell.
And if they’ve harmed her…
He snarled as emotions he hadn’t felt since the early days of war ignited in his veins. This was supposed to be a mission of peace, but those who stood in his way would taste his wrath.
Warrior's Plight (Cadi Warriors Book 6) Page 5
