by Anna Hackett
Finley groaned and shifted her legs. Her skin was flushed, and the sensation of her thighs rubbing together made her bite her lip.
When she got back to her quarters, she needed to take a cold shower and then take care of herself. She gave herself better orgasms than any man ever had, anyway.
This was all the warrior’s fault. She heard a sound again. Like something moving.
Finley slipped on her shoes and rose. It had better not be a mouse. She’d seen one the size of a small dog, once. She shuddered. She hated mice.
She grabbed her metal ruler off the desk, just in case she needed to shoo a rodent away. She crept along the bench, peering under it.
Nothing.
Then, a louder noise came from the hall, and she froze. That sounded like something big.
Heart pounding, Finley peeked around the doorway.
And squelched a scream. “Frank, you scared me.”
The janitor with a mop and bucket was moving down the corridor. He had wireless earphones in but when he spotted her, the older man lifted a hand.
She waved back and turned.
Definitely time for bed.
She headed back to her computer and stopped to study her scale model. Tonight, she’d do something to get this irrational attraction to Sabin under control, then tomorrow, she’d work with the warrior.
Getting this weapons system operational was her only priority.
She turned and tripped over a stool, going down on her hands and knees. Jesus. She wasn’t usually this clumsy.
She lifted her head and froze.
The creature was crouched under the bench, directly at eye level. It had a long, humanoid form, covered in black, leathery skin. Its protracted limbs were folded in, its wings pulled around itself.
Its face was dominated by bug eyes—loads of them. It cocked its head, and she saw her own reflection in the silvery sheen.
Finley tried to swallow, her mouth dry.
Then with a screech, the alien flew at her.
She screamed.
The creature barreled at her and when it hit, it knocked her flat. The damn thing was heavier than it looked.
As Finley stared, wide-eyed, the alien opened its mouth. A protuberance extended out of the center of its mouth, and stretched toward her face, drool dripping off it.
Oh. God.
She twisted and tried to shove the thing off her. It had her pinned down, and she couldn’t move. Claws pricked painfully into her chest.
She screamed again. Damn, would Frank even hear her over his music? The rest of the building’s labs were empty, and the living quarters were all on the upper levels. No one would hear her scream.
Or hear her die a horrible, bloody death.
The alien’s face was getting closer, the protuberance aimed for her eye. Drool dripped onto her cheek and stung.
She reached out her hand, scrabbling to try and find anything. Her fingers closed on cool metal.
The stool.
She grabbed it and yanked.
It slammed into the creature’s head. The alien screeched and fell off her with a cry. Finley rolled onto her knees and scrambled to her feet. She ran, sprinting between two benches.
Sabin. She had to get to Sabin. He could stop it.
She sprinted for the door.
The alien leaped, and hit the bench beside her, knocking equipment to the floor with a loud crash. Swallowing a scream, Finley stumbled back.
The alien snapped its wings out. They were batlike, the tips of them covered in sharp barbs. It swiped a claw at her.
She ducked and felt a sting across her back. She scrambled under one of the benches.
She had to get to the door.
With a wild screech, the alien hit the floor between the benches.
Finley stayed crouched, and moved as fast as she could. The alien slammed into another bench, sending it sliding. Her model crashed to the floor, pieces rolling everywhere.
Finley lifted her head and her heart knocked against her ribs.
The damn thing was between her and the door.
Those bug eyes locked on her.
Its mouth gaped open and the protuberance reappeared. It reminded her of something out of a horror movie. Finley could barely think over the fear drumming through her.
“You are really ugly.” She grabbed a box off the closest bench.
The alien flew at her. She threw the box and screamed.
Sabin woke from a light sleep. He never slept well in a new location, until he acclimated to sleeping off-ship. He’d gotten far too used to the stillness of space flight, and the gentle whoosh of air recyclers.
He scanned his Space Corps quarters. The room was shadowed. Quiet.
What had woken him?
He heard a faint, furtive sound.
He pushed the sheets off. He was only wearing tight, black undershorts. His helian throbbed.
Yes, I sense it, too.
He opened his senses. There. There was something in his closet.
Scales flickered over his body, flowing from the helian band to cover his arm, then across his chest and the rest of his body. Once his armor was in place, he snatched up his utility belt from the side table and clipped it on. Then he morphed a short sword that had a faint purple glow.
He yanked open the closet door.
A bug sprang out.
It was the size of a hunting dog. A mottled brown-and-black in color, it had a long body, with a narrow head, six sturdy legs, and a row of spikes along its back.
Sabin slashed with his sword. The bug dodged sideways, extremely agile. The spikes on its back vibrated, like it was picking up movements in the air.
The creature leaped onto a side table, sending a lamp crashing to the floor.
Sabin chased the alien into the living area. With two long strides, he stabbed with his sword, skewering the Kantos bug. Green blood sprayed onto the carpet and he pulled the sword back.
It was an ugly creature. He hadn’t seen it before, but he knew it was Kantos. They bred all kinds of abominations.
He found his communicator and called Gadon and Rade. The other warriors had both clearly been sleeping, but snapped to alertness when he told them of the attack. They both checked their quarters and confirmed no sign of any Kantos.
Sabin made another call.
“Shouldn’t you be sleeping?” Airen Kann-Felis’ face appeared on screen. The second-in-command of the Rengard always looked prepared for anything.
“I was, but I had an uninvited visitor.”
“A cute Earth woman?” Donovan asked from behind Airen.
The dark-skinned Terran Space Corps officer was extremely competent, and had been seconded to work aboard the Rengard. Sabin liked and respected the man.
“Unfortunately, not.” Sabin turned the communicator so they could see the alien.
Airen made an unhappy sound.
Donovan whistled. “Ugly critter.”
“The Kantos clearly know myself and the other warriors are here.”
“Were the others attacked?” Airen asked.
“No.”
“I got a pop in the Kantos database.” Donovan frowned. “It’s a stalker. Said to be a hunting bug that accompanies these guys.” An image popped up on the screen.
Sabin’s blood chilled. He took in the black skin, the wings. “That’s a Kantos assassin.”
Airen’s brow creased. “If the bug came after you, who did the assassin go after?”
Sabin felt a pressure in his chest. “Finley.”
He dropped the communicator and ran.
He powered down the hall and hit the stairs. He thundered down several levels, sprinting toward her lab.
In his gut, he knew she’d still be there.
He sprinted past a startled man with a mop and a bucket. He rounded a corner and heard a screech in the distance. He made out the sound of a fight, and something crashing.
No.
Sabin charged into Finley’s lab.
The K
antos assassin lifted her like she weighed nothing. It had one clawed hand wrapped around her neck. She twisted and jerked.
Sabin’s sword lengthened, and he leaped over an overturned bench.
Finley saw him, her eyes widening.
Then she punched the Kantos in the eyes.
It tossed her, and she hit the wall and slid to the floor.
The creature spun and saw Sabin. Its wings snapped open, and it threw its bony arms wide.
Sabin swung his sword and the Kantos dodged, then it took flight, fluttering close to the ceiling.
Gritting his teeth, Sabin followed. He swung again, then spun and slashed.
He scored the alien’s wing and it let out a deafening screech, crashing to the floor.
It flew at Sabin in a flurry of claws and flapping, barbed wings. He felt sharp talons scratch at his armor. A wash of energy flared from his helian. His armor was holding.
Jaws snapped at him and he stumbled back…and tripped.
Cren.
Sabin fell onto his back, his sword arm pinned by the creature.
“Get off him, you ugly asshole!”
Finley appeared, a bulky piece of equipment in her hands. She raised it over her head and then slammed it down on the back of the assassin’s head.
The creature jerked and its hold loosened. Finley smashed it again.
Sabin heaved up and knocked the alien off him.
He grabbed Finley and shoved her behind him.
Swinging his sword, he stabbed down, slicing into the assassin. Its screech made Sabin wince, but he slashed again.
Finally, the Kantos slumped, its wings crumpled. Green blood pooled on the floor beneath it. The sharp stench of it swamped Sabin’s senses.
Sabin turned.
Finley stared at the alien—her face white, her eyes wide. “God. God.” She pressed a hand to her stomach.
“Are you okay?” He detected her racing heart, her rapid breathing.
She dragged her gaze off the alien, and looked at him. Her face turned even whiter and she started to collapse, but Sabin’s reflexes were fast.
He grabbed her and they both sank to the floor.
“I knew you would kill it.” Her voice was shaky. “I was trying to get to you.”
“Just take a deep breath. Hold on. You’re okay.”
He maneuvered her into his lap, his arms wrapped around her.
She let out a shuddering breath. “It was…terrifying.”
“You’re safe now.”
With a sob, she pressed her face to his neck and held on. Her body shook and he felt a strange need to comfort her. He stroked her back and she clung tighter.
“Thank you,” she said.
“You’re welcome, Finley.”
“I tried to get away.” Her voice was shaky. “I knew you could kill it.”
She’d held her own against a Kantos assassin and fought it when he needed help. There was a lot more to Dr. Finley Delgado. “You did well, Finley. Let me see your wounds.” She had scratches on her face and on her chest. “I want to treat your scratches with havv.”
He didn’t tell her that the assassin could have poison on its claws.
She withdrew, and he watched as she pulled herself together. There were no tears, no hysterics. Her fingers toyed with a narrow band on her wrist, snapping it against her skin.
She was tough. Admiration hit his belly. There was an inner strength to Finley Delgado.
He pulled out his vial of havv. The scratches on her face weren’t too deep, and he quickly smoothed the gel over them. Then he opened her shirt. He saw her pretty, pink underwear, then the red scratches on her skin. His body took notice of the smooth skin.
Not now, Sabin.
He started smoothing havv across the scratches, and his fingers brushed the top of her breast. Her chest hitched.
“Does it hurt?” Just focus on her, nothing else.
“No.”
He looked at her face. It was flushed, her eyes bright.
“Finley? Are you all right?”
“Just grateful I’m alive, and not bleeding to death on my lab floor.” She shot a quick glance at the assassin. “It’s Kantos?”
“Yes.”
She shuddered.
Sabin shifted her around so he could reach the scratch on her back. He finished with the havv and put the small vial away.
“There.”
“I’m suddenly feeling quite glad that you were here, warrior.” She touched his cheek and he felt that light touch all the way through his body. Their gazes met.
She had eyes of a deep, rich-brown color. He found it fascinating that her eyes were all one color, so unlike Eon eyes.
“Thank you for saving my life, Sabin.”
Then she leaned forward and kissed him.
Chapter Four
Finley’s brain short-circuited.
Sabin’s lips were firm, warm. Except he wasn’t kissing her back.
Oh, God. She was an idiot.
She was about to pull back, when his hands tightened on her and his mouth opened.
Then he kissed her.
His tongue was in her mouth, teasing hers. He tasted so good. Sensation shot through her like a wildfire.
She tilted her head and made a hungry sound.
An answering, masculine growl vibrated through Sabin. Finley thought she’d been kissed well before, and had always written it off as kind of boring.
Not now.
She leaned into him, and he tilted his head, his mouth slanting over hers. She couldn’t think or breathe. She didn’t want to think or breathe. All she wanted was to kiss Sabin Solann-Ath forever.
One of his strong hands slid into her hair. She’d lost her hair tie in the fight and her hair was loose. He wrapped it around his fingers and tugged. Her head dropped back, and she felt a sweet sting in her scalp, and an answering tug between her legs.
His head lifted, his gaze on her. The purple strands in his eyes glowed brightly.
“You like that?” he asked, voice deep.
“Yes.”
His hold on her hair tightened, and her lips parted.
“You’re so strong,” she murmured.
“I’d never hurt you.”
“I know. That’s what makes it so attractive.”
He made a growling sound and kissed her again, nipping her lips. Then they were kissing each other senseless. Finley pressed closer.
Suddenly, there was a commotion in the hall. “Security!”
Oh, crap.
She pulled back and Sabin’s eyes flashed. He rubbed his thumb over her bottom lip, which made her insides dance.
Then, he pulled her up off the floor with him.
“Here. I’m Security Commander Solann-Ath. We neutralized the threat.”
The security team charged in—three men and one woman—guns in hand.
They took in the dead Kantos on the floor, and one of the men blanched. The woman stepped forward. She was only a few years older than Finley, and head of Space Corps Headquarters Security. Finley had admired Captain Alea Rodriguez since she’d met her. The captain was tall and athletic, and always in charge. The woman ran security with a firm, no-nonsense, and slightly scary hand.
The brunette’s jaw firmed. “Lewis, organize a containment and cleanup crew.”
“Yes, Captain.”
Captain Rodriguez’s light-brown gaze moved to where Finley stood in Sabin’s arms. “Dr. Delgado, are you okay?”
“Thanks to Sabin.” She shuddered.
The woman eyed the blood on Finley’s lab coat. “The paramedics are on the way.”
“I’m all right. Sabin dealt with my injuries.” And kissed my brains out. Finley guessed the security captain didn’t need to know that.
“I still want the paramedics to check you over.” Rodriguez’s tone warned Finley that she wasn’t up for any arguments or negotiations.
“Fine,” Finley muttered.
“Security Commander, I’m hoping I can get your
statement.” Rodriguez looked at the alien’s body. “And your advice.”
“There’s another Kantos bug in my quarters,” he said. “I killed it.”
Finley gasped.
“Chen,” Rodriguez barked. “Get a second team up to the security commander’s quarters.”
The man nodded. “On it, Captain.”
Suddenly, hands spanned Finley’s waist. With one move, Sabin lifted her onto a bench.
She gasped. One, no one’s hands had ever spanned her waist before, and two, no one could lift her that easily.
He settled her, and then put a curled finger under her chin. “Are you okay?”
She nodded. Her body was aflame and desire was a hot lick in her belly, but she was okay.
Ugh, maybe she was going into heat? This had to stop. She couldn’t let this warrior distract her. Anything between them would only be temporary. He’d lose interest, and leave her with a battered, bleeding heart.
“Stay here while we get this sorted,” he said.
Finley managed a nod.
She sat there and watched him work with security. He was incredibly competent, and she suddenly felt bad about calling him Commander Brawn. It was clear he was intelligent and experienced, and good at his job.
Another part of her hated that he and Captain Rodriguez looked so good standing beside each other. Rodriguez’s dark-brown hair was in a tight ponytail, and she was in good shape. She’d have no trouble keeping up with Sabin. Finley’s stomach clenched into unpleasant knots.
There was movement at the door, and Admiral Barber strode in. She was in her Space Corps uniform, but her eyes were still puffy from sleep. Several officers and Dr. Kemp were with her.
Finley shivered, suddenly feeling cold. The hard reality of almost losing her life was settling on her like a freezing cloud.
Dark memories stirred. The horrible helplessness and fear of being a captive, being locked in a damn hole in the ground, rose up like a choking hand. She reached for her elastic band and snapped it.
Breathe. You’re safe.
“What is going on?” The admiral spotted the Kantos’ body and her mouth flattened.
Sabin appeared, draping a blanket he’d found from who-knew-where over Finley’s shoulders.
