Terrik (Moon Hunter's Inc. Book 3)

by Catty Diva

  It was nice that his mate was so loyal, but he knew she would be horrified if she was aware of what his Emperor had done and his people had allowed to happen. Of course she would be, since he was. No one could be neutral on a matter as abhorrent as the matter at hand. Only a monster of epic proportions could have done something so gruesome.

  If he could, he would bring the Emperor back just to kill him again. He wouldn’t stop there either; his whole court would go along with him for doing nothing. Maybe their Gods had served up justice on his planet, but too many innocents had been there receiving the punishment alongside the villain.

  “I don’t deserve you,” he whispered in Lista’s ear, “but I have to have you by my side.”

  “You are so much better than you think you are. Razar, you are too hard on yourself. The judgement you take for yourself is on things others have done. Never would you judge a male for his family’s sins, yet you take on the sins of the world as if they were your own.”

  She couldn’t possibly know and yet what she said fit the situation perfectly. His perfect mate that had presented him with two children already. Lista had insisted on having them close together so they could play with each other and share friends. His mate had regrets about her relationship with her sister, Narcissa, and she blamed the age difference.

  It might have contributed, but Razar felt like there was another less benign cause. They might never know because that female kept everything locked up tight refusing friendship or any sort of help. Her personality was poison, a direct opposite to Lista’s. He was aware she snuck away to visit her sister with some of his sisters-in –law. That had not borne fruit and might never do so.

  “I’ve never loved anything as much as I love you. You have given me the perfect family,” Razar softly said.

  “Sweetheart, the family isn’t through growing.”

  “You’re not expecting again so soon, are you?”

  “No, but when the time is right, we’ll add to our family.”

  “Don’t misunderstand me, my love. I would consider any offspring you give me a blessing, but you need time in between. You’re stronger than a human, but not as strong as a Draig and I can’t lose you. Somedays you are all that keeps me sane,” Razar admitted. He pulled her into his arms and held her tight against him. Drawing in a deep breath, her scent washed over him and he was calm and at peace, for now.

  “You’ll not get rid of me, Mister. I’m here to stay.”

  “That is all I could ever ask for. Everything else will work out in its own time and its own way.”

  Chapter 3

  The Big Picture

  Cash sat as his desk looking at the phone like it was a two-headed serpent. Some days, it seemed like it was. His friend, Razar, was more than a client. That he had just told him he had his full support, meant more than anyone could imagine. The power, wealth, and other resources of Oison were greater than any he knew. Razar would help him anyway, but he seemed to have a special connection to the mission to take down the labs.

  Getting up, Cash walked to his board where assignments were written in and spun it around. A list of places had been written and one, Alpha, had a line written through it. One less place to concern himself with. Eleven more to go and one of those was hot, or current, if you preferred. Cyn and Alex were there and Terrik was on his way. As soon as they had something concrete, more hunters would be on their way.

  Cash’s hopes had been high when Razar had called. Everyone wondered why Cash was after the labs and it was simple really. He was what they called lab-born and bred. His parents had been taken away while he was young and he still harbored hopes that they were alive and he would find them.

  He knew he wasn’t human, not fully. Cash wasn’t sure exactly what he was. There was an attachment to the Mazlans making him wonder if some of that blood didn’t run through his veins. It was unknown and while he could take a blood test and find out, he didn’t trust that the results would be secret.

  Cash liked his secrets and he kept most of them. His secret files on his hunters were started years before he had a company. He knew more about most of them than they knew about themselves. They were connected to him, to one another, and possibly to the Mazlans. By the time all was said and done, all the secrets would be out. That was his goal anyway and a fine goal it was.

  Secrets caused trouble, he knew that. But there were times they were necessary, even from those you loved. It wasn’t like his hunters were stupid. They suspected, they just didn’t have proof of what was going on and what was happening. Cyn nearly had everything figured out, smart girl. Justice was a step behind her. He was currently waiting for Cyn and Alex to call and report in. Waiting sucked.

  His com buzzed. Thank the Gods they were checking in. A bit longer and he would have worried. He hit the button. “Cash here.”

  “Hey, it’s me and Alex. Everything seems to be good. Terrik is due anytime. I wanted to wait until he arrived but I knew you would blow a gasket.”

  “Thanks for your concern. You need to be responsible for the safety of others sometime and you’d understand.”

  “I do understand. That’s why I went ahead and called, even though Terrik will be calling you soon,” Cyn explained.

  “I appreciate it. This mission isn’t like the others, because dealing with labs is complicated and these are the grisliest beings we’ll ever deal with,” silence greeted him. She knew he was right.

  “So, we’ll be sure to check in regularly,” Alex finally answered.

  “You are both okay with this?” he had to ask because of the high level of danger. Cash knew they hadn’t seen even a smidgeon of the evil these people were capable of. They’d caught them off-guard but now they were wary and prepared.

  “It’s okay. Cyn and I are ready for anything,” Alex assured.

  They’d better be. “Just err on the side of caution if you have to make a choice.”

  “Agreed,” Alex said.

  “Make sure Terrik calls when he arrives.”

  “Yes, Dad,” Cyn teased.

  “Do I have to take my belt off?” He blustered, like he imagined a dad might.

  “You kinky thing!” Cyn exclaimed.

  “Just have Terrik call,” He said and he hung up. Damn, he hoped the call would come through soon because he wouldn’t sleep until it did even if he was exhausted and kept drifting off. The second he went to bed, he’d lie there eyes wide open and unable to get them to close.

  Nearly two hours later, Terrik called. “Hello?”

  “Hey, Terrik. I guess you’ve arrived. Go easy on my money.”

  Terrik chuckled. “Don’t I always?”

  “Ha, you spend it faster than the females do. Keep a close eye on Cyn. I’m thinking of sending Brutus to you.”

  “That’s up to you, Man. Brutus is a lot of fun. It’ll double your costs, but I don’t mind.”

  “It won’t double my cost. He’ll be staying in your room, the same one you already have.”

  “But I’m already sharing the suite with Cyn and Alex.”

  “Exactly,” Cash murmured.

  “I hate it when all the females think I’m gay. Bisexual is alright, but if I have a boyfriend all the good ones stay away or they ask if they can watch.”

  “So sad. You usually pay for some females anyway.”

  “You know I don’t like to pay for it.”

  “Too bad. Boo hoo!”

  “Damn it, Cash. Have a heart,” Terrik whined.

  “I do, just not for you when you act spoiled.”

  “I’m not spoiled. I just want to have a little fun while I’m risking my life.”

  “Be careful and watch out for Cyn. Brutus leaves in the morning so watch for him.”

  “What’s going on that you decided to send in a reinforcement before the investigation is even started?”

  “It’s a feeling I have. I can’t explain it, but I think you’ll be glad of any help you have,” Cash explained.

  Brutus was solid, big
, and strong. Not the biggest thinker, not that any of his hunters were dumb. Cyn and Justice were the greatest thinkers constantly plotting, planning, and trying to figure out what was going on. Brutus relied on what he was told and went along with the guidelines given to hunters. Nothing wrong with that. Cyn could think enough for all of them.

  The call ended and Cash was able to get some sleep, but not much since it was already early morning. He’d sleep in and hope Dani, his recently hired PA would open the office and get things going. She was one he’d searched for a long while. It had been a relief when he’d marked her off the list. Most accepted his job offers, a few refused and over the years he had found almost all of them.

  Who were they? They were the ones released from the lab on Earth when it had been closed. Just a token of the population the cages had held to pretend they were doing as they’d been told. Had they helped them? No, not even the government that had known how hard their lives had already been. They had been tossed out on their asses with no place to go, no food to eat, and some of them without even the shirt on their back.

  Some had given up, crawled into the nearest hole, and died. Most, however, had fought tooth and nail for the chance at a real life. Those released victims, had found a way to survive, a few like Alex had even thrived. A handful among them had become leaders and shakers. A few of those had even reached out and offered help.

  Now, they stood on the edge of a precipice. They would either wipe out the labs or be wiped out by those who ran them. Cash had made his choice long ago but guilt ate at him. The others didn’t realize the extent of the evil they fought against. Razar knew and that evil had already challenged him and his people for the control of the Oison weed industry and lost. The first loss of many if Cash had any say in it.

  Sleeping as only someone truly exhausted and on his last bit of energy can, Cash didn’t dream and for that his was grateful. When he woke it was to someone shaking his shoulder. “What?”

  “Cash, wake up. You’re getting calls and meetings I can’t take for you,” Dani insisted.

  “What time is it?”

  “It’s noon and you’re backed up. I handled what I could.”

  Of course she had. She didn’t know any of his secrets so how could she handle his deals and plans. “Get me a cup of crue while I shower.”

  “It’s on your desk waiting for you.”

  Dani, so good and capable. Now that he had her managing his day, he didn’t know how he’d make it without her. She was beautiful, too. Not a typical redhead, her skin was a warm tan color with the slightest hint of freckles sprinkled over her nose. Curvy as all get out and those golden eyes of hers saw right through him. Shaking his head, he got rid of those bad thoughts and headed to the shower.

  The warm water washed away the sweat and the sleepiness that clung to him and got him ready for a day where he was starting behind in his already heavy schedule. The thought made his feet drag as he dried himself and walked into his bedroom, without a thought to how naked he was.

  A startled gasp brought his eyes to her. Dani stood there staring at his rock hard cock which was jerking in a bid for attention. It was getting it too, as he stood there unable to think or react. Dani’s face turned crimson as her eyes ate him up. Finally, her eyes broke free and worked their way up to his face.

  “Your crue’s on the nightstand,” She said, and she turned and dashed to the door.

  “Stop that,” He growled at his cock which was jerking around like a snake and dripping from the end. If only things were different, but they weren’t. That woman was far too good for the likes of him.

  He dressed quickly, grabbed his cup of crue and drank some, and then with it in his hand, he walked out to his office and sat at his desk. Dani had put the list on his desk, prioritized. Brutus had called, he was on his way to Terrik. That was good and required nothing from him.

  Jazzy had also called. She’d found something that required his attention. He called her back. “How’s one of my favorite girls?”

  “Cash? I found it. It’s old and it’s a subterranean hell hole. Do you want me to send pictures?” Jazzy asked.

  “Gods, woman. I didn’t expect this so quickly. We are tied up right now so just come home. We’ll make a plan and raid it in a week. It’ll take me that long to get the help we need. Are you okay?”

  “No. Damn it, Cash. No one would be okay after what I saw. It’s monstrous.”

  “I’m sorry you had to see that, but we’ve got to stop this abomination from continuing.”

  “It’s not your fault. I’ll head home now. Maybe I can help organize things.”

  “I can’t wait to see you,” As he hung up, he wondered what Jazzy would say if she knew they were cousins. They were the second generation or maybe even the third of breeding experiments that had gone on for who knows how long in secret.

  Now that he had gotten the ball rolling, it had taken on a life of its own. It was going faster and faster and he hoped it didn’t steamroll right over all of them. He did the only thing he could, he called Razar.

  “Twice in one day, Cash? I’m beginning to think you like me a little.”

  “I do, a little. That’s not why I called. We’ve found a second location and it’s confirmed. I need a team, four or five people to go with the hunter who found the lab. She’ll be in charge because she knows the most about it.”

  “No problem. I’ll have them and a ship ready in two days. Will that be soon enough?”

  “Perfect, Thanks Razar.”

  “No need for thanks.”

  Just like that, he had what was needed. One of these days, he’d have the courage to ask Razar what these people meant to him.

  Chapter 4

  New Cairo

  Cyn and Alex had been at the station two days now. The first day they had stayed in bed sleeping, making love, and ordering room service. If anyone was suspicious of them, it should allay those suspicions. Today they had explored the space station, but only those popular areas that the tourists enjoyed.

  Today, Terrik had arrived and he was a ball of energy. Cyn enjoyed working with him and she liked Brutus, too. Both of them were one percenters, only the first nine hunters had been granted that honor. Justice and Jazzy were two more, but they probably wouldn’t be called in on this.

  The last Cyn had heard, Jazzy had been scouting the next lab location and Justice was semi-retired, only taking a handful of tasks a year. Cash would choose those tasks carefully, based on Justice’s specialties. Since Cyn was semi-retired too, she probably wouldn’t see Justice much. Duke was another one percenter, but he was a lone wolf. He rarely worked with others.

  He probably wouldn’t work on the mission Cash had going to bring down the labs. Now Zak might be brought in if things got dicey. Isis was stuck on Earth following up on things so she wouldn’t be coming in, either. That left Gabe and Duggin, at least as far as the one percenters went.

  Beyond that, Cash had around fifty hunters, some stuck on details that might never end, like guarding someone or something of immense value. Thank the Gods, she’d never been stuck in a job like that. Some of the new guys and gals hired on just for jobs like that. It was true those jobs were more settled, another word for boring.

  “Hey, sexy Cyn. What’s the plan for today?” Terrik asked. He looked up from the lavish breakfast he’d ordered. At least he was nice enough to order everyone breakfast.

  Alex shot him a glare, but he knew there was nothing between her and Terrik. They were like she imagined siblings might be. “Today, you get to check out some extreme activities and find one that gets us to the moon’s surface. This is just for a casual look around and drop some toys we can do some surveillance with later.”

  She and Alex sat down across from Terrik and pulled the covers off their breakfasts. “Thanks.” They said in concert. Cyn had learned not to thank her fellow hunters until she saw what the food was. Sometimes they pulled jokes or ordered ghastly food. Terrik didn’t usually do shit like that, but Du
ggin was a jokester and Brutus would eat anything. That was no exaggeration either.

  Cyn dug into her breakfast. She worked hard and she ate like a male. Her coffee was just the pick me up she needed. “Alex and I have been most places on this station. The areas left, aren’t big enough to hold a lab. It’s definitely not up here. That leaves the moon or the planet which is toxic and dangerous. I vote for the moon,” Cyn said.

  “What do you think the odds are that the people that run the activities around here know what’s going on down there?” Terrik asked, as if the moon being the home of the lab was a given.

  As far as she could see, it was. Storms, volcanoes, and earthquakes that a person could set their watch by caused the air of the planet to be toxic and scientist had declared the planet was unstable and still in a stage of flux that might never stabilize. The moon was probably a small planet caught and held in orbit unable to escape. While the surface of the big planet was always swirling making it dangerous to attempt to land, the moon had a breathable atmosphere and calm surface. It had to be where the lab was hiding and soon, they would know.

  “I made some calls and they are setting up some cross country buggy rides for us below on the moon. I call driver’s seat for one. Brutus can ride with me and you two will have the other vehicle. This is something we can actually look forward to and they said they would drop us off with emergency transmitters and pick us up at a predetermined time and spot. But, it will take them till tomorrow to make arrangements. Gives Brutus time to make it,” Terrik informed.

  “We don’t have a choice, but we can still continue scans of the moon from here and monitor communications because I’ll bet you they have personnel in place up here, too. It would be stupid not to. We need to know who that is,” Cyn insisted.

  “The scans run themselves, Baby. What do you want to do today?” Alex asked.

  “Let’s go to the spa. They have slat scrubs, a lava rub, and I can get my hair done at the same time,” Cyn decided.

  “You coming, Terrik?” Alex asked.