She concentrated, desperate to remember. There'd been a cat. No, not a cat. A wild animal. It had been big. Huge actually. And there'd been a bear. A bear? Then Linx had appeared...and disappeared.
Sergei had obviously hit her harder than she realized because nothing made sense.
But if that were the case, then why wasn't she in a hospital? Shouldn't she be monitored?
"Where is Taylor?" For some reason, it was vitally important that she see her twin. Tabby needed to know that she was alive and that she wasn't going crazy.
"She is nearby. I can take you to see her after we've talked." Linx sat up.
Tabby's heart tripped as the weight of his tone settled heavily upon her shoulders. "What happened?"
“How much do you remember?”
“More than I wish I did,” she said.
Linx looked her in the eye. "You were hurt. Dying." His jaw clenched. “I saved you, but I had to take you someplace that you’d be safe. I picked the one place I knew Sergei’s men could never reach.”
Tabby frowned. Blood. Bodies. Claws. She shook her head. "Sergei is dead."
"I know," Linx said grimly.
Tabby sat up straighter. "You killed him."
"He hurt you." There was no inflection in his voice, only the cold calm of resolve that said he'd do it again without a second thought. "He left me little choice."
"They tortured me." Flashes of pain and waves of nausea followed as she remembered exactly what Sergei and his men had done to her. Tabby held up her hand and wiggled her fingers. It had been broken. She knew it had been broken. She'd felt the bat, heard the bones crack, experienced the breath-stealing agony. "I don't understand."
Linx reached for her hand, but Tabby pulled away.
"Where are we?"
"On a ship like you guessed." His gaze grew wary now.
"You said it wasn't a cruise ship," she said.
"It's not," he said. “At least not the kind of vessel you mean.”
"If it's not a cruise ship, what kind of ship is it?" She supposed they could be on a tanker. Just because Sergei was dead didn't mean that she and Taylor were safe. Far from it. Sergei's boss would look into his death. There was no doubt that once the remaining staff was interviewed the mob would know all about her and Taylor.
Linx stood and walked over to the far wall. "The ship we’re on is a Bender series."
"A what?"
"Perhaps it would be easier to show you." Linx held out his hand.
Tabby climbed out of bed and debated whether to take his proffered hand. She knew she was being childish. After all, they'd just made love. But she couldn’t ignore the warnings going off inside her head. She approached slowly. When she was within reach, he pulled her close, wrapping her in the warmth of his hard body.
With his free hand, Linx reached out and touched a spot on the wall. The metal shimmered and appeared to fade. Less than a second later, Tabby found herself staring out a window at a sky full of stars. No, not a sky. She looked down and didn't see land...but she did see planets.
Tabby took a step back, but didn't release Linx. "Whe-where are we?"
"On a ship." He watched her closely.
"What kind of ship? And don't you dare say Bender because you know that doesn’t mean anything to me."
Linx's lips quirked. "I think you know what kind of ship we're on."
She shook her head. "No, I don't. Because that would be impossible."
"For the human race, perhaps, but not for my people," he said softly.
Tabby staggered back. "I think I need to sit down."
Linx helped her.
"This can't be happening." She clutched the bed. It felt real beneath her fingertips. He felt real. "I saw a cat," she said, trying to make sense of things.
"Yes," Linx said.
Her brow furrowed. "And a bear?"
"You mean Riot," he said.
"What?" She looked at him.
"That's his name. The bear."
Tabby touched her head, searching for lumps. "The bear is named Riot?"
“Yes,” Linx said.
"What about the cat?" she asked, grateful that she hadn’t imagined it after all.
This time Linx didn't answer. He just stared at her in that unblinking way that predators had, when they focused on prey.
Tabby stared at him, her heart pounding in her chest. "Does the cat have a name?"
He nodded slowly.
"What is it?" she asked, afraid of the answer.
Linx sighed. His blue gaze dimmed and he swallowed hard. A second later, his form began to shimmer and blur, when it stopped a large cat sat where Linx had been standing.
Tabby gasped and scooted back. She closed her eyes and opened them again, but the cat was still there and it hadn't moved. It's not possible. It's not possible. It's not possible. The mantra played in her head like a broken record, but there was no denying what her eyes were telling her.
"Linx?” she asked. “Is that really you?"
The cat blinked, then let out a ear-splitting yowl. It's red eyes glowed as it stared at her. She caught a flash of fang as it lifted one leg and licked its massive paw.
Memories came rushing back. There'd been fangs. Claws. And blood. Copious amounts of blood. And now Tabby knew why.
The cat's image wavered and a few seconds later, Linx appeared. This time he was sitting in the exact spot the cat occupied.
"What are you?" she asked, even though a million other questions swirled in her mind. That seemed like the most important one. The others could wait.
* * * * *
"I am a Phantom Warrior." Linx made no move to approach Tabby. He was afraid if he did, he'd scare her to death. He knew this was a lot for any human to take in.
"What exactly is a Phantom Warrior?" She watched him closely, almost as if she expected him to leap at her.
He scratched his head. "I suppose to you and your people I'd be considered an alien."
"Are we talking Mars and little green men?" Tabby’s eyes widened until they nearly took up her whole face.
Even scared she looked adorable to him.
"I have met little green men, but they did not come from Mars. That planet is inhospitable for anything other than bacteria," he said.
Tabby blinked, then blinked again. "Oh my god, you're serious."
He nodded. "Of course. Aren't you?"
She shook her head, sending her long burgundy hair, flowing over her flushed nipples. Linx stared at the tempting flesh, poking through the silken strands, and remembered the taste of her upon his tongue. He wanted more. Even now his mouth watered in anticipation.
Would he ever tire of having her or experiencing this? Linx snorted. Never. The need just continued to grow. He looked forward to their bond strengthening. He no longer felt confined, choked by the idea of having a leash around his heart. Instead, he welcomed the restriction because with it came true freedom.
What would Tabby look like after her first change? Would her hair remain red? Would she become brindle? He had no doubt she would hiss at him and swish her tail in his face. Just the thought of taking her in her other form made him hard. He ached to have her again, but mating would have to wait until Tabby understood exactly what had happened.
"This is a spaceship." Her voice held both shock and awe. “A real live spaceship. Like the ones in the sci-fi movies.”
"Yes," Linx said. “This ship is one of the finest in the galaxy.”
"Why take us on a spaceship?" she asked, looking around the room like she was just seeing it for the first time.
"As I said, it was the only place I knew for certain that you'd be safe. You didn't expect me to leave my mate behind did you?" He was shocked that she’d even consider such a thing.
* * * * *
Mate...
He'd used that word earlier when they'd made love. Tabby hadn't thought anything of it at the time, but given the circumstances, the word now took on a whole new meaning. Was it getting hot in here? She fanned her face with her h
and.
"What exactly do you mean by the term, mate?" She vaguely remembered him mentioning being bound, but now that she knew the truth about him, those words took on a whole new meaning. Were ropes involved? If she never saw another rope in her life, she’d be happy.
Linx's blue eyes flashed red for a second, but he didn't move. "You know exactly what I mean." His tone left no room for argument.
She was afraid that she did understand all too well, but Tabby still wanted to hear it from him. "I know what the word means on Earth, but what does it mean to a Phantom Warrior?" Given the differences in cultures on her planet, she didn’t want to assume anything.
"Unlike humans, Phantoms mate for life," he said, all but daring her to disagree. "There are many sentient beings in the universe that have similar customs."
Her eyes bugged. "You mean there's more than just Phantom Warriors floating around in space?" If there were aliens everywhere, then why hadn’t they found them? He made it sound like you couldn’t throw a rock without hitting one.
"Of course. You didn’t think you were alone, did you?" He gave her an incredulous look that made her feel silly for even suggesting such a thing. "There are many beings and creatures throughout the universe. Just because you have been unsuccessful in locating the ones in your own solar system doesn't mean that they do not exist."
Tabby glanced out the window at the blanket of stars. There were so many of them. It was overwhelming to think about. "Where are we going?" And would she like their destination when they arrived? All she knew was Earth.
"We are on our way to Zaron. That is my home planet," he said. “It is larger than your Earth, closer to the size of Jupiter.”
"Oh." She was trying hard to imagine it, but her brain wasn’t cooperating. The thought of never seeing Earth again made her sad and more than a little homesick. She’d taken so much for granted while she was there. Tabby wished she could go back and have a ‘do over’. She’d never look at Earth the same way again. But Linx was right. They were safer here than they would've been on Earth. Thanks to her sister's lousy taste in men, the Russian mob would never stop looking for them. Speaking of which, "I want to see Taylor." She needed to see her twin with her own eyes to know that she was all right.
Linx stood, the movements silent and graceful, just like a cat. How she hadn't noticed it before she'd never know. Like most people, she hadn’t been looking.
"I'll take you to her now, but there is something I must tell you before we go," he said. The seriousness of his tone brought her up short.
"Is she hurt? You said she was okay." Had he lied? Oh god, she should’ve demanded to be taken to her immediately.
Linx touched her shoulder. "Taylor is well, but she shouldn't be here."
"What do you mean she shouldn't be here?" Tabby crossed her arms over her chest.
Linx took a deep breath. "There are regulations for transporting humans. Stringent rules that must be followed."
"What rules? And what do they have to do with my sister?"
* * * * *
Linx didn't know how to explain to Tabby why the Phantoms were on the planet without upsetting her. He knew the second he told her that they were there looking for mates, she was going to get angry. He'd learned that much about her in the short time they'd known each other.
His mate was a fighter. She'd proven it with Sergei and she'd proven it to him. He knew he had to be careful or she'd end up getting them all held in confinement.
"Each Phantom is only allowed to bring one mate aboard," he said, waiting to see if she understood.
Tabby gave him a blank look.
"I chose you," he said, though in truth, the goddess had chosen for him.
She didn't move an inch.
He sighed. She wasn’t going to make it easy on him. "I am not allowed to bring any other females onboard."
Her brow arched.
Linx shook his head. At this rate, they'd be to Zaron before she understood. He'd have to take a more direct approach. "I had to smuggle Taylor onto the ship because I knew you'd be unhappy without your twin. What I did is against the law. But I couldn't bear to see you unhappy, when I knew that this one thing would make all the difference."
Tabby stared at him for what felt like an eon, then she slowly smiled and threw herself into his arms. Her fingers tunneled through his hair and she kissed him. "Thank you, Linx. I lov--" The word was cut short as she pressed her lips together.
Linx didn't say anything. He could barely hear over the sound of his hearts pounding. She'd said that she loved him. Or she'd nearly said so. For now, that was enough.
"Let's go see your sister."
Tabby nodded and slowly released him.
* * * * *
Linx led Tabby down a long corridor, which looked much like the interior of their cabin, except there were many doorways leading off the long spine. They ran into a few people, who he greeted formally. He'd introduced her as his mate and she hadn't contradicted him, though part of her still couldn't believe it.
They reached an elevator and went down for what seemed like a million floors. Eventually, they reached the basement or whatever it was called on a ship. The name didn't matter in Tabby's mind because it looked like a basement, a very big basement with a really tall ceiling. There were cargo containers stacked from floor to what she imagined was the ceiling, since she couldn't really see it due to the low lighting.
Shadows pressed in around them as they wound their way through a maze of crates. Eventually, the aisle widened and she spotted two doorways up ahead. Linx held his hand out and stopped her. He paused, staring into the gloom, tilting his head from side to side. A moment later, he glanced at Tabby and nodded.
"It is safe to proceed."
Tabby stepped forward as the door on the right opened. A burly man walked out, his dark, disgruntled gaze landed on them, then he slowly stepped aside. Behind him, huddled on a cot, sat Taylor.
“Any problems?” Linx asked.
“None,” the man said.
Tabby rushed forward. As she drew closer, she recognized the man from the club. Riot. He'd turned into something that made a grizzly look like a child's stuffed toy.
She changed course in order to give the bear a wide berth.
Taylor stood as she walked through the door.
"I thought you were dead." She rushed forward.
Tabby hugged her close. "I thought so, too. Are you okay?"
Taylor glared at Riot’s back. "Yes, but he won't let me leave. And he hasn't told me anything. Where are we?"
Tabby glanced over her shoulder at Linx. She had no idea where to begin or how to explain. She was still trying to process what she’d seen herself. She turned back to Taylor. "We’re safe," she said.
"I am so sorry," Taylor said. Gone was the reckless woman, who'd courted danger on a regular basis. This solemn creature standing before her had replaced her. "I didn't mean for any of this to happen. When Sergei tied you up and began to beat on you, I thought we were dead." Tears filled her eyes.
"We very nearly were." If it hadn't been for Linx, they'd have been an unsolved homicide or worse, their bodies would've never been found. And after a few weeks, no one would’ve bothered to look for them.
"Why won't he let me leave?" Taylor asked. "Am I a prisoner?"
Tabby brushed her hair back out of her face. "No, you're not a prisoner, but you weren't exactly brought aboard legally."
Taylor's face paled. "I'm a stowaway?"
"Yes." Tabby nodded. That was as good an explanation as any.
"How long do I have to stay here?" Taylor asked.
Tabby glanced back at Linx once more and frowned. He held up three fingers. She nodded in understanding. "Just a few more days."
"Okay." Taylor slowly sat back down. She looked at her twin, her eyes searching. "Do you know what they are?" she whispered.
Tabby hesitated, then nodded.
Taylor trembled. "Are we in danger?"
She shook her head. �
�No. That’s the one thing we don’t have to worry about anymore.”
Taylor's narrow shoulders slumped in relief. "Okay. I'll wait until you come and get me."
Tabby grabbed her sister and hugged her tight. "Everything is going to be okay."
Taylor gave her a sad smile. "I'm sorry I got you into this mess." Her gaze drifted over to the two men, then back to her twin's face.
Tabby met her gaze. "I'm not."
Taylor stared at her for a minute, then finally nodded in understanding. She gave Tabby's hand a quick squeeze, then released her.
"I'll see you soon," Tabby said.
Taylor nodded, then laid back down on the cot.
* * * * *
Taylor had nearly gotten her sister—her twin—killed because of her dangerous taste in men. She'd been so selfish. Never caring about Tabby's feelings or concerns as she jumped from one bad boy to the next.
Well she'd learned her lesson, Taylor thought. It had come at a high price, but she'd finally learned.
She didn't know where they were going, but she trusted Tabby. If she said they weren't in any danger, then she believed her.
Her gaze strayed back to the massive man, who'd been both guard and caregiver since she'd awoke. He watched her closely like he half expected her to sprout horns and breathe fire. Heck, maybe he did.
Taylor was used to men looking at her, leering at her, but this big guy barely gave her a second look. He was here out of duty, not because he wanted to be. And for that she was grateful. It would be a long time before she was ready to jump back into any relationship.
Not that Taylor thought there'd be much chance of that, since the men she'd met thus far weren't human.
She stared at the gray, metallic wall as she reassessed her life. She'd made a lot of mistakes over the years, but she was determined to learn from them. Taylor hoped that eventually Tabby would be able to forgive her, but she knew that wouldn't happen right away. And she couldn't blame her sister one bit.
Taylor needed to prove how much she'd changed. That would take time. She wasn't the silly airhead that let men walk all over her anymore. Staring death in the face helped adjust her outlook on life.
Phantom Warriors Volume 1 Page 27
