Janaya

by Shelley Munro

  “Try it,” Janaya spat.

  “All I want are the charts.”

  Luke watched Janaya freeze. Like a coiled spring, she was ready to attack but the male was too stupid to see it.

  The male gestured with his silver weapon. Janaya laughed—mocking and derisive—and sprang at the male, one leg kicking up at his weapon. It sailed through the air, landing not far from Luke. After checking the clearing, he loped forward to grab the weapon for safekeeping. Janaya’s lack of reaction told him she’d known of his presence.

  He stood well back to enjoy the show. It was easy to see Janaya played with the male. Easy for Luke to perceive. However, the alien male seemed a bit on the thick side.

  He lashed out with a kick. She dodged with ease then darted forward to grab the alien’s foot while it was still midair. A swift flick of her wrist had the alien male flying backward and landing on his butt in the middle of a blackberry bush. His howl rivaled one of Killer’s best.

  Luke stepped closer, half expecting her to pull out her weapon and explode the alien asshole into a tidy pile of purple ash.

  “You’ll pay for this,” the alien snarled.

  Luke took one look at Janaya and stepped back. The dark purple mist filled her eyes. The male better watch his mouth or else he’d get more than soap.

  “Leave, Santana. Go back to Dalcon.”

  “I’ll see you rot in prison,” Santana snarled.

  A ray of purple fire shot from Janaya’s eyes, setting light to the dry leaves six inches from Santana’s butt. He let out a girlish shriek and scrambled to his feet, backing away from the fire and Janaya. Blood oozed down a cut on his pretty face.

  The blackberry thorns, Luke thought. He gave up his internal fight and let a smirk bloom. Couldn’t have happened to a nicer bloke.

  “Go, Santana,” Janaya repeated.

  The tired, defeated note in her voice propelled Luke to action. He strode to her side and placed a hand on her shoulder.

  Santana glared, but when she stepped toward him, he backed away with such haste he fell over a punga stump. He cursed, picked himself up and slunk from sight.

  “Sweetheart.” Luke drew her into his arms and held her tense, shuddering body. A lump bloomed in his throat. He knew she’d wanted to prove her love to her father. But the bastard had thrown her love, her loyalty, back in her face. He pulled away to study her face. The color had leeched away, leaving her pale and wan.

  “Let’s go home,” he said, concern at the shock-like symptoms bringing a frown.

  “I don’t have a home any longer,” she whispered hoarsely. “My father hates me and my unit is hunting me for desertion.”

  Luke tightened his grasp on her hand. “You have me. And Hinekiri.”

  His words didn’t draw a positive response. Luke didn’t know what to do or how to convince her of her worth. He wished Hinekiri were here. She’d know what to do.

  He led her unresisting form back to his vehicle and after he tossed the weapons behind his seat, buckled her into the passenger seat. A troubled silence filled his Land Cruiser during the drive to his father’s house. Luke helped Janaya out and reached for the front door. It burst open before he could grasp the front handle.

  “There you are, son,” his father boomed. “Just rang the station looking for you.”

  “Do ya have any food?” Killer appeared at his father’s feet, her black button nose twitching and white tail wagging so fast it blurred.

  “Hinekiri here?”

  “Yep,” his father said, standing aside to let them enter.

  Luke led Janaya to a kitchen chair and pushed her down. He placed the weapons on the bench.

  “What’s wrong?” his father asked.

  “She’s had a shock. I really need Hinekiri,” Luke said.

  “I get Hine,” Killer yapped. She trotted off, her nails clicking on the tiled floor.

  Luke took the time to study his father. He sported a holiday tan and looked good. Relaxed. “Have a good time?”

  His father grinned. “The best.” He sobered. “We need to talk.”

  Luke nodded. “Sure, let me get Janaya sorted and we can sit down with a beer.”

  The click of nails indicated Killer’s return. It was the speed of the return that alarmed Luke.

  Killer skidded around the corner. “Purple people eaters!”

  Hinekiri appeared out of breath but loaded with weapons. “Torgon. Saw them out the window.”

  Janaya leapt to her feet, seeming to snap out of her lethargic shock, and grabbed up a weapon.

  “Richard, here’s a weapon for you,” Hinekiri said. “Remember how to use it?”

  “Is water wet?” His father snatched up the weapon and hurried to a window facing the front of the house.

  “Want one,” Killer said. “Shoot purple people eaters.”

  “Not enough windows,” his father said. “You guard the doors.”

  Killer barked. “Okay!”

  Luke stared at his father before pushing the release on his weapon. “You understand her?”

  “Yeah. Scared the shit out of me the first time.”

  “Hold your fire,” Janaya directed in a hard voice. “I’ll give the word.”

  A tense silence enveloped the room.

  “What’s Santana doing here?” Hinekiri said.

  Janaya scowled. “He came to steal your charts.”

  “The phrullin bastard! He’s mine,” Hinekiri cried.

  “You’ll have to line up behind me.” Luke wanted to hurt the slimy bastard.

  Janaya flicked the release on her weapon. “I’ll take out Santana,” she said in a hard voice.

  “Whatever,” Luke’s father said. “Just don’t leave me to shoot the Torgon while the three of you blast this Santana into ashes.”

  “He’s yours, Janaya.” Luke concentrated on the other targets.

  Janaya stared at Santana with loathing. All this time, he’d used her to get to Hinekiri. And her father…

  “Get ready,” she ordered in a low, terse voice. “Fire!”

  Almost as one, the four of them fired their weapons. Three Torgon disintegrated. Santana lost an arm.

  “Ready. Fire!”

  Three more Torgon fell and Santana lost another arm. He writhed on the ground and Janaya felt nothing but hatred.

  “Finish him off, sweetheart.” Luke stepped up beside her, sliding a comforting arm around her waist. “Don’t make him suffer needlessly.”

  Janaya knew he was right—making Santana suffer wouldn’t help her pain fade. Dredging up her professional mien, she aimed and fired.

  With their leader gone, the rest of the Torgon milled about in confusion. Hinekiri and Luke’s father aimed and fired almost simultaneously.

  Richard let out a whoop. “Bull’s eye!”

  Hinekiri placed her weapon on the table and walked over to Janaya.

  “I’m sorry about Santana.”

  Janaya closed her eyes briefly struggling for emotional calm. Everything she’d fought for had disappeared from her grasp. Her promotion, her father’s love.

  Her future.

  The onslaught of tears blurred her vision.

  “I’m sorry.” Guilt and pain formed a lump of anguish in her throat. She coughed. “I’ve put you all in danger. Santana knew where to find us because Father told him.”

  “Your father, my brother, is a worthless fodo bird. I’ve held my tongue all these years because he is your father and I know you love him. But we have to face facts. He’s a selfish, devious, overbearing male who wouldn’t know the meaning of love and loyalty if it bit him on his big toe.”

  Janaya tried to laugh but only managed a feeble sniff.

  “Oh, Janaya.” Hinekiri cupped Janaya’s face with her hands and looked deep into her eyes. “I love you, child. You’re the daughter I’ve never had. I’ve never told you in words because I thought you realized how much I care for you. You’re my daughter in every way that matters.”

  Janaya sniffed again. Tear
s backed up behind her eyes. No amount of blinking stopped them and soon they poured down her face. “I love you too.”

  “Good,” Hinekiri said briskly, her eyes looking suspiciously bright. “I suggest we celebrate the way we kicked those Torgon asses.”

  “You’re still in trouble for flying off to Africa without telling me,” Janaya said.

  “At five in the afternoon with a faulty cloaking device,” Luke said. “You have no idea the trouble you’ve caused.”

  Luke’s father chuckled. “Rattled a few cages. Thought we might. I haven’t had so much fun in ages.”

  Janaya looked from Hinekiri to Richard to Luke. Despite their sniping at each other, they were grinning. She knew Luke admired his father and she could see why.

  “When is food?” Killer demanded, rubbing her head against Richard’s leg. When he acted too slowly for her liking, she gave him a sly nip in the calf.

  “Quit that,” he warned. “We’ll eat now.”

  He could understand Killer. Janaya cast a speculative glance at Hinekiri. Her aunt was busy beaming at Richard.

  “Ah…” Janaya cleared her throat. “Have you two—”

  “We don’t need to know,” Luke said, sliding an arm around her waist and tightening his hold in warning. “Too much information.”

  Hinekiri blushed. “I’ll answer anyway. Yes. We have. Richard is coming along on my next expedition. We’ve come to an understanding.”

  Happiness blazed from her aunt’s face and Janaya was fiercely glad that something good had come from their crash landing in Sloan. Luke’s solid presence at her side reminded her of the second thing.

  “Looks like we’re going to become related,” he murmured next to her ear.

  “Do you mind?”

  “Hell no. Dad needed someone like Hinekiri to jolt him from his rut.”

  Warmth curled inside Janaya without warning. She hugged Luke and reached up to plant a kiss on his lips. Unconditional love. She’d had it all along from her aunt but was too stupid to realize. And Luke. She stared up into his eyes and every one of her senses leapt in excitement. Oh, yeah. There was love here too if she dared take the risk. She thought about the commitment required for all of two seconds. The decision wasn’t difficult. Gut instinct told her life with Luke wouldn’t be a gamble.

  Luke enfolded her in his arms, clutching her against his broad chest. He smoothed his hand over her hair. “I love you, Janaya.”

  Janaya blinked away the sudden moisture in her eyes. She felt the solid pound of his heart beneath her cheek and smiled as she cuddled closer.

  Dreams did come true. She had a family. She had it all.

  Epilogue

  Janaya snuggled up to Luke’s naked body. Sweat dripped off both of them but she didn’t care. Relaxed and replete from a thorough loving—there was nothing better. Her thoughts drifted to Dalcon then darted away, too raw to think on the matter with any degree of rationality. Time, her aunt had said, nodding wisely.

  “Don’t think about your father or Dalcon,” Luke murmured. “You don’t need either of them.”

  She pulled away to study his face. “How did you know what I was thinking?”

  “Not difficult,” he said. “Especially since now and then I get a flash of your thoughts inside my head. It’s a bit scary for this poor Earth male.”

  Janaya frowned. She’d thought it was only her who received random thoughts.

  “Random. Yeah, that’s a good description.”

  “Scary.”

  “Yep.” Luke picked up a long strand of hair and twirled it around his finger. “It doesn’t matter. I still love you.”

  A pulse beat at the base of her throat and swelled as though her heart had risen from its normal resting place. “I love you too.” It was true. Even when they disagreed on some small matter, she felt connected. Cherished. Loved.

  “Janaya?” Luke sat up in the bed and fumbled for the bedside drawer. It screeched slightly as it opened. Muttering under his breath, Luke finally turned on the light. “Ah! There it is.” He seized a blue velvet box from inside the drawer and turned to her, an enigmatic expression in place. Then he opened the small box.

  Inside a gold ring gleamed. Blue and white jewels sparkled and picked up the light of the lamp. “I love you, Janaya. This is for you—a symbol of my love. Will you bond with me in the traditional Earth way?”

  She nodded dumbly, too overcome for words.

  Luke grinned and pulled the ring from the depths of the white lining. He picked up her left hand and slid the ring on her finger.

  A thousand different emotions twirled like ribbons inside her. She wanted to laugh. She wanted to cry. Tears sparkled on her lashes as she gazed at the ring, the sign of Luke’s love. “Will you make love to me? That’s the way we finalize joining on Dalcon.”

  “You bet,” he said. “It will be my pleasure.” He stroked his finger across her lips, promise simmering in his brown eyes. “What does my future wife think about traveling with Dad and Hinekiri?”

  “This place called Alaska sounds like fun. You can teach me how to fish.”

  Luke pressed a butterfly kiss on each of Janaya’s eyelid. “I will. When we have time.”

  Desire unfurled in her. Pleasure points started to hum.

  Without warning, the door shot open and Killer trotted inside. She bounded up onto the bed and pushed between them.

  “Hinekiri and Richard told me to visit. They busy,” Killer said.

  “We were about to become busy too,” Luke said but he scratched behind Killer’s ears.

  Janaya grinned as the dog rubbed against Luke with a sigh. “I suppose you’re going to Alaska with us,” she said.

  Killer barked. “Might. I hungry.”

  “You’re always hungry,” Janaya said.

  “Not. Sometimes sleepy.” Killer leapt from the bed and trotted to the door then turned back to eye them hopefully.

  Luke’s groan drowned Janaya’s giggle.

  “Why laugh?” Killer demanded.

  “No reason,” Luke said, rolling his eyes. “Hell, I’m having a conversation with a dog.”

  “Good conversation,” Killer snapped.

  “See you in the morning, Killer,” Janaya said.

  “Snack?”

  “No!” Janaya and Luke shouted simultaneously.

  Killer trotted out the door. Then seconds later, she poked her head back through.

  “Killer!” Richard Morgan roared. “I told you not to interrupt Luke and Janaya.”

  Janaya grinned again. Tonight there were no shadows in her heart. Instead, she felt a bottomless peace and satisfaction.

  A family.

  That was what she had with Luke.

  “I leave them,” Killer said with a loud yap.

  “Good. Go to sleep and give us all some peace,” Hinekiri chirped.

  Killer was quiet for a moment then Janaya heard her say, “Do ya have any food?”

  The end

  Read about Hinekiri’s adventures in Africa in book 2, Alien Encounter: Hinekiri. Turn the page to read an excerpt or check out the excerpt for Captured & Seduced, book 1 in the House of the Cat series. To learn more about the rest of the series or my other books visit my website or join my newsletter.

  Happy reading

  Shelley

  Excerpt – Hinekiri

  Copyright 2015 Shelley Munro

  Book 2 in the Alien Encounter series.

  Chuckling, Richard fired up his vehicle and backed away from the gnarled pohutukawa tree he’d parked beneath. “Crop circles,” he muttered. “What ever next?”

  “Woof. Woof. Woof.”

  “So, we’re in agreement. Smart dog.” He accelerated down the gravel road, sending a cloud of dust sailing in their wake. Richard wound down the window to enjoy the fresh country air as he followed the road that snaked through green countryside and stands of native trees. He slowed for a herd of steers being driven down the road toward a set of cattle yards and waited until they turned into
the paddock, dogs barking at their heels.

  “Woof.” The dog craned its neck as though it wanted to get a good look at the other dogs.

  Richard grinned and waved to Scott, the owner of the animals as he drove past and picked up speed again. They rounded a corner, drove under a huge pine tree and around another corner. Without warning, Richard slowed. “That’s Luke’s vehicle. I wonder what the problem is?” He spotted Hinekiri and his mind stalled. That was one fine-looking woman. His gaze dipped fractionally, speculation rife as his eyes assessed her. Not much body fat, but she looked healthy and more than good to him. Soft, blonde hair. Those beautiful eyes and a sexy grin. Confidence. It practically oozed from her. Not exactly what he was used to, but the concept of a self-assured woman was interesting—a woman who appeared to like to take control. In that moment, he decided he’d ask her out. If she and her niece weren’t staying for long, there was not a moment to waste. He’d take her out to dinner at the Red Fox Inn. They did a fine meal there, but the atmosphere was casual and friendly. No uppity waiters with their noses stuck so far up in the air they were in danger of getting frostbite. No snobby clientele—just a good mix of local residents and business people. Yep, the perfect place for a first date. Richard’s palms moistened and he removed them from the steering wheel one at a time to wipe them on his brown chinos. He sucked in a deep breath, his mind made up on the subject. Today, he’d step outside his comfort zone and ask the woman out. The worst thing that could happen was she could say no.

  Richard wound the driver’s window down. “Is there a problem?”

  “No problem,” Luke said.

  Hmmm. Richard scowled. If everything were all right, why was his son looking like a man who’d just faced the enemy. His face was pale and if Richard wasn’t mistaken, he was sweating.

  The dog jumped from the passenger seat onto Richard’s lap and stuck its head out the window.

  “Woof. Woof. Woof.”

  Richard ran his hand over its soft white fur. “I hope you don’t mind me taking your dog out. He jumped in while I wasn’t looking and I didn’t have the heart to leave him at home.”