Lovers of the Galaxy: Book Three: Raiders of the Lost Heart

by Trinity Blacio

  He nodded again.

  “I was thinking if you can have the computer switch to English we could use it to teach the children about your world and our world of this century. There was much advancement since their time. I’m sure they are all confused and with more men coming from different worlds it might be a good idea to get them use to the idea of seeing different species? I mean, I would also like to learn more about your people Volund, Jaxxon.”

  Reaching over and taking Volund’s hand, she pulled him into the small security room where the map of the city was. “At this school here there were computers for the children. If we could connect them to your hard drive?”

  “I’d have to look at these machines you call computers, but I don’t see the problem with that. We could also have a portable system brought on the next load here. That way we would not be without no matter what happens.” Acwel looked at Badden, who nodded.

  “It might also help with trying to figure out this problem with the men, but I can’t promise anything.”

  “That will have to wait until we get the next three buildings secured and the wall around the compound itself. But I’m sure we could bring a few of the computers over here for right now and hook them up so the children learn about your history.” Volund massaged her shoulders and kissed her cheek.

  “Anytime you want to know more about our world we’d be glad to tell you.” Jaxxon ran his hand over her belly. “We’re having three babies,” he announced to Badden and Acwel.

  She moaned as all four of the men surrounded her, touched her stomach and talked about the babies.

  Chapter Five

  Venus ran circles over her stomach with her fingers and glanced at the first Bone Eater lying on the table. A decision was worrying her. Did she waste the serum left on the older female or should she concentrate on the younger one instead? The first female was moving through the transformation quickly. Already she’d spoken a few words telling them her name and that she was a year older then her own forty two years.

  Arms wrapped around her from behind. Volund kissed her neck. “Stop worrying. We will figure it out, but for now we must find a place to begin to prepare as a home. Are you ready?”

  She turned in his embrace and smiled. “I can’t wait to go. I think I know of the perfect place.” She frowned. “But it will need work—a lot of work.”

  “If it is the home you want then we will fix it and make it perfect for us. Come. Jaxxon is waiting.” He kept his arm around her waist as they made their way outside where his brother stood at the gate.

  “So which way, beautiful warrior?” J axxon kissed her cheek.

  She nodded to the left. “There is a large, old house about two blocks away at the very edge of the park. We are building the wall, yes? Can we extend it to go around the houses in that direction between here and the park? We will need the housing as your men find mates. Where are Badden and Acwel?”

  Jaxxon glanced down the road and then back at Volund. “They are cleaning out the dead from the three nearby buildings and securing them. Then they will retrieve a few computers from the school. We were down this way yesterday, hunting. I will take Tonto.” He nodded, grasped the dog’s collar, and disappeared the same time she felt her equilibrium turn upside down. They all transhifted right to in front of the house. “This is the place you were talking about?” He released Tonto. The dog took off snooping around the front yard as soon as Volund opened the gate.

  Venus shook her head, glad Volund still held onto her. Right now she didn’t know how she stood without falling on her face. Once the dizziness passed, she scolded, “You two have to warn me before you do that. Yes, this is the house.” She took a deep breath and brushed his hands away as he tried to rub her arm.

  “Damn it, I’m not a pet to be stroked,” she snapped and spun out of his arms. She hurried up to the front porch and reached for her handy M-16 only to realize it was back at the bank. Between being too preoccupied and her mates whisking her away, she hadn’t even thought of the weapon.

  “What have I done?” she grumbled.

  Tonto sniffed around the porch until Venus moved up the stairs. He sat in front of her as if sensing her stress. He thumped his tail against the porch planks and nudged her hand with his nose.

  “How could I forget, Tonto?” He cocked his head to the side and whined.

  She sighed and closed her eyes, needing to get her mind back in working order. She wouldn’t survive long if this kept up. “Jaxxon, I’m sorry. I hate feeling sick, weak, and unorganized.” Venus opened her eyes and stared up at him.

  “You do not have to apologize. We know this is difficult for you, and we are here to help you. Let us.”

  “I never go out without my weapon. If it’s one thing I could always count on it was my ability to think straight, but now I don’t know what’s going on.”

  Volund materialized next to her with her M-16 and handed it over. “Here, little warrior, I transhifted back and got it. You know we would do anything for you.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek. “Come on, let us go explore this house, shall we?” He crooked his elbow, offering to escort her inside.

  She swung her weapon across her shoulder and patted Volund’s arm. “I can’t wait to explore.”

  Jaxxon tried the door handle, but it was locked. That didn’t stop him from transhifting to inside the home. He opened the door and bowed before her.

  Laughing, she moved inside, following Tonto who ran in before her. Venus walked into what was once a grand family room with a large stone fireplace still intact. “That is going to have to go. I don’t want anything catching on fire, and God knows what fumes would be released into the air if we burned anything around here.”

  Nodding, Jaxxon made a list on a clear scanner he took from his tool belt while she walked around the fireplace, studying the wall itself. Venus turned and placed her hands on her hips. “If I’m not mistaken, that wall faces the trees in the yard, so maybe a window of some kind in its place? I remember seeing a window once with a seat inside it. I can’t remember what they’re called, but the window would push out away from the house.” She kneeled on the wooden floor, drew a picture in the dust, and then showed her men.

  “The computer say’s it is called a bay window.” Volund frowned. “I don’t like the fact that Bone Eaters will be able to see us moving around in here with a window like that.”

  Jaxxon glanced around the house and smiled. “We could use a transparent window. We will want to fortify it, even behind the wall. This will still be a less defensible position than the bank, at least until more of our people arrive. We can make one that’s one-way glass, for privacy. We should also cover our windows with Pentor.”

  She rose with Volund’s help. “What is Pentor? I like the idea of the one-way glass. That would work well.”

  “Pentor is a clear liquid that will cover any form. It is organic, but it is also very strong. None of your bullets would penetrate it. Even our weapons would not do it any damage. Its main drawback is that it can only cover a small area like a window, or maybe a little larger.”

  Leading her into the next chamber, Volund swept his hand toward a fancy dining room. Oak paneling covered the walls. In the corner, a shelf full of dusty antique dishes. Venus picked up one of the cups. She dusted off the dirt and looked at the odd pattern. The image of her mother showing her one such pattern on the computer flashed into her head. This particular pattern had been one of her mom’s favorites.

  “Mary Antique,” she whispered and sighed.

  Volund’s words brought her attention back to the matter at hand.

  “I don’t know how much of it we brought either,” he was saying to Jaxxon. “We might want to see if Badden brought any when they came. He glanced at her. “Did you say something?”

  She smiled as she put back the cup she held. “I’d like to keep these dishes and the rustic look in here if we can.”

  Even for a huge warrior, Volund moved with grace to stand in front of her a
s his brother kissed the back of her neck. “Something made you smile when you were admiring the dishes,” he said.

  She rubbed her stomach. “I was thinking of my mom. She would have loved watching me grow big with her grandchildren.”

  Her mates held her, their worry for her constant, each of them protective of her and their unborn children.

  “Are you going tell us about it?” Volund encouraged her, lifting her chin with one finger.

  “One day I’ll tell you both all about my mom and dad, but now we have a job to do and I want to get this done before we have to go back today.

  She pushed open the door connecting the dining room to the kitchen. The smell of age and dust greeted her. Cupboard doors hung by rusty hinges, the screws having fallen out long ago. A small table sat broken in one corner. The oven door was gone, it had been ripped off its hinges, and lichen covered the inside of it.

  Venus ran her hand over the fridge while she inspected it. It seemed to be in good shape. Slowly, she opened it, but the stench immediately hit her. “Damn, I knew I shouldn’t have done that.” She slammed it shut and waved her hand in front of her face.

  “Okay, need to clean that out, because we will use it, and I’m afraid one of you is going to have to do it…” She didn’t get another word out as she ran for the dish filled kitchen sink, losing all she’d eaten that morning.

  Large bugs crawled out of the debris-covered dishes and ran toward the new organic material which only made Venus’ stomach heave once more. Jaxxon and Volund moved her away from the sink, spraying something in the air that helped with the stench. Regardless, her stomach still protested.

  “Here, take this, Venus. It will help with the sickness.” Jaxxon handed her a round cookie the size of a quarter.

  “I hate those insects. We’re going to have to make sure the bugs are gone, too.” She shook away the thought of those things crawling on her.

  Volund slipped his arm around her waist and led her away from the kitchen to the door leading out to the back yard. “We will make sure all bugs are gone.”

  She heard the humor in his words, but said nothing. If he wanted to tease her she had no problem with it. Bugs were one of her fears they would have to deal with.

  She shrugged. “I would appreciate it.” She glanced out at the backyard through the now-open door. “I’ve hated insects since I was small, so yes, a bug-free house would make me a very happy woman.” Frowning, she gestured outside. “We’re going to have to extend the wall to out towards the park. I want enough lawn so our children can play outside without having to worry about Bone Eaters. If the area is secured enough for the children to play, maybe we could even build our kids a swing set like the one in the park.”

  In the distance, a loud clap of thunder rumbled over their quiet surroundings.

  “Shit, we’re going to have to go back.” She looked up at the clouds growing steadily darker. “I don’t want to get caught in bad weather, especially if it’s an electrical storm. That’s another thing we’ll have to do. I want this house wired and grounded for the storms that roll in every once in a while. We have solar power. There’s also some experimental systems still operational throughout the city. The city had begun looking into alternative energy sources before… Well, some harvest electrical charge from atmospheric energy released before lightening”

  “Your scientist wouldn’t have gotten much from storms. Don’t worry, we have our technology that we are setting up” Volund said.

  She looked up at Jaxxon, who glanced up at the angry sky.

  “If this is an electrical storm rolling in,” she continued, “I hope Badden and Acwel are in a safe place. Let’s get back to the bank. We have some decisions to make about security for this place before we even think of working on the inside of the house.”

  Volund tightened his grip on her. She sighed, knowing she was once more going to have her DNA scrambled…like the babies weren’t doing it enough already.

  Chapter Six

  When Venus and her mates transported into the bank, the scream of a Bone Eater filled the lower level. She would have run to them, but Jaxxon held onto her as Volund went into battle mode. With his Slicer in one hand, Volund pushed the sensor for his armor, which instantly covered his body, and he carefully proceeded to the lab.

  A bright flash filled the room, and Ino and Badden appeared. Immediately, Ino joined Tonto, who ran into the lab, growling, ready to protect Volund.

  “Don’t let them hurt her!” Venus screamed and pushed at Jaxxon, trying to get free. “Let me go. I have to make sure they don’t hurt her.” She snatched the dart gun from the table, but Badden pulled it out of her hand.

  “I will take care of this, so you better stay put.” He loaded the gun with one of its tranquilizers.

  “Excuse me?” She snarled at the naked warrior. He ignored her and moved into the lab with Volund. She slid against Jaxxon, receiving an instant reaction, and then glanced up at him. “He had no right to snap at me like that! And why the hell is he stark naked?” She turned to stare at Acwel, who also materialized nude except for his tool belt with the other pet. He released Ka, and the animal followed Badden into the laboratory.

  Battle ready, Acwel removed his Slicer from his tool belt and then stood next to Jaxxon. “What is the situation?”

  “We just got here a moment before you did when we heard one of the Bone Eaters scream. Volund has it secured now.” He loosened his grip on Venus.

  She watched as Acwel put his Slicer on the table next to him. Her gaze slipped to the left, and her face grew warm. If all men from space were built like him, the woman of Earth didn’t stand a chance.

  “Are you not feeling well?” Acwel asked, touching her forehead, but she pushed his hand

  away.

  “I’m fine, but you two need to put on clothes, damn it,” she mumbled.

  Jaxxon and Acwel laughed as they made their way into the lab. “You are partners with Badden aren’t you? We interrupted you two, but that still does not give you reason to snap at us.” Venus glowered at Acwel for a moment once she got his attention. “If you and Badden had an argument, it’s no reason for him to take it out on me—or us. I really don’t need it with the children here and the others.”

  “I’m sorry it’s hard ever since we lost our mate, the two of us have drifted apart, but lately it feels as if we belong again. We want to make this our home now and we’ll make sure you all are safe.”

  Venus nodded and patted Acwel’s arm. “I can see where Miln gets his stubbornness from. I’m happy you are here. I have a feeling we will all be close.” She turned her attention on the one younger Bone Eater who was now secured after have a severe reaction to the change. One had a slight burn on each of her spikes, and the older woman lay still, watching every move Venus made in the room.

  She stopped and observed the older female. “Jaxxon, would you put some of that cream you have on the other patient that sustained the burn?” She walked closer to the first one.

  Badden joined her. “Venus,” his breath came out in a rush, “I am sorry about earlier. I shouldn’t take out my frustrations on you...”

  She frowned at him. “Go get some clothes on already, will ya, both of you? And I hope you and Acwel work this out, because this is getting to be a…” She stopped and held up her hand, silencing everyone.

  Quickly, she turned her attention back to the older Bone Eater. Excitement and disbelief moved through her, but she kept it hidden. She knew those eyes, but it couldn’t be. Her hand automatically rested on her belly as gripped the gurney tightly with her other. Trembles assailed her, and the room started to spin. “Acwel, am I imagining this or are her eyes different?”

  She kneeled in front of the creature. “Look, she’s already losing her fangs.” Venus picked up one of the two long incisors that lay on the gurney by the Bone Eater’s head. Blood and part of the skin still remained on the fangs.

  With gloves on, Volund snatched the tooth out of her hand and gave
her one of his you’ll-pay-for-this-later looks. “Are you trying to kill yourself and our children? You do not even have gloves on.” He handed the fangs to Acwel, who dropped them into a specimen dish.

  She sighed and patted Volund’s arm. “I’m sorry. You’re right. However, I’m fine.” She glanced down at the Bone Eater again.

  “Venus…?” the creature whispered.

  The room grew quiet. Disbelieving her ears, Venus looked at everyone as they stopped what they were doing and moved around the transforming female.

  Although the one word had come out garbled, she was certain she’d heard her name. Her heart began a furious rhythm, her palms sweaty, and she could have sworn she heard everyone suck in their breaths. “Yes, I am Venus.” She knelt in front of changing creature again so they were eye to eye.

  “And you are?” She pointed at it, hoping it could comprehend. Or was the morphing person merely repeating what she’d heard the others say in the lab?

  “Gram,” the Bone Eater replied, voice rough.

  Venus plopped backward on her ass. From the floor, she gawked up at the half Bone Eater, half human woman. Gram held her gaze and nodded before Volund and Jaxxon surrounded Venus, who swatted at their hands as they checked every inch of her. Acwel stepped in front of the Bone Eater, Slicer drawn, ready to kill it.

  “Stop! I’m not hurt.” She jumped up and pushed her men out of the way and then grabbed Acwel’s arm. “I’m just stunned, that’s all. Could you see if we have any of this one’s blood samples left?” she asked him.

  He nodded, but looked down at the woman. “She does have nice eyes.” Moving to the fridge where their supplies and samples were kept Acwel looked for the blood.

  “Volund, really, I’m fine.” She rubbed his arms as they encircled around her and smiled up at him. She knew this pregnancy would be hardest on him. “Jaxxon, in the cabinet over there, you’ll find my fathers and mothers personal files. Pull them for me, please.” She turned to face him. “I know this is going to sound crazy, but I need you to do this because I can’t. There should be computerized blood samples for both my parents our computers can run tests on. Those will show their DNA codes. I need you to take her blood sample, break it down, and compare it to my mom’s.”