by Marie Harte
Reaching into a concealed weapons stash, she grabbed another phaser and two battle knives. She handed one to Lurin. “Just in case.”
He nodded.
“This is my ship and I’ll be damned if I’ll give her up. We’ll take them out one at time through the stairwell. It’s the only obvious pathway to this deck of the ship. There’s no way they can know about the crew entrance hidden on the port side.”
She ran out of the bridge, figuring they had little time to do more than stage themselves.
“Wait.” Lurin grabbed her shoulder, effectively halting her. She turned impatiently. “A kiss for luck.”
The most incredible thing happened then. He kissed her deeply, and Mara felt a subtle heat infuse her body, a heat curiously different from the sensual haze he usually created.
Her heart felt as if it stuttered, and then began pounding as if she’d just finished a race. She could feel a subtle difference inside her, as if a part of Lurin now dwelled within her blood. She stared up at him, for the first time truly questioning if Lurin Vez was more than the telepath she suspected him to be.
“Be safe,” he ordered. His eyes lit brilliantly before they calmed into a flat, navy blue, a color unlike any he’d worn before.
Astonished, she tore her gaze from him and moved into position. She and Lurin staged themselves at the top of the stairwell, each peering over the ledge to the floor of the deck below. The inner seal of the docking wall had been breached, and already Mara could see several warriors in royal Jaron yellow combing the floor.
She and Lurin lay at an angle to one another, allowing their fields of fire to cover much of the second deck, with Lurin’s attention on the actual stairway and hers on the floor itself.
She prayed they wouldn’t do too much damage to her ship while defending it.
“Here they come,” Lurin murmured.
Mara watched uneasily as a gaggle of warriors approached the stairway in an unbalanced front. They moved without precision or discipline, and she wondered if the uniforms they wore were real or just an artifice to confuse the wary.
Lurin fired first, and a man went down. Return fire immediately ensued. Mara had her hands full protecting her position while firing on the others that appeared from out of nowhere.
Where the hell had those dozen men come from?
She felled another man, suddenly registering that her phaser had been set to high stun. “Damn it.”
Lurin continued to fire. “What’s wrong?”
“I’ve been stunning these men. That’s okay as long as they’re not here for more than a few hours.”
“Great.” Lurin swore and fired again. “Have you noticed that men seem to be appearing from out of nowhere?”
“I noticed.” A shot singed her shoulder, and she scowled at the warrior who fired at her. Curiously the wound didn’t hurt, but she was too worried about the disappearing enemy to wonder about it.
“And we’re so glad you noticed,” a deep voice sounded from above her.
Before she could move, a blade pressed against the side of her jaw.
“Freeze or I’ll cut your throat. You too, Vez. One move and she’s dead.”
Odd that the man used a threat against her to stay Lurin. Odder still that the threat worked. Their weapons were kicked away.
“On your feet,” the voice rumbled. “Turn around slowly.”
With their hands on their heads in a show of universal surrender, Mara and Lurin rose and turned to greet this new threat. Lurin stepped closer to Mara, subtly positioning himself between her and the giant of a man smirking at them.
“How touching.” The slash of what probably passed as a smile didn’t reach his cold, moss green eyes. “Loverboy’s protective.”
Several men around them laughed, and Mara wondered at their sudden appearance. The warriors surrounded her and Lurin, but she hadn’t heard them mount the stairs or enter from behind them.
She’d hit at least seven of the enemy, who still lay unconscious on the lower deck. Lurin had a slew of men littered on the stairway. So where had everyone come from?
The man holding the blade answered her unspoken question. “I’ve got ways around teleport-blockers.”
Mara gritted her teeth. She’d spent a lot on those blockers, assured that they were the latest in technology. There was no use now hoping for her crew to arrive. If the Fas brothers and Catam showed, they’d no doubt be captured by the warriors wandering freely on her ship.
“What do you want?” Mara glared at the man facing her. At least he’d lowered his blade.
He stood as tall as Lurin, and she grudgingly acknowledged his rugged features as attractive. But whereas Lurin’s face had a sensual cast, the cruelty in this man’s gaze overlaid his sensuality.
The scarred hand holding his blade attested to battle experience, as did the muscular frame filling his Elaran uniform. A captain. Yet something about him didn’t fit with the rest of the soldiers infesting her ship. He seemed too controlled, too intense.
“Let her go.” Lurin interrupted the silence that settled. “It’s me you want.”
“Actually no,” the captain mused. “I don’t want you, but my employer does. Captain Seni is a small part of my payment.” He flashed them a mean smile.
With a surprise lunge, Lurin knocked the captain to the floor. Mara instinctively moved forward to help him but was grabbed on either side by Elaran soldiers.
On top of the captain and taking advantage of the fact, Lurin landed two hard blows before being thrown off.
The men around them cheered, and Mara understood that no one intended to stop the fight. At least Lurin had a fair chance at winning. As soon as she thought it, she saw her error.
Lurin was by no means a small or inept fighter, but the captain obviously lived to brawl. He moved with a grace that belied his size, and his coordinated punches and kicks flowed like a lethal dance. Oddly enough, though he could have done much damage, he did little more than knock Lurin around. Mara kept waiting for him to engage, but the captain kept a curious distance.
Lurin must have noted as well, for his eyes narrowed into brilliant pinpoints of blue as he studied his adversary. He chanced a brief look at Mara out of the corner of his eye…and gave his opponent the opportunity he needed.
The captain took advantage of Lurin’s lapse and shot forward, aiming for Lurin’s throat. Lurin had apparently anticipated the move, for he easily dodged the attack and swept low, knocking the captain once more off his feet.
The constant cheering grew ominously silent as everyone waited to see what would happen next. The captain laughed and leapt to his feet, enjoying the skirmish.
Mara shared an uneasy glance with Lurin. When she looked back at the captain, she saw him eyeing them both with speculation.
“Harker,“ the captain barked.
In less time than it took the captain to speak, Harker tossed him a phaser that the captain caught and fired, right into Lurin’s chest.
Mara froze, unable to believe Lurin could be dead. Everything inside of her rebelled at the very thought. Then the captain nudged Lurin’s crumpled body with his boot, and she heard a low groan of pain.
Thank the stars. She sighed with relief.
“Take Vez to the lady,” the captain ordered the men nearest him. “And be easy as you guide him back. Too many marks on him and she’ll transfer the pain all too readily to the one responsible.”
“Aye, Captain Gren.” The men dragged Lurin away, leaving Gren and a few others behind.
Captain Gren watched until Lurin disappeared into his ship before turning to Mara. She tried to wrench free from the Elaran soldiers holding her, with no success. No doubt she’d have bruises later.
Gren glared at the men, who immediately released her. “You’re a very special woman, Captain Mara Seni,” he rumbled. His eyes looked like shards of green glass, clear and sharp. “You get to fill my nights with pleasure.”
She couldn’t explain it, but she felt his interest. A
n odd lust filled the very air she breathed, which made no sense, unless Gren was a telepath. He stared at her intently, and she wondered if he even now read her mind.
She mentally compared him to Lurin. They equalled each other in size and strength, but Gren didn’t make her feel what Lurin did. She grudgingly admitted being drawn to Gren on a physical level. The man had a rough, sexual presence that he wore like a cloak, much like Lurin.
But Gren was not Lurin.
Lurin had never seemed like a criminal. Her first impression of him had been that some mistake had been made. Gren, on the other hand, looked every inch a black-hearted killer for hire.
“Why so quiet, Mara?” Gren’s eyes narrowed. “Missing your strapping prisoner so soon? Don’t worry, Sara will take good care of him.”
“Lady Sara?” He couldn’t be talking about her employer’s daughter.
“She didn’t get enough of him the last time. I do believe she intends to fuck him the entire way to Jaron.” The men around them laughed, and Mara saw red. Even knowing it wasn’t smart, she flew at Gren, reaching for the spot just under his ear that would render him unconscious. Then she would grab his phaser and—
As if he read her mind, Gren sidestepped her attack and swiftly shackled her arms behind her back. His hold was unbreakable.
“You’re so predictable.” Gren ran a callused finger over her cheek. “But I like them feisty.” He ripped a hand through her shirt, baring her breasts to one and all.
“Take her now, Cap’,” one voice cried.
“Fuck her hard, show her who’s boss.”
“Aye, then leave us seconds, Cap. We’re your men,” whined another.
Fury and terror filled Mara’s heart. Gren didn’t respond to his men. His eyes remained glued to hers. When he cupped her breast and toyed with her nipple, to her horror she found that it peaked in response. Lust consumed her, and her body welcomed his touch while her mind shrieked at her to abhor it.
“Ah, yes, my lady captain,” Gren murmured. “You’re very fortunate indeed.”
She opened her mouth to protest, vaguely aware of the lewd comments and lust-filled gazes of those around them. A sudden haze enveloped her and she struggled to think clearly. She had a vague impression of having experienced this feeling before. Then blackness consumed her, and she thought nothing more.
Damn, the urge to fuck her was strong. Way too strong. Gren hefted the woman over his shoulder and teleported them both back to his ship. He checked with Sara’s chief and found that the rest of the men were boarding.
“Let me know when we’re set to go,” Gren ordered. “And position two men outside my door. Lex and Shan should do.”
The chief nodded, and Gren left in search of his room. He passed several warriors and noted the interested glances thrown at the delectable prisoner over his shoulder.
He gripped her ass to hold her in place, and his hand burned where he touched her, aching to feel the warm, golden flesh beneath the clothes. He quickened his pace and finally entered his room.
“Hell.” He dumped her unceremoniously in the middle of his bed and cursed again when her ripped shirt revealed two luscious, coral tipped breasts. “I should get a medal for this.”
Unable to resist, he closed his eyes and released his mortal flesh. Hovering over her, he touched her with his mind, forming a bond with Mara’s subconscious while preserving Lurin’s claim on the woman.
He really shouldn’t take such liberties, but hell, he was Thesha. Sex was as necessary to his kind as breathing, and he’d done without for far too long. Justifying his actions, he mentally palmed one of her luscious breasts and felt her hard nipple score through his thoughts to his physical flesh.
He floated above her, studying her, trying to figure out what made her so different from other women. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but he could sense her perfection, could almost see it glowing from within her.
Shaking his head at Lurin’s luck, he kissed her on the forehead. But the taste of her sent shivers through his body, and helpless to resist, he palmed the full mound of her breast, then closed his mouth around the taut peak of an aroused nipple.
Her skin was as smooth as Taury silk, her taste like the finest Kaeyon wine. She had his cock stiff and hurting from the spiritual bonding, and he closed his eyes, immersing himself in her scent and taste.
To imagine physically joining with her— He caught a familiar masculine scent and blinked. Shit. What the hell am I doing?
With a groan, Gren drew back into his body. He was throbbing, needing release, and more than anything he wanted a warm woman. He was getting damned tired of his hand.
Before he let his baser instincts rule, he grabbed a blanket and tossed it over Mara’s naked breasts. Trusting in his discipline, he readjusted himself in his trousers and searched for calm. He glared at his erection, willing his stiff member to subside.That’s all I need. A cock that won’t quit around Lady Sara.
Just the thought of Sara had him flaccid in no time. And speaking of Sara, it was time he returned to his present reality. With a sigh, he tied Mara to the bed for her own safety. His mental bond would keep her unconscious for as long as it took to placate Sara and check on Lurin. But on the off chance she woke early, he wanted her to stay right here.
Little enough time had passed that Sara could have harmed her prisoner. Still, she was a creative woman, and with enough time and opportunity, he had no doubt Sara would find a way to enslave Lurin Vez, her new pet Thesha.
Gren left his room with a warning to the two guards outside his door.
“If anyone save me enters these quarters, your lives are forfeit.”
They nodded vigorously and stared straight ahead. From the rabble he was forced to use as crew, the two he left to guard Mara were the best he had.
Again cursing the fate that had him working for the nobless, Gren stalked to Lady Sara’s quarters and entered without permission.
He grimaced at the sight that met his eyes. Lady Sara and Vendon, her closest advisor, stood in deep conversation overlooking Lurin on Sara’s bed. Naked and spread-eagle on her bed, his wrists and ankles had been tied to the bed posts. His eyes remained closed and his chest rose and fell evenly.
“I can’t believe you did it,” Vendon twittered, rubbing his bald head. He looked like the small concubines that inhabited Rasha 12, a pleasure moon in the fifth quadrant. With painted lips and rouged cheeks, Vendon’s artifice only accentuated his effeminate build.
He glanced up, and his eyes brightened when he saw Gren. Holding in a snort of disgust, Gren nodded curtly to both Vendon and Sara, ignoring the wicked gleam in Vendon’s eyes.
“Captain Gren, what a pleasure. I was hoping you would come.” Vendon dripped with sexual invitation.
Sara smirked and batted her eyes, her stare openly carnal, worrying him. “I was just telling Vendon what a superb job you’ve done, Captain Gren.” Gone was the shrill little bitch who’d threatened him earlier. His guard rose another few notches. “You deserve a reward.”
“I’m receiving payment for this job.”
“Something more is in order, wouldn’t you say, Vendon?”
The man licked his lips, and Gren did his best to ignore him. He had to get Lurin safely back to Jaron before this farce could end.
“Just what did you have in mind, Lady Sara?” Gren probed cautiously.
She twisted a lock of red hair around her fingers as she regarded him with interest. Vendon positively drooled.
“Since Vez won’t regain consciousness for another few hours, I have no one to play with now.”
Gren felt sweat break out on his brow. His encounter with Mara was still too fresh, and the images Sara unknowingly projected were so strong he couldn’t control his erection.
“See, Captain Gren? You do like me,” she said with a throaty laugh.
With her and Vendon’s attention on him, they didn’t see Lurin’s eyes flicker open. He blinked, and his gaze caught Gren’s.
“Don�
�t move, and for star’s sake, close your eyes,” Gren sent him.
Lurin shut his eyes and resumed slow, deep breaths. “You’re a telepath.”
“No, you dumbass. I’m Gren, a Theshan Guardian. And you are way out of your league with these people.”
“Captain? Is something wrong?”
Gren needed to focus. Vendon was almost on top of him; the sybarite’s hands hovered an inch from his chest.
“I’m fine.” Gren’s voice sounded gritty, and he hoped they chalked the tone to lust.
Sara seemed pleased. She smiled and began to disrobe.
“I’m so happy we’re all in agreement then.” Vendon said as he focused on Gren’s swelling cock.
Helpless to the desires surging in the room, Gren couldn’t control his libido. He felt on fire, and without some relief soon, he might very well succumb to Vendon. That thought shook him and forced him to focus.
“Vendon, get out,” he ordered.
Vendon pouted, but Sara laughed and shooed him out the door.
“You can play with him when I’m done, I promise,” she whispered loudly. “But only if…” She finished too quietly for Gren to hear.
“I’ll hold you to that,” Vendon said a moment later and, with pursed lips, stalked out the door.
Once it closed, Sara unfastened the rest of her garments and stepped out of them towards Gren.
Disgusted by her avarice and ill intent, he nevertheless needed what she offered. He glanced at the man tied to the bed. “You owe me big for this, Lurin.”
Sara’s hands made quick work of his trousers, and then she grabbed him, exclaiming over his size and girth. But underneath the raw sex, her malicious spirit tainted him, repulsing him as her aura bled into his.
Lurin pulled at the ties on his wrists. “I’m sorry, Gren. I won’t forget this. I swear.”
Gren lost the rest of Lurin’s words as Sara pulled him into her mouth.
Chapter Eight
Mara woke in an awkward position. She lay on her back, her arms drawn over her head and tied to a post in the corner of a large bed. She twisted and felt a rough cloth over her breasts.
