by C. M. Kane
Tae took a deep breath and raised herself to her full height. ‘So, please excuse me if I haven’t had time to jump anyone’s bones quite yet. I’ll just nip that onto my list of things to do, shall I?’ She raised her chin at the bemused faces in front of her. ‘Now, if you’ll all excuse me, I’m hungry. I’ll try to keep my hormones under control long enough to not jump some poor unsuspecting male while I get some lunch.’ She turned and stalked off, leaving Brohan, Valaria and Radnor staring after her.
‘She’s angry at what I said?’ Radnor asked.
Brohan shrugged. ‘By the looks of it. We tried to get her to a pleasure centre before she went onto the Island, but she refused.’
Valaria smiled. ‘She may have the body of a woman but she’s still a seventeen-year-old girl, and although she’s worldly in most ways, when it comes to sex she’s a total novice. From what I have learnt from her friend, the boys at her school were all quite intimidated by her, and as she pointed out, her hormones hadn’t even kicked in fully until she was actually on the Island. I don’t think she’s even been kissed before.’
Radnor gaped at Valaria. ‘But she’s seventeen, she sexually mature.’
Valaria shrugged. ‘As she said, she’s had more important things to do and think about. I think we’re going to have to cut her a little slack, at least for the time being.’ She turned to Brohan and narrowed her eyes. ‘But there’ll be no more scaring away potential bedmates in the future, alright?’
Brohan scowled then nodded. ‘I just didn’t want anyone taking advantage of her when she was exhausted, anyway, it’s done now, let’s eat.’ They walked off to the mess hall.
Radnor continued on to the med bay for yet another infusion of the nanite-enriched blood he needed to repair his wasted body after such a long time in the sleepers. He decided he’d never understand humans, even if they were lucky enough to have the blood of the Vampire flowing through their veins.
They were still decidedly - odd.
Chapter 14
Vesh was mentally exhausted, he and his warriors had been scanning sections of the Olympus inch by inch; the main scanners couldn’t reach the ship’s most heavily shielded sections to do a thorough enough scan for his liking so they had been doing it manually. They had found two more thalien in maintenance uniforms, both had died of heart failure before capture. After twenty-three hours Vesh’s team had finally finished, but he ordered his warriors to do it again. He wanted to leave nothing to chance. They didn’t question his orders, they simply turned around and continued back the way they had just come.
Tannan had asked him to send a full report just before the meeting of the gods started. Vesh had wanted to attend but thought it more prudent to stay with his warriors. They were all tired like him, and he had never asked them to do anything he himself wasn’t prepared to do. Besides, he’d been extremely thorough in the report he’d given Tannan and had omitted nothing so, as far as he was concerned, there was nothing missing that Tannan couldn’t relay to the gods personally. Vesh would find out what went on in the meeting directly from his lord soon enough, in the meantime it was imperative that the Olympus was finally cleansed of the insurgents. A shift had just returned from dinner so he signaled to the last half dozen men due for their break to leave. The refreshed men began taking over as they left.
Kell came to stand beside him, his hand out. ‘Go and get something to eat, I’ll take over from you.’
Vesh nodded with gratitude and handed him the scanner. ‘Has the meeting finished yet?’ he asked.
Kell glanced up at him. ‘It must have just broken up, there were a few of the different gods’ people just entering the mess hall,’ he grinned cheekily at Vesh, ‘including that new woman of Loki’s, the one that destroyed the Hindishah.’
Vesh smiled. ‘I’ve already been warned off her once by that old warrior friend of hers.’
Kell snorted derisively. ‘And since when can’t you take an old warrior? Besides, she did have a warrior and another woman at her table, but he wasn’t old, maybe mid-thirties … although he did have grey hair, I just thought that maybe it was an affectation’.
Vesh nodded. ‘They must have used the new nanites on him, which means Loki’s accepted them all into his service. They’ll probably be onboard the Olympus or the Asgard until the Fenris is repaired.’
Kell nodded. ‘Speaking of the Fenris, they’re digging her out now, from what I’ve heard she should be under tow within seven or so hours. Seems Vulcan has brought every available tech and ship with him to move her … I still can’t believe Loki’s alive.’ He shook his head in wonder. ‘Seems that woman of yours has done the impossible, twice, she now has all the gods in her debt.’
Vesh raised his eyebrow at Kells choice of words. ‘Firstly, she’s not my woman, and secondly, you’re right.’ He laughed. ‘I’ll see you later. I’ll get some food then see Tannan about the meeting. Make sure no-one misses an inch of this section.’
Kell nodded. ‘Go.’
Vesh turned and headed for the mess hall.
*****
Tae was still in a temper when Brohan and Valaria sat down next to her with their meals. They ate in silence for a while before Brohan told her of a surprise he had arranged for her.
‘I’ve booked some training on the jumper flight simulator. As soon as you’ve eaten we’ll go there and I’ll teach you how to land and dock, so you aren’t caught out again.’
Tae perked up at the thought of learning how to fly properly. ‘Great’ she said, as she quickly ploughed through the rest of her lunch. ‘Ready,’ she said with a full mouth.
Brohan laughed and stood. ‘I’ll see you a bit later,’ he said to Valaria.
She nodded and looked at Tae. ‘I’ve already spoken to Brohan about your wolf, he won’t interfere again with the commander, or anyone else who might take your fancy.’
Tae choked down the rest of her food. Bloody hell. What will it take for everyone to lay off me and my love life … or lack thereof? It’s as if they are conspiring to get me into bed with the first available someone that looks even remotely willing. Tae sighed. Speak of the devil.
Commander Vesh strolled into the mess hall and after glancing around, headed for the food. Tae’s eyes zeroed in on him. So they want me to take a little action, do they? She turned to Brohan as they were walking towards the door.
‘Could you wait just a tick?’
He frowned but nodded. Tae walked up to Vesh, and before she could think about what she was about to do, tapped him on the shoulder. He turned to her, those beautiful warm brown eyes looking at her in curiosity. She reached up, cupped his face gently in her hands, and kissed him. She had never kissed anyone before, but her mother had instructed her in what Tae had once thought of as, every nauseating detail. Right now she wanted to shout her gratitude to her mother’s perseverance. She wanted this to be very brief, but memorable. As their lips met she parted hers slightly and ran the tip of her tongue lightly along his top lip. Then she pulled back, before he could say anything, she turned and walked back to join Brohan.
‘There, all done,’ she said. Brohan laughed heartily as they walked off to the jumper simulator together.
*****
Vesh had seen Tae and the warrior rise and start toward the door just as he was heading back from the food dispensers. So much for any plans he might have made to join them. He had turned and was headed for another table when he felt a tap on the shoulder. He’d turned, and was delighted to see that it was her. He was trying to think of something to say that would make him sound somewhat intelligent or amusing when, to his shock, she’d grabbed his face gently in her small hands and kissed him. It was just the barest touch of her lips really, but long enough for her to run her tongue lightly over his upper lip, then without saying a word she’d turned around and strolled away. In the meantime his body had reacted to her touch and pheromones instantly. She’d left him standing in the middle of the mess hall clutching a plate of fruit, with a very obvious reac
tion to her kiss.
All in all - not one of his better moments.
He’d sat at the nearest table, ignoring the grins he was getting from several of the people around him.
What the hell was that about? He thought, bewildered.
He realized he needed a woman, sooner rather than later, if his body was anything to go by. It had been too long, perhaps a visit to one of the pleasure givers onboard the Olympus was in order. The thought didn’t elicit much excitement. His mind, like his body, was fixated on Tae. Still, she had made a point of coming to him in front of the now not so old warrior, so perhaps she was open to a coupling. She obviously wasn’t immune to him, she had said she’d emitted pheromones because of him when she had come aboard the Olympus. It was Brohan that had stopped her from answering him when he questioned her about a possible future meeting. Vesh smiled to himself, he’d hold off going to the pleasure givers and see if it were possible he could have her instead.
Valaria watched the play of emotions on the handsome wolven’s face. No wonder Tae had come into fang for him. She sighed. Wolven males had something very primal about them, and this one’s face was beautiful, so much so that he’d even give Jason a run for his money. Valaria had been surprised, not to mention delighted, to see Tae march over and kiss him in front of the mess hall crowd. It was just so like Tae to do the unexpected. Still, Valaria didn’t want her hurt, and if her first time went badly it could spoil it for Tae for quite a while. Especially if the male in question didn’t realize how innocent she really was. Her mind made up, Valaria rose from her seat and walked over to his table.
‘Commander Vesh, isn’t it?’ she asked.
Vesh frowned and nodded. ‘You’re Valaria, Tae’s aunt, yes?’
Valaria nodded and sat without an invitation. ‘I know you are sexually interested in Tae,’ she said without preamble.
Vesh shrugged, unconcerned. ‘So?’
‘I gather she is interested in you too, judging by her display just now. I just wanted to ask you to be gentle with her when, or if, you two decide to get together.’
Vesh frowned. ‘She doesn’t have much experience then?’
Valaria sighed. ‘No, Vesh, she’s a virgin. She has absolutely no experience, and today was more than likely her first kiss. She only came in to fang on the day she went to the Island. Her choices have been a tad limited since then.’
Vesh sat staring at Valaria with his mouth slightly open in shock.
Valaria continued. ‘You must remember she’s only seventeen years old, even if she does have the body of a woman. Vampires and terrans mature differently from other races, especially your own. Now that she finally has her fangs she has all the forces of her vampiric nature to contend with as well. I just needed you to be prepared for anything. Be gentle with her, make it memorable, because good or bad, a woman always remembers her first time.’ She smiled and stood before adding quietly, ‘And if you don’t, then her Aunty Valaria is going to be mighty pissed with you.’ She dropped her fangs and smiled before walking away.
Vesh barely registered the not so subtle threat, his mind was still stuck on the virgin part. He hadn’t been expecting that, not that his body cared one iota. The real question was, did he really want that to assume that kind of responsibility? What if she developed a crush on him like some of the young and inexperienced sometimes did with their first lovers? He groaned in frustration. If she and Loki stayed onboard the Olympus for any length of time he might be stuck with her mooning around after him. His men, especially Kell, would never let him live it down.
This was not turning out as he had expected. After she had kissed him he thought they might be able to have a few couplings until both of them were sated and went their own ways again, but a virgin? No. He would have to think about this carefully, it also meant he’d have to visit a House of Aphrodite as soon as possible. He needed to get his body back under control again, once that was done he could decide whether or not he would couple with her, if she were still agreeable. Nodding to himself he finished his lunch then called the House of Aphrodite. Having made an appointment for later that day, he returned to his warriors to finish scanning the ship.
*****
Tae was having fun and Brohan was an excellent teacher. She had the fundamentals of flying down pretty well, and although she couldn’t yet do a hard dock properly, she was pretty sure she could get herself onto the ground in one piece if she ever had to.
‘When can we try again?’ She asked after their time in the flight simulator was up.
Brohan grinned. ‘I have booked us again for the same time tomorrow, for two hours. I think at the rate you’re going you’ll be able to complete a reasonable facsimile of docking by the end of it. It’s all a matter of practice now, you’ve done exceedingly well so far, Tae.’
He held his hand up as she went to ask a question. ‘Yes, my lord,’ he answered, unconsciously raising his com-watch toward his mouth. ‘We are at the jumper simulator, we will come straight away.’
He dropped his hand and turned back to Tae. ‘Lord Loki wishes to speak to us, I think we’re about to find out what we will be doing and where we will be doing it.’
Tae sighed. ‘I’m not sure what he’s going to have me doing,’ and with that thought finally spoken out loud, she was suddenly very nervous.
Although she had saved Loki twice, she thought it was more of a case of her being in the right place at the right time, coupled with a serious amount of luck and some excellent friends. Now she was beset by self doubt, after all, what could she actually do? It wasn’t as if she was qualified for anything, she was fresh out of school. Perhaps she might get lucky and he might let her train in battle tactics. It was what she had wanted to apply for when she was at school.
Brohan patted her head. ‘It’s okay, Tae. Whatever happens you have done everything you set out to do, and that’s something no-one can ever take from you.’ He smiled at her before walking out of the simulator room, Tae trailed along nervously behind him. All the joy and excitement of the day had vanished as quickly as it had come.
Loki was waiting in the Garden for them with the rest of the gods. The marble table had been laden with food and its chairs taken away. More of the comfortable settees had now been scattered about so the gods could relax at their leisure.
Brohan led her straight over to Loki who was standing beside Odin, Vulcan, Hades and Persephone, in what looked to be a serious discussion. ‘My lord,’ Brohan bowed lightly just as Valaria joined them.
‘My lord,’ she repeated. They looked at Tae expectantly.
‘Oh, yeah.’ Tae smiled nervously. ‘My lord,’ she gave a jerky little bow.
Persephone giggled and Loki gave Tae a dry smile. ‘Brohan,’ he said. ‘You are to be my new Commander of security. I want you to head immediately to Terra and inspect the WLE Headquarters. I want a report within thirtysix standard hours on what state the Terran WLE is in, along with their standard of warrior. As much as you can find out, I’ll also want any recommendations you may have.’
Brohan nodded looking extremely pleased. ‘Yes, my lord.’
‘Valaria, you will be Commander Brohan’s first lieutenant. You will be heading for the warrior recruitment facility on Terra first. See if there’s anyone that might prove suitable for Brohan to train. After that, head over to the tech training facility. I’m going to need some more people when the Fenris comes back online, the more experience the better obviously. I will have Radnor transfer some basic requirements – the levels and numbers that I need – to your jumper. After you have finished on Terra you will travel to the Ithaca, Thall and Chena facilities. Odin, Thor, Vulcan and Zeus are going to send over forty experienced techs each to supervise along with my own thirty. The rest will have to be recruited from the ranks of the Terran, Wolven, Nymphs, Vampire and Elven. We’re going to need enough for at least a skeleton crew until our problems are settled.’
Tae looked at Valaria with excitement. Valaria glanced over at her, a sligh
t smile creasing the corners of her mouth. Her aunt knew exactly what she was thinking … Trevor.
‘Brohan.’ Loki looked to the warrior. ‘Normally I would have you pick your own men, but as my new head of security you can cut anyone that doesn’t fit your requirements later, at the moment we need bodies on deck. Our first priority is to find the traitors. I want the WLE to be rid of anyone who might be involved, even the faintest suspicion is enough. Do you understand?’
Brohan nodded. ‘Yes, my lord.’
Loki turned to Tae, regarding her with interest. She was fidgeting with her nails, not knowing what to do with her hands. For some reason they now felt like two enormous clunky weights at the ends of her arms. She looked up at him with wide eyes, wondering vaguely if he noticed her monster hands.
Loki appeared both amused and confused. ‘After all you’ve been through, you’re nervous over a job?’
Tae nodded. ‘I just realized I’m not qualified to actually do anything, so I don’t know what you’re going to do with me.’
Loki smiled wickedly at her, making her heart stutter a step. He signaled to Radnor, the tall darkhaired vampire came over to them immediately. Tae noticed Radnors eyes were now starting to get the faintest hint of green about them.
‘Radnor, I want you to teach our young friend here everything you know, she is to be your new lieutenant for the time being.’
Radnor couldn’t quite hide the flicker of surprise in his pale red eyes. ‘Yes, my lord.’
Tae felt the tension drain from her in one great release as happiness flooded her soul. Radnor’s lieutenant? This was more than she could ever have dreamed of. She beamed at Loki. ‘You mean it?’ she asked.
