“This is the Earthling that caused all the trouble?”
Before Carver could respond that he’d only done what he had to do, Cursed said, “Yes.”
Carver decided not to say anything because he had no idea what Cursed had told this guy. Maybe he’d only accused him of a lesser crime. If the guy ended up wanting to cut his head off or something, he’d protest his innocence at that point, but for now he decided to honor his agreement with Cursed.
“You and your kind have caused no end of trouble to me and my kind.”
Carver tried not to look guilty, but he was pretty sure he did anyway. Why he felt a sense of responsibly for all of the abducted humans, he didn’t know.
“You are quiet for a human.” The officer frowned as he approached. He was at least half a foot taller than Cursed, who was easily eight feet tall. Damn, but the Krase were simply massive. His intense gaze cut to Cursed. “Did you cut his tongue out?”
“No.” Cursed sighed. “He’s being respectful.”
“Are you?” Now his red eyes seemed to pin Carver where he stood.
“I want to see Honor.”
“Ah. There it is. That is the Earthling spirit I’ve come to know.” He turned away and went over to the window.
Carver could only see a patch of sky but he imagined the officer had a fabulous view of the city below. He desperately wanted to fling a dozen questions at this guy, but he realized there was something wrong. Whoever he was, he was powerful. The face tattoo said that. But he was also aware of how humans behaved. And clearly, he was not in a hurry to conduct whatever business Cursed had brought Carver here for. If this guy was pressed for time, he’d say what he had to say and kick them out. Only someone who was reluctant to say what needed to be said dragged his heels.
“Is he dead?” Just asking the question caused Carver to feel like he’d just been kicked in the belly.
“Honor?” The officer didn’t turn from the window. “He is not dead.”
Relief made him sag. “When can I see him?”
“You’re in love with him?”
“Yes.” Carver realized the train that had been barreling toward him finally hit. He was pretty sure it had happened during their last encounter on Honor’s bed. Honor hadn’t said anything, but he didn’t need to when his lovemaking said it all. They were bound together, and Carver was perfectly fine with that. He was more than willing to start his entire life over if he could do so with Honor at his side.
“I understand now how powerful that is for your kind. And mine.”
Carver wanted to scream at how slow everything seemed to be moving. He wanted to be with Honor now.
“I have been the controller of those who lead for a long time.” He turned from the window and considered Carver. “In all my life, all my experiences, I’ve never encountered a species like yours.”
Unsure if that was good or bad, Carver opted for silence.
“You know nothing but act anyway, driven by instincts that we simply can’t understand. You are fearless even in the face of overwhelming force. You love strongly and without shame. You allow your emotions to drive you, and though it should result in dire consequences, you somehow manage to not only survive but thrive. I am in awe of you.”
Carver understood that he wasn’t talking about Carver specifically but about all of mankind collectively. Curious how his captor was taking this speech, Carver spared Cursed a sideways glance and discovered that he was practically standing there with his mouth hanging open. Obviously, this wasn’t what he was expecting at all. When Carver looked back to the head guy, he was looking at him with narrowed eyes.
“I fear if you were allowed to breed, you would take over the entire galaxy.”
A new shiver of concern went down Carver’s spine. It seemed to him the conversation was turning away from awe and admiration and into the realm of extermination.
“You need not panic. The slave trader only stole human males. Had he also stolen females, I would have a much greater problem than I already do.”
“You’re the one who called off the hunt for the rest of the enslaved humans.”
He nodded.
“You know, I’d really like to know your name so I know exactly who I should curse.”
“I am Grim Dancing.”
Carver would have laughed, but he was used to their odd way of naming and he didn’t feel one damn bit of mirth. “I will gladly damn you to hell every night for the rest of my life.”
“My kind doesn’t believe in hell.”
“That’s okay. I do. And if you don’t help the rest of my kind, then—”
“Then what?” Grim took half a dozen long-legged strides until he was standing right in front of Carver. Despite his seven feet of pure muscle, Carver had to strain his head back to maintain eye contact. “Then your kind will perish? I doubt it. Your kind thrives no matter where they go. They have a survival instinct that is unmatched by even my own species.”
Cursed coughed, clearly disagreeing with his boss, but he kept his dissenting opinion on the quiet side.
“There is no question that the rest of the humans are fine wherever they are.”
It took a while, but eventually, Carver got it. “You’re afraid of us.”
Grim said nothing.
“That’s why you don’t want your officers to hunt us down anymore. It’s not about us being safe on our own or any of the sunshine you just blew up my ass. It’s because you’re afraid more of your warriors will fall for my kind. That’s what really scares the shit out you.”
“Your colloquialisms are so charming.”
“Fuck you.”
“I would pay well for that service.” Grim considered Carver with a new and far more disturbing gleam in his eye. “But then I am certain to fall victim to the Earthling allure.”
“Where is Honor?” Carver also wanted to ask about Acerith, but he was beginning to doubt he would get information on anyone. Grim seemed to want to keep Carver in his office for as long as he could.
“He is waiting for you.”
Carver wanted to believe that, but he just couldn’t. “And?” “And?” Grim asked.
“I know you want something. Just spit it out so I can see my mate.”
Grim gritted his teeth, making the large scar across his chin and neck get taut and shiny. “I want you to finish tracking down the rest of the Earthlings.”
Carver’s heart skipped a beat. It was what he had wanted to do before everything went haywire. “But?”
“But? Honestly, I do not understand your kind sometimes.” Grim glared down at Carver.
“But there’s a catch, right? There’s no way you’re having me do this without some downside.”
“You will have adequate funding. You will be given whatever you require.”
“Including Honor?”
“Including him.”
Carver knew there had to be something else. But what? “And once I find them, what do I do?”
“You keep them away from Earth.”
“Right. Honor explained about the time distortion.”
“But I also want you to keep them far away from Krase.” Grim turned his attention to the window once again. “I do not want to lose any more of my officers to your kind. Is that clear?”
“Clear.” Carver felt there was still more, but he didn’t know what questions to ask. “They will be free, right?”
“Yes. Give them Krase citizenship, but they can’t come here unless they are already mated to another.”
“Ah.” Now Carver got it. He and Honor hunting down the rest of the humans was safe since they were fully mated. “If the humans don’t have mates, where do we take them?”
“That is your problem.” Grim waved his hand dismissively.
Cursed placed his hand on Carver’s arm, drawing him out of the room.
“You weren’t expecting that, were you?”
“No.” Cursed looked as confused as Carver was happy. “You and your kind are the luckie
st beings in the universe.”
“If that were true, we wouldn’t have been enslaved in the first place.” Carver kept pace with Cursed’s strides. “Do you want one?”
“A human?” Judging by his shocked tone, the answer was a resounding no. “Only for a pet.”
“Got ya.”
“Will you do what he asks of you?”
“Hunt down the other humans?” Carver pretended to mull the prospect over. “I’ll have to see what Honor thinks.” But he already knew he’d be more than happy to finish the job he started.
Chapter 15
“No.” Honor looked at the plan and shook his head.
“What do you mean, no? You can’t just say no. That’s not how a discussion goes.” Carver pointed to the rough drawing again as if perhaps Honor just hadn’t looked at it long enough to grasp the finer points.
“I said no. I’m not going to do that.”
“If you do, we’ll win the game.”
Honor considered the sketch then looked at the playing field. Dozens of fellow Krase warriors were standing around, waiting for the final call to be made. “If you’re wrong…”
“I’ll suck your cock in front of everyone.”
“Deal.” Not that Honor would allow that to happen. He loved to have his mate on his willing knees with his wanton mouth around his prick, but he didn’t need an audience. Honor pulled his helmet on and returned to the game. He crouched down behind the center, uttered the code for the play Carver wished them to engage in, then received the ball. The warrior in front of him plowed down the linemen looking to tackle Honor, giving him the hole that Carver said would be there. He plunged through the opening then ran for all he was worth to the end of the field. Once he crossed the line, he slammed the ball down and did a little victory dance. Honor never would have thought of doing such a thing on his own, but Carver said it was customary.
Helmets were yanked off, congratulations and commiserations were exchanged, and then everyone was heading off the field.
“It’s better with a crowd of spectators.” Carver took Honor’s helmet and handed him a drink.
“I do not mind playing just for us.”
“You’re really good.”
“I should have trusted you.”
“That’s okay. Eventually you’ll learn that I know what I’m talking about.” Carver gathered up his gear, tossed it in his satchel, then took Honor’s hand. “And I totally forgive you because I’m so thrilled to be dating the quarterback.”
“Dating? I think we’ve gone far beyond that.”
“Fair enough.” Carver looked toward the setting sun. “What do you want to do tonight?”
“Fuck?”
“Besides that.”
“Food?”
“Besides that.”
“I have no other great longings that I wish to address. I’m just glad to be out of the ship for a while.” They had dutifully gone on their mission to retrieve more humans, but they also took time off on Krase to gather more intelligence. At first, it had been almost impossible for Honor to get Carver to relax for even a moment. He felt responsible now since the mission was in his hands. Honor had to remind him that they were doing their best to find and release all the humans. But they were only two individuals. As dedicated as they were, they had to take time off or they would burn out. This was the first vacation they’d taken since they’d started their mission.
“Do you ever miss Earth?”
“Sometimes I miss my family and friends, but I’m happy here with you.” Carver met his gaze with that no-nonsense intensity that Honor had come to respect and deeply love. “You keep me balanced.”
“That’s a good thing?”
“It is. Without you I think I’d still be so driven to do everything and fix everything I wouldn’t take the time to enjoy anything.” Carver stopped walking, making Honor halt beside him. “I love you.”
“I love you.” Honor looked around and realized they had the field to themselves. The sun was setting, causing the trees to cast long shadows. He tightened his grip on Carver’s hand and pulled him over into the thicker darkness. Without a word, he pressed him against a tree, kissing him as he released the fasteners on his trousers. Hungrily, he worked his way down Carver’s body and then sucked his cock into his mouth. He did this to please his mate, but also, Honor loved sucking Carver’s prick because he made a sound of surrender that never failed to fill Honor with a powerful surge of mastery. Knowing that he could drive his mate into ecstasy so quickly sent his ego to new heights every single time.
Barely was he done when Carver was trying to return the favor, but Honor wouldn’t let him. “I want you in bed, on your back, begging for my cock.”
“I can do that right here.”
As tempting as it was, Honor wanted him in the big bed with the dark-green sheets that complemented Carver’s coloring. When they got home, the first thing Carver did was check the communication unit. When he found a promising lead on another human, he was so excited Honor knew they were going to be cutting their time on Krase short. He didn’t mind. Carver was happy, and that in turn made him happy. But before they left, he got his wish. He took his mate in their bed while he was on his back, begging for completion. When they were both breathless and spent, Carver rolled over and placed his head against Honor’s chest. Carver said he liked to listen to Honor’s heart while Honor loved to twine his fingers in Carver’s hair.
“Do you think we’ll find them all?”
“I think so.”
“What if we don’t?”
“We’ll find them.” Honor kissed Carver’s head. “We won’t stop until we do.”
THE END
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Reading, writing, and white-water rafting are the three things Anitra Lynn McLeod enjoys the most. You can visit her at www.AnitraMcLeod.com.
For all titles by Anitra Lynn McLeod, please visit www.bookstrand.com/anitra-lynn-mcleod
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