She sighed, swallowed hard, then backed into the far corner of the cell and curled into a ball. “I can’t tell you how disappointed I am.”
He raised one brow ridge and leaned forward. “Please explain.”
“I’ve wished my whole life to meet the Sha-Shiri. My father told me all about his people and his world. I used to imagine that one day a delegation would come for me and bring me to Sha-Shiri to meet his family and they’d be happy to finally meet me.”
He seemed shocked by her revelation. “You will be treated with extreme deference by the Val’tek. There are many on Sha-Shiri who are anxious to meet you and eagerly await your arrival.”
“But only if I cooperate, right? I’m not being given a choice, am I? I mean, maybe if you’d asked nicely or given me some time to think about it, I might consider breeding.”
His tawny eyes shifted to the cell’s fourth wall, the one that had disappeared before. They were obviously being watched. “Do you believe in time you would be amenable to breeding?”
Victoria shrugged. She forced herself not to follow his gaze and wondered how far her feigned cooperation would get her.
“Maybe. You’re certainly pleasing. You’re handsome, obviously powerful.” She remembered how she’d felt trapped beneath him on the floor. With his hard body stretched over hers and his narrow hips positioned between her thighs there’d been a moment when ... even now her inner muscles tingled and her gaze dropped unbidden to his loincloth again.
“The trip to Sha-Shiri will last several months. Perhaps I can arrange for the breeding schedule to be amended to allow you this time. It’s our understanding that human fertility cycles are short and continuous. You will likely come in heat again before we arrive.”
“Several months? I figured you could drop me back home and we’d ... you know, date for a while.” Victoria tried to smile, but the prospect of actually being so far from earth made her stomach hurt. This was real and as things stood, she might never get home again.
“Date?”
“Go out. Well, that might be a little difficult with you looking like ... that. Don’t you have one of those DNA shifting tablets, like the one my father used to change to human form? I bet you’d be hot as a--”
He rose in the middle of her sentence and Victoria recognized a measure of indignation in his feral expression. Had she offended him? “The change caused by the shifter drug can be harmful if not made permanently. The drug was designed to morph a dead or injured body to human form to disguise it from the authorities.”
“Yes, I know. My father explained it all to me years ago.” She looked up at his imposing form and wondered what he was going to do next. “Um ... how about that tour? If I’m going to be on board for a few months, it might be nice to have a look at something other than this cell.”
He moved off, and hesitated in front of the fourth wall. “I will get permission from the captain to allow you out of here, but I must have your word you will not attack anyone.”
“Scouts’ honor.” Victoria held up two fingers. Apparently Kash didn’t notice the two others she had crossed behind her back.
“Very well. Wait here.”
She sighed. “Where else would I go?”
The fourth wall blinked away, revealing the white furred Sha-Shiri and the larger chamber beyond. Victoria remained still, her gaze down until the wall reappeared and she was alone again. She let out a breath. What the hell was she going to do now?
Breeding. The word echoed in her head. Shame washed over her at the memory of her hormonal teenage fantasies. She’d imagined sex with an alien more times than she could count, and perhaps that notion in her mind, that she was different, not fully human herself, had colored her relationships. No man she’d met seemed worthy, until Mark Beck of course. And ultimately, all he’d wanted her for was breeding, as well.
Was she wrong to expect the emotions that went along with sex? What was so bad about wanting commitment and loyalty? In her fantasies she’d found herself a ‘mate’ rather than a boyfriend or a husband, someone who, once joined with her would never be able to consider anyone else.
Perhaps that was foolish, but hey, it was a fantasy after all. Her half Sha-Shiri blood had given her fertile human imagination room to play for twenty-six years. In those games, though, she’d always been the winner.
Once again, she was left with no choice but to escape. How could she find a way to get off the ship before she was so far away from earth that she couldn’t return? Hell, for all she new she was already half a galaxy away. She certainly wouldn’t be walking home, or hitching a ride.
Victoria’s only option was to try to get Kash to trust her, maybe even like her enough to help her escape.
* * * *
Kash had no illusions that convincing Sirris to allow Victoria to leave the holding cell would be easy, but he had to try. Once he could move her to another part of the ship, he could put his plan into action, knowing she would be marginally safe.
He approached the captain in the Katavarri’s common area and forced some measure of respect into his voice before saluting his captain.
“I hear you’re making some progress, Kash.” Sirris, sat back in his chair, a half empty flagon of water clutched in his hand. He twirled the liquid casually while he waited for Kash’s response.
“Very little so far.” At least that wasn’t a lie. “I believe the female will be more cooperative if she thinks we trust her. I’ve offered to show her the ship and let her meet the other members of the crew in return for her assurance that she will not behave violently again.”
Sirris narrowed his eyes and Kash had to wonder if the captain already saw through his subterfuge. “Show her the ship?”
“Only certain parts of course. The observation areas, the common room perhaps. Not the bridge of course.”
“Of course. Do you really think this will improve her disposition?” Sirris sat forward now and placed the flagon on the table in the center of the room.
“She knows she is part Sha-Shiri and has looked forward to meeting her father’s people. I believe her curiosity can be used to our advantage. If you allow me to remove her from the holding cell for short periods, I will take full responsibility for any ... trouble she causes.”
“She’d best cause no trouble. Make it clear to her that if she does, the consequences will be severe. As much as I find her fascinating, and she represents an important milestone in our genetic research, please impress upon her that she is not indispensable.”
“I believe she understands that, Captain, but I will make it clear to her.”
Sirris rose, stretching to his full height, which still left him a few inches shorter than Kash. “Very well. Limited access to common areas of the ship, but be vigilant, Kash. The hybrid may be more clever than she appears.”
Kash nodded. Of that, he had no doubt. He saluted Sirris again and left the common room, eager to put the next phase of his plan in motion.
Chapter Four
Walking the corridors of the Katavarri with the hybrid female beside him caused an odd mix of emotions in Kash. Since Sirris had given him leave to escort her through the ship, he felt both wary and protective of her, and that left him off balance.
He respected her caution in dealing with Cherra-Sha and the captain and understood that her natural curiosity had overcome some of her fear and anger at her predicament. He’d always been an explorer himself and he understood how the joy of discovery could overcome fear of the unknown.
When they arrived at the aft observation deck during her second excursion from her cell, her round eyes lit with wonder at the impressive view. Despite his years as a space traveler, Kash had never tired of the magnificence of the universe.
“Is that the moon?” she asked, pointing to the dark gray disk that dominated the center of the wide viewport.
“That is the dark side of earth’s moon, yes. We are about to leave the planetary system. Earth is the blue disc to the left.” He pointed to the
swirling globe receding behind the satellite.
“So this is the back of the ship?” she asked.
“Yes. There is an observation port in the forward section, as well, but we could not go there now. The view is dominated by earth’s sun and the light would be too bright, even with our strongest shields in place.
She turned toward him, her eyes narrowing. “Why are we heading toward the sun?”
“The Katavarri uses the gravitational field of the star to increase speed. A partial orbit of the sun will launch us into space toward Sha-Shiri at a much faster--”
“The sling-shot effect. I’ve read about that in science fiction novels.”
“It is not fiction for us.”
“I’m impressed. Will we be passing by Venus and Mercury?”
“The two smaller planets in this system? Yes. I can arrange for you to see them when we pass by.”
“It’s so beautiful. I always imagined what it might be like to be out here. It looks so lonely, though.”
“There are numerous inhabited worlds that the Sha-Shiri study. Unfortunately they’re separated by great distances and most of the alien races we’ve encountered are xenophobic, like humans.”
“Not all humans are afraid of aliens.”
“You are proof of that.” Kash tried a human smile. “But enough of them are to make contact problematic. Thus the Val’tek plan for cross breeding.”
“Hmm. You mentioned the Val’tek before. You said they’re a faction--so not all Sha-Shiri are Val’tek?”
“No. In fact most are not. The Val’tek are a small but radical group of scientific researchers seeking alliances with other worlds by genetic infiltration.” Kash chose his words carefully. He watched the female’s face and tried to gauge her response. It intrigued him that, in the day and a half that she’d been aboard the ship, he’d already begun to understand her expressions and even the various tones of her voice. Curiosity and suspicion overlaid her next question.
“What about the rest of the Sha-Shiri?”
“There are other factions that make up the majority of the political groupings among us. The Avan’tek are the largest group. They are also researchers who are dedicated to peaceful exploration but they do not condone cross-breeding. They believe peaceful alliances with alien worlds will occur eventually but should not be forced.”
The female tilted her head. Was she reading the subtext of Kash’s words? Did she sense his disdain for the Val’tek plan?
“Then there are the Sha’tek. They are enemies of the Val’tek and to a lesser extent the Avan’tek. The Sha’tek are purists, radical in their belief that cross breeding is an abomination against the Great Creator. They tolerate scientific exploration, but feel that even friendly contact with other races should be avoided. They fear blending races or even cultures and have been known to resort to violence to prove their point.”
Her green eyes bored into his and for the first time in his life, Kash felt naked. She saw into his soul.
“So exactly which one are you?”
* * * *
Victoria gasped when Kash drew close to her. One swift step brought him directly into her personal space, his face only inches from hers.
She tensed, momentarily afraid that she’d insulted him again, but she held her ground. Her father had taught her that Sha-Shiri respected bravery. She’d get farther by not backing down, even when she pushed his buttons.
“The Katavarri is a Val’tek ship.” His voice was low and sensual but with an undercurrent of warning to it.
She dipped her head and whispered, “That isn’t what I asked you.”
He put his hand on her arm then. The heat of his skin galvanized her and her body gave an involuntary jolt of awareness. In spite of her fear each brief contact sent her heart racing and her left her wanting more.
“Come with me to my quarters and I will tell you more.”
She managed a smirk and tried to ignore the tremor of anticipation that had begun low in her belly. “Is that Sha-Shiri for ‘Come see my etchings?’”
His amber eyes narrowed. “I have no etchings.”
“Of course you don’t. I definitely want to hear more about Sha-Shiri politics, so lead on.”
He nodded and led her out of the observation room and swiftly through the narrow corridors of the ship.
Kash’s quarters were on the next deck, small and sparsely furnished but with a comfortable feel that reminded Victoria of home. Apparently her father had retained some Sha-Shiri sense of aesthetics when he’d helped her mother redecorate the farmhouse over the years.
Kash’s beige walls, sand-toned fabrics, and the jewel colored contrasting pillows on the narrow bed reminded her of her parents’ living room and family room.
“Hey, you’ve got a bed.” Her body ached to lie down on something softer than the foam covered floor of the holding cell. Apparently the Sha-Shiri knew little about how to keep a human comfortable. Thus far they’d provided nothing but the floor to sleep on and a bowl of something to eat that looked like oatmeal but tasted like ... well, tuna. “Any chance I could get one?”
“I have already discussed the possibility of assigning you crew quarters. The captain was reluctant, but Ashan has agreed to prepare a secure location for you.”
“Ashan?”
“The ship’s engineer. You haven’t met him. He spends most of this time in the engine room.”
Victoria surveyed the rest of the room. “Do you have a shower? I’m beginning to smell like that glop you feed me.”
Kash frowned. “You do not like the food?”
“Gack! It’s disgusting. Didn’t you study human eating habits?”
“We studied nutrition. The food Cherra-Sha has prepared for you has one hundred percent of all the nutrients a human body should require for perfect health, plus extra doses of those substances she’s deemed important for pre-gestation.”
“Pre-natal vitamin stew? Good lord, no wonder it tasted so bad. Humans just don’t live on vitamins, you know.”
“What would you prefer?”
“How about a hamburger? Or a steak? I’m half-Sha-Shiri. What do you people eat?”
He shrugged. “I will see that you are fed crew rations today.”
“That’s a start. Now,” Victoria plopped herself on the bed under Kash’s curious gaze. “Tell me about what’s really going on here.”
He looked around the room as if he were concerned they were being observed, then he drew close again. With him standing over her, his massive thighs touching hers and the hem of his loincloth grazing her knee, Victoria felt small and vulnerable and undeniably feminine. She held her breath to keep from panting.
“You are very astute for a human.”
“Nah. You’re just a bad liar. I can see the disgust in your expression when you say ‘Val’tek.’ You can’t be one of them.”
“No. I am Avan’tek. I infiltrated their ranks and volunteered for this mission in any capacity they would take me. I would have been content as a maintenance engineer, but they subjected all volunteers to DNA testing and pronounced me the fittest specimen for the breeding program.”
Victoria exhaled. “So, if you’re Avan’tek, you don’t believe in cross-breeding?” Maybe escape would be easier than she thought.
He laughed and for some reason his amusement stung her. “You are safe from me. I have absolutely no intention of mating with a human.”
* * * *
Oddly, the hybrid looked disappointed by Kash’s confession. Her expression blanked, but when his hand fell to her shoulder, she tensed under his touch.
He resisted the sudden urge to run his palm down the bare skin of her arm. When he’d touched her in the observatory, the heat and softness of her nearly hairless skin surprised him. For some reason he’d expected human skin to be rough compared to that of a Sha-Shiri.
“Please understand, I find the idea of forced breeding as distasteful as you do. My people have sent me to assure that you are not harmed.”
The coil of tension in her muscles relaxed, but only slightly. She looked up at him again, her jewel-like eyes wide and, to his amazement, trusting. “So what’s your plan?”
Kash knelt before the bed and looked up into her face. His hand trailed to her knee. “I plan to commandeer the ship, but I must wait until we’re closer to the sun to avoid the risk that one of the crew members might be able to send a message to Val’tek reinforcements. Once I’ve secured them all in the medical holding cell, I will return you to earth and then take them back to Sha-Shiri where they will face incarceration. The Avan’tek are the majority on Sha-Shiri and our laws still govern most of society. The Val’tek operatives will be punished for their role in your abduction.”
“Why didn’t you stop them before they got this far? It seems like on a trip lasting several months you would have had an opportunity or two.”
Kash chuckled. Her cleverness impressed him. How many times had he wished he could have moved sooner on his mission? “If I had interrupted the trip to earth any sooner, another group of Val’tek would have simply tried again. Your existence is the subject of intense debate and speculation on Sha-Shiri. When I return, I plan to report that you are dead in order to shut down future speculation.”
“Dead?”
Kash raised his hand in a calming gesture. “I will fabricate the evidence of your death and hopefully put an end, at least temporarily, to the discussions of cross breeding.”
He watched her luminous eyes and found himself fascinated by the thought process he saw behind them. Finally, she smiled at him.
“I’m beginning to like you, Kash. What can I do to help?”
Chapter Five
“Intercourse will take place in my quarters rather than in the holding cell.” Kash steeled himself for Cherra-Sha’s reaction to his announcement, and it came just as he expected.
Hunters Mate Page 3
