by Bethany Aan
“Yeah, well, our people are stupid,” Bev snorted. “It’s a long story, but it mostly has to do with religion and the directives to go forth and procreate. Much like your colonization directives, but without the common sense to limit births once the people outstrip the resources.”
“Stupid, indeed,” Hunter agreed, his eyes constantly scanning the titles listed on his screen. “What are all of these books?”
Bev leaned forward eagerly, then gasped in delight.
“It looks like the Great Books, the classics, lots of romance and erotica.” She looked up at Hunter, her eyes sparkling. “From the titles and the cover pictures, Ri seems to have a bit of a naughty streak.”
“Good!” Hunter grinned wickedly, making Bev giggle.
“She tends to favor the stories with one girl and more than one guy,” Bev went on, then blushed and gasped, realizing what she’d just revealed about her leader and new friend. “Forget I said that!”
“Not a chance,” Hunter growled, grinning rather fiercely. So his little Ri had a longing for more than one man at once, did she? That would make things so much simpler!
“Are all of those full of books?” Trey asked, pointing to the small pile of SD cards. Bev shrugged.
“Only one way to find out,” Bev said, and pulled over a chair for herself without being invited to do so. Hunter was actually amused and delighted to see her take control like that. It meant that he and his men had made her feel welcome and comfortable enough to take her place among them. His heart warmed at that realization. Only a few days in his compound, and already one of the women was right at home.
Hunter handed over the pile of tiny cards. It took the three of them nearly two hours to get everything archived from the device, but when they were done, Hunter was more convinced than ever that Arianna was their leader.
“It looks like she’s managed to download almost every free book out there, and quite a few that aren’t.” Bev sat back, cracking her knuckles and neck wearily. When she leaned back and Trey began massaging her neck, she didn’t react other than to groan thankfully at the treatment. Hunter felt Trey’s hunger and his delight in her. “She has a really great sci-fi/fantasy section, some of the best romance authors, and there are even some really ancient texts. Hmm… looks like all of the sacred texts from the major and quite a few minor religions, history books, ancient books from various museums… She’s a history buff. Hunter, there are university libraries that don’t have this many books or this complete a collection.”
“She’s their lore keeper!” Trey said reverently. Hunter nodded. Trey turned reverent eyes on his superior. Hunter got up, stretching his long arms and legs from the hours of sitting.
“You’re a lucky man,” Trey told Hunter with a great deal of respect. “A Reader, their mentor, and their lore-keeper? She is one in a million women.”
“Was Arianna awake when you left her?” Hunter asked Bev. She nodded, not looking up from the screen in front of her.
“Yes, sir,” she murmured. “She woke up when you guys got back and wanted to come, but she wasn’t sure she should. She didn’t want to have to bother anyone to bring her.”
“Is she well?” he asked, trying not to sound too concerned. Bev laughed softly.
“Other than being bored out of her mind,” she said, shrugging, “She is okay. Jace has been taking care of her, as have the rest of us. She just really wants to be out and doing something, not stuck in bed.”
“Do you think she would like to be here now, for this?”
“It’s her stuff,” Bev grinned up at him. “Wouldn’t you want to be here?”
He left without another word.
“Lore keeper?” Bev asked after a moment, arching her brows at Trey, a little bit jealous at the reverence he’d shown when talking about Ri. “These things are accessible to anyone who has an internet connection, a library card, or enough money to purchase it all.”
“Aye,” Trey said quietly, acknowledging her point. Seeing her frown, he grinned to himself and reached for her hand, boldly stealing a kiss to the back of it, sending pretty color into her cheeks. “But few choose to spend their time and means on such a collection. It takes someone with the heart of a lore-keeper to ensure that they have as many records as they can of their literature and history, in a storage system easy to carry with them at all times, for just this kind of happenstance.”
“That makes sense,” Bev murmured. She had a Nook as well, but nowhere near as many titles or as extensive a collection. Ri must have been from big money, to be able to afford so many of the storage cards, not to mention all the titles that weren’t free to the public.
Thinking about her Nook, Bev got up to look through the many tote bags the men had recovered. She found her reader quickly, along with three Kindles and a Sony e-reader. She gathered them all and hurried back to transfer their growing library to the main computer system while they waited for the commanders to return. And if Trey moved his chair closer to Bev’s so that he could help her with file destinations and getting to know Thorsani systems, no one said anything. And if Bev happened to lean to the right and Trey to the left so that their arms touched as they worked, their heads together… again, no one heard any complaints.
CHAPTER TEN
Arianna was still awake, her leg paining her and boredom battering at her lively mind. Hunter grinned to himself, sensing all of that as he walked into the dorm. At this hour, she was the only woman awake, probably because the pain meds had been keeping her asleep for such long periods the past few days. She sensed his presence and sat up in bed, her mind locking onto his with gladness.
“Hunter!” she breathed when he crouched down beside her bunk. She reached out and hesitantly touched his face, smiling in welcome when he let her. “Hi.”
“Hello, little one,” he murmured softly, turning his head to kiss her palm, as though they’d done such a thing a hundred times. It felt like the most natural thing in the world. Her eyes softened on him and she traced his lips with a soft fingertip.
“You’ve been gone awhile,” she whispered. He nodded, taking her hand and twining their fingers together, his smile kicking up at the corner.
“Yes,” he said, “But it was worth it. I have something for you. Are you up for an excursion?”
“Oh, gods, yes!” she nearly wept with relief, her eyes following him as he stood. “I’m so tired of this place, and I’ve only been stuck here two days.”
Hunter’s chuckle had some of the girls shifting restlessly in their beds, while nearby, Chelsea and Kim came awake in a rush.
“Ri?” Kim called anxiously, seeing the big shadow near Ri’s bed. Chelsea was out of bed with her arm locked around Hunter’s neck before he could fend her off. A horrified squeak escaped Ri’s throat, but Hunter simply held still, letting Chelsea hang from his back. He chuckled and then quickly flipped her around in a neat move, ending with her pinned up against the wall. The tall woman stared down at him in shock.
“When you attack one of us from behind like that, young one,” he told her kindly, “You will want to do so with a knife in your hand, or with far more skill. We are much larger, much heavier, and had I not sensed your approach, I could easily have killed you in reflexive self-defense.”
“Good to know,” Chelsea choked out, holding onto his hands on her shoulders. Very slowly, Hunter let her slide down the wall to stand, then held her until she was steady on her feet. He nodded at her, narrowing his gaze.
“I admire bravery,” he told her. “But not fool-hardiness. We will see about training you so that the next time you feel the need to protect your commander, you may do so much more effectively. For now, go back to bed. I have need of your leader for awhile. I assure you she will be in no better hands.”
Chelsea laughed at that and found her bunk, rubbing her shoulders, more from embarrassment than actual pain. Kim settled back down as well when Ri nodded to her.
“Now,” Hunter said, leaning down and scooping Ri into his arms, b
lankets and all. “Let’s see if I can’t manage to surprise you, little warrior.”
He turned and strode with her down the walkway, only to be stopped by a pale figure blocking the path. Narrowing his eyes, he was able to make out Amy’s face and her … naked… body.
“Hunter!” Amy breathed, wetting her lips, her eyes shining with lust. Hunter took a step backward.
“Amy, what are you doing?” Ri asked, aghast.
“I’m greeting my love,” Amy said dreamily. “Hunter came to see me because he missed me. He’s been gone for so long, but he’s back now.”
“Amy,” Ri said softly, “You’re dreaming. Get dressed and go back to sleep.”
“No!” Amy fiercely whispered. “He came to see me!”
“Then why am I leaving with Arianna in my arms?” Hunter asked pointedly. His skin was crawling from the lascivious thoughts Amy was sending out. At the mention of Ri, she actually hissed.
“You!” Amy growled low in her throat, switching her attention to Arianna. “What kind of mind control do you have on my sweet Hunter and Jace? They think they’re in love with you, but there’s nothing about you to love!”
“Hunter,” Ri said quietly, shaking with anger and something else that Hunter couldn’t focus on at the moment. “I think we need to get out of here. I don’t like where this is going.”
“Amy, move,” Hunter ordered, adding a mental push as he spoke. Amy started, then nodded slowly. Ri touched on Hunter’s command and silently urged Amy to get dressed before going back to sleep. When the thin young woman moved out of the way, Hunter hurried past, trying to shield himself and Ri mentally. At the door to the dorm, he looked back to find her staring at him, still naked but with her gown in her hand.
“There’s something very wrong with her,” he shuddered, holding Ri closer. She nodded her agreement, and he could feel the shivering of her body from the odd confrontation. Stopping at the medical station just inside the door, Hunter murmured a few orders to the medic on duty, then hurried out into the chilly night air.
“So what is the surprise?” Ri asked, once the clear, open night air had refreshed them both. She tilted her head back against the thick pad of muscle on his arm, gazing up at the stars. Her breath caught and Hunter slowed his steps. “The stars are so different here.”
“I imagine so,” Hunter chuckled. “You are on another planet. Of course they will be different.”
“What planet is this, anyhow?” she asked as he started walking again. “I don’t think you’ve ever said.”
“We call it Ishira,” Hunter said softly. Ri repeated it.
“Ish-EE-rah…” she said slowly, then smiled. “It’s lovely, but I’m not getting a translation for it, just… light.”
“Ishira is a concept,” Hunter told her, picking his words carefully. “It comes from our ancient legends and is the shining sanctuary of hope and peace. It is said that from Ishira will come the Ish’ra, a being of pure love and brilliance that can stop entire wars with a single thought and bring peace to the galaxy... the stuff of legends.”
“What a beautiful idea,” Arianna sighed, laying her head on his shoulder. She had missed his scent, his touch, just his very nearness. She had very much missed these moments snuggled in his arms as he toted her from place to place. His heart pounded so strongly beneath her cheek, reminding her of how big and vital he was, how strong and capable. This new world was so much less confusing when he was nearby.
“I missed you, too, little one,” he whispered, stopping at the door to the command center. She blinked up at him in question. “I should be out at the crash site still, but I could not stay away from you that long.”
“Oh, Hunter,” she kissed his chest tenderly, smiled up at him. “I’m just glad you’re back. Now come on. I want to see my surprise!”
He laughed at her eagerness and followed her order.
When Ri and Hunter entered the room, it was lit brightly, with Trey and Bev working tirelessly to transfer the remaining books from Arianna’s SD cards to the main system. Ri saw her Nook, the pile of cards, and her pack, and sucked in a delighted gasp.
“You found our stuff!” she cried happily, hugging Hunter’s neck. “Oh, wow! This is wonderful! I can read while I’m healing now.”
“Wait,” Hunter laughed, setting her into a chair and helping her get situated with a crate beneath her broken leg, the blankets tucked in around her. She rolled her eyes at his fussing, but let him. Every touch was welcome and enjoyed by both, so she was loath to make him stop. He couldn’t resist the kiss he planted on her lips before finding his own chair at the station beside hers. “Patience, little lore-keeper. We are archiving all of your files before you get them back.”
“Oh!” She squeaked, her eyes flying to the pile of cards, her cheeks heating. “You don’t have to save all of them, you know.”
“Oh, but we do, Commander,” Trey told her with a saucy wink. Bev giggled, not looking up. “We really, really do.”
“Some of your reading choices looked very intriguing,” Bev added innocently, then snorted with mirth, surprising laughter out of all of them. Trey threw her a helpless, lopsided grin, his gaze simply adoring.
Arianna groaned. She knew some of the books she had in her collection. They were not for the faint of heart or the prudish. Beside her, she felt Hunter’s staunch approval of her choices. Which only made her cheeks burn all the hotter. He laughed, the rat! A mental picture of one of the book covers, with a small, dark-haired woman sandwiched in a passionate embrace between two big, muscular men flitted into her head, but the woman morphed into Ri and the men turned into Hunter and Jace. Her breath left in a whoosh that left her throbbing to the core. Hunter’s eyes were hot, his grin absolutely wicked as he met her gaze. She realized that he’d sent that image, and had to wonder about that. She would be wondering about it well into the night.
“What else did you find?” Ri asked, trying desperately to distract them all. Hunter nodded toward the pile of tote bags, then handed her several by the handles. She quickly rifled through them, finding mostly old snack foods that had long since withered to dust, makeup, and other electronics. As she was digging through someone’s bag, she came across a hardcover book. “Huh. Isaac Asimov? Someone’s a closet geek. I wonder who?”
Opening the book, Ri turned to the first page, only to have it crumble between her fingers. Was this a first edition? The dust jacket was missing and the cover seemed old. Frowning, she very carefully checked the publication date. Last printing 2010. So why were the pages falling apart?
“Hey, guys,” Ri said, frowning and showing the book to Bev. “This is really weird.”
“What is?” Trey asked. Hunter cocked his head in interest, taking the book from her, very delicately turning the pages.
“This book is fairly new,” Ri said. “Or it should be. The last I recall, it was 2012 back home. This book’s only two years old. Why would it be falling apart?”
“That doesn’t make sense,” Bev agreed, frowning. “Maybe these things were kept in a cargo hold that wasn’t properly sealed or something?”
“I don’t know,” Ri murmured, bringing a brittle plastic package out of the bag. Both girls stared at it in dawning shock. “I mean, when Twinkies are this far gone?”
They stared at each other for a long moment.
“Ri, honey,” Bev breathed, “How long were we on that ship?”
Hunter and Trey frowned at the tone of her voice, their eyes locking on the women. Hunter probed Arianna’s mind, found out just why she was alarmed that the Twinkie had turned to dust, and started asking questions, himself. Finally, he looked at Trey.
“Where are the hard drives for the slaver ship?” Hunter asked quietly. Following Hunter’s line of thought, Trey quickly came up with the storage devices. Bev came to watch, her brow furrowed. Trey inserted the drives into the station beside his commander’s, waited a few minutes for the information to come up, then shook his head.
“Dammit,” Bev mu
rmured, looking at the screen. “I can’t read it.”
“You’ve been on the planet three days,” Trey said wryly. “We don’t expect you to be able to read our language yet. Also, this isn’t Thorsani… it’s Universal, but it is encrypted. We’ll have to deal with that, first, then translate into both our languages. If you can’t read it after that, we’ll have to deal with your eyesight.”
She threw him a frustrated glare. He grinned at her then typed a few commands and sat back to wait. A minute later, the information came up in English. Bev blinked slowly, shaking her head, her face going white as she backed away from the computer screen.
“That’s impossible,” she breathed. Hunter sensed her horror, her grief… and that she was about to pass out. He hopped up, scooped her into his chair, and knelt in front of her. “Hunter… that can’t be right!”
“What’s wrong?” Trey asked quietly, kneeling beside Hunter and taking her hands, warming them between his. Bev’s tears spilled over as she shook her head in denial. Ri looked at the screen and did some quick math, her own eyes widening in shock.
“Too long,” she whispered. “Hunter, we were on the ship for too long. There’s no way a slaver holds onto a cargo for one hundred fifty years. Is there? Why would they do that?”
Hunter’s heart thundered. He turned back to the computer and, after asking Ri a few key questions, he realized that the women were right. According to the slavers’ records, the women had been in stasis aboard that ship for more than a hundred and fifty Earth years. Keeping that many people in stasis for even a year was costly, and while the humans were pretty little things, Hunter knew the major civilization centers in the sector. None would pay that much for them, even a psychic like Arianna.
Keying the com, Hunter summoned Jace to the command center.
“Sir?” Trey asked, waiting for orders, direction. Hunter shook his head, looking at the pile of drives from the ship, his mind churning over the possibilities.
