by Kali Argent
Carefully and discretely, Easton unbuttoned the pin from Aeryn’s collar and dropped it to the floor, crushing it beneath his boot. High-pitched feedback blared throughout the confined space in three short bursts. Then…nothing.
Once again, Xavian was on his feet, and he even made it to the door of the cockpit before Katana and Cypher both tackled him to the floor, pinning him beneath their combined weight.
“Just wait!” Katana yelled over his growls.
“Let this play out,” Cypher added, his voice strained as they continued to struggle. “She’s in no immediate danger. Just calm the fuck down.”
It was easy for him to say. It wasn’t his mate risking her neck for information they didn’t even know existed. Xavian didn’t know Easton Savage personally, but the man’s reputation preceded him, and that reputation didn’t lend itself to trust. As the rest of his ragtag team had pointed out, however, they had very little choice other than to wait and see what Aeryn could extract from the guy.
“I’m okay.” Ceasing his struggles, he remained perfectly still until the pressure on his back finally eased. Once the others had backed away, he rolled over and pushed to his feet, turning his back on the video screens in case what he saw sent him into another violent rage. “Katana, can you get close without him seeing you?”
“Of course.” The female slid a long, curved dagger from her belt and inspected it in the light before returning it to its sheath. “Try not to break anything while I’m gone.” Pausing beyond the doorway, she glanced back over her shoulder. “That includes each other.”
Once she’d left, Xavian turned his attention to things he could control instead of worry about those he couldn’t. “Do you believe him?” he asked Cypher, nodding sideway at the middle screen that showed Easton and Aeryn seated across from each other at a small, round table. “Do you think we should bring Deucalion here?”
Cypher didn’t answer right away, his lips pursed and his brow furrowed in thought. “I don’t see that he has any reason to lie about that. Technically, he didn’t say that we should bring Deucalion to the station. He just said we should get to him first.”
“Why, though?”
“Hopefully, that’s something Aeryn’s asking him right now.”
Xavian kept waiting for something to make sense, but so far, they just seemed to be chasing their asses in a never-ending circle. “I’ll contact Commander Schiva.”
“What are you going to tell him?”
Xavian pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. “To send Deucalion.”
* * * *
“How’s the soup?”
Aeryn looked down at her bowl as she swirled her spoon through the contents of the vegetable medley. “Soupy.”
Easton chuckled, but the sound lacked much humor. “Okay, I get it. You don’t want to be here.”
“Tell me what you know.” They both knew why they were there, and she saw no sense in going around the proverbial asteroid belt.
He glanced to the left, then the right, before finally leaning forward, his elbows resting heavily on the gleaming tabletop. “Keep your voice down. Why the hell did you think I wanted to meet you here?”
“I have no idea,” she answered honestly.
Easton scoffed. “You’re not that thick. Do you have any idea what you’re stepping into, Chase?”
“I know it’s dangerous.”
“It’s not dangerous. It’s fucking deadly. Those idiots at Anomaly?” He jerked a thumb over his shoulder. “They think they’re going to waltz out of that auction with some priceless treasure, maybe a couple million units. I’ve been at this game a long time, long enough to know when shit doesn’t add up.”
“I need to find that auction.” Mirroring his pose, she moved to the edge of her seat, soup forgotten, and leaned toward him. “I don’t care about units or treasure, but I do care about my family. What did you mean about Deucalion? Why are people looking for him?”
“You’re not going to drop this, are you?”
Aeryn shook her head, just a fractional movement. “I’ve never been one to run from a fight.”
“It’s your head.” He glanced to the patrons and restaurant staff around them, obviously looking for anyone eavesdropping. “Two Saturdays from now at midnight. The creepy church in Jackson Square.”
The St. Louis Cathedral had been the only building to survive the war unscathed, and therefore, had been preserved as a historical marker. It had been updated and repaired over the years, but remained largely unchanged from its original architecture.
“Who’s holding the auction?”
“Some Atrean.”
Well, that confirmed at least one of her suspicions. “And what’s being auctioned? I mean, what’s this Atrean promising, and what does he want in return?”
“I think you know what he’s offering, and I’m not going to say it out loud.”
“Fair enough.” Second confirmation, and that was enough to get them to Earth. “Why the Crimnians?”
“That’s the payment, I guess you could say.” Easton flicked his fingers in front of his right eye. “No one gets into the auction without one of these special Crimnians with the weird eye thing.”
She had a theory about that, but she’d need to get back to her ship and contact the Chronicler on Nekron to confirm it. Pushing back from the table, she stood, no longer concerned about manners or niceties.
“I have to go, but thank you. I owe you one, Savage.”
He didn’t stand, but he did dip his head in acknowledgment. “I’ll remember that.”
Yeah, she just betted he would. Nothing ever came for free with Easton Savage, and she hadn’t deluded herself into believing otherwise.
Hurrying out of the restaurant, she tried to appear casual as she crossed the atrium, but once the doors of the docking bay slid open, she burst into a full sprint, flying down the corridor, her legs and lungs burning from the exertion.
At the last set of double doors, she shifted from one foot to the other, dancing impatiently while she waited for them to open. They’d barely parted, before she grabbed one side, shoving at it while she squeezed through the narrow opening—and barreled right into her mate.
“Whoa, easy.” Catching her in his arms, he held her steady, his fingers kneading her biceps as his gaze caressed every inch of her. “What happened? Are you okay?”
“I’m good,” she panted. “Better than good. I need to contact Cato.”
“Okay.” A shallow V formed between his eyes. “Why don’t you start from the beginning?”
She quickly recounted what she’d learned from Easton, finishing with the comment about the Crimnians with the “weird eyes.” Eyes just like Deucalion’s.
“Deuc said that this Solomon guy used a drop of Morphling blood to bind the Seal, right? What if he used a drop of his own blood as well?”
“Making him the first Legacy.”
Aeryn bobbed her head excitedly as she followed Xavian through the platform tunnel to her ship. “Asa Brax needs the Legacy, but he doesn’t know which descendent it is, so he’s rounding up all of them. The best way to find what you’re looking for—”
“Is have a hundred other people do it for you.”
“This isn’t an auction. Hell, it’s not even a bounty. This is a witch hunt.”
“Agreed. I contacted Commander Schiva. Vane is escorting Deucalion here as we speak. They’ve already left the planet and should be arriving in the next few hours.”
“Thank you.” Logically, she knew she couldn’t protect her friend any better than a compound full of guards, but after everything she’d learned, she wouldn’t deny that she’d rather have him close. “It’s probably mean of me, but I’m kind of looking forward to seeing the look on his face when we tell him he might be a Legacy.”
“You should rest, nikka.”
“There will be plenty of time to sleep once we leave for Earth. Nine days, to be precise.”
“We know where the auction is now.” He s
poke hesitantly, and he’d stopped walking. “I think it would be best if you stayed here on Gamma Station or returned to Nekron.”
She had a feeling he’d say something like that, and she was ready for it. “First off, Deucalion may not be blood, but he’s my family. If he’s in danger, I’m going. Secondly, I’m the only one who could get remotely close. Asa will see you coming a mile away. He’s obviously not going to trust his brother, but he’ll never suspect me.”
Xavian hated it when she used logic and facts against him. Given his way, she’d be on the first transport back to Nekron with an army of guards surrounding her until the entire mess was over. Unfortunately, she made valid points. Asa knew him, knew Vane, and he’d be leery of any Nekros attempting to infiltrate his so-called auction. What little he knew about Cypher’s relationship with his brother lent credence to the notion that Asa would suspect him of duplicity.
He could recruit some random trader or merchant. He could pay off a smuggler. He could ask Katana to take the lead. In truth, Aeryn had already proven herself capable. Plus, she had a personal interest in the outcome now that Deucalion could potentially be involved.
At the present, there was no one better suited to take on the task, and he hated that most of all.
“Where is everyone anyway?” she asked when they reached her vessel.
“I sent Katana to watch you,” he admitted, unashamed of the fact. “She called as you were leaving the restaurant. She’s at the Vortex with Cypher.”
“As in with Cypher?”
Xavian didn’t know, and he didn’t see it as any of his business. Shrugging, he gave his mate a little push, urging her up the cargo ramp and into the ship. “Let’s contact Cato.”
It took them ten minutes to get Cato on a video conference, and another five for him to confirm their suspicions. Dradar Solomon had indeed been blessed with black and silver eyes, an oddity among the Crimnians. In Solomon’s time, it had been viewed as a sign of great strength, an anointment from the gods. In more recent centuries, however, it had come to be seen as a deformity, a mutation, and something to be ridiculed.
The news shocked Xavian, who had never taken the Crimnians for purists. Considering how many interracial couples now existed in the galaxies—and by extension, their offspring—it made little sense.
“It’s not about purity of blood,” Aeryn explained when he voiced his opinion aloud. “It’s about the purity of magic. I don’t fully understand it, but the Crimnians have some pretty strange views when it comes to magic and the worthiness to wield it.”
“I still think it’s ridiculous.”
“Well, of course, but I’m sure some of your traditions and beliefs are seen as strange and ‘ridiculous’ to other races. Don’t be such a hypocrite.”
She had him there, and since he could think of nothing to say in his defense, he decided a little distraction was in order instead. “We still have a couple of hours before Vane and Deucalion arrive.”
“Oh?” Her eyes widened, and she took a step back when he approached. “Exactly what are you suggesting, Lieutenant?”
He’d been desperate to touch her since she’d returned from her meeting with Easton Savage, but the mission had taken precedence. Now, there was nothing more they could do until the ship from Nekron arrived, no more meetings or discussions or research. No one to contact. No moves to make. No information to gather. Nothing to do but wait.
“Uh, guys, still here,” Cato called from the screen behind him.
“Then go away,” Xavian answered without turning to look at the Chronicler. “Come here, female.”
“Do you really think that’s going to work for you? That you’ll snap your fingers, and I’ll just fall into your arms?”
“Actually, I was thinking you might fall into my bed.” She appreciated honesty, and it didn’t get much more honest than that.
“Is that so? Pretty confident there, aren’t you?”
Her words didn’t match the mischievous glint in her eyes, or the subtle curve of her soft lips. She was playing hard to get, and Xavian loved a good chase.
She wetted her bottom lip with her tongue, the action drawing his attention to her mouth once again. He’d yet to see this teasing, playful side of her, but it only made him want her more.
“You should start running,” he warned, letting a growl slip into his voice.
“And what happens if you catch me?”
“Five…four…”
“Crap,” she squeaked, laughing as she spun and darted for the exit of the cockpit.
Xavian didn’t let her get that far, leaping forward to catch her around the waist, his heart soaring when she squealed and giggled, even as she squirmed against him.
“That’s not fair! You cheated!”
Holding her securely, he lowered his head to skim his nose along the fragrant skin that stretched along the curve of her neck. “True, but I win, and isn’t that what’s really important?”
“You win?” She spoke breathlessly, her voice thick with desire as she splayed her hands across his chest. “I seem to be the one reaping the rewards here.”
Sliding his hands beneath the hem of her blouse, he caressed her slender back from hips to shoulders, groaning at the feel of her silky skin against his palms. “Yes, I definitely win.”
The tether on his self-control snapped when she arched against him and moaned. Turning abruptly, he pinned her against the wall beside the door and attacked her mouth in a hungry, desperate kiss.
“No more talking,” he growled against her lips as he tore at her clothes.
A small part of him worried he was moving too quickly, that Aeryn might not want the same things, but she quickly quelled any doubts by tangling her fingers in his hair and jerking him closer. Another quiet, pretty moan escaped her parted lips, and she arched into him, trembling as she grinded against the thigh he’d wedged between her legs.
He made quick work of her thin blouse, ripping it down the center before pushing it off her slender shoulders. Aeryn laughed when the buttons pinged off the floor and walls, the sound breathless and light, her tone filled with happiness and desire. Her pert breasts swung freely, her pink nipples erect, practically begging for his mouth. Great galaxies, he’d never seen anything more beautiful.
The cool metal of the wall behind her sent a shiver down Aeryn’s spine, but she didn’t protest when he pinned her in place, slanting their mouths together in another mind-bending kiss. Her pussy clenched and relaxed, greedy and aching, desperate to be filled. A slow burn started in her stomach and spread throughout her body, engulfing her in flames of desire that only Xavian could soothe.
Desperate to feel him without any barriers between them, she reached for his waistband, whimpering when he caught her hands and growled as he nipped at her bottom lip. The deep, masculine rumble sent another zing of pleasure racing down her spine, and she trembled with barely contained need.
“Xavian, please.”
“Not yet,” he whispered against her collarbone before nipping at the flesh. “I won’t be rushed, not this time.”
Releasing her hands, he slid down her body, trailing his lips along the sensitive skin on her stomach, until he knelt in front of her. Methodically, he tugged at the drawstring on her wide-legged pants, untying the neat bow, then hooked his fingers into the waistband, inching the material down over her hips.
“Exquisite.” Xavian nuzzled against the top of her slit and inhaled deeply. “You are so beautiful, nikka.”
With great care, he slid her sandals off one by one, then tugged her loose-fitting pants to the floor. He drew her right leg up and looped her knee over his shoulder with a satisfied grunt. Then he did the same to her left leg while he cupped her ass in one massive hand, anchoring her to the gleaming wall with her thighs splayed for his pleasure.
There was something decidedly erotic about being naked while Xavian remained fully clothed. Her vulnerability at the hands of such a powerful male only increased her excitement, and when he
lowered his mouth to lap at her swollen clitoris, Aeryn nearly came undone.
His warm tongue flicked over the bundle of nerves in rapid movements, then slowed to draw languid circles around the flesh. Lifting her higher on the wall, he tilted his head back slightly and thrust his tongue up into her quivering pussy before moving back to toy with her clit. He kept her off balance, pushed her increasingly higher, teased and tormented until she thought she’d go insane from the pleasure.
Delirious with need, she fisted her hands in his mane of wild, ebony waves and bowed up from the wall, rocking her hips into his questing mouth.
“Yes, nikka,” Xavian rasped against her slick folds, his tone harsh and full of want. “Use me. Take your pleasure from me.”
His voice washed over her like a caress, his sinful words pushing her to the brink and throwing her headlong into orgasm. Her inner walls tightened, her body pulsing with her release, but clearly, Xavian hadn’t finished with her yet.
“Again.” He pushed two, thick fingers deep into her clenching core. “Come for me again,” he demanded, pumping the digits hard and fast, twisting and scissoring, hitting every pleasure spot inside her. “I could taste you forever, nikka.”
Aeryn stiffened, crying out his name as another blinding orgasm swept her under waves of immense pleasure. Raking her fingernails across the tops of his shoulders, she gritted her teeth and dropped her head back against the wall, squeezing her eyes closed as she rode out the aftershocks.
Still floating on the high from her multiple orgasms, she yelped when Xavian stood suddenly, dropping her almost roughly into the cradle of his arms. “What the hell?” she gasped, grabbing onto his neck to steady herself when he marched out of the cockpit and down the curving corridor to her quarters. “Put me down.”
“Mine!” Xavian growled at her, his eyes wide and his chest heaving. He kicked at the door of her quarters, as if that would make it open any faster.
In that moment, with his face twisted into a mask of need and his eyes blazing with a territorial gleam, he took her breath away. It didn’t take a genius to understand what had triggered his sudden possessiveness, but he had nothing to fear. She wanted him. Only him.
