She smiled shakily. Edged closer. “D-Did you finish coming up with a p-plan?”
Fiercely shot her a dark look. “We were distracted.”
“Lumen must return to her hiding place.” Venomous curled an arm around her trembling body. “The longer she remains with us the greater the chance of her discovery.”
Fiercely stared baldly at their embrace.
His muscles locked, and what looked like jealousy twisted his expression.
He ducked his head to stare at the floor.
Brille narrowing, a suspicion kindled, and a violent flare of torrid emotion settled before Venomous’ anima betrayed him.
Fiercely Comes the Night is no longer a’Rä.
A’Rä had no sexual feelings until another called them into maturity.
They did not experience resentment over sexual contact because that drive was dormant.
Aggressive behaviour Venomous had assumed was concern for the Rä’Na of guild kin was in truth rabid fear for a life mate.
“Agreed,” Fiercely said after a long silence. He looked back up, expression cleared of emotion. “There will be a questioning to determine how we were freed from the restraints if we fail and are recaptured.”
Lumen roused, and her quivering abated. “I get begging you to keep me close is cowardly, and I’m a hindrance in battle, but I no longer care. You are not leaving me again.”
“You are no burden to me, my Lumen.” Venomous frowned as he eyed her dry lips. “I see you thirst, but we are locked out of the sensory controls. I cannot get you fresh water, but there will be spare, partly used pouches around the ship.”
“I’m okay.”
“Our control over the Trekker can be reset easily enough,” Fiercely said after a pause.
“Yesss. The dominant Dei San that defeated me will likely be at Command,” Venomous replied. “It is there we must go.”
“That does not solve the problem of the rest that undoubtedly remained aboard to ransack our stores.”
“Once I kill the Pirate Chief they will flee to retrieve reinforcements. We must be away by then.”
Many of the Rä hissed, ready to battle and restore their honour.
Others hunkered down, silent, deadly glints firing deep within the liquid depths of their brille.
Nāga Shadowed by the Bluest Moons remained subdued, staring at nothing now he’d finished ensuring the female charge of the group was mostly unharmed.
Lumen smacked her head. “How thoughtless of me. Nāga, where’s your Rä’Na?” She looked around keen to see a female. “Did you get her to an escape pod?”
“Sweetly Cries the Beast sits at Grandfather’s side.” The male swallowed then looked at her. “She no longer suffers.”
“Oh, no.” Lumen crawled the short distance to where he knelt then struggled to wrap a too short arm around his wide shoulders. “I’m so sorry.”
Venomous took hold of her waist and peeled her away.
It was not proper for her to touch a male who was not kindred this way.
“My Lumen, you must not–”
“I just wanted to offer comfort.” She winced at Nāga. “Are you going to be okay?”
“I live,” he replied, “and I will see her again in the next life.”
Venomous helped Lumen onto her feet.
He gripped her chin to hold her eyes. “Stay directly behind me, do you understand?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
“Good.” Venomous studied the ragged battle group and felt a stirring of pride. The odds were against them, but they were strong. “Follow me.”
They travelled the Trekker corridors in tight formation, Lumen safe in the middle.
The Rä kept a slow speed in deference to her petite legs and shorter stride that could not cover as much distance as fast.
Rather than cause annoyance, the need to protect one who was weaker united them, and added a sense of urgency to reclaiming what they had lost.
Not long after they set out they came upon a splinter group of the raiders slumped against the walls, snoozing at an intersection.
They were slaughtered before they realised death ghosted upon them.
Moving stealthily, ravenous for raider blood, the Rä travelled most of the craft without a serious encounter, dispatching the odd pirate that had peeled off from a larger swarm.
The raucous, grunting squalls of a sizeable Dei San gathering echoed from the principal deck.
Their rancid stink grew more pungent.
Venomous drew the battle group to a halt just before turning the sharp bend.
He deliberated his options, listening to the sounds, counting the differences in tenor and pitch.
He tried to separate the number using his other senses, but the stench was overpowering, and the droning vibration of the ship meant he could not use touch to discern the enemy’s number.
It was a matter of time before the pirates realised the scent of Rä was fresh and not a lingering hint in the air.
“There are less than thirty,” he decided.
“But more than twenty,” Fiercely added head cocked as he too listened with care. His gaze cut to Lumen. “Eighteen of us.”
“It is enough that we have a chance to prevail.”
“The odds are bad, Venomous, especially considering what lies in our care.”
“You overstep your place.”
“This is not about which of us is the bigger male.”
“I know this because I am the bigger male.” His gaze dropped to the groin area of their hardsuits then lifted accompanied by a smirk. “I am also the strongest. We attack.”
Fiercely’s jaw worked.
Disapproval turned the lines of his body rigid. “Very well.”
“You think I am reckless,” Venomous bit out his mocking expression unexpectedly brutal. “I am acutely aware of what will happen should I fall short endeavouring to do what is needed to ensure her survival.”
“I bear the same burden. I do not want you to make a mistake.”
“Do not judge my care of her or question how I achieve it at all. She is mine to protect.”
“And mine,” Fiercely whispered. “Whether you acknowledge it or not.”
“You compromised my ability to care for her once,” he hissed back as vehement. “You almost cost me everything I hold dear by separating us. Everything. Now you come before me demanding your rights as a mate to protect that which you endangered?”
“I am well aware of my failings.”
“Good. This means you will not get in my way again. I tolerate you near her as it is, Rä’Vek. It would not be wise to provoke me.” Dark expression softening, Venomous glanced over his shoulder. “Lumen. Come to me.”
She shuffled forward from where she had been enfolded in the grouping of Rä then snuck under his arms to burrow into his side.
Her hand landed on his lower stomach causing the muscles there to contract. “Babe?”
“You will stay between Fiercely and I. You do not move an inch from where we put you. Move on our command. Understand?”
She nodded fast, her eyes wide.
He rubbed a knuckle on her cheek. “My brave, Rä’Na. How you please me.” Venomous rounded the corner with Lumen pressed into his back, her arms tight around his waist.
His gaze skimmed the scene once, twice.
“Twenty three,” he murmured over his shoulder knowing Fiercely’s keen ears would hear.
The principal deck of the Trekker was a bright, metallic emptiness that echoed a shout to its trussed ceiling.
Around its inner curve wrapped an upper level bordered by handrails from which corridors and stairways branched off.
Beneath the suspended deckheads were riveted girders, as if the curved metal ribcage of some great beast that had swallowed them whole.
Over the vast compartment’s breadth stretched a flat bridge where one might look down on the communal mess deck.
Here, a swarm of Dei San fought over a heap of ill-gotten g
ains.
One paused, a wad of fine material clutched in its bloody talons then snorted a noise of confusion.
Detecting the scent that had drawn the curiosity of the first, another pirate thrust its snout into the air.
It sniffed and snuffled until its bony skull jerked towards the corner.
Venomous remained still, his female burrowing into his back with a whimper.
The Dei San shoved its fellows in excitement grunting its bestial language and pointing out the fresh meat it believed had wandered into their clutches.
Plodding closer, they were hesitant at the sighting of a warrior roaming free, but when no daunting battle group appeared, they gained confidence.
Gathering speed until a lumbering charge, they came at him, a screeching, weapon-swinging, armour-clattering mob thirsty for bloodshed.
With a bellow of challenge, warriors streamed from behind Venomous to meet them head on.
Again outnumbered, but no less determined, the Rä battled for possession of the ship.
Fiercely brought up the rear, his arms crossing in boredom as he surveyed the killing, smarting over his earlier set down.
When Lumen shivered at the slimy entrails slapping the deck, Venomous twisted at his middle to stroke her chest lumps and hips. “Be still, Rä’Na.”
“Why do you do that?” she whispered.
“Do what?”
“Feel me up at the weirdest times.”
His brow pulled low. “You do not like me to rub your chest lumps?” He squeezed one and her nub poked his palm. “I like doing this, I thought it brought you comfort. I like this nubbin.”
She choked as he rubbed it firmer enjoying its hard yet soft prod. “They’re called breasts, and it more, um, arouses than comforts–holy shit!”
Pirates jumped from the upper deck level to join the struggle below.
A giant pair of Dei San came upon them hefting their rusty swords.
Venomous grabbed one by the throat and dragged it to the side away from his Rä’Na.
The second went for Lumen, but Fiercely grabbed it then hauled it to the other side.
He grabbed its skull ridge then rammed its face into the hull until it buckled.
With clean efficiency, Venomous snapped the Dei San’s neck then flung it into another as a Rä warrior stood poised above it to deliver a death strike.
The weight of the Dei San carcass crushed the other’s head then both were still.
The a’Rä shook its fist at Venomous with a roguish grin before spinning to find a new quarry.
Another Dei San came at him with a cudgel, and Venomous found himself taunting the beast further into the fray, only to duck, grab the weapon from his aggressor’s paw then bludgeon him to death with it.
“Babe!” Lumen ran to him and he near keeled over when a Dei San jumped into her path making her skitter back on a shrill scream.
The Rä warriors flinched and staggered.
Hefting the cudgel, Venomous hurled it with such force its bladed spokes punctured the Dei San’s rock hard skull.
It toppled, dead, but Lumen stood frozen, face pale, eyes glassy with fear.
Venomous pointed to the spot before him. “Here. Now.” His sharp tone snapped her out of a stupor.
Fingers twisted into the skirt of the robe, she shuffled over.
She kept her eyes downcast, lips clamped together.
Gnashing his fangs, angry to a measure only she provoked in him, he crossed his arms. “What did I say?
“Um,” her eyes flicked to the side. “Stay where you put me, don’t move?”
“And what did you do?
Glancing surreptitiously at where she was meant to be, Lumen licked her lips. “I, uh, moved a bit.”
They stared at each other both knowing she’d sprinted half the deck.
She said, “I don’t know why you’re making out like this is my fault.”
“Because it is,” he replied.
“Maybe.”
“Maybe,” he repeated his tone flat.
“Depends.”
“Depends on what,” he grated as his hands fisted.
She made a wide, encompassing gesture. “On your point of view.” When the muscle under his brille twitched, she muttered, “Sorry,” then burrowed into his chest. “You trusted me, and I screwed up. It won’t happen again.”
Sighing, he wrapped his arms round her and nosed her hair, feeling his terror ease.
Fiercely came up to them, chest heaving. He glared at her. “You moved.”
“Yes,” she snapped. “Yes, I’m stupid, put my life at risk, hard of ears. Bad Lumen, I get it. Drop it!”
The Dei San were greater in number but lesser in skill, and without reinforcements those left alive broke rank to flee towards the command deck.
Manner darkening to one of ominous threat, Venomous pulled Lumen from his front to his side then followed after the warriors who had set off after them.
Finally, they reached the entrance to command, but could venture no further.
Venomous’ gaze dropped to his mate then he squeezed her shoulders.
Lumen peeked up at him, white indents in her ruddy bottom lip as she bit it hard. “You want me to drop the haze.”
“Yesss.”
Giving a bob of the head, she faced the barrier and lifted her chin.
“Ready?” Fiercely asked. At Venomous’ affirmative reply he yelled over his shoulder. “Prepare yourselves.”
Eager, snarling, the warrior Rä crouched.
Some leaned forward, palming their blades, ready to make their last stand when the barrier dropped.
Lumen sucked up air then winced.
Venomous straightened in a jerk then stared with astonishment. He turned to his Rä’Na. “I told you to drop the haze.”
“I did.” She jabbed a finger with a guarded, somewhat wounded look. “What does that look like to you?”
Head cocking with a grunt, Venomous watched as the squealing Dei San were sucked into the hard vacuum of outer space.
His Lumen had indeed dropped the haze as ordered.
Just not the one he’d thought she would. “Thsst!” He supposed it was impractical to assume her mind had drawn the same conclusions as his looking at the same scene.
“I don’t get it.” She clutched the edges of the robe together over her chest lumps. “You asked me to do it.”
Her breasts, he amended, aroused. Soft, squeezable breasts.
“Why don’t you answer me?” she cried. “What did I do wrong? I killed them. I know that’s horrible of me, but I thought that’s what needed to be done!”
Venomous pondered her reaction.
Was she upset she’d rid them of a pack of murdering brigands that would have killed her in the most debauched, agonising way?
Humans are eccentric, he decided.
“We thought you would drop the haze before us.” Fiercely ran a palm over it. “So we could make our last stand. Not the mother haze.”
Lumen gaped then her face twisted on a sound of exasperation. “Why would we risk our lives making a last stand when we could win without lifting a finger?” Her hands flew into the air. “Aliens make no sense.”
“Indeed,” Venomous agreed in an amused tone. “You confound me.” He brushed his fingers to her jaw. “Rä’Na, might you drop the haze blocking our entry onto the command deck. We must regain control of the Trekker.”
She peered into the now empty, silent enclosure. “I suppose....”
Fiercely stayed her with a hand. “Do not forget to engage the mother haze.”
“As if I’d be that stupid.” She scoffed, but when she faced away she looked a shade paler and swallowed guiltily. “There. Done.”
Waiting to be sure the artificial atmosphere of the enclosure; the temperature, air pressure, and gravity had stabilised, Venomous crossed into the half circle of the command deck.
Marks of the despicable Dei San remained though most of their filth had been sucked out with them.
Their repellent, squalid stink was replaced by unsullied air pushed through the vents, but gashes, dents and oily blood smears desecrated the interior hull, no doubt caused by irrational quarrels between the belligerent species, or a casualty of their base urge to defile and destroy.
Wiring spilled from beneath freestanding workstations where it had been tampered with.
Domed monitor glass capping the workstations was cracked or shattered.
Venomous kicked aside communicator tablets that lay crushed, and toed padded seats that had been slashed into metal skeletons, fabric and wadding strewn across the grease-stained floor.
His head tilted up to examine exposed circuitry.
It crackled, sparked and belched clouds of bitter smoke towards whirring metal grates recessed into the ceiling.
Cables hung from disordered tiles in tangled loops, and the overhead lights not smashed to satisfy the Dei San’s light sensitivity flickered.
He snarled, the fits and starts of light starkly illuminated the wanton ruin, and made him want to punch something.
Overlarge robe dragging behind her, Lumen came up beside him.
She leaned into his side, and as her eyes bored into their newest crisis they dimmed with weariness.
“This is the worst rescue ever,” she declared.
He pressed a hand to the small of her back. He found himself calmed. “Interstellar travel does not come without its dangers.”
She slid him a furious little look. “Understatement, babe.”
Scowling, Fiercely halted at her elbow.
Venomous didn’t have spare time to hiss at or threaten the presumption.
Out the dark window of the mother haze, a plasma barrier that acted as the foremost curve of the Trekker’s prow while roving deep space, he glared at the monstrous Dei San battlecruiser entombing the Rä vessel in its pincers.
Undaunted, Venomous rumbled, “To your stations.”
Booted feet stampeded at the order.
“Life support?” he asked rubbing Lumen’s tense back.
He repressed a shudder as he imagined the critical system failing, her falling limp in his arms, suffocating, gasping for air he could not give.
“Operational,” Fiercely replied checking the utility himself. He glanced at Lumen. “I want her to wear a visor.”
Venomous: Erotic Science Fiction Romance (Alien Warrior Book 1) Page 23
