by Becca Van
Hakon reached for the handle just as a knock sounded on the door. He pulled it open to find Baldr and Ari, two of his security warriors, standing in front of him with worried expressions on their faces.
“What is the problem?” Hakon asked.
“Sir, we’ve had a breach in the household. Fenris is sounding the alarm as we speak,” Baldr stated just as the alarm blared.
“How the hell has this happened? Why wasn’t the perpetrator stopped before getting inside?” Dagr asked from behind Hakon.
“Sir, we believe the breach was made by another species. We don’t know how they were not picked up from our orbital scanner or even if they have landed a ship.”
“Find out and have all warriors on alert. Get Fenris to organize a search, and use the warriors in training and the serving boys. In fact, all males over the age of fifteen cycles are to help out,” Hakon barked out.
“Yes, sir,” Baldr and Ari replied, then took off at a run.
“Fuck, where is Jessamine? We have to find her,” Dagr shouted.
Hakon raced toward the open glass doors on the opposite side of the room, his brothers on his heels.
* * * *
Jess jumped as an alarm pierced the air around her. She jumped to her feet and saw warriors running every which way in the distance. She wondered what the hell was going on, but then just sat back down, covered her ears with her hands, and hoped the screeching would soon be turned off. She felt the hair on the back of her neck stand on end as the alarm finally stopped. She pulled her hands from her ears, thankful for the blessed silence. She turned her head and looked all around, trying to see if she was being watched. She could feel eyes on her but couldn’t see anyone, and her skin had goose bumps all over. She suddenly felt so afraid and alone, so she stood up, intending to go back to her mate’s room.
She didn’t take more than two steps before she slammed into an invisible wall, nearly falling on her ass. The fine hair on her nape now stood on end, scaring her out of her wits. She turned and fled, not knowing what she was running from, but the knowledge she wasn’t safe was beating at her. She made it to the other side of the fountain, and then she slammed into another wall. She skirted the whole area, her fingertips following the unseen barrier, and knew she was somehow trapped. Dagr, Loki, and Hakon sprinting toward her eased some of her anxiety, but she didn’t know if they could help her. She rushed toward them and stopped when she couldn’t go any further.
“Stop,” Jess yelled when they were within reaching distance. “I don’t want you to get hurt. I’m trapped in some sort of bubble. Maybe it’s a force field of some kind. I can feel pulses of electricity through my fingertips. I don’t want any of you getting hurt.”
“Are you all right, baby?” Dagr asked as he reached for her.
Jess screamed as Dagr was flung through the air, landing with a loud thump yards away from her. She wanted to run to him and make sure he was all right, but knew she couldn’t. Tears pricked the back of her eyes and spilled over to run down her cheeks.
“Dagr, are you okay?” Jess called out as he sat up.
“Yes, baby. I’m fine. What the hell is going on?” Dagr roared with fury.
Jess gasped as the air to her right shimmered, and a large man materialized next to her. His size put her mates’ to shame. He was massive, with long silver hair and pale-pink eyes, and he was so thick with muscle it was a wonder he could move. Jess stepped back and kept right on going as the man turned toward her.
“Who the hell are you? What are you? Why are you doing this?” Jess sobbed out.
The man just looked at her and tilted his head as if he didn’t understand her. Then he began to move toward her. Jess kept backing up, too scared to look away to make sure she didn’t back into anything. This guy was really freaking her out. She came to a halt as her back pressed up against the invisible barrier. He reached out to her with a massive hand, and Jess couldn’t help flinching away. She closed her eyes and sucked in a gasping breath. She could hear her mates yelling at the stranger to leave her alone, that she was their mate and not to be touched. Little good that was going to do, as no one could get near her. She wondered if she was about to meet her end. Maybe if she could just stay calm, she could reason with the Neanderthal.
“What do you want from me?” Jess asked calmly.
The large man just tilted his head the other way and blinked at her. He then reached up and pressed against his ear and smiled, and Jess realized he must have a universal translator implant he had just turned on.
“I am Drakon D’arque from the planet Gore. I have come to learn of your species. I mean you no harm, female, but since the interplanetary wars, the females of our species have been dwindling. We have need of females to mate with. I heard about the Norland warriors rescuing your people through the stratospheric waves and decided to see if the females of your planet would be compatible to mate with the males on our world.”
“Did you have to make such a ruckus? Couldn’t you have just knocked on the front door?” Jess asked, rolling her eyes. What was it with males from other planets being so melodramatic? The people on Earth knew about species from other planets. Why couldn’t these people learn to negotiate? She walked toward the seat at the fountain and sat down. She could hear her mates yelling at her, but just continued to ignore them. She felt a touch to her mind, and then her brain began to ache as her mates tried to breach the wall she had built up. She held firm against them, giving herself a pounding headache as she continued to block them.
“What do you want to know?” Jess asked, turning to look at Drakon.
“If you would allow it, lady, I would like to scan your mind. That way you do not have to spend hours telling me of your women and I can extract the information I need painlessly in a matter of seconds.”
“My name is Jessamine, call me Jess. I would like to know more of your planet and people before I allow you into my mind, Drakon. I will not put my people or myself in the path of danger before I have more knowledge.”
“You are very wise, Jess. If you give me your hands I will allow you to read my mind,” Drakon said, holding his hands out to her as he sat beside her.
Jess hesitated and looked into his eyes. For some reason she believed everything this strange man told her. She could see the sincerity in his eyes. She took a deep breath and placed her hands into his. She felt her anxiousness fade away to be replaced by a peaceful calm and somehow knew Drakon was responsible. She looked into his eyes as he brought her hands up to his temples, placing her fingertips to his head.
Jess gasped as rapid pictures flew through her head. Her mind was bombarded with so much knowledge and information it was almost too much for her to comprehend. Drakon’s race was a peaceful lot and had suffered much from the interplanetary wars. What he’d said about the dwindling numbers of females was true, but what made her apprehensive to let him have knowledge of the females on Earth was the way they gained their nourishment. It seemed the people of Gore were a race of vampires, needing blood as well as food to help in their survival. She had no doubt that if the females of Earth were taken to this planet that they would be safe. She just wondered if they could handle the thought of the existence of vampires.
“You can go out into sunlight, and you drink blood, but you also eat food,” Jess murmured as Drakon lowered her hands and released her. “You will have trouble convincing the females of my planet you mean them no harm. There are ancient myths and stories which decree people like you as monsters on our planet. I will allow you to read my mind and garner whatever information you need. But please promise me you and your people will never harm my planet or our people.”
“You already know we will do no harm. I thank you for your trust in me, and please be assured females are very precious to our race,” Drakon reiterated and slowly reached out to take Jess’s head between his hands.
Jess had no idea how long it took for Drakon to read her mind. She sat on the bench, feeling so calm and at peace. It could ha
ve been hours or mere minutes before he pulled away from her. He bowed to her and then just seemed to disappear before her eyes. Jess could now hear her mates’ frantic yelling much clearer. It was as if Drakon’s presence had dulled all her senses, and now that he was gone, everything was back to normal. Well, almost. Jess was suddenly so tired she could barely keep her eyes open. She was aware of her mates reaching her and knew the barrier was gone. She reached out to Dagr, since he got to her first, and slumped against him as he scooped her up into his arms. She gave a tired sigh, snuggled her head against his chest, and fell into a deep sleep.
Chapter Eight
“Loki, get the healers to meet us in our bedchamber. I want our mate to be examined at once. Supreme Being only knows what that bloodsucking bastard did to her. He read her mind, and she let him. How could she have allowed him to do such a thing? She protests to us about us being in her mind, but then she lets that motherfucker into her head without a qualm,” Hakon said, snarling.
“Brother, calm down, you don’t want our mate to see you so angry and upset if she awakens,” Dagr replied. Hakon watched Dagr place Jess on the bed and then strip Jess of her clothes, cover her with a sheet then turned toward him. “She must have had a good reason to do what she did. We could not hear everything he said to her.”
“I know. It’s just so frustrating. She built a damn mental wall to keep us out then lets a stranger read her mind. Doesn’t that irk you, brother?”
“Yes, but we need to find out what went on before we take our anger out on our mate. She obviously had a good reason to do what she did,” Dagr reiterated.
Hakon was about to reply but turned toward the door as it opened. Loki and several healers walked into the room and over to the bed. Dagr and Hakon moved back to let the healers examine their mate. After several moments of watching the healers, the elder of the trio turned to Hakon.
“There seems to be nothing wrong with your mate physically, emotionally, or mentally. She just seems to be very tired, sirs. Let her sleep for the rest of the night, and if she hasn’t awakened by second feast, come and get us, and we will examine her again.”
“Thank you, Elder. We appreciate you taking the time to come and tend to our mate,” Hakon replied.
“That is our jobs, sirs. There is a small problem with your mate, however. I found the wall she has built up in her mind. I was able to get through it, but I daresay you and your brothers have not?”
“You are correct, Healer Elder. We have advised our mate of the consequences, but it didn’t seem to faze her in the least. Will you and your esteemed brothers please remain on standby in case our mate begins to suffer from the bond-mating fever?” asked Hakon.
“You have no need to ask, sir. Just reach out to us with your mind, like so.” Elder demonstrated to Hakon by melding their minds together for a moment. “My brothers and I will be here when you call.”
“Thank you, Elder, Healers.” Hakon bowed respectfully and watched them leave.
“I think one of us should remain in our chamber in case our mate wakes up,” Dagr suggested.
“Yes, I agree. Loki, you take first watch. Dagr will relieve you, and if by then our duties are not done, I will relieve Dagr. While either of you are in the chamber with our bond mate, I think we should try to breach her mental barrier. Do not push too hard or fast into her mind. We don’t want our mate’s mind to be damaged. Come, Dagr, let’s see if we can get our duties over and done with as fast as possible. I have a need to be near our mate,” he explained then turned toward the exit. Dagr walked toward the door on his heels.
* * * *
Loki settled down onto the bed beside Jess, his elbow on the mattress and his head resting on his hand. She was so beautiful to his eyes, her shoulder-length red hair fanning out around her head, the lights above making it look like it was highlighted with flames. She looked so peaceful, almost childlike in innocence, as she lay sleeping. Her full lips were slightly parted, emitting her breath in deep even gusts. Her skin was so white and creamy he could see her delicate blue veins beneath. As he stared down at her, he concentrated on gently breaking through her mental shield. He was slow and thorough, chipping away at the cement-like substance she had created in her mind to topple her barrier. It was a slow, tedious process, but Loki was enjoying just lounging beside his mate, his eyes wandering over her face and sheet-covered body. The material draped over her body showcased every inch of her length—her voluptuous breasts, flat, small waist, and full hips, which tapered down to long, lean legs. She was absolutely exquisite. Not like all the other women they usually managed to meet in their pirating for cargo treasures.
Loki was so glad to have a gorgeous, unique-looking woman. Who wanted their mate to look like all the others—blonde hair, blue eyes, and a waiflike body too fragile to be able to stand a real, good, hard loving from her mates? He and his brothers would not have to be so careful of their sexy woman. Of course he and his brothers would never do anything to hurt her, but because she was of a sturdier build, they would never have to worry about treating their woman like fragile glass. He only hoped Jess wouldn’t be too stubborn by keeping him, Dagr, and Hakon at arm’s length. The last thing he wanted to see was his bond mate in the throes of the bond-mating fever. He’d never seen a female in such a predicament and hoped he didn’t have to watch his own mate go through such pain. He’d heard it was not something a male wanted to see his bond mate suffer.
Loki looked up as the door to the bedchamber opened. His brothers walked through and over to the bed.
“Has Jessamine showed any signs of waking?” Hakon asked as he stared at their mate.
“No. I have been working on her mental barrier. For someone who has no previous knowledge of this skill, she has done an amazing job.”
“That is what I was afraid of. Our mate is very intelligent. I can see she will keep us on our toes,” Dagr said with a rueful grin.
“No doubt,” Loki replied with a smile.
“Why don’t you go and feast, brother? You have spent a few hours in here alone. You must be bored and hungry,” Hakon stated.
“Actually, no, I was quite content to watch over our mate and work on her mental barrier. She is such a beautiful female. I could spend years just staring at her and never be bored. But my stomach will not let me stay. I will be back as soon as I have satiated one of my hungers,” he threw over his shoulder and left the room.
* * * *
“Loki’s right, you know. She is very intelligent. We are going to have to try and stay one step ahead of our mate. Otherwise she will have us running around chasing our own asses,” Dagr said with a smile.
“Yes, I agree. I just hope she isn’t as stubborn as I think she is. She could do much harm to herself if she keeps her mind block in place and us at arm’s length,” Hakon said with a sigh. He began to strip his clothes from his body, moved Jessamine into the center of the bed, and climbed in beside her. He couldn’t contain his groan of arousal as his naked body connected with their mate’s. He watched Dagr remove his clothes and climb in on the other side of Jess. Hakon was worried. Jess hadn’t moved or made any noise as he moved her, then as he and his brother sandwiched her between their large bodies. He thought she would have stirred at least, but she seemed as if she didn’t even know he and his brother were with her.
“Do you think if we both tried to break through her mental barrier at the same time, we could topple it?” Hakon asked.
“It’s worth a try. We will have to be very careful we don’t harm her while we do it,” Dagr explained. “You enter her mind first, brother, and I will follow you.”
Hakon closed his eyes and sent his mind to the edge of Jess’s. He studied her mental barrier, saw where Loki had been working, and began to chip away where his brother had started. He concentrated hard and could not help but feel pride for his mate’s natural ability. He was aware when Dagr joined him, and they both worked away methodically and patiently.
Hakon became aware of a third pres
ence in Jess’s mind, followed the path, and quickly withdrew. That bastard Drakon was somehow still joined with their mate, and he wasn’t even on their planet Norland anymore. Hakon showed Dagr where Drakon was still connected to their mate, then reluctantly pulled free of her mind.
“Loki, I need you to come back to our bedchamber. I am calling for the healers. That bastard Drakon is still within our mate’s mind. He seems to be siphoning information from our mate’s brain.
“Elder, healers, I have found that Drakon is still within our mate’s mind. He is still taking information from her brain. Please, come and see if our mate is being harmed and help us to find a way to get him out of her head,” Hakon projected to the healers.
“We are on our way, sir.”
Hakon had risen and pulled his black pants back on, as had Dagr. They were both pacing anxiously, awaiting the arrival of their brother and the healers. The door opened moments later, Loki leading the way to the bed.
“Sirs, please join your mind with your mate again so we can see where and how this stranger is attached to your mate’s brain. We don’t want to harm your mate’s mind by pulling this man from her mind too quickly. I don’t want to get your hopes up that we will be able to help her, but we will do our best.”
Hakon slid to the edge of Jess’s mind and felt Dagr follow him. Once they had followed the path to where Drakon was embedded in her mind, Loki joined them. Hakon concentrated on following the small tentacle-like pathways where Drakon had already been. Hakon opened a pathway from his mind to the healers and led them into Jess’s brain. The healers were beside him and his brothers as they studied the electrical pulses firing along the nerve endings. How long he, his brothers, and the healers were in his female’s mind, he had no idea, but when the healers withdrew, he and his brothers followed.
