by Luna Hunter
“I want you. Now.”
“You will have me,” she says, resting her forehead against mine. “Soon.”
I can’t wait a moment longer. Soon is not good enough for me. My primal instinct takes over, and nothing will satisfy me except mating with my life mate, my one.
My Riley.
I lift her up, my hands resting on her ass, her legs wrapped around my waist. She laughs and tells me to put her down as she punches my huge, fit chest, but I barely feel a thing. Just as I’m about to carry her off and make her mine, reality pulls us back.
“DuPont is here,” Michelle says as she comes running into the room. She stops dead in her tracks when she us – Riley wrapped around my waist, my mouth kissing behind her ear.
“Whoa, you two don’t mess around, do you?”
Riley slides out of my arms in an instant, her face redder than the sun. “You didn’t see anything. This is nothing,” she says.
“Nothing?” I growl. “Didn’t feel like that to me.”
“Shh,” she whispers. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Aww,” Michelle teases. “Are you two in wuf?”
“Shut up,” Riley says, but she can’t hide a laugh. Her smile diminishes when the round figure of Orson DuPont dooms up in the doorway.
“Riley, Michelle. Thabo.”
Despite the chaos his two compatriots have thrown us in, DuPont seems relaxed. In fact, I don’t think I’ve seen him in a better mood.
“You’ve got a lot of explaining to do, little man,” I say.
“I don’t answer to you, Zoran,” he says. “Riley, will you step outside for a moment?”
11
Riley
“Why me?”
I’m nailed to the spot, one of my hands still resting on Thabo’s chest. I can feel the beating of his heart through his armor, and it’s the only thing keeping me from losing my cool. DuPont just shows up out of nowhere, and now he’s demanding my presence?
“I understand you took my place at the Hall of Perpetual Peace, I want to hear your side of the story.”
“Look at the news,” Thabo says. “Where have you been, anyway? Do you have something to do with all this?”
DuPont ignores the red, angry giant. “Come,” my boss says, and he turns around and walks away.
“I’ll be right back,” I tell Thabo.
He grabs my hand and pulls me close, crushing my lips with his. “Don’t. I don’t trust him.”
“Neither do I, but he knows something. I intend to figure out what. Don’t worry, I can handle myself.”
I follow DuPont outside. Two Tyk’ix guards block Thabo from following me, and my confidence level plummets. I can take on DuPont, but those Tyk’ix scare me. I’m reminded what Thabo says their tentacles are for.
Scooping out brains. A shiver runs down my spine.
“Come, miss Harper,” DuPont says. “There’s this excellent trail here.”
My boss guides me up a walkway that runs right across the top of the Observer. Below us we can see the massive space-station, the many houses, streets and shops that make up this place, and beyond that, the massive planet of Xia V we’re orbiting.
“I believe this is called the star-bridge. Apt name, no?” DuPont says calmly.
I’ve never seen him like this, so calm, relaxed. He’s always been ornery, demanding, and downright mean. Something fishy is definitely going on.
The view distracts me for only a moment. The serene beauty is ruined by a small explosion – another hover-car going up in flames, no doubt. Is the entire station tearing itself to shreds?
“What’s going on, sir?”
DuPont ignores me. He looks off into the distance, his hands behind his back.
“Look at them. Rioting like savages. They think they’re the pinnacle of civilization, but one small incident and they dissolve into chaos. I’m happy you escaped that chaos unharmed.”
“About that,” I say. “Where were you?”
“Doesn’t matter. All that matters now is where we go from here. I think it’s painfully clear the Intergalactic Alliance is of no use to us.”
“Sir? After all the trouble we’ve went to, you want to give up right away? I agree that we’ve not been welcomed with open arms, but I still think there’s a lot we can learn from them. The Falur, the Melek, and even the Tyk’ix.”
“Ha!” DuPont says. “What more proof do you need? The Tyk’ix hate us. They despite us. They fear us. And for good reason! We are the future. We are more adaptable than any other species. Within a few generations humanity will spread across the entire universe, and there will be peace. Under our rule. My rule.”
This doesn’t sound like a minister of Interplanetary Affairs. These are the words of a dictator. Of someone who wants the entire universe to submit to his will. I’ve called my boss a ‘tiny dictator’ behind his back once or twice, but I never knew how close to the truth I was speaking…
“You can’t be serious, sir,” I say as diplomatically as I can. “That’s impossible. We came here on a Zoran ship because we don’t have a ship fast enough to take us here, for starters!”
“Ah, the Zoran, yes. They make excellent workhorses, don’t they?”
I can’t believe what I’m hearing. “S-sir?”
“The Tyk’ix diplomat was on the right track, wasn’t he? They are ugly, horrible creatures, but they are intelligent. You’ve got Thabo wrapped around your little finger. That man will walk through fire for you.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “I don’t see how that’s relevant, sir. That’s not what my goal has been. I came here because I believe in co-operation, because I believe in equality! All the species of the universe deserve their place, and there’s so much we can learn from their cultures, their language, their customs.”
“Ha!” DuPont laughs. “Is that why you think you’re here? You’re dumber than I thought, miss Harper. As I recall, you’re only here because the big brute demanded it, isn’t that right?”
“No,” I try to say, but my boss cuts me off.
“And you only met him because I hired you. Tell me, why do you think I did that? Did you think it was because of your excellent grades? Because I’ve seen better. Do you think it’s because of your people skills? Because I know doors with more personality than you. Do you think it’s because of your network? Because you have none.”
I am floored, and my jaw drops as my boss piles on insult after insult.
“I hired you straight out of college, you had zero experience, zero competencies. Please. I hired you for one reason and one reason only.”
His grubby hand lands on my behind.
“This.”
I go full supernova in less than a second. Before I even consciously think about it, my open palm is already in motion.
SMACK!
DuPont staggers backwards, the red imprint of my hand clearly visible on his round, chubby cheeks.“
“How dare you?!” I say. “Never touch me again.”
My boss looks surprised as he rubs the red spot on his face, but to my dismay, he doesn’t seem the slightest bit alarmed.
“I didn’t think you had it in you, miss Harper. You’re more fiery than I’ve given you credit for.”
“Touch me again and I’ll show you fire, you prick!” My fists are balled up, ready to defend myself from this predator if need be. DuPont just smirks at me, and it makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up.
“Please, stop embarrassing yourself and lower your fists. The sooner you accept your station, the easier it’ll be for you. This is the order of things. What do you think interns are for?”
I can’t believe the gall I’m hearing. My ears glow red hot, and I can barely contain my anger. My fists tremble, eager to strike out. How many other girls did he do this to? How many people has he manipulated, used and discarded in his career?
No. This stops here.
DuPont sees the rage seething in my eyes, and I’m happy to see he loses his
calm demeanor somewhat.
“You’re nothing, Riley. You’re an intern. I can break you. I can make sure you’ll never work again. Stop this nonsense.”
I briefly think of my father. He’s paid for my way through college, working hard his entire life so I’d have a brighter future. Now my dad needs my help as his health declines, and I bust my butt off to be able to provide him with the best care possible. If DuPont blackballs me, I might not be able to afford the help my dad needs.
That thought scares me, but not enough to cower me into submission.
My father would never want me to suffer this humiliation for him. No, he raised me right. He raised a strong, proud, independent woman, one that won’t stand for this.
“No,” I say defiantly.
“No?”
“No. I will break you, Orson. The only way you’re leaving this station is in chains. I don’t know what you’re up to, and how you’re involved, but this whole thing stinks, and I’m taking you down.”
I surprise myself with my own ferociousness, but without taking a single breath I continue my tirade. I feel like I can see through the fog for the first time, and everything is clear to me.
“You’ve spent the last week holed up with those two guys, Johnson and Smith, and now they’re arrested and accused of terrorism – and you don’t even care? Humanity might very well be at the brink of war with the Tyk’ix, and the entire Alliance for that matter, and you are just here to harass me? And why do you have Tyk’ix guards for that matter, if you hate them so much?”
DuPont’s beady eyes gleam with hatred. I don’t think anyone has ever spoke to him like I just did, and his pride is wounded.
“Who do you think you are?!” he bellows. “That alien has given you pretentions! This is the order of things! This is your station! Women like you serve men like me. Or did you really think you had the power to change the course of history?”
I’ve heard more than enough. I serve no one, let alone him! I deliver a swift kick between DuPont’s legs, and he doubles over in pain. I plant my elbow firmly in his back, and the round man collapses on the floor, wheezing and gasping in pain. I can only barely resist the urge to kick him while he’s down.
I can’t enjoy the moment for long. A trample of feet calls my attention, and to my dismay, Tyk’ix guards are running towards me from all sides. I raise my fists once more, adrenaline still coursing through my veins, ready to fight my way out – but it’s of no use.
As soon as one gets close, my head feels like it’s going to split apart. I’m blinded by white, hot pain, and I collapse on the floor, my fists pressed against my temples. I fight it with all my might, and just when I feel like I’m about to pass out from the sheer mental strain, I feel two strong arms lift me from the ground, and the power that controlled my mind slips away.
“I got you.”
The familiar, warm voice of Thabo guides my consciousness back to reality. I open my eyes, and see my mate, my partner. He’s as gorgeous as ever, his sunset-colored eyes filled with concern for me.
“D-DuPont,” I whisper, my voice strained. The alien’s psychic attack seeped all of my strength away.
“Gone,” Thabo says. “Rest now. I got you.”
He cradles me in his arms, my head resting against his broad chest, and the beating of his heart calms my jangling nerves. Inside his strong grip, I feel safe. DuPont and the Tyk’ix can’t harm me here. No matter what their scheme is, no matter what they’re plotting, we’ll stop them.
We just have to.
12
Thabo
“Is she okay?”
Michelle’s voice quivers with fear as she gazes upon the sleeping figure of her best friend. I carry Riley back into Narek’s home, having easily disposed of the Tyk’ix guards that wanted to take her. DuPont, unfortunately, managed to escape in the fray. I watched their exchange from a distance – I wasn’t going to leave her out of my sight for a moment with that snake – and my feelings were vindicated when he tried to lay his hands on my woman.
She surprised even me with her ferocity – she took DuPont down herself with two well-placed blows. If the Tyk’ix weren’t there, she wouldn’t have needed my help at all.
“She’s fine,” I say. “Only sleeping. Tyk’ix seeped her strength. She’ll be fine. Could you make her a drink?”
“Of course,” Michelle says, her cheeks flushed bright red, and she rushes into the kitchen.
Narek Zakarian’s eyes grow wide when she walks back in and sees me bent over Riley, my hand stroking her cheek.
“What happened?”
“DuPont,” I growl. “And some Tyk’ix. Did you learn anything?”
“DuPont was here?”
“He was, but he’s gone now. Tried to take Riley with him. Unsuccessfully. What did you learn?”
Narek turns on the holo-feed, and Tyk’ix war-time propaganda fills the room. They’re calling for all available troops to report for duty.
“The Tyk’ix are mobilizing their troops?”
Narek nods. “Seems like it.”
“Were you informed? Are the Melek and Falur supporting this?”
“No,” he says gravely. “Yo’x Tina’ri called for this, and the client-races are all supporting him. They’ve been blasting propaganda on all channels, whipping the station into a frenzy. And we’re right above Xia V, the Tyx’ik homeworld, after all, so their political grip is strong.”
“I thought the Tyk’ix depended on the Melek and Falur to be their army. Isn’t that the whole point of the Intergalactic Alliance?”
The Melek’s dignitary’s expression is blank. “That’s what I thought as well.”
Michelle calls for Narek’s help in the kitchen, and the Melek leaves me to my thoughts for a moment.
Our grave situation has just gotten worse. It seems Yo’x is hell-bent on starting an intergalactic war with humankind. The Zoran will support our human allies, and this can mean only one thing.
The biggest war the universe has ever seen is brewing.
My father would have been happy. Exalted, even. He’d seen this as an opportunity to prove himself, to cement his legacy. The Zoran fighting the combined powers of 120 alien races – this will be the biggest stage in history. Legends will be born.
I reject all of this.
War equals death and destruction. Millions will die, families will be torn apart, and entire planets will be destroyed. I’ve seen enough war to know there’s no real glory to be had there. I’ve seen the kind of man my father was.
He’d sacrifice his entire squad in the blink of an eye if he thought it could bring him more glory, more status. There’s a reason they called him the butcher – he was as ruthless with his own men as he was with his enemies.
Now that I’ve found Riley, now that I’ve found my life-mate, war is the last thing on my mind. I want to spend every waking moment with her in my arms. I want to show her where I grew up. I want her to see the wooden house in the grassy plains of Jabuka where I used to spend the summer with my brother. I want to show her the caves where we’d go spelunking when we’d catch a break from training. I want to tell her all about the adventures we made up in our mind.
Before the incident that robbed me from my childhood.
Most of all, I want to start a family with Riley. I want to have a kid and give it the carefree childhood I never had. I want him or her to roam the planet freely, to climb trees, to swim in the lakes, without ever having to fear their father’s belt for staying out a minute past curfew.
I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. The kiss Riley and I shared earlier – it was pure magic. There was already a fire burning inside of me, but Riley’s warm, soft lips fanned the flames and started a raging inferno. I won’t rest until I have made all those dreams a reality.
I’ll start by preventing this war. It’ll be my big fuck-you to my father. My legacy will be one of peace.
Narek and Michelle walk back into the living room, and Michelle is carrying
a bright yellow, steaming hot drink. It bubbles, and the fumes it gives off smell of honey.
“This’ll give Riley the kick she needs,” Narek says. “It’s kapik, a traditional Melek drink.”
I dip one finger in it to gauge the temperature, lest I scald Riley’s throat. I taste it, and I’m pleasantly surprised. I detect traces of honeydew mixed with melon, and a warm sensation floods my senses. Instantly I feel my hearing sharpen, my eyes focus and my muscles bulge.
“What’s in this?” I ask.
Narek shakes his head, a smirk on his face. “That’s our secret.”
I hold Riley’s head up and Michelle gives her a small sip of the yellow potion. It has barely touched her lips when her eyes spring wide open. Her hands fly up to the cup and tilt it back, pouring the golden liquid down her throat. She drinks it down with big gulps, a small strand trickling down the corner of her mouth.
She wipes her mouth clean with the back of her hand, her beautiful brown eyes brimming with energy.
“More?” she asks. “Is there more? I’d like more.”
She talks with the speed of a bullet, the potion haven given her an extraordinary dose of energy.
Narek shakes his head, a smirk on his face. “No, you’ve had more than enough kapik. There was enough in that cup to prepare a dozen Melek warriors for battle.”
Her eyes grow as wide as saucers. “Is that bad? Will I be okay? What was in it?”
“You’re fine,” Narek says reassuringly. “You might not be able to sleep for a while, but you’ll be fine.”
She nods enthusiastically. “DuPont,” she says, as if she suddenly remembers everything that happened. “Where is he?”
“He got away,” I answer. “What did he want?”
A frown flashes across her gorgeous face. “Me,” she says softly. “He’s involved in this somehow. He said all sorts of strange things. None of this adds up. He didn’t seem concerned about the arrested humans at all.”
“Something strange is definitely going on,” Narek says. “I’ve tried calling ambassador Yo’x, but he won’t answer. Meanwhile, the holo-feed is calling for war.”
