“I know something about baby sisters. They are usually much more resilient than we think.” He guided me back to the airlock, where Ne’flav was climbing inside. “Let us take care of those we can.”
I nodded, my soul numb with terror. I let Venturi lift me back into the airlock and joined Ne’flav. The first alien my crew would meet.
Venturi squeezed into the airlock with us, pressing me against the wall and I swatted his tail from my face. I had to push Angie to the back of my mind and concentrate on the surviving crew.
Something metallic clanged against the wall and bounced to our feet. The pipe Tammy had been carrying. “Back the fuck off,” Tammy shouted.
Venturi gave a furious cry, pulling me behind him, rage cording the muscles of his upper body. He dropped the spear and pulled out two wicked daggers from his chest harness.
I grabbed his arm, hanging from his bicep as if he was a set of monkey bars. “Tammy, you’re freaking him out. Stop screaming.” I noted the healer had a set of knives in his hands but he didn’t seem ready to toss them, like my mate. Venturi had a hair trigger temper when it came to my safety.
“I’m freaking him out?” she called back.
“They’re our rescue. They’re the reason I’m still alive.” I patted Venturi’s shoulder and switched languages. “It’s okay. You scared her.”
He set me back on my feet and jabbed his daggers back into his belt. “I scared her. She is the one tossing weapons.”
“Poor aim though,” added Ne’flav. “Can we enter now?” He called out to Tammy.
“What are they saying?” She peered around the door, seeming more animated than when I’d first entered. Adrenaline would do that to a person.
“He’s asking permission to come aboard,” I translated.
“How did you learn to speak their language so fast?” Tammy’s voice grew suspicious.
I ground my teeth and marched toward the bridge. “It’s a long story.” My sister was missing and they were all dying from radiation poisoning. We didn’t have time to waste on details like bioprocessors. “I’ll explain it on the way to the village.”
My alien escorts followed, ducking their heads so they wouldn’t drag along the ceiling.
“Wow.” Tammy backpedaled until she tripped over Leah and sprawled on her ass. “They are big.”
Leah didn’t move. She just stared glassy eyed. “We’re going to their village?”
Ne’flav knelt beside her and began an examination tassuone style by peering into her eyes, checking her nail beds, and pressing his ear to her chest.
She remained still, but the whites in her eyes showed. “Umm, what’s he doing?”
“This is their healer, Ne’flav.” I would tell them about the bioprocessors later. One shock at a time.
Four ragged girls stared at us but I thought they were beautiful. I was so happy to see them that tears started. I wiped my cheeks and sobbed before gathering Tammy for a hug. “I was so worried for so long.”
“When-di?” Venturi had followed and now stroked my back, his touch filled with concern.
I patted his hand, trying to stop crying and failing. “I’ll be fine,” I reassured him. I switched back to English. “You smell awful,” I said back to Tammy and hugged her hard again.
Tammy rubbed her forehead. She clearly was exhausted. “Food and water have been rationed well, due to your plans, but not long after you left, we started to get sick. The hull wasn’t protecting us from the radiation like we hoped.”
The investor and her assistant were blubbering harder than I was, then I realized they were terrified.
Ne’flav rose to check the captain. “Venturi, can you start a fire to boil water for this tea?” He handed my mate a bag.
“What is the tea for?” I doubted the tassuone had tea time.
“They are weaker than I hoped. The tea will fortify their strength and keep them strong enough to reach the village tomorrow.” The healer spoke absently as he continued his assessment.
“It might do more harm than good.” I expected Ne’flav to understand this as a healer.
He paused, scanning the girls. “Can they understand me?”
My throat went dry from his serious tone. “No.”
“They are dying. These two”—he pointed the captain and Leah—“are close. I can’t make it worse.”
“We can leave for the village now.” I glanced at Venturi for confirmation.
He only looked sad. “Traveling the sky roads at night is dangerous for an alert and unburdened warrior. We will be rushing and carrying the sick. This will do more harm than the tea.” Venturi knelt, cupping my face. “We do our best.”
“I know. You’re just scaring me.” I gave him a watery smile.
“Do they understand English?” Tammy’s stare was pinned to the healer. I couldn’t blame her. He was supermodel-stunning, even for an alien, and his beautiful hair had been pulled into one long braid.
“Just bits and pieces that I taught him.”
Venturi kissed the top of my head and exited the ship.
Tammy stared at me in awe. “No way.”
“Not now, Tam.”
She grabbed my upper arm. “Did he force you?” There was a touch of panic in her voice as her gaze darted to the healer.
“No,” I whispered with a flare of annoyance. She wasn’t feeling well, but to suggest that about Venturi, who went beyond the call of decency to protect me, was absurd. I guessed he wasn’t the only one feeling possessive. “He’s been nothing short of wonderful and, I’m embarrassed to say, he’s saved my life too many times to count.”
Tammy crossed her arms. “Nothing comes without a cost. What do they want?”
I didn’t like that thought. “Look, what options do you have? Stay here and die or come along and live? No one will force you to follow.”
Argeer crowded the doorway even though he stood sideways. The fierce leader eyed each of my crew members and waved a hand in front of his face from the stench. “We can’t stay in here overnight. We will move them to the tree top once a camp is ready.” He left.
“What did he say?” Tammy asked. All of her piss and vinegar fading.
“We’re going to camp on a branch way above overnight, then leave in the morning.”
Chapter Six
Venturi
“Nothing I have can help her much. She’s too damaged from the crash and the poison is making it worse.” Ne’flav refused to leave the ship, afraid that Cap-ton wouldn’t survive the night. He demanded they both remain inside the metal trap and give him time to strengthen her for the journey home.
Argeer didn’t argue. Instead, he gathered one of the tearful humans pressed against the far wall and left the ship for the camp far above.
I led When-di to where Rog crouched by the crash, examining the ground. My mate was quiet, her face so long and withdrawn. Her hands fisted and released as we walked. I wished I could offer her reassurance but I would not lie. This world was dangerous and her sister was most likely dead.
Rog looked up at our arrival. He pointed to the spot in front of him. “They were attacked.”
I rested my tail over When-di’s shoulders, not surprised at my brother’s declaration. In the dirt was a clear paw print of a traesse. A vicious hunter known for carrying away small children. A human was perfect prey for this animal, but two? That was bold, even for a traesse.
When-di searched the ground. “Where’s the blood?”
Pride swelled my chest at my mate’s intelligence. I noted my brother’s surprise. The ass hadn’t expected her to notice.
“They ran into the jungle.” Rog rose, towering over my When-di, but she met his glare with confidence.
I thought, even if my tell-sign hadn’t appeared, she would have stolen my hearts.
She jogged to follow my brother’s broad pace as he led us deeper into the jungle, pointing at certain signs on the ground to prove his prowess at tracking.
I smelled the corpse before spotti
ng the body in the undergrowth.
When-di almost stepped on it before coming to a sudden halt. “Oh my fucking God.” She stumbled back. I didn’t need to know her native tongue to understand the meaning of her words.
The traesse lay on its side, beheaded. Arrows protruded from the beast’s chest.
“My people couldn’t have killed it in this manner. They don’t have the weapons.” She covered her mouth.
I fingered the fletching on the arrows. “Hobard.”
“Yes.” Rog moved past the dead animal. “Their tracks are directed toward Spindal.” He glanced at When-di’s distressed noise. “They took your people alive.”
“How can you know?” She pointed to the bloody mess around us. “Maybe it ate them before being killed.”
“Not enough blood. There would be limbs or a head for me to find.” Rog'ba Durab i Pallopa spoke absently and didn’t notice when my mate paled.
With my tail, I pulled her against me. “The Hobard have no use for the dead. Your people are more useful alive.”
“For what?” She stared off in the direction the Hobard had taken her sister.
“As slaves.” Rog wiped his hands on his pants.
When-di made a strangled noise. “But Angie doesn’t have a bioprocessor. She’ll die soon without one.”
I assumed Angie was her sister’s name. We couldn’t rush to Angie’s rescue towing five sick humans. I felt helpless and hugged my mate tighter. “They’ll give them the bioprocessors. The Hobard are not stupid. They specifically came to this site for fresh crashlanders. They’ll want to keep them healthy and strong for the market.”
My hearts ached. My kind never practiced slavery as some races did. The Hobard traveled far from our region, being a nomadic people. “If we don’t find them soon, they will be lost forever.”
I directed this to my brother with the un-asked request of can you find them?
He gave me a dark glare. Of course, he could find them. The real question was, would he?
When-di lifted her chin and straightened her back. “She’s all the family I have left. Which way did they go?” She pulled out a dagger, checking the blade as if preparing to hunt them herself.
Rog gave me a slow blink. “That way.” He pointed away from the camp. “They travel on the ground though and in large packs.”
She nodded absently. “Give me my bag.” She held out her hand as she addressed me.
My hearts raced. Torn between wanting to help my mate and protecting her.
“You plan on going by yourself, little warrior?” Rog was grinning now. Not the most pleasant of sights since his teeth were crooked from a childhood injury.
“If I have to.” She shook her empty hand at me. “Bag?”
“Would you abandon your crew to us?” I asked, not about to surrender the pack. This wasn’t a journey for the faint of heart and When-di had just recovered from almost dying. She also only had an immature bioprocessor caring for her health. “Who will translate? They are frightened and filled with questions.”
She said her hands on her hips. “And you think my sister isn’t scared?” she shouted.
My little balaur was back and I smiled inside my hearts. I never wanted her to go quiet again.
“I didn’t mean to imply that.” I ran my hand over my face. She didn’t know the Hobard. They were a warrior-based society. Females were objects to own and use. We tried to avoid contact with them because things went missing, sometimes tribe members. “Go back with Argeer and your people. I will track your sister and try to save her.”
Or what was left of her.
My bond with When-di was fresh and it would pain me to be so far from her, but I would endure this to ease her mind.
“You would go?” She always seemed so shocked when I tried to please her. It made me wonder what sort of life she lived that an act of love was so surprising.
Had no one loved my When-di before me?
I knelt and set her hands over my hearts. “You know I cannot refuse you nothing.”
“For the love of all things green, you are making me sick.” My brother tightened the straps on his pack. “I will go. Venturi cannot track a pregnant balaur stuck in mud, let alone a pack of Hobard.” He held out his hand. “Give me your rations and water skin. I’ll travel faster if I don’t have to forage.”
I got to my feet. “I’ll go with you.”
He snorted. “You’ll only slow me.”
He was right. For all the issues I had with my brother, I could not deny he was the better hunter. I gave him what he asked for. I could go hungry for a day.
When-di watched in silence, hands clasped before her. “Are you sure, Rog'ba…Durab i Pallopa.” She struggled with his name.
He rolled his eyes skyward. “How should I address them?”
“Angie is my sister and Jerry is our engineer. He’s male.” She touched her cheeks. “With facial hair.”
Rog'ba Durab i Pallopa slowed repacking his bag with my rations. “That will be something to see.”
I offered him one of my dagger belts. “I’d rather you have extras and not enough.”
He tossed it across his chest. “I will do my best to bring them home.”
I squeezed his shoulder. “Return safely.”
He grunted and took off with a ground-eating jog. I did not like him traveling on the ground. It was unnatural and dangerous. I watched until he faded into the jungle.
When-di against my side, hugging me tight. “I feel so useless. I want to follow him.”
“Me too,” I whispered.
“Venturi’al Durab i Pallopa?” Called my chief from above. “Where is your brother going?”
I cringed, not looking forward to explaining to my chief what had occurred. He would not like being left out of this decision. “Come, my mate. The suns are setting and I would like to make a nice nest for us to sleep on.”
She pressed her lips to my chest. “Sure. Just make sure you pick a private place to sleep.” She closed one eyelid at me with an attempt to smile, but I could see the traces of worry still on her face.
“Is your eye injured?”
She reached for her face but hesitated halfway. “Oh. No. That’s what we call a wink. It means… Never mind what it means, I’ll explain another day.”
I squeezed her hand as I led her to the closest mother trees to climb. “He will find them.” I had no doubt. Rescuing them was a different matter altogether.
With my mate secure on my back, I climbed the base of the trunk until we reached the winding trail that wrapped the tree. My body had ached for hers all day. Any longer and I would become sick with desire.
Her sweet breath caressed the back of my neck and the swell of her breasts were crushed to my spine.
When we arrived, both of our peoples appeared settled. The humans huddled together under a shelter, eating trail rations. My tribesman under another.
“I must speak with Argeer.” The chief would not be happy with me.
Wendy
I joined my crew underneath the shelter. The temperature of the day was cooling but the humidity still clung to our skin. I was just so freaking relieved at the moment. The tassuone men had given my crew food and they were alive. Rog was searching for my sister and I had confidence in his skill.
The girls were weak with radiation poisoning and Leah still looked on the verge of passing out. The investor had a deep racking cough that shook her whole body. But they were alive and safe. We could fix the rest.
Sem, one of the warriors, brought a small steaming pot and set next to me. “The healer wants them to drink this. It will give them strength until we reach the village.” He gave the girls a yearning glance but didn’t touch anyone.
I translated.
Tammy gave the tea the stink eye. “Do you think it’s safe?”
“I don’t know.” I stirred the pot. It smelled like mint and cinnamon. “I’ve been eating native for days and I’m still here.” Mind you, I had a bioprocessor taking care o
f me now. Tammy would have one soon too. She just needed to survive our journey home. I assessed her pale and clammy skin, her sunken eyes, and her forlorn expression. “Drink it.” I poured her a cup. “You’re dying and I need you to live.”
She gave me a slow and weak middle finger before drinking the tea. “I’m sorry about Angie.”
“She’s not dead. Other aliens captured her and Jerry.” I refilled the cup and passed it to Leah and helped her drink, since her hands shook so much.
“There are others?” the assistant asked as I repeated the tea process with her and the investor.
I told the girls about crashlander planet and the bioprocessors. They all went quiet probably due to the shock, exhaustion or tea sedation. I wasn’t sure.
Venturi sat next to me and set a sliced melon in my hands. “I know you don’t like the trail food.”
“Oh,” I said, embarrassed. “I’m fine. I can wait to eat last.” I passed the melon to Tammy.
He frowned as a girls gobbled the fresh food. “You haven’t eaten anything all day.” He jumped to his feet. “I will get another.”
Tammy gave me a knowing glance. “He seems sweet on you.”
Leah licked her fingers, seeming more alive than a few minutes ago. “Don’t piss him off. If feeding you makes him happy, then eat.”
Venturi returned with another melon and this time I ate a portion. He stroked my hair as I answered the others’ questions about my journey. We discussed our rescuers and Rog tracking Angie and how the tassuone lived in the trees. Finally, Leah asked why Venturi had spots and the others didn’t.
I ran my fingertips over his skin. “We’re mates. His people have some sort of hormonal reaction when they meet someone compatible to…uh…” I swallowed with a throat gone dry. “Make babies with.” I felt the urge to touch my stomach even though I couldn’t be pregnant after just one time.
The girls went still. Tammy glared at me while Leah and the assistant stared at their melon rinds. The investor closed her eyes and leaned her head back against a branch.
“Being with him makes me happier than I’ve been with any other guy.” I rubbed his thigh. “I’ll take my chances.”
Venturi, Complete Serial Parts 1-4: Alien SciFi Romance (Crashlander) Page 17
