The Alien Huntress Series

by Gena Showalter

  “—stronger, faster, deadlier,” the auctioneer was saying. “Word of warning, though. You’ll have to be careful with him. He’s a biter.”

  A wave of laughter rose from the crowd, sickening her further.

  The bidding speed increased, hands flying in the air.

  “Look at these eyes,” the announcer said. “Dark blue. Like sapphires. Come on, ladies. You love jewelry, you know you do. Get tired of the man, and you can wear his eyes.”

  “How are they holding him if he’s so strong?” Bride whispered.

  “Drugs, perhaps,” Devyn said. “Not allowing him to drink, maybe.”

  McKell placed another bid.

  “Now,” Devyn said to Dallas.

  Dallas shouted out such an astronomical sum that the crowd instantly quieted. The auctioneer gasped. McKell twisted in his seat, glaring.

  “Sold,” the auctioneer proclaimed with a grin.

  And on and on the auction continued. McKell never bid again, but he did stiffen when a young female was brought forward. Her skin was not as pale as the vampire male’s had been, but her hair was just as white, and Devyn instructed Dallas to bid. Once again, he won.

  Finally, it was over, the last otherworlder purchased. Devyn and Dallas, along with the rest of the crowd, pushed to their feet. Neither of them helped Bride stand. Her eyes were dry, even though she wanted to cry for all those who had been sold and what they would soon endure.

  She committed the faces around her to memory, thinking to track them down and free their “slaves” the moment she was able. Or better yet, she’d use Devyn’s money and pay someone else to do it right away.

  “Warrior that he is, he’ll have his men try to take them,” Devyn said quietly to Dallas. “Be prepared.”

  “And where will you be?” the agent asked behind his hand.

  “Evading him and keeping Bride safe. Tell Mia I’ve met my end of the bargain.”

  The bargain. Bride’s blood was no longer to be tested, in exchange for as many vampires as Devyn could get his hands on. Two, as it turned out. The sickness in her stomach churned. No way would she let that male and female be used as pincushions, their bodies drained. She’d offer herself back to AIR on a platter if necessary. She, at least, wasn’t traumatized.

  The two men looked at each other, nodded in silent understanding, and then Dallas was moving to the stage to collect his winnings.

  “You’re coming with me, and I don’t want to hear a single protest,” Devyn said stiffly. He didn’t glance down at her, nor did he jump into motion. What was he waiting for?

  “Yeah, well, you’re going to hear a lot of protests.” She kept her body angled away from him, as if she were talking to herself. McKell was still in his seat, facing the parapet. “The auction’s over, you have your booty, so I’m done being a slave. The power is going to your head. And not the one I want! Or wanted. I don’t anymore. And just so you know, we can’t let these people be taken to God knows where, God knows what done to them.”

  “We can, and we will. If I know AIR, and I do, they’ll free those they can before the new owners ever set foot into their cars.”

  She relaxed at that. “What about the vampires?”

  “You were treated well. They will be, as well.”

  “How can they be treated well if they’re locked up for the rest of their lives?”

  A muscle ticked below his eye. He had no answer.

  “AIR can have them for a week, then I want you to reclaim our property,” she said, determined. “What’s yours is mine, remember?”

  “We’ll talk to Mia about it.”

  We will. Not I will. Because of that, she was able to nod in agreement. “Now for the other subject I’m sure you don’t want to discuss. I want to question McKell about my people.”

  As though McKell had heard her, he stood. Faced them.

  “You’re right. I don’t.” Finally Devyn jolted into motion. He gripped her hand and dragged her toward the exit, winding around people and chairs. “You can question our property, as you called them, at AIR. McKell will just try and take you underground.”

  Her heart drummed in her chest. “But what if I want to see the underground?” Did she have family there?

  “You could be sentenced to death for living topside. Remember? Therefore, you can’t go. You can’t risk it.” He paused for a moment, flicked her a glance over his shoulder. “If that wasn’t a factor, though, you would still want to go?”

  “Yes.” Bride felt a pair of intense eyes boring into her back and knew who watched her. Still, she couldn’t help herself. She twisted. Sure enough, McKell was watching her through narrowed lids. His hands were clenched into fists, his posture straight as a board. He wasn’t following, though. He stood in place. “I’ve dreamed of having a family my entire life.”

  “Even though that family gave you to a man at birth? It’s not tradition, you know. That isn’t something that happens to all newborn females.”

  “Oh.” Why had they done that to her, then, if it wasn’t tradition as she’d first assumed? Payment? They just hadn’t wanted her? She fought a surge of depression. “Yes,” she said softly. The only way to gain the answers she sought was to ask those who had been involved. “I’d still want to go.”

  As they stepped outside, the musty, perfumed air inside the building gave way to the cooler, cleaner air of the night. She breathed deeply. There was a hint of car exhaust, but that was better than a gaggle of bodies that reeked of food.

  “Since I can’t go underground, I want to talk to McKell.” He hadn’t seemed to mind her questions. Had seemed eager to answer them.

  “Have I told you lately how irritating you are?” Devyn increased his speed.

  Her feet tripped over themselves as she struggled to keep up. “I’m a joy to be around, and you know it. Now where are you taking me?” He’d already bypassed his own vehicle.

  “Whatever I end up doing, and I’m changing my mind about every three seconds, I couldn’t do it in there,” he said. “They’d erected some sort of energy scrambler so that I couldn’t control any of the bodies.”

  Note to self: buy an energy scrambler. Not that Devyn had controlled her movements since making her strip in that apartment, the bastard.

  He tangled his free hand through his hair, clearly agitated. He stomped from the parking lot entirely, heading toward a fenced-off forest area. Government property. “Uh, Devyn.”

  “Not now.”

  “Then when? When we’re arrested?” The more they walked, the quieter the night became and the sweeter the air. Trees. Mmm. Again she inhaled deeply, savoring their scent. Finally Devyn stopped; they had reached the fence.

  He spun, gripping her shoulders, gaze frantic, a little wild now. “Are you with me, Bride?”

  She blinked up at him in confusion. “I’m standing here, aren’t I?”

  He shook her. “Do you like McKell more than you like me?”

  Did she—what? Her mind could barely process his words or what he wanted from her. “Who said I liked either of you?”

  “I’ll get you the answers about your family,” he said, his intensity unwavering. “I’ll even get you inside the underground if you want to visit, and I’ll keep you safe. But you are not to engage the vampire. Do you understand? He’s determined to keep you for himself.”

  And his point? “People don’t always get what they want, now do they?”

  Another shake. “Bride. Be serious. Tell me you’re not attracted to McKell.”

  Her brain rattled in her skull, and a shocking thought seemed to pop free. “Devyn, are you…jealous?” This was more than simply wanting her because another man found her attractive. Devyn was too desperate. Desperate in a way she’d never seen him.

  “No, of course not.” His hands fell from her, but his scowl remained. “I just don’t want you giving yourself to anyone else while you’re married to me. For now, you’re mine. I’ll kill anyone who touches you,” he added.

  Uh, hello
jealousy. She wanted to grin but didn’t. He didn’t deserve to know how happy he’d just made her. “Since you’re so jealous, why have you ignored me this past week? Why have you slept in a different bed?”

  “I’m not jealous, I said.” Eyes narrowing, Devyn backed her up until a boulder stopped him. “I stayed away because I wanted you to know that I respect you.”

  “Give me a minute to work past your jealousy and figure out what you just said.” She gasped as the coldness of the rock met her shoulders and thighs. “Nope. Still don’t understand. What does denying me have to do with respecting me?”

  He pushed his nose into hers. “Do you know what it’s like to be locked away? To be alone, left in the dark, forgotten, the silence deafening?”

  Silent, she shook her head.

  “I do. As a boy I was locked away for exhibiting even the smallest hint of desire. I was told sex was dirty and shaming. For a long time, I even believed it. I got over it, but with you, I felt those old thoughts resurfacing, and I was so afraid of—”

  Overcome, emotions bubbling over, Bride threw her arms around his neck and slammed her lips into his. He hadn’t left her alone because he’d stopped wanting her. He’d left her alone because he’d been afraid of shaming her. She’d show him the error of that, she thought, thrusting her tongue into his mouth. At first, he didn’t respond. Then he moaned. He smashed his weight into her body, and his tongue plundered deep, taking, giving, leaving her weak with pleasure.

  “More,” she said. It had been too long. Far too long. Despite the openness of their surroundings, despite any danger, waiting even a moment longer seemed silly. “Nothing you do to me is shameful, swear to God. Well, besides letting me suffer from withdrawals. You gave me a taste of you, then took it away.”

  He gave a hoarse chuckle. “Well, the first taste is always free. You have to pay for the rest.”

  “Name your price.”

  “You. Just you.” His hands lowered, working at the harem pants. Didn’t take much. He had them at her ankles in seconds, and ripped open his own pants. His erection sprang free. Then he was gripping her thighs, shoving them apart, anchoring them on his waist and plunging inside her. Her head fell against the cold stone, her back arching to take him even deeper.

  One of his hands kneaded her breast, thrumming the nipple through the fabric of her bra. “Never deny me this again,” she said. “Understand?”

  He nipped at her chin and pumped into her, in and out, fast…faster…“You’re all I think about. All I want anymore.”

  Every forward glide took her to new heights. Every backward slide spun her mind out of control. He was touching her everywhere, even her soul. “Devyn,” she moaned.

  “You’re…you. You make me hot, you make me laugh, and you make me angry. You look at me with those emerald eyes, and all I want to see is happiness inside them. You confuse me, you arouse me, you make me want to be better.”

  “There’s no one better,” she said, and hurtled over the edge, groaning, gasping, crying out his name again, holding on to him, determined never to let go.

  And when she leaned up and scraped her teeth over his neck, he shuddered, and his grip tightened. She wouldn’t do it, wouldn’t take his blood and weaken him when they were within a hundred yards of the auction house. But she couldn’t help but rasp his skin, laving it with whatever chemical she produced. Just like that, he came, sinking to the hilt, propelling her over again.

  “Bride. My Bride.”

  She tangled her hands in his hair and forced him to look at her, to see the truth in her eyes. “Yours.” But for how much longer?

  The shudders left him and he stilled, continuing to pant, to hold her close. “I’m not ready to let you go.”

  “Then don’t. We can stay here all night.”

  “Hear footsteps.”

  That got her attention. Yelping, she jerked from him, separating their bodies. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” As she shakily righted her clothes, she blushed at the wetness between her legs.

  “’Cause I didn’t want to.” More leisurely, Devyn fastened his pants. He remained in front of her, blocking her from anyone’s view. He was grinning, back to his usual cocky self. “McKell,” he said with relish, and then he turned, clearly ready for combat.

  McKell reached them. His violet gaze took in their rumpled clothes, her swollen lips and quickly rising chest. His nostrils flared. If his sense of smell was anything like hers, he scented the sex wafting from them.

  “I should cut you down where you stand,” the warrior told Devyn.

  As he spoke, an army of vampires arrived, surrounding them. Gasping, Bride moved forward and held out her arms to shield Devyn. Without her razors, she felt naked, but that didn’t mean she was helpless. “No one moves,” she commanded.

  Devyn was having none of that, and shoved her behind him. She was having none of that, and moved beside him.

  “Figured you’d follow,” he told the vampire. His grin became all the more evil. “Glad you did.”

  McKell gave Devyn an evil grin of his own and moved forward, closing the distance between them. He stopped after only three steps and frowned, then scowled. “Bastard. Using your ability against me. Well, let’s see if you can use it against us all. Incapacitate him,” the warrior growled to his men. “Leave him alive, though. My female needs his blood. For the moment.”

  The vampires, too, moved forward. They, too, froze.

  “Does that answer your question?” Devyn asked smugly. Then he surprised her. Rather than strike and kill, he said, “I will let you and your men live, McKell. And in return, you will take us to your king. If you can guarantee that she won’t be punished for living on the surface. Since you planned to take her with you, I’m assuming you’ve already thought of a way to bypass the death sentence.”

  McKell blinked, clearly startled—and just as suspicious. “I don’t understand.”

  Neither did she. “Yeah, what’s going on?” Here was a man who could and did kill without hesitation or regret. A man who clearly wanted to do so now. Yet he didn’t. He was demanding to be taken underground. For her.

  “She belongs to me,” he continued, “and yet you feel she is your property.” Devyn raised his chin, the picture of a determined male. “I don’t want you chasing her for the rest of your too-long life, and she wants answers about her people. So let’s take care of both matters at once. We’ll petition your king and allow him to decide. You can tell her what she wants to know along the way.”

  And if the king decided in McKell’s favor? she wondered. Hell, no. “I’m happy to go underground, but there won’t be anyone deciding my fate for me.”

  “She will not be sentenced to death,” McKell said, ignoring her. “As she was born here on the surface, the daughter of captured vampires”—his gaze shifted left and right to his men, pleading with her and Devyn not to contradict him—“her time here could not be helped.”

  Devyn nodded. “It’s settled, then.”

  “Settled,” the vampire said.

  “It’s awesome that you two are in agreement, really it is. But do I get a say in this?” she snapped. “Did no one hear me say that no one picks my man but me?”

  Again, neither paid her any heed. Jeez. Was it the sequins? Put on a slave costume, and suddenly no one took you seriously.

  “I’ll go underground, because I want to go, but that’s it,” she said. “That’s all I’m promising.”

  Devyn must have released the vampire from stun, because the warrior stepped backward and nodded, saying, “Do not think this will end happily for you, Targon.”

  CHAPTER 20

  The buzzing of his phone woke Dallas. Blinking against the harsh morning light, he rolled over and blindly reached for his cell. He knocked over a glass on his nightstand. When his fingers finally scraped the cell, he latched on and dragged it to his ear.

  “Agent Gutierrez,” he rasped.

  “Get your lazy ass up,” Hector proclaimed from the other end.
“Nolan escaped.”

  Blood freezing in his veins, Dallas jackknifed up, the urge to sleep hammered out of him with the agent’s words. “How?”

  “Seduced one of the female agents sent to watch him.”

  “That shitbag.” He popped to his feet and strode into the bathroom. His still tired muscles screamed in protest. “She sick?”

  “Not yet, but she’s been locked up and is being watched. I’ve got Nolan’s location, and I’m on my way to get you. Can you be ready in ten?”

  “Make it eight.” Though he had questions, he hung up and took care of business. He brushed his teeth, dressed, grabbed his shades, and was out the door in five. He’d planned to spend the morning thinking about his vision of Devyn, and how McKell, whose face he had indeed seen in it, had managed to stab his friend. If he had to, he’d plant himself at the pier and wait for the vampires to arrive.

  The moment the idea struck, he nodded. Yes, that’s exactly what he’d do. Once Nolan was taken care of, he’d find a spot and camp out. He wouldn’t have seen Devyn’s death if there was nothing to do about it. Dallas was as certain of that as he was that without intervention, Devyn would die. He refused to believe the visions were simply to prepare him for what lay ahead.

  The way he’d botched the vision about Jaxon and Mishka was proof things could be changed—and for the better. If he worked them right.

  The streets were lined with morning traffic; the sun was bright as people cruised the sidewalks at top speed. A few were carrying cups of syn-coffee, and the scent wafted to his nose, making his mouth water. His stomach even rumbled. How long since he’d eaten?

  Hector pulled to the curb and stopped.

  Ignoring his hunger, Dallas slid into the kind of sedan every AIR agent used and shut the door with a push of a button. “How do you know where Nolan is?” was the first question he voiced.

  Hector programmed the car, and it eased onto the road before kicking into high gear, weaving in and out of traffic. “Remember how your friend Devyn injected himself with that isotope tracker?”