Tash

by ML Guida

  Ambassador Eli frowned. “I don’t understand. We didn’t receive any orders that said otherwise.”

  The Ambassadors behind him talked in quiet voices. Their eyes were huge and they were older. Lucky for him, none of them were dragons, and were not in their prime.

  Tash met each of their shocked and angry gazes. “No, but we received reports that one of you, or someone on your ship, plans to blow up the Intrepid.”

  “That’s insane.” Someone blurred behind Eli.

  Eli raised his hands in the air. “You’re not making sense.”

  “We’re not your enemy,” a woman said. “We’re all trained as jurors to give your father a fair trial.” Her voice was sincere, but it didn’t persuade Tash from his plan of action.

  Tash motioned toward Rye. “My brother is the Head of Engineering for the Intrepid.”

  Ambassador Eli rolled up his sleeves and loosened a collar that was underneath his robe. “And? We realize that.”

  Sweat glistened off Eli’s forehead. Did the man know something?

  “Rye thinks of the Intrepid as his baby. He takes a definite dim look on anyone threatening his ship.”

  Rye took the hint and grew in size, shadowing the Ambassador. He snarled.

  The Ambassador took a step back and surprisingly didn’t change into a lion. He’d probably be an old sick lion and not a match for a young, angry bear.

  Tash tilted his head and aimed his eruptor at the good Ambassador. Rye and the other security bears followed suit.

  “This is highly irregular,” Ambassador Eli sputtered. “You have no right to do this. The United Planet Confederation High Council will be notified of this preposterousness.”

  “Not yet. They won’t.” Rye stepped closer. “You see, myself and the security bears are coming on board your ship.”

  “Whatever for?” Ambassador Eli snarled.

  But Tash could hear the fear in his voice. Arian security bears were infamous for ripping apart any threatening enemy.

  Tash met the Ambassador’s angry gaze. “To ensure that nothing happens to the ship or my people. He will also be doing a thorough search of your ship to discover any treachery.”

  “So, you’re refusing to take us to the trial?” Ambassador Eli clenched his fists and tilted his wrinkled chin.

  Rye and the twenty security bears approached.

  “No,” Rye said, but his voice hinted at violence. “But I won’t let anyone on the Intrepid until I’m sure she and the crew are safe.”

  Ambassador Eli looked over his shoulder as if searching for help. “You can’t expect us to comply with this absurdity, do you?”

  “Yes. I do.” Tash grinned. “Oh, by the way, the Zalarains are backing me up. And they’re jamming your communications.”

  Ambassador Eli’s face turned bright red, and he spun around on his heels as Rye and the other bears forced them to retreat back into their ship.

  Tash’s scalp prickled and chills slid down his back. The glass doors shut, leaving Rye and the security crew on the Zion. What if he’d just sentenced his younger brother to death? He should be on the ship, but he couldn’t be in two places at once.

  He pulled out his telicator. “Tash to Vaughn.”

  “Vaughn, here.”

  “Rye and a squad of security bears are on board the Ambassadors’s ship.”

  “Understood. He’ll be okay, Tash.”

  Tash didn’t answer. Doubt had just closed up his throat.

  Scarlett touched his arm and squeezed gently. Warmth filled him, and the doubt melted away. What was it about her?

  He found his voice. “I know, Vaughn. You’re in command now. The Zalarians are approaching the Intrepid.”

  The Orion blocked out the planets and stars.

  “Oh, my God.” Scarlett put her hands over her mouth. “That ship is huge.”

  “I told you. It’s twice the size of the Intrepid, but this ship is built for Arians.” He nodded. “The Orion is built for dragons.”

  His telicator beeped. “Tash, here.”

  “Tash, this Captain Topaz of the Orion. We’re ready to bring you on board.”

  “We’re prepared to come on board.” Tash clasped Scarlett’s shaking hand.

  “Good.”

  The Orion docked onto the Intrepid.

  Tash should release Scarlett’s hand, but she was shaking so badly. He couldn’t do that to her.

  Once the glass door slid open, Captain Topaz and his head of security, Hoss, waited for him.

  Captain Topaz always made Tash feel like he was short, but Topaz was a brilliant captain and Tash had the utmost respect for him.

  “Welcome Captain Tash. You and your mate may come board. We already have the coordinates for Sutois, and will set a course for that cursed planet immediately.”

  “Very good.” Tash led Scarlett onto the Orion, but a sour taste formed in his mouth at that dreaded planet. Every nerve was tied into tight knots as all the horrors came back and he hoped this time that he wasn’t serving his mate and the dragons up for a Gog feast.

  11

  Scarlett clutched Tash’s hand tightly. Her heart beat frantically and her legs quivered. She thought he was taller than most men, but the two males standing in front of them gave Tash a run for his money. They were both handsome. One dark, the other light, but both fierce looking. But then again, they weren’t bears. They were freaking dragons.

  God, she couldn’t believe she was even thinking that! Dragons! It was as if Star Trek met Game of Thrones.

  The glass door slid behind her and sadness descended onto Scarlett’s shoulders. She liked the Intrepid and Tash’s quarters. It had only been a couple days, but she’d actually been thinking of it as home. Her condo was nothing to write home about. It was small, dark, and lonely.

  “This way.” The tall man with blue eyes looked at her and smiled. “You’re Captain Tash’s mate?”

  She nodded. “Yes, I’m Scarlett. Scarlett Fox.”

  They entered a sleek corridor but unlike the Intrepid, there were doors. She preferred the hidden secrets on the Intrepid.

  “It’s nice to meet you,” the dark haired man said. “I’m Hoss, head of the Orion security. Just to let you know that you’re not the only human on board. My mate Agnes Malloy is here. She’s a police detective, and I think she’ll be able to help us with determining what is going on Sutois.”

  Scarlett frowned. “How?”

  He grinned. “She can see ghosts. Maybe the dead will be forthcoming on what is happening on that planet.”

  Topaz looked at her as if sizing her up. “But we’re also counting on your visions to help us.”

  Scarlett ignored the lump forming in her throat and the quiver in her gut. She braced her shoulders, not wanting to be a shrinking violet and embarrassing Tash. “How long before we reach Sutois?”

  “Six hours,” Hoss said. “Until then, do you think your visions can tell us anymore?”

  She tensed up and her ribs pressed against her closing up lungs. Tash gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. She looked into his eyes and saw his confidence in her. “I will.”

  “So, how do your visions work?” Captain Topaz’s voice was filled with curiosity.

  She shrugged. “They just come to me.”

  Hoss frowned. “You mean you can’t control them?”

  “Not yet,” Tash said. “But she’s getting close.”

  She avoided his gaze. “I do better when Tash is with me.”

  “Hoss will take you to your quarters. I need to get back on the bridge. We need to know what we’re walking into, Scarlett.”

  She shivered. His voice gave little doubt that she’d give him the answers he wanted. What if she couldn’t? Would he burn her to a crisp?

  “We’ll have the information before we arrive at Sutois, Captain.” Tash winked at her and she couldn’t help but smile. He knew how to put her fears at ease. Warmth blanketed her heart. No one had ever done that to her before.

  But then again, he w
as her mate.

  Hoss led them into the elevator. “Second floor.”

  The elevator swooshed without any buttons just like the one on the Intrepid.

  “My mate would like to meet with you,” Hoss said. “After you’ve settled in.”

  “I’d like that,” Scarlett said. The Arians had been kind and accepting of her, but she’d like to meet someone from Earth. Being among giants was humbling.

  The doors opened to a second floor that reminded her of the last one––sleek and somber. But this one was crowded with overbearing dragon shifters.

  Hoss led them halfway down the corridor and stopped in front of a door. “Here are your quarters.”

  The door slid open.

  He bowed slightly. “Scarlett, the captain is pretty anxious for information about Sutois. Do you need anything to help you with your visions? We have an excellent medical facility.”

  Scarlett smiled. “I’m sure you do. But for now, all I need is Tash.”

  “Of course,” he said. “If you excuse me, I need to return to my duties.”

  Tash motioned with his arm. “After you…”

  “You’re such a gentlemen.” She wandered into the room that was sparse like Tash’s. She assumed drawers and closets and the bathroom door were all hidden. A desk, a chair, and a bed sat in the same space. Actually, a bed larger than theirs.

  The door slid behind them.

  Tash caressed his fingers down her spine. “That bed gives me ideas.”

  She shivered. “Tash.”

  “I know.” He looked around the room. “Well, I guess we better get started. Topaz isn’t a patient man.”

  She sat on the bed. “I gathered that.” She sighed. “You know my visions aren’t always reliable.”

  “They’ve becoming a little more reliable since we’ve mated.”

  She lifted her eyebrow. He said it as if it were a fact rather than a question. His faith in her humbled her.

  “I guess you’re right.”

  He gave her a quizzical look. “Really?”

  She rolled her eyes. “Okay, fine. I’m willing to try.” She patted the bed. “Sit here and then take my hands.”

  “With that attitude, this will really work.” But he sat opposite her and grasped her hands.

  She glared, but didn’t argue. Instead, she closed her eyes and inhaled and exhaled. She blocked out every sound.

  Swoosh. Swish. Swoosh. Swish.

  Her breath slowly matched the rhythm of her heart. Tash brushed his thumbs over her palms. Tingles swept up her arms. The back of her neck itched and the hair stood up.

  The vision came…

  Clouds parted and the sun shone down on rain-soaked jungle. Multicolored birds cawed. Leaves fluttered on top of the trees. Heavy footsteps trembled the leaves in the forest. The Gogs were on the move.

  Fear crept down Scarlett’s spine, but luckily, they couldn’t see or hear her.

  They climbed a rocky path led them up a mountain and ended at a ledge that looked over a deep ravine. Suddenly, part of the mountain moved as if it were on rollers.

  The stench of human sweat, blood, and misery slammed into her. Cries of pain riddled off the mountain walls.

  “About time you got here.” The dreaded nasal voice sneered. “The bodies are beginning to pile up.”

  One of the Gogs stepped in front of her, blocking her view of the man. They followed him.

  She went to hurry after them, but stopped in her tracks.

  Tall white creatures with three black eyes held whips and batons in their hands. They didn’t even look real. More like porcelain statues.

  Machines cranked. Loud bangs and drills hurt her ears. What looked like a roller coaster had carts loaded with glittering blue rocks whizzing around. Men had pickaxes and slammed them onto the mountain. Women pounded hammers. Dirt and dust covered their faces. Tattered clothes hung off their bones. Terrible scars rippled on their backs. Some even had red lashes. And she gasped. Not just men and women, but children.

  They were being forced to fill the carts and chisel away at the rocks.

  And they were in chains. Chains!

  Her head snapped back.

  “Scarlett. What’s wrong? You’re crying.” His worried broke her out of her trance.

  She slowly opened her eyes. Tears blurred his handsome face.

  She flung herself into his arms and buried her face. He rubbed her back.

  “Honey, what’s wrong?” He kissed the side of her head.

  “There were children.” Her voice choked and she squeezed her eyes shut.

  He put his hands on her shoulders and gently pushed her back. “What did you see?”

  “Tash, it was some kind of mining facility. Something right out of a horror movie. People––men, women, and children–were forced to mine some kind of glowing blue rocks.”

  His eyes darkened. “Nitrinium.”

  She wiped her cheeks. “These tall cruel white creatures with three shiny black eyes––”

  “The Kamtrinians.”

  Her eyes widened. “The aliens who poisoned your women––”

  “And killed the Zalarian mates and tried to destroy Earth.”

  His grave voice made her wish she was back on the Intrepid with Willow, but she forced her rising terror back down into her gut.

  Her heart thumped so fast she thought for sure she’d drop dead. Blood flooded through her turning her skin hot.

  “Are you okay?” Tash pushed a lock of her behind her ear.

  “No, I’m not.” She took his hand and squeezed, needing to feel his strength. “But I will be. Just…give me a moment.”

  “Take your time.”

  She gulped down deep breaths. “I’ve never felt such horror…such misery… such hopelessness before.”

  He kissed her shaking fingers. “Do you know who they are?”

  She shook her head vehemently. “No…But…”

  “But what?”

  She put her trembling hands on his cheeks. “But the slaves, the children…they had green eyes. It could be a coincidence.”

  He frowned. Shock, anger, sadness flashed into his eyes. His face turned pale. He seized her hands. “You mean they were Arians?”

  She bit her lip. “I…I don’t know. I can’t…say for sure.”

  He released her hand. “Do you think your vision is true?”

  She shrugged. “They’ve never been wrong.”

  He leaned back, creating space between them. “No. No. No.” He ran his hand through his hair. “This can’t be right. The only way Arians could be there…”

  Scarlett clenched her fists and looked down, not able to meet his panic eyes. “Maybe I’m wrong.” Her tiny voice faded into a slight cough.

  “You don’t believe that. Look at me.” His sharp voice made her wince. He was back to being the strict, harsh captain.

  She forced herself to raise her head.

  His angry gaze held hers. “Tell me what you think. How did they get there?” His low voice had turned into a growl.

  Fear crawled up her spine. She’d never seen him look at her like that. “I don’t know.” She edged away from him.

  He gripped her shoulders hard. “Tell me, Scarlett. How did they get there?”

  Tears pushed on the back of her eyelids. “Ow. Tash, you’re hurting me.”

  He immediately released her. “I’m sorry.” His voice cracked. He got off the bed and put both his hands. He hung his head. His shoulders were shaking.

  Soft whimpering sounds filled the room.

  Hair lifted on the back of Scarlett’s neck. Her eyes widened. Was he crying? She’d rarely seen men cry, since the men in her family thought tears were for wimpy women. But Tash was anything but wimpy. He was a bear and the strongest man she’d ever met.

  “Tash?” Her voice was barely audible.

  He didn’t respond. Maybe he hadn’t heard.

  She cleared her voice and forced her shaking legs to move. She raised her quivering hand as if t
o caress his back. But she was too fearful. She fisted her hand and pressed her arm to her side. “Tash?”

  He whirled around and she gasped.

  Tears had streaked down his cheeks and still glistened in the saddest eyes she’d ever seen. “Do you know what your vision means?” His sad voice reminded her of a small boy’s.

  She stood paralyzed, not able to do anything useful. “No, I don’t.”

  “I thought…” He bit his lip. “I thought my crew…had been eaten.”

  She didn’t interrupt and finally reached for his hand. He clung to her as if he needed her strength.

  He ran his hand through his hair. “But…but I was wrong. They…are…alive. They’re slaves…I never…” His face turned red and he gulped air. “I would never….have left them behind…if I knew. This is my fault.” He bowed his head and his shoulders slumped.

  Scarlett took him in her arms. The wall that had locked her out of his mind fell. His sorrow and guilt was ripping him apart. He questioned his worthiness to be captain and hated himself for surviving. He buried his face in the crook of her neck, his tears wetting her hair. He held on tight, his arms wrapped her back and pressing her to his chest.

  She wanted to tell him that what happened on that planet wasn’t his fault, but he was too entrenched with this false belief. The only thing that would ease his guilt and self-loathing was the truth.

  Fluttering butterflies bounced against her ribs. She braced her legs apart and determination seeped into her resolve. Tash needed a champion. She was his mate and this time, she’d be his champion.

  Chills soaked into her bones. The truth was nestled in the man with the nasal voice. And her visions had told her one thing.

  He was dangerous. Very dangerous.

  12

  Tash inhaled Scarlett’s sweet scent and crushed her to his body. Pain throbbed in the back of his throat. His eyes were achy from crying. Shades, he hadn’t cried for ages. Especially in front of anyone. Tears meant weakness.

  Scarlett’s body was soft and comforting. He needed to hold her to keep from going insane. Her news had ripped through him, cutting him in two. Never in a million years had he thought his crew might have been alive.