Seized & Seduced

by Shelley Munro

  Lynx darted out to grab a handful of the fallen rocks. The raptor struck, dive-bombing with breathtaking speed.

  “Watch out!” Shiloh roared and hurled a flurry of rocks.

  Lynx sprinted for shelter with the raptor snapping his heels. He caught Lynx’s tunic, those big talons grasping. Lynx lifted into the air.

  “Prince!” Shiloh sprinted at the raptor.

  Jannike fired rocks but had to slow for fear of hitting the felines. “Yes!”

  The raptor faltered when her rock stuck its chest.

  “Shift,” Kelvin bellowed. “Shiloh, down.” He whipped out a branch, barely missing Shiloh’s head, and struck the raptor on one outstretched wing. It roared and dropped Lynx. Lynx yelped and struggled free of his tunic.

  “Shift,” Shiloh yelled.

  Lynx dropped like a rock, and as Jannike watched, her heart jumped halfway up her throat. The shift took forever. Too slow. He’d hit the ground before he could transform and land on his feet.

  The raptor screeched and positioned for another swoop, slower than before. More wary. Still hungry. Still determined. Kelvin’s branches whistled through the air, forcing the raptor to change his approach.

  Black fur rippled across Lynx’s skin, his tunic tangling around his upper torso even as his trews bled into his feline body. He hit the ground, four feet outstretched, claws digging into the sand. Dust billowed around him. A cough erupted. A sneeze.

  He was okay.

  The raptor came again, this time low and forceful. Still determined to get Lynx. Jannike fired a rock. Score! Right in the face.

  At her side, Shiloh hurled rocks while Kelvin whipped the raptor with his branches. The raptor squawked and backed away. His big black wings lifted him to glide on the air currents. As they watched, he drifted away in defeat.

  “He’s hurting,” Shiloh said.

  Lynx shifted and strode over to the Shiloh. Wordlessly, he hugged his friend.

  Shiloh murmured something, his muscled arms going around Lynx’s bare torso. One big hand drifted down to rest on Lynx’s trews.

  Jannike took a step back, giving the two felines privacy. She ripped her gaze away, attempted to shove aside her flash of envy. Better to concentrate on the weird way the shifters’ trews and footwear transformed with them, but their tunics didn’t. Once she’d asked Ry why this happened, but he’d shrugged. He had no idea.

  “Good work, Kelvin.” She reached for her water bottle. The last one. She unscrewed the synmetal cap and forced herself to take a small sip. Her gaze went to the felines again, and she absently took another sip. These two males were good and decent and deserving of the closeness they shared.

  As she watched Lynx kissed Shiloh on the lips. They broke their embrace and sauntered over to her and Kelvin.

  “Did the raptor pierce your skin?” Kelvin asked.

  “No, he ripped my tunic. My back is burning a little. No scratches though,” Lynx said.

  “Why did you shout Prince?” Jannike asked.

  “Nickname. An old one that doesn’t get used much anymore. Guess it slipped out in the heat of the moment.” Lynx exchanged a glance with Shiloh and grinned.

  The markowl whistled and hooted at Kelvin.

  “He suggested we move since the people on the motor-skids are still behind us.”

  The other markowl hooted.

  “That is good news.”

  “Could do with some,” Shiloh said.

  “There is a haven not far from the rocky outcrop. We will need to travel farther today, but she thinks it is doable. There is water—a pond. She was going to explore when the raptor spotted her.”

  “Let’s hustle then.” Lynx brightened. “I don’t know about anyone else but I could do with a bath.”

  Jannike scooped up her gear and fed Royal the last of the nuts. He took them but didn’t start eating. “Water would be good. Royal is much quieter than normal. I don’t know if it’s the heat or if it’s something else.”

  “Probably the heat.” Shiloh caressed Royal, but he didn’t respond. “Try and keep the direct light off him.”

  Kelvin uprooted himself and transformed to his mobile form while Jannike fashioned a shelter to keep Royal out of the direct heat.

  Lynx started walking and Kelvin ambled behind. Jannike followed Kelvin and the footsteps from behind indicated Shiloh had fallen into formation.

  “Please, Ry,” she prayed. “Please hurry.” For as much as she’d love a bath, she wished her friends would arrive and whisk her away first.

  Chapter Nine

  Ursola stomped into her mansion. The peace, the richness and the luxury normally soothed her and brought satisfaction. Right now a scream pressed against her chest, fighting for release. Her shoes clattered on the stone floor, echoing in the entranceway.

  “Mistress.” Cayle bowed with respect. “You are back early from your meeting. Is something wrong?”

  “Everything is wrong. Such a simple job. Everything was going so well.” She ripped off her solar-star protection since she’d come from the facility she owned outside the dome. The place where she kept her incoming slaves and specimens in quarantine before they went to auction.

  Cayle waited, face set in concern, while she stormed around the entranceway.

  Her head jerked up when she caught a glimpse of a loitering slave. “Get out of my sight.”

  “Of course, mistress.” Cayle bowed and backed away.

  “Not you.” An attempt to tamp down her fury got away from her, the events of the past cycle playing with her mind.

  Someone attempting to shoot her.

  Her cargo ship crashing.

  Specimens scattering across the desert.

  Those who remained alive would die in the unrelenting heat.

  And now, someone was spiriting away her slaves. Three had gone missing. Three of the most valuable since they were breeding stock.

  If she didn’t know better, she’d say someone was out to get her, to beat her down until her empire foundered.

  Envy—she’d long known others were jealous of her position. And now an anonymous someone was eroding her business and profit margins.

  “What would you like me to do, mistress?”

  “I have a meeting in my office shortly. Arrange refreshments. Deliver them as soon as my visitor arrives.”

  “Yes, mistress.” Cayle backed away, his palms pressed together in a sign of respect. “All shall be prepared as you favor.”

  He disappeared, and she cursed under her breath. If she continued to act this way, she’d drive a wedge between them. Cayle was important to her mental wellbeing. The idea of losing what she had now…

  Aware her behavior was off, she strode toward her office to ready for her visitor. Calm. She couldn’t let anyone see her rattled.

  Rumors flew around the dome like winged beasts, and she didn’t intend to be the name on everyone’s lips.

  The company she’d chosen had a perfect record off-planet. Most Manx Two residents wouldn’t have heard of this business, let alone used its services.

  A tap on the door had her straightening, taking a sharp breath. Showtime.

  * * * * *

  “How far is the haven?” Jannike swallowed and swallowed again. No matter how much she worked her throat, she couldn’t produce enough spit to quench the thirst of a gnat-fly. And every time she scanned their surroundings, her gaze went straight to Lynx or Shiloh, whichever of the two stood closest. The only good thing about the tingle beneath her skin was that it took her mind off her thirst. “Are we sure this place exists?”

  “A markowl has a different perspective of distance,” Kelvin boomed.

  On her shoulder, Royal whimpered, and she stroked his back in sympathy. “Can anyone spare water for Royal?”

  “I’m out,” Shiloh said.

  Lynx shook his head with regret. “Me too.”

  “Give Royal to me. I have water,” Kelvin boomed.

  “Where? You’re not carrying anything,” Jannike said. />
  “Royal.” Kelvin reached for the calibore. “Trust me.”

  Jannike shrugged and handed the listless calibore over to the tremin.

  Kelvin did a weird partial shift until a tiny twig sprouted from his neck. He guided the twig to Royal’s mouth. “Suck on this little one.” His big brown fingers coaxed the calibore to move its mouth.

  Jannike gawked when Royal began to suck with enthusiasm.

  “Slow, little one,” Kelvin whispered and recommenced walking. “Ye don’t want to make yerself sick.”

  “We need to know how far the men on motor-skids are behind us,” Shiloh rumbled. “I can’t see anything, can’t hear a phrullin thing out of place, but my back is prickling.”

  “It’s the mating thing.” Jannike swiped her forehead. “Haven’t you and Lynx done it yet?”

  Shiloh glared. “Butt out.”

  “Don’t you want to talk about your love life? Most males gloat.” She couldn’t seem to shut her mouth. “Tell everyone about their sexual conquests.”

  “I don’t,” Shiloh snapped.

  “Do too,” Lynx called over his shoulder. “You tell me.”

  “No one else.” Shiloh’s burst of temper dispersed.

  “Aw, that’s so sweet.” The little imp yabbering in Jannike’s ear refused to shut up. Sex. Sex. Sex. “I’m right. You haven’t done it yet. The black splotches haven’t come together to form a feline tattoo.”

  “Ye tread a dangerous path, lass,” Kelvin murmured. Of course, the words emerged close to his usual boom.

  “Why is she walking a dangerous path?” Lynx halted to study Jannike.

  Shiloh remained silent, his eyes glowing a freaky cat green. His gaze tracked her, his mouth pulled into a knife-thin line.

  “Jannike knows about us. She’s the one with experience of mating,” Lynx said.

  Her stomach bucked and her tongue flashed out to moisten her lips. It was like licking a patch of gritty sand. “I’m sorry. The lack of water is playing havoc with my words.” Not quite the truth. It hurt to speak, yet the alternative—to think—caused the tingles into her body to morph into sexual territory. The urge to fling off her tunic and offer her breasts…

  She shuddered and attempted to swallow. Damn, her throat hurt.

  “We be close,” Kelvin boomed. “I sense water.”

  Lynx resumed walking and resigned, Jannike fell into step. Since the morn, her discomfort had morphed from bad to worse. Every step caused her trews to rub against her swollen sex. Part of her was surprised the felines hadn’t commented. They’d be within their rights, given the way she’d just poked at their sex life.

  Ry…she hadn’t understood the torment he’d suffered until Camryn’s arrival.

  Since talking hurt her throat, she fell silent. She listed all the things she’d try to do in the future, should she escape this sandbox without the widow’s notice.

  Have sex—no, not a good idea.

  First, she’d talk to Mogens, the Indy’s seer and medicine man, and ask him to make her one of the potions he’d made to alleviate Ry’s suffering.

  Chocolate. Hopefully Kaya still had some of the stuff she’d purchased on Earth and would deign to share.

  A bath…

  Yeah, simple pleasures she’d learned to enjoy, many of which came from Earth and she’d experienced because of Camryn.

  She slogged up a sand hill, panting in the heat, her calves burning in tandem with her pulsing sex. Oh, goddess. Her mind had gone to the hot and nasty again. Yesss! The little imp inside her hollered, practically beating her chest in encouragement.

  “Not far now,” Kelvin boomed.

  The ground beneath their feet trembled without warning, gradually trailing off into silence so acute her own heartbeat and hoarse breathing became the loudest sounds in her vicinity.

  Jannike froze. “What is it? Do you see anything?” No sooner had she uttered the words then the vibration recommenced.

  “No talking,” Shiloh barked. His eyes had resumed their feline glitter, the pupils slits instead of rounds. A sign of his agitation.

  But he was correct. Goddess, this burning heat inside and out had rotted away her commonsense. She scanned the expanse of sand and rocks they’d already traversed. Nothing out of the ordinary snared her attention.

  Kelvin rustled his hair, a soft almost sighing sound and the two markowls took flight. The birds soared into the sky, separated and flew in counterpoint circles.

  When the vibrations didn’t reoccur, Shiloh gestured for Lynx to continue. In the short time they’d stopped, Jannike’s legs had seized and a groan slipped past her lips.

  Shiloh tapped her on the shoulder, an order for silence, and she cursed under her breath.

  A tremor shook the ground beneath their feet, more violent than before. The sand stirred, a sucking hole appearing beside Jannike.

  “Run,” Shiloh ordered.

  An arrow of pain shot up her right leg, making Jannike slow to respond. A pale wormlike head, the size of the two felines combined, thrust upward and roared. The stench almost knocked her over.

  She gawked at the antennas, the beady black eyes, its off-white body. For precious secs, she froze then Shiloh grabbed her, propelling her away from the monstrosity just as sharp teeth snapped in an audible click. Jannike ran in the direction Shiloh shunted her. The creature plunged back down the hole he’d made in the sand, traveling underground to where Lynx sprinted along the ridge of the sand hill.

  The head came out of the sand, giant antennas switching this way and that, listening for the sounds they made. The creature’s black eyes stared straight at Lynx yet didn’t seem to see him. Lynx froze and didn’t move.

  Jannike slogged to the top and from the crest, she sighted the haven, a tiny spot of green in the broad sea of sand.

  Shiloh came up behind her and she pointed. He nodded and mimed for her to descend the hill.

  Good strategy. The creature seemed to hunt via sound vibrations. She’d draw him away from Lynx and Shiloh would run a different angle to her to confuse the creature. Kelvin didn’t have the same speed as them but he moved with stealth.

  Taking a deep, she pushed herself to speed, taking a downward path. Ironic, they were always splitting up yet the mating drew them together. A tepid wind blew into her face as she practically flew down the slope. Gritty sand obscured her vision. She stumbled, righted herself by flapping her arms.

  Keep your footing.

  Don’t fall.

  The grumbling shift of the sand came from behind. Closer and closer. She sprinted toward the haven and the rocky ground surrounding the oasis of green. Bright light shimmered across the ground. Grains of sand sprayed her face, but she kept propelling her legs onward.

  “Keep running,” Shiloh hollered.

  The reverberation halted abruptly. Jannike forced her legs to keep moving. A tear ran down her face, squeezing from irritated eyes. She sucked for breath, her pants louder than they should be. The rush of tremors started again, still coming for her. Faster, faster, faster.

  The sand stirred beneath her feet. She tripped, not seeing a rock in her rising panic. Roll. Roll!

  Jannike rolled, just as the ugly pale head burst from the sand right where she’d stood secs before.

  “Freeze, Jannike!” Lynx shouted.

  Goddess, he didn’t have to tell her. She didn’t think she could move if she tried. Instead, she lay on the sand, fighting to regain her breath, fighting not to moan aloud, fighting not to attract the creature.

  The fabled sand worm.

  She’d thought them a myth, a tale told to dissuade children from misbehaving. Not a myth. Not a myth. Not a phrullin myth at all.

  The creature roared, the stench making her want to dry heave. She fought the urge. The thing could gulp her down in one bite.

  “Jannike, we’re going to distract it,” Shiloh hollered.

  The sand worm turned its head, a sticky residue dripping from its fanglike mouth. The pale antennas veered in Shiloh’
s direction, and Lynx shouted. The antennas revolved.

  Kelvin boomed from somewhere behind and up in the air above her the two markowls shrieked.

  The sand worm reared, its giant maw snapping. A frustrated roar whooshed from the creature, and Jannike swallowed rapidly to battle her need to puke.

  Too frightened to move in case she attracted notice, she could do nothing but watch. Shiloh and Lynx shouted in quick succession, their positions taking them both closer to the haven.

  Without warning, the sand worm arced through the air and dived into the sand. Jannike watched its progress before pushing sluggishly to her feet. Through stinging eyes, she checked the positions of the others. Kelvin stood behind her, halfway down the hill. Shiloh stood between her and the haven, and Lynx raced across the sand, a short distance separating him from the rocky area surrounding the haven. Goddess, she hoped the sand worm couldn’t drill through the rockier ground.

  She forced herself to move toward the haven, taking care with her foot placement.

  Lynx leaped the last few feet, tucking and rolling back to his feet in an acrobatic stunt that would have made her cheer under normal circumstances.

  Once he regained his footing, he kept racing until he hit the green expanse of the haven. The sand worm popped from the sand where the rock soil began. Ah, some of the things she recalled from the old tales were true. Sand worms preferred soft desert.

  The sand worm roared, its large pale body swaying back and forth, antennas vibrating.

  “Water!” Lynx shouted. “Last one in is a rotten fodo egg.”

  Easy for him to say. He stood in a safe zone.

  With her gaze on the sand worm, Jannike picked her way across the sand. Shiloh crossed onto the rocky expanse leading to the haven without problem.

  Kelvin continued his steady pace.

  Shiloh joined Lynx and hollered. “It’s beautiful here. Water to drink. Get your lazy arse here now.”

  The sandworm reared in the direction of his shout and gave another shriek. Its antenna swiveled and zeroed in on her.

  Phrull. She froze, fear curdling her belly. In front of her, Kelvin crossed into the safe zone. The worm sank into the sand, disappearing. The tremor of the ground beneath her feet increased. The worm was heading in her direction.