by Lily Harlem
Mateo stood next to Anki, his hands flat on the glass. “I’m going to rip your fucking head from your neck, tear your limbs from your body, cut off your cock and feed it to you, Trad. You should never have touched her and you’ll regret it as you die a long and painful death.”
“Nice to see you’re inventive with your ways of killing me,” Julian said.
“Get something to break this glass.” Gavyn spun around. “And where the hell are the Marshalls? Damn it, where are they?”
“I’d like to know that, too,” Anki said.
“This glass is toughened.” Mateo slammed his fists onto it, his full weight behind each hit.
Nothing.
“Everything breaks eventually.” Gavyn glared at Julian then appeared to do a quick sweep of my body as if checking for injuries. “Including Trad’s necks.”
“You boys need to calm down,” Julian said, spinning me side-on to the door. “Because this is the new situation. Me and Uma in here, together, and you out there…watching.”
“That is not how it’s going to be.” Mateo kicked the corner of the door. It rattled but only slightly. “Damn it!” He disappeared from view.
“Oh!” I gasped as Julian tipped me forward hard and fast. My chest came into contact with a table. I pushed from it, trying to escape, but he dropped his weight over me, his legs, cock, and chest flush on my body and pinning me down.
“Don’t fight it, Uma. Your crew will only beat themselves up seeing you in distress. Close your eyes, accept your fate as a Trad’s woman, a host to my child.”
“You’re an evil man.” I was struggling to get air into my lungs. “Why would you want an unwilling woman?”
“It’s not you I want, it’s what your womb can deliver.”
“I swear you will not get off the ship alive,” Mateo shouted.
“Ship alive. Ship alive.” Magic flapped his wings, and a blue feather floated down in front of me.
“Step away from her!” Gavyn ordered.
There was a tinge of panic in his voice which multiplied mine. I closed my eyes and gripped the table. It seemed my fate had been decided.
It wasn’t just having Julian about to shove his cock in me that was horrifying, it was knowing his seed could bypass my contraception and I would be pregnant almost immediately—a fast, uncomfortable pregnancy resulting in a child I absolutely didn’t want.
A sudden roar penetrated the whooshing in my ears, and I peeled open my eyes
Hurin.
He was at the door, his fist clenched and his shoulders rounded. There was fury in his eyes, and his teeth were gritted.
Behind him were Sai and Ezekeil, each appearing horrified at the situation. Sai rushed to the control panel.
“Ah, now we have a full house to enjoy the show,” Julian said, once again gripping the waistband on my pants. He yanked, hard. It took several goes for him to reveal my buttocks because he was pinning me down so hard with his body. “And I’ll show you all how it’s done. How to get the right result.”
“No!” I cried. “No, no, please.”
“Try and enjoy it, Uma” he said. “You should be humbled that Tradrych wants your species for the job of repopulation.”
“No, I won’t. You bastard, I’ll hate you and I’ll hate the child.” I steeled myself as he kicked my feet apart and the hot tip of his cock nudged the top of my leg.
“I don’t need you to love the child.”
This couldn’t be happening. It was horrific. And with all the crew watching on helplessly. I knew each and every one of them would blame themselves. And Mateo, Gavyn, and Anki, who loved me, would be desolate. I ached for them as much as myself.
“Keep still.” Julian’s hand landed on the table next to my face as his cock found purchase.
I held my breath, terror winding through me.
His hand blurred in my vision. I stared at it, then realized something weird was happening. His skin had turned fiery-orange, it was cracking, turning reptilian, scale-like.
“What the…” I managed.
“Here you are, Uma, take it…”
Crash.
The thunderous noise was immediately followed by the tinkle of glass scattering over the floor.
I twisted to look and saw Hurin rushing through the now shattered door.
Mateo was close behind, fists clenched and a murderous look on his face. He raced past Hurin, and the next thing I knew, Julian was no longer touching me, no longer about to enter me.
“Uma, it’s okay.” Hurin scooped me close, dragging up my pants. “I’ve got you.”
I gripped his top and tried to catch my breath.
Hurin. Hurin has me.
Julian had backed into a corner, and Mateo was racing at him. He delivered two cracking punches to Julian’s face, then another to his stomach.
Julian doubled over with a groan, blood dripping from his mouth. He didn’t seem to have any intention of defending himself.
Mateo shoved at him, knocking him to the floor, then kicked him.
Julian cried out and drew up his knees.
“You think that’s painful, that’s nothing,” Mateo shouted. He drew back his leg and kicked him again, in the kidneys this time.
“That’s enough,” Gavyn said, marching in. “Stop this now.” He nodded at the Marshalls.
Sai and Ezekeil charged forward. Sai grabbed Mateo, and Ezekeil shoved Julian onto his stomach and sat astride his ass. He yanked Julian’s arms backward and gripped his wrists together.
Julian twisted and moaned. His eyes were squeezed shut, and his bravado had evaporated. He’d known he didn’t stand a chance so hadn’t bothered to put up a fight. I also wondered if he’d known, despite what he’d said, that he didn’t have long to do the deed, which was why he hadn’t wasted a moment bending me over and dragging at my pants.
Thank goodness he didn’t.
Thank goodness for Hurin.
I squeezed closer to Hurin, and he enclosed my in his strong, protective arms.
“Get the hell off me.” Mateo was struggling against Sai. “I haven’t finished with him yet.”
“Yes, you have,” Gavyn said. “I gave you a few hits, but now we have to follow protocol.”
“There is no protocol for how to handle a Trad who tries to rape my woman.” Mateo snarled and broke free of Sai.
Sai raced after him and just managed to stop Mateo from punching Julian again. Gavyn ran to help Sai hold Mateo back.
I’d seen Mateo furious twice before; each time it was over me. This time he was exceedingly mad.
“Don’t stop me, Gavyn,” Mateo shouted. “You saw what he was about to do. You know what these scumbags are. They’ve taken from you before, and he was about to again. Let’s kill him, on Uma’s and Nicole’s behalf, and all the other innocent women his type have stolen from us. Let’s kill him.”
“Don’t bring my sister into this,” Gavyn said.
“But don’t you want to—?”
“I mean it.” Gavyn scowled at Mateo. “We have to remain professional.”
Mateo huffed and yanked from Gavyn’s and Sai’s grip. “If I were captain—”
“But you’re not. Now pull it together and get a handle on your anger.” Gavyn nodded at Ezekeil. “Have you got him secure?”
“For now.” Ezkeil turned to Sai. “Go get something to tie him up with.”
“Yes,” Gavyn said. “And unlock the room next door. It’s not as equipped as this one but it has a lock so he can go in there.”
“And we should throw away the key.” Mateo huffed, rubbing his knuckles, which were red and swelling.
I moved my attention to Magic.
He was very still and observing us all with his beady, inquisitive eyes.
“Magic,” I managed.
Anki stepped beneath him and held out his arm. “Come here, come to me, Magic. We’ll get you some treats.”
“Treats. Who’s a pretty boy, then.” Magic stretched out his wings and soared down to Anki
.
Anki caught him on his arm and grinned at me. “He’s back.”
“Thank goodness.” I delved into my pocket, then with shaking hands, pulled out Magic’s small lead and his seeds. “Here.”
Anki took both then tickled Magic’s chin. “You had us worried there, pretty boy.”
“Pretty boy, pretty boy.” Magic pecked at the sunflower seeds as if nothing untoward had happened and it was perfectly normal for a macaw from Costa Rica to fly around the innards of a spaceship for a few days and then witness a fight.
“I’ll take him back to your quarters,” Anki said. “He’ll be glad of a rest in his cage.”
“Thank you.” I felt weak and shivery. “Don’t lose him on the way.”
“I won’t.” Anki attached the tiny bracelet around Magic’s leg. “And I’ll fix that vent so he can’t escape again.”
“Good plan.” I leaned heavier onto Hurin. An annoying tremor had set up home in my belly and was making me queasy.
“Are you okay?” Hurin asked quietly.
“I don’t feel great.”
“You’ve had a terrible fright and have been handled roughly.” He rubbed my shoulders. “That’s enough to shake anyone up.”
I nodded. “Did you see his skin…? It was strange when he…” I wasn’t sure how to explain it.
“Trads are chameleons but I have a personal theory about them”
“You do?”
He hesitated, then, “When they’re finding pleasure they show their true selves.” He paused. “And it’s pretty damn ugly.”
I nodded. Not sure what to make of Hurin’s theory and too shaken up to go over the moment again in my memory.
Gavyn and Ezekeil dragged Julian to standing. His bravado had gone and his face was bruised and bleeding. He hung in their arms as though his legs were now made of noodles.
As he was hauled from the room, he didn’t look at me.
For that I was thankful. I didn’t ever want to see him again or feel his gaze following my every move. He was the Devil as far as I was concerned.
And he could burn in Hell.
Chapter Thirteen
Suddenly the shaking in my stomach became worse. It traveled up my chest, to my shoulders and jaw. My teeth chattered, and my knees buckled.
“It’s okay. I’ve got you.”
I was swung upward and pressed against Hurin’s chest. He’d picked me up like I was a damsel in distress.
“It’s okay, I’m okay,” I said, but despite my words, I was grateful not to have to hold my weight any longer.
“No, you’re not.” He stepped toward the broken door.
“Where are you going?” Mateo asked, swinging his attention from Julian and the Marshalls to us.
“To my room,” Hurin replied.
“Why?” Mateo said, stepping up close and cupping my cheek. “I can take her to my quarters, or Gavyn’s.”
“No, she’s in shock. I need to do a few tests and treat her as necessary.”
“Did he hurt you, hun?” Pain flashed over Mateo’s eyes.
“No, I don’t think so, he just scared me.” I rested my palm over his. “I’ll be okay.”
“Oh, you’re cold,” Mateo said. “Really cold.”
“Which is why I, as the onboard medic, need to get her somewhere quiet and warm to lie down and recover.” Hurin carried me through the shattered door.
“Take care of her,” Mateo called.
“Of course I will.”
I closed my eyes and rested my cheek on Hurin’s shoulder.
“Hurin,” Gavyn called. “What’s the problem?”
“Nothing a rest and a sweet drink won’t cure.” Hurin continued to stride up the corridor.
I heard Gavyn’s footsteps approaching quickly. “Uma,” he said, resting his hand on my arm. “He won’t get near you again, I promise.”
Hurin continued to walk.
“He’s locked up and he’s staying that way, and if those Marshalls don’t get their act together and guard him properly, we’ll do the job.”
“I’m sorry,” I said. “For causing all this bother.” My eyelids were heavy; it was an effort to look at him.
Gavyn was quiet for a moment, then, “How did he get you in there?”
“Magic, he had Magic.” I held in a sob.
I was aware of Gavyn and Hurin sharing a meaningful glance.
“You’re the man for the job, Hurin,” Gavyn said. “See if you can get a bit of color back in her cheeks.”
“I will, Captain.”
“And Mateo and I will give those Marshalls a good talking to. I’m not having this. What were they thinking being in the laundry room instead of on duty… and what were they doing?”
I sensed Gavyn walking away as Hurin carried me toward his quarters.
A single tear escaped, tracked its way down my cheek and soaked into Hurin’s t-shirt.
When we arrived at his room, Hurin opened the door and stepped in.
It smelled of his cologne and soap. The lights were dim and the bedding dark. He laid me down, treating me as though I was an old-fashioned porcelain doll and might break.
I sagged into the mattress. I was still trembling, but being held by Hurin had eased the shakes somewhat. His body had absorbed the chill that crawled over my skin.
I closed my eyes, exhaustion washing over me.
“Here,” he said, the bed sagging a little. “Drink this.”
He cupped the back of my neck and touched a mug to my lips. It was coffee, and I sipped gratefully.
“Better?” he asked.
“Yes, I’m just so cold.”
He gave me another sip of drink then rested a velvety blanket over me. I tugged it to my chin and curled into a ball.
“Let me have your finger,” he said.
He didn’t wait for me to respond. He took my finger, and I was aware of a small, sharp prick. “Ouch.”
“Sorry, Uma, the last thing I want is to hurt you.” A tiny bleep of a machine.
“I know.”
He tutted. “Your glucose is low.”
“Is that bad?”
“Nothing a spoonful of sugar in your coffee won’t cure.”
I shivered. “Okay.”
He helped me with my now sweet coffee, but despite its warmth, I was still shaking.
“Uma,” he said, putting the empty cup aside and stroking my hair. “You need to try and calm down. Take deep, steady breaths”
“I’m just cold,” I said, trying to rid the sensation of Julian on me— him tugging my pants, the feel of his breath by my ear, the sound of his voice, his red hand. “Can’t seem to get warm.” I hated the concerned look in his eyes. “But I’ll be okay…in a minute.”
He produced another machine and wrapped a small strap around my wrist.
“Mmm,” he said, after it had constricted then loosened. “You should be feeling better. Your blood pressure, pulse, and oxygen saturations are fine.”
“I’ll be better in a minute.” I bottled up a yawn, but all it did was make my teeth chatter louder. “Maybe, you could…hold me. That will stop me feeling so cold.”
He toed off his sneakers then whipped off his top.
A little flutter of appreciation caught in my belly as I took in his broad chest with his wide, defined pectoral muscles, his small, dark nipples, and the trail of hair leading from his navel to his waistband.
I moved the blanket, and he slid onto the bed next to me. Again it dipped under his weight. I rolled toward him and pulled up the blanket. Murmuring his name, I curled up to him.
Instantly, his arms were around me, holding me tight to his warm skin.
My body reacted with one violent shiver then seemed to melt into his heat.
“It’s okay, I’ve got you,” he whispered, stroking my hair.
I tucked my face into the groove of his neck and wrapped one leg over his. In that moment, Hurin became another part of my destiny, I was sure of it. I adored him, how being with him made me
feel and what his friendship gave me.
“Uma,” he whispered. “I would never have stood by and let him hurt you.”
“I know.”
“None of us would have.”
I was silent. It had nearly come to that.
“I just happened to be the one to kick that glass in the right place—bottom corner is always the weakest—and put enough force into it.”
“I’m glad you did.”
“If I hadn’t, Anki, Gavyn, or Mateo would have.”
“I know.” I stroked my finger down his neck, tracing the shape of his Adam’s apple then the groove of his throat.
“But seeing him, with his hands on you. It brought out a rage in me, the same way it did Mateo. I found the strength to break glass designed by space engineers not to be broken.”
“Mateo loves me,” I said. “He has for a long time, the way I do him.”
“But, Uma, don’t you see?” He shifted so he could look down at me.
“What?” I studied his eyes.
“I love you, too. You’re the only woman I’ve ever felt this way about. I’m so in love with you it hurts in here.” He set his hand over his sternum.
“Hurin.”
He pressed his finger to my lips. “You don’t have to say anything, I just want you to know what’s in my heart.”
There was earnestness in his eyes, and he licked his lips, as though anxious about revealing his feelings.
“Hurin,” I said again.
He traced my jawline with the back of his finger.
“I know you’ll wonder how I can do it, when I’m already with Mateo, Anki, and Gavyn, but I love you, too.” I smiled. “I love you all.”
“Including me?” His eyes widened.
“Yes, including you. Definitely including you.”
“But…why?”
“You’re asking why I love you?” I paused as a final shiver wound its way down my spine. I knew it was the last because while it worked its way over me, a lovely warm feeling spread through my body.
“Er, yes. Why? I’m a Southern Tip. Few Earth women, if any, have ever had a relationship with an Athion from my islands.”
“And that means I shouldn’t?”
“No, no, I’m not saying that. It’s just…”
“You’re different, I know that, Hurin”