Pursued: A Sci-Fi Alien Warrior Romance (Raider Warlords of the Vandar Book 4)

by Tana Stone

Once my mind was made up, I hurried to the door. Holding my breath, I pressed a hand to the side panel. “Please open.”

  When it did, I stood motionless. I peered out into the open air corridor. In his haste to get to the command deck, he hadn’t locked it. Or replaced the guard who’d been killed.

  As I left the room, I gave one final glance back, my gut clenching at the bed where his body had warmed me. “I am truly sorry, Raas.”

  Then I turned and hurried away, running on the balls of my bare feet to make as little noise as possible. The ship was quiet with few raiders moving around, so it didn’t take me long to find my way to the hangar bay. I no longer cared about finding a way to send a message to the empire or activate any type of beacon. All I wanted to do was get off the ship and far enough away that I wouldn’t draw the empire’s attention. Maybe I’d even leave some clues to confuse my superiors and send them spinning in a different direction—one far away from the Raas who’d pledged to defend me.

  My heartbeat quickened as I entered the wide-open space of the hangar bay, exposed piping rising high overhead, and the mouth at the far end humming with the energy forcefield. I quickly scanned the black-hulled ships, picking a small one that should be easy to maneuver and making a beeline for it. I needed something fast and small, so I could escape undetected and then drop cosmic breadcrumbs for the Zagrath to follow—away from the Vandar and Raas Bron.

  I was so caught up in my plan to that I didn’t hear the footsteps until they were practically on top of me. Whirling around, I kicked out, but the raider easily dodged my blow, spinning me around and clamping a thick arm across my throat. Stars danced in front of my eyes as the battle chief squeezed, making it hard for me to draw in air.

  “Now why would the Raas’ captive—an untrained miner and a victim of the empire—be sneaking onto the hangar bay?” The raider’s breath was hot and heavy on my neck as he held me in his punishing grip. “Don’t worry, female. I have a feeling you’re going to tell me everything once you and I are talking in my oblek.”

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Bron

  “A success, Raas,” Svar said as we descended from the raiding ship with the other warriors.

  I nodded, although I was not filled with the same exhilaration that a battle or raiding mission provided. I cast my gaze at the raiders’ chests, unmarked with the grime of battle and axe blades devoid of blood. None of us were.

  My tail twitched in unfulfilled anticipation. “I am glad we were able to provide aid to fellow rebels, but I almost long for the Zagrath to invade an unarmed planet so we will have an excuse to attack.”

  The Valox resistance ships had been repaired, and their crews redistributed to the strongest ships. Our engineer had even added upgrades to their engines, to aid in their ability to escape quickly from imperial attack.

  Svar laughed as we strode across the hangar bay. “Our success at damaging the Zagrath fleet does have disadvantages. We continue to make the enemy weaker, so we will eventually be fighting a foe that is so weak there is no challenge.”

  “And that will make us weak,” I growled.

  “There is a universe beyond our sectors and the Zagrath empire. Maybe we search for another foe.”

  I clapped a hand on his shoulder. “Once we have wiped the empire from existence, then we roam the skies for other sectors to liberate.”

  Alana would like that, I thought, imagining her by my side as we roamed the galaxy looking for invaders to punish.

  Svar gave me a half grin. “I look forward to it, Raas.”

  “But first, I need to check on my…on the female.” I’d almost called her my mate. My pulse quickened at the thought of the word. Alana was not technically my mate, and I hadn’t dared to utter the word Raisa, but in my mind, it was done.

  Svar nodded, as we walked side by side through the hangar bay doors and began to wind our way up. “You are certain about this, Raas? About keeping the human?”

  “Why wouldn’t I want to keep her for my pleasure? Raas Kratos took his female as his war prize. Why should I not have the same to warm my bed?”

  “Your change of heart was sudden, Raas. That is all.”

  I snapped my head to him, remembering the buzz among the crew after Kratos had taken his female and brought her on board. Before his decision, no female—and certainly not a human one—had ever flown with a Vandar horde. “Does the crew talk?”

  Svar hesitated. “The raiders are curious. After Kratos, they suspect these human females might be bewitching their leaders.”

  It was said partly in jest, but partly not.

  I fisted my hands by my side. If my raiders thought I was being controlled by a female, their faith in me might slip. And a Raas of the Vandar must have the complete faith of his crew to lead them into deadly battles. Hesitation or doubt was the death knell for a Raas and a horde.

  “I assure you the female is nothing more than a warm body to sheath my cock—and an eager one, at that.” I forced myself to laugh. “Would my raiders deny me release and pleasure?”

  “Of course not, Raas.”

  “Our last visit to a pleasure planet was cut short.” I jogged up a twisting staircase. “Maybe if my crew had their own females to entertain them, they would not be so bothered by mine.”

  Svar let out a low rumble. “You will not get an argument from me, Raas.”

  We both paused when we reached the doorway to my quarters, and I turned to my majak. “I trust you can find a suitable pleasure planet? One that does not entertain imperial soldiers.”

  I pressed a hand to my door panel, and it slid open. The scent of food welcomed me, and I spotted the plates of food arranged on the table, the domes removed.

  Good. I’d ordered food to be sent up so Alana would not get hungry while she waited for me. Then my gaze went to the empty bed.

  “I will leave you to your meal,” Svar said, the smell of the spicy stews no doubt reaching him, as well.

  The back of my neck prickled as I focused on the half-eaten bread knot lying on the floor next to one of the chunky table legs. “Wait.” There was no noise from the bathing chamber—not even of arms sluicing through the water—and the soft crackle of the flames echoed ominously off the hard surfaces.

  I walked briskly toward the bathing chamber, my gaze taking in the empty room and the placid surfaces of the water in the pools. My stomach plummeted as the truth hit me. Alana was gone.

  Running back to where Svar stood in the doorway, his brow creased in worry, I clutched his arm. “She is gone. Did any ships leave while we were with the Valox?”

  Svar shook his head. “If any vessels had left without authorization we would have been contacted, Raas.”

  I let out a breath. “Then she is still on the ship.”

  My majak cocked his head at me. “Why would a female who was running from the empire want to escape our protection, Raas? Especially after we saved her from the imperial intruder.” His gaze fell. “Was she unhappy with your arrangement?”

  I clenched my teeth, biting back the anger that he would think I would have forced myself on a female who did not want me. “I gave her nothing she did not want.”

  “Of course, Raas.”

  I released my grip on Svar’s arm. It was not his fault. He did not know the truth about Alana, or why she might feel she needed to get off my ship. I was at fault for keeping secrets from my most trusted advisor. If he harbored any suspicions about Alana, he had not voiced them to me. His loyalty and his trust were absolute, which made me feel even worse, even though the secrets I kept were only to keep Alana safe.

  “We need to find her,” I said, nodding at a pair of raiders as they passed and clicked their heels in salute. “Initiate a ship-wide search and bring her to me when she is located.”

  One of the passing raiders stopped and turned. “You do not know, Raas? You have not heard where she was taken?”

  Svar and I both pivoted to face him, even as the young raider squared his shoulders as if to brac
e himself from our penetrating stares.

  “Tell me,” I said, my words low and dark as I already suspected what his answer would be.

  “The female we saved is in the oblek with our battle chief, Raas. He caught her on the hangar deck.”

  The raider bowed his head, but I was already running madly down the walkway, my heart pounding and my eyes red with rage. Svar’s rapid footsteps were right behind mine, but I suspected he chased me not because he feared for Alana. He knew to fear for Corvak.

  If my battle chief had harmed my mate, I would tear him to pieces with my bare hands.

  Chapter Thirty

  Alana

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I spat out the words even as my voice trembled.

  Corvak had strapped me to the wall, although my arms were tied to my sides instead of over my head. At least I wasn’t suspended from the chains that dangled down from the ceiling.

  There wasn’t much to the dark room attached to one side of the command deck. Even though the Vandar warbird was dimly lit in general, this room—the oblek, as Corvak called it—had almost no light. There was only the faintest ambient glow from the recessed ceiling above, and the distant points of light out the wall of glass.

  My eyes had adjusted to the dark, and I could see the glint of weapons attached to the walls—curved axe blades, pointy daggers, and a spiked mace. So far, the scarred raider hadn’t used any of them on me, but I sensed the only reason he hesitated was because I was a female and I’d been favored by the Raas.

  “You were attempting to escape,” he repeated. “Tell me why.”

  “I wasn’t trying to escape. I was lost.”

  His laugh was harsh and guttural. “You were being held in the Raas’ quarters as his claimed captive. How did you end up in our hangar bay? You have already been attacked by an imperial intruder once. Why would you endanger yourself by leaving the protection of the Raas’ quarters?”

  I’d been right about the Vandar. They might be huge and ripped, but they weren’t brainless brutes. I only hoped this one was as easily manipulated by feminine charms as most males.

  Blinking up at him, I let out a breathy sigh. “I told you. The Raas left, and I got bored. The door was open, so I decided to explore. Is that so hard to believe?”

  Corvak narrowed his eyes at me. “I was with the Raas when he found you in the battle ring. I saw you move. You are no untrained female who’s toiled away in the mines. The Raas saw it, and I see it too.” He leaned close, his gaze boring into me. “The real question is why the Raas decided to keep you as a captive, and not rid himself and the horde of you. A female—a human female—is nothing more than a liability for a Vandar horde. Raas Bron knows this. He saw it for himself with Kratos.” He spun on his heel and took long steps toward the glass, clearly talking to himself and not me anymore. “He should have known the dangers of keeping you, but still he did it.” He swiveled back to face me. “Then an imperial attacker sneaks onboard our warbird and tries to kill you. Why?” His dark pupils flared with curiosity. “Who are you?”

  “I’ve told you who I am.”

  Corvak’s lip curled up as he advanced on me. “You’ve peddled lies to the Raas, and now you’re trying to sell them to me. I have no interest in whatever magic between your legs you’ve used to bewitch him. Tell me the truth, and I’ll release you.”

  The doors swished open, muffling his final words.

  “You’ll release her now.” Bron stood silhouetted in the arched doorway, his legs wide and one hand gripping the hilt of his axe.

  Corvak straightened. “You are back, Raas.”

  Bron walked into the room with his majak behind him. His glance at me was brief, but he positioned himself between me and his battle chief. “And I find that you’ve taken my female from my quarters.”

  Even I cringed at the deadly menace in the Raas’ voice. His rage simmered just below the surface, making his voice vibrate.

  “I did not take her from your quarters, Raas.” Corvak braced his feet wide as he faced Bron. “I discovered her in the hangar bay, attempting to escape.”

  The Raas flinched almost imperceptibly, but he did not turn to look at me.

  “I tried to explain that I was lost,” I said, but Bron held up a fist to silence me.

  Shit. He was almost as furious at me as he was at his battle chief. If I wasn’t certain Corvak would torture me, I might have opted not to be saved by the enraged Raas.

  “If she was lost, you should have returned her to my quarters.” Bron’s gaze was fixed on Corvak.

  “And if she was not lost, Raas?” he answered, sharply. “If she is not who she claims to be and is a danger to you and to this horde?”

  “That is for me to determine as Raas. Not you!” Bron’s voice rose to a shout, the sound bouncing off the hard walls and reverberating through my bones.

  “And if you are unable to see the truth?” Corvak yelled back. “If you have been blinded by the temptations of the flesh and have chosen the human over your horde?”

  Svar sucked in a breath, his own hand going to his weapon. “Stand down, Corvak.”

  The Raas and his battle chief stood across from each other, faces red and chests heaving.

  “I cannot,” Corvak said, drawing his axe.

  “You would defy your Raas?” Svar asked, his voice a hiss.

  “My duty is to the Vandar and the horde above all else.” Corvak flicked a derisive glance to me. “As battle chief, I must fight against all threats—even ones who spread their legs to get special treatment.”

  Bron drew his axe so quickly, I flinched. “If you dishonor her, you dishonor me—and the horde.”

  “She is nothing but a human female,” Corvak tossed his axe from one hand to the other. “A female who is lying to you.”

  Bron assumed a low battle crouch. “She has not lied to me. And she is not just a female. She is my mate.”

  The last words seemed to land on Corvak like physical blows. He jerked back, almost dropping his weapon. “Tvek. What spell has she cast over you?”

  “No spell. I have claimed her, as is my right as Raas.” Bron circled his battle chief, eyes blazing.

  “Did you not see what happened to Kratos?” Corvak moved in the opposite direction. “Do you wish our horde to be ripped apart once more?”

  “It is you who is threatening the horde.” Bron lunged at Corvak, slicing his blade through the air. “With your treason!”

  I gasped as Corvak spun away, dodging the attack and lashing out himself. He swung his axe up, forcing Bron to leap to one side.

  Svar moved behind the Raas, his face twisted in concern. “This should not be settled here.”

  “Agreed. We would not be here, if my female had not been brought here against her will and mine.” Bron barreled toward Corvak with his axe held high. “Honor must be defended.”

  “I am defending honor.” Corvak grunted as he dodged the attack and stumbled away, hitting the glass wall. He swiveled and struck Bron in the back with the flat of his blade. “The honor of the horde.”

  Bron staggered away, the hit obviously startling him.

  This was not good. If Corvak won, I was going to be tortured and put out an airlock, for sure. If Bron won, I would have a lot of explaining to do. He knew as well as his battle chief did that I had not gotten lost and ended up on the hangar bay. He knew the truth, even if he couldn’t admit it.

  “Stop!” I yelled, over the heavy breathing and angry grunts.

  Neither Vandar paid any attention to me. Even Bron cut his eyes to me, and the hardness in them made fear ice my veins.

  With a deafening roar, the Raas leapt through the air, his axe coming down hard on Corvak’s. The battle chief’s weapon clattered to the floor, and Bron kicked it away, looming over his opponent with his own axe poised to strike.

  Corvak did not look away. Instead, he glared at his Raas. “Do what you must. I die with no regrets.”

  The Raas’ chest rose and fell as he
drew in ragged breaths, then he backed away. “I will not kill you.”

  Svar swung his head to Bron. “Raas—?”

  “But you cannot stay as my battle chief, or as part of my horde,” Bron continued, locking eyes with his majak. “Banish him at the first habitable planet.”

  Corvak’s jaw tightened. “I would prefer death.”

  “You do not get to choose,” Bron said. Without another word, he walked to the wall and unhooked me, his movements rough and jerky.

  “Raas,” I began, not sure if I should apologize, or thank him, or both.

  His cold gaze slid to me. “Unless you wish to be banished alongside my battle chief, it would be best if you did not speak.”

  Then he threw me over his shoulder and stalked away from his gaping officers and out of the oblek. The last thing I saw, as I hung down the Raas’ back was the murderous glare from Corvak, before the iron doors slid shut on him.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Bron

  My body burned as I stormed through the ship, the female bouncing against my back. At first, she was quiet, but after I leapt down a few staircases, she slapped her hands against the bare skin of my back.

  “You can let me down now. You’ve made your point.”

  I stomped down a walkway, the metal trembling beneath my thundering boots as raiders scurried out of my way, their eyes cast down out of respect and fear. “I am not making a point. I am making sure you do not run off again.”

  She started to argue with me, but I landed a sharp slap on her ass. “I suggest you cease your complaints, unless you want more of that. Make no mistake, female. I have no problem meting out the punishment you so richly deserve.”

  I reached the door to my quarters, slamming my palm against the panel to open them and walking straight through the sliding steel to drop her onto my bed. She bounced a couple of times, after landing on her back, and then glared up at me.