“What changes?” Mogens demanded, his eyes alight with interest.
“Jazen is your mate?” Ry asked. “You’re positive?”
Camryn scowled. “Capture?”
The questions came quick and fast. Nanu understood Camryn’s distaste because the Indy crew had abducted her to train their hell-horse. Her capture hadn’t gone well until she and Ry had become mates and she’d forgiven him. “Yes, unfortunately Jazen has awakened my beast since her arrival. The changes…” He paused and wrinkled his nose. “My hair transforms to tendrils and becomes a weapon, capable of choking a creature to death in close combat. My teeth become sharp and I will feed on her lifeforce at times.” He hesitated, then decided on full disclosure. “My cock develops extra ridges that will help to stimulate my mate during sex, I lock in place to ensure a fruitful union.”
“Fruitful union?” Kaya stroked one pointed ear, intrigue written in her features. “Lock in place? How? For how long?”
“Long enough to ensure the mating is successful,” Nanu said, taking the easiest explanation.
Kaya cocked her head. “Are you a vampire?”
“I am not.”
“Are you taught this from a young age?” Mogens asked.
“When we reach the age of twelve rotations, the males of the family or sometimes the wider tribe, take us on a retreat and teach us about what to expect. Each rotation they teach us more. My training wasn’t complete when Yep and I left, so I’m clueless about some of the process.”
“This Jazen is your mate,” Ry repeated.
“Yes,” Nanu said, his lips twisting. Trust him to make life difficult for all of them. “I don’t trust her constant questioning, but she has awakened my beast.”
Jannike absently stroked her belly. “What happens if Jazen doesn’t want you?”
“She does,” Nanu stated with certainty. “She sneaks peeks at me. I’ve caught her doing it. Besides, kissing furthers the mating. I have glans beneath my tongue, which become inflamed.”
“You will not kiss or touch that woman until we investigate further,” Ry ordered.
“That advice worked well for you, captain,” Mogens pointed out. “I warned you about contact with Camryn.”
Camryn blushed and Ry flashed a quick grin before his features settled into serious again. “Kaya can keep an eye on you until we make a final decision.”
“What? No!” Kaya burst out. “No, I won’t do it. He rings that stupid bell incessantly. If I have to babysit him, I’ll commit murder.”
“I heard the reward on my head is dead or alive.” Nanu’s lip curled into a grimace. “I’m more valuable alive, but you should receive currency for my dead body, if you take me to Indra. My family might even retrieve my body and give me a proper pyre.” His wistful tone didn’t go unnoticed by his friends. He had a good life, doing something he loved with his friends, yet he missed his previous life. Not that his family had approved of his and Yep’s actions.
“Nanu! You’ve written your last letter, the same as the rest of us,” Camryn chided. “If you’ve stated your wishes, we’ll follow them without deviation. We promised each other—a blood oath.”
Nanu smiled, more naturally this time. “I apologize. My inner beast is making me retrospective. Honestly, I’d do the same thing again. My people might capture our mates, but once the mating takes, we treat our partners like queens.” For an instant he recalled the corporation man and his abuse of his wife. He had come from a different planet.
“Your confinement to the sick room presents a problem. Will your inner beast become uncontrollable?” Ry asked.
“I—”
“Nanu’s leg has healed beautifully. I believe he can now exercise his limb, so he won’t need a bell for much longer and can leave his chamber.”
“We’ll investigate the woman from Viros. Lynx and Shiloh have contacts who might have heard of her,” Jannike offered.
Ry struck his finger against his right thigh. His black trews rustled with the rhythmic taps. “I’ll conduct investigations from here too. If we’ve all noticed her questions, something is stinky about her.”
“Fishy,” Camryn said. “You have the wrong Earth-speak.”
“Whatever,” Ry said with a shrug, going with more Earth slang.
“What if the information comes too late?” Nanu asked. “I can’t switch off my beast at will.”
“If you promise to let Mogens have control of that stupid bell I’d volunteer to act as your cock-block,” Kaya said cheekily. “I’d be happy to loll around and get chamber service while supervising you.”
“I can’t wait until I’m fully fit.” Nanu glared at Kaya. “We can spar, so I can drop you on your head.”
“You can try,” Kaya snapped.
“Nanu,” Mogens said, fingers of black writhing across his cheeks and jaw, showing his unhappiness with the conversation. “I can’t believe she is spying on us. Her nursing capabilities are adequate. She is no stranger to the job.”
“I checked with Ransom’s family and the servants. She is asking them questions too,” Kaya said. “Are you sure your beast wants her?” Tiny lines of amusement fanned out from her blue eyes. “Is that what you call your thing?” She gestured at his groin.
“No.” Nanu sighed because they didn’t understand. They would soon. “It’s not a joking matter. If I don’t get Jazen to my gattoc, I’ll become violent and unreasonable. As far as my beast is concerned, the mating process has begun. It happened the first time we met.”
Ry straightened to his full height. “How violent?”
“I’ll attack anyone who tries to get between us. My body mass will increase, right before I snatch Jazen and take her to my gattoc. I’ll be much stronger than normal and will stay that way afterward.”
Ry arched a brow at Mogens. “Have you heard of this?”
Their seer and medic shook his pale gray head. “No, but I intend to consult the clouds to ascertain the future. They will help me discern a reasonable course of action.”
“You didn’t think to inform us earlier?” Jannike demanded. “That we might have made a plan to handle you and your beast.”
“I’m well past the age of mating on Indra. Yep and I were both past the age.” Pangs of regret pierced him when he remembered his deceased brother. “I’ve traveled extensively on the Indy, and never found a mate. It didn’t matter because I have friends, and I appease my sexual needs whenever I have the opportunity while understanding I’ll never have the chance of offspring.” He marshaled his thoughts, and a sense of wonder flooded him. “Now I will have Jazen.”
“You don’t trust her,” Ry snapped. “That’s a problem.”
“I could leave—”
“No,” Ry barked.
“No,” Camryn snapped.
Jannike glowered. “No.”
“You and I are the last singles standing,” Kaya said, every hint of her earlier amusement vanishing. “You can’t leave.”
“I agree,” Mogens said. “We must find another way.”
“You said you’ve tried asking her questions about her background.” Camryn plonked onto the end of Nanu’s bed.
“She’s as evasive as me,” Nanu replied. “She has secrets or something she doesn’t wish us to discover.”
Ry paced in the confined space until Camryn grabbed one biceps and hauled him to a halt. “We’re missing something. We have skirted the law with some of our freight shipments. Perhaps we’ve crossed the wrong people before.” He raked a hand through his black hair. “But nothing untoward has occurred recently.”
Jannike shook her head. “We have had no problems since we based ourselves on Viros. All our cargo has been legal.”
“That doesn’t mean someone from our past isn’t trying to put us out of business or cause chaos,” Camryn commented. “There were those pirates that attacked the Indy not long after I joined you.”
Ry shook his head, “No, that had nothing to do with Jazen. That was my brother causing problems.”
“Where would you build this gattoc thing?” Kaya asked.
Nanu stared at his bandaged leg, breathing deeply to keep his beast tranquil. He craved Jazen, and he found it difficult keeping his hands to himself. “If I lived on Indra, I’d build my gattoc on family land.”
“I’ll talk to Lynx and Shiloh,” Jannike said. “Maybe Jarlath. Is this gattoc thing a permanent fixture?”
“Not necessarily. My father and uncles built an outer shell—one that was weatherproof and secure.” Nanu twisted his lips. “Sometimes the mating isn’t something the female wants.”
“Are we considering helping Nanu to kidnap a woman? A stranger we haven’t researched?” Camryn demanded.
Ry eyed Nanu. “You’re certain you’re at the crunch point?”
“Yes.” His friends did not need to learn of his X-rated imaginings for Jazen.
Camryn still radiated disapproval. “What happens after the gattoc thing?”
“I’ve never heard of a mating failure once the couple reaches the gattoc,” Nanu said. “Jazen won’t want to leave me once we’re done.”
Kaya made a scoffing sound. “The all-powerful beast wins.”
“Something like that,” Nanu said.
“But that doesn’t remove the problem of trust,” Ry stated. “What do we do? We can’t have someone around who is seeking to destroy us.”
“But if I leave—” Nanu offered again.
Camryn jumped to her feet. “No. That is one option we’re not taking.”
“Then we move ahead,” Jannike said. “We investigate Jazen and figure out a working plan for Nanu. How much longer will he be off work? Once Nanu gets this Jazen into his gattoc thingy, we must have answers. Somehow, we must win her over and gain her trust.”
Everyone eyed Mogens for the answer.
“Another seven cycles to be certain the bone has fully healed. He can exercise the limb now—gentle exercises to strengthen his muscles.”
“They have become flabby,” Kaya inserted.
Nanu rolled his eyes and didn’t bite. “Are we replacing the tender?”
“Already on it,” Jannike said. “We can borrow one from Shiloh and Lynx until we buy a new one.”
“We have savings we can use to buy a new one,” Camryn added. “No problems there.”
“I’m more worried about why it failed,” Nanu said. “I’m concerned about the way it crashed. Was it the mine or something else? So many unanswered questions about the mine we discovered.”
“Don’t worry,” Ry said. “I intend to investigate the crash. Gryffnn has asked me to inspect the mine and research the crash on behalf of the dragons. We’ll do that as soon as we arrange a replacement.”
“I wish I could help,” Jannike said mournfully. “Lynx and Shiloh are watching me like one of those catnip plants.”
“I heard that,” a masculine voice grumbled.
“Can we borrow a tender from you until we can get a replacement?” Jannike asked. She gasped without warning and held her stomach.
“What is it?” Lynx, the king of Viros, appeared behind Jannike, his holo popping into Nanu’s chamber.
“It seems I erred in my calculations. It is time for the birth,” Mogens said.
Jannike paled. “No! Mogens. Camryn, you promised you’d be here with me.”
“Change of plans,” Ry stated. “We’ll leave now. Nanu, can you hold things together until we get back to Viros?”
“If Jazen is on the ship with us.” Nanu reflected on leaving without her and rejected the idea. No separation. A snarl escaped him, gruff and angry, and it echoed within his chamber. “Having her on a different planet will upset my inner beast.”
Jannike cried out and clutched her belly, taking the focus off him. “You won’t make it back to Viros in time.”
“We will,” Camryn promised. “Lynx, take her to the medical wing. Jannike, fill them in and warn Gweneth about Jazen. She chats with everyone. Explain something is hinky with Jazen, to stay on her guard.”
Jannike’s answer was a pained groan.
“What is this hinky?” Lynx asked in the mystified tone he often possessed when discussing Earth words.
Jannike gasped and straightened. “I shall explain. Please hurry. I can’t do this without you.”
“Cross your legs,” Kaya ordered. “We’re on our way.”
“No you’re not,” Jannike snapped. “You’re still chatting.”
Jannike and Lynx blinked out of the chamber without warning.
“Right,” Ry said. “Listen up. This is what we will do.”
* * * * *
Something was up, and she was missing the drama because of her stupid nursing duties. Jazen completed the massage on the dragon shifter as fast as possible without skimping on his treatment. He was a handsome man with his untidy black hair and serious muscles. Yet he didn’t make the lifeforce race through her body while one glimpse of Nanu had her breathing lurching into a choppy pace, her traitorous body prickling in expectation and her mind filling with foggy lust. Not the ideal situation when she needed clear thoughts and focus to gain information from Nanu and his friends.
The dragon shifter who had helped her with Ransom remained in the chamber instead of departing as per his normal procedure. Frustration curled through her, and she willed him to leave. He remained at the thick wooden door, almost her guard rather than the dragon’s. She cast him a suspicious glance.
Footsteps rushed past the chamber. Thump. Thump. Thump. Another set of footsteps sprinted, indicating an emergency.
When the dragon shifter remained at his post, she risked a question. “What’s happening? Is something amiss?”
“Nothing is wrong,” the dragon shifter informed her without opening the closed door to investigate the situation.
Her comm buzzed, and she wiped the massage oil from her hands before glancing at the message.
Have you decided to lend me the money yet? My window of opportunity is closing. If I don’t hurry, someone else will buy the property.
Jazen muttered under her breath and resentment crept into her. Chobe had earned decent currency hunting down those with warrants on their heads and taking contracts to assassinate those who caused trouble.
He’d crowed about his profits from his last assignment where he’d taken down a bigwig in the Reidhurt Corporation. Jazen pulled a face. She hadn’t asked for further details. Here, ignorance suited her best. After her first assassin contract where she’d learned the man had been innocent, and his wife had wanted him dead to mate with another younger male, Jazen had stuck to bounty hunting and capturing those with outstanding warrants.
She studied Chobe’s message again. Grata! Her brother not only earned plenty, but he had expensive tastes. If he’d saved part of his earnings as she had, he’d have plenty to buy a home for his wife and child.
She tapped a rapid reply. You told me you no longer required a loan.
I reconsidered. You’re right. Going to money-lenders is a bad idea when you have the currency.
He’d attached a depiction to his message, one of him with his wife and son. Each bore a wide, joyful smile, and Jazen couldn’t maintain her grump in the face of their happiness.
Chobe had made himself a family, something she’d never imagined for either of them. Her irritation with him eased. He should seek security. Wasn’t she intending to claim her own slice of sanctuary as soon as she reached her savings goal? Would it matter if she sought one or two more contracts? Azarious would graciously accept the commission. Stars, he’d offered her a position training other budding warrant-takers because he approved of her methods and her resounding success.
“I’m finished with Ransom for now.” Jazen placed her comm in her pocket and worked to keep the bite from her tone. She rounded the large gel-bed with its pristine white covers and marched toward her jailer with determination. The thick ruby-red rugs covering the floor spoilt her stomp, and the shifter merely cocked one black brow.
“It’s t
ime to check on my other patient,” she stated, throwing back her shoulders and lifting her chin in her best don’t-mess-with-me attitude.
Before the dragon shifter reacted to her challenge, someone tapped for entrance. The dragon shifter tensed, raised his head to sniff and relaxed.
Friend or acquaintance, Jazen surmised as he readily opened the door.
“Ah, there you are,” Kaya said. “You need to pack your things.”
Jazen stood taller, anger pushing at her. Aware of the need for professionalism, she sucked in a deep breath and grasped for her inner calm. “Why? I have done nothing wrong.”
“We have to make an emergency visit home. Nanu will need your services during the journey to Viros.”
“But what about Ransom?”
Kaya tapped her foot. “Gryffnn will arrange temporary help. Once Nanu no longer requires your services, you can nurse Ransom if you wish. Hurry, we leave as soon as you’re packed.”
“As you wish,” Jazen managed, projecting more calm instead of releasing her crazy burst of excitement. Perfect. A plan falling into place. Access to their ship might yield more clues to Amme Vanak’s disappearance.
“I’ll help you pack.” Kaya grasped Jazen’s arm and tugged her three steps before Jazen dug her heels into the thick rug.
“What is the hurry?”
Camryn and Ry appeared at the end of the corridor.
“Are you ready to leave?” Ry spoke curtly, his dark brows drawn together.
“I’m ready.” Kaya scowled at her. “Come or not. We don’t care. Whatever your decision, we’re leaving for Viros.”
The door to Nanu’s chamber opened, and Mogens exited with Nanu a few steps behind him. Nanu limped with the aid of crutches, and she’d been right about his height. He stood a head taller than her. His hair appeared different too. The light perhaps? Ah, he’d removed some of the beads he’d worn at the ends of his fat dreads.
“Go ahead,” Mogens said. “Seedric has promised to help us get to the Indy. We’ll probably arrive there before you.”
“All right,” Jazen said. “Let me grab my bag.” She raced past Mogens and Nanu to the chamber two doors down. She unlocked her door and darted inside to grab her bag.
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