Janaya

by Shelley Munro

  “Did I disperse the people in the proper manner?” Janaya asked, a twinkle of mischief in her violet eyes.

  Luke checked to make sure no one was within hearing range. “Sure did, sweet stuff.”

  “Those people are going to make trouble.” She produced one of the leaflets Luke had seen the young children handing out.

  “They intend to capture an alien and use it for breeding purposes,” she read.

  Breeding. The events of the previous night flickered through Luke’s mind like a movie on fast forward. Breeding. He glanced at Janaya to see if she was thinking the same thing he was. Her expression remained the same—calm with a small smile.

  “I… We didn’t use—” Luke broke off, the gravity of the situation making him sweat. Sweet heaven! They hadn’t used contraception last night. Or this morning.

  Luke checked the vicinity for eavesdroppers again. “Can someone from Dalcon breed with an Earthman?” he blurted. One particular Earthman? Him.

  Janaya frowned and for the first time Luke wished he could read her mind. There were times when the woo-woo factor might come in handy.

  “I don’t know,” she said finally. “Hinekiri would know.”

  Luke’s breath eased out. Okay. Perhaps it wasn’t such a big deal. Hinekiri had known they’d had sex. She hadn’t said a thing apart from letting him know how pleased she was that he and Janaya were getting on well. He considered sex for a moment and his thoughts wandered to his father. Alone with Hinekiri on the spaceship. His thoughts screeched to an appalled halt. Nope, he wasn’t thinking about that. He had his own problems.

  “I’ll ask Hinekiri as soon as she returns.” Janaya’s lips tightened. “Which had better be soon.”

  Luke hoped it was soon too but not for the same reasons. They’d agreed this would be a short-term fling. And that was where he wanted to leave the matter.

  Luke touched Janaya’s arm. “How do you feel about doing some actual police work?”

  Interest filled Janaya’s expression and Luke congratulated himself on a great distraction. They returned to his vehicle and drove to the police station. Luke parked out the back and they entered the station via the rear entrance.

  “Seems things are a bit more peaceful here today,” he said.

  “When there are no more UFOs, things will probably settle down in town,” Janaya said. “I wish we could contact Hinekiri to warn her to make sure the ship is cloaked before she flies over.”

  “It can’t be helped. We’ll face the UFO problem when we have to.” He guided Janaya into his office and shut the door. “How about a kiss to help me through the staff meeting I’m about to call?”

  “Just a kiss?”

  Temptation nipped him. His cock stirred, tenting his navy-blue uniform trousers. Luke took a deep breath. “Damn, I’d like to.”

  Janaya grinned. “Good. Hold that thought until later.”

  “All right. If you’re not going to let me play, you’re gonna have to work.”

  “Spoilsport.”

  Luke grinned. “You’ll keep. Later.” He walked through to the reception area. One of the temps manned the desk. “Tony is out trying to catch Mabel. She’s run loose through Longford Park and run amuck in the pensioners’ vegetable gardens.”

  “Who’s Mabel?” Janaya asked.

  “Old man Jacob’s goat,” Luke said with a roll of eyes. “Believe me, we’ve had a lucky escape. I spent two hours trying to catch her last month when she made a bid for freedom. Any other problems? Apart from the UFOs.”

  The receptionist grimaced. “That’s all anyone’s talking about. I’m glad I work in the police station where it’s safe. I don’t want to run into any aliens and have scars from being dissected.” She shivered theatrically before she reached for the ringing phone.

  Luke chuckled on seeing Janaya’s jaw drop. He used a forefinger to close her gaping mouth.

  “What planet is she on?” Janaya hissed. “That sort of thing went out with space suits and moon boots.”

  “I’ll take your word for it,” he said.

  The receptionist hung up. “Luke, two boys have gone missing in the bush on the south side of town.”

  “How long have they been missing?”

  “They were with a group of Scouts who camped overnight. They were missing at breakfast.”

  “Call the fire brigade boys and we’ll organize a search.” Luke hurried back to his office and yanked open a cupboard to grab his search and rescue kit. Janaya strode after him, and he handed her a high viz vest. “Come with me. I might need help.”

  Chapter Nine

  Janaya gripped a handhold and hung on tight as Luke drove up the rutted track. It wound through thick bush that locked out the sun’s rays and created a still, almost creepy atmosphere. The air smelled moist and fragrant, redolent with moss and ferns and rich soil.

  “How much farther?”

  “Another ten minutes or so to the car park, then we walk to the campsite where they spent last night. The Scout master and the rest of the Scout pack are still there.”

  Two other vehicles were present when they arrived. Janaya helped Luke unload ropes, torches and climbing harnesses. They divvied up the gear and prepared to hike to the camp.

  Janaya halted Luke. “Wait for a second. I might be able to hear them.”

  She cocked her head, suddenly ultra-aware of the bush sounds. The guttural cry of a plump black bird with a tuft of white feathers at its throat. The bird sat on the branch of a nearby tree, gurgling to the accompaniment of the musical tinkle of a stream rushing down the hillside. They’d passed a flock of sheep as they raced up the hill, sending them scattering across the road and she heard their bleats as they grazed on the new grass.

  “Anything?” Luke asked after a few minutes of silence.

  “No. Wait!” Faint voices carried on the breeze. She tensed then her shoulders slumped. “I can hear voices but I think they’re the Scouts. I can hear them calling names.”

  “Come on,” Luke said. “It was worth a try. Once we get up to the summit, we should be able to see more of the hill. The bush on the far side is second growth and not as thick. The trees aren’t as big.”

  None of Luke’s words made much sense so she merely nodded and fell into step behind him. Despite the seriousness of the situation, she was enjoying spending time with him. She loved the way he teased her and the way he looked at her with his eyes dark and glowing—as if he wanted to eat her up. He brought a pleasant warmth to her mind and body. It was a strange yet comforting sensation.

  Her gaze drifted down his body, taking time to appreciate his physique. His movements were swift and sure and he carried himself with a commanding air that appealed to her. A broad set of shoulders, packed with muscle, tapered down to slim hips and a truly memorable butt. She enjoyed running her hands down his body. Her cheeks heated. Of course, she liked to touch the man anywhere he’d let her.

  Despite her regulation fitness, Janaya’s breath soon emerged in pants. Her clothes clung to her body and the G-thing beneath her jeans dampened with her desire. She hadn’t exactly picked the right moment but she wondered what it would feel like to mate outdoors with the heat of the sunshine on her skin. She scanned the area and through a break in the trees saw a small, sunny clearing. Another time. And definitely before she and Hinekiri returned to Dalcon.

  Luke slowed and waited for Janaya to join him. His small, private smile warmed her even more. “The campsite is just over that hill.” He pointed to a break in the trees and when Janaya squinted, she could make out patches of bright yellow against the green of the grass. They looked similar to the shelters her bodyguard team used when they were out on training exercises.

  Janaya stilled to listen again. Beside her, Luke paused. She could hear the steady beat of his heart and found herself regulating her intake so they breathed in unison.

  “Hear anything?”

  Mortified heat rose up to color her cheeks then seeped down to her breasts. Why couldn’t she k
eep her mind on the job instead of mooning after Luke and thinking of the pleasure he sent soaring through her body. A dull, edgy heat pooled low in her belly and that annoyed her.

  “Janaya?”

  “I wanted to be sure,” she lied after hurriedly tuning into the background noises instead of fixating on Luke. This time, the shouts of children and the deeper voices of adults were clearly audible. “I can hear the group. The mature humans sound worried.”

  “It was cold last night. They were well prepared but since we’re not sure how long they’ve been missing, we might be looking at a worst-case scenario. Hypothermia.”

  Luke picked up the pace, leaving Janaya to follow. Her gaze drifted to his butt, stuck there like the tiny magnets Luke’s father kept on his cooler box. Refrigerator, she corrected herself. His long strides covered the ground rapidly and they soon reached the clearing where the Scouts had camped for the night. And that was lucky because her body was on slow simmer and almost at the boil. If they’d been alone for much longer, she might have succumbed to the temptation to toss him on the ground and have her wicked way.

  “Luke.” A big man, wearing eyeglasses, shook his hand with clear relief. “We’ve been searching since seven this morning. It’s as if they’ve disappeared off the face of the Earth.”

  Luke speared a glance in her direction and it was easy to read his concern. Torgon. She jerked her head in the negative. The Torgon were after Hinekiri’s charts. The rest of Earth’s inhabitants weren’t in danger unless they got between the Torgon and the charts.

  Like Luke.

  The thought popped into her head and wouldn’t leave. Great. Another person to worry about. She was collecting responsibilities like Hinekiri collected souvenirs during her travels.

  “Don’t worry, Sam. We’ll find them. Sam, this is my cousin, Janaya. She’s in law enforcement too.”

  Sam nodded but the worry remained on his freckled face. “Good to have your help. We have to find them. I don’t want to explain to Mrs. Bates that I’ve lost her precious grandson.”

  Janaya caught Luke’s grimace before it smoothed into a professional mask.

  “Don’t worry,” he repeated. “We’ll find them. The volunteer fire brigade is on their way. I’m going to divide the area up into sectors. My suggestion is to get the kids home. Can you organize some of the parents in your group to take them back to Sloan? I’d like you to stay here to coordinate the search and direct the fire brigade boys when they arrive.”

  Sam nodded rapidly, his eyes blinking behind the glass that covered his eyes. Although the man was worried, Janaya sensed he was pleased they’d asked for his help. Janaya wondered if he feared Mrs. Bates too. The woman was certainly a fearsome sight when she became riled.

  Luke pulled a waterproof map from the pack he wore. “Show me where you’ve searched.”

  Sam pointed at the map with his forefinger. “We spent the early evening down by the river fishing for trout. We built a fire and cooked them here at the campsite. Spent the evening roasting marshmallows and telling ghost stories. All the boys were present. I counted them and checked off the roll.”

  “So they’ve wandered off during the night or early morning before you got up.” Janaya glanced at the young humans who sat in a huddled group in the middle of the clearing with the adults keeping watch. “Have you questioned the boys?”

  “Yes.” Sam nodded. “None of them know anything.”

  “Might pay to question them again,” she said. “Why don’t I start that while you and Sam organize the search grid?” The moment the words were out of her mouth, she paused. She’d taken over. Her eyes widened and she glanced at Luke to read his reaction to her orders. She found him grinning and let out the breath she’d been holding with a slight hiss.

  “Go ahead,” he said, his eyes twinkling.

  Janaya ambled over to the boys but couldn’t prevent a glance over her shoulder to see if Luke watched. He did. The fact warmed her through. Reassured he wasn’t going anywhere, she concentrated on the humans.

  “Hello.” Janaya scanned the circle of small faces. “I’d like to question them individually,” she said to one of the adults acting as chaperone. “I’m with the police.”

  “You can talk to them over there,” the man said, pointing at the campfire and a large log perfect to sit on. “I’ll send them over one by one.”

  She ambled over to the log and sat to wait for her first victim. A small dark-haired boy arrived first.

  “Do you have any idea where the two boys have gone?”

  The boy shook his head. Although he trembled slightly, his pulse remained only slightly elevated. He spoke the truth. She worked her way through the group of boys, using her enhanced senses to judge if they were lying. The second to last boy wouldn’t meet her gaze. His voice trembled and broke before he started to talk so fast his words blurred in one long string of nonsense.

  He knew something but she decided to wait for Luke. She nodded when the boy finished telling her he’d gone straight to sleep after the ghost stories. She talked to the last boy and ascertained he spoke the truth.

  Luke looked up from the map. “Anything?”

  “The boy with the green shirt,” she said. “He knows something but he’s not talking.”

  “Sam, would you mind sending him over?” Luke asked. When Sam walked away and was out of earshot, Luke said, “Wanna play good cop, bad cop?”

  “Does it involve those steel bands?”

  Luke snorted a laugh. “Handcuffs?” Interest, along with speculation, lit his eyes. “How do you like the sound of a private party later? We can use the handcuffs then.”

  “I’d need more details,” Janaya said.

  “Details, I have.” His grin was wicked. “Remind me later. Here’s the kid. Follow my lead.”

  The boy walked with slow, reluctant steps, finally coming to a halt in front of them. His brown eyes blazed with belligerence. “I don’t know nothin’. I already told the lady cop that.”

  “I think you do,” Luke said in a hard voice. “And if I don’t get the answers I want, I’ll have you in jail so quick your head will spin.”

  “You wouldn’t put him in jail,” Janaya said. That didn’t sound like Luke.

  “Try me.” Luke slipped a wink at Janaya over the top of the boy’s head. “What were Matt and David doing? Where were they going?”

  “They were going to look for aliens,” the boy burst out. “They can stick whatever they want in my locker. I don’t care. I’m not going to jail. They told me they were going to find an alien and sell it to the UFO hunters.”

  “Where were they going? Which direction?” Janaya asked, fighting her need to break cover and snarl like a bad cop. It was difficult to hide her distaste.

  “Up to the cliffs.” Worry and fear pulsated off him in waves. “I promised I wouldn’t tell.”

  “We won’t tell,” she promised. “But think about this. If something bad has happened and they need help, they’ll be pleased you helped. You’ll be a hero.”

  The boy’s face brightened. “Hey, yeah!”

  “You can go back to your friends now,” Luke said.

  They watched the boy run back to the group.

  Luke checked his watch. “Let’s go. I have a bad feeling about this.” He bent to pick up his pack and slipped the straps over his shoulders. “I’ll get Sam to delegate search areas when the rest arrive—just in case they’re not where they told the kid. We’ll take the cliff sector.”

  Janaya picked up the coiled rope she’d carried up along with a smaller pack. Luke wasn’t the only one with a bad feeling.

  Half an hour later, Janaya stood an arm’s length away from the edge of a cliff. Her eyes focused on a tall, stately tree while Luke lay on his belly and peered over the edge.

  “You’re right,” he said. “I can see one of the boys at least. I’ll take your word that they’re both there.”

  Janaya gulped. The bark on the trunk of the tree was very smooth. Or at least i
t looked smooth. Whether it felt the same way was anyone’s guess.

  “Janaya? Are you listening?”

  “Yes. What sort of tree is that?”

  “Kauri. And good try but no cigar. Our ropes aren’t going to reach that far down.”

  He was going to suggest she go down there. She just knew it.

  The muscles of her stomach trembled. She was way too close to the edge. Janaya took a step back. “No.”

  “No, what?” Luke said, climbing to his feet and dusting off his hands.

  “I’m not climbing down there.”

  “Of course not.” Astonishment sounded in his voice, and Janaya’s shoulders relaxed. “You’ll fly,” he said.

  “No!” Memories of her childhood rose up to taunt her—her tantrum because they’d left her toy soldier in the spaceport café; her father’s fury because they’d missed their allocated slot to fly and the vicious storm that had swept through the sky just before their arrival at Dalcon.

  Janaya swallowed and backed even farther from the cliff edge. How could she explain her paralyzing fear to Luke? She recalled the long agonizing hours perched on the edge of the mountain with nothing but empty air beneath while they waited for rescue from the crash site. She remembered her older brother crying then finally falling silent and the steady drips of blood that trickled from the gaping wound on her mother’s leg. Her father’s grief had been a palatable thing even for a child of six rotations. He’d never forgiven her. When rescue had finally arrived, it had been too late for her mother and brother. Her father had suffered broken limbs that gradually mended while she escaped without a scratch.

  Her father still blamed her for the accident. He’d shouted it was her fault they’d missed their time slot and become trapped in the storm. And he’d followed that up with blaming her for the death of his heir and his beloved mate.

  “You rescued me,” Luke said, stepping up beside her and cupping her face in his palms. “You can rescue the boys.”

  Janaya took comfort from his confidence but not enough to agree to his plan. “The only reason I went over the cliff to rescue you was because Hinekiri pushed me.”