Lovers of the Galaxy: Book Three: Raiders of the Lost Heart

by Trinity Blacio

  “Why? Do you think she can be changed back?” Jaxxon frowned and took the records from the cabinet along with the blood sample Acwel handed him.

  “I don’t know about that, but she is changing. It’s just a question of whether or not she’ll be fully human again. Volund, I’m going to need x-rays. I want to see what’s going on inside of her and if she will be able to tolerate our food. If not, we’ll still need to feed her intravenously.”

  Venus walked over to the gurney and focused on the Bone Eater.

  The woman lay tense, and her fingers instead of claws tapped on the gurney.

  “When I was a child, my mother used to take me to visit her mother and father.” Smiling, Venus waited as Badden grabbed a chair for her and placed it by the gurney. “Thanks.” She turned her attention back to the woman she believed was her Gram.

  “My Gram, or Belinda, would make these wonderful cookies for me every time I visited. My mother and father are dead now.” Venus held Gram’s gaze. “Randle killed them both. He was their lab technician and he betrayed all of us.” She shifted in the chair and inched it closer to the gurney.

  Tears slipped down the changing woman’s face, another sign of progress and that she’d understood her daughter was dead.

  “I was twenty one when they were murdered, and I’ve been alone for so long it’s hard to adjust to having company.” She glanced over at Jaxxon, who still worked on the blood samples. He somehow sensed her gaze and looked up from his work to smile at her.

  “Do you need something?” he asked, preparing to get up.

  “I’m fine,” she replied. “Just talking to my new friend here. Volund, do you have the x-ray machine yet?”

  He kissed her from behind before he glided it in front of her. He took the handheld scanner and moved it down the patient’s body. He stopped at the creature’s stomach and frowned. “Her organs are changing a little faster than we believed they would, but it’s still slow.” He shrugged. “She should be able to eat something now as long as it’s simple fare. It’s just as Dr. Zeon described in the journal, but I believe her being older has slowed the process. I don’t know how she is even awake with all the pain she must be going through.”

  “Acwel, could you come here? There has to be some mistake in this reading.” Jaxxon frowned, picked up the computer files, and then glanced back at a paper spat out by the printer.

  She would have laughed at his comical expression and confusion, but the enormity of who they had on the table hit her as did a movement in her belly. Slowly, she stood, running her hands over her belly and walked over to the gurney. Tears welled, and her hand trembled as she placed it on her grandmother’s cheek.

  “Gram,” she whispered before the room began to darken and she heard Volund yell her name.

  Chapter Seven

  The high hum of the ship had Venus turning toward her chamber window with a sigh. Badden and Acwel were going to take pictures of the entire city and the outer limits of it. She smiled and watched the ship take off. When Acwel admitted that he and Badden were also sexual partners she’d laughed.

  According to Badden the same Tapio who threw Miln in prison gave them trouble as well, but stopped the harassment when they also joined with a female. “This Tapio might not have a mouth, but he has an ass and I can kick it if he ever shows up around here causing trouble,” she mumbled.

  Oh, Jaxxon and Volund made sure she knew who sent them and why, the Melting Pot they called their excursion. Well one thing was for sure, she was not about to be a guinea pig, and Venus protected those she consider family. Badden and Acwel might have just arrived a few days ago, but already she’d formed a bond with the two of them.

  She smiled thinking of Badden and how protective of her he was. His skills in the lab were limited on her systems, but still he continued to surprise her with his wit and wanting to learn everything. Of course she couldn’t help but love Acwel and the way he teased and annoyed Volund. Venus had seen the twinkle in his eye as he badgered Volund over the last few days. Just yesterday she’d pulled Acwel aside and asked why he bothered Volund so much.

  “When Volund’s wife and baby died he came to stay with us. Miln was worried. All of us were worried about him. He withdrew from himself and everyone around him and nothing was working.”

  “So I did the opposite. I challenged everything he did. If I couldn’t get him to talk I could get him to use his mind. Get him fighting mad releasing that pent up anger and slowly Volund came back to us. Not all the way, but most of the way. When I see him with you, it’s like the old Volund is back and I won’t let him sink back to what he had been becoming.”

  Turning over Venus looked up at the ceiling. Badden had set up the computers in one of the rooms in use for the children on the fourth floor. Four computers split between twelve children would bring many squabbles, but already Charlotte had that well in hand.

  The things she could hear, thanks to the added benefits of changing her body, still amazed her.

  “What do you mean that Bone Eater is related to Venus? How is that possible?” Volund asked Jaxxon.

  “She’s my grandmother, Belinda, my mom’s mom.” Venus rolled over and tried to reach the scanner they’d left by the bed, but Jaxxon was there first, handing it to her.

  “What’s wrong?” He sat on the mattress, a frown marring his handsome face.

  Volund positioned himself on the other side of the bed, stuffed two large pillows behind her, and scooted her back as she tried to do it herself. “Now explain.”

  Her men waited. She just shook her head.

  “I had an idea the elder Bone Eater was my Gram, but I wasn’t sure until the blood work confirmed it. With that news and...” Venus glanced down at her belly which seemed to be a tad swollen. She frowned. “I felt something move inside me, but it’s not possible. It’s too soon.”

  Jaxxon glanced at Volund. “Azutuan's gestational period is shorter than that of humans, but not this fast.” He retrieved the scanner from the nightstand and turned on the machine. Small beeps indicating it was on sounded loud in the suddenly quiet room. Jaxxon ran it over the lower portion of her body.

  “Well, everything appears to be normal. All three are snuggled safely in your womb and their heart rates are perfect for their time frame. Take a look.”

  He handed her the scanner, and she gazed at the picture before her. Nothing appeared to be out of place and everything was fine. Once again the same small flutter floated through her stomach. Three worm-like things moved around her babies.

  “What the hell?” Her voice cracked, and her hand shook as she shoved the scanner into Jaxxon’s chest. “There are worms in my body, and they’re attacking our babies! You call that normal!” She tried to move, but both men held her down, laughing at her.

  “Are you two crazy? Why aren’t you…?” She stopped struggling and glared at her mates. “What the hell are they? Is this normal for your race?” She collapsed onto the pillows and crossed her arms over her breasts.

  Jaxxon placed the scanner on the table next to her and grinned. “Remember, we changed your body, and we are the children's sires. Those worm things, as you called them, are Toras. They form as soon as a child is conceived. The organism’s life span is as long as our children are in you. Toras feed off any waste and toxins in the mother’s womb.” He put his hand on her stomach and caressed it.

  “If it wasn’t for those little worms, our children would die. The toxin we used to change you would kill them before they built up the immunity to handle it.”

  Venus let out the breath she held and twined her hand in Jaxxon’s. “Okay, I can handle that. Is there anything else I need to know? Like what is the gestational period for Azutuan children?”

  “I need to go hunting.” Volund leaned over to kiss her forehead. “Jaxxon will explain everything to you. However…” He waited until her attention was on him before he continued. “I’m happy for you if this woman is your grandmother, but until Jaxxon is one hundred percent sure
she is safe and cannot harm you or the babies, you must keep your distance from her.”

  She licked her lips and watched as Volund bent and grabbed his weapons. He gave her a perfect shot of his bare, muscular buttocks under his kilt.

  “Damn, you have a fine ass.” She reached over and pinched him quickly before he could move. Rolling to the other side of the bed, she squealed and laughed when Volund turned faster than she anticipated and caught her legs.

  With a strong, gentle grip, he pulled her to him. “You’re lucky I need to hunt, but I promise to see to your needs soon, little warrior.” He swatted her butt twice before he released her and whistled some sort of tune. He walked to the door, but Venus jumped off the bed and captured his arm. He stopped and smiled down at her.

  “Volund, please be careful. I don’t like you going out alone. Those things are getting smarter. Take your pets with you, please.”

  He rested his big hands on her hips and slowly picked her up until her eyes were even with his. “Nothing will happen, but if it will ease the stress on you then I will take our pets. They need to run anyway.” He kissed her lips softly, and she snapped her legs around him, her mound brushing against his cock.

  He moaned. “I’m not going to get any hunting done if you keep doing this to me.” He backed her up against the wall and cupped her breasts, pulling and pinching her nipple with his thumb and index finger.

  “Jaxxon, take care of our mate’s needs, please. I really need to go before it gets dark.” He bit her shoulder and unhooked her legs from his waist. He stepped away, but not before he kissed her nose. “Be good.”

  Jaxxon took his place, a cocky grin stretching his mouth, kilt gone, and his black hair loose just as she liked it. She drew in her breath as she watched him slide two fingers into her pussy. “You are damp with eagerness to have my sapin inside you.”

  She dug her nails into his shoulder and licked up the side of his neck to his pointed ear where she sucked the tip into her mouth. Two could play this game. She only hoped he would cave before she would, but his fingers were delicious magic.

  “I think we are both going to go up in flames if we don’t stop the teasing.” Venus scraped her teeth gently over the tip of his ear.

  He sucked in a breath and stared down at her with that same wicked grin on his face.

  “I have just what you need. There is no reason for you to beg.” He walked her backward to the bed where he turned her and laid her face down. She leaned on her forearms, ass in the air, and glanced back at him. His legs brushed hers right before he thrust into her.

  “I didn’t beg. God, more, Jaxxon,” she pleaded.

  He grunted right before he slapped her ass once, twice. He pushed a finger in her pussy alongside his cock stretching her more. “After you have our children, maybe Volund and I will both take you in your pussy at the same time.”

  Jaxxon’s words only turned up the fire inside her. “No talking. More!”

  He removed his well-lubed finger and worked it into her ass. Keeping a constant rhythm with the thrusts of his cock, he urged, “Come, Venus. Let yourself go.”

  The fine hairs on his cock worked that one spot both her men had found the first couple of times they’d made love to her. Once they concentrated on it, she was lost. She clenched the blanket under her, pushed her hips back, and matched his strokes. She braced herself on her arms and screamed his name. “Jaxxon!”

  The bed banged against the wall with each of his thrusts. He leaned over her and sought her breasts then squeezed and pulled on her nipples. “Give me another one, Venus,” he whispered into her ear.

  She shook her head, dropping onto the bed, another orgasm spreading through her all the way down to her toes. “You two are going to kill me, but what a way to go,” she mumbled when he released his seed into her.

  “Not a chance, we both know you can take much more. However, we also know you are worried about your grandmother.” He pulled out of her and slapped her butt affectionately.

  She looked behind her. He wasn’t even out of breath or sweating. Her men’s stamina never ceased to surprise her.

  “Go get in the shower,” he ordered gently. “I’ll clean up out here. When you’re done, we’ll finish those tests and make sure your grandmother is resting comfortably. Maybe when Volund gets back and we're sure she isn’t dangerous, we can separate her from the others and bring her up here.”

  A tear slipped down her cheek as she stood and hugged him. “I don’t know how I ever survived without you two. I love you, Jaxxon. Thank you.” She kissed his chest and turned away, but he pulled her back around and into his arms. His warm lips covered hers. Slowly, he slid his tongue into her mouth. If tongues could dance, his performed an erotic tango.

  Jaxxon bent her backward. He trailed his rough hand down her body where he thrust three fingers into her pussy. He broke the kiss and stared down at her as he continued his passionate assault. “Do you know it’s been two days since I have heard those words,” he snarled. “I thought to let you rest, but I cannot.”

  He lowered her onto the bed the bed again and kneeled between her legs. “First I need a taste of your nectar.”

  Jaxxon placed her legs on his shoulders and lowered his head. He lapped at her folds before he separated her lips and pushed his tongue into her.

  Stars danced in her vision as he latched onto her clit, sucking hard. She fisted her hands in his hair her breaths coming now in gasps. He held her hips in place, preventing her from moving. Never once did he stop his worship of her sex.

  “Jaxxon, please!” she screamed. Tiny, powerful orgasms spiraled through her. She cried out when he moved up and entered her a second time. He was larger than before, thicker.

  “You are ours, Venus, and we will not lose you.” He held her ankles and spread her wider as he made love to her. She stared up at him as he watched his cock go in and out of her pussy. “You are even beautiful as your body takes my sapin and mirellae into you.” He grunted on the last word. His seed, hot and slick, poured into her.

  All thought left her as she shook. She grabbed onto the bed clutching at the blanket under her. “Jaxxon,” she whispered, moaning.

  He rubbed her leg muscles before he set each one down on the bed then scooped her up and strode to the bathroom with her. “I’m sorry, Venus. I yell at Volund for being too rough as he makes love, and then I claim you like a beast.” He scowled and sat her on the bathroom counter. “I will run your bath water.”

  Venus trailed her fingers up his back and tugged on a strand of his hair. “Stop worrying so much. I’m fine. Matter of fact, I’m more than fine, and any time you want to claim me again, please do. Our lovemaking is so intense.” She smiled up into his face when he turned to pick her up and step into the water.

  “We will see, but for now I am going to clean you, dress you, make sure you eat something, and then we can go and check on your Gram.” He nuzzled her neck. “I love you, Venus. Thank you for being such an incredible woman.”

  Chapter Eight

  Venus studied the lab results from the other females. They all seemed to be on the similar transformation path her Gram had taken. The younger girl was developing at a much faster rate than the other two. It would seem the older a woman was, the longer it took for her to change.

  She peeked over the computer at Jaxxon. He fretted about the blood samples. She couldn’t help the grin spreading over her face. He’d fed her, bathed her, and made sure she’d put on all her protective clothing before they’d entered the room.

  “Venus?” Belinda whispered.

  She smiled and moved away from the computer to sit in the chair next to her Gram’s gurney. “You were sleeping when we came in, so I didn’t want to wake you. I know this is taking a lot out of you, but soon you’ll be able to come upstairs. I’ve missed you Gram.”

  Gram didn’t look like the typical grandmother. Years before the breakout, medical teams had slowed the aging process. Yes, her grandmother still had the body of a twenty s
ix year old, even though she was well over that. Venus realized that Gram should be able to have children for the next twenty years.

  Jaxxon rose, removed something from a small refrigerator, and then handed her a bottle of water. “Drink, Venus. You have been working non-stop for two hours. Volund should be returning shortly.” He turned, looking down at her grandmother. Gently, he took her vitals.

  “You are doing quite well. I believe it is safe to move you upstairs, but for now we will place you in your own room just to make sure.” He put her information into one of the computer tablets Venus had salvaged for the labs then used an old-fashioned pen to jot the same info into the notes section of Dr. Zeon’s experiments journal.

  “Jaxxon, did you notice the horns in her back have started to shrink?” She stood and held her hand out to him for the tablet. She frowned at her grandmother’s health information. “The biggest one has already shrunk three inches. At this rate, they should be gone by tomorrow.”

  Volund slid his arms around her and kissed her cheek. “What’s wrong? Jaxxon said Belinda, can move upstairs. I thought that would make you happy.” He rested his hands on her belly.

  She turned and draped her arms around Volund’s neck, greeting him, but not before she rolled her eyes at her Gram, earning her a smile.

  “We still can’t see any change in her reproduction organs. I’m worried. We won’t know much until the change is complete and even then we’re going to have to take a sample of her eggs.”

  A derisive snort issued behind her, and she busted out laughing.

  “Now we know where you learned that trait,” Volund teased.