He whispered her name as his open mouth laved a trail along her neck and over her breast bone.
He sucked hard on one pebbled nipple.
She gasped.
Her body relaxed, melded into the contours of his straining muscles.
Exultation exploded in his brain with all the force of a Nixt missile strike.
He heard humming.
At first, he thought it was the pulse of his hot blood thrumming through his brain. Tarak paused. Lifted his head and listened.
“What is it?” gasped Alana.
”By the stars of Darkos, who dares interrupt me?” he snarled, when he realised it was his personal locater making the racket. He snatched the item off his belt, read the message and then flung it across the room. “This had better be important or I will banish the fool to the pit of Cercis!”
* * *
Chapter Eight
The Command Centre was a hive of activity when Alana entered. The last time she had been in this room there was quiet and order with few warriors, now the atmosphere was very different. Every consol was manned. A small group of officers stood in a huddle, legs braced as they muttered together. She recognised the tension in the air—danger. Or at the very least, a problem. The soldier in her came to instant attention.
Her entrance was ignored. The only warriors who appeared interested in her appearance were Commander Tarak and another warrior who she now recognised as his second-in-command. Magar angled a brief smile at her before returning his attention to his conference with the grouped soldiers. She noticed how her alien lover’s attention immediately arrowed onto her presence. His perusal was thorough, a scowl of irritation lining his brow before he swung back to his examination of the array of displays which lined an entire wall. She gave a silent curse at the hot betraying flush which washed over her face and hoped no one else noticed.
Alana hurried across the room, her eyes fixed on the strange symbols and diagrams which scrolled down in neat columns. “What’s happening? What can I do to help?”
“I told you to stay in my chamber,” Tarak growled. With typical male arrogance he ignored her question.
Alana placed her hands on her hips, in the age old stance of defiant womanhood. “Don’t be ridiculous. As if I’m going to cower in some hole when there is work to be done. Come on, Tarak. Where I come from I’m a soldier, an officer used to command and battle. I can help. And anyway, I need to know if we’re in danger. I have people I need to protect, too.”
Tarak swung around to face her with such suddenness, the movement caused Alana to take a hasty step back. She sighed as she saw the deep furrow between his brows, the hard, implacable lines on his face. The ardent lover of a few moments ago had vanished and in his place stood the heir to the leader of his people. It irritated she could entertain a feeling of loss for the lover, even while she admired the mantle of command he wore with such ease.
The Commander leaned forward until they were almost nose-to-nose. Mesmerised by the molten intensity of his eyes, Alana barely registered the import of his words at first. ”Listen well, my slave. You will do as I order you. On this ship and elsewhere I am your master.”
“Ooooh.” Alana spluttered as outrage rose, over-riding any remnants of tender emotion. With the velocity of a bullet she recalled those same obnoxious words being spoken by him earlier.
Talk about ruining the moment!
“No. You listen well, Commander, I will accept as officer in charge of this ship, you have the ultimate say in matters regarding security and the well-being of all who serve on it. But,” she paused to take a gulp of much needed air and control her spiking anger, “but you are not and never will be my master. Also—mmmph.”
Her words were smothered by Tarak’s lips when he yanked her against his hard body. With those clever lips devouring her, the world slipped away. Heat roiled through her veins, and an insatiable ache for his touch caused her to tremble and press closer. She slid her hands over those strong arms to grip his massive shoulders.
Not again!
A look, a touch and all her resolve dissipated into nothing more than hot air that drifted away like a balloon. She should be pushing him away, standing her ground, demanding he accept her as his equal instead of melting in his arms.
Irritation at her lack of control pounded in her brain.
His lips left hers, reluctantly or so it seemed to Alana and he trailed a tantalising path along her jaw to her ear. His breath stirred tendrils of her hair. He traced the curves of her ear with his rough tongue. A long shudder racked her body.
“Do you now see, my slave?” he murmured. The rough texture of his voice rumbled along her nerve ends and caused her fingers to dig deeper into his hard flesh. His lips nibbled on her lobe. She practically squirmed in his arms at the shivers of desire which prickled her sensitive skin.
“See how I am your master. Already, you respond to my command.”
A shriek of pure fury erupted from Alana.
She jerked out of his arms, raised one fist and boxed the side of his thick head.
They stood glaring at one another, chests rising and falling, hands curled into fists at their sides.
Not a sound could be heard in the Centre.
The other warriors, unsure of how to react, remained frozen in place. They could have been so many pieces of furniture as far as Alana was concerned.
It wasn’t until the First Officer strolled over and placed a hand over his Commander’s rigid arm that she remembered where she stood.
“The signal appears to be coming from the Terrane System, Commander.” Amusement laced Magar’s voice. His intrusion reminded Tarak he stood in the Command Centre and had just ravished his Alana in front of a contingent of his men.
Tarak drew in a steadying breath, shook his head to ease the ringing in his ears, and regained control. “Thank you, Magar.”
Mortification and hurt were writ large on his Alana’s small face. His gut twisted. Her eyes glistened. Her mouth tight, her small chin firmed, as she blinked to dispel the moisture.
By the Stars of Darkos, he should not have treated her so in front of his men no matter the provocation.
A faint tremor shook his hand when he reached out to smooth over her ruffled hair. She twitched away from his touch and he clamped down hard on his back molars. He did not blame her though for her reaction. Ignoring her stiff resistance, he placed an arm about her shoulder and forcibly propelled her over to the circled men.
“Report,” he ordered, holding her in place by his side.
He made eye contact with each and every one of them. His officers, who had been busy gaping at his antics, came to attention. At the coldness in his eyes, they returned to the matter at hand. No one dared comment on the unprecedented situation of having a female and a slave at that, being present during a war council. He glared at his friend, whose mouth quivered before straightening into a firm line. He acknowledged Magar’s timely interference by inclining his head in his direction.
Magar nodded back, gestured indicating the holo display they gathered around. “The Terrane System,” he said simply.
Tarak stroked his chin and squeezed his Alana’s shoulder, his fingers slipping under her hair to gently massage the tension from the back of her neck. She shot him a quick look before returning her gaze to the display. Some of the stiffness left her body. The need to carry his Alana to his private quarters and offer solace made it hard for him to concentrate on the matter at hand.
He scowled.
It should not be this difficult! He flexed his taut thigh muscles.
“The signal appears to be coming from the second planet in this system,” stated Magar. He indicated the planet in question. “It appears to be a distress signal and is being transmitted on every channel.”
Tarak exchanged glances with his second-in-command.
“Any ship in this galaxy would easily have received it.”
“Then we will have company.” Tarak bared his teeth, anticipation cooling the fire in
his blood. “Good. I look forward to a fight. Ready the ship for battle.”
Magar stood firm. With a sweep of his hand, he indicated Alana who stared transfixed at the hologram with her fingers gripped together. “What of the females?”
Tarak growled at the stab of anxiety which sliced through his gut. “True. We cannot risk endangering them. I will command a small squadron. Magar keep the ship on alert. All warriors to their posts. We will position the Ark here, in a holding pattern.” He stabbed a finger at a section of space well away from the second planet, just behind another smaller planet. “Any sign of risk to the Ark and you will abandon the mission. Return immediately to the outpost. I charge you with their safety. One rone Magar, and we will commence operation.”
First Officer Magar came to attention and inclined his head. He strode off.
“A distress signal,” repeated Alana. She turned to face him.
Tarak repressed an irritated groan as he noted how her eyes shone bright with hope.
“It could be from a shuttle. Possibly it’s a Traders’ shuttle. It could be Carly and the other women!”
Her voice rang through the room. Every Darkon warrior there lifted his head.
“There is a small possibility this could be so,” Tarak admitted cautiously. He gave orders for the hologram to be terminated, turned his attention to the wall of data, doing his best to ignore the female simmering at his side. She clutched at his arm, her fingers closing over his bunched muscles. Pleasure at her touch radiated throughout his body.
Perhaps there would be time for another joining before the mission, he mused.
There was always the risk he would not return. He should make the most of his time with her. His jaw clenched. It would grieve him greatly should he not see his Alana once more though Magar would see to her safety. He glared ferociously at the data.
He, alone, should be seeing to her safety. She belonged to him. No one else. But he had his duty. If there were more females on this planet then they needed to be found. And quickly before another ship picked up the signal. Although it was possible such a thing had already occurred.
“I need to go too.”
Ice cold horror rippled through his body at her declaration.
“You will remain here,” stated Tarak through his teeth. Here, where he could ensure her safety. He stalked over to the display wall.
Alana bristled and intended to blister his ears with a pithy response, when she abruptly changed her tactics.
Remember your training for God’s sake. Her eyes narrowed as she assessed her opponent. Tension bounced off his body in waves. She wondered what he was worrying over, for something had her alien concerned. It could not be the forthcoming search, for he was far too seasoned a soldier to give into excessive anxiety over an upcoming mission. She nibbled her lower lip in thought.
Perhaps he was still annoyed with her. She sighed, remembering the heat of their recent exchange, ground her teeth when an unwelcome heat flushed her face. If they had not been interrupted, God knows what would have happened. Laughter bubbled in her throat. Of course! He could be embarrassed he had done such an outrageous thing in front of his men. Her brow wrinkled. But why had he kissed her?
She shook her head. Focus!
”If it is Carly’s shuttle, then the women will need the reassurance of my presence. They will not go willingly with you,” she pointed out.
“They will do as they are bid.”
Alana rolled her eyes. Arrogant twat!
“You, my slave Alana, will remain on the Ark.” Tarak jabbed his finger in the air for emphasis. His face was set and cold, turned against any and all of her arguments.
Stubborn, pig-headed, typical … Furious, Alana left the Command Centre and stomped her way along the corridor to the Analysis Chamber. She may as well see whether Norman and Tina had completed their compilation of the medical reports while she considered her options.
One thing was certain, she had every intention on being part of the search team. She just had to work out how to achieve her objective.
And Mr so-called Lord and Master had better realise quick smart, that Alana Knight was not his slave. She was a soldier to her backbone.
And a competent one at that, Alana decided tossing her head and viciously punching the code into the panel.
He would learn to respect her abilities as his equal or she’d die trying.
The door slid open. She stalked inside.
At her entrance Elise and Norman turned around, took one look at her face and grimaced at each other. Norman hunched his bony shoulders, and scurried off to confer with the medic at the other side of the room.
Elise stared after his retreating form and sighed, wishing she could escape too. With a mental shrug she wandered over to greet her friend.
“Well, how’s it going, Alana?” She tried for cheerful and upbeat and almost shuddered at the ferocity of the glare Alana directed at her.
Alana noticed her wary expression. Her irritation vanished leaving her feeling mildly depressed. She scrubbed her hands over her face. Hell, now she was snarling at her friends.
“Sorry Elise.” She offered her apology with a self derisive smile feeling relieved when Elise beamed back. “It’s that … that man. He makes me so angry.”
Interest sparkled in Elise’s eyes. She said, “I wish a man would make me that annoyed. But unfortunately none of these warriors seem interested in me.”
“That’s a good thing.” Alana tried to reassure her. “We need to keep cool heads and our focus here. Not getting caught up in a hormone-driven frenzy.”
Elise sighed with longing.
She reminded Alana of a forlorn lonely puppy and she squeezed the younger girl’s shoulders. “Early days yet,” she again repeated Jessamine’s words and just as she hoped Elise giggled. “Apparently there’s a whole planet of them,” Elise said, perking up.
”Heaven help us,” grumbled Alana. “Where is Tina? I thought she was assisting Norman.”
“Err, she’s had to go elsewhere.” Elise blushed.
Irritated, Alana clicked her fingers. “Didn’t anyone listen to me? I told them, all we have to do is say no and we’d be left alone.” She huffed.
“Did you say no?”
This time, Alana blushed. A mixture of guilt, elation and doubt yammered inside her head. She pushed the voices aside.
“See,” Elise said quietly. “Not easy to say no to men who look and act like them.”
“Mmmm.” Alana decided to change the subject. She delicately cleared her throat. “How are the reports going?”
Elise immediately launched into a detailed description of the technology she had been introduced to and Alana listened, half her mind on her younger friend’s enthusiastic recount and the other worrying over the forthcoming mission.
“There is so much to learn,” Elise concluded. “Sometimes I feel guilty I’m not as upset as perhaps I should be.”
Alana looked at her questioningly.
“You know,” Elise spread her hands wide, “being taken from my home and thrust into a terrifying new world complete with aliens and spaceships.”
“But you don’t find it terrifying do you?”
A huge grin split Elise’s face. “No, I don’t. I think it’s amazing and I want to learn so much. My life before was pretty ordinary. For me, this is the greatest adventure of my life. Please, don’t get me wrong, I’m so homesick I cry myself to sleep at night. But only for my family. This adventure—this is huge. This is my chance to really live.”
“Even if there’s no man involved?” Alana teased.
“They say you can’t miss something you’ve never known. Anyway I’m not quite eighteen. I’ve got plenty of time.” Elise waggled a finger. “And here I am. In the middle of history being made. This is so totally cool.”
“Yeah, it is. You need to give yourself some credit here. Elise. You also are totally cool.” Alana drew a deep breath and added, “Now, something has come up. We need to get Jessa
mine, Linette and Tina here. And we’ll probably need Norman too. Do you know where they are?”
Elise groaned. “I have a fair idea. All right, I’ll go and get them. Any clues before I go?”
“Sorry.” Alana smiled. “I prefer to explain only the once and we don’t have a lot of time.”
“Sounds like it’s another adventure on the take. Don’t start without me,” she shouted as she raced out of the chamber.
Across the room Alana’s eyes met Norman’s. She beckoned him to join her. While they waited for the others to arrive, she would spend the time conferring with him. She was certain her dependable ally would have an option to contribute.
The little flyer hurtled down the runway and launched into space. With a simple roll of the ball inset in the panel before her, the aircraft throttled back. She scanned the control panels and the data reams. All seemed to be in order. She sighed with relief. Some of her anxiety lessened as she settled back into the command chair, confidence returning.
This was what she was born to do, to fly. She checked her course. Right on target. It shouldn’t be too long and the planet from where the signal had originated would soon be appearing in her sights.
She thought back over the events of the past hour. When the others had joined her and Norman in the Analysing Chamber she had advised them of the latest developments. Their excitement at learning of the signal had caused her to caution them not to be too hopeful. But, damn, their happiness had been contagious. Her fingernails dug deep into the palms of her hands.
Please, please, let them be found safe and sound.
Her compatriots had all agreed it was necessary Alana be part of the search team and they had spent some time brainstorming ideas. The Jurian had already told Alana it would be useless to try and conceal her on the fighter ships. The security scans would immediately emit an alarm as they were programmed to detect any aliens other than the Darkon warriors. It was also Norman who had informed them of the possibility of using a flyer.
Jessamine and Tina were given the mission of distracting their ‘chosen’ warriors who had been detailed in charge of the small portside departure bay at the precise moment when Alana would hijack a flyer. Alana had been reluctant to voice that proposal, but Jessamine had not only already thought of it but was determined to carry it out. Her friend had winked at her, and assured her that her part of the mission would not be a penance. Alana made a mental note to interrogate all the women on her return, ensure none experienced any regrets or guilt over their sexual encounters.
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