by KD Jones
“My name’s Sharon Task.”
MarIK bowed. “Commander MarIK.”
“I’m Lieutenant TanAR, and I’ll be staying with Sharon next door, seeing how we are a couple.”
MarIK sniffed the air around Sharon. “I do not detect your scent markers on her.”
Sharon answered for him. “TanAR and I have just started dating. It’s a new thing for us.”
Something in the way she said it made it sound like the truth, but he just felt that it wasn’t. She smiled, which should have set him at ease but only heightened his awareness of her. Goddess, why didn’t they heed my warning about not bringing a female? He cleared his throat as he made his way to the doorway.
“I will leave you all to settle in. You will have access just to these two rooms. Do not travel down the corridor. Our warriors are there.” He paused at the door to look once more at the female, Sharon. A part of him didn’t want to leave her, but she was surrounded by these warriors. She should be fine for now. He couldn’t let his concern for her cloud his judgment. “I will send warriors to bring you to the room Leader OrIN has chosen as the banquet hall.” He turned and left, fighting the urge to look back. Goddess help them all. There is no turning back now.
Chapter 6
Sharon stared at the closed door after Commander MarIK had left. The room had gotten hot while he was there and now suddenly felt very cold without him. The other warriors were inspecting the room, but she couldn’t help but think about the first time she locked eyes on the commander.
Earlier, as soon as they had reached the interior of the trading post, she had seen him remove his helmet out of the corner of her eyes, but she hadn’t been paying attention. When she had finally gotten that damn body suit off and removed her own helmet, she really saw him for the first time. Their eyes had locked on each other and she felt a zap all the way across the room. It nearly took her breath away. Her knees wobbled and she had to lock them so she wouldn’t fall.
After she heard how Lieutenant Commander LazAR spoke down to MarIK and then found out that MarIK had lost his mate, she felt a sudden protectiveness for a man she had just met. How devastated he must have been to lose a mate.
Sharon had seen mates on Katiera and how close they were. They would do anything for each other. So many of the women that she had traveled to Katiera with were now settled down and happily mated with children. She had been the odd man left out, so to speak.
Life was ironic, wasn’t it. She was ready to head back to Earth and give up her grand adventure. Then she managed to get stuck in the middle of this crazy battle between the Katierans and these rebels. It would be just her luck that she would come to the most dangerous part of the galaxy and finally meet a male who made her heart skip a beat.
“Sharon?”
She blinked as she realized that TanAR had been asking her something. “What?”
“Are you ready to go next door to change and get ready for the banquet? Our warriors have already inspected it and secured it.”
“Yeah, guess so. Not really feeling up to a party, though.”
Lieutenant Commander LazAR spoke up. “You could remain here with several of our warriors and remain safe.”
She snorted, “Like I told you on board the transport and the shuttle down to the lunar surface, I’m not hiding and taking cover while others are put in danger. I know what I’m doing.”
“You swore that you would follow my every command.” He looked angry.
Glaring at him, she crossed her arms over her chest. “Not your every command.”
TanAR cleared his throat. “Sharon?”
She turned and followed him out of the room. She probably shouldn’t have riled LazAR up like that but sometimes he could be a real prick. Except he didn’t act like a prick toward his warriors, no...just toward her. It seemed like he hated her.
“He doesn’t hate you,” TanAR said as the entered the second quarters.
Fuck! She must have mumbled that last part out loud. She waited for him to shut the door behind them, giving them some privacy. “It seems like it to me.”
“He’s just worried this is going to end badly and that not only will his mission fail, he’ll also lose lives, including yours. He’s got a lot of pressure on him right now.”
“So what you’re saying is that I should give him a break?”
“Maybe a small one.” TanAR held up his fingers, pinched closely together to prove his point.
Sighing, she gave up her anger, “Fine.” She walked around the quarters, which looked almost exactly like the other one. The accommodations had an open space with a couch and chairs, and two open doors that she could see led to one bedroom and a bathroom.
“Why would a trading post have apartments and bedrooms?”
“Those running the trading posts lived here. Of course, there would be living quarters for them. I would expect that the nicer quarters are reserved for OrIN.”
She laughed. “He does think highly of himself. Did you hear him call himself the prime leader?”
TanAR rolled his eyes. “I almost laughed right in his face. It took all my effort to not do that. He thinks he’s above everyone else, which makes him unpredictable and extremely dangerous.”
“What do you know about OrIN?”
“I didn’t know him but we did an extensive study of him after we found out he was head of the rebels. Our interrogators questioned those who knew him, but his family ties were few and far between. OrIN had once been an upcoming commander on Katiera, but he was known to be very ambitious and often neglected the care of his warriors to make himself look like the hero. Those warriors under him were interviewed and they said that he complained about the ruling primes, all except Prima AriELa. He had an obsession with her.”
“OrIN treated the other primes as if they were holding his spot. He grew increasingly angry and resentful toward them. His disagreements with the primes grew and grew until he overstepped his bounds with Prime Commander KydEL. He got into an argument with the Prime Commander and was stripped of his command.”
“When did that happen?”
“I believe the timing was right around when the first transports of Earth females arrived.”
“That would explain his hatred of human women then. He blames us for losing his place in the spotlight.”
“Yes, I suppose it does explain that behavior. There is more, though. While researching his few family members living, we found that there is a sickness that runs genetically, perhaps from a mutation. Some of their family members suffered from grand delusions, to the point that they were a danger to themselves or others and they had to be...dealt with.”
“Great, he’s crazy, too. Perfect. I have to tell you, TanAR, I haven’t had much luck in negotiating with flat-out crazy people.”
“I do not think much negotiating will be done, if I’m honest with you.”
She sighed as she looked at him and the concern on his face was clear. “I prefer your honesty. This situation is dangerous enough without us hiding the truth from one another.” She hesitated, not wanting him to know just how much she was interested in the next question. “What do you know of the rebel commander...MarIK?”
“Our interrogators had found nothing but praise from his trainers, commanders, and fellow warriors. He was highly decorated and expected to continue to move up the chain of command.”
“How did he get mixed up with OrIN?”
“About five years ago, MarIK took a leave from his duties after his mate had gone on to the great beyond. He cut all ties to his family and friends. He never returned to his command and just...disappeared from Katieran society. No one heard from him until OrIN issued the first threats with the rebels.”
“He was suffering a great loss and had cut himself off from any support system he had. His anger and hurt must have left him vulnerable to OrIN’s manipulation.” She felt an ache inside for all that he had gone through and anger at OrIN for taking advantage of him. “Now that he’s had time to
work through some of his grief and witness OrIN for who he truly is, perhaps he will be open to helping us.”
“Sharon, you are a kind-hearted female. Don’t let emotion cloud your judgement. MarIK is just as dangerous as OrIN. As far as we know, he is our enemy as well. Watch yourself around him, and don’t trust everything that he says. He is still under OrIN’s command and you can’t know whether he is to be trusted.”
“I hear and appreciate what you’re saying, but I have to believe that there are others who see OrIN for the madman he truly is and might be willing to help take him down. After all, you have a spy here already — you just don’t know who it is.”
“That spy’s identity must be kept a secret at all costs in order to help us to eventually take OrIN down, even if we fail this mission and we all...”
“Die.”
“Yes, sorry. This is just a bad situation any way you look at it.”
She knew he was worried for her. “I will be careful, TanAR. Did you get a chance to try to influence anyone?”
“I couldn’t reach OrIN or MarIK, they are too strong willed, but some of their warriors, on the other hand — I was able to get them to make small movements.”
“How many can you control at the same time?”
“I can do two, maybe three, but only for simple commands and for very short periods of time. It may be enough to give us a chance to get away if necessary. Make sure you stay near me at all times, Sharon.”
“Well, since we’re supposed to be dating I’ll have to stick to you like glue.”
He frowned. “Like glue? A substance that permanently adheres two surfaces together. That sounds unpleasant.”
“It’s just a saying. It means I’ll stay close to you.”
“Good. I think I see a box on the bed in the bedroom. Let me check that out first.”
She followed behind him as he entered the bedroom. “Your warriors have secured the room and would have removed anything dangerous.”
Still, he carefully opened the box and pulled out a shiny material. “It’s a dress for the banquet.”
She looked over his shoulder, frowning, “That’s the gown? I don’t know. It’s awfully thin.”
“I think it will look beautiful on you. I’ll leave you to change. I’ll be in the next room if you need anything.”
“Thank you, TanAR.”
He closed the door behind him. Sharon reached for the dress and held it up. It was pretty and sheer. She wouldn’t be able to hide any weapons easily and it didn’t would hinder her if she had to go into hand to hand to defend herself. She preferred jeans and a t-shirt but she wasn’t given the choice. She would be vulnerable and she hated feeling vulnerable. “Let’s see how this thing fits.”
Chapter 7
Thirty Minutes Later
“Son of a bitch!”
“Sharon? Are you all right in there?” TanAR called out from the other side of the bedroom door.
“Yeah, sure, except that this can’t be all there is to this thing!”
“What’s wrong with it?”
She jerked open the door and stomped out into the living area. “This is almost too sheer to wear. I’m going to put my other clothes back on.” When TanAR didn’t say anything, she turned to catch him eyeing her body from top to bottom. His eyes focused on her breasts. She cleared her throat to get his attention.
His faced turned a little red at having been caught ogling her. “Sorry for staring. I think you look beautiful.”
Glancing down at the dress, which had one strap over her left shoulder leaving the other shoulder bare, she sighed. It was a typical Katieran style she had seen many times that draped down to her feet, but the problem was the lightness of the material. “You can almost see my nipples!”
“No, that's not true, and I’m looking carefully. It shows shadows but nothing real, the seams are in just the right places to keep it decent.”
She walked over to a wall that had a reflective surface. “Are you sure?” She stared at herself and was able to see how it wasn’t quite as revealing as she had thought, but it was a dress she would never normally wear. It simply drew too much attention to her body. She was normally comfortable with herself but she didn’t wear things that put her on display like this dress did.
“Did it come with shoes?”
“It did but the sandals it came with are a little big. The dress is long enough to cover the boots I have on.”
“You’re right, I can’t see the boots.”
A knock at the door had them both turning just as Lieutenant Commander LazAR walked in. “Are you two ready?” He froze at the sight of Sharon. “What are you wearing?”
Sharon turned back to TanAR. “That’s it, I’m changing.”
TanAR grabbed her hand and pulled her gently toward the door. “There’s no time now and you look fine.”
LazAR waited for her to pass before commenting. “She looks like trouble.”
She turned to stick her tongue out at the lieutenant commander and she caught him off guard. He lost his serious expression and laughed. “I swear you are going to be the death of me, female.”
“I will be on my best behavior.”
“It’s not your behavior I’m worried about.”
Sharon’s unease grew as the warriors with them did a double take at her attire, then as they entered into the dining area, the rebel warriors looked like they had forgotten how to breathe. This was a mistake — one big mistake. Knowing it was too late to do anything about it now, she pulled back her shoulders and walked forward, projecting more confidence with each step than she was truly feeling. Maybe wearing this slinky thing would distract the rebels long enough for the Katierans and Kiljorns to get what they needed. Besides, how bad could it get?
*****
What the hell is the female wearing? MarIK was standing to the side, behind OrIN’s seat, when the Katierans walked in. They had formed a line in front and when it parted, Sharon was revealed…in more ways than one.
The lights set up in the room for the banquet shined on the thin material. At first he thought she was completely bare, but as she moved forward, he saw that the seams of the dress stretched and covered all the essentials. In any case, it was definitely a dress meant to be worn in low lighting. Glancing at the satisfied expression on OrIN’s face, MarIK realized the shocking effect had clearly been his intent in giving this dress to the female. He wanted to make her feel exposed and vulnerable. With all the male attention she was drawing, it was definitely a problem.
They approached the raised couch that OrIN sat upon like a throne. OrIN didn’t stand up, but he addressed them as they reached his seat and extended a welcome. “Have a seat at the tables.” He turned slightly to directly address Sharon. “You, my dear, come and sit next to me.”
Sharon kept her expression serene as she came up the few steps and sat down in the seat next to OrIN. MarIK couldn’t help but admire her courage and strength. He suspected she had some kind of warrior training. The way she looked around the room noting where every warrior was placed, where the exits were — that was a sign of an experienced warrior. His interest in her grew.
“Sit down, MarIK; you’re making the female nervous. What is your name?”
“I’m Sharon Task.”
“MarIK, sit on the other side of Miss Task.”
MarIK didn’t have a problem with that. He moved behind her and down the steps to the empty seat next to her. Her scent was especially unique to her. He wanted to lean over and inhale deeply but did not want to draw OrIN’s attention with any unusual activity. OrIN liked to take individuals whom people cared about and use them as pawns to get what he wanted.
That was what he had done on the mining colony. He took family members hostage to get the males to do his bidding. It was a hard and desperate time and MarIK had been secretly releasing the families, as he could, without drawing attention. It was actually a blessing from the Goddess that the Katierans had come and helped release the families, but a few h
ad died and he had the blood of those innocents on his own hands. He wasn’t sure if he would ever be able to make up for his bad decisions. Maybe it was just too unforgivable.
The food was served by warriors who came out in a procession. He wasn’t hungry, at least not for food. His body was craving something else, something he hadn’t had in quite a while. Stealing another glance at the female, he felt his heartbeat speed up, his palms dampen, and his cock harden.
He had to find a way to distract his body. He took a bit of his food but noticed that the female wasn’t eating. “Is everything okay, Miss Task?”
“Yes, it’s fine. And you can call me Sharon.”
“Sharon, you’re not eating.”
“I don’t recognize this.”
“It’s called tarpena. It’s a type of protein.”
He watched as she took a small bite, then sighed and took the full amount into her mouth. He had to admit — watching her eat was erotic far beyond anything he had expected. His eyes tracked her bite, her small chews, her soft lips. When she swallowed, other images of what she could do with her mouth plagued him.
Sharon leaned over and whispered. “Commander, why have you stopped eating? Are you no longer hungry?”
His eyes locked on hers as he told her gruffly, “I’m famished but it’s not the food I want to eat.” His meaning struck home as he scented her arousal spike. Her delicate cheeks turned pink, and she licked her lips. She wanted him, too. This was getting more and more complicated.
“I’m not available to be...sampled.”
He glanced down at Lieutenant TanAR who was glaring at him, clearly not happy with the seating arrangements. There were still no scent markers on her, which made him believe that their supposed relationship was just a subterfuge. If she were to become his, MarIK would waste no time claiming her with his scent markers to ensure no other tried to claim her. The very idea of leaving his scent on her made him growl low with need and desire.
Her hand reached for his knee under the table and squeezed it. “Easy, Commander, there’s plenty of time.”