by Gail Koger
I pointed at an armored spine cutting through the sand. “Sic ’em.”
“Your mate is mad,” Kunwar told Voss before zooming off to attack the sand shark.
The big guy cocked a disbelieving eyebrow. “Sic ’em?”
“Seemed appropriate.”
“You’ve been out in the sun too long.”
“Probably. Let’s go catch Malik.”
Voss’s arms closed around me, and he teleported.
Chapter Sixteen
The command center was a hive of activity. Askole, Coletti, and Alliance warriors worked side by side. It was hard to believe that the Alliance had once tried to annihilate the Coletti race.
We popped in, and to my amazement, every warrior gave a startled jump and pointed their weapons at us.
“Hey! We’re on your side.”
“Stand down,” Voss commanded mentally, dropping me to my feet.
The warriors’ gazes stayed fixed on something behind us, but Voss’s men obediently holstered their weapons.
I glanced over my shoulder. Crap. They probably thought Raj would eat them.
I stepped in front of him and ordered, “Put your weapons away. The Gorum won’t eat you; he’s a friend.”
“I do not need you to defend me,” Raj snipped, wrapping a tentacle around me as he tugged me out of the way.
“It’s what friends do,” I responded. Wriggling free of his grip, I used my body as a shield.
An enormous Askole warrior snorted. “The Gorum have no concept of friendship. They are like the Tai-Kok. They live only to eat. Now move out of the way, female, so I may kill this obscenity.”
“Obscenity? Get real. They are nothing like the Tai-Kok.” I eyed his black armor-plated skin and the tentacles squirming around his snakelike features. “In fact you have a lot in common with the Gorum. Hey, who knows, you could be distant relatives.”
The warrior hissed, “You dare to insult me?”
My temper flared to life. “I’ve had a really bad day, and all I want is something cold to drink and a shower. Put your gun down, or I will take it from you.”
Everyone looked at me like I had lost my mind.
Maybe I had, but I was too tired to care.
Testosterone struck again. The cocky Askole laughed. “This tiny female thinks she can take my weapon?”
I bared my teeth in a predator’s smile. “I can and I will.”
“Go ahead and try,” the warrior taunted.
On my private link with Voss, I asked, “Do I have your permission to teach dickhead a lesson?”
“I have to admit, I’m a bit curious on how you plan on taking him down. The Askoles are difficult to defeat.”
Zarek popped in next to us and added, “Very difficult, but proceed.”
“Watch and learn.” I mentally grabbed dickhead’s balls and squeezed with all my might.
The warrior’s eyes bugged out, and with an agonized cry, he dropped to his knees.
Voss’s laughter sounded in my head. “A unique solution.”
“One Kaylee also used effectively,” Zarek said with a chuckle.
“Drop your weapon,” I instructed and squeezed harder.
The laser pistol dropped from the Askole’s hand.
An elderly Askole wearing fancy gold battle armor strolled up. He studied Raj for a moment and turned his attention to the warrior on his knees before his compelling yellow-green eyes settled on me. “You must be related to Kaylee.”
“Yes, sir, cousins,” I answered, awed at the amount of power coming off the old guy. Betcha he was the High Commander.
“Sariel,” Zarek said, clasping his arm in a warrior’s greeting.
“What has the youngling done?”
“He pulled a weapon on Raj, our new partner in the fight to defeat Malik and his allies.”
The tentacles squirming about Sariel’s head stilled suddenly. “The Gorum agreed to become your ally?”
“We have a common enemy,” Raj responded as Kunwar and the others appeared behind him.
The tension level shot into the stratosphere, and a multitude of weapons appeared.
I narrowed my eyes in aggravation. “Oh for God’s sake. Do I have to unman all of you?”
Everyone took a hasty step back and holstered their weapons.
The young warrior gasped, “Please, my lady, release me.”
“You insulted me and my friend, and I think reparations are in order. You’re going to go out and kill ten sand sharks for my buddies here to eat.”
Kunwar interjected, “Ten?”
“You’re right. It’s not enough. Twenty sand sharks should do it.”
Tentacles squirming frantically around his head, the young warrior gasped, “Twenty?”
“Look at it this way. The Tai-Kok tortured and starved my friends here. Do you want them eating you or the sand sharks?”
“Sand sharks,” he replied hastily.
“Good answer.” I released his balls.
He climbed stiffly to his feet and gave me a slight bow. “With your permission I start the hunt, my lady.”
I looked over at Sariel. “Any objections, High Commander?”
“None.” He focused his attention on the young warrior. “Take Imo and Shivat with you, Kourian.”
“Yes, High Commander.” Kourian hobbled off.
A short Chinese-looking dude walked up in a spiffy green uniform and raised an eyebrow as Raj curled a protective tentacle around my shoulders. “You continually surprise me, Zarek.”
“I cannot take credit for such a monumental event, Commander Zan. Zoey persuaded the Gorum to join our fight.”
“Did she?” The commander’s gaze surveyed my sweat-soaked hair, battered face, paused for a moment on Bedan, then took in my torn and bloody clothes.
Resisting the urge to give his balls a good squeeze, I snapped, “Gosh, who would have thought that females are good for something other than making babies.”
Zan inquired incredulously, “You fought them?”
Rolling my eyes, I corrected him. “No, I fought beside them.”
Kunwar announced proudly, “She carries the king’s mark.”
“That I would like to see.”
“As would I,” Sariel added.
“Fine.” Handing Bedan to Kunwar, I pulled off my tattered tunic and armor, threw them on the ground, and turned to show them my back. “Everyone take a good look, because I’m not doing this again.”
Commander Zan stretched out a hand. “Incredible.”
“Touch me and I will kill you,” I snarled.
He grinned at me. “Another fearless Jones.”
“Tend to your mate, Voss,” Zarek instructed. His cold amber eyes examined my bruise-covered body.
Voss scooped me up.
“Wait! My armor.”
Sariel picked it up with a frown. “It will be my honor, Battle Commander, to provide your mate with the proper armor.”
“The honor is ours,” Voss said and teleported.
There was a fleeting instant of blackness, and we were standing in our chambers.
“God, do I need a drink. Got any Datol or whiskey?”
“Blood first.” He sat me on the table.
“But…” I let out a groan as Voss held out his bleeding hand.
“Drink,” he commanded with a scowl.
“Man, you’re wicked fast with that knife.”
“I am Zarek’s Battle Commander. Drink.”
I drank and drank and drank. The healing warmth of his blood spread through my aching body. “Okay, all better. Where’s that drink?”
He held out his canteen of piss.
“Aw, c’mon.”
“This will rehydrate you. The liquor won’t.”
“I’ll drink some water.”
“Zoey.” Voss’s voice was a low growl.
Ignoring the canteen, I opened my box of chocolate. “You wouldn’t happen to have an ice-cold soda on this bucket of bolts, would ya?”
�
�Bucket of bolts? This is the finest warbird in the fleet,” Voss said, more than a bit angry at me dissing his ship.
“If you say so.” I popped a piece of chocolate in my mouth and looked for one with nuts.
“You will drink this, Zoey, or I will throw your chocolate down the disposal chute.”
“You wouldn’t dare.” I held the box protectively against my chest.
Voss leaned down until we were nose to nose. “Try me.”
After one look at his merciless expression, I took the canteen and chugged down the piss. My stomach roiled, and I clamped a hand over my mouth. It was about to come back up.
“You will not puke,” Voss commanded and mucked about in my head.
My stomach settled, but I still had that awful taste in my mouth. “Happy now, snookums?”
“Ecstatic, sugar tits.” He poured me a glass of water and held it out.
“You’re a real comedian. Where’s my Datol?”
“Drink it.”
The menace in his voice sent a shiver down my back. I grabbed the glass, slid off the table, and stalked into the bathroom. God, what a bossy prick.
Voss followed me in.
“Get out!”
“No.”
“I need a few minutes of alone time, you big ape.”
“Until Malik is caught, you don’t leave my sight.”
“Fine.” I slammed the glass down on the counter, kicked my boots off, and removed my bloody pants and underwear. Stepping into the shower, I touched a button, and jets of hot water pounded down on my sore muscles. God, that felt so good.
The shower door slid open, and in came the big guy.
I bared my teeth at him.
He flashed his lethal fangs, took the soap container away from me, and began gently washing my body.
“I’m quite capable of washing myself,” I snapped and tried to take the soap away from him.
Voss held it out of reach. “You’re my mate, and it’s my duty to care for you.”
“Ha! You just want sex.”
His soapy hands cupped my face, and he kissed me tenderly. “I want you safe.”
Oh. God. That was so sweet. A shuddering sigh escaped me. “I know I’m being a bitch, but my brain is on overload. So much has happened, and I haven’t had time to process it all. I’m winging it here, and I’m scared to death I’m going to lose it.” To my horror, tears rolled down my cheeks. “If I fall to pieces…”
“I will catch you.”
Wrapping my arms around Voss, I held on to him tightly and let out a shaky laugh. “Now I know how you seduced all those women. You’ve got one hell of a silver tongue, babe.”
“You’re my mate, and I will do whatever is necessary to keep you safe and happy.”
“Just love me.”
A fierce, hungry light filled Voss’s eyes. “As you command, my lady.” His hands and mouth moved over me, possessing, consuming every inch of my skin.
“Sweet Jesus,” I gasped as he used his teeth and tongue to nip and lave my breasts.
The need to seduce Voss grew stronger and stronger. All I had to do was borrow some of his expertise.
I slipped into his head and discreetly shifted through his memories. Shit. It was that simple? An unholy glee filled me. I was going to give him the orgasm to end all orgasms.
I stroked a mental tongue down and around his penis until his body began to tremble. One simple lick, and shazam!
A guttural groan broke from Voss, and he retaliated. His ghostly fingers penetrated me with one hard thrust. They retreated and drove into me again and again.
My body caught fire. No! He was going to hit the big O first. I suckled his right nipple.
Voss pressed hot kisses down my stomach.
Colettis were so damned competitive. I massaged his tight buttocks.
He sucked my clit.
My hips bucked wildly. Crap, he was winning. I dragged my nails down his abdomen.
“The game is mine,” Voss growled as he lifted me. His penis shot out and impaled me.
Damn that sucker was fast. I could feel it growing hard and thick inside me. The delicious slide of his flesh sent ecstasy zinging through me.
Voss flexed his hips, and the pulsating tentacles pierced my womb.
My body convulsed as an almost scalding heat exploded inside me. Oh no, he hadn’t. “You’re trying to convert me now? What kind of lover are you?”
“One determined to keep you safe.” His vibrating penis dragged across my pussy.
I squirmed as the vibrations intensified. Oh God. That felt so good, but I couldn’t let him get away with this. Drawing on every ounce of willpower I had left, I fought his seduction. “Do you always follow the Overlord’s orders? Don’t I get a say in this?”
“No. Wherever you go, trouble follows. Your fragile body is easily damaged. Conversion will make you stronger and harder to kill.” His sinful mouth closed over my breast.
I quivered and shook as he toyed with my nipple. “Stop!”
A merciless gleam in his eyes, Voss complied. His penis went limp inside me.
A groan broke from me. He was truly evil, and who knew Voss could turn it off just like that. My body screamed for release. I needed him to fuck me. Now! “You want me to beg. Okay. You’re right. I do attract trouble. I can’t do this without you, and I’ll admit being converted has its perks.”
“Does it?”
Great. I’d hurt the big guy’s feelings. Swallowing my pride, I wrapped my legs around his hips and petted his slit. “Yes, I get the Coletti version of Don Juan as my lover. What more could a girl want? Please let little Johnny finish the job.”
The big guy hissed in exasperation. “Little Johnny?”
The raw want was becoming unbearable. Was the sneaky bastard feeding it? If I wasn’t hurting so badly, I’d demand an answer. Framing his face with my hands, I kissed him. “Big bad Johnny?”
“Where do you come up with these names?” His tentacles flexed rapidly, electrifying my womb. They vibrated faster and faster.
“Romance novels.” I gasped. Fire raged through my body as Voss kept rubbing his penis across my clit. My senses imploded into a million shards of ecstasy, and a scream erupted from me. “Way to go, Johnny!”
His body bowed, Voss shouted, “Forever mine!”
Slumping bonelessly in his arms, I patted his cheek. “All that practice really paid off, sweetie.”
For a moment, Voss stared at me in utter disbelief, and then he threw his head back and roared with laughter. “You are a priceless gem.”
“A word of warning. You visit that whorehouse again, and Johnny is history.”
“All I want is you.”
“Good answer.” Snuggling into his chest I yawned and let my eyelids drift shut. “Next time we do it in that gigantic bed. It’s been going to waste.”
Voss planted a kiss on my head. “Next time.”
“Now that you’ve repeatedly satisfied your mate’s needs, I need both of you at the command site. The Gorum require your presence,” Zarek announced a tad drily.
My eyes popped open in horror. “Oh my God! The Overlord’s a peeping Tom!”
“Enough, Zoey,” Voss growled.
“Well, he is.”
“Shut up, Zoey.”
“How would you like it if someone watched you getting it on with Detja, sir?”
“I would kill them,” Zarek stated, his voice flat and cold.
“Thought so. I want your word that you’ll give us the necessary privacy when Johnny is doing his thing.”
Amusement filling his voice, Zarek asked, “Johnny?”
“Forgive her, my lord, the heat has affected Zoey’s mind,” Voss said hastily.
I snorted. “Like hell it has. Your word, my lord. I’m sure Detja and Kaylee would agree with me.”
“Without a doubt. Very well, you have my word I will not peek into your minds while you’re having sex.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Detja felt y
ou needed a proper battle suit to acknowledge your warrior status. I have placed it in your storage unit. I want you to wear it to the command center.”
My jaw dropped in astonishment. “Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.”
“You honor us, my lord,” Voss added, more than a little bit surprised.
“Zoey’s exploits have earned her warrior status.” Zarek broke the link.
“Warrior status? That’s like a big deal, right?”
A proud smile curved Voss’s mouth. “A very big deal. Detja and Kaylee are the only other females to ever achieve warrior status.”
“I’m not surprised. They’re really good at blowing up stuff too.”
Voss grinned. “Very good.”
Wiggling free of his grip, I dashed into the bedchamber and opened the storage unit. A black battle suit with a copper design running through the material hung from a metal rod. Beneath it sat a pair of armored boots. I did a happy dance. “Awesome.”
Voss stroked my butt. “Very.”
I smacked at his hand. “You’re insatiable.”
He picked up a bottle, poured some lotion into his hand, and rubbed it over my body. “For you? Always.”
“The Overlord is waiting,” I reminded him as he stroked my breasts.
“Yes, he is.” Voss tilted my head back, and his mouth closed over mine.
“Battle Commander,” Zarek snapped.
Voss broke the kiss. “My lord?”
“What happened to your famous self-control?”
I countered with, “What happened to your promise not to peek?”
The big guy looked at me in horror. “Enough, Zoey!”
“Well, he was peeking again.”
Zarek announced with a deadly calm, “You weren’t having sex, now were you?”
Crap. He had me there. “No, sir.”
That implacable mask slipped over Voss’s face. “It won’t happen again, my lord.”
Zarek sighed. “Yes, it will. Your mate bond is very strong.”
“Like that’s a bad thing?”
“No, little one, it’s a wondrous event, but I need my Battle Commander at his best if we are to capture Malik.”
“Believe me, sir, Malik’s a dead man walking. It’s only a matter of time before I find and kill him.” I hurriedly dressed.
Voss groaned.
A touch of disbelief in his voice, Zarek asked, “You claim blood rights?”
“He killed my mother and was responsible for the slaughter of millions of my people. So yeah, I claim blood rights.” Good thing the merge with Voss had given me access to all their rules and regulations.