He finally allowed a smile to part his lips and warm his gaze. “It’s only obvious because you know about it. We’re actually very careful to keep our activities hidden.” They walked for a time in companionable silence. Through it all he held her hand. It felt strangely comfortable, intimate without being intimidating. “There are four industrial parks. Maintenance and utilities are restricted to the lowest level to protect the esthetic of the inhabited space.”
“And the greenhouses?”
“We’re almost there.” He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. They approached a doorway and he stopped, pulling her around to face him. “Do we need to talk about last night?”
She tensed and looked away. It had been too much to hope he didn’t remember. She should have known better. “No. I’m good.”
His warm chuckle was followed by the gentle pressure of his fingers turning her face back around. “There was no shame in what we shared. I certainly don’t regret it.”
She didn’t regret it either, but she was conflicted about where it should lead them. Everything would be so much easier if she could approach this situation scientifically. “Were you able to confirm that Letos was responsible for the link?”
“I spoke with him this morning and let him know I won’t tolerate that sort of interference again. He agreed to offer his apologies in person if that’s what you want.”
“That’s not necessary. I’d rather forget it ever happened.”
One of his dark brows arched and the purple rings in his eyes ignited. “I have no intention of letting you forget.”
With no other warning, he pressed her back against the doorframe and covered her mouth with his. She tensed for just a second and then heat cascaded through her body. How did he do that? Make her entire body glow? She slid her hands up his chest and circled his neck as his lips guided hers apart. His tongue teased its way into her mouth and his knee insinuated itself between her thighs, pushing her up onto the balls of her feet.
She was dizzy and breathless when he finally raised his head. His gaze burned into hers, his expression fierce. “If last night had really happened, my scent would cover you.”
A mute nod was all she could manage at first. Then she swallowed past the tightness in her throat and forced her breathing to slow. “Ashley explained the advantages of being marked.”
“I want to mark you more than you can imagine.” He leaned down and nipped the side of her neck. “I only want one thing more.”
She didn’t have to ask what that one thing was. The hardened proof of his desire was pressed against her belly. “This is happening too fast. I can’t think when you—”
“You aren’t supposed to think. You’re supposed to feel. What is your heart telling you?”
With a strangled laugh, she pushed him back. “I can’t hear my heart right now. It’s being drowned out by the cheering of my body.”
His only response was a pleased smile.
“Are the greenhouses through there?” She pointed to the door.
He nodded and motioned to the lettering above the door. “That says ‘agricultural quadrant’. It’s informally known as the jungle.”
She approached the doors, but nothing happened.
“Security needs to process your profile. The scanners will recognize you by tomorrow.” He moved into position and a slender beam scanned him from head to feet.
“Welcome, Commander Tarr,” the computer greeted then triggered the doors.
“Is it necessary to secure this area?”
“Not now, but once it’s operational, the outpost’s primary food supply will require continual protection.”
She understood the precaution, but it made her sad to think that anyone would be evil enough to try to starve or poison an entire outpost.
Warm, humid air swirled around her as she stepped into the agricultural quadrant. She’d expected neat rows of greenhouses. Instead the entire area was one massive cavern. Row after row of overhead lights created a soft haze, while overgrown fields and unpruned orchards stretched into the distance. The paths in between each large plant tray were barely discernible. “A jungle indeed.”
She knelt beside the nearest tray and tore back the vegetation until she reached what ordinarily would have been gravel or some other growing medium. Instead a grayish, spongy substance met her fingertips. “I’ve never seen this before. Is it a natural medium or manufactured product? What are its properties?”
“It’s called dontarim. It’s naturally occurring though refined before use. It’s durable and retains liquids almost indefinitely. The nutrient dispensing system is the problem. The technology is so outdated we debated ripping it out and starting over.”
“It’s so outdated a human might be able to understand it?”
He slanted her an impatient look. “That’s not what I meant. Your intelligence and capabilities have never been in question. I know nothing about agriculture. You’re in a better position to decide if the system is worth saving.”
“Well, to make an official recommendation, I’ll need a couple of days to inspect everything and, unfortunately, a language infusion so I can study the schematics.”
“I’ll make arrangements for the infusion this afternoon and look forward to your report.” He started to leave then stopped and faced her again. “Have dinner with me tonight.”
“In your cabin?” She knew damn well where that would lead.
“You can’t be around the crew until I mark you.” His voice grew dark and rumbly, but he remained where he stood. “And I see no reason to avoid something so pleasurable.”
“I understand why it must be done, but it doesn’t have to be you.” In an instant she was in his arms and his mouth was plundering hers. Was this why she’d said it? Was she as anxious for their joining as— No! She would not be a slave to her libido. Why did she keep forgetting that? Kotto was the sexiest man she’d ever encountered, but bonding with him would connect them for life. She twisted her face away, panting. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”
“Dinner.” He growled the word without releasing her. “I won’t expect anything more.”
She’d spent more time fighting off her own desire than resisting his advances, but that was her problem not his. “Dinner,” she stressed. “I’m not agreeing to anything more.”
“Understood.” He brushed his lips over hers then stepped back. “I’ll see you tonight. Bandar and Ashley are almost here.” He waited until the door opened and Bandar entered the jungle before Kotto signaled the ship and told them to stream him aboard.
* * * * *
Kotto had scheduled his update with Raylon for late afternoon in his office on the command deck, not sure if “General Nox’s enforcer” would bother to show up or not. Raylon was elusive and secretive, which frustrated most people, but Kotto enjoyed his company all the same. They’d both served aboard the Undaunted and their missions frequently aligned, so they’d interacted on a semi-regular basis. Kotto was respectful and accepted that Raylon would do exactly as he pleased. The attitude allowed them to operate smoothly while others grumbled and complained.
Ten minutes after the meeting was scheduled to start, Raylon stuck his head in Kotto’s office. “If I don’t get a drink in the next two minutes, I’m going to kill somebody.”
Kotto laughed and powered down his holodisplay. “Murder results in a mountain of paperwork. Let’s go get a drink.”
They strode down the main corridor on the command deck side by side.
“You seem less stressed than the last time I saw you. Has the crew gotten over their snit or does it have something to do with your new employee?” Raylon wiggled his eyebrows, inadvertently drawing attention to the wicked scar on the right side of his face. Raylon had been sliced from forehead to chin. The reconstruction required a cybernetic eye, but the replacement was so convincing few realized it wasn’t biological. And Raylon’s enhanced vision was a tactical advantage he didn’t reveal without a damn good reason. The scar coul
d have been repaired as well, but Raylon wore it proudly as proof that he’d cheated death.
“The crew has had plenty to distract them with the opening of Lunar 9.” Kotto shrugged. “There are still pockets of tension, but for the most part they’ve fallen back into a comfortable routine.”
“And the female? I was told she has the protein marker. Have you claimed her yet?”
Kotto tensed. Lying to Raylon was a waste of time. He had the best bullshit detector Kotto had ever seen. Telling him what Letos had said that morning, however, would have been the height of stupidity. Kotto wasn’t afraid of competition. Rodytes thrived on challenge. But Letos was right. Raylon would doubtlessly be more aggressive in his pursuit of a compatible female and Raina wasn’t ready for that sort of pressure.
Choosing his words carefully, Kotto said, “Our compatibility is undeniable, but her mindset is human.”
Raylon shot him a knowing grin. “Have you allowed anyone else near her?”
“Bandar.”
Raylon laughed. “The only bonded male on board. You’ve claimed her, my friend. She just doesn’t know it yet.”
“Oh she knows. She just hasn’t accepted it yet.”
The central common spiraled like a giant cone through all four decks of the ship. The top level was known as the starlight lounge because of the large transparent dome that crowned the entire area. The first time Kotto had seen the atrium, he thought it was horribly out of place on a warship. He’d since warmed to the idea of his crew having somewhere to unwind for a few minutes while they took their meals or to gather during off-duty hours.
At each end of the bar were beverage kiosks. The lounge only served smooth blood wine or gut-scorching g’haut. Raylon didn’t need to ask which Kotto wanted. Any soldier worthy of the name preferred g’haut. Raylon ordered two glasses of the cloudy blue liquor and handed one to Kotto.
Kotto started for the tables, but Raylon said, “Hold on.” Then he downed his g’haut, groaned in satisfaction and ordered another. “I’ll sip this one. I promise.”
“It’s your liver, not mine.”
They found a table in the back of the room and the tables around them quickly emptied. “Is it you or me?” Raylon sniffed his underarm. “I showered this morning. It must be you.” This was the side of Raylon few ever saw. Garin only dispatched Raylon when things had gone horribly wrong, so his ferocious reputation was well-earned. Still, beneath his gruff exterior, Raylon was fiercely loyal and had a wicked sense of humor.
Raylon stretched his back and rolled his shoulders before he began his informal report. “I just came from the Intrepid.” The Intrepid was a science vessel with state-of-the-art laboratories and medical facilities. The fact that Garin had sent such an important ship to Earth was indisputable poof of the general’s priorities. He wanted to unlock the battle born’s powers and he wanted to do it now. “The simulations are flawless. They’ve come as far as they can without live test subjects.”
“Has Garin approved clinical trials?” Kotto took a sip and savored the burn as the g’haut slipped down his throat.
Raylon nodded. “He issued the authorization this morning. Now all we need is a willing couple.”
“Shouldn’t you be having this conversation with Bandar?”
“Maybe not. I was told there are advantages to introducing the compound before the bonding process begins. Bandar and Ashley have already anchored their link.”
The inference was obvious. Raylon had his sights set on Raina. Protective instincts roared to life within Kotto. It was all he could do not to lunge across the table. “But their transformation phase hasn’t begun.”
“I’m aware. I’m also aware that Ashley is no longer the only hybrid in town.”
Kotto shook his head, refusing to consider it. “You’ll never get Raina to agree. She’s not ready for a mating bond. Not even close.”
After a moment of tense silence, Raylon shrugged. “All right. I’ll talk to Bandar and Ashley. If things go well with them, maybe it will help convince Raina to participate. If the new protocol works as well in the clinic as it did in the laboratory, every hybrid female we find will go through this process.”
“No. Every hybrid female who agrees to bond with a battle born male will go through the process.”
“Obviously,” Raylon grumbled.
The issue had been postponed not resolved. That much was obvious. Kotto took a large swallow of g’haut, welcoming the fire. “I intend to mark Raina tonight. Will that interfere with the process?”
Raylon shook his head. “Just make sure marking her is all you do.”
Raina hadn’t even agreed to that much, but Raylon and Letos seemed to have conspired to instill urgency in Kotto. If he didn’t mark her tonight, he risked losing her. And that was unthinkable.
“Your file says you were offered command of the Harvest after Fort Ja Harr closed. Why’d you turn it down?”
“Been checking up on me?” Challenge arched one of Kotto’s eyebrows.
“It’s my job to check up on everyone. Don’t take it personally.”
“It was either command of a supply convoy or a chance to work closely with General Nox aboard the largest and most sophisticated ship in the Rodyte fleet. I’d had my fill of the ass end of nowhere. I chose to return to civilization. Wouldn’t you?”
“They’ve tried to reassign me four times,” Raylon admitted. “Each time I asked Garin to intervene. I consider him a close friend, but more importantly, Garin Nox is probably the best military mind Rodymia has ever seen.”
“I can’t think of anybody who’d argue with you.” Then he laughed and said, “Except Akim Farmon.”
“Speaking of which, the Relentless was spotted in Rodyte space,” Raylon told him. “Well, not actually spotted. One of Garin’s spies briefly detected their transponder signal. Unfortunately, it blinked out before he could pinpoint their location and tag the ship.”
“Was he able to determine where the ship went?”
“The most probable trajectory brings them right back here.” Raylon scooted closer to the table. “Has Ashley sensed Chandar? It’s likely she’s back in this star system by now.”
Kotto shook his head. “She would have said something. Besides, Chandar instigated the connection last time. I don’t think Ashley knows how.”
Despite his promise to sip the second drink, Raylon downed the entire glass in three gulps. “I’ll let Ashley know the Relentless is back, make sure she pays attention to subtle things. As you said, humans aren’t used to mind-to-mind communication.”
“Has Garin decided who will go in after Chandar when we locate the ship?” It was just such a rescue that had blown up in his brother’s face.
“He’s leaving it up to me, told me I’m closer to the situation, better qualified to make the final choice.”
Kotto’s pulse raced as possibilities teased his mind. He and Keyran had made a blood pact with their dying brother, promising to protect his children from their ruthless guild. They’d succeeded with their nephew who was safe on Garin’s ship, but the fate of their niece, Chandar, was a humiliating failure. “And what have you decided?”
“When the Relentless is located, I’ll let you know.”
Kotto wasn’t sure why the answer annoyed him, but he found himself seething as he left the starlight lounge. He went directly to the infirmary. Raina’s language infusion should be finished by now. He wanted to make sure everything had gone well and she was unharmed.
“You just missed her,” Irron informed with a knowing smile. “I sent her to your room to lie down for a while.”
As promised, Kotto had assigned her a cabin of her own, but he’d yet to tell her about it. “And how did she get into my quarters if I wasn’t with her?”
“Medical override.” Irron chuckled. “You’re not the only one who can bypass security protocols, young man. Now find something else to do for at least two hours. She really does need to rest.”
“Yes, sir.” He put sarcast
ic emphasis on the title then smiled. “Did the procedure go smoothly?”
“Of course. Was there ever any doubt?” He sounded insulted then waved Kotto toward the door. “Out. You have a ship to run and I’ve got patients waiting.”
Kotto looked around the empty infirmary with an upraised brow. “They must be very tiny patients.”
“The most challenging kind.” Despite the absurdity of the claim, Irron maintained a straight face.
Without further banter, Kotto left the infirmary. He’d hoped to have everything set up in his cabin when Raina arrived. This complicated the arrangements, but he was willing to be creative. He was also smart enough to know when he needed help.
“Computer. What’s the current location of Ashley Kane?”
“Ashley Kane is in Cabin 1-12.”
Twelfth cabin on deck 1. Bandar’s cabin. No surprise there. Only one level separated the infirmary from the command deck, so Kotto hiked up the stairs. The officer cabins were aft, seven on each side of the main corridor. The door to his cabin was directly ahead, hinting at the large size reserved for the commander.
He paused before Bandar’s door, waiting for the computer to announce him. A moment passed and then the doors parted, allowing him inside. Ashley stood directly in front of the door though she’d stayed several paces back. Surely, she wasn’t still afraid of him. He’d tried so hard to be nice to her.
“Bandar’s not here,” she told him.
Ah, the reason for her discomfort. “I’d like to speak with you, if that’s all right.” She’d had no problem barging into his office by herself in defense of her friend. Hopefully, she’d relax once she heard why he’d come. “I’ve asked Raina to dinner tonight and I’d like your help planning the menu.”
She smiled and motioned toward the table. “I’ll help in any way I can.”
He joined her at the table before he began. “I’d like to serve Rodyte dishes, but I’m not sure what she’d find enjoyable. Most of my favorite entrees are too spicy for the human pallet.”
“Well, I’ve had three weeks to explore Rodyte cuisine. I should be able to help.” She listed several dishes he’d already considered and offered a few that hadn’t occurred to him. “Bandar gave me a drink called blish. It was absolutely delicious. I’m pretty sure Raina will like it too.”
Forsaken Page 13