Skhye Moncrief - [Feral 01]

by Feral Fascinations (lit)

  Kindrist might beg to differ but disclosing that info to anyone compromises her trust. Yet, the point was well-received. “You should speak to Kindrist. I think your perspective will give her some peace.”

  Strako nodded and turned his nose toward the door.

  The door whooshed open.

  A female bound by tight black leather strode from the corridor’s shafting bright light into the lounge’s darkness.

  If only she were Kindrist. Tight pants. Breasts thrust out for his pleasure. If.... Orders sucked.

  “Rosa,” Strako called. “Please welcome Red Trekaar’s mate, Jake Straightarrow, a member of your own race.”

  Rose sauntered over like a Wild West gunslinger. Her long black ponytail swung at her hips.

  She was somewhat Hispanic. Had to be with the long nose and the full lips. Add a few knife butts protruding here and there from her outfit and everyone would know she meant free-thinking business.

  “Nice to meet you, Straightarrow.” She nodded at Jake and claimed a seat next to her mate. “You’ve only been here a handful of days?”

  Jake nodded. “It feels longer.”

  She chuckled and shot Strako a smile. “I remember those days. But years have passed since. So many years.”

  The woman’s voice held no longing for home. As though it were possible to carve out a life among the stars. “How many?”

  “I left in October 1999.”

  Whatever for? “Weatherford had some premonition of disaster with web-bot theory. Was there a legend behind your joining The Cause?”

  She smiled again and looked between Strako and Jake. “I was in love.” Her gaze landed on Jake’s. “I’ve found my own little piece of heaven. But I heard you were seduced. Have you found bliss yet?”

  Damn the shaking of the grapevine. “Who is spreading rumors about me?”

  “Goro wouldn’t allow crew members to instigate animosity on the communication network, even if I could access it. No, the crew didn’t inform me. Darla did.”

  Darla? What did these two earth women have in common to calm ranting Darla down for a chit chat? “You managed to squeeze a little light talk out of that one? What a feat. I guess I’m the fool for spilling my guts during my first foray into the jungle.”

  Strako’s stoic mask went contemplative. “Who wouldn’t speak of his journey after seduction into service and being interrogated by Darla?”

  “Interrogated?” Rosa turned on her husband. “I wouldn’t call a first contact with Crazy Darla as interrogation. More like a confrontation with the childhood fears we all have instilled in us back home. Darla is the face of tradition. Although, she can rub me wrong in a heartbeat. As you can see, tradition doesn’t always supply the answers.”

  More like tradition offers what it knows. “Since we’re talking about history, stoke my earthly curiosity with explaining what an Illusian is?”

  Strako shot me a broad smile. “A curious mind embraces the universe.”

  No wonder Kindrist liked this being.

  “I am from a planet in Quadrant Three. The Illusian continent of my people has extreme lengths of days and nights, varying like days in the earth’s Arctic Circle. From this knowledge, it’s easily deduced Illusian humanoids evolved a bioluminescent quality as if our blessed planet protected us from the madness of lack of light.”

  Nice explanation of his radiance. But how did Strako tone the light down for his mission to meet his mate? “So, how did you hide your glow from other earthlings when you visited Rosa?”

  Rosa almost chuckled and leaned against a handful of her splayed fingers. “Yes, Strako, explain that paradox.”

  Strako burst out laughing. “I told them I was an archangel sent to tell her the end of days was upon them.”

  Rosa rolled her dark eyes and locked a gaze on Jake. “You can only imagine how my Catholic family interpreted that admission. Strako stretched the truth so skillfully that I believed God sent a messenger to speak with me.”

  Strako’s arm wrapped around Rosa’s shoulders and shook with a light squeeze. “But before I confessed what I was, she guessed I was an extraterrestrial.”

  She wriggled out of his embrace. “And now we drive back the frontier of darkness so the sun can rise again each day. That’s what we’re here for, Straightarrow. Don’t let Darla’s gloom and doom damper your vision of the future. She is wrong. She hides under the cloak of tradition allowing Voldon’s empire to expand. His evil cannot reach earth.”

  Amen. And driving back evil began here with Sevra. Kindrist may have fears worth speaking. But, in the end, Sevra was going down. And somebody had to yank on that mangy fur to finish the dirty job.

  * * * *

  Jake watched his restless mate pace in their personal quarters. What couldn’t she believe he was the man for the disarming Sevra? Kindrist probably thought nobody else could do Sevra in but herself. “I can do this, Kindrist.”

  Kindrist cut a military pivot one-hundred-and-eighty degrees before their view of deep space and headed back toward him.

  At least only a few of her hairs seemed to bleed at the moment. Maybe she wasn’t extremely distraught. The Seeker needed a place its members could go that didn’t haunt a person with questioning music or mind-numbing alcoholic beverages. Somewhere relaxing. Not to mention, neither could be good for his wife though given her fertility. “Listen, Kindrist, talk to Strako. He explained so many things to me. Stuff about Goro. I’m certain the Illusian can help you relax.”

  She waved a dismissive palm. “Help me see the light as you earthlings put it? Goro’s the one who needs to hear Strako’s illuminating philosophy. My mate’s about to be torched. I can think of nothing but a short future where I’m merely the chrysalis, and, after I give birth, my Destiny has ended.”

  “That isn’t true. The child needs a mother. What fool would take the baby from you and risk angering whatever you chalk up to Destiny?”

  She whirled to face Jake. “Sevra.” She thrust out one finger. “Voldon.” She stuck out another finger. “Paul.”

  The third finger was unnecessary.

  “And even Goro.”

  Four fingers pointed at me. Okay, taking out four enemies in one fatal swoop was impossible in this scenario. But Kindrist needed to stop worrying. “I can take care of myself and your enemies. And Strako says you're Goro’s right hand assassin. So, stop expecting him to snatch the baby and run. You’ll have a long future to yell, nag, scream, and order me around. Just let me pull my weight now. That’s why I’m here.”

  She stomped away from him.

  Apparently, convincing her of his significance was a waste of time. He’d show her not to worry about Jake Straightarrow. He turned and departed.

  * * * *

  Kindrist tried to forget what her mate had said. But he was off now, saving the universe in the only way he could rationalize. And that leaves me in isolation.

  Her door slid open.

  Strako stared her down with his standard admonishing mask promising potential illumination.

  As if I need some guidance. The Illusian’s glow had intensified a bit since his last Beast Tamer, counting down the moments until he would turn to his mate for his next blood libation. However, Beast Tamers didn’t bring him here. Why had he graced her presence with his bioluminescence?

  The door swooshed shut at his heels.

  A presence shoved into her mind. “I encountered your mate in the armory,” he said in mindspeak. “I don’t think mercenary work on earth taught him how to deal with a wife.”

  Like his humor was going to wash away her fears. “Why don’t you go teach him what you know? Since you’ve been married more than a decade, you have much to share.”

  “Don’t play games with me, Red.”

  The mercenary couldn’t guess my concerns. “If you wish to be an uncle, you’d better volunteer to take my mate’s place.”

  “Straightarrow is a trained professional. He’s even been tutored by Goro. Everything will unravel as plann
ed.”

  The plan in question didn’t necessarily have to be Destiny’s plan. She snaked her arms across her chest. “And you’ve heard Goro’s plan? He’s set a trap. But I fear who the trap will ensnare.”

  Strako slowly stepped toward her, arms spread wide as if he’d take flight in the heavens. “Red, you are not the assassin I know. What has become of her?” He halted one step away.

  “I died the day my eyes changed color. The woman you knew no longer occupies in this body. I have transformed beyond everyone else’s wildest dreams.”

  He shook his head in dismay. “Marriage is supposed to make a being whole and bring you to your senses. What has the most sacred of unions done to you?”

  “I have awakened.”

  He turned away, heading back toward the door. “That remains to be seen.”

  “Then watch. For you shall see how the taming of my mate is actually much, much more.”

  * * * *

  The change was upon her mate. Kindrist knew the foolish plan would be his demise. What did the future hold with bloodless ashes of a soul mate? Less than what she clutched where her hands gripped the rim of a cold metallic sink. Locking herself inside the lavatory in the empty private quarters’ next to Sevra’s was part of Goro’s grand scheme though. Not hers. Could Goro right the universe? That depends on a person’s perspective.

  At least we all still have our own perspectives.

  I don’t like baiting my husband to find Sevra.

  Goro’s genius required she play the lure to bring Jake to Sevra. Fine. Jake would seek out his mate to end the fever caused by his feral yearnings. And for her to balk, to publicly refuse to assist as the bait, might cause bad feelings between her and the rest of the crew. If they even knew of Goro’s plan.

  Any moment Jake would shape shift.

  But what options did she have?

  Any tactic she devised would also risk the child’s safety. And the resulting byproduct would be the pregnancy’s undoing. Or ultimately allow Goro to take away her child. Gods’ jest, no! Yet, Goro never made me worry about orders. Why would things suddenly change?

  Am I losing my mind?

  The pregnancy kindled my doubts.

  I’m dangling haphazardly upon my last wit.

  Blessed Devros, save me from myself. She squeezed the locket she’d hidden in her pocket and stared into her reflection’s dark pupils encircled by the yellow iris ring. “You must be stronger,” she whispered. “Jake will deal with Sevra.”

  How funny speaking with her mouth had become so comfortable.

  Profound.

  A voice pushed into her mind. “Kindrist?” Goro asked in mindspeak.

  Can’t a person await catastrophe in peace? “I’m preparing to attend my soul-mate’s funeral.”

  “Straightarrow doesn’t face death. They dare not attack him. Even in defense. Suspicion is a far greater enemy than one raging were-mate.”

  And the commander dared to speak of the plan in her thoughts. He undoubtedly announced to everyone that a plan unfolded. “How can you think those thoughts with a traitor among us possibly eavesdropping?”

  “You’re angry and protective. And your hormones rage wild. Give Straightarrow a chance. We’ll have one less problem to deal with today.”

  Easily said. “What if you’re wrong? What if your plan fails?”

  “He’s left you a second blood donation. We have enough to see you through your pregnancy.”

  Like that mattered. “This isn’t about blood. I want my mate. I owe him that much. Besides, he wasn’t someone I precariously chose. I have a vested interest in him, emotionally. Look at you and Darla, and the lengths you’ve gone to in order to protect her. Can you not believe I have the same respect for someone much more than a simple victim? Jake is my mate.”

  “I know you care for him, Kindrist. That’s why this plan is our only option. Let him help me, and then he’s all yours. And The Seeker will be free from Voldon’s watchful eye.”

  What a twisted bargain.

  As if I’d agree.

  Jake waited down the corridor, jittering like his skin would burst loose any moment. And if I could just break orders, open the door, Jake could have his blood libation and leave this insanity to the next shape-shifting assassin.

  “Kindrist, this is the only choice for all of us.”

  And where were the choices when ultimately there was no way to avoid buckling to Goro’s will?

  Her gut sank.

  How could Goro resort to sending in the one man who free thinkers needed to see their child of legend through to the end? Why not wait for Strako’s blood cycle to send him in armed with fangs and fur? “There are other assassins.”

  “The time is upon us. You and I, we are the bridges to the universe’s future, Kindrist. Trust me. I must go. I must make ready.”

  Goro’s presence shrank away inside her head.

  She stared into the sink’s basin, agony shaking her body.

  Am I alone with Goro gone off to observe his plot unfold? Alas being alone provided opportunity for second-guessing one’s orders. I must be strong. “I will not fail.” She turned to face the silver sheet of metal blocking her from the rest of the ship.

  In the shining surface her distorted reflection stared back at her.

  What did the shadow of a Nulvitian see? A woman of hope? Or a woman abandoning her soul mate to the jaws of twisted fate?

  To go would be saving myself from my Destiny.

  To go is failing The Cause by disobeying orders.

  To stay is right.

  But am I failing Jake?

  * * * *

  Jake’s skin wriggled like bugs crawled beneath his skin where he sat pondering the size of stars and the other great mysteries dangling beyond the portal of his personal quarters. Oh to shift into one of those beautiful inanimate objects. Anything to stop thinking about his rock-hard woody and the endless barrage of nausea associated with transmutation.

  What would happen when he transformed?

  Would he remember who he was?

  Would he recall what he was supposed to do?

  At least, the strange sensation downplayed his damned erection. Like Goro cared a man had to struggle with a bizarre feral hunger before going off to hunt psychics. But Goro’s plan was for the greater good.

  His elbow jerked.

  Oh, probably not a good sign. Time to learn what life is like in were-assassin form. At least, we can get this show on the road.

  His personal quarters’ door whooshed open.

  Goro stood in the corridor. “Quickly, Straightarrow. We’re headed to the docking bay.”

  Give a guy an inch and he takes a universe. “The docking bay? Isn’t that the wrong way?”

  Goro shot him a wink. “There isn’t much time.”

  Okay, just play along.

  His lower leg kicked out like he was almost asleep.

  He headed after the waiting commander.

  Why? Kindrist wasn’t in the docking bay. What he’d give to wrap her long legs around his waist. And for a nibble of soft skin. Her arm or neck would do.

  Goro veered him toward the docking bay. “You’ll take your fighter out as planned.”

  Okay, the plan part must refer to the original Plan A I’m privy to. “And blow up the neural network.”

  Goro glanced sideways as if scanning the passageway’s sterile white walls. “As we discussed.” He turned back to plow down the corridor.

  A wave of prickles tickled Jake’s chest, then washed out to the tips of his limbs.

  The hall seemed to shrink in around him.

  Fire burned his body.

  He stopped to swat at the flames.

  Ragged chunks of his skin littered the floor.

  Crap. He stared at his arms, both hairy and unnaturally long. Claws curved from what used to be his fingers.

  “So the inner me literally is a demon. Everyone who knew me on Earth got that right.” He chuckled.

  Hunger grabbed
his belly and squeezed.

  Food. What did these creatures eat?

  The most succulent salty aroma tickled his nostrils.

  His mouth watered.

  Where was the food? His gaze slid up to the barren passageway walls.

  His cock flinched.

  A delicious smell teased him from behind.

  Food. He turned to the rest of the empty meandering space.

  The corridor. Yes. I know who I am. What did everyone fear of these were-wolves? I’m in control.

  His gut gurgled.

  Now, where was that food? He sucked in one long sniff.

  Sniff? I’m an animal. Weird. But the food had to be down the long tunnel. Who put it there? Maybe my mate. He stepped over the bench and headed toward the aroma.

  “Straightarrow,” a familiar voice called.

  But the voice had little to do with the succulent scent ahead. He hopped into a trot.

  “Wait, Straightarrow. What are you doing?” the same voice asked.

  His belly howled.

  Certainly the ship had a galley.

  And galleys had meat, cheese, and beer.

  God, what a good cold beer could do for my inner demon. Or Kindrist. Where were her long legs in those pants that sucked at her soft skin? Teasing him. He trotted around a curve in the hallway.

  A woman cloaked in a white tunic and leggings stepped through a doorway farther down the hall and turned her back to him. One long brown braid dangled down to her knees.

  Something smelled delectable.

  Like meat. Or salty blood. He followed her swinging brown braid.

  His lengthy strides shortened the distance between them.

  And I thought being a wolf man wouldn’t add up to a good time.

  His mouth watered.

  Why? Was the woman carrying meat?

  She peered over her shoulder. Her eyes widened and she bolted up the passageway.

  No fair running off with the goods. He stretched his stride.

  Why was she running? After a few long strides, he could just grab that braid and yank the woman back to dig into Little Red Riding Hood’s basket. Or just bite one of those thin juicy arms.

  A man dressed in black leather jumped between them. “Stop,” he shouted.