Dating Outside Your DNA

by Karen Kelley

  They didn’t say anything more until they were safely on the other side of the door, and away from the crowd.

  “I was supposed to lead Alesha around on a chain until we found you guys, but some Rovert s.o.b. must’ve thought we were you two. I punched his lights out, but two more joined in. By the time I had things back under control, some jerk had stolen Alesha.”

  “Two jerks,” she quickly spoke up. “I could’ve taken one. Anyway, he led me through these tunnels. How’d you two get away?”

  “I faked escape, then when Banyon came inside the glass cage, I knocked him out.”

  “Good job.”

  They didn’t say anything else until they reached the other end of the tunnel.

  “We’ll look around, make sure everything is safe. That should give you time to help Alesha out of those chains.”

  “The best idea I’ve heard all day,” she said.

  Ray and Roan stepped out into the open and quickly scanned the docking area. There were about forty crafts in all. People were loading and unloading supplies and contraband. Roan didn’t see any guards. They made their way back to the women.

  “All clear,” Ray said. “We have a straight shot to the craft.”

  Lyraka sighed with relief. “Let’s go.”

  As soon as they stepped from the tunnel, they were surrounded by armed guards.

  Banyon stood on the deck smiling. “Did you think you would get away so easily?”

  “Why is he talking like Urkel?” Ray said.

  Chapter 30

  Lyraka had a feeling she was going to pay dearly for slamming Banyon’s head into the glass. Not only did he not look happy, but his head was sort of flat on one side, and his nose looked more out of joint—literally.

  “You did all that damage?” Alesha whispered.

  “Guilty.”

  “I’m impressed.”

  Banyon walked across the platform in front of them. Lyraka noticed there was a decided limp in his walk, too. She only hoped he didn’t take his anger out on the others. Yeah, like he’d cut anyone slack at this point.

  “I’m not going back in that cage,” she said. She squared her shoulders and looked at Roan.

  “I never did like cages,” Ray said.

  “Where’s the rest of the team?” Lyraka looked around, but didn’t see anyone else.

  “It doesn’t matter. We’re outnumbered,” Roan said.

  He was right. They didn’t have a chance of making it out of here alive.

  “I say we rush them,” Alesha looked at the guns as if they were mere plastic toys.

  “We’ll never make it,” Roan warned.

  “Then I plan on taking a few of the bastards with me.” Ray hunched his shoulders like a lineman about to tackle his opponent. Lyraka had no doubt he’d take out more than one guard.

  “Banyon, Ruler of Rovertia, I hereby place you under arrest,” Joe said as the door of a nearby craft opened, and he stepped out. He pointed a gun at Banyon, but Banyon quickly stepped behind two guards and laughed, sounding more like a pig’s snort. “Who are you?”

  “I’m on the council of humanities for a unified universe and we’re cleaning house. You’re charged with importing and exporting illegal contraband and drugs, the buying and selling of slaves, and kidnapping agents of the elite force.”

  “Who’s going to lock me up?” He waved his arm. “In case you have bad vision, I have guards with guns. I believe, you are my prisoners.”

  Reeka, Warren, and Link stepped from the craft, all carrying guns.

  “We’ll stop you,” they said.

  Banyon did his snort-laugh again. “I think you’re outnumbered. Unless you have an army in the wings.” He waved his arm in front of him at the same time twenty craft landed. Nerakian warriors poured out of them. Reeka stood tall as she watched her countrymen, for the first time, ready to fight an opposing force. Pride practically oozed from her.

  Not only were there warriors, but Lyraka spotted Sam and Nick, along with Kia. Technically, Kia was her niece, even though Kia was older than Lyraka. Kia was a warrior, and right now, she looked the part, and she’d brought her husband, Nick, with her. He, and his partner Sam, who married Kia’s sister, were undercover cops on Earth who knew how to take down the bad guys.

  They were so going to kick ass now. Banyon had met his match, and then some with the team and her family.

  Aasera stepped between the warriors, directly in front of Banyon. He screamed and did a little jig backwards.

  Mom. Lyraka should’ve known her mother would be in the middle of rescuing them.

  “I see you’re still a wimp, Banny.” Aasera cast a disparaging look at Banyon.

  He quickly collected himself and stiffened his spine. “I am Banyon, Ruler of the Roverts.”

  “I suggest you tell your guards to lower their weapons.” Joe smiled, but it held no warmth when he looked at Banyon. “As you can see, we now have you outnumbered.”

  “I refuse to…”

  Aasera doubled her fist and punched him in the nose.

  Banyon grabbed his nose and screamed. “You’re going to be sorry!”

  “Urkel with a bad cold. Amazing. I didn’t think anyone really talked like that,” Aasera said.

  “He didn’t until Lyraka slammed her fist into his nose.”

  Alesha sniffed. “Does anyone else smell decaying roses? Bleh.”

  “Surrender or die!” Joe ordered.

  The guards all laid down their weapons and dropped to their knees. Sam pulled a pair of handcuffs from his back pocket and handcuffed Banyon. Banyon was still screaming as they led him to one of the crafts.

  A heavyset man stepped from the crowd. “I am Kragen, chief advisor. Please forgive us for our leader’s faults. He was out of control.”

  Roan eyed the man with something close to contempt. He didn’t like the looks of the Rovert. Something about him said he looked out for himself and no one else.

  “We will leave people here to assist in getting Rovertia back in compliance.” Apparently, Aasera had the same feeling.

  Roan studied her. From what he’d gathered, she didn’t like or trust men. He wondered what she would think of him.

  Lyraka walked closer to where Roan stood, and touched his arm. He smiled at her. She might make a pretty good agent after all. His heart swelled with pride.

  “I love you,” he said before he thought, then felt the heat rise up his face when he saw that most of the people had heard what he’d said.

  Lyraka looked at him. “Yes, I know. I love you too.”

  He grinned, then glanced around and met Aasera’s glare. She didn’t look too pleased with his declaration.

  He took a deep breath. “Traveler, I’ve fallen in love with your daughter.”

  Aasera raised an eyebrow and turned slightly, but when she did, her gun pointed toward him. He wondered if it was intentional or by accident.

  “It doesn’t look as though you’re very good at protecting her.”

  “She’s still alive.”

  Her frown deepened. “You will come with us to Nerak so I can have a chance to talk with you.”

  “I love him, too,” Lyraka said.

  “It’s not your choice. The elders will need to approve this earthling.”

  Lyraka stiffened beside him. “Did Mala ask for permission? Or Lara? Mala came to Earth looking for more than what Nerak could offer, but found Mason McKinley. They married without getting permission. Okay, so maybe Sam and Lara had asked, but that doesn’t matter. I’ve never been to Nerak.”

  “It was too late to get approval for Mala, but yes, Sam had to be approved for Lara. It’s not too late with you.” She looked at them. “Come.”

  “Now, Aasera,” Joe began.

  “You owe me this much,” Aasera told him.

  She turned and went to one of the crafts. Roan and Lyraka had no choice except to follow her. Roan looked at Joe, who only shrugged his shoulders.

  Crap, how the hell had Roan gotten into t
his mess?

  Lyraka bowed her head as she stood in the doorway of Elder Torcara’s chambers.

  “Enter.”

  Lyraka looked up and for a moment couldn’t move. The woman was regal and beautiful despite her many years. Lyraka took a deep breath and went inside.

  “Sit.”

  Lyraka sat on the chair across from the elder. It was hard to believe she was a part of this great woman through Aasera. Torcara’s DNA blended with Lyraka’s, even though it wasn’t a pure blend. This was another part of who she was. The heritage that she didn’t know, the part of herself that had been blank all these years.

  “You’re very beautiful,” Torcara said. “Did you know you were named after my grandmother?”

  “Yes.”

  “She was wise beyond her years.”

  “Wasn’t she the one who altered the DNA so only females were born?” Lyraka squared her shoulders.

  “Maybe she wasn’t wise in all things, but her heart was in the right place.”

  “I’m half earthling,” she reminded her in case the elder forgot she wasn’t of pure blood.

  “That must be the stubborn part I see in you,” Torcara said.

  Lyraka felt duly chastised.

  “Do you love this man you call Roan?”

  She met Torcara’s gaze without flinching. “Very much.”

  “Why?”

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “Why do you love him?”

  This was some kind of test and she had a feeling if she didn’t pass, then she might never see Roan again. She wasn’t sure how the elder would be able to pull it off, but Lyraka had a feeling she would.

  She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and thought about her relationship with Roan. When she opened her eyes, calmness had settled over her.

  “Roan makes me feel alive. He loves the good in me, but he accepts the bad, too. When I’m not with him, I feel as if there’s something missing in my life, and when he’s with me, I feel whole again. I can’t imagine life without him.”

  “Very well said.” Torcara nodded, her smile soft.

  Lyraka had to ask the question that had been burning inside her. “He’s okay, isn’t he?”

  “He’s with your mother.”

  That wasn’t exactly what she’d asked.

  “If love is meant to be, it will happen,” Torcara said.

  Some of her skeptism must have shown. After all, what did Torcara know about love?

  “I know what you think. That since there are no men, I wouldn’t know what love is, but you’d be wrong.” Her eyes took on a far away look. “Before we banned space travel there was a man. A trader. Of course, it would never have worked between us.”

  “What did you do?”

  Sadness seemed to wash over her. “I did the right thing. I banned him, and all men, from stopping on Nerak.”

  Lyraka could see just how much it had cost the Elder. She doubted she would be able to go through life without ever seeing Roan again. “Was it the right thing?” She couldn’t help asking.

  “As a ruler I often have to make difficult decisions.”

  “Like allowing men on Nerak again.”

  Torcara’s smile was soft. “That wasn’t as hard as you might think. I rather like Sam’s undisciplined nature, and Nick is headstrong and often does things without thinking first. I think we needed more spontaneity.”

  “Roan is a good man, too.”

  “He’ll need to meet with Aasera’s approval, though.”

  Her mother didn’t like men. Lyraka’s father had been mean, and when he’d found out Aasera was pregnant, he’d left. Things did not look good for Lyraka and Roan.

  The door swished opened and Aasera walked in. Lyraka stood, looking anxiously at her mother.

  “What?” Aasera asked. “I didn’t vaporize him if that’s what you’re thinking. He’s down the hall in the blue room.”

  Lyraka didn’t move, not sure exactly what that meant.

  “Are you going to make him wait forever?”

  “Then you like him?”

  Aasera shrugged. “For a man, he’s okay.”

  Disappointment filled Lyraka. She wanted her mother to more than just like him.

  “He seems nice enough,” Aasera conceded.

  Lyraka flung her arms around her mother and gave her a quick hug, then ran out of the room. She didn’t like these separations she and Roan had had to endure.

  Aasera settled herself in the seat across from Torcara only after Torcara motioned for her to sit.

  “Times are changing, Aasera.” Torcara sighed.

  “Sometimes changes are necessary.”

  “I suppose.”

  “What will it be like with men on the planet again?”

  “I’m sure it will be quite disruptive.”

  “But there are good men, too. I see that now. Lyraka’s father was cruel, but Nick and Sam are good.”

  “And Roan?”

  “I’m not ready to make a final judgment. We shall see.” Aasera’s gaze met the elder’s. “He seemed like a good man.”

  “And very handsome.”

  “Looks aren’t everything.”

  “It doesn’t hurt, though.”

  “True.” There was Joe. Not handsome like Roan, Nick, or Sam, but he had a way of making her pulse speed up. Maybe it was time to let down some of her barriers.

  Yes, times were changing, and maybe, just maybe, it would be for the good.

  Roan paced the tiny confines of the room. Would he ever see Lyraka again? Maybe they would just zap him and tell her that he’d left or something. Aasera hadn’t seemed that pleased with some of his answers to her questions.

  How the hell had he fallen in love with Lyraka in the first place? He wasn’t ready to settle down with one woman. He liked his free, easy lifestyle without the clutter of a romantic involvement.

  The door was flung open and Lyraka barreled in. His pulse beat faster, his palms began to sweat, and just looking at her made his heart swell with love.

  Fool! Of course you can’t live without her. She’s what makes you complete.

  She ran to him. He opened his arms, then wrapped them around her, holding her close.

  “I don’t care what they think of me. I’ll never let you go.”

  “Aasera approves of our relationship.”

  He leaned back. “She likes me?” That was a shock.

  “I don’t think she actually used the word like. She said you were nice enough.”

  “I’ll settle for that.” He lowered his head and once more tasted the sweetness of her lips.

  How had he ever lived without her?

  And don’t miss Cynthia Eden’s ETERNAL HUNTER, in stores next month from Brava…

  She reached into her bag and pulled out a check. Not the usual way things were handled in the DA’s office, but…“I’ve been authorized to acquire your services.” He didn’t glance at the check, just kept those blue eyes trained on hers. Her fingers were steady as she held the check in the air between them “This check is for ten thousand dollars.”

  No change of expression. From the looks of his cabin, the guy shouldn’t have been hesitating to snatch up the money.

  “Give the check to Night Watch.”

  At that, her lips firmed. “I already gave them one.” A hefty one, at that. “This one’s for you. A bonus from the mayor—he wants this guy caught, fast.” Before word about the true nature of the crime leaked too far.

  “So old Gus doesn’t think his cops can handle this guy?”

  Gus LaCroix. Hard-talking, ex-hard drinking mayor. No nonsense, deceptively smart, and demanding. “He’s got the cops on this, but he said he knew you, and that you’d be the best one to handle this job.”

  Erin strongly suspected that Gus belonged in the Other world. She hadn’t caught any scent that was off drifting from him, but his agreement to bring in Night Watch and his almost desperate demands to the DA had sure indicated the guy knew more than he was letting on
about the situation.

  Could be he was a demon. Low-level. Many politicians were.

  Jude took the check. Finally. She dropped her fingers, fast, not wanting the flesh on flesh contact with him. Not then.

  He folded the check and tucked it into the back pocket of his jeans. “Guess you just got yourself a bounty hunter.”

  “And I guess you’ve got yourself one sick shifter to catch.”

  He closed the distance between them, moving fast and catching her arms in a strong grip.

  Aw, hell. It was just like before. The heat of his touch swept though her, waking hungers she’d deliberately denied for so long.

  Jude was sexual. From his knowing eyes. His curving, kiss-me lips, to the hard lines and muscles of his body.

  Deep inside, in the dark, secret places of her soul that she fought to keep hidden, there was a part of her just like that.

  Wild. Hot.

  Sexual.

  “Why are you afraid of me?”

  Not the question she’d expected, but one she could answer. “I know what you are. What sane woman wouldn’t be afraid of a man who becomes an animal?”

  “Some women like a little bit of the animal in their men.”

  “Not me.” Liar.

  His eyes said the same thing.

  “Do your job, Donovan. Catch the freak who cut up my prisoner—”

  “Like Bobby had been slashing his victims?”

  Hit. Yeah, there’d been no way to miss that significance.

  “When word gets out about what really happened, some folks will say Bobby deserved what he got.” His fingers pressed into her arms. Erin wore a light, silk shirt—and even that seemed too hot for the humid Louisiana spring night. His touch burned through the blouse and seemed to singe her flesh.

  “Some will say that,” she allowed. Okay, a hell of a lot would say that. “But his killer still has to be caught.” Stopped, because she had the feeling this could be just the beginning.

  Her feelings about death weren’t often wrong.

  She was a lot like her dad that way.

  And, unfortunately, like her mother, too.

  “What do you think? Did he deserve to be clawed to death?”

  An image of Bobby’s ex-wife, Pat, flashed before her eyes. The doctors had put over one hundred and fifty stitches into her face. She’d been his most brutal attack.