Lovers of the Galaxy Book Two, Bounty Hunters of the Heart © 2014 by Trinity Blacio and Ana Lee Kennedy
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Digital ISBN 978-1-62601-116-8
First Edition September 2014
Previously published 2011 by Decadent Press as Sky Streamers: Sacrifices
~DEDICATION~
This series is dedicated to readers who thrive on science-fiction romance.
Chapter One
A shot rang out, and the ricocheting bullet whined through the air.
“By the Twelve Galaxies!” Volund roared, ducking. “Maybe you two should just use your Slicers instead. You nearly killed me!”
Miln Se’a glanced at his mate, Oshki Lahmni, a smirk tugging at his mouth. Miln grinned back. He found humor in everything, whereas his partner often took things too seriously. However, this time, even his mate couldn’t hide his smile. Jaxxon was right. The bullet had almost struck their commander, but it had been Venus’s idea to teach them how to shoot the ancient weapons.
“Look, let me show you one more time.” Venus strode toward him, her big breasts swaying heavily inside her halter top. “This time squeeze the trigger. Don’t pull it. If you do, it causes the pistol’s sight to veer off the target.”
He admired the human woman’s physique. Although he enjoyed both attractive males and females—and Venus was certainly a beauty—he was committed to Oshki now. Besides, Jaxxon and Volund had claimed her, and the threesome was so content that they always felt happy and free around the trio. Few women were built like Venus. Tall with a large frame, she would make males look twice at her regardless of the world or time period. Most human females were smaller and shorter. He wondered how other Azutuans were going to adapt to such little mates—unless they found the mythical race of Amazons he had read about.
He met his partner’s silver eyes. A hint of jealousy flickered within them.
“Don’t worry,” he soothed. “The female is nice to look upon, but I prefer your strength, muscles”—he leaned close and nuzzled Oshki’s neck—”and your hard, tight ass.”
Heat flared in his mate’s eyes. His breath hitched.
Miln chuckled. “You are easily aroused.”
“I cannot help it. We have yet to truly consummate our desire to be mates.”
“All right, you two,” Venus joked. “As much as seeing two handsome Azutuans banging one another’s brains out would excite me, I think that’s best left between you two. My men might get jealous.”
Laughter rumbled out of him, and Oshki’s soon melded with his. They both liked the female. Her blunt way of speaking amused them as much as it amused her mates. He had to admit their brother-friends had their hands full with the lovely creature.
She took the revolver from Miln. “Pull the hammer back like so. It’s how the next chamber is put into position.” She grasped the grip with one hand and cupped it in her other. With her index finger resting lightly on the trigger, she looked down the pistol’s sight. “See that blue street sign on the right?”
“Yes,” he replied.
“That’s my target. I’m aiming for the middle of that white H. Remember to relax, take a deep breath, and then squeeze—not pull—the trigger.”
He watched her carefully. The pad of her fingertip slowly whitened, and then the weapon kicked slightly as the bullet shot out of the barrel. The sound echoed up and down the street.
“Now try it again,” she insisted, “and then let Oshki practice for a while. You might not have a reason to even use these pistols, but if something should happen to your Slicers at least you’ll have a backup. I’ll find some more bullets for you later. There’s a gun shop over on Ninth Street, not too far from here.”
Miln imitated Venus’s stance, holding the pistol just so. Even though she’d insisted they learn how to shoot the mid-1800s weapons before they left, it worried him that Randle already had a three-day jump to disrupt space and time. Still, the female had a point. Azutuans were very different from Earth people. Hiding their odd appearance, along with being ill acquainted with customs, lifestyles, and the clothing of that time period, would be difficult enough without drawing unwanted attention.
A hot, dry wind swirled up the street. Grit landed in his eyes the same instant he squeezed the trigger, and he missed the target. The bullet hit something, dust bloomed into the air, and the crack of the ricocheting projectile whined off somewhere to their right.
“That is it!” Volund roared. “I am going inside where it is safe.”
“What is wrong, brother?” Jaxxon teased. “Are you frightened?”
“That one was so low he could have shot my sapin off!” Stomping down the street, he headed for the bank building’s front entrance. “We should all go in anyway. It is growing late. In another hour, the Bone Eaters will be out to hunt.”
“He’s right,” Venus said. She patted Miln on the shoulder. “Let’s go in for the night. I’ll cook the pigeons Volund killed this afternoon.”
He nodded and watched as Jaxxon wrapped his arm around his mate’s shoulders. The couple followed Volund’s path into the big building. No doubt they would make love before Venus prepared supper.
“I wager they are going to enjoy one another’s bodies again.” Deep laughter followed the statement, and strong, warm hands settled on Miln’s waist. “Those three fuck like the menrotites do on Azutu. It is a good thing they cannot breed the same way.”.
“Do you ever miss Azutu?” he asked.
“Some things I do, but I remind myself the planet is nearly dead.” A sigh drifted out of Oshki. “However, this planet is one of the ugliest I have ever seen.”
“It is up to us to bring it back to health.”
“Let us hope we can teach humans to respect the remaining resources. Azutuans realized this too late; otherwise, we might have saved our home.”
Draping his arm around his partner’s shoulders, he said, “Come, let us go inside. The sun is harsh even for late in the day.”
Another arid gale whipped through the street, buffeting them. Miln’s bright pink hair fluttered around his shoulders. As he pushed his braided locks aside, he studied the dark corners and shadows of various buildings and structures, watching for movement. In the short time they’d been on Earth, they’d learned the Bone Eaters couldn’t be trusted. The creatures might be slow and sluggish during the heat of the day, but once the temperature cooled, they became quick, deadly assassins.
Once they’d walked inside, Oshki pulled him close and kissed him firmly on the mouth. Delight sifted through him but so did worry. He kissed back briefly and then pulled away.
His partner looked at him with frustration. “I grow w
eary of hearing the carnal cries of Venus and her mates every night. Perhaps we can love each other tonight, too? We have been here now for three days. The Ruling Body of Planets cannot see us anymore. We are free to love one another. We no longer have to sacrifice our love for safety.”
“I know this. Do not fear. My desire for you is overwhelming, but we have sneaked around for so long and have pined for each other for so many Muhebu lunar cycles that it is difficult for me to let my guard down.” He raked his hair out of his face again. “I keep expecting the door to burst open and Azutuan security to rip us out of one another’s arms, or to be called into Tapio’s ruling chambers only to find out he knows about us and we have been sentenced to death.”
Oshki’s eyes softened. “I am sorry. Where I am excited to be together for the first time without ever-watchful eyes on us, you suffer the trauma of always looking over your shoulder.” He reached out and tugged on one of his pink braids. “I will be patient with you.”
He smiled. “Thank you.”
Once Oshki had activated the force field surrounding the building, they used their Trans Shifter rods to teleport up to the floor where their brother-friends lived with their mate.
The tingling, light-headed feeling assailed Miln, and within seconds, he materialized to hear Venus say sharply, “I’m telling you it’s possible, Volund. Dr. Zeon’s journal says the serum works.”
“I will not allow you to put yourself in danger!” Volund stated firmly.
Oshki started walking toward the threesome, but Miln grabbed his arm and shook his head, once.
“Little warrior, I have to agree with my brother,” Jaxxon stated.
“But if we can change even a few Bone Eaters back to human form,” she insisted, “it will not only save their lives but also provide more mates for other Azutuans.” Pushing away from the table where the three of them sat, Venus stood. She put her hands on her hips and glared at her mates. “If I’ve told you once, I’ve told you both a hundred times, I’m not going to do anything stupid that might cause me harm.” She drew in a deep lungful of air, held it, and then let it out slowly. “Besides, I’m not going to cooperate if you’re always going to be so domineering! I thought you big apes would’ve realized that by now.” She noticed Miln first, then looked over at his partner. “Have these two always been so stubborn and infuriating?”
“Yes, they have been that way their entire lives,” Miln offered.
“I have read the doctor’s entire journal.” He continued, focusing on his brother-friends. “It may be advisable that you two do the same before you lay down the law with your female.”
Venus beamed at him, but her mates glowered back.
“However, perhaps I will go over here and only open my mouth when I put food in it,” he added and strode into the area Venus called a kitchen.
Oshki burst out laughing.
Chapter Two
Cries of pleasure echoed down the corridor to their quarters. Loud, masculine groans occurred almost at the same time, followed by feminine high-pitched squeals.
“Schizma!” Oshki banged an empty cup down on the tabletop. “Do those three never sleep through a night?”
Miln smirked as he picked at the last of his supper. “They are just beginning their relationships. New love is all about the racing heart and the coupling. In a few more weeks, it will have worn off.”
“You know how Azutuan men are about women in a certain condition.” Standing, he threw a secretive look over one shoulder.
Miln watched him suspiciously.
“They cannot keep their hands off their mates during those times.”
The last bite of meat in his mouth lost all flavor. “Are you saying she is…?”
A grin spreading across his companion’s face so wide his small fangs showed. “Do you not sense it?”
“I have been concentrating so hard on security and learning the dangers of this area that I have not paid attention.”
His mate was right. Azutuan men had a special sense about such things. Since Venus was probably not aware of this ability, he wondered if their brother-friends had told her yet, or if they were going to wait for her to learn it on her own.
After Oshki had put his eating utensils in the silver metal basin Venus called a sink, he turned, leaned against the counter, and crossed his arms over his muscled chest. “Jaxxon guessed she was impregnated, but he confided in me that he wanted to see if his brother sensed it yet. If not, he wants to surprise Volund with the news.”
“Azutuan women conceive quickly.” Miln pushed his braids back over his shoulders. “I guess it is only natural for human females to do the same through an Azutuan mate. They did bite Venus to save her life, so although she looks human, her body will now function more like our women. I hope she is prepared for a faster gestational period.”
A sobering thought struck him. He sat back in his chair and sighed heavily, his enthusiasm for the first Earth pregnancy suddenly dampened.
“What is it?” Oshki placed a hand over his.
“This drastically changes our situation. Ours, as in the five of us and the unborn.”
“What do you mean?”
“Venus will bring the first child that we know of into this nearly barren world. She is a viable female as it is, so should anything happen to Volund and Jaxxon, it will be up to us to find her a suitable replacement mate—if only for the purpose of protecting her and her offspring.”
Nodding, Oshki sat back and regarded him soberly.
“Also,” he continued, his mind racing, “she and her infant will require more rigid security from the Bone Eaters.”
“Very true, and Venus will detest it.”
A last disturbing thought slipped into his mind. “Worse, what if this Randle human somehow returns to this time period unnoticed? It is obvious he believes Venus is his female. If he should return without detection, I am afraid he would kill the child for not only revenge but because he would never raise another male’s offspring.”
Drawing in a deep breath, his lover held it for a moment and then released it slowly. “Thank you for sucking all the joy out of my news.”
Half amused, he snorted. “I am ever the practical one.”
“Regardless of the worries this pregnancy creates, let us celebrate,” his partner suggested.
“Oh? And how will we do that?”
His mate rose, stepped around the table, and grasped one of Miln’s hands. He tugged him to his feet. Sensing his intentions, Miln he wondered how he could let him down easily.
“We have only consummated our mating the one time,” his consort began, “and it was a brief and hurried union because we feared being caught, so I do not count it. Now we are on Earth, free of watchful, prying eyes. We no longer have to fear Tapio’s laws and can be together without interference from those who do not understand our love.” He cupped one side of Miln’s face, running his thumb back and forth across his lips. “Please, fierce one. Let us be together tonight. Let our cries tantalize and torment the others under this roof.”
Desire surged through him and settled in his sapin. Oh how he wanted Oshki, wanted to penetrate him, skewer his lover on his shaft and hear his partner’s lusty shouts filling their chamber, but…he couldn’t. He didn’t dare. Tapio was crafty, and it wouldn’t surprise him one bit to discover surveillance kerks attached to their possessions or even craftily woven in their clothes. It was just too soon.
“Well?” He smoothed his other hand down Miln’s bare arm.
“I do not want you angry with me, nor do I want to hurt you.” Worry prickled his conscience. He stepped back and stalked across the chamber to a long, padded bench with a back on it. He stared at the opposite wall, its surface a dreadful gray. He much preferred the vivid colors of Azutu. “It is too soon. If we are together physically, we run the chance of being caught.”
Oshki’s deep, rolling chuckle wrapped around him, inspiring more desire to course through his veins. If only his lover truly knew how much
he needed him.
“By the Twelve Galaxies, how would Tapio even know? We are millions of telens away from the Ruling Body of Planets.”
“Through kerks, that is how.” That one simple sentence nearly choked him.
“You are serious?” Shock laced Oshki’s voice. “You actually believe Tapio would have had someone attach kerks to our belongings? Are we that much of a concern to him that he would track us all the way to Earth?”
Keeping his back to him, Miln shrugged. He couldn’t bear to turn around and see the stunned look he knew was on his mate’s face. “He is a controller and he hates us.”
“But we would need a kerkviaa to detect them, if there are any at all.”
“I know,” Miln replied.
“Are you not making assumptions?”
He shook his head. “Tapio suspected all along that we were in love. Have you forgotten security nearly caught us the first time we consummated our union? What makes you think Tapio would not keep track of us here, too?”
“I do not believe it!”
The sudden, agonized shout from his mate startled him. He flinched and then slowly faced his mate whose eyes blazed bright silver. His partner breathed heavily through his nose, his mouth a firm, grim line.
“You are afraid!” With both fists clenched as his sides, Oshki yelled, “You allow your fear to rule your life—our lives! Why must you always push me away?”
The worst was happening right in front of Miln and he was at a loss how to avoid the disaster. He took half-dozen steps toward his mate, his heart thrashing against his ribs like a terrified animal’s.
“Please, Oshki, just consider what I have said. Think about it. You know how The Ruling Body of Planets feels about same-sex mates. Repopulation is one of the main reasons Azutuans are being sent to Earth. Although Tapio could not prove we were mates, he sent us here because he knows we love one another. It was his way of forcing us to take females, a way to prevent us from being together. If each of us does not sire at least one child, we will be under even more intense scrutiny. Do not think for a moment that Tapio does not have us under surveillance.”
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