by Sahara Kelly
Sleep came, but fitfully. She chilled against the night air, finally giving up her little corner of the bed and snuggling against Ric. He slipped his arm around her and pulled her against his chest without a word. Was he asleep or awake? She knew he was no longer hypnotized, and frankly she didn’t care if he objected to holding her or not. She was freezing and this was merely common sense sharing of body warmth.
Finally warm, sleep began to take over and she couldn’t keep her eyes open.
“Mia, wake up.”
Ric’s voice penetrated the haze of slumber. She grumbled and scooted closer to his heated body.
“Mia, if you’re going to hold on to my cock like that then you’d better be prepared to do something with it.”
She opened her eyes, shocked to find her hand wrapped around his fully erect shaft. She bolted upright, dropping his shaft like it had burned her.
“I’m…I’m sorry,” she stumbled, nearly jumping out of the bed. “I was asleep and I…I…I’m sorry, I don’t know what happened there.”
Ric’s lips curled in a smile. “You weren’t hurting me, you know. As a matter of fact, it was quite nice to have your hands on me.”
Shit. He was naked. She supposedly had never seen him naked. She’d slipped in bed with him last night without thinking. “I was cold.”
“I didn’t mind warming you last night. Stop worrying about it. Nothing happened.”
Wanna bet? “Good.”
They dressed and ate a hurried breakfast, then Mia helped Ric clear supplies out of the shelter. With a wave of his hand over the sensor at the doorway, the shelter dematerialized into its small canvas shape and Ric threw it in the back of the vehicle.
Not once had he mentioned last night, or this morning. She felt like a fly caught in a spider’s web, only she was the spider, too. She’d spun this web of lies and deceit to the point that even she didn’t know what was true anymore.
“We’re crossing into K’Mor land now,” he said, reaching behind him for his weapons. He handed a tolk to her. She adjusted her hand around it, familiarizing herself with its weight and feel, then searched for the sensor to emit the shock. Somehow she felt better now that she was armed.
“How difficult is this going to be?” she asked.
“Finding Vad? Not very. I already know where he is. Getting past those who will guard his safety will be the hard part.”
“They’ll protect him even though he’s a criminal?”
Ric nodded. “K’Mor do not take to having their kind extradited to other planets to serve punishment. They are warriors. To them, killing is a way of life. They see no crime in it, therefore feel they are above interplanetary law.”
“But the Molkor, the mutant culture, are even more vicious than the K’Mor’s, correct?”
“Yes. Mutants are a breed unto themselves.”
“Explain this mutant thing to me.” She hung on to the handle of the vehicle as they careened over a vicious hump in the road.
“Many years ago, K’Mors and J’Sols were at war for control of M’Lora. During this war, several of the warring sides mated, creating children of both species.”
“And those are the Molkor.”
“Some are.”
Now she was confused. “What do you mean, some are? There are other types?”
Ric let out a deep breath. “Molkor are the product of an intellect female and a warrior male. They are cunning, vicious and fiercely intelligent. But their warrior side is dominant.”
“Right, I knew that.”
“But there were others—Soloras, that are products of intellect males and warrior females. They have the same characteristics, are well versed in warfare, but their intellect side is dominant, therefore they are not savages like the Molkor mutants.”
“What’s the difference whether the male or the female is the intellect? I’d imagine they’d come out the same no matter what.”
“I am a Soloras mutant, Mia. My mother is a warrior, my father an intellect. There aren’t as many of us as there are of the Molkor, but we do exist. We are the hunters, the ones who track the Molkor throughout the galaxies.”
“Because you are more like them than anyone else on the planet.”
“Yes.”
Why did she feel like this revelation upset Ric? “Does it bother you?”
“Does what bother me?”
“Being a mutant—a Soloras.”
“I have adjusted to the fact that I belong to neither species on my planet. I am more accepted by the J’Sols because my father is an intellectual.”
“Yet he mated with a warrior woman.”
“Yes.”
“They’re not together, I take it?”
“No. The warrior who is my mother could not bear to live on the J’Sol side, and went back to her own people, leaving my father to raise me.”
Ric stared straight ahead. His mother didn’t want him? How could a child survive that kind of abandonment?
“I’m sorry, Ric.” Instinctively she reached out to him, then pulled her hand back, knowing she had no right to touch him.
He glanced over at her and she glimpsed the pain etched in his dark eyes. He masked it immediately with indifference. “There is nothing to be sorry for. The K’Mor culture would have killed me had my mother taken me there. She did what was best for me.”
Somehow Mia knew there was more to this story than he let on, but he didn’t seem to want to discuss it any further.
By the time the amber moon rose in the sky, they approached the lights of what looked to be some kind of city. Ric stopped, grabbed his weapons and stepped out of the vehicle, using a scanner to indicate their whereabouts.
“That is Kul, the K’Mor main city. Vad will be there.”
He handed the scanner to Mia. The city was presented in greater depth and detail than she could see with her eyes. Kul was set up similarly to Ric’s home city, only it looked more like a military compound than a place where people lived.
“We are in danger now. Stay alert, and don’t leave my side. If something should happen to me, take the vehicle, set the system for reverse of destination and it will take you back to Jolsu. Understand?”
She nodded, chilled at the thought of something bad happening to Ric. She couldn’t bear it. “Nothing’s going to happen to you. I’m a pretty good partner and I’ll be watching your back for you.”
He turned to her, his fingers burning through her leather coat. “Mia, take this seriously. K’Mor are like nothing you’ve ever experienced. They aren’t subdued here as they are when you meet them for hypnotizing. They’re savage and will kill you before they even know who you are.”
Why did she want to wrap her arms around him, pull him close and kiss him? Why had she fallen in love with the one man who would never love her?
She nodded. “Understood.”
He let go of her arms and stepped back, his gaze never leaving hers. She felt the charge between them, the passion that couldn’t be extinguished, the passion only she knew existed.
Then he surprised the hell out of her by grabbing her and pulling her close, covering his mouth over hers in a kiss that curled her toes. His tongue dove inside, tangling with hers in a passionate replica of lovemaking.
Mia clung to him, desperately, as if this were the last time she’d ever feel his warm strength surrounding her. The knowledge that he wasn’t hypnotized right now shocked her, and yet she wouldn’t question why he kissed her and held her like this.
As quickly as it started, he pulled back, his eyes blazing dark and filled with desire. His erection was outlined against the tight black leather of his pants, and she wanted nothing more right now than to drop to her knees and ease his ache, and her own, too.
“Be careful, J’Mun,” he said, smiling down at her. “I’ve enjoyed your body too much to let anything happen to it.” Then he motioned her up and over the hill toward Kul.
She followed mutely, her lips still throbbing from his passionate kiss, her mind scra
mbled between desire and his confusing statement. Then she stopped, adrenalin pouring through her as the truth hit.
He knew.
About them. About the lovemaking they’d shared. He’d never been hypnotized. He’d been fully awake each time. But how? And more importantly, why had he allowed her to believe she’d hypnotized him?
Ric was at least three meters away before he noticed she wasn’t following. He stopped and motioned her toward him, but she was frozen to the ground. Anger and humiliation overrode any sense of urgency to keep up with him.
He stormed over to her, his brows knit in confusion. “Why did you stop?”
“You knew,” she whispered.
“Knew what?”
“About the hypnosis, about everything. You’ve been awake the whole time, haven’t you?”
Ric inhaled quickly and blew out a breath. “Yes, J’Mun, I knew. Now let’s go.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you.”
Chapter Ten
Ric knew she wouldn’t take it well, but he couldn’t help himself. Should something happen to him, he’d wanted to kiss Mia one more time, feel her warmth wrapped up in his arms and breathe in her sweet scent.
And he knew as soon as he’d done it, she’d be aware of the lies he’d told.
“We can argue about this later, Mia. Now we have to go. We could be spotted here.”
“How could you do this to me?” she sputtered, stomping the ground behind him.
“Stealth, J’Mun. If you’re going to stomp around in the dirt we might as well drive in and let them know we’re here.”
“Don’t call me that.”
“What?”
“That endearment word. Dammit, how could you do this to me!”
He stopped and turned abruptly, grabbing her by the shoulders. “I did no more than you attempted to do to me by hypnotizing me into fucking you.”
Her face blushed crimson under the full moonlight. “You could have told me straight off that you weren’t hypnotized. Then, none of this would have happened.”
“So this is my fault?” he hissed. “Granted, I played along at first, intending to tell you that it was not possible for me to be hypnotized. Since I’m frequently privy to interrogations on Earth, I wear a chip inside my head that prevents hypnosis.”
“Bullshit. Why wouldn’t I know that?”
“Because there is no reason for you to know.”
“I’m a unit officer and a hypnotist. I should know.”
“Take that up with your superiors who felt only they needed to know. Anyway, you lied to me.”
“You lied to me.”
“Then we’re at a stalemate. Can we go now or would you like to yell a little louder and call attention to ourselves?”
“I don’t know. Maybe.”
Disgusted, he said, “Fine. Go wait in the vehicle. I will retrieve Vad and return shortly.”
“No fucking way, M’Loran.”
“I don’t need you to give a code. I can subdue him with the tolk or plikor.”
“That may be, but I have orders to come with you and capture him.”
“You don’t listen well.”
“So I’ve been told.”
“I am your superior officer here, Mia Logan. You will not disobey my orders.”
“You’re just pissed off because you got caught in a lie.”
“This has nothing to do with fucking you. We’re on a mission. One I’d like to get out of alive. Clear your head, push whatever emotions you have to the back of your mind for now, and let’s get on with this. We’ll argue later.”
Mia hated not having the last word in an argument. “Fine.”
He turned and walked away. She fought to keep up with him, bound and determined that when he needed backup, she’d be there. She might want to kill him right now, but that didn’t mean she wanted anyone else to.
They walked for an hour, skirting the front of the city and coming in from the back. The buildings faced away from them. It was late and no one seemed to be about.
“Vad will be at the Gaming Center,” he said, motioning to a tall building in front of them. “This is where they play, drink and have sex.”
“How do you know he’s there?”
“I can smell him.”
“Seriously.”
“It’s where he lives. In the rooms to the back of the main center.”
He grabbed her and pulled her behind him when a couple warriors passed by. Mia got a glimpse of them, though, surprised to find they looked different than M’Lorans. They were blue, and very tall, but their heads were overly large and their faces bore scars that looked like a ravaging disease had taken hold of them. Their bodies were wider, too, all their features at least twice the size of J’Sols.
When the warriors left, she said, “You don’t resemble them.”
“No. I took on most of my father’s genetics.”
“What’s wrong with their skin?”
“The sun’s radiation on this side is more powerful. Plus, it’s warmer over here. Warriors don’t care about covering up, so their skin burns and scars. We are in no danger being here at night, nor would we be in the daylight if we took precautions.”
She hoped they wouldn’t be around long enough to see the sun rise. She wanted to get out of there and quickly.
They entered the back of the building. Ric cut through some type of force field in the doorway and they walked quietly in. Mia had to rely on hand signals from Ric to know where they were going.
Laughter and shouts roared in front of them, signaling people approaching the darkened hallway.
Ric pulled her into an open room, shutting the door quickly and pressing her against the wall.
She grabbed his shirt and held still, her heart pounding against his body. She fought to still her shaking hands. “Why can’t you shapeshift into one of their forms?” she whispered, her heart slamming against her chest.
“All M’Lorans can see each other’s natural form. It’s pointless.”
“Where are we now?”
“Next to Vad’s room. Stay here while I step outside and see if he’s there.”
“No, I’m going—“
Ric covered her mouth with his hands. “I’ll be right back, I promise. Think of this as reconnaissance. Cover my back.”
Reluctantly, she nodded and he stepped through the doorway, leaving her alone in the darkness. She heard rustling outside the door. Her blood roared in her ears as fear overtook her. She slipped the tolk into her jacket, using both her hands to move against the wall. Feeling her way, she slid through the darkness until the back of her knees hit a hard object. A bed, judging from the whirring air waves ruffling her hair.
She froze when the door slid open. She couldn’t see who entered. Someone very tall.
Oh please, God, let it be Ric.
“Ric?” she whispered, hoping against hope that it wasn’t someone else.
He paused, then said, “Yes, it’s me.”
Finally exhaling, she stepped toward his silhouette, throwing her arms around him. “I thought something happened to you.”
He grabbed her and laughed, low and husky. His hands traveled lower, cupping her buttocks and pulling her against his erections. He’d transformed into his M’Loran shape. Mia shuddered, her body instantly awakening to his touch. Then it hit her. Why would he be touching her this way, and especially now?
“Stop, Ric,” she said, pushing against his chest, wondering what the hell he was thinking trying to seduce her in the middle of the warrior’s city.
“I don’t think so,” he responded, roughly grabbing her breasts and squeezing. Tears sprang to her eyes at the sharp pain. He pushed her against the bed and she lost her balance, falling onto the air current. His huge body covered hers.
“Ric! Stop this! No!” she cried. What was happening? How could he do this to her? “You’re hurting me!”
“You’ll like it soon enough,” he answered, licking the side of her face. A foul stench
assailed her nostrils and she knew it emanated from the man holding her. She fought to see in the darkness, but knew whoever had her pinned to the bed wasn’t Ric.
Oh, God, where was Ric? Had he been caught? Or even killed?
She reached inside her coat, searching for the tolk while struggling against the stranger as he fought to unzip her pants. His rank breath made her gag. Waves of nausea assailed her. She forced the rising bile back, trying to think clearly so she could get out of this before this person raped or killed her.
He yanked the zipper on her pants down, then reached for the waistband. She kicked at him, but her size and strength were no match for the giant. He only laughed at her and rocked his erections between her legs.
Mia knew if she continued to hyperventilate like this she’d pass out and he could do whatever he wanted to her. Her hand fumbled inside the jacket and finally closed around the tolk. She went still, forcing her breathing to regulate, and waited for the opportunity to pull the weapon out and use it.
When the stranger felt her muscles relax, he laughed and yanked her pants down over her hips. Then she whipped out the weapon and struck him with it. He howled and pulled away, cuffing her on the side of her head with his huge hand before he dropped to the ground.
The blinding shot of pain was excruciating, and she fought against the blackness threatening to overwhelm her. If she passed out now, she was done for. He’d only be out for a few seconds and then he’d be on her again. She yanked up her pants and struggled to stand, but dizziness dropped her back onto the bed.
A light came on, faint, but enough to see the outline of the man who pulled himself up from the floor. His image wavered in front of her and she blinked several times, trying to restore her vision. She could barely think let alone function, but she knew who it was.
Vad. His body shimmered and he shifted from Ric’s form to his own, his face a tangled mass of scars. Hatred marred his features even more, twisting them into a frightening visage. “You are UlRic Lor’s woman, that idiot hypnotist.”