by Marie Harte
“Yes.” Ecstasy consumed her, and she understood what Anin always sought but had never found during her sexual trysts. The ability to surrender fully, mind and body, to another.
“Blue Rim. Are they really as bad as you say they are?”
“Yes.”
“They’re using prisoners in their experiments?” His grip gentled and he thrust deeper inside her, arching into her sex.
The movement jolted her body to claw at fulfillment. “I’m telling the truth, yes.” She clenched her inner walls, and he cursed, moving inside her again.
“Then tell me one more truth, baby. You’re not and never were a prisoner, right?”
Her mind shrieked at her to deny it, but her will was no longer her own. The urge to submit overwhelmed her need to maintain her secret. “No,” she whispered, lost when he touched her clit, rubbing the nub as he pushed her to ride him harder.
“They created you, didn’t they?”
She didn’t want to tell him, didn’t want to say it. But seeing him stare up at her as if she were his salvation, she slowly nodded.
Rafe only rubbed her faster, and then the hand still gripping her hip moved up to cup her breast, pinching the bud with delicious roughness. “Fuck. Come around me, Erin. Suck me deep, baby, while I come inside you.” His harsh command elated her, pushing her into an all-encompassing climax.
She could barely breathe as the state of perfection blanketed her, and as Rafe shouted his own release, both his seed and his spirit found her, bathing her with comfort and warmth, and what felt oddly enough like true affection.
Moments later she realized she lay slumped over him, his callused palm centered over her lower back, their bodies still joined as they recovered from such an extraordinary coupling.
“It’ll be okay, Erin.” Rafe murmured her name as he stroked her. “This will all work out.”
Moments passed, and her peace gradually faded. This will all work out, he’d said. But for whom? Recalling what she’d confessed in the heat of passion, Erin knew the enormity of what she’d done. The calm she’d experienced now felt like a vat of dagnari acid. Staring down at a male she knew only as a manipulator, a thief, and an opportunist, Erin gaped in horror and did the only thing she could think to do.
She grabbed hold of his neck and squeezed.
10
“I want to know how she and the others got away.” Canunn shook his head as he and Synster conferred in the landing bay of Sector Eight on Nebe6, the System’s infamous pleasure planet. Canunn had insisted they stay a good distance from disembarking ships, not wanting to be too close to the riffraff normally associated with the sinful destination. “And I’m still not sure why we’re here, of all places. I don’t think this was a good idea.”
Synster scoffed. “I’m surprised you can think at all without the comfort of the labs. This is a golden opportunity to visit the most talented pleasurers in the System. Think what we can do with a pleasurer’s programming in someone like Anin.” His broad grin faded. “When I find that little bitch, she is in for a bout of discipline like nothing she’s ever had. And just wait until I get my hands on Erin.”
“Really, Synster.” Canunn flushed, not at all comfortable with discussions of this sort. “We’re not here to…indulge. The only reason Blue Rim allowed us to leave was to recapture our subjects before anyone finds out what they are.” He kept his voice low, not wanting anyone to overhear.
Canunn wasn’t worried that Erin or the others would broadcast their identity. The System had ordered Creations terminated on sight years ago. And though Erin had adapted to societal strictures better than Anin or Ryen, physically, she didn’t completely blend in with most humanoids.
He frowned. She had been away for several months. Could she have adapted better than he’d thought? She’d never been tested outside of a controlled environment. What if she began displaying skills they’d never thought to investigate? Sweat beaded on his forehead at thoughts of never recapturing his Creation.
Still, Erin couldn’t be at full strength. She had, unfortunately, suffered a fair amount of bruising after that first set of peacemakers had thought to bring her in using any means possible. Then there was the removal of her embedded tracking chip and reports of vigorous pursuit by a trio of brutal bounty hunters.
“You need to get laid,” Synster spoke bluntly, distracting him. “If you’d ever shove that dick through anything but your fingers, you’d know what it’s like to desire. Think about it, Canunn. We could definitely use desire to our advantage with our buyers. Imagine how much we could make on this planet with the three of them, Erin, Anin and Ryen, creatures designed to appeal to any and all sexes?”
“But they’re commissioned to go the highest bidder next year. We have to finish their programming. We can’t afford to deviate from our set course, Synster. The sale from Erin alone will be enough to fund Blue Rim well past the next century. And think of our guaranteed promotion and the ability to run our own research teams. Don’t screw this up with sex. I beg you.”
Canunn shuddered as a garishly costumed pleasurer, a whore actually, considering the poor quality of her clothing and face paints, strolled by them. He didn’t like sex. He occasionally masturbated to ease his physical hungers, thankful few that there were. But he couldn’t imagine Erin walking around like that…whore… His precious project defiled by base lust.
Erin, unlike Anin and Ryen, could hold a decent conversation without prostrating herself or going for his throat. Thankfully, Anin’s and Ryen’s failings made hiding them easy. Canunn had lied to his colleagues, so they believed that Anin and Ryen were right now stabilized and unconscious in Canunn’s private labs away from the main facility.
But Mathin, Canunn and Synster’s boss, kept abreast of Erin’s progress, singularly so. And Canunn couldn’t blame him. Erin, despite a small flaw or two, was perfection. She had intelligence, the ability to learn, and an open-mindedness he prided himself for instilling. Her physical form, naturally, had been designed to attract all manner of sentient beings for the express purpose of maintaining the upper hand at all times. With her powerful pheromones, she would always be able to confuse her enemies, giving her enough time to disarm and/or kill them with her superior strength.
But to use those pheromones to induce sex? Canunn squirmed, unable and unwilling to imagine her under Synster, as he had, unfortunately, once seen Anin. The bored Creation had waited patiently for Synster to spend, and the sight of Synster’s impure seed dripping down her legs disgusted him. Thankfully, Canunn’s sterile Creations would never conceive. A child with Synster’s mindset and Anin’s abilities would be a nightmare.
“Why did we have to meet here?” he asked Synster again. “I thought bounty hunters were for hire. That means we tell them what to do.” At least, that’s the way the other two groups had behaved. Then again, both of them had failed.
Synster shrugged. “This crew is supposed to be the best, and they wanted to meet here. From what I gather, they have two Raggas on board. And you know how they can get if you don’t satisfy them.”
Canunn nodded. Though Erin and Anin both possessed Ragga genetics, Ryen had manifested more Ragga characteristics than the others. Muscular and tall, he possessed more strength than even the strongest Ragga, as well as a keen intellect that wasn’t nearly as forgiving as Anin’s…at all. The only thing that had sated him over the years were a multitude of women to ease his fury and constant battles testing his war skills. Though most Raggas weren’t nearly so sexually hungry, Ryen seemed to need the constant release.
“Look, here they are.” Synster interrupted his musings. “Mara’s Light.”
They waited while the ship docked. A ramp lowered, and several people departed. The two larger figures were clearly the Raggas Synster had mentioned. Another large male escorted a striking woman, his arm wrapped around her shoulder possessively. The four glanced at Canunn and Synster. Then another male left the ship, said something to the group in a low voice, and walked pa
st them toward Canunn. The other four hung back, as if waiting for trouble to break out.
“We’re the ones who requested your services,” Synster said in a condescending tone once the male reached them.
The male, a Mardu, to Canunn’s practiced eye, simply lifted his left brow and stared at Synster, saying nothing.
Synster shifted uncomfortably, not sure what to do next.
The Mardu rolled his eyes. “You want to discuss this here, in the open, or would you rather take this somewhere private?”
Synster flushed. “I, ah…”
“Somewhere private, please.” Canunn gave a respectful nod, trying to appeal to the man’s obvious sense of command.
“Follow me.”
Canunn left the bay and glanced over his shoulder, not surprised to see the Raggas heading in their direction. The other male and female, however, moved back into the ship.
A short time later, Canunn, Synster and the bounty hunter entered a pleasure club, just one of many on the planet that catered to delights of the flesh.
Passing several pleasurers that called out to Catam, their Mardu host, they eventually sat at a table in the corner.
“You’re Synster,” Catam said, pointing at Synster. “I recognize your voice. Who’s this?”
“This is my associate, Canunn. He has a vested interest in recouping our loss. I don’t have to remind you how important this is to us.”
“I know. Trust me. With all the money Blue Rim’s put out there to recapture this criminal, I’d be stupid not to realize you want her back, safe and sound. A hundred thousand is nothing to scoff at.”
That amount was supposed to have been kept secret between Canunn, Synster, and the bounty hunters they’d previously hired to return their Creations. The many wanted vids circulating through the System listed a much smaller reward for information on their whereabouts. A hundred thousand beks? Now Canunn couldn’t try to bargain the Mara’s Light crew for a smaller fee.
He hoped he and Synster wouldn’t totally bankrupt themselves in pursuit of their livelihood. If all went according to plan, he’d have Erin and her siblings by the week’s end, the money back in his accounts and this team dead, no longer able to bear witness to any of it.
Canunn noticed Catam studying him and spoke to cover his silence. “If you find her within the week and return her unmolested and unharmed, there’s an extra fifty thousand in it for you. But she must be returned to Synster and myself and no one else.” Because no one else yet knew she was missing.
Catam snorted. “You gonna have a little fun with her before you give her up to Eryan law?”
“Absolutely not.” Canunn felt sick at the thought. He couldn’t help noting Synster’s warped grin. No doubt the scientist would relish taking Erin’s virginity. Despite Synster’s assurances that his dalliances with Anin had done nothing to harm her, Canunn couldn’t be so sure.
Sex seemed to foul up the mindset of most humanoids, no matter their race or species. And in spite of the fact that their Creations had no nested imperative to produce offspring, due to their manufactured sterility, the emotional bonds sex often created could be a disaster.
Erin had a touch of rebellion and a genuine affection for her siblings. Canunn could deal with rebellion. True love and its accompanying emotional pitfalls were not on his programming agenda.
“So, you want the woman back for another reason?”
“What the hell concern is it of yours why we want her back?” Synster snapped. “Your job is to track her and bring her to us, no questions asked.”
“Actually, no, it’s not. Mara’s Light is selective. We’re not like the other scum out there eager to make currency. We take a case only if it’s something we think we can handle. And I’ll tell you right now my captain will never agree to accept a job that includes bringing you some female you’ll only rape and torture later.”
“No one intends to rape or torture the girl.” Canunn gave Synster a stern look, and thankfully, the imbecile glanced away. “Naturally, she’ll be subjected to Eyran law. But unlike the rest of the System, scientific mandates are very clear about death and capital punishment.
“The reason we want her so badly,” he paused and leaned closer over the table toward Catam, “is that she took some important documents we want back. She will, of course, be imprisoned for crimes against Blue Rim, and those crimes can be easily substantiated if you require proof before committing to us.”
“There’s something about you that rings true, so I’ll go out on a limb. As soon as I verify that your story’s legit, we’ll be on the case.” Catam studied Canunn, then Synster. “We get fifty up front, the rest when we bring her to you. I’ve already put out some feelers, so I think I know where she is. The problem will be taking her down. From what I’ve heard, she’s evaded peacemakers and bounty hunters alike, harming several in the process.”
“But you already know where she is? How do we know you won’t just take the fifty thousand and leave? “ Synster asked. “How do we know you’ve even seen the girl? And why are we talking to you and not your captain?”
Canunn started. He’d thought he was dealing with their captain.
“You called us, so you must know our reputation. We don’t cheat the clients. You start doing that, no one wants to hire you. As for your other concern, Mara put me in charge. If that won’t suit, we don’t take the case.”
He looked to stand, and Canunn hurriedly stopped him. “That’s fine. But I think Synster has a point. How do we know you’ve seen our sub—our girl?”
“You hired two other groups to find her, and she tore through them. The only details you gave each of them were that she had some funky colored eyes and an aversion to touch. You failed to mention that she’s as strong as a Ragga. That she left Blue Rim with the help of a criminal named Wheller, or that her skin has an odd tendency to glitter in certain light.”
Canunn and Synster shared a glance. Wheller, that little bastard. Too bad he’d expired a month ago.
Scowling, Canunn turned back to Catam. “I’ll warn you that we have friends in high places.”
“Peacemakers on the lookout for an Eyran criminal fitting your girl’s description. I know. And you should know we never lose a bounty. Ever. So if you want your fugitive, we’re the people you want working for you. I’ll bring her straight to you two, unharmed, in a week’s time if not sooner. Deal?”
11
Canunn studied people for strengths and weaknesses as part of his livelihood, and what he saw in Catam’s gaze had him nodding. The large male was a definite predator, and the strength of his stare told Canunn he didn’t need to lie. This bounty hunter would succeed where the others had failed.
He hoped.
With a sigh, Canunn nudged Synster, who grumbled as he handed Catam a small cred chip. “Check it, the currency’s there.”
“Trust me, if it doesn’t clear, we won’t bring her in.” Catam stood and handed Canunn a small com unit. “We’ll keep in touch via this. You need something, call me. I’m Catam.” And with that, he left them at the table, soon swallowed up by a crowd of lascivious perverts and sexually crazed idiots.
Canunn rubbed the back of his neck. “Wonderful. I just hope Blue Rim won’t miss that currency until we can replace it.” He’d had to borrow from the company to fund their search, though he fully intended to replace the missing funds by the week’s end. And once he had Erin, Ryen, and Anin back in his control, he’d use them to wipe out the bounty hunters and recollect their currency.
“Blue Rim’s biggest concern is science. They barely know what goes on outside the company in the real world, let alone outside the planet.” Synster motioned to a nearby woman gyrating with such force it was a wonder the planet didn’t tilt more on its axis. “Look, we have another day before anyone misses us. I’m going to enjoy our planetary ‘vacation,’ and you should too. Because it’s only a matter of time before Mathin realizes his prized experiments are gone. And then we’re as good as dead.”
Hope lit Synster’s gaze and faded as fast. “You mean, until he does another of his intrusive spot checks. I think you bought us another week, maybe two. But hey, if Catam is as good as he says he is, we might not have to worry.”
The gyrating woman came to their table and sat on Synster’s lap. Completely ignoring Canunn, Synster began kissing the woman, his fingers creeping over her breasts.
Disgusted, Canunn quickly stood. “I’ll be in our temporary quarters. Be sure to enjoy yourself,” he said coldly, wishing he could be as casual about the whole mess. But the equations, the potential of the future, wouldn’t quit his brain, and as he walked back to his rented quarters, he planned out Erin’s next series of tests.
Though they hadn’t quite worked out her ability to heal herself, she did manage to bounce back rather quickly after broken bones. Perhaps his newest research would speed up her ability to heal. And if not, her deliberate injuries would be a just disciplinary measure to convince her not to leave again. Some blood and pain normally curbed their Creations’ tendencies to waver when it came to following orders.
Canunn smiled, ignoring the possibility that they wouldn’t find Erin and the others in time. Ryen and Anin would come when Erin called. And really, their progress wasn’t as important as Erin’s anyway.
Now to find their golden girl and bring her back where she belonged—in the arms of her Creator. If Canunn were really lucky, Synster might find himself blamed for Erin’s disappearance once word reached Mathin of what had happened. In fact, Canunn would make sure Mathin heard all about it, and all about Canunn’s tireless efforts to bring her back.