Alien (37 page)

“I’m not your personal chef.”

He grabbed the baton off the bedside table, waving it at
her. “This says you are.”

She removed the band from around her neck and tossed it at
him to land at the foot of the bed. “Disabled. Remember?”

“Knew I shouldn’t have done that.” He gave her a full smile
that made her wish for a kiss instead of a food order from him. Looking at him
had her wanting more than she should. Being the first woman Paoni warrior,
she’d had a lot to prove and a relationship would’ve just slowed that down.

Relationship? What the fuck is wrong with me?

Shia pointed to a door on the opposite side of the room from
the bed. “There’s a full bath through there if you want to wash while you wait.
Think you’ll be okay on your feet or do you need help?”

“I can manage.”

She scooted out before he caught her rolling her eyes at her
own stupid notions. Sex was sex, plain and simple. He didn’t seem interested in
perusing another go round with her. Besides, her warrior career was over the
moment she flew off with the Hellions. Instead of thinking sex, she should be
planning her next move. What she was going to do for a future, she had no idea.
Helping Kal destroyed her chances of ever finding out the truth behind her
parents’ death. Pain sliced through her heart at the realization everything
she’d strived to achieve was gone.

Kal tested his legs. His thigh ached but didn’t bleed as he
gained his balance before he made his way to the bathroom. It felt good to peel
off the sweatpants. He unwrapped his wound and made sure it was sealed before
he slowly stepped into his first comfortable shower since his incarceration.
Audibly he sighed, enjoying the perfect temperature of water washing over him.
There was no rushing this. He stood under the steady stream, reveling in the
simple pleasure as he washed. In hell, he’d washed every chance he’d gotten,
but the streams, rivers and waterfalls tended to run extremely hot and could
blister the skin if he lingered for more than a quick dip. But this was
euphoric.

He would’ve remained there until the water ran cold if he
hadn’t caught a movement through the steam-covered glass. Kal tensed as he
readied for attack, slid the etched-glass door open a crack and peered. Shia
stood staring at him. Heat of desire shown in her gaze.

Her mouth parted slightly and he couldn’t take his eyes off
the tip of her tongue as it did a sensual glide, moistening her lips. Images of
what he’d like her to do with that mouth had his cock hardening in his soapy
grip.

Somehow he managed to make his voice work. “Care to share
the water?” It was an invitation he knew he shouldn’t give but failed to stop.

“I—”

Indecision flittered across her face but he didn’t give her
a chance. Kal caught her by the hand and tugged her into the shower. Water
soaked her shirt, plastering it to her chest, outlining her breasts. It was a
beautiful sight, full, round globes, wet and teasing him to kiss them. He met
her gaze as he rolled the shirt up her body. She raised her arms, making it
easier to remove. Kal tossed it over the door. Sinking to his knees, he helped
lower her pants, tugging the wet material from her flesh. He buried his face
against her navel, breathing in her scent of musky maple and honey. It was
intoxicating.

She held on to his shoulders, digging her nails into his skin
as Kal helped her out of them, throwing the sopping wet pants to meet the shirt
on the bathroom floor. He nuzzled the apex of her folds, breathing deeply
against the tender skin before tonguing her sheath for a taste. Her low raspy
gasp gave him chills. Kal licked her, sucking her clit, nipping then swirling
his tongue around the sensitive spot, causing her to moan and shiver. He tongue-fucked
her, loving her exotic flavor, lapping and sucking. She pulled his hair as her
pelvis rocked fervently in tune with his tongue and mouth. Kal sensed she was
ready. He stroked her clit while sliding two fingers inside her, pumping her to
orgasm. Shia shook as he lapped her sweet cream.

He rose slowly, holding her closer, taking in every inch,
trailing his hands across her shoulders and down her back then along her waist
to slide up her abdomen and cup her breasts, thumbing her nipples into pert
points. She lifted her face into the stream. Water flowed from her cheeks,
braided hair and rolled along her sexy neck. He kissed the curve where neck and
shoulder met, then rested his head against the side of hers. It’d been a long time
since he’d simply held a woman and even though he hated himself for enjoying
the moment, he relished the feel of her. He closed his eyes, trying to shove back
the reason he avoided the female kind. For this instant in time, the Paoni
named Shia felt right in his arms.

Kal found her lips, warm and welcoming as they kissed,
gently testing each other. He lifted her, hooking her legs around his hips as
he brushed his cock along her pussy lips. The kiss turned passionate. One long
stroke coated his shaft with her slickness, easing his entrance. Slow,
deliberate thrusts made him groan against her mouth. Soft flesh caressed him,
clamping around his dick, contracting tight. She nibbled his lower lip,
intensifying the kiss.

He couldn’t get enough, gliding in and out of her. Pumping
their hips in rhythm, in sync to each other’s needs, desires. Faster. Kal knew
he wouldn’t last much longer. He rolled his hips in just the right motion,
burying his cock deeper. She clawed at his shoulders, tightened her thighs and
broke from their kiss, her lips pressed against his ear.

“Fuck me harder.”

Kal pumped long, hard strokes as he massaged her ass in his
hands. A perfect fit for his palms, holding her steady as she matched his
thrusts and drove him to fuck her harder. Knowing they both were close, Kal pressed
her tight against the tile and circled her anus with his thumb. Shia squealed
in pleasure.

“Look at me, Shia,” Kal growled. “I want to see your eyes
when you come.”

Those gorgeous golden browns glowed with electric heat as
her orgasm washed over her and took him with it. Kal pushed deep into her.
Strong, muscular ripples cascaded along his cock, draining him of every ounce
from his balls. Kal’s legs weakened. His thigh throbbed but it was the best
pain. Shia wrapped around him, clinging to him, breathing heavily against his
neck. The shower ran lukewarm and in a matter of a few minutes it would turn cold.

Kal unwound her from him and maneuvered her to stand,
letting the water wash over them. He held her around her waist with one arm
while gently cleansing her with his other hand. She leaned against him, eyes
closed.

“Umm.” She sighed. “Keep that up and we’ll be doing it again
but in a cold shower.”

He laughed, pressing a kiss to the side of her forehead. “Cold
water isn’t a friend to the male gender of any species.” He turned off the
shower and opened the door. “Give me a few minutes to recoup and you’re on.”

A loud rumble from his stomach made her smile as he handed
her a towel. “Seems I need to feed you.”

Her stomach echoed his. “Sounds like we both worked up an
appetite. Besides, I thought you were cooking me a steak. Probably burnt by
now.”

“I haven’t started it yet. Forgot to ask you how you like it
seasoned. That’s why I came in here. But got distracted.”

He wrapped the towel around his waist and grinned. “That was
the best shower I’ve had in ages. Let’s eat.”

Shia sat across from him at the table on the patio. The
evening sky was streaked with the beautiful colors of sunset shimmering on the
lake’s surface. The ranch-style house was secluded. A couple of acres of
landscaped grass, flowers and ornamental shrubs were along the edge of the lake
on an otherwise densely wooded island. No other homes were on this private
piece of land. A dock and boathouse was in view. The speedboat housed there was
the mode of transportation to the mainland, which Dio had taken earlier.

She’d shown no restraint when he asked her to shower. Seeing
him naked, water streaming across those muscles, she’d been too turned on to
say no. She’d tried to think of it as just sex until he’d said her name, held
her face in his hands, made it intimate, though she doubted it was that to him.
The sensual way he’d spoken her name had given her chills. It was something
she’d never forget.

Kal’s damp, jet-black hair hung loosely down his back. She tried
not to stare but he was delectable sitting there eating his third steak,
wearing nothing but a towel knotted low on his hips. Shia had to snap out of
this and quick before she sank any further in love with him. Something Dio had
said gave her a tidbit for conversation to break the silence.

“Is it true there are no assigned cells in hell and prisoners
fight for food and supplies?”

His fork stopped midair. “Hell is an appropriate name for
Earth’s prison. Only the strong survive or eat. There are no cells and no food
unless you are a skilled hunter.”

Her eyes widened. “Prisoners hunt other prisoners for food?”

“Some do. I hunted creatures native to the core. They are
the strangest beasts, but make good eating if you’re skilled enough to kill
one. They are what the humans call dinosaurs.”

“I thought they were extinct.”

“They migrated to the core when the temperatures grew too
cold for them to survive above ground.”

“It shouldn’t be like that. The High Guard Council needs to
be informed of the atrocious conditions.”

He snorted heatedly. “Who do you think set it up like that?”

Agitation riddled her words. “Then the Kiengir must be
told.”

“They wield no power right now.”

“They control the universe.”

“They control nothing. They are prisoners.”

She was totally confused. “What the hell are you talking
about?”

“The reason I was locked away.”

The roar of a boat motor made them both look toward the
lake. A speedboat bounced along the water until it beached instead of docking
at the landing. They jumped up, readying for a fight. Dio hit the ground
running straight at them.

“We’ve got to go. Spotted a vimani.” He tossed a bag to Kal.

“Thought we were invisible?” Shia scouted the skies but saw
nothing.

“We’re supposed to be. But it kept hovering over the lake,
almost directly over the house, as if it knew exactly where we were.”

Kal stepped into a pair of gray sweats from the bag and
jerked on a T-shirt with the words Ancient Aliens on it. Kal arched an eyebrow
at Dio.

“If the logo fits.” He gasped, tossing a smaller bag to Shia.

“Where is the vimani now?” Shia asked.

“Don’t know, but I’m not hanging around to find out.” Dio
wheezed, out of breath. “Think you can make the repairs in air?”

The hairs on the back of her neck rose and her muscles
tightened. She nodded. “Yeah.”

Kal sat at the helm of the Cerulean XLT. Space. One place he
thought he’d never see again. He leaned back in the chair, scanning the vast
darkness. Once they’d cleared Earth’s atmosphere, it was wide-open skyways. He
breathed deep then released it, seeing it mist as it left his mouth. Shia was
below, fixing the climate controls. He liked the chill of space. It was far
better than the intense heat of hell. But he knew it would only get colder the
farther from the sun they got, too cold to survive without heat.

An angry curse rose through the open floor panel followed by
the pound of metal on metal. He grinned. Shia intrigued him—Paoni warrior,
mechanical genius, great cook and above all one sexy, beautiful female. She was
the most well-prepared individual he could ever remember. The arsenal she’d
produced from the heavy bag she’d carried onboard had astounded him. “You okay
down there?”

“Yes.” Her head appeared in the opening. He stood and helped
her out of the hatch leading to the forward engine room then closed it.
“Sometimes you just gotta beat ’em to make them work.”

As if on cue, warm air filtered through the vents.

“Nice work.”

“Thanks.” She motioned to the VIS screen. “Determined to get
us killed.”

“I can drop you on the next closest star planet, Paoni.”

“Paoni? What happened to Shia?” She stood with her hands on
her hips, one eyebrow arched, giving him a hard-ass glare. He’d hurt her. He
heard it in her tone even though she tried to hide it.

He ran a hand through his hair. He’d hoped to distance
himself from her by sticking to
Paoni
, keeping this thing between them
impersonal, but she was getting to him, making him like her. His dick
thickened.
It
most definitely liked her. She flipped her braid over her
shoulder. He wanted to unwind it, feel her hair slide between his fingers. Kal
spun to stare out at the darkness before he acted on the desire.

Women can’t be trusted.

“Where’s Dio?” Anger quavered her words.

“Galley.” Kal hunched over the VIS. A large ship appeared
out of nowhere, approaching fast, directed at them. “Damn.”

He attempted to take over flight control but he wasn’t fast
enough and neither was the relic at his command. The ship violently jerked to a
halt, sending Shia toppling forward. Kal caught her before she face-planted the
console. Shia pushed away from him. Each drew their weapons instantly.

“Pirates,” came out of their mouths simultaneously.

Readings on the VIS screen showed the ship’s system being
overridden remotely. A deep voice reiterated what they already suspected.

“Prepare to be boarded.”

Dio ran in. Kal tossed him a weapon. “You know how to use
that?”

He grinned. “Yeah, but we don’t need them.”

Dio entered a command on the VIS, causing a portal above
them to open. A round metal tube dropped down. A door slid open and a man stepped
out of the portal elevator. Shia and Kal held their weapons pointed directly at
the intruder. Dio stepped into their line of fire, back toward them before
either took a shot.

“Father,” Dio proclaimed with a tilt of his head toward Kal.
“Mission complete.”

Kal’s eyes widened, gaping in disbelief at Dio. He no longer
looked like a scared kid as he stood tall, shoulders straight. “Mission complete?”

“When we discovered a way for you to escape, my son was
deliberately sent in to get you out.”

“I never stole a ring.” Dio wagged his eyebrows. “I stole a
port-o-pod and this.” He tossed a small square object to Kal. “A seismic
stimulator. The only problem with this device is I had to locate a source of
increasing volcanic energy in hell for it to work properly, and that took time.
It intensifies a volatile lava formation and drives it to the surface, thus
providing its holder with a controlled eruption.”

The whole scenario hit Kal hard. Riding seismic energy to the
surface had been Dio’s idea. He claimed he’d heard about it from another
prisoner. Looking at the object, he realized Dio had created the escape route.

“The Aludra woman?” Kal stared directly at Dio. “The vimani
you saw over the island?”

“Not a vimani, just a signal from Father they were in place
for our rendezvous. And the woman…” He shrugged. “She caught me searching for
an energy pocket and figured out we planned to escape. Couldn’t leave her
behind to alert others. Cozying up to her added validity to that lovesick puppy
crap Syros created as my cover.” He snorted in disgust.

“You’re welcome,” a male voice stated teasingly through the
com system. Dio growled, which received a howl of laughter.

“Sons, enough.” The laughter instantly died at the stern
command. “Is she loose?”

“No.” Dio shook his head. “She’s dead.”

Kal was at a loss. Had he been incarcerated so long his
deductive skills had gone awry? He’d misjudged Dio completely. He wasn’t a
lanky love-addled kid, but a competent young man with unique skills and a
mission, which he accomplished.

“Why didn’t you tell me who you were?” Suspicion kept his
hand on his weapon.

“Would you have believed him?”

Kal turned to the man Dio called father. He stood at least
six feet. His brown hair hung loosely around his shoulders. His facial features
closely matched Dio’s. Their brown eyes were exactly the same. He wore a
one-piece black suit similar to leather and had a zipper-like closure down the
front. There was no missing the large weapons strapped on each hip. If Kal had
to guess from looking at him, a multitude of weapons were hidden upon his
person. A deadly fierceness exuded off this man.

“It’s doubtful.”

“Then we chose correctly by keeping it covert. Kallikrates
Valerianus, I’m Atrem Dingarios. It is good to finally meet you. Freeing you
has been a long time coming.”

“Dingarios?” Kal kept his stare leveled on the man and his
hand readied on his holstered weapon. Now he remembered where he’d seen the
winged-dog emblem. It belonged to the Sirian nation and it was staring at him
from a patch on the man’s left arm. “The Sirian representative to the High
Council?”

Atrem smiled, showing sharp canines. “That is the face they
need to see. It has given us greater access to information needed for the
coming war. I prefer POWR, which stands for the Paoni Organized Warrior
Rebellion.” He turned his attention to Shia. “Shikoba Saturnina. First woman to
complete the rigorous training, I’m impressed.” His gaze wandered over her. “I
thought you’d be bigger. One of those Amazonian-type women.”

“Don’t underestimate her, Father. I’ve seen her in action.
Nearly killed Kal.”

“Impressive indeed.” He looked over her head at Dio. “You
have exceeded the plan by far bringing this one in as well, son. I’m proud.”

“Thank you, Father, but Saturnina was an unexpected bonus,
not planned.”

“I’m no one’s bonus,” Shia practically growled, keeping her weapon
aimed at Atrem.

Dio laid his hand on her Mega blaster. “No need for this. My
father leads the alliance of Paonis who know the truth of the council. Please
listen to him.” He nudged a weapon of his own against her ribs. “Or I’ll kill
you before you fire a shot.”

Shia lowered hers and Dio took it. Her hands fisted as her
entire being tensed. Anger narrowed her gaze and Kal knew she was coiled tight,
not liking the situation. He wasn’t exactly fond of the fact Dio had fooled
him, but they had saved him. Kal moved beside her in a show of unity.

“We’re listening.”

“For years, we’ve suspected the council of corruption. Power
and greed consumes many of them. We formed a plan to infiltrate them and learn
their secrets.” Dio’s father stared directly at Kal. “We discovered the same as
you, except we weren’t caught and you were.”

Kal stiffened. “I made a mistake.”

“She was a beautiful, efficient spy, Kallikrates. You can’t
blame yourself.”

“Was?”

“Oriana has been exterminated. I’m sorry. It was necessary.
Unfortunately, we reached you too late to stop the port-o-pod. Never realized
how fast those were until we tried to run yours down before it reached the
chute.”

“You tried to save me? Why?”

“We’ve attempted several times. We want you on our side. The
Kiengir need you.”

Shia’s eyes widened, staring at Kal. “Delrado shot you in
the back with his Magnum and sent you to hell?” He nodded. She spun to face
Atrem. “The crash in Roswell. That was a rescue attempt for Kal wasn’t it?”

“Lost three of my best warriors. The ship was heavily loaded
with mining technology. Delrado suspected they weren’t
unnocki
travelers
and sent a task force that took them down.” His eyes darkened with loss. “He
made a spectacle of them for the universe to see and fear in hopes of
squelching any other plans of rescuing Hellions. No evidence has been found
that he knew which prisoner they were trying to free.”

“Why did he send you to hell? Why not kill you?” Shia asked.

“Kallikrates can’t be killed. Whereas we live for a few
centuries, he’s immortal.”

“Is that true?”

“Kiengir Nefertitikus granted me immortally eons ago in
order to create a force of warriors. Not only was I the Sun Superior, I was the
first Paoni.” Shia’s lips parted and her face read stunned surprise, which made
him smile.

“And that is why we need you,” Atrem stated. “We believe the
Kiengir are bound to the sun, unable to leave, and that their powers grow weak.
The reason is unclear as to how the council accomplished this feat, but it
appears as if the Kiengir have been trapped for at least a few hundred years. I
wanted to recruit you, but Delrado got to you first. We could use the greatest
warrior ever known on our side. Our mission is to free the Kiengir and
overthrow the council. You up for the battle of a lifetime?”

“Atrem, I was imprisoned over information I discovered about
certain council members. I’ve got an idea how they trapped the Kiengir and
maybe a way to free them. But I want a shot at Delrado. He’s mine.”

“You shall get your revenge, but in due time. Your release
needs to be kept secret. We can’t have you showing up on Bellitrix and someone
recognizing you. Could be a drastic blow to our cause.”

Kal understood the man’s logic but hated it. He looked at
Shia. “Shikoba, are you willing to fight this battle as well?”

Her gaze met his and for a second he wasn’t certain if she’d
accept. “I am.”