Terran Times 01 - Arena Station (8 page)

For the next two days she ate in her room, never venturing out.

On day four they docked at the transfer station, Kyra made sure she was the first one off the ship.

Tyrell had stopped to say goodbye, gave her the name of her first candidate, and then returned to her assignment on Telliz negotiating for the Emperor Palden IV.

At the Port Authority she was directed to a sleek personal craft and waited patiently for the crew to arrive. She should have been more surprised than she was to see Tiergar saunter up immediately after she did.

“Oh good, when I didn’t see you leave the ship I realized you must have beaten me here. The crew will be here shortly so let’s go on ahead shall we?”

His grin was back in full force, but this time proclaiming that he knew something she didn’t know. He palmed the lock. The door in the outer hull opened with a hiss.

Kyra followed him inside, once again enthralled with the rightness of his scent. She filled her lungs and was transported to the feeling of safety, comfort, and lust that the musk of his body gave her every time he was near. She only hoped that the dreams would not begin again.

Spending days surrounded by the scent of her 45

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own arousal tended to be distracting.

She trailed in his wake as he gave her a tour of the ship. He showed her the main bridge, the recreation area, the observatory and finally her quarters. Tiergar explained that they would be taking on three crew—a husband and wife team of Captain and Navigator and the Gunner/Second in Command. All were Azon and she could see the anticipation in his eyes at the thought of being with his own species once again.

“Would you excuse me Tiergar? I’m extremely fatigued after sharing quarters on that battle ship.

She snored like a chainsaw.” She could see the confusion in his eyes at the use of the unfamiliar term but she closed the door in his face before he could ask for clarification.

She remained in her comfortable quarters until the ship had taken off and the dining chime announced the hour. Dressed in one of the jumpsuits she had been given on the warship, she went through the narrow halls to the main dining area off the recreation room.

As she entered the room, she took note of the three strangers that would be her traveling companions for the next two weeks. The Azon female would have been a striking member of any species. Golden hair over bronze skin and black eyes made her the first person that Kyra focused on as she entered the room. The male that hovered protectively near her must be the captain by 46

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default. His black hair and rust-coloured skin gave him an infernal appearance belied by the engaging grin that lit his features as he spoke to Tiergar.

The male who was left must be the gunner.

Gold on gold skin and hair with blue eyes, he was a classic statue come to life. His were the first eyes to rivet onto her as she entered the room.

Tiergar’s eyes were the second. The look of possession that flowed over his features startled her and when he rose to greet her and escort her into the group she almost turned and ran. Taking a deep breath she walked into the group of extremely handsome and tall Azon. At home she was considered tall for a female but in this gathering her stature was that of an adolescent.

She slipped her hand into Tiergar’s when he offered it and as he drew her forward she trembled at the warmth of his grasp.

“Kyra, this is our esteemed Captain Taldan, his mate Mela, and gunner first class Eirac. Everyone, this is Kyra.” His voice rumbled out of his chest as he made the introductions.

She nodded to each one in turn as the introductions were made. Then she tried to take a seat. Tiergar’s fingers tightened over hers and he kept her at his side by that gentle restraint alone.

Mela and Taldan looked at the contact, then smiled at each other.

Eirac scowled at the couples around him and turned to Kyra with restrained politeness, “So, 47

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what species are you?”

“Terran, uh… human. We’ve only been in the Alliance selection process for the last four years.”

A tug on her hand brought her to one of the couches, while another tug had her sitting with her thigh pressed against his.

“How did you meet the Ambassador then?”

His curiosity was palpable.

She wet her lips and turned to Tiergar. “We were introduced a few weeks ago.” Her voice was hesitant and yet amused. ”It turned out to be a very public meeting.”

“We got along very well at the first meeting.”

His voice was dry. He rubbed his thumb against the palm of her hand stroking gently. Silence fell.

Mela piped up at last, “Welcome to the Pyral.

We are so happy that you have joined us. Shall we dine?”

* * * *

After Kyra demonstrated her ineptitude with the Azon eating tines and laughter broke out, dinner was uneventful. The conversation revolved around the route through space that the ship was on and the steps the Alliance was taking to deter raiders. Kyra listened avidly and only answered when directly addressed. She kept wary eyes on her plate, and for the most part consumed the food before her. She tasted a few of the unfamiliar 48

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items and finished the ones she enjoyed while pushing the others aside.

When the meal was over she excused herself to go to the observatory and bid them all a pleasant rest-period. She stood in the center of the room, absorbing the panorama of the stars. She knew that she would be space sick in a few hours and wanted to enjoy the view as long as possible. That was the reason she had been shipped in stasis and sent to the arena in the first place.

When the door opened behind her she whirled in surprise. Eirac stood in the opening watching her. His golden eyes raked over her form as he stepped into the observatory with the door hissing shut behind him.

“The view is lovely is it not?” His voice was warm and friendly.

“Yes, quite lovely.” She glided to one side putting distance between them. His eyes were a glowing, pulsing gold and she could smell the lust that was beginning to burn within him. The scent of his interest was not stimulating her senses at all and she wondered if it had anything to do with her interaction with Tiergar.

“I will leave you to the contemplation of the view. It’s past my bed time.” He had moved away from the door, so she squared her shoulders and strode toward the exit.

“Oh, I think it would be much more enjoyable with you here.” He turned and observed her, his 49

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muscled body tensing. “Please don’t leave yet.”

His words were a command and not the plea it was phrased as.

“I think I have to.” She hit the door release but found it locked. She braced herself for an uncomfortable situation and turned to Eirac who had moved right up behind her.

“Let me out of here.” Icicles dripped from her lips as she faced him.

“The door is coded to crew members only.

Everyone else has retired. It was clever of you to let me know you would be here alone, I nearly missed the invitation.” He was slowly backing her up against the wall and she bumped into it with him far too close.

“There was no invitation. I merely wanted to leave you to your conversation. As I am not of your species I felt I was intruding. Now open the door.”

“Of course there was. Your eyes devoured all of us but I was the only one to pick up on it. You find us beautiful.” His nostrils began to flare as he caught her scent.

“You are a very attractive race,” She agreed.

“That is as far as it goes.”

“Oh, I think it goes a lot deeper than that. I saw you watching the Ambassador, but since he won’t oblige you, I will.” He lunged forward and caught her shoulders bringing his mouth down to hers.

She turned her head aside and kicked out 50

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viscously with her booted foot. She connected with his knee and he went down to the ground.

Unfortunately, his grip on her arms was still firm and she was taken to the floor with him.

Taking advantage of her new position, she slammed one knee into his groin while slamming her head into his nose. A human male would have been incapacitated or at the very least stunned.