Page 23 of 80% Beef 20% Cake (Alien Fated Mates #2)

23

R eluctantly, I stepped away from Ginger and returned to the conference room. After inhaling Ginger’s sweet scent, the bitter tang of javae sharpening the air bit at my nostrils. I sat in my unadorned chair and tipped my head in solidarity toward Sisip. More composed, she stood at the head of the table, pointing out locations the hellsna frequented on the projected imagery to Yurst, Devile and D’irk.

Devile’s gaze landed on my wrists and stayed there, his expression twisting into something devious. His intense focus made it clear he had no interest in Sisip’s plans. I forced my hands to relax on the table, fighting the tension and itch that built under Devile’s stare. If I scratched, it would draw even more unwanted attention.

A pattern was emerging at the base of my hands, wrapping my wrists in bands as thick as my thumb. Although faint, distinct spirals and whorls indicative of linnea leaves now circled my wrists. Remarkable.

Devile slammed his hand down and slopped javae onto the deep blue table cover. “Enough. Tuga, my bodyguard, and Inmate 141 will enter the hibernaculum and wait for the hellsna to return. They’ll then administer the bloodroot fungus, and I can be free of this tiring planet.”

Sisip stood, her chair stuttering over the uneven rock floor. “That strategy poses an unnecessary risk to life. We’ve had success luring them out into the open.” Her ears twitched in erratic jumps and pauses, and her voice grated, the polite veneer worn thin. “If we lure them, it leaves more room for the team to escape unharmed should the plan fail.”

Ignoring Sisip, Yurst clasped his hands under his chin, gazing at Devile. “A most wonderful plan you’ve devised, and in so little time. I must commend your efficient directive. There’s no doubt you are an esteemed tactician on Yagras.”

Blanting idiot! I shifted my arms under the table and dug into my itching wrists. After ridding Tern of hellsna, Yurst was the next problem on my list. Bonic would guide us on how to govern without an ass-kissing mayor.

Wait. Did Devile say Tuga was on Tern? “Tuga’s here?”

My question went unanswered as D’irk stood elbow to elbow with Sisip, his sharp teeth flashing against his deep brown skin. “I second Sisip. Going into the hibernaculum is much too dangerous. It’s an unknown variable. The only one who has been in there is JayJay’s dorat, and she can’t talk.”

D’irk took a deep breath and composed himself. “While your plan shows merit—the element of surprise could work—certainly you would consider your man’s safety and JayJay’s in the execution.”

Devile rose, more than a head shorter than me, and clutched his armrests with an iron grip. Yurst jumped over the arm of his chair, too heavy for him to maneuver, and rushed to his side. I remained seated, shocked that my old friend Tuga was here and that he and I might fight alongside each other once again.

Devile’s furious gaze traced my wrists. “A dorat has claimed you?” he hissed, not bothering to hide his anger and dismay. Whenever a dorat claimed a Rock Dweller on Yagras, a certain measure of prestige followed.

A breath louder than a whisper, Devile spoke syllable by syllable as if to a youngling. “Hear me now. I will release the bloodroot fungus to Tern under my conditions. I’m more than happy to return to Yagras with it still in my ship’s stores.”

Not blanting likely. Determined, I stood, rolled my shoulders back and spoke to everyone at the table. “I’ll do it.”

The satisfied smirk on Devile’s face hit me like a punch to the gut. Pleasing him was the last Sola-blasted thing I wanted, but I knew the spineless cretin would never lower himself to take part in a mission. I could do whatever the hellfire I pleased once the darts were in my hands. Though I hated the resignation on Sisip’s and D’irk’s faces. Even Yurst frowned, thrown by Devile’s threat to return home with the fungus.

Devile stretched his neck back and forth while he licked his lips. “Then it’s settled. Tuga will arrive here at seven suns tomorrow with the poison. Now, if you’ll show me to my rooms, I wish to stay here while the battle ensues.”

I forced my hands to my sides to avoid pummeling my fist into his sniveling nose.

Yurst poked at one of the brittle holes in the volcano’s wall and frowned as it crumbled. “Wouldn’t you rather stay poolside in my lovely guest suite?”

Devile’s eyes burned holes through mine with their laser-like intensity. “I hear the volcano cavern has an exotic fruit that bursts with unrivaled flavor as it meets your tongue.” He licked his top lip again. “I wish to savor this rare gift for myself.”

Over my dead body. I forced my fingers to loosen at my sides. No one would be tasting that rare gift but me.

“Oh, silly”—Yurst flung his arm in front of him as if shooing a bug—“that’s easy. We’ll just bring some back with us.”

“Oh, I plan on bringing it home.” Devile’s eyes sparked with a sinister twinkle. “But it may take some time.” He took a moment to direct his attention to Yurst. “So, you must return to your dwelling. The townsfolk need your strong leadership there.”

Yurst bounced on his toes, pleased by Devile’s praise no matter how false it rang to the rest of us in the room.

I ground my teeth. Ginger was in danger, no matter what I chose. In Devile’s reach or the hellsna’s. And where would I be when she needed protection? My tongue stung, and a coppery hint of blood lingered in my mouth. In the beast’s foul lair.

Tuga and I needed to get the job done fast. While Sisip arranged an escort for Yurst to return to Yurstille and for an enforcer to clear a room for Devile, I racked my brain for solutions.

Hill, Saluda, Efred and D’unter made a formidable wall, dressed in the custom armor Ginger had made them, as they greeted me outside the conference room. With a fire in their eyes, they looked ready to conquer any challenge the Reiner System might throw at them. As we strode from the conference room, every head in command central turned toward us, wanting to know the details.

“Devile will only release the darts if I follow his plan.” Their eager smiles turned to scowls as I continued, “Tuga and I will enter the hibernaculum tomorrow.”

“No way, Protector,” Saluda and Efred snapped in unison, smoke drifting from their nostrils.

“That’s a ridiculous strategy.” Hill kicked at the loose floor, which crumbled in layers around him.

“It’s out of my control,” I spat. Frustration bubbled under my skin. They were right. Devile was sending us on a suicide mission. Then I softened my words at the concern in their eyes. “If it were my choice, you’d all be on my team.” I signaled them in closer. “Don’t worry. I’m just playing the game.”

I spotted Ginger as Efred stormed toward Sisip. The gesture warmed my heart, but he’d have no more luck with Sisip than she’d had with Devile. Ginger leaned against the railing, pointing toward a marker on the map projection, chatting to Shaheel. I bent down to reach Hill’s ear. “Devile has his eyes on Ginger. In my absence, don’t let her out of your sight.”

Someone shouted my name and Ginger turned, finding me at once. Her swishing hips mesmerized me while she advanced, but her hands clenched once she’d reached my side. “I hate being the weak human girl who needs protection.”

She wasn’t supposed to hear that. How could she doubt her strength? She’d traveled to an unknown planet, ill, leaving her career behind. Survived hellsna and snow slides. And now the male who had swept my life away with one stroke of his hand had shown his interest. “If you are weak, I am the crumbling sand beneath your feet.”

Hill looked me square in the eye. “No harm will come to her under our watch.”

Ginger’s fists loosened, but her hair swung around her neck the way it did when she dug in her heels. I crouched low, my healing leg complaining, as if hunting the black jungle cat on Yagras. Voice a whisper, I shuttled my fingers over her calf and looked up to meet her narrowed eyes. “Please. Devile banished me with no proof. No one doubts your strength. Let them protect you when I can’t.”

Eyes shining, she swallowed hard. “All right. For you.”

That had visibly taken a toll on her pride. I wrapped my arms around her to take away the sting. “This pleases me very much.”

Ginger grabbed my hand and pulled me upright. “Don’t do anything stupid tomorrow, ’kay?” She jumped up and brushed a kiss over my chin, then she walked over to Saluda and elbowed the young Drack in the ribs with a too-bright smile on her lips. “So you think you’re tougher than me, huh?”

Hill and his team would keep her safe in my stead. I trusted them. Geo and Makir would help, too. While I was at it, I would enlist Sisip, D’irk and every single enforcer in this volcano. Devile wouldn’t get within an inch of Ginger. But my heart continued to race.

The itch built under my skin, my head throbbed, and the only thing that calmed me was under threat. I needed air, and I needed Ginger. Now.

Ginger yelped when I scooped her up against my chest and charged out of Starry Volcano as if it were erupting. With Ginger’s arms clasped around my neck and her knees gripping my sides, I climbed high up the volcano’s side to a flat rock, jutting out like our own private balcony.

I nestled Ginger between my legs, and then we sat there, admiring the view. My anger over the tedious meeting dissipated as a cool breeze washed over my skin.

The wreckage of the wastelands spread out below. Skeletal buildings dotted with gold lunal flowers—pretty, despite their vines’ tangled snares—brought life to the once barren landscape. Spears of blue graneth grass grew in clumps, camouflaging the treacherous ground.

The burning itch in my wrists, the thrum of bones mending in my right leg and the overpowering urge to wrap my hands around Devile’s throat and squeeze till his toes quaked and his last breath left his lungs had all quieted. Ginger’s words echoed in my head. “Yes, I’ve initiated the process to claim JayJay as my mate.”

Euphoria, as light as the tiny bubbles in the tonic I added to my favorite whiskey, fizzed through my veins. The scent of flowery, sweet linnea filled my nose, and the heavy air melted like honey on my tongue. It tasted like Yagras.

“You’re smiling. Are you okay?” Warm in my arms, Ginger’s soft curves pressed against my stomach and chest, which she patted.

“Never better.” Content, my mind wandered.

That jealous bastard Devile was after my female, and I guessed it had something to do with how his mouth had gaped open when he saw my shimmering skin. Though any male Rock Dweller with a beating heart would want her. She’d restored me to my warrior status, and when she smiled, it chased away the shadows like the sun’s rays. Plus, her hair, all that wonderful hair, in places I’d never imagined…

Throughout Sisip’s council, I’d caught Devile sneaking glances at my wrists and armor. I must talk to TeyTey. She’d studied the history of Rock Dwellers extensively. She’d explain why my skin now matched the vision our ancestors had shown me while seeking guidance in the hot pools.

Devile’s grin as he’d scanned Ginger from head to toe bubbled to the surface of my mind, and I skated my fingers down Ginger’s thighs to dim the burn from the building anger. Familiar with the lengths Devile would go to to get what he wanted, I vowed to protect Ginger with my life.

“What happened in there?” Ginger repositioned herself across my lap so my arms draped around her in a loose hug.

Directly above us, the sun warmed my head. A flock of woodskies soared overhead, squawking a tune.

On a deep exhale, I nuzzled into her silky hair and kissed the rich brown poking through. “He’s tricking you. The chain mail gift…The compliment he forced from you when he asked your feelings about the bloodroot fungus… He’s trying to force the process of claiming a mate. It’s the only thing that makes any sense. A gift, a compliment… I’m not sure how he’ll prove you care for him, though? The bond would never hold without genuine reciprocation.”

“Care for the king of assholes?” Ginger sputtered. “Why the hell would he want me?” Her small hands formed fists and banged against her thighs. “And I’m pretty sure the chain mail doesn’t count as a gift when Yurst plucked it out of my hands and gave it to the smarmy ass. And I took it back.”

“Males with females are revered on Yagras. He might be after the prestige.” I formed cups on her legs for her fists to land in, protecting the soft flesh below from bruising. “He’s proved he has no problems manipulating the truth.”

Slow drips of doubt turned into a stream, then a waterfall as I muddled over Ginger proclaiming her interest in me. A claim under duress meant nothing. I moved her from my lap onto the rocky slab, breaking contact, driving my nails into my wrists as the itch flared.

Her nose scrunched up, and she shook her head. “But there are other unattached females here. Why were you acting all weird with him, anyway?”

He’d always wanted what I had. “Ginger, it’s fine. You didn’t mean what you said. You were only trying to protect me. I understand you just need me for my seed, that when the portable medicine arrives, you’ll be returning to Earth, but you must continue to play along.”

I palmed the back of my neck and focused on the tiny pink lumps in the distance—Yurstille.

“Are you interested in claiming Devile? To initiate is a gesture reserved for females. There has to be intent from the female.” My jaw clenched, shooting pain to the base of my skull. “So the bond could never form completely with…Devile unless you choose it.” Or me. “Devile is a male of great power, wealth and influence. He can provide for you in ways—”

Ginger bolted upright and whirled to face me. Her hazel eyes held me in their animal grip when she wrenched my head up with her tiny fingers. The lips I knew were velvety soft pinched together.

“Are you fucking kidding me right now?” Ginger’s hold on my chin tightened. “Do you know what King Kong is?”

I remained frozen in her unnerving gaze.

“He’s a giant fictional gorilla. He had a thing for rescuing human women and carrying them to the tops of tall buildings.” She gestured to our current clifftop haven. “All brawn and no brain. And right now, you’re acting as intelligent as him.” With her hands planted on her hips, she stood between my legs and glared at me.

Her anger crept down my spine in icy tendrils, shocking my senses as if I’d been dunked in cold water. She wanted nothing to do with Devile—thank the goddess Sola. My coil stirred to life. I liked her standing over me, cheeks flushed. But I had to clear the air.

“I won’t hold you to your proclamation, but my body’s started the mating process, and my instincts are beyond my control.” My hand curled around the back of her firm thigh. “Devile’s dangerous when he doesn’t get what he wants.” I ran my palms up her tall leather boots, over the shiny black fabric clinging to her legs, under her dress, and cupped the curve of her ass. “He can’t witness any hesitation. We must convince him you wish to be my mate.”

Her golden-flecked gaze sparked with a thousand clashing emotions. “JayJay, you’re not listening to me. I do—”

A com pinged, alerting me that my presence was required in the conference room. “We will discuss this later. I’ve been summoned.”

Ginger frowned before I pressed her to my chest and hurried down the Starry Volcano with her clinging to my neck. Her frustration bled through to me in the stiff way she held her limbs, but I would have to settle her anger later. Sisip wanted to go over the plan, and keeping Ginger safe required all of my attention. I deposited her near the lift tube inside the tunnel’s entrance where Hill’s team stood. Her rigid bearing softened when I brushed my lips over her head.

“Try to keep your heroism in check, ’kay?” She squeezed my hand, though I knew she was frustrated at me, and I watched the way the fabric of her dress clung to her bum as she swayed toward Saluda.

Sisip caught me mid-stare and cleared her throat. “JayJay, you are under no obligation to accept this mission.” Her split-lipped mouth spread into a frown. “It’s clear that boulder-brained ass has a personal vendetta.”

“It’s the simplest solution, and I won’t go back on my word.”

She rolled her eyes. “Why does that not surprise me?” She reached down to the leather holder around her thigh. “Here. I want this back.”

She’d passed me her dagger. I ran my finger over the swirling letters etched into the hilt, and when I tested the edge of the obsidian blade, my stinging thumb came back red.

Sisip’s eyes grew distant. “Her name is Courageous Heart, and she only strikes true for those who possess one. She’s from my mother’s line.”

I would not turn down one soldier’s offering to another. “Then I will strike true.”

“You don’t need any further instruction from me. Tern is in good hands.” She nodded solemnly before departing.

Sheathing the knife in my belt, I jogged through the long tunnel with wings on my feet. There was no room for failure. In moments, the cave I shared with Ginger appeared and I jumped inside.

“Thank you.” I tipped my head to Saluda, Efred, D’unter and Hill, who were sitting next to Ginger.

They leaned against the wall, chatting while creating chain mail, their metal sticks clacking a calm tune.

“I wish to be with Ginger, alone.”

Efred snickered, and smoke puffed from his nose. Saluda shook his head at Efred’s antics and hauled him out of the room. “May the goddess Sola walk with you tomorrow, Protector,” Saluda said. They tipped their scaled heads before departing.

“Oh my God, JayJay, that was so rude.” Ginger pushed off the wall with one hand and leaned out the door, about to call them back. Instead, she sucked in a gasp before plunging back into our room and lunging at me.

I walked toward the door with Ginger tucked to my side and looked out. What has Ginger so spooked? Outside the neighboring alcove—occupied by Shaheel until now—stood Devile.

Tinga juice dripped from his chin as he fanned his fingertips in a wave. “Found you.”

My chest rattled as I slammed the door shut.

Ginger’s fingers trembled. “Why is he still messing with you?”

I wanted to kill whoever had placed him so close to my female, despite knowing Devile would have manipulated them. “All Rock Dwellers covet females, but Devile has never attracted one. I’ve heard stories of his many failed attempts.”

Wide-eyed, she walked to me. “But he set you up to take the fall for the death of a female. Haven’t you ever wondered why?”

Every night until lack of sleep drove me mad. “The supreme rulers never pronounce a ruling without reason.”

“It must be a damn fine reason then.” She threw her hands up in the air.

As much as she tried to remain stoic, I sensed fear under her frustration, and I hated that with every part of me. Even though my mind understood her claim wasn’t real, my body carried on, fully committed. The mate bond had begun, and mates talked things out. Sully was TeyTey’s confidant, and she was his right back. So, it seemed just as natural for me to want Ginger’s thoughts and reassurance.

“You know how I told you about the hot pools and how I feel closer to my ancestors there?”

Ginger nodded and took my hand, easing the itch beneath my skin.

“Well, I had a vision I haven’t been able to figure out. In it, mates dressed in clothes from a time long past mingled, more Rock Dweller females than I’ve ever seen…and their skins shone like mine does now.”

She tugged me toward the bed and wrapped a blanket around her shoulders, despite the cave’s humidity. But her skin glowed under her eyes, free of shadows. Healthy.

She must have seen something in my expression, because her small hand cupped my knee. “I’m fine. Tell me what else you think.”

“From the moment Devile saw me, he hasn’t been able to take his eyes off the change in my skin. It means something to him. He covets fame and prestige. I can only guess he wants his skin to change too, and he thinks you can do that for him.”

Ginger’s nose squished up like an angry jungle kitten’s.

“Also, D’irk really angered him when he mentioned Nebula. Devile’s not here to help us. He’s got something planned with Tuga tomorrow, but I don’t want you to worry about that. Tuga’s an old friend. He won’t betray me.”

She gripped my knee harder. Her gaze drifted toward the domed ceiling, and her other hand drummed against the shiny tight pants she wore under her dress.

Ginger snapped her fingers. “Remember what a moody dick Geo became around Makir when they first met? Also, he beefed up with, like, a hundred pounds of muscle, and Makir’s eyes changed color, and now they pretty much have conversations in their heads and can’t keep their hands off each other… Maybe it’s something like that? I read Dr. Ten’s medical report for Geo, and it said Makir’s presence triggered some kind of latent chromosome in Geo, and BAM! Soul-fated mates. Just like that.”

“True mates?” I repeated. That had to be it.

In my vision, the ancestors were true mates. The possibility settled, taking root deep in my heart and anchoring itself with the weight of certainty.

Ginger’s eyes brightened. “Could we be something like that?”

I stared at her, my mind momentarily stolen. Images flashed behind my eyes. Waking up, preparing meals, basking in the sun…all done together. For a lifetime.

But when her eyes turned glassy, I returned from my dream vision.

“Your body’s probably just confused or something, right? You said I was your first. That you were a virgin before me?” She gulped and twisted her hand in the blanket wrapped around her. “I bet any woman would’ve changed your skin. True mates only works with a female Rock Dweller, right?”

What a blanting heap of garbage.

Her skin paled, and her eyes dropped, focusing on her fingers. She pulled on a stray thread unraveling from the blanket. “We’ll just need to test it with a female Rock Dweller.”

Cupping her chin in my thumb and forefinger, I lifted her glistening gaze to mine. “My mind and body aren’t confused. I know nothing of how a true mate bond is formed, but in my heart the truth rings clear. I have no doubt you’re my true mate. There’ll be no tests with other females.”

Tears streamed over her cheeks, and I swept them away with the pad of my thumb.

I swallowed hard. Heat shot through me like an electric bolt. “I must take you on instinct. I can’t fight my base needs. It may not be gentle… I have to mark you as mine.”

Ginger’s long eye hairs fluttered as she squeezed her eyes closed.

My hands trembled as I cupped her face. “Open your eyes.” When her clear eyes opened, they delved into my soul, and the connection threaded through my core like liquid gold. My rumba rattled as desire heated my skin to the point of pain. “Tell me. Tell me I’m yours. Ask me to claim you.”

On both knees, she leaned forward to trace the shell of my ear with one cool finger and stared straight into my eyes. “I’m yours, JayJay. Claim me.”