Page 154

Story: Sold to the Alien Smugglers

Quint nods. He runs his hand through the lush grass as we sit on a big towel, beneath the artificial light of the bio-dome. It’s designed to replicate the sun, and it warms me just as gently.

“It’s a hard universe, Jamie,” Quint warns, “but our sons will be strong.”

I look away.

“Oblog was strong, in his own horrible way. He had power. It’s not enough to be strong. We’re safe here – but it’s so empty.”

I look around. The bio-dome is a huge, fertile paradise, but there’s no life here, except for the harmless creatures we brought here ourselves.

“It’s not empty, my love,” Quint promises. “It’s our home. You’re here.We’rehere.”

I close my eyes. I can feel the auras of the three Aurelians in my mind. I know I’ll never be alone again.

But I shake my head.

“It’s not enough. It’s…”

I trail off, thinking back to Ling.

My best friend. She would be so happy if she could see me now – safe and secure.

But what would she have done with this place? Not cowered here, in hiding.

My heart beats quicker. The idea blossoms in my mind – as if it came fromher.

“The Old Ways, Quint,” I murmur. “Theyarecoming, whether we like it or not. That means women will flee from the Aurelians who seek to make slaves of them. Women will run, and they’ll have no place to go, or hide.”

He says nothing, just looking at me, waiting for me to continue.

“We need to give them a place to stay.”

Quint blinks.

“But this isoursafe haven, Jamie. If a woman runs from a Rogue Aurelian, he’ll chase her – even to here. We’ll be putting a target on our back.”

“Well, who will defend her if we don’t?”

Quint bristles. His species is naturally protective – even of women they’re not Bonded to.

I spread my arms out wide.

“Look at all this Quint. This isn’t just a home for us. This can be aplace. A safe place for women who are being hunted. A safe place for women who’ve lost their families, their homes, and who have only one thing left – themselves. Rogue Aurelians are going to hunt them down.Wecan save them.”

He doesn’t ask permission from his triad – because he doesn’t need to. We’re as one.

Instead, Quint smiles – looking at me protectively. Finally, he leans forward giving me a gentle kiss on the cheek. Then, he kisses my neck – and finally pulls up my shirt to place a gentle, soft kiss on my swelling belly.

I giggle at the ticklish touch, and smile as he looks up with those blue eyes – eyes that are no longer cold and icy.

“Your wish is my command, my Mate.”

I lay back in the sun, and he mounts me. I laugh as the new joy builds in me.

This won’t be an empty place.

This will be the only safe place in the universe – and we’re going to fill it with those who need safety the most.

* * *