Page 11 of Arakiba (Alien Legacy Brotherhood #3)

Chapter Ten

O n board the spaceship Elemi , heading to the edge of Federation Consortium space, one month prior

“That is just about the ugliest thing I’ve ever seen in my life.”

The mechanical undertone of JR12‘s observation about the bright-pink sexbot Arakiba saved from FiPan made him chuckle. “Sparky, you’ve only been alive for less than two months. I hardly think you’re some kind of expert in beauty.”

He concentrated on the CPU inside the android and ignored the bot skirting around the workstation.

The sharp tips of the spider-shaped gold-and-silver bot’s eight legs made a light clicking sound.

Squinting, Arakiba made some final adjustments.

“Oh, my darling,” the sentient sultry, wispy voice of the spaceship, Elemi , piped in. “While I may not have the bright, youthful eyes of your cute little spybot, it saddens me to say I agree with the thing.”

“Him.” JR12‘s tone was sharp. The two of them had had this conversation more than once since their crazy journey began. “I’m a him, missy. Stretch your circuits and try to remember that, hmm?”

“Well”—the coy feminine voice had a trace of laugher in it. Like an adult patting a clueless child on the head—“I’ll endeavor to give it a try.”

”’ Do or do not, there is no try’ —I’d appreciate it if you take the great Yoda’s words to heart.“ JR12 huffed.

Arakiba studied his handiwork. Yes, it looked like everything should work. Now he’d find out if it was worth having taken the time to teleport it back to Elemi with him before they left FiPan. In the short time he’d enjoyed his freedom from slavery, Arakiba found he had an affinity for all things mechanical. His brothers might have thought he was only interested in the services the droid might provide, but that was the furthest thing from the truth. He couldn’t wait to get his hands on the pink android to see if he could make it work. It was a challenge just calling out to him.

Okay, the moment of truth. He pushed the circuit at the back of the droid’s neck to get it fired up. Nothing happened. “ Fruk Tiamat’s titties!“ He fisted his hand on his hips. What was he missing?

“So sorry to interrupt you, my love.” Elemi cooed. “But we have a potential hostile heading straight for us.”

Arakiba jerked around to face the main viewscreen. He clicked a button on the side of the workstation to make it disappear into the wall and keep the android secure. He’d worry about it later.

“What kind of hostile?” He plopped onto the captain’s chair to study the schematics Elemi brought up. There, in the distance, was a definite outline of a small ship headed in their direction.

“Why, I believe it’s comprised of the same crystalline properties your brother Abalim provided us before we left.”

Arakiba’s stomach dropped. He wasn’t anywhere near finding the human woman Morgan yet. All this time, he’d been relying on the brief vision he’d had of her when he was on FiPan. There he’d been able to tune into her psychic energy. Which, if he was honest, was quite exciting. Most human women lacked any trace of psychic ability. But finding one who had it? That opened endless possibilities he couldn’t wait to explore.

He squirmed in his seat at the memory of that vision. There she stood, at the edge of the dimly lit prison cell, her silhouette sharp against the blurred scene surrounding her. For a moment, everything else had faded—the low hum of his brother’s voices, the distant chatter of JR12 on his shoulder. It all became background noise as his gaze locked onto hers.

Morgan moved with a fluid grace, her every step purposeful, as if she was unconcerned about being held a prisoner.

Ari’s pulse quickened, and his heart thudded like a drumbeat. On their own, his eyes traced the curve of her shoulders, and the way her golden curls cascaded over them. The confident tilt of her chin. The curves of her body showcased in the worn and torn clothing she had on. He swallowed hard, feeling a sudden dryness in his throat. She’d stolen the very air from his lungs.

A strange warmth spread through him, a mixture of heat and electricity, making his skin tingle with an unfamiliar sensation. He couldn’t tear his eyes away. It was as if his body recognized something his mind hadn’t caught up to yet—an undeniable pull, a magnetic force drawing him in. His muscles tightened, the tension coiling in his chest, urging him to step forward, to bridge the distance between them.

But he hesitated. What in the world was happening to him? This was only a vision, after all. His mind raced as he ignored the flood of emotions that crashed over him. Instead, he forced himself to maintain a sharp clarity of her, to burn into his mind everything he could about her. Like how the light played off the warm glow of the smooth, caramel color of her features. How the subtle curve of her lips and the way her bright golden-green eyes, even from a distance, held a depth that beckoned him to dive in and drown.

For a fleeting moment, the only thing he was capable of was to stand there, rooted in place, as the vision faded back to reality. Only one truth remained—her grip was irresistible and absolute.

And now, before he found her, this threat was coming to stop him from saving this unique treasure of a woman.

Confident in his abilities, Arakiba lowered his sight on the ship’s readouts with a sinister grin. Bring it on, asshole. I’ve got you.

“How do you know that ship is coming for us?” JR12‘s bulbous head tilted as he focused on Arakiba from the main console. “Maybe it’s just passing by. As the great Jack Sparrow said, ‘The world doesn’t revolve around you, or anyone else’. It’s a big galaxy, ya know.”

Arakiba ignored the bot. With every fiber of his being, he knew the ship was coming for him. Or rather, the creature inside it was. The malevolence from the incoming alien shot at him in psychic waves, solidly intent on capturing him. This guy had to be a Krystalii Abalim had warned them about. But this one wasn’t looking for only a human female. He was searching for any human, now overjoyed when he thought he found one.

Yeah, Arakiba couldn’t wait to show this guy his prey was anything but human.

The conference room in the hidden moon city of Azadi - a month and a half prior

“We appreciate you taking on this important task,” the chancellor of the Federation Consortium, D’zia E’etu, announced.

His sincere expression made Arakiba relax. Since the Zerin was in holographic form, he couldn’t psychically scan the fellow to see what his intentions were. He glanced at his older brother, Adapa, to make sure he didn’t have any problem with what the galactic government asked them to do.

Nope, Adapa’s swarthy skin had a healthy brown glow with nary a flush to darken his cheeks.

Arakiba checked out his other brothers.

Abalim’s steady gaze on the image in the middle of the table was unflinching, as was their serene brother, Azazel’s. Not that anything fazed Azazel out of his picture-perfect, I’m always calm. Nothing bothers me annoying attitude. The only way to find out what the guy was really thinking or feeling was to meld their minds together.

Arakiba shuddered. The one time he did that, he swore he’d never do it again. His brother seethed with an amalgamation of hidden depths, best left buried.

That left Asmodel. The copper tone of his brother’s near-perfect features turned pale, his eyes locked on something faraway. Like he wasn’t paying attention to what was going on in the room.

Not that Arakiba blamed him. This shit was boring as hell. Crossing an ankle over one knee, he balanced his hand in the crook of his bent leg. Couldn’t they just get on with it? The lure of a space adventure called to him.

“And, as I’m sure you’re aware, we must keep this mission as quiet as possible,” D’zia continued.

“It would be an honor to assist in locating the missing women from the Zerin exchange program.” Azazel spoke in his soothing, steady tone. “We admit we have little to contribute to the restoration of modern Earth after the Akurn invasion and subsequent almost annihilation from one of their ships crashing out of control there.” He gave a slight bow, causing the curtain of his long hair to fall over his shoulders and pool on his lap.

Arakiba resisted the urge to roll his eyes. By the horned crown of Enlil. Blah, blah, blah. Did his brother have to talk like he thought he was the smartest guy in the room? It’s not like Azazel was the one who reached into space and pulled that stupid ship out of the sky to stop it from destroying Earth. Arakiba did, thank you very much. Talk about an extinction event if that had happened…

On board the starship Zikia - two months ago

“Who are these guys?”

The strange sound of a woman’s whisper made Arakiba jerk his head in her direction. She had to be an Akurn, with her white hair and pale skin. But she was wearing something no female would ever put on. Dressed in form-fitting black pants with a short jacket over some kind of shirt with round things holding the fabric together. The word “buttons” flashed. Oh, those were called buttons.

She was speaking to another Akrun in a strange language. It took him a moment to translate what she said in his head. Interesting. He wasn’t sure if the man she spoke to was an Akurn or not. He was tall and pale like one, but had pointed ears like Azazel’s.

Both Arakiba’s eyebrows rose as his lips pursed when the male spoke utter nonsense.

“If I’m not mistaken, they are my father’s brothers who perished in the great flood.”

His father? Who was his father?

The woman’s mouth dropped open. “How…”

“Hang on.”

Finally, a familiar face.

Princess Inanna approached the duo.

He growled when the man put his arms around her. That male had no right to touch Adapa’s woman!

Before he ripped the guy’s arm out of his socket, she continued. “I think Azazel is about to tell us.”

Azazel?

“Well,” Azazel said in that same strange language, tugging his earlobe.

Oh no. When the guy did that with a sheepish grin, he was about to confess something. Usually something he was uncomfortable to confess.

“I was desperate to get us to Adapa before the Akurns destroyed Earth.” He shrugged with his hands wide in supplication. “I never planned on taking us to the future.”

Arakiba’s eyebrows flew up.

“The future? What nonsense are you talking about?” Asmodel growled. “That wall of water is almost upon us…”

“How many years have passed, brother?” Abalim’s quiet tone was firm. “Fill us in on the current danger.”

An earthquake rumbled and everybody stumbled, their arms pinwheeling. It only lasted a few seconds, but it was enough for the metallic frame of the Zikia to groan under the stress.

“We’ll talk about the passing years later, my brothers,” Adapa commanded with his fists clenched. “Our immediate danger is an out-of-control Akurn ship headed for the middle of the planet.”

Abalim’s frown deepened. “Do you have any way of showing us this vessel?”

“I have it on screen here.” A man with an unusual shade of russet-red hair and beard declared. He headed to the bank of monitors displaying the massive spaceship racing toward Earth. “We don’t have a way to stop it.”

Adapa glanced at each one of them. The psychic information he sent them lasted only a second. The plan was for them to combine their immense psychic powers to halt the ship before it hit the atmosphere.

Since Arakiba had the strongest telekinetic ability, he’d be the one to grab the ship. He nodded at the others.

Adapa turned to the tall, white-haired man and nodded. “Everybody stand back. My brothers and I will take care of this.”

Without a word, Arakiba joined his mind with his brothers’. They created their own circle with eyes closed, their heads tilted back, and open palms at their sides. Even without his physical sight, the bright light they created blazed between them, a violent whirlwind of iridescent energy ribbons that centered on their small group. He ignored his long blond hair whipping around his face and body. Keeping his eyes closed, he felt the sizzling force of the storm pushing into him, making his back bow.

The sensation of his body flying apart allowed him to join with the very fabric of the universe, making it easy to find the out-of-control ship. He reached out, whipping his translucent hand into a grip to capture the ship before he solidified again.

Abruptly, the psychic energies stopped. He was once again whole.

Opening his eyes with a mischievous smirk, he couldn’t resist opening his clenched hand and raising it so everyone could see. In the center of his palm was the metallic spaceship, no bigger than a child’s toy. “Is this what you’re looking for?”

Earth 7,000 years ago - Akurn scientific mining colony

“Now here is the youngest of the group.”

Arakiba glared at the Akurn who was introducing him and his brothers to the visiting princess. Thoth’s smug smile made him clench his hands into fists.

“This is Arakiba, and a more likable young man you’ll never meet.” The shorter man reached over and patted Arakiba on the shoulder. “He’s polite, well-spoken, and rarely gives anyone any trouble.” He gripped the shoulder harder. “And a hard worker! Even with these puny muscles!”

Yeah. He’d show the shep-sin how puny his muscles were when he ripped the bastard’s face off with one swipe. Arakiba forced himself to keep his false image intact. The image made him look like a small and underdeveloped child. Even though he was the youngest, his bulk overshadowed the build of his brothers. Not that he worked hard to keep it that way.

“Good man, good man.”

The annoying ass had the temerity to laugh at him. Good thing the jerk turned his attention to Arakiba’s eldest brother, Adapa. If he had to suffer one more minute of Thoth’s attention, no telling what he’d do.

Swallowing his humiliation, Arakiba concentrated on the first female he’d ever seen. Princess Inanna from Akurn was beyond anything he’d imagined a female to look like. Her skin was so pale it glowed under the low light of the chamber. Her hair, a strange blend of reddish-blond strands, framed an alabaster face that was both serene and mysterious. But her eyes were the most striking—a bright turquoise that contrasted against the stark whiteness of her features.

She dressed simply, but her gown accentuated her royal presence.

He couldn’t help but acknowledge her beauty, but her appearance was more a curiosity than a draw. Like appreciating a golden sunrise.

But then, something shifted.

Arakiba watched her posture stiffen.

Her gaze flickered with a new light.

He followed her line of sight to his brother, Adapa, standing beside him, his dark eyes centered on the woman. The transformation between the two of them was subtle, yet undeniable.

Her previously calm demeanor sparkled with a warmth that flooded into her eyes as she took in Adapa’s appearance. Her lips curved into a soft, almost involuntary, shy smile. A blush of color touched her cheeks.

Arakiba became engulfed as a crackle of electricity sizzled between her and his brother.

Then came a subtle shift in her aura, and the way her body leaned ever so slightly toward Adapa was telling.

When Adapa reached for Inanna with his psychic imprint, the room narrowed down to just the two of them.

Taking a step back, Arakiba let the past go.

The echo of Morgan’s painful cry brought him back to the present. Now whole, saving her became his battle cry.

And nothing—not the Ozevroc, not the universe itself—would keep him from her.

They say when you’re facing death, your life flashes before you like some bad movie reel. Well, Morgan was convinced whoever came up with that stupid scenario should stand in her shoes right now. The only thing flashing in her brain was the life-ending promise filling her vision from a humongous pointed, burning weapon now ready to sear through her eyes.

With every ounce of useless strength she had, she ducked with her hands raised. Not that she was far enough away to make a difference. Squeezing her eyes shut, she braced herself for the killing blow.

Which… didn’t happen.

Pursing her lips, she peeked through her arms to see what Grozzik was doing. Grozzik wasn’t doing anything but getting choked to death by a massive, purple-crystal hand wrapped around his furry neck. The little alien dropped his weapon, trying to dislodge As’ni‘s grip on him. All six hands fumbled at the crystal hold while he kicked, his legs held several feet off the ground.

“No hurt pretty lady!” As’ni shook Grozzik and snarled in his face. “Bad furry!” He shook him again.

Grozzik’s four eyes bulged as his black tongue hung out the side of his snout. His low breath sputtered little bubbles that drooled in sporadic lines to the floor.

“Enough!”

Everyone froze at the booming male voice. They were all still and lifeless as statues made of hard clay.

Morgan whipped around to face the speaker. It was Ari. Her heart raced. The man she knew was there—the familiar shape of his broad shoulders, the way his hair fell just so across his brow—but there was something more now.

He seemed taller, not in stature, but in presence. His very being filled the space, commanding attention with an effortless ease that hadn’t been there before.

The light caught his steely-gray eyes with an unfamiliar intensity. Now, there was a depth to him that pulled her in, like the mesmerizing expanse of the cosmos. His gaze, when it met hers, held a quiet power, a certainty that made her breath catch. Ari had always been confident, but now it was as if he had a quiet mastery that radiated from him, tangible and magnetic, overshadowing everything around him.

Ari moved toward her, each step measured and purposeful. There was a grace to him now, a controlled energy that spoke of a man who had not only accepted his abilities, but had woven them into the very fabric of his being.

Even the most powerful psychics she’d grown up with, those deemed formidable beyond comprehension, paled compared to the effortless magnitude of the man headed toward her.

Morgan’s chest tightened with an unfamiliar emotion as she studied the lines of his face, the way his lips curved into a faint, knowing smile. With trembling fists at her side, she stood rooted to the spot, unable to tear her eyes away. Ari was more than just a man. He was a force of nature that drew her into his pulsating orbit.

She prided herself on being truthful with herself. No matter how hard or ridiculous that truth was. And now she couldn’t continue denying the obvious—she experienced more than mere attraction to the man who stopped in front of her. Something deeper wove into the very fabric of her being. It was that quiet, still smile that solidified the obvious—she’d fallen hard for him. Oh, not just for who he had been, but for the man he truly was.

Any doubts she harbored melted away. Morgan was irrevocably his.

“Are you okay?” His large palm caressed her cheek. “They didn’t hurt you, did they?”

She leaned into his warmth, her lids half-masted. The sense of peace and belonging that swept through her left her entire body languid. “I’m just fine.” She nodded to the still form of As’ni gripping Grozzik by the neck. “As’ni saved me just in time.”

A sour look crossed Ari’s face, making his full lips twist into a grimace.

She giggled.

“I wanted to be the one to save you,” he grumbled.

Morgan stroked his prickly jawline with her fingertip. “You already have,” she assured him.

In the dimly lit room, the soft hum of the ship’s engines was the only sound as Morgan moved in closer to Ari, their eyes locked in a silent conversation. The tension between them was electric, a palpable force that was unspoken but undeniable. Nestled in the heat of his body, she bathed in the warmth of his masculine scent as it mingled with hers in the small space between them.

Morgan’s heart pounded as she gazed up at him. Her breath caught at the intensity of his gaze. There was something in the way he looked at her now—an unguarded vulnerability mixed with a powerful resolve.

Ari’s hand drifted across her cheek. His fingers traced the curve of her jaw with a gentleness that sent shivers down her spine. The touch was tender, yet with an undercurrent of something more—a promise of the depth of his feelings. Emotions no longer hidden.

“Morgan,” he whispered, her name a breathless claim.

She got the crazy idea he was testing the weight of her name in this new, charged moment.

Not wanting to spoil what was happening between them with mere words, she nodded and leaned into his touch. Her eyes fluttered closed as the world faded away. The only thing that mattered was him . This man had become everything to her.

Ari’s hand slid to the back of her neck, drawing her closer, and then his lips were on hers—tentative at first, as if he were afraid to break the fragile spell woven between them.

But the moment their lips touched, a spark ignited like wildfire.

Morgan responded instantly, her hands finding their way to his shoulders, pulling him closer as she surrendered to the kiss. It was slow and searching, each movement deliberate, as if they were both mesmerized by the feel of each other. A heady rush of conflicting emotions flooded through her—desire, need, and then something deeper. Something she was afraid to name.

Ari’s other hand slid around her waist, and he pulled her against him.

The kiss turned urgent, more demanding. It was as if they tried to pour everything they had into that single connection, to say with their lips what words could never fully express.

When they finally broke apart, Morgan gulped to control her breathing. Resting her forehead against his solid chest, she did her best to steady herself. Struggling to take a deep breath, she licked her lips and savored the taste Ari had left behind. Lifting her head, she let her eyes flutter open to meet his smoldering gaze. In their depths, she saw the same fire, the same overwhelming need reflected at her.

His full lips creased into a wicked grin. “Hi, I’m Arakiba. Pleased to meet you.”

Her answering smirk was just as mischievous. “Hello, Arakiba. I’m Morgan.” She tilted her head and brushed a strand of his loose blond hair from his eyes. “May I still call you Ari?” He would always be Ari to her.

“You can call me anything you’d like,” he whispered close to her ear.

She quivered as he laved the shell of her ear with his tongue.

Her inner vixen urged her to stake her claim.

“Then I’m going to call you mine.”

Morgan grimaced. Seriously? Could she say anything cornier? Jeez, Ari must be growing on her. Throwing her shoulders back, she gave him a winsome smile, hoping he took what she said in the serious manner she meant.

“Ah, Morgan”—his voice deepened—“I’ve always been yours.”

The pounding of his heart under her hands backed his calm statement. Growing up around powerful psychics, she’d quickly learned to rely on body language since she couldn’t read their minds. People could say or do anything, but their bodies always told the truth.

Ari held himself with confidence, but there was a hint of vulnerability in his bearing. Holding her in his arms, his shoulders were relaxed, his stance open.

The corners of his mouth curved into a gentle, almost shy smile that made her feel cherished. His hands pressed her close to him, and his warmth seeped into her very soul. The tenderness in his eyes and the subtle way he wrapped himself around her spoke louder than any words ever could.

The realization that Ari loved her sent a warm, dizzying rush through her entire being. Any trepidation she had melted away.

“What Ari want As’ni do with bad furry?” The purple behemoth shook the unconscious Ozevroc.

Morgan started at the sound of his gravelly voice. She glanced at Ari with a raised eyebrow. “I thought you froze everyone.”

Ari shrugged. “I guess As’ni‘s psychic powers are getting stronger.” He turned to address As’ni. “Go ahead and put him down. Gently!”

As’ni raised his arm and held the alien above his head, then dropped the Ozevroc like a stone.

The sound of snapping bones as Grozzik hit the hard floor on his side echoed. Being held in a frozen psychic state, he didn’t utter a word.

Morgan was certain he’d make plenty of noise once Ari released his psychic hold.

“Well, I wouldn’t call that gentle.” Ari chuckled.

“Oopsie.” As’ni snickered behind his hand. “As’ni hurt bad furry.” The crystals and mirrors on his body reflected in the low light as he shrugged. “Oh’s well.”

Morgan frowned at the immobile Ozevroc. “You know, he said something to me just before he tried to kill me.” She stepped away from Ari and toed the prone alien to his back. A thin trail of blackish blood seeped out of his snout. She glanced back at Ari. “He stopped me from fixing the navigational system. And he said it in English.”

“That’s because he’s been the one sabotaging the ship.” Ari crossed his arms as he glared at Grozzik. “At first he had some help, but once he had the Talon of Ancients, he made As’ni kill his co-conspirators.”

“As’ni no want.” The crystals on the purple giant’s broad cheeks darkened. “Bad furry promise As’ni food if he hurt other furries.”

“We get it, big guy.” Morgan patted As’ni‘s arm. “No one is mad at you for that.” She turned to Ari. “I guess you know all that because your memory has returned, and with it you can access your psychic abilities.”

Ari gave her a sheepish grin as he scratched his scruffy jawline. “Yeah. Well, when that asshat threatened to kill you, it broke something inside me.”

She couldn’t resist placing her hand on his forearm. “How do you feel?”

“I feel great!”

Without warning, he swooped her into his arms, giving her no choice but to wrap her legs around his taut waist and her arms around his thick neck. Just to hang on, of course.

“Especially now that I don’t have any doubts about you loving me.”

The low tone of his evil whisper made her shiver all over again. “Hey!” Morgan lightly slapped his shoulder and gave him a mock frown. “No fair using your mojo to read my mind, buster.”

“I don’t have to read your mind to know that.” After a quick peck on her lips, he set her down. “But, first things first. Business before sexy times, irnini .”

She stuttered, unable to separate what to say first. He was the one… she never… aargh! She popped her fists on her hips and gave him a narrow glare, resisting the urge to stomp her foot. Damn it!

Ari’s wicked smirk didn’t fool her one bit. The man loved to tease her. She crossed her arms. No worries. She’d spent years honing her mental security features to keep psychics out, and she’d have no trouble building barriers against him. It might take some time, but she was confident she could do it.

“What should we do first?” He looked around at the frozen Ozevroc. “Should we use the Nebula Viper to head into Federation Consortium space while I’ve got them contained like this?”

“Ozevroc ship, stand down!”

Morgan jumped. The booming sound of someone speaking over the ship’s external communication array had startled her.

“Comply within the next five clicks, or we will fire upon you with full force.”

Ari snorted. “Well, I guess that answers what we should do first.”

Morgan nodded at Ari’s dry tone. “While I stop the ship, why don’t you find out what bossy voice wants?” She brought up her working floating monitor. “I’ve opened a channel for you.” She gave him an absent wave, her attention focused on the information scrolling in front of her as she slowed, then stopped the ship.

“Um, okay.” Ari raised his eyes to the ceiling. As if that would help him see who he was talking to. “Hello, disembodied voice. What do you want?”

He grinned at the telling silence.

Morgan couldn’t help but grin back.

“ Nebula Viper ”—the harsh, masculine voice continued—“prepare to be boarded.”

The sound of the communication clicking off echoed.

A loud shudder made the ship jerk.

“Guess we have uninvited visitors,” Ari quipped. “Shall we take out the fine china, dust the place off, and spritz something sweet to eliminate the Ozevroc stench?”

Morgan eyed him. “You seem awfully chipper about an unknown fraction boarding our ship.” Her eyes narrowed. “What do you know?”

Ari spread his arms wide. “Why, nothing, my irnini !”

“Did you psychically scan them?” His innocent expression didn’t fool her one bit.

His guffaw was short. “Now, darlin’. What fun would that be?”