Page 6 of Arakiba (Alien Legacy Brotherhood #3)

Chapter Five

F ace heated, Morgan kept her head down and did her best to concentrate on the small spider-bot spread out before her. Damn man . Who did he think he was, touching her like that? All seductive-like. She shivered and pursed her lips. When his finger slid across the sensitive skin of her inner arm, she swore she could feel the heat of his flesh pour into hers until liquid goo pooled between her legs. As if the separate parts of herself ended up intermixed somehow. To top it off, through the tip of his finger, she experienced his throbbing heart pounding faster than it should have. Like touching her affected him as much as it did her.

Morgan sucked in an impatient breath. They didn’t have time for this. She didn’t have time for this. With the relic missing and now, with another unexplained dead Ozevroc, time was running out. The High Chieftain wasn’t a patient creature. He’d have no trouble making them an example for his merry little band of gangsters to keep control over them. Didn’t matter if she and Ari were innocent or not.

She snuck a peek at the seductive man as he went around the room, tossing the loose metal and discarded parts into the trash bin. Once again, his overt masculinity struck her as something unique. While there were plenty of good-looking men in Aethralis, none came close to Ari.

In addition to his obvious man-beauty, he had a lot of traits she admired. Here was someone who suffered from amnesia but remained resourceful in an unfamiliar world. His curiosity was second only to hers, even when he was in the middle of trying to protect her from the Ozevroc if he thought they threatened her. A small smile crept free. Silly man . Unlike other Aethralians who were powerful psychics, she’d taken self-defense classes from an early age. She could take care of herself.

That didn’t explain the strange things that had happened on the ship since he woke up. First Xalgrim, then Lurvath dead. Murdered by an unknown assailant. Now the surprisingly precious artifact of the Ozevroc was missing. Who would take that and why? She watched Ari fire up the incinerator and then throw in the items from the full trash bin. Sweat had broken out on him, giving his muscular torso a glorious sheen. She swallowed hard.

Damn . She had to find out who was behind all of this. Hopefully, before anything else happened.

“Hey, I’ve been thinking.”

Morgan jumped when Ari spoke behind her.

“Why don’t we see if the replicron can make a replacement for that sacred thing for the Ozevroc? That way, we’ll have enough time for you to fix that bot to get Elemi going.”

Morgan sat back and contemplated his suggestion. It didn’t take long to decide. She shook her head. “I don’t think we can do that without having the genuine artifact. While the machine can create something similar, without the original to copy, it’ll miss something, making it obvious it’s a fake. Nice idea, though.” She turned back to the spider-bot.

“Are the Ozevroc going to let us do some investigating? It’d be helpful if you could aim your doohickey around to see if we can find any more of the crystalline stuff.”

She turned back to watch him.

He’d found a broom somewhere and crossed his hands over the handle and leaned his chin on it. The gray of his eyes was lighter, as if he were deep in thought. “I don’t suppose you have access to a printout of the ship so we can figure out where to start?”

Morgan smiled. “Yes, as a matter of fact I do. But I’m already having the multicorder running a program within the Ozevroc system to see if it can uncover those elements anywhere else.” She checked the device. “It’s still running, so I’m guessing we’ve got some time before it’s done.”

Ari shrugged. “Okay.” He pulled the handle of the broom down and started sweeping. “Let me know when it’s done.”

She agreed and took a few precious moments to watch him work. Hmm, maybe she should check something out. Opening a different program on her multicorder, she had it run an analysis on the room they were in to check for that alien substance. It didn’t take long to complete. The results surprised her. While there wasn’t anything close to it in the room, it pointed a faint reading toward the ship Elemi .

She glanced at Ari, wanting to make sure he was busy. His back was to her as he continued to toss stuff into the incinerator. Doing her best not to draw attention to what she was doing, she approached the still-open door of the ship, keeping her handheld aimed ahead. The readings were faint, but stronger. How could there be remnants of this stuff in here but not out in the room?

“What’cha doing?”

Morgan jumped at Ari’s baritone behind her. Her face heated as if she’d been caught red-handed doing something she shouldn’t. She jutted her chin. “There are crystalline readings on this ship, but not on the outside.” With a frown, she turned the handheld in his direction and walked around him, sweeping the device over him. “You actually have some on you as well, but it’s really faint.” Clicking the multicorder off, she hooked it on her belt and crossed her arms, facing him. “I don’t suppose you have any idea why you’re covered in this stuff?”

Ari matched her stance, crossing his arms with a smirk. “Oh sure, I do. But I’ve got to keep it secret for my health and all.” He dropped his arms, his expression serious. “If I had a clue what this stuff was, believe me, I’d tell you.” He circled a forefinger around the shambles inside the ship. “The sooner we solve these annoying hullabaloos, the sooner we can get off this bucket of bolts. I may not understand what that Ozevroc was saying, but I can tell when someone feels like they’re getting pushed into a corner. And keep in mind your little high chieftain is no friend to you or me. He wouldn’t hesitate to make examples of us of in a heartbeat. And I don’t mean by giving us a parade and keys to the city.”

Morgan nodded. “Yeah, I agree. When you’re done with cleanup, I’ll contact Bugurr and ask he assign some guards to us so we can follow the clues I’ve got in this baby here.” She patted her multicorder.

“You got a place to start?” He quirked a blond eyebrow with a smile.

For a moment she got lost in how the simple curl of his lips lifting upward made his handsome face striking. Swallowing with a dry throat, she grasped the first thing that came to mind. “Yeah, but we’d better replace that missing collar of yours first.” Morgan pointed to the now-absent black scarf around his neck. He must’ve pulled it off when he was working with the incinerator. “Or we’ll have a bigger problem to deal with.”

“Sounds good,” he agreed with a grimace. “But I gotta tell you I hate that damn thing.”

Morgan cocked her head. Maybe he was getting some kind of memory on how painful the nutesh snare was when activated.

“Let’s do this before I change my mind,” he stated with a stubborn tilt to his chin.

Later that afternoon, Morgan stomped into the engine room with clenched fists and resisted throwing a tantrum like a toddler. What a total waste of time that was. She and Ari spent hours looking for any clues on where the Talon of Ancients could be on the ship. She’d rather stayed in the engine room to finish working on that little spider-droid. At least they got the fake nutesh snare around Ari’s neck before Grozzik and some of his goons came for them. As long as no one inspected it or tried to use it, it’d be good enough.

That pout he wore when he clicked the leather collar on his neck was cute as hell. She half expected him to argue, but thankfully, he didn’t.

The two of them spent hours scouring the ship where her multicorder showed the strongest readings. Every time they found some of the crystalline residue, there was no way to determine how a small portion congealed in one place, but was absent around it. As if whatever carried the crystalline, popped in and out without using the normal entry points. Someone or something had to be using a teleporting device.

Morgan glanced at Ari. Or had the ability to do so.

When she’d last ran a scan on him to see if he had some of the crystal substance on him, she also ran a deeper probe. While inconclusive, it made her determined to get a blood sample from him and run that in her handheld. If he was what she suspected he was, he’d have no trouble going in and out of rooms without using the normal entryways.

The main thing that bothered her was he wasn’t the one creating the strange crystal readings. What was on him wasn’t strong enough to leave the different trails they’d found. But it meant at one time he was close enough to whatever created them. Inside that pretty little head of his was the answer. She just had to figure out how to get it out of him.

But not tonight. She was beat. A little shut-eye would help clear her fuzzy mind.

“I’m turning in for the night. See you in the morning,” Ari announced, heading to the part of the room he’d claimed for himself.

“Goodnight,” she said, watching him settle. She pursed her lips. How interesting he slept next to the wall by Elemi . She hadn’t noticed that before.

After a quick visit to the refresher unit, she changed out of the mechanic’s overalls and into a long shift she’d created in the replicron earlier. The material was soft but strong enough to help keep her warm while she slept.

The last thing she heard was Ari’s light snore from across the room.

The first thing Ari sensed was impatience. Why couldn’t they look around first? He glared at the man next to him. Which didn’t faze the ass one bit.

Well, since there was no making his brother change his mind, he gave the guy a wide smile. “Come on, bro. Let’s see what we can find.”

“No funny stuff, bro .“ The guy bit the last word out with a frown. Yeah, the man hated it whenever Ari used that nickname.

But that didn’t mean his brother had to be such a dick! Here they were, on an abandoned gangster planet filled with all sorts of goodies just waiting to be discovered. But the only thing his companion wanted to do was go around in this lame circular hallway to find some kind of hint where the missing human women might have been. And then, presto! A clue to where they all went would suddenly pop out.

As if.

“Hey, A-Man,” the baritone voice on his shoulder had a subtle mechanical, whirring undertone to it. “Let’s ditch this guy. I bet we can find those babes all on our own! As the great Latin proverb states, ‘Fortune favors the bold’. Let’s be bold and see what kind of fortune we can find here on our own.”

Ari couldn’t help the pain-filled sigh that rolled out. How he wished he was free to do what his companion suggested. Why, taking apart one of those sexbots alone would… never mind.

“Slow down, Sparky. I wish we could, but we agreed to find these human women. So, that’s what we’re gonna do.” He glanced at the small spider-shaped sentient droid resting on his folded, spindly legs parked on Ari’s left shoulder.

The bot’s gold-and-silver body was aerodynamic in design, perfect to slice through the air using iridescent wings hidden under his back panels.

“You sense anyone here?”

Ari looked up at the sound of the deep rich voice coming from the male walking next to him. Turning away from the droid, he took a second to open his senses before shaking his head. “Nah, just us and the two oldsters goin’ the other way.” All was good. No one around. Whistling, he shoved his fingers into the back pockets of his jeans.

“I bet we’d find them faster on our own!” His bot companion jumped up. “Look, if we just ditch these guys…”

The scene changed.

The world around him dissolved, replaced by a surreal landscape that felt both familiar and alien. He found himself inside Elemi. But a totally different environment from the disaster he’d seen in the engine room of the Nebula Viper.

The surrounding walls were a deep, shimmering green, like the surface of a still pond catching the morning light.

He reached out to touch them. The exterior was soft, warm, and supple, as if preening beneath his fingers.

“Well, well, what do we have here?” The feminine voice coming from the ship was like smooth, rich velvet as it wrapped around Ari’s senses. Her tone was low and husky, each word laced with a seductive cadence full of mystery and intrigue. She spoke with a refined elegance, a hint of sophistication that danced on the edge of her phrases, leaving a hint of allure in the air.

He couldn’t help the shiver racing down his spine.

“Oh, you and I are going to have such fun!” There was an undeniable confidence in her voice, a dominant presence that demanded attention and respect.

Ari cleared his throat and glanced around. He was in the main cockpit, a place comfortable enough to fit a small crew of five or more. Its oval layout emphasized Elemi’s organic base with flowing lines. There was an apparent pilot’s seat in the center, elevated enough to provide an open view of the room.

He took in a deep breath of the sweet, earthy scent in the air. Like a forest after a rainstorm. The whole place was calming and soothing, melting the stiffness in his shoulders. Soft, ambient sounds surrounded him along with a rhythmic hum, like a distant heartbeat.

He headed to the center of the room, where a spiraling column of light rose from the floor, pulsating in time with the ship’s organic rhythm. Beneath his feet, the surface was firm yet slightly yielding, shifting gently whenever he took a step—as if the ship adjusted to how he walked. As he got closer to the center, a sense of belonging enveloped him, warm and comforting, like an embrace. Wispy glimpses of distant memories vied for his attention, tantalizing him to explore.

Reaching out, he brushed his fingers against the column of light, and the image disappeared.

Once again, everything around him shifted. This time to a place as unfamiliar to him as anything he’d come across since he woke up and got caught in Morgan’s mesmerizing gold-green eyes.

Ari stood on the edge of a floating island suspended high above the shimmering cosmos. The island was a breathtaking paradise, unlike anything he’d ever imagined. The scent of exotic blooms filled the air, mingling with a crisp, invigorating breeze that carried whispers of an unseen ocean far below.

He turned around and his breath caught at the sight of an endless landscape of lush greenery dotted with trees bearing vibrant, iridescent leaves that glowed gently in the soft light of the celestial sky. The sky itself was an ever-changing tapestry of colors, with galaxies swirling in slow motion and stars twinkling like distant jewels.

The sand beneath his feet was smooth like cool silk, a mixture of stardust and soft earth that shifted delicately as he moved. His barefoot steps were soundless, adding to the dreamlike quality of the world around him.

Taking in the serene beauty, he was drawn to a gentle waterfall cascading down from a crystalline cliff.

The water sang as it fell, creating a melody that harmonized with the rustling leaves and the distant calls of ethereal creatures hidden within the foliage.

A soft rustle nearby captured his attention. And there she was, the eternal beauty that was Morgan. She emerged from the dappled shadows of a towering tree. The sight of her was as astonishing as a sudden burst of sunlight, brightening the already luminous world around them.

Morgan’s golden curls flowed freely around her shoulders, catching the ambient light and reflecting it like a halo around her head. Her attire was as radiant as the setting, a flowing gown made of golden fabric that shimmered with every step she took. Adorned with delicate patterns reminiscent of constellations, it subtly emphasized her elegance and strength. The dress glided across her body like liquid moonlight, accentuating her graceful movements as she approached.

Ari’s mouth dried. Here, in this strange place, he saw Morgan in a truly different light.

Her golden curls were a heady mixture of blonds and browns, as well as fiery reds. So many shades he didn’t even know existed. Bright eyes of leaf green blended with hues of gilded yellow under brows and lush lashes that matched the unique color of her hair. Her mouth was wide, curved at the corners, giving a peek of her small, even white teeth. Tiny laugh lines graced the sides of her succulent lips and wide eyes, evidence of a sense of dry humor he had to have overlooked. Her glorious light skin had an undertone of café au lait, rich and creamy.

As she neared, her gentle smile widened.

The action brought a hint of curiosity and an underlying sense of wonder. Warmth spread through Ari, as if she brought with her a feeling of contentment and rightness sorely needed within him.

“Where are we?” Morgan’s voice was a gentle melody. “And what are you wearing?”

Ari hadn’t paid any attention to his clothing. Not when she was around. He took a quick look at the tunic and trousers, golden fibers that seemed woven from the very fabric of the universe itself. The material was light and breathable, giving him a sense of freedom and ease. Their intricate designs mirrored those on Morgan’s gown, as if to signify they shared this moment together.

“Don’t know.” He grasped her hands in his. “As for where we are, I’m not sure.” He couldn’t resist and brought her hand up to kiss her knuckles. “I think we’re in a place that exists between worlds—a sanctuary created from our desires and dreams.”

Morgan’s snort of laughter made him grin.

“Oh, brother. Laying it on thick, aren’t you?” She admonished with a mischievous grin.

Ari tucked her hand around the crook of his elbow. “Shall we?” He gestured ahead of them.

With a quick, carefree laugh, she agreed.

Walking side by side along the beach, they left their footprints as ephemeral impressions among the stardust-like sand. The musical symphony of the waves from a luminous ocean created a harmonious blend that resonated with the very essence of the island.

Morgan nodded as her gaze swept across the horizon where the sky met the sea. “This place feels like a haven.” Her beautiful lips pursed. “A forgotten place untouched by the chaos of reality.”

They reached the water’s edge where the waves kissed the shore in a rhythmic dance. This was a place where words were unnecessary. Here he could indulge what he suspected were his feelings about the mysterious woman next to him. He turned to Morgan, drowning in her eyes, free to explore the depth of their connection without constraint.

Ari was aware of everything around them — the warmth of the air, the shimmering blend of colors of the ocean, as well as the cosmic cool breeze caressing their skin. But what captivated him the most was her wicked, sinful, tempting mouth.

“I’m going to kiss you,” was the only warning he gave. He couldn’t resist tilting her chin up with his forefinger before lowering his lips to hers.

Morgan’s feminine mounds were soft, yielding, welcoming. Nothing prepared him for the unrelenting pressure that began to build deep inside of him. A blazing inferno coiling tighter and tighter, a detonation threatening to explode.

She yanked them apart. “What is it about you that makes me feel like this?” Her strangled confession came out hoarse, the words trembling out. “No one’s gotten under my skin like you have.”

“Well, I’m not just anyone, am I?” Ari asserted. “You and I are already bonded.” He took another kiss, planting his claim over and over. Long drugging kisses that made him tremble. Even without his memories, he knew no one had ever affected him like this before. And so quickly.

The world around them faded, but he and Morgan remained together. Their combined sensuous warmth wrapped around them while creating a haven for the bond they’d forged together.

It surprised Morgan when she realized she was an outsider in her own skin. Some dolt masquerading as a delusional lovesick chump she’d never dreamed she’d ever turn into. Where had the strong, emotionally divorced Morgan Elara Jackson from Aethralis gone? And who was this mushy impostor taking her place? One that allowed some good-looking, charming stranger to take over her soul from just one kiss? Not that she could call what they shared merely a simple kiss. Oh, no. It was so much more than that. The minute her lips meshed with his, everything changed. When his mind-boggling tongue swept into her mouth and danced with hers, her entire outlook shifted. Harsh, lush passion built within her to a level she’d never imagined existed before. Oh, she might not be a stranger to the act of love, but not like this. Never like this.

When he declared them bound, she didn’t resist. Instead, she surrendered completely to her desires. The surrounding scenery faded away, and she didn’t notice it had changed until he pulled back. She looked over his shoulder, and her eyes widened. Instead of being in a celestial paradise, they were someplace quite different. Around them were walls made of polished stone, their surfaces adorned with intricate carvings that flickered in the soft candlelight. Ancient hieroglyphics and symbols told stories of forgotten tournaments and struggles of power in a language as old as time.

Her bare feet gripped the floor made of mosaic tiles, each piece a different shade of blue, gold, and terra-cotta. The patterns created an image of a sprawling, long dead cityscape of ancient Babylon.

The ceiling above her arched gracefully, painted to resemble a night sky filled with constellations and swirling galaxies. Tiny lights embedded in the surface twinkled like stars, casting a soft, celestial glow. The effect was mesmerizing, as though she once again floated among the stars.

Against one wall stood an opulent bed, draped in luxurious fabrics that shimmered with their own light. Silken sheets in rich hues of emerald and sapphire beckoned to her, promising a playground of comfort and wild passion. Embroidered pillows were plump and inviting, with golden threads that caught the light and created a tapestry of elegance and warmth.

Here was a decadent haven she secretly dreamed about.

Beside the bed, a low table made of dark, polished wood held an array of edible treasures. Delicate glass vials filled with the deep burgundy of lush wine sat alongside ornate boxes filled with every variety of tantalizing finger foods.

The surrounding air carried an allure of jasmine and sandalwood in a fine mist, adding to the atmosphere of passion and desire. Lush green plants, their leaves vibrant and full, adorned the corners of the room and brought a touch of primitive nature indoors.

Morgan turned her gaze toward the corner of the room, where the principal attraction beckoned.

There, an exquisite bath awaited. Nestled beneath a gently arching alcove, the tub was a stunning blend of ancient luxury and futuristic elegance. The smooth marble basin glistened in an ethereal turquoise glow under the candlelight.

“Oh my God,” she whispered behind her fingers. Soaking in a scented filled bath was one of her weaknesses. Being raised in a perpetual climate of ice and snow, the luxury of being caressed in soothing warm waters was one of her secret cravings.

Ari’s warm chest covered her back. He pushed her curls aside and placed his dangerous mouth on her sensitive nape. “Would you like to indulge in a bath, irnini ?”

Wispy steam from the tub called to her. Not trusting herself to say anything, she nodded and went straight to it.

Soft, sheer curtains draped elegantly around the alcove, their fabric catching a gentle breeze from a nearby open window, causing the fabric to billow in the gentle rhythm of the night air. The curtains gave a sense of privacy and intimacy, enclosing the bath into a world of its own. A place where she could indulge in sensual exploration with the man close behind her.

Standing at the edge of the marble basin containing waters shaded a deep aquamarine gave her the sense of a tranquil, hidden oasis. The round contours of the tub were smooth and flowing. On the outside, the edges of delicate, gold filigree depicted scenes of mythical creatures dancing amidst waves and clouds. These intricate designs shimmered subtly as they caught the wavering light of nearby candles.

Beckoning waters gently swayed inside the tub, its glass-like surface reflecting the twinkling ceiling above. Tiny, luminescent petals floated gracefully atop the water, releasing a soft fragrance that mingled with the scent of jasmine already in the air. The aroma was a sinful promise of escape.

Around the bath, carved stone steps led down to the water’s edge, their surfaces etched with geometric patterns that mirrored the mosaic on the floor. Lush greenery flanked the steps, potted plants with broad leaves and vibrant flowers adding a touch of nature’s beauty to the elegant setting.

Beside the bath, a small wooden table held an assortment of luxurious bath essentials. Crystal bottles filled with oils and fragrant salts glistened, their contents promising indulgence and rejuvenation. An ivory comb lay nearby, its delicate teeth carved with floral designs, ready to untangle her unruly curls.

“Allow me.”

Ari’s soft words meant nothing to Morgan, but his masculine tone struck a hidden feminine cord deep within her. She squealed with a laugh when he swept her into his arms and carried her down the marble steps into the tub.

“Ari!” Morgan laughed. No one had swept off her feet before. “I can walk, you know.” She clasped her arms around his thick neck with a huge smile.

“Yeah, but then I couldn’t do this.” The mischievous gleam in his gray eyes was her only warning. He lowered his head, his eyes at half-mast as his lips parted bare inches from hers.

She licked her lips as her own eyelids lowered

He dropped her.

She didn’t even have time to scream before the water covered her. Opening her eyes in the water, she spied his thickly muscled calves covered in light blond hair. Holding her breath, she reached over and pulled.

He went down like a rock, his back hitting the surface with a loud splash.

Giggling, she surfaced and watched him flounder before he righted himself. Dang, he was so big he almost emptied the tub.

The ornate brass faucet, styled like a majestic serpent, stood poised above the tub, pouring a gentle stream of water, like a miniature waterfall.

“ Kashshaptu !“ Ari wiped his hand down his face, giving her a narrow-eyed glare. “You’ll pay for that!”

Morgan giggled again. She threw her shoulders back to show she wasn’t afraid. “Witch? Who you callin’ a witch, you idimmu ?“ Yeah, evil demon. Take that.

The man might be big as a horse, but he was quick. Morgan found herself wrapped in his arms, his lips covering the side of her neck. She moaned, moving her head back to give him better access. Wrapping her arms around his beefy neck, she jumped up and wrapped her legs around his trim waist. Ah, yes. Skin. Slick, hard as nails, man-skin.

Morgan nipped the thick tendon at the side of his nape. “Are we just going to play, or are you smart enough to get down to business?” She had no trouble asking for what she wanted in the bedroom. And she wanted this man here and now. She was so primed she’d come apart the minute his thick erection entered her.

Ari pulled back to look her in the eyes. “Morgan, I… ah,” his neck and cheeks darkened.

She captured his scruffy jaws between her palms. “What is it, Ari? You can tell me.”

He dipped his chin and looked over her shoulder. “Um, I…” His head tilted up and his steely-gray eyes bore into hers. “I don’t know what to do.”

Morgan sucked in a breath. He was a virgin? No way. She pursed her lips. “Are you telling me you’ve never made love before?” She unhooked her legs from around his waist and let them slide to the ground, until the warm water lapped over her waist. “How’s that possible?” Stepping back, she gestured over his magnificent chest. “I mean, just look at you. You’re practically a walking advertisement for overt masculinity.”

Ari grinned. “I am?” He shook his head and closed his eyes. The flush under his skin now darkened his upper chest. “I don’t know if I’ve had sex before or not.” He opened his eyes and pointed to the side of his temple, mussing his darkened blond hair wet from the bath. “Amnesia, remember?”

Her smile was slow. She stepped close to him. Standing on her toes, she wrapped her arms around his neck and yanked him close. “How ’bout you let me show you what to do?” She spoke in a soft whisper against his lips.

He groaned and pulled her flush against him. “Would it be okay with you if we do this horizontally… like on a dry surface?”

Morgan hummed. “I can’t think of anything I’d like better.”