Page 17

H iding her shaking hands, Morgan preceded Stalad into Diversions. Her soles disliked the rough pavement outside. She took care to avoid stepping on debris from the fight. I can’t believe I was almost kidnapped again.

The relief when she saw the Svesti in the alley surprised her.

After a year on Costonia, she expected a Svesti male to be protective, but something in her recognized him on some level.

Even when she was spitting nails at him, she knew in her bones it wouldn’t make him turn away.

His cinnamon and caramel scent gave her the warm fuzzies, the likes she hadn’t felt since she before her mother got sick. It reminded her of home and safety.

As good-looking as most Svesti were, Stalad outdid them all.

His reddish bronze skin with its fur-like appearance, warm brown eyes, shoulder-length dark hair, as well as his muscular shoulders, biceps, and thighs, caused pleasant tingles in her lady parts—something else that she hadn’t experienced since she left Earth.

When they entered the lighted area, she noted the small scars dotting his attractive face. From the accident he mentioned?

Even his scars couldn’t detract from his handsomeness.

His body heat seared her back as he followed her closely.

Squaring her shoulders, she walked toward the Wing Raiders.

Makai, Crax, Lezon, Tren, Rain, and Kara stood in a cluster with the Ladortan that told them to return.

Internally, she winced. Makai is never going to let me perform to help the Wing Raiders in the future after this debacle.

“Morgan, thank god you’re okay,” said Kara.

“Thanks to Stalad here.” Morgan jerked a thumb at the male.

“Our thanks, Svesti,” Makai said with a tight smile. His eyes traveled over Morgan looking for injuries.

“I’m fine, Makai. Just shaken up.”

“Lezon can check you out when we return to the Fortitude. ”

A low growl sounded from Stalad. Knitting her brows, she glanced at him with surprise.

“Were you hurt?”

“No, Lady Morgan.”

“Just Morgan, please.”

His lips quirked.

“As you wish.”

“Captain Ordan, is this the Svesti we spoke of?”

“Yes, Captain Makai. We found Stalad in an escape pod and while his body has healed, his memories still haven’t returned. We’ve been looking for a way to return him to Costonia in the hopes they can help him.”

“Unfortunately, we’re not heading in that direction at this time.”

“I understand. I appreciate you considering it.” Stalad’s tail straightened, then relaxed.

“I’m curious, why did you intervene?”

“I knew the Durelians presented a risk, so I kept watch when I saw them gathering near the stage. Human females are to be protected at all times. ”

“Why is that?”

“Uh, I don’t know. My instincts tell me it is the right thing to do.” Stalad’s brows pinched together as if he were in pain. Morgan’s fingers twitched.

The Jalaxians shared a look. She knew they were silently communicating in the way of men who have fought together a long time. Crax stepped away.

“If you’re willing to work in the meantime, we can take you with us now and we’ll get you home when we can. I can give priority to jobs that will take us in that direction.”

“I’m not sure.” Stalad glanced at the Ladortan.

“Captain Makai and his crew have an excellent reputation. I also think you’re a better fit with a ship of warriors than a ship of miners.

” Captain Ordan’s tusks peeked out from his long facial fur when he grinned.

“We’ve enjoyed having you, but I believe the Wing Raiders are your best and safest option to continue your healing process. ”

Stalad met Makai’s eyes. His tail rested on her lower spine. Is he considering it? Do I want him to? Yes, I think I want to know more about him.

“Are you certain? I can’t even tell you what my experience is.”

“Captain Ordan assures me you have sufficient fighting skills, your instincts are to protect females, and you need help. We have the room and are indebted to you for saving Morgan.”

“Then I will be happy to join you until I can find a way to Costonia.” Stalad’s face lit up when he grinned. His fangs glinted against his skin. I like the laugh lines around his eyes.

“Gather your things and meet us at the Fortitude as soon as you can. I don’t want to remain on Nulorn longer than necessary after tonight’s events.”

“I have nothing on the Morning Star .”

“Actually, there was a bag in the pod with you. I can have it delivered to Captain Makai’s vessel.” Captain Ordan tapped his comm unit.

“There was?” Stalad looked at the Ladortan with crinkled brows. “I didn’t know that.”

“It contains surveillance equipment, food, and water. Nothing to identify you.”

“Surveillance equipment?” Makai’s eyes lit up. “What were you investigating?”

Stalad pressed his temples and closed his eyes.

“I have no idea.”

“Do you often have pain when you attempt to remember?” Lezon asked quietly.

“Yes. It’s frustrating. I have a feeling of urgency that there is something I’m supposed to be doing, but I have no recollection of what it could be.”

“Don’t push it. The mind can close itself off for any number of reasons. You’ll remember when you’re ready.” Lezon turned to Captain Ordan. “Can you send me a copy of his medical records?”

“Of course.”

“If that’s all, let’s get back to the Fortitude .” Makai nodded at the males, who surrounded the women. Outside, Crax stood by a large flitter. They hustled the humans into the vehicle and stood waiting.

Stalad spoke briefly with Captain Ordan. They exchanged warrior’s clasps, gripping the other’s forearm. Then the Svesti slid into the vehicle with the Jalaxians and ended up across from her.

Morgan intertwined her frozen fingers to keep them still as they rode back to the Fortitude and listened as everyone chatted around her.

From their conversation, she learned that the Morning Star rescued Stalad almost a month ago and their investigation determined he had been injured about two weeks prior to that.

When Lezon asked how he survived those two weeks, she internally winced and closed her eyes when he said he’d somehow ended up in a quasi-stasis with lower oxygen levels and the cold of space.

Shivers racked her body. The scent of cinnamon and caramel wafted over her. She opened her eyes to see Stalad offering her his shirt.

“I think you’re going into shock. Please take this to keep warm.” Liquid brown eyes showed concern. His tail tentatively wound around her ankle and rubbed gently over her leotard.

“Thank you.” His body heat emanated from the cloth as she pulled it over her head and she sighed. She shifted so it covered her thighs. Tension leaked from her body and she relaxed against the seat.

“I think they deliberately planned their kidnapping for the last performance.”

Makai nodded at Crax’s grumbled observation.

“I agree. They knew there were three human females and how many of us protected them.”

“I’m sorry. I just wanted to help fill the coffers.” Morgan blinked rapidly.

“It is not your fault. If we do this again, it will be one night only.”

Her eyes widened and she leaned forward.

“You’re not stopping me?”

“I negotiated a part of the entrance fee and drinks profit if a higher-than-normal crowd showed up. People waited in line last night and tonight in hopes of seeing you perform. Word got around after your first performances.” Makai smiled. “You made quite a few credits.”

“Keep them.”

He grunted.

“No. I’ll take a small percentage which will more than cover the small pittance you eat and transfer the rest to an account for you. You earned it.”

“But…”

“No arguments.” Makai mock glared at her.

Dropping back against the seat, she nodded tiredly.

“I don’t have the energy to argue with you right now.” Stalad’s tail moved to her other ankle and continued to soothe her for the rest of the trip back.

On the Fortitude , her feet protested at walking on the cold metal. She yelped when Stalad lifted her in a bridal carry without warning.

“I can walk. And I’m too heavy.” Damn, he smells good. And he’s so warm.

“Your feet are injured.”

“Follow me,” Lezon said. “I’ll heal her feet.”

Grumpily, she crossed her arms and tried not to lean on the Svesti. He jostled her slightly and she fell against his chest. She huffed when she realized he was grinning at her discomfort.

“You’re just a little thing, ciebala .”

Her nose wrinkled.

“ Ciebala? ”

“Sky dancer.” Oh, I like that.

“Whatever.”

He put her on a med bed and stood nearby as Lezon ran a healing wand over her abused feet. Abby came in as the healer scanned the rest of her body.

“Hey, girl, are you okay? And who’s this?”

“I’m fine. And this is Stalad.”

Lezon put down the scanner and turned to the brunette.

“Stalad is traveling with us for a while until we can get him to his home planet.”

“Nice to meet you, Stalad. I’m Abby and this is Lezon. Welcome.” Abby smiled and Stalad dipped his head.

“Lady Abby, it is a pleasure.”

“Lady? No, just call me Abby.” Confusion crossed her face.

“The Svesti usually use Lady in front of female first names,” Morgan said.

“You know this?” Stalad glanced at her.

“I spent close to a year on Costonia.”

His eyes lit up.

“You did? Are there other humans there? For some reason, I feel like humans aren’t usual in this part of space.”

“You are correct, we aren’t usually around here, unless we’re kidnapped and brought here against our will.”

His tail whipped behind him and his claws extracted.

“Did a Svesti kidnap you?”

She placed a hand on his tense forearm and shook her head.

“No, that was Frezzians and Durelians. The Svesti treated me well.”

His tail slowed, his claws retracted, and his muscles loosened.

“I’m sorry you were taken in the first place, but I am glad the Svesti made your stay on Costonia comfortable.” His head tilted. “Why were you there?”

Her lips tipped up.

“They found me on Delizas and after some questioning and DNA tests realized I might be able to help them test our races’ compatibility to recover from the Zuvgran virus that decimated your female population.

They invited me to Costonia for more testing.

Unfortunately, when I left there, I was kidnapped by the Zuvgran who experimented on me with a new virus.

The Wing Raiders saved me and another human woman. ”

His face scrunched and he lifted a hand to his temple. He swayed on his feet. Alarmed, she said, “Are you alright?”

Lezon moved to stabilize Stalad and had him sit down on the med bed next to her. He began scanning the Svesti.

“A memory?”

“Something about her words triggered it, as if I should know what she was speaking of. But I don’t know what.” His fist impacted his thigh. “It’s so crekkin’ frustrating.”

“Healer Creet sent me your medical records and I reviewed them on the way here. You’re lucky you survived and are doing as well as you are, Stalad.

The memories may or may not come back on their own soon.

Like I said earlier, and as I’m sure Healer Creet told you, attempting to force them will only cause you more pain. ”

“I know, but it’s difficult.”

She took Stalad’s hand and squeezed.

“Listen to Lezon. He and Abby helped me return to full health. I trust them.”

“I just hate having holes in my memories.”

“Understandable but give yourself some grace.”

Lezon put down the scanner.

“Both of you can go. It’s late and we all need rest. Makai said Stalad can have the quarters across from yours, Morgan, if you’d like to show him the way.”

She hopped down.

“I can do that. Oomph.” She shook her head when Stalad picked her up again. “I can still walk.”

“You’re barefoot on cold floors and we’re going the same way.”

“Fine. Have it your way. Take a left when we leave the med bay.” She tried to keep from sinking into his strong, warm chest.

“As you wish.”

She directed him to her quarters.

“We’re here. You can put me down now.” She pointed to the door opposite them. “Those are your quarters. There’s a comm system if you need anything.”

His arm under her knees dropped and the one around her back tightened as she regained her footing.

“Thank you, Morgan. Sleep well.”

“You, too. Thanks for saving me.” She grinned. “And I guess for being my ride here.”

His brown eyes caressed her face.

“My pleasure.”

Watching to ensure he was able to open the door, she closed hers when he was out of sight. He looks as good from the back as he does the front. Firm ass and that tail, whew.

Changing into a nightshirt she purchased on Nulorn the first day they arrived, she smoothed the soft fabric along the front.

Padding to the bathroom, she washed her face, used a tooth cleaning tab, and brushed her hair after using the facilities.

Her reflection in the viewer showed her face flushed and her eyes bright.

She made a face and laughed at herself before heading to bed.

She clutched her pillow and snuggled under the blanket. What is it about Stalad that makes him so appealing to me? I met lots of Svesti on Costonia. Hell, King Sovex was fucking gorgeous and a nice male, but he didn’t make me want to get closer to him.

Closing her eyes, she drifted off to sleep dreaming of warm brown eyes, a naughty tail, and tasty desserts.