Page 4 of Wayfinder (The Outlander Book Club… in Space! #5)

The kitchen was my favorite place. Even on a space station in the middle of nothing but blackness and stars, I felt at home chopping and cooking. While the Baron gifted me with a luxurious room, I’d spent most nights on a small cot in the storage area, too uncomfortable to sleep anywhere else.

I wasn’t exactly worried about the competition. What I felt was more akin to excited anticipation with a dollop of worry. There might not be much on Earth that I didn’t know how to cook, but I had no idea what kind of alien varmint they might expect me to kill, butcher, and prepare.

According to Jala, each contestant could bring a few favorite cooking implements and spices along. I’d found a small black satchel in the storage room that now held my favorite knife, a few useful spices, and, of course, my salt crystals.

Hell, as much as aliens were taste deprived, I could probably win the competition just by adding salt to everything.

Still, I laid my tools out to consider one more time, almost laughing at the fact that I worried more over knives and salt than clothes.

Although I’d probably taken more time than usual picking out my outfit for the day.

Who knew what one needed to wear for an alien version of Iron Chef.

In the end I went with the familiar. Drawstring pants and a long tunic in a soft fabric that wouldn’t hinder my movements.

“Is this correct, Chef Pearl?”

I glanced over to where Deema and Aqsa stood at the prep table, painstakingly trying to mimic the way I’d shown them to chop vegetables.

I’d been trying to teach some of the harem girls to cook, and these two seemed to have a real affinity for it.

I’d convinced Baron Oappo to allow Deema and Aqsa to work in the kitchen while I was away for the competition.

If they followed the detailed recipes I left, hopefully, they’d impress the Baron, and I could get them out of the harem altogether.

“It’s perfect,” I said, noticing the way Deema’s face lit up.

She was basically humanoid, except with pale white, nearly translucent skin and what looked like dark green jellyfish tentacles for hair.

Aqsa was the more alien-looking of the two.

While her face was mostly human, save for her small, pointed black-tipped nose, and quills like those of a hedgehog sufficed for hair, running the length of her back.

“Thank you, Chef Pearl,” Aqsa smiled, a flush creeping over her pale green skin.

They both jumped when the door swung open, and Jala sashayed into the room. Gorgeous as always, today she wore deep blue flowing robes that made her creamy pelt shimmer.

“Good day, human Pearl.” Jala carried the smile she gave me over to Deema and Aqsa. “And you too, ladies.”

“Hi, Jala.” I lifted a hand in a wave, smiling at the way the harem girls giggled and tittered at being addressed. I guess it didn’t take much to make you happy when your life revolved around screwing a slimy frog man.

Jala glanced at me, opening her mouth to speak, then frowned and shifted her gaze to my companions.

“Could you leave us, please?”

“Of course.” Deema bent in something that might have been a curtsy, followed by Aqsa before hurrying out of the kitchen.

Jala watched them leave, then sauntered over and flicked on the exhaust fan.

I got the distinct impression she didn’t want our conversation overheard, and it worried me.

I had yet to meet the man she’d chosen as my protector.

What if he was untoward in some way? A criminal. .. or maybe just an asshole.

“Are you ready for the competition?” Jala moved to stand beside me, her long, graceful fingers tracing indentions in the tabletop as she reviewed the contents of my satchel.

“Ready and raring to go.” This would be my greatest challenge as a chef, and honestly, I looked forward to it.

Jala watched me curiously. “I have arranged for a Vaktaire warrior to act as your protector.”

“Vaktaire,” I repeated. I had no idea what that meant, but it sounded strong... like a highlander . My stomach shimmed with the most curious sense of excitement.

An indulgent smile curved her full tan lips, and she angled her head toward the door.

“Jutuk.”

I stilled, a tingle running along my spine as I watched the kitchen door swing open and...

“Are you fucking kidding me?”

Him.

Where was my damn knife?

“My brother Jutuk is an honorable Vaktaire warrior. He will keep you safe.”

“Your brother?” I glared at Jala as the man walked to her side, grinning smugly.

Now that I saw them together, the resemblance was undeniable.

Both had high cheekbones, full lips, and those gorgeous sun swimming in a cobalt sea eyes.

Both were too freaking beautiful to be real.

Jala had a slender and graceful physique, while her brother’s build was reminiscent of Jamie Fraser…

on steroids. He wore black leather-like pants molded to his thick thighs and perfect ass, along with a leather vest crisscrossed with some kind of strap holding a plethora of knives.

His hair was different, too. Jala’s mane was thick and dark, but his was lighter, a scrumptious shade of dark caramel woven into a singular braid that lay across his shoulder.

“Hello.” His voice was thick and rich, like the best maple syrup one could only find in Vermont poured over sandpaper. “My name is Jutuk, Wayfinder of the Bardaga.”

I crossed my arms over my chest, sharing my glare between the siblings. “What’s a Bardaga? And why did you come into my kitchen the other day?”

The corners of his mouth twitched slightly, and I noticed Jutuk shoot a glance at his sister before answering. “The Bardaga is the Vaktaire warship tasked with protecting Earth. I came into the kitchen to make contact and inform you that your friend Emmy sent me to rescue you.”

I shook my head, not sure I heard him correctly.

“Did you say, Emmy?”

“Yes.” The twitch of his lips broadened into a grin.

“Why didn’t you say so?” I practically yelled at him.

Muscular shoulders gave a shrug, almost too dainty for their size and strength. “You threw a knife at my head. Your skill with a blade is impressive.”

I rolled my eyes at the compliment. “Is Emmy okay?”

“Yes.” Jutuk took a step closer, seemingly confident I wouldn’t try to stab him again. “She is well, and so are your other friends.”

“My other friends?” My mouth went dry, and I swayed, feeling slightly dizzy.

Jutuk squared his shoulders proudly. “So far, my team has also been able to rescue Daisy, Clara, and Agnes. Only you and Willa remain in enemy hands.”

I felt tears of relief prickle my lashes, but I blinked them away. Now wasn’t the time for crying. It was the time for action. “What are we waiting for? Let’s get the hell out of here.” My hand went immediately to my satchel. Even in the event of rescue, I wanted my knife and salt.

“That would not be a wise move, human Pearl.” Jala said, positioning herself between me and the door.

“Why not?” Aggravation prickled along my skin.

Jala issued a sigh and placed her hands on my shoulders.

She was over a foot taller than me. On anybody else, the gesture might have seemed threatening.

From Jala, I felt only comfort. “On Ardeese Valout, you are a treasure. It would be impossible to sneak out of the station unseen. Plus, with the competition, you would be missed immediately. The Baron is not the type to relinquish his possessions easily.”

I felt my excitement deflating. It would be more difficult than just walking out the door. Dammit!

“My plan is to wait until the Duke’s birthday celebration,” Jutuk stepped closer, his golden eyes meeting mine. I felt the oddest shiver dance over my skin. “Almost all the station will be in attendance, and the docking bay won’t be guarded as closely.”

“You must complete the competition without giving any indication that you plan an escape,” Jala cautioned.

“Well, shit.”

While I wasn’t keen on remaining in captivity a minute longer, a part of me relished plying my skills in the competition. I was considered one of the best chefs on Earth. Why not add the universe to my resume?

Jutuk stepped around his sister and fell to one knee, his right hand curled into fist and laying over his heart.

“I swear on my honor as a Vaktaire warrior. I will protect you, free you from the Baron and return you to your friends.”

My knees grew weak. It was rather startling to have seven feet of muscled alien warrior kneel before you.

It was even more surprising to realize that he hadn’t just made me a promise.

.. he’d given me a vow. Despite not knowing this guy from Adam, something deep in my soul knew he’d die before breaking that vow.

“My brother will keep you safe,” Jala said, placing her hand on Jutuk’s shoulder and giving me a curt nod. I might not know Jutuk, and sometimes my soul could be fooled—Donovan Chase—but I did trust Jala.

“Okay,” I said begrudgingly, but pointed a finger at Jutuk as he stood. “But you stay the hell out of my kitchen.”

“You have my word,” he grunted. “I have no interest in cooking.”

Well, that certainly didn’t win him any brownie points, in my opinion. But as long as he kept me from getting eaten by some alien cow, he would do.

“When do we leave for the contest?” I gave my supplies one last review before stuffing them into the satchel.

Jala and her brother shared a glance brimming with sibling shorthand before she turned to me with a smile. “I will escort you to the docking bay if you are ready.”

I slung the satchel over my shoulder and followed Jala, stopping long enough to say farewell to Deema and Aqsa and issue last-minute instructions.

The spiral design of the space station encompassed seven floors.

The Baron’s suite and the kitchen were on the fifth floor, and the docking bay took up the entire second floor.

Jala and Jutuk sandwiched me between them as we descended the walkway toward the open-air lift that would carry us to the transport.