Stealth Page 6

  “This is my dream,” he sounded indignant. “And I would have appeared sooner but because you don’t love me, my connection isn’t as good. Cobra should have seen that coming. Then again his mate adores the crap out of him while mine thinks the enemy is cute.” His tone oozed sarcasm and a little indignant.

  “You put clothes on me immediately.” She stomped a foot for good measure.

  His eyes widened and he cocked his head. “Hey, your boobs jiggle a bit when you do that. Do it again.”

  Caris bellowed. “Listen buster you better put some clothes on me.”

  Caris pinched her skin. She clamped her eyes closed and willed her body to wake up. She was about to murder him when her eyes opened and she was lying flat, in her bed. Benz was watching her from a chair. Caris leaped from the bed growling.

  “I am never sleeping again.”

  “Humans have to sleep or they go bat-shit crazy.”

  “You mean like I am right now?” She growled again and made fists as she strode toward him.

  Benz jumped up and grabbed her wrists. He was very stern when he spoke. “You must never strike me. My armor will not come up against my mate but it is still there. You would be hurt; I would not. I cannot harm my mate even if it’s you doing the harming. It’s against my nature. You would wound me emotionally.”

  “Fine.” Caris strode to the replicator and asked for a glass of ice-cold water. She took the glass, walked casually back to Benz. Standing in front of him she took a leisurely sip while he eyed her warily and then tossed the contents into Benz’s face. He stood there gaping with water dripping from his hair. “Clothes next time. Or I will ask the replicator for an ice bucket.”

  He nodded.

  Chapter Six

  “My mate is bat-shit crazy,” Benz grumbled to Cobra.

  Cobra grinned at him. “Most females are.”

  “She doused me with ice water. Never saw it coming. Me, a warrior. How is it possible I was attacked with water? And you know what? I swear my shield laughed. That’s right. Laughed. Guffawed up a storm. I know my shield will protect her as well as me but I had no clue it would love her.”

  Cobra became thoughtful. “My shield is indifferent. It protects my mate, it’s linked to the planet shield so we know immediately if Bagron is attacked, but that’s as far as it goes. Maybe because you’re so young. Remember I’m past two thousand years old. I mated less than eighty years ago. Maybe my shield is just stuck in character. Protection and only protection.”

  Benz had to think about that. He loved his shield, he thought all shields loved their warrior. Maybe they weren’t so different from their Tonan cousins. He knew a young Tonan by the name of Braylon often fought with his sneaky shield. But he hadn’t been a Tonan to begin with. He was given the shield as a gift from a dying Tonan warrior to save him and his mother’s life. But that was decades ago. The boy was an extremely powerful warrior.

  “So, I love Caris, my shield loves Caris, and I get water in the face and laughed at,” Benz grumbled.

  “How’s that little being doing?”

  “The fur ball? It sleeps and eats. Caris put a kind of litter box down for it and it seems to know how to use it. She called it Indy. It makes the oddest sound when she rubs it. It’s cute. At least it keeps her occupied.”

  An alarm went off as a massive ship appeared before them.

  “Damn it. Did she dream last night?” Cobra bellowed.

  “Only for a few moments,” Benz yelled on the run as his shield slammed over him.

  He was racing for his room and his heart near stopped when the alarm ceased. He knew before he opened the door—Caris was gone.

  Benz raced for the helm where Cobra stood motionless. There was nothing out the window. Without turning Cobra spoke.

  “They have her. Our planet is in danger.”

  “Well fuck, Cobra, so is my mate.”

  * * * *

  Caris stood on the main deck in a warship. Ankou was close by. Another alien, older, scarred, strode toward her. He stopped when he noticed little Indy in her arms.

  “Is that supposed to scare me?” His tone dripped sarcasm.

  “I’m surprised you didn’t kill me. Seeing as though you never see your victims’ faces, you filthy coward,” was her reply.

  He moved closer. “Take a good look, little one, at my scars. At one time it was unheard of to battle from the sky. But our numbers dwindled. Our females kill any other type of female brought to our planet for possible breeding. They want a pure bloodline. So now we fight from the skies.”

  “You sent children to my planet as imaginary playmates knowing we wouldn’t be believed.”

  “We sent our children to many planets knowing their offspring wouldn’t be believed.”

  “You’re reprehensible.” Caris didn’t question why they spoke her language. She guessed they knew many.

  “You will be a wealth of information. You will tell us where the other planets are,” the alien said. “Then you will die.”

  “But, father, you said I could keep this one,” Ankou interrupted.

  “I lied. Our females won’t tolerate her. Besides I can tell she isn’t your mate. This isn’t the one. Yours died years ago. Human females don’t live this long and stay youthful. There is something different, little human. Why are you not a shriveled old female?”

  “I won’t tell you anything. Except maybe that you’re an asshole piece of garbage.”

  The male snarled and raised his fists, coming closer. She cuddled Indy tighter. She would never be able to beat this alien in battle, but she was determined to at least bust his nose. As soon as he got closer she’d take her swing. Closer. Caris lifted her chin, and took a punch, wincing as her hand connected with his solid chin, and waited for all hell to break loose and when it did she was as surprised as everyone.

  Ankou’s father lunged for her. Ankou raced to intervene then both aliens were sent flying when teeny little Indy grew into an indigo shaggy monster. Massive black claws stretched to a foot long, red eyes glowed amidst a black face. It was hideous and went after Ankou’s father. Shouts were heard as Indy literally ripped through the men.

  Caris was running. She wasn’t certain what scared her the most. “Benz,” she screamed. “Where the hell are you?”

  A black hole opened and Benz came flying through. Caris could see he was ready to battle but there was no one left standing. He grabbed Caris into his arms, scooped up a now tiny little Indy and flew back into the hole.

  “Get us the fuck out of here,” Cobra yelled when they stumbled on deck.

  Benz was gasping and stared wide-eyed at Caris, she was holding her hand, her knuckles ached. “Holy hell, Caris. You really are bat-shit crazy. Their entire helm was filled with downed males torn to shreds,” Benz said.

  Caris was also wide-eyed and gapping at Indy who yawned and settled into the crook of Benz’s arm.

  “I didn’t do that. Indy did.”

  All eyes went to the sleeping being. Cobra scooped it up into his arms and gave it a shake. Caris raced forward and grabbed the creature.

  “Well don’t piss it off,” she yelled. “The Annihilators are a bit more helpless than you but this thing is bad ass.”

  Indy snuggled against her, seemingly undisturbed.

  “You expect us to believe that tiny thing is some kind of monster?” Cobra said.

  “I expect my mate to.” She took hold of Benz’s hand and gazed up at him. “You said you could always find me. You did. You said you would know if I lie. I swear Indy grew into a massive monster and shredded those aliens. He changed when Ankou’s father was going to hurt me.”

  “Cobra, she’s not lying,” Benz said.

  “Benz I need to see what we’re dealing with.” Cobra was grim. His gaze was trained on Indy.

  “What are you going to do?” Caris whispered.

  “Come with me.” Cobra led them to another room.

  Without warning his shield slammed over him and he pushed Benz away the
second the door closed behind them. Caris screamed in real fear when Cobra made to grab her. Cobra was thrown back so fast it made her head spin. Indy-monster was on the move—toward Cobra.

  “Indy,” Caris yelled. The beast turned. “Come here. It’s okay.” She was shaking as Indy moved toward her. By the time it was a foot away its teeny body jumped up into her arms.

  Cobra was still on his ass in a corner. His face shield had dropped and he was stunned, mouth agape.

  “Um, Cobra? My shield is laughing its ass off at you,” Benz said.

  “Damned if mine isn’t too,” Cobra replied as he staggered up and peeled himself off the wall he was slammed into.

  * * * *

  “Your connection with your mate seems to have improved.” Cobra was pacing making Benz nervous.

  “Oh I can definitely determine when she’s scared,” was his guarded reply.

  “Benz.” He stopped pacing and Benz cringed. “All of my life I have done what I have thought to be right for my warriors, my people. A leader wears a heavy head and sometimes a harder heart. I’ve been questioned, looked down upon by certain actions. My mate and I have had to work through some serious issues. There are times I’m wrong and I admit it. But I am leader. Part of being a leader is offering my advice for what is good for our people. You are a great warrior and loyal. I know you won’t take what I say lightly. Your connection would be better with Caris if you had sex with her.”

  “You can’t expect rape?” Benz was appalled.

  “Fuck no.” By the look on Cobra’s face he could tell he was equally appalled. “That isn’t in our nature. It was hard enough for me to scare your mate. You know it’s bred into us not to harm a female. I think that’s the first time my shield ever felt so strongly opposed. Even though it knew I was bluffing. I meant ask her and explain why. She’s intelligent.”

  “Is mating without love in our nature? Oh that’s right you wouldn’t know because you have a mate who adores you. Everyone’s mate adores them. Except for me.” It was impossible to hide the anguish in his tone. “How do I have sex with a female, my mate, who doesn’t love me and live through it emotionally?”

  “Caris is strongly connected to Ankou. Too strongly. We need to break the tie that bonds them. Your love can do that.”

  “Don’t you think I know that? Don’t you think it hurts? You forced us together. You will not tell me when it’s the right time to lay with my mate.”

  Benz stormed out. He found Caris holding Indy in her lap.

  “You look pissed,” she said.

  “Cobra is concerned by your connection with Ankou.”

  “I don’t even understand why there is an attraction. You said this mark, this tattoo, on my shoulder will tell aliens we are mated.”

  “Anyone can scent we are not as mated as we should be.”

  “And here comes the sex question.”

  She looked so annoyed Benz was furious. He strode to her and lifted her by the arms in anger. Indy did nothing but yawn.

  “Some help you are,” Caris grumbled.

  “Is that what you want? Your mate to be tossed into a wall? You will never love me will you?”

  “Drama llama.”

  “You have no idea the feelings I have for you. But no, I don’t want sex. It’s bad enough I’m crazy over a female who doesn’t love me but I won’t be told by anyone I need to crush my feelings again. I know you earthlings had one night stands. I won’t. You can laugh in my face and call me names. Yet here I am, a warrior. And I’m broken.”

  Benz strode from the room to the pool. Maybe he could wash some of the pain away.

  * * * *

  Caris should have known the second she closed her eyes Ankou would be there. She gazed around at the surroundings. Amazed. A gentle snow was falling. A pond nearby was iced over. She immediately gazed down and found she was wearing clothes. Not appropriate for snow but she wasn’t cold.

  “Where are we?” she asked.

  “My planet. You should know that.”

  “But I’ve never been here. Was I here?”

  “Yes you were. A very long time ago. I brought you. See?” He took her hand and led her to an ebony tree. Her name and Ankou’s were carved into its bark.

  “I remember now.” She placed her fingers where her name was. “You were always so much fun. I remember the caves we played hide and seek in. We would run all through the mountains. It was no wonder I went to school exhausted most days. Mother thought I needed more vitamins and vegetables. I had to be the healthiest, tired kid in my class.”

  Ankou trailed her locks through his fingers. He pulled her close and kissed her with passion. Breathless she pulled away. Her hand was at her lips. She was shaking but not afraid. She knew Benz wouldn’t feel her emotions unless she was terrified. Without Ankou’s father she had nothing to fear. She couldn’t help but compare his kiss to Benz’s. When Ankou leaned to kiss her again she stopped him.

  “I’m mated.”

  “Your mark means nothing to me.”

  “Benz said if he dies I’ll die. Why are you and I connected?”

  “I fell in love with you. When we came to the planet you were on I sensed you immediately. I diverted what power I could knowing my father would be thrilled to have you. But he would eventually kill you. I knew the Castian ship was close. I knew they would find you and keep you safe. I hadn’t counted on them being so honorless they would claim you.” Ankou was snarling with his passion.

  “I agreed to be mated so you wouldn’t murder more people,” Caris said.

  “My father is the killer. Not me.”

  “When you do nothing to stop an injustice you are as guilty.”

  “Who stopped the mating for you? Where was your justice?”

  “I told you I agreed. I agreed to his face, not from a warship that slaughters. Have you once looked into the faces of those you kill?” she demanded.

  “Yes,” Ankou bellowed. “I know what it’s like to lose someone. It’s why my father didn’t allow me to continue to be your imaginary friend. He knew I fell in love with you. Mother told him. She was furious. It took everything I had for them not to go to Earth and destroy you, your world. Then they were furious hearing the Tonans beat them to it. Except the Tonans wanted female slaves. I looked for you but you were gone. I thought the Tonans had you but without a map we couldn’t find the planet.”

  “So everywhere I go I’ll be hunted, followed so your precious murdering bastard father can kill.”

  “I knew I’d find you here ,” came a bellow.

  Shit. Speak of the fucking devil.

  Caris began to run. She glanced back at Ankou with hurt and betrayal but Ankou was holding off his father and shouting at her to stop. Caris hit the round patch of ice at a dead run. She was scared but knew it wasn’t enough to bring Benz to her. The slipperiness under her feet made it difficult to run. She banged into a stump coming up through the ice and stumbled.

  The alligator-like creature under the sheet of ice with only its muzzle poking up, woke. Suddenly it crashed up through the ice, sending her flying with ice chunks raining down. Water spewed into her eyes. The gator was coming for her. Hands on the ice, face to face with gaping jaws and massive teeth, Caris screamed for Benz. Her feet were running but she was getting nowhere. As she spun to get away she had a morbid thought of the gator chomping into her ass. She bellowed for Benz again. Benz appeared and raced to Caris stepping between her and the menace. To her horror the gator swallowed half of him. Howling she fell to her knees and watched in disgusted appreciation when Benz slit the gator open from the inside.

  Blood dripping from him, he was racing to her as she watched Ankou’s father run to her. Benz made it there first. He took her into his arms and leapt into the black hole that appeared. They were in his room. Both gasping for breath.

  “I’m so sorry,” Caris said. “I was so scared for you.”

  Benz gazed at her thoughtfully. “You really were. But was it just fear that you would die
or couldn’t be saved?”

  He had every right to be suspicious. Caris touched his arm. His warmth radiated into her allowing her to calm. She took a deep breath.

  “I was terrified for you.”

  Benz broke out in a smile. “You like me.”

  Caris chuckled. “Yes, I guess I do like you. How can you not like a warrior who saves your life? I need to know how it is possible for Ankou to take me to his planet when I sleep. I was dreaming. He wasn’t because his father showed up.”

  “I don’t know. What bothers me more is I can’t sense you unless you’re scared shitless and because you’re bat-shit crazy you don’t get fearful unless it’s something really bad. For the love of Bagron stop being so badass.”

  “That gator was creepy.”

  “And big. It almost swallowed me whole. That was a first for me. Ankou made a mistake though. He took you to him. We can find his planet and see what we’re up against. We can bring the Zargonnii too.”

  “What are they like, the Zargonnii?”

  “Huge hairy buggers who also love human females. In fact Indy would fit right in. They’re built like an Earth tank. They have some interesting children. Many who are full grown are a sight to see.”

  “Gee, can’t wait to meet them.”

  Benz chuckled. He took her into his arms and held her. She thought it was more for him than her but she stayed pressed against him. She decided she liked him, his warmth, his looks. If only she could love him. She heard him sigh.

  Chapter Seven

  Caris was smiling; she admitted Benz was the epitome of safety. He was growing on her. His possessiveness wasn’t over the top smothering, his dark eyes were pools of warmth. Each day that passed his smile endeared her further. She knew Cobra was pressing him to have sex with her but oddly that was a command Benz refused to follow and though Cobra was annoyed he didn’t push too hard. Castians were a noble bunch.

  As Benz filled her thoughts, Ankou left them. She thought of her strange friend less each day and hadn’t dreamed of him. Part of her seemed to know where there was Ankou there was danger. Benz held her in his arms at night while she slept. When he asked, she agreed. He mentioned any change in her body, a slight twitch, anything and it might help to be close while she slept.