Feral Series V: Feral Foretaste Page 17

  I snaked both across the widest shoulders I'd ever touched and found the only thing to hold was his neck with the way his body flexed and contracted above me. Yes. He somehow kept most of his weight off of me. How in the hell hadn't I noticed any of this before during sex?

  But the wonder of Vult's abilities vanished with the tremors he conjured from what was left of the soul he seeked inside me. How he managed to draw it from where it clung within me, I don't know. But his pumping motion worked like a suction, pulling what was left of anything from the recesses of the empty shell I thought he'd made of my body. More and more. Merging me with him. Until I jerked against his groaning mass, holding on for dear life, biting back a scream. Gulping back the air my lungs so desperately needed.

  His rod jerked inside me, bursting with fire.

  Just for one more breath. With him. In the heat of our fusion. Yes. Body melded with soul. All made sense now.

  He rode out his body's thrashing convulsions in joining with my soul. And I clung to him. Holding what seemed like a fragile spirit. My spirit. Dear. God. What we had become. Something whole. Something I didn't want to release .

  He was so right. He needed something more. Just like I do. Something unmasked by his pheromones.

  He needed me. Like I needed this. To feel complete.

  Icy bone-numbing awareness seeped across my skin.

  Making me think. Focus.

  It didn't matter that we had been thrown together. Nor did it matter that we were from two different worlds. I needed someone I could trust. Someone who made me feel whole. And not just any man. A man who gave me the chance to learn this for myself. That's what was missing in the beginning. That's why I was the lab rat. Not anymore. Vult had transformed me. And if he fancied me his Goddess, fine. I got a big strong gorgeous warrior, no man, with emotions and a brain. Who laid carefully atop me. His body thrumming with the connection we just made. And he needed me to make him equally complete.

  To ensure he had a soul. Oh yes. I could do that. I petted through the silk of his almost-white hair. “Vult."

  He didn't budge where his ear thrust against my cheek. “Yes?"

  "I understand now."

  His face turned into my cheek as he heaved up a bit onto his forearms and lifted his gaze to stare into mine. Hair dangled, blocking his view. I pushed it back behind his ear with my fingertips. He shifted his body on to his side and tugged me slightly over onto mine against his rattling chest.

  Being cozy right now was just perfect.

  A smile tugged at the corner of his delectable mouth. “What do you mean you understand?"

  Well, time to preen my body. I brushed a palm down over the swales and swells of his chest's succulent musculature.

  He studied my hand.

  Like he was a child mesmerized with wonder at my touch. “I couldn't feel anything with those damned pheromones attacking my senses."

  His gaze flicked, locking onto mine.

  Like he wasn't certain what I would say next. I wrapped an arm around his arm, drew my breasts against the round circles of his pointed nipples, and leaned up to study his curious expression more closely. “Those pheromones just made me want to have sex. Badly. Uncontrollably. And I missed so much of what took place.” Would it make a difference if I told him the truth? “But without them, Vult, you were more than just the big magnificient male with the gratuitous penis.” I shot him a huge grin.

  He propped an elbow up on the bed and planted the side of his head playfully against it. “Gratuitous as in whatever warrior was nearest?"

  Theoretically. “Well,” I cuddled closer to his discerning gaze, “I guess I would have only climbed up your body and impaled myself on your weapon since we're talking about your pheromones. But microscopic machines aside, literally turned off,” I planted a kiss on the rounded end of his firm chin, “I could see what you were made of.” I winked.

  "And how do you assess my primary matter?"

  Like I was going to ask about his bio-metallic skeleton again. I struggled not to laugh. I did. But a few giggles escaped. “That's the last way I'd explain what kind of person you are."

  His blond eyebrows arched. He grabbed me tightly against him and rolled me atop his warm solid chest where I stared down at his almost-smiling face.

  Sneak. What thoughts whirled behind those silver eyes?

  "After a few centuries of life, Cassie, all becomes thought. Reason. And when a warrior takes a huv'ria, she breathes life back into his soul. Gives him enthusiasm. Makes him whole as he was before The Changing Times.” He tickled a trail across my cheek with a fingertip. “Having you has renewed my passion for living."

  There was nothing like lying against his magnificent form that dwarfed me in every way. Not when he claimed I held so much power in his existence. A life I dreaded. But now could appreciate. Yes, he did need a soul. Each !Dako did. What was wrong with giving them a future beyond unbearable loneliness forcing them to turn off their emotions? I had to help my mate save the !Dakos. Something had to work. Even laying my hand on people. M'yote said one day I'd be able to use my Handler power to help people.

  Vult studied me with a trace of humor pinching his eyes.

  "Why are you smiling at me?"

  The fingers of his hand on my back splayed and closed, lovingly. “It pleases me to observe you."

  Well, we'd have to work on him sounding a little more romantic instead of assessing the lab rat. But I had his complete attention. I stared him down. “What about my changing each child in the womb? Could a Handler do such a thing?"

  "Perhaps. One who is adept."

  Well, he hadn't said no. “M'yote healed Theone with the touch of a hand."

  "M'yote also has the addictive touch of his mother's people. He may not have pheromones. But his touch is just as enthralling. Perhaps what you witnessed were his body's unique chemicals making his huv'ria forget her pain."

  Was he trying to cut me off at the pass because I know what I saw? What if I can alter my own daughters right now? Change their fates? Correct their genetic anomaly with a touch and thought?

  "The look on your face makes me nervous, huv'ria."

  Hell, I had no idea if I could cure someone else let alone control my power while turning it on my body. “I need to speak to M'yote. Will you take me to him?"

  His sigh rolled on forever.

  "Vult, please. Let me help you. Let me help the !Dakos. Let me give your people the chance to live real lives again. The way life should be lived."

  He licked his lips. “Cassie, it isn't safe off Treusch now. Word spreads of your arrival. I do not wish to expose you to more danger."

  "But you're the best warrior. Anwa said that. And we can take Tvrist and Sok. My bodyguards. Remember, you assigned them to me?"

  A look of resignation tainted his smile. “I do not like this idea.” He rubbed the back of one knuckle gently against my cheek and studied the skin touching his. “You are so unique.” His gaze slid to mine. “And I will never forgive myself if something happens to you."

  As if anyone could touch me without my permission. “You forget, I have the magic touch of a Hander."

  He chuckled low and steady, gliding his palm down my spine to the beginning of the crack on my ass. “But that is what I thought I had with you."

  If he had gone any lower, he'd have to use that Handler power on me. “Just give me a chance, Vult. I'm not about to miss another warm and fuzzy moment like this."

  His brow arched with a question.

  "Getting to lie here, cuddling, with all your muscles wrapped around me."

  He tipped my back onto the bedding, rolling his hot pliant skin with me, carefully, not pressing all his weight atop my ribs and hipbone, chuckling sinisterly. His mouth planted a nurturing kiss on my lips, but he withdrew enough to provide me a view of his handsome face and his hand gliding down the curve of my hip to the patch of curls between my legs. “You now know the extent of my Handler powers."

  His mastery of the elem
entals put mine to shame. “Don't change the subject."

  "I'll think about it."

  "When?"

  "After I finish with my soul.” He winked.

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  Chapter Fifteen

  Vult stood alone inside the Council's meeting room before the painting of Anwa decorating the bare wall. What good would speaking with the councilors do now? The councilors had welcomed me and the Goddess and agreed Cassie shouldn't leave Treusch. But Cassie hadn't stopped asking to see M'yote. Traveling off-world wasn't going to gain her anything. She could use her Handler power one way or another. And the Council just wanted Treusch cleansed. That's what they expected of the Goddess.

  But allowing her to injure herself for the greater good of the !Dakos was ludicrous. What warrior would permit his people to drain his soul? I needed to take Cassie somewhere until we can develop a solution to this problem.

  A journey anywhere except through the Rift was dangerous.

  Yet, everything about Cassie resonated danger. She's mine to protect. Losing her isn't an option. And transporting her to the Colony was as impossible as cleansing the planet. That left no other choice than to keep the Goddess safe, waiting here.

  Cassie walked a sunlit sidewalk through the undecorated fortress's pale walls with Sok two steps behind her. So much for taking the bull by the horns, she thought. If Vult had any intention of thinking about taking me back to speak with M'yote he never let on. He hadn't mentioned the trip once during the two days that passed since he began seriously handling me without pheromone intervention. And manhandling me he did not. The man could stroke me into a rash of quaking need faster than bacon. Funny how bacon could be such a smoking aphrodisiac. That's probably not something anyone back on Earth needs to know.

  "Goddess,” Sok's emotionless voice called.

  What now? I halted and turned.

  The tall dark-haired indomitable warrior had as amazing a chest as Vult. Sok would make some girl really happy. And he could use a little touching to ease the scowl from his face. Souls had astonishing power. “Yes?"

  "Vult has been summoned through the Rift. I am to escort you back to your personal quarters to him."

  "The Rift?” He's leaving me? No. He wouldn't.

  But everything made sense the minute the door snapped shut at my heels. A Crellon ship had been captured.

  "And you are coming with me,” Vult said.

  His unwavering stare only made my heart sink. Something told me his intent was to take me as far from M'yote as possible. Did he fear losing me that much?

  Taking my huv'ria as far from the danger as possible was the only way to protect her. And !Dako interest. The others only saw her as the Goddess and the answer to their plight. How she'd respond to our holding the Crellon pilot hostage and forcing him to fly the ship through the Rift was another issue. But she'd be safely protected at the Colony soon. With me.

  "Alright.” She strode out of the lavatory in her black leather clothing with a small pack of extra clothing. “I'm not so certain I believe these Crellons will take us through the Rift. But I'm going to have to just go along with your plan. I know you aren't about to let anything happen to me.” She winked. “Besides, I can assess the Colony for The Order of the Marshals.” She smiled. “That's got to be as strong a reason as any for the trip."

  At least on the Crellon slaver, my huv'ria would safely travel through the inter-dimensional plane without being endangered. If the Crellons managed to take her, we'd hunt them down. Destroy the vermin. The universe would be a better place without them. Well, after we learned how to use their technology to transport females through the Rift.

  "Well?” She studied me with a gleam in her eyes.

  Cassie's eyes always sparked with enthusiasm. If she only realized my fear of losing her fueled my need for immediate departure. But my newfound weakness merely reflected my discovery of my soul. “This way.” I motioned toward the door.

  With Sok and Tvrist leading the way, we made our way across the sunlit compound, through the gates, and onto the landing field for large spacecraft. Just steps away from ensuring Cassie was hidden on the Colony.

  Bitter sunlight reflected off the dome-shaped silver top of the Crellon craft. Four guards stood at the base of the gangplank and the pilot detained inside. Ready for departure.

  The brothers led us past the alert guards and into the center of the circular ship where two !Dakos blocked the attempts of anyone reaching the archaic levers and switches of the control panel—the very antiquated technology beyond the interest of cultures evolved into psychokinesis for millennia that protected the Colony from detection. Except from by slavers. Would we be safe or sorry? If the Crellon pilot managed to outwit us, there was no guessing where we might land. Was this plan a mistake? Hiding Cassie in another dimension just might prove to be the most foolhardy attempt to save a warrior's mate among the !Dakos.

  Cassie cleared her throat at my side.

  Undoubtedly her curiosity. I turned to her inquiring gaze.

  "Why are we just standing here? Shouldn't we be buckling into our seats?"

  Her rising impatience was best contained in a restraint. Saying anything might only fuel her probing. I nodded toward one of four body-conforming chairs with restraints positioned behind the two pilots’ seats.

  While she engaged the harness’ two locks, Sok and Tvrist brought a male Crellon from the containment cell, marching him past Cassie to a pilot's seat. She studied the alien's well-carved nude physique as similar to a !Dako's with the interest of a zoologist attempting to identify a new animal.

  And that's exactly what slavers were. Animals. Those who treated souls with little respect seeing only the value in their exchange rate. At least the Crellons didn't speak her language. Most peoples throughout the universe had adopted English in fighting the Blood Wars as the language evolved on its planet of origin. Free thinkers had chosen to focus their efforts in finding were-mates there, and, in turn, pushed a demand for the language's use through the universe. !Dakos held no preference for the tongue but found it useful when dealing with many cultures. Especially since the Goddess spoke it. Crellons cared for nothing other than where they could sell their slaves.

  Cassie cleared her throat softly again.

  Hopefully, her impatience indicated her eagerness to travel. I settled into a chair beside her and secured my own harness.

  She leaned toward me. “How do you know that slaver is going to fly us where you want to go?” she whispered.

  He would be foolish to attempt anything else. “He has no choice."

  Her brow wrinkled.

  Now she will balk.

  "We're ready, Vult,” the guard said through the Central Node.

  "Launch.” Before Cassie does.

  One guard grabbed the Crellon's neck.

  "What is he doing?” she sneered.

  "Piloting the ship.” I shot her a warning glance. “Sit quietly. This is the only way to operate out-dated technology."

  She snorted. “Oh, yes. With even more archaic tactics."

  Well, only a fool would argue the truth in her point. “Only one thing is more dear to a Crellon than his cargo."

  Her annoyed stare waited for the answer.

  "His life.” I patted her arm. “This won't take long. Crellon ships can maneuver through the Rift from almost anywhere in the universe. As far as we can tell."

  Her eye roll didn't indicate she found comfort in that declaration. But that little display of irritation was the highlight of our journey through the Rift. Will she hold this against me too?

  Cassie stepped off the end of the gangplank onto solid black rock at the base of black mountains towering but meters away. The unyielding surface gave nothing against the push of her boot's sole or the yellow sun's piercing heat. It was bloody hot on this volcanic rock and would probably be in whichever direction they traveled. Even in the damned shade. “Where are we going?” Hopefully beyond the mountains.

  "T
he city is partially subterranean.” Vult placed a palm at her back and nudged her body along beside his for a moment.

  Well, the city was back on Treusch. Why not carry on in the same manner here? “I should have guessed.” I strode at his side, glancing back at Sok and Tvrist who followed at our heels.

  The remaining guards guided the Crellon behind my guards.

  Although the slaver had been mistreated to bring us to this place, he seemed none the worse for wear. And why did that matter? He was the creature responsible for harvesting humanoids from every corner of the universe. Probably even Earth. Where would I be if they'd gotten ahold of me before Goro?

  A chill crept down my arms.

  Vult turned an assessing stare to me. “What's wrong, Cassie?"

  Hell. He could sense anything. “Just thinking about how the Crellon enslaves humanoids. Not a good thought."

  He nodded. “Then forcing him to work for us is compensation for the pain and suffering he has caused others."

  True.

  We followed the mountain's base until stepping around a rocky fold of stone hiding a set of stone steps carved down into the planet's cool interior lined with glowing crystals along a carved passage. Shockingly cool. “Thank goodness it's not blistering hot underground."

  "Summer is uncomfortable here. But your nanites will help you acclimate."

  Joy. Yeah for robotic air conditioners. Although, having one's ass melt as a byproduct of one's climate is kind of nice. “Are these luminous crystals something !Dakos discovered on this planet?"

  "Yes."

  Well, he wasn't coughing up much information. “Everyone lives underground?"

  "The surface is farmed. We traded for seed with the Crellons in the early years after stumbling through the Rift."

  Undoubtedly untainted vegetation from back on their home world. “Seed from worlds other than Treusch?"

  "Yes. To find ways to feed our children in hopes of bearing unaltered daughters."

  My heart clenched a smidge.

  Just enough to make me wish I could give my big blond a hug while trying to choke down a lump stuck in my throat.