11
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Myla
Oh crap, what have I done? What have we all done? We’ve killed so many…I have never hurt a sentient being in my life before this moment…
The death and destruction around me are overwhelming to all the senses. The stench of the dead and the acidic and iron odors of blood fill my every breath, burning my lungs. The lab echoes with howls and screams of the fight. I can’t shut out the sound.
And then my weapon is shot out of my hand, but I hardly feel the pain as I look up to see a weapon aimed at Tekil and my blood runs cold. I no longer care about the Acradidia we’ve killed. Tekil is mine!
I yell a warning and launch myself between Tekil and the weapon. Pain pierces my side, the acidic blood burning as I fall helplessly to the floor, landing on my left side.
In my entire twenty-four years, I have never felt such pain, such agony as I roll around on the floor. Someone could have stuck a hot poker to my skin, and it wouldn’t hurt any more than it does right now.
Someone picks me up; his smell is comforting as he holds me with great gentleness. And then someone else takes me from him. I want to protest, tell him no, until I realize Tekil has me. He whispers that he will make me feel better, and kisses the top of my head.
I want to say thank you, but the pain intensifies and I struggle to remain conscious. I know the other two—Vi’del and Zeno—are trailing behind us. Don’t ask me how, I just know.
When he lays me own the metal lab table, my heartbeat skips and I almost begin to hyperventilate. In my heart, I know Tekil will not hurt me, but the experiments… I panic.
Tekil holds my wrists down and I feel betrayed. How could he do that to me? If things were reversed, I would never pin him to this fucking table!
Water washes across my face, neck, and shoulders. The acidic burns hurt at the slightest touch. Still they keep pouring water over them and the pain eases, but only a little.
Tekil licks my forehead, then my cheeks, and it eases the burning sensation even more. Someone is licking the right side of my neck, while someone else is licking the left, eventually licking my hand.
It feels like lip balm on severely cracked lips. As the pain fades, a new desire blossoms and drenches my core. I lean up to kiss Tekil, and at first, he kisses me back. Then he pulls away, pulls the ugly sack over my head, and lifts me into his strong arms.
I know he’s self-conscious about his tuffs of fur, but I wish I could make him understand how warm and comforting it is, how powerful it makes him look.
We’re on the move again. Once we reach the ladder, I ask him to put me down.
“No,” is his only word before he starts climbing up the ladder.
Good. I don’t like it down in the cave.
At some point, I drift off to sleep.
When I wake, the first thing I notice are the enclosed tree branches surrounding me. The burning sensation has completely vanished, and I know I owe them my gratitude.
My side still hurts a little, but nothing like before.
Glancing around, I silently gasp as I discover the three muscled men sprawled out asleep. I take my time drinking in their masculine beauty, each one different, but all so sexy. I want to lay near Tekil, but he’s almost pinned against the tree trunk.
The one with the most room is dark blue, long black hair fanning around his head; he’s snoring lightly.
The other guy is a paler shade of blue, muscled, also with black hair, though his is only shoulder length. Of the three, Tekil is the least muscular; still, he sports a powerful frame.
Hesitating, I crawl over to the dark blue guy with the most room and snuggle close, but not touching. I can feel the heat from his body; it makes me feel safe.
Staring at his long, slick black hair, I reach out to feel the strands. An inch away, I let my hand drop and sigh. I don’t want to wake him.
You know that moment when you first become aware of your surroundings after a night’s sleep? That’s me right now. The first thing I notice is the warm chest under my cheek, my arm draped around a man’s waist, his fingers playing with my dirty hair. With eyes still closed, I think back to where I am, what happened.
I tense, my eyes pop open and I bolt upright. Chest heaving, I look around and see that it’s just me and… him . “Where are the others?”
“They went hunting.” He gently tugs my arm and pulls me back down.
I scoot away. “Who are you?”
“Zeno.” He sits up, his eyes roaming the length of my body. It makes me uncomfortable. I can’t remember the last time I had a bath, and… I covertly sniff my underarm. Yep, I stink.
Zeno laughs, and I shoot him a quick, angry glare.
“Do not worry, little one, none of us have bathed in a long time.”
But I do worry. Not only is my brown sack dress covered with dirt and dried blood, I feel like I’ve been wallowing with the pigs. Not that I’m trying to impress him or anything; I just don’t like smelling like BO.
“Zeno…” I swallow hard. He’s very easy on the eyes, but his chiseled chin holds a hardness. “You work in planet security, right?”
“I see Tekil has told you about me.”
“A little.”
Cocking his head, I feel like a bug under a microscope. “You look much different than I imagined.”
Licking my lips, I ask, “How so?”
“You are smaller in size, and I am not sure you can handle the three of us.”
My heartbeat kicks into overtime. What does he mean ‘handle’ the three of them? I don’t think so! Unless he’s talking about something different…
He inches his way over and my breathing grows erratic. A predatory aura radiates danger, and something deep inside me clicks into place, rising to meet his challenge. A low growl rumbles from my chest; he answers with his own.
The air changes, ignites…something pulls me toward him.
Tekil, think of Tekil!
I shake my head and inch away. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. And I am not that kind of girl.”
“Tekil did not explain anything to you?”
“Sure he did,” I reply defensively, uncertain if we’re on the same page.
“Then you know that the Acradidia changed you, creating a mate for the three of us.”
Wait, what? Created a mate for the three of them?
My anger flares, and I point one irritated finger at Zeno. “Listen here buddy, I decide who, not the Acradidia . So don’t pull that crap with me!”
And then I flip and hastily crawl out of the sleeping canopy, feeling an overwhelming need to escape.
I flee from the camp area, my mind racing as I consider what Zeno said. The uncanny attraction I feel, the way my body responds when I’m near any of them… It’s all so unnerving. And I still refuse to let some spider-looking alien race decide my fate, or future husband for that matter. The guy I choose will be someone I like, not someone I’m paired with.
His deep masculine voice trails behind me. “Where are you going?”
Glancing over my shoulder, I throw the words at him. “To find some water. I stink!”
“I will walk with you,” he says, now at my side, his legs matching my strides.
“Suit yourself.”
As we walk on in silence, I’m still affected by what he said. This is so out of my territory for normal, and I just don’t know how to handle it.
I’m still trying to get my heartrate and emotions under control when Zeno casually says, “Tell me about yourself, Myla.”
My first instinct is to blurt out no, but I hold my tongue. Truth is, I’m afraid of running into the Acradidia. And I am painfully aware of the fact that Zeno can either fight them off, or run like the wind with me in tow... I need him on my side.
My anger slowly dissipates, and I’m left feeling confused. One minute I’m afraid of the intense sexual desire, then I’m angry, and sometimes completely turned on… And I don’t understand why.
Slowing my strides, I finally stop and turn to face him. He’s done nothing to warrant my haughty attitude.
“Look, I really want to find a place to wash off. I feel yucky and need some water.”
He stares at me for a few moments, making me uncomfortable again. “Then let us find some water.”
“Thank you.”
Shoulder to shoulder, we walk in search of a creek, a lake…it really doesn’t matter at this point.
“I have asked Tekil and Vi’del, and they are also searching while they hunt.”
Looking up at him, I squint. “Just now? You asked them?”
“Yes. Tekil informed you we are linked, did he not?”
“He did.” Looking straight ahead, I think about everything I’ve learned. “I guess I’m just a little overwhelmed.”
“That is understandable. Tekil said that this is your first visit off of your own planet.”
Shifting my eyes his direction, I ask, “What else did Tekil tell you?”
“Not much. But he believes the Acradidia changed your chemistry makeup.”
I snort. “I’d say so, yes.”
“What differences do you notice?”
Oh hell no. I am not ready to spill my guts to a total stranger.
“What have they changed about you?” I counter.
His deep laugh sends shivers down my spine. It’s sexy and masculine, endearing me closer like a siren pulling me into the depths of the sea, to drown in desire. I lick my lips, forcing myself not to look at him.
“Almost everything,” he finally replies.
“I don’t understand.”
He pauses a moment, then says, “I no longer tamp down my desires for the good of a planet which betrayed me.”
I detect a hint of anger, but who came blame him? Internally cataloging every change, I ask, “What do you mean?”
“From an early age, we are programmed to…act a certain way for the good of the planet.”
“I’m still not following.”
“As younglings, we are taught history. Our history, your history…” He shrugs. “Knowing about other species as well as our own shortcomings has made us better able to correct past mistakes. We tamp down our own desires, knowing it is frowned upon; some are actually forbidden. My DNA was altered so I would be a great enforcer in planet security. Every day, I followed the writings and laws of the Ruling Quad without question. And look where it got me? Someone sold me to the Acradidia ; they must have. How else would I have ended up here on this planet?”
“Tekil mentioned that there wasn’t a common link between the three of you.”
“No. However, Tekil holds to the old way of life. Vi’del and I believe that is the reason he cannot fully transform.”
“And you don’t?”
“No. Someone betrayed us. It seems we are forever changed and even if they allowed us to return to Kintuke, they would never truly accept us.” He slows to a stop and instinctively, I turn to face him. He steps close, our bodies inches apart. “Now, I fully embrace who I am, what I have become, and I will follow my desire without hesitation.”
Butterflies beat at my stomach and every part of me wants him. He looks as wild as an untamed stallion with that long black hair. Every inch of my body responds to his nearness… Panting heavily, I force myself to turn around and begin walking again.
“Sorry, I can’t let go of the old ways either. Not until I know more… water!” I shout, pointing to a trickling stream not more than a foot wide.
“You need…” he begins, but I take off at a sprint, not listening as he calls out: “Myla, wait!”
Before I know it, his hands circle my waist, lifting me off the ground.
“You need to make sure it is indeed water.”
Wait, what?
“What are you talking about?” I demand, trying to wiggle out of his hold.
“This is not your Earth.”
“Yeah, I know.” And then I catch the meaning. Who knows what flows down the branch? Zeno sets me aside, dropping to his knees and sniffs.
“Well?” I ask impatiently.
Cupping one hand, he dips it in the water and brings a handful to his mouth. His tongue darts out and barely tastes the liquid. Grinning, he says, “It is indeed water.”
Immediately, I drop to my knees and splash the cool water across my face, rubbing some on the back of my neck.
“Do you hear that?” he asks suddenly, and I freeze.
“What?” My eyes dart all around, searching for some unknown threat.
“Come on.” He grabs my arm, pulling me to my feet.
Not knowing what’s happening as we walk downstream, I keep constant watch for an ambush.
“There,” he points.
My eyes follow the direction of his finger and I squeal like a little girl. The stream drops off into a small pond.
Running to the edge, I stare down at the brown, slightly muddy water. Grinning over my shoulder at Zeno, who is standing with arms crossed and a wicked smile on his face, I order, “Turn around.”
He hesitates and I’m halfway ready to ignore him and jump in anyways…but only halfway.
“Come on, please?” I plead. “Turn around.”
Reluctantly he presents his back and I tear the ugly sack from my body, easing in. It’s so cold, but I don’t care as I use my hands to wash the grime away. Ducking my head under the water, I vigorously scrub the blood from my hair.
When I’m as clean as possible without the aid of soap, I clutch the dress off the bank and try to wash it out.
Standing naked in waist high water, I glance up to see Zeno standing a few feet away, facing me with an intense look on his face.
I freeze.
My breath hitches.
Like a predator, he slowly stalks down to the pond and wades in. With only an inch separating us, he kisses me with a ferocity that almost buckles my knees. His lips are hard, demanding, with an urgency I haven’t felt before. Unlike Tekil, Zeno is aggressive in his desires; right now, I’m his desire.
My hands roam down his back, following his waist and caressing his slender hips.
He kisses my jaw, bites my earlobe as his fingers pinch my nipple before twisting it a little. The pleasure/pain shoots straight to my core and I want…no, I need more.
Tilting my head back between my shoulders, his mouth is skimming my neck with elongated teeth.
I shudder with shocking desire as his fingers leave my nipple and head to my legs, pushing them apart.
One long finger rubs across my entrance.
“Are you wet for me?” he whispers, and bites my earlobe again.
I can’t think, can’t speak as he plunges his finger deep inside, twisting around before repeating the movement again and again with two fingers.
“Tell me, you would rather have my cock, wouldn’t you?”
No one has ever talked dirty to me before and I’m appalled to discover how much I love it.
“Answer me!” he demands, but I can’t. I can only feel the unbridled pleasure, rendering me speechless.
Gripping my hair, he tilts my head back to look into my eyes as his fingers work their magic.
When he pulls out completely and presses against my sensitive nub, I shatter from the best orgasm of my life. My body jerks and trembles, and just when I think it’s almost over, Zeno sinks his teeth into the soft tissue of my neck and I shatter again.
With one arm around my limp body, holding me up, Zeno licks my juices from his fingers. Leaning down, he whispers, “Next time, it will be my cock filling you.”
He releases me as I stagger to the edge, plopping down on my behind while he rinses off and hops out of the pond.
I’m breathing heavily as I wonder, What just happened? And why did I enjoy that so much?
After I finally get some much-needed strength and (some) composure back, I dip into the water and rinse off one more time. No man—certainly no alien—has ever made me feel so alive, so sexual. From the corner of my eye, I see Zeno watching me and I’m a little out of sorts. What do I say? How do I act?
I can’t delay the inevitable any longer as I wade to the side of the pond.
Reaching his hand down, he says, “Here, let me help you.”
“Thanks.” When I place my hand in his, I feel that same spark of desire coursing through my veins. Images of what just happened replay over and over, and I am dumbstruck by the entire situation.
Heading back toward camp in my wet brown sack dress, reality sets back in and a wave of shame hits me full force.
How could I do that to Tekil? How could I let a complete stranger touch me?
The fact that Tekil is also a veritable stranger doesn’t even occur to me. What does occur to me is that I have real feelings for him, which go beyond the scope of sexual desire, and yet, I was literally helpless in Zeno’s hands. I couldn’t possibly pull away from him; I didn’t want to pull away. I needed him nearly as much as I need Tekil.
I have never been so confused and conflicted in my entire life.