Текст книги "The Alien’s Bond"

Автор книги: Kira Quinn

сообщить о нарушении

Текущая страница: 7 (всего у книги 17 страниц)

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Darla woke early following a night of crazy-vivid dreams, more than a few of which featured well-endowed alien lovers doing unspeakably delightful things to her newly inked body. She had been touched and caressed in all manner of delicious ways, but come morning she found herself well rested but alone.

Gradually, the pleasantness of that much needed slumber left her, replaced by the awareness that eventually she was going to have to face a new day on an alien world far, far from home.

“Oh man, this is going to suck,” she grumbled, forcing herself to move from beneath her cover and sit up.

Surprisingly, her skin had healed quite a lot as she slept, and the underlying dull throb that had settled in after Zepharos grabbed her so lustfully was completely gone. Yes, her skin was still somewhat tight where the tattoos were mending, and the alien pigment still felt a bit odd as it shifted subtly under her epidermis, but compared to what her friends went through when they had gotten ink in the past, this seemed like an absolute cake walk.

“Huh. Not so bad,” she mused, giving her limbs a few careful wake-up swings. “Not bad at all.”

She crossed to where her freshly washed clothing had been neatly folded and shed her rather comfortable tunic. She hadn’t been sure about being able to wear her slacks after the tattoo work put in on her legs, but they were loose enough to not chafe her newly inked skin.

They weren’t as flowing as the temporary bottoms she had been provided, but there was a certain bit of comfort to be had from wearing her own clothes. A modicum of familiarity that was soothing in this otherwise alien world.

She sat and laced up her shoes, again glad she’d swapped for her comfy trainers after Tammy’s party, then stood and headed for the opening flap of her tent.

Okay, let’s see what today has to offer.

It was a beautiful morning; the sky was crisp and clear, and the mouthwatering aroma of cooking food was wafting through the air. Darla stretched wide and took a deep breath, her lungs expanding fully, drawing in as much oxygen as she could absorb.

Her body felt even better now that she was outside. Tingling a little more as the sun’s rays fell upon her. She thought about what she had been told of the tattoo ink. About the living pigment now in her skin. How it reacted to the ambient galactic energies flowing through all things, but especially the sun’s power.

It was a strange, viscerally empowering sensation. Her limbs were rested, but they also felt somehow stronger than before. Lighter. And her feet? Any aches from the prior day’s trekking were gone. Whatever the runes were doing to her, the benefits were quickly outweighing her hesitance at being marked for life with strange alien symbols.

Darla followed her nose and headed toward the smell of baking bread and other savory goods. If breakfast was anywhere near as tasty as dinner had been, this would be the perfect cap to an already pleasant morning. The only thing she was sure would be lacking was coffee. That is, unless the Oraku had somehow cultivated their own version of her caffeinated treat.

From an adjacent footpath, the tribal elder joined her on her walk.

“Heading to break your fast?” Rohanna asked.

“Yeah. I’m famished, and whatever they’re making smells divine.”

“I am glad you think so,” she replied. “You look well rested. Did you sleep soundly?”

“Yeah, I did, thank you. The tent was cozy, and the bedding was really comfortable.”

“Good. I assume you had no trouble finding your accommodations, then?”

“Nope, all good there. And much as the wooden structures here are interestingly designed, I really liked the camping feel of the tent. Reminded me of my youth a bit.”

“Ah, you have been given a tour of some of our village. How delightful. I am pleased you are finding yourself welcome here.”

“Yeah. Zepharos was a, uh, very hospitable host.”

The warm grin on Rohanna’s lips faltered slightly. Almost imperceptibly, but Darla had years of practice reading her sister’s unspoken cues.

“Is there a problem?” she asked.

Rohanna hesitated, choosing her words carefully. “Not a problem, exactly. Just a word of advice. Zepharos is a good man. Kind, competent, skilled in many areas.”

“I’m sensing a but coming.”

“But he also has quite a reputation. Not only with the few unbonded females of our village, but also those from other regions, though he has not done so of late after the last incident.”

“Incident?”

“It would be improper to go into details. Suffice it to say, just because a woman is unbonded does not mean she is not otherwise engaged with another male.”

“Ah,” Darla said, letting it go at that.

Story of my freaking life. Always picking the douchebags. I hate it when I prove my sister right. Just once, it’d be nice to be attracted to a good one.

The two women walked the rest of the way to the communal dining area without another word about that particular subject.

Heydar was already there, his plate piled high with a healthy portion of a hearty breakfast scramble of some sort, along with a stack of the local equivalent of pancakes. Darla and Rohanna went to the service area and gathered their own meals, then parted ways.

The village elder went to her place of honor on an elevated platform, though it seemed more of a formality than anything else given the casual nature of the residents’ breakfast. Darla saw that Zepharos was there as well, watching her with a smoky gaze. She gave a polite little nod of greeting, but then walked over to Heydar and took a seat beside him.

“Making new friends, I see,” he said between bites.

“The Oraku are a welcoming bunch.”

“So I have heard,” he replied with just a tinge of sarcasm in his tone.

Darla held back her snippy retort, opting to slow her roll and get some food in her belly before starting the day with an argument with the guy who pretty much saved her life.

She took a bite of the scramble and was pleased to find that the egg-like substance was most likely just that, although from what manner of creature she had no idea. As for the things chopped and added to the mix, there were a few delicious varieties of mushrooms along with some very interesting flavored native greens.

Heydar nudged a small container of a deep red substance toward her. “Olanga paste. It enhances the flavors.”

At this point, Darla took his word for it, spooning out a portion onto her plate without a second thought. She sniffed it. Some sort of salsa, perhaps? She placed a small dollop onto her next bite and scooped it into her mouth.

“Oh, this is really good,” she mumbled.

“Your runes are working, then. Without them, it would not have so pleasant a flavor.”

“Hang on, this was a trick?”

“Trick? No. A test, yes. There is no way of telling how your species will react to the pigments and runes. I adapted them as best I could figure, but you are still an enigma, and one that requires special attention.”

“Well, maybe warn me next time,” she shot back, taking a drink from the cup of water before her.

“Warning implies a danger, and there was none. And now your meal is more enjoyable. An all-around positive outcome, in my opinion.”

Darla was considering a sharp reply but ultimately decided to just let it go. It wouldn’t accomplish anything anyway. She was stuck here with this troubling man, like it or not. Instead of arguing, she took a bite of the pancake on her plate.

“Hmm,” she murmured.

It wasn’t at all what she’d expected. Where Earth pastry was sweet and fluffy, this was savory, with an interesting umami flavor lending it a distinctly alien taste. There were several layers to its complexity, each unfolding as she chewed.

Heydar watched her with interest.

“What? Was that another test?”

He chuckled. “No. I was simply curious if you would enjoy the Rammisti cakes. They are something of an acquired taste.”

“Consider it acquired. You know, I could get used to this stuff.”

“Good. Eat well and replenish your strength,” he said, rising to his feet and gathering his plates. “Your tattoos should be fully healed when I return.”

Darla jumped out of her seat. “Whoa, hang on a minute. What do you mean, when you return? You can’t just leave me here.”

“I have considered what you said,” the alien replied.

“What do you mean?”

“You said it yourself, others held aboard the Raxxian ship may have survived. Some may even have been from my world, held in separate locations. I am going to search for them. If they crashed down close by, I may be able to retrieve them before a Raxxian recovery party reaches this world.”

Darla picked up her plates, following him to the washing station. “No way. I’m coming with.”

“You are too small. Too weak. This trek will not be an easy one.”

“You’re talking about me as if I’m some kind of child.”

“I do not mean to offen—”

“And I’ll have you know, I’m stronger than you think. So I’m coming with, and you can’t talk me out of it.”

Heydar’s eyes flashed amusement, along with a bit of admiration at the fire within this human woman. Full of surprises, she was, even for one so small and soft. His mind flashed to the way her body reacted to his hands the prior day. He quickly forced those thoughts down. There was a task at hand, and it would not be an easy one.

“Very well,” he finally said. “But you will need to carry your own weight. I will be moving quickly and will not slow for you.”

“Fine. Whatever,” she grumbled.

Darla shoveled her food into her mouth, eating as they walked to deposit their soiled dishes. From across the dining area, Zepharos watched with a curious gaze. One that while hot, was also a little disconcerting now that she had heard of his exploits.

But still hot, there was no denying.

She looked to Heydar, his calm eyes watching with a disapproving look.

“What?” she asked, defenses on high.

“Nothing.”

“Go on. You want to say something, so say it.”

The tall alien took a deep breath and sighed. “I know his type and would offer one bit of advice. Be careful.”

“Oh? And what’s his type as opposed to yours? You’re both big alien men.”

“We are complete opposites, he and I.”

“Then tell me about yourself.”

Heydar hesitated, locking eyes with her then breaking from her gaze. “Perhaps another time. Now, come. We must be on our way to make the most of the daylight.”

OceanofPDF.com

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Strangely, Darla found herself a bit torn as they trekked out of the village. Sure, Zepharos had a bit of a reputation. Okay, a lot of a reputation, but who didn’t? And who was she to judge without having all of the details firsthand? And it was nice having someone show such interest in her.

Then again, she had also been given that warning from someone who had nothing whatsoever to gain from it. Rohanna was just doing her a solid, as far as she could tell. But damn, he was one sexy son of a bitch. And unlike Heydar, Zepharos was actually available. Available and interested.

Ugh. This is all just so messed up.

She adjusted the small pack she had been given as she walked, the pressure of the straps annoying her tender shoulders. Heydar had taken care to ensure it was not overloaded, taking all the heavier items in his own backpack, sparing her newly inked skin from the inevitable abrasions and sweat it would otherwise cause.

Even so, she felt her skin drying out as the pigment set in. And boy was it itching.

A lot.

“Do not scratch,” Heydar said as she finally gave in to the urge. “You must let the pigment bond uninterrupted for it to properly take hold.”

“Yeah, I know, but it’s annoying.”

“As is complaining,” he shot back.

Darla flashed an angry glare his way, and amazingly, it seemed to land. Heydar hesitated, stopping in his tracks. “Very well. Drop your pack and come here.”

She did so, more because the straps were itchy as hell than from a desire to do as he asked. In any case, that one action alone provided a modicum of relief. Heydar’s own pack remained on his broad shoulders, riding there as easily as if it was weightless to the massive alien. He stepped to her and took her arms one at a time, surveying the condition of her newly inked skin.

He nodded, satisfied, then unceremoniously lifted her top, surveying his work, tracing his fingers over the rapidly healing designs. He followed one of them up her flank, curving along the side of her breast where it rose to her collarbone.

Darla’s nipples had gone hard the second he had lifted her top, the skin straining and tight in the open air. Heydar didn’t seem to notice, but as his fingers followed the line higher, his thick wrist grazed the erect nub, sending a wild, electric buzz directly to her clit.

Darla forced down a gasp, clenching her teeth and flexing her legs and abs hard to remain in control. This was something new. She’d always had sensitive breasts, and she’d loved nipple play as long as she could remember, but this? This was a whole new level. It was like walking around resonating like a goddamn tuning fork.

Is it always going to be like this now? ‘Cause I don’t know if I’ll ever get anything done if it is.

She let out her breath, willing her pulse to slow. Heydar looked at her curiously.

“Are you ill? You look as though you may faint. Do you need to sit?”

Darla blushed. “I’m fine. Can we just get on with it?”

“In a moment,” he replied, turning her to study the ink on her back and hips. “Your pigment is settling in much faster than normal. How very unusual.”

“Good unusual, though, right? Not something bad.”

“It is not bad. Just something I have not encountered in my years. The pigment is not only binding to your flesh, it is thriving, starting to move on its own.”

“What does that mean?”

“I told you the pigment is a living reservoir of power. It becomes a symbiotic part of your body in time, even shifting to form new runes, allowing you to tap into the galaxy’s power.”

“Okay, you already mentioned that before.”

“I did. But this process normally takes time. And you, my unusual human, are already showing progress most do not see for months if not years. It is no wonder your flesh itches as it does.” He slid the pack off his shoulders and dug inside. A moment later he produced a small tin with a painted lid. He popped it open revealing a thick salve of some sort. A musky-sweet aroma wafted from the container.

“What is it?”

“Gorram extract,” he said, scooping out a dollop with his long fingers. “Hold still, this will not take long.”

“What won’t?”

He ignored the question and began applying the substance to her tattoos, first the tender lines on her hips, tracing his way up her flanks and in along her interwoven back designs. The relief was almost instant and the Gorram extract was greedily absorbed by her healing skin.

“Interesting,” he muttered.

“What?”

“You are taking it in much faster than I have ever seen. Normally, this merely sooths the itch, providing a healing, moisturizing coating to the decorated flesh. But in your case, it is almost instantly drawn in.”

“What does that mean?”

“It is nothing to cause concern. Gorram is used by the pigment as an alternate food and energy source while it is completing its bonding with your own body. Part of that process is what you feel in your skin.”

“The moving feeling?”

“Yes.”

“That bit’s weird, I have to admit.”

“The shifting of the pigment to form and reinforce the runes that are most in tune with your own physiology is unique to every individual. Normally, it moves very slowly. In your case, however, the pigment is quite active. You are already forming power runes in your designs, and not just the weak trace beginnings.”

“So, that’s good, right?”

“Yes. It just normally takes much longer.”

“I’ve always been a fast learner.”

“Apparently so. It is no wonder your skin is sensitive,” he said, applying more of the Gorram extract, tracing the lines with his fingertips.

Whether or not he knew just what his touch was doing to her she couldn’t tell, his face was neutral even as he gently rubbed the substance into her skin. He finished with her back, switching to her flanks and frontal hip bones, then working up, following the different colored lines and designs as they traced her musculature, curving under her breasts and up to her collars and shoulders again.

Darla’s body felt absolutely electrically charged and for just a moment she wanted nothing more than for his hands to grab her breasts and pull her close, giving her nipples a delicious squeeze as her bliss crested like a tidal wave.

Heydar, however, merely continued the process, tracing back down between her breasts, over her breastbone and finally stopping just below her bellybutton.

“Your body is exceptional,” he said.

“Why, thank you,” she replied, a fine sweat on her brow. “I guess you could say—”

“Or a freak of nature,” he cut her off. “Time will tell.” He sealed the tin and placed it in her hand. “I will leave the application on your legs to you when we stop next. The sensation will lessen as your pigment settles, but for the time being it will continue to itch. Use the Gorram sparingly though. That is a normal supply for the entire healing process, but it appears your pigment would take it all in one sitting if given the opportunity.”

Darla was still tingling with arousal, and apparently the Gorram was fueling it further. But it was also reducing the itch, so it was an acceptable trade off, even if the gorgeous man in front of her was ignorant to her primed body.

“Thanks. I’ll be okay for now,” she said.

“I am pleased to hear it. Now, let it heal, and do not scratch.”

“I’ve got it.”

“Very well,” he said, shouldering his pack once more.

Darla picked up hers as well, the straps far less uncomfortable now. She felt his stare and turned to meet his curious gaze. He held it for a long moment, and she could have sworn there was maybe at least a hint of interest there. But with an alien, who could tell? In any case, a moment later he turned and continued their trek.

What is up with this guy? Darla wondered, falling in behind him. And what’s going to happen to me?

OceanofPDF.com

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Heydar had left Darla to herself after dealing with her itchy tattoos. More than that, he was true to his word as the morning went on, focused on making up time and trekking ahead with long strides across the often-uneven ground, leaving her scrambling to just keep him in sight at one point.

He did stop on occasion, however, and it was during those little pit stops that Darla managed to catch up, finding him bent over a bush. There was something new. A small furry animal that looked a bit like a mutant rabbit with very muscular legs was now dangling from a strap on his hip. Apparently, he had found time to hunt while he waited for her.

And now he was gathering deep purple berries from a low shrub, plucking them with lightly stained fingertips as he put them in a rigid-bottomed pouch.

The top could expand to hold a large amount, she could see, but the bottom was designed to keep the contents from compressing into mush. A clever design, actually, and one that allowed him to collect an ample amount of the little berries.

“These any good?” she asked, plucking one from the bush and popping it in her mouth. She immediately spat it out, her eyes watering and her tongue not in the least bit happy with the astringent berry’s properties she’d so rudely discovered.

Heydar shook his head. “Caution, woman. You must learn patience. This is not your world. I do not know if you would just blindly eat anything you came across on your planet, but here you must practice care.”

“Then why are you gathering them if they’re bad for us?”

“They are not bad for us. They must simply be soaked in cool water for an hour at the minimum before eating. The coating on them is meant to drive away land animals, but birds have different tasting apparatus. And birds can transport the seeds much farther than a terrestrial beast.”

Darla had to admit, it was kind of impressive. “So, this plant evolved to only be tasty to the things that can help it propagate across a greater area. Clever.”

“Indeed. But with a good soaking, these will be sweet and flavorful once the protective layer has dissolved and washed away.”

It was sort of akin to acorns back on Earth, she mused. Though she’d never eaten any herself, Darla had heard that you were supposed to soak them for several hours before using them to remove the harsh tannins that would upset your stomach.

“Well, now I know,” Darla said, picking a few more and adding them to his pouch. “I thought you packed up food from the village. Why stop for this?”

“Because it is always best to conserve your resources, especially foodstuffs. If we can feed ourselves off the land and save what we carried with us for a time of true need, all the better.”

“Do you foresee that happening? A time of true need, as you called it?”

“Hopefully not, but I learned long ago that prudence is the wisest path.”

Darla couldn’t argue with the logic. “All right, then. Let me help.”

“You would hunt?” Heydar asked, his violet-gold eyes crinkling slightly with amusement. “Very well. Let us see what you can manage.”

He drew one of the twin blades the Oraku had provided him for their trek.

“What? No, I’m not going to go killing Bambi. Or Thumper. Or whatever those things are. I mean give me a bag. I can fill up on berries as we go. And with two of us working together we can stop less. Make better time, you know?”

He cocked his head and pondered her offer a long moment then sheathed his knives. “Very well,” he said, handing her an empty pouch. “Gather what you can, but do not fall far behind. I will not slow for you.”

“Yeah, yeah, you’ve made that abundantly clear.”

He stared at her a moment longer with his unreadable gaze, then turned and headed off once more. Darla followed, keeping him in sight, but not close by any definition of the word. Their path was fairly straightforward, though there wasn’t an actual trail where they were heading. But the space between the trees and rocks was more than ample to make for a fairly easy passage.

Shady patches beneath the burgundy and green canopy gave them a nice cool down from time to time, where others the red stone would radiate heat up at them where it was exposed to the sun. Darla couldn’t help but think that if not for their circumstances, this would be a rather beautiful walk.

Heydar was not one for sightseeing, maintaining a steady course, scanning their surroundings as he moved, alert and ready, like a hunter. Like a predator. Even from a distance Darla was taken with the way he carried himself. Confident and in control. Ready for anything.

Darla felt the growing desire to show him she wasn’t just some helpless waif riding his coattails. She wanted to prove herself. It wasn’t as if she had a praise fetish or anything, but the thought of winning his approval brought a little smile to her lips.

I’ll fill this thing up in no time, she thought, veering off the direct line Heydar was following and into a thicket where she could see some dense clusters of berries growing. Why he bypassed them she had no idea. Probably, he was too focused on tracking game to worry about more berries.

But Darla? She wasn’t about to pass up such a dense patch. As she moved closer, weaving around some low bushes blocking her way, she realized this one detour might even fill her little pouch close to halfway. Not bad in her opinion.

She began picking quickly, adding the ripe ones to her pouch, skipping the questionable ones. Her fingers were getting quickly coated in astringent juice, but she ignored the tightening of the skin on her fingertips and kept working, moving around the low shrubs, following the trail of berries.

A few minutes had passed before she realized she had wandered a bit too far from the path for comfort. Heydar was moving quickly, and if she didn’t get back on his tail she might lose him entirely.

A crack made her jump. Another followed, along with the sound of rustling leaves. Footsteps, and more than one set. Someone was coming, and they were not alone. She quickly turned and began retracing her steps, hurrying back to the open area they’d been trekking through when a low-pitched, rumbling shriek pierced the air just to her side.

Without another moment’s warning a pair of creatures leapt through the foliage right at her. Darla dove to the side, narrowly avoiding the snapping jaws of the hairy beasts. They were the size of a large dog, but their builds were more like miniature bison, with massive shoulders and narrow waists. They also had horns, not just sprouting from the top of their head, but also a ridge of smaller spiky bits running the length of their spines.

Darla scrambled backward, her hands grabbing for anything she could use as a weapon. Her fingers jammed into something solid and she yanked hard, pulling free a softball sized rock. She refrained from throwing it though. It was her only weapon and there was no telling if she could find another before the creatures made it to her.

The two beasts crouched, teeth bared and snarling, spreading out and trying to flank her. The wiry hair on their necks was standing up straight, running to their foreheads in a rigid wave of agitated mane. The goat-like eyes were just icing on the terrifying cake. If she’d had to come up with a spooky-ass creature in her nightmares, Darla would have been hard pressed to top this one.

“Come on you fuckers!” she yelled, hoping a little show of bravado might make them think twice about their would-be meal. “I haven’t got all day!”

The beasts were clearly not impressed, made apparent by the low, throaty growls they each let out, creeping closer, their hackles raised. Darla lifted the rock higher, ready to strike at whichever attacked first.

A third growl from behind her made her body flood with every last drop of adrenaline she possessed.

Darla spun as the stealthy beast that had snuck up on her charged and leapt high and fast, its gaping maw aimed directly at her head. She raised her arm in hopes of diverting the deadly teeth at least a little but the impact never came. Instead, a sharp yelp of pain rang out as the animal was violently flung into a tree, dark foam dripping from its mouth.

Heydar stood crouched and ready, both of his blades in his hands, one of them already green with the animal’s blood.

Green blood, Darla’s shocked mind marveled even as the two other beasts rushed toward her.

Heydar was in motion in the blink of an eye, putting himself between her and the attacking creatures. His blades slashed and stabbed with speed she would never have expected from so large a man, their bright lengths driving home with every blow.

There were more growls and yelps, accompanied by a splash of hot green blood, as he battled the two assailants, keeping them at bay while they lost energy as they bled out. The third, however, was shaking off the shock of its impact with the tree and moving quickly to rejoin the fight while the tall man was occupied.

Darla let out a yell and charged it before it could fully regain its senses. She swung the rock hard. Far harder than she realized she could, the strength enhancing rune on her shoulder making her muscles tingle with a strange warmth as it poured additional power into her limb.

The beast’s skull let out a sickening crack from the impact and fell to the ground. It would not be getting up ever again.

Heydar spared but a cursory glance before dispatching the two animals at hand in a violent, bloody fashion. He bent over their motionless carcasses and wiped his knives clean before sheathing them.

“I told you to stay close,” he said matter-of-factly.

“I was. I mean, I just stepped off to get some berries,” she said, noticing the pouch and its spilled contents, most of which had been trampled in the fight.

He shook his head, a slight look of disappointment on his face. “You move like a child. No caution. No awareness. You must pay attention. These are merely wild Tsinoki. Dangerous, yes, but there are much worse things out there.”

Darla nodded. He was right, of course. She was on an utterly alien world and taking chances like that when she didn’t know the first thing about this place was foolish.

“Thank you for coming back for me,” she said.

Heydar lifted up the closest of the animals and pulled free a knife once more, slicing it open in a single stroke, dumping its entrails in a steaming pile.

“I was tracking prey,” he said. “That they came for you was a fortunate coincidence, though I would only have taken one of them given my choice. In any case, we will not want for food.”

He then moved on to the other two, cleaning them quickly before butchering them and wrapping their meat in their own hides, tying them into tight bundles.

“We must continue,” he said. “There is still much ground to cover, but at least we will no longer need to slow our pace to hunt.”

With that he turned and headed back to their original path. Darla flexed her arm. It felt normal now, and her adrenaline was returning to normal levels. But somehow, she’d tapped into the strange, powered runes, though she had no idea what she’d done to do so, or how to recreate the event.

I’m so much stronger, somehow, she marveled as she trotted off after her savior. But hot damn, hopefully, I won’t wind up needing to do that again.

OceanofPDF.com