Page 21 of Relyn
The last thing Relyn expected to step out of the cargo hold was an Etlonian female and a mated one at that. Those that didn’t have the knowledge to spot the scars on her neck or the subtle difference in her scent probably wouldn’t be able to figure out that detail, but a Mahdfel, even one in disguise, easily could.
This Etlonian was wearing bright pink hair and yellow skin. She had a laser pistol strapped to her hip, just as all the other pirates did. Her white shirt was tucked into a pair of tight black shiny pants, a common look for someone wanting to show off her curves without being completely overt about it. She had the ability to change the color at will. Rutra stepped forward. No introduction seemed necessary.
“Gale,” he said, greeting the Etlonian.
“Where’s Alana?” she asked.
Half the crew took a step back. Apparently saying Alana’s name out loud was like invoking the rage of a full Suhlik attack.
Rutra, however, was calm. No, not just calm. He was gloating.
“I don’t know. Where is Alana? Alana?” he called louder. “Alaaaaanaaaa!” Then he started to laugh. Gale began to suspect trouble and began to back up. Ketle and Thred had already blocked her exit.
“Then it looks like I’m in the wrong spot. I apologize for the inconvenience,” Gale said.
“Not so fast,” Rutra said, though Gale had already turned and spotted the two blocking her quick exit. “Where is Alana?”
“If I knew that she wasn’t here, then I wouldn’t have come here, I would have gone there. You know I only dealt with Alana.”
“Yes. And you still can, when we find her. Until then, please enjoy the utmost of my hospitality,” Rutra said, still dripping with false sweetness.
“This was only supposed to be a short venture. I have two passengers that-”
“Short? Well, if you have any way of contacting Alana, I’d be glad to hear it. Otherwise, I’m following my new number one rule,” Rutra said.
“What’s that?” she asked when he didn’t speak.
“If it belongs to Alana, or Alana wants it, I’m keeping it,” Rutra said, followed by a quick nod. Thred grabbed a laser pistol and her arm.
“My passengers have nothing to do with Alana. Let them continue on their way.”
“Oh, so they can deliver your cargo to Alana for you? Do you think I’m a fool?”
“No, I’m taking you for a smart businessman. My cargo is honestly not all that valuable, but getting two passengers to their destination without angering their sponsors would, you know, be the smart thing to do.”
“Sponsors?”
“Etlon. Of Etlon. You’ve heard of him? This is his son’s second in command’s mate’s sister.” Etlon was quite a name drop. Their Etlonian Mahdfel were quite a force, but they were not exactly close to this sector.
“Well, then like you, they shall be my honored guests, until Etlon of Etlon’s son of a whatever comes to claim them. We won’t mistreat them, will we boys?”
Rutra gave Relyn an eye and flick of his head. Relyn proceeded into the ship, followed closely by Ketle who was not about to miss this opportunity. Ketle was quickly distracted by the cargo in the bay, but Relyn moved swiftly toward the crew quarters. It was best to take care rounding up unsuspecting passengers himself, making sure they were not hurt in the process. The last thing Relyn needed was a Mahdfel warlord bungling into his undercover operation before Rutra revealed all of his contacts.
Relyn found himself drawn to the captain’s quarters. He wasn’t sure why at first, but at the door he noticed the scent. It was, he tried to pause and describe it, exotic and familiar at the same time. Something inside him knew that he had to discover the source.
The door wasn’t locked, and once he had it open, the scent became stronger. It wafted over him in a wave that practically pulled him forward. His feet moved of their own accord until he was standing over the bed where a female lay sleeping.
This. This was what Caldar had tried again and again to explain. That one day, he would know the one he was to be with for the rest of his life. It would sneak up on him and suddenlyhe would be willing to die to protect the one thing that was most precious to him in all the universe. She was undoubtedly his mate. Relyn wanted to get a better look, but he also didn’t want to wake her. Her head of black hair framed pale peach skin. He couldn’t see any horns, couldn’t see much but her face, which mesmerized him. Relyn was startled when her eyes opened. Most females, upon seeing a strange male in their room unannounced, would have panicked and started screeching. His didn’t. She introduced herself.
“Hi. I’m Nora,” she said, sitting up. The sight of more of her, made him nearly lose his words. He said the first thing that came to his mind. It wasn’t the most intelligent thing to say either.
“You’re mine.”
“Pardon? Yurmine? Is that how you say your name?” she asked, confused. She thought that was his name. How charming.
“No. My name is Relyn.”
“Relyn.” He liked the sound of his name on her lips. He wanted to hear her repeat it again and again. “So who is Yurmine?”
