Page 16 of Kazmyr: Molten for Her
Silvyr's projection filled the Heartforge's main chamber, his code-streaked form expanding until ribbons of data swirled around us like liquid silver. His grin stretched wider than should be possible on a humanoid face as holographic plans materialized between his flickering fingers. My stomach dropped as I realized exactly what role I'd play in his grand scheme. Not soldier, not strategist, but bait… lowing, vulnerable, irresistible bait for the Voraxx hunters who'd trade their ships for a chance at my genetic bounty.
"The signal enhancer is an engineering masterpiece, if I do say so myself." Silvyr's voice fluctuated between synthetic smoothness and something more organic as he held up a holographic representation of what looked like luminescent thread. "Thin enough to integrate with Jenna's Breather system without compromising its function, but powerful enough to broadcast her unbonded status across a hundred parsecs."
"You want to turn her into a beacon." Kazmyr's voice vibrated low, the words not a question but an accusation.
Silvyr's projection flickered with smug satisfaction. "Precisely. The Voraxx can't resist an unbonded match, especially one with fire-adaptation markers. They'll come running like Hyloxian moths to a supernova."
The temperature in the chamber spiked suddenly. Kazmyr's ember marks blazed from dull amber to molten gold, the scars across his massive chest and arms pulsing in time with his fury. Heat rolled off him in waves, distorting the air around his massive frame.
"No." The single word erupted like lava, scorching the space between us. "She will not be used as bait."
Maya stepped forward, her scientist's calm a stark contrast to Kazmyr's volcanic rage. "The Voraxx are specifically targeting unbonded matches. I'm completely bonded to Vylit now… they have no interest in me anymore." She gestured toward me with clinical precision. "But Jenna still carries the chemical markers of an incomplete bond. She's what they want."
"What they hunt," Kazmyr snarled, his massive fists clenching at his sides. Where his fingers brushed the console, the metal sizzled.
I watched the argument unfold, something hot and dangerous building in my chest that had nothing to do with Kazmyr's rising temperature. They were discussing me… my body, my risk, my choice, as if I weren't even in the room.
Vylit remained silent throughout the exchange, his luminescent patterns pulsing in slow, thoughtful waves beneath his translucent skin. He stood beside Maya, one webbed hand resting protectively at the small of her back, his tall frame radiating quiet agreement with the plan. His eyes met mine briefly, something like understanding passing between us.
"I'll do it. I’ve always wanted to be a walking WiFi hotspot for kidnappers." My voice cut through the argument, sharper than I'd intended. All eyes turned to me… Silvyr's code-streaked irises, Maya's practical assessment, Vylit's glowing stare, and Kazmyr's molten gaze burning with denial.
"I'll be the bait," I repeated, stepping forward into the circle of holographic projections. "It makes tactical sense. I'm the only unbonded one here, the only one they'll come for."
Kazmyr's massive form swung toward me, the air around him shimmering with heat. His marks flared so brightly I had to squint against their glare, like staring at the sun through cloud cover.
"No," he growled, the word vibrating from somewhere deep in his chest. "You don't understand what you're offering. The Voraxx don't just capture—they will sell you to the highest bidder, with no care of your wellbeing."
"Wow, possessive much? Next you’ll be stamping ‘property of lava daddy’ on my forehead." I lifted my chin, refusing to back down despite the wall of heat rolling between us. "I was a fire inspector on Earth. I've crawled through burning buildings while they collapsed around me. I've seen bodies after flash-overs hot enough to melt bone. Don't tell me what I can handle."
"This isn't about what you can handle!" His voice boomed through the chamber, the Heartforge's ambient lighting fluctuating in response to his emotion. "This is about what I won't allow to happen to my mate!"
The word "allow" hit me like a slap. My skin flushed not with heat but with fury.
"Your mate? Or your property?" I took another step forward, close enough now that the heat from his body made sweat bead along my hairline. "Because last time I checked, being matched didn't make me your possession."
Maya winced, backing away slightly from our clash. Vylit's luminescence dimmed to something softer, more cautious, but he didn't intervene. This was our battle, and they all knew it.
"Ooooh, organics and their dominance displays. So primitive, yet so entertaining. Tonight on The Real Mates of Vorthar Prime…" Silvyr's projection flickered closer, his form rippling with what could only be described as glee. "Should I initialize some romantic music? Perhaps something with drums to match the rhythmic pounding of your primate hearts?"
"Shut up, Silvyr." I didn't look away from Kazmyr as I spoke.
Surprisingly, the creature, I still wasn't sure what kind of life form he was, actually obeyed, though his projection continued to flicker with barely contained amusement.
Kazmyr's eyes hadn't left mine, gold irises swimming with emotions too complex to name… fear disguised as anger, protection masquerading as control.
"You think I speak of ownership?" His voice dropped lower, rumbling through the floor beneath my feet. "I speak of protection. Of safety."
"I never asked for your protection. I asked for partnership." My voice shook despite my efforts to steady it. "Back on Earth, I made my own decisions. Took my own risks. That doesn't change just because we've had sex."
His marks pulsed erratically at my bluntness, flaring bright then dimming in irregular patterns across his obsidian skin. The Heartforge responded to his distress, the ambient temperature rising until condensation dripped down the walls.
"Besides," I pressed on, "this plan isn't just about me. It's about stopping Asset P, about all the other matches being hunted across the galaxy. We finally have a chance to hit them where it hurts."
"By offering you as a sacrifice." His massive hands flexed at his sides, marks pulsing brighter where his muscles tensed. "By dangling my mate before predators and hoping we spring the trap before they spring theirs."
"You keep saying 'my mate' like it gives you veto power over my choices." The words came out harsher than I intended, but I couldn't seem to soften them. "I'm making this decision. Me. Not you."
"Such passion! Such conflict!" Silvyr's voice cut through the tension, his projection dancing around us in excited loops. "The romantic sub-routines are absolutely thriving on this data. The warrior protective of his genetically-compatible partner, the independent human asserting her autonomy! It's a tale as old as interspecies dating!"
