Page 20 of Zahhn's Mate
I reach the scene and immediately place a hand on Angelo’s arm, hoping to calm his agitation. He has a tendency to be a hothead, and I draw him closer to my side. Meanwhile, I gaze at the tall alien while wearing the politest, most welcoming smile I can muster.
“Greetings and salutations, sir,” I say. “I’m Leona and I manage this bar. Who might you be?” I keep my voice level and carefree. If I sound or look scared, I’ll appear guilty. We all will. I’m really hoping this Darrvason, whoever he is, doesn’t go blabbing to the command team.
The alien growls and casts another glance toward the stage. “I am Officer Brute and I demand entry.” He holds up the keycard he’d previously waved in Angelo’s face. “I have full security clearance on this vessel, meaning I am permitted to go anywhere I wish.” His gaze narrows on me. “Even illegal bars.”
Well, he’s just confirmed that he’s familiar enough with our laws to know this place is an underground establishment. Still, as I stare up at him, I don’t allow my smile to falter. “Well, Officer Brute, we are honored by your visit, and I do hope you’ll sit down and enjoy a drink.” I give him a playful wink.
Unfortunately, Angelo chooses this moment to act like an idiot. He stiffens and takes a menacing step toward the alien.“You need to leave. Now. This establishment serves humans only.”
Officer Brute snarls and practically shoves his keycard, which I’m now realizing he must’ve used to open the door, rather than the secret knock, in Angelo’s reddening face. A full-blown argument erupts, during which the alien threatens to rip Angelo’s arms and legs off. Wonderful. Each time I attempt to get a word in, the males cut me off and my voice is drowned out by their spatting.
Jenny approaches and shoots Officer Brute a beseeching look. She glances at Angelo, then at me. “It’s okay,” she tells us. “I know this Darrvason.” She grabs the alien’s arm and pulls him toward a secluded table. I watch with curiosity as he takes a seat directly beside her.
“What the fuck are you doing? Why are you letting this scum into the bar?” Angelo hisses at me.
I grip his arm and lead him back to his post at the entrance. “We don’t have much of a choice, do we? It’s best to make him feel welcome and hope he keeps our secret. Promise me you’ll behave.”
We glare at each other for a few seconds until he finally nods, though he doesn’t verbally promise to act cordial. I sigh and head for the bar where I’m quick to grab two large mugs of beer.
I approach the table where Jenny and Officer Brute are sitting. To my shock, the alien is gripping her leg underneath the table, and they appear engrossed in a tense exchange of words. Yes, clearly, they’re well acquainted.
As I get closer, I glimpse a spark of heated possessiveness in the Darrvason’s eyes. It reminds me of the way Zahhn looked at me during the examination, and I experience a sudden urge to depart the speakeasy to seek out an alcove with a viewscreen that faces the alien fleet. It’s all I can do to keep my feet moving forward.
Then the oddest thing happens.Lee-oon-ahh. I swear I hear the high-handed doctor uttering my name. I also feel the vibration of his voice, yet when I glance around, he’s nowhere to be seen. I concentrate on breathing steadily and putting one foot in front of the other, but it’s honestly a challenge to remain upright. Because my entire body is trembling, and my knees feel abruptly weak.
I tell myself it’s just my imagination getting the best of me, and the weird auditory hallucination was simply brought on by the sudden arrival of a huge Darrvason male who’s similar in appearance to Zahhn, though noticeably younger.
As I attempt to ward off the strange occurrence, I force another polite smile and start humming a cheerful tune, hoping my relaxed demeanor will help ease the tension in the speakeasy.
I place the drinks on the table in front of Jenny and Officer Brute. “Compliments of the house.” I wink, spin on my heel, and return to the bar.
Gradually, people start to look up from their drinks and the steady hum of conversation resumes. I exhale with relief, and I go back to drying the glasses, though I keep one eye on Jenny and her alien companion. When Jenny downs her beer and gestures for me to bring another, I’m quick to do so.
After a few minutes, Jenny and Officer Brute depart the speakeasy, and he appears to be escorting her out. My worry grows as I watch them leave. Does she have a choice? Has the alien taken a liking to her? It seems the most plausible explanation, and my heart goes out to her. Considering what happened to her sister, she’s probably terrified right now.
In the days since my release from the brig, rumors about the Darrvasons have continued to swirl. Not all the worldship’s security officers are loyal to the command team, and those who aren’t like to talk. Apparently, the aliens are monogamous andclaim one female each. It’s also said that they mate for life and are quite possessive of their women.
Lee-oon-ahh.
Good little female.
I flush and start trembling as I hear it again. I place a hand to my head and rub my temple, but it doesn’t make the rumble of Zahhn’s voice fade. Not in the slightest.
What is happening?
Chapter 12
ZAHHN
Situatedin my temporary quarters aboard theRorrsa, I toss and turn in bed, trying to allow sleep to claim me. But my mind keeps drifting to Leona, making rest impossible. With each inhale, I can almost smell the sweet pungency of her arousal. I lift a hand toward the ceiling and feel as though I’m reaching for her dark silken hair. As I move my fingers, I swear I feel the softness of her wavy tresses.
Sweltering need seizes me, and I growl and sit up in bed.Fluxx. This is madness. How long has it been since I examined her? About sixteen days, perhaps. It’s a struggle to count the days when I can’t stop calling her lovely face to mind.
Her name echoes in my psyche, over and over. Eventually, I start uttering it aloud. It’s a compulsion, one I’m hopeless to stop. “Leona. Leona. Good little female.”
I hear a tiny gasp, and I peer around the darkened room, but I see no one. I’m alone. Of course I’m alone. It’s the middle of the night. The scent of feminine excitement fills the air, and my dual shafts become hard asRulliansteel. My scrotum vibrates fasterwith each breath I take. I growl again, depart the bed, and hasten to the small viewscreen in my quarters.
My eyes instantly seek theJansonna, which is situated on the edge of the Darrvason fleet, right next to theHaxxal. I can’t help but wonder if Leona has spared me a thought since we parted. I know she’s been released from the brig, for which I am relieved. I casually inquired about the human female patients, asking a guard who frequently protects Emperor Radakk for information. I couldn’t bring myself to ask the emperor directly for fear that he would discern my true motives.
