Captivated: 3 (Mating Ritual) (8 page)

Stefon growled and stilled above her, and an instant later a large amount of liquid flowed from his tool. She swallowed it down, surprised to find that the salty essence fed her pleasure and increased the tremors in her loins.

Finally Stefon drew away, resting back onto his haunches inches from her face. The fierce, satisfied expression on his face told her he very much enjoyed what they’d just done. As had she.

Tempos slid up her body, covering her lips with his, letting her taste the musky essence of her release. She surrendered to his touch, to the comforting feel of his arms around her. But all too quickly sanity returned, making her aware she lay on the ground with two men who were most certainly
not
her fiancée.

She came to a horribly distressing conclusion. Now that she’d tasted the passion and pleasure two men could bring, she didn’t know how she could ever resign herself to a lifetime with just one man.

Oh gods, what have I done?

Early the next morning, Cindra had to drag herself out of bed. Not only had she gotten very little sleep the night before, but she didn’t know how to face the day. Her life, which just a few days ago had seemed so settled, was now a seething mass of confusion.

After that intensely erotic interlude with Stefon and Tempos, she’d come to her senses and, muttering her excuses, had righted her clothes and rushed back to the farmhouse. They’d been perplexed by her desire to run off and had tried to stop her, but she hadn’t given in. After the incredible ecstasy they’d inflicted on her body, she’d needed some time alone. Time to reflect on her future.

The idea of spending the rest of her days with Adamon no longer seemed as perfect as it once had. But the thought of being without him, of leaving behind the family and farmhouse that she’d come to call home, frightened her to death. Adamon and his family meant comfort and security to her, and without them she feared she’d never feel safe.

What a horrible dilemma.

Her inner crisis firmly in mind, she hurried to dress and sneak out of the house before she could run into Adamon or his parents, who were no doubt already up and preparing for their duties on the farm. She grabbed the basket of fruit and vegetables by the front door, some of yesterday’s crop to be sold in the store, and hurried on her way. To her surprise, there wasn’t a single Spygian to block her path.

“What a relief.”

At least that’s what she tried to convince herself. The last thing she needed was one or more of them around to confuse her further.

She spent a blissfully quiet morning at the shop. That was, until Amra wandered in about half an hour before Cindra’s shift was due to end.

“I don’t understand what’s happening to this town,” Amra grumbled as she walked in the door, her plump, weathered face wrinkled in disgust.

“What’s that, Amra?” Cindra asked, trying for her best friendly tone.

Amra’s gaze traveled over Cindra’s body, her expression showing she found fault with something, not that this was new.

“You need a new gown, dear,” Amra said. “That one is far too tight.”

Her cheeks heating, Cindra resisted the urge to glance down at her cream-colored dress. Yes, it was a bit too small, highlighting her full,
non
-Keulot-like breasts even under the conservative high neckline. But she only had two dresses, and the one she normally wore was now crumpled in the back of her closet, stained with dirt from last night’s fiasco. Until she had a chance to wash it off in the stream, this tighter dress would have to do.

Giving Amra a bright smile, she changed the subject. “Can I help you with anything?”

“Harrumph.” Amra glanced toward the front door. “Perhaps you can tell me why, in the matter of a few days, we’ve had
two
sets of visitors, when our last strange visitor to the area was…well, in fact, you.”

When Amra’s eyes narrowed suspiciously on her, Cindra fidgeted. Then the import of Amra’s words penetrated her mind.

“There’s another set of visitors, you say?”

Amra nodded with a grunt, her face darkening. “More offworlders, and not nearly as pleasing to the eye as the last bunch. Not that good looks makes them acceptable, mind you. They may try to dress conservatively, but I tell you, those Spygians are savages. One only has to look at their hair to realize that. Indecent it is, longer and straighter than most women’s hair.”

More offworlders
. Something about that statement sparked an ominous thump within Cindra’s heart. Tuning out the rest of Amra’s words, Cindra slipped from behind the counter and brushed past the woman, going to the front door. She peeked outside, but when she saw nothing, pushed the door open. The bell jangled in her ear, but she ignored it, slipping outside.

The Keulot sun shone down brightly in the square. Shielding her eyes from the glare, Cindra looked around. Large dust devils zoomed through the open space. Her eyes bypassed the normal sight until a particularly large dust devil rolled past a group of men on the other side of the square.

No!

Her heart stopped as she caught sight of their unmistakable features. Each of the four men was close to seven feet tall, with a broad, muscular body that looked nothing like the Spygians’. Their flesh was gray, and dark, tangled locks sprang from their heads in disarray, tumbling halfway down their shoulders. Worse, their broad, squat faces featured prominent brows and flat noses. The townspeople striding through the square caught sight of them and automatically turned in the other direction, clearly fearful even though she was certain most of them didn’t even know what they were looking at.

No, oh gods, no.

How had Malucons come to this tiny town? How could this have happened?

Before she could break her fearful paralysis, one of the Malucons looked her way. As if she were caught in a nightmare, she remained frozen in place. Her gaze locked with his for one long, agonizing moment. The Malucon frowned and turned to his companions, pointing toward her while uttering some words.

The other Malucons looked her way, and her heart wrenched inside her chest when she realized what they must be talking about. Her unusual hair. The coloring of her skin.

When the Malucon who’d originally locked gazes with her scowled and took a step forward, she knew with sudden certainty that they’d figured out what she was. A Chivean. A member of one of the races they’d decimated.

And they clearly weren’t happy to have found one remaining Chivean still alive. The other three Malucons stalked behind the first, all of them headed her way.

Run, Cindra. Run!

Forcing her wooden legs to move, she made a sharp right and ran for her life, disappearing behind the building and heading to the edge of town.

No. No. How did they find me? How?

She forced the thought from her mind, concentrating only on escape. She might have a head start on the Malucons, but their legs were longer. Even if she could elude them for the time being, she didn’t have much time before they caught up to her in this small town.

When she reached the spindly trees lining the stream, she pushed through them, using them for cover as she ran. Deep down she knew she shouldn’t retreat to the farm. The Malucons would find her there. But where else could she go?

Maybe the Spygians…

No, she didn’t want them to be hurt because of her.

Suddenly she realized the very clear and distressing truth. Anyone she was close to would be hurt.

She couldn’t stay here. She had to flee. Somehow. But not before she saw Adamon. She had to explain, to make him understand why she had to leave.

Her heart pumping heavily and her chest on fire, she cut through the trees leading back to the farm. She came out by the barn and wasted no time in racing toward the partially open doors. Adamon spent the latter part of the mornings here, feeding and caring for the animals while his parents tended to the crops.

But when she reached the open doors, the low hush of heated voices prompted her to slow without bursting inside. Bending over, she gasped for breath. Stars blurred her vision, but after several deep inhales her eyes cleared and her breathing calmed enough for her to hear that the voices had grown louder, more angry. And the words confused her.

Poking her head inside, she made out Adamon by one of the stalls. He was in a heated argument with Josef, one of the farmhands.

“I cannot,” he said to Josef, his back partially turned to the man. “You know it is not acceptable.”

Josef grabbed his shoulder and whirled Adamon to face him. “So you’re suggesting we hide away forever?”

When Adamon said nothing, Josef growled, “So I should simply stand by while you marry her, and wait patiently for whatever scrap of attention you might deign to give me?”

Adamon tried to turn away but Josef wouldn’t let him.

“I love you, Adamon,” Josef continued, his voice going low and pleading. “I don’t want to hide anymore.”

Adamon’s face crumpled. “My parents would—”

“Forget your parents.” Josef shook Adamon. “Tell me you don’t love me, and I’ll leave you alone. Tell me.”

“I…” The tortured look on Adamon’s face said it all. “I can’t.”

“Then be with me.”

Josef tugged Adamon toward him, and Adamon resisted for a moment. But then, with a muttered curse, he crushed Josef to him, closing his mouth over Josef’s in a blistering kiss that practically palpitated with unspent passion.

Gasping in shock, Cindra staggered backward until the two men were out of her sight.

Holy shit.

She couldn’t even begin to process what she’d just seen. Couldn’t fathom it. But one thing was for certain. She didn’t have the luxury of time to just stand here and try to take it all in. She had to leave.
Now.

If only she knew where to go.

Go the way you came. Leave this town. Protect its people.

Since that seemed about as good a plan as any, she turned and started to run to the side of the barn. It was the first sight she’d seen that fateful day, two years ago, when she stumbled through the stark, deserted land after crashing her spacejet. So she would run back through the field, retrace her steps, until she found sanctuary.

Who was she kidding? She knew all too well there was no sanctuary to be found, not for miles and miles. More than likely she’d be running until the Malucons caught and killed her.

But just as she reached the corner of the barn, four men rounded it, and she propelled into them at full force. She screamed, the sound muffled against the broad chest her face was buried in, but when she started to struggle, a familiar voice calmed her.

“It’s me. Cindra, it’s just us.”

“Bannor,” she gasped. Lifting her head, she met his gaze. Her limbs went weak. She’d never been so happy to see anyone in her whole life. But much as she wanted to indulge in the feel of his arms, she couldn’t. “I’m sorry, I can’t. I…I have to leave. I’m being—”

“Malucons,” Bannor uttered, stopping her in midsentence. When she looked up at him, eyes wide, Devan chimed in.

“We saw them as they entered town. Saw when they noticed you.”

So they knew. They understood.

“They’ll kill me,” she whispered.

“Not if we can help it,” Tempos muttered, his eyes flashing darkly.

When Cindra’s gaze wandered to him, Bannor’s hands closed over her arms, urging her gaze back to him.

“Come with us, Cindra. We have a transporter. We can be back on our ship and away from this world in a matter of seconds. By the time they go after us, we’ll be long gone.”

“I…” Flabbergasted, she only stared at him. Their offer was more than she could have asked for at a time like this, but if she went with them, she would endanger their lives. She couldn’t do that to them. “No, I—”

“You can’t stay here, Cindra,” Bannor growled, his expression wild. “None of the town members will be safe if you do.”

“Especially your precious Adamon,” Stefon rumbled, his gaze hard.

Shocked, she blinked at the men. They thought she was worried about Adamon’s safety, when truly she’d been worrying for them?

They were right, however. If she stayed, no one was safe. Adamon may have lied to her, but he’d also given her shelter. A home. He didn’t deserve to be put in danger. His parents didn’t deserve it. If she left, they would be safe. So would the Spygians…until the Malucons caught up to them. But at least she’d have a
little
bit of time to get away.

To hide once again.

She had no choice. Her life here was over. If she’d ever really had one. She’d have to think further about that later.

Gulping hard, Cindra nodded at the Spygians. “Yes, I’ll go with you.”

She saw all their expressions go hard with satisfaction. Bannor lifted one sleeve to display a transporter cuff.

“Wait.” She touched his forearm before he could press the button on the cuff. When he gave her a questioning glance, she said, “I can’t leave without telling them goodbye. Without letting them know I’ll be okay.”

Bannor’s brows furrowed. “There isn’t much time.”