New Species 11 True (16 page)

Anger surged but he forced it down. The male wasn’t
malicious, just curious and wary. “She didn’t know Species were kept there
until after she took the job. I believe she did her best to get us freed.”

“I heard what she said about the agent. You think he exists?”

“The team is sending someone to find the cell phone she used
to communicate with him. It will prove her innocence.”

The male cocked his head, studying him. “What if it can’t be
found?”

True knew Tim would suggest she’d lied. The human really
wanted Jeanie returned to his custody. “I’m hopeful it will be.”

“I hope they find it too. She seems like a nice human.”
Flame hesitated. “It’s tense downstairs. Some of the males are nervous to have
her in the dorm. I wanted to warn you.”

“She’s no threat to them.”

“Jericho pointed that out but they are aware of what she did
to him. He had to sit with an ice pack against his balls in the community room
downstairs. She nailed him hard enough to cause lasting pain.”

“She didn’t mean to. She was afraid. You saw her. Instincts
took control.”

“Do humans have those?”

“I’m sure they do.”

Flame appeared thoughtful. “They are so foreign to me.”

“Humans?”

“The female ones. They aren’t as tough as our females and
they don’t say what they think. We have everything in common with our females
and nothing with the humans.”

True couldn’t deny Jeanie was different from Species
females. “Differences can be good too.”

Flame sighed. “I’ll take this to the elevator. Darkness is
on his way up. Tim is not happy that you took the female from Medical.”

“I don’t care.”

“He’s the one you have to deal with when you return to work
once you’re not taking care of the human. How long is she staying with you? I’ve
been assigned backup duty to keep watch and Jericho will change shifts with me
when he’s feeling better.” He lowered his voice, glancing down the hallway and
then smiled. “I can’t believe the little human dropped him. He’d never have
allowed one of the males to get that shot in. Everyone is teasing him about it.”

That news didn’t amuse True. “Is he angry with her?”

“No.” Flame shook his head. “The opposite.”

Jealousy flashed through True as hot as a fire igniting. “He
is attracted to her?”

“No.” Flame took a step back. “That look is scary, man. Calm
down. If looks could kill, I’d be exhaling my last breath on the floor. He
feels bad for her is what I meant. He’s referring to her as that ‘poor
terrified female’. He admires that she fought instead of just fainting the way
he expected one of them to do. That’s all. Admiration and sympathy but not
attraction. I doubt he’d ever look at her without wincing after the number she
did on his nuts. That’s not the kind of reaction a male wants in that region.”

The elevator opened and Darkness stepped out. He strode
toward them. True tensed, hoping the male wouldn’t chew him out over the fight.
Darkness stopped and held out his hand.

“Is that her notes?”

Flame passed it over. “Yes.”

“I apologize,” True got out, not wanting to say more on the
matter.

Darkness grinned. “For kicking Flirt’s ass? No problem. I
took my time arriving, hoping you’d do a little more damage to him.” He tucked
the notebook under one arm. “He earns his name and the bruises around that
busted nose will make him less pretty. He’s always riding my ass about how I
need to smile more or I’m never getting laid.”

True was surprised. “I would be happy to hit him again if he
comes after Jeanie.”

“He won’t.” Darkness sobered. “I banned him from going near
that female and he knows I mean business. His pride took a beating worse than
your fists gave him when she chose you.”

Flame cleared his throat. “He is right though. You might get
more offers to share sex from our females if you smiled more.”

Darkness turned his head, silently staring the male down.
Flame dropped his gaze. “Just saying. It wouldn’t hurt. I can’t remember ever
seeing a female visiting you or you going to the women’s dorms.”

“Mind your own business.”

Flame nodded, quickly backing away. True almost pitied Flame
since Darkness did intimidate most Species. His past had been rougher than most
and therefore they were uneasy about how he’d respond to their teasing. Flame
wasn’t done, though, and True smothered a groan, deciding the male was either
too naïve or just looking for a fight.

“Some human males are attracted to other males. Is that it?
None of our kind have felt that way yet but there are so few of us. It is bound
to happen at some point. No one would tease you if that’s why you don’t smile
at our females.”

Darkness rumbled, his dark eyes turning almost black.

Flame backed up enough to bump the wall. “Sorry.”

“I’m attracted to females. Is that what everyone thinks? I
like males instead?”

Flame kept his lips firmly sealed but barely nodded.

“Fuck.” Darkness shot True a furious look. “Is that what you
think too?”

“I don’t think about you and sex at all.”

That seemed to appease Darkness because he looked back at
Flame and stepped into the male’s space, going nose to nose with him. “You
shouldn’t talk to me about why I’m not with a female when you can’t shut up
about the one you want but don’t have the balls to go after her,” he growled. “But
to appease your curiosity I’ll share a secret with you that better not get out.”
He paused, the rumble from his chest ceasing. “I’m not too eager to allow
anyone close to me, considering the last female I fucked was one I had to kill.”

He spun away then, leaving both of them in stunned silence.
The elevator door opened, he stepped inside and it closed. Moments passed
before Flame gaped at True with a horrified expression.

“He was messing with me, right?”

True pondered the expression he’d seen on Darkness’ face. “I
don’t believe so.”

“Shit. I stepped in it, didn’t I? I didn’t mean to upset
him.”

“You have to remember he isn’t quite like us, Flame. We all
did what we had to, to survive while held in captivity but they expected much
worse from him.” Thoughts of Jeanie filled True’s mind.
What if Polanitis
had dosed me with the breeding drug and thrown her into my cell, loosening the
chains enough for me to reach her no matter where she tried to flee?
The
answer was easy. It would have badly damaged him inside if he’d killed her when
he’d been insane and would have had to live the rest of his life with that
knowledge. “I’m moving us down the hallway to new quarters and taking her to
get clothing.”

“Both corner units are open at the end of the hall. Take
your pick. I hate going to supply to pick out clothes so do you mind if I stay
here while you take her? I was told to guard the door, not escort you both
everywhere. I could transfer your clothing and personal items to the new unit
while you’re gone.”

“That would be appreciated. I want the one on the same side
I’m on now. I like the view.”

“Done. I also want to avoid going downstairs.”

True didn’t blame the male for wanting to avoid Darkness for
a while. “I’ll tell her we’re leaving now.”

True smiled at Jeanie when she did a slow circle in front of
him wearing a pair of his sweats. They were rolled at the ankles and she’d
rolled the waist a few times to make them narrow enough to prevent them from
slipping down her hips. The result was amusing but unsettling at the same time.
The excess material over her stomach under the too-baggy shirt gave her a
slight appearance of pregnancy.

His mind went there, imagining what it would be like if she
were to carry his child. He suspected the faint achy feeling in his chest might
be longing. To have a mate and to create a life with her was something every
male wanted. It would mean he could keep Jeanie forever. He pushed those
thoughts away.

“Let’s go. You need the sunshine and we need to get you some
clothing that fits. Mine is too big. Flame will take my things to the new home
down the hallway while we are gone.”

She still hesitated. “Are you sure we can’t just have them
send things here?”

He inhaled, picking up the slight trace of fear in her sweet
scent. He held out his hand. “Trust me. Going outside will be good for you
since I don’t want you to feel imprisoned inside my home and you should pick
what you want to wear. Otherwise they will just toss in whatever they think you
might like.”

She bit at her bottom lip.

He sighed. “Don’t you want to see some of Homeland? Aren’t
you curious?”

“Yes.” Interest finally sparked in her eyes. “I’ve always
wished someone would show pictures of it in articles that cover New Species but
they never do.”

“We don’t allow reporters into Homeland or Reservation. It’s
a security risk for anyone to know the layout of our streets and buildings in
case someone wants to attack. The air above NSO land is a no-fly zone. It’s
also law that they can’t climb trees and use telescopes to peer over our walls
and take photos or videos. All press conferences are held outside the walls.”

“Aren’t they like twenty feet high?”

“Thirty in most places.”

“That’s pretty tall.”

He tugged on her hand, leading her through the broken door
into the hallway. Flame smiled at both of them but kept silent and out of the
way. Jeanie walked a little slow so he adjusted his stride for her shorter one.
Talking seemed to distract her so he continued to share information she might
find interesting.

“We don’t allow them to photograph our females either.”

“I knew that. I just don’t know why.”

“All males who have been photographed or attended press
conferences have gotten death threats and hate mail. We don’t wish our females
to be subjected to that.”

“That makes sense.”

She followed him inside the elevator and smiled as the doors
closed. Her demeanor changed once they reached the main floor though. Males in
the large community room stopped watching the big-screen television to fix
their attention on her instead of the game.

“It’s fine,” he rasped, gripped her around the waist and
used his body to shield her from many of the stares. He glared around the room
as he tugged her toward the main doors.

One of the males stood. “True? A moment?”

The primate had a history of disliking humans. True stopped,
steering Jeanie behind him to keep her far from the male. “What do you want?”

The male growled. “I don’t like her here. It offends me that
she’s under the same roof. Are you returning her to the humans? That’s where
she belongs instead of down the hall from where I sleep.”

“Back off,” he warned. “She’s with me and that’s where she
will remain. Sit down, 861.”

The male puffed out his chest and clenched his fists. “She’s
our enemy.”

“Not mine.”

“She’s dangerous and a threat.”

True snorted. “You should go speak to one of those
head-shrink doctors they made us see after we were freed if you’re afraid of a
female. That or you should ask Fury for more training since you think you are
incapable of defending yourself from someone so small.”

861 hissed. “I see the appeal in mounting her but send her
back to her cell afterward. You should always put your toys away when you’re
done playing with them.”

True pushed Jeanie farther behind him and released her to
free his hands. The male appeared ready to attack and he hoped he would,
wanting to make him bleed for the insulting words. He glanced around to see if
there were any other threats. A few of the males who’d been released from a
Colorado facility had stood as well but they stayed back. They were known to
really dislike all humans, the treatment they’d suffered while in captivity
making them bitter. Book got to his feet and reached down, lifting one of the
lamps from the table. One good jerk and he pulled the cord from the wall.

“I’m ordering you males to go to your rooms,” Book demanded
with a soft growl. “The female is here with Darkness’ permission. You don’t
want to piss him off.” He paused. “True and I would be the least of your
worries.”

True was glad the male wasn’t ready to attack. It still
worried him that the others might decide to fight. One of them could possibly
get around him and Book to go after Jeanie.

861 refused to back down. “I don’t want her here.”

“Perhaps you should go do better things with your time than
harass a helpless human.” Book moved closer to True, putting his body between
the males and Jeanie too. “Do that now. You don’t want to go after another
human the way you once did. Breeze and our females haven’t exactly let you
forget that, have they? It’s no surprise you’d attempt to insult him for
actually having a female in his bed.”

“Human lover,” 861 snarled.

“I love all females,” Book snarled back. “Jealous you can’t
mount one? It shows.” He smirked, almost daring them to advance.

“There’s going to be a fight if my keen hearing isn’t just
picking up a television show.” A new male entered the community room from the
hallway. “And it’s about a female. It’s rude to insult one.”

True glanced at Query, identifying the male as one from
Drackwood. The male rounded the couches and glanced behind True, obviously
spotting Jeanie. He appeared stunned before his lips twisted into a grimace as
he studied 861 and his two companions.

“He brought a human under our roof,” one of them spat. “She’s
our enemy. The only thing they are good for is mounting and tossing into a cage
afterward.”

Query lengthened his stride, got behind the three males and
grabbed the one who’d just spoken by the back of his neck. He leaned in close,
putting his lips next to his ear.

“I’ll rip off your dick,” he threatened. “Then I’ll feed it
to you and watch you choke to death if you even think again of touching that
female. Do you understand me?”

His words shocked them all. He gave the male a rough shake
and released him, baring his teeth.

“You better run. You know I have a temper.”

The three males glanced at each other, obviously frightened,
and scrambled toward the stairs, taking them two at a time. True relaxed and
glanced back at Jeanie. She’d paled but didn’t seem too afraid. He sniffed,
finding her scent not overly sweet. He held Query’s stare, then glanced at
Book.

“Thank you.”

Query shrugged. “Those three are nuisances. Our females
snubbing them tends to only make them more cranky.”

True wasn’t sure what that meant and it must have shown in
his expression.

Book grinned, setting the lamp on a table. “861 once tried
to attack Valiant’s mate. Breeze didn’t take that too kindly since she likes
her and the females avoid sharing sex with those three. They are filled with
hatred.” He sobered. “They’ve refused to take names and my guess is it helps
them keep hold of their bitterness.” He jerked his head toward Jeanie. “And you’ve
brought her home. Watch them. Understand? I wouldn’t put it past them to do
something foolish. They are okay to hang with but would I want them anywhere
near a human I cared about? Hell no.”

True clenched his teeth. “You think they might come after
her in my home?”

“Not after this,” Query whispered, craning his neck to get
another look at Jeanie.

True stepped forward and glared at the male. “What are you
looking at?”

Book cleared his throat. “I’ll have a chat with them to make
certain they understand how stupid going after your human would be. Darkness
will also be informed of their behavior. Where are you taking her?” He crossed
his arms over his chest. “Don’t tell me you stood up to everyone just to back
down now by returning her to Tim’s custody.”

“Never. She needs clothes.”

“Okay.” Book turned away. “I’m going to go upstairs and have
that chat with them and find Darkness to fill him in.”

True faced Jeanie and hated to see the pained look in her
eyes. “It’s okay.”

“I knew leaving your apartment wasn’t such a good idea.”

He took her hand. “Not all Species have come to terms with
the past. Don’t allow them to frighten you. They wouldn’t dare harm you.”
I’ll
kill them if they try
, he silently swore.

“Shiver,” Query rasped. “I hoped it might be you when I
heard the rumors of a human from Drackwood. I couldn’t understand why one of
our males would protect any of them otherwise.”

True spun, snarling out a warning. He didn’t like the way
the male had advanced or the obvious interest he showed in her.

Jeanie peeked around True and spotted 716. She’d tended the
man after a severe beating he’d taken for refusing to fight with another New
Species. The assholes training him had broken both his arms. She’d fed him
daily until his arms healed and had managed to slip him some sweets.

True let go of her hand and got between them. “She’s not our
enemy.”

“I know that. I don’t go around threatening to hurt other
males just for the hell of it.” His expression softened. “Hello, Shiver.” He
gave her a warm smile. “It’s nice to see you again. I’m now known as Query.” He
chuckled. “I’m very inquisitive. I thought the name fit. I heard you were shot,
Shiver. Are you well?”

Emotions choked her at seeing him looking so healthy and
fit. “I’m good. You look great. How are the arms?”

He moved both of them and made fists. The muscles bunched in
his bare arms, displayed clearly by the tank top he wore. “Great, thanks to
you.” He tried to step closer but True blocked his path. He glanced at him,
frowned, but seemed to decide to shrug it off. “You got me addicted to oatmeal
cookies. None of them taste as good as the ones you brought me though.”

The fear she’d felt over True almost getting into another
fight melted away under the compliment. “The secret is I put applesauce and
cinnamon into the mix when I bake them. I can give you the recipe.”

“I’d like that.” He turned to face True. “She’s with you?”

“Yes.”

Query frowned. “In what capacity?”

Jeanie moved, grabbing True’s hand once more. She would be
heartbroken if he and Query fought the way he’d had to fight Flirt. “He’s
protecting me,” she quickly stated. “He saved me from being sent to prison.”

Query peered down at her from his greater height. “Are you a
couple?”

She wasn’t sure how to answer. True had taken her into his
home and they’d gotten physical but did that mean they were in a real
relationship? She wasn’t certain.

“We are,” True stated.

Jeanie glanced up at him but he seemed too intent on glaring
at the other male to spare her any attention. She watched Query’s expression to
see how he’d take the news. His tense features relaxed.

“Good. She treated me well and made my life easier while at
Drackwood. I’d fight you for her if you didn’t have good intentions.”

True tried to shake off her hand but she clung to him. “He
would never hurt me or do anything bad.” She forced a smile and purposely
changed the subject. “I like your name.”

The two men stared at one another but Query finally turned
his attention back to her. “Thank you. I do tend to ask a lot of questions.” He
looked back at True. “Are they charging her because she worked at Drackwood?”

True shrugged. “I don’t know. She also worked at Cornas. I’m
trying to find proof she was at both places to help our kind.”

Query nodded. “We could pull together the ones from our
facility and have them testify about her kindness and of the things she did to
make our lives better.”

“It could be helpful.” True hesitated. “A human was using
her to gather evidence and collect rewards.”

Query nodded. “I can contact everyone from our testing
facility and we could put a team together to work on finding this human. Most
of us work Security with access to computers. This human has to have a driver’s
license or some form of identification we can track through records. The out world
gives us access to their databases.”

True nodded. “I’ve asked our task force team to search for
this male but I’d like us on it as well.”

“Done,” Query agreed. “I’ll call them together after my
shift and we’ll brainstorm.”

“You’ll need her information.”

“Why don’t you bring her to the library at seven o’clock? It
should be big enough to hold everyone and they’ll be happy to see Shiver.”

“Fine.”

Query glanced at Jeanie, then back at True. “You might want
to keep her in your home until then. There is still a lot of hostility in some
of our people for any human associated with the testing facilities. Those three
males are prime examples. Not all of us had any positive experiences so they
don’t understand why we’d fight to keep her safe.”

“I’m taking her to supply.”

“Understood. Avoid large areas with many of our kind,” Query
warned. “I’d go with you but I need to get ready for work. Fury gets testy when
I show up out of uniform or if I’m late.”

True nodded. “I will.”

Query reached inside his front pocket and dangled a set of
keys. “Cart nineteen is mine. Use it and leave the keys under the seat when you’re
done. I’ll jog to my station. She is without shoes and shouldn’t walk that far.”