Fantasy Warrior by Jaylee Davis Read Free Book Online Page B

Alliance border—Earth. Perhaps there were others on the planet willing to volunteer. Kord’s experience proved that an older warrior would claim a human female despite the GenX2 drug.
    The purpose of their mission was twofold. Put an end to the slave trade and negotiate with the humans for willing females. The lives of over ten thousand unmated warriors in the empire depended on their success. Most of them gathered on Pella in hopes of finding and claiming their true mates.
    “He’s latent,” Deshak reported. “There’s no trace of the drug in his system.”
    Thoren gave a derisive snort, and in a hushed voice muttered, “Just as I reported.”
    “Get on with it,” Morshant ordered.
    “Kord, you heard the medic. You’re latent and in a few days the lust will take over—”
    “Deshak says it’s not days but hours!” Morshant interrupted. “A side effect of the drug.”
    “Gacking drugs,” Thoren cursed. His expression grew more resolute. “Understand my words, Kord. Try to reason. You can’t stay here with her.”
    “I won’t leave her!”
    “Stay calm. Morshant has made arrangements. It won’t be easy for you, but you can bring her aboard the shuttle and return to the Defiance together.”
    Alarm shot through him. He’d be crammed into a small space surrounded by males. Too close, too dangerous. The instinct to protect his mate at all cost welled within him.
    Kord shook his head and snarled. “I’ll lose control.”
    “The first shuttle will carry us, along with Morshant, the medic and three other spacers. That way we won’t crowd you. We’ll stay forward, giving you and your female the entire rear section to yourselves. No one will approach without your consent. The other two transports can handle the rest of the landing team.” Thoren paused, awaiting his answer.
    Even in his irrational state, Kord realized Thoren’s plan might work. The shuttle was large enough. If he secured Sandra in a seat at the very back and shielded her with his body, there might be enough distance from the other males for him to maintain control. No warrior relished the thought of killing his own species, but when it came to protecting a mate, rational thoughts gave way to violent impulses driven by instinct alone.
    “And if I can’t stay rational?”
    “Contrary to what the Alliance ordered, the pilots have stunners. Conscious or unconscious, we will get you to the ship one way or another. Morshant has vowed that your female won’t be harmed, and she’ll stay with you. I give you my oath to make sure it’s done.”
    “Why should I trust Morshant to help?” Kord grumbled in a lowered voice.
    “I heard that.”
    Thoren whispered, “He’s hearing enhanced. His mother is a royal.”
    Kord snarled. “Why didn’t you tell me? Do the other two warriors on the ship know this?”
    “Dorlbeast’s ass! Would you focus on what’s important right now?”
    Since Thoren seemed to be losing his patience, Kord worked hard at settling down. Behind him, his female rustled around in the bushes. He glanced back. She stood now, peeking around one of the plants while attempting to hide her body behind a large leaf. Their gazes locked. Her little tongue swept out and she licked her lips before she bit the lower one. The desire to sweep her up into his arms and show her how much he wanted to devour every part of her was almost more than he could resist.
    “Would you like to talk to her?” His partner’s question instantly distracted him.
    “Yes!” His attention riveted on the other male.
    Kord watched cautiously as Thoren slid his hand down to the top of one boot and withdrew a silver cylindrical device. He held it up, giving Kord a clear view.
    “Morshant is giving you a chance, Kord. This is the smaller version of an implanter. The medics carry them in case a prisoner doesn’t understand an interrogator. The translator chip it inserts is the same one you and I have stuck in our heads. No different than any other.