Alien Redemption [Clans of Kalquor 06] (31 page)

Her smile burst over her face. She bounced up and down, clapping her hands. In Kalquorian she shouted, “Yes, Dramok Erybet, Nobek Sletran, Imdiko Conyod. I be Matara.”

Erybet reached back to grab Conyod and Sletran’s arms, pulling them forward so they stood side by side before their new mate. “Then we are clan,” he laughed.

Conyod had no ability to contain himself. He pushed past his Dramok and grabbed Rachel, swinging her up into the air, and then yanking her to his body for a sound kiss. Behind him, Sletran and Erybet’s laughter filled the air.

It was a day for much joy.

* * * *

One of the eateries that catered to both Kalquorian and Earther tastes had an outside courtyard surrounded by white-flowered zela trees. It was a large establishment and the food was good, although not as good as A Taste of Home owned by Imperial Clan Brother Vax of Clan Bacoj. Since the smaller A Taste of Home had a weeks’ long waiting list, this particular dining option, called Kalearth Cuisine, was a suitable venue for last-minute celebrations.

Breft and Raxstad stood just beyond the zela trees, unobserved as they watched Erybet’s joyful clan. The little group drank and ate and laughed in obvious high spirits. Breft had brought Raxstad up to speed on Emperor Bevau’s revelations, with the understanding that his second in command would not speak of it to anyone else and only with him and Lidon in the most private of circumstances.

Raxstad’s rough features, broader and more primal than even Nobek Sletran’s, were relaxed in a smile as they spied on their quarry. “If that’s not a clan celebrating the addition of a Matara, I’ll eat your shoes. The old ones that smell so bad.”

Breft snorted. “As much as I’d enjoy seeing that, I’d say you’re right. They look happy, don’t they?”

“Second thoughts on that Dramok and Nobek?”

Breft sighed. “And third. And fourth. I’ve seen them at official gatherings in the past, and they were the grimmest, most detached men you could imagine. I always supposed it was because military men, particularly Nobeks, don’t do well when their time isn’t structured. New Bethlehem aside, leave might have done them more harm than good. Now they have someone to direct their energies on.”

“Mataras go a long way towards healing hurts.”

Breft had to smile at that. “They do, don’t they?” He sobered again as he looked at Rachel, who was accepting a bite of food from Sletran’s fingers. “But if the Beast of New Bethlehem is one of those two men, that young woman is in a lot of danger. What did Lidon come up with this afternoon?”

Raxstad’s gaze stayed on the newly completed clan. “Before New Bethlehem, they had impeccable records. Both decorated, both with high accolades from their superiors. Erybet is respected by even the most demanding Nobek officers and Sletran’s men would follow him into a Tragoom mating frenzy. He’s also volunteered for years to teach Imdikos self defense. He’s very protective of those who he feels need extra help.”

Breft folded his arms over his chest. “Not exactly men who you’d think would brutalize innocent Mataras or possibly plot to kill children.”

“No. But Lidon also discovered the rate of violent outbursts of many who served on New Bethlehem. Even among those who he’s sure were nowhere near the massacre, the statistics are chilling. That place fucked up a lot of good men’s heads.”

Breft’s eyebrow rose. “No names of New Bethlehem combatants have been released, except those who died there. He actually got into some of the sealed records?”

“Lower classified documents only. And you didn’t hear that from me.”

Breft was impressed. And a little worried for his officer who was once a spy. Breaking into classified records could put Lidon in prison if the military got wind of it. It could land Breft and Raxstad in hot water as well if it came to light they knew what he’d been up to. However, Breft was desperate enough in his search for the Beast to look the other way. “Tell him to be careful.

We don’t want our department up on charges, and I don’t want to lose him.”

Raxstad’s grin gleamed in the evening light. “You know Lidon. The man leaves no traces.

If he was the Beast, we’d never find out. He’s that damned good.”

They watched Erybet’s obviously happy clan for several minutes more. Breft’s mind was turning over what the men had been through and the unfairness of what they would face if their participation in the massacre came to light.

He told his second, “It’s funny. Lidon’s clan was the one who got us access to Earth, which led to their Armageddon. Millions dead. Yet he and his Dramok are lauded as heroes for ending the war. Now let’s assume the Beast of New Bethlehem had nothing to do with the slaughter there. In that case, you have Erybet and Sletran, who were handed bad intelligence. They acted on it in good faith, simply doing their jobs, and it led to the deaths of a couple of dozen.”

“And nearly everyone would be calling for their lives if they knew. The difference is we can point at Earth’s leadership for putting Armageddon in motion. There’s no other scapegoat for New Bethlehem.” Raxstad shook his head. “I’ll admit, I think of those dead innocents and I still feel the urge to pound on those two for good measure. Not because they deserve it. It’s just that the slaughter was so senseless and I want to find some sort of justice for those poor victims.”

Breft frowned. Raxstad was a very fair man. If someone like him wanted to take out his rage on Erybet and Sletran, then those of less understanding would definitely want to see the pair dead.

You two better hope the public never finds out your connection. You wouldn’t last a single
day if it comes out
, he thought at the men.

To his second he said, “It’s getting late, Raxstad, and our clans will be missing us. We’ll pick this up in the morning.”

They departed, leaving the clan celebrating. Breft couldn’t help but smile as their laughter followed his steps. He really hoped Erybet and Sletran were innocent of the Beast of New Bethlehem’s crimes. He also hoped their lives continued to get better and they would find much happiness with their new Matara. Some deserved redemption more than others.

* * * *

Full of food and liquor to the point they’d let a navigation service pilot the shuttle home, Erybet’s clan stepped into the greeting room. Rachel was pleasantly tipsy. And aroused. There had been enough teasing and fondling beneath their table at the restaurant that she considered foreplay done. She was ready to consummate her wedding night with her three lifemates. She stumbled ahead of the men, giddily navigating her way towards the sleeping room.

Apparently unaware of what she was up to, Erybet’s voice behind her asked, “More drinks?”

Nearly to the door that led into the next room, Rachel turned. He was behind the bar, studying his options. Conyod leaned against the counter, his gaze just a bit off focus as he looked at her, smiling happily. Only Sletran seemed to have picked up on her mood. He was still in the middle of the room, but he watched her with sharp eyes.

Rachel pulled her dress off over her head, its decorative beading concealing the fact it was a simply cut sheath. She’d liked that it looked fancy but was extremely comfortable to wear. She threw it at Erybet.

Conyod laughed, and his sappy expression was erased to make room for a more heated stare.

“I believe the answer to your question is no, my Dramok.”

“But the celebration continues nonetheless.” Sletran leered at her, the swelling of his groin letting Rachel know he appreciated the turquoise lacy underthings that did more to bare than conceal. Erybet’s stare was almost as predatory as their Nobek’s.

She grinned, happy she’d gotten their undivided attention. Backing slowly towards the door, she unhooked her bra, then let it slip from her shoulders to land on the floor.

Sletran growled. All three took a step forward, then stopped as she hooked her thumbs into the waistband of her panties. Their purple eyes were avid, the pupils growing to make their gazes dark as they waited and watched.

Rachel pushed the underwear down over her thighs, and then let it slip over her knees, down her calves, finally coming to rest around her ankles. She stepped slowly out of the soft fabric.

She let the three pairs of eyes look her over. From a few feet away, she caught the spicy aroma of the Kalquorians’ arousal. Even if she hadn’t smelled their lust, she would have to be blind to miss the tenting of their pants.

Smiling naughtily, she turned to give them a nice view of her backside. Then she suddenly took off running for the sleeping room.

She’d just hit the doorway to the room when a growling Sletran caught her. Lifted in his powerful arms, she yelped her surprise. He threw her onto the soft surface of the sleeping mat.

Before she could catch her breath he was on her, turning her over onto her back and pressing the weight of his body down on hers. She looked into a face made up of dark narrowed eyes and lips that curled back to reveal long fangs. His growl rumbled from deep in his chest, shaking her entire body with its force.

Alarm and arousal hit Rachel in the guts in one breathless punch. Sletran looked absolutely feral, a rabid animal ready to bite and fuck all at the same time. There wasn’t a sign of civilized man anywhere in his hungry face. He’d turned into a force of nature, one that could tear her apart in an instant.

Erybet’s amused voice sounded from the room’s entrance. “Ray-Ray, you never run from a Nobek unless you want him to be very animal with you.”

He dropped onto the sleeping mat on one side of her. Conyod did the same on the other side, propping his head up on one bent arm. She saw all of this in her peripheral vision, because she couldn’t take her eyes off of Sletran. He was starting to ease down, his fangs slowly folding back into his mouth, but he still looked more animal than man.

Conyod said, “Running prey arouses the Nobek breed’s instincts, my love. His first impulse is to kill or fuck whatever he catches.”

Sletran’s fangs had finally disappeared behind his flat teeth, but his eyes were still alert and his voice was very, very rumbly. “I will never do you harm, my Matara. But I might get a little rough if you’re not more careful.”

A little rough, huh? I kind of like the sound of that
, she thought. She strained upward and bit the Nobek’s chin, harder than could be called playful.

His lips stretched back in a snarl. She snarled back.

His fangs descended once more. “You are a naughty one,” he said. His body had started a fine trembling, as if he strained to maintain control.

In her broken Kalquorian, Rachel said, “What you do about it? Big, strong Nobek make Matara obey?”

Erybet grinned. His fangs were showing now too. “That sounds like a challenge.”

Sletran’s gaze never left Rachel’s face. “Indeed it does. One I accept with my Imdiko’s approval.”

Conyod looked amused by the whole affair, but his expression grew stern as he stared down at Rachel. “As long as she promises to say
sholt
if things become uncomfortable.”

Rachel gave him a funny look.

His tone became demanding. “I know you, Ray-Ray. You might make it a matter of pride to continue beyond safety and not acknowledge physical or emotional distress.”

Erybet’s eyes narrowed. “That will not be allowed. Promise you will tell us if we become too intense or we cannot continue.”

Sletran added, “I have a perfectly good hand as well as an accommodating Imdiko. A Dramok too, if I feel like fighting for it. Any of those will serve me fine if you do not swear you’ll do as they ask.”

Rachel’s heart warmed with the concern all three men showed. That Sletran wanted her mightily was no question; the proof was what felt like a twin pair of steel rods sandwiched between their bellies. Yet he was not willing to risk her wellbeing just to get his rocks off. More than ever, Rachel was glad to be a part of this clan. Her heart swelled with love for the three men who cared so much for her. She nodded her assent.

“Good.” That dark, erotically scary look took over his face again. “I haven’t disciplined a badly behaved girl in a long time.”

Before she could react, he flipped her over onto her belly.
Oh no you don’t
, Rachel thought.

Erybet’s not the only one you’ll have to fight for a little fun.

She scrambled to her knees and hands and rolled over a very surprised Conyod, heading for the edge of the bed. Delighted chuckles followed her flight, and she didn’t get anywhere near escaping before strong hands encircled her ankles and dragged her backwards. She yelped.

Rachel looked over her shoulder to see Sletran smirking at her as he pulled her towards his massive body. “Naughty, naughty,” he said. “A little extra discipline for your refusal to take the punishment due you.”

She bared her teeth at him and grabbed fistfuls of bed linens, trying to slow his dragging her backwards. She kicked ferociously.

Conyod’s laughter filled the room. “Would you like some help, Sletran?”

“I don’t need help with this little one.”

“I didn’t say you did. I asked if you wanted it.”

Erybet was every bit as amused. “Do let us assist, my Nobek? We’d enjoy it so much.”

Sletran’s smile was broad. “All right. Take her feet, my Dramok. Conyod, you’ve got her wrists?”

A firm but gentle grip closed over Rachel’s arms, pulling her clenched hands from the covers. “I do.”

Despite Rachel using all her strength to resist, Erybet and Conyod had her splayed flat on the thick mat only moments later. Sletran looked her over with an evaluating eye. “Very nice.

Very, very nice. Now what should I use to make this beautiful ass sting?”

Rachel rolled her eyes up to look at the behemoth looming over her. He wasn’t going to spank her with his hands? Her heart fluttered in fright.

Sletran grinned, the threat ferocious in his chiseled face. He climbed off the bed and pulled the drapes on the wall apart to access one of the deep drawers. When he pulled out a thick, black paddle that looked like it was made of rubber, she groaned. Oh, that thing was going to hurt.