[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
my weakness in front of Phelan. My eyes wet, I turned my head to bury it in her neck, and
she clutched at me with the same intensity.
After a while of us shuddering in each other s arms, I drew back. I m not giving you up at
all!
She nodded. I know.
I glanced up to find Phelan about to turn away. Wait!
He stopped and looked back at me.
Change, I demanded.
I imagined an eyebrow went up at my command, but he complied and soon stood before us
naked. I sighed and stood with Sandy still in my arms. I walked over to Phelan and deposited
her gently into his arms. His eyes widened, but he took her, his hands sliding around her flat
abs and lower toward her pussy.
Your turn, I told him with a grin. I ll watch.
Chapter Twenty-Two
I don t know who they thought they were, passing me around like I was their private party
toy. I pretended to be angry for a little while, but then I got into it. By the time we found a
ship going to Shale, I was so sore that I walked on the tips of my toes. But I had never been
more satisfied in my life.
How long until we get there? I asked Tav while I dropped into a chair. He and Phelan had
fought over who would pilot the vessel, but I happily reminded them Pierre was picking us
up. I had old contacts after all, and the card someone had once given me for a pilot who
would take me anywhere for a price. At the time, my desire had been to stay on Earth. I had
been shocked to find Pierre had access to some intergalactic phone-type device that could
pick up signals from whatever calling device was used, whichever planet the caller was on.
When I had more time, I might ask him how it worked.
Tav had just strolled in the room from visiting Pierre on the bridge. Fifteen more minutes.
He collapsed in a chair across from me and frowned that Phelan s hand was on my thigh, up
close to my center. I rolled my eyes, but when he patted the seat beside him, I went. Phelan
let out a low growl.
Have you thought about what you re going to tell your people? I had no idea how he
would explain this situation away. We had argued forever about leaving Earth. Our situation
was special, and I didn t think any of the Drelconians would understand. A woman would
not have two lovers among Tav s people. I didn t want to embarrass him either.
No, I haven t. It will be fine. He narrowed his eyes on me. You sound like you re unsure.
I thought we had settled this.
It s not settled.
Of course it s not settled! Phelan banged his fist on his armrest. She wants me, not you.
You and I might enjoy sparring with one another, fighting over her, but her mind s not at
rest. Either way, I ve betrayed my people, killed some for her. I can t go back.
If that was supposed to put my mind at ease, it did not. I covered my face with my hands,
but Tav pulled them down and kissed me. He lifted me onto his lap, his arms making me
feel secure.
She may lust after you, my friend, Tav admitted, but she loves me. Even you have to
agree. Then again, you aren t in love either, are you?
Before Phelan could respond, something slammed into the ship, which sent us all to the
floor. Blow after blow to the hull made it impossible to stand. Tav tucked me against him,
and Phelan scooted on hands and knees to lie in front of me. I was protected by two strong
men.
Another hit, and the ship dipped to one side. We slid down the floor. Phelan flipped around
so I d land on him when we smashed into the wall.
What the fuck is going on? Phelan shouted.
As if he d heard him, Pierre came over the intercom. We re under attack. It s the
Drelconians.
Never! Tav answered, although Pierre didn t seem to hear him. He continued to speak.
Mes amours, hold onto something. It is the . . . how are they saying it? Ice dragons. He
paused and let out a string of curses. So close to the destination, too. Mon dieu!
A volley of shots peppered the ship. We all saw it at the same time, a beam of light ripping
through the ship. We d freeze to death! But just outside a portal, I glimpsed a planet. Pierre
was trying to make it into the atmosphere of Shale at least. We weren t going to make it.
Phelan s feet grew claws and lengthened. His thigh muscles bulged and split his pants. He
pressed me away from him with his knees in my stomach until he could press his feet at the
front of my hips. Just before he pushed, he stared into my eyes. He s wrong. I love you.
His gaze shifted to Tav. Save her!
Tav held me tighter. Phelan shoved with all his might, and we slid backward against gravity
to the top of the room, now on its side. Tav caught the doorjamb and hauled us out. All I
could do was watch dumbstruck while the beam cut through my wolf lover s body. No . . .
Phelan!
I struggled against Tav s hold.
Stop it, Sandy. He s gone. He did what he had to do to save you. Now get it in gear. Let s
go!
I thought he was heartless, not caring that the man he had just called friend was dead. He
yanked us outside the room and smacked a hand over the button to close the door. An alarm
went off and a message said the ship s system was sealing the room to stabilize oxygen.
Phelan was gone.
We stumbled along the hall as the ship rocked to and fro. A door opened at the end, and
Pierre appeared. His face was pale, and sadness filled his eyes. I thought for a moment that
they looked all black with no whites, but when I blinked, they were normal. This way to the
escape pod. My ship is lost. The silver dragons are here now and shooing the ice ones. Too
late. He sounded like he choked off a sob, but he moved ahead of us, so I couldn t see his
face.
In silence, we piled into the cramped quarters, and Pierre pressed a series of buttons. The
panel leading to the ship slid closed, and I jumped at the bangs and whirring of something
mechanical outside the pod. In another instant, we were free, or at least I assumed so. The
pod had no window, and the drop-down red screen in front of Pierre, with its blips of light,
gave me no clue.
Everything okay, Pierre? Tav asked him while holding me close. I pulled away, which left
only an inch between our thighs. I didn t blame Tav, but my selfishness had caused Phelan
his life. I felt like I wasn t good enough for Tav either. He deserved better. Only now did I
think about his past, what I had read in Mack s file on him. His wife had been a selfish bitch
as well. Boy, did he know how to pick them.
And Mack. Phelan had admitted he had killed him, with no remorse. This was my life on
Earth. What would it be like on Shale?
Chapter Twenty-Three
What do you think? Ryuu asked me.
I sighed. What do I think about what?
About your damn brother! What have we been talking about all this time, Tav? Ryuu
thumped the back of his hand against my head. Get your mind off Sandy for a moment and
think of your family. She ll come around. Give her time. She s just grieving.
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]