Chapter 7

7

S he was more beautiful than he could have imagined.

Covak's world narrowed to a single point of focus as he stood, stunned as he drank in the sight of Jane astride the sleek motorcycle. Sunlight caught the sheen of sweat on her skin, highlighting the determined set of her jaw and the fierce intelligence blazing in her eyes. She was breathtaking, utterly frexxing breathtaking.

A gust of wind carried her scent to him, the same intoxicating aroma that had driven him to distraction at the safe house. It was a heady mix of adrenaline, fear, and something uniquely her . The primal part of his soul, the beast that lived just beneath the surface of his civilized veneer, roared in triumph.

Mine , a possessive voice growled in the back of his mind, and all his muscles tensed, ready to spring into action and claim what his instincts insisted belonged to him.

But as quickly as the urge rose, he tamped it down. The wary edge in her scent and the unmistakable tang of blood in the air gave him pause. She had just escaped her captors and was likely injured. More than that, she had probably never seen a being like him before. She didn't know if he was friend or foe.

Forcing his body to relax, he raised his hands in what he hoped was a universal gesture of peace.

"It's okay," he said, keeping his voice low and soothing. "I'm not here to hurt you. I'm here to help."

He expected gratitude, perhaps even relief. What he got instead was the roar of the motorcycle's engine as she gunned it, the machine leaping forward like a startled animal. She flew past him, almost knocking him from his feet.

A snarl of frustration tore from his throat, and he spun on his heel, already in pursuit. His powerful legs ate up the distance, but the bike was faster. He tapped his comm. "Got her, but she's on the move. Heading east on a motorcycle."

Anson's amused voice filled his ear. "Don't tell me you let a tiny human female get away from you, big guy?"

Covak's lips curled back from his teeth. "Yeah, yeah… laugh it up."

He rounded the corner and slid to a stop. She hadn't gotten far. At the end of the road, human forces had her pinned down behind a parked car. Energy beams sizzled past, their high-pitched whine piercing his sensitive ears.

Where they struck, metal glowed red-hot, and glass exploded into crystalline shards. The parked car Jane used for cover was rapidly disintegrating under the onslaught, its frame warping and bubbling from the intense heat.

But it wasn't her predicament that caught his attention. It was her… Her shoulders were relaxed, not hunched in fear. Her movements were smooth and deliberate as she checked her stolen weapon. Even from this distance, he could see the annoyed furrow of her brow as if the hail of energy bolts was nothing more than a mild irritation.

His lips twitched, admiration filling him. This wasn't a frightened escapee. This was a predator, momentarily inconvenienced by lesser prey. The way she held herself, coiled and ready to strike, sent a thrill of excitement through him. He'd never seen a human move like that before.

His muscles coiled as he watched two human operatives break from cover. They advanced on Jane, their movements cocky and assured. Fools. Couldn't they see the trap they were walking into?

"Hey, guys," he said as he flicked on his glasses display. "You've got to see this."

His claws extended with a soft snick , the familiar rush of battle-readiness flooding his system. He took a step forward, fully intending to intervene, but Jane exploded into motion before he could close the distance.

Even his vision, genetically enhanced for battle, struggled to track her movements. One moment, she was crouched behind the car; the next, she was a whirlwind of violence. Her fist connected with the first operative's solar plexus, doubling him over. She pivoted in a fluid motion, her leg sweeping the second man's feet from under him.

The crack of bone meeting pavement reached Covak's ears, followed by twin thuds as bodies hit the ground. Then she stood over them, a weapon in each hand, her chest barely heaving from the exertion.

The comm channel erupted with impressed whistles.

"Well, I guess I know who I'm hiring to replace all of you layabouts." Ryke chuckled.

"And that is the perfect woman," Davis said. "Covak, grab her number for me, would you?"

A snarl exploded from his throat, low and dangerous. "Back off. She's mine."

Using the distraction of her ongoing battle with the humans, Covak ran forward and slid into cover beside her. He barely had time to duck as she whirled toward him, weapon at the ready, and almost shot his head off.

"Hey, beautiful," he said, flashing what he hoped was a disarming grin. "Need a hand?"

Her eyes narrowed, but she didn't shoot him. With a grunt, she whirled back to rejoin the fight, her body a coiled spring of lethal grace. She fired, and his eyes widened in awe.

The energy beam lanced out, a brilliant streak of blue-white light. It struck the first operative square in the chest, dropping him instantly. Before his body hit the ground, Jane had already acquired her next target.

He shook himself off and joined the fight next to her. Firing, he took down a human trying to flank them.

But his attention kept returning to her. Her face was a mask of concentration, her eyes narrowed and lips pressed into a thin line. Each shot found its mark with unerring accuracy. An operative's weapon hand, a knee, a shoulder—she picked her targets with ruthless efficiency.

The air filled with the scent of ozone and burned flesh. Operatives fell like dominoes, their cries of pain and surprise barely registering over the high-pitched whine of energy weapons. Fierce pride welled up in his chest. This female was a force of nature, and he was honored to fight at her side.

"No doubt about it," Rann said over the comm. "I've been running her movements through the ship's computer. She's definitely a cyborg. No purely biological being shoots like that."

As if she could hear Rann's words over the comm in his ear, she turned to really look at Covak for the first time. Her expression was unreadable as she took in his face and the sharp fangs that were now fully visible as he grinned at her.

"You're not human," she said bluntly.

His grin widened. "Not anywhere close, sweetheart. And neither are you. What are you?"

Before she could answer, the Reapers arrived, and the situation devolved into chaos.

His ears rang with the sound of weapons fire, and the air filled with the hot smell of energy weapons discharging from both sides as blue-green beams crisscrossed the street. He ducked as a shot whizzed past his head, close enough that he felt its heat. The humans, pinned between him and Jane and the rest of the Reapers, scrambled for cover, their shouts of alarm barely audible over the din.

The distinctive thrums of nonhuman weapons mixed with the high-pitched whine of Terran energy rifles. He watched as Anson took down three operatives in rapid succession, his aim deadly accurate even in the confusion.

Covak's blood sang with battle lust, but he forced himself to focus. His mission objective hadn't changed: secure Jane and get out. He edged closer to her, ready to grab her and run at a moment's notice.

The combat shuttle roared overhead, kicking up a storm of dust and debris as it landed. The ramp lowered with a metallic groan. He spun toward her, his hand outstretched.

"Need a lift out of here?"

Her gaze flicked between his face and hand to the waiting shuttle. Then she reached out and slid her hand into his, sending a jolt up his arm. Her grip was firm. Strong.

"You have no idea what you're getting yourself into," she warned, her voice low and tense.

He grinned, his fangs flashing. "Neither do you, sweetheart."

He tugged her toward the shuttle, scanning for threats. The firefight raged around them, energy beams sizzling past, and he shoved her ahead of him, shielding her with his bulk as they sprinted for the ramp. A distinctive pfft cut through the noise all around them. He spun around, looking for the source, but before he could react, something got past him and slammed into her shoulder, making her stumble.

His eyes locked on to the small dart protruding from her back. Clear liquid oozed from the injection site.

"Damn it!" he growled, scooping her up as her knees gave out. He cradled her suddenly limp form against his chest. Her skin cooled rapidly under his touch.

He bounded up the ramp, Jane's limp form nestled against his chest. "Rann, get us airborne! Now!"

The shuttle lurched as Rann complied, the rest of the team piling up the ramp just in time.

Covak stumbled, tightening his grip on Jane. She was pale, too pale, her eyes rolling back in her head. His jaw clenched as he held her against his chest and pushed his way through the rest of the team as he headed for the medbay.

Now that he'd found her, nothing would take her away ever again.

"Stay with me, Jane. Stay with me," the big alien said, his voice a low, urgent rumble that vibrated through her body.

Jane? Why was he calling her Jane? She struggled to focus, her consciousness flickering in and out like a faulty light bulb.

Strong arms cradled her as if she weighed no more than a feather. Heat radiated from his skin, seeping through her clothes and into her bones. She relaxed into his embrace, his scent filling her nostrils. A blend of spice and something odd… alien sent a shiver down her spine. Even in her disoriented state, she felt the powerful muscles beneath her cheek, the steady rhythm of a heart that beat in time with her own. Confusion washed over her. She shouldn't trust him, shouldn't trust this soul-deep attraction to someone she didn't know, alien or not. Part of her wanted to pull away, to assert her independence, but instinct urged her to burrow closer, to lose herself in the comfort of his arms.

Her head rolled against his shoulder as she peered through half-lidded eyes at the ship's interior as they passed. Metal walls rushed past, their surfaces pockmarked with rivets and seams. Corridors stretched into a maze of right angles and intersections that seemed to go on forever.

Checker plate flooring clanged dully beneath the alien's feet, echoing off bare metal panels lining the walls. Exposed pipes and conduits snaked along the ceiling, disappearing into shadowy recesses. Harsh, fluorescent lighting cast a cold glow, creating shadows that danced and shifted as they moved. Then they passed through a door, and the scenery changed. The alien carrying her lowered her onto a soft surface. A bed. The change in position sent a wave of dizziness washing over her, and she squeezed her eyes shut, willing the world to stop spinning.

"It's alright," he said, his voice a deep rumble. "You're safe now."

She forced her eyes open and tried to bring the world into focus. His face swam into view, hovering above her with an expression of concern etched into his features. Despite the strangeness of his appearance—the hard cheekbones, heavy jaw, and the edge of his fangs peeking past his lips—he was the most handsome man she'd ever seen.

A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, transforming his expression into something warm and inviting.

"Thank you. You're quite lovely yourself."

Heat rushed to her cheeks as she realized she'd said that out loud. Despite her embarrassment, words spilled out, and she couldn't stop them.

"Your eyes," she mumbled, "they're like…like starlight. And your fangs…are they sharp?"

The alien's smile widened as she reached out to find out for herself, and he captured her wrist in a gentle grip.

"Perhaps we can explore that when you're feeling better," he said, his voice morphing into a low purr that sent shivers down her spine.

Her heart fluttered in her chest, a mix of embarrassment and something else—something warm and electric that she couldn't quite name. She wanted to say more, to explore this strange, intoxicating feeling, but his expression sobered.

"I need you to hold still for me, sweetheart," he said, his tone becoming more professional as he looked up at something. She tried to twist to see whatever it was but gasped as her head swam. "No, don't move. I'm going to scan you to figure out what they shot you up with. Once we know, I can administer an antidote. You'll feel much better soon. I promise."

She nodded… or tried to. It felt like she was disconnected from her body as if she were floating just above it, linked only by the thinnest of threads.

A soft whirring filled the air, and he looked above her head in expectation. The scanner machine, she realized dully. He was scanning her to make her better. For a moment, nothing happened.

Then, without warning, every cell in her body screamed in protest. She felt as if someone had flipped a switch, and pain flooded her system. All her muscles tensed, coiled tightly like springs ready to snap. Fight or flight instincts roared to life, drowning out all rational thought.

"No!" The word tore from her throat, but it wasn't her voice. It was the voice in her head… and it had taken control of her body.

Her hand shot out, fingers wrapping around the alien's wrist with inhuman strength. She could feel the delicate bones beneath his skin and knew how much pressure she'd need to grind them to dust.

His eyes widened, darting between her face and the vise-like grip on his arm.

"Jane? What's wrong, sweetheart?"

"Scan field incompatible with power core," the voice continued, using her mouth like a puppet. Hearing it out loud rather than in her head was odd. "Overload risk."

Understanding dawned in the alien's eyes, and he nodded. His wrist still caught in her grip, he leaned over her, reaching out. The device powered down, the whirring sound cutting off abruptly.

Relief washed over her. The tension drained from her body, leaving her limp and shaking on the bed. She released the alien's wrist, a pang of guilt rolling through her at the red marks her fingers left behind.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, in her own voice this time. "I didn't mean to?—"

"It's alright," he cut her off with a smile. "No harm done. I should have been more careful."

He studied her face intently.

"How do I help you then?" he asked, running a clawed hand through his hair in a surprisingly human gesture. "I need to know what they gave you and if it's dangerous. Without the scan, I'm flying blind here."

Before she could answer, the other voice took over again.

"Subject has been administered a cocktail of neuro-inhibitors," the voice stated flatly. "Primary components include fifteen milligrams of zeta-hexacycalodine, thirty micrograms of neo-thalassic acid, and five units of polytriphtic quasimorine. Secondary compounds detected: trace amounts of beta-isoflavonoid complexes and approximately two CCs of metachromatic nanite-binders."

The alien's eyebrows shot up, his eyes widening with each unfamiliar term. He nodded, already moving to gather equipment from various cabinets and drawers.

"Fascinating, utterly fascinating," he murmured, more to himself than to her. "A synthetic neurotransmitter inhibitor, coupled with… hmm, yes, I see."

As he worked, she marveled at the stream of technical jargon flowing from both the voice in her head and the alien medic. It was like listening to two quantum physicists debate in a language she'd never heard before. Yet somehow, buried beneath the confusion and fear, she felt a spark of recognition as if some part of her understood what they were saying.

He turned back to her, firing off a rapid series of questions. "Height? Weight? Any known allergies or pre-existing conditions I should be aware of?"

The voice answered each query promptly, also offering suggestions for drug compounds to counteract the effects of whatever the humans had given her. She felt like a passenger in her own body, watching the exchange with a mix of awe and unease.

As the big alien worked, he slipped in other questions.

"Who am I speaking with?" he asked, his tone casual but his eyes sharp. "You're not Jane. Are you?"

"J10-10M3E onboard," the voice replied through her lips.

The alien's hands stilled for a moment.

"Onboard?" he asked, his brows furrowed in concentration. "I've read that somewhere before."

Then his eyes lit up. Lifting his head, he called out to someone Jesh couldn't see. "Rann, can you get me Zero from the Warborne on the comm, please?"

Who was Zero and what were the Warborne? She wanted to ask, but she was a captive in her own body. Exhaustion pulled at her, dragging her down into darkness. She fought against it, struggling to keep her eyes open, but it was a losing battle.

Time skipped, the world fading in and out like a badly tuned radio. Voices drifted around her, muffled and indistinct. She caught fragments of conversation—worried tones, and technical terms she didn't understand—but underlying it all was the big alien's comforting scent. It was okay. She could rest. She was safe.

Then, a familiar voice cut through the fog, and her brain latched on to it. "Let me see her."

She forced her eyes open, struggling to focus. The big alien was still there, angling a screen toward her. On it, she saw a face that sent a jolt of recognition through her system.

A man with short dark hair and darker eyes that seemed to look right through her. A face she knew…

"Dael," she murmured, the word barely more than a whisper of sound, and then the darkness claimed her.