Chapter 13

Krestar pushed Lauren gently behind him as the Corlonian spoke, wrapping his tail protectively around her while he kept his eyes fixed on the other male. Krestar pushed Lauren gently behind him as the Corlonian spoke, keeping his eyes fixed on the other male. The two Elorans who accompanied him didn't concern him. They were a gentle, peaceful people, known for their artistic abilities rather than their military prowess, although the three of them were an odd combination.

"The last owner of this station died more than twenty years ago," he said calmly.

The Corlonian grinned again and shrugged.

"You keep what you kill."

"A philosophy with which I do not agree, but in any case she was killed by the Red Death."

"Ah, but the Red Death did not kill me." The Corlonian's eyes traveled thoughtfully to Krestar's ship and the parts and equipment on the floor in front of the engines. "Why has the Patrol taken an interest in my station?"

Ignoring the slight but perceptible emphasis on the word my, he shook his head.

"The Patrol has not. I am not here on official business. My ship encountered some difficulties in the asteroid belt and I came here to do repairs."

"How careless. I thought Patrol commanders were supposed to be better flyers."

He ignored the mockery, even though the fact that the Corlonian recognized his rank surprised him. Had the other male had much contact with the Patrol in the past?

"Perhaps, but as you see, I was not successful."

"Hmm. Did that lack of success have anything to do with the pretty little female peeping around your arm?"

The Corlonian's tone was more speculative than lustful, but Krestar tensed.

"She is of no concern to you."

His voice came out as a harsh growl and Lauren patted his tail soothingly. Even under these circumstances, her touch had the inevitable effect on his body but he gritted his teeth and did his best to ignore it.

"I see. Your mate, I take it?"

"Yes," he said immediately.

He told himself it was to make sure that the Corlonian knew she was under his protection, but he could hear the ring of truth in his words. He heard Lauren's breath catch, but then she squeezed his tail. It didn't feel like a protest.

"Pity," the Corlonian said with a grin.

The fact that he didn't argue surprised Krestar. He had thought the Cire need to take mates of their own species was more widely known.

"I am not here to cause trouble. I just wish to do my repairs, then depart."

The Corlonian's eyes narrowed and his gaze shifted back to Krestar's ship.

"How long do you think it will take?"

"Another day, perhaps two."

The Corlonian grinned,

"An optimistic Cire - I like it. Since it appears you will be spending some time on my station, perhaps introductions are in order. I'm Captain Zythrak."

"I am Commander Krestar var'Arenchar." He hesitated, then gave in to the inevitable, drawing Lauren out from behind him. "And this is my mate, Lauren."

Each time he said it, it sounded better.

"I am delighted to meet you, Mistress Lauren."

Zythrak swept her a flamboyant bow and to Krestar's annoyance, she smiled at the other male.

"It's nice to meet you too."

He barely surpassed a growl as he drew her closer against his side.

"Who are your companions?" she added.

"This is Miska and Milka. They are pair bonded."

Both Elorans also bowed, slight, graceful movements.

"I am pleased to meet you both."

She smiled at the pair as well but he found it far less annoying.

"And you, Mistress Lauren, Commander var'Arenchar."

The pair spoke in unison, their voices low and melodic but the synchronized speech created a faint, unnerving echo.

"Just Lauren is fine." She hesitated, then added, "And my mate prefers to go by Krestar."

Satisfaction filled him again at her acknowledgment of his claim and the tension in his body eased a little more.

"Very well." Zythrak smiled. "Not that I wish you to think me inhospitable, but I suggest you return to your repairs as soon as possible. Some of my… guests would be bothered by the presence of a Patrol vessel."

The Corlonian gave him a challenging look and he understood the unspoken question.

"We do not intend to linger. We need to start conducting a search." Remembering Lauren's suggestion from the morning, he added, "Do you have working long-range sensors?"

"No. In fact we deliberately disabled them."

That didn't entirely surprise him. Some vessels were capable of picking up a sensor sweep and Zythrak clearly wished to remain under the radar. He could even guess why, but it was not his concern at the moment.

"I see."

Miska and Milka had their heads together - literally touching foreheads - and then both of them bowed.

"Would the two of you care to join us for the evening meal?"

"We did not find the air on the station particularly healthy," he said grimly, but to his surprise, they giggled.

Zythrak shook his head, also grinning.

"That is one of their little techniques to discourage unwanted visitors. It does not cause lasting harm. As long as you remain with us you won't need to encounter any of the others."

He looked over at Lauren, wondering if she wished to take the Elorans up on the offer but she slowly shook her head.

"We appreciate the offer very much, but I am anxious to get the ship working again so that we can search for my friend."

Damn. He wished she hadn't mentioned the presence of another human. Zythrak's eyes narrowed, but he didn't comment. Krestar could only hope that his information that the Corlonians did not deal in living beings was correct.

"If you change your mind, you will be welcome," the Elorans said.

"Thank you." She smiled at the two small males. "Perhaps when everything is working again, we'll have time to accept."

"Then we will leave you to your work." Zythrak swept another flamboyant bow. "If you need additional supplies, signal to one of the monitors."

"Monitors?"

It annoyed him that he hadn't picked up on that before, and the Corlonian grinned, clearly picking up on his annoyance.

"They are well concealed, but if you are out here and signal for help someone will come."

"Thank you."

He suspected his attempt at gratitude wasn't entirely successful but Zythrak only nodded. The two Elorans bowed and then all three walked away, disappearing back into the shadows at the far end of the hangar, even though he was quite sure no door was located there.

"That was… interesting."

Lauren was watching them go as well.

"Do we need to be worried?"

"I do not believe so," he said truthfully. "If the Elorans have taken refuge here I find it hard to believe they would do anything that might attract attention."

"Zythrak seems like the type who wants attention."

Her tone was amused enough that the comment didn't arouse his possessive instincts.

"Personal attention, perhaps, but not, umm, professional attention."

"Professional?"

"Corlonians are traders, but they don't deal with people," he added quickly when her face paled. "However their deals may not be entirely legal."

"So I was right. I thought he looked like a pirate."

She laughed, but then she looked up at him, her smile fading even as she gently stroked his tail.

"I think we need to talk."

A discussion he both longed for and dreaded, but there were other factors to consider as well.

"I agree, d'jeri, but it might be best to wait until tonight. I would like to get as much accomplished as possible today."

"All right. Until tonight."

She gave his tail another gentle squeeze. He gritted his teeth as the blood surged his cock, then forced himself to turn to the engines and get back to work.