In Enemy Territory - Shannon West Page 0,90

sprang suddenly from the foliage and took down three of the guards in a red and gold blur of teeth and claws and blood. The general fell back on his ass, quickly recovering and scrambling back to his feet to bring the small disruptor in his hand up to blast the tiger. From behind him another tiger suddenly leaped and landed squarely on top of him. His screams rent the air as the blood flew.

When tigers attacked, they liked to grab their victims by the throat and hold on with their forelegs until the prey strangles to death. This was what was happening to the general now. Unless the initial bite breaks the victim’s spinal column or their teeth sinks into their victims’ windpipes, the victim dies a slow, unpleasant, and painful death. Rasc thought it was a totally appropriate one for this cruel and savage murderer, who would have had no qualms about killing them all in cold blood.

Long minutes passed and Rasc could hear someone calling his name. He was afraid to answer and draw attention to himself, still perched high in the tree. He saw Mikos, back in his human form and wearing nothing at all, come striding onto the scene, with Ryan running along behind him to keep up with his longer strides.

“Rasc!” Ryan was yelling. “Where are you? Are the two of you okay?”

“We’re here,” he called out, amazed at how weak and soft his voice came out. He cleared his throat and tried again, and this time Ryan came to stand below his tree and look up at him.

“Come down.”

“I’m not sure if I can,” he answered. “I don’t think my legs will work.” He reached for the boy, who came willingly, and he helped him climb down.

“Okay, your turn, Rasc,” Ryan said after he had the child safely beside him.

“I can’t.”

Ryan laughed and then stopped, realization dawning on his face. “Oh, you’re serious. You really can’t. Are you hurt?”

“No…just terrified. I can’t seem to move.”

“I’m sorry I laughed, Rasc. I thought you were kidding.”

“No…not kidding. In fact, I think I’m about to pass out.”

“No! Not while you’re up so high. Just…just listen to my voice and begin slowly climbing down. Don’t think about anything else, okay?”

Rasc nodded, took a deep breath, and began to ease off the branch and make his way back down, but he still felt dizzy and the world was tilting around him in a crazy way. He had to pause again and try to make things stop spinning. He pressed his forehead against the tree trunk and closed his eyes. From beneath him, he heard another voice calling softly to him.

“Baby, I’m here. Just drop and I’ll catch you.”

He looked down and saw Kylon looking up at him. His beautiful body was bare too, and his face was tired and stained and dirty. He looked wonderful.

“Just let go and drop to me, nobyo. I promise I’ll catch you. Do you trust me?”

“Y-you called me ‘nobyo.’”

“Because that’s what you are. My lover, my mate, my life. Now just let go, baby. I want to hold you, and I’m tired of waiting.”

“I’m tired, too,” Rasc said and finally released a little of the doubt and the fear he had carried with him for so long—for every day of his life since he’d been five years old and left all alone. He just let go and fell down into Kylon’s arms, which was exactly where he belonged. He sighed with pleasure as Kylon peppered his face with kisses.

“What took you so long?” Rasc asked him and closed his eyes as Kylon nuzzled his throat.

Epilogue

On a ship heading to Tygeria

Mikos and Ryan were in bed, with Ryan tucked up under Mikos, who lay on top of him with one leg sprawled over his thighs. He was quite content to be there, even if Mikos’s big body was crushing him a little. Still it gave him nice access to certain areas he liked very much to explore, and he could never get close enough to his mate to suit him.

“Answer me, nobyo,” Mikos was saying.

“Hmm? About what? I wasn’t paying attention.”

“I said—wait a minute. That feels nice—I said I never understood why Rasc Centarlo was on that planet in the first place. And did I understand Kylon to say he was going to make him his mate or was I dreaming? Is that why he brought that human on board with us?”

“Mm hm, yes, Kylon is taking Rasc to Tygeria to meet his parents