Not Compatible - Viola Grace Page 0,17
hung her sensor suit in the cleaning unit. The suit from the dispenser was hanging in her locker, but Styra had a change of clothing of the exercise vein. She thought about working out and smiled. That was just what she was up for.
She was setting up one of the lift machines when she noticed that Yr-el’s men were nearby. They hadn’t seen her, or she certainly wouldn’t have overheard one of them saying, “As soon as we finish delivering the captain to the woman his parents have picked out, we can relax.”
Styra froze in place for a moment, and then, she settled herself in the machine to begin doing a press. His family had chosen a bride for him. Of course, they had. She was a stupid, damaged nobody from the middle of the star system. Why would she end up with him? Another two days and he would be gone.
She used both arms on the press for the first time in her adult life, and when she had done a set of five, it increased the weight. She kept going.
* * * *
Yr-el looked at Mbrak. “What do you want? I was going to try and find Styra.”
Mbrak looked him over. “Is she yours?”
“Of course, she is. My parents are going to show off another fine lady, but it is Styra who is my mate. He won’t accept anything else.”
“Good. She kicked into heat with a vengeance this morning, and she will need to be removed from the station sooner rather than later.”
Yr-el felt his skin heat. “She’s in heat?”
“Yeah, it fired into full bloom while she was on shift. You wouldn’t know anything about that, now, would you?”
Yr-el shrugged. “Your guess is as good as mine.”
A beep got their attention, and Mbrak answered. “What?”
“Um, sir? There is an incident occurring in the gym. Weight section.”
Mbrak brought the displays up, and there was Styra, glowing white-hot with a grimace on her face. The unit she was working in displayed her pressing over one thousand kilos.
“She’s waking.” Mbrak’s voice was flat.
Yr-el spoke quickly. “Where is the nearest emergency hatch?”
Mbrak brought the map up and showed him.
“Tell them I am on my way.”
“Watch out, Yr-el, she looks mad. I will evacuate your path.”
Yr-el was on his way to the gym, wondering what the hell had set her off.
* * * *
She stepped out of the machine when Yr-el came toward her. “You have a fiancé. Your parents have chosen your mate.”
He slowed down, and he looked worried. “They have chosen a dozen so far. I reject them all.”
She could see her skin glowing brightly, and she shivered. “They said that your parents had your woman.”
He winced. “A woman. Not mine. You are mine. You are coming home with me.”
She felt the white-hot rage subside, but something else was taking its place. “I don’t know what is going on.”
He nodded. “I know. Let me carry you. We need to get out of here.”
She nodded and held out her arms like a child. He grabbed her, swung her into his arms, and he sprouted wings that scooped the air and propelled them through the station. He pulled her to the emergency airlock and stepped into the space between the chambers.
“Do you trust me, Styra?” He looked at her earnestly.
“I do. I am getting hotter.”
He nodded. “I know. Just remember that the stars are where you get what you need. Turn toward them and take it in.”
She didn’t know what he meant, but he hit the outer door lock, and it slowly cycled open. The heat in her body ratcheted up a notch, and she saw her skin blurring.
When the door opened, they were sucked out, and he shifted into the drake that she knew from the scenario. Space should have begun killing her. She should have frozen or boiled, or whatever space farers whispered about late at night. Instead, she was caught in a claw and flown away from the station.
She relaxed and watched ships and chunks of rock go past as Yr-el took her toward the nearest star. The heat in her body increased, and he threw her away from him. She saw him as she tumbled away, but then, her body was busy becoming a drake.
She curled up in a ball, and then, she extended outward, flexing her wings and flicking her tail. She was still tumbling. A tail wrapped around hers, controlling her spiral. She locked claws with him, and her wings began to help her control the radiation