Page 12 of Venomous Lust
Khal nodded. At least his new tracker understood the seriousness and danger of the mission.
“But I’m afraid sending her back is impossible,” Zaxis stated with a matter-of-fact raising of his brows. “There is no mother ship. I traveled directly from Avona in this shuttle. Can’t send her back without a full refueling.”
Shit. Even better.
“We can’t spare the fuel.” Khal cursed loudly. “Then we’re stuck with her till we reach the Frontier. We’ll offload her to Commander Gerkin as soon as we arrive.”
“The Frontier is no place for a female.”
Khal growled, deep in his chest. Because the Avonie male was right. And because they had no choice.
“The Frontier is no place for a female, but it’s much safer than what lies ahead.” Khal turned his back to Zaxis. “She’s in the holding cell in the cargo hold. Get her out, feed her. Or throw her out of a space hatch. I don’t care.”
But he did. He did more than he could ever say.
And that little feral beast inside him screamed, pushing against the restraints he fought to maintain. Because the female wasn’t Zaxis’s to feed and care for. She was Khal’s.
Only she wasn’t. She couldn’t be. Would never be.
Khal would make sure of it.
Chapter 4
Hazel
Hazel turned sharply, then walked the ten or so paces to the end of the cell. She turned again, and again, but the pacing didn’t soothe her.
She was so mad she could have screamed. But screaming wouldn’t help. In fact, she was pretty sure screaming would only make that blue asshole even more satisfied with himself.
The sound of heavy boots on metal reached the end of the cargo area where her cell was located and Hazel froze. Fear coursed through her veins, and anger rose inside her at the feeling. She didn’t want to be afraid of the Eoks. She shouldn’t be.
But she was. And she knew why.
They weren’t just big and strong. Their entire bodies were made for violence, their minds suited for power and cruelty.
Khal was no exception, commander or not.
Hazel’s breath caught in her throat as a tall figure rounded the ladder leading down to the cargo level. The figure was shrouded in shadow, but she frowned as she squinted to make it out more clearly. It was tall and well built, definitely masculine, but not nearly as large as Khal was. His movements were easy and confident, but as the newcomer came closer, she knew he lacked the feline grace of the Eok, that lethal way of moving that was almost like a dance.
That she immediately knew it wasn’t Khal, and that a pinch of disappointment shot through her chest at the realization, only made her temper flare hotter.
Then the newcomer stepped into the light.
Oh, shit. Just what I needed.
Pale, luminescent skin almost reflected the light as bright purple eyes set on her. Vertical pupils shrank and dilated to the rhythm of their owner’s feelings on either side of a fine, straight nose. Full, shapely lips curved up in a pleasant grin as the Avonie male stared at her with open appreciation.
The newcomer was striking—beautiful, in a pristine, almost feminine way. Hazel found herself unable to look away.
Long, shiny hair fell to his athletic shoulders, the locks tucked behind long, pointed ears.
“So, you’re the stowaway I’ve heard about?” His fine eyebrow curved up and the mocking grin widened on the newcomer’s lips. “How’s that working for you so far?”
“Not too shabby.” Hazel tossed her head in defiance. “What’s an Avonie doing with an Eok warrior on a secret mission this far out in the Ring?”
A throaty laugh rang inside the metal confines of the cargo, lighthearted and simple. Somehow, it soothed Hazel’s anger, lessened her boiling fear.
“A secret mission? You’ve had lots of time to think in this cell, haven’t you? What an imagination you humans have.” The newcomer set his purple eyes on her, and despite his apparent benevolence, Hazel sensed the danger within. He wasn’t nearly as non-threatening as he wanted to appear. “What’s your name, little human?”
