Page 43 of Touch the Stars
“After you drop me off, find Kris for me.”
“I swear I will.”
Chapter 14
Kaitlyn.
Shestaredintothestar-studded blackness beyond the floor-to-ceiling viewport in the ship’s common area.All the images of space taken by satellites or through the lens of a telescope couldn’t compare to the real thing.If only everyone could see this vast, stark, all-consuming nothingness at least once in their lives.It might change a lot of people’s perspectives, and maybe unify enemies who thought their differences were irreconcilable.
It had certainly humbled her.What would Kris think of that?What would she think about her younger, more contentious twin actually volunteering to risk her life for people she’d never met?
The ache in her gut deepened.By now, Kris was long past her last insulin injection.
Please, let whoever has her have the technology to keep her alive.
A movement in the wall behind her, reflected in the viewport, caught her attention.She turned to watch her big alien lover step through the wall-door.Was she crazy, or could she really feel his body heat from across the room?
Baatar’s bootheels clicked with purpose as he crossed the polished floor toward her, then he was there, slipping his hands around her waist.She leaned into his hug and some of her tension melted away.
God, she’d miss him…if Rocky the Homicidal Hulk didn’t kill her first.In that case, she wouldn’t be missing anybody.
“How are you feeling, my Kaitlyn?”
“Like I haven’t spent enough time in this room.The view is stunning.”And she was deflecting.
He tightened his arms a little more around her.“We will pass through the decontamination ring in two hours.The imperial docking bay is an hour beyond.”
The low timbre of his voice slid between her thighs.She squeezed her eyes shut.
No more ofthatnow.
Maybe not ever again.
But at least she was as prepared as she could be, thanks to Baatar.His lessons about the Gharan Empire’s history had been eye-opening—especially the one from a few days ago about Ragat.
“None of the planets within the empire war with each other,” he’d told her.“The Ragatians will war among themselves or seek planets outside the empire to raid for food, which often leads to diplomatic problems.”
“Can’t they just grow their own food?”
“They do, but they also have more specific needs.”
“Like what?”
“They drink the blood of their enemies.”
“Ew.”She’d crinkled her nose with disgust.“Sound like vampires to me.”
He’d touched his finger to his earlobe.“That failed to translate.”
“Earth folklore, mythology, whatever.Vampires are human-like creatures who have to drink blood to survive.They are very difficult to kill.A stake through the heart or sunlight are the best ways to end them.”
“Ragatians look nothing like humans, as you already know, and they love to sit in the sun.But heart stabbing a Ragatian is very difficult.”He’d pointed at his right armpit.
“You mean their hearts are in theirarmpits?”
“Specifically, under their dominant arm, for maximum protection.Even though it is practically an external organ, a Ragatian heart is more difficult to reach than yours or mine.”He’d placed his palm on his chest.
Now, days later, that revelation still astounded her.There sure was some weird-ass shit out there in the universe.
