Embracing Ember (15 page)

***

Silvius was watching Maria’s house. He felt as if something were wrong, that something wasn’t adding up. Maria had told him about her assignment and Silvius knew he was playing with fire by wanting her, but he couldn’t help himself. So far she hadn’t revealed their reason for coming to Earth, and for that everyone was extremely grateful, but she had to explain to him why she left the way she did. Why she walked away from him without a word. He knew that he couldn’t just approach her, with her affiliation it could raise questions that she would have to answer. Questions that could lead to trouble for her.

He knew the moment he met her, when she was helping the other human male to help keep Ceylon’s Ember alive that she was the one supposed to be his mate. Her black hair fell in long wisps around her shoulder framing her round face with full cheeks. Her eyes were large, somewhat large for her face and framed in dark lashes. Her brown eyes were dark and full of intelligence and oftentimes sparkling with defiance he knew she suppressed. Her average height brought her was perfect for her to lay her head on his chest. She was absolutely gorgeous with her caramel skin and curves that accentuated her soft but muscular frame. He sometimes forgot she was a soldier, one trained in combat as well as healing.

Silvius was intrigued at the Earth’s way of defense. Their planet was divided, unlike Salin, but their armies stood a better chance at defending themselves than did the forces that Salin trained. No one was a full time soldier on Salin. Earth had armies, navies and air forces that helped to defend their homes. Salin could learn a lot from them just like Earth could learn a lot from Salin.

Movement inside the house captured his attention. Maria’s hurried movements in her bedroom alerted him that the something that wasn’t quite right was happening right now. Before he knew what he was doing, he was in her house and had her pinned against the wall. Silvius was astounded by his actions. Everyone always praised him for his level headedness. It was one of the reasons he was chosen for this mission, his ability to focus on the task at hand was often joked about, but revered all the same. He instantly regretted his actions when he noticed the look of fear on Maria’s face. He had scared her and that was not his intention. His grip loosened and he opened his mouth to tell her that he meant no harm when she moved. She swung making contact with his temple with her fist, momentarily dazing him. He released her completely and she took full advantage stomping on his instep and dropping to the floor to scurry out of the way.

Silvius groaned and forced the pain to the back of his mind while he grabbed her, taking her to the floor, supine. He straddled her, effectively winding his legs around hers and pinning her hands to the floor in his own. Maria’s labored breathing caused her lush breasts to brush against his chest, ensuring that his cock swelled in readiness. She continued to fight, a wildness creeping into her eyes. “Maria,” he crooned.

Maria stopped struggling and looked up, tears flowing down her cheeks, her bottom lip trembling enticing him to take a nibble. “I didn’t tell them anything. I swear.” Her confession tumbled from her lips in a rush, the fear still making her eyes shine wildly. He moved to hold her wrists in one hand and moved his other to gently cup her cheek keeping her eyes focused on him.

“Maria, we know. I know you didn’t. Please don’t fear me,
mea.
I would never hurt you. No one would have hurt you even if you had told our secrets. We are going to reveal all, but we agreed not now.”

“Then, what are you doing here?”

“I felt as if something was wrong. When you were moving so hurriedly, I became worried so I came to see what was wrong.”

Maria blushed a becoming rose color as she realized their position. Silvius couldn’t help himself and he kissed her on the mouth, his tongue delving into the moist depths of her mouth. She became pliant, her body arching into his, a silent plea for more. But they needed to talk. He had to know why she had become so afraid that they would harm her. Maria moaned as he pulled away, his body protesting the action. He got up and helped Maria to her feet before leading her to the bed and placing her in his lap. She protested attempting to get up, but he held her firmly until she settled in his lap, her head resting against his shoulder. The small sigh that escaped her made him smile. At least she was content enough to be held by him despite her protests.

“What made you think someone was going to harm you?” He asked after a few blissful moments. She stiffened and he felt her need to avoid answering the question. “Answer me, Maria.”

Whether it was his firm voice or the relief of being able to confide in someone, he didn’t know and in the end he truly did not care. “When I didn’t have more to report to my superiors, they became suspicious. I decided to take some time off. I told them I was going to visit family, but I don’t know. I didn’t expect to see you and then there you were. I thought you had decided to hurt me for telling your secrets. I didn’t though. I couldn’t tell them in good conscience something that I believe you should tell yourselves.”

“Maria, we would never harm you for doing your job. I apologize for scaring you, but I became alarmed when you acted out of character. So, do you need help packing? I could always come with you.” Silvius held his breath as he waited for her answer, hoping she would agree, but he didn’t get the chance to hear it when his communicator beeped. “Hold on, that is the emergency beep,” He said as he answered the call. Maria watched him with curiosity, her eyes losing the wildness and gaining the keen intelligence that he had come to love.

Secundus was on the other line letting him know that everyone was needed to help find Ember. Her ex-mate had taken her and Ceylon was beside himself with worry. Knowing that if something similar ever happened to Maria he would want everyone to help look for her, he agreed. It didn’t stop him from being disappointed that he had to leave Maria.

“What is it?” Maria’s face was full of curiosity, her eyes alight with something akin to intrigue. He kissed her on the nose and set her on the bed beside him before standing.

“Ember’s ex-mate has kidnapped her and Ceylon needs help finding her.”

“Maybe you should call the cops. I don’t think it will help your cause if your people become vigilantes.”

Silvius smiled down at her and took her by the hand pulling her up and against him. “Don’t worry
mea
. We have used all the proper channels, but Ceylon wants us to search also. I need to help him. Will you wait for me to return?” Her eyes widened at his request, but she nodded. His heart soared and he captured her lips one more time. “I will be back, soon.”

Maria nodded and followed him to the door. Offering him a small smile, she said “Be careful.” He nodded and walked toward the place he had hid the transporter, her taste still tantalizing his senses.

***

Ceylon reviewed the surveillance feed and was enraged. Ember’s abuse by Landon was unacceptable. The Earth authorities stated that they would look into the situation, but that Ember wasn’t a missing person unless she had been missing for twenty-four hours. In twenty-four hours Ember could have faced unimaginable abuses or worse she could be dead. Silvius walked into the room, his face a mask of worry. He had told Ceylon about his meeting with Maria. Ceylon hated that Maria felt the need to leave town because of their secret, but couldn’t think of a solution when Ember wasn’t by his side. Ceylon vowed to find a solution to keep Maria from being in trouble wither superiors after Ember was safe in his arms.

“What is the plan?” Ceylon turned to Silvius, his mind in complete chaos.

“I’m really not sure where to start. I mean, if it were Salin we would be in our element, but this is Earth,” Ceylon said, his exasperation coming through with every word. Silvius nodded thoughtfully, as if he were weighing his next words carefully.

“I have an idea, but it will require contacting a friend of mine on another ship. Will you accept that?”

Ceylon nodded knowing that involving other diplomatic teams would raise many questions and possibly place barriers in his way of finding Ember. But Ceylon had to try, his very soul was crying out for Ember’s safe return.

Silvius punched something into the monitor and a few moments later a dark red male’s face appeared, his hair almost white was held back at his neck in a queue, and his eyes were an eerie light blue, so pale his pupil was nearly the only thing you could see besides the whites of his eyes. Ceylon knew those features marked him as a tracker. He was a large male with bulging muscles. His mouth curved into a smile as he looked over at Silvius. “Good day, Silvius. What can I help you with?”

“Good day, Dais. I need you help finding an Earth female named Ember. She is Ceylon’s mate. Would you be able to help?” Dais looked at Ceylon; his pale blue eyes seemed to disappear as his pupils dilated.

“No one beyond your shipmates knows that she is your mate.” It was a statement and not a question, Ceylon nodded in agreement anyways. “Why have you not told her that you have claimed her? That I don’t understand. If she is so important that you would claim her, why would she not know?”

Ceylon felt the heat crawl up his face. This male was more than just a tracker, and if Ceylon didn’t know any better he would say that he was also a seer of souls, but males were almost never trackers, let alone a seer of souls. “I claimed her in the heat of the moment and haven’t got around to discussing it with her. I hope that she will be pleased, but there is a part of me that wonders if she feels for me as I do her. I cannot lose her. I’m not sure I would survive, so I am fearful.”

Dais nodded at his answer, as if he was testing Ceylon and he had just passed the test. “Ceylon, I will help you find your mate. I know how important it is to keep the other diplomats from this, so I will do this without their knowledge. I don’t think you realized what a big deal it was to share the medical scanner technology with Earth when it hadn’t been discussed at length. I am among the few who believe it was a good move, one that will help us in the end. However, like I said I am one of few, therefore we will not speak of this again.”

“Thank you Dais, and though we may not speak of this again, if ever you need something, I will be there.” Ceylon waited impatiently for Dais to work, what seemed like hours were only minute as he closed his eyes, searching for Ceylon’s beloved. When he opened his eyes, the pupil had overtaken his eyes, making them black. He pushed a few buttons on the console and pointed to the location on the map.

“I have sent the proper coordinates. It is an older earth dwelling known as a farm house. It appears to have been abandoned after the deaths of the inhabitants, but those inhabitants were the parents of the Earth male known as Landon. Ember is there.”

“Let’s go, Silvius. I have to ensure that she is okay.” Ceylon turned to stalk from the room, but Dais wasn’t finished.

“You must tell her before it is too late.” Ceylon nodded, agreeing that it would be for the best to know how she felt about him, once and for all. But first he had to get her back and somehow keep from killing that bastard ex-mate of hers in the process. He was sure that the Earth’s authorities wouldn’t be happy about an alien killing an Earthling.

***

Maria watched as Silvius walked away, her heart beating in her chest. She smiled to herself and placed her fingers on her lips that were still tingling from his kisses. A large burden and fear had been lifted from her shoulders. She hadn’t believed that he cared anything for her. After her night with him she had been appalled with her behavior. She wasn’t one to fall into bed with a stranger, and although she felt and undeniable connection to Silvius, he was still a stranger. Not only had she made love to him, but she had done so without thought of protection. She was glad that she was on birth control, even though she had no reason to be on it.

But what if he is only using you to be sure you don’t talk?
Her subconscious piped up, instilling doubt within her. Maria let out a sigh. Silvius hadn’t told her that he loved her, only volunteered to go with her to see her family, something that would keep her close and under his watchful eye.
He is a stranger
, she thought,
one that I don’t know. Can I honestly be sure that he doesn’t have an ulterior motive, like keeping me silent? Am I to be used, just like last time?

The truth was that he hadn’t said anything to her to make her think otherwise. Her chest ached with the knowledge that she may be just a pawn in a bigger piece of the Salinian’s plans. She picked her phone up from the bedside table, her eyes burning with unshed tears waited for someone to answer.

“Hola.” Her knees gave out on her and she sat on the bed, instant relief at hearing her abuela’s voice.

“Hola, Abuelita. It’s me, Maria.”