Mated (The Sandaki Book 1) (6 page)

“Go right,” Garja said, when they came to the next corridor.

Dutifully, Laira followed directions, and a door opened as they approached. The women found themselves in another corridor, and Laira took it. She didn’t know where they were anyway, so what the hell? Maybe they would be lucky and find a cache of clothing along with a ship with instructions. Yeah, and maybe the Silarin would apologize, kiss her ass, and worship her as the supreme goddess she so obviously was. She rolled her eyes and started down the corridor again with the small parade following.

A door slid open, and Laira poked her head in. A large room with many tables met her gaze. One wall was clear and afforded a view out into space. Laira could see a gigantic black ship. Slowly, she walked into the room, stunned at the size of the vessel—at least, what she could see of it. It reminded her of the scene at the beginning of
Star Wars
, but this was very, very real.

“Oh my,” Isha said, stepping up beside her.

Laira looked around, thinking maybe they could hide. She dismissed the idea since there was no way someone wouldn’t see them. They resembled a troupe of strippers, so they weren’t exactly blending. Besides, if the vehicle outside the window was that large it had to have tons of people on it.

A bright flash of light nearly blinded her, and their craft rocked violently, throwing all of them to the floor. Someone was definitely getting serious about wanting in. She crossed her fingers and hoped no one would blow a hole in the side of the vessel. The day would get infinitely worse if they were sucked out into space. She didn’t think being able to hold their breath would do them much good. She picked herself up off the floor, turning to find the others doing the same. They had to get the hell out of here.

“Let’s go,” Garja said. “We can’t stay.”

“Where to?” Laira asked her.

The other woman went to the door and glanced out. Laira watched her carefully and noticed Garja’s hair moved as if in a slight breeze. What the hell?

Laira walked up to her. “Is your hair telling us what to do?”

Garja laughed. “No, it…gathers information from the environment for me. This is how I overhear conversations.”

“That is fucking cool.”

Garja beamed. “Thank you. I am checking to make sure we don’t run into anyone, but it is becoming harder.”

“I’ll take point since I have the weapon. You just tell me what direction to go.”

The little parade moved quickly out of the room and down a corridor. As they came to a corner, Laira stopped, but before Garja could say anything, a group of Silarin were on them. Laira engaged the stick and shocked two of the gray aliens as the women began to retreat. While the Silarin scrambled to help their companions, Laira grabbed Isha’s hand and tugged her along. The alarm, which had been going constantly, began to sound more urgently as the lights in the hall dimmed. Laira picked up the pace. Was the increase in intensity about them? Were they now being hunted by the Silarin? She still wasn’t sure where she was going but figured hurrying might be a positive. A million different ideas ran through her mind. She knew the Silarin were fucks so maybe they should find the people attacking them. If they were the Sandaki, as everyone thought, would they be much better?

Trust for Laira was something someone had to work to earn. She certainly didn’t give it lightly. No matter where her mind turned, none of the ideas appealed. The Silarin were the enemy in her book, and she didn’t know about the other side. Someone famous once said the enemy of my enemy is my friend, she wondered if that was really true. Shit, her head ached from worrying.

As the group of women rounded a corner, they discovered they were no longer alone. A huge man strapped into some type of neck-to-foot black armor faced them. He had to be close to six-three with shoulders wide enough to block out the dim light from the corridor behind him. His dark hair brushed his shoulders and hung loose, but for one braid, which held some type of fancy bead. His eyes were almond shaped and slightly tilted, his cheekbones high and prominent, and he had an oddly flattened nose. He reminded Laira of something or someone she’d seen before; what she couldn’t be sure. She just knew his face was familiar. As much as he’d startled her, it wasn’t equal to what he must be feeling upon seeing them. Over thirty women dressed identically, looking like a traveling show. He stared at them, surprise evident on his face.

He opened his mouth, baring fangs, and let loose a cry that sent terror through the group. All the women screamed and scattered in every direction, any thought of cohesive order gone. Laira, Chal, Garja and Isha ran full out as they heard the man behind them yelling. Laira really didn’t want to wait around to figure out what he was saying. The only thing she knew for sure was that the Sandaki, if that’s what he was, were definitely as scary as everyone had been saying. She also knew deep in her gut that running wouldn’t do them much good. These people would catch them and probably kill them. The thought added a burst of speed as she raced up and down corridors, brushing past Silarin running and screaming in the other direction.

Rounding a corner, she plowed right into something hard and unyielding. She bounced back and fell to the floor, dropping her weapon. Looking up, she found another black clad warrior; this one though was even bigger than the last and way more intimidating. He was nearly seven-foot with thick, dark brown hair that fell nearly to his waist. It was loose except for a handful of braids decorated with brightly colored gemstone beads. Starting at his right brow and curving around to his cheekbone was an intricate tattoo that emphasized his odd topaz eyes. Full lips pulled back in a growl to reveal long canines. Big cat, the voice in her head said. The Sandaki reminded her of tigers or lions back on Earth.

Once she identified the resemblance, Laira couldn’t take her eyes from him, feeling as if he were hypnotizing her in some way. He raised his head, and his nostrils flared as he sniffed the air, seeming to scent her. He dropped his gaze until he could capture hers. In a split second, something passed between them, and he began to stalk her. His steps broke the spell, and she rolled to her feet and ran. In that moment, she realized she was alone. She and the girls must have gotten separated; fuck, she couldn’t leave without them. A roar sounded behind her, which caused her to move faster. The sound sent shockwaves through her system, and her pussy flooded until she could feel moisture run down her thighs. Fuck, she wanted to stop and let this…man have her. Any way, he wanted, anywhere he wanted. The need in her forced her legs faster. She knew he was behind her. She could sense him almost breathing down her neck.

She stayed focused on putting one foot in front of the next. If she let her thoughts stray to her body’s reaction to him, she was sure she would fall flat on her face. She didn’t understand what was happening. Obviously, it was nothing good. The Silarin had obviously fucked up, once again. There was no way she should want to drop to the floor and let this thing catch her, but she did. She also knew deep in her gut he stalked her and she was even more certain that when he caught her she would change even more than she already had. Part of her still really desired to stop and let him have her, the other half knew she had to keep running. Running was important. The chase was important.

She dodged through doorways and down corridors, skimming past Silarin and maybe even other Sandaki, though she wasn’t sure. All her focus was on running. No one stopped her, no one touched her, and she supposed it was due to the male hot on her heels but didn’t stop to ask. Laira darted through a partially open door into a short corridor and discovered it was a dead end. She didn’t allow herself to panic. Instead she sprinted to the only door and scuttled through it as it opened. The room she found herself in was fairly large and filled with a multitude of odd sized metal cubes. She squeezed through them and crouched low to hide. She knew this wasn’t the best solution, but it was the only plan she had right now. She held her breath, half-hoping he wouldn’t find her, but the biggest part of her so wanted him to rip the room apart for her. She made a face. What the fuck? Why would he? No matter what species he was, he was beautiful. She imagined he had a whole harem of women just waiting for him. The idea made her stomach sink and roll. Shit, she was certifiable. What did it matter if the guy had one woman or a million? He was Sandaki, and that was bad.

Maybe he wanted to kill her. The thought rolled in and out as her very soul rejected the idea. No, he didn’t want to kill her. She knew he wouldn’t hurt her. And if someone were to ask her how she knew, she’d have no explanation. Something in her gut told her, whatever else this being was, he wasn’t a physical danger to her.

Laira froze when she heard the door slide open, but nothing else. She eased out just enough to see and found him standing in the doorway. If he wanted a quick fuck, she imagined he could go anywhere. There had to be other women running around he could grab. The whole thought of him being with someone else made fury rise up inside. What was wrong with her? What did she care who or what he fucked? She didn’t; she couldn’t. There was no explanation, other than she was finally cracking up. That had to be the reason. She’d been in this place too long. Whatever grasp on reality she’d had was slowly slipping away.

The silence of the space was unnerving, she knew he hunted. Hunted for her. She wondered if she should take the chance of peeking again. She weighed her options and decided she had to do it. If he wasn’t there, then she had to get out so she could find Isha and the rest of the girls. She eased up to look around the containers she hid behind. She didn’t see anyone, but still felt as if he shared the room with her. Keeping low, Laira began to move through the warren of cartons toward the door. She took an indirect route, not wanting to accidentally stumble out into the open. Still, she saw nothing.

Laira froze as goose bumps rushed over her shoulders and arms. She blinked, realizing she had never once thought to check above her. Slowly, she looked up to find the huge warrior standing on top of a large stack of crates. The image of a huge jungle cat watching prey slammed into her head. His deep topaz eyes darkened as she retreated. As he leaped, she turned and ran. She rounded boxes and discovered the warrior blocked the doorway, fangs bared.

Laira thought she should be frightened as she had been earlier. Instead, she was even more turned on by him. She feinted to the right, looking for an opportunity to move around him, but he closed the distance between them. He flung his head back and let loose an ominous growling roar. The beads in his hair clacked and danced. Laira so wanted to touch them, to feel them move over her naked flesh. She shivered. He grunted, and the armor he wore began to recede from his body, until all he had on was a black bodysuit.

She stared captivated by just how big he was. She shook herself, refusing to give up. She tried to dodge around him, but he caught her in his arms. She kicked out at him and he easily sidestepped her strike. He drove her down to the floor on her knees as he positioned his body behind her. Rationally, she knew she should be fighting him, but the urge to have him mount her, master her was almost overwhelming. He grasped her hands in one of his, forcing her upper body to the floor, effectively ending any notion of escape.

The sensation of being held captive, open to this male’s every whim and desire, made her shiver with longing. She wanted him to fill her, to force himself inside her, imprint himself on her soul. She rested her head on the floor, knowing the skimpy outfit she wore was more of an invitation than anything she could have said or done.

He shifted behind her, forcing his large body closer to her. Unconsciously, Laira moved to accommodate him. She lifted her ass, feeling a hint of shame, but wasn’t able to stop herself. He slid his hand over her pussy and rubbed the sopping flesh between her thighs. She shuddered. He growled and the sound reverberated through her.

She heard the sound of cloth ripping and he leaned over her to clamp his teeth on her shoulder. He thrust his cock deep into her needy flesh. He was huge, that was the only word Laira could use to describe him. He stretched and filled her until she was overwhelmed. Tears welled in her eyes as pleasure and pain danced together, driving a scream from her mouth. He began to shove himself like a piston within her, and she could do nothing but throw herself back to meet him. She heard their flesh slap together in long, wet pulls as orgasm after orgasm rushed through her body. He shoved hard one last time then began to spasm and come. He unclamped his teeth from her shoulder and let out a screaming cry as he continued to drive himself into her.

Laira slumped under him, gasping to catch her breath. He wrapped his arms around her, and he began to lick the wounds he’d made with his teeth. It was comforting, and she tilted her head to give him better access. Small shocks danced through her system every time his tongue moved over her flesh. She idly wondered what it would feel like if he lapped her pussy. She shivered at the thought.

He sat up and pulled his still hard cock from her body. She moaned at the loss, feeling empty and adrift without him covering her. Shoving the thoughts aside, she forced herself to sit back and turn to look at him. He was just as stunning as when she’d first seen him in the hall, maybe even more so now he had intimate knowledge of her body. Unfortunately, she didn’t even know his name.

He grunted and the black armor oozed back over him, but he never took his golden eyes from her. Laira wondered if he was just going to stare then walk away. Probably. Men, no matter where they were from, were major dickheads. And if he did, why should she even give a shit? Hell, he’d practically raped her. Yeah, and if anyone believed that, then they would certainly believe she was a guest of the Silarin and not a prisoner. She turned away from him to look at her own nearly naked body. She clenched her thighs together as both of their juices slicked her inner thighs. Her emotions were a jumble; the only thing she was sure of was wanting to be fucked again. The need was like a beast that rode her hard and wouldn’t let her go.