Chapter Four

Orix looked up as the door to the office he was using at the consulate chimed before opening with a hydraulic hiss. He was expecting a lunch tray, but the delivery person was a surprise. He couldn’t completely rein in the idiotic grin that wanted to take over his face when Mac walked into the room, a metal tray in her hand. “I wasn’t expecting to see you.”

She grinned as she sauntered over to him, placing his tray in front of him with neat precision before leaning against the edge of the desk, propping her hip against the frame. “I know, but I was visiting Rebecca when she was preparing your tray, so I volunteered to deliver it.”

He ignored the food in favor of putting his arm around her and pulling Mac onto his lap. Orix inhaled her intoxicating scent for a moment before his lips found hers, and he moaned his satisfaction in the kiss. They had seen each other only briefly during the last three days, but he hoped to remedy that later this evening, when they were both scheduled to have free time.

When she pulled away, she looked concerned. “You feel tense.” She kneaded his shoulders with her delicate hands for emphasis, and he groaned at the pleasure that shot through him. “Is there anything I can help with?”

He hesitated for a moment, and then shook his head with regret. “No, I don’t think so. You don’t read the language, and it would take the computer too long to translate. I can go through the files myself by then.”

She glanced over at his desk, where he had left open his data pad with the current file he was reviewing. She seemed to regard it with interest, but also confusion, since it was written in the Dazon language. “What is it?”

“I’m reviewing the files of every soldier who defected with the armada.”

She looked at him, her eyes wide with surprise. “That’s hundreds of thousands of files. What are you looking for?”

“I’m not entirely sure. Just anything that seems out of place. It would be easier if I knew the soldiers personally, but I have only their service records to work with in most cases.”

“Are you looking for a traitor?”

He nodded. “Dr. Wy has determined the retrovirus has adapted to become airborne, but he believes the remaining parts per billion are so minimal that they couldn’t have possibly been the source of infection for the president’s daughter. He isn’t certain though and can’t reach a firm conclusion.”

She nibbled on her lower lip as her fingers dug more deeply into his shoulders, a reaction of which she seemed unaware. “That brings you back to the theory of a traitor then?”

He nodded once. “It’s the most logical explanation. There are few Dazon mingling among Earth society at this point, at least openly and without their disguises, so it stands to reason she was exposed here at the consulate. It seems most likely that one of my troops was responsible for exposing Jordan Saunders.”

Her expression softened, and she leaned closer to hug him. “It might just as easily be someone else who was already here at the consulate, someone who wasn’t given the option to return to Dazonia Major before the weapon deployed. You can’t blame yourself for what happened, even if it is one of your people—which we haven’t proven yet.”

He smiled slightly, liking her use of the word we, but finding little comfort in her words. From a technical standpoint, he couldn’t have vetted every person who had decided to defect, since it had been mostly word-of-mouth and a quiet endeavor, in order to keep the emperor ignorant to their plans as long as possible.

From a personal viewpoint, he still felt responsible if it was one of his people, someone he had brought to the consulate, and someone he couldn’t trust. The idea that there might be a traitor embedded in the armada under his control didn’t sit well with him. “Nonetheless, I still have to review the files, even if there isn’t a traitor, or he isn’t one of my people directly. It’s a good idea to know who’s here at the consulate, or at least in the ships orbiting the Moon.”

She nodded her understanding, and then did something surprising. She slid off his lap even as her thumb disengage the button to make his suit disappear. He let out a gruff growling sound, trying to dissuade her, but his heart wasn’t in it. He was curious to see what his mate had planned, and a quick flick of the button at the control panel on his desk locked the door, restricting entry without his permission. Since he was using a public office space at the consulate, he’d had no occasion to lock the door before now, but this seemed like the right time.

“I have an idea how to help you relax.” She spoke the words mischievously, with her lips twitching before a delighted giggle escaped her. She clamped a hand over her mouth a moment later, looking embarrassed by the sound that had escaped her, though he found it charming.

“What do you have planned to help me relax, Mac?”

She settled on her knees in the space between his chair and the desk, giving him an enigmatic grin, though her intent was obvious, especially when her small hand closed around his large shaft, directing the smooth cylindrical shape toward her mouth. His fingers tightened on the arms of his office chair at the first touch of her mouth against him. When she took him inside, he moaned and bucked his hips, unable to rein in the reaction. For one blind moment, he was tempted to just drive in mindlessly, but he held himself in check. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt her or frighten her, and if he took control, he might do both.

Instead, through gritted teeth, he endured her gentle exploration that slowly deepened, her mouth tightening around him as she took in more of his length. She flicked her tongue across the slit in the tip, and then probed carefully in the same area, as though trying to coax every drop of arousal from him. He was happy to supply it, though it was a special kind of torture to endure the pleasure of her mouth at such a maddeningly slow pace.

She massaged and stroked him with her mouth and tongue, soon bringing Orix to the edge of completion. His fingers were digging so hard into the chair that he was surprised the plastic hadn’t snapped off in his hands. When she concentrated all her attention on the tip of his shaft, he let out a small, hoarse cry as he spilled his seed inside her mouth.

Afterward, she remained seated on the floor for a moment on her knees, her gaze sparkling with pleasure. He was eager to reciprocate and give her pleasure, and even more eager to fully join with his mate, so the chime of his communicator was an unwelcome distraction. With a soft groan, he reengaged his suit and offered her a hand to help her to her feet before pressing the button on his communication device that activated the large screen in front of him.

A moment later, all irritation fled as he recognized the person contacting him. Kible Del was his contact on the other side, still embedded with the main part of the armada that remained under Emperor Aryk’s command. He wasn’t certain about Kible’s loyalties, at least when it came to the Emperor, but he was certain the younger man would remember he owed Orix a blood debt. “I’ve been trying to reach you. Are you safe?”

Kible glanced over his shoulder for a moment, either as a precaution or an ingrained gesture, before leaning closer to the screen. “Yes, I’m safe. How are you, General?”

“Fine for now.” He kept it brief, not wanting to reveal too much in case Kible had been compromised or allowed his honor to be tarnished and let Aryk manipulate him into using the blood debt as a way to gather information. Much as Orix was doing himself, he thought with a hint of discomfort. He hoped he wouldn’t have to mention the blood debt, since Kible should be keenly aware of the fact he wouldn’t be alive if it hadn’t been for Orix. “Do you know what the emperor plans?”

Kible hesitated, looking torn. “He’s placed me as second-in-command of the fleet, General.”

Orix sighed softly, recognizing the position in which he put his friend. Revealing information to Orix could harm the safety of the men directly under his command. “I see. Congratulations on your promotion,” he said with only a hint of irony.

Kible’s lips twisted for a moment, and then he shrugged. “I can’t tell you much, but I do know the emperor plans an assault and retrieval mission. We’ve cautioned him that going up against your fleet will cause a large number of casualties on both sides and could potentially destroy the resources we’re trying to cultivate—”

“Earth women aren’t resources to cultivate,” broke in Mac, sounding offended.

Orix put a hand on her shoulder, trying to transmit without words that he wished for her to be quiet for a moment. He couldn’t and wouldn’t demand she do so, but he hoped she would understand the importance of the negotiation he was undertaking. He let out a small sigh of relief when her shoulders relaxed a moment later, and she turned away from the screen, clearly deciding it was easier to ignore what she heard if she didn’t have to see the speaker.

He returned his attention to Kible, whose lips were pursed in disapproval. He ignored the other man’s ire. “Do you know when the attack will come?”

Kible hesitated for another moment before he said, “The date is not definitive. It depends on an event occurring at your end first. What that event is, I can’t tell you.”

Orix’s eyes narrowed at the careful wording. “You can’t tell me because you don’t know, or because you don’t want to reveal that information?”

The other man ignored his question. “I wish you well, General, but we’re on opposite sides of this matter, and I consider the blood debt settled. Don’t contact me again.” With those words, the screen went black, and the connection to Kible was lost.

As soon as Kible disappeared, Mac turned back to face him, and her expression was filled with fear. “What did he mean by something had to happen on our end?”

Orix shook his head. “I’m not certain, but I need to relay this information to the commander and Ms. Saunders. She’s back to full duty, and she’ll want to hear what Kible said.”

She looked crestfallen for a moment. “Does that mean we need to cancel our plans tonight?” Hastily, she held up a hand, looking faintly guilty. “I understand if we do. Believe me, I understand the importance. I’ll just be disappointed, that’s all.”

He placed his hands on her shoulders and bent low enough to press a kiss to her forehead. He was afraid to do anything more, lest he give in to the temptation of exploring her body rather than fulfilling his duty. “I won’t make a promise I can’t keep, but I intend to join you this evening as planned. If I’m unable to, I’ll let you know.”

She nodded her head, looking satisfied with his answer, though her disappointment was still obvious. He hoped to erase that disappointment by keeping their appointed meeting time, but first, duty beckoned.

She didn’t have to be asked to leave, and he appreciated her sensitivity and discretion as she excused herself from his office a moment later, leaving behind the untouched lunch tray. He inhaled a couple of bites while contacting the commander and Ms. Saunders, ensuring they were both free to meet in ten minutes in the conference room. Once he disconnected with them, he ate his lunch in a hurry before leaving his office to join them. They all arrived about the same time, and he quickly shared what he had learned from Kible Del.

“What does that mean?” asked Jordan Saunders.

“I’m not certain.” He realized it was almost the same conversation he’d had with Mac, which made him think of her. He had to force his attention back to the task in front of him, though it was difficult when his mind would rather savor the memory of Mac’s mouth around his erection and anticipate what the evening might bring.

“We should be on red-alert at all times,” said Sash.

“Agreed,” said Orix. “I’ve been going through the files, looking for anyone who stands out as suspicious, but I’ve had little luck. I would suggest you do the same for your people here at the consulate, Commander. It’s most logical that the traitor is someone new, someone who came along with the rest of the armada, but it’s feasible they didn’t act until the newcomers arrived as a means to deflect suspicion from themselves. We should cover all bases.”

Jordan frowned at them. “You have proof there’s a traitor?”

“There’s no proof yet, Ms. Saunders, but I think it’s prudent to act as if we do have a traitor in our midst. Kible’s words suggest to me that someone on our side is orchestrating a plan against us before Emperor Aryk deploys the remains of the armada to attack Earth and collect the women. I think that’s clearly his intent, since Kible mentioned cultivating the resources.”

The young woman shook her head, looking bewildered. “How does he propose to kidnap almost four billion women?”

Orix shrugged. “I’m not sure. I imagine he’ll plan to do it in stages, taking the healthiest women first, or perhaps he’ll go geographically. He expects little resistance from the armada here at the consulate, so he’s likely planning a long-term invasion and harvest operation. It could be the only answer, since he’ll require multiple ships to transport the women, and none of our folding ships are large enough to accommodate anywhere close to the number of women who will be prime targets for harvesting—those of reproductive age who haven’t succumbed to ROMKS yet, and who aren’t on the brink of death. It’s just a guess, but I would expect it to take a year or more to remove every woman from Earth.”

Sash looked angry, his shoulders a straight, flat line, and a glare distorting his features. “If he thinks he can just roll over us, he’s wrong. We’re the only thing standing between the emperor and his plans.”

Orix nodded, sharing his friend’s opinion. They were vastly outnumbered, but they were motivated to at least prevent Aryk from seizing the planet and setting up a long-term process for removing the Earth women. It would be a difficult fight, but it wouldn’t be an easy victory for Aryk. He would ensure that.

Mac hadn’t been certain Orix would show, and when he arrived a couple of hours late, he looked so tired that she almost suggested he forget their night’s plans and go back to his ship to rest. She wasn’t quite that selfless though, and she pulled him across the entryway and into her arms with an enthusiastic kiss.

Perhaps she could find a way to ease his tension again, along the lines of their earlier encounter. She wasn’t certain where the bravery had come from earlier, or the urge to act. She’d simply surrendered to it. It had been the first time she’d done such a thing for a man, and it had surprised her how enjoyable the process was. His flavor was unique, so sweet as to border on the edge of bitterness, but she had quickly adapted. Now, she found herself craving more.

She soon discovered she wouldn’t have an opportunity this evening though. There was a single-minded determination to Orix’s gaze, coupled with his almost efficient way of lifting her into his arms and carrying her to her bedroom. He stripped her clothes with the same kind of careful precision, as though approaching it like a military operation.

Considering how orchestrated it was, it was still plenty arousing. She was damp with need, and her heart pounded when he lifted her into his arms and placed her onto the bed. A second later, he joined her after making his suit disappear. She reached for him as his arms encompassed her, and they shared a deep kiss that progressed no farther for several minutes. They were content to savor each other.

Slowly, their need grew, and their touches took on an urgent edge. She gasped when his mouth drifted lower, his lips wrapped around her nipple to tug gently before he sucked the bud into his mouth. He circled her nipple with his tongue as one of his hands slid between her legs to test her wetness.

Her folds were dripping, and she was ready for her lover to become her lover in every sense of the word. Mac spread her thighs as wide as she could in an unspoken invitation for him to join with her.

A moment later, he lifted his head from her breast, but didn’t move his hand from between her legs. He used it to guide his shaft inside her, moving carefully so as not to hurt her. She braced herself for a sharp pain that never came—perhaps because of her age, or possibly because losing her virginity was never going to be that painful to start with.

She didn’t know, and she soon lost the ability to think about it or really care as she sank into the Orix’s loving embrace. Their thrusts started slowly, with a careful edge, but soon increased as their urgency built. She wrapped her thighs around his waist, anchoring him against her as she dug her fingernails into his buttocks in an attempt to draw him in deeper still.

As they hovered on the edge of climax, she realized they hadn’t bothered with protection. They hadn’t discussed having a family, but it seemed like a foregone conclusion for both of them. His race was dying out, and she would cherish any children of her own as much as she cherished the ones in her care. She didn’t bother to ask if they were on the same page, because she knew instinctively they were.

A moment later, her sheath tightened around him, spurring his own climax, and they clung to each other as they found release, Orix whispering her name several times. She was beyond even that simple action. All she could do was cling to him as she rode through the storm of completion to the blissful aftermath.

Afterward, they lay in each other’s arms, and though she didn’t want to fall asleep just yet, because she wanted to savor the closeness between them, she couldn’t fight the heavy feeling in her eyes. A few seconds later, her eyelashes drifted downward, her eyelids closed, and she slept deeply.