The Stars For Valentine’s Day (The Journeyman's Way) Read online

  The doors opened to the medical lab and Saber handed him a vial. “This was not a simlone, but a vatacore.” Saber pointed to parts of their female’s body. Scars now covered her soft skin, which should have healed without scarring. “Bane needs be informed of this and the possibility of the creature being released on Earth. It would soon cover a landmass, left unchecked. It also means we are going to be staying here a bit longer until we make sure everything is back to normal.”

  Her little whimper drew them closer to the table. Knight was thankful Saber had placed her on the padded table. Saber pulled the thick, warm blanket over her tiny, naked form as Knight brushed her hair away from her face and watched her eyes flutter and then open.

  “Hello, Shantel Brooks. Welcome to our ship. Are you still in pain?” Knight asked.

  “You’re not human are you? All of this is real isn’t it?” she murmured.

  “No, we’re not human, and, yes, this is all real. I can promise you this, Shantel. You will always be safe with us and never want for anything. I am called Knight Rouge, and I’m in charge of this unit. One of my partners there”—he nodded to Saber—“is called Saber Rougereaper. We are what you on your world would call police, sheriffs. But when we are called in, there is no prison for the ones we hunt, only a death sentence. The tribop who attacked you is one we seek now.”

  She scrunched up her face and went to lift her arm. A groan slipped out and she lay back down.

  “What’s wrong? Where does it hurt?” Saber ran his hand up and down the limb. “It’s not broken.”

  “I’m just stiff from being tied, I guess,” she said carefully, pulling away from him. A cloud passed her features and her brow furrowed. “Why did you call me bearer o—

  “Bearer of our children? Because you are. The fates granted us our wish. I hate to upset you, but I must tell you that the binding that held you earlier was not the one we believed it to be. The one used on you was much more deadly. You will carry its mark upon your fine skin. Not to worry, though. We will find this tribop and dispose of him.”

  “What the hell was, is this tribop?” Shantel pushed up on her elbows. Knight reached over to help her, but she shook her head. “I can do this. Please explain. Start with this ‘bearer of your children’ nonsense.”

  “What is there to explain?” Saber said. “You will live with us and carry our children for us. Wanting for nothing, of course.”

  Shantel turned her attention on the striped man and stared at him, a stunned expression marring her stunned. “I’d live with you, children?”

  Knight slowly entered her mind and frowned at her thoughts.

  How do I always end up in trouble. I am going to have myself committed if this is a dream. But looking around this place—it’s no dream, but nothing I’ve ever seen before.

  “You are not in trouble with us, Shantel. I know this is all different, but we promise you will be happy with us.” Knight clenched his fists at his sides to keep from touching her and frightening her further.

  Saber brushed a chunk of dead vine away from the table and onto the floor where one of the man-bots would dispose of it. “As soon as it’s safe, we’ll take you to your new home. You’ll have whatever humans need and more. You can change anything you don’t like.” At once their woman took a defensive body posture.

  Sitting fully up now, she glared at him and then at Saber. “You think I’m going to carry your children, let alone move away from everything I know? I don’t think so. I will only have children with someone I love.”

  Knight held back a smile. Saber scooted a stool over and sat, covering her small fingers with his and sat down. “And what makes you think you won’t love us?” Saber rubbed his cheek on the back of her hand, starting the scenting process already.

  “Because you are his partner.” She went to pull back, but he held tight. “I won’t come between you two.”

  Knight couldn’t hold back his laugh. Even Saber smiled. “Our sweet little human. You will not come between us. Well, you will eventually be physically between us while we are loving you.” Knight leaned down and placed a kiss on the side of her neck. “But do not worry, our little human. We have read up on all the different loving styles.” Knight tapped her nose and pointed to Saber.

  “I might be the leader of our unit, but Saber is what you would call a very dominant lover in our chamber unless Raven chooses to join us. Already Saber is scenting you, claiming you as his, and you are ours.” He traced a finger over the scar that ran over the top of her breasts. “No one touches you and hurts you without paying for it, but the tribop’s crimes go further than this, I’m afraid.”

  “Wait, what? You want me? Both of you want me?” Her voice squeaked. “But you’re...and I’m...no there has to be some kind of mistake. How do you know this?”

  “There is no mistake, and there are three of us. Where we come from, when one is in the proximity of his bonded partner, that person scent drives them into a heated frenzy. He needs to find him or her because only touching eases this heat. Soon your body will carry our scents. There is no mistake.” Knight placed his dark hand on her creamy-white shoulder and squeezed.

  “I have to make a call to our leader. Would you like to see some of the ship?” Knight asked. A tour would allow all of the information they gave her to soak in and a chance to get to know them.

  She nodded. “Question. If that thing can appear in my room, can that thing come here?” She shivered. Both he and Saber surrounded her with their arms, hugging her and kissing her, wanting to reassure her that she was safe.

  “No! Anyone who tries to enter this ship without our approval will be disintegrated on the spot. This is our second home. We travel much. You are safe here, we promise, Shantel.”

  The shaking stopped and she took a deep breath. “Can I go back? I need my coffee. Do you even have coffee? What do you eat? What about my books, the Internet?”

  “Stop!” Raven came into the room and went right to Shantel. “She’s getting hysterical.”

  ***

  Shantel was barely holding onto her sanity when the door opens and the tallest man-robot came into the room ordering her and the others to stop.

  “I’m not hysterical. Even if I was, I have a damn good reason to be. Who the hell are you?” She pulled the blanket tighter around her aching everywhere. “I need my ibuprofen,” she grumbled and inched away from him.

  The man grinned down at her. “I’m called Raven Wind, your third man.”

  “No.” She shook her head once more, determined to sit up. A shot of pain sent her backwards again onto the table. “Damn it!” Shantel sucked in her breath, working the pain away. “Fuck, that hurt!” She gritted her teeth.

  “What else hurts, tell me?” Saber gently pried the blanket away from her and worked his warm, fur-covered fingers up her stomach. She drew away from his touch, but regretted it when once more her breath was sucked away.

  “Did you fall when the vines wrapped around you?” He picked up a gadget and ran it over her. “I should have done this before, but I was so furious we didn’t get to you in time. Now, hold still and let me see what the problem is.”

  “Broken rib or ribs most likely. I’ve had them before.” She grunted and reached for the covers. Both Knight and Raven stared at her as Saber ran the tests, making her feel a little exposed. Knight shook his head and took the blanket away.

  “No, he needs to check you out. If you are cold I will turn up the temperature.” Knight frowned.

  “Don’t worry about it, I’ve already taken care of it. The whole ship will be warm soon. We must not forget she is much more fragile than what we are used to,” the machine-man said, running his metal-skin hand over the top of her head. “But so much more beautiful.”

  “Me, beautiful?” Shantel shook her head. “You haven’t seen many humans then,” she mumbled, earning growls from all of them.

  Saber gently pushed down on her sore side, which had her flinching
and wanting to move away. Forgetting the kind words.

  “How did you get this? It’s not from the binding? You have two broken bones and this bruise.” His finger was rough, but soft against the tender spot.

  She took a deep breath and blew it out. “After tying me up, he kicked me a few times and pinched my skin. If you hadn’t come when you did…. She stopped and closed her eyes, they had saved her life. “I think he was going to take a piece of my skin off to eat.” She shivered and the handsome cat-man moved over to another counter. He lifted an instrument with some kind of long, thick needle. She didn’t mind shots. But that thing was not going anywhere near her body.

  “What the hell are you going to do with that?” She tried once more to move off the table and almost fell off of it. If it wasn’t for Knight’s quick response, she would have. But in grabbing her, they both jarred her ribs. “This totally sucks,” she cried.

  “Easy, Shantel. All he wants to do is heal you.” Raven leaned down and kissed the top of her head.

  Knight righted her on the table. “Don’t do that again.” He frowned at her. “Just because you’re hurt does not mean I won’t punish you later. I for one would rather give you pleasure this day,” he said leaning down inches from her face so his slightly upturned nose touched hers.

  He kissed her lightly on the lips, which distracted her from the needle until something cold slid across her stomach.

  “Don’t move. This will only take a minute. It will heat up and heal your bones.” Sure enough, as Saber spoke, the thing heated until it was almost too hot. “Only a few more seconds and we are done.” Saber took the device away, and she rubbed the spot where it had been.

  She tensed, expecting more agony, but when they helped her sit up nothing hurt anymore.

  “Wow, I could have used that thing a couple of years ago.” She smiled in relief.

  Knight frowned. “You were hurt before? How?” He and Raven helped her off the table, and she swayed, still weaker. Both men wrapped an arm around her, supporting her.

  “It was a long time ago. Let’s just say my taste in men is horrible. Weren’t we going to get me some clothes?” she asked.

  Saber shook his head. “No, you will not need them on the ship, and your taste in men just got better. Who is this man-human who hurt you? We will find him and take care of him.”

  She saw the deadly gleam in Saber’s eyes and knew he would, too.

  “No, he’s already in one of our prisons for something else. He can’t hurt anyone now, but thank you for offering.” She curled her toes and gave a little shiver. “Can I have my slippers? Your floor is cold and hard.”

  “These?” Raven lifted her big, red fluffy slippers and gave them to Knight. “We will have the floors in our quarters made softer, cozier for you.”

  “Yes, those are what I need.” She reached for them, but Knight shook his head and knelt down beside her. She braced herself with her hands on his shoulders while he lifted each foot and placed it in the slipper. He ran his fingers up and down her leg, casting her a devilish glance.

  Her nipples hardened and Shantel squirmed and took a step back, releasing her grip on Knight. She wobbled, but Saber was there to catch her. She trembled not believing what was happening. Her thighs became damp.

  “It’s okay,” Raven whispered. “Your body was made for us, and it’s reacting like it should.” He circled her nipple with his finger. “Beautiful.”

  Knight leaned closer and rubbed his cheek on her thigh right below her pussy. “Your scent of arousal draws us. I think we need to keep you excited all the time.” His gaze lifted to hers. “What do you think, Saber, Raven?” he asked but continued to stare at her. He slid his hand up her leg to cover her mound.

  They had her trapped between the three of them, excited, but a little scared.

  Saber reached from behind her and cupped her breasts. “I think you are right. I can’t wait to hear the noises she makes when her body explodes from our touch.” His voice dropped a few notches, awakening something deep inside her.

  A little whimper escaped her as they touched and explored her body.

  “I don’t know you,” she pleaded, not knowing if she begged for more or for them to leave her alone.

  “But weren’t you thinking earlier of having another one-night stand? Like that one so, so long ago.” Raven nipped her ear.

  A finger slid into her pussy, and her knees gave out, but they held her up. “We’ve got you, little human. Let go. Give yourself to us. We’ll show you what it’s like to be owned, cared for by three Journeymen.”

  Chapter Three

  Knight rose. He kissed her mound with its hair. Even though Saber had fur on his skin, he hated body hair that kept her from his view. They would see it removed soon.

  “I like having access to all of you, and this little hair is in my way. Come, Shantel. Let us show you the ship now.” Saber kissed her shoulder. “But know we will touch you often. Do you give yourself to us? Do you not feel the connection that grows between the four of us?” He bit down hard where her neck joined her shoulder. Soon she would have as many marks on her body as he and Raven did the first time Saber marked them.

  She reached for him, but he pinned her arms at her sides.

  “No, you will only touch when we allow it. Are you listening to your body, Shantel?” Knight slid his finger back inside her. “See the signs that you are to be with us? Your pussy quivers when we speak and releases its fluid for us.”

  “But a woman’s body does that when any man plays with her,” she sassed back.

  “No, little human. Tell me, have you ever been as wet as you are now? Can you see yourself with anyone else?” he growled.

  She smiled thinking of one man who’d had her blood boiling, but jerked when Raven captured her chin with his fingers.

  “That man you see in your head.” He shimmered and she blinked, but he suddenly resembled…someone else. She jerked away from them all.

  “What the hell?” She trembled. “If it was you, why didn’t you stay? Why did you leave me?” She was pissed off, but the hurt came racing back and she swallowed it down. “I called and searched for you.” Knight glared at Raven. “When the hell did this happen?”

  Raven sighed. “It was right after I was given the okay to join you. Before I could do that, her pain was so great, I had no choice but to go to her. I couldn’t leave her alone. I knew it wouldn’t be long before the fates pulled me back, away from her.” He shook his head and focused on Shantel. “I’m sorry, little one. All I wanted to do was help.”

  She considered his words, reflecting on that time. “You were right. It was the lowest time in my life. I wanted to die, but you came along and made feel beautiful….” She grinned and stepped up to him. “Even then you called me beautiful. You saved me that night. Thank you.” She lifted up on her toes to reach him, but Raven was too tall.

  Knight laughed and lifted her up high enough to wrap her arms around Raven’s neck. “Thank you,” she whispered again kissing Raven.

  “See, it was Raven that your body listened to. No one else.” He kissed the back of her neck.

  “The thought of someone else touching you is not a pleasant thought.” Raven lowered her to the floor. “Go on your sightseeing trip. I need to check on a few things.” He kissed the top of her head and nodded to the others then strode out.

  Knight and Saber each took one of her hands and squeezed. Once more they proceeded to lead her through their temporary living quarters, the ship. Even though they showed her what things were there, the little human was very aware of them. The three of them rubbed up against her, caressed her every chance they got, showing her how much she needed them.

  Knight watched her expression when they stepped into the main control room. She sucked in her breath and inched away from them, staring out at the stars. “We’re really in space?” Her voice held a trace of fear. They both moved to her side.

  “It’s nothing to
be afraid of. See over there to the right?” Knight pointed and she nodded. “That is your planet. We’re staying away from it till we hear from our supervisor.” Knight turned his chair around and sat down bringing her down onto his lap before he twirled in his seat. “Saber, call Bane and see what he wants us to do.”

  Saber turned to the communication board.

  “I have a life on Earth. I have friends and a job. Not to mention I had plans this week.” She squirmed on his lap as he turned to stare out at the stars. “Plus, we’re totally different. Are we even compatible?”

  Knight had known the questions would come, and he was ready. “Yes we are different, but we are very compatible.” He rubbed his hard voyflen against her butt. “This has been hard since we found you. We have packed your belongings. They are in the back of the ship. I personally wrote a letter to your friend Zandra, telling her what I could. I also sent her the box you had made for her.” She sat forward and turned to glare at him.

  “You had no right to do that. How did you know the box was for my friend? What if I had been married or been seeing someone? You can’t come into my life and tell me I’m going to be with you. In my world, this would be considered kidnapping.” She crossed her arms over her chest, which only lifted her breasts up showing them off.

  He licked his lips.

  “Stop it!” She jumped off his lap, glaring at him. “This is why I need clothes. You’re not listening to me. You’re staring at my boobs!” She stomped her foot, losing her slipper.

  Saber leaned forward, and Knight knew he was about to correct their woman. How would she react? “Tell me something, Shantel. Do you think that tribop would have fled any of your human officers? Remember, he can materialize anywhere you are except here on the ship. Are you certain he’d let you live if we sent you back?”

  Her bottom lip start to tremble and she clumsily dropped to sit on the floor, curled up to hide her nudity, her vulnerability. His heart ached for her. “Why? What did I do to draw this thing? He was going to eat me and not in a good way.” She hugged herself.