This isn’t a movie, stupid. There’s no script here, no happy ending. Wake up.
She could hardly believe it when actual words spilled from her lips. Scripted lines after all, spoken a hundred times before. “Why are you doing this? Why are you attacking us?”
“We followed a man we wished to capture to this place. We had no idea there was a colony here.”
No men lived on Europa. Supply ships came and went once a month, delivering goods and mail without interaction with the nuns or aspirants. “A man? What man?”
The scary alien who’d torn Tina from her fellow aspirants answered, his voice so deep she expected it to vibrate the floor. “General Hamilton came here.”
Understanding swept over Tina. Cassidy Hamilton’s grandfather, an important military leader in the fight against Kalquor, had visited the convent before. Cassidy was always moody after seeing her sole remaining relative. It was no wonder; he’d stuck her on Europa without giving her a choice. Much as Tina’s father had done. Though Cassidy hadn’t said much about him, Tina got the feeling her fellow aspirant loathed the man.
“Did you catch him?”
The nicer alien kneeling before her nodded. “We did. Our mission was a success.”
“Then why don’t you leave?” Tina wondered at her own temerity to ask such a provocative question. Sister Bernadette would be proud.
“We, uh, had new tasks to accomplish once we discovered this place.” Uneasiness flitted over his otherwise warm demeanor.
The third man, who’d been quiet through the entire exchange, set down the small bin he’d carried to the room. He knelt before her too. “Tina—hello. I’m Imdiko Yorso. I’m sorry we had to meet under such upsetting circumstances.”
The cute alien with the large eyes. He radiated sympathetic compassion, which counted for far more than his pleasing features.
Pleasing? He’s much more than that. A naughty, knowing voice whispered in the back of her mind. She refused to acknowledge it, or the ticklish feeling deep within.
She did allow the hope that dared to make an appearance. Handsome men kneeling before her, asking her forgiveness. Smiling at her. Well, except for Four-Bars, the strong, silent beast. He stood behind them, waiting. Watching her with that stare that made her feel undressed.
Maybe if I get them to like me, they’ll keep treating me well. Sugar and spice and everything nice.
It was easy to slip into pleasing mode. The instinct fit like an old, comfortable shoe. “You understand I’m not important to this place, right? I’m only an aspirant. Not even that for much longer.” Rejected despite an eagerness to satisfy those with the power to choose her fate. Making others happy had worked no better on Europa than in her father’s household.
“I think you’re important. A young, beautiful woman, well-liked by those in charge. I’ve seen your records.”
“Why’d you look at those, uh, Emeego?” She stumbled over the part of his name she remembered.
He chuckled. “This floor is hard. I’m sure if I knelt on your rug it would be better, but maybe you won’t mind me sitting on your bed?” He did so and gazed up at her with that disarming friendliness. “Imdiko is my breed. Translated into your language, it means caregiver. My name is Yorso.”
“I’m sorry.”
“No problem. As for why I read your convent records, it was necessary for us to learn about those who live here. Sit with me.” He patted the mattress.
Tina imagined doing so, close enough that they’d touch. Her stomach fluttered.
“Tina, it’s okay. Please sit?”
Survival was all about keeping those who had control over her life happy. Apparently, these three Kalquorians were the authority to bow to for the moment. Yorso was so nice. Polite. He showed no sign of being inappropriate.
It couldn’t hurt to do as he said. And if he decided to put his arm around her? If he hugged her? If he…
Tina almost went to him, but imagining Sister Bernadette set her straight. She went to the end of the cot, as far from him as she could, before sinking down on the edge. She glanced at the other two. Big and Scary but Fascinating was still big and scary, his expression as unreadable as ever. What would it take to impress him? The other Kalquorian remained on his knee, as friendly as before, but watchful.
His smile never faltered, but he somehow managed to appear gloomier as she gazed at him. “Am I that frightening?”
“Not as much as him.” She darted a glance at the Kalquorian with the biggest muscles, hoping she hadn’t made a mistake by noting how intimidating she found him.
His startled expression was a revelation. As was the flush of embarrassment. The handsome brute possessed feelings after all.
The others chuckled, though Yorso narrowed his eyes at their companion. “Osopa’s not as bad as you think. He’s ticklish behind the knees.”
The big man’s mouth opened and shut. He scowled at Yorso, for an instant turning ferocious. The next moment, a reluctant smile flitted, turning him only slightly scary and remarkably attractive. The kneeling alien laughed outright at him.
Yorso winked at Tina. “Osopa’s of the warrior breed, so he’s supposed to look intimidating. At least, when he’s on duty?” He gave Osopa a significant stare.
Tina watched in wonder as the warrior struggled to appear pleasant. “It wasn’t my intention to frighten you, Matara. In fact, it was the last thing I wished to do, but—well, was there any way of taking you from the others that wouldn’t have scared you?”
Tina felt a note of pity for his doleful appeal. “I suppose not.”
The still unidentified Kalquorian crooked a brow at Osopa. “You might have told her you meant no harm. You could at least have apologized for doing what you had to.”
Before he could respond, Yorso told Tina, “Nobeks aren’t known for comfort. Ours in particular has to be reminded to display his kinder side.”
The scowl was back, and Tina shivered as a delicious nervousness trickled down her spine. As it wormed its way to other places. She clenched her thighs together. Osopa was intense.
“I had a duty to extract her without harm coming to her or others. Appearing firm and in control accomplished that.” He colored, in distress again as he gazed at her. “But yes, I’m sorry this has upset you. Terrorizing females isn’t a Nobek’s way.”
“Nobeks?”
The kneeling man said, “There are three male breeds for Kalquorian. Osopa is a Nobek, or the protector, of our clan. I’m Tukui. My breed is Dramok.”
“The clan leader,” Yorso explained.
“Oh.” It was information, but unhelpful.
After a few seconds of silence, during which they all glanced at each other as if unsure of what to do next, scary-but-ticklish Osopa said, “I thought you might like to gather your belongings before you leave. That’s why we brought you here.”
Dread awoke. “Leave? Where am I going?”
They exchanged glances again, a fresh tension weighting the air. Tukui’s smile was strained as he scooted closer to her. “Tina, do you know why there’s a war between Earth and Kalquor?”
“You kidnapped Earther women. You took them to your planet to—so they would—” Her voice failed.