Etterian battleship Gladio

Comms Room

12254 Years, Two weeks later

"Xan, congratulations," Malo said, adding sincerity to his voice.

He was pleased that another male had found his Dar Eth. And judging by the footage he'd seen of Xan's Quinlan seizing the Yithian slave ship; this supreme commander had truly been blessed with a warrior female. Malo hadn't considered what he'd have liked in a Dar Eth. To dwell on it when it wasn't possible was foolhardy. If she was an awe-inspiring assassin that could kill him in his sleep...he'd be grateful.

"I assume you wish to speak to my Quin?" Xan growled.

"Who wishes to speak to me?" The human female who stepped into the display vid snatched Malo's breath.

She was exquisite with golden-yellow hair and two different eye colors; one was green, the other gray. Alodon's balls. He'd seen on the footage the various shapes and sizes of the human females, but nothing compared to the full-colored reality before him. Then again, he'd seen Lady Jack in the arena footage, and she had sunlit hair with bright blue eyes. Lady Ava's image had struck a chord with many a male. Never had a creature appeared more enticing. The Yithians who'd abducted her had assumed she was an Etterian half-breed based on her black hair and green eyes. They'd attired her in gossamer fabric strips that left nothing to the imagination. Malo had pitied her Eth, Kanzo, who now had to live with the knowledge that every Etterian male and most of the galaxy had seen his Dar Eth so exposed.

"Greetings, milady," Malo said, his voice firm. "I was told to contact you regarding Joshua Guardian."

"His name is Joshua Bennett. It might be easier to find him that way. I sent him a message and told him to expect your request for assistance." While she spoke, Malo nodded as if she held all of his attention. When in fact she did, but not by her words. He marveled at how this tiny creature had taken a slave ship then killed Prince Yada. He wasn't surprised King Urio was pushing for war. He believed the Etterians had killed his son. It was better he believed so for Earth would not withstand a war with Yithia.

"And if he is reluctant to assist?" In other words, would Malo need to use coercion?

"Mention an intergalactic war, he'll assist."

Malo watched when she curled into Xan's side, as if the male lacked the wherewithal to stand on his own. Oriana did the same. It was a strange mannerism, yet it appealed to Malo on a basic level. Xan wrapped an arm around her, tugging her close to him.

"But I warn you, Malo, some of my guardians might volunteer. They take protecting Earth quite seriously."

Malo bowed his head. "Any assistance would be appreciated, milady."

"Call me Quin." She pressed a hand to Xan's chest.

Malo studied its placement for a moment. These humans were demonstrative. He wasn't certain how he'd feel to have a female take such liberties with his person. "Thank you, Quin, for taking the time to speak to me." Politeness cost him nothing.

~*~

E.S.A. (Earth Space Association)

Engineering Building

Carrying seventeen coffees, Caro stumbled into the steel and glass building. The staff at the Coffee Den knew her well, ensuring she had a sturdy cardboard tray on which to balance their hot and heavenly creations. The barista on duty had given her a worried look, which had more to do with Caro's appearance than her ability to carry that many cups.

The black stiletto heels weren't the best choice she could've made under the circumstances, but she'd broken her therapeutics this morning and hadn't had a chance to shop for a new pair. The heels were a gift from an ex-lover, Gary. Holy noodle, was it six years ago? And I've never worn them, not even for what he'd intended.

She blushed at the direction her thoughts had taken, admitting if only to herself, that she'd been tempted. But the moment she'd slipped into them with nothing else on and the waiting pair of hand cuffs on his bed, she'd run like the chicken she was. Doing that with him had seemed wrong somehow.

Here she was, single at thirty-nine and in killer heels—because they were killing her. She snickered. And she was running late for work, normal for her, though. Not that anyone monitored her, especially since she was always doing the coffee run. She glanced at the silver-gray pencil skirt that reached past her knees and hugged her wide hips. But her white blouse was a little too snug, since she'd had to borrow Izzy's. Caro burned her last shirt this morning while ironing it and reading an email from Chief Dee.

"Damned men. Think I need to drop to my knees and serve them. How fast and hard would you like it, sir?" she muttered, nudging yet another security door open. "I'm getting screwed daily and harder than a rocking chair too." She continued to grumble while balancing the seventeen coffees like a professional. "Oh, Ms. Masterson, don't forget the coffee," she mimicked in a fake baritone, ignoring her hair cascading around her and obscuring her vision.

Her hair tie had snapped after she'd managed to get the coffee out of her car—without spilling a drop, she might add. "Freakin' assholes. Won't even offer to help me. I'm an astrophysicist, able to do complex calculations but no, have a vagina, must get coffee. Four, please," she asked whoever had gotten into the elevator with her.

Only shoes filled her vision—brown corporate and the other pair military, by the look of them. Chunky too, as if at any moment he might have to walk the outside of a spaceship. She chuckled at her fanciful thoughts. He was probably a biker or one of those trendy uber-sexual men who thought wearing military boots with his suit gave him style. Those boots were huge though, and large feet meant only one thing.

Not that she had the courage to glance up. A tremble took hold of her hands at the thought of meeting his gaze. She gasped, fighting to steady her grip on the tray. Besides, she was a firm believer that if she removed her focus from the coffee cups, she'd spill them. A watched cup never messes—that was her new motto. Coward.

She narrowed her eyes, trying to remember if she'd messed up the order. Instead of beverages, she should be focusing on her application to use E.S.A.'s space telescope, and she hadn't even finished the draft due tomorrow. She had a PhD in Applied Mechanics, but did that mean anything? "Damned neanderthals," she muttered. "How deep do you want it?" An arm held the elevator open for her, and she thanked the person without glancing up. Her gaze remained fixed on the tray of coffee when she rushed forward.

"Finally, Ms. Masterson. It seems you can't even do this efficiently." Chief Engineer Douche held his arms out wide as if he were a god.

She peeked at him, pure hatred rising and churning within her. Intense heat gripped her chest and narrowing her vision. He's such a dick. Her heart pounded in her ears. She squeezed her eyes shut, willing her breathing to calm.

"That is unacceptable behavior, Duncan. I won't speak about this again. This is your final warning."

Caro squeaked and closed her eyes in mortification. Had she mumbled to herself with Director Reyes in the elevator with her? She ran through what she'd said, and her face tingled with the enormity of her circumstances. And for him to defend me in front of everyone? Douche will make my life a living hell for this.

"Caro, you will never get coffee again. And see me if he, in any way, makes you feel uncomfortable."

Her head shot up at his words. She gaped at Reyes, who stood to the right of her. The florescent lights caught his gray hair coiffed to the side and in that moment, he was her guardian angel in a crisp suit.

She ducked her head. Had she spoken aloud again? How did he know Douche would continue to bully her at every opportunity? Reyes took the large tray from her and placed it on a nearby credenza. The tingling on her cheeks had yet to subside.

"Now, gather around," he said to the command center in general. "I'd like to introduce you to our intergalactic visitor from the planet Etteria, Engineer Malo et Dalo."

Monkey's bananas. She gasped and faced the stranger, her mortification now at epic levels. Could a blackhole just swallow her, please? But then it would swallow the planet, so technically... She was getting side-tracked. When her gaze traveled from those military-booted feet, up his well-defined muscled calves and thighs encased in a black fabric that looked bullet-proof, up his barreled armor-encased chest and bare bronzed arms to meet his gaze, she released a throaty sigh. Here was a fine example of a man, even if he was an alien.

Sadness tugged her lips down. She'd have liked to see his eyes behind his sunglasses. His black hair was braided at the nape of his neck, falling to his boot heels. It didn't detract from his masculinity. He had a squarish face with defined edges she wished she could trail her fingers along. His jawline was angular and his forehead wide. His sharp nose was long, and his wide flat lips appeared soft enough to nibble on. His bronze skin shimmered, like it had been coated in body glitter. His bold-and-black, S-shaped eyebrows rose above his sunglasses in query at her ogling. She froze, shivers rippling over her skin. Had he watched her drool over him?

But, monkey's bananas, he's beautiful.

Her nipples pebbled—the sensation noticeable to an abstaining Caro. Her panties drenched in seconds, forcing her to clench her thighs together as a wave of need uncoiled. His nostrils flared as if he could smell her desire. She shuddered at the thought. If he could, she was in a heap of trouble. Lest she embarrassed herself further, she barreled past him with a mumbled excuse, escaping into the elevator. Only once the doors closed did she release a breathless whimper.

Can I move to Etteria? She giggled as relief, excitement, and lust bubbled through her. Wait till Izzy hears about this.

~*~

Planet Earth

E.S.A. (Earth Space Association)

Engineering Building

Malo fought a smile and listened with his enhanced hearing to the human female's mutterings. His constant irritation had worsened this morning, patience and tolerance almost non-existent. Until her rasping voice and nonsensical words reached him. While he waited for security access with Director Reyes, Malo had searched the floor to locate her.

Maker. His breath hitched at the sight of her. If all human females were like this, he would, in truth, enjoy his off-time hunting his Dar-Eth. Gray-encased hips and thighs moved with determination across the smooth flooring. Her straight dark-brown hair cascaded around her face, hiding her features. Her white tunic couldn't hope to contain those bountiful breasts for long. Etterian females didn't look like ripe juicy fruit. Their females were thinner, curvier, but strong, having suffered through similar physical training.

This human female was lush, like a fresh perske. Inhaling, he drew in her unique scent, sweet and elusive. He frowned when his mouth watered—a reaction he hadn't experienced before, as if he hungered.

He had researched Earth's history and watched a few of their archaic mating vids. Judging by what she said, he understood when she 'offered' to serve these males. The idea of her doing that to him, her mouth anywhere on his body, made his blood rush. It wasn't a reaction he expected when no reaction was preferable.

He scowled. Etterians were non-emotional. But within minutes, she'd drawn forth smiles and frowns. Perhaps it was something in the environment? He made a note to analyze it again later. When they entered the elevator with her, she continued to mutter. Director Reyes had smiled, though Malo was certain the elderly male couldn't hear her words.

And being in such proximity with her spicy, fruity scent, had brought Malo's temperature up a few degrees. He adjusted his armor to compensate. It was designed to regulate his temperature, to keep it at a constant, no matter the environment he was in, but it was malfunctioning. He followed her, drowning in her scent, wishing he could trap it within his lungs. His fingers twitched with the longing to run his hands over her backside, to trace the indent of her waist, and to bury his fingers in her hair.

He blinked in a daze at the disparaging words said by a human male. The way he'd insulted her tainted Malo's vision red. Unexpected anger welled within him, strong and demanding. Had he been wearing his shoulder daggers, the human male would have died.

The haze in Malo's vision froze his movements. Such intense emotion only occurred amid a battle or while performing a hazardous task. Yet it demanded he react, drove him to lose his control.

Until she faced him. Her chin tilted up caught his attention, calmed his anger. Her hair spun around her like the tail of a celestial body, riveting to behold. He felt her gaze traveling up the length of him to his jaw as if her hands caressed him. When she stared at his viz-wear, a white-hot pleasurable torment lanced through him. His fingers fisted when his knees weakened, threatening to drop him to a knee. He struggled to control his breathing, enduring vision after vision of her spread before him.

His malehood buried deep within her softness. Her cheeks a pale pink. Her lips parted in ecstasy. Her plump and ripe breasts beneath his hands. Her channel wrapped around him—hot, tight, so good. He felt her silky skin against his, tasted the salty-sweet flavor of her nipples, and scented her rich, intoxicating arousal. All this clamped his teeth down hard on his bottom lip to still the groan that threatened to shred his throat. He welcomed the self-inflicted pain, praying to the Maker that it would help him retain his dignity.

To test his control further with her standing before him, the scent of her arousal hit him. He thrust out a hand to stop his descent. He squeezed his stinging eyes shut and missed her leaving. For a moment, he imagined her scented warmth brushed past him.

With a patience he envied, Director Reyes waited for Malo to indicate he was ready. He knew not how long it had taken him to resist hunting her down, to throw her over his shoulder as Dalo would've done. Maker. He fought the shudder that threatened to course through his body. Fought the elation that rose within him.

He had found his Dar Eth, his salvation. The heat centering at his arousal had him adjusting his armor's temperature control again. He was desperate for some assistance. Alodon's hell. Why was this not documented? Why were males not informed of the Ethera's effects? Though how he could've anticipated them, he didn't know. Encountering her had been unexpected. It wasn't something he could've prepared for. And if there was one thing he excelled in, it was preparation. He hated improvisation on a task when planning and prudence would ensure the best outcome.

She had shifted his focus, making him the worst warrior for this task Prince Enyl had set before him. Malo would inform his prince at the first opportunity. He gritted his teeth and went through the motions of meeting the human staff. With each human male, his patience thinned, and by the time he'd met the male who'd chastised her, his tolerance had evaporated.

"Disrespect my female again and you will beg for death." He'd whispered it in Etterian, not wanting to jeopardize this task but needing to vent his fury. With a glower, he closed the distance between him and the male... Duncan. "I have the poison in mind for one so unworthy as you."

The male's eyes widened, and the sour tang of fear filled the air.

Grunting, Malo faced Director Reyes. "Enough," he commanded in Earth English.

"My office?" The older male's eyes twinkled before he gestured to the elevator.

Malo didn't appreciate the male's amusement, not when unsatisfied vengeance consumed his thoughts. He strode there, desperate for a moment's peace. The farther they traveled away from Duncan, the more his anger calmed. On the top level, Reyes escorted Malo into a glass-walled office. He approached the windows to admire the white fluffy clouds floating across the pale blue sky. His sharp gaze focused on the white vapor as it morphed and molded itself according to the wind's influence. It was entrancing. His stance was that of a warrior—widespread legs, hands clasped behind his back while he kept himself immobile, attempting to regain his sanity. Neither males knew how close Malo had come to killing Duncan.

"She's beautiful, isn't she?" Director Reyes asked.

At the unexpected subject, Malo faced the male, who had closed off the glass for privacy. Malo removed his viz-wear, meeting Director Reyes's gaze with unwavering directness.

The human male studied Malo in return. "I understand it's a surprise when you first meet your Dar Eth?"

Malo remained silent, raising a brow in query. If he knew about the Ethera, then Princess Oriana did trust him. "How do you know—?"

"Ori was most informative about Etteria's need for women." Director Reyes pointed to a chair, but Malo ignored him. "Judging by how well you hid your reaction, you are wiry, perhaps an unusual trait for an engineer?"

His gaze hardened at Director Reyes's implication. "All Etterians are trained in accordance with our lore as dictated by our lima kuu or great teachers."

"Even engineers, I suppose." The male's tone indicated he didn't believe him.

Malo shrugged, unable to control what Director Reyes believed without his virak of poisons.

"Let's be honest with each other, Malo. I despise duplicity. We need technology that will clean our seas and skies, heal the sick and dying, feed the hungry. I don't care what the powers-that-be want. This is what I need you to put on the table."

Malo blinked—the best response Director Reyes was going to get.

"Since we have Fusion Pulse, what else could they ask for? In exchange, we can set up some sort of registry, offering all men and women the chance for a space life on one of Etteria's many habitable planets...or as a Dar Eth."

Malo folded his arms across his chest. "This is acceptable."

"I'm not an idiot, Malo. Does Prince Enyl not trust us?"

"Princess Oriana suggested caution. My prince listens to her since she is his Dar Eth and a human," Malo said, not knowing the full extent of Director Reyes's relationship with Oriana. Her ethnicity shouldn't remain secret for long. It was wiser to inform the male of said fact.

"Ah, now I see," Director Reyes chuckled. "The little minx didn't mention she's married to the prince. It is wise to be cautious. Some men seek power above life. I want resolution to problems that have plagued this planet for centuries."

"I will convey your request to my prince. Why did Princess Oriana contact you and not your commanders?" Malo loomed. It was a skill that took years to master. Without moving, he made his presence known—a subtle squaring of his shoulders, leaning his head forward, bringing his arms to the front as if prepared to battle, and shifting his feet as if to pounce. While he made these movements, his skin would reflect the light and highlight his tensed muscles. "Do you have the authority to negotiate with Etteria? If you have wasted my time, Director Reyes..."

"I doubt meeting your Dar Eth is a waste of your time." The male grinned.

It wasn't a reaction Malo valued. It showed a marked lack of fear and respect. Had he lost the ability to loom? His brow furrowed. He sharpened his hearing to listen to Director Reyes's heartbeat and found it steady. Alodon's balls, I am losing my skills.

"I knew her uncles." Director Reyes folded his arms across his chest. "Do you have the authority as an engineer?"

"Yes," Malo snapped.

Director Reyes unfolded his arms and smiled. "Ori believes I will be more receptive to your...needs."

Malo gritted his teeth. Princess Oriana could have forewarned him. Not having all the information lowered the task's chance of success. "And are you? I would prefer not to distrust you, Director Reyes. Distrust would be an unpleasant experience for you."

"Aha. I knew it. You are no more an engineer than I'm a scientist." The elderly male was far too pleased for Malo's liking. Yet while he watched him now energized by this confirmation, he realized that Director Reyes would indeed be an ally. There was kindness around his mouth and wisdom in his eyes.

"I will not reveal my official title, Director Reyes. However, what I conveyed regarding our lima kuu is correct. We train our males in all aspects of Etterian life. If negotiations are not successful, the king will send more males. They are better and more powerful than I. The full might of Etteria has not been revealed to humans."

"I'm well aware of the might of Etteria." Director Reyes spread across the table a few images of the battleship Gladio and others, including Yithian slave ships. "This is why I have been given the authority to deal, Malo." He tapped the images. "E.S.A. monitors, manages, and approves all space travel. We have noted an increase in traffic. Unrecognizable ships and massive battleships make us nervous."

"These are not ours." Malo swiped aside images of the Yithians' presence. "The size of our ships should prove we can defend as well as annihilate. Hence the urgency to negotiate. Along with access to your females, we require one other thing." Malo splayed his fingers on the desk, keeping his gaze focused on the male. "A submarine."

"A sub? Why ever would you need—?" Director Reyes spluttered but halted at the look Malo leveled upon him.

"If I may continue," he said. "An intergalactic war is imminent with Earth at the center of it."

"War?" Director Reyes sank into his chair, his face pale.

Malo nodded, pleased that his character assessment was accurate. At least he hadn't lost that skill, yet.

"Yithians are kidnapping females from your blue planet." He tapped the images of their ships. "We have rescued these females. It is due to one of these altercations that we now find ourselves having to defend Earth and Etteria. Do not be alarmed, Director Reyes. Etteria is more than capable of doing so. The issue lies with Yithia. They hide themselves underwater, and our weaponry does not penetrate deep enough nor with accuracy to make any impact."

Director Reyes gathered the closest image of a Yithian slave ship and studied it. "A sub is a vague request. We have many types. I will need specifics."

"Of this I am aware," Malo said, having read through the information King Xeus and Adviser Cales had commed him. "A sub and a crew, with stealth and accurate torpedoes. Our males would not fit in your underwater ships which is why the request. We need time to construct and test submarines large enough for our dimensions. I have been tasked to speak to Joshua Bennett, who is currently testing navigation systems in your Pacific Ocean."

"Let me see what I can do, Malo." Director Reyes tidied his desk and stacked the images in front of him.

"This would be appreciated."

"I need to take this to the powers-that-be. Though E.S.A. manages space, the women you need requires more than my approval. I think discussions are done...for now." The male's smile was genuine when he pressed a button on a white device. "Lisa, please get me Caro."

At the sound of her name, Malo's fingers twitched. He clamped down the movement, not willing to reveal how she affected him nor reveal a weakness.

"You need a guide for the duration of your stay, of course."

"Thank you," Malo said with a politeness he didn't feel. That Director Reyes had thought to summon her pleased him. He didn't have to search the building for her. Not that he doubted he'd have found her. Yet had he needed to search for her, he'd have disrupted the operational staff and undermined the purpose of his presence.

"The ancient Greeks called love 'madness of the gods.'"

"Love?" Malo frowned. The word didn't exist in his world. He understood the concept but hadn't experienced such an emotion which their annals purported to be volatile, overpowering, and painful.

"Yes. It is an uncontrollable craving to touch and taste her, to inhale the essence that is her, and protect her with your every breath." The haunting pain that crossed Director Reyes's eyes caught Malo unawares. The sadness held an intensity he wouldn't have recognized had the male not mentioned it. It seemed as if Director Reyes had experienced this love. They were so emotional, this species.

"You have lost such a love?" Malo's tone was as gentle as he could make it.

"Yes, and if you feel such as this for Caro..."

"Etterians do not feel." Malo kept his voice devoid of emotion to prove it. To feel is to fail.

"Yes, until your Dar Eth makes you feel." Director Reyes chuckled. "And you, my son, are feeling."

Malo scowled, wondering how the male could see his inner turmoil? Perhaps the male wasn't who he said he was? As Malo masqueraded as an engineer, perhaps Reyes masqueraded as a director?

He pursed his lips. How had the male known about the Ethera? How much had Princess Oriana revealed? "I assume this was in the introductory profile. Under pairings?"

To which Director Reyes smiled. "Nothing was documented, Malo, just a discussion between old friends." The male settled back in his chair, placed his elbows on the armrests, and steepled his fingers.

Author's Note: Shadow Forged is now published and is available on most ebook sites. Own it! 

https://books2read.com/u/bPNd8j