Reverse Abduction Read online

  The Attlus obviously had excellent seals and environmental controls because her ears didn’t plug with pressure. Her stomach didn’t drop out. The only way she knew they popped free of the atmosphere was because the slight trembling of the starship ceased. For a moment, gravity didn’t exist and she floated, the weightless feeling never failing to bring a smile to her lips. She could still recall her father leaving the gravity off on their trips that he might teach her how to coil her legs and push off using walls. “Weightless doesn’t mean useless.” All his lessons came with an expression. She memorized them all.

  Thump. The gravity module kicked in, and her buttocks hit the floor. Her breath whooshed out.

  She’d made it off planet.

  But it still wasn’t safe yet. They were still too close to Aressotle. Close enough that if her disappearance was noted, an armada might be sent to fetch her. Father had connections.

  Azteriya hunkered down in her secluded spot, nestled in her cloak. She shut her eyes and took some rest because, as her father had taught her, When on a mission, remember to sleep every chance you get. Fatigue could be a warrior’s greatest enemy.

  Her eyes shut, and she managed a decent nap before she heard it, the heavy tread of footsteps, boots on the perforated flooring.

  A glance at her wrist unit showed the elapsed time. By her calculations, they were almost far enough from her world for the super-dynamic gravitational drive to activate.

  So close to freedom, but the steps neared. Came toward her despite all her precautions.

  While still out of sight, a voice barked, deep and guttural.

  Her embedded translation unit gave the words meaning.

  “I know you’re there. Show yourself. Now!”

  Discovery meant no point in hiding. The moment to explain her intent had arrived. Azteriya stood tall and faced the pale and hairy creature confronting her.

  She let out an unwarrior-like screech.

  By all the moons of her planet, it was hideous!

  Two

  Of all the things Jedrek expected to find on board—a critter that hatched from one of the cargo containers, a ghost, which was more common than people knew—a woman, tall and shapely, her skin a vivid purple, her hair a shocking white and bound back in braids, wearing warrior leathers wasn’t on the list.

  It didn’t help she screamed at the sight of him and brandished a knife.

  “Foul creature, I shall dispatch you.”

  “Don’t you point that thing at me, woman!” he snapped. Nothing like having an attractive gal call you foul. He’d bathed recently; however, he might not have shaved in a while.

  “It speaks!” Such surprise in the tone.

  “Of course, it speaks. Not all of us are brain dead idiots.” Jedrek hoped his pointed glare let her know who he referred to.

  The knife lowered but remained unsheathed. “I was not aware the commander of this vessel kept a pet.”

  Did she seriously just say that? “Not a pet, princess. A person.”

  “Are you a mutant?”

  “No. I’m a human, from Earth. And enough of your questions. You’d better start explaining who you are and what you are doing on the Attlus.” And more importantly, where was her accomplice, because Jedrek was acquainted enough with the Kulin and their culture to know they kept their women secluded. It was one of the few civilizations that still treated them little better than chattel.

  So the knowledge discs claimed. They’d obviously never met this woman.

  Her chin tilted imperially. “I don’t answer to slaves. I will speak only to the commander.”

  “Not happening, princess. I’m not letting you anywhere near him until you tell me where your accomplice is hiding.”

  “I am alone.”

  “Bullshit.” The expletive, probably not easily translated, made her brow furrow.

  “I believe you are accusing me of lying. Yet, I speak the truth. I am alone. I give you my word as a warrior.”

  At the claim, Jedrek scoffed. “You’re a Kulin lady,”—known for their skills of manipulation behind the scenes—“not a warrior, and even if you were, your word means shit to me. I don’t know who you are—”

  “I am Azteriya Gaw’dessa, daughter of Zuz’eteran, known through the galaxy as the Punisher.”

  “Never heard of him, or you, nor do I care. You’re going back home.”

  For a moment, he thought she’d stomp her foot. “You cannot return me. I have a glorious destiny awaiting.”

  “I’m sure you do. But it won’t be on board this ship.” He jerked a thumb, gesturing for her to get moving. “March that purple butt out the door, princess. I am not starting a war with your planet because you’re having a hissy fit and want to piss off your parents.”

  “I am not a princess!” she stated, quite indignantly. “I am the—”

  “You already told me, and I still don’t care. As far as I’m concerned, you’re a hassle I don’t need.”

  She crossed her arms over a bosom impressively encased in molded black leather—a bosom with only two breasts. Interesting given most Kulin females sported three. It probably indicated some genetic mixing down the line.

  “I am done speaking with you.” Spoken with the imperial authority of a queen. “Take me to your commander.”

  He remained unimpressed. “The commander will tell you the same thing I just did.” With a few added choice words. “You’re going home.”

  “If what you claim is the truth, then he can tell me himself.”

  At her continued stubbornness, Jedrek sighed. “Why must you make this difficult?”

  “The only one being difficult is you, barbarian.” Her lip curled. “I begin to see now why your kind is considered of lower status. It would seem humans have difficulty in recognizing their betters and obeying orders.”

  He blinked at her, the arrogance in her statement stunning, and from such a beautiful woman. Yet, her attitude didn’t detract from her looks. He couldn’t help but admire them. How could he ignore the fine lines of her high cheekbones, the bright blueness of her eyes, the toned, yet slender muscle of her arms, the indent of her waist, flaring over narrow hips and her legs, long, lean, and encased in crisscrossing straps lined with sheathes.

  A good thing he stared. It meant he saw her foot rising to strike him.

  Oh hell no. He caught it and meant to toss her on her ass, except she moved and, somehow, he was the one flying.

  Crash. He hit a wall and slid down, narrowly missing burning himself on the hot coils of the magnetic gravity system. “Holy fuck, princess. What is wrong with you?”

  “I am perfect. You, on the other hand, have some evolving to do,” she shouted.

  “I need to evolve?” he sputtered. “You’re the one that just tossed me like a fucking ball.”

  “You attempted to touch me.”

  “Because you kicked me first.”

  “You deserved it.”

  “For what? Trying to evict a stowaway from the ship?”

  “I am not a stowaway. More like a surprise guest.”

  He leaned on his elbows, still splayed on the floor, and snorted. “You just defined intruder.”

  “Not for long. I am going to meet your commander, and he will gladly offer me a spot on this ship.”

  “Like fuck he will.”

  “You’ll see.” She sprinted away from him.

  Jedrek jumped to his feet, but she was out of sight, disobeying and escaping. But to go where? Princess was on a bloody ship in space.

  “Are you fucking kidding me? Get back here, goddammit!” His roots emerged in his speech, the words of Earth rising despite the two decades spent in space.

  The female didn’t reply. But he knew where she was going. To find the commander.

  He’d better make it there first. Good thing he knew a few short cuts. But just in case that wasn’t enough, Jedrek set off the intruder alert. He didn’t want the commander to get caught unaware.

  Three

 
The ugly human, with hair all over his face, one step above a beast, bellowed somewhere behind Azteriya.

  “Get your purple ass back here!” But the same way Azteriya didn’t obey the animals of her world, she ignored him.

  No one took his kind seriously. Humans were but infants when it came to galactic affairs. A protected species because they’d not yet achieved the kind of sentience and knowledge to truly explore the galaxies. Until that happened, they were considered off-limits.

  Yet, of late, she’d been seeing them more and more. Why, several Kulin warriors, including her childhood hero, Tren—greatest assassin ever!—had taken some as brides, their physiology compatible enough to create heirs. However, the females she’d seen were much more attractive, their skin smooth and hairless, unlike their males.

  The one she’d just met had a hairy face, and the short sleeves of his shirt showed equally hairy arms. It didn’t take much imagination to guess the fur covered a good portion of him. No wonder the females of Earth welcomed a pairing with a bold Kulin mercenary. Their bodies below the neck were hairless and smooth.

  Although, to give the human male some credit, at least he wasn’t puny-sized. He appeared taller than her by a few fingers, and heavy too. She’d wondered when he’d caught her foot if the trick her father taught would work with someone his size. She’d never managed it on her teacher.

  However, with the right momentum, size didn’t matter.

  The human stopped yelling, and she chanced a glance over her shoulder, expecting to see him bearing down on her, only he’d disappeared.

  Was he about to cut her off?

  She halted and looked, her gaze darting from side to side, attempting to catch a hint of motion. She strained to hear, but the hum of so many components would hide all but the heaviest of steps.

  She swept the room again. Nothing but machines, and too many hiding places.

  Let him hide. She was going to meet his commander and convince him that it was in his best interest to keep her on board. Maybe she’d offer to rid him of the vermin on his starship while she was at it.

  The map in her head of the vessel, hastily memorized once she hatched her plan, didn’t tell her where to find the commander. Would he be in his quarters located midlevel? The common area just down the hall from his room? Checking on his cargo perhaps on the topmost portion of the ship?

  Given the Attlus was still in Aressotle space, the most likely scenario put the commander in the bridge directing the ship.

  She’d start her search there.

  The size of the craft, built to accommodate its master of fifteen handspans, meant high ceilings, which, in turn, created echoes. Azteriya’s feet, while clad in a malleable hybrid leather synthetic, still slapped the tiled floors, the sound bouncing around.

  So much for stealth. Then again, her presence was known. That puling human probably gave warning to his master and then hid behind him.

  Never assume, the voice of her father reminded. Humans weren’t all benign. The scant details she had about them pegged them as a violent species, easy to provoke. On Earth, according to her Barbarian Civilization studies, the strong often prevailed to the detriment of the weak. Females, while given many rights equal to males, lost all protection and were often victims of violence.

  But at least they were allowed to wear trousers. Mother would have kept Azteriya in long skirts if she had her way. Never mind a revolution was happening on her planet with the skirts getting shorter, and some even stepping out in slacks.

  Azteriya was not allowed to follow fashion. It was her father who’d brought her back several warrior ensembles meant to accommodate her female figure and still allow proper movement in battle.

  After her mother burned the first set, Azteriya hid them better.

  Her progress to locate the bridge came to a skidding halt as a portal slammed shut in front of her. No amount of pounding it, or slapping the touch pad alongside, would open it.

  “I’ll wager that human is behind this.” He thought to trap her. He’d find she wasn’t easy to snare.

  She backtracked, opting for an alternative route, only to find herself stymied as the routes she wanted to take were blocked by sealed portals. Over and over she found herself blocked, herded away from her destination until she found herself trapped in a section of hallway.

  No access panel to escape. The touch screens ignoring her demand to open.

  He thinks he has bested me!

  She wouldn’t give in. The tip of her dagger pried at the edge of the panel for the door. Perhaps she could short the mechanism and force it open.

  A voice boomed, a mechanical rendition speaking her language. “You will cease your actions at once.”

  Forget finding the commander, he’d located her. She whirled, looking for the camera. When she found it, she planted her hands on her hips and faced it squarely.

  “I am Azteriya Gaw’dessa, daughter of Zuz’eteran, known through the galaxy as the Punisher.”

  “Apparently not a very good punisher given your flagrant disobedience.”

  “Who says I’m disobeying?”

  “The daughters of Kulin warriors do not leave Aressotle unattended.”

  Someone knew a bit about their culture. But she wouldn’t stop now. She couldn’t. “I am not like most daughters. I have a destiny.”

  “And that destiny involved stowing away on my ship?”

  “Because I wanted to petition the commander of this vessel to take me on as part of his crew.”

  At least he didn’t laugh. “I have no need of more crew members.”

  “You might wish to revise that. I’ve met your barbarian.”

  “The Earthling suits the needs of this ship.”

  “Humans are slow and ugly creatures. I am a warrior.”

  “You are female. The Kulin don’t let their females fight.”

  Her lips flattened. “An old tradition that needs to be eradicated.”

  “You think you are the one to effect change?” The tone was flat and yet the query curious.

  “All rebellions starts with one person.”

  “True, and yet you would drag me into your rebellion. I did not come to your planet to start an altercation.”

  “Are you admitting you fear defying my mother?” She arched a brow. “Because she is the one who will protest the most. My father is the one who trained me. Why else train me unless he meant for me to use my skills?”

  “Then have your father take you on his ship.”

  “He won’t. Mother forbade it.” For a moment, her lip jutted, and then she straightened and smoothed her expression. “I am asking for a chance to prove my worth.”

  “No.” Spoken quickly and firmly. “I will contact your world and advise them we’ve located you.”

  “You’ll regret it if you do.” Then, despite the fact it lacked honor, she threatened. “If you try and return me, I will tell my father you forced me.”

  “What?” the machine voice stuttered the word loudly.

  “You heard me. If you return me, I will tell everyone who will listen that you fornicated with me against my will.”

  “You would lie!”

  “I won’t go back.”

  “Then perhaps I will just kill you.” The words had no inflection, no feeling, and yet she didn’t let a chill of fear cool her blood.

  Her chin angled higher. “Kill me and my father will hunt you to the ends of this universe and split your armor open that he might rip your innards from your still warm body and feed them to the carrion that fill the galaxies.”

  “Are you truly bold enough to threaten me?”

  “Merely stating what will happen if you don’t see the advantage of keeping me on board.”

  “You are a very unlikeable female. I can see why you are unmarried.”

  “I will have you know I am in high demand. Dozens of suitors are lined up, begging I take them as a mate.”

  “And yet you’re fleeing.”

  “Because my worth sh
ould be about more than the children I can create in my womb.” Too late she clamped her lips tight as she complained.

  “Will they not give you a choice?”

  She shook her head. “A Kulin’s daughter’s only worth is in the alliances she makes through mating and the children she births. I want more than that. I deserve more than that.”

  There was a pause. “You may remain on board—”

  She whooped.

  “—but don’t think this is a vacation. You will work. With the human, I might add. He is more important to me than you are, so you will treat him with respect.”

  “Only if he earns it,” she muttered.

  “You will obey him as you would obey me,” the voice barked.

  Since she was still hemming on the obey part with the commander, it was easy to nod.

  “Crew quarters are on the mid level. Choose a room. Deposit your things, then report to the storage bay for duty.”

  “Yes, Commander.”

  “Fail to follow orders and I won’t care who your father is. I’ll kill you.”

  As was only right.

  The voice ceased speaking, the doors opened, and she smiled.

  I did it. I’m going to see the universe. Victory tasted sweet.

  Four

  The damned woman was staying on board. A bad idea. So freaking bad, and yet it was a done deal.

  Even worse, Jedrek had to work with her.

  This should be fun.

  From what he’d seen of her so far, Azteriya was a spoiled brat who probably never knew a hard day’s work in her life.

  To give her credit, though, she obviously wasn’t completely soft, not with the toned muscles he’d seen. She kept in shape. She also had a few fighting moves. That flip she performed on him was a good one. However it only worked because she’d surprised Jedrek.

  It wouldn’t happen again.

  No letting her get close. Because the temptation to drag her against his chest and kiss her was ridiculously strong. Obviously, he’d gone too long without a woman. He’d have to rectify that in the next port he hit.