Ronan stood at my side as she called our names. I ached to grab her, pull her into my arms again, but it was not to be. I was responsible for her safety and that came over my need for her. We’d only had her a day and now we would be separated.
“We will come for you as soon as it is safe.”
“Kaed!” she cried. “Damn it, no!”
“Transport,” I growled, and watched her disappear before my eyes.
11
Erica, Prillon Prime, Transport Room #27
* * *
At least when I transported this time, I came through in my dress. I might be an astronomer, but I wasn’t up on transporting. Molecules bending. Wormholes or something. Why Earth clothing—even the ugly IBP gown—hadn’t materialized when I’d come from the testing center, I had no idea.
Now was not the time to wonder more. Like Harry Potter and the flue powder, I was almost immediately somewhere new. The room looked identical, but Kaed and Ronan weren’t here. The transport tech was someone else and a pretty woman —a human woman—was standing at the bottom of the steps.
“You’re here! Yay!” She clapped her hands together in her excitement.
When I made my way off the pad, she pulled me into her arms. For once, there was a woman taller than me. If I had to guess, I’d say she was about six feet tall. She appeared younger, more slender and had gorgeous blonde hair. She looked like she could be either a runway model or a beach volleyball player. She wore a similar dress to mine, but hers was in a dark red that matched the collar around her neck. It seemed women who were matched from Ear
th were huggers.
“I’m Jessica.”
The tech bowed to her as we walked by and she leaned in close. “I’m also Lady Deston. Prime Nial is one of my mates and he’s the ruler of the planet and the entire Coalition Fleet. Fancy, right? But I’m from the states, served in the military and I eat with a fork and knife like everyone else. I don’t feel all that fancy.”
She took a deep breath and laughed. “Sorry, you’d think I haven’t talked in a while. It’s just that you’re from Earth and we’re rare up here. I’m excited for some girl time.”
“Thanks,” I replied, although I didn’t feel much like girl time. I felt like kicking ass and taking names. I thought back to Chloe’s choice of clothing from earlier. Maybe I should have selected the fighter uniform after all. I wanted the thigh holster and space weapon now so I could hold the transport tech up and force him to send me back. Then shoot my mates for being idiots.
“Where exactly am I?” I asked.
Her mouth opened, then closed. “You don’t know?”
I laughed. “I was on the transport pad, coordinates locked in before I knew what was happening.”
She frowned after hearing my answer. “Well, you’re on Prillon Prime. Karter contacted Nial and requested you stay here while they deal with the Hive weapon. I thought you would know, be… prepared or something. It’s not like you need a suitcase up here with S-Gen machines, but still.” She paused, studied me. “You’re safe, at least. You don’t look scared of the battleship being blown out of the sky. In fact, you look… angry. You’re mad because Karter and your second want you safe?”
I glanced over my shoulder at the tech, and Jessica took my arm and led me out into the hallway. Just as unexciting as on the battleship.
“Spill, girlfriend.”
I glanced at her collar, the dark red completely different than Chloe’s gold. I put my hand to my bare neck and Jessica’s gaze followed the gesture. Her eyes widened.
“You’re not collared.” She put her hand on my arm. “Holy shit, did you refuse Karter’s claim? Are you going to ask for a different mate?”
I shook my head. “No, I want Kaed and Ronan.”
She frowned. “Okaaaay. Then why—”
“He won’t give it to me.”
“What, the collar?” Her mouth fell open. “Are you serious? I mean, Prillon males are ridiculously possessive. I’m surprised he let you out of his sight, let alone transport off his ship without being claimed. Nial would have been here with me now to meet you, but he’s working with Karter and the other commanders on the plan to get more ships out there and find the new Hive weapon. And Ander, my second, is with them.”
“Yeah, but you’ve got the collar,” I pointed out. “No one is going to jump you.”
I didn’t think anyone was going to jump me either. If Karter wasn’t keen on keeping me, what Prillon would be?