Hard Sands: Warlords of Atera Page 3

  She kept her head down and watched the Aterans as they moved about the cavern. Many of them strode off in a rush, clearly busy with their own business, but a handful lingered—their attention wholly on the human women. Sure, they tried to be subtle by sitting at nearby tables and leaning against the walls, but Kalinda sensed they were all business. Guards no doubt, either assigned to protect the humans or to keep them from escaping.

  Perhaps both. Goody.

  Her attention on the guards, she remained in place until she spied one of them going off to speak with another group of Aterans. Kalinda rose, bowl still in hand, and headed to the buffet wall. She pretended to study the selections as if she were going for a second helping and nothing more. As soon as she sensed she was no longer being watched, she moved for the exit. She silently placed her bowl on an empty ledge and kept her steps silent as she sought a way free.

  She glanced over her shoulder as she made her way down the tunnel, struggling not to make a sound. The strange lights shone down from above, casting long shadows to chase her steps as she hurried down the passage. Every time she encountered another well-lit passage, she took a detour, making a mental map as she explored the various branching paths. She wished she had a comp pad with her, or even a pen and paper, but she hadn’t seen either since coming to the Ateran city.

  As she explored, Kalinda found a couple of small caverns filled with sacks and crates. Storerooms of some kind? None were guarded, but she only allowed herself a few moments to peek through the contents. She struggled to memorize which spaces held foodstuffs, water, and any other supplies that might be helpful during an escape. She would have to lead the others back to the area later so they could raid the supplies and carry everything they’d need to survive. The desert was harsh and unforgiving, and they wouldn’t get very far without food and water. Not that she had a clue about their destination. She hadn’t quite gotten there in her plans just yet.

  The further she traveled, the harder it became to keep the tunnels straight in her mind and remember her path. The walls were marked with alien symbols she assumed were in place to help guide the Aterans through the complex web of tunnels. Unfortunately, they didn’t do a darn thing for humans. Plus, her TransComm Implant was no help. It might decode language, but writing was another thing all together.

  Soon the lights that lined the ceiling became spaced farther and farther apart, lessening the light to illuminate her path. Was she entering a less-used portion of the cave system? There were fewer passages now, and those she found narrow and jagged. Nothing like, the wide, smoothly carved passages so close to the communal cavern. Maybe it was for the best, though. If there was little foot traffic through the area, there was a lower chance of being caught.

  She paused in front of one of the narrowest passages and peered into the darkness. The light from the hall only illuminated the first few feet of the passageway and she pondered where the dark tunnel might lead. She wouldn’t be able to explore without a light source, which reminded her that she’d seen some of the Aterans use something like oil lanterns. Now all she had to do was figure out where she could snare one.

  Kalinda tipped her head back and stared at the lights affixed to the ceiling. She stood on tiptoes and reached overhead, her fingers brushing the light. She tried to get her nails under the rounded dome to pry it loose. If it had a power source, she could take it with her deeper into the caverns.

  Except, before she could get the object of her salvation free, a pair of scaly arms wrapped around her from behind. She yelped, the shout escaping her without thought, but her yell was cut off when a massive hand clamped over her mouth. Surprise transformed to terror and she struggled in earnest, kicking and flailing in her captor’s grip, but his hold was far too strong for her to overcome. Her heart raced and sweat broke out across her brow, panic swelling inside her.

  A forked tongue flicked against her ear and cold, alien breath tickled her neck. A raspy voice whispered to her, “Where do you run to, little sand mouse? We have not yet had a chance to play.”

  Kalinda’s chest tightened and her blood froze within her veins. She recognized the alien’s voice. The male who now held her captive had been the one to attack her the first night on the planet—the one that caused nightmare after nightmare every night. She’d avoided the male as much as she could but it seemed he’d found her. She thought she recalled the others calling him Chaze.

  She struggled harder against Chaze’s grasp, but his strength outmatched hers. She breathed deeply and shouted against his hand, doing her best to cry for help, but he didn’t loosen his grip.

  “The other males already discuss who shall claim you and your friends,” Chaze whispered. “I intend to stake my claim. Shall we see if you can stir my blood, little mouse? Even if you cannot, surely there are ways we can enjoy each other.”

  Kalinda closed her eyes, the oppressive sense of defeat closing in on her. She slowed her struggles, the reality of her situation stealing the need to fight from her. There was nothing she could do, no way she could stand against the raw power of the alien beast.

  With that realization… tears slunk down her cheeks.

  Chapter Four

  Nakan moved through the mountain tunnels with ease, familiar with the twists and turns. He had spent most of his life within the mountains, these paths in particular, and every passage was well-known to him, even the less-traveled areas that led to old storerooms and maintenance corridors. That knowledge was helpful when he wished to move around without being plagued by his subordinates. Being the leader of the Hard Sands meant he had little privacy and his movements were known by all. Some nights he wished for time alone—for personal business or simply a relief from the constant attention of others—and that was when he used these passages. He could slip into the city and return without his guards realizing he had left.

  The route he traveled from the mines to communal halls took him near the human females’ quarters. He paused at the opening of their corridor and closed his eyes, breathing deeply to inhale the foreign yet intoxicating scent. It took him no time to pick out the scent of Kalinda—the female with hair the color of ambroze. The scent of her brought her face to mind and he imagined her delicate features and deep brown eyes.

  His blood stirred and rushed between his legs. He shifted on his feet, uncomfortable with the unfamiliar sensation. An Ateran male could only be aroused by a single female—ever. Before he met Kalinda, he had never experienced the sensation. It was alluring, though at times, uncomfortable. He had never imagined that his kode, the one and only to stir his blood, would be a creature from the stars. Truly, Kalinda and the other females had been sent by the goddess Eana. There arrival had been a signal from above. There was no doubt.

  Every instinct drove him to go to Kalinda and claim her, remove her to his quarters and make her his own. It was the way of warriors and mates, as it had been since the dawn of time. Yet this was a unique situation and he knew he could not succumb to his drives. He was no animal. He was the warlord of the Hard Sands, and he would not interact with his mate as he was now—covered in dust and grime from the mines. He would search her out after he had eaten and cleaned himself. He would present himself as a noble Ateran worthy of her.

  He did not doubt she would respond in kind. After all, they were destined to be mated. Even if she was an alien from another world, she would surely feel the same stirring of her blood, the inevitable draw to him.

  Nakan breathed deeply once more, pulling in more of her delicate scent. Yet… yet her flavors faded as he stood in place. So, she was not in her quarters though she should have been, considering the time. The human females had no duties other than to recover from the crash.

  He took a few steps, following her scent, and found himself moving toward the communal hall. Perhaps she remained there, still eating. He paused a moment and wondered if he should truly chase her there or wait until later. It would not be well thought out for their first encounter to be in the communal hall while su
rrounded by so many others. Had he come upon her traditionally, they would have entered a tent within the Heart Sands during the time of Ulmur. He would have presented himself to his kode as an honorable warrior. They would spend the night joining, binding themselves to each other, and then emerge as a bonded pair.

  But the strange circumstances of the humans’ arrival had changed all—including the traditions of Ulmur in the Heart Sands. He had first seen Kalinda outside the crashed vessel, amid the chaos that had erupted the first night of their arrival. The Hard Sands males had ridden across the sands, venturing to the Heart Sands in search of the source of the burning rains. He had not been able to speak with her at the Heart Sands nor during the return trip to the Hard Sands. Decorum pounded into his mind by his sire forced him to keep his distance, and his body ached for the private time he craved.

  But that time was not now.

  He turned and strode down one of the lesser-used corridors, taking advantage of a shortcut to his quarters. He would order a private meal, eat and bathe alone, and then send for Kalinda when the time was right. He would meet with her when he was able to present himself properly.

  Yes, that would be his plan.

  He had nearly reached his quarters when a scream echoing through the tunnels had him freezing in place. A chill raced up his spine as his mind processed the sound. It had been too high-pitched to belong to an Ateran—male or female. One of the human women? Instincts told him he was correct. They further gave him the sense that it was not a nameless female, but Kalinda. His kode. Had she fallen into some kind of danger?

  Nakan took off at a sprint, weaving through the tunnels. His tongue flicked out and he drew more air into his lungs, searching for Kalinda’s scent. It filled him, guiding his way as he ran, until he found himself in a section of the tunnels used for food storage. He could not imagine why she had ventured to these boring halls, but it was a thought for later. Now he must get to her and keep her safe.

  Without thought, he reached for his hip—the blade that rested there—and came up empty-handed. He had removed his weapons as he worked the mine and he damned himself for his stupidity. He had believed his mountain stronghold was safe. There had not been an attack in the center of the Hard Sands since the last great war.

  He growled and flexed his claws. He did not need weapons. He would fight as his ancestors fought—claw to claw, fang to fang.

  Nakan rounded the last corner and finally found Kalinda, struggling against the tight hold of an Ateran warrior. One glance identified the male—Chaze.

  “Release her!” Nakan bellowed and charged across the tunnel. He raised his claws, ready to swipe them across Chaze’s throat.

  Chaze growled and twisted to the side as he shoved Kalinda away to free his hands. He drew a dagger and swiped at Nakan to ward off his attack. Nakan’s claws scraped against the dagger’s blade, sparks dancing along the edge. The two warriors squared off, each watching the other for any weakness. Nakan maneuvered himself until he stood between Chaze and Kalinda, the female behind him so he could properly protect her.

  “Be gone, Nakan.” Chaze swiped at him with his dagger. “This does not concern you.”

  “You assault a female in my city,” he growled, “and you say it is not my concern?”

  “There was no assault.” Chaze spat on the ground. “I am here to stake my claim.”

  “What claim?” Nakan narrowed his eyes, watching Chaze carefully, his body prepared for any sudden movement by the male.

  “She offered herself to me,” Chaze raised his chin. “I claim the Right of Ka’Kode.”

  Nakan froze, disbelief stealing his breath for a moment. He glanced at Kalinda from his periphery. “Is this true?”

  “What?” Kalinda’s gaze moved back and forth between them, eyes wide and face pale. “I don’t know what you’re talking about!”

  Chaze sneered. “The Right of the Bloodless Mate. You and your companions cannot be kode to any Ateran male, but you can be ka’kode and you will be mine.”

  “I don’t understand.” Kalinda took shelter behind Nakan.

  He was pleased by that. She did as she should—trusted in his protection.

  Her eyes darted for the exits and he hoped she would not try to flee. It would make protecting her difficult if the situation devolved into a chase through the tunnels. Plus, she could not know which paths were safe and which could threaten her life. He did not wish for her to be hurt because she took a wrong turn.

  “She cannot be your ka’kode,” Nakan glared at Chaze, murder churning in his thoughts. “It is not possible.”

  “You cannot deny me my right.” Chaze’s gray eyes blazed with fury. “I have made first claim. By law and honor she is mine.”

  “No!” Nakan swiped at Chaze with his claws and Chaze jumped back.

  Chaze crouched and raised his dagger, lips curled in a sneer. “I have the right.”

  “No,” Nakan lowered his claws and clenched his fists. “She cannot be ka’kode because she is already mine. She is my kode.”

  Chaze’s eyes narrowed, attention flicking to Kalinda and then back to Nakan. “That is not possible.”

  “Yet it is true. It has been since the first night at the crashed vessel. You have no claim for she is kode. You have no right to touch her.”

  Kalinda’s attention moved from one warrior to the other and back again, her small pink tongue darting out to wet her lips. After a moment’s hesitation, she nodded and settled her stare on Nakan. “Yes. Yes, that’s true. I’m, uhhh, I’m his code-ey.”

  Her mangled pronunciation aside, Kalinda’s words filled him with honor and pride. He straightened and stared down at Chaze, a warrior male protective of his mate. “You see? Your claim is without merit. Leave.”

  Chaze growled and looked at Kalinda once more, but she jerked to hide behind Nakan once more. She moved so close, the heat of her body bathed his back.

  “This is not over.” Chaze pointed at Nakan, stopping just short of jabbing him in the chest.

  Nakan batted the annoying male’s hand away. Chaze backed up and then turned and headed down the corridor, but Nakan remained motionless, staying in place until he could no longer see the other male.

  Behind him, Kalinda released a sob and he turned to her, wrapping his arms around her trembling form. A contented sigh escaped his lips and he allowed himself a moment to enjoy her touch. Feeling her body pressed to his confirmed his beliefs. She was his. He could feel their bond in every touch of her soft alien skin against his scales.

  Chapter Five

  Kalinda followed Nakan in a daze, blindly matching his steps as he led her through the tunnels. She stumbled along the shadowy corridors, unable to keep track of where they headed. Gaze trained on Nakan’s back, she used all of her energy just to keep pace with him through the alien halls.

  Soon they entered a broader portion of the tunnel system—an area where the natural caverns gave way to carved corridors with high ceilings lit by the strange glow she’d seen elsewhere. There were more Aterans in the area, each moving with a sense of purpose—intent on their destinations and not sparing them a glance. At least that was what she thought at first. Soon one alien paused and then another, staring at them as they passed. No doubt they questioned her presence so far from the human quarters. They also probably wondered why she was escorted by their leader.

  Funny thing. Kalinda wondered the same.

  Nakan led her through a large set of highly polished, stone double doors that swung on silent hinges and into the most extravagant part of the city she’d seen so far. The ceiling was easily two stories high, with tall windows at the far end revealing the mountains beyond. The carved furnishings of stone and wood tempted her to curl up in one of the oversized chairs and the room was lit by crystal chandeliers hanging from a delicate cord. Stone niches carved into the walls held sensuous works of art, most carved from stone and adorned with glimmering gemstones. Along one wall, a series of statues carved to look like Ateran warriors drew her
eye.

  Each one bore a striking resemblance to the next… and to Nakan.

  “This is your room.” Kalinda’s voice remained dull with her shock.

  “That is correct.” Nakan crossed the room to a basin positioned against the wall. He reached into the carved bowl and withdrew a tan, porous object that resembled an Earth sponge to Kalinda. He kept his back to her as he scrubbed it over his scales, brushing away the dirt and grime that covered him.

  Okay, he wasn’t going to comment on their location. She’d move on. For now. “Are you going to tell me what all that was about?”

  She took a seat on a padded bench and wrapped her arms around herself. Now that she was away from Chaze and out of danger, the gravity of the situation finally settled on her shoulders. She had nearly been killed. By an alien monster who spoke of “claiming” her.

  “Chaze will not harm you.” Nakan glanced over his shoulder, gray eyes colliding with her stare. “I will not allow it.”

  “That’s not what I asked.” Kalinda turned her attention to the ground. She didn’t know what was going on. Just what had she gotten herself into? She simply wanted to be home on Earth. Or really, any world other than Atera.

  “I am not sure how to explain.” Nakan returned to his bathing.

  “You can start by telling me what that beast wanted and explain what a… a cacodee is.”

  “Ka’kode.” Nakan corrected her, pausing in his motions.

  “Whatever.” She rolled her eyes. “What is it? What does it mean?”

  Nakan sighed and dropped his head forward. “It is a less common form of mating. When a warrior fails to find his kode, he can claim the Right of Ka’Kode to bind a mate. It is most common among older warriors—either those who never found their kode or those whose kode passed to the stars.