A few button-pushes later, water sprayed from the walls around me.
I gasped.
It was amazing!
I spun in the shower, reveling in the feel of the water running down my body. It was incredible, and I decided I was never leaving this shower.
Scanning the walls, I found the soap dispenser. Squeezing a glob into my hand, I lathered my body. As I scrubbed, the suds made my skin feel silky smooth. I inhaled, trying to identify the scent. It was somewhat chemical and reminded me of what I’d smelled on Xylo. I squirted another dollop into my hand and massaged it into my hair, closing my eyes and relishing the exquisite sensation.
I loved water.
I moaned as my fingers dug into my scalp, and the warm water beat against my skin. As I allowed the water to rinse my hair, my muscles relaxing in the warmth and steam from the shower, I groaned again in pleasure.
Stars take me... this was the most wonderful thing I’d ever experienced. It would never grow old.
The sound of the bathroom door opening interrupted my thoughts. I paused, listening for movement. Who would invade my privacy? It was clear the facilities were being used. I lowered my hands and turned off the shower. I couldn’t hear over its noise.
When another scuff sounded from across the small room, my hand trembled in fear. They hadn’t left. Clearly it wasn’t Xylo—he’d be more likely to mindspeak me before entering. And I hadn’t heard anyone call out.
Was someone trying to sneak up on me?
A huge pale green shape wavered outside the tinted-glass door. I couldn’t make out details, but the color was wrong. It couldn’t be Xylo. There was faint movement around and behind the blurry form.
If the intruder was anything like Xylo, I knew I had little chance in a physical confrontation, but I wasn’t going to let them take me away, not without a fight. Not when I was so close to finding a life for myself.
My only shot was the element of surprise. I hit the button to open the tinted-glass door. At the same time, I reached for the faint thread that connected me to Xylo, mentally grabbing hold and tugging.“Xylo!”I screamed aloud, straining to mentally project at the same time. I let the thread snap back, then leaped to attack.
I prayed Xylo would make it to me in time.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Xylo
Xylo swerved and dodged past startled crew members, ignoring their calls and concerned questions. He sensed the princes hard on his tail, following him, but he had not been able to sense anything from Selena since her mental cry for help. Her shout had been laced with so much power—so much fear—it had startled him. Their bond thread was intact, yet somehow, she blocked it—an inconvenient aspect of her shielding ability.
Xylo rushed into the infirmary guest cabin, the princes flanking him.
All three stopped in shock at the scene that greeted them.
A naked Selena thrashed atop Senior Healer Chyox, silver hair dripping water. He had one tentacle wrapped around her chest, attempting to lift her away. Two more tentacles trapped her wrists behind her back as she struggled desperately to get free. Her scream was muted by the fourth tentacle in her mouth—the one she was currently biting with her blunt human teeth. He was thankful she did not have the sharp teeth many of the Children did.
Selena stared down Head of Security K’dyth, whocrouched a short distance from Chyox’s head, ready to attack. K’dyth’s arms were up, arm-blades out as he prepared to defend Chyox. His tentacles were poised to strike, glistening with toxin.
Xylo gasped. There was no sign of fear on Selena’s face—she clearly had no idea of the danger she was in. Both Ulax and Wudox toxins were deadly, and there was no antidote.
“Stop! K’dyth, stand down,” Prince V’dim ordered. “Chyox, let the human go.”
Xylo rushed to Selena, his need to protect her riding him hard when K’dyth did not immediately withdraw.
“Are you sure, Sire? This primitive female attacked the Senior Healer without cause. He came to check on her, and she jumped him when he neared the shower door...” K’dyth trailed off doubtfully.
Selena ceased screaming and spat out Chyox’s tentacle as soon as she saw Xylo. He grabbed her and pulled her off Chyox, then thrust her behind him, all six of his vines wrapping around her protectively. Selena yelped in surprise, then wrapped her arms around him from behind, pressing close to his back. He swelled with pride at her acceptance of his touch, sighing with relief when he felt her unblock their connection. All would be well.
Then he turned on Chyox. “Why were you in Selena’s room? This is my patient. She is neither Ulax nor Wudox.”
Xylo watched angrily as Chyox rose unsteadily to his feet. Chyox bowed his head to the princes, then thanked K’dyth before finally turning back to face them. Xylo felt Selena’s arms tighten in fright when Chyox glared at her. Chyox’s violet eyes narrowed, then locked with his.
“I was making sure you were doing your job since this savage is your first patient. And I needed to activate her communicator before she woke. Her bed was empty when I entered her room, but I heard groans coming from the washfacilities. I called K’dyth for backup, concerned, but before I was able to open the shower door to assist her, she leapt out and attacked me with no regard to the condition she is in. She is lucky I have full control of my venom and did not retaliate when she struck me. No matter how primitive, I did not want to harm her—especially not when humans are nearly extinct and may potentially be one of the Children.”
