Breeding Stations by Chris T. Kat

Author:Chris T. Kat [Kat, Chris T.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Chapter Eighteen

IT TOOK a moment for my vocal cords to come alive again. When they did, they gave my voice a rusty tinge. “That means we need to find all those breeding stations scattered in our galaxy and get rid of those beasts. Correct?”

“That’s correct,” Ylkurt agreed.

“Why are you telling us all this now? You could have told us about it years ago. Maybe we could’ve prevented the building of all those breeding stations.” Admiral Kringst’s brows knitted together closely.

Ylkurt’s face became a stony mask. “We would have if we’d had the knowledge. For a while we only suspected, but we had no evidence. We received evidence only a few days ago, and we were already in the process of diplomatic contact. Some of your leaders seem to think we’re exaggerating.”

“I don’t want to come to our leaders’ defense, but if anyone had told me about war beasts and breeding stations a week ago, I wouldn’t have believed you either,” I said.

“Exactly,” Ylkurt agreed. “And so far our alliance consisted mainly in the form of trading goods.”

“With the newly gathered information, I’m sure HQ will listen,” Baker said. He glanced over to Kringst, who nodded almost imperceptibly. “Admiral Kringst and I will talk to HQ after this meeting to emphasize the severity of the situation.”

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to explain why we didn’t contact you earlier, even though we suspected the Tash’Ba of targeting you,” Ylkurt responded.

Baker gestured for Ylkurt to go on.

“We didn’t know why the queen of Tash’Ba withdrew after the last war. We kept an eye on her as well as we could, but we didn’t catch any suspicious movements. We had our own issues to sort out. Another race, the Brolinar, attacked Nadiscar, and the Tash’Ba had converted some of our outer planets into breeding stations. Only when we’d won against the Brolinar did things quiet down and make it possible for us to attend to the worries of our allies.”

Tom’s breathing changed from soft, regular breaths into strained puffs that seemed to strangle him. I glanced up into his face, only to find his eyes gleaming and his jaw muscles clenched. His frill fluttered slightly, and it seemed to cost him great effort to keep it down. I reached out with my right hand and stroked over the thin skin.

His arms tightened around me, and a low growl reverberated in his chest. He pressed a fierce kiss on my forehead, snatched my wrist, and pulled it away from his frill.

Did I do something wrong? I’d just wanted to comfort him, but obviously that wasn’t working. I should’ve figured that out right away. I was an excellent pilot, I knew how to fight, and I was damn good in bed, but comforting someone? No, really not my métier.

Embarrassed and distressed by the way my eyes stung, I gazed where Tom’s hand had locked itself around my wrist. He could encompass my wrist without trouble. He could probably do the same with both my wrists. I shuddered at the thought.

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