Soul of Desire

Chapter Twelve

I woke to the steady blip of a machine beside me. I sat up slowly, pressing a claw to my aching head. I felt a bandage under the pad of my claws.

“That’s not good,” I muttered sliding out of bed. I was in the infirmary. I crossed the room and into the bathroom. I showered quickly and pulled on a spare suit I found folded beside my bed. I dressed quickly leaving my hair loose. The idea of pulling it into some form of order made my head throb. I exited the infirmary on silent feet.

Nix was not in his office, nor was he in our quarters. I walked down the hall to Cleo and Harts rooms, finding them empty too. I cursed under my breath. I rang the bell to Haze and Brik’s quarters. Brik answered the door, he cried out in surprise and ushered me into the room with his arm around me, forcing me to lean on him.

“Haze!” He called. His female hurried out of their bedroom, she gasped reaching for me. They lowered me into a chair.

“What are you doing awake?” Haze demanded.

“The better question is what are you doing, walking around?” Brik growled. I shrugged and touched my bandage once more.

“What happened? How long was I out?” I asked wincing and pulling my claw away from my throbbing head.

“Doctor Leek has had you sedated for the last week. He said you had some swelling on your brain. A piece of pipe fell and hit you.” Haze reported. Images flashed through my mind. I gasped and grabbed my friends claw.

“Someone is trying to kill me,” I whispered. Haze and Brik shared a worried look.

“We know. Cleo spoke, to the Captain.” Brik replied.

“Where is Nix?” I asked. Haze winced.

“He is off the ship. We are at Hezbi, the crown city of the planet Kel. The seat of the Intergalactic Council.” Haze admitted. I climbed to my feet.

“What about Hart?”

“He’s here. Cleo went with the Captain. You should stay here Luca.” Brik advised.

“Yeah, sure,” I said walking to the door as steadily as possible.

“Luca, be careful. Hezbi is not Earth.” Haze warned. I shot them a grim smile as I exited their quarters. I met Reggie on the next level. He hurried towards me relief shone in his eyes.

“I have been looking for you everywhere.” He chastised gently.

“I need Nix. Reg, I don’t feel safe without my mate.” I said softly.

“Understandable, cub.” Reggie murmured, he offered his elbow. I wrapped one claw through his. He walked me down several decks to the cargo hold. We met Jeg and a slender grey Therros by his side. I did a double-take.

“Candy?” I asked. She turned with a smile. One side of her face was white where her scar was situated in her human form.

“Luca! Are you alright?” They both asked worriedly.

“I’m fine. I just need my mate. As I told Reg, I only feel safe when he is with me.” I admitted softly.

“We’ll accompany you,” Jeg announced taken by surprise at the admission. Not once in the time I’d known the male had I ever shown fear. Candy nodded.

“We’re going with you. No one is getting past my male without a fight.” The former human stated seriously.

“Speaking of which, what do you do Jeg?” I asked curiously. The grey grinned.

“I am the head of Kane’s guard Luca.” He replied.

“Jeg is the most dangerous Therros on this ship, after Kane and Haze that is. If he'd been captured with you, it would have been a bloodbath.” Reggie murmured. I whistled softly, impressed. Jeg chuckled motioning for us to lead the way. Candy tucked her arm through mine, freeing Reggie from being my leaning post.

“How do you feel?” I asked looking up at the female towering over me.

“I feel amazing. Thank you for giving me this opportunity. I love being with Jeg, he is a wonderful male.”

“How is it you and the other converted females are Therros sized and I am so bloody small?” I growled. Both males shot me a glance and shrugged.

“I wonder if it has to do with Hart. He’s an old panther, right?” I listened to Candy’s theory.

“Yeah, he has about two hundred years or so left,” I replied.

“Well, obviously, the cat virus would not be as potent as say Captain Kane’s, as he is so much younger and not yet reached his prime.” Candy’s theory sounded credible. I wondered what Nix would think of it?

“Huh, that could be the case. I've never thought of it like that before. Thank you.” I admitted squeezing the other females arm gently. She shrugged.

“Your welcome. My name may be Candy, I look and sound like an uneducated porn star, but I have a brain too. Sometimes I even scare myself.” She murmured. I chuckled.

“What’s a porn star?” Reggie asked quietly. Jeg shrugged, though the look on his face stated he knew exactly what his mate was talking about.

Reggie led us through the city to a large shimmering gold building, surrounded by large silver statues glowing under the twin suns. Candy and I both stared in awe.

“Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?” Candy asked. I shook my head.

“Nope,” I replied as the males ushered us inside. Several soft cries sounded in the building foyer when the small group of Therros spotted me walking towards them. Cleo hurried across the highly polished black floor. She held her paw out, grasping mine gently. She hugged me to her, her body shivering.

“Are you alright, what’s going on?” I asked squeezing her hand.

“Captain Kane is in with the council. They are not happy with him. They have demanded he produce you and he has denied them access.” I started to walk forwards. Cleo grabbed my arm.

“You cannot go before the council dressed as you are. It would shame your mate. He is the Therros king and you are his queen.” Cleo hissed leading me into a room to one side. Several cases lay open on the lounges. Cleo rummaged through, with a cry of delight she produced a shining gold gown. I stepped up and unzipped my suit pulling it off quickly. I donned the gown and turned to eye myself in the mirror. Candy zipped the dress up at the back. I slipped my bra straps off my arms and tucked them into the dress. Cleo rolled her eyes and chose to ignore my action as she clipped a ruby choker around my throat. I grit my teeth as Candy made short work of my hair, twisting it into an elaborate braid, resting over one of my shoulders. I turned in time to see Cleo and Candy fasten silver dresses over themselves.

“A queen must have females,” Cleo stated to my questioning glance. I shrugged wincing, I reached up and touched the covered wound on the side of my head. Jeg opened the door when Candy knocked. His eyes popped wide, taking in our appearances.

“Milady.” Jeg murmured bowing low. I motioned for him to rise.

“Cleo, when we get back to the ship. We need to have a chat and some lessons. On second thoughts, let’s wait until my head stops throbbing. I feel like my brain is on fire.” I murmured. Cleo chuckled.

“It would be my pleasure.” Candy and Cleo both took one of my claws in theirs. I felt a little better having them with me as we approached the council chambers.

“Open the doors for Queen Luciana of the Ventherros!” Reggie called. The guards flung wide the doors. Silence greeted us. The room filled with all manner of creatures. Standing in the middle of the round room was Nixim Kane. Looking furious and every inch the dreaded Pirate Captain. His eyes began to glow as they rest on me walking towards him. He held out one claw. I grasped it when I reached him. He pulled me into his arms.

“What are you doing up? The doctor said you needed more time to heal.” He murmured, though his voice echoed around the room.

“I needed you.” My reply was simple, yet complicated.

“Luca Hex?” A voice called. I turned to face the female who invaded my mind so many months ago, I stepped back, into my mate.

“You only get one foray into my mind ma’am. Please do not violate my memories again. My grey matter is a little delicate at present and might shatter at the slightest touch.” I said. My voice sounded worn, tired and filled with pain. The female nodded her head and resumed her seat with the others.

“Nixim Kane has stated, he knew nothing of your interspecies transformation.” One of the counsellors stated.

“It is true; he did not know. The transformation took over six months to affect me. It would have been almost immediate without whatever the council drugged me with to return me to my home. The expression on Nix face when he realised it was me, bloody priceless.” I said with a slight smirk. Candy appeared beside me suddenly, with a chair. I shot her a grateful smile and sunk onto the seat. I touched my head softly once more.

“What has happened to you?” The female mind reader demanded.

“There was an accident. I was hit by a falling pipe.” I stated. The panel conferred for a moment.

“Nixim has told us of a plan to colonize Dragoon. What say you to this?”

“I should love the idea, it was mine,” I said. Nix gently stroked my hair with one claw.

“Very well. Nixim Kane, we wish you well in your endeavours to re-establish a planet for your people and we extend the hand of friendship and welcome the Ventherros to the Intergalactic Council. Once you have established a government, send forth your representative. Until then, welcome back your Majesty.” The high councillor announced to thunderous applause. Nix helped me to my feet and led me by his side to the door. We exited into the foyer and out into the bright sunshine. Nix settled us all into a transport to take us back to the ship.

“Now, what are you doing out of bed?” Nix growled. I leaned my head against his arm.

“I needed you.” I murmured closing my eyes. I fell asleep soon after.

Nix was beside me in bed, he was sitting up against the headboard reading a book. I sat up too quickly and my head spun. My stomach rolled. I dived out of bed and into the bathroom where I was violently ill. I sat on the floor shaking. My head leaned against the wall. I pressed the button to flush the toilet and slowly climbed to my feet. I brushed my teeth and turned to find Nix leaning against the door jam. His arms folded over his chest, he looked so casual only dressed in a pair of long cotton pyjama pants.

“Don’t come too close. I think I have the flu.” I murmured. Nix frowned.

“What’s the flu?”

“Oh, um. I mean I think I am getting sick.” I said shuffling past him. Nix chuckled.

“You do not have an illness kitten. You are pregnant.” He said as I sat down. I blinked, turning my head. My eyes began to glow, I growled low and mean.

“Do not play with me Nixim Kane, I do not feel well.” I hissed. Nix frowned and came to kneel in front of me. He grasped my claws in his.

“When the doctor examined you after the accident in engineering, he discovered you are pregnant. We are going to have a cub.” He told me gently. My eyes popped wide. He freed one of my claws. I laid it over my stomach.

“No way!” I breathed. Nix smiled.

“It’s true. I made the doctor test you again to be sure.” He admitted.

“H-how long is gestation?” I demanded looking down, my stomach was still flat, so I could not be that far along. Nix frowned.

“Ah, about eight months. To be sure, you should ask Cleo or one of the other females. I honestly never thought to ask and didn’t take much notice when I was younger.” My mate stated his smile growing wider. Nix leaned forwards and kissed me. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and my legs around his waist. I arched against him when his mouth roamed down my throat to my chest.

I was standing in the loading dock supervising the delivery of some long-awaited engineering pods. As per usual Reggie and Brag were not far from me. I marked off items on the electronic invoice in my hand.

“Is there a Niv cell?” Hart asked coming to stand with me. I nodded and pointed to a large grey pod being moved into position to the left of the dock. It had been several days since I woke in the infirmary, Dr Leek having given me a clean bill of health that morning.

“How are you feeling cub?” He asked quietly.

“I’m alright. I would be better if I knew who was trying to kill me and if Nix would stop ordering people not to give me coffee.” I stated dryly surprising the old panther.  He cleared his throat.

“Don’t look so shocked. I know that pipe did not fall on its own Hart. I welded the sucker in not three days before. The edges had been cut. I took Nix down to show him and conveniently the pipe was gone.” I studied the list in front of me again and made several notes. I handed the invoice off to a passing male. He nodded, shot me a grin and kept moving.

“Don’t worry cub, we won’t let anything else happen to you.” Hart murmured.

“You cannot guarantee that Hart. No one can.” I stated as Jeg strolled around the corner. His usual cheerful grin nowhere to be seen.

“Jeg.”

“Luca, I was just in a meeting with the Captain. Hart, I need a list of all engineering crews. Scanners are being fitted to the doors in all sectors. Everyone will be forced to sign in if they want admittance and only engineering will be allowed in that sector. We should have done it cycles ago.” Jeg reported. I opened my mouth to ask a question.

“LUCA!” I spun at the sound of my name being screamed. Koi was running towards me, tears on her face. Her suit was ripped, gashes striped her body and three of her talons were missing from one claw. I caught her to me. She was sobbing uncontrollably. I doubt she realised she was trying to climb me like one would a tree.

“What happened? Are you alright?” I demanded holding her gently. She was shaking.

“Get a blanket and call Doctor Leek!” I ordered tersely over my shoulder. Brag dived for the communications panel. Hart ripped off his jacket, wrapping it around the slight female trembling in my arms.

“Koi, who did this?” Hart asked gently. Koi cried out when the male stepped closer to her. I held up one claw, motioning for the panther to back off. I caught Koi’s face softly in my claw.

“Talk to me Koi.” I murmured.

“It was Selig! He is a male Therros, they do not attack their females. It was Selig, he said he had something to show me. Something I would like, and he attacked me. He forced me-.” The Puma sobbed into the fur of my throat. A growl began deep in my chest; my eyes began to glow.

“This male will guard you with his life. Hart have Reggie call for Candy and locate Selig.” I said. We stood in silence for several minutes. Koi sobbing into my coat.

“What’s happened?” Jegs mate called, her husky voice echoing around the loading bay.

“Selig r***d her,” Hart replied stone-faced.

“Well, I just saw him in the dining room. All laughter and smiles.” She reported, her eyes narrowed when she spotted Koi’s condition.

“Koi, go with Candy.” I hissed. My face began to twitch, something ugly unfurled inside me.

“Ah Luca, are you alright?” Jeg asked guiding the other two females away from me. Unable to contain it, a panther scream of fury welled up and spilled from my throat in a chilling roar that shook the loading bay.

Hart’s eyes popped wide, his mouth falling open as my small body began to shift. My suit shredding around me. In one instant, I became a full panther complete with animal instincts. My claws dug into the grate on the floor and I launched towards the door. My black frame elongating as I stretched into my run. Therros cried out in shock as I passed them.

“Move it! The queen is hunting!” Someone behind me yelled. I sped through the decks one after another hunting the male whose scent covered the wounded puma. I found my quarry in the dining room. He was talking with my mate. With a scream of rage, I flew through the air. My front claws hit the male square in the chest, knocking him to the floor, tearing through his shirt and fur. He pushed me off him. I flipped in the air, launching off the wall, coming at the male again. I pounced, my front claws digging into his chest. Blood splashed across one wall as I took him down again. This time he lay with his hands up and his head tilted in submission.

“What the hell is going on?” Nix snarled drawing his gun, turning to aid the male.

“Easy lad, your mate is defending one of her females. This male r***d Koi.” Hart growled, eyes shining with fury.

“My mate!”

“Yes, the panther in front of you is Luca and she is very angry,” Reggie said breathing heavily.

“You can’t kill him kitten, that male must have a trial,” Nix stated casually forcing himself to stay calm. I snarled. My powerful jaws were wrapped around the male’s throat while I crouched on his chest.

“Back off now kitten.” Nix murmured soothingly. I shivered and stepped back releasing my target. My body shifted once more. I was crouched on the floor snarling at the Therros lying prone before me. My tail lashing at the air.

“You owe your Captain a blood debt. He just saved your life for now. You can bet your arse the first moment I get when you are alone, I am going to tear you apart and eat your f*****g heart!” I snarled menacingly. Nix held out one claw. I grasped it and stood. A claw rest on my shoulder. I looked behind me to see Haze, with shining eyes glaring down at Selig.

“Koi and Candy are in the infirmary with Cleo. Doctor Leek says physically she will be alright. He is concerned about her mental health. We have no mind specialists on board.” Haze murmured.

“Ask around the humans, there may have been one previously,” Nix ordered overhearing our conversation.

“Jeg, Reggie have this male confined to the brig and post a guard. Not a Puma or anyone who is friends with my mate,” The captain ordered watching dispassionately as the bleeding Selig was dragged from the room. Nix turned back to face me. I was still shaking. Haze handed me a new suit. I slid into it quickly, Nix zipped up the back. Haze knelt to put my boots on me. I was shivering.

“What the hell was that!?” I cried losing my composure. Nix hugged me to him.

“I don’t know. Hart, what’s happening?” My mate demanded. Hart shrugged.

“The old stories mentioned shapeshifting, but I thought it was a myth. I certainly did not expect my niece to do it in front of everyone in the bloody loading bay.” Hart said. Nix cursed.

“The council will know by now. We must get out of here. Jeg, find out if Candy can do that? I want to know if it is confined only to Luca or if all the converted females have this ability.” Jeg bowed his head and hurried from the room.

“Haze, get this ship in the air.” He ordered his second. Haze ran out the door towards the bridge.

“There are still several things to be loaded Nix,” I told him quietly. Nix walked to a control panel.

“All non-essential crew to the loading bay. I repeat all non-essential crew to the loading bay.” His voice echoed through the ship. We walked quickly back down to loading. The cargo area was filled with Therros and humans.

“Listen up! We need to load this stuff now. Everyone grabs an item, store it and leave. Go!” Nixim shouted. As one, the sea of people moved out onto the gangway. They lifted an item each and strolled back into the ship. Eyes all around the spaceport watched curiously. We were all loaded and stowed in a matter of minutes.

“Well done, as you were!” Nix shouted. Faces held grins as they returned to their previous tasks. I felt the engines roar under us. Nix grasped my claw and led me up to the bridge.

“Captain on deck,” Haze called sliding out of the chair, sitting in the middle of the room. Nix pressed down on my shoulder until I sat in his chair. He stood behind me with one claw on my shoulder.

“Set a course for Dragoon.” He ordered. Several Therros exchanged curious looks. Haze turned her chair to see the captain better.

“Sir?” She inquired casually.

“Oh, did I neglect to mention we are going to establish a new Therros colony on Dragoon,” Nix said looking at his second with a smirk. A cheer erupted around the bridge. Several Therros stood up to shake claws with their Captain. I watched as Haze looked down at her boots.

“What is it?” I asked leaning toward her. Haze looked up a small smile on her face and a tear track through her fur.

“Therros were not made for Space Luca. We are land dwellers.” She replied in a whisper. I leaned back in my chair and stared out into the vastness of space, leaving the Intergalactic Council behind us. I did not dare think about my transformation. The fearful agonising memory of my bones breaking and joints popping to force my new shape kept my mind curiously blank.