His Abused Human Mate

least a hundred or more large cylinders, with glass on one side

She trembled as she gaped at the women who appeared frozen in time. Clothed

danger she was in. This sort of technology was foreign and frightening to he

washed over her in droves. All she knew was that she had to get away. Turning any way Casinailable, she continued until the sound of male voices halted her. She whipped around and ran frantically, hop

r her in other places aboard the ship, there was no one present in the bay just then. Relieved, she made a quick visual for confirmation,

quickly examined the panel before her. Everyth

ly, she began hunt-pecking the buttons that held the most promis

e the outer bay doors for launching. When positioned, those doors slowly opened, as if of their own accord. Shaking, she nervously dashed away the hair han

ter how much fuel or how many provisions were aboard, to see her safely home. All she knew was t

*

he engagement button of the small vessel she was in when a powerful blast from some invisible force outside it caused the entire craft to sh

ouldn't yo

peer out the port hole beside her. There came another loud explosion at the d

nding flat on her backside between the two seats, with her

rt literally bottomed out at sight of him. A dark-skinned behemoth in her eyes, he peered down at her, making no attempt to hide his initial amusement at sight of her bare

ed in English, in a gruff

till terrified, yet feeling a bit foo

the short ladder. Two more powerful-looking aliens awaited them, and each sided her as soon as her

," she tossed back at the man traili

snort as the

trying t

traps, with some odd insignia on them, then at the man in the green tunic, whom she

ted in what the aliens thought. She was

apparently surprised, then f

" one explained, also in English. "She actual

es widened w

er, his expression one of

ged. "So wh

eat and moved to join them in the navigation area below. As he descended the curving metal steps, Casina lifted her gaze to study him. Her jaw dropped, her breath intaking sharply.

an incredible height of at least seven feet or more and was, without a doubt, the most arres

of him for he exuded such an aura of magnetism that it made her tremble. She didn't know if her fear related to her unexpected attraction to him or because he was, in fact, the alien apparently i

sment. Still, almost without volition, her gaze remained riveted to the alien. Curious, as any female would be, she daringly dropped her

est. Blushing at her unbidden thoughts as she observed him, she quickly shifted her gaze to the floor, figuratively quaking now in her boots. She

ame the deep, resonant voice of the man befo

tered a soft reply, sounding even to

with blatant disregard for his s

em upon meeting his gaze directly. Eyes as black and penetrating as any black hole snagged her attention. Her

urn home? To yo

d she gave herself a mental shake, aware that he

slight nod, the men holding her released her arms. He exited the stairs, then stepped off the dais where she stood, so as to face her on more equal ground. De

u ask me if I...wa

true alertness. Where on earth had that come from? she wondered with wideeyed shock. And then, it was as if she

s aware of her thoughts toward him. "Considering that you have nothing to return home to, Miss Br

her fists clenched in fury. "Are you the one who brought me here? Huh? Are you?" Then, before anyone could stop her, she shot forward and brought her hand fully across the alien's face, the force of th

what she had done, Casina considered him with apprehension as he lifted a hand to ru

ever, heard the sharp gasp from his men at her action, as if strik

that seemed to surprise everyone. "Take her to a

ros

tion me. J

oming response, hesitating as if doubting the de

way, p

had expected, and the easy strength he had just demonstrated was unsettling. Suddenly ashamed at her outburst and attack, she dropped her gaze and followe

*

stated in their native ton

mile. "And it's too bad she'll have to learn things the har

l understand

now, I don't think sh

on chamber, Ziros? W

"We are nearing the void," he said. "I need everyone at their posts so no pro

ysician agreed, nod

ionship wasn't part of my initial plan, but I'll just have to deal with the repercussions as they a