Talson Temptations 2: Talson's Test (3 page)

He grimaced. “I thought Roarke was handling the Earth-bound freight.”

“In Port Watch, yes. But in New Hattan, I want one of our own.”

“Dad—”

“No. You’re going.”

Though he was a grown man, a warrior and independent businessman in his own right, Z still answered to someone higher. Rhenec Talson ‘Or Fal was still the head of the household, as well as his boss. “Shit.”

“Exactly. You have to make this right. The Testing is upon you.” Z blanched. He didn’t want a mate, and certainly not one from an alien species. He needed a female capable of sating his
psychei
as well as his lusts, a woman to understand Otra needs. One with dark hair and dark eyes that would turn silver when she accessed her full
psychei
, someone to match him in every way. Much as he loved Shea, he knew what she and his father shared was a far cry from the bond Rhenec and his birth mother once had.

“This can’t be The Testing. The woman is blonde. She’s not our kind.”

“She’s Otra,” his father disagreed.

Z didn’t believe him. “Since when?”

“There is one very sheltered, extremely private clan on the outer skirts of civilization. The ‘San Fal. Those barbarians I mentioned earlier? Your blonde is one of the most unique females of our species. I’d almost say I envy you.” A large grin appeared on his father’s face, and he began laughing.

“What’s so funny?”

“Oh, Zaret. Blessings upon you, son. The ‘San Fal are known for their hostility, ferocity and sheer stubbornness. Their women are warriors in their own right, pyrokinetics.”

“Great.” Unnerved that his father might actually be correct about The Testing, Z

tried to ignore his instinctual excitement at thoughts of a woman tough enough to handle him. An Otra who could manipulate fire?

“If you’re facing her fire, prepare to get burned.” Rhenec’s eyes flashed.

Z thought to the woman and breathed deep to still the echoes of hunger. “I’m not going through The Testing.”

“Oh yes, you are,” his father said with satisfaction. “And it’s about time. I’m tired of you playing around.”

“Dad, I’m a hell of a lot younger than you were before you met my mother.”

“Times are different now. We’re no longer at war. There’s no need to put off a family, to sacrifice your happiness for the good of the colonies.” Rhenec frowned. “The Testing is a gift, Zaret. It paired me with Isira, the great life bond I’ll never forget. Even now a part of her lives on in me and Shea.” At Z’s surprise, his father nodded. “Of course your mother approved. It was her spirit that guided me to Shea in the first place.”

“I didn’t know that.”

“Yes.” Rhenec smiled warmly. “But don’t change the subject. Your Testing is an important part of who you are. The fact you’re pulling this woman’s fire through the
tranzwal
tells me she’s most likely yours, son. Embrace it.” Z scowled. “You just told me she’s part of a bunch of aggressive barbarians, that I should prepare to get burned.”

“But a burn can be a good thing, especially coming from a woman like that.” His father grinned. “I may be older than you, but I know beauty and strength when I see it.

That one will handle you.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of,” he muttered.

His father laughed. They rose and headed toward the door. Rhenec clapped him on the back. “Oh, one other thing.”

“Hell. What now?”

“Val has to go with you. I think you know that.”

The fucking Testing. “Please tell me you’re not saying what I think you’re saying.” Two men to prepare the woman for mating. Sexual intimacy to broaden the match, to ensure the way for the future to begin.

His father looked pleased. “You couldn’t ask for a better
eda
than Val.”

“Yeah.” Z’s already sour mood grew worse. His brother would tease the shit out of him about this mess. He knew it. “He’s more than ready to find the blonde and get started.”
More than I am
.
Of course, Val doesn’t have to life bond with her. He just has to align
her
psychei
with mine and enjoy her sweet pussy.
“So if she bonds with him and me, then there’ll be no mistake, right?” The potential to be wrong about his future existed. Maybe his father was right; the blonde would lead him on his true path. She didn’t necessarily need to be a part of it.

He had a hard time thinking about no more sex with other women. No more partying, no more fun. A mate and children were sure to follow.
Shit. Not now.
He was in the prime of his life.

His father nodded. “Don’t fight it, son. Look at Roarke. He’s happy with Jamie.”

“Yeah, but they fit. And he’s different than we are.”

“Yes, but he’s not that different. He’ll live a good two to three hundred years. His
psychei’s
strong.”

“And Jamie?”

“Her too. As long as the love is there, the bond will see them joined. The only difference between Roarke’s mate and yours will be the lack of an
eda
. And of course their young may or may not have a full
psychei
.” An
eda
, so that when the time came to produce young, the female would be fertile, her womb receptive to Otra offspring. Hell, there went his mind again. Kids.

“I envy you the journey, Zaret. Such fun in the hunting.” Only a bonded male would think of hunting down a mate as fun.

“Thanks a lot.” But thinking about finally slaking his hunger for the lusty blonde had Z’s body humming with anticipation, despite his desire to remain free of an Otra wife. “Now let’s focus on happier things. Like
Roarke
’
s
wedding.”

* * * * *

New Hattan, Earth

Adri ‘San Fal, or Adrienne Sanfal, as she called herself when in New Hattan among the humans, pulled a visor down over her eyes to catch the flying strands of hair obscuring her vision. She had a hard enough time trying to navigate on a hovercycle at low speed, but in the splattering wind and rain blowing around her face, her hair added yet another impairment to driving safely.

As she buzzed through the busy streets, she let the exhilaration of freedom overtake her. Just her against the elements, a woman in charge of her destiny and her destination as she made several turns to join her best friend for a drink.

No men telling her what to do. No arranged mating, forced life bond, or that dreaded Selection. A time in an Otra woman’s life to be dreaded. Females only entered Selection at certain periods in their lives—when psychically matured and ready to mate, or when ready to procreate—neither of which she intended to do anytime soon.

The only drawback of New Hattan, and Earth, that she could see were the humans’ intolerance of her kind. Progress had been made in the last few decades. Otra were no longer hunted down for sport, and laws had been passed adding their species to the American Constitution, at least. Other parts of the world had different stands on an alien presence in their midst, but the northeastern states were the most liberal. Hence her sojourn to New Hattan.

Revving her bike into an open parking space a block from the bar, she parked and removed her helmet. A few minutes later, she spotted Sheila standing outside the noisy bar.

“Finally.” Sheila sighed with exasperation. “I’ve been waiting for ten minutes. I had to turn down three offers for a blowjob and two cops wanting to haul my ass downtown for soliciting.”

Adri laughed. “Maybe if you dressed a little more conservatively, that wouldn’t be an issue.” Sheila’s skirt cupped her ass, the low cut of her blouse called attention to her breasts, barely covered by a lacy demibra, and her fuck-me pumps gave her an added few inches, putting her chest at eye level with most men. Her overdone mascara and intense makeup only added to her problems.

“Suck it, Sanfal. You know I was on a story.”

“Did you get what you needed?”

“I sure the hell did. First drink’s on me.”

The pair entered the bar after being waved through by Miguel, the bouncer.

Though more an Irish Pub than club, the bar attracted a diverse crowd, especially on a Friday night. Criminals, cops, straight, gay, human and Otra, O’Malley’s catered to a good time had by one and all, where people could come to forget about their problems for a while. A strict no-fighting rule was enforced by the many bouncers in the place, which accounted for the high number of Otra normally in attendance.

Adri didn’t mind it so much. She kept an ear out about the new Otra in town, careful to steer clear of anyone who even sounded like a ‘San Fal while listening for news from home. And with her looks, no one ever associated her with the aliens.

Blonde hair, violet eyes she tried to pass off as dark blue, and a normal, even temperament.

After they passed Miguel, Sheila glanced over her shoulder at him once then pulled Adri with her toward their usual spot at the end of the bar. Bless Tony, but he’d kept their seats open for them.

“Don’t think I haven’t forgiven you for breaking Miguel’s heart.” Not this again. “Sheila, I told you not to set me up on any more blind dates. I don’t want a man right now.”
At least, not that man. I want the one with dark hair and wickedly
bright eyes, the one who knows how to give me what I need.
Her screwed-up libido went crazy when she remembered her vivid dreams.
He does
not
exist.

“That’s so not normal.” Sheila grabbed Adri’s helmet and tucked it under her chair on the floor. With a critical eye, she studied Adri from top to bottom. “You have the hair pulled back, which only emphasizes that killer bone structure. Nice boobs hidden behind that leather jacket, and a tight ass no one can see in those baggy jeans.”

“Sheila, you’re embarrassing.” Her friend’s assessment garnered the attention of several men nearby. To them, she frowned. “Ignore her.”

“I don’t know,” one of them said to another. “I like her ass.” The other guy laughed and suggested something that made her blush.

“I knew you’d never done it that way,” Sheila said in a low voice, just having to comment on the rude guy’s words about anal. “I have. It’s comfortable if you have the right guy, and the right prep involved.”

Adri groaned. “Would you shut up about sex and men already?” She looked for the bartender and frantically waved him over. “Tony, two beers.”

“Coming up.”

She turned back to Sheila. “I think all this undercover work as a prostitute has skewed your view on sex.”

They discussed Sheila’s current story through one beer and into another. “I’ve worked my ass off on this assignment. Who knew shipping news could be so deliciously dirty?”

Adri agreed. “I never would have pegged the western sector as the center for corruption in town. Good work. Finch will have to give you a raise now.”

“So you’d think,” Sheila grumbled. “If that dickhead makes me proofread one more trade story I’m gonna puke. He’s just using those as an excuse to corner me in his office.

Like I can’t see through that.”

Adri grinned. “Oh, I don’t know. I think the little snot likes you.”

“Please. Now you’re making me sick.”

“Come on, Sheila. You know you want him. All that arrogance is just a cover for a dominant male. Isn’t that what women want these days?”

“Who knows?” Sheila tipped back her bottle. “Hell. What do you want?”

“Me?” A vision of her dream man, the giant with glowing eyes and strength in spades came rushing back. “Nothing.”

“Bull. You’re hung up on a guy. I know it.”

“Why are we talking about me? You’re the one with the interesting love life.”

“Well, I’d have a better one if I looked like you. No, don’t deny it. You know it’s true.”

“Do not.” She hated when Sheila brought up her looks.

“Oh? I have much more luck with men when I’m blonde. Like you. When I…” She leaned closer. “Pad my bra to get bigger breasts. Like you.” Adri couldn’t help laughing. “Please. It’s a fact guys seem to like blondes and boobs. So what?”

The bartender stopped by and she tried to pay the tab, but Tony refused their money. “Ladies’ Night.”

“Nice of O’Malleys to finally show some appreciation for the people who draw most of his customers.” Adri nodded at the thought of spending less to drink more and decided she’d get tanked, or as tanked as she was able. She had the weekend off for a change, and wanted to be as
humanly
irresponsible about her free time as possible.

Damn but she loved it here. “Well, I’m waiting on your argument, Sheila.”

“Just admit I’m right, Adrienne.” Sheila finished the rest of her beer and signaled to Tony for another. “I’m going to get sloshed tonight. So we’ll add drunk to my blonde-and-boobs resume. Then I’ll get lucky. Maybe even pick up a studly alien on my way home.”

Adri shook her head. Otra were nothing but trouble.

“I saw that. You don’t like them, do you? Or is it just men you don’t like? You’ve been hurt in the past, I know it. Tell me.” Sheila nodded in sympathy.

“God, Sheila. You have such an imagination tonight. I told you before I’m just picky. When the right man comes along, I’ll know it.”
Or the right men. Why have I been
seeing two men in my dreams lately instead of that one? Please don’t tell me I’ve somehow
phased into
Selection
.

“So it’s just a matter of not finding Mr. Right? That’s my excuse.” Sheila snorted with laughter. “Or so I keep telling my mother. She’s killing me. Every time I come home, another one of her friends knows a nice young man looking for a wife. Looking to get laid, more like it.”

Adri shook her head. “So cynical for one so young.”

“Pot calling kettle, hello. You’re younger than I am. What are you? Twenty-four, twenty-five?”

More like forty-six. Otra matured slower than humans, and when they hit their prime, their aging nearly stopped. When Adri had reached twenty-two, her cell growth had involuntarily slowed. But for all she knew about the worlds beyond Werfal 5, she might as well have been a naïve teenager. “Yeah, twenty-five.” A nice number.

“So is your dad bugging you?” Her mother had died during Adri’s fifth year, leaving her alone at home with a father and six brothers, not to mention all her cousins and uncles. Too many men spouting too many orders. Was it any wonder she’d needed to escape the insanity?