The Covenant (2 page)

assist him, but mostly to make sure he followed procedure as much as

possible.

If they ever got to the damn project. The ice cold reception wasn’t

exactly encouraging.

Trey York, the young pilot who’d been assigned to bring them over,

paced restlessly over to the door, checked the scanning system for the

second time, and shook his head. “We’re fucking locked in.” He registered

his speech and glanced over. “Excuse me, Lieutenant.”

“No problem.” She agreed wholeheartedly with the sentiment, if not the

choice of words. “I’ve heard it before. The question is
why
are we locked

in?”

“They’re worried we’re carrying something, at a guess.” Armada looked

thoughtful, his lean body clad in the same generic tan pants and shirt, the

nondescript color and fit doing nothing to lessen his almost overwhelming

masculinity.

Actually, between the two of them, she felt overwhelmed in general.

York was also a gorgeous S-species male, dark-haired and clean featured,

with a whipcord athletic body and a vitality that was almost visible. She was

twenty-five and she guessed the pilot might be her age or maybe a year or

two younger and knew Armada wasn’t yet thirty.

The space felt way too small to share with two males who exuded

hormones and virility like most S-species. As a half-breed, she was stuck in

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Annabel Wolfe

a way between the Superhumans—or S-species—who dominated the known

universe, and the humans from which they evolved, now considered inferior.

Long ago genetic alterations—to make it easier for human beings to

acclimate to different environments as Earth became too crowded and

colonies were needed—resulted in a change that backfired for humans.

Their counterparts grew more powerful, both physically and intellectually,

and as a result, earth now existed under the thumb of the S-species in every

way. Aspen’s mother was a human female, and her father an S-species highranking soldier. Often, the breeding intermixed to make sure genetic

mutations did not begin to occur and she was the result of one of those

precautions.

York argued, “I’ve been through decontamination before after landing

on more planets than I can remember. This is different.”

“I agree.” Aspen thought about sitting in the chair next to Armada,

decided it was too close to both of them, and chose to lean against the wall.

“Whatever has happened, they are keeping it low profile.”

As if in answer, one of several screens on the wall flickered to life.

“Very astute, Lieutenant Thorne. Low profile is correct. May I welcome all

of you to Rapt One.”

The image of the colony governor appeared. Though she’d seen his

picture before, Aspen recognized the difference. Normally he was presented

as an affable, good-looking administrator, a former admiral now in control

of a prosperous colony, precise, agreeable, and competent. With dismay she

registered the obvious signs of strain in the lines around his mouth and the

weariness in his expression.

As liaison it was her job to respond, so she said neutrally, “Good

afternoon, Governor. Forgive our speculation, but I doubt you can blame

us.”

It looked like he was seated in some sort of conference room and

someone spoke off camera. He nodded and glanced at a small screen to his

left and then back up. “I’m sorry for the inconvenience but please

understand it is necessary. A recent biological attack on the colony could

have killed thousands, maybe even everyone. We’re doing our best at

damage control at this point, and that means prevention.”

Well, that explained the confiscation of their clothing and personal

items at least. She frowned. “Has Minoa responded?”

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11

“I’ve spoken to Governor Kartel, naturally. All the colonies are going

on full military alert. He is as harried and concerned as I am, maybe more,

since he sits on the Universal Council. He sends his greetings, Armada.”

Aspen hadn’t realized Larik was such close friends with one of the most

powerful men in interstellar politics. She interjected, “Have there been other

incidents?”

“It was the consensus after the first near disaster we would keep our

precautions quiet for as long as possible. We’d like to be able to discern who

is behind the terrorism so we can retaliate and eliminate the threat.

Obviously word will spread soon enough of the required quarantine when

entering the colony, but until then, we hope to not only prevent another

attack, but if other infected arrivals are detected, maybe we can pinpoint the

source.”

“I can assure you we are not contaminated.”

“No, you can’t, Lieutenant. The previous individuals had no idea. As

much as we need help with the defunct power station from Mr. Armada and

yourself, you will have to wait out the quarantine like everyone else. We can

go on with rationing power as before, but I cannot ration life.”

The finality in his tone made her straighten a little, but it was Trey York

who asked in a terse voice, “How long?”

“Eight weeks.”

He stared, and his eyes, a light crystalline blue, glittered. “Did you just

say
eight weeks
, sir?”

“We’re being very careful.” The governor’s voice held an implacable

edge. “The quarters you now occupy will hold you until the end of specified

allotment. You’ll find sufficient food and anything else you might require

for your stay. At any time, you can communicate with us, but I’m afraid

should any of you fall ill, no medical assistance will be given. The first

physical contact you’ll have will be the day you are released.”

Sixty days?
Aspen felt dismay roll over her like a wave and she saw the

two men in the room exchange a swift glance, as if an unspoken

communication passed between them. Armada spoke up. “May I request,

sir, that Lieutenant Thorne be moved to separate quarters.” He added in a

bland tone, “We were out for months prior to our arrival.”

In other words, for an S-species male, with their high sex drive, that was

a long time. She’d noticed in the two weeks on the transport their

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Annabel Wolfe

restlessness and careful avoidance of contact with her if possible. They were

already on the edge. If things had gone as expected, she had no doubt both

of them would have sought female company for the night.

The governor shook his head. “The other quarters are all occupied and

all have males. Besides, if we were going to introduce a new individual,

their quarantine would have to begin again. I’m sure you understand this is

difficult for everyone. We are in an official state of emergency on Rapt One

and technically, you three are prisoners of war until it is proven you are safe.

I am sure Lieutenant Thorne remembers her military training when it comes

to certain situations. The 051 regulations were put in place for a purpose,

and I’m afraid this is just one of those instances.”

Aspen stared at the screen. “Sir, I—”

He cut her off ruthlessly. “I look forward to welcoming you to Rapt One

in person in two months.”

The screen abruptly went blank. The resulting silence seemed heavy and

Aspen could feel from the heat in her face and neck she was flushed. No one

spoke for a moment until Armada elevated a dark blond brow in a graceful

arch. “Okay, I’ll ask. Since I’m non-military, I’m not familiar with

regulation zero-whatever. Mind filling me in?”

Already York looked at her differently. She could almost feel the

change in assessment from respectful subordinate to predatory male. He said

with deceptive casualness, “Regulation 051 states that in case of prolonged

close contact between female personnel with males who have no other

alternative for sexual release, it is part of their duties to assist in the welfare

of their counterparts by providing them access to sexual intercourse. Believe

me, during initial training, every new male soldier memorizes that one.”

“Yeah, I would guess he would.” Armada’s sapphire eyes darkened a

little.

“I’m going to venture a guess that’s what the extra bed in the bunkroom

is for. The sleepers aren’t big enough for more than one individual.” York

sounded nonchalant but there was nothing casual about the way he looked at

her.

He was right, she realized. Most big ships had a similar set up.

Practicality dictated to have a separate comfortable place provided for

sexual purposes since the sleeping berths were narrow by necessity to save

space.

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13

It was time for her to say something and take charge of the situation, she

just had no idea what it should be. Aspen cleared her throat. “The regulation

is more for combat instances than something like this.”

“It seems to me the governor just told us we were prisoners of war.”

York gave her a cheeky grin. It lit his already disturbingly handsome face

and she felt her flush deepen.

“Watch it, Pilot.” Her voice should have sounded crisp and heavy with

authority. Instead it came off with a small wobble.

He didn’t look impressed with the warning, propping himself with one

broad shoulder against the opposite wall, that teasing smile lingering. “I’ve

been watching, ma’am, since the moment I met you. I like what I see, too, if

I have permission to say so. How about you, Armada?”

“Oh yeah.” The agreement was said in a low sexy drawl. “But I have a

feeling the lieutenant already knows that.”

She’d known they were both aware of her as a female, but they had been

deferent and polite since they’d left the ship together for Rapt One. As a

military pilot, York wasn’t exactly under her command and carried no rank

but was instead classed by experience and ability, for pilots were a separate

division entirely. The same thing could be said for Armada, since he was

civilian.

The 051 regulation also clearly stated no female was ever required to

sleep with a male if she outranked him. Unfortunately for her, the rule did

not apply here. Besides, essentially the governor had given them permission

to expect her cooperation.

Four months of abstinence is a stretch for any S-species male. It seemed

she had two on her hands and there was never a time in her career, even

through the rigorous training required to get to where she was and rise in

rank, she had felt so intimidated.

Would it be best to confess the truth? It put her at a disadvantage, but

she was there anyway.

With as much dignity as possible, she said, “I’m a virgin.”

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Annabel Wolfe

Chapter 2

What the fuck? Trey York blinked, not sure he’d heard correctly.

Anyone that looked like Thorne had to be sexually experienced.

Except she had lost some of her usual icy reserve and the set of her

mouth was vulnerable as she stood there. If she could find anywhere to run,

she would, Trey guessed. Chin lifted, her striking violet eyes flashing

challenge, she looked composed but her soft lips trembled just a fraction in

betrayal of her uncertainty. The cascade of her glossy dark hair fell almost

to her waist, which really aroused him. He couldn’t wait to see her naked

because she was exactly his type, slender but curvaceous, her beauty

delicate and feminine. He doubted she was full S-species because she wasn’t

as tall as most females of their kind, which was another nice bonus if he was

stuck in such close quarters for two damned months. Human females were

small and tight and it added to the pleasure of taking them to bed. His cock

started to stiffen just thinking about it.

Trey repeated like an idiot, “You’ve never had sex?”

“That’s what a virgin is last I checked.” Her tone was caustic and she

lifted one arched ebony brow.

“Pretty hard to believe.” Armada looked just as surprised. “Males must

pursue you all the time, Lieutenant.”

“It doesn’t mean I have to say yes.”

“Until now,” Trey pointed out.

“I’m aware of the regulation, thank you.” To his amusement she shot

him a lethal look. “I also get I’m outnumbered and at a pretty severe

disadvantage size-wise.”

“No one is going to force you to comply, Lieutenant, so relax on that

point. Neither York or myself are that kind of male. We’ve flown together

before so I can say that with confidence about Trey.” Armada walked

toward the door into the galley and selected a bottle from one of the shelves.

The Covenant: The Starlight Chronicles 2

15

He examined the label and shrugged. “We might get a little hard to live

with, but it’s your choice. You’ve been an officer long enough I imagine

you understand how long abstinence affects males.”

How true. One of the drawbacks to the enhanced sex drive genetically

engineered into their physiology was aggression if not satisfied on a regular

basis. Many ships on long voyages carried human female slaves to service

the males but the two month trip from Minoa considered just on the inside

limit of endurance and none had been provided. Had the voyage been any