Deep snorted. “Show me a Scourge who knows how to love and I’ll pay good credit for the sight. They aren’t able to show love because it’s not in their genetics. They’re hardwired for pain and domination—not tender caresses.”
“Maybe Xairn is different,” Kat said, really hoping it was true. “Maybe he’ll be able to show her how he feels in an appropriate manner.”
“Being realistic, my lady, that probably won’t happen,” Lock said.
“Lock is right, unfortunately,” Deep agreed. “He’s more likely to want to tie her to the bed and ravage her than prepare her favorite meals and bring her flowering vegetation.”
Kat frowned. “I hope you’re wrong about that. Because I can tell that Lauren cares about him too. I don’t know if she knows it yet, but it’s easy to see. The way she looks at him—the way she touches him.”
Deep shook his head. “She’d better be careful there. It’s the touching that’s likely to drive him over the edge.”
Kat was troubled. “So you’re saying…”
“The more she touches him, the more he wants her and the harder he has to fight against his natural impulses,” Deep finished for her.
“Don’t despair, my lady.” Lock kissed the side of her neck gently in a way that sent a shiver down Kat’s spine. “He cares for her—that much we can see. I would venture to say that Xairn will do his utmost to hold back his Scourge nature in order to keep from hurting Lauren. Wouldn’t you, Brother?”
“I would.” Deep kissed her cheek. “In the mean time, we know she’s safe. So why don’t we turn our attentions to more pressing matters?” He pulled halfway out of Kat’s pussy and pumped slowly back in, as though to illustrate his point.
Kat groaned. “God, you’re insatiable.”
He cocked an eyebrow at her. “Do you want me to stop?”
She shook her head. “No…no, I think I could be up for round two. And I can tell both of you are.”
“Indeed we are, my lady,” Lock murmured in her ear. “And this time there is no fear to get in the way. We can all fully enjoy the experience.” He followed his brother’s lead, pulling halfway out and thrusting slowly back into Kat’s rosebud.
She moaned and threw her head back, letting it rest on Lock’s shoulder. “You’re right—I’m not a bit afraid. Except maybe that you two will wear me completely out.”
“I doubt that,” Deep growled. “But it will certainly be fun trying.”
Kat moaned again and gave herself up to pleasure. It was going to be a long, long night and she didn’t mind one bit.
Chapter Eleven
They walked down a long stone corridor with massive stalls on either side—some empty and others occupied by alien ships. Not many of them looked as normal as their little silver Kindred ship, but Lauren didn’t get a chance to admire or inspect them. Xairn set a fast pace, pulling her relentlessly onward. The rough purple-brown stone pavement hurt her bare feet and made her wish she had taken a chance and worn the blue and crimson slippers she’d gotten from Blix after all.
Xairn said nothing until they reached what looked like a blank stone wall. “Here,” he murmured. Then, pressing his palm to the wall’s surface, he muttered a string of harsh, alien syllables.
Lauren watched, her eyes wide, as a crack appeared in the stone wall. It widened until there was enough room for both of them to walk through into the dimly lighted area beyond.
“Come,” Xairn said tersely, pulling her through. “Stay close to me at all times. Even though we’re within a reputable house, this is still splicer territory.”
“No problem.” With a shiver, Lauren pressed closer to him, wrapping her other arm around his and pressing her cheek to his shoulder. “Is…is this Slk person a thought thief too, like Blix was?” she asked in a low voice.
Xairn shook his head. “No, but he is a very skilled negotiator. Just let me make the deal and we should be fine.”
Lauren thought he sounded worried but she didn’t like to ask why—he obviously had enough on his mind already. They walked quickly through another, shorter and smaller corridor and came out into a well lighted living area that looked like a mansion.
The floors were of the same purple-brown stone of the parking area but they were smooth and level. Large carpets of bright orange, red, and blue grass were placed at intervals like stepping stones down the hallway they now found themselves in. There were strange works of art on the walls—some of which appeared to be alive—but again Lauren didn’t get a chance to examine them. She only got a few brief impressions.