Liv shook her head. “Never mind—it’s a long story. The point is, I had to get one of the spare pilots from the docking bay to take Elise back to Earth.”
“They’re separated?” Sylvan demanded in uncharacteristic agitation. “Seven hells! Well then, where is he?”
“He said something about running a diagnostic on his ship.” Liv bit her lip. “I think he wanted to leave the Mother Ship as soon as he could—he was pretty upset.”
But she found she was speaking the last words to empty space. Sylvan had already left the med station, practically running in the direction of the docking bay.
* * * * *
Merrick tightened a last lug nut on the inside of his star-duster’s engine and closed the casing. Stepping back, he wiped his grimy hands on a rag and eyed the little craft critically. “There—that should hold. Good enough for now anyway.” He’d meant to do a more complete diagnostic on the little ship, but now he just wanted to get finished and leave the Mother Ship and all the new, hurtful memories he’d made here behind.
Stop thinking about it, he commanded himself. Stop thinking about her. But no matter what he said or did, he couldn’t get that hurt look on her face out of his mind. Couldn’t forget that soft, sobbing way she’d whispered his name as he walked away.
What he didn’t understand was how he could have been fooled into thinking a female like her could care for a male like him. But Elise had seemed so helpless and innocent and he hadn’t smelled another male on her at all. If she and her fiancé had made love—Merrick gritted his teeth at the thought but forced himself to continue—if they had made love even once in the past year or so, his sensitive hybrid nose would have picked up on the faint trace of male musk he would have left on her. But there was nothing—nothing but Elise’s own sweet, fresh scent that drove him crazy whenever he smelled it. So what was going on?
Merrick frowned. From what he knew of her culture, it didn’t seem like the females were in the business of waiting until they got joined to have sex, like they did on Tranq Prime. So was Elise a virgin? Somehow he didn’t think so. She had none of the uncertainty and trepidation of a female who’s never had sex before. But she obviously hadn’t had sex with her fiancé either, unless Merrick’s nose was wrong. And it was never wrong.
They’ve been promised for over a year but he hasn’t claimed her. Why? He stared at the side of his star-duster as though the answers might magically appear in the dull silver metal. Why wouldn’t he at least try to mark her as his own? Why wouldn’t she—Then the harsh voice of reality broke in.
The real question is,why are you still thinking about her? She’s nothing to you—less than nothing. She’s not even—
“Merrick! Thank the Goddess I caught you!”
He turned in surprise to see Sylvan coming up behind him, his boots echoing with his rapid footsteps. “Sylvan—what is it?” His old friend was noticeably upset and anxious—completely out of character for the normally cool and collected Tranq Kindred.
“I’m so relieved.” Sylvan came to a halt in front of him and ran a hand through his hair. “I was told by Control that you already had clearance for take off.”
Merrick shifted uncomfortably. “Yeah, well…I didn’t want to waste any time. Look, I know I should have come to tell you goodbye first but I figured you’d understand after Olivia talked to you.”
“Yes, yes, she told me something about Elise having a forgotten fiancé.” Sylvan made a shooing gesture with one hand as though the information was of no importance. “The point is, she’s left the ship prematurely and she’s in danger.”
Merrick’s heart jumped in his chest but he tried not to show his distress. “So?” he said casually. “Why come running to me? What can I do?”
“You have to bring her back here, right now,” Sylvan said. “It’s of the utmost importance.”
Merrick frowned. “Why me? You want her back on the ship, you go get her. She’s no longer under my protection.”
Sylvan looked frustrated. “Because I can’t help her. No one can help her but you—you’re the only one who can feed her hunger.” The way he emphasized the word let Merrick know he meant more than a physical craving for food.
“Hunger?” He frowned. “What in the seven hells is that?”
“I don’t have time to explain.” Sylvan faced him and took him by the shoulders. “Old friend,” he said, looking Merrick in the eyes. “I know you’re angry with her now, but I saw the way you acted around Elise—the way you cared for her. If you have even a drop of that emotion left inside you, I beg you to go after her now. Go get her and bring her back to the Mother Ship before it’s too late.”