Lovers of the Galaxy: Book Three: Raiders of the Lost Heart Read Online Free PDF Page B

will agree to stay as far away from
the Bone Eaters as possible—except for the ones in the lab. I will
not stop working on Dr. Zeon’s serum experiment, but I will take
extra precautions.” Venus strode across the room. She held up her
hand as both men faced her ready to do verbal battle with her.
    Volund clenched and unclenched his fists. Little
beads of sweat formed on his forehead. Sensing he held back the
demand he wanted to issue, she walked up to him and hugged him.
Venus knew this had to be difficult for him since he’d lost his
only child with first wife, Zi-Ahda.
    She reached for his hands and twined her fingers with
his. “I promise, Volund.” She glanced up and held his gaze. “I
promise, if I need blood from a Bone Eater or one must be moved or
if anything else dangerous is required, I will have you two do it,
but I have to see this through. In a way, I’m finishing what my mom
and dad started so long ago. If we can at least save the females,
I’ll be happy for right now. Please .” She waited.
    Behind her, Jaxxon caressed her back. “You will wait
for us to be in the room while you work with the test subjects
downstairs?”
    She sighed. “You’re cutting my time in half, Jaxxon.
The two of you won’t be able to be with me all the time. I need to
work on the serum, and if it works, their rehabilitation.”
    “I am sorry,” he replied, “but we do not know how
this pregnancy is going to advance. Three children at once is
unusual for our race. I want one of us with you at all times. We
need to carefully monitor you. This is one of the main reasons the
council sent us here. They will want details on everything.”
    “I’ll be damned if you two are going to poke and prod
me like a guinea pig.” Venus yanked her hands out of Volund’s and
stalked away from both of them. “Why does it seem like I’m making
all the concessions, while the both of you have done nothing? I
know this is rough on you, Volund, but I’m not Zi-Ahda. If you plan
on reporting my progress, fine. But you will not cage me like a
rat.” She reined in her emotions. “Now, I’m going downstairs. The
first female should be changing soon.”
    Once again, more stupid tears formed in her eyes, and
she whimpered, rushing through the door before her men could stop
her. She needed to talk to Badden and Acwel before the females’
transformations started.
    Wiping the tears away, she opened the door to go
downstairs when Volund wrapped his arm around her waist and
transported her to the lab. “There is no need for you to keep going
up and down those stairs.”
    She nodded and moved out of his arms, but he pulled
her back again and placed two fingers under her chin, lifting it.
“What’s wrong?”
    She tried to pull away, but he held her still. “I’m
scared, Volund. You’ve seen how it is out there. How can we bring
babies into this ugly, dangerous battle zone? They won’t be able to
go out and play, and what about the other children?”
    Venus stroked her stomach. “How long is it going to
take to make this area safe? What about a home?” She waved her
hand, indicating the room. “This isn’t a home. This is a refugee
camp.”
    “You’re an alpha female, my love. You’re strong and
determined. The three of us will protect our offspring and the
other children. Don’t forget we have Miln’s kin here and more men
and supplies on the way.” He studied her and then nodded.
    “Okay, later today we will go out and search for a
place to call ours. One we will slowly make our home. One that is
safe and filled with love for our children, but we won’t give up,
we cannot. It is our job to make this world better for our young
and others, too.”
    He placed his hands on her waist and lifted her so
she was eye level with him. “One step at a time little warrior, but
never give up on us. Now, why do you need to speak with Badden and
Acwel?” He put her down and kissed the top of her head.
    Venus smiled and took his hand.