Wind Demon Triology: Book II: Evil Wind by Charlotte Boyett-Compo Page A

realize Raphaella is either going to your aid or backing you up,” Iyan suggested.
    "Is our firewall still reporting what we want it to?” Khiershon asked.
    "Every living thing on this vessel is being defined as female,” Cathy Atherton, the systems tech, spoke up. “No way will anyone be able to scan male presences on the DarkWind . So if the Alluvia passes its scanners over us, we'll show up as an all-female crew. The block is engaged on all sound emanating from our vessel so no one can pick up our conversations."
    "Raphaella blocked incoming transmissions but didn't have sense enough to block outgoing. For that alone she needs her ass whipped!” Iyan growled.
    "We shouldn't have anything to worry about for now,” Khiershon said. “I've other pressing matters to see to. Keep me informed."
    "What other matters?” Iyan questioned, but his friend and commander was already strolling away, waving a dismissive hand over his shoulder.
    * * * *
    Caitlin was getting bored lying in the bunk and had decided to get up and get dressed when she heard Raven mumbling out in the living area.
    "’ ‘Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door'."
    "Who is it, Raven?” she asked, throwing the covers aside.
    "'Come to me, by all means, my dear good friend',” the ‘bot called out.
    Cait heard Khiershon's voice as his boots hit the floor and she smiled. She listened and realized he was shutting down the ‘bot. That could mean only one thing. She stretched out on the bunk on her side—one arm crooked over her bare chest—and awaited her lover.
    His eyes were gleaming when he came into the sleeping chamber. He stood in the doorway and heat began building in his eyes as he stared at her.
    "You turned off the ‘bot,” she said in a low whisper.
    "Aye,” he said and his hands went to the buttons of his black silk shirt. “I want no interference."
    "Interference with what, milord?” she said in a husky voice.
    "Your ravishment, wench,” he replied. “I need to lose myself in you even more after than visit to the bridge."
    The last button came undone and he spread the silk garment, tugging it free of his bitches, giving her a view of the hairy expanse of his heavily-muscled chest with the livid red tattoo on the left pectoral. As he worked loose the buttons at his wrists, he held her gaze captured in the dark amber glint of his.
    "What was so important Iyan had to have you visit him this morning?” Caitlin asked, sweeping her tongue over her suddenly dry lips.
    "Nothing out of the ordinary. Just Raphaella slipping in deep foig,” he said and peeled the shirt from his body.
    At the mention of her rival, Caitlin's lips pursed. “What did she do now?"
    His hands were on the black jet studs that held together the fly of his uniform britches. “Nothing she can't handle,” he said then added beneath his breath, “I hope."
    "What did she do?” Caitlin repeated with exasperation.
    "She took the StarRaider and came after us,” he said, spreading his fly open and pushing the tight britches down his lean hips.
    "Even after you told her to stay where you left her?” Caitlin asked.
    "She thinks she's protecting me."
    "She thinks you still belong to her,” Caitlin grumbled.
    "Apparently so,” he said, remembering the words he'd heard her saying to the Amazeen captain.
    "We need to disabuse her of that notion, Reaper,” Caitlin snapped. “ You need to disabuse her of the notion or she'll continue to be a problem."
    Khiershon sighed as he stepped out of his pants. “I'll have a talk with her."
    "And I'll be there to add my two cents worth,” she announced. “Is she following us?"
    "She's sitting in the middle of the galaxy with an Amazeen LRC in front of her, calmly conversing as though nothing of import was happening in our world,” he grumbled.
    Caitlin's eyebrows shot up. “She's talking with other Amazeens? I thought she was persona non grata to them."
    "As best we can tell, there is no animosity between her ship