Thorn's Bondmate (Zarronian Warriors Book 2) Read online

  THORN'S BONDMATE

  The Zarronians

  Book Two

  By

  Mardi Maxwell

  © Copyright June 2015 Mardi Maxwell

  All cover art © Copyright June 2015 by Mardi Maxwell

  All rights reserved.

  Artwork by Harris Channing

  Table of Contents

  History

  Glossary of Zarronian Terms

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Epilogue

  Books by Mardi Maxwell

  Healed

  Berserker’s Rage

  History

  For centuries the peace loving inhabitants of the Xenti Galaxy passed down the tales of the fierce and relentless Zarronian warriors. According to the elders the warriors were the guardians of the galaxy but they only appeared when the Xentians were threatened. After centuries of peace, the younger Xentians dismissed the tales as myths until the bloodthirsty Wrothians attacked Xenti and the Zarronians appeared.

  The war lasted for ten annuals but ended when the Wrothian leader, Selik ad-San, discovered the Zarronians most closely guarded secret—the warriors were plagued with a mating fever and could only share it with a Zarronian female. If they didn't find a mate by age thirty the fever burned out of control, ending the warrior's life. Selik ad-San and his first in command Gorm ad-Jai attacked Zarronia with a virus designed to kill the females but leave the warriors alive to suffer and die of the fever.

  Enraged and grief stricken by the deaths of their bondmates, daughters, and sisters, the Zarronians planned a final, ruthless battle. After ten cycles, and the loss of many Zarronian warriors, the Wrothians' were defeated. The Zarronians, ever honorable, allowed the retreat of two Wrothian worldships filled with females and children.

  The warriors returned to Zarronia believing they would soon be extinct. Eventually their warrior instincts willed them to find a way to survive and they began searching the universe for compatible females. After eight annuals a genealogist found a diary in which his ancestor revealed he'd bonded with a Wrothian female. When he reported this to the High Council they swore him to secrecy and ordered three of their older starship commanders to find the Wrothians. The search took two annuals but eventually they were located on Zhang where they'd been forced to settle when their damaged worldships disintegrated.

  The High Council informed the warriors that compatible females had been found and revealed their identity. For two moon phases the warriors refused to take an enemy female as a bondmate. Finally the High Council declared any warrior who refused to bond with a Wrothian female would be stripped of his warrior status and exiled to die alone in dishonor. Rather than lose their honor the warriors reluctantly relented even as they continued to search for other compatible races.

  Eventually females were found on Earth.

  Glossary of Zarronian Terms

  Zarronian Time Terms:

  Nano-unit: second

  Micro-unit: minute (80 nano-units in a micro-unit)

  Unit: hour (80 micro-units in a unit)

  Cycle: day (30 units in a cycle)

  Moon phase: month

  Annual: year

  Sun rising: dawn

  Sun zenith: noon

  Darkening: midnight

  Birth cycle: birthday

  Zarronian Terms:

  Female: a woman

  Kourtisan: a mistress

  Male: a warrior usually, sometimes other males

  Bond: the act of a warrior sharing his mating fever with a female

  Bondmate: a female who has accepted a warrior's fever

  Mate: a bondmates' warrior

  Saber-cat: a large ferocious cat-like creature, bronze fur with bluish-green eyes

  Stinkgoat: a stinky goat-like creature. It produces pungent milk and cheese

  Versnake: a small colorful snake, aggressive and deadly

  Wolfen: a huge wolf-like animal, black fur with purple eyes

  Tor: Zarronian god

  Chapter One

  Washington, D.C. March 2055

  SENTINEL REPORTER MISSING ... POLICE SUSPECT FOUL PLAY

  “Sentinel reporter Daria Zane left work Friday evening and hasn't been seen since. Before leaving she told her editor, Malcolm Payne, she was meeting with an informant concerning the hundreds of missing women in the Washington, D.C. area. When Ms. Zane failed to arrive for work Monday morning Mr. Payne contacted the police and a unit was dispatched. The officers found Ms. Zane's apartment door kicked in and her home ransacked.

  Ms. Zane is five feet ten inches tall, medium weight with long black hair and distinctive violet eyes. She was last seen wearing blue jeans, a black leather jacket, and black running shoes. The police ask anyone with information concerning her whereabouts to contact them at the following number...”

  Daria read the public notification board as she passed it then ducked into another group of people and moved along with them. She'd been on the run for four days but had finally lost her pursuers earlier by joining a group of office-bound workers. Now, though, the crowd thinned as people entered their work places, forcing her to search for a place to hide and finding the entry to an alley twenty feet ahead. She moved to the edge of the crowd and slipped into the shadows of the alley then sidled between two high stacks of boxes that lined one side.

  Exhausted and filthier than she'd ever been in her life, she leaned against the building and closed her eyes. At her wits end, she didn't know who she could trust with the information she'd learned about the missing women. Shivering, she crouched and grabbed the broken laces on her shoe. The dried blood that coated them brought tears of exhaustion and anger to her eyes. She mumbled several curses directed toward the men pursuing her as she tied them into a bulky knot. She pulled her legs up, wrapped her arms around them and rested her head on her knees.

  Four days ago she'd received a call from a woman saying she had information about a bunch of the missing women. Excited, she'd arranged to meet her on the lower level of a nearby parking garage then told her editor about the meeting. Upon arrival she'd found the woman hiding in the shadows. As she'd approached her, Daria had been surprised to see her friend Marie's step-sister, Emma. She'd pulled Daria into the shadows while she told her what she'd overheard her boss, James Martin, his brother Senator George Martin, and several other men discussing.

  The Martins owned one of the largest and oldest pharmaceutical companies in the country, and Emma was James' executive assistant. The previous night she'd stayed late to finish a report, but after placing it on his desk she'd remembered he'd asked for several other documents. She'd pulled the files and as she'd put them on his desk she'd heard him and several other men talking in the conference room.

  While trying to decide if she should offer to have some food brought in, she heard what they were discussing—a trade deal made with a race of aliens called the Witvians. Apparently, in exchange for young and attractive women they were receiving a constant and plentiful supply of a new drug they called Aphrogen. The drug had been stolen from the Zarronians who called it ZL3.

  When Daria had asked who else was at the meeting the list of attendees had staggered her. Not only had the owner of the Sentinel been there but so had the Chief of Poli
ce, several powerful businessmen, a well-known General, and three high-ranking politicians. Most amazing of all was the Zarronian warrior who had been present. Emma had described him as tall with dark hair and light grey eyes. She'd also said he had been wearing platinum and gold armbands with red stones. A description that wasn’t much help as she'd already seen more than one warrior with that description and armbands with red stones. Before she'd been able to ask Emma to describe the exact color of the stones the sound of squealing tires and slamming car doors had reached them. She and Emma took off as bullets whizzed by their heads. Just as she'd thought they were going to make it, Emma had been struck. Daria had tried to pull her to safety but to no avail as she'd been fatally wounded. She'd had no choice but to leave her behind and run for her life.

  Hidden by the boxes around her, she rested and decided she couldn't go to anyone on Earth. She also couldn't go to the Zarronians as any one of them could be involved. The only person she thought she could go to was the Zarronian Ambassador, Valan Eirikson. She was a good judge of character and her instincts told her she could trust him. She'd met him at a news conference at the White House six months ago. Most of the questions he'd been asked had been answered with an intimidating stare and a 'no comment.' But, as he'd walked out she'd caught him staring at her eyes and she'd hastily asked if he was married, first in English and then in his own language. He'd looked surprised while the more seasoned reporters around her had laughed at her question. For a moment he'd stared at her then he'd smiled and in his own language he'd told her about his wife, Lia. The other reporters had tried to get close enough to hear what he said but his warriors had kept them back.

  Afterwards she'd rushed back to her office, written the story and turned it in. Two days later she'd been offered an exclusive interview with the Ambassador. Stunned, she'd accepted and presented herself at the Zarronian landing station at the designated time. When he'd introduced her to his wife, Madami Valan, Daria had nearly fainted with excitement. As far as she knew there wasn't anyone on Earth who had ever seen a Zarronian female much less spoken to one. Madami Valan had answered her questions while she'd given her a tour of the transfer station which in itself was surprising. When she'd insisted on giving her a tour of their starship Daria had nearly hyperventilated. Nobody had ever been allowed to board one of their starships and return to Earth.

  Of course, she'd had to promise not to write anything about the starship but she'd been given permission to write up the interview with Madami Valan. The article she'd written and the accompanying picture of Madami Valan showing her how to operate one of the food processors at the landing station had made her famous. It had also drawn the attention of several government agencies who demanded access to her recordings of the interview. When she'd admitted there wasn't one and that she'd only taken written notes they'd demanded details. A big disadvantage now that she was on the run. If she could make it to the landing station though she might be able to sneak onto one of their ships and hide until they reached Zarronia. Then, and only then, would she announce her presence and ask to see Ambassador Eirikson.

  Hours later the sound of a garbage truck dropping a heavy metal bin woke her. Daria rubbed her tired eyes then peeked out. At the end of the alley, the lunch crowd hurried by taking no note of her hiding place. Reluctantly, she joined them for a few blocks until she saw a sign for a thrift shop. Darting through the door, she moved into the deep shadows between two racks of used clothes but kept an eyes on the door. When it remained empty she breathed a sigh of relief and began looking for something to wear.

  The teenage clerk at the counter looked at her once then went back to the magazine she was reading. Daria chose a long dress in a dark blue color and a pair of black ankle boots. In the back of the shop she found a rack of coats next to a shelf of hats and amazingly a row of wigs. She grabbed a thick coat then chose a shoulder length blond wig. Gathering her choices she carried them to the counter where the young clerk reluctantly lowered the magazine. She smiled then showed her the cover featuring several Zarronian warriors. "Aren't they hot?" She fanned herself. "I ran into one coming out of a building last week. He was huge and so good-looking." She laughed. "My boyfriend got mad because I flirted with him, but I mean, really, who wouldn't?"

  Daria smiled but thought not me. No way, ever. They had too many secrets and she'd learned the hard way that people with secrets were dangerous."

  The girl looked down at the items Daria placed on the counter. "Is that all you want?"

  "Yes."

  "It's half-price day. Are you sure you don't want anything else?"

  Daria smiled then noticed a display of sunglasses. She grabbed a pair and added them to the pile.

  The girl added up the price. "Eight credits."

  Daria shuffled her feet. She didn't dare use her credit chip. She pretended to search the tote she carried then patted the pockets of her jacket. "I don’t have any credits. Will you take a trade?"

  "I don't know. What kind of trade?"

  Daria shrugged the leather jacket from her shoulders. "How about my jacket?"

  The clerk hesitated then smiled and nodded. Daria handed it over. "Could I use your ladies room to clean up and change?"

  "The boss says we're not supposed to let the customers use the facilities. If we let one then they'll all be coming in here."

  "Please? I have a job interview this afternoon. I'll be quick." Daria glanced out the front window of the store. Thankfully, she didn’t see anyone waiting for her but that didn't mean they weren't out there.

  The clerk shoved the jacket onto a shelf below the register then nodded. "If you hurry you can use it. The boss won't be back until one. If he comes back early you can just duck out the back door. Okay?"

  Daria picked up the pile of clothes. "Thank you. You're a lifesaver."

  The clerk laughed and pointed toward the back of the store. "The bathroom is in the back to your right. The light should be on. The boss doesn't like me to leave it on but it's spooky back there in the dark, you know?"

  "I know. I don't like the dark either," Daria whispered, remembering how scared she'd been the last four nights while hiding in any dark corner she could find. She moved to the door into the back room and peered around.

  The room was dim and full of tables stacked with bundles of clothes. Directly across from her a door led to the alley. Beside it was an open door with light shining from it. Figuring it was the bathroom she moved toward it, went inside and locked the door before she looked in the mirror. She was a mess. Grime covered her face and her hair was a tangled mess. The right sleeve of her sweater hung from her shoulder. A dried blood stain on it looked like a coffee stain. Only she knew it was Emma's blood. Looking away from it, she turned on the hot water not expecting anything to happen and was proven right. She turned the other faucet and a dribble of cold water fell into the bowl. A small sliver of soap melted in a pool of water on the sink.

  She stripped, grabbed a handful of paper towels and washed, shivering when the cold water hit her skin. The warm air dried her while she gathered the makeup from her tote and applied a thick layer then outlined her eyes with black eyeliner and coated her lashes with several layers of mascara. The shape of her face changed as she used blush to make her cheekbones appear rounder. Lastly, she pulled on the wig making sure none of her own hair showed, and then arranged the blonde strands around her face.

  She dropped the baggy dress over her head and stepped into the boots. Her clothes went into the bottom of her tote before she pulled on the coat. She left the bathroom and hid the bag under a large pile in the far corner of the room. The door to the alley appeared to be unlocked so she opened it and peered out. Seeing the way was clear she slipped out, put on the sunglasses and walked to the end of the alley where she joined a group of tall suit-clad men. She walked close behind them until she spotted a taxi cruising toward her. Hailing it she jumped in as soon as the driver pulled over and told him to take her to the alien station.

  The
driver gave her a funny look. "You one of those women going into space with those warriors?"

  "Yes, and I'm late so could you please hurry?" Daria glanced through the back window looking for anyone who might be following her. She tried to remember what she'd been shown during the tour of the station and starship but the adrenaline that had kept her going was wearing off. Leaning over, she rolled down the window and let the freezing air revive her. She knew every female who entered the station had to eventually show her ID. Somehow she'd have to avoid it as she'd left her identification in her tote and certainly wouldn't show it anyway. Remembering the layout of the station she realized she might be able to go directly to the changing rooms.

  Madami Valan told her the women who went to Zarronia weren't allowed to take anything with them, not even their own clothes. In the changing rooms they stripped, showered and dressed in gowns provided by the Zarronians. They were then transferred to a starship and taken to a dorm-like chamber which they shared during the journey. That would cause a problem as well. Once on the starship the females were carefully monitored. She'd have to get away before she was taken to the women's chamber and find a place to hide. Madami Valan had also showed her the second level of the starship where several quarters for Ambassadors and other VIPs were located. She remembered asking Madami Valan if she lived on the starship and she had said the quarters were unoccupied unless an Ambassador was on board. A small hysterical laugh escaped Daria's lips as she realized she might make it after all if she could reach the second level and gain entry into one of those quarters.

  "Here we are, lady. Sure hope you know what you're doing," the taxi driver said.

  "I do, too." She opened the door and swiveled around to get out of the vehicle. "How much do I owe you?"

  "A hundred credits." He chuckled at her look of shock.

  Daria patted her pockets. "I don’t seem to have my credit chip with me." She removed the diamond necklace from around her neck and held it out, letting it swing back and forth while it caught the light and sparkled. "Will this do?"