Hinekiri Read online

  “Humph, you’re no lady,” Hinekiri retorted. “I saw you cozying up to Richard before to get your ears scratched.”

  Richard drove right through a pothole in the road. Hinekiri bounced, jerking against the seat harness. Richard cursed and slowed to dodge another. With the vehicle under control and the road free of further obstacles, he glanced across at her, quirking his brows in a quizzical manner. “Do you have an invisible crew member in the vehicle? Is that how you intend to overpower me? You keep talking and barking to yourself.”

  “No, I intend to use my feminine wiles to subdue you,” Hinekiri replied, sending a glare at the smirking dog. Killer loved to cause trouble. The talking dog lived to annoy.

  Killer yipped in the backseat, her version of a canine laugh. “One to dog,” she said.

  “This isn’t a competition,” Hinekiri snapped.

  “Isn’t it?” Richard demanded. “There is always competition between male and female. If it’s done right, it’s very healthy.”

  Hinekiri’s grumpiness with Killer smoothed away. He was right. She was competing for his attention. He wasn’t wrong there. The man intrigued her and she wanted to learn more. “Did you have a good marriage?”

  “Yes, it was good. Most of the time. We were alike. Settled. I loved Felicity.”

  Something in the way he uttered the word settled spiked her curiosity. Was that good or bad?

  Richard drove past Ted Morrison’s wheat fields and around a corner. Gradually the road grew steeper and the paddocks and crops gave way to native forest and hills. He pulled up in the clearing where Luke had parked his vehicle the previous night. A dirt track wound up the hillside.

  “How far do we need to walk?”

  “About ten of your Earth minutes. What do you mean by settled? If I’m being nosy, tell me.” She hoped he wouldn’t do that.

  “Felicity was a homebody. A nester. Nothing wrong with that, but I always wondered if we should have traveled a little. Seen some of the world before we had the kids.”

  “Woof,” Killer barked.

  “I think she wants out,” Richard said. “We can talk later. I have to admit the suspense is killing me. I’m dying to get a close look at your ship.” He climbed out and opened a rear door for Killer.

  The dog bounded out and trotted over to a bush to sniff. Seconds later, she posted a message on the low, scrubby leaves, balancing precariously on three legs. “Ouch,” she complained, hopping for three or four steps. “Prickles.”

  Hinekiri chuckled and exited the SUV. The view was incredible from up here. Over to her right, the hillside was clad with Earth trees peculiar to this outpost. She’d looked them up in her knowledge bank. The lacy green leaves that looked like big ferns were punga. The tree with the tiny leaves was called a manuka or sometimes a tea tree since settlers used to make tea from the foliage. The rich scent of plants, leaf litter and volcanic soil floated across her senses.

  They collected some of the parts from the rear of the vehicle, leaving the surplus for a second trip.

  “This country is attractive to view.” Hinekiri winked. “Of course, the males aren’t too bad either.”

  Killer yapped and Hinekiri nailed her with a glare. “Enough from you.” She glanced up to catch Richard’s quizzical frown. “We should maintain silence in case there are Torgon lurking in the area.” Good excuse! Satisfaction fuelled a grin.

  The track narrowed and Richard indicated Hinekiri should go first. Made sense since she knew the ship’s location, but she was missing the opportunity to view the man’s buttocks.

  “Man look at your backside,” Killer barked. “Look hard. Make holes soon.”

  “Shush, Killer.” But it was too late. The vision was firmly entrenched in her mind. Hinekiri felt heat steal through her body. Her low-slung jeans clung to her hips, rubbing against her flesh with each step. Her cotton shirt was just as bad, making her skin tingle with each brush of fabric. And her Earth underthings. Hinekiri liked to blend in when she traveled but for once, her silky robes would be useful. No underwear. Very handy.

  She cast a quick glance over her shoulder, intercepting Richard’s hot gaze. Ooh, Killer was right. Richard was looking and appreciating. Hinekiri faltered and stumbled over an exposed tree root. She flew forward, off balance because of the collection of metal parts she carried, but Richard grabbed her around the waist, lifting her upright with ease. A metal rod fell from her grasp and hit the ground.

  “Thanks.” Hinekiri fluttered her eyelashes. “My hero.”

  Richard flushed but didn’t let her go. Instead, he placed the parts he carried on the bare earth at his feet then leaned forward and took an unhurried kiss without seeking permission. Hinekiri melted inside at his forceful manner. A man who took action at the correct moment. Decisive. Hinekiri adored men who were confident. Masculine.

  The future boded well.

  She sighed into his mouth. Their breaths mingled as they rubbed lips. The tips of their tongues touched. Explored. Hinekiri attempted to push the kiss deeper but Richard seemed content to tease and stroke and generally drive her toward madness. Too many clothes. Definitely too many clothes, and the armful of parts weren’t helping when all she wanted to do was rub against his chest.

  A piercing bark sounded right beside them. “Thought you fix ship,” Killed whined in disgust. “You busy swapping spit.”

  Hinekiri pulled away, but it was with acute regret. The dog had a point. “Can we pick up from here later tonight?” Please don’t disappoint me and say no. Hinekiri’s eyes narrowed when he didn’t answer immediately.

  “Have you got one of those silver weapons?” he asked, his gaze fixing on a spot behind her.

  “Purple people eater,” Killer yapped. “Take cover.”

  Hinekiri whirled around. “I don’t have a weapon. Killer, get in behind.” For once, the wee dog followed instructions. She slinked into the ferns growing on the bank and disappeared. The leaves rustled. Hinekiri hoped the Torgon didn’t notice until Killer was in position. They were crafty blighters and this most recent bunch seemed very determined.

  Hinekiri dropped the parts she still carried and stooped to pick up the metal rod. A weapon. She tested the weight in her hands. Light enough but sharp. Perfect. Keeping her gaze on the Torgon, she waited until Killer signaled she was in position.

  “How do we handle this?” Richard murmured. “Do we need a gun?”

  “The metal rod should do the trick. Torgon are a different composition to us. If you pierce their skin hard enough, they either pop or disintegrate into a purple pile and then disappear. Killer’s teeth might do the trick if she grabs hold in just the right way.”

  “Handy to know.” Richard scowled, looking none too happy with the situation. “What about them? Can they hurt us?”

  “Oh yes,” Hinekiri warbled, trying not to think too hard about the damage they could inflict. She’d hate to see Richard injured because of her. “They can kill us.”

  “Great.”

  A bark sounded. The little dog bounded from her hiding place, directly behind the Torgon. Killer distracted the purple alien by grabbing it on the calf, hanging on tenaciously when the creature tried to kick.

  “Now.” Hinekiri threw the metal rod like a spear. It flew true and pierced the Torgon mid chest. “Yes, strike one!” Leaping up and down, she punched her fist in the air, celebrating the hit with exuberance. The alien crumpled but didn’t explode. It gurgled, one click audible in three. “Damn.” Jubilation died. Just as well Janaya wasn’t here to witness her failure. Hinekiri wasn’t ready to be bundled home like a naughty undergrown.

  “I bite again,” Killer barked.

  “Be careful.” Hinekiri had taken a liking to the small creature. Killer had attitude enough for three, and if anything happened to her, she’d never forgive herself.

  “I’ll be fine. Stand back.” Richard pushed her behind his larger frame.

  Hinekiri wasn’t particularly fond of orders, which was why she was so firm with Jan
aya. But it wasn’t entirely Richard’s fault. She’d have to watch herself when it came to talking to the dog in front of Richard. He seemed to be doing okay with aliens but a talking dog might be one push too many. “Let Killer do it.”

  Richard muttered under his breath. “Stay out of range.”

  “How pop?” Killer yipped after a futile snap at the Torgon’s chest.

  “Jump up and down on its belly,” Hinekiri shouted. “Bite at the same time.”

  Killer leapt on the downed Torgon. Her fierce growl raised the hackles at the back of the Hinekiri’s neck. She wouldn’t like to be on the wrong side of that dog. Killer bounced again, digging in her claws before seizing the Torgon’s chest with her teeth. The alien let out a series of distressed clicks. Killer bounced a third time and the Torgon exploded in a huge geyser of sparkling purple spray that shrouded everything in sight. They both stepped back and held their hands up to shield their eyes. When the air cleared, all that remained was a large pile of purple goo.

  “Where’s the dog?” Richard demanded.

  Hinekiri stared, her heart thundering with alarm. She ran toward the steaming purple pile with Richard right behind her. Killer wasn’t there, just the pile of Torgon remains.

  “Oh goddess! I’ll never forgive myself,” she murmured, tears of grief forming at the back of her eyes. The creature had burrowed into her heart and now she’d died saving them from the Torgon.

  Chapter Four

  Richard wrapped his arm around Hinekiri’s waist and tugged her against his side. Hinekiri sounded as though she was going to start crying and damn if he didn’t have a lump in his throat himself. The dog had borne a peculiar charm that was endearing. How the hell was he going to explain this to Luke? And Janaya?

  Hinekiri started to shake and he drew her against his chest, patting her back in an awkward fashion. He’d never been too good in the comforting department. Hopefully, he scored points for the attempt even if it was a bit lacking.

  “I’m sorry about Killer, Hinekiri.” His chest ached with sorrow and he had to blink rapidly to hold back his own tears.

  “I liked the creature,” she murmured. “Full of attitude and a smart mouth. She was very brave. I don’t understand why the Torgon exploded that way. I’ve never seen that happen before.”

  Huh? Richard frowned at her. “A smart mouth?”

  “Ah, yeah.” Hinekiri sniffed loudly, picked up the metal parts she’d dropped when the Torgon had arrived and headed up the track. She didn’t spare another look for the remains of the Torgon and Killer.

  Richard shook his head, wondering at her state of mind, but picked up the rest of the parts and followed. They navigated a steep incline before the hilltop leveled out. An old, dilapidated barn stood drunkenly on the far edge of the clearing. He glanced around and couldn’t see anything remotely resembling a spaceship. “Where’s your ship?” The crystal image of a Sloan youngster joyriding through the skies in a UFO popped into his mind and brought an intense shudder of horror. His gaze snapped to Hinekiri. “Please tell me it hasn’t been stolen.”

  Hinekiri dumped the parts on the ground and pulled a small square device from her pocket. She clicked on a black button. The air in front of Richard shimmered and gradually coalesced into a shiny silver disc.

  “Wow, it’s there.”

  “Of course it’s there. Why wouldn’t it be?” She pushed another button and a set of stairs dropped down from the underbelly of the disc. Without waiting for him, she climbed the stairs, her posture dejected and sad. It was obvious Hinekiri was more upset about Killer than she’d let on. He sighed as he dropped his scrap parts on the ground at the base of the stairs. Hinekiri disappeared inside the ship and reappeared minutes later at the top of the stairs. She sniffed and scrubbed a scrap of white material across her eyes.

  “I…we need to collect the rest of the spare parts from the SUV before I can start repairs.”

  “I have a shovel in the back. Always cart around tools in case I have to help dig vehicles out over the winter. We can bury Killer and make a monument for her of stones. The dog deserves that much. She saved our lives.”

  Hinekiri descended the stairs and stopped at the bottom. She sniffed again and dabbed at a lone tear that escaped and ran down her cheek. “You’re a good man, Richard Morgan. I think Killer would like having a special monument in her honor.” She pressed a button on her small control pad and the spaceship vanished. “Let’s do it.”

  They made their way back down the track, the scuff of their boots and the noisy squabbling of a flock of tuis chasing each other through the treetops the only sounds to break the silence. The purple lump that was once Killer and the Torgon sat right where they’d left it, not disappearing like the other Torgon remains at Robbie’s Car Parts. When he heard a sob from behind him, he turned and drew Hinekiri into his arms. Her shoulders shook as she burrowed into his chest. Richard let her cry, holding her tight and trying to subdue the knot of sorrow in his throat. Damn if he didn’t feel like crying himself.

  Finally, Hinekiri drew back, her face red and shiny with tears. “We’d better collect the last of the parts and get back to the ship before more Torgon arrive.”

  Richard nodded and led the way down the track, instinctively knowing she’d want to gather herself without him watching. When they arrived back at the SUV, they quickly unloaded the parts and headed straight back to the ship.

  Richard dropped the assortment of car parts with the others before turning to Hinekiri. “Do you want to do the repairs first or take care of Killer?” He scowled without warning. “Blast, I forgot to grab my bag.”

  Hinekiri set her box of parts down and wiped her hands on the seat of her jeans. “We can collect it later. Let’s take care of Killer.” Her voice broke halfway through saying the little dog’s name.

  Nodding, Richard picked up the shovel, claimed her hand in his free one and they walked back to the spot of the attack.

  “Where do you want me to dig?” Richard asked.

  “You choose.” Hinekiri wiped away a falling tear. “Damn, it was a little dog. I shouldn’t be crying this much.”

  “She had a big heart. Of course you should miss her.” Richard glanced over Hinekiri’s shoulder at the pile of purple goo. He blinked and watched with quiet concentration. Yep, he hadn’t been seeing things. The bloody thing had moved.

  “Hinekiri, look.” He placed warm hands on her shoulders, turned her to face the right direction. “The purple stuff is moving.”

  “Killer?” Hinekiri whispered, hope in her voice. “She’s alive?”

  Richard frowned at the moving goo. “Do you think it’s really her? It doesn’t look big enough. Maybe the alien’s heart is still working.”

  Hinekiri snorted. “Trust me, Torgon don’t have hearts. They’re mercenaries seeking profit. Not a smidgeon of compassion in them. It has to be Killer.”

  “How do we get her out?” Richard bent to touch the moving purple ooze, but Hinekiri stilled him with a warning hand on the shoulder.

  “The stuff is toxic when it comes in contact with body covering. It is for me so I’d say you’d be the same.”

  “You mean skin? But what about fur?”

  “I don’t know. Usually the stuff reacts with the atmosphere and vanishes. I don’t know whether we should wait or not.” Worry creased her brow. “It should have disappeared already.”

  Richard glanced at the purple stuff. It wobbled like a jelly at a kid’s birthday party. The metal rod Hinekiri had thrown at the purple pansy still protruded from the goo. Grasping the end, he tugged and found it warm to the touch. Strange. “This stuff doesn’t smell too good. Sorta a mix of old socks, smelly toilets and two-day-old fish. Actually—it’s worse than that. Hard to put a description to the stench.”

  “Yeah, I’ve smelled better. Make sure you don’t get it on your…” She hesitated as though she was searching for the right word. Her mouth puckered up and her brows scrunched together. It was fascinating watching, especially wh
en her forehead smoothed out magically. “Forearms,” she finished in triumph.

  “Right.” Richard rolled his sleeves back down before he pulled on the metal rod. The goo made a squelching sound but didn’t release the rod. He lifted the rod and the goo followed until it resembled a pointy purple cone or witch’s hat. “Look,” he said, a trace of excitement shading his voice. “I can see Killer’s nose.”

  “Where?” Hinekiri moved closer and put her hand on his shoulder before peering past to study the goo. “Are you sure?”

  “Yeah.” Relief filled him. All they had to do was remove the dog before the goo damaged it too much. “See the small, pointy bit poking out?”

  “Oh yes.” Hinekiri clung to his arm, bouncing up in down with excitement.

  “Grab a stick. Maybe if we both try to pierce the stuff.”

  “What if she can’t breathe?”

  A subdued woof sounded.

  “I think she’s okay,” Hinekiri said. “Hold tight, Killer. We’re going to get you out.”

  A panicked growl came from inside the goo.

  A few minutes later, Richard managed to force a small hole in the purple stuff.

  “Woof.”

  A black nose poked out. It twitched and the hole grew. Teeth appeared next. “Woof. Woof. Woof. Woof!”

  Hinekiri laughed but Richard couldn’t see the humor. A splotch of goo had hit his forearm because he hadn’t taken the time to button up the cuffs on his sleeves. The bloody stuff stung. After Hinekiri’s warning about toxicity, he hoped his arm didn’t drop off. Although after aliens, purple pansies and shootouts, nothing much would surprise him today.

  “Woof. Woof.”

  Hinekiri used her stick to tear another huge piece of goo away from Killer’s body. The second it dropped discarded on the ground the goo hissed and vanished. The goo came off slowly, bit by bit. Killer barked and growled the whole time. Finally, she yanked away from the last remaining piece of goo and barked again. She stretched, her front legs extending and her butt and tail rising in the air. Killer repeated the move, extending her rear legs before sitting on her haunches. Her fur looked damp and she wasn’t quite the same as before.