Free Fenturi Fate (Spacestalker Saga Book 1) by Bevan Greer Page A

energy…that are really playing havoc with my libido.”
    Dare’s face felt on fire. “I am not!”
    “Oh, Setha .” He shook his head and closed his eyes, referring to her as his beloved sister. “But you are. Maybe you might want to talk to Mra about this? I’ll be in my room. Let me know when it’s safe to leave, and for stars sake, don’t go past Roc until you’re back to yourself again.” He flew out of the room.
    Dare stared after him in shock. Is that what those odd feelings and needs stirring in me are? Sexual need? She blushed again, not at all comfortable with such topics. In all her years, she’d never felt the call to mate as her friends and those around her had. Dare could battle a Shorhu salamander or lead a pirate vessel, but kiss a man? She couldn’t fathom the idea. And while she could appreciate the male form—Jace and Roc were ruggedly handsome, after all—she didn’t feel sexually drawn to either male.
    She’d never felt that calling, and now that she thought about it, she wondered why.
    Seconds later, Mra appeared, probably at Jace’s urging. Dare didn’t know if she could look at him again, knowing he’d seen her…aroused? Shorhu lord, kill me now.
    Ah, Mra purred. Finally you are coming into yourself as you should. The guidecat grinned, baring sharp white fangs. Now you need to learn how to mask your needs among those not your kind. Let’s begi n…
     
    ***
     
    Two weeks later, Ren swore up and down as his crew met with no success. Their first trip to Rovi had proved unrewarding. Ignoring the advice of the Fenturi witch-woman, Ren refused to open up his suppressed instincts lest he turn into one of them — the hated Fenturi.
    “I don’t know,” Nesham started.
    “What the big deal is,” Nedham finished. The twin Bylaran brothers stood large and ready for anything. Their frustration at not having had a good battle in over a fortnight grated roughly. “Just use your—”
    “—instincts and find the Mari,” Nesham said, snarling under his breath.
    Half-breeds, like Ren, the twins hadn’t asked to be born with Fenturi blood. Though he fought to rid his world of an enemy who sought to displace his king—his brother—Ren bore the twins no ill will because of their tainted beginnings. They worked hard, played hard, and always got the job done. His only complaint about the two was their habit of finishing each other’s sentences.
    Ren ignored them even as Phin muttered about their aggravating habit. Of course, the little Informa kept his mutterings low lest the savage twins wreak their frustration on the gnome-like alien.
    Phin had been a recent acquisition in their quest to find the Mari. Castor had worked with him before and trusted the small, blue-skinned alien. But then, Castor had a habit of liking and trusting the oddest creatures. Hadn’t the idiot befriended Ren?
    Feeling a small smile worm its way onto his face, he noted Castor’s surprise.
    “Are you feeling alright, Ren? I do believe that’s the first smile I’ve seen on your face in a month.” Castor grinned, his brown eyes twinkling.
    “Well, thank the Hams,” Ren said referring to the twins. “Through little effort, they’ve not only irritated me but Phin as well. If I’m not mistaken, even Primo has been keeping to himself up front, away from them.” He motioned toward their pilot. A rather brazen pirate they’d picked up years ago in a Nexian prison, Primo loved nothing more than to talk about himself. But apparently the Hams’ bickering had even gotten to him.
    “Even so,” Castor said, stroking his mustache, “King Zebram happened to mention the Fenturi woman’s discussion with me before you left. Don’t you think it’s time you did what she said so we can find this Mari fellow? We’re running low on time, Ren. Word just came from a Jonkwyr trader vessel. Supposedly, a large battleship like nothing they’d ever seen is drifting close to the Outworld-Unknown border.”
    “Yes, Ren,”