“I’m Captain Nissa Sander of the GSS. I’ve taken the artifact andthe boyinto custody.”
Lady Curiosity smiled, looking every inch like a feline about to devour its dinner. “The Galactic Security Services?” Her laugh was a delicate tinkle. “Way out here?” The human part of her face hardened and her voice lowered. “Where no one cares?”
Nissa kept her gun pointed at the woman. “Stay back.”
“Captain Sander?” Commander Tellis’ voice came through the timepiece on Nissa’s wrist. “Nissa, we’ve reached orbit and are in range for teletransportation.”
Justyn grinned at Nissa. “Nice work, Captain Smooth.”
She shot him a brief glance and the tiniest smile. “Three to transport, Commander. All humanoid, don’t grab a cyborg by accident.”
Lady Curiosity’s mouth firmed into a flat line. She started forward.
“Stay back or Iwillfire.” Nissa’s voice was unforgiving. “Ten more seconds and we’ll be gone. Your employer will have to find something else to acquire.”
The woman shrugged. “He will. I don’t think he was particularly attached to the Constitution.” Her gaze narrowed. “But I still am not inclined to forgive the mess you made of my shop.”
“Teletransportation in three seconds.” Tellis’ voice.
Lady Curiosity raised her arm.
“No!” Justyn called out.
As the dart hit Nissa in the neck, her body jerked and her gun hit the deck.
Justyn leaped out and caught her. He yanked the dart out of her skin.
“It burns,” she whispered.
Solomon shifted, but Justyn jabbed one pistol in the base of the man’s spine. He speared Lady Curiosity with a stare. “What kind of poison is it?”
The woman’s smile was smug. “Oh, it isn’t poison.”
He frowned. Nissa began to writhe. “What, then?”
“An aphrodisiac. One that sets the blood on fire and brings all a person’s needs boiling to the surface. It obliterates inhibitions and uncovers a person’s real desire.” The half-metal woman winked. “I suspect you should be thanking me, Mr. Phoenix.”
The world dissolved in the bright blue light of teletransportation.
CHAPTER EIGHT
As the bridge of theFreedommaterialized in front of Nissa, she fought to stay upright. Her skin was on fire and felt too tight. A fine sheen of perspiration covered her from head to toe, and her clothes were choking her.
But she was a captain and she had a job to do.
“Commander Tryker, please take Mr. Solomon to the brig.” She watched her head of security move toward the treasure hunter. “Lieutenant Galen, please secure this and run the necessary tests.” She held out the metal cylinder out to her CSO. Dammit, her hands were shaking.
Luciana took the holder, eyeing it reverently. “You found it. Well done, Captain.”
Nissa felt a wave of fire wash over her and gritted her teeth. “I need to shower and change.” She swiveled and her gaze crashed into Justyn’s.
“Nissa…”
His deep voice was like a stroke of fingers over her skin. She shivered and took a step toward him before she caught herself.
“You need to get to sickbay,” he said quietly.
She shook her head. That wasnotwhat she needed. Gossip traveled on a starship with the energy of a star going supernova.She didn’t want her…condition bandied about. She wanted quiet and privacy. “Please, could you get a medscope and bring it to my cabin?”
