Invasion of Her Heart by Trinity Blacio, Ana Lee Kennedy

realizing too late her error in shooting at the Bone Eaters with the pets behind them. Instantly, silver armor appeared over the bulk of Ino’s and Ka’s bodies. They attacked and threw the last two Eaters to the side, the animals’ keens senses somehow alerting them to only use their claws to tear at either side of the monsters’ spiny backs.
    A loud humming swirled around her, and Venus startled as Jaxxon appeared next to her. She managed, at the last second, to keep herself from squeezing the M-16’s trigger. The alien warrior’s eyes seemed larger than before, speckles of black danced in them, and his body, ready for any attack, was covered in the same silver armor the pets wore. He snarled and pushed Venus behind him.
     

Chapter Six
     
    Jaxxon aimed his weapon at the frightening creatures. The instant the scanner appeared over the barrel’s end, he fired. Four bright energy balls zipped out and flattened into thin beams that sliced through the Bone Eaters. The light-blades cleaved through the necks and torsos of the mutant people, the body parts hitting the pavement with wet, sickening thuds. Fluids spurted, fanning into the air and splattering the asphalt. Ino and Ka leapt back from the poisonous liquids. Both animals whined their distress and looked over at Jaxxon, waiting for his next command.
    With the Bone Eaters disposed of, Jaxxon let out an odd sound that was both melodious and startling. “Come, you two. We’re safe for the time being.” He drew Venus to her feet. “Schizma! It’s a good thing I can sense your location now that we’ve bonded. Otherwise, I may not have found you in time. What are you doing out here alone?”
    Venus jerked her hand out of his. “I’ve been getting along just fine by myself for years. Just because you and your brother have arrived doesn’t mean I’m going to start being a dutiful mate, who obeys your every wish and command. Besides, I never consented to being your mate anyway!”
    “Yes, you did,” he said, a wry grin tugging at the corners of his handsome mouth. “I gave you a choice, Venus. You did not refuse me last night, so now we’re mated.”
    “I don’t like your tone of voice.” She leaned forward and poked her index finger in the center of his wide chest. “Push me around too much, big boy, and I’ll stuff this M-16 up your ass. Got it?”
    Shock wound through Jaxxon. He blinked down at the fair vixen. “Why would you put a weapon up my ass?”
    For a moment, Venus regarded him with a perplexed expression, then mirth flooded her eyes. She burst out laughing and giggled so long and hard she had to lean against the wall for support. She managed to flick a tiny switch on the weapon and then dissolved into another round of chuckles and guffaws as she clutched the rifle to her belly.
    Jaxxon was obviously confused by her reaction. “What do you find so humorous? I merely asked a question.”
    This set her off again. Tears streamed down her cheeks. Finally, between peals of laughter and snorts, she managed, “N-never mind. As you,” she chuckled, “grow more accustomed to my world and,” she snorted, “learn about it, you’ll remember this and suddenly understand.”
    He shook his head and frowned. “I don’t under—”
    The air hummed, signaling the arrival of Volund, who suddenly appeared in the middle of the street. Upon seeing the carnage there, he leapt away from the growing puddle of gore.
    “Schizma!” He threw startled looks around the area. Upon seeing him and Venus, he asked, “By the Twelve Galaxies, what happened here?”
    “Bone Eaters surprised Venus,” Jaxxon answered. “It’s a good thing I found her.”
    A strange expression crossed Volund’s face. He stormed toward them and grasped Venus by the shoulders. In one movement, he hefted her over the four- foot wall and shook her slightly. “Why put yourself in danger like that?”
    Jaxxon quirked an eyebrow and reached over the wall to place a hand on his brother’s