Lovers of the Galaxy: Book Three: Raiders of the Lost Heart by Trinity Blacio

had Venus turning toward her
chamber window with a sigh. Badden and Acwel were going to take
pictures of the entire city and the outer limits of it. She smiled
and watched the ship take off. When Acwel admitted that he and
Badden were also sexual partners she’d laughed.
    According to Badden the same Tapio who threw Miln in
prison gave them trouble as well, but stopped the harassment when
they also joined with a female. “This Tapio might not have a mouth,
but he has an ass and I can kick it if he ever shows up around here
causing trouble,” she mumbled.
    Oh, Jaxxon and Volund made sure she knew who sent
them and why, the Melting Pot they called their excursion. Well one
thing was for sure, she was not about to be a guinea pig, and Venus
protected those she consider family. Badden and Acwel might have
just arrived a few days ago, but already she’d formed a bond with
the two of them.
    She smiled thinking of Badden and how protective of
her he was. His skills in the lab were limited on her systems, but
still he continued to surprise her with his wit and wanting to
learn everything. Of course she couldn’t help but love Acwel and
the way he teased and annoyed Volund. Venus had seen the twinkle in
his eye as he badgered Volund over the last few days. Just
yesterday she’d pulled Acwel aside and asked why he bothered Volund
so much.
    “When Volund’s wife and baby died he came to stay
with us. Miln was worried. All of us were worried about him. He
withdrew from himself and everyone around him and nothing was
working.”
    “So I did the opposite. I challenged everything he
did. If I couldn’t get him to talk I could get him to use his mind.
Get him fighting mad releasing that pent up anger and slowly Volund
came back to us. Not all the way, but most of the way. When I see
him with you, it’s like the old Volund is back and I won’t let him
sink back to what he had been becoming.”
    Turning over Venus looked up at the ceiling. Badden
had set up the computers in one of the rooms in use for the
children on the fourth floor. Four computers split between twelve
children would bring many squabbles, but already Charlotte had that
well in hand.
    The things she could hear, thanks to the added
benefits of changing her body, still amazed her.
    “What do you mean that Bone Eater is related to
Venus? How is that possible?” Volund asked Jaxxon.
    “She’s my grandmother, Belinda, my mom’s mom.” Venus
rolled over and tried to reach the scanner they’d left by the bed,
but Jaxxon was there first, handing it to her.
    “What’s wrong?” He sat on the mattress, a frown
marring his handsome face.
    Volund positioned himself on the other side of the
bed, stuffed two large pillows behind her, and scooted her back as
she tried to do it herself. “Now explain.”
    Her men waited. She just shook her head.
    “I had an idea the elder Bone Eater was my Gram, but
I wasn’t sure until the blood work confirmed it. With that news
and...” Venus glanced down at her belly which seemed to be a tad
swollen. She frowned. “I felt something move inside me, but it’s
not possible. It’s too soon.”
    Jaxxon glanced at Volund. “Azutuan's gestational
period is shorter than that of humans, but not this fast.” He
retrieved the scanner from the nightstand and turned on the
machine. Small beeps indicating it was on sounded loud in the
suddenly quiet room. Jaxxon ran it over the lower portion of her
body.
    “Well, everything appears to be normal. All three are
snuggled safely in your womb and their heart rates are perfect for
their time frame. Take a look.”
    He handed her the scanner, and she gazed at the
picture before her. Nothing appeared to be out of place and
everything was fine. Once again the same small flutter floated
through her stomach. Three worm-like things moved around her
babies.
    “What the hell?” Her voice cracked, and her hand
shook as she shoved the scanner into Jaxxon’s chest. “There are
worms in my body, and