MeltingIron Read online

  “This is unacceptable, Iron.” Fury was evident in Fiona’s tone. “I have familiarized myself with Garden’s breeding laws and family unit contracts since I lead my females. I was given a copy of them when I requested it yesterday. Your genetics and mine are a perfect match for breeding and carrying on our unique traits to future generations. If you refuse to accept my request I will go before the council we have formed to make them order you to breed with me. Logic will prevail over your fondness for a pathetic human.”

  “Don’t do that, Fiona.” Iron’s tone was cold. “I don’t want you. If you force the issue, you will regret it.”

  “You are the male I want to breed with and your objections are noted but not a concern of mine.”

  “I have already been granted family status with the human so you will not get your way.”

  “Then I will get a list of your breeding pact members and join with them. On the terms of special breeding requirements, code nine-two, I can force you to breed with me. Wouldn’t you like access to products we produce? If you refuse a family unit contract then you would only be a donor with no rights to them.”

  “I don’t want you.”

  “I do not care what you want,” Fiona ground out. “I have been stuck on this planet with only six males to share. They were not males of my specifications but I had to make do with their availability. You are obtainable to me so I will not let this issue go. I am determined to carry on my genes with you as the contributing donor.”

  “Do what you have to do. I have tasks to complete and my shift time is running down.” Iron still sounded furious. “If you want to take this before the council I have no way to stop you but if you do go through my breeding pact to get to me, do not expect the shared sex to be enjoyable. I don’t like to be forced to do anything.”

  Dawn knew the color drained from her face. Breeding pact? What the hell? Her mind raced but she didn’t know what to think. Could the tall redheaded cyborg somehow force Iron into her bed? Cold fury hit Dawn at the idea of Iron being touched by another woman. No way in hell was she going to allow that to happen.

  Easing away from the doorway she walked past the docking doors into the main part of the small shuttle. By current sizes the shuttle was more of a life pod than something to travel in. It would only hold about eight people in the one room that doubled as a cargo hold and cockpit.

  Ice was lying on the floor on his back under one of the piloting stations, his legs bent, and his upper body out of sight. Dawn hesitated and then moved closer.

  “I was ordered to help you out.”

  Silence greeted her statement and then Ice slid out from under the console, inching out enough to stare at her with narrowed eyes. “Get down here then. It is very cramped. They made them too damn small when this was built.”

  Work was always good for Dawn while she pondered something. She dropped carefully to her knees and rolled over, getting flat on her back next to the big cyborg. She wiggled under the long panel next to him.

  “Good thing we aren’t claustrophobic, huh?”

  “Speak for yourself,” Ice muttered.

  Sympathy welled up in her for him as she aligned herself so they were inches apart and she was able to see what he was doing. The smell of burned wire tickled her nose, letting her know he’d been cutting and replacing them. She studied the exposed wires and winced.

  “Damn. That’s some outdated shit. It’s amazing these things didn’t catch fire more often, huh?”

  Ice grunted.

  “You’re really talkative, aren’t you?”

  He turned his head, their faces nearly touching. “Why don’t you start with the T wires and I’ll work on the N lines?”

  She cocked her head, tilting it to glance up at the tools spread out above his head within easy reach. In seconds she had a cutter in hand and was removing some of the frayed wires she found above her.

  “What’s a breeding pact, Ice?”

  The cyborg froze next to her, wire in one hand, cutting tool in the other. “You should ask Iron your questions.”

  “I’m asking you.”

  “Ask him.” Ice went back to work.

  Dawn worked silently, replacing old wire with new for a good ten minutes but then she couldn’t stand it anymore. “What are breeding pacts? Can a woman make Iron fuck her because of one?”

  The white-haired cyborg refused to look at her. “Ask Iron your questions.”

  Frustration welled instantly. “If I did that, he’d just blow me off or, worse, refuse to answer. Getting shit out of him is like pulling rusty, stripped bolts from an old generator.”

  A chuckle was her only response. As long seconds turned into a full minute she realized he wasn’t going to answer her. She replaced the last wire and then wiggled hard to get out from under the control panel.

  “We’re not done,” Ice called out. “The section next to you also needs replaced. I have been working my way to the starboard.”

  Dawn climbed to her feet and realized she and Ice were still alone in the shuttle. She bit her lip and then a mean thought struck her. She glanced down at the man’s bent legs, the only part of him showing. She wanted answers, damn it, and she wasn’t about to risk Iron refusing to answer her since he was the most stubborn man she’d ever met.

  One of the repair bags was on top of the control panel as Dawn peered into it. She reached in carefully and removed a metal cutter, a tool about sixteen inches long with pliers-like claws. She gripped it and then stepped between Ice’s bent legs, putting the tool right against his thigh. He tensed instantly.

  “What are you doing?”

  “If you try to wiggle out, that’s going to cut you. I asked you a question, damn it. You’re claustrophobic, right? Well, now you’re stuck and can’t get out without a little blood loss. Answer me now. I’m desperate. I hate to do this but I’m not letting the opportunity pass. Tell me all about breeding pacts.”

  Guilt ate at her for terrorizing the poor guy as she heard his breathing increase. If he moved she’d move the tool, not really ready to cut his leg but he didn’t know that. All the cyborgs she’d met so far had a real low opinion of humans so she guessed he might mistake her for being cruel enough to actually hurt him. Just to be safe she turned the sharper edge away, hoping that he wouldn’t notice. If he panicked he could move without meaning to.

  “What do you want to know?” His tone was angry and his breathing indicated he wasn’t taking the trapped feeling well at all, as it increased to a soft pant.

  “I just overheard a cyborg woman telling Iron she could hook up with someone in his breeding pact and force him to sleep with her. Is that true?”

  “Yes. When I get out of here you’re going to pay for this.”

  “Yeah. I knew it would piss you off. I’m real sorry to have to do this to you but you weren’t exactly forthcoming with the explanations when I asked nicely. Tell me how these things work.”

  “Twelve males sign into a breeding pact. It’s law on Garden that we must all breed at least one offspring to further our race. It is highly encouraged to produce more. If a male is damaged—it happens with our kind—someone in his breeding pact must impregnate the female in that family unit.” He paused. “Can I get the hell out now?”

  “So he just has to donate his sperm?”

  Ice’s legs started to shake and more guilt slammed Dawn. She had a big guy literally shaking.

  “No,” Ice panted. “We learned early on that natural breeding works best and the stress involved with artificial insemination causes a high fail rate.”

  Dawn couldn’t make him suffer anymore. She backed away, moving far from him. “Go ahead and get out.”

  The big cyborg didn’t hesitate as he wiggled out from under the console. He was sweating, a sheen of it on his forehead and his upper lip, as he sat up. Dawn had a sudden insight as to why he’d been given the name Ice as he gave her the coldest look she’d ever seen. He gripped his bent legs, sitting there, looking furious.

&n