Darkness Read online

  “Where are they going to be held? No one said.”

  “The bar. It’s big enough to house everyone who wants to come.”

  That surprised her. “I’m holding class in a bar?”

  Sunshine opened cupboards and removed a plate. “It’s not like the ones in your movies. We dance there and they mostly serve caffeine. That’s an amazing thing.”

  “Dancing?”

  “Caffeine.”

  Kit grinned. “I’m partial to it myself.”

  “Most of us don’t drink alcohol. It tastes horrible and with our metabolisms it’s tough to get and stay drunk.” She curled her lip and revealed her fangs. “I don’t see the draw in it. Alcohol makes you lightheaded and stupid. Where is the fun in that?”

  “I’m not sure. I’m not much of a drinker myself.”

  “Good. A lot of us signed up for your class. We rarely have human guests who hold classes. Everyone is excited but I should warn you that some of the males will be there because you’re female.”

  Kat opened the fridge. “Do you want a soda?”

  “No thank you. Do you want me to leave?”

  “Stay. I enjoy the company. Why are guys coming just because I’m a woman?”

  “Some of them are looking for mates. Justice strongly discourages them from talking to the protestors or the mate hunters at the gates.”

  “Mate hunters? What are those?”

  Sunshine took a seat at the counter. “Females who show up looking for one of our males to mate them. Most of them are a bit…what is that saying? One nut shy of a full bag of peanuts?”

  Kit laughed. She opened the lid on the tray and stared at the biggest steak she’d ever seen. It had to be over twenty ounces. “Wow.”

  “You don’t like meat?”

  “It’s enough for two. I can’t possibly eat all that.”

  “Good! I’m hungry.” Sunshine slid out of her seat and took out another plate. “That is if you don’t mind.”

  “Nope.”

  Sunshine found silverware, cut the steak in half and passed one of the plates to her. “Here you go.”

  Kat sat at the counter and opened her soda. “Thanks. So tell me more about these mate hunters. I’m curious.”

  “They flash their breasts at us. I walk the wall by the gates and they can’t tell which of us are male or female. I’m tired of seeing boobs.”

  It was funny. “I bet.”

  “As if a little breast flashing would be enough to drive our males into a sexual frenzy. Maybe if they tried that at the Wild Zone. Some of our males there would go for it. Those humans would be so sorry if they lured one of those males into taking them home.”

  “Why?”

  Sunshine paused. “I don’t know if I’m allowed to say.”

  The implied secret piqued Kat’s suspicious nature. Where they hiding something?

  “Well, I guess it would be okay to say it’s called the Wild Zone for a reason. Some of us aren’t as civilized as others. They were badly mistreated at Mercile so humans aren’t their friends. They live there to avoid running into any except for mates. Ta…” She stopped. “A mate lives there year-round. Of course her mate is very protective so she’s safe from anyone being mean to her.”

  “She’s human?” It was a calculated guess.

  “Yes. There’s no harm in telling you that.”

  “So why would a woman be sorry to end up with a Wild Zone mate? I am curious.”

  Sunshine cut into her meat and glanced at her. “Wild. Get it? They aren’t so polite. Your females see Justice on television and assume all have his manners. They would be wrong. The Wild Zone males wouldn’t use polite words and conversation with a female. They’d just want to seduce a female. They aren’t into extended discussions first, if you know what I mean. They like sex and can get a little carried away. A male would get a woman to say yes and then go right for the good spots. I know human females are used to human males taking things much slower. Species love burying their faces between a female’s thighs. Often.”

  “Oh.” Kat took a bite of her steak. It was delicious. She thought about what she’d learned. “They just go for it, huh?”

  Sunshine grinned. “It makes for hot sex but they are a little rough. I don’t know if a human could handle it. They wouldn’t hurt them or force the issue but it would be a wild ride.”

  Darkness flashed in her mind. He’d implied he liked rough sex. “How rough?”

  “Our males are strong. I haven’t shared sex with one of yours but I’ve seen porn videos on the internet.” She hissed. “I don’t want to share sex with one of your males. I’d break his jaw if he called me some of the things I’ve heard them say to their partners and they seem very selfish.” She snorted. “Ever see the massage videos? They play with the female but don’t get her off, then shove their dicks at them. How is that mutual pleasure? They find it but the female gets the shaft. Did you notice my innuendo there?”

  Kat laughed.

  “Most of them don’t know what to do when they go down on a female either. How is it satisfying to have them lick around your clit? It looks annoying.”

  “Those videos are pretty sad.”

  Sunshine peered at her curiously. “How are human males in reality?”

  “Not like those videos or they wouldn’t have sex often. I’d never have sex if even half of that shit is what really goes on in a bedroom. Those things turn my stomach.”

  “Do you have a mate? I don’t smell a male on you but you’ve recently showered.”

  “No. I’m single.”

  “You’re an attractive female. I thought all of you wanted mates. I assume you chose not to have one.”

  Kat shifted in her seat, reminded of her last conversation with her mother. It had been more of a lecture. She wasn’t giving the woman grandkids and that apparently was a disappointment. “I work a lot. Some men are intimidated by my job and don’t appreciate knowing they come second on my list of priorities.”

  “You solve crimes. That’s important. They should be proud.”

  “I think they mostly feel irritated or neglected because I love what I do. I admit my last relationship ended because of a case I worked. I missed his birthday party and then stood him up a week later at his best friend’s wedding because of work. He gave me an ultimatum and didn’t like my answer.”

  “What was the ultimatum?”

  “Him or my job.”

  “Oh. That’s sad.” Sunshine took a bite.

  That summed up Kat’s life. The job came first and everything else second.

  “I have recently considered taking a mate.”

  Sunshine’s announcement brought her out of her thoughts. “Really? What is he like?”

  “I haven’t chosen one yet. It would be difficult. The males I share sex with all have their good qualities and flaws.”

  “How many are you sleeping with?”

  “I don’t allow them to sleep in my bed. That would imply a commitment I’m not willing to make yet. Our males tend to get possessive fast if you don’t set boundaries. They respect those. Your world is different from mine. Sharing sex with many males is considered bad where you come from. Here?” Sunshine smiled. “Have you seen our males? I am a female with a healthy sex drive. We don’t have to worry about sexual diseases or pregnancies. It would be strange not to share sex often with different males unless we wanted a mate.”

  Kat wasn’t one to judge. “I was just curious. I don’t know much about New Species.”

  “To allow a male to spend the night in your bed would give him the idea that he could just sleep there every night. There’s a saying you’d know. Give them an inch and they will take a mile. They are aggressive so you have to be just as aggressive. Remember that while you’re here because some of the males will come after you. They view humans as more submissive and easier to dominate.”

  “Okay. I’ll remember that.”

  “Kick the male out of your bed if you allow one to share sex with you