Alec roused to the crackle and popping of a fire… and the sound of more than one Gesh-like voice. Eyelids not quite ready to open, he shifted with a groan. Then froze. Somehow he was sitting upright but couldn’t move. Not much at least, thanks to something holding him secure by his throat and chest. Heart instantly back to hammering, he forced his eyes to open so he could get busy assessing what the fuck. Slowly, his blurry vision started to clear. It was nighttime and, oh God, he was tied to a tree.
Instinctively, he tugged at his snugly tied hands. But when his wrists and forearms grazed his crotch, he made another startling discovery. His dick was literally hard as rock, and his nut sac felt kind of swollen, too. What the fuck? Had he been having a wet dream while knocked out cold? Talk about messed up timing.
Warily, he lifted his eyes to his surroundings. A dozen yards away, poking at a campfire, Gesh sat talking to… another Kríe. Alec sucked in a breath as his eyes focused more. Oh, hell. Make that three other Kríe. And all of them were ransacking the team’s rucksacks! Alec glowered, until five more Kríe strode into view. 
Aw, fuck. Tied up and totally outnumbered. 
Gesh spotted him watching and sauntered over. Grinning, the big fucker squatted down in front of him, his skin looking black in the firelight. “Alec,” he greeted, his rich timbre smug. 
“Asshole,” Alec irritably returned.
Gesh canted his head, his expression amused, then reached out and ran a claw down Alec’s forearm. Not hard enough to draw blood, but enough to warrant Alec’s attention. Because that black fucker was sharp and could definitely do damage. Alec watched the thing until Gesh used it to lift Alec’s chin, forcing Alec’s gaze back to his. Alec studied his face, his features inexplicably attractive, that tiny dark gold hoop through his nasal septum only adding to his exotic appeal. And God, up close, his golden eyes were amazing. Even if Alec was pissed at the guy. They were stunning. Damn near hypnotizing. Especially with his black pupils all dilated like that. 
Again, Gesh’s lips curved into a grin. “I was impatient for you to wake, Alec. Was impatient for us to talk.” 
Alec blinked, then froze. Holy shit. Gesh spoke English. But wait. No way was that possible. 
Gesh chuffed out a laugh, his grin expanding until thick fangs dropped into view. Wow, for such a bastard, the Kríe had a great smile. The way those full, dark lips made the white of his teeth pop…
Alec squeezed his eyes shut and tried to clear his head. God, not only was he hearing things, but wearing rose-colored glasses, too. Gesh did not have a great smile. Gesh was a backstabbing prick.