by Piper Stone
Tears slipped into my eyes and before I could stop them, several trickled past my lashes. Suddenly, I was sobbing, the very last thing I ever wanted to do. Not in front of my enemy. Not in front of my master.
Not in front of...
No, I refused to care about him.
Voltar seemed confused at my reaction, gathering me into his arms and sweeping me into the bedroom. As he eased me down, I could still see the haunted but furious look on his face.
“You think you know who it is,” I blurted out without thinking.
He finally nodded. “I know him very well. That is his mark. As I said. He will die by my hands.”
“What does it mean?”
His upper lip curled as he stood over me. “It means that he will stop at nothing to capture you.”
Chapter Eleven
Voltar
Zayn.
The mark was his signature, branding women who he collected, as if they were nothing more than cattle. I was angrier than I wanted to let on, but I could see the extreme fear in Felicity’s eyes. The doctor had only said there was a mark. He hadn’t elaborated. The hallowed Centurion didn’t know.
Or so I thought.
I was beginning to piece certain things together. None of which I liked. I was riled, my anger ready to spoil the evening. Taking several deep breaths, I refused to allow this news to interrupt.
“Felicity. There is much for you to learn, but tonight is our celebration. This is important for Kodroth, Degan, and myself.” My entire body continued to have involuntary quivers from the sex. I was ready and even hungrier than before, but I would try to use what little patience I had.
I finally noticed a slight sneer on her face, but she couldn’t seem to look into my eyes. She was confused that I was letting the branding issue go. I had so many questions including how in the hell she’d been able to escape from the madman. No wonder the marauders were coming in full force. Zayn didn’t like to be refused by anything or anyone.
Especially a human female.
“I don’t want to go to Skars. If he’s hunting me again, he will stop at nothing to destroy my family. What about this man you seem to hate so much?” There was so much pain in her voice.
“You need to learn your place. I’ve allowed you liberties in asking questions, but you will speak to me with respect!” The rage continued to build and no amount of tamping it back seemed to soothe the raging fire inside.
“Yes. Sir.” Another spate of contempt.
I had no understanding of human females. They could be sensuous one minute then nasty the next. “I have orders, Felicity, and it is vital that we return to my planet. I made a promise and one I intend to keep.” I had no desire to return to our planet at this point. The monster deserved to die, but unless he walked into my hands, I had no idea how I was going to capture him. What I did know about Zayn is that he would try to come for her. Yes, we would be ready.
“Why? Sir?”
Huffing, I shook my head. “That is not for you to know.”
“Of course not.”
“The others will be joining us soon, but first I must gather some news. If you are hungry, I will have food brought to you,” I said quietly, trying to think of something comforting to say to her.
“I’m not hungry. How could I eat when I know my people are in danger? But you don’t seem to care. At. All.” The overemphasized words were laced with such sadness.
“I care enough to make certain there are guards, my soldiers remaining at the colony. They will be there until I no longer consider the location a risk. There are dozens more on the way, prepared to fight the marauders. I assure you, your colony will be safe.”
She rolled her eyes, keeping the same expression. “If you say so. Sir.”
“Felicity. I’m a harsh taskmaster, a man who values obedience above all things, but I’m no monster, no matter what you’ve seen or been told. I want no harm to come to your people, just as I don’t want that for any Centurion. Our people want children and a better life. In truth, we need humans as much as you need us.”
“We don’t need you. We were doing just fine without you. We have humanity and a lust for life,” she muttered, half under her breath. She seemed much more fragile than before.
“Is that why disease had lowered your life expectancy to only fifty years? Is that why your planet had nuclear wars resulting in tremendous loss of life? And is that why there is a marauder leader slaughtering just as many humans as Centurions? Do you really call that humanity?” The anger in my voice was evident. She’d pushed me too far.
“Don’t you dare talk to me about humanity! Your species decided that the only good things about human females is to breed them, to produce babies. We’re treated like pigs, kept in cages and tortured.” She snagged the collar wrapped around her neck, hissing as her eyes flared. “This is nothing but primitive behavior. You and your kind are nothing but monsters.”
The words rang in the air, surrounding me with hatred and rage, but more for the fact she was telling the truth. I held my breath, pacing the floor. “You aren’t going to be kept in a cage, Felicity. That isn’t something I would ever do. But I’ve explained the rules and you will follow them.”
“But you’ll keep me locked away, only to do your biddings or please you. Won’t you? Tell me the truth. If. You. Dare.”
At that moment, I wanted to spank her again, to drive the petulance from her mind as well as her soul, but I knew she would never learn to trust me if I acted on what was required. “My promise to you is to keep you safe as well as your family. This room helps provide that until I can get a handle on what the marauders are considering doing. This is unusual behavior for them and yes, I need to consider what is the best course of action, especially given the mark on your body. Are you going to mate with the three of us? Yes. I won’t lie to you. I will never lie to you in any regard. However, I assure you, your life with us will be much improved from living in a giant cube, never free to do anything that you please.”
“I had my family. That means more to me than anything.” She coughed, but I could tell she was hiding her tears. Turning, she lowered her head, her slender body shaking.
I’d never felt such empathy for anyone, but there was also something else burning within my two hearts.
Love.
I adored this woman and all her foibles and misgivings. I vowed at that very moment to protect her with my life and to love her with every beat of my hearts. I had no words to convey this, no understanding of what she needed, but I would show her instead of issuing lame statements. I would prove my adoration for her as well as my respect for all she was giving to us.
To our people.
She shook her head, closing her eyes. “Are your kind going to annihilate everyone who can’t produce children? Then take our land and our planet?”
“Think about what you are asking, Felicity. We need you in order to reproduce.”
“You don’t allow human males to produce any children. Eventually we’ll just die off as a species.”
She seemed pleased with herself, as if uncovering the perfect lie. I admit I hadn’t thought another generation ahead. I also had no way of knowing what was happening to every red-blooded human. “That I can’t answer.”
“Of course not,” she snorted.
The woman needed a round of harsh discipline just to keep her in line. I walked around, forcing her to look at me. “Do you understand the ramifications of the fact this man wants you so desperately?”
Her furrowed brow and the way she sucked on her bottom lip told me that she was hiding something significant.
“I can only guess. What makes him any different than your kind?” Her chuckle was lighthearted.
“I wish things could be different, Felicity. If I had my way, none of this would have occurred, but I’m no one important. I can only assure you that I will treat you with respect.” I walked toward the door, slapping my hand on the threshold. “I hope one day you’ll learn to trust us. W
e will care for you in every way. I also promise to try and protect your family.” I turned to watch her, my hearts aching to reach out and bring her closer. Perhaps I could never understand what kind of hold we had over each other, but I accepted my fate.
She was my mate as I was hers. Together, we would forge something special.
“Words, master. Just words. It will take much more than that for me to trust you, any of you.” She walked closer to the small window overlooking nothing more than barren land, standing on her tiptoes and peering outside. “You will take my body, but you will never break me. Keep that in mind, master, sir, king or whatever you want to be called. I may be attracted to you, but I assure you, I will never be your slave.”
What she could never understand is that I didn’t want a slave or a pet. I craved a woman by my side, one I could cherish. This was something no one else could ever know. We were required to be brutal men, dominators. “I’m not enslaving you, Felicity, but you are already mine. Make no mistake about that. You can either accept your reality or push against it and fail. I assure you that what I am offering is a far cry better than what most Centurions would do. The truth is, you should be very afraid of me, but I am the only one who can keep you alive.” I held my breath, wanting to say so much more.
And just as I walked out, I heard her soft sobs.
Maybe I was nothing more than a monster for her to be terrified of.
* * *
“Is she ready?” Kodroth asked in a casual manner, yet I could tell he had the same trepidations that I did.
“We have another issue,” I stated, trying to keep my anger at bay.
“What issue?” Degan narrowed his eyes.
“Zayn.” I glanced from one to the other. “He violated Felicity.”
“What?” Kodroth moved closer, both fists clenching.
I noticed that Degan slunk away, his face shadowed. “He uses a particular brand when he collects human females.”
“A brand? What the hell does it mean?” Kodroth huffed.
“That he owns her.” Degan’s answer rang clearly in the room.
“What do you know about this?” I growled.
Degan lifted his gaze. “I know that he won’t stop until he claims her. I know that he’s killed at least six Centurion civilians who were expecting to receive their prizes after the Feast, two of which were High Council members.”
“That’s the real reason you’re here,” Kodroth answered, his thoughts my own.
“I was sent here to kill Zayn. I didn’t lie to you about that.” Degan slammed his hand on the desk. “My father expected that Zayn would come in order to find and capture Felicity. Damn him! Why not have me in the middle, get close to Felicity. It’s a perfect way to try and kill him.”
“We are nothing more than bait.” I almost laughed saying the words.
“What is the point? Why?” Kodroth turned his attention to Degan, pointing his finger. “You know. Don’t lie to us any longer!”
“I’m not lying. Everything I told you was true. If my father is using all three of us as well as Felicity to try and capture or kill Zayn, there is a good reason,” Degan snarled as he paced the floor.
I had no doubt the man wasn’t telling the entire truth, but I also sensed his disgust. “We have a few hours until the marauders arrive. We will mate with the human. Then we will fight, capturing as many of the human bastards as possible.”
“And tomorrow?” Kodroth asked, his voice almost inaudible.
I took a few seconds before looking him directly in the eyes. “Tomorrow we leave as required.” The answers were only to be found on Skars and with members of the High Council. If what I’d long suspected was true, our entire future was about to change. “Let’s go. Do not mention Zayn to Felicity. She is already far too vulnerable.”
We stormed the halls, moving past various workers as they prepared for their slumber. I’d tasked over twenty of our finest soldiers to guard the perimeter of our buildings, all awaiting any sign of the marauders’ return.
As we neared the room where Felicity was on lockdown, my chest tightened. Even my hands were shaking. She’d gotten under my skin, not solely from her words, but her eyes as they burned into mine. I stopped only feet from the door, acknowledging the two guards stationed on either side of the entrance. “Make certain the building isn’t breached. If there is any concern, let me know. We are retiring for the night.”
“Yes, sir.” One guard gave me a respectful nod, the other refusing to look any of us in the eyes.
“Do you have something to say, soldier?” Degan confronted him.
“No, sir,” the young guard answered. I could see fear in his eyes. The unknown was of concern to all of us. I’d attempted to contact Commander Futan twice, but there’d been no reply.
Which meant we were on our own.
Speculation wasn’t appropriate at this point, but by morning, answers would be required. One way or the other.
“Remember that the marauders have myriad weapons, some that are extremely dangerous to our kind. Be prepared for anything.” In an uncharacteristic move, I placed my hand on the soldier’s shoulder.
“Yes, sir,” he replied, offering at least a glance in my direction.
I waited until both soldiers headed down the hall before turning to the other men. “Felicity is in a state of acceptance, but by no means does that allow us to forget our requirements. She is to be disciplined as necessary, but I will not allow harsh measures, either by hand or these damn implants we’ve been forced to wear.”
Kodroth rubbed his forearm. “As if I plan on using it.”
“It may be necessary,” Degan said, a smirk on his face. “She is unlike other human females. She will undoubtedly try and run at any opportunity, especially knowing Zayn is on the hunt.”
“Then you will let me deal with that issue.” The command wasn’t to be questioned. I shook my head seeing the self-righteous look in Degan’s eyes. Perhaps Felicity was right in many aspects. Trust was to be earned and Degan certainly didn’t have mine. I hesitated for another minute before waving my hand over the console. The door didn’t seem to open fast enough. My nerves were raw, my metabolism in high gear.
And my cock was aching.
She wasn’t visible, but I felt her presence, the draw unmistakable. The small bedchamber was off to the side, the entire area re-sanctioned from former offices. I was surprised how well the ugly and dark space had been transformed into something at least acceptable. Not that it mattered. The ship we’d be traveling on was cramped at best. Felicity would learn to adapt one way or the other. I inhaled, drawing in her sweet fragrance. I couldn’t wait to take her again.
Kodroth’s smirk was followed by a head shake. “Her draw to you increases, Voltar. I can only imagine after we’ve mated. Ah, wait. The scent of your sex fills the air.” He gave a quick glance toward Degan.
“It is his right,” Degan stated in a measured fashion.
“This isn’t a contest any longer, my friend,” I struggled to say.
“This is about our life but right now and she requires discipline. She must learn to accept our ways if we have any hope of figuring out what the hell we are doing.” Degan’s sentiments were true enough.
“No more talk about our enemies or our mission tonight. She will please us in every manner, and we will discipline her as necessary. Are we clear?” The cells in my body had awakened, leaving my cock pinched against the tight confines of my pants.
“Agreed.” Kodroth moved his hand to the primitive doorknob separating the two rooms, a remnant from the older building.
I heard Degan’s sigh of desire, his own needs brimming the surface. As the door opened, I certainly didn’t expect the vision standing in front of us. I had no idea what to anticipate, but after our last conversation, I thought she’d be combative. This was... extraordinary.
Felicity’s feet were bare and the sheath covering yet accenting her feminine curves was simply magnificent. Crimson in color, the mat
erial was unlike anything I’d ever seen. The two slender straps were positioned on her shoulders, almost begging to be slipped down the length of her lithe arms. The bodice dipped between her breasts, accentuating her voluptuous figure. The sight of her erect nipples, delicately pushing against the material was breathtaking. I found myself more drawn to her than before, every nerve ending on fire. Even her skin held a luminescent quality, shimmering in the delicate overhead lighting.
Yet she’d disobeyed me, no doubt pushing to see how far I’d go.
While her features were soft, her large light blue eyes held far too many damning secrets as well as continued fear. She took two steps backward, clenching her hands by her sides. “Welcome, my masters,” she whispered in a tentative manner. There was no real sign of respect, simply resignation.
I longed to see blatant desire, the same kind of unbridled yearning that I’d captured from her before. “Ravishing. You are very beautiful, Felicity.” I wasn’t entirely certain my words were audible except for the subtle gleam in her eyes.
“The gown is lovely,” Degan said as he advanced, walking around her in a complete circle.
“This was given to me by my sister,” she said so proudly before blinking several times. I concentrated on her long eyelashes skimming across her porcelain skin.
“She has exquisite tastes,” Kodroth whispered. He moved in front of her, brushing the tip of his index finger across her chin then around her pursed mouth. “However, did Voltar not tell you that you were required to be naked at all times?”
Her lower lip quivered, as if suddenly realizing her mistake. “I’m sorry. I...”
I watched as Degan wrapped his hand around her long strands of hair, exposing her neck. She wore no other adornment, as if she needed anything to become more tempting. “Yes, you deserve to be punished for not following a simple rule.”
Kodroth lowered his head, sliding his lips back and forth across her mouth. I was surprised her eyes never left mine. I could feel her questioning everything.
