by Piper Stone
I’d been right all along. Zayn mattered in a completely different regard. Chuckling, I walked closer, locking eyes with his. I’d taken the opportunity to talk with two of the highest ranking officers on the ship, who’d led me down an interesting path. That is, after they’d been commanded to do so or face punishment. The top-secret mission I’d been on I hadn’t even believed in, at least until after I’d met Felicity. Then everything seemed to fall into place.
After I’d pushed, I’d learned that the ship was actually filled with human females, many of them captured during the surprise attack from the marauders, but they were only a small portion of the numbers being housed in the bowels of the ship. They all seemed to carry the same brand that Felicity did—the Demon’s brand meaning top quality for a high price. I’d learned that the officers had been ordered to bring the larger ship for the very purpose of collecting as many females as possible.
They’d been sold by the marauders to the Centurions—to certain high-ranking Centurions to be exact.
But there was more.
“You purchased women on the black market, Commander. Didn’t you?” I asked, keeping my distance. He didn’t even have to answer, I knew the truth. “Let me guess, ordered by the High Council and specifically by Executive Commander Talin Gardan.”
He reeled back, ready to call on officers to take me away. “How dare you accuse me of something so heinous.”
“How dare I? Did keeping the colonies become too expensive, Commander? Was this all about greed?”
“Captain Brezan, I’m placing you under arrest for high treason.” The commander didn’t seem bothered in the least. That’s when I knew that the three of us were expendable. We were being taken home to Skars to face punishment, which certainly meant death.
I waved my hand over the console, opening the door. “Don’t bother, Commander. I believe these officers will take care of the situation.”
“Commander Futan, you are the one being placed under arrest for high treason.”
I stood back as the commanding officers of the ship took the commander into custody. I had no idea what I was going to do or what would happen when we returned to Skars, but I had the distinct feeling that there was much more to this story.
I stood in the hallway, trying to collect my thoughts when I noticed Degan and Kodroth taking long strides toward me. “Is Felicity all right?”
“We left her locked in; however, there is something that Degan needs to tell you,” Kodroth stated, anger in his usual calm tone of voice.
“There’s plenty of that going around. What is it?” I rubbed my eyes, wanting nothing more than to head back to Earth. I almost chuckled at the thought.
“The tattoo Felicity mentioned. The dragon?” Degan asked.
“Yeah. What about it?”
“I’ve seen it before.” Degan kept his voice low as several Centurions passed.
“Where?” A chill slithered down my spine.
“On Skars many years ago when I was a young boy, before I was sent away to school.”
I was completely confused. “I don’t understand.”
Kodroth shoved his hands into his pockets. “The man with the tattoo is the Demon. He is half human, half Centurion.”
I exhaled, counting to five before nodding. “I’m aware.”
“You are?” Degan demanded. “You were told?”
“Yes.” Every nerve stood on end.
“My father?” Degan had an incredulous look on his face.
“Hell, no. I am actually working for the executive order of the Centurion High Council, under the direct orders of President Dahl.” Our president had been certain he had a traitor working for him. I would venture a guess that the commander was the mole, leaking information to Zayn for profit as well. Bastard.
Kodroth sucked in his breath. “And you just choose to tell us this now?”
“I wasn’t able to disclose.”
Degan opened his eyes wide. “In order to find Zayn.”
“Yes, but there were suspicions that much more was going on. Now I know. The buying and selling of human females, and if my suspicions are true, not only to Centurions.”
“To other planets,” Degan said, his voice faltering.
“Yes. We aren’t the only species that need fresh blood in order to breed. Now we have proof.” My arm began to itch, then a single slice of pain jabbed at my skin. The implant.
“All this because of my father.” Degan now had his eyes directed toward the floor.
“Yes.” The biting pain subsided and I rubbed my arm, but my hackles were raised.
“What about Felicity?” Kodroth asked.
I wasn’t entirely certain. “When Felicity escaped from him, he simply refused to accept that. She became his obsession. My guess is that Commander Futan knew weeks ago that she’d escaped and what had happened to her, as well as realizing Zayn would find her. I’m certain he didn’t want any loose ends in this operation. What better way than have her part of the ceremony? We were selected because the commander guessed I was in charge of finding Zayn and I was stupid enough to confirm that for him.”
“Shit.” Kodroth whistled. “Who is Zayn? Tell us, Degan. You know about his tattoo and I want to know why.”
Degan sucked in his breath. “He’s my half-brother. He’s able to pass for very human when he desires, one of the reasons that the humans are special to us. There’s something in their DNA that when mixed with certain species, they are almost like a chameleon. That much my father told me prior to leaving on this trip.”
“Ah, fuck,” I hissed. No wonder humans were so valuable. The pain occurred again, this time much more intense. “I’m going to venture a guess that he’s still alive.”
“Then he’s on this ship,” Degan groaned. “My father always said his home was on Skars, no matter how adventurous he was. The attack on the compound, everything was just a ploy. What if he’s on this ship?”
“Yeah, I’ll bet he is. Bastard.” Rage filled me, more so than before.
“We have no way of knowing who he is. No one knows what he looks like.” Kodroth was exasperated.
“That’s not entirely true.” Degan finally lifted his head. “When we were younger, he looked just like me when he was in Centurion form.”
Wincing, I grabbed my arm.
“What is it?” Kodroth inched closer.
“The implant. Felicity is in pain. The collar is... Fuck! You both have the implants. If Zayn is your half-brother, then he may be able to use his mind to control the collar. And I can feel her pain.”
“Think, Degan. You have to have some connection to him,” Kodroth snapped.
“I never have. He has many abilities, including blocking any mental tethering to our kind. You have no idea how extensive his training was.” Degan fisted his forehead. “I should have known Zayn was the Demon.”
I rubbed the implant, taking several deep breaths. “And I should have been told that Zayn was Talin’s son instead of a rogue human that had been born on Earth. She’s close. I can feel her.” Singing sensations rocketed through me and suddenly, I was no longer able to see clearly, the agony blinding. Crumpling, I was able to hear her in my mind, echoes floating in my ears. “We have to get to her, now.”
“Voltar,” Kodroth exclaimed.
“Go. Now!” I slapped my hand on the wall, staggering behind them as they raced toward the door. By the time I made it, they were already inside. I was shaking as I reached for my weapon, lumbering just inside the doorway.
“Well, the party is all here,” the man laughed, his arm around Felicity’s throat, a gun planted in the other hand.
“Zayn,” Degan hissed, taking a huge step forward.
I could see Zayn’s eyes flash the second before Felicity screamed in pain and I dropped to the floor, our connection greater than ever. I could feel my muscles constricting as the anguish tore through, ripping at my insides. What horrible pain she must be experiencing.
“Not another step or I assure
you, I have no problem finishing this,” Zayn said in a casual manner.
I could see Kodroth taking small slides to one side, trying to get a better shot. At least he had his weapon in his hand. Felicity was pleading with her eyes, trying to tell me to back away. I was floored at her concern for me of all people. Her captor. Her owner.
Her lover.
“What do you want?” Degan asked. He had his hand on his waistband but there was no weapon.
“What do I want? Well, this luscious human of course. I need to finish what I started.” Zayn laughed again, yanking her backwards. “She belongs to me.” He issued another wave of pain and I was thrown into a wash of blinding agony, unable to think clearly or even focus. “And I have no issue killing the captain here.”
I didn’t care what happened to me. All I knew is that the bastard wasn’t going to harm Felicity any more than he had. Using what little strength I had left, I lunged, catching Zayn off guard. Everything seemed to stand still, as if all time stopped.
Then I heard a whooshing sound, felt a slight blur of energy as something was tossed past my head. I dropped once again but this time I was able to see, the pain subsiding.
A knife tossed by Degan had found the correct home right between Zayn’s eyes.
* * *
Two months later
Felicity
I took a deep whiff, marveling at how clean the air seemed to be. The day was chilly, the orange glow of the sky now comforting. I’d once been afraid of the odd color, hoping for blue skies. I was impressed at the beauty surrounding me, more content than I would have imagined. There was similar greenery, although given the temperatures, the foliage was much sparser. My hands were covered in dirt, although that’s not what the Centurions called the gray matter that covered their grounds. It felt like dirt to me, although the substance was much grittier than what I remembered on Earth. I didn’t care. I had a little planter box complete with a strange group of flowers.
They were beautiful, vibrant in their fuchsia and violet colors, yet I had no idea what they were or really how to tend to them. But they’d been a gift from Kodroth. He was the romantic of our odd family, always finding something to please me. Family. The notion was still new and my heart ached, but I was content in our arrangement, as much as a pet could be. I patted the dirt around the beautiful bunch and stood back, wiping my hands.
They were almost perfect.
I no longer wore the collar given to me. The plain thick leather piece was satisfactory to my masters. The events with the Demon had certainly caused quite a stir in the world of the Centurions. I was told only bits and pieces, but I knew that Degan had saved my life and quite possibly Voltar’s.
I felt so sorry for all the women who’d been brought here, sold off like slaves originally, but given what I knew about the marauders, their life here would be much better. A mandate had been issued that they wouldn’t be sold to other species. I’d listened in on a few conversations, of course against the rules, and discovered that Skars was going through a political overhaul, several of the High Council members arrested, including Degan’s father. And the colonies? Their fate hung in the balance at this point. I’d been told they were still protected, another group of Centurion soldiers landing on Earth over a month before. Even rations were handed out more frequently, creating a more hospitable environment.
I could at least dream that what I’d been told was the truth.
I longed to see my family and Voltar had never said no. Then again, he’d never said yes either. Frowning, I mimicked his words, even using as deep a voice as possible.
“You will see your family when I allow it.”
I chuckled, at least until I felt a presence behind me. Stiffening, I swallowed hard before turning around. All three of my masters stood in the doorway of our home, their chastising looks telling me everything I needed to know.
I was in serious trouble.
“Hi,” I said, blushing as all three men gazed down at my nakedness, desire on their faces.
“Someone is being naughty,” Degan said first, his eyes twinkling.
“Who, me? I’ve been very good. I’m just working with my flowers.” I knew the words fell on deaf ears.
Voltar shook his head. “You will see your family when I allow it.” He wasn’t smiling in the least at the fact I’d mocked him.
I gulped, folding my hands in front of me. “Well, you did say that.”
He simply moved aside, pointing to the spanking bench that was in the far corner of the room. I hated the damn thing, had the smell of the leather almost permanently covering my entire body given how often it had been used. My ass stuck up high in the air, my wrists and ankles shackled. How could I love something that caused so much pain?
Well, I did have to admit that every time I was spanked like the bad little girl I was, my pussy became so wet, hot and ready for all of them to take me. I no longer felt embarrassed at my raging desires, or even shameful that I begged them to fuck me. I was free to tell them anything and everything I desired.
And they gave me what they decided.
I know I rolled my eyes, Kodroth noticing as I walked into the room, standing in front of the damn piece as usual, waiting for one of them to shackle me down.
This time it was Degan.
He actually hummed some ridiculous tune, one from Earth no less, as he did the deed. I knew he was taking actual pleasure in tying me down. When he moved the strands of hair from my face, bending down to kiss my cheek, I figured this punishment was going to be a doozy.
Then I heard the sounds of all three men removing their belts. I shuddered from the realization, wanting to beg them not to whip me, but then again... The bad girl inside was eager, twisting and turning in my bindings as they prepared, all three rubbing their hands on my backside and upper thighs. Maybe my pussy would be spared tonight.
Maybe.
They spoke their language, which in truth pissed me off, for at least a full minute, keeping the anticipation going. I bucked at the bindings, groaning yet biting my tongue and all the words I wanted to spout off. I was still the rebellious girl and although I’d heard more than once they loved my spunky attitude, I was certainly punished for it more often than not.
Just when I was resigned that they’d keep me waiting, I heard the whooshing sound as one of the belts was snapped together. The slice across my backside made me jump, but the pain was minimal. The second, coming from another one of my masters stung. The third? I howled like a child, whimpering and tossing as my body caught up with the actions. They took turns spanking me, smacking my ass in that oh-so painful spot. I wouldn’t be able to sit down for a week.
“You’re doing much better with the rules, but you’re going to have to listen to us. We know what’s best for you.” Kodroth had issued this statement before. I think I’d laughed at him, garnering a regimen of having my mouth washed out as well as my breasts whipped with a cane. I learned that lesson the hard way.
I remained quiet, trying to keep my whimpers at a minimum as they tanned my hide, giving one after the other. The heat rose on my bottom, creeping along the backs of my legs and I gulped for air, clenching my fists. They knew how to spank a girl.
“Ten more,” Voltar stated. He was very much the head of the family. What he said was exactly what occurred every time. No one questioned his authority. No one.
I held my breath as one hard smack was delivered after another, trying to count in my mind but my pussy was clenching, taking my mind off the pain. I knew my wetness had slickened the bench, soaking into the leather. Even my nipples were hard as little pebbles, longing to be plucked, tweaked, and twisted. Did I crave pain? Mmm...
I realized I must have been humping the bench when they finished since I heard a dark chuckle as one of their hands was placed on the small of my back.
“Seems like our little human is hungry tonight,” Kodroth said, his tone more sensuous than normal.
“Does the little human want to be fucked hard?”
Degan asked.
I lifted my head a few inches, purring softly, “Yes, sir. Please.”
“She is such a shameless little slut,” Voltar offered as he dipped his hand between my legs, fingering my clit.
Fuck. Fuck! I wanted their cocks to fill me, take me to the extreme heights of pleasure that only they could do. “I am!” My voice was almost shrill in the begging mode.
“Hmm... Maybe we should hold off,” Degan said almost casually as he unfastened my ankles.
“No. Please!” I moaned again.
“Please what?” Voltar asked, taking his sweet time to unfasten my wrists. He gathered me into his arms, brushing the hair from my face. “Yes?”
“Please, oh, please fuck me. I’ll be good.” All three men laughed. They laughed at me! How dare they? I hadn’t noticed that all three were completely naked until that moment. My mouth watered, longing to have one or all three cocks in my mouth. I risked another spanking by sliding my hand down Voltar’s chest, marveling in his chiseled muscles dancing under my fingers. He was so damn hot, so sexy that my fantasies continued almost every night.
Even though I had the real thing.
When I wrapped my hand around his cock, stroking the base, he exhaled with pleasure.
“Yes, I think she’s ready,” he muttered, his tone husky with his own increased hunger.
“Then fuck her we will.” Degan plucked one of my nipples before nodding toward the bedroom.
The huge bed was the biggest I’d ever seen, able to fit all of us easily. I’d expected a cage, or a room of my own that I’d be locked in at night, but they’d wanted nothing of the sort. They preferred having me sandwiched between them and every morning my first duties were to suck at least one of them off, taking every drop of their sweet cum into my mouth. I wasn’t allowed to waste any. Oh, no.
I was flopped onto the bed but quickly rose onto all fours, my defiant side forcing me to wiggle my hips back and forth.
“Look at the cheeky little slave,” Kodroth mused as he crawled on top, cupping and squeezing my breast.
