Devolose

by Alana Khan

  “I take it you have some reason you’re personally delivering this news...other than to gloat.” My eyes narrow. You can’t con a con, so I mentally write the script for what’s coming next.

  “I paid good credits to my cousin, who works for the MarZan cartel. He risked life and limb to get me the coordinates to your Earth. We stop on planet Neron first thing tomorrow to refuel. I located a small ship we can rent. It can not only get us to Earth in five days but has the ability to put you down anywhere you designate with its state-of-the-art matter transporter. I didn’t put a hold on it, I was waiting for your approval before I spend half an annum’s pay.”

  His stare is positively feral. I figure this is the moment I’m supposed to plead for more information, but as desperate as I am to get back home, I’ll never stoop to begging.

  “What’s your ask?” I spear him with a feral look of my own. I don’t think I need my Ph.D. in psychology to know the nature of what he wants. His lusty glances haven’t been subtle since the day he and the rest of the crew rescued us from certain death where I was imprisoned on planet Paradise with two other Earth women.

  He grabs a grape-like piece of fruit from a bowl in the center of the dining table and pops it into his mouth. “The cost?” He cocks an eyebrow. “You provide whatever service I request on the trip from Neron to your planet.” He chews nonchalantly as he cocks his head to one side. He seems to be savoring my discomfort more than his bite of food.

  “Fuck you, Sextus.” He had to know I’d never agree to that proposition.

  I rise to leave, but before I’m through the doorway, he says, “Do the math, little Lexa.” I pause, my back still to him. “Ten days in a cell on planet Paradise, eight days since we rescued you and your friends. Five days to Earth if we leave tomorrow from Neron. That’s twenty-three days. I don’t know drack about Earth, but I wonder just how long you can be gone from a place before your explanation about your absence becomes suspicious.

  “The other females have already said they’ve been gone too long. They know they can’t go back, they...what was it they said? They would be locked up by your military and studied? I don’t think you have the luxury of seventeen extra days to go all the way to Algaron IV and back. I believe I’m your ticket home, little Lexa, and I just set the price.”

  “Just because you’re an asshole, Sextus, doesn’t mean I’m a whore.” I stalk through the door, but before I get out of earshot I hear, “Not just sexual services, I was hoping you know how to cook. My offer stands until 2400.” His mocking laugh follows me as I run down the short hallway to the room I share with Carrie, one of the two Earth females I was rescued with.

  Luckily she isn’t here. I throw myself on my bed and try to think. My hands are shaking with rage. I let out a low scream from the back of my throat and kick my legs in frustration.

  “Fuck, fuck, fuck.” I pound the bed with each expletive. “Okay, Lexa, try to think.” I leap to a standing position and pace the tiny space in tight circles.

  Before I can problem solve, my mind chooses this moment to throw me a quick reminder of the last three miserable weeks of my life. I was abducted from Earth, then placed in a cell with Carrie and Brin, who were kidnapped years ago. We were all rescued by seven huge alien pirates whose appearance scares the shit out of me, then taken to planet Primus for a week with the offer to start a new life there.

  Actually, all the alien males except for Sextus have been super nice and have tried very hard to get us back to Earth. None of us women chose to stay on Primus despite Captain Thantose’s offer to help us find jobs and lodging.

  Carrie and Brin are looking for a better planet to call home. But I’ve never given up hope that I can return to Earth. Until today, no one knew Earth’s coordinates except for the MarZan cartel which apparently uses our planet to harvest free breeding females whenever they choose.

  I’ve been aware for days that if I don’t get back to Earth soon, I won’t be able to return at all. How many weeks can I claim to have been in some fugue state with no memory of where I’ve been and what I’ve been doing? I’ve concocted a story about walking the Appalachian Trail and getting lost, but my plausible deniability is about to expire.

  Sextus is right. I don’t have an extra seventeen days to get home. If I wait much longer, when I do get back to Earth the special forces guys will arrive in their black helicopters to fly me to Area 51 for some anal probing of their own.

  “Four days!” I shout to the empty room. I was four days from getting my Ph.D. in Psychology. In order to get my degree at twenty-three, I’ve had to put my entire life on hold for the past seven years.

  I was home-schooled and earned my high school diploma at sixteen. After my dad died I enrolled in college and didn’t take a break for the next seven years. I never had a summer off, took the maximum amount of credits during every semester, and just plowed through to get my degree. Now my life is completely derailed.

  There is no future—absolutely none—for me in space.

  Several hours later, Carrie asks if I want dinner, but I have no appetite. I just watch the clock, waiting for the midnight deadline. No matter how you cut it, my dilemma boils down to two choices: never go home again, or be Sextus’ sex slave for five days.

  The choice seems obvious when I put it like that. I’ve worked my ass off for the last seven years to get to my goal—to become a psychologist and have the ability to make money using my skills in a way that doesn’t break the law. Am I willing to throw all that away because the cost of five days of embarrassment is too high?

  No. I’ve known for hours I was going to do it. I just wasn’t ready to admit it to myself.

  It’s ten to midnight. Carrie’s been sleeping on the top bunk for hours. I need to quit procrastinating and do the walk of shame to Sextus’ room.

  Luckily the hallway’s deserted and he’s only four doors down. His electronic sliding door is cracked an inch. He left it open for me, the fucker. He knew I’d come.

  I knock lightly until I hear his deep, “Come in.”

  The lights are dim, so it takes me a moment to fully absorb the scene in front of me. Sextus is on the bed, head leaned against the back wall, covers only pulled up to his thighs. His muscled blue body with its swirling cobalt tribal markings is in stark contrast to the white sheets. His meaty blue hand is slowly fisting his penis from base to tip as he spears me with an animalistic gaze.

  “You’re here with four minimas to spare. Nicely played, little Lexa.” His hand is continuing its leisurely journey, stroking up and down.

  Okay, Lexa, I order myself, you will not close your eyes. You will not look away. You will not blush. I calculated it out, five days is 7,200 minutes. I can do that standing on my head. I will do what needs to be done so I can have the life I’ve been planning—the life I deserve.

  “I need to hear it, Lexa. Why are you here?”

  I forbid myself to pause or stammer. “I’m here to accept your proposal.” I stare him straight in the eye. My voice sounded steady, that’s good. It’s so dim in here I doubt he can see my carotid artery rapidly leaping in my throat.

  “Good. I knew the day I met you that we were two of a kind, you and I.”

  What would possibly make this monster think such a thing? I’m not asking.

  “I’ve watched you with the other females, you don’t care about hurting anyone’s feelings. Neither do I. Seems like both of us follow the philosophy: take care of yourself and damn everyone else. We’ll do fine for the next five days, you and I.”

  I turn to leave.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” his voice is harsh and low, almost a growl.

  I don’t respond. I know it isn’t really a question. He and my dad must have gone to Power and Control University together.

  “You need to hear the terms of service, and agree to them, Little Lexa.”

  I stand straighter, tighten my jaw, and look him square in the eye. Does he think this little Earth female has never been afraid
before? Fuck him. I learned how to deal with this kind of psychological torment at my daddy’s knee.

  “One. You’ll tell no one the terms of our contract or I will not fulfill them. Even if you don’t fully trust me, I have every intention of delivering you to your home planet—on time. I have gone to considerable expense to obtain the coordinates and the fastest ship available. I’m a total dracker, but I am a man of my word. When I return to this ship without you, I have to live with all these people and I’d prefer our contract be just between us. Is that clear?”

  I nod.

  “Say it.”

  “Yes, that’s clear.”

  “You can call me sir.”

  Fuck. “Yes, sir.” Is this going to be some Fifty Shades of Grey bullshit?

  “Two. You will do exactly as I say or you will be punished.”

  Okay. I guess that’s a “yes” on the Fifty Shades question.

  “Is that clear?”

  “Yes, sir.” I try to put as much “fuck you” as I can into the “sir.”

  “Three. My cousin owed me a huge sum of credits as the result of his mediocre play in a klempto game, so although it was an expense to get the coordinates, it did not involve an outlay of money. On the other hand, a significant amount of credits will change hands when I reserve the vessel. Since I am acting in good faith, I will need a clear gesture on your part that you are acting in good faith as well. Strip out of your clothes. Computer, turn up lights.”

  I’m an idiot. How is it that a savvy individual like myself did not anticipate this particular level of hell? I don’t hesitate, though, I’ve decided to do this and I will follow through.

  I swiftly pull off my t-shirt, leggings, bra, and panties. I knew I’d need to do it quickly in order to get it done. I also didn’t want it to appear sensual in any way. I order my sympathetic nervous system not to blush. I will get through this. I toss my head and hope I give the appearance of supreme indifference.

  Although I’m looking him directly in the eye, my peripheral vision catches his fingers tightening around his cock.

  “Are we done? May I leave?” My clothes are still balled in my hands. I’m about to turn toward the door, planning to get dressed and run to the safety of my room.

  “No!”

  I don’t recall ever hearing this particular timbre of deep growl escape a male’s throat before. I’m paralyzed in fear, but hope I seem stubborn and confident.

  “Let’s review the rules one more time. What is rule number two?”

  “Do as you say,” I answer without hesitation.

  “Put your clothes on the foot of the bed.”

  I toss them there.

  “You’re trying my patience, little Lexa. I guess we’ll have fun on the trip to Earth as I teach you how to follow the rules. One final thing before you leave.” He sits up, hangs his legs over the side of the bed and beckons me between his knees. “To ensure you don’t change your mind after I pay for the vessel, I want proof of how serious you are about abiding by the contract.”

  He pauses, then, “Suck my cock,” his voice is rough and breathy.

  I’m certain he has to see my jaw lock tight and the blood drain from my face. Crap. I guess my being a virgin shouldn’t be a big deal. Really, I should have done something about it years ago. I was just far too busy studying my ass off and writing my doctoral fucking dissertation to deal with men.

  Okay, Lexa, you can do this. How hard can it be? What was it they said in Victorian days? Close your eyes and think of England? Whatever. I focus on the fact that this is my choice. I could tell him to forget this ridiculous contract and then run out of the room. But I’m not going to do that. Because I want to get back to my life on Earth and this is my only escape.

  I’m going to do this, and I’m going to do this in style. I pull myself to my full five-foot-two inches and act like there’s a crown on my head. I’m a queen and I relinquish my power to no man.

  My knees hit the floor between his feet and I try to get my bearings. I’ve seen plenty of cocks before; just because I’m a virgin doesn’t mean I haven’t stumbled onto Porn Hub. Of course, I’ve never seen one this long or this thick before. Nor have I ever seen one that is two shades of blue.

  I form my plan of attack. Swift, sure, no time for hesitation, Lexa, just go for it. I grab him at the root, press my mouth over the head, and engulf him as far down as I can go in one swift movement because I don’t want to hesitate or gag.

  “Drack!” he thunders as he grabs my shoulders and pulls me up and off of him. “What the drack female? If you didn’t want to go through with the contract why did you come to my room?”

  I’m standing, staring at him, just blinking. “What?” I ask, then hastily add, “sir?”

  “Teeth! Seven hells, female. You used your teeth!” Even in the dim light, I can see the whites all around his irises, his eyes wide in surprise.

  “I...didn’t know.”

  “What are you saying? Are human cocks impervious to pain?”

  “I don’t know...I’ve never…”

  “You’re untouched?” He pulls back, muscles rigid.

  Ohhh, the way he’s saying that, like it’s the worst thing in the known galaxy, I don’t want to cop to that. So I just stand here, wondering if I drew blood.

  “Answer me. You’ve never…been with a male?”

  “No.” He’s still staring daggers through me. “Sir.”

  “Why in the galaxy did you accept my offer, Lexa? I thought we were like-minded. I thought this would be a game for both of us, that I’d be the aggressor and you’d feign innocence. I had no idea you were an innocent.” He stands, grabs my clothes from the foot of the bed, and gently hands them to me. “I rescind my offer. The contract is null and void.”

  Sextus

  “No. Please. Sextus, I’ll...do better next time.”

  Her voice is pleading, but by her pinched face and downturned mouth, this is costing her every iota of her dignity.

  I’m a drackhole. I’ve always been one. I’m used to getting my way. But not this.

  “I need to get back to Earth. Teach me how to do...that…” She glances at my cock, now tucked against my body, shriveled in pain. “Teach me and I’ll do it.”

  I don’t want to prolong this one moment longer. I don’t want her to give away every shred of her self-respect.

  “Go back to your room, Lexa. I don’t understand Earth ways. I can’t play my games with an untouched.” I stalk to my restroom. “When I come out I want you gone.”

  ~.~

  Sextus will be available for pre-order on October 1, 2019. Follow me on my newsletter or my Alana Khan Facebook page to be reminded when it comes out.

  Click here to buy Drayke on Amazon.

  Galaxy Gladiators Series

  Book Five

  Drayke Sneak Peek

  Present Day

  Planet Bellona

  Chapter One

  Nova

  “He’s entered me in a claiming match? Oh my God, he wants me dead.” My heart rate kicks into double time and my jaw clenches. My whole life just turned upside down in the span of a few seconds. Emotions of all types spiral through me. Besides being shocked at this news, I’m afraid for my life. But top of the list at this moment is rage at my owner for punishing me like this.

  I’m one of only a handful of female gladiators in the galaxy. I don’t believe there’s another human female fighter anywhere. I thought I’d earned my keep in Daneur Khour’s gladiator stable by fighting well and winning purses. But I forcefully rejected his sexual advances the other night and this is his revenge.

  Never underestimate the ego of a male with a tiny dick.

  Although I’ve battled in arenas as one of Khour’s gladiators since the cartel he runs abducted me from Earth two years ago, I only met him several nights ago. He shouldn’t have tried to rape me. I fought back and avoided his violation, but he won in the long run—his punishment is to enter me in this deadly match today.

&nb
sp; There are only three possible outcomes of a claiming contest. One: I win and Khour keeps both me and the loser—if he’s still alive. Two: I lose and become the property of my opponent's owner. Or three, my least favorite: I die. I don’t like the stakes, or my odds.

  “I put Khour in a chokehold when he tried to force me to go down on him,” I explain to my trainer, Loveno.

  “Nova, he owns you.” Loveno strokes his chin with his slightly-webbed fingers, looking pained as he explains, “He can do anything he wants, including killing you where you stand. He’s one of the most powerful males in the galaxy; he runs the MarZan cartel. You had to know there would be repercussions.”