by Piper Stone
“Or maybe they had no intention of returning to Earth. If they knew what the Zatans were planning, what exactly would they be returning to?” Sighing, sadness filled her eyes only seconds before she grabbed one of the tomatoes, taking a huge bite.
I bristled, lurching forward to jerk the vegetable out of her hand. By then, I knew that if the crop was laced with poison, the damage had already been done.
“Delicious.” A grin on her face, she picked another one, tossing it in my direction. “But don’t take my word for it.”
I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had anything resembling food on Earth. The garbage the Zatans savored reminded me of slop, inedible and tasteless. The draw was far too powerful. After taking a single bite, the juice sliding down the back of my throat, I was suddenly famished, finishing off the entire tomato in mere seconds. While today wasn’t a good day to die, I was forced to agree with her assumptions.
This was survival food, kept hidden from prying eyes. That meant the group of them had to be in close proximity. I gazed up at the darkening sky, my instinct telling me that our arrival wouldn’t be secret for very long.
“I suggest we eat then rest. I’ll keep watch tonight.” I turned in another full circle, eyeing the massive trees. “We need to find a location that’s more secure.”
“You’re afraid of what they might do.”
“I’m afraid that even if your father is among the group, our presence will still be seen as a threat. They arrived here on this planet for a specific reason. I doubt they’ll appreciate any hint of interference.”
She studied me for a full minute before nodding. “Then let’s take some food and find a location near the river.”
“Agreed.”
There was no way of knowing what to expect during the middle of the night, or what type of creatures roamed this section of the planet. After spending almost an hour creating a basic military-style fort made out of underbrush and tree limbs, there was little else I could do but keep watch.
To serve and protect.
The words were no longer something I said with honor.
“Do you find it interesting that we haven’t seen another human or different alien since our departure?” she asked, her gaze locked on the odd-looking sky. The usual tangerine had morphed into blood red, the crimson blanket morbid in every way.
“Think about it, little human. How many creatures were able to best the alien gladiators? Even the other compounds I’d heard about were in the opposite direction.”
“You were chosen because of your brawn and power, your ability to keep us both alive, and not in the least your skills in tracking.”
“Another good assumption.”
“You were meant to choose me, even led to it somehow,” she half whispered. There was no fear in her tone. There was also no anger. She was now more determined than ever to find answers. She lifted her head in my direction, her eyes narrowing. “The various examinations we were given. It’s entirely possible that drugs were introduced, increasing our desire for one another.
“Do you believe that, princess?” Four days ago, I would have been elated that was the only reason for our strong attraction. Today was entirely different.
She shook her head, unable to look me in the eyes.
“Well, that’s just one of the things we’re going to find out.” I held the weapon tighter in my hand, listening for any signs of detection.
“What happened in your life?”
I shifted my gaze in her direction. “You mean other than the betrayal we discussed?”
“You were hurt significantly. Something tragic happened years ago that destroyed your entire world, turning you into not only a warrior but a man prepared to protect what he cares about. To the death if necessary.”
The lilt in her voice was one of compassion, yet certain about what she believed. I couldn’t relive the horror. “Doesn’t matter, little human. That was another life.”
“You’ve asked me to trust you and I do. Why can’t you share anything about the man inside?”
I exhaled, the tension returning. “Everything was taken from me. That’s all you need to know.”
“Everything. Does that include someone you loved?” she asked tentatively.
I clenched my fist, digging my nails into my skin to fight the biting pain. “Just let it go.”
“Xander, if we’re—”
“I said. Let. It. Go.” My booming voice reverberated in the woods, the anguish far too evident.
Several seconds passed.
“Fine, but you should know that I actually care about you. I know it’s crazy, completely irrational and likely a product of design, but you mean more to me than anyone ever has.” She waited as if I was going to answer.
As usual, I had nothing to say.
“Jesus. You’re a hard man to love.”
“I’m a wolfbeast, sweetheart, very much like the actual beast residing on my planet. I prey on the flesh of others in my attempt to right the wrongs of this world. Any freaking world.”
Her hot breath skipped across my skin, keeping the beast far too close to the surface, my wolf. A monster who’d lost all care about life long ago. This dreadful place had peeled away scabs from deep wounds, resurfacing memories I’d pushed inside an ugly box, never to see the light of day again.
Her whisper was sweet, even sensuous, but even the brazen and beautiful Katarina would never break me free of the self-imposed chains. “I don’t mind your bite.”
I bit back the anguish, swallowing the bitter bile. “Rest. You can take the second watch,” I said in a far too commanding tone. Immediately she stiffened.
She turned toward the makeshift hut, surprising me by moving onto her tiptoes and pressing her lips against my cheek. “I know this won’t mean a damn thing to you, but you’re a true warrior, Xander. I admire you more than you know, but I’m not just someone that can be used, no matter the circumstances. I’d lived a lonely existence for far too long. Even on this wretched planet, I deserve some kind of happiness.” Her breath skipping, she crouched onto the ground, disappearing into the mound of sticks and leaves.
Another cold shiver settled into my spine.
Admire.
I hadn’t been admired by anyone in years. I’d never believed in love at first sight until it happened; one amazing night had changed everything.
But one horrible night on a darkened street had taken it all away.
To hear the caring tone in Katarina’s voice was something I wouldn’t have expected and certainly hadn’t wanted. I pressed my fingers against my cheek, still consumed with rage. Hurting her in any manner hadn’t been my intent. I didn’t even know the man inside any longer.
I leaned against a tree, exhaustion keeping my muscles tense and aching. There’d been so many lies. I wanted nothing more than to curl next to her tonight, merely hungering for the warmth and companionship, but I knew better than to let down my guard.
While Katarina fell into a fitful sleep, I thought about a previous conversation we’d had. To think that someone or something had purposely taken her hostage years before the actual abduction was different from other stories I’d heard, including my own. That meant that Dakar’s words regarding just how special she was held even more merit than just the fact she was Thomas Garens’ daughter.
What would the men she remembered standing over her have done after inducing an almost coma-like state? Testing of some kind. There were far too many questions leading to the possibility that there was more going on here than I’d originally thought.
Maybe there was another faction on Earth who’d already been working with the Zatans, forcibly testing then rounding up individuals who could help whatever plight or malady had been inflicted on the aliens. The thought was the only plausible one, or perhaps I was grasping at straws. Until we found the scientists, there would be no answers.
I closed my eyes, mulling over every detail that we’d found during the last few days. I almost laughed at the rea
lization that we’d lived a lifetime of misery and pain together in a short period of time.
And I did care about her.
And I would forever crave her.
And I would die for her.
I would kill for her.
I would slay every beast for her, whether our attraction was engineered by Zatans or not.
“Shit.” I laughed softly, rubbing my jaw as I studied the sky. Everything was claustrophobic at night, the perfect setting for nightmares. Katarina had exposed the man inside, if only for a few seconds. That was enough to allow the flood of unwanted memories, the torment from my past.
A woman who’d been there for me during some of the most difficult times.
Images popped into my mind, ones that I’d tried desperately to overcome. Her face. Her shining eyes. Her hair dancing in the sun. The way she laughed as we strolled in our crimson moonlight. Anguish rushed into my very core, the ache crippling. Suddenly, the air was suffocating, my pulse racing to the point I had difficulty breathing.
There were far too many emotions crushing in on me. My chest felt compressed, pain running down both arms, my legs shaking from weakness. What the...
The single snap of a twig was followed by a bright light shone in my eyes, blinding me. The gun. I had to... Lift the damn weapon. Shoot them. You have to protect Katarina. My arms were heavy. As if in slow motion, I dropped my head, able to see the dart firmly imbedded into my thigh.
I’d know the stench anywhere, the disgusting smell of the alien beasts. They’d double-crossed us. The fuckers. “You. Will. Die.” I managed to lift my arms, pointing the weapon in the direction of the light source.
This time, I felt the sting as another dart was shot into my leg. Stars immediately floated in front of my eyes, the weapon slipping from my hand. Oh, hell, no. These fuckers weren’t going to get to her.
“Ka-ta-ri-na!” My legs gave out, dumping me onto my knees, the light still blinding, pain unlike anything I’d ever experienced coursing through every vein.
Paralyzing.
Unable to breathe.
Voices.
They’d found us. I had to save her. I had to get to the woman I...
Loved...
Chapter Fourteen
Katarina
Clang. Clang. Clang.
“They’re coming. Oh, God help us.”
“No!” Darkness. Damp. Disgusting.
Demons.
Horned aliens...
I finally opened my eyes, every part of me shaking from the memories: the girls kept like animals, the brutal guards who enjoyed demoralizing every female, the probing fingers and eyes.
The gladiator.
A true hero.
I tried to roll over but every muscle in my body was stiff, obviously from the damp ground. My perception was off, my mind foggy. Had the fruit been poisonous all along?
Suddenly, I could swear I felt bugs crawling all over me.
Then there were whispered voices, all husky and foreboding.
I took several deep breaths, realizing I’d been dreaming about the wretched Zatan cell, the whines of the female prisoners. You’re okay. You’re not there. Then why couldn’t I see? “Xander?” He had to be right outside. I must have overslept. “I’m coming, Xander. Your... turn to... rest.” Even my words seemed slurred. Was there a noise? I held my breath, listening.
The only sound was a constant dripping noise. Okay, what the hell was going on? I blinked several times, trying to catch my breath as my eyes finally became accustomed to the darkness, only there was a hint of light coming from some unknown source, a warm glow and little else. I felt around me, finally realizing that I was no longer hidden under an expertly created cave of twigs and leaves. The hard, cold surface was... Oh, my God. Stones.
Just like the prison cell from before.
No. No! This couldn’t be happening. Please. Please let this be a nightmare.
My hands shaking, I carefully felt the hard surface around me, trying to figure out what had happened. Think. Think! I shook my head, trying to force the cobwebs away. All I could remember was a sharp sting then nothing.
Cold.
Black.
Nothing.
The air smelled of decay and death, the stench so musty that I coughed several times.
I shifted forward carefully, tumbling off and slamming against another cold surface. “Fuck.” Where was Xander? Pain tore through my hands and knees, the agony forcing me to sit down with a hard thud, terror rearing its ugly head. I sat quietly for a few minutes until I realized that the light was actually the Zatan sun starting to rise, coming through some kind of... window. Oh. My. God. I’d been taken from the forest and I’d obviously been out of it for hours.
“Xander, oh, please. Where are you?”
Nothing made any sense. We were alone. He was watching over me. I’d finally fallen asleep, even though the night air had brought an intense chill. Then...
A scraping noise drew my attention, the sound coming from a solid twenty yards away. I slunk back, my skin prickled with bumps. I couldn’t stop shaking as I studied the shadows. Another metallic sound was followed by a deep male moan.
“Xander.” I scampered forward until my hands were able to wrap around a leg. I shifted closer, running my hands over his massive chest, then to his face. I’d know his chiseled jaw anywhere. I could just make out his form and while he seemed to be breathing on his own, the sounds were scattered at best. I knew in my gut that we’d been given some kind of drug in order to keep us quiet and compliant.
If the Zatans had found us, where the hell was this place?
He shifted, moaning, the sound reverberating in the space. “You’re going to be okay. We’re going to be okay. Please, God. Let us be all right.” I ran my hands up and down his arms and legs, checking his chest once again to make sure he had no injuries. Everything appeared to be normal. Whatever dose they’d given him had been significant, likely given his surly attitude.
He would have fought back.
I took some comfort in the realization and I sat down beside him, taking his hand into mine. I stared in the direction of the light, realizing that wherever we were, the small window was located a solid fifteen feet from the ground. Another mystery. Another horror. I wasn’t certain I could take much more.
There was no sign of our bags or the weapons. Everything we’d worked so hard to achieve had been stripped away once again, including my father’s journal. For all the atrocities that he might have been involved with, I’d been able to read enough to know he’d spent years on formulas. Testing. Retesting. First, he’d merely used assimilated research with whatever computer systems they’d had prior to the attack on the facility.
Then he’d moved onto using human tissues in the laboratory. From what I’d been able to read, it had taken years to get to the point of live testing. Unfortunately, his notes were all over the place. While absolutely dashed with brilliance, I could tell that my father’s mind was slipping.
As I brought Xander’s hand closer to my face, I was almost embarrassed from almost telling him I was in love with him. As if he cared. I was ashamed for bothering, even though I couldn’t help but feel giddy inside.
I loved him.
Him.
The brute.
The warrior.
I closed my eyes, biting back a moan as butterflies roared into my stomach. Just because he was the only eligible bachelor on the planet Zatan meant nothing. Right? I allowed a laugh even as my nerves threatened to overtake whatever rational mind I had left. We were prisoners once again, back where we started. Our adventure had been merely for the king’s amusement.
Sicko.
Bastard.
When I was forced back into that damn arena, I would scale the fortress-like seating and beat the wretched king to a bloody death. Thinking the vile thoughts certainly made me feel a hell of a lot better. I sat quietly, softly humming to myself as I eased Xander’s palm against my lips, pressing a series of kisses.
>
Maybe I just needed reassurance or his strong arms holding me. After all we’d been through, I wasn’t certain I had the strength left to fight any longer. I dropped my head, thinking about the facility and the journal. The Zatans had gotten their hands on what they’d wanted all along. How did they find us unless they had a spy working with the scientists? My head was far too foggy to figure this out.
Clang. Clang.
Clang...
This time, the horrific sound wasn’t from a dream but from metal hitting metal. The same sound as in the prison.
“Um...” Xander moaned, his head moving back and forth.
“You have to wake up now. Come on. I need you.”
The reverberations stopped. The bastards must be toying with us.
“Come on, Xander.” The stream of light became more intense, sucking away a good portion of the shadows. The cell was similar in design, although cruder in effort, the metal bars stretched across the opening misshapen and rough in detail.
Still, far too similar to what I’d experienced before. I could swear I heard heavy boots coming down a corridor.
I leaned down, shaking him gently. “You need to wake up. We may have company and I don’t want to do this alone.” When his eyelids only fluttered, exasperation took over. I captured his mouth, holding our lips together before sliding my tongue just inside.
He stirred, one hand sliding to my arm and squeezing.
Clang. Clang.
The sound continued to grate on my nerves and I jerked back, turning a heated glare in the direction of the bars. “Come and get us, you freaks.”
A growl slipped past his lips as he struggled to sit up. “Zatans.”
“Yeah, from what I can tell. They got everything. Our bags. The journal.”
He scanned the perimeter, blinking several times before cupping my face, the hold a soft caress. “Thank God, you’re all right.”
“You were out cold.”
“The fuckers hit me with two darts, some kind of paralyzing poison.”
“Jesus. That doesn’t sound like the Zatans.”
“Trust me,” he hissed as he struggled to stand, swaying back and forth. “Their stench left a trail.”
