The Edge of it All

by Jessica Grayson

  "Soran, is that you?"

  "Tr'lani?"

  "Yes, it's me," she replies, panic laced in her tone. "Where is Liana? Does Talel have her?"

  "No. She is safe."

  Rowan's voice cuts through the darkness. "Brother, are you injured?"

  "They stunned me with a blaster and injected me with breaking dart poison."

  Tr'lani gasps.

  "But I will regain my function shortly...and when I do," I growl, "I will kill them all."

  "Agreed," he replies solemnly.

  Liana

  My heart stops when I reach the edge of the forest and see Talel and his men standing next to a glider, Soran's limp form on the ground beside them. I place a hand over my mouth to stifle a gasp and watch as two A'kai drag him into the ship. Oh God, what happened?

  Talel turns his gaze out to the woods, seeming to stare directly at me. Ice-cold fear floods my veins, but it's quickly replaced with blinding rage. I'll kill him for hurting Soran.

  "Find her!" he snaps at his guards, and I know he's speaking of me.

  Quietly, I slip back into the forest and the shadows. I have a blaster, but there's two of them, and I cannot guarantee I'll be the victor in a firefight. Soran's counting on me; I can't afford to be captured.

  An idea forms in my mind, and I race back toward the cave. When I finally reach the dead rabbupine's body near the entrance, I carefully grasp one of its quills and jerk it free from its lifeless corpse. Lifting the end to study it, hope fills me when I notice the poison glistening on the tip.

  Soran said the tips of these quills were dangerous. I just have to pray that it's enough to do some damage to the A'kai. Quickly, I pull out three more. It won't take Talel's men long to locate me with the fire going.

  My skin prickles in awareness as a low growl sounds from somewhere behind me. The wolves are watching, but they're far enough away that I don't have to worry about them just yet. And I may be able to use them.

  Positioned behind several large boulders just outside the cave mouth, I cover myself with the wolf pelt I made, hoping it masks my scent from the A'kai.

  It doesn't take long for Talel's men to arrive. Stomping around our shelter in frustration, one of them snarls. "She's not here!"

  Concealing the quills up my sleeves, I step out from behind the rocks and raise my hands as if in surrender. "Please. Take me to Soran. I'll go with you if you will just take me to him."

  One of them sneers. "Of course, you'll come with us."

  I walk up between them. "I promise I won't fight. I just want to be with my mate."

  "Mate?" one of the guard's eyes widen in shock. "Mosaurans do not take mates outside of their species." He lifts his head, his nostrils flaring. "You carry his scent, but he has not mated you. Yet." His gaze darts menacingly to the other guard as he steps toward me.

  He reaches out and grabs a lock of my hair, lifting the strands to study them between his thumb and forefinger. "Just like silkara,” he whispers. His glowing sinister green eyes meet mine. "Is your skin as soft as your hair, I wonder?" he asks, moving to touch me, but I jerk away.

  His companion's gaze fixes on me as he speaks to his friend. "Let's wait to take her back. Talel says her blood is exquisite, and I would like to have a taste before we take her in."

  The other guard nods in agreement, and they begin to circle me. Their green eyes swirl into obsidian orbs as their vampire fangs extend.

  Like predators readying to pounce on their prey, their towering forms loom over me, and fear twists deep in my gut.

  Lightning fast, I jab two rabbupine quills each up under their chins, piercing the skin below their jaws. They howl in surprise before snarling and ripping the quills from their bodies, throwing them off to the side.

  Their nostrils flare in anger, and I slowly back away, raising my blaster to point it at the closest one. If I need to, I'll use it, but first, I want to see if this poison works. It's essential to my plan.

  Fury burns in their eyes as they stalk toward me. Without warning, the closest one rushes forward with blinding speed and knocks the blaster from my grasp. His hand clamps around my throat in a crushing grip.

  Gasping for air, I claw at his hand, struggling to escape his deadly hold.

  Suddenly, his expression falters. His glowing eyes register shock and then disbelief as his hold on me loosens, and I drop to the ground.

  He and his companion fall to their knees and collapse in the snow as paralysis sets in.

  I pull their blasters from their belts to disarm them and glance over my shoulders to find several pairs of yellow eyes in the woods behind me, observing with great interest.

  Fear mars their features the minute they notice the wolves.

  I don't know why they haven't attacked yet, but I can only guess it is because Soran's scent is so strong here both in the cave and on me. These creatures are intelligent, remembering what he is and how easily he killed one of their brethren.

  Stepping farther back from the two guards, I watch as the first wolf stalks toward them, passing me by as if I weren't even there.

  "Enjoy your meal," I whisper.

  Pulling another four quills from the dead rabbupine's body, I conceal them in my sleeves and head back for the clearing.

  Snarls and muffled screams echo loudly through the forest, and then fall silent. I feel no remorse for the deaths of those men; I’m only relieved that they’re dead. Satisfied that they will no longer be a problem, my thoughts turn to Talel. Gripping one of the blasters in my palm, I set it to kill. I will make sure he can never hurt anyone the way he hurt me, ever again.

  When I return to the edge of the forest, I conceal myself behind one of the large tree trunks. From here, I can see the ship and get an accurate headcount on how many men Talel has left. If he keeps sending them out into the woods, that will work in my favor. After all, I know this place better than they do. They have no idea the dangers or what waits for them when they come after me.

  His vessel is small, no bigger than a transport. The larger ship must be in orbit above the planet. I estimate the glider only carries maybe six people at most. I've already taken care of two. Now, I just have to wait for him to send more.

  He does, and after disabling two more of his guards and leaving them to be found by the wolves, I return to the edge of the clearing to look for Talel. He'd be a fool to send more men, especially since he probably only has two left, but I also know he believes I'm weak. So, I wait to see if he or more of his people emerge from the ship.

  The sun dips low on the horizon, casting long shadows across the forest floor as I crouch behind a large trunk. My eyes struggle to adjust in the growing darkness. If I wait any longer, I won't be able to see anything. I'm going to have to try to sneak onto the glider to rescue Soran.

  A branch snaps behind me, and I spin toward the sound. The hairs rise on the back of my neck as I scan the dark woods. A pair of glowing green orbs float toward me in the blackness.

  A low growl fills the air, and I inhale sharply as they blink. Lightning fast, I raise my blaster and fire but miss as Talel twists to the side, avoiding the hit.

  Rushing toward me with inhuman speed, he wraps one hand around my throat and lifts me into the air. Pain explodes across the back of my skull as he slams me against the tree.

  The world spins around me, and I blink several times, struggling to remain conscious as darkness dances at the edge of my vision. My skin crawls when he leans forward to scent me, his nose skimming along my neck.

  He jerks back in disgust. "You stink of the Mosauran. I'll have to clean you before we can play, my pet." An evil grin lights his face. "And then you can tell me where your home world is. My people are very interested in finding yours now that they know what your blood can do."

  My nostrils flare as I glare at him in defiance. "I'll never tell you, you monster."

  His lips twist up in a feral snarl and sick delight dances behind his eyes as he stares at me. "I'll tear your mind apart if I must. B
ut make no mistake, I will find this information. But that will have to wait until we get back to the glider. I promised your Mosauran he could watch as I take you in front of him."

  Rage fills me, and I kick out with my left leg, making contact with his chest.

  My triumph is short-lived when he hits me with a shock stick, jamming it into my side. Electricity arcs through my body, and my mouth opens in a silent scream as my eyes roll up in the back of my head, and I fall away into darkness.

  Chapter 34

  Liana

  When I open my eyes, my vision is blurry. Blinking several times, it slowly comes into focus. Panic tightens my chest when I realize I'm suspended in a force field, unable to move and dressed in only a paper-thin gown.

  An Anguis moves in front of me, his long, sinuous tail coiled behind him as if readying to strike. The nearly transparent inner lids sweep across his obsidian eyes. The yellow vertical slit pupils expand as his forked tongue snakes out, scenting the air. "Excellent," he hisses. "You're awake."

  Despite my fear, I force my gaze to remain locked on his but say nothing. I already know from my time as a slave that pleading and tears won’t solve anything.

  I scan the room for anything that might help me escape. A large metal table off to the side is lined with various sharp instruments. A few syringes sit on the end, filled with dark yellow liquid that looks just like the sedatives used by the slavers. Hope fills me. If I can somehow distract the Anguis, I might have a chance.

  The doors whoosh open, drawing my attention across the room to find Talel. My pulse pounds in my ears as he walks in, a sinister grin on his face as he approaches. "Release her," he snaps at the Anguis.

  "But, my Lord, she has not been sedated.”

  He turns a dark gaze to the Anguis who cowers before him. "Yes, Lord Talel."

  As soon as he presses the release, I drop like a stone to the floor. I move to stand, but Talel's words stop me abruptly.

  "Remain on your knees," he commands.

  Clenching my jaw, I do as he says. Without a weapon of some sort, I have no hope of disabling him to escape. So, I hold my hands up in mock surrender and use the only weapon available to me in this moment: Deception.

  Lowering my head into a subservient pose, I speak in a soft and trembling voice. "I give up. Please just don't give me back to the Mosauran, and I'll do whatever you want."

  He's silent, and when I cautiously lift my gaze to his, glowing green eyes meet mine. "You will do whatever I want anyway, my pet."

  Remembering how much he loved to force my submission, I bow low as he stands before me. My gaze darts briefly to the syringes on the table beside him. If I can, at least, immobilize him, the Anguis will be easier to take down.

  He inhales sharply, and I hold my breath as he steps forward. Placing a hand on my hair, he gently runs his fingers through the long strands. "It appears you missed me," he says in a voice tinged with awe and disbelief.

  I remain silent.

  "Look at me," he snaps, and I immediately lift my eyes to his, feigning submission.

  "Please don't give me back to the Mosauran," I practically whimper. "I'll do anything. Just please, don't give me back to him."

  His eyes widen in shock. "You fear the Mosauran more than you fear me?"

  I nod quickly.

  Talel steps forward and gives me a curious look. This is what he wants: to be adored despite his cruelty. I discovered this in his thoughts when we were connected. "If this is a trick, I will know once I touch your mind."

  Despite his even tone, it is easy to recognize the hope in his voice. He wants to believe that I would actually submit to him of my own accord. "It is not a trick. I swear."

  Moving purposefully closer, I lift my chin to stare directly into his eyes and turn my head slightly to the side as if offering my neck.

  His glowing green eyes swirl into pitch-black, obsidian orbs as he stares at me with a hungry gaze, his fangs extending in anticipation as he steps toward me. He snaps at the Anguis. "Leave us!"

  My heart hammers as he drops to his knees before me, placing his hands reverently on my shoulders, staring deep into my eyes. "You are my special one." Cupping his hand to my cheek, he runs the pad of his thumb lightly across my skin in a gentle caress. "Your blood healed my mortal wound. You and your kind will be both savior and servant to mine. You will save your Masters, and you will adore us as gods."

  Wrapping his arm around my body, he drags me closer while his other hand moves to my hair. Grasping the long strands, he forcefully pulls to tip back my head, exposing the column of my neck. Fear coils tight around my spine as he drops his head to the curve of my neck and shoulder, inhaling deeply.

  "The scent of your blood calls to me even now."

  I shudder inwardly as his tongue snakes out, and he licks the flesh over my artery. My eyes dart again to the syringe on the table beside us, almost even with his shoulder. "I will drink of your blood and enter your mind. I will fill you with longing and desire for my touch. And you will adore and worship me as the god that I am and will be to your people."

  Panic beats at my chest, but I force myself to remain still. The A'kai are fast, much faster than Terrans. If I reach for the syringe now, I won't stand a chance.

  The sharp tips of his fangs graze my skin, and I choke on a scream as he sinks them deep into my flesh. The suction and pull as he drinks my blood is excruciating agony, and I can feel my body growing weaker as he feeds.

  The hard press of his erection against my abdomen fills me with disgust, and when he drops one hand to fumble with the clasp of his pants, I take advantage of his distraction. In one swift motion, I grab the syringe and plunge the sedative deep into the side of his neck.

  He jerks back, his eyes burning with anger as crimson blood drips from his fangs and chin.

  In a blur of movement so fast, I barely have time to register it, the back of his hand connects with my jaw.

  My head whips to the side, and pain explodes through my body as I slam to the floor.

  He bares his fangs, and a thunderous roar rips from his throat.

  I scramble away, but he grabs my ankle and jerks me back toward him. Clamping his hand around my throat, he begins to squeeze. "How dare you try to deceive your god."

  Digging my fingers into the flesh of his hand, I open my mouth, gasping for air as he holds my neck in an iron vise.

  Darkness creeps in around the edges of my vision as I fight to remain conscious. I cannot give up. I have to find Soran.

  Talel's dark gaze burns into mine as a low growl rises from his chest. "I will teach you obedience."

  Like a sharp blade, his consciousness stabs through mine. My eyes roll up in the back of my head under the assault of his rage. Dark tendrils unfurl and snake through my mind as his voice echoes deep inside me. "Give me the name of your home world."

  "Mars." I throw up the lie, creating a wall between us, and brace myself to defend it from invasion.

  His grip loosens, and his mind recedes from mine as the sedative begins to take hold. "What have—’’ he mumbles, falling to the side. His eyes are wide as he stares up at me in shock. "What have you done to me?"

  His hand falls away from my neck, and I gasp as oxygen floods my burning lungs. Rolling onto my side I cough, struggling to draw in several deep breaths.

  Weak from blood loss, my head swims, and my movements are sluggish and uncoordinated. Shaking, I barely manage to get to my feet. Freeing the blaster from Talel's belt, I click the setting to stun and shoot him three times for good measure. Enough to make sure he stays down.

  Anger fills me as I stare at his body. I'm tempted to set the blaster to kill and end him right now, but I need him alive so I can find out who his beloved is. She’s the key to discovering the location of my home world.

  But first, I need to find Soran.

  Stumbling, I make my way toward the doors. I slam my hand on the access panel, and they whoosh open. A noxious stench hangs thick in the air, and an intense wav
e of nausea rolls through me. Swallowing against the bile rising in my throat, I scan the hallway and notice a long row of cells. Several pairs of eyes of varying shapes and colors meet mine with shocked expressions visible in their alien features. This is too large to be the glider. We must have been transferred to a bigger ship.

  Several voices cry out, fear and desperation in their tone. "Help us! Please! Release us from these cells!"

  Groggy and weak, I force myself to continue forward.

  "The controls are on the far wall," another voice yells. "Hurry!"

  "Liana!" Soran's voice calls out, and I turn to see him in one of the cages. "Open the cells before they come back! Quickly!"

  Tearing my eyes away from him, I limp toward the control panel.

  "Hit the display twice for release," someone says.

  Struggling to keep my eyes open, I force myself to focus on my task. Foreign symbols light up the screen, and I tap my fingers twice in the center.

  Sharp clicks echo behind me as all the cell locks snap open. When I turn to find Soran, the world tilts and spins around me, and I collapse to the floor in a boneless heap.

  "The V'loryn saved us. Help her," someone says behind me.

  Warm hands touch my face before a low and threatening growl sounds overhead. "Release her," Soran's voice fills my ears. "She is mine."

  Soran

  The Lacerta steps back, and I scoop Liana's unconscious form into my arms.

  Her eyelids peel open just enough for her gaze to meet mine. She reaches up to cup her hand to my face. "Soran," she whispers, barely managing a faint smile before her head lolls back, and she stills.

  Panic races through me when I notice the puncture marks on the side of her neck. Although they are not bleeding, crimson stains trail down her skin from the site. My nostrils flare as I scent Talel, and my blood boils with rage.

  Flashing red lights fill the hallways as loud sirens blare through the speakers. People scramble and rush past us in their hurry to escape. Holding Liana, I turn my attention to the display and quickly scroll through the menus to access the ship's systems. It doesn't take much effort to disable security.