“Sit down,” the human male’s voice projected into the cell.
Vintor defiantly looked toward the source and bared his teeth.
“Sit down away from the door or the woman you’re so fond of will suffer.”
Vintor growled but did as he was told, finding a fraction of comfort that at least he now knew Maya still lived, if only to be used to gain his compliance. Unless they were lying.
He vibrated with the urge to rush the door when it cracked open, but stayed put, not willing to risk Maya’s safety. His eyes widened in shock when a tiny blonde female stumbled over the threshold before the door slammed shut again. He growled when he realized she’d been pushed into the cell. She cowered in fear and he instantly ceased the rumble in his chest. Her eyes were rimmed with red as tears spilled down her cheeks.
Of all the reprehensible… What kind of males send a female to do the job of a warrior?
“Get to it, Laney,” the voice barked, startling the blonde female.
She held out a pair of manacles as she cautiously approached. The way her whole body shook, he was surprised she didn’t collapse on the floor. He cocked one brow in disbelief at her glacial pace. At this rate they’d be here all day. Besides holding his hands out, fingers clasped, Vintor didn’t move a muscle for fear he’d cause the pathetic creature heart failure. She quickly clapped the metal around his wrists, but when she attempted to cuffs his ankles the connecting chain wouldn’t reach.
“It won’t go,” she said in a panic.
He recognized her voice. This was the same female who’d apologized to Maya before they lost consciousness. He wanted to be angry at the female for betraying his bonded, but it was clear she was also being used.
“Bend over,” the voice snapped through the speaker.
Vintor sighed and hunched forward. The blonde secured his ankles, while keeping a wary eye on him, as if she expected him to bite. He debated giving her a toothy grin but resisted the urge.
Don’t worry, there’s only one female I plan on sinking my canines into.
The instant Laney was done, she retreated and started pounding on the metal door.
“It’s done, General. Let me out,” she cried, her voice warbling.
An older male entered and scowled at the despondent female. “Enough, Laney.”
Vintor now had a face to go with the voice barking commands. A foggy memory surfaced of the male locking Maya in the cell the way he just did Laney. Hatred didn’t begin to describe what he currently felt for this male.
“Get up and follow. Don’t do anything foolish or I will make good on my promise.” The general was joined by a pair of uniformed males.
“You had armed warriors and yet you sent a terrorized female in to do your job.” Vintor shook his head in disgust as he lurched to his feet. “The path to Perdition flows with the blood of cowards like you.”
“What did it say?” the general asked Laney.
Through the curtain of hair covering his face, Vintor watched the general’s expression darken as Laney translated what he said. Despite his awkward stance, he didn’t flinch or stagger back when the vile human punched him in the face. Vintor flexed his jaw and smiled at the general, ignoring the blood running down his lip. If he’d been standing at full height he wouldn’t have been such an easy mark, and the cowardly human wouldn’t have had the balls to foolishly attack.
No, the pompous bastard probably would’ve.
The general turned and stormed out of the cell. Vintor trudged behind him, the two warriors and Laney bringing up the rear. Vintor took note of his surroundings as they wound their way through the warren of hallways. His optimism waned as he saw the sheer number of human warriors occupying the place. Even if he got free of his shackles, he’d quickly be taken down by the humans and their cache of primitive weapons. They stopped at another metal door and he was ushered inside the larger room.
“Secure him then take your post in the hall,” the general instructed the two human males.
A fresh-faced young male shoved him toward the wall with the muzzle of his primitive disrupter as the other stood guard, ready to shoot if he rebelled. The young warrior attached the chain connecting his ankle restraints to a ring in the floor.
Besides being larger, the cell looked much like the other with its gray stone block walls, artificial lighting, and a place to dispel waste, not that he could reach it if he needed to. The only thing it lacked was a bed.
“Well?” Vintor looked expectantly at the general and Laney, doubting he was getting an upgrade in accommodations.
The general just glared at him, the muscle in his jaw flexing. Vintor refused to play this game. He slid down the wall and sat on the floor, letting his arms fall between his knees to put some slack on the chains. A shadow fell over him and he looked up to see the general.
“Do your people make a habit of raping women?” the male snapped.
Vintor maintained eye contact even though the barb struck its mark. There was nothing he could say, since the male had a point. He had violated Maya. Being drugged was no excuse. The general had every right to be angry about the offense, yet he was also the one who locked females in a cell with a deranged male.
“I want to know how even after such a brutal attack, you managed to brainwash Dr. Roberts. I want to know how your companion so easily did the same after abducting my god-daughters!” the general yelled, his face turning red.
My companion abducted your god-daughters? Vintor stared at the general in confusion. What has Ashtoret been up to?
Vintor didn’t question Ashtoret’s honor, but it was clear the warrior had been busy. He smiled. Obviously, his friend was trying to reach him, and from the sounds of it he was getting close.
“My friend has honor, but he also has a mission. And though you may be blind to the larger goal because of your fear of foreign races, our mission is to keep your planet hidden from flesh merchants.”
The second Laney finished translating, the general attacked. Vintor couldn’t brace himself in time. The boot hit him under the chin, sending his head smacking into the wall.
“Don’t talk of honor. I saw the same savage bite marks on Abby’s neck that you gave Dr. Roberts. So excuse me if I don’t believe your message of peace!” the general roared as he kicked Vintor in the ribs. Laney screamed in fright and started crying again.
The general’s anger-fueled attack took a backseat to the shock Vintor suddenly felt. Apparently Ashtoret had been very busy, but not necessarily with completing the mission.
That young warrior went and mated Brennan’s daughter. Vintor shook his head in disbelief. General Frank. Frank! This was the male Brennan had been speaking to when they first arrived. Frank is Brennan’s Second.
It all made sense now. As Brennan’s Second, Frank was responsible for caring for their liaison’s family if anything happened to Brennan. That must be what he meant when he called Abby his god-daughter. No wonder Frank was so enraged. It wasn’t just duty to his people driving him.
This didn’t bode well. Vintor thought their words and Providence’s letter reached Brennan and convinced him of the importance of this mission. He’d been hoping wherever Brennan was that he was speaking on their behalf, but this development could sway their liaison against them. One of Brennan’s daughters had already been taken by a foreign race, causing havoc in their family. As second would push the male over the edge.
Ashtoret. Ashtoret. What have you done?
But he couldn’t blame his friend. When the conjugo bond called it was nearly impossible to resist. He’d proven that with the way he behaved with Maya.
Well I hope you behaved more nobly with your bonded than I did.
Besides his friend’s extracurricular activities, he’d gathered one piece of news that gave him comfort; Ashtoret hadn’t been captured. General Frank didn’t come right out and say it, but the male was spitting mad. He wouldn’t be that way if he had Ashtoret locked up in this maze of misery.
So there
’s hope yet.
The door cracked open and Vintor gaped at the creature being ushered in by the humans. It was some sort of reptile from the fine diamond patterning on its skin. But this creature’s skin was tan rather than yellow-green like the vile Jurou Biljana. And instead of bald it had unusual long tendrils that matched its skin and looked almost like warrior’s braids. Vintor couldn’t tell if it was hair or hundreds of overgrown spines. It was hard to see if the being had a tail, since it wore the same loose-fitting green pants he’d been given, but it didn’t look like it. The alien matched him in stature and breadth and from the scent that filled the cell it was apparent he was male. It was an unusual earthy scent, but there were some elements in it that were common to every species he met—aggression. The male radiated aggression as he stared at Vintor, his unusual eyes unblinking.
Are all reptilian species hostile? Don’t make snap judgments. He’s locked up in here the same as you.
Laney stood from her chair, her gaze focused on the odd character. The reptile’s gaze swung to her and he took a step forward till the humans tugged him back.
“You know the drill,” the general barked and gestured to the spot opposite of Vintor.
The strange male didn’t put up a fight as he was led to the spot and locked in place. The reptile studied him with those odd golden eyes. Vintor didn’t mind. It was expected.
“Is this the species you think will be invading us?” General Frank asked.
Ah. That’s why they brought this male here.
The reptile’s gaze swung to the general, surprise and aggravation filling his eyes.
“No. I have never seen this species before,” Vintor replied with a shake of his head.
Laney translated then added, “I told you it couldn’t be true.”
“Imbecile,” the foreign male said while eying the general, making Vintor laugh.
“What did he say?” Frank demanded.
“The best translation is ‘see’,” Laney replied.
Vintor gaped at the female. She translated what he said verbatim, yet covered for the foreign male’s flippant remark.
Interesting.
“Invaders? What invaders?” the reptilian male asked.
“The Jurou Biljana. They are reptilian flesh merchants from my quadrant of the universe. They’ve acquired technology to pass through rifts and have a taste for humans.”
“So that’s why they suddenly suspect the Anguis. The humans are special. This cannot be allowed,” the male growled.
“No race should be at the mercy of the flesh merchants.”
“Enough of this,” Frank barked when Laney couldn’t translate fast enough.
A strident alarm suddenly sounded, a red light over the door strobing in time with the loud sound. The door swung open and one of the human’s poked in his head looking harried. He opened his mouth and shut it again.
“What’s going on? Spit it out,” the general bellowed at the male.
“The building has been breached,” the human stammered.
“What the fuck do you mean breached?”
“A contingent of unidentified insurgents hacked the barrier topside and are descending in section A. Nothing we throw at them is taking them out. Personnel are already evacuating.”
“Son of a bitch!” Frank grabbed the male’s communicator. “Once sectors B through H are clear, seal the blast doors,” he yelled into the device then turned back to the male. “Regardless of what happens, watch the door. What good are the damn Miran Sona if they can’t get here when we need them?” the general grumbled as he stormed out with the other humans.
Vintor’s eyes widened hearing the muttered comment. Apparently, the human government had some sort of arrangement with the Miran Sona. The news was surprising. He assumed the Miran Sona were covertly taking people without Earth’s knowledge rather than taking an active role, from what his human friends back home had relayed. Even his Miran Sona friends weren’t aware of this detail, then again, he’d gotten the impression their own people treated them as expendable once they were selected to accompany the abducted human colonists.
This information would’ve been helpful when planning this mission. But if the Miran Sona are watching over Earth, it sounds like they’re response time is awful.
Laney jumped up and rushed over to the foreign male. “Now’s your best chance, Boaz.” She frantically went over his shackles. “Dammit, we need a key.”
That captured his attention, pulling Vintor from his thoughts of the Miran Sona. He cocked his head at Laney and the other prisoner, who obviously had a connection. This was another unexpected development. Maybe there was hope of getting out of here after all.
“The warrior outside should have the key,” Vintor offered.
“I’ll figure out a way to get it.”
“No!” Boaz grabbed Laney’s hand before she could rush to the door. “The risk is too great.”
“I’ll make up something. You’ve been here so long. No one’s ever attacked this place. This is your only chance,” Laney implored the male.
“Fine,” Boaz sighed. “But wait a moment.”
Vintor was confused when the foreign male ripped off his breeches, leaving himself entirely nude.
“Oh my god, Boaz.” Laney turned red as she swiftly diverted her eyes.
His eyes widened when Boaz started changing colors and suddenly blended in with the stone floor. The way Boaz slumped in his bonds made the shackles appear empty. It was the most amazing trick he’d ever witnessed.
“The chameleon’s escaped,” Laney hollered as she pounded on the metal door.
“How?” the human warrior demanded as he burst through the door, then raced over to the loose shackles.
“I don’t know. I didn’t see. The alarms were going off.”
The human was distracted by Laney and didn’t see the camouflaged male lunge. It was freaky watching a piece of the floor spring to life. Vintor silently cheered Boaz on as he swept the human’s feet out from under him, then wrapped the chain around the foolish human’s neck. Boaz hissed as the human struggled.
“He wants the key, or he’ll break your neck,” Laney told the human who was rapidly turning red and choking for breath.
Vintor’s eyes widened. He was sure his translator was working fine, and Boaz had merely grunted. Laney was proving more curious by the moment.
The human stopped clawing at his neck and grabbed for his belt.
“Watch out for his weapon,” Vintor warned.
Boaz bared a set of sharps fangs, much like his own, and swiftly bit the human’s shoulder.
Ew. Why would he sink his canines into another male?
“Oh. That’s a handy trait,” Vintor amended when suddenly the human went lax. He’d never been envious of another male, but Boaz had some pretty neat tricks.
Boaz glanced up at him and nodded in silent reply. Laney grabbed the keys from the human warrior’s belt and quickly unlocked Boaz’s shackles.
“You mind?” Vintor held his hands out.
“They showed me the video of what you did to Maya,” Laney accused, a mix of anger and fear flashing in her eyes.
“You hurt a female?” Boaz hissed as he took two threatening steps forward.
“I wasn’t in my right mind. They were drugging me. I don’t hurt females,” he countered.
“You bit her neck and—and…” Laney shook her head. She was so worked up she was shaking.
“Maya’s my mate. I scented it and acted. It’s not how I would’ve behaved if it wasn’t for this place,” Vintor snarled in frustration, hating this whole situation.
Laney backed up, looking even more wary.
With the siege going on outside and the way Maya’s own people treated her, he had a very bad feeling. And it wasn’t just the current threat that clawed at him, demanding he act. The conjugo bond he formed with Maya heightened the need, driving him nearly mad. But he was at Laney and Boaz’s mercy and growling wasn’t going to help. His shoulders
slumped.
“Please. I must find her,” he softened his voice.
Boaz considered him shrewdly for a moment. “Laney, release him.”
“Boaz?” she questioned the chameleon, her brow furrowed.
“Easy, Laney.” Boaz gently stroked her arm as he took the keys to the manacles from her hand and turned toward Vintor. “You looked disgusted when I bit that male. I’m guessing that’s something your people only do with mates.”
“You’re correct. Sorry, I’m not judging. It was actually very impressive. I can help you get out of here. I promise I’m not a threat to either of you,” Vintor gave his solemn oath.
“Are you sure?” Laney nervously inquired as Boaz unlocked Vintor’s cuffs.
“Laney, he’s not human and neither am I. You and I haven’t been able to communicate for long, so I’ve yet to explain how my kind mate. It’s not so strange among species. In fact, many animals on your planet bite during sex,” Boaz attempted to assuage the nervous female.
“It looked violent.” Laney side-eyed them.
“Did you witness your friend peak in this video?” Boaz asked.
Laney turned bright red, and Boaz released a breathy chuckle. Vintor was familiar with this human response. She was embarrassed. Obviously, Laney had witnessed Maya find release. Vintor sighed in relief. He’d been out of his mind when he mated Maya and his memories of the act were hazy. He’d hoped Maya hadn’t suffered, but still felt guilty.
“My name’s Vintor. Thank you.” Vintor stood and stretched then rubbed his wrists. “And not just for releasing me.” He appreciated the male putting a kinder spin on his less than ideal mating.
“Vintor. Boaz.” The male nodded in greeting. “Let’s continue this discussion of interspecies mating after we get out of here.” Boaz approached the door.
Laney eyed the male, her face turning redder. “Um, Boaz, you think you can put your pants back on now?”
Humans and their issues with nudity. Vintor chuckled at the way she attempted to keep her gaze above the waist.
“Later. Human clothes don’t shift with me.” Boaz waved her off as he pressed his ear to the door. “It’s mayhem out there.”
Warrior's Plight (Cadi Warriors Book 6) Page 6
