“Prepare to die,” yelled the man Ayres had argued with earlier.
After feasting my eyes on Ayres’ handsome face for a moment, I held my breath and closed my eyes, preparing for the worst. The sounds of yelling made me snap them open again. “What’s happening?”
The enemy was pointing up over our heads behind us. All of us turned to see what the commotion was about. There in the sky were dozens of ships.
“Graneden must be wondering what the hell is going on,” I said. “What is going on? Total annihilation?”
“I don’t know,” Ayres said.
All we could do was wait. When the arriving ships blew over our heads firing shots on the ships on the ground, blowing them to pieces, we erupted in cheers. Except for a few random shots fired here and there, the enemy on the ground knew they were out manned and outgunned by the new arrivals.
When the rest of them fled into the woods for cover, our little group huddled together while several of the ships came in to land. I felt myself holding my breath again as the first man disembarked and began to stride forward. A moment later a young woman with flowing red hair jumped out and ran up beside him.
As he came closer I saw that it was Cade.
The woman beside him must be Lara.
Soon they were standing right before us. Ayres reached out and he and Cade grasped arms. Cade did the same with Kenix, Lourde, then Oro.
Baynar reached out and put his hand on Cade’s shoulder, catching the man off guard. “Do I know you?” Cade asked.
“Yes. You do know me. Not this body perhaps, but you know the man.”
Cade was clearly surprised. “Lord Baynarius? How?”
“It’s a long story. I am glad you arrived when you did,” Baynar said.
“We all are,” Ayres agreed.
Cade gestured to the ships behind him. “I was informed of what had happened to you on board the Lariton.” He stared directly at me and smiled tightly. I could feel Lara’s gaze on me as well. “I gathered the men loyal to your cause and came to Earth with all haste.”
I’d told him about Graneden. He must have set a course for town and then seen the laser show in the forest.
“I am grateful,” Baynar said.
Cade wasn’t finished. “I had planned to enter the tournament on Taleon in order to be granted a boon.”
“I will grant it now,” Baynar assured him. “You have earned it.”
Cade looked fondly down at Lara who smiled up at him. “I wish to remain on Earth and see that it remains safe from any and all who would harm it. Several of my comrades have also come, some with their human females, and they would stay as well.”
Baynar narrowed his eyes. “I cannot and will not call an end to our games nor the human entrants we require.”
Cade held his gaze and finally conceded with a nod. We would be no better off than before, being used at will as pawns for Roamyns. But at least the human race would survive. Then I recalled my boasts to Baynar back on the Lariton. I’d told him that with the help of Lourde and Ayres, we’d bring Earthlings up to speed, that we’d soon be a force to be reckoned with. That we wouldn’t take their alien shit anymore. Perhaps there was hope?
“If you wish, I will return you to the Lariton where you can resume command, sir,” Cade said.
“I accept,” Baynar told him, clearly anxious to be off. He turned and regarded Ayres. “If you and the others wish to remain here, I will order no harm to come to you.”
Now it was Ayres’ turn to look surprised.
“You risked your life to save mine today. I won’t forget it. Besides, Cade and his men can use all the help they can get keeping Earth safe from any traitors on Calixtus, or those bloody snot suckers.”
He meant the Akkadians.
“What about Aris and the others?” I had to ask. Earth just wouldn’t be the same without him and Danni.
Baynar closed his eyes a moment as though in pain. “All right. They may join you as well. A full pardon for you all.”
“Seriously?” I gasped. “We can come home…for good?”
Baynar stared at me and then smiled. I was amazed to see how genuine it appeared. “Yes, Amanda. You are home. For good.”
My eyes met with Ayres and we both grinned at each other.
Looking around at the group of Roamyns now down from their ships, their mates by their sides, I knew we’d have our hands full settling everyone in, not to mention preparing for all the new arrivals in the near future.
This was a task I would gladly undertake.
Cade bid farewell to Lara, kissing her and telling her he’d be back soon. “You and Amanda should talk,” he said, nodding in my direction. He and Baynar headed off for his ship.
Lara and I now stood facing each other. I wasn’t sure if she would punch me or thank me after I said my piece. “You and I have a lot to talk about,” I told her. “Want to sit by the fire?”
“Sure.” She shrugged and began to follow me. “Why do I have the feeling that I know you?”
Locking eyes with Ayres as I passed him, he grinned and mouthed ‘good luck’. “It’s a long story,” I began. “And it actually starts right here in this little town. In a loony bin…”
I could hear Ayres laugh as Lara and I settled in by the fire.
About the Author
Juliet is the author of several erotic stories. She lives in Ontario with her family and three cats.
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Survivor Planet III Page 13
