Lis slid open the side panel and stale smells of the old, cramped streets behind the Tri-Qui palace bombarded her senses. She drew in shallow breaths in an attempt to quickly adjust.
“Daisy, we must hurry.” Lis gripped her arm as she unfolded her cramped legs, setting them on the reddish-black cobblestone pavement. He quickly slid a black scarf over her head.
“As beautiful as your hair is, Daisy, it’s a moonlight beacon to anyone around.”
She shrugged, unable to help the colouration of her hair. After one botched attempt to dye it plain brown when she was younger, she found it really didn’t suit her pale skin, and got more strange looks and more teasing at school than with her natural colour.
“I found this.” Arr held up a little pot. Lis stepped aside and Arr took her chin. Tilting her head up, he started to smear a red greasy substance over her face.
“We can’t hide your lovely eyes, but keep them downcast and anyone will think you’re just an over-fed child.”
She held in her snort, knowing they weren’t calling her fat, but trying to save her from a bad fate.
“I’ve contacted Ael, so he knows we’re coming. We have to be back on duty in the next twenty minutes to avoid suspicion as long as we can, to make sure you’re safely tucked where no one can find you.”
“Isn’t there some higher authority we can report their actions to?” Daisy glanced from Arr to Lis in hope as Arr finished smearing the substance on her face. He eyed his make-up job critically before nodding in satisfaction.
Lis’s gaze was one of pity. “They are High Councillors of the city, there is no one higher other than the Lords of Galafrax, and they live in City Prime. If your quads can come and get you off Galafrax or to City Prime before the High Councillors can find you, you stand a good chance.”
“Hurry.” Arr grabbed her hand, tugging her after him down the alley behind the Palace. She jogged to keep up with him as they led her through long, winding streets, knowing she’d never find her way back alone.
It didn’t matter as long as her guys found her, well, before anyone else could. She’d been warned about the dangers of female smugglers and her friends had informed her she’d be considered a prize if caught. She mentally crossed her fingers it didn’t happen.
They met Ael and Guy, the oldest of her attendants, who gawked at her reddened face when she came into view. “Nice job, brother.” Guy chuckled.
Arr grinned. “You see, I do have good ideas from time to time. Using peel grease almost makes her look like us.”
There was no way she wanted to know what peel grease was, for her own sanity and not wanting to wince or go all girly with the knowledge something totally gross was currently smeared all over her face.
“Hey, woman in danger here.” She waved her hand to regain their attention.
“Sorry, Daisy.” Ael winked. He was the flirty one of the four and the second eldest. “Come on then, we’ve found a place to stash you where no one will ever suspect.” Ael held out his hand and, trustingly, she placed hers in it.
“If all goes well, we’ll see you soon.” Arr and Lis gave her a brief hug before hurrying away, disappearing around a corner.
“So where’s this place, where no one will find me?”
“Where our fathers live.”
Jaw dropped wide open, she walked beside him. “How is that a place where they won’t find me?”
“You’ll see.”
“You see, our fathers are what is regarded on Galafrax as broken. The eldest of our fathers was killed in one of the many battles, which the soldiers of Galafrax have been involved in. When it happened, it took a terrible toll on their mental health. Our mother did not want to be with a broken family, she found, and left us for a richer set of quads in City Prime.”
Her heart went out for Ael and his brothers, and she touched his arm in sympathy. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s all right, it's not as uncommon as you think.” Guy shrugged. “But thank you for caring.” A sad smile tipped up the corners of his lips.
“I still don’t get why they won’t look for me at your fathers’ place.”
“They live in a grouping home where other broken quads live. We work at the palace so we can pay for their living. As we cannot afford to spend the time with them in our own home, they need closer care to make sure they stay safe. With their minds no longer whole, sometimes they can do things to endanger themselves. Worry not, the carers will turn a blind eye to the fact you are not Demos and the residents will not notice either, but will be happy to have new company.”
It kind of made sense that she wouldn’t be looked for in what sounded like a Galafraxian version of an old folks' home. “Don’t worry, they are harmless.”
However, for good measure, Daisy smiled and fished out the little square device Bex had given her, pressing down on the button to activate it. “It will be a privilege to meet your fathers.”
Ael and Guy grinned, swapping glances in that silent communication thing she was now kind of getting used to seeing quad sets do.
“Daisy, if you ever want to leave your Demos men, have a heart and consider us.” Guy squeezed her hand.
“You know what?" she replied. "Not that it will ever happen, but if something ever happens to all of my guys, then you’ve got a deal.”
She really liked Arr, Ael, Guy and Lis, but more as brothers than a romantic attraction. She trusted them, which meant a lot to her. In times like this, having friends you could rely on was something she really needed.
* * * *
Bex gripped the seat as the shuttle groaned under the pressure of being forced beyond the speed it was designed for.
The tension in the shuttle you could cut with a Pa’lat blade, a rather deadly sharp Galafraxian hand weapon.
At least he had something to keep his hands busy, gripping the small location device, his gaze rived to the screen, waiting for the signal to activate.
Although the shuttle didn’t need two pilots, having Tos co-pilot with Loz helped keep him calmer.
Bex lifted his gaze for a moment to glance at Cir. He was a shade paler than what Daisy called ‘toffee apple red’. He didn’t know what a toffee apple was, but she’d assured him it was one of her favourite sweet treats.
By the Fire Gods, his arms and body ached with the desperate need to hold her close, inhale her sweet scent and assure himself she was safe, and theirs.
They all felt the anticipation, mingled with desperation to get to their beloved sheraz.
“Anything yet?”
Bex glanced down and a few seconds later the screen lit up. His heart rate suddenly doubled with excitement. “Yes!”
All his brothers turned at his shout. “Signal activated!”
He pressed the screen controls to triangulate Daisy’s exact location on the planet they were fast approaching. “I’ve got her position. She’s a quarter-mile from the central Qui building.”
Loz nodded. “We’ve been cleared to land, so no sign of trouble yet. I hope the High Councillors haven’t been alerted that we’re coming. I told Landing Control to keep it quiet as long as possible.”
They all knew Daisy’s safety relied on keeping things under wraps. If the High Councillors were willing to use underhanded methods to steal their sheraz, no doubt they would go to greater lengths to keep what they’d done from being known.
“We’ll have her soon,” Tos confirmed.
“What are we going to do about the High Councillors? They tried to steal our beloved.” Cir glanced at each of them.
“A simple challenge in the arena.” Tos’ eyes narrowed and gleamed with bloodlust.
“Tos has a point,” Loz agreed. “They can’t back out of an arena fight without looking weak, especially when we make it known that they tried to steal what belongs to us. They will lose their position of power and will no longer be able to take advantage of anyone again.”
Cir sighed. They all knew he didn’t like to fight, but he could hold his own against
almost anyone. “To keep Daisy as ours, I will agree to a fight.”
“It’s more than just a fight, brother,” Bex pointed out. “It’s a statement––no one can or should even dare take what is ours.”
The decision unanimous, now all they had to do was get Daisy safely back between them.
“We’ll be landing shortly.”
Engines whined and the amber warning light blinked out as their speed decreased. The shuttle began to heat and shake as it entered the Galafrax atmosphere. Still, time seemed to drag as they flew across the planet, through scattered pink clouds and over brightly lit cities.
It was now late evening in the Third City of Galafrax.
"Commander Loz, you have clearance to land on pad one-eight-one," the disjointed voice came over the speakers.
Loz adjusted their heading, easily pinpointing the location, before smoothly dropping the last several hundred feet to land with a soft thump.
The engines powered down. Tos was already out of his seat, heading for the door, followed by Cir. The door hissed as it opened, sliding outward, and Tos stormed out of the shuttle.
There was a sudden feeling of unease as Bex followed after Cir onto a darkened paved landing pad. Just as Loz joined them, ready to head to the nearest transfer beam, bright blinding lights snapped on. A loud voice boomed over a speaker.
“Stormstrong Brothers, you are under arrest! Resist, and you will be executed on the spot.”
Confusion mixed with anger ran through him as he slowly raised his hands, knowing none of them could rescue their Daisy if they were killed for doing something stupid like resisting arrest.
“Why? On what charge, and by whose orders are we arrested?” Loz questioned as he complied, raising his arms in surrender.
“By mine.”
From the shadows, Councillor But strode forward along with several quad guards. “Search them, then take them to the Palace prisons. They are traitors and liars, and will be judged and tried soon enough.”
Tos growled, but Cir grabbed him before he could charge the councillor. Damn demon balls, Bex quickly glanced around trying to find a place to hide the tracker, but it was too late, he was seized and the tracker removed from his hand. He clenched his jaw as the guard took the tracker over to the High Councillor.
Daisy was in danger.
“We are not traitors, and you are trying to take what belongs to us!” Loz yelled as he was cuffed along with the rest of them. “You can’t have Daisy…she will never be yours.”
“She already is, and when you are tried and found guilty it will be far too late for anyone to do anything.” But smirked, making Tos roar at the Councillor and struggle against his bonds.
“Take them away. They offend us.” He waved at the guards.
Bex was shoved forward. Heart pounding out of his chest, he knew there was only one chance left––gods help him. He prayed it did not come too late.
Chapter Eleven
“I commanded the pride of the Galafrax fleet, you should have seen it, a war cruiser new from the space docks, shinier than your lovely hair, round and full of firepower. All the weaponry a young set of newly-promoted quad soldiers could want at their fingertips,” Vup boasted, his still rather muscular chest puffed out with pride. His golden eyes glazed over for a moment before refocusing on her. “What species did you say you were, again?” It was the sixth time he’d asked in the past few hours.
Daisy, sitting among the elderly Demos men as they chatted to her, smiled kindly. She’d been told Vup’s memory was like a sieve and he always asked the same questions over and over.
“Human, from the planet Earth.” Daisy smiled at the aging white-haired Demos man and he blinked, the wrinkles around his eyes twitching as he stared at her.
“Human, huh? Well, you’re indeed lovely for an alien female.”
Daisy shook her head. “Thank you, Vup, and may I say you’re a handsome fellow for a Demos male.” She winked.
“In my day, I was a commander with my brothers, you know.”
“So I’ve heard, and a fine commander you were too.” She patted the back of his wrinkled red hand.
“He babbles on far too much,” grumbled Nix, one of her attendant’s fathers.
Vup had no brothers left at all and Daisy thought it so sad to see what losing a bonded brother did to a Galafraxian man. Vup was an empty shell of what he once was without his brothers. It broke Daisy's heart. If not for places like this to care for the elderly of Galafrax, they would be tossed out onto the streets. Only the love of their sons kept them sheltered, dressed and fed while trying to provide a quality of life.
There were ways broken quads could bond with other quads who had lost one or more of their quad brothers, but the procedure to genetically graft them to re-bond into a unit of four was something the lower classes of Galafrax could not afford.
She dearly wished she could do something to help the Demos men, do more than just sit and be a sympathetic ear. It also made her think of her men. She’d do everything in her power to love, cherish and protect them. It would rip out a part of her own soul to lose any of them.
She sighed, glancing at the door, waiting with a bouncy impatience for them to walk in and sweep her into their arms.
“They’ll come, don’t you worry any…you’re safe with us.” Pia, the second brother to Nix took note of her constant glancing at the door.
She smiled kindly in his direction, fiddling with the tracking square between her fingers. “I know. It’s hard. I miss them.”
Ael explained her situation to Pia, whose memory was better than his brothers. He grunted his disapproval of the Councillors and called them all demon fuckers. Daisy agreed.
The sound of rhythmic pounding pulled everyone's attention, louder as it got closer. Daisy’s heart leapt into her throat. She didn’t know if she should cower behind a chair or jump up and run to the door eager to see her men.
Instead, she sat frozen in the chair as the door burst open. Her eyes widened, but it was too late to dive behind anything as soldiers with bulging muscles barrelled through the door, pointing massive weapons at the elderly residents.
“You can’t come in here!” Vup climbed to his feet, only to get knocked down. The blood in Daisy’s veins hit a flash point of rage at how they treated Vup. She jumped to her feet, marched up to the weapon-toting solider and shoved at his chest, making him stumble back a few steps, his eyes wide in clear surprise.
“How dare you harm him! You stupid, dumb inbred idiot… have you no respect for your elders, who fought in wars before you were even a swimmer in your father’s balls?”
The Demos blinked, his mouth hanging open. She didn’t care, having already turned her back to help Vup back up and onto his chair.
“Are you all right, luvvy?”
“You’re a pretty little female.” Vup blinked, again forgetting who she was. She sighed and settled Vup before turning to face the band of men who’d barged into the care home.
“Miss Daisy, you need to come with us.” Another of the soldiers stepped forward, his jaw set in a firm line.
“As a citizen of Galafrax, I don’t have to do a bloody thing, or go anywhere I don’t want to.” Hands on her hips, she glared at the men, refusing to back down even if she was trembling inside. Where are my men? Why are these soldiers here?
“Daisy! Thank heavens you’re safe!” But and Lik raced into the room, the soldiers parting for them. Oh, crap.
She tried to back up, but they crowded around her quickly. “Oh, no you don’t! Get away from me!”
“You're safe now, our lovely Daisy…no harm will come to you,” Lik loudly proclaimed. Daisy struggled against his grip, her mind racing as to how she could escape. But pulled her into his arms, pressing her face against his chest to muffle her shouts of protest. Using his strength against her, he captured and gripped her wrists and held them down. She hissed at the bite of pain. She gasped as something cold and stinging pressed against her neck. Panic swelled as she
realised they were drugging her, and she fought harder, but it took only moments for her to weaken.
“No, no, I don’t want this,” she mumbled as her body sagged like a wet noodle. Fighting was utterly fucking useless.
Her head spun and her muscles refused to co-operate… her tongue felt thick in her mouth and she swore drool was now trickling out the corner of her lips. But swept her up in her arms and whispered in her ear.
“We’ve got you now, Daisy, and your men are never coming. You belong to us and there is no escape, so get used to it, our little pale flower.”
Yup, Daisy was far up shit creek, and the paddle was nowhere in sight.
* * * *
“You know glaring at the electrified field won’t weaken it,” Bex said in a calm manner, sitting on the bench next to Tos. He barely refrained from sucker-punching his little brother. Only the fact they were all in this situation together held him back from injuring Bex.
The violent tension in Tos’s body vibrated through his whole being. He sat on the edge of the bench on the far wall of the prison cell.
Tos growled, his inner rage consuming him, making his vision a veil of Demos blood red. His fingers itched to feel the heat of the Councillors' blood sliding through it. He’d dance on their insides after he’d slit them open and they spilled out all over the floor.
“I’m going to kill them.” His growl was low, deadly.
“And none of us here will stop you, in fact, we’ll cheer you on. The dickheads have stolen what’s ours and broken every Galafrax law in doing so. Kind of makes you wonder what other things these Councillors have been getting away with.” Bex tilted his head slightly to the right in evident thought.
Tos turned his glare onto Bex. “How can you stay so calm, knowing they could be harming her at this moment while we are here, helpless to do anything about it?”
Bex’s gaze darkened, matching Tos’s own violent fury.
“Don’t mistake my outer calm for what I feel inside for our sheraz, Tos. I’m in agreement. If they dare to hurt her, force her into anything, I’ll hold the demon spawn down and you can do your worst. But, I, unlike you, pave our future road ahead of time. Someone has to make sure we have solid ground to walk on or we’ll be, as Daisy has said, ‘up shit creek without a paddle’. We have solid stones to stand on. I just hope those stones turn up soon.”
Precious Starlight (Quads of Galafrax Book 3) Page 8
