Alien Prince's Mate: An Auxem Novel
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“It is authentic, Father.”
“Excellent. Thank you for your sacrifice.” Lord Silas patted his son on the back with his cane and turned his back on us. “Get rid of them.”
When I heard those four words, I felt all the energy leave my body.
“No, wait!” Akuza twisted his hands together. “Don’t kill them. Isn’t it smarter to keep hostages? We can use them as collateral.”
“Collateral?” Lord Silas raised his cane at his son. “That’s a good idea. You’ve learned something during your imprisonment, Akuza.” The tyrant glared at the Makroid. “You heard my son. Restrain them.”
Two Makroid came up behind me and pinned my arms. “Hey! Let go!”
I saw a Makroid strike Axl on the head with the back of her weapon. He wouldn’t go down without a fight. It took another four Makroid to immobilize him and secure his wrists and ankles with electric cuffs.
Barthan wasn’t part of the group attacking Axl. He decided to charge the tyrant instead. “You bastard! Did you forget about my family? You said you were going to free them!”
The last thing I saw before the sack was put over my head was a Makroid seizing Barthan from behind, plunging a knife deeply into his stomach. I heard Barthan’s guttural screams and Axl roaring his name. Then there was nothing.
What had I gotten myself into?
My head throbbed. I didn’t want to do it, but I had to rest my head somewhere. I ended up leaning against the grubby tiles in the tiny cage. The cell was barely tall enough for me to sit up. There was enough room for me to bend my legs if I lay on my side. After a few hours of restricted movement, my aching limbs had begun to go numb. I could hardly feel the tender, chapped skin around my wrists and ankles.
My situation wasn’t great, but it could have been worse. Axl wasn’t even in a cage. Someone had attached him to the wall by his arms and wrists, spreading out his limbs. Electric restraints pinned him. They would shock him if he made any sudden movements.
We weren’t the only prisoners in the area. Other cells were next to us, and we could hear occasional wails.
A different world was outside the prison. Judging by the impressive staircase in the center of the room, we were somewhere underground. Well-dressed Makroid bustled about the vast chamber and prepared for a grand banquet. Some pushed carts of rotisserie meats, while others ticked off checklists.
At the far end of the room stood an enormous throne. Painted skulls and mottled feathers decorated the eyesore. Lord Silas waited at the foot, munching on a greasy poultry leg.
Axl moaned. I jerked my head in his direction. His head was down between his shoulders, and a fresh sheen of sweat covered his face. The handcuffs on his wrists were still smoking.
“Axl, are you okay?”
“Quiet, human!” The passing Makroid rattled my cage after snapping at me.
I scowled at the Makroid. Axl lifted his gaze to me and rolled his eyes to the right. I followed his gaze to the plinth at the foot of the throne, which held the pillar in a protective glass box. Did he want me to take it? He was supposed to be the mercenary, not me!
When Lord Silas finally left through the sliding doors above the stairs, I took a deep breath and started counting down from a hundred to ease my nerves.
“Watch out!”
A thunder of artillery fire woke me from my trance. It looked like Axl was walking across the room, but I knew he was still a prisoner. Was he projecting an image of himself? As Axl appeared to strut across the room and make his way toward the pillar, the confused Makroid emptied their guns. Their bullets went through Axl’s etheric form but failed to break his stride.
The distraction was my chance to escape. Leaning against the edge of the cage, I squeezed my fingers between the bars, stretching out an arm. With a swoop of my fingers, I managed to snatch a set of keys from the belt of a fleeing Makroid. While the rest of the room descended into mayhem, I jammed the keys into my handcuffs and fell out of the cage.
A blinking Makroid froze in front of me. “Hey! She’s escaping!”
I swung my arm back and punched him the chin. When he toppled over, I grabbed both of his weapons. It was fight or flight time. I fired wildly at the Makroid around me, clearing a path as I headed for Axl.
Tossing one of the pistols aside, I shot off a tabletop and held the slab of metal over my body with one hand. I mowed down the rest of the Makroid in my path and fired at Axl’s chains. When they broke, Axl fell into a heap on the floor. Groaning, Axl pushed himself off the ground and looked up at me. “We have to get the pillar.”
I grabbed a stray weapon on the ground and thrust it into Axl’s hands. Slinging his arm over my shoulder, I managed to haul him onto his feet. His body burned hot against me. He fired at the Makroid as I made our way toward the plinth.
There was no time to think or fret. I saw nothing but the pillar ahead of me. It was so close that I could practically taste it. That day, a heavenly force must have been smiling down upon us. Weaving through the hailstorm of bullets, I wrenched the prize out of the case, tucked it under Axl’s arm, and dragged us up the stairs to safety.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
AXL
As Christine and I passed through the sliding doors, our eyes adjusted to the dazzling glare of white light. The doors led into the heart of the city plaza. Luxurious cottages and restaurants covered the ground level, which hummed with life. Affluent Makroid families and their children strolled around the meticulously-laid cobblestone paths. Above us were similar levels filled with mansions, pools, gambling arenas, and a slew of facilities fit for only the wealthiest.
The illusion of prosperity was perfect. The finest trees, grass, and shrubbery imported from across the galaxy lined the streets. An eternal screen fitted onto the ceiling streamed the image of bright blue skies. Custom-built lamps were mounted on the corners at regular intervals, mimicking rays of natural sunlight.
“What is this place?”
“They call it the Royal Bubble.” I smeared the blood under my nose with the back of my hand. We didn’t look like we belonged in the community. The number of eyeballs lingering in our direction was multiplying every second. “We can’t stay here for long.”
We started to run and came close to hitting a food cart. “Get out of our way!” Christine ordered, waving her weapon at the handler.
The frightened Makroid tripped over his feet and scrambled to get away from us. With a swipe of her arm, Christine cleared off the full plates of food on both tiers of the cart. People began to complain as food rained on them and splattered across their flashy clothes. The cart vendor stomped off angrily, leaving it for us to steal.
The doors began to slide open behind us. “They’re coming. We have to keep moving.”
Our getaway plan was clumsy but effective. Flinging the pillar onto the top of the cart, we pushed it as fast as we could to build up momentum. When it was at maximum speed, we jumped into the back. It was up to me to maneuver through the crowd. I did my best to avoid hitting any civilians, but those who failed to move out of the way got the wind knocked out of them.
I propelled the cart through the doors on my right, leaving behind the sunny skies and temperature-controlled environment. The typical weather for the planet, cursed black skies and bitter cold, felt like it could devour us.
This was the first time Christine saw the exterior of the Royal Bubble. She gasped at the enormous dome.
“I know it looks terrific, but let’s leave the cart. You see that ghetto over there? That’s where we’re going.”
We ran past rows of dirt and mud huts, carefully avoiding the Makroid soldiers swarming out of the bubble. We flattened ourselves against one of the larger cabins, making sure we stayed concealed while spying on the active search party. We were so absorbed in what was happening three hundred feet away from us that we failed to notice the Makroid villagers coming out of their houses.
“Axl, do we need to worry about these guys?”
I turned aro
und warily, the hairs on my arms and neck standing on end. Barefoot Makroid of all ages stood before us. The hems of their tattered rags swished back and forth in the wind. Each one had identical yellow teardrops tattooed onto the sides of their necks. They had gray skin which looked almost translucent from the lack of sunlight.
They came for us slowly with slow movements reminiscent of the undead. Christine and I stood with our backs against each other and raised our weapons. I strengthened my grip on the pillar. I could hear the blood pounding in my ears.
“Stand back, all of you!”
“We don’t want to hurt you. Please! Don’t come any closer!”
All the Makroid came to a halt except for one. The bravest among them was also the oldest. He had a crooked back and trembled when he walked. When he spoke, I could barely make out his Standard.
“We not hurt you. We wait you.”
“What do you mean?” I wasn’t afraid of him, but I still kept my weapon raised.
“Come.” The Makroid looked like he expected people to obey him. “Follow.”
Christine and I exchanged a questioning glance but decided to pursue the strange offer. He led us past the sea of Makroid and into one of the huts. Our guide removed the oil lamp hanging by the door and led us through the humbly furnished house, ushering us down to the cellar.
“Axl! Christine!”
I lowered my weapon, feeling relieved. The Magnum squad, along with General Wasid, stared back at me, surrounded by a bounty of weaponry, ammunition, and combat gear. The general stepped forward, tipping his hat.
“The Empress was right about you two. You certainly don’t give up easily. It’s good to see you, Axl. Everyone on your team should be around here somewhere.”
“How did you manage to find us?” I discarded the Makroid weapon, helping myself to a familiar piece from the stockpile.
“You have one of your acquirers to thank for that.” The general gestured at Natya. “When she sensed trouble, we tried to reach you, but all our attempts at contact failed. We picked up the cruiser’s signal at Echiles and went to investigate. Barthan pointed us in this direction.”
“How is he?”
One look at Isley’s puffy wet eyes gave me the answer. She shook her head sadly, laying her head on Natya’s shoulder. Even though he had betrayed me, he was still my friend. My throat constricted and I felt a stabbing pain twist around in my chest.
“He’s in a better place now.” I cracked my neck and looked at the general. “Do you have a plan?”
“The temple.” The Makroid pointed at the pillar with a skeletal finger. “I take you.” An excited hush fell over the room. “Come. Follow.”
The Urwanians armed themselves and filed out of the cellar, leaving not a single bullet behind. The Makroid stopped in the middle of the street and lifted the cover off a utility hole. The putrid stench of dung and sewage assaulted my nose.
“This way.” The Makroid appeared to be impervious to the smell.
As he climbed down the ladder, the rest of us slipped into the darkness after him. I tossed the pillar down the hole straight into Christine’s open arms. Leaping into the breach, the Urwanians advanced slowly, avoiding a murky river of black sludge and an unidentifiable substance dripping from the ceiling. The odor wasn’t the only obstacle in the tunnel. The terrain was hard to walk on and filled with insects.
General Wasid reached the end of the tunnel first. “What is this place?”
When I emerged, I looked up at a massive bronze mound behind me. We were back at the Royal Bubble again, only this time, we were at the rear. The Makroid appeared unaffected by the crowd of irate Urwanians chastising him. He pointed to a small knoll behind the bubble.
“This is why I don’t trust any Makroid.” Tariq spat next to his boot. “If they aren’t being intentionally deceitful, they’re actually crazy!”
“You’re not being fair.” Natya tried to reason with him. “We shouldn’t forget that they welcomed us into their homes.”
As the Urwanians argued among themselves, Christine followed the Makroid to the foot of the knoll by herself. She got down onto her knees, grunting as she leaned against a boulder and pushed it aside. Did she see something?
“Hey, guys?” She peeked behind the rock to get a better look. “Someone should bring the pillar over here!”
We hurried to her side, standing uselessly around her. Beneath the boulder was a strange hollow in the ground. Its frame and interior were constructed from an unidentifiable copper-colored metal, embellished with carvings in Makroid and Urwanian script.
It looked like a perfect fit for the pillar.
Christine took the pillar from my hands and slid it into the opening. As I helped Christine to her feet, the ground started to shake.
“Back!” The Makroid rushed around, pushing us away.
The floor started to break apart. Clumps of dead grass and soil fell into the opening. A set of shiny copper steps appeared under the ground.
“They’re here already! Stop them!”
I cocked my head back. A horde of Makroid appeared with Lord Silas and Akuza at the rear. They carried weapons and started firing immediately. The Urwanian soldiers on our right were the first to fall.
“Bring the pillar with us.” I helped the old Makroid over the hill as Christine dislodged the pillar from the ground. “We’re going inside.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
CHRISTINE
The inhabitants of the Makroid village didn’t know how close they were to their doom. The entrance to the place that could ruin the tyranny was less than a mile away. How many hours had Lord Silas spent searching for a temple that was practically beneath his feet?
I hopped off the stairs, landing on the smooth, caramel stone floors. The ground was warm to the touch and had an electric feel to it. It was almost as if the temple had known we were coming. Sacred vessels and elaborate shrines filled the majestic building. The blazing fire of standing torches lit up a series of rooms. Hieroglyphics marked the walls and vaulted ceilings. Under each archway, a pair of gilded Zamoan deities stood guard on either end.
I didn’t have the chance to appreciate the historical work of art. The Makroid were on our tail.
“Spread out!” General Wasid bellowed behind me.
Moving behind a pillar, I vaulted over the holy well and crouched behind one of the shrines. Axl had the same idea. He rolled across the floor and got into position next to me. The other Urwanians took refuge behind columns, statues, and altar tables. When the Makroid flowed into the temple, we opened fire.
All hell broke loose. I could hear my teeth grinding through the ringing in my ears as I fired my pistol. The explosions of gunfire rang loud in my ears but seemed far away at the same time. The people who ran out of ammunition had to use whatever they had available. Religious artifacts and swinging torches became deadly weapons in their hands.
“Axl, watch over this!” As a Makroid came barreling toward me from the side, I hurled the pillar at Axl. He caught it in midair and set it on the ground, resting one foot on top as he prepared to fire on a group of Makroid focused on taking the pillar. Meanwhile, I thrust myself up against the wall and launched myself at my attacker, kicking him back into the well.
“I don’t want it either!” I wheeled around, wincing in pain as I caught the pillar in the crook of my arm. I bludgeoned the Makroid behind me with the butt of my gun and fired at another one. In the midst of the violent bloodletting, Lord Silas and Akuza appeared in the stairwell.
“Stop talking to each other!” Natya clobbered a Makroid with a large metal basin. She pointed at the central archway as the blood from a gash on her palm rolled down her arm. “Do something useful and get to the pyramid!”
“I’m going in!” I scooped up the pillar and started to move. Axl disarmed two Makroid, stealing their weapons. He jogged alongside me, protecting me from stray blaster fire as we made a run for it. On the other end of the room, Lord Silas told Akuza to stop us.
“Come on,” I muttered under my breath. “I’ve done harder things than this before.” By the time I made it through the final archway, the Makroid had caught up to us. Around me, the Magnum team parried the blows of soldiers in black and green uniforms. I pushed forward, lunging to the steps of the pedestal until I felt a giant weight on my back.
“Agh!” Akuza tackled me from behind, smacking my face against the bright, hard floor. The pillar sailed out of my hands and plummeted to the ground, sliding into a faraway corner.
The room started to spin around me. “Get off. You don’t know what you’re doing.”
I wasn’t the only one trying to influence Akuza. The cold tone of Lord Silas’ voice terrified me. “Don’t choke now. Finish her!”
I arched my legs and pounded my fists against the floor, veins projecting from my arms and neck. I thrashed around, doing all I could to slide out from underneath him, but I was out of energy. The sensation of a shaking blaster jammed under my chin wasn’t enough to make me move.
“We don’t have to do this.” Akuza’s voice came down from above me. I felt the splash of falling tears sting my scraped cheek. “We can get everything we want without killing anyone.”
“The pillar isn’t everything I want. You have to prove yourself.” His father slammed the cane on the ground.
Akuza withdrew his pistol, instantly lightening the load on my back. “I can’t do it.”
“You’re pathetic.” In a remarkable display of strength, Lord Silas lifted his son by the sleeves and threw him across the room. Akuza crashed into a wall, squealing as he tumbled to the ground. He moved away from his father and huddled in the corner. Akuza was so traumatized by the savage attack that he completely missed the pillar inches away from his feet.