by J. S. Wilder
Her gasp of pain echoed in the empty chamber. Quickly, she fumbled for the other lock, but with her thumb dislocated, she couldn’t unhook the other restraint. She bent over as far as she could, using her teeth to unfasten the strap.
Both hands were free now. She quickly undid the binds on her ankles. Her body trembling as she leaped off the table and dashed toward the medicine cabinet. It wouldn’t open. She banged her good hand against it. “Fucking shit!”
There had to be something here she could use. Her legs tried to give way and she held onto a passing operation table with yellowish goo on it. The tray she’d knocked over earlier. Maybe there was something the demon hadn’t picked up.
Crawling on her hands and knees while her stomach twisted in pain, she scoured the floor for any sign of a weapon or metal. A glint of silver had her breath hitching.
But when she got closer to it, the metal wasn’t even sharp. It was some weirdly-shaped small mirror. Better than nothing, and she could stab it into a demon’s eye. She gripped the instrument tight in her good hand.
Her legs shook as she crept to the door. She felt along the smooth, black panels for some way to open it. Nothing. There had to be something. She banged her hand against the glass-like surface. A throbbing pain hit her stomach. She doubled over, agony stealing her breath.
Slowly the pain subsided to a dull ache. She stood, drenched and shaking all over. God, what the fuck was that? She pushed aside thoughts of horror movies she’d watched when her reflection in the shiny panels caught her attention. Her eyes were sunken, her skin ashen. But the biggest change was her stomach. It looked like she was five months pregnant.
She stifled a cry. Raising a shaky hand, she touched her abdomen. It was hot and tight. Oh shit, I have to get out of here and get help.
Using her only weapon, she forced the edge of the mirror along a crack between the door and other panels. The metal caught and she choked on a half-laugh, half-sob.
“Open you son of—” the handle snapped off in her hand. Her palm bleeding as she pressed it to the door, smacking it. What was she going to do now? All the stories she’d read as a child had the prince in shining armor come to rescue the damsel in distress. She couldn’t even save herself and she thought she could release everyone from demons. Would anything work against them? Holy water or was that just a myth? But she had no water, no priest, no way to bless anything to try. All she had was an expanding stomach and a broken metal…she glanced down at the piece.
The broken end was sharp and thin. Could it fit through the crack and pry open the panel? Worth a try at least.
She picked it up, the metal cool in her hand and she squeezed it. “Work, please.” Carefully, she found the edge of the access panel to the door and inserted the broken piece inside. She wiggled the handle back and forth, up and down until after what felt like forever, the access popped open.
Yes! She rose up on her knees to peer inside when another wave of searing pain tore through her middle. Panting, she waited for the torture to pass. What was happening? Was she having a miscarriage? Her heart shattered at the thought and she blinked back tears. Trembling so badly she could barely stay upright, she glanced into the open access panel. Wires of multiple colors entwined inside. Which one was the right one? Or would one or more electrocute her if she cut it?
Well, the alternative was staying in here until the demons came back and used her body as a breeding host for more of them and killed her and her three daughters inside her.
She traced three wires that connected from the door and toward the many colored wires to narrow down her chances. Still, the odds were two to one that she’d pick the wrong one. Huffing out a breath, she chose the blue wire. She squeezed her eyes shut as she held it between her fingers, then yanked as hard as she could.
Overhead an alarm sounded. Shit! Fucking wonderful.
“Okay, maybe the orange wire then.” She grabbed onto it, whispering a quick prayer, then jerked hard.
The wiring sputtered and sparked. She yelped, leaping back out of the way. But the door opened a fraction. Yes!
Keeping her broken metal piece with her, she moved to the cracked door and peered out. The alarm still barred but she didn’t see anyone coming down the hall. She pushed, trying to get through the opening, but her belly was too big. There wasn’t enough room.
She squeezed harder, sucking in her breath, only the door didn’t budge.
Then an undulating movement down the hallway caught her attention and she froze. A dark shape twisted toward her…three lizard-like heads and one body slithered closer. She froze, a scream on her throat.
Get back inside, get back inside. Her mind screamed as she shimmied to get free but her body was wedged half in and half out of the operating room. She couldn’t get free.
Chapter 32
Megan
The creature loomed closer but she was unable to make out exactly what it was with the alarm shrieking overhead and the spaceship’s lights flashing. Besides, she was wrestling with the door to move a fraction so she could get away from the beast.
But she was stuck like a cork in a bottle unable to get all the way or back inside the lab room.
Three heads swung her way and sniffed the air. Then the body undulated faster, straight toward her.
She screamed. Panic welling in her chest as she fought to free herself.
The monster’s body shimmered and convulsed.
Was it going to spew acid at her? She let out all of her breath and sucked in her gut as hard as she could. Finally, she managed to scoot back inside the lab. But the door was still partially open.
One of the creature’s heads sniffed at the crack.
“Go away!” she screamed, pressing her body on the other side of the door to try and close it. But like before, the thick metal didn’t budge a fraction.
Another head tried to peek inside, teeth snapping.
Megan backed away from the door, her heart beating so hard and fast she thought it would explode out of her chest.
A clicking sound echoed underneath the alarm still wailing overhead. Then a burst of fire shot through the door, melting it open.
She backpedaled farther into the lab, her hip hitting one of the operating tables.
The creature pressed its bulk against the melting metal of the door, trying to force its way inside. Panic seized her throat. It wanted to get to her. She gripped the broken handle in her hand, glancing one more time around the room from something else to use as a weapon. Nothing but the operating tables but those would probably just piss it off.
“You want me? Come and get me.” She squared her shoulders.
After several more spurts of fire, the three-headed monster wiggled its way inside. It was massive. At least six feet tall and three feet wide. Each head was reptilian looking and it was covered in scales. It didn’t look like anything she’d ever seen. No wings and a long tail. The demons had short, black fur on their bodies and leathery wings. This thing…what the hell was it?
Six legs scooted it closer but it stayed out of range of her. Why was it hesitating? Was it scared of her weapon?
“Ha!” She waved the metal piece in her hand at the creature. “Go away!” If it left, she could get out the door now that it had forced its way inside. Yes, get out of here and don’t eat me.
But the monster didn’t move to attack her or leave. Instead, its massive body began to quiver. Scales shrunk into its flesh. Three heads split farther apart, each on a different body until the three missing kids stood before her.
“Wha—?”
“Hurry, the Tryns will come looking for you soon,” one of the boys said.
Was this a trick? A hallucination based on the poison the demon gave her. They were Renjerians…dragons with wings…not a three-headed creature.
“You gonna stay here or help us rescue the others?” the second boy asked.
“H-How are you here.” She waved a hand out. “I mean like this. One creature.”
“Trans
experimented on us but we think it’s cool except we can’t fly.” The third boy grinned.
“How did you know where to find me?” she asked giving them all a hug.
“Your blood. Good thinking to cut yourself.” The second boy pointed at the injury on her hand.
“Thanks.” She didn’t have the heart to tell them it had been an accident.
“Hurry, the Tryns will be here soon.” Then all three turned and fled out the door.
“Let’s go.” She raced after them.
The four of them sped down the hallway, hope blossoming in her chest. Did this mean Levx was alive? What had the Levx’s done to him? She was too afraid to hear the news that he hadn’t made it to voice her question to the three boys.
They dashed down two more hallways before stopping in front of a door.
“Here’s where the others are,” the boy closest to her said.
Her hand trembled as she pushed on the door but it wouldn’t open. “How do we get to them?”
“The locks only work with Tryn contact.” The first boy said. “Like this.” He opened his palm that she hadn’t known he’d held in a fist all this time, and a black finger lay inside it. Then he pressed the digit to the panel and the door slid open.
Inside lay five bodies and her gaze scanned them for Levx’s. One of the lumps had golden hair caked with blood. Her legs shook as she shuffled toward the body.
When she reached him, she fell to her knees beside him. He was so thin. Blood coated the side of his face and hair. His skin a greenish-gold color. She let out a cry mixed with joy and terror that he still breathed but what had he endured his time here?
“Levx?” she whispered, his name burning her throat but in a good way.
He moaned in answer. “Megan? Is that you…you can’t be—?”
“I’m here and I’m going to get you off this damn ship.” How, she didn’t know but her three prince charming were talking excitedly to another Renjerian hunched in the corner.
Excitement and joy twirled through her. He was alive! Her heart raced faster than her feet.
God, she had to touch him like she had to breathe and assure herself that he was really alive and not a hallucination. Her fingers trembled as she traced his cheek and brushed his hair out of his eyes even though he didn’t open them.
Suddenly the alarm that had been shrieking stopped. The silence was so loud it was like a tangible thing. Her fear escalated. They had to get off this spaceship however they could.
“I hope you guys have an escape plan,” she said.
“Sure,” one of the triplets puffed out his chest. She really needed to learn their names. “We destroy all the Tryns onboard and take their ship home.”
Easier said than done otherwise, why hadn’t they already escaped?
“Look at all the rats clustered together,” a gravely voice boomed.
Megan spun. One of the Tryns stood in the doorway. Its black fangs hooked into its top lip.
“Now that we have the breeding female, we don’t need the rest of you.” The demon nodded to her. “Which one was your mate again? I’ll kill him first for you.”
“You touch him and I will kill you.” She raised her chin, tightening the hold on her broken weapon.
The demon laughed. “Try.”
Before she could take a step, all three boys yelled and ran toward the demon. It smacked them backward. They lay in a heap on the floor crying out in pain.
“Renjerian scum.” The demon headed toward Levx.
Rage spun inside her gut. She raised her weapon, running at the monster. “Don’t you touch him!” The broken metal piece, smaller than a blade, surprised the demon. It sunk into its flesh under its chin.
With a grunt, the creature grasped the weapon and jerked it out of its flesh. Black blood pooled from the wound. “Such a waste.”
Then it slapped her so hard she spun to the ground.
“No!” Levx roared. He was standing but staggered on his feet. “Don’t you touch her.”
“And what will you do little Renjerian?” The demon laughed.
When Levx limped forward, the Tryn snatched him by the throat, raising him in the air. Levx swung his fists and kicked, trying to get the monster to release him. His face coloring purple.
“Stop! You’re killing him.” Megan choked.
Another Renjerian shuffled forward but the demon merely swatted him away like shooing a fly. The man crumbled on the floor.
Levx clawed at the demon’s hand, his eyes bulging.
“No!” Megan’s body felt hot and tight as rage surged faster and faster inside her. She pushed up and pressed her hands on the demon’s arms to get him to let go of Levx.
But underneath her palms glowed white. The demon screamed a blood-curdling cry. Its skin smoked and sizzled. Dropping Levx, the demon backed away staring in horror at its forearms.
“Quick,” Levx choked out, “Finish him.”
Megan stared at her palms. They glowed like she’d painted them with fluorescent pinkish paint. What the hell?
With a roar, the triplets and the others rushed the demon. A few seconds later the demon gurgled then died.
“We have to get out of here,” Levx reached for her hand but she jerked it away.
Megan shook her head. “No, I’ll burn you.”
“Renjerian fire doesn’t hurt us.” He gave her a half-smile.
“I’m not Renjerian.” Was he delusional? “I’m human, remember?”
He cocked an eyebrow at her swollen belly. “Yes but your baby isn’t. How are you pregnant and so far along?”
Her flush heated her cheeks so hot she wondered if they were glowing like her hands. “Let’s talk about that later. For now, let’s go. And we’ll need weapons, something to defend ourselves if we’re cornered again.”
Levx’s face darkened. “We have nothing but what you see to fight with.”
“No, I mean your dragon forms…your fire.” Like her palms had radiated.
“We don’t have either.” He shook his head. “Th—they took both our dragon forms and our fire. We’re defenseless. More human that we’ve ever been.”
“All right. Let’s try and avoid as many Tryns as we can and get home,” she said taking his hand.
She followed Levx and the others down another hallway. Twice they had to duck down a different path not to be discovered.
Finally, they entered what looked like a landing bay with scattered equipment and things she had no idea were and only one spaceship.
“It’s so small,” she whispered. How were all of them going to fit?
“Let the boys and Megan go first.” Levx squeezed her hand.
“No way, I’m staying with you. We go together.” No way was she going to leave him here while she escaped.
“Think of your children.”
“Our children,” she corrected him.
“I can’t have any kids.” He shook his head. “The Tryns sterilized me. I’m sorry.”
She cupped his cheek forcing him to look at her, then she placed his hand on her stomach. “These are yours and mine. Dena gave me your sperm.”
“Wha—” He paused, hope filling his eyes. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, but we have to go. All of us.”
“There isn’t enough room for everyone.” He frowned.
One of the Renjerians stepped forward. “Allow some of us to stay behind and fight. We can snag weapons from the armory.”
Levx nodded then turned back to Megan. “You have to go. Take the triplets home. I’ll come as soon as I can.”
There was no way she was going to leave without him but telling him that would make him tie her up and toss her into a ship. “Okay.”
She followed the triplets and a few others down the landing strip to the nearest space shuttle. “Do you boys know how to fly one of these things?”
“Remys’ done flight simulators his whole life. Can’t be that hard,” one of the boys said.
Part of her felt guilty for no
t going with them but she couldn’t fly anything much less navigate a spaceship. “You sure you’ll be okay on your own?”
“Easy. We used to fly all the time,” the second boy said.
“That was when we had wings.” The third boy crossed his arms.
“I’ll go with them.” A Renjerian with dark hair shuffled forward. “And fly the ship and ensure they don’t harm themselves pushing the wrong buttons.”
“Thank you.” She gave the man a hug then darted to the side. When Levx found out she’d stayed, he was going to kill her.
Chapter 33
Levx
The spaceship tore from the docking bay with a blast of sparks. Levx prayed that Megan and the others would be safe. Why would the Tryns only have one escape vessel unless…unless most of them occupied the other spacecrafts.
If the Tryns were scattered through Earth but had narrowed down the fact that the Renjerians had settled in the Northeast section of the United States, then they could scope out the area using multiple ships. Their cloaking devices would shield them from human eyes and radar.
Levx turned to the others around him. “Gather whatever you can find as weapons. We’ll kill the enemy and take over their ship.” Use their own system against them and locate the smaller spaceships and destroy them.
When a metal clank sounded in the corner, the hair on the back of his neck stood on end. He picked up a lead pipe and moved closer to the pile of boxes.
Her scent alerted him before he saw her. “Megan?”
She stood, hair a tangled mess with a sheepish smile on her face.
“You’re supposed to be with the boys…safe.” When would the stubborn woman listen to him? She was expecting. Did she not know how special that was? How amazing she was to even be able to carry a Renjerian child when even some of his own when could not anymore? And that she’d gone through this scary experience and still wanted to have anything to do with him amazed him.
“Sorry. I just couldn’t leave without you.” She lifted her chin and a fire blazed in her eyes that belied her apology. “It’s not fair that all of us couldn’t leave together but I’m not going to leave you behind not knowing if I’d ever see you again.”
