“What?”
“You’re giving me more of a view than I think you want your brother to see.”
Lovely. “Sorry.” She lowered her butt a fraction and crawled faster. She’d never realized how claustrophobic she was. Her knees hurt, she was cold, and she had to use the bathroom. She’d never again complain about having a boring life. “How long have you known about me?”
“Forever, it seems.”
She hesitated at that. It wasn’t the answer she’d expected. “Did you know I was a super breeder? Did Braden?” Visions of Braden and Erik leaning over her naked body filled her head. She squirmed at the memories. Never in her life had she ever imagined engaging in a threesome. Well, maybe she’d imagined it…
“Braden didn’t know until Leila did the test and told him. You were there. You know that. Keep going.”
She noticed he bypassed answering her first question. She moved forward, a thousand questions still clouding her brain. “What happened to you, Kam? Were you taken away from Mom and Dad? Or were you sent away?” When he didn’t answer, she glanced over her shoulder at him. “Kam?” He looked almost pale. “What is it? Am I flashing you again? Maybe you should go ahead of me.”
“Your parents were never officially mated, Alexa,” he blurted, avoiding her eyes by turning his head to peer through a side grate.
She simply stared at him. Her muddled brain wasn’t processing well today. Too much had happened. “What are you talking about? Sure they were. And they’re your parents, too. But you were taken or sent away to grow up on Xylon, while I remained here to grow up on Earth. Isn’t that the way it all happened?” An uneasy feeling fluttered through her. She wondered if this had been a set-up all along, just to convince her to help them. But she and Kam had the birthmarks…”We do have the same parents. You didn’t lie about that, did you?”
He finally looked back at her. “Just our father is the same. We have different mothers. Our father is mated to my mother, always has been. During a Breeder Release, he had an affair with your mother. You were the result. He initiated her and couldn’t get her out of his system, I guess. And he went back for more. Repeatedly, from what I understand.”
What? Breeder Release? What was that? Never officially mated? She remembered her mother writing in the journal that she had suspected another mate. When she’d read the journal, there had also been a brief mention of another child—lost. She’d assumed that to be Kam, but apparently not. A miscarriage perhaps?
“Do you know where our father is?” That was the foremost question burning through her mind, right now, the question that had been burning through her mind for years. “No one else seems to. Leila said so.”
“He’s still with my mother. He’s doing some sensitive, secret work for Xylon. They’re living on another planet right now. But you didn’t hear that from me. It’s classified. Go on. Move.”
Her father was alive. Tears burned her eyes. She could see him if she wanted. Kam would allow it. She knew he would. But her father had lied to her. Lived a double life. No wonder her mother had been so bitter. Knowing there was another woman had to have broken her heart.
“Here.” Kam tugged on her shirt as she passed a grate. “Move aside. We’ll go through here.”
She scooted out of his way. They definitely weren’t at the transport bay. It looked like a storage room on the other side. At least there shouldn’t be any cameras in there.
Kam kicked out the grate. It clattered to the floor, and they both froze. When no one came to investigate, he crawled out, then helped her out. “Are you holding up all right?”
“I’m fine. Let’s just go.”
He listened at the door. Carefully, he slid it open and peered out. “All clear. I don’t see a camera in this section. We’ll be able to move undetected for a while longer. Let’s make the most of it.”
“Wait! I found something.”
* * * * *
Leila scrambled to her feet and backed toward the door, trying her hardest not to look at the monitor that displayed her Initiation. Especially now that Shear was landing a strap against her back and butt. She shuddered. Never again would she let anyone treat her that way!
At the time, in the sexual appetite, she hadn’t been in control. Since then, she always made it a point to be in control of all sexual situations where she was involved…or not get involved.
“Too bad there’s no sound,” the voice in the darkness said. “But then, I have a good imagination. You haven’t been fucked properly since then, have you, my dear?”
Her back hit the door. She reached behind her and felt for the control, but couldn’t find it. She’d been with two men since her Initiation—both completely unsatisfying encounters. She doubted she’d ever enjoy sex again, after what those three monsters had done to her.
“There’s no escape, Leila.”
She had to figure something out. Stall until she did. “What do you want?”
“You,” the voice rumbled, growing husky. “I can’t get the image out of my head.”
“Forget it.” She’d rather die than let anyone violate her again. “I asked who you are. Daegal?” She shuddered at the possibility.
“I am someone who can give you a life of leisure, if I choose…or a life of pain. Those are your only choices. Forgetting it isn’t an option. Don’t be a fool. Take what I’m offering. I have a lot of power. Not only on this ship, but on Marid as well.”
She knew he’d never agree to let her go, no matter what. So she had to sound reasonable here, at least from his point of view. “And if I refuse to choose?”
“I intend to have you, dear Leila, whether you cooperate or not. Whether you choose or not. If you don’t choose, I’ll assume you prefer pain.” He chuckled.
A shiver of ice ran through her. “If I cooperate, will you let me live?” She had no intention of cooperating, but men who thought with their dicks weren’t always at their sharpest. She might be able to fool him.
“You’ll live either way. And I’ll have you any way I choose. Cooperation is up to you. You know the consequences of the choice you make…or don’t make.”
“Yes.” Her mind raced, trying to piece together a plan. “You’ve been quite clear. But maybe you’d like me to do some things that would be more pleasant with my cooperation.” She hated what she was about to suggest, but it might work. “Like maybe…that.” Casually, or so she hoped it appeared, she pointed to a different monitor that showed Alexa licking and sucking Braden’s engorged shaft, while Erik fondled her breasts from behind. She wished…she shook her head. Now was not the time to entertain silly thoughts. “I’m very good and have been known to bring a man to his knees. Maybe we could strike a different type of a deal besides simply a life of leisure.”
She knew exactly how he’d react. He’d pretend to agree, then try to double-cross her. Typical male behavior, no matter the species. And that’s what she was counting on.
A moment later, he responded. “What kind of a deal?”
* * * * *
“What did you find?” Kam asked.
Alexa handed him a device. Certainly, it was important. “A cell-thingy. Isn’t that what it’s called?”
“Vid-cell. It’s one of theirs. We can’t use it. Their hand-helds won’t connect to the Xylon ship.” He banged the backside of it. “It doesn’t even look like it’s working.”
Disappointment filled her. “Can’t you hot-wire it or something?”
“It’s not a car, Alexa. Besides, as I said, we can’t use it. Even if it was working.” He peered out the door again. “I see a ladder. Good. We head down. I know a shortcut.”
He returned the cell. She stuck it in the pocket of Torque’s shirt. Just in case. The natural packrat in her wouldn’t let something go that might prove handy. When Kam cocked an eyebrow at the move, she simply shrugged. She peeked out the crack in the door. “Won’t there be cameras in the shaft?”
“I don’t know. Could be. We’ll find out soon enough. It’s our
only viable option at the moment, so let’s not worry about it until we have to.”
“Okay,” she drawled the word, not sure this was the best plan of action, but unable to come up with an alternative.
Chapter Fourteen
Braden looked up at his chained wrists shackled to the wall. He tried to shift, pull himself loose, but it was impossible. With each unsuccessful tug, his anger and frustration grew. Locked in tight. Even his ankles.
This had not turned out as planned. Erik and Torque stood imprisoned next to him—Erik directly beside him and Torque third in line—both also shackled immobile to the gray wall.
One dim light hung from the center of the cell, casting eerie shadows. Some sort of straw-like material covered the floor, and large brown bugs crawled through the mess. The smell was overpowering. Like something had died within these walls. A camera and monitor hung from one corner as in their previous cell.
Rave stood in front of them, her arms crossed under her breasts. She looked every bit the dominatrix, as he’d seen in one of Erik’s sex videos, picked up during a previous Earth mission. All in black, from head to toe. Hair and fingernails included. She just needed a whip to make the image complete.
Dare and Shear weren’t with her. They were probably off somewhere licking their wounds. The Warriors had beaten them up pretty good. That one bit of knowledge made him feel some sense of satisfaction. Victory had been so close, until reinforcements arrived. Then he and the others had been outnumbered.
The entire ship must now be searching for Alexa and Kam. He’d heard the alarm go off. He just hoped they had gotten to the transport bay and were able to secure an orbiter.
“This is fun.”
“Shut up, Torque,” Braden replied. “You all right, Erik?” His friend had a nasty bruise on his temple, and a long, red scratch across his chest.
“Yeah. I’m fine.”
Rave stepped closer. “You were stupid to fight. There’s no escape.”
“Really?” Braden cocked an eyebrow. “Could have fooled me, since at least two of us got away. Maybe stupid is a word better reserved for Marid assassins.”
Her hand lashed out across the face. “Mind your mouth, Warrior.”
Braden pressed his tongue into his cheek. Damn, she had a vicious whack.
“Where’s Leila?” Erik asked.
Rave’s eyes burned into Braden’s; pure evil shone in those depths. Finally, she moved away to stand in front of Erik. She studied him closely. “You care for the Healer.”
He glanced away, refusing to meet her eyes. “I care for all Warriors.”
“Yes…of course.” She caressed his cheek, smiling when he jerked, just before she touched him. Her fingers trailed down to the wound on his chest. She curled her nails into the scratch until he winced.
“What are you going to do with us?” Torque demanded, drawing her attention.
Rave relaxed her claw hold and shifted over to her third prisoner. “Whatever we want.” She eyed him up and down. “You’re a big one.”
“More than you know, honey.” He flashed a wolfish smile.
“Oh, really?”
Braden recognized the calculating gleam in Torque’s eyes. What was he up to now? Trying to distract her from inflicting pain on Erik was part of it, but not all. Flirting with the woman wasn’t going to work to their advantage. She wasn’t that stupid. Though it would be nice if she were. Maybe Torque would somehow muddle her thinking enough to release one of them. He’d worshiped his brother once, long ago. His own, personal hero, he’d thought, as younger brothers tended to do. But circumstances, which he’d rather not relive even in his memories, had changed that perception forever. He felt closer to Erik now than Torque. It shouldn’t be that way, but it was.
Rave rubbed Torque’s cock through his pants. Her eyes widened, and she looked down. Slowly, her gaze rose back to his. She casually shrugged, but even Braden could see her interest.
“So?” she asked.
“My brother’s equally…talented.”
Braden coughed, the air catching in his throat. Talented. He supposed that was one word for it. He didn’t like the direction this was headed. If he didn’t put a stop to it, the situation could end up getting out of hand. “Torque…”
Torque’s smile widened.
Whatever his brother was planning, it couldn’t be good. Torque’s plans never were.
Rave looked over at him, then dropped her gaze to his crotch. Braden shifted uncomfortably at her intense scrutiny. He doubted he could even get his cock up for someone like her.
She looked back at Torque. “I guess I should have paid closer attention when he was naked. But like I said…so?”
“How about a double-fuck for our freedom? Both of us in you at the same time.”
Braden held his tongue, but it was difficult. He glanced at Erik, who stood there with his mouth hanging open.
“There’s a whole Dome filled with people I can choose to fuck me whenever I want, however I want. Why should I—”
“Not like we can do you, babe. Believe me. We’re specially trained to work together.”
‘Specially trained’. Braden almost laughed, and he could have sworn he heard a snort from Erik. He knew his brother was just trying to get her to unshackle at least one of them.
If chains weren’t securing his ankles, he would have kicked out at the first opportunity. But then, incapacitating her without one of them being free to unlock the chains was useless. Still, he’d love to put her out of commission, simply for the satisfaction of doing so.
No matter what, with the camera monitoring them, freedom would be hard won. They needed a break of some sort—a mistake from her or one of their captors.
Rave chewed at her bottom lip as she looked between the two of them. She tugged open Torque’s pants. “I’ll have to see it first.”
“Of course.” Torque smiled. “Help yourself.”
“As if you could stop me…” Eagerness shone in her eyes. She yanked down his pants and his cock sprang forth. “Oh, goodness!”
Braden saw her visibly swallow. Torque had an impressive package. Too impressive for some women. And the man always seemed ready for action.
Her fingers curled around him.
He visibly stiffened, then a smile eased across his face. “You like? I’ll fill you up like you’ve never been filled,” he bragged. “You’ll come so hard, they’ll hear you scream on Xylon. What do you say?”
* * * * *
Kam pushed open a panel and peered inside.
Alexa shifted uncomfortably. It didn’t look promising. All she saw was darkness.
He twisted back toward her. “Through here.”
“There? Are you sure?” She peered around him again. “It looks like…nothing.” And she didn’t like the look of nothing. Badness and creepies hid in the depths of nothing.
“It’s a small throughway. It connects to the transport bay, the security bay, some other places. I think.”
“You don’t know?”
“This is a modification. It’s the old water shaft line. Pipes used to run through here.”
A musty odor reached her nose, and she sneezed. “Sorry. Allergies.”
He urged her into the darkness. “Come on. I think we lucked out finding this. It should be safer than the ladder shaft.”
The panel shut behind them and a blanket of darkness descended. She didn’t feel lucky. Just the opposite. She rubbed her arms. “Cold.” And claustrophobic. She couldn’t see three feet in front of her.
Kam moved ahead of her, keeping her close. “Grab onto my belt and don’t let go. It’s slippery in here. I don’t want to slide away from you, especially as we keep going down.”
She worked her fingers between the leather and his pants. “Okay. Do you think the others are all right?”
“We’ll come back for them, if they don’t get out. We’ll bring a whole army of Warriors if we have to. Laszlo won’t stand for Marid taking so many high-ranking prisoners,
nor will The Council.”
Alexa had her doubts. It seemed to her if Xylon could have stopped Marid’s evil with an army of Warriors, they would have done so long ago. But then, a lot of evil existed even on Earth that powerful nations couldn’t stop. Politics and war. Some things just weren’t intended to be understood.
* * * * *
He stepped out of the shadows, and Leila’s breath caught in her throat. Deformed?
No. A mask. He had on a full facemask with only eyes, nose, and mouth holes. He also wore gloves, she noticed. Strange. Maybe he’d suffered an injury, or he was sensitive to light. Not that much light existed in here. He wasn’t Egesa. His eyes weren’t yellow. So it definitely was Daegal himself, a highbred assassin, or maybe the Marid ship’s commander.
His voice had started to sound familiar. She’d really wanted to see his face. She swallowed hard as he approached. “So, do we have a deal then?” she asked in as steady a voice as she could muster.
He took off one glove, and she stared in fascination. Expecting what, she wasn’t sure. But it was a perfectly normal hand. That same hand rose to her face, and he grazed a finger across her lips. “Suck it,” he demanded, his voice hoarse with need. “Give me a demonstration.”
She took his finger into her mouth and sucked, keeping eye contact the entire time. He had penetrating eyes. Familiar eyes. The thought struck panic inside her. She knew him! Yes! Definitely. But from where?
He cocked his head, and his eyes narrowed.
Her heart thudded against her ribs. Did he suspect her thoughts? She swirled her tongue around his flesh to distract him.
A smile stretched the hole in the mask around his mouth. “Very…arousing.” He pulled out his finger. “On your knees. I’ll fill your mouth with something bigger now.”
She raised her chin. “You didn’t answer me.”
“About?”
“The deal?” Now she was getting nervous. She’d been certain he’d agree, or at least pretend to agree. She couldn’t appear too cooperative. He’d get suspicious if she complied easily. They couldn’t sterilize her, so death probably was in her near future, no matter what he said. She had to be ready for anything.
Initiation Page 17
