“Tamrys, they’re talking about us.”
“There’s no need to be worried, Sabine,” he says, not breaking the smile on his face.
“Sorry, but I am. We’re totally surrounded. What if someone wants to hurt you, or us?” I ask.
“We’re well-protected, I promise you. I have countermeasures and surveillance is keeping tabs; if there’s a significant threat, my shuttle can be here in less than a minute. I’ll keep you safe, no matter what.”
Nodding, I squeeze his hand a little tighter. “Okay, sir.” The truth is, I’m more worried about him than me.
“Tell me, Sabine: have you ever experienced submissive tendencies before you became my pet?”
“No,” I reply immediately. “Never.”
Tamrys chuckles. “The lady doth protest too much. If not, what were those handcuffs I found in your drawer last night?”
“A gag gift from friends in college,” I retort.
“But you kept them,” Tamrys argues. “In fact, you kept them with the rest of your naughty toys. You may have gotten them as a gift, but you wanted to use them.”
Blushing, I sigh. “I had a boyfriend back then who used to cuff me to the bed during sex. But I just thought he was spicing things up. It was a little kinky, that’s all.”
“You enjoyed it because you’re submissive, Sabine. And not just a little.”
I shake my head. “How can that be? I’ve worked my whole life rising to the top. I’ve never let anyone stand in my way if I didn’t have to. My reputation has been one of taking charge of difficult situations and not backing down from challenges or threats.”
“That has nothing to do with your sexual proclivities, Sabine, and I think you already know that.”
Perhaps he’s right. “If so, it’s not an easy thing to accept. It doesn’t seem right.”
Tamrys nods, pausing and smiling as a young couple snaps a few photos of us on their phones. “But it feels right, doesn’t it? You’ve suppressed your needs,” he continues. “That’s why it felt so good to indulge them with me.”
“It has felt pretty fantastic,” I admit. Just thinking about being bound, spanked, and plugged makes me wet. “But what would people think if they found out? They’d think the Sabine they knew was a facade, and that really I’m some kind of pushover.”
Tamrys pulls me into a hug and rubs my back. “That would be a huge mistake on their part. You have a reputation for being tough, indefatigable, and whip-smart because that’s who you are. Nothing we do together changes that.”
I can’t help smiling, comforted by his words and his touch. “If they knew how I obey your command, they’d try to order me around too. Some of them, like that Gaspar Jaffe, probably think I should’ve been serving them, instead of leading.”
“I can understand that,” Tamrys says. “In that case, I’ll be clear: you are not to obey anyone but me, unless I tell you otherwise.”
“Yes, sir,” I reply, grinning. “I can do that. Though, can you imagine how it would go over? ‘I’d like to help you out, but my alien boyfriend says no.’ I think people might not take it very well.”
Chuckling, I look to Tamrys, but find he’s staring straight ahead, his face stern and focused. I follow the direction of his gaze and notice that while we’ve been talking, the Central Park tourists and pedestrians have formed into a thick crowd, and are standing directly in our path.
“Hey, alien, get the hell out!” comes a scream. “This ain’t your planet!”
As I look around, something happens with my nanites: in my vision, I can see outlines around objects people are carrying. Baseball bats, hammers, wrenches—and a handful of guns.
Weapons, I realize. That’s what they’re showing me.
“Stay calm, pet,” says Tamrys. “Stay close. Our shuttle is already on its way, but I’d like to try talking some reason into them.”
I nod, leaning in close to his tall, muscular body. “Okay.”
Projecting his voice, he calls out, “This planet belongs to everyone, and I intend to make sure it stays that way.”
“You should be ashamed, Marchessault!” another yells. “You’re a traitor!”
Ignore him, Tamrys communicates via nanite.
“People of New York, I understand you are concerned, afraid, or resentful in these days of change. I promise, as long as you believe in justice, equality and compassion toward your fellow being, Dominar rule will not cause you any new hardship. As we work together, we will all prosper. And if you have grievances, there will be channels open so that you may express them openly and seek a prompt resolution.”
As patient and reasonable as Tamrys sounds to me, not everyone in the crowd is similarly swayed; when he finishes speaking, a glass bottle shatters on the ground, mere feet away from us. After a second, I see something small and white flying in an arc toward me—an egg. However, before it can hit me, Tamrys blocks it with his hand. The egg smashes, coating his palm in yolk, but Tamrys shakes most of it off.
“Sir, let’s just go,” I say, starting to feel my heart pound.
“We’re not running,” he growls. “I will have my soldiers fire stun bolts at every armed individual if I have to.”
This is an impossible situation, I realize—he looks bad no matter what happens. Either we run and he comes off as a coward, or we stay and his soldiers start firing. Even if they’re not shooting to kill, it won’t come off as the action of a benevolent ruler.
“Please, disperse,” Tamrys shouts, straining to be heard over the roar of a Dominar shuttle settling over us. “This is your last warning, especially those of you who are armed. Violent threats against the Dominars will not be tolerated.”
“What are you going to do, kill us?” asks a man near the front of the crowd. Thanks to my nanites, I can see he has concealed a handgun in the waistband of his puke green cargo pants.
“No, but you will be imprisoned. And not necessarily here on Earth.”
Oh, shit.
He probably shouldn’t have said that. The crowd starts booing, throwing more eggs, as well as coffee cups, crumpled-up refuse, and things I’d rather not try to identify. After a moment, a translucent sphere forms around the two of us, and thrown objects begin bouncing off of it.
A shielding device!
Each impact against the bubble causes a ripple of energy across its surface, and when it intercepts the first bullet, the shield streaks and shimmers with intense light.
“Tamrys, we have to get out of here!” I shriek as several more shots ring out.
“Sabine, no!” he shouts at me as I turn and run.
With the crowd standing before us, there’s a clear path to the rear. Driven by a profound terror unlike anything I’ve ever experienced, I sprint as fast as I can away from the mob. I’m barely even cognizant of my own thoughts—my instincts have taken the wheel.
Wending my way through the park, dodging the people in my way, I fly down paths and through lawns until I exit the park and find myself on the street. After a quick glance to look for pursuers, I punch my way through the stream of pedestrians and join them, attempting to melt into the crowd. My heart pounds and I gasp for air, nearly winded. After a block, I spot an alley, and duck inside.
Leaning against a brick wall, I bang my foot against the pavement, furious at the crowd but also especially at myself. This isn’t the first time I’ve turned and run from a tense situation. Even though Tamrys said we’d be fine, when there’s gunfire, I’m trained to run and find cover, so that’s what I did. He’d better not be mad at me—he has to understand I only did what my instincts said.
“Hey,” comes a voice from the alley’s entrance.
I turn to see a group of men. Wearing a combination of black jackets and vests over camouflage shirts and jeans, there are four of them in total. Though unarmed, they all look heavy and slightly muscular—like they lift weights but still knock back a six-pack most days.
“It’s the alien’s slut,” says the biggest of the men. Bald
and thick-necked, he glowers as he takes short steps toward me. “Where’d your big blue friend go, baby cakes? Did he leave you all alone?”
Tamrys, I need your help!
“He’s on his way right now,” I snap. “You better fuck off while you still can.”
The man grunts a laugh. “I don’t think so, dear. I think he found another whore who—”
My fist lashes out, nailing him in the nose and keeping him from finishing his sentence. The man staggers back, grabbing his face as blood trickles from his nostrils. However, the seconds I take to recover from the swing give his friends all the time they need to rush me, grabbing my wrists and my skirt.
One of their hands grabs the collar of my long-sleeved top, but before he can pull it off, a bolt of light streaks through the alley. The hand lets go as my attacker collapses on the ground. The rest of us look up to the source of the shot: Tamrys, floating in midair as his shuttle hovers above. Pointing a small white gun, he fires off three more shots, hitting the rest of the men in the alley with precise aim.
They all go down, and just like that, it’s over. Tamrys descends to the ground, scoops me into his arms, and then we’re rising up, up, up to his ship.
Chapter Fourteen
Tamrys
“I’m sorry,” she says, crying and sniffling into my chest. “I’m so sorry.”
“You did nothing wrong,” I whisper into her ear as my shuttle flies us back to the Spire. “I’m not mad at you, I promise.”
On the outside, I am still and quiet, trying to be the rock Sabine needs right now. Inside, however, I am mad—furious, like a swell of magma itching to blast a mountain into a volcano. The thought of something happening to Sabine makes me want to go back to that alley, beat those men to within an inch of their lives, heal them with Dominar technology, and do it all again.
But I keep my cool—Sabine needs my attention more than my rage. I hold her close, not letting go until long after we’ve arrived.
“Tamrys, I’m okay,” she says at last, smiling up at me. “Thank you for saving me. I realize I shouldn’t have run. It was just instinct.”
“I know, pet,” I say, brushing her hair back and kissing her forehead. “I’m going to have to train that out of you—I’ll make your instinct to stay by my side instead.”
“I’d like that,” she replies.
Using my nanites, I pull up footage of the four men—both what I saw, and what was recorded by cameras in public. Within a couple of minutes, I have all of their identities. As for the individuals in the crowd who fired weapons at us, they have been under surveillance since the attack. While Sabine rests in my arms, I send out arrest orders for all of the individuals who sought to harm us.
“Sir, you look angry. What is it?”
Smiling at Sabine, I kiss her cheek. “I just ensured those men will never be able to hurt you, or any other innocent person, ever again.”
“How?” she asks, tapping my arm so I’ll let her down.
“They’re going to be taken into custody, tried, and then incarcerated on a Dominar prison world,” I explain, my adrenaline surging at the thought. Maybe one day I’ll visit them on Cetaski, see how they’re making do on an untamed world with only the basics they need to survive. Learning how to farm and hunt ought to be very humbling for these city dwellers.
“Sir, I want to ask something of you, and I don’t want you to be mad.”
I shake my head. “Anything, pet. Name it.”
She looks at me warily, but continues. “Can you imprison them here on Earth? I know what they did was wrong, but exiling them from Earth… It seems too extreme.”
“Those men were going to hurt you,” I argue, leading us to the lift. “Why shouldn’t they be sent away?”
“I’m not saying they don’t deserve it, but humanity is still learning the new rules. It doesn’t seem fair to make the punishment something so wholly unexpected. We need time to adjust.”
I pause, considering her request.
She has a good point. I could argue that other humans have been sent to the prison worlds—but they were mostly terrorists and despots. To start sending ordinary citizens, even if they are lawbreakers, steps over a line. The humans might not have been aware that they could face such a fate.
“You’re right—humanity deserves fair warning that serious crimes can result in exile. How would you like to deliver this message to them personally?”
She nods right away. “Yes, please. That’s perfect. I’m the one they attacked, so for me to be the messenger… I think that will help.”
“Good,” I say as the lift opens up to Sabine’s room. “Go get washed up and compose a short speech. We’re going to broadcast it live tonight. I’ll make the arrangements.”
“Yes, sir,” she says. “Thank you.”
Collecting her in my arms again, I kiss her, inhaling the sweet scent of her perfume. When I let her go, she blushes, staring into my eyes. It takes a tremendous force of will not to grab her again and not let go. She looks back twice as she heads for the cleaning station; I watch her until the door shuts behind her.
Once I hear the hush of the shower, I open up a transmission. After a moment, a hologram appears.
“Executive Consul, how can I be of service?”
The Dominar standing before me, a female from the galactic core, smiles and bows. Though she’s older than me by several centuries, her looks are as perfect as any Dominar’s, regal and ageless. Her high cheekbones and wide violet eyes have helped her charm thousands of beings on countless worlds; her flawless pink skin and long, blazing red hair have coaxed secrets and introspection out of the hardest warriors and kings.
“Hello, Avyria. You’re looking well.”
“Thank you, Consul,” she replies, flashing a smile that’s made her famous throughout the galaxy. She wears tight blue jeans and a black tank top, aiming for a casual, yet attractive, human appearance.
“I’d like for our first broadcast to go out tonight. Can you be ready in time?”
Her face resets, taken by concern. “Is this related to what just happened to you in New York?”
“It is, but Sabine Marchessault will be speaking directly to the human populace.”
Avyria’s eyes light up and she nods. “I like it. Very good, Consul.”
I grin, shaking my head. “It was Sabine’s idea. So, will you be ready tonight?”
She nods, pride and excitement lifting her face. “Yes, Consul Tamrys. Due to the humans’ time zones, it’s still early here. Also, I’ve been waiting for your call. The studio is finished, and my staff and I are eager to get started.”
“I’d like to see,” I say, activating my nanites’ neural connection. Instantly I find myself projected into her studio, able to see what she’s built.
Located in the Beacon, a Dominar tower built off the coast of Los Angeles’ Venice Beach, her studio is beautiful. Massive windows facing the city skyline impart a sense of majesty, while creamy white couches and synthetic wooden low tables offer a dash of class and comfort. Futuristic lighting nodes lend the scene a small technological touch without seeming too alien—or, at least, I hope. I’ll trust Avyria’s judgment.
“Very good. This looks excellent. I think you’re going to be very successful in your efforts here on Earth. We need to win their hearts and minds, so I can’t stress enough how important your work will be.”
She bows again. “Thank you, Consul Tamrys. I won’t disappoint you, and I won’t fail humanity. In fact, I had an idea for some new content templates based on popular formats here on Earth, and was wondering—”
“I’m sorry, Avyria, I’m receiving a priority message. Sabine and I will see you later.”
“Until then,” she says, and after a moment I’m back on the Spire.
Waiting in front of me is a hologram of Consul Forta. By the time I see him, his report has already downloaded through my nanites: transmissions have been intercepted from a growing resistance movement, the Anti-Alien Brigade. A
ccording to photos sent through the cellular network, several members have acquired weaponry, while others have constructed training camps.
“Are they aware that their Internet traffic is unencrypted?” I ask Forta, shaking my head.
“These are not the most intelligent humans, even by their standards,” he replies in his deep baritone. “They do not pose any significant threat to us, Consul Tamrys. However, there is an element within their ranks that has real military training and combat experience.”
I nod in agreement with his assessment. “And they could use the amateurs as pawns in launching attacks on us. Even if the attacks fail, the human deaths could galvanize further unrest, despite our efforts to maintain peace.”
“That is possible,” he says. “There is even chatter to support the possibility of a well-coordinated attack being planned now against a high-ranking Dominar that could happen in a matter of days. This has mostly been dismissed as rumor, but it has not been definitively ruled out. How would you like to proceed, Executive Consul?”
From the cleaning station, I can hear Sabine shut off the water.
“Continue to monitor the situation, Forta, but take no direct action except to prevent loss of human life. I have a plan.”
Chapter Fifteen
Sabine
Using my nanites, I fabricate an outfit I think will suit the somber purpose of my media address, creating a white top with a navy blue blazer and a matching belted midi skirt. I let my hair fall straight, and use minimal makeup, wanting to look nice but not overly styled.
Getting ready, my stomach aches a little. This is a serious occasion—I’m on a mission, and if I fail, people could wind up suffering serious consequences. Though I’ve put myself in the spotlight many times before, I’m still nervous. Maybe more so than I should be. I can’t worry about it though, not now.
“You ready?” Tamrys asks as I finish putting on my heels.
“Uh-huh. Are we leaving now?”
He nods, gesturing at the door. “They’re waiting for us.”
His Human Mate (Captives of the Dominars Book 3) Page 10
