Claimed: Unchartered Territory

by Nia K. Foxx

  Frack.

  “No, you did not shame me.”

  Um…thanks. That was a compliment, right?

  “So what crawled up in your pants and died?”

  Remar turned to frown at her. “Surely I would have felt if… ahh, this is another of your failed attempts at humor?”

  “Not really. But I am trying to figure out what’s wrong with you. For all intents and purposes tonight was a success. That Kala chic was a little nasty but you shut her down pretty quick so no harm. Although I have to say I wasn’t expecting cattiness. In fact the other two women were downright docile so I’m not sure if I preferred any of them really.”

  “Kala’s behavior was reprehensible.”

  She shrugged, “Maybe, but that’s… what’s his name… Keltar’s problem not yours.”

  “You are right.”

  Although he agreed easy enough Dallas could see irritation rippling off him in waves.

  “So you wanna tell me what else is bothering you.”

  “Nothing,” he snapped. “It is Chezarian in nature, I would not expect you to understand.”

  “Well since I’m not going anywhere any time soon I think I should be well versed on the ins and outs of Chezarian culture. I want to avoid whatever it is that has you so sour.”

  “The mistake was Keltar’s in bringing Kala to this evening’s meal, it was meant for leaders and their bond mates, not concubines.”

  Dallas resisted the urge to roll her eyes. It seemed like definite misplaced anger to be upset about the leader choosing to bring his girlfriend to dinner. He was right, it was definitely a Chezarian thing.

  “None of you strike me as exactly buddy buddy, maybe he married…bonded with her and you just didn’t know about it.”

  Remar shook his head. “That would never happen.”

  He removed his chaises with ease leaving him devastatingly naked in the middle of the floor. Dallas’ ADHD kicked in full force, she’d nearly forgotten her follow up question with him standing so fully exposed.

  She started to rise from her chair, then remembered they were having an actual conversation. “And why would it never happen?”

  “Because until your arrival she was my concubine and none of the others would ever make a bond out of another’s former bed mate.”

  Dallas sank back in the cushion as his word penetrated her distracted brain and she watched as Remar turned to head towards the bathing room.

  “Of All the damn nerve,” she said storming in after him not even a full minute later. “You’re upset because your former lover had the audacity to find someone else. Really?”

  Remar turned to face her continuing with his shower as if having an argument while bathing was an everyday occurrence.

  “I do not care that Kala has found another, in fact I encouraged her to do so when I ended the arrangement prior to our bonding.”

  Dallas frowned. “Oh my god, no wonder she looked ready to knock me out. You broke up with her and bonded with me?”

  “She was handsomely compensated for the time we were together,” he answered with nonchalance.

  “I can’t believe what I’m hearing, and exactly how long were you together?”

  “Several of your earth years.”

  “Jeez Remar, how could you do that to her and don’t try and dismiss this by saying its part of Chezarian culture so I wouldn’t understand. I think being dumped because your boyfriend has found someone else is pretty universal.”

  “From your reaction it is obvious you do not understand,” he responded flatly.

  A frustrated screech bubbled to the surface seeming to stun Remar momentarily. He stared unblinkingly at her until Dallas stormed out much the same way she’d entered the bathroom.

  She didn’t know what made her more upset. The easy way he’d discarded his long-time mistress for her or the way he was reacting to her moving on as he’d suggested. Men were all the same the world over. Control freaks who thought the world should revolve on their terms, and when things deviated in the slightest from the way they perceived they got all bent out of shape.

  Feeling no compulsion to wait for him to complete his shower she left their rooms for what exact destination she was uncertain but the further away from Remar she got the better for both of them. By the time she was stepping out into the garden her anger had downgraded from explosive to serious irritation. One of the twin suns had already made its descent into the horizon and the second hung very low in the sky, casting a euphoric orange red glow around her. In the distance she heard the sound of the falls and knew it was the one place on the property that could offer her some serenity. With the exception of the far off rushing sound of water it was quiet. Nothing like earth. The over populated planet never seemed to get a break from noise pollution no matter the hour. Serenity facilities were all the rage for those who wanted to detox from the constant business of the never slumbering planet. She’d read books and seen old movies where they depicted the peaceful quietness of nature but never thought she’d experience it first-hand until now.

  “Such a late hour for you to be out?” the male voice seemed to come from nowhere, then Voren was stepping off a darkened path she hadn’t yet explored.

  Dallas tried not to appear startled by his sudden appearance. “I enjoy the gardens no matter the time of day.”

  “I have always envied the care Remar has taken with this space. I can remember coming here as a child and spending many hours in it. I suspect it is so well kept in honor of his mother who loved to roam in it. Curious that you share the same kinship.”

  “What’s not to love about it?”

  “Very true. From your E’rth spheres it would seem your planet has many beautiful locales to enjoy also,” he said conversationally falling in step beside her.

  With Voren in tow, Dallas contemplated postponing her jaunt but at the moment she’d tolerate the presence of the leader over dealing with her own bond mate.

  “Unfortunately many of them no longer exist and the ones that do are not easily accessed by people without substantial means at their disposal. The majority of us have to content ourselves the holographs provided by Serenity Facilities.”

  “That sounds unnatural. You cannot experience the true sight, sounds or smells from holograms.”

  “They have built in simulated atmospheric sensory packages, but you’re right. It’s nothing like the real thing. I didn’t realize exactly how much I’ve missed out on until coming here.”

  “So your capture has not been completely unfavorable?”

  “I don’t really see myself as captured, well not anymore.”

  “No? And why is that?”

  It was a question she expected.

  “I’m not a prisoner. I have freedom.”

  “Only that which is afforded you by your bond mate,” Voren reminded,

  “Which is no different from the plight of any other Chezarian woman?”

  He nodded. “Amazing how well you’ve adapted and in such a short amount of time.”

  “I guess humans are amazingly resilient in this way, call it a survival instinct.”

  She was caught by surprise for the second time when Voren stopped short and added a restraining hand to her arm. “You are a very curious female indeed. Remar is fortunate to have found you first. I wonder how long the fates will continue to favor him?”

  She frowned up at the alien leader, taking a cautious step back at the look he fixed on her.

  “Dal’las,” Remar’s call intruded on the awkward moment.

  “Over here”, she croaked and Voren let his fingers slide down her exposed arm before falling to his side. Within seconds the mask of indifference was back on his face.

  The hair on her arms stood at attention where his fingers touched and she resisted the urge to rub the contact away. Remar caught up with them on the trail and his look of displeasure signaled the exact moment he realized she wasn’t alone.

  “This area was among the off limit zones for leaders,”
Remar reminded Voren as Dallas sidled up next to him. She enjoyed the comfort of having his arm slip around her waist and noticed how Voren’s gaze followed the action.

  “Come now Remar, would you truly deny me a moment of nostalgia,” Voren replied smoothly and Dallas half expected for his tongue to slip between his lips in a serpentine reflex.

  “I expect the rules of my home to be honored at all times.”

  Voren nodded. “My apologies then. Leila Dal’las it has been a pleasure. I bid you both a good rest.”

  The other leader moved quietly out of sight and Dallas let loose a breath she didn’t realize she was holding until that moment. She braced herself for the admonishment to come.

  Remar pulled her close into his arms and held her for several quiet moments. “Voren is not what he appears Dal’las, you would do well to remember that.”

  “He made it seem like you two were close.”

  “We are distant relatives and were close in our youth, that is ancient history and also the reason I know he cannot be trusted.”

  “You know, I’ll feel a lot better once your frenemies have left the sector,” she said snuggling deeper into the warmth and safety of his arms. In that moment she dismissed their earlier argument and just wanted their lives to revert back to the way things were before the leaders arrival.

  “As will I.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Dallas stepped into the corridor expecting her guardsmen to flank the entryway as they had done since she began working in the labs. She looked both ways down the empty hallway and shrugged dismissively at their absence.

  “See you in a couple days,” she called out to the three linguist who she worked with most frequently on translator improvements.

  “Catch you later,” the males replied in stilted unison and she found herself suppressing a smile when the door folded closed behind her. The age old parting seemed to be their preferred one over the last few days. It had taken them a little time to understand there was no actual pursuit or capture necessary for the idiom to be true.

  The translator worked great for most basic conversations but didn’t help Chezarians with simple conjugation, nuances in word usage, pronunciations or cultural nomenclatures. Dallas was determined to have the Chezarians speaking like native Earthers in no time. At least they would be speaking American English, South American Spanish and Mandarin in no time. Well maybe longer. It was a good thing she was becoming acclimated to Chezarian extended days, she definitely needed the time for her pet projects.

  Dallas made her way down the sterile metallic hall with a smile in her thoughts over the accomplishments made thus far. In no time she stepped outside to the enclosed bay where her transport waited… or at least where it should have waited. There was a vessel present but it didn’t look like hers, and still her guards were nowhere to be found.

  Dallas frowned in confusion.

  But instantly realized something didn’t feel right.

  One door of the transport raised allowing a hulking Chezarian to step out. For the briefest moment Dallas thought it might be Remar until the man’s grimacing face came into view. Slowly his mouth twisted into a cruel smile.

  Dallas dipped her head pretending not to see his disturbing expression. She twirled on her heels prepared to make her way back into the corridor and the safety of the labs. She moved quickly waving her hand over the recognition pad. The door beeped but didn’t budge. She resisted the urge to look over her shoulder but found she really didn’t need to. Dallas could practically feel the Chezarian male closing the distance. His movements unhurried. She waved her hand again but got the same results.

  This time she raised her fist to pound on the metallic surface.

  “You are aware the door is sound resistant little E’rther?” The male’s question was directed at her back.

  A chill ran down her spine.

  She was actually very aware of the door’s sound proofing but creeping fear had a way of dulling the senses. Her hand dropped to her side as she silently reminded herself she couldn’t give in to panic. Dallas turned to face the stranger. With a cock of her head she hoped to look unfettered by his presence.

  “I haven’t seen you before, do you have the proper designation to be here?” she asked even as her fingers moved swiftly over the round holopad she held. She might be locked out but she could get someone’s attention through the device. The screen lit up but remained unresponsive.

  The man gave an arrogant snort. He held up a small black box.

  “This inhibits the signal to open the door and access to your holopad. So it appears that you lack the sufficient authorization Leila.”

  “You know who I am?”

  He looked offended. “Do you believe my vision flawed?”

  She shrugged, “At any rate, obviously you’re in the wrong place. I suggest you get on your way before my guards arrive.”

  “They will not be coming.”

  Somehow she already suspected as much. The panic she was working so hard at suppressing shoved back.

  “What exactly did you do to them?” She asked hoping to buy time. It would be a while longer before anyone would be expecting her back at the manor, but her absence wouldn’t go unnoticed for too long.

  “That was not my mission, but you are.”

  He advanced again. She was trapped. The walk way was short with just enough space for lining up two transport vessels. At either end was at least a twenty foot drop to the ground below.

  “And what exactly do you want with me?”

  “Personally, I seek nothing of you. However my Commander requires a… private audience.”

  “Well you can just decline on my behalf,” she said with firm resolve.

  “I have been advised that your intelligence is far superior to that of Chezarian females. Yet, I am finding it hard to comprehend at present.”

  “Well it seems we have something in common because right now I’m thinking you and your friend must be pretty slow witted to think you can just snatch me up and not believe there will be consequences.”

  “The repercussions are not ours to bear. Now Leila you have two options. Come in peace or with injuries.” She doubted this man would have much care with the level of damage he inflicted.

  Dallas was definitely in favor of an injury free outcome but had no desire to make her abduction and easy endeavor.

  “My mate can match whatever compensation you’re being paid.” Her comment held nonchalance betrayed only by her pounding heart. Dallas sized up the man against a plan of attack formulating in her head. She might be stuck on the platform but if the behemoth thought she was going without a fight he’d better think again.

  “Your leader can keep his tributes,” the Chezarian spat with unharnessed contempt. “None of his wealth will save you from your fate, alien whore.”

  His words were disturbing, but what was even more daunting was the cold look reflected in his eyes. There was no way she could let him get her in the transport. Dallas took two steps back and as expected the Chezarian moved to close the distance. The makings of a smirk took hold on his cruel features.

  “Where is the bravery I have heard so much about little E’rth woman. I believe it to be highly exaggerated. Maybe there is much about you that is overrated.”

  He took another step forward. She recognized it as an intimidation tactic meant to force her to make her retreat even further. She responded in kind and saw the cruel curl of his lips twist up even further. He wanted her to be afraid. She would give him fear. It wasn’t as if it were too far off the mark but she knew she had to keep her wits about her if she were going to get out of the predicament unscathed.

  “Please, you don’t want to do this,” she added an extra element of fear in her voice.

  She could feel the self-assured superiority radiating from him but there was something more. She’d seen the look often enough in the eyes of others at the Orphanage where she was raised. Pure, unadulterated, hatred. It wasn’t easy to be a
mong the chosen few who were granted the minimal luxuries afforded to those classified as having above average potential. Dallas understood why the other children in the facility directed their displeasure at her but the reason for this Chezarian’s anger was a mystery. Ultimately, his reasoning didn’t matter to her. His goal was to get her in the transport and hers was to buy as much time as possible. She really hoped someone would be alerted to her plight and put an end to the kidnap attempt, but until then it was every woman for herself.

  He stretched his neck from side to side and it cracked menacingly in kind. “I have heard told that you believe yourself to be a woman warrior. Is that true?”

  “I’m trained as a scientist but I also like to think of myself as an explorer,” she said smoothly trying to sound as if she were having casual conversation.

  Another Chezarian poked his head out of the transport. “Cease your sport with the alien or you will make us miss our drop time.”

  “You heard him, it is time to depart. Come along little Leila,” he said in a tone that really sounded as if he expected her to follow.

  “I’m sorry I’m going to have to decline the invitation, but I’m flattered you went through all this trouble.”

  She wasn’t.

  He snarled and advanced on her with longer strides.

  Dallas waited for the perfect opportunity at an opening. It came quickly. Her fingers gripped the holopad she carried and she channeled every ounce of strength she could muster into her next action. The stunned expression on the Chezarian’s face was priceless as the metallic object flew with the whirring steadiness and accuracy its disc shape afforded. The contact it made was exactly as she’d hoped, hitting the large male in the jugular. He made a strangled sound as both of his large hands reached for his throat. The device he’d held fell to the platform with a loud clatter. His eyes rounded in surprise as he gasped for air. Within seconds he dropped to his knees.

  Time was of the essence.

  She pounced into action covering the distance that separated them to reach for the device he’d used to jam the door’s signal. A quick scan of the little rectangular contraption revealed nothing other than three buttons. She pushed the first one while dashing to the metal door. A quick hand scan proved futile. The second and third buttons yielded the same results. She quickly realized there must be a pattern and systematically tried a couple of combinations. Her heart sank when two beefy hands settled on her shoulders and jerked her away from the door. She knew it was the second abductor since the first was doubled over a few feet away finally sucking in precious air.