Heading towards the bed his intention was plain, but unfortunately for him, there was a knock on the door and Tchu and Tjai came in carrying food. Quickly changing direction Acorus went to a cupboard and grabbed a kaftan pulling it on before the towel gave up its unequal fight. When he turned round Jo was rolling on the bed laughing so hard she was crying. Frowning at her ferociously he went to the table and sat down. Jo went and joined him, sitting demurely in the opposite chair, barely able to look at him for fear of laughing again. Tchu and Tjai laid out the food and took their leave, Tchu frowning warningly at Acorus.
“When we get back to Scerior, I will have Tchu changed for an Escorii who respects me” he grumbled.
“You know you love her, she’s like a mother to us” Jo said.
“A mother to you, a mother in law to me” he moaned.
Grinning at him Jo said “Don’t be grumpy”.
“I’m not grumpy, a male has his needs and she is better than your birth control pills” he grumbled again.
“Eat, you’ll feel better with food inside you” she was piling her plate and eating hungrily so Acorus stopped complaining and joined her.
As they ate Jo told him about her adventure to Earth. He could see that she was excited and pleased with how it had been so successful. Asking him what happened now, she asked that she could speak to the girls when they came round from the knock out drug they had been given. He told her that normally they would be kept unconscious until they were through the asteroid belt and the plan was for them to swap to another star ship and return back to the moon. This ship would wait until all the ships were full before they returned to Scerior. Jo asked if she could stay with these girls for a couple of days, then return to Acorus to see more girls arrive.
Acorus told her that only a star ship could safely pass through the asteroid belt so she couldn’t easily move back and forward from ship to ship.
“What about Osega’s spy ship? That can pass through the belt and at the moment it isn’t needed for anything else” Jo asked.
“Yes that’s true. Osega and his spies are useful during the raids but another crew could ferry you about on his ship. I can see that it’s a good idea for you to speak to the girls. But you will only go near the girls on this ship, if they show no signs of this influenza you talked about. I will not risk you becoming ill”.
“That’s great, and don’t worry, I don’t want to catch anything either. I feel too good to risk that” Jo reassured him.
Going to the door Acorus told the guard that they were going to rest this morning, so not to disturb them. Turning back to Jo he scowled at her “Now my lady, you have argued with me in front of others, called me names and disobeyed me. How should I punish you? Maybe I should take a stick and beat you”.
As he spoke he was advancing slowly towards her, she started to laugh, then looking at his face, especially his eyes, she stopped, Getting up from her chair she stood up to him.
“Don’t be silly” she started, then realised that calling him silly wasn’t a good way to placate him.
“I think I favour putting you across my knee and smacking your bottom”, he said still advancing.
Picking up the chair she said “Don’t you dare!”
“Now you dare me, and threaten me with furniture” he growled.
Seeing that he was serious Jo dropped the chair and tried to escape round him. As he lunged for her she squealed and jumped onto the bed. He grabbed hold of her leg and slowly but inexorably pulled her towards him. Now she was frightened and when he pulled her across his knee she was gasping “Don’t hurt the baby, please don’t Acorus” she yelped.
Taking care to put her bump in the space between his legs, he pushed her kaftan up, leaving her bottom bare. Putting his large hand on her bottom he quietly said
“Are you sorry? Do you promise not to do those things again?”
Getting really angry now, Jo struggled and shouted “Sorry, you bloody bastard. No I’m not sorry, I did nothing wrong, you’re just a sadist!”
Caressing her bottom he said “A bastard, not true, a sadist maybe”.
“If you’re going to hurt me, get it over with. Then just don’t fall asleep around me again, ‘cos I’ll kill you “Jo screamed trying to bite his leg.
Acorus suddenly burst out laughing and said “Jo-Anna, is it any wonder I love you. You never admit defeat, you are amazing. If our daughter is half as strong as you, may your god help her future mate” then he leaned over and kissed her bottom.
As he let her go and she wriggled off his knees, he was laughing, but when she stood in front of him and burst into tears, he quickly stopped.
“Jo don’t cry, you should know by now that I’d never hurt you” he said, trying to take her in his arms.
“Don’t touch me. How could you do that? Your face was so serious. I couldn’t believe you’d hit me, but you are so big, so strong, you frighten me” she said gasping for breath.
“Frighten you? When do you fear me?”
“Every time you come near me” Jo was crying quietly now
“No! You can’t mean that” Acorus said sadly.
“You abducted me, gave me no choice but to mate with you, then you raped me because I had the temerity to say no. You rule a whole army, of course I’m frightened. I’ve only known you for a few months. What happens when you tire of me, will I be passed on as Julie was?” Jo was sobbing again.
Acorus tried to take her in his arms but she moved away from him.
“Jo, the way I feel now, I understand what love is. I feel as if my heart has been dragged out of my body. To think that is how you feel towards me, I had no idea, you are so strong, so brave, so fearless and yet you say you fear me. I would lay down my life for you. I have never felt as I do when I’m with you, not just mating with you, but talking, laughing, working with you. You are my partner, my soul mate, my lover and I thought my friend. I thought you loved me, how can you fear someone you love?”
Jo looked into his eyes and saw the sadness and love there. Taking a step forward she fell into his arms. He picked her up and held her to him, nestling his face into her neck, he just held her as she cried. Slowly her tears stopped and she snuffled needing a tissue. Reaching behind him Acorus picked up the towel he had almost been wearing and handed it to her.
Sitting down on the bed with her on his lap he waited while she dried her eyes and blew her nose”. Jo please trust me, you have taught me so much and I was so ashamed after I raped you. I promise it will never happen again; I would cut off my arm before I hurt you. I love you, only you, and I’ll never tire of you. I didn’t cast Julie aside, she wanted Belain and he wanted her. I thought I had done the honourable thing, but I would kill rather than let anyone else have you”.
Cuddled into him, all the feelings that had arisen through seeing the abducted girls, the clean bright ones just like she had been, faded and she knew that he spoke the truth. She mustn’t let the fear she had felt at her predicament sour her relationship with Acorus She loved him and now she was sure of him.
“I love you Acorus. I like life on Scerior, but I still hate the taking of girls from their families. The girls from the slave trade give me no problem at all, but the others...” Jo shook her head. “My mind was in a turmoil and when you threatened to beat me; the fear I had at the beginning overcame me and you became the monster Lord General Acorus. An alien who could do what he like with me”.
“Jo, I can’t say I’m sorry, because I’m not. If I hadn’t abducted you I wouldn’t have found out how wonderful it is to love you. But, you are Lady Jo-Anna, future Queen of the Sceriae; you are now as powerful as I am. More so because I am your slave! Don’t ever fear me again” and he bent his head and kissed her gently. He eased himself up the bed, taking her with him cradling her in his arms.
Chapter 35
They wer
e woken a few hours later by a sharp rap on the door. Acorus awoke instantly and was sitting up as he called “Come in”.
Belain hurried in saying “I know you told your guard not to disturb you, but I overruled him. The human prisoners have told us where there are places with many girls. I thought you needed to know so that you could make plans for tonight”.
“You did right brother, I didn’t think they would break so easily” Acorus said getting out of bed.
Jo looked up blearily, still half asleep, her eyes feeling horrid after her tears. Looking up at them she asked “What’s going on?”
“We took the two humans, who appeared to be higher placed than the others prisoner, and the Escorii have questioned them. We now know of places where there are many girls. Hopefully we’ll fill our second star ship tonight. Then we can take two through the asteroid belt, and bring two more back here to fill. Things are proceeding very satisfactorily. I’m going with Belain to plan tonight’s raid. Are you alright now Jo?” Acorus said looking at her worriedly.
“Yes I’m okay. You go, but can I visit the girls on this ship?”
Turning to Belain, Acorus asked “Are the Escorii satisfied that they carry no disease that could infect Jo?”
“Yes they have washed them even though they are still drugged, and then tested them for disease. They are clear, and from what the human scum told them, the girl who was ill had only been taken last night so the others shouldn’t be infected. Everywhere the ill one was has been scoured of germs”.
“Very well, you can visit them Jo. But as a precaution wear your armour with your face mask closed. Take care” Acorus said lifting her fingers and kissing them.
“I will, don’t worry about me. I’ll see you later”.
Satisfied Acorus strode into the bathroom saying “Fasten my armour, Belain”.
Within minutes they left the bedroom, leaving Jo still resting against the pillows. The baby was moving gently, no violent kicking this time and Jo spoke to her, telling her she was sorry if she had upset her with her anger and tears. Then she promised it wouldn’t happen again, that she must learn to trust her baby’s daddy. As she was talking to her baby, Tchu and Tjai came in with food and drink. Realising that she was very hungry, Jo got up, used the bathroom and went to fill her plate from the dishes on the table. Telling Tchu and Tjai that she was going to visit the girls when she’d eaten, she finished her meal quickly.
After she’d showered and had the compulsory massage she put her armour on. Leaving Tjai to clean the room, and with Tchu in attendance she set off to the deck that held the girls. Breathing deeply she pushed open the large door and entered the central chamber. There was complete silence from every cubicle. As she moved into the room, Escorii looked out from behind every cubicle’s curtain.
When they saw who it was they all stepped forward and bowed. One who was in charge of this group ‘spoke’ “Hello, Lady Jo-Anna, welcome. Do you wish to inspect these females?”
“Yes please, I want to get an idea whether they’ll be right for the males on Scerior. They were so dirty I couldn’t see what they looked like”.
“We have taken the unusual step of cleaning them while asleep. They were in such a sorry state, poor things. All have bruises, inside and out, many had open sores and all were dehydrated. Some more than others. We put them all on a drip when they first arrived here. Most have been able to come off them now. This is what we are just doing. You are welcome to observe”.
“Thank you, I’m afraid I don’t know your name”.
“I am Tsasha, Lady Jo-Anna”.
“Weren’t you in charge of the ship I was on?” Jo asked.
“Yes, you remembered me” Tsasha said with delight.
“Right then Tsahsa, where shall we start?”
Going to the first cubicle, Jo’s stomach turned over slightly, but she quickly recovered. The girl in the first cubicle was still on a drip. Her pale blond hair was clean but still looked dull and unhealthy. Her arms were covered in bruises and there were sore looking needle holes. She was thin and emaciated and looked as if she had been beaten all over. Tsasha told Jo that she was bruised like that round her labia and anal area, but fortunately she wasn’t badly damaged inside. Once well she should still be fertile.
Jo had never been so pleased to be wearing her armour. At least no one could see her tears, although as she well knew, the Escorii could read her mind. Asking Tsasha to open her eyelid Jo was pleased to see that the girl’s eyes were blue. A very pale shade of blue, but blue all the same. Satisfied, she moved onto the next cubicle and then the next until she had seen them all.
The last eleven cubicles had healthy clean pretty looking girls in them so Jo didn’t stay long in them. Tsasha said that they had done well as all the girls had blue, grey or green eyes. Except the one with hazel eyes, and Sceriae blue genes would be dominant. Jo agreed and hoped that this night’s raid would be as successful, then they could get them through the asteroid belt and let them wake up. Hopefully they wouldn’t be totally addicted to the drugs the slave traders had given them.
She was told that even if they were the Sceriae had natural herbs that would stop them from missing the toxic drugs. Saying that the sooner they woke up and got good food inside them the better, Jo thanked all the Escorii and left, promising to return the following day. On her way to the flight deck to find Acorus, she bumped into Belain who was on his way to the deck below, where the prisoners were kept. He told her that Acorus was questioning the two slave traders further so she decided to join him.
When they entered the room the two men were sitting on chairs behind a table and Acorus and two Escorii were sitting opposite them. The two men looked terrified, which pleased Jo immensely. As she entered Acorus was speaking to the men in what sounded like Russian. One man was gabbling frantically, obviously telling Acorus anything he wanted to know. In front of Acorus there was a large map of Europe and the men were pointing out locations. Already there seemed to be a lot of circles on it. Nodding his head in satisfaction Acorus turned to Jo.
“We now have a dozen locations, holding at least twenty girls at each one. Also a location in North Africa where they hold auctions of white girls. These men have served their purpose. What shall we do with them?”
“Kill them!” Jo simply said.
Acorus looked at her in surprise.
“If you put them back on Earth, even if you hand them to the authorities, they will not be punished. They will continue to do evil things. “Kill them” she said and turning, left the room. One of the men started pleading in English, saying that he wasn’t a bad man; the others had forced him to do it, and so on. Looking at them in contempt Acorus stood up. They cowered away from his size, turning to Belain he said “Throw them out” Then he followed Jo out of the room.
Belain called four soldiers and ordered them to take the men to the hangar deck and throw them out. Screaming and crying, but helpless between two large Sceriae the men were carried away.
Acorus quickly caught up with Jo and they walked to the flight deck together. Looking at her Acorus didn’t say anything. He could tell that she was distressed so knew that the girls must have been in a sorry state. Osega and most of his men were waiting for Acorus on the flight deck. A small crew had been left aboard his ship.
When Jo and Acorus entered they all stopped talking and saluted. Acorus saluted back and Jo nodded. Joining Osega and his men Acorus asked what they were discussing and Osega told him they were trying to decide which would be the best location to hit next. The worry was that if they didn’t catch all the men at each spot, some of the locations could receive a warning, which would mean that they would be ready for an attack, and there would most likely be a fight. They weren’t worried about a fight, just about the authorities becoming aware about what was happening. Studying the map that Acorus had marked with circles it was decided that
they would go for the remotest ones first. Hopefully they could be in and out without any but the slave traders knowing. Settling down to discuss tactics they lapsed into Sceria forgetting that Jo was there. Then Acorus remembered her and said “Sorry Jo, we forget you don’t speak Sceria because you fit in so well”.
“Don’t worry about me” Jo said “It’s all of you who are important. I am superfluous here as I don’t understand fighting and tactics, so I’ll leave you to it and take myself off to rest for a while. Let me know if there’s anything I can do”.
When she got back to her quarters, as usual Tchu was waiting for her. As Tchu helped her off with her armour, Jo reminded her about the language lessons they had started. Telling Tchu that she could understand most Sceria words, but couldn’t speak them as it was so different from English, she asked if they could continue with her lessons. Tchu was only too willing so once Jo had had a snack they continued with the lessons. As Jo had said it was so different to English as it was all about intonation. Jo got exasperated with herself when she kept getting it wrong, so Tchu tried a different exercise.
“Think it Jo, and it will come out right. To speak a strange language you need to think in that language. Not think in English and then interpret it”.
Jo tried hard to think in Sceria, but the harder she tried the worse it was.
“You are trying too hard. Let us forget speaking and converse with our minds. So you need to relax, empty your mind and let Sceria take over”.
Practising the Escorii relaxation technique came easier for Jo. Feeling as if she was floating outside her brain, she practised thinking in Sceria. Nothing happened for a while and then suddenly, subconsciously it came, and she spoke with Tchu in Sceria “My goodness” Jo said “Was that perfect or not too bad?”
“Both that question and what you said before it, was in perfect Sceria” Tchu answered.
“Is that how the Escorii and the Sceriae can speak any language? Acorus spoke Russian to that prisoner”.
Scerior Page 38
