by Stone, Piper
“What reasons could you have to try and exterminate innocent people?” Zacon barked.
Kristina reacted, moving to within two inches of him. “What reason? The very reason that my entire family as well as several hundred people were murdered in cold blood for no reason by your people. The very reason that when I held my baby sister in my arms, her tiny wails begging for my help, that I couldn’t do anything to save her. The very reason that when I looked my dead mother in her eyes, I could see such terror.” She shot the final glance in my direction. “The very reason that the weapons used were Cenzan. That’s why.”
The silence in the room was gut-wrenching.
She lowered her head, her entire body shaking and hearing the muffled sobs was enough to twist a dagger in my gut. I turned my head slowly, glaring into Zacon’s eyes. If this was true, then my allegiance would end.
Talyn was shocked, his eyes unable to meet mine. Even Zacon was rattled, the powerful Cenzan moving from foot to foot.
There was a horrible lie that had been forced on the lovely woman and I was determined to find out if there was any truth to her accusations.
“Come. We will get to the bottom of this.” I could manage nothing else.
We had no issue leaving the village, which in truth surprised the fuck out of me. Whoever this rogue human was had certainly gained supporters and I suspected they had no issue that the former leader was gone. How Shandar dealt with this information would be a telling of his regime.
* * *
“Let me go!” Kristina exclaimed, tugging on the two Cenzans holding her in position. She hissed as she was led down a series of corridors, heading toward the very bowels of the Comstar. If I had any inkling of where she was being led to, it was the amphitheater, the very location where the gladiator games were held. Every Cenzan ship had one, the ancient art of fighting something that would continue to be a way of life for the alien race.
I held back a growl as we entered through the metal doors, the Cenzans shoving her into the wide-open area. My time in the ring had been interesting, the event giving me back my life, but I understood the meaning.
Shandar was in a challenging mood.
She would be required to fight for her life unless she could convince him otherwise.
I tipped my head, eyeing the group of Cenzans. They’d been wounded as a people and expected punishment of the perpetrator in their ways.
Zacon and Talyn moved into the chamber, and I was pleasantly surprised that Zacon had decided to keep his mouth shut. I was in no mood for his aggressive banter. Quite frankly, I might be in the mood to challenge him to a duel.
“What the hell is this?” she asked, rubbing her arms as she turned in a full circle, glaring at the massive crowd above us.
There were murmurs coming from balcony, hundreds if not thousands of Cenzans sitting in the seats, all staring down with hunger on their faces.
“Your punishment,” Zacon hissed.
“I told you. I had nothing to do with the bombing of your colony. Nothing,” she retorted. “There are things going on that you don’t know about.”
Her admittance caught me off guard. Of all the rumors we’d heard over the past few months, several had indicated an uprising, but it was tough to take any of them seriously given the government’s assurances. What if we were all wrong?
“Then you have nothing to fear,” Talyn said quietly.
All of us knew better.
Moments later, Shandar walked into the theater, followed by Braga, Khrelan, and Kalek. Shandar walked toward Kristina, observing her with amusement in his eyes.
The crowd stood, roaring their appreciation.
What I found surprising was the fact his mother had also entered the room. While she stood in the background, I was able to recognize her clearly. Sabrina was human, Shandar a half-breed himself, but the woman had become highly respected and revered in the last few months.
He circled Kristina, cocking his head as he studied her inch by inch.
She followed his every move, countering with her own turn. “Are you the one in charge?” she finally asked.
“Silence!” Kalek snapped. As second in command, he was formidable in keeping the peace and protecting his king.
Several shouts and whistles floated down from the audience.
Shandar held up his arm, silencing everyone. He moved closer until he was a mere three inches from Kristina. “I am King Shandar Drateq of the Federation of Cenzans. This my second in command, Kalek Zanton and also the senior officer of one of our sister ships, Commander Khrelan Jajenar. You have been accused of masterminding the attack on our sister village, leaving four of our people dead and dozens injured.”
“That isn’t true,” she insisted. “I had nothing to do with it. I already told your lackeys that earlier.”
He turned his head in my direction, a questioning look on his face. There was a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes. He did appreciate a challenge. “Is there any indication that this is the truth?”
“Yes. There was no sighting of her at Colony 22 during the attack. There is a claim that another in her group is responsible.” My answer brought a series of hissing noises from the crowd above.
Shandar glanced at Zacon before turning his attention back to Kristina. “While that might be true, you were reported trying to cut the throat of one of my warriors outside a bar. Is this not true?”
She threw a look of hatred in my direction, as if I’d betrayed her. “That is true. Fortunately, at least for you, my attempt was not successful. Tell me, King, do you regularly abduct human females against their will, forcing them to be sex slaves, mates for your... soldiers?”
“Whip her!”
“Punish her!”
The crowd roared their disapproval, chanting in the stands, all of them on their feet. I couldn’t help but glare at them, shaking my head. This was nothing but barbarian times. Good versus evil. The hand of God.
“Enough!” Shandar shouted.
Silence.
What in the hell was she talking about? I glanced at Shandar, his face riddled with confusion.
Shandar tilted his head. “Where did you hear such a ridiculous idea?”
“I have my sources. That’s why your beloved colony was attacked, hoping to rescue them,” she said in a spiteful manner.
“That is ridiculous!” Zacon snarled.
Snapping his head in Zacon’s direction, Shandar took a deep breath. “We have never abducted any females for any reason. That is a flat-out lie.”
I could tell she had doubts about the information. This rogue human initiating the attack must have spouted off such crap. However, if the accusation was believed by even a portion of those on Earth, the treaty could crumble with a single nudge from the incoming president. What a horrific and well-planned coup.
“Fine. Whatever you say, King.” Kristina held her ground.
Shandar took a step back, rubbing his jaw as he looked toward the floor. “Very well. You shall be punished for your admitted crimes while I debate your fate on the other.”
Every member of the audience cheered their approval.
She issued a hefty growl, although her voice was drowned out by the revelry. “Leave me alone.”
There was a moment that I wanted to comfort her, but my rationality had no merit. She was responsible for the attempted murder of at least one Cenzan, even if her claims were the truth regarding the bombing.
Although every part of me ached in a way I couldn’t understand.
“Bind her to the cross,” Shandar instructed. “You will receive forty lashes with the strap.”
“No. No!” As soon as hands gripped Kristina’s arms, she struggled, almost successfully getting out of their grasp.
Shandar continued to seem amused, even though he beckoned for me alone to follow him. When we stood in the shadows, he faced me directly. “I understand you know this human.”
“Zacon,” I hissed through clenched teeth.
“He is
... how do you say, concerned about your connection.”
“There is no connection. We shared one night.”
“Ah. I don’t blame you. She is beautiful and I must say, strong. Including strong-willed.” Shandar watched as she fought the Cenzans every step of the way as she was stripped of her clothing.
“She could be telling the truth about the bombing.”
“I could tell there was truth in her voice. We need to locate the source for the other information in order to maintain peace. However, there is even more?” He left the words open-ended.
I thought about my answer. “She claims that her hometown was attacked, her people murdered by Cenzans two years ago.”
He furrowed his brow, shaking his head several times. “That is not our way, Killer. You know that.”
“So I believe.”
“No, you aren’t certain.” Shandar exhaled. “There is still honor amongst our people. While there have been laws broken, I assure you that we have never exterminated an entire village. These accusations could be very damning to all of us. Do you believe her?”
“I believe that she truly holds this in her heart as the truth. This is why she has such a hatred for Cenzans.”
“Understandable. However, that doesn’t give her the right to kill our people for no reason.”
“Agreed.”
The tension between us was something I hadn’t experienced since being set free.
“I need to think about her fate. I will lose respect if I do not sentence her to die. You must know that.”
This time, I heard sadness in Shandar’s voice.
“While I understand your ways more than most humans, you can’t kill her. That would make you no better than the monsters who bombed your village. There are other ways of bringing her into line. She could be valuable in many ways. Her skills. Her stubbornness. Her passion.”
He recoiled, a flash of anger in his eyes. “Yes, a very interesting scenario. Very well. I will take what you’ve said into consideration. For now, you will dole out her punishment. You seem to understand that need more than most.”
I sucked in my breath, darting a glance in her direction. The punishment I’d given to her before had been necessary. This was... “Fine.” Stiffening, I took two steps, ready to follow through with my commitment.
He gripped my arm, moving so that only I could hear his words. “You must learn to trust not only me but yourself, Killer. Until you do, you will never be happy, and you will stay very much a lonely man.”
His words quite frankly curdled my stomach. “Yes, King.” There was discord in my voice, likely a punishable offense in itself, but I was willing to risk his particular brand of discipline.
As I walked into the ring, the crowd cheering me on, I couldn’t help but snicker at my thought. I was simply a nomad in the Cenzan world and he was right, I was a lonely man.
Kristina’s back heaved as she heard the sound of heavy boots nearing her. She craned her neck in order to see who was going to be the asshole punishing her. I allowed her to see my face as I studied the various straps and whips that had been presented. She held her head high, her lips pursed but I could see her fear, could smell it enveloping the entire length of her body.
I made my selection, holding the thick leather strap in the air for the damning crowd to see. This particular implement would send a needed message, sating the crowd while helping Kristina understand her disobedience couldn’t continue. I believed in consequences for bad behavior, and trusted that Shandar would make the right decision.
What I didn’t trust was the feelings that had already developed for a complete stranger, a woman who could destroy everything I’d been able to build during the last few months.
I held my breath as I tapped the strap against her bottom.
“I will kill you,” she whispered, struggling in her bindings.
“You already had your chance.” As I threw back my arm, prepared to give the first strike, an odd vision flashed in front of my eyes, something I’d experienced only once before.
Death.
My vision was a warning, but to which race or to both?
Chapter Six
Kristina
Crack!
The first hard strike quite frankly pissed me off. I was furious, incensed and ready to follow through with the threat I’d made to Killer. Still, somewhere in my mind I knew I deserved the harsh punishment. My hands were almost numb from struggling, trying to wiggle out of the bindings. The dull roar of the crowd drilled into my brain, yet another reminder that the Cenzans were nothing more than monsters.
As the second, third, and fourth smacks were delivered, I bit back a pained cry, refusing to acknowledge any level of anguish. Thoughts regarding why I’d developed the group in the first place formed another round of anger, this time toward myself. I hated being responsible when all I’d been trying to do was protect those I cared about.
By the sixth strike, I was starting to lose my edge, my nerve endings exploding with pain. As I jerked, the clanging of metal against metal brought cheers from the wall-to-wall Creepers. I bristled, clenching my fists, sucking in my breath.
Oh, God. Oh, God.
Why had I been so stupid, believing I could right wrongs that had been decades in the making?
Killer issued several more strikes, obviously fueled by the audience. I could hear his heavy breathing, the slight growls every time he snapped his wrist. Stopping briefly, he closed the distance, brushing his hand across my bottom. The touch was enigmatic, my pussy quivering. For a few beautiful seconds, I was back on the Harley, his cock spreading me wide open, filling me in the most delicious manner.
I took several deep breaths, opening and closing my fists, wanting to plead for my innocence but I knew better.
I’d lost my innocence two years before.
“Fuck,” I whispered, clenching my eyes shut. My entire body shook. I was riddled with shame, the humiliation of the act more significant than the punishment itself, but even though I wanted to hate Killer for allowing this to happen, my body and heart betrayed me, acquiescing to this demand. Every inch of my body was aroused, my nipples aching from the firestorm of desire. How could I want this? How in God’s name could I fathom accepting what horrors were being inflicted?
Because you want him.
Because you need him.
The bouncing echoes were far too titillating, flutters shifting all the way inside my molten pussy.
He said nothing as he walked back into position, the sharp crack as he sliced the strap onto the floor ringing in my ears.
Perhaps this was justified punishment after all, a mere reminder that there were consequences for every action taken. Gulping for air, I clenched my eyes shut, willing out the intense noise. The aliens seemed so happy I’d been caught, blaming me for the horrific act of violence. At that very moment, I directed my hatred toward Damen, the coward who didn’t even have the balls to claim what he considered a victory. I’d heard the group celebrating after arriving back at the camp, shooting guns into the air as if ammo was a commodity that could be wasted.
I had no way of knowing the level of damage they’d inflicted, but if what the Cenzan king said was true, murdering four and injuring countless others was cause for a death penalty.
Another two lashes against my bottom were painful enough to push a moan past my lips. There was no way I could hold back the increasing anguish, the adrenaline kicking everything into an exhausting level. I bit my lower lip, stars floating in front of my eyes. The heat creeping along my bottom was intense, leaving me panting, gasping for air. How could I have allowed this to happen?
I lost count of the number of strikes, my mind muddled not only from the agony but from the realization that I may never make it out of this ship alive. How could Killer work with these people? My mind drifted, moving away from the physical pain but I was forced to admit, if only to myself, that I had doubts about my hatred of the Cenzans. They were also victims in this ugly world of huma
ns trying to right wrongs that had been created by another generation. The aliens had no way of knowing what kind of a hotbed they were walking into.
I almost laughed in spite of the pain, wondering why I was attempting to rationalize anything about them. They were vile creatures.
Weren’t they?
“Enough!” Killer stated in an exasperated manner and I knew he’d dropped the strap. I heard his heavy boots pacing back and forth, as if waiting for permission to untie me. The crowd was once again suddenly silent. He finally approached, standing directly behind me for a few seconds. The heavy breathing was the same as before.
A man with a conscience.
“What are you waiting for?” I chided.
“I suggest you keep your voice down,” he said through clenched teeth.
“Or what? More punishment?”
Killer hissed under his breath. “You have a lot to learn.”
“Guilty. Guilty. Guilty.”
The way the entire group of aliens was chanting sending a full round of shivers skating down my spine. They knew nothing about me, yet they were condemning me to death. For all the bravado I openly spewed in front of everyone else, I was terrified to my very core. I didn’t want to die. The fear captured my ability to think clearly, to even put two coherent words together. I was like a lost sheep.
No home.
No family.
No sense of peace.
Killer ignored my words, untethering me in the gentlest of fashions. When he pulled me into his arms, cradling me in an almost loving manner, I could have forgotten where I was. The scent of him, reeking of testosterone and spices flowed into my nostrils, creating a wave of heat between my legs. I closed my eyes, blocking out all the horrific sounds, folding my arms over his.
“I won’t allow you to be sentenced to die,” Killer whispered.
“You don’t have any control.”
“You might be wrong about that.” He brushed the backs of his fingers down my arm, sending chills through every portion of my body.
We had a connection, he and I, full of electricity and raging fire, the kind leading to a combustible state. I swallowed, trying to keep from clinging to him. Just the way his massive chest felt against my naked skin was far too enticing. I had no place thinking this way. He could never be anything more than my enemy.
