by Averi Hope
“It’s his lab,” the old man whispered. “Where he built those Spyres. And I have to warn you, it is a place of nightmares.”
A chill raced through his blood. So those creatures were created on our own ship? How did my father and I miss this? How could we allow innocent animals to be tortured and experimented on without ever knowing?
Perhaps we were too cocky, believing that no one would dare bring back such an outdated and cruel practice…
His tongue tasted of metal and dust. It’s almost fitting that in this place I will finally have the proof I need to justify killing Kaemon.
For some reason, the thought brought not just the familiar spike of anger, but also something more. Sadness.
Suicides. Murders. Torture. And soon a fight to the death. I never thought these walls would flow with blood.
Kaemon’s death will mark the end of such dark times, Raiden promised himself.
“Open it.”
Saura’s father withdrew a small bottle of crimson liquid from his sleeve. He pressed a button on the wall, and a blood key opened. I have not seen one of those since the ancient temple back on Falaytious. The old man uncorked the bottle and looked at Raiden. “This is a bit of Kaemon’s own blood.” He poured it on the glass square and the blood key glowed green, the blood bubbling before disappearing.
The door slid opened.
Raiden forced himself to walk through the doorway. Within the room, too-bright lights peered down at a place that chilled his blood. Various animals were crammed in cages in the back, including row after row of Pufferies. They no longer look like balls of fur with giant eyes. They look weak. Sick. They lay so still that he might’ve believed them dead if not for the slow rise and fall of their bright-colored fur.
The center of the room was filled with cold steel tables lined with instruments of torture. Dark red marks stained the white floors. His stomach churned. What level of cruelty have these animals had to endure?
Kaemon is a deranged piece of garbage.
“Puffery poison is what he used to kill your father.”
Of course. We kept samples of all animals and plant-life so that no animal would die out. We planned to bring life to the different species when we reached our new home. But I never imagined that information would be used for something, something like this…
“Kaemon is a coward,” he whispered, his heart aching as his gaze swept to the far side of the room.
There, Spyres were separated in large glass areas. Each section contained a different horrifying mix of the cute little creatures merged with metal. Some looked like the Spyres he’d already encountered, while others looked more like experiments that had gone terribly wrong. One lifted its head from the ground and a noise of extreme suffering tore from its lips.
I should kill it. End its misery.
Raiden turned from the room and took several steps away, leaning against one wall. I wanted proof…but I didn’t want this.
“I’ve been reading some of his files. I think this was more than just a way to kill your father and to sabotage your ship without getting caught. It looks like this began more as something he did—” he cleared his throat “—did for pleasure.”
His nausea grew. “How…how was he able to do this?”
Saura’s father’s voice came from behind him. “He must have been planning it for a very long time.”
Even when I was here. Even when my father was ruling. Kaemon was hatching his plan beneath our very noses.
Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes, forcing himself to sound calm despite the sickening realization swirling within him. “Then it’s time to present our findings to the council, and to challenge Kaemon in a fight to the death.”
He turned back to his men, when one of the guards suddenly spun around just in front of him, grabbing Saura’s father and throwing him against a wall with such force that the sound echoed through the empty halls. The old man crumbled to the ground.
Then, the guard turned to him, withdrawing his sword in one swift motion.
My own guard—a betrayer? Like hell!
Raiden called his magic from his inner fire to his fingertips, blasting the man with deep blue flames. The man’s body turned black, then crashed to the floor in a cloud of ash. Raiden raised his hand to his other guards, unsure of whether they were also traitors. I should have given them more time to show themselves.
Their expressions were like stone. They neither reached for their weapons nor spoke. What now? Before he could decide, he felt the cool kiss of metal at his throat.
His breathing came in ragged bursts as he tried to calm his temper.
Kaemon spoke behind him. “So, the old man thought he was going to show you the proof of my treachery? What a fool.”
“We’ll see who the fool is,” Raiden threatened, feeling the sharp edge of the sword prick the skin at his throat.
Two of his guards withdrew their swords and approached Raiden slowly, eyes narrowed. The other two males remained behind, withdrawing their swords and closing in on Saura’s father.
This can’t really be happening. I’m surrounded by traitors!
Kaemon’s voice was nearly a growl. “Bind his wrists.”
“Try it, and I’ll kill you.”
“Then Saura’s father dies.” Kaemon’s obvious delight filled the words.
One guard poised the tip of his sword over Saura’s father’s chest.
I’m willing to risk my own life, but not his. Not the blood of my mate’s family.
He gritted his teeth as two of the guards circled behind him. Gripping his forearms, they pulled his arms back and bound his wrists tightly. When they were finished, the remaining guard left the old man to stand with the two others, their swords trembling in their grips.
Now they will see what a man who doesn’t fear death is capable of.
“You’ll all live to regret this.” Raiden said, gathering his magic even closer. But not for much longer.
Kaemon rounded in front of him, his expression calm even while his gaze burned with anger. “If you fight, not only will I kill the old man, but the beautiful Saura, too. After I’m done with her, of course.”
Raiden’s breathing hitched, then came in short bursts. “No. She’s safe with her uncle.”
“You mean the uncle that helped arrange your father’s death?” he asked silkily.
His words sent Kaemon’s thoughts swirling. If Saura’s uncle was in on this, not only did it mean this treachery went deeper than he ever imagined, it meant Saura was in danger!
The other male inched recklessly closer. “I know you thought you could simply come back and take my throne and my female, but you should’ve known better.”
Anger burst within him. First he kills my father, then he threatens my mate! No, he might think I’m beat, but I’ll find a way out of this.
He took a deep breath, eyeing the men who surrounded him. The old man is out of their reach. All I need to do is free myself, kill these fools, and save Saura.
If only I can distract Kaemon for the one second it takes…perhaps by angering the arrogant prick.
“My throne and my female were never yours, and they’ll never be yours.”
“Silence!” Kaemon screamed. “Everyone knew you didn’t want to be the Khar. You never appreciated your position. But I have wanted it my entire life! While you have been on the blue planet worrying about its people, I have been up here, suffering with mine!”
He leveled his sword at Raiden. “You are not worthy of the position. So I will be the one taking it. Tonight, Saura will finally be mine, and tomorrow, your throne.”
“I’ll never let you touch her.”
He tensed the muscles in his body, preparing to spin, to use Kaemon’s own sword to slice the bindings at his wrists. Just one burst of his famous temper should be enough.
But rather than flying into a rage, Kaemon’s frown curved into a smile. “That’s just it, Raiden, dead men don’t get a say.”
The knif
e sliced across his throat, bringing a horrible, blinding pain, followed by nothing.
Chapter Twenty
Saura gasped as pain radiated through her.
“My darling?” her uncle asked, taking her hand. “What is it?”
“Raiden.” Raiden is dying. She didn’t know how she knew it, but she did. She closed her eyes, feeling his life tick away with every too-quick beat of his heart.
No! No! I won’t allow it!
She fought through the pain to call up her magic.
Fear brought coldness rushing through her, faster and harsher than ever before.
The crown!
Water stones – magnify my power! She begged them silently until tendrils of frozen ice slid across her flesh.
Is this possible? Can the stones truly help me save his life?
She had never heard of such a thing, and yet, she felt the ability within her grasp.
If you are willing to pay the price, a voice whispered with all the power of the Goddess of Ice herself.
She didn’t care that her people believed the goddess was nothing but a legend.
Saura whispered back, I’ll give anything.
The laugh that answered chilled her blood. And you will.
She felt him slipping away even while her magic gathered like a coming storm.
Somewhere far away, she heard her uncle gasp, “What is this?”
Her hair sliced the flesh of her face as it whipped around her in a flurry of wind and ice, but with each second that passed she felt farther and farther from her body. And in that moment, she felt like the ancient goddess whose presence seemed to fill her.
Reaching out with her mind, she groped for him. There! I’ve found you!
Saura? Raiden said her name in a wet sputter that made her heart race, the sound filling her ears.
I can save you, my love, she called to him silently. I can heal you.
No…it’ll…kill…you…
He was suddenly harder to sense. She groped for him, her mind filling with the sound of a heart slowing.
I’m losing him!
She forced her gathered powers out in a roar of magic and ice that seemed to shake the air. The ship. The universe itself. And then, in a blink, it was gone, and she was crumpling to the hard, metal floor.
That was everything I had. But was it enough? Her eyes looked but didn’t see, and his voice was silent in her mind.
***
Her eyes snapped open as a sharp pain entered her inner thigh. It took a moment for her vision to clear. Her heart stopped. Kaemon was on his knees between her thighs, leering up at her.
“Morning, Saura.” He pulled the Saurange from her thigh, then traced a finger around the sore spot.
“Kaemon! W-what is that?” she choked out. “Why am I here? Where’s Raiden?”
He laughed, an evil, grating sound. “One question at a time, my love! First, Raiden is dead. I slit his throat and placed him in a craft with its autopilot set for this galaxy’s sun. Second, you are in my room. And third, the Saurange…” His grin made the hairs on her arms stand on end. “That should send your mating frenzy into overdrive. Within the next hour or two, you’ll need a cock inside you. And since you’re tied to a chair in my room, it’ll be my cock. Then, we will mate. And finally, you’ll be mine forever.”
She tried to free her arms, realizing they were tied behind her back. This isn’t real. It has to be a bad dream. Raiden can’t be dead. I can’t be…
Heat uncurled within her belly, and her inner muscles tightened painfully.
Kaemon inhaled sharply, his eyes darkening. “Everyone knows that a woman must give her permission to be mated, or else it’s sex and nothing more. But with the powerful stuff I’ve given you, you will either consent, or die. And I don’t think for a moment you will choose death over making me, your future Khar, your mate.” He moved closer, inhaling again. “Gods, I want you. I can smell your desire.”
A shudder of horror slid down her spine. “Raiden is my mate. Promised to me since childhood. You’re sick, Kaemon. I will never give my consent to mate you.” She shook her head in denial, but even as she did she felt her womanhood growing wetter. This can’t be happening. It can’t be!
He ran a hand slowly up and down her thigh, as her muscles twitched. “Hate it all you want. But very soon, you will be begging me to fuck you.”
Squeezing her eyes shut, she felt tears prickling. Raiden had to be alive. She could feel it deep in her heart. But what she wasn’t sure of is whether or not when he finally found her, she would have given in to the demands of her body.
“And I promise,” he continued, “I’m not going to give in until you consent to be my mate.”Kaemon blew on her nipples, his hot breath making the nubs harden. “Until you beg me for the honor.”
Terror ran through her. Can he really do what he says? Force me to mate with him?
I have to be strong!
But she was already losing the fight, and she knew it. Whatever he had injected her with was making her lose all reason.
Please, Raiden, I need your help!
I need you!
Chapter Twenty-One
Raiden awoke coughing up blood. He fought the bindings at his wrist, rolling to his knees, his heaves sending the scarlet liquid spraying onto the floor of the craft. He gasped for air, his mouth opening and closing, but only fire filled his throat and lungs.
I’m drowning. Drowning in my own blood.
Gritting his teeth, he mustered all his strength and yanked his wrists apart. His hands flew to his throat, but he drew them back as pain burned where he touched.
Kaemon slit my throat. I should be dead.
Why am I alive?
Saura.
She used her power to save me.
But what happened to her?
Chapter Twenty-Two
Sweat coated Saura’s flesh as she clenched her thighs together. Need raced through her like fire. How much longer could she fight the painful burning in her blood? How much longer before she spread her legs and allowed the man who might have killed her mate have sex with her?
Never! I can’t make him Khar!
Kaemon had left her for the moment, to feed the council a bunch of lies about what he’d done to Raiden, so that he could steal the throne. But soon he’ll be back to claim my body as his own.
Tears burned down her cheeks at the agonizing pain. And this need is going to build until I give in…or die? She couldn’t believe it. I’d rather die. I’d rather die than betray my love. Than touch that monster.
But the warmth pooling in her womanhood betrayed her weakness. Kaemon couldn’t rape her to solidify their bond, but it wouldn’t be much longer before her body would be willing. And my mating frenzy might take away my mind, as well.
And then she would have lost everything.
Because as much as her heart wanted to believe Raiden was still alive, she also knew he was in grave danger if he was.
But how can I fight my body’s needs, keep my heart pure, and save Raiden?
She struggled against the bonds that held her hands tied to the chair behind her. The rope bit painfully into her flesh, but still she fought them. At last, she felt some give in the rope. Desperately, she clung to the hope that blossomed within her. Maybe I can escape. Maybe I’ll be able to keep Kaemon from claiming me.
A sound came from behind her, the slight noise that told her someone had entered Kaemon’s suite. She stiffened, not wanting them to know she was struggling against the bindings. Breathing as evenly as she could, she stared straight ahead. Past the couches and kitchen, to the large bed in the back of the room. Her heart shuddered, and she looked beyond it, to the windows looking out at the stars.
“Look at you.” Kaemon’s voice was laced with satisfaction as he strode over to stand in front of her. “The entire room smells of desire.”
She gasped as he trailed a finger down her sweat-slicked neck to her collarbone, then between her breasts.
“The mom
ent I saw you in this thin gown, I knew I would enjoy ripping it from your body.”
Turning, she spat at him. “Go burn in the cesspools of Cartya!”
He grinned, then leaned down so his face was inches from hers. “It must be hard to be experiencing your Biryut without the mate you imagined for so long. But, you will learn very quickly that I am the better choice.” Standing up, he unbuttoned his slacks and dropped both them and his underclothes.
She turned away from his naked body, willing herself to endure whatever she must to survive. You can’t save Raiden if you’re dead.
Angrily, he jerked her face back, to stare directly at him, hard and ready.
Her womanhood pulsed, growing wetter. The tightening that spread through her body twisted her into knots, a pain that begged to be ended. I need a cock to take this pain away.
“Don’t. Touch. Me.” She forced the words past her parched lips.
His smile widened. “I wonder…if I were to spread those perfect, pale blue thighs of yours, would I find you wet and ready for me?”
No! Not for you!
He must have read the horror in her eyes, because he knelt down and began to push back her gown from her legs.
With one quick movement, her leg shot out and hit him in the face with all the force she could muster. He flew back, hitting the floor with a loud thud.
The silence that followed was terrifying.
Struggling once more with the bindings at her wrists, she watched as he climbed to his feet, a threat in every movement of his body. Blood leaked from his nose.
She should’ve seen it coming, but the fist that struck her cheek seemed to come out of thin air. Her head snapped back and her vision darkened.
He left and returned, holding a towel over his nose.
As he smacked her breasts then fondled them with one hand, swearing and screaming at the pain in his nose, she felt far away. Spots appeared before her vision, but still she couldn’t seem to roll her head forward. What’s wrong with me? Did he break my neck?
After a time, he left.
When she returned to her body, she was aware her dress had been torn to shreds. He hadn’t yet had sex with her, but she felt dirty and used. Parts of her body twinged and ached from his rough hands and fingers. Tears fell freely down her cheeks as she sobbed.
