by Rena Marks
Violet stopped suddenly and screamed, her eyes widened in horror. Cadoc was so close. It was too noisy for him to hear her, but her lips were moving. He thought she was saying look out, or run. Cadoc couldn’t move faster than he was as he flew towards her. He knew she was afraid, if she would keep moving towards him she could be safer sooner.
Cadoc was slammed into by a Berserker. A female. There was painful rage etched on her face and resolve. She gripped Cadoc and swung him into a mass of snake-aliens near Violet. In a split second, Cadoc wondered if it was her offspring he killed. Berserker females were docile unless their young were threatened. His last thought was of Violet. How was his mate going to survive without him? The pain of being sent violently into others exploded into his head. Cadoc called up his shield but the force was too much. His shield hit him in the head. He heard a crack. Cadoc crumpled. There was no time to call for the dais. It would seem his father would have his revenge.
Cadoc closed his eyes. There was no sound, there was no light. There was nothing…
Chapter Eleven
“Cadoc!” Violet barely recognized the hoarse scream that pealed from her throat.
Cadoc was down, blood gushing from a split from forehead to cheek. His eyes were closed and Draconis noticed. He ran to Cadoc’s still body, stood over his head and raised his sword, ready to slam it into Cadoc’s chest. But Draconis waited, enjoying the moment, a slow grin spread across his ugly face.
And that was his mistake.
Violet ran like she’d never run before. Draconis was so caught up in the moment, he never noticed her approach.
The sword swung downward in an arc and she leapt, a powerful kick to the center of his chest. A loud crack sounded through the air, as satisfying as it used to be when she cracked concrete barriers with her foot. He bellowed in pain, dropping the sword with a clatter onto his foot, slicing it clean through. Blood spurted in an arc.
“Bitch,” he screamed.
She’d maimed him. It was somewhat of an accident, but hell if she wouldn’t do it all over again to keep him from killing Cadoc.
But a missing foot didn’t seem to faze him. He leapt onto her, hands around her throat. From the corner of her eye, she saw Talpin widen his eyes and rush toward her, but he was cut down by a Berserker going crazy.
Draconis reached for her. She grabbed his wrist and spun under his arm, moving behind him and bringing the arm up behind his back. Normally, one would stop at this point, until the one trapped agreed to your demands. However, her demands—after the cowardly move he was about to make on her unconscious man—were to hear his slithering bones pop.
Mercilessly, she twisted his arm until it broke and he screamed. Now that it was useless, she dropped it and grabbed the other one.
“How dare you make such a dick move as to attack an unconscious man? And never reach for me again. Got it?”
He nodded but out of spite, Violet tightened her grip on his arm. Then she cracked it in half anyway.
He wouldn’t be able to wield a sword today.
“Draconisss!” Another one came running, but she dropped and rolled, striking out a kick to his groin. When he fell, yet another one of their men moved in too close for comfort. She grabbed the knife from the fallen one, who held onto his ruptured testicles.
She swung it over the back of his ankles, severing his tendons.
He flopped like a fish, blocking the path of the one who ran toward her. The latest snake stumbled and fell, staring in horror at the spread of blood from the ankles of his partner.
The entire arena grew quiet. Once the red haze of fury dissipated, Violet was aware that everyone stared. Even the Berserkers were stunned.
The entire group of Leanthrils dematerialized into thin air, even their broken leader.
“How the hell did they get our bracelets?” someone yelled.
But Violet didn’t care. All she cared about was the amount of blood surrounding Cadoc’s head. It had pooled, and was steadily growing larger.
“No, no, no,” she moaned. She held him, cradled him tenderly in her lap. He was so still, so pale, so bloody. He seemed dead already.
A warm hand settled onto her shoulder.
“Violet, let me get him to medical,” Talpin said.
She was barely aware of men rolling him onto a type of stretcher, and lifting him solemnly. “I want to go,” she said, following them.
With a hand signal, Talpin pointed to two warriors who stepped forward, as if they’d lead the others in Cadoc’s absence.
The medical facility wasn’t like any hospital she’d ever seen. It was dark, not sterile white, and it was filled with a smoky essence like burning amber. Another scent was in the air—medicinal…perhaps oregano.
They brought him into a room where another warrior had feathers strung around his neck, like a witch doctor. This planet had warriors everywhere. Warriors masquerading as doctors, warriors masquerading as computer geeks on the ship…but all in all, they were warriors first and foremost.
“Who is this?” The doctor said, looking at Violet with interest. “A flower?”
“Human. This is Violet. His mate,” said Talpin.
“Oh, well, not exactly,” she murmured. “He’s never asked me to be his mate or anything. We’re just having fun.”
The witch doctor raised his bushy brow. “He doesn’t have to ask. You don’t get a choice.”
“What do you mean?”
“Have you slept together?”
“Um,” she said, aware of a slight cheek burn. “Well, yes, but…”
“Has he rescued you? Saved your life?” He looked to Talpin, as if he already knew Violet was the same flower from so long ago.
“Well, yes, but that’s because he’s Cadoc. He’s badass.”
The doctor said, “Then you’re mated. And until he wakes, the ruler of Docadia.”
He pushed her and Talpin out of the room, leaving them out in the small hallway.
She turned to Talpin. “Did that just happen? What’d he say?”
He sighed. “I was going to tell you, but so much is happening right now. Cadoc had just claimed his leadership, so you’re the stand-in ruler until he recovers.”
“He never told me we were mated.”
“He was going to, Violet. He just didn’t get a chance.”
She wasn’t sure how she felt. Betrayed? Numb? Or nothing. Because right now, she was too worried about the amount of blood he’d lost and how he was completely unresponsive.
“Are you okay?”
“I—I think so. I don’t know.”
“I’m just following the law.”
“Who would have ruled if he hadn’t…”she swallowed, suddenly unable to say the word.
“As his second, I would.”
“Not a lot has changed then. I’ll be a figurehead, so to speak. You still do what you would if I wasn’t here.”
“But, Violet, you are here. And you must be protected at all costs. If other species knew…like the Berserkers, they’d have the right to challenge you for the power between species, upsetting the balance on the planet.”
“Challenge me?”
“Yes. That is why the strongest warrior rules. Because you’re female, we can protect you from challenges as long as you’re not left alone. This is the entire reason why our own females were sent to live in the safety of the domes.”
“This gives new meaning to the phrase losing your freedom,” she muttered. “So what now? I go around with a set of bodyguards?”
He nodded. “Twelve.”
“What?” She was aware her voice was a shriek.
“Three in front. Three on either side of you. Three in back. And three trailing.”
“For how long?”
“Forever. Until Cadoc resumes his role.”
“But if I’m indoors, it’s safe, right?”
He looked at her like she grew a third eye. “Safe? No. These twelve guards will be attached to you like clothing. You won’t so much as go to t
he bathroom without them present.”
“What?”
“I’m sorry, Violet. That’s the way it is. Naturally, they’ll turn their backs, but it’s the law.”
“Talpin!” Cadoc roared from inside.
“You must lay still and keep calm, Your Supreme,” the doctor was saying as she and Talpin burst into the room.
“Cadoc,” Violet said, running to his side.
“Violet,” he said, holding his hand up. His head was bandaged thickly, his eyes covered.
“How is he?” Talpin asked the doctor.
The doctor shook his head. “Not good. He’s crazed and confused, wafting in and out of consciousness. I’ll need to put him into a medically induced coma until the swelling goes down, or he could lose his eyesight.”
“No,” Cadoc growled. “I have to protect you,” he said, squeezing her hand.
“I’m safe. Talpin is putting guards around me.” She was quite aware her voice sounded a bit horrified, as she still thought about the lack of privacy regarding the bathroom.
“Yes, even though your mate is as fierce as any warrior. She took down Draconis,” Talpin said.
“What?”
“Yes. I’ve never seen anything like it. You would have been killed if not for her. Unfortunately, he’s maimed pretty badly, and now I’m sure he won’t go away. If anything, he’ll grow more bitter as he recovers.”
“Maimed how?” Cadoc’s voice was thick, as if he struggled to speak.
“Two broken arms, she smashed his breastbone, and she chopped off a foot.”
“Research the loss of limbs regarding the Leanthril species. Recovery time, all of that.”
“That’s why you’re leader,” Violet said, her voice tender.
“You saved me?” Cadoc asked her, squeezing her fingers again to indicate he meant her.
“Well, I could hardly let you die,” she whispered.
“How? You’re a helpless flower.”
“Not that helpless. After my kidnapping, my parents were always paranoid that I’d be picked up again. So whatever self-defense classes I wanted, I got. Jujitsu, kickboxing, karate, taekwondo. Anything I wanted.”
The doctor was watching the lines blipping across his medical scanner. “Okay, I need to put him under now.”
“Doctor Terjal? How long?” Talpin asked.
The doctor shrugged. “Could be hours. Could be days. It’s impossible to tell with head injuries.” He pressed an injector into Cadoc’s huge bicep, and it hissed as it released.
“Violet,” Cadoc muttered. His voice had already thickened. “My mate…”
“I’m here, baby. Sleep now.”
“Let Talpin care for you.”
Had he not heard she could care for herself? But she didn’t want to rile him. “I will. I love you.”
He sucked in an intake of breath. “I love you, my most cherished…”
He was out.
“You can stay with him later,” Talpin said gently. “Until then, you’re not leaving my sight. We have to go smooth things in the arena first. Come on.”
Guards were posted in the hallway outside Cadoc’s room, and she felt more secure knowing they’d protect him while he was down.
Talpin spoke to her while they walked back the way they’d come. “Somehow they have our bracelets, which means they can materialize here. That’s why you’ll have a dozen guards.”
The area wasn’t much different from what they’d left. The bodies had been picked up, and since a lot of Berserkers were gone, she’d assumed they’d taken the dead snake aliens as snacks. The other humans were still floating up on the daises.
With a cursory glance, the last of the Berserkers trailed away.
Some older warriors dressed in robes approached.
“Ambassador Pterfan,” Talpin said, dropping to one knee.
“How is Cadoc?” The Ambassador had one long, thick plait braided down to his waist. It was stark white.
“He is recovering. This is his mate, Violet. She has relinquished her stand in duties to me.”
Several of the older men nodded. “Wise move. But she must still be protected.”
Talpin nodded. “Agreed.”
“A strange occurrence has happened. The Berserkers are more calm after seeing her defense of our leader. Apparently, the females of their species are the defenders also. They have gained newfound respect for us.”
“Already a step forward in public relations,” Talpin said. “Cadoc will be pleased.”
“His father’s body has been recovered. The footage of the battle has been inspected.”
Talpin took a deep breath. “Will there be charges?”
“Charges?” Violet asked. “For what?”
“He killed him.”
His own father? That had to mess with a person.
“No.” The Ambassador’s voice was definite. “Cadoc was within his rights of killing a traitor.”
“Incoming call from the human’s computer.” The voice came from behind Talpin, where a warrior approached. He handed Talpin an envelope, which he quickly scanned.
“It appears the Leanthril have a quick healing time. Broken bones take about a week to mend.”
“Well, he’s still missing a foot,” Violet said.
“Not exactly.” Talpin continued reading, an expression of incredulous disbelief across his face. “Apparently, upon a limb amputation, they revert to their original forms while the limb is re-grown. Jilly hacked into their ship’s cameras and sent pictures. His legs have fused together and lengthened, forming a long, slithering tail with impenetrable scales…from the chest down. He glides across the ship. It’s rather disgusting. Jilly says he has something to his benefit we need to be wary of. He can spit his poison from across the room.”
“Where did you find this species?” The Ambassador asked.
“Uhh,” Talpin’s voice was hesitant. “The humans attract them,” he said carefully.
“Then the safest place would be on the ship. You can place a force field to prevent anyone from materializing in or out, which we cannot do on the planet.”
Talpin nodded.
“Unfortunately, Violet, as the stand-in, must remain.”
“I cannot leave Dahlia alone, and I cannot leave Violet here without protection. I swore it to Cadoc.”
“I’ll have my guards,” Violet said. “And it won’t be long until Cadoc wakes. He’ll bring me to the ship then.”
Talpin took a deep breath. “No, it is my responsibility. Besides, you made me acting second on your behalf. I will take Dahlia and the others to the ship and will remain here with you until Cadoc wakes.”
“It is settled.”
“I will bring Violet just long enough to get the humans settled, and we will immediately return,” Talpin said.
“Understood,” the Ambassador said.
As soon as the council elders left, Talpin called out to the warriors who manned the ship. “Call your daises, and collect the humans. We’re heading to the ship for safety.”
“Why don’t we send the humans to the domes?” One warrior called.
“Those reptiles still have our beaming bracelets. We do not want them destroying the women in the domes to find the humans. We will safeguard the ship.”
The women were brought down safely from the skies, looking like princesses on magic carpets. On shaky legs, they climbed down to the ground and the daises zapped away, returning to tattoos.
“That is so cool,” Honeysuckle said.
“Talpin,” Dahlia said, running toward him. He caught her with a largely muscled arm, swinging her up close to his chest to squeeze.
Violet’s heart clenched. This is what Cadoc would be doing for her. Hugging her. Carrying her. Loving her.
“Let’s head out,” Talpin called out loudly.
The warriors hit their wrist buttons, and suddenly it seemed as though the ship morphed around them, yet Violet knew it was them that materialized into the ship instead.
“Y
ou’re back,” Jilly said.
“Yes,” Talpin said. “Lock the shields. Prevent any beaming in or out.”
“Done. We have a hail from Earth.”
“Of course,” he groaned, making his way to the main area. Everyone else followed.
“It is a recorded message, since you were not here to openly receive.”
The message came across the receiving screen at the front of the ship.
“Attention, Leader of Docadians. This is Sergeant Sam Durant with the Earth Government Militia. We are treating this as a hostile call. You are currently holding fifteen Earth women captive, which violates universal treaty policy number AN-7325-N42. Therefore, any ship who comes across you may serve as a bounty hunter for the reward of thirteen thousand universal currency, per human. The reward is doubled if one of your species currently labeled on your log sheets is returned to Earth for punishment, dead or alive. The reward is tripled for the leader, Cadoc of Docadia.”
“Damn,” Talpin muttered. “We’re going to have ships descend on the planet like a vicious swarm of insects.”
“We don’t want to go back,” Jacey said. “How dare they? They refuse to even talk to us like we’re being forced on what to say. It’s bullshit.”
The warrior standing behind her caressed her shoulders.
“Thanks, honey,” she said.
“Jilly, send them a message that they have an Earth traitor aboard the Galaxy, namely my ex, Joshua Seatra. He was involved in the kidnapping, including giving the coordinates of the Earth hostages to the species Leanthril. Also contact Roxian of the Calabrians to send the same message to the Earth sergeant.”
“Do you want them to have the recorded footage of Joshua contacting us from the Leanthril vessel?”
“No. We’ll hold that proof under our sleeves as leverage. I’m sure they’ll come back with an alternate excuse. This is simply to buy us time while Cadoc recovers. Also send the vitals of every woman so they know we are healthy and happy instead of caged and scared.”
“Will do, Vi.”
