by Laynie Bynum
Yechiel followed behind me as I opened the door and walked out. The streets were crowded. Weaving through the crowd, I moved toward the shop. Opening the shop door, I walked to the front desk and waited for the pleasure worker to notice me.
There weren’t many people in there, which meant Dugeon had already made a lot of money tonight. He probably thought he could evade me. The poor fool.
The person at the front desk looked me up and down. I came early because Dugeon knew something, and I intended to find out what.
“Take me to Dugeon. He’s expecting me.”
“I’ll let him know you are here, Amitai.” She stepped away from the desk.
Yechiel stepped over to the side, out of the view of those entering the store, and waited. The shop was fully surrounded.
I grabbed her arm, halting her steps. “No need. I will show myself back.” Letting her go, I headed back toward the shop. When I reached the back room, I pulled my proton laser gun. Opening the door, I ducked as a proton laser blast flew past my head.
Dugeon jumped up and ran through a side door down the hall. I fired three shots and rushed after him. He burst through the back door, and I heard a loud thump.
Running through the back door, I stopped as I saw Dungeon’s body lying prone on the ground. Jaliyah had her proton laser gun in Dudgeon’s mouth. When she saw me, she pulled her gun out of his mouth and took two steps back. She kept her gun aimed at his head.
“Dugeon, I’m only going to ask you once. If you lie, I will know.” Sliding my proton laser gun into its holster, I pulled my short dagger from its sheath. “If you don’t tell me what I want to know, I will torture you slowly before I allow you to die.”
He lowered his head. “What do you want to know, General?”
“Who were the alien warriors who came into my room tonight?” I bent down and lifted him off the floor, thrusting him against the brick wall.
“The Corrus Mages took her.”
“You sold us out to the Corrus Mages. You are as stupid as you look,” said Uriah.
Jaliyah snorted.
“Where did they take her? I know you know, and you were the one who told them that I had arrived.”
“I didn’t tell them you were here. I only told them where your quarters were. I never thought they would be successful in infiltrating your fortress and stealing the Teleterian,” said Dugeon.
I took my blade and stabbed him in the stomach. “Where did they take her?”
Dugeon doubled over and yelled in pain. His breath came out in pants as he held his arm around his stomach. “I don’t know. They probably took her to Palantent.”
Jaliyah’s deep gasp became a small shriek. “Does that place really exist? They must intend to do their experiments on her. You don’t deserve mercy.” She lifted her gun, but Uriah placed his hand on her shoulder and she reluctantly lowered the gun a bit.
“I’ve told you all that I know. Have mercy, General.” He lifted his hands, his eyes wide.
Lifting his chin, I slid the dagger across his neck, and his warm blood squirted everywhere. I dropped his limp body to the floor and spat on him. When the last tremors racked through him, I stepped over him headed toward the warship.
As I stepped onto the warship, Nakatomi rushed to me. “Did you find her?”
“Yes, we head for the planet of Palantent.” Her face lost its color and her body lost its strength as her legs gave out.
Zvika caught her before she could hit the floor. She sagged in his arms and buried her face in his chest for several minutes.
She pushed at Zvika’s chest but he didn’t release her. “Oh, Qiaris, help us. That place is real. We’ve got to get her now. Right now!”
Yechiel sat up and took several gulps of water. “We should blow their planet up. To experiment on another person, like they’re a god, is unforgiveable.”
Jaliyah ran her hand through her hair. “The Corrus Mages are fanatics willing to die for their own purpose. They are crazy and their minds are broken.”
“We are all broken in some way. That isn’t a reason to destroy a whole planet,” said Uriah.
“They think they can come on our planet and take from us. They all need to die,” said Zvika.
Azrael is not here. “It isn’t like Azrael to be late. Maybe I should go after him,” said Malachi.
Azrael hadn’t come yet, and I was ready to go destroy these Corrus Mages. My neurotransmitter chimed. A sense of irritation slithered over me as the special counsel didn’t wait for me to answer. They just connected to me and started talking.
I paced up and down the hall to expend some of the energy that I was dying to release. My heart slammed against the ribs in my chest. I didn’t have time for their politics of fight, fight, and conqueror and repeat and start over again.
“General Amitai, you need to report to the council,” said Franteck.
Calming myself, I answered. “Tomorrow would be better.”
“You will meet us now. We are waiting,” said Ozni.
Ozni Haber was a council member who always found ways to stir up trouble and was always underneath the Empress’s heels. He followed her everywhere she allowed him to go like a baby Zickocheck. Ozni had no backbone and was a disgrace to not only Droknin but to all men.
I stood in the Palace of Keoria. The palace was the highest building in Keoria and was the epitome of luxury. There was one thing the imperial council had in common—they were all nobles who felt entitled to everything they had taken from other races across the galaxy.
My body surged with anger and anxiety as I watched the imperial council walk to their seats. They were a bunch of self-centered nobles motivated by greed and power. For every moment I stood there, a piece of my cold heart shriveled and died.
The Drokninian Imperial Council consisted of six members, all pure noble blood. There were two women on the council, and the remaining four were men. Oddly enough, the most powerful people on the council were the women. Empress Niva Keoriawski ruled over the special counsel. She and Akiva Wirth were the only two females on the special counsel, and Akiva used her magic to conquer races all over the galaxy.
Ozni walked in behind Namir Ziskind. He inclined his head and took a seat on the far right. Ozni stood as the other council members walked in.
“I’m glad you could make it,” said Namir Ziskind.
Nodding my head, I stood motionless as I waited for Empress Niva and Akiva. Like always, the two of them came in together and took the last two seats. Once Akiva took her seat, Ozni took the seat next to Niva.
“We were told you were attacked and that your female was taken. That is unfortunate, but we have more important matters to focus on than your losing a pleasure slave,” said Empress Keoriawski.
Gritting my teeth, I fought to control my anger. “I would think that other races infiltrating Keoria would be a problem you would want to address.”
Niva rolled her eyes. “The life of a pleasure slave is of no consequence to us. We should thank the intruders who have probably killed her by now. You need to focus on the mission and not be deterred.”
My hands itched to go to my swords. “I will not take disrespect from anyone. No one touches what belongs to me. No one.”
Namir choked on his drink. “Wow, the vehemence in your voice makes me wish I had sampled this pleasure slave,” said Namir.
“Men always focus on the wrong things. You will focus on whatever we tell you to,” said Akiva.
Glancing at my watch, I debated jumping up there and severing Nava’s head. She was a greedy, jealous female who didn’t care about anyone but herself. The Drokninian Empire would benefit from her death.
“Did you find Uriel on Nisiea?” asked Ira Hirschel. He leaned back in his seat, his eyes narrowing on my face.
There is a reason they are asking me if I found Uriah.
“I met with Declan Sokolow. I have seventy-two hours to bring him Annika Oksana or Uriel will be lost to us.” I stared at Niva, daring her to lie abou
t having the woman as a slave.
“You are the esteemed general of the Drokninian Imperial Military. Nobody dictates anything to you but us,” said Akiva.
Turning my gaze from Niva, I looked at Akiva who sat with her eyebrows raised in question. An assortment of visions of my grasping hands snapping her neck entered my mind. Such evil in her body. “Does this slave mean more to you than Uriah? He is a valuable member and a great addition to our military. Will this slave help conquer planets and subjugate weaker species?”
Namir shook his head. “He has immense talent, and we can’t allow him to be lost over a slave. We have need of his skills now more than ever,” said Ira.
What the heck are they up to now? I haven’t been gone from Kiera long, but it doesn’t take them this long to wage war on a planet.
“I am ever ready to show any planet that the Drokninian Empire is supreme.”
Why don’t they die in their sleep or get hit by a flying car more often?
“Anna is in a prison on Nuigora,” said Ira. He waved his hands and opened his mouth but Akiva spoke first.
“We need you now more than ever, so I’m glad your pleasure slave was killed. We need you to go to Teletera and destroy the princess,” said Akiva.
Kubris hell. How had things gone from worse to catastrophic in a blink of an eye? Kubris must be ready to take me to his fiery haven.
Niva stood. “The princess doesn’t have to die. I expect you to bring her to our side, but if you can’t, then kill her,” said Niva.
“I will leave at once.” Turning on my heels, I headed for the exit. Their presence was like poison, and every time I’m exposed to their callous violence and greed, a piece of me dies.
Grateful for the cool night air, I rushed to the warship. I didn’t say anything as I walked directly to the command room.
“Jaliyah, take us to Nuigora.” Her eyes widened but she didn’t say anything.
Most female Drokninians would be all over me trying to pry answers out of me, but not Jaliyah. In this moment, I appreciated her restraint more than ever. When we were well on our way to Nuigora, I spoke in my neurocommunicator. “Everyone will meet me in the command room.”
When everyone came rushing in, I leaned back in my seat.
“We are on our way to Nuigora prison to get Anna Oksana.”
“Wow, they didn’t waste any time sending her to her death,” said Malachi.
“They only gave me her location because they have demanded that we go to Teletera and bring back the princess, and if she refuses to come, I am ordered to kill her.”
Chapter Nine
Koyama
I
woke up in a dark room. Blinking rapidly, I try to gather my senses. Memories of earlier in the day flooded my mind. Panic rose in my throat as I discovered that I couldn’t move. My arms were handcuffed in front of me and bound. There was something heavy, about two inches wide, strapped across my chest. A similar strap was wrapped around my legs. Closing my eyes, I tried to calm my racing heart that threatened to beat out of my chest.
The darkness was comforting, in a way, because that meant the aliens didn’t know that I was awake. I’d take any advantage that I could right then. Back in Amitai’s room, my power was disabled, and I needed to tread carefully. My ears twitched as I heard the door behind me open.
Closing my eyes, I steadied my breathing as the boots headed toward me from behind. Faking sleep was cowardly, but I might get information if they thought I was asleep.
“Frank, should she still be asleep?” He leaned over me, placing his cold ear to my chest.
Keeping still, I managed not to jump out of my skin. The man’s stale breath made saliva pool in my mouth. I thought of my father. Channeling his strength, I thought of my planet, my people, and Qiaris. The goddess never makes mistakes, so this can’t be any different.
“Look at her, Clyde. Her body is so small. She’s probably weak. If she dies, we’ll just tell him she died on Keoria,” said Frank. He ran his hand up my bare legs, going higher. My heart tried to leap out of my chest as I bit on my tongue to keep still.
“You can’t touch her like that. He will know, and he will kill us both. Let’s go to Wiaq sector and get this lust taken care of while she sleeps,” said Clyde.
“Why should I pay when I have her?” Frank’s hand stopped just as it reached the bottom of my panties.
I bit harder on my tongue so that my stomach wouldn’t clench in revulsion as Frank removed his hand.
“I guess you’re right. It doesn’t make sense for Filippov to kill us over her,” said Frank.
“He might let us have her before he kills her. We did the impossible and captured her from Keoria right in front of the supposedly almighty Amitai,” said Clyde. He turned away from me and walked to the door.
I could still smell Frank, and I didn’t hear him move from my side.
No, Clyde, don’t leave me here with him. He’s going to rape me.
Opening my mouth, I was about to let them know I was awake when Frank walked away from me. Closing my eyes, I tried to focus on his steps. When the door opened and closed, I sent up a silent prayer to the goddess for her mercy. The door opened again and the light suddenly came on.
“There’s no need for you to play sleep, Princess. You will beg me for death soon enough,” said the voice.
his aura revealed he had long hair that hung down his back and his eyes were radiated colors of brown and green.
“It’s a shame you were born on the wrong planet. I hate to destroy beautiful things,” he said.
“Who are you?” I used my senses to try to study his face.
He mentioned me begging for death, and I’d never encountered him before in my life. Whatever he was, he didn’t resemble the aliens that had taken me from Amitai.
“My name is Filippov Tikhonovich, and you and I have never met.” He walked to the left side of the room and opened the drawers, rummaging through them and occasionally pulling out instruments.
“Who paid you to hurt me?” Angling my face, I studied his body language.
“You think I’m motivated by greed?” He leaned over me and I caught a faint hint of cedarwood.
He smelled amazing, and his aura seemed exotic but it radiated pain, anger, and rigid determination.
“You must die to show Zariah that death is coming for her,” he said.
He thinks that the special council cares about me.
Despite the seriousness of my situation, I burst into laughter. I curled on my back, wiggling like a slug moves as salt is poured on it.
“Zariah doesn’t care about me. She’s planning to kill me just like she killed my father. You’d be doing her a favor if you killed me. If it’s up to me, I prefer you over her.”
“You think I won’t torture and kill you?”
“I’m sure you will, but you didn’t kill my father and she did. One way or another, Qiaris herself wouldn’t deny me the right to her head.”
He frowned. “It was reported that your father died of natural causes in his sleep.”
I snorted. “She killed him and is now focused on getting her hands on anyone with powers from Qiaris.”
“She killed my wife, and a day later, she killed my daughter, Sechenova.”
Zariah is an evil monster. She never seemed to have second thoughts or be riddled with a conscience. I didn’t doubt that Zariah murdered his wife and child.
“What does that have to do with me? I’m sorry for your loss, Filippov. The Teletera special council doesn’t care about anyone but themselves.”
This man stood before me, threatening my life, but his aura radiated deep sorrow, pain, and resentment.
“We mate for life. I ache for my mate. Every day, an overwhelming sickness overtakes me,” said Filippov. He walked to the side of the table and opened a drawer. Removing several pieces of equipment and a white towel, he strolled back over to me.
My heart thumped in my chest and my mouth went dry. He pulled over a small
bedside table where he laid down a white towel. Shortly, he laid out all his instruments of terror before me on the table. I couldn’t see the tools, but the smell of cold metal was in the air. A soft scent of flowers clung to fabric he was wearing. He was preparing to torture me to death.
Focusing on the soft clank of metal, I tried to move the instruments out of his hands. Nothing happened. Closing my eyes, I focused on him, trying to throw him far from me. Nothing happened. It was as if all my powers had been taken from me.
Goddess Qiaris, why have you forsaken me?
“I’ve always wondered, how do you feel about being blind?”
Frowning, I wrinkled my nose “I have always been blind. The goddess did not gift me with sight.”
“Feel free to scream. I would like for you to tell me how you feel,” he said. He picked up a metal object, and searing pain ripped across my stomach. My blood poured out as he buried his knife in my body. I thrashed against the bonds that held me, but I couldn’t get the straps loose as I wiggled against them.
Sweat broke out on my forehead, and I gritted my teeth. Pain tore through my gut, and I felt my life source leak out.
“You have a high tolerance for pain, but you will break. They always do,” he said. He picked up something else cold and sharp. Needle-like pain traveled up my arms. A second later, the flesh on my arms split open. My flesh felt like it was being ripped from the inside out as it opened.
A scream tore from my throat. I turned my face from Filippov, panting through the pain.
“This would be simpler if you would just scream. Stop fighting death,” said Filippov. His hand grabbed the lower strap that bound my legs and unbuckled it. Pushing my legs up, a strangled cry fell from my lips as I squeezed my legs closed.
He forced my legs back open with his hand. Pain raced up the back of my skull, and I slumped.
Moments later, my eyes fluttered open. I wasn’t in the same room. This room didn’t look like a torture room filled with painful memories. The room was large with a twin-size bed, with a forty-inch television hung from the wall. It looked like any normal room.