FEARLESS: Alien Sci fi Romance (Invasive Species Control Unit Book 2)

by Kelly Goode

  ‘We’re nearly there,’ Viktor whispered. ‘Remember what I said about staying quiet?’

  ‘I do.’

  ‘Whatever happens next let me handle it. If things go wrong, find Hetti. I scented her back at the house. She’ll keep you safe.’

  ‘What is going to go wrong?’

  ‘Nothing, but it’s always worth having an escape plan.’

  Viktor stopped beside a large hedge. ‘Last chance to change your mind.’

  Helen looked up at the long line of thick hedges that towered over her. The shrubs and bushes were entwined to form the perfect boundary, with only one gap for an entrance point.

  ‘Is this a maze?’

  ‘It’s technically a labyrinth,’ Viktor replied, ‘which means there’s no chance of getting lost. A labyrinth has only a single path that leads to the centre, so if we get split up, stay calm and follow the same path back to the exit. A maze gives multiple options and dead ends.’

  Helen shuddered at the term “dead end”, as it felt as if she was walking into a situation she might not return from.

  ‘The colony is gathered in the centre,’ he continued. ‘Most of the jaktten live in their own properties within the boundaries of my estate, but this is where we hold our meetings.’

  ‘Lead the way.’

  If Viktor held her hand a little tighter than necessary, she didn’t grumble, just allowed him to guide her forward. The hedges were so tall they blocked out what remained of the natural sunlight, leaving her cold and relying on Viktor’s superior eyesight to stop her stumbling over any stray stones or sticks on the ground.

  As they rounded a final corner, the imposing hedges gave way to a substantial clearing and Helen’s heart increased as she found herself staring at a large group of jaktten. She had thought Viktor reminded her of a wolf when he’d transformed, but seeing such a large number of the aliens in their natural forms, she realised she’d gravely underestimated their sizes. They were taller than the regular wolves she’d seen on television. More muscular too.

  ‘I should have stayed in the car,’ she whispered to Viktor, but he didn’t acknowledge her admission. He released her hand and took a step forward. A few jaktten lowered their heads and placed their stomachs on the ground, but the aliens standing around them used their teeth and claws to persuade them to get back to their feet.

  ‘I see not all of you are in agreement with this coup,’ Viktor said, his voice managing to sound both authoritative and outraged at the same time. ‘Stand down and you have my word that no action will be taken against those foolish enough to listen to the lies told about me.’

  Helen doubted it would as simple as that and she was right. The jaktten began conferring in whispers. She tried counting the aliens but lost track at around thirty, as too many of them had thick black fur and seemed to blend into each other.

  ‘I am the Prince of Jakttera and I order you to stand down or state the charges against me. Who amongst you is brave enough to speak?’

  The mob of fur and claws parted and one lone jaktten strode forward. He was distinguishable from the others as his fur was brown rather than black. He was also taller than the rest.

  ‘I will speak.’

  52

  The jaktten morphed effortlessly into a man and continued to stride towards Helen. Viktor reacted by angling his body to block her from view, but not before she saw the absolute hatred in the approaching man’s eyes.

  ‘As our prince refuses to address his colony as a jaktten, I will take on this form too. Maybe your little human will prefer what she sees over here and leave you.’

  Viktor growled and Helen laid her hand reassuringly against the small of his back.

  ‘Be careful, Erik,’ he said. ‘I already owe you for Manu, but if you say anything else about Helen, I’ll claw out your eyes and feed them to you.’

  Helen blanched and so did Erik, but he tried to cover it up by straightening his spine and staring Viktor straight in the eyes.

  ‘I’m citing the old accords.’

  There was a collective gasp that reminded Helen of watching a pantomime as a child. That part where the villain came onto the stage and everyone jeered and booed. Only this time the villain was real and could change into an alien with sharp teeth and claws.

  ‘What does that mean?’ she asked, and Viktor lowered his head closer to hers. She jolted as they locked eyes and she noticed his were golden rather than blue. Golden like the alien he really was.

  ‘He’s challenging me?’ he replied.

  ‘For what?’

  ‘For control of the colony.’

  Before Helen could reply, Erik spoke again.

  ‘Do you accept?’ he asked.

  Viktor’s expression remained neutral as he once again squared up to Erik, but she could see the tension in the way he clenched his hands into fists and how his biceps strained against the cotton of his shirt.

  ‘On what grounds are you deeming me unfit to rule?’

  Erik smiled, as if expecting that question.

  ‘You had sex with a human.’

  More gasps and this time, it made Helen want to laugh, but it was only because her nerves were getting the better of her. She bit her lip and tried to focus on all her years of medical training and the techniques she’d used to remain calm under immense pressure of performing surgery. Eventually, her heart rate settled and she was able to speak.

  ‘Is that a valid reason?’ she asked, even though she already knew the answer.

  Viktor nodded. ‘As a prince, the old accords state that the council will choose me a suitable mate and that will be the only female that I breed with. I broke their rules.’

  His cheeks coloured as he spoke and he struggled to maintain eye-contact with her.

  ‘But surely there have been other females - other jaktten females that you’ve, well, you know, been with in that way.’

  ‘No.’

  Helen’s eyes widened. ‘I was your first. Why didn’t you tell me?’

  ‘As I recall, neither of us was in the mood to talk beforehand.’

  ‘I’m sorry,’ she replied. ‘I should never have asked you to spend the night with me.’

  Viktor shook his head and held her firmly by her chin.

  ‘I’m not sorry. I don’t regret what we did. I love you.’

  ‘I love you too.’

  He kissed her lightly on the lips, which caused a few growls from some of the gathered jaktten.

  ‘I’m going to make all this better,’ he said, as he pulled away from her.

  ‘How?’

  ‘By standing up for what I believe in.’

  Viktor kissed her one last time before turning to face his colony. Helen tried not to let her fear show on her face, but it was hard when there were so many gleaming, golden eyes staring back at her.

  ‘Erik is challenging me for control of the colony,’ Viktor said. ‘As you know, in order to conform to the accords, we both need a champion. Someone who believes in the challenger or the defender. Who will step forward and support the claims?’

  Erik lifted his hand and gestured to one of the jaktten in the crowd. It stepped forward and bared its thick, white teeth. Its fur was black and matted in places, and part of its right ear was missing too.

  ‘I, Stefan, stand beside Erik. Our prince, our alpha, is a traitor. He has chosen the warmth of a human body over his colony. We need a ruler who will lead by example, not one whose judgement is clouded by interspecies sex.’

  Helen looked up at Viktor, who remained outwardly calm, but she could tell from the tightness of his jaw that the words had hit their intended mark.

  ‘I’m sorry you feel that way, Stefan,’ he said. ‘This colony means everything to me.’

  ‘Then prove it,’ Erik said with a sneer. ‘Cast aside the human and rule as you should.’

  Viktor shook his head and once again addressed his colony.

  ‘I have always ruled as I should, and even with Helen by the side, that will not change. The
two are not mutually exclusive. Who will be my advocate?’

  Helen’s adrenaline spiked, as the colony remained silent. She willed one of them to step forward, but if Viktor’s loyal subjects were detained elsewhere, the chances of one of this group switching sides was slim.

  ‘Who believes, as I do,’ Viktor continued, ‘that it’s time to break away from the old accords and embrace a new way of life here on Earth? Together we can write new accords. Work with the humans to defeat our common enemies. We have a chance to integrate into society-’

  ‘No one wants to integrate,’ one of the aliens growled.

  ‘Humans are our enemy,’ another added, and Viktor’s shoulders sagged, as resignation slowly filtered across his face.

  ‘They’re not going to back you on this,’ Helen said. ‘I’m sorry.’

  ‘If no one will stand beside me, Erik is free to take over.’

  ‘But that’s not fair.’

  ‘Life isn’t fair. You taught me that. Maybe it’s time to let go of the colony.’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Yes. I always thought the other jaktten were foolish for wanting to leave and live amongst the humans, but now I see that in giving up the colony, I would be free to live my life with you in it.’

  ‘Not like this.’

  ‘We’ll be together. Isn’t that what matters?’

  ‘No. Life isn’t fair, but you’re the rightful ruler. You shouldn’t have to give that up for me.’

  Helen inhaled deeply and willed her heart to slow down as she moved to address the jaktten. She was sure the aliens could hear its erratic pace as it thumped against her ribcage.

  ‘I didn’t even know aliens existed until a few days ago,’ she started shakily, and each step she took further away from Viktor, felt as if she was wading through thick mud. ‘I don’t presume to know your ways or customs, but on Earth, we support those who advocate change. Humans aren’t your enemies. I came face-to-face with your real enemies, those skin-peelers you call desquaminers or desquatsers, or something like that. They had me cornered and Viktor saved me.’

  She looked over her shoulder and found Viktor watching her intently.

  ‘With great power comes great responsibilities, and you’re lucky to have a prince that cares for each and every one of you like family. I don’t have any family, so if none of you will stand beside him, I’ll be his champion.’

  Helen wasn’t expecting a round of applause for her speech, but she also wasn’t expecting the ensuing silence that followed. She retraced her steps back to the safety of Viktor and he pulled her into his arms.

  ‘Have I made it worse?’ she asked.

  ‘No. That was one hell of a pep-talk. Spiderman’s uncle would be proud.’

  ‘You remembered.’

  ‘I did.’

  Viktor smiled and she returned it, but that quickly faded when Erik started clapping sardonically.

  ‘Lovely speech, little human. You almost brought a tear to my eye, but there’s one small problem. You can’t be his champion. You’re not a jaktten.’

  Helen felt her stomach drop, as if she’d been balancing on a cliff edge and suddenly lost her footing. She almost didn’t see the small jaktten that breached the front line and padded closer to Viktor.

  ‘She may not be a jaktten, but I am.’

  Viktor shook his head. ‘I told you to find somewhere safe to hide.’

  The alien morphed into a familiar human woman and embraced Helen.

  ‘I am doing this as much for you, as I am for him,’ Hetti said. ‘You two deserve a chance. Humans and jaktten should be able to live in peace, as they did when we first arrived on this planet so many years ago.’

  She turned to face Erik.

  ‘I will be his champion.’

  53

  ‘Let it begin.’

  Erik’s voice toppled the wall of dread that surrounded Viktor and he startled. He couldn’t stand by and allow Hetti to fight on his behalf. She was no match for Stefan, but that didn’t stop her resuming her jaktten form and howling that she was ready to fight. Stefan growled, as he circled Hetti and tried to bait her into making the first move.

  ‘It doesn’t have to be this way,’ Viktor shouted at Erik. ‘We should take their places.’

  Erik shook his head. ‘You know that’s not possible. That is why the accords were put in place to stop the royal bloodline being wiped out completely, because let’s face it, your father was no warrior. If any of the previous champions had taken him on, instead of his bodyguards, you wouldn’t even be here.’

  ‘If my father was here, he would tear you in two.’

  ‘But he’s not here. You have a housekeeper defending your honour instead. It’s pathetic.’

  ‘She’s ten times the warrior you are.’

  ‘But the question remains, is she ten times the warrior that Stefan is?’

  Helen pressed her head against Viktor’s chest. It was clear she didn’t want to watch the fight, and he held her tighter as the larger jaktten pounced and clasped Hetti’s leg in its powerful jaws, forcing her to the ground. She howled in pain as he slashed through her fur.

  ‘This is barbaric,’ Helen said, her voice muffled against his shirt. ‘Make them stop.’

  ‘It’ll be over soon.’

  ‘That’s what I’m worried about.’

  As Hetti was smaller, she was able to twist her body in such a way that enabled her to break free from Stefan’s jaws. She swiped her claws across his face, breaking the skin and causing blood to trickle from above his eyes. While he was momentarily blinded, she lunged for his neck, but he managed to dodge her attack and send her skidding across the floor with a kick to the stomach.

  Hetti scrambled to her feet quick enough to stop him pouncing again, but she was breathing heavily. As the two slowly circled each other again, the limp in her hind leg was more noticeable, but she held her ground and traded blows with Stefan. Claws ripped through skin and teeth punctured muscle, but it was only a matter of time before the larger jaktten took advantage of the weight difference and was able to pin her once more to the ground. This time he fastened his jaws around her neck and looked at Erik for the command to kill.

  ‘He’s going to snap her neck,’ Helen whimpered, as Erik nodded at his champion. ‘I can’t look.’

  Viktor held up his hand.

  ‘Stop,’ he commanded, and Stefan paused.

  ‘You can’t end the fight, just because your champion is losing. It’s a battle to the death.’

  ‘The accord gives me the right to end the challenge.’

  Erik’s green eyes flashed with triumph.

  ‘By ending the challenge, not only do you forfeit all claims to this colony, but also to this land and your possessions inside the house. You will be banished with no further jaktten contact. Are you sure she’s worth it?’

  ‘Yes.’

  Erik indicated that Stefan should release his hold on Hetti and he complied. He also spat a clump of fur and several globs of blood from his mouth, and howled in triumph.

  ‘This has worked out even better than I hoped for,’ Erik said, as he turned to address his supporters. ‘I am now leader of this colony. My first duty will be to set up a new council with Stefan as my lead advisor. Viktor collect your wounded champion.’

  Viktor turned to Helen, hating the fear in her light-blue eyes, but knowing it was far from over.

  ‘Turn around and walk back through the labyrinth,’ he said. ‘Slowly. Don’t run or some of the jaktten might be tempted to chase you. The scent of blood is in the air and they’re volatile after the fight they witnessed.’

  ‘What about you?’

  ‘I’m going to get Hetti. I’ll meet you by the car.’

  Erik shook his head and raised his voice. ‘Not so fast. I want your little human to witness her former-prince take his walk of shame.’

  ‘Ignore him,’ Viktor replied, knowing what was coming next and not wanting her to see any part of it. ‘Get to the car. Lock yourself insid
e.’

  54

  Helen didn’t like the look on Viktor’s face, but she slowly backed up as he instructed. She didn’t want to turn her back on the aliens, but they didn’t seem as interested in her as earlier, only Viktor, as he strode towards Hetti’s fallen figure. She wasn’t moving and there was a pool of blood beneath her head. He crouched beside her and scooped her into his arms. That’s when the first jaktten attacked. It was a quick swipe of claws across Viktor’s back. No sooner had it pounced than it retreated, and another took its place. The blows were fast and relentless, but Viktor managed to get to his feet and protect Hetti at the same time. Blood seeped through his clothes and Helen found her gaze drawn towards Erik, who managed to look both righteous and gleeful at the same time. She turned and ran into the labyrinth.

  It was even darker on the way back and she stumbled a few times over lose rocks and branches. When she exited the labyrinth, the sun had completely set but the moon cast enough light for her to retrace her steps past the pond and through the gardens. She felt a surge of relief when she saw Viktor’s car. She was about to get inside when Viktor emerged from behind the stables. He was running faster than she ever could, whilst still carrying Hetti in his arms.

  ‘Oh my God,’ she exclaimed as she raced to meet him. He looked like something from a horror movie. His clothes were in tatters and blood oozed from beneath the material.

  ‘Get in the car,’ he ordered. ‘You’ll have to drive, as there’s nowhere to put Hetti in the two-seater apart from on my lap.’

  ‘You need medical attention first.’

  ‘It looks worse than it is.’

  ‘I’m the doctor and it looks pretty damn bad to me.’

  ‘We don’t have time to argue about this, Helen. Please just drive.’

  He reached into the pocket of his jeans and took out the keys for her. He opened the passenger door and folded his large body into the small space, cradling Hetti like a large dog against his chest. Helen got into the driver’s seat and tried to stop her hands from shaking as she put the key into the ignition.