by S. E. Smith
Rising up, he left the unconscious female lying on the moist ground. He quickly gathered the weapons from the fallen attackers before he pulled his hunting knife from the chest of the slender male. He jogged over to the skimmers. He didn't want to take a chance of leaving a skimmer just in case the female managed to escape. Looking at the laser rifle, he set it to full charge before sliding it part ways into the engine compartment. Sliding onto the other skimmer, he silently thanked Mandra for showing him how one worked during the many hours of training. Since he couldn't shift like the other Valdier warriors, Mandra had shown him how to operate one of their skimmers so he could follow them to the different areas they had used over the last few weeks. Once he was far enough away, he aimed the laser pistol he had confiscated at the charged rifle and squeezed the trigger. The skimmer exploded, raining debris down around the waist high ferns.
Paul turned the skimmer around and headed toward the direction he had ordered Bio to head in. If the other mercenary was able to follow the golden symbiot he could only hope that it would be able to protect the little ones. He knew they were supposed to be powerful and had glimpsed a little of what they were capable of but he didn’t want to take any chances.
Pressing his foot down on the accelerator, he shot forward easily navigating through the dark shadows of the forest. He traveled several miles when he felt a stirring deep down as if warning him that danger was near. He was close to the edge of the forest where the cliffs leading down to the turbulent waters of the ocean fell far below. He slowed and gradually lowered the skimmer down until it rested on the outer edge of the dark woods. He slipped off the skimmer, gripping the laser pistol in his right hand. He could see the other skimmer doing a slow sweep back and forth along the edge of the cliff.
“Let’s see if you can swim you son-of-a-bitch,” Paul muttered under his breath as he aimed the laser pistol at one of the stabilizing elevators.
He fired five shots in rapid succession. The skimmer tilted at a sharp angle as the shots tore through the stabilizer. He watched as the slender purple figure of the male called Pehr fought to regain control as it lost elevation. The nose of the skimmer tilted at an awkward angle before it began to spin. Paul watched as the male threw himself off the skimmer as the nose connected with the rocky surface of the cliff. He moved cautiously forward as it plummeted to the rocks jutting out of the waters along the base of the cliff.
He was almost to the edge when he saw a dark purple hand reach out to grip wildly for a handhold. Paul walked over to the drop off and looked down into the cold, black eyes that glared back up at him. Kneeling down, he returned the glare with an icy look of his own. Paul grinned when he saw the male’s eyes widen in bewilderment to be staring into the eyes of a human male instead of a Valdier warrior.
“Not what you expected?” Paul asked in a quiet, deadly voice. “Where is Raffvin?”
“What are you?” Pehr asked as he struggled to get a better grip as his feet slid on the narrow rock face. “You are not a Valdier.”
Paul leaned forward just a little and grinned menacingly. “Answer my question first. Where is Raffvin and what does he want?”
Pehr grunted as his hands began to slip on the thin turf of grass he held. “Help me up and I will tell you,” he snarled out as the rock under his feet began to crumble and he slipped down half an inch.
“Answer my questions and I might help you,” Paul said with a shake of his head. “Where is Raffvin and what does he want?” He demanded again.
Pehr looked up at Paul with a furious expression. “I tell you and I’m dead. I don’t tell you and I’m dead. Looks like I am dead either way,” he growled as he slipped even further.
Paul reached out and grabbed Pehr’s wrist as he started to slide. He stared down at him through narrow eyes. “You don’t have to die,” he responded tightly. “Tell me what I want to know and you might live,” Paul said before adding with a grin. “But if you do I wouldn’t trust the female that was with you. I don’t think she likes you anymore,” he added.
*.*.*
Pehr’s eyes narrowed on the strange alien species holding his life in his hand. He had planned on using this mission to break free of his required assignment. He might be a Marastin Dow but he had discovered that there was a life much different from the one he had been raised to believe. He knew his life expectancy would be short the longer he was aboard the Hoarder. He was the second officer aboard it and officers did not last long if they were not careful. He knew Kasha, the female the strange alien was talking about, had her eye on replacing him. He had already caught her trying to poison him. He hoped he would be able to slip away during this assignment but his commander, paranoid that he meant to take his position, had sent him down with the attacking force.
Pehr looked into the strange dark brown and gold eyes before making a decision. It was true what he had said, he was dead either way. Still, he had a better chance of escaping from this being than from either Raffvin or the rest of the members of the crew of the Marastin Dow.
“I will tell you what I know in exchange for a chance to disappear,” Pehr said grimly.
Paul studied the black eyes of the creature he was holding. “Try anything and I’ll blast a hole through your ass,” Paul bit out harshly. “Don’t fuck with me,” he warned. “You were after my grandbabies.”
Pehr released a weary sigh and shook his head. “Actually, I wasn’t,” Pehr reluctantly confided. “I was hoping if I followed the golden skimmer it would lead me away from everyone else,” he admitted honestly. “But I promise, I had no desire to capture it. I was just trying to figure out a place to hide until everyone else was killed or gone.”
Pehr knew it sounded crazy coming from a male of his species but it was the truth. There was an uprising going on back on his home planet. Many of the younger generation were rebelling against the way they were being raised. As the younger Marastin Dow interacted with other species, they were realizing there was more to life than raising their young to be killers, thieves, and the low-life of the star systems. Now, a large section of the Marastin Dow had decided that was not how they wanted to continue to live. Pehr and his brothers had started a rebellion that was building into a major revolution for change. His older brother was the leader of the rebellion. Pehr knew he was under suspicion when he was transferred to his current assignment. It had become time for him to ‘die’ quietly somewhere. Raffvin’s offer of credits to mount this suicide attack couldn’t have come at a better time for him.
He waited as the unusual male decided his fate. The only regret he had if the male decided it was time for him to die was that he would not be a part of the changes coming to his own home world. He wanted to one day see it prosper like those of many of the other star systems, including the Valdier, Sarafin, and Curizan. A relieved sigh escaped him when he heard the male mutter a dark curse before he found he was being pulled upward instead of slipping further down.
“You better damn well not try anything,” the male cursed as he gripped Pehr’s arm and jerked him up with surprising strength.
“I have more to live for than to die for,” Pehr admitted as he rolled over onto his back on the hard ground and held his hands out in surrender as Paul stepped back and aimed the laser pistol at his chest.
“And why is that?” Paul demanded as he stared at Pehr with narrow, suspicious eyes.
“I want freedom for my world,” Pehr replied quietly, sitting up and lowering his hands to his side. “This is my chance to become a shadow so I can fight for the survival of my people from the tyranny that is currently governing it.”
Paul looked at the seriousness in the male’s eyes. He could not only see but hear the truth behind his words. With a look of disgust, Paul lowered his weapon but remained alert.
“Where is Raffvin?” Paul asked harshly.
Pehr shook his head. “I don’t know,” he said calmly before he raised his hands again when Paul pointed the laser pistol at him again. “I speak the truth. He use
d an encrypted code to block his signal so we couldn’t pinpoint his location. He transferred credits to one of our holders as a retainer to attack the Valdier royals when the signal was given. I do know there is a traitor in the palace who is relaying information to him. No name was given but it is the only way your location could have been pinpointed and we knew you were away from the palace. He had a Curizan freighter fitted for members of my crew to use so we could beam down. In addition, there is a small, hidden base to the northeast. It is buried under the sands. That is where we came from. He had skimmers ready for our use.”
“What were your exact orders?” Paul asked trying to understand what Raffvin was after.
Pehr shrugged his shoulders. “To kill all but the leader of the Valdier if possible. Capture a symbiot and return with it,” he said not taking his eyes off the huge man standing in front of him.
“And,” Paul prompted.
Pehr frowned for a moment, a puzzled look on his face. “To draw as many warriors away from the palace as possible.”
Paul paled. “Did he say why?”
Pehr shook his head. “No. Though I did hear him say something rather strange right before the transmission ended. I don’t think he was even aware he had spoken aloud,” Pehr admitted as he thought of Raffvin’s last muttered words before the transmission was cut.
Paul could feel his gut clench in fear. He felt the movement of something deep inside him as if it was suddenly pushing, trying to get out as the fear grew. He swore loudly as he turned toward the skimmer. He paused a moment, turning back around to face the male who remained unmoving.
“What did he say?” Paul growled out harshly.
Pehr studied Paul’s suddenly frozen expression and for the first time realized just how lucky he had been to have received mercy from the predator standing in front of him. He made a mental note that if the two of them ever crossed paths again, he wanted to make sure they were on the same side.
“She is mine at last,” Pehr said, not understanding what the words meant.
It didn’t matter whether he understood the words or not, the other male did. The words were no sooner out of Pehr’s mouth before the strange alien was running for the woods. A moment later, a skimmer burst out of the trees curving back in the direction of the palace. Pehr stood up and wiped the dirt off the back of his pants. He flicked open his communicator and sent the emergency signal to his younger brother. He had his own war to wage.
I am now officially dead, he thought as he felt the familiar rush of adrenaline wash over him as he thought of the changes to come.
Chapter 12
Morian smiled down softly at the infant she held in her arms. She had returned to Carmen and Creon’s living quarters an hour before to check on them. Carmen was resting with Spring, her oldest daughter, while Abby, Cara, Trisha, and Ariel had left to go get some lunch. Morian couldn't help but chuckle as she watched their symbiots trotting beside them in a wide variety of shapes. Her symbiot was her constant companion since she returned from the atrium where she had gone to shed tears of joy after the birth of her latest great-children. She knew it could feel the weakness sweeping through her as her dragon became more and more withdrawn and was concerned.
“Dola, are you well?” Creon asked from behind her.
Morian turned and smiled at her youngest son. “Of course. Phoenix is beautiful, just like her mother,” she responded lightly as she caressed the soft, pink cheek of the little girl she held tenderly against her.
Creon looked suspiciously at her. A hint of worry darkened his golden eyes as he noticed that she seemed unusually pale. Even her eyes seemed duller than ever before, including after the death of their father.
“Tell me what is wrong,” he demanded. “Has the human male harmed you? Mandra told me he is your true mate. Has he done something to upset you?”
Morian laughed at the fierce expression on Creon’s face. He looked like he was ready to defend her honor against some great foe. She walked over to gently lay his tiny, dark haired daughter in his outstretched arms. Only when the sleeping babe was securely in his arms did she lay her hand tenderly against his cheek.
“No, he has not harmed me,” she assured him quietly, rubbing her thumb back and forth on his rough cheek. “He is my true mate and he has been wonderful. I am happy to have known the joys of what having a true mate can bring. I am just tired. Perhaps I will go rest for a little while. I am not as young as I used to be,” she admitted with a tired sigh.
Creon’s face softened as he saw the shadows under her eyes. “Thank you for your help this morning. I don’t think I have ever been more afraid or more thankful to have you here. I love you, Dola,” he said with a warm smile.
“I love you as well, my son,” Morian replied softly. “I am so proud of you. Take good care of your mate and your younglings. You will be a good father to your daughters,” she said turning to leave.
Creon watched his mother walk gracefully toward the door. He called out as she opened the door, gazing at her with a worried frown on his face.
“You are sure you are just tired?” He asked again, studying her carefully.
Morian nodded and smiled before she stepped out of the room and gently shut the door behind her. The lump in her throat prevented her from responding to his searching question. She drew in a deep breath before heading back to the atrium where she could seek the peace of her plants. Her symbiot brushed against her in support.
Morian moved more out of habit than of awareness. She reached for her dragon and tenderly stroked its white scales. She felt it shudder as she gave the mental caress.
I am so sorry, my friend, she murmured in sorrow. I love him so much.
Love my mate, her dragon responded weakly. Need his touch. Why I not good enough for my mate? Her dragon asked in mourning.
Do not think that! Morian responded sternly. You are more than good enough. It was just not meant to be. We should be thankful to have at least known the love of our true mate. It is not your fault he is unable to transform. It was not the will of the Gods to grant us this gift. We should be thankful for what we have and cherish it as long as we can.
Her dragon did not respond. It just rolled over and curled up. Its despair pulled at Morian. She could feel its pain and loneliness tearing at her fragile control. She brushed the tear that coursed down her cheek away with an impatient hand. She would not feel sorry for herself or dwell on things she could not change. She would hold every second she had with Paul to her as if it was a precious gift.
It is a precious gift, she told herself fiercely. Not many women are given the chance to love not once but twice in their lifetime. I will not tarnish our love with useless dreams or hopeless wishes.
Morian was so focused on the argument she was having with herself that she didn't recognize the warning that brushed across her mind until it was too late. The hand that wrapped around her throat pulled a startled gasp from her even as her symbiot moved to attack.
“I’ll kill her,” the raspy, harsh voice warned. “Not even you will be able to heal her from the wound I would inflict.”
“Raffvin!” Morian choked out.
The dark, menacing chuckle in her ear sent ripples of fear through her. “Yes, my beautiful mate. I finally have you,” Raffvin murmured as he wrapped his other arm around her and breathed in her scent. Morian’s cry was cut off as his hand tightened around her neck, cutting off her ability to breathe. “I smell another male on you!”
Morian’s hands clawed at the grip he had around her neck until he loosened it just enough for her to draw in a desperate breath. Her symbiot snarled in rage and frustration as it paced just inside the top step of the atrium. It shivered in fear and revulsion when a very small symbiot of pure black snaked in between its body and the body of its mistress.
Morian’s eyes widened in fear as she saw the abomination Raffvin had created out of what remained of his symbiot. Her horror that he could take something so pure and turn it into something so horrid
froze her. She knew what had happened to the symbiots of the guards who were protecting Trisha. She would not allow hers to be destroyed that way.
“Stay back,” she whispered. “Do not let it touch you.”
Raffvin chuckled as he pulled her closer. “Very smart, but you always were,” he purred as he rubbed his nose along her neck. “Now, tell me whose scent covers you,” he demanded again squeezing her until she was sure her ribs would crack.
“My mate,” she cried out painfully. “My true mate.”
Raffvin pulled her backwards with a hiss to his symbiot to keep the other one away from them. Turning Morian roughly around, he struck her across the face. Morian cried out again but was unable to pull away from him due to the steely grasp he had on her wrist.
“I am your true mate!” He growled out. “You are mine! You have always been mine. I was born to control you, the Hive, and the Valdier.”
“No,” Morian responded in a trembling voice. “The elders saw what was in your heart and rejected you.”
“It was your mother and father who rejected my claim,” Raffvin snarled pulling her by her hair until she was standing in front of him again.
“What are you talking about?” Morian asked in shock.
“I watched you for years until you were old enough to claim. You were different from any other woman I had ever seen,” Raffvin said with a cruel smile curving his lips. “You were always slipping away with the help of your symbiot. You would run through the forests playing and fighting imaginary creatures while your symbiot played with you. I knew you must have been special. It was said your mother could talk to the Gods. You must have been able to as well. With the power of the Gods behind me, I could defeat any who challenged me,” he murmured as he slid his hand down over the heated flesh of the cheek he had struck. “With you by my side, I would rule our world.”