The Edge of it All
Page 4
Panic steals my breath as he leans down to scent me, grazing his teeth along the curve of my neck and shoulder. Goosebumps prickle my flesh as something warm and wet drags across my skin, directly over my pulsing artery.
His dark desire floods my thoughts and I choke on a scream as he sinks his teeth deep into my neck. The heavy scent of iron fills the air. The sick pull against my skin is agonizing torture as he drinks of my blood. His hands clamp down on my arms in a bruising grip and I'm unable to move as his consciousness holds mine prisoner.
My pulse pounds in my ears as I begin to grow weaker, my life slowly fading as he drains me. Perverse delight dances across the landscape of his dark and twisted mind. He reaches one hand between us, roughly pushing my threadbare dress up to my waist and then fumbling with his pants. Pulling at the fastenings to free himself, he forces my thighs apart to settle between them.
Darkness closes in at the edges of my vision. Rage wars with devastation as my body begins to fail, and I struggle to keep my eyes open. I can't believe I'm going to die this way.
Paralyzed under the crushing weight of Talel's invading consciousness, tears of despair and anger roll down my cheeks. I think of my parents and how sad they'll be never knowing what happened to their daughter. I think of my sister and my little niece, Elizabeth. I wish I could see them one last time. All the things I've ever done and all the things I'll never do run through my head, and a broken sob escapes me.
"Let her go!" Tr'lani's panicked voice calls out.
He rips his teeth from my neck and growls over his shoulder, "Silence! It will be your turn next!"
Blood covers his mouth and drips from his chin. He looks every bit the terrifying monster of ancient Terran lore.
Desperate to escape I test the movements of my body, flexing and extending my hands at my side. Determination fills me as I muster all that is left of my strength. I have to fight. If I don't, he’ll rape me and kill me. And then do the same to Tr'lani.
He wipes his hand across his bloody mouth. Staring down at the crimson liquid, he frowns. "Your blood. It is red." He narrows his eyes. "What are you?"
My gaze flicks to his belt. Taking advantage of his confusion, I grab his blaster, pulling it free.
Lightning fast, he rips it from my grip and backhands my cheek with the hard butt of the weapon. Pain shoots through my jaw as the taste of iron fills my mouth.
His nostrils flare as he wraps one hand tightly around my neck. "Look at me," he commands. "I will not tolerate disobedience."
Channeling my fear into rage I meet his gaze evenly and grit through my teeth. "Then you should kill me now, because I will not obey."
His eyes widen in shock, as if he cannot believe what I've just said. He throws his head back, and an evil, guttural laugh erupts from his throat. "I enjoy a challenge. I think I will keep you for a while."
Anger twists deep inside me. I am strong, and I vow that I will kill him and save Tr'lani. Even if it is the last thing I do.
The door chimes, drawing his attention away. "Enter!" he calls out.
Booted footsteps enter the room. "Lord Talel, you have visitors."
"Who is it?"
"Prince Soran and Prince Rowan of Mosaura."
"What do they want?"
"I do not know, my lord, but they have requested to speak with you."
He huffs out an irritated breath. "Show the princes to the reception room. I will receive them there."
"Yes, my lord."
I inhale sharply, wincing as his hand clamps tighter around my forearm. "You will sit beside me like a good pet and accompany me to meet with the princes."
Fire burns through my veins as I glare up at him.
His glowing green eyes meet mine in challenge. "Behave, or I will make you watch as I kill your friend. And I can promise, it will not be a quick death."
Clenching my jaw, I force myself to nod.
He jerks me to my feet, and my legs are so weak I worry I'm going to collapse, but I somehow manage to remain upright.
He tips his head to the side to regard me. "I usually share my slaves with my men. But you, I will keep for myself. Your blood is the finest I've ever tasted. What species are you?"
Fear spikes through me but I do my best to hide it. "I'm Martian." The lie is close enough to the truth that if he invades my mind again, it should hold up against his assault.
I was the first baby conceived on Mars Colony. My dad was a pilot back when the shuttles to Mars were done without stasis sleep. With the old Z80 ships, it used to take three months each way. My mom was a botanist, traveling to work in the hydroponics bays on the new settlement. That's how they met.
Shortly after my older sister, Angela, was born on Terra, my parents decided to return to Mars. Other babies had already been born on the red, barren planet, but I was the first one conceived there. Dad always teased that I was a Martian, and it stuck with me ever since.
Talel gives me a suspicious look. I answered him too quickly. I should have feigned hesitance.
"A Martian." He repeats the word to himself as he clips the chain to my collar. "My people will be very interested in yours." He jerks me forward. "Follow me and do exactly as I say."
As we pass Tr'lani's cage, our eyes lock briefly. I put my hand to my chest in the gesture she taught me was one of deep affection for her race. Although it's only been a few weeks since we were sold to the Anguis, she's become like a sister to me.
I want so much to reassure her that we will find a way out of this, but I can't. All I know is that I will do everything I can to make sure that she, at least, survives. I can only hope that she understands as I whisper the word, "In'ari."
It is the sacred Aerilon word for family, but it means so much more than this. It's a promise to honor the ties that bind you—to never forget or leave anyone behind.
"In'ari," she repeats solemnly. A sad, low trilling hum emits from her throat, following me out into the hallway before the doors close behind us.
We walk down a long corridor. My eyes are now adjusted to the muted green lighting. It casts just enough illumination that I'm able to visualize more of the ship's interior. Sparsely decorated, this vessel appears to be strictly utilitarian. Dark metal panels line the floors, walls and ceiling. It's strange that there don't appear to be any signs or visible markers, making me wonder how they discern one hallway or door from the next.
We pass several other A'kai. All of them tall, green-skinned, elf-like beings with white hair and three slight cranial ridges on their foreheads. One goes straight up their forehead from between their brows, and the other two start at the same point but go out like a V to their temples.
They watch me curiously as we pass. Their nostrils flare as they scent the air, probably to smell my fear or my blood...or maybe both. All I know is that these guys are monsters, and if I don't figure out a way for us to escape, we're dead.
I pay close attention to my surroundings, making a mental note of our path. It's difficult because it is so much darker on this ship than it was on the station. I wonder if it's because the A'kai are trying to simulate some kind of nighttime, or if it's that they prefer a darkened environment.
We stop in front of a large door, and Talel turns to face me. "You are my property, and you will keep your head down and your gaze trained on the floor. Do you understand?"
I cannot afford to make him mad. He's already threatened to kill Tr'lani, and I have to do whatever I can to protect her. So I will obey. For now. "Yes."
"'Yes' what?" he growls.
His eyes turn into obsidian orbs and a feral snarl twists his lips as his fangs extend into sharpened points. He is every bit a vampire from the ancient Terran myths. My childhood nightmare made manifest before me.
Lowering my gaze to the floor, I push down my fear. "Yes, Master."
With a soft whoosh of air, the door slides open, and we enter a brightly lit room. In stark contrast to the rest of the ship, I can only assume the extra lighting is for his guests. I
blink several times as my eyes adjust. From my limited field of vision, I notice two plush dark-gray sofas hovering above the ground, separated by what looks like a floating coffee table between them. It's so similar to something you'd find on Terra, except our furniture doesn't levitate.
He drags me behind him, pulling on my chain to direct me where he wants. Clamping a heavy hand on my shoulder, he forces me to kneel at his feet as he sits in the chair beside me. Not wanting to incur his wrath, I keep my eyes down and notice two large sets of boots directly across from us. These guys must be huge. The leggings of their uniform are a dark, metallic, tightly woven material, molded to what little I can see of their form from this angle--almost like a second skin.
Talel speaks first. "What brings you two here today?" he asks in a surprisingly friendly voice.
"Slavery is illegal, Talel," one of the men says. His voice is deep and smooth like velvet, and I find myself wondering what he looks like because I think he might be a good guy. Especially if this is his conversation opener.
I flinch involuntarily when Talel's hand touches the top of my head to pet my hair. "So it is, Prince Soran," he replies. "But we are in the neutral zone, and the laws are a bit vague here, so you'll have to forgive me if I indulge in a few guilty pleasures."
A low and menacing growl rumbles from Soran's chest. "Give us the females."
A spike of panic goes through me. Maybe he's not a good guy like I thought. But my fear quickly disappears when he speaks again.
"I vow if you give them to us, we will return them to their home worlds and not mention your name, for you know it is death if their people find out you kept them as slaves."
Cautious hope fills me as I wait for Talel's answer to Soran's bargain. I squeeze my eyes shut, praying to whoever may be listening that he accepts their terms and lets us go.
A sharp jerk of my collar makes my eyes snap open. "What are you doing?" Talel hisses.
Full of nervous anticipation, I don't have time to think of a lie as I keep my gaze down and stumble over my words. “I’m—I’m praying."
He scoffs. "Prayers will not avail you." He leans forward to address Soran. "I will not give up my pets. I haven't finished playing with them. Perhaps you can have the scraps when I'm done."
Soran growls and shoots up from his chair so quickly I cannot stop myself from looking up.
The moment my eyes meet his, the growl dies in his throat as he stares at me in shock. His mouth drifts open, and so does mine.
Large, silver, reflective eyes stare down at me, and they look so familiar, my breath hitches. He's covered in smooth, grayish-silver scales that shimmer softly beneath the light with accented highlights of red across the sharp ridges of his cheeks and brows. A small, bony ridge starts at the top of his forehead and spreads out across his skull in a V, disappearing into short-cropped, obsidian hair. A long and deep scar starts just above his right brow, stretching down to his cheek.
My heart stops. This is the same man I've seen many times in my dreams. The sharp angles and aristocratic features of his cheekbones, brow, and nose are exactly as I remember. I've drawn his face so many times, I would recognize it anywhere.
He's just as I've imagined. He is fierce and beautiful all at once, and as he stares down at me, he whispers the word "Ashaya" so low that I wonder if he actually said it or if I just read it from his lips. Although I do not understand what this word means, I know it is not spoken harshly or in anger. There's a kindness reflected behind his silver eyes, and despite all I've been through, my instincts tell me I can trust him. After all, he is bargaining for our freedom.
The man beside him draws his attention as he wraps a hand around his forearm. With a thumb and four fingers tipped with lethal black claws, it's obvious these guys could be dangerous, but I'm not afraid.
"Brother," he says, looking to Soran, "you must calm yourself and sit down."
Soran's eyes dart back to mine a moment before he narrows his gaze at my master. "What do you want for the females? Name your price, and we'll pay it."
A wicked grin spreads across Talel's face. "I never thought you'd be so interested in something outside of your own species."
Soran bristles, his nostrils flaring in anger.
Talel sits back down with a feigned air of casualness. "Let us have tea and discuss our terms."
The muscles tic on the side of Soran's jaw as he takes a seat next to his brother.
Talel hits a glowing panel on the table between them, and a man enters the room, setting a large tray with what I assume is a strange square teapot and three small cups.
When Talel reaches out to pour the steaming liquid, I notice the slight trick of his hand as he tips his ring. A single drop of what I suspect to be poison dollops into the two cups he pours for Soran and his brother.
"I don't want tea," Soran snaps. "Just tell me your terms. How much for the females?"
"Tea is a part of every A'kai negotiation," Talel replies smoothly. "It is part of our custom, and we will honor it."
Anxiety twists deep inside me as Soran and his brother reach forward to each take a cup. This is it. I can't stand by and watch them be poisoned. Drawing in a deep breath, I steel my courage. If this is how I die, so be it.
The world shifts into slow motion as I jump up from the floor and swipe the cup from Soran's grasp, throwing it back at Talel.
He only has a moment to look surprised before the liquid splashes across his face. Crying out like a wounded animal, his skin sizzles and burns from the caustic poison. Chaos erupts as Soran and his brother rush forward to attack.
Talel jerks my chain, sending me flying backward. Pain explodes across my back and skull as I slam against the wall and slide down to the floor in a crumpled heap.
Darkness swims at the edges of my vision. I blink several times, trying to focus and stay awake. The violent sounds of struggle followed by the muted blasts of an energy weapon drift across the room. Booted footsteps rush toward me, and I curl onto my side just as Soran falls to his knees. His face is a mask of concern as his gaze rakes over my form. Everything hurts. It takes every ounce of my strength to move, but I somehow manage to reach out to him with a trembling hand, staring deep into his silver eyes.
"Please," I whisper. "Save my friend."
Soran
Striking sea-green eyes stare up into mine as the V'loryn female asks me for help.
Ashaya.
The word ripples through me, suffusing body and soul as awareness spreads like liquid fire through my veins. My soul recognizes I am irrevocably hers; she is now as much a part of me as the heart that beats solidly within my chest. I am bound to her by celestial fate.
Fierce protectiveness rushes through me as I stare down at her small form. "I swear to the Creator, we will help you and your friend to escape."
Her gaze holds mine, and I recognize the cautious hope behind her eyes. Hope is a dangerous thing when you're a slave—more precious than L'omhara. And I vow I will not shatter hers.
"You have to find my friend," she says, pushing up on one arm as she struggles to rise. "We cannot leave her with these monsters."
She collapses to the floor with a sharp cry. Tears sliding down her cheeks as she grits her teeth in pain. Her hand drifts down to her left leg, swollen and bleeding. She slams her fist against the floor in frustration before lifting a tortured gaze to mine. "I can't walk; I'll only slow you down. Just leave me and go help my friend."
I'm shocked by her strength. I've seen males on the battlefield with injuries nowhere near as severe as hers who cried out like wild kravens. Yet this female just grits her teeth against the pain and implores me to leave her behind to save her friend? She may be small, but she has the heart of a warrior.
I carefully scoop her up into my arms, and she buries her head in my chest, muffling a loud cry of agony as I stand.
She looks up at me, her green eyes brimming with tears that she struggles to blink back. "I'll just slow you down. Please save my friend."
Carefully tucking her against my chest, I rush back to Rowan. Talel's crumpled body lies on the floor, quivering as he draws in a ragged breath. I shot him with my blaster set to kill, ensuring his wound is fatal and he will die this day. Although I could shoot him again and end him quickly, I do not. He deserves nothing less than a long and painful death.
Rowan's eyes are wide as he looks across at me. "We have to go before someone comes. We cannot fight an entire regiment of A'kai by ourselves."
"We cannot leave without the Aerilon."
Panicked, he paces back and forth as if trying to come up with a plan. He runs his hand roughly through his hair and then leans down to ask my Ashaya. "Where is your friend? We have to hurry."
"Left down the hallway," she replies weakly. "Third door on the right."
We move to the door and press the panel to open it. Rowan cautiously peeks his head out to scan the passage. "It's empty," he whispers, not bothering to look back as he motions for me to follow.
Sweat beads on my forehead as we move as quietly as possible down the corridor. The sound of raucous laughter echoes from somewhere nearby. I don't know how many A'kai are on this ship, but certainly more than my brother and I could ever hope to defeat on our own. The Creator is with us as we make our way unnoticed to the room that holds the Aerilon.
As soon as we enter, an A'kai soldier spins to face us, his fangs dripping with the Aerilon's blood as she fights against his hold.
Rowan rushes forward to attack, but a burst of light flies past him, hitting the A'kai square in the chest. The life fades from his eyes as he drops to the floor in a crumpled heap.