Grai's Game (First Wave)

by Mikayla Lane

  Hours later, the men were surrounded by the happy faces of the twenty-seven children under the age of sixteen that were currently at the compound.

  Grai had explained to them earlier that normally the children were housed in a private group home that he ran through a shell corporation. Until he knew for certain that his brother didn’t know about the children or the group home, he had them brought down here to ensure their safety.

  “Amun, Megan will be sending all the data on each of the children. We’re going to need identifications as soon as you can get them. I have to warn you that it may be a little difficult, and it may yield more than one result.”

  “We’ve learned that some of the hybrid children, found and mated with other hybrid children.” Ivint said through his comm, amazed that Grai had been able to save that many of their children. That the young hybrid children had somehow been drawn to one another from what they had told him.

  What had surprised Ivint the most had been the number of female children. Out of the twenty-seven, twenty of them were female. They had not seen twenty females born of their species in over a thousand years. It only solidified in his mind how important this planet was to their people.

  An internal alarm began sounding a soft beep, until Grai pulled out his comm and activated it. Cristali came on the small vid screen, her expression one of worry.

  “Sir, we’ve got a private incoming from Rab on the emergency channel.”

  Grai looked to Megan, the Valendran hybrid taking care of the children and nodding her head; she began sending the children from the room and into another with the promise of a snack.

  Moving to a desk in the corner, Grai typed on the pad until he was able to bring Cristali on the screen.

  “Connect now.” Grai ordered as the children left the room, before turning to the others.

  “When we realized the depth of infiltration my father and brother had accomplished within the governments and religious communities around the world, we started sending in our own people to help find and remove them when we could. The way Banatar has done. In fact, we have people working alongside most of Banatar’s.”

  “Rab is a human ally who works with one of Julou’s people in Africa…” Grai explained before seeing Rab’s face come on the screen.

  “Grai! I am so glad to see you my friend!” The dark-skinned man uttered, appearing on a smaller screen within the one with Cristali on it, out of breath as if he had been running.

  “Rab, what is wrong?” Grai asked, knowing that it had to be bad for the normally calm and rational man to appear so upset.

  “Have you seen the news about the Ebola outbreak that occurred about a hundred miles south of us?” Rab asked, looking behind him as if to make sure no one was listening to him.

  Grai thought for a moment and shook his head, nodding to Cristali to pull up the information.

  “No, I had not heard. Is there something unusual about this outbreak?” Grai asked curiously. Something was terribly wrong. Not only was Rab’s behavior an indication, but he could feel it.

  “Unfortunately, yes. Bratan left yesterday to check it out when we heard from some locals that the bodies had been desecrated, and evil controlled the village. I received one message from him last night. He managed to tell me that it wasn’t Ebola, that the bodies had been ripped apart. He said whatever had killed them was still hunting… humans.”

  “I lost the signal in the middle of him speaking, and I have not been able to reach him since then. In light of the message, you had sent to us regarding the dark ones… I just thought you should know. Should I send a team out to search for Bratan?” Rab asked nervously, looking over his shoulder again.

  Grai looked to Ivint and Banatar for a moment before turning back to Rab, noting the concern that was etched on their faces.

  “No, I want you to stay there for as long as you think you are safe. If you are not, go to your extraction location and wait for me there. I will be heading to you shortly with a team. We will find Bratan and check out the village.” Grai assured his friend, the fear he felt weighing heavily in his stomach.

  “Thank you! Truly, thank you my friend. I am very concerned about Bratan.” Rab sighed, visibly relieved.

  Grai nodded, understanding how Rab felt. He was very concerned as well. None of this seemed right to him.

  The screen went dark as Ivint asked, “What is wrong? What is Ebola?”

  “Ebola is a disease that causes massive internal bleeding, almost certain death and is highly contagious. It is not unusual for it to occur in that part of the world.”

  “The problem is that if Bratan thought that the deaths were caused by something other than Ebola, then we may have found the location where Dagog is testing the new dark ones. The ones that can take orders.” Grai said, somehow knowing that he was right as he said it.

  “Cristali, we’re heading to you. Get us all the information and maps that we need of the area.” Grai told the woman on the screen before turning and heading to the door. Ivint and Banatar following closely behind him.

  Ivint decided to use his new abilities to contact Reven, Balduen and the Tezarian’s through the Shengari’, to meet them in the control room they had been in earlier.

  They reached the control room just as the others rounded the corner to the room.

  “Come. Grai can explain when we get inside.” Ivint said, holding the door open for everyone to enter the room.

  Grai immediately went to the large table on one side of the room and began pulling the maps up on the reflective surface in a 3D projection.

  Looking around the room, he made sure he had everyone’s attention before beginning.

  “We have one of Julou’s men in place in Africa. He’s part of a team there that act as a humanitarian mission while keeping Dagog’s numbers from taking over that part of the country.”

  “Bratan heard through locals that an infectious disease outbreak nearby wiped out a village, but that the bodies were desecrated. When he went to investigate the last transmission received was this…” Grai said before nodding to Cristali.

  The screen in front of the table lit up with the familiar face of Bratan. The obviously large man was sweating profusely and trembling.

  “It… it’s definitely not Ebola.” The man paused and looked around the wooded area behind him.

  “The bodies were… I don’t know. The only thing I can compare it to would be a wild cat attack. But no cat, no animal on this planet did this to these people.”

  “Whatever it is, it’s still out there. It’s been tracking me since I arrived. I can’t see anyone, but I can feel them. Rab, you need to…” The vid went dark and Grai turned to the others.

  “What are you thinking it is?” Dread was the first to ask.

  “I think it’s my brother testing out the ability of the new dark ones to take commands. The one thing you can count on with him is that, like my father, he sticks with what works. This is the same way they have tested their prototypes for thousands of years.”

  “On this planet, he picks an obscure village or town somewhere that he thinks can easily be covered up by his friends in government and uses the unknowing residents to test his weapons or biological warfare… in this case possibly the new dark ones.”

  “Either way, I have a missing man that I need to find. Whether it’s the dark ones or my brother’s men, I need to do something before they hurt anyone else. There are too many other villages in the area that they could easily reach with people who do not deserve to die.” Grai said, pointing to the other village locations on the map, four of which were very close to the one that had been destroyed.

  “Viper and I will go with you.” Dread offered while Viper nodded his head in agreement.

  “It looks like you should have at least five small teams, maybe four or five people in each one. Each team should come in from different points, here and here…” Balduen pointed to the locations on the map in front of them.

  “It would prevent any
one still there from escaping as we approached. It’s a good idea.” Grai agreed, nodding at Balduen in thanks.

  “I will lead a team with Dread and Viper.” Reven offered without hesitation.

  “No. I am sorry, but this is not the time for that until we know what we are dealing with. We need those who are not only fully beast bonded, but familiar with bonded combat.” Grai told him, looking to Ivint to help him lessen the rejection.

  “He’s right. We have no idea what new capabilities, they have added to these new dark ones other than the ability to command them. Until we know, we need to let Grai handle this.” Ivint agreed, understanding why Grai was taking only those familiar with bonded combat.

  Just the few days that he had been bonding he had noticed times of confusion where the voice of his beast got mixed in his mind with his own thoughts and those speaking on the local Shengari’ path.

  In battle, you would have your own thoughts running through your head, your beast calling out dangers they see that you may not and the voices of the other's fighting, drifting into your mind from the local Shengari’.

  The confusion that could create in the mind of someone untrained in blocking certain thoughts, could get someone killed in a combat situation. There was a skill in being able to fully immerse yourself in the bond, allowing your mind to meld with the mind of the beast, becoming of one mind.

  It took a lot more practice to use your beast skills in combat than any of them had first realized. Reven must have realized it too as he just nodded his head in agreement to Grai.

  “I will lead another team.” Balduen offered to the surprise of everyone. No one expected him to want to be anywhere near Grai, the calmness he had displayed the last few days surprising them all no less than this offer.

  “Thank you.” Grai said, deeply moved that the man would put aside their differences to work together.

  “That gives you four-team leaders. When do you plan on leaving?” Ivint asked, glad that Balduen offered to go. Although his trust in Grai was growing every day, he still felt better knowing that one of his people would be on this mission.

  Grai looked at the time and sighed. It was almost dinner time, and he had promised to spend it with Tricia and Tristan. He was torn. He wanted nothing more than to spend some time with the both of them. However, his need to be with them warred with his need to find Bratan, to ensure that other villagers weren’t in danger.

  “Go see your family. I think that between us battle hardened men we can figure out a good plan for your approach and extraction. Meet us back here in… three hours and we’ll finalize everything.” Ivint told Grai with a huge grin on his face as if Grai had broadcasted his thoughts. Grai could feel a slow heat creeping up his cheeks.

  “Thank you, I’m sure that anything you come up with will work well.” Grai nodded with respect to the men before turning and leaving the room without another word.

  He strode down the hall quickly, sending out requests through the Shengari’ as he went to find out where his mate and child were. Getting confirmation of their location, he redirected his path to the one that would get him there the fastest.

  Two levels and eight hallways later he stood at the edge of the water listening to the laughter echoing around the large chamber.

  He watched for a moment as Tricia sat on a ledge near the natural waterfall and pool area, Tristan cradled in her lap. His enhanced hearing allowed him to hear the song she sang softly to their son.

  Blinking away his tears, he cleared his throat loudly and spoke kindly to all the children playing in the water nearby as Tricia carried Tristan through the shallow pool to Grai.

  Holding up one of the large towels kept in a cabinet near the door, Grai wrapped Tricia and Tristan in it and led them to the door.

  “You’re going somewhere aren’t you?” Tricia asked with a half-smile. She knew something had to be going on if he was searching her out at this time of the day.

  Grai quietly explained the situation to Tricia as he led them to their private quarters. Once inside he placed a dry towel on the bed and took Tristan from her arms.

  “You go get a shower, and I’ll get our boy dry and changed.” Grai offered with a smile, laying Tristan’s damp body on the towel and gently peeling off his wet T-shirt.

  “I’ll be right back baby.” Tricia promised, leaning up to place a kiss on Grai’s cheek as, he bent over their son.

  “Hurry back.” Grai suggested, the heat in his eyes unmistakable. Shivering despite the comfortable temperature, Tricia ran off to the shower.

  “It’s just us guy's now little warrior. Mommy’s getting a shower. Let’s see about getting you all nice and dry.” Grai said as he gently dried and changed Tristan into clean clothes and a clean diaper.

  Grai cleaned up the mess so Tricia wouldn’t have to do it later and grabbed Tristan’s favorite book. Sitting with his back against the wall at the head of the bed, he pulled Tristan into his arms and read to him while he waited for Tricia. Making sure he did all the different voices for the characters that Tristan had always loved.

  Fifteen minutes later, when Tricia finally got out of the shower, Tristan was already tucked comfortably in his bed, his favorite stuffed kitty cuddled next to him.

  Watching Grai finish tucking him in and giving him a gentle kiss, brought tears to Tricia’s eyes. She wished… she just wished things were different, and her son was well.

  She was startled for a moment when Grai picked her up into his arms and deposited her on their bed. “You took way too long, my love.” He growled low; her aroused scent teasing him.

  Tricia smiled up into his eyes, “You don’t have to leave yet?”

  The heated look in Grai’s eyes told her that he didn’t, but she wanted to hear him say it anyway.

  “No, my love. I don’t. Unless you would rather just relax?” Grai asked, knowing better but offering her an excuse, in case she changed her mind.

  “You know better than that! I have missed you so much.” Tricia said with a sigh as she pulled him down to lay with her on the bed.

  “I have missed you both more than words can ever express. I am sorry I haven’t been with you these long months.” Grai told her as he pulled her into his arms and stroked his hand down her bare back, pushing the damp towel she wore out of his way.

  “Don’t ever apologize for that. I know what you have done for your people, for Ivint’s people, and mostly for Tristan and I. I am just glad we are together now.” Tricia leaned up to take Grai’s mouth in a heated kiss, pouring her feelings for the incredible man as their lips melted together.

  Grai growled low in his throat, struggling to contain his need and desire for his mate. She was right; it had been way too long since he had been able to hold her and be with her, his control was slipping far too quickly.

  “It’s all right, baby. I don’t want you to be gentle right now.” Tricia assured him, knowing his fear of hurting her was preventing him from taking her the way she wanted to be taken.

  Grai sighed, his need warring with his conscience and his fear that his size and strength would get out of hand, and he would hurt her.

  “Please, Grai…” Tricia whispered into his ear as, she ground her hips upward against his own.

  His control snapped, as she had known that it would. In moments, he was completely naked and climbing back into the bed alongside her, pulling her body underneath his own.

  “Yes…” Tricia whispered as Grai nuzzled her neck, licking and nipping his way down her body, taking her towel with him as he went.

  The feel of his breath on her most intimate area caused her body to tremble in anticipation before all thought fled from her mind.

  By the time he finally crawled up her body, she was limp and still reeling from the multiple orgasms he had given her, but she pulled him to her, welcoming him.

  “Are you all right? Do you need a moment?” Grai asked as he always did.

  Tricia smiled brightly up at her beautiful mate, reaching up to caress
his cheek.

  “I am perfectly fine, my love. Please…” Tricia asked, pulling his hips down to her own. The feel of his silky hardness pressing against her so intimately caused her to close her eyes and moan.

  The soft little moan was Grai’s undoing. With a moan of his own, he entered her slowly, giving her time to adjust to his size. They had been apart for so long, he didn’t want to hurt her with his excitement.

  Once he had filled her completely, he gritted his teeth and held himself still giving her time to tell him if she changed her mind and wasn’t ready for him.

  Grai’s tenderness and concern for her never failed to amaze Tricia. She’d never known anyone to take such care to ensure the happiness and pleasure of another as Grai did, never expecting anything in return. She needed care of a different kind right now though, and it wasn’t his tenderness.

  Grabbing hold of his hips, Tricia pulled him inside more deeply and rolled her hips against his own, eliciting a deep growl from him.

  “Please baby…” Tricia encouraged as she rolled her hips again, unable to stifle her own moan at the feel of him so thick and deep.

  That was all the encouragement that Grai needed. Pulling out until just the head rested inside of her, he waited a moment before plunging back in.

  “Oh God, Grai. Don’t stop!” Tricia cried out, her fingers digging into his hips to keep him close.

  Finally confident that Tricia was ready, Grai relaxed some of his tight control, allowing his body and his senses to find and give his mate the pleasure and release that she needed. That he needed. Their cries of release echoing around the room.

  Grai held himself slightly above Tricia, making sure not to crush her small body with his large one as they both calmed down and regained their breath.

  Feeling more normal he rolled to his side and pulled Tricia with him until she was laying half over his body, her head resting against his shoulder.

  Tricia twirled one finger around Grai’s chest and remembered what Grai had said before they had come in the room, and he’d made her forget her name. She smiled at the memory and vowed to find a way to do that more often before turning her attention to the matter at hand.