The Scientist's Price (Warriors Book 1)

by L P Peace

‘Oh, vrok! Olivia!’

  He came, and she didn’t stop. He came again, and Olivia kept going. On his third climax, several since the beginning of the night, she gasped and her cunt gripped him. She moaned and whimpered, her head falling back yet again.

  She lay down, her body trembling, her muscles flinching.

  ‘My point is, you don’t have to stop on my account. In fact, it’s better if you don’t.’

  ‘I will keep that in mind,’ Kadian managed as he pulled in deep, gasping breaths.

  ‘I really like Todaal biology,’ Olivia said. ‘I’m going to have a lot of fun with you over the years.’

  ‘Oh, dear! I’m going to die young,’ Kadian said. ‘And it’s going to be glorious!’

  Silence had fallen some time ago. Olivia curled into Kadian on the musty-smelling sofa, her breathing deep and even, assuring Kadian she was sleeping.

  Kadian remembered the picture of Olivia’s mother and father on their wedding, which had sat on her desk for the several cycles she had shared his lab. Kadian, in his obsession with her, had examined the picture several times, picking out which features her parents had each donated to their daughter to make her the female he loved. He stared at her now, picking them out, fascinated with every feature, every freckle, every curl.

  Olivia’s hair hung in loose curls that surrounded her head and fell across her cheek and forehead. Kadian’s fingers itched with the urge to move them aside. He reached out, indulging the feeling and brushed the soft tendrils behind her ear and rejoiced in the fact that he could do this anytime he liked. Olivia’s breathing changed. She took a deep breath, snuggled into his arms, and slowly, her deep breathing resumed.

  Kadian’s heart filled with love and gratitude that they were finally together even though they were in this place.

  He grazed the tip of his finger over her cheek to experience the softness of her again. He couldn’t help himself; he needed to keep touching her to assure himself she was really here. She was really in his arms, and this delicious spent feeling was because they’d spent much of the rote making love.

  After everything he’d seen in the last cycle, she was really in his arms, safe.

  Olivia murmured something. The fingers of her left hand twitched and twitched again. She whispered something under her breath as she slept.

  Kadian had heard of this phenomenon before. The humans called it ‘sleep talking’, but he’d never witnessed it.

  Unable to ignore his curiosity, he went silent and still and listened. As he watched her, he couldn’t help but notice the line of her jaw. Her slender neck seemed too fragile to support the weight of her head. Kadian was constantly surprised by the delicacy of this human. Surprised and obsessed with it.

  Olivia felt... like she was his. He knew it was his duty to love and protect her.

  Lips moving quickly, Olivia murmured again. Kadian leaned closer, turning his head to listen.

  Her fingers twitched again, and out of the corner of his eye, Kadian could see wetness in her eyes, under her lids. A single tear trickled down the side of her face and into the crook of her nose.

  Kadian reached out to comfort her. ‘Oliv—’

  She jerked awake. Her eyes opened, and her body jolted, the paralytic effects of sleep suddenly retreating. If she hadn’t been lying between Kadian and the back of the sofa, she might have fallen from it.

  Kadian pulled her closer, holding her small body to him for a moment. ‘It is all well, Olivia. I have you.’

  Olivia drew him closer still, clinging to him with a strength and ferocity that shocked him. He could feel her body trembling; her breathing was ragged. She sniffed and let out a sob.

  ‘I have you, Olivia. I promise.’ She shook against him as he whispered soothing words. He’d take every moment of trauma she’d suffered out on Onager if he was ever given the chance, right before he killed him. Perhaps when he got back to Tessa, or wherever they went after they left this hellhole, Kadian might come back for him, as long as he was sure Olivia was safe.

  After several metri had passed, Olivia opened her eyes and looked at him.

  ‘Sorry,’ she said, wiping her face with the sleeves of her top.

  ‘You have nothing to apologise for. It’s understandable, considering everything you’ve been through,’ he said. ‘I’m here. Always.’

  Olivia searched his eyes for a moment, then nodded. ‘We have to go soon, don’t we?’

  Kadian looked out of the window. The pink sky was darkening once more. He couldn’t see the sun from where they were, but he imagined it was very low in the sky.

  ‘In a while. Are you ready to eat now?’

  Olivia nodded. Instead of moving, she stayed where she was. Kadian kept his mouth shut. Neither one of them wanted to break the connection.

  ‘I’ve had a theory for a while that you being cold-blooded would counter my overheating.’ Olivia grinned, though it didn’t reach her eyes.

  ‘I had that theory also,’ he admitted. He’d considered it often over the solars. ‘I think, after a while, you might get too cold. But one of those beds that heats would simplify it and have the added benefit of keeping you in my arms all night so you could keep balanced.’

  ‘That makes sense,’ she said. ‘It would also keep you warm, which is what you really want. I’m just a convenient human-shaped hot water bottle to you! Another one to add to your collection!’ Olivia’s eyebrow rose in mock challenge.

  Kadian laughed. He had several hot water bottles that he used during the cold cycles. He hadn’t known about the heating beds when he first moved to Earth and when he asked about something to counter the cold, someone had suggested hot water bottles. For several rotes, he’d gone out to buy ‘just one more’ until he was finally at a level where he could sleep well at night. When Olivia joined the team and found out, she’d shown him the beds and offered to help him buy one. Out of sheer pride, he’d announced he was staying with the bottles. Now he kept them just because it reminded him of her.

  ‘You understand me too well,’ Kadian said. ‘Though you are the most delightfully-shaped hot water bottle.’

  Olivia’s body vibrated against him as she let out a throaty chuckle. Kadian stroked her cheek and she leaned into the touch. They stayed like that for a while, in silence.

  ‘We need to get moving,’ Kadian said with regret. ‘I need to make sure you’ve eaten and the sooner we get the comm, the sooner Tanir will arrive to get you out of here.’

  ‘Us,’ Olivia corrected him.

  ‘Us,’ Kadian confirmed, smiling.

  They took the newly stolen flyer and lifted off from the roof of the abandoned building. Olivia watched as the streets below passed in darkness. Kadian kept the lights off as they flew over the abandoned section of city towards the shop he’d found earlier.

  Finding a dark road adjacent to a busy intersection, Kadian landed the flyer and drove.

  ‘We’ll be there shortly,’ Kadian said. He reached out and took her hand, squeezing it.

  ‘Do you want me to wait in the car?’

  ‘No.’ Kadian shook his head. ‘You have the coat. Just wear that and stay by me.’

  ‘Okay.’ Olivia looked back out at the passing streets. The glass was reflective on the outside, so she was safe in here, looking out.

  This part of the city mainly catered to offworlders, so it was brightly lit, a garishly-coloured city flashing by at speed. Olivia would have liked to go out there and explore had she come here under different circumstances.

  A few more minutes ticked by and Kadian pulled up. He turned to her. Reaching for the coat, he pulled the hood up. ‘Stay here. I’ll come get you.’

  Frowning, Olivia nodded and watched him get out of the car. He locked it up and looked around before coming around to her side, unlocking it and reaching a hand out for her. It was as though he thought the flyer, with her in it, would get stolen in the few moments he was outside of it.

  With the door closed, Kadian took a moment to do up the coat, coverin
g her in the long, oversized garment until she felt like she was drowning in it. He double-checked the hood, then pulling her into one side, they set off.

  They pulled up on the side of a busy road, with Olivia’s side of the flyer on the pavement. He led her several meters down the road, then gently guided her over to something that looked like a pawn shop.

  There was a large midnight blue alien with a mane of long hair standing behind one of the counters that ran along three sides of the shop. He wore a tank top and had thick black hair running up his arms. Tusks emerged from his mouth and curved over his upper lip. His light aqua eyes watched them as they approached, a slight smirk curling his lip. Behind him, a tail flicked back and forth.

  Olivia knew they were in trouble as soon as he turned his eyes on her. She was sure she saw if not recognition, then calculation in his eyes before he turned his attention back to Kadian.

  ‘What can Donin do for you this rote?’

  ‘I want to buy a communicator. Mine was broken.’ Despite the easy tone, Olivia could feel Kadian stiffen beside her.

  ‘I’ve got a range,’ his eyes flicked to Olivia for a brief second, ‘this way.’ The alien walked behind the counter and out onto the shop floor, walking towards a tall case.

  ‘Kadian?’ Olivia couldn’t keep her fear out of her voice.

  ‘I know,’ Kadian whispered. As he approached the alien, he directed Olivia behind him with gentle touches, using his body as a barrier to protect her. When he was still a few feet away from the display case, he stopped. ‘The Ronex one-eighty will do fine.’

  ‘The Ronex is a good one,’ the alien said. ‘But I have a Voll 450 here, or a—’

  ‘The Ronex is fine.’

  The alien looked up and took them in for a moment. His features had gone hard, and the calculating look was back.

  ‘Actually, never mind.’ Kadian shepherded Olivia away. ‘I have a meeting. I’ll come back tomorrow and—’

  A shearing noise filled the shop. Olivia looked behind them to find a barrier had come down over the front of the shop, trapping them inside with the alien.

  ‘Oh, I think you’ll stay here,’ the alien said. He rounded the cabinet, walking towards them. ‘I know who you are, and I know who that little figure under that coat is. Leave her, and I’ll let you go.’

  If Olivia thought Kadian had gone still before, she realised she hadn’t known the meaning of the word then. Now, he wasn’t just still; he was stillness. It radiated off him and gave the impression of something deadly, dangerous, predatory.

  ‘Did you think I was leaving because I was afraid, Vonidon?’ The voice that came from Kadian chilled Olivia. ‘I was leaving so my mate here didn’t see the violence I now need to enact to ensure her safety.’

  ‘Shut the vrok up. Fine. One vrok, then you can take her.’

  ‘I will not accede a moment of my mate’s time to you or anyone else, Vonidon. She is far too good for you, me, or anyone. But she is mine and I will not have her violated or frightened by anyone.’

  ‘Oh, you should have just let me vrok her.’ The Vonidon grinned. ‘Now she’ll be covered in your blood when I vrok her.’

  Kadian gave Olivia a look. There was darkness in Kadian’s eyes. Realising what was about to happen, she took a step back as the Vonidon rounded the display case. Kadian turned to the Vonidon. ‘You should have just let us leave.’The Vonidon launched himself at Kadian.

  Panicked by the Vonidon’s quick movement, Olivia retreated behind a counter that ran down one side of the shop towards the door and backed down to the end, her eyes glued to the two males.

  Kadian, watching the Vonidon’s every move, stepped aside and caught the Vonidon by his dreads, dragging him back. He did something, and the Vonidon landed on his ass.

  A bellow filled the quiet and the Vonidon jumped to his feet.

  Seeing them side by side, he was so much bigger than Kadian. A hand snapped out and gripped Kadian by the throat. Olivia gasped, but Kadian had already done something and the Vonidon’s hand fell away, bleeding dark mustard blood.

  The Vonidon charged repeatedly. Each time, he came away with an injury, and each time, Kadian stood calmly, watching him, assessing, deciding where to strike next.

  All at once, the Vonidon ran, crouching to take Kadian off his legs. Olivia saw Kadian brace for impact, and then they disappeared behind another display. She heard grunts as both hit the floor, followed by the meaty slaps of one hitting the other.

  Standing, Olivia ran back up the aisle.

  The Vonidon was on top, hitting Kadian over and over.

  Olivia froze, terror gripping her. She looked around the shop for something heavy, but the Vonidon’s items all seemed to be small and lightweight. It was all tech, and it was all stuff Olivia didn’t recognise.

  Giving up on that idea, she ran, throwing herself towards them.

  For a moment, Kadian looked afraid. Then something dark and terrifying twisted his features.

  Olivia stuttered to a stop, shocked.

  Kadian blocked the next hit and the next. He stopped several moves before hitting the Vonidon in the face with three precise jabs.

  Blood splattered across the shop floor, and the Vonidon seemed to lose consciousness for a moment. When his eyes opened, they were bleary and panic-filled.

  Kadian pushed the Vonidon off onto the floor and climbed on top of him. He began hitting him, each jab was precise, but at the same time, there was a barely restrained wildness that was terrifying to witness. Kadian wasn’t just defending them; at some point, it turned to feral rage and he was taking something out on this male.

  ‘Kadian!’

  Her Kadian, the calm scientist, seemed to lose what little control he had. His blows came fast and furious. The Vonidon now lay in a growing pool of his own blood.

  ‘KADIAN!’

  He hit again and again, but he seemed to lose power and motivation with each blow.

  ‘Kadian! Please!’

  His fists suspended in front of him, Kadian looked up at her.

  ‘Please!’

  Kadian looked down at his fists as though seeing them for the first time, then at the Vonidon. He stood, flinching when his weight settled on his bad leg. Olivia stepped forward to help him, but he held out a hand, guarding her off and forced himself to find his feet, his teeth gritted, his jaw muscles flexed. He grunted when he finally stepped over the Vonidon. He leaned over him and ripped the tank top off.

  ‘Should have just used my sword,’ he grumbled.

  Olivia shook her head. The Vonidon was vile. But she didn’t want to see any of this. At the same time, she recognised that the Vonidon had left them no choice.

  Wrapping one fist in the Vonidon’s tank top, Kadian walked over to the locked display case and punched through the glass. He grabbed a comm, slipping it in his pocket before turning to her and beckoning her over.

  Kadian’s face was messed up!

  Ginger blood ran out of his nose and from his lip. It looked like his nose was broken and he had bruises developing around both eyes.

  Olivia held in a sob and ran over to him, tucking herself under his arm and walking from the shop.

  ‘Wait.’ Slipping from her grasp, Kadian walked back to the Vonidon and retrieved something from his pocket. He joined her again, and they walked over to the shop as he pressed the button on a small black device. The shutter rolled up and they exited the shop, Kadian dropping the device near the door.

  They were a few feet down the path when, noticing Myardahl were looking at her, she realised her hood was down.

  Kadian kissed her forehead as he pulled the hood up and they sped up their pace to the car.

  Behind them, someone screamed.

  Olivia glanced back and saw someone, an alien from a race she didn’t recognise, run out of the shop, still screaming.

  Around them, the people on the street began to gather, running to the shop to see what the drama was.

  ‘Quick, Olivia,’ Kadian whispered. He led
them both to the same side of the flyer and opened the door. She climbed in, climbing across the seat as they had with the police flyer. Kadian followed. By the time eyes began to turn to them, the flyer was taking off.

  ‘We have to dump this zaki.’ Kadian swiped at the blood on his face.

  ‘Land in a cross alley,’ Olivia managed to choke out.

  ‘Olivia? Are you well?’

  ‘Land in a cross alley.’ She swallowed a breath. ‘Somewhere with a lot of exits.’ Another breath. ‘We’ll go down into the sewers!’

  ‘Olivia, all is well. We are out of there.’

  Olivia shook her head, shaking off his words.

  ‘It is well. Olivia! Look at me!’

  His words instilled panic in her. Olivia shook her head again.

  ‘Olivia, why won’t you look at me?’ Kadian was becoming impatient.

  ‘Just leave it, Kadian! I’ll be fine in a moment!’

  She turned to look out of the window, but she could see Kadian in the reflection, his ginger blood running down his face. She closed her eyes and concentrated on her breathing.

  ‘I don’t understand what’s wrong,’ Kadian said, his voice quieter.

  ‘I know. But you need to just be quiet for a minute and let me deal with it. Please, Kadian!’

  The car went silent for several minutes until, finally, they descended into an alley with three exits. As the flyer settled onto the street, the heavens opened and rain poured over the car in thick streams.

  Olivia didn’t wait for Kadian. She pushed open the door and climbed out onto the street. Moving several feet away, her eyes were locked on the ground until she found a grate.

  ‘This way.’

  She ran over and crouched, grabbing hold of the cold, wet metal and pulling, but it was too heavy for her.

  ‘I’ve got it.’

  Kadian’s feet appeared in her hood-constricted view and squatted in front of her, his face coming into view. She flinched until she realised the rain had washed the blood away.

  His eyes met hers briefly before his fingers found the grate and he hefted it out of the way. ‘Give me your hands. I’ll lower you down.’