by T. J. Quinn
After a while, she managed to figure out the system that held the door closed, but she knew she wouldn’t be able to do anything while they were traveling.
When they stopped to capture some other people, males, judging by their voices, she thought she would have enough time to open her cell and abandon the ship.
She managed to open the cell, yes, but she soon realized they were still in the middle of nowhere and escaping her cell would only warn the Sherlaacs she was able to open her it.
Frustrated, she returned to her cell and locked the door behind her, praying she would have a better chance of escaping.
Their stop to pick up the Nakois was too short for her to do anything, but when she heard them stopping the vessel engines and preparing to board another ship, she thought this was her chance.
Quickly, she had opened her cell and fled the cargo area into the docking area. Cautiously, she ran through the passageway that connected the two vessels, but the sounds of battle stopped her before she ventured inside the other vessel.
The blatant odor of burned flesh and blood filled her nostrils, and she knew she had to find a safe place to hide. It was then when she saw the passageway that connected the vessel she was on with a third vessel.
Considering the third vessel might be safer, she rushed into it and looked for a place to hide. It had worked, until that man had shown up, ruining all her plans and dreams.
Seeing him had been quite a shock. She had seen Asloran males before, but never in the flesh. His massive frame, his muscled body, covered with a suit that clung to his body like a second skin, his black, shiny horns, and his deep blue eyes were more than she was prepared for.
But right now, he was the enemy, and she had to do her best to escape him, no matter what.
Sharian found a tunic big enough to cover most of her body. By the way, it fits the clothes’ owner wasn’t as tall as her, but it would have to do. Once she was done, she turned to look at the man guarding her.
“Now what?” she asked, trying to hide the fear that had been crawling through her.
Kenyon grabbed her by the arm again. “Now, we talk to my boss,” he replied in a cold tone, as he dragged her to the communications room.
Robin almost jumped out of his chair, when he saw him entering the room with the woman.
“What’s going on?” Robin asked, startled.
“We have a stowaway,” Kenyon explained, with a scowl. “Put me in contact with Ethan.”
“Right away,” the man established the communication, always keeping an eye on the woman and clearly dying to ask many questions.
A few seconds later Ethan appeared on the screen.
“What’s up, Kenyon?”
“I found a stowaway,” Kenyon replied, pushing the woman a bit forward.
Ethan frowned. “How the hell did she get there?”
“She escaped the Sherlaacs’ vessel and hid in mine,” Kenyon explained. “I sensed her scent the minute I walked down the hallways on the way to my chambers.”
Ethan looked surprised. “I had no idea your sense of smell was so accurate.”
“It will never beat yours, but I can sense some scents better than others,” Kenyon replied, grimacing.
“Well, you have to offer…”
Kenyon interrupted Ethan before he could say anything else. “Let me take her to a secured place, and we’ll discuss the rest,” he suggested, with a warning tone.
Ethan nodded, with a deep frown. “I’ll be right here.”
Kenyon dragged the woman out of the room and into a cell he had installed in the cargo area. He wasn’t sure she wouldn’t find a way to escape from it, so he called one of his men to guard the door, while he discussed her future with Ethan.
“You can’t imprison me again, you’re no better than those rotten pirates,” she ranted, as he opened the cell door.
“I never said I was.” He pushed her inside and locked the door.
Gabriel came running down the hallway. “What’s going on, boss?”
“No time to explain now. Just make sure the woman inside that cell doesn’t come out, no matter what,” he ordered before he headed back to the communication room. “Robin, would you mind leaving us alone?” he asked his communication engineer.
“Not at all,” he replied, getting up and leaving the room.
Ethan did the same on the other side of the room. “What’s going on Ethan?”
“This woman is the one Jaffar was looking for, and the special cargo Zyrh is counting on,” he explained.
“Why do you say that?”
“She’s from a species able to mate all known species in this galaxy. Their females’ dowries cost more credits than we’ll ever see in our lifetimes.”
Ethan immediately understood the consequences of that little bit of information. “Isn’t there a way to convince your friend she escaped?”
“I couldn’t believe it myself, he’ll know I’m lying. Zyrh has the special ability to read people like an open book.”
“I guess going against him is out of the question,” Ethan ventured.
“It would be our doom. Zyrh is not so interested in showing his power these days, but people here remember the days when he did. No one would dare to defy one of his orders,” Kenyon explained, in a stern tone. “He would come after us with all his power.”
“It still doesn’t feel right delivering the woman to him,” Ethan stated, worried about this new problem.
“I don’t think we have any other option. If he ordered the Sherlaacs to get her, it’s because he already has an important client waiting for her. He won’t be convinced to give her up out of the goodness in his heart.”
Ethan rubbed his face, expressing his frustration. “We have too many things going on to expose ourselves to this dangerous situation.”
“I’m well aware of that,” Kenyon assured him.
“Let’s do something. Get her to Zyrh and use all the resources you can to get her free. If nothing comes out of it, at least we tried,” Ethan suggested.
“Very well, boss, I’ll do my best.”
“That’s all I can ask of you,” Ethan nodded. “And let’s keep this to ourselves. Jaffar is already having a hard time assimilating the whole experience.”
“No problem. I’ll tell my men she was Roet’s partner and that she managed to escape into my vessel when she heard the fuss. That should explain the woman’s presence on my ship.”
“Perfect. I’ll tell the same story. Let me know how it goes with Zyrh.”
“I will but don’t keep your hopes high.”
“I won’t.”
They ended the call, and Kenyon went back to check on the woman.
“Boss, who is she?” Gabriel asked when he returned.
“I’m guessing she was with the Sherlaacs. Probably, Roet’s female,” Kenyon lied, hating the whole situation, but with no other option.
“Don’t you think she could be the female Jaffar was talking about?” Gabriel asked, not convinced.
“And how do you explain her presence here? If she were a slave, she would have been locked up somewhere in the Sherlaacs’ vessel,” he explained, keeping it short.
“Yeah, I guess you’re right. What are you going to do with her?”
“Not sure yet. You can leave now, I’ll take care of her myself.”
“Sure thing, boss. Let me know if you need any help.”
“I will.”
Kenyon waited for his men to leave before he opened the door.
The woman was sitting down on the small mattress and didn’t move. She looked a lot calmer than she had been when he first found her.
“So, have you decided my fate?” she asked bitterly.
“I’m taking you to the man that ordered your abduction,” he confessed.
Her hands clenched into fists, and he could tell she was making a considerable effort not to jump at his throat and kill him with her bare hands, or at least, try.
“Of course, you will,”
she said in disgust. “Though, I have to admit I expected more from an Asloran. Your people used to be brave, decent and justice defenders, she added.
Her words hit him hard. She had described his people, but only partly. Due to their strength and power, his people were also ruthless warriors. Their nasty arrogance and god complex sometimes led them to twist the facts to fit their concept of truth and justice.
Those had been some of the things that had made him leave his planet when they wrongly charged him of misdeeds, instead of defending himself. He knew he would never win that battle.
He let out a self-deprecating laugh. “I’m sure you’ve never met that many Aslorans.”
“I’ve met more than enough,” she assured them. “My species have mated with several males from your planet.”
“I’m sure they did.”
“Then, why are you acting this way? Why are you taking me to a man that abducted me?” she ranted.
“That’s none of your business. You’ll remain in this cell while we travel to Kalyko. Once there, you’ll have to accept your fate.”
Sharian wished she could kill him. She had heard about Kalyko and the kind of transactions taking place on the small planet. Having escaped from a dreadful marriage with a Cetian had ended up being her worst mistake.
“Is your customer planning to sell me to the highest bidder?” she asked, barely controlling her rage.
“Is there any difference to what you do back on your home planet?” he asked sarcastically.
“At least, I get to choose the bidder,” she said, through gritted teeth.
“Of course, well, I’m afraid that won’t happen here,” he stated. Her people’s pragmatism towards mating had never felt right for him. “It’s no use trying to escape this cell. I’ll know the minute you set a foot outside, and I’ll find you, no matter where you try to hide.”
“I’m sure you’re doing this for credits, right? So, why don’t we make an agreement? I’ll double whatever your client is paying you. You’ll be a rich man,” she suggested before he was able to close the door.
Kenyon looked at her maintaining his scornful expression. “And where exactly do you carry your credits?”
“I can have them sent to you in a blink of an eye,” she assured him.
“Of course, you can. You can also send your family’s men after me. Despite what you may think, I’m not that stupid.”
“I give you my word,”
“I would rather have something else,” he said, ogling her voluptuous body with a lustful shine in his dark blue eyes.
She pursed her full lips and looked the other way. “Let me know when we’re in Kalyko,” she said, ending the conversation.
“Oh, I will, don’t worry,” he assured her with a curt laugh as he walked out of the cell and locked the door behind him.
After he had dinner with his men, he prepared a tray with food and juice and took it over to his guest. She might reject it, but something told him she was starving. He doubted the Sherlaacs had fed her properly.
He opened the door and walked in. She was still sitting on the bed, looking absently, as if lost in her thoughts.
“I thought you might be hungry. We’ll arrive at Kalyko tomorrow,” he informed her putting the tray over a small table in the corner of the room.
“I’m not hungry,” she replied without even bothering to look at him.
“Starving to death won’t change things,” he pointed out, sarcasm dripping from his words.
That got her attention, and she turned to look at him. “My life is too valuable to waste in such a manner,” she replied with disdain.
“Then, eat. You’ll need all your energy when we get to Kalyko,” he told her pointing at the food.
She snorted. “Energy for what? To stand naked in front of a bunch of lustful men, while they bid for me?” she asked, oozing all her rage through each word that came out her mouth.
“I guess it’s not much different from when you choose the lucky bastard that’s going to mate you,” he retorted, with a mocking tone.
She crossed her arms over her chest, and he knew that if looks could kill, he would be lying on the floor exhaling his last breath.
“My family chooses my mate. I have the last word, of course, but the whole process is quite far from an auction,” she said, with an ice-cold tone.
“Either way, you would be mating a stranger, for the rest of your life,” he pointed out.
“I doubt whoever buys me at the auction will be thinking in terms of a lifetime relationship,” she replied, with scorn.
“If you were to be sold at an auction, I would agree with you, but I truly doubt that will ever happen. I’m sure Zyrh already has a client in mind for you,” he added. “You said it yourself – the Sherlaacs had received a special order.”
“Is that supposed to make me feel better?” she asked, grumpily.
“I guess not, but that’s what it is.”
Sharian closed her eyes doing all she could to keep her tears at bay. Borzan people did not succumb to useless emotions like self-pity. She would face her destiny with her head high and her expression as neutral as possible. Her feelings were private, and she intended to keep them that way.
She still had trouble believing she was no longer at her parents’ house, picking some flowers from the garden to decorate the meal room for her sister’s premating ceremony. Ashryna had finally accepted a male from a nearby planet that had promised her the universe if she agreed to be his mate.
That had pretty much convinced Ashryna, though at first, she had been looking for a prince heir or at least the son of a tribe’s leader. She was so beautiful with her golden hair and her blue eyes, everyone was convinced she would make a perfect mating, and she had.
Sharian had been so distracted by the flowers, she hadn’t heard the flying pod landing a few yards from where she was standing. By the time, she realized she wasn’t alone, it was too late. They had closed the distance between them and had injected her with a sedative.
At first, she had thought they wanted a ransom from her family, but, she was quickly corrected of her mistake by Roet, the disgusting reptilian male that commanded the pirate ship.
Her hopes of escaping weren’t that high, but when she actually did escape, for a few minutes, she was sure she would be able to go back home.
Those hopes had been destroyed when one of the males of the ship where she was hiding, had found her, just to resuscitate for a few seconds when she saw he was an Asloran, men are known for their sense of justice.
However, the man called Kenyon had made sure to kill them right away. He had no intention whatsoever, of saving her from her dreadful fate.
Kenyon realized she had drifted away and though he tried to analyze the expression on her face, it was impossible. She was an expert at concealing her true feelings.
With a deep sigh, he turned around to leave the room. “Try to eat something. Things always look worse with an empty stomach,” he advised before he left the room.
Chapter Four
After locking the door, he headed to his quarters. He needed a cold shower urgently. Being near the woman activated every ounce of lust inside him. Keeping his hands away from her was becoming the hardest thing he had ever done in his whole life.
After a sleepless night, Kenyon ordered his men to land on Kalyko. He was going to visit Zyrh alone and see if he could convince him to let the Borzan female free. His hopes weren’t that great, but he would do his best to convince the other man.
That morning, he didn’t have to wait for Zyrh to see him. He was immediately taken to the man’s presence.
“Ah, Kenyon, my friend. I’m delighted to see you here. Since the Sherlaacs haven’t arrived, I’m deducing you’ve succeeded in finding them,” he said, the moment Kenyon entered the room.
“You deduce right,” Kenyon admitted.
The man rubbed his chubby hands together. “Well, and where’s my special cargo? I can’t wait to see it.”
Zyrh snorted. “Oh, please. You know better than that, Kenyon. I would never be this excited about a group of boring Nakois,” he said, his tone getting colder by the word. “Where is she?”
“Still on my ship,” under surveillance. He wasn’t taking any risk with her. “I wanted to talk to you first.”
Zyrh’s expression became a bit somber. “There’s nothing to talk about. She’s mine.”
Kenyon hid a sigh and steeled himself for the coming battle. “You see, my friends don’t feel it’s right to get their freedom at the expense of her freedom,” he started explaining.
Zyrh snorted. “I’m sure they don’t feel the same way about the Nakois females.”
Kenyon clenched his fists conjuring all the patience he was capable of. Losing his temper wouldn’t help his case. “Actually, they did, but the Nakois were born to serve. They know nothing other than that. It’s not the Borzan’s female case, and you know it.”
Zyrh let out a curt laugh. “True, she was born to mate, and that’s exactly what I have in mind for her,” he said.
“You have no right to decide that,” Kenyon pointed out.
Zyrh moved closer to Kenyon with his device. “Let’s say, I’ve bought that right.”
“Then, why didn’t you buy that right through the regular channels?” Kenyon asked, curiously.
“These females are too picky. My client has no patience to try to convince them he’s their best option,” he replied, shrugging.
“So, instead he abducts them.”
“No, he asks me to solve the problem for him, and I did,” Zyrh corrected him.
“What if I don’t give you the woman?” Kenyon asked, testing him.
Zyrh’s expression got even more serious. “You don’t want to follow that path, Kenyon and you know it,” he sighed. “But, I can’t say I’m surprised. In fact, I expected something like this. I know you, Kenyon, and despite it’s been a while since we last met, I know you haven’t changed that much.”