“No one ought to be next!” Alli exclaimed hotly. “A monster like that shouldn’t even be allowed to live, let alone have a whole group of people aiding and abetting him! How can you let him take Rachel like that?”
“How can I stop him?” Kane growled. “Did you see the personal guard he keeps with him at all times? I’m only one male, Allisandra.”
Alli glared at him.
“Sometimes all it takes is one to stand up and say that something is wrong and other people will follow.”
Kane crossed his arms over his chest and raised one eyebrow sardonically.
“That’s sure to happen, especially considering that my kind feed on the fear and pain and pleasure of females and most consider it our God-given right to do so. But I’m sure the minute I stand up and say our entire way of life is wrong, every other Kru’ell One will see the light and agree to follow me in an overthrow of our leader.”
His sarcastic words stung but Alli wasn’t giving up.
“Well, we can’t just do nothing,” she snapped. “And it’s not like they have to feed on fear and pain. You’ve proved yourself that you can feed only on pleasure and still get along just fine.”
Kane frowned.
“Do you want me to challenge the Overlord for the girl? I can if you wish it, but I warn you, he’ll most likely kill me. And then you’ll be left to his tender mercies with no one to protect you or take you home to your precious fiancé.”
Alli clenched her fists in frustration.
“Well we have to do something!” she exclaimed. “I know I wasn’t down there long, but I got to know Rachel. She’s a sweet girl and she really is immune to the effects of the Calm. She’s going to feel every bit of whatever that big, sadistic bastard decides to do to her!”
“Gods…” Kane rubbed his temples. “I had heard there were some humans the Calm didn’t affect but I thought it was a myth. How is this possible?”
“Rachel says the immunity is genetic—it runs in her family.” Alli dropped her voice. “She already had a sister commit suicide because she couldn’t endure the torture one of your countrymen inflicted on her. Please, Kane—isn’t there anything we can do?”
Kane sighed and looked down at his boots for a moment, clearly lost in thought. At last, he looked up.
“There might be,” he said. “But we have to be fucking careful about it. Now listen…”
Twenty-Nine
The feast seemed to take forever, Alli thought impatiently. They were all seated at a long, low table on red and black cushions, the concubines beside their Masters while dish after dish of strong-smelling, spicy food was served.
Not that the concubines got to eat any of it. They were only there to suck their Master’s cocks—literally.
The moment the first course was placed on the table in huge, steaming, silver trays and the servants started dishing it out, there was a general movement all around the table. To Alli’s astonishment, she saw that every Kru’ell One there was taking out his shaft. And every concubine, without hesitation, leaned over her Master’s lap and took him in her mouth.
Kane opened his trousers as well and looked at her meaningfully. Alli would have liked to tell him where to shove his equipment, but they had a plan in place and she knew she had to go along and pretend to be a chastened and obedient concubine.
It wasn’t like she hated sucking him—normally she actually really liked it. When Kane came and gave her his seed, he usually shot it into her pussy, but she’d tasted it as well, many times in their weeks together.
But it was impossible to concentrate on pleasuring him when she knew the awful things that were happening to Rachel up at the head of the table.
The minute they sat, the Overlord had kissed her, thrusting his tongue violently down her throat—clearly he was Stinging her. Rachel had gagged and tried to get away but he held her in place with an iron grip until at last he appeared to be satisfied.
“There, girl,” he said, grinning as he finally released her. “You’ll crave my cum right enough now. Come on and suck me.”
There were tears running down Rachel’s face as she bent her head to his offered shaft. Alli had been forced to look away or she knew she would start crying herself.
We’re going to help her, she reminded herself. I’m going to take care of her if only I get a chance. Oh, please—let me get a chance!
This last part felt like a prayer, though she had never been particularly religious before. She was surprised when she felt a warm presence around her and a strong, feminine voice whispered in her ear,
“Fear not, daughter—a chance will be given.”
“Goddess?” Alli whispered uncertainly. While working on the Mother Ship, she had heard from several of her new friends that the Kindred Goddess spoke to her children, but Alli had never expected to hear the deity herself. Still, who else could it be? Though, wasn’t this the wrong universe? In Kane’s part of the Multiverse the Kindred had been created not by the loving Goddess but by the Cruel Father, so how was she here?
“I am wherever my children need me,” the Goddess whispered in her ear. “Take heart and be ready. You will be given a chance to save the little one.”
Then the voice and the warm, feminine presence were gone but Alli felt a little better all the same. She swore to herself she would be ready and she prayed that in time Rachel would heal from what was being done to her.
But right now, all she could do was try to get through this.
Thirty
“Well, a fine feast as usual, I think you’ll all agree,” the Overlord boomed. “Have we all had our fill of food and feelings? I know I have.”
Reaching down, he pulled Rachel off his shaft.
“Enjoyed that, did you, girl?” he demanded, giving her an ugly smile. “How many times did you swallow my load? Ten? Twelve? And still you crave more! Has my Sting made you that thirsty for seed?”
He roared with laughter at his own crude words and the other Kru’ell Ones laughed with him.
“You’re the best concubine I’ve had in some time,” The Overlord told the trembling Rachel. “The taste of your pain and humiliation was better than any dish served here tonight. How I love the flavor of an Immune!” He chucked her roughly under the chin. “I’ll be feasting on you again tonight, girl!”
Rachel said nothing in reply. She only wiped at her mouth and streaming eyes with a black linen napkin and then dropped her gaze to her lap, a look of dull humiliation on her lovely features.
Alli’s heart ached fiercely when she saw that look, but she was ready, she told herself. Ready to get Rachel out of there—if only she could get the chance. And now she hoped it was coming up.
“After the feast is over,” Kane had told her, in the elevator, “The concubines and their Masters will separate for a time. The concubines will be kept in a female waiting area not unlike the Harem Complex below while the Kru’ell Ones receive their final orders from the Overlord before they go. That is the only time you will have—use it wisely!”
Alli fully intended to do exactly that. So when the Matron of the Harem showed up to lead them all out of the grand dining room, she followed with her head bowed, trying to look sedate.
With a little maneuvering, she found herself at the back of the line. She wanted as much time as possible to map out an exit route.
She tried to be inconspicuous as she scouted out her location but actually, it seemed she needn’t have bothered. Once she raised the royal blue hood of the Peace Cloak over her head, it was as though all eyes looked through her. The Kru’ell One guards didn’t let their gazes linger on her—probably because the cloak made it clear she already had a Master. And the servants seemed to look right through her.
It’s like having a cloak of invisibility from Harry Potter, Alli thought. For all practical purposes, nobody sees me at all.
The long line of concubines was filing into a room up ahead that seemed to be lined with bookshelves—maybe some kind of study? Alli lagged behind,
looking for a way out. She wished now that she had visited the White House in her own universe back when it was open to the public. But honestly, she doubted the layout of this one was the exact same. In addition to being painted dark gray, it seemed to have been modified extensively to suit the Overlord’s tastes.
Just as she was—reluctantly—about to go into the study where the other concubines were waiting, she saw a young man about Rachel’s age striding down the hall. He was wearing a gray, shapeless pair of overalls and carrying a basket of fresh vegetables—tomatoes and cucumbers. He also had Rachel’s large, dark eyes.
Remembering what her new friend had said about her family working in the garden, Alli decided to take a chance. Instead of turning into the study with the other concubines, she followed the young man until he turned down a long hallway.
Up ahead were a set of black swinging doors. From behind them was coming the clatter and noise of an industrial kitchen. Before the young man could reach the doors, Alli ran up behind him and touched him on the arm.
He started violently and nearly dropped the basket. Turning, he faced Alli with wide eyes. When he saw she was dressed as a concubine, he dropped his own gaze and spoke mechanically.
“How can I serve you, my lady?”
“Quick—I don’t have much time. Do you know Rachel?” Alli asked in a low voice.
The young man’s eyes widened.
“I’m her brother. Who are you?”
“A friend,” Alli said. “Will you still be willing to try and get her out of here?”
His eyes widened even further but he nodded—a short, sharp jerk of his chin.
“Of course. But I heard the Overlord picked her as his next concubine.” His mouth twisted and his voice was low and thick with rage.
“He did,” Alli said calmly. “But it might not be too late to get her away from him. Listen…”
A few minutes later she slipped back into the room with the other concubines. They were all sitting around in chairs, as before, except for one sharp-eyed servant. She was a middle-aged woman with short brown hair and mean-looking eyes who didn’t appear to be Calmed at all.
“And where have you been?” she snapped at Alli. “The Matron of the Harem has gone looking for you!”
“Forgive me.” Alli cast her eyes down. “I was looking for the restroom but I never did find it. And I really have to go.” She squeezed her thighs together tightly and put a desperate look on her face. “Please, can’t someone show me the way?”
“I can’t leave—I have to watch the girls,” the woman snapped.
“Maybe someone who knows the grounds then?” Alli asked hopefully.
“Oh, well…You—Rachel,” the woman said, gesturing impatiently. “Your family works here, don’t they?”
“Yes, Ma’am.” Rachel kept her eyes down.
“Well—can you show this girl to the restroom or not?” the woman demanded.
“Yes, Ma’am,” Rachel said again. She nodded listlessly at Alli. “This way.”
The moment they were out of the room and Alli was certain the sharp-eyed woman who was apparently the Matron of the Harem’s helper wasn’t watching, she grabbed Rachel by the arm.
“Come on,” she whispered. “We need to get to the kitchens!”
Rachel’s eyes widened and the dull look left her face.
“What? What are you talking about?”
“Just come on!” Alli tugged at her and the two of them walked quickly and quietly along until they turned down the long hallway where she had first met Rachel’s brother.
He must have been waiting for them, because the moment they turned down the hallway he rushed out to greet his sister.
“Rachel! Are you all right?” he demanded after gathering her into a tight hug.
“I’m well enough.” But Rachel couldn’t seem to meet her brother’s eyes.
“No you’re not—but you will be,” Alli told her. “Look, it’s getting dark outside so the two of you need to leave quickly. This will be the best time to travel.”
“Leave?” Rachel’s eyes widened. “How can we possibly get away now that the Overlord has…” She choked. “Has chosen me?”
“Like this.” And Alli untied the Peace Cloak from around her own neck and swept it around Rachel’s slim shoulders.
“Oh!” Rachel’s large dark eyes went wide. “Oh, you can’t!” she whispered to Alli. “You’ll get into so much trouble if you’re found out!”
“Let me take care of myself,” Alli said firmly. “You and your brother just get out of here.”
“I’ll go first,” Rachel’s brother told her. “You follow and meet me outside the back entrance to the kitchens. We’ll take the garden path and stay hidden as long as possible.”
“But we can’t just walk away—can we?” Rachel asked.
“Yes, you can,” Alli told her. “I’ve seen the way people look right through me when I’m wearing the Peace Cloak. The Goddess willing, it will be the same for you.”
She invoked the Goddess’s name deliberately, hoping that the Kindred deity was listening to her. To her relief, the warm feminine presence returned, enfolding her like the warm blue cloak she had just given to her new friend.
“Fear not, daughter.” The Goddess’s voice was low and intimate—for their ears alone. “I will be with you every step of your journey.”
“Who is that?” Rachel and her brother looked around, wide-eyed.
“The Kindred Goddess,” Alli told them matter-of-factly. “That is, she’s a Goddess from another universe. But that’s not important now. The main thing is, she’ll watch over you and keep you safe. The two of you just have to have the courage to go in the first place. Will you?”
She was speaking mostly to Rachel. She was afraid the girl’s spirit might have been broken by the awful things that had happened at the feast.
But Rachel straightened her spine and lifted her chin.
“I’ll go,” she said, looking lovely and regal under the royal blue cloak. “And thank you, my friend.”
“Be safe.” Alli gave her a quick hug and a peck on the cheek.
Then Rachel turned in a swirl of blue and followed her brother towards the kitchens. With the hood pulled up and the cloak pulled tight around her, she might have been anyone at all, Alli thought.
At least she hoped the kitchen staff thought so.
“Do not fear—she will be well,” the Goddess murmured in Alli’s ear. “Now go back quickly. You and your warrior must leave very soon. Do not worry about the missing cloak—no one will notice.”
Then her presence was gone again and Alli knew she was guiding Rachel and her brother safely away from the Overlord’s fortress and towards the Resistance.
She only hoped that she and Kane could get away too…before the Overlord found out what she’d done.
Thirty-One
“Well now, where is Rachel?” the Matron’s assistant demanded when Alli came back by herself.
“The Matron of the Harem took her,” Alli said quickly, hoping the lie would fool the woman, at least for a while. “She saw us as we were coming back from the restroom and took Rachel up to the Overlord’s chambers to, er, get her ready for tonight.”
Apparently this wasn’t unusual because the woman only nodded.
“All right then. Just have a seat. I think the Kru’ell One’s meeting is breaking up so your Master should be here for you soon.”
No sooner had she spoken than Kane appeared in the doorway.
“Allisandra, come,” he snapped. “We must go. I’m in a hurry to do the Overlord’s bidding!”
“Yes, Master.” Quickly, Alli followed him out of the room and down the long corridor. The left under the watchful eyes of the guards but no one tried to stop them. It was a fairly smooth exit but she didn’t breathe a sigh of relief until they were back in Kane’s shuttle and leaving Earth’s orbit.
“I take it everything went as planned?” he asked, lifting an eyebrow as he shot her a glance.
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br /> “Yes.” Alli nodded. “I gave her the cloak, just like we planned. Oh—and I met her brother, too. So the two of them are going together.”
Kane looked skeptical.
“Well, I hope the two of them make it to safety. Though as I told you before, I consider it a long shot.”
“There’s something else,” Alli told him. She took a deep breath. “The Goddess was there. The Kindred Goddess—from my Universe, I mean.”
“The Goddess?” He looked at her in evident surprise.
“The Mother of All Life. She spoke to me, Kane!” Alli was still overwhelmed by the memory. “She spoke to all of us and promised to guide Rachel and her brother to the Resistance.”
Kane shook his head.
“I didn’t even know there was a Resistance.”
“Just like you didn’t know that some humans were immune to Calm,” Alli pointed out.
“True.” He frowned. “I thought all the females the others of my kind were feeding on had been numbed by the Calm. I didn’t know…” He cleared his throat. “Didn’t know that the Overlord was torturing his concubines.”
“He’s a sick, sadistic asshole,” Alli said fiercely. “Somebody needs to get rid of him!”
“Yes…” There was a distant look in Kane’s mirrored eyes. “Yes, perhaps someone should.”
The trip back up to his fortress, orbiting the Earth, didn’t take long and before she knew it, Alli was disembarking in the by now familiar ship. Just as she was getting out, the viewscreen started to blink with an incoming call.
“Go ahead to your room,” Kane told her. “I need to take this.”
Alli would have liked to talk more to the big Kru’ell One. She felt like working together to help free Rachel had brought them close again. But could she really want to be close to someone who came from such a savage, predatory people? It was clear Kane didn’t practice torture himself, but the other Kru’ell Ones seemed to have no compunction about it.
Dark and Light: A Kindred Tales DUET Novel. Contains: Saved by the Drake AND Captured by the Kru'ell One Page 26