“Guards!” The raspy voice cut through my ears and suddenly Xam was ripped out of my arms and thrown to the ground.
Five guards circled him with their clubs raised in the air.
“On my count.” The man croaked. “Three.”
“Stop!” I screamed trying to fight my way through the guards.
“Two.”
“That’s enough.” Zed’s voice boomed, out voicing the eyeless man who jumped at the sound of it. “I demand sanctuary.”
The guards lowered their clubs and stepped away from Xam who lay motionless on the blood stained concrete floor.
“Who do you think you are to demand sanctuary in the midst of an execution?” The man sounded angrier than he had before if that was even possible.
“I am Leadership Officer Zed. I have traveled here from Moal to retrieve this man.” Zed reached down and plucked Xam up off the floor.
He staggered for a moment trying to gather his bearings. I ran to his side and held on tight.
“This girl is from Earth.” Zed started.
A hush fell over the room. Every prison guard and inmate held his or her breath in anticipation for what Zed might say next.
“She has been able to penetrate the barrier between our galaxies and has come to teach us her knowledge of Earth. This entire arrest has fallen in fault of misinformation to The Leadership. We are trying to rectify our mistake however we cannot do so without your confirmation and acceptance.” Zed cleared his throat. It echoed` through the room. “This could mean big things for Ceban.”
Applause erupted through the room. I looked up to see the inmates above us hanging over the railings, cheering. They pumped their fists in the air, clapped, and shouted for the guards to release Xam.
“That is enough!” The eyeless man bellowed, silencing the room and everyone in it.
He stepped down from his podium and stormed his way across the room quickly closing in on Zed, Xam, and me. The closer he got, the more terrifying he was. Even without the use of his eyes he seemed to know exactly where we stood.
“You are playing with fire, Officer Zed.” His voice lashed, his tongue as sharp as his teeth.
“All I ask is that you grant me fifteen more minutes of this man’s life and your time.” Zed pleaded but remained regal.
“I don’t do anyone any favors, you hear me?”
“I am not requesting a favor. I am simply vying for a few minutes of your time, sir.”
I was so proud to have Zed in my corner. He was a reasonable and stoic man. I would owe him majorly when everything was all said and done.
“Five minutes.”
“I accept.” Zed winked at me.
“Thank you.” I mouthed inaudibly.
Zed and the eyeless man headed to the right back down the long corridor that had brought me here. Just before they disappeared out of sight, the eyeless man braked in his tracks and turned toward us.
“In the meantime, separate them.” He pointed at Xam and me.
“Please, no!” I begged and dropped down to my knees in desperation.
Two of the five guards in the circle scooped me up and pulled me away from Xam. They followed down the same corridor as Zed and the eyeless man.
I squirmed under their grip in attempt to find Xam. I needed to know where they were taking him but it was too late. He was already gone.
The guards forced me into the corridor where Zed and the eyeless man were waiting for us.
“Let me go!” I shrieked. I clawed at the prison guards and threw my weight around hoping they would lose grip and drop me to the ground.
“That is enough!” The eyeless man slapped me across the face with the back of his hand. On his index finger he wore an iron-plated ring with an eagle perching. The eagle tore through my flesh like a razor blade. The nerves on my cheek caught fire and I could feel blood coursing out of the gaping wound.
Zed threw his elbow across the man’s chest and pinned him up against the wall so that he could see face him at eye level.
“You touch her again and you’re done.” Zed motioned across his throat.
I grabbed at my cheek in attempt to slow the bleeding.
“Are you alright, Kate?” Zed propped himself in front of me on one knee.
“I’m alright. Just the blood.” I looked down at the floor. I was standing in a vibrant puddle of red.
Zed tore off a piece of his shirtsleeve and pressed it against my cheek. “Hold this tight. We will be right back.”
Considering that every time I had been instructed to do something in the past and didn’t listen, everything seemed come crashing down around me. I couldn’t bare another set back in my life and I wasn’t about to toy with Xam’s fate. So this time, I decided to quietly obey.
Zed and the, now frightened, eyeless man disappeared into the room across the corridor. The heavy door swung closed follow by a large bang.
With the door closed, their conversation was muffled. I could, however, pick up on the tone of the conversation.
It started out loud as each man attempted to out-smart and out-alpha the other. I knew that if this was the case, Zed was absolutely a shoe-in.
Cutting through the muffled noises I was catching from behind the metal door, another sound flooded my head. It was the sound of someone moaning and calling out in pain.
I recognized the cries. It was Xam.
I leaned back against the cinderblock wall and slid down to the floor. I couldn’t bear to hear his cries of pain for one more second. But what could I possibly do that would jeopardize this entire plan?
I brought my arms up to my face and buried my head between my knees in attempt to block out the sound.
Even still, it rang sharp in my ears.
My mind circled the possibilities. What would I do if Xam were denied sanctuary? What would I do if he were granted sanctuary?
All of these questions soaring through my mind were a reminder as to why I used to live the way I did. The less I cared about anyone, the less likely I was to get hurt. Now, here I sat, on this cold concrete floor, hurting more than I had ever thought possible. Not only was I in pain from the gash in my cheek. It was the internal pain that claimed center stage. My heart was hollow and my mind soggy. The thought of Xam being ripped out of my life was absolutely unbearable to me.
I couldn’t let that happen.
Silence surrounded me and screamed in my ears. Xam’s wailing had stopped. There were no longer inmates chanting in the cells. The conversation in the room behind the metal door had seized as well.
Uneasily, I got to my feet and paced three steps across the hall toward the door. I pressed my palm against it. The metal was cold and smooth to the touch. I placed my swollen cheek against the surface. The iciness brought instant relief to the fire burning beneath my skin. I leaned in resting my weight on my cheek. I could have cried it felt so good.
I heard the doorknob squeak, someone was about to open the door. Before I could step back I fell head first into the room right at the eyeless man’s feet. He looked down on me in pity and stepped over me.
Scrambling to my feet, I locked my eyes on the man as he marched himself down the corridor back toward the circular room.
Next out the door was Zed. I searched his face for an answer or a sign. Anything. But he was stone faced and illegible.
The guards followed in pairs falling stride with the eyeless man toward the circular room.
Zed watched after them but I kept my eyes fixed on him.
When they had disappeared out of sight, Zed turned to look at me. I could have sworn I caught a twinkle in his eye but his expression wasn’t giving anything away.
“Tell me Xam is safe.” Tears flooded my vision. My heart pained. I wanted this to end.
Zed pulled me and hugged me tight. He rubbed my shoulder trying to calm me down.
I could hear footsteps approaching us in the distance. I rubbed my eyes and looked up at Zed, hopeful.
He winked.
It wa
s Xam.
I pushed off and ran faster than I ever had before down the corridor toward the echoing footsteps. By the time Xam came into view, I was soaring. Seeing him set my heart free and I moved faster, faster until he was within my reach.
Xam picked me up and twirled me around through the air. He ran his hand through my hair and pulled me into his lips. I wanted this kiss to last forever.
“Are you ready to go home?” Xam offered me his battered hand.
I smiled, I was going home.
THE END
HIS JUSTICE
Book 2
Chapter 1
Oh yes mademoiselle, I am Pierre from the hotel. I hope your flight was good. We can get your bags and I’ll take you to the hotel.” He said, his French accent thick. He picked up her hand and kissed the back of it. His lips lingered on her hand just a little too long. But he looked at her like it was a challenge.
Sally looked at him, he had dark black hair and this look about him that made her forget everything. I think I’m going to like Paris a lot, she thought.
“You are very beautiful.” Pierre said to her as they walked to the car. “I’ve always heard American girls were pretty, but could never image someone quite like you, even in my wildest dreams!” He added.
She turned bright red at his compliments. “I’m sure there are many pretty girls in Paris.” She finally said.
“Not as beautiful as you are Ms. Sally.” He said.
“You can just call me Sally.” She told him.
“Okay Sally, you are really something else. I would like to offer to show you around Paris. I’ve lived here all my life and know many things that most tourists would never see.” He stated.
“That sounds nice.” Sally answered.
She gazed over at Pierre, he was what she had always pictured for a Frenchman. He had a slanted nose that was a bit large, but honestly on his face looked amazing. He had a little bit of a mustache, and his skin was a golden bronze tone. Sally could feel herself becoming more attracted to him by the second. Any homesickness she had felt along the trip was quickly disappearing as she looked at him more and more. Yet there was the memory of her one afternoon with Johnny, she couldn’t get it out of her mind completely.
“Great, how about we start in a couple of hours. Or we can wait until tomorrow if your too tired from your flight.” He said.
“Well I just need to drop off my bags, but after that I can go now. I slept the whole flight almost, so I have plenty of energy.” She smiled.
Sally hadn’t flirted with many men in her past, but she was trying to flirt with Pierre. He had these emerald green eyes that were beautiful. She was here now, and Johnny, well he hadn’t even said anything about what took place between them.
“Great, I would be honored to show you Paris, Mon amour.” He kissed her hand once more, again he lingered longer than normal. She didn’t stop him though, the truth was she liked the distraction from her old life.
This was her new life now, Paris, and maybe Pierre. Sally thought about him as she walked to her room. Then she flashed back to Johnny and his bike. At least when she had been around Pierre he had made her think of something besides her neighbor and that amazing sex they had before she left.
“Maybe I’ll try to contact Johnny really quickly, and see how he’s doing?” Sally thought out loud as she placed her bags on the bed.
There was a knock on her door, so she went to answer it.
“Oh hi Pierre.” Sally smiled. It was those eyes of his that had her mesmerized.
“Are you ready?” He asked.
“Yeah, but let me send a quick message to a friend back home.” Sally stated. She picked up her phone and typed in a quick message to Johnny.
Hey Johnny, I just got into Paris, hope you are doing well. How is the job going? I wish I could of rode on the Harley once more before coming over here. Write when you get a chance.
Sally
She looked at it and thought it was fine. But part of her wondered why she wanted to write to him so much. It was true that her feelings towards him were quite confusing. Now she was here in Paris though, and she had a chance to live her dream. Sally had to try and put Johnny out of her mind, but maybe she could still talk to him.
Sometimes they said that absence makes the heart grow fonder, she thought. Was that what was going on with Johnny and her? Sally had never thought of him in any other way besides the geeky gamer next door, until just a few days before she left, that was.
“Okay I’m ready.” She said turning towards Pierre, thankful for the distraction of his eyes and behavior.
“I like your hair down too.” Pierre commented.
She had taken it down when she had come into the room. “Thank you.” She said as she ran her fingers through her long blonde locks.
“Mon Cheri, that is beautiful when you do that, but please don’t tempt me by doing it a lot. I might have to kiss you and declare my every dying love for you.” Pierre stated.
She looked at him to see if he was serious. “Oh stop, you can’t love me you don’t even know me!” She laughed.
“Tu es belle, you are beautiful.” Pierre said.
Sally just shook her head. Maybe she had made the wrong choice by agreeing for him to show her around. But part of her enjoyed the flattery and the wonderful words.
“Alright, so where are we going today?” Sally asked.
“I’m going to take you to one of the most beautiful gardens in town, Bois de Vincennes. It has beautiful roses and other flowers in it, though they will never compare the beauty that is you.” Pierre added.
“Are you going to hit on me all day long?” Sally questioned.
“Only until you agree to have dinner with me tonight.” He stated.
“Fine if it will stop you I’ll have dinner with you tonight.” She said.
“Great, do you have a nice dress, we’ll go to Le Meurice.” He said.
“Is it good?” She asked.
“Oh it’s the best food you can find in town. Well one of the best easily, there are several, but perhaps we can try them all while you are here!” Pierre stated.
She couldn’t help but wish it was Johnny who was here with her to see this. Sally snapped her mind quiet quickly. What was this constant thinking of Johnny? It was simply getting out of hand. It was just sex the one time; clearly it had just been that to him. If it would have been more he would have surely said something to her.
“I think that would be nice.” She replied. I have to get him out of my mind one way or another, she thought with resolve. I’m in Paris and he’s in Nebraska, I’m not going back without accomplishing part of my dream, if not all of it.
“Great, let’s go to the garden.” He opened the door for her and they walked out of the room. “You’ll love this park if you like flowers.” He stated.
“I love flowers!” Sally commented.
He smiled, “Then you’ll love this park for sure. There are other’s we can see while you here. How long will you be staying in Paris?” He asked.
“I’m studying fashion design. So I’ll be here at least a year or more.” She said.
“Oh that’s a long time. Maybe I’ll be able to convince you to marry me in this year!” He laughed.
She simply looked at him to try and decide if he was serious. She had always heard the stereotypes about Frenchmen being lovers, but was it really true. She thought she could see clearly why this stereotype had come about.
“There’s the park.” He said and pointed out the car to her right.
“Oh wow, it’s already so beautiful from here.” Sally said as she looked out over the landscape she could see. There were flowers of all colors, and a whole bunch of trees. “Are we going to walk around?” She asked him.
“But of course Mon Cheri.” He commented. “What kind of tour guide would I be to just drive you by the park and not go into it?” He added.
Sally laughed. “Not a very good one!”
“No not at all. Plus I
get to show you off. All the people will be jealous because of the American beauty I have on my arm.” He smiled wickedly.
“I thought you were going to stop that once I agreed to go out to dinner with you?” She asked.
“So I lied a little bit. I don’t think I could ever stop telling you how beautiful you are.” He laughed.
“Yeah I had a feeling about that.” She admitted.
“Please forgive me if I seem too forward. I don’t know how American men are, but I can tell you how we French are. If we see something we want, we’ll go after it. I’m not going to lie to you Sally, I want you.” He said bluntly.
She was shocked by his direct honesty and wasn’t sure how to respond right away. It hurt her mind to try and figure out why he would be so interested in her in the first place. As far as she was concerned she was a simple girl from Nebraska. She had big dreams sure of one day everyone knowing her, but right now she was just a simple nobody. Why would this sexy speaking Frenchman want her?
“I just don’t know how to take you.” She finally stated.
“I know it’s hard to understand dealing with someone who speaks his mind. But you’ll find that I’m that sort. If I don’t like something I will tell you, and the same goes for when I really like something. Like you Mon Cheri.” He stared into her eyes.
ROMANCE: HIGHLANDER ROMANCE: Seduced by highlander (Historical Mail Order Bride Time Travel Romance) (Military Fantasy Romance Short Stories) Page 99