by Regine Abel
“Put him on speaker,” Zhul said, “and don’t try anything stupid.”
Sheb complied.
“What took you so long?” Varrek’s voice said over the com.
“I’m sorry, V. You’re on speaker,” Sheb said, a slight tremor in his voice. “Zhul Dervhen is here challenging our presence.”
Varrek’s tone softened. “Councilor, an unexpected surprise.”
“An unpleasant one, no doubt. What is your minion doing on my lands? Did I not warn you to deal directly with me, not my father?”
“Relax, Councilor. Your father wasn’t consulted. I required a safe place to keep my pet from Praghan and this location fit our needs perfectly. I used it. End of story.”
I expected Zhul to yell at Varrek, tell him off, something to indicate he wouldn’t be bullied. Instead, dead silence followed. Was he this easily cowed? My heart sank, realizing that maybe he wasn’t as strong a male as I had assumed from his father’s thoughts.
“You knew,” Zhul whispered after a beat. “You brought her here because you were tipped off about the raid.”
Varrek chuckled. “Handsome and smart. I’m impressed, Councilor.”
“I don’t give a shit if you’re impressed,” Zhul snapped. “I want your hired hand off my lands and if I ever see another one, I will shoot to kill.”
I clasped my hands in front of me, fighting the urge to squeal with delight. Zhul did have a backbone. The concern now was whether he would provoke Varrek into something radical, which wouldn’t be a good idea.
“You never struck me as one to indulge in gratuitous violence, Councilor.”
“It isn’t gratuitous to exterminate vermin. You bastards deserve to burn in the deepest pits of Gharah’s Lair for what you’re doing to these females.”
“You’re Prime,” Sheb snarled. “You don’t know what it’s like to be Tainted.”
“Silence, Sheb,” Varrek said. “Dervhen, whatever your feelings about my operations, you’re part of them now and you will play nice with your new colleagues.”
“Like fuck I am,” Zhul snarled. “You don’t own me.”
“Oh, but I do.”
Varrek’s deceptively sweet tone bode ill. A shudder ran down my spine, wondering what he had in mind. Zhul’s com went off.
“Like what you see?” Varrek asked.
He likely sent a picture or video of Zhul’s little sister or someone – or something – else he deeply cared about.
“Now, enough of your tantrum. Valena will stay right there until new arrangements can be made. You will accommodate us without a fuss.”
“And I am telling you that I have my blaster trained on this piece of shit you call Sheb. If he’s not gone in the next few minutes, I will blow his fucking head off. I also want that military grade shuttle you’ve no doubt got cloaked on my property gone immediately. How stupid are you people that you would bring something like that onto Praghan’s prime suspect’s lands?”
“Dervhen—” Varrek said, his tone threatening.
“Don’t ‘Dervhen’ me,” Zhul interrupted, unfazed. “Seha Valena can stay with me, but if I see that fucker or any other of your staff on my property again, they die.”
The silence that settled between us was almost a physical thing. Thick and ominous, even the insects and scurrying wildlife seemed to hold their breath along with us.
Varrek, please, agree.
This would be even better than what I’d planned. I’d hoped that once he knew of my presence, Zhul would come check on me from time-to-time. On each visit, I would slowly plant a compulsion, leveraging his Councilor position to free the others and myself. But with around-the-clock access to him, the risk of the compulsion weakening between visits would be removed. I could accomplish my goal even faster.
I ached to intervene but too much eagerness might tip my hand.
After what felt like forever, Varrek chuckled. “I think I like you, Dervhen. Valena?”
“Yes, Master?”
Zhul snorted in disgust. I felt both embarrassed at showing myself so servile in his presence and elated that he seemed to truly find slavery repulsive. Back when General Khel Praghan was Councilor of his own district, the media made it a point to sensationalize the feud between him and Zhul Dervhen. As Khel was my hero, it always worried me that Zhul might be a villain. Planting a compulsion to rescue us would be a lot harder if he favored slavery.
“It seems like you have gotten yourself a new guard.”
Sheb gasped. I didn’t need to see his face to know he was livid. His ticket to a possible cure was slipping through his fingers, but he knew better than to argue. I had to school my own expression not to give away how this news thrilled me.
“Yes, Master.”
“Do not forget what I told you. The same rules apply to him as to your former guards.”
Like hell they did.
“Of course, Master.”
“Good girl,” Varrek said in that patronizing tone I so hated. His voice filled with mockery as he addressed Zhul again. “Do not get any fancy ideas of playing hero, Dervhen. You do not want to find out how creative I can get carving up lovely little Lelah.”
My stomach twisted. Varrek was the most disturbed male I’d ever met. He didn’t seem to take particular pleasure dispensing torture or punishment. Yet, when he did, it was thorough and methodical work. As for creative, my gorge rose remembering some of his ‘masterpieces’.
“Spare me your threats, V. You’re wasting your breath and my time.” Zhul sounded bored.
I wanted to kiss him.
“Seha Valena, please retrieve your belongings so we can leave this place.”
“Wait,” Varrek said. “She’s to stay in this house.”
“Like fuck she is. The house and orchard were abandoned for a reason. This portion of land is still too Tainted and unsuitable for habitation. She will stay at my house.”
There was another period of silence. Shifting on my feet, I once more willed Varrek to agree. I believed the only reason he even considered it was because the latest raid had him in a serious bind. The Blood Houses had already been operating with a skeleton crew. Losing an extra pair of hands solely to babysit me was more than he could afford right now.
After a beat, Zhul’s com chimed again.
“You will bring her to these coordinates at nine a.m. tomorrow. You will receive new sets of coordinates every morning thereafter.”
“You want me to bring her somewhere to be abused?” Zhul growled.
“It’s okay, Sehr Dervhen,” I said, taking a step towards him. Now wasn’t the time for his – quite righteous – anger to derail what turned out to be beyond perfect. “I’m not abused. No one touches me or drinks from me. It’s all right.”
“Fine. Now get that vermin off my lands,” Zhul said to Varrek.
“Tsk, tsk. You’re hurting his feelings,” Varrek mocked. “You heard him, Sheb. Head back to our rendezvous point.”
“Yes, V.” Sheb’s voice was bitter and filled with barely contained rage.
I repressed a smile. Turning to enter the house to fetch my meager belongings, I remembered the gloves that shackled me.
“Master!” I said. “What of my gloves?”
There was another short pause, and for a moment, I thought he had already ended the com. Then I heard his soft chuckle.
“You’re playing a dangerous game, pet. Remember, cross me and there will be serious consequences for all of you.”
I swallowed hard. “Yes, Master.”
“Unlock the gloves, Sheb. And pet, see that you have them back on when we pick you up in the morning.”
“Thank you, Master.”
I felt the gloves unlock and I swiftly removed them, crushing the burning desire to scream with joy. His consent wasn’t him getting soft on me. I suspected he didn’t want to give Zhul too many explanations as to what my hands could do. As he’d given me plenty of warning not to mess with Zhul’s mind – or so he thought – he didn’t think I woul
d cross him. But even if I did, the Councilor knew nothing about Varrek’s business. That’s why my master wasn’t worried about my possible disobedience.
“Now, get the fuck off my property,” Zhul said.
“Gladly,” Sheb snarled. “You’ve got no idea what you’ve gotten yourself into. I’ll be in the front row laughing when the shit comes raining down on your head.”
What I wouldn’t have given to be able to see the expression on Sheb’s face. Without another word, he de-cloaked the shuttle and boarded. Zhul approached me, leading his cavas behind him as the shuttle took off.
“Do not fear me, Seha,” Zhul said as he closed the distance between us. “I will never harm you in any way.”
“Ok,” I said, trying to sound intimidated while fighting the aching need to touch him. What I’d seen through his father’s thoughts made me hunger for more. Having him within reach, my hands untethered by those wretched gloves, the urge was almost a physical torment.
“My name is Zhul Dervhen, but please call me Zhul.” His deep voice was gentle and glided over me like the warm caress of a mid-summer breeze.
“Hello. My name is Valena Rounis. It is my pleasure to meet you, Zhul.” I liked the taste of his name on my tongue. “Please call me Valena.”
“As soon as you have gathered your belongings, I will take you to a far more suitable place to stay.”
“All right,” I said, clasping my hands in front of me to keep them from wandering.
I headed back inside and packed the one bag that contained everything I owned: two extra slave dresses, two nightgowns, my hooded cloak, a few changes of underwear, hairbrush, basic hygiene toiletries, and a pair of slippers. The end. Well, unless you add the remaining stash of keeleh weeds Chem gave me for the neption. It both embarrassed and depressed me to realize after nearly twenty-two years of existence, this was all I owned.
The excited voice of reporter Nikha Drubhen reached me from the living area. Zhul was catching up on the events of the raid while I rounded up my stuff. I hurried back, eager to hear if all the females were rescued safely. It was a blessing of the Goddess that it should have happened now. Many more females would have been moved to the brothel in the next few days as their resistance to my compulsion became too strong.
“All sixty-eight females held captive in this horrific den of despair have been rescued by General Praghan and a unit of the Capital District Police Department, under the leadership of Detective Behn Gravhin,” Nikha said through the vidscreen.
Zhul turned at my approach. What I wouldn’t give to see the expression on his face right now, rather than this blurry silhouette.
“Are you ready, Valena?” he asked softly.
Goddess, how I love the way he says my name.
“Yes, Zhul.”
He turned off the vidscreen and approached me. “Is that all you have?”
My face heated. “Yes.”
“Ok. Let me carry it for you.”
I handed him the bag. Instead of leading us out, he stood in front of me quietly. I could feel his stare on me.
“Something wrong?” I asked, feeling self-conscious.
“Do you not wish to use your optical aid?”
“Oh, hmmm. Well, I don’t have a set,” I said, tucking my hair behind my ear.
“Why not?”
I stiffened at the sharpness of his tone.
He sighed. “Forgive me. I didn’t mean to scare you. It’s just that in this day and age, there is no reason for you to walk around completely or mostly blind.”
“It’s ok. And, I’m not sure why my Master didn’t give me, one. He’s… complicated.”
“Please, do not call him that,” he said, his voice hardening again. “At least not when he’s not around.”
“I’m sorry,” I said, not feeling sorry one bit. The more protective he felt about me, the more likely he was to help.
“Don’t be.” His tone softened again. “I will get you an optical aid today.”
Oh Goddess!
My heart thumped in my chest. I’d be able to see again. Granted, it wouldn’t be the full color spectrum, but who cares about that? I would see his face for real, not skewed through the memories of another. And the sky, and grass! Having grown up confined in a breeding compound on a barren moon, I had never seen nature other than through a vidscreen. By the time I was old enough – and useful enough – to leave the compound, Gruuk had already taken away my eyesight by burning my retinas.
“That’s most generous. Thank you.” This time, the emotion in my voice was genuine.
“It’s nothing,” he said, a smile in his voice. “Come, let’s leave this place. I’ll have someone properly close it down later.”
I nodded while he led me to the entrance, his strong fingers gently wrapped around my upper arm. Reading him was difficult with this kind of connection. I only got faint echoes of his thoughts, mainly worry for his family and protectiveness towards me. Although feeling somewhat guilty for dragging him further into this mess, warmth spread through me at having someone express selfless concern for me. It had been too long since someone genuinely cared.
“Pouki, you little rat, get over here. We’re going home,” Zhul called out.
The neption yipped then ran out of the house.
“So that’s its name,” I said.
“Yes,” Zhul said, sounding amused. “That pet is a menace. Why my sister loves it so much is beyond me.”
I shrugged. “I love neptions. They’re adorable.”
Zhul chuckled and shook his head. “It must be a female thing then.”
I smiled.
“I’m afraid you will have to ride my cavas with me,” Zhul said, his voice apologetic. “But have no fear, Zhenax won’t harm you.”
The beast was massive. Zhul made me stand in front of it while he petted the side of its neck.
“Zhenax,” he said to the cavas, “this is Valena. She’s a friend of the family. She's part of our pack.”
Zhenax sniffed me for a few seconds to familiarize himself with my scent then rubbed the side of his snout against my cheek, indicating that he accepted me.
My heart tightened in my chest, but I crushed the emotion as swiftly as it blossomed. I ached to once again belong to a family, but this arrangement was a far cry from it. As much as it shamed me to admit it, I was using Zhul to achieve my goals. Hopefully, no harm would come to him and his loved ones. However, if it came down to it, I would sacrifice him to save the captives and myself.
Zhenax knelt before me and Zhul helped me climb onto the creature’s back. His hand burned right through my cotton dress. Zhenax got back to his feet and Zhul handed me my bag before climbing on behind me.
My breath caught in my throat. I had never been this physically close to a male before. His strong chest pressed against my back and one sinewy arm wrapped around my waist while the other reached for the cavas’ reins. It felt like being wrapped in a warm cocoon I never wanted to leave. As expected for Primes, Zhul wore a sleeveless shirt. Unable to resist temptation any further, I placed my hand on his bare forearm. Zhul looked at me but didn’t challenge my action.
Leaning against the powerful male that was now my guardian, I let his thoughts flow into me.
CHAPTER 6
Zhul
Gharah’s teeth, she’s beautiful!
Her coppery skin glowed like honey under the sun. Thigh-length, curly, reddish-brown hair framed a gorgeous pixie face with luscious lips, a perky nose, and striking, large aqua eyes. Even the milky veil over her eyes – I assumed from burnt retina or glaucoma – hid nothing of her eyes’ amazing natural color. The sharp contrast with her dark skin was stunning. And those markings along her arms and legs… Goddess have mercy. I wanted to lick them one by one.
When Valena first stepped onto that porch, I thought my heart would seize in my chest. At first, I believed it was the shock of finding a Veredian right in my backyard. But it had been more than that. It felt almost like a recognition, a connection I
had been deprived of since Rhal’s death fifteen years ago.
That made no sense.
Amalia was the first Veredian any of us had ever seen. She was stunning. Although I’d never publicly admit it, like most Xelixian males, I had a bit of an infatuation with the exotic alien. It was strange considering she wasn’t my type, personality-wise. On top of being mischievous, she had a rebellious streak that drove her to fly in the face of rules and traditions. I liked my females more reserved, formal. However, her constant display of affection for her mates, despite being completely against our ways, had every male – myself included – sighing with envy. What must it be like to be loved so unconditionally by such a female?
Yet, Amalia had not stirred the instant possessiveness the breathtaking female currently in my arms had. Although my protective instincts had surged forward upon hearing of the hardship Amalia had endured, they hadn’t been nearly as fierce as what I felt right now for Valena. When that piece of shit demanded I bring her to him every morning, the thought of other males drinking from her – or worse – almost sent me over the edge. Had Valena not confirmed that none of them ever touched her, I’m not sure Sheb would have lived to see another day, consequences be damned.
Valena gasped and squeezed my hand wrapped around her waist. I realized then my arm was tightening painfully around her, as if daring anyone to take what was mine.
Goddess, what’s gotten into me?
“Forgive me,” I said, relaxing my hold immediately. “I was lost in thought.”
“It’s ok,” she said with that sexy, breathy voice of hers.
Her hand gently patted the back of mine. It was soft and warm. I liked that she kept it on top of mine, regardless of impropriety.
Didn’t I just complain about Amalia’s rebellious streak?
That was different. No one else here could see Valena touching me. And damn it, I liked it. There was something odd, though, a strange tingling where her hand touched mine.
Speaking of which…
“Why did you have those gloves on earlier?”
With the advanced locking mechanism on them, they served an important purpose. Why would V agree to release her from them?