by Regine Abel
Father and Lelah had taken Pyrhin and Tharin for a ride. I thought of taking Valena on a ride, too, to help her relax, but neither of us wanted to be away from the house right now. We both eagerly awaited the news of the raid to break so we could find out what was going on.
“I knew someone tipped off V the minute Sheb came into the room,” Valena said, brushing Zhenax’s scales with a bit more vigor than necessary. “We always ignored the fire drills at the Convention Center. Yet, minutes after it was initiated, V ordered Sheb to bring me back here.”
“Didn’t you run into any of the soldiers on the way out?”
“No, damn it. We didn’t take our usual route. Sheb led me through some secret passage I’d never seen before. We walked for a while before getting on a small private shuttle.”
She brushed him even harder. Zhenax jerked and growled softly. Too lost in her thoughts, Valena didn’t notice she was irritating him. I stopped brushing the short hair on his back and placed a hand over hers. Startled, she looked at me.
“Gentle, my darling. He didn’t do anything”
Her eyes widened and she turned to the cavas, a look of guilt on her face.
“I’m so sorry,” she said, caressing his neck. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
Zhenax turned his face towards her and nuzzled her cheek to express all was forgiven. She kissed his cheek and resumed brushing him with a much softer hand.
“It was strange, though,” she continued. “When we left, the other guards told the customers to get out, then they left too. If they had the heads up, why not take the females with them?”
That was odd, and worrisome. V didn’t strike me as the type of male to waste resources. He wouldn’t discard the females like that, especially knowing DNA tests would help identify some of the customers, narrowing the net around him.
We were halfway through grooming Zhenax when my com finally went off with a news alert. Leaving the cavas in front of the house, Valena and I rushed into the living area. I turned on the vidscreen and my knees nearly buckled at the spectacle.
“This is a somber day, a terrible day that will go down in infamy. For those of you joining us now, this is Nikha Drubhen, reporting live from the Convention Center in Capital District.”
Behind the reporter, people were crying and screaming. A group of first responders in full hazard suits was rushing inside the building while police and military forces tried to contain the crowd.
“An hour ago,” Nikha said, “we were informed a military raid on the last Blood House was about to take place. Until minutes ago, we weren’t allowed to broadcast any of this. The footage you’re about to see is very disturbing. Viewer discretion is advised.”
The video showed Amalia and Lhor rushing towards the Center. Amalia yelling in her com and fighting the officers. Then the explosion and Lhor screaming before collapsing.
“No!” Valena shouted, covering her mouth with both hands.
A stabbing pain pierced my chest and my ears buzzed. I stumbled towards the couch and collapsed on it.
This can’t be happening.
I watched Lhor jerk with a seizure while the first responders tried to restrain him. It wasn’t his face contorted in pain that I saw. It was Rhal’s, terrified and reaching for me to save him as the rabid rhomaks tore him away.
The camera followed Amalia as she ran from her mate’s side to the entrance of the Center. The vaulted security doors were down, locking everyone out and entrapping those still inside. Police officers tried to stop her but she fought back. She managed to take the blaster from one of the officers and threatened to shoot him. They all backed off and she raced to the door.
Oddly, the soldiers of the First Division by the door didn’t try to intercept her. Instead, they moved aside as she placed both hands against the vaulted doors. Eyes closed, she looked like she was praying. Then the vaulted door opened.
The camera reverted to Nikha.
“These events took place twenty minutes ago. No one can explain how Seha Praghan was able to open the vaulted door but this may be the only chance to save anyone still inside. The odds are slim, though.”
The camera zoomed in on the staff in biohazard suits.
“The vaulted door only comes down if biochemical toxins are detected to contain possible contamination. Anyone still inside has likely inhaled deadly doses of the poison.”
Valena collapsed to her knees, her body shaking with heart-wrenching sobs. I crawled over to her and pulled her into my arms. I felt numb, my brain too fuzzy to think.
“This is a tragedy on so many levels.” Nikha pointed at a stretcher where Lhor lay immobile, Amalia holding his hand. “Councilor Lhor Kirnhan, Seha Amalia’s Second Mate, is also our beloved General Praghan’s Geminate. Councilor Kirnhan has gone into cardiac arrest twice already. The medics doubt they will be able to bring him back a third time. It is believed that General Praghan died in the explosion and that his Core, Lhor Kirnhan will follow him shortly.”
A picture of Amalia, her mates and their two children came on screen. Nikha went on to retell Amalia’s incredible story, including her Tuurean protectors and the hunt for the Blood Houses. She urged everyone to send their prayers to the Goddess to look after the courageous female and her young children.
The image turned back to the entrance of the Convention Center.
“I’m being informed that the first victims are being brought out,” Nikha said. “Ghan Delphin, General Praghan’s First Officer, is leading the rescue and recovery mission.”
A macabre parade of hover-stretchers filed out of the building, each one carrying a body bag. By the twentieth corpse, still no survivor had been brought out.
“This is my fault,” Valena sobbed. “I caused this.”
I cupped her face in my hands. “Don’t you dare say that. You didn’t do this. You didn’t set up a bomb or throw in chemicals.”
“If I hadn’t tried to escape—”
“Then they still would have met with a terrible end. V did this, not you. Don’t blame yourself for the crimes of that monster.”
And yet, I could relate to her guilt. Without this plan, Lhor wouldn’t be hanging between life and death. Khel wouldn’t likely be dead. And Amalia… Her children… Goddess, have mercy. Without her mates’ protection, the vultures would descend upon her. I wouldn’t even be able to protect her. For sure, First Officer Ghan Delphin knew I provided the clues to the Blood House. In light of my history with Khel, they would never believe my innocence. With the number of victims, and nature of the crime, I would face the harshest punishment permitted by law.
Valena pulled my face to hers and crushed my lips with a kiss full of sorrow and despair. We clung to each other in silence.
I needed her to be safe. We couldn’t leave the property because of her tracker. It was only a matter of time before the army or police came here investigating. I just hoped they would get here before V came for her. Maybe I should call them.
As if summoned by my thoughts, the proximity detector went off. A personal shuttle landed in front of the house. It belonged to my cousin Whil.
What the fuck is he doing here?
Whil was a shady bastard and a useless piece of shit. He ‘worked’ with his father on their orchard but in truth, he only pocketed his salary. Uncle Rhik knew better than to give Whil any real responsibility.
Rising to my feet, I helped Valena up. Through the window, I saw Whil come out of his shuttle alone. My cousin never came here, let alone uninvited. We didn’t get along and kept our interactions civil at the odd family gathering. My gut churned with unease. The timing was off.
“My darling,” I said, turning to Valena, “please go lock yourself up in one of the safe rooms. Do not open for anyone unless I tell you everything is clear. All right?
She nodded, her eyes puffy and red from crying. I wiped the tears from her cheeks with my thumbs and brushed my lips against her.
“Go on, love.”
Valena hastened out of the
room, giving me a worried look over her shoulder as she exited. I considered retrieving my blaster from my office. Through the window, I saw Zhenax eye Whil as he approached the house and decided against it.
I’m becoming paranoid.
Whil was an idiot, but he was no criminal mastermind.
Not wanting to appear overly eager, I waited for him to ring the bell before strolling to the door. When I opened it, Whil’s weasel smile greeted me. He wasn’t a bad looking male, if one ignored his thin lips that always seemed stuck in a sneer or a pout. His ebony hair and forest-green eyes clearly marked him as a Dervhen though. It almost made me glad I had inherited my mother’s silver eyes instead so that I had one less thing in common with Whil. Of similar height and build, we could have almost passed for siblings.
“Whil,” I said as both a greeting and inquiry as to the reason of his presence.
“Cousin,” Whil replied, his slimy smile broadening. “I wasn’t sure you’d be home with all the drama unfolding in Capital District.”
“And yet you thought to drop by for an impromptu visit?”
He looked over my shoulder into the house, his eyes searching. A cold chill ran down my spine. What – or who – was he looking for?
“Aren’t you going to invite me in?” he asked.
I tilted my head and crossed my arms over my chest. “I’m kind of busy right now. Like you said, there’s major drama unfolding in Capital District. Do you need something?”
He licked his lips and his gaze took on a calculating edge. “As a matter-of-fact, I do.”
I raised a questioning eyebrow.
“See, the Blood House raid has put me in a bit of a bind,” Whil said, taking a step forward. “One you are in a unique position to get me out of.”
The small hairs at the nape of my neck stood on end and cold sweat trickled down my back.
“Why should that raid trouble you?” I asked, dreading what I knew would be a devastating answer.
“My mate left me and officially dissolved our bond.” Whil’s voice hardened while staring over my shoulder again into the house. “Unmated males don’t do very well.”
When the news broke that his mate, Mhera, had left him, it sent shockwaves through the noble houses. Prime females leaving a Prime male was unheard of, especially a male belonging to one of the most powerful houses on Xelix Prime. She had claimed irreconcilable differences to justify her departure, but everyone suspected there was more to it.
“You’re Prime. Being unmated shouldn’t trouble you. Plus, you’ll easily find another mate at the next Fastening Selection. Either way, what does that have to do with me?”
Whil snorted and slowly shook his head.
“Well that’s the problem right there. See, Mhera wasn’t amused to find out that I’m not Prime and that our offspring would have a fifty-fifty chance of being Tainted,” Whil said, his eyes burning with anger. “The bitch fucking repudiated me for all of Xelix Prime to see. The same shit will happen with any other female who picks me. I’m not facing that humiliation again and you will help me.”
I was rooted to the spot, staring at him but unseeing.
This can’t be happening.
How could he have fooled everyone all these years? How deeply was he involved in all this?
“I want you off my property, now,” I said through my teeth.
“I don’t think so, cousin,” Whil said. “You’ve got my cure hiding in your house. Bring her out so I can have a drink. This doesn’t need to get ugly.”
How the fuck does he know?
My stomach twisted in fear and I cursed myself for not taking that blaster after all. I couldn’t think straight, but needed to buy myself some time to decide on a course of action. If he knew about Valena, who else did?
“What are you talking about?”
“Don’t fuck with me, Zhul,” Whil snapped, losing any semblance of civility. “Bring me the Veredian.”
Zhenax growled, his fiery eyes glowing. Whil tensed as he cast an uncertain look towards the cavas. He knew better than to ignore this early warning.
“Call back your beast, cousin. Or things will get real ugly, real fast,” Whil threatened.
I tilted my head, unable to believe what I was hearing. Surely he didn’t think he stood a chance against a cavas in its prime?
“For the last time, get the fuck off my property or I will have Zhenax tear you to shreds.”
Whil’s expression turned to pure malice and my anxiety skyrocketed. I didn’t give a shit if my cavas killed him. But I had enough problems right now with the Praghans without adding what, under the circumstances, would surely be deemed murder rather than self-defense if I unleashed my beast on him.
“As you wish,” Whil said.
I expected him to launch an attack. Instead, he raised his hand in a gesture as if to tell someone behind him to come forward. He’d no sooner completed the movement than a military grade shuttle de-cloaked besides his personal shuttle. Four heavily armed males jumped out and rushed towards us. They were Guldans in mercenary outfits.
“Zhenax, attack!” I shouted.
I threw my fist at Whil and it connected solidly with his jaw. His head jerked to the side and he stumbled a couple of steps back. Pressing my advantage, I kicked him, the sole of my shoe hitting him square in the chest. He flew back, tumbling down the three steps of the front porch.
I looked up just in time to see one of the mercenaries raising his blaster towards me while the other three battled Zhenax. The first shot went off. I dodged and it missed me by an inch. Turning around, I tried to get back inside the house, but the second shot hit my lower back. A sharp pain was quickly followed by a tingling feeling that spread along my spine and down my legs.
Leaning on the door frame, I tried to take another step but my knees wobbled. The floor rushed towards me as I lost all feeling in my lower limbs. I barely managed to break my fall by throwing my hands in front of me. But they, too, turned numb. Lying on my stomach, I watched Whil get back to his feet, his face contorted with fury.
The warm late morning breeze carried the loud cry of agony of one of the mercenaries. Whil looked over his shoulder at the male falling to his knees. He held the bleeding stump of his shoulder where Zhenax had chomped his arm off. With a whipping movement of his head, the cavas tossed the severed limb. It landed a dozen feet away, rolling and tumbling on the pavement. The male’s cries turned into a gurgling sound as his eyes rolled up into his head. He toppled to the ground and began to spasm, foam bubbling around his lips.
Poisoned.
That male probably wouldn’t survive. The blood loss from his severed arm alone would send him into shock soon. But a cavas’ venom could be lethal if not treated quickly. The other three mercenaries fired their blaster at Zhenax while the beast charged them. The first handful of shots hit scales. Although the cavas didn’t slow down, his enraged roar testified to the pain they’d inflicted upon him. He barreled into one of the mercenaries then trampled him underfoot. Bones shattered beneath the weight of the beast who also shredded his victim’s skin to tatters with the claws of his six paws.
The last two mercenaries switched the setting of their blasters from stun to kill. Zhenax chased after one of them while the other opened fire. This time, scales and skin tore off from each blast. The cavas faltered but didn’t stop running down his prey. Just as he rammed his scaly head into the back of his quarry, knocking him off his feet, a well-aimed blaster shot gave him a savage blow. A large gaping hole appeared at the base of Zhenax’s neck. Staggering, the beast walked a few more steps to his third victim and toppled over the male as another shot struck his side.
No!
It wasn’t just the fear of losing this fight that had my chest caught in a vise-like grip. Zhenax was more than a mount. He was a friend. He was family. He was pack. My gorge rose as the fourth mercenary shot the cavas twice more while his remaining partner wiggled free of the weight of the beast on his legs.
A silhouette bl
ocked my line of sight as Whil climbed back up the stairs.
“You little shit,” he ground through his teeth.
He kicked me in the stomach and my breath rushed out of me. After kicking me twice more, he got down on his knees and pummeled my face with his fists. Paralyzed, I watched helplessly as the blows rained down on me. The taste of iron filled my mouth and pain radiated all over my face and ribcage. I couldn’t speak, my jaw too numb to form words. But my groans of pain roared in my ears.
“Enough!” the fourth Guldan said. “V wants him alive.”
He grabbed Whil’s raised fist, preventing him from striking me again, and yanked him away from me. Whil jerked his arm free, and his eyes still leveled on me burned with hatred.
“Fine,” he snarled. “Let’s go get the female.”
The third mercenary limped up the stairs and helped his friend lift me up. They dragged me inside the house in Whil’s wake.
“Valena!” Whil shouted, rushing through the various rooms looking for her.
Finding every room empty, Whil raced up the stairs to the sleeping quarters. I heard him open doors then stomp to the next room until he found the locked one. The booming sound of his fist striking the door echoed all the way down.
“Open the door, Valena,” Whil yelled. “Come out now if you don’t want Zhul to get hurt.”
Please, stay locked inside your room, love. Please, don’t open the door.
If she held on long enough, for sure Ghan or Amalia would have someone come arrest me, rescuing Valena in the process.
“Bring him up,” Whil called out.
The mercenaries hauled me up the stairs. My side throbbed and I struggled to breathe. I hoped he hadn’t broken my ribs. They propped me on my knees in front of Valena’s bedroom, the two Guldans each holding me up by one arm.
Whil banged on the door again. “Open, Valena, or the next thing I strike will be that useless cousin of mine.”
Don’t open!
The silence stretched, only disturbed by the nervous tapping of Whil’s fingertips against the doorframe. He turned to face me, a sadistic grin on his face.