Tar (Phoenix in Flames Book 3)

by Catty Diva

  Phoenix in Flames series

  Book 3

  Tar

  By Catty Diva

  Edited by Eagle Editing

  Cover by Jesh Art

  2017 Copyright by Catty Diva

  This book is a work of fiction. All contents, including names, places, and events are the product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to persons, living or deceased, businesses, locations or events are completely coincidental.

  None of this work may be used, reproduced, exchanged or transmitted by anyone but the person the book was purchased for. Any reproductions of this book in any part or any form must be done with the express written permission of the author or not at all.

  Thank you for respecting the work of this author.

  This series is a spinoff from the 10 book series The Mating Games.

  The Mating Games series

  Book 1

  Razar

  Razar needs a mate, but on his planet, there are nine males to one female. Humans look like they are compatible, but if they find out the secrets of his kind they will refuse to send them mates.

  Lista needs money for her mother's operation or she will die. Her sister has volunteered her to be a bride for an alien. If she wins the mating game, she will be free to keep the money and return home.

  Can she outwit him or will he claim her heart before it's game over?

  Phoenix in Flames series

  Book 1

  Roar

  He’d volunteered for this mission, but why? He’d felt the need to go after the abducted female. It was almost like an obsession which made it scary. Roar was afraid to even guess what he’d do once he found her.

  Treva was hurting all over and scared. She didn’t even hold out hope anyone would come to save her. It was time to save herself. Once she got herself free, she would get to Oison somehow. There simply wasn’t a choice.

  Book 2

  Blaze

  He’d always considered Roar his best friend and they’d hung out together a lot. That was now in the past because Roar had fallen in love and it hit him hard. He was mated and it was hard to tear him from his mate’s side. Only the new priority of aiding in the lab raids had managed it, but his mate came with him. Blaze hoped he never lost himself that completely even while he was a little jealous of their obvious happiness.

  Lab born and raised, Felicity never expected to be freed. She would live and die in misery just as her mother had. When these people came and whispered they would soon be free, she didn’t believe them. When the man came and told her he planned to free her, she wanted to believe everything he said.

  Could fate finally be working in their favor to give two jaded people the chance of a lifetime?

  Phoenix in Flames

  Book 3

  Tar

  He’d found the facility that was supplying all the labs. This would be the chance to shut it all down. His biggest problem getting the children out. That and the labs special project, Patty. He wasn’t even sure exactly what she was, but he was undeniably drawn to her.

  She was a science project that wasn’t even thought of as a person, much less a woman. Now for the first time ever, a male had made her feel like a female. Could she help him safely bring the lab down so they could leave here together? If they did, would they even be able to have a future?

  Prologue

  Tar enjoyed the military. It gave him a chance to serve his kind, others, and combine that with adventure. He was learning about the big world that was out there, but when he was home like now, he could distance himself from all that and find the safety and familiarity he’d known since he was little.

  It was different this time. He was here preparing for an undercover assignment. They didn’t send the same guy twice in case they ran into someone from the last assignment. That sounded like a smart move. This would be his one and only chance to go into the enemy stronghold as one of them.

  He liked to play, but this game was a matter of life or death and not just his. At least he hadn’t had to slum to get picked for the job. This was considered a research lab and whatever was needed, whatever lies had to be told, whoever had to be bought off, it had been done so they could run this place with an air of respectability that no one had questioned for years until now.

  Someone had escaped helped by an employee, or that was what he understood had happened. Razar had given him little information because he wanted him to draw his own conclusions based on what he saw, not what he’d been told before arriving. It had made sense when Razar had said it, now it made him wonder what the hell was going on in that place.

  Looking out the space porthole, he saw they were drawing closer to a modern looking space hub. The place was the largest space station he’d seen yet and set in orbit around the moon rather than the nearby planet. A planet that was barely populated due to having barely the minimum requirements for life and none of the preferred extras.

  They had selected a remote location too. Not unusual for those that ran labs and carried out illegal activities. The surprise was that the station was bustling with visitors and those that he assumed lived there. With the variety of races, he knew he would fit in just fine. His only problem would be hiding his outrage if he saw anyone being mistreated.

  Tar had always been a protector, even when he was too young to be good at it. He was good at it now, but for a while, he’d be unable to apply those skills.

  Chapter 1

  Welcome

  Patty didn’t know why, but she was always excited when the shuttles landed. Especially the one bringing new employees. There was no reason, really. It was always a disappointment in the end. Maybe she hoped to find her other half, that mate of her heart she had read about. A monster like she was must not have a mate.

  She didn’t really know what she was, only that she was a mix of many not just the two most people claimed as parents. There’d been a plan, something they were looking for, but it hadn’t been what they’d gotten. They’d called her and Ladonna, her best friend, Frankensteins. When she’d looked it up, she saw monster was a synonym. Who was she to argue or care, for that matter, about what the lab personnel thought of them?

  Sure, she was a genius and her physical looks were pleasing to most. Her health seemed perfect, but her ability to do as she was told was not so good. In the end, they’d considered just that, ending her and Ladonna. Instead they’d decided to put them to a limited use. She and her friend ran most of the station.

  Why didn’t she just leave? She was held hostage by the others, the children being raised mostly by them and the adults kept in cages to be used for their DNA. If she acted up, the place would have the self-destruct activated remotely. The explosion would be immediate, no countdown to give her hope she could interfere.

  They’d assured her even looking for the self-destruct would activate it. Patty wanted to be useful so she spent her time researching and sending information to those that fought her makers. If she couldn’t escape herself she helped others and made sure nothing was traced to her. She always made sure a wicked employee was found culpable. It was an art form with her.

  It was the easiest way to get rid of the worst of the bad people who ran the place. Most were crooked with no loyalty to anyone but themselves. The higher authority didn’t care if they were sadistic, but if they stole or damaged property that was a death sentence. Even failure to do their job would be punished. Plotting and planning against the company, that was a big mistake.

  Even though the supervisors knew it, it always ended up happening. Some of the worst people had been destroyed because of it. There would be several replacements on this ship. She watched hoping for much while expecting
little. Some of the guards were attractive, on the outside at least.

  Wow, wait a minute. His hair was brown until the light hit it. Streaks of gold lit up. Tall, nearly seven foot she’d guess. Broad shoulders, lean hips, long legs and as she looked at his face, full sexy lips. Her chest ached as she stared unable to look away until he moved. For better or worse, Patty had just found her weakness. He was the most beautiful man she had ever seen.

  She pulled up the information on the new employees on this shuttle. Teran, yes, that was him although the name just didn’t suit. He was from Earth in some little section where there were too many people and not enough jobs. There were a dozen former addresses, he must have been wanted by the law at one time.

  He’d been lucky to escape capture until the government had all but fallen. Earth was in so much trouble, law enforcement had forgiven all but the most serious crimes having few officers and almost no funds to operate with. Maybe it was because he was such a pretty boy. Looks could often be used to dissuade cops from bothering you. She hated to believe he would use his body to avoid jail.

  The male looked up catching her eyeing him. The smile he sent her way lit her up from the inside out. Gods, the male was too perfect as far as looks went. At least he wouldn’t try to force sex on any of the residents. He’d have males and females lined up down the hall in front of his room. It was tempting to be in that line, but it wasn’t her way. Males only brought pain in one form or another.

  She turned away, her curiosity about who they now had on staff satisfied. Patty would be careful around the pretty one. The others would present no issues at all. It would be no effort at all for her to take out three males at once. Her superior strength, her intelligence, and the high quality training she’d received all contributed to that fact.

  A random thought occurred to her, she wondered if pretty boy could fight. Her guess was no, but she would never assume that was true. Patty entered the lab sitting at the desk she ran everything from.

  “Any surprises?” Ladonna asked.

  “One pretty boy in the group.”

  “He must be something to get your attention.”

  “Just pretty, that’s all I know. His folder says he’s well trained in fighting and security. We’ll know soon enough if that’s true.” Patty observed.

  “Maybe he’ll be worth your time. You’re alone too much.”

  “Males are too much trouble.”

  “Maybe I’ll check him out.” Patty growled. “What was that?”

  “Nothing, my throat is dry.” Patty explained.

  “Sure, I always growl when my throat’s dry.” Ladonna giggled.

  That girl saw too much. She was Patty’s best friend. One of the few people who she’d been raised with that was still here. Ladonna’s talent in the lab was why. She took the place of two regular technicians. Her friend often knew more than the doctors. Patty and Ladonna tried to use their powers for good. It wasn’t always easy in a place where evil ruled.

  “How many babies?”

  Ladonna smiled. “Reproduction is down. My only fear is they’ll try to put me or you in charge of it.”

  “I don’t think they will. The evidence shows they have DNA from a bad source. Who they use to run things won’t matter.”

  “They won’t catch us will they?”

  “No, they have no idea the substitute isn’t DNA at all. It shows like blanks. The subject escaped and there is no way to test them now.”

  “You’re so good. Thank goodness it’s cut down on the poor children they run through here.”

  “I only wish we could close this place down.”

  “Maybe someday.” Ladonna hoped.

  Chapter 2

  Arrival

  Tar looked around at the thriving space station filled with all types of races. The aroma of food was in the air, some of the scents appetizing while others were not. He was uncertain as to what some of the creatures he saw might eat. There was a walking worm, it was large, black, and shiny. Something similar to their Adidas, which were like Earth grasshoppers, only intelligent walked by. The creature had large reflective eyes and eight appendages that it used as arms and legs.

  He felt someone watching him and turned. His body froze and he stopped breathing. Her hair was like dark honey and her eyes were hazel. Her lips were plump while her body was amazing. She stared a moment then she hurried away.

  “You’ll get nowhere with Patty.” The male next to him said with a grin.

  “Who is she?”

  “She runs the place. If it wasn’t for her, none of those kids would survive. I’m not sure exactly what she is, but she was born here. I’m certain of that. I’m Geoff, what’s your name?”

  “I’m Teran. It’s nice to meet you.”

  “You should have never come here. This place is toxic. It’ll eat you alive.” Geoff said before he hurried off.

  A male dressed in a military style uniform stood off to the side observing all of the new hires. “You all need to fall in line.” He demanded. “I’m the leader here. My name is Leader Orson Trevers. You can all me leader or sir. Since the moment you stepped out of the shuttle, you became mine.” He strutted down the line of males looking coldly at each one when he stopped in front of them. Stopping in front of Teran, he grinned. “Looks like we have a pretty boy. I won’t take it easy on you. You’d better be able to do everything you said you could.”

  Damn. They’d thought his looks would help him here, but apparently the boss didn’t like good looking guys. Trevers moved on and made comments about some of the others. They’d all been sized up and judged. He’d failed to make a good impression from the start.

  An envelope was handed to each of them. “In two hours come back here for a tour of the place.” Trevers said.

  Teran looked in his envelope and found a key card to his room. Pulling his luggage behind him he made his way to the hall where his room was. Opening the door he was relived. It was small, but the bed looked comfortable and he had an attached bathroom. There would be no public facilities. He also saw a small kitchenette. There was everything he needed right here.

  Now he put his suitcase on the bed to unpack it. He quickly found a place to hide his communicator in the torn mattress and put up a surveillance device after scanning to make sure they didn’t have one. A lowly guard was hardly worth the trouble of watching away from work. At least that was his hope. Having a free hand to check things out was what he needed.

  Now that he was settled, he decided to go out early and get the lay of the land. That would give him a bit over an hour before he needed to be back where Trevers would expect them all to congregate. A bit of food wouldn’t hurt anything either. As he stepped out of his room his stomach rumbled. The smell of something delicious hit his nose and his mouth watered.

  Following his nose, he headed to the cafeteria. The place was packed with employees and what looked like travelers visiting the station. This appeared to be the go to place to eat. He had his new ID with him and that should get him a meal. As he stood in line he listened in on the guards and other employees that were talking.

  “Don’t know how Patty does it. The food here is the best.” A guard commented.

  “She’s not human, she’s more.” His buddy said.

  “I hope she doesn’t leave while I’m here.” The guard declared.

  “She won’t. They keep her in line by threatening the little ones.” His friend informed.

  “How do you know so much, Alan?” The guard asked.

  “It’s like this, Tom. I’ve been here since she was born. Stick with me and I’ll help you survive this place.” Alan offered.

  “You’re my best buddy. You know that.” Tom reassured. Alan just nodded. They began to gather up their trays to drop off at the bin.

  The line moved up rather quickly. Once he made it to the food he saw things were clearly labeled and you could press a button to choose the language if Earth proper wasn’t your thing. The selection was good, better than he was
used to seeing on space stations when he was on leave. Many of the foods available were Earth in origin. Maybe that was because a large number of the guards and other employees were originally from there.

  Taking a couple of cabbage rolls, he moved up where he grabbed some barbecued ribs, a roll, some slaw, and a large piece of pie. Showing his ID badge to the cashier, she waved him through. He went to the soda fountain and got a glass of cola.

  Sitting at the end of a table with a few occupants at the other end, he began to enjoy his food. It was delicious. At least eating here would be no hardship. Two of the people sitting near the center of the table were lab assistants. He stayed quiet hoping they would talk about the lab and what they were doing.

  “Hurry up, Karl. We need to get back before Dr. Gilmore comes looking.”

  “I’m almost done, Seth. We still have time on our break.”

  “You know Gilmore. She won’t care when she is doing her testing. Poor kids will get the worst of it, but there’s always some left for us.” Seth said.

  “I know you’re right. I hate that bitch.” Karl observed. “I wish she had those needles shoved up her…”

  A com buzzed. “Yes? Sorry Dr. Gilmore we’ll be right there.” Seth gave Karl a long suffering look.

  The two guards gathered their trays and hustled out of the cafeteria once they dropped the trays off. It was surprisingly easy to learn about this place. Everyone seemed to speak unguardedly in the cafeteria. That was neither wise nor risk free.

  He dug into his food enjoying every bite until he was finished. People had left while more had come in, but these were either the quiet type or they weren’t affiliated with the space station. Some spoke of interesting things like politics and the situation on Earth which was growing ever more serious, but it had little effect on his mission so he didn’t listen closely.