I grinned at him, thrilled he was finally mine. Body and soul.
“Yes, please.”
The End
Grace Goodwin
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Dark Warlord by Cynthia Sax
Chapter One
Being the sole defender of a small settlement on a brutally harsh outlaw planet wasn’t an easy task. It required strength, skill... and patience.
Deep in a Carinae E cave, Genine crouched by a pool of water. Strategically placed torches cast a glow over the white rock walls.
The rest of the planet was dry and parched, the forbidding terrain appealing to outcasts and criminals—beings escaping authorities. In the cave, moisture dripped, the sound echoing around her.
Fed by underground streams, the pool was the settlement’s main source of water. The inhabitants sent their youth to the cave to collect the precious liquid.
Twelve planet rotations past, a child hadn’t returned.
The community had grieved. Genine had mourned also. She considered every child in the settlement to be part of her extended family, the only family she still had.
Upon investigating the incident, she’d discovered the cause. A Carinae cave snake had claimed the pool as its hunting ground. Having now developed a taste for humanoid flesh, it would strike again.
She recommended they kill the creature. The peace-loving elders had disagreed. Genine was still regarded as a stranger in the insular all-female settlement. She had only lived there for five solar cycles; was a human, not a humanoid; wasn’t a clone as the rest of them were.
It was her lone voice against many. The residents had sided with the elders. They decided to do nothing, hoping the cave snake would return to wherever it came from. Children were advised to visit the pool in pairs.
Two children hadn’t returned three planet rotations prior. Genine pressed her lips together. Those deaths had hurt her. The settlement’s residents were hers to protect. She was responsible for them and she had failed. Yet again.
She wouldn’t fail them a third time. The elders had given her authorization to kill the cave snake. She would be successful at that task.
Genine tapped her booted feet against the stone floor. The surface of the pool rippled. Glimpsing a hint of the cave snake’s scaled body, she tightened her grip on her daggers.
Attracted by the reverberations, the creature moved closer. If she had a partner, someone equally skilled at the hunt, one being would act as bait and the other would be the hunter.
But she was alone. As she always was. She had to fill both roles.
Genine had chosen her position carefully. The boulders by the pool would prevent the cave snake from wrapping its form around her body and squeezing. All she’d have to do was avoid its paralyzing fangs and sink a dagger into one of its eyeballs and the threat to the settlement would be eliminated.
Genine lowered her body, her muscles flexing, her gaze fixed on the pool of water. The light from the torches gleamed off the cave snake’s black scales. Soon, it would—
“Genine! Genine!”
Bare feet smacked against stone and Genine smothered a curse. She’d told residents not to enter the cave but Ema-1005 never did what she was told, the young female clone fiercely independent.
“Get out,” Genine yelled.
Her warning was too late. The cave snake changed direction, rushing toward the girl, a swell of water rising up before it.
Shit. Shit. Shit. Genine ran, leaping over a boulder. Ema-1005 turned, her cheeks flushed dark purple, her white hair damp. Relief filled her purple eyes.
The cave snake propelled itself from the pool, its jaws opening, its body dripping. Genine flung herself forward, flying through the air.
She smacked against the creature. The force of the impact changed its trajectory, driving it away from Ema-1005. The girl shrieked, scrambling backward, retreating out of reach.
The cave snake coiled around Genine, pressing against her chest, pushing the air from her lungs. Only the reinforcements she had added to the body covering saved her bones from being crushed.
Genine struck at the cave snake with her daggers. Her blades bounced off the scales. The beast snapped at her, its mouth a breath away from her face. She twisted her body, barely avoiding the fangs.
The cave snake thrashed, bashing her against the stone walls. Genine grunted, her body throbbing with pain, her breathing constricted.
A dagger in the eye was her only chance at defeating her opponent. She drove her weapons upward, toward her targets. The tips missed their marks.
The cave snake’s fangs grazed her left forearm, shredding her body covering, scratching the exposed skin. She had mere moments before she lost all feeling in that arm.
The creature’s fangs became snagged in the edge of her garment. It wriggled its head, temporarily caught by the fabric.
That pause was all Genine needed. With her free hand, she thrust the dagger into the cave snake’s eyeball, driving the blade deep into the beast’s brain, twisting it.
The cave snake whipped its body back and forth, taking her with it. Every part of her was battered and bruised. The creature’s gyrations grew less and less, its death throes easing. The pressure around Genine’s chest released.
She fell to the stone floor of the cave with a heavy thump. The cave snake collapsed on top of her, its tail twitching.
“You will never kill another child under my protection.” Her voice was raspy. Genine yanked the dagger out of the creature’s left eye socket and plunged it into its one remaining eyeball. She wasn’t taking any chances.
The dagger fell from her left hand. Her fingers were numb. She wasn’t overly concerned. The cave snake’s venom shouldn’t render more than her arm immobile and her fighting was done for the planet rotation.
Genine slid her body from underneath the downed cave snake and pushed herself to her feet. She wobbled a bit, her entire form screaming in agony, and looked around her.
There was no sign of Ema-1005. The girl might not have followed the instructions not to enter the cave but she had realized when to exit.
Genine staggered through the tunnels leading to the large underground cavern. Her muscles loosened with every step.
Ema-942, an older version of the girl who’d almost died, was waiting at the entrance, her frail form rounded over the walking stick Genine had sourced for her.
“I told her not to enter.” The elderly female clucked her tongue. “She didn’t listen.”
Genine squinted at Ema-1005, the bright Carinae E sun an adjustment after the darkness of the cave. The girl stood to the side, her slight shoulders shaking from the shock she’d experienced.
“You knew she wouldn’t listen.” Genine’s gaze returned to the elderly female. “She’s your clone.” They were both reckless beings.
“Yeah.” Ema-942 grinned, displaying worn teeth. “I knew she wouldn’t listen.”
Their rebellion had earned Ema-942’s ancestors banishment from the main clone settlement many generations ago. The Emas were all different, their experiences making them unique, but that trait was constant.
“The cave snake is dead.” Genine waved her one working hand back at the entrance. “I want the daggers returned to me but the rest of it is yours to do with as you wish.” They would likely eat the meat and craft garments out of the skin.
Genine hobbled forward.
Ema-1005 joined her on her trek back to the settlement. Her head was bent, her gaze downcast. “I’m sorry. It was an emergency and—”
“No emergency is worth your life.” Genine’s role was protecting her, and the girl didn’t make that easy. “You are supposed to be at the market with Di-971.”
“Di-971 sent me to get you.” The words rushed out of the girl’s mouth. “Ema-1006 is going to die.”
Genine fought th
e urge to roll her eyes. The girl could make the most mundane task dramatic. “How is Ema-1006 going to die?”
The market was held in a bigger settlement. Everyone in that settlement knew the clones were under Genine’s protection. They’d heard of what she’d done to beings who bothered the females. Her retribution was swift and violent. It was the only language the residents of Carinae E understood.
“There was a male. He was looking for warriors to fight.” The girl’s hands danced in the air as she talked. “He was offering numerous credits.”
Ema-1006 believed herself to be a great fighter. Genine’s stomach twisted. She had told the girl she would be... if she trained hard for many solar cycles.
Genine changed direction, moving toward the market settlement. The situation was her fault. She’d encouraged the elders to trade with outsiders, to expose the younger residents to the world outside their small community. And she had trained the girls, boosting their confidence in their fighting skills.
They were slight in build but tall for their number of solar cycles. Ema-1005’s head already reached Genine’s chest. Her sister, a clone of the same solar cycle, was the same height.
The recruiter must have thought Ema-1006 was fully mature, not a female with twelve solar cycles. Once the agreement was made, the male wouldn’t allow her to break it. It didn’t matter what the reason was.
Because breaking the agreement wouldn’t benefit him. Genine was familiar with the fighting rings and the organizers’ needs. The recruiter was seeking beings to fight but also beings to die. Dying, she was well aware, could be done at any point in a being’s lifespan.
The invasion of her home planet had shown her that.
* * *
By the time Genine arrived at the settlement, Ema-1005 had relayed every detail of the encounter, including where the preliminary battles were to be held.
She spotted Di-971 standing near a small slender male, her lips pressed tightly together. The Dis and the Emas replicated by cloning. They also had the same coloring. But that was where the similarities ended. The Dis were shorter, curvier, and were as cautious as the Emas were reckless. Worry hung around Di-971 like a cloak.
Ema-1006 sobbed uncontrollably by the older female’s side. A huge scarred Palavian watched her, a horrified expression on his weathered face. Each of his four hands held a weapon as though he was attempting to ward off the girl’s tears with battle-axes and daggers.
To their right, two groups of young muscular males sized each other up, their fear, nervousness, and antagonism a poignant mix. They would battle each other one on one, until eventually, many settlements from now, a solitary fighter would be left, that champion deemed worthy of fighting at the larger sites.
Genine almost envied them. It had been a long time since she’d battled a worthy opponent, had her skills pushed to their limits.
Her gaze shifted to the warrior leaning against the transport and everyone else was forgotten.
The male sported long black hair, had a square chin and a broad forehead, his countenance primitive, appealing. MOD, followed by numbers, was inked on one of his cheeks. Leather bands crisscrossed his bare chest. Muscles undulated under his golden skin. A long sword was sheathed at his left hip.
That was a warrior. Genine’s nipples tightened and her pussy became wet, her lusting for the male intense... and unexpected. No other being had ever affected her this way. She wanted, needed the stranger with a wild, inexplicable intensity.
The warrior’s nostrils flared. He turned his head and her breath hitched. His eyes were darker than open space, a vortex calling out to her. The male straightened.
Stars, he was tall, looming over even her. His shoulders were broad, perfect for gripping during a wild, hard fucking. The fingers of her right hand twitched.
Genine was a warrior, a physical being. When she wanted to fuck, she fucked, not hesitating, not waiting. Another planet rotation wasn’t guaranteed. Death could greet her during the next battle, the next moment.
She took a step toward him.
“You’re here.” Di-971 rushed toward her, redirecting Genine’s attention. “Thank the stars. Did Ema-1005 explain the situation? Can you fix this?”
“I don’t know,” she replied truthfully. “How do we fix this?” Genine looked at the slender male. “Sir?”
She gave him the respect he deserved, not mistaking his slight build for weakness.
It was a hot planet rotation. Sweat dripped down her spine. Yet the stranger was covered from his dainty chin to the top of his immaculately shined boots with fabric.
That and the proud tilt of his carefully coiffed head communicated strength.
“There is no fixing this.” The male’s tone was snippy. “One fighter is to be supplied for one battle. If Ema-1006 breaches this agreement, the penalty is her life.”
“One fighter is to be supplied.” Genine latched onto that stipulation. “The fighter doesn’t have to be Ema-1006.”
The male dipped his head ever so slightly.
They could find a substitute for Ema-1006. She gazed around them. The settlement was bustling with activity. Merchants sold garments and containers. Mothers walked with their offspring. Males drank beverage. One of those males—
“None of them are warriors.” The deep rumble rolled over her.
Her gaze locked with the long-haired stranger. He had relocated to her side, his proximity exciting her more than it should.
She should be concentrating on locating a stand-in warrior for Ema-1006, not on fucking.
The warrior’s eyes gleamed, as though he knew what she was thinking. “Those males won’t risk death for credits and glory, gerel.” The last word was unknown to her but he spoke it like a caress. “The Host has already asked them.”
The Host must be the slender male. “They won’t risk death.” Genine repeated the long-haired warrior’s words. “These battles are to the death?”
“Yes.” His gaze lowered pointedly to the daggers sheathed at her waist. “Does that bother you?”
“Death always bothers me.” She enjoyed battle but preferred to have a valid reason for ending lives. Entertaining credit-paying patrons wasn’t a strong enough motivation.
Saving the lifespan of a loved one was.
She gazed at Ema-1006 and then at the group of young males talking about battle nearby them. The girl couldn’t defeat them but Genine could. Easily. She sighed. Even with one arm immobile.
She had swords with more experience than the young males had.
“The fighter only has to defeat one warrior?” She asked the Host.
“The fighter only has to defeat one warrior,” the male confirmed. “We hope, however, this will be the beginning of that winner’s glory and he or she will travel with us to the larger fighting rings.”
“I saw enough glory on the battlefield,” she muttered. The war against the Humanoid Alliance had been long and bloody. “I’ll take Ema-1006’s place in the fighting ring.”
“Thank you. Oh, thank you.” The girl fell to her knees, sobbing.
Di-971 tried to hide her relief. “Are you certain, Genine?”
“Genine,” the long-haired warrior echoed.
“I’m certain.” Genine didn’t like it but it appeared to be the only viable solution. “Do I have time to prepare?” She had to gather her weapons.
Only half of them would be needed. She tried to move the fingers of her left hand, was unable to.
“We will schedule your bout last.” The Host’s voice was cool. “Fighter Jaakko, you will face Fighter Marl.”
The male paired fighters up two by two.
If the goal was training, the strong would battle the strong, but the Host’s goal was to eliminate the weak warriors. The strong faced the weak.
He must have correctly deemed Genine to be the strongest because she and the smallest, most nervous male were soon the last two fighters unmatched.
She’d be taking the lifespan of an infant. Bile burned the back of
her throat.
“Fighter Genine, you will face—”
“Me.” The long-haired warrior stepped forward. “She will be facing me.”
The young males gasped. The Palavian’s mouth dropped open. The Host stared at him.
Sexual excitement coursed through Genine. Her response made no sense. They would be fighting to the death, not fucking.
And the warrior could defeat her. She had use of only one hand and, judging by the way he moved—quickly, smoothly, silently, his hands often brushing the hilts of his blades—he was good. Damn good.
She could die this planet rotation, never see another sunrise.
Dying in battle was the destiny of every warrior. It had been how her father, her five brothers had died. Her lifespan would end the same way.
“You have not been entered into these battles, Fighter Batu.” The Host pursed his lips.
Batu. Genine silently tested the long-haired warrior’s name on her tongue. It suited him.
“Then enter me.” The male wasn’t backing down, his stance widening, his booted feet planted on the white sand.
“There is no need for us to enter you.” The Host was as obstinate as his opponent, his pale face expressionless. “We have another warrior willing to face Fighter Genine.”
Batu, her long-haired warrior, gripped the hilt of his sword. “If that other warrior touches Fighter Genine, I will kill him and then I will kill you.”
Urine scented the air, a puddle forming around the young male the organizer wanted her to fight.
The Host’s pretty face remained blank. “We don’t respond to threats.” He sniffed. “But Fighter Omar has the same options Ema-1006 had. He may designate another warrior to fight for him.”
“I designate Fighter Batu to fight for me.” The boy squeaked.
The Host plucked at his cuffs. “Fighter Genine, you will face Fighter Batu.”
Batu, the male she wanted, the male she would be fighting, appeared pleased with his win, his gaze locking on hers, his expression possessive.
Her pussy dripped, her body responding to his dominance, and that irritated Genine. At the end of the planet rotation, one of them would be dead. If she didn’t focus, that being would be her.
Alien Alphas: Twenty-Three Naughty Sci-Fi Romance Novellas Page 26