by Aubrey Ross
Harder, faster, he strained her bonds with each forceful drive. She wanted to touch him, to feel his flexing muscles. She caressed him with her eyes instead.
Do you feel it, firebird? The completeness?
I feel it, Master. It’s wonderful!
His mouth covered hers, his tongue thrusting in time with his cock. She tightened her inner muscles, caressed him, welcomed him home. They came together in a burst of sensation, moaning as the ripples went on and on.
He collapsed on top of her, still filling her, a contented smile on his face.
*
The Terran hybrid raised his head, his blue eyes blazing hatred at Odele. He was chained to the wall in his training room. That’s where he’d spent most of his time since his capture nearly a mooncycle before. His blue-black hair flowed sleek and shiny to his waist. His naked body was nothing short of perfection.
“I’ve brought you a present.” She’d returned to her Keeper form.
“I have no interest in anything that comes from you.”
“Be that as it may, my gift will be very interested in you.”
Cef strode in, dragging the struggling princess. Adara’s hair was a tangle of curls framing her terrified face. Her gaze darted from Odele to the Terran and back.
Why have you brought me here? Why won’t you tell me anything? Who is Gibrath? Her gag kept her from speaking. It certainly didn’t keep her from communicating.
“What game are you playing now?” The Terran’s gaze narrowed, his lips pressed into a grim line.
“It’s really very simple. We want you to breed with this female. Either you fuck her by morning or when we return, you will watch Cef begin her conversion. Have you ever seen an unwilling woman infused with Setti essence? It’s exhilarating to watch, but often agonizing to endure. Many don’t survive.”
“I won’t touch her. You’re wasting your time.”
“Now don’t be so hasty. She’s really quite lovely.” Odele turned to Cef and smiled. “Why don’t you show him what we’re offering?”
Cef’s turquoise light flared within Tilden’s eyes and he grasped the front of Adara’s gown, tugging it to the waist, revealing her full breasts.
“Stop it! I will not rape her.”
“Who said anything about rape?” Odele looked into Adara’s tear-bright eyes. “Let this man fuck you or Cef will infuse you. Do you understand what that means?”
Adara nodded.
“Free her hands, Cef.”
His brow furrowed in silent question, but he released Adara’s restraints.
“Which is it to be?”
Adara pulled the gag down and licked her lips. “I’ll die before I cooperate with you.”
The Terran smiled, nodding his head in approval.
“Unfortunately, that’s not one of the options.”
“Cef, get her undressed.”
Adara shrieked, kicked, and clawed as Cef tore her gown from her writhing body. When she was naked, he shoved her toward the Terran.
“The release for his cuffs is on that wall. Mounting a man in chains takes practice.” She laughed. “If you’re still a virgin in the morning, Cef will enjoy infusing you.”
Chapter Eight
A stab of pain jarred Jarek from sleep and he sprang up in bed, pressing his head between his hands.
Sorry about that, Master Jarek, but nothing more subtle got you to respond.
He recognized Minuette’s voice and noticed the comm crystals littering the bed. What’s going on?
Is Felise still with you?
Yes. I left a message explaining —
We got it. That’s how we knew where to start our search. Adara is missing and so is Master Tilden. We suspect —
We’ll be right there.
It was still dark, but he had no idea what time it was. After their third bout of lovemaking, Felise had fallen asleep in his arms. He shook her shoulder. “Wake up, Felise. We have to return to Zylott.”
She stretched, blinking her eyes repeatedly. “Is something wrong?” She sounded sleepy and content. He hated to disturb her peaceful lethargy.
“Adara is missing and so is Tilden.”
Pushing her hair out of her eyes, she sat and looked around. Sleep’s shadow gradually left her face. “Is it possible they’re together?”
“I don’t know the details. Minuette wouldn’t have intruded without good reason.”
Jarek sent a cleansing pulse along their bodies and manifested clothing as Felise donned her rumpled ball gown.
They returned to Zylott and rushed to the king’s antechamber where everyone had gathered, attempting to puzzle through the events of the night before.
“What have you learned?” Jarek asked as he pulled out a chair for Felise.
“The last confirmed report has Tilden and Adara leaving the ballroom together,” King Sef told him.
“Where were they reported to have gone?” Felise asked.
A beam of blue light flashed across the room. “Nyx, I need to speak with you. Would it be better if I not take on shape?”
Jarek looked at the sorcerer. Was he often visited by specters?
“I will prepare them,” Nyx said. “Xenos is a Guardian. His race has transcended the need for corporeal bodies. When he first contacted me, he chose an image from my memory thinking it would comfort me.”
Tye shuddered. “Xenos looks just like Father.”
Apparently satisfied with the explanation, Xenos appeared as a shimmering blue column of light. The column formed arms and legs, then a detailed image formed within the outline.
The king gasped and Felise grabbed Jarek’s forearm, her face pale. “Does he look that much like your father?” She only nodded.
“Thank you for coming, sir. How did you learn of the disappearances?”
Xenos glided toward Nyx as he spoke, visible, but not solid. “Now I’m confused. I came to ask your assistance. I too am investigating a disappearance.”
Nyx’s brows drew together in a frown. “Who are you missing?”
“My son failed to return from his last mission. After backtracking his movements, I’ve been unable to account for his whereabouts for nearly three of your weeks. I received several transmissions during that time, but I have reason to believe they are false.”
“I didn’t realize you have a son.”
“I have many.”
“You said you needed Nyx’s assistance.” Jarek brought the conversation back on track.
“Correct. Rhys was last seen in the company of a woman I believe to be a Setti hybrid. What transpired here?”
“We’re not sure,” Nyx admitted. “Adara, my youngest sister, and Tilden are missing. They were last seen together, but neither is responding to any form of communication.”
“Where were they last seen?”
“Walking toward the gardens behind the palace.” Nyx motioned in the general direction.
Xenos nodded. “Let’s see what we can discern.”
They filed out of the antechamber and headed for the gardens. Jarek slipped his hand around Felise’s, entwining their fingers. Anxiety radiated off her in waves. This is not your fault. He sent the thought along the private link he’d formed the night before.
If anything has happened to her, I’ll never forgive myself.
How could you have changed the situation?
If I hadn’t run away like a frightened child —
You would have spent the evening in my company, not Adara’s. After I refused your brother, I would have whisked you away to enjoy the festivities.
The grass around the bench had been trampled. Jarek and Felise exchanged guilty looks, but didn’t see the benefit of explaining certain patterns left in the grass. Xenos sensed Adara’s fear, her desperate desire to escape her captors. He was unable to determine anything more substantial, so they started back toward the palace.
“Wait!” the Guardian said suddenly. He pointed toward a spot on the hedgerow, illuminating a scrap of green fabric. Ny
x took the piece of material and closed his fist around it. Long moments passed as he scanned.
He came out of the trance with a gasp. “The Setti wraith has control of Tilden. There was also a female. She seemed…”
Nyx’s reluctance escalated Jarek’s anxiety. What could be so dreadful the sorcerer was loath to speak of it?
“Odele is a Mystic Keeper hybrid.” Xenos waved his hand and the translucent image of a dark-haired woman appeared in front of him. “Is this the woman you sensed?”
“Yes.”
“Then our purposes converge.” Xenos disintegrated the image with another wave of his hand. “She is the hybrid I believe captured Rhys, and I’ve been authorized to use force to retrieve him.”
“I thought the Setti couldn’t mate with Mystic Keepers.” Minuette looked from Nyx to Xenos.
“Keeper hybrids are extremely rare. To my knowledge, Odele is the only one still alive.”
“Not for long if she’s harmed Adara,” King Sef vowed.
Minuette laid her hand on Nyx’s arm, her features tense with confusion. “You said the Setti wraith took control of Tilden. I thought they captured the Setti wraith.”
“The one in our custody has a twin,” Xenos told her. He shook his head, his image fluctuating. “We have fought this war too long on the defensive. It’s time we attack.”
*
Odele stood at the observation window concealed in Light Keeper illusion. She didn’t want the Terran to know he was being observed. Adara had released his restraints, now she huddled in the corner, legs drawn up against her chest, doing her best to hide her nudity.
The Terran had no qualms about his nakedness. He’d been naked since his capture. Perhaps he’d grown used to it.
“What’s your name?” The gentleness in his tone shocked Odele. Perhaps there was hope for a mating after all.
The princess looked up at him, her gaze carefully fixed on his face. “Adara. And you are?”
“Rhys.”
Odele scowled. All the handlers assigned to him couldn’t get him to speak his name. It appeared her strategy had been flawed from the start.
“Do you know why they brought me here?”
His gaze narrowed. “I think the bitch made that pretty clear.”
“No. It’s more complicated than they’ve led you to believe. That woman presented me to a creature before she brought me here.” She swallowed several times, her hand pressed over her mouth. “I’d heard the Setti were monstrous, but I’ve never seen anything so grotesque. Its skin was transparent. I could see its beating hearts. And she shape-changed into a creature almost as hideous. She is one of them.”
“Actually her father was one of them. Her mother was a Mystic Keeper.”
“That’s impossible. The Setti can’t breed with Mystic Keepers, only their hybrids can.”
He arched his brow at that. “You seem to know a lot about the Setti. From what dimension did they capture you?”
“The Kingdom of Zylott. Some call it dimension 290-3.”
“Do you know Lord Nyx?”
After a long pause, she admitted, “He’s my brother.”
“Then you have nothing to fear. Nyx will come for you and he has powerful friends.”
He sounded so confident Odele wanted to shake him. Nyx wasn’t all-powerful and neither were his “friends.”
“What about you, Rhys? Will someone come for you?”
“Not while that bitch is watching!” He looked right at Odele, then softened his tone. “And probably not tonight.”
*
In a matter of minutes, they narrowed the team to four: Xenos, Nyx, Jarek, and Felise. Nyx refused to consider Minuette because of her pregnancy, Sef was king, and Tye would take over Fortress Drahbin should anything happen to Nyx.
“A small, well executed plan will be easier to control.” Felise drummed her fingers on the tabletop as those not participating in the rescue returned to the festivities.
“And you have such a plan?” Jarek stared at her, his tone argumentative.
Nyx ignored Jarek’s surliness. “We must focus on the objective or we will accomplish nothing. We need to keep the strike fast and clean, perhaps utilizing a diversion.”
“What do you have in mind?”
Felise wanted to laugh. Jarek had sounded far less adversarial the second time.
“Xenos and I will search for the captives, while you and Felise create the diversion.”
“Do the Setti know who you are?” Felise asked Jarek.
“I don’t know why they would. I’ve had no interaction with the Setti.”
Nyx snorted. “I’m amazed by the accuracy of their information. Setti hybrids are everywhere.”
“Well, they have no reason to know Ambassador Tork.”
“You have an idea?” the sorcerer asked, his lips parting in a smile.
*
Bound, gagged, and all but naked, Felise trailed behind Ambassador Tork. His outfit was even more outlandish than the one he’d worn the night before. Golden curls bounced against his broad shoulders, making Felise smile. He looked ridiculous. Why did anyone buy this disguise?
You’re a captive about to be sold as a sex slave. Try to look terrified.
Jarek’s reprimand sounded within her mind. She dropped her gaze to the cold stone floor and hunched her shoulders.
Better!
Can’t they hear us? The Setti are all telepathic.
This link is private. I’ll teach you to access other telepathic strands, but be ready to throw a shit fit as soon as one of these creatures touches you.
That shouldn’t take much acting. The Setti repulsed her.
Jarek had found a secluded spot to exit the Shadow realm and they’d easily found the slave market. Like a sports arena or a coliseum, the massive structure dominated everything around it.
Jarek led her through rows of lurid displays and countless cages. Species from all over the galaxy were for sale. Why was this allowed? Did no one have the power to stop the Setti?
“You looking to buy or sell?” Despite his elongated neck and tiny lipless mouth, the hybrid appeared mostly humanoid.
“Maybe neither, maybe both.” Jarek tossed his head, sending his golden curls flying. “One of your scouts was at the festival where I bagged this little beauty. I’d love to own the matched set. But if her sister isn’t for sale, I might be persuaded to part with this one for the right price.”
The hybrid activated a device on his wrist and pointed it toward Jarek. “State your name and dimension of origin.”
“I am Sallimun Idan Tork from the planet of Mimossa.”
Felise held her breath. What was the hybrid doing? No database in any dimension could identify everyone. A transmitter? Then who was receiving the transmission?
“Bring her. You’ve been granted an audience.”
“An audience with whom?”
“The owner of the other sister.”
Felise wanted to shout for joy and she wanted to scream. Adara had been in this hellhole less than a day. Still, that was an eternity in a place like this. Jarek tugged on the chain attached to the collar around her throat. She stumbled. He turned and glared. “You’ll be on your knees soon enough. Try and keep up.”
The hybrid chortled and stepped beneath a scanner that activated the door to his right. “She’s in there.”
Jarek didn’t ask who she was, but his gaze assessed the room as he entered. He could fight with Shadow Keeper magic, and he’d tucked a pulse pistol into the back of his pants for her. She only had to reach beneath his tunic and grab the weapon if things turned ugly.
“I remember you now.” A throaty female voice drew their attention to the woman lying on an odd shaped lounge. Armless, the rolled back propped her in a semi-reclined position, while the divided sections supported her widely spread legs. As Felise’s eyes adjusted to the dimness, she realized someone knelt on the floor between the woman’s legs. “This is what you were doing to her the last time I saw you.”
“I was unaware of your presence or I would have made the display more enjoyable.”
“Oh, I enjoyed the display quite well. I was just disappointed when you stopped.” She shoved the man away from her crotch and tossed down her skirt. Swinging her legs to the floor, she stood and approached them, a definite swagger marking her stride. “Will you fuck her for me now? I’d love to watch her writhe beneath you.”
“Let me tell you a secret.” He brushed his knuckles against Felise’s cheek. “I’ve already had her and she’s not nearly as passionate as I had hoped. I sat between her and her sister while their brother claimed his bonded mate. It was one of the most erotic exhibitions I’ve ever seen. I pictured myself with both of them. I can’t get that image out of my mind.”
She crossed her arms over her breasts and circled them, her expression openly assessing. “How did you know where to find Adara? We were careful to cover our tracks.”
“Not careful enough. There was a small piece of her gown in the garden. You’re damn lucky I found it before her brothers did. They think Adara’s run off with Master Tilden. They won’t be fooled for long.”
Her eyes narrowed in speculation. She paused for a moment, her gaze moving over Felise. “I can’t let you have Adara. I have plans for her, but perhaps we can help each other.”
“If you won’t give me what I want, why should I help you?”
Slick and sly, he kept a step ahead of her. Felise would have grabbed the hybrid bitch and shook her teeth loose by now. How was Jarek remaining so calm?
“Have you ever shared a woman with another man?”
Jarek wrinkled his nose. “It doesn’t appeal to me. I want the sisters together. That’s why I came here.”
“Fine! If you allow me to use this one to motivate the other, you can have them both for one night. You’ll just have to wear protection.”
“You’re breeding her?”
Felise clenched her fists so tightly her nails drew blood. No! Not Adara. Please let her be safe and unharmed.
“I’m trying. Neither one of them are being particularly cooperative.”