by T. J. Quinn
“If you buy me, without buying my friend, I’ll make sure your life is a living hell,” she threatened him.
He looked at her puzzled but didn’t make any comment. Instead, he walked to where the other man was standing and talked to him.
She prayed she hadn’t made a huge mistake, trusting these guys, especially when she saw the other one approaching her.
Her heart missed a beat when he finally stood in front of her, just before it started racing at a frantic speed.
“If you buy me, without buying my friend, I’ll make sure your life is a living hell,” she repeated the same words to him.
“What friend?” he murmured back.
“They’re not exhibiting her,” she warned him.
At that moment, the captain announced the beginning of the auction and all of the men returned to their seats.
One by one, Sasha saw the women being sold and she started to feel nervous. So far, the men she had talked to hadn’t bought anyone.
But the moment the first human was called up, they started buying and one by one, they bought all of the human women, including Sasha. They were set apart, in the corner of the room and when all the sales’ procedures were done, the first guy she had talked to started to guide them out of the room.
“No… no… I’m not going anyway without my friend,” she cried out, charging against the man.
“Stop, right now,” Eskol, standing next to them, shouted the order, but she didn’t stop. He pressed the device that controlled the collar, and that was the last thing she remembered.
She came to herself some time later, with no idea where she was. Carefully, she got up and examined the strange room she was locked in. Someone had put a tunic over her naked body, and she assumed the men that bought her and the other girls had brought her there. She let out a cry of frustration when she realized what that meant. They had left Eleanor behind, she was sure of it.
Furious, she started pounding the door with all her strength, but no one came to answer her questions. Stubborn, she kept pounding the door until it opened up to let the man that had impressed her come in.
She was about to hit the door once more when he swished the door open, and she fell in his arms.
Startled, she struggled to free herself from him. “Let me out of here…”
He carried her easily inside the room and closed the door. “Please, calm down.”
“You left her there… he’s going to kill her… you bastard…” Sasha yelled at him as she punched him hard in his chest, letting out all of her fury and frustration.
“I brought her with me,” he said, several times until she heard him.
Her hands stood still over his chest. “What did you say?” she asked in a low tone, her heart thundering so loud she could hardly hear him.
“I brought your friend with me,” he repeated again.
For a moment, she didn’t say a word, she just stayed there, with her hands on his chest, and her eyes fixed on it, while her brain processed his words, overwhelmed by the incredible amount of emotions rushing through her. All of a sudden, her barriers crumbled down, and she buried her face on his chest and started crying out loud.
Asgar wrapped his arms around her and gave her all the comfort she seemed to need. His whole body was responding to her closeness, and he had to struggle to keep his emotions under control. He had never experienced an attraction like what he felt for her. It was stronger than any he had ever experienced. His instincts were shouting out loud, ordering him to take her to bed and make her his.
She didn’t know how long she was there, in his arms crying. She didn’t ever cry, but she guessed she had been through a lot the past weeks and that was simply the way her body chose to let some steam out.
But crying on her enemy’s arms wasn’t a good strategy. She pulled away, ready to struggle for her freedom, but he released her as soon as she moved.
“Can I see her?” she asked, in a tensed toned, making no mention whatsoever to her tears.
“She’s in the infirmary. The doctor is doing a full scan on her, so you’ll have to wait,” he informed her, in a calmed tone.
“Why? What happened? Is she alright?” she asked, walking towards him.
“We’re not sure yet. Eskol handed her to me unconscious, and though I wanted to stay there and teach him a lesson, I considered it was more prudent to bring her here immediately,” he explained.
“The damn lizard must have tortured her. He hated her so much he used every opportunity he had to torture her,” she stated, barely containing her hate and her fury.
“Yes, those are my suspicions as well,” he nodded, running a hand down his long, black mane. “Why did he hate her so much?” he asked, curious.
“She wasn’t in his plans, and if that wasn’t enough, she was damaged goods, as he called her. The fact she couldn’t walk was terrible for him. He wanted to kill her and get rid of here, once and for all, but Rurik didn’t let him,” she replied, oozing all the scorn and hatred she felt for the slave master.
“I see. Well, she’s in good hands now. I’ll let you know when you can see her,” he stated.
She snorted. “We just jumped from the pan into the fire, I’m sure.”
He looked at her with a slight frown. “I’m afraid I don’t understand the meaning of what you just said.”
She crossed her arms over her chest and looked at him. “I mean we’re worse than before.”
He didn’t like her comment, but she didn’t take it back. “Try to get some rest. We’ll arrive at Zuvrak the day after tomorrow in the morning.” With those words, he left her room, and she took a seat on the bed, feeling too exhausted all of a sudden.
Too many things happening at the same time, and the unexpected attraction she was feeling for that man wasn’t helping her, at all.
They brought her food a few minutes later and a clean tunic. The man, Egil was his name, explained to her how to use the shower and where to leave the tray when she was done.
“Do you know how my friend is? Has she awakened?” she asked before he left the room.
“The doctor sedated her, so you won’t be able to see her soon,” he explained, with a kind smile.
“Will you let me know when she’s awake?” she asked, once more.
“Yes, we will, please don’t worry.”
He left the room, and after she had eaten the delicious food he had brought her, she headed to the bathroom and entered the shower stall.
Chapter Two
The orange liquid that came out of it was quite a surprise, but she was feeling so sticky and sweaty, she didn’t doubt getting under the warm stream.
The water felt so good, she allowed herself to stay there more than she usually did, and she looked for some kind of soap and found a bottle with a whitish liquid that resembled a lot like soap. She tried it on, pouring some in her fingers and when it created foam, she decided to use it. A few minutes later, she was out of the shower wearing the clean tunic and feeling a lot better than she did a few hours ago.
She wanted to see Eleanor, she needed to be sure her friend was really here and that she was safe, at least for now. She had no idea what the future held for any of them, but knowing she was safe somehow made things easier.
She paced her room for a while, trying to decide what to do when the swishing sound of the door announced a visit.
“You could knock, don’t you think?” she protested when she saw him coming in.
“Perhaps I could, but I really don’t see why I should,” he replied, in a sassy tone, leaning against the closed door.
She pursed her lips and snorted. “Do you have a name?” she asked, suddenly realizing she had no idea who he was, other than he had bought them all.
“Yes, I have a name,” he nodded but didn’t provide it.
“Is it that ugly you don’t share it with others?” she asked, arching her eyebrows.
He chuckled. “That’s for you to judge, don’t you think? I’m Asgar, Captain
of this vessel and head of the War Council, back home,” he explained.
“I see,” she crossed her arms over her chest.
“What about you? What’s your name?”
“I’m Sasha O’Donnell,” she replied, in a cold tone as she approached him a little bit. “When can I see my friend?” she asked.
“She’s still sedated.”
“I just want to see her,” she insisted.
“You don’t trust my word.” It wasn’t a question.
“And that surprises you? Would you, if you were in my place?” she asked him, in a sarcastic tone.
He nodded granting her reason. He stepped away from the door and stretched his hand out to her. “Come, I’ll take you to the infirmary to see her,” he offered.
Sasha looked at his hand and considered to ignore it. She didn’t want to touch him. Not because he disgusted her, quite the opposite. Each time he touched her, strange things happened to her body. She couldn’t remember last time she had felt this attracted to someone and that didn’t please her at all. This wasn’t a moment to think of her primal needs. This was a time to fight for her life and her freedom.
Taking a deep breath, she rested her hand on his, determined to ignore anything she might feel.
But it was easier said than done. The moment her hand touched his, she was able to feel the jolt of energy that rushed through her arm and spread through her whole body.
‘Damn man.’
With a wicked smile, he guided her out of the room, through the dim lit hallways. The place was a real labyrinth, and she was sure she would get lost easily. The hallways all looked alike; there was nothing different to help you figure out where you were.
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Excerpt from
PSION Mates
The Aledan Series Prequel
By
Christine Myers
CHAPTER ONE
Hankura Narcaza shrugged in frustration and rolled over on his bunk, unable to quiet his mind so he could sleep. He was alone in his darkened cabin aboard the Argus Lu, a passenger freighter. It had just put into Earth orbit to take on two more passengers and make a freight drop. Then it would take Hankura to Velran, a place he did not want to go.
It wasn't fair! Why did he have to go to Velran alone? Hankura didn't want to be on this ship with stupid people who tried cheer him up and make his voyage fun and interesting. It wasn't. He didn't want to go anywhere but home. He wanted his mother. He wanted his father to love him again instead of being angry all the time.
Tears filled his eyes, and his throat ached with longing. Someday, he would go back and show them they were wrong. They would be sorry. Someday.
Finally, sleep claimed him, and his mind drifted into a dream that wasn't his own. This dream was more real than any he had ever dreamed. In the dream, he shivered, cold and afraid. He huddled under an abandoned stairway in a dark alley. A hard rain fell steadily, forming shallow pools in the scarred pavement around him.
At some point, he realized it was not a dream. He felt the psychic force of her consciousness pulling him into her mind. Her thoughts, her fear, her pain filled his mind. The little girl was down on Earth. She crouched alone in the dark, more afraid than she had ever been in the short span of her five years.
Her brother, Jerry told her to wait for him no matter what. He would come for her when he finished avenging their mother's death. He gave her the knife and fled. He'd be gone however long it took for him to find and kill the man who had killed their mother.
Hours passed. Michelle sat shivering in the corner against the cold brick wall---alone except for the rats. When they ventured too close, she menaced them with the sharp knife then pelted them with the pieces of broken pavement she had gathered before dark. Although she hit several with the concrete rocks, one broke through and came too close. She screamed and plunged the knife into it, killing it. After that, they stayed back for a while. Michelle shuddered, exhausted. Her body ached with the cold, and her eyelids drooped as she longed for sleep. But the rats were out there waiting. Sleep would mean death--endless sleep just like Mommy.
Some of the rats moved closer again, but the sound of their claws on the pavement opened her eyes wide with terror. She screamed, ending it in a sob as she stabbed at the closest one desperately with the knife.
Jerry, please come back! Don't leave me all alone like this. I want Mommy. Oh, God, I don't want to be alone.
She was sure nobody would hear or care what happened to her. But in blind desperation, she tapped her latent psionic ability and sent a mind-cry with such force that someone did sense her plea.
Hankura sat bolt upright in his bunk and brushed the wetness from his cheeks. The boy realized he was crying, but this time his tears were for someone else--- Michelle...and he reached out... He sensed the little girl was even more alone and scared than he was.
Michelle, don't cry. You're not alone. You don't have to be scared of those rats. You can make them go away with your mind. I can help you.
Gradually, she stopped crying. She no longer felt alone or as scared. He was with her even though she couldn't see him. "Who are you? Why can't I see you?" She said to the voice in her head.
I'm Hankura Narcaza from the Aledan Colony. I'm thinking to you. That's why you can't see me. I'm up in a space ship far above Earth.
Thinking to her? Michelle shrugged. She sensed it was true. She sensed his presence even though she couldn't see him, so he must be real.
"Are you going to come down here?"
I wish I could. I have to go to school on Velran. My parents don't want me to go to the Psi Institute on Aledus, so they're sending me to the University of Learning on Velran.
Michelle looked skyward as his thoughts touched her mind. She could feel that he was scared and alone, too.
"My parents are dead," she said aloud. "Jerry's gonna kill the man who did it. When he's done, he's gonna come back and get me. That's why I have to stay here--so he can find me. But this place is scary. Will you think to me until he comes back?"
Okay. Where I'm going is scary, too. There are lots of strange aliens, and I have no friends there.
"Do they have gangs and overlords?"
No, it's a school. Mother is making me go there to learn the Patterns of Insight so I won't hurt Normals when I think to them.
"But you're not hurting me."
'Cause you're a Psion, too. Anyway, you thought to me first.
"I did?"
Yeah. But, you'd better not let anyone know, or they might send you away to Velran, too.
"Could I bring Jerry?"
Probably not. They wouldn't let me bring Trevin and Capra. I have to go alone.
"Well, there are probably other kids like you at Velran. You won't be alone.”
Maybe, but the teachers are aliens with ugly fangs and scary faces. My use-to-be friends said they eat people.
"Dead people or live people?"
I don't know. They probably lied anyway. After their parents found out I'm a Psion, they weren't allowed to play with me.
"Rats eat people here, sometimes dead ones and sometimes live ones. They wanted to eat me until you showed me how to make them go away. Can you show me how to do that with people?"
It's against Aledan Law.
"Overlord Law?"
Aledan Law.
"That doesn't count here. Show me."
I can't. I promised Mother I would never do that again. Somebody might hurt you if they ever found out you could do that. Besides, you need to learn to use your powers better, and so do I.
"Do they teach you that on Velran?"
They teach everything there; they have a special school for human psions.
"I wish I could go to school with you. I wouldn't be scared if you were there, and we would probably make friends with other kids like us."
I wish you could come, but they w
on't let me come and get you. When I grow up, I'll come back and teach you the things I learn. I promise.
Michelle sighed. She knew he meant it, but she didn't believe it would really happen. Daddy promised he would come back, and he never did. Mommy promised she would come for her, and she never did, either. She didn't believe Jerry would ever return. Why should she believe Hankura?
The sun's rays peeked gradually over the towering ruins of the ancient city and through the mist rising from the wet streets. Michelle stirred in her sleep and brushed at the big black fly that buzzing over her stringy red hair.
"Mishy? Where are ya, kid? Mishy!" The impatient sound of her brother's voice registered in her mind, and she opened her eyes and blinked.
"Here, Jerry. I'm here," she called softly and strained to hear the sound of his footsteps. She sensed his nearness long before he found her. By then, she had turned her attention elsewhere.
"I have to go, Hankura and pretty soon, I won't be able to hear your thoughts anymore. But it's okay. Jerry's here, now. I'm not scared anymore." She spoke with her eyes raised to the morning sky, wishing she could go wherever he was going, too.
Someday, I'll take you there . . . Or maybe Aledus. I promise.
"But, how will you find me?"
With psi--I'll find you. Believe me.
"I do," Michelle answered softly, and she did.
Jerry frowned. He hunkered down under the stairway in front of her and stared into her eyes. After a moment, Michelle focused on his face and smiled sheepishly.
"Mishy--who were you talking to? Are you all right?"
"I'm okay. I was just talking to Hankura. His parents sent him on a star freighter from Aledus to a school on Velran."
"What?" Jerry frowned and raked a bony hand back through his unruly red hair. "How can he be on a starship when ya were just talkin' to 'im?"
"Well--he wasn't here exactly--not like you're here. I heard what he said in my head." Michelle touched her temple. "Psi. He helped me make the rats go away, too."