“Hell hath no fury like a lover scorned.” Saarken continued without even looking at Liam. “Come, Sergeant. I’ll show you to your room.”
HADRIAN WALKED DOWN the hall with his guard escort not far behind. Leather bands adorned his wrists and ankles, the mark of the subjugated. Bare-chested, he was clad only in a red-and-gold-patterned sarong made from fine Luxorian silk tied at the hip. The sheer fabric hugged his lower half in a decadent fashion and clung to every curve and muscle. The uniform of the Adonirati at rest. His feet made no sound on the plush carpet as the silk trailed behind him.
His face was as stoic and impassive as it had been throughout the late dinner he had been subjected to. Expected to be quiet, Hadrian was the perfect Adonirati. He did not speak, except when spoken to, as he’d been taught. He did not laugh at the superficial jokes or join the vapid conversation of the elite guests surrounding the abundant table. He did not recoil from the salacious touches of greedy men and women. Father was watching, and Hadrian was intent on returning to his good graces.
Throughout the meal, he could feel the wealthy guests’ wanton urges. They danced close to the dangerous Adonirati beast in some rite of passage that would not be spoken aloud. With enough money, they could purchase their opportunity to walk over the flaming coals, convinced their status would protect them.
The whole dinner had been hollow and lifeless. He ate the artfully prepared meal laid before him on handmade ceramic, which was almost unheard of in this region, but it might as well have been rotted garbage. He wished for a bowl of Bandish stew. The simple entree, full of glorious flavor, was Liam’s favorite.
But Liam was dead, and there was no point to that enjoyment anymore. Or any enjoyment, for that matter.
Was this what his life would be from now on? Is this what it had always been? His few weeks of freedom aboard the Santa Claus had given him experiences he couldn’t forget. On the ship, he had marveled at being treated as an equal. He had not been a servant to anyone’s needs but his own. Amazing how such a short period of time could rewrite a person’s sense of self.
The crew of the Santa Claus were good, decent people who lived honest lives. They took pride in their accomplishments and weren’t mired in the moral corruption surrounding him this evening. He missed their little off-planet world terribly.
Since returning to Luxoria, he had resolved to fall into his station in life and move on. How fragile his resolve had proven to be. One dinner filled with people who regarded him as nothing more than a slave had undone it all. Hadrian could hear the condescension they didn’t utter in words. He knew what they really meant when their gazes traveled over the exposed flesh of his body, feel their untamed desires as their unwanted fingertips brushed his skin.
He paused in front of the door to his quarters. The guard reached for the control pad, and his DNA scan unlocked the portal. Hadrian thanked him and entered. The door closed and locked behind him, like every other doorway they walked through.
The room looked the same, but there were small differences. Slight wrinkles were visible on the pillows and duvet. Not everything was the way it had been left. Guards had searched his room during the meal, as they often did. Hadrian was used to it by that point. He checked the bedside table and opened the drawer, pushing aside the contents to reach to the back. The paper menagerie was missing.
Hadrian’s shoulders sagged as hopelessness beat him down. This is the way it had always been. Why did he care so much now?
Every precious folded animal that helped tether his sanity was lost. Just like Liam.
Liam’s death had been in the back of his mind all night. It was as if Liam’s spirit drifted in the background, mocking him, reminding him how much he ached inside. Liam’s echo was not bringing him any comfort. It threatened to eat him alive, reminding him of all that was gone.
This was Hadrian’s future. His life would be one of servitude until his usefulness passed. Then what? He had never heard how Adonirati were retired. It usually happened in an unfortunate loss in the arena. Outside of that, what else? At what point would his fate be sealed?
Hadrian moved to the large mirror mounted to the wall. Glossy ice-blue eyes lined in red looked back at him.
“I am Adonirati. I am not my own man. I do not have a say in my destiny, Leo. There is no alternative.”
The face in the mirror began to tremble as his mouth pulled tight. A single tear slid down his cheek.
Hadrian finally understood what he had always known, yet somehow buried the reality of: the concept of a slave. That was what he was. Property. He would always be subject to the whims of others. Abused by others. A plaything to Father’s and Donovan’s cruelty.
Never again would he know another’s loving touch. No more genuine affection, only the desires of affluent degenerates. Hope had died along with Liam.
Tears streaked his face as he gazed down. He opened his left hand, revealing the knife he had hidden under his wristband. It had taken several bottles of ale to lull the guests enough to be able to hide it. It was a considerable risk. He wasn’t allowed anything resembling a weapon. Lethal when unarmed, a blade in his possession was unthinkable.
He pulled the knife free and examined it as carefully as he could with wet eyes and trembling hands. It was a simple dinner knife. Lightweight designer metal rolled in his touch. It was not particularly sharp, but it would serve its purpose.
Crying freely now, streaks of tears dripped off his chin and spattered along his bare chest. His body quaked with suppressed sobs.
Hadrian gasped. “I would have followed you to the ends of the universe, Liam. I am so sorry. Without you, it is not worth it.”
Somber sounds filled the room as Hadrian lifted the blade and pressed it to his throat.
Chapter Thirteen
THE LAST FEW hours had been excruciating. With Dr. Saarken’s help, Liam found the skyscraper Phillip Chien lived in. Hadrian’s Hope, in full stealth mode, drifted between the buildings, hovering outside the immense window wall of Hadrian’s bedroom.
When he first arrived, Liam had the fortune to watch Hadrian dressing to go out. Through the monitor, he savored the image of Hadrian’s naked body, fresh from bathing. Liam ached to touch. The indecent cloth tied around Hadrian’s hips would give him fevered dreams for weeks.
Alas, the show ended too soon. One of the two doors opened and a guard led Hadrian.
Even with such a short sighting, Liam was alight with energy. Hadrian was alive!
The next two hours, he’d spent waiting. It was nothing new to stay hidden until your target finally presented itself. Sniper school 101. Seeing Hadrian again gave him the hope he needed.
In the dark of the night, he managed to attach a surveillance device to the corner of the window before the two guards came in and searched the room. The sound transmitted perfectly as the men went through every corner and storage place, trying to put it all back the way it was. At one point, one guard found something in the bedside drawer. Liam couldn’t see what it was, but he crumpled it up like paper, placed it in his pocket, and continued the search.
There didn’t seem to be any urgency about their activities, so Liam guessed they either weren’t in a hurry or were performing a boring routine.
Eventually, they left, and Liam had to be content with waiting again. He considered trying to track Hadrian through the building, but thought better of it. Being in front of the window when Hadrian returned would be a better option. It was unfortunate he didn’t have a way to send a message to Hadrian inside, but given what he knew of Chien and if the guards were any indication, the room was most likely monitored.
So he waited.
Another hour passed and Hadrian returned. He was beautiful, as usual, but looked sad. Liam stroked the image on the screen as he watched. Hadrian stood in the middle of the room, gazing around. Had he noticed things out of place? He slid open the nightstand and reached deep into it. When his shoulders deflated, Liam knew he’d discovered the missing item. Whatever it
was meant a great deal to him, enough he didn’t bother to close the drawer. Anger rose in Liam’s chest on Hadrian’s behalf. His stoic beauty was gone, replaced with a despair that tore at Liam’s heart. Hadrian walked to the mirror and Liam watched the man he loved start to cry.
A knife appeared, apparently hidden in Hadrian’s hand and wristband. Liam’s palms were pressed on either side of the monitor as he watched. Something was wrong.
Hadrian gasped. “I would have followed you to the ends of the universe, Liam. I am so sorry. Without you, it is not worth it.”
Liam stared as Hadrian lifted the knife to his own throat.
Liam screamed as he beat his hands on the display. “No! Hadrian, no!”
Startled, Hadrian dropped the knife. It bounced on the expensive rug and under the bed.
Liam froze and watched Hadrian stare out into the open. Hadrian’s shaky voice came through the speaker.
“Liam, is that really you?”
Hadrian couldn’t have heard him. The surveillance was one-way.
“I can feel you out there. Are you alive?” The hope in his voice pushed a tear from Liam’s eyes. Why would he think Liam was dead?
“I can hear your voice in my head again!” Hadrian slammed himself against the window to gaze out into the darkness. “When they struck you in the cargo bay, everything went silent. I thought you were dead. When I asked Father if you survived, he said no.”
What Liam wouldn’t give to stroke that perfect skin and show him how alive he was. If only he could wrap Hadrian in his arms and take him home right that instant. Tears of relief washed his cheeks as he brushed his fingers over Hadrian’s image.
Liam spoke to the screen. “I’m outside. Watching. I’m going to find a way to bring you home.” He knew the tech had nothing to do with how Hadrian could hear him, but Liam had zero experience with psi-talents or para-humans and this he could understand. Speaking out loud made sense. Trying to think at his mate did not.
It was hard to tell if Hadrian was laughing or crying. “I could not live without you. I am so sorry.”
“Don’t be. I can’t live without you, either. Dr. Saarken is helping me and we’ll find a way. Please be patient.”
“Dr. Saarken?”
“There’s a lot to explain. I haven’t been here long enough to come up with a plan, but trust me. I’ll be out here in the evenings to watch over you. I can hear everything in the room, so you don’t have to speak too loud. Are you being watched?”
Hadrian nodded. “Yes, but they do not listen. I learned that long ago, as well as the places they cannot see clearly.”
“I don’t want to risk them finding me out here. Can you hear me okay?”
“Your thoughts are like sunshine. I can hear and feel you more clearly now than ever before.”
“Good. I only have the one device, so I can only hear you in this room. We can use that to plan, but be careful. Don’t do anything to arouse suspicion. I don’t want anyone to think anything’s out of the ordinary. We’ll need the surprise.”
“All right. I trust you. How did you get here?”
“The raiders’ stealth craft. It looks like they were worth something after all.” Liam paused. “Hadrian, it’s so good to see you.”
“I wish I could see you. But I can feel you as clear as daylight. It is very warming…” Hadrian’s face lost its joy as his head tilted to the side. He seemed to be seeing or hearing something unpleasant.
“Liam.” Hadrian was suddenly panicked. “You have to go.”
“What’s happening?” Liam couldn’t hold back his growing alarm. This was the tone Hadrian used right before the raiders’ attack.
His words were rushed. “Please, whatever happens, I need you not to watch or listen. You cannot save me tonight. Come back tomorrow.”
“Why?”
“We will both be killed. You have to go!”
“What’s going to happen?”
“I don’t want you to see what’s coming. Promise me!”
Liam swallowed. “I promise.”
Hadrian turned his back to the window as the door opened. Donovan and a small cadre of large men pushed into the room as Hadrian pressed against the transparent wall. Donovan’s malevolent grin sent chills down Liam’s spine.
“You promised,” Hadrian whispered.
“DUNG NHU DA!” Donovan shouted.
Hadrian went rigid and fell over. He didn’t move a muscle as one of the men grabbed him by the arm and dragged him to the center of the room. Liam could see the particle weapon holstered under the guard’s arm. All the men were carrying identical armaments. Even if he could get inside, he would likely be killed. Liam inhaled a ragged breath. He had to trust Hadrian. Please let him be right.
Donovan knelt next to his paralyzed brother, clicking his tongue piercing along his teeth as he spoke.
“I know you can hear me, Ronan. You’re not unconscious.” He slapped Hadrian’s face. “These men are from the military troop that helped arrest you. You killed some of their men, and they asked me for a chance to discuss it with you. I couldn’t see any reason to say no.” The ice in Liam’s spine was spreading.
Donovan stood and turned to the men. “Security vids are down for maintenance for ninety-five minutes. Don’t use weapons, and do nothing permanent. He has a match in two days. He heals fast, but if he can’t be in it and win, you’ll take his place. Have fun.” Spinning on his heel, Donovan strode out the door and was gone.
The group of men circled Hadrian’s crumpled form like a pack of wolves. The alpha reached out and rolled Hadrian face down on the carpet. His rough hand tore the fragile sarong from Hadrian’s waist and tossed it aside. Hadrian’s limp body offered no resistance. When the alpha began to unbuckle his belt, the others followed suit.
Liam’s hand quaked as he punched the control to turn off his monitor. He couldn’t watch or listen. He had promised. Trust Hadrian. Hadrian would be all right. He said so. An anxious rush twisted Liam’s stomach and he raced to the lavatory. His system was empty long before the crying heaves subsided.
He could barely see through the tears as he sat in the pilot’s chair and began maneuvering back to Dr. Saarken. No matter how much it pained him, there was nothing more he could do there. Hadrian’s Hope slid between the skyscrapers while Liam desperately tried to quell the rage in his chest.
If he had to, he would kill every one of those motherfuckers to get Hadrian back.
THE RELENTLESS RAINSTORM pounded the wall-sized window. Lightning flashed in the distance, but at this elevation, he was surrounded by it. Hadrian reached out into the night with his feelings, but found nothing. No sign of Liam. No love beaming back at him for support. Just the storm’s rage and the cold thoughts of the men there with him.
Father examined the bruises on Hadrian’s skin. His touch was gentle, but not warm, as he probed his naked Adonirati without a shred of interest in his dignity. Standing at rigid attention in the middle of the room, Hadrian wore only the requisite wrist and ankle straps. He made a point not to wince as Father reached between his ass cheeks with two fingers and prodded his tender opening. The guard observing the procedure turned away in discomfort.
Father checked his fingers, perhaps for blood. “Are you damaged from last night?”
“No, Father.” Only a lifetime of training kept him from showing his revulsion at the examination. Previously, Father’s touch had been accompanied by some form of parental admiration, but that was not the emotion rolling off the man now.
“If those bruises remain tomorrow, you are to cover them before the match.”
“Yes, Father.” It wouldn’t be the first time. A slew of cosmetic devices sat in the drawer to hide the damage inflicted by yet another form of abuse. Father liked his prize possession to be perfect at all times.
Hadrian inwardly cursed himself. How could he stand there after the night before and seem so unaffected? He had been treated like less than an animal and was expected to show no reaction. Curling
up in the corner or dismembering a random guard seemed like the proper response, but he knew better than to succumb to his needs. Doing so would only lead to more correction.
“You understand why I’m being so firm with you, don’t you?”
“Yes, Father.” Of course, he knew. Father was reestablishing his rule over the wayward child. It was amazing how such a short period of freedom had changed his view. Before, he would have blamed himself for being insolent, and Father would have blamed him too.
“I was very wounded when you ran away.”
“Forgive me. It was a moment of poor judgment. I allowed myself to be swayed by Leo Noble. It will never happen again.”
“I would hope not. You damaged our family greatly, but we will recover. Rumors spread in your absence, and there is talk that you are no longer my faithful Adonirati. I do not enjoy being laughed at behind my back.” Father walked over to the bed and retrieved Hadrian’s blue-and-gold sarong. The red-and-gold garment had been ruined the previous night. He wrapped it around his pet’s hips and secured the knot, then stepped back to survey his efforts.
“You were always my favorite, Ronan. You understand that, don’t you?” Father’s gaze roamed over Hadrian’s body. “I’m not sure if I approve of you shaving off all your hair. I preferred you as my tamed barbarian with a cultured demeanor. I’ll have to see if this new look grows on me or if I’ll require a change.”
Coming closer, Father ran his hand over Hadrian’s head and gripped the base of his skull. It could have been an endearment, but Hadrian could only read domination in his touch.
“You have a chance to make me proud again, Ronan. You’re going to win that fight for me. Isn’t that right?”
“Yes, Father.” Hadrian showed no emotion as he flinched inside once again at his assumed name and Father’s possessive tone.
“Of course, you will. Your opponent is strong, but the odds are being placed not for if you will win, but when.”
“I don’t understand.”
The Luxorian Fugitive Page 19