Dawn of Inception (Felidian Warriors Book 2)

by M. L. Cook

  Aquino pulled her closer, continuing to offer her the comfort she needed. In moments her steady breathing indicated that she’d finally fallen asleep. If Seth didn’t want her, he prayed she found someone who could complete her.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Aubree snuggled into the warm embrace. Who was she sleeping with? She didn’t remember going home with anyone last night. Blinking, she stared around the dark room. Where was she and why was she on the floor?

  As slumber faded, everything else came flooding back. The world was gone. She didn’t even know if her sister was still on Earth, much less whether or not she still lived. Her next thoughts centered on a tall, orange-haired beast of a man. Which led to thoughts of a blonde-haired beauty, that she was trying very hard not to hate.

  Lifting her head off the chest that had served as a pillow, she smiled thinking about the most unlikely friend she’d come to love in such a short time. She’d had a few friends growing up, and even fewer once she reached that magical age that the law declared she was an adult. But now, well, now she knew what it was like to have a best friend.

  She couldn’t help the giggle that escaped after she watched him blink a few times.

  Smiling, he patted her back, “What’s so funny, little one?”

  “Sorry. I just love watching you blink.” She shrugged, then reached for her boots. “You ready to go?”

  Aquino’s brows crinkled, “What do you mean?” Realization dawned, “Oh, you must mean my inner lids. That is one of the beneficial leftovers from my ancestors. Ever get specks of dust in your eyes? Or perhaps,” he brushed a finger over her eyes, “One of these incredibly long lashes?”

  She blinked away the few lashes he’d knocked loose, “Of course.” She studied his smiling face, “Wait! You don’t? Lucky dog!”

  He pushed himself up, “I’ve not heard of luck dogs. But that reminds me—”

  Holding a hand up, she was shaking her head, “Travino isn’t real either. Well, not the one you saw in Lok’Toria’s Adventures, anyway.” She shrugged, “Now after it’s become a national hit, there might be a whole lot of dogs, and cats, running around with that name.”

  Peeking through the blinds, she fist pumped, “Yes! Well, it’s kind of sad, but still…”

  Aquino joined her at the window, “What…” He stared down at her, brows arched over his round green eyes. “Where’s the snow?”

  Draping the jacket she now claimed as hers over a chair, she called over her shoulder, “Welcome to October in Indiana. If you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes and it’ll change.”

  He met her in the breakroom, “So, if we wanted to go outside, it could be snowing before we get there?”

  “It’s just a saying. It’s not really five minutes. The weather can just change really fast, that’s all. I remember one winter, the snow was nearly a foot deep. An hour later it was all melted. You just never know. So,” she waved toward the jacket draped over a chair, “Always be prepared.”

  He came over and stood beside her, “What are we doing now?”

  She looked up from the vending machine, “I don’t have any more money with me.”

  He cocked a brow, studied her a moment, then looked back at the machine. “Are you talking about credits?”

  Nodding her head, “More donuts sound really good, but I used the last of my change yester—”

  Aquino’s fist slammed through the glass, then grabbed several packages of the chocolate confections. “The time for using credits is past. Do you think anyone will come to service this machine? Or to collect credits?” He shook his head, “Please, little one, don’t cry.” He tossed the donuts on the table and gathered her into his arms.

  “It’s gone, Quin. Everything. No more donuts, no more soft drinks. The kids won’t be going trick or treating.” She sobbed into his chest.

  Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a hand reaching toward the table. “Do it, and I swear I will break it off.” She pushed away from her friend and grabbed a bag of donuts, then dropped into one of the dirty plastic chairs.

  She watched Aquino wave a hand toward the shattered glass, “There’s more. Please, help yourself.”

  The guy who’d been reaching for Aubree’s donuts set a freshly brewed pot of coffee onto a gas burner. Striking a match, he turned the flame as low as it would go. Then poured himself a cup of the black brew, grabbed an oatmeal cookie and the empty pot from earlier that morning, then left them alone.

  Aquino walked over to the counter and poured two cups of the coffee, “This doesn’t smell like what we were drinking last night, but I guess it’ll have to do.”

  Sliding the cup in front of Aubree, she got up, returning with a large jar of sugar. Pouring a generous portion into her cup, she passed it to Aquino. “Try the coffee first. If you don’t like it, you might want to try some cream and sugar.”

  He looked at the glass container, then back at her, “Sugar?” He sprinkled a small amount into the palm of his hand, then tasted it. Smiling, he began pouring the white granules into his cup.

  Aubree’s hand shot out, pushing the dispenser away. “Whoa! That’s enough! That shit will kill you.”

  Aquino jumped away from the table, gaping from the cup to his friend.

  She grabbed his hand and pulled him back into his seat. “Not literally. Just if you eat too much of it. It’s really not good for you.”

  He looked from the mug to the sugar, then back to Aubree. When she waved him on, he took a small sip. Spewing the contents across the table, squinting his eyes, with his tiny nub of a nose curled in disgust. “Why, in all of the galaxies, would anyone drink that? Aside from being sickeningly sweet, the drink itself couldn’t be masked with any amount of this sugar you speak of.”

  She pushed away from the table, “Fine. I’ll make you a cup of cocoa. But you’ll have to clean up your mess.”

  Thirty minutes later they were walking toward the back parking lot.

  “Where do you think you’re going?”

  She stiffened when she heard Seth’s deep voice. Whipping around, she poked a finger into his chest. “Where I’m going is none of your business. Just run on back to Ashley. I’m sure the two of you have more orders to issue.” She turned back around, only to find herself jerked nearly off her feet.

  Staring up into his blazing gold eyes, she felt the heat rush up to bloom across her face. Which only made matters worse, since she’s seen how she looked when she blushed. Every freckle stood in stark contrast to the bright red splotches. Her accursed red hair, pale white skin, and the thousands of freckles that covered her whole body only brought home the vast differences between her and Ashely.

  “Ashley is a good leader. She’s organized. She’s not impulsive, nor is she abrasive.” His face lowered, “Most importantly, she’s not you.”

  That was the only warning she got before she experienced the most toe-curling kiss of her life. Instead of enjoying the moment, she found herself laughing.

  Seth pulled away, “Never have I had such a reaction to my kisses.”

  That brought back the memory of him and the blonde beauty locked in their own intimate embrace. Pushing against his chest, she scowled up at him. “What am I, sloppy seconds? Did Ashley turn you down, is that why you’re here?”

  “Trust me, I would never turn down a man like Seth. No. I’m not you. It’s you, and only you he wants. I’m the sloppy seconds.” Ashley stood several feet away, “But I would like to know where you’re going, and when you’ll be back.”

  Aubree looked from Ashely, back to Seth, while her mouth hung open with the unspoken admonishments that were now frozen in her throat.

  “We’re going to find her sister. If we’re going the route she said we are, we’re going to have to do it one of two ways. Either we keep our numbers small, and try to sneak past the camps that are set up between here and there. Or we’ll need more fighters, and a lot more weapons.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Whatever they decide
d to do would affect the others, so they decided to include everyone. The announcement was made, the group would assemble in the large meeting room in fifteen minutes. A grim-faced Seth stepped up to the podium, with Aquino and Aubree behind him.

  Holding his hands up, he waited for the group to quiet. “We’ve decided it’s not safe to stay here any longer. Aquino,” he motioned for the male to join him, “please tell them what you know.”

  “My people have set up camps not half a kilometer —”

  Phil waved a hand in the air. When Aquino nodded, he stood. “Can you tell us how far that is in miles? We don’t…” he shrugged.

  A voice could be heard coming from the dark shadows in the back of the room, “About three quarters of a mile.”

  Seth peered into the darkened corner. A grey folding chair was tipped back on two legs. The man he’d met the day before appeared casual, arms crossed, with a feigned look of disinterest painting his features. As a trained warrior, Seth saw the charade for what it was. James was a warrior, as well. His gaze didn’t miss a thing. Although he was hidden in shadows, he continued to scan the room for signs of danger. Should any present itself, he knew James would do his best to remove the threat before it could do any damage. The male also knew Seth was watching him. Nodding his thanks, he waved for Aquino to continue.

  “Even now, more are landing, setting up a base camp of operations. We would do well to get as far from here as we can.” He stepped away, then looked at Seth.

  Turning his back to the people that were waiting for instructions, Seth glared at the Terrapian. In a low voice he confronted him, “You would have left us here, unaware of the danger we were facing?”

  Aquino shook his head, “I apologize. I guess I allowed the small female to cloud my judgement.”

  Seth grinned, “She has a way of doing that, doesn’t she?”

  Spinning around to face the group, he attempted to continue. Before he got a chance to speak, another man stood and pointed at the dark green male behind him.

  “He’s one of them. It was his people who did this. How do we know we can trust anything either one of them says?”

  A few people shifted in their seats, while others called out their agreement.

  Seth stared at the human, remembering him from the group that were shooting at him earlier.

  Before he got a chance to respond, Phil spoke up. “Shut up, Sam. Everybody knows you’re part of the clan. Unless you want us to take a personal interest in lynching, your best bet is to keep quiet.”

  Paige’s voice rose about the others, “He’s right, Sam. Sit down and shut up. I for one wouldn’t mind seeing you hanging from that tree out back.”

  The male they called Sam turned a glare in her direction. “Far as I’m concerned, you ain’t no better,” he spewed his hatred in the direction of the young girl who’d gone out of her way to help the visitors.

  Before she had a chance to respond, Phil placed a hand on her shoulder. “Don’t drag yourself down to his level, honey. You’re a part of us. Family. While this guy…” His fist shot out to the side, connecting with the arrogant man’s temple, sending him flying across the room. “Sorry for the interruption,” Phil turned, nodded at Paige, then returned to his chair.

  Nodding at Phil, Seth noticed the group was divided between those who agreed with Sam, and those who sided with Paige. His back stiffened, hands fisted at his side, he turned a glare on the mixed group. How could humans hate each other simply because one was different from another? “Nobody is forcing any of you to stay here. Those who will not follow us,” He pointed toward the ruined horizon, “you are free to go.”

  Still sitting on the floor, one hand cradling his head, Sam spoke again. “Why should we have to go? We was here first. You need to take your creatures, and this…”, he motioned toward Paige, “thing with you.”

  Phil was halfway to his feet when Seth motioned for him to be still.

  “That is precisely what we are planning to do. Under the cover of night, we will begin our journey north.”

  Phil cocked his head, “Why north? Do you have someplace in mind?”

  Seth flicked his gaze toward Sam, “We’ll discuss it later. In the meantime, we need to prepare. Meet me in the grass beside the ship and we’ll make plans.”

  He looked at Sam, then the rest of the group, “Any who feel as he does need not follow. Any attempt to deceive us, or cause any harm, will be met with lethal force. I am a warrior first, I will put you down without a second thought.” He nodded and strode toward the exit.

  Aubree had to run to catch up with him, “You wouldn’t really do that, would you?” She stared up at his blazing green eyes, somehow she had a feeling she wasn’t going to like the answer.

  He stopped, looked over his shoulder at the people who stayed behind. It was a lot more than he’d thought. Standing in the middle of it was the male who’d started it all. As if feeling his gaze, Sam turned toward Seth. His lips thinned into a frown, then knocked his head toward the hall.

  Seth waited until the group was gone before speaking. Humans may not have the keen senses the Felidians did, but he wasn’t about to test it. Finding themselves alone, he gripped Aubree’s arm, then pulled her into an alcove. “As I said, I am a warrior first.”

  “Yeah, but you wouldn’t just…like…you know snap a man’s neck, or something.” Although she had a feeling she already knew the answer, she wanted to hear it from him.

  “Snap a man’s neck. Run him through with my sword. Whatever it takes. Allowing someone to view you as weak, could result in your own death.” He stepped over to the door and watched a few dozen humans ambling toward the silver ship in the distance. “Not here.”

  Looking back at Aubree, he opened the door and waited. Taking her arm, he led her across the field toward the others. “Wait until you find out what James told me.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Aubree couldn’t believe how much their group had shrunken. When she first got here, there were at least a hundred men and women in the factory. Now she was looking at, maybe, twenty-five, not counting her, Seth and Aquino. Some army this turned out to be. Her musings were interrupted when someone snapped their fingers inches from her face.

  Focusing her gaze, she stared into the mossy green eyes of her new best friend. Smiling, she pushed his hand away.

  Seth cleared his throat, “Now that I have everyone’s attention.” He arched a brow, giving Aubree a pointed look. She stuck her tongue out, crossed her eyes, and waited.

  “I don’t know why you offered him your tongue in public. Perhaps you don’t understand the connotations it has in the rest of the galaxies,” Aquino whispered.

  Aubree’s first thoughts were of the implications, while her second thought was the ugly blush she knew bloomed across her pale cheeks. When she noticed the effect it had on Seth, she cupped a hand over her mouth in an attempt to capture the giggle. It was good to see that she had the same effect on him, as he had on her.

  “As I said inside, we need to find somewhere more secure. James? Can you tell them what you told me?” Seth stepped aside and waited for James to speak.

  “My name’s James Creason, I live not quite a mile from here.” He nodded toward the road several yards away. “I’ve been listening to my CB radio since this whole thing began. As a matter of fact, I lost my signal when the ships began landing in my front yard. The first thing they did was take out my antenna.” His expression hardened, “There are several groups of humans who have teamed up with the Terrapians. They’ve set up camps between here and Anderson, more between here and Elwood.”

  Paige’s voice rang above the mummering voices, “But why? Did the aliens offer them refuge or something?”

  Aquino made his way to the front, “No. The humans just think they did. But the majority of my race have no honor. I’ve heard them laughing about the humans who are gathering slaves for them. That they somehow think their own lives will be spared because of it.” He looked at each face, “Ma
ke no mistake. They will not hesitate to kill every one of them before this is finished. There are no allies to the Terrapians. The most you can hope for is to find more like myself. Those few who want more for our people. I’ve been an insider for my small band of insurgents since before I was forced into their ranks. In my culture all males must serve for a period of five years. I knew I can help my cause by staying where I am, so that’s what I’ve done. I’ve helped more than one female escape certain death. Now that I’ve been captured by humans, my fellow Terrapians will assume I’m dead. If I were to return to them, that is the fate that would await me. They believe all races are the same as them. They have no mercy, no honor, therefore can’t fathom another possessing the same.”

  Seth stepped forward, “That’s why we need to leave, as well as find others that are loyal to your race.” He motioned for Aubree to join him, then stepped aside.

  She looked at the faces of the ones who were more strangers than friends, and somehow knew she could trust them. “I’ll be honest. My first thought was to go home and search for my sister. As I’m sure most of you wished to go find your families. In time, we will find survivors. For now, we need to survive. My sister is a leader, a survivor. Then I realized, in order to find her, I need to think like her. What would she do? She would first gather reinforcements. Then she would set up a base. I know where that base would be. There is a place, about twenty miles north of here, that has everything we need to not only survive, but to fight back as well.” She looked at Seth, who nodded for her to proceed.

  “We’re going to take as many weapons and vehicles as we can and make our way to that farm.” She paused when everybody started rolling their eyes and groaning. “It’s not just a farm. I just told you, it has everything we need to fight back. Jannette is a paranoid survivalist. She has tons of food and weapons, as well as reinforced bunkers.” The faces brightened, some nodding their agreement.

  “When do we leave?” Phil stood a head taller than everyone else. A big man, both in stature and in personality.