by Stone, Piper
“Does it matter? You didn’t deserve her.”
“Enough!” Once again, he slammed his hand down on the table, his chest heaving.
I couldn’t take my eyes off the little boy, my son, his eyes just like his father’s. As Tiran studied me, I gathered a sense he was probing my mind, his father’s abilities strong within him. For some crazy reason, I felt such pride, even a moment of joy, although I was now suffering the loss of my mother and brother all over again.
“She couldn’t stand my work with the aliens. We’d just had amazing contact with them, the species known as the Volkodans yet she didn’t care.”
Sampson’s singsong-y voice was more terrifying than what we were experiencing. He was losing it just as he’d done all those years ago, forced into the mental health system because of his hatred and anger.
“They were the reason my child was murdered!” he screeched.
Tiran slipped his hand from Sampson’s, walking closer to me. I was shocked how bright his eyes were, such curiosity in them.
“You’re a sick and disgusting man, dearest stepfather, but you will not harm my child!” I remembered my mother telling me so many years ago that there was no love like that of a mother. While Tiran had been conceived because of a madman, there was no doubt in my mind that both his mother and father loved him.
And would die for him.
Just like I knew Draziak was prepared to die for me.
The glint of the steel from the sharp steak knife had already caught my attention. Without processing the consequences, the handle was suddenly in my hand, the most freeing feeling sweltering within me as I lunged for the man who’d destroyed so many lives.
However, I refused to allow him to destroy my son’s.
Draziak’s roar rumbled throughout the massive space and I was able to hear the hard crunches from bones breaking as the incredible alien broke free of his chains.
Everything occurred in slow motion as I snapped my hand around Sampson’s neck, plunging the knife deep inside.
But not before he raised his arm, a weapon in his hand. And he was laughing.
As the single flash went off, the lights all around me swirled, memories and visions that had been kept under lock and key flooding my mind. The moment I turned my head, my world crumbled even further.
Draziak slowly fell onto his knees, the single laser making its connection in the center of his chest. I shoved Sampson with enough force he tumbled to the floor. All I could think about was getting to Draziak, the man I’d fallen in love with.
“No!”
My high-pitched scream was matched by the yelps and screeches of others running out of the room, racing by the open doors.
Then all hell broke loose, additional uniformed soldiers storming into the facility, surrounding us on all sides. But they weren’t Sampson’s guards. I was certain of it.
“Protect the children!” I called to no one in particular seconds before I fell to my knees, tears flowing. “No. Draziak!”
His breathing labored, he reached for my hand.
Do not worry about me, my little human. Our child. Save our beautiful boy...
“I’m not leaving you,” I whispered, my words drowned out by orders being barked from a voice.
A female voice floated around me.
I dared to look away, shocked to the core seeing Sandra’s face, her body in an unrecognizable uniform, but the patch on her chest was easy to understand.
The Earth Federation Protection Unit.
“What is... happening?” I struggled to say, scanning the room until I was able to see Tiran. He was standing in the same place, a look of shock and awe on his little face.
Save our son.
Even though Draziak’s words were issued through our amazing mental connection, I could easily tell he was growing weaker.
“Round them up, boys, and do not allow Sampson O’Rourke to get away. We’re going to lock his ass in a prison cell until he’s nothing more than dust,” Sandra ordered, directing a group of men and women in the same uniforms. There were at least four dozen of them, if not more.
“Our son,” Draziak hissed, wheezing and coughing after saying the two words.
I broke away, racing toward our little boy, gathering him up in my arms. “Tiran.” I pressed my face against his, struggling to understand what the hell was happening. As I peered down at Sampson, I shielded Tiran’s face.
Sampson was choking on his own blood, but I knew enough to realize that it hadn’t been a killing blow. The monster would survive.
Sandra walked closer, her eyes sweeping the room as she shook her head. “Goddamn motherfucking asshole.”
“What is this? Who are you?” I barked back at her.
“It’s a long story, but I’m one of the good guys. Rest assured that you will never be hurt by Mr. O’Rourke again. The Earth Federation has been after him for one hell of a long time. You were the catalyst allowing us to capture him, Annabella, and we owe you a huge debt of gratitude. We’re going to get you out of here. You and...”
“My son,” I snapped. “And I am not leaving without Draziak. Do you understand me? Get him some help. Now!”
Sandra sucked in her breath as several of her soldiers approached. She finally nodded, directing one of them. “See what you can do for the alien.”
“He’s not just an alien,” I retorted. “He saved my life. He’s...” I could no longer hold back the tears.
Tiran struggled to be freed, his little hand squeezing mine as I allowed him to get down. A shock of electricity rushed into me, the kind of warmth that I’d felt from Draziak. I watched as he walked very slowly toward his father, so much like a shy little boy and not the product of some jaded experiment.
“You’re going to need to tell me everything,” Sandra said as we both turned our attention to the soldier kneeling by Draziak. “I know this has been difficult on you.”
“Difficult?” My tone was harsh. “This has been a nightmare going on for eight fucking years. Where were you all those years ago? Huh? Where was our great government?”
“I’m sorry, Annabella. I really am,” she said. “As soon as we had enough evidence, the appropriate authorities were contacted. By that time, O’Rourke had already begun to destroy everything he’d created once again.”
“Lieutenant Withers? I’m afraid there’s nothing I can do. I don’t have the medical training to help the alien.” The soldier’s face was ashen.
“No. No! You have to save him.” I rushed back to his side, pulling Draziak’s hand to my face. “You will not die on me. Do you hear me? You can’t die!”
Draziak’s eyelids flitted open, the look on his face one of utter adoration. For a moment we were as one, blocking out the anger and hatred, the destruction and terror. During that precious period of time, our love meant more than anything. “My... little... human.” As I began to see the light fade from his eyes, the rage within me deepened. Sampson would die. He would die.
“No!” I moaned, my voice cracking.
Tiran crawled toward his father, placing his hand on Draziak’s face. “Father.”
People say that often love can conquer all, although I’d never believed in fairytales or experts. My entire life had been about a lie, years lost because of vengeance and anger. Unable to hold back the tears, I sobbed uncontrollably, the mixture of emotions unbearable.
Until a little hand was placed on Draziak’s wound.
Until a blue light began to seep out from his fingers, the illuminating shimmer a thing of true beauty.
And until Draziak opened his eyes.
* * *
Current Location: Outpost 4—Tiern, Strategic Operations
“Just a couple more questions, Ms. Caruso.”
I glared at the man who’d been sent from Earth, his staunch uniform the only thing I could concentrate on. I’d had a solid week of questions, all of them forcing me to relive the horrors from years of my life.
“General Markus, while I understand
you have a job to do, can you understand that I’m sick to freaking death of your questions? I’m not certain what good they will do now. You have your man in custody, an entire planet being overhauled, and you have your answers as to whether or not the Volkodans are an actual existing species, which I’m certain makes your scientists giddy. I just want to be left alone. Can you get it at all or do I need to spell it out for you?” Yes, I was rambling and yes, I was furious, taking out my anger on a man who’d done nothing but try to help me.
Help.
An attempt to help ease me back into a normal life. At least that’s what I’d been told several times.
“Ms. Caruso, we need to get through this,” the general stated in a commanding manner.
“And why the hell can’t I see Draziak or my son? You shipped him off to another damn planet, for God’s sake!” I slammed my hand on the table, enraged that I’d been told very little. I hadn’t been able to spend more than a few hours with them. Then they’d been taken, sent to some godforsaken planet. I had to wonder who was being punished more.
His eyes flashed, his face becoming even more stoic.
Sandra cleared her throat, moving from her position in the shadows. “Why don’t you allow me to finish this, General? If there’s anything else, I’m certain it can wait.”
General Markus adjusted his tie for the fifth time, more uncomfortable than I’d seen any of the Federation officers. Maybe he just hated me. Oh, well. “That will work, Lieutenant. Make certain you get your report to me by in the morning.”
“Will do,” Sandra said, holding her breath until he’d left the room. “Asshole.” She lifted an eyebrow as she looked at me, chuckling as she sat down across from me. “I know this is hard on you, Annabella, and it is almost over. The Federation is offering you a substantial amount of money to start a new life on any outpost you want or a new position at the mining department on Earth if that’s what you’d prefer.’
“Prefer. What I’d prefer is to wrap my hands around Sampson’s throat.”
“I assure you, where he’s going he’ll never be able to see the light of any universe again.” She shifted her gaze up and down before leaning over. “I have a surprise for you if you’ll come with me.”
“A surprise. Goody. I can’t wait.” I snarled my answer, folding my arms.
She tilted her head, issuing a deep sigh. “And some advice that you’re going to listen to whether you like it or not. Don’t allow Sampson to ruin the rest of your life. Don’t allow that fucking... man to win.”
Win? In my mind, he already had. He’d won the very game he’d created decades before. Exhaling, my thoughts drifted to Draziak. The officers had taken both the Quantum Unit and capacitor, keeping it in the Federation’s hands. I knew better than to think the Volkodan people would ever see either returned to them. “He’s already taken so much from me as well as the Volkodan people. That will never be returned. Their planet is likely gone, their people dead because of what he did. He murdered so many innocent humans just because he had some sick belief. I meant nothing to him.”
“Well, evidently not nothing,” she countered. “As you know, criminals who are convicted are required to turn over all their belongings and personal wealth. You were listed as his only beneficiary. You will receive a significant sum of money when O’Rourke is convicted.”
I laughed bitterly. “I don’t want a single fucking dime. If the great system actually manages to convict the monster, make certain the beautiful... hybrid children and their mothers are well taken care of. I assure you, they’re going to need it.”
Her eyes opened wide, but she nodded. “All right. I think your offer is truly amazing and I’ll make certain and start the process.”
“Thank you.” I was sick inside, unable to breathe. “Why is no one allowing me to see Draziak and Tiran?”
“Draziak is still receiving medical treatment,” Sandra assured me.
“You mean he’s just another one of the government’s lab rats!”
The tension was palpable.
She closed her eyes, nodding several times. “I guess I deserved that.”
I was still shaking, but she certainly didn’t deserve my wrath.
“No, you didn’t and I’m sorry. You were the single person who pressed on about Sampson. Without your belief, I’d likely be dead and so would Draziak.”
“That day I met you before we left for Bellenia, I was under the belief you were actually a part of what had happened to my father in some crazy way. As soon as I got to know you, my instincts took over. You were just as much the victim as my father, but I was required to do my job. Did you know that Bellenia was raided twice by President Michaelson?”
I nibbled on my bottom lip, shaking my head.
“Well, it was. The president had received a couple of messages from two of the soldiers about inappropriate activity on the planet. By the time the authorities arrived the first time, Sampson had destroyed every scrap of evidence, but the president put him on a short leash, which he stayed on for a couple years. The second time O’Rourke was mandated with very high quotas of mineral removal and I assure you, where she wanted to send him was exactly what he didn’t want. So, he obeyed the rules.”
“Then you came along,” I said quietly.
Shrugging, she brushed a single finger on the desk, her eyes glistening. “My father meant the world to me. I spent years trying to piece together everything. When I did, President Michaelson was out of office and the new president not inclined to listen, at least at first. He refused to look at the massive evidence I’d collected. Refused. God, I was angry.”
“Then how did you get him to pay any attention?”
She snorted, giving me a mischievous look. “I nagged him for weeks, finally plying him with his favorite liquor. Then he promised he’d look at the files. Two weeks later, I was in his office. Less than ten days after that, I was on the plane sitting beside you. We both knew the second we saw your name on the list of applicants that the end was near. We just had no way of knowing what that meant.”
I thought about what she was saying, the information feasible. I swallowed hard, pushing away at least some of my rage. “Thank you for being so tenacious.”
“You’re welcome. Now, just come with me. Okay? I promise that there are no tricks.”
“Fine.” What did I have to lose at this point? I followed her as she led me down a series of hallways to the outside. While the planet was more barren than Bellenia, the desert-like atmosphere did have a certain level of beauty. While I thought she was going to lead me toward another interrogation facility, instead, she moved toward one of the vehicles. “Where are we going?”
“Just get inside, okay? You need to learn to trust a few people. I actually do understand what you’re going through.” She waited until I resigned myself to slide onto the passenger seat. “The trip is arduous and we’re going up in the mountains so hold on for a bumpy ride.”
I knew she continued to grieve the loss of her father, but at least she had closure and hadn’t been used in a terrifying experiment. Trust would likely never come, but I had to admit that my curiosity was piqued.
The terrain was rough, dust billowing over the vehicle, making it difficult to see anything. I huddled in the seat, so exhausted and terrified of what the future would bring. The poor hybrid children. They would never have a normal life. At least they had their human mothers, the bastard nice enough to allow them to live.
What a kind, fucking monster.
I sneered, rolling my eyes as I eased my head against the passenger window. The drive seemed to take forever but as I heard the fusion engines shifting down, I finally peered out the window. “Where are we?”
“Just take it easy. Almost there.” Sandra rounded a corner and when the dust finally settled, I was able to see another series of buildings, only the backdrop was exquisite. The mountains appeared carved, shades of orange and red, purple and even a hint of blue had formed an incredible picturesque setting. Eve
n the way the two suns highlighted the ridge was incredible.
What struck me the most was the amount of vegetation surrounding the facility. There were actual... gardens, the foliage lush and green.
“How is this possible?”
“We might be a strategic location meant for training of federal officers, but we’re also a farming community. If we can glean the exact calculated needs from these harsh conditions, we can repeat this type of facility on Earth.”
“Amazing,” I whispered, almost excited to see what they’d grown.
She laughed and eased the vehicle to a stop just in front of one of the buildings. “As I said to you before, you’ve been through one hell of a lot and so has Draziak.” She hesitated, finally smiling. “I was able to speak to President Carter, relaying the outcome of the case. He wanted to make certain you saw this.”
Her fingers shaking, she eased a console unit closer, waving her hand over the screen.
I expected to see a meaningless thank you. Instead, what I witnessed brought me more joy than I could have imagined.
“The Quantum Unit and the capacitor were returned to their rightful owner,” Sandra said, her voice cracking. “And I believe you’ll find more.”
“More?”
She pointed toward the closest building, tears forming in her eyes. “I think I’m going to allow Draziak to tell you everything else.”
“What?” I followed her finger as another blast of dust blew across the vehicle. That didn’t stop me from exiting, clinging to the door before taking several steps forward. The wind shifted, clearing the skies but I was forced to shield my eyes as I took careful steps.
My beautiful little human. Our son has missed you. And so have I.
Draziak...
Chapter Fifteen
Draziak
Four days later
Love.
I’d come to understand the strong human emotion during the time I’d been forced to be apart from Annabella, from the woman I could call the love of my life. I’d also experienced the same burning emotion for my son and not only because he’d been the only one capable of healing me, but because I saw his mother in his eyes. I’d witnessed her strength and tenacity in him as well, his joy at seeing yet another world for the first time.