Chapter Three
Chapter Three
BrOdByc
Stepping out of the shadows, BrOdByc went after the woman. He felt the tug of her soul as he glided after her. There was a whisper in his mind. A chant... Please... help us...
He could feel her intent. The will to sacrifice herself in any manner possible, to save the other woman. Her... sister.
The other woman was her sister, and his mate planned to survive just long enough to see the comatose woman rescued.
Brode understood the Earther medical term because he read the fear in his mate’s mind. Sometimes those in a coma never woke up… they died.
Gritting his teeth, he pushed his strength of will through their connection. He wouldn’t let her give up.
His brother ReBOrB had followed the sister. He was the best choice for the injured woman. Reb’s skill set and training centered on medical assistance. He could scan the woman from a distance and know exactly what she needed.
He felt Captain BaOBy keep pace behind him, just over his right shoulder. Brode asked, “You woke more of our brothers? Reb may need help. The woman he followed is my mate’s sister. My female is determined to save the other. No matter the cost to herself.”
Bao sighed. “Yes, several of our brothers are already awake on the ship. Two have followed Reb. They carry a med kit. Another brother is headed our way.” The captain hesitated before questioning Brode, “The bond has created a link to her mind?”
Having a mate was new ground for all of them. Neither he nor the captain knew what to expect in this situation. Which meant it was dangerous. Nodding slightly, Brode kept his eyes on the three Siloth men in front of him. His mate was bound and gagged, and they carried her over their heads. She continued to struggle, but her efforts were weakening.
The main alleyways that led out from the dock toward one of the largest towns on Viant were fairly straight. Almost like spokes on a wheel. The larger roads were well used and paved. But there were dozens of additional pathways shooting off the main roads. Each lined with buildings. Some were overgrown with plants and small trees.
If the Siloth turned off this thoroughfare, he could lose them in a heartbeat.
There were apartments, larger dwellings, and a variety of shops along this road. He noted bakeries, a bootmaker, and an armorer. A smattering of different species either walked along the roadway or skimmed over it on a hoverboard. Some he saw obviously had money. But not all. Many were poor.
Brode had been on this planet several times over the last ten years. He never paid attention to those along the road. He always exited the ship and took a direct route to one of the nearest pleasure stations.
A few of those lining the streets turned and cautiously monitored the Siloth as they passed. He noticed several women frown and then clench their hands, forming a fist. As if the sight of the red creatures made them angry. Or the sight of them carrying a female over their heads made them angry. He wanted to stop and ask why they reacted to the Siloth in this manner but couldn’t risk losing sight of the group.
Taking a deep breath, he noted there was a definite sweet smell in the air. Not unpleasant. But unexpected.
“What is that smell?” Brode counted on Captain Bao to watch their backs. His only job was to follow the Siloth and get closer so he could take advantage of any opportunity to rescue his mate. The captain needed to ensure another enemy didn’t attack them.
One of the captain’s inherent skills was the ability to identify natural and chemical substances. He could look at a vial of liquid and name all the components by volume. He could also do the same thing if he tasted or smelled something.
Bao offered, “It’s floral, but more concentrated than what appears in nature. Yet the scent is light enough you might not notice and the side effects would be mild enough to blame on other things. The flower is native to this planet—the Viant Violeta . It is both an aphrodisiac and can cause mild lethargy. It would be interesting to find out if someone added the scent for a purpose.”
BrOdByc immediately realized what his captain insinuated. This was a pleasure planet. One that might not be as legitimate as they believed. It would be both profitable and expedient to sedate detractors, while at the same time enhancing their customer’s desires.
But he didn’t have time to worry about that. Brode had more pressing issues. “I feel her in my mind. Her fear and anger throbs within my blood. It is similar to the internal bond all the brothers share. Yet it is so much more .“ He tried to explain.
“If we lose visual with the Siloth, would the bond help you locate her as we can find any of our brothers?” Bao wondered.
Brode closed his eyes for just a second, and the pull toward his mate grew stronger. He felt the connection and smiled. Again, the link to his mate was close to what he had with each of his nineteen brothers. When he thought of Reb, a light blue orb sparkled on the right side of his brain.
Reb’s flesh was a light blue. If he searched for Bao, he would see a bright green orb that matched his skin tone. But his mate? The connection to her was a shimmering flame. “Yes. Except she is the fire burning in my soul.”
He watched the Siloth hesitate at the edge of what appeared to be a large, open-air market. Crowded with males, females, and children of several species, the area would be difficult to navigate. But it didn’t seem that would be necessary. One of those carrying his mate gestured to a path between two small buildings.
The Siloth hurried toward the narrow path and disappeared. Brode started running, the captain right behind him. He slowed just before the entrance to the pathway, walking slowly past to see if the Siloth were lingering in sight. He panicked when he realized all three of the Siloth and his mate were nowhere to be seen.
The captain put his hand on his shoulder and turned him toward the left side. There was a two-story building about twenty feet from the main road. A large, red-furred hand reached out to close the door.
Every muscle in Brode’s body tensed. Ready to rush after his mate.
“Going in the front door isn’t a good idea,” Captain Bao stated dryly.
He took a deep breath of the floral-scented air and willed his body to relax. “I know that. But my entire being centers on her. My body does not want me to be careful.” He changed focus. “The sweet scent of the flowers is stronger here.” Scanning the surrounding ground, he didn’t see any blooms to account for the strong fragrance. It wasn’t coming from actual flowers. They had to be pushing it into the atmosphere another way.
Bao nodded. “I noticed. If we spend any time on this planet, I’ll look into that. It feels... unethical.”
Brode snorted. “If the owners of the pleasure planet are pumping an aphrodisiac into the air, that is definitely cheating. Between that and seeing the Siloth with their captives... what we believed about Viant feels like a big fat lie.”
“I agree. I plan to shed some light on that. If we don’t need to grab the women and hide our ship from security—I’ll check it out. I’ll send a report on our suspicions when we get back to the ship.” Bao turned, scanning the area in a full circle. He motioned Brode to follow him and ducked behind the light purple building.
On Viant, the color purple was used to draw attention to the pleasure stations. Just as purple clothing was used to signify those on the street who were pleasure masters.
The Siloth males had disappeared inside the pleasure center with his mate. The only thing that kept him from running in and snatching her from the Siloth, was that for now, she was calm. Brode guessed she was trying to get a feel for her surroundings. Her quiet reflection eased his need to break into the house on a rampage... charging to her side.
The small street out front was quiet. No one came or went from this pleasure center or any of the buildings surrounding it. The back of the building held refuse containers, a small patch of growing plants, and a few chairs. There were stairs leading to the second floor, and a few covered windows. It was hot today. Keeping many inside where it was cool.
“Our brother has hidden in the front. He’ll watch and report on anyone coming or going from the building and work on setting a diversion that we can use once you rescue your mate.” Bao followed Brode up the stairs.
Nodding his understanding, Brode silently climbed a level. At first, he looked away from this purple building and studied what he could see of the neighboring structures and green spaces. He saw... no one. No movement. Nothing to concern him.
Turning his attention back to his mate, he reached out along the growing connection. She remained calm. Brode frowned. “I think they have sedated my female,” he murmured.
Bao shook his head. Keeping his voice at a whisper, he said, “It’s the air. I’ve been running an analysis. Our innate makeup provides some protection from the effects of the aroma. Earthers have no filtering system. It probably compromised her physiology. This was not an issue the last time we were on Viant."
“Siluthien Hell.” Brode increased his pace and stepped onto the small balcony that ran along the back of the building. As he moved toward the first door, he caught whispers of her growing alarm. Her mental anguish stung as if small green anets crawled over his flesh.
Putting his hand on the warm metal, he pulled his mind away from his mate... and sent it seeking on the other side of the door. Nothing. Twisting the latch, he grinned back at Bao when he discovered it was unlocked. Carefully, he pushed inward, using sight to verify the room was unoccupied.
It was. The ornate room was large and very luxurious. He noticed the sheets on the bed were almost the same pastel green as his skin... and made of Janatu Silk. They decorated the walls with paintings and inlaid gems. Everything was expensive, rare. He walked around the steaming, sunken tub in the middle of the room and looked back at his brother. “Given the decor in the room, this has to be an elite pleasure station. There should be guards.”
Casey
Her eyes didn’t work. Casey couldn’t see. When her eyelashes fluttered and the light blinded her, she realized they were closed. She was too tired to open them. Her head hurt. Her heart.
The ache in her heart was because she was afraid for her sister. And so frustrated because she couldn’t do anything to help.
Why the hell was she so tired? Had the aliens drugged her? Again? Casey knew they wanted to keep her quiet. Compliant. Easy to control. Which meant she should do the opposite. The red jerks carried her away from the spaceship. Away from her sister. She was bound and gagged and held over their heads. And drugged?
Casey’s system was fighting—and sort of winning. The first rush of drug-induced vertigo was easing. Some of the haze cleared. She didn’t remember the aliens giving her a shot. Or making her swallow a pill. Hell, maybe they weren’t doing this.
Taking a deep breath through her nose, she coughed into the gag. The air smelled sweet. Almost too sweet. So maybe there was something in the atmosphere of this planet that caused her lightheadedness. She remained a bit woozy, like she’d had a night out with the girls and downed a few too many margaritas. Her heart rate slowed. It was difficult to move. To resist. And it got harder every time she took a breath.
All she wanted to do was close her eyes and take a nap. No. She couldn’t do that. Cammy needed her. Her sister still hadn’t regained consciousness. Casey needed to help her.
But damn. Whatever drug she was on, it worked. Making her head spin, making it hard to think. She needed to get out of there. Opening her eyes again, she realized she was no longer outside. Time slipped by her. Where the hell was she? Inside. She was in a room. A pretty fancy room with nice furniture and art on the walls. The art was definitely alien porn.
Casey realized she was in the damn outer-space equivalent of a brothel.
There were three alien women in the room. Standing away from her captors, their eyes skittered away from hers. Like they didn’t want to acknowledge she was in the room. One female was tall, very thin, with what looked like feathers for hair. She was scowling at the furry aliens. But she didn’t seem shocked to see Casey tied up and held over their heads.
Next to her was a short, sort of round, and fluffy woman with horns sticking out of her head. Her thin lips pressed together. She looked angry. Whether that anger was targeted at Casey or her kidnappers, she couldn’t tell.
The third female looked human, except her skin was bright pink, and she had what looked like fur on her head instead of hair. She seemed younger. When she looked at Casey, she shook her head and dropped her eyes to the floor as if she were sad.
Casey didn’t make the mistake of believing these women would help her. When the red freaks snarled at them, they backed up.
The alien carrying her demanded, “Where is the Andaran?”
The thin, birdlike woman replied, “He hasn’t arrived. She is to be placed in the compliance pool. It is upstairs.”
For a moment, Casey was confused. The woman’s voice was low. She hadn’t expected to hear English coming out of the female’s mouth. And she didn’t. It also wasn’t the same language the red apes used. Her language was a strange succession of soft clicks and grunts.
But eventually, the meaning behind the words was interpreted by her translator. Compliance pool . Oh, hell no.
Casey solidified her resolve and kicked out with all her might. She ripped her hands upward and tore out the damn cloth gag. She swore the fabric tasted like someone had wedged it between the ass cheeks of one of the big red apes before they stuck it in her mouth.
That’s what the creepy aliens reminded her of—the old Planet of the Apes movie. Ape men.
Casey took a deep breath and let out an ear-piercing scream for help. The alien holding her dropped Casey to the floor. She scrambled to her feet, still screaming, and backed right into the arms of another red beast.
The second red creep wrapped all four arms around her and squeezed until she stopped screaming and struggled to breathe—the fight crushed out of her.
Silent tears streamed down her face when he picked up Casey and carried her to the stairs.