Chapter 6 #3
Electrodes implanted in my brain reacted, memories flooding the forefront of my brain. Horrific experiments. Months of abuse. Locked away in darkness.
And other humans, one ship arriving after another.
“Now,” Brexin hissed. “Now!”
I slammed my foot against the door over and over again, both of us firing our weapons at full throttle.
“What the…” Kevin paled as he stumbled backward, his back hitting the wall. “Erik.”
Cassia scuttled away, her face pinched. There was recognition in her eyes as well as fear. “You’re both here.”
“You are an asshole,” Brexin said, snorting as he pointed the weapon at Kevin. “I will enjoy destroying everything you created.”
“And you’re responsible for the deaths of our visitors. Aren’t you?” Kevin snarked, limping forward as he laughed.
The same ugly laugh I’d heard so many times.
I snarled an answer for both of us, taking several long strides closer, twisting my head until I could look directly into his lying eyes.
Cassia stared incredulously, her body trembling.
“You were in the forest with the others. You… I wasn’t dreaming.
” Her look, a mixture of horror and confusion, was followed by a sharp cry.
I could see she was trying to fathom what had occurred in the cave, perhaps her mind pushing away the fact we’d captured her. She would soon remember every detail.
“You weren’t dreaming, beautiful lady.” Brexin inched closer, brushing the tips of his fingers down her face. “We will protect you.”
“What is happening?” she asked.
Kevin bolted toward the door, attempting to escape. With a single hand, Brexin yanked him by the collar, pitching him across the room.
“We can’t have you leaving just yet,” Brexin snarled.
Boom!
Another loud crash echoed in the chamber. It was only a matter of time before the fire reached the areas below.
“You have no reason to be afraid of our kind, but we must leave,” I managed, rage forcing bile into my throat. Everything had changed, my desires and needs, my thinking patterns, hunger that had become ravenous.
A slight smile appeared on her face, the connection we shared electrifying once again. Then confusion returned, her chest rising and falling as she took gulping breaths. She reached out, touching Brexin, her mouth twisted.
“I am Erik. I will protect you.”
“Brexin,” he stated.
“Run, Cassia. This isn’t about protection.
These monsters will kill you. Mistakes were made and Erik is one of them,” Kevin hissed through clenched teeth as he sneered at me.
“He is a killer, vile and wretched, no different than when he was on Earth. A bastard criminal. I should have eliminated you when I had the chance. Dr. Forrester is a damn fool for sending me the dregs of society.” He lunged toward me, kicking out, his foot catching me in the gut.
Rage turned my blood into fire.
“I was right about everything,” she whispered, her hand shaking as she lifted her arm in my direction. “I fell for this. Dr. Forrester lied to me. This isn’t what was supposed to happen.”
A snarl left my lips, but Kevin’s maneuver was futile.
He tried again, his body twisting as he kicked out with both legs, his training in martial arts doing him little good.
I caught his ankle, flipping and tossing him with ease.
I wrapped my hand around his throat, lifting him off the floor several inches.
The joy I had in squeezing was far too intense, the longing to snap his neck delicious.
Brexin moved to my side, pointing the weapon at Kevin’s head. “Just say the word, brother.”
“No!” she yelled. “Don’t hurt him, either one of you. He’s not worth it.” She touched my arm and instantly the electricity flared again, roaring into every cell in my body. I swallowed hard, still able to taste her.
I snapped my head in her direction. There was such concern in her eyes, her own pain mixed with fury. Willing the anger to shut down, I dropped Kevin like a rock, roaring my frustration.
“He’s a lying pig. I will find a way to change this. I promise you,” she said with such conviction. “Release them. Save them. Please.”
“She is wise,” Brexin said, laughing. “But it would feel damn good to send him into space.”
I lifted my hand, wanting nothing more than to touch her. My fingers were only inches away, but I pulled back. “You cannot change this, Cassia. But my people can.”
“Your people?” she managed seconds before another thunderous explosion. Another series of rapid gunfire. Smoke began to fill the room, the stench almost overpowering.
“Let me find out what’s going on.” Brexin shifted the gun away, heading toward the opening.
I sensed Kevin reaching for his primitive gun. The asshole had no understanding that he was no match for the Galerians. My backhand was swift, catching him across the neck. He was pitched against the glass, groaning as he slid down the cracked surface.
Cassia crouched lower, keeping her distance. “I don’t understand any of this. We need to get them out of the cages.”
You will.
She half dragged me into the long corridor. I said nothing as I smashed the electronic locks, one after the other, freeing the creatures. As Steen stormed out of the prison, he moved into the outer room, standing over Kevin and issuing a series of growls.
“Your time will come, Master Kevin,” Steen hissed, adding a savage snarl. “When it does, I assure you that what you will be required to endure will be much worse.”
Steen’s second stood by Steen’s side, surveying the room.
“You’re alive. Klar. Steen,” Brexin returned, gripping both of Steen’s arms. “We weren’t certain.”
“Never underestimate the power,” Steen chortled.
“You’re right.” Brexin nodded out of respect. “Certain portions of the compound are failing. We don’t have much time.”
“The steel will hold for a period of time,” I added.
He lifted his head, taking a deep whiff. “You’ve been busy, my friend. Tell me, how does she taste?” He laughed and patted me on the back. “For everything you’ve done for our clan, you certainly deserve it.”
I nodded out of respect. I could see her mind reeling, trying to make sense even still. I wanted to comfort her, to explain, but now wasn’t the time.
“Erik.” The husky voice gasped for air. “You’re alive.”
I barely recognized my former colleague, the change since I’d left more dramatic.
He’d taken my place in the testing arena after my escape, something I hadn’t considered.
David wasn’t like me or the other men brought in shackles to this planet.
He was merely an original worker in the facility, far too curious for his own good, caught in Kevin’s deceit.
I was thrown into a moment of horrific guilt.
“David. What have they done to you?” I gripped his arms as he swayed back and forth, ducking as a sheet of metal hurtled down from the ceiling.
“We need to get out of here. Will you be able to walk?”
David nodded. “I know where we can find clothes. You’re right…” he muttered, shaking his head as if to clear the fog. “We need to get out. There is much to tell you.”
“I know. We will talk,” I said causally as I scanned the facility. Very little had changed in the weeks I’d been gone. “Are there others missing?”
Narrowing his eyes, David shook his head. “I honestly don’t know. Things have… changed. We’re left alone the majority of the time, but something is going on. They’re afraid.”
Afraid. I scanned the room, searching for anything that could provide answers. I knew there were other rooms within the facility used for testing. They could house at least three dozen creatures, but why would they have any fear?
“What are you talking about?” Cassia asked tentatively.
“We talk later,” Steen demanded, giving Cassia a respectful nod. His forever changing eyes held nothing but the need for retaliation. “You are close to Erik and the others, your connection very strong. That is good. We will need your help.”
“Close,” she whispered. “Yes.” She pressed her fingers over her mouth, her eyes flashing.
“We are tethered in a way I don’t understand,” I answered, taking long strides in her direction.
Cassia threw out her arm. “Stop. I don’t know what’s going on, but whatever occurred in that cave will never happen again.”
Steen snickered. “She is a strong woman. She will be perfect. Her concern for our kind, as well as your own was surprising in this sea of disgusting humans.”
I sighed. Steen would want her for his own.
“Let’s gather what supplies we can before returning to the city.
We will need to sweep the other areas,” I stated, nodding to Klar as he approached.
He’d taken the brunt of several beatings, his defiance a direct correlation to his species.
Klar was ruthless, even more so than any of the scientists.
They had no idea who they’d captured. The ability for Kevin and his crew to abduct the leader and the second in command was certainly disconcerting.
Security had already been beefed up around the city, various guards placed in position. Everyone feared another attack.
It would come.
“I will handle searching for others with Brexin,” Klar growled, turning his head toward Steen. “We should kill the remaining humans.”
“Not yet,” Steen directed. “And yes, I have my reasons.”
“If we’re going to do this, it should be now,” Brexin added.
Klar huffed, shooting a look at Cassia as he walked closer. “And the female?” He fingered her long strands of hair, taking several deep breaths. The first smile I’d seen in months spread across his face, widening his hollow cheeks. “Incredible. I must taste her.”
“You should have that honor, Klar, but only after we return. She is indeed special to us, but she requires extensive training.” Steen’s voice was commanding.
“She comes with us. There is no question.” My response was directed toward Steen, my desire for her increasing.