Chapter 6 #4
“Wait. Where? Where are you taking me? With everything I’ve found out, I need to return to Earth to warn everyone and try to stop this madness.
” Cassia recoiled, her lower lip quivering.
“I’m not coming with you. I’ll help in any way but I’m going home.
Some fucking way,” she whispered, wringing her hands.
“Our rule stands, little human. You are coming with us. You are now our property and you are under our protection, but you must obey.” Steen towered over her, his look of desire as intense as my own.
“Make certain and check below this level. I have a feeling some hybrids as well as those abducted from Galerius are located there.” I realized there were some of the scientists who’d made it to safety, hiding somewhere until we left.
They would be forced to contact Earth in order to beg for reinforcements.
Perhaps this is what Steen had in mind. Until help arrived, the humans would no longer be secure.
And they would fight for survival.
But we would be ready for their onslaught and they would soon perish.
“Klar and Brexin will take care of it. Take half the men,” Steen instructed. “We will head out under the cover of darkness.”
“Forget it,” she hissed, heading toward the door. “I’m glad you’re free, but I’m no one’s property. This story must be told. These experiments must be stopped.”
“And this planet must be saved. This world does not belong to humans,” Steen stated. “You are coming with us, your obedience required. Take her, Erik. We will prepare to leave. If she gives you any trouble, discipline her as necessary.”
“And the fucking doctor?” Klar asked, crouching down beside Kevin. “He’s still alive.”
“Don’t kill him. You’re not animals, no matter what this bastard led you to believe,” Cassia pleaded.
Steen and I exchanged looks, a single nod his approval.
Growling his disapproval, Klar tossed Kevin into one of the cells, locking him in. “May you rot in your own private hell.” He wrapped his arm around David, guiding him toward the door.
Brexin studied the room, searching before giving me a respectful nod.
Steen started to walk away but I grabbed his arm, pulling him aside and out of hearing distance. “What are the plans for Cassia?” I’d seen the slight hint of animosity in his expression. He was completely aware of our intimacy.
He studied me for a few seconds before speaking. “You are very connected to the girl.”
“Yes.”
“Did you know her before?”
“Not that I’m aware of.”
Steen threw a look in her direction. “You have been with the clan long enough to know our rules as well as our customs. Three will be selected to be her mates and—”
“She is not one of us,” I interrupted. I suspected she’d been used, much like the rest of us.
He issued a single snarl. “Allow me to finish, Erik. You have been a true leader to our clan in my absence. There are many who would prefer you were cast away, but you have won your place with our own. However, our customs must be followed. She is female and she is still considered our enemy. To that end, she will be trained, disciplined, and if she accepts our world and learns to obey, she will have a rich and full life.”
“And if she doesn’t?”
He offered a slight smile. “Her training is vital. She also had some medical training. That will help. Our doctors are aging.”
Hissing, I clenched my fist, a sense of jealousy spiking my adrenaline. She was hardheaded, opinionated, and the kind of woman who refused to accept domination. The Galerian customs were often brutal.
“Rest easy, my friend,” he said as he placed his hand on my shoulder. “I will honor you as you have for your king. You will be one of her mates as you are my brother.”
Brother. My blood was mixed with his blood, my DNA a mixture of human and Galerian. I nodded in respect, uncertain of our future and terrified of my past.
“And, my brother, I am aware what she means to you. The why is still troubling, but nevertheless, you have a bond already. I will allow you to begin her training, including having one night with her. Then she will be mated. Teach her the ways that you have learned. Help her understand that she is no longer on Earth and must follow our rules. I have faith in you.”
My heart thudded against my chest, fear of the unknown and understanding of human tactics weighing heavily on my mind.
“Trust, my brother. Trust.”
“What about the remaining scientists at the compound?”
I was surprised at the faraway look in Steen’s eyes, as if he was privy to a damning secret.
“Others from your Earth will come. They will hunt our kind in order to make us into slaves. We will not allow that to happen. We know their weaknesses as well as their needs. Now, ready her for the travel. We will search for others. I can feel them caged in the treacherous and darkest places within this facility.”
Their needs. I had a difficult time believing that creating a new species had anything to do with the various clans’ abilities to withstand the harsh elements.
After Steen, Brexin, and Klar left, Cassia inched closer. “Who are they? What were you discussing?”
“Steen and Klar are leaders of the main Galerian clan, both abducted by Kevin and his men in order to carry out their blasphemous experiments. And our discussions are private.” I remained wary of her questions. I had no way of knowing about her involvement level.
“Galerian,” she repeated. “Aliens.”
I nodded.
“And Brexin?” She bit her lower lip.
“A trusted friend.”
“Everything the members of this facility did is horrible and nothing like what we were told, what Earth was told was going to happen. The experiments were only supposed to be done on human volunteers, bolstering strength and the basic DNA structure, not splicing. Let me contact Earth. Please. I can help you.”