Chapter 8
Erik
I stood over her, studying her face in the dim lighting.
Finally, she was sleeping. While I hated to lock her in, I was well aware it was for her own good.
She’d already attempted escape once, finding out the hard way that she was ill equipped to handle the changing elements.
She’d begged me several times to allow her to go home.
Home.
Hearing her speak of the concept was interesting. I could barely remember Earth, my memories clouded with everything in my new life. I was certain the drugs had eradicated certain portions of my memory—just as Kevin had hoped. I couldn’t miss what I didn’t remember.
Still, the meaning held no real understanding in my mind, no sense of peace or joy. The complex city was secure, underground storage bins filled with food and drink, but there was nothing special for me in the barren place.
Or maybe my heart was simply barren. I was a man without identification.
Spanking her had been cathartic, freeing in more ways than I cared to admit.
Fucking her had ignited passions I’d long since thought dead.
I had little memory of sharing passion in my former life, but there had been a nagging in my heart.
Cassia was like fine wine, soothing to my very soul, but there was a darkness still residing deep within.
Tonight, I’d be forced to share her in every way, but only I could love her like I knew in my heart she truly needed.
What the fuck did I know about love? I bit back a dark chuckle as I studied her as she slept. She’d fallen into a lion’s den in so many ways. Keeping her safe would prove to be one of the most difficult things I’d ever done. Why?
Because I was a killer.
Bred to be a killer.
At least I’d had one wonderful chance to be with her alone. I wondered what other mates Steen would choose and just how much she would fight the decision. I couldn’t help but admire her tenacity. She was so different than the Galerian women, what few there were.
Crouching down next to her, I dared slide a strand of hair from her face, marveling in the softness of her skin.
My balls tightened just seeing the hard points of her nipples pressing against the thin shirt she was wearing.
She had no trust in anything or anyone. My hand lingered, my mouth bone dry.
Every muscle began to shake, my limbs heavy.
She was my destiny.
Cassia sighed, seeming to sense her aroused condition even in her fitful sleep. She tugged at her shirt, moaning ever so softly.
God, the woman was beautiful. I knew nothing about her, other than the electricity coursing through both our veins was unusual.
I dragged my finger down the side of her face, barely able to contain my yearning.
I was more beast than man and my needs could not be denied for an extended period of time.
I was worried, fearful of survivors within the scientific facility.
Whatever Kevin had meant by Cassia being special, I had the distinct feeling that she was a catalyst for the project, which meant they would come for her.
Moaning, she shifted, kicking off the covers.
The sight of her long legs awakened the darkness from within.
Leaning over, I took a deep whiff of her scent, my mouth watering.
The shirt barely hid her sweet little pussy and with all the control I had, I resisted tasting her.
Another hiss furled from my mouth, my desire forcing me to look away.
I adjusted the soft blanket over her, taking a deep breath. Before I stood, I glanced at her one last time.
Her eyes were open and while they seemed to be unfocused, I could still see the rebelliousness in them as well as anger. She would try to run yet again if she had the chance.
“You’re safe. Sleep.”
Without making a sound, she curled on her side, doing her best to ignore me.
I walked out, locking the door, heading to a small landscaped area.
The surroundings were beautiful, the native plants able to tolerate the extreme weather conditions.
The storm had finally given way to another round of scorching heat, the bright glow almost blinding.
Sensing Steen, I bristled, surprised at my reaction.
Still, I was in no mood to discuss outcomes or another battle.
“The female is asleep?” he asked.
“Yes. She’s angry and upset. Everyone who arrived on that shuttle is dead, two at the hands of the humans.”
“The scientists never intended for them to return to Earth, Erik, especially once they figured out what was really going on within the walls.”
“No. They were hiding what they’d been doing from Earth.”
“Were they, Erik? Think about what occurred. Everything was well planned. They have at least one hundred people living in that compound, but from what I heard, they are telling everyone only two dozen. The men who took Klar and the others were trained soldiers. They knew exactly where to find us and when we’d be most vulnerable.
That isn’t the mark of rogue scientists.
I’ve studied humans, as well as other species over several years. This was a military operation.”
He was right. I’d heard whispers and seen enough of the facility to know there were underground living quarters everywhere.
The drugs certainly hadn’t eliminated certain memory banks.
The militia-style control on Earth was very organized and well planned, much like this operation.
At least until now. “Hunting the clans was their original goal.”
“Yes, and the humans will continue to hunt us while they are looking for her. I sensed the minute she came into the chambers that she was brought to this planet for a specific reason.”
I shifted, caught off guard by his statement. Why would he suspect something of this nature? “This is something you knew before?”
He exhaled. “This is what I suspect from hearing Dr. Fields and Dr. Mason talking, especially when they had no depth of knowledge about my language skills. However, no names were mentioned, only a test. I would bet Cassia is that test. Why? Perhaps our little mate has an idea.” A chuckle was followed by a shake of his head.
“Humans are interesting. They have no concept of how intelligent we truly are. Did you know there are some of us that are versed in over one thousand languages?”
Steen’s commentary had a way of making me smile. “That doesn’t surprise me.”
“Humans believe because we live simply that we are true beasts, foraging for our food as their ancestors did thousands of years ago.”
“Galerius or Earth Two isn’t your planet. The rumors are true.”
He snorted, his eyes opening wide. “I don’t know about the rumors, but you are very intelligent, my brother.
We are from another galaxy altogether. This was merely a…
Let’s just say it was a stop heading toward another destination.
Unfortunately, our ships were damaged on entry, our trajectory completely skewed based on an asteroid field that we should have seen coming. ”
“Your people have no clue where you are.”
“They only have a general idea but with damaged systems, they can’t hone in on our location.”
“You believed the arrival of humans were other Galerians.” Now, I understand why they were living in such a primitive fashion.
Steen glanced toward the sky. “We hoped, even attempting some level of friendship when we found out otherwise. The humans wanted no part, only the land we staked as our own.”
“You had no idea about their scientific studies?”
“Not at first. Only when a few members began to disappear from other cities did I become concerned.”
The news was as horrifying as what the scientists were doing. “There is no way to communicate at all with your world?”
“We have limited communications, but years have gone by, repairs needed, and the men who served on the ships dead or unable to make them work. Our lifespan is longer than that of humans, but we succumb to disease and age in a similar manner. This is our home now and we will fight to keep it.”
“What else do you know about Earth’s plans? Kevin enjoys gloating about his achievements. You must have overheard something.”
He gave me a pensive look, searching my eyes. Was he looking for my loyalty or merely answers to questions? “It is a known fact that the DNA of Galerians is not compatible with that of humans. He certainly didn’t care to listen to me.”
“Then how do you explain what I’m turning into, or David, or the others?”
Lifting his eyebrow, he had a twinkle in his eyes. “I didn’t say with regard to splicing our DNA. I will give your scientists credit. What they managed to do is nothing short of extraordinary.”
I wasn’t entirely certain what he was getting at. “What reason was Cassia brought to Galerius?”
“A test of some kind. There will be other females sent, if they aren’t already on their way.”
“To reproduce.”
Steen chuckled. “Also not possible.”
“I don’t believe that Cassia has any true understanding of any of this.
” I thought about Galerius, the beautiful terrain even in the harsh conditions was very similar to Earth, too much so to go unprotected.
Then I thought about Earth, trying to remember what it looked like. Everything was slipping away.
“Perhaps, but she will still need to be treated as an enemy for the time being. Until we know for certain.”
“Is that necessary?”
He exhaled as he moved closer to the opening.
“You are a man of few words, Erik. You also completely understand our customs, even better than some of our own kind. If she is as important to the survival of Earth Two as I believe she is, there is a possibility that she is very aware of her standings and simply lying to us. We will know with time. Even if she doesn’t know, she may never accept her status within our clan.
We will go on with tonight’s ceremony as planned. ”
“Yes, as I suspected you would.”
“But you don’t agree.” Steen had a smirk on his face.
“I’m not to question your leadership, Steen. I can understand your decision.”