CHAPTER 13
After Ishtar’s announcement, silence fell until Sage whispered, “The cruelest of deaths is having one’s spirit taken. Imprisoned rather than floating flee. A torture without compare.”
Aries cleared his throat. “Meaning it feeds on souls. Nice to know they actually exist. Now to see what we can do to prevent it.”
“I’m sorry. I know it’s not what you perhaps wanted to hear. However, it seems likely that their destruction frees those trapped in its energy web.”
“Meaning I need to get to work finding a way to blast the fucker without destroying Earth in the process.” Reece glanced at Ishtar. “And I haven’t forgotten my promise to you.”
She shook her head. “Forget about Mars. It was a foolish and impossible request. Saving this planet is more important now, hence why I chose to cooperate.”
“We’ll see,” was all Reece said. “If that’s all, boss?”
“Go. I’m going to contact those in the field and give them their new orders. Since you’ll be busy working on destroying our alien invader, I’m going to set Pisces on the task of creating a Satanic counter group.” Aries smirked. “Can’t believe I even said that.”
“You know,” Sage murmured to Aries, “you could be its leader. You still have those sexy leather pants from your rock and roll days.”
As Ishtar and Reece left, he chuckled. “You should have seen the boss back in the seventies. Rather than polyester bell bottoms and wide-collared shirts, he went leather rocker with spiked hair and chains.”
“I still remember my shock at how short the skirts were,” Ishtar murmured.
“Bet you looked smoking in them,” Reece added, giving her an admiring glance. It warmed her head to toe and made her wish they could head back to her room rather than to his office. But duty came first.
While Reece communicated with his AI, she borrowed a computer and began working through the details of the plan still forming in her mind.
She already knew Reece wouldn’t find a way to destroy the Kukakk energy without causing damage to Earth.
The resulting explosion of energy might spare flesh and even structures; however, the invisible effect on the magnetic field couldn’t be stopped.
She said nothing, though, letting him analyze and run simulations while she prepped.
She hated that they’d begun developing an intimate rapport and here she was, not exactly lying but also not revealing what she had in mind—because she knew he’d try to stop her.
Later, he’d likely understand, maybe even thank her.
After all, if her idea worked, then not only would this planet and its people be preserved, she’d also save his life.
Despite the short time they’d spent together, he’d come to mean so much to her, not unusual in cases where a vinceros bond formed.
Those who’d analyzed it theorized it had to do with two compatible spirits immediately accepting each other.
Even without it, she recognized his potential for future good, his deep sense of honor, an honor that would have had him embracing death to keep a promise.
She couldn’t go back in time and take back her impossible request, but she could ensure he never had a chance to try.
Mars would have to remain a dusty inhabitable planet.
As for those frozen in stasis? Time for them to wake and make a choice.
Relocate to Earth and resume living or return to an eternal sleep.
Meeting Reece had opened her eyes to the fact she—and those who’d entered a stasis state—had chosen to hold on to a past that was forever gone.
Seeing the Earth in the same peril might have brought back the unpleasant memories of her conflict with the Kukakk, but at the same time, she finally realized that, even given the outcome, she’d have still launched the bombs.
Yes, the resulting blast killed Mars and forced her people to evacuate, but had she done nothing, her planet would have died anyhow and her people with it.
Earth now stood at the same crossroads with one major difference. Humanity, who carried the blood of her people, had nowhere to flee. The Kukakk had to be destroyed, and she had an idea of how to achieve that without ruining another planet.
When she left the toiling Reece that afternoon, under the guise of needing a break, she presented her plan to Aries. Someone should know the details of her plot, if only to explain to Reece why she’d kept it secret.
Aries listened and asked a few questions before saying, “Are you sure you want to do this? You’ve barely given Aquarius time to find another solution.”
She nodded. “It’s the only way. Every moment we delay, people die, and before you mention that prophecy, understand I am doing this to ensure it doesn’t come to pass.”
“You don’t want Aquarius to die.”
“I don’t want anyone to die for a planet that hasn’t had a future since the day the bombs went off.”
“In that case, good luck. If you need anything…”
She shook her head. “I shouldn’t. Between the Kukakk’s greed and its arrogance, it likely won’t realize what I’ve planned until it’s too late. The only thing I ask of you is to keep Reece busy so he doesn’t try and stop me.”
“You know he would.” Aries shook his head. “He’s going to be pissed, especially since I think he’s mentally prepared himself to be a martyr to save the world.”
“Because he’s a true hero.” Selfless, courageous, and confident. The kind of person who could do so much good still.
After Ishtar left Aries, she continued with her preparation.
While she’d initially planned to set the plan in motion that evening, things didn’t work out that way due to a delay she couldn’t control.
While she hated the fact innocents would die between now and the morning, it did mean she would get to spend one last night with Reece. One last moment before…
She refused to think about what would happen on the morrow, lest she lose her nerve. How ironic that, after eons of being alone, she’d found the will to live and be happy, only to face the loss of it after barely getting to enjoy it.
Early evening, she returned to Reece’s office.
He whirled in his chair and greeted her with a smile.
“Hey, Queenie. No luck yet on the bomb front, but in good news, the original Alien Jesus is dead. Leo blew him apart while he was live streaming. Within an hour of presenting his newly invaded body, Scorpio took him out. The internet is going wild. Some are now claiming he’s a false prophet, while others are convinced his resurrection in a new host is a sign of his godliness.
I’m even seeing a few people start theorizing he’s an alien stealing bodies. ”
Given his wide grin, she theorized, “I don’t suppose you began that last rumor?”
“Who, me?” He failed the wide-eyed innocent look.
She laughed and shook her head. “At least you’re keeping the Kukakk off balance. Bummer about the bomb, though.”
“Yeah, but I’m not giving up yet. You were right that the blast can’t be any weaker. It’s insane how much opposing energy is needed to break the Kukakk apart.”
“Have you run simulations on what effect the concussion from the energies colliding will have on Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere?”
“Yeah. and it’s not good. It will definitely fuck with our planet.
I’m just not sure how bad yet. There’s apparently a forty-seven percent chance it will shock the Earth’s core into stopping.
A seventy-two percent certainty it will shred a hole in our atmosphere so big all kinds of nasty stuff could happen.
At least in that option, relocation would still be possible, and if we work fast enough, we might be able to repair the damage. ”
“I’d worry more about the former. If the core ceases to rotate …”
“It would mean the end of us all.” His lips turned down.
“You should take a break. Let your brain relax. Get some food and sleep.” The next part emerged softer and shyer, “I took the liberty of asking Nimrod to serve us dinner in my room. That is assuming you’d—”
“Fuck yeah.” He bounced from his chair. “Dinner with you is exactly what I need.”
His enthusiasm only served to concrete her decision. They headed to the stairs for a zoom, not to her room but to the rooftop, where Nimrod had outdone itself. A table set with candles and domed dishes awaited.
Reece glanced down at himself. “I feel underdressed.”
She laughed. “I would have said you have on too many clothes.” Bold? Yes, but if this was their last night, she couldn’t afford to be coy.
“Queenie, you keep talking like that and we might have to skip dinner and go right to dessert.”
She moved toward him and laced her arms around his neck. “I’m not that hungry yet. Not for food at any rate.”
Not a subtle hint, but he didn’t seem to mind, as he took her into his arms and crushed her mouth with his. Passion immediately swept through her as their lips slid and caressed. Their matching hunger led to their teeth clashing clumsily, drawing a giggle from her.
“I think we’re both a little too eager.”
“Sorry.”
“Don’t be,” she murmured. “I kind of like the fact being with me makes you lose control. If it helps, I feel the same way.”
He replied with a kiss and roaming hands. Clothing hit the rooftop, leaving them both bare but not cold. Nimrod warmed the air and, being a bit of a romantic, brought a mattress for them to fall upon.
They clung together under the stairs, their bare flesh pressed tight, writhing enough the friction energized every single nerve ending.
His hand slid between her thighs, and she moaned as he stroked her already slick pussy.
The last time, he’d showered her with pleasure.
This time, she wanted to give back. She reached for his shaft and found him hard.
Steel wrapped in velvety soft skin. Her hand slid up and down the length of him, drawing a hiss, and his hips jerked in time to her motion.
“Keep doing that and I am going to embarrass myself,” he grumbled.
She would have kept stroking if he’d not broken off their embrace and shifted his body, moving him out of reach.
He kissed his way down her body, his lips caressing her breasts, the valley between them.
He tickled his way down her over her belly to her pubes, his goal evident and bringing a tremble to her limbs.
A push of his face against the vee of her thighs parted them, and she sighed and arched her back as he blew hotly on her sex. But he didn’t latch on, instead kissing the soft skin of her inner thigh, teasing her until she grabbed him by the hair and tugged.
It drew a chuckle from him. “So impatient.”
“Play later. I need you now,” she growled.
“As my queen commands.” He planted a kiss on her sex before burying his tongue, lapping at the core of her, his hands reaching under to cup her ass cheeks, lifting her that he might feast more thoroughly.
Her head thrashed side to side as he teased her sensitive clit, his tongue flicking the nub, tugging it, applying pressure that had her channel tightening in anticipation.
Her hips moved in time to his tongue flicks and quickened when he put some fingers into play. He thrust two digits into her sheath, and she tightened around them, squeezing and feeling the pressure within her mount.
Her peak approached as he fingered her, all the while licking her clit. She quivered and panted before crying out, her hips bucking, her body rigid as her orgasm unleashed.
Once more, he’d made sure she climaxed, but this time, he didn’t stop. He kept flicking and teasing, his fingers pumping, taking the dying ebbs of her orgasm and rolling it into a fresh tightening.
She reached the edge quickly, only, this time, he didn’t finish her off with his mouth and fingers.
He reared upright and palmed her ass cheeks, lifting her enough her sex aligned with his shaft.
The thick head of him parted her nether lips, and she sighed as he pushed into her, stretching and filling her in a way that almost had her coming.
She fought off the orgasm, wanting to draw it out, extend the pleasure.
He pushed into her trembling channel, and she clenched tight. So tight that when he went to pull back, he grunted. Her pussy didn’t want to let go. He managed to pull out enough he could thrust deep.
She cried out as he hit her pleasure spot.
He withdrew and pushed in again.
Over and over.
The slow rhythm increased in pace until he pistoned into her, her legs wrapped around his flanks, her fingers digging into him as she held on for the wild ride.
When her second orgasm began to ripple, her entire sex tightened, and he threw back his head, yelling his pleasure to the stars that watched.
Stars that witnessed way too much that night as they feasted, not just on the food but each other. Please don’t let him detect the desperation in her caresses. The frantic need to experience as much as possible in the short time they had left.
Eventually they fell asleep on the rooftop mattress, awakening in her room. Nimrod having moved them while they slept.
“Morning,” he gruffly said, stroking her flank.
Sounded like an invitation to make it good.
They made love, softly and sweetly, and when they lay entwined after, he noticed the faint hint of tears brimming.
“You okay?” he asked.
“Fine. Just happy.” She reached out to cup his cheek. “I’m really glad you invaded my lair.”
“Thank you for giving me a chance.”
“We should probably get going. Fate of the world and all.” She offered a slightly brittle laugh.
“Yeah, guess we should.” He rolled out of bed and stretched, and she admired his magnificent body one last time. “I’ve got an idea I want to run by Little Star.” He grabbed at the clothes laid over a bench. “You coming?”
“Later. I’ve got something I need to do first.” She hoped he didn’t hear the tremor in her voice.
“Okay.” He finished dressing and then came close to plant a lingering kiss. “See you soon.”
As he left, she whispered, “I really hope you do.”
But that all depended on how her plan went.