Chapter 16 – Kerra
Motok didn’t follow as I was led away from the Vindicator and the only people – make that aliens – that I knew on this planet. The senators seemed friendly enough, but I was still uneasy. Why was I escorted by so many guards? Clearly, I wasn’t any kind of threat.
We reached the entrance to a giant complex that towered so high into the sky I could barely see the top of the structure.
The domed building was a shade of blue so light it was almost silvery in appearance.
The Vindar sky was a light shade of violet without any clouds to blemish its lovely warm hue.
I saw a glimpse of two suns shining with golden and greenish hues.
The view was beautiful, but I was unable to enjoy it.
My observation was interrupted when I was yanked roughly forward by one of the senators.
The one who introduced himself as Bly wrapped his large silver hand tightly around my upper arm and began to drag me toward a long corridor.
The other senator – Rymar, I believe – did nothing to intervene.
In fact, none of the guards stopped Bly from touching me at all.
Immediately on the defensive, I began to fight my captor. “Let me go!”
“You will follow along and do as you are told, human. Do not make this difficult.”
“I want Motok!” I screeched as I pulled and struggled in an effort to gain my freedom.
“Fight me and I will be forced to take drastic action.”
“Motok!” I screamed as the doors of this domed prison swished closed behind us. “Motok!”
“He will not hear you and he isn’t coming to your rescue. Motok is Commander of the Braxthar Legion and will obey the directives given by those in leadership. The council controls his decisions. You are alone, human. Accept your fate.”
No way in hell! “Take your hands off me! Now!”
The senator lifted a blaster and indicated the setting with a sweeping gesture. Kill. “I am not opposed to using this if necessary.”
My struggles ceased as I allowed him to lead our group toward an unknown location.
I kept my gaze focused straight ahead and barely paid attention to the opulent décor and warm colors that lined the halls, reminiscent of the Vindar sky and suns.
Symbols were etched into the archways and doors that mirrored the tattoo that was imprinted on my wrist. None of this made sense and I was filled with a sense of dread.
We reached some sort of barren hallway and he indicated that everyone could leave us.
I was alone with Bly as the doors whooshed open and we entered a sparse room that reminded me of a jail cell.
Only a bed, toilet, and sink filled the area.
He smirked as I yanked my arm free and began to back away from him cautiously.
The cell doors shut as Senator Bly paced in front of me, his lips twisted into a sadistic grin.
“You’ve been most helpful. I originally only wanted to arrange for Motok’s failure and subsequent death, but you’ve made it so much easier.
Once he finds your ravaged corpse, he’ll become our weapon against the Conclave and the massacre of human women. ”
What massacre? Gulping, I realized he meant an event that had yet to happen but certainly would in the future. Earth was in danger.
My eyes widened at the use of the word ravaged. Whatever he was planning would mean a war between Earth, Vindar, and the Galactic Conclave. “You’re delusional. Actually, you’re completely psychotic.”
Bly chuckled deeply. “I don’t act alone. The council has been planning a bit of a surprise for you, Kerra Hargrave.”
“You’re violating at least a dozen treaties and laws,” I spat, staring at the alien with contempt. “I’m a human. A protected species. You can’t keep me here against my will. I know what the Cardinal Edict says.”
“Your defiance is admirable, but it didn’t save your sister and it won’t save you.”
“What did you just say?” I felt like he’d punched me in the gut. My body fell forward and I sank to the ground in dismay. “What do you know of my sister?”
Until now, I hadn’t been overly concerned about Kacie.
She’d been late to arrive before and a few days wasn’t cause for hysterics.
I was waiting for an email, text, or call.
With horror, the thought that she needed me and had been unable to reach me since I wasn’t home on Earth sank in. Had she been harmed? Taken prisoner?
“Much more than you will ever know,” he answered with glee. “I think it’s time you saw what happens when we are defied. Kacie learned her lesson quite brutally. I wonder if you’ll require the same motivation.”
A holographic screen appeared on the far wall as a video began to play.
It took only seconds for me to recognize my sister.
“Kacie!” I screamed as I jumped to my feet and ran forward, only to fall to my knees seconds later.
Shocked, I watched as she fought off her numerous attackers but soon couldn’t keep up with the effort.
Her body was tugged between the aliens – Zhorn and a few others I couldn’t name – and stripped of her clothes.
Her cries echoed into the room as she fought and screamed but couldn’t stop so many from taking her at once.
My hands lifted over my ears and I cried out, screaming above the sounds that caused my body to heave in disgust. No! “Turn it off! Please, I beg you!” Turning my head, I vomited on the floor, the vile sounds and knowledge too much to endure.
Senator Bly laughed as he hit a few buttons and the screen froze on her terrified face. “Do you want to see how she died? How they kept fucking her long after her life left her body? Would you like to witness the vacant expression in her eyes?”
Hatred for this man spread into every cell in my body.
He was responsible for my sister’s death and seemed to enjoy her suffering.
I could hardly comprehend such degradation and cruelty.
Rage exploded in my chest and combined with a wail of sorrow and horror I couldn’t control.
One minute I was on the ground and crying out with despair, and the next I was clawing, scratching, and fighting the evil alien before me, determined to make him suffer.
Bly lashed out as his fist connected with my jaw and I was sent sprawling backward.
“Maybe you need a dose of her medication to keep you in line. Don’t worry, I won’t kill you. I want to keep you around so I can fuck you whenever I please. Your tight pink hole will be mine for as long as I wish.”
He began to tear at my pants and yanked them away in shreds, forcefully shoving my thighs apart.
My struggles were in vain. He was much larger and heavier, his wide frame at least twice my weight and strength.
One hand pushed down on my chest and held my body still as he fumbled with his pants.
Screaming with the awful realization of what he intended, I didn’t notice the cell door had opened.
My brave warrior burst into the room and roared as he saw Senator Bly release his cock and try to shove his engorged member inside me.
Bly was yanked away by Rexnor and Orion as Motok picked me up and covered my body with his cloak.
Yelling with rage, his face was pinched with concern.
He seemed torn between going after my attacker and ensuring I was safe.
“He didn’t,” I gasped, my voice choking on the words. “He almost . . .”
Motok was trembling as he held me in his arms and refused to let go. “I got here in time. You’re safe now, my mate.” He smoothed my hair and cupped my face, his hands shaking slightly. “My love. Nothing will harm you again. I swear it.”
“You left me,” I cried out, pushing him away. “You broke your promise.”
“My hearts,” he whispered with conviction. “I’m sorry. It was a foolish mistake. I beg your forgiveness.”
“Hearts?”
“Braxtharians have two hearts. Twice the love.” He tilted my chin upward. “You are mine. My one. My hearts. I do not breathe or exist without you.”
“Oh, Tok,” I wailed as I launched myself into his arms. “Does this mean you came to take me back?”
“There is no life without you in it. I will always take you back. Always, my Venya.”
He caught me with ease as I wrapped my arms and legs around him, refusing to be pulled apart. Our lips met in a frenzied kiss, his mouth capturing mine with a promise far greater than any words. My savior. My fierce protector. My lover.
Motok was my mate. His hearts commanded and owned my own. Until this moment, I didn’t understand. Motok was everything to me now. “Always,” I whispered back.
Rexnor cleared his throat. “The Senator is subdued. I suggest we leave him here in this cell to rot.”
Motok nodded to his brother. “Yes, he deserves far more punishment but there isn’t time. Bly is only half the problem. Rymar is also to blame.”
Orion tugged Bly to a set of chains and clasped his wrists and ankles into the heavy irons. I didn’t notice them previously, too preoccupied with the shock of his revelation. “It’s an old form of restraint but an appropriate one.”
Motok slipped his hand into mine and we left the cell, moving quickly until we entered some kind of medical room full of equipment.
My brave warrior lifted me up by the hips and sat my bottom on the cool surface of an exam table.
As his brother’s backs turned, Valtus also looked away while my mate helped me dress into more suitable clothing.
Lifting a hand, he brushed his fingers across my cheek. “We need to confirm something.”
I didn’t protest as they took a few samples of blood and Valtus began to synthesize the results. Minutes later he grinned and slapped his thigh. “Just as I said, a normal human female.”
Motok snorted. “She’s rather remarkable in my opinion.”
“I hate to say I told you so,” I blurted, “but I said this already, Tok.”
“I know this, my Venya.”
“She’s also part Braxthar.”
What? Did I just hear Valtus correctly? “Excuse me?”
“You have about twenty percent of your DNA from a Braxtharian ancestor.”
“I’m a fucking alien? Holy shit!”
All three men chuckled.
“What does this mean?” I asked, glancing up at Motok.
“We’re incredibly compatible. Our bond is strong.”
A loud laugh launched from Valtus’s throat. “There is one more thing you both should know.”
“Tell me,” my warrior ordered, his expression slightly tense. He didn’t like surprises. “I hate these guessing games.”
“You’ve got nine long Earth months to figure it out.”
My jaw dropped and I shook my head, suddenly dizzy. “What?” There’s no way . . .
“It could be a span. No way to know for sure how long the gestation will be.”
“I think what he’s saying,” Orion laughed, slapping a mute Motok on the back. “Is that my brother is going to have a son.”
“Or a daughter,” Rexnor added. “I guess there’s no doubt our species are more than compatible with humans.”
“Part human,” Valtus clarified.
This was too much. I felt almost weak, my vision tunneling for a few seconds.
“How is this possible? It’s too soon to be able to tell.” My voice was too high, and I felt like I was going to pass out. How could this happen so quickly? Motok must have super sperm.
My hands lowered to my stomach as a small smile tugged at the corners of my lips.
Alien technology was most impressive.
“Aren’t you going to say anything?” Valtus teased. “You’re not doing a good job of showing your mate how you feel.”
Nervously, I looked up and caught the strange expression of the alien commander that I loved. “Tok?”
“My hearts,” he choked, clearing his throat. “I don’t know how to . . .” he croaked. “I will have a child. I never thought I’d find my one and be a father.” Tears glistened in his eyes. “Kerra, my Venya, I love you.”
It was about time he admitted it.
“As much as I love you,” I replied with all the emotion that churned within. “My one.”