Alien Captain's Prisoner Page 13

  His huge fist slams the button to open the door. An Aurelian soldier is standing on the other side, panting from sprinting to the captain’s quarters.

  “You weren’t answering your comms, sir!”

  “I shut it off,” Aelon growls, panting with his frustrated arousal. “In the name of the Gods, this had better be important.”

  The Aurelian nods.

  “Sir – Kit’s triad attempted to rape the other female prisoner!”

  The other female prisoner – Sawoot!

  Instantly, my arousal vanishes – my heated desire turning to ice-cold focus.

  I stand from the couch, legs still wobbly. I’m still naked except for my t-shirt, and I look around the floor for my discarded pants.

  Up at the doorway, the soldier is filling in his captain.

  “We stopped them, sir. They’re caught and subdued, waiting for your judgement.”

  It’s crazy how my arousal disappears as quickly as it was ignited – snuffed out like a candle. An even more fiery emotion replaces it. Utter, consuming rage.

  Still clutching my pants in one hand, I race across the room – ignoring the pain in my backside as I rush forward and slam my fists into Aelon’s huge back again and again.

  “You idiot! You reckless bastard!”

  I hammer at Aelon with all the rage I can muster – but I might as well be pummeling a brick wall for all the good it does. The towering Aurelian is like a statue, totally unmoved by my furious blows.

  Still, I continue - raging:

  “How could you think it was a smart idea to spank me in front of a crew of men who haven’t seen a woman in…”

  Aelon whips around and slams me against the wall – his hand only coming up at the last second to rest behind my head so I don’t smash my brains out on the hard metal.

  Aelon pins me against the wall, and his right hand closes around my throat. He holds me there, forcing me to meet his eyes.

  Then, as suddenly as he snapped, he lets go.

  I drop to the floor, clutching my throat. With one squeeze, he could have ended my life just then – and it makes me realize that beneath his cynical, cocky exterior, there’s a rage that controls him, always lurking beneath the surface.

  As I gasp for breath, Aelon stalks out of the doorway, totally ignoring me. His battle-brothers follow behind, without even sparing me a glance.

  I’m suddenly left in Aelon’s bedchamber, all alone.

  “Fuck!”

  I just hope Sawoot’s okay. The soldier said they attempted to rape her. I’m just glad somebody stopped them. Sawoot is a feisty and defiant spitfire of a woman – but even she would be powerless against three horny, sex-crazed Aurelians.

  I trip over myself as I pull my pants and panties back on, the harsh material rough against my aching ass – but the pain is the least of my worries as I run after Aelon, Vinicus and Iunia as they stride down the hallway.

  The three Aurelians are moving like angels of death. Aelon has his hand on the hilt of his Orb-Blade – the signature weapons of an Aurelian warrior.

  All Aurelians who serve in the Aurelian Army – to which each of them owes a hundred years of service - is granted a shard of Orb with which to craft their own Orb-Weapon. The weapons themselves are worth a fortune – the rarest and most deadly hand-to-hand weapons known to existence.

  At a glance, an Orb-Blade looks like nothing more than a hilt, crafted from the bone of some alien creature. The hilt has no buttons on it – nothing except for the shard of Orb, embedded in the bone – and no one knows how Aurelian warriors activate their weapons…

  …but, when they do, blood is always spilled.

  The moment an Orb-Weapon is activated, the blade or edge of the crafted weapon shimmers into existence – wrought in blackish-blue energy that is both solid and intangible, blacker than black yet somehow glowing. An Orb-Blade can cut through anything; and they hum and pulsate like they thirst for the blood they spill.

  I’m sharply aware of Aelon’s hand on the hilt of his weapon as I follow the aliens back to the mess hall where I’d been punished. As we burst into the room, the atmosphere is far different to the last time I was there.

  Now, there’s a nervous, tense energy in the room.

  Many Aurelians are gathered all around us – but they’re not jeering or cheering this time. Instead, they’re looking at three Aurelians gathered in the center of the room, bound in handcuffs and down on their knees.

  Sawoot stands there too – guarded by three more Aurelian warriors at the side of the room. I run up to her, and the warriors part before me so I can embrace my first officer in a tight hug.

  Her hair is all amuck, and she’s clearly scared – but she looks up bravely as we embrace.

  “Are you okay? What happened?”

  “Those… those animals,” Sawoot shudders. “Iunia escorted me back to the cells. I guess the three who attacked me had the keys, though. They waited for him to leave, and then came in quietly – grabbing me by the mouth before I could scream for help.”

  Sawoot gulps dryly.

  “If it wasn’t for this triad,” she indicates the three Aurelians surrounding her, “who rushed in, called for reinforcements, and then beat down my attackers…” She shivers. “I don’t even want to think what might have happened.”

  The three Aurelians guarding Sawoot form a protective wall between her and the rest of the crew. I’m so grateful that they were there to protect Sawoot – but I don’t have time for gratitude.

  “Aelon will pay for letting this happen,” I snarl, finding myself once again hating the man.

  The hatred I feel for him is just a distraction from my own guilt, though. I know it, and it just makes the situation worse. I was responsible for my crew. I was responsible for Sawoot. I let myself be separated from her in my lust for those three aliens – no better than some dumb harem girl, instead of the captain I style myself as, who always makes sure her crew is safe.

  The shame I feel for letting Sawoot fall into danger is even worse than the shame I felt from being spanked in front of the crowd of Aurelians and my own snickering crew.

  “I’m okay, I’m okay,” Sawoot reassures me, her voice shaky but strong. She’s vulnerable, yet powerful at the same time. Sawoot’s a survivor – just like me.

  Captain Aelon steps forward. He now stands in front of the three accused Aurelians. Behind them stand another triad, holding them in place – as if they don’t trust the handcuffs to do the job. The Orb-Weapons of the captured men are placed on the floor behind them – just useless hilts, with the unspoken promise of deadly power waiting to be unleashed.

  “Let them go!”

  Captain Aelon barks the command – and the Aurelians holding the would-be rapists step back, releasing them.

  Now, Aelon stands facing his crew alone.

  7

  Aelon

  I stare at the three accused men.

  We grew up together.

  I remember laughing in the courtyards with them – during those brief moments of shared emotion before Aurelian culture taught us to hide our feeling, and conceal both our happiness and pain.

  These three men and I… We’d laughed about our old professors together, far past their prime. We’d scoffed at the likes of them – former warriors who now spent more time indulging in their harems than fighting the battles we were poised to. They taught us basic strategies, and we mocked them for it.

  These three men had joined my crew after our hundred years of service because I knew them, trusted them, and had served with them.

  Their names were Kit, Anton, and Gaul.

  Three good men. They’d served in my unit during our hundred years of service. When the incident with the Toads had happened – the one that fills me with hatred for that species, even now – they’d been the ones who’d wanted to go against our leader’s orders and save the women with me.

  They’d had to be held back by our General, just as they’d been restrained moments earlier by
another of my triads.

  These men… When I’d gone off on my own to form a protection business, they stood loyal by me. They’d followed me into the private sector. They were with me when I’d started my business with three other triads – offering to provide protection to the humans who dared do trade in the untamed sector between the Human Alliance and the Aurelian Empire – where Scorp attacks and space pirates filled their routes with danger and uncertainty.

  I even remember a Scorp Queen once rearing up over me, in the midst of one of our early battles – when I’d been able to fight side-by-side with my men, rather than commanding them from the safety of The Instigator.

  I’d have been a dead man, if Kit hadn’t pulled me away at the last second. The sound of that Queen’s barb clinking against the stone – instead of piercing my body and pumping me full of venom – still haunts my dreams.

  If it wasn’t for these three men – the men now currently on their knees in front of me – I’d have died deep underground, screaming in agony as my blood boiled. Kit saved my life.

  Now look where we are.

  I study him as he kneels in front of me. He’s grown a beard since those early days, and he’s earned a patchwork of scars from his decades of service in my agency. He has the same hard look now that he did as a fresh warrior. Kit’s never been a man to back down. He’s always been a man you could rely on to have your back.

  Why would you do such a stupid thing?

  “Let me stand and face you like a man,” Kit growls.

  I can grant him that. I pull him up to his feet, helping him since his hands are cuffed behind his back.

  I demand: “Why?”

  Kit holds his head up high. He has no shame – as if he hadn’t just attempted the most heinous crime possible in the eyes of Aurelian law.

  Rape. Taking what’s not yours. Given the value women have to our species – reliant as we are on them for our very survival – such an offense is seen as the most egregious; worse than even murder or theft.

  “I did it because she’s ours,” Kit growls. “I smelled it on her when she was walking out of the mess hall. She smells right, Captain Aelon. She’s our Fated Mate – I know it in my soul.”

  “So, you tried to take her by force?”

  Kit’s eyes narrow. “Yes.”

  He takes a deep breath.

  “We left the Empire for a reason, Captain Aelon. Fuck their oppressive laws that restrain us! We’re men. We’re Aurelians! We take what is ours – and she belongs to us!”

  There’s a rumble of agreement from some of my crew watching this scene unfold – but they’re quickly shut down by the others.

  Not all Aurelians are happy with the direction the Aurelian Empire has been heading in. Some of our kind yearn for the old days – during which Aurelian triads swept the universe and grabbed up human women wherever they found them; forcing them to join their harems.

  There are some within my very own crew who’d turn Rogue if the reward was good enough.

  My entire crew is watching me. Everyone heard the news and gathered to see what I’d do.

  It’s one of my most trusted triads standing before me. This moment will define the rest of my captaincy – and make or break the loyalty and resolve of my crew.

  I understand Kit, too – even though I hate what he’s guilty of. I’ve nearly lost control with Tasha myself – back when I was spanking her, and afterward in my bedchamber. Every time I’m with her, I’ve felt the same mating frenzy threaten to overwhelm me – just as it must have overwhelmed Kit and his triad. I was only lucky because Tasha seemed as into it as me – and, if she hadn’t been, we’d been spared from crossing that line by the frantic pounding on my door.

  I respect this man for our past.

  I sympathize with what he did.

  But I can’t stand for it.

  Vinicus and Iunia stand behind me. They’re cold shadows that will do whatever I say, no questions asked.

  I stare at Kit, and I growl: “We do not rape.”

  Kit snorts.

  “You stay that with your cock till at half-mast, Captain. You’re the one who forbid women on this ship – yet you take your woman back to your chambers the moment she’s got all squirmy and wet in front of us all. You’ll take her all for yourself, but don’t let us taste the other one?” Kit scoffs at me. “You’re a hypocrite, Captain! That human wench has made you soft!”

  His words hurt. A man who I respected is calling me out in front of my entire crew.

  However, I let him speak.

  “She’s a fucking criminal, Aelon,” Kit roars. “You’re putting a target on all of our backs by sheltering her.” He shakes his head. “I mean, you were never one for half measures – so why not now? By your actions, we’re all Rogue now – so if you’re willing to ignore one set of the Empire’s rules, why not all of them?”

  My crew is whispering to one another, dissenting voices rising and falling amid the crowd.

  I narrow my eyes. Mutiny is always on the table with a crew of men like this. None of them rejoined the Aurelian Army after they’d served their allotted hundred years of service – because none of them likes rules or laws.

  Anton, the second in Kit’s triad, tries to get to his feet. He jumps up in a display of athleticism, not needing his hands to stand. “If we’re going to be Rogue Aurelians for the sake of protecting your wench, then why not be truly Rogue? Women are meant for the taking, Aelon – so let’s take!”

  The murmurs from the crowd are getting louder. I hold up my hands until they calm.

  “Kit,” I say coldly, “your triad is found guilty of attempted rape. The sentence is death.”

  The crowd suddenly falls silent. Dead silent.

  No word is said. Every man in my crew holds his breath.

  Kit opens his mouth, then closes it. He wasn’t expecting this.

  After a stunned moment, his eyes narrow. His voice is a whisper as he sneers:

  “We’ve fought together for four-hundred years, Aelon. I saved your life, remember? You’d throw that all away? For a girl?”

  My voice is like ice: “The sentence is passed.”

  There’s no fear in Kit’s eyes.

  “Then, I’ll die standing – facing you. Will you have the courage to do it yourself? Or will you hide behind your triad?”

  “I’ll do it myself. I owe you that.”

  Kit takes a deep breath, filling his lungs with air. He exhales slowly, cherishing the feeling of being alive. The Aurelian then turns to stare out at the crowd in front of me.

  “See your leader,” he says coldly. “A man who’d choose a human woman over his own brothers. This is who you follow.”

  Then he closes his mouth, finished. Kit turns back to me, and there’s no hesitation in meeting my gaze.

  His triad is as brave as him. Gaul jumps to his feet, standing behind his battle-brother. Gaul and Anton don’t speak. They just stand there, looking at me with hatred.

  Kit continues to meet my gaze. His eyes burn against mine.

  There’s no hate in them – but nor is there fear. I’ve looked into those eyes many, many times. Kit saved my life more than just that one time, with the Scorp Queen. In fact, he’s saved my life more times than I can count. He’s been among my most loyal men – leading one of the most valuable and trusted triads of warriors under my command.

  I draw my Orb-Blade and activate it with a thought.

  The beam of energy and violence ignites, shimmering into life with a deadly hum.

  The sword vibrates in my hand, as if it’s speaking to me – calling to me. That’s what Orb-Weapons are like. I know it’s ridiculous to imagine it – because they’re objects, not creatures – but I often feel like my Orb-Blade is alive, and that it’s always eager for blood.

  Ripples of energy spark from the shimmering, blue-black blade. It’s been too long since I’ve killed with it, and the weapon has grown hungry. That shard of Orb in the hilt of my weapon glimmers, like the eye of some
otherworldly beast, aching to be sated.

  Kit looks into my eyes. No fear flashes through them as I sweep the blade through the air…

  …and take his head clean from his shoulders.

  Kit’s headless body stands tall and proud for just one moment longer. Then, a stream of blood shoots from his neck, reaching the ceiling.

  Finally, his body crumples to the deck; to lie alongside his severed head.

  Gaul and Anton stare at me with wordless hate – but not for long.

  With a single swing, I take both of their heads from their shoulders, too. They collapse to the floor, life blood spilling out across the deck.

  There’s silence in the mess hall. There’s silence inside my heart. I just took the lives of three men I’d known for centuries. The blood of my most trusted warriors now pools at my feet.

  I deactivate my humming Orb-Blade, and turn to address my crew.

  “Does anyone else have a problem with the way I lead? Then, challenge me! My triad will take on any one of you!”

  My voice booms out as I level the challenge to my men – but not a one of them can meet my eyes. There are no more rumbles of dissent. I’ve quelled them.

  It only cost me the lives of three of the men I was closest to.

  Tasha is standing behind me in disbelief. She’d been so angry with me earlier – so furious. Now, she just looks numb. I guess she wasn’t expecting such harsh judgement, especially after I’d been so lenient with her.

  I turn and meet her eyes. It’s harder to look at Tasha than even the hundreds of warriors who’d witnessed the execution.

  Tasha didn’t hate me after I spanked her. She’s smart enough to know why it had to happen – especially after she’d challenged my authority.

  But for putting her best friend in danger? For letting Kit and his triad nearly claim Sawoot?

  I can see the loathing in her eyes. The bond between her and Sawoot is closer than just a captain and her first officer. They’re as close to each other as I am to my triad. Even with the pathetically short life span of a human, and the lack of a true Bond between them, those two women share everything.