“He brought me into my apartment and then I was attacked a second time.” She shook her head. “I ended up on the Vindicator. This ship is one of the fastest starships in the Braxtharian fleet. Motok is the commander.”
Nice. “He’s a good catch then.”
“You could say that. I bonded to him.” She blushed. “And I’m pregnant, Kacie.”
I sat up, reaching for her hand. “Wow! How are you feeling? When is the baby coming?”
She shrugged but her smile was bright. “It’s early. A couple of weeks. It was confirmed by a blood test or I wouldn’t have known.”
“That’s amazing news, sis. Are you happy? Do you love him?”
“Oh yes,” she gushed, and I had never seen her look so radiant. “I love Motok with all my heart. He’s pretty much everything to me.”
I was almost envious of their connection. It was obvious by the way Motok stared at my sister before he left that he also loved her as deeply. “I’m so happy for you, Ker Bear.”
“I’ll let that slide,” she joked. “Thanks. You’ll love him too. He’s a patient and fair man. If you could call a silver alien a man. He’s mine though and I’m his. It’s perfect.”
I pulled her into a hug before she could glimpse the tears in my eyes and held her tight. “That’s the most wonderful thing I’ve ever heard. I love you, Kerra.”
“I love you, too.”
SENATOR RYMAR PACED in front of the metal bars that kept me imprisoned on the Stargazer, his lips twisted into a sadistic grin. The vessel was a ship that traveled between planets and offered lavish and comfortable boarding for ambassadors and other high-ranking officials. I was unfortunately detained in the lower levels and hidden from the other passengers, brought on board in secrecy.
“You’ve been most unhelpful, human. Your friendships in the Conclave have made things difficult. I originally only wanted to arrange for your loss of credibility and subsequent death, but you’ve earned a special punishment for your refusal to stay out of galactic affairs. I’ll make sure your ravaged corpse sends a message to the Galactic Assembly and that weak institution you call the ISP. Your death will become our weapon against the Conclave and will add to 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.”
Rymar chuckled deeply. “I don’t act alone. The High Council has been planning a bit of a surprise for you, Kacie Hargrave.”
He tapped a few buttons on his wrist comm and a visual display popped up on the nearest view screen. I was forced to watch a video clip of a woman who was so close in resemblance to me that I knew anyone who watched this video would think I was the one beaten, raped, and assaulted. Disgusted, I turned my head and blocked out the noises of the males on the video as they took turns violating her. She fought bravely but was no match for the big aliens who didn’t care she was taken against her will. Zhorn weren’t the only aliens present. There were other species even more shocking like a Ravelian and two Ingrog.
The video stopped transmitting as Rymar laughed, approaching the metal door of the cell. It opened on a wide swing outward and he stepped inside, shutting the door with a click.
It was comical that an advanced starship still had metal cells to hold prisoners. It was quite primitive. Usually clear enclosures with advanced shielding were used.
Rymar closed the distance between us. “How lovely to witness your reaction. I sense anger and revulsion. Do you think you will escape a similar fate?”
“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. Not to mention I’m an officer in the ISP.”
I didn’t bother answering his questions or any of the other information he disclosed.
“Your defiance is admirable, but it didn’t save your sister and it won’t save you.” He lunged forward as a sharp blade pressed against my throat. “She was fucked raw the same as the girl on the video. I want to see the fear in your eyes as I shove my cock in your tight human pussy. I’m looking forward to hearing your screams. I bet you put up a better fight than Kerra did.”
The scream that left my lips was full of terror. I woke up to the sound as it filled the med bay, shaking with adrenaline and fear. My clothing stuck to my clammy skin as my entire body broke out in a sweat. My heart thumped wildly in my chest while the screen beside my bed was shoved aside and half a dozen silver skinned medical personnel flooded my personal space. They were too close. Panicked, I scrambled backward, bumping my head against the wall.
I was on the verge of another scream when I heard a voice roar for them to back off. The aliens scattered as Valtus ran to my side, his face scrunched with a mixture of concern and anger.
“Female, are you in need of assistance?”
Assistance? How about a head transplant? The nightmare I had only highlighted the terror that I had endured over the last two months. My nerves were frazzled. I couldn’t think clearly. Shaking my head, I burst into tears, sucking air into my lungs as Valtus seemed at a loss to help.
I broke down and wept loudly as he pulled the screen until it covered us and then turned in my direction, lifting his hands. “May I comfort you?”
I must have looked confused.
“I do not wish to cause further harm. I will only touch you with permission.”
Nodding, I swallowed hard with his earnest compassion. The thought of another man touching me was repulsive but with Valtus I felt protected instead of vulnerable. I trusted him completely. Perhaps that was impulsive, but I knew he would never hurt me. Kerra mentioned he was her mate’s First Officer and a gentleman.
Valtus sat on the edge of the mattress and reached for my hand, rubbing a few circles over the flesh and then higher up my forearm. He stroked my skin with a feather light caress, carefully moving upward to my shoulder. He paused after a few minutes.
“Would you like to come closer?”
I did, strangely enough. His tenderness chased the nightmare away and the bad memories receded as I climbed onto his lap. He adjusted his position on the bed and Valtus shifted until his back was against the wall. Wrapping my arms around my waist, I let my head rest on his chest as the tears continued to slip down my cheeks. He slid his hands around my back, and I was enveloped in a gentle cocoon.
“Is this acceptable?”
“Yes,” I whispered, taking solace in his warmth.
“Why were you frightened? Did someone try to harm you?”
“No,” I assured him. “I had a nightmare. I was upset.”
“What does that mean? A nightmare? What is upset?”
I forgot the words in English would be confusing. Not all words kept their proper meaning when spoken over a universal translator.
“It means you dream about things that happened to you in the past. Experiences that harmed or frightened you. Being upset means it hurts inside, not like physical pain but your heart aches and it’s awful.”