Captor, p.20
Captor, page 20
“Unfortunately, I don’t have the time I need to explain. Please do not take long to change. I have deadlines.”
“Deadlines. You’re not going to tell me what you’re planning. Are you?”
Krakar wasn’t going to allow me to get close to him, or to understand his reasoning for doing anything. I was a fool if I thought otherwise. Once again, he’d shut down. There was no other recourse but to follow his orders, but my stomach churned from worry about what he was planning on doing. I grabbed the clothing, moving toward the bathroom.
“Sasha. You’re going to need to trust me.”
His voice held such deep, unrelenting gravity that I stopped walking, holding my breath.
“While that may be difficult for you, it’s imperative that you do.”
Trust. He actually thought I could place my trust in him? I couldn’t answer, but as I walked into the bathroom, the answer was strangely acceptable.
I already did.
* * *
Purple.
The color of royalty.
The thought wasn’t far from my mind.
The uniform I’d been provided was similar to the attire everyone else was wearing, but as soon as we moved into the corridor, passing several other Dragonians, my instinct screamed that the color had significance.
And it scared to me to death.
Every warrior and officer backed away, their faces registering shock. Krakar had said nothing after I’d returned from changing other than I looked beautiful, but I’d seen a faraway look in his eyes, his gaze full of lust yet something else I’d been unable to identify.
He kept his hand on the small of my back. There was no collar with a leash attached, but he had slipped a stone-encrusted piece of jewelry around my neck. I felt majestic, at least in comparison to the horrendous red dress indicating I was a slave. I wanted to ask questions, had several on the tip of my tongue, but Krakar was concentrating, his footsteps heavy and his breathing labored.
Trust.
The word continued to roll through my mind. Whatever he had planned, I had the distinct feeling he was throwing all caution to the wind. What remained uncertain was how my father would react to whatever Krakar had concocted. I tingled all over as we walked, barely able to feel my legs, they were trembling so badly.
He stopped after leading me down a series of corridors, turning toward me and lowering his head.
“What you are about to hear will disturb you. There is no way of avoiding it. I assure you that there are explanations you will be given, but only after I conclude my business. How you react is up to you.”
His statement was as strange as the way he’d been acting. “You won’t tell me anything.”
He uncurled his hand, taking a few second to ease my long locks of hair over my shoulders. Then he raked his nail between my breasts, his nostrils flaring. “You’ve taught me that patience is necessary in leading. I will ask you to have patience.”
Then he shifted his knuckle under my chin, lowering his head even more. “You are my queen.”
With that, he entered the room, pushing me inside. There was no mistaking the look of shock on the members inside, including his second in command who seemed to have no words after our entrance.
However, the Dragonian’s face went from shock to dismay then to anger. Even the color of his complexion changed.
“Don’t look so surprised, Rykane,” Krakar said. “This is what you recommended in the first place.”
“Not under these circumstances, King Krakar,” Rykane hissed.
All Krakar needed to do was give the man a harsh look for him to back down. He kept me by his side as he moved toward one of the chairs. Instead of asking me to kneel by his feet, he indicated I should remain standing. Then he sat down, staring at the screen.
“Has the connection been made?” he asked one of the others in the room.
“It has, Sire. However, the connection is growing weaker. An asteroid storm is causing interference.”
“Then we will make this quick, Lieutenant. Begin. Finalize contact with President Brandon.”
“Sire, he’s not happy,” the lieutenant stated.
Krakar laughed. “I don’t care. Make certain he understands this is a courtesy contact and nothing more. There will not be another one.”
“Yes… Sire.”
Everyone in the room seemed tense, uncertain what to expect. My body was swaying so badly I tried to find something to latch onto. Krakar sensed my discomfort, pulling me even closer. While the heat of his massive body provided some comfort, I remained on edge. I didn’t like where this was going. I was being used as a pawn. What the hell was Krakar intending on doing?
The lieutenant spoke quickly, and I was able to hear someone from my father’s office arguing about the intended call.
I closed my eyes, the voices echoing in my ears. Then my father’s voice jarred my last nerve.
“Let’s get this shit over with. What the hell do you want, Krakar?”
My father had always respected titles, demanding his be used at all times when not inside his home or with family.
“I suggest you watch your tone, Mr. President. I’m not in the mood for disrespect or arrogance.” Krakar’s voice was even deeper than usual, his slow rumbling growl floating all around me.
I dared to open my eyes, doing what I could to control both my nerves and my anger. My father’s face was beet red, the man huffing and puffing. I’d never seen him this furious before. Up until recently, he’d been known for his patience and kind demeanor. Something else was troubling him.
“Do you have plans on releasing my daughter?”
“Quite the contrary, President.”
“Then this means an act of war.”
“I would be careful with what you’re suggesting as your daughter is about to become my queen.”
There it was. The color purple. The surprise on his warriors’ faces. I was being dangled like a carrot, used in a terrifying game. Krakar had underestimated my father. While once a merciful leader, my gut told me that man no longer existed.
My father reared back, his chest heaving to the point I thought he might have a heart attack. Then he pounded his fist on his desk’s surface. “If you dare lay a hand on her, there won’t be any space in any galaxy where I won’t hunt you down. She will be returned to Earth one way or another. I will use every ship in my fleet to ensure that happens. Then I will destroy what’s left of your barbaric planet.”
Krakar took his time answering, the smile on his face as unnerving as everything else about the conversation and what I would inevitably face. “Unfortunately, President Brandon, Sasha can never return to Earth.”
Now my father laughed. “Your arrogance has condemned you, King Krakar. She will return. Period.”
“Then she will die.”
Die. What? What was he talking about? I turned my head and stared at the brutal alien. He didn’t bother to look me in the eyes.
Trust. You need to trust me.
While his plea registered, I wasn’t certain I gave a damn. I looked away, my skin crawling as my stomach lurched. Suddenly, it was difficult to breathe. I’d been given a possible death sentence. My father would never believe the Dragonian warlord. But I did. That wouldn’t matter to my father. He had the desire to win at all costs, even if it meant sacrificing my life. I was lightheaded, finding it impossible to process what I would face. Marriage to a… monster. Death otherwise.
As Krakar stroked my arm, pulling my hand into his lap, I wasn’t certain I could continue standing. Trust. Trust. Trust. Was I a fool to believe I could trust someone like Krakar?
“You bastard,” my father snarled. “You’re nothing but a savage, just like your father. You have many enemies, oh, great king, most of which would have no issue eliminating your entire planet.”
Krakar finally stood, moving closer to the videocan. “You are right about my enemies, Brandon. Many are willing to undermine a level of protection in order to steal what doesn’t belong to them, abducting our women and killing our warriors.”
His statement was far too telling. What was he doing, giving my father the ability to feed off Dragonia’s weakness?
My father just laughed.
“As far as your statement regarding my father,” Krakar continued. “That’s where you’re wrong, President Brandon. I am nothing like my father. To that end, I am aware of two things that have become vital to not only your presidency but Earth’s existence. Your prime minister is in the process of attempting to overthrow your leadership, which is something I think you’ve already been aware of but refuse to accept because of your pride. In addition, you need what only our planet can provide to you. Targentum.”
I wasn’t ignorant to what the crystalized mineral could mean for our planet, the eradication of several diseases that had been on the increase over the last fifteen years. Our scientists had been unable to provide cures, which meant thousands of people would die a horrible, painful death decades early.
My father seemed impressed. He took a deep breath, all color draining from his face, his demeanor much calmer than before. It was like a light switch had been flipped, a realization settling in.
“In exchange, we’re asking for the same amount of uranium,” Krakar continued.
“Interesting,” my father muttered, shifting his gaze in my direction. “That is something I will consider.”
Another wave of shock tore through me. My father never relented on a decision made.
“Excellent. As you might imagine, given the volatile nature of both substances, we will need to equip our ships carefully, selecting a location suitable to both.”
Now Krakar’s words were carefully chosen. I tried to imagine what he was attempting to do. A connection had been made with my father, a barrier broken through, but would it be enough to stop a horrific war?
What game was being played?
“And my daughter?”
Krakar growled, the sound more sensual than the others. He stroked my arm tenderly, as a lover would. I shivered from his touch, a chill remaining in my heart, my anger continuing to swell.
“As my queen, she will be exalted, revered. But only as long as our planet survives.”
My father took a deep breath, his eyes never leaving me. “What do you want, Sasha?”
He was foolish enough to ask me that question? I was prepared to launch into the man, accusing him of horrible things. Then again, Krakar had continued lying to me, which was something I couldn’t tolerate. Both men were deplorable, their games disgusting.
I glared at my father, the words of hate forming on my lips.
Then Krakar squeezed my arm with enough pressure I threw him a look, a hateful one. His eyes were even more mesmerizing than before, the flickering colors of gold sparkling in this lighting. In those gorgeous eyes, I sensed he was reaching out. The game he was playing had little to do with my father, although the promises made I knew Krakar would honor.
Or so I hoped.
If not, the level of retaliation my father would use would render Dragonia lifeless.
I would never forgive either man and I certainly couldn’t care for someone who continuously lied to me, no matter the reason. However, I would give Krakar the assistance he needed.
Then I was done.
I didn’t care what the man did to my body. I refused to surrender to him.
“I am happy to make my home on Dragonia, Father. Krakar will be my king.”
The words seemed stilted, the uncertainty of whether I could ever feel that way leaving bile in my throat. First my father had used me, now Krakar. At this moment, I felt like nothing but a shell. A creature without a real home.
The only thing I could do was follow my instincts.
“What say you, President Brandon?”
My father sat back, his body stiff. “I’ll speak to my cabinet and get back with you.”
“I’d decide within the next few hours, President. We will be docking soon on our planet, which is always… eventful.”
My father nodded, switching off the videocan without looking at me again.
As Krakar pulled me down, cupping the side of my face, so much of me wanted to resist, but in doing so, I would seal not only his fate but mine. For now, I would endure what was required of me.
He pressed his lips against mine and electrodes exploded deep within, all the dazzling vibrations from before swirling like a blasting heatwave, yet I was numb inside. The thought of never returning to Earth was almost too much to bear.
As images of the small apartment that I’d fought so hard to get, placed on a waiting list for almost a year entered my mind, I pressed my hands against his chest, curling my fingers.
When pictures formed in my mind of the mountains and streams I’d been lucky enough to see, I sighed. Then images floated front and center of deep green forests and vibrant foliage, the few times I’d been lucky enough to watch snow trickling to the ground and the rare but exquisite cloudless blue sky. I whimpered.
Then as my mind shifted to the good times shared with my father replaced everything else, a single tear trickled down my face.
There was no place like home.
CHAPTER 15
Krakar
Hatred.
I’d seen the look in her eyes, the same anger in them I knew she’d seen in mine. I’d eliminated what little we’d shared. I’d used her in the same way my father had used other people. I’d rendered her expendable.
What was wrong with me?
Risks.
The term was widely used on Earth, the concept known in other species as well. For Dragonians, the idea of taking a risk was foreign. We calculated. We planned. We progressed according to the plan. While President Brandon had maintained his anger, I’d seen something change in his eyes after enticing him with my offer of Targentum, but what had ultimately created a difference was my accusation regarding the man he’d already known had done everything to thwart Brandon’s power.
Was it enough to matter? That I didn’t know, and it irritated me, enough so I’d broken a long-standing rule of never indulging in mind-altering products, selecting the same wine that Kierling had provided to Sasha. I had to admit, the taste of crushed grapes was fascinating, something I could get used to.
As I stared out the reflection pane, the sight of Dragonia in the distance meant more to me than usual. How many times had I returned after a long and arduous battle, never bothering to look at the reflection of our crimson moon or savoring the various colors peppering Dragonia’s surface?
Now there was nothing but an orange haze obliterating all but the tallest peaks. As my grip on the tumbler increased, I sighed. To see the look of sheer horror on Sasha’s face had pained me, but not as much as when she’d pushed away from me, racing away once allowed out of the communications room. I hadn’t bothered to follow, believing she needed time in order to process what she’d learned.
I’d seen her single tear, had felt her pain. I’d asked her to trust me, yet I’d likely destroyed that trust all over again. I should talk to her. No, I knew it was vital I have a conversation. What I found odd was that I wasn’t certain what to say. That was another shift in my personality.
Hissing, I tossed back the rest of my drink, holding the smooth liquid in my mouth before swallowing. Then I moved to refill the tumbler, determined to allow the substance to cloud my mind. There was so much to lose, the stakes far too high.
I heard the slight beep indicating a visitor and tensed. I wasn’t in the mood to have a difficult conversation with anyone. I allowed entrance, anticipating Rykane and I’d been correct in my assumptions.
When he didn’t launch into me right away, I returned to the window. A few seconds later, I realized he’d taken it upon himself to join me in a forbidden glass of wine. I was even more surprised I was able to smile.
He walked toward the window, keeping his distance and staring at our planet. “It’s beautiful even cloaked.”
“I find it disturbing as hell.”
“Then you are still having difficulty finding beauty in all things, which surprises me. You obviously found happiness in a species you once called disgusting.”
His point was well taken. “Maybe I was wrong.”
“I believe so. Then again, you’ve been wrong about several things over the past few months.”
My friend was goading me. At least it was easy to recognize. “Did you come here to make a point?”
“I know you’ve had your doubts about my loyalty recently.”
“I have.”
“I have as well,” he admitted. “But what I saw today reminded me of the young man I went into battle with. There was never any doubt about your abilities. You knew exactly when to strike and when to hold back. You played mind games even then, testing our enemies, forcing them to show their weakness. That’s exactly what you did earlier, but not just with the Skotors or even with Earth. You also made certain our people knew you were taking full leadership.”
“Is that a question?”
“No, it’s a statement. I thought you’d forgotten how to follow your instincts, but I was wrong.”
I took another sip of the wine, finally realizing the liquid was nothing but a substitute for what I really thirsted for.
A taste of Sasha.
“You’ve been wrong about a lot of things lately,” I taunted.
He growled. “This is surprisingly good for a human delicacy. You should consider asking President Brandon for several cases.” He shot me a look, clear amusement on his face.
My expression remained stern, but I finally lifted my glass. “I just might do that.”
“Good. At least you’re continuing to take my advice.” He laughed.
After a few seconds, I did as well. “Have there been any actions taken by the Skotors?”
“None. So far, they haven’t engaged their weapons systems. The other two battleships remain just outside the perimeter but haven’t moved any closer.”
“Which means they’re still contemplating my offer,” I mused.
“Which I suspect they will accept, although they are unpredictable. You should know that better than anyone.”
