Lucinda

 

Days passed. She could have easily lost track of time if her guys hadn’t made a sleep schedule. Sarsen one night, Ertale the next and then Asche. Sometimes Asche invited himself for a sleepover on Ertale’s night. The big guy didn’t seem to mind Asche being greedy, and she didn’t mind the extra attention. She’d gone for so long without affection or touch that she relished every soft caress and kiss like a parched landscaping soaking up the rain at drought’s end. 

She liked the physical aspect of their relationship—she was only human—but more than that, she liked them. She really liked them. Asche made her laugh. Ertale said so much with so little. She loved talking with him and watching his body language. He was sexy and thoughtful. And Sarsen—

She had to admit that she loved the way he got her fired up. Half the time she wanted to pull her hair out and the other she wanted to tackle him to the ground and kiss him until they were just a pile of naked limbs and desire. He made her feel alive.

Earth became more distant with each passing day and she didn’t mind. Outside of her brother, Earth had meant nothing but suffering and loss for her.

Things were different on Sonhadra. She was different. She didn’t have a past or any criminal convictions. A fresh start became more than a saying, it was reality. If she went back to Earth, nothing would be different. She’d maybe avoid capture for a day, a week at most, and maybe scratch a few names off her list. The two biggest offenders were already gone, Dr. Sobin and Halliday, and with every passing day, her need for revenge faded. The anger still simmered, but the fever seemed to have broken. It no longer consumed her. If her ultimate goal was to keep her brother and his kids safe, then letting everyone back on Earth think she’d perished in the crash was the best solution. Antony would be free to live his life in safety, and she was freed from blackmail.

Being stranded on an alien planet was the best thing to ever happen to her.

She turned the tower into a makeshift lab, scrounging equipment from around the city. The only place the guys felt she was safe from stray critters, the tower perched well above the miasma of the caldera and had fresh air.

She had potted samples arranged to catch the best sunlight. She was still trying to determine optimal growing conditions. All the samples Sarsen brought her were forest growing, so she started with partial sun, moist soil and would adjust as needed. Today the bark of a tree the valos had used for pain relief interested her. She suspected the tea contained a crude form of aspirin. The possibilities were exciting, especially since she gave away her stockpile of medication to the survivor group in the forest. They would run out and perhaps come to the city in the caldera to seek aid. Lucie looked forward to actually having a treatment available.

A hand clamped over her face, covering her mouth and nose.  An arm wrapped around her, pinning her against a man’s chest. From the soft grip and the lack of searing heat, he had to be human.

“Scream and I’ll kill you. Don’t try my patience, Lucky.”

Halliday. Fucking Halliday.

“Understood?” She nodded. His hand eased but the arm clamped around her chest remained in place. “Do you know how long I’ve waited to get you alone?”

“But you’re dead.”

“Well, you do crappy work, Lucky. Next time you leave a man for dead, check his pulse or slit his throat.”

Shit. She hadn’t checked his pulse. She hadn’t checked anything. The vault opened and she got distracted what with the coming face to face with aliens. Shame shifted in her gut, cold and hard. She’d never even asked what happened to Halliday’s body. “How did you get back in?”

“Back in? I never left. After you left me bleeding out, I hid away in one of the many abundant and empty buildings.” One hand gripped her throat but not enough to constrict her airways. Not yet. His breath was hot and fetid against her face. “Just in case you get ideas, I should let you know that I had plenty of time to explore. Lots of interesting things in this place. Dangerous things.” Halliday drew back his arm and something cold and metallic rolled across her abdomen. “Like this. It’s a little larger than I’m used to but it’s safe to say that its only job is to go boom. It even has a hairpin trigger. Play nice, Lucky, or I’ll blow us both up.”

He couldn’t know that without testing out a few and she hadn’t heard any explosions. He bluffed.

His hand increased the pressure on her throat. Bluffing or not, she couldn’t take the risk that he told the truth. He was insane, pure and simple.

Her pulse pounded in her throat and she nodded.

“Good girl. Now, do you know how long I’ve waited for you to open this door?”

“It was unlocked.”

“For you. It has a biosignature. Only you can unlock it.”

“I’m not alone. My guys will be here any moment.” Ertale was downstairs. Sarsen and Asche continued their work in the Forge, but Ertale was nearby.

“Oh, yes. I’ve seen you fucking with your aliens.” His grip tightened momentarily. “Made yourself at home, did you? Good thing they’re not too picky about appearance or is Earth pussy just that tasty?”

“Ertale will be here any minute. I’ve seen him tear apart a fire monster with his bare hands. He’s mean and jealous. Doesn’t like anyone touching his property,” she added for good measure. “Leave now while you still have all your arms and legs.”

“You mean the one that’s too big to get up the stairs? I don’t tolerate liars so don’t tell me another.”

Lucie refused to panic. Nothing good came from panic. She’d think of a way out of this. Halliday wasn’t that bright, just mean.

He shuffled, turning her in place to the bank of alien computers and tech. “Now listen. I need two things, but I don’t necessarily need you. Got it?” He gave her a shake.

“Yeah. Got it.”

“One, you’re going to activate those machines and we’re calling home.”

“I don’t know how—”

The grip on her throat tightened, constricting her air. She gasped but no sound came out. A lightheaded buzzing filled her ears. Her fingers scrambled against the hand clutching her throat, unable to budge it. Her eyes watered. There was no doubt in her mind that Halliday would do it. He’d kill her. He’d squeeze the life out of her and feel zero remorse.

His grip relaxed. Lucie gasped, drawing in a ragged breath.

“It’s bio-locked,” he hissed. “Only you can use it so I don’t want to hear excuses.”

How did he know that? This was his first trip to the top of the tower.

As if sensing her thoughts, Halliday said, “Haven’t you noticed how those native creatures can’t use anything high-tech in this place?”

“Yes,” she answered, but not really. She’d never noticed. It never came up.

“They’re locked out, but human DNA can open a few doors.” He giggled. A crawling shudder ran over her body. “And the toys can only be played with by one person.” The grenade rolled across her stomach. “So don’t get any bright ideas about taking this from me. You can’t use it.”

“But what if I refuse to help you?”

“I’ll blow you up.”

“Do it,” she said without hesitation.

He paused. “That was silly of me, threatening to harm something that held no value to you. All this heat makes it hard to think.”

Halliday was wrong. Her life had value. When they were on the Concord, she would have agreed with him but not anymore. This was her home. She didn’t want to spend a day without her Fire Valos. She didn’t want to leave them. She loved them.

“Behave or I’ll start tossing bombs at your creatures.”

“Don’t—”

“You’re not in a position to negotiate. I’ve seen your negotiation position, Lucky, when you’re down on all fours, letting those things fuck you like animals. It’s disgusting.”

Lucie swallowed her instinct to argue and defend her valos. They were the best men she knew and nothing they did together was disgusting or shameful. “What’s the second thing?”

“Oh?” Halliday paused, as if he’d forgotten his list of demands. “Nothing too strenuous for you. Just tell your creatures to back off and I’ll think about letting you live.”

“They won’t go for that.” They really wouldn’t.

“I don’t care what they think!” Halliday shoved her forward, sending her crashing into the console. The hard surface knocked the air out of her lungs. “They’ll do as I say or I’ll get rid of their fuck toy. Do we understand each other?”

Halliday pressed up against her. One hand lifted the skirt of her dress and the other held her down. Rough, chapped palms skimmed over her ass. Something—she knew what but didn’t want to admit it—poked her. “I must be desperate because you’re starting to look good, Lucky.”

Screw everything about this situation. Lucie was done being a victim. If Halliday killed her or beat her to a pulp, fine. It was better than whatever he was thinking.

“Ertale! Help!” The shout tore from her raw, abused throat.

Halliday grabbed her hair, yanked her back and slammed her face into the console. She felt her nose give way first, the coppery tang of blood flooding her mouth. She kicked and flailed her arms, twisting and desperate to break his hold. She managed to face him. He was a tangled mass of dirty hair and filthy beard and wild, glazed eyes. His guard uniform hung off his shoulders, barely more than tatters. Raggedy, he was still strong and used his larger size to hold her against the console. She couldn’t break free and continued to scream until she went completely hoarse. Her fingers knocked the grenade out of Halliday’s hands. It clattered to the floor and rolled towards the stairwell.

He held out the pin, still clutched in his fingers.

The world’s sound faded and all she could hear was the blood pounding in her ears, counting down her last heartbeats in the universe. She didn’t want to go. She didn’t want to leave her guys alone. She would give anything for one more moment with them—

The room filled with white light and the floor gave way.