Astrid

 

 

 

THE HARD HAND clamped more firmly over my mouth, cutting off any sound of suffering. I could only hope Zane would somehow sense my distress as fear sliced through my body.

Dragged backward off my feet, I kicked at my assailant and tried to bite the fingers muffling me.

“Stop struggling, woman.” The sinister voice sent unpleasant chills down my spine.

I redoubled my attack, managing to free a hand long enough to slam it back toward the brute’s groin.

He hocked out a groan but cinched both my wrists together again. “A little spirit. That’s good. You’ll get a decent price on the black market even if you aren’t a virgin.”

Black market? No no no.

He kept hauling me away from the crowd—all the revelers too full of drink and too caught up in dancing to pay attention to the struggle I tried to put up. He yanked me back, all the way into a red-darkened empty corridor.

“Now that slavery’s illegal, human females bring an even higher price,” he murmured in an ugly voice beside my ear. “I’ve heard Earthlings have the best cunts. I can’t wait for a taste of slave pussy.”

Slamming my head back, I hit the male in his solar plexus. Good thing I’d boned up on Zenithian anatomy.

He stumbled, instantly releasing me as he crouched and gasped.

I rushed to the end of the hall, bellowing, “MAGNAR!”

“Quiet, bitch.” The bastard recovered quickly, rushing toward me.

He pinned me against him before I could take another step.

“Shut up! Or I’ll rape you right here.”

Fear skittered through me, but I wouldn’t give up. Not even when he ripped one shoulder of my dress down over my breast, his large meaty hand groping my delicate flesh.

I latched onto his wrist with my teeth, puncturing skin and drawing blood.

The male yelped in pain, but my attack didn’t stop him. He drew his hand back to cuff me, and I brought up my arms to shield my face.

From nowhere, a big blur appeared behind him. The male let out a roar as he was jerked from me, arms wrenched behind his back.

Magnar contained the male in an unshakeable hold, his fangs fully descended. I wondered if he’d strike into the flesh of the throat pulsing right beside his mouth.

“Oh my Christ. Are you okay, Astrid?” Prairie hurried up to me, Cozmo right behind her.

The shakes hit me, hard and fast. Tears spilled over my cheeks, welling from my eyes, and I couldn’t make my voice work as Prairie took me in her arms.

Cozmo shrugged off his shirt. “Cover her.”

Prairie slipped my arms into his top, shushing and soothing me.

“I’m going to fuck him up.” Kerta stopped beside Magnar, her fingertips igniting with light that seemed hot enough to combust.

Dex gripped her wrist. “We’ll save that pleasure for the prince.”

Kerta only relented after Dex whispered something to her, but her hard expression—lethal in its ferocity—never waned.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t there, Astrid.” Magnar’s solemn sorry gaze locked on me. “Are you all right?”

I nodded as much as possible with shock vibrating through my bones.

The music had been shut off, the crowd of club-goers subdued when we reentered the main room. They shuffled aside, giving us wide berth.

Suddenly the doors flew open.

Three immense males stormed inside. The crowd stilled. Silence reigned. All bowed low.

X meted out words between tightened lips, “Yeah, yeah. I’m the king. Where’s my mate!”

“Astrid!” Beside him, Zane roared my name.

Seeing me, his eyes blazed into bright raging flames. He advanced quickly, Zenithians falling aside, X next to him and Jedrek at their heels.

I started sobbing, so relieved he was here.

Prairie transferred me to his arms, and he gathered me in close, sheltering me with his larger body.

Concern etching his features, he inspected me head to toe. “Are you okay?”

I nodded my head then shook it, swallowing salty tears. “Oh God, Zane. I thought he was going to rape me!”

Jaw hard as glass but hands incredibly gentle, he tipped my face to his. “I would never let that happen.”

“You came for me?” I whispered.

Gulping deeply, he nodded. He held me tighter, brushing the hair from my face.

“You knew I was in trouble and you came?”

“I’ll always come for you, Astrid.”

“Even after I was so horrible to you about Cozmo?”

His weak smile tugged at my heartstrings. “I’ve learned Earth women are . . . volatile. It makes me love you even more, meehri.”

A silent sob shook my chest, and I turned my head against his shoulder, breathing him in, scared of him letting me go.

But he eased back. “I want everyone but the traitor out of here. Now.”

Dex, Jedrek, Kerta, and Magnar quickly carried out his command, and suddenly silence abounded.

Only the plaintive whimpers of the male who’d threatened to abuse me then sell me off like a slave could be heard.

He huddled in a corner, watched by X.

With murder in his eyes, Zane left me to Prairie’s care.