* * *
Alec sighed but obeyed for the sake of argument. He could feel his men’s eyes on him as Lotis pulled the scrap up his legs, its soft material easily stretching around his thighs. When he reached Alec’s ass, Lotis situated its straps, then focused his attention on Alec’s package.
“Now I test your theory.” His rumbling timbre sounded confident.
Alec held his breath, tensing as Lotis moved things into place. Sure enough, the thin scrap barely covered even half. Like a G-string between his nuts—not very flattering at all—with the rest of it only shielding the base of his dick.
Lotis met his eyes. Alec pursed his lips. This was not going well.
But then the Kríe chuffed. “Ah, wait. Foolish me. I positioned it wrong. Let me try again.”
Pinching the dense fabric with his clawed thumb and forefinger, he pulled it away from Alec’s goods. Alec braced with a frown, watching him stretch it even further. Swear to God, if he let that thing snap like a rubber band…
But before he could verbalize a single threat, Lotis firmly clutched Alec’s cock with his other hand. Alec tensed at the contact. Lotis moved it into position, then loosened his taut hold of the material. Alec watched in fascination as it settled over his length, hugging it like a thick layer of hot wax.
“Holy shit,” he breathed. “That feels so fucking weird.”
“Tah.” Lotis proceeded to cover his balls the same way. “Looks better than I had hoped. I am pleased.”
Alec could hear his teammates murmuring, their voices low and wary, but at the moment he just couldn’t pay attention. Was too busy staring at his freaking package, which now looked like a black latex dildo. The realistic kind, with a nut sac and everything. On the bright side, at least it finally matched the rest of him.
It was bizarre, though. Because even though he was technically covered, the snug fit made him still feel kind of naked.
Lotis stepped back and studied him. A smug grin emerged. “I do believe I have disproved your theory.”
Alec rolled his eyes. “I stand corrected.” But then he stilled as something occurred to him. If this shit on his dick had sealed around him like wax… Glancing nervously at his new digs, he looked back at Lotis. “This thing won’t hurt to get back off again, right?”
“Mah.” Lotis handed his apprentices identical garments for the team. “It does not adhere, only clings to the body. And as you witnessed, it will also stretch when necessary.” He paused to pointedly eye Alec’s crotch. “A convenience you will appreciate when you grow hard.”
Alec stared at him. Was he kidding? No way in hell was that going to happen. Getting freaked out and frazzled were definite possibilities, but turned on? Aroused, in front of a crowd of strange indigene? Not in this lifetime. Probably not in the next, either.
Chuckling at the absurdity, he absently tugged at his restraints. “Yeah. There’ll be no boners tonight.”
Lotis quirked a brow, then smirked, but didn’t reply. Just made quick work of re-securing Alec’s feet. Stopping back at the table, he grabbed a smaller airbrush, checked its cartridge-looking thingy, and loped back over. “Time for the details.” He moved to Alec’s back. “Start at the spine and work outward from there.”
Swift pulses of paint danced over Alec’s skin. He turned his head. “What kind of details?”
“Animal markings.”
Alec stilled, then peered down at his two-toned body, regarding it in a whole different light. No way. For real? He glanced at his men. Chet’s Kríe was giving him stripes like a primordial tiger. Zaden’s guy was giving him leopard spots in wicked patterns. Jamis’ marks look similar to a zebra’s, but meaner. Noah’s big angular blotches roared ‘ferocious.’ And damn, down the line, Bailey’s Kríe was on fire, decking their astrobiologist out in scales. Like a dragon or sea creature, the marks a blazing silver-gold. The same color used for all their markings, actually.
Evidently, a certain artist liked continuity.
Damn.
Alec’s lips curved despite himself.
Lotis was transforming them into fearsome Niran predators.
Zaden peered Alec’s way and studied his appearance. His brown eyes flickered imperceptibly. Looked like he was low-key digging their makeovers, too. Alec glanced down as Lotis came around and started on his thighs. After all, he’d been working on Alec’s back this whole time so this was the first chance Alec had to see his own markings.
His jaw went slack. Jaguar spots. Lotis was giving him jaguar spots. Or rather, something similar, but way more intense. Edgier, literally, with each blot’s border thick and jagged, their centers a blend of gold and silver gradients. Striking. Savage. Expertly grouped to emphasize his muscles. The creation coming to life was downright mesmerizing. Meaning, yup, he continued watching until the very last spot was painted. Fortunately, Lotis and his crew worked pretty fast.
“Tah. Bellah kai.” Very good. Lotis stepped back, inspecting his work once more with gleaming eyes.
But he wasn’t done, and Alec knew this because of one simple fact: every inch of him had been tended to except for his face. Well, minus his jawline, that’d been airbrushed with his neck. Even his short, light-brown hair had been covered. But from his forehead to his mouth? Totally untouched. Glaringly unfinished.
No way was it staying that way. No way.
As if on cue, Lotis set down his tool and grabbed another. This one looked like a wide-bristled paintbrush. Once, twice, he dunked its business end into a bowl. Then, grabbing the step stool he’d used several times already, he planted it in front of Alec and climbed up.
Alec stiffened. Any closer and personal space would be breached.
Lotis studied his face. “Close your eyes.”
Alec complied, anxious to be done.
Soft, slick bristles touched the bridge of his nose, then slid down over his right lid to his temple. Alec could feel the thick paint all the way to his eyebrow. Lotis repeated the action on his left side as well. After that, he did the same beneath each eye.
“Open,” Lotis commanded.
Alec lifted his lashes.
Lotis studied his work, turning Alec’s head left and right. Satisfied, he hopped down. “You are ready.”
That was it? Just a black stripe across his eyes? That surprised Alec. But whatever. Who was he to question an artist? Besides, he was sick of being shackled to this perch. He smiled. “Nice. We’re done.”
Lotis headed to another chest. “Mah. Not done. I said ready.”
Alec frowned and glanced at his teammates. They were sporting eye stripes, too. He looked back at Lotis. “Ready for what?”
“Your mask. I will show you.” Lotis cracked the thing open. A second later, he pulled out a facepiece. “This one is yours.”
Alec’s brows shot high. Lotis grinned and brought it over. “I finished these yesterday, as well. Yours is the mask of a koosa.”
Alec eyed the thing. “A koosa…”
Lotis climbed back onto the stool. “Tah,” he rumbled. “The king’s favorite quarry.”
Alec froze and quickly looked at him. “Wait what? We’re gonna be prey?”
“Mah.” Lotis chuckled. “Tonight you are predators.”
“Then why…?”
“Because,” Lotis smiled and touched Alec’s jaw, “I wanted to surprise him with something special.”
Alec paused and stared at him. There was affection in Lotis’ eyes. And in his tone. He liked Zercy. A lot. But in what way, Alec couldn’t tell. Although, come to think of it, Zercy seemed fond of Lotis too, all but singing his fucking praises each time he dressed. Were they casual lovers or something? Having a bromance on the side?
Alec’s stomach clenched, unsettled, which made no sense at all. He didn’t give a shit who Zercy got with. Hell, the more fuck pals he had the better. They keep him sated so he’d leave Alec alone.
His gut twisted tighter, suddenly feeling way too anxious. Dropping his gaze, he focused on the mask. Honestly, it did look somewhat similar to a jag, but with a small, spiky lion’s mane and bigger fangs. Its snout was broader, too. And its eyes were straight-up wild; irises like violet suns with starburst pupils. Its ears were rimmed with barbs, tiny spikes lined its brows. And since its maw was peeled back into a menacing snarl, its three-layer tongue was also visible.
Weird.
Lotis grinned, clearly proud of his creation, and carefully slid it onto Alec’s head. “Zercy’s koosa,” he rumbled softly. “His heart will race for you tonight.”
As if triggered by his words, Alec’s own heart picked up speed. “I don’t want that,” he muttered restlessly. The mask felt cool against his face.
Lotis paused and canted his head. Met Alec’s eyes through the openings. “You do not want to be wanted by the king of the Kríe?” He looked genuinely perplexed.
Alec shifted his weight. They were talking quietly, but could the others still hear? He lowered his voice. Forced the word out. “No.” But even as he said it, it felt untrue. Which didn’t sit well with him in the slightest.
Lotis stared at him. “Why do you lie?”
Fuck.
Alec averted his gaze. “I’m not.” He cleared his throat. “If I could leave right now I would. But I can’t. He won’t let us.” Which Lotis surely already knew. “I just want tonight to be over with. To be done.”
Lotis didn’t reply. Alec turned back and looked at him. His dark lips were quirked into a smirk.
Alec frowned. “Something funny?”
Lotis chuffed and crossed his arms. “This night will not be over with for a very long time. You might as well enjoy yourself and have fun.”
Right. Have fun.
Alec peered down at his getup. “I’m thinking that might be easier said than done.”
Lotis grinned and shoved his shoulder. Alec wobbled in his restraints. “Do not worry. It will be very easy to say and do. I planned it myself, I should know.”
Alec stilled, watching him drop off the step stool again. “You planned tonight’s activity?”
“Tah. I plan all events.” He strode down the line inspecting the others.
Alec checked them out too, every mask distinctly different, each one captivating in its own animalistic way.
“Dembra,” Lotis offered as he eyed Chet’s state, presumably the name of the predator he represented. Lotis studied Zaden next. “Kygo.” He nodded, then moved to Jamis. “Tegmai.” His perusal continued to Noah. “Fekni,” he rumbled. And when he finally stopped at Bailey, Lotis all but freaking purred, admiring his shiny scales. “Belshay… Tah.”
Alec had to agree as he regarded him, too. Bailey’s look was uniquely kickass.
Bailey shifted against his binds, the curls at his nape still wet with paint. “Are we done now?” he asked, his voice muffled by his mask.
“Nearly.” Lotis handed his assistants another item. Thick black collars studded with metal spikes.
Everyone knew where those were going.
Alec scowled as Lotis mounted the stool once more and buckled his into place. His neck had been enjoying the respite.
The music he’d heard earlier in the corridor grew louder, its boisterous rhythm thumping through the windows.
He swallowed and met Lotis’ eyes. “You gonna tell us what you’ve planned? All they said is that it’s some kind of sport.”
Lotis chuffed and stepped back down again. “They do not tell you more because they do not know more. As I said before, I want to surprise the king.” He gestured with mild disgust to Zercy’s guards. “They have big mouths. Every one of them. Can keep nothing to themselves. So I tell them nothing… just to be safe.”
Setch and Kellim swapped half-hearted looks of offense. Mannix grunted where he stood against the wall. The other three grumbled something under their breaths, but not one of the six bothered to argue.
Lotis headed to a counter housing various containers. “But it is safe now to tell you.” He hefted a large tub into his arms, then carried it over and set it on the table. “After all, you must know what is expected of you, yes? In order to deliver a prime performance?”
Alec traded glances with Zaden, frowned and looked back at Lotis. “Yeah, so let’s hear it. What’re we doing out there?”
“You are competing,” Lotis began, fiddling with something in the bin. “A wrestling match of sorts, using your training.”
“Our training?” Jamis asked from behind his mask.
“Tah. Your training with Kellim.” Lotis looked up and smiled. “He tells us he has taught you rather well.”
The trio’s chests puffed instantly. They were beaming. Alec could feel it. And honestly, they deserved to feel proud. They busted their asses on that back field every day. What’s more, they seemed to relish the newfound knowledge. Evidently, they knew certain types of strategies via their gaming, but not the real-life, physical shit that Kellim was teaching them.
“We’re gonna be wrestling? That’s it?” Chet asked. “How underwhelming.”
Lotis’ grin turned wolfish. “Tonight’s match will be special. No ordinary competition.”
“Because of our costumes?” Noah asked, his blond hair now black.
“In part, but not for such reasons as you might think.”
“Will you just spit it out, for fuck’s sake,” Alec grated. “What’s different?”
Lotis’ golden eyes flashed. “I have altered the objective.”
The team stilled as one.
Alec’s gut filled with dread. “Okay,” he muttered. “What’s the new objective?”
An impish expression flittered over Lotis’ features. “I think I should like to explain things using visuals.” He casually slid his gaze down the line of Alec’s men. “Who will volunteer to be my example?”
Fuck, not again.
Alec bit back a curse. Last time he put his ass out there for the team, he ended up naked, strapped to an exam table. But damn it, nothing had changed. He was still fucking captain, so this shit still fell on him. “Me. I’ll do it.”
Lotis inclined his head. “Very well.”
“No, I’ll do it,” Chet spoke up. He looked at Alec. “My turn, Boss. I got this.”
Alec shook his head. “Chet, no. You guys are my responsibility.”
“And you’re mine,” he countered. “My job’s to have your back, too.” He tilted his head to the team. “Not just theirs. Besides,” he shrugged, arms restrained above his head, “it’s not like he’s gonna hurt me. He needs me able to compete. I’m just helping him demonstrate.” He looked at Lotis. “Ain’t that right?”
Lotis tipped his chin, a glimmer of approval in his gaze. “Tah. This is true.”
But Chet wasn’t fooling Alec. He could see in his bodyguard’s eyes that he knew shit was coming. That he knew what Lotis had planned was dubious at best. Honestly, their whole team would always suspect Kríe intentions. In everything they said and everything they did. His men would never be fully at ease when Kríe were around.
No, this was definitely Chet offering himself as the sacrificial lamb. For his team, but especially for his captain. Which Alec appreciated beyond words, but he still couldn’t allow it.
Unfortunately, before he could reject the offer, Lotis motioned to two of his pupils and got things rolling. “Take the big one down and stand him next to this table.”
Chet stiffened imperceptibly as the Kríe obeyed, no doubt bracing for whatever was to come.
Lotis turned and pulled something black from that tub. Alec’s brows scrunched as he eyed it, utterly clueless to what it was. A plant maybe? Its bottom half kind of resembled a carrot. A long one, glossy and dripping, like it’d been kept in liquid. And yet, its top half looked like a big hunting knife. Easily twelve inches long, not including the handle, curved upward with a chunky serrated edge. An otherworldly fern frond would be Alec’s guess, but with notches only running up one side.
Lotis waited until his helpers had Chet standing in front of the table, then turned and faced the rest of the team. “Naturally,” he began, “your goal tonight remains. To find victory. To triumph. And to do so with verve. The difference is what you must do in order to achieve this.”
“I thought we were just wrestling.” Alec glanced at Chet. Those Kríe had set up post on either side of him.
Lotis inclined his head. “Tah. But you must do more than pin your foe. You must conquer him. Dismantle him before the king.”
“Dismantle him?” Bailey sounded just as confused as Alec felt.
“Tah.” Lotis held up that odd-looking plant. “Your goal is to take this from the grips of your opponent before your opponent is able to take yours from you.”
Chet eyed the thing. “What is it? A knife or some shit?”
“Mah.” Lotis motioned to his aides at Chet’s side. Each Kríe took one of his arms and turned him around. “It is the most important piece of your costume.”
Chet tensed, then tried to back up, but they held him in place, keeping his hips pressed against the table. “Paws off,” he grated, glaring at their holds. “I’m a big boy. I can stand on my own.”
Alec frowned. What were they doing? But before he could ask, they bent Chet over Lotis’ work surface. Flanking his hips, each Kríe pinned one of his shoulder blades, then used their other hand to clutch his butt cheeks.
“Fuck,” Chet hissed as they spread him super wide.
Lotis stepped close and swiftly sank that carrot to the hilt.
“Uh!” Chet went rigid, clenching his striped ass like a mother.
Alec gaped. Holy shit. In the span of two seconds, their bodyguard just took six fucking inches.
Lotis gestured to Chet’s new tail. “This beautiful plant is called a gen. Its kind grow in Nira’s marshlands.”
Alec shifted in his restraints, regarding the thing warily. Sure, it looked cool, no argument there, but that didn’t mean he wanted one up his rectum.
“Do not worry,” Lotis continued, “they are harmless. I use them often. Very hardy. Very versatile. In fact, tonight they play two roles. Your tails,” he grinned, “and your rival’s sole objective.”
Alec did the math. “You mean, like flag football?” he grated. “We gotta remove our opponent’s tail?”
“Tah.” Lotis’ smile widened. “But it will not be easy.”
“Why not?” Zaden muttered from behind his kygo mask.
Lotis opened his mouth, but didn’t get to answer before Chet stilled atop the table and stifled a groan.
Alec tensed. “What’s wrong with him? You said those things were harmless.”
Lotis glanced Chet’s way. His lips quirked. “They are. He is merely experiencing one of the reasons why it will not be easy.”
The team stared at him blankly.
“Denza.” Watch. “I will show you.” He gripped Chet’s tail and gave a slow, easy pull. Chet moaned even louder, his hips following Loti’s hand. The plant, however, didn’t even budge. “You see? Its root swells when enveloped in heat.”
“Goddamnit,” Chet groused irritably. “Are you people fucking kidding me?”
“Wait. So it’s stuck in there?” Bailey blurted, sounding aghast.
“Mah,” Lotis chuckled. He palmed Chet’s ass to keep it stationary, then gave another unhurried pull. Again, Chet loosed a deep-throated groan, but this time the inflated root did ease outward. “You see?” He illustrated. “It is definitely removable. The swelling simply helps keep it secure. The other element involved, however, is what will make things even trickier.”
He slid it back into position. Chet grunted a strained breath, his tight ring cinching once more around the root’s top. Which was narrower than the root, as well as the blade, reminding Alec of the workings of a butt plug.
Chet shifted atop the table, but didn’t bother fighting. Probably for several reasons. One, he’d openly volunteered for this shit. Two, he was overpowered so what was the point. And three, because chances were that thing felt kind of good, going by those low noises he kept making.
Alec cleared his throat as unbidden memories filled his mind. Memories of being stuffed deep himself. By Miros. Then Mina… “What other element,” he rasped.
That impish light flickered in Lotis’ eyes again. “Kulaí. A slippery-sweet blend of oil and nectar. It will coat every inch of your bodies.”
The room went silent, minus the music pulsing in the background.
They were going to be oil wrestling all but naked in front of a crowd?
Alec’s skin went tight at the thought.
Lotis went on. “Things will be slick. And sloppy. And delicious. But the ridges in your tails will help aid in their removal. In truth, if you ever were to bear down hard enough, you could probably force your tails out on your own. Of course, I would not advise this. Rebellious behavior is always punished. If any expel their gen tails prematurely, a crowd member will be chosen to shove it back—with the rest of the assembly looking on. And I assure you, the chosen will not be gentle nor kind. When excited, Niran nature is always aggressive.”
“Awesome,” Alec muttered. He glanced over at Zaden. Maybe they could pretend to give it their all during the match, but never ultimately pull the fuckers free. His co-pilot’s gaze seemed to flicker with similar sentiment.
As if reading their thoughts, Lotis tacked on more warnings. “Likewise, I would not advise feigning your performance either. Should stage monitors deem that you are intentionally failing to acquire your rival’s tail—or allowing them to take yours without genuine effort—you will be penalized with that of a two-fold punishment: the first, an immediate show of reinserting of your tail. The second, incarceration after the festivities.
“What? Incarceration?” Jamis’ wary frown was palpable.
“Tah. So do not play the king a fool.”
Chet cursed under his breath.
The rest of the team swapped sober looks.
Finally, Noah exhaled, “Fuck me.”
Lotis glanced his way. “That is certainly permitted should you lose. Encouraged even. Our guests would indeed love nothing more.”
Noah stiffened.
Jamis and Bailey barked out restless laughs.
Alec scowled. “Don’t hold your breath, Kríe. That’s not gonna happen.”
Lotis slid him an unconvinced look. “You do not think?”
Alec squared his upturned shoulders. “Not a chance.”
“Hmm. We shall see.” Lotis gestured to Chet’s junk. “Your friend is already aroused from just one tug.”
Alec frowned and eyed Chet’s goods, then stilled. Sure enough, sheathed in black between his muscular thighs, his dick looked undeniably half erect.
“Fuck,” Alec muttered. And yet he couldn’t stop staring. Because even though Chet’s semi was covered and held contained, it still gave the illusion of being naked. An impression Alec now suspected was intentional.
“Tah. Fuck,” Lotis encouraged, repeating Alec’s sentiment. “And you can do so without removing your garments. Enyid skins are waterproof and, as I stated before, will stretch around your organ as it grows.”
It was certainly doing that to Chet’s half-hard cock. Like a super-thick condom that covered both dick and nuts. In truth, it kind of reminded him of that PVC fetish clothing.
He looked at Lotis. “What exactly are enyids anyway?”
“Aquatic plants of the dygon genus. Their flexible skins detain their prey.”
Dygon. Alec remembered that term. Sirus had called them sentient plants. He stiffened and looked down at stuff hugging his crotch.
Lotis chuckled. “Do not worry. They no longer have thought. I have also removed their skin’s flesh-eating membrane.”
“Awesome,” Alec muttered.
Chet cursed atop the table.
Jamis weakly cleared his throat. “So, do winners get anything besides a chance to bone in public?”
“Of course.” Lotis tipped his chin. “But that is the king’s prize to give. The better one performs, the greater his reward.”
Alec’s stomach twisted. Zercy would be watching their every move. Oddly, the thought made him both nervous and eager to start.
Chet shifted atop the table again. Then, with a low muffled moan, appeared to bear down on his tail. His sphincter spread wide, clearly straining as he pushed, until the frond’s swollen root began emerging.
Lotis chuckled and slid in back. “You must always hold this in, no matter how strong the urge to push it out.”
Chet groaned another curse and restlessly rocked his hips.
Lotis looked at the team. “If there are no other questions, we need to proceed. Time is wasting.”
Crickets.
Alec opened his mouth, but nothing came out. Because, honestly, what could he say? There’d be no getting out of this mess.
“Bellah.” Lotis motioned to his helpers. “Attach their tails. It is time to send them off. The king awaits.”
And just like that, they were pulled off their individual platforms, and bent over the nearest horizontal surface.
Instinctively, Alec resisted, but before he got far, his chest was pinned and his two feet shoved apart. “You know,” he grunted, his mask pressing against his face, “there are less-intrusive ways to wear a tail—Ungh!”
Cool, tapered hardness plunged deep into his channel. A sharp sting flared fast. His stuffed asshole clenched. And yet, at the same time, a strange thrill engulfed his body. Stark horror, fierce excitement, both racing through his blood, volleying his heart into an all-out fiery race.
His men loosed similar grunts, taking theirs, too. Next thing Alec knew, he was back up on his feet. His handler freed his wrists next. He rubbed them, but then grimaced. In this upright position, his tail felt huge. And was starting to crowd his prostate as it swelled.
His teammates shifted awkwardly, looking just as uncomfortable.
Lotis strode down the line, briefly tugging each tail, pausing at times to make sure they curved just right. Soft grunts coincided. No doubt, masks hid some winces.
When finished, he gestured to one of his aides. “Pull back the partition. They are ready to go.”
Alec tensed, apprehensive, as the Kríe loped to a curtain. He pulled the thing back. Alec’s jaw went slack at the sight. Sitting in wait was a huge iron cage. Not tall, though—no way a guy could stand in that thing—but definitely big enough to hold his team.
“Your transport,” Lotis announced.
Chet stiffened. “A fucking cage?”
“Tah. You are animals. You must be brought in accordingly.”
Sure enough, Alec spotted two long poles at either end. Thick and horizontal for easy carrying. His heart pounded faster. Holy shit. They were doing this.
“Tacha.” Quickly. Lotis prompted them onto their knees. “Don your new personas and crawl inside. Tonight you are feral. Hungry, primitive beasts. I expect to see this to be conveyed through your performance.”