* * *
— ONE YEAR EARLIER —
Astrum Industries Science & Exploration Team
Location: Castle Múnrahki, Mighty Realm of the Kríe
“I’m gonna kill ‘em. Every last one of ‘em. Gonna beat their asses, and then kill ‘em.”
Alec Hamlin, captain of Astrum Industries’ science and exploration team, slid their military escort an irritable look. “Not sure retribution’s really part of your job description.”
Chet glowered his hard gray eyes at the guards leading them down the castle corridor. After having been sold by Gesh’s pack to the Kríe king just moments earlier, the big crew-cut marine was less than happy. “Consider it on the house. I’m feeling generous.”
“Good luck with that,” their co-pilot muttered, sounding less than optimistic. Peering ahead past Bailey, Jamis, and Noah, then over his shoulder past more guards, Zaden cursed and shook his head of jet black hair. “Gotta escape to catch up with them, but we’re not going anywhere. This prison they dumped us in’s sealed too tight.”
An assessment Alec unfortunately had to agree with. There were guards literally everywhere; patrolling the corridors, stationed at junctions, not to mention all the eyes and ears of loyal servants. And then, of course, there was the biggest obstacle; the six Kríe assigned to them personally. Specifically, the purple mammoths walking with them now, leading them by their group leash to some bath house. Or at least, that’s where Alec assumed they were going, since the king had specifically instructed it.
But even if they could somehow pull a slip on their handlers, they couldn’t just jump out a window and be free. And not because the drop was too far to handle. They were still on ground level, so that’d be cake. It was the castle’s outer wall that’d be the pisser. Easily thirty feet tall, there was no way to climb it. Unless they had rope, which they didn’t.
Alec swore under his breath and scanned their surroundings. After exiting through a door in the main hall’s back corner, the guards had ushered them left down a corridor. Long and commodious, it extended forever, offering more of the same décor as the foyer. More whitewashed stone walls. More masculine-carved statues. More wrought-iron chandeliers with pillar candles.
The aroma of prepared foods filled the large expanse, too. The freshly-baked bread, cheese, and meat were easily discernible, as was the fragrance of sweet pastries. Alec’s stomach rumbled. A kitchen was somewhere close by, although he sensed it was in the opposite direction. As in, not behind any of the doors they’d just passed, and definitely not behind that exceptionally large set up on the right. Alec eyed the pair curiously, so majestic and ornate. Clearly, they provided entry to somewhere very important. Not that he could see where. The fuckers were closed.
Finally, they reached the end of the hall, at which point they took a right and kept going. Not for much longer, though. A dozen yards down, they came to a stop. Right in front of a set of double doors. Not huge ones like that other pair, but they were still pretty big. Then again, everything felt big in this castle. Which he supposed made sense since it was built for big-ass Kríe.
Alec felt the humidity even before the guards pushed open the doors.
Yup, the bath house.
And, damn, what a bath house it was.
His brows rose as the six Kríe ushered them in, the one in front pulling them unyieldingly by their leash. The place was big—like, really big—its ‘bath’ easily sixty feet long. A walkway circled its perimeter, and down the length of each side stood a half dozen pillars connected by decorative arches. Large sconces lined the walls, while in the water, exotic flowers floated serenely. Red, with pointed petals, they reminded Alec of small lotuses. And wow, he could smell them from yards away. Sweet and inviting, their fragrance like a siren, beckoning him to join them in the water.
Not that he had the option to sit this one out. By the way the guards were pulling his team toward the steps, taking a soak in this bath was clearly non-negotiable.
A couple of the Kríe got busy cutting them free. Their wrist binds, then the collar around their necks.
“Take off your clothes,” the largest guard ordered.
The trio tensed uneasily, but Chet just glared. “How about I take off your head instead?”
Zaden rolled his dark brown eyes.
Alec groaned and pulled off his tank top. “C’mon, guys. Let’s just do this. Definitely not the battle to pick.”
Jamis, one of their astrobiologists, followed his lead. “This place could be worse.”
Noah, the other biologist, eyed the water. “Right. If it’s good enough for royals...”
Bailey, the third scientist, shucked his clothes and stepped in. “Ahhhh… Hell yeah… It’s warm.”
Alec was first to join him, and as the rest filed in, the guards took up posts around the pool. Arms crossed, stances spread, looking openly bored—and maybe a little irritated to be babysitting.
Alec waded in deeper until water lapped his pecs, then reached for one of those exotic red flowers. Definitely not waterlilies. These weren’t attached to anything. Fresh ones were probably tossed in every day. The others drew to a stop a few feet away, Noah looking especially unhappy.
“They’re not coming back, are they?” he murmured. “This is it.”
“They couldn’t even if they wanted to.” Bailey frowned and glanced at the guards. “They’d never get past the front gates.”
Noah pursed his lips, then shook his head. “If he wanted it bad enough, he’d figure out a way.”
And they all knew exactly who he was referring to. Gesh. The pack leader who’d sold them to the king. The same Kríe whom Noah clearly had it bad for. Although, how he’d grown so attached so fast, Alec couldn’t quite understand. He sure as shit didn’t have feelings for Miros. Then again, unlike Noah, he wasn’t gay and didn’t have that innate, natural tendency.
“I don’t think it’s that simple,” Zaden told the blond scientist. “There’s only a small pack of them, but the king? This castle? Shit, this place is swarming with soldiers.”
Noah’s angry façade faltered. He glanced down at the water. “How could he do this? He likes me. A lot. I felt it. How could he just up and fucking sell me?”
“Because he’s not like us,” Jamis pointed out, raking his brown hair out of his eyes. “He doesn’t think like us. He’s not human. Hell, I doubt he even recognizes that he likes you.”
That didn’t appear to make Noah feel any better.
“No.” Alec shook his head. “He’ll be back when he’s able.”
Noah looked at him. “You really believe that?”
“Yeah. I mean, think about the shit we just witnessed. Cool-and-collected Gesh losing his ever-loving mind. Giving the king’s guards a beat down just for touching you. For fuck’s sake, they had to friggin’ drag him away, Noah.” He chuckled darkly. “Yeah, I’d say he’s coming back.”
“Good,” Chet muttered. “Saves me from having to hunt him down.” He cracked his wet knuckles and glared at the door. “His big, grape ass had better bring Roni.”
The team paused to look at him. So close, Alec could see the Kríe’s bite mark perfectly, the one he’d left at the base of Chet’s neck. Thing was, the teeth marks weren’t an angry, inflamed red, but more like a smoldering, deep purple.
Chet shrugged with a grunt. “What. I told you, I’m gonna beat his ass, then kill ‘em. I’m not all forgiving like ‘meesha’ over here. I hold fucking grudges. Exact justice.”
“You mean revenge,” Bailey corrected.
Noah scowled. “I don’t forgive him. That asshole can kiss my fucking ass.”
“Good.” Jamis nodded. “He doesn’t deserve forgiveness.”
“Or his front fucking teeth,” Chet added darkly.
The guard at his back chuckled. “Ochay moyo.”
Chet turned around and glared poison daggers at the guy. “No, you purple kumquat. I’m not a funny creature. I’m a pissed off fucking human, ready to murder.”
The big Kríe smirked and shrugged a beefy shoulder. “I wish you the best. I hope you succeed. Gesh is a bane we do not need.”
“Yeah, a real bane.” Chet’s eyes went all shrewd. “So how ‘bout you let us go so we can off him.”
“Mah.”
“Come on.”
“Mah.”
“But—”
“Be quiet, moyo. Take your bath.”
Bailey muffled a snort.
Chet looked at him and glared. “You think that’s funny?”
“Chet,” Alec ground out. “Shut the fuck up for once. I can’t frickin’ think with all your bitching.”
“Fine. Whatever.” Chet curtly turned away. Then just like that, was off rocking a perfect front stroke.
Good. Blow off some steam. Alec needed to as well.
Zaden exhaled and dragged a hand back through his stick-straight bangs. “We need a fucking plan, but I got nothing.”
Alec glanced toward the door. “Yeah, me neither. But one will present itself eventually. It’s got to.”
Bailey sank beneath the water, then stood back up and shook out his curly brown hair. “Well, at least we’re not in any immediate danger.”
Jamis wiped his spattered face. “True. They don’t appear to wanna kill us.”
“No, they don’t.” Noah scooped up a flower. “But they do want us smelling good. Question is, why?”
“So we don’t stink?” Bailey chuckled.
Noah slid him a look. “Yeah. Meaning someone’s gonna be sniffing us. But who? Who’s gonna be that fucking close?”
Alec tensed. Zercy would be. Somehow he knew this instinctively. Hell, the king had already been close enough to smell Gesh’s pack on Alec earlier. That was the very reason they were taking this bath now. His heart thumped faster. Zercy had called him “pet.” What if he’d meant that shit literally?
Abruptly, the big, double doors shoved opened, lending the way to two more Kríe.
The guards playing babysitter acknowledged them but stayed silent, as if the approaching pair held some unspoken authority.
The two came to a stop at the edge of the pool. “It is time,” one said, his timbre rich like caramel. “One of you must come with us. Now.”
A chill raced up Alec’s spine. He had a bad feeling about this. Frowning, he turned and faced them. “To go where?”
“The physician’s chambers. To meet with Sirus.”
Aw, fuck. That was the Kríe Zercy mentioned earlier. The one he wanted them taken to for ‘tests.’
He cleared his throat. “And if we refuse?”
“Then we will forcibly take all of you.”
Damn it.
He was the captain, which made this shit his burden. Time to go down with the ship.
Clenching his jaw, he squared his shoulders. “I’ll go.”
“What?” Zaden piped up. “Alec. Wait. No.”
Alec met his friend’s gaze. “You’re in charge while I’m gone.”
“No, way. I’ll go,” Chet announced from behind.
Alec turned to him. “No, Chet. I appreciate it, but I’m captain.”
“Yeah, and I’m the bodyguard.” Chet marched through the water. “I’m to keep all you jacks out of harm’s way, remember? Definitely, indisputably, part of the job description.”
“Right, which is why I need your ass to stay put. You’re to look after the team. That’s your damn job. And you can’t fucking do that if you’re gone.”
Chet drew to a stop beside him. “No way, Boss. Forget it. I can’t—”
“I’m not asking.”
Chet pursed his lips.
Alec narrowed his eyes. On this, he wasn’t budging. Chet was part of the team so technically Alec was responsible for him, too.
The two guards swapped looks, then chuckled darkly. “Kerra.” Relax. “Sirus would be happy to take you both.”
* * *
Alec’s hired gun stayed behind—because a direct order was a direct order. Not that Alec believed for one minute that Chet wanted to come. Only a crazy person would earnestly want to hand himself over to a sex-driven species’ ominous head scientist.
As they exited the bath house, the guards cut a right and led Alec down the long stone corridor. Orange rays spilled in through countless arched windows, spaced evenly down the left side of the passageway.
He peered out one of the openings, a towel wrapped around his waist, his bare feet slapping quietly against the floor. The sky was clear, and damn, check that out—the sunset contained two blazing suns. With everything going on, he’d somehow forgotten that Nira was part of a binary star system. Not that multiple suns weren’t common, because they were. Even more so than single-stars like Earth’s.
Come to think of it, he’d forgotten about something else as well. Something that would explain why the past two days had felt so effing long. According to Astrum Industries’ calculations, not only was the planet they were stranded on smaller than Earth, but it rotated at only half the speed, too. Meaning, each day had a lot more hours—something he would’ve noticed had those fuckheads not taken their intel-data wristbands with everything else.
Alec lifted a brow as something else came back to him. The fact that not only were the days there longer, but each revolution around their suns took nearly twice as long as well. Which meant, while to the rescue team it will have taken a year to get here, only half of a year will have passed to those on the ground. Not that, ultimately, it wasn’t still the same amount of time, but hopefully the longer days would make it go by faster.
Alec pulled his gaze from the sunset and looked straight ahead. With one guard in front of him and one behind, they headed toward the south side of the castle. It took a few minutes—the place was huge—but eventually they came to a spacious, curving staircase. One that led up, and not down. Alec paused and exhaled in relief. Oh, thank fuck. They weren’t going to some creepy-ass dungeon.
“Move,” the guard at his back grunted. “Sirus waits.”
Alec frowned and resumed, glancing over his shoulder. “This Sirus guy. You like him?”
The Kríe shrugged. “He is strange.”
Strange. Fucking awesome. So not the answer he was looking for. “Guess that means no,” he muttered.
“Just not yes.”
Alec lifted his gaze as they ascended the stone steps. The circular stairwell’s ceiling was too high above to see. Just a small, distant darkness despite the windows along the way. Which, Alec presumed, meant they were heading up a lookout tower. He wondered how many the castle had.
After a good bit of climbing, his legs started to ache. Fuck, he really hoped their destination wasn’t at the top, because if so, they still had a long way to go. A few more minutes passed. Sweat bloomed across his brow. His muscles began to burn. His breaths came faster.
He eyed the guard in front of him. He didn’t even look winded. Then again, by the size of his fucking thighs, he probably climbed stairs like these all day long.
Finally, they reached, yup, the very top.
“Jesus,” Alec groaned breathlessly. “You need to install a fucking elevator.”
The guards turned and eyed him.
“Elevator?” the front Kríe asked.
“Yeah. You know… a big box? With a pulley? Takes you up and down without stairs?”
The males traded looks. The one behind Alec poked his shoulder. “You tell this to Sirus. He is strange, but also clever. He will build it. Makes things for the king all the time.”
Alec frowned. “I was kidding. He’d need stuff you don’t have. Steel ropes… hydraulics… an elevator shaft—”
“Tell him,” the front Kríe insisted. “You must. We want to see.”
Alec stared at him incredulously.
The male’s dark lips curved. “Do this, as a favor to us, and I will suck your little cock.”
What?
Alec stiffened, then scowled at the fucker. Miros had made a similar remark about the size of his dick, and just like then, Alec didn’t fucking appreciate it. “First of all, asshole, my cock isn’t little. And secondly, keep your fangy-mouth away from it.”
The guard’s brows hiked, as if surprised by Alec’s response. What, were blowjobs on this planet some kind of lucky-score deal-sealer? The other male coughed, then threw back his head and laughed, his booming baritone echoing through the stairwell.
The first Kríe just grunted. “You are stranger than Sirus.” Turning back around, he faced the door they’d stopped at—but suddenly went still as he eyed it. With a grimace of chagrin, he glanced at his comrade. “It appears we have taken the wrong tower.”
Alec froze, his eyes widening. “We did WHAT?” he exploded. He’d never survive a second fucking climb.
The Kríe took one look at his horrified face, then exploded into laughter with his friend. “Joking, moyo. Joking. My Nira. You are gullible.” He opened the door and shoved Alec inside.
Alec stumbled but quickly righted himself, his relief too strong to stay irritated. Blinking, he glanced around, getting a look at the place. It was big, clearly the entire top level of the lookout tower, and easily a good forty feet in diameter. All around its circumference, more arched windows offered openings, which in turn, allowed a subtle breeze to circulate. Supply shelves were everywhere, stocked with jars, bottles and sacks. Bowls, tools, and writing materials covered the worktables. Which there were many of. This Sirus guy was a busy Kríe.
Alec eyed the floor-length drapery hanging off to the left. Heavy and crimson, they were clearly for privacy, or maybe even to create closed partitions. Alec frowned, diverting his gaze upward to one strange-as-fuck formation embedded between two wood beams in the ceiling. His frown deepened. What in the hell was that freakish thing? It looked like a junk sculpture gone all fucking wrong. He shuddered, averting his gaze again, not wanting to know.
He spotted some books on a table—hand-bound with stamped brass and leather fittings stacked into piles. Although, several did lay open, exposing vellum insides; their pages packed with intricate little symbols. Their very own written language.
Wall torches and candles added light to the expanse. Strange plants basked in the sunset along each sill. At the far end of the room, next to a crackling stone fireplace, critters the size of gerbils skittered around a cage. They reminded him of bats—but wingless, and blue—all chittering and clinging to the bars.
Maybe he’d get a chance to check them out.
Another Kríe emerged from behind a curtained divider. His keen eyes locked instantly on Alec. “Beautiful Nira…” he rumbled. “Who is this you bring me?”
“Sirus, meet King Zercy’s brand new pet.”
“Tah… Of course…” His golden gaze glittered. “And as I understand it, my brand new project.”
Alec tensed, not missing the hint of glee in his tone. Heart thumping anxiously, he studied the approaching Kríe. Leaner than the guards, he wore a snug black tunic, tied with black rope around the waist. His dreads were pulled back, too. Dark sandals hugged his feet. And wrapped around every thick ankle and wrist were countless bands of black, masculine beads.
But there was something else about him, something Alec couldn’t exactly see. It was more like an aura, an invisible vibe, whispering that he might be a nut job. A truly crazy scientist. And those gold, fixated eyes were not helping.
Alec’s pulse spiked faster. He didn’t want to do this. What if Sirus gave him a lobotomy or some shit? For all he knew, pet meant vegetable zombie in Kríeland and it was Sirus’ job to make him nice and compliant. With a spike straight into his freaking cerebellum, so he’d sit nice and quietly on a leash.
Oh, God.
Breathing a curse, he glanced at his escorts by the door. Maybe if he bribed them, they’d help him escape. Evidently, his expression had been pretty transparent, because the bastards just smirked and shook their heads.
Fuck.
Alec turned back around—and froze.
Sirus was less than a foot away… peering down at him way too intently.
“Beesha.” Greetings. He smiled. “I am Sirus.”
“Yeah. I kinda caught that.”
“And you,” he studied Alec’s face, “are exquisite.”
Alec cringed and rubbed his nape. Ugh. He needed to get back to his team.
“So, uh, what exactly is the plan here, big guy? You gonna weigh me? Take my temp? Get my blood pressure? Record my height? ‘Cause I’d kinda like to get this over with so I can leave.”
Sirus chuckled and stepped back. “So eager to begin.” He gestured toward the partitions. “Come this way.”
Alec swallowed and followed him over, watching nervously as he pulled open a drape. A sectioned-off area, just like he’d suspected. Roughly eight feet by ten, it had a window at the other end, as well as more candles placed about. Three sides were nothing but huge swaths of crimson, with a large disturbing table in the center. Disturbing, because clearly it was designed for examinations, with a fuck ton of metal shackles mounted around it.
Apprehensively, he studied the thing, making note of all its oddities. The surface looked like stone, but smoother, and curiously, softer. And though as a whole it was rectangular in shape, there were clearly-distinguishable sections for each body part; a narrower, rounded portion on the end for the head, long segmented supports for arms and legs.
“Wait here.” Sirus sauntered to a shelf of various flasks, grabbed a small, rectangular empty one, then headed back. “I would like a urine sample.” He handed Alec the container.
Alec regarded the thing. Could be worse. “Yeah, uh… okay.”
But instead of turning around, the Kríe just stood there. Clearly, these fuckers did not grasp privacy. Scowling, Alec turned around, lifted his towel and did his thing, then dropped the cloth back down and handed it over.
Sirus gave it a sniff and smiled.
Alec watched him. Really? They were sophisticated enough to have their own friggin’ language, but couldn’t resist smelling piss like it was pizza?
Sirus set the sample aside and strode to another crowded shelf, this one holding decanters of varying shapes. Thoughtfully, he scanned all the colorful choices, then picked one with indigo liquid. Pouring a tiny glassful, he swiftly returned.
“Drink,” he commanded, extending it to Alec.
Alec eyed the stuff suspiciously. “Do I have to?”
“Tah.” Yes.
“Why?” He frowned. “What is it?”
“Not poison, if that is your concern. Just a swallow of good health.”
“Riiight. Good health,” Alec deadpanned.
“Indeed. Promotes peak performance and virility.”
Yeah, okay. That didn’t sound sketchy as fuck.
Alec stared at the liquid.
Sirus grinned and took his hand. Pressed the glass against his palm. “Drink. Be brave.”
Ugh. Alec scowled and clutched it freely. “Fine. Whatever. But swear to God, this better not be the juice from that damn fire fruit.”
“Fire fruit?” Sirus grinned. “Do you mean senna`sohnsay?”
“Yeah,” he muttered.
The Kríe chuckled. “Interesting… But no, this is merely kirah nectar.”
Relieved to hear it, Alec gave a small nod, then downed the dark liquid in one gulp. Sweet, but also tart. Kind of syrupy, too. Not bad, though. Would probably rock mixed with club soda.
He handed the glass back to Sirus, who smiled and set it aside, then motioned for Alec to move to the table.
Aw, fuck. Not that.
Alec frowned at it warily. Rubbed his brow. “Uh…Yeah, I don’t think so.”
Sirus strode to its side where a captain’s wheel was mounted—or at least that’s what it looked like to Alec. With a couple of turns, the table got moving, rotating from horizontal to perfectly vertical.
“Nenya,” Sirus prompted again. Come.
Alec eyed the iron restraints. So fucking many.
“Do not be nervous. I will not hurt you. I gave my solemn vow to the king.”
Which obviously did nothing to reassure him.
Sirus waited. Crossed his arms. Tapped his big-ass Kríe foot. Moments later, his face turned stern. “For Nira’s sake. Time is wasting. Do I need to have the guards come and help?”
Alec bristled. He was playing that card? What a dick.
He glanced over his shoulder at the two Kríe guarding the door. The males merely grinned and widened their stance, as if saying, Yup, we like forceful. That’s our jam.
Damn it.
Alec glowered and turned back around. Whatever. Sirus promised that he wouldn’t hurt him. Might as well get this shit over with.