Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 130081 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 434(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 130081 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 434(@300wpm)
“How do you know? Because I’m telling you, I have to get free of this place or I’ll die! Or kill myself!” Xairna’s pretty features twisted into a rictus of disgust. “Who do you think my father ‘feeds’ on when he can’t get fresh human victims?”
“Oh, no,” Lan’ara breathed. The sympathy was clear on her face. But Davrik needed more definite proof before he trusted the Scourge female.
“Take Lan’ara’s hand,” he directed, nodding at the Empath Kindred, who stood and came to the door of the cell at once. “She’ll be able to tell us your true intentions.”
“Very well.” Xairna stepped forward and held out one slim gray hand, which Lan’ara took in her lavender one. For a moment the Empath stood rigid, then her features melted in a mixture of pity and sorrow.
“Oh, I’m so sorry,” she murmured to Xairna. “The things you’ve gone through…”
“Don’t worry about that—I can handle myself,” Xairna snapped, pulling her hand free. “Just let me leave with you, please.”
Davrik still wasn’t completely convinced but Lan’ara looked up at him.
“We need to take her with us,” she said firmly. “No one should have to endure what she has been subjected to. Mind-raped not once but over and over again and by her own father…” She shook her head and Davrik could see the horror in her eyes.
He was about to reluctantly agree when the sound of heavy tromping filled the air. Looking up, he saw what looked like a whole battalion of Scourge warriors marching around the corner. By their dull eyes and blank faces, he thought they must be the Vat-grown clones Lan’ara had talked about earlier. However, the male at the head of the group looked different.
He had the same black uniform and red-on-black eyes as the others, but there was animation in his gaze. When he saw Xairna, a cruel smile spread across his thin lips.
“Well, well—there you are my darling mate-to-be,” he remarked, grinning at her in a way that revealed white, even teeth that were sharply pointed. “I’m so glad I found you—your father has been calling for you, you know. He says he’s hungry.”
Xairna flinched and her small hands curled into fists at her sides.
“There are human prisoners for him to feed on, Krix,” she said tightly. “He doesn’t need me.”
“Yes, but he wants you,” the Scourge officer declared. “He likes the taste of your pain.” He cocked his head to one side, pretending to consider. “I suppose there’s something vaguely incestuous about a father feeding from his own daughter, but be that as it may, he’s been calling for you and none other will satisfy him.”
“I won’t go!” Xairna lifted her chin and took a step back. “I’m busy right now, anyway. I have to escort these prisoners to the laboratory to have trackers implanted. Take one of the others instead.” She nodded at the dull-eyed humans in the other cell as she backed away.
“No, I’m afraid that won’t do,” the Scourge officer called Krix said smoothly. “But please don’t worry, my darling Xairna—I promise that once you and I are Joined, I won’t let him feed on you nearly as much.” He smirked. “I’ll be too busy keeping you chained to my bed while I breed you.”
The look of disgust was back on Xairna’s face.
“I’ve told you before—I won’t Join with you! You only want me because you think if you have me, my father’s power will pass to you. But that’s not true because he won’t…fucking…die.”
“I’ll admit, our leader’s longevity is amazing,” Krix remarked dryly. “But I will have you, my dear. I’ll sink both my shafts to the hilt in your tight little pussy and asshole and fill you with my seed before this solar month is through!”
And reaching forward, he grabbed Xairna by the arm.
Just as quickly, she shook him off.
“Keep dreaming, Krix—you’ll never get near me. You turn my stomach!”
The Scourge officer turned his attention to Davrik.
“Ah, a feisty little one, isn’t she?” he said, grinning, as though he enjoyed the verbal sparring. “Little does she know that I’ve already gotten permission from the AllFather to Join with her.”
“You do not! You liar!” But the quiver in Xairna’s voice belied her disbelief.
“Oh yes, I do my sweet one,” Krix purred, smiling that cruel smile again. “In fact, after your father feeds from you, you’re going straight to the laboratory to get your piercings done. I can’t chain you to my bed until you’ve got your sweet nipples and the hood of your clit pierced for me.”
“Never!” Xairna crossed her arms over her breasts protectively and took a step back as Krix reached for her again. “Stay away from me!”
“Ha! She’s such a little tease. We have to keep our females in line, don’t we?” the Scourge officer remarked to Davrik, and pounded him on the back in a fraternal fashion.