She was bound to panic.
There, lying on the ground and at gunpoint, I could see her worried by noticing the rhythm of her breathing. Angel. hoped that her organism would adapt better to the hybridization process.
"Caílin ..."
My mind searched for her in the void. Nothing! All I could capture was a chaotic jumble of images. I think Ravenack always got that effect on people. I tried not to remember where it came from or from. Or the sentries who accompanied him.
"Hell, Angel. Look at me!"
I forced the thought into her mind in an attempt to break the paralyzing torpor that invaded her. And without understanding. I think that at that moment, Angel was able to assimilate what was really a hybridization process. The genes of that species were part of it. The girl was going to freak out.
"Angel!"
I sat up, trying hard to ignore the pain in my shoulder. Had they totally taken over the base?
"Bashee! Sereide! Max! Damn, anyone. Is anyone still alive?"
I also tried unsuccessfully to make contact with the other members of the ship and who was part of the Tower of Seven circles, through telepathy.
The Spartackus compartment was a sudden pandemonium. And that was the least of my problems.
If Ravenack was right there to find the hybrid they were looking for, I was in terrible trouble.
"Raini! Hello!"
I didn't feel any connection.
Shit! Were they dead?
All of that in a fraction of an instant escaped my reasoning. I didn't even look at Ravenack when the air seemed to escape from my lungs. My hands automatically went to the claws that held my neck, and I didn't care about that monster's diabolical expression.
Angel! At that moment all I cared about was her. That could be the most feared bloody leech predator in the world that we knew, and the Confederacy would avoid facing it directly because of the Citadel's black market ... N'Tirlay could be in his domain even the creatures there would bow down before him. ..
I could smile. There, I finally got over it. I have never experienced such satisfaction, especially knowing that that monster had kept me as a slave. Ah, a single application with an organic reading neutralizer could do wonders. That worm was not going to be able to sniff out his coveted prey.
Have I said that sometimes everything, but everything can go wrong?
My feet swayed without support in the air when my gaze went to Angel in a silent warning to keep quiet. Let the girl keep quiet. And maybe we could get out of there.
-I think I haven't received my order yet! - the low hiss was metallic as it growled.
It was damnation! Had that hellish creature assimilated the planet's local language? When? Since when, hell?
My hand pressed hard on the claw stuck to my throat and there was still no air. I was beginning to suffocate.
"The hybrid ..." Ravenack snarled again and glanced at Angel without interest.
It will not put its flooded paws on it.
I think my insolent look answered what thought. There was no way I was going to give Angel to him. The steel pressure increased making me see everything black before the approaching fangs and red eyes.
He would attack. I heard Angel's telepathic scream in my mind before she even screamed in fright, attracting the attention of an enemy I didn't want around her. And more images that made me find strength in an extraordinary hatred.
I was rightfully descended to Édrin's throne because I was able to manipulate elemental energy and magic. I reacted on instinct and with my world falling apart when I thought about what Angel had been through and without the courage to tell me. My rebellion had no limits, especially when the images showed Ravenack manipulating reality, making Angel believe he was me when he entered the damn ship where she had been taken. It was acid that corrodes my insides. I just wanted to kill and destroy. My hand dug into the cold claw, conjuring power in a way I had never done before. Anger intensified my emotions, channeling magic in a frightening way.
I saw Angel in the arms of that monstrous freak, corresponding to the kisses of that and the frightened voice between sobs and tears that called her name. Damn it, Ravenack. What else had
Angel might not be aware of the use of magic or know how to use it, but the instinct for survival was stronger. I saw at a glance and with relief that she reacted without noticing emanating heat. I knew that her emotional state would do more damage than my fury there. The girl dominated the fire and was able to cause terrible destruction with just a single touch. I had seen her power out of control like this only once. The alien DNA that she carried caused an intense imbalance in the energy around her as she absorbed more power from the environment than her human body was capable of and that was another terrible problem.
What happened that she, out of fear or shame, had refused to tell me? My other hand gripped Ravenack's claw, exuding intense energy. I simply reacted on instinct and hurt my pride and helplessly with the failure to know of the inability to have protected the woman who would be my mate.
Her listless manner was totally natural. Sometimes words were unnecessary. I saw what I knew somehow ... I saw what had happened when Angel had disappeared from Spartackus after our argument, running away with Spike. I finally realized with disgust why she stayed away from me while I believed I was being ignored and amused myself with a sensual redhead. I saw through her eyes of terror what I did not want and something awoke inside me furious and wild. It was all at the same time.
"Angel! Mercy, why didn't you tell me ?" my thought echoed with tears.
We were creatures that didn't belong in that time or space. The ability to cast magic slowly and gradually had manifested itself in our genes during evolution. The radiation and heat that the two stars emanated from our Ziron system brought unbelievable power and abilities. Edrians were the natural evolution that the K'Aldriant so sought for greater adaptability and yet failed.
I raised my hand in the form of an attack as Ravenack retreated without action stunned by my attitude. That creature would never have imagined my temerity to attack him. His claw looked frozen. I took advantage of the moment and created an impenetrable barrier of thick ice isolating me and Angel from the rest of the aliens. And yet all I wanted was just to destroy and kill.
Angel ... Her glassy, horrified look awakened my attention to more urgent needs. The girl needed me. The realization shocked me. More than ever I was sure of what she meant to me. She didn't master the magic well enough to channel it without hurting herself in that way. I wrapped Angel in my arms, cooling my body temperature and forcing the girl to lower her body temperature. Heavens! It seemed to burn like fire at the first touch.
"Zorack!"
"Are you all well? Is someone dead or injured?"
"They invaded. They're all over the place!"
"Zorack! We need to get these people out of here. Now!"
"Like? Spartackus does not have the capacity to support so many with the damaged navigation mechanisms! It's suicidal!"
"We are fine! Raiani and Eloas are surrounded but alive. Does anyone know about Bash? And Igraine?"
"Has anyone seen Joshua? Forget the damn science officer. What about Iraine?"
"He's with Scarlet! There is still resistance inside the base and in the laboratory."
The previously uncomfortable silence echoed disoriented and confused thoughts and I sighed in relief. All six were there waiting for me after Ravenack had been removed. And it wasn't going to last very long. I could feel the fury of his blows on the barrier that I created solid that was the only thing that separated us from him.
Shit!
All right then! I breathed a sigh of relief. The union and the mental link that united the Tower's heirs showed more than words. Angel and I were trapped on the ship's bridge. Spartackus was going to have little help in fighting those things.
Worse than that. They were able to capture my extraordinary and bloody fury there in the heat of the moment. Every part of me commanded my return. I just wanted to kill Ravenack. They saw what no one had the courage to admit. They had reached Angel and for some inexplicable reason released her. Why?
I myself was ready to return to the battlefield and attack. Everything compelled me to that. It was Sereide's emanation of calm that returned part of my coldness and reasoning at that moment. She was certainly skilled at manipulating emotions.
It won't help anything by dying. It will only give him a chance to capture the girl, Zorack.
Only there, I didn't want to see anything else. However, the connection with Angel seemed stronger than ever. The minds were somehow in perfect harmony. I saw with disgust what was growing inside those giant test tubes inducing the growth process in an accelerated way. The image of a clone that slowly suffered a degenerative process and was linked to Angel. Another failed experience. The image of her distorted there caused me pure horror. They, even with the advanced technology they mastered, could not contain the toxicity of their genetic inheritance. That was going to die fatally. What about Angel?
-You won't be able to hide it from me, slave. She belongs to me! "Ravenack's bestial roars seemed to shake the ship itself.
"Enough! Try to stay calm!" Max complained angrily.
"Keep calm. We're surrounded! As you expect ..."
"No panic, Iraine. The Tower is again united and the links are connected. We can try..."
I shook my head in amazement. The complete alliance. It gave us power and guaranteed more chances to react. I looked at Angel with evident doubt as I held her face between her open hands.
-Caílin ... I spoke softly and forcing myself to try to reach her somehow.
-They ... they are real! - Her voice sounded louder than normal. - Are ... are ... God, it's not a damn hallucination. They're real!
I sighed. A month and a half in the unreal security of those concrete walls seemed to have given the expectation of an impossible nightmare for those humans. Outside, a still-lethal virus was advancing through the planet's atmosphere, contaminating those who had failed to take shelter or escape from the creatures Ravencak always brought with him.
-Look at me! - I asked with resignation. - I can assure you that they are very real. And ensure that the last place you would like to visit is N'Tirlay.
-I ... I ... Damn. They did abduct me, didn't they? It wasn't just nightmares ... and ... and ...
God, does that really exist? Experiences ...?
-Angel ...- I didn't know what to say there. He could embrace her as if no harm could come to him, and yet it would be little to lessen all his terror.
-Is it ... is that what I am?
The words came low and with alarming fear in the sparkling emerald eyes choked with sobs.
I took Angel by the shoulders and shook her lightly.
-That's definitely not what you are. Never!
-He ... he ... is ..a ... monster! - Angel sobbed loudly.- I ...- now the tears overflowed like a dam when she leaned on me unsteadily. - I thought it was ... it was ... you.
The simple confession caught me unprepared. I knew it and I was eating away with jealousy and fury.
"Zorack!"
I took a deep breath, not believing what I was about to do ... That ship ... The blows were still tireless.
Holy shit! My ship ... I can't believe it!
-Computer ... this is Captain Zorack. Trigger destruction code after 4.5 lunar cycles. Binary combination by the Confederation protocol ...- I hugged Angel without being able to think straight. For a lifetime there, that ship had been my home, my security stronghold after being rescued from slavery in the Citadel.
"Computer, First mate Max. Destruction code released in the 4.5-cycle lunar sequence."
"I do not believe this. Do you know how hard it was to fix this contraption? Damn you, Zorack. Central command, this is security officer Scarlet. Binary combination of the authorized emergency and evacuation protocol."
"We will be stranded in that time and on this planet, Zorack. I didn't really like the food around here. And the infernal heat! Command authorized by the Bash browser, releasing location coordinates for distress calls in the standard frequency of three biotnos."
The Spartackus ....
happened that she, out of fear or shame, had refused to tell me? My other hand gripped Ravenack's claw, exuding intense energy. I simply reacted on instinct and hurt my pride and helplessly with the failure to know of the inability to have protected the woman who would be my mate.
Her listless manner was totally natural. Sometimes words were unnecessary. I saw what I knew somehow ... I saw what had happened when Angel had disappeared from Spartackus after our argument, running away with Spike. I finally realized with disgust why she stayed away from me while I believed I was being ignored and amused myself with a sensual redhead. I saw through her eyes of terror what I did not want and something awoke inside me furious and wild. It was all at the same time.