Kollin (The Azziarin Series Book 3) Page 3

  She lay as still as a mannequin while she stared at a dull metal wall, letting the numbness spread throughout her body. Krista knew they had done something to her while she lay unconscious because her neck hurt, and she had a throbbing ache deep inside her body. It felt like menstrual cramps, but it wasn’t that time of month.

  She closed her eyes and thought of happier times with her family. The four of them taking vacations when she was younger. They would go to theme parks, and she and Alan would always ride the front seat of every roller-coaster.

  Water-skiing on the lake, her dad looking back at her with a huge grin on his face as the wind blew his hair straight back. Her lips tipped upward as his image filled her mind. He always wore those mirrored sunglasses, and she could see herself reflected back.

  She saw images of her mom kissing her dad’s cheek while he drove the boat, his arm slung around her shoulder as he pulled her close. They were so in love, and Krista had always dreamed of finding someone to love her that much.

  The little smile dropped from her face as the hard floor reminded her of where she was. Finding someone seemed impossible now. The best she could hope for was to be quickly reunited with her family in the ever after. She closed her eyes and drifted into a restless sleep as she thought of meeting her family again.

  Chapter Four

  Krista awoke to an aching stomach, her body shivering in cold. How long had she been asleep? Slowly sitting up, she quickly stretched her arms over her head and then hugged her knees, hiding her nudity. She didn’t like feeling so exposed.

  She blinked slowly a couple of times, letting her eyes adjust to the dim lighting. Looking around the empty cell, she spotted a tray sitting on the floor just inside the cell door. She quickly scanned the area to make sure she was alone before hurrying to the tray and snatching it up. God, she wanted clothes!

  After sitting back down, she dragged the tray alongside her after pulling her knees back to her chest, letting her legs hide her nudity once again.

  Lifting the square lid, she scrunched her nose in disgust. Some type of white mush was all that she found on the plate. Her stomach growled in protest, so she decided to try a bite. The taste was bitter on her tongue, and before it could slide down her throat, she gagged and spit out the vile food—if that was what it truly was.

  “So much for that,” she mumbled as she replaced the lid and shoved the tray away from her.

  The longer she sat shivering in the cell, the more her grief turned to anger. It wasn’t all her fault that Alan was killed, it was theirs! They were the ones that attacked Earth, and they were the ones that came after them while driving through town. In a nervous habit, she started biting her nails as she thought of ways to escape.

  Time passed slowly, and she knew she’d been sitting there for several hours, maybe even a day or three. It was hard to tell time, and without knowing how long she’d slept… well, Krista wasn’t sure if she should be happy or not. On one hand, the silence was diving her crazy, but on the other, they had left her alone, even if she was naked, cold, and hungry.

  Krista found that talking to herself was the only entertainment she had. She replayed scenes from her life over and over in her head. She’d had a good life; it just wasn’t long enough.

  She had forced herself to eat some of the bitter mush even though she gagged with every bite. They provided a bowl of water, which helped. Weak from hunger, she spent most of her time sleeping and shivering from the cold.

  Just as she was about to drift off to sleep, a clank outside the cell startled her. Her eyes shot to the dull metal door that held her fate just beyond it. She waited with bated breath to see who would walk through. Her hands were visibly shaking as her heart pounded in her chest. All her anger faded to fear, for nothing good could be behind the door. Sitting in the corner and hugging her legs to her chest, she made herself as small as possible while her eyes remained glued to the door.

  She watched as it slowly opened, metal grating on metal in groaning protest. One hand with extra-long gray fingers wrapped around the edge of the door before it opened all the way. Krista’s breath rushed out before turning to heavy panting. She gripped her knees so hard her knuckles turned white, but she never made a sound except for her heavy breathing.

  She knew he was there for her. Many cells lined the walls of the large room, but all were empty except for hers, at least as best she could see in the dim light. Fear gripped her hard as she wondered, why now? They’d left her alone for so long. Yes, she wanted to be out of her cell, but she feared the unknown.

  When he stopped in front of her cell, she slammed her eyes shut, refusing to face whatever would happen. She heard the lock rattle before the door grated open. The heavy footsteps became louder until they stopped, and she could feel the prickle of her skin where he loomed over her. Still, she sat unmoving with her eyes squeezed tightly together.

  “Get up!”

  He said something else in a harsh tone, but she didn’t understand. His bony fingers grabbed her arm and yanked her up to her feet; he started dragging her out of the cell. Instead of fighting back, she found her feet and tried to keep up, hoping to lessen the throbbing pain that was shooting down her arm.

  As they hurried down a dimly lit corridor, Krista noticed the same dirty gray walls that she stared at in her cell. There were no markings on any doors they passed, nothing that would keep her from getting lost if she did manage to escape.

  They slowed their pace in front of one of the doors, and it swished open. Unlike the door to the cell block, this one seemed more modernized (but Krista still thought the Tureis were barbaric).

  As he pulled her in, she got her first look around. She spotted a table on which lay a naked alien, strapped down with legs and arms spread wide. As she watched them do… What the hell? Her eyes widened to saucers as a look of horror covered her face. It looked like a brutal visit to the OB-GYN. As the one that held her tried to push her onto another table, Krista let out a blood-curdling scream and then blacked out.

  Kollin

  Kollin sat restlessly while shackled in the cell. Worry consumed him and fueled his rage, as well as his need to escape. A mate, he thought for the hundredth time while shaking his head. He’d kill every Turei he encountered for taking away his choice, and it was his choice. A lifetime decision thrown away by the Tureis.

  Kollin never believed they were smart enough, and if he was lucky, they hadn’t figured it out. Claiming a mate was purely instinct, not something done with an injector.

  As standard days passed, he could feel his strength returning as his body adjusted to the drug, but his rage never dissipated. He sat there clenching and unclenching his fist, testing his strength. It wouldn’t be long now.

  He hadn’t eaten the standard day before, and he could feel the drugs draining away and his muscles getting stronger. Glancing down at the hinge that secured the shackle, he snarled and gave it one good yank. The rusted hinge flew apart, leaving the chain dangling from his arm. The shackle was still in place, but his arm was free. Only shackling one arm was stupid on their part, he thought with a vicious grin that promised death.

  Kollin was the second oldest, but he was the biggest, the deadliest of all his brothers. Growing up, his job was to protect Jakke, the firstborn, at all cost. Jakke would one day lead Azziar, so Kollin trained harder and longer than any other to make sure he could handle anything. His soldiers thought him easygoing, and he was unless you crossed him. With no hesitation on his part, vengeance was swift.

  Kollin sat with his head lowered and his arm hidden, not wanting to alert the enemy that he was now free. This could be the only chance he got to save his… to save the female.

  He sat there a few more standard hours before he heard someone stop outside the door. His muscles coiled in anticipation as he waited silently. The door slowly opened, and a Turei casually walked in, carrying a tray. It was obvious that they no longer viewed him as a threat.

  “Here’s your food,” he grumbled as h
e fiddled with the lock while balancing the tray with his other hand.

  Kollin remained quiet and never looked up. He listened to every little sound and knew every move, every step the Tureis made.

  The door protested as it opened. This part of the ship was rarely used and was left in a state of disrepair.

  He heard the two steps the enemy took inside the cage, and as soon as he heard the tray hit the metal floor, he made his move.

  Like a lion attacking prey, Kollin lunged for the unsuspecting Turei, taking him to the ground. The enemy had no time to react as Kollin straddled him. It happened quickly, giving him no time to alert others. Gripping his head, Kollin violently twisted until a loud crack echoed in the room, killing him instantly.

  Kollin’s heartbeat remained steady and his breathing normal as he grabbed the long blade from the Turei’s side. Jumping to his feet, he glanced at the dead body before stepping over it.

  He stalked down the corridor with death etched on his face, hoping to find other Tureis as he searched for the female.

  When he rounded the corner, he spotted other Tureis coming his way. Their surprise caused a moment of hesitation, but Kollin barreled after them. He raised the blade and slashed the Tureis’ throats without slowing his pace. One by one, he cut them down until he stood in front of a large metal door. His blade hung at his side with blood dripping from the tip.

  Kollin took a couple of calming breaths as he prepared himself for what was to come. He didn’t know what lay behind the door, but he’d find out. He took a deep breath through his nose, but with the door firmly secured, no smell drifted through. Taking another step closer, the door swished open, and Kollin got his first look at the breeding chamber.

  Two females, one Siccia and the other an unknown species, lay naked and tied to separate tables. Small incubators sat empty in a corner. They have just started their project, Kollin thought with satisfaction. Just knowing that no young were yet in their possession lessened his burden but not his need to kill all involved. He snarled as his fangs descended.

  “Unbind me!” the Siccia female yelled. His head briefly swung in her direction as her eyes bored into him.

  Two Tureis turned, and Kollin grinned evilly at the surprise plastered on their ugly faces. With his piercing eyes locked onto his prey, he advanced, and they retreated. It was clear to him that they were not soldiers. It didn’t matter. Today, they would meet death just the same.

  His blade swung true as he slit one throat and then the other. They never even put up a fight before they both fell lifeless to the floor.

  “Release me,” the Siccia female ordered. Kollin spared her another glance before heading to the unknown female. She lay naked while strapped to the table. Kollin couldn’t help but stare at her and wonder if she could be his mate. Had they finished the task?

  Long, dirty black hair fanned on the table around her head. Her skin was darker than his, which made her luscious pink lips look soft and delicate. Her body was thin, and he worried about her treatment and what they had done to her. He could see bruises marring her skin, fading handprints around her arm. Pain laced his heart as ice-cold fury seeped in.

  “Don’t just stand there staring! Release me, Azziarin!” He glanced back at the Siccia female with annoyance before releasing the unknown female and scooping her up in his muscled arms. She felt light in his hold, and he briefly worried about her health, wondered if they’d been feeding her.

  Kollin absently pressed the leaver to release the Siccia while staring down at the female he carried in his arms.

  She jumped off the table and rubbed both wrists. “Thank you,” she said while surveying the room.

  “What did they do to this one?”

  “Nothing that I know of. She screamed and then lost consciousness.”

  Maybe they hadn’t made her his mate. He looked at the Siccia female and thought, Please, no! Not the Siccia!

  He lowered his head to the female he held and sniffed at the juncture between her shoulder and neck. She smelled of body odor, but underneath the stench, he picked up hints of exotic flowers, rain, and his essence. He closed his eyes as he took in her scent and then let out a harsh breath. They had done it! He was mated to a female, and he didn’t even know her name or species. She was so small and fragile; he was unprepared for the surge of protectiveness that hit him.

  “Why are you smelling her? What is wrong with you?” the Siccia asked with annoyance.

  “You could just be grateful that I rescued you,” he shot back.

  “Rescued me?” she laughed harshly. “We are still on this bucket of rusty bolts.” She looked around and stated, “I need a weapon.”

  Glancing down at the unknown female once more, Kollin said, “Follow me. I’ll find a shuttlecraft so we can get off this ship.” He hugged his mate closer to his chest, wanting to kill anyone who might have hurt her.

  “Once we find a suitable craft, one that actually works, I’m going to set the ship to self-destruct,” the Siccia announced.

  Carrying the female, Kollin noticed once again how light she felt. Even though he felt protective of her, she was small in size, which made his heart sink. The females on his planet preferred his brothers, even the other males, because they were always afraid of his size. He was larger than all the others. Glancing down at her again, he feared he was mated to a female he could never physically mate.

  As Kollin stormed down the corridor, he sliced through the first Tureis he came to, which was harder while carrying the female. The Siccia didn’t waste any time; she grabbed a long blade from the dead Tureis and led the way. Kollin just pressed his lips tightly together and took off after her.

  The Siccia were a fighting race of mercenaries. The females were just as deadly as the males, and Kollin had no doubt that he followed one down the corridor. Fierce in fighting, advanced in electronics. He puzzled over how the Tureis got their hands on a Siccia female.

  Chapter Five

  Krista

  Warmth! As Krista started to rouse, she felt warm for the first time in a long while. She snuggled closer, trying to surround herself with the heat that seeped through her skin.

  She could feel the rippling of muscles as someone carried her, but she didn’t care. He, and it must be a he, smelled of honey and Christmas spices. The smell was intoxicating and the warmth heavenly; she hoped he would never put her down.

  With every jostle, Krista became more alert and aware of her surroundings. Her eyes popped open, but it took her a minute to focus. Whoever carried her had a muscled chest.

  She stilled her breath and listened to her surroundings. Where was she? Where was he taking her?

  Someone else was talking. The voice sounded female. Could there be another one here besides her? Her mind immediately thought of the female she saw strapped to the table.

  When Krista had first seen her, she noted her cone shaped head and the lack of hair. When their eyes locked, Krista had gulped in surprise. The other female had golden snake eyes, two small holes for a nose, no lips and a forked tongue. Her curvy waist and lack of a penis was the only reason Krista thought she was female.

  She heard a door swish open and felt the dip as whoever carried her bent down to enter. He must be very tall, she thought. When he laid on her a long, soft bench, she wanted to protest the loss of his body heat but decided to just stay quiet.

  She heard the two of them talking and wished she could understand what they were saying.

  “You get the shuttlecraft started, and I’ll be right back.”

  “Where are you going?” Kollin asked while his fingers flew over the console.

  “I’m going to blow this baby up.” The Siccia female grinned, and Kollin just shook his head.

  “If you’re not back in eight standard minutes, you can find another way off this ship.”

  “I’ll be back in less than five!”

  Krista listened and watched the two of them talk. When the other female left, her eyes shot to the male who had carr
ied her and drunk him in. His back was to her; she let her eyes roam over his bulging muscles that corded down his arms and across his bare shoulders. She couldn’t explain it, didn’t understand why, but she felt drawn to him. He was an alien, for goodness sakes! Trying to shake the odd feelings, she let her eyes continue their inspection as she lay in a fetal positon, trying to hide her nudity.

  He had long flowing white hair that reminded her of soft, newly-fallen snow and that reached just below his neck. When he turned his head to look at the hatch, she could she his chiseled jaw and his high cheekbones.

  His massive hands held five fingers and a thumb, which feverishly worked over a console. Lights glared as loud beeping noises filled the silence until he quieted them, and the shuttlecraft hummed to life.

  When she glanced back at his face, intense sky-blue cat-eyes locked with hers, and her breath caught. They were gorgeous, and she couldn’t look away. Her heart pounded in her chest as he stood up and slowly advanced on her, never breaking eye contact.

  He lowered himself onto his knees, but she still had to look up to see him. His flat nose sat between his high cheek bones, making him look fierce. Her eyes lowered to his thick, luscious lips before taking in his fangs. Fangs, she thought as she sucked in a deep breath, her eyes glued to his teeth. Are they growing?

  Krista knew she should be scared, but for some reason, she wasn’t. Okay, maybe she was a little afraid of his fangs, but he had rescued her and the other female. She was sure of that, and he hadn’t tried to hurt her yet. Instead, he had carried her to safety and protected her from the others. No, she didn’t fear him.

  As he gently lifted his hand to cup the side of her face, Krista squeezed her eyes shut and turned her head into his hand, letting the warmth seep in. There was no fear as gratefulness and anticipation fought for dominance, and her breath became more labored. His touch made her cheek tingle as her core creamed. What the hell? She tried to will her body under control. Yes, he was sexy, and she owed him her gratitude, but he was an alien!