Broken Read online

  For one thing, all of the trees were different colors like I had seen when I exited the ship. I gasped when some of the trees started changing color right before my eyes. What was once a patch of bright, yellow-colored trees, there stood trees in a vibrant red color.

  We continued blurring through the forest. I had lost all sense of fear as there were so many things to see. Small animals skittered around the forest floor. While some of them had resemblances to animals on Earth, they all had something different that set them apart. What looked like a squirrel from the back, actually only had one giant eyeball on its head. Somehow it made it even cuter.

  We suddenly came to a stop in what looked like just another portion of the forest. I felt gravity again and found myself leaning over to throw up from the sensation. Hands held back my hair and softly rubbed my back until I was done. Looking up at my travel companion, I was pleased to see that it did still look like Derrial standing in front of me.

  Nevertheless I took a step back from him. “What did you cook for me the morning I woke up at your house?” I asked, wanting to make sure that it really was him.

  He grinned. “Pancakes with strawberries. I would have made you blueberries but I believe there was a little accident,” he said with a wink.

  I gave a sigh of relief, convinced it was him. “You got me out!” I exclaimed, spinning around and enjoying the feel of fresh air after spending the last day surrounded by the stale air of my cell.

  “We told you we would,” he said softly, staring at me rather intensely.

  “What are we doing out here?” I asked, looking around. “It’s amazing by the way,” I couldn’t help but add.

  Derrial gave me a smirk and reached into his pocket, pulling out what looked like a tiny black disk the size of a silver dollar. He threw it on the ground and stepped back, pulling me with him. We both stared at the disk for a second until I started to feel foolish.

  I turned my head to ask Derrial what exactly we were waiting for when I heard a small popping sound. Turning my head to see what had happened, I stumbled backwards in shock. Right where the disk has been sitting, now stood a black, dome like structure.

  I was speechless, and didn’t even say anything when Derrial pulled me with him to the front of the structure. Just like with the Vepar spacecraft, an opening appeared in front of us and Derrial guided me inside.

  I looked around in wonder. We were in a room the size of a hotel room. There was a king size bed directly in front of us. On another wall was a table with two stools in front of it. Next to the table was a machine that resembled a refrigerator with the exception there was a touchpad in the front of it. There was an opaque glass wall to the left of us set up in front of the other wall. Through the glass I could see a toilet and a sink.

  Vepar technology was amazing.

  I twirled around, taking it all in. “I can’t believe everything you’ve been holding out on me,” I finally said to Derrial.

  He was leaning against the now doorless wall we had just come through, staring at me in that amused way of his, like he was watching a child discover something new. “It does all seem pretty amazing through your eyes,” he finally said.

  I stopped gaping and looked at him closely for the first time. He looked...exhausted. There were dark circles under his eyes and his skin was paler than normal. “Is everything okay?” I finally asked.

  He pushed away from the wall and started to prowl towards me until he was standing right in front of me. I backed away until my legs ran into the bed.

  “What are we doing here? Why did we have to sneak out?” I asked, feeling heat start to spread all over my body.

  “Are you feeling hungry?” he asked. At first I thought he meant food, but then I realized he was talking about my unfortunate newfound bloodlust. I realized that I was starting to experience the initial signs of that; the shakiness, the feeling that I was going to faint.

  But I didn’t want to admit that. I was still so angry at the three of them, still so confused about what was going on, what their plans for me were.

  “I’m fine,” I said in a breathier voice than I would have liked.

  “Are you sure?” he said, getting even closer. His lips hovered right above mine, and it was taking all of my self-control to prevent myself from making up the distance.

  “Tell me what’s going on,” I said, my voice a whisper now.

  “I don’t think I feel like talking,” he said.

  Reaching for my neck, he pulled me up to his lips in a forceful kiss, his tongue taking ownership of my desire. My body lost all sense of control as I gave in to him, my tongue dueling his in mimicked want. Grabbing my torso in a sexy, dominant motion, he pulled me swiftly under him. My arms instinctively wrapped around his neck, pulling and clawing at his shoulders in wanton need. I scratched down his back, making my way to his perfect ass. His sheer size prevented my reach and I struggled to adjust our position, squirming for a better vantage point beneath his large form. My attempts to maneuver were fruitless though as he pinned my arms down at my sides. Pulling his lips from mine, they brushed along my jaw and neck, his tongue leaving a tingling wetness on my overheated skin. My body arched at the sensual feel of him devouring my neck, his licks catching my skin on fire.

  The wet burning trail continued along my chest, stopping suddenly at my neckline. Pushing me back on the bed, he pondered the obstruction for a second before reaching for the front of my dress, tearing it off in one strong fluid motion, before absently tossing it to the floor. My heated skin perked against the sudden cool air, my breathless gasp turning his lustful, burning gaze molten as his lips quirked back into a sexy smirk. With a deftness I’d become quite familiar with, he undressed quickly, standing in front of me and letting me admire the view.

  Holy shit. I felt the blush staining my burning cheeks as I got the view of him I had been obsessed with since the last time I had seen it.

  He seemed to be in a hurry, but all of a sudden I wanted to take my time. I promised myself right before I reached out for him that this would be the last time, a goodbye of sorts. After this brief moment of comfort I could go back to being furious at them. I just needed one last break from it right now.

  I sat up and took his face in my hands, pulling him up towards me for a soft kiss. Nuzzling his nose against mine, we stared at each other for a long moment in silence. I could see his eyes asking me questions about what I was doing. With a gentle squeeze at my waist, he shifted me back onto the bed before coming over top of me, resting his weight on his arms to stare deep into my eyes.

  “Is this okay?” he asked. There was a depth of genuine concern in his question that was so different from how he normally was. This was the first time that I actually felt like I had a choice in the matter.

  I could read his unease clearly as he awaited my reply. I couldn’t seem to make my voice work, so I just nodded.

  “Make me forget everything,” I finally whispered after a long moment. I didn’t want to think about the world waiting outside of our little room. I just wanted the here and now. I didn’t want to think about my cell and the gorgeous, perfect Vepar female who seemed to want them. I just wanted him...right now.

  I found myself feeling rather possessive at that moment. Perhaps territorial was the most apt description, the words he’s mine floating through my head. A sudden uncontrollable urge to imprint myself on this Vepar flowed through my body like a tidal wave. To remind him exactly why I should be satisfying his needs. Not that beautiful Vepar. Not anyone else.

  If this was going to be the last time, I wanted to make it a lasting one.

  I pulled him down to my lips, needing to express my passionate insight through touch, putting every ounce of myself into my kiss. Sliding my tongue along his, I nipped his bottom lip, eliciting his released moan. It ignited my ardor and I tugged hard on the hair at his nape. He growled in response to my aggressiveness, rolling onto his back as if sensing my unspoken need for control, pulling me to lay atop his lean body.<
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  Bracing myself on his chest, I pushed up to straddle him. Staring down into his stunning face, my mouth curled into an enticing smile, taking in his wet, swollen lips as a result of my fueled kiss. “This is different,” he said with an awestruck look.

  “Don’t misunderstand this,” I said, biting my lip seductively, brushing my palm across his glorious pecs.

  “Oh?” The feel of him under my fingertips was intoxicating. My hands devoured his chest, thumbing his hardened nipples before feeling my way down along his happy trail. His intensified exhale of breath exhilarated my senses all the more.

  “I’m simply hungry....”

  “Hungry?” he questioned, his eyebrow tantalizing me, testing my restraint for control.

  “Mmhmm,” I nodded as I teasingly licked my lips.

  “Is that right?” he managed, as he glided his fingers up my thighs, resting his hands on my hips, his palms scorching my skin. The feel of his hardness between my legs enticed me. Rolling my hips, my head fell back in a moan at the feel of him sliding along my sensitive skin, assailing me with shooting darts of pleasure.

  I steeled myself above him, desperate to maintain some level of equanimity. His eyes were molten, beginning to glow in that telling way, fueling my desire to take charge. Placing my hands over his on my hips, I proceeded to move, a slow, measured gyration over him.

  “Yes, that’s right. I want you buried so deep inside me you’ll never forget how it feels. I want you to crave it as much as I’m craving you.”

  His lust-filled expression at my declaration, combined with the image my words evoked, shot my arousal sky high. I throbbed in time with my accelerated heartbeat as my need to feel him overtook me. I shifted backwards until I could touch him, the solid feel of him in my palm sent tingles through me as I stroked up and down. His eyes closed on a guttural moan.

  “Crave you? I’m already there, kitten. I’m already there.” Witnessing my effect on him was empowering. Thrilling. I wanted more.

  Pushing myself up, I surprised him with my instant drop, taking him all the way in. The fullness was overwhelming, exquisite. The pleasure escaped from my lips in a breathless cry, echoed by his husky groan. I lifted without hesitation, eager to feel him, rising slowly to savor the sensation. Pausing, I was lost in exhilaration, the tip tantalizing my entrance. He gripped my thighs, tempting my teasing power. I felt brazen with command.

  Reaching down between us, I grabbed him, and stroked him with gentle dominance before taking him to the hilt once more.

  “Fuck, Ella,” his throaty release filled me with sexual authority. I created a rhythm above him, sliding up once more before dropping back down.

  “Ella . . . ” his emission urged my increase in speed, wanting to continue pleasing him, needing to elicit such reactions. Every moan, every delicious squeeze of his fingers at my hips spiked my fervor as I rode him relentlessly, spurring my body to an exploding peak.

  I fell over the edge, screaming his name, right as he lifted his head up and sank his teeth in my neck.

  “Fuck . . . ” the delightful edge of pain brought me back to earth. Wrapping his hands firmly around my waist, he swiftly flipped me onto my back, still savoring the blood dripping from my neck. He moved with an almost out of control enthusiasm.

  I wrapped my legs tightly around him. My control was gone, stolen in his dominant display as he thrust into me over and over again.

  “Yes!” I screamed, eagerly relenting to him. I pulled his head from my neck and bit his lip hard until I could taste the salty sweetness of his blood.

  My body immediately began to feel stronger, more alive. My bite was his undoing. He buried his face in my neck, groaning as he came. Minutes passed before he stirred, lifting his gaze to mine. I moaned in contentment.

  “I’m not done with you yet,” he offered with the seductive smirk I realized I was beginning to crave. He gave me another soul-deep kiss, my toes curling in renewed lust as we began to move again.

  I knew that hours had passed when he finally collapsed to the bed next to me, both of us sated beyond belief.

  I was already regretting my vow that this would be the last time as his fingers traced my skin as we both laid their contentedly.

  I wanted to stay in this little room forever. I had never felt so pacified or safe.

  Right as I had that thought, the wall in front of us opened and Thane and Corran stepped through. I sat upright in the bed, pulling the covers up to my chin, surprised by their sudden appearance.

  Derrial was slower to get up. He was like a cat who had just drank his fill of cream...he even had the same satisfied look.

  “Really?” said Corran, lifting an eyebrow that displayed his obvious annoyance.

  “What, mad you couldn’t watch?” said Derrial smugly.

  A sudden heat filled Corran’s eyes, igniting my skin again. Evidently my little scientist was a voyeur.

  Who would have thought?

  “We need to get her back. I figured you would have lost track of time,” said Thane in a bored voice that didn’t match the way his eyes were dancing all over me possessively. “I didn’t think when you said that you were going to give her a break that it was going to include playtime.”

  Derrial just shrugged, not looking apologetic in the least bit.

  “I have to go back?” I asked, a hint of panic in my voice.

  Corran looked at me apologetically. “Things are...complicated.”

  I looked at Derrial now, feeling like I had every right to demand answers after what had just happened. “What’s complicated? Do they not believe you about me being the right subject for the tests?”

  Derrial looked guilty all of a sudden.

  “The Council hasn’t been as accepting as we hoped,” said Derrial reluctantly.

  “Were we expecting them to be accepting?”

  “We were hoping that they would let Corran do his experiments on his time table so that we could figure out a plan,” said Thane.

  “What kind of time table do they want?” I asked, feeling a sense of dread washing away all the endorphins Derrial and I had just created.

  “Their insistent that the experiments start immediately. While we were gone, there were no Vepar children born,” said Corran, sounding like he was almost trying to make excuses for the Council who didn’t seem to care if I was willing to be a surrogate or not.

  “By experiments, you mean implanting me with a Vepar embryo,” I said softly, a knot forming in my chest.

  Everyone in the room was silent. “How soon is “immediately,” I asked, wanting to gauge how much time I had to make my escape.

  “Next week,” said Corran.

  I sunk lower in the bed.

  I felt Thane come and sit next to me.

  “We’re going to figure it out,” he said. “No one is going to make you do something you don’t want to do.”

  His statement had the opposite effect in comforting me. Instead, I just felt angry.

  “You’re going to figure it out. Just like you figured out how to make me not need your blood. Just like how you took me from Earth because you couldn't figure out how to keep me safe from the Khonsu when you were the ones who brought me to their attention in the first place. You figured out that I must have been unhappy in my life on Earth, and that I needed to be in your life. Just like you figured out the fact that I was the special human who could birth Vepar humans in the first place. You guys have really done a good job of figuring things out…,” I was almost screaming by the end, and the guys all looked shell shocked. It was the most emotion that I had shown to them.

  Corran sank to his knees in front of the bed, crossing an arm across his heart. “I swear to you Ella, we will make this right. We’ll protect you even if it costs us everything.”

  Thane and Derrial slid off the bed and sank down to their knees next to Corran, making the same arm motion.

  I refused to let their vow mean anything to me. They had already let me down. They had already ruined
my life. There was nothing they could do to make up for it.

  “I’d like to go back now,” I said, even as my stomach sunk at the thought of being back in the cell. It said a lot for how upset I was that I would rather be back in a cell surrounded by monsters, starving, than be around the three of them.

  The guys exchanged looks after they got off their knees. I was handed a new dress to put on. I guess the hut didn’t include the nifty changing cylinder. Corran and Thane left the room. Derrial and I were quiet as we both got dressed. There was no trace of the affection and ease that had been present between us earlier.

  We walked out to where Thane and Corran were waiting solemnly. Derrial swiped his hand across the wall of the structure and it shrank before my eyes, disappearing into the black disk once again. Derrial pocketed the disk and turned back to us.

  I felt a touch on my shoulder. “Talk to us,” said Thane, his voice sounding almost desperate.

  “I have nothing to say. There’s nothing you can do to make this better.”

  Thane sighed and ran a hand through his hair frustratedly. He looked at Derrial. “Did anyone see you getting her out of there?”

  Derrial scoffed, his arrogance showing itself. “Is that even a real question?” he asked.

  Thane rolled his eyes. “Let’s go,” he said to Corran. They both looked at me. “I guess it’s too much to ask for a goodbye?” Thane said.

  I turned my attention to the ground resolutely, my emotions feeling ravaged at the moment.

  “Just let her be,” said Corran. There was a faint buzzing sound that made me look up. To my surprise Corran and Thane were gone.

  More cool Vepar technology.

  “Let’s get you back,” said Derrial stiffly. I knew his feelings were probably feeling a bit hurt at my cold shoulder, but what did he expect?

  “I’m going to have to touch you to get you back without anyone noticing. Try not to bite my head off,” he said sarcastically.

  I humphed and reluctantly moved closer to him. I watched as Derrial turned into nothing but a blur. He wrapped his arms around me like he had before and I felt that sense of weightlessness.