As We Rise: Savage (As We Rise Saga Book 2) Page 15

  “Yes. We are in agreement. I will share what I know with you and release you from the wall bindings in exchange for your willing gift of your body.” Beast’s rumbling voice sounded less human and more animal-like, as if he were truly a beast.

  Sky swallowed before nodding in agreement. Without Luz’s help, she would not have the strength to follow through with this deceit. So Sky opened her heart to the divine love of her lady, and for the second time in her life, she uttered a desperate prayer for strength.

  Beast stepped away and Sky had to force herself not to sag in relief. The soft breeze from the cooling machine swept across her skin, blessing her with sweet relief from the combined heat of the sun and Beast’s skin.

  He sat on the edge of his bed, his massive frame causing the huge bed to look normal sized. Beast leaned back on his hands with his legs spread, proudly displaying his manhood. Sky knew he wanted her to look, and if she didn’t, he may change his mind.

  With her cheeks growing hotter, Sky perused Beast’s form before meeting his haughty gaze. He looked satisfied with her wandering eyes and Sky allowed herself a small smile.

  Jo was right. Men are easy.

  “When you stole that research vessel, your father wanted to chase after you, but I convinced the council to send me and a small contingent of my elite warriors instead.”

  Sky sucked in a sharp breath. She hadn’t known the clans had sent anyone after her. The news felt bitter in her mouth. She had spent many nights since her escape angry that her family pushed her away from the only home she had ever known. Sky didn’t know how to feel, especially since her return wasn’t met with a warm welcome. Did they only want her back to complete the contract with Beast?

  Her mark pulsed and Sky knew she had her answer. A profound sadness threatened to pull her under, but she pushed it aside. She had given up Kore and all who were on it many rotations ago.

  “I don’t understand why you’re surprised. There hasn’t been a single person in our history to forgo their duty to the clans. You are not the exception. Despite the tortures you endured and the wicked mark on your shoulder, you are not special. All have suffered and all have endured.”

  “I know I am not special, but I am also not chattel. My future is my own.” Sky spoke softly, hoping her statement wouldn’t encourage Beast’s wrath or cause him to back out of their deal.

  “Your future is for the clan. Just like mine,” Beast grumbled. Sky wanted to scream at him for suggesting that she had no control of her own life, but she held back, taking comfort from her vibrating mark. Arguing with Beast would accomplish nothing.

  “While we were searching, an Elitian battle cruiser discovered us near Ianthe. We tried to evade them, but their ship was faster and their guns outmatched our small vessel. So we surrendered.” Beast’s voice had dipped dangerously low. The elder prided himself on being the strongest warrior on Kore, and Sky understood the pained anger that shook his entire body. He hated admitting a defeat.

  “We were held for six cycles without explanation until one day a man appeared. He introduced himself as Eltanin and claimed to speak for the Galactic Consulate’s chancellor. He asked me if I was happy ruling just one clan. If I was pleased with our people’s government. I didn’t reply, but somehow, he knew my answers. He knew the darkest aspirations of my heart.

  “That evening, he offered me a deal. I return to the ‘savage’ moons and provide the Elitians with bodies, warriors, and technology. He would share the luxuries of the rest of the system, and when the chancellor overthrows the consulate and proclaims himself king, he will help me overthrow the elder council and appoint me Lord of the Twin Moons.”

  “Why would you agree to that?” How could Beast betray his people for prestige and material possessions? Sky couldn’t wrap her mind around Beast’s words. The chancellor was going to overthrow the government. That was unexpected. Sorrow filled Sky’s heart. Rana would be devastated when she found out—there would be no more room for denial.

  “Because our people are stuck. They refuse to involve themselves with the rest of the system, holding on to outdated beliefs handed down to us by false gods,” Beast growled. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his thighs. Every muscle in his body strained with tension. He was coiled to strike at any moment, and Sky didn’t want to be the focus of his wrath. “Surely, Sky, you of all our people understand the wonders outside our moons.”

  “Yes,” Sky whispered, her mark pulsating in earnest. “I understand that the clans should embrace the rest of the system, but there has to be another way. You’re handing over our people to suffer and die!”

  “No. I am liberating our people.”

  “I don’t see it that way. What you’re doing, I can’t fathom it. I would never betray the clans.” Sky bit her lip, but she couldn’t take back her words. Her eyes widened as Beast’s eyes narrowed. Sky hoped he wouldn’t take great offense to her reckless, yet truthful statement.

  “You say never, but you won’t know until there’s been an offer. Everybody has a price, and I bet yours is lower than you’d think.” Beast smiled wickedly. Sky wanted to protest, but even though her mark wouldn’t allow her to sink to such levels, if she were any other person, Beast’s theory could apply. That revelation saddened her.

  “Enough talking,” Beast grunted as he stood. Sky sucked in a breath as he crossed the room in only a few steps. He reached up and unhooked her bound wrists from the wall and swept her up into his arms. She discreetly checked the range of motion of her arms, now that she was no longer attached to the wall. Her arms ached and her hands burned from the rush of blood to her extremities, but Sky was relieved to discover that she had about a foot of graphene-enforced chain between the armor-grade leather cuffs.

  Beast tossed her on the bed. She bounced, her neck snapping forward causing her teeth to clash together painfully. Pain blinded her. She felt rather than watched Beast crawl over to her. His knees pried her legs apart as he settled over her shaking body. Sky blinked and looked up at the man, and she realized that somehow, she had started to pity him. Her fear slowly began to wane. The shiver that ran down her spine was not of repulsion, but of a familiar comfort.

  Phoenix was near.

  Twenty-Six

  He was here! Sky’s heart swelled with love. She had only just recognized her feelings for Phoenix but never once considered that he would risk his life for her. This revelation was novel, yet somehow, she wasn’t surprised. If their roles were reversed, Sky would move planets to rescue him.

  Sky felt her lips curve into a smile, but quickly regretted forgetting her situation. Beast, leaving a trail of slobbery kisses across the swell of her breasts, had been watching her reactions and that smile only encouraged him.

  Now that she was partially free, Sky focused on removing herself from under Beast. While his lips explored her skin, he had risen to his knees between her legs, one hand holding his upper body above her while the other painfully gripped her hip.

  An idea occurred to her, but she would have to play it smooth or risk Beast catching on. Beast was lapping at her breast through her covering and Sky released a breathy moan. She lifted her arms and looped his head through her bound wrists. He stopped to watch her, but she looked at him through hooded eyes and ran her fingers through his thick carmine hair before lowering him to her breast.

  Beast smiled wickedly as he released her hip, ripped the cups of her lingerie down, and took a nipple into his mouth with renewed vigor. The sensation rolled her stomach instead of igniting passion, and Sky’s throat burned from the bile threatening to make an appearance. She released a throaty breath and bowed her back as if she were enjoying it.

  He was falling for her act, but she wasn’t quite in position. Sky rolled her hips, the motion scooting her bottom higher up his thighs and pressing her core against him. Beast moaned as he switched his ministrations to her other breast. She moved again, and this time Sky wrapped her legs around his waist in a tight embrace.

  She was rea
dy.

  Sky took a deep breath and raised her torso of the bed while simultaneously shifting one of her arms around Beast’s neck, restraining and pulling him with her as she forcefully laid back down.

  With every ounce of strength, Sky squeezed his windpipe while clinging to his flailing body with her strong legs. She gripped him tight as his movements slowed until he collapsed on top of her, and then she held on for a few seconds longer, just to make sure he was out.

  Beast was heavy. Sky struggled to push his dead weight off her, but eventually was successful. She smiled as his head cracked against the stone floor.

  Sky stood and adjusted her top while stepping over Beast’s prone form. She searched his discarded clothing and discovered a small knife with an intricately carved turan horn handle. For a moment, Sky considered slitting Beast’s throat, but her mark revolted at the thought. Sky nodded to herself. If she were to be the one to end him, it wouldn’t be while he slept.

  Sky tucked the weapon into the waistband of her undergarments and searched the area for the key to her wrist cuffs and a suitable covering. She had no idea how she would escape his guards, but facing his warriors would be preferable to being around when Beast woke.

  There was no key, and Beast’s small pile of clothing didn’t have a shirt or tunic for her to wear. She searched but couldn’t locate a chest for clothing storage. Sky took deep breaths, resolving to fight her way out of the Bludrun compound with only her undergarments and a knife when the shadows beside the weapons chest began to fluctuate.

  Phoenix stepped from the darkness and wrapped his arms around Sky, pulling her against his chest. Sky melted into him, allowing herself this moment of reprieve as the comforting scent of sunshine and clay surrounded her.

  “You came for me?” Sky spoke into his shirt.

  “I will always come for you.” His breath tickled the hair at her temples. Sky started to giggle, but then mentally chastised herself. With great reluctance, she left Phoenix’s embrace.

  Phoenix held Sky at arm’s length as he examined her for wounds, frowning at the places where Beast struck her. His cheeks tinted bright red as he took in her lack of clothing, but the awkwardness was softened by the severe frown as he noticed Sky’s wrist restraints. He raised his brows, and she shook her head at his unasked question. He melted with relief and pulled her in for another back breaking hug. “Thank the Ancients that you are capable of defending yourself.”

  “We need to do something with him.” Sky gestured toward Beast as she grudgingly pulled away again. “I can’t murder him while he’s unconscious, even if Luz would let me.”

  Phoenix scowled at the elder, but then he nodded. “I will take him to my hut and make sure he is secure. You will stay here, and I’ll return with clothing. Then we will finish gathering the evidence against Beast. The council cannot deny his betrayal any longer.”

  “Okay.” Sky sagged against Phoenix’s side, the stress of her situation finally draining her.

  Phoenix folded her in another embrace, and Sky bit back a sigh as Phoenix pressed a gentle kiss on her tattooed temple. The look he gave her as he unwound his arms from her waist was of devotion and promise. His eyes never wavered as he grabbed one limp wrist and hauled Beast over his shoulder. She closed her eyes and breathed deep as the shadows enveloped him, taking Sky’s nightmare far away from her.

  Once Phoenix left, Sky rushed to the lavatory. She had an overwhelming urge to wash Beast from her skin, but there was no time for a full cleansing. Sky found a small towel and a bar of soap. She meticulously scrubbed every inch of flesh where Beast kissed, including her mouth.

  The soap tasted horrible, but Sky would rather choke on bubbles than allow any portion of Beast to remain with her. She was rinsing her mouth for the second time when Phoenix returned. He stood rigid at the entrance to the lavatory with his lips turned down and his fists clenched tight enough to whiten his knuckles. If it wasn’t for their recent understanding and growing intimacy, Sky wouldn’t have noticed how his regard was open in understanding and sparkled with unshed tears.

  Phoenix grabbed a dry towel and tossed it when Sky finished. She skimmed it over her skin and reached for the clothing Phoenix had tucked under his arm. Nestled on top of the bundle was her multitool. Sky was awestruck at Phoenix’s thoughtfulness. With a flick of button, she activated the laser saw and carefully removed the cuffs. Sky beamed at Phoenix in silent thanks, and he blushed again, trying and failing not to look at Sky’s exposed flesh.

  “Don’t be embarrassed. I look at you whenever I get the chance,” Sky stated with a smile. She knew the tint in her cheeks was just as pink, but she meant what she said.

  Phoenix’s heated stare never left her, and Sky struggled to breathe as she dressed. Who knew putting clothes on could feel so erotic?

  “Where to first?” Sky asked as she pulled on her boots.

  “Beast has an office two doors down. We need to shadow in and gather evidence for the council since my ocular recordings alone won’t be enough.”

  Sky stood and grabbed his outstretched hand. The shadows swirled around them, and before her next heartbeat they emerged in a darkened room that smelled faintly of smoke and herbs. Sky waved her hand over the light sensor. She grunted when nothing happened. Reaching for her UAB, she scowled when she only found bare wrist. Phoenix chuckled and waved his wrist, and the room brightened. She threw Phoenix a long-suffering look before giving him her back to examine the study.

  It looked similar in style to Beast’s bedroom, but with vastly different contents. Each wall was covered in books and artifacts that looked old enough to belong in a museum. Sky never pictured Beast as an intellectual, but his study showed a new side to the brute. For a moment, she wondered what he had been researching in there, but then a gleam caught her eye. On top of a grand ers wood desk was her gear. She stumbled around the fur-lined chairs that sat across from the desk.

  “I’m surprised Beast didn’t lock my weapons in his chest,” Sky said as she tightened her back sheath across her shoulders. “Why would he just leave them here?”

  “It’s possible they were concerned that you would wake before they could properly restrain you to Beast’s wall,” Phoenix growled as he connected his UAB to the compound’s internal network. “I’m sure they knew of your power and didn’t want to risk keeping you and your weapons in the same room.”

  Sky pursed her lips and shrugged as she finished buckling her thigh holsters. With the comforting weight of all her weapons secured in their proper places, Sky released a slow exhale that drained some of the tension from her shoulders.

  Even after she’d dressed, Sky hadn’t realized just how naked she felt without her weapons. She strapped on her UAB and joined Phoenix behind the desk.

  “Almost ready?” Sky thumbed the spines of the leather-bound books next to her. She cocked her head to read the titles. “I need to find Rana.”

  “Last I saw her, she was running through the forest with the prisoners toward the hover bike.”

  “That doesn’t mean she’s safe,” Sky grumbled.

  “No, but soon after she escaped, the Elitians retreated and then you were captured. Beast’s men were torn between fighting me and whisking you away. I highly doubt they pursued Rana.”

  “I suppose my capture was good for something then.”

  Phoenix grunted, his face twisted in disgust. Sky kept reading the book titles. They were mostly scientific journals and historical records from the temples, but she couldn’t help the excitement that grew. Beast was holding onto a treasure trove of clan history and Sky had the urge to swipe one for herself, but refrained.

  Once they turned over the evidence, Sky was certain the council would search Beast’s home and confiscate everything. They would scan the books and update the virtual library so everyone could access the files. Sky would just have to make sure there was a way for her to gain access from the Kismet.

  “I’m almost done copying the files. We can shadow to the forest and tr
ack Rana…”

  An explosion shook the compound, throwing Sky off balance and into the wall. Her shoulder exploded with pain as she slammed against one of the shelves and sagged to the floor. She held her good arm above her head as books rained down on her. Phoenix ran to her, but Sky waved him off as she stood.

  “What was that?” Phoenix mumbled as he checked his UAB.

  Sky rubbed her shoulder as she leaned against his arm and read the report.

  “Those readings indicate that the explosion was ship-to-ground fire. The Bludrun are being attacked. Do you think it’s the Elitians?”

  “No, they fled with the donated Bludrun warriors not long after I began my attack,” Phoenix rubbed his jaw, the days’ worth of growth making a scratching sound. “I don’t recognize this holoID.”

  “I do.” Sky bounced on the balls of her feet. She knew that ID better than her own. “It’s the Kismet.”

  Twenty-Seven

  Phoenix swept them away as the boom from another explosion rocked the walls again. They materialized at the edge of the forest and Sky hailed Jo on her UAB.

  “It’s about time you answered my call,” Jo growled into the comm.

  “I was a little tied up,” Sky answered, allowing a little snicker in her tone. She didn’t feel like laughing at the horrors she barely escaped, but humor now would lessen the sting when the memories resurfaced later once she found herself alone.

  “Literally or figuratively?” Jo asked, her voice concerned.

  “That is a story for another time. Right now, I need you and your team to refrain from firing on the main compound. There are priceless items inside that I’d hate to see destroyed.”

  “We’re only here because Rana sent me a hysterical comm requesting back up. I barely understood her through the hiccups and shrieking, but I got the gist. You were captured and she was alone.”