Description
EXCERPT
Chapter One
Natalia paced the small confines of her cell, frustration and anger churning within her. She had no idea how long she’d been imprisoned in the depths of the Faction Embassy. There were no windows or clocks, and nothing to mark the endless passage of time. Just the four blank walls of her cell and the forcefield across the entrance. A tiny window deactivated twice per day to allow a guard to deliver her meals.
She was filthy, having been given no means to wash herself or her tattered clothing aside from the small sink beside the commode. Her formerly blonde hair must be nearly black by now. Not that she cared much about her appearance anymore. Not when her fate was so uncertain.
She had expected execution after the failed rescue/abduction of Rana. What else could she expect as a member of the human rebellion against the Faction proxy agreement? Yet hours had turned into days with no sign that her death was imminent.
The not knowing was the worst torture. The isolation. The boredom. The questions with no answers. Why had they not killed her yet? For what were they waiting? Natalia could only assume they intended to make an example of her, perhaps filming her execution for propaganda purposes. A public execution would send a clear message to others who might dissent. Humans had to accept their place, bowing meekly to serve as Faction broodmares. Resistance was futile.
Natalia kicked the wall in frustration, the impact jarring her bones. She would never accept their right to take Earth’s women and force them into a year of surrogacy. It was slavery masquerading as an honor.
Her thoughts turned to Rana. Had she escaped safely with her Tark mate? Natalia had risked everything to help her get away, even while doubting the young woman’s assertion that she loved the alien who’d claimed her. She still believed Rana had been confused, brainwashed by whatever modification the Faction had done to make her able to carry hybrid young. No human in their right mind would ever willingly mate with one of those monsters.
A scraping sound at the entrance drew her from her thoughts. She turned to see the shimmering forcefield dissipate. Two Faction guards, a Brundle and an Alphan, entered, their impassive faces giving no hint of her fate.
“Prisoner Natalia Wilkes, you are summoned,” said the Brundle, and his tone was as unreadable as his expression.
Natalia jutted out her chin defiantly as they clamped magnetic cuffs around her wrists. She would face her fate with pride, not cowering. She believed in her cause, even if it had doomed her. They led her from the cell down a maze of corridors. She studied her surroundings, watching for any opportunity to fight or flee, but found none. The Embassy was a fortress, inescapable for a lone human female.
After what seemed an interminable walk, they entered a large chamber outfitted with viewing screens along the walls. Natalia guessed it was some type of command center. Faction officers of various species stood around computing stations or studied data on the screens.
One screen showed a map of Earth with rotating statistics she couldn’t decipher from this distance. Others displayed star charts and incomprehensible alien symbols. A third seemed to be the arrangement of Faction ships rotating around the planet. How she wished she could get this data to her rebel contacts.
At the far end of the room, upon a raised dais, stood a singular being. Natalia sucked in a shocked breath. It was a Serpentine, one of the cold-blooded reptilian Faction species she’d only heard vague rumors about. They rarely moved among Earthlings and seemed to keep to themselves.
The alien towered over the guards escorting her, well over seven feet tall. His skin was a deep emerald green with black striations and smooth and glossy like a serpent’s. He appeared hairless. Nude from the waist up, his form displayed lean, rippling muscles she couldn’t help noticing and admiring in spite of herself. A crest of small horns lined his head.
His eyes were the most striking. They were eclipse-black, with no visible pupils or irises. Still, she could feel the intensity of that fathomless gaze drilling into her.
Natalia suppressed a shudder at being so close to one of these fearsome aliens rarely seen by humans. She steeled herself, proudly lifting her chin as the guards brought her before him.
“General Zath, we have brought the prisoner as you commanded,” said the Alphan.
The Serpentine dismissed them with a wave of his clawed hand, not taking his gaze from Natalia. She stood motionless, determined not to show fear.
Zath descended from the dais with predatory grace, slowly circling her in a sinuous, rippling movement. He had legs, but he moved so quickly that he might have been slithering like a common Earth snake. She could feel his gaze dragging over every inch of her body. Revulsion and anger swelled within her, along with something she didn’t want to identify. How dare this creature ogle her so blatantly, as if she were no more than an animal to inspect?
“So, you are the one who presumed to steal Commander Sarko’s mate.” His voice was surprisingly mellow but with an underlying hiss, his sibilant voice echoing in the vast chamber.
Natalia said nothing, refusing to be baited. She stared straight ahead, her jaw clenched.
Zath halted directly in front of her, so close she could feel the chill emanating from his scaled skin. A long, thin tongue flicked out, nearly brushing her face. Testing her scent. “Such defiance,” he murmured. “I admire it, even as I will crush it in time.” A claw tipped her up chin.
She met the black mirrors of his eyes unflinchingly.
“For now, it pleases me to claim you as mine.”
Natalia jerked back, shock and revulsion shooting through her. “Never,” she spat. “I’ll die first.”
Zath’s lipless mouth curved in a gruesome approximation of a smile. “You forget your place, little human. For your crime, your life belongs to the Faction now, to do with as we please. Be grateful you won’t face execution for your treason.”
Natalia trembled with impotent rage. To be given as spoils to this monster, forced to serve as his breeder slave…it was a fate worse than death.
Zath turned away, barking orders to his guards and officers. She sagged in her magnetic cuffs, despair threatening to overwhelm her defiance. This alien would use her body to plant his foul seed in her womb, and she was powerless to stop it.
The guards grasped her arms, marching her from the command center toward an unknown, horrific fate.
***
Natalia sat in numb silence as the Mosaic Med Chief explained the genetic procedure she was about to undergo. Her mind rebelled at his clinical, dispassionate words.
“The process will rewrite your DNA just enough to make you compatible for breeding with General Zath. You will be able to safely carry Serpentine embryos to term and give birth. There should be no complications.”
Just the obliteration of my humanity, she thought bitterly. Altered on a genetic level to become this monster’s broodmare. She barely flinched as Quillen injected her with the modification serum. There was no escaping this violation of her body. She could only endure, hoarding her hatred, until the chance for vengeance presented itself.
The Mosiac studied his datascreen. “Excellent. The changes have begun. You’ll stay here under observation for about an hour.” His luminous golden eyes were sympathetic despite his clinical manner. “I know this is difficult but try to rest. The process can be taxing as your cells transform but is typically uncomplicated. My mate, Briana, handled it well, and I have never seen a serious reaction.”
“Among all the women you’ve tortured and forced into breeding slavery? That’s so reassuring.”
He frowned slightly. “We mean you no harm, Natalia. Your match wants a family, and the Faction risked everything to save Earth.”
“Certainly not from the kindness of your hearts.” Without looking at him, she laid back on the exam table, turning away her face in dismissal. She would find no comfort or pity from those who served the Faction.
With a soft sigh, Quillen departed. The only sound remaining in the room was the soft hum of equipment monitoring her vitals.
Alone again, she slowed her breathing as exhaustion weighed upon her. It was a struggle to keep her eyes open. She suspected the “serum” also contained sedatives to keep her docile. Maybe they didn’t do that to every proxy, but she was special, being part of the rebellion.
As darkness crept into the edges of her vision, she clung desperately to one thought before oblivion claimed her. Somehow, some way, she would make them pay.
***
Natalia gradually became aware of voices filtering through the fog veiling her mind. She kept her eyes closed, feigning continued unconsciousness as she strained to listen.
“The conversion was successful,” said Quillen. “Her vitals are strong. She’s ready for release, sir.”
“Excellent,” General Zath’s hissing voice sent a spike of revulsion through Natalia. “I am eager to claim her, but I intend to be patient with this female. The goal is not just offspring but a willing mate.”
Natalia nearly choked in dismay. This beast thought she would ever willing mate with him? She would rather die.
“A wise approach,” said Quillen mildly. “It’s unlikely but don’t hesitate to bring her to our facility if complications arise.”
“Thanks, Quillen. I’ll take her from here.”
Natalia struggled not to recoil as Zath’s rough grasp closed around her arm. She blinked up at him, feigning dazed confusion.
“You belong to me now, little one,” he said, studying her with those fathomless black eyes. “It’s time you learned your true place.”
She cast her gaze downward submissively, hiding her defiant thoughts. She would pretend to accept her fate but never give up seeking escape.
Natalia followed Zath silently as he led her through the polished corridors of the embassy. After several turns, they entered comfortable quarters outfitted with two bedrooms, a small table and chairs, a kitchenette, and a hygiene chamber.
“You will share my rooms during your time here,” said Zath. “My sleeping chamber is beside yours should you require anything. There are garments and toiletries for you.”
He gestured to the neatly folded stack of clothes and basic toiletries laid out. “I’ll return shortly with a meal.”
He departed without waiting for a response, the door sealing behind him. Natalia glanced around warily before sinking down on the edge of the bed. She had expected to be thrown into a cell or forced into his room and immediately mounted, not given private rooms. What game was Zath playing?
Suspicion warred with grudging relief at the chance to clean herself and change clothing after so long confined. Cautiously, she explored the hygiene chamber, finding the basics needed to wash and refresh herself. The promised garments were plain but comfortable and far better than her tattered rags.
When Zath returned, Natalia was seated rigidly at the table. He nodded in approval at her transformed appearance before placing a tray before her.
“Quillen recommended only light foods until your system stabilizes. I synthicated this soup and bread for you. Eat, and then rest.”
Natalia eyed the steaming bowl distrustfully. Anything could be in it—more sedatives, or worse. Yet she was already so altered against her will that it hardly mattered now. Resigned, she lifted the spoon with a slightly unsteady hand to sip the fragrant broth.
She forced herself to eat slowly, though nausea roiled her empty stomach in protest. The meal was soon finished, her body craving more but she ignored that, not wanting to be ill since her stomach was still rocky.
Exhaustion pressed upon her, but she resisted the lure of the bed, sitting tensely in the chair. She would not sleep, vulnerable, while Zath was so close by. Natalia settled in to keep her silent watch.
She kept her stubborn vigil as the embassy night cycle commenced, though bone-deep weariness pressed upon her. She had no intention of sleeping in this monster’s territory, no matter how exhausted she became. Hardship had taught her to seize what rest she could, but she couldn’t afford to lower her guard.
***
Some hours later, Zath returned bearing another tray of soup and bread. Natalia jerked awake from a doze, mortified she had slipped into slumber against her will. “I’m not hungry.”
The Serp sighed. “You require rest and nourishment to integrate the modifications.” He shook his head. “Why do you resist?”
Natalia just shrugged, not meeting his gaze. In truth, she was wary of being drugged or violated in her sleep.
Zath studied her for a long moment before speaking again. “You have my oath no harm will come to you here. Please eat and sleep. Your health depends on it.”
Though reluctant, Natalia’s trembling hand lifted the spoon to sip the broth. Her abused stomach immediately knotted in protest, and she had to pause, breathing through waves of nausea.
His expression softened with concern. “Go slowly. Your system is still weak due to your stubbornness. No other human female has had side effects for so long after the injection, because they were sensible.”
Natalia managed a few more spoonsful before pushing away the bowl, the measly portion already too much. Zath collected the dishes without comment and brought her a cup of medicinal tea instead.
“Drink this to settle your stomach. The nutrients will help you heal.”
Too weary to resist, Natalia sipped the bittersweet liquid. Her eyelids soon grew heavy as it soothed her queasy stomach. She barely stirred when Zath carried her to the bed, covering her with a soft blanket.
“Rest well, brave Natalia,” she heard him murmur before sleep claimed her.
***
Over the next days, Natalia continued resisting nourishment, suspicious of Zath’s motives. He remained patient but firm, coaxing her to eat small amounts and drink the medicinal teas.
“You’re only hurting yourself with this stubbornness,” he said in quiet frustration after Natalia pushed away another barely touched meal.
“Maybe death would be preferable to being a slave,” she said bitterly.
Zath regarded her somberly. “I vow you will be no slave of mine, Natalia. In time, you will come to see the truth and learn your place is beside me, not beneath me.”
She blinked, staring at him for half a minute without speaking. How she longed for that to be true, so it would be easier to slip away from him. “I wish I could believe that, but I don’t. You have too much to gain, and I have too much to lose if I capitulate.”
He gave her a sad look and nodded once before leaving her room.
***
Natalia wanted to cling to her hatred, but Zath’s gentle insistence on caring for her eroded her distrust bit by bit. One evening, he arrived bearing another bowl of light broth and hunks of soft bread. Natalia’s stomach rumbled at the savory aroma, reminding her she’d managed only a few bites at the midday meal.
He seated himself across from her and broke off a piece of bread, holding it out with his clawed hand. “Just try a small amount. The synthicator is quite good at capturing the fresh-baked taste from my understanding. Serps don’t eat bread though.” He sounded almost regretful about that. “We are carnivores.”
Too hungry to refuse, she took the offering and nibbled the edge. The fresh-baked taste exploded on her tongue. Before she knew it, she’d devoured the morsel. Zath gave an approving rumble, tearing off another chunk and passing it over. She hesitated only a moment before accepting it. Slowly, she finished the bread while he ate something that smelled like grilled meat.
When she’d cleaned her bowl of broth as well, he said, “Your appetite is improving. That’s good.”
She shrugged, unwilling to admit it was thanks to his insistent care. “I suppose living as your prisoner requires some effort to stay alive.”
His expression became solemn. “I hope in time you won’t see it that way. I aim to prove myself honorable, not the monster you believe me to be.”
“Why does it matter what I think?” she asked with a trace of bitterness. “I’m just a slave to be used for a year.”
He rose abruptly, his tail lashing in agitation. She tensed, instantly regretting her words, but he only paced to the window, gazing outside at the bustling human city below him without speaking for a long moment. “Such destruction.”
“What?”
“Your cities and planet. They’ve endured much destruction, just like we all have, yet new life is returning. Amidst the rubble, PODs house humans and Faction alike. People strive to rebuild and cling to hope.”
“I…yes, I guess so. What’s your point?”
At last, he turned, his black serpentine eyes unreadable. His response didn’t answer her question. “You are no slave. I hope someday, you will see me as more than the beast you expect. For now, I will wait.”
With that, he excused himself, leaving Natalia to ponder his cryptic words. What did he hope she would see in him that she didn’t already? And why did part of her wish to find out?