Chapter 16 – Kerra
Motok didn’t followas I was led away from theVindicatorand the only people – make thataliens– that I knew on this planet. The senators seemed friendly enough, but I was still uneasy. Why was I escorted by so many guards? Clearly, I wasn’t any kind of threat.
We reached the entrance to a giant complex that towered so high into the sky I could barely see the top of the structure. The domed building was a shade of blue so light it was almost silvery in appearance. The Vindar sky was a light shade of violet without any clouds to blemish its lovely warm hue. I saw a glimpse of two suns shining with golden and greenish hues. The view was beautiful, but I was unable to enjoy it.
My observation was interrupted when I was yanked roughly forward by one of the senators. The one who introduced himself as Bly wrapped his large silver hand tightly around my upper arm and began to drag me toward a long corridor. The other senator – Rymar, I believe – did nothing to intervene. In fact, none of the guards stopped Bly from touching me at all.
Immediately on the defensive, I began to fight my captor. “Let me go!”
“You will follow along and do as you are told, human. Do not make this difficult.”
“I want Motok!” I screeched as I pulled and struggled in an effort to gain my freedom.
“Fight me and I will be forced to take drastic action.”
“Motok!” I screamed as the doors of this domed prisonswishedclosed behind us. “Motok!”
“He will not hear you and he isn’t coming to your rescue. Motok is Commander of the Braxthar Legion and will obey the directives given by those in leadership. The council controls his decisions. You are alone, human. Accept your fate.”
No way in hell! “Take your hands off me! Now!”
The senator lifted a blaster and indicated the setting with a sweeping gesture.Kill.“I am not opposed to using this if necessary.”
My struggles ceased as I allowed him to lead our group toward an unknown location. I kept my gaze focused straight ahead and barely paid attention to the opulent décor and warm colors that lined the halls, reminiscent of the Vindar sky and suns. Symbols were etched into the archways and doors that mirrored the tattoo that was imprinted on my wrist. None of this made sense and I was filled with a sense of dread.
We reached some sort of barren hallway and he indicated that everyone could leave us. I was alone with Bly as the doorswhooshedopen and we entered a sparse room that reminded me of a jail cell. Only a bed, toilet, and sink filled the area. He smirked as I yanked my arm free and began to back away from him cautiously.
The cell doors shut as Senator Bly paced in front of me, his lips twisted into a sadistic grin. “You’ve been most helpful. I originally only wanted to arrange for Motok’s failure and subsequent death, but you’ve made it so much easier. Once he finds your ravaged corpse, he’ll become our weapon against the Conclave and the massacre of human women.”
What massacre? Gulping, I realized he meant an event that had yet to happen but certainly would in the future. Earth was in danger.
My eyes widened at the use of the wordravaged. Whatever he was planning would mean a war between Earth, Vindar, and the Galactic Conclave. “You’re delusional. Actually, you’re completely psychotic.”
Bly chuckled deeply. “I don’t act alone. The council has been planning a bit of a surprise for you, Kerra Hargrave.”
“You’re violating at least a dozen treaties and laws,” I spat, staring at the alien with contempt. “I’m a human. A protected species. You can’t keep me here against my will. I know what the Cardinal Edict says.”
“Your defiance is admirable, but it didn’t save your sister and it won’t save you.”
“What did you just say?” I felt like he’d punched me in the gut. My body fell forward and I sank to the ground in dismay. “What do you know of my sister?”
Until now, I hadn’t been overly concerned about Kacie. She’d been late to arrive before and a few days wasn’t cause for hysterics. I was waiting for an email, text, or call. With horror, the thought that she needed me and had been unable to reach me since I wasn’t home on Earth sank in. Had she been harmed? Taken prisoner?
“Much more than you will ever know,” he answered with glee. “I think it’s time you saw what happens when we are defied. Kacie learned her lesson quite brutally. I wonder if you’ll require the same motivation.”
