“And you claimed her without a vote?” the Stone King asks.
“I am an Alpha King.” Khan’s voice rings through the room. “I need no permission.”
Aurus raises a hand. “Before you start a fight, let our Wanderer King tell us of the serum that creates Omegas.”
Khan grumbles under his breath. Aurus is grinning like he’s pulled off a magic trick. “Why don’t you tell us, Aurus, since you know so much?” Khan says.
“I know barely anything,” Aurus says dismissively. “Just that the serum exists. You killed my spy before I could learn more.”
Good grief. Aurus is grinning, but the air in the room is getting thicker. The rumble in Khan’s chest grows louder. The Hunter King has a dagger out and is flipping it up and down, catching it without even looking. He eyes me curiously but it's the Stone King who's giving me the creepo vibes. I don’t want to know what’s underneath his hood.
“The serum will allow us to produce more Omegas,” Khan says. “My men are procuring some now. Making arrangements with the Ogsul, the creatures who invented it.”
“My magicians stand ready. They will study the serum so we can reproduce it,” Aurus says smoothly.
“But will the serum work on Ulfarri?” the Stone King muses.
“I do not know,” Khan says. “The Ogsul and our magicians can attempt it.”
“We shall invite emissaries from the Ogsul, and pay them handsomely. They can administer the serum under the supervision of our magicians, and teach the magicians how to synthesize it. I'm sure we all have pleasure slaves we can donate to the process,” Aurus says.
I shiver. These poor pleasure slaves are going to be used as guinea pigs in a medical experiment.
“What race is your Omega?” the Shadow King asks. Khan shifts me closer in his arms even though I'm already pressed against him.
“A Hoo-man,” Khan offers. “A species from a far-off planet named Earth. The Ogsul were able to procure mine through a portal.”
A portal?Sounds like something from a video game, but it’s as good a description of the wormhole I got sucked into in the field as any.
“And they can procure more,” Khan continues.
“Then if our own Betas cannot take the serum, we can simply use Hoo-man females,” Aurus says.
“No,” I say automatically, too softly for anyone to hear, but the Hunter King's head snaps towards me again. His eyes are emerald green. He blinks, and I notice his long lashes.
“Yes,” Aurus is still talking, “my magicians will discover a way. Khan, my Alpha warriors are at your service if you will provide ships for the emissaries to travel to the Ogsul. Perhaps we can persuade one or two to be long-term guests. My magicians will study both the serum, and the portals.”
“Of course,” Khan says.
“And if our pleasure slaves do not adapt with the serum, we will use these Hoo-mans instead.” Aurus looks at me. “I would prefer one with golden hair, such as this one.”
Khan gives a little growl but I'm too distracted. What’s happening? They're agreeing to do what? Kidnap more humans? Women like me?
I prod Khan. He doesn’t react.
“That settles it,” Aurus continues. “The Omega Objective has begun. We shall create the perfect Omegas, using serum, and Hoo-mans if the serum does not work on Betas. We each can choose the characteristics we please.”
“I'm not picky,” the Stone King hisses. “As long as the womb is an Omega.”
Gross.“No,” I say, louder this time. “This is wrong. You can't just take women.”
“Hush,” Khan says. His hand clamps the back of my head, and he presses my face to his shoulder like I’m some cranky baby he’s trying to shut up. My mouth is muffled as he says calmly to the others, “My Omega is distressed. You will excuse us.”
The others murmur something, and there's a sound of chairs scraping on the floor as they rise out of some kind of sick courtesy. I try to fight, but Khan holds me fast. “Hush, little Omega,” he orders. He's walking swiftly to the door. “All will be well.”
No, it won't.I want to scream. They’re going to capture more human women as pleasure slaves… and then what? Rut them? Claim them as mates? Do what Khan has done to me? I might respond to him, but these other women… I have to save them. I have to do something.
THIRTEEN
