Table of Contents:
Chapter 28 & Kor Glossary
Chapter 53 (Special Edition: REGALIS)
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 1 βΏβββ’β¦ Year 20,500 I didnβt know Iβd find my mate through my darkest instincts, or that I was even on that path since the beginning of my instinctual journey. Usually everything was so simple here on Earth β it was only difficult if you didnβt obey. Technology organised the chaos. However, humans were still spiritual with unpredictable ties to the dark matter of the universe, so we had to organise that too… well, kind of. Humans had evolved to survive by perfecting Our Technocracy in the Universe to co-exist with each other and all other planetary systems who were in contact with us. We also called our beloved human government system simply; Our Tcno. Free will power was kept through the declaration of the Dark Light Constitution. The Light was the enlightened choice through the Tcnoβs intelligence. The Dark was instinct. Either option had to be recorded on your file, but nothing was recorded post-decision if you chose the Dark Path. To keep Tcno basic rather than overbearing, only nine major life decisions were monitored by the Tcno, and all these decisions were made when you were 12 years old. You would note Dark or Light. Decision One. Privacy. [ Dark ] [ Light] Decision Two. Health. [ Dark ] [ Light] Decision Three. Education. [ Dark ] [ Light] Decision Four. Social Circles. [ Dark ] [ Light] Decision Five. Super Powers. [ Dark ] [ Light] Decision Six. Philosophy. [ Dark ] [ Light] Decision Seven. Mate. [ Dark ] [ Light] Decision Eight. Taxes. [ Dark ] [ Light ] Decision Nine. FDW [Final Death Wishes]. [ Dark ] [ Light ] The most common Dark decisions were for 6, 8 and 9. Light for all the others ensured a fulfilled life with limited danger and maximum safety. To be a Dark Three β choosing three dark choices over enlightened choices β was normal. 75% of the population chose these set principles. To be a Dark Four, Five, Six, Seven or Eight always had inconsistent data. There was no annual statistic that matched the previous year. We didnβt really understand the inconsistent data, but it did prove, to most, that we had free will because of the constant inconsistencies in choice. However, one statistic was finite. To be a Dark Nine was impossible. No one was a Dark Nine, because if you were a Dark Nine you were removed from Our Tcno. There was nothing on the outside. Nothing. No one. You were marched outside the walls of Our Tcno and never heard from again. Your rights vanquished, so even if you were executed, nothing could stop it β as you lost all your rights in the system. There is one small loop hole, however, to leap from the Dark Eight, into the Dark Nine category, choosing instinct over Our Tcnoβs intelligence. Itβs the loop hole that comes with Decision Seven. It was the only decision you had to make twice. Your mate. It was only a preliminary decision at 12, hell, because you were 12, noting whether you wanted Tcno to choose the mate for you later on in your life, or whether you would choose on instinct alone, could be flexible. Of course, choosing a mate happened at all kinds of ages into adulthood. And for me, today I was 21 years old, standing on a directed physical path way that split between two doors. I was already a Dark Eight in Our Tcno system. I only chose Light for who would be my mate, as it was the only loophole in the system to get out of this place alive. Technically, through gene analysis, personality data and more β Our Tcno could match you with someone you could consider a soulmate. A near perfect match. But if you chose the Dark. Or if you chose to be a Dark Nine in adulthoodβ something very different happened when you were thrust outside the city limits. You were not killed. Rather, you were sold for profit, usually to an intergalactic planetary species who desired human companionship for whatever reason or value it would bring to them. I was looking to be sold for a different reason. I genuinely believed I owed the Kors my life. The Kors resided on the Dark Ninth, their unique planet. When I was a week away from turning 12 years old, I fell ill with the virus everyone seemed to get when they were a few weeks off from turning twelve and receiving the Dark Light Constitution. The only way to be healed from this age-related virus, was to enter into the health system and receive the cure. Our Tcno did not hide that they developed the virus specifically to convince you that you needed their superior health protection, as it was their direct, open and honest way of proving they could engineer a cure for literally anything, hence, securing your long and prosperous life. By some miracle, I healed on my own from a Kors Herb called Jace. How I received it, I have no idea, all I know is I had it at the time, I consumed it, and I got better. It healed me to full strength β only because it didnβt kill me. And it also gave me a special superpower. Enhanced Instincts. Sounds lame, but it was pretty cool. Iβd tell you all about it later. Right now, I had to make my last decision on the seventh choice. βChoose the Dark or the Light, sister,β Brie asks me to choose, a helpful Tcno government employee running the Mate Sort. I was next in line. I walk forward now toward two doors, light or dark. Behind the light door, is a helpful lure β a glass panel allowing me a look into Our Tcnoβs choice for me. And of course, I see a tall, waiting man, who I do find extraordinarily attractive. I doubt he is human, but a subspecies, basically an alien able to mate with me. I can tell he is inhuman by the way his skin is slightly dark tan and greenish and sparkly. Itβs hard to define but he is definitely not an OG human like me. He is trying hard to keep in a smile of excitement as his eyes sparkle with my initial approach. However, when I take my first step toward the Dark instead β Brie calls out. βMars is your perfect match, Diana. Please donβt disappoint him, he has been waiting for you for some years.β I ignore Brie, although I do look to see Marsβ face change completely as he notices my feet moving off the path. His mouth flattens, his dark handsome eyes worry, expressing everything from being invested, concerned and possessive. Wow. Iβll admit one thingβ¦ I kind of like that look. Possessive. Butβ¦ I knew this part of the journey would be a challenge, I just had to resist! I may very well believe he and I would have the perfect chemistry, considering the initial butterflies I feel inside my stomach right now just interacting with him through a glass panel, fifteen feet awayβ¦ β¦but… The strings forging between us right now, do nothing to absolve the heavy weight inside my gut, telling me to run for the Dark. I take another step toward the Dark choice. βIs it because the forbidden option is the desirable one?β Brie asks me, truly curious. I answer her briefly now, with a single, βNo.β βWhy?β Brie now calls out to me with quiet panic. I donβt look back at Mars, a little scared I might just think twice if we make a longer connection. I focus on Brie entirely instead as I answer her again, βI should.β βShould? If itβs a question of morals, shouldnβt you go to the love who will be perfect for you, and he for you?β Brie asks, before going strangely quiet, listening to a voice in her ear, titling her head, she then presses a button on her necklace. I turn around as what I think should be forbidden β now bursts through the Light door. Mars is let through, and I get the shock of my life when he stalks for me. I have to look away as I also realise he isnβt just anyone. Dressed in Tcnoβs Elite-Donor grey on white suit, with black shoes so shiny they almost reflect perfectly like a mirror, I am basically watching a high exec of not just Our Tcno but from the Universal Board, standing in my way. He was ultimately super fucking rare. Like, so fricken rare, it was really hard to even possibly imagine how we ended up mates. I carefully and tentatively look Mars over again, head to toe. Um. Wow? My blood is feeling hot and cold all at once. He holds his arms at his sides, in a relaxed but stiff pose and I canβt look above his pockets, his dark eyes are just too intimidating. βYou canβt stop me choosing,β I remind him, carefullyβ¦ I get a sudden urge to lock eyes with him, to dare it. I gulp as I look up to catch his dark, now rather sharpened eyes. βItβs your choice,β Mars agrees, and his voice is like beautiful poison to my ears β even his natural smell is too damn clean and deep for me to consider all the notes within, without falling, ββ¦but Iβd like to think you could choose to stayβ¦β βWhy?β I ask him straight. βBecause itβll be good.β Mars holds out a hand for me, even though his tone didnβt sound pleasant or even too sure. Fuck. Some kind of resolve inside me snaps. No! I canβt believe this is happening β but I canβt leave him without an invitation. βWellβ¦ I donβt want anything on record,β I whisper that as an indirect invitation; come get me β but not like this. Not here. Marsβ hand freezes in the air between us, my words must have sent a shock through him, just as much as they sent my own nerves off the deep end. I side step around him and quickly unlock the Dark. When I push through the door, I quickly step through and shut the door behind me. I see whatβs on the other side is simply an ET, an express teleportation device. The location is set to unknown. Whoever is buying Dark Nines, thatβs where Iβll go. Hopefully off planet. I step through, walking straight to my next destination. Just like that β Iβm throughβ¦ and where I end upβ¦ is kind ofβ¦ wellβ¦ purest luck. **** I didnβt expect it to be this at all. I stare wide eyed at the unique dark flora around me, in a green house style palace, or castle, or whatever this place is. Iβm in the throne room, staring at all the green. As a Dark Nine, Iβm unironically on Dark Ninth; the planet I always dreamed of going to. The Kors lived here. A planet that was always dark, the light only being sent by their three distant moons and the luminescent plants, which all sparkled. Whatβs more, is this planet was peaceful. Very peaceful. I look behind me but the portal is shut. There is one more βproblemβ, however. Our Tcno had the technology to send Mars back through space, back in time if need be β to achieve interception with a target, such as me. And, well, guess what. I didnβt expect Mars to be a fucking Kor. Iβm not alone. He went back in time to beat me back to this location. Mars is sitting on the throne, at the top of a steep staircase overgrown with purple metallic vines, looking down at me, dressed in tribal Kor clothes, no suit β and all his muscles are pretty much on display. He is now ten times more drool worthy. Fuck. I mean, I did invite him to woo me outside the system, if he so daredβ¦ so I shouldnβt be so damn surprised, but here I amβ¦ and here he is. βI guess you donβt like the females on Dark Ninth?β I speak up to him, so far above me, hoping to sound somewhat cheerful. βFemales are forbidden from this place. We are an exclusively male planet. I joined Tcno to find a mate. We can breed with humans,β Mars answers me, with such little words, but so much information, I just gape and try to formulate a question. Uh β Umβ¦ βWhy am I here again?β I ask, almost forgetting I walked through the portal myself, but the Kors did technically buy me from Earthβ¦ so I did ask the right question. Huh. Okay. I did. I just need to remember to breathe. βWe can breed with humansβ¦ and ββ Mars repeats himself and also talks a bit slower for me, but I already interrupt him, because if he is insistent on breeding, I didnβt want to just bend over like a clueless idiot. βWell, Iβm sorry but I donβt want to beββ βThere is no desire to make you do anything, we do not chaseβ¦β Mars interrupts me back, now eagerly awaiting my reply. βOh?β Is all I ask, raising a brow back to him. βThe backlog to get to this planet has a waitlist of over a million female subspecies,β Mars half shrugs, βWe have no shortage.β βWhy donβt you let that eager lot flood in? Youβd have all the choices in the world,β I am also truly curious why this planet is exclusively maleβ¦ so strange. βWe do let them in,β Mars explains, βBut you didnβt let me finish.β βWhat? Ohβ¦β βOur choice sustenance is female kind, preferably of those we mate with,β Mars soundsβ¦ amused. I blink rapidly as I try to process what he just said. I rephrase it back to him, with a question. βYou want to eat your mates?β I ask, βLike, as food?β βSome female species consume their mates, sometimes that concept is reversed,β Mars laughs now, deep, dark, and ultra sexy. Ohβ¦ fuck meβ¦ my heart beat slows. I now rapidly find the fact I find him sexy, utterly disturbing. βAre you trying to tell me, thereβs a waitlist of females trying to get to Korsβ¦ just to die?β I squeak that last part out. Mars doesnβt seem to want to answer that, looking away and chewing on it. Why am I about to ask thisβ¦ fuck it, ββ¦raw or cookedβ¦?β I instantly regret asking it, and Mars seems more amused but also refuses to answer that, βDo you, uh, do you eat anything else?β I ask, suddenly my heart is wanting to race, and I rather have some of my fears assuaged. βFruit,β Mars answers, nodding as he thinks about it. βHow do youβ¦ eat people whenβ¦ youβ¦ sorry, you look human, like an omni ββ omnivore, except I canβt finish, because Mars smiles wide for me to show me his teeth, and thereβs probably two extra canines on each side, razor sharp β so six shreddersβ¦ I guess the others are for crushing bone β ewβ¦ but also, damn it, how come his teeth look sexy to me?! βWhat do your kind do if you have a daughter β?β βWe send them away,β Mars explains, quietly and closed off β as if he doesnβt want to discuss that part. βIβmβ¦ confusedβ¦ am I going to die?β I ask, laughing slightly, while holding my elbow with one hand and twisting one ankle back and forth as my eyes try to slyly scan for exits, knowing damn well I canβt outrun that beast on the throne. βNo?β Mars answers meβ¦ just far too late and far too coy. He even tries to hide his curling smile with his hand as he leans his chin on his palm, his eyes now looking me over slowβ¦ calculatedβ¦ I saw him do that in Our Tcno. It was flirty then. Now itβs something else entirely. βIβve never met a Dark Nine,β Mars quickly changes topic, when he sees me looking very hard for the closest and quickest exit. βI guess that makes meβ¦ unique?β I ask, hopefully, βAnd rare β very rare, probably wonβt meet another one, for a very, very long time,β so donβt kill me and maybe you can keep me around just to pick my brain, at the very least? I ask all the rest of that through my eyes, projecting my feeble hopes out at him. βDiana,β Mars says my name, distracting me again, βWhy donβt you explore this placeβ¦ the others already know not to touch you.β βOh,β I gulp, feeling slightly relieved, βAnd how many more of you are here?β βOn the planet?β Mars asks, βNine of us.β βNine?β I ask, now just confused by the number. βYes, Nine of us,β Mars agrees again, βVenus, Mercury, Terra, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto.β βAre you Gods?β I ask. Mars shakes his head slowly but still I feel like that doesnβt deny anything. I start to walk backwards, genuinely afraid to turn my back on him. I really, really hate it when he answers me with silence or tiny shrugs or shakes of the headβ¦ or worse, amused smiles. I prefer words. I donβt know how to say goodbye to him so I just walk out the way behind me. He watches me go, but nothing dramatic happens, he is just curious, I guess? I guess I can hope that curiosity will keep me alive a little longer. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 2 βΏβββ’β¦ Planet: Dark Ninth, Species: Kors, Population: 9, Designation: A Peaceful Eden This place was truly a shadowed paradise, with the green of the plants being dark, sparkly, tending toward purple, reds and some blues but mostly greens. The moss on the rocks was bright silver. The architecture was probably hundreds of thousands of years old. The Dark Ninth Palace is not guarded, because there are no enemies. It was just propped up on a hilltop with little wind, and every side showed the expansive planet-wide forest system. I do wonder how such a civilisation got to this point, especially when I see the ruins of a much larger city, expanding out into the forests beyond. In other words, there used to be more than 9 male specimens of the Kor species, but somehow they are all that was left? I hadnβt wandered very far, a little nervous to explore when I wasnβt familiar with untamed wild nature on this scale before. I sit on one of the boundary walls, legs dangling over as I just soak up the forest beyond. The sky is full of stars, a neighbouring galaxy lights up a lot of the sky. The major light source however are the three moons lined up in a perfect straight axis. They all look equal in size to Earthβs moon. The gravity was slightly denser than Earth, so I felt the way every movement I took was slowed down slightly. It was nothing I couldnβt get used to, though. When I was 12 and ate the Jace herb from this planet, the superpower I was open to receive at puberty, was influenced by that herb. Not only did I never get sick again, I had Enhanced Instincts. It was probably useless and intangible to others, but for me, it just meant I was always right when I sensed something coming my way. I could prepare to avoid danger, whether it was from another person, or sensing a natural disaster. It purely served my own selfish defences. Super powers for human kind were always in a few categories, enhances senses, such as eyesight, taste, smell, etc. Or you could choose speed or strength enhancements. For me, I guess I was spiritually enhanced. It made sense, then, that I was somehow matched perfectly with a Kor. They were deeply instinctual and so was I. I still couldnβt really comprehend how they mated with females and consumed them afterwards. That concept is so creepy it makes my skin crawl. But to be fair, the universe was very, very strange, and it was just the way their own evolution unfurledβ¦ I guess? Below me is a path into the Dark Forest. Behind me is the Dark Palace. It was steep, thatβs the best way I could describe it. The steps were too tall, the height of the walls was too high, the structure was very rectangular, with no turrets or pretty feminine architecture, almost like a prison honestly. It was too masculine, but the beauty was brought in from the nature, which crawled over everything and brought in dim glittery light and a soft touch. I find comfort in the sense that I donβt feel threatened; and I can trust my Enhanced Instincts on that at least. It was the logic in this place that was scaring me. I was a female and a potential mate β but technically I could only be a mate if I was willing. As Mars said, they did not chase. Soβ¦ very logicallyβ¦ I just had to resist and deny the Kor Mars. I was just scared that I couldnβt resist. I can only imagine and wonder what the others are like. Strangely named after the planets in my home solar system, I wonder if they drew inspiration from our homeβ¦ especially since Mars was incorporated into Our Tcno as a High Elite-Donor. That meant he provided assistance to human kind, in return for favoursβ¦ perhaps such as females forβ¦ food; ew, itβs so gross. I am wearing a black shirt and black pants and black shoes, my blonde hair is straight and just past my shoulders and I have hazel eyes. My skin is pale to the point itβs kind of translucent, Iβve always hated it, as I couldnβt tan without burning, and now I just stuck out like a dish plate in the perpetual darkness of this place. It makes me ultra self-conscious. But aside from my basic girly instincts and feelings, I had to work out my plan of survival. The reason I aspired to be a Dark Nine was, I think, mostly influenced by ingesting the Jace herb. I remember the taste of it, flying through my senses and my blood, changing my system to be stronger, better and more alert. So more than freedom, I wanted out of Our Tcno to search for my potentialβ¦ whatever that was. Our Tcno wasnβt an evil system, it was the best humankind could come up with to ensure both our survival and happiness. But there was always the 1% who needed to choose the thrilling option, too, right? The strange and weird and unknown, which called us to be explorers and adventurers. So technically I achieved my greatest goal, having an adventure off Earth. I got exactly what I wished for. So I should be happy β and I was. I was happy. I was justβ¦ I donβt know. There was a whole other factor working in my life now; the will of the Kors on this planet. If they were hungry, I had pretty much accepted, if they decided to eat me, Iβm fucked and doomed. That thought makes my mind go quiet. Too quiet. A new abrasive feeling dares to touch my strong-willed mind. Itβs a feeling and an idea, that is only quiet because it is exactly thatβ¦ itβs the idea of submission to a stronger fateβ¦ or nine of them. Is this what it felt like to be a lamb trembling before a wolf, casually hunting down its next dinner, and the lamb knows itβs pointless to try anything, so it just stands and trembles and goes quiet before itβs killed? I really, really hoped that wasnβt the feeling entering my system now. The only true way out, if I needed one, was to find an ET portal. If Mars came and went from the Dark Ninthβ¦ an ET was present. I hold onto that notion, that there was a backdoor, I just had to find it. I jump down off the wall, and I turn from the beautiful glimmering darkness of the forest, to face the prison β I mean palace. As I walk back inside along a narrow path, I now take note of all the rooms inside this place on the bottom floor. There are a lot of doorless βcellsβ, so many were empty, it seemed oddβ¦ they had a purpose a long time ago, I just donβt know what. The rest were big open spaces, that led straight down toward the middle room, which was the throne room where Mars was just before. The stairs up to the next levels seemed to get darker and lonelier, so I hadnβt found any confidence to climb up to those areas just yet. I wander back into the throne room, but Mars is gone. I feel watched in here, however, I feel watched from up above. I strain my neck to look up, where multiple balconies from the higher levels look down on this hall, and the feeling of being watched goes away as I search for the watcher. I suck in a nervous breath as I move toward the nearest spiralling staircase, and I brave the steep climb, using palms and feet to climb up. I had aimed to get off at the second level, but I enjoy the movement of climbing and end up winding my way to the very top, until Iβm at the fourth and final level. Up here, I see sparkling rays of moonlight, shining in through small windows, none of which are large enough to even stick a head through. I find their tiny little windows, very odd, but at least they let in enough light to see where Iβm going. I walk past more empty rooms, until I finally find a space that isnβt so boring. Iβm peeking in at a stone library. At the centre, is a globe sized rock, floating above a podium like an artefact on display at a museum. It softly spins naturally in slow motion. The rest of the stone library shelves are empty of actual books, but still this place feels like itβs full of wisdom. I walk right up to the floating globe, and my eyes scan over the surface features, wondering why it looks so familiar. I look under its side until I see a faint outline of the Great Red Spot β Jupiterβs infinite storm. This is the planet in Earthβs solar system, the Jupiter, and I donβt think itβs just a model on display. I realise the closer I look at it, the less solid it appears. Itβs more like dense gas. I swear on my life, Iβm not actually going to touch it, but I canβt help but point out a finger and hover it closer to its surface, especially that iconic storm. As my finger hovers a bit closer, I hear angry footfalls coming in through the entry behind me. βDonβt touch!β I have already snapped my hand back and jumped around to see another member of the Kors striding through. This must be Jupiter. A little taller than Mars, he is still giant. His skin is a grey metallic, almost a matte-silver, his snarling razor teeth are so white and shiny they seem robotic almostβ¦ or just godly. Jupiter doesnβt just scold me, he is striding over to clearly manhandle me out of the room, I can tell from the way his eyes donβt just focus on my eyes, they slash through me, back and forth with menacing intent as I donβt β thankfully β stand still like a terrified lamb. Instead, I try to run so fast for the exit, my feet skid along the moist stones, and I trip onto my palms and onto one knee. I hate that Iβve fallen in front of one of the Kors, but itβs too late now to blush in front of the predator. I lunge back up to my feet and run back for the exit, only spinning to see Jupiter focusing on what I left behind. My left shoe fell off at his feet, and it was enough of a distraction for Jupiter to consider it like a strange thing he has never seen before. I hold onto the side of the archway leading to his library room, and I gaze back in longingly for what is mine. Jupiter snaps his gaze out to see me looking in at my property. He leans down, picks up my shoe β and frisbees the damn thing out of the room, so hard and so fast it flies out over the throne room and somehow gets stuck on a jutting curve in the strange architecture. I look up at it, knowing Iβll never get it back now. Fucking asshole. I am genuinely pissed that he was so fucking rude about it. I glare back in at Jupiter for a second, but only because I canβt ignore my hurt pride. βThat was unnecessary,β I scold him, somehow managing that while feeling my adrenaline spike as Jupiterβs black eyes narrow and he suddenly looks rather unsatisfied by my retreat. I quickly turn and end up barging right into Marsβ front. He snuck up on me! I didnβt sense him at all, as he didnβt feel like danger to me, but Iβm still caught off guard after face planting directly into his abs, my hands now laid flat on his waist, feeling his heat. βCareful, Diana. Remember, youβre not meant to be here,β Mars speaks over me, totally okay with us being flush. βHey, you bought me,β I snap up at him. βItβs only temporary,β Mars somehow appears both perfectly cheeky and handsome as he says that. βSeriously?β I pull back a large step, but his hands quickly rich out and smoothly slide over my wrists, immediately shackling me to him, so I canβt leave the conversation so soon. ββ¦I said to stay on Terraβ¦β Mars whispers now, raising a slightly annoyed brow. βAh β you mean Earth -? Tcno?β βTerra β Earth, yes, they are the same. That is where youβre allowed to be, Diana,β Mars answers more sharply now, seemingly still angry that I denied him back on Earth. βI wanted to be a Dark Nine,β I state the obvious. βExactly. But youβre still not allowed here, females are forbidden to settle on our planet, but for a while, it can amuse usβ¦ until it doesnβtβ¦ eventually we will have to deal with that,β his eyebrow motions to the room I just entered and escaped from. I gulp, and I stop resisting. Mars hands on my wrists, feel weirdly comforting anyway. βThen tell me what to do,β I change tact, wondering if relying on Mars, will change my destiny to a quick and likely miserable-as-all-hell death. Mars now sees I am calm, and he unhands my wrists, leaning down a little, to catch my eyes with a friendly and sweet look once again. βIβd love to talk to you, Dark Nine,β Mars seems so young and flirty, when he smirks like that, but itβs still somehow sweet enough, βLetβs chat.β I gulp again, βJust, chat?β I confirm. βYes ββ Mars answers so smooth and still so friendly for a man that wanted to eat me β At the same time, our interaction is cut in half by a loud scoff. I look over my shoulder, and across the balcony along the throne roomβs top, I see another Kor. He is too in the shadows to make out any features, but the other giant Kor-like-god is unimpressed by Mars and I. Mars looks at his βfriendβ in shadow, I donβt know if theyβre related or family, but he seems irritated by the scoff destined for our ears. Mars glares and growls out a deep warning at the other perving Kor. The other Kor responds with a still glare, but then turns to walk back into his own space, out of sight. Mars continues to stare after him with his spiked temper. But he remains calm enough for me. Iβm in shock myself. The growl he let off to protect me was the sexiest god damn thing I ever heard in my life. It sounded perfectly possessive. I keep the fact I am impressed, wiped from my face, however, too scared to show any clear sign of attraction, lest it be a green light for Mars to bite into me or something of that nature. I stand stiff and awkward as I wait for Mars to look at me. At the same time, I feel a cool heat suddenly at my back. I get the shock of my life when yet another Kor sneaks up on me. But this one isnβt new. I look up and behind to see Jupiter has silently approached, just to stand behind me like a stone pillar. He isnβt doing anything. Fucking um β creepy, much?! I spin and step back into Mars front, just to feel his protection, as I stare with wide and terrified eyes up at Jupiterβs silent approach. βItβs nothing personal,β Jupiter changes his tone, even though he still looks mean, βJust donβt touch what isnβt yours. Manners, while youβre here…β I nod, while I feel Mars step back from me. When his heat leaves me, I purse my lips, forcing myself not to lean back in search of his heat. βI hear you,β I answer Jupiter, βI apologiseβ¦ but I wasnβt going to touch it ββ Jupiter sneers slowly when I try to deflect blame and not take responsibility. I snap my mouth shut and Jupiter at least stops focusing on me, to look at Mars behind me instead. Nothing is being said. I didnβt know if they were enemies or friends, it was really hard to tell. I look over my shoulder back up at Mars and he is just staring Jupiter down. βA Dark Nine,β Jupiter adds, into the heavy silence, βReally?β βMaybe,β Mars teases but doesnβt elaborate, βRelax.β Uh. Me? I seriously canβt tell if Mars told Jupiter to relax or if it was said to me. But Mars abruptly starts to walk off, and I turn to follow, knowing my safest place right now is with Mars, not with any of the others. There were at least seven more lurking here, and I had a feeling they were all watching. I didnβt like that. So, I think Iβd just stick to Marsβ flank, before I stumbled across any of the others while alone. βWhat is this place? It looks like a prison, no offense ββ I talk to him while he strides and I half-jog to keep up with him. βIt is a prison,β Mars answers coldly. βOhβ¦β I didnβt expect him to answer in the affirmative, βBut, for who?β Mars looks over his shoulder with a handsome, all-too-welcoming smile, βFor us. When we broke out of here, uhβ¦ well,β he doesnβt elaborate, he just lets the potential-answer come to me in the silence. His eyes are too relaxed for the answer to be what I immediately think it isβ¦ right? My mouth just hangs open, and Mars delights me by actually giving me the direct answer after he considers keeping it a secret, but he just tells me instead. He slows down his strides and turns to me, to tell me, clearly and carefully, βWe were once prisoners to the female Kors, for approximately a hundred thousand years they were breeding with us and controlling us, rightly so, because how we are sustained was a direct threat on their lives and bodily autonomy,β Mars explains, βWhen we got out, we ate till our heartβs content. And maybe for a spot of revenge. Maybe. Who knows. A hundred thousand years in a prison might drive the sanest to a little madness, wouldnβt you think, Diana?β I think he is joking around at the end, but itβs hard to tell. βYouβre very nice to me, Mars,β I say it as a statement, and a question. Because it didnβt add up. If they were so mad, and if they ate every single female of their speciesβ¦ why be nice to me? Mars goes silent again. When he looks back at me he gives me an amused smile again, but no words. When he doesnβt want to answer, he just doesnβt. Iβm not 100% sure why, or what custom is reflected in that smug smile of his, but I am starting to get an idea. Iβm not entirely certain that I understand why their history is so fucked up, but I am just happy that Iβve survived yet another 30 mins on this planet, with nine hungry demonic planet-gods all around me in this literal prison. Not to mentionβ¦ since there are no females hereβ¦ theyβre all probably a little hungry. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 3 βΏβββ’β¦ We sit outside by a small stream, running between boulders, so the most beautiful silver moss sparkles before us. Itβs a cute little spot for chatting. I sit back on the grass, leaning back on my hands, as Mars lays down beside me, spread out, relaxed and eager to speak with me outside of their former prison. βSpeak freely, Diana,β Mars asks me so politely, while looking up to the evernight sky. I like that Mars has an obvious awareness of my fears. He is an expert at making me feel safe, which in itself feels strange logically, but I was slowly getting used to his energy. Itβs not that Mars was welcoming and super friendly, but I felt his direct permission to be open with him, and I reckon with myself that itβs never a bad thing to communicate. Talking is exactly how weβd sort out our dynamic, my place, his mind, my mind, my future. Whatever that may be. βThere is no one here,β I murmur, ββ¦what do you guys doβ¦ all night?β βWe made this place our home, but we donβt stay on Dark Ninth all the time. We are all on the Universal Board, so we travel around a lot,β Mars answers, also open about their behaviours. βIt must be nice to be so free,β I murmur, βWhere I come from, I guess most humans felt free, but I had a strange desire to get out of the hold of Our Tcno. Itβs strange to know you are a donor for Earthβ¦ although I guess that is none of my business. But it is also strange we were matched in Earthβs system.β βOur frequencies aligned,β Mars explains, βThatβs how it works. What do you wish for now that youβre free of your solar system?β βNot to die,β I blurt out, looking down at him, pointedly referring to his appetite. Marsβ handsome eyes hold mine steady and show no sign of an imminent threat, ββ¦youβ¦ wonβt eat me, right?β βI could,β Mars answers while showing off half his razor-sharp teeth again, he is just a lot closer this time and it sends a shiver down my spine, so I look away, ββ¦however, I donβt want toβ¦ I want to know your thoughtsβ¦ your desires.β βWell, I want to feel like my potential is fulfilled, so I need to keep exploring the universe β preferably alive and not as a ghost.β βDo you ever think about sex?β Mars asks, raising a curious brow as he draws my attention back down to him. He slowly rests his hands behind his head on the soft grass, awaiting my response. Now, I find myself amused and quiet. I smile and say nothing, mimicking him. Mars looks rather pleased that I have now developed a sense of humour. βHow about you tell me your full intentionβ¦ with me,β I answer him boldly with a question. βI have no intentions,β Mars smirks, giving away the lie, but then he adds, ββ¦other than to ask you questions, Dark Nineβ¦ we seek wisdom and need to know how you think.β I notice his slip up in language. We need. They. All of them. Need. If they needed to know me β I should keep my cards close and not reveal everything. βDo you love?β I ask, putting the question on Mars. At the question of love, Marsβ eyes fire up and his expression hardens. Curiously, itβs contradictive. Itβs passion and itβs defence. Itβs fury and pain. βDiana, you know nothing,β Mars changes his tone as he sits up slowly, βOur concept of love is out of your limits.β βOut of my limits?β I gasp, βMy whole life Iβve done nothing but love. Itβs in my blood. My species. Humans. We love, one another, each other, and the universe itself. How is love outside my limits?!β Mars snaps right out of his calm demeanour, finally showing some raw and uncensored emotion. I watch in shock as he stands and looks to the three moons while pacing along the garden, he growls to himself, but I hear the words, βYour species are practically loveless.β I watch tentatively as Mars seems to blend perfectly in with the flora, his greenish tan skin, glittering just like the plants around him. He could literally be crouched in the forest, ready to strike, and no one would see him, he camouflages perfectly. It reminds me of a lion on the savanna, or a leopard perched up high in a tree. It makes me realise the Kors may not be the main population of the Dark Ninth. Top predators, the lonesome kind, could not build and sustain populations to the degree of the ruins I see dispersed around me. I wonder if they had evolved to prey on the general populace β which they already exterminated. I really didnβt know what I was dealing with here. I try to keep my reasoning simple. The worst thing you could do with an alien predator was run and turn your back to them, so I keep that in mind. At no point would I run screaming. As Mars is pacing along the stream to let out his anger, I ask him a different question from my position. βAre you just playing with your food?β Mars slows his walk to look at me with a clenched jaw and sharp eyes. βYouβre no fun,β Mars whispers, βYouβre not even naked.β What the hell! βAre you serious right now?β I snap out, finally finding a reason to jump to my own feet, βYou have got to be joking, if you think Iβd just bend because youβre so hot. I have strength to resist looks, Mars. I have the will to say no. I donβt have to serve your needs. If I am going to die, it wonβt be on my knees serving your desires. But I will die fighting back to keep my dignity.β Mars looks intrigued once again and slightly calmer, even as he slips in another insult, ββ¦spoken like a true virginβ¦ but, I apologise, Diana, you are a Dark Nine afterall.β βWhy are you so obsessed with me being a Dark Nine? If anything, itβs personal to me. It just means I have made sure I have the greatest freedom to choose. Itβs nothing to do with youβ¦β Mars squats down by a small plant and his fingers smooth over an oval leaf with a spikey top. He stands up and he shows me the distinct leaf a little closerβ¦ I squint at it, and then my eyes abruptly widen β thatβs the Jace herb, ββ¦thatβs what saved my life when I was a childβ¦β I whisper now. βIt didnβt save you, Diana,β Mars murmurs quietly, βItβs killing you. Itβs a slow poison. We feed it to our chosen mates, it pulls out your hidden strengths to ready you for pregnancy, manipulates your genetics so you can breathe and thrive on the Ninth, and ultimately it kills you quickly after birth, stopping your heart. Because youβre useless to us then. Our children are self-sufficient the moment they are born. They only require a vessel for development. And we breed with thousands over our lifetime.β βRewind a second, Mars. Did you poison me when I was a childβ¦?β I ask, flabbergasted. Mars answers by dodging a direct affirmation, and answering me carefully, βDiana, I swear I donβt want to hurt you.β βNo. Forget hurt. You want to kill me,β I correct him, βNot that I should be surprised after what youβve admitted.β βThere is one more thing I havenβt shared,β Mars explains, looking sheepish, βThese arenβt normal circumstances.” “…what β¦ on the Ninthβ¦ do you meanβ¦ and speak plainly, please.β βIβm not actually your mate,β Mars admits calmly, βAnd the Jace wonβt kill you this time if you fulfil your own wishes. I came to you initially during the Mate Sort, because I was picking you up, as youβre mated to all nine of us on the Dark Ninthβ¦ butβ¦ unless you mate with all of us, the Jace will kill you ultimately,β Mars shrugs one shoulder, βYeahβ¦ sorry. The thing is, we didnβt choose this. You did. Iβm just following orders.β What β What theβ¦ Fuck? βWhat do you mean, I did? I did what?β I try not to stutter, as I am heavily invested in knowing what the hell Mars is on about. Mars sucks in a breath and explains, βWhen you chose a superpower, off grid, it was randomised, attuned to your deepest spirituality. So you got enhanced instincts, but it was only a compliment for the automated letter we were sent our way. The Tcno did not read it, it was sent out confidentially. Inside was your wish to serve us all.β βUm, I never made a wishβ¦ like thatβ¦ least of all to serve?β I whisper. βLike a maid,β Mars suggests, holding out an open hand to motion at me, like that explains something, and the handsome bastard is trying not to look so smug, βLike aβ¦ like aβ¦ pet?β βLike a slave,β I correct him, again, βYou know thatβs what you wanted to say.β βI will say many things, but sometimes certain things donβt need to be said with such vulgarity,β Mars looks me over, head to toe, βWe have portals to your world, and we monitored your growth after you matured into an adult at 18. You have a defined personality, Diana, you are obsessed with helping wounded animals. Not any kind of animal, either. Dangerous animals, who are often abandoned. You wished at every birthday to help the wounded animals who needed the mostβ¦ attentionβ¦β Mars blushes a little, βIf you are wondering if I am perhaps calling myself an animalβ¦ I wish I could deny it, but poetry will say otherwise. As Kors, we are ultimately animals more than men. Instinctually and spirituallyβ¦ we are not humane, we are self-serving.β βBut once again, we come back to this, you are so nice to me, Mars. Is it an act?β I ask, βI am reluctant to trust you. And you donβt look like a wounded animal to me.β βListen, then. We are selfish animals. We love with brutality. Our hearts have unknown limits. Weβll destroy entire solar systems for you. If you serve us. Your wish, is our wish,β Mars really wants me to see this in a positive light, but Iβm not so sure. βMars, you barely know meβ¦β I murmur, gulping down my true feelings. βYouβre free to leave,β Mars adds, more impatient than before, βWhenever you want, wherever you want. Iβll escort you to where you wish to go.β βBut why are you so kind? Answer me, you never properly answer me,β I donβt know why I am obsessed with this question, but I need to know the answer. Mars faces me with a twitching brow. He attempts to keep his distance, but something inside him snaps. I straighten my back as Mars stalks right up to me. He snatches up my chin firmly and leans down to meet me at eye level. βWhy am I kind? The alternative is unthinkable,β Marsβ drops his tone a few octaves, βI want to know you. Cruelty is counterproductive. Especially if you are destinedβ¦ as it would seemβ¦ to mate with all nine of us. This is a sweet introduction.β βThatβs not even possibleβ¦ the n-nine of you, partβ¦ like, nineβ¦ like mating toβ¦ to all nine of you,β I whisper, stuttering only because of his powerful glare, this close to me, βI swear, itβs n-not in my desires. I β I haveβ¦ I canβtβ¦ I just donβt know.β βThe universe knows. And youβre untouched,β Mars finally unhands me, βAnother reason I am kind, Dianaβ¦ you are new to thisβ¦ so am I, speaking in this way,β Mars admits a small weakness there, that he has probably not interacted with a female in this drawn out manner. No doubt he could just use carnal desire to make a woman submit for sexual intercourse, fuck and runβ¦ orβ¦ letβs not even go there. βWhat am I new to, exactly?β I ask this breathlessly, my hand reaching for my other wrist to squeeze it for comfort, while Iβm staring straight at his mouth. There was something about it. Mars sees my fresh desire, right there in my eyes, and in the way I now slowly lick the salt off my lips. His eyes burn through me when he sees my tongue dare to taste my own lips. But Mars doesnβt kiss me, as my lips part open, he brings up a hand to my face, and two of his fingers run over my plump bottom lip that I just tasted myself. He presses his fingers across that lip, and slips them past my teeth, over my tongue. Mars feels how I lick gently over his two deep fingers, any deeper and I might gag, but I liked how bold he was, taking my mouth like he owned it. He slips his fingers back out and he grabs my throat instead. I gasp in an excited and innocent breath, and Mars finally gifts me what I had wished for seconds prior. A kiss! Aβ¦ kiss? I wait for it, but his tongue is the first thing I feel on my lips β as he licks over them. Mars glares at me, as his forehead touches mine and his hand slips down my skin, over my collar bone, under my shirt, to press over my heart. As he watches me, I close my eyes. All I feel is his forehead against mine, his hand over my heartβ¦ and then it sinks in. The real gift he left tingling on my lips. The taste of him. I instinctually lick the taste off. I can only describe it as a liquid aphrodisiac. When I taste it, I change. I become immediately aggressive. I lunge at Mars, attempting to rip his clothes off. I suddenly understand why he wears some kind of thick leather. As I grasp the straps at his shoulders, I canβt rip them off. I let out a weird growl as my nails claw at him, my hands diving for his abs β as Mars slowly grins, then shoves me back. I stumble back a few paces and fall on my butt. I spit onto the ground, trying to get his taste out of my mouth. When the taste of a Kor leaves me, my senses mellow out. Humiliated, I look up at Mars, standing a few feet from me, with evidence of my scratches on his skin β they heal before my very eyes but I did that to him. βStay a-away from me,β I hiss at him. βDonβt worry, Diana, weβre much worse,β Mars steps to the side, to look back at the forest, only glancing back at me briefly, βYou tasted what our love does to us. And that taste is in my mouth all the time.β βItβs poison,β I whisper, gulping multiple times, hoping I never feel that Kor base instinct ever again. As Iβm closing my eyes to stay calm, I feel the air move past my shoulder, as Mars stalks right by me. βAlmost,β Mars sounds nonchalant, his voice distant as he leaves me, ββ¦but itβs venom, Diana, not poison.β My βfriendβ retreats at that. I guess the chat is overβ¦ Now Iβm left traumatised, sitting on the grass by the stream on this alien planet, after feeling an alien instinct. Their βloveβ must beβ¦ fucking savage. I canβt imagine what making love with them is likeβ¦ or Iβ¦ I could try. The abrupt thoughts are so intrusive, dangerous and exciting, the moment I start to imagine sex with themβ¦ β¦I canβt stop. That quick, I feel me changing. My soul, hijacked by Marsβ sly seduction. My chemistry and my thoughts are starting to change and warp and twist. Soβ¦ Mars hadnβt been nice to me after all. Iβd just been lured into his trap until I wanted to kiss his delicious mouth. It seems being a mate to a Kor, or all of them, if that was even possible β wasnβt a matter of plain old attraction. Whatever attraction you showed, they still had to perfect you first so that youβd survive their natural fury. More than predator. They were completely fucking alien. I had to keep that in the forefront of my mind as I searched for my escape. It was time to stop exploring the Dark Ninth. I had to get the hell off this planet! |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 4 βΏβββ’β¦ I gaze up at the evernight sky and I pray for a miracle. I had a planet covered in ruins, beautiful forests and inhabited by 9 walking predatory alien subspecies to humans. My Enhanced Instincts push my gaze toward the stars however, not toward the Korsβ prison. If the Jace herb was poisonous, and had been supposedly killing me since I ingested it 9 years ago, I certainly felt no ill-effect, only strength. I do wonder if that is speeding up my aging process for that maternal transformation the Kors needed to breed. I had effectively traded monitored life on Earth, for this darkly lit path. To be targeted by an alien subspecies for breedingβ¦? β¦well, that wasnβt something I had exactly prepped for. I knew life outside the system would be dangerous and unforgiving, I just didnβt think I could be sucked into another set of rules so quickly. Above me, where the stars glow blue, I can see through a light layer of mist. Thatβs where I spot a red blinking light. Someone was above meβ¦? I watch as the small spacecraft lowers into the atmosphere and then zips off into the ruins ahead of me. I know intuitively this has nothing to do with the Kors β someone else must have been monitoring me. Perhaps it was the infamous Freed. They were subspecies of all kinds who lived like nomads, little was known about them and I did expect to run into them at some point. It makes sense they would be following any departures from my solar system. They would have tracked my voyage here through the teleportation stream left behind, which always left an imprint of where you were from and where you were going. I donβt look back to the prison that Mars has stalked back into, giving me space to contemplate his story, their need of me, and the venom he let me taste on my lips. Mars was utterly delicious and deadly. Jupiter was terrifying, short temperedβ¦ although somewhat mannered. And once againβ¦ that was only two of them. Imagine being a mate to nine carnivorous aliens. Heh β I was still a little in shock about that, but shock forevermore was not going to help me. I start to trek into the forests of Dark Ninth, deeper into the ruins. I notice my pale skin now glows a pale luminescent green, reflecting the soft neon lights around me. There were no exceptionally tall trees anywhere, the tallest being at around half my height, looking like bonsais. Dark Ninth mostly had low lying shrubs and vines that climbed up the ruins, giving the landscape more shape. While flowers bloomed everywhere, I notice the bugs that pollinate them are almost invisible due to their transparent wings and bodiesβ¦ so I guess almost-invisible butterflies or moth like critters had been spared by the Kors. The ruins themselves were pretty much raized down to their foundations, with only random walls still standing, while everything else remained ground down below ankle level. I step through turquoise grass, which feels as soft as butter under my soles. I had good visibility up to the horizon, and also where the ship had landed, camouflaged perfectly into the deep blues, purples and greens of this planet. Itβs landed on a flower bed maybe half a mile forward from my location. It was going to take a short few minutes to walk there. I look behind me, as I feel multiple eyes on me from the prison. Of course theyβre watching β β but then I see movement toward me. Aβ¦ an almost completely transparent shape, as tall as the other Kors β but literally invisible. So this was an invisible Kor now?! On the very edges of his figure I see blurred lines of the landscape. Whatβs more, is I think itβs natural, not artificial. But I see a wobble in the air, as the arms lifts and a weapon is drawn out. βGet down, Diana.β The Kor snarls the command at me, the voice is velvet but the warning is clear. This wasnβt Mars or Jupiter, it was someone else. I trust the direction and I drop into the shrubs, looking back to the spacecraft. My eyes widen at what I had been walking toward. I see weird creatures with eight legs, crawl out from under the craft. Gigantic spiders. Oh, my goodness. Also, what the fuck?! My eyes are glued to the giant spiders crawling around the dark fields, dispersing with cautious intent. However, before they move off too far, I hear a zwing, itβs a distinct drawn out electric zap, or more like the whistle of slowed and directed lightning. I watch as a miniature blue zig zag arrow, strikes and paralyses one of the spiders. The others crawl at top speeds in all other directions, so fast itβs honestly terrifying how quickly they move. My heart beat races as the spaceship itself has abandoned itβs own cohort, lifting off and flying out quickly with the first strike. While all this has happened in under two seconds, I feel a slight sensation of heat at my shoulder, and I look to see the butter soft grass, bend and lay flat under a silent, heavy invisible foot of the Kor beside me. I look up at the distorted light around him so I can see him carefully anchoring himself to get a good aim on all the remaining spiders. He is pulling back some kind of translucent arrow, then he stills, and shoots off four at once. The air around me buzzes with their heat, and I almost feel scorched by it, as the light-weapon is fired and I watch four arrows disperse in north, west, east and north-east directions β all finding the backs of the spiders. I watch them all fall down, struck dead. ββ¦I missed one,β the invisible figure says calmly, lowering his weapons, I feel his gaze on me. I slowly get up, and as I do, I see a big fat arachnid right in front of me, like right, right in front of me. Itβs a super enlarged jumping-spider. I scream when the Kor does nothing, and the spider raises a large leg at me, curiouslyβ¦? When the Kor does nothing, and the spider just keeps staring at me, I turn to run, and the cheeky Kor immediately snaps up my elbow and catches me. Daring to chuckle about my terror, the invisible man pulls me back to where I was, explaining, βThis one is ours.β Iβm jerky in my movements as I turn back to the spider, which is still very frozen, with a leg still out reaching to me. Itβs as tall as me. Itβd be cute if it was the size of my little pinky. But this was fucking different. βOurs?β I ask. That one word takes the remaining breath out of my lungs and I feel dizzy. I stumble forward a bit and the Kor props me up by sliding a hand off my arm, around my waist instead. His heat warms me up, and I focus on him being a pillar next to me. If he was calm, I should calm down too. βWe raised this one, itβs a pet, say hello to Chonk,β the Kor tries to push me forward but I push back, refusing to move closer to it. βWhy that name β?β I whisper. βHeβs really fat,β the Kor chuckles again, βGo away, Chonky, she doesnβt like you. Typical female,β he adds that on just to piss me off, I know it! I watch as Chonky looks disappointed and turns to walk away β except he jumps away, like a whole field away. My mouth hangs open at the speed of that thing. So it was a super-giant jumping spider. βWhatβs your name?β I ask the Kor, gently removing myself from his warm arm around me. I step to the side and he says nothing. I wonder if the fucker is smiling all amused at me, as my eyes search for his expression. βNeptune.β He answers, just after a weirdly long pause. I gulp, and I nod, saying nervously, βMy favourite planetβ¦β βGood,β Neptune loves that answer, answering me very quickly. I stumble back a few steps, and I see him tense a little, by the way the grass bends with his movement forward. I stop retreating. Donβt run. βIβm just going for a walk to get my sense of the terrain,β I explain, βIs there anything out there thatβll try to eat me?β I speak nervously, too quickly, before I can think. Even as Iβve half asked it, he knows what Iβm going to ask and I can hear Neptuneβs quickly muffled start to a deep chuckle, βUm. You know what, never mind,β I whisper, turning and walking off with the deepest blush filling my cheeks. I donβt even know why I feel so embarrassed. But at least Iβm not running away, Iβm just walking away slowly. As I make my slow escape, I feel Neptune walk up and beside me, not too close but keeping me company, I think. I donβt speak to him and he doesnβt speak to me. Maybe he is on sentry duty, protecting the vulnerable female from any other dangers β otherwise itβd be a waste of meat β did I really just think that? God damn it. I keep walking through the grass, between the flowers, until the ground gets a little wet beneath my feet. Water. I lick my tongue over the dry roof of my mouth and I know Iβm dehydrated. I lick my salty lips next on impulse and thankfully there is no more residue of Marsβ venom. Neptune has stopped a foot in front of me, and I feel his gaze on me. I bet I look exhausted and a complete mess. He picks up on my thirst, however, ββ¦this way,β Neptune speaks so gently, I immediately feel my hair on the nape of my neck rise. I follow his imprints in the grass, as for the moment, I had no backup plan. We walk along the grass until the ground suddenly opens up to show crystal clear liquid. I wouldnβt have known it was water, as it was perfectly still. It is not until Neptune just dunks himself in, and the water curls around his skin, giving him slightly more shape, that I know itβs a huge spring. Eager for a drink, I immediately squat at the edge of the pool. The Kor swims back to me as he sees me reaching one cupped hand into the water. He apprehends my wrist before I do that, and it feels weird being grasped by something I can hardly register with my crappy vision. He takes my hand out of the water and surfaces in front of me. βAllow me,β Neptune gets on one knee in the shallow water, cupping both his hands in the clear liquid, he brings it up like a perfect bowl. He basically offers it for me to drink from like a cup, tilting his hands toward my face. Weirdβ¦ very weirdβ¦ but maybe this was the way they all drank water. Instead of being rude, I just awkwardly focus on the floating water, moving below it a little more, my lips touch the tips of his fingers by accident but he tilts his palms upward anyway, so I can drink the water. Itβs a well timed flow, so itβs not as awkward as I thought it was going to be. Iβm thirsty enough to swallow every drop, and Iβm impressed I donβt spill it all over me. When Iβm finished, I feel a million, so I lean back and sit on the grass with a stupidly proud smile on my face. βThanks,β I keep it polite and simple, I didnβt need to overdo the compliments. Neptune moves out of the water, and Iβve let my guard down. I had assumed heβd just walk off to stand on guard, a little way away from me. Or maybe even just stand next to me, or something like that. I canβt see him and neither do I expect him when he reaches down to catch my throat. With one hand, Neptune holds my neck softly β no pressure at all, but I am completely caught still for him, and I am easily captivated by how bold he was to do that. I stare into nothing but the air, as I just feel his hand on me. βWhatβ¦ what are you doingβ¦?β I stutter, only to breathe in after the question, immediately tasting the change in the air β I tasted his exhale, so his face is right in front of me and I donβt even know it. Oh, my. I blush a much deeper red. Itβs like he is ultra-invisible now, or my brain is blocking out the signs of his shape, because I canβt see anything. Neptuneβs hand slides off my neck, and his palm touches my mouth, as his fingers splay across my red cheeks β andβ¦ okayβ¦? He is now holding my face, for some reason. I feel his eyes are all over my freaked out expression. I donβt know what he is looking for, but I just wait for him to stop doing it. βHm.β He makes one small and low noise, masculine and possessive enough to make me feel some kind of way β and then he just releases me from his assessment. I breathe in deep and lean back on my elbows, as I see the grass move with his steps away from me. Heβs going. Good. Good. I stare out at the perfect water, and I feel that my senses have come alive. My skin is literally glowing like the plants around me now. I hear him walk off by the slight rustle in the shrubs and grass behind me, but just as quickly, I hear him moving back. I donβt look. I stay where I am, staring at the water. βCome to me.β Neptune murmurs behind me, his choice of words are peculiar. Just as unexpected as his hand reaching for my throat, now his hand slips over and through my hair, he easily bunches it up β I suck in a nervous breath as I wait for him to pull it back, to urge me, but he just as quickly lets his fingers thread out and away from me. Uh β unsatisfying. He applied the teeniest bit of pressure only, a miniscule tease of his power, just β just playing around with me. I turn around now, fast, staring with quiet desperation, wanting and needing him to have tugged it just a little bit harder before he let go. I bite my lip as I glare at the nothingness behind me. βCareful, now,β Neptune speaks over my face, I feel his breath touch the side of my ear, as he has leaned down and stood back up. He walks off, and I quickly standβ¦ β¦and everythingβ¦ β¦everythingβ¦ β¦inside my bodyβ¦ feels liquidβ¦ airyβ¦ I feel like Iβm floating as I step after him. Am I high? I stumble after Neptune, while focusing on his feet depressing the grass down with each step. If all these mother fuckers had superpowers of their own, or different affects on my systemβ¦ I really donβt know how Iβm going to keep fighting them off. They could weave spells over me. Iβm already forgetting that I want to run. Whyβ¦ why would I want to run? Ahβ¦ My logical brain repeats the word, over and over. Sustenance. Sustenance. Eat. Eat. Oh, but am I hungryβ¦? No. I almost stop walking, as the cold thrust of reality sinks home once again. Itβs not me. Itβs them. I had to remember, no matter what state of mind they could trick me into β they were hungryβ¦ they were, not me. No matter what, I could never forget that, or itβd be the end of me. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 5 βΏβββ’β¦ I had followed Neptune back to the prison, we walked around it and he took me to a separate structure, basically an underground bunker which housed their spacecraft β so it was technically their garage, I guess? Neptune had jumped down, while I climbed the old ladder carved into the rock. Below here, the bunker is fitted with grey and white clothes on the walls along with Universal Board accessories, whether they be weapons or official books. Yup, books were still a thing in the universe in 20,500; by Earth years anyway. Off to the side of the area where they prepare for intergalactic travel, is the spacecraft itself. It is a literal triangle, itβs very slim and not even that big. I bet itβll hold all of them but not much more. I waltz over to stand in front of the space craft, where the name is itched into the side. βEβ At least, it looks like the letter E to me. Iβm sure to them, it means something else in their Kor tongue. I feel safer near something so familiar and human; technology, fashion, a rideβ¦ it gave the Kors a new sense of civility. I assume this is why the mysterious Neptune brought me down here, to show me that side of them so I wouldnβt be so scared. Thatβs how I reason it. Neptune is empathetic. While I stand next to E, I look over my shoulder and I freeze. Neptune has intercepted me again. He is now slightly less invisible, but the air around him somehow provides him features. I finally see his irises, which are neon white. I feel like Iβm staring at a hologram, but he stands in the way of all the arrivals. Yes, all of them. Behind Neptune, to which I have not dared to adjust my gaze, all the other Kors have arrived. Mars is with them, Jupiter too, plus six more, of varying colour but all equally giant in size. βWhatβs happening?β I whisper as quietly as I can to Neptune, who has been waiting for me to speak up. βCome on board,β Neptune reaches above me and presses his hand to the E panel. A circle opens and I feel a gravitational force sucking in, Neptune ushers me toward the door, located under the craft, βIβll help you.β I get the sudden idea that they are helping me off planet. They must feel with their deep instincts, my uneaseβ¦ they must be helping me go to another part of the universeβ¦ I step toward the door and the pull of the gravity wave is smooth in tugging me into the centre and up into the craft. It pushes me to the side when Iβm through and I land steadily on my two feet. Iβm now looking at two long stretches of seats to strap into. Five on either side. Neptune is next up, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder, leading me toward a seat in the middle of the left row. I donβt struggle when I know he wants me to sit down. I turn and obey the suggestion, while Neptune reaches around me for the shoulder straps, pulling them over and buckling me in. As his hands adjust the sizes of the straps, he takes his time, so he can explain to my silent expression of hope, βWe get a lot of visitors here, Diana, our planet is designated as a tourist attraction, for the Elion League,βAll Elions were not subspecies to humans, such as those gigantic spiders, and yes, they were considered enemies, βWe donβt stop them dropping by, especially if we feel like hunting, but we donβt tolerate them at all if we have female guests that we need to protect,β Neptune looks me over, as he steps back to inspect the handy work, βWeβre all going off world, we canβt leave you here undefended,β Neptune turns around and walks off toward the front of the ship, where he inputs all the instructions on the one device in the spacecraft. Neptune is messing with another floating globe-like structure, but this one has many dimensions, like a rubrik cube. I watch as Neptune starts turning all the dials, while my throat feels dry with sudden anxiety. βAre you helping me leave Dark Ninthβ¦?β I speak up, but Neptune starts smirking through my unsure wording, and I see all his razor sharp teeth, six canines like Mars and Jupiter, βWhatβs so funny?β I ask, frustrated and embarrassed. Literally at any time I feltβ¦ nervous, or worried, or scaredβ¦ these fuckers needed to smile or laugh. βNot everything is about you, Diana,β Neptune speaks to the dials he is still inputting directions into. He speaks so casually. Is he already bored of me? I blush with a weird possessive anger. But then the others join us. They come up one by one, quickly moving to their positions. I freak out and end up staring at all of them, completely wide eyed. One of them has skin that looks like the universe, a universal void, covered in glitter, with eyes that have no colourβ¦ itβs just translucent. One is not invisible but still looks translucent, his skin is very similar to mine actually but the difference is the blue tinge for him, while my skin now has a green tinge. The rest of the Kors I categorise into colours, because my courage only allows me to take wide and quick sweeping glances of each one before I end up staring wide eyed at my toes, while my fingers grip the straps over my shoulders with a grip I know will hurt my fingers later. However, I just feel extremely intimidated β who wouldnβt?! They were so big and there were nine of them. They all wanted to fuck me. And then EAT me!!! One Kor was a nature green like Mars, very similar in every way, aside from the jagged silver scars all over his body, like he had been tortured badly in the past. Jupiter sat down next to a golden Kor, who wasnβt bright like Earthβs gold, but moreβ¦ matte, with that Dark Ninth sparkle shining through his eyes. The other three were strange like Neptune, one was moving around like him, I could barely see him and I get the feeling itβs Uranus, as he stands near Neptune, double checking that the dials are in the right places. Mars walks over to sit next to me, strapping himself in. The other seat on my left is taken by an unknown, a Kor with grey skin, black stripes and silver eyes. I glance at him only for a brief second. Around me the others sit. Neptune waltzes over and takes his seat with his invisible friend on our side. When everyone is strapped in, the ship starts to move and we can barely feel anything, but I do feel one thing very particularly, and that was the eyes of every Kor, now focused on me. The silence that comes with it is the heaviest god damn thing Iβve ever felt in my life. βSoβ¦ what are your names?β I ask into the great void, ββ¦itβs a pleasure to meet you allβ¦β I add that on in a rushed whisper, hoping I sound respectful. When I look between the five expressions opposite me, I see the same look on all their handsome faces β annoyance? When I look to Mars at my right for some kind of reassurance, he doesnβt seem to care so I look to the one Kor I can actually see at my left, since the other two are invisibleβ¦ all aroundβ¦I see low levels ofβ¦ anger, βSorry I asked?β I add, with deeply hurt sarcasm, βWhat did I do? Iβm just existing over hereβ¦ like, sorry?β They didnβt have to make me feel so inadequate as a guest here. βGirl.β I hear that deep drawl, straight from Jupiterβs mouth. I look at him and his straight expression of neutrality, bordering on grumpy Kor fury. His tone is so formidably serious. My eyebrows crease together, I look very worried. My bottom lip trembles as I feel the tears building up in the back of my eyes when the Kors finally stop their theatrical intimidation. In unison, the handsome bastards all break out into gorgeous smiles. All of them except the scarred one. So, eight of the most wide smiles Iβd have ever hoped to see from them, now bloom around me β some chuckle while their eyes are alight with relaxed amusement. I smile too but Iβve stiffened further in embarrassment, I just feel like if I even blink the wrong way, two fat tears will roll down my cheeks β and itβll be seen as weakness! Marsβ large hand reaches over and holds my knees, ββ¦breathe, Dianaβ¦β His kind tone catches me off guard. I look up at him sideways and he blinks slow, unthreatening. βYou got me good,β I whisper a little fast, just wanting to say something, while now laughing, bordering on hysterical. I keep staring at all their delicious smiles β showing all their razor sharp canines β¦ but somehow it works into being pretty handsome. βAre we going out on business?β I ask Mars quietly, for him alone. βWeβre going somewhere,β Mars murmurs to me, ββ¦to have some funβ¦ weβll show you off… weβve never had a perfect match, a Dark Nine at that, weβre proud to parade you around a bit,β Mars does explain that, however, and my mind starts racing. Show me off, parade me around β what?! Why? ββ¦did you say show me off, b-but?β I canβt finish the question when Jupiter starts introducing their names. βDonβt be afraid to ask if you forget us,β Jupiter sounds awfully sarcastic about that, as if itβs not possible to forget who each of them are, βSaturn,β he elbows his golden matte friend, βTerra looks like you,β Jupiter motions to the others lined up on his side, βPlutoβ¦. or Louie,β he was the one with universal darkness, probably the most beautiful but the most shy looking, ββ¦and Venusβ¦ we call him E, just ahβ¦ just donβt talk to him, Diana, heβs been heartbroken for fifty thousand years.β βMove on from me,β Venus speaks up, he is the strange dark green one like Mars and scarred up. Truly, if one of the Kors looked miserable, it was Venus β I mean E? Weirdβ¦ Now I know who is sitting next to me, even as Jupiter explains, βUranus is next to Neptune, we still have no idea who is who,β Jupiter smiles a little at that, and I feel relieved none of them can see them either, βOn your right, Mercury, Eβs little brotherβ¦ heβs our best hunter.β The introduction is done, as he doesnβt need to introduce himself or Mars to my left. βUm, so what do you all expect of me at this function we are going to?β I ask them all, βShould I do anything in particularβ¦?β βExpect? Just be, Dianaβ¦β Mars repeats himself, looking sideways at me, βWe will provide for you.β βProvide what?β I ask, feeling clueless. Mars seems uninclined to answer, looking to all his Kors for some help. I look to the rest, expecting one of them will have the answer. But even Jupiter narrows his eyes at Mars and ignores me. βLike, providing assistance?β I ask Mars, guessing the answer, βTell me what you mean please.β βWe take life,β Mercury abruptly answers me, his attention catching me off guard. I turn to him as he murmurs, comfortably, βFor that we give everything we can, Diana.β ββ¦likeβ¦ a tradeβ¦?β I whisper to him, looking into his silver eyes. βAnything,β Mercury slowly looks away from me, to all his brothers, ββ¦any wish you haveβ¦ youβll getβ¦β βAll this for a girl you just met?β I ask, raising a brow and feeling a little giddy about all these promises. βNot any girl,β Marsβ shrugs, ββ¦we wouldnβt fuck just any girlβ¦ weβve been waiting a long time for you, Dianaβ¦β βWaiting for me?β I ask. βE,β Mars speaks up, βWhy donβt you explain?β I look to Venus, who canβt look me in the eye. He looks at Neptune and Uranus. Eh- βDark Nine β Enhanced Instincts β the Jace poison β Diana, instead of dying, you evolved into a female Kor,β Venus speaks with a monotone, no emotion whatsoever. βSo, youβre saying Iβmβ¦ notβ¦ human anymore?β I ask, confused but wanting to understand perfectly before I assume anything. βYou were,β Mars explains briefly, βWe altered you, Diana. We want to repopulate Dark Ninth. Before we do that, weβll convince you to participate.β βIt shouldnβt be hard, since Feys are notorious whores,β Venus speaks up now, he finally looks at me as he asks, ββ¦you like our venom, donβt youβ¦ Fey?β βWhatβs a Fey?β I wonder. βFemale Kor,β Mercury answers, while glaring at Venus, βRight now youβre the most valuable female in the entire universe, thatβs why weβre going to show you off. We want to repopulate an extinct species with you, Diana.β βNot if she denies us all, Feys are notorious deniers,β Venus mentions, in another monotone of misery. βExcuse me, are you crazy?β I snap, losing my temper a little for the first time, βWhat are you even saying, Eβ¦β βDonβt fight with him, Diana,β Mars chuckles, βHe is insane. He lost his mind, many destinies ago,β a destiny was ten thousand years. So at least five. Venus doesnβt fight back, but I do feel him close off and retreat into his own mind. Heβd look handsome if he wasnβt so shrunken in on himself. Anyways, in the new comfortable silence, I also go quiet for a bit. I lower my tense hands onto my lap, stretching out my fingers. I breathe in deeply and then I breathe out, I do this a few times to feel a bit more centred before I speak up again. βI have a question,β I say slowly, βBut please donβt get mad.β βAsk,β Jupiter catches my eye. βAm I in charge?β I ask a tricky question, ββ¦is there a strange dynamic between Kors and Feyβ¦ Iβm just guessingβ¦ Iβm just thinking out loudβ¦ but because of what I am, will you obey meβ¦ is that what you mean by provide assistanceβ¦? Is that why the females imprisoned you all, because you were bound by their word? You were abused for thatβ¦? Or?β Some of them gulp. βFirstly, thatβs a lot of questions,β Mars begins, βThe thing is, weβ¦ we have so many memories we cannot say what we really feelβ¦β Mars murmurs to me, βBut, Dianaβ¦ youβre almost right. But itβs not your tongue. Itβs your heart that will lay out commands for us.β βMy heart?β βYou give your heart, we give our allegiance,β Mars gets closer and closer to my ear, while Mercury does the same to my other, theyβre clearly trying to freak me out, so I stay very still between them, βThe trade is to secure your understanding that eventuallyβ¦ one dayβ¦ we will turn on youβ¦ in your case, youβre lucky we voted to keep you alive, no matter the thirst for youβ¦ we need to begin somewhere, and it wonβt help to kill you after one childβ¦ you are our first Dark Nine, there will be more of you but right now we need you alive indefinitelyβ¦ with our restraint on our hunger youβll be our little fuck slave and our prized breeding vessel,β Mars sounds so damn vicious at the end, viciously proud and possessive, itβs purely animal, before turning on the civility, just to lie, βIβm sorry, did I just speak from the fire on my tongue, Diana? I apologiseβ¦ Ididnβt mean to scare you.β Mercury actually uses his razor sharp canines to nibble on the top of my ear, teasing me with their strength and lethality. He doesnβt break my skin but I feel my body panic with rising realisation. They want to master me. Mars also nibbles my ear β and I feel the sharp shredders from Mercury and Mars is far, far too much for my poor heart to handle. Iβve now paused my breathing for too long, and my head droops back, while still trapped in my chair. I start to lose consciousness quickly with my growing terror. The scary part is not the shock. Itβs the violent emotion rising in me, different this time, I am much more needy. It felt like crawling fire in my bloodstream and a glowing ache in my bones, shining through my skin. My need was becoming physical, changing me, making me horny for their teeth. I wanted them so bad, I wanted them to tease me with playful bites, to tug my hair, to control me, to touch me, to break my full resolve. I craved that submission. My only defence mechanism kicked in β and that was to lose consciousness. It was the only way to escape my bodies need to react, where my lips would part for my tongue to taste my lips, just to hear my voice concocting an animalistic noise of need and desire. I couldnβt give that to them yet. It was too dangerous. The Kors were providers. But providers of wishes? Of anything? Of anything, really? Yeah, right. I bet most Feys folded in two minutes when the Kors started to seduce them β a kiss or even the touch of their teeth was enough to break your resolve β they could only possibly have provided for the strong Fey who did deny them, and used that to control them for a longer time. I had to find my power in that side of me, even if it drove me crazy trying to fight my base instinctsβ¦ supposedly I am their first female since my genderβs full extinction off their planet. I meanβ¦ what could go wrong? |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 6 βΏβββ’β¦ βYouβre mated to 9 cannibals,β Iris tells me, she had been looking after me since I awoke in a daze, βI donβt envy you. Even if the Kors have a history of treating Feyβs like queensβ¦ youβll beβ¦ youβll beβ¦ well, gone soon,β she gulps and looks away as she says that, βItβs much better being friends with themβ¦ Iβm employed by the Universal Board, Iβm guaranteed their protection,β Iris sighs with her personal relief. I sit on the couch I had woken up on, Iβm with Iris in a concave dressing room the size of a football field, although narrow in design and with curved walls. Itβs like we were in a long tunnel, yet sound did not echo. I guess right now I was being tended to by Iris, my personal assistant for the day. She was usually a personal assistant for the Kors, as I could identify her position by the choker adorning her neck. It has nine silver circles with their colours represented in the middle. I donβt want to talk about me and my fate. I decide I will try to get information on them. The Kors. Iris was a protected subspecies, a human with factor 6, from the neighbouring galaxy Andromedaβ¦ unlike Earth, she had freedom, and factor 6 gave her the ability to communicate with ghosts, her appearance was bald, no hair at allβ¦ that didnβt stop her painting her face, she wears a pink lipstick, which matched the pink of her eyes. She was very pretty. βIt looks like theyβre all paired up, except for one,β I point to her necklace, while sheβs still sorting through a bunch of clothes on a moving rack next to us, trying to work out the most appropriate dress I can wear for their party. Iβm not sure where the Kors are, but I guess Iβll be escorted to them by Iris. βYou didnβt know?β Iris fumbles with the pendants, βVenus and Mercury are brothers.β βI knew that,β I snap a little bit, but I admit, ββ¦althoughβ¦ I donβt know about the othersβ¦β βJupiter and Saturn are brothers, both hot heads, be careful with those two, their egos are massive,β she laughs and sighs, shaking her head as she clearly recounts some interesting memories. I watch as she sorts through the clothes, as she softly teaches me about them further, βNeptune and Uranus are brothers. Pluto isβ¦ mmmβ¦ one of a kind, he doesnβt speak much,β she seems to blush thinking of the Kor who radiates the darkness of the universe, while simultaneously sparkling with its gentle light. Plutoβs eyes were intimidating to me, though, as they had no colour at all, itβs like he had no eyes, so I hadnβt looked at him long on the ship. βMars?β I ask. βMars and Terra are cousins,β she explains, βNot brothers. Mars and Terra are quite charismatic when they speak to me but I find it quietly disturbing. Like very sweet and kind predators. It makes no realβ¦ sense to meβ¦β I concurβ¦ although I say nothing on it. βAre the Kors close as a group?β I ask, as she finally picks out what Iβm going to wear. Itβs aβ¦ belt? Itβs not a very big oneβ¦ it would not fit around my hips, thatβs for sure. As she shows me, itβs metallic with links that move like scales, with a dark blue cloth at the front and the back. βStand up,β Iris waits for me to do so, and she takes away the towel I had been given, after I had somehow woken up washed and cleaned. She places the belt around my waist, the metal is so lightweight I can barely feel it, although she does put it on tightly so it can barely wriggle around. The cloth falls between my legs and over my ass at the back, βThis is based off a custom they have not seen for many destinies. Itβs called a Plume, and it comes with this,β she walks to a bunch of draws set into the wall, and she pulls out a bunch of accessories, coming over with aβ¦ βA Krown, with a K,β she says while winking, bringing over a collar. Itβs the same metal as the belt. It has a chain on the end, that links to the back of the Plume. My hair is pushed aside as Iris places it around my neck and connects the chain to the belt at the back. βIs there anything for my breasts?β I ask, βYou know, if I get cold?β βA Kor will warm you,β Iris speaks too close to my face as she walks around me, inspecting every inch to make sure itβs not even slightly misaligned with my posture, βThereβs no need for anything else when youβll be wearing themβ¦ metaphorically. Besides, your feminine traits are on display like this, theyβll enjoy that.β βMy breasts arenβt even big,β I say self-consciously, βIt feels weird having them βon displayββ¦ whatβs there to seeβ¦β βYouβre a silly girl,β Iris just smiles to herself as she stands back and points to the couch. I sit down again, and she grabs a phone at her belt, unlike me, she doesnβt show an inch of skin below her neck, wearing an all encasing white robe with straight edges. βAre you going to call them?β I ask, before she initiates anything. She nods and walks off to make the call in private. She talks in a coded language anyway, so I canβt understand what she is saying. Everyone in the intergalactic system had an implant to help with language between subspecies. Iβm slightly annoyed I canβt understand her now, as it sounds like she is speaking some kind of ancient tongue not registered in the systemβ¦ maybe she can even speak their tongue. I cross my arms over my chest to keep myself warm and Iris comes back in a few minutes with a twinkle in her eye. βCome with me, the party is starting.β βDo they all drink and get rowdy?β I ask, jumping up to my feet, βAny advice? How do they dance? What games do they play?β I walk with her quick strides, and all my questions seem irrelevant to her. ββ¦hmmβ¦? Um. Itβs not that kind of partyβ¦β Iris murmurs, raising a brow at me, βI thought you knew. Iβll ask you a question and you answer me. What is the most important thing between all species, the one action that is always celebratedβ¦ and enjoyed, of course.β βDebates and diplomacy,β I joke, thinking of all the things a Universal Board might do, you know, like communicate, βBut uh, Iβll admit, I donβt know, what are you hinting at?β Iris chews on her perfect lip, looking a little nervous now. βYou have no idea?β she whispers, looking at me with renewed concern, βI thought youβd have been informedβ¦ or at least heard some rumours.β βI donβt engage in gossip,β I murmur, but really itβs because I was outside all the social circles back on Terra, so I didnβt hear all the gossip, or any rumours, or I heard very little. We walk down the enormous dressing room β I have no idea if weβre on a spaceship or a planet, but once we are at the end, she looks down another corridor, which leads down to many other doors, and at the very end, probably a few minutes walk down, it seems to open into a another massive open area, where I see darkness and lights flashing, like at any party or club atmosphere. I also hear low toned music, like at any party on Terra. What was I missing? As we walk toward the party down the spacious corridor, Iris has slowed her steps. I slow with her until we come to a complete stop and she faces me, grabbing my wrists. βAre you aβ¦.β Iris chokes up and looks to the side, βI should not ask,β she scolds herself, ββ¦what did you ask me beforeβ¦ I did not answerβ¦ are they close as a groupβ¦ solitary predators are never closeβ¦β she answers me now, while looking at her own feet, as she slowly meets my eye again, βBut they do come together toβ¦ to mate with a woman.β βOh, itβs a sex party,β I grin and then she grins, happy I guessed correctly, however, the more I say next, the more her grin fades just as quickly as it appeared, βSo there will be other women there? Thank goodness. I genuinely thought I was going to be tormented by all of them all night, but of course they probably have so many others invited β groupies or whatever they are called, just for the act of sex, itβs not all about mating and babies, sex can happen outside of mating bonds, like duh, of courseβ¦ what, uhβ¦ Irisβ¦ why are you looking at me like that?β I trail off with concern for her newly set neutral expression. βNever mind it,β Iris whispers now, βCome, itβs best you just see and not worry your pretty little head about it β just learn as you go. As a Fey, you are inclined to intelligence that will match theirs, so, no doubt, no doubtβ¦ youβll work it out,β she does not seem confident on that, βIt is not my place toβ¦ instruct you about this event any further. The Kors will have my tongue if I say too much. Come on, hurry, keep up, weβre running late and I have to supervise the other staff who are tending to everyone tonight,β she rambles off about her own duties, and I donβt mind, as I follow her quick footsteps down the long hall. I feel like Iβm missing some kind of major point that is so obvious to everyone else and would be equally obvious to me if I just tap into my Enhanced Instincts, now that I wasβ¦ genetically, somehow, Fey. But I canβt weave together a magic answer now. I canβt βfeel outβ a clean conclusionβ¦ to perhaps a very dirty truth. Something animalistic was going to occur. Something primal. Somethingβ¦ big. Very big. Something so big I canβt even comprehend how big. Itβs exactly what I cannot fathom. Itβs hard to anticipate what you have never known. Although, Iβm about to find out. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 7 βΏβββ’β¦ I stand at the top of a monstrously large room. Even though itβs an inside space, it feels like itβs outside. In front of me are at least two hundred steps that lead down to the βpartyβ. Thereβs a catwalk down the middle of the cavern and off to both sides are loungesβ¦ perhaps a few hundred to the left and a few hundred to the right. Tens of people cluster around their own spaces or intermingle between them. The people are so small, however, I can barely make them out from up here. The surface isnβt entirely flat either, while the cat walk is high up, so everyone can look up at a select few of the most beautiful female subspecies already walking across. I so did not feel like I fit into any special category for good looksβ¦ yet I had no choice but to join that walk in a moment. I see why I am running late, the line of females is already making its way off the walk at the very end, toward their planetary representatives. I look up and I see the words CLUB HIVE, carved into the ceiling. Below me, the stairs are dark but the air smells like a sweet perfume, just lightly fragranced to be alluring enough for you to step forward, I feel more relaxed breathing it in. Before Iris ran off to do her supervising role, I had asked her where I had to go at the bottomβ¦ she helpfully said βIβd seeβ β¦ehβ¦ It was not a very reassuring answer, as I was already so nervous, but it does give me a job to do. I take in a deep breath, I start to descend the stairs, while my eyes frantically scan for the Kors. I had been in the dark the whole time β but the moment my bare feet land on the first steps below, the music in the place is hushed down, the lights all dim and one major spot light blasts over me. My eyes burn and I canβt see a damn thing. βThe First Fey to be seen in five destinies β she can be considered the most valuable female in the universe since her capture. Her name is Diana. She is 21 Terra-years, she is fertile and mated to the 9 Kors of Dark Ninth.β With the intimidating introduction boomed over me, Iβve lifted up my arm to shield my eyes. I try to not freak out, but for some reason my life feels threatened. I feel hunted like this. With a rising panic and instinct to flea, I start to run down the stair case. Probably not the most sane thing to do but the steps themselves are not steep, so I can get down quickly if I just keep my gaze focused on my feet as I shield my eyes. The harsh spotlight follows me and my semi-translucent skin starts to burn next. I guess Iβm no longer used to harsh lights as a Fey. When I reach the bottom, I stop running but my momentum is too fast, so I trip awkwardly, landing on my side. The spotlight is immediately dimmed so my skin stops burning yet continues to heat up underneath with a blush from the humiliation I feel. That stumble could have easily been avoided if I had just used my brain and slowed down more gradually. But fuck, those asshole Kors did not prepare me for this. They let me go into this completely clueless. To top it all off, not only am I now over thinking but I am in pain from falling on a hard surface, tears running down my cheeks. I know thousands of people are watching me, even in the dark. βCome on, young Fey,β the host now has a reassuring tone, perhaps a total of three seconds had passed since the slip, but it felt like an eternity to me, βGet up, you can do it, slowlyβ¦ Diana…β I follow the calm instructions. I get back up and I hold one arm over my tits, while my other is held out in front of me, to steady myself as I quickly power walk forward, trying to end this catwalk as soon as possible. My heart is racing and I feel a lump in my throat. I feel like a kid at their first large birthday party, but the attention is overwhelming and Iβm mortified. I canβt even walk in a straight line perfectly, but eventually the dim spotlight is switched off, the music is turned back up and my eyes scan frantically around the room looking for the Kors. Where are they, damn it! I start to panic when I donβt immediately spot them. I keep pausing and looking either side, but I canβt focus, Iβm scared, I canβt think clearly and β up ahead. Oh, finally. I see some hope. Right in front of me, jogging down the walk is Mars, with a dark robe swaying over his large shoulders, I notice he is mostly naked underneath aside from a few leather accessories. His face is cleanly shaven, his black straight hair is combed back off his handsome yet sly face, which is entirely focused on my retrieval. Mars is smiling with pity, but that smile turns to something more genuine when I start sprinting toward him. Safety. I feel it. Everyone else that is staring at me felt like the real threat. But the Kor coming to me felt like home. It made no fucking sense but I trusted my gut. When I reach Mars I slam myself into his front, clinging on to his powerful physique while he simultaneously sweeps me off the walk and turns to carry me away. As he holds me close, Mars has an arm under my knees and another behind my back. I just stare up at him as my hero, while he is smiling and speaking through that dangerous smile, βYouβre so skittish when youβre nervous Diana. I love it. You should be scared like that more often, itβs so fucking hot, I could hunt you for days and days,β Mars really didnβt have to add in that last bit, but at least he is honestβ¦ heh? But even so, his voice is so sexy and deep and devilish. He looks totally captivated by me after I looked like a lost lamb out there. I should be disturbed. I mean, I am disturbed. But more than that, I am grateful to be off that catwalk. Mars jumps off the end of the catwalk and walks us down a secluded path. When he drops me to my feet at their lounge, I am quickly mortified all over again. The lounge is basic, sure, with a very comfortable curving couch, where all the Kors recline β but on the massive table in front of themβ¦ itβsβ¦ well itβs not a table, itβs a platform. The platform is glow in the dark and reminds me of the fluorescent plants back on Dark Ninth, except itβs a flat rock with fluorescent veins. On top of the platform is a translucent cage. Itβs not small, itβs huge. Itβs much too big for me, yet Mars is holding my hand, and that strong hand of his is now sliding to my wrist, lifting my arm, he swings me up and puts his other hand under my foot, basically hoisting me up onto the platform. I step through the see-through cage, and the moment Iβm inside on the platform, the cage buzzes with some kind of registration, and I feel it through the Krown around my neck. The collar warms and feels weird. I grab it while I walk to the edge near their lounge and I place my hand on the solid bars, which are still mostly naked to the eye. I canβt get out. Mars waltzes over to sit back with his fellow Kors, while I look out toward other similar platforms where I see other singled out girls. Itβs all the girls from the catwalkβ¦ but again, they look experienced, like they belonged β literally posing comfortable on their platforms, some are dancing slow and sexy, others just lie back and talk to their people. βWhat is this,β I whisper to myself, as I turn toward the Kors, getting down on my knees and leaning down to them, inches from the cage, βWhat is this aboutβ¦?β as I ask it, every member is staring at my naked tits. I feel angryβ¦ or was it disappointment, but Iβm not sure why. I place an arm over my breasts, and immediately nine pairs of eyes quickly move up to my face. The darkness helps me see Neptune and Uranus more clearly β ironically. Jupiter is reclined the most next to Saturn, watching me with narrowed eyes as he finishes a whole glass of Mist; alcoholic dense air. Saturn quickly stands up and grabs more from one of the staff running around with dishes filled with more Mist. I see the staff member has a distinct tattoo on the back of their hand of a red rose; the symbol of the Freedβ¦ itβs just something I notice for a moment before I focus back on my Kors. Pluto, Mercury and Venus had been playing a game on a table in front of them via a screen. Gambling no doubt like the high rollers they were in the universe, comfortable in their earned position. But in regards to me alone, I didnβt feel earned. Terra stands up as Mars sits back. Terra approaches me directly, his neon blue eyes so human β but he did represent Earth, so I guess that made sense. βDo you feel at home yet?β Terra asks me, indeed as politely as Mars. βIn a cage?β I ask him, βReally?β βWith us,β Terra rephrases himself, βDonβt be scared, we voted in your favour, remember, Diana?β βAre you referring to your vote not to eat me?β I ask. βCorrect,β Terra murmurs, nodding, stepping to the side and motioning to Mars, βI think Mars was the only one who voted in favour ofβ¦ just keeping the status quo.β Mars just watches me when Terra admits that. Mars, you damn sexy predator. He looks content to listen to the other Kors, but he is also clearly content and proud with his first stance on my eventual fate, regardless of their majority vote. βHis venom,β I tell Terra, βMade meβ¦ very, I mean, insanely hornyβ¦ to the point of terrible aggressionβ¦ will all your kisses do the same? Drive me into my wildest instincts?β Terra leans his elbow on the edge of the platform, leaning closer toward me, tilting his head closer too, while looking over the Kors and answering me honestly, βYes.β I place my hands on my knees, over the Plumeβs soft cloth, as I wait for Terra to explain some more. There was so much I needed to learn. He looks at me, as if he expects me to ask more. When I donβt right away, hoping for him to just offer some more facts, Terra just smiles, stubborn, happy not to provide anything unless asked. Arrogant fuck β βWhat kind of party is this, Terra?β I force myself to ask a question, ββ¦why am I up hereβ¦ I canβt chill out with everyone on the lounge? I have to be on a cold rock? Really?β βWe opted into the poly theatre,β Terra explains, βEveryone is going to watch as each alliance who opted in, fucks their most valuable female. You are ours, so there you are. When we get the green light, weβll give everyone a show, itβs no big deal for us,β I purse my lips tightly as Terra looks comfortable with thisβ¦ and I wait for him to notice my discomfort, βTell me,β Terra prompts me to speak my mind. At least he somewhat cares. I lean down closer to his ear. βIβm a virgin, Iβm pretty sure that means I canβt fuck nine men,β I explain to him, the fucking obvious, βItβs kind ofβ¦ I mean, it sounds painful, doesnβt it. Iβm untouched,β even as I explain it, Terraβs robe, which hangs over his naked skin β pitches a gigantic and morbidly huge tent, βTerra, this is not the time to get horny, I need some compassion.β βWe already agreed if you donβt want to fuck yet, weβll let you off,β Terra explains, reluctantly, βBut you have to trade off our pleasure for a price,β I raise a brow, hoping he explains, he does, for once, βHere is your second option. To lay down in your cage and stay still, then one by one, throughout the night, to help introduce you to our powerβ¦ all you have to allowβ¦ is the simple permissionβ¦ to be kissed by each of us. Not all at once but maybe, hmm, each hour that passes, a Kor will jump up and give you a taste of our venom,β he trails off, βDo you consider that compassion, Diana? Sweet and gentle kisses instead?β βVenom, from all nine of you throughout the night,β I rephrase it, βIn return for my purity to remain intact, for now at least?β βYes,β Terra looks quickly to Mars, who is all by his lonesome at the edge of the lounge, hung on every word between us β wanting to know what Iβll choose. I sit back and consider my two options carefully. Get fucked by all nine Kors. Virginity β ripped away, probably painfully. Get kissed by all nine Kors. Venom, slowly driving me crazy throughout the night, to the point that if I beg them to take my virginityβ¦ option 1 happens anyway. Is this just a trick? A game? A joke, even? I glare at Terra, who is patiently waiting for my answer. For the first time since meeting the Kors, I donβt feel scared, confused out of my wits or frightened. For the first time, I see the game a little clearer. βAre you scared of me?β I ask Terra. He says nothing, so I ask further, βWhy am I in a cage if youβre not all utterly terrified of the first Fey youβre courting in fifty thousand Terra years.β Terra looks away suddenly, his cheek twitching, his eyes darken and swirl with emotion and he holds out a hand for the cage, it passes through the bars that allow him through, and he opens his palm near my cheek, without touching me. I softly press my cheek to his palm, feeling him, and with his touch, he can pull my face forward, through the translucent bars. So, with his contact, I can leave the cage. I try to slowly crawl forward just a bit further but Terra moves his hand over my jaw, twisting his palm β my whole body twists with it, by some kind of magical force, itβs like he controls my limbs while we are in contact. Gasping loudly with his magic, I end up on my back, with my head out of the cage, hanging off the edge of the platform, looking back up at Terra, as he takes his hand from me, and the cage solidifies back around my body. Iβm stuck, with the bars on either side of my neck, keeping my face out of the cage as I look up while on my back. Iβm at his mercy. Two of Terraβs fingers trail over my pulse and he smiles wide, βSo easy, even after fifty thousand years,β he throws my words back in my face, βYou need to learn us before you throw out anymore insults, Diana,β he puts his hand under my hanging head, and he lifts it up to lay back on his flat palm, so he can lean down to hover his lips over my mouth, ββ¦do you want to taste me, Fey?β he asks. βGo to hell,β I hiss. Terra smiles and shrugs as he steps back to the couch and lets my head loll back. Great, I have to stare at all of them upside down. Terra sits next to Mars. Mars is still watching. The rest of the Kors are also glancing at my predicament with quiet amusement. βI didnβt choose option 2,β I tell Terra, βYou chose for me.β βThen choose otherwise,β Mars smiles at me, ββ¦what if we opt out of the display and go somewhere private?β he asks, βYou can even play around on the couches for a few hours before we go. That way we can drink mist and pussy.β βFuck you, Mars, until I give my permission, you canβt take it, so Iβm going to stay right hereβ¦ option 2β¦ Iβll live through a few kisses.β Yup. I decide then and there. All the Kors who had seemed βbusyβ gambling or drinking and chatting β suddenly go quiet and all look up at me. They all stare at my mouth. Even Jupiter stops mid conversation to look at me like a prize. Before they move to secure the first place, the one who had already been scheming moves faster. Mars jumps up, comes close and puts his hand under my head, gathering up my hair into a bunch and holding me still while all the others look. βYouβre not hungry enough,β Mars mocks his fellow Kors. I try to tug out of his hold, just to annoy him, and Marsβ eyes focus on me as he moves downward, obsessing over the blush creeping up my neck and flooding into my cheeks, βDo you want to know a secret, little one?β I still as Mars asks this closer and closer to my lips. βTell me,β Iβll take any information I can get. βYou already understand what this venom does to you, Diana. After my kiss, youβll break, you wonβt last one minute before you start to despise your resolve and see the value in you gifting your life to us.β βLetβs make a bet, if youβre right, and I fold β Iβm your bitch forever,β I whisper to him quickly, suddenly seeing my way forward. Mars smiles with the thought of a challenge, βOr?β oh yeah, he definitely wants to bet. βIf I last a minute after your kiss, you free me of Dark Ninth forever ββ as I say it, Mars had been smirking, and on the word forever β he tilted his head close and pressed his mouth to mine. He could barely wait to do it. I expect a ravaging deep kiss with his tongue already all over mine, however, Mars is strategic. He kisses me with one single soft depression against my mouth, then he leans up and blinks a few times while admitting, βIβll kill for you, Fey Empress VI of Dark Ninth, Iβll give you anything you desire.β βEmpress?β I whisper. Now thatβs valuable information. βYou like that?β Mars growls, showing off his sharp teeth. βYou didnβt give me any venom,β I say to him, furrowing my brows, βWhy not?β βTrust in my nature, Empress,β Mars lets my head fall back against the edge of the platform as he moves back. He sits down, βNow choose freedom or power. Go, but go where? Or stay.β βAnd get fucked?β I ask, ββ¦β I guess I look disappointed he didnβt give me any venomβ¦ I canβt hide it from my face β βOh, for fucks sake.β The moment is intercepted as Jupiter jumps up from the other edge of the lounge and he stalks over aggressively, after discarding his robe and walking over with his huge cock on display. Right before my face, I am faced with a real weapon for the first time. A Korsβ hard and giant silver cock. Holy fuck itβs gorgeous. βDo you want to fuck this, little bitch?β Jupiter asks me, holding onto my neck, he squeezes it once while his cock hovers before meβ¦ I am breathless and wide eyed. Itβs inches from me. Itβs right above me. ββ¦hey assholeβ¦β I throw an insult back at him, ββ¦can Iβ¦ at least feel it, firstβ¦?β I force out the suggestion, and Jupiter steps forward to rub the head of his cock, not along my face, or near my lips, but down my neck, following my pulse. His dick is so hot, βI meant with my hand,β I add, and Jupiter just glares at me, so I move quickly while his skin is touching mine. I reach out and I grasp his shaft, unable to fit my hand all the way around it. Mm, I feel down his shaft, stroking it once β by accident honestly, and Jupiter lets out a restrained and low toned growl, trying to keep his cool when I hold onto it at the head, entranced by it like a wand. βCan Iβ¦ taste it?β I ask, while seductively glancing up to his dark eyes. Jupiter says nothing so I reach forward, flicking out my tongue before he can deny me. Thatβs when he grabs the back of the chain attached to my collar and jerks me back an inch, βNo,β Jupiter shakes his head, βYou asked to feel, you felt it, so decide. Diana. We wonβt hurt you,β those last four words are said with such firm and soft resolution. There it is. Thatβs all any of them had to say. I make my decision. I look over the cock head of Jupiterβs beautiful silver wand, straight to Marsβ irate expression on the couch. He is pissed I was so easily swayed by Jupiterβs more explicit approach. But Iris was right. Terra and Mars were too charismatic and manipulative. Jupiter and Saturn having the biggest egos and quickest tempers, had a silver lining β brutal truth, no hesitation, literally shoved right in front of my face. βI donβt want options, I want whatever this feeling is,β I blurt it out as I reach for his cock with both hands, and Jupiter slowly grins and keeps his cock just out of reach. He denies me anyway. βNotorious whores,β Venus speaks up from the couch, eyes downcast, not even looking at me. Jupiter puts both his hands on my cheeks and lifts me up, pulling me out of the cage, I kneel at the very edge of the platform as he kisses me instead. I open my mouth and he opens his. Jupiterβs venom hits hard. I forget the kiss. I taste it and it tastes like nothingβ¦ until Jupiter deepens the moment, lingering, so I have to swallow at least once, which means his venom is absorbed into my system. I becomeβ¦ immobilised. My whole body starts to go limp and Jupiter holds me up as he prolongs the kiss a little longer. Until he finally takes his lips from mine and watches my eyes. He let me go. I fall over the platform, only saved by his arm reaching under me, quickly hoisting me up and tossing me onto the couch, so I land on Venusβ distraught lap, my legs lie over Mercury and Pluto is still next to Venus. As I lie across the three of them, I start to twitch, Jupiterβs venom is surging through me. It knocked me out and now it was bringing me back, more alive than ever, even my intellect feels like itβs on fire. They watch it happen. Itβs not painful. Itβs disabling my usual senses. Itβs giving me Kor instinct. But Jupiter isnβt just horny, he is switched on, and now I feel switched onβ¦ I feel like I start to see more. My senses feel dulled to pain. But pleasure feels more prominent, because even lying across their laps, I feel like their skin being in contact with me is turning me on too. βDonβt touch her, let her roam,β Jupiter suggests, looking over at me, as I start to turn myself around. I want all of them. I want all of them, undeniably. Iβm not scared of them anymore. What stops me is a nagging little thought in the back of my head. Mars. Mars. Our bet. It was only 60 seconds. Mars tried baiting me into it. Jupiter gave me the venom. And the luxury of feeling and taking in the size of his dick. With all my strength, I use the aggressive lust curling through me β to twist and roll off their laps onto the floor. I get up, while my thigh muscles keep wanting to press together and my hand wants to delve down to rub my clit. I grab the belt with two hands as I stand up, and I realise this belt is a fucking life saver. I hold it tight as I get to my feet, my body shivering, as if Iβve already reached a climax. Except I hadnβt. This was just the beginning of one. I force my gaze past Venus, or E, and his narrowing suspicion, including Plutoβs movement forward, as if anticipating the twist in my resolve. Even Mercury seems to be reaching instinctively for a weapon, forgetting he does not wear any. I saw what Jupiter, Terra and Mars had on underneath their cloaks β nothing. They were all mostly naked. I turn past Terra, his blue eyes look panicked. Jupiter stands to the side, huge arms bulging as he crosses them, watching me with sudden neutrality. Saturn had been lounging with Uranus and Neptune, but they also look fairly disturbed. I look to Mars last of all. I force out the words. βI win.β I start to turn, as my whole body is on fire with need and desire. Sex could happen anytime. But I just won my freedom for now. Jupiter should not have kissed me, he gave me ideas with his venom. I try to walk, when I hear Mars snarl, βWhere will you go, come back here.β βDiana,β Jupiter also calls out, βThink before you run.β I had stumbled to the edge of their lounge. I turn around, my cheeks flushed. I focus on all nine of them. I breathe in deeply with my new resolve. βYouβve all become arrogant. I was handed to you on a platter,β I say through grit teeth, βYou killed all the females on Dark Ninth and then expect me to be delivered from Our Tcno, then be happy about being your Empressβ¦ If I am Fey why not treat me like one, arenβt you hunters? You do not chase?β I scoff, βWell, you do now. Let me roam, Jupiter,β I repeat Jupiterβs words, βIβm free now. If any of you want to fuck me, and I do want to fuck youβ¦ you better catch me first,β I nod multiple times at Jupiterβs hard cock, ββ¦trust meβ¦ Empress or breeding bitchβ¦ if you lie to me about love, Iβll know it. Iβll only accept you all when you take me in our most natural way. Everything else just feels wrong. Iβm leaving. The next time we meet, I wonβt be your clueless naΓ―ve guest. Iβll tell you what, you can have me if one day I wake up in my hide out and youβve all managed to sneak in without me noticing. Then Iβll capitulate. Iβm very good at hiding.β At least I had time. There were too many eyes for them to make a scene with other members of the Universal Board. βWhy do you want it naturally?β Mars asks, now curious. βBecause,β I shrug, still fighting off Jupiterβs venom, but also using it to match their deepest needs with mine, βMars, my deepest instincts say to run, how else will I gain your respect if you donβt see what Iβm worth when Iβm out scheming against you?β I ask, βMy whole life Iβve lived under radars, weβve met now, great, but thatβs it β the expectation that Iβm now yours, is bullshit,β I motion to the whole outfit, βYou donβt deserve this. If Iβm the most valuable female in the universe, you better do something about it. Prove it to me.β With that, I turn and stumble away. My gut was telling me the truth of things. They destroyed Dark Ninth. If there were nine super villains in the universe it was these arrogant easy-going Kors. How do you tame arrogant, lazy monsters? Number one, I am fighting back. Venus wasnβt altogether wrong. Perhaps I did have a side that was equally horny as it was urging me to run, fucking hide and deny. Luckily, I had somewhere to go. The Freed, roaming travellers of the universe. They were here. Iris was supervising the temporary workers. Thatβs where I was headed. To people who could help me. I just escaped another system. Even though sexually, I realised I wanted the Kors, I knew giving in to a lust engineered to be perfect in its power was futile for me. They offered death by teeth or the promise of being an eternally revered breeding cow until they were through with me. I knew the sex would be incredible, but fuck those terms. If they even wanted a chance, they needed to show off, hunt me down and give me something to be proud about. And I needed to show them I was worth more than an amusing, lazy, dismissive smile. I get a funny thought as I make my escape. Perhaps as a Fey, I was just as cruel in my desires as they were. Afterall, Iris said Iβd match them. Well, I donβt know, but I was certainly trying my best to survive. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 8 βΏβββ’β¦ There were protected planets in the universe where you could not mine for resources, instead these planets were solely for camping, yup, entire planets β these were the homes of the Freed. You couldnβt build major infrastructure; the biggest home you could have was a travel pod, dropped in from one of the intergalactic manufacturers of the pods that provided everything sustainably. Shelter, tools for making drinking water, hygiene facilities and they could even help with growing edible food. The Freed were not as friendly as I first thought they would be at Club Hive. When I tried to talk to the staff, even for a moment, most of them were too busy to pay me any attention. The one who helped me, ironically, was Iris. She handed me a copy of her ET Key, and said I could borrow it since I was the Fey Empress and she couldnβt refuse, although she said it rather sarcastically Iβd like to believe, and I hoped she was more a friend rather than a worried βemployeeβ. I had thought she worked for the Kors, but I hadnβt really thought that would mean she works for me too. Her ET Key gave me free ET movement and access to over 10,000 habitable planets, but her bookmarked favourites were Planet Live where I am now for my temporary hide out, Planet Meda, her home planet, Planet Dark Ninthβ¦ and Planet Earth. The jungle that spread across Planet Live was full of the living pods, beautifully designed and completely impenetrable β if they were empty you could use your blood to gain access to it for three months. I sit on top of my free camping pod, with one neighbour β a fellow female traveller named Quarzina. She was from Planet Meda like Iris and had the distinct bright pink eyes, pale pink skin and she was currently in hiking gear, after hiking through some of the marked trails around our camp site. She sits with me on top of my pod, on a flat surface, we eat cooked food provided by the pod. I had no idea what it was; iaek6gh. That was the name of the food, and I didnβt want to know what was in it, I just like that it tasted good and provided nutrition even though it was a green sludge in my bowl. βIt seems like itβll rain soon, itβs only ever as heavy as a mist,β Quarzina explains, βYou havenβt ventured far.β βIβve been here 24 hours and slept half of that time,β I explain, chuckling nervously, Iβm just a runaway Empress, most valuable female in the universe, hunted by nine Kors who want to mate with me, have lots of babies, then devour me, no big deal! I donβt say that, but Zina does know I am running from the Kors, she just doesnβt know why. I guess she assumes I am a fugitive or stole something from them, since I arrived wearing Kor finery, and still have it on currently β the Plum and Krown. I had just put on a basic yellow rain jacket I found in the pod as well. βI wouldnβt rest too long if I were you, Iβd keep moving, Iβve seen a Kor twice,β her eyes go wide as she recounts the stories, βBoth strange instances. Iβve seen one walking through a city, almost perfectly one with the crowd, if it wasnβt for their height or their sharp eyes. Only predators have eyes that focused β they barely blink. The other time Iβve seen a Kor hunt, I was camping on Planet Berry. That is when I first researched themβ¦.β she pales, βYou realise they are intergalactic hunters, assassins, and bounty hunters, not just representatives of Dark Ninth? They are experienced in hunting throughout the universe. Not just their planet they destroyed,β she tapers off into a whisper, βThe only reason I am talking to you now, is for your soul. I doubt you will live past two days. For that, I will speak with you. But even I am unsure why you remain so calmβ¦β she finishes off her own bowl and puts it down, grabbing a glass of water and chugging that dry, she looks at me and waits for me, βSo? Spill it all, Diana,β so she expects me to tell my story? I guess since she is the last who will ever hear it, according to her. I feel reluctant since she had little faith in my own abilities, but to be fair, she had witnessed Kors in action more than she knew anything about me. Andβ¦ I have no Freed friends. The universe is terrifyingly huge. My destiny is a matter of luck, at this point. I have nothing to loseβ¦ so heck, I tell her everything. I start with my simple life at home, about how I enjoyed caring for hurt animals no one else would try to save, especially those who were dangerous β like abused Terra creatures, tigers, lions, leopards, wolves β so many gorgeous predators were pets and so many were discarded and eventually killed. I had a habit of intervening, if I could, to at least attempt to calm the animal. It is as I explain this to Zina that I realise I had found a few missing pieces of the puzzle. No one else could help a wounded predator in the way I could. Not in healing the physical wounds like a vet, but the mental scarring. I figure now it was only after I ingested the Jace herb that I had grown skills to help in more spiritual and soulful ways, connecting with the animalβs spirit to understand them at their deepest level. So at least talking out loud had helped me realise I could connect those mysterious animal instincts to this weird βFeyβ ability. When I am done with where I am from, where I have been, and why I am here now β Quarzina is truly dumbfounded. Which makes two of us. ββ¦the good news is you may live another dayβ¦β Zina smiles, ββ¦wowβ¦ I do not envy youβ¦β βIris said the same thing,β I laugh awkwardly, βAnyβ¦ new ideas? About what could help me?β βYouβre not scared of death, that is a good thing, it means you know they will not harm you,β Zina answers me seriously, βIf anything, you are anticipating them β I can tell you from what youβve told me, theyβre probably already here watching you. But since this is a courtship, it will be fun. I am certain of this as they voted in favour of your life and the fact you are their only female so far, who has successfully morphed into Fey. I only have one concern.β βWhich is?β I ask, already faithful in her wisdom. βIf their vote changes,β she murmurs, βThat is something you canβt know, anticipate or navigate. And even if they were to change their vote, they would not tell you, youβd be lured in and the end of your young life will be near,β Zina shrugs, βIβll tell you one thing, Empress of Dark Ninthβ¦ you should be doing something about your situation, not sitting here waiting. For that reason, I will leave you alone now. But knock on my door if you need assistance.β βYouβre not scared of the Kor?β I ask, curious by her seeming indifference. βI hear we do not taste good,β she grits her teeth in a nervous grin, βHehβ¦ wellβ¦β she murmurs something to herself as she turns around to leave my pod, sliding down the curved ladder, she lands on the soft earth and trudges back to her pod next to mine, βGood luck, Diana!β she waves at me, walks into her home, and leaves me to contemplate her last chilling piece of advice. If they change their voteβ¦ I would not know. They would not tell me. Iβ¦ I am literally frozen to the spot, as my thoughts overrun my headspace, my senses outreach into the surroundings, listening, my nostrils flaring as I try to pick up any hint that they are here. Nothing tangible alerts me. But deep inside, I know they arenβt far away. I quickly descend into my pod, closing off all exits and entries, turning up the dim lights and checking all βcornersβ of the curved pod. There was a bed, a self-washing rug, a metal cabinet with supplies, a sink, a few large windows to the outside, but I slid down the blinds. In my private space, I realise I made myself my own prison in here. They canβt get in, but whatβs the point if I canβt go out, either? What value did I bring to them, too? Aside from being the only Fey of Dark Ninth to be aliveβ¦ what would stop them changing their minds about me? I still enjoyed the thought of meeting the Kors again, under difference circumstances, preferably where they showed a little more respect for me. I pace as I think, but my brain keeps tripping into the same thought, over and over. I donβt like it, but I think I might have no choice but to try enhancing my superpower. The only way to truly fall into Enhanced Instincts was to live like an animal. Not literally. But, literallyβ¦ just for a bitβ¦ Iβd have to do the unthinkable. Go out into the jungle during the night, completely naked, it would lure them out. Iβd also be at my best. Strength and speed were not going to help me against seven foot alien subspecies that had lived like gods for tens of thousands of years. My wisdom would not match theirs, my age of 21 was a hindrance. I had so many disadvantages aside fromβ¦ well, two things I had to my advantage. Enhanced Instincts was one. The other advantage was something I had to acquire more of, to supplement all my other weaknesses. Kor Venom. It gave me them. Literally them. Their powers, their thoughts, their lusts, it helped me understand them. How could I milk Kor Venom? Iβd need to lure them into a few kissesβ¦ but how did I extract it? I look around the pod. I had no lab to replicate their venom, and I wasnβt a scientist. βDamn it,β I continue to pace, feeling useless, but no amount of overthinking is going to save me. I had to continue to experience and feel, this time with my freedom. I set an alarm for nightfall. Iβd squeeze in another nap, and Iβd venture out into the dark. For now, I had no other brilliant ideas. **** Nightfall I slipped out of my pod as the sun set, and I walked right onto one of the trails Zina had been hiking on. I covered my naked body in streaks of mud to keep away the insects. Apparently, a small lake was a few kilometres away. I trek toward it, muddy, naked and alone. I didnβt alert Zina, I just moved with my instincts. I walk without any incident of being stalked, and curiously, I feel nothing, I hear nothing and I sense nothing out of the ordinary. My Enhanced Instincts were finetuned, I could see well in the dark, almost as clear as if the sun was up, but still, this is when I lose my ability to track and anticipate? Strange. I guess I just wasnβt being hunted or something? I make it to the lake, and with relief, it is not a dark reflection of the sky. It is clear, it is shallow, and it is absolutely gorgeous like the waterbody Neptune had swam through on Dark Ninth. I see little fishes swimming around but nothing more. I jump in and go for a night swim, heading out to the middle of the pristine lake. Under the stars of the universe and with no light pollution, I feel the most free Iβve ever been as I gaze up. I have an ET Key to all areas of this vast dimension. Freedom in tact, soul mineβ¦ I only had one βproblemβ β a βproblemβ I found quietly exciting. The Kors wanted me. But I wanted them. On my terms. Now, I wait. I have washed off all the mud, and I feel like a water nymph as I just kneel in the centre of the shallow lake and look all around me to the beautiful dark green jungle. No large predators roamed here, itβs one reason it was a great camping site. It was safe. The top of my ears wriggle. Crunch. Crunch. Crunch. Footsteps. Light ones. Not a Kor. Or a careful Kor. I look up the way I had come, and I watch curiously as Zina walks out, for some strange reason she is smiling and in her nightwearβ¦? Uhβ¦ she looks weird. The smile looksβ¦ strange. Zina finds me in the middle of the lake and she waves at me, βHELP!β she yells out at me, βDianaββ she screams as she hears something behind her and she runs forward toward the lake. Itβs then that I see she has pulled her second arm out of her pocket. But her hand is missing. Sheβs bleeding everywhere and now my heart is racing. I stand up as I see movement in the trees β larger figures. T-they wereβ¦ t-they werenβt hunting me. They were hunting Zina in some kind of display. I want to scream out to her, I want her to come to me, but the moment I open my mouth, no sound comes out. I just donβt have the time. Zina had stumbled into the water behind a boulder, looking faint, as her arm pours blood. She has lost too much already. I watch as she looks behind her, unsteady on her feet as a beautiful man walks out of the forest. Terra, his light blue skin was pulsing with black veins underneath, as if he had been running. He is quickly closing the distance to Zina. βCome to me,β Terra talks normally to her, walking up behind her, he puts a hand on Zinaβs woozy head, whispers something comforting into her ear β and snaps her neck with his magic. I just stare as her neck cracks to the side. She almost falls down but Terra catches her, lays her up on top of the boulder and looks all around at the edges of the nearby jungle. I see Jupiter stride out from the trees, a severed hand behind his teeth. He spits out the hand as he grins at the catch. The others jump out from the jungle to inspect the kill. All nine of them. I feel intense grief combined with disgust. But the Kors arenβt even looking at me, as they move in, so many of them, leaning down to take a bite. I wince at every moment, hardly able to watch β but they donβt rip her apart. They find a place to clamp down with their teeth and they drink her blood. As they eat, her body starts to deflate. Somehow their venom is breaking down everything, so there is more to consume. When their teeth let go, Zinaβs remaining blood is not red, itβs metallic. Whatever is left of her shell, flakes apart into metallic dust. It is then I realise the Kors donβt eat flesh. They consume entire souls. What is left of my friend is star dust, glittering on the rock, luminescent. Soβ¦ that explained Dark Ninth. That beautiful luminescent planet was just a beautiful graveyard. The nine alien Kors basically look like Gods, as they laugh and exchange words of encouragement for successfully eating their favoured food for the night. But those murderers just killed my friend. Jupiter, Saturn, Pluto β they stand with one another, communicating, Jupiter gives me one quick glance, looking rather smug. Mercury and Venus sit down on the boulder Zina was hiding behind. Venus and Mercury quietly watch me but I donβt feel threatened. Neptune and Uranus disappear into the jungle. It takes me a second to realise Mars was never there in the first place. Terra has left the group. Terra is stalking along the edge of the lake, on my left, trying to catch up toβ¦ there he is. My gaze swings left, where I had not sensed him. Mars is deeply camouflaged into the vines, crouching down, just watching me. He is closest to me. I see a blinking light up above him, in the trees. Mars presses some kind of button β and before I know it, heβs shot something at me! I scream and duck down, but thankfully I am mistaken. Thankfully? Ah β ha β yeah, how do I feel about a net being shot at me and successfully wrapping around me. My arms get pinned to my body and I fall into the water, unable to swim! I thrash about, even though itβs shallow β I still struggle. Only for a second I am worried, when four invisible hands move around me and pull me up out of the water. I gasp in fresh breaths dramatically as Neptune and Uranus stand at my front and back, holding me up, admiring the handiwork of the net Mars weaved together himself. βGet it off me!β I scream at them, while Neptune holds my arms and pulls me into his front, so weβre flush with one another. Uranusβ hands feel over my elbow at my back, looking for a latch on the net. His fingers tickle and I squirm, so Neptune holds me a little tighter. When I look up at him, Neptuneβs white teeth are completely red. I gasp again and look down. βSorry, I didnβt mean to scare you,β Neptune apologises, while blood drips onto me. βEW!β I scream but he holds me a little tighter. Uranus finally finds the latch, tugs on it, and the net finally loosens around me. βLittle Fey, you can relax now ββ Uranus tries to scold me, sounding as smooth as Neptune, but he doesnβt get a chance to pull the net off. Not when a deep and dark growl of total overwhelming possession, resonates from the jungle to our left. βOh, come on,β Neptune growls to himself, as he glares behind him at the angry splashes of water. βHands off,β Mars snarls at both of them, as he approaches looking pissed off and hungry. Neptune steps between us, keeping Mars at bay, βSheβs mine, Neptune. You know the rules.β βJust think before you bite,β Neptune growls in Marsβ ear as he steps aside to let him through and I panic. βNo!β I whimper out and try to hide behind Neptune, but he somehow increases his invisibility and disappears from view altogether. I look back for Uranus but I canβt see him either. Only Mars and I remain standing in the middle of the water. Mars doesnβt have to chase when my own clumsiness with the heavy net over my head, still draped around me, causes me to slip and fall to one knee into the water, now at an even more ridiculous disadvantage. Mars is completely naked and he drops to one knee with me, as his skin is covered in black stripes, mimicking Mercuryβs pattern. This was clearly him on the hunt. βWhat rules are they?β I gasp out, trying to tug off the net but it doesnβt slide well. I just get more tangled, so I stop moving as Mars reaches out a slow hand. I still completely as he grabs a bunch of it tangled in front of me, and he pulls me closer. I drag through the water, until Iβm in front of him, looking up at him. His dark eyes donβt blink, but he is watching my mouth for a few seconds, as my mouth quivers. βWhat rules,β I repeat, begging him to talk. βMy net, my kill, my choice,β Mars drawls so deeply, he sounds totally switched from civil and polite β to his animal side only, βYouβre at my mercy, little one.β He explains no further. Mars pulls one part of the net out and up, and it comes off me. I breathe out a heavy exhale and intake a shakier breath, but I donβt move as Mars moves closer to my face, looking over my body and my neck and back up to my mouth. βWhy are you naked?β Mars blinks slow once, and his eyes dart up to mine. A curious question, also growled deep. ββ¦Iβmβ¦ free to doβ¦ as I pleaseβ¦β I whisper out, a little nervous, but itβs a response. I half shrug, trying to lighten the mood. Mars doesnβt care. Although I notice his cock is awfully hard β and high. He doesnβt care to hide it. I try my best not to focus on it. When my eyes fall, I make sure they fall to the waterline instead. βPlease donβt decide badly,β I add, βPlease, Mars. I donβt want to die yet ββ Mars puts his hand over my mouth, but only for a second, his fingers trail down my lips and chin, and his hand falls over my skin, over my neck, down to my collar bone, down to my heart. He likes my heart. He feels the beating rhythm, and I lean into his hand as I look up at his beautiful face. Mars had just finished licking over his teeth. Yet, he quickly decides, βGo, Diana,β he growls it out, but with an amused smile β still that fuckingβ¦ argh, βIβm not done hunting you yet,β he stands up abruptly, pulling his net back to his belt. I turn around and stumble toward the edge of the lake, while he walks behind me but not too close. I keep my gaze down, my body on fire when I should be running for my life. When I reach the edge where the other Kors are, I look up to see if theyβre also just as entertained. However, theyβre gone. Silently. When I gather the courage to look back at Mars, he is also gone. I stumble around in a circle and I see nothing. Where the heck? All Iβm left with is a rock covered in glitter. Zinaβs shadow. It shines on that boulder, but sheβs dead because of me. I donβt cry, I just look at the aftermath of having a friend and I feel rather numb. Itβs too late, I canβt bring her back. One thing is certainβ¦ the Empress of Dark Ninth canβt have any friends. The Kors consumed everything. They werenβt carnivores. Or cannibals. They were just a different kind of predator. Soul hungry. For the feminine kind. I truly had no idea how to combat that. I only knew the Kors were now here, with me. And anywhere I went, they would follow. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 9 βΏβββ’β¦ I returned to my pod and I have a choice to make, to take the ET Key and get off planet β or deal with the Kors on Planet Live. I had 10,000 habitable planets to choose from, but they would follow my signature through space. It took at least a few hours to do that kind of trace, however, so I had a head start if I wanted one. I wait a few hours, in my pod, knowing I made a deal with them that was soβ¦ ridiculousβ¦ now that I had played it over, again and again in my head. Iβll tell you what, you can have me if one day I wake up in my hide out and youβve all managed to sneak in without me noticing. Then Iβll capitulate. Iβm very good at hiding. I sweat with embarrassment just replaying the memory. Now that I had seen them kill, hunt and vanish with speed and silence, I had no choice but to return to Dark Ninth before them. My only two realistic options left were to traverse a landscape I knew so well, that being Earthβ¦ or the place they wouldnβt expect me to choose, Dark Ninth. Earthlings would probably kill me for being a Dark Nine. I had no choice but to choose the risky option and go back to their home planet. They wouldnβt expect that, right? My aim was clear anyway. I would look around for new information while they were gone, and try not to get eaten by giant spiders or Chonk in the process. By the time a few hours had passed, if I still didnβt feel safe waiting for our next inevitable encounter, Iβd leave before they could intercept me. **** In my first hour on Dark Ninth alone, Iβve hit the jackpot of new info. My risk paid off. Not only did I explore all their rooms on the top fourth floor of the prison without them noticingβ¦ I explored all the other levels. The third floor had guest rooms and lounges. The second floor had laboratories, it was a workplace and it belongs to one Kor specificallyβ¦ E. Venusβ floor. I stay on this level because itβs abandoned and full of files. I spread them out on a damp work bench, where green moss crawls over everything. Little glow bugs circle around helpfully as I read through the papers I found at the top of the pile. What I find is an album of the last days of βfeydomβ, or Fey rule of Dark Ninth. On one page is a photo of Empress V, named Cinta. She is decked out in a huge dress, with a hood that covers her face, and material that covers her arms and handsβ¦ the only visible skin on her face is covered by a metallic bronze mask. Behind her, in chains β crawl the shadowed Korsβ¦ they do not look strong, they look weak, underfed, too skinny, only crawling because they look starved near to death. They are completely subjugated, some look covered in welts and bruises. All around the procession, hundreds of females stand with pregnant bellies, well fed and smiling as they see the Empress strut with her slaves. When I flick through the album pages, I see many images of Cinta with one Kor in particular, always around, by her side. Venus. Grey with gold stripes, he looks nothing like he does now; green. He looks the most fed and most happy, although an ankle chain follows him in every image. He seems to be working in this very lab most of the time, as vials and vials ofβ¦ what I think is venom, is being produced, stored and shipped out. Plenty of cabinets are filled to the brim with Kor Venom. It is the only thing that makes sense to me. I hear footsteps, however β there is no way theyβre back already! But of courseβ¦ they wouldnβt chase me forever, maybe they had decided to come back home for a small break? Shit, I should have anticipated that. I turn around, and I only see one of the Kors has come back. Blushing from being caught in his abandoned laboratories, I just freeze up. I had come to Dark Ninth wearing the Krown and Plume too, I just didnβt expect any of them to see me like this so soon. Fuck. Covered in shadows, Venus doesnβt stare at my tits, instead he looks straight at my exposed face, his eyes wide and furious. βWhy the hell are you in here, Diana?β he asks, loud and clear. He walks over, and I step very far back, hiding behind a few tables, I keep my distance as Venus strides past to look over the albums I spread outβ¦ he stops breathing for a moment, then starts to breathe heavy. His large shoulders are hunched over, as if in extreme pain. Venus spins around, as if staring at the photos is too much for him, but his expression is blank as he leans back against the workbench, his dark eyes glazed over. Stuck in a memory, he keeps thinking, his body tense, every muscle straining, every vein popping. βE?β I whisper. He doesnβt respond. I shuffle a tiny bit closer, still keeping a large enough distance between us. βVenus?β I call to him again. His breathing had steadied, but his hands are clenching the workbench behind him a little too hard. He looks up, his only movement, but he doesnβt see me. I step closer again, then I come to a stop. My instincts tell me to halt. Donβt get any closer. It was dangerous to disturb him. I wait, using the opportunity to look Venus over, and really take him in. He was taller than I realised, he just walked everywhere behind others or looking down, his shoulders curved in, his movements shuffles rather than large normal stridesβ¦ his green skin looksβ¦ dusty, or mouldy? The scars look mangled and raw, even though they must be old. I wonder if he picks at them? This man looksβ¦ unhinged, but also unreachable. In pain, but also wanting to be in that pain, with no desire to come out. βIs it she, who hurt you?β I ask into the air, pointing to the picture I laid out of the ex-Empress. Again, Venus doesnβt hear me. βDiana,β Mercuryβs here. I didnβt hear anyone else approach. I gasp but Mercury puts his hand over my mouth, to stop me screaming. After a few seconds, he takes his hand away, but he keeps his heat close to my back, his hand resting on the top of mine, which I’ve laid out on the table next to me. I had been leaning on it, now Mercury leans on it with me. I look to the exit of this workplace, but no one else seems to be around. βThe Empress before you, one day she realised she was in love with E,β Mercury explains softly, his mouth next to my ear as we watch Venus, βThat to her, was her greatest weakness, and would eventually lead to her demise if she ever caved into her love for a Kor. To be a successful Empress, successful as in one who lives a long timeβ¦ she had to kill him, before instincts took over and they could mate, which would lead to her submission, which could then lead to the fall of the Feydom. So, to combat her greatest weakness, Cinta sent Venus to an early execution,β Mercury explains the story with patience, helping me understand from an outside perspective, ββ¦itβs that decision that would lead to the end of the Feydomβ¦ the female rule of Dark Ninth.β βWhat happened, since the execution failed?β I murmur. βHave you worked it out yet, that venom was extracted here? Why waste Kor Venom, when it can be extracted from bone marrow,β he explains, βE just had to live while it was done, until it was done, until the end.β βThey went for his bones?β I ask. βVenom was never taken from bone marrow before,β Mercury explains, βSo it was performed with inexperience… it was equivalent to torture, and Cinta watched it happen, never halting it once. But E didnβt dieβ¦ he was meant to, and in his last breaths, or what should have been, he lay broken and bloodied, hoarse from screamingβ¦ I watched from my chains as Cinta had a moment of regret and tried to kiss him goodbye, apologising for the betrayal of their love.β ββ¦a little late for an apology,β I murmur. βNot only that,β Mercury growls, agreeing with me, βThe torture had changed his venom, it had evolved to fight for his survival, and the potency became toxic. When she kissed her beloved Kor that she sentenced to death, Cinta died instantlyβ¦ an accidentβ¦ and unceremoniousβ¦ tragic for herβ¦ it was a delight for me to see, howeverβ¦ although, not for E. He still loved her.β βSo not only was Venus betrayed and tortured, his own venom killed the love of his life, just from a kiss,β I gulp. βHe had been tortured like that for three days, Kors are tough to kill, you must know,β Mercury adds, βBut that also meant the venom was already distributing around the prison and Dark Ninth itself, and all those who tasted it, rather than experience their addiction to euphoria, they all died instantly,β Mercury points to a picture in the book of all the guardians of the prison, βThey died first. We escaped our bonds because of this.β βWhat about the other Kors?β I ask, βThe men around Dark Ninth, were you nine the strongest or something?β βWe were the only Kors, since the start, we not only live forever but our DNA slowly reshuffles overtime, we change appearance, we can mate forever with the Fey, but while we live forever, they do not,β Mercuryβs hand boldly touches my belly and I jerk away, out of his shadow. I turn to face him, my heart racing. ββ¦you did not have sons?β I ask. βOf course we did but none were pure Kor like us,β he explains slowly. βAre you a different breed?β I ask, βTo the Fey?β βSomething like that,β Mercury looks to Venus, who is stuck in a bind within the traumatic memories replaying in his head, βBut we only love once. As Venus took to Cinta, it seems Mars has taken to youβ¦β Mercury gulps and looks me over head to toe, ββ¦butβ¦ heβs not the only one who feels that wayβ¦β βHuh?β I whisper, βYou also feel that way?β ββ¦all of us feel that way, maybe itβs a curse for going on a rampage and obliterating our captorsβ¦ all of themβ¦ until nothing remained in our heartsβ¦β Mercury shrugs, his expression cold when he speaks of their destruction of the planet. βWho thought of bringing the Fey back?β I wonder. βWe all thought about it,β Mercury murmurs, βSo one day Mars scouted out a human female leaning toward Dark Nine tendencies, which would make you a prime candidate for Dark Ninth life. E redesigned the Jace herb to rearrange human DNAβ¦ it works better on a young subspecies, hence we had to give it to you as a child, it worked, but no wonder, E never gets it wrong,β Mercury sees the fire of curiosity in my gaze. βBut why?β I wonder, βWhy would Venus want to make me a Fey? Did you all becomeβ¦β I dare ask it, βLonely, or something?β βAs the universe expands, our life is prolonged, yes we were alone, but youβre not here because of loneliness, we have never been lonelyβ¦β Mercury seems reluctant to elaborate on that, ββ¦but why not, Diana?β βWhy not? That is why you did it?β I ask, raising a brow, βDo any of you harbour hatred of Fey kindβ¦ even though I am the only one now,β I whisper, terrified of this answer, ββ¦do you feel a need toβ¦ keep exacting revengeβ¦?β βNo,β Mercury tries not to smile at my concern, βYou are completely innocent to our crimes, and of past Feydom crimesβ¦ and itβs not that all Fey were bad, itβs that some were and by the time we were prisoners for destinies on end, we had a need to exact total vengeance. There was no mercy shown to us for so long, we gave that back when we broke outβ¦ from the Fey perspective, it made sense to keep us imprisoned forevermore,β Mercury further explains, ββ¦itβs not for a lack of intelligence that we were shown such lack of mercyβ¦ even a moment of kindness, could lead to the death of a Fey and then all of them. And when we are hungry, itβs hard to foreseeβ¦ but they were also addicts to our venom,β Mercury tapers off and seems curious if Iβll be confused about it. Iβm not. Itβs making more sense than ever before. I take a seat on a carved stone stool, and I fold my hands in my lap instead, βWhy did you come back to Dark Ninth, Diana?β βWhy not?β I ask, throwing the words back to Mercury, βI am curious too, I guess.β We both hear Venus move then, and I turn to see him lean up off the bench, his eyes focused on the here and now, βGet out of here,β Venus tells me, his eyes stone cold, βDonβt come back in here without permission or an escort.β βIβm sorry, I promise Iβll ask you directly next time ββ I try to speak calmly, but Venus snaps. βDonβt bother,β Venusβ sharp eyes look away from me back to the paper I spread across his moss covered work bench, βDonβt touch my stuff, donβt talk to me, and donβt even try,β he snarls at the end, looking over his shoulder at me with true aggression, to the point his younger brother steps between us and puts a hand on my shoulder, ushering me out quickly. βGo,β Mercury walks behind and he doesnβt address Venus. When we are out of there, I walk slowly with Mercury, and his fingers trail down my spine, it should tickle, but instead it sends electricity through my veins, a pleasant rush. I curl away from his warm touch, only to look up at him and observe his intent, βWhat now?β I ask. βWho do you want to take it,β Mercury asks me, seriously, βWho will you choose?β Take whatβ¦ my virginity? Iβll admit, I had fantasised about it a lot. βWho do I prefer?β I ask, and I gulp, ββ¦I wantβ¦ umβ¦ I admitβ¦ itβs Marsβ¦ but I donβt trust himβ¦ after all, he hunts me and didnβt even vote to keep me aroundβ¦β Mercury smiles handsomely at that, clearly thinking about some kind of inside joke. βWould you like to feel more at home?β Mercury asks instead, βOr would you prefer to keep running away from us?β βIβd like to feel more at home, with the ability to leave whenever I so desire,β I ask that instead, βThat seems rather reasonable, itβs my human brain speakingβ¦ a compromiseβ¦β βDue to the nature of risk, and the value of you, you canβt go anywhere without bodyguards, literally. I will happily flank you if you need to travel, even if you wish to visit your old planet,β Mercury is being very kind, but Iβm not sure if I should be suspicious of that as I feel like weβre finally getting more comfortable with one another. βMercury, I hope youβre being plain with me. Please donβt ever lie to me,β I say, suddenly adding, βTrust is important for this relationship between me and youβ¦ and them, wouldnβt you agree?β βOf course, Diana,β Mercury keeps pace with me as I walk a little aimlessly. βWhere is everyone?β I ask. βBathing,β Mercury explains, βIβll show you to our natural spring baths, youβll love it.β βWhy wasnβt Venus bathing?β I ask. βHe doesnβt,β Mercury looks a little embarrassed admitting that, βI donβt think he has bathed in a thousand years. Thatβs probably why he turned green.β I look disgusted, and Mercury doesnβt blame me for looking grossed out. βWhat appearance does he usually have?β I ask, βIn the photos, he looked different then.β βExactly, like me, but his stripes are gold,β he explains, βOr they wereβ¦β βAlrightβ¦ well, letβs go to the others, then,β I toughen up, while my thighs feel heavy, at the thoughtβ¦ of maybe giving in a littleβ¦ especially thinking about them all naked, in a Dark Ninth hot springβ¦ bathing in natureβ¦ how deliciousβ¦ argh, I had already put the thought of my friend Zina to the back of my headβ¦ that was bad, but even so, I had no choice but to communicate with the Kors, they were my destiny now, βI will try to stay calm, Mercury, and Iβll try not to run away again. Thank you for talking to me about Venusβ¦ and notβ¦ you know, putting me in a cage againβ¦β Mercury pats my head in approval. I smile up at him, feeling cheeky, since his own smile seems genuine. After the pats, Mercuryβs hand slides down my head, to the nape of my neck, and as he holds me, his fingers suspiciously follow the veins along my neck. I feel him searching for my pulse. It freaks me out and my smile drops, βWhy do you do that? Youβre all obsessed with my neck.β βItβs a beautiful neck,β Mercury explains quietly, ββ¦itβs admiration for your beating heartβ¦β like Mars putting his hand on my chest, he had done it twice on two different occasions, ββ¦itβs hard to believe youβre realβ¦β Mercury says that low, with honest vulnerability, it feels like a massive compliment. βDo the others know Iβm back?β I ask. βNo, none of us thought youβd return so soon β I just left the springs to check on my brother, he must have sensed a disturbance, nothing gets past Eβs senses,β Mercury explains, βBefore Venus went insane, he was the head Kor, the best at everything. We all looked up to him. Mars stepped up when he stepped down. They used to be best friends butβ¦ E is hard to reach now, even I have trouble and he trusts me the most.β And who could blame E? He was only tortured in the most excruciating fashion, had his venom permanently altered to be lethal and had the love of his life, not only sentence him to such a horrendously failed execution, but then she died in his arms. I do wonder how someone could heal from that, E had been shattered beyond belief, into something completely unrecognisable. Iβm already intrigued, however, with the impossible. I want to help Venus. But I know trying would even be dangerous. I knew he was volatile. So, for now Iβd keep my distance from him, and focus on the others. Maybe new experiences would help, and I guess I counted as something brand newβ¦ so who knows, maybe I can help E come out of his shell and trust again? I think of Mars tooβ¦ maybe Mars could help me with that, since they used to be best buddiesβ¦ wellβ¦ that is, if he didnβt kill me first. I had to work on that too. I feel kind of smug walking back to the Kors with Mercury flanking me. Mars may have snuck up on me on Planet Live, hunted me down and scared me out of my wits, but I wonder how he would react when I walked right into the room? Iβm already anticipating all their reactions. So far Mercury had been rather pleasant at my return, so maybeβ¦ hopefullyβ¦ the others would be happy to see me as well. Heh, my main priority was staying out of a cage, after all. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 10 βΏβββ’β¦ Mercury makes me wait behind a few stone pillars, putting his finger to his handsome mouth, telling me to keep quiet and wait, while he re-enters the pool without me. I watch as he steps into the still water, which ripples to welcome him within. His grey skin, covered with black stripes, gets absorbed below the water line with each step he takes, as steam rises from the cloudy turquoise water. I see the seven others, all lounging, most with their eyes closed, leaning back, just absorbing the heat. The pool is naturally oval shaped, although the steps down are built in architecture, like the pillars holding the roof up. This area was a part of the prison, but nestled away into the Dark Ninth Forest. The walls had been broken down so that the hot springs had become a natural feature of these ruins, half under cover, half bleeding out into nature. Mercury seemed confident I wouldnβt run, since he did not look back to check if I would have second thoughts β and he does not alert the others. He takes his position next to Saturn. They murmur quietly to each other, but nothing I can particularly hear. I slip off the Plume and Krown, silently placing it on the wet stones. I peep around the pillar and my heart is as steady as my hand as I lean out to work out how Iβll approach them, what Iβll ask, say, and do. Finally, my superpower doesnβt feel so useless. Itβs as clear as day, after witnessing some of their past in photographs with Empress V Cinta. What I had to do was simply everything opposite of her own actions. And it helped that it did not feel like a forced decision. I had always been naturally gentle, quiet and liked to avoid conflict. But I had always had a core that was unshakable, when needed I could be fierce and brave when it came to new challenges, or stepping into a zone that I wanted to be in, even when I had to overcome any fears of the unknown. And I wanted to be here, with so many unknown risks, with all nine Kors. Minus Venus, who did not come back with us from his old labratory in the prison. Iβd just have to do this without him for now. I slowly slide around the pillar until Iβm in full view, but Iβve made my breathing more smooth so itβs undetectable, and no eyes see me and no ears hear me, as I softly walk forward. I have a plan. I wasnβt going to say a word. I approach the hot springs as swiftly as I can. I make it to the first step without detection. They had all been resting, eyes shut, heads back, steam simmering around them all. Mercury blended right in, pretending not to know. My toe touches the water as I sink my bare foot onto the steps, and the first sound of my arrival echoes. All eyes snap open, and I jump to dive bomb off the first step into the middle of the hot spring, before they can react. I slam in and sink under the water. My nerves feel tingly with so many ancient souls staring at me, combined with my recklessness. I stay under the water, until it sinks into my hair, curling around my limbs, like a comforting veil. Itβs as if nature approves of my decision to be so bold! Feeling amazing and full of life, I feel satisfied. Itβs like Iβve hunted them down, as I face upward, kick off the bottom and rise to the surface. My head escapes the water line. I breathe in deeply, then I open my eyes and slowly stand upright in the middle of the hot spring. When I am standing up completely straight, the water laps at my nipples, while I reach up my hands and thread them through my blonde hair, stroking through the water as I spin in a circle, gazing every Kor in the eye. I am gaining some kind of freshly forged bond with them, that is beyond naivety, once consumed by their memory. Right now, I own this moment, bringing them firmly to the present, so they donβt have to think about how itβs so crazy that I am real, that I exist, that my heart beats. I am not hard to believe. I am real and Iβm not the old Fey, Iβm something else. Born human, that will always stay with me, making me different even if my DNA had changed to become just like a Fey. My veins throb with luminescence in the water, reacting to the hot spring. I take my fingers out of my hair. I had spun around clockwise, from Mercury, to Saturn, to Neptune, to Pluto, to Uranus, to Mars, to Terra, to Jupiter. They all had the exact same expression when I looked at them. I was greeted with shock, turning to a different kind of euphoria that I see clearly in all their eyes. It was the satisfaction and pleasure that came with knowing they finally βcaught their preyβ. But itβs mixed with confusion. They didnβt catch me. And I didnβt come here to hurt them. I just came here willingly. I hum a little mischievous song to myself, as I duck back under the water and come up again. I look to Mercury for affirmation. He looks proud, frozen to the spot at my nakedness, but proud. I lick my lips and turn in a 180 in the water to Mars. I swim toward him, my arms pushing the water aside as I kick closer. Marsβ eyes sharpen, suspicious. I stop just before his stretched out legs, he sits on a rock, his arms out of the water, laid out on the edges. I dive under the water and grab Marβs right foot with my hand, kissing his toes, then tickling the sole as I kick back up, grinning when he pulled his leg back from the βassaultβ. I laugh as I reach the surface and see Marβs expression of disbelief at my audacity. βIβm sorry, I didnβt mean to scare you,β I finally speak, telling Mars this directly, and then all of them, as I turn around once more, swimming back to the stairs. As I swim back the length of the hot spring, I feel every eye on me, and I feel true power in that moment. They donβt want me to leave, and they feel so much in this moment, they canβt even speak! I pretend Iβm exiting, swimming for the steps, without looking at any of them, I give them my naked back as I walk up two steps, the water only lapping at my knees by then. I spin around, however, and sit on the third step, most of my body out of the water, but it still sits around my hips, as I hold my knees to my chest and cover my chest, hugging them close and popping my chin on the top of one knee. As I look over each Kor, soaking up their silent attentionβ¦ I feel like an Empress right now. Theyβre waiting for my word. My voice. ββ¦before I tell you what I decided, I want to know whyβ¦β I begin, βI guess I just want to know why you hunted Zina.β βCamping grounds are also hunting grounds, what we did was legal, and any person who camps on Protected Planets knows the risk of natural death,β Saturn speaks up, eager to get me to the part where I tell them what I decided, βLegally, Diana, we hunt, we do not murder. It is recognised as such at the highest levels of authority in the universe.β βI thought as much,β I whisper, but still thinking that I learned that a little too late, but unfortunately, I couldnβt fix that mishap, βSo, as for what I decided, Iβ¦ ahβ¦ I willingly decided to capitulate to my instincts,β I answer, βNot from fear. But becauseβ¦ why not? I know what my body and soul tell me,β I look at Mercury, and he smiles softly, ββ¦but I want to make it clear, I am human first, Fey secondary.β βWeβd love to make you feel right at home, sweetheart, but one of us is missing,β Jupiter speaks up now, looking annoyed, βWhereβs E?β βNot here,β Mars stands up, the water dripping from him as he focuses on me, as the unofficial designated head Kor, he walks toward me. I stare at his nakedness. Yes. I stare without shame. His body is insanely magnificent to me. I think he is the most refined of them all. There was something about his skin, how it was one with nature on this planet completely. Like a perfect camouflage, without the invisibility. It was the way he moved with his confidence too, that lifted him above the others like a King. He never waited for anyone or anything, he just moved in for what he wanted. The only reason this response took so long was the fact I βambushedβ them while they were naked and vulnerable. Now Iβm finally getting some of Marsβ special attention. As he closes the final gap between us, I make the decision at the last moment to stand up and meet him, using the steps to keep my eye level with his, since he is much taller than me. I was five foot five, they were all at least seven feet tall. Not to mention the width of them, built with predatory musculature. While I wasβ¦ well, I was just small, like a human. Mars says nothing at first, his first move is to hold up his palm, an open invitation to step forward and press my cheek to itβ¦ inviting me up for some venom. I look to his mouth, and I see over his sharp teeth, the venom already drips with a distinct glitter. βProve yourself,β Mars asks me to truly capitulate with this. To master capitulation, I had to survive that kiss without freaking out. I had to trust them. Especially Mars. I grab his hand with two of mine, and I place it over my left breast, over my heart but with a distinct difference β so he can squeeze it if he wants. A more sexual offer, as I step down, but lean up at the same time, offering my mouth to accept the kiss. I lick my lips by accident, a little thirsty for a virgin, but Marsβ eyes notice immediately β and he seems jealous of my own tongue. His hand squeezes my breast, as his other hand reaches behind, spanks my ass once and doesnβt leave as he squeezes that too with renewed ownership, as his mouth crushes mine. I keep my head up as he finally, truly kisses me. Mars doesnβt lick my lips. He doesnβt peck me. He truly, deeply, finally, tastes me β and in his expression of lust, I also feel a deep, warm love seep through. A long-term possession. The kiss lures me in, I get on my tip toes, while Marsβ fingers dig and knead over my ass, his hand sliding to my other breast, down to my rib cage, causing a ripple of need down my spine. I gasp into his mouth and push myself flush with Marsβ iron hard abdominals, until his giant dick is sliding across my waist. I gasp again and open my eyes when Marsβ saliva hits my blood. I grab onto his shoulders, scared for the slamming aggression. Itβs different this time. Mars feels different. Heβ¦ now myβ¦ Eyes. Seek. Him. I glare with need at his shaft, a dark navy green. I feel that there is zero need in Mars to hunt me. Itβs gone. I obliterated it by coming to him. But he does want to fuck, I already do too β but now I feel his need overwhelming my own. I grab his hand which has slid along my rib cage to my waist, and I pull it over my stomach, trying to push his hand between my legs. He stops his hand at my belly button, just to see the quick look of frustration grow in my green eyes, as his other hand kneads my ass still. I plead with him, just by glaring. βWhat is it, Diana?β Mars asks, pretending to be oblivious of how horny I am. βMmmMm!β I moan out a complaint, while a blush creeps up my neck as I hear the others stand up in response to the animalistic and shameless noise I just let out. βYou wantβ¦ something?β Mars asks again, looking straight at me, no blinking, as his warm, perfect, strong hand, slides off my ass β and he steps back into the water, stepping back again. The entire time, Iβm stepping forward in some natural dance, magnetised to step forward and close the gap he is artificially creating, luring me deeper. I reach out with both hands, licking my lips again, tasting his sweet, sweet need in the lingering venom. But as I reach out for Mars, my fingers stop a hairs breath from his torso, when two hands snap up my wrists, halting me. Either side of me, Mercury had approached and grabbed my left wrist, while Jupiter apprehended my right. Mars stands untouched, as if protected by his own personal security. He seems delighted I am so eager for him. I pull on Mercury and Jupiterβs hold to no avail, while the others keep circling closer β yet my eyes can only focus on Marsβ gorgeous mouth. βLet me go?β I ask it, I whine it, I whimper it β all three at once, as my need overpowers my civility, βMmMm please, why?β I beg them, as Mercury and Jupiter still keep me from closing the miniscule distance left to Mars. βYou have yet to taste us all,β Jupiter explains simply. βIβve tasted you,β I whisper, biting my lip. ββ¦you have yet to taste all of usβ¦β Jupiter repeats himself in an irate murmur, tinged with only a low level of amusement, βYouβll taste us all, then you can touch, touch, touch all you like, little one.β βThen give it to me.β I order it. I want it so bad that I demand it. Mars reaches for me. He wraps his hand around my small neck, tight β but not too tight. But stillβ¦ Even though I can breathe, the grabbing of my throat gave me a slight shock, I didnβt expect it. Holding my chin up, Mars looks offended. βKnow this, Diana,β Marsβ eyes travel down my face, as he drawls with a warning to take this seriously, βYou give. We take. In returnβ¦ you will liveβ¦ however, we will take you whenever we desire. Youβll know nothing else. The price for our venom is death, it always has been. In place of death, itβll be your complete and total obedience. A willing slave. A venom whoreβ¦ we all get what we want.β βDo you agree to those terms, little one?β Mercury has moved in slyly to my ear, nibbling on the top with his sharp teeth again. Do I agree? Marsβ hand squeezes down my throat once and lets me go so I can decide. I move instantly as I close my eyes, I turn my head toward Mercuryβs sexy mouth and deep growl β and I open my lips for him. I kiss Mercury. He bites me, gently, on my bottom lip, wanting to tug on it just a little bit. My wrists are released, and I bring both of them up to clasp Mercuryβs face, wanting to prolong the kiss β when other hands grab my waist, pulling me back. When I whimper in a breath and look over my shoulder β my heart starts to race. Behind me, Terra, Jupiter, Saturn, Pluto, Neptune and Uranus wait, crowding in, blocking all escape. The venom from Mars and Mercury is combining into a need so deep, I feel like Iβm on the hunt for a deep, rough owning β from each one of them. Or altogether. But first, I needed to taste all of them. Their venom. They wanted it that way. I was going to capitulate. I was going to give them everything. Nothing else mattered. I needed their touch. My deepest Fey Enhanced Instincts wanted one thing above all else. I wanted to be their venom whore. Fey Empress VI, Diana. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 11 βΏβββ’β¦ Kor hands are warm, and theyβre all around me. Jupiterβs hands smooth over my hips, along my stomach, above his, Plutoβs cool touch is below my breasts, his hands cupping the underside, Saturnβs hands are on my neck and face as he steps in front of me and kisses my eye lids, then he looks into my glazed eyes to see just how horny I am. Itβs not just Saturn, when he leans down to kiss my lips, a slow and tempting, full kiss β I look up and see Neptuneβs white neon eyes as his own lips kiss my forehead and trail down the side of my face. Theyβre all over me and I love it. I taste Saturn, who tastes expensive and rare. Like a sweet wine, he only gives me a tiny bit, before Neptune is quickly pushing in and stealing my mouth. His tongue slides in and the other Kors growl in annoyance that he is giving me so much of him. Neptune tastes like every wish of yours will instantly come true, his heart is massive, his feelings are every feeling at once β but overall, he is a force of optimism. I taste that sweet, sweet optimism. I want to keep kissing him because I feel so high. I claw at his neck with curling fingers and Neptune looks deep into my eyes, his nose touching mine β only to be pulled back aggresively so Pluto can move in for the kill. His hollow eyes are not so hollow after all. Up close, I can see his features are just so dark, so deeply reflecting a void with universal light sparkling here and there, that he is just teetering on the edge of other dimensions. Pluto kisses the side of my mouth, giving me the least amount of venom. I have to lick my lips to get the taste and he is already pulling back. Jupiter steps over me, he doesnβt let me take even a moment to process Plutoβs βnothingβ flavour, which was something far more complex, but like I said, he doesnβt give me a chance. Jupiter crushes his mouth to mine, leaning over my head, standing so tall he just stays flush behind me, his cock warming my spine, along with Neptuneβs cooler shaft. I canβt control Jupiterβs kiss, as his mouth once again tastes like ideas β new ideas, new everything. He only pulls up when I need to breathe, and I gasp in a breath, looking up as I see Uranusβ lightly tinted green-white eyes, hovering above. He doesnβt kiss me. I feel his saliva hit the tip of my tongue β I couldnβt see him do it, but his white teeth smirk when he sees my look of shock at the fact he gave me his Kor venom in such a crude way. Terra sees my renewed shock and pushes in, glad to see me so vulnerable β he finds it adorable. Terra kisses me through a handsome smile he canβt help, as his hands spread over my ass cheeks, greedily kneading both of them. He tastes like life. A beautiful promise. When he pulls away, reluctantly letting me go, I am looking up at all of them, all around me as I spin and spin in the water. All their hands reach out and touch me with their fingertips, trailing along my skin, making me feel crazy. I donβt know who to look to, who to focus on. Mars is on the outside looking in, although his way leads all of them. He reaches in a hand β to bunch up my hair. While Iβm feeling all of them through their venom, understanding all their natures at once, I feel quietly confident. This feeling theyβve gifted me, is home. All of them let me taste a tiny bit. In a dance they seem to know well, every Kor steps back, as Mars steps forward, his hand bunched up in my hair is what is stopping me from βdancingβ around with their power. He floats down to my eye level, and he forces me to look at him without looking at all of them. βThatβs what you feel,β Mars drawls, as he moves in with every word, his lips now touching mine so lightly it tickles, βBefore you die.β I donβt have time to process the threat as I just attempt to whimper and canβt even do that. Mars picks up my waist, crushing me to his front, pulling my head back tightly by my hair β welcoming them forward. Itβs so they can all kiss and nibble at my neck which he arcs on full display. Mars kisses and sucks on the throbbing part of my throat. His cock slides across my clit, rubbing and pulsing but not pushing. He just teases me with whatβs to come. Pluto, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, kiss my neck with Mars β they are all pretending to bite me, and my heart is almost stopping with the renewed fear of predatorβs razor sharp teeth so close to my most vulnerable pulse which pumps through the carotid artery. I feel one hot tongue, lick across my neck, all the way to my jaw, and I see Neptuneβs gaze, on white fire as he licks up into my ear. Pluto and Saturn are scraping their teeth across my neck and the taunt skin. Marsβ eyes look over my chin as he leans up and looks down at my terrified expression, as my legs squeeze tighter and tighter around his torso, looking for a sense of comfort. Mars sees the fear in my eyes is real and he takes it as a sign of respect for their power. That is when I feel his cock slide along my virgin pussy until he is pushing β but I also feelβ¦ more. My eyes widen as I feel a second cock, coming fromβ¦ Neptuneβ¦ and a thirdβ¦ from Saturnβ¦ while the fourth and fifth shafts from Uranus and Pluto, nudge my thighs, as if waiting their turn. Jupiter and Terra stand shoulder to shoulder, and they just watch over all of them, looking in at my contorting expression with smug patience. I think they want my ass. They were just waiting. Mars also observes me and my morphing behaviour as three Kor shafts push up into my pussy together. I had never done anything like this before. My pussy isnβt just wet, itβs soft and wanting β yet I have no idea how three giant Kor dicks are slowly pushing into such a tight unused hole. How could this be possible β perhaps because I am made Fey, or perhaps a side effect of their venom. I suck in a deep yet shallow breath, as I see Neptune dive for my breast, to suck at my right nipple β while Saturn grabs my other breast, squeezing it hard with his hand. Theyβre following Mars, his cock is deeper than their own, if only an inch in further. He hasnβt stopped staring at me, as my breasts are sucked and kneaded under him. Mars stops pulling my hair and I had been pulling up without realising it. I jerk up just a bit, while Mars leans closer down to my mouth a bit more. Pluto and Uranus watch from behind him, as they lick over their sharp canines. So many Kor eyes on my skin. So many Kors to satisfy. And I was only starting with three! I anticipate more and my body responds as I accept the inevitable. With my mental submission, a sensation like no other starts to spiral through my blood, throbbing from my womb and my thighs. A sense of urgency. I want to fuck. I want toβ¦ move on themβ¦ but they hold me so tightly still so only they can merge forward into my body. At their pace. Itβs what they want. Butβ¦ βMore,β I dare whisper, and they all hear it, βLet meβ¦β I choke on the word as Mars pushes in a lot deeper, yet still only maybe halfway. Saturn and Neptune push in with him, and my pussy stretches so tight, I feel something pop, and I almost cry out, but I muffle it to only come out in a small, panicked breath. I wait for the pain but there is only a deep, hard, iron, velvet, times three sensation of extraordinary pleasure. This was insanity. How?! This must be the kind of pleasure you can only feel if youβre getting taken and owned by Gods. I feel nothing but Kor induced euphoria. Marsβ mouth curls up in the corner, seeing the same break in my eyes. He knew this would happen. βMore?β he repeats my word, directly over my lips, not letting me taste. Such a tease. He makes me do it. I reach up to press my mouth to his, kissing Mars and saying at the same time, βAll of it. M β oh fuck,β I whimper when Mars doesnβt show a single touch of mercy, nor does his expression even change a little bit, as he thrusts in to my hilt, at the exact same time as Saturn and Neptune. They make sure every inch of their shafts are now warm and squeezed in my aching pussy, which stretches to accommodate all of them. Like clockwork, as my feeble hand claws into Neptuneβs shoulder, and my other wacks at Marsβ collar bone, desperately looking for an anchor and finding none, they hold me up as they set the pace and the brutal fast thrusts. Mars, Neptune, Saturn, one, two, three, when one thrusts out, one thrusts in, followed by another a half a second later, until Iβm being fucked constantly and without pause. My virginity is well and truly dead. The steady climax I felt blooming from all their warmth, now tips over the edge, shooting through my system with incredible force, as every part of my body wracks with an orgasm. Itβs like their venom bites me too in that moment. My body isnβt my own, the way I twist and squeeze is amplified by their hot and hard bodies and all their eyes staring at me simultaneously as I cum. I canβt continue to kiss Mars, who keeps his mouth on mine but watches me struggle to keep my senses, as they all hold me so tight. I feel Saturnβs heat at my back, Neptuneβs hard abs at my side, Marsβ hips between my legs. I feel like Iβm getting ripped apart, but when my eyes drift down, it looks like theyβre barely moving. βAh,β I freak out when I realise theyβre going slow. When my eyes snap back up to Mars for reassurance, he asks me again. βMore?β he enquires, so calm. I shake my head, βN-no,β I answer honestly, as my whole body is still struggling with the first climax. I had no room to move so I was just trying to survive the feeling of its explosive nature rocking through me still, as each Kor took charge of my pleasure. Mars nods at me a little, and I hold his gaze, as I feel like my nipple couldnβt be anymore sensitive to Neptuneβs tongue and teeth β as Saturn licks into my ear and nibbles it too. My whole body trembles. Meanwhile Mars still watches me like a formidable King, waiting for me to take it to the next level. He is letting me know, the moment I say more β the moment I ask, Iβm done for. I know it. And I know I shouldnβt want to know what itβll be like butβ¦ β¦but how can I survive such slow thrustsβ¦ knowing theyβll never end it themselves. They could fuck me for hours like this and Iβd go insane within the first few minutes. I purse my lips as I reason with this. I canβt believe Iβm going to allow this. I close my eyes as I arc my neck back between them all, giving them this, βDo whatever you want to me,β I whimper it, βDo whatever you fucking want.β I feel heat over my face as Mars immediately leans back in, but Iβm too afraid to look. βCute, Diana, that you think closing your eyes will help you survive,β Mars moves his sharp teeth down my jaw and neck, not lightly β much harder. It hurts to the point that I scream out as I lean closer to Saturn, who catches my mouth and holds my chin, kissing me hard as he fucks me harder. Neptune slides his hand down to my clit and he pinches it between two fingers. My breath is stolen by Saturnβs possessive kiss, and Mars isβ¦ ohβ¦ myβ¦ fuck. Mars is biting my neck β starting to. I feel two sharp canines pierce my skin and my blood starts to run down to my shoulder in a thin river. I keep my eyes closed as Mars laps up the tiny drops of blood, and he keeps fucking me slow, while Saturn fucks me hard. Neptune fucks me somewhere in between, his face appearing next to Saturn, wanting a turn on my mouth. I move away from Saturnβs hot mouth to Neptuneβs cool lips. He bites my lip, until he has it pricked. As Neptune also licks my blood, lapping his tongue over the cut on my lip β I realise two things are happening. Direct venom, direct direct, into my neck and mouth. Marsβ venom and Neptuneβs venom, pure and unfiltered, starts to cause some kind of half-way paralysis. I canβt move, but I can feel. Just like a night terror come to life. Mars stops teasing my neck to hold my throat with his hand, feeling my pulse and the wet blood as he starts to fuck me hard with them. Neptune ups the pace, until all three of them are showing me to a climax that is utterly terrifying. The feeling is a tsunami, as my body canβt move, and my breaths feel tight, itβs like theyβve forced me to feel like prey on the run even though they already fucking caught me. And instead of feeling near death, I feel alive. It made no sense. Other than the fact I knew they wanted me to live. So, I had that confidence. Mars, Neptune and Saturn thrust in all together, holding their cocks pulsing and hard inside my womb, as I feel them release their Kor seed into me. Itβs not over in a second, it keeps coming, their shafts stay hard, if not harder, as they swell and pulse out their seed, to mark my womb as theirs forever. As a third climax wracks through me, mentally unhinging me, my eyes roll back, looking past Mars, Saturn and Neptune, past Jupiter, Terra, Uranus and Pluto who wait their turn β but they are stillβ¦ no one is walking through the water. But yet I hear splashes. I hear ripples. Past Uranus and behind Jupiter, I see Venus walking forward, standing tall, he looks over all their heads down to me, and I see him staring at my mouth. Mercury had left to fetch his brother, and he returned with him! I didnβt even realise he snuck off after that kiss. Mercury stands at Eβs side, arms crossed. Venus is standing extremely tall and alert as he looks to Mars only for a second, not even asking for permission as he reaches in past the three of them. He pulls up my head, cupping the back, bringing me up toward his mouth. Iβm too numb to pull away, I just stare with terror at his mouth, knowing Iβll die if he kisses me. Venus is looking angry already. βAre all your dreams coming true?β Venus asks, cruelly, βSo much attention, so much loveβ¦ how cold do you feel?β he asks so strangely, βYou donβt care, why would you care,β he glares at my lips. Of course I care! I want to scream it, but Venus looks hungry for revenge. The others might be over it, but he looks feral just behind his calm demeanour. Mars is still holding my neck, but he lets me go slowly. So do the others, as they pull out, Iβm left barely standing in the water, in their circle, as Venus is the last to have his taste of me. If they let him. I turn to him, wobbly and wavering, as I stare up at his cruel dark eyes, having no idea if they hold pity or any form of mercy. I doubt it. What if he only hates? I keep trembling from the post-climax, even in the hot water, as my blood still feels on fire after mating with three of them, with the other six all around, unsatisfied, all next in line. I am at their mercy and I want to be, thatβs the insane part. Venusβ eyes glimpse down to my wavering physical strength, and he holds out a hand to grab my elbow, steadying me. βThank you,β Venus growls over me, as he steps closer. My eyes widenβ¦ why is he thanking me? βFor what?β I canβt ask it loudly, itβs more of an airy attempt through my numb vocal chords, although I see hope in Mercuryβs expression that Venus was thanking me. The Kors go from hoping to stiffening a second later as Venus pulls me closer, up toward his mouth, as his head tilts down to mine, and my body presses against his front, since he dragged me in. As my body lightly rubs into his, Venus is looking straight at my mouth. βFor giving me another chance to feel this again, just to kill itβ¦ this time on my terms, you pretty little whore,β Venus whispers at the end, as if looking for a deluded version of his own personal salvation, he kisses me for himself. He moves in too quick for any of them to be able to do anything about it. Itβs too late. Yet, out of all of them, itβs the most beautiful and graceful kiss Iβve received. I feel like Iβm being romanced by it, even as his venom comes next. I wait for death. The kiss had prompted the other Kors to freak and reach out, but by then the lethal lips of E had already touched down on mine. The venom seeps past onto my tongue, it tastes like finality β but is tainted by beautifulβ¦ hope? At the same time, I feel my body get attacked by the lethality. Only for some kind of miracle to occur. Venus puts his hand on my chest, waiting for my heart to stop. He takes his mouth from mine, and sees I am still standing. Still breathing. For some reason, I amβ¦ immune? Venus tilts his head the other way with curiosity, his lips twitching once, one of his brows even moves up in a wide handsome arc I had never seen until now. I stare, spellbound by the beauty appearing on his face, when that deluded hope turns to realisation. Venus actually looksβ¦ happy. When I glance quickly to the other Kors, even Mars looks completely shell shocked by the fact I didnβt drop dead, but equally shell-shocked Venus looks so familiar. Even to me, itβs like Iβve just seen him for the first time. But no one gets a chance to comment on it. And I donβt get a chance to wonder what kind of impossible next set of events could occur to escalate the drama of my new free life. A flood light spills over all of us. I shield my burning eyes. I instinctively look to my Kors, wanting to know they are safe, but all of them have switched on a special ability, so they can all turn invisible?! I didnβt know until now, until I see it happen, as they all disappear and fade in a split moment. All around me, I see familiar Tcno personnel, dressed in camo suits, hiding in the vegetation, now standing, guns pointed, lasers on me, masks covering their features. Earthβsβ¦ military. What the actual f β I stand naked and still, as the military doesnβt even seem to care about the Kors. One lead officer steps forward, pulling down his mask, he holds out two hands as he speaks to me and the air around me. βFor the purpose of being transparent on a treaty bound planet, we are the IIA from Earth,β he announces, βWith a message for the Kors β we now have irrefutable evidence that you broke the Intergalactic Treaty, you illegally altered the DNA of a species outside your own jurisdiction,β he really sounds angry at the end, βDiana,β he focuses on me, βCome here, now. Weβre here toβ¦ take you home.β βIβm a Dark Nine!β I yell out, my voice scratchy and painful as I make myself speak, hoping that somehow stops this insane process. βYouβre not anymore,β he yells back, βDiana β your DNA is now illegal, we have grounds to detain you. And if you donβt come willingly, we will execute. This is a mercy, come here,β he holds out a hand for me and waits for me to walk toward the other end of the hot spring, to climb out and join hands. I look around me, and my Enhanced Instincts say the Kors have only hidden far enough away to protect their bodies from bullets β buy I feel every eye of them on me. I nod, agreeing for now. What else could I do? I am too shocked to feel anything, I just know I have to obey to live through this ambush. βOne more thing,β the officer stands up, speaking to the air around before I move out of the pool, βWeβre here to arrest one Kor named Venus β or E?β he waits, βFor the direct and premeditated tampering of DNA of another speciesβ¦β he waits, knowing there will be no willingness to come forward, βThis is all recorded. This is all going to the Universal Board. If you donβt give yourself up to face legal proceedings, this will escalate far further. More charges will be added to your recordβ¦ Eβ¦? Last chance?β the officer waits. Nothing happens. I shuffle out of the water, covering my breasts with my arms. I climb up the steps closest to me, and I walk toward the officer, past all the guns pointed at me and still pointing. As I stand before the arresting officer, I keep my eyes down as submissively as I can. I donβt want to be seen as resisting or aggressive. βThis way, Diana,β he says kindly enough, holding up a hand to usher me back along the path, to a spacecraft from Earth, that settled down into Dark Ninth nature, a fair way back. Before I can move, I feel a flush of heat behind me. The officer looks tense, reaching for his gun, as he looks up and up. I glance behind my shoulder. Venus appeared. βNot without me,β Venus speaks politely to the human. The officer looks surprised he gave himself up, so he is speechless for a moment. ββ¦this will work in your favour,β the officer murmurs, nodding up at the giant Kor. βJust so you realise, Iβm not going because youβre attempting an arrest,β Venus explains, βSheβs not going anywhere without me. And if you want to remove me,β he leans over me, over my shoulder. I have to hunch down a bit as he leans all the way to the officer, βYou can kill me but I wouldnβt advise starting a war with Dark Ninth, puny human.β As he leans back up, he puts a protective hand on the side of my face, lightly β a terribly kind touch of reassurance. My whole body sings with Venusβ light pat. The officer gulps. His eyes scanning back and forth as he reads through his Eye Access, for any kind of action he can take against Venusβ βthreatβ but he comes up with nothing. After all, Venus was just being politeβ¦ polite enough to be honest about why he was coming forward. βWell, youβre under arrest anyway,β the officer growls out, pulling out his gun and stepping back, βMove it. Walk slowly.β I step forward and Venus shadows every step, moving with me, he feels like a second skin or body armour. I feel safe. He is looking out for me. It is at this point of my journey outside Earth that my thoughts on the Kors do a 180. They wonβt kill me. But they might just kill everyone else to keep me alive. Since I am the last β or first Fey, however you choose to view it, the Kors are so intuitively and naturally protective, itβs on another level. Iβm starting to respect that, even if it scares me. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 12 βΏβββ’β¦ Venus and I sit in a waiting room on the spacecraft, which has taken us back to Earth. Around us the walls show a simulated forest, while we sit on a simulated βpark benchβ to help us feel more relaxed and at ease, while Officer Miton came back with the next set of steps we would have to take. I sit opposite the table with Venus. He had been scrubbed down, to take off any bacteria. They managed to remove the green, so I could see the grey skin and gold tiger stripes β and even his dark eyes, now glow a dark, brown gold. Itβs a gorgeous colour. Instead of worrying about my fate, I stare at the clean Venus, who looks like a brand new Kor. He had been sitting straighter to protect me, to appear strong and unapproachable. His hair is black with gold dust, and his face is unbelievably handsome when relaxed. I could almost stare at his facial features for days, he was like Mars in that respect β completely devasting with beauty and masculinity, enhanced by six Kor canines, larger muscles and an impressive height. While he is comfortable to be naked, I am dressed in a white dress they passed to me since I was not comfortable to feel naked. I chew on my lip while Venus just watches me like he is seeing me for the first time. His expression and demeanour changed after our kiss. I wanted to address it, but not directly. We had some time to kill anyway, until Miton came back with more information. βMercury said you were the head Kor,β I begin, βWhat made you the best at everything? What makes a head Kor?β βItβs not being the best at everything, itβs being the one who weaves that web to catch a heart, I had top game,β Venus explains lightly, his mean voice toned down but still just underneath since he had adopted it for so long, βUntil my own heart was caught by Cin. I had never loved before her.β βSo you can talk about Cinta?β Venus does glare at me for phrasing it in a way that sounds slightly condescending, a blush creeps up my neck and I quickly ask, ββ¦why did Cin grab your heartβ¦?β βShe was cruel and cold hearted, formidable like a Kor, that strength caught me by surprise and never let me go,β Venus explains, carefully. βBut?β βShe melted around meβ¦ however, that was my mistake for thinking thatβs what it was on her behalf,β Venus looks away, as he smiles to himself, explaining it bluntly, βIt was a web of her own. She knew I was head Kor. She could rule with an iron fist if I loved her, all she needed to do, was catch my attention β and I question everything, so she made me question everything, and I ended up obsessed with her odd behaviours,β Venus speaks openly, and as he gets it off his chest, his shoulders lose their tense stature, βI didnβt know it was a game until I kissed you, Diana.β Oof, that catches me off guard. ββ¦how did one kiss, make you think thatβ¦?β I murmur. βShe would,β Venus brings up his hand gracefully, to show me what she would do, βPush. Me away. Every time she kissed me, sheβd push at my chest β the truth coming through her cold hands, as she kissed me. You didnβt push, you didnβt pull, you didnβtβ¦ do anythingβ¦ you justβ¦ waited. And you knew, from what Mercury told you, what would happenβ¦ what my venom could do. But you didnβt move.β βSo you realised, I waited for death,β I gulp, feeling shame just thinking about my submission in that moment, βBut you did drag me into your chest, you pulled me in.β βYou didnβt push back, and you didnβt shy away, even knowing the kiss would kill you,β Venusβ eyes arenβt dark when he says that, theyβre light, βThat was the ultimate test of your heart as a Fey, your heart and your soul β you lived for nothing but the truth of that moment, like I did. It wasnβt about what youβd gain. Itβs about what would happen to the both of us. You acceptedβ¦ reality. You didnβt try to manipulate it.β βIt was all too quick. Iβd say I acted very normal,β I try to rephrase it, my mouth curling up a little, βI just reacted like any girl would react. A beautiful man pulls me in fast for a kiss. I had just lost my virginity to Mars, Neptune and Saturn β I had just been kissed by eight Korsβ¦ and then a ninth Kor pulled me in for yet another taste of venomβ¦ in truth I wanted it and I didnβt care about the consequences.β Venus smiles, tilting his head, ββ¦exactlyβ¦β βWhat now?β I ask, splaying my hands on the table before us and leaning forward, βAm I going to be exterminated, since you manipulated my DNA?β Venus leans in toward me, his eyes sparkle as he explains, βItβs beyond cute to me that you wanted to discuss our kiss, before your own execution,β E likes pointing that out, and especially likes my deeper blush, but he quickly changes topic, further flustering me, βI ran the simulation of Our Tcno, to see what judgement would be handed down, the first thing before a trial is a charge ofβ¦ this,β he motions around, βI violated a treaty and you canβt exist. However, the AI system, Tcno, glitches when it takes into account a Dark Nine who is pregnant, that βglitchβ automatically switches to the darkness of will-powerβ¦ in plain terms, itβll be your decision, against the βperpetratorβ, me. I changed your DNA. You will be asked to decide β if it was a crime. If you believe so, itβll go to a Jury of Light β those you are completely ingrained in the system of your planet. If you decide itβs not a crime, weβll be free to leave to a neutral zone, where the other Kors will pick us up.β βHow do I decide?β I ask Venus, and I see him gulp when I ask that. He didnβt expect me to ask him. I was just curious what heβd say. Eβs eyes scan my whole face, and his cheek twitches but he doesnβt answer. I just see the pull in his eyes for me. I see it, and I know itβs a hungerβ¦ but I also know itβs more. βDiana.β A human interruption as the door finally opens to our waiting cell. I turn around and Officer Miton comes in with his hands out, looking ratherβ¦ disappointed, ββ¦this isβ¦ a bit rare but youβll have to decide whether or not this is a crime, Diana. Based on the fact we found out through our tests that you conceived in the last few hours, youβre pregnant,β Miton tries not to look uncomfortable about the fact the team who were sent to us, watched me get fucked in that pool on Dark Ninth, and I honestly just choose to stay in denial about the pregnancy for the moment, βDo you feel your human DNA was violatedβ¦ by the Kor Venus, who produced an agent from Dark Ninth, to alter your genetic structureβ¦ do you feel there was an injustice against you? Think carefully.β βIt happened without my knowledge,β I admit, standing up from the bench to pace for a bit, needing to focus on my movement and not on Eβs stare or Mitonβs irritated posture, βBut I donβt feel violatedβ¦β βAre you sure itβs not some kind of sway they have over you being a hostage?β Miton asks, impatient. βIβm no hostage,β I explain, glaring at Miton now, βI am an Empress of Dark Ninth.β βYou are, but you were, human,β Miton mentions, βYou have the right to be avenged.β βNo, I donβt, because Iβm a Dark Nine, Our Tcno has no say on my justice, only I do, Our Tcno is involved only because I was tampered with while human. Now that I am outside Earth, and sold to Dark Ninth, and pregnantβ¦ I am both Freed and a Kors mate, a Fey. I was not a mate until I agreed to be. Females have the power of that decision, because their fate afterwards is so expensiveβ¦β I look down as I say that, and I look backwards to Venus, ββ¦but in this case itβs exceptional circumstances, we made an agreement that I will liveβ¦ that I wonβt be subject to the nature of Kor appetiteβ¦ that alone is a price that negates any negative impact of being changed from human to Fey.β βI donβt have all day to discuss this, please just make a choice,β Miton seems frustrated I am not going to be executed. βItβs not a crime, thatβs my final decision,β I say to Miton, adopting a snarky attitude, βNow why donβt you fuck off since youβre so busy.β βYou donβt have to be rude,β Miton puts a hand to his chest, smiling arrogantly and looking happy that I swore and broke down any rapport between us in that second. Miton takes one final look to the intimidating Kor, but gets stopped from leaving when Venus smiles slowly and commands something of him, softly and with a deep knowing that what he asks, canβt be refuted. βBefore you go. Kiss her hand,β Venus drawls. βWhy?β Miton growls at Venus. βDiana is an Empress,β Venus doesnβt have to say anymore. I forgot it is protocol to show respect to those in charge of planets. I just didnβt feel like I earned that position at all. I am slightly overwhelmed when Miton hesitates but jerks in his forced movements to consummate the protocol. He awkwardly avoids my gaze as he throws two temporary ET Keys on the table and quickly gets down onto one knee and picks up my hand. He kisses the back of it and quickly gets up and moves off. Venus licks his lips as Miton backs off, turning tail and stalking quickly from the room. βNow that the system has sucked you in and spat you out again,β Venus picks up the ET Keys and throws me one, βYouβll be the target of criminals who want to ransom you against our wealth. That is why you canβt go anywhere alone. Youβre pregnant and youβre solid gold. The only Kor gold left in the universe, you understand that value, donβt you?β βI have an easy solution to that. Canβt you just make more Fey?β I ask. βWe donβt want to,β Venus murmurs, his eyes scanning over me, βWe only want you.β βWhy.β βBecause we have the luxury, there is no one elseβ¦ what else could be better than to live like Gods.β βSharing a Goddess of your own creation?β I ask, blushing brightly, βIβm hardly anything like aβ¦ queen, or empress orβ¦ goddessβ¦ or anything like that. Iβm so basic. Iβm justβ¦ Diana.β βSo?β Venus looks unimpressed by my logic, βIβm justβ¦ Venus. Do you think I care that Iβm just one being? Everyone is not just themselves. Youβre alive, Diana. Have no shame or limitations in being here.β βAre youβ¦ really Gods?β I ask. There is no direct answer to that, however. Venus slaps his ET Key on his thigh as he turns to the ET machine in the corner, our ticket out of here. βCome on,β he stands up and holds out a hand to usher me forward, βTime to leave.β I donβt object to freedom. I follow E through to our next neutral zone. Planet Mercy. **** Planet Mercy is a Protected Planet, so another camping ground. Venus and I end up transported to a beautiful natural cave, teetering to the edge of a forest. Below us, however, is yet another pool. Not a hot spring, just cool cave water. We had to wait for the Kors to fly in and pick us up, so I sit on the edge of the cave pool, as Venus jumps in and dives underwater. He cleans off twice and comes up sparkling and fresh. From crazy Kor to something entirely different. Venus changed as fast as a chameleon. He doesnβt stay in the water, he pulls up onto the side of the pool, his naked thigh touching mine, as he just sits with me, watching our reflection. Weirdly, I feel comfortable being alone with him. And itβs extra nice to know we arenβt being filmed anymore. I have my hands over my stomach, over the white dress they gave me. Ahβ¦ I am still in denial of the fact, that hours ago, I fucked three Kors β and my body was already preparing for a baby. βAre you scared of me?β Venus asks, his voice echoing slightly into the cave. βI was only ever worried about you,β I answer, shrugging, βAnd I was weary, not scared. The others said you went insane five destinies ago. No big deal, am I right?β ββ¦you broke that curse on me,β Venus murmurs back, his voice deep and sexy now, βThank you.β βI never meant to do anything,β I sigh, spreading my fingers over my belly as I rub in nervous circles, closing my eyes, βBut like you said, there should be no shame in beingβ¦ alive.β βThe universe is light and dark, that is what your Earth tapped into, although that Tcno system is a little clunkyβ¦ nothing beats Kor instinct,β Venusβ hand touches my thigh, resting on it, under the edge of the white dress. But his singular touch, causes all my nerves to sing with fire and excitement. I twitch away from him, since the energy is so much. Once again I am blushing and smiling as I open my eyes and turn to Venus at my side, biting my lip as I look up to his dark brown-gold and now rather patient eyes. βLight,β Venus carefully moves his hand back onto my thigh that I had shifted away nervously, and this time I donβt twitch as he squeezes my leg once, βDark,β he tilts his head down, motioning to himself, βLight,β he looks at my hand on my belly, then he smiles and shows me all his sharp teeth, βDark,β he doesnβt show me those shredders long, only giving me a glimpse before he turns in toward me, suddenly placing a hand on my neck, pushing me down onto the rock as he curls that same hand on my neck, around the back of my head, slowly lowering me down so I donβt knock my head too hard on the cave floor. Now Iβm laid back, with Venus over me. He keeps his face hovering just over mine, his lips touch my mouth. A super light caress, not even a kiss. But when E pulls up, still holding my wide-eyed gaze, he concludes, βDark and lightβ¦ loveβ¦ destruction,β he moves in and lightly nibbles on my bottom lip, βWeβre dangerous when we dance.β I donβt know what he is saying, but I feel slightlyβ¦ off now. I hold up both my hands and pat both Venusβ cheeks, trailing my fingers down his warm jaw, βAre you threatening me?β I ask, shy and confused. Venus slowly grins, his eyes are looking kind of crazy. He says nothing. Eh. I crawl out from under him but he lets me go. When I stand up and flatten out my dress, my heart is racing. Venus turns around and sits down by the edge of the pool. I watch from behind. His dick is hard and right there on displayβ¦ I could straddle his lap and sit down on it if I wanted to. βIβm whatever you want me to be, Diana,β Venus talks to his own reflection, βIβll give you whatever you want. Anything at all.β I keep staring at his cock and Venus slowly looks up at me through our reflection, still staring at hisβ¦ Umβ¦ I quickly look for his eyes and his shoulder ripples as he twists a bit toward me, his brow arching, βAnything,β Venus drawls again. Honestly, I wanted to taste him. With my tongue. I didnβt feel safe sitting on it. But something about his dick looks tasty. βAnything? I want you to, let me, um,β I gulp down my nerves as I ask it more clearly, βI mean, can I suck it? Can I try to? Itβs kinda bigβ¦β Venus smirks with his lips, no teeth. I feel confident again. I peel off the dress so Iβm naked as I get into the water, wading toward him and his cock. I look up at E as I look over the head of his dick. I stick out my tongue to lick it, and it tastes good. His fresh grey skin gives his dick gold ripples, and it looks like a weapon. I kind of love the way it looks. Tasting it with my tongue is just the start, I try sucking the head of his cock into my mouth β and I like that too. When I roll my eyes up to see if Venus is enjoying this, he looks rather interested in asking me a question. My lips leave his cock and I ask, βWhat?β I selfishly hope itβs a compliment for my courage, or my ability. βWhen I said anything, I meantβ¦ anything,β Venus murmurs, intrigued, βAsking to serve me is ratherβ¦ reversedβ¦ of what I was offering.β βLike what? I just wanted to suck your dick,β I snap pursing my lips rather angrily, βWhat was I meant to ask for?β βI just didnβt expect such willingness to serve without a price, a Fey is bought, always, itβs neverβ¦ like this,β Venus looks me over, βThatβs what I meanβ¦ when I said that kiss changed meβ¦ Diana, itβs the difference in you, youβre inclined to surrenderβ¦ I find that, very odd. And kind ofβ¦ unstable.β βUm,β I step back in the water, totally embarrassed, βI was just horny.β βThere is more to life than sex,β Venus shakes his head at me, βDiana, you little whore. Come back here,β he raises another sexy brow and tries hard not to smile. Is he playing with me? I canβt tell! βWait,β I almost take a step closer, but then I pull back, βIβm confused. What do you want?β βIβm asking what you want?β Venus fires back. βYou just s-said all this s-stuff like what Iβm d-doing is wrong, or r-reversed,β I stutter. βWhat youβre choosing,β Venus corrects me, βIs strange.β βI canβt enjoyβ¦ wantingβ¦ the- theβ¦ I meanβ¦ this feeling inside,β I put my hand to my chest, βMy desire is to bond. Is that not normal?β βKors fuck, we donβt make love,β Venus explains, loudly and to the point, βDonβt you know that, little one?β βOh,β I donβt know the difference, I wonβt lie. I remain silent and still in the water. Venus kind of looks annoyed now, his hard dick throbbing while I keep the distance between us. ββ¦are you teasing meβ¦?β Venus asks, in a low growl. βN-No,β I stutter again, βYouβre confusing me!β Venus jumps into the water and walks toward me. I close my fists by my side, and he approaches until weβre flush. I donβt back off, I just purse my lips and stare at his torso, βWhat?β I growl out. Venusβ hands reach up and hover above my arms but donβt touch me. Itβs kind of driving me crazy. I feel the energy of him just hovering his palms there, not doing a damn thing. Venus finally places his hands to my elbows, finally, and with that moment I breathe out in relief and look up, meeting his eyes. My own thank you. βWhat is it now?β I ask him, βTell me the truth.β Venus leans down, his eyes not leaving mine, βI likeβ¦ that youβre soβ¦ utterlyβ¦ submissive to us.β βI am?β I ask, βI guess I am?β Venusβ hands hold my arms a bit tighter and he rubs up my skin, his tongue slowly licking over his sharp teeth, as his hands rub over my shoulders, then back down my arms again. βI can feel it,β Venus explains, βYou. Withoutβ¦ tasting you. Your essence. What we devour,β he looks down into my eyes, βYouβre giving it away right now.β Um, what the hell is he talking about? βWhat does that mean? Am I dying right now?β I whisper. Venus shakes his head, βNo, your essence, itβs replenishingβ¦ but, youβre giving it to me because you are becoming dependantβ¦ on independent creatures,β Venus looks at me with a slightly scolding look, arching his other brow, which feels like some kind of judgement, βAre humans dependent on their mates? I meanβ¦ if you were to mate with us, and we moved on to another, youβd die of the pain. Like… beaching yourself, youβd suffer and wilt awayβ¦ because your essence became a part of us. You need it. The connection. I say it because that is a human trait, not Fey. Fey are independent entirely.β βE, my soul is human, my DNA is Fey, that is why I am human first, Fey second,β as I say that, Venus nods and accepts it as a good response. βI did not know humans were soβ¦ pathetic,β Venus explains, blinking, βUntil I met you.β βDid you just insult me?β I hiss. βYouβre soβ¦ weak,β Venus lets me go, shrugging, βI didnβt know. Iβm sorryβ¦ I just didnβt know.β βI thought you were smart and knew everything,β I fire back, βYouβre a dickhead.β βYouβre just really fragile,β Venus shrugs, βI didnβt know how much. Your heart is so feeble, the way it beats faster when stressed, no doubt your kind dies of heart break. That is pathetic.β βYou just went insane for fifty thousand years, is that any better?β I ask. βI didnβt drop dead, did I?β Venus jokes about it, turning around, hand on his chin, growling to himself, βThis is really something elseβ¦ we wonβt have to consume you because you already give your essence to us… like a symbiosisβ¦β You know what? I am so done with this conversation. I turn around to leave the pool, needing some damn air! I get out of the water, and when I do, I feel shadows fall on me. They appeared out of nowhere, turning off their invisibility shields. You have to be kidding me? I look up at the line of eight Kors, standing around the pool. Arms crossed over their chests, staring between E and I. They had been listening in the whole time. And they look just as shocked as Venus. I blink, I roll my eyes and stalk around them. βI need some air, leave me the hell alone,β I growl at all of them. They let me leave, but only because Venus advises them. βLet her go, her heart isβ¦ a very weak thing.β βYou just realised?β Mars scoffs, βEven the echo of the heartbeats, barely flutter. Any hint of negative emotion and sheβs almost near death.β βIβm NOT that weak!β I scream, turning on my heel and turning back to all of them, who turn β and each predator looks totally wide eyed that I even had the ability to scream. ARGH. They had me so wrong. I throw my hands up and turn around and for the first time β I run. Not to run away, but to achieve some temporary distance. Just to fucking breathe and ponder and wonder, because dealing with another species, was kind of infuriating. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 13 βΏβββ’β¦ I sit and try to think. Seriously. But all I can think about is something kind of ri-dick-ulous, yep, all I can think about is how the nine Kors all have beautiful dicks. The colours of their shafts, every kind, invisible, or gold, silver, grey with black or gold stripes, dark night-green, light terra-blueβ¦ each shaft large, ribbed andβ¦ well, E was tasty. E didnβt let me explore him long enough without causing me to stop due to the judgemental look on his gorgeous, handsome face. There was something about them, those sharp eyes β if they were judging you, it was hard not to notice. And it was no big deal, what Venus said, right? Independent creatures fucking an emotionally dependant βhumanβ female. Donβt overthink the consequences of that dynamic, Diana. I try to reason with myself but I just canβt stop thinking aboutβ¦ β¦their giant cocksβ¦ iron hard, perfect Kor weapons when they were horny. Nine Kor dicks. And their long shafts werenβt their only perfect weapon. The taste of their venom had a special unique kick to every Kor. Every flavour was a universal gift, wish, promise, idea, an open doorβ¦ Kor power. I donβt think it was chemical. I think they had some kind of Kor essenceβ¦ coreβ¦ soulβ¦ like star dust but 100 percent star dust. I currently sit naked on grass, underneath an overhanging gigantic fern, looking out at more sticks and giant ferns and spongey moss. Protected Planets were green, comfortable, safe and great places to hide. Albeit, I wasnβt hiding, not this time, I was justβ¦ decompressing. I hold my knees to my chest, as the green ferns provide me with just enough shade to keep out the sweltering temperatures. The cave isnβt too far off, I only ventured marginally deeper into the forest of Planet Mercy, because a lot of the ground was steep and rocky, so it was hard to get far without having to climb or grapple with vines and slippery trees. I wasnβt a monkey, and I had no desire to look like one, so here I was, grudgingly fern bound, thinking about being an Empress and mated to nine men with nine dicks and razor sharp caninesβ¦ or were they fangs? Mars scraped and bit into my neck when we fucked, mercilessly, when I said do whatever you want to me. Did I regret it? N-noβ¦ And their beautiful cocks. Oh myβ¦ And their beautiful promise as mates. And being the most βvaluableβ female in the universe, the only one the Kors could mate with. I put IIA off our backs for now, being a Dark Nine and pregnant, at least I had the free will to decide if my altered DNA was a crime or not. And Iβll be perfectly honest, I still wasnβt sure. But I did, perhaps foolishly, consider the Kors my friends now. And Dark Ninth my home. 48 hours later and thatβs where my free thoughts had taken meβ¦ cocksβ¦ venomβ¦ belonging to and bound to another eco-systemβ¦ how did this happen to me again? When I had originally wanted complete and total freedom? Thatβs why I was trying to think clearly. I just had to breathe, breathe and think, think and recognise that I couldnβt be a naΓ―ve travelling wide eyed βI donβt know, I donβt understandβ human any longer. I had to accept this. Accept what? I was pregnant. Mars, Neptune or Saturn were the father. What else? I wasβ¦ I amβ¦ enslaved. I gulp as that word sticks. They wanted to breed with me a lot more. I didnβt even have any kind of thoughts on that, by any thoughts, I mean coherent thoughts, my only non-coherent thoughts were somewhat barbaric. Kor cock. Kor cock. Kor cockβ¦ Beautiful Kor dicks, so gorgeous β why were they so god-damn beautiful and alien and all I could think about now. My blood was pulsing faster through my contracting veins, my heart felt like it was bleeding for their warmth, their touch, their sharp predatory eyes. I stiffen when I feel my Enhanced Instincts catch onto the strange movement in the air, a distinct unnatural wispy feeling β made by the movement of a body closing in on me. I look up and I see white neon eyes looking down and in at me, the area around his large masculine outline is blurred where he ends and nature begins. Neptune, standing next to my hiding spot, looking down under the fern at me. βHi,β I murmur, letting go of my knees and letting my legs open side to side, as I grasp a hold of my feet, my soles together, I lean forward and look up at Neptuneβs open eyes, βWhat do you want?β βWe have to go back, Diana, to our home planet,β Neptune explains, his eyes struggling not to fall between my legs. I had opened my legs like petalsβ¦ did I care? I already explained what I canβt stop thinking about. βI know,β I donβt complain, I just half shrugβ¦ but as I open my mouth to string some pointless words together for some light small talk, I notice once again that Neptuneβs eyes roll over my naked skin, he finally looks right at my pussy, and my eyes abruptly roll over his body tooβ¦ even though I canβt see it perfectly, I focus onβ¦ onβ¦ there. I shut my lips and I gulp. Neptune leans down a bit further and steps into my giant fern cave, thwacking it aside, he moves right down onto a knee and kisses me, his hand cupping the back of my head. I donβt expect the sudden kiss, but I welcome it. That is not all, his hand dives between my legs and two fingers plunge right into my pussy, as he leans me back and deepens the kiss. Neptune finger fucks me and kisses me. His venom is the same, tasting like any wish in the universe β all promises kept for eternity. I love his cool mouth, I love his venom, he may just be my favourite Kor. And his fingers, now fucking my pussy β so deep and pulling out, just to thrust in again while I gasp against his lips, my hands not reaching for his neck, face or torsoβ¦ instead, one of my hands grabs onto his cock, the other β cradling his balls. Ohβ¦ fuck. His balls are so big and soft and warm, I pull away from Neptuneβs mouth to stare wide eyed at his own amused eyes, now narrowing. Without a word, he steps up, pushing the fern out of the way of his head as he gets closer to my face. I lean up toward his balls, my tongue out as I lick between them, along the warm and perfect sack, I lick over him a few times and he smiles with all his razor sharp teeth β glorious, dangerous, and so happy with my position and my choices. I donβt know exactly why I canβt think about anything but sex after their kisses. Sex and foreplay and sex and kisses and now their balls too, Iβ¦ love the taste of him, his sweat is like a watered down Kor venom β still delicious but I canβt get enough. I suck on his balls, and then I lick up the length of his cock. He is pulsing with desire to cum all over me. I feel it. Neptune licks over his razor sharp canines as he stands taller, his cock bouncing up and away from me as I strain my neck upwards, lips not close enough to his cock. βWhy are you teasing me?β I whisper it, feeling hurt. Why am I emotional about this. Neptuneβs eyes slowly move to my mouth, as his hand moves along the back of my skull, moving my head right back, as he suddenly orders, βOpen that mouthβ¦ Iβm going to pump your throat full of my cum, little humanβ¦β I glare up at him, Iβm Fey nowβ¦ but still, I open my mouth with need β and Neptune holds his dick to push it down into position. Stepping over my face he plunges his cock into my mouth, and then toward my throat β standing with one leg over my shoulders, the other over my front, his thighs squeezing into either side of my face to keep me still and at his mercy. Iβm so fucking wet in this position. Neptuneβs hand pulls my head back further, and his dick slides expertly over my tongue, and downβ¦ downβ¦ inβ¦ squeezing through my throat, I swallow him down and choke, and he pushes in a little more, starting to throat fuck me. I had never done this before, and as my eyes water, his spare hand presses to my cheek, his thumb wiping away a tear. He is trying to fuck me quietly, but seems to hear something in the distance, so he pulls his cock out and I gasp. He tries to smack my mouth shut with his hand β but itβs already too late, even as his palm holds my mouth shut, our fern is pulled aside and Mars steps forward to look in at our private moment. My eyes bulge with embarrassment as Mars doesnβt even look at Neptune, he just looks at me, and his mouth downturns in the cornerβ¦ his eyes donβt blink, however, they shine darker. βCome on,β Mars growls to both of us, βWe have to go before the ET portals are shut for maintenanceβ¦β he doesnβt even acknowledge the throat fucking. Neptune takes his palm from my lips and picks up my arm, hauling me to my feet. βI only needed a minute longer,β Neptune growls out after Mars, who is leading us back. βIβm not surprised to hear that,β Mars grins now, looking after his shoulder at Neptune, who drags me along with their fast pace. I just wipe my mouth clear of any excess spit, still staring at Mars with embarrassment for some reason. I think it would have been less humiliating if he had just acknowledged what he stumbled across. Mars looks over his shoulder at us, past Neptune for a moment, clearly wanting to look ahead back to the cave, but makes a small concession β by looking at me for a brief moment and finally speaking about it. βVenom whore,β Mars drawls, as if reading my mind. He turns and leads the way back, Neptune just continues to haul me along. ββ¦Iβm not a whoreβ¦β I whisper, even though I want to be one, ββ¦Iβm not a venom whoreβ¦ Iβm not addictedβ¦β I mouth that to myself, even though I know I am. Was I turning into a mindless slut alreadyβ¦? Maybe thatβs why I wasnβt acknowledged. I start to panic. Maybe I was losing myself. What if their venom wasnβt just addictive but brain numbing. I couldnβt even think about anything but sex. I hold onto that one logical thought that might help me through this. These handsome bastards were turning me into a breeding bitch, and it was easy for them. If I let that happen without questioning the end, sure, Iβd get my pleasure for freeβ¦ but if I just surrendered to their arrogance β Iβd lose my standing and my respect so quickly. I had to find a balance between Empress and giving into my growing, compounding needs for them. That was my next goal then. How not to lose my damn mind. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 14 βΏβββ’β¦ Back on Dark Ninth, the Kors show me to my guest chamber β which would soon be permanent rather than temporary. Any dust and harmful bacteria had been exterminated with, ironically, a cleaning device from Earth called a Vac, just because we specialised in weird gadgets like that back at home which were often popular all throughout the habitable planets full of subspecies. Around me the dark and veiny prison stone of the room is accentuated by the green luminescent moss. The luminescence which I now recognise as soul-stuff. The soul remnants of the species before me. The Fey of Dark Ninthβ¦ as littered glitter all around me. Yikes. The room is sparse, with a purple bed β and an adjoining bathroom. There is a desk and a small library. There is also a small window, which I have to stand on top of the desk to see out of, to get a view of the outside nature. The bed itself is soft, fluffy and perfect. At least something wasnβt old or reminding me of bones. I end up sitting in the middle of it, as I watch Jupiter pace by the front of the guest room on the inner balcony β there are no doors to any rooms so I just watch him move leftβ¦ to rightβ¦ back againβ¦ back againβ¦ againβ¦ again. I start to glare because Jupiter looks a little annoyed, especially when he glances in to look at me. Eventually, after awhile of requesting time to myself in my own space, I give up on privacy and call out to Jupiter as he patrols. βWhy do you look so angry for?β I call out and Jupiter stops sneering to come to a halt in his pacing, looking in at me slowly. βAre you going to just sit and think all day?β Jupiter inquires. βWhen we all got back, Mercury mentioned ransom again,β I say, βIt scared me. That Iβll be a target of intergalactic criminal syndicates. So sorry if I wanted to think about that threat. What else am I going to do anyway, I donβt have a job besidesβ¦ baking the bun,β I sigh as I slap my hand to my stomach, βIβm literally a breeding vessel, Jupiter. I might be an empressβ¦ but damnβ¦ itβs a pretty boring job.β I had stripped naked and adorned a brand new Plume, a green silky skirt around a chain around my waist β but no Krown, I didnβt want that collar choking me, even if it complimented the bottom. So, Iβm straight up, tits out again, but hell, why not β there was no population to hide from on Dark Ninth. Jupiter doesnβt enter my room, itβs as if he wonβt unless invited. Itβs a silly thought to me, until I see him glaring spontaneously at the line around the stones which mark the entry point to my guest chamber. So, there may be no door, just a boundary, and as he leans against the arch, I do wonder if he canβt enter unless I formally invite him in. ββ¦itβs not that simpleβ¦β Jupiter grumbles to himself, while glaring at that line. βCome in?β I try not to laugh, especially when Jupiter sighs darkly and somewhat demonically for no reason before he steps forward β raising his head and his silver eyes, βWhat are you, a vampire that needs permission to cross the threshold of my house? If you can call it a house?β I try to joke. βI wouldnβt intrude unless invited to intrude, Empress Diana,β Jupiter growls back at me, immediately beginning to panic-stalk the room now, but not coming near me. Why is he so anxious to expel his pent up energy for? Couldnβt he relax? For a moment anyway, I am slightly taken aback by the Empress title being used for the first time. I stare with what feels like a stupendous amount of exasperation again as Jupiter now walks to one end and then the other end of my chamber, pacing fast, hands behind his back as he glares at every corner. βAre you paranoid Iβm being watched or something?β I ask. βI was placed on watch duty,β Jupiter growls out, βThe others are at work. Securing our investments and reputation in the IAβ¦ Iβm the best with growing our numbers. But here I am, looking after a female.β Argh! Why the hate?! I try to shake off his snarky tone. What did he say? Reputation in the IA? Ah, the IA was the Intergalactic Alliance and the IIA was Earthβs Intergalactic Intelligence Agency, sometimes I get them confused, but I quickly reason these ancient aliens have a lot of housework to do around the universe, no doubt they made quite the footprint on reality. Making it to the Universal Board was the most prestigious level of authorisation in the universe. Most people could never expect to even dream of making it that far. I mean, most souls died. Subspecies who lived forever often had the same negative attribute, and that was the sucking of life force from anotherβ¦ the price was heavy, but their egos werenβt exactly all about philanthropy, compassion, or sympathy. Of course, the Kors would only care about one thing. And one thing only. Power. Every kind of power. So that is why Jupiter looks pretty annoyed he has been assigned to watch me. I guess he had better things to attend too. Pssh. βPlease stop pacing,β I murmur at him, βThis female is rather annoyed. Youβre irritating me.β Jupiter stops pacing again, slowly turns to face me and just looks at me. His eyes swirl, his rage is simmering. βWhat do you want?β he asks me, cold. βYou know nothing about humans β I assume Mars and Terra are the ones heavily invested in Earthβ¦ am I right?β I ask, slowly getting off the bed and standing. After what Iβve voiced, I see Jupiterβs brow twitch up as if Iβve hit on something without having being told, I just work it out, ββ¦I know youβre ancient, I donβt know how ancientβ¦β I add, βDid the Kors create the solar system?β Jupiter tries too hard to appear relaxed. He wonβt blink but I notice his jaw clench and quickly unclench, βIs that why you have Jupiter in your spaceβ¦ that orb. You protect it.β βThere are some things which are female businessβ¦ and some things which are male businessβ¦ and some things which are Kor business,β Jupiter growls, lower and lower, βDo not inquire of it again. There is a reason we are an exclusive group.β βUntil now,β I add. βYeah. Why not,β Jupiter murmurs, looking me over casually as I approach him. My heart is racing, approaching a seven-foot silver alien with his teeth so ready to tear in β I wonder if pissing them off will one day be the end of me? Were they akin to abuse their power? To lose themselves to a pent up rage? They murdered a whole planet. Or consumed a whole species. Was that murder if they were just very, very hungry? Who was I kidding. Feeling slightly freaked out by my spiralling thoughts, I stand a few feet from Jupiter and look over his magnificent body, sculpted just like a godβ¦ except theyβre just ancient aliensβ¦ likely their memories are so vast, that is the reason they are exclusiveβ¦ it has nothing to do with being maleβ¦ however much that might be used to separate usβ¦ my sexual features were still valuable, they couldnβt breed without me. And they couldnβt feel the best pleasure without me. So, check mate? I hope, at least, that somehow being female is worthy to them in more ways that I just havenβt found out yet. Learning about a species who sucked the life out of other souls, particularly feminine souls, was a constant process of prying and backing out. One day Iβd understand. βJupiter,β I breathe his name slowly, ββ¦I donβt mean to offend youβ¦ I wish to learnβ¦ what can you teach me? Aside fromβ¦ sexual release,β I quickly interject, keeping my hand on my stomach β it was a natural instinct, I couldnβt stop it. βI wouldnβt fuck you without the others watching anyway,β Jupiter dismisses that little detail and steps toward me suddenly, turning, arm outstretched as he puts his hand on the small of my back, ββ¦shall we go for a walk into Dark Ninthβ¦ and I can teach you how to read this planet and understand what certain things mean. Like the three moons. Our tides. Our light. The fact that no animals beside us roam, beside Elions that occasionally drop down and dare to explore our paradiseβ¦ this prison is our base but this planet is our homeβ¦ the whole thing,β Jupiter sounds very proud on that last statement, as he ushers me along, and I walk with him, ββ¦do you have any questionsβ¦β he asks, suddenly, as if wanting to know what I might want. βCan you teach me how to fight?β I ask, βIβd love to learn about Dark Ninthβ¦ but Iβd also love to learn how to blend in, like Kors doβ¦ how to hideβ¦ if I need tooβ¦ from Elionsβ¦ criminalsβ¦ Tcnoβ¦ perhaps other potential threats,β as I word that carefully, Iβm surprised to see Jupiter nod and accept. “Come on, then, Diana,” Jupiter agrees, βIβll teach you… but please donβt βzone outβ, I hate that,β he growls that in at the end, βYou either learn or you donβt β but donβt get lazy on me.β βYou really think so little of female kind β?β I ask, trying not to laugh, trying not to panic. βI think so little of anyone other than Kor,β Jupiter corrects me. βIβm not sure if equal levels of distaste of all others is any better than a targeted dislike,β I whisper, βYour nature is veryβ¦ very difficult.β βCompetitive, Diana,β Jupiter actually smiles, turning to me, he leans down to whisper in my ear, ββ¦you have no idea what weβre capable of.β I donβt think much of that, until we walk outside and his gaze flies upward. I follow Jupiterβs eyes. Before I can even focus on the sky, everything around us burns with light. Everything turns white. For a split second I feel like Iβm on fire, then the feeling goes. Then itβs dark again. My skin sparkles even brighter. Added luminescence? From where?! Itβs like it was singed into my DNA. More soul-stuff. I blink and rub my eyes, as I focus on Jupiterβs upward gaze. I donβt expect anything of significance to happen β until one of the stars in the sky explodes in real time, in a brilliant array of dust, shooting out gases, particles of glitter β forming a ring, then a nebula. The whole thing happens so fast, sped up with magic, but it takes a moment for me to process Jupiterβs smirk. ββ¦that was easy,β he drawls to himself, ushering me forward again. I stumble and look straight ahead, staring hard at the low-lying nature beyond. Jupiter justβ¦ he justβ¦ he killed a neighbouring star. Just by looking at it. ββ¦howβ¦ oldβ¦ are youβ¦?β I ask, not even looking at him, and not expecting an answer. Jupiter seems to be in a sadistic mood, telling me with pleasure, βOlder than this universe, you baby.β What the actualβ¦ β¦so Dark Ninth is no longer just a graveyard. Itβs not even the Korsβ birthplace. Dark Ninth was hijacked. And if the nine Kors who wanted to mate with me, were older than the big bangβ¦ well fuck, they really were Gods. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 15 βΏβββ’β¦ Jupiter and I walk along a well marked trail into Dark Ninth nature as he starts lecturing me with pride, βThe three moons are our mothers, they give us our light, it is completely artificialβ¦β Jupiter explains, βDark Ninth is a gift from our fathers. This whole planet is the gift. The tides are equalised by the three moons. This location doesnβt appear on any map, itβs hidden by our moons.β βHow did the Intergalactic Intelligence Agency get here then?β I wonder. βExactly, how? Thatβs why the others are having discussions on your home planet right now,β Jupiter explains, his eyes slits as he thinks about it, βTheyβll destroy all records in their files. All they need to do is threaten to pull their funding from Our Tcno.β βOh, well thatβs simple and smartβ¦ humans do love their money,β I laugh awkwardly, and I change subjects, βAnd why are there no animals aside from visiting Elions?β I ask. βThis planet never harboured animals. The planet and the moons, all four were ancient Elion weapons β Dark Ninth belonged to Elions, they were slaughtered by our fathers. The Fey were then put here by our fathers, their favoured female species in the universe. Our mothers are the original Fey. Our mothers are dead.β βWhereβs your fathers?β I ask. βBusy,β Jupiter grumbles, eyes turning from sharp and focused ahead on the trail we follow, to softening slightly as he turns to look at me by his side, slowly relaxing with my presence, βYou need to understand some basic details about your skin. You can blend in with nature β to hide from threats if for some reason, youβre scaredβ¦ but I assure you, weβll always keep watch with you, Diana. Iβll teach you how to blend in soon. As for fighting, you are advised to hide first, and if confronted, with no other option, we will arm you.β Now that sounds exciting. βArm me?β I whisper, feeling a tingle of excitement which is tinged with the danger of a Kor weapon. Neptune had electric arrows, small lightning bolts, it was fascinating. Imagine what weapon they could give me? βLater,β Jupiter smiles and laughs a bit, looking at me sideways and slowing down, βNow,β he reaches out and touches me for the first time since we were left alone on Dark Ninth. There was something oddly romantic about being the only two people on a planet. I stop with his hand resting on my shoulder and I turn to face him, as he also turns to me, βIβll close my eyes for thirty seconds, Empress, and you try and camouflage around me.β βAny tips?β I ask, as he closes his eyes. βNo,β Jupiter remains serious, βItβs a learned skill. Iβm counting.β I back up from his hand, my heart now racing in excitement. So, I could really turn invisible too?! How come no one told me until now! I spin and I run into the vegetation, my mind racing as I look down at my skin. How to turn on that special Fey feature, shared with the Kors? Hmmmm. I choose a light green bush, squatting down under the overarching branches, I swat them aside and I sit down at the base of the plant and try grabbing the leaves in my hand. I focus on staring at my pale skin, glowing a light green like the plume around my waist. I try to imagine myself turning invisible. Of course, I donβt expect this to come easy β but as I focus on the leaves and my hand clenching the soft material, I watch as my skin ripples. Itβs almost hypnotising to see my colour change. The ripples cover my skin, attempting to blend in with whatβs around me. Itβs very hard to focus it. I realise Iβm not breathing steady, so I close my eyes for a second and exhale all my breath, to begin again, inhaling slowly through my nose β and exhaling out of my mouth. Five seconds each time. Focusing, I open my eyes and I see the ripples have faded, Iβm slowly melting into nature. Iβm halfway there, yes, but no, I am not invisible. I havenβt run far, Jupiter didnβt give me much time to go, I guess to ensure a sense of panic and urgency, to encourage the ability. Too bad for us both, I guess, that I wasnβt scared of him anymore. I rather felt warm in his presence, safe and protected. I look up to see where I left Jupiter, where he had last stood β and I must have glanced up at the end of the thirty seconds, because I see him standing there β and then I see him turn invisible. As it happens, the ground pulses out, the luminescence ripples along the ground, toward me. As it reaches my location, I feel it tickle. It sends a shiver up my spine and I know he has somehow located me with this weird radar he sent out. I am grinning as I canβt see him, but I do expect him. It is that playful expectation, that has me bursting out laughing and screaming in delight when he reaches into my hiding spot, his hands hauling me out a moment later. Iβm lifted up high above the invisible Kor. I canβt see him, but he does just hold me above, my legs flailing, until one of my feet touches his shouldersβ¦ and I stop laughing to bite my lip, as I realise my legs are split apart and my plume had swung over one thigh, opening me up for his invisible eyes. βJupiter,β I whisper his name, to the air, not sure where to look, but knowing he can see the want in my eyes. He lowers me and I place my other foot on his other shoulder. Without seeing him, but still holding me up β Jupiter licks right through my pussy, over my clit, and I feel my pussy juices concentrate as he starts to eat me out mid-air. I grab onto his head and his hair, and as he licks his tongue against me, I blush and watch as his camouflage ripples away and I can see his eyes holding mine, as he enjoys my taste. I purse my lips to keep in a full-blown moan at what his tongue is doing to me. Jupiter focuses on my clit, rolling it around and around β itβs so sensitive, I yelp out when he does it again. Grinning into my legs, Jupiter playfully chuckles as my knees buckle but my feet stay on his shoulders. Jupiter throws me up suddenly and I somehow manage to stand on his shoulders, balancing perfectly with my arms out. Breathing a little fragile from his clit-teasing, I look down as he compliments me. βYouβre showing good reflexes, youβre getting used to your new body,β Jupiter speaks with pride, looking up as I jump down from his shoulders to the dirt. I stand back up and Jupiter already steps into me, up at my back, his arm wrapping around me, his hand sliding over to clench and knead my left breast possessively but also gently. Jupiterβs other hand slides down my stomach, brushing aside my plume to cup my pussy with his hand, teasing me with his finger directly on my clit. He starts to rub it directly in circles again, and he knows exactly how much pressure to apply, to make it feel like pure torture. I step back into Jupiterβs hot front, my hands clawing into his arms, using his torso as support as he keeps circling my clit with no end to his teasing. I look up at him, begging, βPlease, stop that, itβs driving me crazy.β Jupiter doesnβt smile, although he looks pleasantly surprised by how I squirm and claw into him, βItβs too sensitive for thatβ¦s-stop,β I try squeezing my legs together but he lifts me up by the pussy β with one hand, so my legs kick out, and two of his fingers slip into me. At least my clit is left alone β but now two of his fingers are rubbing over my g-spot over and over and over. He lowers his arm from below my breasts, to my waist, to tighten around me as he hauls me up higher, turning and walking us back to the prison β while he keeps fingering me like this. βNone of this which I now hold belongs to you anymore, Empress, youβre my whore,β Jupiter ends the lecture on that note, βYou best get used to this kind of handling. I like you.β βYou liar. Y-you s-said you wouldnβtβ¦ f-fuck me without the others watching,β I interject. βI never said I wouldnβt play with my pussy,β Jupiter stops fingering me, and starts to circle my clit again. God, he already wanted to call it his?! It was mine! But fuck, fuck, fuck, I am going to climax any second β I kick my legs out in some kind of protest. It wasnβt that I didnβt want that feeling β itβs that I knew the moment I came, it would feel like flying, my sensitivity would skyrocketβ¦ and heβd keep playing with me, just to hear me scream, cry or pass out from the pleasure. Jupiter was cruel like that, I could sense his intention was to torture me like this. He wouldnβt take things to half-measure. βPlease,β I whimper out, terrified, still clawing at him as he walks, and his circling of my clit slows down β no more circles, now heβs rubbing it softly, oh, so, softly, I can barely feel him touching me β it somehow sends me over the edge, I cum hard, βAh, e ββ I squeak out as I orgasm from Jupiterβs touch, and he does exactly what I thought he would β he starts circling my clit harder as my pussy is leaking and squeezing nothing, over and over. Jupiter lifts me up a bit higher, and I feel his cock rest at my pussy entrance, getting covered in cream just from being under it. βI want to fuck your tight little ass, as hard as I want,β Jupiter drawls the promise in my ear, his teeth scraping under my ear, moving higher until his tongue is licking into my ear β as his cock presses against my ass. No, NO! With real panic, I somehow use his thigh in one of his paces forward, as leverage for my foot β to kick myself up. I fly out of his hold, right up, my body moves with such power, like a spring. I end up standing on his shoulders again. Jupiter was surprised. Not as surprised as me. But still, Iβm scared to get fucked in the ass with him only and no other Kors to pull him away. Jupiter was too much. I jump off his shoulders and I run from him. As I run into nature, off the trail, two things provide me with an advantage. Jupiterβs initial shock, which gave him pause. And my skin. As I run, it fully turns transparent. I did it. Iβm invisible! |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 16 βΏβββ’β¦ I run through the low brush, away from Jupiter, completely invisible – and totally exhilarated by the power in my new Fey body. Not only had I out manoeuvred Jupiter so far, my speed and power had confirmed that I didnβt just have Enhanced Instincts. My body was enhanced and my special abilities were expanding to cope with Kor company. And now I am flying with the speed Iβve gained under my feet. I sprint effortlessly down a lightly trodden path, and when I turn to see if Jupiter is pursuing me, I get a quick surprise. As I turn my head to scan the landscape of Dark Ninth behind me β my front crashes into Jupiter! Iβm caught, swung around and brought to a stop. Of course the giant alien had to outrun me! Jupiter doesnβt hold me for long though, he unhands me after he has stopped me escaping, all to grin and cross his arms over his chest as he looks over my fluttering skin. My invisibility is still pulsing through me but only in flutters, providing me with a semi-camouflage while he looks at me sideways. βGoing somewhere, little one?β Jupiter asks, βWatch duty also means watching out for any of your escape attempts.β βYouβre the one threatening to tease me until I go insane,β I say, βAnd saying you want to butt fuck me ββ βYes, Iβd love to fuck your ass,β Jupiter drawls, βBut even I know you havenβt received obedience training. So I wonβt hound you too hard for running.β βObedience training?!β I hiss, focusing on those two words. βCome here, get on your knees, and suck my cockβ¦ down your throatβ¦ weβll start there, shall we, pretty whore?β Jupiter sounds pleased to offer this, until I rebel again, but with new intel. βNeptune and I started that training on Planet Mercy, but nothing came of it when Mars interrupted Neptune pushing his cock down my throat,β I also add, βSo Iβm down two Kor cocks on tasting trials, Iβve now tasted E and Neptune, so yours wonβt be my first experience, it wonβt be a start, is what I mean,β Jupiterβs brow twitches, as does his frown, βWhat? Are you jealous you didnβt know about Neptune?β I ask, laughing, trying to rub it in with what little experience I have, βIβm just stating a fact so you donβt think youβre intent on teaching me something that I think Iβm rather good at already. And I donβt think I want to pleasure you without the others close anyway. Youβre a little bigβ¦ and no one will be able to stop you if Iβm choking and dying.β βIβm not an imbecile, little human, I know how to be gentle,β Jupiter sneers, ignoring all the rest. βOh, really?β I mock him. βCareful, Empress, arrogance doesnβt suit you. E and Mars praise you for your submissive nature. So, whatβs with your attitude with me then, brat?β Jupiter is unimpressed. βYouβre rather short tempered, Iβm rather chilled out. Weβre not very compatible, you annoy me.β βYou annoy me,β Jupiter murmurs, his eyes slanted, βLetβs go back.β βNo,β my invisibility flutters from off and on, to just on, βI donβt want to go back inside that prison yet, I like it out here.β βWeβll return together, or youβll wander alone, and Iβll activate our Kor traps,β Jupiter slowly smirks when he hears my confused halt in my breathing, βDark Ninth is littered with our hunting holes, trip wires and other nasty things. Iβm happy to delight you with a horror-show if youβre so hell bent on being a disrespectful female. Return with me, Diana. Do as youβre advised,β I look away from him, toward freedom, but I exhale a large breath and I eventually turn back to Jupiter, looking down as I nod submissively, βGood,β Jupiter growls, still annoyed, βWhen we return, you can restβ¦β he is speaking to himself, because now I turn and I run away again, intent on escaping from his watch. I want to challenge myself to evade a Kor. However, the moment I run, Jupiter notices and he snarls after me, βDiana! You fool.β I donβt know what he means, until I see his pulsing radar push out over the field β and it lights up certain areas of interest. These locations pulse once, sparsely laid out over nature. One is right in front of me. A rope snaps up as I run. A simple trip wire, but before me something horrible happens. As I tumble face first and downward, the ground opens up, dirt falls away off the grated and ancient doors β and below, a pit opens up underneath. Metal spikes await me. Lucky for me, Iβve somehow managed to grasp one finger into the grate doors that have fallen through, so I hang from them, looking down at the deep death trap. My one finger is slipping through the grate. I panic as I reach up my other hand, but my whole body slips and falls through the air instead. I was too slow! I scream. And for some reason I scream a single name. βMARS!β I truly believe Iβll be skewered and dead in under a second β when my scream for help is answered. The universe folds in around me, and folds back out. I feel like a whole soul connected to secret dimensions, pulled me in and spat me back out again. Because I literally end up spat out β onto a large conference table, back on Earth. Our Tcno. I recognise home immediately, because of the important officials sitting around this conference table, which is being filmed live. The President of Our Tcno was making a speech. The whole table was in focus with the top officials, military and otherwise. Including top advisors. Like Mars. And Terra. Iβve landed with a scream, my heart racing, as I see the camera on the ceiling roll down to focus on my bare tits, freaked out eyes and open mouth. Mars is right next to me, he had been seated at the table, but these two seconds of landing in Earth feel like an eternity as the red light of the camera, stays focused on me. A moment later, my open, trembling hand β is encased by a much larger, hotter and stronger palm. Marsβ fingers wrap around my hand, they hold me tight as he stands up over me, looking down at me with concern, but unable to say much. He pulls me off the table, sliding me toward him. I get up with shaky knees. With a hand on my waist, Mars pulls me aside. Security in the room have moved forward. βThereβs no threat here,β Mars murmurs to them, and they stop to look at the President. βInconclusive,β President Barth murmurs what his connection to Our Tcno advises him to do. Any inconclusive result will mean a Dark response is needed. The President still had extraordinary power when his will was invoked. He would decide what would happen for such a shameless, sudden interruption of his speech. I could be punished severely, even as a Dark Nine and technically a Fey. I press my front to Marsβ chest, hiding my chest, as his hand smooths over my hair. βThere was an emergency,β Mars explains carefully to Barth, and to every other shocked official in the room, βHer life was in danger. I had to save her from a fall. Accidental.β I hear how Mars chooses his words so carefully. He knows all of this is going to broadcast around the Intergalactic Alliance soon. All subspecies loved some juicy drama. βWeβll respond to this matter now, for the moment, letβs end this speech,β Barth sounds polite and focused, but I see in his eyes, he is truly furious. He had always been a passionate politician. I used to admire him since Earth was his number one preoccupation, above all else, he considered our protection and defence most important. Right now, that passion makes me feel under threat. Mars keeps me off to the side of the room, as everyone keeps their distance but sends me glares of shock and horror at my entry. I did not mean to disrespect anyone, but I can see why people might twist this into some form of prank or attempt to humiliate Earthβs top names. I continue to hold myself to Mars, as he leans down to murmur in my ear, βThey canβt do anything, Diana.β I whisper back into his ear, βYes. They can.β βShh,β Mars doesnβt want to say too much. I hold onto him, tightly, with both arms. When a few minutes have passed, the cameras have all been shut off and most people have filtered out of the room, until only a handful remain. President Barth stays back, talking to Terra quietly. ββ¦weβre terribly sorry, Mr. President,β Terra drawls, even though the Kors are more powerful, they choose to show respect, βHow can we repay you?β βI need to think about it,β President Barth motions to one of his other advisors, βWho is this girl? I want to know.β βWe donβt want to waste anymore of your time,β Terra tries to intervene, but a top IIA official approaches with the information. Itβs shared to Barthβs holographic wristwatch. He reads through everything and absorbs it in seconds. ββ¦this is the girlβ¦β Barth whispers to others, not Terra, βThe one thatβ¦?β I canβt hear everything. I hold Mars even tighter. His hand cups the back of my head and I look up to see his face, to see if he is confident or worried. Mars looks right at me but I canβt read his emotion. He is playing a character, and is closed off from showing too much more. βAmbassador Mars, may we talk to the girl?β the President calls out. Mars kisses me on the top of my head, whispering words only for me, βDonβt say much and itβll be okay.β I take my arms from him and cross them over my chest. Mars helps me by putting his coat over my shoulders to hide me from all the other stares, as I walk up to the President with my eyes down. He holds out his hand, and I poke mine out of the coat to shake his hand. βPleasure to meet you, sir,β I whisper. βDiana, you seem to be an experiment,β President Barth doesnβt let go of my hand, until I raise my eyes to his, and then he lets my hand go, but I am guessing he expects eye contact throughout this discussion, βThe first regeneration of an extinct species,β Barth smiles a little, and scoffs a little, βQuite illegal, in fact. Are you aware of this?β βItβsβ¦ not a problem, Mr. President,β I answer, carefully, βItβs only me.β I feel a heat at my back and I know Mars has approached, standing behind me, overshadowing me as protection. βThatβs how all things beginβ¦ youβre a Dark Nine tooβ¦ a few things about you, miss, are quite out of form,β the President doesnβt seem to be trying to insult me, rather, he is trying to work me out, am I a threat, an embarrassment, or a non-issue for Earthβs reputation. I gulp down my nerves as he quietly says to Mars now, βItβs a funny thing, matingβ¦ it represents all our best and worst attributes, no matter the subspecies,β the President waits for Mars to make some kind of comment. βWe apologise for the interruption and the uncomfortable fact that our woman has more authority than you, President Barth,β Mars is downright cruel when he wants to be, and even now, he talks down to Barth with expert precision, βOur Empress is our mate, Diana is therefore a Galactic Queen, not a planetary authority figure. While her face has been rather unknown before now, perhaps we can make this less awkward and go home before I have to humble you further.β βAll guests on our planets in the alliance, must adhere to certain protocols, regardless, or it can be seen as hostile,β President Barth loses all comfortability, and goes straight on the attack. Even Terra, who stands to the side of all this, shoots Mars a knowing look. Shit. This was going to escalate. I step away from Mars and toward Barth. I even let the coat slide off my shoulders. With my tits bare, the President is immediately distracted from thoughts of war and hostility, βMy entry was awful, but I meant to come to you soon anyway,β I explain, gently, βI hope to welcome a delegation from Earth, to Dark Ninth, to perhaps offer a deeper alliance. If my experimentation is a success, as you can see it is, perhaps humans with a desire to depart our solar system, could find a home on Dark Ninth,β I say any bullshit that comes to mind, βMull it over. I am a Dark Nine and now Fey, but I am human in spirit. I love Earth. I am here as help. As help for humanity. I have great respect for you, Mr. President, and great respect for the human race.β I step back as the President has a lot to consider. I keep my chin high, his intelligent eyes swing, eventually, from my tits, to my eyeballs, to his advisors. A silence of deafening proportion comes from my two Kors β as excited whispers start from Earthβs top officials. Terra omits clear anger, he doesnβt even look like he is breathing. Mars is cold. I turn to Mars, looking right up to his eyes. He smiles, but itβs empty. He takes my hand and leads me from the room, to the next. Terra follows. We donβt stop and we donβt talk until we reach their guest room. Itβs a small room with a bed and a kitchenette. I sit on the edge of the hotel bed, looking awfully guilty. Mars pours himself a glass of water. Terra leans on the wall, hands in pockets. βDid I fuck up?β I ask them, βBadly? I didnβt know what to say. But I didnβt want war. I felt so stupid.β βI thought it was obvious, we lead, you obey us, but back there, you held yourself above us, quite far above,β Mars explains, coolly, showing no emotion, but I know heβs angry. He looks to Terra for comment. βThis is my planet, Diana,β Terra tells me, βYouβ¦ stepped out of lineβ¦β Mars laughs loudly, almost spitting his third cup of water he just had, back out. Mars growls deeply to himself, cleans his chin with a towel and drinks more water. Terra chuckles, leaning his head back, βFuck. Wow. How do we punish this behaviour?β Mars chuckles with Terra, putting the glass into the sink. He turns from the kitchenette to see me squeezing my thighs together, holding my knees and biting my lip. My throat is dry with fear. Fuck, fuck, fuck. βWe play it off,β Mars explains, βBury it, so no deal is made, as there will be no deal with Dark Ninth β our Fatherβs planet, gifted to us, that you just tried to deal away,β Mars points at me, and turns away back to Terra, βOne female laterβ¦β Terra starts laughing again, but louder. So does Mars. They seem quite hysterical for men. I blush a bit, and I donβt have the energy to argue. To be honest, Iβm embarrassed by what I said and Iβm worried I sounded like a total idiot. But I also, almost, died β at Jupiterβs hand. So just as I was finding my place with the Kors, I felt utterly lost again. I stand up from the bed and I shuffle my way into the bathroom to wash my face. I use a handtowel. I look at myself and I see my skin is translucent, greenish, my blonde hair looks healthier, and longer already. I look okay, honestly, I donβt look as scared as I thought I might. Hopefully the President saw strength in me too. I purse my lips and I turn around as Mars appears in the doorway, shaking his head, saying, βItβs okay, Diana,β he seems to dismiss it all, now. I hold my hands together in front of me, as I remain quiet. Mars looks okay, no longer angry, as he steps forward and places one of his hands on my cheek, so I can lean my face into his palm. I look up at Mars, I donβt mind him standing over me, I find it protective to be in his shadow, βYou had him spell bound with your tits,β Mars murmurs, βGood move,β I manage to hiccup on a little laugh, and his eyes devour mine with appreciation, βNever do that again.β I shake my head, βI wonβt,β I whisper, βI was scared.β βSo was I,β Mars admits, βJupiter almost fucking killed you,β he growls that low, βWhat happened?β βI was being aβ¦ I wasβ¦ I donβt know, I was just having fun and he scared me, he warned heβd turn on traps if I ran, butβ¦ I had no idea Dark Ninth had death traps everywhere,β I add, βAnd I donβt know why Jupiter turned them on if they are so dangerous to begin with.β βHe called your bluff,β Mars growls low, seeming unimpressed I didnβt surrender earlier, or maybe just angry at Jupiter for being so reckless all because of his ego, βItβs a long time ago now since we even thought of them, we deactivated them destinies ago,β Mars explains, ββ¦besides, you called to me.β βYes. So, youβre not angry anymore?β I ask, raising a brow, βIβm sorry, I am.β βCalling to me tells me the baby in you is mine,β Mars smiles with pride, βYouβre all mine.β βYeah,β I agree, βI think I am. No punishment then?β I squeak that out, smiling with gritted teeth. Mars furrows his sexy brows and his sexy mouth canβt contain a frown. Before it turns into a little evil smirk. And he looks at me and chuckles a bit, he even slowly licks over his teeth and looks at himself in the mirror. He doesnβt answer me then. I cross my arms over my tits and I try to look angry that he just ignores that question. Until he doesnβt. βWhen we go home,β Mars drawls, βWeβll all take a bite of you.β βThereβs not enough of me for everyone to nibble at,β I growl the obvious. Mars raises a hand and holds my neck, his thumb right over my pulse. βYour blood, thereβs enough,β Mars explains, quite soothingly and relaxed. βWhat?β I ask, βNo way.β Mars is drooling, his teeth are covered in venom, as his eyes focus on my neck. ββ¦and one female laterβ¦β Mars repeats himself from before, βYouβre treading through deep water, Diana. Careful.β βDonβt threaten meβ¦ when you couldβ¦β I murmur and feel breathless, Iβm a little flustered as I get another idea, ββ¦when you could fuck me instead,β I ask it, no, I demand it, a bit too aggressively perhaps, βMars.β I try to reach up and kiss him but he continues to hold my neck firmly, keeping me away and down from him as his eyes scan over my expression of defiance and desire rolled into one. βIβll fuck you when I want to fuck you,β Mars replies, ice cold. He lets me go and turns from me, walking back out of the bathroom. Argh. I lick over my own teeth this time. I donβt feel threatened. No. I feel excited. And Iβm not sure why, I just do. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 17 βΏβββ’β¦ When we all return to Dark Ninth, Iβm too awake to sleep, so I decide to just take this prison as my home now, no more peeping around with fear. I just take control. I do remain a bit cheeky, though, by reading through documents from Eβs laboratory, just not in view of him. Using my new power of invisibility, Iβve stolen β um, I mean borrowed β a book on Dark Ninth and gone to my desk to read through the history of this great planet. I am busy for hours, to the point no Kor bothers me as I read privately at my desk. Dark Ninth is fascinating in every way. Itβs a work of art. Dark Ninth is an engineering masterpiece. Not only is it an ancient Elion weapon of mass destruction, it is habitable for any species because it can be tweaked to house any species at all. In simple terms, this planet is a sanctuary. This planet could literally serve to save endangered species, before they go extinct. Of course, my brain goes to the predators of Earth, though they were bred for captivity, one infamous predator was always too wild, always hunted and always endangered. It was a miracle they hadnβt gone extinct yet. My favourite big cat β the tiger! Everything else had been domesticated. I could put tigers on Dark Ninth! I slam the book shut and I run down to Venusβ laboratory. He is at the back of the main lab, looking through some kind of microscope. It looks like he has been slowly cleaning the area up for research once again. I boldly walk up and tap his shoulder twice. βHey! I want to engineer Dark Ninth for tigers β big cats!β I tell him as he isnβt even looking back at me yet, βIβve been reading. All your notes, E. You worked out how to work with the engineering, the Elion technology, thatβs what youβve been studying for destinies, isnβt it?!β his silence is something I consider positive, because he could have flat out said no β and he didnβt. E finally turns to me, swivelling around on his stool, βWhy?β he asks, raising a brow. βThe planet is a sanctuary, a place to save ββ βItβs a sanctuary now, is it?β E asks, smiling so handsome, he seems glad Iβve come to visit him down here, ββ¦you care more about animals than humans and subspecies?β βNo,β I snap, βI just have a fondness for animals. And you know that. You studied me too.β βTalk to Pluto, he loves animals,β E drawls patiently, βIβm sure heβd love to discuss this idea with you.β Venus might be half-fobbing me off, but at least he didnβt deny the idea completely. βWhatβs his nickname again?β I ask. βLouie, or Lu,β he murmurs while looking at my mouth. βButβ¦ you can do it, right?β I know Iβm pushing him a bit. E raises a brow and says nothing, although he looks pleasant. I assume thatβs an earthly equivalent of a snarky of course. While he is still on his seat and right there in front of me, I dart in for a kiss. I kiss the side of his mouth really quickly and move back, my little thanks to E for hearing me out. Venus immediately blushes and I turn and run out of the lab. The question was whether E wanted to do it or not, I just hoped he would think how on Ninth it would be a bad thing to have tigers here! Tigers were awesome. Iβm sure the Kors would agree. For now, Iβd find Pluto on Eβs advice. Pluto was the most mysterious Kor to me. I knew nothing about him, so it seems like a good opportunity to talk to him. I peek in at Saturn in his planetarium, which is what I decided to call all their designated rooms up above on the top level. They were for each Kor exclusively and their planet at the centre of each. Therefore, planetarium kind of made sense to me. Saturn is walking around his orb when he sees me standing at the entrance. He looks pleased Iβve come to visit him. βDo you know where Pluto is?β I ask. βPluto is on watch duty,β Saturn explains, βJust started β heβll be looking for you ββ I turn around and run to the edge of the balcony, looking down to see him waiting at my room, after hearing my voice he turns around and looks up at me on the higher balcony. I wave down to him. Below on the ground level where the throne is at the top of the steep stairs, Mars reclines with glasses, reading through the Universal News on his Feed. Those devices were everywhere in the universe, keeping the alliance strong with the same information always at access. Mars looks up from reading the latest news to see me smiling down at him with gritted teeth. He immediately looks suspicious of me and my happiness as I hurriedly climb down an inclined wall covered with safe climbing vines, just to jump to Pluto with my idea. βCome inside,β I usher Pluto into my room, βI want to discuss something with you!β Pluto watches me enter my chambers and I run to sit on the plush purple bed. I sit cross legged and ask him to come closer by patting the spot next to me. Pluto wasnβt just quiet; he seemed the most gentle β and he had no brothers here. He was an only child. Pluto doesnβt sit on my bed, he stands at the bed post, looking down at me with those deep intelligent eyes. βYou need something from me?β Pluto speaks for the first time. I thought he might sound ethereal, like a fairy β but his voice is so deepβ¦ itβs very, very gruff and super sexy. Iβm taken aback! I can tell he hopes to share my bed with me. Wellβ¦ m-maybe later butβ¦ I blush as I take in his deep voice, while I try to keep my thoughts on track, βDo you like animals?β I ask. Pluto looks confused for a moment, but he does nod eventually, βDo you think we could make this planet a sanctuary for endangered species?β βIβve always wanted to do that, but itβs not in our interests to bring attention to this world,β Pluto explains, βYouβll have to ask Mars.β My smile becomes a frown, βWhy Mars?β βWe vote on everything but he makes the decisions regarding habitation,β Pluto explains. βIβll ask him later then,β I murmur, holding onto my ankles, as my eyes simultaneously run over Pluto, ββ¦youβre on watch duty for how many hours?β βTwelve,β Pluto explains, βHalf a Ninth.β βWhat shall we do?β I ask him, and he remains silent, while I dare ask quietly, βIs it in my rights toβ¦ to ask forβ¦ you knowβ¦β I look him over, ββ¦or is that like, off limits or something? For me to ask, I mean?β βYou can have whatever you want,β Pluto drawls, βWhat do you want from me, Diana?β βLie down,β I whisper, wondering if he will follow a simple instruction. Pluto motions to the bed and I nod, so he walks around the side and he lies down while watching me all the while. I swivel around on my butt and stay close to his side, without touching him. I chew on my bottom lip as I think about what I can ask him. I change subjects. Iβm curious of what heβll say when I talk about my fears. βDo you believe I will survive on Dark Ninth?β I ask him seriously and quietly, βWill I survive the Kors? You too? Will you let me live foreverβ¦ or is that all a lieβ¦ a lie youβve all told me togetherβ¦ all before you decide to chase me down β after equipping me with the skills to run and hide, after Iβve given birth of course, so itβs at least, entertaining for you all if I have knowledge on how to fight and run,β I say this quietly, with a bit of suddenness too, to draw out a real response. Part of me is amused by the places my fear takes me. It was ridiculous to think this attention from the Kors and all their promises were lies β all fake promises and empty words. But Pluto takes my words very, very seriously. He immediately sits up, his hand reaching for my throat, his endless, dark eyes, looking down at me from above since he is so much taller. His hand on my throat is large, squeezing around my pulse just slightly, to feel my heart beating. Iβm used to them going for my neck. I stare up at his mouth, so still and stern β his eyes cold and focused on me. βWho told you that?β he asks, curious. βNo one,β I whisper, gulping when the touch of his tightening hand on my neck, causes my blood to rush. βA Fey doesnβt have much intuition,β Pluto drawls over my lips, βIt seems to be a human trait.β βWhat does a Fey have?β I ask, his hand unmoving from my neck, his lips still just hovering above mine. βPragmatic and cold thoughts, they never believe in ideals or maybes,β Pluto sounds like he recounts a subject he is an expert in, βThey only believe in fact. They donβt hope for anything, they take what they can.β βIntuition is just a feeling, how could they have had no intuition,β I whisper, raising a brow. βYou get that from Terra, he made your species,β Pluto explains, ice cold in his factuality, βIt means you see beyond.β βNot too far. Itβs not like a special power. We see a little beyond, sure, and itβs just anticipation, trusting a feeling in your gut,β I shrug a shoulderβ¦ to be honest, Iβm over this conversationβ¦ I canβt stand Plutoβs sexy full Kor lips being this close to my mouth, his hand on my neck and us not touching furtherβ¦ βWill you kiss me, Lu?β I whisper desperately for more of his attention. βFirstβ¦ what made you think weβd only build you up to chase you down, Diana?β Pluto asks, drawing it out, βWe have only promised you the world and more. Anything you desire is yours.β βB-Becauseβ¦you could all and you can all lie to me, why would I know any better? Youβre all so smart and intelligent and handsomeβ¦ and Iβm just an Earth girl,β I explain, a little breathless as I keep breathing in his breath, spiced with the magic of the universe, βAnd even so. You can do whatever you want to me and Iβm powerless to stop your intentions. You could all kill me right now. You could all cage me and Iβd never escape. Instead, you Kors play because itβs fun to test different subjectsβ¦ itβs too easy to torture and killβ¦ far too easy. Better to play and mess around first. Right? Iβm justβ¦ a little girlβ¦ what can I do?β Pluto tilts his head to the side, and his eyes rise from my lips, to my eyes. He lowers that gaze immediately, however, coming in for a kiss. I seduced him. Yes. I pull back. βWait. Lie down,β I ask of him, pulling away from his lips. Plutoβs hand slides from my neck, and he hesitates but then lies back on the purple sheets. He is unsure of my intentions. I unclip the plume from my waist and I straddle his hips, sitting back on his thighs to look at his glorious cock, dark like the night sky. βSo, youβre going to betray me? All of you?β I ask, as I lift up my hips and grab his cock in my hand, to rub the tip of his cock across my pussy, βPluto,β I whisper, as I sit down on his shaft and Iβm plainly greedy about it. I sit down all the way, I make myself cry out as I see a bulge in my stomach. Simultaneously, he enlarges within me, and my pussy clenches so hard Iβm sure Iβm strangling his shaft with my extreme desire. Iβm trying to test my own parameters. And I feel like taking what they offer. Since itβs right there, all the time. Their offers of sex. We could have endless sex. I start to lift my hips and drop them, again and then again, carefully riding Pluto while closing my eyes and throwing my head back, biting my lip. This is easier than I imagined, aside from his huge size, the riding part is easy, and the pleasure is perfectly climbing as I control the pace. Every time I move back down, swallowing him up, back within, I feel like Iβm performing a dance of seduction. Even if there was a possibility that they all lied to me. Even if there was the tiniest chance of me being wrong about them. If they were more cunning and mean than my heart could recognise β perhaps I could sway their hearts and minds with sex like this. Pluto indeed falls victim to my feminine movements, his hands clasping my hips, as he leans up and starts to nibble at my hard nipples, sliding his hands under my ass to move me faster over his cock. I run my hands into his hair. I pant with my need to cum. βMm, Pluto, fuck me like aβ¦ aβ¦ ββ venom whore. I canβt say it. I can only warn him with a high pitched cry and a low moan as my body tightens and squirms over him, sucking him in so tight β needing to milk every bit of Kor seed out of his balls, into my womb. I cum so slow β itβs utter perfection, timed in sync with his thrusts, as he moves balls deep every time. Kor cock is beautiful. I love Kor cocks! I fuck him even harder, even as my thighs tremble and my core is on fire. I throw my head back and keep riding him, feeling like Iβve done this a thousand times β even though itβs my first time riding anyone. I feel like a goddess right now in this moment, especially with the best orgasm of my life still blooming through me. Only for our dance toβ¦ to slow down. Plutoβs fingers, clenching my ass and hips, take me with easy Kor strength and power, as he steadies me to a stop over his cock, while itβs buried deep inside me, and Iβve forgotten to open my eyes. All I know is my heart is beating a million miles a minute and my neck is throbbing β now screaming with sensitivity at the sharp Kor shredders I feel caressing my taunt skin. I open my eyes and Pluto bites down β hard. He drinks my blood aggressively while my hips keep jerking and moving on their own. Kor Venom, injected direct into my bloodstream. I think Iβm in control, preparing for euphoria as I get a hold of him. Instead, the euphoria really, really goes out of control. His venom, gives me him. Plutoβs deepest, darkest desire and need to hunt. I feel it completely, and not only is my orgasm intensified and prolonged, I suddenly know everything a Kor wants to do to me. Specially, this dark and quiet Kor. Forget gentle. Plutoβs mind is dark and twisted. He wants me chained up and bent in every way that he can fuck me, just to fuck me in every way thatβs possibly allowed, to see me covered in cum and crying with unrelenting waves of pleasure forced upon me, over and over. Pluto wishes to see a goddess reduced to a cum covered harlot who can barely think a coherent thought unless itβs about Kor cock. He wants me twisted up for him, bound and stuck. If he had me all to himself, heβd destroy me. He desires the extraction of ultimate pleasure. Pleasure that shouldnβt even be legal. Pleasure he can give me, even if I try and run, because he can just bind me in ropes or chains or any device that keeps me at his mercy. Unable to escape the torture. Itβs like Jupiterβs need to tease me. They all have one thing in common. Iβm seeing it now. They want to torture me with pleasure. I donβt know why, but itβs in their hearts. I wonder if hunting females down, is not all they did. Perhaps they played with them too. Like this. This was just as important to them. I come out of my stupor, paralysed briefly with the extreme feeling of Pluto rushing through me. His teeth have left my neck and he lets the blood drip down my skin as he holds one of my nipples between his teeth, not biting but still holding it captive between his shredders. My tits are at his mercy, and his smile is so evil, as I look down at his masculine eyes of promise. These Kors specialise in exquisite ends. The kind of sex that is impossible to experience unless handled by Gods of this Universe. As my nerves fire back to life, I try pulling off his pulsing cock inside me, but he licks between my breasts, up my neck, cleaning the blood off first – and I start moving my hips again. I keep fucking him. Iβve lost control. I just keep fucking, harder and harder β over a Kor cock that is even larger and more girthy than before. I start to cry, I canβt control my own body. My body is outwitting my brain. Run. Run. Or submit with no chance mercy. I canβt do this. I canβt! Itβs too much β! Before I start to sob β it all stops. βEmpress.β Plutoβs dark voice. He has stopped fucking me, and I remain seated on his shaft, trembling and nerves wrecked with Kor venom, his soft lips now pressed against my ear, his hand cradling the back of my head. ββ¦yes?β I whimper out, terrified. βThis is training, Diana,β Pluto murmurs in my ear, βThatβs enough for now. Go bathe.β He palms me off him. Pluto literally pushes me off to the side and he stands up, walking away from me, while his seed leaks from my pussy down my thighs. I end up scrawled across the sheets, clenching them in my fist, as fear shines through my eyes. Iβm serious, I donβt know if I can handle this kind of pleasure. I didnβt have one of them to satisfy. Only Nine. I see a shadow in the entrance, and I turn to see Mars looking in, after coming up here to check on the noises I was making. βI sensed your tears, and your fear,β Mars murmurs, somewhat glaring in at me, βWhat is it? Did Pluto hurt you?β I shake my head. He did quite the opposite. βI was crying for my soul,β I whisper, βYouβre all taking parts of me away from me,β I donβt know where I find the words, but they flow, βIβm grieving that. Iβm losing meβ¦ to all of you. One day there may be nothing left.β Mars seems intrigued by this notion. He doesnβt approach me. He leans his shoulder on the curve of the stone arch, hands in his pockets from the suit he still wears from before when he visited Earth. He is so handsome, and he too, owns a part of me. βOnly two of you have tasted me,β I add, βHow can I allow another seven to taste meββ βWe donβt want a lobotomised idiot,β Mars chooses his words carefully, even half smiling at me, almost sympathetic, βRelax, Diana. Little human fears wonβt serve you well here.β βI donβt feel right when Iβm bitten,β I say, βI feelβ¦ like Iβm dying.β βKors kill,β Mars explains, harshly, βWe agreed to keep you alive, that doesnβt mean we know how toβ¦ so bare with us as we try.β βI am trying too,β I whisper, βBut there is only one of me.β βAnd there wonβt be another,β Mars growls, βGo clean yourself up.β βCome with me,β I beg, βI donβt want to be alone.β βPluto watches you,β Mars says simply, as Pluto roams the balcony outside my room, not paying me any attention. βJustβ¦ please, Marsβ¦ Mars,β I just finish with his name. Begging him. Mars looks like he is about to deny my request for extra kindness. His dark eyes donβt stray from mine. But he keeps it in, whatever he wants to say that is immediately bound to be negative. Instead, he just stares hard at me. The giant Kor looks just as in pain as me. Mars is agreeing to keep me company with that forced silence. βSuch a cry baby,β Mars murmurs, abruptly, his sexy eyes filled with some kind of emotion, I donβt know whatβ¦ butβ¦ he doesnβt go. He stays at my request. Good. I smile, despite the tease. He still looks tortured by his own attempt to be needlessly sweet when he owes me nothing. Still. It brings me comfort Iβm not the only one being tortured by this unnatural dynamic between a Kor and a mate theyβre actually trying to keep alive. Iβll concede he had no idea what he was doing, just as I had no idea. At least we could try together. To learn together and hopefully not fail spectacularly in the end. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 18 βΏβββ’β¦ We donβt go to the pool to bathe, rather, we go for a walk along Dark Ninthβs trail from the prison. I mentioned Iβd like to go to the clear water pond that Neptune originally introduced me too. So, I now sit in the clear water of Dark Ninth. The water provides a soft, cool kiss for my skin and cleans me quickly. Mars agreed to keep me company, he didnβt want to swim. The prison looms, while the three moons β their three mothers, gaze down at us with artificial light. I float through the water, on my back, even though the water is not very deep. I stare up. Mars switches from pacing along the edge, to stripping from his suit. He changed his mind after all; or perhaps I was too tempting to continue gazing in at from a distanceβ¦ when he could just join and put aside his Kor patience. I am not trying to seduce Mars, however. Right now, I am reflecting, absorbing, and growing into the role of Fey Empressβ¦ and Iβll admit, I was also recovering from Plutoβs venom. What a ride that was. Mars finally dips into the water, he is naked at the corner of my eye but I donβt stare. I love how his green velvet skin matches the Dark Ninth nature. I look up and Mars dunks his head in and comes up with wet midnight curls and dark eyes focused on my position, as he wades across to sit in a corner of the clear water and keeps me company. I sit up in the water and kneel, then I paddle toward him. βWhen we go home, we will all take a bite of you,β I repeat his threat to me on Earth, βYour blood,β I try to mimic his threatening tone, teasing him. βYour blood is ours,β Mars states his fact and blinks slow, however, he doesnβt seem amused by my teasing. His dark eyes remain half closed as he watches me place a hand on his knee. He slowly looks up at me, floating in front of him, closer and closer, a curious look in my eye. βWell itβs not all bad,β I shrug, βNine bites. Thatβs nine gifts of venom. Iβve had Pluto. Iβm guessing youβll take me nowββ I whisper. Mars puts a hand on me. My belly. His hand splays across it, warm and gentle, while my hand stays on his knee. We are connected like this, skin to skin. ββ¦you wonβt rush that punishment into reality, no matter how nervous you are, youβll wait little oneβ¦ be quiet and listen to me,β Mars shakes his head, βWe hunted human women a long time ago. But not like this. Out of pure menace β we just lived by our drives. Weβre experts at that. This is the first time we are choosing differentβ¦ you changed usβ¦ you are the first time that we are living beyond our darkest instincts,β I open my mouth to ask why, but I donβt have to, as Mars explains, ββ¦we didnβt plan it this wayβ¦ Dianaβ¦ we didnβt plan on agreeing to share a femaleβ¦ we didnβt plan on keeping you aroundβ¦ we have always been exclusive. Always. Females are not beneath us, they are simply not a part of us, we donβt integrate well with social species, hence the prison the Feys confined us within,β he reads my expression deeply, and I wonder if Mars can tell Iβm getting used to this, leaning down so his eyes are level with mine, βFemale mates are every maleβs greatest weakness. Your mere existence is your greatest strength. We are weary of such weakness, we are creatures of concentrated power β that is why we watch you closely. We watch all others closely. What is important to us, is gold to others. Even so, we all have our limitations. For one, we canβt twist the fate of us. I never wanted to fall in love with you β barely knowing anything about you, other than your need to be free, a Dark Nine on Earthβ¦ but when I saw you for the first timeβ¦ it must have been what Venus felt for Cinta β the kind of poison to drive a man insaneβ¦β he trails off and every part of me comes alive like fireworks. I want to express to Mars, exactly what he just said to me. I knew nothing, next to nothing, about him, but I felt like I was tied to him at the deepest level. I still felt that. And he felt the same. There was no reason. βMars. Every soul in existence, knows the same universal truth, that we can not pick who we loveβ¦ when we do fall, we will never stop, we can never escape the pull of it, it is beyond our senses, and I have no common sense, not with you, I should run screaming, youβre the only Kor who wanted toβ¦β devour me whole, I whisper it all before I cannot hold myself back any longer, and I stop talking to just kiss him. Our lips lock. But itβs not lust. Itβs love at first sight, taking hold, through strings we cannot see and fate we cannot force. All the Kors are sexy. But Mars is mine. And I am his. His large warm hands slide all over my back, all over my skin, possessing every inch of me. For him to feel the same, makes it all the worse. It sends small shivers of fear through my belly and Iβm breathless against his lips, as I arc into his abs, clawing down them, with one hand on his neck, over his rapid pulse. Iβve slid down his large alien frame, looking up at him, as his lips come off of mine, as he raises his head and keeps analysing every detail of my face. βA Kor loves like no other species in this universe,β Mars drawls, βItβs a dangerous thing. Humans are a close second.β βBecause Terra made them,β I guess. Mars nods and smiles. βThatβs right,β Mars growls in approval and then he kisses me, dipping his head back down to mine, but this time his tongue slips into my mouth. I close my eyes as I taste his venom indirectly. I prepare for aggression. But Mars has fundamentally changed. He tastes like sex. Like possession. Like mine. Just. Mine. I use my tongue too, and our tongues slide across each others. I wrap both my hands into Marsβ wet thick locks of hair, his dick hard between us. But instead of his dick uniting us, Mars suddenly wraps his arms around me and holds me close. I get squished into his chest as my head knocks over his heart, as our kiss is broken again. I feel my heart racing against his abs, my ear picking up his blood roaring through his veins. I bet he feels high like me. Just for having each other exist, and being able to touch and express the same feelings. Itβs a wonderful thing. Mars stands us up, hoists me up over his shoulder, and starts striding back with me. A kiss, a hug and now being handled like a sack of bloody potatoes. βWhy are we going back?β I complain, clawing his sexy bare ass with my hand. βItβs time for your lessons,β Mars murmurs, seriously, βThe Kors are going to teach their Empress a thing or two about obedience and etiquette, so you donβt try to bargain with our planet again. We are the Masters of your Flesh and Essence. You are a venom whore who wears a crown and a chain. If we hold that chain, we must teach you.β βWhatβs the purpose of obedience anyway,β I grumble. Mars opens one of my legs by lifting my thigh, and he slides two fingers into my wet pussy. He finger fucks me a few times, then says, βSqueeze,β I do, and Mars pulls out dewy fingers β which I hear him lick and suck clean, βGood whore.β βBut Iβm not a good whore,β I whisper, βI have a strong mind. I wonβt bend over for any of you.β βHave a strong mind,β Mars agrees, βBut your flesh and blood belong to us.β βDonβt make it weird,β I squeak out, βOr Iβll scream!β I try not to laugh, I try to sound serious. βEmpress, donβt tempt me,β a guttural threat, a deep hunger resonates from him β he wants me screaming. Mars, Mars, Mars, I can see him smiling oh-so handsomely right now, no, smirking, with his sharp teeth, even without actually seeing his face at all. Rather, I keep staring at his butt and the back of his ankles and feet and his long legs as he strides through the dirt and doesnβt make a sound any step of the way back to the prison. The perfect hunter, unseen and unheard, casually hauling my ass back to his lair β their lair. A bloody Kor Prison. And here was I β their new shiny chew toy. Yup, they were all squeezing and I was squeaking β exactly what they wanted me to do. I wouldnβt lie. I might be stupid just letting it happen and rarely questioning their motives. But I didnβt mind the attention, or the dream. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 19 βΏβββ’β¦ Rigilβs POV Location: Unknown Spaceship Orbiting Dark Ninth I watch with steady, vile patience for our King to come β the honourable Estori of all Kor kind. The magic connection in the room grows, sparking and throwing out strikes of nebula to release the Kor calling through. Our Estori appears holding a staff with a screw like blade on top. Our King is a unique dark blue, with matching dark blue eyes and steel black hair straight down to his waist, he stands as an 8-ft giant, a foot taller than the rest of usβ¦ he had the largest appetiteβ¦ he looks curious by my call for an emergency meeting. But Kor honour-codes were never meant to be broken, and if they were, you faced quick retribution. I believed what I found to be an emergency. It could not go unpunished! βWhy have you called me, Rigil?β My honourable Estori comes to my side, to see what I see through the view of Dark Ninth below us. I used a spilen to capture the corruption in a hologram. βHonourable Estori, Alpha Centauri. Look what Iβve found our cousins doing. This is preposterous β the most insane thing Iβve seen a Kor attempt, I always knew they were corrupted by insanity after E lost his fucking mind β they all followed suit!β I sneer just looking in at the close ups of the forbidden activity, βYou can see what I can see?β itβs a vision of Mars, embracing a female β with tenderness, how disgusting! βI know our law. Love is forbidden of Kor kind, a weakness we cannot afford. Mars humiliates us allβ¦ they have already mated and he still touches her, holding her close in an embrace β she isnβt allowed on that planet, can you believe this? A God, honouring a piece of flesh. She does not deserve such attention. Since when do Kor honour prey?β βCalm down, Rigil, I heard you the first time. Youβd think theyβd learn after what happened to Venus,β Alpha Centauri crosses his arms and speaks calmly, barely perturbed by what I see. I see the deeper issue. I sneer with all my teeth, my venom dripping heavy for the female below. βPlease see my urgency. They are elevating the human female to Galactic Queen, registered in the Intergalactic Alliance this morning. I heard no call from Mars.β βWe do not engage when we do not need to engage, Rigil,β my Estori looks at me, looking rather angry at my own reactions, βFights over females have almost led to our extinction. Itβs best you look away and leave them to their own devices, she will perish or they all will when they tear each other to shreds for her. Their foolery is not your concern, and I wonβt have our entire blood line cut down by your grievance and jealousy.β βI honour our law β I sustain my energy legally, and I havenβt told you the worst of it, they have altered her to keep sustaining their needs, that is why she is still alive,β I add. βHow do you know?β Alpha Centauri considers me beneath him, but hell, he considered all his blood beneath him. At least he is still asking questions. βWith stealth I read Venusβ diary,β I murmur. βYou snuck onto Dark Ninth, out of your own territory, to read Eβs diary?β Alpha Centauri laughs, βWhy do you mock me, wasting my time when I see no issue. I see one female. On a planet of nine Kors. Sheβs doomed or they all are. Why does it matter?β ββ¦honorable Estoriβ¦ listen to me, they all share her, nine of them agreed to keep her, to honour her, to rise her upβ¦β when I say this, Alpha Centauri finally takes note β and his smug smile is almost wiped from his face instantly. ββ¦although uncommon it is not improbable for the squad to share,β Alpha Centauri speaks through grit teeth, ββ¦it wonβt lastβ¦β he is still in denial. I shake my head and smile slow with all my sharp teeth, βThey agreed to keep her alive eternally β forever, a queen to share between them. Give me the order to kill her and I will.β βWhat you say is impossible,β Alpha Centauri steps closer to me, looking interested by my words but unable to believe it. βNot with Eβs meddling, theyβve made some kind of mutant human to satisfy their needs. It is against galactic law. He was tried for it yesterday.β βAnd was he found guilty?β βThe girl had to profess that her alteration was done against her will, but she asserted no crime was committedβ¦ therefore Earth has not taken action and has let this heresy slideβ¦ before you dismiss this, I remind you, you are the only one who ever tried to sustain love,β I growl at the Head Kor, βAnd you were the one to suffer and therefore forbid it. Therefore. I ask you to consider this prey the greatest threat to our existence. Do not deny it. You know my concern is valid.β βWith Venusβ input, and my ownβ¦ yes, we forbid it,β Alpha Centauri adds, cool headed, although I know I speak of a horrific past, βWhat are you saying?β βI am not trying to prove a point, Estori β I am reporting my intention to kill the girl. Allow me to hunt her down. We will not interfere with their tastes, but we will not have a Queen when we have an Estori. You are all we need. She is a threat to youββ βNo woman is a threat to me, Rigil, watch your tongue,β Alpha Centauriβs eyes burn β he could shoot gamma rays out of them, and it could split planets in two, or turn me to dust. I lower my head and grit my teeth as I back off respectfully. I await his command. βRigil, tell our brothers, Proxima, Toliman, Sirius, Cano, Arcturus, Vega and Capella to stay out of Marsβ squad. You are forbidden from hunting her down.β βYes, Estori,β I whisper my submission, even though I am angered by his final decision. βYes, so you understand?β βYes.β βYou will do what?β βNothing, I will do nothing,β I add, nodding and keeping my gaze downward. βGood, Rigil, because I will fix this concern myself.β I raise my eyes, to see the back of Alpha Centauri already leaving. I smile wide. Even better. He would deal with the new and young Galatic Queen. Mars, what a fool. In our past we used to revere queens. The problem was the chosen females we kept alive would eventually become hooked on venom, their mind would warp over time to be obsessed with power and domination. Kors would serve that insanity. Dreadful things would happen. Dreadful, dreadful things. Marsβ POV What a beauty. Our Empress had a soul worthy of us. Specifically, I adored her twitching, nervous eyebrows. I liked her facial expressions of deep concern and worry. A deep thinker and over-worrier, I enjoyed watching Dianaβs feminine struggle in the midst of Nine Kor Gods. Most would shy away. I enjoyed that Diana dared to be adventurous while also holding onto that nervous and unsure hesitation. Her ability to consider the bigger picture, beyond her needs. Terra made a good species on Earth, well balanced and thoughtful creatures. When we had stints hunting them on Earth, it was always rather difficult and unpredictable, but ultimately, caused too much distress, so we left their kind alone. Fragility and strength, when spun together, created a beauty like Diana β the kind that was capable of so much more. She was so perfect. I wonder if she would ever know how much pride I felt toward her, especially for carrying my babe. Even when Diana bargained with our planet, something that should have enraged me, only shocked me, and thenβ¦ made me laugh. Playful. None of us were used to being playful. But she made us less the hunter, instead of being mindful of resources, we were more soulful. Kors were susceptible to insanity if they became too interested in the heart, and less focused on logic. We all knew that. Living forever required calculation above all else. Females were one with emotion, passion and fragility. But that shit was always short term. That is why they were so dangerous to us. When you held power you held responsibility and we were responsible for a lot in this universe. Our power, our negotiating strategies were designed to help balance everything. Females tended to screw with our heads for the worse. But I donβt really care about that β Diana was gentle and not demanding. And very, very horny. A perfect female. I had placed Diana down on her bed and told her to play with herself, so she would be ready while I went to gather the other Kors for her lessons. We would watch her please herself and see how much that drove her insane β or us. Either way it would be fun to see her go pink and squirm. I round everyone up, calling them in from their rooms, last of all I find Mercury and E in Eβs laboratory. βTime to teach our pet a lesson,β I smirk as Mercury and Venus turn to me and immediately drop all that their doing. βAbout time,β Venus licks his teeth, βI was wondering when we would take her again.β βSheβs dying for it,β I whisper, βSo wet her thighs were rivers.β Mercury salutes me and runs past, turning invisible. Venus walks more calmly toward me, looking relaxed and back to his usual self. Manicured, stable and probably the most relaxed Kor, second to me. βSheβs really changed you,β I murmur, not wishing to delay our return, but curious on his thoughts. βI didnβt think my trust could ever be restored,β Venus admits, βBut she reminded me of the light in this universe. We dabble too often in the dark.β βItβs only whatβs natural for us, cousin,β I murmur, raising a brow, ββ¦do you love her? Like you lovedβ¦β Cinta. I donβt say her name, she disgusts me, but I am curious. Venus looks slightly frustrated by the mention of our last evil Empress, but he only snarls a little, βLetβs go, Marsβ¦β before his eyes shoot by me and he sees something out of the ordinary. Venus snatches my arm, jerking me back toward him β wind had cut above my head and an executioners blade slams and sparks against the rocks by my head. I turn to see my would-be assassin. A lazy shot, though. Simply to introduce himself. The arrogant diamond smile is one Venus and I donβt dare return. The invisible field shifts away, to show Estori β King of Kors β Alpha Centauri. His job was our survival. That was all his job was. He wasnβt really our King, but our agreed Head β capable of the most ruthless thoughts if we were experiencing particularly ruthless timesβ¦ which we werenβt. βHonourable Estori. In peace times, you come?β Venus asks, not mentioning the blade almost cutting my head from my neck. It was his favourite hunting weapon β because his particular squad of Kors did not metabolise souls with venom but often chose more violent deeds to end their own very temporary mates. While we worshipped our females β to say our cousins did the opposite, was an understatement. “You have half a Ninth to deliver the Galatic Queen to Planet Apastron,β Alpha Centauri commands, βI want her head rolling at my feet β if you dare bring her to me alive, thinking her eyes will sway me, I will send her back to you to bury in pieces, so kill the bitch who sways you, we will not perish for your tomfoolery in engineeringβ¦ Venus you know Iβm right, and youβre wrong β love is a crime, never forget,β Alpha Centauriβs gaze collides with Eβs before he slams the bottom of his staff to the ground, teleporting back to Planet Apastron. I turn slowly to E. E looks haunted, his brief joy β wiped from his eyes. Fucking Alpha Centauri. A serious, grievous bastard. βOur Estori placed an order we canβt refuse,β Venus murmurs, his tone switching from soulful to calculating logic, to protect his heart. βIntimidation,β I murmur, titling my head at E when he looks back to me for confirmation of my own reply, βWe do nothing.β ββ¦he will come for herβ¦β E growls, ββ¦and he will butcher herβ¦β βNo,β I shake my head, βYou didnβt see it?β E shakes his head, unsure of what I mean. I smile as I lean into whisper for Venus alone, ββ¦he is terrified of the Empressβ¦β βArenβt we all?β Venus manages to joke, stepping back, his eyes still panicked. βDonβt worry, E, we knew sheβd bring us galactic attention, and Alpha Centauri has no skill we do not haveβ¦ we will protect her,β I stay calm, βAre you okay, E?β βWe do nothing,β Venus finally agrees, βYouβre right. Heβs scared.β We both hold each otherβs eyes for a second too long. He is scared. And thatβs exactly when you should run from a Kor. We would prepare Diana for the worst anyway, just in case. But we didnβt choose a female who would perish easily. Her instincts should keep her alive β including having our eyes on her at all times. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 20 βΏβββ’β¦ Alpha Centauriβs POV Location: Stealthing within Kor Prison on Dark Ninth βSecure all perimeters, then we return, I want no more breaches,β Mars had quickly sent his squad on a security check, leaving their Empress vulnerable for a few minutes. I knew how to use stealth, within small moments of time where I would have that opportunity to change and twist fates. It was always the timing that changed fate. Our new Galatic Queen Diana is left by her lonesome. Imagine that, a King not meeting his Queen. What a farce. I now have 60 seconds before the Ninth Squad detect an anomaly in their energy fields. Itβs all I need to take my fill of her and make a quick assessment. I am within the connected bathing space, watching the female move from the bed, suddenly turning to look right at me. I donβt expect her gaze to rest on me while Iβm stealthing, but surely itβs a coincidence, it happened sometimes. Her turquoise eyes appear to run over me as she walks quickly for the bathroom, stickiness between her legs, running down her thighs, to her knees β all the way to her ankles. What a whore. I step back silently, willing myself not to smell her, as Diana walks right through where I just stood. She chooses to stand in front of the floor to ceiling length mirror to check herself over. She runs fingers over her neck, where theyβve been biting her. I feel my stomach turn, being so close to a female like this and keeping out of her way. I only ever came this close to kill β not to watch. Yet within our small window of time, looking at her from the shadowsβ¦ I think of my dead mate. The only woman I ever loved. My Orlai. She was timid. Sixty thousand years ago I introduced her as Fey to all the others, showed off her pregnant belly with pride, she was the only female I ever met that could handle meβ¦ who had brought a rare softness out in me. She was human. She never abused my venom, never even asked for it, just wanted to hold my hand and be next to me. But she never had our baby. One day she was there and then she wasnβt. Sheβ¦ I grip my staff a little harderβ¦ Orlai took her own life. I donβt know why and I still donβt. After that day which Iβll never forget, I went on a violent spree, I blamed it on her commands, I told my star brothers and every Kor alive that I ate her after she gave birth prematurely. It was all a theatrical lie to protect my pride. Because I didnβt want to be seen as weak, that I couldnβt protect her, that I wasnβt enough for herβ Human females were the bane of my existence, they had too much Kor emotion β Terra was a fool making their species so similar to us. Fey were the approved mates by our fathers. They had the ability to fight us. It was better to have equals in menace β not timid, fragile, empathetic little worriers. Human emotions wereβ¦ ridiculous. Only men could handle them. Women? They died of heart break and emotion. How weak they were. Iβd always despise their weakness. Now I see their half human, half Fey obsession, looking so small and innocentβ¦ so ready to leech onto our species like a virus. I walk slowly up behind her, wanting to see her up close. My stealth is the best in the Kor class β you canβt be anymore unseen than I. I was the best hunter. The best at everything a Kor should be a master at. I had destroyed entire planets that waged war against us, entire species, entire Elion races β wiped from this universe β I was a harbinger of death. All of it was to protect my Kor species and to define our lore into reality. If you didnβt obey Kor honour-codes, I made sure you did. Falling in love was forbidden, it was simple, mate, breed and consume. No attachments. Females were foodβ¦ All the while, as my thoughts race, I slowly come to a stop behind the Galactic Queen, and I look over her small petite human sized body, with Fey skinβ¦ and human eyes. So familiar. She looks so soft and tender. I slowly smile. Sheβd be easy to carve. Diana speaks into the mirror, completely breaking my chain of thoughts and making me forget I only had 60 seconds before detection. My eye glass says 59 seconds, but as she speaks I want to hear what she saysβ¦ βWhoβs there?β One scared whisper from a small being of temporary flesh, breaking all my beliefs in a second. No Kor could detect me with their eyes. How could she? Impossible. Diana has asked the question to me with dread, seeming to realise a Kor watches her with hatred in his heart. I consider showing her my diamond smile, my dripping venom, my need to kill her before she hurts one of us the way Orlai hurt me. Humans were too weak for Kor kind. But I make my decision. I would not show myself and confirm her small detection of me. My time is up anyway. 70 seconds. I need to leave. The Ninth Squad had their command. The Queenβs head better be rolling at my feet in 12 hours, or Iβd put a bounty out on her to every Kor in the universe. **** Dianaβs POV A few minutes earlier Iβm on display, enjoying this performance I was putting on at Marsβ command. I didnβt know Iβd enjoy doing this kind of thing, but I am not shy β Iβm open to it. One hand, between my legs, another hand, squeezing my left breast, as I lay back on the bed with one leg raised up, with most of the Kor gang watching me. Terra looks proud of meβ¦ Mercury has just entered, and already in the room I have Pluto, Saturn, Neptune, Uranusβ¦ and Jupiter lingers back in a corner, arms crossed over his chest, angry he was the reason I almost died in a death trap out there a few hours prior. But heβd get over his guilt. We were all learning how to handle one another. Mistakes were bound. But, oh my, having seven Kors watch me touch myself, is making me ever wetter by the second. I am so naturally horny, as these giant aliens silently watch me rub circles around my clit, as wetness spreads across my thighs and the sheets. The silence in the room is electric. They donβt say a word, they just stand there, hard as hell as I make small gasps and moans of pleasure, and now I dare to dip a finger inside me. Their eyes are sharp, following my fingerβs slow entry into my body. I spread my legs wider, I show them whatβs waiting, how ready I am. Their sexual trance however, is broken by a rapid intervention. Mars comes in and grasps Terra on the shoulder. Venus also enters rapidly. βQuickly now, we had a code blue,β E growls to them all. βSecure all perimeters thrice, then we return, I want no more breaches,β Mars orders all of them. In seconds they all turn invisible and leave. ββ¦hmβ¦β I make a small noise as I sit up and hold my knees to my chest, looking at the sudden empty room. I wonder what happened? My Enhanced Instincts tell me there is no threat out there. I breathe in deeply through my noseβ¦ and I pick up an unexpected scent. My eyes shoot toward the restroom. I watch the entry. I see nothing. But I stand anyway, my eyes unable to look away. Who is in there? I look up and down for signs of the edge of an invisibility shield. Did Neptune stay behind, perhaps? I breathe in again, just a little, and I smell it again. Something is off. Some kind of new scentβ¦ like a burning star. How else to describe it? Strangely I feel no immediate threat to my life, just the need for curiosity, as I quickly move into the bathroom anyway to fix my hair and check my skin, just to look for bruises or scars. I was worried the way my Kors were handling me might leave marks. I stand in front of a big mirror and I inspect my skin, and my neck. Every part of my translucent blue-green skin, is perfectly clearβ¦ I look healthy. I do have a scar on my neck, from Pluto, although it heals before my very eyes. I stand very still. β¦mmmβ¦ in this peaceful moment of curiosity only, I feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand right on end. My heart is no longer at rest. It beats fast, while every other hair on my body starts to rise as well. Something. Someone. B-behind me. Directly behind me. I canβt see them. βWhoβs there?β I ask the air, breathing in a rancid chemical smell, so close itβs right there. I feel his violent intent. The Kor that is definitely in the room with me. A Kor I donβt know. Terrified, I drop and hold my hands over my head, appearing small. βDiana!β Mars! I quickly unfurl and look up, hand on the mirror as I look behind me to empty air, and then to my bedroom, where Mars has just appeared, running in. Before I can explain what just happened, he comes forward to scoop me up. My skin is sweaty, my eyes must show my fear, as Mars holds me with his hands under my arms, lifting me off my feet to look me over and carry me back into the bedroom. βI forgot to arm you,β Mars sounds horrified at himself. βWhatβs going on?β I ask as I look past him to see the other Kors enter, weapons drawn, Neptune holds his bow back and ready to strike β the rest have guns, Terra just his hands, βWhat happened?β βThe signal is gone,β Venus bites out, putting away a security device, βSheβs safe.β Mars still looks horrified. He places me down, backing up while all the Kors come around me, huddling all around. Even Jupiter comes up behind me and places a hand on my head, as if to check Iβm really still there, βAlmost,β Jupiter growls out, sounding emotional, βShit.β I am frozen as Neptune places a hand on my belly, as does Saturn. Terra gently runs the back of his hand over my cheek, Pluto and Uranus put a hand each on my shoulders. Mercury leans in over them all to run a thumb over my eyebrow, pulling my eye up, while looking into my gaze, reading the distress, before backing off and pacing, looking paranoid. Venus pushes through last and grabs my chin, holding my face up, βDid he bite you?β Venus asks, low. βNo, who?β I ask. βDid he nick you with any blade?β Venus asks anyway. βI donβt think so,β I whimper now, feeling like their fear is causing mine to skyrocket. I place both my hands over my belly, so over Neptune and Saturnβs hands, βWho was it?β βThe Head Kor wants you dead,β Venus explains, coldly, without much sympathy, but I donβt think he wants to feel right now, βHe came with a message, we thought he left β we didnβt realise heβd come to youβ¦ we thought he was scared of you.β βI didnβt see anyone, but I could smell him,β I admit, looking past Venus to see Mars looking in at me, looking perturbed, βI thought Mars was Head Kor.β βBut he is not the Estori, the Head of All Kors, the King,β Jupiter grumbles, βThatβs Alpha Centauri.β βThe King,β I say, flatly, βThe King came to visit me? Why?β βGalatic Queens are against the rules,β Venus whispers, letting me go and backing off. βWell too bad,β I whisper. My non-serious words, capture all their serious attentions. I manage a small smile, βIβm not going anywhere. This is my home now.β βHe wants your head,β Mars admits, stopping his pacing, βWe can run or we can fight, what do you propose?β Now I am beyond shocked Iβm asked for my own opinion on a solution here. βDiplomacy,β I start. βNo,β E shakes his head, the rest sigh or look annoyed or growl, βHe doesnβt want to see your eyes.β βHe already has β in secret,β I whisper, βSo Alpha Centauri is a liar.β Venus slams my lips shit with his hand, βDonβt ever speak those words,β Venus growls. The others relax enough to let go of me. Their hands slip away from me and I feel safe and loved, but I also feel their lingering concern. Venus lets my face go, and I walk past them all back to Mars. I stand in front of him, as he looks me over with that strange new terror in his eyes. βWhat are you so upset about? Iβm right here,β I say, βIβm okay.β βOnly because he didnβt kill you,β Mars speaks, hollow, and traumatised, βI was too slow. I made one mistake, letting eyes off you. Dianaβ¦ you could haveβ¦β βCould have β am I?β I ask, βIβm right here. So, itβs my fate to be here.β Mars lowers his freaked out eyebrows with that. βYes,β he agrees, ββ¦we will still need to teach you Kor etiquette, and we will still fuck you β but first, we need to arm you. Right now.β βAllow me, Diana,β Mercury chuckles as he leaves the room to grab choice weapons for me.Clearly, he is going to come back with every possible supply. βWhatβs so scary about me anyway?β I ask, spinning in a circle to ask all of them, βI donβt understand.β They all look sly or sheepish, avoiding my gaze. When I turn back to Mars, he catches my cheeks with both hands, holding me still as he squishes both my cheeks together, his thumbs running over my mouth, his eyes darting all over my face. βBecause youβre so loveable,β Mars admits, in a low, rough drawl, and itβs ultra-honest, which makes it ultra-sexy, βSo weak, so squishable, so fuckable, so sweetβ¦ youβre like a drug to us. But more than that, we will do anything for youβ¦ and fuck the consequences.β βI make you reckless?β I ask, raising a brow, laughing lightly. βVery,β Mars admits, βWe will lose our minds over you. Iβve already lost mine.β βOh, shut up, you romantic,β I roll my eyes as I grab his dick in my hand, trying to distract him, βI have another idea,β Mars raises a slow brow as I drop my tone, sounding cheeky, hoping this boosts his ego and pride, βYou become Estori. Kill Alpha Centauri,β Marsβ eyes darken. He grabs my neck, pushing me back, and I let go of his shaft, suddenly worried Iβve gone too far, βKidding?β I whisper, βI-Iβm kidding!β βBe careful what you command of me,β Mars snarls, low and vicious, βRule one for our new Galatic Queenβ¦ never command us β or risk the fabric of the universe. Do you understand me, Diana?β he is no longer my lover in this moment. He is a teacher, indeed. I feel like a spoilt child being disciplined. βYes,β I blurt, βSorry.β Mars lets me go, looking pissed, as he paces back and shakes his head, βCareful, Diana, or you wonβt be eternal. I want that child. I want my son. So you will obey.β Did he just threaten to kill me?! Mars has completely lost it. My heart shatters and my trust flies out the window, as I grab my neck with both hands and watch him walk off, as tears leak out of my eyes. The other Kors donβt come near me. When I glance at them, even Venus looks angry at me. βWhat did I do?β I ask, terrified for their anger. βThis isnβt a joke,β E warns me, βIf you treat us like a joke, if you throw kill orders out like candy β you will be the one in an early grave. Kors are divine. Do not command us to kill each other.β I look away from Venusβ glareβ¦ my insides twisting with emotion. Shitβ¦ I was wrong butβ¦ β¦ Alpha Centauri wanted to kill me. I thought what I said was logical. Iβ¦ plus they didnβt have to obey my ideas or suggestions. I was just brain storming! I walk out of the room, feeling guilty and also misunderstood at the same time. Pluto follows at a distance. I hate feeling confused with them. The sooner I learnt their rules, the better. Or else? Or elseβ¦ I was gone. Iβd choose freedom over barbaric mates, any day. Iβd make sure they knew that. They werenβt the only ones with a desire for autonomy! They werenβt the only ones with pride! |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 21 βΏβββ’β¦ Dianaβs POV My Kors had a problem with being commanded by a Queen? Fine. Iβd face this imminent threat to my life, myself. No ideas, suggestions or commands needed. I used Stealth. And I didnβt just escape Pluto with my new power of invisibility β yes, even to my own surprise. I think I mainly escaped because of two reasons. Pluto totally underestimated me, so was lazy with his watch of me. And every move I made, every step, I sorted out on the fly, basically so he and no one could anticipate what I did next β not even I. I just leaped, in the moment, toward a feeling that I was comfortable with β that made sense to me. Being part Fey now, I had a special knowing in how to follow threads of intuition and energy, a gift from the Kors genetic manipulationβ¦ I felt hyperconfident in my ability, even alone. Even pregnant. I spontaneously climbed one of the vines growing indoors, then squeezed out a window of the prison β none that they could fit through, but I certainly could. I slid down the walls to the mossy grass and ran to their underground garage outside the prison where the spaceship was located, within there I found an ET portal. I used an ET Key hanging on the wall next to it, to travel for an emergency trip to the Estoriβs planet. Planet Apastron. Straight to the heart of the issue. Why wait? Why be discussed and gossiped about and do nothing? Or simply hope the Kors would protect me? The King had already been spying on me β in my room β just staring at me. Psh. I wasnβt having it. I was going straight to him. Not planning this in advance, I didnβt give the Kors any time to work out my plan and I didnβt even know my plan until I made it and found a gateway to the Estori on the memory of the ET Key. I moved as quickly as possible. I didnβt even have time to dress. And? Well. Here I am. Naked. On Planet Apastron β inside the Kingβs hall. All alone. No backup. Just me. I made a wager with myself, If Iβm so damn interesting, why kill me? No Kor could punish me for facing this aloneβ¦ certainly not if I ended up deadβ¦ but I bet against it anyway. Plus I had every right to confront the Kor who wanted my head rolling. And he would want to hear what I had to say. The portal was manned by two invisible Kors, I couldnβt see them but I felt them. I look at each, where I guess their eyes could be, and I turn around, not keen on being chased, I choose walking my way forward, showing no fear, into a dank and quiet, straight path β with a ceiling that had no end, but black trees grew and weaved upwards, like a vertical forest. At the centre, at the bottom on a podium… was a very patient Kor. He certainly looks like a king. βMy name is Diana,β I introduce myself to the Kor Estori, since the other Kors said nothing when I stepped in, βAlthoughβ¦ you already knew that, didnβt you?β Alpha Centauri sits up high on his massive throne, in a massive chamber full of shadows from the forest above. There is no light in here, only whatever the moon provides through more small windows. I wonder if this is yet another Kor prison, just on another planet. The Estori had been waiting for me. He doesnβt seem in a rush to get me like a mad dog, so I take that as a positive sign forward in negotiation. I hold his eye the entire time as I approach his throne and podium with smaller and smaller steps, unsure when to stop, while looking over his giant dark blue body β and darker blue eyes. He is what I imagined Neptune to be, if he ever were to turn off his Stealth. I decide not to get too close. So I stop a good hundred feet from the King of Kors. βI told Ninth Squad what would happen if you were to be brought to me alive,β Alpha Centauri speaks ice cold, his hunters eyes unblinking and focused on nothing but me. Did he not notice I was alone? βEstoriβ¦ I wasnβt sent here and no one knows Iβm here,β I tell him quicky, moving a hand onto my belly, βI came here myself. To hear you.β Alpha Centauri stands from his throne and a staff with a screw like blade on top appears from nowhere β it looks razor edged all around and itβs an utterly terrible design, like it would inflict maximum pain. Iβm not sure if it was shrouded in shadow, and I hadnβt seen it, more focused on his eyes, but regardless, he brings it forward now, as if that giant weapon weighs nothing. My eye lingers on that cruel design longer than necessary, but it does terrify me. Shit. I try not to show it. There was a silence about this place. And the way he moved. The silence equated to endings and death. The quiet before something alive was obliterated to star dust. Especially when I see that weapon, I do wonder how cruel he is compared to my own sweet Korsβ¦ in comparison, at the very least. Everything in here shines with dust. βI would like to know why my death was commanded,β I state, trying to keep the conversation moving. βLove is a crime β so are Queens,β Alpha Centauri answers after a short silence. βI am pregnant, doesnβt that change the rules?β I tell him, βDonβt your honour-codes allow a woman to give birth?β Alpha Centauri spins, and I go quiet as he places his staff against his throne, turning back to me with clean and open hands. Out of no where, he seems to understand the distress a weapon like that can cause a vulnerable and pregnant mate. I stay still as he keeps his hands splayed, showing there is no danger, as he comes down the podium and closer to me. I didnβt think heβd approach me. I thought he hated me. I gulp as I run my eyes over him. Why was he 8 ft tall? Taller than any other Kor Iβd seen. His long metallic black hair looks lush and full, as it waves down over his shoulders, down to his waist. He would be very handsomeβ¦ if his whole demeanour didnβt attract the stench of death. If he didnβt smell like a burning star. He was like a magnet to things imploding. He seemed ethereal in the darkest sense. I certainly donβt trust him. I stand still with my one hand on my belly, now starting to fear deep down Iβve done something Iβll not live long enough to regret by coming here. βI admire you,β Alpha Centauri drawls those three words and he sees it relaxes my posture immediately. A compliment was a good start. βYou do?β I whisper. βFor your courage in coming here alone and without permission,β I see Alpha Centauri means it, even if his words are still cold. I just keep it as a sign to also be cold in return, showing no sign of warmth. I keep a stony expression. I stand very still, even with relaxed shoulders. I donβt make eye contact, I just stare at his abs, βSince you are pregnant, I will abolish the command against you,β Alpha Centauri holds out his left hand and starts to kneel, until his eyes are level with mine, his hand is hovering an inch from my belly. I hesitantly nod, and I feel paralysed with fear as he touches me. The fear only dissipates slightly when itβs a gentle touch, only feeling the part of me that nurtures life. βIβm pardoned?β I ask, forcing the words out, βYour Grace?β βAs is our custom,β Alpha Centauri keeps his hand on my belly, as his eyes hold my own, βYou will deliver, then we will feast,β he smiles, and his teeth are horrendous. I canβt look at them β theyβre so sharp. I also canβt stay so still, so close to him. I step backwards and away from his touch. I know better than to run and I know better than to argue at least right here, right now. I hope one step backward is enough to alert him Iβm uncomfortable. βThank you,β it takes all my will power to say it, when my stomach is turning and my mind screams for me to run. But I have secured some safety for however many months itβll take to bare my child with Mars. Enough time to work out the next move later on. βYou are good, arenβt youβ¦β Alpha Centauri murmurs darkly, losing his smile, as he just watches me with renewed hatred, standing back to his full height, βCunning.β I think he just hates I didnβt run and I donβt show fear. βI came to a King, so I am showing respect, as I should,β I say, raising a brow, βI understand laws must be abided by β or chaos tears the universe apart.β βLiar,β Alpha Centauri tilts his head, ββ¦youβ¦ Dark Nineβ¦β I feel my throat goes dry with fear. How does he know that? My eyes ask the question, he answers, βYouβve been registered as a Galactic Queen. Who you are, now shows to the whole universe β exactly who and what you are. There will be punishment for that in due time.β βIβm nobody,β I answer, too quickly. βNot anymore. Do you enjoy being such a focus? Waiting for the thrill of nine types of Kor venom entering your system,β Alpha Centauri asks, morbidly curious. βI am mated with Mars,β I say stoically, βI enjoy Kor venomβ¦ but I never demand it.β Alpha Centauri accepts my statement as he also takes a step back, βYour courage has turned my heart, little human,β he sounds amused, but still dangerous, βYou have my sworn protection until that babe is born. I honour Kor honor codes.β βDo you have any children?β I ask, as he turns for his throne, pacing away, until that question is aired. There is about three seconds of descending silence that convinces me he might just have a change of heart right back to murdering me. βNo code requires we bare any child at all β every Kor makes their choice β I simply sustain,β Alpha Centauri answers me with what I presume to be the truth, βYouβre pregnant β I canβt hunt youβ¦ yet,β he reaches his throne, takes his staff and sits back down gracefully, watching me, βAssuming Mars wonβt bite first. You may go home now, Diana.β The relief I feel is overwhelming. I try not to feel it too much all at once, I clench my teeth and turn, walking back toward the guarded portal. The two invisible guards have turned off their Stealth, showing their dark grey steel colour, keeping their heads bowed β chains wrapped around their mouths. Whatβ¦ the fuck? I donβt understand why. And I donβt linger to ask. Part of me feels like Alpha Centauri might just throw that staff like a spear into my back if he were to have a momentβs indecision. So I walk through quickly, back to Dark Ninth. The moment I step out into the garage, Iβm home. Right into the arms of Pluto, who holds me, looks me over and then holds my arm out, showing me to the room. Jupiter, Neptune and E are already here with Pluto. βI pity the next Kor who has watch duty over our Galactic Queen, who stumbles into death traps, warps through time to interrupt planetary meetings β and somehow uses her newly acquired Stealth to visit the Estori who just commanded her head roll at his feet,β Jupiter raises his voice, yelling louder and louder, βYouβ¦ you crazy, puny human!β βI secured my life!β I scream back, defying him, βI did. While you discuss me like a bag of flesh you must protect at all costs β I simply got myself pardoned by addressing the issue, directly,β my words have silenced Jupiter, βIβm not claiming to know better than you,β I hiss, βIβm simply using something I guess all Gods lose at one point or another β since you live eternally in this hell. All I did was use my free will and ability to make a decision based on the ability I have, for me, about me, about my baby and my future living with a bunch of aliens who want to EAT ME,β I throw my hands up, only to feel breathless a moment later, and slapping both hands back to my belly, as I feel dizzy with my outburst. βOur babes grow quick, it can take a toll, sit, Diana,β Venus interrupts, his voice is still without the soft edge. He has returned to his cold self. Not too dissimilar to Alpha Centauri. But at least the insults had stopped. Neptune walks forward and takes my hand, leading me back to a seat a few paces behind me. As I get my breath back, Neptune kneels at my side, his hand rubbing up and down my leg. βHow quick?β I ask the quiet Kors, βHow quick do the babes grow?β βOne month,β Neptune answers me. βNo wonder Iβm growing a belly so quick, and I havenβt even eaten anything yet,β I whisper, feeling weak, βDo you have some fruit or something?β Pluto and Jupiter share glances and leave together, presumably to get fruit for me and to bitch about how hard watch duty is. Poor them. Venus walks to a cabinet and takes out some kind of packed food. I worry as he brings it close, but he explains, βItβs just a protein bar,β he gives it to me and paces away. Neptune speaks to E about me, βWe can not punish her for this.β βMars will decide,β Venus is short and snappy, as he paces the garage, and then picks up a polishing rag to start cleaning his spaceship. βWe should all vote,β Neptune murmurs, βDiana is a Dark Nineβ¦ if her own planet can not shape her, neither can we. We cannot direct her.β βArm her and hope for the best?β Venus murmurs, scoffing and laughing to himself. βThatβs precisely what I mean,β Neptuneβs invisible hand reaches for my cheek, I see the edges of it glow with love as he brushes his thumb over my cheek bone, βInstead of hiding her, we should display her. Be proud of her. Life is limited but we can make it worth while to you, darling,β Neptuneβs soft velvet voice sings of promises, as he talks quieter and closer to my ear, βYou should have everything you desire before…β βYou think Iβll die?β I ask, losing my smile. βNo,β Neptune trails off, βIf you were to die, you should live freely, but I will defend you until the end.β βSheβll start a war if you keep talking like that, Neptune,β Venus snarls low under his breath, βI see it in her,β he sounds crazy upset again about me being here. Great. E was moody as hell. Neptuneβs hand softly touches my collar bone, as we both look at Venus, irate by me. At that moment more Kors come down the ladder. I see Mercury, Mars, Uranus, Saturn and Terra. βWhere were you?β I ask as they file in. No one looks more outraged than Mars. No one answers me but him. βAnd where were you, Diana?β Mars asks back quietly, raising a brow. βPlanet Apastron,β I say, loud and clear, βDo you have a problem with that?β βShe came back alive and unharmed,β Neptune jumps up to defend me immediately, before Mars can lose his temper. But I also see his eyes are past that anyway. His anger at handling me is waning. He will get over it β and move on to new measures, Iβm sure. We were all adaptable here. βThatβs the only good thing about this,β Mars whispers, a little hysterical. βYeah, donβt worry, Mars, my bones are yours at the end of this,β I growl, βBloody Kors.β βShe subdued the Estori,β Neptune adds, βNegotiated and left. With a deal.β βWere you watching?β I whisper, confused how he knows this. βI see and hear everything I need to hear, I showed them all,β Venus growls, pointing to a feed from a spy camera called a Spilens, virtually undetectable, set up in the throne room of the Estori and sending the signal back to one of the tablets he had been holding, but set back on a work bench now. βShe also secured his word to protect her,β Neptune adds, βAlpha Centauri, vowing to defend her.β βSheβs my woman to defend, not his chew toy,β Mars sees red, his snarl cutting off Neptune and even freezing E in his frantic polishing of their spaceship, βI decide your fate,β Mars calms down and looks at me direct. βNo. I do,β I respond, βI decide my fate. Thatβs exactly what I just proved.β Mars canβt deny that but that doesnβt mean heβs not angry about it. βWe already voted on keeping her alive, if you want her blood, youβll have to go through me,β Neptune adds. βThereβs no need for this,β Mercury holds up a hand, βDiana β well done. Iβm impressed.β βItβs true, Mars,β Uranus also defends me, βShe held her own.β βIs that not a trait a Galactic Queen should have?β Saturn murmurs, making a very good point. βTo manipulate our kind,β Venus murmurs in a corner, βWe die for this.β βWhat else do you have to live for, Venus,β I snap now, grateful for their support but triggered by Eβs constant pessimism, βBut this,β I demand an answer, βTerra,β I focus on him, βYou made humans full of love, right? And virtually everyone in the universe agrees that love is the answer. At least those who are sane. Loving me. Loving you. Loving eachother. Thatβs all there is. And we do die for love, E,β I glare at him, βBut I donβt want your venom like she did. I donβt care about it. I feel myself falling in love with all of you β and Iβll always have pride and autonomy, like all of youβ¦ because weβre all of this universe, and we all know what love is,β I say it with passion, hoping he understands. βWeβre older than this universe,β Mars corrects me, his voice dropping, βAnd what you say is correct.β βThank you.β βHalf.β βWhat?β I turn to Mars, looking him in the eye. βLove, is half the story,β Mars drawls quietβ¦ he doesnβt want to explain the other half. βYou need to rest,β Terra tries to defuse the situation, βCome,β he holds out a hand for me. βAnd I need to eat,β I add, βPluto and Jupiter are getting me food.β As I take Terraβs hand, and he pulls me alongβ¦ I feel Marsβ eyes on me, until he turns and follows from behind, flanking me. I look back at my mate and I wish he could understand I didnβt mean to cause trouble. I was justβ¦ I donβt know, I was just trusting my new instincts, that they gave me. Iβm assuming Mars doesnβt want to leave me out of sight at this point. But I donβt blame him for that. I know what I did was still a risk. I reach back for his hand, hoping he will take it. Mars does take my offer, threading his fingers through mine, but he only squeezes my much smaller hand once and lets me go, looking exasperated but patient to deal with me when we are alone later. We have to climb the ladder to get out of here anyway. I follow closely behind Terra. And Marsβ words keep haunting me. What was the other half that he failed to say? That he refused to speak of in my presence. I wonder if itβs as simple as Iβm their natural food source. Was that it? A reminder of that? Or did he believe in hatred? Or darkness? Whatever the opposite to love was. I wonderβ¦ I really do. Maybe he just meantβ¦ the other thingβ¦ could be the difference between us. They simply chose to love me for some reason, some reason only they knew, after being nothing but an opportunistic predatory alien subspecies, preying on females across the universe. Something in me changed something? Or maybe I changed nothing. I was light and they were dark. If I was loveβ¦ and they wereβ¦ the other thing. If thatβs what he meant about half the storyβ¦. what did it make us together, when we collided? War? Peace? Blood. Maybeβ¦ m-maybe we werenβt meant to be together at all. I didnβt even think about that. Was I forcing their hand, were my pregnant pheromones confusing themβ¦ was that all it was? Protect the harbinger of life, until she isnβt needed. Iβm disturbed by my thoughts, and the things I do not know yet or understand. The other half. Whatever it is, I shouldnβt forget about it. I need to be weary, always. My number one goal was survival. Iβm sure it was theirs too. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 22 βΏβββ’β¦ I eat a feast and I forget everything that concerns me for a small time. Terra brought me to a little garden area around the south of the Kor Prison, overgrown with moss onto the stone benches and table, but itβs cute, with a canopy of vines growing along stone arches on either end, and all around are green, purple and blue sparkling plants. It was cute. Aesthetic and cozy and bathed in the light of the three moons. I liked it a lot. Along the table is everything I can want for, all from Earth β ordered via the ET Key food delivery service. It wasnβt cheap but my Kors didnβt care, they wanted me to eat what I was used to. There wasnβt much food around here anywayβ¦ I donβt countβ¦ although Terra now sits opposite me, as Mars waits outside our quaint garden, patrolling and looking up at the sky, thinking deeply to himself. I finish eating a bunch of pasta, salad, pizza and chocolate mousse. In how long? Minutes. Terra is quietly aroused by me eating so fast, I donβt know why β but I get that feeling by the way his neon blue eyes focus in sharply to watch me chew up everything. Weird? Um. Hell yeah. Did I care when I was this hungry? Hell no. βThank you, oh my gosh,β I belch uncontrollably from eating so fast on an empty stomach, as my belly growls and grumbles after I speed-ate to clear off most of the steamy fresh plates of welcome human food as quickly as possible, βI was beyond starving. You have no idea.β Terra happily piles up the plates and pushes them aside, so he can reach over the table and pick up both my hands. He just holds them gently while he watches over me, a question in his gaze, βWhat troubles you, Empress?β βEverything,β I answer, laughing good naturedly, honestly feeling a lot better after feeding me and the baby. βThe universe is filled with troubles, Diana,β Terra murmurs quietly, βIf you run, youβll run into others whoβll trouble you. Traps are everywhere. There are enemies everywhere.β βAre you trying to say Iβm safest here because my friends are the big bad monsters of the universe?β I ask and Terra just smiles handsomely, obviously agreeing to that sentiment. βNow, be honest with us about something. Do you enjoy being Empress?β Terra changes topics. βI guess so,β I answer honestly, βHard to know, only been here temporarily.β βI want to know because we are all vulnerable until we accept each other, we are all concerned youβll disappear again. How does a Dark Nine feel at home?β Terra is really trying to make me feel comfortable here, I can tell, and I do appreciate that. I think before I answer, and as I think, Terra releases one of my hands, reaches into the back of his pants and pulls out a long slender gun, opening my one hand to put the gun in my palm, βMercury said youβd like this one,β Terra smiles, βS-Ray. S stands for Stealth. Come here and Iβll show you how to use it,β Terra waits for me to comply, and I see he has a cheeky look in his eye. He wants to touch me. I smile back, and he squeezes my hand, pulling me over the top of the table. I climb and crawl over to his side, and Terra pulls me down onto his lap, sitting sideways β while his shaft is pressed against my thigh, and yes, itβs hard and very much uprightβ¦ and looking very, very tasty. I feel like my pussy is instantly wet, and heβll be able to tell, since Iβm still naked. Terra shows me the button on the end, βSpin it, it goes invisible, just like us,β he shows me how to do it, then I copy him, βHold it to the inside of your wrist, press the end in like a pen, itβll shrink and stick to your skin at a nano level. It comes back to full size if you just stroke your wrist with your handβ¦β Terra raises a brow, knowing Iβm holding a gun and sitting next to his bodily weapon, as it pulses and glows. His voice is getting darker, his fangs are drooling too, I can see since Iβm so close. I nod, βLet me try,β I grip the gun, and at the same time I grab his shaft and start to stroke it with my other hand, without acknowledging it. Terra stiffens but also doesnβt say anything. I like that I can do something like grab his dick and not say anything about it, nor him, and just let it happen. Itβs so hot to me for some reason. I bite my lip and just spin the dial, to make it go invisible, then I throw it up in the air, my eyes being able to see the very edges of the gun in stealth mode. I catch it with one hand, and I press it to my other wrist as Iβm stroking him, only stopping to press the button that shrinks the gun against my skin. It shrinks. Now I only have one weapon left to play with. My head is already down and my eyes are focused, as I continue to stroke his Kor cock while my lips stay a hairβs breath from the head, teasing him with my breath. I admire the girth and length. Truly God like. Terraβs arms come around me, he moves the hair off my neck. βFirst lesson, Empress,β Terra whispers over my skin and licks up my neck to my ear, his teeth scraping along my pulsing veins. I close my eyes and lean up away from his cock, to hear him better, as he talks so quietly, βIf you want to get fucked for pleasure,β he explains right against my ear, βFrom this moment on, you have to disregard your Galactic rights for the rest of your life. A pledge to us. As weβve pledged to you,β he growls it low. βUm,β I push my hand to his chest as I look up at his sparkling neon eyes, and his white perfect teeth, so hungry to take a bite, while asking so much of me, ββ¦I canβt do thatβ¦β I whisper, βI donβt even know why Iβd do that.β Terra blinks slow, he tries not to scowl, his whole face looks animalistic for a second β it was scary, but he hides it away quickly. βThereβs two types of fucking for a Kor.β I hear Mars, lecturing me, from the other side of the garden. I look over my shoulder, and Terra kisses my neck while my head is turned, while his hand splays across my belly and reaches for my breasts, squeezing one, as Mars walks forward, hands behind his back, a cold look in his eye. He knows Iβm not going to like what he has to say. βWhen we breed,β Mars continues to explain, βThatβs free.β βI have to pay for you after that?β I gawk. Mars manages a very small smile, but continues to look dead serious at the same time, βYes.β βI have no money,β I whisper, distracted by what Terra is doing to me. He is playing with my right nipple, pinching and pulling it, while his teeth scrape against my neck, getting ready to devour a little of my blood when I least suspect it. βWe donβt want money,β Mars answers straight away, ββ¦we just need your rights to live.β βI know you eat women, stop reminding me,β I growl, βI understand. I donβt need to pledge myself to you. Geez.β βOh, you do,β Mars whispers, βIf you want Kor cockβ¦ youβll pledge it. Otherwise youβll never get fucked again.β βBut why a pledge?β I growl, βYou agreed to let me live, as my blood is enough to sustain you all.β βYes, but if we change our mind β itβs Kor-honour codes to require a mateβs audible permission. You donβt fuck a woman for free. You fuck women who pledge. Itβs your consent, Diana,β Mars tries to rephrase it, smirking. God, when Mars was feeling arrogant, it was the most overwhelming side to his personality. My Enhanced Instincts are right though, he is done being angry with me. Heβs turning to other alternative solutions to play puppet master with his new blood bag. βItβs not consent for sex, you have that, you want my consent to kill me just in case you change your mind,β I snarl it, as now Iβm angry. Terra times himself perfectly. As Iβm glaring at Mars, I feel Terraβs lips smile against my skin as he opens his mouth to take a bite. Pain distracts me, as his vilely sharp Kor fangs, rip into my skin. The pain reminds me of their strength and their hunger. Itβs momentary and itβs swamped by powerful pulses of venom. The magic hits me β oh, helloooo. Oh, no, no, no, what was I saying, what wasβ¦ Terra comfortably drinks my blood and as he gets fed, his light blue skin sparkles with my essence as he drinks me up, and in returnβ¦ I understand him with his venom inside me. Terra is very wise. I feel that first. But itβs mixed with nurturing. Being a parent. And also? Terra was feeling very much on edge. Like he needed to cum and bad. It sends me straight to the edge of my orgasm, but doesnβt fulfil me. So, while my head is filled with Kor power, wisdom and knowledge, my womb is tortured with unfulfilled lust. The kind thatβll make me agree to anything. Even giving over rights to breathe. Just to β toβ¦ To cum? THAT WAS RIDICULOUS! Terra slowly and excruciatingly pulls his teeth from my neck, while at the same time, I push away from Terra, dizzy on my feet as I resist his venom. I grab the table and stand up, my skin fluttering in between going invisible and staying on. I stumble quickly away from both of them. I wasnβt running, I was just getting space. I walk stiffly to the other side of the small overgrown garden, and I turn to face both of them, my neck bleeding but the trail is slowly stopping as the blood coagulates and I feel my thighs are wet with need, so wet that itβll drip to my ankles soon. Forcing myself to speak up, I demand, βP-Please,β but I whimper it, and I see both their eyes focus so sharply on me, they expect a pledge, βPlease,β I say with more strength, βCall Iris here, I need to talk to her immediately.β Both Terra and Mars are snapped out of their hunting glares. My Kors look surprised β as they try, so very hard, to keep that in. Theyβre fucking ancient and itβs so obvious theyβve never seen anyone resist like this before. What female could resist charismatic Gods like them? But to be fair, Fey and Human genes mixed together had never existed before until now. βWhy?β now Mars is asking questions, his slow drawl touched with held back Kor lust. Heh. βI think sheβd be a good lawyer,β I whisper out my intentions, then I repeat myself, βCall Iris here immediately.β βEmpressβ¦ I can get you a real lawyer,β Mars murmurs, while clearly taunting me. βShe knows you,β I hiss, βShe survives you. Probably the only woman in the universe, besides me, who breathes around you fucking handsome fucks, fuck me,β I canβt keep looking at Mars and Terraβ¦ I spin in a 180, swearing under my breath, as my eyeballs were literally looking for Kor cock. Almost against my will. I didnβt want to stare at their gorgeous dicks and change my mind. The Kor chemistry in my blood, was acting like a magic curse on me. Give them everything, why not, why not, why not? But I could resist. Barely. But still achieving the impossible. Dark Nines always could resist the tricks of this universe the best. Our minds were one of a kind. I keep myself steady with a small, simple mantra. I did not follow. I did not fall. I made my own mind. Dark Nines did not fucking obey β even if it were nine Dark Gods demanding the price. They wouldnβt trick me. I had to get on top of them! Wait. Wait. Heh. I lock that new idea away for another time. Itβs funny where new ideas come from. When youβre living with monsters. Who are denying me. Fuck! They knew when to be cruel. I almost fucking caved. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 23 βΏβββ’β¦ When Iris arrived with her ET Key she asked to stay by the spaceship, not keen on going out of the garage into the wilds of Dark Ninth. Iris is dressed up to party, with a gorgeous purple dress and bangles for both arms and heavy makeup. She even wears a blonde wig over her usually bald head. But aside from looking dressed to kill, she looks terrified of being on Dark Ninth. βYou scared of the giant Elion spiders?β I ask, trying to smile. Iris looks skittish as she looks me over, smiles but doesnβt exactly answer, she looks distracted, before she shakes her head, trying to focus, βWhat do you need me for, Empress Diana?β She even steps toward me, kneeling and trying to kiss my hand. I stop her before she does that, quickly and awkwardly pulling her back up to stand, βNo, no. Pleaseβ¦ you donβt ever have to do that, weβre friends,β at least Iβd like to think so. Iris paces backwards, βHow can I be of assistance?β her eyes, however, keep darting to the ceiling. βWe are alone, Mars called you in but no one followed me down here,β I assure her. Iris gulps, and makes a nervous airy noise of worry, βAre you okay, Iris? I thought you were safe with them β friends. Right?β βI organise all Marsβ plans through Intergalactic Alliance channels, regulated, monitored… I have been told repeatedly Iβm not allowed here,β she tugs on her choker with the nine coloured pendants, βWhy am I here, exactly?β βI need you to give me legal advice, they want me to audibly give away my right to breathe, if I want to getβ¦ fucked,β I was going to choose words less obvious, but decide to not be so obtuse. This was life and death, there was no time for small talk, βThey say sex isnβt free after Iβm pregnant,β I add that with a bit of embarrassment, but Iβm glad she doesnβt laugh. I had put on the Plume she chose for me when we first met, hoping to respect her choice by even putting on the matching Krown, the collar, which I linked to the Plume at the back as she showed me how. I liked how the Plume caressed my growing belly. Iris hasnβt acknowledge that, though, instead, she takes my hand and leads me to a table. We sit together and face one another, while she holds my hand in both of hers. βNever give those rights away,β she advises me, simply, βYour Galactic Rights may be yours to give away β but there is a reason no one should. That is not just giving yourself over as a slave, it means no one can save you and abhorrent things can happen to you.β βLike being eaten alive,β I add, and she nods. I take my hand from hers, and I rub down my wrist, to see if the S-Ray will pop back up into my hand. It does, and I show Iris the gun Mercury passed onto Terra to pass onto me, βPretty cool, huh? I guess this will come in handy at some point.β When Iris looks at it but not with appreciation, I shrink it back down and hide it away, gritting my teeth in an awkward smile. βThey are arming you?β Iris asks through a clogged throat, like sheβs suddenly sick with nerves. She coughs to clear her throat as she sees me nod, βArming their mates is a game to them.β Now I lose my smile. I was hoping she wouldnβt say something like that. I had my awful suspicions; her steady pink eyes and steady words confirm my greatest fear. βTheir charmβ¦ their treatment of meβ¦ is it all a grandiose lie?β I ask. My greatest fear of all is being lied to this whole time. βItβs not a lie,β Iris speaks gently, as she looks me over slowly as I abruptly relax, and I notice her eyes harden, ββ¦and thatβs the trap.β βYouβve done this before,β I guess, and her eyes snap up, almost looking guilty, βYouβve met others like me, havenβt you?β Iris doesnβt want to answer, her tongue is held still, βTell me.β She doesnβt even refuse me, she just stays silent, and I have a feeling Marsβ commands on what she canβt say override mine in this situation. βTo be honest, Diana. I am scared of the ghosts above us,β Iris whispers, βTheyβre everywhere wandering around, crying out.β βOh. You have factor 6 senses,β I almost forgot, βYou can communicate with the dead.β βI can,β Iris is happy to have changed the topic, βCan you sense them?β βNot at all,β I answer, βHow many can you feel up there?β βAll of them, Diana,β Iris almost looks green, her pale pink skin is flushed with discomfort, βIβd like to go back home, if possibleβ¦β βYouβre here to advise me,β I answer, feeling a need to command her to stay. I couldnβt have her run from me, she was some of the only help I had available to me. βI can ask them,β Iris murmurs, still looking quite stiff. βWho?β βThe ghosts, for advice, for you,β Iris purses her lips, as if she already regrets asking that, βBut to speak to them I need a name.β βI only know one name, and I donβt want to talk to her,β I think of Cinta. Absolutely not. She was evil. She wouldnβt be able to help me. She was the one who imprisoned the Kors to be sexual slaves to all the Fey. The one to torture Venus into insanity. βThe thing is, Diana, I canβt help you,β Iris suddenly blurts out, βI am surprised youβve lived this long.β βSeriously?β my heart drops. Iris stands up and starts to pace away from me. I have no more questions. βCan I go back home now, please, Diana,β Iris begs me. ββ¦youβve met the ones before meβ¦β I murmur again under my breath, only to be met with cold silence again. I can tell she is forbidden from talking about previous prey the Kors have played with. I have to think of a different question. βPlease, Diana,β I feel bad that Iris is so desperate to leave, but I need her to stay just a little longer. βDo you know of any girls who escaped?β as I ask that quickly, Irisβ face visibly changes. Yes. Yes, she does. But there is no way sheβll tell me about them or her or whoever it is. βI have to go,β Irisβ voice becomes scared. Her eyes start to dart around the room, rather than the ceiling, and I look down to the hairs on my arm. They have risen, leaning left, rightβ¦ leftβ¦ right. A bit odd. Hmmm. I know better than to acknowledge the Kor stealthing in the room, eavesdropping. βYou can go, but do you have film β in the public domain,β I add, since it is the last thing I was going to ask, βOf them hunting?β The best thing I could do, was see the truth, no matter how horrid. I had seen them hunt once and it was horrific, and even so I had a feeling I hadnβt seen the worst. βNow that is something you can search in your own time, Diana, I have to go home, itβs my sonβs birthday,β Irisβ patience finally snaps. βOh,β I stand up, suddenly feeling so rude for not even asking what she was doing today, βI didnβt mean to take you away from your sonβ¦ you can go back, Iβm sorry, Iris.β She canβt look at me. Clearly too disturbed by the ghosts I canβt see. She walks back to the portal, stepping back to Planet Meda. When I am alone, I turn around to see what Kor was listening. I glare at the wall but I sense nothing. I look around the garage. I guess I didnβt specifically ask to be alone, and now I was paying for it. βWho is it?β I growl. I feel, all at once, heat. I donβt understand where it comes from. But it feels like itβs closing in, all around me. I stiffen up, my heart racing. Ninth Squad show themselves. All of them! My Kors look hungry. Theyβre all around me, right up in my space, focused on my flesh. Terrified by how close theyβve come, I barely have an inch to move. Theyβre literally all around me. As I step back, Iβm held by Mars, his green velvet arm slipping around my waist and keeping me still, as other hands reach out for me. Not just hands. Their open mouths with dripping venom from their sharp teeth. I donβt know where they all go, I canβt know when Marsβ hand slides over my eyes, blinding me, stopping me from seeing, so all I can feel are bites and kisses along my breasts, under my breasts, along my ribs, down my stomach and along my thighs. One of them lifts one leg, as a Kor dives in to kiss my clit and licks through my wet pussy, slowly savouring the best position and licking deep. Theyβre hands are grasping all my limbs like vices. One ankle, one knee and both my arms are held so tight and still by their large hands, while I feel their curious tongues lick across my body. It feels like itβs happening in all places, all at once. One Kor has lifted my toes to their mouth, nibbling along, and tickling the sole of my foot with one sly finger that runs in circles. I stiffen and gasp, while I taste Neptuneβs venom on my lips, his dreamy essence seeping into my mouth β as he locks me in a deep, hungry kiss. The hand over my eyes pushes my head back, so my neck arcs. βYou thought it would be that easy,β Mars has spoken against my cheek, near my ear, βTo fight this, Empress? Weβre giving you the world,β Mars licks into my ear, while Neptune licks past my mouth up to my other ear, ββ¦submit, Dianaβ¦ pledge yourself to usβ¦ if you do notβ¦β I feel every inch of me is pulled, kneaded and clutched, itβs hard to think, βAn Empress must serve all β but we want you. We do. Diana, please,β Mars sounds like heβs begging me. I feel two Kor cocks slide into my open hands, I sense itβs Jupiter and Saturn, but I could be wrong, as they use my hands to stroke their shafts. The tongue along my clit rubs in concentrated circles, driving up my lust sharply. I canβt escape it because Iβm held firmly to the spot. One Kor cock now runs along the sole of my foot. Marsβ own cock rubs along my back, hard and hot and needy. My mateβs hand slides down my face, off my eyes, to my lips, where his fingers are so light along my bottom lip, wanting me to answer. βShut up,β I whisper, βJust shut up and fuck me, please,β I look sideways to Mars, while my whole body is warm from the unexpected worship. He waits by my turned face, his dark eyes digging through mine, looking for my submission, βIβll never fucking say what you want me to say,β I growl my defiance, while my eyes water with pleasure, and I try to kiss Marsβ cruel and beautiful lips, so close to me. I reach up and my lips brush his, but he denies me the kiss, holding himself just out of reach, as his eyes challenge mine, βFuck you, kiss me,β I beg, βKiss me. Please. Please ββ I donβt expect it to be so easy. Marsβ look was unbreakable. And yet he breaks. Mars gives me what I want, as he crushes his mouth to mine, and grabs the back of my head, his tongue sliding straight into my mouth, giving me him. And his soul. His essence. I taste it. I taste the poison. The depths of it. Mars. He is totally, completely, in love with me. But I also taste the other half. The other thing. I know what it is. The fatal reality hiding behind that kiss of passion and this worship of my body. No love will outweigh their need to fulfil the cycle theyβve stuck to for this universe and before. Breed, fuck, consume. Itβs not a cycle that breaks. Itβs a cycle that comes aroundβ¦ and aroundβ¦ forever, and itβs coming even if love breeds hope. The only issue is hope is useless and dies. Mars is starving. My Kors are starving. I taste the bitter heavy void of lust between Kor and lover. I taste the empty hopeless ruining of my soul, coming for me. Itβs coming. β¦Cintaβ¦ my god, C-Cinta had no choiceβ¦ there was no other way to surviveβ¦ all my thoughtsβ¦ all my constant worryingβ¦ it was leading to one final realisation. Kors had to be in chains. They couldnβt help themselves. They had to take what was most ripe and beautifulβ¦ and kill it. All the while, the love was real and returned. It was the perfect trap. The happily ever after, delivered to you, and then you die. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 24 βΏβββ’β¦ Despite the sinking feeling of impending doom, this moment being caressed and devoured through shared lust by all nine Kors β is one of the most unexpectedly beautiful moments of my life. I feel their tender need to pleasure me, and I love their hands, their tongues, even their sharp shredding teeth, slowly scraping along my soft skin, so delicate in their movements. I just wish it could be like this. And no price. But the price coming for me, is too high. Even for this love theyβre gifting me. Mars feels me gasping for air from our deep kiss that I had demanded. I break away from it, and he lets me breathe alone, his handsome face hovering above mine, reading my panicked eyes. His large hand slowly splays across my cheek, focusing my attention on him, while the rest of the Kors continue to love my body and hold me so still. βRelease me,β I whisper, terrified of the pleasure. βOne more kiss,β Mars demands of me in return, βJust one moreβ¦ my Empress.β I let out a noise of need as I try to hold back, but I give him one more chance. One more slither of hope drives me toward his request. I didnβt want to be in a position of never trusting them. Please, let me taste something else. Mars licks across my eager lips and engages me in one more, deep, terrifying kiss. This time? Itβs a distraction. And I fell for it. Teeth. Teeth. Theyβre coming for me. Harder. I cry out as on every limb β I feel a bite from every Kor. And Mars, well, he keeps his dominate expression steady, and he doesnβt bite me, he just soothes me with that gentle, lingering kiss, still giving me tiny obscure amounts of his venom. Itβs just enough β to mingle with the direct injection of eight other Kors. I canβt imagine what Dark Ninth tastes like. All of Ninth Squad, all at once. But I find out right now. The deep paralysis means I feel no pain. Itβs more a mental and spiritual type of mind-fuck now. Venom shows you their self-portrayals. All together, Iβm transported briefly out of this realm, down into a mental free fall through the void of their hunger. That is all it is. A free fall through one feeling that I imagine is death as you get ripped apart, atom by atom, as you melt from the inside. Every venom creates a dark warm embrace on the way down. Itβs sticky, deep and inescapable. Itβs over. What can I do? I only realise Iβm facing it with resistance. What if I justβ¦ move with the pull, so my soul is not torn to pieces, and they canβt win. My instincts are the only thing that remain. I rely on them now as I turn around in the free fall and the moment I do, I see a key glowing below me. Take it. I hear Marsβ voice all around me, a caress of strength and promise. Itβs yours, Diana. I trust him. My hands reaches out for it, I see the key is shapeless. No. Itβs always changing. Now itβs just a puddle of light and metallic liquid. I stick my hand into it β and my reality shifts one more time. Iβm steady. Everything is okay. In a few seconds, the experience is over. And Iβm not dead. Iβm still breathing. I wake upβ¦ just not where I expect to be. **** I wake up days later. What felt like seconds had been a half a weeklong coma. I donβt know this yet, but Iβm about to learn. And Iβm not on Dark Ninth. At least, I donβt seem to be. I wake up in a cell, in a blue dank dungeon, and noβ¦ Iβm not free to move. Iβm not in a corner curled up, or in a bed warm and snug. Iβm chained down to a cold hard slab. I feel the chains all around me. I donβt understand the excess. Yetβ¦ despite my strange predicament, I feel strong. So strong in fact. I pull and yank on the chains, they donβt breakβ¦ but I feel like they might just snap. If only I had another inch to move. I look around the cell as my breath moves past my lips as mist, since itβs so cold. βYou imagined us in chains.β Mars, my mate, drawls quietly. I canβt see him. He turns off his Stealth a few moments later, and he is outside my cell. βItβs called having an imagination,β I whisper back, feeling soβ¦ strange, βWhat happened?β Mars keeps his distance, not entering the cell, βYou could imagine anything.β Why is he talking about my imagination? How did he know I thought they should be in chains? Also, is that why Iβm in chains? I have no idea what the hell is going on. βCan you answer me first, and ignore your ego for one second,β I hiss, βWhy am I here? Where am I?β I sound hysterical but I think I have a right to be. βYouβve been sleeping for days,β Mars explains, his voice deep and quiet, ββ¦we, umβ¦ we overdosed you on venomβ¦ sorryβ¦β βOh, great,β I roll my eyes. Overdosed. Iβ¦ overdosed? I guess that would happen when eight Kors injected their magic into your blood all at once. βTo be fair, it was an accident,β Mars growls but he looks away as he says it, looking pissed, βYou shouldnβt even be alive.β βThatβs what she said,β I think of Iris, βDamnβ¦ I feel strong. I donβt understand. And also, if I overdosedβ¦ on Kor venomβ¦ I am so confused, Mars. Help me understand. Why am I chained down?β βNot my choice, honey,β Mars snarls that endearment. He had never called me honey before. Weird. βIt was mine, Empress.β Straight up my nose, I smell that burning star of his overwhelming scent of purest vile power. I almost choke on it, it smells so intense. My eyes water as I look at the second Kor, who has also been Stealthing. So, Iβm on Planet fucking Apastron. Alpha Centauri stands next to Mars, a foot taller, his staff for once, is not in his hand. He wears some kind of barbaric leather skirt to cover his ding-dongβ¦ I donβt even want to think of it as his gigantic cock, because to be honestβ¦ letβs not go there. I just didnβt want to think about my enemy like that. Or any Kor like that, not right now. Not while I was in this predicament. Naked, bound and imprisoned. βHello, Alpha Centauri,β I murmur as I look at the ceiling. Kor cock, Kor cock, Kor cock. Oh, no. Why am I so horny like this? Fuck, my mind needed a good fuck. I mean, I mean β βYouβre immune,β Mars explains, while Iβm having a private mental battle, βTo venom. And your body is processing the venom in a way that youβre utilising it as extra strength. Weβre just waiting for it to wear off.β βOh,β I whisper, βLovely.β βNo female is immune to being prepared for feasting the traditional way,β Alpha Centauri doesnβt sound sexy, he sounds like a menace. Great, he still wants to eat me. Too bad Iβm prego, ββ¦look at your little human go so shy since I appeared, Marsβ¦ wavering loyalties?β βI wouldnβt touch you with a ten foot pole, Estori,β I canβt help myself, βYou stink and your incredible appetite is rather disgusting.β βYou smell iron,β Alpha Centauriβs tone drops an octaveβ¦ so his scent was blood, fuck, thatβs terrifying, βAnd I just finished my last mealβ¦ a few minutes ago, so you do read the energy right, donβt you, Empress β in tuneβ¦ Iβll give you that, Marsβ¦ you chose well,β Alpha Centauri sounds too relaxed. I donβt like it. βWhen can I get out of here?β I ask, without looking at them. βNow,β Mars murmurs, ββ¦but weβve run into a small political obstacleβ¦β βThe Kors want to meet you, all of them,β Alpha Centauri helpfully explains, βSo you will.β βWhy is that necessary?β I ask. βI told you, but you didnβt hear meβ¦ or you didnβt understand,β Mars growls at me, βYou belong to all Kors, you serve all Kors as Empress. Unless you pledge your life to a certain squad. If you will do so, and soon, Ninth Squad we will be your guardians.β I look at Mars carefully. Is thatβ¦ all it was? Mars keeps his arms crossed, ignoring the Estori right next to him, who is watching me with an awry stare of amusement and deep interest. I hate that he likes me. It meant he would be thinking about me. I glare at Alpha Centauri, hesitantly. βA whore wonβt pledge,β he tells Mars, while staring at me, βShe wants more than Ninth Squad. She likes power. I can tell.β Alpha Centauri turns and walks away, smirking to himself. He looks like a universal super villain walking away so silently. Even Mars tries not to glare as he waits tensely for Alpha Centauri to walk off. βI really am sorry,β Mars whispers, eventually, βFor the mistake.β βThe overdose?β I ask, and he nods. I shrug, not sure what to make of it. Something feels missing. Like heβs leaving something out. Like the free fall. And that key. What was it? Mars opens the cell door now, and he comes over to take off all my chains. None of that made sense either. Chaining me down. I feel myself recede into my own mind. I am apprehensive about whatever is coming next. The Kors were acting defensive. Whatever happened to me β it was bad for all of them. Thatβs all I knew. I just didnβt know how. Not yet. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 25 βΏβββ’β¦ Mars holds my hand and leads me out of the cell, making sure Iβm steady after being in a coma for half the week. While we move out into a cold wind within the prison of Apastron, I feel safe with him close. I gaze at the metallic sheen on everything outside my lonely cell, and I spy the thousands of cells around me on the other sideβ¦ but these donβt seem like Kor cells. Theyβre too small for them. Planet Apastron was different to Dark Ninth. As I try to look how far up these cells go, going forever it seems into the shadow sky β my view is blocked by Jupiter. He appears in front of me, holding out a robe, which he suddenly offers to put around my shoulders, distracting me from the sight beyond. Itβs very light material, I barely feel it at all, but it covers me. It drapes softly around me and I feel like I lookβ¦ just a bit more like Cinta. Dressed in a long, draping robe like this. βSpider silk,β I whisper as I touch it and I canβt feel it, βIsnβt it?β Jupiter makes a scoff of agreement, adding, βYes, and itβs very fucking expensive, Dianaβ¦β as he admires it on me, I step around him to keep looking out at the cells beyond. Empty. Empty? At first glanceβ¦ thatβs what they appear to be. I squint. Orβ¦ are their moving bodies within them? Moving slowly and weakly, covered in so much dark blue dust and grime, theyβve appeared as if theyβre not there at all. There are no lights to give them a reprieve from the darkness of this place. No lights to help with my eyesight. I try to focus, even though the cells are so far away from my own, which is on the other side of a large crevasse that eats away into the planet, dropping down until you have no idea how deep it goes. βDiana. We have to move now. Follow us.β Mars commands me. I ignore him. I walk to the edge of the crevasse. No barrier at all. I feel hands fall on my shoulders, and I see Mercury appear behind me, his eyes sharp and capturing my curious gaze. βWhat is this place?β I ask, wanting to know. βDoesnβt matter,β Mercury murmurs, seriously refusing to tell me. I am used to being dismissed by now. I shrug him off, or attempt to, as I turn my gaze back to the cells, βHello?!β I call out and my voice echoes easily to the other side, βIs anyone there!β The moment I ask the question, my Kors suddenly all appear together, moving in my view and pushing me away from the edge, blocking my vision of the cells on the other side. I glare at all of them, itβs all I can do. But then I hear a reply. ββ¦whoβ¦whoever you areβ¦β I hear a sickly voice call out from the other side. My Kors look anxious to move me on. βRunβ¦ run while youβ¦ can,β itβs a gasp and a wheeze. The voice of someone dying. Severe dehydration. Malnourishment. The girls filling those cells are left there without anything. My heart twists silently for them, but right now my Kors are blocking any attempt to communicate back. I have to hold it in. βGo,β Mars doesnβt just command me, all of Ninth Squad tell me to move as one. My hands clench into fists, but they canβt see with the robe covering my skin for once. I turn and start to walk while they follow close behind. As Iβm striding along to let out my growing rage and frustration, Neptune and Uranus pace to either side of me, always camouflaged. Neptune picks up my hair and twists it as he puts a band around, helping make me look slightly more presentable. Uranus keeps a hand on my neck, where he feels my pulse. βItβs really healed. Your heart,β Uranus murmurs, βYour heart wasββ βUranus. That information is unnecessary,β Mars snarls to shut him up. Uranusβ hand slips from my neck and he just flanks me with Neptune. βIt was an accident, so itβs fine,β I snap out, ββ¦because the overdose on Kor venom was a total accident, right?β I add, asking twice. None of my Kors answer me. Their agreed and easy silence sends a shiver down my spine. Iβm not going to ask again. I just feel them staring at me and I feel their combined guilt, too. Or maybe it wasnβt guilt. Maybe they enjoyed seeing me almost die. I head down a gigantic staircase and it feels like it goes on forever, but eventually in the distance I see the throne room, where Alpha Centauri waits β alone. At least, he seems to be alone. We walk along a large bridge toward the end, that drops off either side into the crevasse before it spirals down to Alpha Centauri. βStop. Wait up here,β Mars commands me without pause in his step. As I halt, my nine Kors stride past me, following Mars, their backs straight and their gazes focused sharp on Alpha Centauri and the audience below. The empty Kingβs hall is actually full of blurred edgesβ¦ because the entire crowd of Kors is invisible. Iβm glad a robe covers me. I assume Iβm left here because Iβm at a safe distance up here, away from savage alien cannibals. I tended to agree more with Iris now, about their cannibalistic tendencies. Ninth Squad might be more like vampires, where they melted the whole body and drank the metallic stew they created with their venom when they bit their prey all together, like poor Quarzina. But they were still eating all of a person. And they drank up my friend. They hunted her βlegallyβ. But she was a friend. Was. Gone forever. Now she was star dust on a rock. Like every rock in this place and that place. Wherever they lived, star dust followed. Metallic death painted everything. Planet Apastron smelled particularly of iron. Ninth Squad join Alpha Centauri at the bottom, and I watch as they individually bow and stand either side of him, arms crossed to look with menacing glares over the invisible crowd of fellow Kors. I donβt know where Alpha Centauriβs own squad are, but I donβt like that theyβre hidden. I had only seen two guarding the portal with chains around their mouths and I donβt see them there now. βThis is your Empress,β Alpha Centauri isnβt formal as he addresses the assembly, heβs just talking quietly and the architecture of his prison helps his voice project to all corners, βFor the next twenty-one days until her babe is born. You may wonder why she is an Empress. A Galactic Queen. You all know this kind of female worship is forbiddenβ¦ but love doesnβt pick and chooseβ¦ and Ninth Squad have fallen in love with Diana by fate. And I have pledged to protect her while she is carrying β so for three remaining weeks, our codes change as we have a real Empress. Temporarily, anyway. Now, what is most important is the endβ¦ soβ¦ the plain whore will either pledge to a few, or agree to take us all,β Alpha Centauri turns his gaze over his shoulder, up to my position, his metallic deep blue eyes locking with me, βKings and Queens belong together. If you know whatβs good for you, and I know youβre an easy slut, Iβve witnessed it, you should pledge to the strongest Kor, that is me. I am your wisest choiceβ¦ Diana,β the Estoriβs dark growl of my name is full of possession, something I donβt expect. My eyes fall on Mars, who looks furious by Alpha Centauriβs offer, but Mars is bound by silence in the presence of the Estori, βLetβs allow the girl to dwell on her choices for a few moments,β Alpha Centauri adds that with condescension, βI remind you, if you pledge to no one, Diana, youβll be hunted and fucked by all of us. Of courseβ¦ itβs your humble choice. Venus,β Alpha Centauri looks right past Mars, to E, as he stands next to Mars, head down, eyes also laser focused down on the blue stones as he tries to stay inconspicuous, βAny words of wisdom for your new Empress?β The bastard is trying to trigger him about Cinta. And Alpha Centauri doesnβt have to be sophisticated about it. Venus looks up, and slowly looks over his shoulder to me. ββ¦what? Do words matter. We voted to keep her alive, I made her strong,β E speaks to Alpha Centauri instead, βSheβll live either way.β βOh, yes, I forgot to mention,β Alpha Centauri tries not to laugh, βE made her immune to venom. So the Empress is resilient… as resilient as females can be.β I hear the Kor crowd hiss and snarl in disgust or shock or both. My own Kors look up and glare at the stealthing crowd. Perhaps theyβre all glaring at me right now. βWise words?β E ponders what he should tell me, and he finally decides, βHow about it wasnβt an accident, Diana,β E has crazy eyes again, βAnd none of us are sorry. Our fathers created the Fey. We created you. Congratulationsβ¦ youβre an upgradeβ¦ upgrades need testing. We overdosed you on purpose. Chew on that.β E lets the cat out of the bag. βThat doesnβt matter. Who cares. Her time is finite. Itβs time to pledge, whore,β Alpha Centauri loses his humour, his rage growing as Venus tries to make me sound more important than a bag of flesh, βPleaseβ¦ Empressβ¦ amuse us.β Alpha Centauri doesnβt even bother looking at me. I fucking hate him. Mars might be arrogant. But Alpha Centauri is a pig. βIβve chosen to pledge,β I call down. Mars relaxes his shoulders, hearing my confidence. He knows me. βYour rights,β Alpha Centauri adds, βNot just words, girl.β βI pledge everything,β I whisper this, but itβs really a promise of all Iβm capable of, βI promise everything,β I continue after a short pause,βNinth Squad,β I state, βWill not have me. I pledge my life and my breath to the Estori. Alpha Centauri.β The Estori of all Kors, with the blackest heart and rotten soul β he knew without any doubt I would not pledge to him when Mars and Ninth Squad showed me love, at the very least. It takes him an embarrassing few seconds to even understand what I just said. Oh, how could I when he knew Iβd choose Ninth Squad. But I chose him. Now I just forced his hand to defend me. The bastard didnβt know I was going to adhere to the advice of one of the entrapped females who called out to me, who warned meβ¦ and I knew she was on the slaughtering blockβ¦ at some point, she was meat to him. As Iβd be to all of them one day if I ever succumbed to any of them. Ninth Squad overdosed me. With purpose. Okay. I should have seen it coming. They were playing with me too much and I let them. Now I had to punish them. I was just a little slow in figuring that out. Alpha Centauri was the top dog, but he was one man. So right now I just made it one Kor I had to run from. Not nine. Not all of them. All the Kors below turn to me from the podium, and Iβve already turned on my Stealth. Iβm gone to their eyes, and my height gives me time to vanish. All the Kors shift off their Stealth β even Neptune and Uranus. I see them standing tall, both dark blue like Alpha Centauri. Neptune and Uranus look like twins, but with light turquoise eyes and long black hair, they are both looking up with confusion and hurt. I donβt think they even know they accidentally turned off their forever-stealth. Or maybe they were just shy with me around. Mars hasnβt turned to me, he looks frozen with whatever emotion is running through him right now. Alpha Centauriβ¦ his reaction is most interesting. As I said, he did not expect the pledge and he was so ripped by it, heβs turned to me with that predictable and extreme hatred β he wants to show me that, but he canβt see me. The moment he knows Iβm gone, figuring out that means Iβm running away, he also turns on his Stealth, determined to catch me. I back up slowly to the edge of the bridge and I look down at the rocks jutting out at the sides. I can sense the Estori sprinting, aiming to stop me before I can escape up this long winding bridge back toward the cells. His strides would out stride mine. But I wasnβt running aimless, like an idiot. I lower myself over the bridge and I scale the side, holding onto the edges with the tips of my fingers. My strength from the overdose was fuelled by their venom in my system, converted to extra power in my muscles and nerves. Iβm able to hang down here, my toes barely clutching around jutting uneven surfaces in the bridge. But Iβm able to do it when I knew I couldnβt before. I guess the overdose had itβs advantages. A strong down draft over the bridge is carrying my scent down into the abyss, not up near their noses. I guess itβll help and Iβm proved right as I feel the vibrations through the stones from the weight of Estoriβs extra muscle as he runs past me and up to the cells beyond. I stay where I am for quite a while. Not intending to move. I overhear my Kors speaking as one unified group, their voices travelling up to me one by one. ββ¦itβs just like her to do something fucked like thatβ¦β Saturn speaks first. ββ¦sheβs playing with whatever strategies she can think of to surviveβ¦ I respect it,β Terra is proud. βOr sheβs proven to be a whore,β E tries to make it negative and he sounds very upset. ββ¦she was matched to me,β Mars snarls, βSheβs not stupid, she worked it out.β βNo one sees through us,β Neptune speaks so quiet, I barely pick up on it. βShe can,β Mars sighs, ββ¦she figured out our loyalty was never going to last if she bent over.β βWhat a wasteβ¦ the Estori will have her neck now, so much for being ours exclusively,β Venus is so fucking sour, βShe canβt escape him. Sheβs done. We lost her.β βNo. Use your head, E. She was ours and she escaped us through that pledge,β Jupiter growls, βIf she can do that on logic alone, sheβll get away from him,β Iβm surprised he has that much confidence in me, and he makes me feel flatteredβ¦ while Iβm casually hanging over an abyss. But their words steady me. βEveryone needs to relax. She just pledged her breath to him, not her heartβ¦ her heart is mine,β Marsβ soft words, filled with confidence, make me smile into the stones. Thatβs right. Thatβs all I did. It was easier for me to run if I only had one Kor on my back, not the whole fucking lot of them. And as for my Ninth Squadβ¦ I made my decision. I did… I wanted to be Empress. Their Empress. I just knew the only way to have them was to never pledge to them. Every female before had pledged to the Kor hunting her. And died. My plan was pretty simple. Run first. Hide. Just not forever. To be a real Kor Empress, I simply had to prove myself. I had to kill the King Kor. The Estori. I had to murder Alpha Centauri. I wonder if theyβll figure that out too. Everything changed when that girl called out to me. It wasnβt just me I had to save anymore. There were rows and rows of Kor prey waiting for death, all tricked with brief seduction by Alpha Centauri or his squad. A simple seduction was all it took from a universal power to convince a young girl all her dreams were about to come true, while being led to a cell. For all the women imprisoned on Planet Apastron β no intergalactic agency was coming for them, as Kors were legally abiding by their own rules on their own planet β which means I was their only hope. I had to be an Empress. I had to be. I had to save them and to do that, I had to take the place of the top Kor. Yup. This plan wasnβt a gimmicky stupid little reaction. Or a simple strange emotional need to feel okay. I wasnβt just running to secure my life, I was running now to save the females trapped on Planet Apastron. The hunt was on. You better not be so blind you canβt see me coming for you, Alpha Centauri β because this would be easy otherwise. As for me. I had to stay safe. I had to stay alive. I could do this because I knew I could. I knew why I was here now. Itβs just who I was, I was getting through these challenges because I was a Dark Nine. I was completely free of influence. At least, I tried to be. Isnβt that exactly what an Empress had to be? Not a dominator like Cinta. But free. Always. Heart, body, soul. Being free was irresistible to any Kor. It was hypnotic to them, thatβs why they needed to catch you and change that. To survive a predatory species, you had to fight. You had to prove yourself. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 26 βΏβββ’β¦ After I feel many Kors from the assembly leave up the bridge or leave through the portal, when all movement and vibration stops through my hands, I climb back up onto the bridge as I watch Ninth Squad look to Mars for guidance, still all standing by the Estoriβs throne. βWe still have to defend Dark Ninth, Iβll stay here with E,β Mars commands, βThe rest of you return homeβ¦ until we find Diana.β They agree and I watch as they line up to leave this place through the ET portal. Mars and E stay close to one another and whisper in each otherβs ears some ideas about me. I am betting on their ability to track me down via my screams β when Alpha Centauri, in their minds β captured me. I run up the bridge toward the cells and my nose picks up the burning star scent of Alpha Centauri off a descending spiral into the crevasseβ¦ a deeper, darker area below. I move slowly now, as I let my eyes adjust to the darkness. I take one step at a time, hunting the Estori, King of all Kors, with excitement. I donβt know where he thinks Iβve run, but I know heβs in front of me, the wind blows back and toward me down here, taking me his scent, and keeping mine away from him. At the bottom of this spiral, is a dark ledge, that runs along the crevasse. I follow it, toward a single blue light, sparking from around a corner in the architecture. The wind is much stronger down here. I get to the end of the narrow walk way, to look around the corner. I see an ET portal glowing, the sparks were shooting out because it had just been used. Itβs still on, slowly powering down. Adjacent to the portal is an opening to the dark blue skies of Planet Apastron, which is where the wind is coming in sharply off the side of a mountain peak. I donβt have time to view the landscape of this alien planet. I know where Alpha Centauri went. The blue sparks are tinged with purple, green and silver. The portal itself smells of home. Dark Ninth. Of course. He thought I ran straight home. I realise quickly that I have to rush because Alpha Centauri will soon face seven of Dark Ninth Squad. I wanted to face him alone. Just before I barrel headlong into the portal back to homeβ¦ I hesitateβ¦ I feel a strong sense of hesitation. ET portals only lingered with powerβ¦ when multiple beings were passing through. Unless Alpha Centauri had no time to adjust the settings. That annoying gut instinct is sharp and powerful the closer I get to the dimming portal, almost shut, my time to make a decision is running out β time I donβt have to ponder as I usually do. I think quick. I am at war with myself, my instincts saying stop, and my mind saying donβt let this opportunity slide. Alpha Centauri was on the other side. I was pursuing him and he had no idea. This kind of surprise attack may be the only opportunity I have to take his breath, to kill him, to prove myself. Surely proving yourself, would require courage. Bravery. But what is courage and what is stupidity? My ancient instincts infused into my DNA say to stop. My human patience is small. My need to prove myself is now restricted to time running out. One more second and this portal is shut. I make my decision. I capitalise on time. As I leap through the portal, I stroke two fingers along my wrist, holding the S-Ray at the ready as I jump back home to Dark Ninth. **** Shit. I fucked up. After Iβve passed through the magic of the ET, to step onto wet mossy ground by a stream of Dark Ninth water running through the rocksβ¦ I see Iβm nowhere near the prison. I canβt even see it on the horizon. Below me down the slight incline of a hillβ¦ maybe a hundred feet beyond meβ¦ standing between scattered boulders, are a circle of Kors that are not my own. Alpha Centauri stands with them, theyβre silent, heads bowed in a circle, listening. For my steps. For my breaths. Which werenβt there. Until now. I had stepped through the portal invisible, but my feet have squelched into the moss and every eye of the nine brutal Kors of Planet Apastron, lift and look my way. The gratification I could feel at their surprise of me stepping through a portal after them, is completely washed away by the fact that whether or not I had the upper hand, is irrelevant now. I came here looking for Alpha Centauri. Instead, I found all his brothers too. Where as Marsβ squad were green, blue, silver, gold, bronze and a universal black, Estoriβs Squad are not a representation of life, just metallic power. Three Kors are blood metallic red, covered in scars, two are steel grey, chains removed, two are a deep purple, only Alpha Centauri and a slightly scrawnier Kor next to him, are dark blue. My Kors are civil. These Kors are evil. I feel the distinct difference of a species who does not interact with anyone outside their own kind. Marsβ¦ all of his ownβ¦ they were social, adaptable, interested in more. Some souls, no matter the kind, only cared for satisfying the primal hunger. We all had our drives. Some tamed those drives. Some fed them. I get not a word in my direction. Not a laugh. There was no bickering to be had. And when I turn around β the outdoor secret portal is shut, it wonβt open againβ¦ I donβt have a key. I have camouflage, and one gun. The only thing I find odd, aside from Alpha Centauri and his staff, are the fact these Kors arenβt armed. Or perhaps I should find that most terrifying of all. I watch as Alpha Centauriβs arms remain crossed but his nostrils breathe in my scent as it finally reaches them. A slow scowl appears on his face, not so much a smile, as it is pure hatred. βDiana,β Alpha Centauri snarls my name even as I remain in stealth mode. He does not sound possessive, just caught off guard. He didnβt know I was chasing him down until now, ββ¦it seems Venus has infused a woman with our hunting instinctsβ¦β he sounds civil enough, but I know his calmness is the exact opposite of what he intends, ββ¦why were you behind me?β βI pledged my breath to you so my life is yoursβ¦ I promised it to you. You promised me something too,β I talk. I immediately see the sets of eyes from his squad, focus better on my spot, just from the sound of my voice. βProtection, thatβs all,β Alpha Centauri whispers, ββ¦three weeksβ¦β βYouβll keep your word?β I dare ask. I hold up my gun, and I aim it for his head. Itβd be so easyβ¦ if he was alone. I lower my gun, feeling my body tremble with disappointment. I was so close. Alpha Centauri looks silently at my spot and I make a decision to show myself. I had to stop the hunt. For now. I hide away my gun, and I turn off my camouflage to show myself. He relaxes his shoulders when he can see me. ββ¦if you run from a Kor, you get chased,β Alpha Centauri adds quietly, while looking me up and down. βIβm aware.β His Kor brothers are salivating. Iβm barely looking at them since some of their fangs are showing with their smiles, and the venom drips so heavy, it drips along the ground, a testament to their appetite. ββ¦you want somethingβ¦β Alpha Centauri continues, carefully, βWhat?β βIβm going to become Estori,β I tell him straight, just as Kors speak to their prey, I give them a taste of the same, βJust as youβve promised to kill me. Iβm promising you the same.β Alpha Centauriβs whole face changes in that very moment. I see the shift in his personality. The entire time he saw me, he underestimated me. I finally see a flicker of doubt in his dark eyes. He didnβt know me. He was acknowledging that. I could take it as a sign of growing respect for his Empress, however, I just ruined my fucking surprise opportunity. I had one shot. I ignored my instincts. Now Iβd have to wait for another rare moment in time. βI better leave you, then, huntress,β Alpha Centauri throws up his spear and catches it, casually getting down on one knee and commanding his squadβs undivided attention, βFirst, courageous one, why donβt you comeβ¦ and taste me,β he offers it gracefully, even staying on one knee, hoping that means Iβll come forward, since itβll make our eyes level. My instincts are pulled one way and the other. Danger and safety are ahead. But I canβt decide whether or not itβs one or the other. I think itβs because he canβt either. He canβt decide. Just as I canβt. I approach, feeling insane, but feeling less so, when I slide off the spider silk coat, and expose my pregnant belly. The Kors go from salivating to shutting their mouths. Even they knew to withhold, not wanting to stop the spread of their genetics through the universe. I donβt know what Iβm doing. But I donβt want to appear weak. I glide forward to Alpha Centauri and he offers me his spear. I raise a brow, curious why heβd give me his weapon. I was strong enough to throw it. βSo you trust itβs just a kiss, Empress, and nothing else,β Alpha Centauri speaks so gently, for me alone. What scares me is he adopts the sweet tone any of my Kors do, when theyβre tricking me into something. But I did want to taste him. Because I wanted to know him. The more I knew about him, the easier itβd be to kill him. Alpha Centauri offers me the spear closer, showing me his brief submission, and I take it while itβs offered. With the spear in my hand I pull it back and slowly press the tip of the screw blade against Alpha Centauriβs throat. He didnβt expect that either, and perhaps he regrets giving me his own weapon. But I also believe in honour. A kiss of death. It was his promise to me and mine to him. Iβd have three weeks to kill him and after that, if I didnβt succeed, Iβd be running for the rest of my life. Still. It was enough time. Alpha Centauri doesnβt move to kiss me. He lets me do it, watching me closely and patiently. I use my one free hand to press to his cheek, to see if a gentle touch affects him in the slightest. He doesnβt flinch at all. I keep my eyes on his steady dark blue orbs, as I choose to make the kiss passionless. I just press my lips to his, cold. I wait for his venom to register, even if itβs just a miniscule amount. Lips that donβt move do nothing to transfer saliva. Alpha Centauri isnβt exactly one to be led. He just wanted to see what Iβd do first, but now he uses his own hands to grab me, since me touching him first was his moment to return the favour. One strong hand slides around my back, pulling me in and under him, while his other hand rests right on my belly, as if he owns it β but really heβs just protecting it. His touch to my belly shocks me enough into gasping, and then heβs tongue slides over mine, he lets me go, he stands up. I collapse to the ground. Taking back his spear, he steps over me and past me. The kiss lasted less than half of a half of a second. Thatβs how little he was willing to give. But his venom sits heavy on my tongue, while I look at his squad watch me watching them, as the Estori strides back to the portal, striking it open with his own key. They follow him. And I sit on the wet mossy ground, eyes pinned to the portal. I swallow to get the taste out of my mouth immediately. Alpha Centauriβ¦ tasted. Like nothing. Normal. Like I tasted my own saliva. In other words? He tasted like me. It seems that Eβ¦ didnβt just alter my DNA to be like the Kors. He made me a match. To. To. I β What exactly was that? Nausea swirls through me. Thinking it, just thinking it, makes me scared beyond all reason. Maybe it wasnβt DNAβ¦ it was soulβ¦ we were almost identical in our wants and needs. My instincts. My drive. My obsession with feeling. My obsession with strategies and generally being a pain in the ass. Alpha Centauri was exactly like me. Not DNA. But feeling. The Estori of all Korsβ¦ was a Dark Nine. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 27 βΏβββ’β¦ I had been abandoned in the middle of nowhere on Dark Ninth when the Estori left me with the taste of my own Dark Nine instincts in my mouth. I wandered for a whole day confused and alone, calling out for help, but no one knew I was back on Dark Ninth. And I had a feeling the Estori hadnβt told Mars or Venus about my whereaboutsβ¦ or I would have been found already. So, great, the one Kor who promised to protect me and my baby β strands me out here. And my only saving grace is a damn spider. Although itβs not so simple. After wandering through endless ruins and low lying shrubs, looking for the outline of the Kor Prison on the horizon to no avail, Iβve collapsed from exhaustion by a stream. I drink water, I pass out, and then wake up to find Iβve been abducted by Chonk. The Elion Spider pet of the Kors. Okay, okay, I lie, I lie β it wasnβt an abduction. He saved me. I woke up in his creepy little web, with a purple Kor fruit plucked and peeled and placed next to my head so when I woke up, I had something nutritious to eat. Itβs pretty sweet what Chonky boy does, or itβs utterly creepy and terrifying, however you look at it, as he forces me to stay in his nest of webs, nestled into a corner of a dark ruin overgrown with thick vines. Chonk and I only met briefly and I seemed to offend him with my disgust at the fact he was a giant frickinβ arachnid. But that all changes when Chonky boy shifts to man. A hairy, wild man, who brings me food and is scared of all forms of eye contact. This man is strange, although non-threatening. He cannot talk. He sits away from me, brown eyes soft and gentle, his handsome face is dirty, and most of his torso is covered in a scattering of hair. When I tried to leave and search for the Prison and Ninth Squad, the wild man would jump into his spiderβs skin, and block me from leaving. Truly, the sweet thing was protecting me though, right? Right?! As a man heβd bring me fruit and peel it open and place it on a rock for me to eat. I had to keep my distance or he wouldnβt approach. After three days of this tedious dance of trying not to upset the sensitive Chonk, I had enough of pissing and shitting in the same corner of the ruin. There was only so much smell I could take, and I couldnβt reach for the soil outside as Chonk would push me back to the centre of his web. Very strange creature. Since he didnβt eat me. He was almost exactly the same as the Kors. I wait for him to leave at the same dim dawn of the fourth morning, to bring me more food. I escape then, turning on my camouflage and running into Dark Ninth. I sprint for the creek, aiming to use the sound of the water to hide my steps. I donβt make it very far. I sprint headlong into an invisible wall. βDiana!β I hear Mars call my name as he switches off his stealth, embracing me after four days separated. βMars!β I yell his name back to him, trying not to sob. βWeβve been trying to find you, Chonk wouldnβt answer our callsβ¦ so I came to see if he was dead,β Mars seems surprised to have found me, βWhere have you been?β βAlpha Centauri is a Dark Nine,β I hiss, βLike me. He left me out here. He hates me. He probably thought the cold would kill me.β Marsβ expression warps as he considers what I said, βWeβre hours away from our beds,β he explains, βHe didnβt tell us about you.β βChonk has been feeding me but he wouldnβt let me leave his nest,β I explain, βWhat do you think about the Estori being like me, a Dark Nine, Mars.β βChonk doesnβt like our Estori, since he threw his spear at him once,β Mars explains, ββ¦and we know, Dianaβ¦ everyone knows Alpha Centauri is a Dark Nine.β βNo one told me,β I hiss, βIt could have been valuable information.β βItβs completely irrelevant,β Mars holds me at armβs length, βWe thought the Estori killed you. Which explained his stupid smirk and his inability to care when we requested anything he knew about your whereabouts. Itβs a bloody miracle I found you alive. We had stopped looking last night. We concluded you were dead.β βHe is cruel,β I whisper, feeling pale at the thought of maybe never being found. βIf you think he is so cruel, why pledge your life to him,β Mars hisses. βIβm going to kill him,β I hiss back. Mars goes silent. He lets me go and steps back, looking me over, slowly shaking his head, βI am numb to the ridiculous emotions you drown me in, woman.β I shake my head too, mimicking him, βWelcome to my world of drowning,β I shove past him and walk in any direction. Mars turns to follow me, not beside me but walking behind, βSo, you all concluded I died. You thought he ate me, didnβt you,β I whisper. βNone of us have spoken a word since last night, finally mourning the accepted death of our babe,β Mars murmurs, oblivious to me, only to our creature we created together. βYou mourned the baby?β I spin on my heel, glaring at the grim-faced Mars, who looked really sad β and is confused by my fury. He catches on a little too late that I matter too, and he narrows his eyes. βDiana,β he warns me. βNo love to show, I get it, because you think I chose the Estori over you,β I whisper back, βNo need to remind me every day of my lonely, miserable, temporary existence.β βI know you didnβt choose him as a mate,β Mars admits what he said to Ninth Squad, not knowing I overheard his realisation. Iβm glad he admits it to me now. βThatβs right,β I answer simply, βAnd our babe is fine,β I add, βI can feel him kicking, actually. Since heβs grown with the right sustenance. Chonk is a good baby daddy. Who knew a spider could do a better job protecting his woman better than a Kor, the mightiest fucking warrior in the whole universe.β βDid you fuck him?β Mars looks distraught. βNo!β I yell, βI was being sarcastic, you idiot.β βYouβre angry we didnβt find you sooner,β Mars guesses again, but guesses right. I spin to hide my flushed cheeks. My arrogance was growing. I was angry they were incapable of finding me on their own fucking planet. I could have died out here. Yesβ¦ it was my choice to be reckless. Yesβ¦ it was alsoβ¦ kind ofβ¦ almostβ¦ entirely β not really β my fault. But still. I expected more from them. βFreedom means danger,β Mars comes up behind me, his hands moving along my hips, to lie over my belly, feeling for the kicks, clearly jealous I felt them first, βWe canβt track you if you want such freedom.β βAll Kors do is track prey and you failed,β I whisper. βEven Kors experience misfortune and mistakes, whatβs gotten into you?β Marsβs hands go cold on my belly, as he suddenly guesses rightβ¦ again, ββ¦you tasted his venomβ¦β I pull out of his hold and feel too guilty to turn and say yes. My mouth goes dry. I canβt explain it anymore. I canβt keep making excuses. I could say it was to know the enemy better. But I donβt know why. I donβt know whatβs happening to me. But I think right now I feel awfully guilty. βI did,β I admit the truth, ββ¦Iβm an idiotβ¦ Alpha Centauri is an idiotβ¦ maybe I am too. Dark Nine instincts. Ultimate arrogance and trust in our abilities, just to end up stranded with Chonky boy.β The more I talk, the more I feel my eyes drip with tears I canβt control. I just want Mars to hold me. I just want to be held right now. Iβm going crazy with my raging hormones. Mars doesnβt embrace me. But he does scoop me up, cradling me to his chest as we start walking back to the prison, knowing itβll be a long trek back. I look up through wet eyes as Mars looks down at me with gentleness. We share a look that is perfect understanding. And I know he is my mate for life. We get each other. Weβre different but we balance each other out. Our look of understanding is shattered by a pouncing Chonk, who sticks out a furry leg and clocks Mars in the side of the head. Mars is slammed to the ground, as Chonk jumps away and then jumps back closer, glaring at Mars as he stands back up, and I remain lying on the ground between them, looking at the spider glare possessively at Mars, as he rubs his cheek. βThatβs not going to happen,β Mars snarls at the spider, only responding after a long pause. A long, long pause, as if he was reading Chonkβs mind. Another long pause comes. βNo,β Mars explains again, βNo, I wont β you think I will?β Mars steps back, throwing his hands up, βNo, sheβs not,β more pauses before he speaks. βYou can talk to him?β I squeak from the ground where I lay. βGet,β Mars snaps at Chonk, and he pounces away, leaving us. Mars leans down to help me back up, picking up my hand, but suddenly feeling unwilling to pull me up off the bed of nature behind me. Mars gives into the moment. He slips his fingers from mine and flops backward, to lie down with me, so weβre side by side, staring up at the three moons. Mars sighs deeply, his hand sliding down my smaller bicep, down my forearm, finding my hand once again and holding it softly, barely squeezing. βHe is very intelligent,β Mars murmurs, bored, βHe thinks youβre going to kill me.β βI thought he was protecting me from you?β I ask. Mars barks a laugh, βHe should.β βWhy do you keep Chonky boy anyway?β βElion tech is different to ours, by a long shot, itβs what our fathers were always interested in. Understanidng the incomprehensibility of it. The things you canβt decode, itβs all Elion. E tries his best. Chonk, as far as we know, has extremely sensitive hairs on his body that pick up pure intent. So, considering his reaction, and his warning to me, he knowsβ¦ somehowβ¦ that you want to kill me,β Mars seems unfazed by this. βIβve never thought about it,β I admit, βHow can he know something that I donβt even know?β βBecause he can sense what youβll know later,β Mars finally squeezes my hand. Which means things will change between us. And I think I know when thatβll be. βBe honest with me,β I whisper, βEverything will change, wonβt it. When I give birth. And I meanβ¦ between us. Youβre not human. Youβre alien. You eatβ¦ womenβ¦ your matesβ¦ after they give birth. As unsavoury as that thought itβ¦ I canβt hide from it any longer,β Mars is silent. Which means Iβm right. I ask another question, βIs it possible to say something one day, and tell the truth, and say exactly same thing another day, and it changes to be a lie.β βI know exactly what youβre referring too,β Mars explains, cool and calmly, βI can tell you the truth of us, but you wonβt like the answer.β βTell me.β βAfter our child is born. I will feel nothing for you.β βHow long does that last?β I whisper. βForever,β Mars has submitted to the truth, finally. He was always protecting me from it. Perhaps after thinking I was dead, he felt I was owed the truth. And I was owed the truth. βHow do you know?β probably the dumbest question to ask an immortal god-like being who has existed before this existence itself. He doesnβt answer. I ask another way, βDid Cinta have children?β βNo.β βAnd there is my answer,β I murmur, feeling morbidly poetic, βCinta resisted. But I am already pregnant. Iβm done for.β βYeahβ¦ thatβs how it goesβ¦. Diana.β βYou admit it, then. Youβre all going to eat me,β I laugh lightly to myself, a quiet hysterical realisation. βPledging to Alpha Centauri your breath, your flesh, means he is owed it, and we cannot take it, no one pledges to a Kor who isnβt the father, hence the shock to us all,β Mars explains, ββ¦whether you meant it or notβ¦ you forced a war between us. Weβll have to kill him after all. That is the only thing stopping you from dying once my emotions for you are killed. I canβt take you through honour to the codes. And we wonβt let him take you.β βSo I saved my own life, and guaranteed youβll self-destruct by killing one another,β I whisper, βIβm an accidental genius.β βDark Nine,β he laughs too. It feels weird holding hands with someone I like, someone who I know, likes me right now, someone I know, will want to eat me after Iβve just suffered through childbirth. βWhat a strange existence,β I whisper. βI lied,β Mars whispers. But I doubt that, βAbout killing my emotions for you,β I donβt believe Mars as he backtracks so suddenly, βI wonβt want to kill you. Iβll keep you. We will.β βYou sound very confused, Mars.β βI had to say what I thought would happen, to taste it in the airβ¦ but killing you doesnβt feel right anymore,β Marsβ hand finds my skin. Not my belly. But my neck, as he turns to me, and I turn to him. βIt doesnβt feel right to me, either,β I whisper, βI think I love you.β βI know I love you,β Mars murmurs back, βWhat a pain.β βYouβre one to talk,β I whisper. βWhat do you want to do?β Mars asks, looking mischievous, βAbout this? Diana?β βI want to kill Alpha Centauri, and become Estori β an Empress in his place,β I whisper back. Mars strokes my neck with his hand, and his hand then reaches up to stroke down my cheek as his eyes search over my face and my body. βWhat has E created?β he murmurs to himself. βIβm right here, talk to me,β I grab his hand with both of mine, βTo me, Mars. Talk to me.β βWhen I look into your eyes, I believe every word you say,β Mars admits, βI donβt think itβs a joke. I know youβre serious. And I like that. Howeverβ¦ puny humanβ¦ howβ¦ are you going to kill a Kor? Try now,β he challenges me, to see what I have in me if I were to go on the attack. I sit up and straddle Mars with a smile, but he rolls me over and slams me to the ground, holding my hands tightly above my head, his teeth at my throat, βDead,β he whispers, licking along the sweat on my skin, βJust like that,β his tongue feels my pulse, then he leans up away from me and unhands me, βAgain,β he invites me forward. Iβm wet now. Thatβs the problem. I want to fuck him, not play-kill him. I try anyway. Just to amuse him. I stand up this time, urging Mars to stand with me. We stand at a face off, like itβs a duel. I rub my wrist, my gun appears, and I attempt to aim. Mars just switches on his stealth and the moment I canβt see him, my gun is smacked out of my hand by the back of his hand smacking on mine. Iβve dropped it, and Mars swiftly grabs my neck, moving behind me while I canβt see himβ¦ then he lets me go. βAlpha Centauri wonβt kill you like thatβ¦ he kills slow. Savouring every second you break down in his direction. Heβll let you try until you quit trying. Run. Or fight. Try your best. Come on.β Mars sounds vicious and encouraging at the same time. I thought Mars and I were playing a game. I still think it is a game. But still, I feel the panic in me rising, knowing he is right behind me but wants me to attempt more. Toβ¦ To try. To play out a simulation. Of me, killing the Estori. My instincts scream at me, however; heβs learning all your moves now. Not that I had moves, per say. I wasnβt exactly trained. But me, whatever I was capable of, Mars was learning. I donβt move and Marsβ foot presses to the back of my knee, forcing me down. I stumble onto my hands and knees and he lowers behind me, pressing his warm dick to my ass, his hands holding my waist firmly. βDonβt make it that easy, Diana,β Mars releases me and watches me crawl forward and stand, but as I stand, he follows to stand flush with my back. He just snakes his invisible arm around my waist, βNow what?β he taunts, and he sounds cruel. He is rubbing it in. His strength. Over mine. I try to elbow him, but he doesnβt feel it. I try to kick backwards, but I canβt make contact with his balls. I squirm a couple of more times, and Mars stops playing nice. My Kor just tightens his hold on me, his hands sliding along my arms until he holds both wrists and lifts my arms above my head, stretching my limbs high above me. It hurts, but he only does it for a moment, so I twist around to face him, my hands stuck high above me in his easy hold from one hand. He turns off his stealth. Mars is a giant. I feel useless. I donβt know what the point of this stupid game is! As he holds me, I kick out but my legs canβt reach him. My teeth canβt reach him either. βKill me,β Mars taunts me, βCome on, little puny human, do something to me. Hurt me.β βI canβt,β I yell, βI canβt! Let me go, you proved your point!β βYou canβt! Thatβs right, Diana. You canβt do anything. And no one is going to let you go,β Mars changes, his whole face becomes a snarl of possession, as he pulls me closer, βYou belong to me. Youβll never escape this fate.β Mars looks wild, feral in these abandoned lands, holding me at his mercy, his eyes hungry as he looks me up and down, slow. βI guess I can scream,β I whisper, my lip quivering. I donβt like it when heβs mean. Mars shakes his head, spinning me around and holding me back to his front, he slaps his hand across my mouth. βNo, you canβt do that either,β Mars is just being a dick to be a dick, now. Fucking males. Fuck! Typical fucking β I try to bite his hand but his skin is too tough. Mars holds my head out to the side. He exposes my neck, and he looks at my pulse, while the sounds of Dark Ninth hover all around us. In the middle of nature, on a random day, all alone with Mars on Dark Ninth, Iβm justβ¦ nothing. I feel like nothing. Life goes on without a fuss. He doesnβt speak of my heart. I feel his eyes and his sharp intent, as his teeth will be crushing against me any moment. But before I can even feel his eager bite, I feel the air rush past my face and then I feel the ground. It all happens so fast. Iβm pulled to my feet and dragged back from Mars, who lies in a heap β his head bleeding, from a large whack to the side from someoneβs blunt weapon. The people dragging me turn off their weak camouflage technology, and I take in what they wear as brown dishevelled travellersβ clothes. As Iβm pulled back into their stealthing spacecraft, I notice the backs of their hands. Roses. Roses. The Freed β the wandering free spirits of the universe had come to save me. When Iβm released and the Freed are cheering at their capture β no β their saviour of meβ¦ I turn and I see a distraught and smiling Iris in the spaceship Iβve been deposited into. As she reaches out to place her hand on my cheek, it trembles with her relief. βYou asked for help, Empress,β Iris whispers, βI decided I better help.β βWhy?β I whisper back, βWhat changed your mind?β βI canβt disobey an SOS from a Galactic Queen, I work for the Intergalactic Alliance,β Irisβ lips twitch, βI did what I should have from the start.β I feel the spaceship lift off and at the same time, I feel Iris embrace me since I just collapsed into her front. God, did I need this embrace. I squeeze her tight. This whole time I had been missing one thing. Help. I had tried to find help from the predators themselves. That was a mistake. This whole time, I just needed help from fellow human beings. All around me, faces of healthy young subspecies of all kinds, not just humans, are standing back with goofy grins and mischievous smiles. Their walls of their spaceship are proudly covered with thousands of ET keys. βYou saved me,β I let her go, and I hear everyone talk at once toward me. Asking questions, voices filled with concern. Are you injured? Did they hurt you? How many are there? Are you okay? Are you okay?? βAlright, alright, everyone shh, donβt overwhelm her,β I hear a booming, commanding voice, and I turn to see whoβs talking. The captain of the ship, Iβd say. By the way he stands above all the others, though not as tall as a Kor, heβs still at least six foot six, so still pretty close. He looks well fed, his muscles are quite large, like heβs constantly moving and always gaining strength from his adventures. I get the feeling this one is an adventurer β the normal, human kind β because thatβs what he is, human, with one long brown braid of hair down his back, βHello, there,β he says, winking at me as he approaches, βThey call me Danger. Welcome to my ship, your highness,β my eyes sparkle with his respect, βThatβs the name of the ship,β he adds quickly and awkwarldy, leaning over to whisper it, as the others laugh, βYour highness,β Oh, shit. Right. I nod and smile, but I look away since he is looking so intently at my shocked and freaked out expression. It just all happened so quickly, βYouβre shy? I didnβt think a Dark Nine would be shy,β Danger adds, just putting me on the spot in front of everyone, while Iris just stands there, fiddling with her necklace and smiling at my confused expression. Kindness. Itβs quite shocking to experience when that need in you has been so ignored, βBest liven up, princess, youβll be moving a lot now.β βWhy?β I ask, βAm Iβ¦ Freed now?β βOh yes, yes,β Danger β I do wonder if thatβs actually his name β stands back, βYou are,β he looks over everyone with pride, βWe all are,β he seems hesitant to walk back to his station, until he decides to just tell me what else is on his mind, βYouβll be running from them for quite some time, Iβd sayβ¦ until you disappear or they lose interest. I hear they hate women. So, you shouldnβt be thought of too much, give it a week or so, youβll be off their minds,β Danger tries to make it sound reassuring, as he generously takes off his huge jacket full of patches of his awards, and he swings it around my naked shoulders, covering me, touching my cheek with the back of his curious fingers, βAre you okay, Diana? Do you need a medic?β βIβm okay,β I answer, βI meanβ¦ will I be okay?β I ask it with fear, and everyone laughs good naturedly. Danger smiles as he looks at me a little too long without saying anything. βNo one I save, gets unsaved,β Danger finally answers, as he points a thumb at his chest, prideful of his reputation, as he straightens back up, βWeβll get you deep into the crowds β to the densest galactic cities. Itβs hardest to hunt there. And theyβll find new prey, anyway, itβs a win-win, sweet pea.β Everyone starts to disperse as Danger finally waves them all off to their stations in his ship, as he goes back to the controls. Iris pulls me aside, and we sit together, at a small table. βHe seems confident the Kors will give up on me,β I tell Iris, βThoughts?β βIt depends,β Iris whispers back, βItβs what you think, Diana. Youβll know.β Well. I was in love with Mars and his squad. And pledged my breath and flesh to the King. She doesnβt know that. I donβt tell her that. βI think Iβll be okay,β I smile at her and she nods, turning from me to talk to someone else brieflyβ¦ my smile slowly fades. To be honest. I lied straight through my teeth. I can only hope Iβll be okay. But I know I owe my life to the Kors, by their standards anyway. Because they made me Empress. For that power and worship, they owe me death. Oh, well. If they can lose me on their own planet, and think Iβm dead after four days, theyβll not find me in a city filled with every kind of subspecies. Iβll be okay. Iβll be fine. Freedom is freedom. And Iβve found real friends. Thatβs all that matters. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 28 βΏβββ’β¦ & KOR GLOSSARY 2 weeks later I had settled my self with some of the Freed in Light Metropolis. It was a small big city, not the biggest intergalactic city, but the third largest. Danger and Iris farewelled me as I moved into a boarding house with a bunch of other Freed. They were working odd jobs. They were usually busy and no one intruded on my privacy. It was really, really nice β until I started to feel lonely again. Two weeks into being freed, a week, give or take, until I was due to give birth, I was basically perpetually curled up on a couch, covered in blankets, watching the news constantly, from morning till dusk. As dumb as it sounded, it was easy to keep track of official Kor movements by the news sources. My limbs were aching, and my appetite was quite large. An eldery woman called Hapeet, was cooking everyone meals every day. She owned the boarding house and the rooms, and the Freed never had to do anything other than pay and promise not to break anything. Hapeet wasnβt one to talk much. Sheβd cook and sometimes leave all day to travel around Light Metro. Today she was staying back, cooking dinner early. Most of the day I watched as the young Freed dropped in briefly for lunch breaks. I had made one friend, although she was working every day, so I only saw her for an hour at a time. I hadnβt made much of an effort to get to know her. I was scared being too close to any females, but none of the males were too interested in me, and I think itβs because they knew I was a runaway Kor Queen. The Freed themselves had a code, however β no snitching, no bounty hunting. They had their own honour codes. It worried me for some time, since honour only held so much weight, but after a week of not being sold back to the Kors, I trust the strangers in this boarding house. It has the best views of Light Metropolis, which is just an absolutely gigantic mega city. Skyscrapers never stop scraping. Itβs hard to see the tops. There is no bottom. The architecture has no level floor. Everything is connected everywhere. Itβs just a gigantic metal maze. This city was always alight with energy and life. The rooms could block out all noise and light pollution though, so it was still easy to sleep. The two bigger Intergalactic Cities, The Away and the largest, The Vrooma, were larger in space overall. Light Metroplis was compact. My room was painted yellow and always clean. I hated the colour but I wasnβt complaining about the freedom. I shared the room with my friend, Jitters. She was quite calm for someone addicted to so much coffee. Of course, Jitters was her nickname. All the Freed had one. No one seemed to share their legal name. I hadnβt chosen mine yet. Although I liked to imagine Iβd just be called Idiot. My confidence had been growing, though, with each day. I might not be an idiot. Just a victim of circumstance. Some people were in the wrong place, at the wrong time. If they went for a walk by the beach and a freak wave knocked them down and drowned them, they werenβt idiotic. You could avoid all danger but then you stop living. So, with awesome self-pity based logic, I wasnβt an idiot anymore, just a victim. Argh. And the only reason I donβt leave the boarding house is my pregnant condition. Iβm tired all the time, my muscles ache for a massage, and I feel little Maelstrom, kicking away. I had picked a name. I thought it sounded unisex. So whether it was a boy or girl, I was going to call my Kor baby, Maelstrom. I liked it. It was the name of a Freed. But I wasnβt going to register her, or him. I was going to keep my baby off the radar. Kor children were self-sufficientβ¦ theyβd evolved to not need mothers. Of course, I didnβt exactly care about that. This babe was going to have a mother whether they liked it or not. I push myself off the couch and waddle to my room, deciding to lay down for a nap. I was starting to feel quite dizzy this last week if I stood too long β probably because my belly was huge. I couldnβt see my feet anymore. I am so ready to be free of pregnancy. I just want to feel light again. I lay down in bed and the moment my head touches the pillow, I fall into a dreamless nap, my brain too exhausted to dream. **** A few hours later βDi!β Jitters whispers my name. Oh yeah, that was the name I kept using, by the way. I didnβt like it but when I introduced myself to the boarders, I forgot to choose a proper Freed nickname, and stopped a third of the way through saying Di-ana. Now I was just Di. Pronounced die. Hahahaβ¦ oh, god, Iβm aware of the irony. I open my eyes to see Jitters still in her work uniform, a baker in the metro, sheβs covered in flour over her black slacks and white top. Her blonde hair is cut short, and she holds a bunny shaped cookie in her hand. βWake up,β Jitters encourages me to sit up, her eyes sparkling. She usually did most of the talking. I tried to stay as mute as possible. I groan as I sit back on all my pillows, and Jitters stands up as I take the cookie, eating that, as she pulls out her phone, and starts reading the announcement. βI thought youβd want to hear this. Light Metropolis won an intergalactic award from the universal board, for being the cleanest and safest city in the universe,β she says with pride, βWe are inviting the citizens and freed travellers of Light Metro to join the celebrations from midnight until the next. Free access to all amenities for 24 hours. Sponsored and paid for by Saturn and Jupiter. Your exes are quite generous, Iβm going to use it to take a night off in the best spa baths in the metro, because oh girl, do I need a massage and a facial,β Jitters grins as she pounces to her own bed, sitting back against the wall, ββ¦I thought I better let you knowβ¦β she glances to the closet. I had set it up to hide in, in case any of the Kors from Dark Ninth were to visit, my plan was to literally sit in the closet and wait for them to leave. It seems like such a silly idea now, with my huge pregnant belly. βHave fun, thanks for the warning,β I keep my response short. I finish eating the cookie, enjoying it, when my belly suddenly moves and contracts, hard. The pain is excruciating, itβs the worst pain Iβve ever felt in my life. It starts from the base of my spine and ripples up my back to my head. Pure fucking torture. I almost scream for Mars. But I slap a hand to my mouth. I know screaming for him can cause an instant connection, an opportunity for a wormhole between mates. If my life was in danger, he would intervene. I had to never scream his name. I had to make sure I was strong enough. Jitters jumps up, terrified. βAre you going into labour early?β she gasps, her hands shaking, βWho do I call? What do I do?β I shake my head as I get up myself and walk, and the pain quickly fades, βJust a warningβ¦ my body practicing before the real torture starts,β I joke about it, laughing but feeling light headed as I shuffle around, βOh fuck, I hate this,β I whisper, feeling soβ¦ close. I am so close to going into labour. I know it. The last week must be hell for all Kor mates. I just didnβt have Kors worshipping my body to make it all the easier. I do wonder if one week of being pampered and spoilt was worth the death at the end, considering how miserable I am right now. But noβ¦ thatβs just the exhaustion talking. βI should stay with you,β Jitters changes her mind, standing and helping me walk. I lean into her side, welcoming the extra strength as I go to the closet and open the door. βI donβt know if youβll fit,β Jitters looks worried, βDo you really want to do this, Di?β Fuck no. βYes,β I pull from her as I step into the closet. I turn around and thwack the coats aside. I sit on a very comfortable pillow, while Jitters stands there looking in at me, sad, but knowing I hate talking about my life. Jitters sits down opposite me, stroking the rose on the back of her hand anxiously as she stares at me, ββ¦you donβt look good, Diβ¦ I think you should go to the hospital.β βI canβt,β I explain, βI literally canβt. You need to go. Leave me.β βI want to help you, Di ββ βYou can help by fucking off,β I hiss it, and I hope itβs harsh, I hope itβs enough to make her back off. Get any closer and the Kors will have her as a snack. Jitters jumps back up and moves away from me, turning around. I made her cry. Shit. I feel terrible. But she was in too much danger wanting to be so close to me. I didnβt want her being eaten if I was found. She was sweet, cute and way too innocent. Jitters doesnβt ask any more questions. She gathers fresh clothes and storms off to the showers. I use my toe to pull the closet closer to me. Just as I manage to shut the door β I hear the front door to the boarding house open and slam shut, very aggressively. Itβs not Jitters. Itβs someone who just came back from work, or maybe a new boarder. βNo vacant rooms tonight, sorry, youβll have to try the boarding room around Lial avenue,β Hapeet apologises with her sweetest tone to the new guest. βNot looking for a room. Itβs just a delivery. Do you know of a pregnant girl who never leavesβ¦ I can see you know her,β how did Alpha Centauri find my location? βShe needs to drink this. Can you give it to her?β βIβ¦ well, if youβre a friend, love, Iβd think you can give it to her yourself,β Hapeetβs walking stick knocks on wood as she comes out to lead the newcomer to my room, βThat damn girl needs some company. Sheβs very lonely.β Shit. Hapeet wasnβt very worldly. Her life was the street, not the universe. She didnβt know who he was. I canβt believe this is happening. I am too weak to do anything. Even so, I donβt open the closet door in defeat. I just stay in the corner, staring out through the wooden slats, as Hapeet knocks on the door, βGirl? You in there?β βSheβs gone out.β I hear Jitters, as she runs over, trying to cover me. Oh, no. βPerhaps you can show me to her, then?β Alpha Centauriβs animalistic snarl is gone, he talks with a trusting calm and quiet masculine drawl. βNo,β Jitters immediately answers, βNo, I canβt. Freed honour code. We donβt follow each other.β βThen Iβll leave her gift, in her room,β Alpha Centauri bends to her suggestion. βGo take your shower,β Hapeet scolds Jitters, βI told you, no running around in towels naked. Itβs unbecoming of young girls,β Hapeet shoos Jitters off while the Kor Estori tries not to laugh. I see a long shadow appear over the floor, and I stop breathing as Alpha Centauri silently walks in. Heβs wearing blue jeans and a white shirt. But itβs him. Way too massive, the clothes hug him too tight, as his hair remains freely draping over his shoulders. In his hands is a tea box with a ribbon attached to itβ¦ a green ribbon. Iβm still holding my breath. I know itβs not smart while pregnant, but what else am I meant to do? Itβs my luck he doesnβt pay much attention to the closet, after his eyes did a quick scan of the empty, small yellow room. I let out a very quiet exhale, to breathe in fresh air just a little. Alpha Centauri is staring at the small table, looking over the papers scattered there. His eyes read through everything, as his fingers brush through Jitters paperwork. None of it was mine. βNo prying,β Hapeet hasnβt left and Iβm glad she tells him to get lost in her kind way, βIs that all?β Alpha Centauri turns to Hapeet, his eyes are furious but his smile is cold and calculating. βMy apologies,β Alpha Centauri submits, lowering his eyes, as I stare out at him β he glances to the closet. I had leaned closer to the slats, to look right up at him. My abdomen contracts painfully again and I hold my breath. I impress myself. I donβt even breathe. I donβt make a sound. But my foot β my toes, they contort in pain, taking the brunt, my foot knocks the closet door with the lightest touch. Itβs barley anything but it makes a tiny noise. Alpha Centauri stops before he takes his leave. His eyes turn sharp, he looks up to where I had been peering out of the slats, but Iβve moved back so he canβt see my eyes even if he can see clothes bent at odd angles. I just peek out to what I can see, which is just his jaw and the lower half of his face now, still turned to the closet. His lips twitch up in one corner, a miniscule smile, and then he leaves the room. βIt was a pleasure,β Alpha Centauri sounds far too happy, instantly dismissing Hapeet. When he is gone, I gasp in and out, catching my breath back. I kick open the closet door and I crawl to the bed, holding the sheets to pull myself up to my feet. I walk to the tea. Miracle Tea. For pregnancy. Itβs that simple. Itβs just a common brand. It helps with pain. Itβs safe. But the green ribbon is such a mocking touch. Marsβ colour. Marsβ baby. But Alpha Centauri doesnβt give a shit about Mars. He only cares about my pledge to him. My breath. His breath. I anxiously pack a bag, my adrenaline stops the pain and contractions. I feel strength come back to me. Eventually I pick up the tea box, ready to take the gift along, even if itβs from him. But when I pick up the box, itβs too heavy. I drop it back to the table and rip off the ribbon, opening the top. Inside, there are no tea bags, just heavy metallic vials. Each one has a label. Mars. Terra. Mercury. E. Jupiter. Saturn. Uranus. Neptune. Lu. Alpha Centauri. Rigil. Vega. Capella. Sirius. Toliman. Proxima. Arcturus. Cano. Eighteen vials. When I open a vial to look inside, I see a clear liquid. I donβt know why it took me so long. Kor Venom. The gift wasnβt tea for my contractions at all. It was power. I am so confused. I know Alpha Centauri found me first for one reason alone. His instincts. He followed my likeliest trail and found me. When he had suspicions that I was in the closet, he didnβt open the door and kidnap me. No. He was arming me. And not with useless guns. He wanted me strong like them. Because Mars said he didnβt kill quick. The Estori hunted his prey slowly. Sadistic bastard. The eighteen viles of Kor venom were also a warning. They had some kind of truce and were working as a team. They hadnβt given up on me at all. They were hunting me all together. The Estori was just making sure it was fun, as fun as possible β for him and his needs. His greatest desire in the world was to kill females. It was better to him if she was prepared. I guess to him, it made it all the more justified if it was a βfair fightβ making me βfair gameβ. Meanwhile, I can barely walk without fainting. Asshole. Right now, the adrenaline was making me move without trouble. But I had to leave this place immediately. I had to move. Again. I text Danger, he told me to SOS him if there was an emergency. He was the mover. He helped people escape systems. Or governments. A vigilante for those who wanted to get lost. I hope I can count on him now. I donβt know how much time I have left. Kor Glossary κ° Ninth Squad Mars, velvet green. Head Kor. Terra, translucent and pale blue. Cousins. Venus, bronze and striped. Mercury, grey with black stripes. Brothers. Saturn, matte gold. Jupiter, silver. Brothers. Neptune invisible and deep blue. Uranus invisible and deep blue. Brothers. Pluto, translucent void with universal sparkles. κ° Estori Squad Rigil and Alpha Centauri, dark blue. Cousins. Vega and Capella, steel grey. Twins. Proxima, Toliman and Sirius, crimson red. Triplet brothers. Cano, Arcturus, deep purple. Twins. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 29 βΏβββ’β¦ I donβt leave through the front door of the boarding house. Or the window. Instead, I go through the βside wallβ. It was a secret door planted by Hapeet behind a bookcase, and she showed only the Freed travellers that she had a secret exit. It took you into the corridor of an adjacent boarding house, and then you could use their exit instead. Pretty simple but very effective. I also turn on my stealth since Iβm going to need it. I walk out into the streets of Light Metro, and I instantly join the crowd moving down the sidewalk. My phone buzzes in my pocket and I quickly read the text. Danger. Pick up : Light Central Lazer Tag. 5 mins. I input the location and run while my adrenaline is still pumping. Iβm close, which Iβm thankful for. I reason Danger had ETβs in secret locations, a Lazer Tag centre must be one of them. A place to look inconspicuous while holding weapons and an easy place to hide illegal off grid portals. Right? They had to be hidden, since the dust always left a trail to wherever you travelled too. Danger was right about one thing. The crowds of a city would provide safety. I feel safer now being nestled between so many people, even while invisible. Iβm good with orientation and navigation, so I donβt have any trouble getting to the Lazer Tag, which is inside a huge arcade, up a slow moving lift, on the top floor. Itβs a great place to hide, Iβll give him that. I turn toward the front where you buy tickets, and as a bunch of kids are putting on their armour and grabbing their βgunsβ, I see Danger waiting by the entrance. Heβs already in the beginning of the maze, which is dark and filled with fake smoke. Dangerβs blonde curly hair looks a mess, like Iβd woken him up from a nap. He managed to put on his captainβs coat, and a pair of dusty old jeans with too many rips. Even his boots look like they need replacing but heβs clearly too busy to bother. He smiles kindly when he sees me and he curls a finger for me to follow him into the game. When the attendeeβs arenβt looking β and they donβt really care, anyway β I slip into the gamescape and follow Danger into the first turn, until weβre both embraced by the darkness. Danger turns to me and his deep blue eyes look stricken with worry. He was so carefree when I met him, I didnβt think Iβd see him tense, ever. But I see pure anxiety in his face now. βTheyβve put a virus through my system that Iβve spent over two centuries creating,β Danger looks pissed, and I wonder if he meant decades, because Iβm not sure how he could have meant centuries, βAnywhere I go, Diana, they track me. Since when do they hunt men, anyway?β he jokes to himself, trying to smile, but he is too worried to pull off a laugh. βIf theyβre tracking your ET movements, why did we meet?β I ask. βI didnβt use tech to get here. I grew up here, I just chose a familial location and had family take me home for a βsurprise visitβ,β Danger looks paranoid, looking around consistently for any strange movements that might give away a stealthing Kor. I feel bad that he has been so impacted by helping me. Danger grabs my arm now and drags me through the maze, just as a bunch of kids start running around playing against each other. βYou could have just ignored my text,β I say to Danger as he thrusts aside a flimsy art piece and pulls me up a ramp into a back corner of the building, an older section that was cut out of the current gamescape. At the top is a platform with a bunch of mirrors. No one is up here, so itβs a perfect hideout. Danger wonβt answer me as he looks over the maze with our height advantage, and I stay quiet while he assesses the situation. I didnβt want to be rude but Danger wasnβt going to be much of a help if he ended up dead trying to be the hero. He didnβt have to answer my call if they were tracking him. I stand back with my backpack and I rummage through the vials. I should choose to drink one. Itβd help give me an advantage. I have no idea what any of Estori Squad taste like or what benefits Iβll gain. I avoid their gifts of venom and I choose Terra. Earth. He was wise. As I bring the vial to my lips, Danger finally turns around and sees what Iβm doing. He lunges toward me, ripping the vial from my hand and taking my backpack from me too. I donβt fight it, I canβt. He shoves it all back inside the bag and zips it up, throwing it over his shoulder, keeping it from me. He doesnβt have time to explain, he just shakes his head at me disapprovingly. βCan you sit here for thirty minutes? Iβll be back,β Danger asks me, βIβm going to take the backpack with me. Do you trust me?β I canβt lie and scream out yes, or no, I know he helped me off Dark Ninth and gave me his coat when I was cold, but thatβs it. And I also knew Kor Venom was a commodity in this universe. So how am I meant to know if he is going to just take the vials and sell them and abandon me? My silence is honesty. Danger realises Iβd be taking a leap to just sit here and do nothing and stop moving. He looks at his watch, checking the time impatiently before he sighs, pulling the back pack around and holding it up to me, explaining even though he clearly doesnβt have the time, βNever drink their venom again,β he snaps it. βWhy?β βI have family whoβve done detailed analysis of what this shit does to your brain. To any female. Donβt take it. Itβs designed to give you a high, and paralyse you, so they can deliver the baby. You arenβt a loved woman. Youβre infected. The Kor are like parasites. The human emotion they show is an act to lure you in. Everything about them is designed to kill subspecies and leech off them to keep living. Females just happen to be the target. Think of every scifi horror alien movie youβve ever seen.β βNot really into horror movies,β I say awkwardly. Danger grabs my shoulders, leaning down to growl at me, βYouβre in one Diana, but youβre addicted to their supply, if you want to live, you need to disappear and you need to stop tasting their venom. I promise theyβll move on to another.β βThey have girls in a prison, on Planet Apastron, just lined up to eat,β I whisper, βWhy was I made an Empress?β Danger goes quiet, βYou donβt know what to say because you donβt understand what itβs like. What theyβve said to me. I know they fake their love but I think itβs real.β βBabe, shit,β Danger surprises me when he calls me babe, while I feel like a whale, but I take the compliment. He looks like he really doesnβt want to say this, but he needs me to understand what he knows that I donβt, βDo I lookβ¦ strange to youβ¦ at all?β Huh. Weird question much? βYouβre exceptionally tall,β I say, trying to avoid saying and very handsome. βAlmost seven foot, six foot eight, actually,β Danger explains, βYou want to know why Iβm so tall?β βYes,β I whisper, feeling my heartbeat faster. Danger looks like he doesnβt like talking about this, but itβs the only way to gain my trust, βMy mother, Orlai, was a human β who was hunted by the Estori, Alpha Centauri, six destinies ago. Iβve been around a long time. Do you understand? She was the only one to escape and have a baby and live. She faked her own death to do it. You can too. Iβve been trying to set up a permanent escape plan for you.β βWait. Wait. Youβre half Kor?β I whisper, confused. βHalf human,β Danger snaps and seems to want to connect to that side of him, more. I back away from him, and I look him over. His clothes mostly cover him, but I guess his eyes have an old look to them. And his skin isnβt blue, just pale, Iβm guessing like his mother. βIβd really like to meet this Orlai,β I add, βYour mother.β βYes, well, she lives forever after mating with that Estori prick,β Danger doesnβt like mentioning him, clearly, βIβd love for you to meet her but Iβm protecting her whereabouts. Do you trust me now?β I nod. Danger finally relaxes, finds a reason to grin, picks up the backpack and puts a finger to his lips and points to the corner. Sit, stay quiet and wait. For thirty minutes. So he can do whatever it is he can do to save me. Iβve never been so excited to sit down and do nothing in a corner. I feel like Iβm going to make it. Finally. Someone who might just have the skills to save me. As I sit, the mirrors reflect me at every angle, I can see how my stomach contracts again, hard. I bite into my fist and arc my back as I close my eyes. Shit. Fuck. I thought the pain earlier was just a warning. But if I keep getting these painsβ¦ regularly, I donβt know if Iβm a week out. I could be going into labour any time. Fuck. You better hurry quick, Danger. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 30 βΏβββ’β¦ Danger somehow returns with a very silly smile on his face, while Iβm sweating and stressed out. Around his finger is a chain looped to a metallic ET key that he twirls around and around. βWhy do you look so happy?β I ask, feeling a need to laugh at the twinkle in his eye. He was seriously the most carefree person Iβd ever met and weβd only known each other, what, all up, ten minutes in all of history? βOh, Iβm happy, Diana, because I just capitalized on a favour that the mayor owed me,β Danger squats down in front of me, βI have access to his top-secret brand new latest warp drive, which conducts undetectable travel across the universe. You coming?β He holds out a hand for me and I take a moment to breathe heavy before I reach and he grasps my hand, pulling me up, βYouβll owe me for this one, Diana,β Danger sounds entirely cheeky, mischievous and extremely proud of himself at the same time. I canβt hate him for asking for a repayment at some point. βOkay, you got it,β I answer non-hesitantly, while I waddle with him down the ramp into the live gamescape. Danger no longer seems to care about being seen and I guess I know why. As we exit the Lazer Tag and head up a stair case to the roof, the warp drive has already been delivered. βWonβt they detect us through satellites or something?β I ask him, worried. βSure, they might see us up here on the roof, but they canβt follow us, so doesnβt matter,β Danger shrugs one shoulder, as we stand by the machine which has just been left here for us with no security team, no nothing. Itβs all his to play with, and he knows it. Danger looks to be in his element as he navigates the controls and I just stand back feeling helpless. βWhere are we going?β I ask him. βTo visit my mother,β Danger smirks, βYou coming?β βYes.β βWell come on,β Danger holds out his elbow for me. I quickly step closer and link my arm through his as he walks me through the new portal that opens for us. We donβt even feel the suction of space time warping, as we go from the rooftop, to the inside of a tree house. Thatβs what it looks like to me. When I adjust my ears, I feel a sense of familiarity. Birds. Bees? I shuffle toward a window, overlooking a forest scape. Weβre very high up. It really is a tree house. Weβre on Terra. Earth. Iβm back home. I turn to see Danger has already leaped over a couch and is reclining, kicking his legs up and taking a spontaneous βnapβ. Meanwhile, I hear footsteps from the connecting kitchen. A young woman, wearing a pale green dress, with her curly blonde hair tied up in a bun, aside from the one or two curls framing her face, looks around to us with huge wide light blue eyes. First she looks at me, and then spots her son on the couch. βAnother girlfriend?β Orlai whispers, looking distraught. βMum,β Danger snaps as he grins and sits up suddenly from his ten second nap, βSheβs not my girlfriend. Sheβs a special friend.β Itβs weird seeing a twenty something year old, look and act like a twenty something year old, when she is literally six destines old. 60,000 thousand years. The Earth wasnβt even connected to the Intergalactic Alliance back then. She was an ancient human. I do wonder if Danger lied about growing up in Light Metro β that was impossible β although who knows what he considers to be a young age when he will also be as ancient as his sweet mother. βWhat kind of special friend?β Orlai asks nervously, as she looks at me kindly but also holds out her arms for her son. I watch as Orlaiβs hands tremble a bit. I wonder if itβs a disease, but I realise quickly itβs literally just a nervous tremble that matches her super soft and gentle voice, which kind of always sounds on the verge of tears. Sheβs very sensitive about everything. Sheβs like an angel. Danger canβt keep himself from his mother, he finally leaps up and swings her up off the floor, hugging her tight. After swinging her around a few times in a cute dance, Danger places her down gently, roughs up her bun and keeps his hand on her head as he looks at me with pride. βDo you like her?β Danger asks. βYes,β I answer at the same time as Orlai, and we both laugh awkwardly. βSit,β Danger points to the couch. βAnother girlfriend, huh?β I tease him as I waddle over and take a seat on a massive brown rocking chair. I look around at awe of this tree house which looks completely hand made. Everything about it is cozy and warm and smells amazing. The walls are made of logs, the windows are huge and open to let in the warm breeze, and the place is full of trinkets. Itβs like a granny cottage in the sky. I like it. βI have commitment issues,β Danger admits freely, shrugging as he takes a seat on the longer couch again, and I stay on the rocking chair. Orlai runs off to the kitchen and comes back with freshly squeezed orange juice. She gives some to Danger and me, filling the glasses to the brim. I thank her as I take it and rest it on Maelstrom, and Danger drinks his glass in what seems to be one gulp. I gawk at how quickly he can drink that β but then I kind of remember he is half Kor and I look away, feeling embarrassed for almost forgetting. Orlai takes a seat by the window, setting aside some knitting and getting comfortable on a small stool. She tucks her bare feet in front of her as she hugs her knees to her chest, so small and petite on that stool. Sheβs so cute and adorable, I want to shrink her up and put her in my pocket. βSo, what brings you here?β Orlai asks me, both super friendly and completely trusting of having me, since her son brought me here. I gulp and start with a question back, βDo you watch the universal news, at all?β Orlai shakes her head, βI donβt bother with any of that space stuff,β she feigns oblivion, βI prefer, my life, my small life,β she gently smiles and Danger rolls his eyes. βI clearly didnβt inherit that bunch of baloney,β Danger teases, βI canβt stop moving.β βYes, yes, Iβve heard about your adventures enough, I told you my heart canβt take it so donβt start,β Orlai tries to sound mean but she canβt even manage that. This woman doesnβt have a mean bone in her body. She looks to my belly and she asks the obvious, βYouβre due soon?β βYes,β I answer, shortly. βMay as well just spit it out, Diana,β Danger encourages me to let loose on my story. But Iβve already seen Orlai gulp at the first mention of my name. She does listen to the news. Who wouldnβt have heard that a human called Diana had become the Galactic Queen, an Empress of Kor kind. I see her keep a steady poker face but I have a feeling I better not delay the truth any longer. This may be the only opportunity I have to make a friend who can advise me of a real way to keep alive for longer than popping the baby out. βIβm running away from the Kors,β I just say it. What more need be said? Orlaiβs face doesnβt change expression, she just looks to Danger and then thinks deeply to herself, before looking at me, βWhich one?β βMars,β the moment I answer, she seems to relax a little more, βHe is the father.β Orlai stands up and walks over to me suddenly, and I worry as she stops by my chair, holds the back of it and leans down to my eye level, βYouβre safe now.β Three words and theyβre all I need to hear for my survival instincts to drop, for my body to relaxβ¦ for my stomach to contract again. This time I do scream. I scream half of Marsβ name but I stop. Again, I bite my fist. The contraction lasts a lot longer and the pain just seems to be getting worse. βI canβt fucking take this,β I whisper, shimmying off my pants as Orlai brings over a blanket immediately to give me something loose to hold onto, βI havenβt even broken my water yetβ¦β just as I say that, I feel a weird sensation within, before a rush spreads down both my legs. I blush a bright red, but Orlai isnβt fazed. Danger is the one who leaps up and starts pacing, hands on his head, βShit, oh, shit, oh, shit, oh, shit. I didnβt see that. Fuck.β Orlai stays calm, she moves her hand to my belly and somehow her touch brings huge comfort, βBreathe. You need to choose a Kor. Think of them.β βWhat?β I whisper. βOne you trust,β Orlai continues, βThe one who helps deliver is your guardian. My hand at birth was a Kor called Jax β he was from another squad, actually, which is rare. Kors are like a brotherhood, Iβm sure youβve noticed. They do want to help the mother deliver, and usually the mate is too emotional for that. Especially considering what usually occurs soon afterβ¦β βIs that how you escaped?β I ask, βYou had a Kor help you?β βIt was complex in my situation but my guardian was sworn to silence, I had a special favour owed from Jax,β Orlai admits, as she reminisces, βAnd he died shortly after anyway. He was sick. But enough about me. Surely you have a Kor in mind that has been very interested in your birth. Your guardian for this process. Kor honour-codes state that the chosen guardian canβt be the one to hunt you down. Itβs forbidden.β None of this is helping, now. I wish I had known this shit sooner. βMy situation,β I whisper as I feel another painful contraction coming on, so I talk as quickly as I can before it starts, βIs a little more complicated than that. I pledged my breath to one and my heart to another. But the one who wants me dead the most also wants me to deliver and vowed to see it through. What you said doesnβt make sense to me. If the Kor who assists my birth, is not allowed to hunt me, then I have pledged my life to the one pledged to assist. See the conundrum? Did that make any sense ββ I get that all out in one long exhale before I scream out and suffer through another contraction. Sweat beads on my forehead and runs down my cheeks in rivers now. βWho in Dark Ninth swore to assist you?β Orlai asks calmly and steady, βThe honour codes I can argue for you. Iβm an expert in them. And when theyβre argued well, the Kors abide. Honour to them, is everything.β βI canβt,β I whisper, shaking my head, βIβll have to do this without their venom.β βDiana, I donβt mean to alarm you but you canβtβ¦ youβll die without assistance, these births are impossible without venom,β Orlai somehow says it reassuringly, with a perfect bedside manner, βYou need help. Trust me, sweetheart. I know how it feels. I think about the pain every day when I think about my son.β βOh, wow, thanks mum,β Danger sounds offended, still pacing erratically around the small cabin. I glare at him and he quickly shuts up. βThe venom, Danger, you threw it away, it was delivered for me, I needed that and you took it away,β I hiss at him. βWho delivered the venom to you, honey?β Orlai waits for me to be brave enough, βIt is a sign of admiration, respect β I promise you can trust that Kor to be your guardian. There is always a hunter, and a guardian. They never tell you that, do they?β Orlai smiles to herself, clearly having fond memories of Jax, βI had to stay in hiding when my guardian died. I had no choice.β βHonestly, I should probably leave,β I laugh as I close my eyes and rest my head back, βListen. Danger. Where did you put that backpack?β βI threw it in a trash can,β Danger admits, guilty, βShould I get it back?β βYes,β I nod, βI wonβt need a Kor. Iβll use the venom gifted to me if you can find it.β Orlai nods at Danger, βGo. Quickly.β Danger sighs and uses his access to the top secret warp drive, to pull him back to Light Metro, following the path back through the pantry, which is where we stepped out of. Now itβs just me and Orlai. She sits back on the arm rest and looks a little uncomfortable about my hesitation to talk openly. βIf there is one woman in this universe you can trust, I promise itβs me,β Orlai tries to reassure me. βI know, oh, I know,β I try to reassure her instead, βI just want Danger to get those vials back. Iβll use them. And there will be no trouble here.β βOh,β Orlai puts a hand to her chest, having a sudden light-bulb moment, βYouβre worried that I donβt trust Kors. I do. I know their honour-codes and whatβs more is no other Kor knows me from my past. No one knows me. Only one. And heβll never find me,β Orlai says it with such grace and peace, βSo really you can have your chosen guardian at your side. Iβll allow it.β βI just need the venom Danger threw away,β I whisper. Itβs like my whisper never ends as my vision strikes up to the ceiling, as every muscle in my body, contracts, every nerve, fires. My whole body screams with pain. When that stops, and I breathe, it feels like a thousand tears run down my cheeks, and Iβm traumatised by the fact I didnβt even have the ability to scream. I twisted in agony. It wasnβt a contraction, it felt like it was pure rejection of the baby inside. I needed to get it out. My body needed to give birth, now. But if I feel that pain one more time, Iβm going to go legitimately insane β or Iβm going to die. Orlai has put a hand to my neck in a panic, and she can feel my heartbeat β as I can hear mine, palpitating. βDiana,β Orlai changes her tone. There is no more sweetness, βNow. You have no more time. Call him now.β She must know that pure pain is about to strike again. I can feel everything preparing to contract or fire β and Iβm too scared to scream his name. So I just choose to whisper it, feeling the worst guilt in the world for caving in. He was my guardian. And he was Orlaiβs hunter. I donβt want to betray this legendary woman, but I canβt feel that pain again. I feel pure fear for my life, it is the same fear when I fell into a death trap on Dark Ninth, just felt in a different fashion, thereβs no need to scream this different beastβs name, my truly potent and pure terror will be enough to call my guardian-in-birth forth. βNow,β Orlai speaks without fear, hoping to calm me down, βSay his name.β βAlpha Centauri.β Itβs a meek whisper from my lips. I close my eyes, the guilt too much. I just hope Orlai is brave enough to stay and argue the Kor honour-codes well enough for me, to stop him taking what he believes he is owed. Alpha Centauri will protect me from Mars if she manages to do that. I just donβt know if I can protect her from him. Jax was gone. She had no one to defend her. Iβve either secured my life and ended hers β or ended us both. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 31 βΏβββ’β¦ βYou threw it all away, didnβt you.β I hear Alpha Centauri from the pantry, just as the second wave of the worst pain in the world has caused me to twist and not be able to scream. When it passes, I heave out painful breaths as I watch the Estori glide out into the living area, ducking to fit in this small space, since the ceiling almost bumps with the top of his head. He moves right up to me, and from the corner of my vision, Orlai had disappeared from the arm rest while I was writhing. Alpha Centauri doesnβt hesitate to put a hand under my chin, over my neck, lifting my face and exposing more of my neck to bite. One of my arms flops off the side of the rocking chair, and the backs of my fingers brush the arm of Orlaiβ¦ sheβs literally hiding behind my chair. Itβs literally the worst hiding place in the world. But even hiding, this woman grabs my hand and holds it so gently, giving me support while her hunter is inches from her but doesnβt realise yet. Orlaiβs saving grace is my neck, my sweat, my own distracting eyes as I lock my gaze with the Estori, making sure he doesnβt look around. One inch up or if he moves one inch forward, sheβll be found. βI threw it all away,β I agree with him. βThe venom was a gift, Diana, you beautiful fool,β Alpha Centauri scolds me, his eyes sharp and now entirely focused on his prey. βHelp me,β I whisper. βI will,β Alpha Centauri answers too sharply, βI do not take pity on you,β he adds, letting the hate slip through, βI will help and then your breath is my breath.β βAre you sure about that though,β I hiss now, βIs that what the Kor honour-codes will allow?β βI am the most honourable Kor, I created the Kor honour-codes β no one knows them better than I,β Alpha Centauri hesitates but his eyes look pissed and his nostrils are starting to flare. He might smell her. I feign a contraction before it even starts as I cry out and push my head back, which moves the chair back β and gives slightly more protection for Orlai. Alpha Centauri doesnβt let me suffer. He feels my heart beating erratically and he finally moves in to press his lips to my neck, kissing me β fuck, the beast had it in him to give a kiss like that? I almost laugh at the shock of it, but the excruciating hell is about to return. He can feel itβs coming. I wonder if heβll just let it happen. But Alpha Centauri opens his mouth. His fangs are large β but also very sharp from regular use. He pricks me, then plunges his teeth in. I feel his venom flood through my veins. With a full dose to get pain relief β and to get a full dose of him right now, Iβm delighted to feel his patience and admiration for me. Itβs real. I expect to get the aftertaste of bitter hatred. Instead, I feel nothing of the kind. It tells me itβs all a fucking act. Is it all an act, though? His evil side? When my body keeps contracting, this time I feel nothing but peace. Alpha Centauri releases his bite from my neck and he looks up to see my face is now relaxed. βNow tell me, Diana, why did you call me?β he asks me now, looking pissed about it. βYou promised,β I say, βTo let me give birth. To help me. To protect me.β βBut then like a fool you promised me your breath, not Mars,β Alpha Centauri lifts the corner of his mouth up in a snarl, βWhy?β βTo challenge you, obviously,β I answer, βI know Mars is mine and I am his. But youβ¦ youβre a liar. Before this baby is in my arms you better tell me the Kor-honour codes and now. Loud and clear, Estori. As your Galactic Queen I fucking demand it.β βYou spoilt shithead, you donβt command me, youβre nothing to me, just like all the rest,β Alpha Centauri smiles, he leans up. His eyes lift too far. His head lifts too far. He looks too far back. βFucking liar,β I say it again to bite his attention back to me, βI said I demand to know the honour-codes, Alpha Centauri, do you hear me?β He looks at me. If he saw anything, he didnβt focus long enough. He leans over my face, hovering his lips above my own, βIβm going to kill you, Diana,β he promises it, βThere is no point.β And he means it. The fucked up thing is he is honouring his promise to me, telling me the honour-codes would have less weight now. Even so, I feel my hand get squeezed, hard β by a protective friend that I just made. Sheβs pulled on me to stand up. A different fear fills me. Fear for her. Alpha Centauri hears her slight movement first, itβs enough for him to laugh and reach behind the chair to drag the cowering female to him. He grabs her hair in a bunch before he can even see her. I watch between them as his smile of the purest, most vile arrogance β is completely and utterly wiped from his face, murdered in a moment, simply by witnessing the human he dragged out into his front, so aggressively fast that she slammed to his chest and theyβre flush for a moment. Sheβs tiny compared to him, and he instantly adjusts. The Estori is so stunned he canβt even move β although I watch his hand, which was in her hair, instantly release the tension and slide down her back, then he canβt move or talk, he just watches her. Orlai side steps and moves back to my side, her whole frame trembling as she turns her back to him. βSpeak the Kor honour-codes, regarding a guardian and hunter,β she speaks it as best as she can, but ancient time canβt stop this primal fear making her voice shake, βShe needs to know. Unless you plan on killing us both, in that case, get it over with,β she keeps her eye on me. She is praying just as hard as I am. βHow are you alive,β Alpha Centauri drawls it, the quietest snarl Iβve ever heard in my life, pure pain, βNo. Why did you leave?β βIf I stayed I had a tiny chance, maybe 1 in a million chance that youβd love me enough not to eat me after our son was born,β Orlai strengthens her tone, βBut if I left, If I managed that, I had a 1 in 2 chance of being a mother to my son. I just had to evade you to do it. I would do anything for my baby boy to have a mother.β βOrlai, I promised you that I wouldnβt have hurt youββ Alpha Centauri cuts himself short, and Orlai looks up at him, over her shoulder. βThe honour codes,β she begs. βI taught them to you, little bird,β Alpha Centauri looks past her to me, looking awfully guilty, βThe code here is simple. Diana. I am your guardian. And a guardian cannot be a hunter. You pledging your breath to me means nothing, because only our pledges matter,β oh geez, of course only their male oriented pledges matter and not a female pledge, βI cannot harm you.β βHonour it then,β I murmur, quietly. Orlai keeps her hand on my belly, and her touch once again, soothes me, making me feel ready for whenever this baby comes. As she faces me, I see she has this fading light within her blue eyes. Sheβs anticipating the worst. But still doesnβt know what or how itβll happen. The scariest answer in the world is whether or not heβll still love her now, or if that died with her successful escape and birth of Danger. Alpha Centauriβs eyes, I can see them even though she cannot. He couldnβt care less about me with his eyes lasered on Orlai, even with her back turned to him, he looks at the side of her jaw, bringing up his hand and trailing the back of his fingers down her exposed neck. Orlai looks as frightened as a bird stuck in a cage. βThis, your skin, your blood beneath, youβ¦ mine, Orlai,β Alpha Centauri whispers, βThe greatest Kor hunter who couldnβt huntβ¦ not you. Tell me. Do you love another? Have you loved another since?β βNo,β Orlai answers truthfully, and itβs a pained whisper. βThen Iβm happy,β Alpha Centauri speaks so calmly, βYou were in as much pain as I was, this whole timeβ¦ torturing me, you tortured yourself.β βI lived,β Orlai squeaks, she takes her hand from me, and faces him one more time. I feel so fucking awkward watching this, but Iβm kind of paralysed, so what else am I going to do? βThere is a secret Kor code,β Alpha Centauri begins, seriously, standing tall as he watches her with those focused eyes. βOh, is there?β Orlai tries to sound sassy and she canβt even manage that. It is rather adorable hearing someone so kind, try to sound mean. βThe one who escapes, is the one you keep,β Alpha Centauri finishes. βYou never taught me that,β Orlai fires back. βBecause it doesnβt count if you know that in advance, obviously. Most just die while getting fucked,β Alpha Centauri laughs, βAm I dreaming, Orlai?β βYou most certainly are, mother fucker,β Danger. Heβs back, and heβs pulled a gun on Alpha Centauri, his father. He holds it steady though, and Alpha Centauri knows immediately who he is now. The Estori just smiles and drags Orlai in front of him, putting a hand to her neck and whispering over her head, βKneel, little bird.β Orlai collapses with the sexy tone he uses. She hides her face in shame against the side of the couch, while Danger just looks traumatised by how she fell so quickly. His hand shakes and Alpha Centauri moves. With two fast strides heβs grabbed Dangerβs wrist and twisted his arm behind his back, the gun drops and Alpha Centauri releases him just as quick, just to see what his son will do. Danger spins to punch, given the opportunity. Alpha Centauri lets him make contact. He wants to know how strong he is. Danger hisses and moves his hand back, shaking it out, βFuck,β he backs up, βWhat are you, solid fucking iron?β βClose to it,β Alpha Centauri doesnβt fight him further. Danger just keeps backing up away and looks dumbfounded. Orlai stays where she is, breathing erratically. The Estori shakes his head at Orlai, clearly amused and still on a high with her return, βThank you,β he speaks to Danger, βFor looking after my little bird,β Alpha Centauri looks to me, βYouβre still a whore, Diana,β he doesnβt have to sound so happy saying that, βDo me a favour,β he murmurs to Danger, seriously, βSee her throughβ¦ the rest will be easy,β the Estori nods at me. βWait, where are you going?β Danger asks, confused. βUnfinished business,β the Estori looks to Orlai. Danger freaks out. βDanger,β I snap his name. He trusts me enough to focus on me, βDonβt worry.β Alpha Centauri strides back over for Orlai. She stands up as he grabs her arm, taking her back to the pantry and the hidden ET. Theyβre gone before Danger can blink. βWhat the fuck is going on?β Danger asks me. βHe isnβt going to kill her,β I smile. βHow do you know?β βSome secret honour code,β I explain. βYouβre quite happy now,β Danger accuses me, βThat fucker just took her toβ¦ toβ¦ heβs going to fuck my mother, isnβt he?β βDanger, you exist, right? Think. How did that happen. Good. Now stop thinking it and stop complaining,β I roll my eyes. βI save your life and you bring that prick home, wow, I hate you,β Danger paces, grinning while glaring and looking hysterical. βCan you help me, at the very least?β I whisper. βFuck no,β Danger is pissed, as he reaches to his belt, and picks out a regular ET Key, βSee you around. Enjoy being on the menu. If my mother even has the tiniest possibility of getting killedβ¦ well now youβre going to get that experience too.β My Kors, probably E, is tracking him and fucked up his own system of transport with a virus across the universe. If he leaves with that regular key they will all know where I am. I try not to freak as Danger moves toward the pantry too. In seconds, heβs gone. My location is going to ping. So, I know whoβs coming next. As long as Mars doesnβt find me first in this state, I should be fine. All I had to do to secure Orlaiβs lottery Kor ticket was to escape Mars then wait 60 thousand years to get fucked again to prove I βescapedβ β and here I am paralysed on a couch, giving birth, andIβm not even finished. This is the time he can eat me. The only thing I can do right now is trust Alpha Centauriβs judgement in leaving me here unattended. What a great Guardian. No doubt he was busy fucking Orlai. Great. Just. Fucking. Great. What could possibly go right, now? As Iβm contemplating all this, something does happen. The venom is spreading faster and deeper than I anticipated. I start to feelβ¦ drowsy. Oh, noβ¦ Iβm passing out. I can only hope I wake up at all. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 32 βΏβββ’β¦ Alpha Centauriβs POV Orlai looks like a lost little dove as she watches me from far away while Iβm up on my throne. I let my squad circle her, invisible. They liked to stealth when assessing fresh prey. Orlai will be judged by them. I was too fucked up about her to make a coherent decision. We had unfinished business, I just had to work out how to deal with her. Part of me wanted to gift her the collar of the damned and have her chained to my throne until her death. Another part of me wanted to love her, despite the insult of six long destinies living happily away from me. I know she survived because of our son. But me. What did I get in that deal? Orlai took all the light from my life. Dianaβ¦ she called me a liar. A fucking liar. I had never been a liar, but I was one the day Orlai left. The day I thought she killed herself. She didnβt just run, she took off all her clothes and left them next to a pile of ash and bone. It was meticulous. Back when we used to feast traditionally, it looked like she just threw herself into the fire. She deceived me beyond a kind limit. She made me believe she was dead. And she never came back. βAlpha Centauri,β Orlai calls to me for assistance with her singing voice. The squad are closing in around her while she twirls, confused as they smell her and she canβt see them. βWho is this one,β Proxima shows himself, a red giant standing over Orlai, he had been leaning down, about to bite her neck, but he wanted to know her importance first. She gasps and leaps to the side, only to get knocked into the others, who hold her still. βPlease, donβt kill me,β Orlai begs, terrified, looking for mercy, but Proxima wonβt linger his gaze on a begging woman. He turns to me. She reaches out an arm and clutches onto his hand, and Proxima looks down at her little pale fingers, clutching desperately over his, watching her try, too feeble. Sheβs so cute. If Diana was here sheβd be trying to save her. I saw the way they acted, they were friendly. But Orlai was the soft bird, and Diana was the Dark Nine, the Empress. I wish I could see her face right now, screaming to let her friend go, to stop taunting her, demanding I stop them playing with her. I wish I could hear it. For now, as they release her, itβs enough to cause Orlai to eventually drop to her knees, crying. Especially when Proxima took his hand away from her. No one was softer than her. βBring her to me, Rigil,β I command my cousin, and he appears looking unsavoury at the tears and the crying. He picks her up and leads her to me by the hand. Orlai falls to my knees, her hand clasping my leg, as she looks up, begging for mercy from me now. βPlease,β she begs again. βIβm not going to kill you,β I explain, quickly, βIβm going to keep you alive β a fate worse than death for a little bird like you. Youβll live to witness us.β βWitness what?β she whispers, confused. βSit on my knee,β as I say it she clambers up to sit on my lap. Her eyes were different to what I remember. Iβm sure she sees the difference in me too. When she met me, I was only kind to her and nothing else, even when I was cruel to all others. I didnβt feel like being kind anymore. Her fear is differentβ¦ itβs her manifested guilt for leaving. For doing this to me. She was the reason I was so uncaring. Fuck, Iβm getting angry. βIβm going to let you choose, little dove,β I whisper in her ear, all lies, just for her, βYou can live and be witness to all our executions. Or you can die. In return Iβll let one Fey live. Vega. Capella,β I order them to grab the next set for execution. Orlai watches Vega and Capella disappear, and in silence, she waits for their return with a Fey prisoner. All the while, I watch her sitting so stiffly on my lap. While my squad watch her too, knowing sheβs barely keeping her sanity. βIβm happy about all this, arenβt you?β I tease her. Orlai looks back at me, and she looks a little angry. Her anger is interrupted by Vega and Capella returning so soon, dragging out a Fey from the torture chamber which isnβt far off. Even starved and bleeding she can still struggle and fight back. But we donβt care. βWhy are you doing this to her?β Orlai asks me, shocked. βI hunt the Fey who are responsible for the imprisonment of my Kor brothers on Dark Ninth,β Alpha Centauri explains, βYou wouldnβt know, youβve only been hiding for six destinies.β βWhat did she do?β Orlai asks, as the Fey is brought forward and laid out, held down by Estori Squad, as they hold her head to the side, getting ready to bite and rip. βLet this one pander to me,β I call out, before they execute, βWhatβs her crimes? Vega?β Speaking through the chains around his mouth, he explains, βShe was in for being a senior venom extractor. This one isβ¦ wellβ¦ weβre not sure, but Arcturus found some information. She claims to be Cintaβs sister. He only found that out yesterday in interrogation. She could be lying. He isnβt sure, no matter the method.β Vega sounds unimpressed. Arcturus decides to pull her forward, he was the head interrogator. I got too bored with silent Fey, they were hard to break, even when you tortured them beyond reason β they were fucking stubborn. Everyone of them in this prison was involved in the direct enslavement and abuse of E and his squad. It was old crimes but we never forgot. While Ninth Squad cleansed Dark Ninth of their abusers β Estori squad and I watched for and tracked any runaways. We caught them all. Enslaved them for life and killed them one at a time. βBeg for your life, whoever you are,β I donβt choose to believe what this Fey has said, but I want to see Orlaiβs choice. I just want her to be selfish and choose me, choose life β fuck the Fey bitch. The Fey is dragged close and released. Skin, bones and covered in blue grime, she falls to my feet and Orlai tries to leap off my lap and help her, but I grab her dress and hold her still. βPatience,β I warn Orlai, βYou,β I prod the Fey with my foot, βThis is your last chance to speak. This isnβt afforded graciously.β βIf I could, Iβd squeeze every last drop of venom from your bones, just to hear how you sound when you break,β the Fey woman snarls at me, her voice hacked and wheezing, βThey say an Estoriβs venom catches a high price, I wonder if thatβs still the case.β βDonβt act in control, you idiot, youβre on death row, ask for life and be done with it β you might just get away, the last pure Fey to live, donβt disregard this,β I tease her with truth, and the Fey pauses β and her tone changes. She looks up at me, βYouβre serious,β she whispers. βYou can call it a fifty-fifty chance, just beg,β I whisper to Orlai, and her, βItβs up to my gentle little dove.β The Fey looks to Orlai. Orlai, the human, will forgive anyone. Orlai turns to me. All she has to say, is she doesnβt want to die either. Prove to me she can choose me now, at least, as I chose her, showing her mercy in her treehouse. The Fey was going to die anyway. Orlaiβs eyes are pure pain for me to stare in at. Even as she says exactly what I know she will. βKill me instead,β Orlai makes her decision. My heart breaks. And the Fey hasnβt even started to beg yet. I smile, but it wonβt be that quick. βAllow her to talk, little bird,β I whisper back at her, βOr have you forgotten how to beg as well?β I ask that of Orlai, who just looks lost. I stand up and place her aside, as I walk around the silent Fey, βHas everyone forgotten how to beg? You all face death with stony faces, and you, you want me to kill you,β I glare at Orlai, βI could have ripped your head off but I brought you here alive.β The Fey hears Orlaiβs scared breath, and she musters up the strength to stand and whisper in her ear, βTheyβre all insane. Donβt cry for them.β Still insulting, even seconds from death. βYou asked me to choose,β Orlai whispers to me, βI donβt want to be the reason someone dies.β βYouβre the reason I suffered,β I give in and I forget our present moment. The reason. The anger. Was so bad. Was because I still wasnβt enough. I just wanted to be enough. As I look at her, I realise my brief love is fading. Orlai can see it. The Fey capitalises on it. She turns to me, finally asking, βI have no reason to live, and no love for any of youβ¦ but if I was to be gifted freedom, I want to give my life to another prisoner.β βWho,β I ask. βHer name is Airy, she did nothing wrong,β I hear her concern and Iβm glad for the distraction, anyway. βItβs a funny thingβ¦ that I may believe youβ¦ Iβll see to it she goes free. Kill her,β I order the Feyβs death, and I look at Orlai. Orlai looks at her feet. βWatch,β I command Orlai, and she lifts her head to look. Obedient to the bone. There was always that. The Fey doesnβt want to be escorted, she hisses at Arcturus and walks herself back to the rest of Estori Squad of her own free will, glaring at them as they snarl around her. They pounce. Arcturus and Rigil stay out of this one. I watch Orlai and she watches the executionβ¦ something I wouldnβt advise for her weak heart, but I just wanted to see her suffer in return β and she doesnβt fight me, she never did. She only ran. I can see her eyes burning with the violenceβ¦ until Arcturus side steps to block her view, taking pity, so now she can just stare at his rich and deep purple skin, a nice distraction from the sounds of bones crushing and blood spilling. βIs she the one,β Arcturus asks me, while looking at Orlai. I nod, my jaw clenching. Orlai closes her eyes, steadying her breath, waiting to be next. βYou think you asking means you get to die, just to escape from me again?β I add, in a low snarl, βYouβre going to stay here, Orlai. Forever. An honoured guest,β I donβt know whether I want to pet her silky blonde curls, whisper sweet nothings to her, or tell her how much I want to let Estori squad rip her up next. But even I donβt have the cruelty in me to be so lost to my feelings of betrayal. Time was of the essence. Itβd only feel good for a second. So, her death wouldnβt be valuable to me. I could always show her exactly how I feel if she lets me in againβ¦ but I doubt weβll burn like we used to. I hated her too much. And she was terrified of me. βYou just want to hurt me,β her voice changes, almost guessing exactly what Iβm thinking. She looks at me and knows. She always knew me. Thatβs the only thing I feared of her. Without enhanced powers, she was still like a mind reader, even though she never fought anyone, a complete pacifist, she still understood exactly what was going on in my mind. I feel love for her for a moment. Maybe itβs still in me. But fuck. I need her to learn strength. βArcturus, Rigil,β I wave them off, βFashion her a collar and chain for the throne. Sheβs staying as a pet.β Arcturus looks interested in such a soft human. So different to the Fey. He wants permission. To find out what thatβs like. I can feel it in his red eyes as he waits for me to give anymore instructions. βDonβt,β I speak, low, βSheβs my crown jewel. I found her. Not you. Her blood is off limits.β Arcturus raises a brow but is happy with that. No blood. But sure, if he wants to seduce herβ¦ good luck to him. She was frightful. Only I knew how to bring her goddess out. And to do that you had to be as vulnerable as she was. Arcturus wasnβt the type. I doubt Iβd ever be able to be vulnerable like that again. Arcturus and Rigil escort her away, while she looks back at me. If my heart were to soften, maybe Iβd try. I look at her one last time, letting her know itβs a slight maybe. But thatβs all I can promise. One other woman was making me hesitate. Diana. I get a message through just as Iβm thinking about her, while Estori Squad are cleaning up any remaining mess on my pristine floors. From E. One word from him. Captured. I smile slow. βWho wants to bet I can tame Diana before they all can,β I ask Estori Squad. Theyβve turned off their invisibility to consider my question. Weβre all smiles. Because the moment sheβs free of Marsβ babe β sheβll be free to breed again. Itβs just a matter of who gets there first. Ninth Squad were losers. Theyβd be pampering her to high heaven right now. Nice guys always finish last. I liked that saying. Because it was true. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 33 βΏβββ’β¦ Dianaβs POV Thereβs nothing sweeter than waking up to Neptuneβs kiss and feeling light again. I had been dreaming. But I experienced the rare, good kind of sleep paralysis as I woke up slowly, and my dreams meshed with life, so I could see a little green child running around already, this tiny little thing, being chased by a laughing Jupiter, Saturn and Mercury. Mars was watching with an emotional smile, and meanwhile he was flanked by Pluto and Terra, and I even noticed the chains on him. Around his mouth. Temporary, for sure, but even in the dream β I saw E come over and advise it was okay to take it off. Thatβs when I knew everything was fine, as I was waking from an upright position. I was not down. Like, not on a bed. I didnβt really get it entirely yet, but I was comfortable, wherever I was. It was Neptuneβs sweet kiss that was helping me navigate the paralysis back to full reality. His venom was powerful, working to dispel any heaviness in my head. Eventually I moan awake and his lips are still on mine, devouring me, his hand tight on my neck. Iβm awake. Iβm panting. Iβmβ¦ how the fuck am I wet and horny? I just delivered a kid. I feel it though, I feel how needy I am and itβs real. When the kiss is broken, Neptune lets me go β he had been visible the whole time, but the moment I blink and try to focus on his airy eyes, he turns invisible with a smile. I look through him with annoyance and I try to reach out, but I canβt. I hear a rattle, my body sways a bit. I then take in my position. Stuck in the Kor prison, mid-air with my arms out and my ankles out. I feel like Iβm stuck in the middle of a spider web, chains attached to shackles, and Iβm balanced so perfectly in the middle, it doesnβt hurt. And my belly? Low and behold, my translucent skin and Fey empowered muscles have pulled everything back in to how I was before. I also feel like I smell clean, and I think someone wiped me over, helping me feel fresh. I donβt even care that Iβm chained up, because I can hear my baby running around. Iβm grinning at the little half Kor child running laps around the Kors and eventually scaling a wall and screaming in joy as it scurries into the wild. Itβs the weirdest and cutest thing. He was a little Mars. Green, just bald. None of the Kors follow our baby. I believe them when they say theyβre self-sufficient β and he is safe on Dark Ninth. Afterall, there is no one here. My laugh at watching my kid escape the prison like a little Danger, catches the attention of the rest of my Kors. Nothing can stop my joy, nothing. We donβt discuss the chains. Each Kor waltzes closer, while Mars hangs back, a proud smile on his face as he paces slowly across the room, unable to keep the love out of his eyes. βWell, you did it, Diana,β Saturn starts to welcome me back, his golden eyes sparkling with pride like Jupiter, βYou impressed us all.β βStressed us all,β E growls under his breath, but even his eyes have softened, even if his voice hasnβt thawed out yet. βI learnt a lot in my adventures,β I tease them all, βA damn lot,β disregard me sitting around eating Hapeetβs curries all day for a fortnight, and occasionally hiding in a closet. They didnβt need to know that! Ha! βWeβre all surprised,β Uranus speaks, still invisible like Neptune, while I just search the air where his voice projects, ββ¦none more so than Marsβ¦β I look past them all to their head Kor. Mars blinks slow, as he stops pacing. βTake her breath away,β he says it with pure love. Iβm in some empty chamber β I havenβt thought too much about the vines growing around and draping around us in loops, until I realise they have a use. Mars walks around the squad as they crowd around me, looking for skin to worship. But I canβt focus on them. I am focused entirely on Mars, as he jumps up gracefully onto a vine and hangs off another to get over the top of them all, his face right above mine, his black curls falling forward toward me as I meet his stare. His fingers hover above my face, and his fingertips barely touch me, as he just admires my existence. It feels fucking amazing to bring such wonder to a creature much fucking older than me. βI figured, Diana,β Mars speaks, so coy as he tilts his handsome face and press his hand to my cheek, βI could always try to kill you with love. A love thatβs so pure you forget how to breathe. That way Iβd have a new rep in the universe β as the Kor who kills with just a look, or just a touchβ¦ or just my dickβ¦ youβd be the first to die that way, death by love.β βYou sound like a bad poet on the streets, you wouldnβt make any money, though, you silly Kor,β I whisper, grinning, βAnd you canβt kill me. I guess you are a fool. The dangerous Diana lives!β Mars laughs, even the other eight Kors have to stop kissing me all over to give me a look. βAlright, I get it, youβre bigger and badder,β I sigh, βNow let me down. Iβm guessing this is some kind of birthing position? And chains are kinky, but cβmonβ¦ let me go.β The Kors look at each other. Then they all start to nibble at me, biting me lightly all around my arms, my legs, across my stomach, Mercury kisses the inside of my thigh, high up, making my whole body tremble. Neptune kisses behind my knee, licking across my salty skin. Eβs the lucky bastard at my cheek, kissing the pulse high up on my neck and teasing me with his fangs. As Iβm filled with fear and lust, I look to Mars for help. He is just admiring me, still. βWeβre going to eat, first,β Marsβ guttural growl, is all he can manage, as I feel those teeth along my thighs, my neck, even my wrists β I feel them bite me. The first time was an overdose. Theyβre drinking me up. I feel them take their fill β they are all utterly starving for me. βVenus,β Mars calls him up, and E releases my neck, his mouth and teeth bloody as he comes up to my face, looking down at me next to Mars. βYouβre going to live,β Venus explains in a low hiss, smiling cruelly through his bloody grin, βFor us. A new kind of mate. First β we have to build up your immunityβ¦ itβs going to hurt like hell, Diana. But when you get through it, your blood will regenerate faster than ever before. Your blood will supply us,β Venus says it so sadistically, but chooses to compliment me at the end, a rare moment from him, βI know youβre strong enough to handle it.β The venom from them all, drags me back to the void where I had been falling forever. I try to resist it, but theyβve already taken too much. At least, I think they have β and then they all stop, seconds before Iβm flooded and drowned. Mars releases the chains from above and Iβm caught by E, who swings me down and swings me back up to my feet once the ankle chains are off too. I stand in their circle of hungry gazes, naked and faint with bloody skinβ¦ but not bleeding. The wounds healed so fast. I feel like I have a spring in my step again. Strength. Speed. Itβs strange, being covered in blood stains when I feel insane power start to pulsate through me. βWe fuck her after I do,β Mars says slowly, warning them off. Mars doesnβt let me out of this empty room in the prison, however. He just takes my hand and leads me to a wall. A barbaric, nothing wall. A vertical stone slab. A wall. Thatβs where we are going to fuck? I slide my palms along the stone and then I turn to him as he pushes me back against it, looking at my disappointed glare. βWhat, you want a five-star hotel?β Mars laughs, as he whispers across my cheek, to my ear, βI am the experience.β βIβm not paying,β I growl. βYou will in screams,β Mars grasps my neck and lifts me up along the wall. He chokes me, the fucker. I gasp out, but he lets me go to slide back down the wall, and he grabs my legs under my knees instead, spreading my legs open and looking at my pussy as my hands slide against the slippery stone, looking for a hold. He just smirks at me looking so freaked out for no reason. I forgot how to fuck. βRelax,β Mars smiles, βI got you, puny human.β βBy the knees, very smooth,β I tease him back. Ninth Squad pace closer slowly, so I feel the weight of all their disapproving eyes. Mars isnβt fazed. He carefully slides his hands to my ankles and forces my legs back, as he pushes me back, and he looks down at me, caught between his gigantic Kor torso and the wall. I place my hands on my mates chest, and his pulsing huge dick lies across my stomach, while he slowly raises my ankles higher, and higher. He is moving so slow as he drops me toward his throbbing dick, keeping my ankles captive. And Mars doesnβt slam it in. He pushes it in, inch by inch. I think Iβm ready for it, but as I look down, watching it happen, I see his dick slowly expanding within my as it pushes deeper into my womb, stretching me wide. My whole body doesnβt just throb, my pussy attempts to milk him dry, spasming relentless β unsuccessfully. Heβs not in all the way yet. Mars keeps sliding me down, Iβm about half way, and he is just watching my impatient face as I close my eyes and try to breathe. I forgot. I forgot. I forgot about Kor cock β and about the fucking things it does to me. When Mars has me whispering gibberish chants under my breath to calm myself, he surprises me by slamming the last few inches into me, his hot body simultaneously slamming into mine and squeezing me into the wall. I gasp and cry out, as he keeps me sandwiched tight to this slab so he can keep me perfectly in place. While he thrusts, I wonβt be able to back up or squirm anywhere. Iβm trapped. He wonβt release my ankles, not letting my knees bend at all. βCold?β Mars whispers over my head, mocking me, as his dick pumps into me. I can hardly breathe. Iβm fevered hot with him against my front, and ice cold at my back. Itβs a workout and a stretch routine and a fucking ride. As Mars fucks me against the wall β he loves that I try to claw him, but I canβt, my nails are too feeble and blunt. And I canβt breathe. Every breath is knocked out of me because of his huge cock, stretching me so wide I didnβt even know I could feel like he is too big. I had three of them. But I think then I was in too much shock to understand this ravishment wasnβt just an animalistic event. They were experienced lovers. And Mars was literally imprisoned with all of them to be slaves to this. They had five destinies to be perfect whores for the Fey. Iβm not complaining right now. I feel my body has been wound up. Itβs about to explode. I close my eyes, scared for it β because he is so relentless. βIβmβ¦ Iβm gonna cum, Mars,β I actually whimper. βI know you are,β Mars has to be such an arrogant dick β as my orgasm unleases hell, my legs being straight make the orgasm more focused on my pussy clenching across an iron hard cock that refuses to unload. I writhe and I scream out my pleasure. I canβt contain this energy he built inside my core, throwing my head back so hard I almost knock myself out. I cry out from the pain of my own blunder, but Mars quickly dives down. He kisses the top of my head, and weirdly that does help. Mars starts to switch our positions. I donβt know how he moves so fast, but his hands just slide from my ankles and grab me around the waist instead. Twisting me fast and violently shoving me back against the wall, so my once warm tits scrape across the cold smooth slab instead. I whimper at the pain of the cold, while his hot torso and groin warms my back and ass. I feel his wet dick slide across my cheeks. Mars just chuckles, βSuch a wimp,β he licks across the top of my ear, making me giggle with how it tickles, βThatβs better,β he reassures me, as he kisses my temple and his dick slides back into my pussy, but this time he is flush with my back. The most simple position, he uses to destroy me. Mars keeps his hand on the side of my head, keeping my cheek against the wall, as his right arm holds me around the waist and up high enough so my feet leave the ground. He keeps my legs pressed together with his own either side of my thighs, keeping me pressed against him and still, controlled against the wall β and as for his pulsing shaft, well he slides it in balls deep against my ass, stretching me to my limit, then Mars slides out only a little, and keeps slamming back in. Shallow thrusts β keeping it deep and driving me nuts. I know now. My pussy is his favourite toy, he fucks me as hard as he wants β and the pleasure in me is excruciating and perfect. I feel how my wetness welcomes him to use me however he damn well pleases β and he knows thatβs what my pussy wants. Every cell sings as Iβm being used. I feel totally out of my own control and in his only, as he fucks me faster, toward another climax. Mars is mean, though. Always. As Iβm cumming and trying to voice it, he slides his hand from around my head, to my mouth, and he slams my lips shut, keeping me silent, as he asks into my ear. βMore, Diana? Faster? How about even harder,β he squeezes me even more against the wall, weβre so flush his skin is all over mine, his abs, pressing into my back, his hips, pounding against my ass. Itβs more than sex. This isβ¦ somehow humiliating β with the others watching. Itβs so fucking hot though. Like some kink. Just as a third orgasm is tearing through me, Mars digs his dick deep as he can go, as he kisses over my pulse, before scraping his teeth down, cutting a line across the curve of my neck. He doesnβt drink my blood but I feel my mates venom, a tiny amount, causing my hormonal blood to scream for more. His desire for me, thatβs what I feel, as I go over the edge again. I canβt even describe it. The way he starts to evade my mind, too. Itβs so explosive and I scream so loud against his hand, I donβt feel myself sliding to the floor, as Mars stands over meβ¦ his dick still very hard. He waltzes away, smiling to the others. Iβm leaning on one shaking elbow, my whole body trembles as I feel weak, even with all their venom inside me. Mars commands Ninth Squad, βI want her seeing stars.β βI want you more,β I call out for him, almost wanting to cry, ββ¦youβre not finished with meβ¦β My begging, from pure girlish need, has the squad all pausing their breaths. Theyβve never heard me like this. Marsβ cock is still hard and I canβt stop staring at it. I want to milk it more. Mars watches me, knowing, knowing he did this to me. I crawl toward him, literally grappling up his ankles as I reach for his cock, out of reach for the moment, while I try to remember how to stand. Iβm numb from the fucking, everything is fucking not working in my brain right now. I need help. βGive it to me,β I whine, βGive it to me, Mars. Help me up.β βYou broke her mind in, I didnβt expect that.β I hear a voice next to my ear. A squatting blue Estori at my back, his face hovering behind mine, as he turns off his stealth. When I see Alpha Centauri watching me speak and act in a lustful madness, I blush so red, I think Iβm going to cry just from the shock. βAh,β I jerk away from him, as he pats his hand down my head, through my hair, down my back β I feel like a dog or a cat he just stroked, as he stands up to greet Mars. βWhat?β Mars asks, barely keeping in a pissed off growl from his throat, βI have to take care of this, Estori.β βJust checking,β Alpha Centauri smiles β using few words. I donβt fucking trust this cunt. βWhy did you come here?β I ask, staying on the floor, but not hiding. βJust making sure they fuck you right,β Alpha Centauri snarls and smiles as he paces around to me again, chuckling in his throat as I flinch away toward Marsβ leg. Curiously, the Estori squats in front of me again, and looks between my legs, which Iβve let stay open. I caused a damn puddle. Itβs the wetness heβs interested in. Alpha Centauri drags too fingers down my glistening thigh, and I watch as he brings those fingers up and paints his lips. He moves in then, grabbing the back of my head, jerking me forward and kissing me hard, so I can taste my cum mixed with his venom. His lips are harsh on mine, I freeze, as his lips are also hot and warm. And then it fades, his lips leave mine and heβs gone. I donβt know where. Heβs probably still there, looking at me, but I canβt smell him with the sex in the air. βHe likes you,β Mars admits, standing stoically, his eye down on me as Iβm still holding his leg. βI still want to kill him,β I admit. βThatβs exactly why he likes you, sweetheart,β Mars slowly smirks, βI believe we were practicing for such an eventβ¦ werenβt weβ¦ when you were rescued. Close your eyes.β Why canβt he just keep fucking me? βWhat?β I whisper, and the other Kors try very hard not to laugh at my blatant desperation. βClose your eyes and count to ten.β βOkay,β I hiss and close my eyes. I count out loud. β1, 2, 3β¦β I open my eyes anyway, and I look around the room β everyone is stealthing βI focus on the slowest Kor, because he was watching me for my response. Mars lingered because he knew Iβd fuck it up. βDiana,β Mars snarls over me, βYouβll pay if you donβt listen. Close your eyes. Count to ten. Do it right, play with us,β Yes, yes. I close my eyes with a slow smile I canβt contain, which he doesnβt appreciate, βFucking brat, obey or pay up,β Mars snarls as a last warning as he disappears. β1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9β¦β I open my eyes, standing up on wobbly legs. I smirk as I turn around. My Kors are gone. All of them. Hide and seek? Okay. I have to find all of them. And then I get a prize. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 34 βΏβββ’β¦ Dianaβs POV I stand up and I close my eyes. As I listen, I walk slowly, trying to detect where the sounds of my Kors walking are coming from. I try to hear their breathing, although thatβs a little more difficult to detect. I move slowly. I hear them everywhere. I move toward the noise of their feet but they run away β I hear them giving off airy silent laughs as I almost catch them. As I move my way through the prison, I feel my hair lift off my back for a second, I feel a breath across my nape, soft lips against my jaw, and a Kor cock β slips between my legs, rubbing along my pussy. I smell Mars, as he bites his teeth together near my cheek, laughing as I turn and stare at the invisible air. My pussy quivered with pleasure when he touched me. My knees shake as I bite my lip, walking down one balcony, I hear Mars jump and slide down to the ground floor, holding onto another vine. I sprint to catch him. I run and jump, skidding down a slippery stone slab that is on an incline. I reach the bottom and jump onto the floor, only to have Kor arms wrap around me, as Iβm squeezed tight in an embrace, and I feel sharp Kor fangs tease my neck. Iβm released and I feel a hot Kor cock prod my belly button. I reach for it but they move back. I think itβs Jupiter. I can tell from the way his hands were on me β itβs just his way of being strong. βThis is ridiculous,β I laugh as I run forward, arms out. I canβt reach any of them. But I feel them as they come close. One by one. A Kor will run their fingers along my waist, theyβll grab my arm and open my hand, sliding their cock through my curled palm, letting me stroke them once, before pulling back and running away from me. I run around the whole Kor prison being teased like this, laughing and enjoying it β as they also find it hilarious. Itβs such a dumb game. But itβs so fun. I run and run around for them in circles until Iβm too tired to try and catch up with them. Itβs only then that I realise I can lure them forward to win. I run up to the throne, climbing up the steep steps, I finally reach Marβs favourite seat. I climb on top, hearing them follow me, just keeping their distance. I sit and kick a leg up over the stone arm rest, as I slip a hand over my pussy, rubbing a finger over my clit. I hang my head back over the edge of the other arm rest, as I touch myself and moan. I feel like Iβm about to cum already so I rub my clit harder and β My hand is promptly removed. Got emβ. My wrist is held and lifted from me. My Kors, around me, have dropped their invisibility. I smile β because I win! Mercury is the Kor who has apprehended my hand, and placed it over his cock instead, making me stroke it again. βItβs fun breeding a girl like you, Diana,β Mercury kisses me with his eyes β his gaze one of true lust, βYou love to play too.β βWell I am not just a breeding cow, this is fun sex,β I complain, still biting my lip as I see Venus slip past Jupiter and Saturn before they can claim my wet pussy. E spreads my thighs with his hands, diving forward. He licks right through me, eager to taste me. I canβt remember what Iβm saying. I feel Terra grab my other hand, placing it over his balls to fondle. Theyβre so big and warm. Pluto steps forward to open my mouth, holding my head back, he doesnβt give me time to think as he starts to face fuck me. He holds my throat too, wanting to feel his shaft push and pulse into me. ββ¦sometimes they need to be gagged,β Pluto grins, his tone so rich with his masculinity. He was so quiet, but when his dick is pumping into me β I know he is in full control of me as his fuck-vessel. I can tell he thinks Iβm just made to suck and swallow his seed. Itβs fun anyway. The thought makes me so horny that I feel myself wanting to cum right away. E seems to notice, as he spreads my lips and tongue fucks me instead, as my hips writhe, he holds me still. I suck harder on Plutoβs cock, wanting to please him. I feel Mercury cum over my tits, his hot seed pouring down me, while E gets my cream, licking me through the orgasm. I choke on Pluto as I climax, and that is when he cums hard β shoving his cock deeper, his balls pressed tight against my face as he unloads within and squeezes my throat, making damn sure I swallow. Two down. Seven to goβ¦ I gasp and cough to get my breath back as Pluto pulls from my mouth, smacking his cock against my cheek once, then running his balls over my face. Heβs such a cheeky Kor God. He smells good too, like his balls have the most perfect cologne in the universe. I feel overwhelmed with pleasure now. E focuses his tongue around my too-sensitive clit. I wrap my hands into his hair, pulling at him, as the others watch my struggle closely. Venus waits till I pull hard β and he finally moves. I see his handsome and cruel smirk as his body slides across mine, as his cock smoothly finds my pussy and slams in, as he wraps an arm around my back, pulling me up at a better angle to fuck me deeper. A perfect lover, I can tell thatβs what he was β at one timeβ¦ a long time ago, way too experienced. Now he wants to make sure that perfect love is a perfect torture. His cock is so wet from my pussy cream, I can hear him fucking the wetness out of me. It sounds so erotic β and the others are hard as hell to try it. E welcomes Uranus forward, shoving my leg back further for him, so Uranusβ cock can stretch me wider, to fuck into me, while E thrusts out. In no time β Iβm full by their thrusts at all times. My eyes practically roll back into my head, while I feel E lightly bites down over my pulse at my neck. Uranus pinches my right nipple, twisting it. I cry out as Iβm fucked by them to another high. E keeps fucking me while smiling into my neck β he fucks me hard and harder every thrust, knowing what itβll do to me. Uranus is in the same mindset. I scream when I cum for them, and I milk them both dry, straight into me. They cameβ¦ deep inside. As I slowly come back to my senses, I freak out as I realise what that means. βW-wait,β I stutter, opening my eyes, looking at E and the stealthing Kor beside him, βYou shouldβve pulled out, both of you,β I whisper. βSh,β E shakes his head, pinching my chin once, his eyes warm with possession, βWeβre all going to breed you, Empress. Your womb isnβt yours anymore. Itβs the price you pay for this experience.β I gulp, feeling my hormones taking over as my body trembles with wave after wave of pleasure, making me hungry to feel it all over again. What was I even complaining about? Itβs hard to know when Jupiterβs silver rod slides across my cheek, spilling pre cum against my lips. I lick it clean and I open my mouth to suck his Kor cock next. I turn around, reaching for his balls, holding them, sucking him deep, while I feel Kor hands spread my ass cheeks. βTerra, join me,β Mars growls the command as he slides his cock across my wet thighs, before pressing his pulsing cock to my asshole. Terra wraps a hand around my ribcage, his hand squeezing my breasts as he slides his cock along my pussy, then places it next to Mars. They push in together. As they stretch my ass, I choke on Jupiter, and he lets me breathe for a moment, stroking my hair. βFair warning, puny human,β Jupiter pats my cheek with his hand, leaning down to whisper, βItβll be hard to breathe with me,β I suck him down deeper, accepting the challenge, glaring up at him. He wonβt intimidate me. I can take it! Jupiter wipes his thumb under my eye β and he lifts my neck to get a perfect angle before he deep throats my neck. With every thrust from Mars and Terra, I feel my pussy dripping more and more cream. Jupiter is effectively choking me of air β and itβs somehow making the pleasure even better. A few thrusts in, Iβm moved up off the throne, so Saturn can slide in and sit below. He grabs my hips and lifts his own, pushing his cock into my pussy β while Mars and Terra own my ass. Theyβre all inside now, pumping me hard together. I feel my ankle is held β it must be Neptune, as he rubs his cock along the sole of my foot, over and over β tickling me. I feel my whole body squeezing and contorting, as Jupiter keeps fucking my throat β the hardest of them all, using his strength to outmatch all of them. It really is pure torture through pure pleasure. I feel my body climaxing over and over β so damn tight, trying so damn hard to work them β that they all cum together. I choke down Jupiterβs load, and squeeze Saturn dry, while Mars and Terra empty their loads deep into my ass, still fucking me a little. Neptune even unloads on my legs. When theyβre all done, when they all pull out of me and release me, Iβm left on the throne, collapsed on Saturnβs heaving golden chest, as he strokes my neck and nibbles at my ear, licking into it, making my whole body vibrate since my nerves are on fucking fire. I fight to get my breath back, βHowβ¦ how many timesβ¦β I ask huskily, feeling their nine Kor gazes staring in at me, βDo I have toβ¦ fucking do thisβ¦ each day?β I laugh hysterically. I look back at Mars, my eyes basically leaking with pleasure. βWe could keep going,β Mars teases, offering a hand, half smiling β so calm, so collected β and 100% being truthful about that scary possibility. They could fuck me forever if they just kept taking turns. βNo,β I snap and they all laugh β making me also laugh and cry at the same time, βI mean noβ¦ thank you,β I change my tone and they all grin, βItβs not funny β my brain is melting guys!β I playfully glare at them but I feel one stare in particular isβ¦ more sharply focusedβ¦ I even feel the menace in the air. A different kind of hunt. I roll my gaze to Venus. He is critically watching me, his mind moving a million miles a minute. He is dangerous in a way I donβt understand. An unhinged Kor. βI assure you,β E reaches for me, his hand grabbing my hair, petting me slow, βYouβll survive this, Diana, survive only to suffer,β he slowly smirks and Mars glares at E. βShut up, Venus,β Mars demands his silence. E looks cruelly over me, βItβs pure love, Diana. Donβt you feel it,β he raises a brow as chills run through me. Itβs how he touched me, how he fucked meβ¦ it was different. Like a love designed to ultimately hurt. Saturn looks at me staring up at him, trying to read his gaze too. He looks comfortable with Eβs statement. So do the others. Mars was just angry E spoke some kind of twisted truth to me. Something I wasnβt allowed to hear. I donβt comment, as I quietly rest my face against Saturn and just acknowledge it to myself. As their altered Galactic Queen and Empress, Iβm built to sustain them forever. Whatβs that to a Kor? Whatβs that to E? I never thought of it, until now, as a revenge that never ended. Thatβs what it feels like, and I keep it to myself as it disturbs me even more than the thought of them hunting me for my flesh. There was an ending when a Korβ¦ killedβ¦ in the βtraditionalβ sense. Like Alpha Centauri and his way. If you livedβ¦ but they kept just fucking with you, mentally, physically, emotionallyβ¦ I gulpβ¦ it could be a different kind of godly evil. β¦am I going to pay for Cintaβs sins? Did Venus want me to go crazy or something? I certainly fucking hope not. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 35 βΏβββ’β¦ Dianaβs POV Surrounded by the beauty of Dark Ninthβs flora, I walk outside while I hear a rustle in the shrubs around me, with Mars by my side. Weβre both watching the way the little feet run through the wet mud. βSo quick to stealth like his father,β I whisper to Mars, as I close my eyes and hear the little man sprinting toward me. I reach down and lift him up β the baby grins, covered in moss and sparkles already, as he shows me scary looking metallic teeth β sharp triple canines on both sides, βMaelstrom,β I scold him, βDonβt run away from me β Iβm your mamaβ¦ and Iβm the Galactic Queen! Show some respect!β Of course, he has no idea what Iβm saying, but his large dark eyes look at me and Mars, as he points a chubby hand at me, βMo. Ga! Qween.β his little voice is scared that he hasnβt repeated what I said right. My eyes widen. So, newborns, on day one, run and speak. Mars looks so proud, he nods, βThatβs right.β Maelstrom starts to wriggle and I feel like he has the zoomies, so I put him down and his stealth flickers on as he runs off again. βIβm afraid to ask, how does he eat?β I look to Mars. βFruit and the dust is enough to sustain him,β Mars answers quickly, βDonβt worry.β βIβm not worried,β I lie, and he slowly smiles and says nothing. I keep walking, and he walks a little behind me. βWhy Maelstrom?β Mars asks darkly, ββ¦we choose their namesβ¦ not the femalesβ¦β βTough,β I grit my teeth, angry, βYou donβt like the name I chose?β βI love it, actually, better than what I was thinking,β Mars gets my attention by being so vague. I spin to face him, slowly putting my hands on my hips, βWhat?β βI was thinking, Diasphora,β Mars looks me over slow, and I get a chill down my spine. Dia like Diana. βWeirdβ¦ Maelstrom is definitely better,β I stand still now, as Mars approaches and places a hand on my belly. βI wonder,β Mars hums to himself, ββ¦what E will do if he is the father this timeβ¦β βI donβt trust E, heβs erratic,β I whisper, βCinta broke his mind.β βSh,β Mars looks beyond me, his nostrils flaring. He looks stricken by something. I smell the air too. And then I hear her. Crying from far away. I turn toward the crying, by one of the distant ruins. Not just crying. Itβs sobbing. Grief. βStay here,β Mars tries to command me, his tone dropping a whole octave β his whole body tensing. He uses stealth and silently sprints for the noise. I do too. I can tell Mars will approach more hesitantly until he knows for sure what it is, so I just go closer, quicker. I run around the back of the ruin and run inside. Within the crumbling walls, in the centre on a patch of dirt, is a thin, frail woman, flesh and bone, her hands on a metallic pile of dust, crying as she runs her fingers through the silver ashes. βMama,β she cries out and puts her hands over her face, screaming, βMAMA!β I donβt understand β why was a stray woman crying over Fey remains? I was the last being alive with Fey DNA and it was miniscule. Logically, it makes no sense. Are we witnessing a ghost? She looks real to me. I think she must be Fey. Maybe one that got stuck in a time warp. Because nothing else explains this. I feel warmth at my back and I know Mars has approached me from behind. I wait for him to pull me back and scold me. However, I donβt expect him to place a hand on my back and usher me forward. He clearly wants me to make this person talk. I approach, turning off my stealth, my feet press through ferns and the naked woman spins, her brown eyes wide as she looks up at me. She looks familiar in a way I canβt describe. Like Iβve seen her face before. She doesnβt have hair, itβs fallen away from the stress. Her teeth look strong, but her body is barely keeping itself together. βWho are you?β I ask, and she doesnβt answer, so I ask instead, ββ¦do you need help?β I hope I sound kinder, and not so confronting. ββ¦female?β she asks me back, calming down a little. I nod and approach. Sheβs not armed, sheβs just alone. Sheβs no threat. βWhere are you from?β I kneel right next to her. βDepends,β she wipes her dry eyes, she had been crying but barely any water had come out. βWhere do you come from today?β I change my wording. She looks to me, as she answers, βPlanetβ¦ Apastron. I was pardoned.β I pretend to understand how thatβs possible. I nod. I only understand that sheβs covered in blue grime, so she must have been one of the prisoners in Alpha Centauriβs hold. She looks defeated by life. βYour name?β I ask. βAiry,β she barks out a painful laugh, βIt stuck. Iβm half only,β as I wait for her to explain to me, she heaves in a deep breath, βHalf human,β she looks up at me, βYou look a littleβ¦ human too.β ββ¦whatβs theβ¦ um, whatβs the otherβ¦ halfβ¦β I gulp. Airy shivers as she looks down at the pile of dust, running the tips of her fingers through it over and over. Iβm honestly concerned she may be minutes from death. We canβt keep talking forever. She needs strength. ββ¦airyβ¦ the mistake I madeβ¦ having youβ¦ a female, weak and soft like airβ¦ so she hid me awayβ¦β Airy keeps stabbing her finger into the dust. I reach over and grab her hand, pulling it back, βFey,β she says, βIβm half Fey.β βHave you been locked away for six destinies?β I ask, feeling my stomach turn. I didnβt know Kors may have also imprisoned Fey for a life term β whatever that may be. βI am the only oneβ¦ released,β Airy closes her eyes, βAnd I wish I was dead.β βWhy?β I snap this, feeling bad for being so aggressive but being alive was a miracle. βI have no home,β she admits, βNothing. Theyβre all deadβ¦ cruel to meβ¦ but stillβ¦ all I knewβ¦β βIs this yourβ¦ um, where your mama died,β I see her looking at the pile, shaking her head. βNo. I donβtβ¦ grieveβ¦ her. Sheβs the reason. Theyβre all dead,β she looks at me, whispering so quietly sheβs just mouthing the words, her voice no longer anything but parched and dry and empty, βMy mama was too evil ββ she speaks it too quietly, in such pain, I barely hear, I donβt know if Mars heard, but I clamp my hand around her mouth, as gently as I can, and I hope she sees the warning in my eye not to speak another word. If she was her child. Theyβd show no mercy. Even if her father was a human. βSh,β I try to put on a show for Mars, βNo more. You need water. Take my hand. Half Fey, Half Human, thatβs amazing. Iβm like you too,β I explain. I hear Mars come forward now. Airy turns, her fear is heightened but she has no energy left to react. She looks up at Mars, as he turns off his stealth, and I see Mars taking her in with cold eyes. βYou have your motherβs face,β Mars speaks without expression, just stating a fact. Shit β thatβs why she looked familiar to me. Her face was similar to Cintas. They had the same upturned dark eyes, the same full mouth. I step in front of her, holding out my arms, βMars. Donβt kill Airy.β βI canβt, if my Estori pardoned her, she is pardoned by all Kors,β Mars growls over me, βBut still. Diana. Alpha Centauri is one hell of a prick. Cintaβs blood is an insult to Ninth Squad. Itβs because of you, he wants you, so he sent a bitch like her here to piss us off.β βShut up, forget your ego. I doubt thatβs why. I think itβs because Orlai returned with Alpha Centauri,β I whisper to him, βIf thatβs the first mercy Alpha Centauri has shown in destinies, itβs because of her. Itβs not to insult you, you arrogant idiot. We need to get Airy water and food or sheβs going to die.β βVenom will make her better,β Marsβ sharp eyes cut through mine to Airy. I turn to see her looking at her feet, slowly shaking her head, βNo,β she begs, βI donβt want your venom.β βCute Fey bullshit,β Mars smirks at me, βSheβs a liar like her mother too.β βStop being so cruel, sheβs half human! She has empathy, canβt you tell?β I hiss at him, tears welling in my eyes because I hear the human truth in her statement. I recognise her truth. The way I didnβt want venom, neither did she. But still Mars canβt help but taunt her, as he side-steps around me and she canβt resist. She stops shaking though, probably preparing for death, thinking thatβs all thatβs owed to her. Mars puts a finger on her neck, over her weak pulse. He slides his finger up and her head tilts to the side. I speak up, warning him. βAs the Galactic Queen and your Empress,β I use what I can, βYou better do what I want you to do, Mars β I pay a heavy price for your obedience,β I put a hand on my belly, βThe price I pay, you pay in return,β I glare at him and he cocks a brow at me but he doesnβt object. βI wasnβt going to make it lethal,β Mars holds the side of her head up, knowing sheβll collapse. Mars is so amused by me, he canβt help but smile as he leans down to her neck, enjoying my inner turmoil. I watch as he bites over Airyβs pulse. I feel like Iβm watching myself, from an outside perspective. I see the way she reacts. Her body does go limp, but she also receives strength. A moment later he takes his teeth from her neck. He lays Airy to the ground, letting her sleep, while I see her skin pulse as it starts to heal. βThank you,β I whisper it, as Mars looks past her to me. βLetβs go back,β Mars commands it. I walk with him, wringing my hands together, βShe wonβt forget this mercy,β Mars drawls, βAs for Venus ββ βHe canβt know about her,β I interject. βE can and will have her,β Mars growls over me, βFor science, he can use some live meat.β I gasp by his inability to care that sheβs half human, βI wonβt let you or your psychotic cousin kill her,β I step into his front, Mars just pushes past me, ignoring me. βGet back in line, Dark Ninth is mine, Diana β youβre our special venom whore. The Galactic Queen and Empress title means nothing when I make the final decisions,β Mars is clearly triggered, but even so, his words wound me. I stand behind, feeling ostracised again. Mars shoots a sharp look back at me, βDonβt fall behind, Diana. Why so sour?β βVenom whore. Really? Have you not learnt that I do what I please?β I scream at him, βIβm here because I want to be.β Mars turns back to the prison, laughing. No, youβre not, thatβs what it feels like heβs saying. Iβm here because they chose to preserve me and make me sustainable for them. But me, me though, what I think I am, Queen and Empress, seems to be a mirage for what I really am. Iβm their blood. Their food. Thatβs all I am. At least thatβs what it fucking feels like when he laughs like that. βDo you love me?β I call out, scared. I know I shouldnβt ask it. I know he does love me. Mars knows I shouldnβt ask it too. He looks back, βJust a wimp,β Mars teases me, his voice dark and growly, βI love a pathetic wimp,β Thatβs better. I smile, until I realise he insulted me too, but Mars sees that I smiled, and he immediately rolls his eyes, βWomen.β βHey! Youβre not any better, you carnivorous leeching predator! All you do is murder and complain when youβre ALONE FOREVER! Ooo, poor me, I canβt get a long-term girlfriend because Iβm a creepy alien who sleeps while surrounded by all the dust-remains of all my victims. You asshat,β I see Mars flinch. HA! Haahaha! Damn, I feel good after screaming all that. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 36 βΏβββ’β¦ Orlaiβs POV Arcturus measures my neck and Rigil, Alpha Centauriβs cousin, makes the iron collar and chain. They both studied me silently. I knew Kors came in all personalities from my research, but Alpha Centauriβs Star Squad was known to be particularly vile. Ninth Squad were extremely popular across the galaxy, and universally other Kors had a reputation too, but in terms of our Milky way, the primary Kors for us were Ninth and Star squad. βYou will be washed first,β Arcturus speaks over me without looking me in the eye. They were trained not to get emotional with their prey. It would be rare for them to be ordered to keep me as a pet, so I am treated as a rarity. Arcturus grabs my upper arm and takes me from Rigil, who watches me leave as he heats the metal to shape. Rigil has only distaste in his eye. I can tell he has trust issues. To be honest, I am glad I am being taken from him. The collar of the damned sounded pretty awful, but Iβd deal with that when it adorned me. I had damned my own mate. I knew it. I knew I was cruel for doing so, but only one thing mattered in the universe to me. It was my son. Danger. Nothing else mattered. Not I. Not Alpha Centauri. Danger was my focus, my maternal instinct was greater than any feeling in the world. I had spent destinies raising him, guiding him, helping him from the side lines. Any time he had trouble in his exploration of the universe, he had me to fall back on. With the rise of technology, he was leaping across the universe exploring as far as he could. I rarely saw him regularly throughout the last a thousand year, the grief I thought might kill me, but just as I was submitting to the fact I may see Danger less and less and less β he brought me home a Galactic Queen, whoβs Guardian was the man I had loved the most. I know I am a martyr being here, but I had fulfilled my job as a mother. Danger was brilliant, smart, strong β he neednβt worry about me now. I would face whatever life had left for me, with the same strength. Unfortunately, Arcturus is the very one of Alpha Cenaturiβs favourite Kor cousins that I wanted to avoid, as he was the most cunning and cruel. The interrogator of the Fey. Ruthlessness and mercilessness was exactly what you needed in wars concerning the existence of your own species, but it also meant he was very good at disregarding other species lives too. Then there were us puny humans. Who were very good at wanting to protect everyone else and sometimes very poor at protecting their own kind in the search for loving everything beyond our reach. We had faults in our complex empathy and compassion, but we survived well enough. Arcturus pulls me down one damp corridor into another, until I notice weβre ascending to their chambers. Alpha Centauriβs would be up this flight of stairs that we now approach, but at the very bottomβ¦ is a dark door β which Arcturus opens, dragging me inside. So he had the first floor. I glare at him sideways as he takes me into his condo. Iβm surprised by the civility of it, as he lets me go once weβre inside. Instead of a cave, all around itβs just like any home would be, but for a Kor, thatβs minimal furniture. All his is steel grey surfaces, grey walls, clean and empty. With a view of Planet Apastronβs deep cut valleys, the depths of them were larger than the heights of most mountains on the usual type of planets. But this place was another hijacked Elion world from an ancient past, just like Dark Ninth was unnatural, so was this planet. The colour of the sky is a streaming pink aura that flickers aggressively all over the place, the rest is blue grey skies and a steady stream of comets flying overhead. Arcturus has gone into his bedroom, where the bath is, I hear him running the water. I sigh inwardly. I know heβll rip my dress from me without care, so I just remove it myself. I take off the yellow dress and drop it to the floor. After a minute or so, I feel the silence too long, so I turn just in time to spot Arcturus lingering in his doorway, staring at my naked body. The giant alien appreciates me, I can see that. I walk toward Arcturus, holding his eye but not challenging his authority. I wonβt annoy him like that. It wonβt give him a reason to annoy me back. I walk past him and he follows, growling under his breath at how I basically ignore him. I walk across soft grey carpet, past his bed, into the open tiled bathroom, with more views of the sky. His place is quite the catch. I could live here all my life and be happy staring at the sky forever just from this bathroom. I see my light reflection in the glass, just a puny human with blonde hair and light blue eyes. Diana was also blonde with greener eyes β but everything about her was different. All humans born later on were taller and stronger. I was ancient and I wasnβt grown on a huge diet, just what my people could hunt and gather at the time while living on the earth. So yeah, I was smaller than usual, and it annoyed me, because everyone always commented about it. Arcturus comes closer to me, as he sees me looking down at the wide perfect concave bath, set into the floor like a spa. Before he can put another hand on me, I step down into the bubbling water as it filled quickly. I sit across the basin as the warm water reaches my shoulders, and I wait for Arcturus to say something, the brute. He doesnβt so I stare at him. His purple skin is velvet and dark, metallic but soft over his large musculature, well fed by all the prey they catch on legal hunting grounds, usually protected planets. Freedom often cost the threat of meeting the wrong kind of alien on those planets. Adrenaline junkies like camping on them. Iβd never go. You can guess how many times Danger made it a habit to camp on protected planets incessantly trying to prove a point of his own ability to avoid or beat threats to his life. Butβ¦ I am tired of worrying. I had not planned to talk to Arcturus, but I change my mind. βYouβre dirty,β I speak to him, very gently, βOr havenβt you noticed you need a wash too?β Arcturus narrows his eyes at my caring tone, but then he steps around me and steps into the bath too, grabbing the back of my head, he pushes my face under briefly, so the water soaks through my hair, then he yanks me back up and lets my hair go, his hand running down my back to curl around my waist, as he pulls me closer to him in the water. He was quick to take me. I blink the water from my eyes as Iβm turned into him. I place my hand on Arcturusβ torso, looking up at his assured expression of a Kor who doesnβt find females to be trouble. Probably because he is scary enough as it is. Just being what he is and doing what he does. βWhat do you remember about our Estori?β he drawls this question at me, as Iβm pulled over his leg. Heβs cheeky, making me sit on his thigh, one leg either side of his. I sit comfortably on his leg anyway, just to tease him back. βNot much,β I admit, βHuman memory is selective.β βIβm aware,β Arcturus cuts me off, raising a brow, βWhat do you remember? Tell me.β βI remember what I feel,β I explain, βI donβt remember events as well. It was a long time ago. What I remember most is being a mother,β Arcturusβ hand finds its way over my belly, pressing, his hand moving from one hip to the other, βYouβre still fertile,β he drawls, βAnd wet,β oh he can tell can he? With my pussy pressed over his thigh, I bet he can. βI know my eggs are preserved from the venom,β I respond, ββ¦youβd think that would mean Kors are meant to keep their mates aliveβ¦β βIt was that way, but females became a threat to us. What we feel, is greater than what you do,β Arcturus is happy rubbing this in, looking at my eyes alone, his hand still on my stomach, while his cock is rising in the water in front of me, poking out of the waterline, a purple thick shaft. The moment I gaze at it, and my eyes linger, he jerks me a little closer until his cock is between my breasts, pointing up at me, βPlease me, Orlai. You need to remember what it feels like to be one with another,β his other hand reaches for my neck and tickles down my skin. βI wonβt lie with you, just to have another babe to care for β knowing this time I wonβt survive. No one is that lucky, least of all me,β I hiss a warning at Arcurus now, while also feeling my voice waver, βPlease,β I close my eyes as I feel myself wanting what he wants to give. Itβs the truth and I hate lying. I canβt lie. I slowly open my eyes and I beg him now, as his cock pulses against me and I grab it with one hand, stroking it, βIfβ¦ just promise meβ¦ if we do thisβ¦β I bite my lip, as I consider what I should say, ββ¦if Iβm to die at the end of all this, promise you wonβt impregnate me first.β Arcturus growls in clear annoyance by the conditions but he agrees, I hear the change in his tone. βYour ass,β Arcturus offers instead, slowly bringing his face down to mine ββ¦would you want thatβ¦β he drawls over my lips, ββ¦Orlaiβ¦β itβs a challenge, the way he speaks my name with a perfect kind of attention. Heβll love me. He kisses me then, to see what Iβll do. Itβs my number one weakness. A kiss. But only if itβs true. I test him now by feeling how his mouth meets mine without kissing back. Arcturus barely presses his mouth to mine, inviting me forward. After a second of hesitating, my whole body moves toward his and I kiss him back β wanting to taste his venom. I get a small amount and I quickly pull back to assess the situation. I close my eyes. I just feel. My whole body comes alive and my legs tremble while my pussy rubs against his leg, as I move my hips on their own, without thinking, as I peel open my eyes one more time to look up at his mouth and I feel hungry. I reach up and passionately kiss him again, or I attempt too. Arcturus swiftly moves out of my reach, standing and turning me around, shoving me onto the floor. With my legs still in the water, he pulls me back and presses a hand to the small of my back, sliding it down to the nape of my neck. My cheek is against the tiles, my ass raised for him, as I breathe through my sudden desire. Arcturus slips his cock straight into my pussy β and I cry out, with pleasure and tears and also betrayal. βShh,β Arcturusβ scolding of me is both mean and reassuring. He slams his cock just a little deeper and I clench hard, crying out with pleasure. He keeps his cock deep, feeling me as I keep squeezing his shaft, the pleasure is unbearable. I forgot this. When Iβve squeezed him enough, Arcturus slowly and carefully takes his cock from my tight pussy, which refuses to let go. Then, he presses the tip of his soaked cock to my ass. I gasp in a breath as Arcturus doesnβt wait. While heβs shaft is warm and wet, he fucks into my ass like itβs been his for eternity. He thrusts deep, stepping closer as he holds himself over me very close, his body hot against my back as he weighs me down, keeping me still so he can pound me steady and with strength. I feel him gaining ground each fuck, as he wants to go as deep as he can, until I feel his balls pressed against meβ¦ only then does Arcturs really fuck me hard, choosing longer thrusts to feel it all. I can feel my belly moving out with the length of him, and I put a hand under my stomach to feel how deep he digs. Arcturus copies me, he follows by placing his hand over mine, making me feel it, as he keeps fucking me harder the moment he feels my body start to contort. I scream, closing my eyes as my pleasure floods every inch of me. I loved sex. I loved it so much. But I loved it too much. I feel myself falling in love with him, how he brings out everything I can possible feel, as he fucks me deep and slow, pumping his seed into my body. Arcturus runs his sharp fangs run down my skin across my shoulder, cutting a shallow line. My pleasure triples and I whimper uncontrollably. As Iβm feeling myself losing it to the Kor euphoria, he wraps his hand into my blonde curls then, lifting me up from the tiles, while his cock is still hard and deep inside, still pulsing out his first load. He turns me around and drops me into the water. I flail around but Arcturus jerks my head above the water, as he settles us both down. He sits back, pulling me back, so I sit snug back in his groin β but his cock is still inside my ass, as he fucks me slow with his hips. He keeps pulling my hair tightly back, now itβs to look down at me, reading my eyes. The expression on his face tells me everything. He interrogates with sex β by making his prisoners feel this way. I thought it was some kind of special moment, but he just leans down to kiss my forehead and I know itβs mostly fun for him to break in my soul by connecting to me. I canβt believe this brute gave me some kind of pity kiss, while he keeps fucking me to another high. I donβt ask him to stop, though. I want it. But it doesnβt mean I donβt feel emotional pain. I cry and he watches the tears fall down my cheeks, just observing them and saying nothing. βYouβre terrible,β I whimper. Arcturus doesnβt smile, he just listens, which is worse. But then he pulls my head to the side and kisses down my temple, to my ear, biting the edge as he growls, βWait until we all share you, your heart will break eight more times.β I cum again, the very moment he says it. Iβm so embarrassed by how my body reacts at the worst time, as I squeeze and lift myself up and down, needing to move as I cry out. He was fucking me too slow and he was still so fucking hard. βYou made my little dove whimper.β Someoneβs impressed. I close my eyes immediately. Iβm so embarrassed. I heard him before I saw him. Alpha Centauri walks in, I feel his eyes on me and I canβt bear to see his expression. Arcturus keeps slow fucking me through it all, βShe loves it,β one of his hands dips below the water, spreading across my stomach, until his finger rubs my clit. I squirm and he has to hold me tight, sitting up into me, curling around me, holding me still, his cheek next to mine, βLook at your lovers, little bird.β I open my eyes and I look to Arcturusβ steady gaze, black with a purple tint, and then I look to Alpha Centauri, as he comes forward and kneels on one knee, by the edge of the bath, βWe might just find a way to break you yet, Orlai, my stubborn little dove,β Alpha Centauri promises me, his eyes still full of pain, βI should have chained you to me from the start. Speak.β But Arcturus keeps rubbing my clit in circles, wanting another climax to torture me with. I cry instead, as I pant and my eyes roll up to the ceiling. I keep fucking him back, trying too, but he keeps holding me still, βHarder,β I gasp, βPlease.β Arcturus lifts my hips up a bit and starts pounding me harder than before. As the water sloshes around us, Alpha Centauri appears above me. He takes my face with one hand, leaning down to kiss my mouth, giving me bittersweet venom. I canβt kiss him back, too astounded by the pleasure rocking through me, absorbing and destroying all other thoughts. Alpha Centauri tastes like regret. Iβm scared. Because I just donβt know if itβs for the past β or whatever he plans on doing with me next. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 37 βΏβββ’β¦ Dianaβs POV I sit myself on the prison throne, crossing my legs, as Mars refused to let me near him as he went to talk to Ninth Squad. Silly Kors. I guess they forget they shouldnβt leave me alone β I tend to run to the edges of the universe. But anyway, this time, I just sit and I pretend to know what it was like to be a true Kor Empress. Cinta sat here once, when the prison was a clean place, scrubbed completely clear of the nature that has grown in all around it now. The area beyond me is wide enough to allow a massive procession of Fey to crowd in for a speech. Usually a throne is set up a little with a raised podium, not set up at the top of a damn pyramid. I guess it reflects her massive ego. And each step is so difficult to climbβ¦ I have a feeling the Kors carried her up here every time, since she was dressed in heavy draping robes, her mouth always smug. Her eyes always covered. I guess some people took evil to another level. And when those people found themselves up here, sitting so far above absolutely everyone, it was even easier to dictate without caring for consequence. The Fey had been a matriarchy, but not any kind β the Fey not only enslaved the Kors but starved them until they were so thin I barely recognised them in those photographs. It was haunting to imagine them as not completely full of strength and health as they are now. But donβt get me wrong, they still killed. They were still alien. Literal gods of this universe. I hear my Kors moving and when I look up I see them jumping down and using vines of the architecture itself to slide to the ground floor, moving together. All together, they move as one force. To intercept. The intruder. Iβm smug as they all shoot looks my way for sitting on this seat where they fucked me earlier. My Enhanced Instincts tell me to stay out of their problem with the last free half-Fey. I canβt do anything about Airy. I canβt help her situation. Itβs unique to her and the Kors and theyβll sort it out together. If she ends up Eβs prisoner in a lab, Iβll help then, but I also want to see how they resolve it without me near. As the Kors leave, I hear struggling breaths beyond me, and Iβm not sure what it is, until I see little hands grappling up the last step. βMo ga,β little Maelstrom climbs up the last step toward me, his stealth over, reaching for me desperately. I immediately lean down and pick him up, as his head lolls to the side and he snores instantly. He is so damn cute. I cuddle him right to me, shuffling right back into the corner of the throne until my feet are up on the seat itself. I wrap my arms around the little creature and he sleeps against me. A hand rests on my head. My heart jumps. It comes from nowhere. I donβt want to disturb Maelstrom, so I just look up to see Venus looking down at us. βYou stayed behind,β I whisper as he leans over the back of the throne, his hand sliding down my face and sending nervous chills through me. Venus leans in to watch the baby sleeping. βIf heβs not breastfeeding, heβll turn into a fully-fledged little Korβ¦ no Kor has lived since we were born from our fathers and their moons,β Venus explains, like a bedtime story. Itβs hard to know if heβs telling me or the baby, βWith my helpβ¦ I made you into another moon,β his eyes flicker to mine. He sounds romantic, but I know better than to fall for it. Whereas in the past he might have been a very together person, now I knew even his moments of calm, they were notβ¦ guaranteed. I just nod. βGood for you, Eβ¦ I wouldnβt want those canines suckling at me anyway,β I speak mostly to myself. Maelstrom stirs from his nap, opening his wide eyes to stare up at E. I watch the babyβs reaction, curious what heβll do. Maelstrom slowly blinks his eyes shut, turns back into me for a deeper snuggle and sighs a long breath before falling back asleep. I hold him closer. E stays hovering above. βThe pardoned Fey girl is half human,β I speak of Airy. βMars told me who she is,β Venus slowly sits. He sits at my feet. It bothers me, but heβs tall enough to still look formidable. He holds my ankle with one hand, his other reaching for my ribcage. He lays a hand over me, feeling my heart beat, beneath my breast. He keeps his hand there, βI knew Airy.β Well, shit. I didnβt expect that. I didnβt expect that at all. I raise a brow, βAnd?β βSheβs good,β Venus answers me, βI donβt want her here, there is no home here for her. Theyβre sending her away. Somewhere she can live safely for the rest of her days. Sheβll be warned not to return.β βDoes everyone forget I am female?β I ask, laughing, βI shouldnβt be here either.β βWe voted you in,β Venus smiles handsomely and I have to look away. Eβs hand wonβt leave my rib cage, nor my ankle. Heβs looking up at me, his chin near my shin, his eyes curious. He removes his hand from me, βYouβre fine. Your heartβs rhythm is normal.β So, he was checking my pulse? Oh. I look at him now, βWere you some kind ofβ¦ doctor? Back then?β Venusβ nostrils flare, he suddenly stands up, looking annoyed. Shit. There he goes. His eyes run over me and he turns, standing guard but giving me his back. Okayβ¦? βWhatβs a moon?β I ask instead, βA woman who can produce Kors?β Venus makes an affirmative noise. βWell at least youβve finally told me something useful,β I add. Venus looks over his shoulder, βNow I know you canβt kill me. Iβm too valuable. Heh.β βA mother,β Venus agrees, nodding. βWhy are you really here, E?β I want to know. ββ¦weβre going to rebuild the planetβ¦ just a bitβ¦β Venus admits, spinning back to me, βThat deal you made β or offeredβ¦ to Terra. Our Tcno.β βOh, the spontaneous shit I spewed to the leaders of Our Tcno when I landed over their conference table?β I ask, awkwardly smiling. βYes. Weβre enhancing collaboration with humans afterall. Weβre going to let humans come here, to build and populate, just a select few females,β Venusβ eyes sparkle, βThereβs relative peace in the Intergalactic Alliance. Why not?β βMore moons?β I ask, curious and hesitant. Venus shakes his head, βRegular.β βRegular humans?β I raise my voice. Venus nods, βAnd only female? Why?β I donβt like the sound of this or the look in his misty bronze gaze. βOh, Empress, donβt worry, theyβre prisoners,β Venus looks both smug and cruel as he slowly licks his lips, βIt turns out Earth has too many disappointments β not Dark Nine, but just rebellious factions called βTrue Ninesβ.β βTheyβre terrorists,β I hiss, βThey call themselves True Nines. But E, all they did on Earth was sabotage Our Tcno, which isnβt even inherently bad, they just hate Artificial Intelligence β all they do is hurt others. To make statements, I remember theyβd kidnap innocent children for ransom and poison our food systems and lure away anyone they thought was loyal to the AIβ¦ and theyβd kill them, or theyβd make them disappear. Why do you want women who want to kill, to be here?β βTemporary mates for visiting Kors, and food supply,β Venus answers, he points at Maelstrom. βNo,β I growl, βNo way.β βYouβre going to have our Kor babies and theyβre going to grow up,β Venus smiles, βTheyβll have their first picks here. They grow quick. But they wonβt need to sustain until theyβre adults. So, the women will have some time.β βWomen who donβt know theyβre going to get eaten,β I hiss. βNo, no, they were given a deal and a choice,β Venus smirks, crossing his arms over his chest, βLife in prison orβ¦ free on Dark Ninth.β βHow much time until my little ones grow into adult Kors?β I worry now. Venus shrugs, βMaybe a few months.β βA few months?!β βA year,β Venus blinks slow, β12 months.β ββ¦thatβs not rightβ¦β I whisper. βKor blood is eternal,β Venus walks toward me, and little Maelstrom yawns and stretches, rolling out of my hold and running off again. He goes so quick! My heart breaks. My hands clutch empty air, and I lower my legs, feeling deflated. I hate Venus. I put a hand on my belly and I hiss at him, βI hope it isnβt yours. You just live to torment female kind.β βI know itβs mine, you smell like me,β Venus has to rub it in, but he ignores my other accusation. βFuck you, E,β I stand up and Venus loves that Iβm tormented mentally by all this. Birthing every 4 weeks. Making Adult Kors in 12 months. Thatβll kill humans who were sent here to be hunted. Fuck. Venus sees my reality dawning in my eyes, and he steps in front of me, coming close, even as I turn my face and say, βGo away,β I sound sad, but E just stands close and doesnβt touch, almost flush with me, his eyes watching me. I tentatively look up at him, and E looks satisfied, even as I tell him, βYouβre cruel, you know? You didnβt tell Ninth Squad Iβm a moon at all. You let Mars get hungry for me. You let him hunt me. Teasing my life. Like itβs nothing. When Iβm everything.β βHe didnβt kill you,β Venus points out, stating the obvious. βYou didnβt tell me, either!β I snarl up at him now. βI donβt owe you any false pretences β youβll get the truth from me,β Venus smiles, his hand reaching for my neck, sliding over my pulse, I only let him do it because Iβm deeply considering kneeing him between the legs and I forget to move away, βI didnβt even know if it would work, Diana. Thatβs why I said nothing to you. As far as I knew that baby could have come out another way, and I didnβt want to scare you.β Argh. I press both hands to my stomach now, panicked at the thought, βWhat the hell, Venus.β Iβm scared and withdrawn into my horrified thoughts. E makes his move. He steps in until we are flush. His hands wrap around me and fall to the back of my legs. Before I know what he plans, he hoists me up off the ground. I put an arm around his shoulder to stay balanced as he turns and sits to sprawl out on the throne, dropping me over his hips. I look over my shoulder and I see his hard cock, wanting to plough into me. It looks so damn enticing, even if itβs on a unhinged Kor. I glare back at Venus as my pussy complains, and I feel like my clit is screaming to be touched as my nerves start to feel like theyβre on fucking fire. Maybe he is the father. I go to place a comforting hand between my legs but Venus swipes my hand away, grabbing my wrist. I try with my other hand and he grabs that wrist too, holding out my arms, as he smiles down at me. Cheeky Kor. βWhat do you want?β I whisper the question, ββ¦show me.β Venus releases both my wrists and his hands grip my waist instead. He lifts me up and he lowers me down over his cock. He sits me on it, thrusting up as I let out an uncontrollable moan. He hits the right spot, holding me down tight, and my pussy clenches hard, over and over, I canβt stop squeezing him. βRide me,β Venus demands it in a hunterβs growl, but he also shows me all his formidable teeth, as his hands slide over my ass, kneading my cheeks and fucking up into me, while he lowers his teeth to my neck to whisper, βDianaβ¦ be a venom whore for me.β His cock is already enlarged to his max girth and stuck all the way inside me, pulsing and hot as his pheromones are driving me wild. I feel my hips start to move on their own, as I close my eyes and fuck him slow, enjoying the excruciating pleasure. And E doesnβt warn me β he just bites my neck. And he bites me hard. His venom is heavy, it shoots through me and I fuck him fast as I climax right away. I donβt even have time to scream because E keeps fucking back up into me even faster, his hands sliding under my ass to keep me bouncing even as my body tries to milk him, refusing to let him go, clenching as hard as I can. His dick enlarges my middle, as he drinks my blood. I understand Venus as his generous gift of venom spreads right through me. There is no mystery to him when we connect like this. E wants one thing. He wants me full of him β my womb flooded with his cum, my pussy dripping with it. E wants to fuck me, over and over. To keep filling me up with his seed. Venus doesnβt want to stop. He doesnβt want food. He wants a mother, desperate to be the father of the next Kor. One of his hands leaves my ass to splay over my stomach, possessive of my womb, he just feels me as he fills me one load at a time. I mean. He even ignored Airyβs return. I actually do think Venus is the father. Because right now, I donβt want this to stop either. He might be an asshole, but he was a great fuck. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
Further reading : Dark Nine Book-Tree
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 38 βΏβββ’β¦ Orlaiβs POV Iβm still in the water of the full bath, attempting to get my breath back as I look out over the landscape with Arcturus still behind me, his dick still sliding in and out of my body. My ass is his and he wonβt let me go. But now he slow fucks me, his thrusts timed to make this last, as Alpha Centauri stands by the window, looking out over the landscape with me. I feel completely encapsulated by Kor heat from Kor sex. Arcturusβ body is large and warm and hard behind mine, his arm wrapped around my waist. But heβs not just thrusting into my ass. His hand has slid down to then be able to slide two fingers into my pussy, fucking me in both holes, but slowβ¦ so slowly the pleasure is torturous. He doesnβt bite me though, he can only look, ordered not to drink. Arcturus shoves me a bit harder over the edge of the bath, onto the tiles, so he can get a better angle, lifting my hips and pushing in until heβs almost balls deep, and he fucks me right there, with shallow thrusts as the water hugs around us both. I gulp as I look up at Alpha Centauri and he looks down at me, unconcerned for my position of being tortured with this kind of goddess-worthy-fucking. βWhen there were wars with the Elions, little dove, ancient beyond a time you canβt comprehend β we were the protectors of not just our species but all subspecies,β he explains to me, while looking over the planet. βSo you were good, once,β I whisper as I try to steady my panting, and Arcturus kisses my ear, licking deep with his tongue. I shiver and pull away, as he also answers in the discussion. βWe are the best of the subspecies,β Arcturus growls in my ear, βThe Kings.β βTop of the food chain,β the Estori agrees, also adding, βElions were the greatest threat to our existence when they thought all our kind were weak. We showed superior strength, stealth and intelligence, all qualities you need to butcher invaders who are on the turfs of our food.β Time for some resilience. I am going to play this game well. I donβt want to just be a silent squirming fuck β which is what theyβre trying to prove. βDid any of the subspecies ever try to invade any Elion planets?β I ask, as casually as I can. Iβve really tried to sound normal, and Arcturus rewards me with two fingers slipping out of my pussy to lightly pinch my clit, tugging it. I whimper and he stops, shoving his fingers back into my pussy, as he fucks into my ass a bit faster. Arcturus kisses my temple, smiling softly against me. He watches over me as he slowly presses my cheek into the tiles with his hand. βNo, itβs not worth invading Elion ground,β Arcturus drawls, a quiet growl, while I look back up at him and his slow moving body β his hips still thrusting back and forth and his dick still ploughing deep. βWhy do the Kors reside on Elion planets β Apastron and Dark Ninth?β I whisper, wanting to know. βMarkers of triumph,β Alpha Estori smirks, βA reminder, Orlai β we were gifted these planets by our fathers. They were even greater warriors in the war than us. This universe belongs to them and their children.β βIn the bigger picture, youβre not so evil,β I speak as Arcturus grabs my hair, and he pulls my head back, arcing my spine as he starts to fuck me with long deep strokes again, I keep speaking, βWithout aβ¦ a warβ¦ though, thoughβ¦ you t-turn on the ones you once protected.β βDeath and life is naturally intertwined, war is different, and intergalactic war is the difference between extinction or proliferation of life,β Alpha Centauri finds it quite amusing I am trying to keep up with the conversation, as he just watches my struggle. βWhere are the Elions now?β I gasp out and Arcturus smiles as takes his fingers from my pussy and brings them to my mouth, gagging me with my own taste, he shoves his two creamy fingers over my tongue, keeping them there for me to suck on. Fuck. Iβm going to cum. I try to hold off. βFor a billion years the Elions have been hiding. But no one knows where their colonies are now. Any remaining technology they kept for themselves to defend their own. Going on the offense is too dangerous. They wonβt ever attack again. You can cum, little dove,β Alpha Centauri knows that look on my face. Fuck him. Arcturus moves his fingers from my mouth, touching them to my soft lips, teasing them and testing them next. He wants my mouth too. βI certainly hope not,β I murmur back, unable to keep the fear from my voiceβ¦ but Arcturus switches to not fucking me at all, so I canβt cum. He just pushes in deep and holds his hard dick steady inside me, as I clench around him and he slowly pumps his seed continuously into me. βHow about I fetch you some tea?β Alpha Centauri asks, slyly, as he leaves the bathroom. Arcturus feels my clit again, and I almost fucking scream. He puts a hand around my mouth, jerking my head backwards so I have to look up at him, as I cum hard as he pinches me β but he wonβt let me make a sound. I fuck him with my body as well as I can in this position, while he doesnβt move. The orgasm is extreme. I keep succumbing to the feeling, while Arcturus studies my expression with no expression of his own. But his eyesβ¦ they hold a lot of power. He was too skilled. Fuck. Arcturus could kill with this skill. When Iβm done, and heβs done β he pulls out and abandons me in the water. I slump over the tiles and get my breath back, asking Arcturus as he steps out of the bath, βWhy is Alpha Centauri fetching me a tea?β I wonder, feeling slightly hysterical as pleasure still wracks through me in waves and my clit tingles. Just as I wonder, Alpha Centauri comes in from the kitchen, he reaches down for me and grabs my wrist, hauling me out of the bath. I stand, trembling before him as he hands me a mug with a fluffy poisonous herb from Dark Ninth floating on top of the boiling water. βIsnβt that plant, full of toxins?β I whisper what I know. βIt penetrates your marrow and rips it apart,β Alpha Centauri smirks, βBut this is genetically altered to do something else.β βLike what?β βDiana. It made her what she is,β Alpha Centauri cups my cheek, looking at me like I could be strong like her. βWhat about her?β I ask, feeling jealous. βVenus made her into a moon. He cracked the code. He can make more,β Alpha Centauriβs eyes run over me. βA moon?β the term sounds familiar. βItβs your choice,β Alpha Centauri affectionately runs a hand through my hair, βDo you want to be like Diana? Do you want more children?β βI donβt want to die.β βKor, children,β Alpha Centauri corrects himself. βYou want me to breed little Kors?β I murmur. βPure blooded Kors,β Alpha Centauri murmurs back, agreeing, βIf you donβt drink it, weβll find someone else.β βWhat about the punishment you had lined up for me?β βWell thatβs your decision, my little love β the throne, until your death, or life β being bred until your death,β Alpha Centauri canβt keep in his smug smile as he turns to walk away. Arcturus focuses hard eyes on the Estori as he exits the condo. βHe always loved hard,β I whisper to Arcturus, βBut I know he can soften.β βBut you are so soft,β Arcturus drawls so low, as he raises a brow, βDeceivingly so,β he steps forward to run a finger through my hair, around my ear, as he leans down to smell my hair. I think he considers leaving a kiss on my temple but he stops himself and walks away. I feel a quiet fear in me about Arcturus. Alpha Centauri was the greatest lover I had ever been with β mentally and physically. He was hard. I was soft. Butβ¦ there was no middle. None. And he always underestimated me. Why would the Estori of all Kors, suspect cruelty from a pacifist? Thatβs how I was able to escape β I simply slipped under the radar the moment I had a moment to run. The fire, the pile of burnt clothesβ¦ it was all a simple, obvious plan to anyone who might give me the credit of intellect on the level with his own. Butβ¦ Arcturus is no Alpha Centauri. He knows Iβm capable of more than trembling uncontrollably around their deep masculinity. I had always envied any woman who had that acknowledgement from her man. That her femininity wasnβt a lesser thing β just a difference. Arcturus hasnβt left me. He knows better than to leave me alone. Heβs retreated to his living quarters. He turns around to sit in his living room on a grey couch, watching me, while slowlyβ¦ and quietlyβ¦ the air moves around the room. I see it, noticing strange patches of wavering in the atmosphere. And I notice the door to his condo opens further. From the blue walls outside, mirages come into the room. At the end, Rigil appears with the collar of the damned, fashioned for me. Rigil isnβt stealthing because he wants me to see his cruel dark eyes. Heβs made long spikes around the iron collar. But whatβs worse is how tight it looks. A chain is fashioned too, thick and heavy. He wants me to be scared of being locked in that thing. He throws it on the polished stone table, for me to inspect if I dare to come closer β the rest of Star Squad head into the living area, switching off their stealth. And Alpha Centauri? Well he already returned. And he is right in front of me. Fuck me. I get a shock as he switches off his stealth, and heβs right there, blocking my view of the others, as he smirks to himself, happy he caught me off guard. His invisibility was next to impossible to detect and it had never failed to surprise me. But it was still his eyes that were the real danger. I had heard Ninth Squad, connected to planetary forms, had some capacity over star deaths. Well, Star Squad had the opposite power. They could destroy planets. Alpha Centauriβs gamma ray bursts β from his eyes, I had never seen, and I donβt particularly want to. Although I had always looked for where such a power source could be hidden inside him. I look up into his eyes now, still searching for even a spark of that power. Itβs no matter to meβ¦ I guessβ¦ not anymore. The love between usβ¦ it was rotten. βUnfinished business, is what you said,β I speak first, βNow you offer me enslavement by chains and eventual deathβ¦ or enslavement by being bred β until my death.β βCareful how you phrase it, youβre paying for the crime of abandoning me,β Alpha Centauri blatantly reminds me. I canβt keep apologising for it forever. It was done. I think of something else. βI have an alternate option,β I whisper. βNo,β Alpha Centauri starts to growl. βLet me speak to everyone.β I walk past him but he doesnβt stop me. I head to the rug and the middle of Star Squad as they linger around the room and the couches. Being in the middle of nine of the most vicious hunters in the universe is slightly nerve wracking β but my offer to them should captivate themβ¦ somewhat. βThe chain or breeding,β Rigil speaks to me now, βChoose.β βShe wants to propose a third option,β Alpha Centauri murmurs, asking them to be patient. I take in a deep breath as I hold my hands at my sides, loosely, as I speak, openly, βI pledge my breath ββ βCareful whose name you speak nextββ Alpha Centauri snarls under his breath. βTo the one they all fearβ¦β I look to Arcturus, who meets my eye, but says nothing. βHe will play with you in ways you cannot comprehend,β Alpha Centauri interjects, drawling quickly, and I can hear the jealousy, βHe is not my second, he is dangerous, Orlai,β I smirk, βWoman,β he changes his tone, βThis isnβt a joke. You say his name and you will bleed. I protected your blood as Estori, I commanded he not touch your throat or your supply. Heed my wisdom before you speak his name.β βIf,β I hesitate, βIf I did say itβ¦ would you be like what he says?β I ask Arcturus directly. He looks to Alpha Centauri. He doesnβt seem upset but I can tell he didnβt expect this at all. No one speaks, so I keep talking, looking to Alpha Centauri instead, βEstori β you and I are broken beyond repair. And I believe youβd hurt me more than he would. That is why I want to ββ βNo. Why is pledging your breath willingly the third option?β Alpha Centauri interrupts, βThis is unnecessary. Arcturus will breed you and he will eat you. Is it tradition, you prefer, Orlai?β βI believe in miracles,β when I say it, the room smirks, βAnd I believe in what I feel and know,β Star Squad try not to laugh, Rigil canβt keep it in, he grins and scoffs loudly. βYou have brought us an entertaining pet, cousin,β Rigil focuses on me, hungry to torment me when itβs his turn. I hope I never get there. βMy greatest weapon is my heart,β I say it knowing theyβll all laugh. And they all do. Except for two. Alpha Centauri isnβt laughing. Simply because he doesnβt trust me. But Arcturus isnβt laughing eitherβ¦ forβ¦ I believeβ¦ a completely different reason. He knows Iβm being honest. The others in the squad donβt know me. βArcturus,β Proxima speaks, βHow many have claimed their love and you took their hearts from them.β βI want to hear from Arcturus,β I plead with them all now, βPlease.β I look to him. He says nothing, but he narrows his eyes. βChainsβ¦ breedingβ¦ or traditionβ¦ those are your three options,β Alpha Centauri concedes to me, βTo whomever you choose. But Orlai β you only have 24 hours left to make your decision if you are to pledge. If you choose nothing, weβll do as we please.β The Kors filter out around me, I close my eyes as they get close. None touch me β but they want to. I feel their hands slide past a hairβs breath from my skin, or their bodies move past or their teeth come near and my hair stands on end. I am wracked with the need to run but I stand still, breathing still as they all leave. One by one. When I open my eyes, only the Estori and Arcturus remain, whom is now standing. βFor 24 hours you can go between my chamber and his,β Alpha Centauri murmurs, giving me one final glance before he too, leaves the condo. Arcturus is unreadable, his expression stoney. I turn from him and I walk back into the bathroom, to look out the windows again. βYouβre just buying time. Waiting for your son. You think you can escape.β It was a good guess from Arcturusβ¦ but not correct. βNo. Iβm not trying to preserve my life. Iβve lived six destinies. Humans live, sometimes, with the best of care taken, a few hundred years. Not even a millennium. Prolonging my time is not my main concern.β βThen you want to die?β his voice gets closer, and he sounds so sexy, I could forget all thoughts and succumb to him again right nowβ¦ but I try my best not to fall too quickly. βNo,β I turn around to Arcturus, looking over his purple silky skin, up to his curious yet dark eyes, filled with thoughts I wish I could read, βI donβt want to die.β βWhat do you want,β Arcturus murmurs softly, his octave dropping even further, as he calls me what Alpha Centauri does, ββ¦little dove?β I look him over slowly, as I admit, with a slightly dry throat, βWhat every woman in all of history has wanted. To find a man. Who knows her.β Iβve admitted it with few words. What I feel. Arcturus almost smiles. He finally understands. But his almost-smile makes my heart flutter. βAlpha Centauri,β he murmurs. βKnew my body best,β I explain, looking at my feet, as I admit, βYou. Um. You know more. Donβt you?β βMaybe Iβm just a better lover?β Arcturus jokes, chuckling for a moment, as he leans forward, and his voice becomes a cruel snarl, designed to provoke and intimidate and destroy, βItβs all in your head, youβre scared and succumbing to delusions that only affect woman-kind.β Really? Arcturus stops smirking when he sees the look in my eye, as I look up from my feet β and I donβt blink. And I donβt laugh. Itβs a direct challenge. With no one else around, I whisper it to him, βArcturus.β βMm?β he growls but he wonβt speak. βArcturus.β Now he just raises a slow brow, waiting. βI pledge my breath to you, Arcturus,β I hold out a hand, open, reaching, ββ¦have me.β He has almost pulled back but he only moves back an inch before he steps forward and puts his mouth to my ear, βBut I wonβt save you from those chains. Iβd put you in that collar and fuck you until you know nothing but servitude.β βOkay,β I agree. He leans back. I am so fucking wet. βI accept your pledge,β Arcturus reaches out, he strokes my cheek with his thumb, ββ¦and I do like you, a dove. Soft. So soft.β Iβm quietly proud. Iβm pretty sure Iβm the first woman in all of existence heβs admitted a liking too. βJust so you know, I donβt need a chain to serve you,β I murmur back, βIβm very willing.β Arcturus finally smiles broadly, and I see all his sharp triple canines on display, so wide, so mean, as he now cups my cheek and it seems to be affection in this moment. As he leans down to me, blinking slow, looking me over, ββ¦and I donβt care.β I gulp, scared of that threat. I just affirm to him, βMy breath is yours. Arcβ¦turusβ¦β I feel breathless looking into his dark purple gaze. Heβs thinking so much. But his handβ¦ his hand has already dipped back between my legs, as he lightly touches my clit. He rolls it. My whole body shakes for him. Arcturus makes a noise of Kor happiness; now a hunter whoβs in the company of his prey, βYouβre very, very lucky,β he drawls over me, βI feel gentle with you.β βBeforeβ¦ that was gentle?β I gulp. Arcturus nods ever so slightly, bemused, before he tilts his head down and presses his lips to mine, his hand cupping my pussy, his fingers spreading my lips below. His other hand cups the back of my head as his tongue dips into my mouth, while my cream leaks out of me, smearing my thighs. The full-blown kiss takes my breath away. I clutch onto him now, and he picks me up. Oh, Kor God. Here we go again. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 39 βΏβββ’β¦ Orlaiβs POV I feel a hand on my cheek, waking me up. I open my bleary eyes. Iβm not sure what happened. Did I overdose on sex? I donβt know if thatβs possibleβ¦ well, maybe Kor sex was different. I am laid back, looking through the darkness of a familiar metallic room from an ancient memory. In front of me I hear movement from the adjoining bathroom. Outside the blue arch, Alpha Centauri waltzes outβ¦ completely naked β he has disrobed, and I only see his long metallic hair caressing his blue skin. He is much taller, much stronger than them all. A true fit for a King. His naked body was different to any other. I knew because it was just impossible to replicate. Men were strong. Kors were uniquely predatory. And he was built for more than hunting β he could command with his physique alone. Iβm not sure if Iβm dreaming as Alpha Centauri walks across his darkly lit room, and my eyes run over his shoulders and arms and legsβ¦ and his torsoβ¦ all of himβ¦ coming toward me. His eyes are on me but Iβm confused why Iβm even in here. Until I feel strong hands on my arms, and theyβre pulled back up above my head. Arcturus β he is lying down behind me, I didnβt realise, and Iβm lying on top of him! I was so drained from the sex we had before, I was totally out of it. My arms are tender, he realises this as I moan my discomfort, so he loosens his hold just enough, keeping my wrists together in one hand. With my arms in a vice, my tits are now pushed out naturally, like Iβm a full course meal ready to be devoured. I watch Alpha Centauri move elegantly onto the bed before moving over me. He presses his lips to my chest, kissing my skin, lightly tasting my salt again. As the Estoriβs lips touch me they apply pressure I canβt escape. I feel his teeth caress my tits as he opens his mouth and my heart-beat flies high as I arch my back, whimpering as Arcturus makes sure I canβt lower my arms to feel protected from my mate. He keeps me still and open for this. I close my eyes as I cry with want β I had imagined this every night of my life since I left my Alpha Centauri. I refused to think β refused to imagine, however, that once he walked toward me in my home, it would be anything butβ¦ pure hatred. Maybe I was wrong. I feel Alpha Centauriβs thigh between my legs and I wrap my own legs around his, steadying myself, needing to hug something with my naked chest so exposed. But I feel his tongue, now licking between the valley of my breasts β up to my neck, where his teeth touch me. I canβt hold it in anymore. As my body tenses with my rising emotion, it bubbles over when his hard dick slides across my belly. βStop! You donβt want me anymore!β I scream it as I open my eyes and struggle. Arcturus immediately releases me and Alpha Centauri rises above my chest, giving me space to let it all out. I get my arms back, so I bring them down to my sides, before crossing them over my chest. I breathe hard, rattled by my own emotion as Alpha Centauri watches each tear run out of my eyes. Arcturus slides a warm and comforting hand over my waist and then over my ribcage, feeling my heart. I look up at Alpha Centauri, as he remains calm. So calm I want to kill him. Alpha Centauri promises me heβll leave with a low growl and no wordsβ he tries to move off but he canβt leave me. I wonβt let him go β my legs are still locked around his thigh, squeezing him tight, feeling his strength and his warmth. I slowly stop hugging my breasts so tight. When I let them go, Alpha Centauri watches me start to submit. He traces his fingers up along my hip, over the curve of my waist β until his puts his hand right over and next to Arcturusβ hand β so they can both feel my heartβs rhythm. ββ¦do you crave me?β Alpha Centauriβs venom drips like metallic dew from his sharp teeth as he looks to my neck, ββ¦or are you done with this loveβ¦β He makes me face it. My biggest fear. Will he take my life since thatβs what Kors do to survive? He had no limit. How could I be that limit? Alpha Centauri kisses my chest again, showing all his teeth, showing what he could do β if he wanted. He could eat me alive β and Iβm sure heβd feel justified. Theyβre both still feeling my heartbeat, but itβs slowed. I know what heβs doingβ¦ because he did it the first time he seduced me. From smiling between my tits with all his fangs on display, Alpha Centauri moves up to my lips, and his venom drips into my mouth, teasing me with a kiss he wonβt start. He moves his hand from my ribcage only to grab my thigh, pulling my leg from his β so he can slide his cock into my dripping wet pussy β wet enough to fuck hard. He wants my legs open. Not shut. He wants what he wants. Iβve brought my hands up to grab the Estoriβs face, now kissing him back, deepening our connection, tugging on his hair as his venom coats my tongue and enters my bloodstream slow. Regret againβ¦ more clearlyβ¦ it is regret he didnβt look for me. I taste that, as he holds me up, fucking my hips forward β so Arcturus can push his cock back into my ass. Two Kor cocks ram up into me, while I forget how to breathe. Alpha Centauri breaks our kiss to look down at me, βOrlaiβ¦ Iβm sorry I wasnβt enough,β he murmurs it with pure pain. Iβll return it. βIβm sorry tooβ¦ I am a coward,β I whisper back, whimpering as he keeps fucking me hard, even as I respond with my own truth. βA frightened dove,β Alpha Centauri grins as he slides his hand behind my back, lifting me up a little, so he can inch his dick straight into my womb, finding himself snug, βItβs alright now, love β you donβt have to be frightened. You wonβt run away scared β thereβll be nowhere to run to but the throne of Apastron. Your chain adorned always. Giving you clear direction. You are marked by our Kor eyes, truly, sweet little Orlai.β I close my eyes as the pleasure builds, and I feel something slide around my neck. Arcturus β hiding it from me, now places a light chain around my neck. Itβs not what Rigil made, this one is just a thin chain. I glance down as I feel the chain is dropped across my tits. Alpha Centauri licks across my collar bone, bitting the chain, bringing it up and pulling back as he keeps it between his fangs. This is my place now. This. I finally submit completely. I fuck them both back, giving in, biting my lip. The chain tightens and I see Alpha Centauri leaning up, fucking me faster as he holds my hip and holds me down, snug and stuck between their hips. I already feel completely attuned to their pleasure, wet and needy, squeezing them both as hard as I can, knowing my body doesnβt stand a chance. Alpha Centauri is staring right at me. The best hunter in the universe. But not with me β I humiliated him and his reputation. His ego and his pride was shattered when I left β but itβs only because he did give me his heart and his full trust and his full protection. Maybe if I had stayed it would have been a happily ever after. Either way, Iβll never know. Even though the universe is infinite β Iβll never now what could have been. βTime for your medicine,β Alpha Centauri stops fucking me, speaking with the chain across his teeth, as he smiles, his dark eyes are menacing. He dives for my neck and his teeth caress my skin, just as the chain does. But a second pair of teeth slyly touch the other side of my neck. Arcturus is also smiling against my skin. They both bite lightly β because theyβre teeth are so large theyβll kill me if they bite me too deep. I was too small for it. But I get them both at once. Inside my blood, rushing through me β I feel incredible. Itβs love thatβs not finite. I taste them both and they both taste the same. Their intent is identical. Itβsβ¦ forever. What they want from me. Thatβs the punishment. Not six destinies. This new contract would never end. The punishment for running from Kors was never dying. I taste their sadism mixed in with it, especially when Alpha Centauri lifts his head, his mouth finding my lips, dripping blood and venom over my tongue. Arcturusβ teeth also leaves my neck, to press a bloody kiss to my ear β as he speaks for the first time. βSoft and delicate, not like an Empressβ¦ youβre a slave, Orlai, itβs in your blood,β Arcturus sounds so mean and loving at the same time. Heβs innately wicked. He keeps smiling into me, so perfectly content with this. Meanwhile, Alpha Centauri is licking his fangs clean. βHave mercy on me,β I ask, βPlease. I want to love you.β βLove, then,β Alpha Centauri agrees, βLove. Bleed with it β but mercy, you forget me,β he snarls it and he grins when I flinch, βI donβt know what mercy means, Orlai. When you start to squirm, I donβt want it to stop, I want you to scream,β he starts to fuck me with Arcturus β both pounding my ass and pussy so hardβ¦ yet even so, and especially with my mate, I silently take it β too embarrassed to scream when he asked for it so bluntly. I was still shy with Alpha Centauri, even in this moment. I couldnβt help it! Arcturus slides a hand over my mouth, while Alpha Centauri picks the chain back up between his teeth and he tugs on it, applying pressure the very second I climax and my body loses control between them. I scream now, just into Arcturusβ unmoving hand. As I try to move, Alpha Centauri uses his body weight to press me down between them, still fucking me, his face above my own as he touches his nose to mine. βLook at me,β Alpha Centauri snarls this too, and I open my eyes immediately, βThis is your purpose. You are an entity. You belong to the Kor species. Do you understandβ¦?β he drops the tone, asking more gently, βLittle. Dove?β βI do,β I whimper out after Arcturus removes his hand for me to speak. βI do,β Alpha Centauri drawls with a small smirk on his mouth, βHow sweet you think you are β talking with a tongue you donβt need,β he watches me, closely, βI want you fucked every second. In sleep youβll find mercy. But while your precious eyes are openβ¦ youβll be dripping our seed out of every hole. Youβre nothing but my whore, his whore, our whore, Orlai.β Pressed hard between them, the breath is squeezed out of me as they bury deep, still fucking me. Still filling me. I cum again and I feel myself almost blacking out from the never-ending pleasure. Pleasure which finds no relief from the relentless size of them stretching me, continuously pumping and spilling their cum into me. Theyβre taking me over. I canβt even control my own body anymore. I cry quietly with every emotion in all of existence flooding me at once; Kor love was incredibly brutal as much as it was haunting. As I tremble between them, rocked between their giant bodies and giant alien shafts, Alpha Centauri licks his tongue over the corner of my eyes, taking my tears for himself before they run away across my temples. Arcturusβ¦ quiet Arcturusβ¦ now he slides a sheepish hand down my waist, across my stomach in slow motion, I feel the torture coming, I flinch as his finger dips down before sliding directly over my clit β and he rubs. Slowly. I scream now. Oh. Fuck. Me. Heβs not going to stop, either. Their hips hold me between them, so I canβt escape my clit being rubbed and or their dicks still fucking my body. The pleasure they give is a veil. I donβt care anymore about anything but whatβs right in front of me. I donβt care what I look like, sound like, feel like. I donβt care that I canβt even think anymore. I just want to take them on. Iβve caved. I donβt know how Diana resists. My body belongs to Arcturus. And the Estori. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 40 βΏβββ’β¦ 48 hrs later Dianaβs POV Venus was a pest β literally dragging me around with him. Anywhere he went, I went. When I slept, he even slept next to me. But nothing romantic, no cuddles or kisses, just separate and next to me while I lay passed out from his constant need to fuck. There was one quite amusing benefit. He wasnβt letting anyone else near me. Not even Mars could get close. But E was actually rather stable while his mind was focused on having me, so his Kor brothers and cousins kept their distance. And hell, I was enjoying it β really enjoying it. But. Heh. Last night, some words were passed around the table outside in the garden as they all set out a banquet for me and I was able to eat some human food. As I ate a jam donut and a iced coffee, Mars looked quietly smug. βYou heard the news, yet, E?β Mars had asked Venus, who had me sitting on his lap so the others couldnβt even get within breathing distance. βWhat news?β he rested his chin on the top of my head, his dick still in my pussy by the way. βOrlai,β Mars had said her name with such a sensual vibe, even my hairs stood on end and I glared at him, as he explained, βTheyβve completely indoctrinated her into a position of permanent surrender. Willing. Of courseβ¦β Marsβ news had been met with a round of bemused chuckles from my Ninth Squad. βDonβt be so worried, Empress,β Neptune had tried to cajole me, reaching for my thigh under the table, βWe would never do that to you.β E basically swept me up then, his arm around my waist as he carried me off from the dinner. And yes, his dick actually left my body when that happened β a slight reprieve as Iβm carried off like a damn toy. βThanks for ruining it, Neptune,β I call back, rolling my eyes, βPut that iced coffee in the fridge!!! Buy me more donuts!β I had been enjoying everyoneβs company, but according to Eβs law β they could only be around me if they kept their hands off. He was not in a sharing mood. That was last night. I had found the whole possessive-stalker Venus getting his wayβ¦ amusing, even to myself and my full womb. My pussy was getting a workout whenever he wanted to fuck me and yeah β it was a fun, funny, one-Kor-cock-wonderland. But. I think Iβm going to stab his eyes out if Venus looks at me one more time and his dick jumps up like a ticket to the never ending pussy ride. And Iβm worried about Orlai. She was human and meek. I had an advantage, at least. But finally, finally, I see an opening to some freedom. Venus has made a critical error β and I see my getaway within mere feet of me. Heβs taken me to the garage and his spaceship, working on some upgrades or repairs. As he creates some moving parts he needs through his weird Elion instruments, I notice how focused he is when heβs engineering. I need this to be his idea, I saw a connecting bathroom, a basic place to wash off after a long work day travelling the Intergalactic Highways. I sit close to E, rubbing across my leg and groaning in frustration as I slide my fingers through my hair and murmur, βGrossβ¦β I lean on the table, fidgeting on the stool, looking very uncomfortable as I keep making noises of βsurpriseβ as I then check my feet and look at the dirt accumulating, βArgh. Iβm soβ¦ dirty,β E stops looking at his contraption to slowly look at me. Fuck, βWhat are you doing there?β I ask, knowing that question annoys him because itβs too difficult to explain what he knows to someone who knows nothing about Elion tech in the first place. βWork. You can shower in the back,β Venus suggests. Heβs super smart though. Older than this universe β so he might still suspect something. Iβm paranoid as hell around him. βYou showering with me?β I ask, casually. I noticed something about E. Some kind of weakness maybe he doesnβt even realise. He hates listening to female orders. So, reverse psychology is my tactic now. He shakes his head, murmuring, βI need to focus on this, Diana.β βSo, thereβs like a whole shower in there?β I ask, feigning confusion. βYes and towels, go, you have my permission,β Venus becomes impatient and focuses back on his work. I turn from him, sliding my hands through my hair again and complaining under my breath. βSo, gross, I hope thereβs a brush in there too,β I tip toe to the back, and slide my fingers through the ET keys on the wall as I go, my sneaky move hidden just behind the spaceship. I quickly head into the bathroom and I turn on the shower full blast. Then I immediately tip toe back to the door, and I look out at E, still working β in fact, his back turning as he moves to another instrument on the back bench. Score. Time is of the essence. Nowβs my shot. I run across the room silently as I stealth to the ET portal in the middle, the sound of the shower drowning out the noise as I swipe the key through and jump into the next world. I walk into Planet Apastronβs hall, and Iβm greeted by Vega and Capella, still with chains around their mouths, still guarding the portal, and reclining on the architecture. I had asked E their names and been learning them. As I turn to them, completely naked and honestly slightly grimy, I wave to both. βHi, Iβm just visiting,β I turn and run before they can question me, but I skid to a stop and turn around, βUm, whereβs Alpha Centauri?β I almost say Orlai, but theyβll want her watched and theyβll probably escort me if I make it known that sheβs my destination. βThe Secret Springs,β Capella answers, smiling at my visit, βDown to your left, past Arcturus β all the way down the stairs, to the end of the drop.β I smile and give an awkward thumbs up as I turn on my stealth and run the way he suggested. They were slowly moving up from their positions, so Iβm glad I didnβt stay to talk longer lest they do something funny with me. I run past Arcturusβ room. The torturer, as E called him. I was definitely not going to stop there. I run past all that until I reach the steep stairs which get darker and mistier the lower they get. At the bottom of the drop, as Capella called it β which is a long, long way down, the air is cool and humid. I walk out into a dark pool, perfectly cut from the stone, the water is clear and Orlai is in the middle, floating, eyes shut and at peace. Her body sparkles. She looks like sheβs in a deprivation tank and thereβs no one else here. I donβt worry too much about the Estori, if he does appear, Iβll just say Iβm visiting Orlai and keep it open and real. Girls had girlfriends, so the Kors could stick their rules up their ass. βOrlai,β I call out to her as I walk to the edge of the water, βAre you okay? Iβm here to check on you.β She doesnβt respond at all, her ears in the water. I tap my foot in the clear water and she doesnβt stir. The water is warm. I back up, feeling quite reckless as I sprint and leap. As I dive in, I swim under Orlai and swim up next to her, looking down at her as she slowly, slowly, opens her eyes. βHey, sleepy head, are you okay sleeping in a pool all alone?β I ask gently since she seems completely zonked out of it. Her eyes donβt even register me at first, as she blinks and star dust falls from her lashes. Eventually she looks to me and she registers my presence. Orlai stop floating to turn to me. βHelp me out of the water?β she asks, so meekly, I barely hear her. I nod and put an arm around her, swimming us to the edge. Once there, I climb out and kneel down to give her my hand as she uses the foot hold and my hand to get out of the water. βWhatβs up?β I try to engage with Orlai again, but when sheβs up to her feet, she starts to walk away from me. βArcturus,β she whispers to herself, her eyes stuck in a trance, her whole skin seeming to shed those sparkles as she moves. I frown. Did they give her a damn lobotomy? Orlai moves to the stairs, walking up them and disappearing. I cross my arms over my chest, slowly shaking my head. As I watch her demeanour with growing anger, I feel a light touch on my elbow, and Kor heat at my back. I donβt flinch, I just watch as Orlai disappears up the staircase. βWhat are you doing here, Diana?β Alpha Centauri asks. I inhale a large breath and exhale as I spin to face him, heβs naked aside from a towel around his waist, the only thing covering his Kor cock, βHi. Dick. I came to see Orlai. Why is sheβ¦ likeβ¦ that?β I hold out my hand, βWhat did you do?β βWe just gave her the right amount of venom to induce a trance,β Alpha Centauri explains openly, his eyes focused on my growing look of distaste. βSo, sheβs a venom junkie now?β I tease him but Iβm still annoyed. βOur venom isnβt a drug, itβs a gift, and Iβd appreciate you never using that term again,β Alpha Centauri goes from using a relaxed drawl with me to changing to a low snarl of displeasure. I cock a brow until I realise itβs because they were abused for their venomβs effects, when it was once sold as exactly that; a drug. βOh, yeah, shit, sorry,β I concede Iβm wrong, βI was just looking forward to speaking with her and ββ βYou didnβt call in advance,β Alpha Centauri bites on that, βWhich means youβre not meant to be here.β βIβm an Empress, I can go wherever the hell I want,β I look him over, rolling my eyes, βI thought youβd understand that for a Dark Nine. Why did you end up doing that test, anyway?β βTo get onto the board for your planet, I needed to pass the testβ¦ I didnβt get on the board,β Alpha Centauri looks quite astonishing without all his apparel on. No robe. No weapon. Just his bare skin. His muscles are all he needs. Why does he bother wearing anything? I feel like Iβm intruding, but at the same time, I like him nakedβ¦ almost naked. βAnd you failed,β I murmur, as my eyes glance up to his eyes, βYouβre pretty attractive when youβreβ¦ I shouldnβt have even said that,β I close my eyes and press my fingers to my temples, βFucking hell. I ran away, okay?β I admit now, βI just needed some air. And I was genuinely concerned about Orlai. Iβm probably the only female in the universe who can get to her and check on her.β Alpha Centauri sees Iβm stressed β so he doesnβt comfort me, he just eats it up as an opportunity. I just donβt see it yet. βYou can be her friend,β Alpha Centauri grants his permission, growling low. βThank you, so much, honourable Estori,β I sigh as I back off from him now, βWell, Iβll see you around. Byyeee.β I turn and Alpha Centauri catches my arm, jerking me back β all the way back, until Iβve spun and slammed into his front. Weβre flush. βAll my honoured guests stay 24 hours,β Alpha Centauri drawls down at me, enjoying my look of surprise, βYou can play with Orlai all you likeβ¦ weβll all bond together.β Gasp! This sex fiend. I see now. I see what Alpha Centauri wants. Greedy Kor. He wants two human women drooling over his gorgeous cock. I mean just his β anyway β no, nope, no way. I narrow my eyes up at him, even as I love being pressed against him. It feels dangerous and unpredictable. As Dark Nines wereβ¦ primarilyβ¦ unpredictable. βMaybe next time,β I whisper my response, unfortunately I bite my lip on impulse. βI insist,β Alpha Centauriβs towel just happens to fall at that moment. Itβs not even an intention β itβs just an accident. As towels do tend to betray even their most loyal. But the Estoriβs iron-hard dick is now directly pressed against my abdomen, sliding up toward my breasts. Itβs so shiny. Ooo, so pretty and ribbed too. As it gets even bigger, the head looks like itβs laughing at me β how rude. I gulp and look up. Fucking. Focus. Diana. βIβll take a, a r-rain check,β If I look down Iβm staring at his massive dick, but if I look up, Iβm staring at his dripping fangs. I choose the middle, pressing my forehead to his abdomen and closing my eyes, βOkayβ¦ okay, Diana,β I self soothe. Donβt think about Kor cock and what that Kor cock could do. βIt sounds like you want to leave,β Alpha Centauri drawls softly over the top of me, as he slowly stops gripping my arm, to let me go. I stay a moment longer, pressed to him. I nod, I breathe, I step back, eyes shut, I turn. If I donβt look, Iβll be okay. Whence Iβve turned around, I open my eyes. But the dick has silently moved around me, so heβs still in front of me. βShit,β I close my eyes and turn around again, βStop it.β Alpha Centauri chuckles, βMmβ¦ well I changed my mind, Diana. I decided youβll be my prisoner for 24 hours.β βOh, how lovely,β I answer sarcastically, eyes still shut, βIβm still leaving.β Alpha Centauri grasps my wrist and I open my eyes as I growl and turn back into him, βWhat do you want, Estori?β I feel my pussy betray me, as I feel my wetness drip down between my thighs. I try to hide it, shuffling my thighs shut, but Alpha Centauri wants to see. He reaches, and his Kor finger suddenly touches my clit. The Estori now watching me as he slides that one finger through my pussy lips, coming away with silky cream, covering his entire finger with my need. Alpha Centauri shows me, bringing it up between us, letting it drip. βYou caught me,β I whisper, βHa, now let me go.β βIt seems I do, and Iβm not letting you go,β Alpha Centauri pretends to feign shock, βIβll make this a night to remember, Empress.β βNinth Squad will find me,β I add, βAnd theyβre going to be so pissed.β Alpha Centauri shakes his head, smirking, βNo, theyβre welcome to join,β he turns and drags me along. What? βJoin β join what?β βThe tea party, Diana. What the fuck do you think I mean?β Alpha Centauri pauses to throw me in front of him, releasing my wrist, he moved me so fast I almost tripped. I steady myself, as I face him, he cocks a brow up as he then looks to someone behind me, βProxima β take the Empress away. Take Orlai too. The humans brats are getting first class treatment for being such good little girls,β oh the sarcasm from him is actually quite sexy. Alpha Centauri looks positively menacing as he looks at my body like itβs all his for tonight. But β argh. I can never escape Kor dick! Everywhere I turn, itβs there. My life is so hard! Theyβre always so hard β I mean they make everything so hard! Fuck me! I look behind me to see Alpha Centauriβs squad in person, they arenβt stealthing for me. Proximaβs crimson red hands reach for me. He grabs my neck, his other hand splays over my pregnant belly, reaching down to look into my eyes. His are molten red. Proxima smiles, showing his canines, dripping some of his venom past my lips, in a kiss of venom with no tenderness. His venomβ¦ drips past my open lips and over my tongue. My nerves signal danger. It burns. Not physically, but mentally. Alpha Centauriβs Kors are nasty and metallic. This squad doesnβt have the sweet essence of nature in their venom, no simple lust, or simple need. Theyβre a cosmic toxin β and I know why Orlai is so brainwashed right now. They lived to burn and god knows what else. I almost fall into a daze, but I shrug it off and I suddenly climb up Proxima, like I did with Jupiter. My Enhanced Instincts give me a boost in intuition. And itβs pretty simple β run and disappear. I leap over Proxima, landing between the other curious Kors in Estoriβs Star Squad. I turn on my stealth and leap back up, squeezing between Cano and Sirius as I run for the stairs. They didnβt grab me because they liked to see their food attempting a feeble escape. I know running is a big mistake from Kors. But I didnβt know what else to do. If I stayed β theyβd lock me in chains a hell of a lot faster. I came here because of poor Orlai. Now Iβm the one who needs saving! This was not meant to happen! I thought we were low-key friendly now, but Alpha Centauri still has a massive, gorgeous, unholy Kor dick. I mean he is a dick. I canβt believe this is happening to me. This is Venusβ fault! This is all his fault! Not mine! He was training my body in a way I didnβt want! I just wanted Kor cock all the time now! Fuck you, E! Bastard! My hair stands on end. Theyβre coming. Oh, no. Iβm in trouble. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 41 βΏβββ’β¦ Dianaβs POV I didnβt have a chance in hell at escape with nine enemy Kors right behind me when I made my dash for freedom. Proxima let me reach the top of the stairs before he casually snatched my elbow and pulled me close β catching me even in stealth. βAsshole,β I hissed under my breath, and Proximaβs own stealth flickered off, his wicked smile just for me. I didnβt protest further, I just glared at him and the others as I was pulled along. Orlai was then escorted out of the torture chambers with Arcturus and led along beside me, and as we were walking β we didnβt get far before we were directed to one of the walls and tossed into a slide. Literally a steep tunnel just casually carved into the wall, and itβs so slippery and slimy, I canβt grab a hold of anything as I tumble to the bottom with Orlai in front of me. The adrenaline rush kicks her out of her trance as she screams back to reality, tumbling out first at the bottom, followed by me. We both skid along cool luminescent dirt at the bottom of some pitβ¦ perhaps the final destination for females after a successful hunt? I guess Iβm getting a glimpse into their traditional hunting and feasting methods. This was a beautiful death pit, painted with all kinds of star dust. Soul stuff. It should be pitch black down here, but all around is luminescent flora feeding off its own light in a dark cave. Itβs our only light. But the area is quite large. Thereβs a slab of smooth rock in front of us, it reminds me of a butcherβs table to be perfectly honestβ¦ ehβ¦ Iβm not entirely comfortable with this set up. Orlai spins around, her eyes finding it difficult to adjust. I step toward her and put my hand on her arm, βStay with me.β βWhy did they β how did I β where did you come from?β Orlai asks me, finally fully aware and back to her senses. βI came to check on your health and wellbeing, since you helped me,β I respond quietly, βCan you hear them?β βNothing,β Orlai whispers back and we both go silent. βI canβt either, look around, they kill a lot in here,β I gulp as we both walk forward quietly toward the slab and we see the surface is polished so smooth it provides a purple tinted mirror. We both bend over and look at our reflections. Orlai touches her face, seeing the star dust all over her skin. βThis is first class treatment for an Empress, apparently,β I murmur between us, βBeing tossed down into a death pit.β βMaybe we can find a way out,β Orlai wonders, her eyes already defeated as she looks around to multiple cave corridors. The caves leading off look narrow and dodgy as heck β without any light of any kind to guide us. βDoes it look like anyone else found a way out?β I ask. βWeβre here because they can get in, but we canβt get out,β Orlai walks toward one of the corridors, reaching her hand to the darkness. She tries to bravely step into the dark, but gets scared and backs out, turning back to me. Iβve jumped up and walked over the polished slab, turning toward the sound of running water. ββ¦maybe we can swim outβ¦β I murmur it to myself, βLook.β The whole waterway is lit with glowing bacteria around the walls. Orlai joins me, and she stares at the flow of the water out of here. βI canβt hold my breath for very long,β she murmurs, βBut you might be able to.β βIβll check it out, and if thereβs a way out, Iβll come back and guide you through,β I jump into the water, which has a gentle current. My Enhanced Instincts feel the quiet vibration through the rock and the water itself β it doesnβt rush off anywhere, it glides along. It might even take us to the pool she was sleeping and bathing in before. βBe safe,β Orlai worries for me. βOh, no need to worry for my safety. The worst that can happen is we both become sex slaves for the rest of our lives with no escape,β I laugh and then stop, adding with some level of amusement, βThat wouldnβt be too bad reallyβ¦ but I just donβt like being told what to do.β Orlai was clearly the opposite but even so, she almost smiles and laughs a bit. βIβm strange. I donβt mind what happens to me,β Orlai admits, ββ¦as long as itβs not too scary.β βArcturus must be a really fun fuck from the look you had in your eyes earlier, Orlai, and the way you said his nameβ¦ Arctuurruusβ¦. oh, Arcturus,β I tease her just as I suck in a breath and dive under, leaving her bright red and embarrassed. Heheh. Sheβs cute. I swim along the tunnel, feeling my lungs are strong and can hold me through for quite a while. The tunnel winds but the glowing walls help with direction. I finally spot a pocket of air above and I swim up, coming to the surface for a tiny concave breathing space. Thereβs no where to go but to take a breath and keep swimming. I feel like Iβm close to an exit. Before I move on, I feel weirdly at peace in here, so I pause to press my fingers along the dark rock, and I see ancient etchings in another language. I trail my fingers over the markings, I like to imagine the slashes and cuts are saying exit this way. I prepare to take another deep breath. As I spin the water ripples unnaturally and I see bubbles float to the surface. I freeze. The water parts for a stealthing Kor head to rise up, no features visible. βNeptune?β I whisper hesitantly, hoping like hell itβs one of my own come to save my ass. Butβ¦ The stealth on this Kor is too smooth, I see no ripplesβ¦ and the water keeps parting as he stands up and up β rising further. Shit, this Kor is really a giant. I wait for him to show himself, but he doesnβt. I stare at nothing, even as he just blocks my way out. The invisible Kor just stares at me. My instincts are quiet. Too quiet. I canβt tell what this Kor wants. Maybe he was shy because he didnβt know me. I breathe in through my nose, and I smell a burning star β itβs not one of Ninth Squad. I tense up, because I know who it is, who am I kidding β but his silence and his invisibility is freaking me out. I shuffle along the wall, a small step to my right. However, the Kor moves forward and finally exposes himself. Completely naked, rippling with power β and soaking up what little light is transpiring in the tunnel. The Estoriβs blue skin is dripping with metallic blood that didnβt dissolve in water β silver soul stuff. Heβs put an arm out to stop me swimming off, and I just pause to look at his teeth β dripping with more death. βSheβs not made to take that much of a hit,β I whisper, βOrlai is only human, she could dieβ¦ or is that what you desire. Melting her away.β Alpha Centauri smirks and lowers himself down to my level, his lips painted with his last bite. βYou didnβt see the little Freed girl who came searching for you,β Alpha Centauri whispers at me, telling me, ββ¦she makes pastriesβ¦ the brat defended you in Light Metropolisβ¦ she worries for you, Empress. Apparently youβre attracting quite the love from other Freed. Itβs adorable you thought you could become one. Eloping from your duties.β Light Metropolis. Oh, fuck! I lose all sense of calm, βJitters,β I look at his fangs with intense sadness and swirling sorrow as it crashes through me, I hysterically reach up, pressing my finger against the soul blood still on his fangs, still warm, wondering if thatβs all she was now, metal, βIs she really guilty of just being my friend, Estori,β but itβs too late, isnβt it, but he wonβt tell me, so I plead and I threaten, βPlease tell me you didnβt kill her,β I almost whimper but I feel anger instead, now curling through me, making me so mad, ββ¦if you did, I swear, Alpha Centauri, I will kill you.β Alpha Centauri soaks up every word I say, so still, intently listening. I am confused until I see that itβs the terror heβs eating up. He wonβt answer me either. Not with the answer I want. βSheβs with the flowers,β Alpha Centauri mocks me, I can see him, βYou didnβt see her.β What does that mean? βYou just drank from her, so tell me,β I hiss, βIs she alive or dead.β βKors need to eat, donβt judge me,β Alpha Centauri brings his other hand to my waist, touching me softly β before grabbing me and turning me around, pressing his hand to my back, he keeps me against the wall as he moves in closer, inch by inch. I feel his heat and his ribbed Kor cock slide provocatively across the curve of my back. My blood reacts furiously β betraying me. I need him inside me. I whimper at my own lack of resolve as my pussy clenches on nothing, and I fight the urge to fuck. Alpha Centauri rubs his cock down my spine and back up, down and up, again. Teasing me. He could fuck so deep. Heβs going to drive me crazy. His hand clasps the underside of my breast, feeling my heart beat.. βDiana. I know you hate me. So tell me to get the fuck off you,β Alpha Centauri drawls in my ear, as he presses himself against me. He gives me an option out. His whole heat warms up my back, while I gasp in a breath as he slides his arm around my waist, hoisting me up and bringing his fangs to my pulsing neck. The Estori opens his mouth to press his fangs to my skin β not piercing me, just teasing me. Alpha Centauri sees my neck arch on impulse, hoping he bites, as he pulls back and his dick lines up with my pussy. He presses in close to me again and his dick runs through me, finding a home. Alpha Centauri smiles next to my cheek, βI wouldnβt give you the pleasure of my venom, Empress.β And then he fucks me against the wall. Alpha Centauri is way too smug about something. Something else. Something I missed. But fuck me, he can ram me as hard as he likes β every thrust is causing exquisite pleasure to ripple through my pussy. His dick knows how to fuck a woman to insanity. I feel a hand on my cheek β a familiar hand. Itβs not him. My eyes widen as I look back down at the water parted next to him. Mars?! I almost cry with happiness when he appears next to Alpha Centauri, staring at me and shaking his head in slow disapproval, while I reach for him with my hand. I press my fingertips to his abs. βYou came to save me,β as I whisper it, Alpha Centauri lifts me off the wall, spins me around on his dick and makes me face him instead. I glare up at him as he holds my legs up, stepping forward and fucking me back into Marsβ, who catches me around the waist. He looks down at me as I look way up to him. βDiana,β Mars snarls under his breath, βIβm done with you disobeying your Kor masters, your pussy is ours, not yours, you canβt leave with it at your will,β he splays his hand over my womb, feeling me grow, as his venom drips from his fangs and I stick out my tongue to catch the drops. I taste Mars. Ohβ¦ No. I shut my mouth and look to Alpha Centauri instead. I reach for his shoulders and hold on tight as he fucks me slow, knowing he is my chosen Guardian. I am not completely sure as the venom was complex, but I feel like Mars low-key wants to kill me for escaping again. Alpha Centauri seems to notice my fear is related to Marsβ unpredictability, so he explains for me. βMars wants to discipline you, you whore,β Alpha Centauri drawls, while looking down and watching his own cock thrust in and out of me. I feel Marsβ heat at my back as his dick is pushed into my pussy also, as he slams into the back of me, his cheek next to mine as he smiles with his fangs. βYou will learn your place,β Mars warns me, his drawl so dark and depraved, heβs fed up. Mars watches me with his open displeasure as he starts to fuck me with the Estori. βI-Iβm not sorry,β I whimper out, βI can go and do β w-wwhat-where-ever I β ahh! Ooo.β Iβm sorry. Was I talking? Thinking? These two angry Kors press me between them, and their cocks start to ram into me much harder, deeper and faster. Aiming to break me in between them. I canβt breathe. I feel Marsβ hand slide around my neck, choking me β while Alpha Centauri has dipped down to bite my left nipple with his fangs β the sharp pain causes me to arc my spine sharply, as they keep fucking me, I have to force myself to stay very still. As my nipple is held hostage by the bastard Estori, he keeps me from squirming. Mars stops choking me to slide his hand up to my face, keeping my eyes on him, as he pushes two fingers into my mouth for me to suck on. He presses his fingers deep, until I almost gag, but he keeps them there so I have to take it. Alpha Centauri frees my nipple to lick the other one, the soft touch such a surprise my whole body jolts between them as an orgasm explodes inside me. They both reach for my pussy, and I feel them try for my clit, suddenly slamming their heads to one another and growling and snarling at each other for possession of rubbing me. In their challenge Iβm squished between them again while my body is contorting with pleasure. βHow about you fuck her ass and leave her brat pussy to me,β Alpha Centauri suggests a compromise, reigning in his violence toward Mars. As if wanting to prove his point, the Estori also brings up a hand to press two fingers into my mouth β making it four over my tongue. I gag on them as they push their fingers in, fighting to own my mouth at the same time. βNothing will change that sheβs my mate, Estori,β Mars smiles proudly with his fangs, as does Alpha Centauri βThatβs your fucking problem. Diana and are attracted over mutual hatred,β Alpha Centauri speaks so slow, so quiet, as his hand leaves my mouth to run over my breasts, feeling them both, βIβll fuck her to submission β whereas you fuck her for forbidden love. But still you canβt control her. Give her to me, Mars. Sheβs defied you long enough. She defies us all. Allow me to master her.β βYou hear that, you little brat?β Mars growls over me, βTell him what you want.β βNo, no, no,β I whimper, βDonβt leave me here.β Alpha Centauri chuckles and Mars smirks. Mars runs a hand over my cheek, caressing my features, as he slowly keeps thrusting in and out of me, rocking me back and forth but also holding me rock-steady between them, completely at their mercy, βDiana, Dianaβ¦ you little Kor slut β your eyes beam with the truth.β βI know, okay?!β I cry out, finally giving in, βI canβt help the feelings I feel for Kor dick, Mars β itβs all your fault for introducing me to Dark Ninth. I just want to fuck and never think again. You all did this to me. Seriouslyβ¦ itβsβ¦ it-itβs not fairβ¦ punish yourselves!β I moan as Mars trails his fingers down my throat next. βMmmm, well, Diana, we know you like Kor dick β but youβve been a disobedient, insolent brat for far too longβ¦ you donβt show your lovers respect,β Mars growls deeply with a promise of pain, sounding awfully correct. Alpha Centauri casually thrusts deep with him, they stretch my pussy out, both unloading into my body, making my womb swell further with their seed. I gasp and climax again over both their throbbing and thick shafts which demand a climax so I can milk their balls completely empty. My breath leaves me, all shaky and fucked up as my body twitches uncontrollably between them. They quietly observe my reaction to them as theyβre soaking up my womb and slowly tearing apart my sanity. Alpha Centauri sees my nervousness as I chew on my lip and try to remain calm, βSay thank youβ¦ then beg for more,β he advises, βDiana.β His finger finds my clit, and he rubs it, with a light touch. At first itβs just very sensitive, but then he circles the outside, and I groan with mounting pleasure. βI β thank you and I β want more,β I moan, laying my head back on Marsβ shoulder, βPlease, more of that.β βIf youβre good youβll get it, but youβve been a bad, bad whore and we only reward our trained whores,β Alpha Centauri stop circling my clit, way too suddenly β the cold air touches my clit instead and I whimper in pain, as the Estori commands what will happen next, βYou will watch us all serve Orlai her earned pleasureβ¦ youβll beg to be next. But youβll only get our service β if you complete your atonement β which will be cleaning Orlai when weβre done with her, then licking all our balls until weβre ready to pump them clean into you, but it wonβt be your sweet pussy we serve. Youβll take all our cocks down your throat, one after the other, until youβre choking up on our seed, Diana. Youβll learn good behaviour. And if you donβt β youβll be deprived.β Oh, no β thereβs the lethal cut at the end. I start to panic. Deprived. D-deprived. Of Kor dick? I canβt do that. They both release me, their dicks sliding from my pussy, as they grab a wrist each, to swim me back. I look to Mars for comfort or mercy. Heβs not actually going to leave me to Alpha Centauri for disciplining, is he? Marsβ wet black curls dip into the water, as his dark eyes still look pissed as they roll over me. Itβs not love he wants to share with me anymore. He wants me to learn their ancient rules with sex. Heβs done accepting the Iβm-new-so-go-easy-on-me card. They were always caving into my antics. I had been given too many chances, too much leniency, too much worship. Alpha Centauri was going to teach me to worship them. All of them. I mean, I could do it. I just didnβt want to. Because I hated following orders. Which meansβ¦ I had to resist! I would resist. They couldnβt break me. HAha.. nooooβ¦ I-it was just dick. It was just beautiful Kor dick. 18 gorgeous Kors. 18. Kors. Andβ¦ poor Orlaiβ¦ andβ¦ little oleβ me! This was not fair! I canβt wait. Iβm so excited. Iβm so fucking exciting. I mean, fuck β no. Fuck no! This was bad, this was very, very bad. Like me. Heehee β but they were determined to make meβ¦ good. β¦good?! Me good?! Oh, my, Lord. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 42 βΏβββ’β¦ Dianaβs POV Alpha Centauri and Mars lead me back β weβre dripping with water, and in the dark of the feeding cave, Orlai has been captured and laid out on the polished stone, with every Kor already worshipping her. Alpha Centauriβs snarl catches their attention, and his squad and my own, move back at the Estoriβs command. Whatβs left is a squirming Orlai, as Neptune β that flirt, is holding her wrists down, sitting by the rock but keeping her contained, while Vega and Capella hold an ankle each, her toes still in their teeth, their chains removed to show their metal fangs β they look serrated and nasty. Arcturus, the one she had been in a trance about, was standing back and watching, as Alpha Centauri drags me closer, showing me off to the 18 Kors, who turn their eyes to me. My pussy drips with Kor seed β already fucked and unloaded in by two of them. βOrlai gets rewarded,β Alpha Centauri whispers to both squads, while his own smug smile hovers above my head. I glance up only briefly to see him eyeing me as the disobedient no-good slut they get to punish altogether, βDianaβ¦ sit yourself by the wall. Watch.β He unhands me and I step away from him. I note he doesnβt bother to threaten me with an or-else. I donβt know what will happen if I run, but for once I donβt want to find out. I walk backward toward the sparkling bed of flowers, and I sit down. I watch as one invisible Kor walks off from the group and comes toward me. The Kor only shows himself when his bronze eyes are right before mine, his fangs dripping with displeasure as he kneels in front of me. βVenus,β I whisper with guilt as I lean back against the cave wall. Venus growls low as he grabs my knee, thrusting aside my leg to look at my pussy. His eyes flick back up to mine, βI never thought I could lose to your running game,β Venus growls at me, but strangely, he doesnβt sound angry, βYou have my respect,β he adds, βFor a woman β you are better than her.β βI really wish you would trust againβ¦ and stop assuming so much,β I whisper to him, βLook at Orlai β the perfect Kor snack.β Venus smiles handsomely, closing his lips, as his eyes even seem full of love and light for a moment. βShe does appear to be the perfect feminine specimen β to have won the heart of our cruel Estori, she is his light,β Venus murmurs this very, very quietly. βWhat am I?β I ask too quickly. βJealousy,β Venus teases me. Venus grabs the rock by my head, leaning in to claim my mouth β but heβs stopped at the last moment when Alpha Centauri stalks back over. βE.β Venus pulls back and stands up, looking sly as he turns to Alpha Centauri. E moves back to Orlai. I hear her scream and I look past the Estori to the table. I expect just to see her getting loved up by all of them. I scramble to my feet, watching closer as I see her writhing and squirming. I see Arcturus biting one of her wrists. While Jupiter is biting her otherβ¦ it looks like some kind of ritual. The rest are watching her orgasm over and over. I only see her for a moment like that β looking tortured by pleasure. Alpha Centauri allows me to watch, saying nothing, as he stands to the side, just watching me. His naked body is eye candy β a nice distraction, but as I look to him, he isnβt smiling or laughing. βWhat is that about?β I ask, βArcturus and Jupiter,β Now Alpha Centauri smiles, completely sadistic. He wonβt tell me, βIs that first class treatment for your favourite lover?β I ask him, instead. βWho said sheβs my favourite,β Alpha Centauriβs eyes roll over me. βOh, go fuck yourself,β I hiss, losing my temporary submissive thoughts, βIβm not obeying anybody. Iβm the Empress.β βThen be deprived,β Alpha Centauri bites back. βDid you kill Jitters or not?β I ask him. He looks down at my feet and I look down too. I see nothing, until I see her right there. Sheβs looking at me, buried underneath a thin layer of soil, covered in star dust. I lean down to help but Alpha Centauri moves close to pull me off of her. βSheβs healing,β the Estori growls in my ear, βLeave her.β βDiana,β she whispers my name, before closing her eyes and falling back asleep. Itβs like she wanted to say more but sheβs too exhausted, and so is pulled back into a healing coma. βYouβre healing her to drink from her again,β I accuse him, turning into Alpha Centauriβs front, βYouβll let her goβ¦ and Iβll submit β completely β for one night. Just let her go.β βDeal,β Alpha Centauri agrees, far too quickly, βIβll let her goβ¦ but itβs any command I make, youβll take it.β βAllow her to go and Iβll do whatever you say, for one night onlyβ¦β I donβt budge. I watch suspiciously as Alpha Centauri moves around me to grab Jitterβs hand in the soil, he pulls her up, wakes her up, dusts her off and whispers seductive directions in her ear. Then finally he palms Jitters off to the cave system. Again. That. Quickly. Just like that, she stumbles away, half asleep and obeying his command. Alpha Centauri spins back to me. βYou planned this deal,β I add, narrowing my eyes at his triumphant expression, βDidnβt you.β βShut up, Empress,β Alpha Centauri commands me, testing my compliance, and I seal my lips, βI thought youβd beg harder for Orlai,β Alpha Centauri murmurs as he moves closer to me again, sounding slightly disappointed. I stand still as he circles to my back, βKneel, Diana.β Another test if Iβll keep my word. Inwardly sighing, I drop to my knees, and I wait. Alpha Centauri gets down behind me, on one knee, he smells my hair β weirdo. I just stare at the wall and wait for him to make his next command. He moves my hair aside from my neck, kissing my skin, kissing up to my ear, his hand sliding across my stomach, βIβll make you mine, mark my words,β he promises me, no growl needed. I may or may not shiver at the thought, but the moment is interrupted by a loud shriek. He looks at Orlai β so do I. The other Kors stands back as she pulls herself from the table, venom making her strong as she focuses furious eyes on the Estori, slapping away any hands that reach for her. She runs and the Kors are too curious to see what she intends. I also watch as she barrels into Alpha Centauri, shoving him back from me. βWhat are you saying?β Orlai yells at him, βI heard you!β Alpha Centauri turns into her fists as she beats them on his chest, and he lets her β his eyes hyper focused on her rage, βHow dare you!β βI can fuck whoever I want, Orlai,β Alpha Centauri whispers it β and I see he even seems nervous saying it. She tries to claw at his face and he whips up her wrist in his hand, pulling her into his lap, holding her arms at her sides. βYouβre my mate,β Orlai whispers at him, βYour only son is Danger.β βDid Arcturus bring this fire out in you?β Alpha Centauri tries to guess. βDonβt tease me now,β Orlai hisses. βYour own life didnβt matter but when I turn my eye to another, you show me your fire,β Alpha Centauri grins, βYou silly, puny little human.β Orlai spits at him. Even Iβm shocked. I would never have tried β I stare, mouth gaping. Alpha Centauri blinks through the saliva dripping down his face, before his mouth contorts into a sexy scowl. βYouβll pay for that,β Alpha Centauri stands but he doesnβt just drag her β he reaches across to me and whips up my arm next, hauling me to my feet. I hear the chuckles from the other Kors and I donβt have time to glare because of his aggressive gait as he drags us both to the slab and throws us on top of it together. We land on our backs, sliding across, shoulder to shoulder. Alpha Centauri looks like he might just eat us β not fuck us. I glance at Orlai, and she glances at me. βWhat the hell, Orlai,β I whisper to her. βIβm sick to death of being pushed around like my feelings donβt matter,β she whispers back at me, before she turns her fury to Alpha Centauri, βI might be a silly, puny little human β but even so, youβre the slave to my bodyβ¦ you always have been,β she says it with such grace, I just stare wide eyed at her confidence, βFuck me and youβll prove it to yourself,β she taunts him, βAs far as Iβm concernedβ¦youβre all pussy whippedβ¦ youβd do anything for usβ¦ a desperate species β youβre not Gods of the universe, youβre so needy,β I hear it all coming out now, so I just lay back and listen with open ears and wide eyes, βHonourable Estoriβ¦ you didnβt bother to look for me. And just as quickly you want to replace me?!β she has silenced all of them, βI was right there the whole time. On Earth. In plain sight. If only you looked. I know I ran β but I always wanted you to come find me again one dayβ¦ and you never did. Diana is my friend,β she scoops up and holds my hand suddenly, grasping my fingers so tight her own knuckles go white, βShe delivered you to me. You big blue whining and blind asshole! And then you have the audacity to blame me for everything. You hurt me too. You failedβ¦ you were the best Hunterβ¦ until me.β Orlai breathes heavy and looks to the ceiling. Sheβs still crushing my hand. I look around to the Kors. Ninth Squad are silent. Mars is just curious, I can tell, about what will happen next. Star Squad are slightly more offended β as she just spent that whole speech attacking their Estori. I bravely look to Alpha Centauri last of all, and he exhales a long breath, his skin as pristine as his hair and his glittering muscles. Heβs so perfect. Iβll admit, with 18 Kors glaring down at me, I drool a little β βDiana,β Alpha Centauri looks to me, and I suddenly remember I have to obey any word he says. Shit. But he doesnβt say anything else, he just jumps up onto the slab of rock, above my head β the Estori lowers his balls to my face, first rubbing them along my cheek β and then along my lips. Theyβre heavy and theyβre hot. Full of Kor seed, needing a womb to fill. I breathe in through my noseβ¦ he smells too good, so I taste his balls with my tongue. Orlai makes herself look and she watches in shocked silence. He literally ignored everything she said. However, Alpha Centauri might be looking at me, but heβs thinking about her too, as he just reaches a hand for her, and covers her mouth β stopping her from talking. Finally, he glances at her, growling low and slow, ββ¦youβre naughty.β Two words, completely in control β since her words had no impact. Feeling a little guilty, I keep lapping up the taste of him, closing my eyes as his heavy balls rest into my mouth and I can suck on them. Mmm. βHonourable Estori?β Proxima addresses him. βWe fuck themβ¦ sweetly,β Alpha Centauri pets through my hair, as he looks down at me, as my eyes water with pleasure, βThen we kill them both,β I stop sucking his balls, and Alpha Centauri grins, ββ¦Jitters too?β I quickly start licking his balls again β as my heart races. I roll my eyes back to Ninth Squadβ¦ no protest. Mars? My mate shrugs. Venus catches my eye, he smiles handsomely. βFeasting time,β Venus whispers β causing Ninth Squad to move in. βLook at me,β Alpha Centauri asks not just me β but Orlai as well, so I focus back on him, as does Orlai, βI promise you bothβ¦ youβll beg for it.β I donβt know what he means. He releases Orlaiβs jaw and she gasps in a breath, trying to escape. βObey me,β Alpha Centauri uses his special tone on her, and her whole body turns around to her front, but she pauses, biting her lip before she tries to make a futile run for it. Oh, fuck no. I had to save Jitters so I couldnβt act rebellious. But Orlaiβ¦ she may be our only hope. She could take some free pleasure. But she better remember how to fight for her life even if itβs just with Kor Honour Codes and whatever she knows of them. Right now, Orlai had to save us both if the Estori was being serious about this all coming to an end for us. As far as I was concerned, they were planning to fuck our minds to oblivion, and then nothing would be left but our debt to them. The debt was our soul. Their food. Donβt judge me, he had said. No. No. It was all a mind game β a trick. I know it. Even though I have to submit long enough to free Jitters, hoping she makes it out to an ET portal alive, without being hunted back down, I might be able to fight later. βAlways plotting,β Alpha Centauri whispers down at me, his balls now sliding across my face, as he guesses that I have racing thoughts, βDonβt bother, Diana β you only have one thing to worry about now,β he removes his balls from my lips and he grabs my throat, pushing me to the edge of the slab, he jumps down and turns around to lay his cock across my face, pulling back, the Estori rubs his Kor cock across my lips, prodding. I want him in my mouth so bad. I lick my lips and open up, hanging my head off the side, Alpha Centauri grabs my throat and holds me steady. He slides his dick across my tongue, ramming his cock into my throat, deep. I take all of him, swallowing him down, enjoying the rough ownership as he leans over me, face fucking me as he kisses my navel, licking low toward my pussy. Alpha Centauri starts to lick my clit and my legs fly out as I kick with the pleasure β only to be apprehended by other Kor hands, keeping me still. He steals all my oxygen with his dick nice and snug, way too deep, as he fucks his balls into my face, his tongue sliding through my pussy next, before sliding down and over my ass, spreading the cream to both holes. I am so hot β every nerve is on fire with him using me like this. He fucks my face a bit harder and I gag, so he pulls out. I get in one fresh breath, and Alpha Centauri pushes back in β settling in deep one more time. I suck him down, welcoming his length and happily choking on it. It feels so damn good. His hand reaches back to lay over my ribs, feeling my heart race with desire, as his tongue continues to lick right through me, his fangs scraping my clit every now and then and making me jerk my hips up toward his face. Alpha Centauri fucks until he unloads, and I gag on it but he makes me swallow almost every drop, pulling out at the end β his cum paints my swollen lips, and his hand touches my cheek, as he makes me look to Orlai. βBe good and give some to her,β the Estori rolls me, and I slam into her side, seeing her lips right there, I know he wants me to kiss her. Iβm down to do it β but I donβt know what she wants. Orlai already has Mars eating her out β and I feel Alpha Centauri move to my back, grabbing my ass and spreading my cheeks to lick his tongue into my ass. I close my eyes and barely hold back a moan. Whatever Mars does to Orlai, she also closes her eyes, the same time as me. I peck her on the lips quickly, and his cum sticks to her as I pull back, blushing that I really just did that. These horny, greedy motherfuckers wanted girl on girl too? And I just gave it to them β for one tiny second. I look to see their reaction. The Korsβ¦ I feel their gazes burning through me. When I dare to look around at the audience β theyβre all hard as hell, their dicks dripping already with precum. I glare at them. Assholes. Theyβre edging closer. Alpha Centauri whispers against my ass, βThat was hardly a kissβ¦ but Iβll let it slide, brat.β His heat leaves me, but he comes back. The Estori pushes his thumb into my ass, pulling me back β he grabs the back of my hair too and lifts my head as his dick slams straight into my pussy. I scream out as he keeps his thumb in my ass, as he rams into my pussy β hard and fast. I reach a scalding climax way too fast, my body melting to match the heat of his dick flooding my womb with load after load, each deeper thrust delivering more. I feel it leaking down my thighs even as he keeps his dick ploughing nice and deep. My whole body trembles uncontrollably as Alpha Centauri pulls my head up further, until his hand slides across my front, feeling my belly, as he digs his dick even deeper and settles there, his fangs at my temple, as he looks at my expression. βWe always worship our sacrifices,β Alpha Centauri drawls over my ear, βThis is your end, Dianaβ¦ you want the truth, Iβm giving it to you, none of this was real,β he smiles against me, βI hope that breaks your heart,β his snarl echoes in my ear β with pure, Kor futility. The Estori holds me close, trailing his mouth to my neck, where he kisses and finally bites me β giving me his venom. I shudder as it shoots through me, while I keep my eyes open, feeling all of Alpha Centauriβs Kor needs. Itβs a hunger like no other. Truly terrifying. Iβ¦ I donβt know if heβs just tormenting me for fun. I have no way of knowing anymore. All I know is females donβt survive Kor love. I had obsessed over it β until I was convinced, they did love me after all. Maybe Iβm a fool to think I couldβve changed that. βDiana.β I hear Mars say my name so softly. I look to see him standing up, as his lips, touched by Orlai β meet mine. He curls his hand around the back of my head β his tongue dipping into my mouth. I taste his venom and Orlai. I still taste his love. But this time, it brings me no comfort. When I flicker open my eyes β the deep kiss ends for a moment and Mars is lovingly gazing down into my eyes, his head tilting as he reads my blush and my gaze, full of emptiness. Iβm on the last string of hope. And itβs about to break. βIt was the best chase Iβve had in destinies,β Mars whispersβ¦ cold and cruelβ¦ directly over my lips. My eyes widen, and his donβt. Mars kisses me again, his kiss is gentle β and I submit to it, while Alpha Centauri is still fucking my pussy, still holding my womb and still holding me close like he almost might love me too. My hormones β giving me the wrong impression. I love them, I β Theyβre words are hardly registering. But my Enhanced Instincts donβt lie. I wonβt leave this place, Iβ¦ my breathβ¦ Orlaiβs breathβ¦ it belongs to the Kor Gods. I canβt run from this. Because I donβt want them to stop touching me. But I donβt want to die either. My only hope now is a literal miracle. β¦Jitters? Danger? Someone. Anyone. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 43 βΏβββ’β¦ Dianaβs POV I canβt process anything because between the mind numbing fucking and soul obliterating kisses, 18 Kors latched onto me and gave me their venom. It was a rush of pure intent to mark ownership. Not to feed. Which made me thinkβ¦ I was becoming matedβ¦ to literally all of them. Which means Mars lied to me. And the Estori lied too. Why? To scare me. To be Kor dicks to their Empress. Figures. I should have known theyβd play on my emotions. But anger? I couldnβt get angry at being lied to about being killed later β which was ridiculous in itself to be angry about that, but I was really angry about the lying part. However, too soon, it started to get real fuzzy after that. After all the venom surged through me, my mind wasnβt pulled down into the void, it was spinning away into another dimension. For a moment, in a total loss of self-control β I felt their heat all around me, I felt the pleasure fading to power and then dissipating to nothing. And I wondered. Was I crazy, was I dreaming, or was I dead? Because all the heat stopped. And I was cool. Untouched. My mind warms back up as I become conscious after blacking out β and everything I see is blurry. At least Iβm still alive. I had been placed back into the flora, I watch from a distance as I see the act happen like a dance. Something that should be disturbing β is worse than that, much worseβ¦ The Kors are standing around as Arcturus steps up to Orlai on the rock, Alpha Centauri at her back. Theyβre dancing with her. I donβt know how else to explain it. Swaying her between them β maybe because sheβs given into the loving. But the dance spins, and I see venom dripping down her skin. Because she had been bitten all over. She wasnβt a Moon. She couldnβt handle that much liquid elixir running through her purely human system. Arcturus kisses Orlai like itβs the kiss of death, as he leans down to her neck as Alpha Centauri takes the other side of her pulse. They donβt give venom this time. The only reason Iβd know is the metallic liquid rivers now flowing down her skin from the wounds. They were melting her soul and drinking her into them. They were taking her to their hell β a hell she didnβt deserve for running away to become a mother!!! I hear whispers. I hear and see the strangest soundsβ¦ andβ¦ then? A wobble. A break. The wind, knocked out of me. And after that? Nothing. **** Orlaiβs POV βAre you okay?β I shouldnβt be. And I wasnβt. I was in shock. I sit in a quarantined sick bay on a government spaceship. I sit back on a bed, holding a pillow to my stomach for comfort and to cover my nakedness. I hadnβt let anyone else get close enough to touch me. But it wasnβt Our Tcno coming to the rescue and it wasnβt the Universal Board making a rescue either. It was a rescueβ¦ but it also wasnβt. One of the most heavily fortified ships in the universe was hijacked by my son. That was a big no-no. For all I knew, Planet Apastron was blown to star dust itself β and now Danger was an Intergalactic Terrorist, not just a leader of the Freed. And that is why Iβm in shock. Danger is in danger. And one other reason. βOrlai, please, talk to me,β the nurse asks me again while the female doctor pulls her away from my side. βLet her be.β They both leave. I canβt move much but I can look at my skin, and I see the scars all around me. I look like I was tortured. And my torturerβ¦ wellβ¦ he was here. That was the other reason I was in shock. Arcturus was captured. The Kor who successfully poisoned my mind with his hard love, was in the room next to me β so many iron chains wrap around him, you can barely see his purple skin β and lights flash down at his face, but he keeps trying to look at me, and I refuse to look back. Everyone thinks Iβm scared of him. But I was not traumatised by Arcturus. Not at all. Well I wasnβtβ¦ until the very end. When that bite became a need to melt me away, regardless of the love he felt for me in return. I still remember how I started to dissolve between Alpha Centauri and Arcturus. The Estori only agreed to share me because he found out I pledged my breath to Arcturus. The feeling being devoured between my mate at my chosen second was like being peeled out of your own physical body. My soul becoming physical liquid β metal. But the lethal bite ended as quick as it began. Itβs the only reason I lived. Because everything exploded. I know most others ran. I know Diana couldnβt be found. But I was the first one found. Danger had ushered me into an ET portal, straight back onto his stolen ship. βI have to run.β Thatβs all he said, before he kissed my hair and disappeared. And I felt like I might never see him again. I had never seen him panicked β but he had good reason to be. Danger didnβt just save his mother. He started a war. **** Irisβ POV I had betrayed my employers. I knew Kors had to eat but I also knew one very important fact. They didnβt have to eat their mates. Devouring their mates was a new tradition, but perhaps they forgot they could love and could maintain that love β through strict discipline of their own appetite. I never told Diana and I never told the Korsβ¦ but my own father was a Kor. And he loved my Meda mother. I never really told anyone outside my own family that my own Meda blood was halved. I showed no physical appearance of Kor blood being a part of my DNA. It was all in my power. Daughters from Kors were forbidden. I knew this because our power was reversed; therefore dangerous. We had life giving abilities. No, not the childbearing kind. Something different. Meda blood gave me ghost seeing abilities. Kor blood gave me something slightly more powerful than seeing into the death realm. Yup. I could revive the dead. It was never complete. But it was well enough to make a sick version of the prior spirit. I had wandered Dark Ninth looking for a way to help Diana. I had a bad feeling about her β after what the ghosts told me. I never told her direct. I never wanted to scare her. But eventually I found my correspondent. And we conversed. I told her about Diana. She was impressed. βTo save more lives, youβll need to keep that one alive.β The Fey ghost coloured a midnight sapphire, smiled as she talked about Diana. βI donβt know how to do that,β I replied. βI can help.β βI canβt bring you into it.β βWhy not? No one will know.β βTheyβll kill all of Meda if I revive you. I donβt even trust you.β βLisen to me, Iris. I know I was wrong. I knew nothing else. I was hurting. I was crazy. And Iβm at peace now.β βItβs too late. We can only speak like this.β βItβs rare for a queen to have no strings to pull them toward her. I can help her in other ways. If she is the light β I can be the darkness that protects her if they get too cocky. Kors are well behaved when you train them well. As all men are.β I know sheβs manipulative. I had seen the footage. And now Iβve heard it. I had seen her smile β a permanent smugness. She truly matched them, but her heart was stone. But despite her evil nature, her own position made her knowledge uniqueβ¦ that is why I needed her. ββ¦listenβ¦ Danger sent me here β a good man. Half human, half Kor. But even he wouldnβt approve of this action.β ββ¦to save his motherβ¦? I can save herβ¦ but not if you wait another minute longer. Kors donβt wait for indecision.β βWell,β when you put it like that, βI think Iβm going to help you but weβre going to make a deal first.β βAnything,β she leans close to my lips, her ghost lips a mist, her eyes deceivingly soft and gentle. βDonβt hurt them again.β βI wonβt.β Itβs sultry. Itβs a promise. I hear the heart in it. And I believe her. I made the mistake of giving her the kiss she wanted. The kind that gives her my venom. As she came alive, it wasnβt pretty. I created a being who was hunched over, spine curling, hair withered, her eyes sunken and her whole being transformed to what can only be described as a crone. I am so disgusted by the creature Iβve revived, I step back, my heart racing, her neck so malformed, her face is now staring at the ground. I donβt comment on it. βDanger told me they were on the way to their feeding cave on Planet Apastron.β βTheyβreβ¦ t-taking themβ¦ to kill them b-both,β she speaks, her breathing heavily laboured as if she is in extreme pain, but she lives regardless. βWhat do you we do?β βI β c-come closer.β She can barely speak above a whisper and she groans loudly. I lean down, and she grabs my hand, hers weak, thanking me for my lent strength. She tugs me a little closer. And I donβt care to think of the rest. Of what came next. I am staring up at the beautiful sky of Dark Ninth β on my own last breaths now. My life, slipping away. Because I had made a mistake. **** Marsβ POV I stumble along Dark Ninth territory, my ears singing, my skin ripped and bleeding with pieces of flesh hanging off from all the shrapnel. I snarl out in pain as I keep walking, appearing back home in a moment of panic. I ended up somewhere far from the Kor Prison β so I walked, every step torture, even as blood ran down my face. But as Iβm moving, my ears keep pricking. Laboured breathing. Who? I move toward it, βWhoβs there?β I snarl out the question, I have no time to search quietly. I hear a familiar woman cry out, and then I hear nothing. I stumble toward the sound, over puddles and small bushes. I get a shock when I see Iris collapsed on the ground, her neck ripped apart. Little Maelstrom β he sits next to her face, poking her cheek with a stick. He looks sad, and I get angry β surely a baby Kor didnβt do this. He wouldnβt feast until he was an adult. Besides, the bites from her neck wereβ¦ weirdly feminine. I donβt know why I think that, but I lean down and scoop up Maelstrom, sitting him on my shoulder as I sit next to Iris, spitting into my hand and then rubbing it over her wounds. The skin heals, and I rub some of my venom onto her lips. βTake it,β I growl over her, and she licks her lips as I sit by her. Slowly, the colour comes back to her pink cheeks. Iris looks right at me, she looks like death warmed up. βDanger blew up an Elion outpost, Planet Apastron β my Estoriβs planet,β I tell her, βHow was your day?β Iris smiles a bit and laughs, telling me on a whisper, βI revived Cinta and then she tried to eat me.β I shake my head, laughing too, βGood one. Iβve always enjoyed your humour. A good nature, protecting my pet. Was it Chonk? Tell me. Iβll kill the fat hairy bastard.β When she says nothing, but she moves her hand, I look to see her pulling a picture out of her pocket. Itβs her son β and she shows me. I donβt understand, until I look at her eyes, and see her mouth tremble, βDonβt kill me.β βWhy would I kill my most loyal?β I reassure Iris, worried for her mind. Iris smiles but she doesnβt look appeased, βI made a mistake, Mars. I did it for nothing. She said sheβd help. Danger never needed me. He probably thought Iβd rat on him when we planned to help Diana,β she admits her betrayal, and I cock a brow, but I just sigh, as she continues, βSo he sent me here to do something stupidβ¦ like talk to the ghosts. Heβs a smart boy. Man. I canβt help but see him as a son too. He acts like a kid β always on his latest adventure. Did he save Orlai? And your love, Diana?β I am annoyed by her line of questioning, but Maelstrom isnβt having fun sitting on my shoulder β heβs leaning into my head, whispering, βM-mo g-ga?β He sounds terrified. I look around for threats. I see nothing but all my hairs stand on end. I stand up, my heart suddenly racing. Someone else is here and watching us. I watch the landscape for some time, looking for movement. Maybe a minute later Maelstrom screams and I spin around. I donβt know what it is that heβs seen, until I look down β and Iris is dead. Her skin is blue β suffocated. Shit. Shit! I look upβ¦ how did I not hear the huntress approach? This Fey was fast. Maelstrom slides down to my arm and holds me tight. I hug him back protectively, despite my injuries, I turn and keep searching for home. Who the hellβ¦ The feeling crawling over my skin, dissipates. I have my suspicions, but my mind wonβt allow it as a possibility. I have to see the monster with my own eyes to really believe it. Right now I couldnβt hunt it. Thatβs what theyβd want me to do. I had to protect Maelstrom first. I wouldnβt let him go. I didnβt even know where Diana was. I had teased her mercilessly β not wanting the power of being an Empress to get to her headβ¦ I knew it was cruelβ¦ I didnβt care. No empressβ¦ dead or aliveβ¦ would ever get the upper hand on me. A female chuckle. Like a songbird. My bones ache just as the intrusive thoughts purge through me β as fear and pangs of starvation touch my healthy cells, causing me to doubt my own power. Itβs just a memory of weakness. The sound echoes out. I like to imagine I was just imagining that. βOo, ha, ha, ha,β Maelstrom copies it, and I look down at his cheeky eyes, shaking my head β my stern expression wipes the cheeky smile from his face. βThis isnβt a joke, son,β I advise him, βYour mother is missing β and weβre being hunted,β Maelstromβs lip wobbles, and his eyes go wide, βLetβs go for a run.β I smile down at him, propping him back up onto my shoulders, behind my neck so he can hold onto my hair. βMaz!β Maelstrom announces, as I stealth for the both of us and run us back home. Iβd activate the death traps again soon. And then I needed to find Diana right away. I had no idea what happened to her. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 44 βΏβββ’β¦ Dianaβs POV βThis is unethical.β βIs it? Besides, Iβm afraid we have no choiceβ¦ weβll be helping Diana and saving her life.β βIs it permanent memory loss?β βNo. Itβs about replacing the old thoughts, with the new. Itβs not about erasure. This is about the Light.β βYet you never answered me. Is this ethical?β βHave you heard the phrase, Free the Machine?β βThatβs new thinking. I donβt agree with it, itβs better to use Dark in this situation. Use your instinctual judgement, not what Our Tcno says. This is a matter of the brain and free will.β βI have no other opinion. I simply wish to save her soul.β βThen youβve made your decision and Iβll record that.β βYou should, I have made the decision, and I am not going back on my word.β βForeseen consequences?β βDiana will be free.β βOf what, exactly?β βThe chaos of her own Darkness.β **** 1 week later βYou brought me flowers, again?β I ask Leroy as he places them on my desk, beautiful plastic yellow roses! He pushes them gently into the corner where the other recycled fake flowers bloom under the fluorescent light of the windowless office. βOf course, you deserve them, Diana β for your courage,β Leroy was my boss, and my date tonight. He saved me from the Kors β and I was eternally grateful. He might not be seven feet, but he was a decent height, with slicked back brown hair and natural green eyes. He was always dressed well, his shoes always polished, his coat always dry cleaned each day β not a fleck of dirt to be seen. Germs were so disgusting. βI just clocked out,β I tell Leroy as I stand up from my desk and grab my bag, βThe letters humans send to each other are so heartfelt.β βDid you advise lowering emotive speech to your clients?β Leroy asks, smirking. βYes,β I nod, sighing, βI like my job, Leroy. Itβs a good thing the machine reviews human diary entries. I feel like weβre a very dirty species. So much unnecessary sexual language outside the privacy of our safe spaces,β I shake my head as I give my hand to Leroyβs outstretched palm. βCleanliness of words, ensures a clean soul,β Leroy walks with me, reaching over and giving me a kiss to the cheek, βYouβre helping keep them free of worry, anxiety and unclean desire. Youβre making a change in this world.β βI really feel like I am,β I laugh and he laughs. βIβm taking you to ββ I interject, cheekily, βThe Perfect Pizza.β βHow did you know?β Leroyβs eyes widen all the way. βI checked your diary,β I whisper at him, βI had your code soβ¦ I thought Iβd see, erase the surprise you had for me.β Leroy has been smiling, but now he stares neutrally, looking quite upset. βI didnβt authorise that,β he murmurs, βDonβt do that again.β βAhβ¦ oh,β I think about itβ¦ andβ¦ logically, heβs right, oh, no, heβs so right! βOh, Iβm so sorry, thatβs so rude of me.β βIt is and it was, but itβs the past now β and youβre a great listener, and a great learner,β Leroy smiles again, βArenβt you, Diana?β βYouβre a great boss.β βThank you, youβre a great employee.β βYouβre going to be a great date.β βNo pressure,β Leroy teases me and I burst out laughing β itβs so funny, he said something so strange! He laughs along with me, and then we quieten down and walk through the lobby, out onto the street and the waiting VIP Light-Nine Express Lane β for fully Enlightened souls. We trusted the most, were full of love for community and each other β because we agreed on pretty much everything! I canβt believe I used to be into those alien Kor monsters. They were unsanitary, like very, and meanβ¦ and liars β I couldnβt really remember their faces, I didnβt really linger too long on the β Tomorrow I would have to do that whole shift again and I believe I had an appointment soon to check on my healthy pregnancy. I was due in two weeks β and I couldnβt wait to abandon the baby on a Protected Planet. I was a career woman. I had no need of a baby alien-God who could self-sustain. After all, I was just the vessel β and I had been shamelessly involved with the inseminating Kor Gods. I had no business being a Galactic Queen. Oh, I better not forget to choose a new outfit tomorrow, with different colours β because itβs good for the eye, and Leroy liked colour changes, it made him so happy! I loved making him happy, and everyone else on this beautiful planet. Leroy and I have a personal chauffer taking us to dinner, but on the way, I notice Leroy check his phone. βWeβll have to cut the dinner short by twenty minutes,β Leroy advises me and the driver, βA secretary of the Universal Board requested my personal opinion.β βWhat happened, Leroy?β βA minor disruption,β Leroy reassures me, picking up my hand, βItβs just an intermediary messenger. Iβm to be delivered a message and thatβs all.β βFrom someone super special?β βA Kor. The Kors? One or many. Nothing for you to concern yourself with.β βIβm not concerned,β I scold my date, βIβm over it.β βGood. They might not be.β βThose who are not enlightened are plagued by disruptive emotion,β I add, sighing, βBut even though theyβre not in the Light like us, theyβll get over me too. Kors mate with many, many women throughout their infinite lives, Leroy. Iβm sure theyβll stop bothering you soon. Who is the messenger?β βI only have letters,β Leroy murmurs, βSomeoneβs initials, F.U. Ring any bells?β βNo. Hmm. Why is their identity protected to initials?β βItβs shameful to be employed by cannibals, darling,β Leroy smiles sympathetically at me. βOh, that makes sense.β βI told you. I make sense of everyone,β Leroy winks and I canβt help but caress his cheek with the back of my hand. He blushes with my sudden touch. βYouβre so perfect,β I whisper, βAnd very handsome.β βI know. And youβreβ¦ well, youβre alright,β Leroy does it again, giving in to some unrestricted humour. I laugh very hard, and the driver does too. Leroy chuckles. Tonight is going to be a good night. **** Marsβ POV I fix my uniform, which I have from getting a temporary job at The Perfect Pizza. I make sure I look really good, touching myself up in the bathroom, while I my phone rings. Itβs the Estori. I answer quick, βI have to go.β βShe there yet?β βJust arrived, Iβm their server for the night.β βYou let me know.β βFirst me, Alpha Centauri,β I smirk at my own reflection, βThen you can have your turn when you intercept Mr. Tightass in his driveway.β βReport to me as soon as they leave.β βOf course.β Alpha Centauri and I end the call at the same time. I check myself a third time. I had cut my hair to a few inches in length as I tried to make myself as human as possible, with my hair styled and most of my green skin covered in the uniform. Of course, I wasnβt ashamed, but I didnβt want Leroy to see me coming for her. We were on the brink of declaring a war with this planet β but first we were going in covertly. We knew when not to escalate, and right now, we were only dealing with bureaucracy. Diana had been indoctrinated into the Light. They had a rule. No tampering with old memories β so sheβd remember me. But they could insert as many new memories, thoughts and feelings as they liked. The protocol of Light exposure was only implemented in extreme cases of abuse and trauma, where someoneβs life was threatened due to strange or odd behaviour or decision making. Of course, that little loophole was easy to get around β since Dianaβs human life was very much in danger around a cannibal subspecies. I accepted it β Earth did what they believed was best for her. Now Alpha Centauri and I were implementing our own little plan, to bring her back where she belonged β serving her mates. She was ours. Her flesh belonged to us. Her soul was bound to us. We liked her. And we were keeping her. It was that simple. She was our favourite female we had in a very long time. Alpha Centauri and I usually didnβt agree on too much β but we respected each other enough to do this. We wanted Diana, we werenβt letting her escape this fate. Her breath belonged to the Estori, her soul belonged to me. Kor Honour Codes come first. War was secondary. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 45 βΏβββ’β¦ Dianaβs POV The host of the Perfect Pizza sits us down by a window seat, in a city view restaurant on the top floor of the B-Hive Tower. We could see the silhouette of the city below, covered by the clouds, we were that high up above it all. Light Nine status gave us all kinds of perks. I donβt know how anyone could choose otherwise. All our comforts and needs were attended too. All anyone had to do was choose to trust entirely in a system perfected over two destinies of refinement. βWhat are you thinking about, Diana?β Leroy asks me politely. βI was trying to understand, why anyone wouldnβt want our life, when itβs nine choices close,β I murmur this to Leroy, as he carefully scans over the menu. He glances up to me after an awkward silence, cocking a brow. βWhat did you conclude, Diana?β βI have no idea, it was just philosophical ponderings of the inhibited mind,β I chuckle, βI am so lucky to have met you, Leroy. You gave me this realisation, didnβt you?β βI did,β he nods, βYouβre special to me, Diana β not many Dark Nines are rehabilitated. Usually we just exterminate them,β he shrugs, βI pitied you. I could see you failing and I wanted to help you succeed ββ A shadow falls over us as our giant waiter arrived. Neither Leroy and I pay him any attention for a moment, just gazing into each otherβs eyes β I could drown in his forever. I liked that they were an emerald green. And that he was mildly interesting β a comfort to my mind. βAhem,β our waiter has a deep voice, as he coughs into his hand, βDrinks?β βSparkling water please,β Leroy murmurs, without glancing at the waiter at all, βOur date is cut short so make it quick.β βMm, I havenβt even decided,β I murmur to Leroy, as I glance quickly to the waiter, dressed in a full suit, his hair cut so humanely short β all savagery is gone. I hadnβt even thought that β Well, it doesnβt matter what I thought. Logic doesnβt matter. I see what I see. I stare at Mars, speechless, as I blink, he stares back, pen hovering over paper. βI can come back,β Mars murmurs to me. βSame,β I whisper, βSame as him, I mean.β Mars turns and walks off, and I look to Leroy, who has been watching me the entire time. βYou alright, love?β Leroy asks politely, βYou look a little flustered.β βOh, I just didnβt expect Mars to beβ¦ waiting on me,β I admit, openly, while smiling, and then laughing, βWhat aβ¦ surprise,β I trail off as I watch Leroy immediately show many uninspiring and dangerous emotions β rage, disgust, shock, jealousy. His face contorts with everything, all at once. Then he composes himself, as he looks over his shoulder and watches Mars by the bar, filling glasses with sparkling water, all while watching us. I note Mars does not look strained, but relaxed, no strained emotions on his face. He returns while Leroy swallows an excess amount of nervous saliva multiple times, his throat so closed off with his turmoil that he canβt get a word out even as he tries to speak with his hand, as Mars places the glasses before us. Leroy anxiously tries to loosen his tie. βHave you decided on your choice β will it be one to share?β Mars asks Leroy specifically, his eyes running over him slow, never blinking. βYouβre β not β ah, meant β to β ah,β Leroy stutters and his cheeks flush with Marsβ pointed stare, βYou canβt be here.β βItβs not illegal to work at a restaurant,β I speak for Mars, βLeroy, I think you should wash your face, you look awfully distressed.β βIβm fine,β Leroy has to almost vomit out the words because itβs a lie, and heβs not good at lyingβ¦ because Light Nines didnβt. His tongue contorts and swells, his face looks pained and tortured. Itβs distressing just to look at him. I look to Mars with my visible distaste. He is a welcome distraction. I donβt say anything but Mars reads me. He curiously leans down to me as he simultaneously steps behind my chair, sweeping my hair off my neck, over my shoulder, he leans down, eyeing Leroy. Leroy is clutching his cutlery in both hands, knuckles white. I watch Leroy in confusion, while Mars leans down and kisses my neck, his teeth scraping along my pulse, his hand slipping under my blouse, spreading warm fingers over my ribs, as they crawl under my bra and over my breast, squeezing and rolling my nipple between two fingers. At the same time Mars kisses my neck up and down with soft and lush Kor lips. I donβt flinch from the hand on me, or the lips caressing me, or the audience watching meβ¦ I just watch Leroy, worried for him. Iβm speechless but Iβm not averse to the experience. Iβ¦ I guess I innately trusted Mars, he was the father of my first child. Mars says nothing as he releases me, moving up from my neck, his hand slipping from my clothes, as Leroy grits his teeth, saying, βPepperoni. For. Two.β Itβs like nothing happened. Mars nods as he rounds the table, βOf course,β he holds Leroyβs eye a moment longer, then he glances to me, but Iβm still staring at Leroy. βAre you okay, boss?β I whisper to him. Leroy picks up a napkin, opens it and covers his face with it for a moment, he wipes his face clean of all expression and all excess sweat. When he lowers the napkin, I try not to show how uncomfortable his weird reactions make me. βIβm perfect,β Leroy answers, smiling comfortably, letting out a laugh, βWould you like some wine, dear?β βNo,β I shake my head, βAre you sure youβre okay?β βHow do you feel?β Leroy throws it back at me, βAfter he ββ βWhat?β I ask, confused, βIβm on a date with you, I feel β great.β Leroy relaxes. I have no idea whatβs gotten into him. **** Marsβ POV Wellβ¦ thatβ¦ failed? I think? Or perhaps it worked, because she didnβt tell me to stop possessing her in front of her date β who was so damn hard he was trying not to ejaculate in his pants. I researched Leroy, Head of Emotion Regulation. Through various sources I found he had a thing for voyeurism. Pretty easy to rattle the fucker when he was so easy. I had contemplated barbequing him for a taste of something different, but I figured I could just embarrass him instead. For a Light Nine β nothing was worse than humiliation. They were obsessed with purity. At least I know I can slowly break his mind in a satisfactory way for daring to chnage our Galactic Queen. For him to die would be a mercy. And I was just getting started. I take my break back in the restrooms, pacing up and down in front of the mirrors as I call Alpha Centauri, who answers before it even rings. βDiana is cold and unresponsive,β I report. βThen itβs exactly as I thought, Mars. Diana wonβt react because her thoughts of us are all corrupted,β Alpha Centauri tells me the obvious, βWe wonβt be able to break the codeβ¦ not us.β βYou sound like you have a plan B?β βI wonβt go see her after this date,β Alpha Centauri drawls, humoured, βI wonβt waste my time. We introduce her to someone new.β βWho are you thinking?β βItβs high risk but I can handle this one. A Magnetised Kor. You know who I mean.β βWhen was the last time you and Rigil spoke to him?β βPerhaps a billion years ago,β Alpha Centauri sighs, βHe is more a stranger to me than a twin. We have nothing in common.β βThe last time I remember intercepting Alpha Centauri Regalis was the Elion wars, and he was just as much of a selfish prick as you are, no disrespect honourable Estori.β βThatβs just it, Mars. Honour and loyalty β they are words Regalis will never comprehend.β βWell, itβs not a bad plan. Weβll hatch it β but just know, if you had seen him squirm,β I speak of Leroy, unable to keep the humour out of my tone. βIβd expect nothing less. Let Diana sleep on your advance,β Alpha Centauri chuckles, ββ¦the rest, Mars, is destiny.β Alpha Centauri and I end the call at the same time, while I shake my head, smirking to myself. Dianaβ¦ She was fun. Even now, brainwashed and overloaded with new experience to wash us outβ¦ she was bringing Kors together in ways she doesnβt even realise. Regalis. I didnβt ever expect to say his name again. He perpetually stayed off radars. Magnetised Kors were a category no one could predict. They were not Dark or Light. But they were Kors fallen from the ranks of our order. They liked nothing more than to fuck everything up. And thatβs exactly what we needed right now. Kor Squads all over, we had Honour Codes to abide to and Universal Board regulations to follow to keep playing the galactic games with the other subspecies in the universe. We played that game. But he didnβt. Regalis had no code. He justβ¦ is. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 46 βΏβββ’β¦ Dianaβs POV 3 days later I was disappointed that Leroy stopped dating me. He said something about having to admit himself into intensive psychotherapy for intrusive and unclean thoughts. And just like that, I started to notice my isolation. I was surrounded by Light Nines but I was dirtied by my past. Then I tainted Leroy. I had left my apartment, hair tied up in a bun, heavily pregnant and a week away from giving birth, I waddled into the park that only had one occupant β a cleaning robot sweeping the paths. I sit in my night shift and with bare feet, feeling like a night-witch just bathing in the moonlight, while totally alone in the middle of the Light Nine City. I sit feeling apathy for everyone here. I hated it. But I donβt know why. The feelings appeared out of no-god-damn-where. I was better than corrupt thoughts, so easily mastered ifβ¦ I zone out, sick of my own thoughts because they went in circles and loops, always repeating. The cleaning robot passes by and the beeping noise it makes, reminds me of the news broadcast today. On the Brink of War. Kor. Humans. A runaway Queen. It didnβt make sense at all. I considered my past-position totally irrelevant, yet my name was spread across the Intergalactic News Channels like it still mattered even though I had willingly made the decision to change and choose otherwise. Something didnβt add upβ¦ in my brain. I feel my baby kick and then I feel a hot flush β rushing down from the top of my head, my hair flying backwards. I think itβs me β then I think itβs the windβ¦ then I bother to look up. I see a Stealthing Spacecraft, triangle shaped, blue β dark blue, shimmering off and on with its magnificent Kor-design. I watch as the Kor spacecraft hovers lower and lower, until over the grass, a door swings opens on the outside and one Kor in particular holds onto something above him as he leans out, holding a hand down for me. Alpha Centauri in his dark robes β the Estori β perfectly timing his interception of me at the moment of my deepest self-reflection so far. He must see the annoyance in my gaze. Annoyance for this place. He was a King. I was a Galactic Queen. I guess β It β I β βTime for your medicine, Diana,β Alpha Centauri smiles down at me, slowly letting the humour settle in. After a small while, I kind-of smile β almost β but I stop myself before I react too positively. βFor the contractions?β I ask, βThe baby isnβt due for a week ββ βBaby number one arrived a little early, no? Whoβs to say this one wonβt come early?β Alpha Centauri asks so kindly, his hand still outstretched toward me and waiting patiently, that I stand up from the bench and walk toward him. I donβt take his hand, but I do get closer to speak more privately with him. βIβm not sure you should be here, Estori,β I murmur in concern, as he squats down to my level and looks me over, βI donβt want to communicate with Kors. Iβm not available for insemination anymore β Iβm saying that β I β um β ah ββ Alpha Centauri reaches for me, clasping his hand over my mouth, he stops me stuttering. βDonβt speak to me β speak to someone new,β Alpha Centauri suggests, βYou want a friend, Diana?β Alpha Centauri doesnβt let go of my mouth just yet, he likes holding me, as his eyes slowly roll over me, βConsider this is about contracts and legislation, Diana, and forgiveness, truth, being able to move onβ¦ sound good? Logical? Iβm offering you peace with Kors.β He lets me go. βNo war?β I whisper. βThereβs always war,β Alpha Centauri drawls back, easily, βBut thereβs nothing wrong with speaking, is there, Diana.β βBook in my time,β I whisper something else that makes sense. βAn hour,β Alpha Centauriβs drawl deepens, his eyes darken, his fangs glinting with venom, βAn hour Empress. Right now.β Everything he said sounded logical to me. He offers me his hand the moment he sees mine twitch up and reach. Alpha Centauri clasps my wrist, and hauls me up onto his ship. He carefully leads me in, closes the hatch, and then I stare off down the long corridor to the seats at the end and the control room of his spaceship. I walk my way down, Alpha Centauri following me but giving me space. When I waddle out into the control room, a newcomer is here. I focus on the Alpha Centauri look-alike, his skin is a dark emerald green, with tiger stripes, his stare poisonous. I am frozen as he watches me, I canβt move. A twin. Alpha Centauri moves around, and he is the pristine king in robes, while his Twin is naked and savage. βRegalis,β Alpha Centauri introduces us, βAlpha Centauri Regalis, to be preciseβ¦ meet Dianaβ¦ the Kor Empress and our Galactic Queen.β Regalis approaches me, looking me over, walking around me while I feel rooted to the spot with curiosity. Regalis rounds back to my front, standing over me. βYouβre not in his squad?β I ask, βNice to meet you.β Regalis doesnβt say anything. I look to Alpha Centauri. βDonβt look at him,β Regalis speaks now and I focus on him immediately, βA Dark Nine Empress?β βNot anymore,β I growl. Regalis gets down on one knee, and then another, kneeling in front of me, he puts a hand on my belly, gently, while looking up at me, βWhat do you want?β I ask Regalis, confused by him. βTo admire you,β Regalis looks at my belly, βAnd to give you β whatever you need. What do you need?β βI donβt know,β I answer Regalis, while I feel a hand touch the small of my back, sliding to my hip, Alpha Centauri steps closer. βAnything, no debt this time, Diana β youβve paid enough,β Alpha Centauri murmurs. After Regalis caresses my belly one too many times, and Alpha Centauri is breathing down my neck, I pull away from them to find a seat by the wall. I needed space from Kor heat. They were hot. Too hot. I sit down to rest my legs, and I hold my own belly, while taking in the Estori and his estranged twin as they stay where they are. βBeing like this, is a freedom Iβve never experienced before,β I tell them both, βMy own kind saved me. From my own corruption. I can resist you now,β They both listen intently to every word, βButβ¦β my tongue stills. To avoid stress and anarchical emotion that was off the spectrum of normal, I should just stay quiet. So I do stay quiet, calmness flowing through me. This was peace. This was a perfect mind-state. Content, placid, at ease and all knowing. Alpha Centauri and Alpha Centauri Regalis were absorbing my mental contemplation, letting me think, giving me space, giving me respect. All I know is that following instincts as a Dark Nine was a beautiful, dangerous, fast-paced unknown. And Light Nine intelligence was knowing enough to be okay all the time, guided by Our Tcno and the community around. Humanity at itβs peak. Butβ¦ Why do I keep thinking that? I donβt even know what comes after the βbutβ. βIβ¦β I trail off into a whisper. βWhat do you want, Empress?β Alpha Centauri persuades me to ask; when I want for nothing. I better end this. I should end this! Now. Right now. βOkay. I wantβ¦ you to both knowβ¦ that for the rest of my lifeβ¦ Iβm going to live at peace, with no madness,β I feel a million times better when I voice that, as I exhale a large breath, βAnd I will be relinquishing my rights as an Emββ Something happens when my tongue stills for a completely different reason this second time round. Old instincts, surging through me. Warning me β sending adrenaline right through me β dangerous words were about to leave my mouth. Words I was forcing. Itβs a shock to the system, to feel Enhanced-Instincts from the Fey altered genes in my DNA, for the first time in weeks, now overpowering the other Light thoughts. βYeesss?β Alpha Centauri sounds like a snake, he is so intrigued, he moves toward me, picking up his screw-spear from the weaponry and walking right up to me, using the sharp blades to move my hair off my cheek, tucking the strands behind my ear with gentle precision, but I also have to remain very still so I donβt get cut or bleed. In turn, heβs keeping my focused attention so I donβt distract from the moment, and I listen to every word, βYou were saying, Diana β your intriguing Light Nine human thoughtsβ¦ pleaseβ¦ finish what you were asking for. You relinquish what rightsβ¦?β Regalis watches me and his brother with a new kind of curiosity. βCan I get off this ship now?β I whisper, βI have noβ¦β wish or desire to be here. But I canβt say that either. My tongue β heavy once more. βEvery time she is about to force a lie, she canβt, brother,β Regalis drawls this suddenly, βThatβs all youβll need.β βThank you, Regalis,β Alpha Centauri doesnβt even glance his way, as he keeps his eye on me. I watch Regalis walk toward an ET portal, swiping his key, and leaving in a burst of galactic stardust. It settles over the spaceship, and Iβm left with the Estori. βYou asked Regalis to be here, why?β I ask him, confused. βTo find out the weakness in that armour,β Alpha Centauri admits, βSo knowing the truth so deeply isnβt just your strength, itβs a fatal flaw, Dianaβ¦ because you canβt deny even small things you know are true.β βWhat happened to me?β I ask him in the silence of the spacecraft, it only being us two now gives me some kind of confidence to ask him something more vulnerable. βDark Nines are being eradicated β either they disappear, get eradicated through execution, orβ¦ fixedβ¦ like you were,β Alpha Centauri looks to my head, βThey tried to fix you with that AI system you all love so very much. First they gave you knowledge, then you chose all Nine systems willingly.β βTheyβ¦ so they just gave me knowledge ββ βA second perspective,β Alpha Centauri places his hand over my belly, βLetβs talk about our contract now. So we can find out together what you desire.β βWe should clear that up,β I agree, it was only logical. βAm I still your Guardian?β Alpha Centauri looks at my mouth. βYes.β βAnd is your pledge to me, meaningless now?β the Estori watches my lips part on an exhale, and he finally focuses his eyes back up to mine, reading me. βI donβt go back on my word β I have honour codes too. I pledged my breath to youβ¦ it remains so.β βGood little human,β Alpha Centauri slowly smiles, and I see his large fangs, dripping but contained, βNowβ¦ instead of faltering on your words, I want you to tell me what you want. Again. But focus, Dianaβ¦ your soul is still the same. Your mind was free and now itβs been caged.β βYou canβt be caged withβ¦β knowledge. Yes you can, my dark-side tells me deep within. Knowledge was heavy. βDonβt falter on your words,β Alpha Centauri warns me not to fail again. He told me what to do, and I knew he understood because he too, was a Dark Nine soul. I close my eyes, βI want to think without thinking.β There. I finally got the words out. I open my eyes and Alpha Centauri has closed the distance to put his arm around my chair, his other hand holding his staff aside, as he hovers his face next to mine, his cheek almost brushing against my own as he directs my gaze across the room, then up, toward something on the wall, βSee it? Itβs right there, Diana. Just take it.β On the wall is a beautiful tiara, made with sparkling ice-metal, it glitters all on its own, with no jewels, itβs just a basic tiara made of the most beautiful substance Iβve ever seen. Its highest point is at the top, with a straight design and round orb, the rest swirls and that central pillar with the orb is the power. Itβs so me. I love it. Iβm in love with it. My whole being almost floats up from the chair, Iβm that excited. My heart even beats fast as I run toward it, reaching up and trailing my hands over the bottom of the tiara. Itβs too high for me to take, so I look back to the Estori. βGive it to me,β I want it. Alpha Centauri has trailed me, and he reaches above. He takes it from itβs hook and then places it on my head. I rip out my hair tie, I centre the tiara again, and then I look around for a mirror. I rush my way up to a plate on the shipβs wall that is so reflective itβs basically a mirror. I look at the tiara on my head and itβs so god-damn perfect, I drop to my knees, my palms leaning on the metal while Iβm just staring at the gift. βMy Estoria,β Alpha Centauriβ growl is both pleasured and approving. βI donβt want this feeling to ever end,β I say it with tears in my eyes. The feeling was so positive! Acknowledgment but also the deepest love I feel hidden in the design. I look up to Alpha Centauri as he watches me quietly now, reading the look of awe in my gaze and letting it settle. After some time, I stand back up and turn to him. What do I want? His eyes say anything at all, whatever it is, heβll get it for me. I wonβt take this for granted. βEstori,β I whisper, βI want to go home.β βYouβll have to be a little more precise than that, Diana,β Alpha Centauri smiles slow. βDark Ninth.β I see the dark look in his eye, only for a split-moment β and my heart squeezes with emotion. Was thatβ¦ possessiveness β? βTo Mars,β Alpha Centauri composes himself and the ship starts to move. I look to the windows and space is already all around us, so I approach the window to look more closely. βThanks,β I tell the window, but Iβm really telling him, βYou just saved me from something I didnβt even know I needed saving from.β βSouls are valuable β they wanted you home on Terra, I understand that,β Alpha Centauri agrees, βBut where and how you spend your soul is your choice. Even how you die is your choice.β βDonβt start that again, Estori, you can talk about eating me another time,β I grin at the reflection of him far away, still watching me. βItβs just Kor nature to speak of beautiful death,β Alpha Centauri smirks, and he approaches me, βOne last gift, Diana.β I turn to see his hand outstretched, holding a polished human skull, shiny, with etchings into its surface. βAβ¦ house-warming ornament? Very creepy, I like it,β I take it from him, βIt looks real.β βItβs Leroy.β My hands drop it, and he catches it, knowing I would. He said it so casually. Alpha Centauri hides the skull away into his robe, βIβll keep it if you donβt want it,β the Estori teases me with a dangerous half-smile, βI thought youβd find that romantic.β βYou, romantic?β I whisper, avoiding the topic of Leroy. I turn back to the window, trying to hide my expression, forgetting the reflection will show the Estori my humoured eyes and pursed lips. I thought it was very, very sweet. Very, very creepy. But also very sweetβ¦ for a Kor, anyway. ββ¦so you do like itβ¦β I hear his deep drawl and when I look behind me, Alpha Centauri has turned to stride away, while I blush. Well, shit. Talk about sending the wrong message, Diana! βWhereβs Orlai?β as I call out, I attempt to quickly change the subject. He calls back, βMissing. Danger intervened.β Ohβ¦ I wonder where she is now? But Iβm happy for her if she found freedom. Because seconds before she was rescued, my Estori and Arcturus seemed seconds from taking her breath away right in front of me. And the memory makes me nauseous. You could never know what a Kor would do β even when they loved you. Because loving you was the poison. And here I was, adorned in a tiara, an βEstoriaβ. A Queen of Kors. Perhaps the only Queen to not be cruel. Or the stupidest female in all existence. Maybe both. My fate with them was still unknown. Although for now, I didnβt mind that. It was the constantly being pregnant that was driving me a little insane β and just that thought makes me beyond excited to see Maelstrom again. And to see little E, Diasphora was his name. Marsβ choice first time round. I liked it. I also had a strange feeling I knew exactly who wanted to mate with me next. I look over my shoulder to see Alpha Centauri busying himself in some corner, entering data into the ship. Next time heβd have to be a lot quicker. I had a lot of Kors lined up. Although I must admitβ¦ none had gifted me something so beautiful and thoughtful. It was something about the design. βKeep staring at me like that and see what happens, Estoria,β Alpha Centauri speaks to me without even looking at me. His skin even shimmers with a warning, like he wants to go hunting. Ah β well shit. He knew I was staring? I face the window again. I just couldnβt help myself. I think he might love me. The way Mars loved me. And as for me. The way my own heart was poundingβ¦ the way I was feelingβ¦ Um. I thinkβ¦ I mightβ¦ love themβ¦ both. It should be forbidden β and yet itβs exactly what I feel. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 47 βΏβββ’β¦ Orlaiβs POV A week and a half after Planet Apastron was destroyed βLike I said, Iβm just the therapist,β Anya sits straight, on a perfect, fluffy white couch, hands folded on her lap, over a pencil skirt, and cute black blouse, while she smiles at me, on the adject fluffy pink couch, and the giant purple unrestrained Kor, on the opposite beige couch, facing me. A compact coffee table separates all three of us, with a vase of plastic flowers. With a warm smile and a gentle disposition, lovely Anya lights two candles, handing the goji spice to me and the vanilla bean to Arcturus. I was wearing a white dress, nothing special, with my hair recently washed. I look over the giant torturer holding the petite candle and Iβm worried what heβs thinking about that enticing flame. Arcturusβ deep galactic purple skin was recently washed from all the grime that had accumulated for one and a half weeks while captive on Dangerβs hijacked ship. But the intergalactic alliance reclaimed that vehicle this morning and quickly went to work in fixing intergalactic ties with the most powerful species in the universe; the Kors. So the captor of my senses, Arcturus, was released from his prison of Elion chains, which I think the Kors didnβt even know humans had in storage, because it managed to keep him contained without hindrance. Nor had I helped him. But he was promptly freed by the government and given everything he could want to feel pampered and happy again. Last but not leastβ¦ we were experiencing protocol. And for some reason I was dragged in here to face it. βJust so you understand,β Anya speaks to me mostly, βOrlai, you donβt have to say a thing if you donβt wish. Iβm just here to advise peace, love and forgiveness. To officially commence that. To put all grievances behind us. That being said. Now is the time for talk. Arcturus,β she turns to him, but this whole time heβs looking at me. I donβt dare look at his eyes, the most Iβve done is assessed his skin, his soft white pants, bare torso and hyper-wrist with every ET portal jump logged on, a new gift from Earth. They were giving him everything he wanted. Which means they knew exactly who he was and what he was capable of. βOrlai,β Anya turns to me, as Arcturus said nothing at all, not even an acknowledging noise or motion of some kind, βNow is the time to release your feelings in a safe place.β βA safe place?β I finally speak in a quiet whisper after vowing not to, just like him. I keep a timid hold of the candle as I catch Anyaβs eye, βArcturus is an unrestrained predator. He tried to melt my bones down and drink my soulβ¦ how am I safeβ¦β βIβm so glad you brought that up, Orlai,β Anya is right on it, βYouβre alive right now, arenβt you? He is unrestrained, as you said. But youβre alive. We all are. You are safe. Kors are older than this universe, you can trust in their honour codes, and he is honouring the peace weβve offered backβ¦ thisβ¦ right hereβ¦ right nowβ¦ is to avoid war. Has he ever lied to you?β βNo, never,β I whisper this admission, glancing to Arcturus β his body moves in the slightest fashion. Anyaβs are eyes immediately drawn to his rippling body, responding in some way to the counselling session, finally, even if it was a simple shift of his hip and knee further toward me. βDo you have something to say, Arcturus?β Anya whispers. Of course, he says nothing, βOh, I know what I did, I forgot the water, silly me, of course, of course,β Anya jumps up, βHave a minute to yourselves, Iβll be right back my beautiful peace honouring creatures.β As she scampers off, I keep holding the candle like I can toss it at Arcturus if he tries anything funny. We hear the door seal shut on the way out. Arcturus puts down his candle, and I finally glance up to his metal deep orbs for eyes. I only feel comfortable interacting with him alone, anyway. No one could understand or truly navigate this intensity between us, no one but us. βPeace and honour,β I murmur, βYou agreed to this?β βFor a price,β Arcturus finally speaks, βI leave. With you. Because I want you, Orlai.β That makes my pussy melt on the spot. He was too good at it. I tuck my feet under me, clutching a pillow to my side. I look away for a small moment. βPlanet Apastron is dust,β I change the topic, which was my plan if he was to bring up us. βWe have residences all around the galaxy,β Arcturus drawls off, βIβm taking you away, Orlai.β βWhere?β βWherever I go,β Arcturus voice drops, βYou come with me.β βIβm back!β Anya barges in hurling over a jug and cups of water. She fills one up for me in a panic, and then one for Arcturus. He grabs her wrist before she can move past, and she pauses, βAh β what are you β?β βI leave. With whatβs mine and what I need,β Arcturus explains, a hypnotic drawl that has her knees giving away as he trails a hand over Anyaβs frightened cheek. Sheβs not frightened for long, because she moans, forgetting the world as she struggles to kiss him as he tempts her lips but doesnβt initiate anything. Itβs hard to watch when Arcturus holds her throat in his grasp, keeping her at bay as he easily pushes her back into the couch, moving over her slight form. I leap up, preparing to stop this Kor hunt. I watch with clenched fists, one around the candle as he looks up at me as sheβs writhing beneath him, simply intoxicated by his pheromones. I shouldnβt be surprised, she seemed like a Light Nine β and they were hypersensitive to erotic experience. Arcturus eyes the candle I hold as a weapon and he looks bemused as he smiles with all his fangs, βIf you do anything, care to join us, naughty human?β he laughs at the look on my face, as he grins and he moves with perfect grace down into her neck β finding her tender spot and biting down hard, crushing everything. Sheβs dead. I throw the candle at him, and it bounces off his back, spilling wax all over him. He doesnβt react. Arcturusβ drinks her dry like a lion, while I watch the red wax dry on his skin. Useless. βThereβs no way anyone agreed to this β our government wouldnβt sacrifice one of our own,β I plead with him to tell the truth, as her body evaporates to star dust. I feel sick as her beauty in a grey and silver powder covers the couch, a last reflection. I canβt even run. I fall back on the couch as Arcturus moves off from his casual snack. He looks at me with an evil glint in his eye as he leans over and snatches my wrist up β in a hard hand, but with a gentle pull as he holds my arm between us. Arcturus picks up his candle. βYour turn, pet,β Arcturus hovers the candleβs rim over my arm, but before he spills it, he canβt help but wait for me to beg otherwise. I watch him, I donβt look away. Iβm scared and I donβt want to feel it. But I wonβt beg and pander to his sickness either. I know what he can do to me β but itβll be his choice alone. He gets my submission and defiance in one neat package. Arcturus glances his cruel eyes back to the candleβ¦ and he hesitates, lowering the flame as it flickers out with his will. βTo peace,β Arcturus growls, standing up and hauling me close as he moves back away from the furniture, making some room for us. He jerks me into his front and I sprawl out against him, my wrist still captive but my arm unharmed. He chose not to hurt me. Deep inside, Iβm very happy about that. βArcturus, what do you want from me?β I ask him meekly, but I know he understands the value of my question. Arcturus stares right down at me, blinking slow, absorbing the softness of my body as I lean into him, giving him myself to protect. I justβ¦ I liked leaning into this cruel Kor. It was completely illogical but he was so hard, and so hot, and so steady like a rock, especially when I was near. He was careful with my breath. As long as we werenβt dancing. Arcturusβ hands find their way under my dress and he lifts me up quickly, higher than his torso, above his shoulders, he hovers me all the way above him, holding the backs of my thighs with one arm. I rest my hands on his wide shoulders, staring down at him. βWhat do you wish for, Orlai?β Arcturus narrows his eyes, throwing the question back at me. My heart nearly halts. Oh, no. I know what that offer meant. When Kors started to offer you everything. He wanted me. As a mother to β I whisper, βArcturus. I β Iβm mated to Alpha Centauri. And I vowed to never have children again after that ordeal. The stress will kill me. And just being a mother, I love Danger so much it kills me how much I worry for his safety.β βToo soon?β Arcturus growls, annoyed by it, but changing his mind in an instant, βLetβs go home, venom slut.β He places me back on my feet, letting me go from his hold. No. Perhaps he sees the look in my eye. At first itβs an insult to me. Until I realiseβ¦ heβs respecting my wishesβ¦ No more kids. But my torturer was keeping my body. Arcturus moves around me, while Iβm left shell shocked. Itβs my choice if I want that relationship. I stay where I am as he approaches an ET portal in the back closet of this counselling room. I spin around and carefully walk closer to see him standing there, waiting for me at the portal to anywhere. With a sly smile back at me, Arcturus drawls, βI have time, Orlai,β he walks through a second later. Time. All of time. He can move on in an instant. He has an eternity of lovers. Iβm just one. My whole heart tugs me toward the dangerous metallic Kor, protesting the distance. I should want to stay right here, but I donβt want to lose him. Even though heβs letting me go β itβs exactly why I want him. Arcturus. I canβt hold myself back. Arcturus and my Estori were two of many adventures beyond the ET horizon. I just had to leap. Maybe I had to forgive too. I follow, my heart strings physically tugging me forward. Deep down, I didnβt want anywhere else in the universe to be my next destination. I belonged with the Kors. Thatβs where I pledged my body and my breath. Me movingβ¦ I am in pursuit nowβ¦ of my own dreams. I didnβt want to run anymore from the big bad monsters. I wanted to love them. Why not indulge a little in the Kor Gods of this universe? They were the ultimate lovers. They were forever. And I could never go back. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 48 βΏβββ’β¦ Dianaβs POV Dark Ninth Alpha Centauri flies me over the Kor prison on Dark Ninth, to the other side of the Elion planet. Itβs a detour. I donβt question it. I just watch the landscape pull away beneath us, slowlyβ¦ and growingβ¦ larger. Until Iβm utterly numb with the hidden beauty, sparkly from end times. We fly to the other half of the planet. The Estori lands his ship on top of a mega structure that I didnβt even know existed, but Iβm captivated. Weβve landed above an abandoned grand city with purple skylines, and blinking lights through the mist of an empty metal oasis. On top of a pyramid like structure that zig zagged above the landscape, is a palace reaching into the heavens. Itβs a mega Elion city. The fauna has not grown up here, as if it canβt, but lights blink over the corners of the structures. Empty. On standby. For something. The creepy part? Nobody is here except the Kors. But clearly a long time ago, Fey lived here too. Itβs the best view from the very top of the tallest pointed structure. The ship docks and the ramp lowers, while Alpha Centauri is keenly aware I canβt steal my gaze from the secret city. I was Empress of this place. The only female. It is very morbid. Knowing what it once was. Thinking about what they did six destinies ago was one thing. Seeing evidence of it in an urban landscape is another feeling entirely. βThis isβ¦β I breathe in a shattered breath, βThis is the antithesis of what our Universal Board stands for. And you all bled this place dry.β βThe universe is the universe, you are baby-brained in universal wisdom compared to Kor minds β besides, youβre just a vessel to us,β Alpha Centauri sounds too honest but I do not get distracted by his attempt to change the topic to my body. I was speaking of their ethics. βCall it what you want. This is something else,β I release my anger, turning to Alpha Centauri before he can close the distance any further. He had been approaching to escort me out but now I glare at him with my tiara still adorned, but with new knowledge burning inside me, ββ¦why did you bring me here?β βNinth Squad are here,β Alpha Centauri blinks slow but doesnβt elaborate even though there is a reasonβ¦ he just wonβt tell me why theyβre here. I glare at him, waiting for a proper answer. When he becomes a typical Kor misogynist refusing to gift me with the necessary information to understand their ways, I just exhale a sharp breath and storm past him. I feel like the night gown ruins the badassery of the moment, and it kind of makes me look like a granny, so I rip it off and throw it aside as I leave the ship, stopping by a hook and a spare metallic cape for the Estori. Itβs way too big, but itβs not heavy. I whip it off the hook and put it around my shoulders. I glance over my shoulder to see the Estori holding his spear but admiring the way the Elion spider silk glitters over me. I leave the ship with his robe. On the expansive platform is a long and wide walk leading toward the palace in the distance. I walk toward what I see within. Ninth Squad. Theyβre all sitting around a conference table. Theyβre not alone. Star Squad are also here and two newcomers are already entertaining the two Kor squads. Arcturus is showing off Orlai, as he has her laid out on the table, drinking from her neck and slow fucking her to orgasmic heights at the same time. Itβs not animalistic, itβs a show, pure and simple. Orlai is convulsing in pleasure, while the others are either salivating or discussing something important at the same time. I just shake my head. Apparently sex on platforms was a Kor trait, since they loved showing off their women intimately. Alpha Centauri had been casually trailing me, but at the sight of his mate being an unexpected guest β he strides up to me and we enter together. βItβs not a matter of what was before,β Neptune is debating with Mars, βItβs the chaos sheβll bring if we canβt find her. We need to get our priorities straight ββ Orlai moans loudly and the Kors quieten as she climaxes hard and loud, melting into and against her Kor lover. Alpha Centauri slams his staff onto the ground and makes some of the distracted Kors jump in their seats. Even Orlai clutches onto Arcturus tighter as she opens her eyes to see us. βHello, Orlai, good to see you,β I smile at her, as she glances at me and then immediately looks scared when she sees Alpha Centauriβs menacing expression. Mars stands up as he sees me, but he doesnβt say anything. With his hair still cut short and his body draped in weird military gear β straps and things I donβt recognise β but I like very much β he comes straight for me. I smile and lift out my arms as I turn to him and we embrace while he is careful of my belly. βI hope youβre not talking about me,β I laugh as Mars drops his forehead to mine and we gaze into each otherβs eyes for a short while. βI love you, Diana,β Mars just says it bluntly, βAbout time you came around.β βAhuh,β I laugh and Mars snatches up my hand as he gets down on one knee before my big belly. βYou saw the dark,β Mars murmurs seriously, raising a brow, βGood.β βWhere is Venus? He is always missing,β I ask out of concern. Mars freezes, then he stands back up slowly, looking unsettled. I look around. The whole room loses its positive ambiance. My squad had been smiling at my return, but that all ends. Arcturus even scowls and pulls off Orlai, as he lets the blood drip down his teeth, he glares at me. Soon every eye is on me. βWhat happened to Venus,β I whisper. Was heβ¦ dead? ββ¦heβs missingβ¦ and we canβt find himβ¦β Mars admits this with frustration. βHow can a Kor go missing?β I ask, ββ¦unless itβs willingβ¦ Iβm the mother to Eβs son. And heβs gone? Iβll go into labour any day now. Is it Kor cold feet or ββ βItβs not about you this time,β Mars drawls this carefully, his hand patting down the Estoriβs robe on my shoulders, appreciating how it brings me some extra warmth. βI said Iβd convince her and by the time I came back, E would be back,β Alpha Centauri directs a heavy gaze to every Kor here, ββ¦can no one do their jobβ¦ or do I have to hunt her myself. Why canβt you find them.β βWho?β I ask, confused. Mars reaches for my tiara and takes it from my head, admiring it, βEstoria.β βYes?β βHe didnβt tell you?β Mars asks dangerously, glancing from the Estori to me, βEstoria is a rank below Empress.β I gape, while Mars places the tiara back on my head. I slowly look to Alpha Centauri with a question in my gaze. Iβm so upset I canβt even speak. βYouβre no longer the Empress,β Alpha Centauri drawls this, dead serious, βHonour codes hold us to it.β βHow you to what?β I whisper, conflicted. βTo a promise made before you,β Mars explains carefully. βWho is this new Empress?β I hiss, trying not to glare at Orlai. Surely it wasnβt her β it made no sense. βCintaβs back, Diana,β Pluto speaks, his dark voice stabbing home with the truth, βYou fell to second rank.β βItβs impossible ββ βIβll explain,β Mars promises, until heβs cut off by a smaller intruder. βNo, let me explain, dad. Iris made a mistake and trusted her ghost,β itβs a small boyβs voice, and I twist around to look behind me. I see Maelstrom on the outside as he just waltzed in β now looking like a six-year-old, wearing mock hunting gear, a miniature Mars, shyly looking up at me, βHi,β he is very bashful but Iβm furious. A week and a half away and I missed so much of his exponential growth. He looks worried that I donβt smile, but Iβm very happy β Iβm just cut open with the abrupt shock. βMaelstrom,β I whisper his name off a dry tongue and he finally bounds forward, barrelling into me and hugging my side, his hand on my belly over the robe. βBrother?β he whispers, his eyes alight. βYes. Run along for now, weβre busy,β Mars commands him, and I glare at Mars, but Maelstrom steps from me and obeys his father immediately. With quick stealth, he leaves us. My heart aches to follow him. In the new silence, Iβm heart broken I missed his childhood. I gulp but I canβt contain the fury within me. βI want that week and a half back,β I hiss this at Mars, pointing to the ground with my anger, βEarth took that from me,β I rage with my passion, appearing from nowhere. The Dark Nine soul within me gives me a feeling I thought Iβd never know. I feel fucking homicidal. I turn from all of them, hiding my anger. Not only did Earth take away that time I had from Maelstromβs formative days β but Cinta had come back from the dead and taken back the throne. I walk out of the conference room, back out to the Dark Ninth air and the purple blue sky, the night bringing me no comfort at all. I was seeing red. Estoria. Second. Another Empress. And she stole the father to my second child. She stole E. No one could find him. I am ravenous for revenge. The Kors let me seethe, until they donβt. βYou need to calm down, Diana.β I hear a snarl behind me, and when I turn, I see Alpha Centauri standing there, nostrils flaring, looking down at the trail on the floor. I follow his gaze. Drops of blood. The Estori is fucking furious with my reaction because with my rage, my body was in extreme stress. I was risking the baby. The blood scares me enough into releasing my clenched fists and tension in my core. I let out a shaky breath. βVenom,β Alpha Centauri commands me with one word. I nod and he moves in for me, while I turn my neck and look back up at the sky β in no mind for romance, βYou canβt hunt like this,β he drawls with his fangs scratching down my neck, over my pulse, βIβll help this baby come first β and Orlai will help you deliverβ¦ youβll be ready for me then.β I look back at him, no longer arching my neck, as I glare into the Estoriβs dark eyes, βSex is the last thing on my mind right now ββ βYouβll be ready for your first hunt, puny human,β Alpha Centauri slowly smiles at my confusion, βBecause only you can kill the Empress. And I will help you.β I didnβt expect to hear that, but itβs the one thing that calms me down. βI will,β I promise. βOr sheβll kill you β and all Iβll get is a corpse, I donβt like my meals cold, your soul belongs to me warm, donβt forget it β you either go out cold, or go out fighting me,β Alpha Centauri slowly smiles, βI wonβt let you escape that destiny, Diana. For that weβll hunt her together.β He had to let his sick side out at a time like this. But he could also just beβ¦ totally and deadly serious. Just when I think we are making progress, he reminds me of the day itβll all change. βEven now you speak of my death,β I whisper, βYou should write poetry about your appetite, Estoriβ¦ youβre out of control.β Alpha Centauri puts his hand up to my hair, pulling my head to the side as he happily sinks his deep fangs into my neck, gifting me venom β and having a drink himself. I feel him. But heβs not out of control. Heβs very much in control β stopping himself, always withholding from the hunt of me. Alpha Centauri wants it, but he wants me more. A small heart thing, winning over the drive. For some reason, I had his loyalty because of that one feeling he had for me. It was nonsensicalβ¦ but I was alive. It teaches me something as his sharp teeth leave my neck and he moves back to the others, while I turn and gaze off at the moons. The wound heals itself. The venom makes me placid but not too drowsy. My muscles relax. I look for a seat and in that moment, I see shadows crowd all around me. I look up to see Ninth Squad coming around me, giving me their attention. βItβs time to lie down,β Mars suggests, popping up behind me. βYour comfort, Diana,β Jupiter adds. βWe need you working for the next time,β Mercury gives me a nice smile and a wink. They all lookβ¦ nice. Which means this situation with Venus is very bad. Neptune wonβt even meet my eye, keeping his arms crossed, looking away, his stealth failing with his deep concern winning over his faΓ§ade of strength. One thing is certain. Theyβre relying on me to take on Cinta for whatever reason. Maybe her spell on them was too much after destinies of her mind-fucking, total domination and natural allure. And me? I was free of her poison. So I had the best chance. Well. First I had to deliver this baby. Then I had to save Eβs ass. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 49 βΏβββ’β¦ Dianaβs POV My stress and my threatened-position as Empress with the Kors may have done the trick β minutes later it broke my waters and I was officially in labour. Iβm taken to an indoor bedroom the size of a damn field, Iβm laid out on a weirdly comfortable warm and moss covered rock while Orlai holds my hand. Alpha Centauri and the others mix their venom together for the potion Iβll need, and I get it in a vial. The second time is much easier. And Iβm awake for it. Orlai delivers the baby, and little E β Diasphora. He is laid out on me while his eyes peel open, and I just quietly look at my second sonβs soulful eyes. Itβs not one colour but everything, and he stays on me for a half hour before finding the strength to crawl away, stealthing and disappearing. Meanwhile, I wait for the venom to wear off, while Orlai stays at my side. The Kors had actually given us women some privacy for once, although you could never really know if one of them was spying and invisible. I just choose to believe we are alone for this moment. βYouβre a very calming presence, Orlai,β I compliment Orlai as she leans against my side of the rock-bed, wrapped in a robe of her own. βYouβre very strong going through that a second time,β Orlai murmurs back, βI couldnβt do that again.β βThe venom made it easy. Do you feel safe now, Orlai?β I ask her, βAnd are you focused? Or Kor-sex drunk?β βVery focused now, actually,β Orlai sits up a bit more, her human eyes twinkling, βIβm starting to trust Arcturus.β βWhat about your Estori?β I ask. βWeβre broken beyond repair,β Orlai looks away, whispering with clear hurt, βItβs over between us.β βBut youβll always be mates.β βMaybe,β Orlai looks back at me, whispering, βI donβt know β anything must be possible if you and I are alive, Diana. I think there is something about us that makes them want to keep us around. Us mere mortals.β βI hope we get a happy ending,β I whisper, βBut I donβt know if my instincts agree with such a simple answer.β βWhat do you feel?β βLike Cinta is going to fuck up everything,β I admit. βAre you strong enough to fight her?β ββ¦Iβm worriedβ¦ more worried, about what sheβll sayβ¦β I whisper, βIf she is so evil, so manipulative β to have crushed the Kors for destiniesβ¦ Iβm sure our confrontation will beβ¦ something, thatβs for sure.β βGood luck, Diana,β Orlai sighs as she looks behind her, and I follow her gaze. Alpha Centauri and Mars have approached, along with the rest of the Kors. Mercury comes forward and lays out armour for me. I sit up and see the full suit, the colour of the moon, to cover every inch of skin from the chin down, and looking more electric than solid β itβs spider web is so thin itβs hard to figure out if itβs a lump of cobwebs when lying on the covers. I move over and pick it up, and itβs sturdy in my hands. I slip into it, and I pull it up. It wraps around my skin like a second layer. My Fey altered body has brought my shape back to normal β I do feel like a vessel when Iβm primed to breed again already, but I try not to think about how weird my new body is. The silver silk covers me and I know it matches the tiara. I look to the silent Kors, βMy weapons?β βYou wonβt need any this time,β Alpha Centauri holds his spear a little tighter, βBut you will lure her out, you will challenge her, and with your command as Estoria, I can kill her. I am your weapon, Diana.β I didnβt know Kors could make themselves my weapon. Thatβs kind of hot. Your Hunters. Your Guardians. Your Weapons. What more could they be for a woman? I must look impressed because Ninth Squad are trying not to laugh. βAre you ready?β Mercury puts a hand to my cheek and I turn in to him. He misses E, I know it. Heβs worried about him. I hold his wrist as I gaze up into his metallic eyes. βLetβs get your brother back.β **** I wish it was a hunt. But it isnβt. Iβm here, Iβm centred inside the Kor Prison β and the bitch is waiting for me out in the open. I havenβt walked two paces into the place before I see her leaning against the nearest pillar. Sheβs dressed in tattered clothes. I do not sense that E is near. I think Cinta is here on her own, and she doesnβt look well. Her blue skin is pale with sickness, and her eyes weep β but not with tears. Did E poison her? Has he been hunting her himself? Possibly. βYou finally came,β Cinta addresses me, her voice croaky. Well, so much for a fight. βWhat the hell happened to you?β I ask, βFor a corpse whoβs still standing.β βWhat are we fighting for, Diana?β Cinta changes the question. Iβm surprised how normal she sounds, how normal she looks, aside from the illness clearly affecting her. Even her hair is unwashed. I came here wearing the best Kor armour they could gift, with 18 Kors shadowing me in Stealth, with Alpha Centauri pledged to be my weapon in the fight β and I get a sick Fey girl. She doesnβt look like an Empress to me. I walk forward a few steps and come to a stop over a path of moonlight, βLet me make this quick, Cinta. I am here to avenge Iris for her murder. I am also here to take my place. I am the rightful Empress. For that β since you crawled back out of death β Iβm here to reacquaint you with the veil you escaped from.β There, the truth is out β I have nothing to hide. Now itβs her turn to spill out all her deepest darkest thoughts and just admit what she wants. βAn Empress of what? And for how long?β Cinta wheezes out a breath and in another, as she smiles for me, looking me over, βYouβve done well to last this long as an Empress they clearly respect. If you really want to be an Empress so bad, I can tell you, itβs not all itβs cracked up to be.β She looks like she might collapse, so I get in quick, telling her straight, βIβm also here because youβre terrible and evil β and you enslaved and tortured the Kors.β βThey lied to you,β Cinta whispers, chuckling, ββ¦because oh, Diana, Galactic Queen, those sick beings, they enjoyed the game I played with them. Me. And my High Ladies.β βYou crossed many lines but the last line was the one you crossed with Venus. You covered him in scars. You slowly tortured him, assuming heβd die. Do you deny what you did?β βNow I get to inform you,β Cinta snaps now, finding some strength to raise her voice, as she attempts not to hunch over in pain, βIt wasnβt what I did to E that got me killed, it was what I knewβ¦ and he never told them that I knew because it would bring him such shame to have been broken by someone like meβ¦ what I got him to admit to me, Dianaβ¦ during that brilliant torture, he told me their secret. The secret they tell the dead. The secret that dies with their meals. And when you know theyβre secret, youβll applaud me for using any method to find it.β βWhat secret?β I ask her direct and use all my will power not to turn around for reassurance. Cinta seems willing to tell me, βDiana, listen very carefully. They donβt hunt for sustenance. They hunt out of curiosity, and a strange fun you canβt understand β nor I. Because theyβre not the same as us.β I raise a brow. That was obvious. Not really a brand-new fact. I tell her what I think, βI think youβre bluffing. I donβt think there is a big, grand secret. I think you know, when we fight, Iβm going to win ββ βI can win this fight with a word, Diana,β Cinta snarls. Her snarl echoes and I almost flinch with the surety in her. βSo, one word is all itβll take to win against me?β I ask, βThen why donβt you say it, why do you delay it?β βBecause Iβm explaining myself first. Iβm doing you a favour. This is what is going to happen next. Iβll tell you the wordβ¦ and then youβre going to runβ¦ and if you canβt escape them, youβre not worthy of being an Empress. Because once you know their secret, they wonβt play with you, Diana, theyβll kill you without hesitation,β I donβt know what to say. I wait. Cinta pushes off the wall, still sickly, she now paces with a limp, calmly murmuring to me across the distance, βYou need meβ¦ and Iβm going to mentor you right now, whether you believe my ways were cruel or not. The stars told me they did not have a dark side, but a connection to conflict. When Venus admitted to me, what that conflict is, even I did not guess such a ending to our mutual play.β She sounds rather sombre. Whatever the secret is, or the so-called conflictβ¦ I meanβ¦ what could it be? What did it mean? βI think you just want attentionβ¦β I try to sound strong, since Iβm representing them, but the doubt is clear in my words. For some reason, I am almost starting to believe her. Cinta looks at me with pity, as she absorbs the doubt as I lean toward her. βWhat kind of Universal Board members, get away with planetary genocide of an entire species, Diana,β Cinta talks over me, βThey made the Fey extinct. My beautiful women.β βFey were evil at heart.β βNo,β Cinta answers too quickly, too sure, only to go quiet again, letting me sweat in this conversation that I had no idea how to respond to β because she wasnβt ending it. βNow you listen to me. Unless you tell me the secret right now, I donβt believe you have any kind of one-word victory. And Iβm done talking to you,β I demand her to stop the talking incessantly in circles, only to make me doubt myself, βI think youβre a liar, youβre bluffing, and you have no special secret.β βOkay, itβs slightly more than a single word,β Cinta holds up her hands, coming to a stop, βAnd to be fair, Diana, I donβt care if they kill me, I wanted them here to hear what I have to say. I just want them to hear me ruin you.β Now the hate and jealousy comes in. Ahuh, thereβs the bitch they described. Sheβs cracking and the vile hate for me is finally coming out. I smile, as I say, and cocky too, βThen just fucking say it.β Cinta inhales a big breath and tells me, βA billion years ago, species like yours existed just in different parts of the universe, in other, younger galaxies. Back then, the landscape was different. There was a huge intergalactic war with Elions that ended with Kors saving the day for all of us. Kors not only won the battles but understood Elion tech, the Kors took over four prominent Elion planets used as weapons β Dark Ninth, Apastron, Vious and Magentiz. Peace reigned. Empathetic species, all subspecies, grew. All because of our Kor heroes. Now I will tell you the secret word, Diana. Elion. Can you tell me why?β I want to jump right on it. My lip curls upβ¦ but I have no idea. My Enhanced Instincts? Are silenced. What did she just reveal to me? Why did I miss it? She must see my confusion. Because I knew all thatβ¦ she said nothing newβ¦ just a secret wordβ¦ βMy species is extinct, Diana,β Cinta says quietly, and in this moment, I see remorse written all over her features. She failed her species. I also notice a certain shift in the room behind me. I shake my head slowly. I focus on Cinta as she tells me, βYou incubated a little Mars β a creature with none of your DNA. He is 100% Kor.β I just stare at her. βYou were a vessel.β I know all this. But every time I breathe, she keeps dropping hints as her eyes scan the room, sensing the shift also. βYouβre not sustenance,β Cinta drops another hint, but really sheβs just repeating herself. I donβt know what she wants from me. βAnd youβll never understand them.β Because the secret word wasβ¦ No. Is sheβ¦ Wait. Is she seriously implyingβ¦? No. No, she canβt be. It wasβ¦ almost too obvious. βA few more lies. Theyβre not Gods. Youβre not an Empress. Youβre not their food. What you are, Diana, is interesting. Youβre just interesting to them. I was also interesting to them. Theyβre very curious.β βElion,β I whisper the word, to try it on my tongue. Cinta nods, βThey are Elion, Diana.β βThe enemy,β I whisper, breathlessly, almost feeling like Iβm going to faint. βYes, Diana, theyβre the enemy, posing as an ally, theyβve been learning all about us and pretending to be like us β Elions are not empathetic, they want to wipe us out, they just figured out they need to do it from the inside β theyβre learning how to fake loving you ββ Cinta doesnβt last much longer when a cutting noise through the air follows the screw topped spear thatβs just been launched through her. βMy weaponβ launched without a command. My blood runs colder than ever. I look as the weapon slams right through her middle, Cinta goes flying back into the wall, pierced by the screw spear β sheβs dead. I slowly turn around. Ninth Squad and Star Squad are looking right at me, spread out. Iβm in their middle of their sights, Iβm centered between two Kor Squads. Venus is back. On the outskirts, looking fine, like he just teleported in. I canβt smile, because itβs not going to be a very good outcome for me now, is it? It doesnβt help that they donβt look very happy. Some kind of spell, some kind of reality-based game they were playing with me, is broken in this moment. The game I always suspected. I donβt know them. Are mates even a real thing? Two things separate me from them. I get a shock as a flash of a stealthing Kor child, appears in front of me, holding out his arms, as he spins to face Mars and Alpha Centauri. Theyβre fronting it all, looking emotionless as they look over me. While Maelstrom is pitted between us, Diasphora appears to climb my leg, and I bend over to scoop the newborn baby up to my middle, cradling him with both arms. Maelstrom must have brought his brother to me. He came to help me. βDonβt hurt mother,β Maelstrom demands, asking Mars, βPlease.β βSheβs a Moon to us, boy,β Alpha Centauri drawls, confidently and calmly to the child, βSheβs not going anywhere.β I wish I could sigh with relief. βBut is it true?β I snap out the question, knowing it is, but wanting to hear it from them. I focus my sight on Mars. He doesnβt exactly answer. βDiana,β Mars murmurs quietly, βLetβs return to our new home, you need to rest.β No, no, no, no, no. Donβt do this to me now. Donβt deny me an answer. But Iβve changed fundamentally after what she said because I will not beg for it. For it to just be confirmed. Because if itβs trueβ¦ and it is trueβ¦ I β βDiasphora,β Venus calls out to his son, and my baby smiles and looks over at his father. The Estori approaches me, as Diasphora crawls down me and runs to Venus. Maelstrom looks to Alpha Centauri, confused with whatβs going on. I say nothing as the Estori rounds me, sliding his hand over the small of my back, preparing to escort me out. I walk forward with him, sealing my lips shut. βGet my staff, boy,β Alpha Centauri asks Maelstrom. I walk with the Estori, refusing β utterly refusing to speak to Elions. Not until they fucking admitted it to me. And right now? All Iβm getting is a silent escort. Even from Alpha Centauri, that arrogant fuck who couldnβt keep his mouth shut. He is silent now with me. So I know the truth. And it changes everything. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 50 βΏβββ’β¦ Dianaβs POV I am returned to their Mega Elion City on Dark Ninth. Not a conquered city, or overthrown β but always theirs since the beginning. The silence on the ride back on the spaceship was ominous. They wanted to breed me β but why would I want to breed with Elionsβ¦? The reason Elions were so different was what they were in nature, parasites. All parasites were enemies to the subspecies, those who could breed with each other, due to the universe creating human-like creatures all over. We were allies for our likeness and understanding of one another, with small differences. All Elions had a purpose to kill us. Friends wasnβt in their vocabulary. It was them or us. That was the accepted end goal from what we learned in history. To wipe us out completely. Cinta suggested she found out they were doing that from the inside, learning to fake love. Infiltrating the Universal Board β becoming our deepest allies and respected to the coreβ¦ then to kill us all? Eventually? Well shit, it was a billion-year plan and still unfolding. In this scenario being a Dark Nine should give me answers. It ironically helps that Iβm low-key being treated as a prisoner. When we arrived back I was not free to roam, oh no, but I wasnβt guarded either. I was just put away, in a nice-ish holding room with a view. I was in that structure that looked like a palace, on top of the zig zag pyramid in the centre of the city, but who knows what this place meant to them, or if it was even a city in the first place. Everything about Elions was abnormal and unnatural and strange. Which means everything about them, was pretend. And you know what? That sits right with me. Because it was the weird truth. So was Cinta dead-on? Why didnβt they deny her allegations? Why did I feel at peace with the answerβ¦ I should not be at peace with this truth. I am inside a small room with a nice view of the empty city. I sit on a carved out bench, staring at a wall with engravings everywhere. Engravings that reminded me of Apastron. The walls and floor could be sandstone but I know itβs not, itβs some other weird material. After all the bombshells, I feel open to whatβs next. Thatβs all I feel. That and not being scared. I thought Iβd be terrified. Iβm not. Maybe I should be? But I canβt logically think my way out of this. I was a creature of feeling and intuition. Because that feeling was never wrong, and logic thoughts could be. My silly roundabout thoughts are halted by a presence. The stone door that was shut on me, is edged open, and I look over to see Mars slipping through, holding a bag of donuts β and an ice coffee in the other hand. He looks hopeful, and guilty. He comes in comfortably naked, no Elion gear on him. I prefer him like this. And I canβt help but half smile at the peace offering. βOh, itβs all okay now,β I whisper to Mars, βGive me that.β I reach out a hand and Mars meets my eye with a softness I trust. He gets down on one knee next to my seat, where I sit with my legs crossed. Mars puts the food down next to me and the drink straight into my palm. His large sexy hand falls on my knee, as he watches me drink from the straw, and rummage for a strawberry glazed donut. I wish I could look down my nose at him, but even kneeling weβre pretty much eye level. At least he triedβ¦? βMm Mmm, itβs good,β I state my admission as he silently watches me β and itβs honestly making me horny. He looks needy. I like it. Butβ¦ I have to be careful. I flutter my knee and Mars removes his hand, grabbing the stone instead and waiting for more. I mean, Iβm not the one who needs to explain here. He was ageless. Not even born in this universe. He should explain. So, I say nothing, I just watch him and read him. As best as I can. The funny thing is, Mars is doing the exact same thing to me, heβs just watching me, his eyes unable to pull away from my own stare. Is there light in those dark orbs? Hmm, Iβm not really sure. I finish eating half a donut and drinking half the iced coffee before I admit to him. βI believe it,β I speak first yet again, breaching the topic, as I slowly put down the iced coffee, ββ¦youβre really Elionβ¦β Mars nods once, a bit, because he kind of tilts his head at the end, confusing me, ββ¦your appetite is strangely specific,β I add, βMothers of yourβ¦β demon spawn. I almost say it, but I canβt. I canβt speak of my sons like that, I loved them, and I canβt do it. I hesitate and Mars sees my struggle. He slides his hand over mine. βTheyβre ours, Diana,β Mars corrects me, βI am assuming since you accepted the giftβ¦ youβre ββ βNo,β I cut him off, βIβm not okay. I have questions and youβre not going to answer them, Mars, you have this look in your eyeβ¦β like heβll never betray his own. βSo do you, Diana,β Mars snarls a little bit at me, feisty, damn, and daring to sound sexy as he drawls his own frustration at me. βI accept the situation,β I breathe in a large breath, before I exhale it, sighing, looking longingly at the window, βCan I just leave the room already or ββ βNo,β Mars answers so quick, I glare right back at him and snatch my hand from his. Itβs the second time I reject his touch. I hold the back of my hand, where he touched me, with my other hand, rubbing away the otherness. I hope he feels weird. Mars stands up and walks aggressively to the window, turning around and pacing back to the door, looking a little concerned. Pussy denied? Heh. Yeah, Mars, you worry! βThank you for the food and the drink,β I try to break the ice anyway, βI just donβt like being lied to.β βNone of it was false,β Mars drops his tone, sounding menacing now. I shut my lips as he stops pacing and turns that heated glare on me, βNone of it was lying to you. I feel things for you. You call it love. We call it fenderianimpulsane.β Ah β da β fe β what? βCare to translate?β I blurt. βI canβt,β Mars smiles at me, βLove canβt be translated to us either. I only think I know what it means.β I gulp. At least heβs talking to me now. βIs your experience in reality really that different to us?β I ask. βYes,β Mars nods, βBut I doβ¦β he gulps as he tries to explain, truthfully, using language that can never be truthful to him or accurate, βI feel β impulsane. The fenderian.β Ahβ¦ hmm? Heβs making sounds I donβt even understand. My brain feels tickled though. βOkay,β I hold up a hand, and raise both my brows as my eyes go wide, βMars. I believe you feel the fen-ri-something-pul-sen for me. I know itβs true. Whatever that means.β Mars smiles slightly now, nodding, as he starts pacing again. I watch him walk back and forward and I focus on his facial expression. You know what? Now Iβm looking for weirdness. It could just be my hyperactive imagination, but it freaks me out, as I feel like I see his expressions have tiny, tiny things about it β that just donβt make sense to human senses. I canβt even describe it but β βI do feel,β Mars turns to me from the window again, in another round of pacing. βItβs the same then, I just finally understand that Iβll never understand,β I whisper the beautiful admission. Thereβs nothing more to discuss, really. βExactly,β Mars growls to me, βItβs the same for me, Diana. It justβ¦ is.β βStop pacing, Mars,β I beg him to still, and he does, finally turning to me. I stand up and I approach him. The Elion stands still for me as he sees me reaching. I hold out my fingers, trailing my fingers down his torso and his arm, βAm I still your Empress and will you still give me anything I desire? Almost everything?β I wonder. βOhβ¦ thatβs a yes,β Mars sounds hungry, his eye on my neck, as his hand reaches for my pulse. I now stay very still as his hand encases my whole neck, just to feel my heartbeat. It feels different this time. I glance up at him, and heβs already lowering his mouth to mine. I tilt my head up, meeting him halfway. Mars kisses me hard and gifts me venom. We kiss standing separate but his fangs are threatening my lips with piercing my flesh if Iβm not careful too, so Iβm frozen with his control of the kiss, as his own tongue slides in across mine. The venom is given deeply. I feelβ¦ kind ofβ¦ both insane and wild. Mars feels that way. Mars doesnβt care about the difference in us. He cares about me. In his own obsessive way. I whimper when I realise he wants me deeply. Yes. However, in my given whimper in return, Mars smiles sharply, a menacing victory against my lips. I realise too late that heβs still hunting, when I open my vulnerable eyes to show him my submission, and he canβt help himself, trailing his fangs against cheek to my ear, asking me. βStill want it?β βYes,β itβs just a breath from me, as I close my eyes and wonder why Iβm like this. βI trained you well,β Mars then licks into my ear and my nerves go crazy, making blood rush warm and low to my womb, as I feel his cock push into my stomach, hard and sudden and oh-so-needy. I grasp the enormous Elion shaft with one hand, while he pulls back from me, βEmpress,β Mars says it with that same sharp smile, loving that the word swells inside me, feeling real. I nod, licking my lips, βI am. Now please fuck me and then let me out of this r ββ βNo,β Mars shakes his head, snarling over me, βAnything for you. But never that.β Neverβ¦ whatβ¦ my freedom? Mars kisses me again, maybe because I keep staring at his mouth and salivating thinking about itβs warmth and the way he kissed me like he owned every inch of me. His hands clasp both my cheeks and hold me tight and close, as his tongue keeps giving me more Kor venom. More free euphoria. Mars is determined to make me drunk on it. Maybe Mars doesnβt know it yet. I didnβt kiss him for the venom. Or the gifts. Or the wishes to-be-granted. I kissed him just because I β I violently gasp out of the kiss as I jerk myself back, and he gives me an inch, thankfully taking his lips from mine, his eyes just curious by my resistance. βI want you,β I tell him the truth, βI justβ¦ wantβ¦ you. Believe me.β βI want you too,β Mars admits, βTruce?β Oh, my lord, this man, I mean β oh, does it even matter?! βI didnβt know we were at war,β I groan, looking at his mouth again. Why does this have to be anything other than us finding something we want, together. βShhβ¦ deliciousβ¦ puny human, mineβ¦ you are mine, youβre mine Diana,β Mars growls continuously as he lowers his lips to mine again, still growling in this possessive kiss, keeping me quiet, silent. He didnβt want me to worry. Not about us. He might not be able to promise any loyalty beyond me. Like to my species. But I know for me and just me β at least β he means it. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 51 βΏβββ’β¦ Orlaiβs POV Diana had returned from the Kor Prison, escorted by the Kors to a holding cell. I had witnessed it from afar as I had been walking around the Kor Hold itself, which is what this palace was called. Arcturus told me, and then I was left alone here while I used my senses in boredom to find a storage facility full of dresses. Every kind you can imagine, in every colour of the spectrum. They came with matching jewellery and crowns and it reminded me of playing dress up as your favourite zodiac. I went through the assortment while alone and chose a purple dress, with a crown and amethyst jewels, along with special earrings, a huge purple rock for the necklace, among other accessories. I looked in the mirror as I was now decked out in Arcturusβ deep metallic purple. The top part is separated from the waist by crisscrossing fabric. Itβs very, very nice. I might not look like a warrior Empress, but I do feel like a princess of some kind. And I was worried deep inside β so a little bit of dress up couldnβt hurt. After Diana was locked away and the Kors were quiet amongst one another, Alpha Centauri had averted his eye from her cell and found mine, seemingly by complete accident. He wasnβt looking for me, but he is the first to see me in the far distance, peeping around a thick pillar in the darkness of the mega sized hall beyond. I looked to his spear and saw the blood coating the weapon, and I figure Cinta is dead. But the Estori keeps looking at me and I start to feel things. I turn and swiftly walk down to a different area. There was a blue room off the corridor that had metallic blue walls and a screen high above showing the last of Apastron. Scattered metallic clouds of destruction. Danger had actually destroyed the planet of his father, and that made me very worried, but I also couldnβt help but try not to roll my eyes at his extreme rescue attempt of his mother; aka me. He didnβt inherit that inclination to risk from me, that was from Alpha Centauri. I wait for Arcturus in here, knowing he will come for me first. He and I had an understanding. Arcturus was exceptionally blunt in his Kor needs, and I was exceptionallyβ¦ flexibleβ¦ and giving. I had no complaints and neither did Arcturus. We had a special chemistry. When we bonded we both reached maximum heat. He was like a sex god, and I was just receiving the gift of his attention. But Alpha Centauriβ¦ wellβ¦ I had not confided in Diana my true feelings, I did not acquire the time to do so, but my thoughts were wired with worry for one concern above all the rest. Jealousy. Kors did not feel jealousyβ¦ notβ¦ really? Or they shouldnβt. Especially with members of their own squad. But when we had been dancing, and Arcturus and Alpha Centauri bit either side of my neck… I felt I was mere moments from melting away forever. Not from their desire to execute me. But an accident on their part. I had believed it was from Arcturus and Alpha Centauri trying to somehow out-do one another, with both their fangs in me, their venom pulling me under and drowning me in both their possessive needs. But it was too much from both of them. Honestly. I just wish Alpha Centauri would leave me alone. βYou found your way to the Silks of Stars, and you choose Arcturusβ colours.β And there he is, growling at me from the other side of the room. I look over my shoulder only briefly to see the Estori on his own, no one form his squad is nearby β although how could I tell if Arcturus isnβt right there too, stealthing, listening to every word. Maybe my first mate is counting on it. βGo away,β I tell Alpha Centauri weakly, with pain heavy in my heart, as I hold his eye for seconds longer than I should. I turn to the wall and trail my nervous fingers over the engraving I pretend to care about. There was nothing to talk about. Nothing to say. There was no reason for him to β βI think itβs beautiful on you regardless.β His drawl is a lot closer, after approaching me silently. I let out a heavy sigh and turn into the wall as I face Alpha Centauri, as he continues to hold his spear at his side, looking me over with arrogant assessment. Even though he complimented me, he is cold in his gaze as he doesnβt bow to me. βYour colours look better on the Empress,β I explain, submissively. βAll our colours should look good on her,β Alpha Centauri murmurs quickly and a bit too aggressively. βHow did the confrontation go?β I ask, looking to the spear, βYou killed her?β βIt didnβt go well, Diana knows things she shouldnβt, and Venus lied to us,β Alpha Centauri murmurs this honestly, in a low tone, for only my ears, and I hear his concern, βWe had no idea Cinta had certain information.β βAnd what did Venus lie about?β βHe broke a code,β Alpha Centauri explains, ββ¦a code of aeonic silence. And now, due to our miscalculation of setting Diana against Cinta, our new Empress cannot live long with the information sheβs acquired. Iβll be honest with you, little dove. Diana is in that holding cell until her death-date β which we have not set.β βLet her out now,β I feel a fire inside me that pushes aside all passive tendencies. I lunge at Alpha Centauri with my two fists and I know they donβt hurt him but I slam both of them against his torso anyway as I jump into him, looking up into his eyes. He looks disturbed by the events passed and now curious of me. βIt was a mistake making a Dark Nine an Empress,β Alpha Centauri admits to me, so softly itβs almost an admission, ββ¦you could have been if you had stayedβ¦β I close my eyes with his words. I canβt keep it in any longer. I suck in a deep breath. βAlpha Centauri, I want you,β I lay my hands flat against him, feeling his own heart beat hard and steady, as I open my eyes, βTo tell me. Exactly what she knows.β βSo I can set both your death-days?β Alpha Centauri asks me, βI donβt think so.β I know he wonβt tell me. Not ever. Not unless I demand it. I yell up at him, βTell me! Tell me what Diana knows or I swear, honourable Estori, Iβll throw myself off the side of this ββ Alpha Centauri does not appreciate my threat, a scowl shows all his teeth as he snarls over me, giving me his heart in a second, βWe are Elion. And you will not throw yourself from anywhere, Orlai.β I feel faint in a second as I hold my breath. βYou do still love me,β I whisper it, feeling my heart thump a million miles a minute, ββ¦so itβs not pure hatred for how I escaped you the first timeβ¦?β I whisper that even quieter. βThe first time?β Alpha Centauri chuckles, βAs if there will be second chance. Females. You only wanted to know what was inside me, didnβt you?β βYouβve given me two answers,β I smile up at him, since he is now amused at the very least, βAlpha Centauri. You wonβt kill Diana. And you wonβt kill me. For knowing that silly secret.β Alpha Centauri goes strangely silent. The Kors are Elion? I donβt understand the circumstances very well. I know thatβs bad. Thatβs it, really. But what they are doesnβt concern me as much as who they are. And I think I know them alright. βYes,β Alpha Centauri speaks to me when I shuffle back a few steps and I lean against the wall, giving him space. βYes what?β I ask. The way the Estori looks at me now, is enough to make me feel warm all over. It is like Iβm the only woman alive. βYes, oh yes, I love you, my dear dove,β Alpha Centauri doesnβt mock me, he says it with eyes that burn through me as he holds my eye, βThe only reason we are forbidden to love in the first place, is we love much better than your kind ever could. I feel many things for you, Orlai. Love is the beginning.β I absorb his soul-shattering words with no words of my own in direct response to that admission. He can see it in my eyes anyway. I purse my lips and gulp down the lump in my throat. βI wonβt tell anybody your secret,β I whisper this to him. βThen maybe you can convince the Dark Nine in her cell, that she should keep that secret too?β Alpha Centauri asks, softly, βHer response was not like yours. Diana wants war.β βDid you ask her what she feels?β βNo.β βThen how do you know?β βOh, I know,β Alpha Centauri tilts his head, smirking, βItβs no matter to me if you change her mind her not, I get to hunt her either way.β βDo you love her too?β I ask it quickly, and suddenly, with no real warning. βI love that Diana is ferocious and capable for our Kor needs, but I love you more because youβre like a perpetually wounded animal, so pathetic and pitiful, I canβt take my eyes off you, Orlai,β Alpha Centauri almost looses his hold on his spear as if he might rest it aside, but his knuckles tighten back up and his expression changes. He changes from relaxed to tense. βI like that colour, little bird,β Arcturus is here. The formidable Kor stalks from around Alpha Centauri, his dark velvet metallic eyes focused on me, his expression not threatened at all. Arcturus might not match Alpha Centauriβs appetite, but he is more independent in his tastes. Arcturus focuses on me and not his Estori. Just the look in his eye makes my thighs clench, because that look is from a Kor who wants to fuck me right now, right damn hard, and at his command. However he wants it, I give it my all. βI pledged my breath to you, Arcturus,β I hold out my hand to him, and he takes it, pulling me from the wall, into his side. I focus on Arcturusβ giant strength as his hand trails down my ribs, over the silk, his lips kiss the top of my hair, and I feel the edge of his fangs as he smiles. I look back to Alpha Centauri, but heβs not watching. Heβs turned and I only see his robe floating out as he walks out without a farewell. I watch him go, unable to stop my eyes from getting watery. Arcturus brings a hand to my cheek, watching me, watching him β and not him. His finger trails down my cheek to my lips. βYou can have the King whenever you wish, Orlai, I donβt care for you like that. I would never be so weak to have you in my sights for aeons just because youβre damn near perfect. I am above feeling outward. Youβre just rather very pretty for food, and the Estori appreciates that too.β Arcturus is more animal than man sometimes. If heβs man at all. βIf you think youβre using me, Arcturus, you donβt know me very well at all,β I whisper this out loud, my eyes still focused elsewhere as I think deeply inward. βYou think you can manipulate me?β Arcturus chuckles, drawing my face toward his. I turn toward him, finally looking up into his dark gaze, βNever,β I answer him, βIβm yours. However you want. I gave up everything left in me, to you. There wasnβt much left in me anyway.β Arcturus grabs my throat, feeling my pulse, kissing me gently with a cruel and satisfied smile. I taste his venom. I feel his soul. But I wasnβt expecting this. Arcturus might just be a little jealous as well. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 52 βΏβββ’β¦ Dianaβs POV Mars clasps me around the back of my thighs and lifts me up β but as he tries to pull me closer to his Kor cockβ¦ Iβm lifted away! I watch the Stealthing Kors in the room, who all slipped in while Mars and I were colliding. Jupiter and Saturn had grabbed me under my arms and removed me from Mars. Mars was slapped in the face by Mercury, and Neptune and Uranus gave him long shameful shakes of the head. βFor fucks sake, Mars. We agreed to a cool-off period,β Terra growls to his cousin directly, standing between us, βGet out. Now. She belongs to all of us. You canβt keep fucking her first.β I kick my legs until Saturn and Jupiter drop me, and I look around at Ninth Squad, as they all turn to me and I feel their eyes roaming over me, hungry. Mars just looks rageful, but keeps it contained. βEveryone out now,β Jupiter sounds physically in pain as he says the words through grit teeth, βWe will talk again soon, Diana.β βDonβt I get a word in?β I ask, feeling tipsy on Marsβ venom as Jupiter and Saturn sit me down on the bench and watch the squad leave, escorting Mars out first. βSleep now, youβll need it,β Saturn suggests, as he pats me on the head and strides off second-last. Jupiter lingers and I sit back against the wall with my knees to my chest, reaching for him. My fingers brush the back of his palm, βTell me whatβs going on,β I whisper it, βJupiter, please. Why canβt I leave?β Jupiter scowls and smacks my hand away from him, but then simultaneously grasps it again midair, slightly bi-polar as he holds my hand so tightly itβs now crushed in his, as he looks over me, possessive as fuck. βI will protect you from the ancient honour codes,β Jupiter growls this deeply as he slowly leans down and gets closer and closer to my face, βYouβre frustrating us all, Diana, but you donβt understandβ¦β he lowers his tone considerably, so only I may hear, ββ¦we need you more than you need us, so donβt resist, let us in, trust weβll look after you, you have this power over us,β as Jupiter admits this, I feel like heβs giving me valuable advice at the same time. Iβm also blown away by his sudden-chivalry. βThank you for explaining ββ I whisper it, and Jupiter gives me one forbidden kiss, grabbing the back of my head and locking his lips to mine. I kiss him openly, but his venom overpowers me as I taste his temper and his passion and his massive ego all at once. Heβs a little bit scared too. I gasp away from his mouth as I process his spice, and Jupiter pulls back with narrowed eyes. βYou did this. Donβt be naughtyβ¦ bad Empress,β Jupiter blames me for the kiss, as he backs up, growling sharply at himself and me. I watch him go in a whirlwind as my head is dizzy and I feel slightly numb, on the way to paralysis. As the door shuts and Iβm left alone, I lie down on the bench and just close my eyes. Iβm fucking overwhelmed. One Kor was enough. Jupiter was so sweet. And fuck. I was exhausted now after all that. I just let the venom sink into me, Iβm so tired. I fall asleep as the three moons fall behind wisps of clouds beyond the window. I sleep deeply, but not for long. Perhaps an hour or two passes when Iβm woken by the door opening again. My senses were on high alert, so I react instantly. As the wind from the hall filters in, my eyes snap wide open as I turn and look to see which Kor has come to bother me again. I bet itβs Alpha Centauri. He was looking at me different lately and I had a feeling he was coming for me soon. Basically because my womb was empty. I canβt see anyone, so I look for signs of stealth but I donβt see any. Instead, Iβm pleasantly surprised as I see a curly head of hair poke into my room. Maelstrom looks toward me with a finger to his lips, little E standing on his shoulders, pointing at me and smiling. βMama,β E whispers. βShh,β Maelstrom scolds his little brother. Iβm gestured to follow, by the both of them, so I slip off the bench and quickly follow my sons out of the hold. Iβm awake now! Malestrom grabs my hand on the outside and Diasphora jumps from his shoulder to mine, clutching onto my hair and whispering into my ear, βI-oo-ga!β βI love you too,β I mouth this to Diasphora and he happily points down the hall, directing Maelstrom. We move and I trust them. Down the dark halls we eventually round sandy steps that lead upward with hot air blasting down from the sky above. We all ascend the stairs to the top of the megastructure, until weβre on the roof. βYou can run away now, mama,β Maelstrom lets go of my hand and faces me, looking awfully sad at the prospect but trying to be brave as he shuffles back, clasping his hands behind his back. I glance to Diasphora still on my shoulder and his bottom lip is wobbling uncontrollably as he says, βBug! Iβ¦ oog, mama β!β he gasps at the end as he resists with all his might not to start crying. My heart nearly rips out of my chest at his surge in emotion for such a young newborn, already standing and talking! He is just like Venus. So emotional. I take Diasphora off my shoulder and hug him tight in front of me, then I put my arm around Maelstrom and I get down onto one knee. I look up. βLetβs look at the sky, okay?β I tell them as I lie down with them. Little E stays in the crook of my arm, resting his cheek on my waist and gazing up at the night sky, while Maelstrom also jumps down and lies back, βIβll stay,β I tell them both. βWhat are we looking for?β Malestrom asks. βWhat do you see?β I ask, inquisitively, curious what he might notice about space. βStinky stars,β Mars whispers. I laugh and he laughs immediately too. βDo you think Iβm funny, mama?β he asks, hopeful of a yes. βYes,β I whisper back, βI love you so much.β βI love you, mama. Youβll stayβ¦ always?β Maelstrom asks, vulnerability seeping through, βWill dad let you ββ βIβm the Empress,β I snap back, a bit aggressive now with my surge in passion, βThe Kors do what I say.β βOoo,β Diasphora sounds worried. βYes, mum,β Malestrom agrees. I let out a big breath and I just let the warm air embrace me in the presence of my two sons. What a rare, unexpected, perfect moment. I could run away but I donβt want to. I kiss my hand and then press it to Diasphoraβs chubby cheek. He grabs and holds one of my fingers tight in his little hand, just staring at me in awe while I stare back, equally astounded. Who knew Iβd change. I donβt want to run. I want to stay. Right here. We were a family. They were my family. Alpha Centauriβs POV Later Theyβre all above. Sleeping on the top of the Kor Hold, under the stars. Instead of sounding the alarm right away, when I found her cell empty, Mars had been guarding close by and so we both went off together, sniffing her scent trail which was strong and close. I stand with Mars as we watch over Diana sleeping with Maelstrom and Diasphora cuddled into the crook of her arm. We had come looking for the escapee. The risk-heavy Empress we had to lock down to protect our ancient honour code. But Diana has us unable to move. How do you lock away a willing creature determined to stay? We watch Diana peacefully sleeping for a few minutes before Mars and I catch each otherβs eye and silently agree to leave her at peace. We turn and walk far enough away that our voices wonβt disturb the sleeping trio, but we stay on the rooftop. βShe is not a risk if she wants to be here,β I murmur. βDiana is human,β Mars reminds me needlessly, βA puny human that I adore. Do you feel that for her? Or for any of them?β He means Orlai. My silence is my answer. Mars is humoured but I have no desire to speak of my heart to the Kors. That is between me and the females Iβm curious of. I look into the purple sky instead of Dark Ninthβs horizon, over our empty city scape. βWhatever we fear the most, Mars, may hold the answer to our long-term goal of complete infiltration,β I murmur this quietly. βBut I do not fear girls, Alpha Centauri, you seem to,β Mars drawls at me, and I glare at him as he turns from me to look back at our Empress, watching her with focused attention. He loved her alright. βWe do nothing about the code, for now. My appetite is growing, Mars. I need to eat. I will pay a visit to Regalis. I have a desire to hunt something new and meaningless,β I growl my intention, βBut I wonβt have you impregnate Diana again, either. No one will impregnant the Empress until I return well fed. But Mars, if I come back and sheβs gone again, youβll lose your claim on her. Diana doesnβt belong to you anyway. Sheβs all of ours.β βMaybe you donβt have to go off-world to get your fix, Alpha Centauri,β Mars counters, feeding me new knowledge with a small smile. βWhy?β βWe think thereβs an unknown female hiding here, Pluto picked up an unfamiliar scent earlier,β Mars truly captures my attention now. I spin to face him when I was giving him my shoulder before. βHow is that possible? No one has keys to this city beyond usβ¦β I trail off as I wait for Mars to tell me itβs one of his squad who let a female in. He doesnβt. And I know itβs none of mine. Iβve eliminated all but one more who has a key, my brother. βIt must be Regalis hunting here,β Mars murmurs, but he is unconvinced, βItβs an escaped female?β βThatβs rare,β I add, my curiosity spiked further. I feel my hairs stand on end and I turn around to see a glamour fading in the air, as a Kor walks toward us. He must have heard our voices, and his name. Mars and I watch Regalis drop his stealth and a rare scowl spreads across his mouth. βHave you seen her?β Regalisβ looks maddened with jealousy just at the thought. βI donβt know who she is,β I fight back a wide grin, instead I just slyly smirk, βYou lost one, Regalis?β βSheβs still hiding then,β Regalis lowers his tone, hungry like me. βLet me guess, a puny human escaped your teeth,β I mock him, βWas this on an assignment, brother?β βMark my words, Estori β if I find my human dead, Iβm ripping off your Empressβ head,β Regalis smiles with all his teeth, and Mars almost launches at him for the sudden threat. Well shit. I hold out a hand to stop Mars flying at Regalis. My brother turns on his Stealth anyway and disappears, while I turn back to a pissed off Mars. βRelax,β I put a hand on his shoulder, βItβs not like he could take us all on and win.β I joke, and Mars actually barks out a laugh, making me laugh too. We both turn to the horizon, Iβm grinning, very amused. Regalis was something of an enigma. Any Kor who did not play the infiltration game with us, was more in tune with our basest Kor nature, which was not compatible with the subspecies. Regalis had been the most valuable asset in the wars a billion years ago. I might have led Kors into war but he did some crazy shit in the background all on his own. We didnβt get along because we were too similar, all the same. And I knew if Regalis wanted the crown of Estori he certainly had the capacity to take it from me, but he never would, because he wasnβt interested in influencing in the slightest. He was interested in hunting and that was it. Which made this strange hidden female in our city, quite the story. βWhoever this escapee is, no one is going to lay a hand on her, and thatβs a command from your Empress,β Diana speaks out loud, catching us both off guard. I look at her over my shoulder, and sheβs got a baby Venus standing on her shoulder, his bronze eyes glaring at me as he grits all his fangs. Heβs challenging me, the little shit. Maelstrom holds her hand. βWe came here to put you back in your cage, Empress,β I canβt help but tease her. βNo,β Diana challenges me without blinking, βWeβre going to find the runaway, and sheβs going to be brought to me, immediately. Regalis must obey me. I am the Kor Empress. You all get to have me, at your whim, so youβll obey me in return.β I cock a brow and look to Mars, who is fully focused on her growing strength by the day. Sheβs becoming infatuated with the power, but it hasnβt all consumed herβ¦ yet. βYou have my word,β I half smile and show off my fangs to little Diasphora as I reach for her cheek. He had been about to bite, but when he sees my larger fangs, the little baby Kor hides in a handful of her hair, still growling at me as I hold Dianaβs porcelain face, with Fey veins pulsing some extra strength through her. βIβll tell Regalis the command,β I promise her, βBut he wonβt be very happy with you.β βAll I wish, is for the human to be brought to me, another human amongst Elions,β Diana confesses her thoughts, βMaybe I can convince her to stay. Orlai and I need female support. I am not denying Regalis and the girlβ¦ whatever bond theyβve createdβ¦ for all I know she could be pregnant. I just want to meet her. If sheβs evaded the other Kors, and your brother, sheβs a Dark Nine. Probably.β I am tempted to stroke her cheek with my whole hand but I just move my thumb over her cheekbone, biting my tongue with her kids so close. I canβt say what I want. So I tell her politely, not really caring about anything else. βIβm next, Diana.β Her eyes know, darkening, and her breath pauses past her soft lips. I want the Empress wrapped around my cock. My human vessel. I wanted Diana heavy with my Kor essence. Until Diana was venom-sick. That cute strong-will of Dianaβs soul would melt away until the softest centre was bare. She had no idea how dangerous we were. What we would do. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 53 SPECIAL EDITION βΏβββ’β¦ Kittyβs POV I am in awe of the place Iβve stumbled into. I used Regalisβ ET portal and a secret key with no name, now I was in an empty city on an unknown planet. All alone. Or so I thought. I had been wandering the halls of a massive alien structure, until I saw spaceships arrive and two Kor squads moving around. I wasnβt seen simply for the fact I had been far away, gazing out a window. When I realised I stumbled into a sacred Kor place, off-grid and unmonitored, I immediately scrambled for a solution. I only had one option. Go back to the ET portal. I had a second Key for Regalisβ home world. I could have picked Earth but I didnβt trust my home world either. Panic stricken that the ET portal was too close to the Kors who had wandered into the building, I decide my only bet for now is to hide and simply wait them out. So, I donβt stay up on their level, knowing this place is massive from what Iβd witnessed so far, I choose to descend. The mega-city was massive and this was the pyramid like structure in the centre. It would have countless places to hide. I find ramps that lead down, sometimes sets of wide steps, sometimes long stretches of space until I reached yet more ramps. I was getting exhausted of moving down, and I wonder if Iβll even be able to make it up and still have enough energy considering I donβt have access to food or water, so eventually I stop moving down. I move left, toward a strange deep purple glow. I move into the room, which opens up into a huge flowerbed, the soil is a strange silver. I donβt feel like touching it, so I follow the path and move deeper into the garden, which has some artificial lighting in the ceiling, keeping everything growing. As I move inward, I feel uneasy, like Iβve just walked into a haunted place. All Iβm surrounded by are strange alien plant life, the strange soil, and the darkness of this place. But I like that itβs dark. Eventually the path winds and leads back to the beginning. I donβt walk back around, instead, I sit down and let the curiosity in me win at the end. I dip my toe into the silver soil β and nothing happens. Itβs not acid, itβs not bad, itβs just a metallic colour. I dip my whole foot into the silky softness and it is like touching powdered glitter. It feels good and sends shivers up my spine, my nerves delighted with the exquisite softness. I put my other foot down and then I stand in the garden. I feel fine, so I walk into the flower bed and low lying shrubs. I find fern-like leaves overhanging one another, creating a makeshift shelter. I get the urge to crawl under, turn around and lie down. The soil touches my back as I rest my head on a small artificial rise in the landscape. Perfectly at ease, with no bugs to disturb me, I stay like this, forgetting the whole universe. I forget my family wanting me dead, prioritising money over blood. I forget Indigo Bar, Fissure Metroβ¦ Our Tcnoβ¦ the IIAβ¦ whatβs designated as legal freedomβ¦ whatβs a drive for citizens of the Universe and whatβs not. Everyone wanted something more. I just wanted this. The power of nothing. That to me was the ultimate freedom. Just being away from it all. I donβt fall asleep but I fall into some kind of trance, the garden helping me meditate, or maybe it was because my senses were deprived from the total quiet. What I see in my imagination is just Regalisβ magnetised bright green eyes, that should keep me frozen in place, through pure Kor power. But I picture them filled with curious love. And I know he is curious about me in a way he canβt help, the way I couldnβt help but think more of him, even more than the damage he caused to Mike. Poor Mikeβ¦ Regalis took his hand. Then I walked out of there in an obedient daze. Perfectly magnetised already. But it didnβt feel that way to me. Regalis scared me, I didnβt understand him, but I couldnβt stop thinking about him. I wish it was as simple as poison seeping through my headβ¦ but it wasnβt. I actually enjoyed him. At least, I enjoyed how he was with me. So why did I run away? I donβt know. I didnβt believe him, I guess. When he said heβd punish me, if I ran. Yet I acted on it. Maybe I was testing Regalisβ honour, or something like that. Wellβ¦ Iβll admit I was nervous for when heβd find me, and I could feel him searching for me already, at least a few hours since I left his home, testing him, creating the chase. A perfect way to really see his true intentions was to see what heβd do when he caught me a second time. I hear a creak and I immediately snap open my eyes, coming back to my senses as I slowly lean up and look toward the start of the garden. I see Regalisβ silhouette but not his colours. His long hair moves over his shoulders, in a dark metallic hue. He holds a weapon, a long staff with a silver top, screw like β and while he is naked, under the moonlight, I see the colour of his skin. There are no black stripes. No green. This Kor is giant and a dark steel blue, with eyes of the same colour and steel midnight hair draping down his giant frame. Itβs all I see and my heart races as he moves onto the path, walking forward. He doesnβt face me directly but Iβm scared for when heβll reach the edge of the path near me. I move back in slow motion closer to the heart of the fern, as I try to hide under itβs foliage, I wrap my arm around it and hold it for support as the giant Kor moves toward me. I steady my breathing, preparing to hold it as he walks by, I inhale deeply and then wait. I taste a burnt metallic coppery taste in the air. It reminds me of Regalis. I lick the strange taste from my lips. I watch the Kor move toward my end of the path, and he stops, turns, and instantly notices the changed soil. The Kor puts a blue foot into the garden β over my own footprint that I left in the soil. Shit. Something so basic. I forgot to cover my literal steps. No wonder he wasnβt even invisible. My hiding spot was too easy to scout out. Iβm helpless to do anything but pray as he drops his spear toward me, thrusts it under the ferns and lifts them up, exposing my hiding position. I blink as I look up and up, taking in his hard featuresβ¦ and I know this is Regalisβ twin. He slowly smiles, but I donβt see it finalise when Regalis shimmers in front of him, turning off his pure invisibility to place himself between his brother and I. βI was here long before you, watching over her, donβt look smug about her,β Regalis speaks so quietly, in a warning growl, βLeave us now, brother. Iβll deal with her.β βIβm just here to deliver a message,β his brother slyly responds, and I immediately notice how Regalis always sounds more animal β and his brother more regal, βYour Kor Empress, Diana, requests her presence immediately. She allies herself to her own species, Iβm sure you understand,β Regalis goes deadly silent, βWhatβs your name?β he asks me through Regalis. βI ββ Regalis turns around and I see the fury in his eye, that Iβd bring attention to myself. It makes me more determined to speak for myself, βKitty,β I answer, βAnd yours?β βAlpha Centauri,β he answers and Regalis blinks slowly in annoyance, βSay hello and you can leave,β Alpha Centauri murmurs this to Regalis, βCome, donβt make this an issue.β I quickly jump out of the ferns and leap past Regalis, onto the walkway, I move after his brother. Regalis follows close behind, irate by my eagerness. I glare at him over my shoulder, βYou were watching me?β βBeside you,β Regalis drawls low, he shows his silver covered fingers, and the fern stem he picked. I shiver again, I had no idea he had been so close. I blush slightly and I turn toward Alpha Centauri, keeping up with his strides, I have to quicken my pace to a slow jog. βAre you jealous she follows me?β Alpha Centauri taunts over his shoulder at Regalis, βSo spritely, too.β βExcuse you, sir. Iβm just eager to meet an Empress,β I snap back, and Alpha Centauri flicks his eyes to mine, and I slow down as he half smiles and I see his massive fangs. Fuck no. I almost halt, slowing down so much that Regalis bumps into my back and grabs my arms, he nudges me forward, dropping his lips to my ear. βYouβre too wet, Kitty,β Regalis snarls, as he boldly puts his hand down there, and his two fingers slide from front to back, coming away with threads of my cream, so wet it drips from his fingers to the floor. Iβve turned to stare aghast at the site, while walking, itβs quite awkward. Iβm just glad weβre moving. I open and close my mouth multiple times, trying to explain how horny I am and failing to find the right words. Regalis lifts up his hand high above him and it drips over his lips. I watch as Regalis licks his lips, his eyes burn brighter β and he smirks and shows me his teeth too. Those triple canines are equally sharp on both of them. Shit. I speed up, keeping my legs a little closer together. We reach some stairs and we start ascending. I feel Regalis quickening his pace behind me and I awkwardly stumble and fall forward, almost twisting my ankle as I land on my hand and elbow. The steps were so wide it was easy to misplace my feet. I try to crawl forward and jump back to my feet quickly, but Regalis is too quick to take advantage of my ass sticking up in the air. While Alpha Centauri is chuckling at my clumsiness caused by my nervousness, Regalis reaches down behind me β all the way down. So frickinβ far down, his hands clasp my butt cheeks, spreading them β just so he can lick my wet pussy while Iβm down on the stairs. I feel the heat of his tongue stroking deep. I bite my hand to stop myself making a noise Iβll regret in front of his brother. Regalis licks over me once then twice, and then his tongue finds my tight entry and he tries it. His tongue pushes into my pussy, pausing to taste me, so much deeper, he even lifts my thighs up into the air and gets a better angle, lingering to really taste. I run my nails over the stairs and bite my lip so hard it bleeds as his tongue slowly strokes out of me, taking so much cream with it. Fuck me. It feels amazing. Iβm so turned on I could cum on the spot. Regalis slides a hand from my thigh, under my belly β and then he suddenly lifts me back up to my feet. No. My knees can barely hold me, but he has me sorted. Regalis clasps my hand up in his and helps me along. He is watching me and I am so embarrassed I canβt even look at him, so I look to my feet instead as he drags me up the steps. I move, trying to keep up, feeling like I have to manually remember how to walk after that. βKitty,β Regalis growls over my head, as his fingers find my chin and pinch it, lifting my head up as we walk slowly, βI own you. I made a call an hour ago. I bought you from your father. So I can keep you nowβ¦ and youβre truly free,β his vicious smile with that admission has me both excited and feeling every emotion at once. Really?! βYou want me that bad?β I ask, my whole face flushing. Why did I like the thought of that so much? Then I try to deny my stupid instincts, which could pose a problem to my safety, βH-hey, I didnβt agree to any of thisββ I try to reason. Just because he was the sexiest god damn alien Iβd ever meet in my life, doesnβt mean I should want this. βYou havenβt said no to me, you sweet little thing,β Regalis stops walking to turn into me and he leans down to kiss my lips. Iβm taken aback as he suddenly licks the blood from my cut lip. Regalis sucks on it, looking into my eyes. When the possessive βkissβ ends, I taste his desire at the same time. Blood. All the blood. So much blood. Metal. He wants myβ¦ metal? He wants me so badly, it feelsβ¦ on the verge ofβ¦ evil. But honestly. Itβs so pure, the need, I may be misunderstanding what the feeling is. But itβs purely Kor. It doesnβt change how I feel, however, as he keeps walking and pulls me along once more to meet the Empress. I am still feeling hot and turned on. But Iβm also scared. Because I still want Regalisβ animalistic focus on me β Iβm just not sure where itβll end if I keep allowing it to happen. But itβs surely leading somewhere dreadful. Kors did not love. Did they? I was his literal food. I had to remember that. The fun could only last so long, it was all a part of the chase, an elaborate web designed to keep me wanting to be stuck and sucked dry by his huge six terrible fangs, literally designed to kill. To eat humans. Fuck. But Diana was alive, right? So maybe the Kor Empress could help me. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 54 βΏβββ’β¦ Dianaβs POV Mars escorts me back inside the Kor Hold, and he seems rather protective of me as we walk with Maelstrom at my side and Diasphora napping in the crook of Marsβ arm. We walk into a massive chamber deep in the Hold, where the rock is midnight-green and sparkles with turquoise gemstones. The light comes from the gems themselves. At the centre of the circular carved out room is a sleek feline-like throneβ¦ for a Fey-sized female to sit on. I donβt ask Mars about it, but I know this room is specifically for an Empress. I feel calm inside here, itβs a perfect temple to meditate and think. Despite the massive chamber having nothing but that one throne, I take a seat and Mars reclines on the floor. Little E is soon awake and sprinting off with Maelstrom chasing him. They both run off laughing together as they decide to go playβ¦ now that their βparentsβ are reconciled, I guess? All I know is Iβve accepted the weirdness of it all. Yup. What else could I do? Iβve accepted that Iβm a Galactic Queen, with Elions lusting after me, with altered genes to breed for them. Iβve accepted itβs not going to change. And Iβve accepted I kind of like being a mother to the little rapid-evolving rascals they call their pure-Kor off-spring. Itβs not all bad. And I almost feel at home with themβ¦ even though theyβre technically the enemy. To every subspecies. In the entire universe. Yikes? But, I mean, what could I do about that? I didnβt have the capacity to understand their ancient history in this universe and beyond. I only knew I was here and they were here and here we wereβ¦ existing very strangely all togetherβ¦ βSo, I noticed Venus is nowhere to be seen since we visited the Kor Prison,β I speak my current concern to Mars, βWhatβs happening to him?β βHe lied to us for sixty thousand years,β Mars looks up at me, and then glances around the room, as he casually explains, βOur secret is not one we speak of. E broke under Cintaβs torture and told her our truth. For six destinies he covered up what really happened. No wonder E fell from power, we used to revere him for his mind. I had to take over when he lost his senses to his own weakness that he hid from us. Cinta wasnβt just extracting his venom from his bones. Now that we know he told her weβre Elion, he will face a heavy punishment.β βWhat kind of punishment?β I wonder, hoping ironically that itβs not death. βVenus will face exile, most likely,β Mars murmurs very quietly, βWeβve locked him away for now until we decide the appropriate course of action. He is the smartest among us, despite his volatilityβ¦ which we all recognise. So, he has value we have to take into consideration.β βWhy is it always the smartest amongst us who are unhingedβ¦ but I also want to remind you, E isnβt just smart, he is now a father,β I think of little E, βTo Diasphora, who is just as emotional as Venus alreadyβ¦ should that not count toward some kind of leniency? And even I know youβre Elion now, so itβs not like exiling him will make a difference.β βKnowing our secret makes you this close to death, Diana,β Mars cannot look me in the eye as he admits this, ββ¦our survival comes firstβ¦ above allβ¦ so be careful how you proceedβ¦β βDiana is not the only one who knows youβre Elion, Alpha Centauri told me the secret too,β Orlai suddenly shows herself. We both look up to watch Orlai walk in with Arcturus. Around her neck is a heavy collar connected to a chain leash that Arcturus holds. As he walks with Orlai toward us, I watch as the rest of the Kors follow the enslaved human-mate of the Estori. Behind Star Squad, Ninth Squad also come in. They all look rather seriousβ¦? βIf he told you, that just means he wants you dead sooner,β Proxima growls over Orlai. βYouβre both dead as you breathe, as far as Iβm concerned,β Rigil speaks and looks at me. The rest of Star Squad glare down at Mars as he reclines back, unfazed by their challenge. He was strong enough on his own and didnβt need to brag about his own ability, or prove it to them. βShut up, Rigil. The Estori will decide the fate of our Empress and your whore,β Jupiter speaks of me and Orlai as he power walks forward toward my throne. Jupiter looks me over as he turns to stand at the right side of me, as Mars also now stands on my left. I watch Ninth Squad methodically meet my eye, one by one, as they back my throne, facing off against Alpha Centauriβs lot. Orlai is so small between the two squads, and she holds my eye as she looks worried, but itβs not for her life or mine. The look in her eye tells me she is only worried about Alpha Centauri. I just feel it in my bones. She just doesnβt care about herself the way she should. She only thought of him with love-sick eyes. Even though it was obvious to me, I did not mock her for it. I pitied her. I was scared to ever fall that deeply in love, to the point you lose your entire grip on a tangible reality. I knew better. But Orlai just didnβt care. Although, her journey was different to mine, to be fair. She had been missing her lover for too long. And now the tension between the two squads is mounting. They wanted us as playthings but now we know too much. So it was finally edging towardβ¦ wellβ¦? Consequences. βThe Estori is hunting down a rouge female with his brother,β I speak into the tense silence, βLet us wait for them to return, Iβve ordered them to bring the other female to me.β βThen weβll wait,β Rigil hisses in agreement, smiling down at me, βUnlike some fools here, I still remember that feeling anything for you is forbiddenβ¦ and I will remind my cousin of that honour code.β I cock a brow and just ignore the angry Kor. Rigil was particularly cruel and I wasnβt interested in discussing his passionate hatred of his food. βThe whole point of honour is the power of your word,β Mars challenges Rigil, βThis isnβt love, Rigil, this is our Queen. Sheβs provided two Kors. She will provide more.β I hear Marsβ reason and manipulation in his words, but it still hurts my heart that he lies about his feelings just to try and appease the asshole that Rigil embodies. βRigil, you have a right to me,β I speak now, since he looks rather pleased by my hurt expression. βI do,β Rigil agrees, tilting his head. βAnd in return,β I state through grit teeth, βYou grant me what I wish. So, before you start swinging your cock around, I want you to kneel and prove your honour.β Rigilβs eyes flash and he pauses, before his mouth falls to a flat line and he walks slowly toward my throne, kneeling on one knee as he continues to hold my eye, βYou have my word,β Rigil drawls, far too confident, βEmpress. You should knowβ¦ I have concerns…β he slowly looks over his shoulder, now gazing at Orlai, βI also honour my position, to protect the Estori, to guard him from danger that may be physical, or even slow acting poison β like the soft eyes of a whore he broke his honour to sixty thousand years ago. Orlai is a burden,β Rigil whispers now, βShe must be contained in a hold for the rest of her life, or she must be sacrificed. She cannot live freely amongst us, she clouds Estoriβs judgement. I speak with love for my cousin, Empressβ¦ for his waning strength with Orlai lingering by, as she now entrances our infamous Arcturus, she is a sweet poison. She must die.β βIf you want to take his mate, you can try,β Arcturus changes tact, throwing the chains at Rigil. Orlai flinches when she looks back up at Arcturus, before watching Rigil as he turns to swipe up the chains. He drags Orlai forward and she moves toward him, pale but obedient. βRigil,β I growl. βEmpress, you would know,β Rigil looks back at me, speaking openly, βDoes she weaken our Estoriβs honour? Heβd sacrifice everything for her, wouldnβt heβ¦?β βHe is charged with protecting all Kor kind, the survival of your kind,β I deflect, βHe is an effective leader ββ βHe was,β Rigil speaks louder as he drags Orlai even closer. It is now that I see Alpha Centauri walk in with Regalis, who holds the hand of the other female in this city. Sheβs got short curly hair and sheβs naked. Sheβs not pregnant. She just looks flushed. However, Alpha Centauri can see Rigilβs hand on Orlaiβs collar, βAfter her.β βJust speak what you mean,β I ask of Rigil, as he just glares at his Estori, βDonβt speak vaguely. Say what you mean to his face now that he is here.β βWhat are you saying about meβ¦ or her? Rigil?β Alpha Centauri seems unfazed as he walks close and holds his spear erect, looking me over and assessing the obvious tension in the room. He glances at Orlai for only a brief moment. The Estori is forcing indifference. Orlai does affect him. If I can see it, they all can. βYouβre compromised,β Rigil smiles over Orlaiβs shy cheeks before he shoves Orlai violently toward Alpha Centauri. Her side slams into his chest and the Estori barely stops himself from placing an arm around Orlai to steady her, βYou were our greatest Estori after her death. Now you are no better than Venus falling at Cintaβs feet. Our Estori cannot love. You were focused, cousin. Now youβre weak. One Empress is enough. Orlai was a failed experiment. And that girl,β Rigil glances at the third female, βIs just food. We accept Diana. But Orlaiβs timeβ¦ has expired. Admit it, Alpha Centauri. Admit you must finish what you started with that puny human all those destinies ago… you were our greatest hunter.β Alpha Centauri listens carefully, without saying a word. Orlai waits for him to jump to her defence. She turns to me, giving me her large sad eyes. Orlai is forlorn when Alpha Centauri doesnβt speak fast enough. The silence from Alpha Centauri is scaring me. βSpeak,β I whisper to him, as he keeps looking over Orlaiβs head, seemingly without even caring. ββ¦Rigil is rightβ¦β Alpha Centauri admits weakness, and I feel my blood run cold, βWe only need one Empress. And I only brought the sweet dove hereβ¦ to torment her… Orlai?β She takes in a small breath, happy to speak her piece, βI achieved what I wanted. I had your child. I was Dangerβs mother,β Orlai speaks facing me, too scared to look behind her, βMaybe itβs time you finished your Hunt of me, Alpha Centauri. I escapedβ¦ and then Diana brought us togetherβ¦ one last time,β Orlaiβs eyes are full of tears. She looks like sheβs thanking me. I stare hard back. Sentencing her to her death was not something I should be thanked for. ββ¦thatβs right, Diana called meβ¦β Alpha Centauri seems to agree, ββ¦and then I found you once again, Orlai.β I canβt let this escalate any further. βSheβs my only friend here, Estori,β I hiss at Alpha Centauri and he finally looks up at me, βIf you love herβ¦ just let her go home.β βEmpress, you rule us for your own desires but my hunger is beyond you, you can not choose who I hunt, who we hunt,β Alpha Centauri speaks to me as he continues to gaze over all of Orlai. She closes her eyes. Acceptance. My heart beats faster. Sheβs surrenderingβ¦? βI should have trusted you,β Orlai admits to the Estori, ββ¦I have to repay youβ¦ for the mistake I made.β No. I feel sick to my stomach as I watch the Estori remove the collar from around her neck. Orlai spins into his front and her purple silk dress flows with her, no longer just a beautiful garment but symbolic of the dreadful end. A funeral dress. I feel like Iβm watching an old movie, and the tragedy I canβt stop and can only witness as it is playing out before me, before all of us. The new girl right next to Regalis looks just as entranced and pale as me. I grip the arms of the throne a bit together. I canβt breathe as they whisper to each other. Things we cannot hear. Things not for our ears. Only theirs. We all watch as Orlai and the Estori kiss. Itβs heartfelt β but only short. Alpha Centauri breaks away from the hard kiss to slide his lips down to her fragile neck. To be strong, to prove Iβm hard enough to be Empress, I want to watch this through. However, Alpha Centauriβs eyes flash up to mine as he bites into Orlaiβs neck and I am immediately way too scared to witness the death of my friend. I am not brave enough; I close my eyes as Orlai is disappearing without a complaint, without a whisper of pain. She lets it happen β βNO!β the other female screams and I only open my eyes to see she fights Regalis, trying to break free of his hold, βDO SOMETHING!β she screams at me next, βArenβt you an Empress? SAVE HER!β I feel compelled by her human pain, and I am reminded Orlai is one of us. I have to help her. But itβs already too late. When I look backβ¦ Orlaiβs purple silks have fallen to the floor and a silver dust cloud sparkles around the clothes. A horrible end. The Estori looks powerful, his black hair growing longer and his steel metallic skin, pulsing with soul-dust. Heβs full now. Hunger subsided. And what is worse, is it wasnβt just a hunt, it was consensual death. Orlai had lived sixty thousand years and had nothing left but that moment waiting for her. Rigil is grinning. Arcturus has notably disappeared. The only other female here is screaming still. Iβm silent about it, feeling like a coward. Alpha Centauri is still looking at me and he has no tears in his eyes. Only her human soul, now inside him. βYou can go,β I look to Regalis, I canβt look at his girl. Iβm too ashamed. And I know she is disappointed, none more than I am. Regalis tilts his head, his green poisonous eyes turn from me and he drags his human-prey from the room. I didnβt even learn her name. It was three females. Two females. Now just one. All too quickly, Iβm all alone in a room full of predatory Elions. βAll of you, leave us,β Alpha Centauri commands every Kor in the room, βThe Empress has long overdue lessons in Kor requirement. And exactly what she serves, we pay for this, Diana. What you witnessed was given freely.β I barely compute his royal words, so strong, so over it. I am not over it. βWhat I witnessed was murder,β I speak to the air, my tone numb and dry, βYou really are parasites. Your venom is the only reason she gave her life to you.β βYouβre catching on, Arcturus drowned her mind in venomβ¦ as I once didβ¦ and I am going to do the same to you,β Alpha Centauri promises, βItβll be beautiful, Diana. Youβll have all the power of a true Galactic Queen. The price has already been paid in your compliance. Here you are, in our presence, no longer running. You are revered for your courage. We appreciate power in surrender.β βNo. Thereβs no power. Orlai ran and now sheβs dead. Cinta ruled and now sheβs dead. Butβ¦ we allβ¦ goβ¦ somehowβ¦ somewayβ¦ donβt we? Death is inevitable,β I whisper this one admission, βThat is the only truth I will recognise. No one escapes death.β Iβm starting to feel like a queen of the evil in the universe. I donβt feel okay about accepting this. I was a fighter. I would always be a fighter. Iβd find a way to fight this. βAs long as youβre desired, as long as you give us Kor life β you will breathe,β Alpha Centauri is the only one to remain. I had been so focused inward I didnβt even comprehend that the other Kors had already left us alone together. Now itβs justβ¦ β¦their killer hungry King. Me. And her clothes just lying there. My mind races. I had to be better. Better than Orlai. Better than Cinta. I had to be something more to survive this impossible fate. It was time to prove I could. I lift my head, as I forget the silks, and I focus on Alpha Centauriβs deep metallic eyes and his burning star pheromones, βYou want me now?β I ask. βI donβt want what I already own,β Alpha Centauri snarls with half his fangs on display as he moves toward me and my throne. The tips of his fangs are still tinted red, βYou made me curious. Diana. Weβve never broken a Dark Nine. Itβs what we do have in common, you realise. Nothing rules over us, so I am your true match in power, we are one in mind,β Alpha Centauri has rounded the throne to stand behind me, making my hairs stand on end. I do not turn to track his movement, βIt also means I know how to find you. And I know what you think.β βWhat am I thinking right now, Estori?β I ask, wondering if he can guess. βNothing at all,β The Estoriβs voice drops a few octaves, βBecause there is nothing to think when youβre trapped, least of all when you desire it. Youβre becoming obedient to your desires that feed us. And the power is slowly driving you higher, to a place you will not sustain simple needs. So you will rise like Cinta, or hide like Orlai. But you will not cope. I can only make this as enjoyable as youβll allow, until the end.β He has to be so dramatic. I speak through gritted teeth, βI feel fine.β βYouβre alive,β Alpha Centauriβs fingers trace the tiara on my head. βWhat exactly do you want from me?β I whisper. βTo dance with you, Diana,β Alpha Centauri drawls, as he gets closer, leaning down to me, as I stay seated exactly where I am on my throne, βIf you run, Iβll chase. If you want to fuck, weβll fuck. But whatever you choose, Iβm going to hunt you either wayβ¦ so, Dianaβ¦ what do you want to do? Run? Or stay with me?β Alpha Centauri gives me the choice, βIt all ends the same.β My instincts taste an inflection from his words. Some kind ofβ¦ lie? I resist the sex in the air, just for a moment, βI want to know why Elions lost the war to the subspecies,β I say it with a slow smile, knowing this will catch his mind off guard. βThatβs not a question and even if it was, human, youβre still food,β Alpha Centauri slides his cheek next to mine as he comes back around and he simply hovers his lips next to my own. I slowly lick my lips and pretend to move up and kiss him, but I pull back with a growing smile. I know how to tease him too. The Estori curls a finger under my chin, as he stands to his full height, showing me his giant muscular statureβ¦ until Iβm literally face to face with his huge Elion-sized cock, a delicious weapon of itβs own. Smooth, metal-hard and ribbed. Alpha Centauri runs a thumb along my bottom lip, parting my lips with the pressure, βLetβs see what you can do on a throne. Diana.β βIβm wet enough if you just flip me over,β I speak over his cock with ice cold professionalism, pretending not to care for his foreplay when it was doing all kinds of evil-wonders to my insides, βIf you want to fuck β Alpha Centauri β itβs not like Iβll complain. Bend me over.β βMmm, no, no, you donβt tell me how to fuck,β Alpha Centauri growls low as his cock lines up with my face, rubbing along my cheek, as he tells me, βIβm going to fuck you in every hole, Estoria,β Alpha Centauri slides his cock right down across my cheek, toward my soft lips, βFirst your mouth. Then your womb. Then your ass. My fuck toy. Youβll crave this fullness. Itβs only trainingβ¦ for when we all fuck you together.β I gulp down way too much excess saliva. How I imagine it happeningβ¦ well fuck. Just the thoughtβ¦ I try not to pant with need. I know if I look up into his eyes, Iβll melt, I might even squeak. So, instead, I just close my eyes. I breathe out, and then I breathe inβ¦ I part my lips further. I slowly and gently kiss and lick the Estoriβs cock. I had my small plan. Useless. Futile. Make him fall in love with me. And stay. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 55 βΏβββ’β¦ Dianaβs POV Alpha Centauriβs cock is hot across my tongue, thick and perfect for pleasure. I canβt help but think bad things, things Cinta must have thought of at some point. They were like whores. Perfect fucking-machines β when they were serving their female. Maybe I think that evil thing because Iβm afraid of the βlackβ that I feel. A lack of control. Orβ¦ no control. Not with him. I lick off the head of his cock after tasting the shaft, and I keep my lips shut as I taste the lingering metallic and masculine spice in my mouth. I gulp down my heavy need. When I close my eyes, two tears I didnβt even know were there, seep out and run down both cheeks. Grief. βYou just killed her,β I whisper, terrified of my own thoughts, βWe shouldnβt ββ I feel Alpha Centauriβs hot breath over my temple, his voice dark and heavy just like his venom, βSheβs inside me, Diana.β The Estori says this fact both plainly and confidently. He is all knowing; about death. It was an eternal darknesshumans didnβt understand anything about. Kors understood death intimately. I immediately feel relief and a better sense of peace. From his confidence alone. I peer through open eyes and see Alpha Centauri carefully watching me, concern evident in his dark orbs. Iβm looking into a dark blue abyss. I had never looked so closely into his own soul before. I just stare backβ¦ and I do not see cruelty in the dark. I see something completely beyond my own understanding, yet even so it is right there in front of me. βI want you inside me,β I whisper it, a small admission of vulnerability. I watch Alpha Centauriβs fangs drip with venom. I spontaneously lean up to lick over three of his fangs, tasting exactly what he is feeling right now. Oh shitβ¦ I am slammed back with the weight of that new feeling that rushes through me. No Kor had ever tasted like that to me before. βThatβs the power,β Alpha Centauri murmurs, sexy and open about letting me in on his little Kor secret. After a fresh feed. Thatβs what he felt like. Pure light essence mixed in with the abyss of dark matter, finding a home where there is nothing. Power sparked from the polarity. βThat feeling scares me,β I whisper that as Alpha Centauriβs midnight lips get closer to mine, as he leans down for me, his dark long hair caresses my skin and his hands also reach for me. I open my lips but donβt kiss him, as he just breathes in my air, and I feel his hands run over my ribs, past my breasts to my back, down my spine and under my ass as he lifts me up. One second, Iβm on the throne, the next Iβm lifted like a feather into his hard torso. I put my hands to the Estoriβs chest, smoothing them over his shoulders, my face level with his as he holds me up to match him. As Alpha Centauri leans one foot on the throne, he never stops looking into my eyes. ββ¦what do you feelβ¦ human?β Alpha Centauri asks me, βIf anything?β βI feel!β I complain as I curl a fist on his shoulder, not expecting to be hissing at him so soon with his cock inches from pounding straight into me, βDonβt ever tell me I donβt feel anything β I feel everything ββ βGood. Youβre burning inside, Diana. My star,β Alpha Centauri pauses me in my anger with his unexpected compliment just before he drops me on his cock, and thrusts straight into my womb, growling over me with a large sexy Kor smile, ββ¦my Estoria.β Is that was Estori means to them? Star? I donβt have time to contemplate it. My whole body welcomes the hard fucking, but my own heart didnβt expect the smooth way my legs would curl and clutch around him completely, or the way my hands reach for and curl around his neck, reaching for his hair, as his hand clasps my right butt cheek, his other runs up my ribs over my side, feeling my racing heart. Alpha Centauri has only pulsed inside me once, pausing to let me squeeze and breathe out a rattled cry of pleasure and terror before he starts. The Estori holds me like nothing as he lifts me higher and thrusts into me as I fall back down, stopped by the ribbed base of his cock. I lay one foot on his thigh, and I start to fuck him back while I remember to see whatever the heck he is doing with those eyes of his. I look past the veins on his neck, up past his blue jaw and beautiful features, right back up to his eyes. Alpha Centauri is still looking down at me, never looking away. Heβs so large, heβll have to bend over to grip my neck in his jawsβ¦ So Iβ¦ β¦I do something strange. While my eyes hold his and his cock splits me apart with his heat and length, at a perfect and slow Kor pace designed to torture β I lift my arm from his neck, and I press my forearm to his lips. Since my Estori wants to watch me fuck him, I want to watch him drink. I want to see what it looks like from below. Morbidly, I look as Alpha Centauri smiles against my arm and opens his jaws to show his sharp and thick fangs, all six of them. I turn my wrist and I almost chicken out, but he quickly bites into me before I can thick twice. Oh, no. Oh, fuck. Adrenaline shoots through me. I shouldnβt have watched him do that. My Estori fucks me harder, never letting go of my arm as he drinks my blood, and the crushing pain is immediately replaced with his venom, which paralyses my whole arm in seconds. It would flop down at my side but he keeps a hold of it, his dark eyes still locked on mine. βEstori,β I whimper his title, βI-Iβm going to cum but please fuck me hard β er!β Alpha Centauri complies immediately. His arm snakes around my waist, squeezing me tight as he starts to ram his cock higher up into meβ¦ all the while still drinking slowly from my arm, feeling me and filling me, with his cock, his seed and his venom. Then his venom finally flows through my heart and up straight into my brain. I feel authority. Pleasure. Mixed with mine. Matching mine. As my body canβt contain the rise of my own internal burning, I climax with Alpha Centauriβs cock still sliding in and out of me, hitting so deep into my womb he makes my stomach protrude as I sob with my release. I literally sob with how hard I try to squeeze his metal rod that pulses but doesnβt soften inside. I feel my middle rushing with warmth of his seed filling me, as he lets my body milk him dry, one hard clench at a time. Iβm barely made for this. Iβm settled at the base of his cock now, still squeezing, still sobbing as I am watching the blood run down my arm as he releases his teeth from my flesh. I am crying for that too, even as the skin heals, I see the gaping wound for a few seconds and Iβm scared by how much damage he caused β since I offered my limb to this hunter of me. Why did I do that? My arm has healed with a big fat scar left in place. I hold my forearm to my chest as I hide my remaining tears against his abs. I had never wanted to run from Kors this badly. But now I know why Orlai ran in the first place. Alpha Centauri was β Everything and an absolute promise of nothing. My body was singing. Yet I was depleted of feminine will. I gave it all to him for that moment when I climaxed, and I felt a gaping hole inside me. He was a master of female frequency. He only gave you so much β βRelax,β Alpha Centauri drawls over me. I donβt expect him to say that, but even that word bothers me, making my body shake with his confidence and my weakness mixed with my numb blood. βLet me down,β I whisper it so quietly and I just hope he complies. I feel like I have no power at all β To confuse my instincts even greater, he does exactly what I ask. Alpha Centauri lifts me off his cock and sits me back on the throne, obedient to my word. His cum gushes out of me and he stands over me, his teeth still silver and red β this time from me surrendering. I keep holding my right arm to my chest, staring up at Alpha Centauri with a different fear. He holds the back of my throne while heβs looking over me, wondering if I broke. βWhy are you looking at me like that?β I ask him, accusing him. βYou are the most beautiful Empress Iβve ever had the pleasure of fucking,β Alpha Centauri speaks openly, βA Dark Nine Empress.β ββ¦what did you feel from me?β I blurt out at him before I can convince myself I donβt need the answer. Because thatβs what he tasted in my blood. Me. Purely. Alpha Centauri reacts immediately. He smirks just a bit and tickles my cheek with the back of his finger. He gives me nothing. Because he wonβt tell me. He is silent. Alpha Centauri just moves off the throne and disappears in front of me. Stealthing. I look at the air, trying to detect him. I canβt. He is as good as Regalis. All I know is heβs watching me. I donβt want to sit here like an idiot, even if I am half-paralysed. I stand up and I start to shuffle out of the room, trying to fire up my nerves again. Surely there was a bath here somewhere and close by. I needed hot water. I needed fresh air. I needed time. To think. To process. Why was that a bad thing, what we just did? I try to think of what it could be. What the answer could be. But I canβt think of anything. Why donβt I care that heβs Elion? If anythingβ¦ β¦why do I like it? |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 56 βΏβββ’β¦ Dianaβs POV I find some water and I sit on the edge of the expansive pool. Itβs not too dissimilar to the pool on Planet Apastron. I sit there still revelling in the sex I just hadβ¦ but Iβm reminded of herβ¦ floating in the pool, drunk on Arcturus. And Iβve found Arcturus. Heβs reclining on what would be a lounge but itβs carved from rock, he came here to avoid everyone and now his dark purple eyes are on me, he looks hellishly mad. Arcturus was a quiet Kor. But I had seen his obsession with Orlai and hers with him. The only reason he would leave as her life was taken was he felt something for her β maybe something forbidden. Heβs watching me from all the way over there, maybe three hundred feet away. When I tune into my unique instincts, I am not so sure I should go anywhere near him. But I also know walking away would be disrespectful. He lost someone too. I take my feet from the water and I stand instead, moving slowly toward him. When I reach him I canβt bring myself to get too close, so I stay by the water and I sit by the edge, looking at Arcturusβ dark velvet eyes for a few seconds before focusing on the water, and looking at him through the reflection instead. βI miss her,β I whisper, βAnd Iβll never see her again.β Arcturus is listening to every word. βShe was on borrowed timeβ¦ she knew it tooβ¦β Arcturus speaks very low, barely formed words. I just blink in acceptance, nodding, βWhat do you want, Empress?β he asks this even lower, clearly a ask-me-something-necessary or get-the-fuck-away-from-me type of vibe. βNothing,β I answer him honestly, looking over my shoulder to answer Arcturus boldly. Then I turn and slip into the pool, letting the water cover me as I kick back to the surface and then swim for the other side. When I reach the end, I realise there are no steps in or out of the pool. I can pull myself up just fine, but I get a small surprise at the end. When I wade to the edge, Arcturus turns off his Stealth, waiting for me with a hand out. I look up from his feet and ankle and calves as he offers me help. Why say no? I reach up and Arcturus grabs my wrist and hand, pulling me out of the water with ease. I land softly on my feet next to him and he just releases my arm the same time I jerk away from his grip. He was still a huge Kor on his own and I didnβt trust him. I just felt sorry for him. As I power-walk away, I immediately feel Arcturus is following me step for step. When I look behind to see what the hell he wants? His ravaged metallic purple pits for eyes are planted on my slim neck and heβs starting to snarl and venom secrets over his sharp fangs. Run now. All my instincts scream at me to go, and I shift from fast walking to a full-blown sprint, turning on my own Stealth to get the hell away. Fuck that. I barrel head-long into multiple Kors, Mercury and Neptune caught me in their Stealth which flickers off once they have me. I turn around in their arms and see their bared dripping fangs which are on full display for Arcturus. I also see Alpha Centauri behind Arcturus, after grabbing his arm and stopping him from lunging at me. Arcturusβ look alone could kill. I lean heavily back into Mercury and Neptune, and I see Ninth Squad are all around, perched on stone or raising weapons to Arcturus, ready to shoot. βNo honour, Arcturus,β Alpha Centauri snarls at Arcturus, βJust like Venus.β βDeath is all youβll get in the end, Empress, your kind go sour, we donβt, youβll never be like us, youβll never understand what itβs like,β Arcturus is vicious, and I watch as Alpha Centauri pulls him back and shoves him in the opposite direction. Star Squad stop Stealthing to come around Arcturus, walking him off, but it doesnβt stop the side-glare I get from Rigil, who seems to agree with Arcturus about my final fate. βCome home,β Mercury murmurs to me, his hand on my face. Neptuneβs hand is over my breast, trying to calm my racing heartbeat. I had felt like I was going to die. βToo much of their kind is poison,β Neptune agrees, βWe wonβt drown you in venom, Diana, stay close.β I nod and I let them pull me around, holding an arm each, they escort me in the other direction. Iβm speechless as they take me to their dedicated side of the Kor Hold for Ninth Squad. I start to feel relief as Iβm pulled into a place that mimics what I know of their prior home, but without the effects of a prison. The large walls turn purple and green, the area has a huge semicircular stone lounge, and Iβm taken over and sat on the cool metallic rock. Mars paces around but keeps his distance, letting the others get close. A fire burns in a long narrow fireplace, giving off some extra warmth for me. I try to relax but itβs taking awhile to feel okay. βArcturus tried to kill me,β I whisper after theyβve patiently let my words come back to me, βI thought I was safe as an Empress,β I lose all my growing confidence in that moment, βI have done nothing to him. Why does Arcturus hate me?β βDonβt go near interrogators, the Kors who torture for a living,β Terra speaks for them all, always wise, βCommon sense, Diana.β βDid he have you yet, Alpha Centauri?β Jupiter changes the topic, standing back with crossed arms, βWell?β I nod meekly, βYep,β I whisper it, βI did my duty. I paid up.β βGreat because thatβs all Star Squad are getting, one,β Jupiter holds up his hand, βOne Kor kid. He already has Danger ββ Mars hisses between his teeth, some kind of warning at Jupiter, but itβs too late. βDanger isnβt a Kor,β I reason, only to understand why Mars hissed in the first place, ββ¦is he?β βOrlai was a Moon,β Mars explains, regrettably apparently, since he rolls his eyes and glares at Jupiter for his loud mouth. βShe was a Moon?β I feel my throat dry, βShe wasnβt altered.β βShe was chosen by the father of Alpha Centauri, itβs a long story, but he gifted her with that ability, and then gifted her to his son,β Uranus speaks rarely, but at this he sounds completely truthful, βIt was a different process.β βDangerβ¦ looks human though,β aside from his abnormal Kor height, I try to understand. βIf he ever kills like Kors kill, everything will ignite in him, he will morph into full Kor,β Mars shakes his head, annoyed. Because he knows exactly how Iβm going to react. βHe doesnβt know,β I whisper, ββ¦he also doesnβt know his motherβs deadβ¦β βNot your concern,β Neptune tries to reason. βLike hell, Danger is one of my friends, he saved me from you,β I growl out, glaring at Mars, but Iβm exhausted, and I feel my tears now flowing from being overwhelmed, βAnd sheβ¦ Orlai died never knowing she was a Moon. She thought she wasnβt. He played her. You all did. You lied to her, even Alpha Centauri. You never told her. She was valuable to Kors and he killed her anyway. Iβ¦β I thought being a Moon and an Empress made me safe. Cinta was an Empress. Orlai was a Moon. Both dead. The only difference? β¦I was aβ¦ I was a β A Dark Nine Empress. βYou need to breathe and relax, Diana,β Pluto stands behind the stone lounge and speaks from behind me. I look up at him and his whole beautiful dark form is a calming presence. Still, I speak my number one instinct. βI donβt trust any of you.β When it passes through my lips, I feel the squad pull away from me just a bit, until none touch me, and I lower my head to stare at my hands and my stomach. I canβt ever trust any of them. βGood.β Mars breaks the sudden silence. I jerk my head up to see he has approached while the others moved back. He kneels in front of me and tells me straight. βDonβt trust Kor appetite. Trust your instincts. Itβll keep you breathing, Empress.β βI donβt want to interact with Star Squad again,β I tell Mars, as an Empress, βKeep them away from me. Please?β There was too much violence in their lot. Too many unknown factors. Two had chains around their fucking mouths like rabid guard dogs; Vega and Capella. Rigil hated my guts. Arcturus just tried to get me, opportunistically. Cano was Arcturusβ brother and he didnβt even speak. Alpha Centauri vowed a dozen times to hunt me down. Proxima was a gigantic crimson red beast, just his colour alone, along with his crimson brothers Toliman and Sirius, was terrifying. And they were all hard wired to blood-letting. At least Ninth Squad were way more human or tried to be. Star Squad wasnβt allowed on the Universal Board; no wonder. βNo more Star Squad,β Mars agrees, βWeβll keep them away.β βWhat if the Estori demands to see me?β I ask, βWho has higher authority, him or me?β βIf he asks for you, you must go, but I can promise you, he wonβt ever ask to see you for nothing, itβll always be an important matter,β Mars can only give me that, βAnd we can always flank you.β I nod. βAre little E and Maelstrom safe?β I ask this, needing to know. βRunning around,β Mars nods, βYou should sleepβ¦ in peace, Diana. Come with me now.β I take his hand, I stand up and walk with him. Terra follows. βMy turn to watch you,β Terra adds, kindly. βIβll take the shift with Mars.β βHa ha,β I laugh with a monotone. They were still watching me for escape attempts. Now that the adrenaline wore off, after multiple scares today, I just need rest. They werenβt wrong. I need sleep. Terra pets my hair off from my face gently, and Marsβ hand slides down the small of my back, following the curve of my spine as I walk between them. Heβs looking down at me. I meet his gaze and I admit something funny, βAll this happened because I didnβt want to stay on Earth. I wanted more.β βAnd I never wanted to love you,β Mars explains in front of his cousin, openly. βAsshole.β βI only doβ¦ because youβre so agreeable,β Mars cocks a brow and looks ahead. βAgreeable?β I gawk, βIβm not agreeable in the slightest.β βYouβre already purely you,β Terra murmurs over me, sneaking in a kiss to my temple, βNo need to melt you down to see whatβs inside…β Ohβ¦ how romanticβ¦ not. Mars growls low and he glares at Terra momentarily. A reprimand. Oh. More words gifted to me that I shouldnβt know? Maybe Terra was telling me something important. I wonder if thatβs what it was, as Iβm led to my bed with my two Kor escorts. Maybe they just wanted to see whatβs on the insideβ¦ at our core. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 57 βΏβββ’β¦ Dianaβs POV The chamber Iβm led into was the most beautiful bedroom I think Iβd ever seen. Not only was there huge purple stone walls, but small plants grew everywhere in here, pulsing with iridescence and letting off a low hum. A trickle of water was falling down the walls like an indoor fountain into corner pools where the majority of the plants were growing. In the centre was the large stone base of the purple bed. I know better than to think thatβs just rock hard. I run over and feel it and itβs soft, even though it looks like concrete. I crawl up to a rock pillow and lay back, closing my eyes. The room was fantastical, it smelled amazing and I felt so relaxed in here. I fall asleep in seconds, as exhaustion overwhelms me. Maybe a few hours pass, but eventually I wake up to a warm arm draped around me. I look over my shoulder to see Marsβ spooning me and Terra standing guard far off at the door, down the long stretch of this gigantic chamber. Dopey eyed from sleep I want to re-enter; I can also hear Maelstrom and Diasphora laughing and playing with Ninth Squad in the other room. I smile at that. I also wriggle my butt back into Marβs hot front and I feel his hard dick rest over my ass. Mars nuzzles me, his face next to mine as he looks down at me. I turn into him slowly, his arm tightens around my middle and pulls me close. I like being squeezed by his Kor strength. I wrap my legs around his and nuzzle him back, snuggling up into his neck and curling my hands over his hot abs. βYouβre my blanket,β I joke into his skin as I kiss him once, tasting his salt, and his smooth metal-like skin. So strange but all mine, “Mars, I have a questionβ¦ is Venus okay?” Mars sighs deeply but answers me anyway, “No. Diana. Honour holds us together. E lost his credibility when he told Cinta forbidden knowledge β” “But I know you’re Elion too.” “Cinta told you, not one of us, there is some leniency there.” I nod against him, pressing my forehead to him and breathing him in as I feel his cock run across my stomach, getting harder the more I press myself against his body. “What does it meanβ¦ to be Elionβ¦?” I whisper and already the potential answer scares me. βDo you have to ask such questions when youβre distracting me, Empress?β Mars growls over my head, ββ¦these questions donβt need answersβ¦ you know your purpose.β βI do,β I whisper, running one hand down and tickling the head of his cock, then lightly stroking down the shaft. I barely touched him but his whole body stiffened and Mars stops breathing. Iβm completely awake now. I decide to grasp around his cock with a firm hand and Mars exhales harshly over my hair. I look up at him now, as Mars rolls onto his back and pulls me with him. I place my palms on his chest and I slowly lean up, acknowledging the look in his dark eyes. Mars doesnβt have to say a word. βI want to ride you, Elion,β I whisper down at Mars as he reaches for me. I grab his hand and I bring it to my rib cage, on the side, I hold his hand there. I know they like hearts. Mars seems impressed by my move because he is completely okay with me leading that and holding his hand with my much slighter one. I shuffle backwards until Iβm over his hips, and I canβt help but grin as I see the smouldering look overcome all his features. Mars always fucked me hard. He was always brutal about our sex, but I knew it would be nothing lesser with me being βon topβ β he would still drill so deep into me, Iβd go wild. First I squat and start to stand, to find the tip of his cock. When I do, I hold it below me, and I slowly start to sit over it. I want to fuck him this time. I close my eyes as I slide down, and my body opens and clenches to pull his huge Elion dick in deeper. When I get to the bottom, Iβm a few inches away from fully taking him in, but I can already feel my stomach pushing out from his shaft finding its way to my womb, all the way in, owning every part of me. As I allow myself to relax, I throw my head back as I drop the rest of my weight over his shaft and then heβs finally balls deep. I bring Marsβ hand down to my stomach and I open my eyes with his rod completely snug inside me. I read his expression as I start to ride Mars, who is completely silent. I know why. With every ounce of strength over his soul, Mars is trying very, very hard to stay still. Itβs not normal. Not for Elion creatures. I can see itβs torture for him, and I like that itβs a torture weβll both gain something from. βMars, flood me with your cum,β I beg him as I start to fuck him faster, and I feel his dick spurt hot cum inside me already. Itβs so scorching hot I lose my footing and I kind of trip forward. One of my elbows lands on his abs, and I look up, embarrassed, βSorry,β I gasp out the apology as I try to get back up. Mars hands hover over me, near my hips, wanting to assist me but I swat both his hands away. βIβm having fun,β I tell him as I get back up and I feel his seed coating his dick and my pussy walls, soaking me in his cum while heβs still rock hard, βIβm not done until youβre milked dry, Mars, give me everything ββ I start to ride him again, and this time I let myself go from thinking. I lose myself into the rhythm and imagine how my orgasm is going to make him snarl or say my name or something. I was going to make Mars fucking lose it. I donβt know why that is suddenly my aim, but I get into the perfect position as I ride him high and low, until my sensitive pussy literally canβt take it anymore. As I cum next, I cry out as I force myself to keep riding him, and I feel just how hard I squeeze, choking his dick, or trying to. I feel Marsβ cock pour hot cum into me again, much more, pulsing over and over. When I come to an abrupt stop to regain my breath, I look down at Mars andβ¦ β¦heβs in aβ¦ trance? Not only is he still. But his eyes are so dark itβs like heβs in another dimension. He almost looksβ¦ kind of dead. βMars,β I panic when I see his chest is not moving, so I slap him, worried something terrible just happened. When my hand connects with his cheek, Mars immediately shakes himself out of the trance and I see his six fangs dripping, furiously on display, his lips pulled back to give me a dissatisfied snarl. βI was talking to my fathers,β Mars snarls at me. βWhat?! I was fucking you,β I hiss. βWhich sent me into their universe,β Mars reaches up and grabs my throat in his hand as he sits up, holding me back to look down at me, while his dick is still inside me, still being squeezed, βThat was incredible but donβt ever hit me again.β βI just thought you died,β I whimper. βYour fucking wouldnβt kill me,β Mars manages a small smile, as he leans down to my mouth, βItβs the other way around, Diana,β he kisses me and steals my breath. I taste his venom and itβs euphoric. He really was drowning on the feeling I invoked in him. I kiss him back and Marsβ hand on my throat stays in place but he doesnβt hurt me. He just wanted to feel my heart racing. When his harsh lips leave mine, he pulls back to read my expression, looking for something. An ulterior motive maybe? βI donβt want to hurt you,β I whisper at Mars, βNever, Mars, never would Iββ ββ¦and yetβ¦ the power will get to you eventually,β Mars cuts me off with a tilt to his head, βThey all fall to it.β βI will not abuse the power, or you,β I promise it, βNot like Cinta. Not like any Empress. Please Mars. Believe me.β βThereβs a reason we have honour codes about females,β Mars teases meβ¦ at leastβ¦ I hope itβs teasing, until he says this next, βWhen you become an addict, you become sick. Itβs just a quality all you subspecies embody. You canβt escape the collapse of your puny human mind.β Hey, what the fuck! βIβm the one in charge of my free will,β I argue with him, βWhy are you being like this?β Mars is pulling away from me, pushing me aside as he gets off the bed and walks off, stealthing in that moment. He doesnβt want to hear it. Terra is in the open door way, leaning against the purple stones. His luminescent blue eyes look so human for a moment. βMars thought that was great sex,β Terra smiles handsomely, βThatβs all, Empress.β βYouβre saying I hurt him with my great sex?β I ask, raising a brow, βReally?β βThatβs the way to our hearts, Empress,β Terra whispers the words at me, so quietly I barely pick up on them, βMe next?β Fucking hell. βNo,β I shake my head, looking away, βI need a momentβ¦ okayβ¦β I turn from Terra to hide the tears in my eyes. I fucked Mars like that because I loved him and I trusted him. It just broke my heart to suddenly realise that didnβt automatically mean he trusted me too. He had his own thoughts and feelings. I could not dictate them. I just wishβ¦ forβ¦ I donβt know. I guess I just wish for a happy ending. But I canβt be the only one wishing for it. That Elion better be wishing for a happy ending too. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 58 βΏβββ’β¦ Dianaβs POV When Iβve proceeded to shed a few tears, feeling lonesome and kind of hopeless about Elion loveβ¦ I finally decide to get to my feet. But not before my senses tuned into the quiet from Ninth Squad in the adjoining chamber. I look over my shoulder and my eyes light up because I expected to see them here as a surprise. Instead, the chamber is empty and even Terra walked out. My small smile disappears. You know, humans needed contact too, sometimes they needed some extra attention andβ¦ Fuck it. I have to stop feeling sorry for myself. If no one wants to communicate with me, Iβll fucking go somewhere Iβm appreciated even if it does mean running away again. I stand up and I bolt over the bed, wondering if I can hijack their spaceship. In my spontaneous and powerful leap, using Fey strength, my nose suddenly detects their scent in the air, mingling with the Kor flora spread out in the room. The Kors were great at camouflaging into a part of nature itself, so I realise as Iβm moving that they are right here. Just playing with me? My feet land softly on the stones and I stop looking like Iβm sprinting out of here. If itβs not already too late. I hold out my hands and hum awkwardly to myself as I focus on the exit. βHmmmβ¦β after Iβve done nothing but look around, I straighten up and keep walking. One step. Twoβ¦ nothing. No oneβs bothering me. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven! Eight. Nine steps. A few more. Absolutely no one stops me, which means Iβm tip toeing through the fucking air of an empty room and looking like an imbecile. Great! Now Iβm delusional to top it all off. However, just to be safe, I turn on my own invisibility and then hop for the exit. At the door, I look out into the lounge area where the fire pit and curved stone couch is. Mars is the only one here and he is pacing the room slowly, looking in my general direction. Oh, no, where did everyone rush off to? I drop my invisibility at once and my hand flies to my heart, βMars?β I whisper, βIs something wrong ββ βRitual,β Mars smiles over my worry, and I immediately know there is no emergency, ββ¦you have been running so much between rare moments of submissionβ¦ that weβve never conducted a real ritual with you.β I gulp, ββ¦oh? Well why donβt we try that n ββ βDonβt deny you were running away again right now,β Mars shows his dripping fangs with his displeasure, βThe time to run is over, Empress.β I am used to asking for my wishes to come true, and I got cocky thinking fucking Alpha Centauri was duty enough for the day. Then fucking Mars. I was still kind of tired. And, and, well, um β βI was, feeling like running, running around, I have all this energy,β I blurt out a lie and realise itβs the worst lie ever. βEnergy abounding? Perfect,β Neptune suddenly speaks behind me, over my head, a sweet melodic drawl. I slowly look over my shoulder to see Neptune has dropped his stealth, no longer so shy. Heβs features are beyond a perfect beauty, with those silver liquid eyes that look like mirrors, but underneath that smile, is a row of venom dripping fangs just like the rest. Every Kor in Ninth Squad is naked and looking at me with unblinking and focused hunger. Theyβre on the prowl, alright. I turn around to them, giving Mars my back. As I slowly breathe in, their cocks all rise. One by one. A serious Jupiter, a stern Saturn, Mercury smirking next to Neptune, Uranus and Terra both looking straight at my body and Pluto, looking ready to cause some pleasure and pain. βR-Ritual,β I lift my chin, feigning control while surrounded by giants, I try to sound like an Empress, βOf course. Iβm h-happy to umβ¦ to p-participate?β I regrettably stutter and I feel just like a girl, not an Empress. All that falls away as I nervously and unconsciously splay my hands over my tummy, wondering how much I can take, βIβll try to help,β I whisper and Neptuneβs lithe hand reaches for my mouth. I jerk awkwardly back as he boldly covers my lips with three fingers. βSh,β Neptune silences me, completely unconcerned by my nervousness. βItβs time to let go, so sweet and small, youβve been brave for so longβ¦ for a human, Diana,β Mars is now right behind me, and his hand slides around the front of my neck, stroking along my throat, clearly imagining his dick jammed inside. I feel like Iβm so wet, if they look down, or care to listen, they might hear me dripping. I blush just at the thought. Itβs embarrassing just how wet I get at the thought of them taking over completely. Marsβ lips hover next to my temple as he doesnβt kiss me, but he tells me, like a teacher to his student, βNow. Weβre going to fuck you. Drink your blood. Youβre going to give it β but one rule remains,β I can already guess, and Iβm right as he commands, βYou donβt say a word, this is our time, Diana.β I bravely nod. I can do this. Although. The moment my head even moves in a slight affirmative and communicative action, Mars suddenly slides his hand up to under my jaw and he lifts up my head so I have to look all the way back at him. I freeze. Mars has pulled his gums back to show off all his teeth, but his face has morphed too. His dark eyes are filled with the metal grains of every soul heβs ever destroyed. His teeth grow a little longer and he drops all attempt at human-likeness. An animal intent on proving my submission because Iβm well and truly caught is all this Kor will accept. At first I am horrified. I see the veins running along his cheeks and theyβre depleted β in need of a silver tinted sustenance. I see the true hunger in him. I acknowledge itβs different to whatever I feel when Iβm in need. It might be similar but itβll never be the same. I can only count on one thing. I donβt cry as I look back at Neptune and I see the same thing, his skin rippling with depleted veins. Theyβre all starving. They need sex and blood. They made me to give and keep giving. And the whole not talking part was to let their instincts to the forefront so they donβt have to pretend. Our time. I get itβ I suddenly see Mars at the corner of my eye as he leans to the side of my face. All his fangs caress over my cheek and across my jawβ¦ heβs moving so slowly, my body has tensed, recognising this strange thing wants to fucking eat me. Itβs no longer a man worshipping me. I want to close my eyes but I donβt. I keep them open and running along Ninth Squad as I bare my neck to Mars. As his fangs caress my skin, I feel the hot venom dripping all over my neck. Then his hands run over my back, to my front. First, over my ribs and then under the curve of both my tits. He barely touches me but my skin vibrates with my heartbeat and my own pulsing pheromones, especially as I feel his hot dick lay up my back, ready to tear me apart and fill all my holes. Mars doesnβt bite me. He teases my neck and all of Ninth Squad are starting to look a little feral. Mars suddenly pulls back up, away from my neck which heβs only coated in venom without biting. He pushes into me, his whole body walking me into his squad of Kors. Minus E. I tremble as I walk into Neptune, as all their hands and their pointed nails, likened to claws, start to trace over every vein on my skin, visible through the semi-transparency of my Fey altered skin. All my human concerns melt the fuck away. This whole time, I had been worried about me. Not even worrying about them. Truly about them. And the truth of them. I wonβt lie, even as they conduct their ritual, and every fucking signal in my body says Iβm in danger of losing my life β I trust in their words. It was at least a type of communication that I understood. I will submit and I will live. Itβll either be the greatest leap of faith, or the end of me. Either way, itβs all up to them. I let them take me β however they fucking please. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 59 βΏβββ’β¦ Dianaβs POV One by one, members of Ninth Squad all gave me one long, deep kiss β allowing a riveting and honey-warm feeling to relax me for what was to come. A miniscule amount of venom each from my eight lovers. The rest is by their design. Mars lays me on the side of the bed, my head hanging back as his claws run over my neck, and his dick slides over my tongue, down my throat. Snug and wide, he filled me with his gentle enough strokes, that still go deep. I love the power of him, I sense it radiating from his thighs, his balls, his needy shaft and his body above mine. He smells like home. I can take his gentle deep throat-fucking, Iβm built for it β but Iβm also busy everywhere else. As I swallow his seed that he is continually pumping into my stomach, I feel Neptune and Uranus sharing my pussy together as a team, fucking me side by side. My pussy is always stretched, one Kor cock slides out and the other slides right back in, keeping me open and working for them as I try desperately to squeeze my walls. Itβs driving me a little mad because when I try to orgasm, it never fucking stops. The pleasure is drawn out and my body can only attempt to please them. Even my legs are held wide apart, my feet stroking Jupiterβs cock and Saturnβs. In my hand I stroke Mercury while I feel his hot seed spilling over my breasts. Pluto is underneath me, his arm is locked tightly around my waist as his cock is snug in my ass, so deep he doesnβt pull out as he just pumps me full of his seed as well. All the while he is totally still underneath me. He fucking loves the way I squirm on top of his hot dick, trying to make him move, but he just wants to torture me a bit longer with how fucking full I am of his Kor dick shoved so so deep into my body. Terra stands by Mars, when Mars has a break and I can breathe, Terra slides his dick into my mouth, gagging me quick, fucking me harder and deeper. He smirks down at me sweetly, stroking my cheek, like itβs no big deal, having to swallow him down as best as I can and not choke. And then in the midst of the mind blowing sex, I finally start to feel their fangs on me. Theyβve emptied their balls enough, now they need a feed. Neptune and Uranus have finished filling my pussy, so they pull out together and both clamp their teeth into my lower thighs. My legs tremble as my blood flows. I feel venom seep into me as they suck my blood, eager to fill their appetites. I wished their fangs wouldnβt dig so fucking deep, but the venom counters that. Mercury rubs a hand over my middle, his own teeth caressing the side of my calf. I feel deeply worshipped. I just submit to the taking and I can take it. When theyβre all spilling their cum into me or onto my skin, Iβm hoisted up, as three of them move in for my neck; Jupiter, Mercury and Terra. My head lolls back as they cradle me, finding a spot to fit. I feel venom course through my veins as they bite me in perfect synchronisation to stop any pain, while Saturn and Pluto take my wrists. They sample some of my regenerating Fey blood too. I still canβt believe Iβm their literal blood bag, but at least I wonβt die β and thank fuck it doesnβt hurt. Mars looks mischievous as he stalks around me, watching me give. He simply swipes up both my ankles, keeps my legs together and lifts me high, plunging his dick straight into my pussy and fucking me with steady, long, hard strokes. My pussy complains with yet another dick to squeeze. I am so tired. Even so, Mars wants me, so heβll have me. Venom soars through me while a climax also greets me in slow-motion, all helped by bloody Mars circling my clit with his persistent and steady thumb. Circle after circle. Perfectly pressured. He keeps my clit exposed and sensitive, and I realise it keeps me from falling into the venom-made void. Oh. Staying in the present, I can be aware as I get fucked and they drink from me. So I can really understand I am owned, I belong to Kors. Mars licks over my ankles and my feet, enjoying my submission. As Ninth Squad stop drinking, I feel their hands running over me, soft and loving. Someone brings over wet towels as they each wipe me clean, even as Mars continues to fuck me through it. I peel open my eyes to look at him as he looks at me, his teeth near my calf, as he smiles. βPuny human. Youβre fucking gorgeous when youβre silent,β Mars teases me, βA well behaved venom whore. What have we made other than perfection? Hmm?β βI want to keep her, annoying run-away small creature that she is,β Jupiter agrees, slapping a wet cloth onto my face and wiping off Terraβs cum. When he takes the cloth away and sees my glare, Jupiter smirks, βYou angry you donβt have your throat filled, by me?β His dick is still hard and could definitely use more milking, which is obvious to me when he lays it across my cheek, tempting me. But I am fucking spent. βYou wish. And donβt slap me with the cloth,β I just complain in a whiney girly voice. Iβm hungry too. My complaint only makes Mercury slap a towel over my tits. I jerk my spine up and squeeze hard over Marsβ cock, as he pushes in deep, chuckling loudly. βSqueeze me harder, milk me, Diana,β Mars drawls in a demand over me, βIβm not doing anymore work. Work for it. Iβm not leaving you until you squeeze.β He keeps his impossibly hard shaft inside my clenching pussy, as his thumb leaves my clit, and he waits for me to finish it. βIt might take a while,β I whisper my worry, βMy pussy is tired. I am too.β βI have all day,β Mars warns me, βYou will do your duty. However we ask. Empress. Try harder.β I squeeze him as hard as I can with my pussy alone and I actually watch a muscle in his neck and cheek twitch with it. Mars liked that. βI want your seed to fill me, Mars,β I whisper it, βPlease?β Ninth Squad smirk when I ask that. Mars really likes that. His dick swells a little more and my pussy quivers. He finally cums, I feel the seed pumping through his shaft, into me. My pussy is totally drenched. βWhen youβre done worshipping the Empress, I need a private word with her.β Oh, no. I hear an unwelcome drawl at the entry. Ninth Squad bare their teeth at the newest arrival. No. Itβs not Alpha Centauri. Curiously, itβs Arcturus. He, who had just tried to kill me in a fit of rage before. βShe wonβt be left alone with you,β Mercury threatens Arcturus, βUnless you want your balls hanging around your neck.β βState your intention, Arcturus,β Mars asks more provocatively, while grabbing a wet towel from the pile and pressing it to my sensitive pussy, wiping me over but fuck it feels good. He presses it against me hard, his fingers cheekily pushing a bit of the towel back into my pussy. Fingering me, I try not to moan as I uncontrollably raise my hips, Iβm so fucking wet, βAnd donβt say you want her for yourself, sheβs done.β βA word, only,β Arcturus answers, biting back, βA word with Diana, alone. Unless sheβs scared of me.β βI am scared of you,β I yell at him, while trying not to pant, βYou tried to kill me.β βI can say the words now, if you please, Empress,β Arcturusβ voice drips with venom as he smiles at Mars and then at me as I loll my head back. Fuck. Why did he have to interrupt? βSay it and fuck off,β I hiss at him. Arcturus stops smiling, and he just catches my eyes. βOrlai wasnβt the only one who had to go,β he drawls darkly, βWhen you have that Kor child, it will be your last. Mars is going to kill you. And it was his idea, love. Youβd have company in the death realm. Youβd be with her, the sweet little dove. If youβre still not sure why Iβm here, Iβm here to bring you back down to reality, Empress…β βWhy?β Mars growls at Arcturus, clearly not refuting his word. βI want her to hate you,β Arcturus grins, drawling darkly, βI may even want Diana to escape.β βWhy?!β Mars snarls this even louder, but heβs still fingering me, now deeper and hitting my G-spot, I try not to cum again while this stupid discussion is going on. I fuck him back, biting my lip so hard it might bleed. To help, Terra moves his thumb over my lips and I open up, and he lets me suck on his fingers instead. Mmm, he shoves them deep. βWhen she does, Iβll even defend her right to escape,β Arcturus looks at me, sucking on Terraβs fingers, but it doesnβt faze him, βAlpha Centauri should not have killed his little dove. I loved her and so did he. I did not defend Orlai. She deserved better. And stay away from Rigil. He hates your guts. He hates us all. He is without Honor.β βOrlai is gone forever, itβs too late for your vengeance,β Mars drawls anyway. βOne last thing, Diana,β Arcturus puts doubt into me, his dark heavy voice is rare but it means business, so I take his word seriously, ββ¦Alpha Centauri loves youβ¦ you can trust him, not Mars.β He turns and moves off. Iβm left surrounded by my Ninth Squad. I look at Mars. Mars looks beyond infuriated but denies nothing. He just feels my pussy finally clench once last time, and he takes his fingers from me, with my cream. I watch as he wipes them in the towel and wipes me over one more time too before tossing it aside. Terra also takes his fingers from my mouth, and he licks his own fingers clean. βIs it true?β I ask Mars, huskily, βYou want to kill me?β βOf course not,β Mars responds, his honesty resounds, dropping his snarl, he pets over my leg, βI love you, Diana. Donβt you forget it. The Estori wants you, but only because youβre mine.β I nod. Ninth Squad come closer, worried by my reaction. βDoubts?β Terra asks me, placing a hand on my cheek, βDiana?β βI donβt know,β I whisper, βI just feel scared by what he said.β βTrust us,β Mercury leans in and whispers in my ear, turning me toward him next, βWe all feel so much for you, Empress, you are our universe,β he kisses me briefly. As I sit up, soon I feel another Kor kissing the top of my head repeatedly. Slow, steady, kisses planted on my forehead. When I look up and back, Iβm shocked to see Pluto. But I feel imminently reassured if he is giving me gentle reassurance. βWhat a shame, he spoiled your mood,β Saturn also stays close and tickles my chin, βDonβt cry.β βIβm alright,β I whisper, looking back to Mars, where Neptune puts a hand on Marsβ shoulder and looks at me. βTrust,β Neptune winks, βWe created you to last.β βWe did,β Mars agrees, still unsure by the look in my eye. βOn the contrary, we do not enjoy killing our lovers,β Neptune explains. βStar Squad burn with a fury we do not,β Terra explains gently, βThey burn. We contemplate. Gravity, Diana, ours is mild, we are centred. They are purely poison. Not us. You never trust a Burning Kor.β βOr Magnetised,β Jupiter shakes his head, βStay away from Regalis.β βLeast of all Preistiuz Kors. The most untrustworthy,β Mercury murmurs. βDark Kors β planets like us,β Mars explains, βWe are careful.β βWhatβs a Preistiuz Kor?β I wonder. βHighly manipulative on a scale you canβt imagine,β Mars cocks a brow, happy to change the subject, βI sent Airy to one such β the only one left, in fact.β βI wonder if Airy is alive,β I ask. βWith one Iβm sure he is mellow,β Neptune reasons, βIf the whole squad was available, she would not stand a chance. Theyβre the nicest Kors youβll ever meet.β βOh?β I whisper, giggling, βI thought Ninth Squad were the nicest Kors I ever met.β They all start laughing. I laugh too, awkward because I feel so jelly-like. Eventually they all go quiet as they see me shuffling around like a half-paralysed squished bug. βWe need to feed her,β Mars murmurs. βCan you stop buying me sugar and coffee, I wouldnβt mind some meat,β I add, my eyes lighting up, βLike now.β βMeat? Now weβre talking,β Mars grins, laughing as he walks off. I actually find it funny. Neptune helps to pull me into a better position on the couch, and I lean back against Uranus as he swipes me into his side and kisses the side of my head. βArcturus lies,β Uranus promises me, βYou know heβs a bastard.β βI know.β βDonβt ever doubt what theyβll do to you,β Uranus warns me, βAlpha Centauriβ¦ and his squad.β βI wonβt ever doubt,β I agree, because I just agree, while staring up into his handsome face, βYouβre beautiful, Uranus, so is Neptune. Why did you hide from me for so long?β Uranus promptly puts on his Stealth, not as a joke, but to hide a blush and a sexy smile as he looks to Neptune for support, but I quickly notice he is gone too. What the β? βYou scared them off,β Jupiter laughs, βTheyβre bashful. Ohβ¦ Dianaβ¦ what a pretty venom whore you are, so ready for it.β βFor what?β I ask, grinning back at him as he collects all the towels into one pile. βComplete domination,β Jupiter smirks, growling to himself, βComplete annihilation.β Ah? I hope he didnβt mean my subspecies. Or me. I hope that was a joke. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 60 βΏβββ’β¦ Alpha Centauriβs POV I pace near Venus in his dark cell. The only light is the metal embedded into the ancient stone blocks and what emanates from my skin. βShame how far youβve fallen from honour,β I drawl over the insane Kor. His bronze eyes have dulled from hunger, his skin losing itβs glow as we weaken him in punishment for his betrayal. βIs there a reason youβve come to me?β E asks me anyway, sounding strong, even though I know heβs weak. βHow does it work, Dianaβs blood?β I murmur to him, βHow do I make one like her?β βIn my laboratory, I have samples of Jβ¦β Venus stops, short of breath, closing his eyes as he opens them again, meeting mine, ββ¦the Junaia rootβ¦ I genetically modified itβ¦ you brew it in a tea, make a girl drink it, theyβll morph to have Fey powers, small aspects of Fey power, speed, invisibility, strength, and most importantly, regeneration,β E offers the information easily, heβd do anything to get out of that cell, βIt will kill anyone who isnβt honourable, so it must be a Dark Nine who takes it.β βAt least you know your place,β I turn and walk past him again, my eyes cutting him with judgment. As I walk, Venus calls out. Ever the cruel genius. βNo more smell of her perfume for you, Estori?β he starts to cackle maniacally to himself. I pause and then I continue with growing disdain. Venus went sour after feeling for that bitch, Cinta. He lost his head. I return to my Kor Squad, and I find Proxima by a long window, overlooking the empty faded city, laid out below us, blinking lights showing the Dark Ninth energy was effectively dormant. βWe go hunting?β Proxima asks me, hopeful as he side-eyes me. βFirst. How did Arcturus go?β I wonder. βAwful, they didnβt believe a word,β Proxima growls in disgust, βArcturus loved the little dove, now heβs sick.β βIβm aware, give him time,β I say quietly. I turn with him to face the squad hanging around our area, on edge, each member moves with intent. We are all hungry. βPatience,β I tell them, βWe go hunting for knowledge first. I want to try something out.β βTry what?β Rigil asks in a half sly, half berating tone. βYou drink once, then you starve,β I tell him, I tell all of them, my eyes rolling over Proxima standing with his triplet brothers, Toliman and Sirius. Vega and Capella patrol the entry to our midnight chamber, pacing back and forth like guard dogs, their teeth aching behind the chains. Cano and Arcturus stay quiet before me, wallowing in deep thought. My squad were the most elite Elion warriorsβ¦ they werenβt very good at thinking beyond their bloody needs. βFind some subspecies clothes,β I tell them with a grin, βWeβre going to seduce one girl.β βYou canβt be serious,β Rigil hisses. βNo, cousin,β I smirk at Rigilβs distress, βIβm very fucking serious. Iβm going to find this human. Iβm going to offer her a deal. I just wish to see what happens. Curiosity.β βWhat kind of deal?β Sirius asks me in a low snake-like hiss. Even he is worried. βWho wants to drink from an obedient venom whore whose blood keeps on giving?β I smirk, βI donβt mean our Empress. Or an Estoria. I mean a good for nothing whore, a blood bag. Paid for. E created the formula. I want one. I donβt want to love it, I want to fuck it.β βAnd you have one in mind?β Rigil goes quiet, βWho exactly?β βShe makesβ¦ pastries,β I try not to laugh, βHurry up and find some outfits, weβre taking the little bunny on a date.β βThe bunny?β Proxima whispers, βYou mean that rodent that snuck onto Planet Apastron? Just before your son blew it all to hell?β βPrecisely, sheβs in with the Freed,β I chuckle, βAnd her blood is sweet. Iβve had a taste of her.β βFucked her?β Toliman cocks a brow. βNo,β I shake my head, shrugging, ββ¦not yetβ¦β βWhy a venom whore?β Sirius hisses, pacing toward me, βWhy now? Are you trying to make the Empress jealous?β Maybe. βSheβs lonely,β I contradict him, βLetβs find her a friend. Last I heard, the bunny was her only friend.β My squad are not impressed. But my mind is set. Weβre hunting that little pastry chef, and weβre hunting her tonight. If anything, sheβd make a good chew toy. Jitterβs POV I stay late at work, creating my newest pastries. I am applying a new technique, something Iβll test tomorrow when everything is ready for me to create my masterpiece. I push everything into the fridges, I dust off my apron and I check my phone. Two minutes until Benny picks me up for our first date. I couldnβt believe it. I snagged a bad boy, he rode a hover bike and even wore old-fashioned black leather. He even had beautiful blonde hair and gorgeous chocolate eyes, ooey-gooey eyes. And his kiss was still on my mind. We met at a party, both a little tipsy. It was just a kiss, we exchanged numbers, and now he was taking me out to Light Metroβs best bars. We had a burning chemistry, and I was delighted. I was always working, I barely had time for pursuits of pleasure. I didnβt even think I could ever have a chance with such a handsome Freed, a fellow rebel. Luckily, I was somewhat famous after my incident with the local Galactic Queen, Diana. I simply went in search for my friend, I didnβt expect to black-out at some point, waking up half buried in silver flowers, before being scooped up and pushed along toward my freedom. Four deep words were burned into my brain while on that alien planet. Hop along, little bunny. I remember hearing the masculine drawl, but not seeing the Kor. His invisibility was on but his hands were on me. Iβd never forget that voice. I escaped, Danger saved me, and that was that. Diana was living, as far as I could tell, so I resigned myself to the fact she was a survivor and didnβt need my help. I pick up a cookie of a rabbit on the way out of the kitchen, my customary end of shift treat. I made them anyway, and everyone loved my bunny cookies. I canβt see Benny outside yet. Heβs late, so I sit on a stool in the bakery and check my vibrating phone. Iβm surprised to find an unknown number calling. Just in case itβs him, I pick up. βHello?β I ask. A moment later the line goes dead, and I shut it off, βHuh. Hmm.β I put my phone aside as I look to the front of the shop, even though the lights are all off, Benny and I agreed I should wait inside until he arrives, for safety. Light Metro was a huge city, but it was still dangerous. Maybe ten seconds pass, and I swear I feel the wall shake to my left. Itβs only for a second, but everything trembled like an uneven warp just happened on the other side. Perhaps a malfunctioning ET portal? The wall stills and about thirty seconds later, the front door that I locked is opening mysteriously as someone I canβt see walks in. I stop chewing, the door shutsβ¦ I hear footsteps creak toward me. I almost choke on the crumbs, but Iβm not kept in suspense for too long. A giant solidifies in front of me. Alpha Centauri. I recognise him because I confronted him in a towel once when he was looking for Diana. The Kor is wearing ripped jeans and a plain black shirt. Heβs blue skin holds its own light, and his steel eyes match his steel black hair, which flows down past his waist. He even seems to be wearing a fancy watch. Clearly there is a fancy event he is attending in Light Metro tonight? βWeβre shut,β I squeak out at him. He smiles handsomely as he walks closer, βPlease donβt kill me.β Alpha Centauri laughs and watches me run around the counter and stand on the other side. He pretends to walk up like a customer, eyeing the cookies left on display in the dark. βIf youβre looking for Diana, I donβt know where she is,β I explain, laughing awkwardly, βHaha,β Oh cosmic gods, why is he here?! Alpha Centauri leans on the counter, looking me up and down, βJitters?β βYou know my nickname,β I am astounded, βAnyway, why is the King of Kors, visiting little ole me?β βCuriosity and a question,β Alpha Centauri gets straight to the point, βYou love to bake these weird little animals?β he picks up a bunny cookie, βBunny.β The endearment is coated in a seductive Kor drawlβ¦ and suddenly, I know that voice. I blush at the memory. I have my confirmation finally. It was definitely him who let me escape his planet after Diana made a deal to save me. βIβm just a pastry chef,β I answer him, dryly, βUmβ¦ whatβs your question?β βWould you give up everything to be a whore?β Alpha Centauriβs question catches me so off guard, Iβm literally speechless. I canβt even process what the fuck that question means. When he waits patiently and receives no reply, he shrugs one shoulder and seems disinterested. He turns to leave and I realise too late, Benny is at the door, looking in, watching me talk to a strange giant man in the darkness of the bakery. Alpha Centauri stands very still, and before he can Stealth, Benny swears by the looks of it and turns around, storming off down the pavement, disappearing into the crowd. βOh no, Benny wait!β I yell out, running around the counter, before Alpha Centauri turns to me and I abruptly halt, remembering he is there, I quickly back up into my safe spot again, βYou scared away my date,β I accuse him. Alpha Centauri blinks slow, βThen I guess I owe you one.β βYou ββ I gawk, βYou owe me? I mean, yes, of course you do. You ruined my night.β βWhat would you like? Iβll give you one thing, anything at all,β Alpha Centauri means it, even as he growls it, and his eyes shine with a metallic glare. I canβt tell if heβs happy or something else entirely. He was otherworldly in many regards. But what can I ask for? Iβm a Dark Nine. A Freed. I donβt want for material luxury. I try to think, quick. βUm, well now you have my curiosity spiked, you see,β I whisper, working it out as I go, βYou came here asking a very strange question, then you scare away my date, then I kind of realiseβ¦ you came here all dressed upβ¦ and Kors canβt hunt on these planets. Youβre not here to do bad, youβre here toβ¦ well I guess to, see me? So what do I want? I wantβ¦ I wantβ¦ to know exactly what you want from me. Tell it to me straight. Thatβs my one wish.β I could ask for anything. But I need to know this. Alpha Centauriβs eyes flicker twice and darken as he turns back to me, admitting openly, following through, βI want to drink your blood and fuck you every day for a little whileβ I want to invite you to be a venom whore to me and my squad and I want you to say yes. Of course, you can say no and I wonβt bother you, Jitters, after all, itβs just a simple yes or no answer,β Alpha Centauri states all this boldly. It does funny things to me. Like, why am I blushing? Why does he make something so vulgar, sound so polite? βShouldnβt you date me first or something?β I ask, blinking rapidly, βI donβt even know you. I know I snuck onto your planet and allβ¦ butβ¦ I donβt know you.β All I know is heβs a sexy fucking beast. Thatβs about it. And thatβs not enough to go on since Kors are literally that for the sole purpose of seducing you to your untimely end. Alpha Centauri admits something else, his words quiet but true, βIβve already had your blood, little bunny.β βI donβt remember,β I whisper. βI snuck up on you, since you snuck into my home,β Alpha Centauri admits that too, βYou have very sweet blood. A purity we enjoy.β And Iβm attracted. Iβm attracted to how brutally honest he is. I find truth sexy as fuck. βI think Iβll just, pass,β but, I chicken out, smiling. βIs it because youβre a virgin?β Alpha Centauri zones in on me without even blinking. Damn, he has no bed-side manners. Now Iβm blushing to high cosmic heaven. βGeez,β I gulp, βUm.β Yes. How did he know? βA new deal, little bunny,β Alpha Centauriβs eyes sparkle now, as he slowly smiles, βLetβs go on a date. And after I take it away from you, then you decide.β βYou want to be the one to fuck me?β I ask, trying to mimic how bold he is so effortlessly. βI said that bluntly multiple times, puny human, I donβt like to waste my time,β Alpha Centauri is not impressed that Iβm not catching up quicker. βWhat could you possibly offer, that make girls want to give up everything to be a venom whore? It canβt just be good sex,β I reason. βYouβll get anything you desire as our whore,β Alpha Centauri once again speaks simply, βTake it or leave it.β βI donβt want to promise you anything butβ¦ I might just agree to one date, with no obligations, and no requirements to have sex,β I state that, βIβm not that type of girl, okay? I donβt just fuck anybody.β βNoβ¦ but youβd deny an Estori,β Alpha Centauri breaks out into a slow wide grin, finally impressed, I think, βI could have come here for a very different reasonβ¦ but youβre lucky Iβm feeling playful. Youβll be okay, bunny. I wonβt hurt you.β βWhy do I trust you?β I ask him as I slowly move around the counter, and slowly move toward him. βBecause Iβm telling the truth,β Alpha Centauri murmurs over me, glad Iβm finally coming closer, βFair warning. Iβm not looking for love.β βOh,β I gulp, βWellβ¦ itβs just a dateβ¦?β βI can see itβs important to you. You can find love another time, another place,β Alpha Centauri curls a finger through my blonde curls by my earβ¦ and I realise then he had a girlfriend who looked a bit like me. I wonder what happened to her, βWhat Iβm offeringβ¦ it is purely pleasure.β I nod, feeling kind of weird that he had to immediately deny any potential feelings. Iβm not sure what to say. Alpha Centauri takes the lead, βIβm taking you out for dinner.β He grabs my hand and I donβt resist. Heβs hand is warm, his scent sweetly metallic. He pulls me toward the door, gently enough to let me know heβs not a total barbarian. Heβs aware of my size compared to his and I like that. As I walk out with him, my heart is racing. This was exciting β and very weird β but also relatively unknown. I felt like I was on the edge of a cliff, and he was holding me tight. But he wasnβt pulling me back. He was leaning me over the edge of an abyss. Deciding. If Iβd fall or not. But anyway. I wasnβt agreeing to anything yet. I wasβ¦ I was just curious. If things got too weird, all I had to say was no. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 61 βΏβββ’β¦ Jitterβs POV Alpha Centauri guides me through the street toward Evoni Central, a place only the super-rich had access to in Light Metro. I had literally never been inside this massive building, but with my hand in his, he scoots me through like heβs done it a thousand times before. Red flag? Maybe. The fact that he is a Kor and probably wants to devour me? Also probably, just maybe, kinda a red flag. But he was super fucking attractive though?! And he was honourable, which meant, our deal was actually very, very good and very, very safe. I could enjoy this free date and then just, yah know, exit politely at the end of it. He did owe me one! I try to reason away why this date is a good idea. Besides, how exciting! Even in my black pants covered in flour stains near the ankles where the apron didn’t protect me, and my white shirt which was clean but basic, and my slightly torn sneakers, I’m somehow allowed into the building. We walk toward a fancy round lift and Alpha Centauri gets the doors to open as if everyone knows not to delay him, including the inanimate metal doors. We step in together, then my dangerous date asks for the Terminal View Restaurant. Fucking fancy prick! I didn’t know aliens like him dined out like this. Alpha Centauri sees my nervous excitement in the reflection of the lift doors. “Nervous?” He smiles and itβs nice, he isnβt mocking me, I donβt think. “My favourite pastry chef works here,” I admit, shuffling from foot to foot, soon jumping from foot to foot. “Behave for me, Jitters,” Alpha Centauriβs low drawl has me quietening down. “Ooh, sorry. Where’s your squad anyway?” I like that heβs still holding my hand, firmly too. “For dinner itβll be just me, Bunny, you can meet them later if you agree to the terms,” Alpha Centauri turns toward me. I spin toward him too, because I also want to see what he could possibly do next to turn me on. He seemed to have everything down, the charisma, the confidenceβ¦ As he gazes adoringly over me, I watch his hand reach up, the long steel claws trail along my cheek, and then tickle under my chin, keeping my head up, inspecting me. “Eyes on me,” Alpha Centauri tests my obedience, when I nod, he approves. Something in his eyes, I guess, “Any questions yet, bunny?” “Do you think I’m pretty or something?” I whisper. I want to know what that look in his eye was. He seemed obsessed but he barely knew me. Maybe I was imagining things? “Your womb is of interest to me.” Alpha Centauri speaks so seriously, I just gawk as he faces the doors. What a weird and very creepy alien thing to say. Ignoring he just said that, I follow him spritely into the restaurant and we get escorted to one of the window seats in a slick booth. I try to slip in opposite him but Alpha Centauri suddenly jerks me over so I sit right on his lap instead. “I like my bunnies sitting on me,” Alpha Centauriβs explains to me, but the waiter is right there, and I blush hard. βOkay,β I whisper as I shuffle back on his comfortable thighs. He is so enormous he is like a seat himself. The menus are handed over and my Kor date immediately asks for red wine to begin with. As the waiter takes the order and walks off, I can already feel Alpha Centauriβs hard dick through his pants, straining. My estimate? Definitely bigger than a rolling pin. Fuck. Alpha Centauri feels me shuffling back and forth as I try to get comfortable, but really Iβm estimating his full size. What if the pants are containing him and heβs even bigger? Hmm, I wiggle my hips a bit more as my fingers dig into his thighs. He smells so good, too, I lean right back against him, looking up above me. I donβt know why, but I feel like I can act like this around him. Maybe it was just how bold he was about wanting a willing venom whore. I am sure he appreciates my interest. I lean to the side as Alpha Centauriβs lips caress my ear, along with his fangs, “Keep fidgeting like that and I’ll fuck you right now.” “Oh, you canβt be serious. How could you even manage that?” I gasp, now leaning forward and curling my fists on the table, βYouβre crazy if you think you can do that in public ββ I try not to squeak when his hands grip my waist. “Let me show you how,” Alpha Centauriβs hands roll over the edges of my stretchy pants and he pulls them down my hips, just far enough down my thighs, while I feel him opening his own zipper. Now he can see my G-string, how embarrassing!!! He is moving so quick I donβt know what to do. I am just frozen in anticipation. Before I know it, I feel his bare, iron-hot shaft against my skin. He is pulsing against my thighs as I sit on top of the iron rod. The naughty Kor shuffles us closer to the table and holds the menu over our laps. You can’t even tell. “You’re wet, that’s a good girl,” Alpha Centauri licks into my ear, “I’m going to put it inside you and fuck you slowly all dinner… don’t worry, we’ll stop when they come by. Afterall, youβre my meal at this table, bunny,” he smiles against me when I jerk away and look back at him, looking for reassurance. Heβs definitely joking. Okay, good. I gulp down excess saliva and lean back against him as he curls around me, holding the menu out for me. I nod a few times. I can do this. I can. Sure I can. I think?! If anything, everything about this experience was delighting my Dark Nine senses. I liked that it was spontaneous and crazy, following no rules. Alpha Centauri was unhinged just like one. To be honest, I have never been more excited or wet in my life. I just hope I can take it. βReady?β Alpha Centauri whispers in my ear, βIβm going to put it in, slow, Jittersβ¦ trust me.β βI trust you,β I feel insane saying it, and before I know it, heβs lifting me up. Like, up high. I feel awkward just how far he actually has to lift me, I look over the booth and at everyone else for a second before he lowers me back down. On the way back to our seat, I feel his cock as it presses to my pussy. Here goes the first official dick Iβve ever had. The waiter could come back any second with that wine. I tremble a bit as Alpha Centauri slowly starts to lower me down onto his weapon. My pussy is so tight it wonβt even let him in and I panic internally, but I do feel the head of his cock is getting kissed by all my awaiting cream. Surely thereβs enough to help him fit? I was too scared to look down at it. “Squeeze and then relax,” Alpha Centauriβs small bit of advice helps. I feel my pussy clench over the head of his shaft and when I relax, he slides in. Ohβ¦ oh, no. Heβs really, really, really big. And long too. A giant Kor dick. How could I fit all thatβ ? I canβt breathe without manually thinking about it. I expect the rest of the way down to be a slow entry, but Alpha Centauri pulls me down smoothly, his dick splits me right through, until I’m so full I canβt even squeeze anymore. Instead of pain, I feel very weird inside. My body is welcoming him like he belongs inside me. I had more trouble fitting in sex-toys that were smaller than him, yet my whole pussy is like yup, park-here, all the fucking way inside me, all the fucking way until Iβm sure something ainβt right. Now I just sit here on his cock, just hoping I donβt die, honestly. Maybe this was how it all ends for me and my Dark Nine adventures? No more pastries. R.I.P Jitters, died on her first dick. Organs, irreparably damaged. What a horrible way to go? I finally manage to glance down and see my stomach bulging a little. Holy fuck, he was inside me, like, inside my β “I’m inside your womb,” Alpha Centauri explains, chuckling over me, “I’m too big for puny humans, donβt worry, your body is compelled to accept me. Itβs my pheromones.” “I fucking realised that,” I whisper out, clenching around him uncontrollably as I spasm with the slightest movement. Once the panic passes, pleasure starts to pulse through me in deep and hot waves. I hold the table tight. “Relax,” Alpha Centauri growls in my ear as he starts to fuck me on the spot, taking my virginity just like that. He was actually going to fuck me in the restaurant?! I thought he was just going to put it in. His hips were moving, just enough so his dick was sliding in and out, but staying deep. I arc back against him, clawing against his shirt, trying not to move too much. It feelsβ¦ it feels amazing. I look up at him and heβs staring down at me, his mouth curled into an adoring smile. βCute, bunny,β Alpha Centauri murmurs over me, βNo one will see us, donβt worry.β “All dinner?” I whisper, to confirm. “Shh.” He stops his thrusts when the waiter returns and we scan the menu. Or I do. I hold it close, trailing my fingers over the words I canβt read. “Chefβs special,” Alpha Centauri drawls at the waiter. “Do you need some extra privacy, Estori?” the waiter asks very casually. Oh, no. Oh SHIT! The waiter knows, doesnβt he?! I blush deep red as I glance up at the uniformed employee. He doesnβt look concerned. “No need,” Alpha Centauri smirks. The waiter nods and walks off. “What if someone else notices?” I hiss quietly, and then he starts to fuck me again, cocking a brow as if to say, let them, “I think I’m going to cum already,” I whimper it as I look back at him, βI canβt β I canβt do this. Iβm scared.β He leans down and plants a kiss on my forehead, “I’ll look after you, sweetheart, cum as hard as you like, it won’t be the only time,” Alpha Centauri seems completely unfazed as he helps by sliding a hand around my mouth before fucking me harder. Even though we are just seated, it’s enough. I cum and his giant Kor hand keeps me from making any noise. He holds me down tight so I canβt squirm. I just breathe hard through my nose and my pussy attempts to milk him dry, but he’s hard as a rock. “Good girl, that’s it,” Alpha Centauri approves of me climaxing so quick, “When it’s my turn, there’s going to be a mess… and you’re going go clean me up, understood?” “I don’t understand,” I whisper. “You’ll lick my balls and cock clean, Jitters,” Alpha Centauriβs tone darkens a tad, βDo you understand me?β “But it’s my first time,” I complain. “I don’t care, bunny. You’ll do as you’re told. Youβre nothing but a toy to me.” Those dirty words have me gasping as Alpha Centauri keeps fucking me. But this time, his hand slides under my shirt, feeling my tits and then curling around my rib cage. “Are you enjoying this?” Alpha Centauri asks against my ear. I nod. “I think I need a break,” I beg him, βIβm scared toβ¦ to cumβ¦ again.β He stops thrusting and holds me back against him, his hand splayed over my stomach. “Just breathe,” at least Alpha Centauri listened to my concerns. “Is this what you want me to do everyday?” I ask, looking back up at him. “Itβs a promise,” Alpha Centauri grabs some wine and holds the rim of the glass to my lips. I take a sip and then so does he. He seems displeased by it, but he doesnβt comment. I decide to be a bit naughty, “I haven’t said yes yet.” “Then say no,” Alpha Centauri wonβt bite the bait. Heβs too smart. Maybe he has dealt with this scenario one too many times before. I don’t say anything. Alpha Centauri chuckles to himself. I wonder what heβs laughing about? Maybe the fact Iβm stuffed with Kor dick while I pretend to deny him. He leans down now, to whisper in my ear, “Turn around, itβs your turn, bunny,β What? Now he wants me to ride him?! βBe brave for me.β Iβll certainly try?! I get up and he helps me by lifting me up. I swiftly turn around to face him and he rips my pants off completely, tossing them onto the floor. When I sit back down, I slide right back over his cock. Iβm just glad we are next to a window and no one can see unless they come to our corner. Alpha Centauri hovers his lips over mine but will not kiss me. I wonder if I should kiss him, but as I gaze up at his sexy cruel lips, I spot the glint of very sharp fangs underneath thereβ¦ hmm, the kissing can wait! Ha! Haha, oh god, he was a monster. I was fucking a monster! βIβll just sit here,β I suggest, biting my lip. βYouβll fuck me,β Alpha Centauri counters. βNo,β I smile as I tease him. “You will be punished for that insolence later,” Alpha Centauri speaks so matter-of-fact, “Move your hips,” he clenches my ass, until his claws are a bit painful. I start to ride him slowly. Just a bit. I curl my arms around his shoulders and he adds, “Higher, Jitters.” I try. He helps me by guiding my waist, his hand lifting me and slamming me back down, quicker and quicker, until Iβm bouncing harder than I intended. I hold him even closer, terrified. “A-Alpha Centauri,” I whimper his name, I’m going to cum again. “Not yet,” he snarls over me, for my ears alone. I withhold my climax as best I can. He fucks me back, increasing the pace. There is no way I can hold it. My body spasms as I cum hard anyway, I bite into his shoulder as a low moan escapes my throat. “Bad, bad whore,” Alpha Centauri is displeased, smacking my ass, “You’re not allowed to cum again. But you’re going to sit and eat like this, while I keep fucking you. Turn around.” I gulp and I nod. This was way, way too much fun. Alpha Centauri does the work this time, he turns me back around to face the table. His dick pulses inside me and I feel faint as I realise just orgasms arenβt enough for Kors to cum. He is going to keep torturing me with how hard he is. His hand slides around my throat, squeezing my neck a little as I settle back against him. “Only when Iβm finished with you, will you get your share of venom,” Alpha Centauri explains. “I don’t even know what the venom is like,” I admit. “You will,β Alpha Centauri slides his hand under my shirt again, feeling my rib cage and my heart beat one more time, βHow do you feel?β “Theβ¦ the sex is indescribableβ¦ but me? I’mβ¦ scared,” I admit, βTerrified of you, actually. Andβ¦ especially your teeth β fangs.β “You should be utterly terrified, bunny,β Alpha Centauri is pleased with that, βI’m going to change your life for the absolute worst, and you’re going to beg me for it.” βI can still say no,β I whisper. βSay it then, donβt tease,β Alpha Centauri challenges me. But again. I say nothing. I donβt want this to end. βNow donβt complain again,β Alpha Centauri warns me, βI might actually be starting to like you, bunnyβ¦ if youβre good. Donβt challenge me. Submit as a whore to Star Squad and Iβll treat you like a princess.β And now he was offering the terms. The contract. βReally?β I sound so dazed as he bends me over the table. I comply with his hand on my nape, pressing me down, I turn my cheek against the wood. He starts to fuck me again, slow and easy. βYou have no idea,β Alpha Centauri sounds different β like an animal. From the table, I glance back at Alpha Centauri and he smiles wide, showing me whatβs underneathβ¦ fuckβ¦ the bitting power in those six massive fangs, I canβt even imagine what itβs like to get bit, βSay yes, little bunny.β He wants an answer now?! While heβs smiling at me with all his shredders? How many whores has he eaten? I donβt want to guess. Oh, no, oh, no, Iβm going to regret this. But Iβm a little impulsive β it was kind of who I was. And I knew he could be civilβ¦ and I could just, just, likeβ¦ I donβt knowβ¦ I justβ¦ I open my lips, holding his eye. ββ¦y-yes.β |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 62 βΏβββ’β¦ Dianaβs POV Pacing down the extravagant giant cavernous hall, empty and barren aside from the sparkling dark stones, itβs a sweet morning walk. An Empress. The only one in the universe. And thereβs no one here but my lovers and my two sweet sons. I am on cloud nine β especially after sleeping soundly all night and waking to breakfast with Malestrom and Diasphora grinning opposite me, talking to me all morning about their adventures around the desolate abandoned city. They had boundless energy, talking nonstop, even Diasphora tried to converse but was really just mimicking everything Malestrom said, trying to learn how to speak as quickly as possible. Clearly determined to learn fast like E. It was the cutest most adorable morning ever in my existence. I was warm and feeling light and airy after that experience. My own Kors kept their distance and let me enjoy our sons, just as a mother should. I felt a deep setting joy spread through me after that. Even after last night and that Ritual experience with Ninth Squad. I might just love being an Empress. Iβm sure one or more of my Kors tail me in Stealth mode, behind at a distance, but Iβm grateful they donβt drag me away from my internal bliss this morning. It was the first time I didnβt want to run away. I walk down the lavish, long hall, one step at a time, curiousβ¦ darkly curiousβ¦ about what exactly Star Squad are doing this morning. Theyβre awfully quiet if theyβre even present. I knew their Midnight Chamber was at the end, I had overheard Ninth Squad mention it. Iβm wearing a new Plume and Krown, pale green silk falls from the chain around my waist and green crystals line the collared Krown around my neck. I had ventured into the Silks of Stars and found this set in there. I liked that the colour reminded me of Earth. While pacing quietly down the Kor Hold, out of the blue, I hear a familiar feminine giggle coming from Star Squadβs territory in the Hold. My smile is immediately wiped from my face as dread replaces my joy. The Estori laughs next. No. No. Alpha Centauri that plotting scheming bastardβ¦ how fucking dare he. I break out into a sprint, suddenly panic-stricken as I run toward the Midnight Chamber, my own invisibility shimmering off and on uncontrollably. I skid into the chamber and I bypass Vega and Capella who hiss at me as I enter without approval or permission. They reached out for me but I havenβt slowed enough. Because I am still sprinting straight for him. The Estori. Star Squad are all looking around at the naked and confused Jitters as she dances around, laughing, covered in star dust. Her eyes are completely glazed over as she dances around and around and around. Star Squad are amused by the performance. Alpha Centauri is seated back on a stone chair not unlike his throne on the destroyed Planet Apastron. The very fucking moment I entered the room, the Estori locked eyes on me and could barely contain the handsome smile breaking out across his face. Jitters makes herself dizzy as she spins too fast, and she falls over, almost knocking herself out as she falls next to Alpha Centauriβs legs, narrowly missing the stone corners of the chair. βHow dare you hunt my friend,β I lunge at the Estori, aiming to slap him β but the Estori snaps up my wrist and drags me even closer instead. Alpha Centauri clasps my other wrist before I can attempt to bring up my other hand, and he just seems happy Iβm on top of him again. βDiana,β Alpha Centauri is far too smug that Iβm here now, βWhat a pleasant surprise to see my Empress so early in the morning.β βDid you just bring her here to make me mad?β I yell at him, my voice rising. Alpha Centauri lets out a purely evil grin, perfectly menacing, βNow why would I do that, sweetheart?β the audacity of this fucking Elion. βArgh, fuck you,β I struggle to free my wrists, but he wonβt let me go as I squirm on his lap, my legs straddling his. I just watch him smirk above me and I hear the silence behind me from his squad. Iβm sure theyβre enjoying this struggle. Of course I canβt fight an Elion. But that logic doesnβt ease my need for justice. Jitters is crawling around, confused and trying to stand. βStay down, Jitters,β I stop struggling to lean a little toward her, begging her, βDonβt move. Just stay there until I can help.β βSheβs protected, Empress,β Alpha Centauri tries to reassure me. βSheβs my friend!β I yell up at him, βHow dare you do this without my permission!β Alpha Centauri loses all his humour, his smile immediately wiped from his face. βWhat did you just say to me, you puny whore?β Alpha Centauri flashes his fangs in a snarl of rage, βObey me, human, or youβre dead.β I am terrified by the look in his eye. But that steel rage is soon redirected to something above and behind me. His eyes soften and he immediately regains a small resemblance of a Kor smile. βLook whoβs come to defend you,β Alpha Centauri spins me around on his thighs, holding my chin and making me face Mars, whoβs come quickly to intervene before the Estori does something stupid. The Estoriβs hands may have released my arms, but now my chin is held steady in his palm and his other hand splays over my plume, where his baby grows, βShe is mine, Mars. One month.β Mars isnβt pissed at Alpha Centauri, instead he just looks like heβs angry at me? βEmpress,β Mars dares to scold me, cocking a brow, βWhat are doing, attempting to strike our Estori?β βHe has my friend,β I hiss at him as Alpha Centauri holds me back in a firm hold, trying to relax me against his heat. Itβs regrettably working, but Mars is not defending me, and that hurts more. βKors hunt, Diana,β Mars reminds me, βWhy are you shocked.β βI SAID, sheβs my friend!β I scream it now, suddenly furious that they donβt understand something so simple. Or they do but they just donβt care. βDiana,β Jitters pulls herself up, looking worried that I screamed, βWhy are you upset? Alpha Centauri invited me to be here because he said youβre lonely.β I gulp and I look at Jitters, who looks more together, βRun away,β I beg her, βYou shouldnβt be here.β βWhyβ¦β Jitters can see my tears forming, βDonβt cry, Diana.β βYou shouldnβt be here,β I cry out to her as I gasp in a deep breath, she is too fucking naΓ―ve, βJitters, you need to leave. You canβt be here.β βIβ¦β Jitters stands back, holding her hands up in front of her, clasping her fingers together as she looks at Alpha Centauri, βHe said Iβd be here temporarily, like a vacation, to keep you company, as long as Iβ¦β she blushes and she wonβt finish it but I know what she wants to admit, βAs long as Iβm their, umβ¦β Venom whore. Theyβre corrupting her mind. βEstori? Please. Let me go,β I relax back against Alpha Centauri enough that his hands finally release me. I pull off his lap and I stand between him and Mars as I face Jitters, holding out my hand. βTake my hand,β I ask her. βSheβs not yours, Empress,β Alpha Centauri warns me in a low and possessive growl, βJitters stays by me.β βI am lonely,β I bite at him, βYour deal doesnβt work if she canβt keep me company, you bastard.β βThatβs enough,β Mars reaches for me and I pull away from all of them. Jitters wonβt listen to me, sheβs leaning toward Alpha Centauri, now looking at him like a lost puppy. Everyone is looking at me like Iβm the nuisance. How?! βYouβll pay for this,β I promise Alpha Centauri and he seems intensely interested in me, completely ignoring Jitters as she crawls onto his lap, βI said my friends are off limits. You took Orlai. You wonβt take Jitters down the same path.β βYou misunderstand then, because I donβt want to kill the bunny, I want to fuck the bunny β and keep her around, I asked Venus how to make one like you. A sustainable blood source,β the Estori responds calmly, βYou are too anxious, Empress.β βNo,β I smile at Alpha Centauriβs stupidly calm and sly face, βI know youβre lying,β I whisper, βI know because I just fucking know. I feel it, in here,β I press my hand to my chest, βIf you brought her here to make me jealous, youβve just made me hate you.β I turn from everyone and I stalk from the room. Mars apologises for me. βSheβs pregnant, Estori, sheβs very sensitiveβ¦β I hear Alpha Centauri growl low in agreeance. Elion fuckers. Morning fucking ruined. I had gone from loving my new life, to feeling indescribable rage. When it was just me, I could handle them. But bringing Jitters into the equation was ripping the band aid off my delusional fantasy of a happily ever after. They were enemies to the human race and every subspecies. And I was just reminded of that. Jitters was their new toy, I knew thatβs all she was to the Estori. He might not treat me as such, I might have earned some of their respect to a degree, but I know he enjoys playing with his food. He played Orlai just to make her suffer for running away. Jitters had no idea what she was in for. I have to speak with Venus. I need to know what he told Alpha Centauri. I had to work out how to save her, but first I need to know what he said to him. If she already had the Jace herb, they were going to keep her around a lot longer. That wasnβt necessarily a good thing. It just meant sheβd suffer more. I was not Elion, I was still a human. I needed to protect my human friend. However I could β before she too, willingly offered up her neck, mildly accepting an eternal end. I would not watch another friend of mine die under the Estoriβs cruel and unforgiving smile. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 63 βΏβββ’β¦ Dianaβs POV I found Venus, I sought him out with my Enhanced Instincts, and on the way down, I was heartbroken to see Diasphora sitting at the bars, talking to his father while reaching in for his face, as E lay on his back and looked up at his fast growing Kor son. I had come with a mission in mind, but seeing E laid out and weak, his light dim and his eyes a soft spiral of madness, I just kneel next to Diasphora and grab the bars to look down at Venus in his punishment cell. The only light is the green veins along the rocks, pulsing like a heartbeat. βEmpress,β Venus welcomes me, a quiet word only. βE,β Diasphora pulls on his hair, βE E.β βThatβs me, Diasphora,β Venus grins, all his teeth are just as sharp as ever, if not longer than usual. I instinctually let go of the bars, scared by the sharp fangs. βWhat do you want from me?β Venus asks me now, noting my scared reaction. βUm, what did you tell Alpha Centauri?β I speak quietly back as I watch Diasphora start grabbing at the bars, trying to pry them apart with his chubby little hands. E watches him sadly and I pick up Diasphora, tyring to give him a warm hug. He quickly swats me away and jumps back to the floor, waddling over and grabbing the bars again, gritting his teeth as he tries to open the cell, βE,β he growls. Venus laughs, and itβs a beautiful melody full of love for his child. βStop, kiddo, Iβm home,β Venus gets up and sits opposite Diasphora, βIβm where I should be, little Diasphora. I broke the code ββ Diasphora is having none of this talk, he huffs and disappears as he runs off. βPretty sure little E doesnβt understand the code,β I growl at Venus and he moves closer to the bars, reaching a lithe hand out through the metal rods. I flinch back a little from his searching fingers. They touch my knee and his claws tickle my skin, but I wonβt let him get any closer, βI do miss fucking you,β E growls. βWell, youβre home, in there apparently, so donβt complain if youβre so content to be a prisoner,β I mock him a little, the crazy bastard. Venus leans his face against the bars and just watches me quietly, the dull bronze is pulsing low. βJunaia root, I gave Estori the wrong advice,β Venus explains. βWhatβ¦ exactlyβ¦ is that root for?β I wonder. βThe Junaia root is a poison,β Venus chuckles darkly, βEstoriβs spear took Cinta out. If heβs lucky, his new toy will be a corpse before he can even drink from his new whoreββ βVenus, he seduced my only friend,β I yell it out as I get to my feet. I start to run again. My hearing feels distorted with a panic Iβve never felt before. I really liked Jitters. I didnβt want her to die. βEmpress,β Venus snarls out, halting me. The anxiety in his toneβ¦ I know I should listen to this, so I turn back to him even when I have no time, βDonβt you want to see Alpha Centauri rotting in hell?β is that a fucking test or something? βBut poison, E? Why would you want to do that? Have you lost your mind,β I hiss at E, βOh, never mind.β Now when I run, I run at twice the speed. I donβt want Jitters to die. Andβ¦ Iβ¦ I didnβt want him dead either. Alpha Centauri. I hated his arrogance. But I didnβt mind everything else about our Estori, he had a soft side. **** Alpha Centauriβs POV Jitters is obsessed with kisses, she kisses me and then jumps around the squad, kissing the rest of us. A small dose from each. Venom hit after venom hit. She bounces around just like a bunny, from lap to lap. Only Arcturus and his brother Cano deny her high spirits. I try not to roll my eyes. They never liked the happy ones. Only the broken fucked-up souls. Each to their own I guess. I find it amusing Arcturus got hooked on Orlai and her sweet sad voice. It was better now that she was with the Vors. Our fathers would care for her. In that universe, birth was from death β another Kor secret we could never tell. No being in this universe knew what happened after death except us. It was our secret to behold and one of the reasons we were revered as Gods. We mastered death. βOh, Iβm so thirsty,β Jitters runs back to me and onto my lap, holding my shoulders in her little human hands, βAnd hungry!β βYou enjoy us, donβt you?β I ask to make sure. Some women liked us for a moment. Most were overwhelmed by the thought of eternal servitude. βIβve still been thinking about it,β Jitters considers what I say very carefully, βI donβt want to give up everything, but, if you can allow me to come and go, visitβ¦ when you need meβ¦ and let me go back to my life as a pastry chefβ¦ maybe Iβll help you, part time?β Jitters surprises me with that answer. She wasnβt that gone in the head. It was probably her Freed senses pulling her back to freedom despite the corruption of our venom. βOf course,β I agree, βI didnβt want to kill you anyway, to be honest. I like the energetic whores. Youβre very bouncy,β I slowly smirk and Jitters blushes, of all things, at that comment. βI like bouncing on your cock,β Jitters states boldly. Proxima laughs from nearby, as he paces over to pat her on the head. βI approve,β Proxima smiles down at our bunny, who shyly stares up at him, scared by him. They all were. βA drink,β Jitterβs throat is husky. Sheβs clearly dehydrated. βAlright, Iβll care for you, come,β I stand up and haul Jitters along with me, wrapping an arm around her waist as I walk to the nearest bench. I fill a glass with running water and just staring at the liquid makes it boil. Star powers. Jitters is entranced as I make her tea, βA special brew,β I tell her, reaching into my robes to pull out a bag full of the Junaia root E altered to make Diana Fey-like. Junaia root was a fast acting poison to Fey and probably to humans but I specifically found the stuff in his laboratory, so I knew it was the altered root. βWhatβs it taste like?β Jitters watches me place the bag in the water, βSweet?β βProbably not,β I tell her the truth, βLet it cool and drink it all.β Jitters takes the cup from me and holds it with both hands, bringing it under her nose and inhaling the steam, trying to understand the aroma. I enjoy that she was obsessed with smells and tastes. Jitters thinks hard, βMarshmallow, but burnt,β she raises a brow, βYeah, slightly caramel β bitter actually. Mm, this isnβt going to taste very good, I can tell.β βIf you can stomach it, you wonβt be so weakβ¦ everything will enhance, your eyesight, your instincts, your power,β I watch her cute eyes grow wider and wider. βOh, well, thatβs exciting,β Jitters lowers the glass as she suddenly looks forlorn, βButβ¦ Alpha Centauriβ¦β she speaks so quietly, suddenly distressed, βDoesβ¦ Dianaβ¦ does she hate me? Is itβ¦ wrongβ¦ for me to be here.β βDiana is pregnant with my Kor child, as you will be after you drink this,β I pinch her chin, βDrink, bunny. I need your womb ready.β Jitters laughs awkwardly, βYouβre scary sometimes when you talk.β I let her walk backwards with the tea, waiting for it to cool. I watch as she clearly deliberates. Hmm, sheβs thinking too much for my liking. I know whatβs coming next. βI should ask Diana,β Jitters murmurs to herself, full of doubt, βBefore I drink this.β βI told you,β I snarl quietly but still ruthlessly, βBunny, donβt disobey me. Youβre under my command now.β βI ββ Jitters turns to me and the look in her eyes is defiant. Sheβs going to disobey me just because I gave her an order. Little Freed brat. βYou probably spiked it,β Jitters accuses me. βGive it to me,β I move for her and she tenses up, as I hold out my hand she quickly passes me the cup, βWatch me.β Jitters puts her hands on her hips, I raise the glass to my sharp smile. βLittle shithead, I donβt like anything but blood,β I growl at her, βIβm doing this for your peace of mind.β Dianaβs POV The run down the hall to Star Squadβs Midnight Chamber feels like an eternity, and this time that I turn and slide in with slippery bare feet, Vega and Capella are ready. They both grab me, grinning through their chains as they stop me barrelling into their chamber again. βCaught you, puny human,β Capella snaps his teeth by my ear and I am repulsed into Vega, who salivates all over my hair. βEw, get OFF,β I kick at Capella and turn to struggle against Vega, who wraps his arms around my arms and my front, squeezing me off the ground in a weird backwards hug. As Iβm lifted, I see into the room and I spot Alpha Centauri and Jitters standing by a work bench, under purple pulsing midnight rocksβ¦ Jitters is watching Alpha Centauri as he presses the rim of a glass to his lips after saying something snide to his new chew toy. The β The tea. THE TEA! My whole world stops spinning. I was a millisecond too late. βNOOOO!β I screech as Alpha Centauri finishes a small sip of the drink β swallowing it before he abruptly lowers the cup and looks at me, curious of my shrill scream thatβs probably echoed through the whole city. That scream, and the resulting look on my face does something to every Kor in the room. Vega and Capella release me and I fall to my hands and knees, abruptly getting back up and limping to our Estori. I limp from the pure pounding pain spreading through my veins. Fucking idiot. He was going to fucking die. I was too slow. I stumble right into Alpha Centauriβs deep midnight, steel blue torsoβ¦ and as he places the cup on the bench I grasp his hand in both of mine. βAlpha Centauri,β I donβt know what else to say, βNo, no, no ββ itβs a harsh breath. I might just faint. βWhatβs wrong?β Alpha Centauri murmurs over my head. Iβm waiting for the second heβll drop and he doesnβt even know it. His hand pulls me closer and I wonβt let go, so Iβm dragged directly into his front and I bury my face in his chest, inhaling his smell. I start to whimper, βEmpressβ¦?β βI-it was poison,β I finally cry out the words. I donβt want this giant fucker to die! I donβt want him to fucking die like this β βE gave you poison. He tricked you!β I wrap my arms around the Estori and hug him, listening to his own heart beating. Strong. Thumping strong. For how long? He was strong. I squeeze him to me hard, I almost forget to breathe and I inhale so sharp, I hiccup at the end. Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump M-maybe, maybeβ¦ It comes out as a squeak as I ask, βPlease tell me one sip wonβt kill you.β The silence in the room is becoming a fog around me, it feels ominous, until I feel the time passing. Until the time isβ¦ monotonously passing. I pull awkwardly off Alpha Cenaturiβs abdominals that I was just crying all over, and then I look right up at him tentatively. He is just watching me, head titled, brow slightly inclined to the side as he glances at his squad and back down to me. βDiana,β Alpha Centauri murmurs. βItβs not a poison to us,β Proxima speaks into the quiet, clearly feeling sorry for me. βPoisonβ¦ Poison? He was going to poison me? Dude, what the fuck,β Jittersβ tone changes as she suddenly turns to run out of here, clearly looking for the nearest ET portal. About time. But Iβm also shuffling back a few steps myself, completely embarrassed. I look to Star Squad and theyβre all staring at me. βWas that a panic, Empress?β Sirius asks me, βOr was that panic, Toliman?β he asks his other red brother. βUtter devastation,β Proxima adds, barely holding in a smile. And worst of all? Alpha Centauri wonβt even say anything, heβs just looking at me. βIβm sorry,β I awkwardly turn and abruptly remove myself from the room. Arcturus is watching me with an edge of sympathy. Itβs all I note as I leave that room. Vega and Capella donβt even heckle me on the way out. I guess the cringe was too much already. I walk back to Ninth Squad. I walk back feeling confused. It wasnβt just Alpha Centauri. I am sureβ¦ if any of them were to dieβ¦ Iβd feel the same. Terrified. Because all I felt was love. I loved them. I donβt know if Elions understood what that meant to humankind. M-maybe they were just finding out. All I know is Cinta would have never done such an act. Orlai had chosen herself over them. Jitters had eventually succumbed to fear and run for her life. And here I was, ruling and being caring to these Elion monsters, not just satisfying their needs for hits of venom. I wasnβt here for the venom. I guess what I just did kind of proved that. βYou are such a sweet girl, Diana.β I hear a melodic reassuring tone and I halt at the end of the hall to see Neptune leaning on the wall near Ninthβs Squad chamber. βYouβre on watch duty?β I ask carefully. βMmhmm, maybe,β Neptune shimmers, halfway between Stealth and visibility, βIβll tell you a little secret, little Empress, because I saw the whole thing,β Gulping, I scamper closer to him and Neptune lowers himself, to whisper in my ear, βYou just found his heart and laid it bare. Did you see the look in his eye, Diana?β βWhat?β I ask, feigning innocence. βYou just put the King on a leash,β Neptune pulls back, βImaginary, of course,β he says it so quietly so no one else can hear, and he winks, βWell done, Empress. Youβre learning.β βI thought he was going to dββ βUh, so?β Neptune interrupts me, βYou played Venusβ little game. He always knows how to crack into someoneβs head. Make fate happen.β I growl in the back of my throat, a Fey-response, βFucking manipulator.β βI think youβll be thanking him later,β Neptune shimmers, almost sweet enough to turn off his Stealth, but then keeping it on when I lay a hand on his arm. I stare at his nothingness, knowing heβs right there, βI need to get out of here for a little while, can we go somewhere?β βWeβll take you somewhere,β Neptune suggests. I nod. Neptune slides a warm hand over my shoulders. We walk back into our side of the Kor Hold. My mind is racing. Alpha Centauriβ¦ on an imaginary leash? I could think of nothing more dangerous. He was a Dark Nine. It was one of the reasons I had to get the fuck out of there. If there was one Kor I didnβt trust to love, or to handle the ties of it well, it was that one. His silence was something else. I knew better than to linger. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 64 βΏβββ’β¦ Dianaβs POV I asked Ninth Squad to take Jitters home to Light Metro. She let me tuck her in bed and then she admitted with the blanket tucked under her exhausted chin, that Alpha Centauri took her out to some fancy restaurant at Evoni Central. I thanked her for the information and then I went walking with Ninth Squad tailing me and my adventure. They were all dressed in their space gear or fancy suits. Eight Elion security guards on the Galactic Queenβs ass. Iβll admit, I kind of liked the attention. I put on a plain coat to cover my breasts since I was only wearing the Krown and Plume beneath. Inside the restaurant called Nine Stars β seriously, it was called thatβ¦ anyway, they didnβt have a table for a squad, but they did have a table for four. Mars, Neptune, Uranus and I sat at a table to eat. Which obviously means it only looked like Mars and I were sitting down, but the other two sexy giant Kors were invisibly sipping on different white wines. With what appeared to be the magical floating wine glasses as company, Mars and I sat opposite one another. He was all prim and handsome in that black suit with a green tint, accentuating his dark eyes. Even though I missed his long wild hairβ¦ oh wellβ¦ βAre you ready to discuss your heart, Diana?β Mars asks softly over the empty plates, as he sees my turmoil simmering beneath the surface. βHmm?β I murmur back. βNeptune witnessed a moment with you and the Estori,β Mars weirdly doesnβt sound jealous, weirdly he soundsβ¦ impressed? I cock a brow and he smiles, βEmpress, we share, itβs what you are. A shared body between us. I am pleased to know you cared enough about one of us, to react so quickly. No matter that it was our cruellest.β βThe thought of that large blue dude dropping dead with poison, seemed an unfitting way to go for a badass King of the Universe,β I make a joke of it, βBut seriously, thanks for understanding and not feeling left out or something. I love you Mars. I think Iβ¦ I love that bastard too. I love Kors. Iβ¦ Iβm just shocked I felt so much for him. Youβre all technically keeping me prisoner, still, by the wayβ¦ in case you thought I forgot. I know youβre on the look out for escape attempts. But for the first time, I donβt want to run. Iβmβ¦ happy. My heart. Itβs happy.β I feel a soft hand on my thigh, then a possessive squeeze. Uranus nudges me, his warmth welcome over my thin coat. I smile and lean over to kiss Uranus on the cheek spontaneously. He shimmers to visibility when my mouth caresses his skin. I notice then his liquid mirror eyes are focused right on me, wide and entranced by my sweet kiss. I lean down with a smug smirk and I feel Neptuneβs boot slide along my sandaled foot. I look across to Neptune and tease him, βI love you too, donβt be so anxious.β βIβm not anxious, I just like it when you smile like that,β Neptune growls over at me, and I hear Uranus laugh, which causes a tense silence between the brothers. βDonβt make them fight, Empress,β Mars chuckles, at least he finds it amusing too, βTheyβre protective of you and apparently possessive of who you smile at, so be careful.β βAs they should be,β I chuckle too as the food finally arrives. I look at the gourmet green pea soup, as Mars, Neptune and Uranus have a juicy steak in blood gravy. βWe could live here,β I suggest as I stir a spoon through my soup, βWith subspecies, and all the shops and all the fun places we could visit together. Rather than being isolated on a planet no one can find. Dark Ninth is cool but itβs literally a graveyard of sparkling dead Fey, and I have other interests besides Kor cock and popping out your cute babies. Hmm? What do you think? Letβs move to all the action.β βThatβs one service you canβt escape,β Mars drawls seriously over his steak, βYour womb belongs to us. We give you everything for that. So behave, Empress.β He is scolding me but there is some kind of note in his voice, he is soβ¦ honest but sweetly. I feel the warmth in that statement. Mars was genuinely caring. He wouldnβt eat me, haha. βIβm too damn interesting to kill anyway,β I whisper that reassuringly to myself. I used to worry they were manipulating me. Like, literally all the time. Now I know Iβm valued and I trust my position. Iβm fine. Iβm safe. βI need to pee,β I add, jumping up and heading to the restroom, which is quite literally next to our table. Mars wanted it close since he didnβt want me using it as an opportunity to escape my destiny being constantly pregnant. Ha haβ¦ I would have never guessed this would be my path in life. This was crazy. Elion venom whore and Kor vessel. Haβ¦ wow, life was strange for a Dark Nine. I do my thing, I fix myself up and I towel off my hands with some paper towel. When I walk back out into Nine Stars, I notice my table is completely void. Huhβ¦ thatβs weird? The food is steaming but my Kors are gone. I walk closer and run my hands through the air over their seatsβ¦ my smile drops when I realise theyβre not just hiding from me. I look around and notice three newcomers. Humans in white suits with badges and shiny black boots. They seem to be inspectors or some very important officials. After speaking to the host, theyβre promptly escorted forward, they turn to the centre, down the middle of the tablesβ¦ past a few plantsβ¦ they finally turn right β and start toward me at the back. I sit very still, unsure whatβs happening until they come right up to me and I see the leader show off his badge. Oh, no, what have I done now? Universal Board Enforcer. I didnβt even know what that meant. Some kind of police unit? I have no idea. I smile awkwardly and sip some of my pea soup, βHello? Who are you and what do you want?β βEmpress Diana, my name is Guardien,β at least he introduces himself, with no aggressive statements about arresting me for being an Elion whore, betraying all the subspecies in the entire universeβ¦ βIβm here to inform you. A Dark Nine, named Danger, was apprehended for commandeering one of our spaceshipsβ¦ you might know, he did blow up a planet to save his motherβ¦ and youβ¦ from being victims of abduction and brain washing? Weβre here to ask you some questions, youβre not under arrest, but we need your full testimony.β βYou have Danger?β I ask, confused. βDanger is charged with many offences, heβs on imminent death row right now unless he has 10 trillion dollars to pay himself off from treason,β Guardien motions for me to stand, βCome with us.β βOf course,β I immediately comply and I stand to follow them. Dangerβ¦ caught? Well, shit. He was on death row, and he didnβt know his mother wasβ¦ Orlai wasβ¦ Fuck. I owed him a lot. He introduced me to his mother. He deserved the truth and he deserved his freedom. I had to find a way to save him. **** The Enforcers take me onto a special spaceship specifically for incarcerating intergalactic criminals. There is nothing special about it, itβs literally just a prison like any other, just floating in space. We walk to the top level, a high detention. They surprisingly bring me into a room with Danger. I didnβt expect them to drop me off with him, alone. But I do know theyβll be recording everything so I canβt blurt my guts out with everything I need to say. Danger is sitting in his brown Freed jacket, with all itβs tears and pins of being a captain of his own spaceship. Which obviously didnβt have the capacity to blow up planets. Hence the need to commandeer something from Earthβs miliatry. Smart move. Danger looks weak and pale, like he needs food, but he still manages a nice smile for me when Iβm led to him. His hands are shackled to the table, his ankles shackled to the ground. I sit opposite him on a tiny steel chair that I canβt imagine is very comfortable for his giant stature, since he is on the same kind of seat. βDiana,β Danger is smooth, relaxed, not that worried, it seems. βYou okay?β I ask. βThey canβt charge me, Iβm a Dark Nine, we evade all Universal Laws, Iβm protected because I donβt rely on their systems. My lawyer already talked to me. My Freed Lawyer, I should mention. He said Iβm fine, itβs just protocol that they investigate, the judge will let me go though. Itβs in the AI systemsβ dialogue. Iβll be a free man again. Itβs just taking a damn long time. Howβs Orlai? Iβve been worried about her.β Orlai. I had been smiling, but with her mention, my smile is wiped from my face. I clasp my hands together anxiously and my utter silence is enough along with my intense stare. Danger isnβt a stupid person. He knows itβs bad. Almost immediately his entire demeanour changes. I see the panic in his eyes and he leans over the table, βWhat happened?β he begs me to explain. ββ¦your dad,β I whisper, but I canβt say killed her. My throat clogs up and suddenly I feel overwhelmed with my own stupidity. I had felt extreme love for Alpha Centauri hours earlier. Putting Orlaiβs death away like a small event. I fucked him. I got impregnated. I fell for his persuasive words and steel eyes and hard bodyβ¦ I let my feelings wash over me, the feelings related to being worshippedβ¦ and I just shuffled her death away. Like it was no big deal. Even though I logically knew it was awfulβ¦ I still shuffled it away. And now I see Danger, I feel like the most guilty being in our universe. I have to be strong and say the words. I just have to fucking say it. He needs to know. βThis is the truth. Alpha Centauri killed Orlai,β I say it like a robot, forcing my tongue to move and help articulate the words, βI was in shock. I was there. I just watched. I couldnβt. Stop. It. And.β βOh, fuckβ¦ shut up,β Danger snarls and looks aggressively to the side and tries not to cry as he stares at the wall, βJust please, Diana. Pleaseβ¦β he canβt hear anymore. I feel him screaming internally as his outside is completely still. βDanger. I have more news, before they come in, give me a chance to speak,β I change my tone now, realising I only have one chance to tell him the truth of who and what he is before heβs potentially put to death. I move quick, my Enhanced Instincts help me realise there is no more time to delay. Theyβre coming back. I stand and move around the table. I put a hand on his cheek and a hand to his hair, holding Danger still as I whisper into his ear as quietly and as rapidly as possible, βDonβt react to what I say. Just pretend itβs sweet words of comfort. Danger, youβre full Kor and you donβt know it. You havenβt activated your powers because you need to drink blood. Danger, donβt move, listen to me, please,β I beg him as he flinches with my admission, he almost jerks away from me but I pull on his hair, keeping him still, βYouβre not human. Youβre full Elion. Youβre just in disguise. Kors arenβt a subgroup to humanity. Theyβre all Elion. You. Are. Elion. Use that. Do you understand me? Use it to save yourself in case your plan of simply being a Dark Nine doesnβt work. If you donβt Iβll fucking blow up this whole prison to save you, in return for blowing up Apastron. You want more deaths to worry about? Iβll give them to you. Iβm an Empress and Kor Honour Codes mean you obey what the fuck I say. Do you understand me? I order you to do everything to survive. Now survive!β I pull away from him and release his hair from my hand. Danger spins to look at me, his eyes distraught with the truth. But now the door slams open. I quickly move away from Danger and I look to see who is outside this cell. I can see Guardien, his backups, some more officers, some lawyers, some interns watching in with wide eyesβ¦ and one very, very different newcomer, overshadowing them all with his height. βPlease sit,β Guardien encourages me to move away from Danger, meanwhile, I stand in front of Dangerβs line of sight so he canβt see who the fuck just appeared. I shake my head at the Estori, who is here for his son. Heβs glaring at me when I tell him no with my shaking head, but Alpha Centauri walks in anyway to answer questions about his blown up planet. Oh, no. Oh, fuck no. Guardien takes a seat and then Alpha Centauri glances at the third small steel chair, knows it wonβt fit him, so he stands back, dressed in jeans and a white top. Looking awfully casual for someone who just devoured his sonβs mother. Danger has turned his head to the man and the Elion. Of course, he canβt stop staring at his father. I back up to a wall, not following Guardienβs order to sit. βWeβll start with how this all began,β Guardien murmurs, getting all his recording devices set up. βThe payout for my sonβs freedom is 10 trillion, I already submitted the payment,β Alpha Centauri interrupts, bored by Guardien, βI gave the details to your boss already and the charges are now void. This discussion is over. Release Danger. The three of us are leaving.β I physically flinch when Guardien freezes, proceeds to sigh very lengthily, as if knowing this would occur, but having no scratch to satisfy the itch of his curiosityβ¦ and with no choice but to obey such enormous, impossible wealth, he releases Danger with one swipe of his Release Card and that drops the chains. Itβs all over because of the Estori. Danger immediately jumps up and I quite literally walk further backwards into a corner near the exit door, expecting some kind of hell to break loose between Alpha Centauri and his murderous son. The Estori looks too calm, not on edge at all. Guardien has no idea how much danger he is in, being between them, as he casually walks out of the room, leaving it all unlocked as he disappears with the disappointed crowd. Danger has his eyes set on the blue not-so-friendly Elion who is not reading the room. βDanger, please donβt react right now,β I beg him in a low whisper. βWhyβ¦ Orlai?β Danger doesnβt scream rage his father, he stands so still, simply asking the question laced with so much pain, his motherβs name on his lips is a sign of his bleeding heart. I feel my body boiling with the need to help him, while knowing I can do nothing. I wish I could hug him, but he also just might kill me. Alpha Centauri now knows he has been toldβ¦ the Estori glances at me briefly, his eyes hardened, but when he looks back to his son? He canβt say shit. βAlso. Didnβt pick you to be a liar, Diana,β Danger now looks at me, gulping, his eyes clearly disturbed by the information I whispered into his ear. He doesnβt believe me. It was still information I definitely was not allowed to share and could get me killed by the very beings that worship me. βYouβre welcome for the release,β Alpha Centauri avoids the topic altogether as he holds out his hand for the door, βGet out of here,β Danger reaches into his pockets, he clearly has no weapons on him because he looks bitterly disappointed, βAnother time, perhaps,β Alpha Centauri welcomes the challenge, βGet going. All you need to know is your mother met her fate with love in her heart.β He shouldnβt have said that. He really shouldnβt have said that. Danger cracks, his first state of shock turns to movement as he lunges at his father. Alpha Centauri steps aside, grabs his sonβs flying wrist and twists Danger to the door, shoving him forward. Humiliatingly he stumbles. βBASTARD,β Danger turns around and realises I am a great target too, βYou stupid brainwashed bitch,β he snarls and runs for me next, clearly aiming to hurt me, to hurt the Estori. I scream on impulse, raising up my hands in defence, but then Iβ¦ I am freezing. A cold icy blast hits me and time slows, or speeds up? I had felt Dangerβs breath centimetres from my face, his hands almost on me β but one large hand is already on my neck, and reality is melting away as we teleport out. Alpha Centauri helps me escape, or he simply takes me, who knows his intention, but one second we are in the company of humanity, and then we are not. As the world falls back into place, Alpha Centauriβs hand releases my neck and I look around a buzzing dark forest with thick clouds of fog racing through the treetops. Iβm flooded with curiosity for maybe two blissful moments where I think and try to understand where we just ended up. A light drizzle of rain touches down, and everything is glowing a luminescent green, with blue butterflies floating by. Not Earth. I smell the air and itβs too fresh to be a place of safety. I start to have heart palpitations. Weβre on a Protected Planet. Which meansβ¦ β¦no one in the universe knows we are here β and he is legally allowed to β to β h β βIt was time to go, Diana,β Alpha Centauri motions around, ββ¦welcome to paradise.β His drawl is heavy and easy. He looks happy. The Estori looks happy? Thatβs not good. I take that as danger. βWhy are we here?β I whimper the question, strained with my immediate panic. βRegalis lives here,β Alpha Centauri starts to strip. He takes off his shirt. I stumble back and drop my coat from my shoulders too, instinctually copying him, as I see him take off his jeans next. Freeing his physical movements. Freeing his ability to reach speed. Soon heβs naked and a wild animal, and my Stealth is flickering off and on as my knees tremble with the urge to bend and spring me the fuck away from the giant Elionβ βDonβt. Run,β Alpha Centauri speaks too chilled, a sudden warning, his head tilted just a bit, but he now sees Iβm totally freaked out as I stumble back further anyway, βDonβt run, Diana.β He always promised. One thing. Over and over and over. To hunt me one day. He could have taken me home. And here we were, on Kor hunting ground. A Protected Planet. All the fuck alone together. No way was I going out like this! βOh, fuck you!β I scream at Alpha Centauri and finally my invisibility stops flickering, itβs just in full force now as Iβm turning and sprinting into the forest I know nothing about. I wonβt linger to look into his steel eyes or the manipulative expressions on his handsome fucking face. I canβt keep falling for it. I canβt fail humanity. Danger had every right to be angry. The Enforcer calling me brain washed was correct. I was in the company of Elions. What the fuck was I thinking? I loved the most dangerous β and he doesnβt take me home, he takes me to a legal killing ground. Alpha Centauri is mad if he thinks Iβm going next as sweetly as Orlai. Iβm fucking running. As fast as I fucking can before he catches me, fucks me for a month, ties me up, waits for me to give birth, then devours me whole. I donβt trust him. You could never trust Elions. The fact I had wasβ¦ Well, I had my reasons. But whatever Alpha Centauri wanted with me right nowβ¦ β¦I couldnβt just ask him. Because I didnβt want to know the answer. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 65 βΏβββ’β¦ I run through thick jungle vines, which slow me down when I have to whack them out of the way. I find myself running through mud and it makes my invisibility ineffective. Up ahead I can see the boulders rise, a cave opens and itβs lit by luminescent moss, but I donβt want to get stuck in a confined space. I figure if I can increase my speed just enough, I can hop and leap up the boulders, I just need the right foot hold. And if Iβm really smart, I could use a vine to choke my Elion Hunter β I just needed to be above him. I increase my speed, and I hear Alpha Centauri running up behind me, audibly laughing! Of course he was maniacal about hunting me. I scream as his strong arms come around me and lift me right off my feet. His own legs had been powering him forward so he glides through the mud with me, keeping his balance immaculately. Alpha Centauri comes to a muddy stop and shoves me forward, in a spin. I hold my hands out behind me as they smack into the boulder, keeping me upright as Alpha Centauri watches me with his scanning steel eyes, reading me for any more escape attempts. I almost swear, but Alpha Centauri glints like formidable dark blue steel, all of him. In the dark, he is a much darker, and the low light reflects off him in sparkles like he is also slightly luminescent. His six fangs are on glorious display for me as he gets his breath back. βDiana,β Alpha Centauri drawls my name, and he steps closer. I move back until my spine is curving against the rock, as he corners me and grabs my shoulder, ββ¦relaxβ¦β βI thought you brought me here to dieββ I gulp when I see the Estoriβs eyes gloss over with a darker sheen. βNo, I donβt want you in pieces,β Alpha Centauri looks to my heart, and he places his hand under my breast, over my rib cage to feel my heart racing, βAre you scared of your feelings, puny human?β Alpha Centauri couldnβt sound anymore smug, nor weirdly empathetic, as he watches my mouth tremble. βS-so, what do you really want?β I ask. Alpha Centauriβs hand slides down my rib cage to my pregnant belly, where his baby grows. It was one of the first things he did to me when he met me. He seemed interested in making Kor babies. Haβ¦ I look down at his hand splayed over me, as he waits. βI detect two heart beats,β Alpha Centauri whispers, βTwinsβ¦ like Regalis and I.β βTwo?β I whisper back, suddenly clasping my hands over his hand. I suddenly smile, βOh, I canβt wait β um, I need to ask, who will give me venom and be my Guardian since your instincts willβ¦ work against you when I finally go into labourβ¦?β βI need someone capable,β Alpha Centauri murmurs, βArcturus.β βWhy not Mars?β I whisper. βBecause Arcturus needs to soften his bite,β Alpha Centauri suddenly drops to his knees and leans down to kiss my belly, his teeth gently gliding along my skin. His hands rest on my hips and I stay very still with his inspection. The Estori looks up at me. I am speechless. He looks so handsome, so loving on my belly. I love it. βEmpress,β Alpha Centauri whispers the title, and I hear and feel every truth in the word. βPlease answer me. Why did you bring me here?β I ask now, curious as I touch a finger to his strands of hair, feeling through the black length. βPolitics bores me,β Alpha Centauri grins slyly as he stands back up and hoists me over his shoulder in one go. He turns and strides with purpose into the cave. I run my hands down his back while he finds a good spot to lay me down. He drops me onto a bed of fluffy moss and I curl my fingers through it, βOh, itβs really soft, like feathers, I thought it might be spongey,β I lean back with my legs crossed as Alpha Centauriβs cock greets me with a small tap to my cheek. I had been looking down when he stepped onto the rock and knelt with one knee at my side, to rub his shaft all along my face. I gasp as I feel how hot he is. I canβt help but lick the side of it, as the side of his shaft runs along my lips, back and forth, teasing me. Alpha Centauriβs hand runs through my hair, pulling my face back gently so he can rub his balls over my panting mouth and up against my nose. Oh, fuck he smells divine. Kors were too irresistible. Without asking, I open my mouth and lick under his shaft, along his ball sack. Heβs so heavy, so full. He approves, I can feel it in the way his balls hang heavier, as if more cum is preparing to release later. I lick over each one and between, looking up for his approval. His hand finds my neck and strokes down it, βHmm,β he drawls to himself, βHow to take you.β βHow would you like me?β I whisper with compliance, not wanting to think. I just want to be fucked. The Estori leans back and watches me lap at the head of his cock with my tongue more aggressively. He doesnβt abuse it, he just watches me lick and kiss the tip repetitively. βYou want a throat full?β Alpha Centauri asks gruffly, watching me nod and moan at the same time. I close my eyes and open my mouth, leaning my head back. Pleeease. Yes, I think I wouldnβt mind that at all. I want to be used rough too, his special way. Alpha Centauri moves his cock over my tongue, propping my head up, he angles me just right as he kneels over me. He is large enough to get his knees on either side of my shoulders, his hand on the cave wall so his cock feeds my throat. Oh shit, I already knowβ¦ that iron shaft is going to split me. Feverish, I take him myself, bobbing my head down the thick length as much as I can, trying to please him. Trying to show him Iβm learning. βSo eager, my pet,β Alpha Centauri chuckles as he cups the back of my head, βLet me help you with that, Empress,β he gets a vice hold of me, and he slides forward, then drops in. Deeeep. I feel his dick slide down my throat, all the way until I choke. He stays in, letting me feel it, then he slides back slow, hissing his approval, βFucking perfect.β Alpha Centauri slowly fucks my face, long and deep strokes, hearing me gag as I attempt to milk him empty, so he just increases his speed. It feels way too good to choke on his dick. His hand tightens in my hair and he hoists me up just a little, sinking in until his balls touch my lips as his shaft pulses and unloads straight down into my stomach. I swallow him one mouthful at a time, but he cums so much it flows back up into my mouth. I cough and splutter as he slides his still very hard cock back out, and his cum dribbles past the corners of my mouth along with my spit. I lean my head back, breathing deep as I wipe my lips clean. I gasp in a breath and exhale, moaning a little. I am so, fucking, wet. I feel like Iβm gushing down into the moss. Alpha Centauri canβt stop looking at me as he lifts me up and he spins me around, walking me to the other side of the cave, he has found a perfect ledge to sit my butt, grabbing my knees and stretching my legs back. He sinks straight into my swollen, throbbing and drenched pussy. His cock pumps deep and his tongue runs up and down my neck, his fangs scratching my skin back and forth. I lean into the sharpness, wanting him to bite as I whimper for him to do it. βD-do it, please, do it,β I somehow form words. With my begging, Alpha Centauri slams hard into my aching, loving pussy, and he obliges my request, clamping his razor sharp fangs into my neck, so damn close to my carotid artery β too close. As far as I know heβs already probably punctured it and I freak out, struggling until the venom rushes straight to my brain in a fast, violent hit with one pump of my heart. Alpha Centauriβs jaws clamp me still, keeping me there as he keeps fucking me. But my brain β it doesnβt, it doesnβt feel right. I blink and I can see herβ¦ herβ¦ inβ¦ in aβ¦ tube? In a club? In white? I blink and Iβm back in the cave. Iβve cum and itβs brought me back to reality. My sudden orgasm has made every nerve fire as I try to scream but it comes out as a strangled and loud moan of the purest pleasure. Alpha Centauri slows his harsh fuck to thrust into me a little softer, giving me a moment to recalibrate my senses. The Estori takes his gigantic, horribly thick fangs from my neck and he licks the nasty wound clean in a slow, lapping kiss. Itβs numbed. And itβs healing. βHow did that feel, puny human?β Alpha Centauri growls all the way up against my neck as he reaches my ear, nipping my ear and tugging at it gently. βI went to another universe,β I choke out, βThat orgasm made me feel like I nearly had a stroke. Fuck.β It was fucking great, but it was almost too deadly. Alpha Centauri seems pleased by the low and pleasant Elion sound he makes, as he now trails his lips across my cheek, to my mouth. He releases one leg to snag my throat in his hand, holding my head back so he can kiss me just as harsh as he was fucking me moments ago, but this time he just holds his dick deep and still. He lets my pussy quiver and stretch, while his tongue explores my mouth, and I taste his venom more softly. Sweet, sweet, euphoria. The Elion loves me. Elion. Love. I kiss him back because I love him too. βDiana,β Alpha Centauri breaks the kiss unexpectedly, he sounds pissed. βWhat?β I ask, huskily. βCareful,β he whispers against my mouth, βCareful now,β he kisses me again, βHow does it feel to be a violently loved Elion whore?β βIncredible,β I whisper back, βI donβt want anything else.β βThatβs a good girl,β Alpha Centauri is satisfied as he pulls back and he starts to fuck me rough again, βNow drain these balls, Empress β and scream for me.β βI donβt feel like screaming,β I tease him back with a smirk. Alpha Centauri takes it as a challenge. He leans down and kisses both my tits gently β before he teases me by getting one hard nipple stuck between two fangs, it hurts like itβs in a clamp. Although, when the cheeky Estori starts to bite down just a bit, I do scream, grabbing his hair and pulling at him, βStop,β I squeal as he drives me nuts with the sharp pain, leaning back with a satisfied smile, Alpha Centauri does the same to my other tit, pulling at it and suckling on it. Then his finger slides down my stomach while Iβm distracted and his sharp claw finds my clit. He just touches it once. Once. And I cum so fucking hard, my body sways with him, as I almost knock myself out, throwing my head back β but he catches my head just in time. Alpha Centauri takes me from the wall, an arm around my waist as he walks me back out into nature, still fucking me while I collapse into his hard chest, shivering from the numerous climaxes, while I wrapped my legs around his waist. Mmm, his dick belongs inside me. The Estori kisses my neck as he walks with me, splitting my pussy in two as he walks us straight into a down pour of rain. My Elion lover moves faster to find a tree and he climbs up to the third branch, sitting back, his dick still snug inside me, as he rests, with one hand clenching my ass, encouraging me to ride. I do, unable to stop myself, as I curl into Alpha Centauri, fucking him and thinking of nothing else but pleasure. He holds me close while the tree provides us with cover, and his hand finally rests over my heart. βYouβre precious,β Alpha Centauri speaks over me, βSo pure in your intentions, we must protect you at all costs.β Huh? That sure was a change in tune. I lift my head, bouncing a little higher as I catch his eye, βReally?β The Estori is unable to resist when I smile so bright, so he kisses me again. He fucks me a little harder, until I feel his hot seed finally pouring through me. Alpha Centauri chooses to keep his cock buried deep, to keep his cum inside me. βI donβt really like sharing you,β Alpha Centauri growls into my mouth, βThatβs why I brought you hereβ¦ Diana, I wanted you all to myself. To see if that hug for me was real.β He tells me the stark truthβ¦ β¦and it breaks my heart. I had already decided, in that room with Danger β that I couldnβt play this game anymore for much longer. Not by their rules. I couldnβt wait for one more friend to melt away. Someone had to stop their ultimate aim. I donβt know what they had planned but Elions were evil. Their intentions were evil. I knew I would have to break my own heart to stop them. But Iβd save much more pain from the fracturing of souls, at the expense of my own. And thatβs what I focus on. I just had to wait for the right time. And no, I didnβt want to kill them. But they had to be regulated. I had to tell them the truth. Them? Everyone. I had to tell the Universe what they were. And Orlaiβ¦ I thought I saw her in a vision. I wonderβ¦ if she is in another dimension. Before I do anything stupid, I need to find out if that vision is real. βPlotting, little one?β Alpha Centauri chuckles over my head, his finger tickling under my chin. I look up, βNo,β I pout. He doesnβt believe me. Probably because I was a terrible liar. Alpha Centauri kisses my nose, βItβs alright, Diana, you wonβt be getting very far. Youβre our prisoner. My whore. So think all you like, youβre never getting away from your Kor Masters, Empress. You will bare us many more, you will not threaten us,β his hand returns to my pregnant belly, as he nuzzles his nose against mine, βNot while youβre full. You want to be pregnant all the time, donβt you?β βYes,β I say it impulsively, a submissive whisper, βYes.β βSee?β Alpha Centauri drawls happily in my ear, βThat wasnβt so hard now, was it, sweet thing?β Mm, I could listen to his approving dark drawls for eternity. I liked his love. I loved being theirsβ¦ but fuck, was it an expensive price to pay. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 66 βΏβββ’β¦ Well. Here I am. Back home. Not on Earth. Rather, home is Dark Ninth, in the Kor Hold. In the sweet, sweet darkness of this hidden planet, watched by the three moons. I have asked Alpha Centauri to call a meeting for me, with Star Squad and Ninth Squad. I didnβt tell him why, just that I needed everyone here with me. I had two options. Betrayal of all my lovers. Orβ¦ a concept I had been playing around with, knowing I was flirting with the darkest energies of this universe, in the form of these handsome Kor Elionsβ¦ I couldβ¦ hmmβ¦ I could βjoinβ them? The best way to do that, was to do this. What Iβm planning. I need all their attention first. I need them to trust me β not fear the power I had as a chosen Empress. Even if I was a prisoner at the same time. The irony of thatβ¦ Iβm thinking itβs the Estoriβs venom that flooded my brain, suddenly boosting me with enormous confidence, as I pace up and down the spacious, empty corridor, between their Midnight Chamber and Ninth Squadβs Hold. Alpha Centauri was relaxed and more than happy to gather the Kors after we fucked hard on Regalisβ secret planet. So at least I knew I had the Estori sweet. I am relieved to see Mars walking out, leading Ninth Squad, after he disappeared at that dinner in Light Metro with the appearance of the Universal Boardβs Enforcers. I walk toward Mars. I am now dressed in a spiderβs silk Krown and Plume. A translucent colour. The chain in place between the collar and the belt at my waist. Iβm really into the full uniform of an Empress these days. Mars places a hand to my belly and my cheek, smoothly intercepting me. βAre you okay?β Mars asks quietly, knowing everything is fine. βYes. So is Danger,β I smile, βWhy did you run away from the Enforcers?β βWe didnβt know what they wanted,β Mars lies, I feel it, but I donβt press, βJust to be safe, we had to Stealth and disappear.β βYou are respected members of the Board,β I add, βI do wonder sometimesβ¦ about my choices. You and I could have been living on Earth, if I had accepted your handβ¦ I wonder, if youβd have kept me there. In the Light.β Mars tilts his head, βI would have kept you there, thatβs true. But I canβt say I donβt regret making you an Empress. Whatβs the meeting for, Diana? Did something happen with you and the Estori?β βWe just fucked,β I answer honestly, smiling, βShock horror.β Marsβ mouth just tugs up in the corner, βYou do love our cruellest?β Alpha Centauri was far from the cruellest. βI donβt think heβs cruel,β I answer truthfully again, βI saw Orlai, Mars.β Mars tenses, βYou what?β I watch as the rest of the squad linger close, gathering around but keeping just enough distance to hover. I know they can hear every word, their ears pricked. βYeah, I think I almost died,β I admit, βBut Iβm fine. He just chewed a little too close to the boneβ¦β I was trying to make a joke, but being extremely serious with my tone, aiming to be sarcastic? Has seriously worked against me with this Elion. I wanted to unite them, but already, Mars is slipping past me, as Alpha Centauri approaches with his squad β and he can see Marsβ temper. βDonβt attack him, Mars,β I snarl out. Mars and Alpha Centauri meet in the middle, where the Estori holds his screw spear out, warding off Mars. βWhat did she say?β Alpha Centauri sounds awfully amused, his metallic robe back in place, running down his neck and shoulders. Looking like the King of Kors yet again. βYou shouldnβt test those waters,β Mars growls out, peculiarly. βThe dark plane is where she belongs,β Alpha Centauri loses his smile, he sounds very serious, βIβm readying her for it.β Now my ears prick. Dark planeβ¦ I place both my hands on my belly as I feel my muscles constrict with a sudden surge of panic. I had been so calm, my Enhanced Instincts turned down for once β giving me a true sense of comfort and knowing my life was not in danger. But hearing those words, I start to doubtβ¦ yet again. Wasβ¦ was the Estori preparing me for death anyway? Maybe he was the cruellest of them all. I feel sick. βWeβll see,β Mars answers after a long, silent pause, βEmpress,β he spins to me, βSpeak your mind.β Mars moves back toward me. He sees Iβm stressed and he holds my chin for a moment, to look over my face slowly, wonderingβ¦ I wonder what exactly Mars is thinking. Perhaps if the power is getting to my brain. Perhaps he isnβt worried at all about me. Just them. He unhands me and steps to my side, while I look over Alpha Centauri, flanked by a hungry looking Proxima, Toliman and Sirius with their crimson blood skin. Vega and Capella linger at the back and the sides, always flanking their squad. Rigil stands with Arcturus and Cano, in the middleβ¦ where Alpha Centauri twists his spear in his hand, casually looking me up and down. And behind me? Ninth Squad, flanking me. But with Alpha Centauriβs confident eyes, I get a sudden urge to hide. Knowing what that spear did to Cinta. It was like a horror movie. I had even thought the death was justified, only to find out she might have been onto something. Only to be persecuted and have her entire species eliminatedβ¦ but it was a war. Hate. Vs hate. Thatβs why I had started the meeting, I wanted to talk about love. Show them love. True love. What I grew up believing in on Earth. Perhaps the Fey had no concept of it, but I did. Alpha Centauriβs steel eyes read me far too well. He sees my skittish feet as I tip toe back and forward before flattening them. βItβs nice to know you love so deeply, Diana,β Alpha Centauri blinks slow, like a tiger just lazily appreciating the poor little prey animal he convinced to get closer. βEmpress,β Jupiter speaks up, βYour mind β speak.β I had been planning to seduce them all, to somehow see if they could share me again but really show comradery, to then convince them I was not just a good fuck, but a loving woman who loved all of them. That was the plan, vs betraying them. Love them like I loved Alpha Centauri in the jungle, in the cave, in that tree. The perfect love. The perfect romance. Yup. Iβm just a human girl deep down. My stupid, stupid brain, conjuring that up with all themβ¦ it sure feels all bloody stupid now, seeing the look of victory in Alpha Centauriβs steel eyes. βYou act,β I whisper, βDonβt you?β βWe all act, sweetheart,β Alpha Centauri answers me far too smoothly, licking his lips, βYou enjoyed it?β βProtect her at all costs,β I speak in a monotone, βA joke?β βI meant that,β Alpha Centauri sounds possessive and growly, staring at my skin and the Krown, snug around my throat β because I put it on, and that chain for them to tug me around if they wanted it. When usually Iβd keep it off, for my own dignity. βLetβs just forget this,β I try to dismiss them. βOh, come on,β Rigil speaks up, βWhat are you, a coward?β You fucking piece of shit Kor. He was like a smaller Alpha Centauri, his cutting, awful cousin, without the charm. I had been trying to keep it in, my rising emotions. My pounding heart. But now itβs erupting inside me, like a volcano. I wanted it so badly, this romance with them all, and they had no idea what it felt like. βI wanted to fuck all of you,β I yell it, crying out, βNot like how you think,β I drop to my knees as I cover my face with my hands as I sob my despair. Mars drops next to me, his hand gentle on my back, rubbing up and down my spine. βEmpress,β Mars growls low, βCalm down, the baby ββ Heβs worried Iβll miscarry? βGet her up,β Alpha Centauri snarls, βCalm down, Diana.β Fuck. Fuck. And women thought men on Earth drove them crazy. Try being a Korβs girlfriend. To 18 of them. Minus Venus. I try to calm myself, but the more I try to listen to them, the more I realise how badly they really are playing my stupid little human brain. Keep saying it. Fucking admit it to yourself, Diana. Theyβre playing me. Theyβre playing me. Theyβre taking me apart, piece by piece. Making me feel guilty about Cinta, that Iβd be abusive with their love. When they were literally planning to devour my fucking body and soul. Orlai. I go quiet, as I realiseβ¦ β¦holy shit. The answer comes to me. There is no way that was a delusion. She was alive. Stuck. Miserable. In a glass tube of some kind. Delivered toβ¦ Their fathers. Their FATHERS. I worked it out. I worked it out. I worked it out. βBreathe.β βDiana.β βCalm down.β Theyβre all chipping in a word or two, getting closer. But Iβm thinking. Mars stopped breathing when I fucked him and he went to βanother universeβ. Alpha Centauri almost ripped into my most vital artery, and I saw it for a split second. Their birthing ground. Another universe, dimension, realm β something older than here right now. Thatβs where they sent us. When we turned to star dust. They sent us to their fathers. Food? Passing on the fucking favour? Who knows. Who the fuck knows, but it was their life cycle. And I wonβt be some snack for their Elion brethren. βGet off me,β I pull from Mars, standing up. The Estori is already right here, standing right in front of me, blocking my path, as he watches my face for my expression. βMove,β I whisper at the Estoriβs abs. I look around me and theyβve all come a lot damn closer. βChange of plans, Empress, youβre going to bed, to rest, there will be no running, and no screaming, keep your breathing steady,β Alpha Centauri focuses on that. Iβm surprised he caught on so well. Just like that, he knew I was about to start screaming if they fucking touched me one more time. That had been my next plan. It was their preservation. Their vessel had to stay calm to birth perfect Kor children. βIβm going to kill all of you,β I say it in a quiet monotone, meeting all their eyes. Alpha Centauri is the most fucking amused by this. Itβs music to his ears, βSTOP, FUCKING LOOKING AT ME LIKE THAT,β I lose it as I do scream β I have to let it out somehow! I curl my hands into fists and I lunge at the Estori β but the other Kors all jump in and hold me back. βTo the dungeon, brat?β Alpha Centauri asks sweetly. βGive her to me,β Arcturus steps forward, looking far too relaxed about all this, βIβll make her behave.β βPerfectβ¦ bonding time for you two,β Alpha Centauri flashes his fangs at me, and I canβt believe I let him sink them so deep. That I had asked. But now Alpha Centauri is the least of my problems, and Alpha Cenaturi knows that, by the way it sadistically pleases him. I know what Arcturus did to Orlai. She lost her damn mind to him. βMars,β I whisper now, regretting my outburst, βHello?β I look over my shoulder at all of my Ninth Squad, as they hold me still with their hands β their jaws are clenched, their teeth grinding. Mercury wonβt look me in the eye. Saturn just firmly holds my arm with Mars, while Terra, Uranus and Neptune share my other arm. Jupiter has my chain. Neptune, out of all of themβ¦. his eyes look sharp and heated. I read it, understanding their silence. Iβve already betrayed them. Because I just said Iβd kill all of them. And I meant it. Shit. Iβve broken their trust. I threatened them. I forgot it was their triggerβ¦ thatβs exactly what Cinta did butβ¦ but Iβ¦ βWeβll catch this kind of mistake, early,β Pluto speaks behind me, where I couldnβt see him, his dark voice catching my immediate attention as I roll my eyes up, looking back. He had been the one holding my neck, I just realise it, as he wraps his other hand into my hair, βWith me, darling Empress.β Arcturus steps to the side, the man who broke Orlai harder than Alpha Centauri fucked her over. He was closer to his Elion violence than any of the others. Alpha Centauri might be the same, actually, but he was just far more graceful and sneaky about it. The hands of Ninth Squad slip from me and Pluto leads me off with a hand in my hair, and his hand on my throat, now gently slipping down to my heart, and my ribs. βWeβll always protect our favourite meal,β Pluto doesnβt joke, he says it plainly as day, βYouβll behave until itβs done.β βWhatβs the dark plane?β I stab in the dark, hoping for an answer. βWhere weβre from,β Pluto fucking answered me. Holy smokes. That alone almost has me fainting with shock. I so rarely received answers. But since he is being honest as he leads me out of here, down to some dungeon somewhere in the Hold β Arcturus follows behind like a languid executioner. Just what I need, the twisted mind of an interrogator to brainwash me some more. βI can promise you, Diana, youβre the most precious thing in the universe to us,β Pluto says that plainly, βNow just behave and youβll be ripe for our forgiveness.β We had turned down a shadowed corridor near the Midnight Chamber, one I hadnβt noticed when I had been exploring earlier. We stop by a dark and narrow opening, where the room is pitch black within. Arcturus steps closer, when Pluto releases me and moves back. Arcturus takes my wrist before I can run. βIβm not Orlai,β I growl at him, βYou wonβt succeed. In whatever it is youβre planning.β Arcturus says nothing and I hesitate in glaring into the dark of that space we have to walk intoβ¦ I cave into my fear and quickly glance a look back up at him. I need to know what heβs thinking. Arcturus is looking at me sideways, and in the darkness of this narrow corridor, his purple velvet starry skin seems more brilliant, like a purple nebula or something. He smiles a little, and his white teeth even look gorgeous. βWhatβs itβ¦ that you doβ¦ exactly?β I whisper. βIβm very patient,β Arcturus leans down to my ear, speaking with a low and brutal tone, but not a whisper. Pure honesty. βAnd whatβs in this room?β βNothing,β Arcturus walks me in, and he turns on the light. As the artificial light sweeps through the stone cave rectangular roomβ¦ heβs not joking. Thereβs nothing in here. I watch Arcturus shut the door. βI just get you, huh?β I ask, as I back up to one wall, and I slide down to the ground, holding my belly and letting out a long breath, as Arcturus leans back against the door, his arms crossed over his chest, guarding me, βYou threaten to kill me and then they let you be alone with me. Makes sense.β ββ¦she loved youβ¦ maybe your heart isnβt as sweet, but if she loved you, your pure enough for me, Iβm sorry I scared you, Empressβ¦ I do like you,β Arcturus smiles and then immediately loses it to have no expression at all. Gosh heβs weird and hot. He slides down to sit opposite me, and then heβs just staring at me. The lights dim automatically around us. βStaring competition?β I whisper, βYouβll lose. Iβll never break.β βDiana, sweeter dove,β Arcturus answers with a deeper drawl, ββ¦I always win.β |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 67 βΏβββ’β¦ I watch Arcturus for a while, as he just waits with me in this room β eventually instead of being scared of him, or weary, I feel the exact opposite. Itβs a very weird shift in my perspective. When all the noise is cancelled outβ¦ I can see the βmanβ in this Elion, just carefully watching me, but with no ill-intent in his deep purple eyes. βWill you protect me?β I whisper into the air, after a silence of who-knows-how-long has passed, βAnd the babies?β βEmpress Diana, are you asking me to be your Guardian?β Arcturus drawls while he rests one elbow across a raised knee, his eyes sharp but mellow all at once. βAlpha Centauri chose you to keep him at bay, when the time comes, and give me your venom,β I see him smile a little and I can see the row of razor sharp fangs in his mouth, dripping with excess venom already, βWill you do it?β Arcturus tilts his head forward but doesnβt release me from his gaze. I take the movement as a Korβs yes. Now. Back to waiting. But Iβve had enough of a rest on the ground. I stand up and I trail my fingers along the black, sparkling rock with a blue tinge. These rocks remind me of Apastron. Thinking of Apastron makes my mouth tug up into a smile. Danger was an appropriate name for that Elion who had no idea he was Elion. Who defended the Human Freed. Just thinking of him, and his nature, his mother being the sweet human sacrifice, his father the Estori of the Kor species β he was primed to defend humanity. I must protect his freedom at all costs. If he could ever learn to forgive me for not being able to save her. It brings me some consolation that Orlai lives somewhere else, even if itβs not apparent what condition she is in. Iβm sure, the Korβs fathers must appreciate her compliance. And me? I was the opposite. I was eager to run free even now, while growing heavily pregnant again. I dreamed of moving beyond, to explore, to have some fun. Right now, I had to navigate politics of predatory evil beings that showed me so much love, only to scare me back into reality every time I got comfortable. I reach one corner of the cave, after resting my head against the rock for a bit, I turn around and my vision is blocked. I canβt see the cave because Arcturus approached me silently. I press back against the wall as he leans down to keep staring into my eyes. βYou want to know how this works?β Arcturusβ drawls, his voice a poison of dark and sweet promises, βFollow your feelings, and just release yourself from your mind, Diana. Itβs all lies,β Arcturusβ¦ for some reasonβ¦ even in his sexy deep voice, makes sense, kind of. I listen with wide eyes and a still mouth, βEverything you think is a web of pointless fear. Just react.β βWhat are you teaching me?β I ask. βHow we think,β Arcturus smiles, βFey did not understand this. Do you know what Iβm implying?β βIt sounds like some kind of meditation technique, letting go of every thought, andβ¦β I trail off as Arcturus looks like he wants to add more, so I close my lips and he continues. βBecause light and dark donβt mix, they just exist,β Arcturusβ voice is somewhat hypnotising when heβs relaxed, I hang on every word, βI am dark and you are light. Even as a Dark Nine. You get close to it. But you canβt understand total seeing from the dark. Thatβs how our instincts work. Create darkβ¦ take light,β he makes it sound beautiful. Death. Yup. Heβs talking about death, Diana, get a grip! I had been slowly flickering my eyes shut, my breath relaxing as I accepted his words. The reason they had calmed me initially is the truth he was giving me. But I was not from the dark plane. βWell. In my universe, you follow my rules,β I answer with a glare and a protective hand over my belly, ββ¦is that why Iβm the Empress? Why you make Empresses? Light is our makeup? And you look for aβ¦ bright star. Anβ¦ Estoria.β Arcturus half smiles, ββ¦very good, Diana.β Damn. Did Arcturus just compliment me? I gulp, as my thoughts start to web together again, in all directions. Arcturus was saying thatβs not what their minds did, they stayed purely basic, on par with absorbing the light around them. No need to web and get complicated like mine. Itβs weird how Iβm starting to understand them, when theyβre the opposite of what a soul born in the light was. βAre you my enemy?β I ask this very carefully. Itβs what I had been grappling with since meeting them. Arcturus finally blinks and looks me over, but with appreciation, βNo.β βThen why did you say, my kind go sourβ¦ I remember what you said, it stung, like you thought Iβd change, or something,β I gulp, worried for his answer. βOnly power sours light,β Arcturus shakes his head, βAll power is dark, all of itβ¦ all of itβ¦β he looks ready to bite me, his fangs dripping heavily in his mouth. I get an impulse to kiss him, because I want to taste him. To know what he feels right now. I reach up and put my hands to his chest, as I press my lips to his. Arcturus opens his mouth a little, and the toxic burnt venom runs over my tongue. I pull back, pursing my lips as I swallow what he is, βThat wasβ¦ umβ¦β βBitter,β Arcturus guesses and I nod, βI am hurting. I miss her too.β I see the pain in his eyes, and with his truth, I canβt not react. I feel bad for him. I suddenly reach up to hold his face, with both my hands, βListen. Arcturus. I. Wonβt. Die. I promise Iβll resist, I wonβt sour either,β I think thatβs why he avoided emotional attachment, I imagine him watching females flower and then die with eventual corruption, from time, or power, or the futility of giving into Kor Venom, βI will always be alive by my choice. I wonβt choose death. Nor will I make you want to kill me. I know you canβt resist if I say to take my light. But I wonβt. Iβll always choose to live. Itβs in my bones. Itβs just who I am.β Arcturus is very still with my words, his body frozen like a statue, his eyes reading mine, but even those purple orbs are still. I worry he is frozen in time, so I touch his lips with my thumbs, squeezing them. When he opens his mouth he catches my thumbs in his teeth, nibbling on them and scaring me into an abrupt laugh. βWhat are you doing?β I giggle when he releases my thumbs from his fangs and I take my hands back to place them on my belly. βI see what Mars sees,β Arcturus murmurs, looking me over, ββ¦a worthy opponent.β I shake my head, βWhat do you mean? Also, my backβ¦ itβs starting to get soreβ¦ standingβ¦ can we go somewhere else, Arcturus?β I ask it simply, hoping he obliges his Empress. βOne last thing. Alpha Centauri does not act with you, he was mocking your doubt,β Arcturus smirks with my confused look, as he takes my hand and pulls back, βIβll take care of you for now.β I follow him, and I appreciate the way he and Pluto know how to be honest. At least I believe theyβre honest. Without another word, Arcturus takes me past the pool, to a warm spring, not too hot, but even the air tastes like salt-water, as he takes off my Krown and Plume, then presses a hand to my back, ushering me into the water, down the steps. Itβs a small bathing pool, big enough for us. As I step down, Arcturus shadows me so close that I feel his heat on my back as the water rises and laps above my knees, then my thighs, then my hips. Once Iβm in, Arcturus slides a hand over my waist, over my belly, as he guides me back onto his lap β as he sits back on a ledge and he holds me over his torso. βThe warmth will helpβ¦ and the weightlessness,β Arcturus murmurs deeply into my ear, his voice was still harsh but his meaning is sweet, βSo will thisβ¦ and this,β he doesnβt specify what, but his lips reach my neck and he opens his mouth to slide his six fangs into my neck, releasing a trust-worthy bond-building venom. I arc back into the beautiful feeling β while his Kor dick slips between my thighs, and he lifts my hips to find my pussy, dropping me down and thrusting up into my body. Kor venom and Kor cock to ease my sore back? Iβll take it. My pussy welcomes Arcturus and immediately throbs with intense pleasure, as I start to rock against him. With his jaws clamped in my neck and slowly releasing venom, he drinks some of my blood to feel me too. When Arcturus is finished drinking enough, and providing me with the aid of the numbing venom, he lifts his fangs from my neck, but he lets the blood flow curiously down my skin. Now his hand slides down between my legs and he starts rubbing my clit, perfectly timed β while he thrusts deeper, stretching me wide, then holding me down and still. His hand can feel it over my lower belly, his dick making a curve where it settles, throbbing and releasing seed into me slowly. Arcturus caresses that spot, as he thrusts an inch in, and out, but keeping the majority of his dick snug inside me. βDo you trust me now?β Arcturus murmurs over my head, before demanding, βSqueeze me, Diana.β βI am,β I whimper. βHarder,β Arcturus wraps a hand around my bloody neck as the wound finally seals on its own, but he holds me back, βMuch harder.β βWhatβs this about?β I whisper, βA-Arcturus.β βEmpress, this is a reward, not a punishment,β Arcturus almost purrs, he is so satisfied, βYouβre better than I realised, Diana. Cinta as Empress was weak compared to your mind and soul.β βAll humans have a fighting spiritβ¦ and a gentle one too,β I add, pressing my hand over his hand, βPlease, your dick bringing me pleasure is relieving some pain in my back, but I need you to make me orgasmβ¦ I think.β Iβm trying to be sneaky. Arcturus chuckles, βNo, Diana, not yet.β βWhy not?β βBecause our Honourable Estori is on his way,β Arcturus whispers in my ear, smiling, βWeβre not allowed to fuck you while youβre pregnant with his own.β βSo why are you inside me?β I giggle while I fight off a moan, wanting to move, but also too warm and relaxed back against his giant front. βHe wonβt mind using you with me,β Arcturus kisses my ear, βWeβll make sure your body doesnβt forget at any point, youβre meant to milk us, breed for us, and feel pleasure on us, Empress. Soon itβll be three of us regularly, at any time,β Arcturus kisses my temple, still holding my neck, βMm, youβre sweet when youβre needyβ¦ I should keep you on the edge all the time. Keep trembling like that.β I look up as Alpha Centauri appears in the doorway, completely naked, although he has his spear in hand. His eyes are lowered, staring straight at my pussy when he comes into the room, then glancing at Arcturus next β and finally, me. βMy Empress,β Alpha Centauri murmurs, half smiling, as his huge steel cock immediately rises, βItβs good to see youβve relaxed for us.β βMmm,β I make a small noise, and Alpha Centauri strides down the steps, into the small spring, as he takes my knees and opens my legs, tossing them aside like theyβre in the way. I watch him hold his Kor cock down to my clit, rubbing the head along the sensitive nub. My hips jerk and I quickly cum with Arcturus buried deep. Iβm so embarrassed by my body trembling, shaking and pulsing so hard, so suddenly, that I turn and close my eyes, while Alpha Centauri hums to himself. βWell, thatβs convenientβ¦ donβt be worried, we donβt mind if you lose yourself,β Alpha Centauri sounds too nice for his own damn good right now. He leans over me, I feel his shadow, as he edges his cock in next to Arcturusβs shaft. As the Estori slides into my quaking, trembling pussy, I canβt keep in my cry. βFuck, ah, ah goshβ¦ it feels so good,β I whimper it out as the Estori slides into the hilt and then catches my mouth with his, kissing me quiet. I taste his venom and itβsβ¦ itβs caring and protective. And he needs one thing. Me open to this. He wants to pound into me at his leisure. Apparently, Arcturus and the Estori are on the same wave-length, because the two Kors start ramming into me at top speed, out of bloody nowhere. βFUCK!β I scream out, as I break from the kiss, and my orgasm doesnβt fade, instead it explodes into a greater climax than it was before. Just as I collapse back against Arcturus, my neck limp, I peel open my eyes to see the Estori nudging down to my exposed neck. Alpha Centauri bites hard. His fangs clamp straight into my neck over the same wound Arcturus just gave me. He shreds deep with a low growl. I feel Arcturus licking into my other ear, as his hand squeezes my breasts, kneading them. With ease, Alpha Centauri floods my blood with Kor venom, then he pulls his bloody fangs out, only for Arcturus to replace him. Arcturus pierces the same wound a third time and injects me with more of paradise, but takes no blood. And this whole time, they keep fucking me, pounding thrusts that are violently hard without causing pain. My mind unravels into the abyss of Kor induced venom-wrapped-pleasure. My body is in a constant state of climaxing, clamping down on two thrusting, iron hard Elion dicks that are taking their time, even while being rough. When the venomβs strongest hit fades, I lie even more limp as both my Kor lovers start to finally slow their thrusts, although they fuck into me at the same time, settling deep. Next, theyβre focused on flooding my pussy after intoxicating my blood. I feel myself from deep within, filling with Kor seed mixed with my cream around their shafts. Itβs not quick. Theyβre still inside me, just dumping their loads continuously. I flutter open my eyes when I feel Alpha Centauriβs breath near my cheek. I look up to see him hovering his face over mine, looking for my eyes. βDarling Empress,β Alpha Centauri murmurs, βDo you feel better?β He leans back and finally pulls out. Arcturus also pulls away, although I notice the Estori reach between my legs with his hand. He lowers himself in the water, as he sticks his fingers into my pussy, now finger fucking me, swirling around my sore pussy walls and feeling how swollen I am. βWhat are you doing?β I ask, breathlessly. βFeeling inside you. And I can do whatever I want with you, Empress, so behave,β Alpha Centauri murmurs, while I feel Arcturus keep lazily squeezing my breasts as he licks into my ear again, slowly, just teasing me. I hate how something so weird turns me on. Butβ¦ βIβ¦ I do feel better, my back isnβt sore anymore,β I answer Alpha Centauri for his earlier question, while I look down to see him curling his fingers, now fucking my G-spot, βUhβ¦ E-Estoriβ¦ Iβ¦ I think Iβve cum enough times, Iβ¦β βJust once more for now,β Alpha Centauri demands it quietly, βHold her legs back,β he asks of Arcturus, and he immediately grips behind my knees and then finds my ankles, pulling my legs back as I watch Alpha Centauri fucking me with a perfect rhythm. βWhy one more?β I groan as I feel my body responding to him, even though Iβm numb, my pussy is answering again. βWhy?β Arcturus chuckles in my ear, βEmpress. You donβt belong to the light anymore. In the embrace of the dark β you surrender. Now come for your Kings.β Alpha Centauri watches my body lift and convulse with the pulsing of one more stupid orgasm. I purse my lips and close my eyes. The Estori takes his fingers from me while I let out a moan of complaint from the overwhelming surges of constant pleasure. Finally he was done. βGood.β Itβs all the Estori comments. Meanwhile, Arcturus is still chuckling. βWhatβs funny?β I whisper, feeling beyond satisfied now. Alpha Centauri retrieves his spear, about to leave when he murmurs to the air, βProximaβ¦ Toliman, Sirius. Go. The Empress is waiting.β I snap open my eyes, as Arcturus wades us up, and he steps from the pool, casually walking outβ¦ it happens so quick, I just float down until Iβm staring out of the water with my eyes, as three invisible Star Squad Kors, pace into the room, through the puddles, making tracks. Arcturus paces out, only glancing back at me to give me an emotionless expression, but with dancing dark eyes. And then heβs gone. I watch and count the tracks along the stone. Yes. Three Kors only. I stand up on jelly legs in the warm water, asking the air, βWhat now?β I spin to each, βAre you all going to fuck me at the same time or… orβ¦?β I sound delirious and out of breath, although I try to sound together. Proxima shimmers to visibility at the edge of the pool, nearest to me, squatting down as he grabs my chin and guides me over. He turns me toward his cock, as he gets on his knees. βSweet Empress,β Proxima speaks over my head, as he leads my lips to his hard and ribbed Elion shaft, and I know he wants that cruel thing eventually sinking deep down my throat. I glance up at him, my eyes worried. Proxima takes his cock and swipes it over my lips, and precum drips and smears over me. My tongue flicks out and tastes it, and he prods a little more, βOpen, my brave darling.β I canβt help myself as my mouth parts and I quickly snap my lips shut, catching his eye, βBe gentle? Iβmβ¦ Iβ¦ Iβm exhaustedβ¦β Proximaβs eyes flashβ¦ He continues to hold my chin, as he nods once, βEmpress, I understandβ¦ Iβll do the work β you swallow. Weβll do it all. All you have to do is give.β Iβm too afraid to question further β and too afraid to deny my body what itβs already screaming for again. I canβt believe it. But Iβm still horny. I wonder where his brothers are, until I feel them both place hands on my waist, four hands, caressing my skin and pulling my hips back. I shuffle my ass back as two Kor cocks now tease my used pussy and I nervously glance over my shoulder quickly. Theyβre invisible. Toliman and Sirius. Which I kind of appreciate, as theyβre fucking scary to look at. Proximaβs blood red skin was enough. βHowever you want,β I whisper to Proxima as I turn back to him. βGood puny humanβ¦ thatβs a better, behaved Empress,β Proxima murmurs appreciatively, as he slides his cock over my tongue. Toliman and Sirius, casually take turns to stretch into my pussy. I gasp and that gives Proxima a chance to explore deeper into my mouth, stretching my cheek a little. One ribbed cock enters and my pussy utterly loves the feeling, then the other leaves and returns, sharing me and mixing and shoving all the cum deeper inside me some more. I feel my pleasure swirling up and up. As I suck Proximaβs dick, I feel his hand caressing the back of my head as I dare to take him closer to the back of my tongue. He pulls me closerβ¦ and closer. He guides my headβs movement, while he hears me splutter around the head of his dick, trying to find a deeper spot with a good angle to dive down. βI know itβs difficult, Empress,β Proxima chuckles, βKeep trying.β I am. I try to swallow him in, but heβs so damn big. βThatβs it, again,β Proxima feels me taking him deeper a little bit at a time, as I feel him stretch my throat, he suddenly slides right in, half his shaft splits down my throat, then he pulls out. He snarls with deep pleasure while at the same time, hearing me gasp in a large, slightly panicked breath. I can only get it back quickly before his brothers are fucking me back and forth, closer to Proximaβs balls. Proximaβs dick keeps slapping my cheek now, as he just admires me getting my confidence back. βIβmβ¦ readyβ¦ toβ¦ t-try again,β I find the words. βYou are adorable,β Proxima whispers to his brothers, and I, βSo punyβ¦ but you work for it. Good. Empress.β He really means that compliment, as his dick slides right along my cheek, and I feel all his ribbed heat, mixed with my saliva. I moaned as he said that, βShe likes it. Good Empress. Good girl. Find your strengthβ¦β Proxima grips my hair in a tight twirl, jerking my head back for him, βAgain,β he drawls it darkly, βDeeper this time, Diana. Much deeper.β I nod. Proxima rubs his cock along my wet mouth, teasing me. He smiles. βLetβs see how long you can hold your breath, pretty darling. Open wide for me. Good girl.β As Iβm about to find out, Proxima is not joking. He wants me to choke on his Kor shaft, so he can feel the warmth all around as I suck. I imagine how itβll be, as his giant dick slips past my lips, back over my tongueβ¦ searching again. Iβm about to find out I like a Kor controlling my breath. As I trust in his timing. It just makes it all the more deadly-fun, knowing heβs got me. In their claws, between their fangs, under their hands. My Kors donβt just control my soaring pleasure, but my beating heart. It was just Elion love-making. It was forbiddenβ¦ but not for me. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 68 βΏβββ’β¦ 3.5 weeks later Something went wrong with this birth. I had the twins, and they shimmered and ran off β but I was dying. And it wasnβt because Arcturus couldnβt protect me from Alpha Centauri, nor was it that his venom wasnβt strong enough. I had simply lost too much blood, and they didnβt have any humans on hand to donate. A simple oversight, but I never thought Iβd meet my end like this. I can hear Diasphora and Maelstrom yelling for me, outside the chamber I was hidden within, stuck with Arcturus, who was doing everything he could to save me. But no matter how much venom, or how much he seemed to actually careβ¦ I was feeling weaker, and weaker. ββ¦heyβ¦β my tongue can barely move in this dank, dark birthing chamber, I feel so cold, so cold. Arcturus puts his ear closer to my mouth. βWhat can I do?β Arcturus growls in a panic. βTake me to Earth,β I beg him with a faulty breath. βDonβt fall asleep, Empress,β Arcturus puts his warm hand to my chest, and I feel the universe warping and bending with incredible darkness as space folds and reopens somewhere else. I am blinded by hospital lights, as Arcturus lays me down, and everyone starts screaming. I had seen what he looked like, what it all looked like, to make everyone react so harshly. Just before I passed out β his face harboured purple void-like eyes, a halo of light above his head, sucking in the electricity, causing the hospital lights to flicker. As Arcturusβs teeth grew longer, and his veins grew darker β he even appeared to have horns on his head, purple and monstrous. Like a fallen angel from hell, his features werenβt so human, but more β Elion. βELION,β someone screamed it too. The hospital energy flicked back on β Arcturus disappeared as quickly as he lay me on the floor β and I shut my eyes as I spiralled under, my heart weak, my body done. **** 48 hours later Humans saved my life. With their blood β which was my blood. Even with my Fey altered DNA, I needed what my body was made of. Red blood, iron β depleted so low, they had never seen such an advanced state of anaemia. All the iron, so rapidly taken from me, from all the venom in the past month. The Kor venom itself made me feel normal, while my body deteriorated and I had no idea. From all the tasting, all the drinking, all the greed of my Kors. Killing me slowly, killing me softly. This time I didnβt have to run. This time it was just fate that Arcturus followed my instruction, as I was his Empress, and he was my Guardian. And the humans I had escaped as a Dark Nine, swept me under their protective eye, and placed me in a top-secret government spaceship. So secret, even Danger had never heard of it. I knew this, because he was here, with me. Danger had snitched to the government, what I had told him, granting him immunity for a life-time β and a position as captain of one of their ships. Specifically, the Nightfall XII. This ship Iβm aboard right now. Danger had admitted to me, he now knew he was Elion, as they did tests β but as long as he never fed, his brain waves had imprinted to be human, being raised by his mother on Earth. Danger did not like me, but he was protecting me. I sensed he had a rage in him that was only quietened down by curiosity and a knowing β as a Dark Nine β there was more to this story. And since he requested to keep me under his guardianship now, I was technically hisβ¦ uhβ¦ responsibility? And I was placed into category unknown β for when complexities overruled simple labelling. They didnβt know what to call me anymore, just that I was protected by Danger, who was now employed by the Earthβs Military, which was outside the AI system, Tcno. Because when it came to war, only human minds could decide β even the AI acknowledged to us all, it had no soul and should never be implemented in war systems. Humans had really grasped a hold over tech, and I see that now with Danger fully decked out in his Nightfall XII Captainβs uniform. An ash grey, with silver fringes and a belt with options for weapons, but Danger had none. He insisted his mind was enough, and all he needed. And that Nightfall XII was the best ammunition he could ever own. Another planet destroyer. In 24 hours, I had been healed by doctors while in a coma. And the next 24 hours I had been quite literally stuck with Danger in the control room. But no, I wasnβt free. I was also, conveniently, standing in a glass tube β wearing a white, comfortable ankle length dress. When it was time to sleep, the glass lowered underneath the hub of the main deck, it spun and spat me out into a tiny compartment with a bed and basic restroom that converted into a shower. Food would be waiting for me on my bed, and it was always a full, hot meal. Danger assured I wasnβt a prisoner, just quarantined until the Stockholm Syndrome for the Kors wore off. I had been so embarrassed by my predicament in the glass tube, especially when Danger was talking to me with the rest of the crew around β that I hardly said a word back. And to be honest, absolutely everything he said was spot on. He was right about everything. Me being brain washed. Me being an idiot. That I needed saving. That I needed help. Especially now. Now thatβ¦ now thatβ¦ it wasnβt taken as speculation. That the Kors were Elion. The human-race knew what the Kors were now. Arcturus was captured on 360 degree Tcno footage, he was analysed, every part of that film β and when he was caught and in temporary government control after Apastron was blown to pieces, they had collected samples of him too. And you know what? Elions were no longer the myth from billions of years ago. And you know what that meant, right? For me? I was finally dead to them. The Kors explicitly said I could never tell anyone their secret. That I should have been dead anyway because I even knew it β so living had been a mercy. But everything had grown so out of my control, so completely out of hand β I was no longer the driving force behind the inevitable war. I was just incidentally a victim of Elion control, and I had the sympathy of every crew member, who often complained of me being in the tube. Butβ¦ Danger insisted, I needed time. Itβs now time for crew swap overs, and Danger looks exhausted β heβd been awake 48 hours at least. Perhaps longer. βTime to go to bed, son,β a second captain in the same uniform confronts him, βI checked your logs, everything was stella,β the second captain is so proud of Danger, βSleep, go.β βI will, but I canβt leave her,β Danger murmurs under his breath to his second-mate. They both look to me. I pretend to look over the deck, which was just sophisticated tech I didnβt understand, all smooth black metal, everything always running, nothing ever broken. βItβll be your word, as long as sheβ¦β βStays on the ship,β Danger finishes the sentence, βGotcha.β He approaches me and releases me from the tube. I feel strange when the air filters in, and I hold my hands up in surrender. Danger holds out a hand, I reach out my arm and he takes my wrist. I follow him from the deck. Just down the circular hall, sparkling with endless light of a sunβs core, which is what powered this ship β he enters his quarters. Danger releases me when his door slides closed and he locks it, glaring past me as he moves to the bathroom to strip and shower. That door shuts too, and I look around the basic bedroom, which might not have anything but the closet and bed β but it has an insane view of the nebula weβre parked next to. I see an eye staring back at me, with a blue, silver centre, and gold tendrils all around. It might just be the most beautiful thing Iβve ever seen in my life. I walk to the window and I just put my hand on the glass, staring out at what our universe created and birthed. That beauty comes from the light bathed in the dark matter around. But Arcturus was right, dark and light, they didnβt mix, they just existed side by side. After a while, Dangerβs bathroom door slides open almost silently, although I hear the air move with my sensitive ears. He jumps onto the bed and I awkwardly turn around to see his bare chest, although he wears cotton pants, blinking and exhausted, staring up at the high ceiling. His hands are cradled behind his head. He usually had one long braid, for his long brown hair, but heβs taken it out, and his hair is now framing his faceβ¦ it freaks me out a bit. He looks much more like Alpha Centauri with his hair out. βHow do you feel?β Danger asks, kindly enough. βI donβt know,β I answer. βYeah, I donβt know either,β Danger sounds conflicted, looking at me, his light blue eyes flicker, βYou want to talk about it?β βSure,β I walk over and sit on the other side of the bed, grasping my knees as I just stare down at his Orlai-eyes. I try to keep in the emotion, βOrlai is alive in another dimension.β βI read their top-secret shit, I know,β Danger admits, βOur scientists? They know β they theorised what happens, and I think itβs accurate. Why the metal is left, and the rest is consumed. Their souls are magnetised, some kind of reverse-polar-warp, it takes the victim to the dark realm, which was also theorised. Itβs the actual polarity to us. Itβs what our parallel universe is. Darkness came first. Then light.β βDoes it even matter?β I whisper, βWhat the science is? When all we do is feel like shit all the time.β Danger grins, βYou read my mind, Diana.β βWell, donβt get cocky,β I laugh too, and it feels so good to laugh. After almost fucking dying. Again. I now crawl to the second pillow and lay on my back, the back of my fingers, brushing his knuckles incidentally. Danger doesnβt jerk away, and neither do I, βI feel like a weight lifted off my shoulders since you took me in.β βWe couldnβt save her, but I could save you,β Danger turns his cheek to mine, βI will never fall to the dark realm, I will always fight it. I will never accept him as a part of me. Itβs not me. And Iβm strong enough, stubborn enough to deny it.β βI know what thatβs like. I was fighting the whole time,β I admit this to him, βI knowβ¦ I guessβ¦ in my own way.β βYou had four Kor children, you know,β Danger acknowledges me, with a small wink and a smile, staring back up at the ceiling, βGrowing up, I never felt like I could stop, like Iβd have to run and run, until I knew every inch of this god damn universe. In case there was a war. In case I needed to fight for the good peopleβ¦ in case the Elions ever came back.β βIs that your fantasy?β I wonder. βJust a premonitionβ¦ my father is their Estori, I guess I knew I was meant for something greater,β Danger shakes his head, βTell me what you saw in him.β I am taken aback, I didnβt want to talk about the Estori. I place my hands over my stomach. He sounds sleepy, though. Maybe if I speak, heβll sleep. βAlpha Centauri?β I whisper, βI saw his cruel side and his kind side β heβs a Dark Nine, like you, like me, he understands spontaneity and time. He understands me. So he knows how to use me. Unlike Mars, who made me feel likeβ¦ we were soulmates,β I almost choke on that, βI believed it too, you know. But they kept reminding me. One day. One day theyβd eat meβ¦ red flag number 1.β Danger laughs, βGo on. Actually. No. Tell me. What do you think of me? Do you think Iβm using you like him?β Oddly specific question. βI donβt know you well enough, Danger. Youβre a hot rebel who canβt keep a girlfriend and will blow up a planet to save his mother. Youβre nuts in the best way.β βAw, thanks, you acknowledge my bravery,β Danger lays his fist over his heart. βHero,β I whisper, βYou are the hero.β Danger says nothing and when I glance at him, heβs eyes are closed but a blush crawls up his neck. He liked that. I turn toward him and I lean up to kiss his cheek, βThank you for saving me.β βYouβre a Galactic Queen, it was my duty,β Danger gives me a funny look for kissing his cheek. Like he canβt believe I just attempted that. I immediately pull back, feeling humiliated. I flop back down onto my back and turn toward the window instead. Danger rolls into me, his arm wrapping around my waist, as he tugs me back, getting comfortable. Then his hand leaves my waist, and he brings it back to his sideβ¦ I hear a snap and I look over my shoulder just in time to see he hand-cuffed himself β and then he snaps the other half around one of my wrists. βI know itβs clichΓ©, darling, but youβre not running from me,β Danger smiles sweetly, all-handsome as he also leans into kiss my cheek, and my ear, βNo more Kor appetite. Forget their cocks, Diana ββ βDanger β!β I gasp. βForget them,β Danger murmurs, low and clear, βThereβs plenty of dick around here.β Oh, talk about subtle. I heave in and out a breath, as he wraps his arm back around my waist, bending my arm as our wrists are now locked together. βThatβs smart you know,β I growl, βI donβt know how the heck Iβm getting out of this.β βHmpfh,β Danger chuckles and his body vibrates with held back laughterβ¦ now, his second arm is lifting high, and his hand is sliding around my neck, pulling my head back. I twist slowly back toward him, confused, βWhat?β βYouβre the weapon, Empress,β Dangerβs eyes are half-hooded, βYouβre the weapon whoβs going to take them all down.β βMe?β I whisper quietly, as Danger gives into temptation, after his eyes fell from mine, to my parted lipsβ¦ he leans in and kisses me. I donβt kiss him back. I am scared that he might secrete venom and not even know it. Danger lifts his mouth from mine a second later, βDo you always freeze like a corpse when they kiss you?β βWhat? Oh, fuck off,β I glare at his amused, curled lips, twisting back around and sending my elbow flying back into his ribs. I manage to knock some of the breath out of him. Danger chuckles, kissing the back of my head, restraining my arm with his, while I rest on the pillow and lick my lips. I taste a spark. So, he does secret venom. And you want to know what he feels inside? I stare out the window. Shit. Iβm freaked out now. I think I just found out why Danger has commitment issues. Danger tasted like Mars when he was thirsty. He was lusting for my neck, to crush dormant Kor fangs into me β that were gnawing behind his gums. Which means Iβm truly in bed with yet another Kor. Great, just great. βYou can read me, canβt you?β Danger murmurs, worried by my stiffness. βYes.β βI wonβt give in, I promise, Iβm a fighter,β Danger says it so firmly, I believe him, βLetβs sleepβ¦β βMmhm, we should.β Danger settles behind me, relaxing. I try to relax too. I hope he remains the hero. He was the only thing right now keeping me from Kor possession, domination and suppression. It was addicting. I needed this freedom to last. I needed to remember. What it was like to be mine. And not their supply of blood or an empty womb. I was more than that. And I wanted to prove it. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 69 βΏβββ’β¦ Marsβ POV βWe should just deny it all as conspiracy,β I suggest this to Alpha Centauri, who has casually suggested exploding the Earthβs core more times than I care to count. We are in his Midnight Chamber, where we discuss strategies regarding our exposure to the universe of light. He wasnβt going to destroy Ninth Squadβs home solar system based on the humanβs complete overreaction to Arcturusβ explosive appearance in their hospital. I wouldnβt allow the Estoriβs rage to spiral this time. βHow do we play this development softly?β Alpha Centauriβs in war mode, heβs completely detached from his easy-going lethality. βFree Diana from expectation,β I say this with caution, my blood protesting. I need her in my bones. But we canβt keep their precious Galactic Queen any longer. βYouβre suggesting a surrender,β Alpha Centauri looks like he wants to gut me with his spear, even at the thought of letting her go. βIn all respect, Estori, this isnβt the war we once foughtβ¦ we can hunt in this world without disrupting them, putting them into full blown research about us. Now that theyβre so advanced. Thatβll happen if we go to war. Theyβll advance faster.β βAdvanced, ha,β Alpha Centauri fights back a smile, βHow. Funny. Mars β if you think Iβm unfit to figure this idiotic development out, you tell me the solution. Ninth.β βYouβre just mad you let the Empress live with the forbidden knowledgeβ¦ but we all did, this is just how itβll be now. We shouldnβt declare war when they havenβt,β I gulp down my panic. We were almost wiped out. Completely. Elion kind was so very fragile. We had never explained this to Diana. We were the last of our kind. βWe are the Gods of us,β Alpha Centauri closes his eyes and holds back a groan, βWe could destroy entire galaxies if we wanted, perhaps we should take one into the dark, to warn them.β βI wonβt sacrifice that much light,β I slam my clenched fist onto the table, βGet a grip, Estori, or weβll be reduced to nothing.β βWe need them off our backs,β Alpha Centauri opens his eyes, βGet. Them. To silence this issue.β βThe Universal Board wonβt accept anything but a peaceful surrender, in return they wonβtβ¦β βThey wonβt what?β Alpha Centauri sounds terrified for once. βThey wonβt kill us if we submit now, itβs another option. We have the upper hand only in that Arcturus delivered Diana to life-saving treatment, itβs the only reason they are negotiating at all with Elions. They love her, they want her safe β and I still canβt find her.β βDiana will cry out to us if sheβs in troubleβ¦ now, Mars. War is always an option. I will speak to Regalis and ββ βHe will hideβ¦ Regalis has more sense than all of us. Regalis knows weβre not in the war we once were. And what of your new-borns, Ephereum and Entrpy? Weβre all dead if we attack first, Estori,β I blink and look at the luminescent patterns in the dark rock under my fist. I had never been so scared. We killed ourselves with our love for making Empresses. They were an addiction. We thrived on that attachment. An innate need to figure them out. The most complex light structures in the universe. βFuck,β Alpha Centauri was a King of the Universe, and thatβs all he can say now. We were Godsβ¦ a long time ago. Not now. Maybe a billion years ago. In this reality, our puny human Empress held the sword to our throats β and she didnβt even know it. Dianaβs POV The next morning I sit with Danger in a laboratory surrounded by the top military scientists, as they take samples of his blood and prepare injections to test paralysis and counter measures to Kor superiority. Danger was the happiest test subject in all of universal history. With his mother out of our universal realm, out of his reach β this was his revenge. He took their Empress. Now, their power. All while being a friend to humanity. Itβs quite the irony, sweet, shy, scared Orlai β her genes, being the downfall of all Elion kind. Because she escaped and had her baby and raised him away from the dark, before it imprinted on him. Now he was human, almost. Kor engineering was clearly designed to adapt, their colours changed depending on circumstance. Iβm guessing thatβs why Danger looks so damn human. His skin even has freckles, his hair still a harmless brunette. His eyes, and soul, and personality β reflect a human rebel to the core. A Dark Nine. I sit with him, no longer handcuffed, just interested in keeping him company. Including the scientists and engineers, who let me openly speak. Everyone is so ridiculously friendly. I guess because they live in the Light. I enjoy that I donβt feel like an enemy, I feel like Danger β welcomed and surrounded by good people. βItβs better if you can stop their teleportation, not sure how youβll do that,β Danger suggests to the pretty scientist who just took a ninth sample of his blood. βWeβre working on it, Danger,β she answers with a slight blush, βEven your genes mimic human DNA, so we have to find their core structure with human blood mixed into the samples, it takes time for the structure to fall apart, itβs like nothing weβve ever seen, and Iβve seen a lotβ¦ I guess thatβs why they call them Elion, so completely different to usβ¦ almost theβ¦β βReverse of what you are,β Danger supplies the explanation for her. βReversed physics, maybe, the biology is completely strange, but weβre working it out,β she stays awhile to flirt. βIs that why youβre working on it in the dark back there?β Danger wonders, βSmart β was that youβre idea?β βMmhm,β she purses her lips and spins away, βIβll be back in a bit if we need anymore.β βWhatβs your name?β Danger calls out but she just smiles and doesnβt answer as she moves off. I am sitting next to him but I lean over and tilt my head, observing his eyes, mimicking human-likeness. Heβs almost got tears in his eyes, from the passion, of the hunt I guess. βYou can never stop, can you?β I tease him, βHmmβ¦ thinking about her outside those lab coats?β βDonβt give me a damn hard-on in here,β Danger growls at me, βFuck β when theyβre hot and smart, it scares me a bit, like sheβs reading my mindβ¦β he looks at me, βCan you read my mind?β βI donβt know if Iβd want to even try,β I pick up my cup of tea and swirl the herbal liquid around, βWhat part of the universe are we in?β βDid you hear how last month, a team was found slaughtered at the Hyperedge of the universe?β Danger asks like I should know. βNoβ¦β βWeβre investigatingβ¦ strange activity in the dark matter over hereβ¦ like thereβsβ¦β Danger trails off. βWhat?β βI donβt want to get my hopes upβ¦ a portal, maybe?β he whispers this very quietly. βA portal to where?β βThe other universe,β Danger licks his lips, βAnyway, itβs stupid β some of the shit they come up with. They briefed me on some of itβ¦ itβs just crazy.β βTell me,β I grab his arm, before he jumps up and starts flirting with the next female. Danger swings back to me and his eyes dance with information, βThey thinkβ¦ this Hyperedge scientist working for them, called Pulsarβ¦ isnβt who they thought he was. Just lots of strange theories running about. Images were taken from the station the lab was on, on this small planetβ¦ the murderers, they look like Kors to me but they have horns and theyβre white β but the theory isβ¦ theyβre not Kors.β βNot?β βKors had to come from somewhere, and their kind morph so much, itβs easy to appear Kor likeβ¦ they think theyβve found their paternal Elions. Daddy Kors.β βI rememberβ¦ somethingβ¦β I search my memory, something thatβs sticking out like a sore thumb, βHmmβ¦β βThey were called Priestiuz Kors,β a female voice pops up β the scientist from before, sheβs suddenly on break. She slides into the seat opposite us, bringing out a lunch box and some prepared sushi rolls, βHope you donβt mind if I join you.β βThatβs the name, I couldnβt think of it,β Danger answers, βYouβre welcome to join us anytime, darling.β Priestiuzβ¦ I remember Ninth Squad speaking of themβ¦ they sent Airy to one. βMust be an adventure, being with Kor kind,β the scientist addresses me, βGalactic Queenβ¦ Dianaβ¦?β She clearly wants to get to know me a bit better. I clasp my hands on the table, straightening my back. βAw, Diana wanted the attention, sheβs happy now,β Danger puts his arm around my shoulders, giving me a small shake. βGet your arm off me,β I growl under my breath. When Danger lets me go, looking sour, I explain to her, βIt was an adventure.β βDo you think weβre on the brink of war?β she asks. βI donβt know, I hope not, whatβs your name?β βDaniella,β she awkwardly glances at Danger, knowing he will say something. βDani,β Danger just gifts her with a nickname, he likes it, βWeβre both Dans.β βOh, gosh. Can you act more like a captain of this damn spaceship. Rather than a boy meeting a girl for the first time? Youβve been alive for thousands of years,β I narrow my eyes at him, βGet it together.β βItβs okay, his appetite is causing all his behavioural issues,β Daniella says this straight forward. Perhaps she is teasing with the truth, but I notice Danger lose his fun smile. Now he looks uncomfortable. Daniella continues, βDonβt look so stunned. Youβre not human.β βI am,β Danger bites too quickly. βYouβre literally 100% Kor,β she snaps back too fast as well. βI donβt think like them,β Danger whispers this, now sounding disturbed. I take my hands from the table, I feel bad for him. I donβt think she realises how sensitive he is. I put my hand on his thigh under the table, hoping to keep him a bit calmer. βItβs just the science,β Daniella catches on too late that she hurt his feelings by being too blunt, βUmβ¦ uhβ¦ I didnβt mean toβ¦β βIs that how they view me?β Danger asks cooly now, βElion?β βWeβre scientistsβ¦β she shakes her head, βWe canβt help itβ¦β βIt doesnβt matter what anyone thinks,β I speak up, βDanger. It doesnβt matter. Seriously. Why do you care?β Danger stands and takes my arm. He just needs air. βHey,β Daniella stands too, βYou canβt go yet.β Why does she sound so authoritative all of a sudden? There is this strange quiet, coupled with a sudden sharpness in the air all around us. In the change, Danger and I both hear a strange beeping noise. Some kind of alert. Danger turns with me. We both look at a man hovering close by, in a button up blue shirt, looking at a machine, spitting out data aboutβ¦ Dangerβs current thought process? Danger sees it just as I do. Warning. Escape attempt imminent. They wereβ¦ My brain is a little slow β Danger is already sprinting for the door, while Iβm standing still, working out thatβ¦ they werenβt sampling his blood as much as they were putting their inventions into his system. To read him. It all happens so quick I canβt process the way the doors slam shut, the way Danger collapses and collides with a wall as his body goes limp while running. βYes, it worked, guys,β I hear a quiet celebration from near the man in the blue shirt. A woman is furiously checking things off next to him, βFull control. Heβs in a coma, boss.β βGood,β Daniella drops her sushi, her tone loses all friendliness as she focuses on me next, βDiana. Heyβ¦ take a seat for me. Come on.β βIβ¦β thought he was an ally for humanity. They lured him in. Toβ¦ experiment on him? I am so shocked, I feel my heart racing but my mind is processing slowly still. I am not human either. I am a little bit Feyβ¦ and I feel like Iβm next. My Enhanced Instincts had been quiet this entire time. But now I know Iβm in trouble because every part of me is starting to panic. I take a seat just to see what will happen βI hear and see an entire group of security walking for me, taking out their tasers just in case I resist. βNO, what are you doing?β I scream as I jump off the stool and I move around the table, only to see Daniella pulling a syringe from her pocket. βJust relax,β her bedside manner is awful. Sheβs not my friend. None of them were. βNo, what?β I move backwards and she lunges for me. I dodge her and she spins to see I moved too quick for a human. βDonβt let her panic completely,β she yells at the security, βWhat are you waiting for? TASE HER NOW, before sheβ¦β Her panic makes mine absolutely skyrocket. Only one other time did I feel that β as I fell into a death pit on Dark Ninth, as I fell, I screamed. And right now, I see four different tasers being pulled out on me β pointing at my chest. The security look sorry for me, itβs why they hesitated in the first place. They could tell I was being friendly, that I didnβt deserve this, but they have to follow orders. And I have to follow instinct. I donβt scream as I back up into the nearest wall, knocking into some controls as Daniella blocks my left, as the security come in from the right, preparing to fire the probes. βHurry,β Daniella hisses at them. As I hear the buzz of the electricity striking through the air, my brain says now. I just whisper my wish, I donβt scream it this time, with my terror fuelled to new heights. The probes pierce my skin in my arms and on my chest. Before the electricity drops me, Iβve already spoken his name. βMars,β I beg for him. To help me. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 70 βΏβββ’β¦ Dianaβs POV I felt Marsβ arm come around me, his lips on my ear itβll be okay. But then I blink and Iβm in the Midnight Chamber. Iβm on my back, laying down on a cold slab of blue Apastron cut stone, in the Kor Hold on Dark Ninth, in Star Squadβs conference room. I turn my head one way and I see Alpha Centauriβs metallic blue appearance, his steel eyes sharp. My head turns left and I see an empty seat. My hand reaches out, holding the air particles. I sit up, turning to the empty seat. βMars,β I whisper, where is he? βMars?β My fingers hover in the air, waiting for him to fold space and return. My heart races. No, no, no, βMARS!β My scream echoes in the chamber. His seat remains empty. I turn back to Alpha Centauri. Heβs brooding, not saying a word yet. I scramble off the table and I feel two chubby hands on my ankles. I look down, shocked to see Entrpy and Ephereum gazing up at me. Midnight little things. βMoga?β Entrpy whispers. βMoga,β the other baby whines, mimicking and crawling off, scared. I turn and I see Maelstrom standing in the doorway, arms crossed over his chest. He looks twelve years old, heβs growing so fast, the dead ring of his father. His green skin has darkened, and his eyes are withdrawn, sorrowful. Dreading the future. My first son. What have I done? Maelstrom looks distraught. After glaring at me with hurt, he turns and Stealths to move off somewhere else. An invisible Diasphora shimmers to visibility and then almost disappears β when I see another Kor in the entry. Venus picks up his son, free of his cell, his bronze skin is shimmering strong. βThey got him,β Venus speaks, ββ¦you were the bait, Empress.β βTheyβll kill him,β Alpha Centauri speaks up. No longer so charming, Alpha Centauri is stone cold. My heart leaps out of my chest, βThey have your son too,β I hiss at the Estori, βDo something! They tricked Danger. And they used me to get another Kor on their jacked-up ship. Why are you just sitting there?β βThey want us on that ship, Diana,β Alpha Centauri stands, βYouβre right.β βThen kill them all and get Mars back,β I hiss this impulsively, βWe have to do something.β βMars wonβt go down without a fight,β Venus walks closer as Diasphora climbs onto his shoulder and then pounces for me. I catch and hold him in a hug. Satisfied with the quick snuggle from mama, he wriggles down and starts speaking baby talk to the other two newborns, theyβre all running around the floor, invisible and quick, βDid you tell them weβre Elion, Diana?β Eβs tone holds an edge of poison. Theyβre all so curious to know how quick I was to betray. βI told Danger he was Elion. Danger is technically another Kor, I never told humanity,β I answer both of them, βWhere is everyone?β βComing up with solutions,β Venus paces, his eyes checking and watching the babies, βEmpress β breathe and take a seat.β βAlpha Centauri. I want you to take me back to that ship,β I turn to Alpha Centauri, pointing at him, βCome with me. Hunt for me. Letβs hunt them all and free your son and my man. Please. Just this one wish β grant it for me. I need Mars.β Alpha Centauri stands now, his brow arching, ββ¦your man?β he sounds almost insulted I would call any of the Kors such a term. βYou know what I mean,β I yell in exasperation, we donβt have time to talk for long before something awful could happen, βTake me back, take me back now, Estori, do it, please, this is not something I will regret,β I know I sound like Iβm in a panic, but I have every right. I know theyβve lived eternal lives so nothing phases them, but clearly theyβre interested in my reactions, my emotions. I am not pleased Mars is a damn hostage right now, if not dead already. I want him back. I need him back, safe. I had never felt anything so strongly in my life before. Iβd burn down a whole damn planet to get him back here safely. βHow many?β Alpha Centauri is intensely interested as he rounds the table toward me, βDiana?β βAt least a thousand staff, at least a hundred engineers and scientists in the lab I just came from β the lead scientist tricked me and Danger. Daniella did something, they put Danger in a coma and tried to tase me. I think they wanted us imprisoned, to be tested, who knows what else they wanted,β I say this in one breath so I have to suck in a long, deep breath and Alpha Centauri closes the remaining distance. His body traps mine by the table as I turn into it and sit on the edge of the stone, holding it with my cold and sweaty palms. I feel faint with the fury running through my bones, βMars,β I gasp out his name, feeling the panic hurt my heart, βFucking shit ββ I loved my kids and I loved my Kors. They might have executed him already. Depending on how much of a threat he posed when he appeared in my place. βDiana,β Alpha Centauri slides his fingers through my hair, cupping the back of my head, lifting me up out of my sad trance, βI canβt teleport out, not on their ship. The only way out is taking the main deck. Which means β more than likely β I have to kill everyone aboard. If you wish it.β The way he says that, I know itβll come back to haunt me when heβs reminding me just how responsible I am for their actions. I canβt focus on that right now. Donβt have time. My gut rolls as I growl out, βThey promised Danger he could be the captain and they betrayed him β they acted like I was one of them and it was all an act. Theyβre the enemy. Estoriβ¦ if we donβt intervene, theyβll probablyβ¦ kill themβ¦ a-and, dissect them or something,β I feel sick saying it, but itβs probably true, βWe need to go now.β βYou understand the price,β Alpha Centauri is not worried about diminishing light. I quickly try to gather my breath one more time. My heart is in too much pain. Noticing I cannot calm myself, the Estori hovers his fangs over my parted lips as he firmly holds back my head β and a few drops of venom wash over my tongue. Deadly calm seeps into me. Heβs focused. Now I am too. Thereβs a mission on hand. We have to focus together. βThank you,β I whisper far more calmly, as I swallow his venom and lean back to glance at E, who is standing aside, arms crossed, protecting the kids. He just loves to be a dad. βLoyalty runs deep in her,β Venus approves, βGo get them.β βNow, Estori,β I demand him to act. ββ¦this beautiful Empress knows nothing of what comesβ¦ but your trust is my strength, Diana,β Alpha Centauri coos over me with a sly smile, his hands now caress both my cheeks, βAre you my witness?β always so dramatic! βYes,β I know that means, am I coming to see? Alpha Centauri keeps one hand on my cheek, and his other hand slips off to reach behind him. His screw spear appears from thin air, βThis is a different kind of tradition,β Alpha Centauri smiles and all six fangs drip as the universe folds and splits in half, spitting us back through the wormhole Mars swapped me through. But this time β weβre staying on the other side. The last thing I see is Venusβ crazy smile, heβs either faithful in me or just mad. Either way, weβre going to save Mars. **** Thereβs a blinding flash of light when we appear in one of the spaceshipβs corridors, outside a surgical ward. I canβt see much β but as soon as the lights break β the core of the ship starts to whirl. I can hear it. The core of a sun ran this ship. And I can hear it distorting under some immense pressure. The sound is hurting my eardrums, I have to cover my ears with my hands. When I turn to Alpha Centauri, his spear is charging, the tip is glowing with a sphere. A core. A starβs core? The alarm system aboard the Nightfall XII fails to trigger for more than a second before the sound is bending and drowning out to what can only be a dead battery. Dead power. I lower my handsβ¦ itβs quiet. Some kind of back up generator kicks in, I feel the rumble beneath my feet β the corridors light with energy once again. Just less of it. As military personnel rush out into the corridors from the nearest mess hall on this level, I watch a beam of light from the Estoriβs spear as it swims out into the air. It strikes through the bodies and they boil, burst and steam. It happens in milliseconds. I immediately cover my nose and mouth with my hand as I see the mist disperse with the heat. The Estori smirks at my reaction. Then he opens the door by our left. βInside,β Alpha Centauri suggests thatβs where I explore. I turn and I watch a room filled with lab coats become imminent red mist as the core evaporates them with a starβs bright kiss. Only one is left standing. Daniella, who stands with her hands on Marsβ body. He is strapped down to an operating table. The only reason she isnβt dead is she touched him so heβd be harmed too if Alpha Centauri sent a beam for her. Dani is frozen, looking at me, her eyes pleading with me to help. βPlease,β she whispers, before she begs, βDiana. Donβt choose them.β βYou did this,β I walk toward her, βIs Mars dead?β I ask it while my eyes take in Marsβ pasty looking skin, the way I canβt feel his heat. The way the strap around his throat is so tight, it looks like no blood can get to his brain. Daniella presses a release and all the vices slither off Mars. He looks lifeless to me as he just lays there without any kind of response. βThereβs no way we could keep a live Kor on our ship,β Daniella tries not to breakdown as she tells me the facts, βDiana β we had to study them. It was the only way to learn more about the enemy.β Alpha Centauri moves to intercept but I hold up a hand. βForget politics. Bring him back,β I whisper at her, βBring him back and youβll live.β Daniella starts to move. She brings over the defibrillator and an injection of adrenaline. It should work, they mimic our biology to fit in. Alpha Centauriβs hand slides across my back, he just waits. We both watch as she tries to bring him back to life. First she tries the adrenaline. When absolutely nothing happens, she tries to jolt his heart. His body jerks. Nothing. βItβs not working,β she cries out, βI canβt do anything. I β I donβt know ββ βPut your arm in his mouth,β I suggest that, βTry it,β Daniella freezes and I hold out my hand for her hand, βItβs just to try, it doesnβt hurt,β I speak like Iβm already dead with grief, but I wonβt let it overwhelm me until weβve tried everything. Daniella gives me her hand, her skin grey with fear as I bring her arm to his lips. I pull back his gums to see his fangs are ready. I push her arm in and she closes her eyes as I see the fangs begin to secrete venom when the first drops of blood rush toward them. The venom is silky and metallic, it starts to make her blood flow faster. Dani doesnβt cry out, she just covers her face with her other hand. Sheβs brave, Iβll give her that. Marsβ jaw moves and locks down on her arm. Dani cries out, but then she shakes as the venom paralyses her and floods into her. βSwallow it!β I order Mars, my voice strained as I place my hand on his cheek, scared to feel his icy skin, βMore. More. Quickly.β βYou canβt get out of here,β Dani speaks to Alpha Centauri and I, βEven if you escape this section, you canβt get off this ship. I donβt know what youβre planning. Diana. We have to fight for all of humanity. You do.β I see Marsβ skin start to shimmer and his eyes flicker open. I take out Daniβs arm and let her have her limb back. I hold Marsβ face in my hands, feeling sweet, cold relief. I might collapse, so I lay my forehead on his, as his dazed eyes just stare into mine. Dani moves back and Alpha Centauri moves for her. I donβt watch, but I see it at the corner of my vision. I hear him. ββ¦weβll accept an unconditional truce, tell your leaders, we donβt want war,β Alpha Centauri speaks kindly, βWhereβs my son?β βHeβs sleeping, we like Danger, we just wanted to help him, he has health problems, we wanted to fix themβ¦ I β I wanted to, I swear it,β Dani stutters, βI like him. A lot. I was trying to impress him. Iβm so sorry if I offended you.β βItβs alrightβ¦ bring me to my son β and pass on my message through the main deck, I want this truce in ten minutes β we want to live free, is that hard to ask for? We abide by the rules. Protected planets are where we hunt. You better remember to say this, youβre our representative in good faith β since youβre alive. Then assuming all goes well, weβll fly to Dark Ninth.β βI understand. Follow me,β Dani composes herself. Alpha Centauri and Dani move to the next room over. The Estori is beingβ¦ lenient. I didnβt expect this. Mars and I are just staring at each other. I kiss him softly. βYou were dead,β I whisper against his lips, βWe came just in time.β Mars sits up and I move back. His dark eyes swirl with green glitter. βYou have my heart, Diana,β Mars still holds the last bit of fear that still remains from his actual death-experience. He slides off the operating table and he holds me and I clutch my arms around him. His body is warming up and my arms are squeezing back hard. His hands run down my spine, up my nape, over my hair, just feeling me, keeping me close, βAn Empress who saves,β Mars chuckles, βIβm sorry If I ever doubted you.β βShut up, dick,β I growl as I start to cry, βEven Alpha Centauri is being nice,β I whisper this, βFuck. What have I done?β Mars reaches down and grabs my waist, lifting me up into the air. I wrap my legs around his waist as I grin and he looks at me with awe, βI guess. My love is free?β I say, laughing. βYour light is,β Mars looks up at my blushing cheeks, growling at me, βYou need to teach your people that weβll humbly stay in the shadows, Diana.β βYou were trying to make a source that keeps giving, E made me,β I add, βDo you think theyβre listening to us right now? Cameras and all that?β Mars drops me down a bit, and I feel his hard cock pressing against my panties, βMars,β I gasp, βWeβre on an enemy ship!β βI donβt give a fuck,β Mars growls seductively over my face as he turns and lays me down on the table. I lay back with a blush, looking to the corners of the room as I feel him nudge my panties to the side and slide his cock right into me. Mars fucks me slow, leaning over me, kissing my neck multiple times as he scrapes the skin with his fangs, βI need you, Diana.β I push my neck up into him willingly. Mars sinks his dick deeper β as his fangs also sink into my neck. He practically purrs, I feel it through his venom. With his venom flooding me, I feel an iron promise of loyalty mixed with iron love. He wants to knock me up again. I can tell. I squeeze my legs around his middle, curling up into his metal hard body. βFuck, why are you deep already,β I whimper out as Mars takes his fangs from my neck and fucks me harder. The heat of him makes my pussy vibrate, as if Kor cock knows how to play my pussy like an instrument for their pleasure. I try to fuck him back and Mars runs his hands under my gown, grabbing my tits and my waist, squeezing. Then he leans down to kiss me as he settles deep into my womb. My pussy squeezes hard on itβs own and I try to squeeze even harder like he taught me. βGood girl,β Mars approves, speaking over my lips. I taste more venom, mixed with a little bit of blood. I donβt even care. A door slides open. I hear footsteps behind us. I jerk away from him, even as Mars keeps pounding my pussy. I look backwards and Dani is back with a sick looking Danger. She ushers him onto a seat, while Alpha Centauri shimmers beside her. He puts a hand on her shoulder and they both Stealth together. βTo the main deck, you can watch them later,β the Estori chuckles. βArgh, what the fuck,β I hear Danger groan out as he sees Mars and I copulating on the table. I close my eyes, my skin running red all over as Mars just keeps fucking me. Totally uncaring for an audience. He holds my neck, smirking over my red cheeks. βNow, Diana,β Mars demands it. I try to keep in a cry of pleasure, but it comes out anyway when he fucks me so hard I fucking scream out. βMars!β I gasp and bite my lip, βFucking slow β d-d-down.β He speeds up, railing me through my orgasm, and then his cock stretches me deep as he unloads his Kor seed into me. βMine again,β Mars teases me over my lips, his hand stroking up and down my neck. βAm I dreaming?β Danger calls out, βIs this a nightmare or what? Whatβs happening? Why do I feel so dizzy? Are you real?β βYou need a bite,β Mars grins at Danger, βYou canβt deny the cravings forever. Come have a taste of your Empress.β βYou just fucked her, I think Iβll pass,β Danger chuckles hysterically. I donβt blame him. βHe needs blood, Empress, theyβve been trying to force his Kor engineering to shift back to itβs original state,β Mars lifts me off the table and puts me on my feet. He lifts my arm and he bites my wrist, picking up a beaker. He lets the venom turn my blood to metal and the sparkling fluid mixes with a river of blood into the glass. Mars kisses the wound clean. Itβs a little bit only, twenty-five mills. βA gift for the boy,β Mars palms me off to Danger. I stumble closer, still embarrassed. He does look awfully pale, however. When I reach him, I offer him the beaker. βDonβt knock it, itβs a gift and he wouldnβt give this to you if you didnβt need it,β I tell Danger straight, βJust drink it. Itβs what you are. Youβ¦ youβll be the same no matter what. Youβll just be stronger.β Apparently, I donβt need to convince him so much. I think humanity betrayed him enough already. βCheers,β Danger holds up the beaker, βTo not being a pussy. Fuck it.β He closes his eyes and he throws the beaker back to drink it in one go. Danger passes out almost as soon as he has swallowed the liquid. His body tumbles off the seat to the floor. He starts to convulse. βItβs normal, the change is not easy,β Mars walks up to me, βBest he does this alone. Letβs go to the deck.β βAlone?β I turn to Mars, βWe shouldnβt leave himβ¦β βItβs okay, best not to interrupt it, he needs to feel this without influence,β Mars convinces me enough with those words. We leave Danger twitching on the floor under the dim lights. Mars holds me close, his arm wrapping around my shoulders as we walk together. Mars senses where his Estori is β and we teleport onboard the main deck. We stand behind Alpha Centauri as Dani speaks with the political leaders of Earth and Our Tcno. ββ¦accept this truce, they donβt want a war,β Daniella finishes her speech. βWe have a protocol on Elion invasion,β Arkane speaks to all of us, βGalactic Queen β Diana, what is your say? Iβll trust your honour in this. Come forward and speak.β I didnβt expect to be speaking while in a dirty hospital gown, with my hair unbrushed and my feet bare. I step forward, just noticing as well that my arm and neck are still red from the Kor bites. I know I have to choose my words carefully. Especially with the state Iβm in. I look over my shoulder to Mars and then Alpha Centauri. His steel eyes narrow. He knows Iβm thinking outside the box. But how far will I take it? I turn back to Earthβs council. Knowing theyβre all listening. βIβm not just a Galactic Queen,β I speak up plainly, knowing they see my blood staining my own skin, βI am an Empress. And I love my people and I love my Kors. Elion kind can exist beside us β but I must honour their ways and their needs. Yes, theyβre strange. But they made me an Empress. Does that not tell you, we have a way to negotiate this war? They want a truce. I want to show you theyβre compelled to follow my wish and commands.β βUnnecessary. We understand they give you obedience with the expectation that youβll give them your own life,β Arkane speaks again. Heβs smart. Switched on. Wonβt be fooled easily. βThey wonβt take my life, Arkane β they altered me to keep feeding them. A sustainable source of Energy. I am an Altered Dark Nine. No one has to pay. No one has to be scared. The Kors only feed on Protected Planets anyway. Everyone goes there with the risk of dying through natural causes.β Arkane goes quiet. βWe lost twenty life signatures on Nightfall XII, explain,β a retired military commander speaks next, Captain Fuller of a retired space fleet from a few decades prior. He had been involved in some separate wars with other sub-species. Iβm guessing he will be harder to convince. βAlpha Centauri took the lives of twenty humans because I told him too, at my command β it was the price of saving my soulmate, Mars. Check Our Tchno, our system lined up his soul with mine. You know what mates will do for their own when theyβre likely to die. I told the Estori to kill whoever he needed to, to save Mars. Thatβs why Daniella, lives. They killed Mars. She brought him back to life,β I point to her. I hope sheβll keep this shit simple. I usher her forward. She stands by me. βIs this how you see it?β Fuller asks Dani, knowing she may be compelled to speak differently as a hostage. βIn my expert opinionβ¦ Diana did what she had to, to save Mars. Then the blue one β he asked me to put forward a truce. I believe they want peace.β βElions never want peace,β Fuller scoffs. βAnd yet theyβve asked for it,β Arkane puts in. βProtocols are in place,β Evon speaks up. She keeps the order of the council, and sheβs interested in finding a quick solution for all, βBut the Elions weβve seen exposed are only a sparse number of Kors who are openly living in our universe. And they have an Empress β who is human. A member of our sub-species. She holds their order.β Just like she was holding the council to order. So she understands me a bit better than the rest. βI do.β βShe does,β Dani speaks up next, unexpectedly. βThen we put the responsibility of war, on you, Kor Empress Diana from Earth,β Arkane measures it down to this, βI ask you. Are we at war with your Kors?β βWe are not at war,β I answer, βWe are not threatening you. Or anyone. They will abide by the rules in the Universal Board. As they always have. You can look at Mars and Ninth Squad, they have a good reputation. I believe Saturn and Jupiter donated funds to Light Metro recently. They enjoy mimicking us. Theyβre curious Elions, made deeply curious by female kind. As you can see, Dani stands.β βThey did spare me, council,β Dani adds, βI believe the Empress.β βThen we overreacted,β Arkane growls at Fuller. βThis is over, for now,β Evon looks me in the eyes through the screen, βYour responsibility, Dark Nine.β She turns off the feed. Holy shit. I did it! I spin to Mars and Alpha Centauri. Theyβre pleasantly surprised. βWell done, Empress,β Alpha Centauri congratulates me, βDani, tell the shipβs crew to fly us to Dark Ninth. Weβll enter the co-ordinates. Get a captain on board this deck.β βIβll do it,β Dani, however, is intercepted by a Stealthing Kor. She pauses as Danger shimmers to visibility in front of her. Still looking human, but his fangs have grown, shown in his smile for Daniella. βAllow me,β Danger ushers Dani out of the way, as he tries to put the Nightfall XII back into gear, βAh β father β can you put the starβs core back please?β Alpha Centauriβs spear loses its light β and the ship buzzes back to life. Dani shuffles back to my side. Danger speaks to the crew. βCheck your notifications, youβll find weβre not at war any longer,β Danger speaks fluently, βI accept your apologies β Iβm too damn handsome to trust. I get it,β he laughs, βI assure you β Iβm the best Kor that ever was or will be. And Diana, our own β ahem, your own kind, is a pretty Kor princess now, and sheβs on our side, so you can thank her for sacrificing her pussy on the daily. Sheβs reigned the Kor Elions into line. On my soul, I witnessed her literally getting fucked by Mars. The more you know. Get back to your stations.β ββ¦fucking hell,β I want to stab him in the back of the head when he speaks like that to a thousand people aboard this ship. Dani looks at me with embarrassment, ββ¦I was just doing my job. Sorry, Diana.β βItβs okay, you brought Mars back to life,β I respond, βThanks,β for changing the subject so quickly. βLucky you did, Iβm unsure what our Empress would have asked of me if you failed,β Alpha Centauri lowkey flirts with Dani, who is noticing the similarities between him and his son. βThe venom, I was surprised, it wasnβt so bad,β Dani changes the topic, βA transfer of empathy.β βYeah, something like that,β I wait for something else to go wrong, but so far, everything is fine. Danger looks over his shoulder at me, βIβm taking you home, thatβll be twenty billion dollars for the bounce to the other Hyperedge of the Universe.β βOh, ha ha, youβre so funny, just take us there and donβt mention you-know-what again.β βOne more thing, Dani,β Danger ignores me. βYes?β sheβs ready to help, she moves back over to him. βI need to do some experiments with my own venom, itβs secreting around you β and I trust you to give your blood over, we can test what happens?β Danger suggests this lightly. βIβ¦β Dani gulps, βSure, we can test things.β βThatβs Kor code for will you go on a date with me,β I whisper very, very loudly. βItβs all my fault,β Dani speaks up, βIβm sorry for all the panic, I was trying to help Dangerβ¦β she focuses on him, βYou told me you were feeling sick all the time,β Daniella tries to explain herself, βIβ¦β βI lied,β Danger turns to her, βTo get your attention. Worked a little too well.β Dani looks to my two Kors, who are just observing this interaction. βNo hard feelings,β Mars, surprisingly speaks up, good-naturedly. ββ¦they are nice,β Dani whispers under her breath, βElions.β I turn to the Estori and Mars and I walk to them, looking somewhat exasperated. βYou owe me, big time,β I whisper between them, βI had to pull all that out of my ass. I donβt know what the fuck Iβm doing. I donβt know what the fuck you want. I donβt know how the fuck you got me pregnant again, so damn quickly,β I hiss this at Mars. βYouβre welcome,β Mars smiles handsomely. A proud father. Alpha Centauri cocks a brow at Mars. Then he just blinks and shakes his head. βWhat would you like, Diana, upon our return to Dark Ninth?β Alpha Centauri asks, far too cute. Only high cosmic heaven knows what heβs planning. βHow about some love, make me feel good,β I whisper, βMake of that what you will.β I turn and keep my arms crossed. Danger is showing Dani how to fly the ship, while she pretends like she doesnβt know already. I have a feeling sheβs some kind of genius. I wish I was something other than a Dark Nine. Because I had to order all the Kors around like I knew what the hell I was doing. Ha. I literally had no idea. I just acted and hoped for the best. And now the fate of the universe being at war or not, is solely on my shoulders as Empress. No big deal. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 71 βΏβββ’β¦ On our arrival back, Venus was asleep in Dark Ninthβs chamber, Entrpy, Ephereum and Diasphora, napping across or next to him, cuddled close. Maelstrom was practicing with Neptuneβs arrow and lightning design, striking make-believe targets across the Kor Hold Dead City. No life, only space and Elion architecture to play with. He seemed content enough. It was from that point that Alpha Centauri suggested we go to Moon Down, a level within the Kor Hold that was toward the centre, private and for the females. The level is hidden behind a secret wall that moves aside at the Estoriβs step. Itβs another open space but the colours on the walls are deep violet, veins of navy blue, craters of silver and throbbing light throughout. Itβs trippy, but itβs also immediately calming, almost like a meditative hypnosis. The throbbing light is all we get, and since weβre deep inside the Hold, itβs like being stuck in a deep chamber underground. It wouldnβt be complete without a ridiculously luxurious place to bathe and shower toward the end of the winding chamber. Of course, thatβs where I end up. In a cool shallow pool with running water, I use that to wash the darker blood stains off my skin. Then I shed my gown with Alpha Centauri and Mars watching me move, standing behind me, their eyes making my skin heat with their combined Elion stares. Alpha Centauri and Mars have me cornered in here. With the absentee squads, wherever they are β until their return, I have their leaders looking after me. The Estori left his spear behind up above, which is reassuring. He probably left it for Maelstrom to play with and practice throwing a heavier Kor weapon. Now that Iβm naked and clean, I walk out of the shallow water and my mouth curls up in the corner when I see Alpha Centauri and Marsβ shafts are both hard and beautiful. Usually they approach me with intent and seduction, but they knew I was getting over the panic of what just occurred. And Mars did already fill me with his seed. But their silence is something new. In Alpha Centauriβs smokey steel eyes, theyβre glazed with new information about me. And Mars doesnβt have a guard up anymore. He used to always have a shield up around me, ready for the moment Iβd take advantage of my power and abuse them. I could think of nothing more disgusting than taking advantage of these handsome, gorgeous weapons who craved to make me happy. I donβt ask them to please me this time. Iβm feeling generous and full of love for the both of them. I was so scared that I was going to lose my Kors to a war. Or that theyβd become enemies of their own Empress. I just wanted to hold them. To kiss them. Toβ¦ to express how much they meant to me, for better or worse. I felt things I couldnβt pretend. It didnβt make sense logically, but what I felt was undeniable. I loved these Elions. The Estori and Mars gave me what I wanted. Space. So I could feel better, cleaner and fresh. Now I approach them and they both look curious, waiting for my command. I slowly drop to my knees, reaching up both my hands β they step forward, closer to me. Mars on my left, Alpha Centauri on my right. I stroke both their shafts gently. βLet me,β my whisper comes out husky and needy. Every part of me wants to please them this time. βEmpressβ¦β Alpha Centauri drawls, βYou surprise us.β βVenus didnβt choose anybody for the herb, he knew a Dark Nine would match us. Diana, you didnβt betray us to your speciesβ¦ you had every chance to turn on us,β Mars is spell-bound, ββ¦and now you kneel, when we should be pleasing you. All you need to do is ask.β βShh,β I canβt help myself, βI want to give. I donβt want to be your Queen. Right nowβ¦ I want to be your slave. I want to serve my Elion mastersβ¦ itβsβ¦ fun,β I whisper that very quickly, just in case they get the wrong idea. I was horny as fuck. I just wanted to play this role. A good for nothing venom whore. Still. I canβt believe I just said it. It just fell past my lips. The Estori canβt hold back his pleasant and confident smile, as his cock presses to my cheek, sliding by as he lets me feel the heat and length of it. He guides it back to my lips, letting a drop of Kor pre-cum coat my bottom lip. He smears it in. βThe best Empress is one who kneels with her desire,β Alpha Centauri says it above meβ¦ his approval makes me even wetter. Marsβ cock slides across my mouth next. I stick out my tongue, running it along the shaft. I donβt even say anything. I just like the way they both watch me play. I lick up and down Marsβ ribbed shaft and then Iβm licking Alpha Centauriβs balls. I suck on them, his smooth iron shaft heavy across my eyes. My pussy is gushing and swollen, as I clench my thighs together and press my hands between my knees, I open my mouth and I turn back to my mate. I take Marsβ cock over my tongue. I bob my head and close my eyes, sucking him in. Heβs so hot and so heavy. I feel Alpha Centauri press closer, his hot balls now press to my face, putting his smell on me. βYouβll be obliged if thatβs how you wish to be treated,β Marsβ fingers run down my neck, behind my head, βA toy.β βDeeper,β Alpha Centauriβs hand curls around my neck, without moving me, he instructs me. I take Mars deeper into my throat, until Alpha Centauri can feel the bulge in my neck, βGood, now keep it there, hold your breath β youβre going to do that to me next. One at a time.β I hold Mars as deep as I can and I gasp as he slides out himself, stroking my cheek with his thumb. βBreathe, my good whore,β Mars warns me sweetly to take a deep breath, and then Alpha Centauri takes my hair and guides me to his steel shaft, I open my mouth wide and he slides deep, right into my throat. He takes Marsβ place. He holds me down and lets me stretch around him β then he pulls me off to hear me gasp again. They donβt have to guide me this time. I do the same to Mars, while I feel Alpha Centauriβs cock dripping more cum onto my face, coating me with it. I start to moan, needing that full tight feeling in my throat β to move to my pussy. I deep throat them both four more times each, slow and deliberate, until I feel my thighs are completely soaked with my need, my cheeks pink with desire. I even cry a little. I am so in love with them. I hold up a trembling hand and Alpha Centauri lifts me to my feet β my knees buckle but it doesnβt matter as he lifts me up. The Estori expertly splits me with his cock as I collapse onto his chest. Mars pushes in behind and his cock doesnβt tease my ass, instead, he guides his shaft to share my pussy with the Estori. I moan between them as my pussy aches to accommodate the both of them. They move slow and deliberate, Alpha Centauriβs cock digs to my womb, while Mars slides in and then they both squish me between their chests until Iβm warm and snug between them. When Iβm completely sandwiched in, Alpha Centauriβs hands claw into my thighs, Mars holds my throat, as he kisses my ear and my neck β and they both start to fuck me. βYou want to know why we love to fuck your kind?β Alpha Centauriβs voice hits deep in my soul with his tightly controlled desire as he fucks me slow, not for pleasure, but for my own torture, ββ¦to be inside you, to feel your body needing this Elion dickβ¦ you, tricked into milking our poison straight into your womb. To be used over and over. Empress, your blood is ours, your body is ours, your soul is leashed. We donβt care about your species, we care about this,β he takes his cock out and slams it back in. They time the fucking to take turns, Mars slides in while the Estori thrusts out. The pleasure is perfect. My pussy squeezes and strains to please both of them fucking me so hard. I cry out between them when my orgasm swamps me suddenly, out of control since my pussy canβt get a break. They deliberately exhaust my pussy. I canβt make any coherent thoughts form in my head. I just move as best as I can to fuck them both, when Iβm held so close between them, trying my best to milk them, βWe donβt want you dead, Diana, we want you to worship your gods, sacrificing your pussy to us. Showing respect, good girl, squeeze harder, thatβs it, youβre learning,β Alpha Centauri hoists me up as I climax once again between them, squirming so hard I almost pass the fuck out from how badly I try to meet them, to bring them with me to the end of their pleasure. βFill me, you donβt need anyone but me,β I manage some strangled words, ββ¦pleeeease. Come.β βI can always recruit helpers if youβre unable,β Alpha Cenaturi dives for my ear, βLike your little friend. The little bunny.β βNo,β I gasp, βFuck. You.β Alpha Centauri chuckles, βJealous? Sweetheart, Iβd fuck you for eternity. Sh.β βYouβll serve just fine,β Marsβ hand slides over my belly. βYou donβt serve any other purpose,β Alpha Centauri adds, βYouβre accepting it finally.β βSheβs in love,β Mars kisses down my neck and teases me with his fangs, βArenβt you, Diana?β βTake myβ¦ my blood,β I close my eyes, βTake me.β Iβm filled and stretched between them, my pleasure always growing, my body squeezing them over and over and over. I lean my head back, exposing both sides of my neck. ββ¦you seek more,β Alpha Centauri drawls into my ear, βYou want to join my little dove?β βNo,β I force the word out, βNo. No.β βDeath is a release, it was her giftβ¦ you, Diana, you can suffer as our venom whore a little longer,β Alpha Centauri sounds like he is on the Hunt, his Elion instincts take over as he bares his fangs and moves for my rapid pulse. He sinks his teeth into me, and Mars holds my forehead back, gazing down at my expression, watching me as the Estori drinks. Alpha Centauri floods me with his venom. His need. Every atom in you belongs to us, we feed on you just to break you down into beautiful star dust. Beautiful death. Youβre mine. Alpha Centauri is still dangerous. I can feel his need is simple. Kill the Empress. He still wants to send me over to the parallel universe. But he wants me to suffer more. Suffer, as in, live. So fucked up. But I still live for this feeling. βItβs who we are,β Mars murmurs over my glazed, terror filled eyes, ββ¦I love you, Diana, Iβll never take you there. Never.β Alpha Centauri releases his jaws from my neck, I feel my blood spill in rivulets and Mars reaches for my other side. His own fangs pierce my flesh and he drinks while giving me a hit of his different venom. Mate. True Love. Protection. Always. Mars is home. My forever. I smile but itβs hard when Alpha Centauri is looking quietly and confidently satisfied above me. His veins pulsing silver with the soul he melted. Parts of me. Threads at a time. βYouβre sexy for a damn monster,β I barely form the words, βYouβre a badβ¦ very badβ¦ Elion.β βThank you,β Alpha Centauri smirks, βSweet Empress,β he moves closer to my face, his cheek sliding across mine, ββ¦love, is an awful emotion. A madness. Thatβs our weakness. Your eyes. Your beating heart. Better you have no eyesβ¦ and no heartβ¦ I often think about a slow kiss into the dark for you. Something painful.β Yup. The Estori wants to eat me. Deep down. He canβt help the feeling. Gosh. Damn it. Wish that Elion instinct didnβt exist. Wish heβd let it go. Mars growls a warning as he takes his fangs from my neck, and I bleed between them. βDianaβs heart is mine,β Mars snarls at the Estori, who smiles against my cheek. Mars kisses my temple, his arm wrapping around my waist. I do wonder now if he means heart metaphorically or like, the actual thing. Why did they have to be so weird about my flesh β βAll of you,β Mars drawls over me as he fucks me harder, βAll mine.β βHer pussy is struggling,β Alpha Centauri leans back to look down at me, βBad Empress,β he starts to fuck me harder with Mars, suddenly thrusting in their giant Elion shafts together. At once. Burying deep, sliding out all the way β and slamming home. Iβm stretched so fucking wide. The pleasure rockets through every atom in me. I almost let out a scream, but Marsβ hand finds my lips and he shuts my mouth, keeping me quiet as they both fuck me however they want. I feel like ten climaxes hit me at once. My body is on fire. I jerk back into Mars and I forget to breathe. I go limp with two Kor cocks inside me, still fucking me. I passed out between my lover and the King of Kors. Even in my dreams I feel them fucking me until theyβre done, holding me up between them as my head lolls to the side. I can feel my pussy clenching even then, holding them close, as their shafts finally pulse and release, flooding me. Mars and Alpha Centauri fill my womb with their seed, then they drop me to the ground. I can hear the echo of their deep drawls in my head as they stand over me, speaking calmly. βDo you think sheβll ever believe it?β Alpha Centauri speaks, βWe truly adore her.β βDiana knows,β Mars murmurs back, βOr she wouldnβt trust us so deeply.β βMm, our human Empress,β Alpha Centauriβs voice gets closer to me, as he picks me up in his arms, cradling me to his chest, βShe deserves a gift.β βI have something in mind.β Before I can hear the rest, I feel Alpha Centauriβs fingers on my temple and my mind shuts down. Bastard knew I was listening in. He pushed me into a deeper sleep beyond lucidity. I know everything about you, Diana, Alpha Centauri drawls in my head, Iβm in every atom. Iβve been learning you. Iβll know your every thought now. Puny human. My sweet blood. I do hope this part of the dream is purely imagination. Kors being in my thoughts 24/7 sounded like a frickinβ nightmare. Iβd never be able to escape if I needed too. Defeated already, Diana? Youβll have to do better than that. Alpha Centauri poses a challenge, still listening in. I only know two things in the deepest depths of my gut. My Elions want to pamper me silly. And they want to terrify me all the same. And they probably fight the urge to make me dinner on the daily. It was their love language. Sweet Kor Horror. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 72 βΏβββ’β¦ My Kors were being insanely generous, working against their instincts and giving me the best gift in the universe. I was given an ET Key to Light Metro and another key. They let me explore on my own, without Kor protection β since I had Enhanced Instincts and the ability to Stealth, I could look after myself. As I approach the address the key is connected to Evoni Central, itβs a whole damn house. I thought it would be an apartment, but when the key turns and the door opens, a whole balcony opens and on that space is the mansion, sitting on the side of a giant skyscraper. Everything in Light Metro was condensed architecture. But this is on the edge of the clouds, so I can see a sea of silver and the horizon is space itself. I had three gifts today from my Kors. Freedom, a house to live by my own subspecies and others like me, and their trust. The mansion definitely has room for both squads, it comes with a floor plan folded out in the entry, upon a narrow table. Yup. This place had 20 bedrooms. Wow. I stick to exploring the bottom, walking out towards the living area, the size of a ballroom, with some cream couches and thick black shaggy rugs, but my favourite thing is the wall of glass. Itβs one big window overlooking the clouds. I feel like I could walk on those, although that would surely end in a swift death. βItβs nice, isnβt it.β My skin crawls as Danger speaks to my left. I turn to see him switch off his Stealth. Danger is wearing his captainβs uniform, still friendly with humans. Although itβs interesting to see he still looks human. Insanely tall, like his father, but still human in appearance. βDidnβt expect you to be here,β I answer lightly, βHow are you?β I note his hair is freshly cut to a few inches, it suits him, a more military clean-cut look. βHeard you were visiting Light Metro, thought Iβd say hi to the Galactic Queen,β Danger has something else about him. Some kind of new found happiness, ββ¦thatβs not the only reason Iβm here,β he adds this on in response to my funny look, βHer,β he looks over my shoulder toward the bar. I expect to see Dani, I turn without anything in mind. I blink. Itβs not Dani. Itβs his mother. She looks thin and pale and tired. βHello,β Orlai waves meekly, but she looks so happy to see me, βDiana,β I run over to her, grabbing her shoulders to make sure sheβs real. Orlai is very real, her skin warm, sheβs wearing a white dress, her hair freshly washed, βThey can come back?β I whisper, βWe can come back from the other side?β Orlai nods, βWhatβs it like in the Dark Realm?β βDiana, Iβm forbidden from speaking about the Dark,β Orlai speaks, exhausted, βBut I can say, I came back with female help. A Fey girl named Airy. She helped me. She couldβ¦ she could bring me back.β βHow?β Orlai looks to Danger, βTurn around. Itβs a secret.β Danger sighs and walks off. Orlai asks me to come closer, so she can whisper directly into my ear, βAiry thought her father was a human. He wasnβt. He was a rogue Kor. Her life was forbidden, so her mother said her father was human. Females with Kor fathers, have the kiss of life. Her venom brought me back. Iβm weaker than beforeβ¦ sicklyβ¦ but donβt tell Danger. He just thinks Iβm weak from being tired. Iβll never be back to full strengthβ¦ but I am alive, Iβm grateful for that,β she pulls back, smiling. The only time someone else had been brought back to life from the deadβ¦ was Cinta. Iris had revived her. Had Iris been half Kor, half Meda? βSoβ¦ daughters of Korsβ¦ their venomβ¦ is life-giving?β I ask quietly, whispering the words. βItβs no secret to Kors, itβs why they forbid it, they consider them cursed,β Orlai stands up, a little shakily, βIβm going with Danger.β βOkay, do the Kors know youβre back?β I ask. Orlai shakes her head, she doesnβt ask about Alpha Centauri. Iβm guessing itβs too painful to ask. I nod, and Danger returns, taking his mother by the hand. He flashes out an ET Key. βWeβll be on our way, Empress,β Danger winks. He is so happy he has his mother back. And Iβm delighted he showed me, to let me know sheβs alive. βGood to see you,β Orlai waves, βYou look well.β I just nod, fighting back tears as they move out of the residence together. Today was a good day. Iβm not alone for long. As I sit at the bar, lost in my thoughts, two Kor Escorts shimmer to visibility in front of me. Pluto and Terra. I straighten my back, surprised, but also grumpy. βI thought I was free to explore on my own today?β I grumble at them both, βYou appeared because of Orlai?β ββ¦weβve been shadowing you, for safety,β Terra explains, gently. βNo one needs to know sheβs returned,β Pluto adds, βThatβs a surprise β but he, especially, doesnβt need to know.β βI agree,β I murmur, βButβ¦ I do want to tell one Kor.β βNo, Diana, just leave her in peace,β Terra surprises me with Pluto, and their protectiveness of Orlai. Perhaps even they knew she had been mistreated and had a bad run of it with Alpha Centauri. βArcturus said to me, he loved her,β I argue the point, βI should tell him. I trust him.β βSeriously?β Pluto rolls his eyes, βArcturus is cruel.β βArcturus is multifaceted β heβs actually kind to me.β βBecause youβre the Empress, heβs not kind to anyone else,β Terra motions around, βDo you like it?β βItβs the coolest mansion Iβve ever seen, although a part of me wants to dive headlong into the clouds.β βI designed it,β Pluto surprises me, βWith your specific likes in mind. The view is to give you a sense of freedom. Calm you down before you hop across the universe.β βWhy would I run? I love visiting my Kor babies,β I get off the bar stool and I move past both of them, pacing, βTheyβre my path back to you.β I hear them snickering and I look over my shoulder to see Terra giving Pluto a side glare. Pluto himself, dark as phantom black. Theyβre both bitching about me being pregnant again. How they canβt get in before Mars. βSheβll have a thousand of his before we get a look in,β Pluto drawls. βVenus was lucky he got any time,β Terra agrees. βI like that name, Iβm calling my next Kor baby Thousand, Thou, for short. Maelstrom will love hisβ¦β I trail off, son, daughterβ¦ I hadnβt had a daughter yet. But I donβt know what theyβll do if itβs a girl, I quickly change the subject, βThank you for the house, Pluto, I love it. Youβre very thoughtful.β βYou havenβt seen your bedroom,β Pluto sounds quite delighted about this, in a dark manner. βChains and shackles, right? From the ceiling?β Terra asks, curious. Pluto nods, staring at me. βNo thanks,β I shake my head, βIβm a good Empress. No need for punishment.β βItβs not a punishment, itβs fun,β Pluto sounds offended, his dark voice fills every crevice in the room. His tone was deeper than any Kor I had ever met. A midnight lullaby. βWell, when Iβm in the mood for fun, Iβll let you know,β I plop myself down on a couch, sprawling out in my red dress, βOh my gosh,β I lay my hands on my head, βIβm free! I canβt believe it!β βYour trust was earnt,β Terra shimmers in front of me, already he came over the couch, grabbing the side of it, he hovers over me, his six fangs smiling above me, βYou deserve it,β he nuzzles into my neck and casually bites. As Terra drinks from me, I feel him; blood bag, food, he thinks Iβm a dish. I knee him in the stomach before he paralyses me too much, and Terra stops drinking from my neck. He pulls out and licks the wound clean, his lips red with blood. βWhat?β Terra growls, βWe want to fuck.β βAre you deaf? Iβm enjoying my freedom a little longer, thank you, itβs been two hours since I woke up this morning and Iβve already had your fangs in my fucking throat,β I try my best to sound angry, when I donβt mind giving blood to them. Terraβs dick is already heavy and hot as it lies against my dress, rubbing against my stomach, βNow yourβ¦ your beautiful cock isβ¦β I purse my lips, trying to deny him, βFine. You can stick it in, but I want to sit up β and Iβm feeling lazy, okay?β Terra grins and scoops me up onto his lap, keeping my dress on, he sits me on his dick. His Kor shaft rides right through me, squeezing into my womb, as I look down and see the bulge. I keep squeezing, my pussy already wet and needy. But I refuse to fuck him. I just felt sorry for him. I cross my arms over my chest as I glare at Terra, and he just reclines back on the couch, happy to have his cock sunk in. βIβm going shopping soon,β I tell him, βCan you hear?β βMmhm, not before Iβm done, Empress,β Terra uses a more dominant tone, as if to politely remind me not to forget my duty to them. Pluto stays by the bar, watching me as he pours himself a drink. He wants me to check out the bedroom but heβs too sour to ask me twice. I sigh, and Terra grabs my ass and thighs, lifting me and moving me up and down. βDonβt look so sad, Pluto, Iβll check it out when I get back, I p-p-promise,β I try to keep calm, but Terra starts fucking into me, lifting his hips. Fuck. It feels so good. I get the breath knocked out of me, ββ¦a bit harder,β I whisper it on impulse. βMy pleasure,β Terra knocks me around, flipping me into the couch, he suddenly twists so heβs on my ass, lifting my dress out of the way so heβs fucking me doggy style. I hold onto one of the cushions, βLooks like we have company, darling.β I can hear them, Ninth Squad and Star Squad, coming in the front door, speaking to themselves. I whine as I try to keep silent, βHurry up then,β I whisper. Terra slows down, the cheeky Kor, his hand threads through my hair and he pushes my face into the cushion. βItβs up to us how we fuck you, Dianaβ¦ can you fucking behave?β Terra scolds me as he feels my pussy in slow motion, and I feel my body betray me in that moment. I orgasm on the spot. I try to fight it, pushing my hips back into him, which makes it worse. Terra fucks me a little harder, but not any faster, he just makes sure that with each thrust heβs stretching me to the absolute hilt, βMilk me, Diana,β itβs a snappy command, βSqueeze me harder,β Fuck, they were never satisfied with the power of an orgasm, I had to squeeze as well. βAwβ¦ what a good girl she isβ¦β I hear Alpha Centauri drawling from across the room. Gosh DAMN IT. Terra keeps me quiet in the cushion. Without seeing them, I can feel 18 Kors staring at me in this stupid position. But itβs turning me on more, damn it. βItβs okay, beautiful,β I hear Neptune whispering in my ear, his hand petting through my hair as Terra releases me, βDonβt be embarrassed by your desire.β I manage to turn my head, βI WANT TO GO SHOPPING! Donβt even think about lining up,β my hair is a mess over my eyes, but I mean it! I cry through my orgasm and I see Ninth Squad behind Neptune, lounging around, watching. I blush as I feel another orgasm flowering inside from Terraβs relentless fucking, putting on a show for everyone. I cum again while Neptune just strokes through my hair, adoring me, thinking Iβm cute. Terra finally sinks deep and releases his seed into me. βYouβre getting spoilt, Diana,β Terra smacks my ass as he stands, his cock slides out of me and I feel his hot cum drip down my thighs. βIβmβ¦ goingβ¦ shopping,β I force the words out again, glaring at Neptuneβs gorgeous liquid mirror eyes. Itβs like heβs saying yeah right, mmhm, sure. They thought they could seduce me. Well. W-w-well. I might be shaky on it, as I roll off the couch and stand up. I might have to lean on Neptuneβs side, as I find my feet again, fighting the paralysis of venom. But. βIβm. G-Going. Now,β I stutter as I tell Ninth Squad and Star Squad who are standing around, also admiring me, βI appreciate the love but Iβmβ¦ Iβll be back,β I try to wave at everyone as Neptune helps me down the hall. Alpha Centauri walks with us and opens the front door for me. With a stupidly handsome smirk on his face, he grabs my ass and pushes me out the door, squeezing my butt cheek, βGoodbye, Diana,β he scolds me even with that polite drawl. From his sexy hand on me, Iβve fallen onto my knees as the Estori slams the door shut behind me. Itβs like they were kicking me out anyway. βFuck you,β I whisper, on my hands and knees outside the skyscraper, I force myself to get back up. I turn back to the door and I whisper through it, βYou think you can manipulate meee! Iβm more than a good fuck! Iβm going shopping with your favourite Bunny, and you can kiss my ass. Iβll be back, very late! Leave me ALONE!β I yell the last part. Fuck. Every atom. In me. Wants to turn around and do their bidding. Not today, folks. I walk for the lift. Iβm. Having. Me time. Girl time. Right now. Today. The Korsβ needs this time could fucking wait. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 73 βΏβββ’β¦ I didnβt know Iβd end the day covered in literal blood β and it was not my own. First of all, Jitters and I spent the full day together, shopping around Light Metro, eating out for lunch and even going to see a movie at the end of it all. A girlβs day out, and whether or not my Kor escorts shadowed me or not, it didnβt matter since they let me be for once in my life. It was perfectly peaceful, and then Jitters and I exited the movie theatres and walked onto the streets filled with a lively nightlife. Thereβs a buzz in the air, everyone is dressed up to kill and looking for drinks and a club to dance. I walk Jitters back to her place, where sheβs staying with other Freed in another share house. βI didnβt know I needed that,β Jitters thanks me at her door, βLetβs hang out more often, will you come visit tomorrow to try my new spiced pastry?β βI will,β I answer, βAnd really, I didnβt know I needed this either. I guess we both work so hardβ¦ in ourβ¦ jobs,β I laugh at that thought and Jitters gives me a quick hug as we say goodbye. I have one bag filled with a special outfit for my Kors. I might haveβ¦ uhβ¦ chosen something I would feel sexy in. Rather than a Krown and Plume, I bought a few scraps of hot pink lingerie. It glowed in the dark, a bit tacky, but I kind of loved it. As the door shuts I fully expect my Kors to appear at my shoulders, turning me back to Evoni Central to escort me to the mansion they gifted me to live close to other subspecies. But something strange happens. Nothing happens. And it has my skin crawling. I turn around, looking up and down the street of party goers. Evoni Central is two streets down, a five-minute walk. I move along the pavement, as electric cars whiz by at high speed, and I wait for them. I had fully expected, at the very least, Alpha Centauri or Mars to be sniffing up my ass by now. Considering how I had stayed out for 8 full hours. I walk with a grim feeling at the pit of my stomachβ¦ what the hell were Ninth Squad and Star Squad doing? My first thought was maybe they had been captured or hurt β but I immediately dismissed that. They were Elions. They were too smart to all get captured. So what the heck β No. Iβm overreacting for nothing. I had been surrounded by Kor security for so long, it had become my normal. The fact they were respecting their Empressβ need for space, was just their evolving love. I walk back to Evoniβs skyscraper, reaching into the clouds, while limousines roll up and drop off restaurant goers and anyone else heading into fine dining. I walk in with everyone else, my feet ache and I wouldnβt mind a hot bath, or a massage, honestly. As the lift shoots up to my private floor, before the doors even open, I can see the metal vibrating in front of me. Boom. Boom. Boom. A partyβ¦ I gulp down my sudden anger mixed with terror as I lift my chin, trying to look brave. But then I hear slamming against the lift doors. βFUCK! OPEN!β The lift doors were slightly delayed, but they eventually wheeze off to the sides and three young adults, all female, scream their way into the lift. βDonβt go in there! DONβT!β two of them take a hold of my arm and pull me back, as they desperately press for the doors to shut. Iβm in shock, the girls are sprayed with blood. Itβs not their own, but from the washed out faces and pale skin, they look like theyβve just escaped a narrow death. βThis is my stop,β I push forward to stick my foot out before the doors shut. They try to pull me back again. βYou donβt understand, itβs not what you think,β the girls beg me and I feel intense shame for the way theyβve been traumatised. I leave my Kors for one day and they were already partying with their food! βIβll handle it,β I step through the doors into the courtyard and I watch the three women huddle at the back of the lift, still trembling with adrenaline. I turn to the mansion and I see the door is firmly shut and the music is loud. I Stealth as I enter the front door, peaking in to see whatβs happening. I toss my bag into the nearby study which was empty. In the main living area, the place is absolutely packed to the brim with dancing bodies. Most are females, with a few stray males who got in too. As I move through the drunk and disorderly mob, I wait by a corner to see what the fuss is. The fuss? Maybe the fact there are literal bodies crawling on the ground, with bloody necks, looking for help. Crying out for mercy. While groups dance around them, not even realising the damage done because the lights are so dim. My enhanced senses gives me a better idea of the wounds, and the smell. Eighteen Kors are moving through the crowd, choosing new partners, sinking their teeth into their necks, on couches, on the floor or while standing β and itβs all one big mess. Some dancers are slipping in puddles of blood. Some find their senses and run through the crowd, only to be chased by a grinning Vega and Capella, who have their chains removed from their mouths, their fangs red and clearly theyβre feeling bitey. They chase their chosen food like loose Pitbulls. I have to literally step in front of both of them and turn off my Stealth, putting my hands on their arms. Both giant steel grey Elions pause at my touch. With one look, they Stealth out of guilt. In front of me but hidden. βItβs a feasting day, Empress,β Vega gets closer to my face, his hot breath on my ear. I wince away and Capella puts a hand on my shoulder. βCareful of any fallen limbs,β Capella chuckles. βArgh, get off me,β I snarl and pull away from them, βWhoβs idea was this?β To my disgust, I can see Neptune and Pluto both sharing the neck of a smiling, swaying female, whoβs grinding between them. Ninth Squad are all about doing something similar with their little play things. But eventually I find the main culprits. The leaders. Mars has a fainted naked girl laying on him, covered in bite marks as he ignores her and talks to Terra on the other side of the couch. Alpha Centauri is the most heinous of them all. With a whole group of women on him, just fighting each other to get to his fangs next. Heβs whispering into one of their ears, while she giggles. I approach with my intent clear. The party is over. I approach Mars and the Estori in the middle, no longer invisible. They both notice me together, and they get serious real quick. Alpha Centauri stands and the women slide off him, still pawing at his sides. Mars carefully lays the bitten woman onto the couch to rest. βDiana,β Alpha Centauri welcomes me, and finally his groupies turn and notice the Empress in their midst. βI was next,β one of them with red hair, is absolutely fuming that I broke their interlude. βGet out of my house!β I yell at her over the music, while I see Mars directing Terra to turn down the song. The red head shakes her head and I step up to her, βPlease β leave. I wonβt ask again.β βOr what?β she swings her head back to me, βIf you donβt like the party, Empress, come back when itβs over. You canβt have them all to yourself. You should be thanking us.β βCan you just get the fuck out?β I refuse to argue the point, βI donβt even know you, I donβt want a fight, just go. Why are you looking so damn smug? You want that? Let me tell you something. Heβll kill you. Iβm saving your life. Why donβt you show some fuckinβ respect? I am the Empress, youβre nothing but food. Do you get it? Youβre all worthless to them. Get going while you still can. Get out. They have no empathy for you. Theyβre fucking Elions.β Her friends had been trying to pull their friend back, to calm her down, but I guess when I said the word worthless, they all got triggered. Because suddenly the four of them are facing me, swearing at me. I ignore their remarks, as the music finally simmers down, we no longer have to yell. The lights turn on. Most of the party goers start to leave on their own, especially when they see the blood with the light. I wait for sense to hit this group, but it takes longer than Iβd have anticipated. βLetβs just go,β one eventually finds sense, tugging at two of her friends, she convinces them to shuffle back. The red head remains, still glaring at me. βWhat makes you better than me?β she asks, βYouβre not even that pretty β and Iβd be a much better fuck. I could be the better Empress, youβre interfering with their fun. I wouldnβt stop them doing what they want,β she is making an argument, looking around at the Kors as they look in at the altercation. I had been trying my best not to make this any worse. But somethingβs wrong about the way she said it, now without even focusing on me, but biting her lip as she looks at the Kor squads around. βBeing an Empress isnβt what you think it is,β I tell her straight, βYouβre the last one standing, why donβt you look around and go. I donβt want trouble.β βI think,β she tilts her head up, βYou donβt want trouble because you know Iβll kick your ass,β she cocks a brow, this nameless bitch. βI donβt need to kick your ass,β I tell her the truth, βBecause the Kors follow my word. They do what I say.β βThey might,β she turns to Alpha Centauri, who was happy just observing the interaction. The red head steps up against him, placing a hand on his chest and running it down his abs. He doesnβt move, although he towers over her, he remains completely still, βThis one, the King,β she whispers up at him, βHe said he loves meβ¦β she is really trying to steal him in front of me, in front of his squad and my own. I am just blinking in shock, βMake me number one,β she keeps whispering at him, βFuck that dumb ugly bitch. You can do so much better.β Alpha Centauri says nothing to her, he looks at me. βLet that go,β I whisper it, βShow her to the door, since she trusts you.β Alpha Centauri is surprised by my leniency. He places a hand around her shoulders and turns her, ushering her toward the door and past me. She walks with him, but not without having to keep talking. βIβll be baaaack!β she sings out, βRemember my name! Itβs Leona!β Mars approaches me but I turn from him to the hall and the front. I want to make sure sheβs gone first. When Alpha Centauri opens the door for her, I canβt help myself, βEstori! Wait.β Alpha Centauri shuts the door, and she turns with a cocky smirk, leaning back against the wood. βWhat? You want to fight about it now?β she calls out. βEmpresses go to the Dark,β I tell her, βYou give your life to them. Could you do that?β βNot afraid of the dark,β Leona answers quickly, βJust hate stuck up bitches like you that think you deserve all this. Galactic Queen. Youβre disappointing.β My eyes snap to Vega and Capella. I just want to scare her, just a little bit. Theyβre watching me together. βShe wants to go to the Dark,β I tell them quietly, βMaybe you can take her?β βIβve been in the Dark. You think I canβt handle venom?β Leona laughs, βIβve been taking K-Venom off the market my whole life, itβs my favourite drug. It doesnβt hurt me. It empowers me.β Now, this changes everything. The mood from all my Kors drops to freezing. βBuying Kor Venom is illegal, Leona,β I state a hard truth, βWhere the hell are you getting it?β βNone of your business,β she looks to Alpha Centauri for help but he is disgusted. βEmpress,β the Estori finally speaks, over Leona toward me, βFor this I dictate law. Either youβll do itβ¦ or I will. And their wonβt be any mercy.β βI can handle you big fella,β Leona smirks up at him, βKors donβt deserve this pussy, but I put out for a price β my price is venom vials. And you can take me to the Dark. I like the edge unlike the rest. As long as you bring me back. Weβll both have a good time.β I walk my way to the kitchen, and I grab a knife. βYou fail to understand the blasphemy you speak to me,β Alpha Centauri is murderous, he more than anyone hated the sale of their venom. I walk toward the front door with the weapon, and I toss it to Leona so it slides to her feet. βWhat?β Leona has lost some of her bravado in the face of Alpha Centauriβs snarl. βWe were looking for the supplier,β Alpha Centauriβs answer has Leona stalling for words. βHeβs going to take you to the Dark, permanently,β I tell her, βSince youβre human, the knife is my gift, so you have a βchanceβ or itβs just not going to be fair.β βWeβre not a commodity,β Alpha Centauri moves around her, βWeβre Gods.β Leonaβs survival instincts finally kick in. She takes the knife from the floor but her next words are only for me. βGods? And why would Gods like you?β Leona whispers her jealousy, βI can handle them better than you,β it doesnβt gain her any sympathy when she turns on me with the knife. I had felt sorry for her, knowing if she kept running her mouth, the Kors wouldnβt hold back for long. They were just waiting on my word. But I didnβt want a murder on my hands. Let alone a fellow human, no matter how degenerate or unjust her position was right now. I wasnβt and would never be a murderer. But now sheβs trying to murder me. Alpha Centauriβs spear appears in his hand, but Iβve Stealthed quicker. Invisible, Iβm able to dodge the attack and disarm her, but I canβt stop my Enhanced Instincts shoving my arm and the knife back into her neck. I appear visible as I pull the blade out and the artery explodes with black rotting blood. Itβs spurted up and raining down on me. The drug addict, rotted by the venom, collapses in a dead heap. I gasp out as I have to force my grip on the handle to loosen, and the knife clatters to the floor, βI didnβt mean to do that,β I turn into Alpha Centauri, as he pulls me to the side with his hand on my arm. βAddicts are hard to read,β Alpha Centauri tries to comfort me, βYou should have released me sooner. I would have acted.β βI need a second,β I turn from him, stumbling away into another room. Iβve entered the study, and in here I shut the door to get a moment to breathe. I killed one of my own β Empress, did you hear me, next time release me, Alpha Centauri leaves the command, Iβll kill for you and take the burden. I said I need a second, Estori. Iβm sorry we attract death, with power, comes threats. You did well, Empress. You showed restraint. But do not show it again. Get out of my head, Estori, Iβm not like you. Empress, thatβs what weβre for. Itβs on me if I β Alpha Centauri laughs through the door, speaking through the study, βTrust me, Diana, the death is all on us, youβre just our confused, puny little hostage. Relax, sweet dove, weβll handle the rest.β I wonder if someone told him Orlai was alive. You amuse me, Diana. Alpha Centauri heard my thoughts, shit! I try to block him out but I feel him swimming around, curious, lingering, wondering, thinking in my thinking spaceβ¦ Dianaβ¦? A warning. Great. With my hesitation, heβll already know the truth of it. Leave her alone, I growl at him. Where is she? If she wants you, sheβll reach out. Leave it be. Alpha Centauri finally exits my mind, brooding and sulking about Orlai. Fuck. I couldnβt get a break. Even on my days off, someone had to die. The Kors were Gods of Death. If I wasnβt paying them their due attention, my Kors got hungry. And now my house was full of blood. That was just great. I was literally enslaved to this. Iβd have to feed them more. I couldnβt have political turmoil. I couldnβt be escaping my Elion captors. I had a job to do. Suffer. Take Kor dick. Argh. They were so damn needy. I need a friend or two. W-waitβ¦ I might have a friend or two. Orlai. Jitters. Would they be willing to come back? Would they suffer with me? β¦mmmm. If they wanted back in, they could help me ease the load of pleasing 18 Kors. The price? W-well, the price was fairly high. I, umβ¦ I didnβt have to ask themβ¦ reallyβ¦. I just had to send out a Kor or two to convince them. I just couldnβt do this alone anymore. I was going to lose my damn mind. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 74 βΏβββ’β¦ I was so annoyed about the Kors and their bloody party that I used my power as an Empress to request a simple wish. Leave me alone until tomorrow morning. I didnβt wish to even look at the bloody mess, so I had a bath, followed by a shower, until all the black blood was off me from Leona and then I went to bed while the Kors cleaned the mansion. I slept in peace in the bedroom Pluto decorated for me. If there were BDSM devices in here for the Kors and their sadism, theyβre tucked away. The carpet and walls are a pitch black, however, and the ceiling has a tint on-off ability. If I turn the tint down, I can stare at the night sky and all the nebulas right above me. I fell asleep slowly under the eyes of the universe above and I wake up to see that Mars and Alpha Centauri snuck in by morning. Mars was sleeping on the other side of the bed, not touching me, but laid out within inches from me, his handsome face content in sleep, his naked body above the silks. Alpha Centauri is awake and Iβm thinking maybe he just appeared, as heβs walking toward me as if he sensed my mind was waking. As I sit up on my elbows, the Estoriβs steel blue skin is draped in his metallic robe, his hair longer than ever. Alpha Centauri swoops down to kiss me good morning. I close my groggy eyes and lean back against the pillows β while he growls against me, βYou desire friends, Empress?β βAh, yes,β I nod and open my eyes to see the Estori curl his hand under my arm, preparing to haul me up. βThen letβs go,β Alpha Centauri smiles as he pulls me up. Iβm halted when my other arm is caught by Mars, and I turn to see he woke, checking on me. βDiana,β Mars says my name with a deep curiosity, βDo you forgive us for last night?β βI know you have to eat. From now on, I pick the food,β I groan with the fact Iβm still waking and theyβre already interrogating me. Mars grimaces but nods, turning onto his back as he watches me stand with the Estori. His dark eyes run over my naked body, like he wants a drink. βBe quick,β Mars directs this softly at Alpha Centauri, βWeβre all hungry.β The Estori slides his smooth warm hand around my throat, holding me still in front of him. βYour call,β The King of Kors surprises me, βStay or hunt?β βWe βhuntβ β which means talking civilly to my friends. Since youβre up, put on some normal clothes β if you have any,β I suggest, holding his wrist, as he playfully feels my pulse, βIβll make a few calls β weβll be back here soon. Iβll lead this.β βBunny?β Alpha Centauri asks, practically drooling copious amounts of sparkling venom from his six fangs in his polite smile. βYes.β βOrlai?β Alpha Centauri pauses and his smile is no longer too friendly β for this I know he doesnβt need my permission, but he does want my opinion. ββ¦yes,β I nod, βOn the condition ββ βItβs laid to rest,β Alpha Centauri drawls over me, looking through my very soul, ββ¦my Orlaiβ¦ her heart truly beats? Iβll let her keep it this time, Empress.β I remember just how Elion they are when I hear the venom in his every word, like a simulation on how much he could hate me if I wasnβt a good and giving Empress. The sick part being that meant total and complete sacrifice. When all Orlai had wanted was to survive. Ahuh, so thatβs how you think, you pity them all, little bird, when you forget they also have desires, Alpha Centauri speaks through my brain, and it wakes me up real quick. Listen! Iβm not used to you being in here, I beg him, wishing him out of my private space, donβt read my thoughts β stop it! Alpha Centauri retreats at my command. βThank you,β I steady my response, βUnhand my neck, Estori.β βOf course, Empress,β Alpha Centauri slips his hand from my pulse, freeing my neck while he shadows my movements as I pivot around him. I move quick, feeling my Enhanced Instincts raising my hairs. I look back at the Estori, not feeling comfortable giving him my back. Heβs Stealthing. I breathe deep β awake 2 mins and I already had to deal with their shit. Hopefully the Kors would ease up on me soon. They were clearly tense with being exposed as Elions in the Universe β not just our Galaxy. All of our diplomatic ties were because of me and my mouth. Everyone expected me to leash the Kors, to keep them from seeking ultimate destruction of every subspecies. I had made the right decision in simply realising I couldnβt do this alone. And I had already taken note of what Jitters had talked about yesterday. Almost all of yesterday β she had been asking me about the Kors, like she missed them. Jitters was a Freed little rascal, hyped up on coffee and now obsessed with the danger she had narrowly escaped. I had to insure her life with meaning. So, I ask Venus for the special tea, the altered Jace herb. E happily heads back to Dark Ninth and his lab to bring it back for me. I then fill a flask with it; the Fey making potion. It will make my chosen team stronger with better blood giving tendencies, like me. I also wanted to know if the tea would help Orlai feel back to full strength. It had been somewhat unfair to see her looking so exhausted, when she had been through so much. But Alpha Centauri did make me stop and think β I did tend to pity them a lot. Forgetting they were strong and independent and not totally helpless. I canβt avoid other females in an attempt to defend them anymore from the Kors, especially if they enjoyed them like I did. I had to bring them closer into my circle, and as Empress, use my ability to ask for anything I desired from my Kors, to protect my fellow puny humans, to work out a system of collaboration. Yup, Iβm thinking about this like teamwork. A business model perhaps? On how to keep the Kors β ahem β wellβ¦ preoccupied with pussy. Considering their appetite, it was going to take a lot of co-ordination on my part. **** Iβve set up the meeting, since Jitters is at work today, I choose to conduct the βbusinessβ offer in public, at the bakery. I dress casually, in jeans and a black top, which kind of match Alpha Centauriβs similar look β light jeans and black shirt. He seems to think itβs cute we are a pair, and Iβm glad something so ridiculous appeases his violent mind for the moment. I told Jitters and Orlai who would be attending so there would be no surprises. And the only surprise I face is walking into the shop and finding both of them waiting in a corner, at the communal table. Orlai has her soft blonde curls out, looking a little mangy, her eyes wide and tired, her hand trembling on the cup of coffee she ordered. Sheβs wearing pink sweat pants and a simple tank top, with no Danger escorting her this time. Iβm guessing she didnβt tell him she was going to meet the Estori this morning. Jitters is dressed in her pastry chef outfit, on a quick break, sheβs brought her newest creation out, while she offers some to Orlai. With our approach, they go quiet but not stiff. Orlai doesnβt seem scared at all β I guess because she had been to the Dark now and had nothing unknown to fear. Jitters actually gives Alpha Centauri a soft smile. Alpha Centauri sits with me, staring at Orlai and noticing her weakness. I begin, βThanks for coming to talk to us, soβ¦ to be clear, Estori, I explained the misunderstanding of the poison situation, I explained it all to Jitters that you never wanted her dead, and Jitters, he actually did want you around as a plaything, he wasnβt going to kill you, heβs fond of you,β I start with that, and while we get a few odd looks β in the past I might have cared, but I donβt give a shit anymore. Being embarrassed was the least of my concerns now βI did think it odd, when I thought about it,β Jitters starts, speaking to Alpha Centauri, βThat youβd choose poison β when you have venom,β I hoped Alpha Centauri might be pleasant to Jitters, since he truly liked her β but I notice his attention has completely side railed to Orlai, and he ignores what Jitters has said entirely, βSheβs your soulmate, isnβt she?β Jitters speaks up again, ββ¦and you melted her? Why would he do that?β Jitters looks at me, βSorry, Iβm asking too many questions. Iβm just excited. I β ah, yes, Iβll listen now, to what you wanted to offer us? Did you need our help?β βIβm getting to that, I am in charge of Elion diplomacy,β I explain, βSo I need help, yes.β To my relief, Orlai looks away from the Estori and she nods at me, βI guess you need companionship while surrounded by devils?β βPrecisely, but not without strict changes to the house,β I sideways glare at Alpha Centauri, so quiet and foreboding. He finally looks at me, βWhat do you want?β Could he sound anymore pissed? βCan you calm down?β I growl, βThis will be quick and painless, I assure you,β I turn to Jitters and Orlai, βWould you consider coming back to help me dampen Kor appetite?β I had worked all morning for a way to word that, and Iβm happy with how it sounded β aside from the amused sound out of the Estoriβs throat. Itβs so animal it reverbs through the small bakery and everyone goes quiet. βI would,β Orlai agrees. βI can help sometimes,β Jitter whispers with a blush. βWould you allow them in, Estori?β I ask him and he says nothing, so I take it as a yes, βOkay, so, if you do come back, you need to drink this tea,β I bring out the flask from my bag and Alpha Centauriβs eyes follow my movement. βIsnβt that water?β the Estori drawls, caught off guard. βItβll change your blood to be like mine, ultra-regenerative, so they can drink often,β I lay out everything quickly, βAnd youβll get a 15% cut in all business dealings from Star Squad and Ninth Squad. Youβll be some of the wealthiest women in the Galaxy. In return for that, you serve with me and tolerate their shit.β βInteresting detail,β Alpha Centauri sneers a bit, βDiana β you mentioned nothing about profit cuttingβ¦β βSpank me later, I want to know what they say,β I argue briefly, βSo you 100% will come back?β I ask this a little desperately, perhaps. βI will!β Jitters nods, βIβve been dreaming about it, admittedly. Youβre hard to top, Alpha Centauri,β Jitters bites her lip and he at least slow blinks at her, pleasant enough. βAnd you?β I ask Orlai, βI understand if itβs a ridiculous request. I donβt want you to feel obliged. Are you completely sureβ¦?β βIβll come back. For free,β Orlai explains, βDeath doesnβt scare me β being afraid forever, scares me. And I would like a friend too, Diana. I understand Kor Honor Codes, so I can help you.β I actually kind of feel teary eyed by how loyal they are already. They were the best. I hold out my hand on the table, Jitters slaps hers on top and Orlai last of all, the tremble still present. βOne last thing,β I am so going to regret this, βEstori β because youβve been so sweet this morning. What would you like?β Both of Orlaiβs brows fly up her forehead, while Jitters laughs nervously, slapping her hand to her heart. βWhat would I like?β Alpha Centauri is confused by the question, βElaborate, Empress.β βWhat would you like?β I whisper this instead, leaning up to his ear, βWeβve all agreed to serve β how should we serve the Kors today, Estori?β βWeβll decide,β Alpha Centauri gives not much else, βNew creation?β he changes the topic, reaching for Jitterβs new spice pastry. She nods fast and he takes a bite, βDelicious.β βYou think so?β Jitters almost hiccups, βYou too, Diana, try!β Iβm surprised the Estori didnβt use the opportunity to ask for something vile right away β Iβm kind of impressed by his restraint, actually. I reach over and Iβm happy to try some, chewing on the new delicacy sheβs crafted, I settle back in the seat, βIt is delicious, spicy and sweet,β as I chew, I explain to Jitters, βAlpha Centauri can be a real dick to Orlai, so can you just make sure he doesnβt bully her?β βYes,β Jitters nods. Orlai blushes, she opens her mouth to protest meekly. βOh, donβt even try and explain it away,β I roll my eyes, βYou let him bully you, too. You let him kill you!β βIt wasnβt because I gave up,β Orlai sits up and she speaks now with a bit of sass, a bit of cheek, ββ¦I just wanted my heartβ¦β she pauses to look at him, calling him her heart, catching his full attention, ββ¦to bleed and hurt and suffer β from the guilt. I wanted to die so youβd feel like shit. Yeah, itβs pathetic, but you are insufferable. Your love is hate. So, I died hoping youβd hate yourself.β βCongratulations, little dove, you win again,β Alpha Centauri smirks, βBut I was only suffering because I couldnβt torment you anymore ββ βOkay, enough,β I interrupt, βDonβt bully her anymore.β βIβll try although her passive nature annoys me still. However. That life of being hurt is past us,β Alpha Centauri agrees, βFresh slate my puny human.β β¦he offers his hand to Orlai. ββ¦mmβ¦ itβs nice to meet you, King of Kors,β Orlai plays along and shakes his hand with her delicate one, which is basically swallowed by his, his claws already tracing the veins on her wrist like a psychopath. Orlai blanches and I elbow the Estori lightly in the side, so he releases her. βJitters, you can drink the tea tonight,β I suggest, quickly changing topics, βIβll bring this back with me. Best you donβt have it at work in case there are side effects.β βI can come visit after my shift today, and after I shower,β Jitters suggests. βCool, and Orlai β this will restore some of your strength,β I pour some in a spare glass and slide it over, βThanks to Eβs brilliance.β Orlai holds the glass but meets my eye first, βTo girl power.β βServing your masters,β Alpha Centauri breaks the moment with a smooth drawl, as he stands, taking my arm, βDrink that where you can lie down, come back with Diana,β he orders it. βI was going to,β Orlai jumps to her feet and takes the glass with her. Jitters shyly farewells us, and then runs back to work, a skip in her step. I walk out onto the street with Orlai, and we walk side by side, while Alpha Centauri walks behind us. βIβm happy to know they let you off Dark Ninth, finally,β Orlai compliments me, βYouβve gained so much of their trust β I could never have stayed so long around them. Iβm only coming back because youβre the Empress. And you shouldnβt be the lone human dealing with two squads of them.β βItβs a lot,β I groan thinking of last night, βI wonβt lie, the job is basically to feed and fuck them 24/7.β βI know,β Orlai laughs lightly, βItβs a bonus their venom is so sweet for such demons.β βTheyβre from the dark, which means the light scares them, right?β I stroke my chin, βWe are puny, but theyβre also shy and like to hide ββ βThe first time we met, the first time Alpha Centauri met a human β he was utterly terrified of me,β Orlai says too much for the Estoriβs liking. βPuny you may be,β I feel his hand on my head, and heβs slipped his other hand over Orlaiβs shoulders, βCourageous both, you may be also. However, being fools, defines you,β Alpha Centauri leans down, using his deep octave, βYou are cherished bite sized morsels, youβre prey β you are not in the position to degrade me.β Orlai actually laughs, βYouβre the one who hid from me when I found you lurking outside the cave I lived in with my family. I actually chased him down, Diana,β Orlai tells me this, βI thought he was quite handsome, although an odd colourβ¦ he didnβt come out of his stealth until I closed my eyes and then heββ βIβm quite serious, thatβs enough of the old wivesβ tale,β Alpha Centauri snaps, interrupting the story, βIβm hungry,β Alpha Centauri snarls a little louder β and more civilians scatter off to the other side of the road with his menacing prowl and his fangs glittering in the morning sunlight, ββ¦youβre both on the menu β move quickly, theyβre waiting on you, my sweet Empress. And theyβre not expecting a second surpriseβ¦ my Orlaiβ¦ youβre a little venom whore coming back to me.β Orlai hisses out a complaint, and the Estori grins and hisses back β although it sounds a lot more reptilian. βI didnβt know you were part-dino,β I whisper back at him, βDo those jeans hurt your cock?β I like teasing him, when he looks so utterly offended to his very core. βEnough, Estoria,β Alpha Centauri moves closer, wrapping both his arms around our waists, he lifts us up off the ground and Stealths with us in his grip. He teleports us back. Unable to wait. Or sick of us bullying him. Weβre now in my bedroom, where Mars is reclining back, patiently waiting. The Estori tosses us both onto Mars. I roll off his side after almost bouncing off the bed, but he catches my waist. Orlai needs to catch her breath, she fell near his hips and his rising cock. βSorry,β Orlai apologises to Mars, βI β h-hello.β βShe lives,β Mars cocks a brow at Orlai and the Estori, who is stripping from his human clothes. βShe lives,β Alpha Centauri snarls with passion, repeating the phrase with starvation evident in the veins growing in visibility across his iron body. Orlai and I look around the bedroom, as the two Squads of our Kors shimmer to visibility β awaiting us. βA gift for us, Empress?β Proxima grins at me from the left, βHow thoughtful of you.β Ah – ha! I thought Iβd have all the sassy words at my ready, but my tongue feels twisted and my throat closes up. Looking at the two squads, lusting for us β Iβm just annoyed Jitters isnβt here already. Orlai and I could manage. I hope. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 75 βΏβββ’β¦ Maelstromβs POV I hold my finger to my lips to keep my siblings quiet. Diasphora watches with me, down toward the strange shimmer in the air, walking through the Kor Prison. I gather Entrpy and Ephereum close by, they are covered in star dust from the gardens. Venus told us to spend time in nature and bond together. All we needed was the dust on the surface of the planet β we didnβt need to feed. I had led the babies through the Ninth nature trails, and then we all came back together to the prison, me leading them. I was going to watch over my brothers as they napped, but then I heard faint foot falls. I place Entrpy carefully on my left shoulder and Ephereum on my right, they are small but they can hold onto my ears and hair as I draw back the bowstring and feel the pull on the energy in my veins. It charges the arrow to the centre, as I focus on the intruder, not Kor but a subspecies in a military active-s-c uniform, causing an almost identical Stealth to Kor kind, but not close enough. I can see the way the air shimmers around the intruder. The person stops below the throne, answering a call, speaking in another language. E gave me a deciphering model in my head, technology that was Elion, and not exactly engineering, as much as it was magic. It makes the foreign words translatable. βTracks are fresh but no sign of the babies.β Another voice replies. βFind them today or you and your sister are dead.β βI can find anyone for you, why small children? Tell me.β βTheir skins at that age have magical properties, the kind that will make you immortal. Find at least one of them, Tron, or your sister is dead by nightfall!β The conversation is almost over, Tron is swearing. βFucking Sral, Iβll get you one β you sick mother fuckers… I feel their eyes on meβ¦β I panic as the top of the shimmer, his head, looks up, and I feel his gaze returned on mine. He sees me β I pull back the bow and release the energy bolt. The green laser leaves a firey trail, the intruder swivels. I missed! I duck behind the stone barrier with my brothers. Weβre on the fourth level. βHold on,β I grab Diasphoraβs hand, while Entrpy and Ephereum grasp my ears so tight, it hurts β but theyβre terrified too. I try to work out how Iβll run with them to the nearest ET portal. I donβt trust my own teleportation abilities. The rocks in front of us explode when a laser beam is shot our way β so strong and powerful it would have taken us all out if it had been a few inches to the right. So the intruder missed too, but the explosion has caused both babies to scream. βSTORIE!β Entrpy shrieks. βMOGA!β Ephereum pulls my hair in his chubby little hands. βBig brother!β Diasphora tugs on my hand, βTake us!β βIβm TRYING,β I scream back, tears running down my face as I try to access the teleportation my fathers had mastered. Neptune had tried to teach me but I found it extremely difficult. I try to focus on their energies. The Estoriβs twins are thinking of him, and mother. Diasphora lends me his energy as he thinks of mother too. I reach out into the universe with the power I have, able to see highways of light and dark because even the dark burns a certain light when itβs Kor power. I see a mixture of gold and dark, itβs faint but itβs the first sign of our family. I reach out and space folds to take us there, while I simultaneously hold onto my siblings. Space spits us out onto the other side, a bit messy, we slip and fall, colliding onto a table top where people are drinking their tea and coffee. Little E and I scramble around to get to our feet, and the subspecies at the table are screaming in fright as they get to their feet and pounce back from us. I had never seen the outside of Dark Ninth, but I think weβre in a food and drink shop β because thatβs what everyone is doing, eating and drinking together. I canβt see Alpha Centauri or Diana, even though I had sensed their energy in here, all I see now are subspecies moving back, all the staff frozen. A familiar looking woman with a funny white hat comes out from the back, with her hands up, βOh my goodness!β she looks at me, βMaelstrom, what are you doing here?β I thought she had been Alpha Centauriβs food at one point, but maybe she had lived. I had only ever seen her from afar when he brought her back to the Kor Hold. I tell her the truth, βWe need help, can you help us? We were attacked!β I hurriedly wipe away my tears, my heart still beating fast with the shock of being hunted down. βIβm sorry, everyone, the store is closed,β she ushers every customer out, while pointing at us to stay at the table. Entrpy and Ephereum crawl down and sit on a chair where the dark energy had been emanating from. The Estori must have been sitting there, because they paw at the wood. βMy name is Jitters, I can help!β she shuts the door on the last customer and the staff she sent home, coming over with wet rags and paper towels to help clean the mess we caused. I stand to the side as I wipe my hands clean and Jitters moves around us in a mad rush, while taking out a phone and texting rapidly. βI sent a message to Diana,β Jitters puts her phone away and sees us waiting, out of place and not touching anything, βI have no doubt your fathers will be here any momentβ¦β as she speaks, she suddenly points to the back, βAh. Can you eat yet?β βThereβs not much I like,β I speak for myself, βWe can eat anything butβ¦ we havenβt been off Dark Ninth before β someone just tried to kill us. They might be able to follow my jump.β βIf thatβs the case, come to the back,β Jitters hurries, βQuickly, Iβll shut the shop blinds and turn off the lights and put everything away. Letβs hide at the back.β I pick up Entrpy and Ephereum while Diasphora walks at my side, half my height. At the back in the kitchens, I can smell sweet things Iβve never smelt before in my life. Buckets of sauces and different colours? I put down the babies to crawl around, while I look at the stuff thatβs making my nostrils flare. I walk up to it and look down at the dark crimson. βThatβs a raspberry coulis,β Jitters comes up to my side, βWould you like a taste?β βItβs red, I thought it was blood,β I whisper. βNo, no, no,β Jitters laugh is high pitched, βItβs made from a berry.β She takes a spoon and puts a tiny bit on the end and she hands me the spoon. She moves off to see Diasphora sticking his hand in a white powder, she explains itβs icing sugar and that he can taste it if he likes. At the same time, I taste the coulis while Diasphora tastes the sugar. βOh, yum,β I exclaim immediately. βThis is good stuff, Maelstrom!β Diasphora grabs a handful of icing sugar and passes it to me. Jitters seems worried but I am curious what the white stuff tastes like. I grab the handful, half falls through my fingers but I put the rest in my mouth. I sneeze as it goes up my nose in a powder, but I laugh and grin β no doubt the powder is all over my sharp teeth, but itβs so good, Diasphora was right, βMore of that,β I move closer to little E. βNo, no more, you canβt have too much, youβll be sick,β Jitters grabs a lid and slams it over the bucket, ββ¦whβ¦where did the babies go?β she looks down, we all do, and theyβre not crawling around on the floor. I start to panic, along with the lady and Diasphora β until we all hear giggles and slaps. I jump around the kitchen benches and lean down to see where they are hiding. The two blue baby Kors have crawled into a metal shelf, and theyβre squirting poop coloured syrup at each other. βEw! What is that?β I ask Jitters as she leans down and immediately wrestles the bottles from the babies. βChocolate syrup, oh my gosh,β Jitters watches the babies licking their fingers and smearing the syrup all over each other in a game of make-a-mess. I poke one of their chubby arms to try the chocolate syrup, and when I taste itβ¦ I stand up and turn to Jitters. βWhy havenβt our fathers brought us out into the universe sooner? This is great,β I whisper, with a different kind of tears in my eyes, βThatβs my favourite, give it over?β I reach for the bottles of chocolate syrup and Jitters grabs them the same time as me. βNo, Maelstrom,β she tries to wrestle it from me, but I smirk as I refuse to let go. βI want it,β I growl a bit uncontrollably, my mouth salivating for more. βNo, a taste was enough, itβs for my pastries!β Jitters hisses β and then the shop suddenly settles with a heavy presence. Kor energy. I stop fighting her for it and I turn with little E. The babies crawl out covered head to toe in sticky syrup. I blush with embarrassment as my father and Venus, Alpha Centauri and mother, come walking in to see the back of the shop. βWhat happened here?β Venus speaks first, looking right at me, since I was responsible. βOh, my sweeties, what have you been doing?β Mother reaches down for the syrupy blue little Estoris. They jump into her arms and now her white dress is all messy. βYou were attacked?β Mars reaches me next, grabbing my shoulders, βWhat happened?β βSome person was being forced against his will to capture a Kor baby,β I say what I know, βI shot an arrow and missed,β I lower my head at that, βThen he shot at usββ my father pulls me into a hug and I hug him back. βGood job getting out,β Mars strokes my hair back, it was curling and black, and growing out past my ears, βYou did good, you jumped across half the universe on your own.β βIf I didnβt, weβd all be dead,β I pull back and I see the Estori is looking at me, with steel eyes, no doubt disappointed in me, βIβm sorry I didnβt kill him,β I stand straight, βI will next time.β βThatβs not necessary,β Alpha Centauri dismisses me, βYour job is to stay alive.β I nod and change the subject, βAh, soβ¦ can we see the new house you got the Empress?β I grin, hopeful that we can stay outside Dark Ninth a bit longer. βOf course,β my mother speaks up, and I see her cheeks are now covered in chocolate syrup too, since both twins are patting her cheeks with the stuff, although a darkness in her eyes is navigating toward E, ββ¦I thought someone was supervising them, Venusβ¦?β βItβs standard practice,β Venus holds Diasphora in one arm, βBut it wonβt happen again.β βMmhm,β mother is not smiling at any of the Kors, and they all avoid her gaze. Sheβs definitely pissed off. βThey need a bath,β Alpha Centauri speaks into the foreboding silence, as he canβt help smirking at his little twins. βThey need some manners, too,β Jitters side-ways glares at me as she places the chocolate bottles on the counter top after wiping the outsides with a wet cloth. I narrow my eyes at where they are placed, taking note. βSorry for the trouble, Jitters,β Mother sighs, βYou closed shop?β βJust in case they were being hunted still,β Jitters nods. βHis name was Tron,β I speak up, βHe was in military-s-c gear, you told me thatβs Freed stuff,β I speak to E, βRight? Seemed to be working alone for some bigger badder guys. I wouldnβt kill him actually. Iβd ask him questions. If you catch him, Iβd like to speak to him.β βNo, not happening. Can you deal with the intruder, please?β Mother shoves past Alpha Centauri while holding the two babies, sauntering out while kissing their chubby cheeks as they nuzzle closer. I smile with grit teeth at Alpha Centauri, who is now barely holding back an amused smile since the Empress is angry β heβs got a thing about her being angry. I donβt really get it, but it makes the Estori happy. βYou got powder all over your face,β Marsβ lips curl in the corner, βWhat is that?β βIcing sugar,β Jitters growls, βMaybe you should feed them proper food?β βProper food? Careful what you wish forβ¦ are you volunteering?β Mars makes a dark joke at Jitters, and she pales. βOh, I didnβt meanβ¦β she shakes her head profusely. βThey absorb light through other means, donβt you fret,β Venus interjects, βLetβs go.β Venus teleports with Diasphora. Mars grabs my arm and we go next. Alpha Centauri went off to find the Empress and his babies β to escort them back. Inside, Iβm so relieved to be back with my fathers. Iβm also embarrassed. I just canβt stop thinking about my missed shot. If I had better aim β this would have been a different discussion, congratulating me on my first successful live hunt. Instead, I had to run. My pride is hurt, and I feel shame. Tron. I imagine him coming for us again, and I think of all the ways I can be prepared next time. Next time I wouldnβt run. Next time I wouldnβt miss.Mars told me I would be the leader of the squad one day, because I was the eldest.I had let my siblings down. I would never let them down again. And also, there was no way I was leaving without that gold on the counter. I had reached for it behind me just before Mars teleported us out. I donβt think Jitters saw my hand wrap around it β but either way, it was in my hand before we warped. I mean, come on, the lady had two bottles of chocolate syrup already, Iβm sure she could spare one for me and my brothers! Diasphora hadnβt even tried it yet! |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 76 βΏβββ’β¦ Dianaβs POV I never thought Iβd be so thrilled to be covered in chocolate syrup while holding two sticky and smiling Kor babies. Just holding them in my arms and seeing their steel-grey eyes gazing into my soul has the world dripping away into a place that doesnβt matter. Nothing matters but my world. My little ones. At least, it feels that way as Iβm holding them close, feeling a burn in my chest with the blood lust thatβs ignited in me after hearing Maelstrom, little E and the twins were attacked. I was so extremely proud of Maelstrom for being so quick witted and smart to get away β I was also pissed at E. Iβm trying to walk out of the shop with the twins, whoβve expertly climbed onto my shoulders, almost toppling. Entrpy stands and wobbles but Alpha Centauri scoops him up just in time, cradling him in his arm as he holds my waist and leans down to my level, βWhere are you storming off to, Empress?β Alpha Centauri drawls in my ear, βHome is here.β I blink and his power collapses the dimension around us, placing us back in my home β and not just anywhere. Iβm in a master bathroom, and the bath is already running. Venus instructed little E and Maelstrom to wash their hands and faces at the sink, while Mars stands with a bottle of chocolate sauce. βMars. You stole from Jitters?β I ask him, raising a brow, surprised. Mars does a double take, surprised I asked the question. βNo, I believe she gave it as a gift,β Mars motions to Maelstrom, who wonβt meet our eyes but agrees. βYes, mmhm,β Maelstromβs skin starts to shimmer in and out of visibility, like heβs about to disappear with Diasphora, who is also looking up at him as they dry their hands and faces with a towel. They share a knowing look, a sneaky nod, and they both go invisible. I feel the air move as they zoom out to explore with each other. The chocolate sauce is in Marsβ hand one second and snatched out the next β disappearing with the runaway children. Mars stares at his open hand, βThose little liars,β he snarls as he realises he was duped, turning and also Stealthing, βYou can run, but you canβt hide, little ones,β Marsβ calls out while invisible, and I hear both Diasphora and Maelstrom screaming and laughing from far away as a door slams open and shut in their sprint. Venus is already putting some kind of baby soap mix into the bathtub. βGive them to me,β Venus looks at me once with a possessive glare and a curt, monotone. Of course he wants to be the Super Dad and make me look bad. βAs if,β I whisper as I move closer and check the water. βDo not be angry at the love we have for our children, Diana,β Alpha Centauri schools me with a calm tone, as he dangles Entrpy by his chubby wrist into the bubbles. βLove? You didnβt even care that much that they were attacked, they could have died ββ I say this as non-verbally aggressive as I can manage, trying not to worry the kids. βYou have such little faith,β Alpha Centauri ignores me while he watches Entrpy poking at the bubbles. βStorie?β Entrpy looks up at the Estori with wide, steel eyes. βYes, Entrpy?β his father murmurs back, stoically. βMoga,β Entrpy points at me, βSad,β Entrpy looks at me, his brows furrowing in a worry-brow. βIβm not sad,β I place a wriggling Ephereum next to Entrpy, while Venus leans down on the other side of the bath with the warm sponge and drips water over their heads, making them look up in surprise, ββ¦why do they think Iβm sad?β I frown as E smirks to himself. βThey know you were scared,β the Estori looks at me with disapproval, βThey will be sad if youβre sad. Donβt feel sad and they wonβt.β βIβm just sad right now because E is hogging them like I donβt exist,β I hold out my hand, βPlease,β I donβt want to demand it, I ask sweetly for the sponge. Venus finishes dabbing chocolate sauce off Ephereumβs wobbly cheeks and passes me the sponge. βI find it difficult,β Venus grabs the edge of the tub, βTo let go,β he sounds in physical pain, βTheyβre my world now, Diana.β βJust learn to share the parenting, Iβve been busy saving Elions from a war, now we have peace, stop being on edgeβ¦ anyway,β I sigh as I focus on the twins looking up at me together. Entrpy slowly offers me a bubble, being precious about it, his fingers shaking with the effort. Ephereum glances over and suddenly pokes it so it pops, then he offers me a different bubble. βPracticing gift giving, how adorable,β Alpha Centauri is just watching β but I see Entrpyβs shock being delayed by the popped gift. His lip starts a wobble. As he bursts out into a cry, Ephereum looks overwhelmed with guilt and also starts to cry β and now we donβt waste any time. We all want to snuggle them better. Now that I have the sponge, I clean off their arms, chests and sticky chins. Alpha Centauri scoops up Entrpy in a towel and E offers me the second towel. βIβm still a mess,β I say quickly, βYou can towel him off but I need to clean and change, Iβll be right back,β I skip off to the sink and wash my face and hands, then I turn to run for a new dress, but Iβm stopped by a silvery mirage. Neptune appears in front of me, holding a spare dress already. βYouβre too smooth,β I grin as I discard the ruined clothes and place on the cream gown as quickly as possible. βWeβve been waiting,β Neptune pinches my chin, βYouβre such a gorgeous mama.β βShut up,β I growl quietly but playfully, βI want to hold my babies before you kidnap me with that charm.β Neptune laughs and itβs like a sweet melody as I pivot around him and I see Alpha Centauri holding a sleeping Entrpy, still swaddled in the towel. Venus has Ephereum awake but sitting on the top of his head, balancing precariously as E drains the bath and cleans up any puddles of water. I stare in shock at his strange way with parenting. Itβs so risky β but Ephereum just watches what E does with intrigue while he learns to balance. I quietly approach Alpha Centauri as he stands stock still looking at the baby, too afraid to move, as if it might wake Entypy. βHe feels heart break just as badly as his father,β Alpha Centauri speaks in a low rumble under his breath, βHe fell right asleep from the pain alone.β βWhy would you say something so dramatic?β I whisper in annoyance as I come even closer and look at Entrpyβs blue nose and wet eyelashes, βIt was just a bubble.β βIt was his bubble, for you,β Alpha Centauri speaks so seriously, still staring down at the sleeping babe. βGive him to me, youβre too stiff,β I take Entrpy and Alpha Centauri relinquishes his hold, stepping around me and still staring at the exhausted little one. When I glance up, I see Ephereumβs head lolling to the side as he almost falls asleep while sitting on Eβs head. Venus reaches up a hand and scoops the baby down into another towel, immediately walking out, βCome on,β Venus whispers back at us. I follow and E walks us into not the master bedroom, but another room. Itβs a Night Room filled with Dark Ninth plants and dust. Venus places Ephereum under a fern. I follow suit and put down Entrpy. We squat down watching over them sleeping. βThey will wake in a few minutes, looking for their brothers,β Venus explains to me, βKor children do not sleep long. They run, climb and practice chasing each other. Itβs good for them to be independent. This is spoiling them, Empress,β E clenches his hands, and I think heβs insulting me, until he growls, βBut I canβt help it.β βItβs okay, E, youβre not overbearing,β I think heβs still a bit crazy in his head, but in a good way. Iβm sure the Kor kids wonβt mind Venusβ attention. E takes my hand and helps me stand, and he focuses on me. βI want more,β Venus holds my face, βI will be your Guardian at birth this time.β βGuardian of the empty womb, you mean?β I speak as Venus looks at my lips and smiles as he leans in for a slow kiss. βYou have your purpose,β Venus speaks over my mouth, but Alpha Centauri tugs me back, his hand on my shoulder. Venus unhands my chin while I collide with the Estoriβs chest. βControl yourself,β Alpha Centauri glares across at Venus, βWe share.β βMm,β Venus keeps in a growl, βLetβs go, the Empress escapes her duty like usual.β βShe always tries to escape,β Alpha Centauri palms me around to walk forward, a haunting smile just for me, ββ¦she never can,β I blush and quickly walk out into the connecting bathroom, while the Estori commands me, βBack to bed, Diana. This is the kidβs wing β we have to cross to the north side. Where the locks are.β βAt least someone is responsible here,β I roll my eyes. βThe only responsibility you have, Dark Nine, is sharing your light,β Alpha Centauri snaps back, βDonβt complain.β βMmm, well, if it means more sweet babies, Iβm the luckiest woman alive,β I smile, thinking of my next Kor baby growing fast in my belly, another one for Mars β βYouβre self-awareness is humbling,β Venus pipes in sharply, βYou are lucky, Empress.β βIf we had met another way, another time, if you were just food, Iβd have had some real fun with you, Dark Nine,β Alpha Centauri could be drooling right now, βThe best chase of your life, straight into the Dark. Screaming my name.β Oh, Estori. I canβt come back with fun banter at that. I avoid looking back at him. The venom filled drawl is enough. Alpha Centauri is far too excited at the fantasy of hunting me down. Still to this day it makes my skin fucking crawl. Elions. They were Elions. Although they mimicked me and chose me as βThe Oneβ they were fucking feral one layer underneath. |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
| β¦β’βββΏ DARK NINE CHAPTER 77 βΏβββ’β¦ Please read the last chapter 77 for free on Inkitt and leave a rating and review! |
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
ββββ ββββ βββ ββββ βββ
Further reading : Dark Nine Book-Tree
AI Art generated images of Diana and Orlai:
C. Swallow Novels 