Adamant Spirits, page 196
“Us?”
I nod.
“More than. If it means we have to kick a few more asses than normal, I’ll call that honing my skills.” He glances down at the stark white card.
“I could use some lessons in the art of ass-kicking.”
“I’m happy to teach you.” He sets the card on the counter behind us and focuses on me. “I care for you, Willa. And I wasn’t sure I’d ever feel this way again.”
“I care for you too, Jack.” Reaching up, I cup the back of his neck and pull his mouth down to mine.
Jack
Willa tucked into my side, I stare up at the ceiling, unable to sleep. Not because of the fight that took place earlier or the visit from the Draco leader.
No, my mind is running a million miles a minute, focusing only on what he said to me and the card he gave me. It boasts nothing but an address. No name, no phone number. No hint at who—or what—might be waiting for us when we get there.
“If you still seek answers to your questions, this is where you need to go.”
“Can’t sleep?” Willa asks, her voice heavy with exhaustion.
“No.”
“Why?”
“I need to tell you something.” I shift up and flip on the lamp beside me. Light illuminates the room, and Willa blinks rapidly, clearing the sleep from her eyes.
“What is it?” she asks, yawning.
“The woman I was in love with before. She was killed by a pack of Shifters two years ago.”
She sits straight up and clutches the blankets to her chest. “Do you know who?”
I clear my throat, ready to tell her everything. If I’ve learned anything the past few weeks, it’s that secrets have the power to destroy. Then again, if I’d told Delaney’s sister Rainey everything upfront, I probably wouldn’t be where I am now. With Willa. “I don’t know, but it’s the reason I went last night.”
“To The Ball?”
“Yes. I wanted to try to find answers. I thought if I could get them, I could bring her sister some closure. Rainey’s the one I tried to call earlier.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “When Rainey found out I knew her sister—let’s just say it didn’t go all that well.”
“Why are you telling me all this?”
Reaching over, I take one of her hands in mine. “I want to be completely honest with you, Willa. I want there to be no secrets. I loved Delaney. When she died, I wasn’t entirely sure I would ever be able to move on, but then I met you last night, and for the first time, I feel like I could be happy.”
“Even knowing it was my kind that killed her?”
“It wasn’t you,” he says, leaning forward to cup my cheek with his other hand. “And that’s what matters to me. You’re a good person, Willa. You have a kind heart, and I want to see where this goes.”
“The card Henry gave you. That has something to do with this?”
“I don’t know,” I answer honestly. “There’s an address but not much more.”
“Will you let me help you?”
“With what?”
“Finding your answers.”
“You’d do that?”
“There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you,” she replies. “I told you last night at The Ball. I’ll never let go, Jack.”
I grin at her, the strength of this woman—the support—it’s beyond anything I ever thought I’d find again.
My phone rings beside me. I grab it and check the screen. Rainey’s name flashes, and happiness surges through me because now I can tell her I have a lead. That I might know who killed her sister.
“Rainey, you won’t believe what—”
“Hunter.” The deep voice on the other line is not Rainey’s, but it is one I know and have tried really fucking hard to forget.
“Vampire,” I practically growl the word.
“We’ve got a problem, and I need your help.”
Fear overtakes any other emotion, and I get to my feet. “Where’s Rainey?”
“That would be the problem, Hunter. I don’t know.”
“What do you mean you don’t know? What the hell happened?”
“It’s a long story, and one I won’t share over the phone.”
“Text me an address.” I look over at Willa, who’s studying me with a curious expression as I end the call.
“Who was that?”
“Rainey’s missing.” Just saying the words is like a dagger to my gut.
“And a Vampire told you that? You trust him?”
I stare down at my phone as a text message containing an address I don’t recognize pops on the screen. “When it comes to Rainey, I’d trust this particular one.”
Willa gets out of bed. “Then, let’s go.”
Losing Delany was the worst thing that’s ever happened to me. It went more beyond just losing someone I loved, though. I failed her, in the worst way possible. Willa starts to pull on her gown, but I reach into my drawer and toss her a pair of grey sweats and a baggy t-shirt.
“In case you don’t want to wear that. We can stop and get you some clothes first thing in the morning.”
“Thanks. I’d rather never have to wear that damn thing again.”
Willa dresses quickly, and I do the same, making sure to grab my weapons.
The Monster Ball brought me Willa. It gave me a second chance at happiness, at love. Now, it’s time to help grant Rainey hers.
The Alien's Pursuit
Heat Level: ☕︎☕︎☕︎
Calla Zae
Calla Zae loves writing otherworldly and contemporary romance novels. She’s an artist, and she loves to create visuals to convey her stories. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband who keeps her grounded to Earth and two creative children who think she has her own secret planet. They're onto something...
* * *
The Alien's Pursuit is part of a sci-fi romance series.
* * *
*Trigger warning(s): Sex slavery.
Website
Newsletter
TikTok
Copyright © 2020 Calla Zae
One
With his hands in his pockets, Hadano stood on the floating island he had rented on Asteroid Icarus and let the rays from the two suns kiss his face while he inhaled a breath of fresh air, hoping it would detox him from frustration. He had hoped that he would find closure and clarity on this quiet asteroid, away from the hustle and bustle of major planetary activity.
So far, it wasn’t working out too well. Perhaps he needed a few more weeks instead of just a day. However, he had things to do, enemies to capture, and borders to maintain. He didn’t have time to sit around counting clouds or the water ripples on the lake, no matter how sparkling they appeared.
Out of respect for his Norakian brothers and sisters-in-arms, he had agreed to take a break from his warrior duties to think about things. But there was nothing to think about; that failed mission wasn’t his fault. He had been in the right to chase after the monster who had kidnapped females from various star races and sold them at the borders of Norak. That was his turf. It was his responsibility as a Norakian warrior to detain and eliminate the enemy. An enemy who violated the laws of the Galactic Coalition of Truth.
But not at the cost of innocent lives.
Hadano clenched and unclenched his hand as if the deaths of those hostages still bothered him, reminding him what he had done. Or hadn’t done.
He strode back inside the rented luxurious two-story house and tried to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere before annoyance got the better of him, and flared into a pounding headache. Turning a dial on the concrete wall, he lowered the floating island until it was twenty feet above the lake’s surface, blending into the woody background. He pulled out the virtual screen for a visual of the island’s position. The last thing he needed was to accidentally land on a permanent island or rock formation that would damage the floating rental.
From the eyes of the flying droid, Hadano took a moment to admire the long roots of the island extending down into the lake to anchor itself, and at the same time, nourish the vegetation from the water. The shorter roots were a playground for wild birds and animals as they clung to the thick vines with blossoming leaves and flowers.
Satisfied that he wasn’t going to crash into something, Hadano poured himself a cup of Neptunian coffee, sat down on the couch, and looked up at the ceiling where a mirror—which also purified the air within the house—reflected his humanoid face. His studies and research had shown him a variety of races throughout the Cosmos, and he knew that his features were similar to the humans, minus the blue skin, of course. Though he hadn’t visited Earth like some of his warrior brothers and sisters, he had always wanted to meet a human.
He turned his face from side to side, surprised that his face had gotten thinner over the last month from chasing enemies. He studied his angular jaw and the scar on his lip from a recent battle. He ran a finger over the cut. He knew that more scars covered his body, reminding him of where he had come from and where he was now.
He didn’t like thinking about his harsh life, from before he was discovered by a teacher and became a permanent resident at the Cosmic Corra Orphanage. Life on the street had prepared him to be an efficient warrior who understood that he—and he alone—could get the job done. He didn’t need anyone to do his job, just as he hadn’t needed anyone to find him food when he was a starving child.
Pushing that childhood thought away, he noted his blue skin tone had lightened a few shades from its darker sea blue. Food, sleep, and rest would bring back its vibrant color, no doubt.
He closed his eyes and tried to relax. For a moment, the comforting silence almost had him agreeing with his warrior legion that he desperately needed time away from his duties to gather himself.
To tame his recklessness. Malastrom!
He wasn’t reckless. He was efficient, confident, and self-assured. And at times, demanding, but those qualities made a great warrior.
A swoosh of wind whistled into his thoughts, and he opened his eyes. A chatter of birds erupted as if something had disrupted their comfort and had them flying elsewhere. Hadano wouldn’t have noticed the subtle sound if he wasn’t a trained warrior.
Setting the coffee cup aside, he stepped to the window, stayed behind the curtains, and searched the area. A spaceship flew by, and his blood boiled as he recognized the circular insignia on the metal surface. An uncomfortable feeling bubbled in his gut and made the cosmic birthmarks of ancient codes on his skin glow with a hiss.
What was a Yorri spaceship doing on boring Asteroid Icarus? Besides woods and water, the only entertainment here was the Casino Isidore. The arrival of an enemy’s ship meant disruption to the calm mindset he was trying to achieve. He could simply ignore it and continue counting water ripples, but that wasn’t his style.
When Yorris were present, it only meant trouble. Yorris were the reason why he was here in the first place. They were the reason for the little scar on his lip. He wasn’t going to let this slide.
Dressed in a pair of khaki shorts and a blue t-shirt, Gina Masterson sat across from her divorced parents and shared the wonderful news that she was opening up a psychiatric clinic in a few months.
“Are you sure that’s a good idea, honey?” Her mother, now married to a wealthy entrepreneur, placed her perfectly manicured hand over Gina’s and squeezed. “Don’t you want to wait until you’re more settled to venture out like this? It’s risky. Do you agree, Simon?”
Her father, a successful lawyer at one of San Francisco’s top firms, sighed and agreed, “Your mother is right. Maybe you should hold off until later.”
Gina should’ve known some things didn’t change, no matter how much time had passed.
“Like when?” Her voice rose, but the outdoor seating environment muffled it. “Like when I’m married and can have my husband finance my dreams?”
“Speaking of husbands, I have a friend who’s handsome and well off. I showed him a picture of you, and he’s interested.”
“Carla, don’t do this again,” Simon interrupted his ex-wife. “Gina is a beautiful and intelligent girl. She can get her own dates.” Her father turned to her. “All I’m saying is to wait until you’ve saved up enough money to go out on your own. Aren’t you enjoying your time at the current hospital?”
Gina shouldn’t have bothered sharing the news. Her own needs had never been her parents’ top concern.
“She’s almost thirty and still single. There’s something wrong with that.” Carla flipped her red hair back. “You need to step out of your comfort zone to meet new men who can help you. Your previous dates were so. . . safe, so dull.” She flicked a hand as if swatting a fly.
After studying human behavior for so long, Gina shouldn’t have let her mother’s words cut her. But they did.
Fury had Gina pushing back her seat and she sprung to her feet. “I’m not you, mother. I don’t pick men according to their wallet size.” Her father chuckled, and Gina faced him. “And I don’t choose life partners based on the size of her breasts.” She inhaled a deep breath to calm herself. “I invited you both to dinner because I wanted to share my dreams with you. You’ve proven that you’ve never cared to listen to my needs. And frankly, I don’t give a damn anymore. My clinic will open regardless of your approval. If you should need a consultation one day, give me a call, and I’ll think about giving you a pro bono.” She headed out, stopped, and turned back. “If I hadn’t stepped out of my comfort zone, I wouldn’t have invited you to dinner. It’s been five years since you’ve contacted your only child, remember?”
Gina left the restaurant, leaving behind the two people who were supposed to love and support her. She needed a walk to clear her head before she could drive back home. The evening air soothed her as she strode through a quiet park and sat down on a bench. She stared up at the sky, wondering what was beyond the stars. Was there life out there or just more emptiness that often brought on disappointment? If there were aliens out there, did they have parental issues too?
She slapped a hand to her shoulder, thinking it was a mosquito bite. Something sounded behind her. She wanted to turn around but found it difficult to move her muscles. Drowsiness pulled her to the ground, where her eyes focused on the blinking stars before darkness took over.
Two
In her wildest dreams, Gina had never imagined she’d be abducted by aliens. More specifically, humanoid guards with rugged grey skin, three horns, and huge guns with bullets draped around their waists like a decorative belt. She had woken up groggy, and her body had trembled with terror when she had realized that the so-called “mosquito bite” was the reason she had been unconscious and why her muscles were too relaxed.
She was inside a large, grey room with a long slim window at the top that revealed stars. Was she still on Earth? Was she on a plane? She didn’t think so. She didn’t hear any noises that reminded her of a plane. The thought that she was on a spaceship was so far-fetched, she couldn’t believe it. She leaned back on the metal wall, which cooled her back. The smell of sweat from the various humanoid hostages and the ones from the other two human girls snuck up Gina’s nose and made her gag.
Sitting on the floor with the other hostages, Gina watched in horror as the guards shoved their blaster into one of the hostages. He made raspy sounds that didn’t make any sense. However, the trepidation on the face of the female hostage conveyed enough. Gina witnessed fear leak from the hostage’s pants when the guards pushed her against the wall. Gina prayed that her own body would remain and not succumb to fear.
She needed to survive.
The shock of the abduction and the dangerous situation sent a jolt through her body and mind. She scoured for anything that could help her stay sane. She prayed to God, prayed to her grandparents, to anyone who could hear her. Maybe this was all a dream. With her hands tied in front of her, she pinched herself several times to ensure she wasn’t dreaming. The pain confirmed the reality, and her panic rose.
No, she shouted to herself. She looked panic in the face and knew what it was doing to her. It wanted her to surrender. It wanted her to accept defeat. But it didn’t know her. Gina had never given up on what she wanted. Right now, she wanted to live more than she’d ever wanted anything in her life before. She had things to do. She had a dream, a clinic, waiting for her at home.
That comforting thought brought her reprieve for a bit. It gave her what she needed to calm her breath. Though despair and dread nibbled on every nerve of her body, she held onto the desperate need to survive. She didn’t flinch when the aliens came and inserted what she assumed was a metal chip into her neck with a gun-like device. She expected a painful procedure, but it was tolerable. Immediately, her body felt different, as if it just received a potent boost of caffeine.
Gina wasn’t sure what substance had been released into her. All she knew was that the other female beings with the colorful skin, scales, and tails had immediately become quiet and dazed from the metal chip. The aggression they had shown toward the guards faded. Now, they mumbled and sang to themselves with empty eyes.
Though these beings weren’t humans, she recognized their behaviors. They depicted symptoms that told her something else was in control of their bodies. The other two human girls collapsed as a reaction from the implantation. The guards dragged their lifeless bodies out of the room.
Fearing for her life and not understanding why she wasn’t affected, Gina stared down at the floor, playing along while keeping her eyes and ears open for an opportunity to escape.
Gina noted she didn’t have trouble breathing or adjusting to the air quality within the spaceship. She was inside a room that was as big as her San Francisco apartment. Perhaps her body had adjusted to the setting from the chip implantation. The other captives didn’t have trouble breathing either. There had been a total of thirteen captives, including the two human girls.
