A Forgotten Kitten (Sea-anan Saga Book 2) (17 page)

“Remember, some myths are based on facts,” added Mike from the navigational terminal. “And we Sea Rangers are as factual as it’s going to get.”

“I will remember that the next time I meet up with another fictional character.”

Jugar carefully crossed his arms. “Why don’t you believe them, Sleth?”

“Are you serious? You cannot tell me you are taking what these foreigners say literally.” Sleth faced Sev. “This was a big mistake. We need to contact Space Control and tell them of our situation. Perhaps they can save the women without us. By the time we get back to my ship, we will be over a day behind.”

Mike handed the flight controls over to Sea Ranger Superior Bill. He walked to the lower portion of the bridge and leaned against the captain’s armrest.

“It’s too late for you to go back. Cerko’s coordinates have been downloaded into the computers. If the slave traders are in route to Cerko, then we are on a direct course to intercept. And according to my calculations, flying at top speed, we should reach them in about, oooh I would say, twenty-four hours.”

“Like I am supposed to believe that!” Sleth scoffed. “My ship is state of the art. Even it cannot cross that distance so quickly.”

“It’s not a White Star,” countered Arnold.

“It is the best.”

“Ranger Bill, what is the distance we have already traveled from Oceanica?” asked Mike without looking behind him.

Bill answered. Sleth still looked skeptical. It was apparent that his ego refused to be humbled.

“I think you need to show a little more respect, Guardian Sleth,” spoke Jugar into his translator. “These foreigners, as you call them, just happen to be my godsons. They are the offspring of my best friend and the greatest Seacat ever born.”

Sev observed Jugar as he spoke. The cougar puffed out his bandaged chest, and his face, glowing with happiness and pride, appeared more youthful.

“Sev, you may have already guessed from Arnold’s appearance that they are Challen’s male offspring. I believe everything they are telling us.”

Miko, Theo, and Angel were caught off guard at this revelation. They gaped first at Jugar, then at Mike and Arnold. None could find his voice. They had never met Challen, so they did not see the resemblance. But the one thing Sev
did
remember from his childhood was Challen’s appearance.

“Jugar, are you certain of this?” asked Miko. “Are they really Challen’s offspring? I mean, they do not have feline features.”

“I
am
Challen’s eldest son,” declared Arnold, beaming with pride.

“And I am his second-born,” announced Mike, equally as prideful.

“You mean he had more?” murmured Angel.

Mike answered. “His offspring total eight. Four men. Four women. Those feline features you so highly regard are more apparent on my sisters.”

“Even without feline features, I knew the moment you removed your hoods who your sire was. I’m honored to meet you.” Sev raised his right arm. Placing it horizontal to his chest, he bowed.

The brothers looked floored to see the feline king bestowing them the Seacat salute.

After a minute of shared silence, Mike smirked. “You have got to be kidding me. Since when does the Seacat king bow to half-breeds?”

“I do not bow to half-breeds. However, I do salute fellow Seacats.”

“And since when have we ever been considered Oceanan, let alone Seacats?” Arnold retorted snidely. “And please don’t tell me it’s out of respect of being fam—”

“Sev doesn’t recall his youthful days, Arnold,” interrupted Jugar. “I will explain everything to you later. Just be informed that he’s meeting you for the first time.”

Sev was upset that Jugar felt it necessary to bring his memory loss up, but he assumed that the wise old cat had his reasons and left it alone.

Arnold looked at Jugar. “Are you trying to tell us that he”—his attention switched to Sev—“that
you
don’t remember who we are?”

“No, I don’t. But that’s not important. What is important is that we’ve finally met, because together we can rescue Areo.”

“Areo didn’t mention anything to you about her past?” Mike was extremely perplexed. He knew that his cousin’s feelings toward Sev had never changed.

“Actually, she did. But like I said before, it doesn’t change anything. I am not my father. I am Sev, the new Lord of the Seacats, and of all Oceanans—both pureblood and half-blood.”

The brothers shared another exchange of stunned silence before they burst out laughing.

Areo huddled to one corner of the cell. She watched the other females group themselves by race. Not a single woman tried to console one from the another nation. No one tried to communicate with anyone outside of her own little circle.

It was a sad scene, especially because they were all in this together. Their common plight, their shared gender should have bonded them, making them stronger as a whole. Watching them divide into little groups of five and ten broke Areo’s heart.

If only they could see beyond their features, beyond their race, they would find that we all have similar needs and desires and feel the same emotions. Love. Hatred. Fear. Betrayal. Our pain is universal as well—as universal as a simple smile.

She lowered her head, closed her eyes, and cried out in her mind to Sev.
What am I going to do? I love you so much it hurts. To think of you married to someone else kills me. All these years I’ve pictured you with me. How will I go on without you?

Traces of Sev’s scent floated around her. Areo greedily took it into her being.
Sev, you are the only man I have ever desired. The only man to give me what I needed when I was in your arms. I know. I’ve dated others. None of them has made me feel as alive as you do.

Areo viewed the women through her gathering tears. She shook her head.
But nothing’s changed. The distance between races, especially amongst our own, has not diminished. Even if I am rescued from
this hell, there is no place for us, my beloved. There is no place for us in this lifetime. Perhaps in the next.
Resigning herself to this fate, she softly cried herself to sleep.

Areo was jolted awake when Erra fell against her, yanking her from a beautiful dream. “What the…” She felt the ship lurch to one side. Above the frightened voices, her ears picked up an exchange between Uma and Serena.

“I wonder what could be happening?” asked Uma.

“I bet it is Sev,” Serena happily answered. “He has come for us.”

“So soon?”

Areo saw Serena’s frown.

“Of course,” said Serena. “Did you think he would delay in rescuing us?”

“Well…no,” replied Uma. She walked over to the electrical gate. “But this is pretty fast, you have to admit.”

Areo watched Uma try to get a better view down the left side of the corridor. She knew it was a waste of time; she had already tried it. All Uma would be able to see were more cells filled to capacity.

“Not fast enough for me,” commented Serena. “We have been here for two days. I want out.”

Sev, is it really you?
Areo’s heart quickened.
Have you really come for us?
She tried to keep Erra from being tossed around like a stuffed toy by holding on to her. After being jostled several more times, the ship finally came to a rough halt.

“Quiet! Quiet! Everyone, please listen,” shouted Uma. Knowing that no one understood her words, she placed a finger against her lips and said, “Ssshhhh!” When everyone quieted down, she tugged on her ear and said, “Listen.”

At first, the women looked fearfully at each other. Then, shouts and laser blasts were heard. The women let out a cheer and danced with joy. The sounds meant they were being rescued.
Soon everyone would be going home to their loved ones. Except for me,
thought Areo unhappily.

Erra spoke to Areo. Areo smiled, even though she did not understand her. Plus, she did not want Erra, or Serena and Uma, to know what was going through her mind about Sev.

The blasts sounded closer now. Serena happily addressed the others, not caring if they understood her or not. “I told you that Sev and the Seacats would come for us! They would never allow these snakes to sell us into slavery, or worse.” She faced the cell’s gate. “Soon we will all return home to our loved ones.”

Her words were like a knife stab to Areo’s heart.
I was right. You do love my…
Areo squeezed her eyes shut, feeling nauseated.

Sev could not believe his good fortune. Having Areo’s kinscats present had placed at his disposal one of the fastest ships in existence. When they had wasted no time going after her, he had felt a connection grow between him and these strange new felines. They made certain nothing got in their way. Not even an annoying Guardian from Space Control.

He was very impressed at how easily Mike handled the White Star as they engaged the Aconda’s ship. When he had reminded Mike to be careful not to destroy the enemy ship, for Areo was still on board, he had received a silver glare. Sev knew then that he was dealing with professionals. Mike did not like to be reminded of what he already knew. Sev also figured that Mike’s coldness toward him also stemmed from him being the son of the king who had stripped Mike’s family of their birthrights and heritage. He could not blame Mike.

Now on board the Aconda ship, Sev eagerly searched the cells. Each time he entered a cell full of females, his erratic heartbeat halted while he scanned the many faces for the one who would bring him peace of mind. He felt his fragile hold on sanity slip after searching six cells and not finding her.

“Sev!” yelled a familiar voice. “We are in here! Sev!”

“Serena, is that you?” he shouted from three cells down. Rushing forward, Sev wasted no time in using the Sword of Power to blast the control panel before he even reached the cell.

“Sev!” Serena bolted into his arms. “I knew you would come for us.”

“Serena, are you all right?” Putting away his sword, he hugged her and placed a firm grip on Uma’s shoulder with his other hand. “Are the two of you unharmed?”

Uma replied, since Serena was contented just to be in his arms. “We are fine, Sev, and extremely happy to see you.”

He smiled. “Have you seen—”

“Sev!”

Hearing his name called by another voice he recognized, Sev scanned the alien faces and found Erra waving at him. Areo sat beside her. When Areo stood up, Sev’s runaway heart went out of control. Dizzy with relief to have found her, it took him a few seconds to notice the pain on Areo’s face as she regarded him and the woman still in his arms.

He scowled down at Serena, reached for her arms at his waist, and tugged. “Serena—”

A hooded male rushed into the cell. “Have you found her?”

Sev spotted Areo’s face brightening. “Galen?”

The man yanked off his low-riding hood and searched the many female faces for the one who had called his name.

“Galen!” Areo screamed again with joy. She rushed forward and jumped into Galen’s outstretched arms, eagerly planting kisses on his face. “Galen! Oh, Galen, I thought I would never see you again.”

Sev openly gawked. The woman he loved had her limbs wrapped around another man. She had placed a bunch of kisses on this Galen’s face and mouth without saying hello to him. A chilling numbness swallowed his soul.