Tallusian Nights [Xihirian Shifters 2] (Siren Publishing Classic) (22 page)

After walking for what seemed at least a click, they entered a mountainous area. This area was icier making it a slick, hard surface. As they took each step, they broke through the ice-covered snow, making their steps more difficult, slowing them even more. Their pace reduced to half. A couple soldiers lagged behind. They looked exhausted, and some bent over as if regrouping their strength. Zalora marveled at how Val managed. He continued at a strong pace without hesitation even with her on his back. He was amazingly strong. Kade did not falter either. He carried a large bag, about her size, on his back.

Val, along with Kade, stayed in front of the others, maintaining their rigorous pace. They were most definitely the alpha prime Wolftons of the group. There was a clear passageway between the rugged mountains. The mountains were purple in areas, which weren’t covered in snow. The sky was ice blue and clear. The face masks had shaded lenses to see through. Still it was nearly too bright. The team continued on their path. Kade took the lead, passing Val. It seemed Val’s punching through the crunchy surface with her on his back finally had proven more of a challenge. The path ended in front of a tremendous, purple, snow-covered mountain with an enormous metal door. The door was at least five stories high. As soon as the group stopped in front of the door, it opened. It released from the top, lowering into the ground.

“They’re watching us.” Kade looked to Val. When the door finally finished and was completely within the ground, Val stepped closer to the entrance.

“They’ve been watching since we landed.” The hallway inside was illuminated with lights lining the rocky walls. The walls were jagged, yet smooth in places, as if a less advanced cutting device had made this channel. Val stepped inside first, and the others followed. Without warning, the door began to close behind them. Zalora squeezed Val’s waist with her legs.

“There’re a lot of them. At least thirty, I can feel them. They’re waiting at the end of this tunnel. I feel the Tallusian prisoners. They’re terrified. From what I can feel, Tomron’s men are nervously waiting for us. They’re fearful of us, a general uneasiness among Tomron’s men.”

“That’s good. They’d better be scared.” Kade growled. The Xihirians stopped to look at Zalora as she recited information about their enemies. She knew they did not know what to expect from an empath, and their amazement was evident.

“I think I feel Tomron. He has an immense feeling of satisfaction, almost victory.”

“Fuck, that’s not good,” Kade whispered, as he looked down the tunnel. His eyes were fully shifted. Water traveled down the sides of the rock walls, and she could hear the dripping sound. It was much warmer inside, causing snow to melt off their boots. Water was dripping on their heads. Zalora as well as others removed their masks and hoods. Val removed his mask and hood with noted irritation. He let Zalora off his back and turned to look at her.

“They’re probably listening to all of us, too.”

“Yes, I’m sure of it.” Zalora nodded. “At least Tomron’s listening to us. His satisfaction is growing as he listens now.” They continued slowly walking down the passageway. A loud voice came over the speaker. It echoed loudly, bouncing off the stone walls.

“So you’ve brought me a Tallusian lie detector. How wonderful.” He chuckled. “I was looking for a good one. They can be very useful.” The look, which crossed Val’s face, could scare the meanest of monsters. But obviously, if Tomron could see them, Val’s expression did not faze him. “Make your way down the tunnel. You’re lagging. I haven’t got all day.” He laughed louder. “We’re waiting in the room at the end.” Tomron’s voice sounded too assured. “I’m proceeding as promised, no worries. Your family’s waiting,” he taunted. Val and Kade looked to Zalora.

“Yes, the prisoners are there, too. I can’t be sure about your family. I can’t feel the Xihirians to confirm. I feel Tomron’s odd glee. The other Realmist continue to be uneasy. They’re very afraid of you. Tomron’s happy about me being here. I don’t expect anything good.”

“Fuck,” Val uttered under his breath. He angrily ran his hand through his hair. His agitation made her hair stand up on the nape of her neck. Kade was exuding tremendous levels of hostility. Val lowered his head, shaking it. When he looked up, his face was altered to a state between human and animal. “I’m a fucking idiot,” he said softly to himself, but she heard him. Wild eyes surveyed her. He turned on his heel, leading the group down the tunnel. She could see he was angry with himself and her. As they continued down the tunnel, an unpleasant mustiness filled the air. Its stench grew stronger the deeper they walked into the mountain.

“Our communicators don’t work in here.” One of the soldiers held his communicator up. “We lost communication a few steps inside.” Val nodded. The tunnel turned at a sharp angle. When they turned, they encountered another much smaller door, similar to the one at the cave’s entrance. The door began to open in the same fashion. It opened to a very large room with typical warehouse metal walls.

“Come in, come in, my honored guests. Don’t be shy.” Tomron’s voice sounded louder. He chuckled a bit. The room was a metal box within the mountain. Zalora shaded her eyes with her hand. It was much brighter than the dim tunnel. Huge florescent lamps hung from the ceiling. Zalora squinted at the change in lighting. The mustiness was now mixed with the odor of dirty bodies. She coughed, nearly gagging.

“Come in, please come in, be comfortable,” Tomron instructed them. His manner was too friendly. Their group stepped fully inside the room, and the door closed behind them. At the end of the room, there were two large pens with heavy bars. In one cage, the Xihirians were held. Kara and Kristal stood at the front of their cage, and their bright amber eyes watched. Surprisingly, their expressions did not look happy to see their rescuers. The Xihirians looked worried. In the other cage, the Tallusians watched. Several smaller children had their hands on the bars with their faces pressed in between them. They looked dirty and thin. They stood there wide-eyed watching them enter. Their emotions were hopelessness mixed with fear, even regret. Zalora tried to push their strong emotions out of her head to concentrate on the enemy. Each group remained quiet watching

Val led his group inside the room. “Greetings, friends.” Tomron’s voice echoed in the room. Zalora spotted Tomron in a balcony above. He was waving them in. Val and the others looked up, too. Tomron had himself enclosed inside a glass case. It looked fully secured with a heavy door behind him. A loud speaker allowed him to speak to the group.

“Afraid of us?” Val looked up at Tomron. “No need to be.” Val smiled.

“No, why would you say I’m afraid?” Tomron had a wicked smirk.

“Well, you’re keeping yourself up there out of our reach.” Val looked up, his hands on his hips. Kade moved next to him. The other Xihirians flanked them. Zalora remained at the rear.

“Just being wise. When dealing with wild animals, one may never be too careful. Animals are so unpredictable. They are not to be trusted.” Tomron grinned. On the other far wall was a huge com screen showing Farstation. “See your father on the screen.” Tomron pointed. Kael stood with his group in a similar room, waiting with Philio Starson, who was shackled standing next to Kael. Realmist guards surrounded them, too.

“But you left your guards at our mercy?” Val cocked his head to the side as he looked up at Tomron. “Aren’t you concerned for them?”

“They’re trained, armed to take down disobedient beasts.” Tomron shrugged. “You’re at their mercy, animal. Anyway, brains always wins over brawn of animals. You beasts just are not smart enough to defeat us.”

“Okay.” Val nodded. “So what now, Tomron?” Val looked around. “Are you going to give us our people?” They could not hear what was happening at Farstation. The communication seemed to be one way. It appeared the Farstation group could hear what was taking place between Val and Tomron. Val’s face looked frightening, as did the other Xihirians. They’d allowed the situation to partially shift their appearances. They were ready for battle. Despite the fact she could not read them like others, she could feel the aggression rolling off them.

“Goodness you people are fucking ugly, monstrous really.” Tomron shook his head. “Where’s our people? The Realmist heroes you wrongfully took off Tallusia. You were to bring them.”

“On my loaddisk.” Val looked toward the door. “I’m sorry, just had to hold back something to make sure you complied.

“Holding back was not in my rules. But I see Starson is ready to be exchanged.” He pointed to the screen.

“We’ll leave your people when we leave the planet. That’s the best we can do.” Val looked to his father’s image. Kael nodded, confirming he could hear what was transpiring.

“Your best is substandard as usual. It takes a real human to make good decisions.” Tomron chuckled. “You look quite scary. It’s the abominable beast within you. I’ve heard women say you’re handsome. They must be insane.” He shook his head. “If they could see you now they would surely disagree. The truth of what you are is on your hideous face. All of your faces.” Tomron motioned at the group.

“What now, Tomron?” Val repeated.

“I still don’t know why lovely, sweet Earthen women would want to lay beneath an animal like any of you. Even the Tallusian women are too good for lying with such creatures.” Tomron shook his head.

“You like to hear yourself talk. It’s very irritating.”

“You’ve accused me of this before. Yes, I do like to talk. It’s a very human trait.” Tomron nodded. “I always have such wonderful things to say. People like to listen to me.”

“Let’s make our exchange,” Kade interjected. “I’m ready to leave. I did not come here to chat with you.”

“Well, this is what’s going to happen. You and Kade will be a critical part of this exchange.” Tomron’s boney finger pointed to each. “Thank you, Kade Braeden.” Tomron nodded his head in Kade’s direction. “For joining us, I hoped you would. I didn’t think you could stay away from your twin. I’m smart knowing how you beasts think. You could not resist coming for your aunt as our guests either. Forever the hero, it will be the death of you. You’re so protective of each other. I suppose pack animals are instinctually that way. I doubt you have true emotions. It’s just instinct.” Tomron looked down toward the pen holding the Xihirians. “Anyway, it’s very generous of you to have come along. I’m sure they appreciate it.”

“Whatever!” Kade looked at his feet and shook his head. “Just tell us how this is going to go down.” He huffed. Zalora could see Kade fighting his rage, holding back a full shift. His face continued to shift then shift back. His voice changed in its quality, too. He truly was different. He was a beast. She loved her beast.

“You’re so anxious.” Tomron grinned again. It made him appear demented. His bald head shone from the overhead light. Zalora felt a surge of satisfaction rise within him. “You’re going to trade yourselves for the others. I’m going to be generous, too, allowing your father to simply leave Starson to return home to your mother. The poor Earthen woman. She must be unwell in her mind. Nah, she’s just a bitch, too.” He shook his head. “Although a traitor to her race, she has been through enough under the Admoncor’s thumb with his beastly control. She has to be insane to breed with him and breed so many times. It’s unimaginable how she can live like that.” A look of disgust crossed Tomron’s homely face. “All of you Xihirians, your poor female victims must be out of their minds. The male victims, too. There’s simply no other explanation for their behavior.” Tomron looked to the screen. Kael remained stoic. “I want you.” Tomron pointed to Kael, and his hand shook with fury. His face turned red. “To long for your first-born son as well as your youngest brother. I want you to know I’ll be holding them both in captivity until their fate is determined by a Realmist court. Sound familiar?” He shouted, glaring at Kael. “For all of you who don’t know, Admoncor Braeden deprived me of my father. He took him from me. He wrongfully imprisoned him, resulting in his death. Retribution is mine. It is grand. Make no mistake. I will have it this very day.” He clapped his hands as he looked toward the screen. “Are you listening, Kael? Are you listening, beast?” Kael remained silent. “Who knows when a hearing will be held? But I have two wonderful jail cells for them. Just waiting for them to spend the rest of their miserable lives in.” As if on cue, six guards moved forward with weapons drawn. “Now you can fight us, and then we’ll kill all of your people, or you can do the honorable thing. Surrender.” Val raised his hands.

“Very well, let all the others go. Kade and I won’t struggle. Open the doors. Release them. We will remain.” When Val finished, Tomron broke out into hysterical laughter

“I don’t think so. I’ll tell you how this is going to play out, Captain. I’m in charge here.” His hands shook as he spoke. Zalora was stunned by the level of rage surging through Tomron. His emotions changed so rapidly. He was insane. “Get to your knees, you disgusting animals,” Tomron ordered. Val and Kade dropped to their knees. Two guards pointed wicked-looking weapons at their heads. “If you give us any trouble, we will spray your brains all over the floor.”

“No,” Zalora shouted. Her lungs hurt from her exclamation. All eyes turned to her. “Stop this.” Tomron’s beady eyes looked at her.

“Shut your bitch up, if you know what’s good for her.” Val turned to look at her. His look was pleading as if pained. “Is this your current slut? She looks familiar.”

“Freeze…drop your weapons. Now!” Zalora demanded. This time her voice was lower than normal, but powerful. She looked around the room, looking at each Realmist guard. In that moment, the guards came to a sudden stop as if truly frozen. Only their eyes moved, watching her. Obediently, they dropped their weapons. One weapon misfired when it hit the floor. It hit another guard. He fell to the ground. Zalora could feel he was alive, and fear coursed through him, yet he remained immobile as instructed. “Gently,” she stressed. “Kick your weapons away from you, toward the com screen.” Again, they obeyed without any resistance. They were completely under her control. Zalora stepped to the front of where Val and Kade were on their knees. “Look at me.” The Realmist guards complied. Tomron screamed.