Forbidden (A Serian Novel) (11 page)

"What happened?" He kissed a line from her temple to her ear, and then down her neck.

She could hardly think. "I found out after a little while of seeing each other in secret that he liked to play games. He hated half-breeds so much that he would do anything to make us feel less than dirt. Including seducing one to the point of love and sex, then he would show his true colors."

"He did the same to you?" Words barely escaped his clenched teeth.

"He tried. I found out and confronted him. Maybe I should have just stayed away, but I'm too stubborn."

Ryder snorted.

She smiled and tried to ignore him. "I heard about two girls killing themselves, and a rumor about another he killed. He said she attacked him or something. A lie. When I confronted him, he went ballistic. I fought with all that I could. . . . I failed."

Ryder tipped her chin up to force her to look at him. "No, you didn't. You're alive and that’s what matters."

How could she have ever denied him? "He threw me against a wall and held me down. I knew he was going to rape me. No matter what I did, he seemed to get more excited and used a knife to control me. When I fought back, he slammed me harder into the ground and the wall. The pain was so bad that I eventually went numb. I nearly died from the multiple knife wounds and broken bones.

Laili found me dumped like garbage near her
home. She healed me. We never separated until the day before our planned escape to Earth."

Anara touched his neck again. "Will you tell me what happened?"

"He angered me enough that I attacked him and he made sure to punish me well enough that no one else would make the same mistake. He tortured me for hours and then the last thing he did was slash my throat deep enough to sever my vocal cords." Ryder touched his throat. "The healer was only allowed to heal me enough so that I would live and the bleeding would stop. It left my voice rougher than normal and sometimes it's a strain to talk."

She felt
his pain, but more than that she could see he blamed himself. "I'm so sorry. I don't understand how a father could do that to his own child, but you have to know none of what your father has done, is your fault. He's his own person and those are his own crimes. You deserve so much better."

"Thank you
." He kissed the freckle under her eye, the tip of her nose, and then her lips. It was a gentle kiss that had her smiling. "Let's get some rest."

Her eyes became heavy as she fought sleep.
It could be their last night and she hated to sleep through it.

"You're okay,
lenya
. Go to sleep," he whispered against her ear.

She gave in to sleep and trusted him to keep her safe.

****

She awoke with her backside against him. Ryder nudged his hand between her legs to get access, and then filled her once again with his erection as his warm breath caressed her neck. Heat filled her to the core. He reached around with one hand and pinched her nipples to stand at attention. His other hand slipped between her moist folds.

He flicked one finger back and forth against her sensitive nub. Everything felt magnificent, causing a debate in her head about which felt better. Nothing could beat his thickness stretching her.

She whimpered as he slipped out to nudge her onto her belly. He lifted her hips into the air and slammed deep inside her. The pleasure pain caused her to scream in ecstasy.

His legs slapped against the back of her thighs as he pumped hard and fast, driving her to the brink of orgasm, before slowing his pace. She groaned and he laughed.

Tease.

You are insatiable. I don't think I'll ever get enough of you.

He nipped her ear, her neck, and then her shoulder while she held him deep inside.

Relief filled her as his pace picked up and he rode her until she shattered along with him. Once again, sleep took over and she awoke to find Ryder gone, nowhere to be seen.

Chapter Seventeen

Gage let his head fall as he waited for the ship to land. Whatever he did, he never told Jacrar where Ryder was, but he couldn't hide the news when the other Jatron used him. The young Jatron was good and was able to use Gage's connection to Ryder to find him.

Now they were close enough that the Jatron didn't need to use Gage anymore. Even Jacrar could tell they found Ryder and he didn't have any Jatron abilities.

"Don't worry, Gage. I'll let you live for a little longer and even let you go back to your life. That will be a better punishment. You can watch as I kill Ryder and his Lamira. That way you can blame yourself." Jacrar laughed and then turned away.

Lamira?
It was the first Gage had heard of Ryder meeting his Lamira. He had to help his friend no matter what. Jacrar might have thought he was punishing Gage, but he only gave Gage a better opportunity to help Ryder and his mate.

He just had to come up with some kind of plan.

Chapter Eighteen

The moon still glowed when he woke up with Anara's warm and voluptuous body tangled with his. The best sex
he'd ever experienced and he awoke to his nightmare coming to life.

His father.
Ryder knew right away when his father grew close. The air thickened with the monster's malevolent intentions. Ryder's throat tightened with fear for Anara's safety. Everything his father would do to her flashed through his head. He knew their end would come way too soon, so he tightened his hold on her as she cuddled against him, fast asleep.

He wanted to stay and savor the feel of her in his arms, but staying would be a mistake. He stood. A soft mumble came from her, before her arm reached out searching for him. Ryder's breath caught. If she woke up, he knew she wouldn't let him go. Once again, her breathing steadied as her body stilled.

After he dressed, he moved fast away from her and her family. She would never forgive him for leaving her. With hesitation, Ryder tried to push away all thoughts about Anara and their connection. Their powers mingled together to make each other stronger in so many ways, and he hoped no one else could see the change in him. He knew she managed to hide herself, like her siblings, but he hoped a Jatron couldn't pick up her location through him.

The ship landed on the secluded beach. Black as night, it blended in with the black skies and ocean. Three soldiers under his father's control stepped out first to secure the area. His father emerged next, with four more soldiers following behind like trained pets. To
his surprise, Gage stepped out next. His best and only friend aided Jacrar.

"Ryder." His name spat out like a bad taste from Jacrar's mouth.

With fear trying to overwhelm him, Ryder forced himself to stand tall. His father scared him, but he admitted it to no one. Sometimes, not even to himself.

"I see you brought your best to capture me." Ryder recognized the two Antikas stepping from the ship as the ones Anara shot with her maccas and they'd tied up and left unconscious. Bruises and blood covered them both, and Ryder knew why. His father never tolerated mistakes. Ryder's own scars proved his father's short temper.

"I hardly need to waste so many men for just you. I can handle you by myself."

Jacrar grinned. A grin Ryder associated with his mother's death. He stepped back. His father savored the pain he caused others, but he loved to hurt his own even more.

"My men are here for the girl who seems to be a bigger threat than my own son." Jacrar stepped closer to him and wrapped an arm around his shoulders. "I knew you would turn out like your worthless mother. I guess I made life too easy on you."

Ryder jerked away and laughed.

"Easy?" His scars ached as he thought about how they came to be. The scar across his neck was the worst and an injury he couldn't hide since his voice gave it all away. Jacrar would push him as a child until his legs finally gave out, then beat him when Ryder couldn't force himself back to his feet. Every fiber in him screamed in anger.

His stomach knotted and his whole body stiffened as he felt Anara near. He opened up to find her behind him, hidden underneath a pier. Fear, confusion, and sadness leaked from her, and Ryder ached to comfort
her, then felt shocked when he realized she didn't fear for her life, but for his.

"I'm going to love killing your Lamira so much more than I did Tryxa. I can tell already how much more she means to you than that weak blooded Serian."

Ryder froze as he heard Anara's surprise in his head. Now she knew he'd already gotten one woman he cared about killed.

I'm sorry.
He needed her to know he didn't want to hurt her.
We were seeing each other and my father found out. She wasn't good enough for Jacrar and he killed her to keep us from being together. It wasn't like what we have. I promise.

He felt like he was betraying Tryxa by saying that, but it was true. They were not Lamiras and wouldn't have stayed together. That was why it had been harder to get over. She never deserved to be killed so they could have a fling together.

It doesn't
—Her words cut off when her scream echoed through their connection.

His father slammed a weapon into Ryder's stomach.

With his breath taken away and his vision blurred, thinking became nearly impossible. He could only think about saving her.

Anara, run!

The stubborn bone in her body kept her in place. He should have known she wouldn't listen, but he still tried.

Please
. Ryder didn't mind begging to keep her safe.

Gage stepped forward.

A soldier shoved Gage back.

Ryder watched his friend's face tighten with pain. That was when he saw Gage's bruised face and if Ryder lifted Gage's shirt, no doubt, there would be evidence showing his father's persuasive nature.

Ryder looked Gage in the eyes and shook his head. He felt relief, knowing he still had his loyalty. Ryder wouldn't let his friend get himself killed, too.

He felt Anara move away. She cried for him. His
heart broke at her wrenching pain.
Don't worry about me, lenya.

His father pulled his weapon back again. Ryder flinched. This time the weapon went straight for his head. The impact threw him backward, and his body smacked the ground. He tried to stay conscious, but excruciating pain overwhelmed him and darkness won its fight.

****

Pain and hatred for the man in front of Ryder seeped through the connection to her, until he threw up a wall.

Anara bit down on her fist to keep from crying out when she heard what Jacrar said. His father had already killed someone Ryder cared for and now he was going to kill Ryder, and her too if he found her.

No way could Ryder deny he came from the stranger standing before him. Their stance and hair color made them look identical from where she stood. When his father spoke, she shivered at the thought of a man like him holding her captive. How did someone as compa
ssionate as Ryder come from the same blood?

She knew when Ryder realized her exact location. Dread overwhelmed him and his body stiffened. Using Ryder's distraction, his father slammed a large metal weapon into Ryder's stomach. She felt the impact in her own stomach and gasped for air.

Anara, run!

She wouldn't leave him.

Please
.

Her heart shattered from his plea. She held her stomach as she tried to keep the contents inside. As much as it killed her, she needed to leave and get help for him. Running away from him killed her and tears poured down her cheeks.

Don't worry about me, lenya.

How could she not worry? Pain radiated through her body as Ryder’s father bashed him in the head. Her knees buckled and breathing became painful. The world spun around her.

She heard a concerned voice, and felt gentle hands holding her. She threw her head back, kicked, and swung her arms until darkness won the battle.

****

Talia fell beside Anara and then looked up at Nasim. "Come on. Let's get her out of here before they hear her."

As if in a daze, Nasim shook his head and then bent down to pick Anara up into his arms. "I'll run home. Try and keep up."

He took off and she almost laughed. Like she could ever keep up with Nasim. When she turned to see them carrying Ryder away, she saw another Jatron. She couldn't tell what he looked like at that distance, but she knew he was looking at her, just not with his eyes.

She opened her mind and studied him just the same.

Run.

Talia stumbled back as his warning sounded in her head. After the initial shock, she tried to speak back.
Who are you?

I'm a friend of Ryder’s. Leave and I'll try to lead them awa
y. Don't stay around here long.

Talia started to move away and stopped.
What about Ryder? We can't just let him be taken.

The Jatron hesitated before speaking.
The only way you can help him is by coming to Seria. If you're willing to risk your lives to save him, then I'm willing to help. If you can find Ryder's ship and take it before they do, then program it to come to my home. My name is Gage Intrik.

Talia whispered his name aloud and ran home. She felt Gage pull away and she tried not to think about why they could speak to each other like that. It was time to help Anara and then save Ryder.

****

Ryder opened his eyes to the sight of bars surroun
ding him. He recognized the prisoner cell on the ship. Beyond the bars, Gage sat on the ground with his back against the wall, asleep.

His lip looked swollen and bloody. Ryder didn't doubt that came from his father.

"Gage." He whispered his name, hoping no one heard him.

Gage's eyes popped open. "Glad to see you awake."

He nodded. "What happened?"

"We're on our way back to Seria. You obviously protected the half-breed, so I lied and said I couldn't find her. I could tell she somehow masked herself, but I still managed to find her. When I use my abilities, I see a strong energy connecting you two. What is it?" Gage crossed his arms.

"She's my Lamira."

Gage's eyes widened. "You're kidding. I thought Jacrar was wrong."

Shaking his head, Ryder attempted to stand up. He hit the ground hard and realized his mistake. "Jacrar gave up?"

"No. He left all but two Antikas to go after her. I felt others with her. The other female's mind seemed open, so I sent a mental message that I could help them help you." Gage shrugged. "If your female is willing to come to Seria, then I will help you. I can't do it alone, and there are not many we can trust."

Anger overpowered his common sense and he started to yell at Gage. "Why would you do that? I left her willingly to keep my father from finding her. If she comes to Seria, she'll end up dead. No, she'll be raped, then killed."

Before Gage could defend
himself, the door opened with a swish and his father stepped in.

"Look who's awake." Jacrar grinned as he stepped up to the bars, holding a whip.

The torture would start before they even made it to Seria.