Page 13 of DaR (Darverius, House of DaR #1)

Chapter Thirteen

DAR

After what seems like forever, I finally see her.

She is struggling against three big Phogx as they pull her through the crowd.

The Phogx males are known for their cruelty as well as being active members in the female slave trade routes.

These three are taller than most of their species, marking them as warriors on their planet.

Fire red skin and large black horns curl back upon their heads.

Three against one will test my limits, but there is no way I will let them take her from this planet.

Her small body would not survive a day with them.

Well , my father always said, ‘the larger the male, the bigger the percussion when they fall.’

One of them notices the chaos I am causing as I run toward them and points my way.

I see their leader falter and the girl is almost able to jerk away, but he grabs her cruelly by the hair and pulls her back roughly to his side.

I am going to enjoy tearing that one’s head off.

They finally seem to notice the whispering of the crowd surrounding them.

And I smile when they realize who it is charging after them.

My Symbots tingle as they run up and down my arms and body, their protections forming claws around my fingertips as spikes line my arms. It takes all of my willpower to calm down enough to be able to speak rationally when I am directly in front of them.

“ Gentlemen , I believe you have something that belongs to me.”

The Phogx leader stretches her arm toward me. “ I do not see your mark here, Commander .” He shakes her so hard, I hear her gasp in pain. “ So , I believe she is fair game.”

The colorful words coming out of her mouth almost make me smile. She is smaller than every other creature here, and she spits and fights like a baby Suet .

I swing the handle of my axe from one hand to the other.

“ So , to make sure I understand correctly, you gentlemen believe you have the right to abduct a female and force her to your will …on my planet. Is this correct?” I can feel the Essence of Light pulsing inside of me, and I know the symbols all over my body show my emotions, but her terror pushes its way through my mental shields and demands that I comfort her.

It takes everything I have to stand here calmly as she trembles in fear.

“ I am going to give you males a chance to leave here with your lives. I normally do not negotiate with pieces of female smuggling scum like yourselves, but it is my fault she is out here unprotected, so I will only say this once. Let her go immediately and walk away!”

With a smug look on his face, the leader grins at the others with him. “ I know you are supposed to be some kind of big shot here on Darverius , but you mean nothing to us, friend. As far as I am concerned, your loss is our gain.”

“ Wrong answer!”

I grab the one to the right of me by his horns and snap his neck before he even realizes I leaned his way.

Then I bury my axe in the leader’s back as he tries to run, using my female as his shield.

The other one escapes when I stop to pick up the girl.

She never makes a sound when I sit her up on my shoulder.

My Symbots immediately drape themselves over her legs and halfway up her back to keep her in place, so both of my arms are free.

Now , with her touching me, I can feel everything that she is in this moment. Terror , humiliation, and relief. I do not know how to interpret any of those right now, with my own emotions being all over the place.

I pull my axe out of the Phogx’s back and wipe his blood off on his cloak.

Standing up, I feel her small hands grab onto the hair on top of my head.

I turn when I hear footsteps running our way and crouch down, ready to protect her from the enemy that escaped.

Instead , I come face to face with the backup Tordan sent to help .

“ Commander ?”

I point over toward the Phogx lying on the ground.

“ Clean this mess up and make sure the terminal is notified that one of the three who assaulted this female is still on the loose. I have sent his image to Tordan and he will scan for his location. I want him picked up, questioned, and destroyed. Tordan will contact me if I am needed.”

“ Yes , Commander .”

I feel her tremble as she looks out into the crowd. Her hands clench tightly onto my shoulder and the back of my head. I think it just dawned on her what this foolish mistake could have cost her if I had not found her in time.

I touch the comm unit behind my ear. “ Tordan !”

“ Yes , Commander ?”

“ I am going to take our little runaway back to my main dwelling. I would prefer not to be bothered for the next rotation, if possible.”

“ I will comm if you are needed, Sir .”

I walk calmly back through the market and head toward my dwelling.

As we pass through the forest, I see the many eyes of the Selin watching us as we pass.

They recognize my scent because I walk this way regularly and let me traverse safely.

I try to take some calming breaths because I need to get hold of my emotions before we arrive .

Otherwise , I may say some things I will not be able to take back. Father always said, ‘females take everything to heart, so be careful with your words, son.’

SAGE increases the door height to allow us both to walk through together. As soon as the door closes behind me, my Symbots uncurl from her legs, and I reach up, pulling her off my shoulder.

She stands there unsteadily, and I see the defiance still in her eyes.

Before I can think about it, the very first thing out of my mouth is, “ YOU UNGRATEFUL VERMIN ! I saved your life, and you repay me by running the very second you awaken?” I watch her wrap her arms around her chest, her whole body trembling.

“ I didn’t ask you to save me, then or now!”

I grab her by the arms and shake her. “ You little fool, do you not realize what they would have done to you if I had not made it there in time? You would have been passed around like a piece of garbage. Your small body would have been torn to pieces, and the louder your screams, the more they would have enjoyed it.”

“ Ohh , yeah. You mean just more of what I’ve already been put through?

! Forgive me for reacting, but what would you have done in my place?

” She points her finger up and down my body.

“ What was I supposed to think? Hmmm , the big scary guy is just a softy underneath all that glaring and growling? Of course, I should’ve just known you bought me from a slave auction for us to be buddies?

I have no idea who or even what you are.

I don’t understand how I know what you’re saying because your lips don’t match your words.

But I’ll tell you this mister, I won’t be your broodmare. I’m no one’s slave.”

I turn away from her and take a deep breath.

“ You never gave SAGE time to describe your duties before you were out the dwelling’s door.

And what is this broodmare you speak of?

Half of what you say to me does not make sense.

I will not breed you; I would never curse one of my younglings with your soft body.

I have dozens of strong sons across this galaxy, so why would I want one as small and helpless as you are?

” I almost grin as the powerlessness leaves her mind and anger replaces it.

Grief and despair will kill the soul, but anger will push you when nothing else does.

“ Well , it’s your lucky day, ASS ! My parts have been gone for years and unless your fancy glass coffin over there can reconstruct my internal organs, this baby factory is off the market.”

“ My name is not this ‘ ASS ’! I am Commander DaR of the Falcor fleet, protector of Darverius , son of Tyberius , Master of this dwelling, and Lord of the inhabitants of this planet.”

She has the nerve to laugh at me. “ Wow , that’s a mouthful. I would hate to have to sign your name in a hurry. I can’t imagine the poor hostess’s reaction when you spill all of that out of your mouth for a reservation. ”

“ I do not appreciate the tone you are taking with me. I will forgive you this time because of this day’s unfortunate events.

Now , I think we both have had enough excitement for one rotation.

Come , I will show you to your quarters.

SAGE can discuss your duties with the next rising.

I hope this time, when you emerge from your chamber, I can count on you not to run. ”

She whispers behind me, “ I have nowhere else to go.”

I block her feelings because I have no time to coddle her, and the quicker she learns her place, the better off she will be.

“ SAGE !”

“ Yes , Master DaR ?”

“ Is her room ready?”

“ Yes Sir , it is.”

The wall opens to my left and SAGE has done exactly what I told her to do; placing her room right off of my own sleeping chamber. I feel bad when I notice how bare and small the room is, but a single bed and a stand are all she needs at this moment.

“ Here you are, your sleeping chamber is ready, and the personal cleansing area is through the opening to your right. This chamber is yours alone and no one will enter it without your permission. There is a scanner on the wall to the left that will respond to your fingerprints only from the inside. Just place your hand on it until it beeps. After that, you will only have to touch it for the door to open or close. The cleansing chamber should have everything you need for personal hygiene. If not, please ask SAGE and she will notify me for approval.”

“ Who is this SAGE you keep talking about?”

“ I keep forgetting that you seem to come from a primitive race. SAGE is the AI that protects and takes care of this dwelling. She is much more than that, but it is nothing that should concern you at this time. All you must do is speak and she will respond.

I know you have questions, and I will make myself available to answer what I can after you have rested. Let your mind be at ease for a little while. I give you my word that you will be safe and properly taken care of here. We can arrange for larger accommodations once you get acquainted with SAGE .

Also , this is non-negotiable; you will stay inside this dwelling until you are appropriately marked. We do not want what happened today in the market to repeat itself. It was a gift from the Lord of Light that I got to you in time. Do I make myself clear?”

“ So , I should be a good girl who goes into her crate, right, Master ? Woof woof, thanks. Will you call me by my own name, or are you going to rename your new pet? ”

My Symbots pulse with her disrespect. “ I understand you are trying to fight back any way that you can, but I am not your enemy.”

“ Kira ,” she whispers.

“ What is this, Kira ?”

“ It’s my name, ASS !”