Page 3 of Guardians

It took about an hour to hike from the human encampment to the feline village. Both settlements were located near the same river, but it was easier and faster to cut through the forest than to follow the steep and rocky banks. Lexie set a brisk pace, trying to ward off the chilly wind. Beams of sunlight filtered through the trees, providing light but very little heat. Tara trekked along beside her, uncharacteristically quiet.

Lexie slept very little the night before. She’d stared up at the flapping tent searching in vain for an alternative to Kane’s proposal. Without technology, all her education and scientific knowledge meant little. She was in an unfamiliar environment and had no way to analyze its plant life or minerals. Animals still fascinated her, but most of the species they’d run across so far were savage, even deadly. Besides, everyone was much more interested in survival than learning about the habits of the local fauna.

Which left two possibilities: manual labor and sex.

“You’re hoping Kane claims you, aren’t you?” Tara finally spoke.

Lexie looked at her sharply, but realized her defensiveness was telling. “If I have to be claimed, I wouldn’t mind ending up with Kane. But that isn’t?—”

“It won’t just be Kane,” Tara cut in. “It will be Kane and his coalition. Are you ready for that?”

“It’s my intention to find a way around the ultimatum.” Both women had donned multiple layers of clothing hoping to stay warm. Even so, Lexie’s face was numb and her hands were stiff and achy.

“Without our instruments, our skills are useless. They’ve been here longer and know the planet better than we do.” She tugged on Lexie’s sleeve, urging her to stop walking. “I think we should go back. I have a bad feeling about this.”

“We don’t have a choice. If we don’t strike some sort of deal with the cats, Bianca will die. And she’ll be the first of many. You know it and so do I.”

“They could pass us around like party favors.” Tara shook her head, gray eyes wide with fear. Framed by wisps of reddish blonde hair, her face was tense and wary. “These males have been without sex for years.”

Tara’s fear was valid, but Lexie couldn’t allow herself to be caught up in it. Lexie had volunteered to protect her camp against the impending disaster and that was what she intended to do. “If they wanted to hurt us, they would have raided our camp months ago. The wolves didn’t hesitate.”

“I know you’re right,” Tara finally relented. “This is just harder than I expected it to be.”

Lexie chuckled, needing to release the tension inside her before facing the challenge awaiting her. “That’s the difference between you and me. I knew damn well this was going to suck from the very beginning.”

Tara responded with a smile and they started walking again.

The cats had chosen the location for their settlement with defense in mind. The village nestled in the bend of a steep mountain ridge. The semicircular formation created an impenetrable fortification on three sides of the village. All they’d had to do was build a wall to enclose the circle. The river poured over the ridge, creating a massive waterfall in the back section of the village. Not only was it stunningly beautiful, but the arrangement also prevented the cats from ever being deprived of food and water, even during an attack. Inside the fortification, the cats had built groupings of cabins almost like small neighborhoods. Lexie didn’t know if the layout was random or if there was some meaning to the arrangement. She’d only been in the village twice and hadn’t thought to ask.

They were stopped and questioned at the gate. The guards seemed reluctant to admit them without permission from someone with more authority than themselves. One of them used a small comm-unit to speak with someone remotely. It was hard not to resent the technology the cats had been allowed. Solar generators and power tools would have changed everything for the people in her camp.

“You’re cleared,” the guard finally told them. “Rex will take you to the lodge.”

“Thank you,” Lexie said.

Rex looked at them curiously, but didn’t say a word as he led them along the wending walkway. In the middle of each cluster of cabins was a grassy area with a fire pit. Some of the common areas even had a table and chairs. It was easy to picture a group of cats roasting their latest kill over the fire then sitting down to enjoy a shared meal. Her stomach growled in protest, and she dragged her gaze away.

“I didn’t realize it was this big,” Tara whispered.

Lexie looked at her and smiled. “I forgot that you’ve never been here before.”

Tara shook her head. “I’ve seen it from outside the wall, but this is the first time I’ve been inside.”

Lexie had been part of the small trading party that bartered with the cats shortly after the humans arrived. Then their camp had been raided and all their supplies stolen. With nothing left to barter, there was no reason to continue the visits.

The lodge was two stories high and had a wide, railed porch that wrapped around the sides. Rex led them up the stairs and opened the door, but did not accompany them inside. Lexie took one step into the large open room and froze. Kane stood at the other end of the room near the massive fireplace. He was with six fierce-looking males she didn’t know. One was the largest hybrid Lexie had ever seen. Was this Zion, the pride leader? She’d heard his name and knew his reputation, but had yet to meet him.

“Come here,” the giant beckoned, crooking his first two fingers.

Lexie quickly cleared her throat and dragged her knit cap off her head. She’d braided her long blonde hair that morning and the thick plait hung over her right shoulder. It was probably warm enough to take off her coat, but she chose to leave it on. The bulk disguised the shape of her body and made her feel more secure.

Her legs shook as she crossed the room, but she forced herself to keep walking. Tara’s steps lagged even more than hers, so Lexie turned and motioned for her friend to hurry up. They finally reached the males and Lexie was struck again by the giant’s size. Her head barely came to the middle of his chest and his chest eclipsed her field of vision.

“Have you come to accept our offer?” the giant asked. He was clearly in charge, which added credence to Lexie’s conclusion that he was Zion, the pride leader.

“Not exactly,” she said with a hesitant smile. “I’ve come with a counterproposal.”

Kane stepped forward, drawing her attention. “I was very clear when I spoke with you. There is only one offer and the terms have not changed. We cannot have females in our village unless they’ve been claimed by a coalition.”

Zion walked over to a high-backed chair and sat down. The corners of his mouth lifted in a faint smile, but he let Kane continue the negotiation.

“Did someone in this village raid our camp?” Lexie asked, her tone stopping just short of accusatory.

“It was the wolves,” Zion told her.

She looked at him and nodded. “I thought that was more likely, but I was hoping.”

“Hoping?” The word clearly confused Zion. “And why is that?”

“You seem more reasonable than the wolves. I thought my chances of helping my friend would be better here.”

“What’s wrong with your friend?” a brown-haired male asked, his dark gaze sweeping the entire length of Tara’s body.

“Not me, you dolt,” she protested. “Our friend Bianca needs antibiotics and she needs them now.”

“Watch your tone,” Zion warned, gaze narrowed and gleaming. “Malik is the village doctor. Show him the proper respect.”

“Well, tell your village doctor to keep his eyes on my face,” she volleyed angrily.

“I was simply trying to ascertain what was wrong with you,” Malik defended.

“Your attitude is in desperate need of adjustment.” The warning in Zion’s tone was unmistakable.

“So I’m told, frequently.” Tara sounded anything but contrite.

“Keep it up and I’ll see to it myself,” Zion said more forcefully. “I do not tolerate disrespect.”

Tara started to say something, but Lexie shut her down with a warning look. The last thing they needed right now was a pointless power struggle.

“Whatever,” Tara muttered and fell into sulky silence.

Determined to remain calm and composed, Lexie squared her shoulders and continued her explanation. “Bianca is one of our tent mates and she has a respiratory infection that isn’t getting better on its own. We’re extremely worried about her. We’re also worried about the rest of the camp. We live in close quarters and have no way to quarantine her.”

“Medicines are more valuable than food, by far,” Zion warned. “I am not unwilling to help out a neighbor, but giving your friend a course of antibiotics means it will be unavailable for the next one of my men who falls ill.”

Lexie swallowed awkwardly and paused to lick her lips. Her mouth was so damn dry she could hardly speak. “If you also help us get our possessions back from the wolves, we’ll be able to produce antibiotics as well as other medications, antitoxins, and nutritional supplements.”

Zion shot to his feet and took a step toward her. “You brought a laboratory to Rydaria?” His features had been fierce before. His displeasure made him look downright savage.

They had been created in a lab. Of course, he would feel threatened by the possibility. “Not a lab. Just simple scanners and analyzers. They were meant to allow us to use the indigenous plant life to treat common illnesses and perhaps supplement our diets.” She lowered her gaze, responding to Zion’s authority with instinctual submission. “None of it is sophisticated enough to harm anyone.”

“Look at me,” Zion commanded.

It took all her willpower to drag her gaze back to his. The male was as intimidating as hell.

“How badly do you want to help your friend?”

Her lips trembled and tears gathered behind her lashes. She’d known it would come to this, but she’d had to at least try to negotiate. They wanted mates and saw no other use for females. Kane had made that clear when he visited their encampment.

“Zion, I?—”

She wasn’t sure what Kane was about to say, but Zion cut him off with an upraised hand.

“Answer me,” Zion prompted, his gaze never leaving Lexie’s face.

She blinked and tears escaped the corners of her eyes. Damn it. The worst thing anyone could do was reveal weakness to an enemy. She sucked in a deep breath and lifted her chin. “I knew the price you’d demand when I chose to come here. I’m willing to bond with one of your coalitions, but I would much rather negotiate a mutually beneficial barter.”

Zion dismissed the suggestion with a wave of his huge hand. “There are only two things your camp can provide that we need—laborers and mates. Only one of those roles is available to females.”

“Several of the women are in relationships with men also in our camp. Will they be allowed to enter the village together?”

“Can their men protect and provide for them?” Zion challenged with a smug little smile. “Why have they not done so before now?”

Scrambling for anything that didn’t lead to her accepting Kane’s offer, she started pointing out complications to their plan. “Even if every eligible female volunteers, there are not enough of us to provide mates for all your coalitions. Won’t that cause resentment and hostility?”

Zion shrugged. “We’ll just have to form larger coalitions.”

Lexie felt her eyes widen. Mating with three hybrids had been shocking enough. She couldn’t imagine submitting to a larger group. She cleared her throat and squared her shoulders, unsure how the next idea would be received. “There are three young women in our camp who paid their way through college working as escorts. If they are willing to make themselves available for pleasure, is there any reason you wouldn’t allow them to set up a brothel?”

Consternation scrunched up Zion’s rugged features. He clearly hadn’t expected that suggestion. He looked at Kane then the other guardians who were scattered around the room. “What are your thoughts on allowing a human brothel? We would have to protect them, of course. But I see no reason why we could not provide for them.”

“Why would being a sex worker appeal to them more than joining a coalition?”

Lexie didn’t know the blond guardian’s name, but his disapproval was apparent in every derisive syllable. His confusion was understandable. Being that judgmental, however, was unacceptable. “They prefer to remain in control of their own lives and their own bodies. They also insist on the right to refuse customers at any time, for any reason.”

Zion scoffed. “Why would I allow that?”

“Because they’re offering hope and comfort to the males not lucky enough to claim a mate.”

“I think it’s a good idea,” Malik, the village doctor said. “Even if their visits were infrequent, it would give single males something to look forward to.”

“The brothel could be part of the voucher system,” another guardian suggested. “That would slow the visits down.”

Zion nodded, stroking his chin as if his mind was working through the possibilities. “Tell these women that I will allow the brothel, but I want to work with them to establish a list of procedures.”

Relieved that he was capable of compromising, Lexie decided to push her luck just a little farther. “Is a brothel worth a course of antibiotics? We can continue to negotiate, but is this enough to?—”

“No,” he said firmly. “The price of the antibiotics is a mate. Matching females with coalitions is my primary focus. I will not be distracted by the other.”

For a long tense moment Lexie struggled for words. If she gave in to his bullying, it would change her life forever. But if she didn’t, Bianca, and likely many others, would die. She swallowed past the lump in her throat and took a deep breath. “Then I will become a mate.”

“ Lexie ,” Tara cried. “You can’t do this. It’s not why we came here.”

“I came here to save Bianca’s life,” Lexie argued. “If this is the only way, then so be it.”

Zion’s eyes gleamed and his jaw tensed as if he clenched his teeth. Why was he annoyed by what she’d just said? She’d given in to their demands.

Still glowering at her, Zion motioned toward Kane. “Kane has indicated an interest in claiming you for his coalition. Do you accept his claim, or would you like to choose another coalition?”

They would let her choose? She was so shocked by the development that she didn’t immediately answer. Now they were both glaring at her. If it were just Kane she wouldn’t hesitate, but he intended to share her with two or maybe even more other males. “It doesn’t matter,” she blurted nervously. The phrase was more of a reminder to herself than an answer to Zion’s question. If she wanted to save her camp, this was what she must do. End of story. “Kane’s coalition will be fine.”

“Kane’s coalition will be fine?” Zion echoed, his voice rumbling like distant thunder. “Kane’s coalition is far from fine . They are exceptional. They are three of my six guardians. Malik is a doctor. Diego is part sorcerer. And Kane is the person who championed your cause. If it weren’t for Kane, I would have let your men die and brought your females into this village by force. It is no more than your lot deserves. You should be on your knees kissing Kane’s feet. Instead he has agreed to make you his mate. You are not worthy of this honor.”

She stared back at him in stunned silence. How the hell was she supposed to know any of that? She just met Malik, and she’d seen Kane a grand total of one time before today. If she was unaware of developments in the feline village, it was unfair to hold her accountable for them. She didn’t dare say that, of course. She stood there silently and waited for their next move.

Zion walked back to his chair and sat down. He looked like an arrogant king presiding over his presence chamber, she thought rebelliously.

“Your attitude offends me,” he told her. “You are prideful and self-absorbed when you should have shown deference and gratitude. I now require a show of humility before I will allow three of my finest warriors to rescue you from death.”

Her jaw dropped and anger sparked within her disbelief. “What the hell are you talking about?” She had been nothing but respectful and grateful since entering this village. “I agreed to your ridiculous deal, even accepted the males you wanted me to mate with. How is that prideful or self-absorbed?”

The fucker growled at her, literally growled. “I will not argue with you, female. If you want me to save Bianca, you will humble yourself in front of my guardians!”

Now she was the one clenching her teeth. “And how would you like me to do that?”

Zion thought for a moment then said, “Undress and kneel before your mates. You will suck their cocks to prove that your intention to mate with them is honest and you will submit to their authority. Personally, I think you intend to reject them as soon as your friend has been restored to health.”

As Lexie had lain awake last night, that was one of many possibilities that had passed through her mind. The fact was irrelevant because Zion’s suggestion was intolerable. “I’m not doing that in front of everyone.”

“Then Bianca will die,” Zion reminded, his gaze still openly hostile.

A shiver dropped down Lexie’s spine as Bianca’s pale image formed within her mind. She was trapped and Zion knew it. This sonofabitch was determined to humiliate her, and Lexie didn’t see a way out. The choice really was that simple. Be humiliated in public or allow a friend to die and likely watch a contagious infection ravage the rest of the encampment. Hating Zion and hating herself, Lexie unzipped her coat and started to take it off.

“Lexie!” Tara rushed forward and grabbed her arm. “This is ridiculous. Let’s get the hell out of here. We’ll go to the lupine village and get the shit back on our own. We don’t need these bastards.”

Zion laughed insolently then crossed his legs. “Good luck with that. If you think I’m a bastard, wait until you meet Elias. He’ll strip you naked and put you in a cage so his pack can torment you.”

“He’s bluffing,” Tara sneered then tugged on Lexie’s arm. “Let’s go.”

“He’s not exaggerating,” Kane said, drawing Lexie’s attention. “Elias did that to one of our females a few weeks ago. Do not go near his village.”

Lexie twisted her arm out of Tara’s grasp and faced Kane. “Zion isn’t leaving us an option. I can’t let Bianca die, but I’m not going to give you a blowjob while everyone watches. If you take me somewhere private, I’ll?—”

“No,” Zion cut in. “You insulted all of us. You deserve to be humiliated.”

“Sir, may we discipline her instead?” Kane asked. “We will do it here and she will be naked, but we prefer our pleasure in private.”

Zion looked at Lexie for a long, tense moment then shifted his gaze back to Kane. “All right, but use your belt. A hand spanking is not sufficient.”

The conversation was so surreal that Lexie nearly laughed. If they were trying to scare her, mission accomplished. Kane was going to spank her with a belt ? They couldn’t be serious. “You’re joking, right?” she asked tentatively.

“Get undressed.” His expression was grim and unrelenting.

Lexie shook her head. “I think I’d rather give you a blowjob.”

He had the audacity to smile. “That’s still an option.”

She looked around the room as trepidation built inside her. Malik was the dark-haired male who had looked at Tara a little too thoroughly. Was Diego here too? There were a total of six males watching her with rapt interest. Six large, muscular males who hadn’t had sex in years. If she got on her knees for Kane and Malik, would the rest of them get in line?

She glanced at Tara, but all Tara did was shake her head. The belt was the wiser choice, the safer choice. But did she really need to be naked? “It’s cold in here,” she said softly, pleading with her eyes. “Can I please keep at least part of my clothes on?”

“No,” Kane said firmly. “You are humbling yourself to prove your sincerity.”

“You chose to come here,” Zion reminded. “You chose Kane’s coalition. Now you will do this willingly or you will leave. It’s as simple as that.”

With a defeated nod, Lexie took off her coat and handed it to Tara.

Miraculously, Tara offered Lexie a tentative smile.