Page 36 of Master (The Outlander Book Club… in Space! #3)

Clara

Well, this sucks!

I'd knocked on Mayor Parlow's door to no avail and turned to head back toward Mei's when I heard his voice coming from behind the house. I considered not checking on him since he sounded fine as far as I could tell, but guilt got the better of me.

Then, just as I passed through the garden gate, someone threw a bag over my head, and…here I am, carried along like a sack of Buck's beloved sweet potatoes. Normally, I'd scream my head off, but just before everything went dark, I noticed Mayor Parlow talking to a Kerzak.

A shiver ran over my skin that had little to do with the coolness of the night. I couldn't get a good look at the grizzly alien, so I didn't know if he was one of the creatures from the Hartouk Lenaii. What if those Kerzak came here seeking revenge?

Before another thought entered my brain, the bag that held me upended, and I went pouring onto the ground, arms and legs akimbo. My attempt to land both gracefully and safely shot to hell when I hit hard on my left shoulder, pain screaming down my body.

Fuck that hurt!

No time to be a whiny twit, not if I wanted to survive long enough for Tarook to rescue me.

He would come for me—I knew it.

I felt it.

The heavy thud of my heart echoed the determination and desperation he would feel upon discovering me missing. He would be relentless, not stopping until he held me safely in his arms.

I just had to survive until he found me.

Holding my left arm close against my side, I scrambled onto my knees.

The only Kerzak I'd gotten up close and personal with was the ambassador who wanted to buy and eat me, and he was much more refined compared to the four creatures milling about the small campfire.

Instead of brightly colored silk robes, they wore loincloths and thick leather belts adorned with weaponry.

We occupied a small clearing. Pines stood so thick around the perimeter they appeared as a solid wall in the encroaching darkness.

I didn’t know where or how far these assholes carried me, so trying to run might not be the wisest course of action.

The Kerzak probably knew this, which is why they left me untied.

My eyes darted about the landscape illuminated by the fire, surreptitiously hunting for something I might fashion into a weapon.

I noticed a few sticks and a couple of rocks—nothing that would do any damage against ten-inch blades and clawed fingers.

Atkins Parlow stepped into my field of vision; his thin lips curled into a smile. I'd never wanted to smack someone as badly in my life. And I used to deal with teenagers for a living.

"What the hell, mayor?" I snapped, situating myself so that, hopefully, he wouldn't notice my injured arm.

"Ahhh, beautiful Clara. I'm so glad you're awake."

Parlow knelt beside me, much too close for comfort. I wondered how long it would take the Kerzak to retaliate if I punched the mayor in his ugly, smug little face.

"Allow me to present my associates, the Kerzak." Parlow gave a flourished wave as though introducing me to royalty at a fancy dinner.

The Kerzak didn't look fancy. They looked angry and mean… and hungry.

"Kerzak aren't supposed to be on Tau Ceti." I'm sure he knew this tidbit, but saying it aloud gave me the faintest hint of superiority.

"She's smart as well as beautiful," Parlow chuckled.

When Tarook got here, I knew he'd kick the shit out of Parlow.The thought made me smile.

"Fuck you." Until Tarook arrived, my words would have to fight the battle.

"All in due time," Parlow purred. My stomach flopped at the insinuation.

He scooted closer. "Right now, I need to know how you and the Vaktaire counteracted the mumje."

Realization slammed into my brain, leaving me open-mouthed and blinking.

"You did this, didn't you?" I tilted my head, watching his expression as I worked out the kinks in my theory. "I saw you, though. You got infected... you were coughing..."

"An Oscar-worthy performance, if I do say so myself," he smirked. Behind him, the Kerzak made grunting/huffing sounds—their version of laughter, perhaps.

“You didn’t get infected. That’s why you were coughing. The mumje didn't dampen your basic reflexes.” That part was simple to deduce, but questions lingered. “How did you escape infection?”

"My friends here helped me put together an airtight room in my house.

It was quite simple, really. I knew what time the mumje would deploy and excused myself moments before.

I was nowhere near the town square when the drug fell.

" The mayor's shoulders squared pridefully.

"I just had to wait until it rained to test how compliant the drug made humans.

" He frowned, the first kink I'd noticed in his armor of smugness.

"Unfortunately, no one realized you and your Vaktaire boyfriend escaped infection, and your boy made himself master before I could. "

It made Tarook sick to put himself in the position of master to others, despite the necessity. Parlow, however, pouted at losing the privilege.

What a fuckhead!

Thick, rounded shoulders gave a carefree shrug.

"It would have been fun to boss some of those self-righteous assholes around.

No worries, we still have the information needed.

From what I'm told, mumje works quite well on humans, better than other species.

What we didn't expect is for you to come up with a way to counteract the drug. I need to know how you did that."

"Go to hell. I'm not telling you shit, you bastard!" I hissed.

There was a flash of movement to my right and a furry hand connected with the side of my head. I went sprawling, bells ringing in my ears, injured arm screaming, and vision dimming.

Atkins Parlow huffed an exasperated sigh, motioning for the Kerzak that hit me to step away. He offered his hand to help me upright. I swatted him away, much preferring struggling and pain to letting him touch me.

"As you can see, it's not wise to anger our furry friends here."

I'd give Parlow credit; he looked slightly concerned for my welfare. Not an altruistic concern. He needed me for something.

The Kerzak loomed near, flexing his enormous paw, which had the effect of releasing and then reseating his nearly four-inch claws. He glanced at Parlow, and I saw disgust cross his furry face. I could totally relate.

"Talk now, human female. How did you counteract the mumje?" he asked, letting the black claws extend to full length while gazing longingly at my neck.

"Sweet taters," I drawled, smiling. Idiots wouldn't guess I told the truth.

The Kerzak grunted angrily, raising his clawed hand and stepping in my direction.

I didn't flinch or cower, although my stomach roiled with fear.

"If you kill her, we'll never know how they made the antidote," Parlow said calmly as he inspected his nails.

"You're my hero," I quipped before spitting a wad of blood and saliva on the ground as close to the mayor as I could manage.

I'd bitten my tongue when the Kerzak hit me… and I think a couple of my back teeth might be loose. My heart hammered furiously like I’d been running, and I sucked in a few deep breaths, trying to calm myself.

Parlow grinned and preened, taking my words to heart. As if. He was nothing but a selfish, sad little man. I had only one hero.

Where are you, Tarook?

Curtis stood as my hero for many years, always would, but Tarook took that place in my heart now.

I could imagine Curtis gazing down from heaven, smiling—happy I'd found love again.

He probably enjoyed the fact that Tarook was a nearly seven-foot-tall alien with golden eyes. Curtis had always been a believer.

The Kerzak near me grumbled, flexing his hand as though shoring up to hit me again. The largest of the four grizzly men moved to his side, shoving him toward the others. The four aliens argued among themselves, though thankfully, none made to move near me.

Tarook would come for me. I just needed to buy time until he arrived.

"How could you do this? They're your friends and neighbors, and you betrayed them." I tried to keep my voice from sounding harsh. It wasn’t easy. Atkins Parlow was as despicable a man as I’d ever come across…and I used to work in a strip club!

Parlow shrugged nonchalantly, a wide grin curving his lips. "That's a simple answer—money."

I felt my face twist with disgust before I could stop it.

"Before you roll your eyes at me, it's not just a couple of million." Parlow scolded. "I'll be the richest man on Earth, wealthier than sultans… wealthier than Bill Gates even."

"No amount of money will keep you from being an asshole," I shot back. "Besides, the Alliance forbids you from going back to Earth. How will you explain your absence to people?"

The mayor tilted back his head and laughed. "It's not like I left any family. The only people looking for me are the FBI."

My mouth fell open, which made him laugh harder.

"Actually, the fucking aliens did me a favor," Parlow said as he recovered himself. "I faced twenty years for a RICO charge when they grabbed me. Now… well, as we all know, with enough money, you can get away with anything."

"You're nothing but a con man," I snapped, furious at his utter lack of remorse.

He squared his shoulders and raised his chin proudly. "And my best con was convincing the people of Tau Ceti to trust me."

I spit out another wad of blood and saliva, aiming for Parlow's feet. I didn't miss by much, which amused the bastard.

"Your feisty, I like that." Short, chubby fingers rubbed his chin. "I'll give you a choice. Tell us how you counteracted the mumje, and you can return to Earth with me as my woman. Or keep quiet and go with the Kerzak as... the main course."

I raised my chin, calling over to the group of grizzly aliens. "Be sure to use a lot of salt. I have a feeling I'll be tough."