Burned Once, Twice Page 6

  In a matter of minutes, Alexander had all of her friends gathered in the study, plus all the other females staying at Maria’s for their cancelled party.

  “Okay, Alexander, what’s going on?” Maria squeezed Faith’s hand as she and Tara sat on either side of her.

  Denver was talking with Vepar, her ex mother-in-law next to them. Faith could still remember the day she’d brought Chance home from the hospital. Denver had been so excited he’d made a banner as long as the hallway in their home.

  Maria handed her a drink. “It will help with your stomach.”

  Faith eyed the amber liquid then her friend.

  Maria laughed. “Go on, it won’t kill ya.”

  Faith swallowed the shot and gasped. “Damn it, you know I can’t stand Scotch. Yuck.” Faith reached over and grabbed a bottle of water from the table.

  “You might not like it, but it will help soothe that stomach of yours. You know we’re going to get her back, right?”

  “The thought of what he could be doing to her, though…. I don’t understand. If the Guild is so powerful, why can’t they find this threat? Is it someone they didn’t know of? Or is he so powerful even the Guild can’t do anything?”

  “Or both,” she mumbled.

  Alexander stepped towards Maria, but stopped midway when Chance appeared in the middle of the room with marks on her arms, legs, and vacant eyes.

  She moved to her daughter, but was stopped when the Guild covered Chance fully. She didn’t say a word, while six, worm-like creatures were taken out of her. Her cuts started to heal slowly, but Chance still didn’t move or say anything.

  “Chance,” she whispered.

  She turned towards her voice. “Momma?”

  “I’m here, baby. They’re healing you, sweetie, but I’m here,” Faith whispered.

  “I can’t see, Momma. I can’t see.” She shivered then passed out.

  “Please, I need to hold her!” Faith tried to move forward again, but the cloud-like thing shifted, forming an almost-solid body, turning an eerie eye on her. “Your daughter is pregnant. No, it’s not from them, but we don’t know what will become of the child being exposed to what she has.What will you have us do?”

  Faith fell backwards, but Gordon was there catching her.

  *****

  .

  Gordon held onto Faith, whispering to her. He had found Chance but not before she had been hurt. The thing that had captured her was being held by the Guild who tried to figure out what it was, but it wasn’t. There were others of his kind here on this planet, which did not bode well.

  “Do we know what it will do to the child?” Faith finally got out.

  “Not yet,” The cloud being boomed. “We have one of these beings now, thanks to Gordon, but until we examine and find out what they are, we won’t know anything. You may discuss this with her, but we will be monitoring her and the child. We can’t allow something to destroy this world.” The being studied Faith’s daughter. For a Guild member to assume such solid form was unusual.

  Jake’s shocked appearance had to mirror his, and it seemed they weren’t the only ones who thought something was different. Even Vepar was studying the man, which might have been why the member of the Guild vanished as quickly as he had appeared.

  Chance whimpered and Faith rushed to her side, followed by Denver. “We thought we only had Xack to deal with, but with unknown enemies, where are we safe? She can’t go through this again.”

  “And neither can you,” Gordon stated. “Go speak with our fathers, Jake, and see if they agree. Maybe it’s time to take the ladies somewhere safe while we figure out what is going on.” Jake waved and left the room. He’d make all the arrangements as quickly as possible.

  “Will all of the women be safe there? Will we be welcome there, and exactly where is this place?” Alexander asked.

  His father, Reese, grumbled. “If they agree, wait, you’ll be impressed.”

  “When were you there?” Alexander helped Gordon lift Chance and carefully place her on the couch while Faith wrapped a large quilt around her.

  “She needs to be cleaned up, but I don’t want to wake her,” Faith whispered, and sat at the head of the couch, running her fingers through Chance’s hair.

  “When we get where we are going, you and Maria can bathe her. You won’t have to worry about being attacked there.” Gordon slid a worried look at Holbrook who came strolling into the room, moving to Adele, his woman.

  “I’ve never been there, but, from what my mother has told me, it’s a beautiful, peaceful place and has everything you will need while we solve our problem,” Holbrook stated.

  “But how long will it take? Will others be safe? Dammit, the thought of others being hurt too…. It’s not right,” Faith grumbled. “I don’t want to hide.”

  “I wonder if we could release the block this person has put on her mind.That might help us find out what is going on,” Holbrook put out there.

  “But do we really want to expose the women to something horrible? Haven’t they been through enough?” Alexander wrapped his arm around Maria and pulled her.

  Faith sighed. “If this thing did something to me, I want to deal with it. It’s not like it hasn’t touched me already. I don’t want it popping up later on, especially when I’m not ready for it.”

  Maria nodded. “I have to agree. I’d rather be dealing with it here with my friends to help me get through it than alone someplace later on. Adele?”

  “I’ve been raped before, and it’s best to face it head on than wait.”

  “You will share with me what happened and who this person was,” Holbrook snarled and she rolled her eyes.

  “We have other problems right now to worry about that, but maybe…” Her head jerked up and her gaze flew to Faith’s. “Oh my god,” Adele gasped. “It was right after we met him, Faith. You don’t think it was one of those?” She shivered and ran towards the bathroom with Maria and Holbrook following.

  Lori, Tara, Sandy all shivered but agreed.

  “I want to know, too,” Vepar’s woman whispered.

  “What? You met him?” Vepar asked.

  “I could feel the distress coming from Chance. I had to go see what was going on. When I went to help I remember seeing him come out the door, but after that I go blank. How can he mess with my mind? My shields should have stopped it.” She moved into Vepar’s arms, resting her head on his chest. “This has to stop. They took my son, hurt our granddaughter, and we don’t know what they have done to us.”

  Vepar shifted her in his arms, his face a mask. He held back his anger to support his woman. “You have my full support, Gordon, but I am sending my woman with you. She can help her granddaughter while we figure out what is going on.”

  Jake returned with their fathers and mother. “We will have to bring you to this place we are going. My sons know the way. After we get the women settled, we will speak with the Guild.” His father slapped Gordon on the back. “She is beautiful, your woman.”

  “Thank you.” Faith sniffed the air. “The Guild is here.”

  “Are you all sure you wish to know what happened?” the voice inquired.

  Chapter Nine

  A cold chill had settled over Faith for the past hour. She was tired of being afraid, but when the Guild asked if they wanted to know the truth, every ounce of strength drained out of her. Faith peeked down at her daughter, who was now staring at her.

  “We have to know, Mom.”

  Gordon squeezed her shoulders. His presence helped more than he knew. Jake stood behind her. “Let’s do this.” She hoped it didn’t drive them away.

  “Never.” Gordon bit down on her shoulder. “Ours, no matter what.

  “Good, because you’re growing on me,” she said, earning a snort from her son, who came to sit at her feet in front of Chance.

  Adele returned and Maria handed her one of the stupid drinks.

  “So be it,” the voice filled the quiet room.

  “Fuck!” Fa
ith grabbed her head as screaming pain preceded a rush of memories. Nothing could have stopped her stomach from rebelling all over both Jake and Gordon who stepped in front of her at just the wrong moment. Chance writhed, gripping her temples and vomiting as well. God, she couldn’t help her daughter while in the grip of the flashbacks!

  Xack, the porn horror creature movie directors would love. Gray-green slimy skin, eyeslits on its knobby head, and a giant, exposed cock seeping purple gunk down its wart-covered stem.

  “No,” she whimpered. Gordon and Jake enfolded her and Chance in their arms as both of the women started to cry. The nightmare was her fault. Her friends were hurt because of her. She needed to be away from everyone. Xack had wanted her submission, but it hadn’t mattered.

  “Let me go,” she snarled, but even Chance held onto her now, along with Denver. “MY FAULT!”

  *****

  Her body slumped in his arms. Faith’s scream had brought every one of her friends around her, touching her.

  “Xack wanted her. There were about six of them. She offered herself to keep the rest of us safe. What they did to her….” Maria, her face swollen from crying blinked up at Alexander. “But it didn’t matter. He still allowed his men to do what they would. We were lucky we got away at all.” Maria pointed to Bethany who cried silently in Vepar’s arms. “Her gift or power finally put the assholes to sleep and we escaped.”

  “But not in time.” Bethany shook her head. “They want children and feed off the aggression of rape. Their bites insert those worms, which act as tracking devices so they can take what they want when they want it.” She shook her arm. “God, Vepar, we still have those things in us.” She gulped. Faith tried to make the men take her, when one of them would touch us. If you two treat her differently because of this, I will fry you myself.” Bethany hugged her mate. “The last time, I could see no more, that is when I began to shake….”

  Vepar looked over at Gordon. “It’s not heard of often, but when a severe trauma happens, we use our gifts to protect ourselves and those we love as best we can. It drains us, using so much power.”

  “We need to get these creatures out of your women before we transport them. They are all going to need time to heal, especially your woman, son. You two are going to have to be patience and strong.” His mother leaned on his father, Wrath. “Just as your fathers were.”

  “It happened to you?” Gordon couldn’t believe it. These things had hurt his family for the last time.

  “Long ago, on another planet. They’re finding their way here…. It’s my fault,” she whispered.

  “The creatures died in you, remember?” Wrath kissed her hair. “No, they found their way here some other way.”

  “How did the worms die?” Holbrook asked, his arms firmly wrapped around Adele.

  “Our blood. They can’t stand our blood. Feed your woman now,” Wrath ordered his son. “Reese, Alexander, would you allow us to feed your women and the others? It might prevent other attacks?” Wrath suggested.

  The Guild seemed to fill the room, covering all the women at once. “We will extract the worms, but for protection it might be wise. We would like your information on the planet where the initial attacks occurred, please.”

  Even Gordon trembled as the worms slithered out of the women to wither on the floor and ignite, burning into ash.

  Gordon sensed Faith awake before her tear-filled eyes met his.

  “Feed us, please. We can’t go through that again.” She gripped his arm tight. “I can’t go through that again.”

  Gordon squeezed her. “It will you bring you closer to our world. It will also make your daughter stronger and might help, killing anything affecting the child.”

  “Do it,” Chance begged. “I’m sorry, but I’m not as strong as my mother. The thought of having anything to do with those creatures in me. I can’t.”

  Gordon fed Faith, while Jake fed Chance. His mom and fathers took turns feeding the others, as did Holbrook.

  “It’s done. Let’s get these women out of here before someone else shows up.” Wrath disappeared with Vepar and Bethany. Holbrook took Adele and Lori, while Gordon’s mom took Alexander and Maria.

  Jake lifted Chance and grabbed onto Denver before winking out. Gordon remained behind with the other guards, Cain, Tara, and the remaining women for his fathers to return, hugging Faith close to his chest.

  She ran her finger down his cheek. “You saw what they did, didn’t you?” Her voice was soft, almost afraid.

  “We don’t need to talk about this now, Little Star.” He placed a kiss on her cheek.

  “Am I still your Little Star?”

  “Oh, baby, you’ll always be our Little Star and, yes, both Jake and I saw everything. You are the bravest human I’ve ever come across. But if you ever sacrifice yourself again, I’m going to beat your butt. Your heart is so loaded with love, I hope there is plenty of room for us.”

  “You are already there. I’m afraid I have a tendency to fall hard and quick, but let’s hope my judgment has improved over the years.” She wrinkled her nose, and her eyes got big. “God, this is so gross! I’m so, so sorry and, eww, you stink.”

  “I don’t care if I stink or am wet. The only thing I’m worried about is you. If you get sick on me again, I’ll still be here, and stop squirming.” Gordon brought her up close, his nose touching hers. “You are all that matters to us. We’re bonding, and right now all I want to do is hunt this thing down and destroy him.”

  “I know we need to destroy these things, but the thought of you two or anyone going near them scares the crap out of me. Please be careful.” She stopped struggling in his arms and rested her head against his chest noticing he had somehow replaced his shirt with a new one. “What a handy trick.”

  “Try not to worry, okay? Let Jake and I handle the rest of this. You’ve given too much already. I’m proud you are ours, Little Star.” He kissed the top of her head as Jake appeared next to him. “We ready?”

  “Yeah, we’re all going to meet as soon as the women are settled. We need rest, though, and, right now, the women don’t need to be alone. The men and others are making up beds in the common room, so no one is alone.” Jake placed a kiss on her forehead. “Let’s get the rest of these women there.” Jake took the last two women while Gordon took his bundle in his arms, and Tara and they reappeared in a cave-like structure, which seemed to be lit by glowing rocks around some kind of waterway.

  “Damn, what a ride.” Tara placed her hand on her stomach. “Do you think Cain will be all right? I thought everyone would be sleeping?”

  Maria hugged her. “He’ll be fine. Plus, he knows you and your children are safe here. But he had to warn his people; you know this. Come sit beside Sandy and me. The kids are sound asleep in a room which we’ll show you later. I’m sure Faith would like to get cleaned up.” Maria reached over and squeezed Faith’s arm. “And if you ever do anything as stupid as you did before, I will personally rip your freaking head off. I mean it, Faith. You are just as important to us. Now, come. This water is supposed to be some kind of healing thing.”

  Maria dragged Chance over to the edge of the water where the other women were soaking. The room was as large as he remembered from coming there as a child. The fact a river flowed through the entire cavern was amazing. Water weaved around the room, the sound adding a calming effect.

  “This place is amazing. I’ve never seen anything like this. Put me down for a minute.” Faith stared at the wall which was moving like a gel substance.

  “No, Little Star, while you are here, there two things you have to remember. One, never touch the walls. They are not actual walls, but a living being who shares his home with us. He gives us protection when we need it. Second, the water is safe to bathe in, and it will clean your skin and hair without adding soap, but do not drink it. Taken internally, it has a laxative effect.” He moved to the side where her daughter sat in the water with her head back resting on the edge of the platform. “Strip down to y
our undies and get in, Little Star.”

  “Here?” she squeaked and he laughed.

  “I did allow you clothes, but, yes, here. The water will heal and clean you at the same time.” Gordon pulled up her sweater dress and realized his mistake.

  She grabbed her sweater and glared at him. “You didn’t give me any, remember.”

  Jake threw him a black T-shirt. “Now, put it on and get in.” He yanked off the sweater without giving her a chance to say anything. “There is no reason to get all embarrassed. While here, we will be using the playroom, but for the children’s sake I allow you this.”

  She stood there looking up at him. “A playroom? Really? Like the one Alexander has?”

  “Think twice the size and toys you haven’t even seen on Earth. Remember, Little Star, we can travel far. Now, put the shirt on and get into the water.”

  “Mom, come on,” Chance called.

  “It’s the most amazing thing ever.” Chance put her head back, closing her eyes.

  “I’m coming, but…. Damn.” Faith moaned and stepped into water. “What in the world?”

  His mom laughed, coming up next to him. “This is why I insist we come here at least twice every few months. One hour in that water and it’s like you are a new person. It’s better than your masseuses, no?” Jenn asked. “By the way, my name is Jenn, and I’m Gordon and Jake’s mother. So, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask me, daughter. You and your children are family now.” His mom patted his arm. “Your fathers have updated the playroom. Everything is new.”

  Jake covered his mom’s mouth. “I do not even want to hear this. Just the idea. Please.” Jake moaned, causing the others to laugh as he removed his hand.

  His mother’s eyes twinkled. “Why, Jake, where do you think you were conceived?” She laughed and disappeared.

  “Damn,” Holbrook groaned. “Now I don’t know if I can take my Adele in there.”

  His fathers laughed. “As your mother has said, everything, including the furniture, is new. When you are done here, our things will be replaced. If you bring your friends back, your belongings will be returned as well.”