Predator

Chapter 55

“She knows something is going on.” Riddick said as he turned to Ian. “She doesn’t know what though.”

“Well she obviously knows about the barrier I erected and it piqued her curiosity.” Ian wiped his brow and held his hand at his temple. “I can tell you Alexandra has never been known to let anything go after it gains her attention.”

“I don’t think she is willing to pry into our minds to find the truth.” Riddick sighed heavily and leaned against the wall like his strength had just left him. “We’re just going to have to keep up the façade that everything is fine in the meantime.”

“I see her moods are fluctuating even more rapidly than before. She is taking the brunt of this out on you.” Ian looked at him sadly. “It is probably because of your proximity or it could be the connection to your daughter. It is hard to say. This child will be unlike any being that ever existed.”

“Ian, I have something horrible to admit to you.” Riddick clenched his eyes for a moment. He turned them to the soulful amber that stared back at him and spoke his tortured thoughts. “I am torn between dreading Dawn’s birth and looking forward to finally be able to hold her in my arms.”

“Riddick, she is your child and it is a joyous occasion to live through.” Ian smiled softly.

“The cost is so high, Ian.” Riddick covered his liquid eyes with one hand. “When Dawn is born, either you or Alex has to die for her to go on. It isn’t right.”

“Riddick, Alexandra set this plan, prophecy if you will, in motion countless centuries ago. She was honestly tired of living amongst mortals and was looking for an end to her reign as the Protector. She was terrified of losing control.” He leant against the wall next to Riddick and nudged his shoulder. “She didn’t think there was a way out until she met you.”

“I know I am her destined mate.” Riddick said a little too loud before he brought his tone back down. “I just think it sucks that she can’t change something after she starts it.”

“She wouldn’t be a very competent Creator if we caught her making mistakes, would she?” Ian smiled grimly and vanished from sight.

~*~

Alex leaned heavily against Vaako as he assisted her down the halls to her rooms. Her pregnancy was taking a huge toll on her energy and it left her confused as to the reason. Her strength level was at its highest capacity, which surpassed any known being in existence. She could easily take a group of 50 men without breaking a sweat and yet her exhaustion was overwhelming her. “Vaako.”

“Yes, my Lady?”

“I hate to inconvenience you but I think I’d rather get some rest in a different location.” She stopped in the hall and turned to look at his pale face. “Besides I think you could use some sun on that skin. Life in space does nothing for your skin tone.” She smiled at his raised eyebrow and teleported them to the lake.

As soon as they arrived, she released his arm and let him take in his surroundings. He walked along the edge of the water with a wide-eyed look of wonder. Alexandra sat down in the sand and leaned back on her hands while she watched the Necromonger. “This seems familiar to me somehow.” He whispered before he pointed at the waterfall and glanced over his shoulder at her.

“Do you think there were waterfalls on your home world, Vaako?”

“I don’t know.” He said quietly.

“But you know you’ve seen one before?”

“I am positive that I have.”

“How do you know there wasn’t one on a planet that you helped to convert?”

“I associate a feeling of…happiness with this memory.” He turned to fully look at her and straightened his stance. “When I converted a planet I found no joy in doing so. I was just doing my duty.”

She narrowed her eyes and scrutinized the young man before her. “I don’t believe you.” Alex felt his tension level spike at her accusation and smirked at him. “I was in the throne room of Necropolis when Riddick and the Lord Marshall were fighting. I knew of your plan to kill him the second you entered the hall and I know the thought brought you great pleasure.”

“It is…was our way.” He stammered.

“If it was the Necromonger way that is fine but don’t speak to me of duty in regards to the conversions. You enjoyed doing what you did. Just like you enjoyed hunting Riddick down on Crematoria.” She smiled at the way his stance lost its certainty and the way his eyes would not meet hers. “I can see I hit a nerve. Do not concern yourself with it, Vaako. I am not angry with you.”

He watched her struggle to regain her feet with no success due to her enlarged abdomen and moved to her side. “Let me help you, my Lady.” He easily pulled her to a standing position and looked at her as she dusted off her bottom. “I do not understand why a being of your power would weaken yourself in this manner. How could you possibly defend yourself?”

“Oh well, let me see if I can make it clear to you.” She snapped at him knowing full well he was correct to a certain degree. She walked over to a large boulder on the edge of the clearing and turned to look at him with a trace of energy flickering in her eyes. As she stared into his dark eyes, she balled her right hand and drove her fist into the rock. The speed and strength used made it explode into dust and pebbles. “Have I made my point?”

Vaako had shielded his eyes from the settling debris. When he dropped his hands, the look on his face was a mixture of shock and admiration. “I believe you have, my Lady.” A hint of a smile traced his lips and he nodded his head in understanding. “Your strength is unmatched but know this. I am honor bound to protect you with my life. You are my Lady and I would die before I allowed anyone to cause you harm.”

“That is not the Necromonger way, Vaako.”

“I am not a Necromonger any longer, my Lady Alexandra.” He took her arm in his and helped steady her on the sand. “What remains of my people have either been restored to their previous state or have been converted to your way.”

“That is a sweet sentiment, Vaako.” She smiled at his still wandering eyes and shook her head in astonishment. “You have made a little headway in just a couple of hours. I am impressed that I can infect people so quickly but I want you to know more.” She tilted her head to the side and called out to the air. “Athena.”

A flash of gold light heralded the Goddess of Wisdom’s arrival and startled the young man at Alexandra’s side. “Yes, my Lady.” Her emerald green eyes met those of her Creator’s companion and a small smile graced her beautiful features. “What can I do for you?”

“I am going to sun for a while and I would like you to take Vaako with you to the temple.” Alexandra noticed the Goddess’ rapt attention on her escort and her smile could be heard in her voice. “He is a special case, Athena. I don’t need any arguments about him not being of Royal blood.”

“I am yours to command, my Lady.” Athena bowed her head to her Ruler but kept her eyes on Vaako’s. “What do you wish me to do with him?”

“That is a loaded question, don’t you think?” The redheaded Goddess finally looked at Alex with curiosity. “Never mind, Athena. He is one of the converted Necromongers and I have given him a choice to make. I want you to show him life as it is with freedom of choice. I want him to know what it is like to live when you are not programmed to respond in a certain way.”

“I have your permission to use parts of the archives that I think would achieve this goal?” Athena asked with her head cocked to the side.

“You have my permission to show him any part of my past or present that will help him understand. You can use any part of history itself to achieve that goal.” She returned the Goddess’ nod and glanced at Vaako. “She is beautiful, isn’t she?” His eyes suddenly snapped to hers and Alex smiled. “That was what you were just thinking, isn’t it?”

“How…”

“Athena will explain everything, Vaako. Go with her. I’ll be here when you are ready to return to the palace.” Alex rolled her eyes as they both bowed to her and shook her head when they vanished. “This bowing shit is getting old.” She teleported to the top of the waterfall, laid down on a large flat stone, and quickly fell asleep.

~*~

Ronon carried Kyra into their bedchambers and set her down on her feet. His hungry eyes ran the length of her form but he did not move an inch from where he stood. She noticed his pupils looked dilated and took in his prone yet predatory stance. “Ronon, why are you just standing there?” She asked quietly.

“It is a Nietzchean custom that the female initiates the mating.” He said with a certain amount of tension in his voice.

“So that means that you have to keep your hands to yourself until I let you touch me?” She asked in a teasing tone. Unable to find his voice, he nodded his head. “What happens after I give you permission to touch me?”

“I must do as you say until I reach a certain point when I will take over the mating.” He noticed the slightest spark of fear enter her eyes until she hid it away. “Do not worry, my love. I will make sure you are very comfortable of the situation before I do anything.”

“I have seen the way Tyr mated with your mother in the archives, Ronon. Are all Nietzcheans such aggressive lovers?”

“Yes but I would never harm you in any way.” His eyes were imploring her to believe him and, when she nodded her head, he knew she did.

She sauntered up to him and smiled mischievously. “Do not move unless I tell you to. Do you understand?” He nodded his head shakily as her fingers unbuttoned his vest. She skimmed the back of her hands over the heated flesh of his chest as she worked each button free.

His eyes fired when she pushed the leather vest off his shoulders and let it fall to the floor. He watched her hands rest on the waistband of his pants and stared into her sultry eyes when she gazed up at him. “Ronon, I want you to undress me now.” His hands darted to her top and she stopped him with a slap on his wrists. “Do it slowly.”

He nodded his head and slowly unwrapped the material that encased her breasts. When he accomplished that task, his eyes clenched when he gazed at the soft supple flesh before him. “You are enjoying this torture too much, my love.” He knelt before her and untied the knot on her hip. He could scent her arousal and had to suppress a growl when he dropped her skirt to the floor.

His mouth dropped open in surprise when he saw her freshly shaved pussy within inches of his face. “Now I am enjoying this torture, Ronon. Take off your pants and boots and join me on the bed.” His fingers swiftly undid the fastenings on his leathers as he watched her crawl onto the bed.

He kicked off his boots and pushed his pants off his legs as his eyes focused on her tone backside. She settled in the center of the bed and lay on her back as she watched him crawl up between her spread legs. She stopped his progress with a foot in the center of his chest. “I want you to eat me, Ronon. Make me cum with your mouth.”

He carefully placed each of her legs over his shoulders, laid down on his stomach, and drew in her scent. His eyes pierced hers as he ran his tongue over her delicate folds and elicited a moan from her lips. She was already dripping wet and, with the next lap of his tongue, he gathered a taste of her sweet nectar.

He threw his head back with a growl. “By the Progenitor, you taste divine.” He dipped his tongue into her heated core as he deftly exposed her clit with thumb. Before she knew what was happening, he latched on to the swollen little pearl with his lips and tickled it relentlessly with the tip of his tongue.

“Oh God, Ronon!” Kyra cried out in delight and squirmed from his erotic ministrations. She grabbed two handfuls of his locks and kept his face buried against his pussy. “Put your fingers in me, baby! Make me cum!” He slipped 2 within her slick folds and began to pump them in a steady pace. She bucked against his hand and ground her clit into his tongue as she began to shudder.

Ronon could feel the tension enter every muscle of her body as her orgasm approached. She thrashed about in throes of ecstasy until her pussy clamped on to his fingers and she arched her back as a wail of release tore from her lungs. He eased his digits from her shaking body and lapped up the juices that escaped her quivering pussy.

Kyra slowly came back to herself and moaned as he continued to run his tongue along her folds. “Ronon.” He did not respond to her breathless whisper of his name. He was overwhelmed with her taste. She pulled his head up by his locks and was struck speechless by the unbridled need in his eyes. “I want you.”

His breathing was labored as the words worked through his lust. She urged him to crawl up her body by pulling on his hair until they were face to face. She could smell her scent on his breath and it made her wetter to know she had marked her territory. It came as a shock to her that her fear was nonexistent in the face of such a large man bearing the look of primal hunger in his eyes.

“I want you to claim me, husband. Make me forever yours.” She gazed dreamily into his eyes. He hooked her knees with his arms and opened her wide for his penetration. He rubbed the head of his engorged cock over her slick opening and looked deep into her green eyes as he eased his way into her tight channel. She sensed his hesitancy to rush her but could see how painful it was to hold back his need. “Ronon, take me now!”

He didn’t need any further encouragement. His blood fired in his veins when his mate demanded that he take her. He kissed her gently on her lips before he whispered. “Forgive me. I love you so much.” He took her mouth in deep bruising kiss as he drove his shaft into her body to the hilt. His kiss muffled her cry of discomfort and he stilled within her to allow her to get accustomed to his size.

It took Kyra a minute or so for the pain to fade to pleasure and she opened her eyes to see Ronon shaking above her. “Baby.” She ran her hand along his cheek and his eyes snapped open. “Its okay. Make love to me.” He released the breath he was holding while he restrained himself from moving and slowly began to pump into her.

He watched her eyes roll up in her head as he picked up his pace. Sweat broke out in a sheen on their skin as a fire burned deep within them. Ronon’s eyes fixed on their joined bodies. He could feel his control slip as he watched his cock, coated with her juices, slide in and out of her pussy.

“Ronon…” He heard her moan. “Don’t hold back on my account.” She gasped. “I want the real you.” He drove into her like a true Nietzchean. His thrusts were powerful and steady. Each one brought a cry of rapture from her lips. “Baby…I’m gonna cum!” She cried out again as his hips pounded into the back of her thighs. “Ahh! Ronon!” His balls slapped against her ass. “Cum with me, Ronon!”

He slipped his hands under her ass and lifted her up, which deepened his penetration. Her cries of passion drove him on until he felt his balls tighten up. The walls of her pussy clamped down on his driving shaft and they both screamed out their release together. Ronon released her legs, rolled them over so that she lay on top of his chest, and managed to keep them joined in the process.

“Kyra…I have a confession to make.” He gasped out as he tried to control his breathing.

“What is it, baby?” She whispered in an exhausted tone.

“I know about the implant you have to prevent pregnancy.” She opened her eyes and stared into his hazel ones. “It is not effective against Nietzchean sperm. You are fertile and more so you are ovulating. On the nightstand are 2 vials. The clear one will ensure the fertilization to 100% accuracy and the other will negate the possibility.”

“Ronon…”

“I know this is fast for you. Our entire courtship was like being caught in a whirlwind. I will not rush you into anything you are not ready for.” He stroked the hair back off of her sweaty brow and kissed the top of her head. “You are not a Nietzchean female therefore I do not expect you to act as one and want to have my child right away. I am going to the bathroom and when I get back I want to hold my wife in my arms while we sleep.”

He gently rolled her on to her back, kissed her tenderly on the lips, and left the room. She rolled over and propped herself up on her left forearm as she looked at the vials. She traced her fingers over the Majoram symbol on her helix before she reached out and grabbed both of the glass tubes of liquid in her hand.

All sorts of thoughts ran through her mind as she stared at the certain future in her palm. Was she ready for this? Would she be a good mother? After everything she had been through in her life, would she have anything positive to share with a child? As all of these questions flitted through her mind, she could have sworn she heard a voice that sounded strangely like Alex’s whisper one word into her head.

‘Yes.’

Ronon paced for what seemed like forever, but was really 30 minutes, in the bathing room. He wanted to give her enough time to make a big decision but wasn’t sure if he could hide in there long enough for that. He quietly made his way into the bedchambers and slipped into bed next to his mate.

Kyra was curled up on her side with her back to him. When he reached out to touch her waist, she rolled over and snuggled into his chest. He kissed her gently on her head and nuzzled into her hair. “I love you, Kyra.”

“I love you too, Ronon.” She mumbled sleepily.

As she drifted off into a much-needed slumber in his arms, Ronon’s eyes drifted over to the nightstand and focused on the 2 vials. One of which was now emptied of its contents. Tears filled his eyes and his chest constricted from the emotions that flooded his system. He held his mate tight in his arms and let out a sigh. ‘Clear.’ He thought with a smile as he drifted off to sleep.

~*~

Out at the lake, a slumbering Alex had a smile cross her features as she continued to dream with the sound of water flowing all around her.

~*~

Athena stood nearby and watched as Vaako almost voraciously absorbed all the knowledge of Alex’s past. He was an apt pupil and seemed genuinely interested in learning about her long sought after humanity. “She suffered tremendously all in the name of love.” He said in deadpan tone. “Why is humanity and emotion so important to her if it causes her so much pain?”

“Because it was unattainable to her for a very long time, Vaako. She has a consciousness in her Phoenix form but she had no experience with life other than creating it. She only knew life as it existed to her cosmic entity but never knew anything else. Emotions were wasted on a being that knew nothing of humanity. She observed the humans in an effort to learn but it was beyond her capacity.”

“She decided the only way she could accomplish her goal was to inhabit the body of a human and learn their emotions. It was difficult for her to do, Vaako. She struggled every day to learn the things that you are now deciding on whether or not to retake. You were born with emotions that someone chose to suppress within you. She can return them to you with a wave of her hand.”

“Goddess, why does she care so much about whether or not I choose to reclaim my humanity?” Vaako pushed his chair back and turned away from the monitor. “The Necromongers were a defilement of everything she stands for but, when she could have destroyed all of us, she chose not to.”

“Vaako, she is and always will be the Phoenix. The Protector of Life does not turn her back on her responsibilities.” Athena smiled down at him and tilted up his chin to look in his eyes. “She killed a lot of the Necromongers when they threatened the lives of her family and allies. But in the end she saved the rest of you from a fate she deemed worse than death. A life of servitude and devoid of the right of human choice is something she cannot abide. Trust me, Vaako. I know her feelings on this matter too well.”

He thought on her words for a few minutes in silence until a beep interrupted his concentration. He rose up from the chair and pulled a communicator out of his pocket. He inserted the earpiece in place and Athena heard a one-sided conversation that clearly upset the young man.

After a couple of minutes of intense words, Vaako ended the communication and turned to Athena with worried eyes. “Goddess, have you heard of some entity known as the Abyss?”

Her brow mirrored his concern and she nodded her head. “It is known as the Abyss of All Evil. It is the antithesis of everything that the Phoenix represents. I guess you could consider it her destined archenemy. Why do you ask?”

“I just received a communiqué from my Lieutenant on Achilles. He said they intercepted a transmission between some vessels of the Abyss. They are its assassins and they have infiltrated Ariana space.”

“They are coming for her.” Athena whispered and closed her eyes for a second. “The Abyss is choosing a time when she is vulnerable to unleash his attack upon her. Vaako, go to her now while I retrieve her mates!”

~*~

Vaako ran down the stairs of the temple and swiftly made his way through the woods to the lake. He could hear the sounds of a battle long before he cleared the foliage. He glanced over the lakeside and the water for a sign of his Lady before a scream drew his attention to the waterfall.

On the top of that cliff, Alexandra was waging a small war against 5 beings that could disappear at will and strike her from different positions in a matter of seconds. Her concentration was distracted from the fight as she focused on protecting her baby. She kept blocking blows that were aimed at her stomach instead of mounting an offense.

Vaako watched in awe as a sword of pure energy erupted from Alex’s hand and she struck down one of the enemy. The being exploded in a burst of flame after the blade cleaved him in half. Vaako took off running at full speed to reach his Mistress’ side as she turned in a circle to size up the remaining invaders.

Alex swung her sword at one who disappeared a second before she would have made contact. It left her open for a punch to her cheek from a woman on her right and another punch in the back from a man behind her. Red flames exuded from her eyes as her temper flared. She feigned an elbow at the man behind her. Anticipating the blow, he teleported to her left where her blade was waiting for him.

Vaako was quickly running up the rocky hillside that would take him to the top of the falls. He kept his eye on his Lady the whole time. His eyes widened in awe when she threw out her right hand and froze the woman in place. A flick of her wrist and the assassin burst into flames and dust.

He had just reached the top when she turned to face one of her two last opponents. Her back was to the side of the cliff. She was focused on blocking punches from a woman that were aimed at her child. Vaako saw the second appear on her side but his back was turned to him. He saw the man pull a laser whip and slash it across her back.

She yelled in pain and tried to defend herself against his attack but the woman was pressing her assault. The man pulled his arm back over his head, preparing to strike again, when Vaako plowed into him. The whip caught him on his arm and burned through his flesh before he pulled away.

His yell distracted Alex and she turned her attention to him for a split second. It was long enough for the woman to embed a knife into her shoulder. She screamed in pain and began to stumble backwards. Vaako’s eyes widened in horror as he saw his Lady lose her balance on the edge of the falls. Before she toppled over the side, she had the insight to throw 2 blades into the chests of her enemy.

Vaako shielded his eyes as flames and dust flew into his face. He moved his hand and watched his Lady disappear from sight as she fell from the falls. “NO!!!” He got to his feet and, without giving it a thought, dove off after her. She hit the water hard and was dragged down by the undertow. He cleaved the water and fought the current as he searched for his Mistress.

~*~

Dorian woke from what he thought was a nightmare. Terror gripped his heart when he realized it was a communication from Dawn and it was real. His mother was in danger! His unborn sister cried for him to save her from death in the womb! He vanished from his room and went to his father.

~*~

He appeared at the same time as Athena. “My Lords!” She yelled out in desperation to her Creator’s mates in the Hall. The knowledge that the Goddess of War was not easily riled scared all of them. “The Agents of the Abyss have come for the Protector!”

“Athena, what the hell are you talking about?” Riddick yelled as he ran up to her. “Who are the Agents of the Abyss?”

“They are the assassins of the Protector’s destined enemy!” Her eyes met Ian’s and her uncharacteristic fear hit him hard. “They have attacked the Creator!”

Ian grabbed her arms and pierced her gaze with his own. “Where is she?”

“She is at the lake! Vaako is fighting by her side but you must hurry!”

~*~

In an instant, they all appeared at the edge of the lake. Several sets of frightened eyes ran over the landscape. Wisps of smoke were carrying away in the wind on top of the falls but there was no sign of either Alex or Vaako.

A moment later, Vaako broke the surface of the lake with Alexandra in his arms. Her mates rushed out into the water to meet him as he carried her towards the shore. “My Lord Riddick…” He coughed up some water as her mate carefully took her prone form from Vaako and cradled her against his chest. “I tried to protect her but they had abilities I’ve never seen before.”

Riddick didn’t even hear him speak. He carried her to the beach and laid her down on the sand. He saw the knife wound in her shoulder but it didn’t explain the blood on his arm. He gently lifted her and saw the slash across her back and side. “Was she unconscious before she hit the water, Vaako?” Riddick asked as he inspected her injuries.

“She was conscious as she fell but I think the impact with the water knocked her out. I dove in right after her. It took me a minute to find her and another to pull us free of the current.” Vaako’s eyes remained glued to his unconscious Mistress. “I told her I was honor bound to protect her. I said I would give my life before I allowed any harm to befall her. I failed within hours of making that promise. Forgive me, Lord Riddick.”

“Vaako, don’t blame yourself.” Riddick said as he picked up her limp body. “It is a promise we all have failed to live up to and seems we are destined to never be able to keep. Lets get her inside and tend to these wounds. Dorian, I’m gonna need you to communicate with your sister and find out if she’s okay.”

“Dad, I’ve never been able to talk to her while I’m awake!” Dorian said in a panic as he stared at his unconscious and bloody mother.

“You are going to have to try, son.” Riddick’s desperate eyes met his son’s. “You are the only hope we have.” His son nodded before they all vanished from the lake. Her private sanctuary. The only peace she could find on a planet was lost to her now.

~*~