Van, Becca - Help Me Fly Again (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) (13 page)

Chapter Twelve

Sandi walked around the back of the old, primitive houses on the upper level of the cavern, as it was shorter than traversing all the way around to the front. She saw people milling about but was too intent on going to her men to worry about what was going on. She couldn’t believe how clearly she could see now as she strode up the long tunnel to the surface.

She blinked a few times as her vision adjusted to the brightness of daylight and scanned the sky and ground looking for her mates. There was no sign of them. She unfurled her wings and took off toward the sight of her crashed spaceship. She knew they weren’t there long before she landed lightly on the ground. There was no sign of Tim or his crew, and she knew that he had kept his promise to her and left at first light. She wondered if she had missed them as she left the cave or if they were off somewhere else doing goodness knows what. She smiled and turned as she heard the flutter of wings above her. The smile on her face died when she looked into the face of the Redloh Clan leader, Retep.

Why do I always seem to end up in trouble?
Sandi began to run as best as she could, considering her belly was big with child. She flapped her wings, hoping that would prevent Retep from getting to her. She should have known better. He was much larger and stronger than she was. He was also a hell of a lot faster. He was in front of her in moments, and he wrapped his arms around her shoulders and wings. He had effectively pinned her wings back, as well as her arms. She was totally helpless. She didn’t begin to struggle. His hold on her was tenuous at best, and she didn’t want him dropping her and harming her child. She didn’t speak or look at him. She just prayed her men would find out she was missing and come to her rescue. She had no idea why Retep still wanted her, and didn’t really know if she wanted to.

It seemed to take forever to get where it was he wanted to go. Then she realized he was zigzagging and circling back. Was he trying to lay a false path? She pushed those thoughts aside as the ground came closer, and she knew they were about to land. She took a deep breath and hoped he wouldn’t drop her. She opened her eyes, which she hadn’t even realized she had closed, and tried to push away from him when they were once more safely on the ground. He didn’t even acknowledge her move. He moved one of his arms beneath her knees and carried her into a hidden entrance in the side of a mountain.

Retep carried her through the long, steep tunnel, and Sandi stayed alert, looking for any avenue of escape, as well as keeping the layout of the tunnel in her mind. The cavern wasn’t as large as the Reap Clan’s cave, but there were the blue glowing gems in the walls and ceiling, as well as the lime stalagmites and stalactites. She felt the eyes on her but didn’t look at anyone as Retep carried her to a stone throne on a raised platform in the middle of the rock room. He sat down with her on his lap and held her with a firm arm beneath her breasts and above her protruding stomach.

“You will rule beside me in time. I know you are full of fight and hatred, but eventually you will come to me of your own free will. We will be the rulers over all the Eagron Clans, and we will have the absolute power of making whatever rules we wish. I will acknowledge your child as my own, and eventually you will carry my youngling. We will have a good life.”

Sandi felt bile rise in her throat. Retep was out of his mind. She would never accept him as her mate. She already had two mates she loved more than her own life. She would never go to him and accept him. She was shaking with fear and rage. She breathed deeply and swallowed the acid in her stomach. She would just have to bide her time and try to escape.

She looked up when she heard footsteps nearby. A man with features similar to Retep stood eyeing her, and then he moved his gaze to the man holding her.

“What are you doing, Retep? Who is the woman?”

“Ah, Nalp, my brother, I would like you to meet my new mate. Her name is Sandi. Sandi, this is my brother Nalp.”

Sandi looked at Nalp and prayed he wasn’t as loopy as his brother. She pleaded to him with her eyes to help her but was disenchanted when Nalp looked at her and then looked back to his brother with no discernible expression.

“Where did you get her, brother?”

“I found her wandering the ground alone. She had no protectors, and therefore, I decided she would make me a good mate. Don’t you agree, Nalp?”

“This woman is the Reap Clan leaders’ mate. Do you honestly think they are going to let you get away with taking her for your own? Have you taken leave of your senses? You will bring war to our clan with your actions. Don’t you want peace and harmony amongst our kind?”

“I can see you don’t agree with me, brother. You are not seeing the big picture. With Sandi by my side, we will be the most powerful clan in all of Eagron. We will be able to make our own rules and change the laws to suit our own purposes. You will acknowledge Sandi as my mate, and the child she carries will be my youngling until she is able to carry the seed of my body. I have seen everything. We will be unbeatable and unstoppable. We will be the most revered clan throughout all of Eagron, and nothing you do or say is going to stop me. Now leave my sight before I have you killed.”

Sandi couldn’t believe what she had just heard come out of Retep’s mouth. How could someone threaten to kill his own flesh and blood? She prayed to God her men would find her before he decided it was time to claim her. The thought of having his hands on her in that way made her feel physically ill. She was going to have to do everything within her power to escape from the lunatic holding her. Nalp caught her eye as he bowed in subservience to his brother. He kept his head low, and she knew Retep couldn’t see his face. She saw him wink at her, and then he straightened and left without a backward glance. She had an ally after all.

* * * *

Dreab was leading their flight through the sky. He had found Sandi missing again and knew she had gone to see if her commanding officer and his crew had left. He had found signs of her at the site and also smelled Retep’s scent in the air. It was stronger than before, and he knew in the pit of his gut, his mate was in trouble again. He had gone back to their cave and gathered all available warriors. Now they were out searching for her, and he wasn’t going to leave for home until she was back in his arms. She was always looking out for him and Erup. He knew she had been worried her colleagues from Earth would harm him and his brother and had obviously gone to make sure they were safe. She probably never even thought about the danger to herself.

Erup flew alongside him as they scanned the terrain with their bird-like vision, looking for clues as to where Retep could have gone. They flew many miles past the site of their mate’s crash site, and then Dreab spotted a lone Redloh Clan member flying toward him.

Dreab held up his hand, telling his brother and his warriors to hold off an attack. He hoped to be able to find out where his mate was being held without any violence. The Redloh Clan member drew up close to him and began to speak.

“My brother, Retep, has lost his mind. He has your mate in our cavern and plans to take her as his mate. You have to stop him. He believes he and your mate can rule over all the clans on Eagron. I will show you to our cave, but I cannot help you defeat him. It is up to you to save your mate.”

Dreab gave a nod of his head and followed behind. He was relieved that he would not have to leave his mate with Retep throughout the long hours of the night. He landed on the ground close to the Redloh Clan leader’s brother. He looked to where the man was pointing and nodded to his men. They were about to enter the lion’s den.

“Let’s go,”
Dreab
said as he stood and headed to the cavern opening of the Redloh Clan.

He took the lead into the dark tunnel and listened with caution as he descended into the bowels of the earth. His brother was at his side, and his men were behind him. He wasn’t leaving until he got their mate back.

Dreab held his hand up, signaling his men to stop as he came to the end of the tunnel. The sight of Retep sitting on his throne-like stone chair with Sandi held on his lap was nearly more than he could stand. He waited until Retep’s brother moved from the tunnel and into the cave. Once the Redloh Clan member was hidden behind a large rock pile, Dreab stepped out into the large, open cavern. He had already signaled for his brother to wait hidden in the tunnel with their men. The element of surprise was better than laying out everything in one go. His brother and men were waiting for a command from him to enter if needed.

He moved up in front of Retep and stood with his arms folded across his chest. He kept his limbs loose but was ready to pounce if necessary. He didn’t dare look into Sandi’s eyes. He knew if he did he would be distracted, and he needed to keep his wits about him.

“What brings you into my nest, Dreab?” Retep asked, a sneer on his face.

“You have taken what does not belong to you. This isn’t the first time. You are not worthy of leading this clan. You cause unrest throughout the land. It is time to put a stop to your ways.”

“And I suppose you are the one who is going to stop me? You think you can best me in a fight?” Retep snarled.

“There is only one way to find out. If I win, you will be dead. Another will take your place as leader of this clan, these people will be released from your rule, and my mate will be back with me, where she belongs,” Dreab said in a voice laced with steel.

“And if I win?”

“You won’t.”

“So full of confidence, you are.” Retep placed Sandi on the rock throne and rose to his feet.

Dreab watched Retep warily as he descended the rock steps. He moved back until only he and Retep faced each other.

“If I win, your mate will belong to me,” Retep growled out.

“Agreed,” Dreab lied. There was no way in hell he was leaving his mate in the hands of this asshole. He would win this fight. There were no other options.

Retep came at him as soon as Dreab had agreed to the bastard’s terms, but Dreab was ready. They wrestled, punched, and kicked, each taking and landing blows. A hard fist in Dreab’s jaw had him seeing stars, but he didn’t give in to the darkness. The life of his mate still depended upon him. Retep was a vicious fighter, but he didn’t have the love of a mate waiting for him. They fought hard and long, and Dreab could see his enemy was weakening. Retep took a step back, breathing heavily as he eyed Dreab warily. Dreab knew he had the advantage when he saw fear in his contender’s eyes. He called on all of his strength and speed. He moved quickly, grabbed Retep by the head, and twisted. The sound of his enemy’s neck snapping and then the loud thud as Retep landed on the ground at his feet dead was sickening, but necessary.

What happened next totally blew him away. The members of the Redloh Clan surrounded him, cheering and whistling at the death of their leader. Retep’s brother stepped forward and bowed his head to Dreab. The noise died down, and then Retep’s brother and the rest of the Redloh members were all kneeling to him.

“I would like to thank you for releasing us from our crazed leader. Many of our clan have tried and failed in disposing of him. You will have our gratitude for as long as the Redloh Clan exists. My brother has caused much mayhem, but I would like to change what he has done. From this day forward, the Redloh people would like to be allies to the Reap Clan.”

“Your wish is granted. What is your name?” Dreab asked.

“I am called Nalp Redloh.”

“We will look forward to living in peace. I am sorry for your loss, but we could not allow your brother to continue his reign of terror.”

“His death was necessary. Now the Redloh Clan can also live in peace. Take your mate and leave with our gratitude.” Nalp bowed once more.

“Come, we will leave this place.” Dreab moved to Sandi and picked her up into his arms.

He held her tight against him and left the celebrating Redloh Clan behind. He, his brother, and the men of his clan flew back to their home.

Chapter Thirteen

Sandi sighed as Dreab carried her into their house. She knew she was going to be in trouble for leaving and putting herself in danger, but she also knew her mates would never hurt her. She was feeling really nervous, but that flew out the window when she saw Dreab’s face. He had bruises and a swollen jaw. She wanted to command him into the healing-gel bath but knew she was going to have to take her punishment first. He was hurt because of her, and she felt so guilty. If she hadn’t left by herself, none of this would have happened.