A Forgotten Kitten (Sea-anan Saga Book 2) (38 page)

“Great,” grumbled Miko. “Giant horned monsters. Ten of them.”

“No fear.” Mike mischievously smiled. “Beast is here. Leave
them
to me.”

Sev looked at Miko then at Mike, who was happily sizing up the new race of opponents. Sev saw that grin disappear as Mike stiffened.

“Mikkoa!” hissed Mike.

Sev recognized the name immediately. He searched the traitors’ faces. “Which one?”

Shooting steel daggers at the once-friend turned foe, Mike pointed his black sword at the fourth person in the second row. “That stinking Iguana is Mikkoa, the lizard responsible for turning so many against our cause. The one who almost killed—”

“The one who almost killed my wife,” Sev interjected, giving Mikkoa the most predatory glare any hunter could muster.

Mikkoa moved to the front of the pack and gave Sev the once-over. “Who are you?” he spoke into his translator.

Sev moved to stand in front of the Iguanid. He made certain the translator hooked around his ear was securely in place before speaking clearly into the mouthpiece. “I’m Sev, Lord of the Seacats. Areo is
my wife,”
he sneered. “After your little farewell present, I was the one who found her and nursed her back to health. I swore to myself if I was ever lucky enough to come across you, I was going to repay you for what you did to her.” He raised his sword. “So, how about going up against someone who knows how to use a sword?” Sev saw doubt jump into the lizard’s eyes.

Mikkoa adjusted the earpiece to his communicator. “Did you say
wife?”

Sev nodded once.

“Since when has that annoying little bitch been able to find someone stupid enough to stay with her?”

“If you must know, the day she was born.” Sev scraped his blade’s tip along Mikkoa’s left cheek. The spikes on Mikkoa’s back stood on end. Sev ignored how the Dominion prepared for attack.

Miko readied his axes. Mike raised his sword slightly.

“Are you any good with that sword?” asked Sev. “Or will you rely on your friends to assist you in gaining the upper hand against me, just as you did with my wife?”

Mikkoa crossed his sword with Sev’s. “I do not believe a single word you are say—”

“It’s true, Mikkoa. Sev is Areo’s husband. And I wouldn’t get too cocky with that sword if I were you. I fought Sev. And I have to say, he has no equal,” said Mike, stretching the truth.

Mikkoa’s eyes raced back to the feline in front of him. He braced himself. “All right, then, I see it will be up to me to make that bitch a widow. That way my king can proceed with his plans for her without a hitch.”

Sev heart skipped a beat.

“What do you mean?” Miko asked.

“I did say
widow,”
replied Mikkoa.

All three Seacats understood immediatly.

“Over my dead body!” Sev made the first move.

It was not long into the fight that Mikkoa realized he was about to be killed by the incensed lion. Even with several comrades aiding him, he could not gain advantage over the cat. Deciding it was prudent to make a quick retreat, Mikkoa left his fellow Dominions to deal with Sev and his felines. He ran off to warn Daehog of Areo’s husband, leaving Sev to fend off two Ailatinegs and a Braqarian.

“Sev, Mikkoa!” Miko shouted.

Sev caught a glimpse of Mikkoa’s fleeting back. He disposed of his opponents and gave chase. He knew exactly where the traitor headed. For everyone’s sake, he prayed Areo was unharmed and untouched.

At the end of the winding corridor, Daehog knelt over an unconscious Areo. His huge right hand roamed over her form, barely touching her. He wanted to become familiar with her curves. She was not the sort of female he was used to mating with. He found her too small and scrawny. The only reason he considered mating with her was because she was the Queen of Sea-anan and the keeper of the Bracelets of Foresight.

Daehog lifted his wings and positioned his body above hers. He was surprised to find her scent somewhat pleasing. His long, pointy tongue licked her cheeks in an effort to awaken her. Areo’s eyelids fluttered open. He smirked.

A short distance away, Sev caught up with Mikkoa and cut off his escape. “And where do you think you’re going?” he asked with a cruel smile. “This is for my soulmate.”

Mikkoa hesitated for only a second. He gave Sev all he was worth, which, compared to Sev, was not much. Sev had slept for eight years, but before that he’d had seven years of combat training from the greatest Seacat who had ever lived: Challen.

Swing after swing, Sev chuckled mockingly or sneered. After all, Mikkoa had almost killed the only woman who could ever bring his soul joy. After a few minutes, Sev put a stop to his little game. He had to find his wife.

“I will give you the same you gave her. And if you survive like she did,” he shrugged, “then you survive.” Sev sliced Mikkoa in exactly the same fashion Areo was cut. No more. No less. After he was done, he knelt over the gasping alien, showing no mercy. “I forgot to tell you. Areo survived
only because of magic.”

Mikkoa’s eyes widened with alarm.

Sev smiled a satisfied smile. He stood and rushed off to find his wife.

In an effort to bring to focus the face that loomed over her, Areo blinked several times. Having Daehog lying on her made her wish that Mikkoa had succeeded in killing her.

Her strength was ebbing. She used the last of it to push hard against his shoulders. “Get off me, you monster!” Panic gripped her when her efforts proved unsuccessful. “I won’t let you touch me!”

“You have no choice.” His hands moved over her body. “You are my lifemate and you must please me.”

“Please you?” Areo’s skirt was raised high over her hips. Daehog’s breath smelled like rotten flesh. Her skin shriveled with repulsion wherever it touched her, making her sicker to her stomach. “Oh, I’ll please you, all right.” Areo raised her shackled hands, extended her claws, and went for his face. “I’ll rip your heart out!”

Daehog caught Areo’s hands before they reached his cheeks. Clasping the chains in one huge fist, he held them above her head and laughed. Areo’s combative nature, together with the wiggling and arching of her body, started to arouse him.

Areo went stark still when she felt his manhood growing. “Please, let me go. Don’t do this. It isn’t right.”

“Oh, but it is.” One of his hands went to the inner part of her thigh.

His hand came in contact with her pubic bone. Areo gasped. “No.” She shook her head. “Please, don’t.” She began to struggle again.

Having his fingers on her most intimate parts ripped Areo’s soul from her body. No one had touched her but Sev. The more Daehog explored her, the more she died. His finger traced her opening. Instinctively, her hips pulled away.

“No,” she cried. “Don’t do this. Please, I beg of you, stop.” With a conquering smile, Daehog continued to finger her opening, threatening to slip inside. Areo gulped air in pure fright. “Daehog, please don’t.” She choked on a sob.

“You are barely big enough. But I will soon take care of that.” He removed his loincloth and repositioned his arousal at her junction.

Areo was careful not to move for fear of inserting him. But by that time, she knew the battle was over. With no more strength to fight this giant off, she accepted the fact she was about to be raped. Still, the McCall within her refused to give in completely. Her wrists strained against his tight hold on her chains as she sensed Daehog’s hips drawing back.

The loudest cry ever heard tore from Areo’s constricted chest. As her scream ended, realization struck. The enormous weight of Daehog’s body had disappeared. Her body was snatched off the ground. Her eyes opened. She was in Miko’s arms. Areo did not care who it was, she was only relieved that Daehog had not finished his terrible deed. She wrapped her arms as far as her chains would allow around Miko’s waist and sobbed like a child.

“Areo, let me go. I have to help Sev.”

Areo looked up at him. “Sev?”

“Yes. Daehog will kill him if I do not help him, so let go of me!” He nudged her away.

Miko pulled out his double battle-axes and attacked, leaving Areo standing in the middle of the room, cold, frightened, and defenseless. Her eyes found the reason why Daehog had never finished his deed.

Sev.
Her eyes filled with more tears.

Sev was combating the giant. The Sword of Power purred and glowed as bright as his eyes. Areo remained rooted to the spot, hugging her body. Sev’s fighting style enchanted her. He was
courageous. He was powerful. He was skillful. It reminded her of the first time she had seen Sev in a real fight. He was a nine-year-old kitten, but still amazing to watch. Areo felt her honor and pride restored with every strike Sev made.

During the course of the fight, Areo finished biting all her nails and was now pulling her hair out from the roots. Despite their joint efforts, Sev and Miko were overwhelmed. Daehog was too powerful for them to overcome. She feared the demon would kill her husband. Both men were swatted across the room like two pesky bugs.

“Nooo!” Areo ran to her injured husband. She dropped to her knees beside Sev and framed his face. “Sev? Sev!” She did not see Daehog reaching for her. He yanked her against his waist. “No! Let go of me!”

“I do not think so,” Daehog snarled at her. “We have some unfinished business.”

“Never! Sev will kill you if you continue!”

“Sev? That pesky little cat? He is finished. Can you not see that? Neither he nor his weakling of a friend is capable of saving you. No one is. You are mine.”

Sev opened his eyes from where he lay. Turning onto his side, he saw his wife struggling to release herself from his enemy’s grasp. Images of Daehog between Areo’s naked thighs entered his deranged mind. Growling, he got onto his knees. Daehog slapped his small kitten across her angelic face. Sev’s body tensed as Areo’s went instantly limp. Rage gave him the necessary energy to go on.

“Get away from my wife!” he shouted at the top of his lungs. He tackled the giant to the ground.

Sev quickly pummeled Daehog in his face. He did not stop until the demon grew tired of being hit. Daehog caught the next two punches in his hands. He held Sev’s glare and chuckled. Effortlessly, he flung Sev across the room a second time. Sev banged hard against the wall and landed solidly on the floor, unconscious.

Miko was quick to attack. Alone, he lasted several minutes. During a thrusting move, Daehog grabbed his left arm, twisted it, and pushed downward on the elbow. Miko cried out above the
loud crack and fell to one knee. Daehog immediately followed with a series of rapid power kicks to Miko’s side. Miko coughed up blood. Daehog reached back and backslapped the Seacat across the face. The powerful blow lifted Miko off the ground. He flew through the air and banged into a wall. Miko dropped to the floor.

Wiping his mouth, Daehog studied the two felines. They remained motionless. He turned to Areo and lifted her into his arms. Daehog wondered briefly when she’d had the time to acquire a lifemate. It made no difference. The male was finished. Daehog carried her away.

Miko gingerly lifted his injured body off the floor. Wiping his mouth, he stumbled over to where Sev lay and shook his shoulder. “Sev? Sev!”

Groaning, Sev struggled to wake up. He hurt straight to the core. His body screamed out in protest as he forced his limbs to move. His wife, as well as the entire universe, was in danger. He could not comply and give in. Daehog had to be stopped.

“Sev, are you all right?” asked Miko.

“No,” Sev truthfully answered. Once he was on all fours, he scanned the room. Another wave of ice passed through his soul. “Where’s Areo?”

“Daehog took her.”

Sev struggled to his feet, picking up his sword. He sniffed the foul air and located Areo immediately. He glanced at Miko and noticed his multiple lacerations. Blood smeared Miko’s mouth and trickled down the side of his face. Miko held his left arm close to his torso. A broken bone protruded from the front of his elbow.

“You’re badly injured.”

“I am all right.”

“No, you stay here. This is my fight.” Sev made to leave. Miko jumped in his path. “But, Sev—”

“No, Miko, she is
my
wife. That makes it
my
fight. You stay here. That’s an order.”

Miko solemnly lowered his head and allowed Sev to go around him.

Moving as fast as his injured body would allow, Sev ran to an adjacent room. The giant was a few yards away. “Daehog!”

The leader of the Dominion stopped. He turned with a snarl on his face. “I thought you were dead, cat.”

“I’m not that easily killed.” Sev entered the room. “Release my wife and face me, monster.”

A slow smirk appeared on the Mormoc’s face. “I should have guessed. Nine lives. After all, you are a cat. Why not forget about her and join me as my second in command? You would make a great general in my army.”

“You have got to be kidding me. Areo’s my soulmate!”

The red-faced demon snickered. “Not anymore. She is now
my
lifemate. And soon the bearer of
my
heir.”

Daehog’s words made the blood in Sev drop below freezing. “No.” His gaze lowered to his beloved kitten, who had yet to regain consciousness.
It can’t be. I failed her.
His breathing increased.
I failed her!
His eyes met Daehog’s glowing yellow ones. “You…”