Gabriel, p.13
Gabriel, page 13
If we get them to Kalquor to stand trial, they’ll likely be declared guilty and executed. If Gabriel will join my clan as our companion, I can claim right of vengeance and participate in the execution myself.
He was more than capable of uncivilized behavior himself. If he had his way, Mit-noc and Nal would discover that firsthand.
A death sentence for Gabriel’s harassers would also keep him safe from other abduction attempts, as fruitless as they’d be with Clan Baknu on guard. The young man deserved peace of mind. And justice.
Baknu’s fingers twitched again. They weren’t reacting to the vision of touching the lovely Earther, but the fantasy of strangling the life out of Mit-noc and Nal.
He drew a deep breath to calm his nerves and focused on Gabriel. He traced the young man’s features with his gaze, noting every detail: the straight perfection of his nose, the square dimpled chin, the full lips that invited hungry kisses.
Ancestors, he hoped the day’s events wouldn’t traumatize his Earther lover. The sooner Baknu brought Gabriel to the safety of his freighter, the easier he’d feel. Getting him to Kalquor space itself would be an added relief.
Up until that moment, the Dramok had been ambivalent about taking over his parent clan’s salvage business, which he’d inherit the entirety of eventually. An urge to travel the galaxy and explore new vistas had attracted Baknu to fleet service, though he’d wanted no part of the fighting side of the military. He’d had his share of adventures battling pirates and bold Tragooms during his tenure within the supply arm of the fleet. Those hazardous escapades had punctuated visiting fascinating worlds, learning alien cultures, advancing his studies, and meeting his clanmates. It had been a fulfilling life that made managing a salvage operation—as lucrative as it was—pale in comparison.
In the wake of Gabriel’s near-abduction, Baknu found himself looking forward to retiring from the fleet. On Kalquor, his young lover would have opportunities he’d never hoped for. Gabriel would also be easy about his sister’s future. Baknu was determined Iliana would enjoy whatever freedom she wished, whether it was a clan of her own choosing or no clan at all.
Baknu’s latest mission in life was clear: to keep Gabriel safe. To keep him happy.
To keep him.
* * * *
Mit-noc curled in a dark, tight space, his joints aching from their cramped position. He shivered.
The Kalquorians had his ship. The entire station was searching for him. They’d probably offered a substantial reward for his capture. It would be a long while before he could come out of hiding.
His big score looked impossible to achieve. Lesser creatures would have given up on the seeming impossibility of his goal, but Mit-noc was no lesser creature. He might have been exiled, but he was still an Aksukt. A son of one of the twelve Keepers of the Gates, no less.
He still had an opportunity to capture Gabriel Rossi and take him to Nal. It was as slim a chance as could be imagined, but it existed. He had to make the attempt.
He supposed he shouldn’t have been surprised things had turned out as they had. His life had been difficult. Trial after trial had been heaped upon him, all because he insisted on getting his due. Demanded it.
Perhaps he was, in his way, as obsessed as Nal. In Mit-noc’s case, rather than an overriding need to collect pretty playthings, he was fixated on receiving the respect owed him. His family was important. His lineage demanded deference, even from those of equal stature. Especially from those of equal stature. And when they’d refused to grant him that reverence, they’d paid the price.
His father had tried to argue he was mentally ill before the Keepers, though the Aksukt recognized no such weakness. Especially for one of his pedigree. His mother certainly had no use for such nonsense. Though it had hurt her, she’d voted for his exile.
Doubt prodded him. Had he gone too far in his pride?
I could have dealt with my peers in a better manner. Settled their insults against me more quietly.
But they had deserved the lesson he taught them. He was certain on that score.
As for these lower lifeforms, they should be shown their proper place. Humans and Kalquorians need to recognize their lesser status. If they won’t, they should be punished, as I punished Lau-bet and Tro-Dal for their slights against me.
The surety soothed Mit-noc. He couldn’t right the wrongs of the universe, but he could fix a few attitudes. He could guarantee a single, irritating human would be reduced to his true stature. He’d force Gabriel into Nal’s merciless grasp, where the Earther would suffer as the slave he was born to be. Where he would die in chains.
Mit-noc could still succeed. In doing so, he’d regain some of his just due. A measure of his pride. Then he could retire to the yuphor dens and regain the illusion he’d lost nothing.
He closed his eyes and dreamed of home.
Chapter Twelve
Gabriel stepped onto the freighter, inhaling its electrical scent and feeling the engines hum beneath his feet. Within him, he felt something change, a seismic shift. His new life in an open relationship with other men had begun upon his entrance onto what was essentially Kalquorian territory. He had embarked upon an adventure he’d dreamed of but never believed would happen.
The gray-walled corridor stretched before him like an open road, a travel route to an unknown world. He’d been on the Kalquorian vessel before, but this was different. This was a fresh beginning. It made everything unfamiliar, terrifying, and exciting.
“How about a quick tour of the important places?” Baknu led the other four deeper into the ship. He motioned to a huge opening as they drew abreast of it. “This is the shuttle bay, where you’ll race for your life if I screw up and we have to abandon the ship.”
“How many ships have you captained?” Iliana’s pretended concern made Baknu grin.
“Just this one. I served on a few dozen others before I took command. They survived me too.”
“There’s your pal Mit-noc’s shuttle,” Takat noted, looking into the bay.
Gabriel gazed at the sleek craft, a top-of-the-line ship that put the oblong Kalquorian shuttles surrounding it to shame. It was worth big bucks on the resale market, according to Kisk’s research. “You claimed it as evidence, right?”
The Nobek smirked. “Officially, yes. We dumped the craft’s records and recorded plenty of vid footage that would serve against the Aksukt and Nal, so it wasn’t entirely necessary to confiscate it. But it was damned fun to relieve them of their property. Enjoying that jewelry, Iliana?”
She smirked as she showed off the thick gold bracelet that had been confiscated from the ship, along with a few other pretty baubles. They weren’t as fabulous as the sapphire Kalquor had sent her, but the pieces were nice all the same. Bribes to get Gabriel to go with Mit-noc had been the consensus. He wore a gold ring with a small diamond in it from the collection.
“As the injured party and brother to the Matara who suffered as a consequence, the vessel is yours and Iliana’s to keep or dispose of,” Baknu reminded him.
“I would have been fine if you’d left it behind.” Gabriel felt sick looking at it. Mit-noc had come close to killing him. Its reminder left a bitter taste in his mouth.
“Petty revenge has its place. It’s a nice vessel and probably cost Nal quite a bit. Knowing it’s no longer his makes me happy. Not as happy as getting my hands on him and his goon, obviously, but it’ll do as a consolation gift.” Kisk leered at the shuttle, smug to have deprived Mit-noc and Nal.
They moved on. The next few massive chambers were cargo holds, each filled with hundreds, maybe thousands of bins.
“Takat’s kingdom,” Baknu said.
“What do you do once stuff is loaded and you have days or weeks before it has to be delivered?” Gabriel asked the Imdiko.
“My crew and I sort and organize the freight. Because there’s so much time between stops, we don’t worry about anything more than an accurate count and confirming inventory as it comes on board. Putting bins in place according to their destination while en route saves days in dock, and allows us to be on our way faster.”
Gabriel and Iliana were shown the dining hall, where they’d be eating most of their meals. Then they visited a shopping area, located in the middle of the ship, where crewmembers could purchase weapons, clothing, and other miscellaneous items not included with typical duty supplies. There was also a fitness center, where Kisk said he spent a fair amount of off-hours.
“Look at all the customer traffic. We could have opened another store onboard, Gabe,” Iliana said.
“I see tons of buyers for your clothes.”
“Why are you laughing? Kisk would look amazing in that turquoise top I just finished. Add a feathered boa, and he’ll be ravishing.”
The Nobek joined in their laughter. “I’m holding out for a red ensemble. If I get in a fight, I’ll look good and it’ll hide the blood.”
Baknu wrapped up the tour. “You’ve both visited the bridge and my attached office already, so we’ll move on to your quarters, Iliana.”
“I’d like to request some bread so I can leave a trail of crumbs to find my way around. I lost count of the turns and corridors. This ship is huge.”
“You’ll figure it out faster than you’d expect. You can com any of us or ask a member of the crew for help as well.”
That brought up a concern for Gabriel. He phrased it as diplomatically as possible. “Speaking of the crew—they won’t try to, ah, sweep her off her feet?”
“I’ve already spoken to them. They will not.” Kisk’s smile was a terrifying thing.
Takat snickered. “Of course, if Iliana wishes to entertain herself with the men, most will be glad to accommodate her.”
“Entertain myself? With the men?” Iliana gaped.
Baknu spoke soothingly. “There’s no expectation of celibacy for the unclanned. You may enjoy whomever you find mutual interest with.”
Iliana blushed a deep, unmistakable red. “Thanks, but I’m quite comfortable with my celibacy.”
“Then you’ll be left alone.”
More corridors, a ride in the ship’s deck-to-deck transport, a few additional turns, and they stopped before a closed door. Kisk tapped some commands into the door’s panel, and it opened.
“Your door is now keyed to open automatically for you, Matara.”
Gabriel accompanied her inside her quarters. Besides a monstrously huge sleeping mat, she had a desk, chair, and floor cushions surrounding a low table. Her personal bins claimed a great deal of space.
“After you’ve unpacked, we’ll store the bins,” Baknu said from the doorway. “Just let us know when they’re ready to be taken out.”
“Looks as if I’ll have plenty of room once I do that.” She poked her head in the lavatory and gave it a thumbs-up. “This is as nice as my room on the station.”
“I’m glad you’re satisfied. It’s yours for ten months. Do with it as you wish.”
“Thank you. I think I’ll start with a nap. The last few days have been exhausting.” Reminded of recent events, she inspected Gabriel. “You’re feeling okay?”
“Never better.” It was true. Escaping Earth and Nal was really happening.
As he motioned for Gabriel to join him, Baknu told Iliana, “Com us for anything you need. We’ll drop by and pick you up for dinner?”
She agreed. When the door shut the men out, Baknu took Gabriel’s hand. “You’ve seen your new living space before. Why don’t we reacquaint you with it?”
The young man’s heart beat faster.
* * * *
There was no delay on the ‘reacquainting.’ The instant Gabriel and the clan entered the quarters, they were on him.
How they got his clothes off so fast without ripping them to shreds was a mystery he would never solve. Gabriel was naked in the blink of an eye, bared to eager touches and kisses that left him reeling.
No words were spoken. They carried him to the sleeping mat and continued the ardent assault, Kisk latching onto his cock with a fervor that had Gabriel on the verge of climax within seconds. He tried to push away the Nobek’s bobbing head as the Kalquorian swallowed his shaft again and again, but Baknu and Takat grabbed his arms and pinned them, still kissing and nipping everything they could reach. All was heat, especially where Kisk’s rough tongue stroked, urging surrender.
Gabriel’s balls tightened in warning. He tried to protest, but Takat’s insistent kiss drowned him out. He was helpless, unable to escape.
Heat blasted from his scrotum, straight through his jerking cock, jetting into Kisk’s hungry mouth. The Nobek sucked, drawing on him, demanding his seed.
Takat and Baknu watched Gabriel as he strained, his head tossing from side to side as he was forced to submit. He heard the Dramok mutter, the man’s words nearly lost in roar in his ears.
“I love that face.”
“He’s the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen,” Takat agreed.
The surges eased, the riot in Gabriel’s loins quieting. He lay gasping as Kisk gave him a last, lingering lick.
“Fuck,” Gabriel groaned.
“We’ll get to that now that we’ve shown you how grateful we are that you’re alive.” Baknu kissed his forehead. “You had us scared, you know.”
“Scared shitless,” Kisk rumbled, still lying between Gabriel’s legs. He stroked the younger man’s shaft, keeping him semi-hard.
Gabriel’s fingertips traced over Baknu’s handsome features. “Again, thanks for rescuing me.”
“When Takat commed us, screaming you’d been kidnapped, I felt like the bottom had dropped out.”
“Imagine how I felt, watching him disappear,” the Imdiko snarled. He combed his fingers through Gabriel’s hair.
“We couldn’t run fast enough to beat Mit-noc to his ship.” Kisk chuckled, though there was no humor to the sound. “There were a lot of complaints and injury settlements for the poor slow bastards we ran over to rescue you.”
“And here I am.” Gabriel smiled at them, adoration for the trio filling his heart.
“With us, where you belong.” Baknu spoke without hesitation. He rose and peeled his uniform off. “Now, with your immediate urges satisfied, we can take our time properly making love to you.”
Gabriel watched them undress. He might have been sated for the moment, but it failed to diminish his appreciation for the delicious physiques on display. Kisk’s chiseled anatomy, carved to a fault. Takat, with those impossibly wide shoulders, vast chest, and gargantuan thighs. Baknu, all sleek, defined muscle.
Kisk grabbed Gabriel and flipped him over. “There’s that ass that makes me hard.” His kisses to the Earther’s butt cheeks were animalistic. He used his teeth, prompting Gabriel to squeal and flail.
“Vibrating or none?” Baknu asked, having gone to the wall and opened the crowded sex toy drawer.
“Plug. The one with the bumps.”
“This big thing?”
“I’d like him to notice it’s there.”
Laughter. “Let me put some lubricant on it. There you go.”
“Do you want him bitten, my Nobek?” Takat’s palm was planted between Gabriel’s shoulder blades, stilling most of his struggles.
“Mmm. Yeah. I’m in the mood for a compliant ass accepting what I give it today.”
The Imdiko nuzzled into the curve of Gabriel’s neck and shoulder. A dart of pain announced his fangs, but the hurt was gone in an instant.
Gabriel whimpered as something hard and slick pressed into his hole. He kicked against the ache, Takat’s venom not having taken complete hold yet. Kisk yelped, and Baknu chuckled. A strong grip caught Gabriel’s ankle and held him still.
“Thank you, my Dramok. He nearly caved my face in.”
“It would have left a scar worth bragging about.”
“True, but the immediate mood would have been lost. Difficult to pound ass when your nose is spread cheek to cheek. All right, little man, settle down and accept your fucking.”
Euphoria was beginning to settle in, and though the butt plug’s widening girth increased Gabriel’s discomfort, excitement at what was happening had already begun to plump his cock again. He lay passive and whimpering as Kisk pushed the plug in.
Until hair-raising friction found his prostate. He yelled, lightning sizzling from his ass to his shaft. It continued with no letup as Kisk pressed further in.
“That bumpy surface on your cumspot feels good, doesn’t it, lovely boy? That’s it. Sing to me.”
“So much for that docile ass you said you wanted.”
“Grab my hover cuffs and the extra set, will you?”
Takat’s bite ended, and he helped Baknu cuff Gabriel’s wrists and ankles. With them ordered frozen, Gabriel’s legs were splayed wide on the sleeping mat, his wrists at the small of his back. He was unable to do more than twitch and shake as Kisk slowly fucked him with the plug, the bumps on its surface providing jaw-clenching friction to his hotspot.
Takat and Baknu slid up on the sleeping mat, propping their backs against the wall, sitting on either side of Gabriel’s head. They stroked his hair and shoulders, rubbing their avid lengths as they watched Kisk have his fun with their prisoner.
Gabriel squalled. He yelled. He sobbed as Kisk took his time enjoying playing with him, forcing him to endure increasing jolts of relentless stimulation. The entire torturous while, the Nobek cooed to him.
“Sweet ass, yielding to me. Look how it trembles while I fuck it. Hungry little hole, taking what I give it. That’s it. Let me hear how it feels, pretty blue-eyed boy.”
Gabriel exhausted himself squirming as bliss mounted. Despite arousal pulsing in his cock, he was still unable to climax.
Kisk was merciless, but Gabriel was at last was too tired to struggle. He quaked involuntarily, moaning into the sheets as the Nobek continued to enjoy his vulnerable state.
