Kenzie (More Worlds Beyond Book 3) Read online

  She didn’t know what had made him laugh like that, but she liked it. His voice sounded husky, and she enjoyed listening to him. Now that they knew she could understand what they were saying, it would make it easier to let them know she wanted to see the planet.

  “We are about to land on a planet called Ketu. It is very dangerous, and you will need to stay with us at all times. They sell slaves, and anything else they can get their hands on, including you if they can get you away from us. Do you understand?” At her nod, he continued. “We will only be there for a short time, and then we’ll take you back to the Space Station. I assume that’s where you hitched a ride from, and you were traveling with the Sukaraians?” Again, she nodded.

  “Pakhi and Tolan.” She said and his eyes grew wide with understanding. At least they could communicate a little.

  “The Santarians and Sukaraians are traveling together?” At her confirmation, he turned to Kaith. “See if you can send a message to Prince Pakhi. Hopefully he is still at the Space Station. Let him know we will be returning soon.”

  Prince Pakhi felt such relief; he couldn’t wait to share his news. “Adriana, I have just heard that Kenzie is safe with the Kasie, and she will be returning in two Santarian days.”

  “Oh thank God! You can’t imagine how much better that makes me feel. Thank you Pakhi.”

  “I didn’t do it my love. I just received a message from them. I’m not sure how she ended up on their ship.”

  “I don’t care how; I’m just glad she’s coming back.”

  “Have you found anything?” Tolan asked as he entered the Bridge. He hadn’t been able to rest, and had even lost his appetite. He felt responsible for Kenzie being gone.

  “Yes, I just received word from the Kasei. She is onboard their ship, and as soon as they unload their cargo, they will bring her back.” Tolan finally exhaled with a large breath. Prince Pakhi couldn’t imagine how much relief he felt from receiving that news. He had spent his night imagining many bad things happening to Kenzie.

  “Thank the Goddess!”

  Ketu

  Chapter 7

  After landing on the planet, the males were dressed in black from head to toe in formfitting jumpsuits. Black laced boots, and scowls on their faces completed the tough man look. Their whole demeanor screamed ‘Don’t fuck with me.’ It was sexy as hell, but only because she knew they were kind, at least to her.

  As they exited the ship, the orange sky and two red suns was the first thing that caught her attention. She just stood in awl as it finally sank in; she was standing on a planet other than Earth. It reminded her of the desert back home. It didn’t appear that much grew on Ketu. “Come on.” That got her attention as Vat stood waiting on her. She followed along behind them, still taking everything in. Still amazed, she would be one of the few humans that knew about and saw other alien planets. It was surreal.

  They entered a large metal building, at least it looked like metal, and she found all different kinds of species. She had seen some on the Space Station, but after the attack, she had focused more on surviving. There were green slimy snake like creatures leering at her, but not with lust. Other creatures, and yes they were creatures, looked at her with desire in their eyes. One troll looking creature stopped Vat by grabbing his arm, while leering at her, and said, “I will buy the female from you, just name your price.” She felt her legs quiver slightly, but Vat just shook his hand off and kept walking.

  “Let’s get this finished and get off this vile planet.” Vat ordered and the others agreed. They walked down the corridor to the last door. As they entered, she trembled slightly as she found another yellow male sitting at a desk. “How are you today Orian?” Vat asked as he took a seat.

  “I’m well.” He said while glancing at Kenzie. “I see you have an unknown species.

  Are you by any chance here to sell her?” Kenzie moved closer to Vat. She didn’t like the feelings he stirred in her. It felt as though he was the predator and she was the prey.

  “No.” He stated firmly. “She arrived on the Space Station with Prince Pakhi and Prince Tolan, and accidently boarded our vessel. They are waiting for us to return her.”

  “Pitty. She would have brought a great price.” Orian was yellow with red hair, and brown eyes. He stood about six-foot tall, and very muscular. He was constantly glancing at Kenzie from the corner of his eye.

  Kenzie couldn’t wait to leave, and now regretted her decision to leave the ship. Orian seemed like a shady character, and she noticed he kept typing on something that lay in his lap. Discretely of course, as Vat or the others didn’t seem to notice. When business concluded, they headed back in the same direction they had come. As they rounded the corner, they met six armed yellow men with short swords drawn. Vat and his men stopped just short of running into them. As they quickly took in the situation, they drew their weapons as the fight began. While Kenzie watched with fear and fascination, she didn’t notice the other yellow man sneaking up behind her until his hand came around and covered her mouth.

  Vat fought with skill as he struck down one, and then another. The Rahu were attacking and for what reason? They had never had any problems here before. They didn’t like to visit, but it always ended peaceful. Not this time. As the last Rahu fell, he looked to see how the other males fared. Everyone remained unscathed except Kam, who had a gash in his side, and was bleeding profusely. “We need to leave.” As he turned, he noticed Kenzie was missing. “Where is the female?” They all looked around, and realized she could have only gone down the same corridor they had just came from.

  “Kaith, you come with me. Saldu, you stay with Kam in case any other Rahu show up.” Vat and Kaith turned and headed back down the corridor.

  The yellow male dragged Kenzie back to Orian’s office. With the door now shut and locked, she found herself pushed face first against the wall. She could feel the evidence of his arousal as he leaned into her from behind. With his mouth next to her ear, he said with a revolting tone. “You are a most unusual female, but very exotic looking. I have never seen anyone like you before.” He let his hands roam her body, then grabbed her shirt and ripped it in front. “I’m going to fuck you, and when I tire, I will give you to Oso and let him have a turn. Eventually I will make a lot of credits when I sell you to a pleasure house.” She could feel his hand under her shirt as he cupped her breast. As her whole body shook, tears fell freely down her face. What had she got herself into. She should have stayed on the ship. Better yet, she shouldn’t have ran away from Tolan to start with, well she didn’t really run away from him, she just panicked like she was doing now.

  She didn’t hear the loud crash or notice when the pressure of Orian’s body left her back. She just fell to the floor, rolled to a fetal position, and cried. She barely noticed when someone picked her up and carried her off.

  Vat found Orian’s door locked and didn’t hesitate when he broke it down. When he entered, he found the female pressed against the wall with Orian behind her. He threw him against a wall before gathering her into his arms. Both Rahu males were lucky he only left them unconscious. “See if he has any equipment we can use to update our translators.” Vat instructed Kaith. As he searched, Vat looked down at the small female he held in his arms. She had her face buried in the curve of his neck, and he could hear her quietly sobbing. “You’re Ok now. I have you.”

  When Kaith finished his search, they left and found Saldu and Kam. Kam’s bleeding hadn’t even slowed down, and this caused Vat great concern. It didn’t look good for his friend.

  By the time they made it back to his vessel, she seemed calmer; at least the shaking had stopped. Vat sat her down, and found something to cover her with as her shirt was torn. He wiped her face and offered her a small smile. “I’m sorry that this happened to you. We shouldn’t have taken you there.”

  Kenzie looked at Vat with relief as he had saved her. When he offered her a smile, his fangs showed. They would scare anyone, but not her. She through her arms aroun
d his neck, as she felt safe with him around. “Thank you,” she said, as she looked him in the eye. “Thank you.” She said again and hugged him one more time. She owed this male, this strange vampire looking male who was now her hero.

  She looked to the other male to offer her thanks and spotted Kam holding his side with blue stuff all over his hand. “Oh God!” She jumped up and went to him, her nursing instincts kicking in. “I need to see your side.” She moved his hand only to see a deep cut and a steady flow of blue blood. “I need something to hold pressure on this wound, and I need to stitch it up.” Everyone just stood there. “Dammit, don’t you have a first aid kit?” Shit, she remembered they couldn’t understand her. She tore off the bottom of her ripped shirt and placed it on the wound. Kenzie knew if she didn’t stop the blood flow, he would soon bleed to death. She placed the shirt on his wound and pressed hard. Kaith was near so she grabbed his hand and pulled him down to her. She placed his hand over the shirt and pressed hard so he would understand what she wanted.

  “What is she doing?” Kaith asked as he applied pressure.

  “I think she is trying to help him. Maybe she doesn’t realize how bad he is, and that we don’t have anything to heal him with.” Saldu answered.

  “I’m sorry; I should have been paying more attention. You will have to continue on without me.” Kam said with shallow breaths. He knew it was a fatal blow, as the Rahu sword cut deep.

  “We are sorry my friend, we should have been watching more closely.” Vat said as he sat beside him. They had been friends for many planet cycles, and he didn’t want to lose him. About that time, Kenzie returned with several items as they watched with fascination. “Wonder what she’s going to do?”

  Kaith, who was holding pressure, said, “I don’t know, but I vote we let her do whatever it is she wants. Maybe she knows how to help.” He said with hope in his voice.

  “Agreed.” They all said.

  Kenzie knelt down, and laid the items she needed beside her. She wasn’t sure this would work, but she wouldn’t let him die without trying something. She’d found a first aid kit with a needle and thread, well, close enough to a needle and thread. She’d watched the doctors in the ER do this enough times with her assistance. She washed her hands before removing the shirt. The blood began to flow again. Wiping away the blood, she spread the wound, and found the bleeder right away. She grabbed Kaith’s hands and showed him she wanted the wound held open. She stitched it to slow the bleeding, and when she found that it worked, she pulled the edges together and stitched that as well. After placing a bandage over the wound, she looked up only to find Vat, Kaith, and Saldu staring at her in awl. Looking back at Kam, she found he also had a look of astonishment on his face. Kenzie thought he looked better but he was gray to start with so it was hard to tell. “Hopefully that will help and you want get an infection.”

  Vat couldn’t believe this female had just saved his friend’s life. He watched her work with sure, steady hands and it appeared she knew exactly what she was doing. “You two help Kam to his quarters, and make sure you get him anything he needs.” Vat helped Kenzie up and led her down the hall to his quarters. “Thank you. I know you can understand me, but I wish I could talk to you. You were amazing, and just…thank you.” He helped her get undressed and discarded the bloody clothes as she showered. When she finished, he dried her off, carried her to his bed, and pulled the covers up. “Rest for a while strange female. You’ve had a busy day.” He kissed her forehead and headed out the door.

  When Vat started undressing her so she could shower, she almost panicked. She would have if he hadn’t been treating her more like a child or sister. There was nothing sexual about it, no desire in his eyes and it made her feel better. She showered, and when she came out Vat helped her to dry. He carried her to his bed and kissed her forehead. She felt safe as she fell asleep even though it was mid-day according to her internal time-clock.

  Vat found the others in the Galley having second meal. “How’s Kam?” He asked as he gathered his food and took a seat.

  “Resting. He looks much better. We owe that female a debt that can hopefully be repaid one day. I still can’t believe how she just took control of the situation. She’s had to have training.” Saldu still couldn’t believe how confident she worked. “How’s the female?”

  “She’s resting in my bed. I helped clean the blood off of her, and now I have to find her new clothes.” Vat wondered how he ever thought her unattractive. She was trusting, kind, and smart, everything he had ever wanted in a female. Perhaps one day he would find one like her.

  “I received a message from Prince Pakhi. They are waiting for us at the Space Station. The female, Kenzie, and her family are traveling back with them, and they are anxious for her return. That is all the information they gave me.”

  “Kenzie, that’s her name?” Vat asked while repeating the name Kenzie silently.

  “Yes. I informed them we would be returning in one moon cycle.” Vat actually felt sadden at the thought of her leaving, and humbled at the absolute trust she had in him.

  “Kaith, did you find anything in Orian’s office?” Vat asked while taking another bite of food.

  “Yes, we can now use the ship’s recording of her voice to update our translators.” Vat felt exhilarated with that news. He would love to be able to understand the female Kenzie.

  “Why do you think they attacked us Vat? They have never been hostile toward us before.” Saldu wasn’t with them to witness the attack on Kenzie. He didn’t know if he had seen her torn shirt or not as he was attending Kam.

  “They wanted Kenzie. I wouldn’t sell her so I guess they decided to take her by force. You know how it is on Ketu, if it’s unusual, they will try to sell it for a high price. It doesn’t matter if it’s an object or a person. I truly hate coming here, and after today, we will not trade with them again.” Vat said with finality.

  “Kenzie woke about an hour later feeling much better. When she went to get out of bed, she found she was naked except for the towel Vat had used to dry her off. She looked around the room, and finally found a shirt. When she put it on, it fell to her mid-thigh. That would have to work. She needed to check on Kam, and then eat. She made her way down the corridor and found the males at the ship’s controls. As she entered, they turned to look at her. “Sorry, I don’t mean to disturb you, but I need to check Kam’s wound, and then eat.” As she stood there, she remembered they couldn’t understand her. “Shit! I forgot that you can’t understand a damn thing I say. This use to be fun, but now it’s just annoying.” She said to herself and to them.

  “I didn’t realize when you were speaking to us that you enjoyed us not knowing. What else have you said?” Vat replied with a teasing tone as he raised his odd-looking eyebrow.

  “You understand me?” She replied with eagerness in her voice.

  “Yes. We took the equipment needed from Orian’s office.” At the mention of Orian, her face paled, then anger took it’s place.

  “I would love to chain that man to a wall and then kick him in the balls every time I passed by him.” She hissed through gritted teeth. She looked up to find them gaping at her words.

  “Remind us to never get on your bad side.”

  “Sorry. Thank you for rescuing me. I need to check on Kam. Could someone show me where he is?” Saldu stood and led her down the corridor.

  She found Kam asleep as she entered the room. She didn’t want to wake him, but she needed to make sure the bleeding had stopped, and it didn’t show signs of infection. “Will he be able to understand me?”

  “Yes. We sent the program to his translator as well.” Saldu left her alone with her patient. As she walked to his side, he startled.

  “What are you doing in here?” His voice broke and she noted his cracked lips. She rushed to get him some water. As she brought it to him, she gently lifted his head as he sipped the much-needed liquid. “Thank you.” His voice sounded better.

  “Your welcome. I just cam
e to check your wound and make sure you’re doing Ok. Is that alright with you?”

  “Yes.” She lifted the dressing and found it clean as the bleeding had stopped. It didn’t appear to be infected, and as she felt his forehead, he wasn’t burning up with fever. Not that she knew their usual body temperature.

  “I think you’re going to be alright as long as your wound doesn’t get infected. You should rest and then when you feel like it, you should eat and drink plenty of water.”

  “Thank you Kenzie. I would not be here now if it wasn’t for you. I don’t know how to ever repay you. If you ever need anything, anything at all, please just let me know.” Tears filled her eyes at his sincerity.

  “You don’t owe me anything Kam. You have all been so nice to me even though you didn’t have to. If anything, I owe you and the other males.” She could tell he didn’t believe her. “Rest now so you can get better.” She turned and headed for the door. Before she left, she heard his whispered words.

  “Thank you Kenzie.” As she entered the Galley, she found Saldu gathering food.

  “Hi Saldu, are you eating with me?” She said as she went to get her own.

  “No, this is for you. I know you’ve had a hard day, and I just wanted to do this for you. I also wanted to thank you for what you did for Kam. I don’t know what we would have done if we had lost him.”

  “I was just doing my job. That’s kind of what I did back on Earth.”

  “Earth, is that where you’re from? I have never heard of that planet.” About that time, Vat and Kaith came in to eat third meal. They had heard Saldu ask about Earth, so she now had all their attention.