Indigo Alloy: Mixologists and Pirates Book Six Page 3

  “That wasn’t nice,” he growled menacingly. “Hasn’t anyone taught you not to bite the hand that feeds you?” His fingers loosened a touch, and he roughly grabbed her jaw. “Answer me!”

  Allie gasped at the flood of air and answered him, “I was wondering when you’d come out to play. I was missing the real king.”

  Her eyes bulged. That was not what she meant to say. What in the Sam Hill was wrong with her? Did she have a death wish?

  An alarming gleam entered his wicked eyes. “Did you get a taste for the monster the last time we played?” he whispered, his hot breath cloying. “I never pegged you for one of those girls, but I like games.”

  “And that’s all this is, right? A game. What if you lose?” she tossed back.

  Good lord, she was on a bloody roll.

  “Do you think I would let some Human trash ruin me?”

  “Don’t flatter me so. I think I am blushing.” She paused. “But if I was you, I would be worried about my team.”

  Sloven laughed, the sound rumbling against her own chest. “Do you think those runts could really catch me? There’s no cell or prison that could ever truly hold me.”

  Her pulse hammered at her temples, but she pushed on despite the fear. He was going to give something away. “How’d you do it? You’re going to go back. You’re done.”

  It was as if someone had flipped a switch.

  One moment he was hostile, and the next, he was completely calm, all traces of rage gone.

  His bruising touch turned feather-light as he traced her lips with his index finger.

  “Distorters are on the cheap end of the spectrum for that type of tech.”

  Allie shook her head, not daring to answer.

  “There are other forms that alter a person, right down to their very DNA. It’s a fascinating process—terribly painful for the subject—but, overall, a miracle of science.” He brushed his nose against her cheek and inhaled deeply. “Such terror and rage. What a delicious combination.”

  She barely heard his words as she stared at the bland ceiling, the pieces of the puzzle all falling into place. “You’re not in prison, because it was never you there in the first place,” she wheezed.

  “How smart you are, darling. Why go to prison when you can have someone else stand in your place?”

  “That’s vile.”

  Sloven pulled back to look into her face. “He’s been paid handsomely. Stop looking so disturbed. I’ve done much worse than this.”

  She wanted to cry. They’d never really had the bad guy locked up in the first place.

  “Don’t beat yourself up. You’re not the only one who was duped.”

  The king straightened and pulled her upright, so she was sitting on the edge of the bed. The room spun, and she lifted a hand to her pounding head.

  “Even if you’re not in prison, you won’t ever be able to rule again. You’re too well-known,” she whispered. “You’ll have to start over.”

  “Who said anything about starting over? That would’ve been shortsighted.” He patted her leg, took two steps back, and crossed his arms, his black suit pulling tight across his broad chest. “Why wear one face when you can wear many?”

  “You didn’t.”

  He flashed his white teeth in a blinding smile. “Why wouldn’t I?”

  The male was crazy. Like, lost his mind, eating gators and marrying his cousin in the swamp kind of crazy.

  “How many?” Allie forced herself to ask.

  Sloven ignored her question but continued to speak. “Sloven the Slayer has served his purpose,” he said, and he began to pace. “I’ve had many names and occupations as time passed, Sloven being one of my most successful, but he had done what I needed him to do.”

  She blinked. It hadn’t occurred to her that Sloven wasn’t really Sloven.

  Stars above, it was getting freaking confusing.

  “Adaptation is inevitable. The times have changed, as have I.”

  Her skin prickled as the king touched his wrist, and the air hummed. She closed her eyes as the sensation got worse, almost like a disturbed bees’ nest. But as soon as it started, it stopped.

  “You can look now,” he said with a teasing lilt.

  Allie’s eyes popped open, and her breath caught in her throat at what she saw. A much younger Av stood in front of her. His wine-colored hair matched his deep eyes that sat above high cheekbones and full lips. His lips tipped up in a pleased smile at her reaction. She snapped her mouth shut and worked at schooling her expression.

  “It must be nice to be able to alter your appearance,” she muttered.

  That was the best you could do?

  Sloven cocked his head. “Do you know who I am?”

  “Should I?” she hedged. Allie didn’t know him, but there was something about him that was so familiar.

  “Answering a question with a question. You’re catching on quickly.” He pointed at her cuffs. “What is your jewelry made from?”

  Jewelry? Handcuffs weren’t jewelry where she came from, but she kept those thoughts to herself. She’d already done enough to poke the crazy Av.

  “Indigo Alloy. You have expensive taste, but it’s a little wasted on me. I wouldn’t have been able to break out of regular handcuffs.”

  He waved a hand at her. “It’s not wasteful to see its beauty adorning such pretty skin. Especially if I wish it.”

  Allie rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. “It’s frivolous. There are so many better ways to use such a precious commodity.”

  He smirked, and she finally caught onto the nagging thought in the back of her mind.

  She snapped her fingers. “That’s it! That’s where I know you from. You know it’s illegal to impersonate another person. If the CEO of the largest mining company in the whole galaxy finds out what you’re doing—” She whistled. “That’s a huge risk. There’s a lot of money and blood in Indigo Alloy.”

  The stuff was incredibly expensive, rare, and practically indestructible. There were only two mines that she knew of. No one could afford the stuff except for those who were filthy rich—which usually meant only warlords and unscrupulous businessmen had access to it.

  “What if I told you another mine had been discovered?”

  “Then I’d say the rich are going to get richer and it will lead to another war which no one wants to fight.”

  Sloven paced to the end of the bed and spun to face her. “What if we didn’t have to rely on mines any longer? What if someone could create a synthetic version of Indigo Alloy?”

  “Then this would be the greatest discovery in years, maybe ever. It could change so many lives. Infrastructures would last longer and farther space exploration would be possible.” Not to mention, if a company was able to mass produce what every nation, planet, and galaxy needed, well, the owner of the company would become the richest person to ever live. “It sounds like a lot of money,” she concluded.

  “And the rich rule the worlds. At one time, it was the conquers, but now it is the businessmen.”

  She didn’t disagree with him, but what did it matter. What he was speaking about was impossible. “It’s not possible.”

  “It wasn’t.”

  “What?”

  His smile threw her for a loop as he looked at her like she was the greatest treasure he’d ever discovered. “Let me tell you a little story. Some years ago, there were whispers of a mad scientist, one who liked to push the boundaries of science. Curious, I paid him a visit and much to my surprise the rumors were true. He’d stumbled upon something so profound that I had to have him committed. I couldn’t have his discoveries leaking.”

  “Naturally,” she said dryly and with distain. “So, this man’s only crime was his brilliant mind?”

  “Victor Frankenstein was unstable.”

  She couldn’t have heard that right. “Frankenstein?”

  “Yes.”

  “As in the Frankenstein?”

  He scowled. “Keep up,” Sloven chastised her. “B
ut, for all his brilliance, he was equally parts mad and insane, and the only thing that helped him focus was a heavy dose of moonshine. His wife’s family were bootleggers at the time.”

  Dread curled in her belly at the mention of moonshine. Surely, it wasn’t possible?

  “He did his best, until his instability tipped him over the edge, but it just so happened his offspring were just as incredibly skilled in the sciences as their father, but their only problem was that they were so poor. I used some of my resources and helped them to establish their trade.”

  “You bankrolled their moonshine endeavors?” she said hollowly.

  “It was the perfect front. They plied people with alcohol, and, in their bootlegging labs, they did research for me. Now, pay attention, this is where you come in.”

  Allie wrapped her arms around her stomach, feeling sick. She knew exactly where this was going.

  “The years passed, and this family’s empire grew. They became known, not just on Earth, but in the galaxies around them, but still they couldn’t create what I wanted. But, one day, one of the creator’s direct descendants tried her hand at the family business. And she kept creating disaster after disaster.”

  Oh man, she was going to throw up. “Me.”

  “You,” he said. “But even though she failed to create the perfect moonshine, she created something better. One of her failures yielded the results I’ve been waiting years for.”

  Allie scooted away from him and stood on the bed once more, the hair on her arms standing at attention. “I’m not a scientist. I couldn’t have created anything.” She’d never excelled at any of the sciences like her siblings had.

  “Imagine my surprise when I learned the most groundbreaking discovery in eons had been brought about by a mere slip of a girl.” Sloven chuckled.

  Her breathing sped up as he stepped closer to the foot of the bed and placed his hands on the firm mattress.

  “Do you really think it was a coincidence that you were drafted in? Your parents had practically hidden you from the world and still you ended up on that manifest to help Sars recolonize the planet.”

  She pinched the bridge of her nose and tried to calm herself. He could be trying to mislead her. The alien didn’t know how to speak the truth. “You’re lying.”

  “That would be a pretty elaborate fib,” he said with a smile. “But I appreciate your confidence in my skills.”

  Even if what he said was true, she couldn’t help him. “You can’t use me. I don’t have any skills.” And she could say that she honest-to-God did not.

  “Nonetheless, I have plans for you. You’re an asset all the same.”

  An asset? No.

  “No one owns me.”

  He chuckled as if very amused by her words, but she wasn’t laughing. She wasn’t owned by anyone.

  “Do you know how old I am?” he said.

  The change in the subject made her head swirl, but Allie had common sense to answer politely like her mama had taught her. “I can’t say that I do, and it’s rude to ask.”

  “Such charming Human morals.”

  What did he know about morals of any kind? Nothing, that’s what.

  “It’s too bad your family didn’t have such scruples.”

  “Don’t you dare bring my family into this,” she hissed, the hairs on the back of her neck rising.

  “My dear, this has everything to do with your family. Unfortunately, I didn’t hear about the breakthrough from your family. One of my spies was the one who informed me.” He frowned and sighed. “Imagine that, after everything I’d done for them. The law clearly states that brewing moonshine is illegal, and, yet, your family was going about their business for centuries without any repercussions. That was because of me. And they betray me in such a manner? Well, it upset me a great deal.”

  She swallowed hard, trying not to imagine the damage he could do in such a state. “Did you hurt them?” Allie forced the words from her dry throat.

  He grimaced. “No, it didn’t serve my purposes as much as it would have been satisfying,” he said with regret. “I had bigger fish to fry as your people would say.”

  Her shoulders slumped in relief.

  “Destroying the Sai moonshine empire would have cast too much scrutiny on what they were doing behind closed doors, so I allowed them to continue. But it came with a cost. I couldn’t let something like this go. It would make me look weak.”

  “I still find it hard to believe they’d work for the likes of you,” she said, way past skirting around the issue. Her family was normal. They gave to the needy, were devout, and never cheated.

  “You’d be surprised what people will do for their families and to protect their way of life.”

  That was true. “On that we agree.”

  “How delightful,” he commented dryly.

  “All of this doesn’t explain why you need me,” she said softly. “I’m useless to you. You could let me go.”

  “You’re a liability, and you know too much now.”

  Allie scoffed. “Do you think anyone would believe me? They’d probably send me to an asylum.”

  “That has some merit, but I’m not changing my mind. Your family has been tangled with mine for centuries. It’s only right that we end it together.”

  “End it?” she croaked.

  “Imagine this: Sloven the Slayer is now imprisoned for all of his crimes. It comes to light how he abused and hurt the heiress to the Sai moonshine empire. Can you imagine the sympathy she’d gain from the public? The poor little Human girl stolen from her home, terrorized by the king, and yet not able to return to Earth.” His smile grew. “And then came a dashing knight who sweeps her off her feet and cares for the girl, not only that, but he sets up a charity to care for misplaced Humans and abused females. Together, they create the biggest distribution company for the first ever synthetic Indigo Alloy.”

  Bile burned the back of her throat. She was seriously going to puke if he didn’t stop. “It sounds like a dark gothic romance.”

  “It’s our future.”

  “We don’t have a future.”

  Sloven brushed an imaginary piece of lint from his suit. “You females are all the same. You protest in the beginning and then give in.”

  “I promise you this. I won’t ever willingly stand at your side.” As dramatic as it was, she’d die first, and Allie wasn’t bluffing.

  “Never say never. My prior wife would be the first one to tell you that I always get what I want.”

  Prior wife. She shuddered. “Did you kidnap her too?” Did you kill her?

  “As a whole, Av culture has always favored abducting one’s mate.”

  “I’m not your mate.”

  He did that creepy scenting thing again. “Beggars can’t be choosers. It’s exceedingly lucky that you smell decent enough, nothing like my former mate, but it’s a pleasant surprise. I believe our time together will be enjoyable.” His gaze heated. “Especially begetting heirs. It’s a wonder my son hasn’t gone mad yet, what with how close to you he’s been. I can hardly wait.”

  Her mind screeched to a halt. Son. He already had a son? One he thought was in close proximity to her. She blinked slowly, her features falling slack. “Are you insinuating that Blade is your son?” Her voice rose.

  “Why yes, he is.”

  He studied her face, and a slow smirk tipped up the corners of his mouth, revealing a dimple that looked so much like Blade’s, it struck her in the chest. She blatantly studied Sloven with new eyes. His new form could fit in with the triplets. Holy bananas, this monster was their father?

  “I can see by your gaping that my sons haven’t told you the truth.” He feigned concern. “I’m sorry if this comes as a shock to you, but I don’t think they trust you as much as you thought.”

  Why hadn’t they told her? She wouldn’t have judged them. Well, maybe a little at the beginning but they were her friends now. She wouldn’t hate them because their father was a total psychopath. Everyone had family i
ssues, and if they claimed they didn’t, well, they were dirty liars.

  Sloven turned his back to her and the doors slid open. He glanced over his shoulder and winked playfully. “This will happen. If I were you, I’d think about how powerful of a woman you’ll become. I’ll let you do what you want with that power, even if it happens to be a strike against me.” His eyes darkened. “I love a good fight. So please, fight me or, better yet, run. I haven’t been led on a merry chase in ages.”

  The door closed softly behind him, leaving Allie alone in the bleak cell. She gazed around blankly, not knowing how to sort through her emotions.

  “What have I gotten myself into?” she said woodenly to the empty room.

  Allie Sai was so out of her depth.

  Five

  It’s all about presentation

  Jer

  * * *

  “He’s taken the bait,” Jer said, her voice slightly hoarse. There was a lengthy pause on the other side of the line accompanied by static. She brushed a hunk of smoky hair from her eye and tried to ignore the dusty texture.

  God, she hated the smell of smoke.

  A crisp, deep male voice cut through her thoughts. “Repeat, soldier.”

  Jer gritted her teeth. She wasn’t anyone’s soldier, let alone the pompous windbag’s on the other end of the line.

  “He’s taken the bait,” she said again, her voice icy.

  Another pause, then three clicks.

  “Roger.” Another pause. “Good work. Next time, maybe you’ll fulfill your task quicker.”

  The line disconnected.

  What. A. Jerk.

  Jer glared at her wrist comm. She’d hated her old commander, but the new one was even worse. He was young, that much she could tell. After being raised in the military, she could always tell when a young upstart was trying to make a name for himself as a hard-ass.

  She snorted.

  If Jer was a betting woman, she’d wager he was a pasty, sad excuse of a man with a short-man’s complex. And as for her next task… Well, there wouldn’t be another task. This was her last assignment. She would wash her hands of all Earth military endeavors from this point forward. Her former government had used her skills in every way possible. When she’d arrived on Sars and begun her new life, Jer had decided that she was done. There was another year on her contract, but it wasn’t like they could reach her. They’d surely brand her as a traitor, but she didn’t have any family left to shame or disappoint. Anyone she’d loved was long gone from the world, and if she continued down this soul-sucking path, there wouldn’t be much of her own self left. This assignment had cost her too much as it was.