Page 66 of Tamed

Verbet looked into Arcon’s eyes and said, “Fuck you!”

Thinking of Verbet’s victims and all of the victims he would create if this vile being continued to draw breath, Arcon pressed his pulse pistol against Verbet’s chest and pulled the trigger. Verbet stumbled back and collapsed onto the throne. Arcon watched dispassionately as the life faded from his eyes.

With their leader/tormentor dead, the newly formed triads soon lost their determination. A few minutes after that, they knelt with their hands locked behind their heads. Movu and his Wraiths quickly bound them with their hands tucked against their bodies, minimizing the chances that they would attempt to access their powers.

Soro and his rebel army were waiting for Arcon’s signal before they moved in to retake the capital. If Ciket was right, it wouldn’t be much of a fight once Verbet’s troops realized he was dead.

Movu joined Arcon on the dais, wanting to assure himself that Verbet was dead. “Let’s make Soro’s job even easier,” he suggested as he activated the controls inset in the arm of the throne. A security drone flew into the room and spun in a slow circle. When the device faced him again, he announced, “People of Torret, the tyrants are dead.” He motioned toward Verbet’s lifeless body. “Freedom is yours if you’re brave enough to take it. Soro and his brave rebels will soon enter your city. Join them if you’re ready to live free.” The drone performed another slow circle. “At the very least stand aside and let the rebels secure your freedom for you.” The drone blinked off then flew from the room.

“Nicely done.” Arcon smiled at the Wraith leader. “And thanks for your assistance. We couldn’t have done this without you.”

“That’s what allies are for.” Movu looked around and rubbed his chin. “Where do you want to take these fools?”

Arcon chuckled. “I can’t take them anywhere. My ship left without me.”

Movu smiled. “I guess that answers my question. We’ll load everyone onto my ship and head to the Citadel.”

“You came in a ship? I thought you flowed anywhere you wanted to go.”

“I teleported in, but brought a warship in case this turned into an actual battle. I know the Agitarri is out there too, so you’re not really stranded. Thank the gods for Verbet’s hubris. He made this really damn easy.”

“Agreed.” Then Arcon looked at the newly formed triads and sighed. “I can’t help feeling sorry for those females. None of this was their choice.”

“If that is actually true,” Movu said solemnly, “it is possible to reverse the claiming. But first and foremost, the females must want the separation. If any part of them has bonded with their mates, it will kill all three.”

Arcon nodded. “I’ll find out.”

“Then let’s get off this waterlogged planet. Torret always leaves a bad taste in my mouth.”

Kendra took a deep breath and moved in front of the final holding cell. She’d been separated from her one-time friends by an energy barrier during the interviews but the resentment in their eyes still made her feel vulnerable. She was expecting hostility from Jessie, but Bristol and Kora had been downright hateful. They insisted that they’d chosen to let their mates claim them of their own free will. Kendra didn’t know how that could be true when they had been forced into activation, but she saw no point in arguing with them. Both had fought aggressively for Verbet during the final battle, so their recruitment seemed to be legitimate.

Now it was Jessie’s turn. Kendra didn’t expect a different outcome, but she felt obligated to try.

Jessie sat cross-legged on the narrow bunk, dressed in the loose-fitting, pull-on outfits also used in the Citadel’s clinics.

“Fuck off and die,” Jessie muttered and turned sideways so she couldn’t see Kendra.

“I understand why Domar was able to recruit you, but what did you say to convince the others to fight for a tyrant?”

“Verbet was not a tyrant. He was the rightful, hereditary ruler to my adopted planet.” She paused and looked at Kendra, hatred burning in her eyes. “And your mate murdered him.”

Wow. Jessie was farther down the rabbit hole than Kendra realized. “Are you happy with your mates? The soul bond can be unanchored if it was forced on you.”

Jessie stood up and walked right up to the barrier. “My mates are just as worthy as yours. I’m disgusted that you would even suggest it.”

“You are part of a failed regime. At the very least you and your mates will be banished from this star system. More likely you’re headed to a penal colony.”

“For what? Your mate is the one who organized an armed insurrection. Your mate is the one who murdered a rightful ruler in cold blood. You’re the one who should be in this cell, but as usual the rules don’t apply to you.”

Kendra sighed. This was clearly a waste of energy. “I’m sorry my decisions keep hurting you. That was never my intention.”

Jessie threw back her head and laughed, but it was a bitter, humorless sound. “My broken nose was unintentional?”

“I already apologized for attacking you, but we both know you provoked me.” She smoothed down her dress and released a sigh. “I came here to let you know that there is an out if an out is what you honestly want.”

“Well, then we’re back at the beginning. Fuck off and die.”

Kendra accepted the outcome with a nod and hurried from the detention center.

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