Free A Forgotten Kitten (Sea-anan Saga Book 2) by Jessica A Kong Page B

allowed herself a few minutes to enjoy his insistent mouth.
    “Sev.”
    Sev sighed. “Yes, I know.” He stepped back a few paces and sat on his haunches. “Go on, please.” He sat there, watching her intently, struggling with his breath.
    Areo sat back down. “We were cut off from our weapons and ships. We had to fight our way through the alien blockade with our bare hands. I ran into a dear old friend of ours. He was the traitor who had organized the Dominion’s entry. Mikkoa confronted me in the corridors. Unfortunately,”—she pointed to Sev’s sword— “my forte is not the sword, but the staff, bow, and gun. Mikkoa, however, is an excellent swordsman.” Areo recalled the invasion for him.
    “If John was taking you to a White Star for medical aid, then how did you get inside that Starfighter? Where was your brother John?”
    “When we exited the elevator, we were confronted. The enemy was everywhere, killing every innocent life they found. The men were forced to watch women and little girls being raped, first by the aliens’ manhood, then by their blade. They were ripped open from within.” Areo covered her face with her hands. Her words were muffled as she continued to speak. “The women who were pregnant were cut open. Their infants were chopped to pieces in front of them as they lay dying.” Her voice tapered off.
    Sev listened patiently. His face spoke of horror. Such morbid savagery, such horrid bloodthirstiness, such atrocities did not occur—did they?
    “When they finished torturing and raping, they decapitated everyone. John had to put me down so he could confront our attackers and help as many civilians as possible. We couldn’t leave them behind or unassisted. By the time we got to the docking bay, I was more determined not to let the Dominion win.”
    Her gaze fell to the grass. “I was shocked at how easily they got the best of us by simply turning a few humanoids against us. This enraged me and gave me the necessary energy to do what I had to do. I gave my people orders to keep the enemy occupied, but I didn’t tell them why.”
    Areo looked up at Sev. “I waited. When I saw the opening I was looking for, I made a dash for the nearest Starfighter. I started its engines and began shooting every unfamiliar alien I could see. I gave the others enough time and cover to get to their ships. Bythen, I was on a roll and on my way out to help stave off the advancing enemy troops.”
    It took Sev a while to find his voice. “How can such an evil being exist?”
    “Now do you understand why I must go back?”
    “Yes.” He gravely nodded. “But not alone.”
    Her brows met. “What do you mean?”
    “I will speak to the Seacats. I’m sure they will agree that we must return with you to assist in defeating Daehog.”
    “No!” Areo hurried to her feet. “There’s no way in hell I want you near that monster. If he touches you or if he hurts you, I…” She could not go on. The thought alone filled her with an immense energy capable of disintegrating a planet.
    Sev’s lips twitched as he fought against smiling.
    “Sev, you and the others must stay here. When I return to Aaren, I will join my people in defeating Daehog and his Dominions. If by chance he kills me and defeats my warriors, then it will be up to you, and all the Seacats you can gather, to destroy him and keep him from taking over Guildhall.”
    Sev’s face darkened. The cold copper steel in his eyes pinned Areo in place. “Let me get this straight.” He stood up. “You are to return to your people and face Daehog, while I remain here twiddling my claws, waiting in restless anticipation for a visit from the Dominion that would confirm your death. Is that what you are asking me to do?”
    “Well, you kind of simplified it, but…yes. That’s the general idea.”
    “Is that the sort of male you think I am?”
    “What do you mean?”
    “I’m a Seacat, Areo. A warrior. A defender and protector of the weak and innocent.