No sooner had the words left Ajaska’s mouth than shouts and screams could be heard. Laser fire began filling the room as the group of men coming in through the east entrance started firing up at the ceiling yelling for everyone to lie down. The dancers began screaming and tried to run for the door they had entered through only to be stunned before they could escape. Several men in the front of the room took blasts to the chest collapsing in a heap on the floor of the ballroom. Ajaska roared out pulling his laser pistol and firing it at the men charging him. Moving to stand behind a huge pillar he fired a shot hitting one man and knocking him down.
“Manota, where are Kev and his men?” Ajaska yelled into his com link.
“They are fighting a group of men who landed on the roof and another trying to gain entrance through the front. They have them contained and are on their way here.” Manota responded as he came up behind two of the invaders and cut them down. “Shit, two unidentified men have entered the room with the women.”
Torak was fighting three other intruders who had tried to circle around Jazin. Jazin had his hands full with two men. Ajaska, seeing two of his sons surrounded by men, let out a roar that shook the room. Gril Tal Mod’s head jerked up, his nostrils flared with anger. He reached out his massive arms gripping the man fighting him and squeezed. The man fell limply at his feet. Turning, he bent his powerful legs and leaped onto the backs of the two men fighting Jazin crushing them under his weight.
“Go to the females. My mate says the females have been taken.” Gril Tal Mod growled.
Torak roared out in rage slamming his knife into one man’s chest while kicking the knee out from another before slashing the other man’s throat with a back swing of his blade. Jazin plunged his blade forward into the last man growling as he searched for Star’s location on the imbedded map in the lens in his eye.
“Shit. Star is not with the other females.” Jazin said looking around wildly for Tai Tek. “Where is Tai Tek? Where is the bastard?”
The other men in the room quickly helped to subdue the attackers. Ajaska and Gril Tal Mod came forward shoving chairs and tables out of their way. Manota reached them just as they got to Jazin and Torak.
Torak grabbed one of the rebels by the neck in a strangle hold, “Where are they taking the females?” He demanded in a voice devoid of all emotion.
“It is too late.” The rebel croaked turning red as he struggled for a breath. “Tai Tek will have already mated to your female and the other two have been given to the other guards as payment for their loyalty.”
Torak gripped the man’s neck so hard it snapped. He let the limp body fall to the floor. His eyes glowed with fury. He would kill Tai Tek and every man who had supported him. He closed his eyes focusing on the map and the tracking signal of his mate and her sisters.
His eyes snapped open and an unholy light glittered from him as he snarled, “They are in the garden. They must have used the females to escape into it.”
River laid limply in the guards arms moaning softly as she mumbled in Portuguese. “I think it is almost show time, girls.”
“Oh River, we’re almost to the center of the garden. We’ll be at your house soon.” Star cried out softly. She moved her hand around the waist of the soldier holding her and slid his laser pistol over to Jo who put it in a hidden pocket of her skirt.
Jo had already lifted the other soldier’s weapon and inserted a toy pistol that belonged to one of the children from Manota’s house. She had been leaning on him most of the way sobbing her eyes out.
Both Jo and Star gave a startled cry when the soldiers suddenly stopped near the center fountain. A dark figure appeared from beside it. As he pulled back the hood of his cloak, Tai Tek’s hard face appeared. He looked at the three women, River lying limp in his guard’s arms and the two tear-stained faces of the other females. The guard closest to Jo grabbed her arm while another guard came out of the shadows and gripped Star. Jo and Star pushed against their attackers, fighting to break the hold the men had on them.
“It appears these warrior women are not as strong as it was first thought.” Tai Tek’s mouth curved into a cruel smile.
The guard holding River stepped forward, “My Lord, we have brought the females as you asked. Lady River drank the drink given to her by Javonna.”
“Remember your promise to let me watch you take her. I also want to watch as your guards share the little one.” Javonna said nastily stepping out from behind Tai Tek.
“I’m afraid, my dear, your usefulness has come to an end. You may also enjoy the attentions of my guards until they tire of you.” Tai Tek said coldly before pushing Javonna towards two guards who had appeared.