Warriors of Phaeton: Hix Read online

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Foreward

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Epilogue

  About Leora Gonzales

  Warriors of Phaeton: Hix

  Book Five of the Warriors of Phaeton Series

  Leora Gonzales

  Copyright © 2018 Leora Gonzales

  All rights reserved.

  Dedication

  I want to dedicate this (like all the others) to my husband. I was lucky enough to find a man who is super smart, loving, hilarious and also diabolical. When I said that I wanted to write but had no computer, I had no idea he was going to surprise me with a new laptop. There went my list of excuses. Touché, Richard. Touché.

  Em, you have been a self-published author’s dream when it comes to editing. The work that you have done on both Finch and Hix has helped me out tremendously and I truly appreciate all of the hard work that has gone into this.

  Foreward

  Trigger Warning: This book contains the abuse and death of a pet dog. Although I tried to minimize the scene as much possible for my readers, the content may be too much for some. Please be advised.

  Prologue

  Presidential address from 5 months ago…

  “My fellow Americans, negotiations have concluded with the Phaeton Warrior race. After speaking to their council of leaders, we have learned that the Phaeton race has been surviving by using cloning. Unfortunately, the science that they have used has resulted in a low female birth rate. For their species to survive, they have been searching on other planets for potential mates.

  “The State Department has decided to initiate a ‘mate match’ for single female volunteers to apply for what we are referring to as the ‘Bridal Pact.’ In exchange for these volunteers, we will be able to use the Phaetons’ medical advancements to save American lives. We will have access to a new fuel source that will all but eliminate our need for oil, both foreign and domestic. And we will also have the protection of their military from other species that may discover Earth.

  “This is not a draft. It is completely voluntary. Women who apply will be compensated for filling out an application and signing the contract. We want to assure you that your safety and the safety of your sisters, daughters and friends will be our number-one concern. We are working on a profiling system with national dating sites and the Phaeton Council to make matches, like what many of you have used in the past to find companions. As of right now this is only open to women who fall within certain criteria but may be expanded after an initial trial period passes.

  “Please keep an open mind and know that the safety of our citizens and country is our top priority. Women wishing to volunteer or get more information can contact their local Intake Centers, which will be listed by state following this news conference or found at bridal-pact-dot-state-department-dot-gov. This is an exciting time for our country and its people.”

  Chapter One

  Present…

  A warm tongue traced the small of her back as she arched and moaned. Maggie was drowsy with pleasure as she breathed in the familiar scent of the man hovering over her prone form.

  “Are you going to wake up for me?” he rumbled.

  “Nope, just keep doing what you’re doing, and I’ll let you know when I’m awake,” she teased, not wanting him to stop.

  The bed shifted slightly as he sat back. Maggie turned her head and glared at him. “I thought you were going to keep going.”

  “We need to move again,” Hix said with a sad smile.

  “Have they found us?” Maggie sat up, not bothering to cover her bare breasts.

  Hix reached out and rubbed the tip of her nipple as if it were too tempting to resist. “Not yet, but they will soon if we do not move.” Standing up, he held out his hand to help her up. “We need to gather our things and leave, now.”

  “Gotcha,” Maggie heaved out a big sigh as she gathered her clothes off the floor.

  “I already packed up everything else and have a place secured for us.” Hix walked to the duffle sitting on the floor and picked up something next to it. “I did not know what you wanted to do with this but thought you would want to keep it.”

  Handing her the dog leash caused fresh tears to spring to her eyes.

  Poor Bodhi.

  He died trying to save her and this was all that she had left of him. She didn’t even have a chance to take his collar before they had to flee. Now, the only memento she had to remember him by was his favorite bone-patterned leash.

  She vowed right then and there that if it was the last thing she did, she’d make sure Bodhi’s murderer was punished.

  “Come quickly, dearling. We must hurry while it is still dark enough for us to move unnoticed in the streets.”

  Maggie took a deep breath and choked back the tears she desperately wanted to let free. Now was not the time for crying. That would come later, when she was safe. Right now, she had to focus on surviving and to do that she needed to pull herself together.

  “I’m ready—lead the way.”

  Ducking low, Maggie kept her face as covered as possible. Being recognized as a human would lead to nowhere good. According to Hix, humans were more than rare in the Pleasure Sector, which meant they were also priceless. Shadowing Hix, Maggie thought back to the days before she had fled for her life.

  Everything had been going so well right up until the point it turned to absolute shit.

  A little over a week ago…

  “In breaking news this morning, federal investigators have officially confirmed that the recent attack at the Intake Center will be classified as an act of terrorism. This comes after a news conference yesterday where authorities announced that the explosion will be handled by the Department of Homeland Security relieving both the state and local police. The two employees who are still missing at this time are now wanted for questioning. Sources say that the bombing may be linked to a religious organization whose mission statement emphasizes the need to keep humanity pure. The unidentified group has been more recently known for picketing local Intake Centers and blocking volunteers from entering. Federal authorities want to assure those who volunteer for the Bridal Pact that it is safe to do so and not to be alarmed at the increased military presence they may see at their local Intake Center.”

  Maggie hit the button on the remote and tossed it away, unable to listen to any more of the droning voice. The news about the Intake Center bombing had taken over every single channel her little cable box picked up. The coverage didn’t really surprise her much. Everyone was interest
ed in what happened inside the Intake Centers, herself included. It was one of the reasons why she’d urged Claudia to get a job there in the first place. Her best friend had needed a job and Maggie looked forward to grilling her about the big hulking space men that flew in to pick up their future wives.

  Safety had never even entered into her mind considering Claudia was on the overnight cleaning staff and not applying for the Pact during normal office hours. The news coverage had often shown men holding signs and shouting outside of the building, but they’d usually cleared out by the end of the business day…at least that was what Claudia had told her. The last thing that she had ever expected was to be the one to put her friend in harm’s way.

  “I miss them already,” Maggie confessed to Bodhi as she ran her fingers along the stones she was planning to use in a new necklace design.

  Looking down to where her pup was sitting by her feet, she smiled. Last year, while volunteering at the humane society, Maggie had fallen in love with the shaggy little beast and decided then he was coming home with her. Nobody was quite sure what mix of breeds he was and she didn’t care one bit. The only thing that mattered to her was that he was a sweetheart, housetrained, and didn’t hog the bed.

  “I know you miss them too, buddy.” Patting him on the head, she chuckled when he nibbled her hand, signaling his desire to play. “Let me finish this up and I’m all yours.”

  Grabbing her cell to take a quick picture of the sample layout, Maggie let her mind wander a bit. She couldn’t help herself really. Her brain was still consumed with figuring out the puzzle of what had happened to Claudia.

  You see, two days ago, her best friend had disappeared.

  It had been a normal day by all accounts with Maggie watching Max while Claudia worked her cleaning job at the local Intake Center. That evening, instead of Claudia coming to pick up her son like normal, she’d simply vanished. Finding Claudia’s apartment trashed and the news channels detailing the mysterious deaths of some of the workers at the Intake Center had sent her into a panic.

  Where was her friend? Was she even still alive? Would the police take Max away from her and place him with strangers if she reported Claudia missing? She had spent two long days out of her mind with worry for her best friend when the phone call finally came.

  At first, Maggie had been stunned to hear Claudia’s voice. Then, after the fog of shock had lifted, she had tried to sort out where Claudia had been.

  During that short call, Maggie hadn’t been able to get much information out of her bestie, but she had learned that Claudia had been rescued by the Phaetons. Well, technically it started as a kidnapping but Maggie had been assured that was only a misunderstanding. When all was said and done, Claudia was alive, well, and newly engaged to a gorgeous Phaeton named Finch. She also wouldn’t be coming home anytime soon.

  Before Maggie could ask the millions of questions filling her head, she had been instructed to prepare Max for pickup at the Intake Center. Not even a day later and Max was jetting off into space to join his mom and leaving Maggie alone to wonder how in the hell it all had happened.

  The combination of missing her best friend while simultaneously being confused as hell was overwhelming. Not a feeling she liked one bit. Maggie was also a little pissed that her bestie had essentially been snatched away right from under her nose.

  It wasn’t like she could blame Finch, either. Claudia was the tits.

  Maggie reached across her work counter for a jar of small pebbles. Pouring out a handful, she ran her fingers over them, finding the sensation calming. Her heart hurt at the thought of never seeing Max or Claudia again.

  No, it hurt more than her heart…it hurt her soul.

  Claudia and her son were more than simply friends. They were her family. And, considering that she no longer spoke to her own, they were her everything.

  Now, they were gone.

  Feeling as if she could cry at any moment, Maggie scooped her supplies back into their containers. Her mood wasn’t going to do her any favors if she tried to work.

  “C’mon, Bodhi, let’s go for a walk.”

  Maggie moved to grab his leash off the hook by the door, when there was a loud bang from the other side. Bodhi gave a sharp bark at the heavy knocking and sat at her feet as he waited for her to see who their surprise visitor was. Figuring it was one of her elderly neighbors, Maggie opened the door without checking the peephole.

  She realized that was a mistake a split second after she caught a glimpse of her visitors. Standing tall, most of them well over six feet, were seven heavily muscled Phaetons. Their presence so was overwhelming that Maggie instinctively took a step back into the apartment, feeling uneasy. Standing at just a bit over five feet, she felt as if they could smash her under their boots with one hard stomp.

  “Who are you?” Hoping her voice sounded stronger than she felt, Maggie began to take in every detail of the men before her. Each was larger than life as they barricaded her and the outside world. Dressed in leather pants of varying shades and long hair, they were undoubtedly Phaetons. The tall one in front, who she could only assume was their leader, was flanked by three others on each side.

  “We need to talk to you,” he said, his tone sharp as he looked past her into the apartment.

  “I already took Max to the center. Why do you need to talk to me?” Maggie reached for the door and started to close it slightly, hoping to keep a barrier between her and the men.

  “I just received communication that we have arrived too late. Finch and the human child have already made it back to Phaeton One. They are out of our reach for the time being,” one of the men said.

  Maggie watched the giants in front of her mumble among themselves and tried to hear what was being said. Then, she came to a startling realization.

  “Wait, you’re not Phaeton—”

  Before Maggie could finish her sentence, she was pushed back and into her apartment with a yelp. Scanning the faces before her, she saw a flash of concern from one warrior in particular at her rough handling.

  In the blink of an eye, Maggie was crowded back and away from any route of escape. Their leader lifted his lips in a snarl and flashed a set of scary-looking canines her way.

  “Search everything. There was no evidence that the other human knew what Eva was doing but we need to make sure that this one has no trace as well. Our reports show she was close to Finch’s new bride.”

  “Who the fuck is Eva?” Maggie snapped at the men as she maneuvered her body in front of Bodhi to shield him from the warriors. So far, he had not bitten or snarled at the intruders, but she wasn’t about to take any chances when it came to seven gigantic men against her loyal dog.

  The leader nodded to the others around him to move. As they walked farther into the room, he stepped close to Maggie with an evil smile gracing his lips.

  “She worked for us, but now it seems she’s developed cold feet. A little late I might add. Now, we need to make sure she hasn’t talked to you or your friend about our little operation.”

  “Sir, we did not find anything pertaining to our operations within the bride program. Our scanners are picking up a frequency, though, that we cannot identify.” The warrior glanced down at his tablet and tapped on the screen. “There may be surveillance on the apartment as we speak. I advise that we grab the girl and take her for questioning to avoid unexpected visitors.”

  Their leader grabbed Maggie’s arm in his large hand, causing her to suck in a panicked breath as she raised up on her toes within his grip. Hearing a low growl behind her, Maggie knew things were about to get ugly.

  “Shut it down now,” he snarled, his face so close to hers that she closed her eyes in fear. “We move out in two.”

  Maggie felt a sharp prick on the back of her captured arm. “Whaaa…” she slurred, unsure why her body felt as if it were melting in his grasp. With her captor being the only thing keeping her standing, Maggie heard Bodhi’s protective snarl as she slipped into unconsciousness.

/>   Chapter Two

  Dear lord, her mouth was dry. Smacking her lips together, Maggie tried to roll over but jerked to a stop. Her eyes went wide with the realization she couldn’t move.

  “What the—” Maggie jumped when something wet touched her face, relaxing when her groggy brain realized it was Bodhi. She needed to get him in for a teeth cleaning if his breath was anything to go by.

  Blech.

  Trying to recall what happened before she went to bed, Maggie blinked blearily at the wall in front of her. With Bodhi nuzzling her cheek, Maggie turned her head back and forth, hoping it would help her wake up. Unfortunately, she hadn’t thought about what the motion would do to her stomach. Swallowing hard, Maggie tried to recall which specific alcohol had the power to make the room spin at such an amazing speed.

  “Probably the te-kill-ya,” she mumbled tiredly as she cracked her eyes open slightly, only to slam them closed as the room’s brightness sent a sharp pain to her temple.

  Damn! What the hell had she gotten up to last night?

  Her body ached as if she’d been out on an all-night bender, making her want to stretch the kinks out. Trying to roll over again, Maggie was again jerked to a halt by something pinning her down. Any stretching would have to wait until she figured out why she was so weighed down and how to crawl out from under it.

  Turning her head to the side, Maggie squinted at the wall in front of her. She was even more confused when greeted by a stark white so bright it glowed. It was definitely not the soothing yellow she’d picked out for her bedroom last year. Raising her head slightly, Maggie blinked at her surroundings in confusion.

  “Bodhi?” Maggie whispered, trying to keep her breathing steady even though her heart felt as though it were about to beat out of her chest.

  Where the hell was she and why was she strapped down in an empty room? Maggie jumped when Bodhi licked her cheek. Scanning the room, she realized that she was on some sort of cot with restraints running up and down her torso, pinning her arms to her sides.