Beverly Havlir

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Karn'al: Jed's Revenge

The sound of the door opening reached Jed’s ears. Every one of his muscles went tense, his body tight as a bowstring. She was back again. He’d depleted his remaining energy when he’d resisted her efforts at arousing him. He had none to use now. He mentally girded his remaining strength, getting ready for battle.

Although she treaded quietly, he heard the soft swish of her footsteps as she came forward, stopping just a few inches away from him. Her breathing was steady, not choppy like earlier. There was something different about her. She seemed calmer. His senses went on high alert. I don’t like this.

He fixed his face into a fierce scowl behind the blindfold and inwardly cursed the language barrier that existed between them. With a few choice words, he could have her scurrying back to where she came from. But bound and helpless as he was, weak and incapacitated, he was very limited in ways to scare her away.

The deep breath she took reached his ears. He remained still, his face turned towards her, trying to discern every little sound she made. Frustration ate at him. He wanted to see her, look into her eyes and terrify her into leaving him alone.

For the longest time, she didn’t say anything, just stood close by. The longer he waited for her to make her move, the angrier he got. He hated being toyed with. His fists clenched, impotent fury knotted tightly in his chest. If he could just get out of these manacles and make some necessary repairs, he’d tear this whole fucking place apart.

“My name is Kate.” Once again, she spoke in that strange language he didn’t understand. “I don’t know why they’re holding you prisoner, or what you’ve done to deserve this. I’m sorry they hurt you like this.”

Although he couldn’t understand a word of what she was saying, her soft voice began to have the most incredible effect on him. His anger gradually lessened, the husky, melodious sound easing the tension in his body. The pain slowly began to ebb away. He resisted. She’s one of them, he reminded himself. Don’t forget that.

Jed turned his face away from her, hoping she’d get the message and leave him alone.

She simply moved to the other side. “I really wish you could understand what I’m saying. It would make it easier for both of us.” Her tone was earnest, almost pleading.

His lips thinned, still refusing to look at her. Her voice was doing strange things to his body, drawing a reaction with her strange, lilting accent. What was wrong with him? She was the enemy. He took a deep breath and willed the heat slowly unfurling in his body to die down. Resist. This is all part of her plan. With desperation, he scoured his energy sources, hoping there was something left somewhere that he could use to halt his body’s reaction to her.

“Please listen to me.”

When she cupped his chin and forced him to look at her, he was grateful for the blindfold covering his eyes. He didn’t want to see her. Just hearing her voice had the strangest effect on him. By the Gods, was his brain addled, too? Was he damaged far more than he’d thought? What was wrong with him? He’d been beaten, electrocuted and bound by the enemy, her people. Why would he react to her this way? He kept his face impassive, showing no reaction, but secretly wishing he could see her. What did she look like? Would she have long, flowing hair and lips that begged to be kissed? He drew his thoughts to an abrupt halt. Cease this madness right now. She’s one of them, remember that.

But his body did not heed his mind. As he depended on his senses to tell him what she was doing, his imagination ran wild. He felt weak and unable to resist the allure of her voice. Without his com-plant controlling his body, he was almost powerless. By the Gods of Karn’al, he was a fool.

“I have to do this.” Her voice was breathy, tentative, almost embarrassed. “I have to lose my virginity tonight. It’s—it’s very important that I do so.”

How he wished he could understand what she was saying. Jed felt like he was fighting a losing battle, but tried to hang on to his sanity. Remember who she is. She’s the enemy. He mustn’t succumb to this weakness.

“There’s no one else,” she continued softly. Her voice became stronger. “With you, I-I could be in control of how…” she trailed off and took a deep breath. “I have to arouse you now. I can’t fail,” she finished on almost a whisper, as if she was telling herself.

All his senses screamed in warning as he heard a soft swish of clothing. His heart almost leapt out of his chest as something fell to the floor. What was she doing? Had she taken her clothes off? His head cocked towards her, trying to decipher her actions, but he heard no more. Her scent rose in the air, filling his lungs, dominating his senses. He could imagine her body, generously proportioned, perfect for him.
Jed steeled himself as much as he could, filling his mind with memories of the murderous ambush that led to his capture. Anything at all to divert his attention from what he could feel was coming. When her touch came, he jerked away. But where could he go? He was tied down, helpless.

The first touch of her warm palm on his chest was like a shock. He gritted his teeth and forced himself to remain calm and unmoved. Her fingertips moved in circles, in random patterns on his skin. The light touch left tingles running under his skin. His muscles contracted when her hand slid down to his stomach. As a last ditch effort, he turned his face towards her. “Ie panga kalai muna,” he declared in a steely voice. “Rreke kalan man.” I swear vengeance upon you if you touch me.