Surreal

A.N. Short Chapter - small interlude before Chapter 13 where things get a bit hairy.

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Ja’el was attempting to force some food past his lips in one of the many cafeterias located on different levels of the fortress. It was currently mostly empty, it seemed either the general Suvian populace chose another level to dine on or had taken breakfast in their quarters. Arabel had finally offered Ja’el his own private quarters when it became apparent that he would be staying here for quite some time. He could have also taken his meal in his quarters but didn’t care to be cooped up.

Although Ja’el was grateful for this new privacy; he hadn’t ruled out the possibility of one day returning to Andrenon, especially if Erik was found and didn’t wish to leave that galaxy. He realized the irony of what his feelings for Erik represented. Here was a man he had hired to help him find Arabel. Once he’d done so and subsequently vanished himself, Ja’el now realized he couldn’t live without him. He didn’t want to think of Arabel’s reaction to this after his cousins’ new family had gone to such lengths to rescue him from the Tolatrians.

Ja’el had been pushing the fruits and cheeses around on his plate when he noticed he had a visitor. A young man, perhaps close to his age with red hair and green eyes came up to him.

“Hi, my name is Mischa; I don’t believe we’ve met officially.” The red-head held out his hand with a smile.

Ja’el shook his hand in greeting and forced a half smile on his lips. “I know who you are, you and Arabel were at the Cadence Palace.”

“That is correct,” Mischa smiled. “May I join you?”

Ja’el gestured to the seat across from him and hoped the younger man wasn’t here to lecture him. His last conversation with Gillian had left him shaken. He knew for a certainty that what he was going through was nothing compared to what these people had already endured. They were doing everything they possibly could to find Erik given the difficult circumstances of his disappearance. And he realized he hadn’t been very gracious so far. But the last thing he needed was to have random people coming out of the woodwork offering tepid encouragement.

“I don’t know much about Talion’s besides what I know about Arabel. But I do know he likes a good foot race. I was planning one for later this afternoon and I was wondering if you’d like to join us?”

Ja’el paused as he contemplated the question. “Who else will be there?”

“I had been hoping to have the Captain and Commander of the Elite Den join us as well. But right now there seems to be some issues surrounding them so I’m guessing they won’t make it,” Mischa explained.

“What sort of issues?” Ja’el was curious.

“I was not privy to the full details. It’s very possible they may be returning to Andrenon shortly.”

Ja’el hadn’t seen much of the Elite Den officials since coming here. He’d been too wrapped up in his fear over Erik’s safety that he hadn’t bothered to ask about them. He wondered if they’d even want to see him. His investigation to Samian was the reason Jubek and Woen came to the city in the first place which inevitably led to its destruction. All that they’d held dear was gone, including the brothel owner. Ja’el couldn’t help thinking that they would place the blame on him. It only made sense.

His thoughts returned to the matter at hand, and he realized that a good run through the forest may be just what he needed to get his mind off his worry over Erik.

“You know what; I think I will take you up on your offer.”

Mischa smiled at him as he stood to leave. “That’s fantastic; you won’t regret it!”

~*~

Soiph forced a smile at Kenlan. He’d been so polite during this short conversation she’d had with him to set up Rais’s departure later that afternoon.

“I know we’ve been giving both you and Jubek a work out with the portal creation. But I wanted to let you know that we really do appreciate it all.” Soiph leaned against a counter that was absent the usual lab materials as she gave Woen’s father her full attention.

“It’s no problem at all. We’ve made leaps and bounds since only a couple of years ago with the practice. Actually it doesn’t hurt at all to have two portal creators share ideas. I’ve actually learned a few things from Jubek and him in turn. I would have liked to have spent more time with Arabel’s sister before she was taken from us. She was the last known living Talion capable of portal creation,” Kenlan explained.

“I could imagine it becoming a lucrative business – would certainly cut down on travel time when using ships. Especially when used in the same galaxy,” Soiph replied.

Kenlan could easily see through her brave front and could tell that she was hurting over the situation with her Captain. This light banter would not take her mind from the issues at hand. “You know, I could certainly fabricate a problem to delay Captain Dian’s departure time.”

Soiph gave him a genuine smile. She was pleased that he would even offer to do so. “While I appreciate the offer, the Captain has already been through so much. If this is what he truly wants, then I have to respect that. But now I see why Woen is as wonderful as he is.”

“And here I thought he didn’t have the traits to attract anyone worth a damn.” There was barely a hint of a smile on Kenlan’s lips.

“Really? I’m sure you can envision one day little Jubek’s and Woen’s running about,” Soiph chuckled.

“Indeed, and little Soiph’s as well.”

Soiph’s eyes widened at the Mystic’s words. This was the first indication that he actually approved of her being in a relationship with his son. She was certain he was aware of it from the start, but he hadn’t made any indication on what he thought on the matter. But what was she thinking? She’d never heard of anyone having a legitimate three way relationship before. How could she choose between Jubek and Woen? Making love to both was a mind-boggling experience in of itself. But who was she kidding? If anything, the men would be the one dropping her from the relationship, not the other way around. Especially with where she was going.

“I – I really adore them both,” Soiph said softly.

“I imagine you do, or you wouldn’t have allowed them to test the Suvian pill on you.”

“I see, so Dascos told you,” Soiph surmised.

“There are no secrets between myself and my mate.”

“Then you are not angry with them?” Soiph had to ask the question to ascertain his feelings. It was so difficult to read this man.

“Jubek may be a little headstrong but I’ve come to know him a bit better than Dascos does. His heart is in the right place, and he does mean well,” Kenlan explained.

“Kenlan, you’re like the father I never had. I’m going to miss you.” Soiph was near tears as she wrestled with a difficult decision. Ever since Rais had decided to return to Andrenon she realized she had to make a choice whether or not to return with him. Her first answer had been ‘no.’ But she’d known the Captain for most of her adult life, and these people for only a few weeks. How could she turn her back on him when he needed her the most?

Kenlan nodded his head as he read between the lines. He had suspected that Captain Dian would not be making this trip solo. For once, he’d wished his suspicions were false.

~*~

Rais glanced around his quarters. There hadn’t been much to pack. He had arrived on Atika near death. Everything he possessed now had been given to him by the Suvians. He chose to take with him only the clothing on his back confident that he would be able to resume his life upon arrival in Tobkar. It would be a new city and a different brothel. But the running of it would be familiar. This is something he thought he’d need. It was difficult to recover from Chav’s death in these unfamiliar surroundings where he had nothing normal to occupy his thoughts.

His second-in-command was experimenting with the male form and he had slept with a man he barely knew. Rais needed to be on solid ground again, right now his world was spinning on its axis and he needed to slow it down.
Rais felt the hairs on the back of his neck prickle and immediately knew when he was no longer alone in his quarters. Glancing up he saw the man that had begun to haunt his nightmares. “You…”

“Please, hear me out,” Boden said as he kept a small distance between them not wanting to alarm the smaller man further.

“Get out of here!” Rais stood up and backed away from him.

“Listen to me please; I only wanted to explain about last night…”

“Explain what exactly? How you took advantage of me?”

“That’s not what happened, I didn’t know you were drugged…”

“Save it!” Rais’s blue eyes flashed in anger. “You don’t have a leg to stand on. Now I am willing to leave this world putting the experience behind me. But that will change very quickly if you do not leave this instant!”

“You won’t even try to see this from my perspective?” Boden was torn by the Captain’s words.

“Why should I? You took advantage of me! And you know it.”

Boden regarded Rais solemnly for a few moments as his own anger began to build. “Are you saying you felt nothing?” He saw when those blue eyes fluttered as he was watching the man intently, not missing a beat. “You climaxed five times, did you feel NOTHING?”

Rais licked his dry lips as his gaze never left Boden’s. “I felt nothing.”

Boden crossed his arms across his chest and gazed down at the shorter man. “I see – did anyone ever tell you that you’re a terrible liar?” He saw when Rais ran across the room to a small communicator. So, he was now afraid to be in the same room with him, how very interesting. He quickly teleported to Rais’s side and snagged the communicator from his grasp.

“Let’s prove my theory.” Boden slammed Rais against the wall and quickly brought his lips down on his. The kiss was punishing, almost bruising. His hand had let go of the communicator to slip between the folds of Rais’s shirt and caress his flat chest and male nipples. When the Captain’s lips parted with a gasp, Boden used that opportunity to slip his tongue within the sweet recesses. His fingers gently stroked his nipples as he deepened the kiss. When he heard Rais release the pleasure-filled moan he’d been waiting for; he quickly released him.

Rais felt his cheeks flush with heat as he felt utterly mortified. Here he was denying all feelings for this man, yet one touch and he was instantly putty in Boden’s hands. He had no excuse this time, all the drugs were out of his system. Rais had to get away from him. It was the only way to put a stop to this relationship that should have never been. “Let me go – please.”

Boden was stunned by Rais’s soft yet simple request. Had the man thought he’d been keeping him here against his will? He wasn’t quite sure what to make of the attractive Captain.

Rais was relieved when he saw Boden stand aside. He didn’t waste the opportunity and quickly bolted from the room, exiting his quarters with one speedy stride. He realized it was not yet the time for his departure so opted for the elevator pad and eventually left the fortress altogether. He needed to put as much space between him and Boden as possible. He wouldn’t feel safe until there was a galaxy between them.

~*~

“Okay, I suppose next time we need someone waiting at the finish line to check and see who won,” Mischa grinned.

“We were all neck and neck so I suggest a tie,” Arabel replied.

“Well I say I was definitely a neck ahead of both of you so, I won.” Ja’el chuckled as he flopped down on a mound of grass as his breathing from the brisk race subsided.

Arabel knelt next to him openly pleased to see Ja’el having a good time. “Care for a rematch?”

“Sure, but give me a few minutes.” Ja’el settled back on the soft grass and closed his eyes.

“I say best two out of three. Get ready for a long afternoon guys.” Arabel pulled his water bottle from his back pack. “I’m going to refill at the river, be right back.”

“I’ll join you; I think Ja’el needs a beauty nap.” Mischa giggled. He did notice the smile on Ja’el’s face but the young man’s eyes remained closed.

At the river while Mischa helped to refill the bottles a thought occurred to him. “We should do this more often. The three of us are among the few non Suvian’s living here. Sometimes it’s good to remember what it’s like to be normal when living with some of the most powerful people in the universe. And you and I to both be mated to two of these people. Well it’s certainly not something I would have imagined five years ago. Ja’el was lucky at least, that he never had to adjust to brothel life.”

Arabel had been in agreement of all Mischa said except for that last bit. What Ja’el had told him was in confidence and until his cousin felt the time was right to open up about his life in the Atlinium mines, it would be their secret alone.

“Today is the first time we’ve successfully managed to get his mind off his Erik person. I think we should continue to build on that.” Arabel stated.

“Do you think we won’t be able to find him?” Mischa asked. He could only imagine that whomever had left such an impression on Ja’el must be a great man indeed. He certainly hoped they’d be able to meet the man before giving up all hope.

“It’s a definite possibility and I think we’ll need to prepare Ja’el for that outcome.” Arabel stood in preparation to head back to where they’d left Ja’el when a frantic Captain Dian emerged from the bushes.

“Captain Dian, are you alright?” Arabel asked as he closed some of the distance between them. The man was perspiring lightly; and his lips were slightly swollen as if he’d been recently kissing someone. His eyes darted around and behind him as if someone had been pursuing him.

“I’m fine, I just needed some air.” Rais swiped at a lock of dark hair that had fallen into his face.

“You’re due to leave soon,” Arabel stated.

Rais nodded, “Yes, in another couple of hours.”

“Well why don’t you join us, we were having a race through the woods. Something you seem familiar with.” Arabel hoped his smile would help calm the man.

“Sure,” Rais nodded before shoving both hands in his pants pockets, waiting for Arabel to lead the way. He wouldn’t think about Boden, he’d just spend some time with these people and keep the golden eyed giant off his mind. Although thoughts of Boden seemed to block the pain of his loss.

Chav.

They were about halfway back to where they had left Ja’el when Rais suddenly stopped and fell to his knees.

“I miss him,” Rais yanked handfuls of bright green grass out by their roots.

Arabel glanced up at Mischa indicating that he wanted some privacy with the Captain. As soon as the red-head left, Arabel gave his full attention to Rais.

“Chav is still with you,” Arabel stated.

Rais raised red-rimmed eyes to Arabel. “No, no he’s gone.”

“He lives inside you, the same way my sister Anata lives inside me. You only have to look within your heart.”

“My heart is blocked, I can not see.”

“Why?” Arabel was confused by his words.

“Because of him,” Rais’s face grew dark as a certain Suvian began to occupy his thoughts, “Boden.”

“Boden?”

“Arabel come quick!”

Arabel heard Mischa’s words filter towards him and was instantly on his feet. When he entered the clearing where they’d left Ja’el, he saw his cousin standing and not 10 feet away was an other worldly creature half man half scaled monstrosity.

“Erik…”

Arabel heard the single name fall from Ja’el’s lips as clearly as if he’d been standing right next to him. This creature that emanated evil was the man Ja’el sought? He realized now that it was obvious Ja’el didn’t know this Erik as well as he thought he did.

“Ja’el – run!” Arabel shouted at the top of his lungs.

“NO!” Ja’el held his hand up at Arabel but never took his eyes off the apparition of Erik that stood before him. “He won’t hurt me.” He remembered Erik promising to never hurt him and still believed that to be true. “I’ve missed you.”

Suddenly, Erik sprouted leathery green wings from his scaled back and barreled towards Ja’el. A portal had suddenly appeared behind the Talion allowing Erik to scoop him up and quickly fly through it.

Arabel dashed towards the portal, not thinking about himself but instead the safety of his cousin. He threw himself at the opening only to find himself making firm contact with the grassy ground. The portal had closed in a split second, as quickly as it had opened. It was as if Ja’el had been swallowed up by an unknown entity of which there could be no pursuit.

Arabel had barely gotten a chance to get to his feet before his mate was at his side, helping him up. Once he was righted, he saw that Devo had not come alone. Gillian, Stefan, Woen and Kenlan had also arrived.

Gillian was staring transfixed at the area where the portal had been, while Kenlan also surveyed the area using a small device to scan for traces of the recent portal.

“It was Erik, he took him. He definitely didn’t look human,” Arabel stated as he fought to regain his composure although fear and concern over Ja’el’s fate coursed through him.

“Kenlan how did this happen?” Gillian gazed calmly at her trusted mystic never once revealing the anger that was boiling under the surface.

“I’m trying to figure that out now,” Kenlan replied.

Arabel noticed the confused expression on Rais’s face and extricated himself from Devo’s embrace to go to the concerned man. He’d been trying to comfort him when all of this happened and realized just how fragile the man still was.

“No one can venture to Atika unless first invited. Which means no portals can be opened on the planet itself,” Arabel explained.

“Then what just happened?” Rais wanted to know.

“That’s a good question,” Devo spoke up.

“He was taken to one of the alter-realm planes off Andrenon galaxy. It will take some time to pinpoint the correct one,” Kenlan stated. “I’ll need to return to my lab to analyze the data I’ve collected.”

“Kenlan,” Gillian stopped him briefly. “We don’t have much time.”

Kenlan nodded before his mate appeared to teleport him to his lab.

“What aren’t you saying?” Arabel walked up to Gillian boldly. “What took my cousin?” When she didn’t reply at first he began to grow anxious. “I could sense the evil emanating from it!”

“Then you know about as much as we do,” Gillian gazed at Arabel intensely. She knew how much was riding on Ja’el’s safe return.

“What will it do to him?” Arabel wanted to know.

“Best not to think about it.” Gillian vanished from view. She really wanted to put her fist through the nearest solid tree trunk. But it wouldn’t do to have the people she resided over see her lose control like this. It was hard enough to stomach the fact that an enemy had come in and taken a family relative while on her watch. Erik had masked his aura well, and when she’d finally sensed his evil presence, it was too late. She only hoped it wouldn’t be too late for Ja’el as well.