Surreal

Ja’el rubbed his fingers across the smooth surface of the leather bound book he held next to his heart. The book contained the knowledge of portal usage and was the one piece of history he’d been able to gather about his people since his escape from the Atlinium mines 3 years prior. He knew there would be more relics of the past to gain from his ruined home planet. However, the danger the place presented due to the constant presence of their conquerors made it impossible for him to go back.

Ja’el had never dabbled into the sorcery of being a portal master. Yet the information contained in the book was not all new to him. His grandfather had been very fluent in the craft. Sometimes he wished he did know how to create portals as a way to escape this place and all that had happened to him. But if there was the possibility that more of his people were still out there, then he had to try to find them or at least make contact.

He’d been wandering aimlessly ever since his escape from the mines, until one month ago he finally got a lead that took him to Hemparon Sector and the gates of a prominent whorehouse dubbed The Cadence Palace. There was a rumor that over three years ago, a Talion male had actually worked there. The idea would have been incredulous five years ago when the Talion society was thriving. They simply were not a submissive people. At least most of them were not. However, after all that Ja’el had been through himself, he knew that anything was possible.

Had Zaxton lied about there being a small society of Talion’s left, free from the dictatorship rule of the Tolatrians who had conquered them? It would seem so. For three years, Ja’el had been unable to find any evidence of this, until now. Yet this current lead did not match up with all that Zaxton had promised him.

Ja’el held the book tighter at the thought of the man who had saved yet doomed him at the same time. He had given up his pride and all sense of honor, the qualities a true Talion held dear. That was a very dark time in his past, one that he would carry with him for the rest of his life. Sometimes Ja’el wondered if death would have been preferable to living with this huge burden on his shoulders and the knowledge of what he’d been forced to do to save his own skin.

Ja’el was pulled from his thoughts when the computer monitor located in the center of his living quarters turned on. He left the book on the chaise he had been occupying and headed for the console. He quickly deciphered that it was a warning signal, someone was hacking into the database and he knew exactly who it was. It seems his guest was sticking his nose where it didn’t belong.

Ja’el was about to storm through the doors to find Erik and confront him, but remembered just in time that there was something he needed to do first. Making his way to a nearby drawer, he opened it and retrieved and injector tube. He raised the sleeve of the long robe and quickly injected himself. He paused for a moment, allowing the drug to take effect before placing it in his pocket and leaving the room.

Erik had been attempting to access the ship’s logs in the main control room on deck but found that it required a password. He then decided to use the computer’s search capabilities to find out as much as he could about his client. It took several minutes before anything popped up. He was J. Leighton, a wealthy benefactor with ties to Atlinium mines. The history on him seemed short and rushed, almost as if it had been added in hindsight.

Erik heard the soft footfalls of bare feet headed in his direction. He quickly turned off the computer screen and turned to face his client.

Ja’el was surprised to find Erik still standing at the place of the crime. Perhaps the big lug didn’t realize that he was on to him. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“Entertaining myself, you did say I had the run of the ship, didn’t you?” Erik crossed his arms across his bare chest and leaned lightly against the console. They’d been in space for two days and this was the first time Erik had seen him since they left port.

Ja’el scoffed as he regarded the man’s attire; he was shirtless, wearing only his black leather pants and boots. He’d seen the well-toned abs of Erik’s flat chest before yet the image still sent a tingle down his spine. This attraction he felt towards the insufferable man wouldn’t do at all. At least it wasn’t mutual.

“There is no need for you to be hacking into the ship’s log. Nothing there concerns you,” Ja’el stated.

“Well if you don’t want me to find out on my own, why don’t you tell me what the deal is with you?” Erik asked.

How interesting, he didn’t even try to deny what he was doing. The cocky bastard reacted with an unexpected angle to every situation. “I already told you, I’m searching for someone,” Ja’el retorted.

“So, you’re a shareholder in an Atlinium mine – is that how you are financing yourself? This is a costly trip not to mention my exorbitant fee. And what is your relationship to the person you are seeking?”

“What is this – an interrogation?” Ja’el was incredulous.

“If you don’t tell me, then I’ll keep searching, and I’ll probably find something you truly don’t wish me to know.” Erik came to stand directly before him, all signs of humor were absent from his face.

Ja’el realized his bodyguard was serious and it daunted him. He took a step backward in an effort to distance himself from the towering man. His foot twisted awkwardly on the grating of the floor and before he knew it, he was falling.

He landed with a small thud and looked up at Erik’s outstretched arm, offering to help him up. He refused to take it and got up on his own. “If I didn’t need you, I would maroon you on an uninhabitable planet!”

Erik chuckled, “Very strong words, but you’re missing one important fact. I don’t need YOU. Remember, I didn’t take this job for the money. Therefore, if I wanted to kill your ass and steal your ship – there’s nothing stopping me.” Erik saw the way Ja’el’s face blanched an even paler shade of white. He recognized when the smaller man was about to flee, and reached out to clamp a hand around his arm, holding him in place.

“I’m not one to be trifled with, but I am a man of my word. From this day forth, I promise I will never hurt you. Whether you choose to tell me the truth about you or not will simply determine our relationship for the remainder of our business deal. I for one would like that to be civil.” Erik then released Ja’el’s arm, having said his piece. He wasn’t surprised when the man scampered away from him like a frightened pet. There was something in the smaller man’s brown eyes that indicated he had been hurt in the past, and deeply. He almost felt remorse for having threatened him.

Erik watched until Ja’el’s retreating form vanished around the hallway bend. He sighed and glanced down; for the first time noticed that Ja’el had dropped something during all the commotion. Erik knelt and picked up the small injector, twirling it between his fingers. Did Ja’el have some illness he didn’t know about?

Erik continued to inspect the small device and noticed the lettering AC printed in tiny letters on the tube. He stood up and strode back to the console. It seems he was not through using the computers search capabilities. It didn’t take long to find out what the AC logo stood for – Altering Center. The company was manufacturing an experimental product that could alter one’s appearance. This had to be what he first sensed when he’d met Ja’el. He knew something was off about the man but hadn’t been able to put his finger on it. It seemed his little man apparently had a whole other face he didn’t know about. How very interesting indeed.

~*~

Rais listened quietly as Kisku outlined the reasons why neither of the two candidates for the Cadence Palace job fit the bill. They were currently in Kisku’s offices located adjacent to the rest of his lavish quarters.

“A very valiant effort, Dian but I believe we need to keep looking,” Kisku concluded before taking a glance at his timepiece. “Now I need to be going, I have a meeting. Would you mind escorting Chav back to the atrium, he’s in my bedchamber.”

Rais was irked by Kisku’s request but it didn’t show. “Of course,” was his polite response as he saw the sandy-haired brothel owner off. He took a deep breath before traversing the living area to Kisku’s bedchambers. He didn’t want to imagine what he’d find beyond the double doors, but a naked and pliable whore was a very good bet.

Upon entering the room, Rais was taken aback when Chav rushed him and immediately began to plant wet kisses on his cheek, neck and lips. It took the boy a moment to realize that the recipient was not who he expected.

“Captain Dian, my apologizes; I thought you were Lord Draymond.” Chav lowered himself to his knees in a submissive position.

“He had to leave, I’m simply here to escort you back to the atrium,” Rais stated. He tried not to think of the slender slave that had just seconds ago been pressing his nude body to his.

“Oh,” Chav began as he got to his feet, unmindful of his nakedness. “Will I be servicing clients tonight?”

“I don’t have your schedule,” was Rais’s lackluster response. In an effort to keep his hormones from rampaging, he adopted a bored demeanor. Chav however, shot that all to hell.

“If not, then if it pleases you – I would like you to use me.” Chav licked his pink lips as his eyes roved over Rais’s uniformed body.

Rais’s head began to spin at the idea of finally having sex with this boy. He knew it would be incredible and his lust almost won out. “I don’t have time.” He left the room expecting the boy to follow quietly.

“Do you not find me attractive, my lord?” Chav asked, the pain was evident in his soft voice.

Rais paused in his stride before turning around to face the slave. “No,” he lied quietly. “Now let’s go.” He pretended to ignore the fact that he hadn’t seen the boy blink back tears at his response. Rais had to keep himself at arms length. He couldn’t become involved with this slave, for it could potentially lead to his downfall.

The Elite Den was a square fortress with miles and miles of corridors. Elevators that ran up, down and sideways made short work of traveling from one area to the next. The Inner Atrium was the slave quarters located in the right wing of the Den. Opaque glass walls housed the padded rooms in which the slaves slept when not performing duties.

Rais stopped at an empty one and pressed a few buttons on the glass panel which made the room visible and opened the door. He paused when he heard another guard approaching.

“Hey boss,” a stocky guard with brown hair greeted him.

“Altor, what can I do for you?” Rais asked.

“I was going to take this whore off your hands. He’s got no clients set up for tonight and I’m off duty. Was going to have him pamper me for a bit if you know what I mean.” Altor chuckled, “Unless you were planning on using him yourself?”

Rais put some distance between himself and Chav, “He’s all yours.” He’d fought to say those words without gritting his teeth.

“Thanks boss, he’s one of the few whores that are still willing while not under Euphoria. There’s just something extra special about fucking them when you know they’re not drugged up,” Altor chuckled again. “Hey are you sure you don’t want to join me?”

Rais pasted a smile on his face, “I’m sure.”

Chav felt pain twist his heart at Rais’s response. He barely noticed when the lusty guard began to fondle his cock openly. He wasn’t quite used to rejection like this. Most men were more than willing to sleep with him. It further cemented the fact that Rais was not like most men.

“Alright, but you don’t know what you’re missing,” Altor replied.

As Rais walked away from the two men, he thought that he had a very good idea what he’d be missing indeed.

~*~

Three more days had passed, and Erik hadn’t seen nor heard from Ja’el since. During the first two days the elusive man had at least greeted him over the ships’ speakers, but all had been silent since their confrontation on deck. There was still over a week of travel left, and armed with the knowledge that Ja’el was pretending to be someone he was not; Erik wanted to act on that and soon.

Erik was currently in the gym running on a treadmill. His body was slick wet with sweat for he had been running for close to three hours straight. He had unusually high stamina, and probably could continue running for several more hours but his patience had finally ran thin. Dismounting the treadmill, he left the gym and made his way towards the “do not enter” sections of the ship.

Erik wasn’t surprised to find that the hallway leading to Ja’el’s section of the ship sealed off. No doubt the panel on the side of the wall required a password. Erik was through playing around; balling his hand into a fist he slammed it into the panel. The door immediately retracted allowing him to go forward. An annoying alarm also began to sound through the corridors. Well, he hadn’t been intending to catch Ja’el off guard, so what if he knew he was coming. This confrontation was long overdue.

~*~

//“Ja’el, you can’t just leave me here, think of all we have been through, all we’ve planned together!”

Ja’el regarded the man lying before him clutching his wounded leg. All their plans had finally come to fruition. Ja’el had acted as Zaxton’s mole allowing him to embezzle money and product from the mines. They would now be filthy rich, all they had left to do was escape, but their plan had been discovered before they were safely away. Now Zaxton had suffered an injury and they were still two blocks away from their escape vessel.

“You used me, and yes I used you too, but I can’t risk being stuck here for the rest of my life, I’m sorry Zaxton.” Ja’el turned and ran down the corridors to the sound of Zaxton’s angry screams. When the sounds were suddenly cut off, he turned around and saw that the guards had ended his partners’ life. Ja’el new it was now or never, and even after he reached the ship he realized he was not out of the woods yet. He managed to maneuver the ship out of the factory’s gates before they closed; having had very little flight training before it was more than an insurmountable task.

Ja’el finally caught a lucky break that there were no ships waiting outside for him. If he’d had to elude them in the process of getting away, he would have never made it. Seems likely the guards had though they could stop them before they got that far which was a big mistake on their part.

However, all was not well even as Ja’el was finally able to put the ship in hyperspace. He’d never forget his two years at the Atlinium mines, and what he’d been forced to do during his time there. But was it really force that made him submit to various men for endless hours and days garnering what information he could from each sexual partner? Had force made him leave Zaxton to be killed so he could save his own skin? Ja’el wasn’t sure how he could ever live with himself. Regardless of all the horrible things that had been done to him, he’d not been completely blameless himself.

As the ship zoomed through hyperspace, Ja’el fell to his knees and allowed the tears to finally be shed. Tears he had held back for far too long. He was free, but he was also a broken man, would he ever be whole again and if so, how long would it take?//
--

Ja’el awoke with a gasp and to the damp feeling of tears on his face. When would he stop reliving that nightmare of his escape from the mines? Perhaps for as long as he continued to be a broken man he would never find peace. He brought a hand to his face to wipe away the tears and repress a sob. Here he lay in bed in this darkened room, crying over a past that could not be changed. Could I be anymore pathetic, He thought to himself.

“And here I thought I had issues.”

Ja’el’s eyes flew open at the familiar voice that had just spoken. Could it be that Erik really was in his bedroom? Before he could think further on the matter the light flicked on, Ja’el bolted upright in bed and his eyes clashed firmly with Erik’s intense green ones.

“Impossible! How did you get in here?” Ja’el jumped out of bed forgetting about his state of undress. At the moment all he wore was a pair of white silk shorts that hugged his slender body like a glove. There should have been some warning that Erik had breached this area. “The alarm…”

“Oh it sounded, but apparently you didn’t hear it,” Erik began. “I turned it off once I arrived at your own personal console.”

Ja’el felt the anger rush through his veins but it was at that moment that he caught a glimpse of himself in an adjacent mirror. His hair was blond with deep red high lights, and eyes crystal clear silver with an exotic tilt. His skin was no longer pasty white but instead a sensuous dusky complexion. His body, while still slender was now taut and firm instead of simply skin and bone. He’d completely reverted to his true form. He realized the gig was up.

“I figure it’s safe to say that if your face isn’t real, then your name isn’t either,” Erik stated.

Ja’el retrieved his robe from a nearby couch and slowly donned it. He felt defeated, as if he didn’t have the will to fight anymore. Erik had also caught him at a vulnerable time. Those dreams of his chaotic past always left him a little more scarred each day. “My name is Ja’el Leighton.”

“Hmm, so J. equals Ja’el,” Erik nodded. “You probably could have been a bit more creative.” When his barb didn’t get a rise out of the smaller man, he continued. “So why did you do it – why change your entire appearance? I know it wasn’t simply for my benefit. You must have had these things for a while.” Erik pulled out the AC injector that Ja’el had dropped three days prior.

“Where did you find that?” Ja’el thought he’d misplaced it but luckily he had a spare. If he didn’t inject himself at least once daily the unattractive image of himself would fade fast. It had been his plan to avoid Erik during their voyage so he wouldn’t need to use as many doses. Not only did he have a limited amount of the stuff but there were also side effects when taken in succession over a period of several days.

“You dropped it after we talked on the deck,” Erik replied.

Ja’el stared at the taller man, who once again was minus his jacket. Did the man even wear some sort of shirt while on board the ship? The Talion also noticed that his skin was glistening, was it perspiration or had he just come from the showers? Well, none of that mattered. Getting the injector back on the other hand certainly did. “Can I have it back?” He decided on the direct approach.

“I don’t know, I think I kind of like you better this way,” Erik said with a grin on his face. His words were an understatement. Ja’el’s alter ego had appeared older within the mousy brown façade, now Erik realized that he was perhaps only in his early twenties. And to top it all off, the man was downright sexy and gorgeous. The image of him in those thin silk shorts continued to play over and over in his mind. Luckily he’d been able to suppress his body’s desires. A hard-on bursting through his leather pants was not exactly something he was sure Ja’el would want to see at the moment.

“So what do you say? You tell me the truth about you and I’ll consider giving this back,” Erik twirled the injector around with his fingers.

“You want to know what I think.” Ja’el’s voice was calm; “That I should never have hired you in the first place.”

“You’ve got a point there.” Erik snapped his fingers closed around the injector before removing some of the distance between them. “That doesn’t change the fact that I want answers.”

“Who do you think you are – my father?” Ja’el sneered at him.

“No,” Erik’s demeanor mirrored Ja’el’s deadly calm, which seemed contrary to his next choice of words. “Because your father would never consider nailing you to that bed and fucking you non-stop for the next several days.” Erik smiled when he noticed his words had left the younger man visibly shaken.

“Why are you doing this to me? Why can’t you simply follow orders and do as you’re told?” Ja’el felt himself unraveling and fast.

“Because you are a delightful mystery, and I’m afraid I won’t be satisfied until your life becomes an open book,” Erik replied.

“You’re one to talk, you demand to know everything about me; yet you won’t tell me anything about yourself,” Ja’el retorted.

“It’s very possible you wouldn’t like all of my answers.” Erik continued to close the distance between them, with each step he took, Ja’el took one step backwards until the younger man was pressed up against a wall. He saw those beautiful eyes dart back and forth like an animal trapped. This gave him a moment’s pause. Was Ja’el still afraid of the baseless threats he’d made days prior, or was something else instilling this blatant fear within him.

As concerned as Erik was over Ja’el’s current condition, the sight of those trembling pink lips caused a momentary lapse in his composure. His mouth quickly claimed his clients’ in a harsh kiss. He’d had and overwhelming desire to feel those lips against his and taste the sweetness of his mouth. The kiss was short lived when suddenly; Ja’el began to hyperventilate.

“Ja’el, I promise I will not hurt you.” When Erik’s words seemed to fall on deaf ears, for his client’s breathing was now coming hard and fast, he tried another approach. Erik held Ja’el in a tight embrace, feeling the younger man’s slender body shake and tremble against his. He closed his eyes and concentrated.

It’d been a long time since Ja’el had last suffered from a bout of hyperventilation. He had learned to avoid situations that would trigger its onset. However, it seems he hadn’t anticipated that the unthinkable would happen. After hiring the hunky bodyguard, he was certain he could keep him at arms length with his unattractive persona. But now his true image had been revealed and there was no stopping them from jumping into a relationship. That was the last thing Ja’el wanted, after all he had been through. He didn’t consider himself worthy or stable enough to get involved with anyone. As it was, he saw himself remaining alone for the rest of his life. His only hope was to perhaps one day reunite with some of his people.

Ja’el was expecting a light-headed sensation to overtake him, and to perhaps pass out while still in Erik’s strong arms. Instead he felt a calming sensation that caused his breathing to return to normal. It was strange, all the pent up fear and distrust that had caused this event now seemed so far away. He felt himself being lifted in Erik’s muscular arms and it didn’t alarm him like it would have only five minutes prior. He actually laid his head on the larger man’s bare shoulder and at that moment would have left Erik take him anywhere he pleased.

Ja’el was mildly surprised when he was set down on his bed, and the covers were pulled over him. He glanced up at Erik’s handsome features, there was an inscrutable look on his face that should have made Ja’el wonder what he was thinking. The only thing that seemed to be on the Talion’s mind was sleep, for he suddenly felt very tired.

Erik continued to regard the young man as he closed his eyes and quickly drifted off to sleep. The situation had escalated far worse than he would have expected. He was dealing with a young man that had a very dark and painful past. It was etched out in those pale gray eyes that he had either done something horrible in the past or had been traumatized by a major event. Whatever the case, Erik now realized that he’d have to be more cautious with him as he continued his quests to peel away the layers and find the true man living beneath. With one last glance at the sleeping beauty, he turned off the lights and left the room.

~*~

Soiph sat in a comfortable chair with her tall black boots strewn across the shiny marble floor. Her shirt was unbuttoned revealing a black, lacy bra beneath. And her right hand was down her pants, working her vagina furiously.

Spread out before Soiph were two Elite Den whores going at each other with frenzied passion. The slave currently on top and slamming his hardened cock in and out of the whore beneath him was called Oret. The one underneath him, Soiph had forgotten his name, but he had a long cock that he was currently working in and out of his fist.

Soiph never necessarily slept with any of the whores, they were all too submissive for her tastes including the ones that were allowed to fuck without Euphoria. However, watching a couple of them screw each other’s brains out never ceased to turn her on. A moan escaped her lips as she delved two fingers deep inside her wet orifice. She was close, very close.

When the whore on the bottom began to come, splashing his naked chest and face with droplets of semen, Soiph moaned louder as she too reached her climax.

“Soiph where are you?”

Soiph was mid ecstasy when Rais’s voice filtered towards her. Rais had a key to her apartment, but she’d always jested that he could enter at his own peril. Apparently tonight of all nights there was something on her partner’s mind that could not wait. She almost chuckled at the expression on his face when he popped his head in her bedchamber and saw the scene in the room.

“I’ll wait outside,” Rais quickly said before disappearing beyond the doors.

Soiph allowed her breathing to reside before getting to her feet and heading to the bath chamber. “You boys take five,” She called to the whores before going to wash up.

Rais paced Soiph’s living quarters while he waited for her to emerge from the bed chamber. If his thoughts hadn’t been so convoluted after coming from Chav, then he would have known that Soiph was currently enjoying some private time. He hoped she could forgive him for walking in on her little foray.

Moments later, a put together Soiph emerged from the bed chamber, her shirt was now buttoned and tucked back into her pants. However, she was still minus her boots.

“What’s so pressing?” Soiph asked, crossing her arms over her chest.

No other subordinate could talk to Rais like that. It was this easy-going type of working relationship they had that made them such an excellent team. “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to barge in on you.”

“I’m sure,” There was a small grin on Soiph’s lovely features. “What did Chav do this time?”

Rais sighed before running a hand through his glossy, black hair. “Am I that easy to read?”

“I wish you’d just take my advice already. Fuck him and move on.”

“That’s just the thing, after one taste – I don’t think I’ll be able to move on.”

Soiph shrugged, “Well you wouldn’t have to. He’s a whore; use him as much as you need to do the trick. You’re lucky that Draymond doesn’t delegate a personal set of whores for himself or you’d never see Chav.”

“He offered himself to me earlier,” Rais stated.

“And this surprises you? Chav loves to fuck with or without Euphoria. And let’s face it,” Soiph gave him a once over. “You’re quite a catch, who wouldn’t want to get in your pants?”

“Yourself included?” Rais teased.

“Yeah, you are my type but alas I work for you and I don’t mix business with pleasure.” Soiph seated herself on a comfy couch. “Besides, I think you like boys more,” She winked at him.

Truly, Rais didn’t think it mattered, and he’d had both male and female sexual partners in the past. It all depended on the mood he was in, but lately it seemed he couldn’t get the violet-eyed slave out of his mind. He noticed when Soiph patted the seat beside her, and he moved to join her on the couch, then it occurred to him that she’d had other plans for the night.

“I really shouldn’t stay; I don’t want to keep you away from your – perks.” Rais indicated the bed chamber.

“Oh they’ve got nowhere to be tonight – don’t sweat it I’m here for you,” Soiph boxed him on the shoulder playfully.

Rais sighed, “What am I going to do, Soiph? And don’t tell me to just fuck him.”

“Okay, just a moment let me put my thinking cap on.” Soiph crossed her legs and put a hand under her chin as she mock contemplated the situation. “Have you ever tried talking to him?”

“Right we could talk, I could tell him how I can separate a man’s torso with my phaser, and he could tell me how many clients he served in a given night that used missionary style.”

Rais’s sarcasm was not lost on Soiph which prompted a chuckle from her. “Alright, so you have nothing in common. Now you see why fucking would be the best solution?”

“I just wish I knew what was going on his head.”

“Like what?”

“Well, why is he so willing with everyone? So appreciable.” Rais pondered that thought. Chav was not the only slave that was submissive. Most of the clients that frequented the Den along with the guards that used them preferred that. How agreeable Chav was didn’t matter much to Rais. He just needed to know that the slave was not some brainless idiot that couldn’t concentrate on anything but his sexual duties.

“I think you just answered your own question,” Soiph stated.

Rais raised an eyebrow in her direction, unsure of what she was referring to.

“You were wondering what you two could talk about, what you have in common? Well there you go, ask him why he enjoys being the way he is.”

Rais nodded and got to his feet. “You know what, you’re right. I think I’ll take your advice.”

Soiph stood as well and turned to face him. “And while you’re at it, take my second set of advice and…” She pumped her hips back and forth in a sexual motion. “Couldn’t hurt.”

Rais chuckled at her before giving her a mock salute and making his way to the door. He always felt better after speaking with Soiph. He shuddered to think what he’d do without her. Hopefully he’d never have to find out.


A.N.- Thank you very much for the review Divanora, am happy you find the story intriguing.

To my readers that have read the prequel Surrender. I'll admit the pace of this story isn't as fast as it's predecessor. However, it's not my intention to drag it out and I'm focusing on character development between the newly introduced characters. Lots of action and sex is still to come, I promise.