Devolose Read online

  Galaxy Gladiators Series

  Book Four

  by

  Alana Khan

  Devolose

  Present Day

  Somewhere in Space on the Vessel Leaf on the Wind (formerly known as the Battle-Scarred Warrior)

  Chapter One

  Tawny

  “I officially call this tribunal to order,” Captain Zar intones solemnly. “A male’s life hangs in the balance.”

  Every male and female aboard are crammed onto the bridge of this ship. There are twelve females, all abducted from Earth in the last few months and thrown together with twelve alien males from different species. The males, most of whom were gladiator slaves, overthrew their masters and stole this vessel. Now they’re all on the run from their ruthless previous owners, the MarZan cartel.

  Of course, that doesn’t include Devolose and me. Five days ago we were rescued from our captivity in a dungeon on planet Emirus and brought to safety aboard this ship.

  This tribunal is being conducted to convict Devolose of the crime of torturing and abusing me. He asked me, then forbade me, then begged me not to speak today. Fuck him. I’ll talk if I want to.

  “Since none of us males know the first thing about legal proceedings, we will follow Earth protocol.” Zar was a slave as far back as he can remember. He’s humanoid but looks feline, complete with fur, a tail, and facial features resembling a lion. He was voted captain after the rebellion and is presiding over this tribunal.

  “Maddie will be acting as...let me consult my notes, Counsel for the Defense. Savannah will be...Prosecuting. I don’t need to remind you to treat these proceedings with respect. You will all be voting after the evidence has been presented. Proceed.”

  A former Marine on Earth, Savannah’s a pretty brunette with blunt-cut shoulder-length hair. She has no formal legal training; I guess she just watched a lot of legal shows on TV. It doesn’t matter, by the firm set of her jaw and the angry look in her eyes, she’s not going to cut Devolose any slack.

  She steps to the front of the bridge, which has floor-to-ceiling windows over about eighty percent of the bullet-shaped room. “Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I’m here to present evidence today to convict Devolose of crimes so serious I am asking for the death penalty. I will only be calling two witnesses. I will not be calling the victim, Tawny, as we’ve deemed her too fragile to give testimony.”

  Anger flares as I ball my fists at my sides. I want to object, but I catch Devolose’s quelling, almost imperceptible frown. I’ll bide my time—wait and see. I clamp my mouth shut, but I know everyone in the room can see me glower. Fragile my ass.

  “I call Tyree to the stand.” Savannah motions to the roomy first mate’s swivel chair near the front of the room. He should be comfortable there; I’m told he’s the first mate. He’s a tall, muscular male wearing a loincloth. He’s handsome and very humanoid, with tan skin and elongated elf-like ears.

  He and his human mate Grace were the people who rescued Devi and me. Well, they rescued me—they didn’t want to leave a fellow human in that awful dungeon. They only brought Devi along because I refused to leave planet Emirus without him.

  “First, I would like to enter as fact that Tyree has the capability to see into people’s minds. He exhibited this psychic ability when he helped coordinate our rebellion and crawled into our former captain’s mind to get him to disable our pain/kill collars. Does anyone dispute this fact?”

  Looking around the room, Savannah waits for an objection, but there is none. “With his clairvoyance entered into evidence, Tyree, can you tell us what you know about Devolose’s crimes?”

  Savannah steps away so that everyone can focus on Tyree. I have no idea what he saw in the emperor’s wicked mind, but first of all, I know it isn’t going to be good for Devi, and second, I imagine it’s going to embarrass the shit out of me.

  “I snuck into the Emperor of Emirus’ mind to see what we were up against when I thought he meant to do Grace and me harm. Many things I saw there were shocking. I will say I am very glad that man is dead.” He pauses and looks at his mate, Grace; she’s blushing.

  I’m not sure everyone on board knows that Grace killed the emperor with a paring knife. She stabbed him until her arm was too tired to keep plunging the knife into his chest. I thank God every day she killed that motherfucker, and that I was lucky enough to watch the whole thing.

  “Tyree, can you share what you observed that is pertinent to why we’re here?” Savannah prompts in her serious, prosecutorial tone.

  “I saw that man,” he dramatically points at Devi as if he’s seen a thousand episodes of Law and Order, “beat Tawny repeatedly. I saw him hit and abuse her all over her body. Even her...sexual areas.”

  My face heats, and even though I’m looking straight ahead at Devi, who’s sitting in a chair toward the front windows a few feet from Tyree, I know every eye in the room is on me.

  “I saw him slap and punch as well as use whips. I saw many episodes, over lunar cycles if not annums. It occurred in the emperor’s bedroom as well as in the dungeon in the cell that devil,” he points at Devolose again, “shared with that poor female.”

  He indicates me as if there is any doubt who the “poor female” in this room is.

  “He was relentless. I saw the look on his face, heard him call her unspeakable names—he enjoyed what he was doing.” He swallows hard, too upset to continue as he rubs his fist against his bronzed chest.

  “Thank you.” Savannah seems to take pity on him. “That will be all.”

  He rises and returns to one of the small jumpseats ringing the rear of the room, five seats down from me. His mate Grace sits gently on his lap and lovingly slips her arm around the back of his neck.

  I try to connect with Devi’s gaze, but his eyes are unfocused, jaw muscle leaping in his otherwise emotionless face. I know the human women all hate him for what they think he did to me. The fact that the markings on his face are like something out of a scarey movie doesn’t help. His skin is black and red with fearsome black and white tribal markings.

  Just observing him, you’d think he was watching a boring movie, not on trial for his life. I sneak a peek at some of the others in the room. If looks could kill, Devi would be dead already. I’m not feeling optimistic.

  My heart is clenching. I don’t want them to punish Devi for what he did. They all think I have Stockholm Syndrome. They’re wrong.

  “I now call Dr. Drayke sun Omrun to the stand,” Savannah says.

  The blue-skinned doctor in his dark blue jumpsuit sits stiffly in the designated chair. “Dr. Drayke, I understand you did a thorough examination on Tawny Britton, what were your findings?”

  “Miss Tawny exhibited bruises and lacerations in every stage of healing. These findings are consistent with repeated, unrelenting abuse that went on regularly.” He pauses and swallows as he wipes his palms on his thighs. I find myself mimicking that gesture to cope with my own anxiety.

  I know what he’s going to disclose next. I’m embarrassed and angry that all this personal information about me has to be disclosed to every being on this ship. How will I ever be able to look any of them in the eye? All they’ll ever think about when they see me is what he’s going to say next.

  “There was...ample evidence of sadistic and repeated aggression against her...intimate areas. Both external and internal.”

  He glances at me, maybe a silent apology that he had to share that private information in such a public forum. Sorry doctor, apology not accepted. Ever hear of HIPAA? I wish I had psychic powers; I’d use them to set this entire ship on fire. Fuck them all. I’m not sure they care about me or my feelings. They just want to convict Devolose.

  “One final question, doctor,” Savannah says as if it’s an afterthought. Uh oh, t
his can’t be good.

  “Did you ask Miss Britton how she received these injuries?”

  “Yes.”

  “And her response?” Savannah prods.

  “She said she received almost all of them at Devolose’s hand.”

  “Thank you, doctor Drayke, I have no further questions. You may step down.”

  Savannah waits until all eyes are on her, then continues, “My closing remarks will be brief. I have presented evidence that the Defendant was observed inflicting these wounds on Miss Britton, that the abuse was ongoing and unremitting, that it damaged her seriously, and that by her own admission it was administered by the Defendant. I rest my case.”

  Devolose

  I told my defense attorney, Maddie, I did not want this dracking trial. I knew it would bring deep shame to Tawny. I’m certain no one else can read her like I can. After three annums in a cell together, I know every nuance of emotion her sweet face is capable of.

  Her large brown eyes are sad and downcast—it’s obvious she’s embarrassed. As well she should be; all these people shouldn’t be privy to these intimate details of her abuse. It’s not proper. And she’s angry, too. Her jaw is tight. I didn’t want this trial because I didn’t want any more shame to fall upon her.

  I asked Maddie to tell the captain I didn’t want a tribunal. I admitted every act, in far more detail than was shared in this room today. I should be put to death. Throw me out the garbage jettison and let me die in the cold silence of space. The captain refused.

  Maddie walks to the front of the room. We met twice before today; she said it was to prepare my defense. Other than telling her what I did, I told her nothing that would help my case. I wouldn’t allow her to question Tawny—she’s been through enough.

  There’s nothing Maddie can say to the jury to help my case. I’ve given her no evidence to help her defend me. I deserve no defense.

  “Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, Captain Zar, umm...I have no evidence to present.” She shrugs her shoulders and turns to Zar and adds in a low tone, “He told me nothing that would help his case.”

  “He said nothing?” Zar asks.

  She shakes her head, “Nothing in his own defense.”

  She approaches him and whispers. Perhaps she's only now telling him I admitted everything and asked to be put to death.

  “He told you that?”

  “Yes.”

  “Maddie, I think you need to ask him to say that now, during the trial,” Zar states firmly.

  “On Earth, people can’t be forced to testify against themselves.” Maddie bites her lip, her shoulders hunched. Perhaps she feels bad that she hasn’t properly done her job. I’ll save her some misery.

  I stand and address the males and females who are going to determine my fate. Most, including Tawny, are in small seats against the back wall of the bridge. “Every mark and every bruise you see on Tawny’s beautiful brown skin was administered by me. She did not deserve even one of those. As the doctor testified, I performed those actions repeatedly and over time. I agree I should be put to death.” There is no emotion in my voice because I am emotionless. Tyree called me a devil. He’s correct.

  Tawny’s fidgeting in her seat and spearing me with a look that could kill me where I stand. I know she’s mad I won’t say anything in my defense.

  She wants to speak on my behalf, but what can she say? The females from this vessel came to my cell—the one she insists on sharing with me. They told her about Stockholm Syndrome; they said she has it because she doesn’t want to leave my side. They’re right. She’ll be better off with me dead. It will allow her to move on with her life and forget what happened to her in that dungeon for three miserable annums.

  Tawny

  Everyone on the jury is murmuring to each other. This trial is now officially a farce. Really, what verdict could they possibly return? There’s no evidence to point to anything other than a conviction.

  “Can we vote?” a tall, muscular, Neanderthal-looking male asks. He looks mad enough to strangle Devi with his bare hands—and big enough to accomplish it.

  I’ve been locked in a cell in the bowels of this ship since we were brought on board five days ago. To everyone’s credit, they offered me a nice cabin near all the other Earth women, but I refused—I didn’t want to be separated from Devolose. I only know a few of these people. Of course, now they know more about me than anyone has a right to know.

  “You should have time to discuss this among yourselves,” Maddie protests weakly.

  “I think we all know the verdict already,” one of the women answers contemptuously.

  I rise from my chair and raise my voice over all their chatter, “I’d like to speak!”

  Devi stands up and yells, “No!” It’s the first time he’s shown any emotion to the jury.

  Zar rises, commanding silence with his presence and demeanor. “Tawny, we wanted to protect you from this. The females say you have some sickness that’s made you care about your abuser.”

  Devi’s staring lasers through me—I know he doesn’t want me to talk. Well, fuck it. I don’t care if there’s not one person in this room who wants to hear what I have to say—I need to say it. All these males are huge and intimidating; I don’t give a crap. Everyone has decided I’m “sick” and not entitled to a voice. Screw it.

  I walk forward and stand on a chair facing the jury, Devi at my back. I raise my hands for quiet and forge ahead. “I don’t care whether you all think I deserve to be heard or not. I’m going to say my piece no matter what you want.” I turn my head, look over my shoulder, and snap, “You, too, Devi.

  “Despite the fact that the defendant wants to be forced out the garbage chute, there actually is another side to this story.

  “Devolose was a slave, just as I was. He was a slave before I got there. He tells me he served not only this emperor but his sire and grandsire. He was forced to do their bidding, just as anyone in this room who was a slave was forced to do the bidding of their master.

  “The emperor was a madman, let’s all agree to that. What Devi’s master had him do was...horrific. My injuries tell the tale of just how horrific.” I take a deep breath to quiet my nerves. Everyone in the room is paying attention now, and their stares make me so anxious I cross my arms in front of my chest as if to protect myself.

  “What you don’t know, and what Tyree’s psychic images didn’t tell you was how much it distressed Devi to do what he did. What Tyree couldn’t know was that Devi became a master at sleight of hand. He learned to make each blow, each crack of the whip, sound and look worse than it was. Did it still hurt? Yes. Did it still damage my body and my soul? Absolutely. But Devi tried his hardest to lessen the pain.

  “Did you see pleasure in Devi’s face as he hit me, Tyree? I’m certain you did because Devi became an actor to convince the emperor he was beating the shit out of me and enjoying it.

  “Did you hear Devi call me a bitch and a whore and tell me I deserved it, Tyree? Of course, you did, because it kept the emperor fired up and distracted from the fact that some of the blows didn’t even touch my flesh.

  “Did you see Devi and me practice in the dungeon under covers late at night? He taught me how to keep my hands to one side and clap when he pretended to smack me. It made such a convincing sound, a blow didn’t even have to land on me.

  “Did you see all that, Tyree? Or just what you wanted to see?

  “Why didn’t Devi defy the emperor? You met the emperor, Tyree. He would have killed Devi in a heartbeat, and the new taskmaster would have hurt me a hundred times worse. Do you have any idea how many times I heard Devi’s muted prayers at night, begging his God to kill him in his sleep? But he stayed around. To protect me.

  “Did you notice that when we huddled together under the one thin blanket in the cell we were forced to share, every single night he put his lips to my ear and apologized for what he’d been forced to do during the day?

  “He stole salve at his own peril and administered it to
me when my wounds became infected. He told me stories to take my mind off the terror of every day and every minute of my life. And he told me,” I turn my head and look straight at him accusingly, “that he would take care of me if we ever escaped that dungeon.”

  Tears spill from my eyes as I pierce him with my gaze. “You promised, Devi. You promised to take care of me after our escape. I want to hold you to that.”

  I look at Zar and then every member of the jury in turn. “Devi has suffered enough. Every blow he administered to me hurt him as well. He deserves a chance at a life. And I deserve to share it with him.”

  I stop and grab a deep breath. I take stock of the jury, and I’m not sure they’re convinced. The next thing I’m about to say will piss Devi off to the point he might never want to speak to me again if he is released, but I believe it will save his life. I have to say it.