Page 34 of Captured By the Alien Captain
My fingers curl at my sides and the craving to spill red grows more and more.
Dealing with the healer, with Flora was one thing. She helped create the poison without knowing. Thisbastardis the one who gives the order to spread it.
Hendrick looks at me in disgust. The way his lip curls, it’s like he smells something disgusting. If he wants to insult me without using a single word, he’s succeeded.
“To think you’d be willing to lead not only one of these freaks in here, but an entire group.” He peels his eyes away and points his attention to Jax. “First, you go and disobey a direct order. Then you pull a stunt like this.” His chair creaks as he sits up. “I could have you killed just for that.”
He speaks so calmly about killing my mate like her death means nothing to him.
Like she can feel the rage growing within me, she turns and looks my way. Without a word, a look of reassurance goes a long way. She mouthsit’s okayto ensure I won’t start ripping heads off of shoulders before she faces Hendrick again.
“This fighting needs to stop,” she says calmly. “We are fighting each other for all the wrong reasons.”
The older man gets up from his seat and circles the table. Unlike the men who are nervously holding their weapons, he’s not scared to eliminate some space between us. He rests against the table and crosses his arms across his chest.
“You’re siding with them now?” He looks between us, his nose scrunching. “One day with them and they’ve got you turned on your own kind. Acting disobedient is normal when it comes from you. Though, I’d never paint you as a traitor.”
That’s rich coming from this guy. How can he think to judge Jax when his hands are covered in innocent blood?
Noticing the way Jax stiffens up at his claim, I’m surprised. She was doing so well. Is his opinion of her that important?
Jax is shaken for only a moment. Her expression shifts and her frown returns.
“I may have sided with the enemy, but at least I am doing it with the right mindset. I’m trying to give us a chance at survival. Fighting these guys is promising our deaths in the end.” Mocking him by doing the same posture, she tilts her head. “What about you, Captain?”
His eyes narrow. “What about me?”
“When did you order Flora’s team to create a bio-weapon?” She asks, getting straight to the point. Askingwheninstead of allowing him to lie, my chest warms. She believes he’s as guilty as I do. “When did you decide it’s okay to kill those who don’t want to fight?”
Waiting for any attempt to deny her claims, my jaw grits when this human laughs.Laughs.Like he finds amusement in her anger. Like he finds amusement in all the pain we suffered.
He looks my way once more, his mouth curving into a grin. Shifting his hands to his hips, I notice the weapon strapped to his hip. A wordless threat, I’m sure.
If I were to launch at him, does he think he can unholster that weapon in time to take me out? How confident is he that I won’t immediately heal?
All these questions leave me wondering where all this confidence comes from. If he’s the puppet master, he must be equipped with something more lethal.
“I’ve always concerned myself with the well-being of our kind. When threatened, it can’t be a surprise to be willing to do what others won’t. That’s what separates a strong-willed leader from the rest.” Claiming Jax couldn’t possibly understand, he snorts when her hand grips her pistol. “That’s what separates me from you if we want to get down to the nitty-gritty of it.”
“I’ve spent months fighting them under the impression that they started this war.” Her voice cracks, catching my attention. “I followed you because everyone always claimed how respectable you were. I’ve killed people that should still be living becauseyouordered it.”
“And you requested ammunition box after box after every fight.” He rolls his eyes at the show of her emotions. “You perceive me to be the bad guy, but as the one commanding those to fight, you helped our people thrive. You know our survival goes above everything.” His smirk leaves his lips as his eyes narrow. “The very same people complimented your dedication to the cause. What will they think when they learn you’ve been swayed so easily? Tell me, what could they have possibly offered you to make you turn? Was it to save that doctor, or could it have been something else?”
When he looks at me in disgust and nods toward his men, I feel two barrels nudge my back. Too distracted by his insults, I lowered my guard enough to let them get closer.
Before Jax can pull out her pistol to make an end to this pointless conversation, there’s the piercing sound of a shot outside. By the time I turn back to look, more bullets are flying. Some shots penetrate the tent, leaving holes to reveal outside.
These humans are fighting my men. I knew they wouldn’t be able to help themselves. All they know how to do is destroy.
Looking away for only a moment, it’s a brisk moment of weakness as Hendrick takes full advantage. By the time I look back, he’s grabbed Jax. They’re rolling in the dirt while he attempts to disarm her.
My Rhis.
Baring my teeth, I take a step before another shot fires close enough that my hearing is full of high-pitched ringing. What’s worse is the burning sensation gripping at my side.
It’s a pain I’ve never experienced. Like my skin is being eaten away one inch at a time. Even the blood that spills from the wound burns like acid as it soaks my gear.
Hearing my name cried out, there is another blow to my leg and I stumble forward, taking a knee. Something important must’ve been hit because I can taste blood on my tongue. Something is wrong.