3013: CLAIMED by Laurie Roma Read Free Book Online Page A

years after the war, the Tarins had closed off their planet, choosing to remain isolated instead of allow interference of any other species. Now, the Tarins held a tentative truce with the Alliance, although they were still considered a hostile ally. The Alliance traded with the Tarins for a mineral they had on their planet that was used for high-powered jump drives installed in Alliance space vessels.
    Because the Tarins were still fighting a civil war, all visitors were carefully documented. There was only one Alliance colony on Tartarus, nicknamed the Hades Outpost, and it was almost impossible to get clearance to visit the planet. There was a faction of lords who prided themselves on their harems of slaves, while the other half fought for the equality needed to officially have a treaty with the Alliance.
    It was a dangerous place to be, and Serra had a hard time reconciling that she had ever been there. She knew that people often tried to visit the planet due to the Tarins reputation for sexual prowess. Sex with a Tarin was supposed to be extremely intense, but anyone was at risk of disappearing into the dark void, never to be seen again. Kidnapping and slavery were still alarming issues that would only be stopped once the civil war came to an end.
    “Are you sure about this?”
    Serra’s attention turned to the deep voice of the man who had spoken. No, not a man. This was a Tarin male. He stood at a little over seven feet tall and his eyes were completely black, making them look like deep pits of darkness set in his face. He was dressed in all black, and she could see he was muscular despite the black armor-like plate he wore over his broad chest.
    “I am. This has to be done.”
    Pain surged through her as Serra recognized her mother’s voice. Tania moved into view and Serra’s blood ran cold at the sight of her. She was wearing a blood-red dressing gown, tied at the waist. Tania Lysander-Dobbs was a beautiful woman, and her hair was disheveled as if she had just gotten out of bed. Serra watched as Tania went to the Tarin male and felt her stomach roll as he gripped her mother hard by the hair.
    “You are one sick female. I think I like that about you. It is not often I have come across a mother who would scar her offspring with such a memory simply to keep you in coins.”
    “It’s not just that. I’m doing this for her.”
    “Do not lie to me, human. You have paid with both your coin and your body, so I will uphold my part of the bargain.”
    “Did you give her the drug?”
    “Aye, she is tainted with the xili . Now that she is fully awakened, you may implant what you need into her head. I will bring in my slaves.”
    Serra felt more than saw Arik next to her. “ Try to calm yourself. This is but a memory, and cannot hurt you. ”
    But he was wrong. Memories could hurt. She tried to do what he suggested and could sense him lending her his strength as she watched her mother—her one family member she had trusted— lean down near her younger self’s ear and lie.
    “You’ll see what bonding can do to you. How horrible, how painful it is. You’ll be afraid. Learn to fear it. There is no room in your life for Jax Spartan and Sullivan Archer. No room for any man. Claiming will only bring you pain.”
    The Tarin male came back with two others who held a young woman by the arms. The woman struggled, crying and begging to be set free. The Tarin male walked over to join Tania, gripping her hard by her hair again. “They will put on a show that will program your offspring to never seek a consort. Now, come. I have another use for you.”
    “I paid you already.”
    “You will pay again.”
    Thankfully, the Tarin male pulled Serra’s mother out of view as he jerked on the tie to her robe. Horror filled Serra as she watched the other two Tarin males throw the young woman on the bed, ripping at her clothes as they attacked her. The sound of her screams filled the room and Serra’s head.
    The scene disappeared