Aisaak: Delti Utopia 6 (A Sci-Fi Alien Weredragon Romance) Read online

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  AISAAK: DELTI UTOPIA 6

  (A Sci-Fi Alien Weredragon Romance)

  Celeste Raye

  Contents

  Author’s Note

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

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  About the Author

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  Author’s Note

  Wait!

  You should know that Aisaak is the second book of three in the Delti Utopia 6 romance series. Although each story can be read independently and all end with a HEA with no cliffhangers, to get the full experience of the Weredragons Universe, you should really read them in order.

  Delti Utopia 6

  Tann

  Aisaak

  Kyllian

  Zayre

  Chapter One

  ***Aisaak***

  Aisaak's body ached, and his muscles protested the confinement of the 6' by 9' compartment that was considered to be a livable area on the spaceship. It had uncomfortably served as his home for the last three weeks. He'd left it for only an hour at a time when the spaceship landed on a new planet or a space station. Each time he returned to it and moved on with the newest set of passengers. Nowhere he landed and explored seemed to please him as a permanent residence, so his journey to discover where he belonged continued as it had for months.

  This spaceship wasn't the first he'd spent time wandering through the vast skies. It was the fourth, and his frustration and depression were growing quickly. All he wanted was a place that made his past disappear, wiped away all remnants of his memories. He needed to forget his former life and find relief from his pain and suffering. Yet, there was always something wherever he went that reminded him of his loss: a scent, a child, or a tinkling laugh.

  Aisaak had left everything behind, including his family, friends, and occupation. Everyone who loved him had meant well with their condolences, hugs, or childhood reminisces. They didn't seem to understand that instead of helping or healing, the stories they told tore him to pieces. Each one cost him a chunk of his soul. So, leaving was inevitable for self-preservation: not that he believed he deserved to live or have peace, because he didn't.

  The beast that was a part of him, his alter ego, had been begging and pleading for release all these months, but he'd denied it. His true form as a Naga, the weredragon, needed space and open skies to relieve its tension and find comfort. He couldn't allow it. In that form, he'd receive peace and contentment as he became one with the wind and released pain with dragon fire. He felt he deserved neither. If Vega could no longer enjoy that condition, then neither would he.

  Vega: he should never have let that name enter his mind. He rose from the narrow bed and paced the three steps in each direction, all the tiny room would allow, desperately trying to wipe her name from his thoughts. It remained, clinging to every nook and cranny, so he pressed his palms tightly against either side of his head and squeezed: again nothing. As a last resort, he banged his head on the metal wall. All it got him was an answering slam from the adjoining cabin's occupant.

  The announcement came that the ship was orbiting the way station, Delti Utopia 6, his next try for a new home. But, it also stated they wouldn't be landing for several hours. There was a backup of spaceships needing to dock and no empty spaces for the time being. With nowhere to run and nothing to wipe away or replace his thoughts, Aisaak slid to the floor with his back against the cold wall, his knees drawn up near his face, and let the memories take hold.

  Aisaak's family and Vega's had been close friends as long as he could remember. Their mothers may as well have been sisters. They spent an inordinate amount of time together. Wherever one went, the other would as well: family vacations included. So, of course, Aisaak had always known Vega.

  He was two when she was born, but his first real memory of her came from a few years later. He was five, and she was three. Aisaak and his friends were pretending to transform into weredragons and fly, something they wouldn't be able to accomplish until the age of twelve. Vega, with no little girls to play with, was being a pest, wanting to join the fun. No respectable young man of five wanted to play with an infant female of three! It would be degrading. They pushed her away many times over, yet she always returned. Aisaak had admired her stubbornness and tenacity. He wouldn't have admitted it at the time, but he found her beautiful as well. Her hair had hung in red ringlets to her waist, and her big eyes were greener than the springtime grass.

  One of the older boys had finally pushed Vega a little too hard, and she'd taken a tumble, scraping her knees. That time she'd finally had enough and begun to cry. Aisaak's friends had quickly disappeared, leaving him alone to face the wrath of the families. When his father concluded that punishment was deserved, little Vega had bravely come to his defense. She staunchly swore he had done nothing wrong and he was not to be punished or she would hold her breath until she died, eliciting the laughter and compliance of the adults. From that day on, they'd been best friends, virtually inseparable.

  On Vega's twelfth birthday the families had gathered at a lake to picnic and celebrate. While the adults had taken advantage of the open space and clear skies to take flight, Aisaak had been ordered to stay behind and keep the birthday girl company. After skipping rocks across the lake's surface and picking wildflowers for their moms, the pair had settled under a tree.

  Out of sight from their parent's prying eyes, Vega had given him a cheeky grin and planted a kiss on his lips. It was the first kiss for both of them, and the shock to their systems gave Vega a big surprise. For the first time, she transformed into a weredragon, unintentionally. Her beast was silver with black-tipped wings, absolutely gorgeous. Severely confused and unable to think clearly, she'd tried to fly. Aisaak had called out to warn her that she wouldn't have complete control yet, but it was too late. She'd lost her ability to maintain the dragon form and become a girl again in midair. Thankfully, she was over the lake and tumbled into the water unharmed. He could still hear her uncontrollable tinkling laughter and the joy she had exuded in her newfound power. She had claimed his heart that day. They'd never told their parents about the kiss. It was a secret that brought them closer.

  The lurching of the ship and a garbled announcement interrupted his thoughts. He'd never been so glad of a distraction in his life. If his memories had continued rolling through his head, he'd have reached the worst ones of all. At least now, he was still on the happy ones.

  He grabbed his bag and readied himself to disembark. He said a grateful goodbye to the tiny space. He wouldn't be returning to this spaceship. If Delti Utopia 6 didn't work out for him, he was choosing anoth
er that would carry him into deep space and alien planets.

  Aisaak shoved and wrestled his way through the crowds on the space dock. He'd never encountered such a dense mass of bodies during any landing. He was curious about why there were so many spaceships docked and a half dozen others still circling the way station. He asked several dock workers but always received the same answer: "Go to the departure station. They are making explanations over the speakers. We can't answer questions."

  Aisaak wasn't the only one who wanted to know what was happening. There was no way to get through the mass of bodies, human and alien, trying to reach the departure station. That brought up a second problem. How was he supposed to get a ticket out of here if he couldn't get to the ticket window? This mess wasn't clearing in an hour, the most time he'd given any place he'd landed.

  The speakers crackled and the announcement coming from them shook him to the core. He wouldn't be leaving in an hour, no matter what occurred. He was stuck here for days.

  "All outgoing parties, listen carefully. No spaceships—personal, trade, commercial, or passenger—will be departing until they are thoroughly searched by Delti Utopia 6 security. Every ship, bag, and person must be cleared. Only three more ships will depart today. One is personal and will not be taking extra passengers, and the other two are fully booked. If you are not expected on one of those ships, please return to the city and enjoy its festivities. The casinos and hotels will let you know when an opening occurs and allow you to book a spot from there. Stay off the docks. Thank you."

  "Is this the way it usually goes?" Aisaak asked a man near him. "It's my first time here."

  "I've been here every year since the way station was built. This is the first time it's been like this. It's usually very organized, and the comings and goings are punctual."

  "What's different? Is there a problem?" Aisaak wanted to know.

  "I heard rumors that an alien government's gold had been stolen and allowed to pass through Delti Utopia 6 without detection. An old pirate absconded with it and can't be found. Before that, the pirate's ship was attacked by another, fancier ship, rumored to belong to the biggest casino owner on this way station. They were after the gold and that pirate captain, a notorious one called Bull, was killed. Then, a small, extremely fast one, also rumored to belong to the casino owner, tried to rob a Space Force ship containing diamonds and gold. Needless to say, if all that's true, it's no wonder that they're searching every vessel. I'm told it was ordered by the Universal Space Authority."

  A Centurion female overhearing the explanation added, "They haven't found any proof against the casino owner that everyone refers to as the big boss. He's either too slippery or innocent. I, for one, hope he's innocent. I love coming here, and it would be a shame to have it shut down. On Centura, we don't have entertainment. We're a military planet. I hate it. I always wished I had been born of another species."

  "I don't know why," the man replied. "You're very lovely. The contrast of ebony on one side of your body and ivory on the other is quite striking. Would you like to tell me about your life over a whiskey? Perhaps we can find a solution to your wishes."

  Aisaak didn't wait around to hear the Centurion's answer to the man's flirting. If the two strangers wanted a wild night together, that was their prerogative. He didn't want anything to do with a woman at this point: human, Naga, or alien.

  The pressing bodies began to thin out as he got farther from the departure area. The stranded passengers appeared to have decided to make the most of their dilemma. He spied several hurrying to catch a transport back to the bright lights that shimmered on the horizon and others gliding along on a moving sidewalk. Aisaak had spent enough time in a cell-like structure. He had no desire to cram himself into a transport with a hundred others, and his legs had been crunched in the tiny space, so he chose to walk to the city. Why not, since he had days to kill?

  The path toward the city was wide and smooth. It was golden in color, formed from a mineral mined in the caves of a distant world. Everything on Delti Utopia 6 eluded to the fact that it was made to unite the planets and be neutral territory. There were signs along the path announcing the newest entertainment: a singer from beneath the seas of Waterpark, dancers from Terra Farma, and acrobats from Nova. Despite his effort to act indifferent to the display, Aisaak was drawn in. For once, he felt the urge to become involved. Nothing about the way station brought forth memories.

  The lights became brighter and the buildings loomed larger as he approached. Names of attractions and displayed samples of what could be seen inside the structures flashed on huge screens. Noises he didn't recognize pummeled his ears. There was competing music coming from every door. No two people looked the same, as different species walked arm in arm. Clothing ranged from tattered pirate wear to sequins and diamonds. Perhaps he'd finally found a home without the past to make him ache.

  Chapter Two

  ***Irene***

  "What can I get you?" Irene asked the Novarian sitting at the bar. She managed to dodge the groping hands of the long-fingered miner at the table she'd just served.

  "An icy cold Octopi rum," the Novarian replied, in his clicking dialect.

  Irene shuddered. She truly hated delivering that particular drink. The little rubbery tentacles were usually still twitching inside the copper-colored liquid. To her consternation, it was a very popular drink, proclaimed to get the drinker intoxicated faster than any other concoction. Everyone swore the tentacles absorbed the rum and infused it with their own essence, which intensified the effects of the liquor. How anyone could chew on the rubbery masses, she couldn't comprehend. Straight whiskey or synthetic beer were the mainstays of her drinking choices.

  "I need a black squirmer and freeze it!" she called out to the bartender as she plunked two beers in front of a pair of Centurions so involved in kissing, they didn't notice their order had arrived.

  She gingerly took the Octopi drink from the bartender and handed it over to the Novarian, trying not to gag. This time the miner slapped her bottom as she passed, earning him a scathing expression. She would have slapped his face in return, but this job was too important to her, and she'd definitely be fired for retaliating. Hundreds of beautiful girls were waiting to take her place. Waitressing in a top-rated bar was a coveted job. Too many young women were forced to work as strippers or barmaids in filthy dives, the places no one mentions in the virtual reality videos advertising Delti Utopia 6. A few became mistresses to the ragged pirates that gave the human species a bad reputation.

  Irene and her sister Savanah had managed to remain under the radar when Earth went downhill. Their family had stayed hidden in a valley between mountain ranges. They'd been self-sufficient: growing their own grain and vegetables and fishing in the small pond near their home built into the mountainside. The slavery and piracy that plagued other humans left them untouched. But, eventually, loneliness had taken its toll on the girls. They wanted adventure, friends, and a bigger world than the hidden valley. It was understandable to their loving parents. After all, they wished for their daughters to find mates and live a happy life caring for their own children. So, they had reluctantly said goodbye and let the girls have the freedom to do as they pleased.

  The cities of Earth were not as the girls had imagined. Aliens outnumbered humans five to one, and most of the humans were slaves. When they inquired about work, shopkeepers shook their heads and warned, "You'll find no decent work on Earth. Your beauty will attract the wrong kind. Be careful. One wrong exchange and you'll be considered slaves. Leave here: that is your most promising chance."

  They were protected by a few brave souls who risked punishment and shown newsreels of what they faced if they remained on their home planet. It was devastating to them. Then, they were given access to the virtual reality advertisements of other worlds. The one for the manmade way station grabbed their attention instantly. So, they'd traded the necklaces their father had made them from strands of gold found on the mountain for passage to Delti
Utopia 6.

  Both she and Savanah had lucked into honest work right away. Their fresh, untainted looks and personalities were unique finds on a world of hardened entertainers. Irene had been hired as a waitress and Savanah worked in a casino as a card dealer. Sadly, they had very seldom seen one another in the last six months. Irene hadn't even heard from her sister in at least four weeks. She didn't like the feeling it evoked.

  Irene's back was to the door. She had just asked a customer, "Would you like a refill?" when the bad vibes hit her. Most of the time, she was excellent at blocking out what others were feeling, but not when pure evil walked into a room. As an empath, she was overwhelmed by everyone's fear. Add to that the nasty, cruel emotions emanating from the new arrival and she could barely stand. She didn't need to turn to know who the intruder was. He came once a week to get a drink, taunt her, and receive the big boss's share of the profits.

  Shaking, she stumbled to the bar. "Jimbo, I can't do this," she told the bartender. "Please, let me go out back until he's gone."

  "You know as well as I do that he'd follow you and it would be worse. You'd have no one to watch over you out there. Here, I can get between you if necessary. He's not touching you on my watch," the huge man replied.

  Jimbo matched the intruder in size, seven feet tall and four hundred pounds of muscle. They came from the same planet, but their personalities were quite different. Jimbo was honest and kind whereas Krane was evil, cruel, and without a conscious. His ears, nose, lip, and eyebrows were pierced. Not an inch of his gray skin was uncovered by tattoos: hideous ones depicting death or torture. He wore heavy gold rings that could tear through flesh with every punch, and he used them often.