Blayze_Talonian Warriors_Sci-Fi Alien Weredragon Romance Page 11

  The shimmering ceased, as if by magic. His body jerked, and he awakened. He turned sad eyes to Belle. "What did I do? Are you hurt?"

  "I'm fine. We're both okay. You had a nightmare. It must have been terrifying. Come and sit down. I'll get you a drink or something. You just did too much too soon, that's all," she soothed.

  "It was more than that, and you know I am right. I am damaged. Yes, I am healing, and the transformation made me whole, as much as I can be. However, there is damage that cannot be repaired in any form. The anger arises without warning. I cannot be trusted."

  "Yes, you can. It will get better. You've been through an ordeal that most others wouldn't survive. We'll get through this together. We're mated, remember?" Belle replied.

  "I should not have done that. It was foolish of me to believe I was completely healed. Maybe if I was on Talonia and had the use of the waterfalls and volcanoes, it might be different. But here, I am not trustworthy," Blayze argued.

  "Don't talk like that. Don't you ever say our mating was a mistake! Now you've angered me. I love you, and I trust you. You didn't harm me, and you listened to my pleas. If you try to get out of this mating, I'll never forgive you. Vows are intended to be kept. I'll go to Maxxus if I must. You're not dumping me!"

  Blayze smiled wryly. "I could not break our bond even if I wanted to. It would bring far too much pain to us both. Our souls are joined. To tear them asunder would destroy me. You are all that stands between me and going mad. Only you possess the power to soothe the beast. There is magic in that one word. When you use it, I cannot disobey," he explained.

  "You mean the word 'please,' don't you? I'm not sure why it works, but it does. Even on the oil rig, when you heard nothing else I said, that got through. See, everything can be worked out. I'll stay by your side until this ends."

  "Will you be able to reach me when I am in the presence of my tormentor? If a nightmare can bring such violence, what will happen when I hear his voice and see his face? The instinct will be to kill. He may deserve it, but that does not make it right. I do not wish to be the evil one, nor do I want you to see me kill."

  "You won't kill him. You've faced more than one of your tormentors, and all have survived. You're so strong and such a good man. I believe in you. You need to believe in yourself. Look inside, find the power that's there and let it rise to envelop you. I trust you."

  "For you, I shall try."

  "You'll succeed."

  "We have to go back. Maxxus will be calling to give us the location of the summit if they chose to invite him," Blayze replied. He could not keep arguing about his condition. If Belle was unable to control the beast inside him, he would welcome death. Becoming a killing machine was not an option.

  "He'll be invited. The president will put on a good show of pretending he's afraid to let the King of Talonia attend, but in the end, he’ll be gleeful. You see; it's his chance to kill Maxxus along with the other leaders. He'll be rid of the alliance, the weredragons, and all rulers. Better yet, Maxxus would be killed by his own men. It's like wrapping his present and putting a bow on it."

  Back at the ranch house, there was an unusual excitement in the air. Clearly, there had been a development of large proportions during the couple of hours Belle and Blayze had spent at the pond. Something had changed besides their relationship.

  "You're not going to believe this, Belle. I was here when the news came in, and even I'm having a hard time believing it's true." James couldn't contain his excitement.

  "Well, get on with it. If it's that good, I want to hear it too."

  "The plan has to change. We've got a real chance of stopping this without risking lives, especially Maxxus. Our CIA director skipped out on the president's agenda. After we got Blayze and his buddies out, he was afraid the president wouldn't make good on his promises, so he cut his losses and fled. He figured Blayze knew too much and would tattle. Then, the president would shift all the blame to him. Anyway, when Blayze didn't blow his cover, he panicked, because now he could be hunted down and made to disappear and the terrorist plot could continue. Sure enough, two of the implanted weredragons were sent to kill him. He was set to board a cruise ship, under a different name and disguised. He planned to leave at one of the foreign ports and become someone else."

  "Is he dead?" Blayze asked. "He was a cruel man."

  "No, he wasn't killed. This is where it gets good. There was a tracking device in his shoes. He had forgotten about it. They were his running shoes, and the device had been put in them a long time ago so that he could always be found if he went missing. He was really paranoid about abduction, so this was quite ironic. It turned on when he put pressure on the shoe. The bad guys who had been working with him at headquarters saw it, but so did we. Everybody went after him, including Maxxus and Shark. It turns out the cruise ship was leaving from Alaska. Don't you love it?" James asked.

  "What happened? Where is he?" Belle inquired.

  "The president must have decided the cruise ship would suffice as another terrorist target and when the director was found on board, it would be clear that he was the target. That scenario would work in his favor. Maxxus spoiled it. He got to the weredragons before they let loose with the biological weapon. They had the director cornered on deck. They were in full dragon form. The authority Maxxus had on them seemed to break through the programming. They heard his orders and fought the implants, just like Blayze did. They passed out. Shark has the director, and he's so scared he's naming names. He fears Maxxus on one side and the president on the other. The cruise lines agreed to pretend the scheme worked. The passengers were given vouchers for a better, longer cruise and Shark agreed to pay for air flights. The president was informed that all on board, including the director, died. It's on the news feed. The world believes it's true. Now, we know who's involved in every country. We can make a better plan and bring it all down. Any ideas?"

  15

  Belle

  Plans had definitely changed. Victory was near at hand. The summit would begin in less than an hour. The world leaders were leaving their plush accommodations in the chalets the Swiss government had provided and making their way to the long-awaited meeting. The huge castle where the summit was to be held was under surveillance. Belle, Maxxus, and Shark were allowing the meeting to go on as the president had wanted. Maxxus would be attending as one of the world leaders. He had insisted on bringing a bodyguard: Blayze.

  In other parts of the world, there was a new roundup underway. Quietly and without fanfare, those named by the director as part of the conspiracy were being arrested and imprisoned. They fought their captors and argued against the charges, believing the president would exonerate them once his plan of taking control panned out. They foolishly remained loyal to him, not understanding they were expendable.

  Reporters were waiting for the summit to be broadcast and missed out on what was occurring in the world's governments. It was the best scenario Belle could have hoped for.

  The luxury transport slid softly and silently up to the castle gate. The woman who emerged was elegantly dressed, her slim body encased in a snow-white dress that swished around her knees. Her green shoes and handbag gave the outfit a pop of color. The large hat she wore covered her upswept hair.

  A silver-haired man wearing a black suit came out of the opposite side of the transport. His face was wary and his eyes steely. He pushed his jacket aside at the waist, revealing a laser weapon. He took the lovely lady's elbow and guided her forward.

  When asked for palm prints to identify them, the pair didn't hesitate. They were identified as Norway's leader and her personal bodyguard, both vetted and approved by the president. Inside the great room, once used for meetings and dining in days of old, they were seated close to the King of Talonia, who greeted the lady with a bow.

  Before entering the castle, the president watched in satisfaction as ten weredragons landed on the castle turrets. He saw three yellow, one black, two blue, and four green. "Yes," he thought, "those are my
minions." He remembered the eye colors of those he had chosen for today's unfortunate catastrophe.

  "In half an hour, let them in. As soon as I leave, seal the doors," he told the guard. "If you and your men want to live, get as far away as you can as quickly as possible."

  The president found his place on the stage at the end of the room. As the host, Switzerland's leader stood to greet the crowd. His words were being broadcast all over Earth, despite the difference in time zones. Talonia listened as well. "Welcome. It is a remarkable day in the history of our planet. Never before would we have dared to bring all the world's leaders into one place at the same moment. It was a leap of faith given to the U.S. President and his ability to keep the meeting place a secret and provide protection. I do regret the purpose of this extraordinary occasion. Until recently, the alliance with Talonia has been beneficial to both planets. Recent events have altered that viewpoint in many minds. All of us are saddened by the deaths that have resulted from the biological warfare. Both planets lost friends and family. We are here to decide how to handle the situation. We are willing to listen to arguments from both sides: those who believe the weredragons conspired against Earth and those who believe they were pawns in a terrorist attack. I ask that you remain civil during the discussions. Name calling and fistfights are not proper among such a dignified group." His audience broke out in laughter. "Before we begin, please make certain your translating devises are working properly. We want everyone to hear all the facts, so they may make an informed decision. Two worlds and their citizens are at stake here. We desire to avoid more bloodshed. Now, I will turn over the summit to the man who arranged it: The President of the United States."

  Maxxus felt Blayze tense. The weredragon feared hearing the man's voice. He would associate it with pain and imprisonment. The king placed a strong hand around his bicep, and a soft one landed on his shoulder: Belle, disguised as Norway's leader.

  "I'm not going to pull any punches today or hold back my opinion," the president began. "As I see it, Talonia wants to take over the governments of Earth. They see the beauty here and find it a desirable substitution for their own ravaged world. King Maxxus professes that his home is healing and paradise will be restored. I don't believe him."

  Both Maxxus and Blayze bristled at his accusations. Blayze's heart was trying to get out of his chest.

  The president continued, "We must break the alliance, remove all weredragons from our planet, and block them from returning. I suggest that all carrying the biological weapon within them be destroyed. We can't take any more risks. Should another world of aliens ever come calling, they will not be welcomed. The few Xycon who reside here can be overlooked as long as they are seen as inferior and have no rights. Otherwise, they must leave as well. I didn't want the alliance in the first place. I fought against it, if you'll remember. You should have listened. Since you didn't, some of the blame for this mess is on your heads. I was the lone voice of reason. Heed what I say, and all will end as it should. I assume my statements have angered some of you, and that is your right. Well, no matter what your opinions are, the vote will go in my favor. The alliance will end, or this world will be at war once again."

  The audience was angered by his accusations. He had some nerve to blame them for the terrorists’ actions. They lost all their dignity and began shouting at him, forgetting or ignoring what Belle and Maxxus had told them only hours ago. It didn't matter; their words didn't register in his brain. He was too lost in his own world, one of dreams of power. He preened like a peacock. If he had listened, he would have realized they knew his secret and were calling for his resignation and much more.

  "Argue among yourselves. I don't have time for this," the president commanded. "There's a world out there that needs a strong, relentless hand to rule over it. I will do what you haven't. The weredragons will be eradicated, and you'll all worship me as your savior. I'm leaving."

  Maxxus and Belle removed their holds on Blayze. He was enraged. He strode past the crowd, who seemed bent on getting to the president themselves. Bigger and stronger by far, Blayze shoved them aside and reached him at the front door.

  He slammed the president against the wall, holding him by his throat and allowing his feet to dangle in midair.

  "Blayze, don't kill him. Please," the woman in white asked quietly.

  "I cannot release him. His voice is too much to bear."

  "I know. You don't have to. Just loosen your hold a little. He has to talk in order to end this."

  Blayze moved his thumb from the center of the president's neck. The man took in a deep breath and shouted, "Kill him!"

  No one moved. The world leaders surrounded him like a lynching mob.

  "Are you all crazy? I said, kill him! He's nothing but an animal. They all are."

  Blayze slammed the man's head against the wall. "We are not animals! We are not yours to use."

  "Enough," Maxxus told him.

  The president began to laugh as the door opened. A force of ten weredragon men entered, forcing the crowd backward, "He's not going to heed anything you say. He's mine to control. Look around. See how many of your dragons have appeared while your attention was on me. I need only speak the code, and you'll all die. They owe their loyalty to me." He turned his attention back to Blayze, "Let me go, you fool. Disobey me, and the pain will start."

  "You do not control me."

  "Listen to me. You're making my case for me. The world is watching. They see that you've attacked the U.S. President. You're going to die one way or the other, but now you've sealed the fate of your fellowmen. I could save you if I wanted. You appear tougher than the others. I can't even tell you're hurting, though I know you must be. Your violence and uncontrollable anger are proof that my microchip has been implanted. Come with me from this room. I can use you as my pet bodyguard. You'll live. Those left inside will die. I can shut off the microchip in your head while your friends do the dirty work. I almost felt bad about killing all of Earth's leaders. Some counted themselves as my friends, or so I thought. No more, however. They have chosen to ignore the threat to my life, so they are nothing to me and deserve their fate."

  "Why should they aid you? You have betrayed them," Blayze replied.

  "To save their own necks. I hold the power over these weredragons. I alone can choose who leaves with me and who dies here today."

  "The weredragons are not yours. They are free men and loyal to me," Maxxus told him.

  "Not any longer. Their lives are mine to command. Every being on Earth will answer to me after today. I will truly rule the world. I will be regarded as the savior." Suddenly, his fist hit Blayze in the head, right across the stitches. Blood ran down his face and into his eyes. The president took that moment to try and wiggle free. If Blayze were human, he might have escaped. Instead, his abuse caused the weredragon's aggression to rise.

  Swiftly, Blayze pulled a laser from his waist and held it against the human's head. "Let me finish this, Belle. He has told the world enough."

  "He's made the admission we were seeking, but there is more to be heard. He has yet to mention the biological weapon and his plans for its use. Although, we may have been wrong. He doesn't appear intelligent enough to be the mastermind behind it all. Perhaps he too is thought of by someone as a minion," Belle taunted. "It's possible he was promised power for providing the microchips."

  "I answer to no one," he spat out, splattering Belle's face. "I'm more intelligent than you will ever be. I saw through that pitiful disguise. You don't share the same elegant dignity as the Prime Minister of Norway. You're a common female, almost as unworthy of life as the Talonians. You were used the same as the dragons. I wanted you here to head the investigation. A silly, soft-hearted female who was easily misled was the perfect choice. I admit, you showed more spunk than I imagined you would have. You caused a few kinks in my plan by rescuing the weredragons from CIA headquarters. That scared your director, and he fled, but in the end, he was lost along with a ship full of innocents. Mo
re lives to punish the Talonians for. Of course, I'm the mastermind. I'm a genius. It doesn't matter that you or anyone here knows the truth. It will never leave this castle. The world's population can't hear us."

  "Why bring weredragons here today? Isn't it illogical to frighten the leaders when you want them to vote to break the alliance and make you all-powerful?" Belle questioned, ignoring his statement. "Why aren't they attacking and saving their master?"

  "The weredragons are programmed to obey me. They won't attack until I give the code. Should they try, the pain would be excruciating. It has happened so often, they are rather tame unless I order differently. I don't care if the leaders are frightened. There wasn't going to be a vote. I led them here like lambs to the slaughter. Once they die, I'll be Earth's only leader. I never intended for them to live. I am far too intelligent to think they would give their power over to me."

  "What happens to those who helped you execute your plan: the scientists, CIA, and government agents around the world?"

  "They'll remain obedient to me or die as well. If you're useless, you're not wanted. Now, you know everything, but it doesn't mean much. I'll deny saying any of it should you try to tell someone. Not that you could. You'll never leave this castle."

  "How do you plan on stopping us?" Belle asked.

  He raised his arms. Blayze jerked him tighter.

  "It's okay. Let him show us," Maxxus growled.

  He pressed his right cufflink, expecting to see the weredragons in pain and ready to do his bidding. Instead, they bowed to Maxxus.

  The president kept pressing. He became panicked and sweaty. He was writhing in Blayze's hold; spittle erupted from his mouth like a mad dog. His face was red and his eyes bloodshot.

  In disgust, Blayze allowed him to fall to the floor. He scrambled to rise and flee. But there was nowhere to go, and his legs refused to hold him.