Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 66405 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66405 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Drago seemed to have the same question because he growled,
“What in the Seven Hells are you talking about? Are you trying to say you’re only three solar years of age? Is a Crimson Moon year longer than a standard solar year or what?”
Sambla shook his head.
“No, a year here on Crimson Moon is the same amount of time as it is for you aboard your Mother Ship. I was born as a product of the Choosing Ceremony three years ago. My mother is Ls Prissa.”
“But she’s too old to have had a baby only three fucking years ago!” Drago protested. “And you’re sure as hell older than three solar years!”
“Those involved in the Choosing Ceremony age differently, Kindred,” Ls Prissa spoke with icy calm. “As your ‘Fated Mate’ will soon find out. Now stand aside—soon The Thirst will overcome her and she must have willing males to Quench it.”
“I volunteer,” another man from the audience shouted.
“I do too,” another said.
Several more of the Vargans also shouted their willingness but when they started to come up on the dais, Drago glared at them and gave a long, low growl that stopped them in their tracks.
“Not a single one of you fuckers is touching her! What part of ‘Fated Mate’ don’t you understand?” he demanded angrily. “She’s MINE!”
“You must step aside, Kindred!” Ls Prissa said, frowning. “Events have been set in motion which cannot be undone. If you attempt to take your woman away with you now, she will die—and not by blaster fire. The Thirst will kill her.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?” Drago demanded. “What in the Seven Hells is ‘The Thirst?’”
“It’s an uncontrollable sexual rage that comes over the Queen of Night,” Lx Sambla explained calmly. “It causes her to thirst for blood and crave male seed. She must enter the Room of Sighs with her chosen males and drink from them and breed with them—only when The Thirst is Quenched will she be safe.”
Addie felt sick. So this was the part she’d missed when she put down the book she’d been reading! God, what was she going to do? She didn’t want to go into a sexual rage and drink anybody dry. And she also didn’t want to fuck a bunch of strangers!
Lx Sambla must be lying, she tried to tell herself. It can’t be true—he’s lying!
But already she could feel the lust building inside her. Her pussy was wet and her nipples ached. Not only that, but her throat felt as dry as sandpaper—she was dying for a drink and this time she didn’t think drinking water would help her. She craved something richer—something dark and red and hot…
“So you see, Commander Drago, it’s better to just let Addison be crowned the Queen of Night,” Lx Sambla said soothingly. “After the Quenching is over, you can take her back to the Mother Ship with you. But until then, I’m afraid we cannot let you leave.”
Drago glared at him.
“I knew we shouldn’t trust you—you fucking slimy little bastard!” he snarled. “You invited Addison here in the first place hoping this would happen!”
Lx Sambla shrugged his slim shoulders.
“I confess, that’s true. We need new blood among the High Born here on Crimson Moon. I thought Addison would be an ideal candidate.”
“You fucker!” Drago looked like he wanted to lunge at the Vargan Ambassador but, at a nod from Ls Prissa, the guards pointing their blasters at him all took a step forward.
Reluctantly, Addie thought, Drago stood his ground and didn’t strangle the Vargan ambassador.
“Just let her enter the Room of Sighs with the chosen men,” Sambla urged again. “The Quenching won’t take long—it’s all usually over in an hour.”
Addie wanted to start sobbing, but somehow she held back the tears. It was time to get real—there was no getting out of this situation unless they did what the Vargans wanted. She just hoped she went into some kind of fugue state when The Thirst overcame her—she didn’t want to be aware of what she was doing if she was going to start drinking blood and fucking strange men!
“Drago,” she whispered, tugging at his arm. “Drago, I’m afraid I’m going to have to do it. They’re not going to let us go, otherwise.”
“Listen to your Fated Mate—she speaks truth and wisdom,” Ls Prissa urged. “Step away and let us choose the males who will service her in the Quenching.”
“No.” Drago glared down at the old woman. “No, if Addison is going to go through this, I’m going through it with her. No other males—just me!”
Lx Sambla’s dark eyes widened in alarm.
“You don’t know what you’re asking! Entering the Room of Sighs as a male and participating in The Quenching is perilous in the extreme—especially if you are the only male there!”
"I don't give a fuck," Drago growled. "I told you—if she goes, I go with her!" He glared at the guards. "Or do you want me to fuck you up? You might shoot me dead but I guarantee you I'll take at least ten of you with me!" He bared his teeth in a low, menacing growl and his eyes flashed red again.