Jetta: The Calling Series (Book 2)

Jetta

The Calling Series (Book 2)

By Deana Zhollis

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

ISBN 13: 978-0-9835499-1-8

Jetta (The Calling Series - Book 2)

Copyright 2012 by Deana Zhollis

All rights reserved.

Published by Night Before Day

http://www.zhollis com

Cover Design by Kelly Carter

http://www.madspiderstudio.com

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

To my family and friends who have supported me. And especially, in loving memory, to my father--my number one fan.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1 -Reuss

Chapter 2 - The Cate

Chapter 3 -Interrogation

Chapter 4 - Examined

Chapter 5 - Release and Betrayal

Chapter 6 - Home

Chapter 7 - Hilarious Calling

Chapter 8 - Meteoroids

Chapter 9 - Minions

Chapter 10 -Negotiations

Chapter 11 - Truth

Chapter 12 - Jancso

Chapter 13 - Isdol

Chapter 14- Clarifications

Chapter 15 - Fader

Chapter 16 - Imperial

Chapter 17 - The Beginning

Chapter 1 - Reuss

It reeked!

The nauseating smell made my nose run, and I was miserable. The deeper I traveled through the Renavid district, the fouler the odor became, and the night air seemed to bathe in it. I turned away from one of the sewer vents, tugging at my skirt as I passed, but the foul mists surrounded me, escaping from cracks in the street and permeating the darkness.

Steic! Why did Vrang want to crypt here anyway? All this trouble just to find his sequestered nook didn't seem worth it. The drome I had taken to Renavid left me at the outskirts, stating that it had insignificant data on the area for further travel. Sure. Dromes were filched more than the high-rise residences in Renavid. The Counsel couldn't risk losing any more. That's probably why Renavid was never on Hentpki's map. The planet wanted it forgotten.

I continued walking through Renavid's unlawful grounds with buildings structured to look like colorful corals growing up from a seabed. It was a popular style a hundred cycles ago, but now it made the district look slummy. The lighting was poor as well. Most districts were lit up as if it were daylight, but Renavid remained dark, a black blotch on Hentpki's surface. And presently, it was darkness where I was spending most of my life.

Over here, sweetness! Take a bite from me! Someone shouted.

I hurriedly crossed the street, ignoring the bawds who waved at me and flashed their lights for sexual hire. There were more whores in the streets tonight because of the Seven Days Fest, which was a constant reminder to everyone of Imperial TeNeil's youngest son’s kidnapping during the war. The kidnapping had inspired the Four Quadrants of intergalactic species to join together and defeat the Xarthren species. It was a terrible war that lasted five cycles too long, yet we continued to celebrate it. Festive laser-lights flashed through the sky on the main street, and two-seater galers skimmed the air, their headlights bright, and their operators directing them to no particular destination.

Slipping into an alley, I welcomed the darkness again. The open night was filled with too many festive lights. Just a few more streets and I would be there.

I wiped my wet nose again. The Counsel continues to say that they are in the process of rectifying the sanitation problem, but they had been saying that for cycles.

At least the smell kept my mind occupied. I didn't want to concentrate on the sexual hunger that I had stupidly let heighten within me. I should have started searching for Vrang to quench me as soon as I felt the yearning. Thank Suphyz that I didn't have the complete anatomy of a Wendh. If I did, I would have been locked up in a soundproof room right now, completely insane, or in incarcerated for committing some demented crime. But tonight was one of those rare nights that I was thankful for my Human half.

It was a handy tool that the Goddess Suphyz had bestowed on us, this hunger. Wendhs were a slave to it right after puberty. Before The Calling, Wendhs could quench their desire with anyone they please. But after hearing that song, Suphyz's Calling, they had no choice. The song brought about an uncontrollable need that only could be quenched by joining with a True Mate. Whether I would ever hear The Calling or not, I didn't know; I wasn't fully Wendh. If I were, I wouldn't be trudging through this forsaken district, seeking out Vrang.

I stopped at a door, looked at the corner edge and spotted the Reuss's symbol. The thieves' mark was barely distinguishable in the caked dirt, but I didn't have to search for the hidden entrance. Suddenly, screaming, I felt the ground slip under my feet. My shrieking was muffled as I hit a gel bag, knocking the breath out of me.

I heard someone chuckle as I scrambled hard, trying to get out of the bag. You're losing your touch, Jetta. You tripped twenty alarms coming here.

A Quattor stood over me with his four huge arms crossed in front of him. His head barely brushed the ceiling. It was somewhat rare to see one of his species since most of them resided in the Second and Fourth Quadrants of the eight galaxies. His name was Karplus.

He held out one of his huge hands and helped me out of the bag, continuing to laugh.

I glowered at him. I wasn't trying to be stealthy.

I know, Karplus chuckled, his mass of muscles unstirred. He turned around, still laughing, and I noticed that he had shaved the small, black patches of hair that grew sporadically on his head, making his blue skin smooth and shiny. He marched down the steel tunnel, and I regained my composure and followed him.

We made our way to the Reuss's hideaway with only the sounds of Karplus's chortles to keep us company. I knew he wasn't laughing at my fall; he was laughing at my accent. I had been offworld for seven cycles and had been speaking the common galactic tongue fluently for six cycles, but I still hadn't gotten rid of my Simple accent.

Will you be feasting tonight? I asked, trying to change the subject. Laughter seemed to never end with Karplus. It’s quite lively out there.

Why would I want to celebrate the memory of a Wendh who's been dead for ninety-three cycles? the Quattor snorted, especially one of royal blood? What have the elite ever done for me?

Karplus's answer was typical of all deviants. Anything or anyone associated with wealth was quickly snubbed.

I lowered my head slightly. On my home planet, I was considered regal, but that was another life. Yet I still felt as if I were also being condemned and categorized with those who led lucrative lives.

I changed the subject again. The Reuss did a good job in sealing the cracks in this place to keep out the smell. This district stinks!

The Counsel will take care of that, Karplus joked and ducked his head a bit more as we passed through an area with lower ceilings.

I laughed and returned his sarcasm. Yes, any time and very soon now.

Karplus turned around and flashed his toothy grin, then stopped, stepped over something, and waved with two arms, indicating that I could safely pass. It was most likely a trap he had disabled before we could continue.

How long will you be on shift? I asked, looking for the trap, but I couldn't see anything. Whatever it was had been cleverly camouflaged to resemble the floor.

I'm not on shift, the Quattor answered laconically. Tagg is.

Nothing more had to be said. I understood.

We passed Tagg by the controls, light flickering off his sleek, black body. His coal-black eyes reflected no white whatsoever as they remained fixed steadily on the mechanics surrounding him. The Wendh was beautiful. To me, all Wendhs were. But they despised me for being what I was.

If I were more like my brother and sister, perhaps Tagg would have accepted me more readily, but then again, my siblings were more Wendh than I was. I couldn't even mentally communicate with my own mother. I wasn't telekinetic or telepathic or tele- anything, a blessing the Goddess Suphyz gave to every Wendh. But She had given me nothing.

I glanced back at Tagg, who never looked up from his console as we walked by. His toned arms and tentacles constantly moved as he surveyed the district. I tried not to stare at his naked chest, rippling with strength. A thick chain hung low on his abdomen, weighted down by a medallion with the imprint of the royal child on it. I knew it was his good-luck piece, which a lot of Wendhs wore, reminding them of the triumph over the Xarthrens, and the mystical royal--the Imperial's youngest child--whose death was celebrated.

I took in a deep breath as I stared at Tagg's strong tentacles that he lengthened now and again absentmindedly to help maintain the console before quickly reabsorbing them back into his body. He had hair down the center of his head, a rare trait for a Wendh. Most Wendhs were bald or had thick cords of cartilage that lay like braids.

One of Tagg's feet tapped as if to an unheard beat, while the other mashed buttons sporadically on the floor. He had first alerted of my presence in the area, and bluntly refused to investigate after seeing me on his screen. He sent Karplus instead. Tagg despised me like a bad taste in his mouth, only acknowledging me when he had to. He was one of the main reasons I had left the Reuss.

Turning my back on Tagg, I looked at the door that Karplus was quietly unlocking. There were so many locks, codes and lasers on it that it took him several minutes to open and bypass them all. The wait was uncomfortable only because I knew Tagg was silently cursing me beneath his calm, collected demeanor.

Be at home, Karplus said, allowing me to enter the room first, for which I was grateful.

The Reuss gang was all inside, lounging around on bags and boxes or anything else they had found abandoned in buildings or in the street. Six different species lay about like dregs of society instead of the intelligent, professional thieves that they were. If it weren't for the security of their surroundings, one wouldn't have known that they were proficient in what they did.

Jetta! A voice shouted, and I nodded at the Joya who acknowledged me. His beak barely moved when he spoke, but it was always parted as if he were breathing through it instead of the two holes below his eyes. The Joya rustled his white and black feathers, which grew only on top of his head, and flexed the small muscles on his arms and chest. He vibrated this way when showing enthusiasm or excitement.

I smiled at his warm greeting and noticed the cloudiness of his green eyes and yellow pupils. I couldn't see the patch, which was probably hidden under his shirt, but I knew he was inebriated.

Coming back to work for us, are you? The Joya clapped and smoothed down his feathers. Tired of the clean, easy cates?

No, Soang, I answered, following Karplus. Just need to pay Vrang a little visit.

Soang laughed, knowing exactly why I was there and, to my embarrassment, announced it to everyone. It's quenching time, Reuss! Simple's back! Soang began to mock my home world, which was not technologized.

Simple! the others joined in.

Did you get here by animal or mineral? Aieeooo!

And how is our craving tonight, Jetta? a voice mocked my accent.

I gave them a wry smile as I opened the only other visible door in the room. There were probably four or five other unseen doors or exits to this small room. I knew this only because I, too, had been a Reuss one cycle ago. Reuss’s believed in several escape routes, and most of them were deeply hidden. I stepped through the door and silently closed it behind me.

Vrang was inside, his hairy arms around an overly dressed female who looked out of place. She wore a gossamer dress and expensive slippers that glittered in the dimly lit room. Her hair was laced down her back and her skin was flushed pink with arousal. The stylish outfit was too luxuriant to be worn by a bawd. Besides, Vrang wasn't into paying for sex. So, she had to be high-caste.

The giggling female stopped smiling when she noticed me in the room, and then glared at me. Vrang finally turned around as her laughter abated.

Jetta, he breathed, releasing the female in his arms, quickly forgetting her.

Sensing competition, the female's jealousy kicked in. Who is this? she pouted, her flushed skin turning from pink to red.

Get out, Vrang said softly, still staring at me.

What . . .?

The female was shocked, though she shouldn't have been. She was an elite anyway, possibly hanging around ruffians for some quick thrills. Knowing Vrang, I was sure he treated her badly, and she probably liked it--when he controlled it. But if she didn't obey . . .

Vrang shoved her, and she slipped and fell to the floor.

Get out, he repeated, his annoyance rising.

She took the warning and got up, straightened out her dress and stomped out of the room. I allowed her to bump into me as she went out the door, taking her rudeness more with humor than an act of aggression.

Jetta, Vrang repeated gravelly, walking towards me, the black slit in his red eyes dilated as he stared intently into mine.

He was short, with stocky arms and legs like all Lingars, whose home world was in Second Quadrant. Rolls of hair grew on his arms and the backs of his legs, while the rest of his body was covered with small, gray stumps that protruded like round scales. The larger mounds were mostly on his head and outlined his slit mouth. He walked as if he were stomping insects under each step, bouncing sharply up and down.

He didn't ask why I was there; he already knew. Pulling me to him, he began nipping at my neck with his many, tiny teeth. It was ticklish, but before I could laugh, he flung me on the table and jumped on top of me. I had made sure that I wore a skirt with flexible undergarments so that we could take care of my need as quickly as possible.

Came for this, hmmmm? He breathed in my ear as he forced my legs open and stuffed himself inside me. Want this, hmmm?

I ignored his comments as I concentrated on keeping my pelvis tilted to receive his many jerky, thrusting motions.

Sex with Vrang had once been pleasurable, but now I was just going through the motions. Vrang was the only Lingar I knew, and Lingars never contracted sexually transmitted diseases. If I made time to find another compatible species that I could join with without contracting a disease, I would have never searched out the Reuss again. But due to my Human side, I can get infected quickly and, thanks to my Wendh side, I would die slowly. Until I found another Lingar, I was stuck with Vrang.

I inhaled the pheromones my body needed that were only produced during this one act. With all the technology in the world, no one has ever produced a drug that would satisfy a Wendh’s need for sex. There were some out there, but Wendhs either quickly became immune to them, or they only lasted for a short amount of time. Fortunately for me, I could go at least three months before the hunger became overbearing. A pure Wendh can only endure one month.

Seeing that I was unresponsive, Vrang yanked my hair. Tough little simple, huh. She can handle this, huh?

Stop it, Vrang! I hissed at him. I hated him pulling on my hair, and I hated when he tried to use sex to annoy me.

Make me, he said, thrusting harder.

Before I could push him off of me, he released his semen.

Fleik! You sessling pup! Get your soggy stump out of me!

Vrang laughed, pulling himself out and adjusting his pants over his thick, fleshy loin.

Sessling pup? He mocked my simple cursing. Such language.

I hit him, and Vrang doubled over with a groan, clenching his stomach.

I should kill you! I screamed at him.

I wasn't concerned about getting pregnant. It would take metamorphosing him for that. I just didn't like semen, of any kind, squished inside me, and Vrang knew that. He was doing everything he could think of to anger me.

Something was wrong.

Vrang remained bent over for some time. I took the few minutes to wipe his disgusting, black fleik out of me, grabbing his mistress's costly scarf to wipe myself clean.

I should kill you, Vrang finally said softly, straightening up.

I looked up to see him pointing his ring at me.

Calmly, I stared at the deadly weapon and continued to wipe between my legs, though inside, my heart was pounding rapidly.

If you want an heir, Vrang, I hissed sarcastically, use your mistress. Not me. I threw the scarf at his feet, daring him to react.

Stepping on the scarf, he walked towards me, still holding his ring out. The tip of the gold circlet had a red glint that shined like a fresh drop of blood. I didn't know how many lives that ring had taken or how many bodies had been carved and sliced, but I didn't want to be added to the number.

I stood still as Vrang held the ring close to my face and then swept my feet from under me. I fell on the floor, hurting my backside. Vrang didn't