Tamed by the Zoran (Scifi Alien Romance) (Zoran's Chosen Book 4) Read online

  Probably because Rinor was watching.

  And now, my mind is coming undone.

  The showers come back into focus. I sigh a quick breath of relief, happy that I’m back, before I realize that no, I’m not back at all!

  This is the men’s showers.

  And standing underneath the hot rays of water is no one other than Rinor.

  Completely and totally naked.

  The warm water dripping down his broad, red frame. His tattoos on full display. Perfectly accentuating every muscle, every line, every inch of him.

  Oh my word…

  And then he turns, and it looks like he’s looking right at me.

  With a flash that feels like getting slapped across the face I stumble backwards, nearly slipping on the wet tiles. I touch the walls and my face just to make sure I’m really back in my own body. The bright Zorashi symbols on my wrists light up the entire room, and it feels like they are pulsing with energy.

  What the hell just happened?!

  I dry off and slip into my leisure wear, as my mind races to make sense of it all. I think I traversed the circuits of the arena, and ended up viewing the men’s room through a security camera. My subconsciousness must have been drawn to Rinor somehow…

  I find Gorba in the cafeteria, deep into his third meal, judging by all the plates strewn about. I sit down across from him, lost in contemplation.

  “You’re quiet,” he grumbles between bites.

  “It happened again.”

  He grunts in understanding, burps, and grabs his fourth meal; a giant mushroom smothered in gravy. The aroma makes my stomach grumble, and I look at the digital menu appearing at the table’s center.

  Perhaps a nice meal will give my mind a much needed break. In preparation for the Titan Games I’ve been living off perfectly balanced meals, but perhaps I can indulge myself just this once…

  Speaking of indulgence, Rinor enters the cafeteria. His towering stature catches my attention right away. His penetrating eyes find mine, as if he knows what I’ve seen, as if he’s asking me… do you like what you saw?

  A question I refuse to answer.

  The warrior takes a seat by the window by himself. He doesn’t look as cocky as he does in the arena or on the ‘feeds.

  I force my eyes back to the menu, looking for a snack, but all I really want to snack on is, well…

  Sitting right over there.

  Suddenly, everything goes eerily quiet. Gorba is no longer loudly chewing on his mushrooms. I glance up to see the large man frozen in mid-bite.

  As a matter of fact, everyone in the cafeteria seems to be frozen in time.

  Except for me.

  My heart jumps into my throat.

  As if the technology thing wasn’t bad enough. Now I’m able to freeze time?!

  I stand up and look around in a mild panic. Rinor’s mesmerizing eyes catch my attention, like two smoldering embers.

  And then everything goes back to normal. The sounds of the busy cafeteria hits me like a ton of bricks, and I stumble back into my seat.

  Gorba doesn’t even glance up from his food.

  I order a meal and eat it in silence, avoiding the red warrior in the corner, praying that whatever is happening to me passes real soon.

  Chapter Four

  Rinor

  Selection Day is finally here! The Titan Games are really kicking-off.

  All this year’s contestants are gathered for the drawing, but I only have eyes for her.

  Takara.

  And she snubs me completely, not even casting a single glance in my direction. Surely she can’t resist the facts the Rift has presented to us. We can both resist the flow of time!

  I’ve had this gift for some time. It is why I was taken by Casper Wellington, held captive and tortured…

  All because SINTRA Corp. wants to use my powers for their own gain. And instead of fighting them, my father has ordered me to participate in the Titan Games like nothing has happened. Don’t want to cause a panic, he said.

  If he could see me having one of my night terrors he would know what true panic looks like…

  I turn my gaze back to Takara. Just looking at her makes my stomach flutter. When I think about her, the dark thoughts recede to the back of my mind. In this moment, she is the only light in my life.

  And the only person I have met so far who is able to move when I freeze time. She practically launched herself out of her chair in the cafeteria, her violet eyes darting across the room in a panic.

  I didn’t dare to make myself known at that exact moment. I didn’t want to freak her out. However, our eyes met across the room, and I know in my very bones she felt a spark.

  “Today’s first round will be between…”

  I ignore the announcer and sit back, arms crossed, waiting and watching, barely invested in this year’s Titan Games.

  It was so different last year. I was totally carefree, and the world was at my feet. After what I’ve seen, I can’t be that same guy anymore. That said, I do my best to give the fans the same laid back Rinor they’ve come to know and love.

  The act does take its toll on me, though.

  Ever so often I feel Takara’s gaze dart towards me, but when I return the look, she quickly turns her attention back to the arena. Without a single indication she thinks of me more than an opponent.

  The crowd cheers as the first fight of the day kicks off. I close my eyes and try to let the crowd’s energy flow through me, I try to let it awaken the flame of desire inside of me, but…

  It’s just not the same.

  I can’t summon the same amount of passion I once did for a mere game when my very life is at stake.

  SINTRA Corp. will be back.

  For me. For all the other Chosen.

  And still, father continues to sideline me, promising me I can serve alongside him when my gladiator career is over.

  He knows as well as I do that I will never lay down and lose on purpose. I have too much honor for that!

  Someone will have to best me in combat before I can approach my father again.

  I scan the room, taking notes on every possible opponent. None of them will pose a real challenge to me. I can defeat them all easily, even with my Rift-powers distracting me.

  The Rift is still shrouded in mystery, which frustrates me at every turn — and that was before the incident with Takara, in the cafeteria.

  I felt her presence earlier, as well. In the showers. I was lathering up, letting all the stress flow away and my mind wander, when I felt her hot gaze.

  I opened my eyes, but there was no one there. Yet my Zorashi symbols were pulsing madly, which they only do in her presence…

  Strange.

  I look to her again, trying to make contact, as the same symbols itch underneath my armor. She gives me her stone-cold gameface, and I hit her with my trademark cocky wink.

  She turns her gaze back to the fight in the arena. Cold as ice.

  I’ll warm her heart yet.

  Chapter Five

  Takara

  “You WHAT?!”

  “I invited General Husik and his son for dinner.”

  “Son? As in, Rinor the Grand Champion?!”

  “Ah, you’ve met him?”

  “Met him?! Dad, he’s only the most popular Grand Champion in existence,” I say with an eye roll. “Of course I know who he is! How could you do this to me?”

  “Oh, don’t be so dramatic,” father answers. “They’ll be here any moment, so be on your best behavior, okay?”

  “Or what?” I yell, crossing my arms. “You’ll ground me? I’m not your little girl anymore, you know. I make my own decisions. And right now I got half a mind to storm off.”

  My father points at the door.

  “It’s right there if you want to leave. I won’t stop you.”

  As much as I want to…

  I can’t.

  Rinor will know I ran away from him, and I don’t want to give him the satisfaction. I can already
picture that smug smile of his…

  Why weren’t you there? Are you scared of me, princess?

  He’ll probably say something infuriating like that. The type of thing that will make me want to smack him across the face and kiss his hot lips at the exact same time.

  “Fine,” I sigh. “I’ll stay.”

  I can’t blame my father. He has no idea what’s been happening to me. I haven’t told him about my symbols, how they light up every time Rinor is near. He doesn’t know I’ve been making the tech all over the Trade Ports malfunction when I’m feeling cranky. And he definitely doesn’t know that time itself froze for me the other day for a brief few seconds.

  “I’m happy to hear that. I like what you’ve done with your hair, by the way,” my father says.

  I’m confused for a second before I realize he’s talking about the neon purple highlights in my otherwise very dark curls.

  “They match very well with your eyes. I’m sure Evonne would have thought so as well. You remind me more of her every day, you know.”

  “Thanks, dad,” I say, looking down at my shoes.

  I know he means well, but every time he mentions my mom, I feel a little bit guilty for wanting to leave the Trade Ports for New Exon…

  The doorbell rings, and a moment later my father lets General Husik and his son, Rinor, into his high-rise apartment.

  I’m relieved to see that my possible opponent has changed out of his outlandish Titan Games outfit (that shows off more of his muscular torso than a proper battle garment should) for a human-styled suit.

  Even though he’s showing less of his red skin and broad shoulders, I think he looks even better like this.

  Damn it. Those are not the thoughts I wanted to have.

  “What do you think?” He asks me in the hallway, while our fathers chat in the dining room. “Human style.”

  “Did you dress up like that just for me?” I ask.

  Compared to the three Zorans, I am horribly underdressed. I’m wearing a turquoise tunic, a comfortable fit. I thought I was just stopping by my dad for a quiet dinner. I had no idea this was going to be a high society event!

  “I thought it was the least I could do.”

  “Well, you don’t look like your regular, oafish self, so I consider that a win.”

  A smirk adorns his face. “You don’t look so bad yourself, human female.”

  He reaches out to touch my arm, but I turn away, afraid that the slightest touch will blow out every lightbulb in my dad’s apartment.

  “Let’s get this undoubtedly awkward dinner over with, shall we?” I say.

  My father serves up a three-course, Earth-style meal that I have to admit is beyond reproach. After my mom passed, he put a lot of time and effort into perfecting his ability to make a human-style meal.

  I think it’s his way of honoring his late wife.

  It’s hard to focus on the jambalaya with Rinor sitting right across from me, however. His smoldering eyes don’t leave me for a second, and luckily for me our fathers are too busy chatting about work to notice.

  I take a sip of water when time suddenly grinds to a halt. Again. Our fathers fall quiet, mid-bite, and Rinor leans forward and smirks.

  “It’s just the two of us now, it seems.”

  I spew out my sip in shock, and wrap the now solid blob hovering in mid-air in a napkin. He can freeze time as well?!

  “Why is this happening now?!”

  Rinor shrugs.

  “I haven’t learned how to activate the freezing of time at will yet, but I can prolong it to several minutes now.”

  “So it was you? In the cafeteria?”

  He nods. “It was.”

  “What about speeding up time?” I’ve had my fill of this dinner, as good as my dad’s cooking is. If I have to hear one more anecdote about the High Command’s crappy coffee machine…

  “You don’t like hearing about office politics?”

  “I do not.”

  “What about our line of work, warrior princess? How do you feel about your chances in this year’s Titan Games?”

  My eyes narrow.

  “I’m going to take you down this year, Rinor. Your reign is over. Count on it.”

  “Those high-kicks of yours are strong, but they won’t be enough to take me down,” he says confidently. “But perhaps I will feel generous this year. I might even let you win. Give you a taste of success.”

  “Don’t you dare,” I say, gripping my knife and fork tightly. “I’m going to win fair and square. I don’t need your sympathy, your charity!”

  “Whoah, no need to get hostile,” Rinor says. “I was just trying to do you a favor.”

  “You can do me a favor by stopping this time-freezing gimmick! The sooner we’re done with this dinner, the sooner we can get to the part where I kick your fire-red ass in the arena.”

  “What’s gotten you so worked up? Ah, it was the interview, wasn’t it?”

  My glare says more than enough.

  “I couldn’t help myself. You know how the reporters are, always looking for a juicy angle, desperate for a catchy soundbite. So I gave them one. It’s all a show, Takara. You know this, right?”

  I cross my arms.

  “Don’t take everything that comes out of my mouth so seriously. We’re entertainers, and—”

  “I’m a warrior!” I yell, rising from my seat and pounding my fists upon the table.

  At that moment, time kicks back in, and the two generals look at me with open mouths.

  “That you are, my dear daughter, but what does that have to do with anything?” My father asks.

  “I, uhm, apologize,” I stammer.

  Rinor can barely hold back his snickering, and my eyes shoot him daggers. I pull down my sleeves to hide my glowing wrists, and excuse myself for a moment.

  I splash some cold water on my face and admonish myself for making a complete fool out of myself in front of father and his guest. He still considers me his little girl, and throwing a tantrum is not the way to change that.

  When I return to the dining room, the conversation has shifted. I freeze in the hallway and listen to the raised voices.

  “We have to act now,” Rinor says. “While time is still on our side. Every day that passes by they get closer to success!”

  “Patience, my son, patience,” General Husik says. “We can’t rush into things.”

  “The Chosen are hard at work assembling their crew,” my father joins in. “We only have one shot at SINTRA. Acting too soon is just as dangerous as acting too late.”

  I open the door.

  “What’s this about SINTRA?” I ask. The megacorp is well known throughout the universe — but why would we be plotting a move against them?

  “Ah, yes,” my father says. “That is High Command business, darling. Nothing to worry about.”

  I rest my hands on my hips and glare at the three Zorans. “You’ve got to be kidding me! I’m not a baby. I’m one of the best damn warriors on the Trade Ports, if not the best.”

  “These are state secrets,” my father says. “With all due respect, but you are not classified to know this information. I’m sorry, dear.”

  “Neither is Rinor! He’s a gladiator, same as me! Anything Rinor knows, I want to know!”

  “It’s not that simple,” General Husik says. “Rinor has… personal experience, paramount to the investigation. I am not at liberty to say more than that.”

  Of course the general would pick his son’s side. Typical.

  “Whatever,” I say with a wave of my hand. This is getting me nowhere fast. “I’m going to go train some more.”

  I storm out and jog all the way to the arena. It’s completely empty, deserted and dark — the way I like it best. I shadow spar with a ritual sword and work up a sweat, getting all of my anger and frustration out.

  Yet no matter how hard I swing that massive sword around, I can’t seem to erase the sight of Rinor grinning at me from my memory…

  Chapter Six


  Rinor

  Journalists from all over the universe have traveled to the Trade Ports to report on this year’s Titan Games. Humans, Marbits, Rathnids, Dithras… they’re all here at the press event.

  At this point, answering questions has become routine for me. Rarely do these reporters ask anything I haven’t answered before, so I do it all on auto-pilot… while I scan the room for Takara.

  I haven’t seen her since she stormed out the other night, during dinner. General Valdas apologized for his daughter’s erratic behavior, but I told him not to worry.

  I’m assuming he has no idea what’s really going on with his girl. I want her to open up to me, so we can solve this mystery, together — but she avoids me at every turn!

  It’s beyond frustrating.

  I tried to call my best friend Leto for help last night — he recently found his human mate, a lovely girl named Caia Mercier — but I can’t even reach him. The High Command told me he’s on a secret mission.

  I want to be on a bloody secret mission! I’m the one who was abducted, imprisoned and tortured. If anyone is going to take SINTRA down, it will be me.

  The only reason I’m still participating in this year’s Titan Games is, well, Takara King.

  Winding her up is so easy, and so… addictive.

  What am I, a kid in the playground, teasing his crush?

  Perhaps I am…

  I finally catch sight of her. She’s being interviewed by Federation News, and I can tell from the frown on her face it’s not going well.

  I excuse myself and wander over to her. The journalists all follow me, and they want us to pose for a picture together.

  “They’re not that bad, you know,” I whisper into her ear while I slide my arm around her waist.

  She pushes my hand away discreetly but firmly.

  “Maybe not to you,” she grumbles through clenched teeth. “They love you.”

  “Oh come on, they adore you as well!”

  She shrugs. “I doubt that.”

  I leave Takara to finish up her interview, but the throng of journalists keep following me, snapping pictures and yelling questions. I concentrate deeply and manage to freeze time for a mere second or two. Just enough time to hop into a side-room and lock the door behind me.