The End of Demons
#5 of The Orphan
"Luckily, things that have a start, also have an end."
// Solace, Civilian owned ship
// Draco High Orbit, Attican System
// 16/04/4716 [Federation Calendar]
Draco hung in the depths of space like a glowing orange globe. The single red sun reflected from the surface of the clouds and lit up the crater riddled surfaces of the four orbiting moons. Altair stood on the ship's bridge, watching in silence as the Solace slowly drifted around the dark side of the Draconian planet. He sighed, watching the dark surface light up with a million tiny fires. Some rural wildfires, others just city lights. They flickered and glistened like billions of tiny fireflies.
Altair was alone. He had a lot on his mind. The past two days had been peaceful. Most of the time had been spent relaxing. Linda, curious as usual, had gotten Altair to teach her a few sparring moves. She was a fast learner. In less than a day she had mastered basic self defence. They had also meditated with Cassandra, who also taught Linda some simple phrases in Draconic. It had been a nice change from fighting with misguided drug addicts, Federation troopers and watching good people die. It was a pity they couldn't stay.
Folding his arms across his chest, the orphan looked over his shoulder and saw Linda and Cassandra climb the steps into the cockpit. Linda saw him and smiled. She looked quite different in a bright sleeveless shirt and a pair of denim shorts that showed off her long slender legs. With a knapsack slung over one shoulder and the floral patterns printed on her t-shirt she looked like a typical tourist. Her hair was dyed dark red, also giving her a completely different look. On first glance no-one inside or outside Federation space would immediately recognise her as Linda Freeman.
Altair coughed and quickly looked away. "Sorry." He tried not to laugh. "T-shirt's a bit much. Hair looks nice though."
Cassandra chuckled and smacked the orphan on the arm. "Leave her alone. You ought to see what I picked for you." She tossed him a dark blue duffel bag.
Altair caught it and immediately felt the contents through the thin fabric. Some clothes, a few bottles and something else. It was incredibly familiar. Altair immediately identified a handle and barrel. He stared at the bag, hoping it wasn't what he thought it was.
"Just in case." Cassandra said in a soft tone so Linda wouldn't hear.
Linda walked up beside Altair and clutched his arm, resting her head on his shoulder, gazing at the planet that hung beneath them. "Wow. Draco, eh? I never thought I'd ever get to see it in real life."
"And just in time for the Four Moons Festival." Altair added, still absent mindedly staring at the duffel bag in his arms.
Linda suddenly gasped. "No way! Are you serious?" her voice trembled with glee. "We can go to the festival?"
Altair huffed. "Of course." He said as if she were stating the obvious, stringing the duffel bag around his neck. "After all. We are tourists." He fished into his pocket and recovered two navy blue wristbands. "Here are our EVs."
"EVs?" Linda asked, taking one and securing it around her left wrist.
"Electronic Visa." Cassandra explained from the helm. "Draco is outside Federation space. Laws regarding humans here are different. There are no such things as free humans. All free humans caught on Draco are immediately pawned off for slave trade. Unless of course they are wearing an EV. Wearing that device puts you under Federation jurisdiction. This way slave traders can't touch Altair."
"Wonderful." Linda grinned, hanging on tight to Altair's arm. "Now I won't have to worry about losing you to a slaver and having to spend my life savings buying you back."
"Who ever said a slave pen could hold me?" Altair chuckled.
"One thing." Linda looked at her own EV. "I'm not human. Why do I have to wear one?"
"All tourists have to have a Visa. Electronic or conventional." Altair explained. "And since we forgot to pack your passport, the best way to prevent people asking you for ID is for you to have one of these." He patted his own EV. "By the way, your name is now Laura Scene."
The Solace lurched as Cassandra swung the craft around and brought them in for atmospheric entry. "I'll take you to Dascen. That'll be your best bet for finding the safe house." She said.
"Safe house?" Linda asked. "Why exactly did we come to Draco?"
"Well, first of all, I remembered you saying you've always wanted to come here." Altair said modestly. "And second of all, I remember an orphan safe house being here. If we can find it I can contact the other orphans and figure out what's going on out there."
"Convenient." Linda grinned. "You only added the first bit because you wanted to impress me."
"Yeah, I did." Altair sighed.
The Orphan
The End of Demons
// Dascen Bazaar
// Draco, Attican System
// 16/04/4716 [Federation Calendar]
Altair would have preferred to have a low profile, but this was a whole new planet. He really couldn't blame Linda for enjoying herself.
"This is amazing!" she cried out, lifting her face to the sun and shutting her eyes. "I can't believe I'm actually on Draco! Pinch me, I'm dreaming!" she ran ahead, Altair lagging behind, holding onto the duffel bag's strap secured around one shoulder.
"Wait up." Altair called, jogging to keep up. Linda was losing herself in the crowds. Altair didn't really want to waste any time searching for her. This wasn't exactly the friendliest part of town either. "Don't go too..." Altair stopped, seeing Linda stand still between a pair of Draconians. She was staring at something.
There were countless stalls selling food, earthenware, swords and other weapons and various home made trinkets. Stall owners called out over the heads of the bustling Draconians and various tourists, claiming to have the best prices and the best quality available. But fancy trinkets were not the only objects being sold. Linda was looking out across an open square with an old wooden stage on which a large black scaled Draconian stood, clutching the neck of a half naked human woman. In front of the stage was a crowd of upper class, well groomed and well dressed Draconians calling out and waving numbered fliers, trying to make the highest bid. Behind the stage were some armoured Draconians with what looked like cattle prods herding lines of shackled and naked human slaves ready to be pawned off to a crowd.
Linda let her ears droop sadly as she looked at the glum humans being shown off to a rowdy crowd of eager buyers. "What's going on?" she asked softly so only Altair would hear under the murmur of a thousand voices that filled the air as he stepped up behind her.
"Slave trade." Altair replied. "It's part of the Four Moons Celebration. Everyone gets a new slave in preparation."
Linda looked around. On one side were poor humans, baking in the sun, on the other side were shouting Draconians, shady looking characters hanging on street corners and bored looking regular folk going about their every day business. The stench of sewage and rotting garbage hung in the air over the faint musty odour of sweating slaves.
"This wasn't how I pictured Draco." The cheetah admitted. "I always thought it would be more... romantic."
"We're not exactly in the most popular section of town." Altair admitted, taking Linda by the arm and leading her on down a narrower street.
"So where do we find this safe house of yours?" Linda asked.
The crowds started thinning out as they reached the outskirts of the bazaar and moved southward through the city. They still met the odd commuter, but even though they were out in the open, nobody was taking notice of them. They passed a pair of city guard who watched them as the two 'tourists' talked to each other under their breaths.
"The south side of Dascen, the richer districts." Altair admitted. "It's a rich cultural area where tourists are allowed to enter..." he paused as he glanced a weatherworn poster hanging on a bleak wall. "As long as they aren't human." He scratched his head as they continued following the street. "Could be tricky getting in there. Unless..." he reached back, zipped open his duffel and rummaged through the contents for a while before producing a leather leash and matching collar. "If you don't mind."
Linda was taken back quite a bit. "Saywhat? No way. I am not wearing a leash."
"Huh?" Altair gave her a confused look. "Eh, no... you're not the one who has to wear it." Altair scratched his neck, his face slowly getting red.
"So... you'll be..." Linda gingerly took the leash and looked at it.
"Yup." Altair nodded.
"And you'll pass as my..."
"Yup." Altair nodded again.
Linda thought for a second, then slowly slid her fingers across his back and clamped her hand lightly around the back of his neck. "And so you'll have to obey my commands?" she added in a hushed tone.
Altair sighed. "Yeah... I suppose." He looked away blushing.
"Oh, don't be embarrassed." Linda leaned closer and gave him a small lick on the cheek. "I'll take good care of you." She giggled into his ear.
// Dascen Rich District
// Draco, Attican System
// 16/04/4716 [Federation Calendar]
The Draconian palace guard didn't look like the kind of folk you really wanted to trifle with. They were all big muscular figures clad in steel plate armour over their near impenetrable hides and each armed with spears, razor edged shields and serrated long swords. The mere sight of them told Altair he'd have to behave or die.
Keeping the hood of a tattered black robe he had found in the duffel bag up, he kept his face hidden in a gloomy shadow. Trailing out of from under the hood was the long leather leash which wrapped around Linda's wrist. Walking side by side, they climbed the steps out the front of a magnificent gold and silver wrought gate that towered before them and would grant access to the rich district that was surrounded by tall fortifications.
Reaching the top of the steps, Linda smiled broadly at the guard letting people through.
"Identification." The Draconian growled in a low tone.
Linda held out her EV and the Draconian scanned it with a handheld device. The Draconian's features softened a little and he managed to grin at Linda.
"Laura Scene?" he asked.
Linda let out a breath and nodded. "Yes."
"First time on Draco?" the guard inquired.
Linda nodded again.
"Not often you see a Gaian with a human slave." He nodded at Altair who lowered his head even further.
"Well..." Linda explained. "I couldn't possibly come to Dascen and not get a quality souvenir." She grinned and gave the leash a small tug, muttering 'sorry' under her breath to the orphan.
The Draconian grunted. "Normally speaking we don't let humans into this part of the city."
Linda glanced at Altair who didn't react. "Don't worry." The cheetah said sweetly, looking back at the guard, holding out the leash and giving a cute look. "I'll keep him under control. He won't be any trouble."
The Draconian examined her for a while, before sighing and nodding. "Very well. We'll make an exception. Go on through and enjoy the sights, ma'am."
"Thank you very much." Linda smiled and moved briskly through, practically dragging Altair along behind her. "That was easier than I thought it would be." She whispered as they lost themselves in a series of alleys, staying out of view of locals and patrolling guards.
"Take it from me. You'd be surprised how often it is." The orphan commented.
Altair pulled down his hood and led Linda through the city northbound; looking around all the time, mentally mapping the route they took. They followed cobbled winding paths, passed extravagant gold plated wells, tightly knit houses with emerald encrusted doors and expensive drapes covering the glass-less windows. The streets were spotless, there were no loiterers, and a fragrance of alien flowers hung in the air for all to smell. There were a few guards patrolling here and there, on the lookout for troublemakers. Among them were a few locals carrying groceries, talking amongst each other or smoking in their porches. All of the locals wore extravagant gowns and robes and had expensive jewellery hanging from every horn, claw and jutting scale they could reach with their hands. There were an odd few tourists here and there, Gaians, Holus and Tyr wandering the streets, taking photographs and enjoying the break up of sun and shadows cast by tall buildings.
As they marched down a gloomy damp alley with a well from which a Dragoness was filling a bucket, Altair pointed to a regular wooden door visible just outside the end of the alley. "Okay, if I'm right the safe house should be just over..." he suddenly froze.
Before Linda could register what was happening, Altair grabbed her by the hand and pulled her into a porch. She was about to cry out in surprise, but didn't get the chance as Altair pushed her against a cool wall and locked his lips against hers.
Linda's eyes widened for a moment with surprise, before she realised what was happening and shut them, clamping her arms around Altair's back and pulling him in even closer. It was his turn to let out a surprised gasp as she wrapped one leg around his waist, rubbing her crotch against his in a slow erotic rhythm. She gently started raking her sharp nails across the back of his neck and wrestled his tongue with hers.
The moment lasted about half a minute, and when Altair broke the kiss, Linda let out a disappointed moan. Surprised and catching his breath, Altair leaned out of the porch and looked down the alley at the door to the safe-house.
"That was spontaneous." Linda purred, grabbing two handful's of Altair's robe and dragging him in close again. She licked his neck and murred, tightening her grip on her mate. "But that's not a bad thing."
"Sorry." Altair whispered, poking his head back out of the porch and glancing down the alley again.
"Don't apologise." Linda moaned, kissing the orphan tightly.
"Wait..." Altair said as he broke the kiss, but it was all he could get out before Linda locked her lips on his again. "... Some... thing... bad... happen... soonhmmrph!" he managed to get out between kisses, struggling against the cheetah who was practically on the verge of raping him now.
"I know." Linda whispered as she undid the top few buttons on the robe Altair wore over his regular clothes so he could slip out of it. "And its gonna happen in this person's porch." She smiled as she shoved her tongue down Altair's throat again. "By Gaia, you have no idea how much I want you in me right now."
Altair swallowed hard and managed to wrestle out of Linda's grip. "Linda, take it easy. Any other time I wouldn't hesitate to go ahead, but right now it is imperative that you listen to me." he looked into Linda's eyes and noticed a dazed look which quickly faded as she shook off whatever had just overcome her.
"Oh, Gaia, I'm so stupid." She rubbed her head. "I'm so sorry, Altair. I'm not sure what..."
"Don't worry about it." Altair hung out of the porch again and saw a figure lingering outside the safe-house door.
The figure was distinctly female and was completely clad in black fatigues that hugged her tall slender form. She had a hood pulled up over her head, hiding her eyes, but leaving the tip of her black scaled Draconic snout open to be seen. On her left hand was a crimson glove and on the back of her other hand was a glowing crimson marking. A mark of the Chaos Guild.
"What the hell is she doing here?" Altair muttered.
"Who?" Linda went to look, but Altair pushed her back.
"Linda, listen to me." Altair said gravely, taking Linda's hand. "This is important. I'm going to draw that person away. As soon as the coast is clear I want you to get to the safe-house and stay inside until I return."
Altair dug into his duffel and closed his fingers around a cold metal object. His hand locked around the handle, his index finger touching the trigger and he pulled it out of the bag. The archaic polymer-framed Glock 18 machine pistol housed a 33 round cartridge protruding out of the magazine-well in the handle. The weapon fitted perfectly into the orphans hand and weighed hardly anything, while at the same time capable of firing a devastating 1100 rounds per minute and delivering power that could stumble a Draconian. The only downside was the fact this weapon was several centuries old. It looked well maintained, but Altair didn't doubt it was capable of the infamous 'explosive-malfunction', a common danger back in the 21st century, Earth time.
Shrugging off his discomfort around guns however, Altair pulled back the slide and racked the first round into the chamber. Checking the safety was on, he tucked the weapon into the back of his jeans, another motion he was very uncomfortable with.
Linda stared at the human for a while as he tore off the robe and leash and handed her the duffel bag Cassandra had given him. "But..." she held the bag in her arms and hugged it tightly. "What if... what if you don't return?"
"I will." Was all Altair said as he gently squeezed her shoulder and stepped out of the porch, looking directly down the alleyway.
He stood there for a full ten seconds before the Chaos Guild Draconian turned her head and looked directly at him. From where he stood the orphan immediately saw a grin flicker onto her muzzle.
"Long time no see, Altair." The Draconian's low voice said with enchanting smoothness. Her lips hardly even moved as she spoke. "I've been looking high and low for you. Hell, I had to kill a priest for Christ's sake."
"A bit extreme." Altair replied. "Even for you, Artemisia."
"Aaaaw. You remembered my name." the Draconian assassin said sweetly as she started walking towards the orphan. "I'll make sure you scream it." She added in an angry snarl.
Gritting his teeth, Altair whirled around and ran. Artemisia immediately picked up the pace and sprinted after him, following his every footstep. Altair took a sharp left, then a sharp right before glancing over his shoulder to see the Draconian wasn't letting up. Looking ahead again, the orphan dodged passed a trio of surprised tourists before jumping onto a crate that stood against a wall. Jumping again he snatched hold of a windowsill above him and hauled himself upward, climbing the side of the building until he pulled himself up onto the rooftop.
Looking down he saw Artemisia imitate the movement, following his every move. Cursing, Altair stood and doubled back across the rooftops, jumping alleys and leaping across the uneven rooves. Artemisia pulled herself up and mimicked his movement, following his exact path. Jumping onto a lower rooftop, Altair stumbled, but stayed on his feet, dashing across the slippery slates. Ahead of him was a gap in the buildings, spanning roughly fifteen feet. Altair didn't hesitate. He sprinted directly at the gap and leapt across the road below.
The tourists walking along the cobbled street had no idea what went on above their head. If any of them looked up they would behold the sight of an eighteen year old human soaring through the air, slowly pitching forward and stretching out one hand to catch the nearest ledge.
Altair's hand clamped on brickwork and he swung into the side of the building, coming to a painful and sudden halt. Groaning and moaning, the orphan pulled himself up and rolled onto the flat roof catching his breath. Looking back the way he came he half expected to see Artemisia stop and quit. That would be way too easy.
He watched Artemisia stretch a pair of large Draconic wings and flap once, launching herself into the air. Shading his eyes from the sun he followed her movement as she soared over the street below, right over the orphan and landed on the far side of the rooftop, her wings still spread. Painfully, Altair got to his feet and sighed, observing as the Draconian slowly folded her wings neatly across her back again.
"Looks like you fixed your wings." Altair said with some dismay. "That's bad for me."
"Hmmmm." Artemisia hummed. "That depends on how much you decide to struggle."
Altair sighed and rubbed his head. "All these years and you're still obsessed with me?"
"You took my wings." Artemisia snapped, balling her fists and taking a fighting stance. "You made me the laughing stock of the Chaos Guild. You ruined my chances of becoming a Master."
"You think they would have let any non-human Conscripted member become a Master?" Altair almost laughed as he clenched his fists. "C'mon, Artemisia. You have got to be smarter than that."
"You'll see." Artemisia said. "Maybe I'll let you live long enough to make you my personal slave. I imagine it must be hard getting laid as a Chaos Guild Master."
"You want me?" Altair tugged loose the gun tucked in his jeans and held it out in two hands, aiming directly at the Chaos Guild Assassin. "Come get me!"
That was all the incentive she needed. Grinning, Artemisia charged the orphan without a second thought. Altair squeezed the trigger and squinted. The weapon fired in full automatic, spraying hollow point projectiles and spitting empty cases of hot brass into the air. She dipped and ducked under the projectiles as the orphan swept left and right. Bullets pinged off the rooftop by Artemisia's feet and smashed a nearby chimney-pot.
There was a dead click as the gun ran dry. Cursing and tossing the empty weapon aside, Altair dashed forward, meeting the draconian half way and throwing the first punch. He aimed for the gut, but the Draconian easily dodged the move. Following through, the orphan stepped closer, spinning around, aiming his elbow for her face. Not seeing the move coming, the Chaos Guild Assassin stepped back, narrowly avoiding the blow. Altair quickly followed up, whirling around and aiming a roundhouse kick for the ribs. This time Artemisia was too slow and took the blow. Gasping, she fell sideways, but stayed on her feet, glaring at the human.
"My turn." She snarled, charging again.
Altair jumped back, his hand darting for his belt. Jumping out of reach, the orphan threw a handful of glistening knives. The rain of sharp steel snaked its way through the air directly at Artemisia, but the Draconian was faster. She rolled aside and charged Altair.
She threw a punch aimed for the head, but the orphan leaned back, feeling the slipstream of her fist scythe past his face. Altair didn't let up, quickly stepping closer, arms raised and throwing an open handed strike for the gut. He hit, but Artemisia hardly flinched, sucking in the force of the blow. Pulling his hand back, Altair aimed his other open hand for Artemisia's chin. She predicted the move, caught his hand and clamped his arm under her own. Flicking his left wrist back, Altair deployed his wrist blade and stabbed for the throat. Unfortunately Artemisia saw that coming too and caught his wrist, pushing the blade further from her face, despite the orphan's struggles.
"Cheeky." Artemisia said in a soft tone, moving her face to his. Her tongue suddenly slithered out past her lips and lapped across the side of the human's face.
Altair closed his eyes, struggling to pull away as the Draconian Assassin spread her saliva across his face. Artemisia got closer to the point her lips brushed his.
"You taste different, sweetie." She said in a teasing tone, attempting to kiss him before he turned his head away. "Have you been going behind my back?"
"Blow me." Altair snapped, suddenly darting his head forward so his forehead made contact with the Draconian's snout.
Gasping the Assassin stumbled back, dazed and gripping her bleeding nostrils. Altair didn't hesitate, darting forward and burying the sharp blade attached to his wrist deep into her chest, slipping the cold steel between her ribs. Artemisia's eyes widened with pain as she gripped Altair's wrist blade and tried to pull back. Altair didn't let her go, so she would hear what he would have to say.
"And this time," Altair snarled. "Stay dead."
Retracting his blade, Altair twisted around and landed his foot in her gut. The Draconian Chaos Guild Assassin stumbled back and slipped over the edge of the rooftop. She disappeared from Altair's line of sight, and a quick second later there was a sickening thud as she hit the pavement. Seconds later there were civilian screams and shouts from nearby guards.
Not wanting to be around for the resulting fall out of increased guard activity in the area, Altair used his sleeve to clean of the Draconic saliva and started walking in the direction of the safe-house.
// Orphan Safe-House
// Draco, Attican System
// 16/04/4716 [Federation Calendar]
There weren't many occasions Altair could say he felt perfectly safe, or completely contented. As a matter of fact, there were exactly five occasions in his lifetime when he felt completely safe. The first time was at the Orphanage. The second time was while hiding among the lycans of Exodus VI. The third time was on board the Solace when he first met Cassandra. The last two times were when he was in Linda's arms. And now he could proudly add a sixth time of happiness to his meagre list. Lying side by side beneath the four pale full moons on the flat rooftop, Altair hardly noticed the cool breeze as Linda lay pressed against his side. He heard and felt her sigh as they both gazed up at the bright disks hanging over them. Dark smudges were smeared over the moons where meteors had stricken their surface, forming intricate swirls and streaks. The largest of the four dominated the sky, hiding countless stars behind it. There was another on the horizon to the west, shyly peeking past the palace tower on the city skyline. The other two moons were roughly the same size, one seemingly the most crater riddled, and the other moon was hanging by the horizon like the smallest, on the far east side and hung just above the final crescent of the fading sunlight, giving it an odd crimson glow.
"Its beautiful." Linda whispered, gazing at the moons and stars. "I can't get over how clear the sky is. The stars are like... like..." she couldn't find the words.
"Holes poked in the canvas of heaven." Altair finished in an absent tone.
"Yeah... like that." Linda smiled and glanced at Altair. He seemed to be half paying attention, half in deep thought as his eyes remained locked on the smallest of the moons. "That was quite poetic."
"Not my saying." Altair shook his head with a smile. "I met an author once who travelled all the way out here to find a setting for his book. It kind of stuck with me."
They were silent again for a long time, before Linda rolled on her side and gazed into Altair's blank stare.
"Something's wrong." She said slowly. "Are you alright?"
Altair took a deep breath and looked at her. "Hmmm? No, sorry, it's nothing. I was just thinking of the time Cassandra told me a story about these moons."
"Story?" Linda smiled. "Do tell."
Altair grinned, pointing out the individual moons. "Well, the first Draconians who saw these moons were immediately dumbstruck at their beauty that they thought they were Gods, watching over them. Especially that one." He pointed at the largest. "That one is called Urse'dera. The Goddess of protection, who always looks over the people of Draco. That one," he indicated the severely scarred moon. "Is Buraldoges, the God of war, whose battles against unseen forces protect Draco every day. Oddly enough, his position in orbit and severe gravitational pull protects Draco from hundreds of meteors every year. That one there," he pointed at the moon bathed in a crimson glow. "It is believed he absorbs all the evil in the Draconian hearts, protecting them from each other. They call him Maefistes, the God of malevolence. He is only evil while evil exists on Draco. For long there's been a prophesy that one day that moon will no longer glow red. The day all evil is vanquished." Altair stopped, while Linda waited for the last one. The orphan didn't say anything, his eyes slowly turning back to the smallest of the moons.
"And that one? The smallest of them?" Linda pointed.
"That one?" Altair sighed. "He's not the most powerful or the most respected of the Gods. He is always ready to run, ready to spring into action and get help should the other three Gods fail to protect Draco. He leaps like lightening and runs with the wind. Draconians call him 'the flying one.' The messenger God." Altair stared at it for a moment longer before sighing. "They call him Altair."
"No way." Linda whispered with surprise. "You're named after him?"
Altair grinned, shrugging. "One of the Chaos Guild assassins sent after me named me that way. A futile effort to call me a coward I suppose. I decided to stick with it."
While thinking about the subject of Altair's past and Chaos Guild assassins, there was a question nagging Linda. "Altair, you never told me who that person was that was chasing you earlier today. You didn't even say what happened."
Altair was still staring at the moon he was named after when he took a breath and decided to begin from the beginning. "The Chaos Guild tried creating a personal army. Recruits were called Conscripts. They were anything from human to Gaian. Among them was a Draconian aristocrat called Artemisia. Her job was to hunt and kill me. I had enough blood on my hands, I didn't want hers added to that. So I ran, and ran, and ran, while other orphans fell behind me. She cut a bloody path through the galaxy, becoming more and more obsessed with me with every day I evaded her. Before I realised I was creating a monster, it was too late. Eighteen of my brothers and sisters died by Artemisia's hands in her pursuit to destroy me. Finally I stopped running... we fought... I won..." Altair sighed.
Linda let out a breath, resting her head in her hand, still gazing at the orphan. She couldn't even imagine what must have been going through the human's mind. The guilt he must have felt every day he lived. He had killed people, he was responsible for so many deaths, Gaian and human alike, but Linda knew he wasn't a murderer. He wasn't a violent person. He had a conscious, and it must have been hurting him a lot since the Orphanage Massacre.
"You're not a murderer." Linda said softly.
"I'm cursed." Altair said shortly. He didn't mean to be so sombre, but he couldn't really help it. "I'm sorry. I should be more cheerful. It is the four moons festival after all." He glanced down at his watch which glowed a faint green in the pale moonlight. "Should be starting in a few seconds."
As much as Linda hated Altair changing the subject, she had to feel some excitement. She didn't even know what the festival entailed. She had only seen the sketchy details on an encyclopaedia back at home. And minute now she would find out what this was all about.
Suddenly a long roar echoed through the night. The Draconian's long roar was soon joined by another, and quickly by other. Soon enough, the sky was filled with the thunder of hundreds of Draconians' pleasured roars.
"Is that..." Linda sat up, hardly believing her ears. "Are they..."
Altair chuckled, sitting up beside her. "What? You never knew the Four Moons Festival doubled up as the Draconian mating season?"
"So why the human slaves?"
"They join in... sometimes." Altair grinned, laying back down, using his hands as a cushion for the back of his head.
Linda sat up a bit straighter and peered across the street directly in front of her. One of the windows in the building ahead was lit up and open, the silk drapes billowing outward in the evening breeze. Inside she clearly saw the bed and three figures. An inky blue scaled female, a pretty middle-aged Draconian with a seductively curved body was bent over the foot of the bed. Impaling her from behind was a young human man with flushed skin, already sweating and twitching feverishly as he hugged the Draconian's powerful tail while thrusting in and out of her. The female stroked the human's narrow hips with one hand while she moaned lovingly, pumping a black scaled male Draconian's member in her mouth.
Mouth open slightly, Linda turned her head and looked at a rooftop about a block away. It was dark enough, but still, the two white scaled Draconians were clearly visible. The female straddled the male's crotch, her tongue rolling out the side of her maw while she hungrily thrust up and down on him, her roars of pleasure momentarily echoing over the thousands of others.
Looking all around, Linda saw more similar scenes. Some involving just Draconian couples. Others were just human males with their Draconian mistresses, or female humans with their Draconian masters. There were even a few couples who used the human slave to double-penetrate the female in the planet-wide orgy. It was an unbearably erotic sight, everywhere she looked was sex. Soon Linda felt herself tremble as her crotch grew damp. Even when she closed her eyes she could still hear their orgasms and imagine them.
She looked sideways at Altair and he looked back at her. Slowly Altair propped himself up on one elbow and leaned closer. Under the pale moonlight, in the open air with a thousand songs of pleasure sung around them, the two kissed deeply... lost in each-others' arms. Altair finally felt safe. For the first time in a long while, he was contented.
Slowly he broke the kiss and gazed into Linda's lust filled eyes. "Linda," he whispered. "I don't know what will happen. If we could ever settle down. If we could ever..." he wanted to add 'be happy.'
But Linda silenced him with a finger against his lips. The cheetah merely smiled. "As long as I'm with you, it doesn't matter. I love you, Altair."
Altair smiled. "I love you, Linda."
They kissed deeply again. Linda pulled him on top of her, holding him tightly as her legs wrapped around his waist. Already she felt his erection press against her. But Altair made no motion to pull back. Finally. It was finally time. Linda felt her heart flutter. To say she was happy was an understatement. Words could not describe her feelings at that moment.
She would have Altair as her own. No longer her orphan... he was her human.
The End