Quills

"Hahaha. Put that back on." Nora bashfully plead. Liem subtly flexed. He was very muscular. He had a healthy amount of fat, it looked like he put a lot of effort and thought into exercising. 

'Is he showing off or is he interested in me? Or does he not know better? I wish I had the EQ to know these things. I do not want to ruin things between us by acting out.' Nora thought.

"What is your family like?" Nora asked to change the subject.

 "I have thirteen brothers and one sister. Mother has had many multiple pregnancies. So we have a large family already." Liem beamed. "I have 8 fathers now. We will meet the two new ones when we go to my home. My biological father came from a large natural family too." Liem said. 

"Are you close to them?" Nora asked. She watched his face change and determined that he might be a little like her.

"They are close. I have not been home for years. I preferred to see the world and learn new things. We used to be close." Liem answered Now that he was closer to home he had been in touch with his father and mother more. He started to miss them,and was curious to meet a couple of his new brothers. Liem smiled.

"Was your family close?" Liem asked. 

"I had a twin. Ivy and my mother died in the same accident. We were very close. I blamed my father for it. He was away. The clan fell apart afterwards. Learning is the only thing that comes easily to me. So I would often learn by myself alone away from the Clan too. I regret it sometimes. Now that they are gone." Nora said, she should keep her secrets guarded. But she was lonely. Liem did not react. 

"I lost a sister, she was born dead. When I was ten. Things changed in my Clan after that as well." Liem said remembering the brutal loss that the family suffered. Somehow Nora and Liem's hands found each other as they consoled each other. Nora sucked in a deep calming breath that turned into a sigh. "Put that back on already, I get it. I am getting pretty strong too." Nora said.Liem heard a chime in his ear notifying him that someone was at the door. He withdrew his hands. He felt his ears heating with a blush. Liem opened his interface to read the message. He made the screen visible to obfuscate the blush that crossed his face.

 " They are here now, so I will have to. Stay out here until I come and get you? I know what you mean and respect it. We will be quick. I will help them. We are just going to clean things up here." Liem said, stood and walked to the door. "Try to finish the snacks as best as you can. You are still under weight." Liem said as he left. Nora picked at the platter, eating the cheese, meat and fruit. She then closed her eyes for a nap. She did not mind. 

Liem opened the door to the room using the biometric lock. Two Bitas level staff members came into the room with a cart. The staff change should have happened or be happening soon. There was a short list of men that were acceptable enough to wait on someone they were not clan bound. They headed off into the bathroom to collect the linens and stripped the bed of its sheets. The other started to clean the surfaces. Liem made up her bed. He tossed the dirty linen behind him in a pile.

'These men again. Let's get them out of here quickly.' Liem thought. He made a mental note to rotate the staff out of the building and made a notation in his agenda. He was satisfied with their work, but this was the second time he saw the pair today and the second shift this week. The only reason these two were allowed to work another shift is that the other staff had not arrived. These men were rotated to security and were on shift until earlier this morning. They were still in light gear. Liem finished his work and took some time to check his social communications. 

'I'm not going to that.' Liem thought, looking at the invite. His father had been communicating with him more since he moved to Callor. Liem was surprised to find one from his sister Leilanna inviting him to a Conception Celebration in the family complex. He went to reply to the invitation when his vision was obscured suddenly. He felt a tight grip around his neck. He struggled fiercely, swinging his elbow backwards into the attacker. The attacker grunted and proceeded to choke him out with more malice. 

"Damn this Alphe. He's a strong one." Davos cursed, spittle dripping as he endured the shot while the Alphem struggled harder.

"Zeoren, Quick!" Davos shouted. He gripped the dirty linen, pulled over Liem's head hard and punched him in the side of the head with force. He dragged Liem to the ground with a lot of effort. Liem thrashed fighting back punching and kicking wildly. Zeoren leaped on him, holding him down. The young man eventually went limp.

"Davos! He is out, if he dies someone will come." Zeoren said. "If there is a bleed, we will not have long either. Do not think of killing anyone. Over the terrace like we discussed" Zeoren said nervously. 

"Give me the cuffs, I'll secure his wrists and ankles" Davos said to his mate. Years of peacekeeping together and their relationship over the past twelve years gave him an understanding of Davos's temper; Zeoren dared not cross him. He did not want to do this. Davos was going to do it without him and when he did, it would still be his end. Because he knew. The only thing he could do was to make sure that no one else died. That their sons would be able to live on afterward. Two of them, both a mixture of them. Why could it not be enough for him? It was enough for him. Zeoren handed the cuffs to Davos with a shaky hand.

"We'll need to get to the door first," Zeoren said. Davos pulled his unconscious body to the biometric lock and opened the secured patio door. Zeoren held the door open as Davos bound and restrained Liem tightly with peacekeeper restraints and threw him in the sleeping chamber. Zeoren hoped that the damn Alphem would just wake up quickly. Davos gave a hand sign to Zeoren that signified that he was successful, and the two headed out to the patio with a bag full of restraints and gear for the operation. Zeoren dryly swallowed. This was now the last day of their lives. He was not into this. He could try to fight him again. Davos always won. He had pleaded with Davos, but he had beat him with the rod at home instead and threatened the children's lives. 

They had passed all the tests and screening for this assignment, and others in the past. Zeoren's heart was broken, a person could mask the evil tendencies that lurked within their hearts simply by just lying. He thought that they were enough for each other, but something changed in Davos when they started this assignment. He loved Davos, and he would rather end his own life than live without him. He knew that there was not going to be any redemption or life for them after this was done. So everything had to be done right. They moved and acted as rehearsed. 

Nora dozed on the patio, the warm breeze lapping comfortably at her body. She had fresh fruit, drinks and snacks to consume as part of her medical diet neatly organized on a tray. Her life was filled with learning, but the rest was like a vacation at a resort. She had never felt this relaxed in her life. She decided to embrace whatever was thrown at her. Though she would be scared, she was certain her fate would not be as terrible as such a rare existence. In her slumber she heard a new alert chime in her ear and opened her interface to investigate. She was often shocked by the ability of the tools she was given, but it did get very annoying. Especially when she was trying to sleep and a health notification would pop up. It could be invasive at times. The interface was like a powerful laptop with a constant connection to the internet. Her doctors were able to remotely review vitals and lab tests were performed automatically to ensure users were kept in optimal health. It also apparently tracked hormones and that chime was to tell her that she was ovulating. She felt that it might be necessary for women of this world. 

'What is the solution to menstruation bleeding? Would it just show up like everything else on a platter or in a gift box? How could I even ask? It is going to come soon now without the pill.' Nora thought to herself. She sighed, shutting the damn tool off as she squinted against the bright sunlight. She closed her eyes again to enjoy her private time. A few minutes later, she heard the door open and movement. It was unlike Liem not to talk when he entered the room and odd that he did not leave with the others. He was really deliberate in making her feel safe in a society of men and a great teacher. He explained as to why he kept the staff clear of the floor or why they went to places, and they were abandoned. He explained that there would be a lot of enthusiastic fan fare and that people were excited to meet her. She missed her world and the people in it that she cared about. At least she was treated humanely and with respect here. This planet's social pecking order made her really uncomfortable.

"Liem? Did you forget something? Is it all done?" Nora asked, puzzled, it usually took time and the floor cleaning tool had not woken her up this time. When she opened her eyes, she was temporarily blinded by the sun. She turned to see the two of the staff members behind her.

"Greetings?" Nora said, with a nervous smile on her face. Something seemed very off. She laughed nervously. "Is there something wrong?" Nora said, sensing the dangerous aura coming off the pair. "Liem, can you come out here please? Help! " she shouted. She looked at the two large men standing in front of her silently. She looked up seeing a shift in attitude in the large handsome men. It was a desperation and a primal need. Nora gulped looking at the two men standing in front of her. She heard Zeoren cry before Davos, his partner quickly rushed towards her.

"He will not be bothering us," he said. Nora's eyebrows knitted, she was confused and scared. 

"What do you want?" Nora said, nervously. She knew what they were most likely after. Her fate was teetering towards death if she did not react. First by stalling them. These men were big. Much bigger than her. Fighting her way out of it would be impossible. Adrenaline surged as she moved to escape the patio. She could lock them out here. She leaped to her feet and roughly pushed one of the men aside that was blocking her way. He was like a wall of muscle. She felt the sharp tug of pain as the man captured her hair and pulled her back as she tried to escape. She grunted, pulling away despite his hold on her hair. 

She thought she was free as her scalp tore, and she lost a chunk of hair. Large hands grabbed her by the hips. She kicked in the air, her legs wildly flying, her nails scratching at the forearms capturing her. A hand clamped on her and held her arm painfully as she continued to fight like hell. She squealed in pain, it felt like he could break her arm if he applied any more pressure. She wrestled harder. She felt a hard punch in her side. She coughed and almost threw up from the pain. 

"Stop, and it will hurt less. You might even live to see another day." Davos spat coldly. 

"Do not do it. Please. Think of what you are doing!" Nora pleaded. A hand covered her mouth. 

"It is too late for that, Nora," Davos said. Nora felt the air leave her chest as the man grappled her into a bear hug from behind. He crushed her briefly until she began to see blurring around the edge of her eyes. 

"Hegh. Hegh. Hegh" Nora wheezed as she struggled to breathe. She violently kicked at the man's shins, landing a blow. Davos grunted in pain and released her and threw her back down on the seat in a quick throw.

"So you do not want to live? Fine." Davos spat at her. Nora felt the pain of the impact briefly as the wind was knocked out of her lungs again. The technology in her body numbed the sharp pain from the impact seconds later. Davos pressed himself down on her body and roughly grabbed her face with his giant hands and captured her mouth in a rough kiss. Shock and fear overcame her as she felt her failing arms painfully grabbed and tightly bound. The pain quickly disappeared afterward. She bit down hard on Davos's tongue and tasted his blood as he started to scream. He parted and laid heavy angry slaps on her face. Davos took out a med kit after spitting blood from his mouth and healed the injury like it was nothing to him. 

"I was going to make this pleasurable for you," Davos said, filled with loathing. "Did you think we came unprepared, this much cannot hurt us, you dumb savage," Davos said while smirking. Blood ran like drool from Davos's, he spat, blood splattering on the surface next to her. Nora screamed loudly in fear. The men began to disrobe. She bitterly cast a look of disgust at them. 

"No. I was just defending myself. Please don't do this. Somebody help." Nora shrieked. She wildly kicked and strained against her bindings. Nora shrieked as loudly as she possibly could as her clothing was being ripped off her.

"Liem, help!" Nora sobbed. 

"Li-em where are you?" Nora sobbed and pleaded. 

'"Huuuh." Liem gasped in shock as he regained consciousness. He head pounded in pain. Liem's eyes shot open as he regained consciousness. He panicked as his vision was blocked by the sheets wrapped around his head and tightly bound. He worked on getting out of the restraints. He strained himself multiple times, brute forcing a break through the restraints as he was trained using a special twisting motion by his friend Kai. These cuffs were not made to truly withstand the Alphem physiology. The Bitas were weaker. But not in numbers. He tore the sheets of his head and neck in a panic.

"No. No. No." Liem said quietly as he called for help on his interface quickly. Liem desperately ran out onto the patio to find the two men who had subdued him nude. Nora was bound, injured with blood running from various wounds. Her clothing torn crudely. Nora was resisting like a wild animal and screaming. Hate, sorrow and disgust of the men filled him as he rushed at them not waiting for backup. 

"Disgusting." Liem spat. Zeoren was the first to rush at him he was defending the other man. Something animalist and primal came over him. Liem threw all his weight in a hard punch. It connected with the man's face. He punched Zeoren first in the nose. Blood spurted out of his nose and mouth. As he grabbed his face screaming and then swung at Liem angrily in retaliation. Liem punched him in the throat. Zeoren screamed but it came out as honking gurgle. Liem kicked the man hard in the abdomen, knocking him down. A wet thud was heard, as the corner of the table punctured his skull. Blood seeped out of the man's skull at a rapid pace through his nose, mouth and wound. He quickly succumbed to the injuries and died.

"You are going to suffer so much you will beg for death," Liem said. He grabbed and pulled the second man off of her and started to beat Davos with great malice and impatience. Liem has spent years in the same training facility and has learned the martial arts of the Setton family. He had learned how to inflict pain in a way that bypassed the Interface software and could not keep up with. He was a skilled interrogator and taught to withstand pain. The man shrieked as Liem started breaking bones systematically. Davos squealed like an animal with each move.

"Please ha-" Davos started to beg before the pain hit hard. Liem smashed the back of his head into the ground. Blood ran from his knuckles as he briefly felt the sting from the split skin of the surface of his hands.

"Oh, you will not even get to beg now." Liem said snidely. Liem hammered his fist down in a slamming motion. The cries of pain became gurgles as the man's jaw fractured. Liem manipulated the jaw to keep him breathing and tortured him further. Nora's sobbing pulled him back to reality. He would have murdered this man too.

'She is witnessing all this and was assaulted. Take care of her. He is a dead man anyway. You got to get her covered and out of here. Now,' Liem thought. His spine straightened. He summoned all his mucus into his mouth and spat in the man's face. 

"Piece of feces." Liem said, full of seething rage. He played with the loose jaw bone as the man groaned. If he had time, he would prolong the torture. She needed him more than he wanted to make the torture last until the man could no longer bear it. He looked at her and sucked in a breath, she had so many injuries. He wrapped his hands around the mans throat depriving him of oxygen.

"Stop, you are going to kill him. Liem!" Nora sobbed loudly, pulling shreds of fabric to cover herself. Liem's eyes watered. He stared at his bloodied hands. They started to tremble from the adrenaline surging through his body.

"Oh no. Nora, I am sorry. I was so angry." Liem briefly broke looking at the blood. He wiped it on his pants, stood up and kicked the man hard. He could not 

"Oh, Nora." Liem sobbed. Liem undid the restraints. A tear rolled down his face. He had focused on his feelings. Not hers.

"Nora, it's over. I am sorry" Liem choked. He clamored, tearing the fabric off the awning, covering her body. He removed the restraints off her wrists. Nora would be traumatized by this for all her life. He was supposed to protect her. He promised her. Tears ran down his face.

"Li-e-e-m. Why? How?" Nora bawled curling up into a ball. Her mouth and cheeks stung as she spoke. She shook in pain and fear.

"I - I am so sorry this happened to you. I do not know why. They took me by surprise and knocked me out. They used me to open the door. I should have been more careful." Liem said as Nora defensively covered herself, she trembled. Liem grabbed the UV cover and wrapped it around her.

 "Men will be here soon to clean up everything. Do not look anymore. "Liem said. The terrace was covered in puddles of blood. It had one dead and a disfigured naked one on the ground. The Peacekeeping force from downstairs will be there soon.

"Enforcement is coming. Is it okay if I carry you out? We will go to my quarters across the hallway." Liem said, his voice quivered.

"Yes," Nora said sadly, nodding. Liem lifted her he noticed that her usual scent was far more intense now, then it was later. He was used to it, if at most it would muddle his mind. None of the products they used could explain the phenomenon or resolve it. It was not a health problem, it was innately genetic. It was not considered a flaw. It was not a motivator for the abhorrent and senseless act at all. This was obviously planned, they came prepared with enough cuffs, oil and knew that the terrace door was biometric. If she had not fought as hard as she did, and if he did not know how to get out of those restraints, they would have tormented her for as long as possible. 

"Your injuries, do not be scared. Do not look in the mirrors." Liem said shakily. Her face was swollen. They had beaten her so badly. They had just finished the first meal earlier and the second meal was not due for hours. His mind buzzed with what the outcome would have been. It was horrifying and shook him. He could feel her shaking. Peacekeepers entered the suite before they were able to leave. He was surprised to see his uncle. At least it meant they would be able to manipulate the news when it got out if Allari men were here.

'How did he end up here? Did Mother happen to look in at the right moment?' Liem thought, grateful for the invasion of their privacy at the moment.

"I will need Medical Across the Hall in my suite. Merren, you can direct the rest." Liem barked out directions. His uncle nodded while giving him a concerned look. He shielded her from their gazes as he left the terrace and made his way through her suite. He suddenly remembered these two workers' files. They were chosen as they were parents. Liem thought as he trembled with rage. He was not okay.

'Hold it in, she needs you now. Stop shaking. Take a deep breath.' Liem thought as settled his emotions down enough to see the immediate emergent issues. 

'How could someone do this to someone for pleasure to begin with? The real motive was controlling and psychologically damaging people. It is good that they die Nora, myself and those children are going to live with this for the rest of our lives.' Liem thought.

Nora was not okay. She thankfully survived, but she would live with this, the fear of it happening again. Regrets filled him as he looked at her. Her face was swollen. Her lip was torn. Her arm and ribs could be fractured. The more he pictured the wounds, the more enraged he became. He did not feel as terrible about inflicting the amount of pain he could, while he could. Regrets poured through his head for turning his back to them. He even said he was grateful that they would stay to help with communication. Liem opened the door to his suite. She was so light. So small.