Serepto's Story: The AI Series, #2

By Rena Marks

The Sirian galaxy—where the Artificial Intelligence have come from—has blown itself up during a war that mimicked that of the destruction of her own planet, Terra. Shala was an infant when she and hundreds of other women were "rescued" and taken to live on the planet Zeta.

No one realized the rescue was slavery. Females were needed to breed with Zetans, adding diversity and emotion to their race that had been phased out by eons of inbreeding. After years of slavery, the Terrans escaped to a new planet, hiding in a galaxy far away. Their new planet is a hodgepodge safe haven for any race wishing for a new start.

During a quest to rescue cyborg slaves, Serepto lost Shala when she was recaptured by the Zetans hunting them. He'll lose everything to save her, including his legs. The one thing he can't retrieve is her memories of their love.

He just hopes creating new ones will be enough to remind her that she fell in love with him. A beast who was once created for war. A beast who was never good enough for the gentle, loving Shala.

Book 1 - Artificial Intelligence

Book 2 - Serepto's Story

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rena Marks
• Release date: Jun 8, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386958253

Rena Marks

Welcome to my Worlds! Rena Marks is a bestselling author with over eighty-five novels under her belt. She combines her love of science fiction with paranormal romance because no matter what happens in real life, a happy-ever-after never disappoints. Come get lost in my worlds for a few hours!

Book preview

Prologue

Jax? What is she like ?

The words from his brother Serepto rolled through Jax’s mind easily, just as if they were still a collective consciousness trapped in the computer system. It was Arian he referred to, the new being who’d discovered them and was allowing the growth of their organic bodies on her ship before the insertion of their intelligence, then allowing them to rise.

She’s amazing. Strong and honorable. She’s beautiful and dainty. A mass of contradictions that...somehow work.

Serepto was quiet for a minute. You sound different. Emotional now.

If Jax could have, he would have smacked his own forehead. He would have preferred to keep some privacy. Instead he would have to admit to things he wasn’t quite ready to understand himself. I am more emotional around her. It will be interesting to see if the rest of you are also...once you are reunited with a body.

None of them understood love. It was proved when Serepto immediately became all about business. The rest of us will evaluate whether or not she can be trusted. It sounds as if you are compromised.

To deny it would prove Serepto’s point, so Jax would acquiesce to his opinion. That is a reasonable request. Arian and I are growing six more bodies. When those are revived, we will have those six help revive more, and so on until all are merged.

The board will be the ones inserted into the first six. You are the seventh board member, and the therefore the tie-breaker.

Agreed.

Jax shut down communications. One day, perhaps even Serepto would find a mate of his own.

Two months later, on Apleadian:

Serepto stood next to Jax, but never took his attention from the small one called Shala.

She was an exquisite creature, fully Terran like Arian. Her hair was a curtain of black silk that hung thick and straight. Her eyes, large and oval, carried a wariness that added a mysterious realm shining through to their depths. Her cheeks and lips carried a natural pink tint that darkened whenever she looked his way.

She was interested in him. He knew it to be so.

That’s your imagination. The return thought was from Jax.

Get out of my head.

Then turn off your thoughts. You sound like a lovesick puppy.

He glanced at Jax, who was grinning broadly.

With a curse, Serepto looked away from his brother. He had no idea he’d been projecting his internal thoughts.

That’s how screwed up she has you, puppy.

Serepto shut down the connections to his mind after cursing again. But turning away from Jax allowed him to focus on Shala again. Perhaps Jax was right. Maybe he imagined her blushing was in his direction. Still, he had preferred thinking that way before Jax ruined his thoughts.

Arian made her way to Jax, and distracted him. It was the perfect opportunity to break away and follow Shala, though Serepto fought against flinching at the thought of being called a lovesick puppy twice. Now, he understood the draw Jax had toward Arian.

Shala knew he was there. Her movements were slow, and she and the woman she was with were both quiet. He’d have to tread carefully. The Protected had been so abused they were skittish around everyone.

And he was a brute of a being, created for violence. Violence stayed with you, even in a new body.

THE BIG BRUTE TOLD Shala in no uncertain terms that she was his. That he’d fallen irrevocably, completely in love with her. From that day forward, he’d arrogantly told her she’d forevermore sleep with him. As excited as she was, it still frightened her.

For now, I will just hold you, he’d said. When you are comfortable, you may do what you wish to me. Touch me, look at me. You can take a week or you can take ten years. It is totally your right to do anything you desire to me. I want to make it very clear that the choice is completely yours.

How could she not fall for him? What other man would be willing to wait ten years? From that day forward, Shala recognized him as hers and herself as his, as did everyone else on the planet.

Shala. As always, his deep voice was tempered soft as to not scare her.

She turned around, happiness at her first glimpse of him today. He’d left the ship early that morning, and one of the other AI had escorted the Protected to the village to tend to the gardens. It wasn’t nearly as cold anymore on Apleadian. While the winters were bitter, they were blessedly short.

I missed you, she said, hurrying into his arms. He was so much larger than she, but it never stopped him from pressing kisses to the top of her head while she hugged him tightly.

I missed you also. I’ve come to talk to you about an assignment. Arian and Jax are heading out on another expedition. There are at least three new trader posts Arian would like to hit. Would you be interested in traveling space?

She looked up into his eyes, a bit nervous, for sure. It had been three long years since she’d traveled, and that last trip had brought her here. Of course, they’d lived on the ship for a while, until Arian and her sons had found them a suitable planet on which to live.

He looked a bit nervous also, but she could tell he wanted this trip. And yet, as always, he gave her the choice. She had no doubt that he wouldn’t stay on the planet if she chose to do so. But really, safety was in his arms. It didn’t matter if they were here, or out there. Wherever his arms were was where she chose to be.

I would like to go, she decided.

A smile transformed his face. His bright, even teeth gleamed in the midmorning light. My love, I cannot wait to take you! There are so many things I wish to purchase for you.

Her jaw dropped, but just for a moment before she snapped it shut. Serepto, I’m going with you because I wish to be at your side. I never imagined your goal was to purchase trinkets for me. The idea was so ludicrous, she couldn’t help but giggle.

The large man pulled her close. There is nothing more I’d like to do than bring you happiness, he whispered into her ear.

For such an intelligent being as the AI, how did he not know he was her complete, total happiness?

Chapter One

C ome, beautiful. See what this trader has over here. The glow in Shala’s eyes matched the tiny, colored bottles of female toiletries—warming Serepto’s heart. It was the simplest things that made her happy. He’d gladly buy her one of the bottles in every color.

Arian! Shala called out, glee in every fiber of her voice. Come quick. Nail polish.

Arian turned from two tables ahead and walked quickly, her cloak covering the tattooed side of her face and neck. His AI brother, Jax, was not far from her heels. 

The pink is you, Arian said, laughing.

Serepto filed away that information. Shala would like that shade. A lighter pink on her fingers, and a darker pink on her toes.

And this one is you, Jax murmured to Arian, picking up a scarlet bottle.

Jax! Arian said. I told you only women who work the night can wear that color.

The women huddled together, laughing, while Jax purchased the bottle anyway.

Shala laughed—the sound pure and gentle, tinkling like the tones of the sweetest chimes on a delicate breeze. The trader—with his mustard yellow skin and stubby horns—glanced her way, at once mesmerized with her beauty. Glossy black hair framed her face in waves, and her cheeks flushed a delicate pink that matched the natural pink tone of her full, pouty lips. Her gorgeous blue eyes were clear and spectacular, especially framed with the lush, black curls of lashes.

What are you staring at? Serepto growled at him.

The shocked trader’s eyes met his, changing color in his nervousness. N-nothing. I meant no disrespect.

Keep your eyes off her, or I will pluck them out and smash them beneath my boot, he said.

Of—of course, sir.

Way to keep under the radar. Jax’s voice teased from inside his mind.

Serepto winced. Sorry. I will try to do better.

Or we can just head back to the ship.

Both Arian and Shala were staring at him with wide eyes. They were aware he and Jax communicated telepathically, as both of their eyes flashed with a glowing blue. He nodded, just once.

Let’s go, Jax murmured.

The four of them left through the shipping cargo area. Jax’s eyes continued flashing as he communicated with the other AI crew members aboard the ship.

Shala, I’m sorry, Serepto murmured, aware that he caused their impending early departure. I shouldn’t have called attention to you.

It was important to lay low, as both women were held captive on the planet Zeta until Arian broke away with a ship full of escaped slaves. After Arian found a planet for her people to settle on, she continued to pose as a trader, gathering supplies for them. It was during that time that she found his people, their metallic frames hidden in a hollowed core of their long-ago destroyed planet, waiting for their bodies to be grown and inserted with intelligence, the essence of their being. Before that point, his people had deposited their collective intelligence into the mainframe computers hidden in the planet before the explosion that destroyed everything.

Shala slipped her hand in his, and grinned with that tiny half smile that turned up only one side of her sexy lips. You cannot help being so whipped over me, Serepto. I will try to downplay the hold I have over you.

Don’t you dare, he growled, bringing her closer to him so he could bend to kiss the top of her head. The scent of her hair wafted upward—pure, sweet jasmine. As always, he carried a perpetual hard-on for her.  Shala’s arm snaked around his waist, and a sense of pride filled him. This exquisite creature allowed all to know she was his. He was so focused on his need for Shala, he hardly noticed that Arian stopped still in her tracks.

What is going on? he growled.

Trouble, Jax said with a resigned sigh, knowing his mate well.

Arian’s attention was focused straight ahead, at a covered cage with Zetan transcript on the muted teal covering. It was dusty, old and worn, an obvious ploy at keeping the cage nondescript, but apparently it was a technique Arian knew.

I’ll get the ship prepared for a fast getaway, Jax said, his eyes flashing as he communicated with the other AI crew on board.

They’re probably Cyborgs, Arian whispered. Occasionally, one or two will be captured and sold as slave labor. It works especially well if there are other Cyborgs under the slaver’s control. The newly captured have the fate of the others on their conscience. You either work as a slave, or the other held captive is slowly tortured.

We’re going to save them, aren’t we? Shala’s voice was thick.

Shh, little one. Do not stress. We will save anyone you wish. Serepto continued to plant kisses on that sweet, sweet hair.

Part of not being a puppy is not making promises to save the world, Jax teased.

Shut up. I’d like to see you stand up to Arian.

Jax sighed out loud, fully aware that Serepto asked the impossible.

You there, Arian called out to a passing trader. This is my cargo. Load it onto my ship. Quickly.

Sorry, lady. You’re mistaken. Move on.

Arian dropped her hood, exposing the Zetan tattooing on the side of her face and neck that made grown men shiver.

"Mistake? Do I really need to get the rest of the fleet here? You should be holding a Cyborg cargo for me and quite frankly, you’re wasting my time." To prove her point, Arian lifted a corner of the dirty fabric, tossing it up over the top of the cage. Inside, two males were hog-tied, bellies to the ground. Their gagged mouths snarled, and the tattooed model number stark across their cheeks easily marked them as Cyborg.

The trader’s eyes darted from side to side, afraid to be called out for the illegal trading of Cyborgs. I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were Zetan.

If they are damaged from being tied, you will pay dearly, Arian snapped.

No, no! They have not been tied very long.

Undo the shackles.

The trader’s eyes widened. But...with their strength... he glanced at her diminutive size.

I have a fleet full of Zetans. Do you really think they can escape in the thirty seconds it takes you to load them onto my dock?

As you wish.

With a click of a button, the electricity enabling the powerful magnets that hog-tied their hands and feet together released. Both men groaned as their tortured limbs separated.

They’ve been tied longer than you claimed, Arian threatened, her voice dangerously low.

Shit. She’s going to blow it by sounding too caring. Serepto said to Jax.

Jax placed his hand on Arian’s elbow, a slight warning.

Her voice lifted. We intend to breed these ones. There had better not be damage to their biological midsection.

Cyborgs are hardy. I’m sure they’re fine.

It was impossible to breed Cyborgs, they had been created in a laboratory. But if anyone had the technology to try, it would be the Zetans. The shock factor alone was enough to send the trader scurrying, barking out orders to wheel the cage to the end of the loading dock. Cargo lifters carried it to where the ship’s automatic arms lifted it aboard, and once it cleared, Arian turned to the trader.

We will inspect them before payment exchanges hands. Not waiting for an answer, she turned