The Mamluks (The Mamluks Saga: Episode 1) by Edward Lake

laser device to stitch up a cut on his
cheek.
    “Wow, that thing can do it all.”
    “The sija is a superb tool.”
    “ Ah —so they’re called sijas .” I nodded slowly,
pondering. “How are they made?”
    “The programming is sent from Marsden. It is then installed
in the gears. The physical exterior is crafted by one of my prisoners.”
    “That’s interesting. Who’s the prisoner?”
    “An Ecknor named Elos .”
    I blinked my eyes. “What’s an Ecknor ?”
    “They were the dominant species of the planet Eztu —before
we arrived.”
    My eyes got wide. “ Whoa , wait a minute. You’ve
conquered other planets?”
    Adomas nodded. “Four to be exact—including Earth. Eztu was
to be the last. Then the tragedy of our females occurred.”
    Giedre finished patching up Adomas and left. I took off my
robe and got on my back. Adomas came to the bed and undressed. I smiled as he
looked down at me.
    “So, you’re just a big bad bully.”
    “A bully ?”
    “Yeah, an intimidator.”
    Adomas smiled and nodded, climbing on top. He gently brushed
his fingers along my body, eying me all over. “Yes, a magnificent bully .”
Adomas lowered his head and kissed my breast.
    I closed my eyes and moaned, feeling his soft, wet lips
against my skin. “Yes, you are.”

 
     
    Chapter 37
     
    Two soldiers came to the dungeon and took me and Robert outside.
I was expecting them to split us up like always. But instead, they led us to
another tunnel on the other side of the building. We walked down and stopped at
a metal door. One of the soldiers pressed a button on her device that opened
the door, revealing a steep stairway.
    We went down the steps and walked into a spacious dungeon.
There was someone on the far side, organizing an assortment of gears on a group
of tables. The few candles lighting the room made it difficult to see.
    “ Humans —you will be working with him now. Follow his
orders—or you will be killed.”
    The soldiers left and closed the door. The mysterious figure
turned around and came forward. He had reptilian skin, a lumpy face and webbed
hands. Even stranger was the mask the creature was wearing. It covered mostly
the back of his head, with a speaker fastened to his mouth.
    “I am Elos,” a computerized voice said, coming from the
speaker.
    Robert and I glanced at each other.
    “Right this way.” He quickly went back to where he’d been.
    I studied the room as we followed him. There was a machine
near the far wall that looked like something you would find in a factory. It
had all sorts of outlandish controls and a conveyor belt coming out the end.
    I turned and checked the tables, scanning the unusual gears.
“What is all this?”
    Robert walked to a table and picked up a gear. He studied it
for a second, then handed it to me. I narrowed my eyes as I looked it over.
    Thereafter, Elos walked by and took the gear. “I will
explain.” He set it down on the table.
    “Who are you?” I asked.
    “I am a prisoner of Adomas. My duties are to craft the sija’s exterior and bind it with these gears.”
    “What’s a sija ?” Robert said.
    “The device used to combat your kind.”
    My body grew numb. I looked at Robert like we had just won the
lottery. And right after, I looked back at Elos with wide eyes. “This is where
their weapons are made? But I don’t understand. Why would you help them?
    Elos pointed at the collar around his neck. “I have no
choice.”
    Robert gave him a somber look of understanding. “What is
your species, Elos? And where are you from?
    “I am an Ecknor, a descendant of the planet Eztu .”
    I stepped forward. “How did you end up here?”
    “Dalia declared an end to her conquest after our
enslavement. Subsequently, the females of her society mysteriously lost the
ability to bear offspring. Dalia searched the universe for some time, looking
for a compatible species to carry on their bloodline. At last, she found
Earth.”
    A huge weight was lifted after hearing the