The Edge of it All

by Jessica Grayson

  He reaches forward to touch her, and I react instinctively. Lightning fast, I rip the blaster from his grip with one hand and slash his throat open with the other.

  Obsidian blood gurgles from his throat, streaming down his front. His eyes meet mine in shock as he puts his hand to the deep cut as if to stem the bleeding of his mortal wound. His mouth opens, but only a choked sound escapes his lips before he sinks to his knees and collapses to the floor.

  I turn back to Liana about to apologize for the gruesome display of violence but stop when I notice no sign of fear or disgust in her expression. Instead, her sharp gaze scans the door behind me. "Do you think there are more slavers on board?"

  "No. I only scent him and the three gladiators."

  Her eyes meet mine. "Good. Let's hurry."

  As we head for the cargo area, I consider the other two slaves being held with Grex. I am hesitant to free any strangers. Especially gladiators. Many of them are lethal...dangerous, and I wonder what species the other two are.

  When we enter the hold, Liana's expression betrays nothing of her fear, but my nose wrinkles at the acrid scent of it. She and Tr'lani were kept in a place like this for many solars, and I'm certain it calls forth dark memories. I wrap a possessive arm around her waist, both to comfort as well as keep her close to my side.

  The stale smell of sweat and blood fills the air, growing more pungent as we move toward the cluster of rusted metal cages. Dim lights cast sinister shadows from the row of slave collars and sharp instruments made to torture and break that line the racks along the wall. A hint of death lingers here as well, and I shudder inwardly as dark memories swim to the surface of my thoughts. But I push them back down as we approach the cells.

  Something moves in the shadows, and Liana tenses against me.

  "Soran? Is that you?"

  I smile when I recognize the voice of my friend. For so long, I believed he was dead. "Yes."

  The shocked look on his face is quickly replaced with panic as his nostrils flare, no doubt scenting his mate on our clothing. "Where is Abby?" The concern is evident in his voice as his yellow, reptilian eyes scan the space behind us, as if expecting her to be there.

  "She is safe. We came to free you, my friend."

  "What about us?" A low and menacing voice draws my attention to the shadows of the other two cells.

  Liana takes a curious step toward the nearest cage, searching for the owner of the disembodied voice.

  I follow beside her with my hand lightly resting on her forearm, reluctant to break contact with her body and ready to pull her behind me at a moment's notice.

  Two large, scaled hands with three claw-tipped fingers and a thumb wrap around the bars of the cage. Glowing lavender eyes stare at us, unblinking, with a predatory gaze. The click of its claws against the metal floor echoes loudly in the silence as it steps forward.

  My protective instincts surge, and I pull Liana behind me as I glare unflinching at the Garkol.

  Known throughout the quadrant as one of the most dangerous and lethal species, they are a race of formidable warriors. One of the few that is evenly matched to my own people. Their skin is the color of stone and almost as impenetrable. This makes them prizefighters in the arenas, for they are difficult to kill.

  Large sweeping horns curl back from his head, making him appear even taller than he already is as he stands at full height, staring down at my Ashaya. The muscles of his square jaw tic slightly before he opens his mouth. "Will you free my brother,” he darts a glance at the cell on the other side, "and I?"

  Bravely, Liana steps forward. "We're here to free all of you."

  A sinister grin spreads across the Garkol's face, revealing two sharp, elongated fangs. The other Garkol approaches the bars in the cage beside him, watching Liana with a curious and unnerving gaze.

  Garkols almost always fight in pairs in the ring. The crowd pays more to witness the cruel but effective brutality they inflict upon their opponents.

  I look down at my Ashaya. "They are too dangerous to be released. They are Garkols and might turn on us."

  She gives me a disapproving look before walking toward the first one's cell. "I don't believe that anyone should ever be subjected to slavery, to be treated as if you were nothing."

  The Garkol cocks his head to the side as he regards her, and I struggle to resist the urge to pull her back to my side.

  She stares him directly in the eye. "Give me your word as a warrior that you will not harm us if we release you."

  "My word?" A look of shock flitters briefly across his features. His nostrils flare. "I can scent your fear, and yet...you would take my word?"

  She straightens her stance and tips up her chin, holding his gaze. "Yes. I met one of your females. We were both slaves. She was kind to me. She told me that your people are honorable, but no one believes it because of your”—her eyes travel over his large and imposing form—“appearance." She pauses. "I met a man whose appearance was so similar to my own people, and that alone would have made me inclined to trust him if I'd met him under any other circumstance. But he was crueler than I could have ever imagined."

  My hands curl into fists at my side as she speaks of Talel.

  She continues. "I understand now that appearances mean nothing. Now, give me your word, and we will release you."

  To my great shock, he and his brother drop to one knee, bowing their heads before her. "You have our most solemn vow that we will not harm any of you if you free us."

  "Good." She spins to face me and gives me a subtle nod.

  Drawing in a deep breath, I clench my jaw and hesitantly press the release on the control panel. The sharp snap of the cells as they unlock fills the silence. Fierce protectiveness rushes through me, and I spread my wings to shield Liana behind me as the first Garkol steps from his cage.

  With a threatening glare, he approaches. My muscles tense in response, ready to attack if I must. Grex stands by my side to face him—the two of us forming a protective barrier between the Garkols and my Ashaya. The other one moves to the left as if to flank us. My low growl of warning stops him abruptly.

  The first one speaks, staring around me to Liana. His deep voice rumbles in his chest. "If ever we can repay this debt, we will. You have our vow as warriors of Garkolna.

  Liana pushes between Grex and me to step forward, extending her hand in the greeting that is customary of her people. The Garkol's skin shimmers with color, from bright red to orange, and the venomous spines of his arms and tail slap against his skin as they retract before he slowly reaches out to her. I watch with great anxiety as his much larger hand swallows her own, and they perform the "Terran handshake," I believe she calls it.

  He cocks his head to the side, and his sharp gaze travels over her form. "What are you?"

  She smiles. "I'm Terran. My name is Liana. What's yours?"

  He bows low before her. "I am Zuran, and this is my brother, Ulin. I have only seen a very few of your females in the slave circles. My brother and I helped free one not long ago." His gaze shifts to the other Garkol. "We were caught, but our brother, Orun, escaped with her. We received word that she is under the protection of our clan back home on Garkolna. No one will dare come for her there."

  Liana's eyes widen in shock. "What did she look like? What was her name?"

  "Amanda of House Knight."

  She gasps, and tears brighten her eyes. "Amanda Knight? She's my best friend and the doctor on my ship. Was she—did she have a dog with her?"

  "A...dog?"

  "An animal...covered in golden fur, walks on four legs.”

  "I am sorry. I did not see any creature like that."

  She looks down, nodding grimly before lifting her gaze back to him. "Please, give Amanda a message." Her voice is thick with emotions. "Tell her that Liana of...House Garza is so glad she's alive."

  He crosses his arm to his chest. "I vow to deliver your message."

  I place my hand on her shoulder. "We should go."

 
; She looks to Zuran. "How will you get home?"

  His expression softens at her concern. I did not know Garkols were capable of empathy. "Do not worry for us. We will find our way." He steps toward her and extends his hand again. "Only a few of my people have the gift of foresight. I am one of them. If you would permit me?"

  Liana gives him a questioning look but offers him her hand once more. When he takes it, he closes his eyes, and his skin shimmers from orange to dark green and back again. "You will find your home and your family. You are one of the great Uniters foretold in the Ancient Tomes of the Saraketh. You will bear four children, each of them as noble and brave as their mother."

  His eyes flick up to meet mine for a moment before returning to hers. "And you are wrong, Liana Garza of Terra. You are braver than you know. Bravery is not courage in the absence of fear. Bravery is having courage despite your fear."

  He and his brother bow low before her and step back. "I am honored that the Creator allowed us to meet. I know I will see you again."

  Zuran and his brother exchange a knowing look, and then turn to us. "We will escort you. You will need our help to make it back to your ship."

  Chapter 23

  Soran

  Zuran's words about us needing his help to get back to the ship are ominous, and my chest tightens with worry. I alert Rowan that we are returning with Grex and receive a message that our engines are already primed for FTL.

  As we make our way to the glider, several people watch us warily. Two Garkols, a Mosauran, a Lacerta, and—as far as they believe—a V'loryn walking through the station together must be a strange and perhaps even a disturbing sight. My eyes sweep over the crowd of people, scanning for any possible threats.

  Liana looks back to tell me something, but stops abruptly. All the color drains from her face as her gaze fixes on something over my shoulder.

  She rushes toward me, and I turn my head, following her line of sight as she cries out. "No!" Grabbing my forearm with a strength I didn't know she possessed, she pulls me off balance just as two bright lights shoot past me, narrowly missing my chest.

  The world shifts into slow motion as my eyes meet Talel's across the promenade. Flanked by several of his men, he fires again, and I cannot move fast enough as another blast races toward me. Raising my hand in futility, I cry out in panic as my Ashaya throws herself over my body to shield me with hers.

  Just as the light is about to reach her, Ulin jumps in front of her, sacrificing himself and taking the full brunt of the blast. His back explodes in a mass of burned tissue, and he drops to the floor.

  Zuran cries out and rushes to his brother.

  Chaos erupts on the station as people panic, frantically running in every direction in their attempt to escape the blaster fire.

  The mob blocks the path between the A'kai and us, giving us time to drag Ulin behind a nearby low wall.

  Zuran rolls him onto his stomach, and Liana stares wide-eyed at the wound, the tissue already knitting together as it heals. She reaches out to touch the charred flesh and then looks to Zuran. "How is this possible?"

  He darts a quick glance over the wall before answering. "Garkols are not easily killed." His eyes shift to mine. "Get back to your ship. You must hurry. We will hold them off."

  Liana protests. "You have to come with us. We can't just leave you here."

  His glowing lavender eyes meet hers evenly. "The Creator crossed our paths for a purpose. And I believe it was to help you escape."

  She starts to protest, but he cuts her off abruptly. "I assure you. My brother and I will not die today. We will hold them back for as long as we can, but the three of you need to go. Now! Before it's too late!”

  Scooping Liana up in my arms, Grex and I break into a run. Racing as fast as we can to the glider, I don't dare look back over my shoulder for fear that they follow us. Talel had at least a dozen A'kai Centurions, and I doubt we could take them all on if we had to.

  Grex looks to me. "We're not going to make it. We need to hide."

  He's right. Just up ahead, three A'kai round the corner, stopping us in our tracks. Before they can notice us, we turn down a side hallway.

  I press my comm to alert Rowan there's danger. It's a system we've had since we were children. A flashing red light should blink in a preset pattern on his unit. He'll understand exactly what it means without me risking sending a message that I'm certain would be intercepted.

  Weaving through a crowd of people, I curse myself for my carelessness. I should have been more alert. I thought that since we were so close to Mosauran space, this station would be better protected, that they wouldn't allow A'kai scum in here. Guilt and shame wash through me at the knowledge that I've placed my Ashaya in danger. I should have insisted she stay on the ship.

  Scanning the shops along the promenade, I search for a place to hide. A flash of gray skin catches my eye—another Mosauran—and I motion to Grex. "This way. Follow me!”

  He nods, and we race to the shop. I slam the door shut behind us, and reflective green eyes snap up to meet mine in a questioning look.

  I dip my chin in a quick nod of greeting. "Brother of Mosaura, may we shelter with you?"

  His sharp brows crease in confusion as he looks to me, Liana, and Grex. Without saying a word, he motions for us to follow him to the back.

  Shutting the door behind us, his eyes go wide as Liana removes the hood of her cloak. "My Prince," he says, having recognized me. "I'm surprised to see you travel with a V'loryn."

  "She's not V'loryn." I meet his gaze evenly. "Please. I ask that you help my Ashaya return to our glider." The moment the word "Ashaya" escapes my lips, I curse myself for saying it aloud. I still haven't even explained it to her.

  He visibly stiffens in surprise at my words. None of my people have ever bonded or found a fated mate outside of our race.

  "She is your...Ashaya?"

  "Yes."

  Liana's eyes meet mine, a question behind their sea-green depths, but she doesn't speak it aloud.

  He stares at her in wonder. "I did not know it was possible outside of our species."

  "Can you help us get to our ship?" I cut him off, hoping he won't have any more questions.

  He nods. "Of course."

  After trying once again to contact Rowan and Tr'lani, I get no answer. I suspect Talel has somehow jammed station communications while he searches for us. Surely Rowan got my message and understands why we're not there. That he'll wait for us, I have no doubt, but I do not want him to worry.

  Turning to Liana, I place my hands on her shoulders. "Do you remember the way back to the glider?"

  "Yes."

  "You must go. I will follow as soon as I can."

  She shakes her head. "No. I won't leave you."

  "You must."

  "No."

  I take both her hands in mine and lean forward to gently press my forehead to hers. Closing my eyes, I draw in a deep breath. "You have to. We are more likely to be caught if we travel together back to the ship." I open my eyes to find concerned-filled green ones staring deep into mine. "Please do not be so stubborn," I whisper. "You know I am right."

  Grex and the Mosauran shopkeeper watch us closely, but I do my best to ignore their curious stares.

  I wrap my arms tightly around her, running my hands over her long, silken hair as I hold her against my chest. "You are my heart, Liana. If you travel with me, they will find you for sure. They are looking for the two of us together." Placing two fingers beneath her chin, I tip her head up to mine. "Besides." I give her a teasing grin. "I am a big, strong Mosauran warrior. I will be fine."

  Despite the worried look in her eyes, a nervous laugh escapes her. "I can't believe you're joking at a time like this."

  I'm worried too, but I do my best to smile. I meet her eyes evenly. "You are as fierce as a Mosauran warrior, and I do not doubt your ability to make it back to the glider without difficulty. Trust that I am capable of the same, and we will be reunited shortly."

 
; Her gaze holds mine as a small smile curves her mouth. Stretching up on her toes, she presses her soft lips to my own once more. She feels so perfect in my arms, I'm reluctant to release her.

  She cups my cheek. "Be careful, my love."

  "I will."

  When she pulls away, I struggle against the want to gather her back in my arms. I don't want her to leave. She's so concerned for me when she is the one who is truly in danger. If she is caught... I shudder inwardly at the memory of her going still beneath Talel's hand as he violated her mind in the R'ugol.

  The shopkeeper steps forward, holding out a cloak. "Wear this."

  She drapes it around her shoulders, tying it firmly in place before pulling the hood over her head. She gives him a warm smile. "Thank you for your kindness. I will not forget it."

  He bows low before her. "Ashaya are sacred in our culture—a blessing from the Creator. It is my honor to help you in any way I can."

  Her gaze flicks to mine, and it is easy to read the question behind her eyes before she turns her attention back to him. "Thank you." Without another word, she exits the store, stepping out into the crowded plaza. I hold my breath until she disappears from view.

  The shopkeeper wastes no time turning back to me. "Why do the A'kai hunt you? Is there unrest between our two races?"

  Talel and his men pass in front of the store as I stare through the glass, my hands curling into fists at my side. My sharp claws dig into my palms, drawing blood as I struggle to contain my rage, resisting the urge to charge at them now. I want nothing more than to kill Talel for what he's done to Liana. "Her people—their blood is special," I explain. "The A'kai hunt her and her kind."

  His eyes widen, and Grex stares at me in shock. "Then my mate is not safe either," he whispers, and I give him a grim nod.

  My gaze returns to the plaza, the last spot I was able to still see her. At least, if Talel's here, he's not wherever she is by now, and I try to take comfort in that. Grex places a hand on my shoulder. "I didn't think I'd ever see you again. How did you find me?"

  I relay the story to him and the shopkeeper; my eyes never leave the A'kai as I track their movements along the promenade.