by Anna Hackett
“You’re human,” Mia breathed.
“Yep.” The woman relaxed her fight pose, moving her staff up against her shoulder.
“Who are you?” Harper lifted her swords from the pile, her gaze on the woman. “I don’t recognize you from Fortuna Station.”
“And you weren’t on my ship,” Mia added.
“I was on Fortuna. I was a cleaner.” The woman cast a look at Harper. “Most people don’t have any time for the people who scrub up the messes, so that’s probably why you don’t recognize me. Now, like I said, we need to move.”
The woman disappeared along the platform. Galen and the others strode forward, and Mia hurried to follow her. The woman led them on a twisting path through the treetops. Once, they had to stop and crouch down, as Srinar passed by on an adjacent platform. Finally, the woman led them down a ramp and into the trees.
She didn’t stop, following some path only she could see.
After a few moments, she stopped and pointed ahead. “You can get out that way. Go straight for another twenty meters, and you’ll find a hidden door. Don’t stop, don’t turn. The plants will try to confuse you.”
“Wait!” Mia said. “We aren’t leaving. We have to get Vek.”
The woman frowned. “The blue beast?”
Mia straightened. “He’s not a beast. He’s a man.”
The woman raised a brow. “Sorry.”
“And we have to find Dayna. She’s another woman from Earth. We learned that there was another Earth woman here, and I guess that must have been you.”
The woman’s frown deepened. “There’s no other woman here.” She glanced over at Ryan. “Other than her. And she was just brought in a little while ago.”
“How did you get here?” Corsair asked, studying her carefully.
“The Thraxians sold me to some desert traders. I escaped, but got nabbed by the Srinar.”
Who was this woman? Mia blinked. She’d survived alone all this time? “What’s your name?”
“On Fortuna, I went by Linda Taylor.”
Harper nodded in recognition. “Lab cleaning crew.”
The woman inclined her head. “But my real name is Neve. Now, I never saw her, but I did hear talk of another woman held here. They said she was a good fighter.”
“That has to be Dayna,” Mia said. “She was a former cop, and trained in martial arts.”
“Wait.” Harper held up a hand. “Hang on a second. You were on the space station under an assumed name. You were a cleaner, but you took down three aliens without breaking a sweat, and you hold that staff with a hell of a lot of experience.”
“Was there a question in there somewhere?” Neve asked.
“Who the hell are you?”
“I work…or rather, worked, for Titan Corp.”
Harper nodded slowly. “You were a corporate spy. Axis Corp spent a lot of money ensuring no one on Fortuna Station was there to steal secrets.”
Mia’s mouth dropped open. She knew corporate espionage between the companies going after the lucrative space market was fierce.
“Not enough, obviously.” A small smile tipped Neve’s lips, then it was gone. “I guess it doesn’t really matter, now.”
“What matters is that we all get out of here,” Mia said. “Dayna? Any idea what happened to her?”
Neve shrugged. “She’s not here now. Maybe she was killed.”
Mia sucked in a breath, her chest going tight. No.
Harper touched Mia’s shoulder, and Galen stepped forward.
“We’ll worry about Dayna after,” Galen said. “For now, we need to get to Vek.”
Neve tilted her head. “If you go now, you’ll get out safely. If you turn back…there is no guarantee the Srinar will ever let you leave this place alive.”
Mia didn’t wait for Galen to answer. “We aren’t leaving without Vek.”
Vek was tired. Pure rage was the only thing driving him now.
He swiveled and thrust out his weapons at an incoming alien fighter.
In his head, all he thought about was Mia. The thought of her kept him going. The thought of his time with her kept him swinging and dodging. It was the one special moment in his life that wasn’t stained by blood and death.
He cut down another fighter.
Galen and the others would keep her safe. And she had her friends.
Their time together in the cave filled his head—her taste, her smell, the feel of her skin. The way she’d given herself to him completely.
It would be enough to sustain him until he found death.
He saw more of the small metallic balls whizzing through the air, circling each of the fighters. He stood over his last fallen opponent, chest heaving.
Ahead, the vegetation looked different. The lush green gave way to spiked, gray leaves that were long and narrow. They grew in clumps, reaching up as tall as Vek.
He approached carefully, one part of him listening for any incoming attackers. He knew he could track down other opponents, hunt them one by one using his skills and senses. But that would be giving his captors what they wanted. He would defend himself, but he wouldn’t drakking hunt.
Suddenly, the gray plants started to move, and a gray substance began to ooze from the bottom of them. He stepped back, but it flowed quickly, covering his boots. He tried to lift his feet, but the goo was sticky and drying fast.
He was stuck.
An undulating war cry echoed through the trees.
Vek tensed and lifted his forks. He kept trying to move his feet, fighting against the hold of the plant’s secretion.
Two orange-fur-covered aliens burst out of the bushes. One leaped at Vek, and he lifted his forks, stabbing at it. It yelped and flew over him.
The second one prowled by the edge of the sticky ooze, growling. Its eyes glowed with intelligence…and the will to live.
Abruptly, one of the spiky gray plants moved. The sharp edge turned into a blade, stabbing into the alien’s leg, severing it.
The alien fell, its piercing wail filling the air.
Vek strained more forcefully against the ooze, and managed to get one foot free.
The gray plants moved again, one of those wicked spikes whipping around and rushing at him. He sliced out with his forks, cutting the spiky end off.
He freed his other boot and jumped onto the grass. He took one step, and saw another pointed spine racing at him. Fast.
Too fast for him to avoid.
It rammed into his gut, blood spraying. Agony ripped through his stomach. Vek looked down, and saw the branch had pierced him deep. More gray ooze flooded around him. It covered his boots, and then he saw it shift and start to run up his legs. Through the pain, he tried to kick it off.
It reached his knees, and now he felt it burning, eating through his leathers.
More wild, undulating cries echoed from ahead of him. He tried to move but the pain made him groan. The plant was holding him in place so the incoming fighters could tear him apart.
Vek let his fighting forks fall to the ground.
He wouldn’t give the Srinar the chance to see him struggling, to see his feral despair. In his head, he saw Mia’s face, and a sense of peace drifted over him.
The gray plant discharge reached his thighs and started to solidify. His attackers flew out of the trees, screaming in blood lust. Their fur was already covered in gore from previous kills.
Vek kept his eyes open, watching his death approaching. Goodbye, Mia.
A flash of movement to the right.
A woman leaped out of nowhere, swinging a wooden staff. She was lightning-quick. Her staff slammed into one alien, driving it to the ground. She swung the staff behind her, and sent another alien flying.
“Drak, woman, you can fight.” Corsair appeared, firing a wicked-looking crossbow.
“Hit the plant with the flames,” the woman yelled.
Corsair lit his next bolt on fire and sent it sailing into the heart of the gray plant. Flames ran up the spiky leaves and
the plant shriveled in on itself, snuffing out the blaze.
Vek’s vision blurred. His legs gave out from under him, and he fell to his knees. He was so tired. He closed his eyes.
“Vek! Oh, God.” Mia stepped in front of him, her horrified gaze on his legs. Her shaking hand cupped his cheek.
Galen, Raiden, and Thorin materialized. Galen hacked away the now-hard ooze trapping Vek. He felt more burning pain, and a second later, he was being lowered to the ground.
He looked up, blinking slowly, staring at the dome high overhead, and the clouds beyond it.
“The wounds are bad,” Galen said. “The plant secretion has eaten his legs down to the bone beneath the knees.”
“And he has skin burns from earlier plus a bad gut wound,” Raiden added.
Mia leaned over Vek, tears sliding down her cheeks. One dripped onto his face. “You’ll be okay. Hold on.”
He stared into the face that meant so much to him. His Mia. His mate. “Everything I’ve suffered, I would suffer again for the chance to hold you in my arms.”
“Vek.” More tears poured down her cheeks.
“Mia, don’t cry.” He felt hands pressing against his legs, trying to staunch the flow of blood. Something was wrapped around them. “I die free and mated.” He smiled at her.
“No.” She cupped his cheeks, forcing his gaze to meet hers. “Don’t leave me, Vek. I’ve searched my entire life for you. I traveled across the galaxy to find my place, and it’s with you. All I’ve ever wanted is to find the thing that clicks, that feels right, that feeds my soul. All I’ve ever wanted is a person to love me just as I am. A person I love just as they are. Vek, you’re my one thing. I love you.”
Warmth filled him. He wanted to respond, but he couldn’t get his lips to work anymore.
Then there was no pain. He blinked slowly, seeing Mia was sobbing, but no longer hearing any sound.
She leaned down and he felt the soft press of her lips against his.
But then the darkness swallowed him.
Chapter Fourteen
Mia had read stories about people’s hearts breaking. She’d never really believed it.
Until now.
She felt such a terrible, wrenching pain in her chest, and she was sure her heart was tearing in two. There was so much blood, and Vek’s legs were so badly damaged.
She looked up at Galen. “Save him.”
Raiden was pressing wadded fabric against Vek’s legs and wrapping them in his cloak. “The gut wound isn’t as bad as it looks, but the bleeding from his legs won’t stop. I’ve poured in all our med gel, but the wounds are too severe.”
“Likely a toxin in the plant’s secretion is designed to increase the bleeding,” Thorin said.
“I fucking hate this place.” Mia looked around wildly. Harper’s face was filled with sadness, and Ryan had a hand pressed to her mouth, her eyes wide.
“He needs a regen tank,” Galen said.
Mia tasted bile in her throat. She knew it was a long, arduous journey back to Kor Magna. He’d never make it. She swallowed, staring up at the dome, fighting back tears. On the inside, a scream wailed through her head.
Then she blinked. Wait. They were in the wreckage of a starship.
“Neve?” She glanced over at the woman. Neve was standing nearby, her staff held firmly in her hands, ready for an attack. “Have you seen any smaller ships in here? Shuttles? Escape pods?”
The woman frowned. “There’s an area behind the dome where the Srinar do all their maintenance. It’s full of engineering equipment. And that’s where they breed new plants or heal any that have been damaged.” She lifted a shoulder. “I’ve only been in there once, but I got caught quickly.”
“We need to get back there,” Mia said.
“The door is secure,” Neve added. “I was able to slip in behind some Nerium guards the last time.”
“I should be able to hack the door controls,” Ryan said.
Galen lifted his chin. “Take us there. Thorin?” The big gladiator leaned down and lifted Vek.
They headed off, Neve leading the way.
“Why haven’t you escaped?” Corsair asked Neve. “You seem to know the inside of this craft well, and the places where you can get out.”
“None of your business.” She pushed through a wall of green.
They had just cleared some thick vegetation, when two red-skinned fighters rushed at them. Raiden and Harper leaped forward, moving in perfect unison. Raiden swung his sword, and Harper leaped high, twin swords in her hands. They brought the attackers down with a few hard, swift blows.
But as they moved again, several large, scale-covered animals skittered out from the trees, creeping closer on six legs. The gladiators and Corsair moved in. Neve leaped over the top of one creature, her deadly staff swinging in a blur. After a few tense moments, they had dispatched the beasts. A mere second later, the bushes ahead started shifting and moving, preparing to attack.
Mia’s jaw clenched in frustration. The attacks were slowing them down so much, they were barely making any progress. She looked at Vek’s still, drawn face. He didn’t have much more time.
“The Srinar are watching all our moves,” Galen said with a scowl.
“I can shut down the cameras.” Ryan pushed her dark hair off her face. “Hell, maybe I can shut down the whole damn streaming system. But I have to plug in to do it.”
“I’ll show you where you can access it,” Neve said. “But it’s in the opposite direction of the maintenance bay.”
“We’ll split up,” Galen ordered. He shot a look at Corsair.
The caravan master nodded. “I’ll go with them.”
Neve stiffened. “We don’t need protection.”
“I was hoping you’d protect me,” Corsair said with a wink.
Neve’s lips stayed flat, her face unamused.
“Go,” Galen ordered. “We’ll continue to the maintenance bay.” He glanced at Ryan. “If we can’t open the door, we’ll be waiting for you to do it.”
Ryan’s nose wrinkled. “No pressure.” Her gaze flicked to Vek. “I’ll get you through.”
Mia watched the small group disappear into the bushes and prayed they’d be okay.
“Stay close.” Galen lifted his sword and took the lead.
They fought off two more sets of attackers, before they hacked through some thick bushes and found a small, open patch of grass. Mia’s pulse leaped. On the other side of the patch stood a set of metal doors.
Galen stepped cautiously out into the clearing. Mia watched him assess their surroundings with a practiced eye, his posture indicating he was prepared for anything.
A buzzing sound filled the air, echoing off the trees.
“What now?” Raiden turned in a slow circle, scanning the vegetation.
Several large insects rose up out of some nearby bushes. Mia’s chest hitched. They looked like enormous bees, with black-and-gray striped bodies, and large stingers behind them. Great. Mia liked bees, but she had a feeling these alien ones were going to ruin her appreciation.
Thorin growled, hitching Vek’s body closer.
The bees’ buzzing ramped up a notch, and then, without warning, the swarm attacked.
As the insects arrowed toward them, Galen, Raiden, and Harper charged forward, swinging their swords.
Thorin crouched, and Mia did the same, throwing herself over Vek’s body. She heard Raiden let out a steady stream of curses, and she risked a glance. Bees were stinging the gladiators indiscriminately. The gladiators fought back, but the insects were quick, dodging the swords.
Mia felt an electric sting on her back and winced. Thorin waved a hand, knocking several bees away.
Anger charged through Mia. She felt another sting on her back, and the sticky wetness of Vek’s blood soaking her front. Somewhere, on a distant planet, assholes were sitting in their comfy chairs, watching people die for fucking entertainment. She looked down into Vek’s still face. Vek was suffering and dying, all for their
sick pleasure.
Screw this. She jumped to her feet, snatched up a stick, and started batting the insects away.
But it was no good. They kept coming. She glanced around the open space. Raiden, Harper, and Galen’s arms were covered in red welts from where they’d been stung.
Vek made a sound and Mia looked down. A bee was on his chest. She wrenched it off and threw it. Vek shifted sluggishly.
She stroked his face. “It’s okay, babe. I’m here.” Without thinking, she started to sing. It was a song she’d been working on since she’d arrived at the House of Galen. The lyrics flowed out of her. She closed her eyes and let her feelings flow into her voice.
It was a song about love, hope, and belonging. It was about trust and finding a person who’d never let you down. Who stood with you, without question.
About a man who saw deep inside her and made her feel whole. Made her feel special.
Vek settled and turned his face into her palm. Mia stroked his beloved blue skin.
When the song ended and the last note died away, Mia heard silence. No buzzing, nothing. She turned and her eyes widened.
The bees were hovering, all focused on her.
As the silence grew, she heard some of them start buzzing again, their movements jerky and angry.
“Mia, keep singing,” Galen said.
Mia swallowed and broke into Amazing Grace.
The alien bees quieted again, hovering as a group. As Mia kept singing, they started to sway.
She moved into Hallelujah.
Galen tore off his black cloak and tossed it over the bees. Mia kept singing, as the imperator carefully pinned the bees to the ground. Raiden and Harper brought some rocks over and secured the cloak on the grass.
“Well done,” Harper said to Mia.
“I just sang.”
“Well, it just saved our asses.”
“And Vek seems calmer and more stable,” Thorin added. Mia moved back to him, pressing her hand to his arm.
“Let’s get through that door, and see if we can find medical supplies or a ship,” Galen said.
They reached the classic, metal spaceship doors. Mia touched the control panel, but the lights just blinked merrily back at her. She tried several combinations, before she slammed her palm against it.
