Silver

by Siren Allen

  The child was shaking uncontrollably.

  “It’s okay kid. You did right. Whoever those monsters are, they need to stay where they’re at.”

  “Yes,” Frost nodded. “They have to stay where they’re at. So that everyone else can live.”

  Silver had no idea what the child was talking about. But he’d figure it out. First, he had to find Malia.

  “Frost, listen to me. Do you know where Malia is?”

  Frost nodded.

  “Good, will you tell me?”

  “You’ll get mad.”

  “I may get mad. But I won’t be mad at you. Tell me where she is.”

  “She’s on a ship.”

  “But not our ship?”

  Frost shook his head. “First she was on a tiny ship. Then she was on the ship I was on. The ship you took me and mata from.”

  “The Iron Bender?” Impossible.

  “Yes, that ship.”

  Shit. Fucking shit.

  Frost wiped a tear from his eye. “She’s not going to like it on there. But it’s too late. They don’t want to let her go.”

  “They have no choice. She’s mine. Stay here.”

  “Will you bring her back?”

  “Yeah, I’ll bring her back. Then I’ll get us all somewhere safe.”

  “There is nowhere safe.”

  “I’ll find somewhere. And if I can’t, I’ll kill whoever’s making it unsafe for us. Okay?”

  Frost nodded then resumed watching Nahid.

  Silver hated leaving the kid alone but he had to.

  “Ep is trying to get the doors fixed. They won’t close now, but when they do, will you be afraid in here alone with Nahid.”

  “No. Ep told me the code. I know how to get out.”

  “Good. I’ll be back to check on you.”

  “No, you won’t.”

  “What?”

  “You won’t come back here to check on me.”

  “Why not?”

  “You have to get Malia. You have to go now. Before it’s too late.”

  Shit. “What do you see?”

  “You have to go now.”

  The comm-device at his ear hummed with chatter. The crew was talking at once and he couldn’t understand what they were trying to tell him.

  “Silver, you better get up here.”

  “This shit ain’t good.”

  “How the fuck did they get her?”

  Silver turned and ran. He stormed across the bridge. When he reached the navi-deck his crew parted leaving a path free for him to walk to the main monitor. What he saw on the screen stopped his heart.

  “Malia.” Silver rushed forward and placed his hand on the screen. “Malia,” he called again. Why couldn’t she hear him? Why was she in a small room seated behind a table, all alone? How the fuck had they gotten her? “Malia,” he roared.

  The screen changed. All he could see now was Rhodes’ fucked up face. “She can’t hear you. That’s just the footage from the room she’s in.”

  “Rhodes, if you harm her I’m going to fuck you up. Do you hear me?”

  “I hear you, but your threats hold no weight with me. You see, I have the upper hand. You have something I want. And now I have something you want.”

  “Release her to me.” He could feel his anger bubbling up inside him. They had his mate. He would destroy them all.

  “Calm down, Sebastian before the veins in your forehead explode.”

  “Stop playing around and bring her back, now.”

  “See,” Rhodes massaged his beard. “That’s the thing. I didn’t take the bitch. She came to me.”

  “Lies. And you will die for calling her that.”

  “Oh you’d be calling her so much more if you knew that she was never there for you. I mean sure you took her and thought she wanted to be your mate. But truly, she was working with me this whole time. I’ve learned so much from her.”

  “Liar.”

  “Tell me then, how do I know that the boy from the cryo-chamber is called Frost. And the woman is called Nahid.”

  Silver saw red. Had Malia been a spy this whole time?

  Gamma touched his shoulder. “He’s been listening in. Remember the virus. Malia would never tell him that.”

  “Oh really?” Rhodes’ smirked. “Would you like to see footage of her telling us everything?”

  “Stop lying,” Gamma yelled. “Just give us back our girl.”

  “So are you all sharing her now?” Rhodes asked. “Is she down with that? Because my crew and I have noticed how shapely she is. I wouldn’t mind sharing her if she’s into double penetration.”

  Silver smacked his hand against the monitor and was surprised it didn’t crack from the blow.

  “Simmer down, boy. I’m not going to fuck your bitch, if you do as I say.”

  “Where are you?” Silver leaned closer to the screen, wishing he could reach through it and tear that smile from his face.

  “I’m close. Are you ready to negotiate?”

  “Captain?” Ep’s voice was full of anguish.

  Silver couldn’t bring himself to turn and stare at the male. He knew Ep didn’t want to relinquish his female. But what about Malia? What about his mate? Silver wanted her back, safe. And he’d do whatever it took to get her back.

  “I’m willing to negotiate,” Silver said.

  “Good boy.”

  “Fuck captain, you swore we wouldn’t do this,” Ep stood up and slammed his chair against the floor. “I’ll die before…”

  “I’m willing to trade myself for my mate,” Silver told Rhodes, shocking everyone listening.

  “Captain,” Beta inched closer to him. “What are you doing?”

  “Yeah,” Rhodes’ annoying smirk disappeared. “What are you up to Sebastian?”

  “A life for a life. Mine for my mate.”

  “I don’t want your pathetic life.”

  “That’s the deal.”

  “I want what you stole from me,” Rhodes yelled.

  “Well, that’s going to be a problem.”

  “Why the fuck is that?”

  “We can’t control what we stole. They do as they please.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “They are stronger, smarter than we are. They are able to disappear. They come and they go. Right now they are gone.”

  Rhodes slapped the table and stormed away. Silver gave his crew the side-eye hoping they could read the look he was giving. Trust me. Apparently they could read him because they all just faced the screen, waiting on Rhodes to calm down and stop his rant.

  If Frost was as powerful as he believed, then surely Nahid had powers also. Then kid could see the future, not just see the future that affects him, the way most Time-Dwellers could. He could see the future of others who were not of relation to him.

  That had to be why the commander wanted him. The commander didn’t only want to destroy worlds that were a threat to Time-Dwellers on Zedona. He wanted to rule the galaxy. If he knew every worlds’ weakness he could do just that?

  “Is it a deal, commander?” He was ready for his mate to be safe.

  “No, it’s not a fucking deal.” The commander stormed back to his seat and peered at them. “I want what was taken from me.”

  “We can’t make them return.”

  “Bring them to me, or your pretty little female dies a slow death.”

  Silver gritted his teeth. “I don’t know how to find them.”

  “I understand.” Rhodes nodded. “Maybe you need some incentive. I can do that for you.”

  The screen went black. Silver panicked.

  “What the fuck is he doing? Why is the screen black?”

  Ep gripped him. “Calm down captain.”

  Silver shoved Epsilon away from him. “Don’t tell me to fucking calm down. Your mate is safe. Mine is in the clutches of a psychopath. I could get her back. I could have her back right now if I’d just give him what he wants.”

  “Silver…”

  “But
I can’t do that. Because I’m loyal to you. But what about my mate?” Silver could feel tears forming in his eyes. Now was not the time for weakness. “What about Malia?”

  “We will…” Ep struggled to find the words.

  “We will what?” Silver was in his face. “What will we do, genius? Leave her behind? Is she not a part of this crew now? I thought we never left a crew member behind.”

  “We don’t.”

  “So tell me, Alexander, what the fuck are we going to do now?”

  Ep stared away. That was what Silver thought. The male didn’t know what they were going to do. None of them did.

  “Just keep Rhodes talking.” Ep moved away from the console. “I have a plan.”

  “So I’m to place the life of my mate in your hands?”

  “If Rhodes was truly close, Palenzo and his crew would’ve sensed a cloaked ship. They’re not. This means they can’t see us. I’ll use my E-Pad to contact Palenzo and have his sister come on board to help with the virus. Once that’s done we’ll go ahead and get the fighter-ship and seek out Rhodes. I will help you save your mate, captain. I swear.”

  The two males stared at each other. One had a sick mate he was trying to protect from a psychopath. The other had a mate who was in the clutches of said psychopath. They had no choice but to work together.

  Silver nodded and turned back to the console. He wiped at his eyes. Only the weak cried, that was what his father told him. Silver was feeling extremely weak right now. That didn’t mean Rhodes had to know it. A crackle came from the monitor. The screen flickered then Rhodes’ image reappeared.

  “Malia.” Silver pressed his hand on the screen.

  “I’m in the room with your mate.”

  “I see that.”

  Malia looked up at the camera. “Silver?”

  “I’m here mate.”

  She lowered her head and stared at the table. What was wrong? What had they done to her?

  “It’s funny you should call her that. She’s repeatedly told us that you’re not her mate.”

  For her safety. That was why she’d done it. He’d told her to. That was when he thought the GP was the one behind this.

  “Why does she insist on calling you, Silver?”

  “Are we going to make the trade or what?” Silver’s question caused Malia to raise her head, her eyes filled with fear. He was going to get her out of there. Even if he had to forfeit his own life to do so.

  “No,” Malia shook her head. “No trade. You said you would take me home.”

  At first Silver thought she was talking to him, until he saw that her eyes were on Rhodes. What the hell.

  “See, I may have lied a little,” Rhodes told her, a grin on his fucked up face. “I’m not actually a part of the Galaxy Patrol.”

  “Then who are you?” Malia asked.

  “I’m the captain of the Iron Bender. I’m your mate’s former boss. Commander Rhodes, Galactic Raider at your service.”

  The bastard bowed. Malia tried to stand up, but one of Rhodes’ goons shoved her back into her seat. Fast as lightening the male slammed cuffs on her and chained her to the table. Silver felt helpless. That didn’t stop him from slamming his fist against the screen.

  “Take your hands off her. I swear when I find you…”

  “Oh stop flirting with me,” Rhodes sat down in the seat across from Malia. “Save your flirting for your mate, or what’s left of her after I’m done.”

  Malia tried to pull away from Rhodes when the male pulled a knife out of the holster at his hip.

  “No, you said you would help me,” she told him.

  “Why the fuck did you think he would help you, Malia?” Silver was confused.

  Malia ignored him. She freaking ignored him.

  “Something isn’t right,” Gamma whispered.

  “No shit.” Silver was done being polite. He couldn’t fake it. Something gnawed at the back of his mind. When he’d first brought her on the ship, she’d been pissed. Then she just changed and was okay with being mated to him.

  Shit like that didn’t happen within a few hours. He’d been so thirsty for her affection he’d chosen to ignore it. Had even looked past the fact that it happened around the same time Striker had been infected with a virus from the Iron Bender.

  Shit.

  “Malia.” She didn’t respond. “Malia, did they steal you from the ship?”

  When she didn’t answer Rhodes leaned closer to her over the table. “Are you going to tell him or should I?”

  Silver couldn’t see the tears but he could hear her sniffles. “Malia, how did they get you?” He could feel his heart cracking, fine lines crisscrossing over the organ that pumped blood through his veins, the organ he’d entrusted her with.

  “Okay,” Rhodes leaned back in his seat. “I’ll tell him.”

  “Please, don’t,” she whispered.

  “Well are you going to do it?” Rhodes asked. “He has to know. The bastard is going crazy right now worrying about you. And he shouldn’t be. You aren’t worth it.”

  “Shut the fuck up Rhodes. Malia, how did they get you?” Though he feared her response he still needed to know.

  Malia took a deep breath. “I-I…”

  “Go ahead Malia,” Rhodes rubbed her hand. She jerked away from him. “Tell him. Or I will.”

  “I, I uh.”

  She couldn’t say it. He didn’t want her to say it. But he needed to hear it. How could she do this to him?

  “I...”

  Silver slammed his hand against the screen, this time it did crack. “Just fucking say it.”

  She flinched and he didn’t give a damn. He loved her. And had thought she loved him too. But she’d been pretending. A beautiful imposter. She began to cry harder.

  “You’re scaring her,” Rhodes grinned as he spoke. “I’ll tell him, sweetie.”

  Silver was going to kill that bastard. And it was going to be a slow painful death. He didn’t care if he ever cleared his name. He was going to make every soul on the Iron Bender suffer.

  Including Malia.

  Chapter Twenty

  She’d made a huge mistake.

  And it wasn’t one she could take back or talk her way out of. She’d royally fucked up and placed her trust in the wrong people. She heard Silver’s fist hit the screen. He was probably wishing he could hit her.

  Stars, she couldn’t believe this was happening. She’d honestly thought she was doing the right thing. Now she had no clue who was right and who was wrong. The people on this ship wasn’t even the Galaxy Patrol. They were Time-Dwellers just like Silver.

  “You’re scaring her,” Rhodes grinned as he spoke. “I’ll tell him, sweetie.”

  “No,” Malia clasped her fingers together. “I’ll tell him.”

  “Let me,” Rhodes told her. “It’ll sound so much worse coming from me.”

  “Please,” she begged.

  “Quiet down now,” Rhodes stared at the camera.

  “Please,” Malia yelled.

  “Shut her up.” Rhodes told one of his males.

  The one that had been so kind to her when she first arrived stepped from the shadows The others had called him Dosavich. Maybe if she pleaded with him, he’d put a stop to this.

  “Please…” Her head slammed against the table.

  “Take your hands off of her,” Silver yelled. “Dosavich, I will gut you for this.”

  Malia raised her head and watched Dosavich step back into the shadows, his face blank, no emotion at all. She spat on the table. Blood. She wasn’t going to make it out of this alive. She knew it.

  “Now that you’re quiet,” Rhodes told her. “I’ll explain to your mate how you came to be in my possession.”

  Malia kept her mouth closed. She didn’t want to get slapped again. She stared down at the table and waited, knowing if Silver didn’t already hate her, he soon would.

  “See Sebastian, it really is an amazing tale.”

  “Get on with it Rhodes.”

>   “I have to tell you how it started. Be patient. See, it started with a virus. I’ve been working on this virus for years. It’s a nasty bugger. It’s transmitted via e-message. Once we sent the message to your ship the virus began doing what viruses do, infecting the ship. You know what I like most about viruses like this one, it completely shuts down the computerized host. Once Striker was out of the way, I was able to speak for him.”

  Malia began to cry harder.

  “Oh, there, there darling,” Rhodes patted her hand again. “You didn’t know it was me. You thought it was a ship you were making a deal with.”

  “I didn’t know,” Malia cried.

  “Of course not darling. You were afraid. This brute took you from your world and made you be his bride. You wanted out. So I offered you a way out. All you had to do was be friendly with the crew and learn as much about them as you could.”

  “No, it wasn’t like that.”

  “Yes, it was.”

  “You lied to me,” Malia cried. “You told me he was dangerous. You said he was wanted by the GP.”

  “He is. I didn’t lie. I just didn’t tell you that I’m the reason he’s wanted by the Galaxy Patrol.”

  “But you made me think…”

  “That’s the problem when our kind mate outside of their race. I’m a firm believer that Time-Dwellers should mate with other Time-Dwellers. It works better that way. If you were like us, you wouldn’t have distrusted him in the first place. You would’ve believed in your mate. But you’re not like us. You’re easily swayed. And yeah, Sebastian can be a brute. That didn’t mean he wouldn’t have been a good mate to you.”

  “Stop, please,” Malia cried.

  “Stop, why would I do that? I’m just getting started.” Rhodes faced the camera once more. “After one conversation your mate was ready to give you up to the Galaxy Patrol. And she did her job well. She made you believe in her. You’re willing to trade your life for hers. Well, you were willing. I’m sure you’re ready to kill her now. I don’t blame you. She deserves to die.”

  “Rhodes, get to the point,” Silver yelled.