“My name is Malin. I’m a crew member of thePryxusand I would be honored to help keep an eye on your human female,” said one of the Zelthranites, stepping forward. “My mate is no longer living, but I know she would want me to protect one of her fellow humans.”
“You were mated to a human?” Suki asked, moving closer to him.
“Yes. She was one of the first in the Bride Program with Earth. Such a sweet female, but very headstrong. She insisted on accompanying me on a mission. It didn’t end well and she perished,” Malin said.
“I’m so sorry,” Suki said, reaching a hand toward him.
He gripped her hand a moment before releasing her. “Thank you.”
“This is Suki,” Norkov said. “I’m Norkov, and the medic you saved is Querrill. We appreciate your assistance.”
“Let’s go save your mate,” Malin said to Suki.
“If she gets captured, Tark will tear you apart,” Norkov muttered. “She should remain on board.”
“Not dealt with many human females, have you?” Malin asked in amusement. “Telling them what to do never works in your favor. I’ll risk the wrath of your Tark if it gives her peace of mind to search for her mate. My Winnie was the same. So fierce and loyal.”
Malin stuck by Suki’s side as they left theMystic7and entered the brothel. The first thing she noticed was blood, or what appeared to be blood. It was spattered across the walls and soaking into the carpeted floors, in a variety of colors. Her hand went to her mouth to fight back the bile. Malin helped her through the corridors and when they came to a downed cyborg, she openly sobbed. It wasn’t Tark or the Commander.
“Sanz,” Norkov said softly, kneeling beside him. “He’s alive, but barely.”
“Your Querrill was damaged and may not be able to heal him. There’s a med pod on our ship, if you think it would work on a cyborg,” Ryx said.
“I know Sanz would prefer the risk of it not working to dying,” Norkov said.
“I’ll take him,” one of the Zelthranites said.
“Thank you, Zaryl,” said Ryx.
The Zelthranite lifted the cyborg without issue and carried him back in the direction of the ship. The floating brothel shifted under their feet and Suki grabbed onto Malin for support. He kept her from falling into the gore on the floor and walls. Several doors opened and frightened females peered out. One was human, and Ryx quickly pulled her from the room, passing her to Malin. She gave Suki a fearful look, but she tried to assure the woman she was safe.
“They won’t hurt you,” Suki told her. “My name’s Suki and I’m mated to one of the cyborgs.”
“Rayne,” she said.
“They’re here to save you,” Suki said.
Two more human females were found, and they hovered in the back near Suki and Malin. It would be smart to get them out of the brothel, but Suki refused to leave without Tark, and Malin refused to leave without Suki. They neared the back of the brothel where the whimpers and cries of women could be heard, along with a deeper voice that Suki instantly recognized.
“Tark!” she cried, trying to rush forward.
“No!” Norkov threw out an arm to hold her back. “We don’t know the situation in that room, Suki. I can’t permit you to enter and place yourself in danger.”
Malin nodded. “He’s right. Stay here while they secure the space.”
The cyborgs and Zelthranites entered the room and Suki cried out as she heard the blasts of their weapons, fearing that her mate would die. She clung to Malin until Ryx stepped into the hall and motioned her forward.
“Your male is injured, but he’s alive,” Ryx said. “We’ve contained the owner of the brothel.”
Suki rushed past him, running straight for Tark. She was nearly there, when a hiss at such a pitch that it deafened her filled the air. Suki froze, clamping her hands over her ears and slammed her eyes shut, willing the horrible sound to go away. Her eyes flew open as she was yanked off balance.
“Such a pretty female,” the hissing voice said. “If you wish her to live, you won’t follow.”
Suki stared at Tark, saw the determination in his eyes and knew he would come for her. She glanced at the alien holding her captive and wished she hadn’t. Slime dripped from his face, the bulbous shape a grotesque green. The rest of his body was nearly too slender and covered in black leather. The claw-tipped hand held her tightly as he dragged her from her mate and through a section of the brothel she hadn’t yet seen.
“Deprive me of my livelihood, ruin my females, kill my guards. I’ll keep you as payment,” the alien said in his hissing voice. “Start a new brothel far from here.”
Suki wanted to fight, to scream, to do something… but she worried if she broke free, the alien would try to kill her. If she were alive, then at least there was a chance Tark could save her. She’d deal with whatever happened, survive at any cost.
As long as Tark was alive, and so was she, then there was hope.
