“Because slavery and indentured servitude are legal on Xome, and they are not a part of the Coalition,” Seth explained. “If we steal them, it could cause an intergalactic incident, if not a war. Don is already getting his ass chewed out by the Cohort for violating Maykian space, not once but twice, to rescue you and Mindy.”
“So we leave them?” I demanded. I refused to leave Vince behind. I couldn’t. I swallowed as panic rose and strangled me. I almost saw his face joining all the ghosts haunting me. I closed my eyes. I refused to let him down. I had to save one fucking person.
“No,” Caleb said. “We told you we wouldn’t. Seth and I, but mainly Seth, are requesting funds from the Cohort to buy all the humans back. Don will negotiate with whoever has them, and no matter the price, we will get them back.”
“We’ll get them,” Seth said. “All of them.”
“If we get the money.” I hated the idea of having to buy Vince and the others, but if they could be freed, it was worth it.
Caleb laughed. “We’ll get the money. The CohortlovesSeth. They’ll give him whatever he wants. And this comes down to honor. They’re honor-bound to rescue the rest of us humans. They brought Seth here, and now they have to clean up the mess.”
“I will get them, Teddy,” Seth said, finally meeting my eye. His voice was firm and allowed no argument. “I promise. I will protect everyone.”
In that instant, I saw the reason why Caleb had nominated Seth the leader of Team Human.
I nodded, believing him.
Before he could respond, Seth yanked a glowing blue stone out of his pocket. “Babe, what’s wrong? It is the baby?”
I heard nothing, but Seth sighed.
“I’ll be there soon.” He shoved the round stone back into his pocket. “The Cohort is ready for us.”
Caleb carefully stood, using his cane for balance, but Seth didn’t budge. Caleb flicked him with his tail. “Come on. I’ll be there.”
Seth still didn’t react.
“Kal will be there,” added Caleb.
Seth perked at that, standing.
“And you can show them pictures of the baby. The Cohortlovesseeing the baby.”
Seth smiled, head ducking.
“There we go.” Caleb looked at me. “We’ll be back, and I imagine one of Mindy’s brothers will be along in a few minutes.”
“Do I need to speak to this Cohort?” I asked. Dr. Klars, who appeared human but wasn’t, had said I was allowed to leave the medbay, but I refused. Mindy would panic if he woke up and I wasn’t here, not to mention I was nervous to leave him alone foreven a few minutes. With Seth feeding Pookie, though he didn’t seem happy about it, I hadn’t had to leave.
“No,” Seth answered. “If we need you, I will have someone get you, but you need to stay here with Mindy.”
They gave me a quick goodbye and left.
I turned to Mindy, snuggling him. His breath remained even. The winged alien had clawed open his stomach and he had two punctures on his thigh; none of which were healing right.
“Come on, Honey. Make me smile, or tell me another story, or just talk to me. Please.”
He stayed firmly asleep.
The drakcol doctor approached with yet another injection. Before she administered it, I stopped her. “Another? He’s already had three.”
“Bartholomew Reginald Lucian—”
“Bartholomew or Teddy,” I interrupted.
“But,” she started.
“Bartholomew or Teddy,” I repeated. I was not listening to my full name every time a drakcol wished to address me.
