As soon as the uniformed male left the vehicle, Cifer released Blaize’s cuffs.
“What are you doing?”
“Getting you out of here. They don’t need us both. They can blame me.”
“If you can get me out, you can leave too. Come with me.” Blaize tugged on his arm even as she shifted one leg out the door he’d opened.
“That won’t work, Beauty. They have to have someone in custody. Otherwise, they’ll hunt us down, and the entire crew would be compromised.” He pressed his lips to hers, savoring their last kiss. “Deliver the orb. Collect the fee.” His future didn’t matter. Only hers. Blaize’s safety mattered more than anything else.
“What about the kids?”
“If they’re on this ship, they’ll find them.” He nudged her. “Go, now. While you can.”
She glanced back a few steps into her escape. He jutted his chin for her to continue, his hands back in the cuffs. He’d sworn he’d never sacrifice his freedom, his reputation, or his income for another being. But that was before he fell in love. There was something fitting about having to give her up and take the blame, considering everything he’d gotten away with in his life. But his heart still ached with her absence.
Chapter 30
Blaize raced back to The Treasure, Rhysa at her side. She wasn’t leaving Cifer.
The ramp was down. Veda and Bodi stood at the top of the stairs.
“Where’s Cifer?” Veda asked before Blaize had even cleared the ramp.
“Back of a patrol unit last we saw,” Rhysa answered.
“He insisted I leave.” Tears stung Blaize’s eyes. “He said we should launch. Deliver the orb without him.” She sniffed and moved past the group toward the bridge. “I’m not leaving him on Chalcanth.”
“What do you mean, he insisted you leave?” Bodi asked, close on Blaize’s heels.
“I was arrested too, and he got me out of the restraints and opened the door so I could go.” She picked up the pace to jog down the corridor. “He sacrificed himself, but that doesn’t work for me.” She slammed to stop at the entrance to the bridge. “Where’s the captain?”
“Here.” Cyra’s voice echoed in the corridor behind her.
Blaize spun on her heel. “We have to get him back.”
“Who?” Cyra asked.
“Cifer.” Blaize searched for the words to explain. She opened her mouth, and the words poured out.
Cyra glanced at Dez. He nodded as if she’d given her mate instructions. “We’ll get him back.”
Blaize took a full breath. If Dez said it and the captain ordered it, Cifer would be freed. “How?”
“We had a bit more success than you did.” Cyra placed her hand on Dez’s arm. “Dez found the secret compartment on the ship where they were holding the kids. They’re being reunited with their parents as soon as arrangements can be made. The captain and several of the crew are in custody. All we have to do is go to the authorities and explain that Varik was in league with the operation.”
Blaize admired and respected Captain Cyra, but Varik was a slippery bastard. If there was a way to evade responsibility for his actions, he was already working on it. “We should go now. To the authorities. What if they didn’t search Varik’s ship? He could get away with other kids.”
“You said you pulled the connector?” Cyra asked.
“Yeah, but that’s a five-minute fix.”
“I’ll go,” Dez said.
“I’m going with you.” Blaize crossed her arms.
“We’re all going.” Cyra was flanked by Veda, Bodi, and Rhysa. “We don’t leave a team member behind.” She squeezed Dez’s hand, and he gave her the most loving look.
Blaize sucked in her lip as tears threatened to fall again. Cifer was part of the team, even if he didn’t know it yet.
