CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR
Treto
Tenir falls to the side with a groan, his hand clutching at the blade. Without a second look, Volethos steps over his crumpled form and comes for me.
I fully expect him to kill me here and now. The way my body is being racked with sickness, I almost welcome it. I’m more than willing to give my life in exchange for the knowledge that Bela will be safe. I’m not expecting what he does next though.
Grabbing handfuls of my shirt, he wrenches me to my feet. “You might not want to tell me, but I’m willing to bet others might.”
With hardly any effort, I’m knocked off my feet and dragged to the front of the cruiser where he shoves me into the captain’s seat.
With one hand clamped down on my shoulder, his claws dig deep into my scales until I moan from the added pain. Then, leaning over me, he pulls up the comm program. A moment later, the screen flickers to life, and an image of Rovos appears in front of us.
“Youkurver,” I grit through my clenched teeth.
The familiar cockpit of theShadehas me sagging with relief at the knowledge that help is coming for me.If Rovos is surprised by the unfamiliar comm, he doesn’t show it.
“My friend,” Volethos purrs. “What a pleasant surprise to see you again, and so soon after the last time.”
“Volethos,” Folding his arms across his broad chest, Rovos leans back. “I can’t say it’s either pleasant or a surprise. Tell me, whose cruiser did you steal?”
Ignoring his accusation, Volethos drops the syrupy voice. “You have something I want.”
“Do I?” Rovos nods his chin at me. “Seems you have something of mine as well. What do you suggest we do about this?”
“I want the females who were stolen from me,” he snarls, digging his claws deeper into my shoulder until I can’t help the groan that squeezes from my chest. “Allof them. Or your friend here will suffer.”
“Treto!” The musical sound of my name from a familiar voice has me groaning again.
“Bela—no,” Rovos says, but she’s already pushing him aside, and her worried face fills up the screen.
Part of me wants to snarl at her, demanding to know what the hell she’s doing on theShadewhen she should be safe on Pamia. Another part of me relaxes at the sight of her, the musical sound of her voice, and the lovely sight of her face.
“Treto!Oh, god!”Her mouth drops open before her eyes narrow on Volethos, and then there is pure rage. “What did you do to him, you fucker?!”
I can’t help the chuckle that bubbles up from inside my chest. Just seeing her, knowing she’s angry on my behalf, eases some of the pain in my guts. The fates couldn’t have chosen a more perfect female for me if they’d tried.
Just as quickly, my bolstered mood darkens once more. What was Rovos thinking to allow her to come with him? But then I shake my head because I’m sure she didn’t give him any choice in the matter. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me to learn that she was the instigator.
I sit up a little straighter, or try to. Having Bela in front of me, even if it’s only through the screen, seems to have given me a boost of strength, despite the claws Volethos has buried in my shoulder.
Chuckling into my ear, Volethos leans down so our faces are side by side. “All you need to do is surrender to me.” He takes a finger and wipes away the sweat beaded across my brow. “And I’ll release your male, good as new.”
I watch as the blood leaves Bela’s face at Volethos’ suggestion.
“My life for his? Is that what you want?” Her eyes are hard as steel, and I start to object, until his claws dig even deeper into my shoulder.
“That’s right, sweetheart,” Volethos purrs. “All you have to do is tell me where the other females are and agree to return to Lux with me. On my honor, I’ll leave Treto exactly as I found him.”
“You have no honor,” I grate, and then flinch at the expected tightening of his grip.
“Listen to me, asshole. Humans aren’t an object to be stolen or taken—” Bela begins, only to have Volethos cut her off.
“I don’t care!” he shouts. “All I want is what was taken from me, and if you don’t comply, then I’m going to make Treto suffer until you do.”
When Igid appears behind Bela, I can’t help sagging with relief. When she whispers into her ear and moves her away, I’m grateful. Until she hands her off to Brox. A loud growl rumbles from the back of my throat when his hands touch her skin, and everyone stops to look at me. Sucking in a sharp breath through my nose, I let them all know that if I wasn’t pinned, I would be exploding from this chair and dismembering anyone whodaredto touch my female. Especially an unmatedpup!
“Volethos, you piece offilth,” Igid hisses, taking Bela’s place on the screen. “I can’t believe how far you’ve fallen.”
“Oh shut it, Igid,” Volethos grumbles. “Don’t act like you’ve always been so righteous.”
She loses some of the blue color in her cheeks, but otherwise doesn’t let on that his words have affected her.
“I know who you really are. What you’ve done,” Volethos continues with a smirk. “Don’t forget that.”
Before I can tell Igid not to listen to him, to protect Bela and the rest of the human females, and to leave me, she rolls her eyes.
“Volethos, if you think anyone is going to believe a single lie that spews from your mouth, you are even more delusional than I already thought.” A sly smile spreads across her wide mouth. “You’d better brace yourself; we’re already locked onto you. I’ll be seeing you very,verysoon.”
Her image goes dark just before a loud shudder goes through the cruiser—again. The lights flicker and then everything goes dark.
