They exchange a look.
“There have been some protests in common areas, a few instances of vandalism, and supposedly someone has been sending death threats to Captain Warren and members of the command team,” Jenny says. “But a guard escorts us to and from class each day—and under Captain Warren’s orders, if you can believe that.”
“That’s good to hear. I mean, the part about the guard, not the protests and vandalism and the death threats.” I beam inwardly because I have Tornn to thank for ensuring my family’s safety. If he hadn’t sent Officer Brute over to keep Captain Warren in line, I suspect my mother and sister wouldn’t be so well-protected.
“Tell us about your arms,” Jenny says with a nod. “Did, um, your mate force you to get those Darrvason tattoos?”
I brush a hand along my upper arm. “Oh, these aren’t tattoos at all.” I swallow past the dryness in my mouth, unsure why I’m suddenly so nervous about explaining the markings and the heartbond. “They’re Darrvason ancestral markings. All Darrvason males are born with them. Uh, not long after Tornn claimed me as his mate, the markings started to appear on my arms and a… aheartbondformed between us.”
“A heartbond?” my mother and sister say in unison.
“Yes, and…” My voice trails off when the table starts shaking. It’s a slight tremor that gradually becomes stronger. “Mom? Jenny? Are you feeling—”
The screen abruptly goes blank and there’s a violent jolt that sends me hurling out of my chair. I hit the floor with a thud and roll onto my side. Thankfully, all the furniture in Tornn’s quarters is secured to the floors and walls, so nothing goes flying. Even the paintings and sculptures that adorn the walls remain in place.
I scramble to my feet and rush to the viewscreen. My mouth drops open on a soundless cry when a beam of red shoots from theJansonnaand strikes theHaxxal. I place a hand on the viewscreen’s ledge, bracing myself against the impact.
The stars aren’t streaking by in a blur of light, which means the vessels are no longer in a shared hyperdrive bubble. I’m not sure what that means, but an icy chill spreads through me when a dozen shuttles zip away from theJansonna, heading in the direction of theHaxxal. Oh shit. Oh fuck.
I rush toward the entryway and attempt to leave Tornn’s quarters, desperate to find him and ask him what’s going on. But the stupid door won’t budge. I bang on the door in hopes of someone hearing me, but there’s another blast that sends me to the floor. I get to my feet and move back to the viewscreen. The chill inside me spreads. Why aren’t any of the Darrvason vessels returning fire?
A groan shudders through theHaxxaland the lights go out. Panic seizes me—I don’t like the dark—but seconds later, several dim orbs lining the walls come to life, illuminating Tornn’s quarters. Emergency lights. Thank goodness.
I attempt to get the video comm working again, but the screen remains blank. With a frustrated growl, I rush to my tablet and start typing a message to Nathan. Maybe if shit’s finally going down, he won’t be vague about the details anymore. If he can tell me anything useful, perhaps I can pass the information to Tornn.
Somehow, the Darrvason ships have been disabled. I glance at the viewscreen again. The outer lights lining the alien vessels are all dim, making me suspect all the ships are experiencing power failure. Weapons systems and shields are likely down as well. Otherwise, the shuttles from theJansonnawould’ve surely been shot down.
Speaking of the shuttles, where the fuck did they go? Did they actually board theHaxxal? Maybe.
Nathan’s frequent but vague promises that we would be reunited make my blood run cold. My hands tremble and a sense of helplessness surrounds me.
I’m trapped in Tornn’s quarters. Locked inside and I can’t fucking leave. I have no way of finding out what’s happening, no way of helping. What if there are wounded in the corridors?
My ire rises that Tornn hasn’t yet fixed the controls on the door to allow me to come and go as I please. I’m wearing his ancestral markings, and from what I understand, it’s the ultimate protection against rogue, unmated males. Far better than his scent alone.
Images flash in my mind, followed by a surge of emotion. Tornn. The images and feelings are coming from him. I’m experiencing them through the bond. I see flashes of blaster fire, fists swinging, blood spurting. I hear screams. Human screams. And loud, echoing roars that I instinctively know are Darrvason battle cries.
Worry is Tornn’s predominant emotion, closely followed by rage. He's worried for me, his only thought of returning to my side as quickly as possible. But there are dozens of armor-clad humans blocking his path in a narrow corridor.
A metallic screeching followed by rapid footsteps sound behind me, and I spin around in confusion, not understanding how Tornn could’ve reached me so fast.
Cold terror permeates down to my bones and for a long moment, I can’t quite comprehend the sight that’s greeting me.
It’s Nathan. Somehow, he forced the door open—it hangs partially open at an angle. He’s dressed in a thickly padded protective suit. Armor. He’s also holding a blaster, and there are more blasters and even some knives affixed to his belt. In his other hand, he’s grasping a small black device that keeps flashing green. He glances from the device to my tablet, which I’d left in its usual place near the sofa.
My stomach sinks. He used my tablet to fucking track me.
“Hello, Ellie. I’ve come to take youhome.”
Chapter35
TORNN
“Shields are back, Admiral!”Captain Varll’s voice blares through my wrist comm. “Power has been restored to the upper decks. Still working on the lower decks. Captain Warren keeps hailing us. Shall we fire upon theJansonna?”
“Graze their starboard with a warning shot. Then hail Captain Warren and order him to surrender control of theJansonnato Officer Brute. If he resists, fire a missile at their weapons system and make it a direct hit.”
“Understood, Admiral.”
