Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 46791 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 234(@200wpm)___ 187(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46791 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 234(@200wpm)___ 187(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
“Stand by.” His voice is impersonal. “I will consult with the king.”
It’s only minutes, but it feels like hours before he blinks back into view. “I have reviewed the situation with King Zander. You are cleared to return with the human. As soon as you land, she will be taken into custody, as will you. At that time, King Zander will determine what comes next. Bringing her, of course, will help him tend to leniency.”
I bow my head. “That is my hope, Master.” Relief floods my body: So far, it’s not automatic bad news for me.
Seke checks his wrist holo. “Excuse me.” He moves away once again and leaves the room.
While Seke is conferring out of my earshot, Gabin looks left and right then steps into the holo. “You really got her?” His voice holds eager curiosity. “I remember you showing me the holo, and I thought you were out of your mind. Wasn’t she at a high-security auction? Going for untold amounts of stein?” He’s probably not supposed to speak to me, and I’m beyond glad to hear his voice. I still have one friend in this galaxy.
Pride swells in my chest. “Yes. I’d planned on offering Zandian crystal in exchange for her, but she made an escape attempt, and I went with it. Together we got out. That’s how good her skills are.” I think of how we worked together seamlessly.
“You took incredible risks.” He shakes his head. “I’m glad you’re safe.”
I nod. “It paid off. How angry is the king with my disappearance?”
“Incandescent, but surely trending to forgiveness if you actually return with this human. You know he’s a fair ruler. And some of the young are getting sicker.” His face grows somber as he adds, “Especially the king’s own heirs.” He looks across the room. “I must go. Master Seke is coming.” Gabin steps back and goes into his formal post of attention.
Master Seke, usually reticent, smiles and his voice holds excitement. “Dr. Daneth is eager to see if we can use any of her blood enhancements to help the young on Zandia beat this tricky virus. He is already preparing the testing equipment he will need. This could be a miracle for Zandia, Captain Khrys. For our king and for us all.”
A spear of misgiving slashes through me. “He won’t hurt her.” It’s as much a threat as a question.
Seke seems surprised. “You know he will not. All humans are valued. She will be treated with care and dignity as he examines her and removes blood and tissue samples for investigation.”
I believe this to be true. I also am fairly sure that Kailani will not care for that distinction.
Master Seke looks at me evenly. “You are lucky that you are returning with such a prize. Please keep us updated on comms as to your progress. Once you hit atmosphere, we’ll direct you.”
“Understood. Thank you.” I look back at her. “There is one more thing I need to do first to ensure her survival.”
I explain to Master Seke about the medicine and her headaches. He approves the stop on Dentron and promises to send me all of Zandia’s information on that planet, scant though it is.
“There are locals,” he tells me, checking a holo doc. “Wild and clever although without tech. The weather is going to turn any time now with dangerous storms. Be careful. I’ve sent you maps enhanced with bio markers for plant matter—hopefully it will help you find the flower fields you need.”
Master Seke signs off with a reminder to ensure the human is protected against any bacterial threats on Dentron, leaving me alone with my troubled thoughts...and the sleeping human.
I sigh and set the coordinates for Dentron. It’s only two light years away; we’ll be there in under an hour, even accounting for the detours I’ll make around dangerous asteroid belts.
Kailani mutters and cries out, and I hurry to the bunkroom, leaving the ship on auto-pilot.
“Shhh,” I soothe, sitting on the cot beside her and stroking her cheek. “You’re safe.” I lie on the cot beside her to pull her into my arms. “No more headaches, little warrior. Never again. I promise.”
Whether she can hear me or not is a mystery, but the instant I hold her, she murmurs something unintelligible and relaxes into my grasp. Her breathing evens. And although it’s folly and will only lend me a false sense of intimacy, I continue to hold her while she slumbers.
“Everything will be all right,” I say, even though it’s not likely—for her or for myself.
I try not to think about how right she feels in my embrace because the second we get to Zandia and she finds out about my omission, she’s going to hate me forever.
I just don’t see any other solution.
Chapter 5
Kailani
I awaken with a start and a guttural cry, completely confused.