Chapter 10
I need to hurry.
As Johar stumbles to his feet, looking around in confusion, I grab my father and heave him onto the stretcher where my cyborg was lying earlier.
Johar’s first word makes me sob in relief. “Mara,” he says. I fly into his arms, hold him tight, and read the answer to my anxious question in his eyes. Ruthiel was not able to erase his memories. That, or he was so sure of himself, that he just didn’t think it was necessary. What does it matter now?
He looks over at the bundle of meat that used to be my father, and thinks that this is our best chance at escape. I don’t have time to explain anything in great detail, but I tell him that all of us are going to fall into a catatonic state in the next few minutes, because my father has programmed us that way. He doesn’t waste any time on regret. Instead, he realizes instantly what needs to be done.
We have to rescue the babies, and for that we need Shazuul. The children and the Sethari are the only ones, who, other than Cassie, have never been in my father’s lab. Therefore, there is a good chance that Shazuul will not be affected by this twilight sleep, and neither will the children. Regarding Cassie, I swallow and suppress my tears. She herself withdrew from Ruthiel’s grasp, and I have no way of knowing if her body will be affected, while her spirit is somewhere else.
Johar sits down on the floor. He leans back against the wall and spreads his legs and points at the spot in the middle. “Call Shazuul,” he tells me. I sit down and lean back against him, enjoying his warmth for a moment and the feeling of him holding me. Don’t cry, I tell myself. Is there anything better than falling asleep in the arms of the man you love?
“I will hold you, Mara,” he whispers in my ear. “Always.” It is a promise I return with one word. “Always.”
And then I start. I close my eyes and yell, scream, roar Shazuul’s name, while opening my spirit as far as I can. I look and look for him, and just when I think that we won’t be able to connect, I hear his voice. He is far away, I can tell, and isn’t alone.
“Where are you?” I ask. My eyes want to close, and I can feel sleepiness spreading through my limbs and settling there. “And who is with you?”
“Small ship,” Shazuul responds. Not for the first time, I wish I had learned his language so we could communicate better. But apparently, language barriers also exist in thoughts, I muse sleepily. Johar’s hands hold me tight for a second, bringing me back to my senses.
“Children with me. Both. You … no worry.” He sounds pleased in my head and happy, and a wave of affection for this brave little guy grips me. I swallow and fight against the ever-increasing sleepiness.
“How did you know ...,” I can’t finish the sentence, but Shazuul understands me, anyway.
“Cassie went.” I realize that he is looking for the right words. It takes forever, until he speaks again. “Came to me. Then gone.” In his language, there is no word for her condition, just like in my language. When I understand that Cassie is gone for good, something breaks inside me, and the first tears run down my face. I hope she is with her proud warrior, wherever that may be. “People sleeping. Strange. I out of cell to babies.” Despite his curt way of speaking in my head, I understand that he escaped his prison and looked for the babies. It must have been her last wish. And Shazuul has proven himself worthy of her trust. This realization makes it a little easier for me to say good-bye. I know the children are in good hands with him. “Doctor and children on ship,” he explains. I can feel his grim amusement when he thinks about how the doctor didn’t want to let him on board initially. Shazuul had to grab the girl with his sucking snout and threaten to stay on board with her. Then the doctor let him board the little ship, too.
I smile when I think of this unlikely pair, mothering the little ones. Whatever happens, they are on their way to Earth and are in good hands. I can sleep in peace.
I snuggle up to Johar. His hands are still wrapped tightly around my waist. His breathing is shallow, but regular. I feel my love for him like something that is alive, something that will keep watch over us, long after we have both fallen asleep. I close my eyes, and finally give in to sleep, when I feel a jolt go through the ship. I know this feeling. The Solarian is changing course. Who knows where she is headed? How long will we fly through space, sleeping and perhaps dreaming?
I put my hands on top of my beloved’s cool fingers. His bodily functions are gradually decreasing, just like mine. I am cold, but I ignore the biting fear of heading nowhere that comes with the cold.
With my eyes closed, I imagine the adventures we will experience in our joint detective work. We will chase the worst scoundrels in the universe and bring them to justice. He and I.
Always.
THE END
P.S.: Are you curious how the story continues? You have arrived at the end of the novel “The Prey.” Hopefully, you chuckled, held your breath, and hoped and feared for the two lovers. If so, there is good news: There is a third volume in the series of Jenny Foster’s Betania Breed Series. Can we ever have enough love stories about strong women and stubborn, sexy men? Never! You can look forward to a story about a woman whose ability to read minds gets her into some serious trouble.
I want to invite you to dive into the third part of the Betania Breed series, entitled: “The Human.” (Available soon on Amazon. Sign up to my mailing list at to be notified when the book goes live). In it, Cat, whose birth you just experienced, meets a fascinating man. Even though she actually has completely different plans, and should get away from Earth as soon as she can, fate and love have something completely different in store for her. You will find an excerpt in a few pages. Happy reading!
And if you have grown particularly fond of one or two of the protagonists on their long journeys, just like I have, then I highly recommend Volume IV. There, you will have an unexpected reunion with … let me surprise you!
Yours,
Jenny Foster