Roark
Securing the flyer, I locked the hatch and stepped outside onto the small ramp, Zorvak right behind me. According to him, Cami was fast asleep, and had been for a couple of hours. He thought it best that she remained out of sight. As she was the only known Human, I agreed.
“You should stay with your bond mate, Zorvak. I can gather what is needed.”
Not wanting to draw attention to the trip, or how long we might be gone, I hadn’t adequately stocked the flyer, knowing we would stop here first.
“I doubt she will wake before we return.”
The space station was bustling today with many travelers; some trade ships were docked, peddlers trolling with their merchandise. I kept a wary eye out for any threats as I led the way to purchase supplies.
A high-pitched squeal made me wince. I spun around and watched as the Suntae chased after something. Scanning the area, my gaze locked with a beautiful female.
A Human female.
Something deep inside shifted and I knew—I knew—this was the female who had reached out and asked for help. Mesmerizing blue eyes stared at me, pulling me under her spell. My heart stuttered and then beat in overtime. Acting on instinct alone, I struck hard, testing Compatibility and found a match, her energy intertwining with mine. I gave her strength, while taking some of hers. My breathing grew slightly labored, and I couldn’t pull myself away.
I wanted to run to her, throw her over my shoulder, cart her away and keep her forever. Drowning, I couldn’t catch my breath.
Never in my lifetime did I dream that finding a Compatible could be so life-altering but here I stood, caught in her web, even if I was the one to cast it first.
Zorvak grabbed my upper arm. “Are you alright?”
“What?” I reluctantly shifted my gaze to him. It felt like a lifeline back to reality. “Yes, I am fine.”
I quickly glanced back toward the female. She was gone.
“I will be back!”
I threw the words over my shoulder, already sprinting after the yellow-haired female, shoving everyone out of the way. There were too many people as I searched every corridor and crevice, anywhere I thought she could hide.
Nothing.
I grabbed someone’s arm, not really looking at him, just speaking while still scanning the area. “Did you see where the Suntae went?”
He pointed down a bleak, dark passageway. I ran, my boots pounding the metal. There was no time for stealth.
The small passageway narrowed into a secret tunnel, an unused section of the station. Thin metal with rusted out holes through the walls. The floor groaned with each hard step of my boot, but I ignored it. There was no sign of the Suntae, or the yellow-haired female. Turning the corner, I came face-to-face with one of the Suntae guards.
Dressed in loose brown pants and bare chested, the guard snarled his nose, peeled his lips back and stomped forward. Anger infused my veins, making my blood boil as I met him half-way, knocking his arms away when he tried to grab my shoulders. One hand clamped around his throat. I could smell his foul breath as he gasped for air.
“Where is the yellow-haired female?” I demanded, releasing my grip enough to let him speak.
When he refused to answer, I squeezed tighter. My senses flared, stretching outward and I knew another one fast approached. As I felt him near, I released the Suntae from my grip, spun around, and kicked the other one in the stomach, knocking him back two steps.
They came at me from both sides. The Suntae guards were hard to put down, but not impossible.
Without looking, I knew the moment Zorvak stepped up behind the guard on my left. Knowing he had my back, I concentrated on the other one.
Arms wide, he attacked again. The Suntae believed in blunt force instead of strategy. Using his own momentum, I grabbed his arm as he rushed forth, flipping him over my shoulder. Now lying flat on his back, I straddled him, my hand clamped around his neck, digging into thick skin. He clawed at my wrist, but I refused to ease up.
“One last time: where is the female?”
Blood trickled through my fingers from the pressure on his neck as he gasped for air.
Zorvak casually ambled over, peered down, and said softly, “Ease up if you expect him to answer.”
I loosened my grip slightly and he wheezed out, “Sold to the Humchins.”
“Where are they?”
“Just left,” he sputtered, coughing.
Uncontrollable rage temporary blinded me, lending uncanny strength. With a powerful grip, I snapped his neck one-handed.