AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Let me check.” Tandor activated a holo-control panel with a voice command and then ran some sort of check. “Four is the only outpost in use. The others are inactive.”
Jobek drew Ansley to her feet and walked her to the back corner of the small ship. “I’ll keep her quiet.” He covered her mouth with his palm, keeping it just low enough that she could breathe through her nose. His other arm wrapped firmly around her torso, trapping her arms against her sides. “Comm your brother and tell him that our little rabbit made it off the island. We’ve picked up her trail in Sitka, but it might take a few days to find her.”
“He won’t indulge us for long. Are you sure about this?”
“Absolutely,” Jobek stressed, “so be convincing.”
Ansley wasn’t sure what Outpost Two was, but she was pretty damn sure she didn’t want to go there. She twisted and kicked but Jobek was ridiculously strong so confining her wasn’t even a challenge.
Tandor spoke in the same language they used to control the ship. She couldn’t hear his brother’s responses, but Tandor’s pauses made it obvious that he was communicating with someone else. He finally finished and turned his seat around. “You can let her go. Neloff wasn’t happy, but he said he would deal with Cylex.”
If Neloff was Tandor’s brother, who the hell was Cylex?
As if he heard her thought, Jobek asked, “Has the commander arrived yet?”
Jobek loosened his hold on Ansley and she hurried to the other side of the ship.
“Not yet, but soon.”
If the ship these two came off was already in orbit, then Commander Cylex must have even more authority than they did. These two were determined to claim her and had no qualms about using ruthless seduction to accomplish their goal. Would she fare better on the other ship? “Please take me to wherever the others are being held,” Ansley pleaded. “I don’t want to be alone with you two.”
All Jobek said was, “Then we will work harder to change your mind.”
CHAPTER3
“What do you mean one got away? My mate assured me that you’re the best in the sector.”
Neloff cringed at the female’s disapproving tone. He was going to kill his brother. “I apologize.” Neloff stood behind his desk speaking with holographic images of Cylex and Raina. Cylex had arrived a few moments ago expecting the rapid conclusion of this mission. Neloff’s office was tiny so there wasn’t room for a less awkward position. Still, sitting had felt too casual for this update. He had done business with Cylex numerous times, but this was the first time he’d interacted with Raina.
“Give him a chance to explain, love.” Cylex wrapped his arm around Raina’s shoulders and gave her a reassuring squeeze. They made a striking couple. Cylex was tall and surprisingly muscular for a source. His dark hair was in need of a trim and affection shone clearly in his blue eyes. Raina, on the other hand, had light brown hair and goldish green eyes.
Raina’s other mate was Mystic Kern of Pyron, which made them the first interplanetary triad in many, many years. Like all the females in Neloff’s hold, Raina had been raised on Earth. She was the primary reason that Cylex was here in person. Raina wanted to ensure that the females were treated with respect and compassion. Her own awakening had been traumatic so she wanted to ensure a smoother transition for the other conduits.
“We surrounded the compound and evacuated everyone as quickly as possible. We didn’t realize one of the conduits had escaped until we were preparing to depart. My best hunters have gone after her. It’s just a matter of time before she’s apprehended.”
“What do you need hunters for? She’s Altorian, likely the only one in Alaska.” Now Cylex sounded almost as impatient as his female. “Locate her bio scan and stream her onto my ship. The longer we remain in this star system, the greater our chances of being challenged by one of the other retrieval teams.”
Neloff was well aware of the danger of lingering. Every government leader in their star system had hoped to gain control of the conduits so theMadellewas one of many ships near, or in orbit around, Earth. Remaining here with a ship full of latent conduits was reckless. “It’s not that simple, sir. I’m not sure how, but the runaway is blocking our scanners. We will find her. However, it might take a day or two.”
“Where is everyone else?” Raina wanted to know. Her features slowly relaxed and her tone softened.
“The other forty-five conduits are onboard and awaiting transfer,” Neloff assured her. “They are contained in the cargo hold right now, so they will be thrilled to have access to more comfortable accommodations.” Cylex’s ship was easily three times the size of theMadelle. Not surprising. Every government in their star system envied the Citadel’s fleet.
“Were all of the fugitives involved in the original abduction apprehended?” Cylex’s expression hardened as he thought of the ones responsible for the travesty.
“With the exception of the stray conduit, I have the entire population of the island onboard. As to whether or not that’s everyone involved in the original crime, I have no way of knowing.”
“Do you have Ratan and his sister Neeva? What about Dr. Lorish? That bastard cannot be allowed to escape.”
“I have those three and three others. I also have four older females that the conduits refer to as dorm counselors.”
Cylex nodded, apparently satisfied with the answer.
Raina was not so easily pacified. “Why were the conduits picked up before I had the opportunity to speak with them? That was not the way I wanted it handled.”
“That was my call,” Cylex told her. “TheMadellehas camouflage shields but the people on the island still anticipated the raid. I couldn’t allow them time to evacuate and scatter.”
She didn’t look happy but she nodded, reluctantly accepting her mate’s decision. “What’s our next move? I would like time to warn them about what to expect once we reach the Citadel.”
