He pushed off from the wall and continued towards Melissa’s cell, his stride lengthening with each step.
She was awake when he returned, sitting on the edge of the bunk with Robbie cradled in her arms. Her eyes found his immediately, reading his expression with that uncanny perceptiveness that still caught him off guard.
“Something’s wrong.”
It wasn’t a question.
He crossed to her and knelt on the floor, putting himself at her eye level. His tail curled around her waist automatically, needing the contact and the reassurance of her presence.
“Naran summoned me.”
“And?”
“He’s pleased with our progress. The procedure is scheduled for within the week.” He forced himself to continue before she could react. “And he’s planning to expand. Purchase more human females from the Vedeckians. Fifty or more, once this trial proves successful.”
Her face went pale. “Fifty?—”
“He spoke of them as inventory. As resources to be allocated according to value.” His hands curled into fists. “He implied they would be discarded when they’re no longer useful.”
“Oh God.” She clutched Robbie tighter. “What are we going to do?”
He reached out, cupping her face in his palm. “I told you I was working on a plan.”
Her eyes searched his. “Tell me.”
“It’s risky. There are things I haven’t been able to confirm such as some of the security rotations, and the exact location of all the exit points, but time is running out. If we wait for the perfect moment, there won’t be any moment at all.”
“What’s the plan?”
He took a breath. “There’s a supply shuttle that arrives every three days to restock the facility. It lands on the eastern platform, stays for approximately four hours while the cargo is unloaded, and then returns to the capital. The crew is minimal—a pilot and two loaders. None of them are military.”
“You want to hijack it.”
“I want to get you and Robbie to safety. And the other females, if possible.” He stroked his thumb across her cheek. “Once we’reclear of the facility, I can contact a friend. Someone I trust. He works in the transportation guild and has access to shipping manifests. He can get us passage off-world if we can reach the port.”
“Off-world?” Her voice caught. “You mean Earth?”
His chest ached, but he shook his head.
“We need to contact the Patrol first and tell them about Naran’s plans.” His tail tightened around her waist. “I know it’s not what you would have chosen. I know you have a life, a home?—”
“Had.” The word came out flat. “Whatever I had back there… it’s gone now. I’ve been gone too long, and I have no way to explain my absence. The life I built, my work, my reputation—none of it is waiting for me any longer.” She laughed, but there was no humor in it. “My parents are probably relieved. One less disappointment to deal with.”
“Then stay with me. Both of you.” He leaned closer, pressing his forehead to hers. “I don’t know what our future looks like. I don’t know where we’ll end up or what challenges we’ll face. But I know that I will protect you and Robbie with everything I am. I will build a life for us, somewhere Naran can never touch.”
She was silent for a long moment. Robbie fussed softly in her arms, and she bounced him gently, her eyes never leaving Becsul’s face.
“The other women,” she finally said. “They come too.”
“If we can manage it. I won’t lie to you—extracting three adults, a child, and an infant will be significantly more dangerous than just the two of you. But I’ve been thinking about how to?—”
“They come too,” she repeated firmly. “Or I don’t go at all.”
Pride swelled in his chest. Admiration. A fierce, aching love for this woman who, even facing her own imprisonment and potential death, refused to abandon others to the same fate.
“They come too,” he agreed.
She nodded slowly, something settling in her expression. “Then I’m in.”
