Azrim is not a monster.
His deep voice rumbles through me. “We’re here.”
34: Tessi
Security lets us in the gate and motions Azrim to a building down the street, beside a landing pad filled with a variety of starships. Moments later, Zorin bursts out of the door and scans the area. When he sees us, he breaks into a run.
Azrim sets me down.
“Tessi!” Zorin picks me up and hugs me.
“Easy!” I hate that I have to quell his excitement.
Rhysan pokes his head out of my armor.
Zorin, his lips parted in shock, gingerly reaches in and pulls Rhysan out of the furs. “How did you get him back?”
“He found me in the woods.”
“Right before they were attacked,” Azrim gruffly adds.
Zorin looks at him, squints, then peers down at Radar who licks him furiously. “Like someone dropped him off as bait?”
“That’s what I’m thinking, too. Someone down here on Mindor knows Nebs want the gifted ones.” Azrim’s voice growls with frustration.
I glance between them. “There’s a traitor in the pack? I thought they wanted him because they thought you were insufficient.”
“That doesn’t mean there isn’t someone in the Morrawyn Pack, trying to wipe us out of existence.” Zorin kisses Rhysan’s face. “Probably a hidden Luna trying to get rid of him. Emarza wouldn’t let that happen. Which means they tricked her, or they hurt her.”
Azrim tells Zorin about the Myndrous and Denarso we encountered.
“Where did you stay last night? I looked everywhere,” Zorin remarks.
“My cave. South hills.”
Zorin looks at me, then back at Azrim, sniffs the air, and doesn’t seem to find whatever it is he’s searching for. “Alright, come on. We’ve got to get ready. Flight leaves in thirty.”
“Wait, what?” I ask. “You’re not both going are you?”
Zorin draws me against him. “We have to. It’s the only way to stop Myndrous. Isonians aren’t equipped to fight them, not hand-to-hand infiltration like we are. They are built more for space battles. And the three Neb ships that have arrived in orbit need to be taken out. Viriden can’t get close enough to fire on them from his ship because the Nebs always bring massive numbers of star fighters. So Isonians handle them. We take down the mothership.”
Zorin calls someone on his earcom as he leads us into a building where the rest of the crew is. Radar stays close beside me. I don’t think he likes the commotion either.
Carnas and Spike are with Marne’s and Zorin’s crews.
Zorin waits for Azrim to walk off and speak with a Shifter in a shiny officer’s uniform, then kisses me. “I’m so glad you’re okay. How were things with my brother?”
“He was fine. Cared for us. But a bit grouchy.”
He smiles. “Sounds about right.”
“How can I help?”
“By staying safe.”
I slump. “Zorin, I am not good at sitting still. Don’t make me stay here.”
Azrim walks up to us in a fresh uniform and motions for Zorin to hand Rhysan off to me. “You two stay.”
