They were leaving Earth.
The realization hit her harder than the G-force.She wasn't just going to a quiet office to sort this out.She was leaving the planet.Leaving the shelter.Leaving Austin to wonder where she went.Leaving?—
"My cat," she blurted out, opening her eyes.
Raaevik looked down at her from where he was standing, gripping an overhead strap with one hand, riding the violent ascent as he did every day.Thinking about it, he probably did.
"I need to text Amelia," she said, her voice rising.She fumbled for her pocket, but the harness pinned her arms too tightly."I need to tell her to feed Barnaby.He’s diabetic!He needs his insulin shots, or he gets lethargic and?—"
"No comms," Raaevik said."Too dangerous.Use of unauthorized communication devices is prohibited."
"He's a cat!He doesn't care about prohibited comms or anything!He just knows his bowl is empty!"She struggled against the straps."Let me send one text.Just one.'Feed Barnaby.I've been abducted by aliens.'"
Raaevik stared at her.For a moment, she thought he was going to ignore her again.Then, the harsh line of his mouth softened.
"The cat will be fed."His voice was still gravel, still deep enough to drown in, but the bite was gone."I'll send someone.The feline won't starve."
She blinked."You...you will?"
"Yes."
He turned away, scanning the transport.She looked around for the first time.Shit, they weren't alone.
Three other aliens sat in the harnesses near the back of the compartment.They were massive, just like Raaevik, wearing similar dark leather combat uniforms.They sat perfectly still, hands loose near their holsters, radiating a silent, professional menace.
Except for the one on the end.He'd taken off his helmet, and he was young.Younger than Raaevik for sure, with skin the color of burnished copper and a shock of dark hair.He was looking at her with curiosity.
Catching her eye, he smiled.It was a small thing.Tentative.
"Welcome aboard, little?—"
Raaevik exploded, moving so fast that her brain couldn't track it.One second he was standing in the aisle; the next, there was a blur of motion and a sickening clang of metal as he slammed the man’s head back against the bulkhead, denting the plating.A snarl ripped from his throat, a feral, guttural sound.
"Do not," Raaevik hissed, face inches from the other warrior's, "look at her."
The younger warrior’s hands came up in surrender.His eyes were wide, shocked.
"Sub-Commander," he choked out."I meant no?—"
"Eyes.Forward."Raaevik’s voice dropped to a murderous whisper."If you speak to her, if you look at her, I will rip your tongue out."
The silence that followed was absolute.Even the engines seemed to quiet down.
She sat frozen in her harness as she stared at Raaevik’s back.The muscles in his shoulders were bunched tight, trembling with restrained violence.
Slowly, Raaevik released the other alien.He stepped back, straightening his jacket with a sharp, jerky motion.He didn't look at the other aliens.He didn't need to.They were all staring rigidly at the floor, terrified to even blink.
He turned back to her.His pupils were blown wide, swallowing the violet until his eyes were black pits.He looked like he wanted to hit something else.Several somethings.
"Are you hurt?"he demanded.
"Am I...?"She gaped at him."You just assaulted your coworker because he said hello!"
"He was disrespectful."
"He smiled.Call the space cops."
He didn't answer, glaring at her.He braced himself as the ship banked sharply, his feet planted wide on the deck.
