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"Zarex," I breathed. I put a hand to his wrist. His pulse was strong and even.
I shook him gently, mindful that he might be injured.
He didn't stir. The tube must be keeping him unconscious.
I chewed my lips. It was also possible the tube was keeping him alive. If you could call this living.
Without stopping to think further, I slid the needle out of his arm and let it fall. It slapped against the side of the bed, loud against the deafening silence.
"Zarex," I whispered in his ear. "Wake up."
For approximately a century, nothing happened. Then, finally, he stirred.
"Edie?"
I clamped a hand over his mouth to keep him from talking too loud.
"Shhh," I urged. "We need to get you out of here."
He nodded that he understood. I removed my hand.
I hadn't noticed Rayax was beside me until he clasped hands with his brother and helped him to sit.
"It's 'bout time," Zarex said, sounding sleepy.
Rayax snorted. "We need to free the rest of them too."
I nodded and left them to do their male, brotherly reunion bonding thing and started to check everyone out before pulling their needles free as well. I had to take a moment to staunch the blood each time, but there was no point in freeing them only to have them bleed to death.
J'avet and Tarvun followed me around the room, helping to keep everyone quiet as they woke.
A room full of traumatised, possibly screaming, people would draw too much attention to us.
Fortunately, everyone seemed to understand the need for silence. Or they were too scared to make a sound. Honestly, I couldn't think about it too much right then.
I finished with the last needle and helped a Centauri woman to her feet.
"Rayax, you get them out of here and into the forest. The further away they can get, the better."
"I'm staying with you," Zarex whispered.
J'avet hesitated.
I was sure under his visor he was thinking of arguing. Finally he shrugged.
"Suit yourself, but if you're weak and get us killed—"
"I won't." Zarex sounded more alert by the moment. He even managed to smile at me before I gave him a quick hug.
"It's good to see you," I whispered.
"It's good to be seen," he said. "And not be a host."
"Bonus," I agreed. "You'll have to tell me all about it later."
J'avet interrupted our moment. "Did you see enough to know where to find whoever or whatever is behind this?" he asked bluntly.
"I have a vague idea," Zarex said. "There's a bunker underneath this building. I heard them talk about it before they put me under."
