Page 4 of BrOdByc

There was no question that they would help. But BrOdByc realized the captain was right. They shouldn’t just run in without having a better understanding of the situation.

The dock was eerily quiet. Suddenly empty of life forms. Whatever was happening, no one else wanted to become involved.

The brothers watched silently. Eventually, two Siloth males stepped away from a ship that was parked a short distance from them. The big red aliens scanned the dock as if making sure no one was around to witness their actions or interfere. They didn’t notice them watching.

The Siloth race was typically an unruly lot. The males he’d seen had a smashed-looking face set in a long head. Burgundy red fur covered their bodies, and they each had four arms and two legs, although they walked upright.

These aliens had two primary sources of income—slavery and providing breeders for hire. The Siloth kidnapped women from their home planets and sold or rented their wombs. They took many of the slaves to laboratories for experimentation. Some were kept in hostels until the women could be bred and delivered of their young. Or they sold the women to the highest bidder.

The brothers had run-ins with them before. Maybe not with this bunch, but with some who were just like them.

Captain BaOBy’s hand tightened on his arm when the woman screamed a second time. His leader urged caution.

BrOdByc’s heart raced. There was something about that scream that seemed to reach inside him and tug. His eyes widened. Horrified when he felt the marking bands encircling his right arm—move.

The captain hissed and released his arm when the tattoo shifted.

Right then, the two Siloth men were joined by several more. The movement pulled their attention back across the dock. One of the new men held a struggling woman. She continued to scream at the top of her lungs until the man holding her managed to subdue and gag her. It required help. Three men, each with four arms, fought one tiny Earther female. The woman came close to escaping her captors. They weren’t gentle with her.

BrOdByc glared at the men and took a step forward. Only his captain’s renewed hold on his arm kept him in place. The woman continued to twist and buck, but her movements were less effective, and she did it in silence.

“They have an Earther!” ReBOrB hissed.

Horror dawned on all three of their faces. The captain gave voice to their fear. “I thought the women who served on this pleasure planet were willing. After seeing this, we need to doubt if any agreed.”

BrOdByc noted that two additional red aliens were carrying another woman. This one was silent and didn’t twitch. She was unconscious. Or dead.

The Siloth quickly moved away from their ship, splitting into two groups before they reached the back alleyways leading from the docking station. There were multiple options headed toward town. One group went to the left, and one to the right.

He turned and looked at ReBOrB. This brother was staring after the second woman who’d just been taken into the alley on the left. His cloned twin was concentrating. Using his powers... “She’s alive, but hurt. She’ll need a healer, so I’ll follow her.”

ReBOrB was a trained medic. But his specific power centered on healing. It was good that he would follow the injured woman.

The captain sighed. “I’ll stay with BrOdByc. The first woman triggered his mating bands and I’m not sure how the bond will affect him. He shouldn’t be alone with her. I’ve already called on more of our brothers. I think we’re going to need the help.”

ReBOrB started and turned to look at BrOdByc. He glanced down at his right arm. At the band circling Brode’s thick bicep. Each brother’s marks were unique. Signifying their specific powers and used as identifying marks in their youth—before their colors blossomed. They’d also been told they were mating marks and would someday signal their mate was nearby. But it had never happened.

BrOdByc was one of the oldest of the brothers. Only the captain had more years. The two were pushing eighty, barely entering the prime of their life. This was the first time any of their marks had moved for a female.

He wasn’t sure how he felt about that.

Chapter Three

BrOdByc

Stepping out of the shadows, BrOdByc went after the woman. He felt the tug of her soul as he glided after her. There was a whisper in his mind. A chant... Please... help us...

He could feel her intent. The will to sacrifice herself in any manner possible, to save the other woman. Her... sister.

The other woman was her sister, and his mate planned to survive just long enough to see the comatose woman rescued.

Brode understood the Earther medical term because he read the fear in his mate’s mind. Sometimes those in a coma never woke up… they died.

Gritting his teeth, he pushed his strength of will through their connection. He wouldn’t let her give up.

His brother ReBOrB had followed the sister. He was the best choice for the injured woman. Reb’s skill set and training centered on medical assistance. He could scan the woman from a distance and know exactly what she needed.

He felt Captain BaOBy keep pace behind him, just over his right shoulder. Brode asked, “You woke more of our brothers? Reb may need help. The woman he followed is my mate’s sister. My female is determined to save the other. No matter the cost to herself.”

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