Page 90 of Stolen Slave

One of the bounties who’d been struggling used the distraction to pull free of his captor. Bounties and hunters were on the tuber before he progressed two steps in Vya’s direction.

“You are safe, my Vya,” I said. “Not all races are like the Wsoau who would use a female for their gain. And few males are like the one on the floor, who would risk your safety for the sake of his own freedom.”

“Apologies, esteemed female,” Cenar said. “I can take you to the sleep bay I’ve prepared if you would like to rest.”

Vya glanced at the male and frowned. “The only way I’m leaving Khorahn’s side is if you rip me away from it. Now, stop trying to get me to leave him because I’m not going anywhere alone with you.”

One of the bounties chuckled and said, “Wise female.”

“My intention wasn’t to separate you from your chosen male but from these coarse males who are unfit for your company.”

Vya’s gaze swept to the pile of males who were subduing the one who’d escaped.

“Unfit? I didn’t see you move to stop the one who was ready to run me over in his attempt to reach the door.”

Several males exchanged glances, but none dared to correct her. The male hadn’t been intent on reaching the exit but her.

She looked up at me, missing Cenar’s shame-filled and longing gaze.

“So what do you do next to turn in a bounty?” she asked.

The pile of men quickly untangled, and the bounty’s hunter pulled him to his feet. The male who’d attempted to reach Vya could barely stand upright. He was bleeding from his mouth due to a missing canine, his eye was swelling shut, and he wore a second set of stun restraints. I doubted he even knew his captor was leading him to the registrar’s desk.

“Warrant 093857-124, Drunvid Con,” the hunter said, setting his tracker and his bounty’s hand on the scanner. It validated the warrant, and chit instantly transferred to the hunter’s account with a beep.

The Oebri manning the desk took charge of Drunvid and pushed him through the oneway bromin barrier into a holding cell. The male stumbled forward a few steps and then collapsed against the back wall.

Vya looked up at me. The scent of her fear was still strong, but pity had mixed with it.

“What was his crime?” she asked.

The hunter who’d captured him answered. “Unwilling confinement of a female.”

Vya’s pity faded. “Is she okay?”

“The female is unharmed.”

“How long did he keep her?”

“Three arcs,” the hunter said. “He’ll be lucky if he’s only sent to a prison planet for the rest of his life.”

Vya’s gaze swept over the males—hunters and bounties alike—who were still avidly watching her before returning to me.

“Wait…he’ll get life in prison for kidnapping a woman for three hours and not harming her? What about the Wsoau? It wasn’t just one. There were hundreds. What about all the…the…things I was forced to touch and the shocks I got for not moving fast enough to make them happy.” Her anger grew, not only in her scent but in how she held herself. She fisted her hands and glared up at me.

“I’ve sent your scans to the Senwar trade station. Your people know your treatment on Narlin Four. They and the prime council will ensure those responsible are punished.” Even if her people didn’t, the Oebri there would. They understood how precious each female was.

“Even if it’s all of the Wsoau?” she asked.

I gathered her in my arms and held her close the way she liked. She wrapped her arms around my waist in return and pressed her cheek to my chest.

“Even if it’s all of them,” I said. “Long ago, when a different race threatened the systems, they were sentenced to death. All but one of their race to prevent complete genocide.”

She lifted her head and looked up at me. “It was only the men who mistreated me. I didn’t see or touch a single female while I was there unless they’re all anatomically the same.”

“They are not,” I assured her. “Many are aware of how the Wsoau treat their own females. I doubt they will share the same fate as their males.”

She nodded and released me. When she noticed she still held everyone’s attention, she asked, “Is my being here really a problem?”

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