Page 11 of His Brazen Bride

“Maybe you should contact your people on Earth,” Xicyn says.

I laugh. “You have a better chance of doing that than me. Our planet never knew life existed outside of it. This,” I gesture broadly, “is all completely new to my people.”

Xicyn gapes.

“You don’t remember anything after the Belran abducted you?” Ryzordiek presses.

“No, I was out the moment they got me in their clutches.”

“Mordium,” he nods. “It’s a drug found in their skin. They can secrete it on command.”

Knocked out by sleestak ooze? Gross.

“The flight plan and all the logs on the craft were deleted by the Belran just before impact. They definitely did not want anyone to know what they were doing, or where they were going. They were most likely delivering you to a buyer for payment.”

“Who would want me and my friends? Or other humans?”

Ryz shakes his head. “I don’t know. But in the dark markets, creatures of all kinds are stolen for all manner of reasons. Experiments. Slavery. Interspecies breeding.”

“Oh god,” I say, hugging myself. I look up at them in alarm. “You don’t do any of that, do you?”

“No,” they both say quickly.

“It is an offense punishable by life imprisonment here on Ydris and in most regions of the galaxy. But there are always those who will risk breaking the law if enough money is involved,” Ryz explains.

“I can’t sit by thinking Iris and Lacey could be in that kind of danger. What if my friends have already been delivered? Please, can you help me find them?”

Ryzordiek looks at his sister grimly, then back to me. “Ydris is in a very precarious position right now. I need to prioritize the welfare of my people. They must come first.”

I exhale sharply. “Then I’ll have to do it myself.”

He blinks. “With what resources? You have nothing but the torn garments you showed up in, and you said yourself you have no knowledge of this world.”

“I don’t need your help,” I bristle, throwing my shoulders back. I refuse to be a charity case, even in outer space. “I’m sure I can find help elsewhere if this planet already has too many problems.”

“I’m sorry we can’t do more,” Xicyn says, eyeing her brother.

“You’ve already done a lot,” I say. “Thanks.”

“Chom and Ferg, my two associates you met in the medical bay, would like to conduct some more tests, if you’re willing,” Ryzordiek says.

“Until I figure out what I’m going to do? Sure, why not?”

The two of them stand. “Don’t hesitate to let us know if there’s anything we can get you while you’re here,” Ryzordiek says.

I nod. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”

They walk toward the door, and Ryzordiek turns and bows quickly, his eyes sweeping over me once more. Xicyn bows as well, then they are gone.

I suddenly feel very alone.

4

RYZ

“Brother? We need to talk,” Xi says, the moment we’re in the hallway.

“Can it wait? I need to brief Zadren about all this.”

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