Page 88 of Galactic Sentinels: Vol. 1
As always, our connection is solid, impressive, and unmatched! We're so busy looking at each other that we hardly notice the waves around us. When I feel her tilt, I cover her mouth with mine. I don't want anyone to think my little slave isn't enjoying herself.
I carefully help her stand up again. Her legs are a bit wobbly, and her eyes are a little misty. Her eyes shine with a loving look. But I guess I'm wrong. Like she said, she's human and doesn't feel the bond of soul dedication. The way she's acting is just physical, not emotional.
“Ileana?” I ask gently. “I need to ask you something. While you were held captive… did they… did they hurt you?”
“They just brought me here and locked me in a filthy cage,” she says. “The worst thing they made me do was shoot that video—for the sale.”
Relief floods through me. She’s okay. No harm done.
“I’m so glad you didn’t suffer too much,” I say. “But Ileana… I don’t understand. You ran away from MyFaS. You ran away from me. I’ve been worried sick.”
Her eyes flutter shut for a second.
She takes a deep breath, then whispers, “I overheard you talking to your friend. You said you wouldn’t take me to a Confederation base. And when he mentioned the auction… you said you were going to take care of me. I thought you meant… sell me.”
She hesitates.
“What else?” I press her gently.
“I thought of you,” she says, “when Noviosk got a call from a Confederation traitor. I thought it was you contacting him.”
“What? What are you saying? Explain!”
“No, it couldn’t have been you,” she says quickly. “Noviosk told his contact he’d meet them at his home base after the sale. But you’re here—with me. I’m sorry if I misunderstood.”
“Ileana, My Faksaya, please focus. What exactly did you hear? This is important.”
“Noviosk was in his office,” she says. “He got a call from someone named… Unshakable? Something like that.”
“Unshakable?” I ask, my pulse quickening.
“Yeah, that’s it. He told her to wait at his place while he handled the sale here. Said he’d join her later to finalize their deal—something about Confederation plans.”
My heart slams in my chest. That’s it. That’s the confirmation I’ve been chasing for months.
That bastard is here. Tonight.
“We have to get out of here,” I say, already planning. “We need to call in the task force. Now.”
I lend Ileana my jacket until someone can bring her something to wear. She lies down on the bed, her back to the door, silent but alert.
About half an hour later, the two guards return with two large steaming bowls and a change of clothes for her. I decide to try my luck again.
“Are you sure there’s no way to remove that collar around her neck?” I ask, keeping my tone casual.
The guard eyes me suspiciously. “Why does it bother you so much? It’s to keep her from running off or talking too much.”
“Have you ever tried strangling someone with one of those things?” I reply. “Not to mention, I don’t want to risk getting shocked.”
I keep a straight face, even as I hear Ileana hiccup softly behind me.
“I’m sorry,” the guard says, “but you’ll have to wait until tomorrow. Noviosk’s out of town until noon. He’s entertaining guests on his private island.”
Frustration burns in my chest. I need to get that thing off her. Now.
“That’s not what we agreed to,” I snap. “I was supposed to enjoy my purchase without restrictions.”
“You will,” the guard says sharply. “Tomorrow.”
