Page 1 of Warrior's Captive
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Tai’ri rubbedthe phantom ache in his wrist. There was no scarring, the marks left from the once embedded manacles of his months’ long imprisonment healed.
Physically healed.
“When a great evil has been done to you, you can still choose to move forward,”BdakhunIbukay said.
The princess’ narrow face and intent eyes reflected in the panoramic windows that gave the medical suite a one hundred and eighty degree view of Naidekai city at night. Fliers whizzed by; singles, doubles, and late night ground transports. Pedestrians traversed air walks between buildings, the city transparent below their feet nearly four hundred meters down.
Tai’ri turned. “I wantjokdaht.” He met her gaze head on, aware that a layer of his customary deference was forever burned away.
“Jokdahtwould not be the wisest course,” a deep, cultured voice said, its owner entering the suite through doors that shimmered open silently.
Vykhan, theBdakhun’sHead of Security, glided forward, a gray cloak moving around his body as if currents of air flowed underneath. Long black hair streaked with feathery silver was confined in a tight braid. He watched Tai’ri with calm, expressionless eyes. Not unfeeling, simply Silent.
Tai’ri had never met a warrior who displayed more mastery of his emotions than Vykhan. One day he hoped to be worthy ofAdekhyunNumair’s presence, but this was not that day—not until he achieved the same control. For now, he shoved his feelings and impulses inside a sealed silver box in his mind.
Feelings and impulses urging him to seek vengeance. Justice.
“Do you deny I have the right to hunt, to take vengeance?”
Tai’ri stuffed down his flash of anger, aborting his restless movements as emotions he always struggled to tame roiled. Even before Vykhan, his mother had taught him to allow his fiery bursts to flow through him. Over the years, he’d learned to contain himself enough that he could mimic a quiet, diffident mannered male.
“There are more important problems to resolve. You suffered.” Vykhan shrugged. “Suffering is life.”
“Vykhan,” Ibukay interrupted, lips pressing together. She sighed. “Maybe we should give him some time.”
“Does the female have time?”
Ibukay winced. Vykhan never argued. Logic, he would say, was its own argument.
“What female?” Tai’ri asked. He’d been gone several months. He stiffened. “My sisters—my mother? Has something happened?”
Vykhan slashed a hand through the air. “Your family is well. Did you think I would not watch over them during your absence?”
Tai’ri grimaced. “No. Apologies.”
The other male relented. “You have been through difficulty, and you are sane. I sense no permanent Disquiet in you. Some indulgence is allowed. If it were not for the circumstances, we would not trouble you at this time.”
“I’m fit for duty, Vykhan.” He scowled, then tried to smooth the expression.
Ibukay inhaled, then let the breath out in a heavy sigh. She lifted her gaze to the ceiling, a certain sign she was about to deliver bad news. “You know you weren’t the only inhabitant of the pens.”
“Yeah, I know. I heard others.”
There had been other people, male and female, Yadeshi and alien, in the pens that imprisoned them all, awaiting sale to buyers on the dark market or worse. He’d infiltrated the traffickers’ pod after months of investigation and had gotten caught in the web.
Months to break out and send a distress beacon, months of . . . rage rose in the back of his throat. He closed his eyes and allowed words to flow in a chant.
A voice rose in time with his, the chant clearing his mind and reclaiming his calm. He’d never be Silent—didn’t have Vykhan’s calling for it, but theAdekhanhad trained every person on his team in the basic precepts and chants. Necessary in Tai’ri’s line of work, when going undercover often meant becoming someone else. Which meant he must be able to clear his mind, wipe it clean.
Tai’ri opened his eyes, Vykhan and Ibukay falling silent once they saw his mind was present again. He nodded to indicate he was ready to resume the conversation. Vykhan eyed him with no condemnation, and theBdakhunresumed speaking.
“There were several females. Human females,” she said. “Several of them are pregnant.”
Tai’ri stiffened, a hiss escaping his teeth. His incisors ached briefly, but remained tucked away. “My sister would offer them all care in her birthing center.” He made the offer on Bey’s behalf, knowing she would honor it. The mission of their family was to facilitate every female’s desired birth experience.
“Her center is the best in Beysikai Province,” Ibukay said. “I thank you for the offer, Tai’ri. We will communicate it to the females.” Now she hesitated, exchanging a glance with Vykhan.
