Page 101 of Galactic Sentinels: Vol 2
In my arms, Sam has stopped crying. She’s trembling now, shaken by the threat from that bald bastard.
“So tell me, Human,” Noviosk says, turning toward me. “Did you come here with a plan?”
Yeah, like I’d share it withyou. Keep dreaming.
24-Samantha
I’m torn between fear and overwhelming joy.
Ayden is here. He came for me.
But now we’re both prisoners of this disgusting organization. I have no idea what plan he has in mind to get us out of here, and he flat-out refuses to talk to Nov about it—which I completely understand.
I can’t bring myself to trust Nov anymore. Not after what he did to my brother. Still, something inside me says he’ll keep watching over me while these brutes prowl around. He already did last night, apparently. I can’t say I’m happy someone died because of me, but I do feel a deep relief that Nov protected me from that man.
After a quick shower while my two bodyguards stood watch outside, followed by a bland meal, it’s time to sleep. The hangar is about to go dark for the night.
I head toward my sleeping pod. Nov has claimed the one right next to mine. But Ayden, being the last to arrive, is stuck with one of the three pods left in the center of the wall—way too far to keep an eye on me effectively.
He exchanges a look with Nov, and it’s like these two—natural enemies, practically wired to hate each other—have found some silent common ground, at least for now. No words are exchanged. Maybe Ayden was hoping to take Nov’s place in the adjacent alcove? But Nov gives a subtle shake of the head—no.
Ayden walks over to my pod, leans down, inspecting the inside. There’s really nothing to see. It’s just a long cylinder, big enough to fit a Srebat, wide enough for a Varnak to roll over without bumping the sides. Inside, only a thin mattress as the sole buffer between your body and the cold.
“Get in, Sam. I’m joining you,” he whispers.
Wait, what? Ayden wants to spend the night in my pod? Okay, deep breaths, girl. This isn’t some romantic gesture. He just wants to make sure no one touches me in my sleep. That’s it. Nothing more. But still… falling asleep wrapped up against Ayden? Yeah, I seriously doubt I’m getting any rest tonight.
“Sam?” Nov growls. He hasn’t missed a thing.
He’s watching me, clearly waiting for my approval. If I say no, I know damn well he’ll throw Ayden across the room.
“I’m okay with it,” I say softly, cheeks burning.
The giant raises an eyebrow. And in his eyes—just for a second—was that… disappointment?
I slide into the pod, trying really hard not to think about what’s about to happen. Ayden joins me almost instantly, then lowers the interior screen over the pod’s entrance. He settles in carefully, but despite the room, our movements keep bumping into each other. There’s enough space, technically. But our bodies just refuse to stay in their corners. A knee brushes a hip, an elbow grazes a shoulder. We’re awkward, clumsy, like two strangers forced to share a bed that’s too intimate.
Neither of us says a word. The silence stretches out, broken only by the uneven rhythm of our breathing.
I stare at the curved ceiling, hyper-aware of every inch that separates us… and the ones that no longer do.
“Ayden?” I whisper.
“Yeah, sweet girl?”
“Are you going to get us out of here?”
“That’s the plan,” he says.
His voice calms me. I close my eyes, exhausted from the tears I cried earlier, and I slowly drift off.
I wake a few hours later, curled up against the warmth of his chest. I don’t move. I just feel—half-awake, floating in this fragile moment.
His hand gently brushes my elbow, slow and rhythmic. A quiet, instinctive caress. It comes, goes, returns again. Soothing. Like he’s trying to reassure me even in his sleep. And I let him, shaken by this unexpected tenderness.
Why does this simple touch stir me so deeply? It’s nothing. Just a gesture. But my body… isn’t listening to reason. It’s Ayden,after all. The only one who’s ever truly lit me on fire, even if that was a long time ago.
My breathing quickens. His pauses—as if he’s felt the shift. I tilt my head toward him slightly, and though he doesn’t speak, he adjusts our position with a quiet gentleness.
