Page 57 of Radakk's Mate
I pick up my trembling mate, and she laces her arms around my neck, hugging me. Seeking solace in the embrace. Affection for her brims in my heart. I open the closet door and carry her inside.
“You will remain here while I kill the human males,” I say. “Try to keep as quiet as possible. I will return soon.” I press a kiss to her forehead, usher her into a back corner of the closet, then collect several items of clothing, placing them atop her, making it look as though there’s a huge pile of discarded clothing on the floor.
I quietly close the door behind me and enter the corridor on silent feet. Three voices. I hear three voices. Again, I hold back the growl building in my throat. Bloodlust hums through my veins as I wait for the intruders to step into the corridor.
Once they appear, they attempt to hit me with blaster fire, but their aim is poor and I’m quick to dodge the beams of red. But even if the blaster fire hit me, it would do little damage. As part of our reconnaissance on the humans, we analyzed their weaponry, and we discovered the blasters they favor aren’t strong enough to penetrate our thick, armored skin. Fools.
I charge at the nearest human male, and in his surprise, he fumbles with his weapon. I snatch it from his hand and punch him so hard in the chest, he skids back into a wall, hits his head, and slumps to the floor.
Before the other two humans can attempt to shoot me again, I turn the borrowed weapon in my hand on them, hitting each of them directly in the head, killing them on the spot.
The human male slumped against the wall gasps and struggles to return to his feet. He puts his fists up, as though he means to fight me with his bare hands. I scoff and toss the blaster aside. Too easy. It would be too easy to shoot him.
My wrist comm buzzes again, and I glance at the message.Nearly all attackers dead. Weapons systems restored. Shields restored. We fired one warning shot atJansonna’sstarboard. Captain Warren is hailing us and claiming innocence and begging for mercy—he’s surrendered control of theJansonnato Officer Brute.
I direct my attention to the human male whose fists are still raised. Fear glimmers in his eyes when he glances at his fallen comrades.
“Why aren’t any of you sick!” the man screams, his voice filled with panic. “You’re supposed to be dying and unable to fight back!”
I grasp his neck and squeeze, holding him out so far he’s unable to strike my chest or face. He flails and swings his fists through empty air.
“How did you disable our shields and weapons systems, human scum?” I set him on his feet, though I keep my hand around his throat. I loosen my grip to allow him to respond. If he answers my questions, I’ll give him a clean, quick death. If he defies me, I’ll slowly twist his head off his body while he screams and pleads for mercy. I’ll savor his demise.
“We-we used Xorrshanan technology that we acquired at an outpost.” The male grimaces and grasps my arm. “Please.Please.”
“What is your little group of rebels called?”
Tears glitter in his eyes. “The Saviors. We’re known as The Saviors.”
“The Saviors.” I chuckle. “A bit ironic when most of you are already dead, is it not? Tell me, did the captain or his command team have anything to do with the hypospray Sheila brought aboard, or was it all you?”
“It-it was all us. The captain and his command team are too cowardly to fight you. The Saviors mean to keep human females from being handed over to you alien scum. We intend to steal back the females you already have on your ship.” Though fear continues shining in his eyes, so does anger, and I sense his deep loathing of my kind.
But the feeling is mutual, and I snap his neck.
I let go and he joins his unbreathing comrades on the floor.
A large team of Darrvason security officers rush into my quarters, but they pause when they notice the dead males at my feet.
“How many are left?” I ask.
“Only about five,” says the male standing nearest to me.
“Go find them,” I order. “Find them and kill them on sight.”
Chapter38
THALIA
Relief fillsme when the closet door opens, and Emperor Radakk calls my name. I shove the clothes off myself and take in the sight of him, and praise the stars, he’swhole. He appears completely unharmed, not a single bruise or scratch or splotch of blood on him.
Thank God.
I was so worried, so terrified something would happen to him, especially when I heard blaster fire echoing through his quarters.
“Thalia. Thalia, it’s all right. They’re all dead. Every last one of them. It’s safe now.” He comes closer and lifts me in his arms.
I cling to him and shudder with continued relief. And happiness. God, I’m so happy he’s alive. I try not to think about what that means.
