Page 60

His mind filled with images of Talia—her shy smile when he praised her, the way her translucent ears had begun to glow with contentment when she felt safe, how she had started to reach for his hand without fear. The thought of her frightened and alone tore at him.

He had promised Kara he would keep their family together. He would not break that promise.

“I will find you,” he vowed silently to Talia as they rushed through the gathering dusk. “Whatever it takes, I will bring you home.”

The medical facility loomed ahead, its windows glowing with reassuring light. Thraxar tightened his grip on Kara and quickened his pace. Time was against them, but he had faced impossible odds before.

This time, the stakes were infinitely higher.

This time, he was fighting for his family.

The medical staffswarmed around them as soon as they entered the facility. A tall, willowy being with silver skin tookKara from his arms with surprising strength, barking orders to the others as they rushed her into a treatment room. Another staff member, shorter and rounder, approached Rory with gentle movements.

“May I check you for injuries?” they asked.

Rory shrank back against his leg, his fingers digging into Thraxar’s skin.

“He’s not injured,” he said. “But he’s witnessed a traumatic event. His mother was attacked, and his…” He hesitated. What was Talia to them? “His sister was taken.”

The medical worker’s eyes widened. “Taken? Have you contacted Security?”

“Not yet. I came here first.”

“I’ll alert them immediately.” They tapped a sequence on their wrist device. “They’ll want to speak with you.”

Thraxar nodded grimly. “And I want to speak with them.”

A different medical worker emerged from the treatment room. “Your mate is stable,” they informed him. “She was exposed to a neuroinhibitor—non-lethal but designed to render the victim unconscious for several hours. We’re administering the counteragent now. She should regain consciousness soon.”

Relief washed through him. “Can we see her?”

“Briefly. She’ll be disoriented when she wakes.”

He lifted Rory into his arms, the boy’s weight barely registering. “We will be quick.”

Kara lay on a diagnostic bed, her skin pale against the dark surface. Various monitoring devices hummed softly around her. Rory immediately stretched toward her, and Thraxar carefully set him down beside his mother. The boy curled against her side, his small hand finding hers.

“She will be all right,” he told him, hoping his voice sounded more confident than he felt. “And we will find Talia.”

Rory looked up at him with solemn eyes, then deliberately reached out his free hand toward him. The gesture—so simple yet so profound—caught him off guard. He gently took the offered hand, forming a chain of connection between the three of them.

In that moment, despite the fear and rage churning within him, he made a silent vow. He would protect what remained of his family with his life. And he would move the very stars if necessary to bring Talia back to them.

A subtle change in Kara’s breathing pattern caught his attention. Her eyelids fluttered, then slowly opened. Confusion clouded her gaze before focusing on Rory, then Thraxar.

“What…” Her voice was barely a whisper.

“You’re safe,” he said. “You’re in a medical facility.”

Memory visibly returned, horror washing over her features. “Talia,” she gasped, struggling to sit up. “They took Talia!”

“I know.” He placed a steadying hand on her shoulder. “Security is on their way. We will find her.”

Tears filled her eyes. “I couldn’t stop them. They had some kind of spray. I tried to fight, but…”

“This is not your fault,” he said firmly. “None of this is your fault.”

A commotion in the corridor announced the arrival of the planetary security force. He squeezed her hand gently. “Rest. Regain your strength. I’ll speak with them.”