Page 45

I flail in the bed, coming out of the deep, dreamless sleep, when it all comes flooding back to me. The escape from the Toads. Our capture by the Aurelians.

What I’m going to do tonight to get us off this ship.

There’s a knock at the door, light but insistent.

Garrick?

No—he’s got fists like battering rams. “AI, open door,” I say, half mumbling as I try to blink the sleep out of my eyes. For once, I feel well-rested.

The bolts unlock, and the doors hiss open. Tasha walks in, and they close behind her, sealing us in.

“What time is it?” I yawn, stretching, as the lights flicker on and I see what she’s wearing. A laugh bursts out of my mouth.

Tasha’s never worn a dress in her life. Now she’s in a skimpy little yellow dress that’s so sheer it’s practically a negligee. It looks a hell of a lot more comfortable than my work pants, though. “Whatare you wearing?”

It’s hard to get a sense of time passing on this ship. It feels like a moment and a lifetime have passed since the tractor beam pulled us in. I just hope Theme will be able to disable it like he’s certain he will be—because otherwise our escape plan is going to be cut short.

Would Garrick be the one to mete out my punishment?

Tasha’s holding a cloth bag. “Captain Aelon has a sense of humor, but you’d better stop laughing, unless you want to get back into your sweaty clothes from yesterday. I’ve got a couple dresses for you to choose from.” She tosses the bag to me, and I catch it, sitting up. Anything would be better than the grimy, disgusting clothes I’ve been wearing since we got here.

I run my hand through the dresses.

They are smooth, delicate, made of rich fabrics that I’ve only dreamed of. I live simply. I never splurge, saving up the credits we earned by risking our lives. As much as I love Tasha, one day I knew I’d have to get out of the game. Heists and dirty jobs only last so long before your number gets called.

Guess that plan didn’t work out.

I pull out a blue dress. It’s sheer, and I instantly imagine Garrick’s eyes on me. “Oooh. This is going to lookgoodon me.”

His triad is torturing my thoughts. I can practically hear Tar’ank growling like a beast when he eats up my body with his eyes…

Seconds before he’ll eat me up with his mouth.

“Really? You go from making fun of me to wanting to wear something similar?” Tasha gives me a look of fake offense, like I’ve deeply wounded her.

I shrug. “Thesearenice dresses. I just know you feel like a fraud wearing them, so I had to tease you.” I wonder, why did Aelon suddenly give her the dresses? “Aelon might be annoyed you’re giving me one.”

“Well, Aelon can choke on that when we’re safely away from him.”

I’m suspicious. The brutal alien captain didn’t seem like the type to give pretty gifts. I pull the blue dress on. It’s flowing, gentle lines, yet somehow hugs my body. I look at myself in the long mirror across from the bed, and I can’t help but picture Garrick and his men in that mirror, pressing me down against the bed. I know I’ll look miniature next to the seven-foot-tall beasts.

“A guy doesn’t just give you dresses for nothing. So, you slept with him last night, didn’t you?” I try to keep my voice as light as possible, like I’m just asking an innocent question.

“I’m…I’mBondedto them.”

The gasp escapes my lips, but I feel like I’ve been hit by an iron bar. I feel sicker than when we were escaping the Toads.

I have to be happy for her.

While my Bonded Mates were three rapist animals, she’s going to live for thousands of years with a brave Aurelian captain.

I spin around, putting on my sly, happy face. “You lucky bitch!”

“Sawoot!” She’s shocked, her face showing the conflict of her thoughts. She’s terrified of what the Bond means for her, so I need to do my part as her friend and as first mate to relax her.

No matter how much it hurts knowing she was good enough for her triad and I will never be, I have to do what I can to make her feel good. “You’re going to live thousands of years, Tasha! Oh, my God, that’s… What does it feel like? I can’t even imagine.”

Tears fill her eyes. Did I say something wrong?