Page 19

“A few moons ago my people and our allies learned that there was potentially a Miran Sona ship that never made it to the New Earth colony.”

“Oh, we made it. Behold, paradise.” Elena rolled her eyes while jabbing a hand toward the infernal planet.

Her sarcasm was equally amusing and morbid.

“Apparently the ship you were on was both a colonizing and scouting vessel, the first in this quadrant. Others followed and located a more suitable planet called New Earth.”

Elena’s steps faltered. “Are the people safe there?” she asked, her voice wavering as moisture filled her eyes.

“Yes. The planet is infinitely more hospitable and the alliance is watching over it,” he quickly added, before Elena spilled the tears forming in her eyes. “Maybe we should talk about this later.”

“No. I’m okay.” Elena rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand. “I hoped the Miran Sona would give up, but Sidi said his people would continue with the directive,” she scoffed. “I’m just glad those poor people aren’t suffering, at least not like this.” She angrily shook her head.

Before he could repress the urge, Payim pulled Elena into his arms and hugged her tight.

“I am sorry that you were stolen from your home,” he attempted to say gently but couldn’t keep the growl out of his voice.

It angered him and yet being mad at the few Miran Sona he knew was pointless. From what he’d learned, the Miran Sona chosen for these colonizing missions were treated just as callously by their government as the humans they abducted.

“Please don’t, Payim.” Elena pulled away. “I had this conversation with Sidi a hundred times and what’s done is done. I can’t keep wishing things were different.” She morosely shook her head.

“Sidi?”

She’d mentioned that name before.

“He was the Miran Sona that awoke me, sort of. My stasis pod was damaged in the crash, but I was lucky to survive. Yeah, lucky,” she snorted derisively.

“The Miran Sona pilot survived?!”

Inadvertently he looked around as if the pale lanky species would join them momentarily, before realizing that obviously something had happened to Sidi.

“He died over a year ago.” She shook her head. “So, you learned about the Miran Sona ship.” She encouraged him to continue his tale as she started walking again.

The sorrow in her eyes physically pained him and he wanted to know what happened to Sidi, but Elena didn’t elaborate.

“Aye, and we came to help any of the survivors.” His voice drifted off.

It was becoming horribly apparent Elena was the only survivor.

“You and your allies?” Elena glanced sideways at him.

“Yes,” he replied slowly, seeing the reticence in her eyes.

She was abducted by a foreign race. It’s no wonder she’s hesitant to trust. Undoubtedly it’s the reason she didn’t instantly agree to go with me.

He glanced up and was surprised to see his wrecked cruiser up ahead. They’d been lost in conversation and he hadn't realized they were already here.

Elena

“It looks worse than I remember,” Payim groaned, his gaze focusing on the ship behind her.

She sighed in frustration as Payim got distracted by his ship, just as she was about to learn who his allies were.

What are you going to do if his allies turn out to be those horrible reptiles?she asked herself while watching him walk away, heading toward the crashed vessel. It looked too much like him leaving her behind.

I can’t play these mind games with myself anymore.She’d tried to be cautious with the lives depending on her, but the truth was she felt more and more like she was being stupid.And if those creepy lizards are his allies, what do I know about it? Maybe the Miran Sona are the bad guys. Just because Sidi turned out to be decent, his race as a whole abducts people. Even Payim agrees what they’re doing is wrong, so maybe the reptiles held exception, too.

What had happened to Sidi had been horrible and yet on the scale of interstellar diplomacy it was perhaps tragic justice. Although, that wasn’t what swayed her. Payim did. It was impossible to fake the sincerity that swam in his dark eyes when he hugged her. Despite the way she’d treated him, he was still willing to help her. With his big arms comfortingly wrapped around her she’d almost broken down. It was one thing telling him about losing her shit, it was another to do it in his arms. Still, it had been hard pulling away from him, but it did hammer home one thing.