Page 2 of Adtovar (The Alliance Rescue #1)

Duke Ako stood leaning over the helmsman’s console.

At his side, Cristox, Xabat, and Zahavi gathered.

All were former gladiators, now Historia officers like me.

I had known Duke Ako for many years. He was a good male as well as a fair and kind ruler.

He’d pledged his armies and fortune to rescue human slaves, in part due to the guilt he felt after discovering his son in cahoots with the Kerzak criminal, Ambassador Yaard.

The Ambassador had used Nansar’s conflicted feelings toward his human mother to turn son against father and manipulate the young man for his own gain.

Cristox, Xabat, and Zahavi had quickly proven themselves to be skilled and honorable males—males I trusted, despite only knowing each for a short time.

Willa, Charick, and I were fortunate enough to have these three by our side as we maneuvered through the dangers of Nansar’s gladiator pit.

Their unwavering loyalty and fierce protectiveness toward Wila showed me everything I’d needed to know regarding their character.

Duke Ako’s pale blue eyes caught my entry onto the bridge, motioning me over. With the punch of a button, the display on the helmsman screen ported onto one of the larger screens surrounding us with stunning clarity.

Budak.

Even from orbit, one could make out the crimson sand dunes and craggy rocks that covered the planet.

Memories fought for prominence as I stared at the display.

Charick wasn’t the only one who’d fought in the desolate pits that dotted the planet like bloody jewels.

There was nothing on Budak but horror and heartbreak, something no female should have to endure—especially a human female.

“Do we have more intel?” I asked, coming to stand beside the Duke. Ako wasn’t one to call unnecessary meetings.

“Yes,” he sighed, his eyes trained on the display. “But not about the human.”

“We must adjust our rescue plan.” Cristox shifted on his feet, tugging at the neckline of his navy tunic.

Cristox was a Stranac, a leonine species, large and muscular with a thick, dirty yellow mane that always seemed to invade the neckline of his tunics, making them too tight.

He’d ended up in the pit by giving himself up to captivity to save a human female.

As a distant cousin of the spymaster Siemba, and with his past experience as a spy, Cristox was the perfect choice for Intelligence Officer aboard the Historia .

“Why?” Xabat was a Kaelaks, a massive male covered by green-scaled skin with deep purple eyes.

Willa had christened the coated wire-like strands that covered his head dreadlocks , and he’d adored her ever since.

Xabat was an exceptional warrior and had taken on the role of War Chief with great relish.

Cristox blew out a deep breath, belying his aggravation. “Tarrick, Siemba’s younger brother, was supposed to rendezvous with the Historia to help us gain an audience with the pit owner Bozzo. We were going to use him to negotiate the release of the human female.”

“The playboy?” Tarrick’s reputation was well known and a perfect cover for his role as an operative in his brother’s spy organization.

“Not anymore.” The leonine face twisted with a mix of irritation and amusement. “He recently took a human mate and had to blow his cover to save her from her previous owner.”

“What’s the new plan?” Xabat crossed his enormous arms over his chest, ideas spinning behind his dark purple eyes.

All eyes turned to me, and the hair on the back of my neck rose forebodingly.

“I have an idea,” Ako said slowly, letting each word sink in. “Before we entered orbit, I changed the Historia’s call sign to mimic a wealthy merchant vessel and sent a comm requesting a meeting with Bozzo.”

“Do you think he will respond?” Intel suggested Bozzo was a bit paranoid and limited visitors to his planet to only those criminals he knew or admired.

“I think so.” Ako’s pale gaze found mine, his expression apologetic. “Old friend. I would like for you to approach Bozzo as a lanista .”

I stiffened, and while I trusted the males around me, I couldn’t help but feel blindsided.

“With your past, posing as a trainer wouldn’t be hard to believe,” Cristox added.

It seemed like a good plan, though I hated to admit it. Many gladiators found themselves in the role of trainer and mentor when they became too old or injured to fight.

“You will claim to be employed by a wealthy merchant wanting to build his own gladiator stables,” Ako explained the rest of the ruse. “I’ve already taken the steps to create your cover and have funded an account with unlimited credits for your use.”

“Intel suggests the pit owner is exceptionally greedy,” Cristox chuckled.

Of course, he was greedy. All pit owners were greedy. It’s how they got into the business of trading blood and suffering for sport in the first place.

“If I’m there to build a stable of fighters. How do I get my hands on the human female?” It was the one part of the plan that still needed explanation.

“Purchase her as well,” Ako said, his pale features twisting with regret.

He ran a hand over one of the pearlescent horns sprouting from high on his forehead, an echo of my own.

“Siemba’s information suggests she has been with Bozzo for at least six months.

” He swallowed hard. “She will most likely be in bad shape and can be purchased easily.”

No one said anything for a long few minutes. While for different reasons, human females had become precious to each of us, and the idea of one being brutalized was hard to stomach.

“I will put together a medi-kit for you.” Zahavi, the yellow-scaled, purple-haired Irvikuva who acted as the ship’s healer, spoke slowly, his deep red eyes holding unfathomable worry.

“You can use it to treat the female of wounds or disease.” He drew a deep breath and muttered what the rest of us were thinking.

“Hopefully, it will keep her alive until we can get her aboard for further healing.”

Every fiber of my being recoiled at the thought of returning to the pits of Burdak.

The memories of the arena, with the brutal battles and degrading treatment, still caused equal parts shame and ire to burn through me like lava.

I longed to bury those moments deeply in the past and move on from them.

Going to Burdak would thrust me back into the middle of some of the most shameful parts of my history.

Yet, I could not say no. Save for a twist of fate, it could be Willa down on that planet right now, trying to survive.

That thought alone made my decision easy.

“When do I leave?”