Page 113 of Border Control

She's going to use her skills to fight for me.

‘Thank you,’I say again.‘But I'm not worth it?—”

“Don't you dare, Dom,”she snarls.‘You are absolutely worth this and more. I'm sorry I ever let us come here.’

‘We needed to.’

‘No, I thought I needed to. But this price is too high.’

I sway in my bonds. What can I say to that? Before, I'd think any price a female demands is their right, but I know Law-rah wouldn't ask something too costly of me. That's more precious than anything.

Someone who values my life more than I do.

I say,“I don't know what happened to Shade. They aren't here with me.’

‘They're with me, don't worry.’

I close my eyes with relief. Another burden off my mind.

‘Law-rah, I… I hate to ask for this…’

‘What is it?’

I shift in the chains as the new slice in my wrists becomes unbearable.‘I need help.’

‘Oh, Dom. I know how much that costs you to say.’She pauses her work, palms pressed to her eyes. Sadness washes over her in a dragging wave.‘I’m trying. It's been two days and I'm studying everything I can?—”

That much time has passed already?‘Have you been sleeping? Eating?’I gently probe her mind and scowl.‘No, you haven't. If I were there, I'd bundle you up into bed and force feed you.’

‘Same to you,’she replies with a sigh.‘I have to keep going, every second counts. I have a meeting with Samara and Shara tomorrow to set out the basis of the case, and I can't get this wrong.’

‘You won't.’I know she'll do a good job, but she needs rest or she'll hurt herself. Besides, she'll need all her reserves when I'm found guilty despite her hard work.

‘No!’Laura’s reaction is immediate.‘Justice has to prevail. It has to.’

‘Not for me,’I tell her, trying to be gentle.

‘Listen to me. I know what I’m doing, I promise. You’re going to be fine.’Law-rah’s assertion is strong, but underneath, the tide rises. Swirls of unease turn into lakes of black doubt, sucking at her limbs, fouling her thoughts. Sharp spikes form, pulsing inward with every one of her heartbeats.

‘COULDN’T SAVE HIM. CAN’T HELP DOM. WON’T SAVE HIM.’Law-rah’s true thoughts blast across to me. Heavy chains of guilt weigh her down.

I do the only thing I can to help her. I lift her up and out, shielding her as much as I can through the distance between us, sheltering her in my mental embrace.

‘Dom,’she whispers, and finally, her walls crumble.

But I can’t meet her. If I lower my shields any further, I risk letting the pain enter our connection.

Like a seasoned Apex, Law-rah surges down the mind-sync. She's stronger, but then, I expected as much. She lets nothing stand in her way.

Her gasp colors the connection between us as pink as her cheeks as she sees the conditions I’m in.‘How dare she!’

‘She?’

‘Prif Samara. I bet this is her doing.’

I shake my head, even though it makes my shoulders burn.‘Perhaps as a result of the system she's put in place, but there's nothing personal here.’

Fresh anger washes over me. Her fortitude warms me against the chill of this empty torture cell.