Page 39 of Captured

“But there’s nothing else we can do,” I protest as Rakir’s eyes blaze with a furious devotion that sends my mind reeling. “You have a chance to save the data frame. Save yourself and the Rebellion.”

His lips fall on mine, shutting down whatever else I might have said. I wasn’t past begging to save his life.

The kiss is short and breathtaking, emotions filling the space between us.

“No.” When he speaks again, the translator is dead and his Universal is unsteady again. “Together.”

I turn my head to the screen as Captain Henrick motions to his men. We can’t hear his words, but we see him give orders, his mouth moving fast. Almost with glee.

The soldiers pull heavy cylinders from the lockbox, shining a metallic glow.

Captain Henrick turns his back on his men and faces us. He looks straight at the camera, a wide grin on his weathered soldier’s face.

“Firebombs.”

They mean to cook us in the ship like oysters in their shells. He lifts his hand, beckoning us to come out. The message is clear.

“They want us to surrender.” My whisper is death-thin, but Rakir hears me. He nods quietly and I see the ripple of feelings across his scaly features. “It could be our only chance.”

I shiver, deep in my soul.

“Out.” Rakir’s single word sounds final. “Fight.”

He will die like a warrior. Fighting.

“Yes.” I nod, tears streaming down my cheeks. “We’ll give them the fight of their fucking lives.”

Rakir holds my gaze in silence for a few seconds then places another kiss on my lips. The contact is soft and full of tenderness, making my heart flutter with fury and despair. I found a depth of feelings with him that I never suspected only to have it ripped from my fingers too soon.

Then Rakir pulls away and the moment is gone. He turns to the screens and his fingers run once more over the controls. The next second, the entire panel of screens turns black. I don’t need to be told they will never come to life again. He won’t give them the List and no matter how hard they try, they won’t find it. As I hold Rakir’s hand, he leads me into total darkness inside the belly of the ship.

To the outside. To the fight of our lives.

I know I should be afraid, but as Rakir’s fingers squeeze mine, I’m not.