Page 53

I use my Sarkarnii form to return, alongside Dante, the pulsar grenade belt dangling from his jaws, to Vorostor Central. There we part ways as I get back to the Silver Star.

“What ships do we have available which are fast, well-armed, and have the latest scanner tech?” I stride through to the docking area. “Quick, warrior. Time is of the essence.”

“We have one with weaponry and speed, but the latest tech has yet to be installed. The Amber Gem ,” he says. “Taken from Lijiki pirates six nova months ago.”

“I recall the ship. We only captured it because the crew blew up an engine with their heavy tentacled use of the thing. Is it fixed?”

“I did the work myself, my Lord.”

“Good, where is it?”

“In orbit.”

I head to the nearest flyer.

“Dante is going to inform the warlords of our findings. Whether they wish to assist or not is their prerogative, but it’s clear the Veseli are back.”

Dalat bristles, his shift flowing through him. “I hate the Veseli,” he says with considerable feeling.

He’s not alone with the sentiment. Not only are the creatures foul beyond belief with a scent which is utterly repelling to a Sarkarnii, but a number of our ships were captured when we first ventured out into this galaxy from Vorostor.

We freed our brethren not long after, but most, to this nova-day, won’t talk about it, including Dante and Dexx.

It was the impetus we needed to set up Vorostor Central and co-ordinate our efforts. It was how we ended up as warlords. That and the undeniable fact the Sarkarnii are the biggest predators in this galaxy.

I make it to the dock without shifting, even though every atom in my being wants to go without a ship. While it might be possible, the rational side of me manages, just, to persuade my Sarkarnii side going in shift will not allow me to bring Kerra back.

I board a small flyer, and in less than ten nova seconds, I’m heading to the outer atmosphere. The ship I want appears on the horizon, hanging in space, waiting for me.

I dock and set the flyer’s co-ordinates to return itself to Vorostor. I don’t need the additional weight. Not if I’m going to catch the Veseli ship.

“ Lord Darax .” Dalat comes over the comm within the Amber Gem . “ Do you have co-ordinates as to where you are going? ”

I growl, which reverberates through the empty ship, flinging myself into the pilot chair and firing up the engines.

“I have an idea where they will be,” I respond. “Where we last found them . ”

My wings are shifted. Try as I might, they’re not shifting back. I stop trying. If channeling my shift into my wings is all I can do to stop the rest of me, which I know cannot pilot a ship of this size, then they can stay this way.

The engines whine into life, and I punch in the route. I’m pushed back against the chair as the ship leaps forward in a burst of speed which makes my heart beat a little faster.

Everything I have is concentrated on one goal. Get to Kerra.

Once I have obtained such a goal, I will deal with the other matter. The extermination of the Veseli, once and for all.

No creature who dares to touch my mate will live while I do. The Veseli should be counting down the nova-seconds until their destruction.

I work my way over the onboard console. Dalat has done an impressive job of stocking the Amber Gem with weaponry, even if I do recognize some of the cannon from other ships.

But, given the speed of this thing, I won’t take any action. He’s turned it into a formidable weapon, one I need at this time.

My comm crackles again, but nothing comes through. I guess not everything is working as well as the weapons system. I try it, but the thing seems dead.

I don’t need anyone else anyway. I will get Kerra and rain down the revenge required on the creatures who dared to take her.

No one touches my mate. No one takes her from me and nothing keeps us apart.

Kerra is mine.

The Veseli are about to find this out the hard way. And it will be the last thing they ever know.