Page 9 of Keeping Freya (Warriors of Arracate #3)

T ’Rak

I have never met a more aggravating being than my mate. I really should have asked D’Var and O’Rec for advice, but I thought I could just handle it all by myself. Obviously, I am wrong, if only I knew how to make her see my way.

My mate looks fiercely beautiful. Her mouth is set in a determined line, and she carries the gun like she was born to be a warrior.

Her white hair and pale skin give her an ethereal appearance.

We wait until the entering tube connects with the strange ship’s side, and I adjust her oxygen mask.

If the ship is already in a state of decay, we cannot trust the climate control to work.

I can tell Fr’Ya is nervous by how she is moving, so I put my hand on the small of her back to calm her. The bond lights up at our touch, and I feel a sharp pull even though she steps away from me instantly.

“Let’s go, Buttercup,” she grunts when we hear the tube connect. I still do not understand what she means by this ‘butter-cup,’ but she can call me anything; I do not care.

I push her behind me as we walk through the squishy tunnel.

“It feels like I’m walking on cotton candy,” Fr’Ya murmurs.

This is another strange Earth musing. I breathe in deeply and focus on my Warrior Calm.

We Arracate have a link with the stars, a link with the universe.

My Warrior Calm is the spark within me that keeps me grounded on a deep level.

If I connect with it, I can let go of all emotions and let my brain and muscle memory take over.

This works really well in any sort of combat, or if you have to deal with a stubborn female.

Right now, I need my Warrior Calm to stay alert and ensure I do not miss any hidden threats.

I motion Fr’Ya to wait behind me while I disengage the escape hatch we locked onto.

The hatch falls to the floor with a loud bang that echoes through the ship’s hallway.

Dust is flying around, but the artificial gravity seems to be still holding.

I look around while my wrist com is actively scanning for lifeforms—still blocked.

I take off my mask to try out the air. Though stale, it is breathable, so I motion to Fr’Ya to take hers off as well.

“It’s so quiet in here,” she whispers.

“Stay close,” I command while I make my way through the dimly lit hallway.

We follow the hallway and take a left, navigating towards the center of the craft.

When we arrive at a crossroads, I decide to go left, deeper into the belly of the ship.

I motion for Fr’Ya to stay behind me, which she luckily does.

Her face is a mask of sheer determination, though I can smell her fear.

The hallway is narrow and has no door. It rounds a corner and opens up into a large circular room.

I look at my wrist com and it appears we are at the ship's center.

The room is dark, but faint lights glow at random points on the walls. They pulse and hitch, but we are too far away to get a good look .

“Stay close,” I command as I make my way to the brightest light. A big pulse makes electricity sparkle at the ceiling, and Fr’Ya grabs my harness. The bond flares up at the closeness, and I let it strengthen my calm. It is now more important than ever to keep my mate safe.

Fr’Ya gasps when we are close enough to see what lines the walls. There are huge glass tubes all around. Big enough to fit the biggest alien. And in those tubes, there are bodies floating in some sort of liquid—different species in different states of decay.

“What is this place?” Fr’Ya whispers.

One of the tubes starts glowing, and she lets go of me and walks towards it, as if it is drawing her in.

“Fr’Ya, no! Stay close to me. I think we need to get the hell out of here.

” I try to warn her, but it is too late.

She touches the tube, and with a yell, she disappears.

Cursing, I rush towards the place. It looks as though she activated some sort of trap door.

I shove the tube with both hands, trying to get past it, but it does nothing.

The hatch does not budge, and I roar when I realise I am separated from my mate.

I try pounding on the floor and using my knife to look for a seam, but I end up frustrated with nothing but lost time.

There has to be a lower level to the ship, and I intend to find it.

I breathe in, focus on my Warrior Calm, and call on my Warrior mode.

When in battle, we can call upon our inner Warrior.

My senses heighten, but my features grow sharper, my fingers turn clawlike, and we even grow an inch or two.

Whoever took my mate will now experience the full wrath of a Warrior of Arracate.