Page 20 of Pursued by the Dragon Alien (Zarux Dragon Brides #4)

TWENTY

Takkian

Razion stood on the Darkslip’s command deck, eyes locked on the blinking trajectory of the Zaruxian ship. It was close—he could feel it. Every instinct in his body pulled him forward. Lilas was there . He knew it like he knew the pulse in his veins.

“Still on course to intercept and closing,” Cozax said from her station. “Forty-two piks until they detect us on scanners.”

Razion nodded, jaw tight. “Hold course.”

Then, the space before them twisted.

Warnings flared across the screens as something massive decloaked ahead with a pulse of shifting energy. It was no freighter. No rogue pirate vessel. This was an Axis warship—bigger, stronger, armed to the horns.

Cozax cursed. “ Fek. What is happening right now?”

“Shields up,” Razion barked.

“Oh, yes.” Vedd’s fingers flew over the controls. “We have a problem.”

“I see it,” Razion snapped. His hands clenched into fists as a new, large red marker appeared on the holo-map. “Prepare for full-scale attack.”

Cozax nodded and hurried to her weapons station, pulling on a headset that would let her interface with the system faster and with accuracy. “Weapons charging.”

The main Axis warship hailed them.

“ Fek them,” Razion said through his teeth. “Aim for their main thrusters and plasma cannons.”

“On your order, Captain,” Cozax said.

“Fire.”

Cozax let loose a barrage of explosions that erupted over the hull of the Axis ship, but its shields held.

“They haven’t charged their weapons,” Cozax said with confusion. “They’re just sitting there, keeping pace beside us.”

“They’re hailing us again.” Vedd swiveled his chair and looked at Razion in bafflement. “On a distress frequency.”

What the fek was this about? Razion growled and stared hard at the huge Axis ship. It was one of the best in their armada. The kind that their high leaders traveled in. In a one-on-one with the Darkslip, it would win. The only advantage his ship had was maneuverability, but if they evaded the Axis ship, he’d lose Lilas’ trail.

“Fine.” He dropped heavily into his chair. “Let’s see what they want.”

Vedd patched it through. “Incoming transmission.”

A calm, precise voice filled the command deck. “Darkslip, stand down.” A beat of silence. “We are not here to attack you, but we have the Zaruxian ship you are following surrounded with fully one quarter of our fleet. If you engage, we will destroy them, including the Terian aboard.”

Razion’s pulse turned to ice.

Every muscle in his body locked. The primal part of him—instinct honed over cycles of raids and survival—demanded action. Attack . Take the risks. Tear them down. But the logical part of him, the part shackled by the weight of the threat hanging over Lilas’ head, forced his hands still.

Vedd’s mouth pressed into a thin line. “Orders, Captain?”

Razion stared at the Axis warship, wondering what they were playing at. He shrugged and figured to just ask. His voice came out rough. “What do you want , Axis ship?”

The calm, sterile voice returned. “That is not a conversation to have over comms, Captain Razion.” A pause. “You will allow our high council representative to board.”

Cozax looked at him and Vedd, and mouthed, What the fek—high council representative?

Razion’s fists clenched. The only glimpse he’d ever gotten of a high council representative was that of the Zaruxian in the images Vedd had decrypted. Now, one of them wanted to board his ship and speak to him directly? It was insane to even think about. These beings were so secretive, no one even knew who they were.

In his head, he ran every possible alternative to letting this monster onto his ship. It felt like a defiling just to be in the presence of one of these people. But if the Axis was willing to leverage Lilas’ life to prove a point, he needed to play along long enough to find out what that point was.

He splayed his hands and shrugged. “Okay. Your high council representative may board.”

“Stand by,” came the reply as the communication ended.

“Razion.” Cozax shot him a sharp look. “Are you sure about this?”

“No,” Razion replied. “But I’m really curious.”

Not long after, a smaller Axis transport detached from the massive warship and locked onto the Darkslip’s dock with mechanical precision.

Razion stood at the entrance of the docking bay, arms crossed as Vedd and Cozax flanked him, along with a good portion of the rest of the crew, who were half intrigued and also armed and ready to defend their ship if this was a big trick. And it could be a trick.

“Here we fekking go,” Vedd murmured, hand on the sleek blaster on his hip.

“Stay calm ,” Razion hissed, and glanced at Cozax. “Especially you. Don’t shoot the high council representative.”

Cozax made a noncommittal shrug.

The hatch hissed open, releasing a controlled gust of pressurized air. A tall, elegant figure strode down the ramp, accompanied by two armored guards.

The high council representative wasn’t what Razion expected.

Sleek, silver-gray skin. Smooth features. He held himself in a way that bespoke power cultivated, not earned. Dark ridges swept back from his temples, curving like an ornate crown over his elongated skull. His uniform and flowing cloak were pristine, carrying the unmistakable Axis insignia.

His cold black eyes locked onto Razion immediately, his expression unreadable. “Captain Razion,” he said with impeccable, false politeness. “I am High Chancellor Vahkos.”

Razion didn’t bow, didn’t acknowledge the formality. His voice came out flat. “How did you find us?”

Vahkos’ thin lips curved just enough to mock the idea of a smile. “You know how it is,” he said smoothly. “With the right information, no one stays lost for long.”

Razion’s gut went tight. He didn’t like where this was going. “And what information would that be?”

Vahkos tilted his head slightly, studying him. Then, with the same casual precision, he said, “Your former first officer was quite cooperative.”

The air turned razor-sharp. A cold weight settled low in Razion’s stomach. Krask .

Betrayal burned hot through his veins, coiling tight, but he didn’t let it show. Of course , Krask had sold them out. Of course, he had given the Axis everything they needed to track the Darkslip.

Razion inhaled slowly, forcing steel into his spine. “I see,” he said, his tone neutral.

Vahkos smiled like a creature who knew he held the upper hand. “Alienating long-time officers has consequences, Captain.” He lifted a brow, mockingly sympathetic. “There were some hard feelings, it seems.”

Razion ignored the bait. “What do you want?”

Vahkos clasped his hands together. His polished nails gleamed under the bay’s lights. “A simple request, Captain.”

“Nothing is simple with you people.” Razion’s wings twitched. “What is it?”

Vahkos’ expression didn’t shift. “You may have heard that we permitted the Terian penal colonies to rule themselves after their overseer left our employ. The Axis has far more lucrative commitments elsewhere.” He shrugged, as if this was merely a passing inconvenience. “But your little rebellion—your gathering of Zaruxians and Terians—puts that arrangement at risk.”

Razion’s jaw flexed. This was instantly interesting.

Vahkos continued, his voice smooth, even. “When you catch up with the Zaruxians and Terians, you will deliver a message: Cease searching for the remaining brothers and Terian females.” His black eyes glinted. “Or we will find renewed interest in those properties.”

Silence rang through the docking bay.

Cozax tensed beside him. Vedd’s hands curled into fists at his sides.

Razion didn’t blink. “And if they refuse?”

Vahkos tilted his head. “That would be…unfortunate.” He gestured toward the viewport, where the dark hulking mass of his ship loomed. “We have been…lenient.” His voice turned cold. “If these people continue down this path, we will erase them, the settlements. Every living thing that has ever assisted them.”

Dragon fire burned in Razion’s throat as pressure built in his body. This was the closest he’d ever felt to his body shifting into something else. Another form he’d never known.

The Axis would burn everything.

His wings flexed, his fingers dug into his palms. He met Vahkos’ unfeeling gaze, searing with every ounce of hatred curdling in his gut.

“You’re overreaching, Vahkos.” Razion’s voice came out calm, even. Controlled fury layered beneath every word. “You say the Axis has more lucrative priorities. If that were true, you wouldn’t be here, making threats.”

Vahkos didn’t blink. His smooth, cold features remained perfectly still, betraying nothing. “That is where you are mistaken, Captain. We make threats when they become necessary.”

Razion’s hands flexed at his sides. He could rip this bastard apart piece by piece if it came to it. If not for Lilas trapped on the surrounded Zaruxian ship, he might have already done just that.

The council member clasped his hands behind his back, tilting his head slightly. “You are correct in one regard,” Vahkos continued. “We do not particularly care about your scattered little rebellion. Let the Terian farm settlements manage themselves. They produce nothing of value anymore. The Axis does not waste resources on outdated investments.” He stepped forward, just enough to invade Razion’s space. “However, that does not mean we will allow your people—Zaruxians and Terians alike—to unite into something…problematic.”

Razion didn’t react. He could feel Vedd and Cozax beside him, waiting for a signal. Watching his every reaction.

Vahkos smiled, slow and deliberate. “Deliver the message, Captain. Tell them to stand down.” His voice dipped just slightly. “Or we will take action.”

Razion exhaled slowly, burning the moment into his mind. This was the Axis. Their rule. Their arrogance. They destroyed and discarded as they pleased, treating civilizations like broken machinery—useless once stripped of their value.

But they weren’t gods. And they had vulnerabilities.

A cold smirk curved Razion’s lips. “You call this a warning.” His wings spread, drawing Vahkos’ attention for half a second. “I call it fear.”

Vahkos’ dark eyes narrowed. “Careful, Captain.”

Razion stepped forward, matching his calculated tone with one of his own. “No, you be careful.” His voice was low, a slow storm rolling under the surface. “Because if you lay a single hand on Lilas, on any of them, I will burn your entire fleet to the ground.”

The words came out quiet, lethal. A promise.

Vahkos tilted his head. “Bold.” His expression remained infuriatingly unaffected. “But bravado alone does not win wars, Captain. Strategy does. Resources. Power.” His cold, black eyes gleamed. “And we have far more of all three than you.”

Razion didn’t flinch. He had spent cycles fighting, raiding, learning how to dismantle the Axis’ influence piece by piece. He knew how they operated, how they weighed risk against reward. They didn’t eliminate threats—they absorbed them, redistributed them. Unless, of course, they couldn’t be controlled.

Like the Zaruxians.

Like the Terians.

Like him .

“If you truly had all the strategy, and resources, and power,” Razion said, “you wouldn’t be here, delivering your empty warnings.” His lip curled. “You’d already have flattened the settlements and been done with it.”

Vahkos regarded him silently for a long moment. Then, with a slow breath, he straightened his uniform cuffs. “It seems you think yourself fortunate enough to still be standing, Captain,” he said. “I’m inclined to let that illusion persist for a little while longer.”

He turned toward his accompanying guards, nodding sharply. Without another word, they moved back toward the docked Axis transport. As they ascended the ramp, Vahkos paused at the threshold, glancing back at Razion. “Deliver the message,” he said. “Consider your next actions carefully. There will not be another warning.”

The ramp sealed shut behind him, and within seconds, the Axis ship detached from the Darkslip, vanishing back toward the warship.

Razion exhaled, forcing himself to stay calm even as his insides quaked. “Back to the command deck,” he murmured to Vedd and Cozax. He waved a hand toward the assembled crew, all of whom were muttering nervously among themselves. “Back to your stations, everyone,” Razion said. “The performance has ended.”

They returned to the command deck in silence. Once inside, with the door shut behind them, Vedd let out a slow, measured breath and sank into his chair. “Well,” he said. “That was fun.”

Cozax crossed her arms. “What’s the play, Captain?”

For a moment, Razion didn’t answer. He turned back toward the viewport, toward the Zaruxian ship they were still chasing. Toward Lilas.

“Nothing fancy. We catch up with the ship.” Razion flexed his fingers. “We deliver their fekking message.”

Vedd leaned against the console, his smirk fading. “You plan to tell them about this little visit?”

“Absolutely,” Razion said. “Unless they’re lacking all critical thinking skills, they’ll come to the same conclusion that I did. We’re a threat to the Axis’ power. How , I have no idea.” That was a question he couldn’t answer—what was it about a handful of renegades that was so scary to a powerful armada?

Cozax turned toward him, her expression calculating. “We’ll have to be smart about this. We can tell those Zaruxians and Terians what Vahkos said, but who’s to say they’re going to stop looking for their remaining friends and your brothers?”

“I don’t expect them to stop.” Razion pressed his fingers to his temple. “I wouldn’t.”

“Then aren’t you worried about a strike?”

“They’ll strike anyway,” Razion countered. “Their threats weren’t a warning. They were a promise.”

A heavy silence settled over them. Cozax exchanged a look with Vedd, then crossed her arms. “Alright, Captain. We’ve followed you this long, and you pay well.” That was always a key, helpful decider for raiders. “We’ll keep tracking the Zaruxian ship. The signal is getting stronger. They’ll detect us soon enough, anyway, at this speed.”

“If we fly in too fast, too direct, they might attack,” Vedd warned. “They might think we’re their enemy.”

“They won’t.” His chest tightened as the red beacon grew closer and closer on the holo-map. “I’m their brother.”

“That’s assuming they’re the sentimental types.” Cozax sighed. “And if Lilas doesn’t want to see you?”

Razion did not want to consider that possibility, but he kept his tone steady. “Then I’ll hear it from her directly. As well as an explanation.”

Vedd exhaled, turning back to the console. “You might broadcast a few words to the rest of the crew that we’re not under attack. At the moment.”

Razion turned back to the viewport. The Axis warship was gone, but it wasn’t his concern anymore. Lilas was out there—unaware of just how close he was to finding her.

He flexed his hands at his sides, his wings shifting in anticipation.

Soon, he would find her.

And when he did, she’d know the truth.