Page 19

Chapter Eleven

The moment they appeared in the Kevol’s common, Cylo scooped the swaying female against his chest. She squeaked then held his gaze as if she decided something.

He hesitated mid-stride, the weight of her in his arms, her softness against his body, all imprinted on his senses.

She buried her face into his chest, her eyelids fluttering shut.

If time wasn’t an issue, he’d savor her trust in him.

Instead, with her health on the line, he marched to the med-E.D. and lowered her onto the bed.

She tried to sit up.

He cupped her shoulder, keeping her in place. “Let the med-E.D. work,” he said. “It will heal you.”

She slumped, wiggling in place like she searched for a comfortable spot. He stared at her bare feet, realizing she’d left her boots on Iphara then hiked across the coarse sand without him noticing. He stroked the underside of the closest foot then sighed when he met smooth skin.

Flashing skin, she reached inside her tunic and pulled out data cubes, holding them against her stomach. Taking them from her meant touching her, the heat from her body warming his fingers. He handed them to a passing Nhyht with a whispered, “To Olin.”

“Please…keep this safe for me.” Her husky voice snatched Cylo’s attention to her then to where she held out the med-gun.

He took it, his fingers brushing hers and sending a shiver up his arm.

Qaff typed on the console, sealing the dome.

She lifted off the bed to float in mid-air. Her eyes widened. “What—”

“I’ll be here when you wake up, ensa.” Without breaking eye contact, he slid the med-gun into a pants pocket.

Her lips parted. Glancing behind him, she asked, “Hiossu?”

Cylo clenched his jaw. Was this female insane? Why did the Maloidian matter after what had happened to her? “He is being attended to and will be here when you are well.”

She frowned at Cylo. “Promise?”

He forced a smile he was far from feeling. “Yes, ensa.”

She held his gaze until the med-E.D. shut her eyes, and she drifted off.

“I do not know what they injected into her, but it took three variations of our usual sedatives to bring on sleep.” Qaff scowled at the female.

“You best see to your promise,” he said, pointing his chin at Koddo running a med-gun over a pale-but-otherwise-fine Maloidian.

“And have him heal you, too. We only have one med-E.D.”

Cylo harrumphed but approached Hiossu. “How do you feel?”

“I am well, Etterian,” Hiossu answered. “When the female is, too, I will share all I know.”

“Fair enough.” Cylo hesitated, not liking the Maloidian having free reign of his scimitar. “Koddo, escort Hiossu to the barracks.”

The Maloidian opened his mouth then snapped it shut. “You do not trust me. I understand why. I shall be patient, Etterian.”

“Operative Cylo,” he said, tapping his chest. When Koddo took the male away, Cylo returned to the med-E.D. “How long?”

Qaff held his gaze but said nothing.

With a huff and a last glance at the stubborn female, Cylo marched to the comm. “Fyca—”

“That was the brightest cloud no doubt seen from every surrounding landmass,” the pilot said, casting a glance at Cylo then grimacing. “I smell blood.” He rose out of his seat and removed his med-gun.

Cylo waved him aside. “And the women?” he asked.

Eight had better survive this.

Informing Malo of the loss of even one female wouldn’t be well received and might cost Cylo many feet of honor. Losing his hair wouldn’t be sufficient punishment to assuage his guilt. A dead human meant a doomed Etterian, male or female.

Fyca grinned while pocketing his med-gun. “They are in the officers’ quarters ordering meals off the rehydrator and cleansing. Qaff has tended to their wounds and neutralized the chemicals injected into them.”

“That is indeed welcome news,” Cylo said and tapped his O.D.I. “Olin, are you certain we did not miss a female?”

“There were no additional heat signals after we found Lady Eight. I made sure to rescan at the highest setting.”

“My thanks.” Cylo dipped his chin to his chest, having to accept Olin had done his best. The male was a respectable and experienced data officer, but Wren had planted doubt and mistrust in Cylo’s mind. “Fyca, please comm Supreme Commander Jokta.”

Fyca dropped into his seat and pressed the glowing keys on the console. “Connected.”

“Operative Cylo, I hear the mission was a success.”

“Indeed, Supreme Commander.” Cylo bowed his head when Jokta’s face dominated the display vid. “There were eight females, not seven. One is in critical condition in the med-E.D. I do not believe we can move her.”

Jokta hummed. “Medic Qaff has already communicated his findings. The medical council in Issneen is your only option. Deliver the females to the Phoenix and head for home.”

Just what Cylo wanted to hear. “I will send them on a kuta since we are not in porting range yet. I dare not waste a moment.”

“Agreed. We shall meet them with the full might of Etteria.” Jokta glanced down. A kaleidoscope of lights from his O.D.I. painted his chin. “A few scimitars are departing now to escort the kuta.”

“I have an additional request, Supreme Commander. Please task Data Officer Kemt to monitor the comms. I need to know if human bones were found among the debris. Also, start the search for other such facilities.”

“You believe a female was lost?” Jokta scowled.

“No, we did multiple checks, but if we missed one, then we will know to do a more thorough reconnaissance.”

“Mm, or perhaps improve the equipment utilized. I shall personally discuss this with Kemt.” The screen flickered to black.

“My thanks.” Cylo gripped Fyca’s shoulder, fatigue sending a ripple of weakness through him.

“I will let you know should we pass an asteroid.”

At Fyca’s offer, Cylo bowed his head in thanks and left.

“See to your female,” Koddo said when Cylo entered the common.

He should have reported to Malo, but that could wait. Instead, he glanced at the rainbow-haired female a little obscured by the opaque dome.

“The females are asking for her…Wren.” Durok squeezed Cylo’s upper arm.

“Wren,” Cylo said, rolling her name over his tongue. He crossed to her. The bruises were almost gone, but the purple tinge to her skin remained. “Findings?” he asked Qaff.

“It is difficult to summarize.” Qaff stayed silent for a few moments.

“The chemicals they gave her are attempting to change her genetic code. The other females were not administered the same chemicals. Hers are more potent. Perhaps she was given more than one dose?” Qaff stared at her, his brow furrowed.

Cylo splayed his fingers across the dome when her limbs twitched. “Will she live?”

“Yes.” Qaff was swift in his response. “But as what, I cannot say. I have shared the data with the medical council and all medic lima kuu.”

Cylo grunted, having all this confirmed. “How long will she sleep?” He stroked the dome as if he could tuck a floating turquoise curl behind her ear. She seemed so small—nothing like the fierce creature who’d used his greatsword, stabbed a Yithian in the eye, and challenged him post-explosion.

Qaff shrugged. “The sedatives must be modulated constantly to ensure she remains unconscious for the med-E.D. to complete its analysis.”

“So not the normal doses required for humans?” Cylo smothered a wince when she jerked again, the movement rippling through her vibrant hair. He turned away. “Durok, fetch the females. Perhaps their voices will be calming.”

“As commanded.” Durok hesitated, meeting Cylo’s gaze with ice-blue eyes.

Cylo froze. “Durok?” He caught the male by his shoulders to stare into his changed irises.

“It is true.” The male beamed.

Joy exploded through Cylo like a sunburst, snatching his breath. “This…is wonderful.”

“I must warn you. A fem… woman is a mother and is calling for her damu, claiming they are all alone.” Durok dipped his head in sadness. “The women are asking for our aid.”

Cylo jerked back. ‘ Woman’ instead of ‘female?’ What Durok said registered next.

Anger was swift to dampen his happiness.

“The xemi took a mother?” He clenched his jaw as violent fury burned through his veins.

“Supreme Commander Jokta is sending scimitars to guard the kuta transferring the…women to the Phoenix . One of them can be diverted to Earth. Comm Adviser Kanzo. A battleship orbiting Earth must send a few warriors to protect or retrieve her damu.”

Durok smiled. “I will do so.”

“Good,” Cylo said.

Under the circumstances, that was all they could do from so far away. Exhaustion weighed every limb as if he carried slabs of Fuyra rock. He struggled to remain upright. The med-gun had done its job but hadn’t revived his energy levels, and as Fyca had noted, the scent of his blood still lingered.

He glanced over his shoulder at the eighth woman.

Determination curled his fingers into fists.

Since she was unexpected, she was a gift he had to treasure.

He headed to his quarters in the barracks.

There, he stripped and stepped into the cleanser, moaning when the hot water drenched him.

He caught the tail of his braid and removed the Maloidian metal clip.

Tossing it aside, he raised his face to the spray while his hair unraveled itself.

His mind replayed every second since he’d met…Wren. She’d shown remarkable strength after what she must have endured. And she’d been commanding. Without her suggestion, they might not have escaped the explosions in time. He smiled while spinning for the blast of air from the dryer.

“Malia pa,” he said and waited as his hair braided itself.