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DOLOK STOOD WITH HIS arms wrapped around Talia’s waist near the junction of the catacombs that would take them to Tremaine’s vessel. When the male had arrived on the planet with the Crusher, he’d landed the massive ship inside a crater-sized area. It placed the lower cargo bays by the entrance to a hidden cave and the upper entry level beside rocky ledges.
From this location, the members of his team and some of the males from Soren’s clan would divide into two groups. Torak would lead those assigned to rescue the females and any surviving prisoners. Dolok, Gedrin, and Soren, along with a handful of his men, would proceed to the place Tremaine had designated for their meeting.
Dolok rubbed his jaw against Talia’s head, inhaled her delightful scent, then placed a kiss on her forehead. “You will be careful.” It was a command, not a request. One he silently willed his mate to comply with.
My mate.
He still couldn’t believe she was finally his, or would be once they returned to Tarron and entered one of the sacred pools to complete the joining process. In Dolok’s mind, the final part of the ritual was a technicality. She already belonged to him, with him, and he was determined not to lose her.
“Always.” Her smile didn’t reach the concern reflected in her gaze.
A few seconds later, Lexa shuffled toward them. “It is way too early for a rescue mission. And what’s with the deltoirra not knowing about coffee?” She groaned and rubbed one of her eyes. “I can’t believe Ross left his special grounds on the transport.”
Talia chuckled. “I’m sure you’ll survive without any caffeine this morning.”
“Doubt it.”
Amused by Lexa’s testiness, Dolok held back a grin. Apparently, Corran’s mate wasn’t what the humans referred to as a morning person.
“It is time.” Soren’s loud voice brought an end to all conversations.
Dolok glanced in the other male’s direction, noting his raised shoulders, the darkened skin beneath his eyes, his serious demeanor. He didn’t envy Soren’s position. Being responsible for so many lives was a heavy burden, specifically when it was coupled with the strife of worrying about his mate and the mates of others.
“Let’s get you ready.” Talia took a step back and held out her hand.
Dolok’s group would be approaching the ship from outside. There was a chance Tremaine’s men would search him, so he’d removed all his weapons except for a dagger he’d concealed inside his right boot.
He reached into a pocket of his fur coat, pulled out the long, thin strip of leather Torak had given him, then handed it to her. Use of the animal hide instead of his cuffs was necessary. Even the smallest overlooked detail could alert Tremaine or one of his men that something was different and jeopardize their plans.
“Perhaps we can find a better use for this when I return,” he said, attempting to tease a smile from her lips. “Unless you would prefer my cuffs.”
Talia rolled her eyes. “I wish I was coming with you.” She wrapped the strip around his clasped wrists, leaving it loose enough for him to easily shed it later. “There are too many things that could go wrong.”
Dolok was glad Talia wouldn’t be anywhere near the murderous sheraaat, or asshole, as the humans would say. He would have preferred to keep her with him, but they couldn’t have any females present when they met Tremaine. Everything depended on Soren’s ability to convince Tremaine that Dolok and Gedrin were his prisoners until the others had infiltrated the ship and gotten everyone out.
His decision to let her to go with the group to rescue the other females had been difficult. If not for Soren’s assurances that she would be safe with Torak and the other males, he wouldn’t have allowed it. Dolok had observed the way Soren interacted with his people. He demonstrated excellent leadership abilities, had the respect of the clan, and instinctively, Dolok knew he could trust him.
“We have surprise on our side. We only need Tremaine to believe our story long enough for us to get inside and disarm his men.” He dropped his head forward so she could cover it with the coat’s hood.
“I hope you’re right.” She placed her hands on his cheeks, then pressed a soft kiss on his lips. “You need to go.” She glanced in Soren’s direction. “They’re waiting.”
“I will return to you soon.” He brushed her cheek with the back of his hand, then turned to walk away. When he reached Gedrin’s side, he glanced over his shoulder to get one last look at her, but she was already gone.
#
WORRY ATE AT TALIA the entire time it took them to leave the catacombs and reach the cargo bay of the Crusher. Her concern wasn’t for herself but for Dolok and what Tremaine would do to him and the others if their plan didn’t work.
Ross was a pro at bypassing security and had them inside the ship without setting off any alarms in no time. He was also familiar with the vessel’s layout. By using the ladders in a service duct, they were able to reach the level housing the prisoners undetected.
Spears weren’t the only weapons the deltoirra excelled at wielding. With a twist of their wrists, Torak and another member of the clan used handcrafted knives made from animal bones to take out the two men guarding the floor.
“Torak, Lexa and I will start at the other end and work our way back to you.” Talia tapped her sister’s arm. She jerked the repeater from her holster and headed along the passageway. According to Ross, each cell had separate locks that had to be manually disengaged.
Halfway down the hall, Lexa stopped. “I’ll open these. You get the ones farther down.”
“Works for me.” Talia increased her pace until she reached the end of the corridor and the final cell. She glanced through the metal bars and spotted five deltoirra women. A couple were sprawled on cots, the others were standing, and all of them were watching her warily.
“I’m here to get you out.” Talia ignored their stares and worked on the lock. Within seconds, she heard a click. The sliding door creaked when she shoved it open.
Frustrated that none of them had moved, Talia stepped inside the cell. “You all need to come with me now.”
A tall woman who’d been sitting on the edge of a cot stood. She easily reached six feet, and her confident bearing was a lot like Soren’s. She flipped her coarse brown-black strands off her shoulder, then slapped her hands on her hips, refusing to move. After sniffing the air, she snorted, her gaze narrowed and darkened with anger. “You are human. Why should we trust you or believe anything you say?”
Talia couldn’t blame the woman for her reaction. If she’d been taken by Tremaine, and locked up for months, she’d have doubts too if someone she didn’t know showed up to rescue her. “Because I’m not with the assholes who are keeping you prisoner. And because I promised Soren I would get you out safely.”
The woman’s eyes widened, and she took a hesitant step forward. “My mate, he is here?”
“Yes, he’s on an upper level, trying to keep Tremaine busy until we get you all out of here.”
“I must go to him,” Elara said.
Dolok was in the same kind of danger as Soren. Talia understood how the other woman felt, but couldn’t let her interfere with their plans. “No, you can’t.” Elara was taller and more muscular than Talia and probably outweighed her by twenty or more pounds. She wasn’t sure if she could stop her, but it didn’t keep Talia from moving into her path.
“Elara.” Talia heard Torak’s voice and was relieved to find him standing behind her. Elara might not listen to her, but she’d certainly obey the chieftain’s second-in-command. “You must leave with the rest of the females. Soren plans to stop Tremaine, and he will flay the skin from my hide if I do not get you to safety.”
Elara clenched her fists, indecision flaring across her features. Seconds passed, and she finally uncurled her fingers. “I will do as you ask.” She tipped her head, a silent command for the other four females to follow Torak’s orders.
Lexa, Corran, and Ross had unlocked the other cells and were waiting when Talia returned to the corridor. Men, mostly human, were being guided and helped by the deltoirra into the security duct they’d used to reach this level. Many were battered and bruised, their clothes torn and bloodied.
Some of them appeared as if they hadn’t bathed in weeks. Their hair was clumped with dirt, their faces covered in stubble or unkept beards. Talia wanted to keep her agreement with Anna, but they needed to get the prisoners out of there quickly. She didn’t have time to check any of them to see if one belonged to the little girl’s father.
For the first time since Talia had made the promise to avenge her mother, she felt torn. Torn between finishing Tremaine and fighting for Dolok—her mate and the man she loved. Tremaine might have been her main target when she’d started this mission, but finding Dolok, making sure he was alive, was her primary concern now.
Talia turned to Lexa. “I want you to stay with Corran. Help him get the others out of here.”
“Where are you going?” Lexa gripped Talia’s arm, holding her in place, uncertainty filling her tone.
Talia placed her hand over her sister’s and squeezed. “You know I have to find my mate, then finish this.” If things didn’t go well, this could be the last time they saw each other. Lexa had Corran now, and Talia knew he’d take good care of her, give her the kind of life she deserved.
“I know.” Lexa yanked free, then pulled her into a breath-stealing hug, the handle of her weapon grazing Talia’s shoulder. After Lexa release her, she swiped at the single tear threatening to trickle down her face. “You be careful. Make sure to watch the big guy’s back.”
“You know I will. Be safe...see you soon.” Talia turned and ran toward the lift that would take her to the upper levels. With each beat of her racing heart, she hoped the words she’d spoken to Lexa weren’t the last ones she’d ever say to her sister.
#
“RIGHT ON TIME.” A TALL human male with short dark hair stepped off the ramp leading to the main part of the ship. He had a weapon strapped to his hip. His cargo pants and military-style boots were similar in appearance to the clothing of the other three males who followed him outside. Dolok had seen images of Harris Tremaine and knew that he wasn’t one of the males exiting the vessel.
Dolok tilted his head forward, using the hood to conceal most of his face. Once they were inside and able to confront Tremaine, it wouldn’t matter who knew they were Tarrons. Until then, he had a role to play. A role that was difficult to achieve when his thoughts kept drifting to Talia, concerned for her safety.
“Two this time.” The male glanced at Gedrin, then Dolok. “That ought to make the boss happy.”
“They’re big too, should do well in the fights.” Another male in the group glanced in Soren’s direction. “I might actually make up the money I lost on the last one you brought us.”
“Mac, do you suppose we could save the small talk until we get back inside?” A male with light brown hair shivered. “I hate the cold weather on this fucking planet.”
“Stop complaining, Steve. This planet is the only reason the hunters haven’t already found us. Maybe you’d rather be finishing out your days in that hellhole on Drichtarr?”
Soren slammed the end of his spear into the two inches of snow on the ground to get their attention. “I wish to see my mate.”
Mac held up a hand. “Easy there, Soren. You know the rules. You don’t get to see your mate until Tremaine gets a look at the new guys. Your men can wait for you here.” Mac motioned to the other two males from his group. “Stay with them and make sure they don’t go anywhere.”
“Bring these two inside.” He hooked a thumb at Dolok and Gedrin, then trudged up the ramp.
“Move.” Steve gave Dolok and Gedrin a shove, urging them to follow Mac and Soren.
Once they reached the main level of the ship, they were ushered through a maze of passageways until they reached a large room furnished to resemble an office with an elaborate wooden desk mounted to the floor. The entire space was adorned with exotic items and expensive wall coverings—no doubt most of them were stolen.
Tremaine was perched in a chair with overstuffed cushions, holding a half-filled glass containing an amber liquid. He was dressed similarly to his men, his body’s lack of physical fitness apparent by the paunch hanging over his belt.
He glanced from his men to Soren, then pushed off the seat. “Let’s see if what you brought us today will be enough to earn you some time with your mate.” He placed the glass on the end of the desk and sauntered toward them.
Soren growled at Tremaine’s callous remark, gaining him a harsh, condescending smirk from the male. Mac’s snicker only added to the insult, ramping up Dolok’s mounting anxiety that things were about to head in a bad direction. The fact that Soren was able to be away from his mate all these months, maintain his sanity, and not rip these males to shreds said a lot about his self-control.
“Show me,” Tremaine instructed, anxiously rubbing his hands together, waiting for Steve to yank the hood off Dolok’s head at the same time Mac reached for Gedrin’s.
“What the...” Mac balked, taking a few steps backward and reaching for his gun.
“You idiot,” Tremaine bellowed and glared at Soren. His chest heaved, and a deep red flush burst across his puffy cheeks. “I told you to bring me humans. These are Tarrons.” He gritted his teeth. “Fuck, they’re probably the hunters who’ve been searching for us.”
Mac glanced warily from Gedrin to Tremaine. “Do you want us to get rid of them, boss?”
“Not yet. Throw them in a cell until I can figure out what they know and if there are more of them.”
“You screwed up this time, Soren.” Tremaine glowered, then ran his hand roughly along the side of his head. “You can forget about any of your men seeing their mates.” He walked behind the desk, opened a drawer, and pulled out a weapon, smaller yet similar to a repeater. “Maybe some time in a cell will teach you how to follow instructions.”
“No,” Soren roared, raising his spear.
“Don’t try it.” Tremaine leveled his weapon at Soren’s chest.
Dolok used Soren’s outburst to his advantage by working the leather off his wrists. Gedrin had done the same and was lunging for Mac.
“Shoot them!” Tremaine yelled, unable to make the shot himself because Soren was standing in the way.
Time slowed. Seconds seemed like minutes. Dolok watched Steve raise his weapon, point it at his chest...and fire.
#
TALIA HAD PROGRAMMED the lift to take her to the main level where Soren said they always met with Tremaine. Once the lift stopped, she crouched on the floor and aimed her repeater at the opening door. If there were any men guarding this level, she didn’t want to give them an easy target. When no shots were fired and she didn’t hear any noises, she rose slowly and peeked into the corridor. Finding it empty, she cautiously made her way to the junction at the end of the passageway.
Before she could round the corner, a hand clamped over her mouth from behind and a strong arm encircled her waist, trapping her weapon at her side.
“Talia, it’s us. Don’t scream.” Ross appeared in front of her.
She nodded, her racing pulse slowing soon after Corran released her. “Female, what do you think you are doing? You were supposed to help us get the prisoners to safety.”
“Torak had everything under control.” She took a few steps backward, then glanced toward the passageway that would take her to Dolok. Their legs were longer, and she didn’t think she’d make it before they caught up with her. “I’m not leaving without Dolok.” Or before she made sure Tremaine took his last breath.
“Your mate will gut me like an oinker if I allow you to go any farther,” Corran said.
“Err.” Ross swiped his hand down the front of his face. “It’s pig, not oinker. That’s it, I’m officially revoking your privileges for watching virtuals once we get back to the Desna.”
Unbelievable. Talia gaped at them in disbelief. Dolok and Gedrin could be in trouble, and these two were acting worse than children. “Boys, enough,” she snapped. “I’m going after my mate. Are you going to help me or not?”
“Since we’re already here, we might as well see if the guys need our help.” Ross grinned at Corran. “Besides, I’ve been looking forward to a family reunion with my uncle for quite some time.”
“How many more men do you think Tremaine will have with him?” Talia raised her weapon, then headed for the adjoining passageway.
“Soren said he’d never seen more than ten men on any of his visits. If you count the two Torak took care of, plus the two we got on our way to find you, I’d say there’re six left,” Ross said.
The sound of a weapon being fired echoed around them, causing her to jump. “Damn.” Talia took off running and was halfway to the next corridor before they caught up with her.
“Talia, wait.” Ross grabbed her arm when they reached the final passageway. “Stay behind me.”
“Like hell.” Talia jerked free of his grasp. It was bad enough when Dolok pulled his protective crap, but she’d be damned if she was going to let the other guys get away with it.
No sooner had she slipped around the corner when she saw a man dressed in a black T-shirt and cargo pants sail through a doorway and land hard on the metal floor. Gedrin’s roar filled the narrow space as he stalked into the corridor after him.
The man frantically scooted backward on his ass. Gedrin leaned forward, grabbed him by the front of his shirt, then lifted him off the ground and pinned him to the wall.
“Get him off me,” the man whimpered, casting a pathetic glance in their direction.
Corran smiled, then tapped Gedrin’s shoulder. “You can’t kill him.”
“Why not?” Gedrin fisted the man’s shirt tighter. “He shot Dolok.”
“What?” A wave of panic pulsed through Talia, the intensity nearly dropping her to her knees.
“Talia, breathe.” Gedrin squeezed her arm with his free hand. “He is fine.”
“Where is he?” she managed to ask once she was certain her heart wasn’t going to explode from her chest.
“Inside.” Gedrin tipped his head to the right.
Talia rushed through the doorway, pausing briefly to search for Dolok and take in the condition of the room.
“Talia, what are you doing here?” Dolok had removed his coat and was leaning against the edge of a large desk.
To her right, three of Tremaine’s men sat on the floor next to a wall with their wrists bound, glaring at the two deltoirra men who hovered nearby.
“I thought you might need my help.” She had to step over the broken items littering the floor to reach him. Blood soaked the material wrapped around his arm where someone had bound his injury. “You’re hurt.”
Dolok gently caught her wrist when she reached for his arm. “It is a flesh wound.” He tugged her to his chest. “Do not worry, it will heal quickly.”
“What happened to Tremaine?” Talia didn’t think she could take hearing he’d gotten away again.
“Behind you?”
Talia glanced over her shoulder. Tremaine was pressed against a wall with the sharp point of Soren’s spear an inch away from his fat gut. She’d been so concerned about Dolok, she hadn’t seen them standing there.
“Elara is unharmed?” Soren’s hopeful gaze met hers.
“Yes, she is with Lexa and Torak.”
“How long are you going to let him keep me here?” Tremaine shot an angry glare at Dolok.
Age had taken its toll on Tremaine’s appearance, but his voice sounded the same. It was a voice she’d never forgotten, one that brought back painful memories and years of suppressed rage along with it. “Why is he still alive?”
“Whoa there, girly. What did I ever do to you?” Tremaine asked.
What did he do? Every bit of self-control Talia possessed slipped away with those words. She pushed away from Dolok, raised her weapon, and pointed it at Tremaine’s head. “You killed my father by putting him in your fighting arenas.” She spoke over the knot constricting her throat. “And...and my mother didn’t even make it a year after your men attacked her.”
She’d been afraid Soren would try to stop her. Instead, empathy showed in his eyes, and he took a step back and lowered his spear, giving her a clear shot at Tremaine.
“I have no idea who you’re talking about.” Tremaine spat the words, his tone indicating that he didn’t care.
“He was one of the men who created the field you used to hide your ship.”
Though Tremaine didn’t respond, his dark eyes flared with awareness. He might not know which of the five men he’d taken that night was her father, but he remembered taking them.
“He was a gentle man, a scientist, not a fighter. How long did he last? A week? A day? An hour?” Talia’s hand shook for the first time since Chloe had taught her how to fire a weapon.
Dolok was standing right behind her. “Talia, put down the repeater.” His soft-spoken words weakened her resolve.
“You should do what he says.” Tremaine inched along the wall, moving away from Soren and closer to the shelving unit on his left.
“No.” Talia adjusted her aim. “You’re a sick, depraved animal who doesn’t deserve to live. You’ve ruined so many lives. I won’t let you hurt anyone else.” She could no longer hold back her tears. They streamed down her face, and she had to blink to see.
Tremaine glanced between Soren and Dolok. “You’re not going to let her shoot me, are you?” He slowly slid his hand behind his back.
Dolok moved to her side, turning so she could see his face. “Talia, you are my mate, my love. Do not do this. Killing him will not bring your parents back. It will only blacken your heart.”
More tears slid down her face. Dolok had learned about her past, had heard every awful detail when she’d confronted Tremaine. He hadn’t abandoned her or walked away in disgust. He was trying to protect her, to let her know he cared, that he loved her.
“I give you my word he will not harm anyone else.” He placed his hand over the barrel of the repeater. “He will spend whatever days he has left living a harsh life on Drichtarr.”
“That’s where you’re wrong,” Tremaine snarled, swinging his arm around, gripping a blaster in his hand.
If Talia hadn’t been so upset and been thinking clearly, she would have paid more attention to what Tremaine was doing. She would have stopped him before he had a chance to reach the weapon.
Tremaine aimed at Dolok. “Now drop the gun, or I’ll...”
A knife whisked through the air, sailing past Talia and driving deep into Tremaine’s chest.
Shock flickered across Tremaine’s face. He clutched at the blade’s handle, then staggered backward, slamming into a shelf. Blood spread from the wound, soaking the front of his shirt. His choking sounds became gurgles. He slowly slid along the wall, landing in a heap on the floor, his head bobbing forward.
It took a minute for reality to hit and for Talia to realize Tremaine was dead. She lowered her repeater with shaky hands and turned to see who’d thrown the knife. Gedrin stood in the doorway. She couldn’t say his upturned lips were a smile, but she could say with certainty that he wasn’t frowning.
He glanced past her to Dolok with a gaze that held no regret. “That was for Balok.”
