Stolen and Seduced - Christine Pope Page 0,390

Rex? Are they coming now?"

"Yes."

Lena hugged her knees tighter. That wasn't enough time for her father to gain the approval of the Earth's ambassadors. She doubted very much that he would get approval, anyway. Earth's policies were not to give weapons to alien cultures.

But was it enough time for her father to have ordered a rescue mission? Had he sent someone to save her?

She could only hope, but realistically it still wasn't a lot of time.

The thought of facing the Rhan again sickened her. No, it flat out terrified her. She could only stay brave for so long. She wasn't trained to be a soldier. Nor did she have experience with torture.

"Rex..." In that one word, she conveyed all her doubt and fear. Her anxiety and grief. She stared at the crack, as if she could reach through and grasp her newfound friend for the strength she feared she lacked. He'd been here for a long time. Too long. And he'd survived.

Could she?

"Lena..." She heard Rex move away from the wall. He stood, she heard his footsteps. Above that, the Skarn warrior's footsteps approached, stomping in the corridor.

She stood, refusing to cower on the floor. She stepped to the far side of the room, away from the door, and waited. As scared as she was, she'd keep her chin held high. She'd do that, at least for her father.

Lena clasped Rex's jacket around her, using it as a shield. Imagining it was him, protecting her.

If only he could.

"Lena, I—"

But whatever he'd been about to say was drowned out as the door crashed open and the Skarn warrior stepped into the room, his weapon raised. He paused, his gray eyes widening at the sight of her clothed in the long jacket. He must have recognized it because he glanced suspiciously at the crack in the wall between her cell and Rex's.

The warrior snarled, then spoke several words rapidly. It was too fast for her to translate. Even if she could, she doubted she'd understand. It sounded like swear words, few of which she was familiar with in the Skarn language.

Whatever else he said must have been an order, because the two warriors behind him broke away and disappeared. He grabbed a device from his belt and pushed three buttons. In the corridor a door opened and then footsteps entered Rex's room. More movement. Footsteps. Something swung, striking, then Rex's grunt of pain. Again.

They were beating him.

"Leave him alone!" Lena shouted as the warrior in her room strode forward, grabbing her left arm with his meaty fist and yanking the jacket off her. Then he pulled her from the room. She wanted to fight. She wanted to kick and scream, but he pressed the nozzle of the weapon tight to her back, forcing her to remain acquiescent.

The fabric covered her head again. She cringed as the sounds of the beating Rex endured remained in her ears as she walked away from her cell. With her thoughts still on him, she forgot to keep track of the twists and turns as they guided her to the room with the hovering, vertical pool of liquid.

This time, the cloth remained over her head as she was seated, the weapon remained pressed against her back. She couldn't see her father's image through the dark material, but she heard his voice.

"Lena! Thank God!"

"As I promised, Pres-i-dent Mac-Don-ald." The Skarn leader's voice boomed loudly as he approached from behind. "Now, where are my weapons?"

"Let me see her. What have you done to her?"

"A little less blood, but other than that she is unharmed."

The fabric lifted. She squinted as her eyes adjusted to the light emanating from the hovering liquid.

"Daddy," she said, relieved to see him, but hurt that he appeared more haggard and wearier than last time. There were dark circles beneath his eyes, as if he hadn't slept for days. Again, she wondered how long she'd been unconscious on this ship. It was difficult to distinguish time without the light of the sun to guide her. Had she been aboard for only one day? Two? Or longer? She couldn't tell.

"Where are the weapons, Pres-i-dent?"

"I... I..." The look on her father's face told her everything she needed to know. He didn't have the weapons. The ambassadors hadn't approved his request. He couldn't help her. He couldn't save her, and he knew it. "I need more time."

The Skarn sighed heavily. "I warned you, Pres-i-dent."

"I can convince them," her father said, straightening, trying to regain his composure and authority. "I