Prideful Savage (A Warrior's Redemption #1) - Miranda Bridges Page 0,18

“What is it?”

“It worked!” She cranes her neck, and it’s the first time I witness her smile. Fuck, it’s enticing. “I can’t believe it. I guess part of me didn’t think it would, since Jacob’s not here.”

I grind my teeth, wondering if this Jacob is her former companion. Given how tightly compact the vessel is, and the fact there is only one bed, the two of them shared an intimate journey together. It begs the question, What else did they share? Either possible answer is unacceptable to me. A flash of red-hot fury surges through my veins and my skin prickles at the prospect, heating to an almost unbearable degree. I may have only just encountered Ella, but already I want to possess and protect her.

Varyx appears in the entrance, his shadow stretching over the female. “I thought we were here to collect your belongings?”

Behind him, Ezarith and Kalach step onto the ramp. A violent blush rises in the female’s cheeks in response to the suggestive wink Ezarith gives her. What would normally register as aimless flirtation now elicits a strong, possessive urge in me. He had better not delude himself into thinking I’ll allow him to claim away my virtue. He can find his fucking own.

The female packs the device into the case and then stands with it tucked under her arm. Her mouth opens, but her impending words are drowned out by the sound of Kalach storming past me and cursing at the window.

“We’ve got company,” he growls, reaching for the gun on his hip. His hand shakes as he loads the clip, and his skin shimmers with a tinge of red, a sign of his increasing rage.

I instinctively unholster my own weapon, as do the others, and we bend to look out the window. The female moves and stands next to me. Satisfaction surges through me at this action. She can say what she wants, but her instincts drive her to me. She trusts me on some level.

I glance out the circular window. A silver ship soars through the auburn clouds toward us. The G.C. insignia carved into the metal gleams in the sunlight, momentarily blinding me.

“Right. Let’s get the fuck out of here.” Ezarith turns to the door, probably to abscond onto our ship.

I stand behind the chair and load my gun, pulling the female behind me. “We’re fugitives now. They’ll imprison us the moment we step off the ramp. We’ve no choice but to stand our ground and fight them.”

Varyx shifts uncomfortably. “That is suicide, brother.”

Kalach kicks something and flicks his chin toward the window. “Especially with two more motherfuckers joining us.”

The female clears her throat, drawing everyone’s attention. “What about the ship’s guns?”

Varyx arches a brow at her. “Do they still work?”

She nods once. “I checked, and everything appears to be functioning.”

“Then what the fuck are we waiting for?” Kalach slides into the captain’s chair and oozes his natural command over piloting. “Time to light up these fuckers.”

The moment Kalach takes over the console and readies our defenses, a sudden impact skims the front of the ship, which lurches everyone to the side. The vessel spins for a moment until Kalach regains control of the console. I place my hold on Ella to steady her, pleased and surprised she does not shrug me off.

“Mother. Fuckers!” Kalach whips his head around to us, his eyes blazing like molten gold. “Scratch that. We don’t have weapons anymore.”

Ezarith chuckles, and I have half a mind to punch him. This is no laughing matter. If we don’t get the fuck off this ship and to our own in one piece, we’ll be captured by the Enforcers and incarcerated. While I’m sure the AoS will intervene, since we fall under its jurisdiction, I do not enjoy the thought of Ella incarcerated too. The other Disgraced Ones won’t be able to save her, and if Commander Leoric or his minions find out my intentions, I’m certain they’ll provide even greater obstacles to my retrieving her. So far, the female does not weaken when I’m near her, which I know, more than anyone, poses a threat to our queen. I highly doubt Hellisa will take kindly to a rival species that is compatible with ours. That’s if my speculations are true.

I won’t know for sure until I mate with Ella.

“We need a distraction,” I say, reluctantly releasing her to prepare my weapons. “One of us needs to shift while the others escape.”

My brothers exchange uncertain glances.

“And what happens after we’ve shifted?”