Stolen - Nhys Glover Page 0,9

tenderness, amazement, wonder, and so many others I didn’t have the mental capacity to categorize. It was the most intensely lovely kiss of my life. The fact that Rian seemed inexperienced only added to the significance of the event. This wasn’t just any kiss. Nowhere close.

When we drew apart, cautiously, nervously, I cleared my throat before attempting words. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”

White starbursts exploded in shock. “Why?”

Why indeed? If I said it was his age, I’d insult him. If I said because he was Danan, one of the species who’d raped me, I’d hurt him.

In the end, I just shrugged and looked away. “Things are complicated. I can’t be starting something with you when I’m not… up to being with someone yet.”

The starbursts exploded again. “I’m not expecting you to… I’m not expecting anything. Please don’t be sorry for something that was so good. For me, anyway.”

I scrunched up my eyes. I’d hurt him, despite my best intentions.

“It was good. Really good. But it shouldn’t have happened. I’m sorry, Rian. I’m so screwed up right now…”

Loud cries in the main area of the compound drew our attention. Rian’s body stiffened in response. As one, we rose from the grass and made for the sounds. It was probably another Danan intruder being rousted by the women. I was so over their territorial attitude. This was a Danan planet, not a human one. We were guests here!

I didn’t stop to wonder why Rian didn’t rush on ahead to see what the commotion was all about. His speed could have allowed him to race there and back before I’d taken a handful of steps. Instead, he stuck with me, keeping me just a half-step behind him, as if he was shielding me from whatever awaited us.

The sight that greeted us had me stalling, my legs going weak beneath me. Rian seemed to grow in size as he felt my reaction and took in the threat.

In the centre of the compound stood six or seven creatures with multiple sets of arms. I’d seen these creatures before at the renegade hideout, but the shock of finding them here in our safe sanctuary knocked their name right out of from my mind.

“Keeda!” Rian filled in the name for me.

He uttered it in a voice that sounded like steel being drawn from a scabbard.

The Keeda were dragging women into the center of the compound. A small, dark female, who reminded me of fantasy depictions of a wicked witch, was grabbing at each woman’s face, turning it towards her so she could study it closely. When she didn’t find what she was looking for, she gestured rejection with a disgusted jerk of her hand. The Keeda would release the woman, allowing her to scuttle away in terror.

As Rian and I entered the space, all eyes turned in our direction.

“That’s her!” the witch exclaimed.

I noticed one of her beady little eyes looked oddly bloodshot because it was surrounded by red paint. She reminded me of an Indian on the warpath.

The Keeda dropped the other women and turned in my direction.

Me? They wanted me? Why?!

Rian unsheathed his claws, ready to fight, baring his fangs as he did so. I wanted to stop him. He was outnumbered. Not even a Danan warrior seasoned in warfare could take on this many Keeda and win. Yet if I stopped him, I had no hope of escaping the threat. I didn’t know why the witch wanted me, but I was sure I didn’t want to find out.

The decision was out of my hands, though. I couldn’t have stopped Rian from defending me, even if I’d thrown myself in his path.

Before I’d fully processed my feelings and thoughts, Rian had launched himself at his opponents, using his blurringly fast Danan speed. All I could do was stand and watch, my brain oddly numb.

With a part of my mind not focused on the fight, bloody and all-consuming though it was, I was aware of the other women standing on the periphery. Like me, they’d all become statues staring in horror at what was happening.

I had to help! I couldn’t just stand around like a zombie while Rian fought for his life. For my life!

“Get help!” I screamed at Hayley, who was always the most proactive of the women.

As if my words attracted the attention of one of the Keeda, the creature separated himself from the group fighting Rian and headed my way. With a cry of rage and terror, I launched myself at the