was acting appropriately. Osopa had been half afraid Tukui would dive into attempting to charm the prisoners, who would no doubt reject such wrongheaded efforts. As goodhearted as his clanmate was, Tukui had a bad habit of leaping before he looked.
Yorso bit his lip. “I wish we could do something to comfort them.”
“It’s not in our power to help any but one. We’ll concentrate our efforts on her. Do you still prefer Tina, Osopa? Yorso and I agreed she’s a wonderful choice for our clan.”
Osopa drew a deep breath. His concerns that Tina might be selfish or egocentric hadn’t been proven. Despite her tears, she’d spoken to the other girls with some calming effect. He wished he knew what she’d said to ease the worst of their horror.
“From what I’ve seen, I’d choose her over the others.”
Tukui nodded. He glanced over the huddled captives, careful to not let his gaze rest overlong on Tina. No doubt he was trying to avoid spooking her.
It fascinated Osopa to watch as the commanding cast of a born Dramok settled over Tukui’s youthful features. It was happening more often as the months under Captain Tranis taught him the leadership skills he needed.
With respect, Osopa suggested, “My recommendation is to get this over with quickly. That female—” he nodded towards the frail-looking blonde talking to Nobek Miv “—might interfere. The others look to her. If she tries to stop us from claiming our Matara, the rest may decide to help her. It will be traumatic enough for Tina without adding a struggle.”
Yorso paled at the idea of turmoil, but Tukui nodded. “Then let’s make this as fast as possible. Since this is more in your line of expertise, take the lead, my Nobek.”
Osopa wasted no time, refusing to give himself the opportunity to second-guess what had to be done. He strode towards Tina and her three companions, weaving around two other clusters to get to her. Tukui and Yorso followed close behind.
The Nobek kept his expression impassive, as was proper for a warrior carrying out his orders. He showed no reaction to the females cringing from his approach. They cried out as he neared; heartbreaking sounds he pretended weren’t driving spikes in his chest. In the space of seconds, he stood over the knot of white-clad Earthers that included Tina.
Her eyes were wide. Her face had lost all color, but for the little dots of pigment standing in stark relief on her nose and cheeks. A surge of adrenaline shot through Osopa, readying him to catch her should she faint.
He held his hand out to her. “Valentina Novak. Come with us.”
She shrank from him, and he realized he should have ditched the stoicism for a smile. Or at least softened his naturally gruff tone. It was too late to fix the matter, however. Tina called out to the startled golden-haired woman standing with Miv.
“Sister? They say I have to go with them.”
No time to lose. Osopa swooped down and scooped Tina into his arms. As he pivoted, Tukui and Yorso stepped out of his path. He noticed his Imdiko’s expression of rebuke.
I know, I know. I’m not handling it as well as I should.
He dodged as much of the tiny fist shooting at him as possible. Her blow grazed his chin as she screamed piercingly. The strike was barely noticeable, but his ears rang. He managed to secure her squirming body so that her arms were pinned against his chest. She kicked, and Tukui had to dodge.
Bedlam erupted.
Chapter Three
The other females added their shrieks to Tina’s, the little groups shifting towards the clan as they carried her to the door. The revolt was only temporary, as they fell back with more terrified cries when other guards stepped forward. Osopa jerked his head to the side, and the Nobeks froze. No threats.
The slight show of power had been enough. None of the prisoners moved to intercept him, though they shouted tearful protests and pleas that he let Tina go.
Only the blonde who’d been interrogating Nobek Miv fought to reach Tina. Miv restrained her, and she turned on him. They were still struggling when Osopa and his clan rushed out.
Tina’s despairing cry of “Help me!”, garbled by hysteria, was agonizing. She continued to fight, though her resistance barely taxed Osopa’s strength.
It was the most difficult thing he’d ever done, nonetheless. Osopa imagined a knife plunged into his heart wouldn’t be as painful as making his beautiful fire woman cry.