process. But it’s Slag I’m assessing. Is he safe? Is this a trap? Not that KJ’s lying, but how would she know if he has nefarious plans?
“How do you know this guy?” I ask.
“I’ve known him for about a month. He doesn’t speak, but he’s the kindest male I’ve ever known and he’s saved my life a dozen times. You can trust him with your life,” she says as she inches closer to him.
“We are trusting him with our lives,” I whisper, certain my voice is low enough not to carry to her through the wind.
I startle, stepping closer to Wrage as Slag motions to KJ to stay where she is and stomps toward us. The males all raise their weapons, but he shoulders his way past the armed pirates and walks past Wrage and me to approach something behind us. He reaches out his hand, then pulls It out of the darkness and back toward our little group.
We’ve been running for hours. She must have been behind us the whole time. Was she too afraid to join us? Poor thing. Dear God, Sooma Ryone abused her mercilessly.
Slag pulls her back to KJ. He may not speak, but he wanted to protect the tiny four-armed female. That one kind act was all I needed to witness to trust the huge male.
We hear a rumble far off to our left. If the worms are back on the hunt, we need shelter and we need it right the fuck now.
“I don’t know about you guys, but I’m going with Slag and KJ,” I say as I cross the distance toward the two females and the mountain of flesh with glowing green eyes.
Minutes later, we’re all safely ensconced in their small cave. This doesn’t look like it was ever a mine, and thankfully, there are no green sparkles in the walls. For once we’re away from the irradiated green salt.
We have a respite from the blowing sand, and it’s noticeably cooler in here. Slag seems to sense our fear and distrust and is about to sit on the floor with his back pressed against the farthest wall when KJ shakes her head and makes sure he gets the one little bed made of braided vines. She acts like a concerned mate.
Slag may be huge and green and terrifying, but somehow I sense his calm nature and decide I’m safe.
We hear the underground worms outside our little safety zone. It’s like they’re butting their rounded heads against the very stone that protects us, trying to pound their way through.
“Wraiths,” It says.
“What?”
“Master . . . Sooma Ryone called them wraiths. Said they’re always writhing underground, but every seven annums they mature and rise up and travel the planet looking to feed. He said they’re relentless. He thought they were coming next annum. He’d planned to be off-planet by then, after he’d made his fortune.
“He threatened me with them. Said if I didn’t do better he’d leave me here to be eaten.”
“The fucker’s dead,” Thantose says with feeling. “My mate was treated badly by males like him. I’m glad Wrage killed him, just wish it had been me.”
“What’s your name?” I ask quietly. “We can’t call you . . . the other name one more time.”
Her gaze dips shyly to the ground as she says, “Allura.”
I’ll bet it’s been a while since anyone has called her that. “Welcome, Allura. Allura’s a beautiful name.” I turn to Thantose and ask, “Is Allura welcome aboard your ship?”
“Absolutely. Allura, you’ll be safe aboard. We have three females there who will be happy to have you.”
Every head in the cave snaps toward the entrance when the wraiths increase their scuffling and pounding.
“And us, Captain?” KJ asks. “Are we welcome?”
The calm, happy lines of Thantose’s face evaporate; his muscles turn harder as he looks at Slag.
Slag might not speak, but he seems to hear and understand perfectly. He shakes his head and motions his hand toward KJ. His meaning is clear—‘You go, I’ll stay.’
“He’s been like this since you’ve known him?” Thantose asks.
“By ‘like this’ you mean kind? Protective? Putting my needs ahead of his? Yes, yes, and yes.” KJ spears Thantose with her gaze. “Please take us both with you, Captain. I’ll die here, and I can’t leave him on this planet alone. He’s done too much to help me.”
“Yes. You’re all coming aboard. We have a brig and I’ll put anyone in it who threatens the safety of my ship or her crew. Clear?”
We all nod. I’ve been leaning