Chapter 26
Mila
Mila’s heart dropped as she spotted more of Kurg’s guards near the cargo entrance. Their black uniforms stood out against the station’s pale walls.
“Run!” Brivul grabbed her hand.
They sprinted across the polished floor, her new dress whipping around her legs. The sound of pursuit echoed behind them—heavy footfalls and shouted commands that made her skin crawl with memories of punishment.
“This way!” She tugged Brivul toward a maintenance corridor she’d noticed earlier. Years of navigating Kurg’s stronghold unseen had taught her to spot escape routes.
A guard lunged for her. Brivul’s tail whipped out, hitting the man in the chest. The guard stumbled back with a grunt.
They rounded a corner into a bustling lobby. Mila ducked and weaved through the crowd, pulling Brivul along. His larger frame made it harder for him to slip through the gaps, but he managed to keep up.
“Stop them!” Vex’s voice carried over the crowd.
Mila’s lungs burned as they sprinted down another corridor. The weight of their supplies bounced against her hip with each step, but she refused to drop them. They’d need these supplies later.
Two more guards appeared ahead. Brivul pushed her behind him and engaged them, his movements fluid and precise. The guards’ weapons clattered to the floor.
“Nice work,” Mila panted as they ran past the groaning guards.
“Had lots of practice.” Brivul checked over his shoulder. “More coming.”
They ducked into a storage room, pressing themselves against the wall. Mila’s heart raced as boots pounded past their hiding spot. The familiar fear of being caught twisted in her gut, but she pushed it down. She wasn’t that helpless slave anymore.
Mila pressed her ear against the storage room door, counting footsteps as they faded. Her heart still raced from their sprint through the station. The metal shelving behind her dug into her back, but she didn’t dare move.
“The cargo train’s not an option anymore,” she whispered.
“Agreed. Too many guards.” Brivul’s tail twitched. “We need another way out.”
Through the small window, Mila spotted the station’s main entrance. “The front exit. If we blend with the crowd—”
“Ready when you are.”
They slipped out, keeping their heads down. Mila’s fingers intertwined with Brivul’s as they merged into the flow of travelers. The station’s vaulted ceiling stretched above them, morning light streaming through stained glass windows.
Every black uniform made her pulse spike. She forced herself to walk normally, though her instincts screamed at her to run. The exit beckoned, just fifty feet ahead. Thirty. Twenty.
Fresh air hit her face as they stepped outside. For one glorious moment, relief flooded through her.
Then she saw them.
Guards formed a semicircle around the entrance, their weapons drawn. More appeared from behind pillars and vehicles, closing the trap. Their black uniforms seemed to absorb the afternoon light.
“Well, this is unfortunate.” Brivul’s tail curled protectively around her.
Mila’s mind raced as she counted their opponents. At least twenty guards, all armed. No escape route in sight. Her stomach churned at the thought of being dragged back to Kurg.
“Drop any weapons and surrender the slave,” one guard called out.
“I have a name,” Mila snapped back.
“Last warning.”
The circle tightened. Mila’s back pressed against Brivul’s chest as the guards closed in. So close to freedom, only to fail now.
The crowd of guards suddenly parted, and Mila’s blood ran cold as Kurg stepped forward. His greasy skin gleamed in the afternoon light, that familiar smirk twisting his features.
“My wayward little slave. Did you really think you could escape me?”
Mila pressed closer to Brivul, her fingers curling into fists. “I’m not yours anymore.”
“Touch her and die.” Brivul’s tail lashed, his muscles coiling for attack.
Kurg’s laugh echoed across the courtyard. “Such spirit. But perhaps this will change your mind.” He gestured to his guards. “Bring her out.”
Two guards dragged forward a limp figure. Mila’s heart stopped. Priscilla’s face was barely recognizable through the bruises, her dress torn and stained with blood.
“No!” The cry tore from Mila’s throat. “What have you done to her?”
Priscilla lifted her head, her swollen eyes finding Mila’s. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.
“Let her go!” Mila lurched forward, but Brivul held her back. “Please. She’s innocent.”
“Come back willingly,” Kurg said, “and I’ll release her. Simple trade—you for her.”
Tears burned Mila’s eyes as she watched her sister tremble between the guards. All those years she’d stayed to protect Priscilla, and now her escape had caused this. Her sister’s blood stained the ground because of her choices.
“Don’t,” Priscilla croaked. “Don’t give yourself up for me.”
But how could she not? This was her baby sister, the one she’d raised after their mother died. The one she’d sworn to protect.
“I’ll make it even simpler.” Kurg’s voice hardened. “Either you return to me now, or I’ll make you watch while I finish what I started with her.”
Mila’s chest constricted as memories flooded back—holding Priscilla through nightmares, teaching her to read in secret, sharing stolen moments of laughter in the kitchen. Her sister was all she had left of their family.
“Time to choose, little slave.”
“Don’t do it.” Brivul’s voice cracked with desperation. “We’ll find another way.”
Mila’s heart shattered as Priscilla coughed, blood staining her lips. Her sister’s face was so swollen, yet somehow, she still managed a weak smile for her. The same smile she’d worn when Mila would sneak her extra bread from the kitchen.
“He’ll protect you.” Priscilla’s voice came out as a whisper. “Go with him.”
“I won’t leave you.” Tears streaked down Mila’s cheeks. “I promised Mother I’d keep you safe.”
Brivul’s tail wrapped tighter around her waist. “Mila, please. Stay with me. We can save her together.”
But Mila saw the truth in Kurg’s eyes—that familiar gleam of cruelty. He’d make her watch every moment of Priscilla’s death, drag it out until her sister’s screams echoed through her nightmares forever.
“I love you, sister.” Priscilla’s words came between rattling breaths. “But I won’t be your chain anymore.”
Mila’s chest constricted. All those nights holding Priscilla after beatings, wiping away her tears, telling her stories of freedom—how could she walk away now?
“I’ll find a way to protect both of you.” Brivul’s words carried such conviction, but Mila knew better. She’d seen too many of Kurg’s victims.
“My mate.” She turned in Brivul’s arms, memorizing his violet eyes. “I can’t watch her die.”
“Don’t throw your life away.” His hands cupped her face. “Not when we’ve just found each other.”
A sob caught in Mila’s throat as she pressed her forehead to his. “Keep fighting, my warrior. But I have to go.”
“So touching.” Kurg’s mocking voice cut through their moment. “Your choice, slave?”
Mila pulled away from Brivul’s warmth, each step feeling like daggers in her heart. Cold air rushed between them as she stepped toward Kurg.
“I’ll go with you. Release my sister.”
“Wise choice.” Kurg’s oily smile made her stomach turn.
The guards holding Priscilla dragged her forward, shoving her toward Brivul. Her sister stumbled, barely catching herself. Fresh blood dripped from her split lip.
“No, Mila, please.” Priscilla’s voice cracked.
Metal clinked as shackles closed around Mila’s wrists. The familiar weight settled against her skin, heavier than she remembered. Or maybe it just felt that way after tasting freedom.
“Take care of her.” Mila’s eyes locked with Brivul’s violet eyes one last time. His jaw clenched, scales bristling with rage.
Rough hands grabbed her arms, yanking her toward a waiting transport. The afternoon sun caught on her chains, making them gleam. Just yesterday those same rays had warmed her skin as she’d walked freely with Brivul.
“Move it.” A guard shoved her forward.
She caught a glimpse of Brivul gathering Priscilla into his arms before the transport door slammed shut. Darkness pressed in around her as the engine rumbled to life. The metal bench beneath her was cold, matching the emptiness spreading through her chest.
How had everything fallen apart so quickly? Just hours ago she’d woken up in Brivul’s arms, dreaming of a future together. Now she was back in chains, heading toward whatever punishment Kurg had planned.
As the transport lurched forward, Mila closed her eyes, trying to memorize every detail of her time with Brivul—his laugh, his touch, the way his tail would curl protectively around her. She’d hold onto those memories in the dark days ahead.
A sob caught in her throat. She wouldn’t cry. Not here. Not where Kurg’s guards could see her break.