Dangerous Mission (Planet Double Dick #24)

Mel

“We can’t just sit here,” Rachel says. “We have to do something to get Tammy back.”

“We will.” Sophie nods, her blonde bob swinging at her jawline. “Now, right now we will do something.”

“Ar-Hagan won’t let me go to King Athos.”

I run my fingers around Tammy’s silver armband.

The one she lost when she was taken. “He says it will be a death sentence for his brother El-Frankin.”

My heart hasn’t stopped pounding since Tammy’s sudden disappearance.

I feel sick the whole time, I’ve barely slept a wink and I certainly can’t eat.

“Losing Tammy is a huge crime, a huge betrayal of the trust that was put in El-Frankin.”

Where the hell is she?

“I think we should get ourselves over the border,” Rachel says. “We are perfectly competent and capable women. We have brains and strength of character. Wouldn’t take us long to find her, I did a tracking course years ago, with the Girl Guides.”

“And do you really think Ar-Hagan, Ba-Daden, and Tr-Argan would let us cross the border?” I say.

“Probably not,” Sophie says.

Rachel huffs. “We should ask.”

“I’ve already had that idea quashed, Rachel, several times.” I pause. “But thanks, girls, I love how you have my back, and Tammy’s.”

“We could call Visha.” Rachel plonks her thread on the table. “And tell her what is going on. That Tammy has disappeared without explanation.”

“Call the queen.” Sophie points at the thread. “That’s a great idea, and then it won’t be us telling King Athos, it will be her. Because Visha will, won’t she.”

“When the king finds out he will bring down his wrath, and perhaps that anger will fall on all of us.” Ar-Hagan is standing in the doorframe. “We must think of that. He might blame more than El-Frankin. The entire farmstead could be held accountable.”

I hitch in a breath. I hadn’t heard my mate arrive in the room.

“The thing is Ar-Hagan.” Rachel stands and puts her hands on her hips. “We have to get Tammy back. If what we believe is right, and she’s in the Uncivilized Tundra, a captive of the Jakarty rebels, she won’t survive long.”

“Or she’ll be forced into breeding and be used as a baby machine.” Sophie folds her arms and flattens her lips. “Pumping out child after child with no medical care.”

I swallow the sour taste of despair. How can this be happening?

“Sorry,” Sophie says and squeezes my hand. “That was tactless of me.”

“It’s the truth though,” I say, my voice almost breaking into a wobble. But I’ve cried enough, stomped around enough, now is the time for action not emotion. “We can’t do nothing.” I stand and walk to Ar-Hagan. “Please, think of something.”

His nostrils flare and his tail slaps the floor. “I will go and find her.”

“What?” I stare up at his handsome face.

“I don’t want to leave you, my love,” he says, “What if more Jakarty are loitering near the border waiting for females to be left alone, biding their time to snatch you? But I will, if that will make you happy, I will go in search of your sister. I’ll leave at dusk.”

“What? You will?” My heart fills with hope. Big, strong, brave Ar-Hagan can find her if anyone can.

He caresses my cheek. “Yes. I will.”

“No!” Another deep voice enters the room. “I forbid it.”

Along with Sophie and Rachel I spin to the door.

El-Frankin strides in, his boots slapping on the floor. Close behind him is In-Sar, his pale gray eyes surveying first Rachel and then Sophie. He hasn’t met them before.

“What do you mean you forbid it?” Ar-Hagan swings to face his brother. “You can’t forbid me anything.”

“I can and I am.” El-Frankin stabs his thumb against his chest. His tail is high and the end is vibrating. His horns are sparkling as though wet. “If anyone is going to retrieve Tammy it will be me. I will cross the border at Balak Canyon and find her. She is, after all, my mate.”

“That is madness,” Ar-Hagan says. “That border is heavily guarded.”

“You have literally just stood there, in that very spot, and said you are about to do that exact thing.” El-Frankin holds out his hands. “So why shouldn’t I?”

Ar-Hagan frowns.

“How will you get over the border?” Sophie asks. “If it is heavily guarded by the king’s military.”

“It is, very,” El-Frankin says, “but my two sons are posted there. I can only hope that once I explain the situation they will help me.”

“Help us.” In-Sar’s face is stern, his eyebrows pulled low as he glowers at El-Frankin.

He is younger than the other males, too young to be a recipient male at present, and his arms and legs are lean and strong and his hair shines so dark it’s like an oil slick.

“Us?” El-Frankin repeats.

“You do not think I would let you go alone, do you?” In-Sar’s voice is deep and determined.

“It’s very dangerous, this mission could go very wrong very quickly.” El-Frankin says. “I have no idea what threats I might be up against even before…or if…I find Tammy. I intend to go alone.”

“I cannot let you go alone.” In-Sar shrugs. “That goes against everything I believe.”

“Which is?” I ask.

“That when a friend needs help, that is exactly what should be offered.” In-Sar narrows his eyes. “Help.”

“Then I thank you.” Ar-Hagan walks up to In-Sar and clasps his shoulders. “Safety in numbers. You going with my brother can only be a good thing.”

“I can’t let him risk himself for me, for my stupid mistake,” El-Frankin snaps. “This is all my fault, it’s bad enough that Tammy is gone but to put In-Sar in danger as well, I—”

“You have no choice, El-Frankin,” I say and step up to him.

I take one of his hands in both of mine.

“You have to go and find my sister, and taking In-Sar with you gives you the best chance of success.”

I look from El-Frankin’s eyes to In-Sar’s.

“You are a good strong male, In-Sar, with, I suspect, keen eyes, an ability to fight, and the intelligence to think fast.”

“I thank you.” In-Sar dips his head. “For your kind words and faith in me, Mel.”

“They are words I need to believe,” I reply, “Because from this moment on, you and El-Frankin are my only hope of getting Tammy back.” My heart squeezes and tears prick my eyes every time I say her name.

“We will,” El-Frankin says. “And then I will make up for all of my mistakes.”

“I hope so.” Ar-Hagan curls his arm around my waist and draws me to his side. The solidity and heat of his body is comforting and I lean into him.

“We will cross the border this evening,” El-Frankin says, “which means leaving very soon for the Balak Region.”

“Yes.” Rachel comes to my side. “The sooner you leave the better.”

“And just so you know…” Sophie is next to Rachel. “If you don’t return with our friend, Mel’s twin sister, we will be going to the queen to tell her that you, El-Frankin, misplaced your Earth female.”

“I won’t fail,” El-Frankin says. “I will complete this mission and return with my mate…your sister.” He nods at me and then turns and walks from the room.

In-Sar follows, a similar expression of grim determination on his face.

“Have faith, believe in fate and justice,” Ar-Hagan says and kisses the top of my head.

I look at my girl friends. They are holding hands, knuckles white, faces pale. They, like me, are scared of what the outcome of this is going to be and what it could mean for us all.

“We should open some wine,” Rachel says. “And drink, there is nothing else we can do for now.”

“Good plan,” Sophie says, heading for the wine goblets. “And Tammy would do the same.”