Chapter Twelve
Ricka sat on the edge of the bed long after Synge left, pondering his parting words. According to his explanation, the night they’d spent together had bound them in a way she didn’t fully understand. It had also freed her from having to return to Rivean and a life she hadn’t wanted for a long time now.
She wanted to be with him, to build a relationship with him but was still uncertain about the lifetime commitment that came with it. Especially after the troubling news she’d gotten about Libby. It was hard to focus on her own happiness and future when she had no idea whether or not her friend was still alive.
She heard a knock, and the door opened. “I thought you might be hungry.” Teah entered the room and set a covered tray on the lower shelf of the nearest storage unit.
Whatever she’d brought smelled delicious, and Ricka’s stomach rumbled. “I’m starving. Thank you.”
Teah started to leave, but Ricka stopped her. “Can I ask you something?”
“Yes, of course,” Teah said as she approached the bed. She pointed at the empty spot next to Ricka. “May I sit?”
“Sure.” Ricka scooted over a little more to give her room. “Synge told me I was his mate.” She wasn’t going to ask if it was true, because instinctively she already knew it was. “Did you know?”
“I suspected but was not certain until he told me about invoking the challenge,” Teah said, placing her hands in her lap. “Protecting others is part of his job. He never would have done something so foolish to risk his life unless it was for someone special. I see the way he looks at you. It is obvious he cares a great deal. You are the first female he has ever shown this kind of interest in, or brought to our home for that matter.”
If Ricka decided to stay with Synge, a big part of his life was sitting next to her. And if they were all going to live together, she needed to find a way to get along with his aunt. “You weren’t exactly welcoming when I arrived, so I assumed you didn’t want me here.”
“It is not that I did not want you here. I had hoped when Synge brought a female home, she would be a Tarron and the one he planned to settle down with.” Teah placed her hand over Ricka’s. “Can you forgive an old woman for being set in her ways, for misjudging the situation? I did not think a mate could be a female other than Tarron. I wanted Synge to have what I share with Arno. It truly does not matter to me who the female is as long as he is happy.”
“And provides you with many offspring,” Ricka said, then smiled.
Teah chuckled. “Yes.” After a few seconds, she asked, “You are not opposed to young ones, are you?”
“No.” Ricka shook her head. “I am not opposed.”
“Good, then I will leave you to enjoy your meal,” Teah said, getting to her feet. “Should you have any more questions, you can find me on the lower level.”
“Thank you again,” Ricka said. “For everything.”
Teah stopped when she reached the door. “I believe you have feelings for Synge as well. All I ask is that you consider giving him a chance. What has happened between you may not seem rational, but I assure you his actions are honorable and based out of caring and concern.”
When Teah opened the door to leave, Mogran padded into the room, then sprawled across one side of the bed and closed his eyes. Following the cat’s lead and taking a nap sounded like a good idea. After sampling the fruits and meats Teah had prepared for her, Ricka stretched out on the bed next to him.
She’d dozed on and off while contemplating the other woman’s comments. When she finally felt rested enough to get up, she rolled on her side and glimpsed the fading sunlight outside the window. If Synge had returned from investigating the transmission problems, he was probably keeping his word and giving her the space she’d asked for .
Ricka ran her hands through Mogran’s fur. “What do you say we do a little exploring that doesn’t include romping through the jungle?”
The cat’s low rumbling purr stopped. His muscles tightened, and he raised his head. He jumped from the bed, focusing his attention on the door. His long ears shot straight up, and he growled.
“What’s wrong, boy?” Ricka heard a muffled scream and what sounded like things being smashed on the floor somewhere in the house. Her heart raced as she swung her legs over the side of the bed to stand next to Mogran. She froze when she heard heavy footsteps pounding on the floor outside her room. A few seconds later, the door flew open and banged against the wall.
Molock’s huge frame filled the doorway. “There you are,” he said, his silver gaze gleaming with satisfaction.
Mogran roared, prepared to pounce on the intruder. Before he got the chance, Molock raised a weapon and fired. A long dart penetrated the fur in the cat’s neck. He staggered a few steps, then dropped to the floor.
“No,” Ricka cried and scrambled to kneel next to Mogran’s motionless form. She ran her hands along his ribs, relieved when she felt the rise and fall of his chest. After pulling out the dart, she tossed it aside. She lifted her head and glared furiously at the huge male hovering over her. “Please don’t hurt him.”
Molock bent forward and gripped her upper arm. He dug his nails into her flesh as he wrenched her to her feet. “Do not worry. No harm will come to the animal. A captured shierta is rare. I have buyers who will pay handsomely for him.”
Where was Synge? Had the Klorthon killed him? Ricka fought back the panic gripping her chest. She remembered the scream and the noises she’d heard. Had Teah and Arno put up a fight? Were they still alive?
“And my friend? What did you do with her?” she asked.
“Ah, the female with the silky golden hair.” Molock flashed a maniacal grin. “She is on her way to the slave auctions and will bring a magnificent price.”
Ricka didn’t want to believe he was telling the truth, that the hunters hadn’t been able to rescue her friend.
He licked his lips with that disgusting purple tongue. “You should be more concerned about what I am going to do to you. ”
She tugged against his grasp, but her efforts were useless.
“No, my little human female. You belong to me, and I believe you are still in need of a lesson.”
Afraid he planned to throw her on the bed and follow through with his promise, she struggled even more. Instead, he yanked her to the side to make room for the two warriors who entered the room carrying a large metal cage.
Molock laughed at her frantic efforts, apparently guessing the direction of her thoughts. “It will have to wait until we are back on my ship, and I have dispensed with the hunter.”
She sucked in a relieved breath, glad to hear that Synge was still alive but worried that something terrible had happened to Arno and Teah. He’d known about Mogran and come prepared, making her wonder how long he’d been on Tarron and if he was responsible for the isuues with the communication transmissions.
Molock pulled her close, then tucked his face against her neck and sniffed. “You allowed the hunter to bed you. His reeking scent still covers your body.” He ground his teeth and growled. “He will pay for touching what is mine.” He sneered. “Maybe I will wait to slit his throat until after I take you, so he can watch.”
“No.” Ricka shuddered and shoved against his chest.
He tightened his grip, and pain shot along her arm. “Do not fight me, or your lesson will be more painful.” Molock dragged her toward the stairs. When they reached the lower level, he shoved her to her knees. “Stay here.” He walked across the foyer and said something to the two warriors who carried Mogran’s cage.
They spoke too low for her to hear their conversation. Finally, one of the men nodded, then they left through the front entrance. Ricka glanced around the room and saw Teah sitting on the floor with her back propped against the wall near the base of the staircase. She cradled Arno’s head in her lap. His eyes were closed, his unmoving form laid at an angle next to her. Tears streaked the older woman’s cheeks, and blood leaked from a small gash on her forehead.
Staying on her hands and knees, Ricka crawled over to the couple. “What happened? Is he...”
“He is still alive,” Teah sobbed. “They hit him on the head when he tried to stop them from going upstairs.”
“I am so sorry,” Ricka said. “This is all my fault. If Synge hadn’t brought me here... ”
Teah reached for her hand and squeezed. “Do not speak that way. You have given my nephew happiness, and for that, I have no regrets.”
Ricka blinked back the tears threatening to fall. “Everything is going to be okay. Synge is still alive, and he’ll come for us.” She hoped she was telling the truth.
A warrior, several inches shorter than Molock, burst through the main door. “A vessel has been spotted heading for this location.”
“Is it the hunter?” Molock snarled. “Did Dron fail me?”
“No, the shuttle comes from the city.” The warrior took a step back, no doubt worried about the ramifications of his answer.
Molock glowered. “How long before it arrives?”
“Less than ten minutes.”
“Tell the others to hurry. We cannot afford to let the hunters find us here.”
“Agreed,” the warrior said before hurrying back outside.
Molock withdrew a dagger from the sheath strapped to his belt and advanced toward them.
Ricka pushed to her feet and blocked him from the older couple. “Please, don’t hurt them. I’ll go with you and do whatever you want. I won’t even fight you.”
Lust flickered in his eyes. “Let us see if you speak the truth.” He grabbed her around the waist, then pulled her tightly against his chest. When his mouth covered hers, it was rough and hard. She kept her arms at her sides, her fists clenched. When he released her, she staggered backward. She swallowed the bile rising in her throat and did her best to hide her disgust.
He raised the knife and took a step toward Teah. The older woman screamed and used her upper body to shield Arno’s head.
Ricka clung to his arm. “I thought you were going to let them live if I did as you asked.”
“I made no such agreement,” Molock said, pushing her aside. “I will, however, make their deaths quick, so they do not suffer.”
“No, please.” Ricka tried to get in front of him again.
The warrior she’d seen moments earlier returned. “Molock, we need to go now. The vessel is nearly here.”
“Fine.” He shoved the blade back in the sheath on his hip and grabbed Ricka’s arm. “Move.” He tugged her toward the door.
Once outside, she glimpsed some of the Klorthons loading Mogran’s cage into the cargo area of a medium-sized transport. Whatever drug Molock had used to tranquilize the cat was already wearing off. He sluggishly swiped a paw against the thick bars and howled, the mournful sound tearing at Ricka’s heart.
***
Synge pressed on the accelerator, urging the transport to move faster. He cursed his own stupidity for not realizing the transmission problem was meant to lure him away from the house. It was his job to protect Ricka and his family. And he’d failed miserably.
As soon as Synge drove into the clearing in front of his home, he saw another vessel bearing the familiar hunter command markings. He jumped from the transport and raced inside the dwelling. “Ricka,” he yelled as he entered the foyer and headed for the stairs.
“She is not up there. I already checked,” Dathan said. He was kneeling on the floor next to Teah and Arno.
His uncle wasn’t moving, and Synge feared the worse. “Is he...”
Dathan stopped tending the wound on his aunt’s forehead. “Teah is in shock and hasn’t spoken. I examined Arno, and it appears he sustained a blow to the head. I contacted headquarters. A med flyer and more hunters will be here shortly.”
“How were you able to transmit?” Synge asked.
“I used the booster from my transport. It does not run on the same frequency as the virtucoms.” Dathan moved out of the way when Synge lowered himself in front of his aunt. “Command tried reaching you earlier today.” Guilt tinged Dathan’s grim expression. “I was only made aware of the inability to communicate a short while ago. Otherwise, I would have been here sooner.”
“This is not your fault, my friend. You are here now, and I am grateful for the assistance.” Synge gently cupped his aunt’s cheek. “Teah, can you hear me?”
Her gaze came back into focus. She blinked her tear-filled eyes and nodded.
“What happened?” Synge asked. “Where is Ricka?”
“They attacked us.” She rasped and clutched his sleeve. “He took her. He took Ricka and Mogran.” She placed a tender hand on her husband’s cheek. “Arno tried to stop them, but there were too many of them. ”
“Who took her? Was it the Klorthons?”
“Yes.”
He caught Dathan’s angry glare. “It was Molock. He had one of his men destroy the perimeter shielding to lure me away from the house. I left the male alive and bound in one of the control buildings. We will need to send someone to retrieve him.”
“How long ago did they leave?” Synge asked.
“Not long,” Teah said. “They did not want to be seen and left right before Dathan arrived.” She clutched the fabric of Synge’s sleeve tighter. “I know what you are thinking, but you cannot blame yourself for this. You were right to bring Ricka here. She offered her life to spare ours.” Teah sniffled. “You have to find her.”
The Klorthons wouldn’t waste any time getting Ricka off the planet, and Synge couldn’t wait for reinforcements to arrive. He pushed to his feet, then placed a hand on Dathan’s shoulder. “Can you stay with them and wait for the others?”
“Yes, but what are you planning to do?” Dathan asked.
“Go after my mate.”