Chapter Thirteen
Ricka had no idea where Molock was taking her since there were no windows in the cargo area. Right before they’d left, he’d shoved her into the back of the transport and ordered her to sit on the floor next to Mogran’s cage. She was terrified, but panicking wouldn’t do her any good, and neither would crying. She stuck her arm between the bars and found a small amount of comfort from running her fingers through the big cat’s soft fur.
If the Klorthons had wanted to remain undetected, they wouldn’t have landed their spaceship on Tarron. They would have used a shuttle.
The vehicle they were using to transport her wasn’t designed for space travel, so she assumed the warriors would eventually have to stop and transfer Mogran and her. She clung to the belief Synge would come after her and find them before they were taken off the planet. She could tell by the loud thumps and scrapes against the exterior hull, along with the vibrations on the metal floor beneath her, that they were no longer on the main road leading to the launch pad.
Her hopes were ruined when the engines powered down, and the vehicle jerked to a stop. Several minutes later, the door opened, and Molock stood there with two other warriors. “Come with me.” He grabbed her wrist. She barely had time to pull her arm out of the cage before he hauled her outside. Her legs wobbled, and she stumbled, unstable from being jostled around during the trip.
Tarron’s two moons lit up the dark, star-filled skies and cast shadows on the jungle surrounding an extensive clearing. She might have taken more time to appreciate the beauty of the overhead view if she hadn’t been so frightened.
Exterior solars from a larger ship, a cargo loader, blazed throughout the area. Loaders could travel small distances but weren’t designed for deep-space travel, which meant she’d been right about the Klorthons having a larger ship somewhere near the planet.
Apparently, she wasn’t the only reason the Klorthons had come to Tarron. There were numerous crates, the same size as the one holding Mogran, stacked on the ground in several locations. She glimpsed two other women being led up the ramp into the back of the loader. Their hands were bound, their expressions reflecting the same fear she felt. One was a Tarron with dark hair and markings cascading down her neck. The other, an alien race she didn’t recognize, possessed pale blue skin and long russet hair with black streaks.
After dragging Ricka toward one of the stacks, Molock pointed at a single crate no higher than her knees. “Sit and stay here.” Arguing would be pointless, and the fewer reasons she gave him to touch her, the better.
Molock didn’t go far before another warrior confronted him. “Dron has not returned yet. Should I send someone to find him?”
“No, we cannot spare the time.”
“He is part of our crew. How can you not search for him?”
“I said leave him,” Molock growled. “He is more than likely dead, killed by the hunter who owns these lands.”
The man straightened his shoulders, not bothering to hide his anger. “You did not tell us the female belonged to a hunter. You risk us all by your foolish desire to possess her. It will not take long for others to locate us.”
“I am in command here, Dorrack. It is none of your concern.” Molock took an intimidating step forward. “A fact you would be wise to remember. Now do your job. Remove the cage and load the transport into the cargo bay as well as the remainder of the supplies.”
Dorrack gritted his teeth. “Anything else?”
“No.”
Dorrack shot a murderous glare in Ricka’s direction, then stormed across the clearing, leaving her with the unsettling feeling that things had just gotten worse .
Molock walked away and left her unguarded. Apparently, he wasn’t concerned about her escaping. Within minutes, the campsite was a flurry of activity, the men hastening to finish loading their cargo.
While keeping most of her attention focused on Molock as he approached other warriors and issued commands, she scanned the darkened jungle behind her. How far would she get before Molock came after her or one of the native creatures decided to attack? Neither option sounded appealing. She hoped Dorrack had been right about the other hunters sending help. If she left the clearing, she had no doubt Molock would come after her. And even if he found her, it might give the hunters the time they needed to rescue her and the other women.
Ricka shot a guilty glance in Mogran’s direction. She wanted to release the cat, but his cage had been unloaded on the opposite side of the camp, too far for her to reach without being noticed.
With renewed determination, she inhaled a deep breath and slowly got to her feet. Hoping that no one noticed as she eased away from the crate and slipped into the shadows.
***
The last bit of sunlight had disappeared, making it too difficult to visually follow the tracks made by the Klorthon’s transport. To avoid drawing attention and alerting the warriors to his presence, Synge didn’t engage the vehicle’s exterior lights. Thanks to Dron, he already had a general idea where they were headed.
He switched on the scanner in his transport to monitor the other vehicle’s movements by tracing its heat emissions. It would also enable him to maneuver in the darkness without damaging his vehicle. When nothing appeared on the screen, he suspected they might have activated blocking shields. He tapped several buttons on the control panel and switched the search parameters to the frequency emitted from the locater device in Mogran’s collar.
A soft ping sounded, and a small red dot blinked on the screen. He shifted the steering controls, so he moved in the same southeasterly direction. After several minutes, the light stopped its intermittent pattern and maintained a stationary position. Hopefully, the Klorthons hadn’t removed the collar or separated Ricka from his pet.
Once he was close to the location, he found an area to leave his vehicle where it wouldn’t be detected. Reaching behind the seat, he retrieved a small handheld tracking device and transferred the information for Mogran’s location. As an additional measure, he grabbed his hunting knife and slid it into the specially designed sheath inside his right boot. His sight easily adjusted to the limited lighting as he set off on foot toward the signal’s destination.
It didn’t take him long to find the clearing where the warriors had established a campsite. Synge remained hidden in the trees and studied the layout. He counted five other males besides Molock, all busy moving crates into the storage area of a cargo loader.
One of the men herded two women toward the ship, but so far, no sign of Ricka. The pressure squeezing his chest didn’t ease until he spotted her sitting on a crate on the opposite side of the encampment. As soon as Molock’s back was turned, she got to her feet. He smiled when she slipped into the thick foliage. His mate definitely had a penchant for attracting danger. This was one time he was glad she’d used her ingenuity to escape.
He heard a familiar whining and located the cage containing Mogran. Using the trees to conceal his movements, he quietly crept toward his pet. After scanning the area to ensure no one was aware of his presence, he withdrew his blade and pried open the lock.
Once the warriors noticed the cage was empty, they’d be on alert and start searching for him. They would also realize Ricka was gone, so he needed to get to her before they could find her. He undid the latch on the cage and opened the door. “Find Ricka,” he whispered.
The cat stepped outside, then hesitated long enough to rub his long body against Synge’s leg before disappearing into the darkness.
***
Ricka eased her way through the shadows, wishing there was more light to get a better look at where she was going. She heard a low growl coming from the right and froze. Her heart raced as images of the furry beast she’d encountered the last time she was in the jungle popped into her head. She was all alone, and even Mogran wouldn’t be able to help her this time.
Something crunched on the ground, letting her know whatever trailed her was very close. She turned to move in the opposite direction and slammed into a hard, massive wall. Before she could scream, a large hand clamped over her mouth and turned her around. A strong male arm encircled her waist and held her tightly to his chest so she couldn’t move.
Afraid Molock had already found her, she struggled against her captor’s sturdy frame. He pressed his head near her ear. “Ricka, it is me. Please stop squirming.”
“Synge.” She immediately stopped moving and relaxed. As soon as he released her, she spun around and threw her arms around his neck. “You came for me. I didn’t think I’d ever see you again.”
She savored the warmth of his tight embrace, never wanting to let him go.
“Never doubt that I will come for you,” Synge said, nuzzling her neck. “You belong with me.”
“I know,” she said
“Does this mean you have made a decision?” He cupped her cheeks, sounding hopeful.
Ricka pulled his hands away from her face but continued holding on to them. “I have, but the discussion will have to wait until later. Right now, we have to help Mogran and the two other women being held prisoner on the loader. I overheard one of the men say he thought more hunters were coming. Is it true?”
“Yes. It is standard practice to have tracking units installed on all our vehicles. They will be able to find my transport and send assistance.”
She was afraid to ask but had to know. “Did Arno make it? Is he going to be okay?”
“He is strong, and medical was on its way when I left to find you.” He scooped her into his arms. “We cannot stay here. Molock should be aware by now that I set Mogran free and will be angry when he discovers you are not where he left you.”
“You know I can walk, right?” she asked, even though she’d already wrapped her arms around his neck.
“Your human sight cannot see the ground as well as I can, and I will not risk letting you injure yourself,” Synge said. “Besides, I enjoy holding you close.”
Ricka trusted that Synge would keep her safe, so there was no point in arguing with him since she felt the same way.
** *
Now that Synge cradled Ricka safely in his arms, it was time to end the challenge, to make Molock pay for what he’d done to her and his family. Synge planned to return to the Klorthons’ camp and finish what he started with Molock. If something went wrong before the other hunters arrived, he wanted to make sure Ricka was safely locked inside his transport. The metal exterior and glass were designed to withstand blasts from repeaters and most handheld weapons. Engaging the secure passcodes would also prevent access.
It didn’t take him long to make his way back to the vehicle. As soon as he was within ten feet, his movement activated the external sensors he’d engaged before leaving to find Ricka and Mogran. The outside solars lit up the surrounding area, and he stopped when he saw Molock raise an arm to point a blaster at his head. The Klorthon must have triggered the lights once already, then remained stationary long enough for them to dim with the intent of ambushing Synge.
With Ricka in his arms, there was no way he could reach for his repeater. She must have realized the same thing because she tightened her grip around his neck to keep him from setting her down.
“Oh no, Mogran,” she gasped and glared at Molock. “You tranquilized him again, didn’t you?”
Synge followed the direction of Ricka’s gaze and spotted his pet’s unmoving form lying on the ground next to a thorny bush at the base of a tree. He tensed until he saw the slight rise and fall of the animal’s chest.
“Of course, I already told you I have plans to sell him.” He sneered at Synge. “I have come for what is mine, hunter. Put the female down and step aside.”
“She is my mate and will never belong to you,” Synge growled.
The silver in Molock’s eyes darkened. “It will not matter if you are dead.”
“Then let us finish this as honorable males. Per the rules of the ancient rites,” Synge said. He knew from his first encounter with Molock that he couldn’t be trusted to follow the code, but having the male think that he would follow the rules might give him an advantage .
“Agreed.” Molock slowly lowered his weapon and placed it on the ground.
Even though he’d released her so she was standing, Ricka refused to let go of Synge. “Please don’t do this. I don’t want to lose you.” Her concern was nearly his undoing.
“It will be fine.” He kept an arm secured around her waist while he pried her fingers loose. Synge’s gaze never left Molock’s angry glare. He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead and pressed his face against her cheek. He spoke in a low and confident tone. “I will draw him away. Get to the transport and lock yourself inside.” If something happened and he didn’t survive, he wanted her to know his true feelings. It didn’t matter if she returned them; he would still fight to the death to save her. “You are my life now, Ricka, but I need to know you are safe, so I am not distracted.” He paused. “Please do this for me.”
A tear trickled down her cheek. “I...” her voice cracked, and she nodded.
“Enough,” Molock snarled, impatiently flexing his fingers. “Release her and let us begin.”
Synge growled and protectively pushed her behind him. He would die before ever letting the Klorthon touch her again. He unfastened the holster, keeping the movements slow so he could run his thumb along the device attached to the belt that would release the lock on the transport. He barely had time to step away from Ricka and toss his repeater aside before Molock lunged.
***
Ricka gasped and stumbled backward when Molock’s massive frame slammed into Synge and almost took her to the ground with them. His parting words had filled her with joy, then transformed into dread when she remembered the part about being a distraction. Molock fought dirty, and Synge would need every advantage he could get to overpower the Klorthon.
Refusing to be a hindrance, Ricka heeded Synge’s request and edged her way toward the opposite side of his transport. Even though Mogran appeared to be sleeping normally, she quickly knelt to run her hand along his side, hoping by some miracle that the cat would wake up and help his owner. She removed the two darts lodged in the animal’s shoulder and tossed them aside. Molock must have given him an extra dose to ensure he wouldn’t wake up anytime soon.
Ricka wasn’t a fan of killing but knew she wouldn’t be troubled if Molock met his end, not if it meant Synge would live.
Getting to her feet, she glanced at the man who’d become an important part of her life. Synge’s grim expression briefly paused on her before his fist connected with Molock’s jaw. Ricka’s hand barely touched the cool metal panel next to the door when she heard the engine of another vehicle. Worried that the other Klorthons had found them, she spun around, her pulse racing. She wished she’d thought to grab Molock’s blaster before circling around the transport.
Five Tarron males, all tall and muscularly ripped beneath their hunter uniforms, exited the other vehicl. They drew their repeaters and spread apart in a military-style formation. There was no way they couldn’t have noticed the battle between Synge and Molock, yet they did nothing to stop it. Before she could share her frustration, the tallest of the men holstered his weapon and approached her. “You must be Ricka,” he said, offering her a half-smile. “I am Synge’s friend, Dathan. Are you harmed?” He attentively inspected her from top to bottom.
“No, but...”
Dathan scanned the clearing, continuing to ignore the punching and growling coming from Synge and Molock. “Where are the other Klorthon warriors?”
“They’re in a clearing not far from here, and they have two women prisoners,” Ricka said, not bothering to hide her annoyance.
Dathan turned toward the others and ordered, “Find the campsite and secure the females.”
“Yes, sir,” one man to his left replied, then the other four males disappeared into the jungle, leaving her alone with Dathan.
Ricka winced when Molock’s fist connected with Synge’s jaw, and he backed away with a bloodied lip. “Why aren’t you helping Synge?” She shot a glare in Dathan’s direction but refused to take her attention away from the fight.
“I cannot.”
“Why not?” She wanted to scream at the irritating male.
“He told me the rite of challenge was invoked, and it must be seen to completion. No others can interfere.” Dathan spoke as if a battle to the death was an everyday occurrence.
Ricka was ready to do a little punching herself if something happened to Synge because of some ridiculous custom she didn’t understand or agree with. The males might be willing to stand by and follow the rules, but she wasn’t. Before Dathan could stop her, Ricka pulled the repeater out of his holster and aimed it at Molock’s head.
“Female, what are you doing?” He jerked her arm upward, and the shot sailed harmlessly into the trees.
“No,” she cried as he yanked the weapon away from her and returned it to his hip. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pinning her to his chest. “Let me go!”
“Be still,” Dathan groaned when her elbow connected with his ribs. He tightened his grip, immobilizing her arms. “If Synge should lose, I will finish off the Klorthon myself. I gave him my word no harm would come to you and that you would be well cared for.”
Ricka stopped struggling. She wasn’t worried about herself. Synge living was all she cared about. Life without him would be nothing.
***
The arrival of the other hunters agitated Molock. It showed in his sloppy fighting moves, which were no longer calculated and strategic. “Before I take your life, I want you to know that I have no intention of allowing the other hunters to take the female.”
Synge had been using the Klorthon’s frustration to his advantage until he’d made the mistake of allowing the repeater’s sharp blast to distract him long enough for Molock’s fist to connect with his jaw again. He staggered backward several steps, then swiped his thumb across his split lip.
Dathan nodded, assuring him the situation was under control. Synge’s rational mind knew his friend held Ricka to prevent her interference, yet jealousy surged to see another man touching his mate. If something happened to him, she would be well protected—a promise he’d obtained from Dathan before heading out to search for Ricka.
Molock hunched as if preparing to lunge, but at the last second, he dove to the side and reached for his blaster. He got to his feet and aimed the gun at Synge’s chest.
After their last encounter, Synge had expected the other man’s treachery long before now. He heard Ricka’s warning scream seconds before he dropped to the ground. The shot sailed over his head, missing him by inches. A moving target was harder to hit, so he quickly rolled to his right. As Synge pushed off the ground, he withdrew the knife hidden inside his boot. From his crouched position, he flicked his wrist and released the blade. It flew through the air and plunged into Molock’s chest.
Shock and disbelief flashed across the Klorthon’s features. His arm shook, and the weapon he had aimed at Synge wavered. With his free hand, he gripped the hilt of the knife, managing to dislodge it before dropping to his knees. His jaw moved, a bloody gurgle the only sound he made before toppling over and landing on the ground face-first.
Synge barely made it to his feet before Ricka rushed at him, throwing herself into his arms. He easily caught her and crushed her to his chest. “Don’t you ever do that again,” she scolded. “I couldn’t stand it if I lost you.”
“I will do my best to abide by your wishes,” he said, loosening his hold, then giving her a passionate kiss, not caring that the pressure on his lip caused him more pain.
Dathan cleared his throat as he approached. “Sorry to interrupt. I thought you would want to know the team has apprehended the Klorthons, and the other females are unharmed.”
Ricka pulled out of his arms. “How do you know?”
“I am in contact with the others.” Dathan moved his hair to show her the small communication device in his ear, his gaze returning to Synge. “They are requesting our presence.”
Synge took her hand and led her toward the transport. “It appears our discussion is going to be delayed a little longer.” He smiled, already planning the ways he would convince Ricka to complete the joining ritual.
***
After loading Mogran into the back of Synge’s vehicle, they’d taken the larger hunter transport to the Klorthon campsite. Shortly before they arrived, Dathan received a transmission from the medical unit informing him the older couple had been relocated to the city. Ricka had been relieved to hear Arno’s injuries weren’t severe and, with their accelerated healing abilities, would be back to normal in no time.
She spent the entire trip sitting on Synge’s lap in the front passenger seat with her head nestled against his shoulder. After everything they’d been through, she hated to leave the warmth and comfort of his embrace. Touching him reminded her he was alive, and she was determined to do everything possible to keep from losing him.
Once they reached the site, they approached the cargo loader. One of the hunters who’d arrived with Dathan walked over to greet them. “Per your orders, the warrior is being collected from the perimeter building. Three of the crew are dead. Those two had enough sense to surrender.” He tipped his head toward the two men kneeling on the ground next to a stack of crates. One of them was Dorrack, the man who’d argued with Molock earlier. Their hands were tied behind their backs, their features irate.
“And the females?” Dathan asked.
“Torin is retrieving them from the loader now.” He turned to Ricka and grinned, his dark eyes flickering with appreciation. “You are very beautiful. It would be my pleasure to escort you back to the city and see to any needs you might have.”
Synge glared at the man and tucked her close to his side. “Kel, please refrain from trying to initiate sex with my mate.”
Kel’s eyes widened, and he turned to Dathan for confirmation. “Is this true? Is she really his mate?”
“It is hard to believe, but yes,” Dathan said.
It sounded as if Teah wasn’t the only one convinced that her nephew would never find a female to settle down with. Judging by Synge’s scowl, he wasn’t enthused to be the subject of his friend’s amusement.
Kel laughed. “I never thought to see the day you would find someone so lovely to put up with you. Congratulations, my friend.”
“Thank you.” Synge pressed his hand to the small of Ricka’s back. “Perhaps one day I will be able to say the same to you.”
A man she assumed must be Torin flew out of the cargo bay, slid down the ramp on his back, and stopped when he reached the ground. He rolled to his feet, running his hand along the front of his uniform and growling at the woman with pale blue skin who appeared in the entryway. She returned his glare with an ice-blue one of her own. “Do not ever try to touch me again.”
“Problem, Torin?” Dathan chuckled.
Torin snorted. “Apparently, this one does not take kindly to being offered assistance.”
“I have a name, hunter,” she said, placing her hands on her hips. “It is Krayla. Please refrain from addressing me as ‘this one.’”
Dathan stepped between the two. “Our apologies, Krayla. I am certain Torin did not mean to offend you.” He elbowed the other man in the ribs. “Did you?”
Torin looked as if he wanted to pummel Dathan. “No,” he said reluctantly. “If you will come with me, I will see you are returned to the city.”
“It would be most appreciated.” She lifted her chin and followed him to the transport.
Ricka covered her mouth and tried not to laugh. She didn’t envy Torin’s return trip. Krayla seemed like she was going to be a handful.
Dathan turned to Kel, who grinned devilishly, apparently finding the interaction as humorous as she did. “Please assist the other female without touching her. Lock both prisoners in the cage and put the remainder of the crates in the loader. We will pilot it back to headquarters.”
Kel nodded, then winked at Ricka before turning to leave.
Dathan spoke to Synge. “The threat to your female...”
“Ricka,” she interrupted and glared at him. She was still irritated with Synge’s friend for stopping her from shooting Molock. It also annoyed her to continually be referred to as a female.
Dathan acquiesced with a tip of his head, then clamped a hand on Synge’s shoulder. “I see why you like her.”
Synge grinned. “Life has definitely not been boring since I met her.”
“I assume the virtucom on your property was damaged by the warriors.” Dathan unclipped a small device from his belt and handed it to Synge. “You can use this to contact headquarters until the repairs are made.”
“Hopefully, it will not be necessary now that the Klorthons have been apprehended.” Synge tucked the communicator into his pocket. “It appears you have everything under control. So if you do not mind, I need to see to my mate.” He didn’t wait for Dathan to reply before scooping Ricka in his arms and walking away.