Chapter 5 #2
Mexico. Nik had studied what he could on the Aztec and Mayan civilizations. Unfortunately, so many records had been lost, and he only had tiny jumbled and damaged bits and pieces about the vast pyramids and complexes they’d built. To see anything of their historical artifacts would be amazing.
Avril clapped her hands together. “So, ladies and gentlemen, as of this moment, you have two days to rest, relax, research, and prepare. As soon as we hit Earth, it’ll be go time.”
Nera was starting to like the library. She was watching Niklas working—it was becoming a favorite pastime—but this time, she wasn’t wearing her camouflage.
She flicked through her own book, every now and then looking up to watch him mutter about something, grunt when he found something interesting, or let out a long breath when he didn’t find what he was looking for.
She’d also spent some time trailing Gunn. An unpleasant task, but if he hurt Niklas, if he even breathed too close to Niklas, she’d gut him.
“What are you reading?”
She glanced up and saw Niklas watching her.
“The Lost Treasures of Earth,” she said.
He nodded. “A good read. Dr. Dalzarro is a bit prone to hyperbole.”
She knew. “I was reading about the Lost Inca Gold.”
“An interesting legend. But I think it was just that, a legend, and certainly exaggerated.”
“A treasure hunter who doesn’t believe in a lost treasure?”
He tilted his head. “You only go after verified treasures. I don’t see you chasing the Lost Treasure of Hesperia or the Hoard of Ramun-dal.”
“And I never searched for the lost colony of Star’s End.”
He smiled. “Touché.”
“I’m a businesswoman. So yes, I agree that verified treasure is best.”
“Is that all it is for you? Business?”
She thought she detected disappointment in his tone. It bothered her. Then she straightened. She didn’t care what Niklas Phoenix thought about her motives. “Yes. The past is gone, thank the stars, so why not profit off it?”
“You hate your past that much?”
Before she could answer, there was a commotion in the hall. A man’s voice raised in anger. A woman’s frightened cry.
Nera shot to her feet, and by the time she reached the door, Niklas was beside her. For a big man, he moved fast.
Gunn was moving through the corridor, tugging a woman behind him. She was dragging her feet, cowering. She was barely dressed, wearing only a flimsy wisp of white fabric that left her too-thin arms and legs bare. She had a beautiful face that was all angles and large gold eyes.
She also had a collar of beaten-gold metal around her neck.
Every muscle in Nera’s body stiffened.
“What the hell is going on here?” Niklas demanded.
“None of your damn business, Phoenix. Go back and bury your face in a book, and take your pet dog with you.” His baleful gaze landed on Nera.
“You’re hurting the woman,” Niklas said, his tone turning as dark as space.
Nera’s gut was burning.
“I’ll do as I fucking please.” Gunn drew a hand back and swung at the woman.
Before Nera could leap forward, Niklas caught the man’s hand. He must have exerted some force, despite the lack of expression on his face, because Gunn winced, then jerked away, rubbing his wrist.
The woman’s head was down, staring at the floor.
“Are you okay?” Nera asked.
The woman nodded but stayed silent.
“She doesn’t get a say,” Gunn bit out. “She’s my property to do with as I want.”
Nera quivered, trying to control the impulse to tear him apart with her bare hands. Slavery happened, not in the central systems, but in the outer reaches of the galaxy where the law keepers were few and overworked.
“A slave?” Niklas shook his head. “I knew you were scum, Gunn, but this…Dr. Luma-Smythe wouldn’t let you have a slave aboard.”
“I never said slave.” Gunn tried for a smile but it looked like a sneer. “This is my cherished companion, Alarah.” He ran his hand down her cheek and the woman flinched.
Nera couldn’t stand to watch any more. She lunged at Gunn.
Strong arms wrapped around her middle, holding her back.
“Let me go.” She said the words with deadly calm.
His lips were hot at her ear. “You kill him here, you’ll be arrested. We’re on an Institute ship, traveling on a wormhole bridge. There’s nowhere to go.”
She jerked against him. “I don’t care.” All she could see was that woman. Helpless and broken.
Niklas shook her a little. “We can’t do anything…now. But we’ll find a way to help her.” He pushed Nera against the wall, his big body caging her in. But she kept struggling; all she wanted was to get to Gunn.
“Nera.” Niklas spoke sharply. “Look at me.”
She did. His blue eyes snagged hers and she couldn’t look away. Dimly, she was aware of Gunn dragging the woman away.
“Breathe,” Niklas whispered.
“She’s trapped. Helpless. She has no voice. No hope.”
He watched her steadily. “Maybe. But she has us, now. We’ll help her.”
Nera quivered. “You don’t know what it’s like to be held prisoner. Owned.” That word was like toxic poison on her tongue.
“No. I don’t.” There was something dark in his voice. “But clearly, you do.”
She jolted in his arms and pushed against his chest.
But he held fast. Steady, solid Niklas.
Then he cupped her cheek. She gripped his wrist—to push him away or hold that contact there? She wasn’t sure.
“Nera, when I look at you, I don’t see someone who belongs to anyone but herself. I see strength. Independence.”
She swallowed, the nasty feeling inside her ebbing…just a little.
She looked into blue eyes as deep as forever and realized Niklas Phoenix was far more dangerous to her than any foe she’d ever faced.