Page 30 of Breed

I try to cover my ears as they come, but there’s something about the satisfied roar of a saurian alpha and the high-pitched wail of an orgasming human captain that really cuts through practically every aural obstacle I can find.

Ifall asleep in my hiding place, waking up only when Sullivan sneaks back with a plate full of food and a flask of water for me. I don’t mention what I saw happening to her, and she does not say a word either. Even if these saurians deprive us of our dignity we don’t have to deprive each other.

“I told Thorn I didn’t feel well,” she says, handing me the food and water. “Besides, they’re looking for you, so that will be distracting enough to keep him and the rest of them busy for ages. These saurians are messy bitches, and they live for the drama.”

“I thought we were messy bitches who live for the drama.”

“We are,” she grins. “That’s why we all get on so well.”

I take a bite of food and grab a swig of water before delivering the bad news to my captain. God, it feels so fucking good to be able to tell someone else my problems and know that she’ll do something about them. I miss being part of a functional crew so damn badly.

“They’re trying to breed us. That’s what Wrath wants. That’s what the saurian who took me did.”

Sullivan’s eyes flash with temper and outrage. “The saurian did what to you?”

“He… you know…”

Though the same thing has just happened to her, Sullivan looks furious.

“They’re planning on catching the rest of the crew and doing it to them too. They want to use us as broodmares to make hybrids to… I don’t even know what. I think Wrath wants a disposable half-human army. But he wants us to make them.”

Sullivan is listening to me intently, her expression so calm it almost looks like she’s not really angry, though I know her well enough to know that a quiet Sullivan is one who is probably about to explode.

When I stop talking, she asks me a question in a very even voice.

“Do you know why my ship is called the Mare, Lettie?”

“No.”

Her eyes narrow further, and her tone takes on a kind of venom that does not bode well for anybody. “Because a mare will fuck you up.”

I nod and smile, and feel a little bit better. I knew all I had to do was find the captain. I knew everything would start getting better once someone else was in charge. This is what I need. This is what we all need. Leadership.

Now that I’m feeling better, I can think a little better. “I know who the source inside the camp is, I think. It’s the same one who took me. His name is Shan. I saw him talking to the purple one with wings that has Raine. What’s his name again? A.. Avi…”

“Avel,” she says. “Okay. So. They’re all in on it. If we were all in on it, that would be easier.” She stops for a second to think, then gives me a very serious look. “I need you to go and find Raine. We need to set up a meeting somewhere we can both reach. If you managed to get here without being caught, you can possibly get to her. Do you know the big bone chapel thing near the skeleton?”

“Yes!” I say. “That’s where they were fucking on the roof.”

“They… okay,” Sullivan says, quickly refocusing. “That is where he works. I think he takes her there most of the time. So that’s one place you should be able to make contact with her. If you find her, make a rendezvous location. It’s hard for me to get out of this house, but it is a huge house, and she should be able to find a way to get Avel to bring her here. Then we can make a plan.”

“I think Avel has my suit. Does Thorn have yours? We need to make contact with the Mare.”

“I will try to get it back, though he’s hidden it pretty damn well.” She looks me up and down. “I don’t know what the hell you’re wearing, but it must work as some kind of disguise.”

“It makes me look like a pile of rags in a corner, I think. They don’t seem to notice me. I just sort of push myself against walls whenever anyone looks at me, and I take the little back alleys. This city has so many little alleys.”

“It does,” Sullivan agrees. “You know, you’re probably the only one of us who can make this happen, Lettie. No pressure, but I’m pretty sure the rest of us would have been caught the second we stepped out onto the street.”

It’s not true, but it is nice to get a compliment and have my efforts appreciated. I know Raine said Sullivan was the worst, most irresponsible, outright dangerous captain, but I think she’s pretty great.

“I’m going to go,” I say. “I’ll get to her as soon as I can. Don’t worry, the Mare isn’t going anywhere without her captain.”

Sullivan smiles, and I think I see a hint of tears in her eyes. “Lettie, you’re probably the only one who feels that way.”

“I’m not. We regretted the mutiny as soon as it happened. Raine talked us into it, you know that. We were upset about the whole shopping center…”

“Raine was right to depose me. I was… I was a fuck up,” Sullivan says.

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