Page 47 of Across the Crimson Sands

“No,” I whispered, my voice breaking.

Two.

I couldn’t let this happen. I couldn’t let Rokan die for me.

One.

“Stop!” I screamed, deactivating my shield. “I surrender!”

The fighting ground to a halt. Rokan whirled to face me, eyes wide with disbelief.

“Arilee, no!” His voice crackled through the bone conductor. “I can handle this. Let me fight for you!”

I shook my head wildly, tears stinging my eyes. “I can’t. They’ll kill you, Rokan. I won’t let that happen.”

“Listen to the girl,” Gorin sneered, striding forward. “She knows when she’s beaten.”

Rokan lunged toward me, but two Krelaxians grabbed his arms, holding him back. He roared in frustration, muscles straining against their grip.

“Arilee, please,” he begged. “Don’t do this. We can still win.”

I met his gaze, my heart breaking at the desperation I saw there. “I’m sorry, Rokan. I can’t lose you.”

Gorin’s laughter sliced through me as he approached. “How touching. The slave loves her new master.” He reached out, grabbing my arm roughly. “But you belong to me, girl. Always have, always will.”

I flinched at his touch, nausea crashing through me. Still, I managed to stand tall, chin raised in defiance.

“I’ll go with you,” I blurted. “But you have to let Rokan go. Unharmed.”

Gorin considered, then nodded. “Fine. The Vinduthi can leave. But you?” His grip tightened painfully. “You’re coming home.”

As Gorin dragged me away, I caught one last glimpse of Rokan. Our eyes met, and in that moment, I saw a thousand unspoken words, a lifetime of possibilities slipping away.

“I’m sorry,” I mouthed.

Then Gorin shoved me into a waiting transport, and Rokan disappeared from view.

ROKAN

Pain seared through my skull as consciousness returned. I blinked, struggling to focus my vision in the dimly lit room. The acrid stench of blood and sweat filled my nostrils. My arms refused to move - bound tightly to a chair. Flexing my muscles sent fresh waves of agony through my battered body.

“Welcome back, Rokan.” Gorin’s grating voice cut through the haze. “I was beginning to think you’d sleep through all the fun.”

I lifted my head, eyes narrowing as they locked onto the Krelaxian’s smug face. His mottled brown skin stretched into a grotesque grin. Fury tore through me at the sight of Arilee on her knees behind him. A thick metal collar encircled her throat, connected to manacles binding her wrists.

“Let her go,” I growled, straining against my bonds. “You sick fuck.”

Gorin’s laughter grated on my nerves. “Oh, but she’s the guest of honor. I figured it would hurt her far more to watch you suffer.”

He stepped aside, giving me an unobstructed view of Arilee. Her eyes met mine, fear and determination in their depths. A bruise blossomed on her cheek, evidence of Gorin’s earlier brutality.

“Don’t,” Arilee whispered, her voice hoarse. “Don’t give him the satisfaction.”

I ignored her plea, muscles bunching as I fought against the restraints. The chair creaked ominously, but held firm.

“Ah ah,” Gorin tsked, wagging a thick finger. “The more you struggle, the more she pays for it. Understood?”

Rage boiled within me, but I shoved it down. Arilee’s safety mattered more than my pride. I glared at Gorin, wishing I could tear him apart with my bare hands.

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