Page 121 of Sohut's Protection

“La-rehn. Yes.” Why was saying this so hard? “Well, I helped capture one of her kind and…” He paused. Saying it was like admitting that he was really weak.

“…I phekked up, brother. I think I’m going to have to do something stupid,” he finally said.

He could hear the silence on the other end of the line.

“Explain,” Riv growled after a few moments.

“No time. I have to get to the exchange.” But there was no longer the low crackle of the connection.

Glancing down at the device, he realized it was out of charge.

It seemed the phekking mogs had detached the sol battery.

Phekking little fat excrement holes.

Gritting his teeth, Sohut pushed forward.

He’d get to the exchange, get a distorter, and find Clee-yo.

As he slipped the sat phone back in his satchel, Sohut gulped.

That might be the last time he ever heard his brother’s voice but now he only had one objective and she needed him.

Clee-yo.

He was going to find his Clee-yo.

28

Cleo’s eyes fluttered open and for a second, she didn’t know where she was.

The lighting was different, the smells different, the sounds…all different.

Anxiety made her sit upright immediately.

She was in a…

Looking around, her eyes widened.

It was a like a magical garden for fairies.

Purple blooms that resembled sakura trees hung over her and there were actual butterflies.

Real butterflies.

She stared at them…unable to believe what she was seeing.

What were monarch butterflies doing on an alien planet?

The soft trickle of a stream caught her ear and she stood on shaky legs.

Was she dreaming?

Was she dead?

Reality slammed her like a semi out of control.

Sohut!

---