Page 40 of Willow and the Wraith

“They’re just scratches,” she assured him. “I’m okay.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. You were… in time.”

He nodded abruptly, his jaw clenching as she gave him a worried look.

“What about you? I saw him claw your chest.”

“I’m fine. We need to leave the planet immediately,” he added, his voice tight.

“I understand.”

He flashed her a quick unreadable look, then gently touched her cheek before hurrying out of the room.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Wraith gripped the controls tightly as he piloted the ship away from Radlin, his jaw clenched, his muscles taut with tension. The familiar hum of the engines usually brought him comfort, but now the sound felt distant and hollow. His chest ached where Zalek had tried to slash him, but the metal threads woven into his shirt had protected him. He deserved much worse for letting her fall into Zalek’s hands.

Images kept flashing through his mind - Willow strapped to that stretcher, her torn clothing, the blood on her skin. His chest constricted painfully. He’d almost been too late. If he hadn’t gotten there when he did…

The memories he’d blocked for so long battered against his mind, threatening to break through, but he forced back the onslaught. Now was not the time to lose control. He took a deep breath, steadying himself. One task at a time. Get away from Radlin. Set the autopilot. Return to Willow.

But it didn’t help. The smell of smoke lingered on his clothing, awakening memories of that other fire. Smoke. Screams. His mother’s face, contorted in agony.

No. He couldn’t let himself go there. Not now. Not when Willow needed him.

The ship’s warning system beeped, alerting him to an incoming vessel, and adrenaline spiked through his body. He forced himself to focus, checking the readings. Just a routine cargo freighter, no threat. He adjusted course slightly to give it a wide berth, but his heart rate refused to slow.

She’s all right, he kept telling himself. She’s safe. I found her.

Thanks so Drax. As soon as he’d left the ship, he’d raced back to the Zethinae’s office. He stormed in, not bothering to hide his fury behind his usual icy mask.

“Zalek. Where is he?”

Drax frowned at him, cautious but not intimidated by his rage.

“I’m not sure. I’ve heard rumors-”

“I need to know. Now. I don’t care what it costs. He has my female.”

Drax nodded abruptly and picked up a communication device, his face grim. Within minutes he had runners moving throughout the port.

While they waited, Wraith prowled the small office like a caged animal, his mind racing with possibilities, each worse than the last. The thought of Willow in Zalek’s clutches, terrified and alone, sent agony searing through his chest. Drax watched him, but didn’t attempt to calm him down.

He knew he was destroying his reputation as a cold, emotionless hunter, but he couldn’t bring himself to care. All that mattered was finding Willow. The minutes stretched on endlessly as he waited for information. Reports started to come in, Drax sorting through the information before finally coming up with an answer.

“There’s a warehouse on the southern edge of the port. Zalek’s shown an interest in it recently although I don’t know-”

But he was gone, running out the door before Drax had finished speaking. His heart pounded in his ears, terror driving him on.

Hold on, Willow, he thought fiercely. I’m coming.

His heart was still racing when he reached the warehouse district. Every fiber of his being screamed at him to tear through the area, ripping doors off hinges until he found Willow, but years of training and discipline kicked in, forcing him to slow his pace and think strategically.

He pulled out his scanner, sweeping it across the buildings. The busy front area teemed with activity, but he doubted Zalek would risk such exposure. He moved quickly towards the deserted structures at the outskirts, focused on the scanner.

As he rounded a corner, it picked up two heat signatures in a dilapidated building. He’d never felt such a terrifying mix of hope and dread before.

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