Page 105 of Mated By Twilight

“There!” Tillos pointed, finding the missing Biella again. It was unnerving how good she was at sneaking around, out of sight. Like she had practice with it.

Tillos almost didn't spot her at all. The flash of pink on the display was brief, but he knew that sparkling gold, pink hide very well.

Biella had taken Leah into a small hotel at the very edge of the station. It was far from any of the attractions in the park and looked like it had seen better days. Tillos wouldn’t have trusted it enough to bring his mate there. Biella, who spent all her credz on their shows, their fan items, and traveling after their troupe, probably couldn’t afford anything better.

“Look!” Sollit pointed as well.

Tillos frowned. Was that not Biella’s final destination? Had she snuck out of there as well?

But no. A flash of green this time. It was Skara, sniffing carefully at the air. She was still trailing behind Biella, but she was catching up.

And they were back to the live feed, the playback speed suddenly returning to normal.

“Come on,” Tillos tugged at Sollit’s shoulder.

The security team said something, trying to call them back. Trying to convince them not to go and let them handle it.

But they were already out the door and running in the direction Biella had gone. Skara might be able to get there before them, but they didn't know for sure, and they weren’t leaving it up to chance. Even the slightest delay was too long.

Hold on, he begged her silently. Just hang on a bit longer.

Chapter 49

Leah

Whatever knocked Leah out faded just as quickly as it took effect. Leah gasped, coming awake all at once, her head jerking up-

Thud!

Groaning, she dropped it back again. Pain throbbing from her forehead. Wha-

Before she could figure out what she hit, something grabbed hold of her ankles and dragged her into the light. Out from under a bed, she realized, frowning as she looked around quickly. Trying to get her bearings even as she began to struggle against the bindings on her arms.

She was in an unfamiliar room that looked professional and impersonal – a hotel? And not even a good one. She’d compare it to a roadside motel if they were back on Earth. There was a bed, a desk, and a device she knew would cast a holodisplay that was, essentially, a big TV, but all of them were old, worn out, and smelled musty and a bit like rotting flowers.

Her arms had been bound. Not behind her back, like she expected, or by her wrists. Instead, her arms had been crossed and a cord tied all around them, keeping them against eachother and binding her range of movement. A piece of fabric had been shoved into her mouth and another cord tied around her head, keeping it trapped there.

And there was Biella. Staring at her with a retched, insane smile. Her hair was mussed and wild, as was her dress. It was dusty and smeared with dirt in a few places.

How the heck had they ended up here?

Any question Leah might have asked was totally muffled and incomprehensible against the gag. Biella didn't look like she was in the mood to answer anyway. She was laughing quietly, unnervingly, as she crawled up Leah’s body on her knees.

“Finally got you… finally got you… finally got youaway from them!” She was muttering. Her eyes were wide and deranged as she looked Leah up and down like a hungry coyote trying to decide which hen to eat off the yard first.

“Mph um mf-”

Smack!

Pain burst across the Leah’s face. She didn't know who was more surprised by the slap. Biella, her hand still up, looked just as shocked that it happened as Leah felt.

Then she laughed once. Twice.

Smack!

Leah let out a cry this time as she was backhanded across the other cheek. Biella let out a bark of shocked delight. Like she’d just discovered something amazing.

She smacked her again. And again. One cheek then the other. Laughing uproariously the entire time. Leah was helpless to doanything but try to roll with the strikes, the pain burning along her face making her eyes water.

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