Page 37 of Obsessed

"I'm detecting multiple power failures across all systems," Navi says. "Primary and secondary."

"That's impossible. The system's redundant." I feel my way along the wall. "The breaker box is down the hall. Maybe?—"

A laugh echoes through the darkness. Not Davrik's warm chuckle, but something cold and wrong.

"Navi?" My voice shakes. "Please tell me that was you trying out new sound effects."

"Negative, Dr. Watson. But I am detecting movement in the?—"

Another laugh, closer this time. My hands tremble as I grip Navi's interface.

"We should probably—" The sound of breaking glass cuts me off. "Oh god."

A rough hand clamps over my mouth, stifling my scream. The metallic taste of blood fills my mouth as my teeth catch my lip. Navi's interface slips from my trembling fingers, clattering across the floor and rolling away.

"Don't move," a gravelly voice whispers against my ear.

I bite down hard on the hand. The attacker curses, loosening their grip just enough. I drive my elbow back, connecting with something solid. Pain shoots through my arm, but adrenaline drowns it out. Breaking free, I stumble forward into the darkness.

"Navi!" I call out. "Can you initiate any emergency proto?—?!"

I slam into something solid – another person. Strong arms wrap around me, pinning my arms to my sides.

"Got her," a different voice says. "Feisty little thing, isn't she?"

I kick backward, but my injured ankle betrays me. The grip only tightens.

"You're not going anywhere, sweetheart." A third voice, closer now. "Your boyfriend's been holding out on us."

Something hard connects with the side of my head. Stars explode behind my eyes, and then darkness takes me.

Pain throbs through my skull as consciousness returns. My stomach lurches with each heavy step, blood rushing to my head as I dangle over someone's shoulder. The rough fabric of their jacket scrapes against my cheek, and my bound wrists burn where the rope cuts into them.

I twist, trying to see where we're going. The movement earns me a sharp crack across the face.

"Told you to behave," a gruff voice growls behind me. Fur brushes against my arm as he moves closer. "Don't make me tell you again."

The gag muffles my response, which is probably for the best. Jungle sounds filter through the pounding in my head – the familiar cry of the silver-winged birds, the rustle of leaves. We're still on Meltor IV, at least.

I try to take as much stock of my situation as possible, but it isn't easy. There's two men in my sight, the one holding me, and I could make out two more distinct voices walking ahead of us.

Five versus one. Not great odds, even when my ankle was in perfect shape. My heart sinks. Even five versus two doesn't seem great. As strong as Davrik is, five big brutes like this make that creature a few weeks ago seem like nothing.

"How much further?" The voice vibrates through the shoulder I'm draped over. "She ain't heavy, but this humidity's killing me."

"Just ahead. Keep your pants on."

The shoulder beneath me shifts, and I'm unceremoniously dumped onto the ground. The impact jars my injured ankle, and tears spring to my eyes. Through the blur, I see nothing but an empty clearing.

Until the air ripples.

Like heat waves over hot pavement, the atmosphere distorts and parts. A massive ship materializes from nothing, sleek and predatory. My heart hammers against my ribs as rough hands haul me to my feet.

"Move it." The furry one shoves me forward.

I dig my heels in, but it's useless. They drag me up the loading ramp, my bare feet scraping against metal grating. Theship's interior hits me with a blast of cold air and the sharp tang of disinfectant.

"Get her secured in cargo hold three," someone calls from above. "Boss wants her alive. For now."

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