Page 18 of Caged

Alex doesn’t finish the sentence. Instead she drops to her knees, coughing.

“Water,” I growl, checking the area, and finding a pale green Trefian trader staring at us like his eyes are going to pop out of his head. “Water.” I grab his clothing and shake him. “Water for my mate, now,” I snarl.

He shoves a water bag at me, and I drop him, gathering Alex in my arms and pouring the liquid into my hand so I can clear her face of the gunge covering it. I hold the lip of the bag up to her mouth and she swallows some. The coughing subsides and she shudders in my arms.

There are more shouts from the larger streets surrounding this one. Whatever happened at the dome, even if it wasn’t aimed at the gladiators, I don’t need any reason other than the little mate in my grasp to know lying low for a while will be a good thing.

“We have to go, little feather,” I murmur as Alex’s breathing returns to normal. “We have to get out of here.”

She swallows another mouthful.

“I think I know somewhere we can go,” she says, wiping her eyes and taking in the destruction around us. “But I don’t know how long we can stay.”

“Any time is better than no time,” I say. “Show me.” I help Alex to her feet and toss the waterbag back to the trader.

“You didn’t see us, did you?” I growl. “Not when you’re so close to the dome.” I adopt a wide-legged stance, one of the favorites of the crowds.

“See who?” the trader gibbers. “I didn’t see anyone.” He waves his hand in front of his face. “Too much dust.”

“Right answer,” I reply. Alex tugs at my hand and I follow her.

I’d follow her into the heart of a black hole and beyond. There are no other options left to me now. My heart has been given over to our bond. Forever.

ALEX

Whatever happened, it can’t be good. My lungs are full of the dust from the explosion, and even with the water and the gentle care from Sylas, I’m still struggling. I had mild asthma when I was on Earth, usually brought on by dusty environments, and although I’ve had a few wheezes since I was abducted, mostly I’ve been okay.

Until now.

Sylas doesn’t exactly seem with it either, although I don’t think it’s down to any sort of illness. He’s one hundred percent fitter than fit, a fact I’m very much reminded of as he pads alongside me like a predator, one step to every two of mine. I’m already running out of breath, but he seems as serene as a sailboat with his huge wings.

Unlike he was earlier. As if he was somewhere else entirely, calling out for warriors, talking about his enemy.

We get some curious glances from a couple of Oykig, and I take a sharp right turn.

“Where are we going, Alex?” Sylas asks me in his deeper than sin voice, which now has a greater rasp to it with all the dust.

“I have a…friend. I hope she can help.”

“Not your master?” he queries as I find us some quieter streets, narrow and hung with clothing. It’ll take us longer, but no one around here will say anything.

His mention of Ixor chills my blood, and my eyes immediately go to the cuff on my wrist.

Only it’s no longer on my wrist. The skin is bare. Somehow, in all the confusion, it’s come off.

My heart sings out with a mixture of joy and trepidation.

“No, he wanted to use you and me. I’m not going back to him. Not now, not ever.” I curl my fists up and shove them in my pockets.

Being nearly blown to smithereens will galvanize a girl.

I find myself lifted off my feet, and I have no option other than to wrap my legs around Sylas’ hard torso as he gazes into my eyes.

“Did he hurt you?” he growls.

I contemplate my answer.

“Did he?”

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