Page 12 of Victoria's Embrace

Vi’kail growled threateningly. “How long have you been spying?”

“Long enough. My ma—” he stopped short, his expression twisting briefly before he smoothed it back out. “I have family at the market.”

There was something off about that statement, but before he could pinpoint it, Vee spoke.

“Wait. I– How would you know that? From your appearance, I assumed you came from the mines I’ve heard about.”

Thegan eyed the male’s work-roughened hands, the grime that lingered despite having used the cleansing room, his build, and the malnourished look of him and agreed.

This was not a male that had been a gladiator, at least not recently. He definitely had the build and looked like he would be a formidable opponent, but he’d yet to see a fighter so underfed.

He was definitely not like the people Thegan had worked with at the compound that came from pleasure lounges. They had a particular look in their eyes: haunted, flinching, often lifeless as if they’d retreated into their minds to protect themselves from what they’d endured. They moved like prey and carried themselves with the brittleness of those who’d been hurt in ways no being should ever be hurt. This male’s eyes were shadowed with the horrors he’d seen and endured, but not in the way of those others.

The male was silent, staring at Vee as she continued, “I can’t imagine they’d take slaves they planned to… terminate back to the market, not if they’d already been deemed too damaged to be of use. So, how do you know you have family there?”

When the male didn’t answer, she moved so she was sitting upright on Thegan’s lap. “You never did tell me your name. Can I ask what it is?”

“Rykar.”

“We’re not the bad guys, Rykar. You can trust us,” she vowed, waving to a chair.

He looked torn for a moment, but hesitantly approached and took the seat she indicated.

“I was a gladiator for a time in one of the small arenas. My mind was hazy then, but I believe the Overlord died or was perhaps bought out. Another came, looked us over. Those of us that did not please him were sent to the mines. The Master there had a… pet. She was–islike you,” he announced, staring at Vee.

“She’s human?” Vee gasped.

He nodded once. “It took many months, but I made plans to escape with her. We were caught. The Master was furious. He… hurt her.” Rykar‘s face twisted into an expression of helpless rage so intense it made Thegan’s gut clench. Gods, that sounded like his nightmare. “We were loaded onto a runner, me to be recycled. Her to the markets for resale. I had tried to escape. That is why the Heliosian guard was beating me when you arrived.”

“I’m so sorry, Rykar. That's horrible.”

“The Overlord of the arena used me as an escort to guard him when he visited the market. I have been there many times. I know how to get in unseen.” He paused, his strange eyes dropping pointedly to the metal cuff on Vee’s arm. “And where to find an extractor.” He met each of their gazes, his own steely. “I am going. With you or on my own.”

Thegan exchanged a look with Vee then Thorn and Vi’kail, asking without words if they believed the male and, more, if they should take him at his word. Thorn and Vee nodded, but Vikail leveled assessing eyes on the male for a long moment. Eventually, he nodded, as well. Thegan zeroed back in on Rykar.

“Tell us what you know.”

Chapter 8

Victoria felt hopeful, more than she had since she’d awoken to find herself and her guys on the transport. They had a real plan, more than just sneaking around and hoping for the best.

That was thanks entirely to Rykar.

They’d spent a while questioning him, finding out what he knew about security measures, the layout of the market, guard movements, and anything else they could think of.

It was also because of Rykar that six of the remaining eight slaves they’d rescued were also going with them.

Victoria had tried, ardently, to convince them to stay behind, to hide in the building where it was safe, that they’d come back for them. But they wouldn’t be swayed. Once they found out they were going to the market to rescue people they insisted on joining.

Thinking they, too, had loved ones there, she’d asked for descriptions, intending to look for them. Finding out none of them had specific people they were wanting to save, that they were just determined to do something,anything, to help both shocked and staggered her.

Victoria hadn't realized she’d become a bit jaded during her time on the alien planet, but seeing their courage and resolve warmed her to her soul and restored some of her faith in the universe.

More, it doubled her own resolve.

Gazing at the group of slaves, seeing them readying themselves for battle, even starved, she realized it wasn’t enough for her to only focus on helping the people in the complex.

Helping the beings there was important and meaningful. She loved her job, but she hadn't made much effort to join in on mission planning unless Aria specifically told her to do so, and even then, she rarely spoke up, certain she didn’t have much to offer and should focus her attention on what she was good at.

---