Page 39 of Tara's Warriors

“No, no, nothing like that. I’m just worried about Lacey, my daughter.”

One of the Warriors behind her said, “Do not fear, Mat—Tara. We will find her for you. We will not rest until your family is whole. Have faith.”

Jillian’s squeal of happiness had them all turning to watch her practically shake with excitement as a purple furry creature that looked like a cross between a squirrel and a rabbit, but about the size of a cat, twined around Jillian’s ankles.

“Tell us about Lacey.” Wythe resumed his stance, his gaze constantly scanning the surroundings. “I can protect you and listen. It helps to speak aloud of those we miss.”

So she told them about getting pregnant when she was a teenager, and tried to explain the culture of Earth. None of them questioned her about why she’d married Nathan, but they instead expressed their shared remorse at his untimely death. The more she talked with them about Lacey, the more she relaxed and some of the terrible weight was lifted by her heart. Lacey was smart, brave, and resourceful. She was a natural leader trained in battle. Even if she did suddenly find herself in an alien world, Tara had no doubt Lacy would pull herself up by her bootstraps.

God, please let my daughter be alive. Please.

“Tara,” Karwin yelled from behind her. “Tara!”

He ran up to their side, strands of his long multi-colored hair sticking to his sweaty temples.

“What is it?” she asked as she placed her hands on his chest. She opened their bond to try to figure out what happened.

Karwin’s confusion, pride, wonder, and fear rushed through her as he said, “We have located Lacey.”

She raised her shaking hands to her face, her tears burning her eyes as they slid down her cheeks. “Where!? Where is she?”

Glancing over at Jillian and her friend watching them, he lifted his chin to Wythe who turned to the girls with a smile, engaging them while Karwin led Tara away.

“Lacey was sold to an alien race who used her as a prize fighter in something called the Baladium. It is akin to the gladiator fights of your ancient Rome.”

Clutching his smooth, firm armored shoulder she searched his face. “Is she alive? Is she hurt? We have to rescue her.”

“She is alive,” he said with a sense of wonder. “Lacey was paired for battle with another Earth woman named Roxy. They won their match…against the Hive.”

“My daughter fought theHive?” she nearly screamed before regaining control of herself. “What the fuck?”

Karwin explained how the Baladium worked while they waited for Phin to arrive. The moment she spotted her bearded husband in his green armor, she flung herself into his arms, absorbing his love and letting him feel her stress and worry. Warmth flowed through her as Karwin joined them, the magic of their soul bond giving her the strength to keep from breaking down. Silently, she let them hold her as she learned about the Baladium through her crystal implant. She gasped as she mentally watched Lacey and a brunette woman battle the Hive members in a messed-up gladiator battle in the middle of what looked like a volcanic field.

The announcer gave a play-by-play as the battle raged on, then sat there in stunned silence for a good twenty seconds after the Hive members suddenly committed suicide at the same time.

She watched a little more, then she stopped when Lacey was escorted out of the arena, injured but alive.

Tara blinked as she looked up between Phin and Karwin. “She’salive. We have to go get her, right now.”

“She is,” Karwin hesitated, then rubbed a hand down her arm. “But there is a slight problem. That video is from two days ago. We contacted the Baladium and spoke with the other Earth woman that was there with Lacey—Roxy. She happens to also be a Kadothian Matriarch, with a little sister who has a Territory not too far away from ours. Roxy told us that Lacey has left, taken off in an alien vessel to, she suspects, return to Earth where she thinks you and Jillian are.”

“Oh no,” Tara rubbed her fingertips against her forehead. “This is a disaster.”

“There is more,” Phin took her hands in his as he said. “The Hive put a large price on Lacey’s head. They want her alive, but they are offering an enormous bounty for both her and Roxy. Every bounty hunter from here to the other side of the Galaxy is going to be looking for her. Yes, she has the backing of the Baladium, but some assassins will risk everything for a big enough payday. If we do not find her first, I fear for her safety.”

Inside, a big knot of panic tried to unwind and choke her, but Tara managed to keep hold of herself. “What do we do? Do we go back to Earth?”

“No,” Karwin said. “It is too dangerous. You are also targets. Though the bounty is not for you, a smart bounty hunter would soon figure out a way to try to use you to trap Lacey. I will send Wythe and a dozen Warriors to Earth. They will make sure that, if she arrives in the Milky Way galaxy, they will inform her of where you are and get her safely home.”

“Okay.” She breathed, her heart racing while she reviewed bits of information on her mental implant. “Okay. You’re right, she’ll be safest here. We’ll need to beef up security. From what I understand, this Territory hasn’t had a war in a couple thousand years. It is a peaceful place, so I don’t want my people hurt by crazy intergalactic bounty hunters.” She let out a semi-hysterical laugh that ended on a snort. “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph what a mess.”

“We have already begun to upgrade our weapons systems, and Lady Elsin has promised us additional Warriors and whatever we need to fortify our Territory.”

“Lady Elsin?” Tara briefly consulted her crystal then gaped. “Lady Elsin? Like the ruler of the Northern Continent?ThatLady Elsin?”

“Yes.” Karwin gave her a small smile before his gaze went distant, no doubt mentally multitasking, something she wasn’t good at yet. “She has a vested interest in your safety, and says she owes Lacey a life debt.”

“Lacey? Why would she owe Lacey anything?” Tara asked as pale gold lights flared to life in the vast garden.

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