Page 33 of Marked By the Bounty Hunter

Tyrix brushed one of my braids back from my face. “The claiming bite.”

“And that’s what, exactly?” I asked.

A muscle in his jaw twitched. “It’s... sacred to my people.” His markings darkened with intensity. “When a Vinduthi warrior finds their true mate, the bite creates a permanent bond - not just physical, but spiritual. Our saliva contains compounds that alter our mate’s DNA, strengthening and enhancing them.” His fingers traced my neck where the bite would go. “The changes are permanent - increased strength, faster healing, enhanced senses. It’s how we protect what’s ours.”

“And it would stop what’s happening to me?”

“I suspect the altered DNA would override the Consortium’s modifications. We need to try it. Try everything.” He trailed off, frustrated.

“The claiming bite isn’t just a matter of biology,” Dr. Gondon interrupted, still focused on her screens. “The recovery period requires deep sleep. Complete neural shutdown while the changes stabilize.”

“No.” The word came out harder than I intended. “I won’t do it.”

His face shut down. “I understand.”

“That’s not what I meant.” I reached for his hand, but he pulled back.

“You don’t need to explain.”

“Yes, I do, you stubborn-” I threw my hands in the air, not really caring if it made me look like a petulant five-year-old.

“This isn’t the time for me to be taking a long nap.” I met Tyrix’s eyes, willing him to understand. “Not with everything that’s happening. Not when we’re so close.”

The muscle in his jaw jumped. “Your life matters more than-”

“Than stopping them from doing this to others?” I gestured at the screens showing my deteriorating cellular structure. “Than saving the children they’re experimenting on?”

“Yes.” The raw honesty in his voice stole my breath. “To me, yes.”

“I might have another solution.” Dr. Gondon finally looked up from her work. “But we’ll need to get into the main environmental systems.”

“Why?” Tyrix asked.

“Ever since I realized what the Consortium was doing with my research, I’ve been working on an aerosol-based countermeasure.” She pulled up new diagrams on her screens. “Something to neutralize the changes before they reach this stage. But I need a way to distribute it through the whole station.”

“The environmental controls.” I straightened, mind already racing through access routes. “We’d need to reach the primary circulation hub.”

“Yes. And we’ll need to synthesize the final compound.” She hesitated. “Which means getting into their main lab.”

“You have a way in?” Tyrix asked.

“Better.” She held up the medical core we’d recovered from Jevik. “I have their security codes.”

I started to respond, but another wave of dizziness hit. I steadied myself against the exam table, trying to hide how badly my hands shook.

“We should rest first.” Tyrix’s hand settled warm against my back. “Plan our approach.”

Dr. Gondon nodded. “The crew quarters two levels down are still habitable. I’ll need time to analyze these files anyway.” She fixed me with a stern look. “Try to sleep. It might slow the deterioration.”

The quarters showed signs of hasty evacuation - personal items still scattered across surfaces, half-empty cups of long-evaporated coffee. But the bed was clean, and the environmental seals still held.

I sank onto the edge of the mattress, suddenly exhausted. “Tyrix...”

“Don’t.” He stayed by the door, arms crossed. “You made your choice clear.”

“Would you just listen?” I patted the space beside me. After a long moment, he came to sit, careful not to touch me.

“I’m not rejecting you.” I reached for his hand, and this time he let me take it. “I’m not rejecting the bite. I just... I need to finish this first. I need to know we stopped them.”

---