Page 58 of Bound

I snap the bond on my arm nearest her, and in the same movement, as her eyes widen, I slam my hand into her neck.

“What do you mean ‘human carrier’?” I snarl at her.

Felia flails at my arm, but she might as well be trying to get free from a tritanium bar. I want answers and I want my mate.

“The human has a virus which can infect tech. It’s designed to be injected into a compatible lifeform in order to get it onto planets or into facilities where it can be extracted and used. Tatatunga is the place it was needed, given the plans the council has.”

“You will extract it from her. It’s making her sick,” I growl.

“It’s supposed to make her sick, you dumb creature,” Felia snarls, which earns her a shake. “It’s when she stops being sick there’s a problem. It means the virus is bonding to her DNA.”

“And what happens when it does?”

“It will kill her.”

I look up as a number of well-armed guards run into the room. Felia smiles her nasty smile.

“Now, if you don’t mind, I have to get on. Starting with you.”

CHRISSIE

I never thought having two massive alien warriors backing me up would be a liability. In fact, I should be grateful for all the muscle.

Only it’s like herding cats.

Maxym doesn’t seem to be able to stop growling, and Klynn’s delight in showing off his weapons (and I mean the sharp, pointy metal ones) at every opportunity is extremely disconcerting. I’m beginning to see how well behaved they were around Rych.

Fucking hell, I miss him so much. My heart physically aches in my chest at his loss, at my need for him. Being around the others emphasizes his absence.

Despite the disgust of the two Gryn, I was able to get a medi-bot to treat Fenek. We got him to his bed, and once I was sure the rest of his dwelling was still functioning enough to provide him with the care he needed, I set up the cleaning bots for a deep clean.

I didn’t look back at the dwelling as we left in Fenek’s private transport, and we headed out to Solyom, an area of Tatatunga where Maxym is adamant we’ll get the information we need on the Drahon to find Rych.

Which is where I find myself in the feline wrangling business.

“Why not let me try?” I say as Maxym emerges from another bar snarling up a storm.

He snorts a breath. Klynn spins a sword in his hand. All around us, the inhabitants of Tatatunga give us a wide berth.

“This is the last place,” Maxym growls as I enter the bar, the two Gryn at my back.

“How about you wait out here and try to keep out of trouble?”

Klynn laughs. Which I think means he has no intention of keeping out of trouble. Maxym glowers.

“I made a promise.”

“And you’ll be right outside, won’t you? And both of you are the best fighters on Trefa, so I’m perfectly safe if I’m right next to you—or twenty feet from you.”

“What’s feet got to do with anything?” Klynn asks, his brow furrowed and his feathers shivering.

“Never mind. Just wait here.” I walk into the tavern.

The scent of stale alcohol and too many bodies hits me. I’m wondering if Maxym left this one until last because it’s the grottiest. My feet stick to the floor as I make my way to the main serving area.

“Whaddaya want?” A large hairy Panupal growls, not looking up. His silver tipped fur waves in a non-existent breeze, and when I don’t say anything, one of his eye stalks swivels in my direction. “We don’t serve females,” he says.

“By choice or because none of them would come into this disgusting establishment?” I retort. “I don’t want anything other than information, as I’d rather not get spaceworms.”

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