Page 60 of Chained

“You have been badly used, my friend,” Retah says. “So many of us have been, but the story of the Gryn is one of a civilization rising from the ashes. Even so, your species has been scattered across the galaxy, used as mercenaries, as security, as pulsar cannon fodder, and, yes, as gladiators.”

Maxym looks down at me. “I don’t know about any Gryn other than myself and the gladiators I fought alongside, but I am glad,” he says.

“You are?” Retah queries.

“I am, because if it wasn’t for my past, whatever it may be, I wouldn’t have met myeregri.”

Retah’s face splits into a huge grin, and he pulls Maxym into a hug, which seems to surprise the huge male more thananything else which has happened. His wings open, rowing at the air, and his claws appear and disappear. When Retah releases him, his eyes are huge.

“You are truly an honorable warrior,” Retah says. “I didn’t have any doubt you are the right match for my Cleo.”

Maxym shoots me a look, and it’s all I can do to stop myself from laughing as emotions flit over his face in a war as to what is going to come out on top until he absolutely glows with pleasure at Retah’s words. It strikes me for all he and the others are lauded in the dome, praise, where it’s due, is in short supply.

I delve my hand into his feathers, and I’m rewarded with a rumble of enjoyment from him and his arm around my waist too.

“When do we leave?” he asks Retah.

“Don’t you want a plan first?” Retah asks.

Maxym gives him a relaxed smile. “Plan? What plan?”

I roll my eyes at the pair of them.

“There will be a plan, because there’s no way we’re using your approach, not if we actually want to succeed.”

Maxym continues to purr with pleasure at my touch.

“What my mate said,” he half slurs. “Anything she says,” he adds.

“Looks like you’re a fast learner, youngling,” Retah says genially. “Whatever your mate says is the right answer.”

MAXYM

“The Bogarok are creating an exclusion zone around the dome,” Retah says, looking at his vid-screen.

I peer at it. “Air?”

“No go.” He shakes his horned head.

“Then we have to go underground.”

“But the dome is cut off from other conduits,” Retah says. “I checked the schematics.”

“What about the exclusion zone?”

Retah narrows his eyes and goes back to his screen.

“Is it going to be sewers?” Cleo asks. “Because, no. Just no.”

“Not sewers,” Retah says carefully, his fingers flicking through map after map. “I believe there are old tunnels which were used between jewel-makers’ establishments in a street near the dome…” His words tail off as he concentrates before exclaiming loud enough to make my wings flare and Cleo jump.

“Yes! Well done, Maxym!” He laughs. “Here are the old passages. The traders used them to store their wares and to transport them between stores rather than using the street.” He taps a claw on the screen.

“What are they used for now?” Cleo asks.

“They are disused. The traders have long left that part of Tatatunga,” Retah says.

“How do we know they’re still operational?”

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