Page 93 of Chained

“What are you doing here, little scrap?” he asks once I’m released. “I told Retah to keep you at the dwelling.”

“You really think he could stop me?” I respond, looking over my shoulder at a sheepish looking Retah. “Once Tibi got involved, he didn’t have much choice, and as far as we could tell, the battle against the Bogarok is almost won.”

Maxym’s gaze lands on the still twitching body of the Bogarok behind Retah.

“You…killed it,” he says to the massive gold Sarkarnii Retah identified as Draco, the Sarkarnii leader. “You saved me.”

Draco is impassive for a second or two before a smile hitches up the corner of his mouth.

“And you were going to kill me.” He looks over at the even bigger green Sarkarnii. “What did I say about honorable, Draxx?”

“I say you’re going to get your head nevving blown off one of these nova-days,” Draxx grumbles. “Or removed by a Gryn warrior.”

“Drasus says he’s finished up with the final two planet-side ships.” The blue Sarkarnii looks up from a small comm device.

“And Daeos?” Draco asks.

“He’s secured the ships in orbit. Drelix has taken out the ones over Sartak.”

Draco nods. “Good work, Drega.”

“Please.” I turn to the huge gold Sarkarnii, swallowing hard as he turns his dangerous gaze on me. “One of our friends has family on those ships. They were being held hostage. Can you make sure they’re unharmed?”

Draco nods over at Drega who turns away to have a conversation with what looks like a bright red Sarkarnii.

Maxym pulls me tighter against him, one wing stretched protectively around me. His thoughtbond is filled with growls in the presence of all these males, but he’s doing an excellent job of hiding his vexation.

“We have what the Bogarok and the Varangy came for,” Retah says. “They’re working for a Protoex.”

“Nev,” Drega growls, “it’s been a long time since we came across one of those.”

Maxym’s feathers rattle almost uncontrollably and all three Sarkarnii stare at him.

“It’s possible…” he says, “a Protoex was responsible for…” Maxym shakes his head, and his frustration fires down the bond. “I can’t remember.”

“This nevver’s even more messed up than Daeos was,” Draxx rumbles.

“But he was a glorious gladiator,” Drega replies, looking up from his vid-screen.

“I am a gladiator,” Maxym growls.

“Not anymore,” Retah says. “Look.”

The smoke is beginning to clear, and as it does, the ruins of the dome jut up like a set of broken teeth. “It looks like you are free, Maxym, finally.”

I feel pain spike through him as his thoughts go to Klynn and the captain.

“We got out. I’m sure they did too,” I whisper.

“I’m not sure anything could destroy Klynn.” Maxym rallies, throwing his shoulders and wings back.

“So, we have a free Gryn on our hands.” Drega grins over at Draxx. “And a mated one at that.”

“Mated to a human female no less,” Draxx rasps.

This time I don’t get any say in what happens as Maxym shoves me behind him.

“This female is MINE,” he growls. “And I need to nest for her,” he adds desperately.

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