Page 66 of Hooded

I put the mapping up on the screen and send it out to the other Gryn vessels.

“How accurate is this?”Jay fires through Vypr’s comm.

“Reasonably accurate,” I say. “Why?”

“It sets us on a course for Hatul,”Jay replies.

Vypr looks over at Ayar.

“What’s Hatul?” I ask, as ice forms in my stomach and spreads out into my limbs. “Is it dangerous?”

“It’s where Mylo was going, last time we spoke with him,” Ayar says.

“I’ve heard of Mylo…he was the one who found Klynn.”

“Mylo has been at the forefront of the drive to find other Gryn,” Vypr says, taking a ration bar from Ayar before they all disappear. “He was certain he’d found where all the Gryn were processed after being taken from Ustokos. He was hoping to find some females.”

“When did you last hear from him?” I ask.

“Not so long ago, but since then, nothing. Unfortunately he chose not to share the location on Hatul with anyone.”

“If he’s there, and that’s where the Varangy took Klynn, it can’t be a coincidence,” I say.

“I agree.” Vypr nods. “Guv, we need to get to Hatul as soon as possible.”

“Mistress.” Ayar hands a ration bar to me, his feathers shivering as he extends his clawed hand.

“Ayar,” Vypr says with a warning tone. “What have we said about mated females?”

The big Gryn checks over his shoulder and then shuffles back a pace. “Mated females should be given space,” he mumbles.

Vypr smiles and shrugs before running one hand down Ayar’s wing in a gesture which is entirely filled with love.

“Thank you, Ayar,” I say, taking the ration bar from him.

“You have a youngling. You will be hungry. Our mate always is.” He smiles a crooked smile.

“We’ll be at Hatul within the next ten nova-minutes,” I tell Vypr. “Do you have a plan?”

“Nope.” He grins at me. “No plan other than to find Mylo, and your mate, before laying waste to whatever it is that thinks it can continue to take Gryn from the galaxy and control them.”

These Gryn and Klynn are most definitely from the same place, regardless of how they might look. From Ayar’s broken smile to Vypr’s desire for violence, it seems you can take a Gryn from Ustokos, but you can’t take Ustokos from the Gryn.

For the first time since leaving Fenes, I’m starting to have some hope. Only we have to get to Hatul first, and who knows what will stand in our way.

KLYNN

Mylo shakes out his feathers. His torso is criss-crossed with healing injuries, and there is a particularly deep gash in the heavy skin which covers his shoulders, the one difference between us as Gryn warrior to Gryn gladiator.

“I could ask you the same thing, Klynn. Why are you on Proto’s home planet?”

“Vrexing Varangy,” I growl. “They took me from my mate and dumped me here.”

“You’remated?” Mylo says, eyebrows lifting.

I find my feathers slicking with annoyance.

“Yes, I’m mated. Why wouldn’t I be?”

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