Page 35 of Time Forged

Into the silence, Hiossu said, “The emergency power hub is to the east of the island.”

She touched his forearm.“Could we make it there unseen?”

A flush of fury gritted Cylo’s teeth.He stepped between them, breaking the contact.“It is our best option.If we reach the hub in time, we could board the kuta.”

“I assume that’s a ship?”she asked.

“A shuttle.”Cylo hurried into the cave to gather the blasters.

He knelt to strap one to his thigh before shoving the other at Hiossu.Without another word, Cylo slipped through the crevice and winced when the sunlight, the hot sand, and the heat hit him.More evidence that his suit had to be malfunctioning.Despite the logic, he spared a few moments to adjust its temperature controls.He skirted the rocks along the beach until he could break away and head inland.He didn’t use the zedali trees for cover.What mattered most was reaching the eastern beaches.Random glances confirmed they followed—the female between him and Hiossu.

“You’re not thinking of running, are you?”she asked the Maloidian.

“You are an odd Earthian,” the male said.

She walked backward while she spoke.“Will your people welcome you home?Or are you a traitor now?”

Hiossu stumbled, his cheeks darkening.“No, not many know of this…agreement between Yithia and Maloid.”

“But Criass was your uncle.”Her pale face flushed a bright purple when she caught Cylo’s gaze.She didn’t look away, though.

“Was.”Hiossu nudged her from behind.“If you are up to it, let us increase the pace.”

She nodded and caught up to Cylo.Her unsteady steps made him frown.Her breathing was harsher, more ragged.The med-gun should have helped her.That it hadn’t meant her condition was worse than anticipated.

In the distance, an odd-shaped rock seemed out of place.With a kuta in front of it, that had to be the ‘hidden’ power hub.A small flash of white silenced a low hum that had been growing stronger with every step he’d taken.

“Cylo, acknowledge.”Fyca’s voice snapped Cylo’s attention to his wrist.

He hesitated.Taking the shuttle would leave them open to further mishaps.“Can we port?We are sitting ducks.”He smirked, enjoying the humor warming the female’s face.

“Ducks?”Fyca asked.

Cylo caught her hand.“Come.”He gestured to Hiossu to draw nearer, then gripped his shoulder.“Three to port to medical.”

Chapter Eleven

Themomenttheyappearedin theKevol’scommon, Cylo scooped the swaying female against his chest.She squeaked then held his gaze as if she decided something.He hesitated mid-stride, the weight of her in his arms, her softness against his body, all imprinted on his senses.She buried her face into his chest, her eyelids fluttering shut.If time wasn’t an issue, he’d savor her trust in him.Instead, with her health on the line, he marched to the med-E.D.and lowered her onto the bed.

She tried to sit up.

He cupped her shoulder, keeping her in place.“Let the med-E.D.work,” he said.“It will heal you.”

She slumped, wiggling in place like she searched for a comfortable spot.He stared at her bare feet, realizing she’d left her boots on Iphara then hiked across the coarse sand without him noticing.He stroked the underside of the closest foot then sighed when he met smooth skin.

Flashing skin, she reached inside her tunic and pulled out data cubes, holding them against her stomach.Taking them from her meant touching her, the heat from her body warming his fingers.He handed them to a passing Nhyht with a whispered, “To Olin.”

“Please…keep this safe for me.”Her husky voice snatched Cylo’s attention to her then to where she held out the med-gun.

He took it, his fingers brushing hers and sending a shiver up his arm.

Qaff typed on the console, sealing the dome.

She lifted off the bed to float in mid-air.Her eyes widened.“What—”

“I’ll be here when you wake up, ensa.”Without breaking eye contact, he slid the med-gun into a pants pocket.

Her lips parted.Glancing behind him, she asked, “Hiossu?”

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