Page 58 of Krin

Rauki urged us to follow him. I was cradling Riley as carefully as I could in my arms.

We entered a corridor, then a huge room with large clear pods lining one wall.

I was instructed, “Place your mate in a healing pod.”

My gut told me these beings were not here to hurt us. If they had wanted to, we would not be standing in their ship right now.

I wasn’t sure why, but I trusted them.

Besides, I had to save my K’sha’s life, no matter the cost.

I placed Riley in the pod and it closed around her. Watching my mate’s face through the window, I could see her cheeks regained some color right away.

Rauki addressed two other beings with a series of clicks and tones. Then the beings huddled around another machine pressing panels, and moving their hands through the air over holographic symbols.

He approached me. “While your female is healing, I would like to speak with you. Time is of the essence.”

My eyes narrowed. “I will not leave her side.”

He put up a three fingered hand. “I am not suggesting we leave the room.”

“Fine.” My hands went to my hips as I stood tall.

His movements were fluid as he spoke. “There are Voletti on this planet. However, our scans also show other aliens.”

I nodded my head. “They are humans, like my mate. They must be rescued before we attack the Voletti.” I was not going to allow anything to happen to the females if I could help it.

“They will be helped. But first, allow me to explain something.” He paused for a moment before continuing.

“The Voletti must not be allowed to live. They have to be destroyed.”

I couldn’t agree more. “What are you proposing?”

“My people will eliminate the Voletti. You and the incoming ships of your kind will rescue the other beings... The hoo-muns. Our scans reveal the enemy have at least half of the females in a form of stasis. They are being used to breed more Voletti. We must terminate the creatures.”

“You are not suggesting killing the human females’ are you? Because I will not allow that,” I stated firmly.

Two of his arms waved. “No. We have a way of removing the Voletti clones from their wombs without causing further injuryto the...hoo-mun females. First, we must destroy the enemy. Then we will work to assist you with the females that are being used as fertilization tanks.”

I ran a hand through my hair, letting out a long sigh. “Fine. What is your plan exactly?”

23

Krin

FOR WHAT FELT LIKEfar too long, I waited next to the pod for Riley to open her eyes. I would not be able to function again until I knew she was okay.

A Thrala nearby finally came to tell me my mate had fully recovered. I watched as the pod opened, and Riley’s eyelids fluttered.

My heart soared with hope once again at the sight of her brown eyes staring back at me.

Riley sat up and I reached for her hand. Before I could explain, she glanced around, her eyes falling on the strange looking being.

I sensed a wave of panic from her, but it vanished when I explained the situation.

“We are on an alien ship. The Thrala saved your life.”

She gulped as she looked up at me. “Oh.”

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