Page 53 of Bought and Shared
Gritting his teeth through the pain, Moses gasps out his reply, “Some former military prick who found himself without a job after the Voltan arrived and destroyed our entire way of life.”
Kal and I exchanged twin looks of interest. “How did he get involved with the movement?” My comrade asks.
“I don’t know. He found us. But now that he’s there, he’s earned the old man’s ear. You rarely see one without the other these days.”
“Which old man?” Kal demands, arms folded across his thick chest.
“The head honcho himself, Israel. Our commune’s leader,” Moses bitterly retorts.
“We’re going to need a breakdown of the power structure there,” Kal explains to the broken man. “I want to know everything from how many men answer to him, to what time the old man takes a shit. You got me?”
Moses lifts his sagging chin. “What’s in it for me?”
I move in closer to his bloody face. “A quick death. Take it or leave it.”
To our disappointment, Moses takes the deal and gives up the goods before we put him out of his misery.
By the time I arrive back at the base, it’s past dinner time. Needing to see Aurora, and breathe in her sweet scent, I hustle back to our suite.
Outside our door is a Voltan soldier. I don’t recognize him, but he must be there for Aurora. I’d mentioned to Oren before I left that I didn’t like our mate walking around the base without an escort, especially after the bus attack. Oren must have heeded my warning and ordered one stationed outside our suite.
When I enter our quarters, Oren is sitting silently on the couch, a full flute of Bissa in his hand. I recognize that contemplative look on his face. Something happened while I was away, and my hackles rise immediately.
Oren’s gaze lifts at the sound of my entrance and my eyes sweep the room for Aurora. “Where is she? Where is our mate?”
My worst fears are working on me. Is she missing? Hurt? Did she run away out of unhappiness? I can’t stand the silence. I need answers before I explode.
Oren manages a strained smile. “Rest assured, Aurora’s fine. She’s just in the tub, soaking after a long day.”
Walking over to the wet bar, I fix myself a stiffer drink than Bissa. Letka is close to human vodka, only stronger due to our exceptional tolerance of spirits.
“What happened? And don’t tell me nothing. I know that look on your face too well,” I warn my squad mate.
Not bothering to sugarcoat the situation, Oren gives it to me straight. Taking a deep breath, he launches into his story. From the first words that let me know Aurora had been attacked, my blood is on fire. Upon hearing him say she was dragged into a shed by two vile human draftees who dared to put their filthy hands on my mate, I crush the glass in my hand.
Glancing at the floor, I see blood drip down my fingers onto the carpet from where I’ve been cut. I don’t feel anything, only the rage of the unrequited. There will be more blood to come this day but it won’t be mine.
When I hear Oren sigh, I wake up from my thoughts and walk into the kitchen to get a towel. Returning to the living room, my squad mate picks up his tale where he left off and finishes the whole story while I listen in silence.
Standing, Oren sets down his flute carefully onto the bar top, showcasing our many differences. Where I’m brash and unyielding, he’s calm and reserved.
“Your silence is even more concerning than your anger, Brother,” he tells me with a single, dark brow hiked.
“Where are they?” Is all I can manage to get out.
“They are being dealt with,” he returns.
I grit my teeth. “That’s not what I asked.”
Oren sighs. “The brig.”
I cut a look over at the bathroom door. “When did Aurora start her bath?”
“Just before you got home,” Oren answers.
“So, she’ll be in there for a while?” I ask, knowing I have to act before I am consumed by the rage inside me.
Oren nods. That’s when I realize why there’s a guard standing outside our suite. My squad mate knows me too well. I smile a dark and unholy smile.
