Page 130 of Rok's Captive
Mikaela opens her mouth to answer, but it’s Pam who points toward those stone formations I’d set out to reach originally. “She followed your original route.”
I turn to Rok, desperation clawing at my throat. “We have to find her,” I project, not caring if his brothers hear the frantic edge to my thoughts. “Please, Rok. We have to find my sister.”
Rok’s expression remains calm, but I feel the surge of determination in his mind. “We will find her,” he projects firmly. “If she lives, we will find her.”
It’s the “if” that breaks me. I collapse against him again. The world narrows to a single, terrible thought: Jacqui is out there, alone, in a wasteland that nearly killed me despite having Rok’s protection and knowledge.
As the gravity of the situation settles over me, I become aware of the Drakav clan and the human women watching us, two worlds suddenly thrust together by crisis and necessity. Whatever initial tensions existed between them seem temporarily suspended in the face of this new emergency.
But then Erika steps closer, arms crossed, but her shoulders are slumped. She looks defeated. “There’s…there’s something else.”
The way she says it makes me stiffen. “What?” I whisper.
“It’s…Hannah. She’s gone too.”
I ease off Rok and he helps me to stand, one powerful arm supporting me as I push back my tears and turn to face Erika.
“Gone?”
Erika sighs. “After Jacqui left and didn’t return…she ventured off on her own. Said she couldn’t sit here and wait to die.”
Mikaela releases a sigh too, and slumps to the ground, crouching with her face in her hands. “Tried to stop her, too.”
“Which way did she go? After Jaqs?”
Erika shakes her head. “No. She went that way.” She points in the opposite direction to where the stone formation is. Oh shit.
My gaze shifts to Rok at my back. In about two seconds, I bring him up to speed.
“Ain is high,” Kol projects, stepping forward. “We should establish better shelter for these females and begin the search before Ain sets.”
His practical approach cuts through my spiraling thoughts, giving me something to focus on beyond my fear. I nod.
Before I can respond further, Tharn steps forward, his golden eyes meeting mine with unexpected intensity.
“I will go,” he projects, firm and clear. “I will find your sister-female.”
I stare at him, surprised by his offer. Tharn, who had been so wary of me at first, now volunteering to search for Jacqui?
“Tharn is our best tracker,” Rok adds, his thoughts flowing smoothly into mine. “If your sister-female is in the dust, he will find her.”
I swallow hard, glancing at Rok.
“I trust him with my life,” Rok projects. “I would trust him with yours.”
Something in his certainty steadies me. I turn to Tharn, studying his face. There’s a determination there, a steadiness I hadn’t fully appreciated before.
“I’m coming with you,” I project. No way I’m staying here with the others.
Tharn tilts his head, considering me for a moment before inclining his head in a way that seems to suggest acceptance. Kol, however, looks less convinced.
“I will send Sorn here to find the other lost female.” He gestures to a male with a scarred face. He stands sideways, stiffly, and I realize he’s keeping the scarred side away from facing the women. “Will these other females follow us if you leave?” Kol gestures to the women, who are watching our silent exchange with growing confusion. “I can sense they do not trust us. But they will not survive much longer without our help.”
He’s right. They’re all sunburned, tired, hungry, dehydrated. They’ve been surviving, but just barely. But they’re also standing together in a protective huddle, watching the Drakav with curious but uncertain gazes.
I can just imagine how they feel. Trusting aliens is kind of what brought us here in the first place.
My gaze meets Erika’s. I give her a nod. “They will follow you.”
