Page 85 of Master
"It must have been something bad to make Nansar hate humans." Daisy postulated.
Khaion's eyes glanced at where the alien children played joyously. "It is said she took one look at Nansar after his birth and felt so disgusted at giving birth to a half-Aljani youngling that she ran from the Duke, never to be seen again."
"So… mommy issues," Emmy grunted.
"We reported Nansar's suspected involvement to the Alliance," Daicon added. "It remains unclear if anyone informed the Duke.”
"We think Nansar may take Willa to the Duke as a peace offering," Emmy said, rolling her eyes. "Apparently, the Duke has a proclivity for human females."
"The communication from Charick two days ago reported he landed on planet Ajaxiuan, near the citadel, but hasn't sighed Nansar or your friend yet," Daicon offered more intel.
“If Willa is to be a gift from Nansar to his father, he will most likely present her at the Duke’s birthday celebration." Khaion postulated.
The idea of what could happen to my friend caused a deep, whole-body shudder. Tarook shifted, tightening the arm around my waist, drawing me close against his side.
"What about Pearl and Agnes?" I asked, even though every single fiber of my being dreaded the answer.
"Jutuk, the Bardaga's navigator, located Pearl on the Ardeese Valout space station. He's keeping her safe but hasn't figured out a way to escape yet," Emmy explained. "The Baron that bought Pearl is hosting a celebration in the next few weeks. Jutuk hopes to use it as a diversion, but for now, she is watched too closely."
"Security on the Ardeese Valout is tight," Daicon added at my frown. "Jutuk won't make a move until he knows he can get Pearl safely away."
"And Agnes?"
No one met my gaze.
"Is she okay?" My stomach bottomed out as the words left my tongue.
"For now." Daicon sighed. "Our healer Hakkar located Anges on planet Vestra. She's alive, but the beings holding her are Ulkommanian. They use humans for… experimentation."
Daisy had tears in her eyes. Emmy avoided my gaze altogether.
"What kind of experiments?"
"We don't know," Emmy answered, her green eyes shimmering with wetness.
"Hakkar is the best healer in the Alliance fleet," Khaion announced with equal parts confidence and defiance. "Whatever Anges suffers, he can heal her."
Tarook's pressed his lips against my temple, and Isighed with dread, resting my head on his shoulder. His attention was comforting, especially as my heart squeezed with fear for my friend.
"Hakkar plans to liberate Agnes tonight. But he compromised his ship upon landing. He and Agnes must make it to a small outpost several hundred kilometers north, where we can safely extract them." Daicon added, sweetly cupping his mate's cheek in his palm while she gnawed her lower lip worriedly.
Daisy's eyes flickered from Daicon to where the children bonded with their new families amid casseroles and fried chicken. "When do we leave?"
"Bartuk will have the ship prepped for hyper-drive in a few hours." Khaion's voice was gentle, knowing his words were upsetting as well as exciting.
A few hours.
My heart wrenched as my gaze turned toward the town square and the newly made friends we would leave behind.
"It's your choice, darlin'," Tarook whispered. "We can stay here if you want."
Oblivious to the eyes of my friends, I turned, holding Tarook's handsome face between my palms. "My choice is to stayby your side, weapon master." I pressed my lips to his, feeling his smile.
"We have to say goodbye," Daisy sniffled as Daicon drew her into his arms.
"It's not forever goodbye, sweetling," he promised, gently rocking her back and forth. "We will visit often."
“Yes, we will,” Tarook agreed.
