Page 11 of Chieftain
My Sage's head whipped up, eyes wide, my hint to snatch the comm from Bartuk's trembling fingers.
Even from the gray, grainy feed, I could tell she was tiny, with a riot of curls tumbling over her shoulders. The cabinet she climbed from was low to the floor and metallic, lead-lined, most likely. Slaver ships always employed lead-lined cabinets to hide their bounty since Alliance scanners couldn't get a read on the contents.
"She's in the escape pod bay." Daicon peered over my shoulder. "She'll be able to get out in the pod, and we can intercept.”
Except she couldn't.
The escape pod hatch was located one floor below the docking bay. Blasting our way inside caused an avalanche of debris on the lower floor, a large piece of what looked like a steel beam blocking the entrance to the last escape pod. Watching her yank futility against the metal sent my heart straight into the pit of my stomach.
"Goddammit!" Charick bellowed another favorite curse. The way his voice faded in my ears prompted the realization that I was running. It wasn't a conscious decision or thought. My body moved of its own accord, poised and attuned with one purpose only.
Get to the female and keep her safe.
“Get the shuttle back to the cruiser—now!” I ordered through the comm unit on my wrist as my steps clanged against the metal floor. Streams of smoky exhaust poured through the vents, an acrid, blinding fog.
Yet instinctively, I knew my way.
To the pod bay.
To her.
The males of my clan spoke of the hyper-focus and protectiveness that accompanied recognizing one's mate. Only this human couldn't be my mate—I hadn't scented her yet, and a mate's smell was the thing that initiated our mating bond. She was human, and while Vaktaire took pleasure with other species, we only mated with our own kind. The hammering of my heart and dread at her being in danger must be an offshoot of my instinct to protect.
"Listen to me, you idiot," Charick hissed into my ear. The comm unit made his voice crackle.
"Is that any way to speak to your Chieftain?” I shot back.
“I’m not talking to my Chieftain,” Charick’s voice was calmer. “I’m talking to my dumbass friend that just took off into a self-destructing ship with a minute and a half to …blooey!”
“Blooey?”
"Quick being a fucking smartass," Charick grumbled. "We’re clear of the ship, and you’ve got one chance not to get your ass blown up.”
The door to the lower level was jammed. I kicked it open, taking the stairs downward three at a time.
“You need at least thirty seconds for the pod to travel far enough not to get caught in the aftershock of the explosion.” Charick's voice in my ear was barely discernable against the heavy thud of my feet on the metal walkway. "And for Valana's sake, don't forget to engage the homing beacon, or we'll never find you."
"Yes, Mother," I muttered, shouldering open the doorway that led to the lower hallway.
It was a debris-filled obstacle course. What was that word Charick favored?
Oh yeah.
Fuck!
To earn a designation as a warrior, a Vaktaire must complete the gauntlet—a weeklong trial of skill and courage. The obstacle course in the gauntlet covered half a planet. The hurdles were creatures with razor-sharp teeth and claws, lava pits, or the Tenso forest, where every plant, animal, and tree was sentient and out for death.
I felt less fear at the beginning of the gauntlet than I did at this moment.
“Location of pod hatch,” I barked into the comm, plowing through the rubble.
"Fourth door on your left, Chieftain,” Bartuk’s voice trembled. "You have only a lepti left before detonation.
A minute.
Bartuk was getting a crash course in Earth terminology when I returned to the ship.Vaulting over a waist-high pile of wreckage, I ran for the door, not bothering with the access panel as I shouldered my way inside, sending the door panel screaming from its hinges.
She turned when I slammed into the room, a smalleepof surprise escaping her full lips, and the movement made the curls dance around her head like a fiery halo. I'd seen humans before, but no one quite like her. She was smaller than I expected, but the tautness of the muscles in her arms as she yanked at the obstruction overlaying the pod entrance spoke of strength. The set of her jaw, her lowered brows, and the expression on her beautiful face showed determination. Green eyes met mine, and the universe melted away—save for her and the need to protect her.
