Page 96 of Tribute
“What did you say to get theUngrichto release her?” Kai murmured.
“I said we’d trade Anna for the capturedUngrich. I also said we wouldn’t obliterate them and that the extent of their research would remain in their hands.” His smile was feral. “I lied. The sooner we can get back in there and erase them forever, the better.”
The sound of booted feet echoed around the cavern, and it was soon filled with troops. He stayed where he was, blood dripping steadily from his torn throat. Kai collapsed next to him, his strength gone, and Aled stood guard over them all, his purloined weapon at the ready.
A man Rehz had never seen before but who looked vaguely familiar came and crouched beside their little group.
“Rehz Akran. Your government thanks you.”
He nodded, barely able to form words. “Anna needs help.”
“We will take you all to a secure medical facility.”
Rehz’s grip on Anna tightened. “Not a military one where Palk has any influence. Nor anywhere near that fucking bastard.”
“No, my private facility.” The man got off his knees and stood back to reveal a medical team. “You can trust these people with your lives.”
Kai managed a faint snort. “I’ve heard that before.”
“You may keep your weapons if you prefer.”
“We had no intention of giving them up.”
Aled offered Kai his hand to rise as Rehz stood with Anna in his arms. Every cell of his body hurt. All he wanted was darkness, Anna, and the oblivion of sleep in a normal bed.
As they moved forward, a team of large guards closed around them and the man leading them. Anna and Kai were placed on gurneys, and the whole procession moved out through a row of black uniformed troops and onto some kind of airship.
“The journey will only take a few minutes.” The largest man nodded to Rehz. “I am Bron, head of presidential security.”
No wonder the guy offering help had looked so familiar.
Rehz sank on the side of Anna’s gurney, holding her hand. He jumped as someone slapped a dressing on his neck, and grabbed their wrist.
“Sorry!” The young medical assistant went still, her eyes wide. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”
Bron eased Rehz’s bloodstained fingers away from the female tech and spoke to her in a quiet rumble. “Don’t touch any of them without permission, okay? They’ve been in hell.”
Rehz held his gaze, and the security guard pulled down the collar of his black shirt to reveal the mark of anUngrichtentacle. “I survived for seven days. I don’t know how you guys survived for fourteen.”
“It was that long? We had no idea of time in there.” Rehz swallowed hard. “It wasn’t so bad.” He had no intention of revealing all the details of their ordeal to a stranger, even if the man had once been a Tribute.
The engines stuttered and began the process of descending. He struggled to keep his eyes open as the warmth of the place surrounded him. Whatever Bron said about them being secure, he had to keep awake. He glanced over at Aled, who was checking out the space, and caught his eye.
“Ready?”
“To protect you all? Yeah.”
Bron wisely didn’t say anything as he walked to the door and began issuing orders. Within seconds of touching down, they were on the move again, through more soldiers and into a lowwhite building. Even the beauty of the place couldn’t hide the smell of a medical center, and Rehz stiffened.
Bron took the four of them through to a large room with big windows facing out over a lake. There were a variety of beds and other furniture spaced around the chamber. Anna was transferred into one of the beds and Kai into another.
A man in a white coat appeared and bowed to Rehz.
“I’m Dr. Ilkar. I’ll be responsible for your care.” He hesitated, his gaze on Rehz’s weapon. “We’d like to do a basic health survey of you all to make sure we don’t miss anything vital that needs attending to right away. Would that be acceptable?”
“Sure. Start with Anna Lee, please.”
Rehz took a reluctant step backward and laid his weapon on the end of Anna’s bed. She was still unconscious and smelled too much likeUngrichspace and Aled for his liking. But she was alive, and for that he’d always be immensely grateful.
