Page 56 of Keeping His Mate

Then, Varrek’s screen pad beeps with an incoming comm. “Ekoya,” he says.

Ahlvo and I race to stand on either side of him just as he answers the comm. “Varrek. I just received word from my contact that Bzzsil Chi was supposed to collect a shipment at the port yesterday. He never appeared. Sent another in his place. That is not like him.”

Varrek scrubs a hand down his face as he groans.

“There is something else,” Ekoya says, her tone turning somber. “One of his ships left two days ago with tags removed from the exterior and no destination entered in the travel logs. You must be on the lookout.”

“Why did your contact not alert you of this sooner?” Varrek barks out.

Ekoya straightens in her seat and lifts her chin. She says nothing, and Varrek squirms in place. “I apologize for my tone. The human we rescued from Bzzsil Chi’s clutches is now missing, and we must now scramble to thwart an attack from an enemy who is clearly already here.”

“Many apologies for the delay,” she says calmly. “Bzzsil Chi keeps his travels secret from most at Nu’Piix. Several bribes were needed to get this information.”

Varrek drops his head, running a hand through his already mussed mane. “I understand. Thank you for the information, Queen Ekoya.”

She tilts her head slightly, then leans in close. “Destroy him, Varrek. I do not care how. Do not share the details with me, but get it done. This galaxy shall brighten the moment his heart stops beating.”

“Indeed. We shall,” he replies, then disconnects the comm.

My fists are balled at my sides, and my jaw is clenched so tightly, I am certain I will break a fang. I am ready for war.

Varrek sighs then twists his neck to one side, and then the other, letting the bones crack. “Now,” he begins, “we must prepare the clan for battle.” He turns to Aye-vah. “Aye-vah, contact Kay-teh and Nee-roh. Tell them they must return at once.” Then he steps in front of me. “You have created a plan for this, cousin, have you not?”

My feet lift, and I bounce lightly on the balls of my feet. “I have.”

“Then,” he steps aside, gesturing with a sweep of his hand, “I shall let you lead us in this fight, Bruvix. We follow your command.”

I feel my lips flatten and spread into a smile as adrenaline rips through my bones. “Then let us fight.”

CHAPTER 25

ELEANOR

These jackasses are so annoying, I can’t wait to watch them die. Three of them keep throwing pebbles and clumps of moss at each other like fucking children, while the rest, about fifteen of them, stand around looking bored. Then there’s Bzzsil Chi, who keeps waddling in a circle as he mumbles something under his breath.

I think it’s his plan of attack on the village because occasionally I’ll pick up on words like “slaughter the leader” and “take the females” and each time, bile rises in my throat. He waves the gun around as he babbles on, dramatically gesturing with it every few minutes. God, I hate him.

I’d tell him that myself, but I’m certain he would respond by shooting me. Plus, my mouth is gagged, and I can’t say anything at all. My arms and legs are also tied to a tree on the outskirts of the forest, rendering me helpless. I can no longer keep him talking, either. I guess I’ll just have to wait to be rescued. But has anyone even noticed I’m missing?

Based on the dark blues and violet colors of the sky, it’s nearing the end of dinner time, which means I’ve been out here for just under an hour.

Fuck, I’m so screwed.

“Enough of that, you fools!” Bzzsil Chi shouts at his bonehead guards. “We must ready ourselves. The night is about to awaken.”

“Yes, sir,” they reply in unison.

“Now, what must you do?” he asks them.

“Kill the Trovilians. Take the humans.”

“Yes, yes,” Bzzsil Chi says, his beady eyes gleaming with excitement. Sick fuck. “Use this one to negotiate with them,” he says as he points the gun at me. “Get the other females. Then kill the rest. Leave no witnesses.”

“What of the child?” The one with an axe in his hand asks.

Oh god, Vahla. They’ve been watching us closely for days, it seems.

He taps his wide, two-toed foot on the ground. “It is not human, correct? A hybrid?”

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