I’m sorry, Tomis.
Sankro and Banf flanked her, pulling her back inside. “Keep quiet and out of sight,” Sankro said gruffly. To Banf and Elit, he said, “I’ll follow the warrior to make sure he doesn’t circle back. If he does…” He touched the laser gun on his hip.
She covered her mouth with her hand, stuffing her fingers in her mouth to stifle a sob. This was all her fault. She’d let this group see her conflict with Tomis, know that they were already at odds about how far she’d go with them, and she’d given them ammunition to use against him. To separate them.
/> Stars, what if Sankro planned to kill Tomis, regardless? They wouldn’t want him coming back for her, would they?
She had to stop him! She lurched forward, her body ready to fly after Tomis before her brain had thought of a plan. Banf and Elit each grabbed one of her arms and yanked her back. “Let’s tie her up until the warrior has left the planet,” Banf said.
The tight knot around her ribs eased marginally. Banf didn’t seem to think Sankro planned to kill Tomis.
But her relief over Tomis quickly turned to panic for her own plight. The males wrestled her into the sleeping chamber and threw her on her belly, tying her wrists behind her back and her ankles together.
Tomis’ shirt rode up, exposing her bare ass and pussy to the males.
One of them—she couldn’t tell which—ran a finger over the curve of her ass. “He whipped her.” Though her ass no longer hurt, there must still be a faint mark from Tomis’ belt. “I told you that’s how mates master their females. Not with their fists. I remember seeing it on a hologram once.” She couldn’t tell which one of them spoke, but a chill ran through her at the not with their fists comment. Had they hit Eslyn with their fists?
Two hands gripped her ass cheeks and pulled them roughly apart. “I’m going to take her here.”
“Better wait for Sankro. If he’s not first, he’ll beat everyone down.”
She squirmed, attempting to roll away from the assholes. So this was her destiny. Veck-toy for three completely isolated and stunted males. The urge to scream for Tomis rose once more, but she bit the mattress instead, muffling her sob of anguish.
Tomis wouldn’t die today. That was all that mattered.
The rest of this nightmare, she’d survive, one way or another.
~.~
Sankro might think he was stealthy, but he wasn’t. Tomis knew the male had followed him the moment he left their domicile. He didn’t know what they’d done or said to Talia, but it was obvious something wasn’t right. The fact that his laser gun disappeared that morning hadn’t gone unnoticed, either.
They must have threatened to kill her or both of them if she left. That was the only reason he’d gone easily. He wasn’t going to take any action that might get her shot.
But he sure as veck wasn’t going to leave her on Zandia. They’d have to kill him first. His duty was to protect Talia and bring her home unharmed, and he intended to complete his mission. The sooner he lost his tail and could double back, the better.
He picked up his speed, jogging along the river. To extinguish his scent and hide his tracks, he crisscrossed the river several times. Finally, he climbed the rock outcropping beside the river, running silently along the top of it toward Talia. He passed Sankro, still picking his way along the river below, craning his neck to find Tomis. The laser gun rested on the male’s hip.
As if the male had any idea how to defend himself in battle.
Tomis dropped from the cliff onto Sankro, throwing the male to the ground. One swift swing of his fist knocked him out cold. He picked up the laser gun and used it to smack Sankro’s skull once more. Then, not wanting to waste a moment, he raced back to Talia.
Please let her be safe.
He almost hoped she really had decided to stay. That right now she was playing games with the young, or bouncing the infant. But he knew that wasn’t the case. The stricken look on her face as she’d told him to go had been all the information he needed.
He raced along the riverbank, bounding over rocks and fallen logs, ducking under branches. He didn’t slow until he reached the copse of trees where their lopsided hut stood. A long, thick fallen branch made a decent staff for fighting. He picked it up, breaking off the end with the leaves and twirling the weapon in his hands.
Keeping his steps silent, he approached the small building and entered, managing to get past the children playing outside without them noticing him.
Inside, Esalyn sat nursing the infant. Her eyes flew wide and lips parted, but no sound came out.
It was the scream from the sleeping quarters that made his heart fly up into his throat. He yanked the curtain down, swinging the staff as he entered. Banf and Elit had stripped Talia naked and bound her wrists and ankles. Banf had her ass cheeks pried open and was licking her anus while Elit stroked his cock and watched. A quick blow to Banf’s head dropped him to the floor. On the return swing, Tomis caught Elit in the throat, sending the male flying backward, gasping for breath.
Tomis tore the leather ropes from her wrists and ankles and hauled Talia to her feet. She threw her arms around his neck with a sob that pierced his heart. “Forgive me,” she murmured against his chest. “They said they’d kill you if I didn’t make you leave.”
“I know, starshine.” With one arm wrapped around Talia, he jabbed the end of the staff into Elit’s solar plexus to send him to the ground in a crumpled heap.
He pulled his shirt over Talia’s head. “Come on.” He led her into the main room. “You, too,” he barked at Eslyn. Get the young. You’re coming with us.”