Bought By The Zandians (Zandian Brides 2)

Frozen, I stare. “I…”

“What are you vecking thinking?” he roars into my face. “You’re coming to Zandia with us. You have no right to wander around this vecking desolate shit-hole of a monstrosity full of violent creatures whose lives are worth less than nothing. ” He spits at the Ocretion on the ground.

I have no love for Ocretions. But his words remind me why I needed so desperately to get onto that transport shuttle.

“Let me go!” I scream, tugging, scratching at his hands with my nails. “I need to go. Let me go.”

“Go where?” His breath mingles with mine, both of us panting. His face is an inch away. “With this creature?” he gestures back at the transport ship, to the Tellurian, who’s hovering in the shadows, still inflated, watching. “Who will probably murder you or sell you back to a slave auction the vecking second you depart this planet?” His eyes are fierce and wild. “You’re defenseless, Danica. You can’t run around like this. You’ll be killed in a heartbeat.” Even in my panic, I notice that his face is tired. And that purple blood trickles from a wound on his temple.

His grip tightens. “And you belong to me, now. To me and Benn. Let’s go. Veck.”

He starts to walk, and when I resist, he simply grabs me and tosses me over his shoulder, like I weigh nothing.

“You don’t understand.” I slump over his shoulder, all of my strength gone, my muscles quivering. “I can’t go with you. Please.”

He doesn’t respond, but quickens his pace until he’s jogging. My head pounds from the jostling and the stress, and by the time he reaches the craft, my skull is splitting.

He dumps me unceremoniously back by the wall and attaches the cuff.

“Let’s go,” he snaps, and Benn immediately sets the craft into motion. The departure is faster and rougher than any I’ve experienced, and although the AirPulse keeps me safely in place during the sharp ascent, I suck in my breath, dizzy, as we escape orbit.

“Are we clear?” Benn’s voice is taut.

“Yeah. I dropped the Ocretion who identified her as a human when I found her.” Gorde gestures at me. “No one followed us, either, and by now we’re far enough away that they can’t, even if they try.”

“So we’re not going to get any surprise visits to Zandia,” drawls Benn. “Looking for missing property. That’s a relief.”

I hear gentle beeps from the side area, and see that the med pod appears to be occupied. Although I crane my neck, I can’t see who—or what—is in the pod. I shudder as the craft leaps forward, anxiety and relief mixing with nausea.

“Another breeder for you?” I snap. “I hope she fought back. I wish she’d given you a worse injury.” I scowl. “Also, you both smell terrible.” I put my free hand over my mouth, as a new wave of dizziness rolls through me.

Neither Zandian responds.

“I need fluids.” I suck in a breath. “I don’t feel good.” I blink, the scene in front of me blurring and softening into a watery landscape. My cuff doesn’t move with me this time, and when I slump down, my whole arm goes taut as I hang forward and gag, my shoulder twisting.

“Help her,” snaps Benn. “I’ve got this.”

Gorde is at my side in a flash with a flask of clear liquid. “Here.” He adjusts me so my arm isn’t being strained and fixes the cuff so it can slide. He sits down, cradling me in his lap, and holds the tube to my mouth. “Drink it.”

I gulp all the sweet juice and wipe my eyes. “The air on that planet…”

“Is harsh. We told you.” His voice is hard, but I hear something else in his tone, and his eyes scan my face. “Veck. You could have ruined your lungs if you were there longer. It’s not for humans, Danica.” He reaches up and rubs my face. “You’re crying.”

“No, I’m not.” I look away. Damn. It must be the hormones. I never cry.

“Why did you run?” He taps my chin, and his tone sharpens. “We told you to stay. How did you get out of the cuffs?”

I shrug.

“Tell me.” His hands tighten.

“Ow.” I pull back, and he loosens his grip immediately. “I don’t know how, Gorde.”

“Don’t lie to me.” He scowls at me. ‘You’ve got one punishment coming already for your escape. Don’t double it.”

My stomach flutters. “I’m telling the truth. I just…” I blink.

“You just what?”