Mastered by the Zandians (Zandian Brides 3)

“To the master ship.” I point upward.

“No, Mirelle, no. They’ll just…”

“But first I need to fix myself up. You need to help me without question, or we’re all going to die.”

She starts to pant. “No! We need to get off this ship and hide in the cave systems. At least that way we have a chance.”

Without thinking, I step forward and grab her chin, look into her eyes. “You need to trust me. I’m a warrior. I’m a pilot. I’ve been out there; you have not. This is the only way.” If only I could send my thoughts into her brain, make her understand.

For a split second, I understand why Lanz and Domm felt an existential terror, probably, when they first urged me to behave for the king. The utter reliance on another complicated being able to do what is necessary to avoid something tragic.

There’s not time for diplomacy and cajolery. Hopefully I won’t have to somehow restrain Mandy or use force to keep her from leaving this craft and running back to the caves, which would be a death sentence for all of us.

Thank Mother Earth she settles down. Nods.

“All right.” She jerks her head. “Tell me what to do.”

I point to the side cabinet. “Find me some energy med caps, and a fluid tube. I need one in my mouth. It will sustain me while I do this.”

To my utter relief, she gets up, somewhat mechanically, but goes to the cabinet and does what I asked.

“Here.” She pushes a cylinder to my mouth. “Drink it.”

I suck it down and blessed relief rolls over me. More energy.

I sit down at the control panel and blink. “Get me a chest wrap for my ribs. And I binding for my leg.”

When I’m a little more stable, I assess her and Tess. “You both need fluids and energy pods too. Thank Mother Earth you’re not injured.”

“They said they were going to sell us at auction.” Her voice is flat. “And what makes you think we’re not injured? We’ve been with Garrett’s crew.” She gives a short laugh that’s not funny. “At least the Ocretions killed him and his gang. The only good thing they’ve probably done in their wretched lives, for a human.”

“I have somewhere safe to take you. A place you can live in peace.”

“Mirelle, there is no place like that for humans.”

“I came from Zandia.” I sink into a seat at the main flight panel. “That’s where I was these past months. And that’s where we’re going to go.”

“Zandia?” She sits beside me, wiping her face with a ripped cloth. “But, slavery? Aren’t humans slaves there?”

I shake my head. “Freedom.” I cough. My ribs ache, the pain trickling back in. “I’m fading again.”

“How many doses of this can your body handle?” She holds up another vial. “It’s already been three.”

“I have no idea. But I need it, so…” I gesture. “Hook me up.”

Each time she doses me, the adrenaline makes my heart race faster, and it wears off more quickly. I know it’s no substitute for adequate medical attention, and I probably can’t take another one without having my heart stop entirely. I will need to get us to Zandia before that happens.

“So what’s the plan?” Mandy glances at Tess, who isn’t able to help at all. Panicked, she’s sitting on the floor, sort of shaking and rocking.

“We

’re going to give Tess a few doses of a painkiller to get her settled. Then the three of us are going to take weapons and dock with the mother Ocretion ship. We’re going to kill the Ocretions, take their craft, and fly it back to Zandia.”

“We can’t do that alone.”

“We have to and we will.” I glare at her. “It’s our only chance to get out of this.”

“Why is your thing flashing?” Her eyes dart to my wrist.