“Prisoner of war.” My voice is flat.

She bites her lip. “Well, not exactly.”

“Do they consider me dangerous?” I crane my neck to look at the door, but it’s closed. I can’t see who—or what—waits, or guards, beyond.

“Yes.” She swallows. Look away.

“And yet you’re in here alone? They’re not worried?”

“Not really alone.” She smiles briefly. “I have a comm unit.” She touches her wrist. “And humans never hurt other humans, the women, at least. It’s almost a universal law.”

“A universal law.” I repeat her words. “Yes.”

“Because we’re all in this together.” She nods. “Also, the doctor is here, too.”

I snap my head around, startled—how did I miss him? He’s a Zandian, older than the warriors on the ship, but still tall and fierce. He carries an expression of deep interest and intelligence in his eyes. He’s standing back, but I should have caught him in my peripheral vision.

My reflexes are completely messed up. Panic surges, and I breathe fast.

“He’s going to examine you, Mirelle. I need you to stay calm. Will you do that?”

I nod, watching his movements closely. “Yes.” Stay collected. Learn my surroundings. Plan for later. “What’s going to happen?”

The talk

ing tires me, and my head swims, my vision blurring again.

“Once you’re strong enough, you’ll go before King Zander, our leader. He’ll decide your fate.” The doctor’s hands are fast and professional, checking my wound, doing something with a device.

This doesn’t sound promising, but my body has started to slip into unconsciousness, and I can’t fight it.

“What’s your name again?”

He says it, but I’m already over the edge, and the words fuzz out into static as my eyes close.

Domm

* * *

King Zander puts his hand on his dagger. His horns quirk as he examines each of us in turn.

“So to be clear.” He paces. “A human freedom fighter stole the slaves you purchased at auction, got away from you, attracted the attention of Ocretions, and is responsible for the biggest rescue debacle in over a solar cycle?”

Archer and Lanz shift.

“Correct, my lord.” Heat builds under my collar.

“And now she is in custody in medical care?”

“Yes, my lord.” I bow my head. “She’s healing from a serious wound that nearly killed her.” I add, “She worked with us to distract the Ocretion to save our ship. She fought well, even used her human skill in deception.”

King Zander doesn’t answer. He looks to Master Seke. “Your thoughts?”

“I’m intrigued by her skills. The way you described the battle to me makes me think she has superior reflexes and training. Are there other human females like this?” He looks at the King. “If so, we should investigate. She could be a potential benefit to our society. Genes worthy of mixing with ours for future generations of warriors.”

“We believe she was on her way to Jesel,” adds Archer. “And that she’s done this before. More than once.”

“How do you know this?”

Tags: Renee Rose Zandian Brides Science Fiction
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