While not a true AI, the operating system interface presented as an assistant. Typically, these systems were unobtrusive and nearly invisible unless triggered by keywords or actions. The computer constantly had corrections for Havik’s work, everything from the way he held a wrench to the distance he preferred the pilot’s seat from the console.
Ren found it amusing and refused to reinstall the AI.
With the last major repair completed, Havik took the ship out of the atmosphere and barely felt any turbulence as they left the atmosphere. They docked at an orbiting station because Ren had a craving for fried sea bugs, and they had some time while the ship refueled.
“Try one.” Ren pushed the plate forward.
Havik frowned at the breaded and fried sea bug. “No.”
“It’s a delicacy.”
“We have them on Rolusdreus.”
“Ah, those are wild. These are farmed in tanks right here on the station. They have no space to swim freely, so they’re full of fat, which means flavor. Try one. Unless you do not appreciate flavor?” Ren popped one in his mouth, grinning even as he chewed.
“Their captivity sounds cruel.”
“They are cheap and easy protein for confined spaces.”
“We have ration bars,” Havik said.
“Sand tastes better than those. We should set up a tank.”
The ship did not have enough space but Havik would let the logistics of it defeat Ren. If he protested, the male would devise an overly complex system out of spite.
Curious, Havik tried one. The creature’s flesh was tender and not entirely offensive. “We can leave for Earth when the ship is refueled,” he said.
“And when we arrive at Earth?”
“Find my mate. Bring her home.” He did not know where home would be, exactly, but he refused to go to his father’s clan. There were other Mahdfel clans on Rolusdreus that might accept Havik and Ren. Kaos was not universally beloved, and a warlord unafraid of Kaos’ fury might invite them to join. Politics aside, Rolusdreus remained a harsh environment for his mate. She would not flourish there. “We will find a clan on Earth.”
“And if she will not have you?”
“I am her mate.”
Ren narrowed his eyes. “You’re not the brightest star in the sky, but you are not dumb. Your ex-mate believes you rejected her when she was hurt and vulnerable. Her heart may be closed to you forever.”
Havik knew this. The last year gave him time to reflect on his mating with Vanessa. He cared for her, certainly, and he liked her as a friend. Perhaps his care would have grown into a deeper love with time. He could not say. He had burned for her once, but shouldn’t he be devastated at their separation? At the lies that broke apart their mating?
Absently, he stroked the tattoos on his forearm. They failed to burn. “She is the only thing that has ever been mine. I will find her and make her understand.”
Ren sighed, a troubled look on his face, but he held his tongue.
Chapter 3
Thalia
Rough hands yanked her to her feet and pulled her forward with an iron grip on her elbow. Whatever Joyce laced the tea with left Thalia’s head thick and sticky, like cold oatmeal. Numbly, she put one foot in front of the other, stumbling on the uneven floor. At some point, Nicky’s henchmen put a bag over her head.
Which made no sense. At all.
She already knew Nicky grabbed her and anywhere they took her, she had probably already been and could identify. Besides, it’s not like she was going to get away and file a police report.
Thalia stepped into a puddle, splashing cold water over the top of her socks and soaking the cuff of her jeans. She stumbled, trying to regain her footing, and the man with the grip on her elbow dragged her forward.
Could she recognize where they were? It was cold and she splashed through puddles on the uneven floor. Concrete, probably, but why did she assume they were inside a building? This could be a parking lot. No. She heard a heavy door being pushed open. Probably one of Nicky’s warehouses.
Part of her knew it was a silly waste of energy puzzling out her location, but working the puzzle kept her from panicking and helped clear her head. If Nicky wanted her dead, she would have been dead before she left Joyce’s house. Nicky had a plan, and it wasn’t going to be puppies and rainbows.
“Stay,” a harsh voice commanded. Thalia froze in place while someone removed the hood.
She blinked in the sudden light. Concrete floor. Dingy windows. Humming industrial lighting. Yup, they brought her to one of Nicky’s warehouses.
She stood alone, surrounded by a ring of cameras and three holographic projections. One was human, bald with glasses, while the other two were obviously alien with their purple complexions and horns. Just beyond the ring, Nicky watched her, his face contorted into a deep frown.
A private auction.
“Why can’t the bad guy’s plan ever be puppies and rainbows?” she muttered.
“Quiet,” Nicky snapped.
“This female is scrawny. I requested a female of breeding age,” a voice said, full of static and distortion from the computer translation.
Thalia clenched her fists.
“She didn’t eat all her veggies when she was a kid but she’s fertile and healthy,” Nicky replied.
He motioned for her to turn around. Thalia blinked slowly and pretended not to understand. She had been dosed with something, after all.
Nicky narrowed his eyes and crossed the ring. He grabbed her, his fingers digging into the soft skin of her upper arm and forced her
