“Yes, Raas,” the raiders replied, their massive arms clutching railings overhead as we rocketed across the hangar bay and toward the Valox ships floating in space like hobbled animals. They’d heard by now of the imperial stowaway, and I knew the security breach stirred anger in all of them. That a Zagrath had been able to sneak onto a warbird and attack a passenger—a female passenger—was a black mark we all wanted to redeem.
My mind went briefly to Alana. I’d left her naked and in bed, which was where I hoped she’d be when I returned. Assisting fellow resistance fighters had fired my blood, but I would need more than a visit to a damaged ship to quench my need.
The ship jolted as we locked onto one of the Valox vessels, and my thoughts focused on the task at hand. Help the Valox, then I could return to my bed and the female waiting for me. My pulse quickened as I rushed down the ramp behind my raiders.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Alana
The ship no longer rumbled from flight, and the view out the wide wall of glass was unmoving. I gathered the sheets around me as I sat up, my pulse fluttering. I didn’t know why we’d stopped, but at least there was no sound of battle. I would have known if the empire had found us. Still, my stomach tensed as the flames crackled in the hearth. They’d found me once. They would undoubtedly do it again.
Unlike those who felt uneasy when they were thrust into action, I was most unsettled when I wasn’t in motion. I preferred to be prepping for a mission, or in the middle of stalking a target. Anything but waiting.
I huffed out a breath, letting the silky fabric slip to the floor as I stood. Bron had not been gone long, but impatience gnawed at me. Since when did I wait around for someone? Anyone?
I opened the flat-paneled wardrobe built into the ebony wall. Below the row of hanging battle kilts, was a series of drawers. I’d been too crazed when I’d dressed before, but now I took the time to look through the garments. In the first two drawers, I only found swaths of thick fabric, still disheveled from me pawing through them earlier, but in the bottom drawer were garments sized for me.
I held up a fabric kilt, eyeing the nubby, brown cloth. It wasn’t exactly chic, but at least I wouldn’t be swimming in it. I stepped into the short, pleated skirt, then slipped on a brushed-leather vest and buttoned it.
There were no mirrors in the bedroom, so I padded into the bathing chamber to appraise myself. Standing in front of the long counter, I sized up my new look. My hair was choppy and wild, only adding to the warrior vibe the clothes gave me.
“I guess this is what Vandar females look like,” I said, twisting to look at myself from all angles. It wasn’t bad, and it did make me feel pretty badass. Since I usually wore clothes that helped me blend in, I wasn’t used to such a distinct look. All I needed now were Vandar boots that laced up my calves, and leather braces to sheath my arms. That, and an axe.
The door outside the room swished open, and I poked my head out, expecting to see the Raas, and eager to show him my outfit. But it wasn’t Bron. It was a young Vandar boy, carrying a tray on his shoulder as his tail swished nervously behind him.
When he spotted me, the tray bobbled, and he nearly dropped it.
“Sorry to startle you,” I said, as he righted himself and proceeded to the dining table.
“It’s my fault.” He lowered the tray to the table and unloaded the domed plates. “I was told the human prisoner would be here. I shouldn’t have been startled.”
I bristled at the word prisoner, but didn’t argue with him. The boy was clearly only doing what he was told, and it was better for the crew to think I was a prisoner than a spy.
“I was told you’d be hungry.” His face flushed, and he didn’t meet my eyes. It was also obvious what it meant for a female prisoner to be staying in the Raas’ quarters. Not that he would have been wrong in assuming I was famished from sex.
“Thanks.” My stomach rumbled as the savory scents drifted to me. “Do you know why we stopped?”
The boy’s tail twitched faster. “We’re providing aid to some Valox ships.”
“Valox?” My interest was piqued. The Valox might not be as vicious or as effective as the Vandar, but were still a thorn in the empire’s side. The only reason I hadn’t been sent to infiltrate one of their rebel squads was their chaotic organization and lack of any command structure. It was hard to cut off the head of the enemy when we couldn’t figure out who led it.
“We’ll be back on course soon.” The Vandar boy bowed as he backed out of the room, his eyes never meeting mine.
I crossed the space quickly. Now that I’d smelled the food, I was ravenous. I lifted one dome and then another, revealing half a dozen steaming dishes, and a basket of bread knots. The food was unfamiliar, but bread I knew. Grabbing a warm knot, I tore into it and moaned at the yeasty flavor.
There were no utensils, but there was a pile of flatbread stacked high on a plate. Using a wedge of bread, I scooped up a mouthful of one of the soupy dishes. The spice instantly made my eyes water, but I swallowed. Definitely not Zagrath food, but I could get used to it.
As soon as I thought that, I frowned. I shouldn’t get used to it. I shouldn’t get used to any of it.
