“You can’t let them take you.” Melody grabbed Lazet’s arm.
“They’re not going to take me,” said Lazet, his gaze drifting over Melody’s figure. “But I have a feeling their next set of instructions aren’t going to do you any good.”
“They’re going to order you to kill me,” said Melody.
“They will,” said Lazet.
Melody gave him a small smile. “But you’re not going to listen to them?”
“Of course not.” Lazet grabbed hold of Melody’s other hand. “We’re in this together.”
“I’d like to think we are.” Melody’s insides fluttered as she saw the intensity in Lazet’s gaze.
“You must trust me.” Lazet brought Melody’s hand to his lips but then paused. “You still haven’t treated your injuries.”
“I can barely feel them,” said Melody, as Lazet’s warm breath drifted across her fingertips, making her skin tingle.
“You have to stop being so stubborn.” He pulled her into a solid embrace. “Stop trying to sacrifice yourself for others. You are important. You have to survive these games.”
Melody didn’t care that she was wearing no clothes as she stood in Lazet’s arms. It felt like a secure, safe place to be. And she believed every word he said as his arms tightened around her. She wished, for a second, Urel wasn’t there. She might have done more than cling to Lazet.
Slowly, Melody pulled herself from Lazet’s arms. “I do trust you. But this is scary.”
“It is,” said Lazet. “This whole thing is terrifying. But we are all in this together.” He glanced over at Urel. “The three of us are going to get out of here.”
“Indeed, we are,” said Urel. “Melody has promised me a human mate. That is something I don’t want to miss.”
Lazet raised his eyebrows. “Is that true?”
“Well, Urel’s people aren’t prepared to find him a mate of his own,” said Melody. “There are loads of women on Earth who would be interested in him. Lots of them like the geeky types.”
“What is geeky?” asked Urel. “You have used this term before, and it doesn’t translate well through my implant.”
Melody laughed. “Trust me, a geek is a lovely person. You’re going to be fighting off the human women, once I introduce you to them.”
“Just one nice one will do for me,” said Urel. “I will enjoy spending time with a partner who values my particular skills.”
“Sounds great. But for now, the matchmaking needs to be put on hold. We have some Fraken to annoy.” Lazet pulled a blade from his weapons harness and handed it to Melody. “Keep this close to you. Use it if you have to. I’ll try not to go too far, but I don’t know what I’ll need to do to draw out the Fraken.”
Melody nodded as she took the blade, her heart thudding in her chest. “I’ll do what I have to.”
“All I ask is that you don’t use that blade on me,” said Lazet.
“As if I would,” said Melody.
“I know what you’re like when your temper gets up,” said Lazet. “Nobody is safe.”
Melody grinned as she waved the blade at him. “Seems like you’re getting to know me really well.”
He leaned down until his mouth was by her ear. “I have plans to get to know you much better than this.”
Melody’s cheeks warmed and she ran a hand down Lazet’s arm. It felt as if everything was changing. It was an exciting, scary experience. Things in her life were shifting at such a fast pace. But until they got out of this situation, she had to focus on what was happening around them now. She couldn’t get distracted by all the possibilities and promises that filtered through Lazet’s words.
Lazet nodded at Urel. “You need to come with me. Once the comms link is active, you’ll be able to do whatever it is you need to get the barrier down.”
“I’m coming too,” said Melody.
“You stay here. Get your clothes dry and treat your injuries.” Lazet kissed Melody’s cheek.
She pulled back from him. “But I can be useful.”
“You’ll be no use to anybody if you collapse from exposure,” said Lazet.
“I want to help.”
“And you can by getting yourself ready to escape,” said Lazet.
Melody gripped the handle of the blade, wincing as the skin split wider on her knuckles. “You don’t think I’m capable.”
“You’re more than capable of doing this,” said Lazet. “But I’ll feel bad if you get involved and you’re hurt even more than you already are. You have a wound on your head, and you can barely use your hands. If these injuries slow you down when we escape, and we get caught because of it, you’ll blame yourself forever.”
“Which won’t be long, because the Fraken will kill us once they capture us,” said Urel.
Melody frowned as she looked down at her bleeding knuckles. “They won’t capture us.”
“They may,” said Lazet. “We all need to be in the best possible shape in order to survive this.”
“Urel is weakened as well,” said Melody. “He almost drowned.”
“As did you,” said Lazet, not taking his gaze from Melody.
“And I recover quickly from injuries,” said Urel. “I feel almost back to full strength. I will be able to transport a message through the comms link easily.”
Melody looked over at him and realized he was lying about how good he felt. Urel’s lips were a deep blue gray color, and his limbs trembled almost as much as hers. “The Fraken will see you. There will be nowhere for you to hide. If I come with you, I can defend you if they attack or cause a distraction, at least.”
“You can barely protect yourself,” said Lazet. “You will be a liability if you come with us.”
Melody glared at Lazet. “I’m no one’s liability.”
“Lazet’s right,” said Urel. “Best if you stay here. I don’t want my new sister coming to any harm.”
“I don’t want to stay here on my own.” Even to Melody’s ears, the words sounded pathetic. But she didn’t want them leaving her behind. And she could be useful.
“It’s better this way,” said Lazet. “We’ll be back as soon as we can.”
Melody avoided another kiss from Lazet. Her nails dug into the palm of her hand, and the cuts on her knuckles opened even further, making her hiss in pain. She was furious he didn’t consider her valuable enough to take her with him on this mission.
Lazet shook his head. “Treat your injuries and be ready for when we get back. We may have to move fast.” He turned and disappeared through the trees.
Urel shot Melody a sympathetic look as he tugged his kaftan back on. “I understand your anger, but Lazet is trying to protect you.” He raised his hand before hurrying after Lazet.
Melody watched them go as a dozen thoughts crashed into each other at the same time. Was Lazet still hiding something from her? Why was he so insistent she stay behind? She might have a few injuries, but she felt fine. Her feet weren’t damaged. She could walk and run without a problem.
Melody shrugged on her clothes as she battled with the questions inside her. She wanted to see what Lazet had to say. Even though she said she trusted him, she’d spent so long being let down and lied to that she struggled to believe someone was actually being honest with her. Lazet could have a hidden agenda; he could be planning some sort of trade for her, maybe making a deal with the Fraken to get himself out and leave her in the game.
She had to be sure she wasn’t about to be betrayed. Melody had to look after herself; it was all she knew how to do. Spending a few days with this Vorten warrior couldn’t erase the experiences in her past. Despite Lazet’s promises that he’d get them all out, she needed to hear it with her own ears. She needed to make sure they were going to be safe.
***
Lazet picked an obvious route through the snow, ensuring the Fraken would have a good view of him and Urel. He wanted them to see him. He wanted them to summon him to a comms link. Although, another high-powered shock from his c
ollar, he could do without.
“Stay close to me,” he said to Urel. “We have no idea what the Fraken will have sent into the game after us.”
“Whatever it will be, it won’t be pleasant to discover,” said Urel.
Lazet nodded, but his thoughts were on Melody. He hadn’t liked leaving her on her own or telling her she’d get in the way. But it was the safest thing to do. His stomach churned, surprise filtering through him as to how one crazy female made him want to change the world. Everything felt different now, and his main desire was to keep Melody safe, even though she fought him every step. Life was going to be very different if she stayed in his life.
But Lazet wanted her there. He wanted to see what this strange new world would be like with Melody by his side. He had to get them free from the Fraken game but couldn’t risk taking her to the comms link. It would be too obvious they were working together. It was bad enough he was taking Urel with him, but he could claim the Deorg was an unworthy prey and shouldn’t even be in the game; he was insulted by his inclusion. He doubted the Fraken would believe that, but Urel needed access to the comms link, so that’s what he’d get.
He looked over at Urel. “How are you going to get the message into the comms link?”
“The same way Axen did,” said Urel, keeping his voice low. “On the right of the comms post, there’s a panel that can be opened when repairs are needed. I access the system through that and send the message. Once the link is open, I slip a tiny piece of code inside. That will send the message. Axen will read it and know it’s time for us to go.”
“And exactly where is Axen?” asked Lazet. “The last time I saw him, it looked like you were all on board one of your research ships.”
“Best we don’t say where he is now,” whispered Urel.
Lazet pressed his lips together. He had so many questions. But Urel was right; the Fraken would be listening.
“Any sign the Fraken have seen you?” Urel nodded at the collar around Lazet’s neck.
“So far, no pain,” said Lazet. “Maybe they’re trying to figure out why we’re together and you’re still alive.”
“They planted me in here deliberately,” said Urel. “They have their suspicions I’m a part of Axen’s plan, and they want me dead. I thought they were going to torture me to death when they had me in the interrogation room.”
“Sorry they harmed you,” said Lazet.
“It doesn’t make me want to stop assisting you,” said Urel. “If anything, it makes me even more determined to help. These games are wrong. They need to be stopped.”
“I agree with you,” said Lazet. “Once Axen gets the message, how quickly does he respond?”
“Providing the Fraken don’t block it or intercept it,” said Urel, “he will act immediately. We should be out of the game by the end of the day.”
“Either that or dead,” said Lazet.
“Yes, those are our two options,” said Urel. “Once I send the message, the rest is out of our hands. We have to trust Axen will act promptly, and the Fraken don’t interfere.”
“I trust Axen,” said Lazet. “And I don’t want Melody in here any longer than she has to be.”
Urel smiled. “She really is an extraordinary woman. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anybody fight so hard to save other people’s lives. She even rescued that injured animal.”
“Brutus,” said Lazet with a laugh. “Yes, she seems intent on keeping everyone but herself alive.”
“She is brave,” said Urel.
“She is foolish,” said Lazet. “She’d have died several times if I hadn’t been here.”
“But you are here,” said Urel. “And the two of you go well together. You both have similar temperaments.”
“What are you saying?” asked Lazet. “There’s no way I’m as stubborn as she is.”
“Axen may disagree. He has told me tales of your dangerous escapades when on missions together.”
“I only ever follow his orders.” Lazet gave a disgruntled huff.
Urel chuckled. “That’s not what he tells me.”
“Okay, so I might be similar to Melody.” Lazet grinned. “But having met her, do you really want to get set up with a human woman?”
“As I said, she is extraordinary,” said Urel. “Why wouldn’t I want to be with someone extraordinary?”
Lazet nodded. It was a question he kept asking himself. There was something about Melody that sent his senses into overdrive and made him want to fight harder than he’d ever fought before.
“But I fear someone like Melody would be too much for me. I like a quieter pace of life. Maybe there are quiet women on Earth, women who enjoy exploration and learning about new technologies. I would like someone I can share my passions with.”
“Earth women I’ve met have always been too brash for my tastes,” said Lazet. “But Melody is different.”
“I’m not sure I’m suitable for any woman, though.” Urel lowered his gaze. “I have some... deficiencies.”
Lazet glanced at Urel. “What kind of deficiencies?”
“I am sterile,” said Urel. “No one wants me because I am not able to provide offspring.”
“I doubt it will worry any woman from Earth,” said Lazet. “Most of them have problems of their own. Decades of nuclear conflict have created infertility and mutations. You will be fortunate enough to get a healthy mate, let alone a fertile one.”
“I had not thought of that,” said Urel. “I would like a child of my own, but I can be content with just a mate. And if she was also not able to reproduce, we could be happy in each other’s company.”
Lazet smiled at the optimism that ran through Urel’s words. “Well, I’ll suggest to Melody she follows up with her offer. She could have the perfect friend for you.”
“I would like that.” Urel patted Lazet’s arm. “You are a good friend.”
Lazet winced as his collar sprang to life and a sharp pain shot through his neck. “Looks like we’ve been spotted. Let’s find the comms link and make contact with our Fraken buddies.”
Chapter 21
Looping her bag strap around Brutus, Melody carefully tied him to a tree and gave him half a ration pack to eat. “I won’t be long. Keep quiet while I’m gone.” She stole away through the trees, keeping crouched as she hurried to catch up with Lazet and Urel.
They hadn’t gotten too far ahead, and she quickly spotted Urel’s blue skin and black kaftan against the white snow.
Melody couldn’t hear their conversation, but they spoke continuously as they strode confidently along a snow clogged pathway.
She’d love to know what they were saying. Were they talking about the plans they had when they got out of the games without her? She shook her head. She had to stop doubting Lazet and herself. She did trust him but had to make sure everything was going right.
She clenched her teeth to stop them chattering as an icy wind shot through her damp clothes like a sharp knife. The fire she’d left behind was a tempting prospect, but she carried on.
Melody paused as she saw Lazet slow and his hand move to the collar around his neck. It looked like the Fraken had seen them and were calling him to a comms link. It was going just as he had planned.
As Melody continued to follow Lazet and Urel, she noticed how serious Lazet appeared as he listened to what Urel was telling him. It was a different side to him, and she’d not seen much of that before. His face was intent as he spoke, forehead wrinkled and gaze focused.
Despite the risk of them seeing her, Melody moved closer to get within earshot, the snow helping to quiet her footfalls.
“We must be prepared for the worst,” said Urel.
Lazet shrugged. “I wasn’t going to let either of you die when you were strung up over the ice.”
“And neither was Melody,” said Urel.
“She is quite something,” said Lazet.
“You noticed?” Urel smiled. “I thought you wanted to wring her neck.”
“I do, so
metimes,” said Lazet. “But it’s hard not to notice Melody; that red hair is like a beacon. She must draw males to her easily.”
“You know about Earth women and their mating habits?”
“Not much,” said Lazet. “Never had any reason to think about them.”
“They find a mate and stay with them,” said Urel.
“That is different.” Lazet rubbed his chin. “Why do they do that?”
“I believe they value loyalty,” said Urel. “They grow strong bonds with each other.”
Lazet ran a hand through his hair. “Do they not get bored of each other?”
“I think, if they do, they look for somebody else,” said Urel. “But unions last for many Earth years. It’s common for one male and one female to stay together the whole of their lives.”
“Mated from birth?”
“No, they’re free to choose whomever they wish,” said Urel.
“Melody has not spoken of having anyone back on Earth,” said Lazet.
“Would you mind if she did?”
“She’s a free human. She can do what she likes.”
“She won’t be free until you’ve gotten her out of this game, though,” said Urel.
Lazet nodded. “We’ll get out.”
Melody’s heart sped up as she noticed Lazet’s expression darken as they talked about whether she was available. Could Lazet be thinking about something more long term between the two of them? She couldn’t let herself get distracted by that, not now. She focused back on Lazet and Urel’s conversation.
“First, we have to convince the Fraken not to kill us,” said Urel.
“Any ideas as to how to do that? They’ll know we’re working together.”
Urel twisted his long dark hair over one shoulder. “I never was much for talking myself out of difficult situations. Give me a broken gadget to fix, though, and I’ll help with that.”
“I think we’re beyond that now.” Lazet patted Urel on the shoulder. “They’ll be looking for blood.”
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