by ML Guida
He forced himself to get up and draw on every ounce of bear power he had left. This was do or die. It wasn’t up to the dragons to save his people. It was up to him. He’d failed them once. He wouldn’t do it again.
Sheer determination poured through him, and he drew himself up to his full height as a bear. Somehow, he picked up speed.
Fire burned ahead. He stumbled and rolled into a ball on the mossy ground. Leaves, twigs, and dirt smashed into his face and tore his fur. He slammed into a tree. Soft white flowers fell on top of him. He slowly moved onto his back, spitting out dirt.
The heat trapped in the jungle warmed his battered body. He gasped for breath. This wasn’t working.
He shifted back into a humanoid.
I can do this.
Panting, he dragged himself up to his knees then grabbed a hanging vine, hauling himself up the rest of the way. Everything hurt, and he swayed on his feet, but he didn’t care. He took a shaky breath then ran as fast he could, pumping his wobbling legs. He held his throbbing arm against his chest. Something wet seeped through his fingers. He gulped for breath and his ribs ached, but he focused on the fiery blaze ahead.
He burst through the trees to have three dragons––a yellow-orange one, a black one with a green stripe down its back, and an orange one––facing the mountain wall. They’d managed to burn through whatever the Gogs or Kamtrinians had used to patch up the opening Clayton’s dad had made.
The yellow-orange dragon shifted into Topaz. He pointed. “Clayton’s directions were good and led us right to where he escaped. The Kamtrinians used some kind of cement to seal up the opening, but we managed to burn through it. If we smashed the mountain with our tails, I’m afraid we’d cause a cave in.” He gave him a steely gaze. “Unfortunately, the crack’s too small for me, Hoss, or even Padean to enter. It’s cramped, but I think you can get through. I’m sorry we can’t do more.”
Tash gripped Topaz’s shoulder and squeezed. “They’re not your people to save. They’re mine.”
Topaz nodded. “We’ll be here when you need us.”
Tash nodded. “Good.”
Topaz handed him his eruptor. “You’re going to need this.” He turned toward Padean. “Give him your telicator.”
Padean shifted into a humanoid and handed it over to Tash. “Good luck.”
“Thanks.” Tash inspected the opening. Topaz was right. His people were too tall to squeeze through. Tash was tall humanoid, but if he sucked in his gut and squatted slightly he could get through the crack in the wall.
“If I don’t come back, take care of Scarlett and Clayton.”
Topaz nodded. “We will. Now, go. If Agnes is right, you don’t have much time.”
Ignoring the fear gnawing his spine, Tash sucked in his breath and inched through the crack.
Boomboomboomboom
Blood pounded between his ears. Sharp, pointed rocks ripped what remained of his tattered shirt and tore into his skin.
Bam bam bam.
His bad arm banged on every single rock, sending anguish through him. He hissed and black dots swam in front of his eyes.
Tash, don’t pass out. Not in this awful place.
A feminine voice whispered in his ear.
“Scarlett?”
Yes, you don’t have to speak. Just answer with your mind.
I thought you couldn’t read my mind.
Funny thing is when I’m scared shitless, I drew on my psychic power and didn’t fight it. I can read people’s thoughts.
A faint light beckoned at the end of the tunnel. Something walked past the opening. He stopped. Damn, he couldn’t aim his weapon.
Keep going. I can see what’s down there. It’s not a Gog or Kamtrinian. Hurry.
He blinked. Her soft voice gave him reassurance and renewed his wavering strength. He gritted his teeth and forced his shaking legs to move. Luckily, the crack widened.
Scarlett, I’m almost there.
Tash, I can’t keep this communication open. The deeper you go into that mountain, the more some kind of force blocks my ability.
Scarlett, Scarlett?
But she didn’t answer.
He took a deep breath and pushed through, ripping his shirt in two. Rocks and dirt spilled on top of him. He fell on all fours, groaning and begging for breath.
He was met with astonished gasps. He raised his head to see the desperate faces of men and women and children. They had pressed their backs against the prison walls that went all the way to the top. Dim lights hung from the ceilings revealing a narrow passage with cells. On the other side, Arians gripped the bars with filthy hands. Their green eyes were full of misery and pain.
“Who are you?” a male voice demanded.
Fiery anger burned Tash’s heart. Adrenaline pumped through his battered body, giving him renewed strength. No one deserved to live in this filth.
He forced himself to stand. Arians circled him, fear and astonishment in their eyes. The stench of body odor and terror made him flinch. They were all half starved and dirty. Some of them looked sick and needed support to even stand. How could he get them all out? He refused to leave anyone behind.
Not again.
“Oh, my Shades,” a woman cried. “I can’t believe it. It’s Captain Tash.”
Tash stared in disbelief. His jaw fell down to his chest. His heart stilled. He recognized her. She was the nurse he fought to save. He absently rubbed the scar on his cheek he’d gotten when he tried to pull her away from a Gog. “Chantel?”
She rushed toward him and flung her arms around his neck. “Yes, it’s me. I knew you’d come.”
He was afraid if he hugged her back that she’d break. Her body was so frail.
She lowered her voice. “That’s why the Master was moving the ore out. He was afraid.”
Arians grumbled.
“He can’t rescue us. He’s a bloody mess.”
“We’re doomed.”
Tash bristled at their words that piled onto his self-doubt, but he couldn’t wallow in self-pity.
A man rushed up to him. “You’ve got to help us.” Like Clayton, he looked half-starved. “The dioxide bombs are set to go off in thirty minutes.”
So, Agnes’s spirits were right. “How many of you are there?”
“At least three hundred,” Chantel said. She wiped a tear off her cheek. “We used to be over a thousand.”
Hate soared through Tash, and he clenched and unclenched his fists. His bear demanded revenge. He pushed back the anger and guilt. There wasn’t time for that. Not now. Not yet.
Tash frowned. “Well, we can’t go through how I came in. We need to go out the front door.”
“How can we?” The man motioned with his hand. “The Gogs are guarding it.”
Tash grabbed his telicator. “Tash to Topaz.”
“Topaz, here. You made it inside.”
Tash looked at the crack that had ripped the shit out of him. Some of them could get through, but if they panicked, Arians would get stuck and die. He refused to lose a single one. “Yes, we can’t go back the same way I came through. There are too many Arians. The dioxide bombs are set to go off in less than thirty minutes. We have to go out the front door, but the Gogs are guarding it.”
“So, you need a diversion?”
“Can you do this?”
“Yes. Topaz out.”
The man frowned. “Who is Topaz?”
Tash stuffed his telicator inside his belt. “He’s a Zalarian and the Captain of the Orion.” He limped toward the gate that was bard with locks. He grabbed his eruptor. “Stand back.”
Arians shuffled to the back of the cell. Tash aimed his eruptor and a red beam hit the door, melting the metal into glowing goo.
He held his breath, waiting to fight to the death for his people.
Screams and shrieks echoed down the corridor. He sniffed. Burnt hair.
“The cavalry has arrived.” He waved his good arm. “Come on. We’ve got to get out of here.” Shuffling feet, mumbl
ing voices, and miserable groans followed him.
He raced to the other five cells and burned through the chains. Sweat stained his eyes, but he wouldn’t give up. “Is there anyone else?”
“No. We’re the only ones who have survived,” Chantel said sadly.
He led them to the end of the corridor. He raised his arm to quiet them. Their fear and desperation moved him. He peered around the corner.
Railroad tracks were quiet and the carts were at the bottom. No guards were in sight. The dioxide bombs were lined on top of the high ceiling that would bring the mountain down on their heads. Two metals doors barred what must lead to the outside. Once again, chains and locks were wrapped the handles. The Master was determined there would be no survivors.
He looked over his shoulder. “No one’s guarding the entrance.”
“That’s because no one wants to be crushed to death,” someone grumbled behind him.
Tash ignored his obvious point. “We need to move.” He looked at his eruptor and prayed there weren’t any booby traps from the corridor to the front doors.
He led the way. “Come with me.” He didn’t look behind as he ran.
The prisoners didn’t have any choice. It was either enter the unknown or be crushed to death.
They eased closer and closer to the lock door. So far, so good.
Maybe the Master had been overconfident of his prisoners not being rescued. A costly mistake Tash wanted to shove down his throat.
He scowled. There was no way to contact Topaz since he and the other two were dragons. It was up to him get the doors down.
Bracing his shoulders, he fired at the chains and locks melting them into a red-hot glob. One of the men grabbed a shovel and knocked the chains away. He looked over his shoulder. “Tash, the doors are locked from the other side.” Panic edged into his voice.
On the other side of the door, screams and mayhem sounded. A whiff of hot-air blew into Tash’s face. It must be a burning inferno on the other side of the doors, but this was the only way out.
He made his way to the discarded carts. “We need to use these to pound on the doors. Hopefully, Topaz or the other two dragons will hear.”
The man’s shoulders slumped. “That’s not going to work. How are they going to hear with all that commotion?”
Tash gulped down hot air, burning his lungs. “You got a better idea? Let’s hear it.”
“No,” the man said miserably.
Tash limped over to one of the carts. He grabbed the telicator out of his belt. “Tash, to Scarlett.”
“Tash, you’re alive.” Her voice was filled with fear.
“I won’t be soon.”
“Why, what’s happening?”
“We’re trapped inside the cave. The giant double doors are locked from the outside. I need Topaz to knock down those doors or we’re all dead. Is there any way you can contact him?”
“I can’t. He’s too far away.”
“Scarlett, use your telepathic powers. You have to use telepathy with him like you did with me when I was trapped in the opening.”
“But you’re my mate. My power won’t work with him.”
“Yes, it will. You have to try. The mine’s too far for you to walk, and it’s too dangerous.”
Uncomfortable silence greeted him.
“Scarlett?”
“Tash, in order to use my telepathy, I’m going to have to get closer to the dragons.”
“No! Stay where you are!”
“I’m sorry I can’t. Clayton and Agnes are safe right now. I’m coming.”
“Scarlett, please stay with them.”
“I won’t let you die.” He could hear her panting as if she were running.
She stopped and lowered her voice. “Tash, something’s moving through the trees.”
Terror strangled his heart. “Scarlett, get back to Clayton and Agnes.”
“No, I have to help you.”
“Please, Scarlett, go back.”
“No, I won’t let you die. I can see Topaz flying.” Excitement chased the fear out of her voice.
Someone screamed. He thought it was Clayton, but he wasn’t sure. Loud bangs erupted over the telicator.
Tears pressed against his eyes and his mouth went dry. “Scarlett? Scarlett? What’s happening?” He gripped the telicator tighter and turned around in circles as if he could pick up a signal.
But there was no answer. He pressed his telicator to his forehead. What had she just done?
Someone clasped his arm. “Captain?”
His heart broke into two. He swallowed the hurt and terror lodged in his throat. He looked into Chantel’s sorrowful eyes. He reluctantly shoved his telicator into his belt.
“Who were you talking to?” she asked.
“My mate.” He forced out the words.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “The Gogs and Kamtrinians show no mercy.”
He gritted his teeth to keep from panicking and screaming. He never should have left her alone. Had she just died trying to save him? His world had just crumbled, but he had to keep going. He’d wallow in grief later.
Forever.
“We’re on our own.” He gripped the ore cart with his shaking hands, still drowning in disbelief that his beautiful Scarlett was gone. Two men joined him on either side of the cart. “Let’s do this.”
They ran at full speed and smashed it into the doors.
Ding. Ding. Ding.
More men and women flung the carts into the stubborn metal barrier.
Bam bam bam bam bam.
Dents and scratches marred the door, but the doors wouldn’t budge.
“Time’s running out.” Chantel clasped his arm. “You should go back the way you came.”
“No,” he growled.
He seized his telicator, hoping against hope. “Scarlett, are you there?”
His heart clawed up his throat. She still didn’t answer.
“Scarlett?”
Bang.
The loud clank made him jump back. He lowered his telicator. He motioned with his good arm. “Everyone back.”
“The Master’s returned.”
“They’re coming! They’re coming!”
Arians ran back toward their cells, but Tash stayed where he was. He refused to move and would die protecting his people. He launched into attack mode. He’d bring at least one of the down before he died and joined Scarlett on the other side.
Bang. Clang. Bang. Whooosh.
Bulges and more bulges appeared. Heat turned the air scalding and the door bright orange.
The tension in his twitching muscles lessened and he held his breath, hoping against hope. His frowned dissipated. The Master would have keys and wouldn’t need to do this. Only one thing could do that.
One last smash and one of the doors crashed open. A yellow-orange dragon stuck its head inside and shrieked.
Tash put down his arms. “Topaz.” He wheeled his good arm around and looked over his shoulder. “Move!”
An army of Arians made their way toward the dragon. Tash’s throat closed up and fear turned his sweating body ice cold. Where the hell was Scarlett?
He limped after the last of his people exited.
Tears of joy stung in his eyes and his heart jumped up and down. Scarlett was astride Topaz’s back with Clayton clinging to her waist. She was alive. She was alive.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Heat swelled behind him. An ugly force flung Tash into the air. Hot star pain sliced into his back. He screamed, churning around and around. Red, green, and white colors flashed in front of his eyes. He crashed into something hard and passed out.
18
The Gogs and Kamtrinians emerged from the cave, chasing him, while The Master laughed. Scarlett’s motionless body lay up ahead.
Tears burned his eyes…Something sharp pieced his backside.
Unbearable pain woke Tash up.
“Tash, Tash, you’re alive.” He knew that excited voice, but couldn’t place it.
> “I am?” He winced. Bright lights hurt his eyes. “Where the hell am I?”
A soft hand grabbed his. “You’re on the Orion. You were having a bad dream.” The one voice that eased the misery gripping through him.
He slowly opened his eyes to look into two beautiful blue orbs. “Scarlett,” his voice was harsh, but warmth settled on his shaking body.
“Hi.” She stroked his hair and tears sparkled on her cheeks. “You did it, Tash. You saved your people.”
He squeezed her hand. “You got word to Topaz.” She was the bravest woman he’d ever known. He kissed her knuckles. “I love you.”
“I know.” She smiled. “I would have done anything to save you.”
“And she did.” He turned to see Topaz and Clayton.
Topaz tilted his head toward Scarlett. “The good doctor said you were waking up. I wanted you to know what this woman did. I was battling the Kamtrinians and the Gogs, when a voice penetrated my brain like a trumpet.” He shook his head. “Never felt anything. She told me to come get her, because she knew where you were and needed my help.”
Tash flashed a smile at Scarlett. “See, I knew you could do it.”
“Thanks to you,” she said.
“I wanted to let you know that we’ll be at Zalara in less than a hour,” Topaz said. His eyes darkened. “But I have some bad news. Vaughn contacted me. Judge Marley moved up your father’s trial. It’s already started.”
“What? Why?” Tash got up on his forearms and grimaced. Pain struck his back like lightning.
“I don’t know,” Topaz said. “Vaughn said the judge was incessant about starting the trial almost as if he wanted the verdict concluded before we got there.”
Tash frowned. “But all of this would have been for nothing. The judge has to wait for our new evidence.”
“Hey,” Scarlett pushed on his shoulder. “I’ll have none of this. You nearly severed your spinal cord, and you won’t be able to walk for a while.”
“I have to be at that trial.”
She sighed. “I know.”
Tryker walked into the room. “I don’t advise this patient moving.”