River's Run(31)

Torak was frantic. He met his brothers as they ran down the paths toward his House.



“Have you seen Star?” Jazin asked frantically looking at Torak. “She took off.”



“So did Jo.” Manota said his left eye puffing out a little.



Torak looked at Manota startled, “What happened to you?”



“Jo punched me when I tried to kiss her.” Manota said in confusion. “She was very upset about something but she wouldn’t tell me what it was.”



Jazin looked at Torak and Manota, “My Star was very upset, also. She called me a ‘gigolo’, whatever that means and took off before I could stop her.”



“Where is River?” Jazin and Manota asked at the same time.



Torak ran his hand down over his neck. “I don’t know. One minute she was there, the next she was gone. I was going to introduce her to my House but she had disappeared. Why would all three of them be so upset?” Torak asked confused looking from one brother to other.



“Jazin, what were you doing right before Star left?” Torak asked.



“I was being greeted by my House.” Jazin replied puzzled.



“What of you, Manota?” Torak asked.



“The same. The females of my House were welcoming me home. Nothing unusual.” Manota said before adding, “Except for when Jo punched me.”



“What about you? What were you doing?” Manota asked.



“I was being greeted by the females of my House as is the custom upon our return; nothing that should have upset River.” Torak said.



“We better find them before they find each other. We know what happens when they get together.” Jazin said.





River, Jo, and Star decided they would work their way back to where the shuttle had landed. From there they would hijack one of the shuttles, forcing someone if they had too, to take them to the warship. That was as far as they had gotten by the time the men found them.



River twirled around pulling her swords out and pointing them at Torak as he, Manota, and Jazin came into view.



“Stay back, you…you…jerk.” She snarled. She had worked her way through the shock of seeing him being pawed on to pure fury.



Jo and Star each took up a stance keeping the men in their sights. They were just as worked up as River was and more than ready to clobber someone.



“River, little one, tell me why you are so upset.” Torak pleaded softly.



“Upset? You think I’m upset?” River screeched. All three men cringed as her voice broke on the high note.



“Star, baby. Please come back to my House.” Jazin said stepping towards Star.



Star’s eyes narrowed. “When hell freezes over you…you slut! I wouldn’t go back to your House for all the money in the world!”



“Jo, put down your weapon now.” Manota demanded. “You will return with me to my House where we can discuss why you are so upset.”



Jo looked at Manota and gave him an ugly smile. “Over your dead body.” She replied coolly.



Torak could see the females had already spent time together which meant they had banded together on whatever they had decided.



River looked at Torak coolly. “You promised you would return us to our home if we released you. I am calling in that promise.”



Torak’s eyes turned cold at River’s demand. “I promised to take you home and I have. Your home is here now.”



River pulled her sword up pointing it at Torak’s neck. “That was not the deal. The deal was to return us to our home, Earth. This is not our home and it never will be. Either your return us or we will find a way on our own.”



Torak stepped into the blade River had pointed at his throat letting the sharp edge cut a small, thin line along his throat. “I have claimed you as mine, River. Your home is now on Kassis. I will never let you go and I will kill anyone who tries to help you or take you from me.” Torak said in a cold, steely voice.



River’s eyes widened as she watched a small line of blood form from the cut. “Then I’ll die trying to get away from you because I will never belong to you. Never!” River replied shakily.



River shivered as she watched the cold look settle over Torak’s face. She had never seen him look like that before, not even when Progit threatened to kill his brother. He looked like he would do whatever had to be done to keep her.



River was staring into Torak’s eyes trying to decide what to do next when she saw a flash out of the corner of her eye. Her gaze flicked over to the flash and her eyes widened in horror. She cried out as she tossed her one sword to the side and pushed Torak away, knocking him to the ground as she hooked her foot in-between his as she shoved his shoulder.