Star's Storm(30)

“I won’t last another beating,” Jazin said in a tired, dead voice. “It is better for her to leave me. I can’t even walk. There is no way I can make it out of here without getting her killed.”

“You are not alone. With help, we will get you out,” Jarmen said stubbornly. “You made me believe in you. Now it is time for you to believe in me,” the normally calm voice sounded harsher, gruffer than Jazin had ever heard it before.

“I can’t lose her,” Jazin said quietly. “If Tai Tek gets his hands on her, I would give him anything he wanted. Even then, he would still kill her. You have to promise me....,” he said swallowing the bile that rose in his throat. “You have to promise me that you will protect her with your life and,” he paused again as his throat tightened in grief. “You have to promise if she is captured you will kill her swiftly before Tai Tek can harm her. I won’t let him torture her.”

Jarmen frowned as he watched the emotions flickering over Jazin’s face. “You would have me kill your mate if she is captured?” He asked in a tight voice.

“Yes,” Jazin responded softly. “You’ve read the reports of what Tai Tek has done to other females. I… won’t let that happen to my Star.”

Jarmen’s mind brought up the reports he had downloaded from Tai Tek’s personal files. That was another thing they had worked on this last visit. It had taken Jarmen a while but he had finally been able to hack into Tai Tek’s private accounts to help locate him and determine what he was up to. In those files were records of the hideous things the ex-councilman had done to some of the women in his House.

“I promise,” Jarmen said reluctantly. “I will not let your mate suffer.”

“Thank you,” Jazin said staring blindly up at the ceiling. “Please keep her safe,” he whispered on a quiet prayer.





Chapter 10


Star leaned forward and wiped the sweat beading on her forehead away against her sleeve as she balanced on the narrow ledge she had stopped at to rest for a moment. She looked up at the side of the cliff they were scaling. They were almost to the top, thank goodness. They had landed a short distance away not wanting to take a chance of being seen disembarking from the star ship. It might be invisible to the eye but they were not. She could tell Armet had fought a fierce battle with himself before he gruffly told her she better not get hurt or he was going to personally whip her ass. He had spoken quietly at length with Dakar before he had glanced her way one more time before closing the landing platform door. She and Madas had stood off to one side near a small cluster of rocks while the two men hashed out whatever was bothering them.

Star had been a nervous wreck while Madas had just watched the exchange with a small grin on her thin lips. “They will learn not to doubt you, little warrior,” Madas said humorously.

“Yeah well, I think I have enough doubt for all of us,” Star muttered as she looked down at her trembling hands.

Madas tilted her head to one side and looked carefully at her little friend. “Do you doubt you can get through the vent?”

Star frowned and shook her head. “Of course not,” she scowled.

“Then you doubt you can cross the wire,” Madas said.

“That will be a piece of cake,” Star scoffed, folding her arms across her chest and glaring at her friend.

“Then you doubt that Jazin can be rescued,” Madas suggested calmly.

Star’s frown turned to blazing rage and defiance. “No,” she growled, letting her arms fall to her side where her fists clenched. “I am going to bring him home no matter what!”

“Then what is there to doubt?” Madas asked gently.

Star opened her mouth and then closed it. Her eyes gleamed in amusement when she realized Madas had been tricking her out of her fear and insecurities; just like Walter used to do all the time. Her friend was one very, very smart lady.

Star chuckled softly. “Do you do this to Gril?” She asked with a small grin.

“All the time,” Madas responded lightly. “Come, let us begin our climb. If you need help, ask. I am a very, very good climber.”

Over two hours later, Star stared up in envy at the way Madas used her front claws as well as her tail to climb. She could appreciate her friend’s offer to help but she felt a sense of satisfaction at being able to hold her own. She looked down to see how Dakar was doing. She could see the glisten of sweat on his face and shoulders as he climbed just to the left of her. He glanced up and stared at her for a moment before he nodded to let her know he was doing alright.

“Are you doing well?” Dakar called up softly.