"What in the hell?" Madhava growled.
Madhava glanced at the cliff's edge to see a handful of Toufik, still gripping the ropes, being pulled upward, while a dozen more levitated behind them. The stunned look on the Toufik's furry faces, as they struggled against the pull, no doubt mirrored his own. Madhava saw Dagaa's limp form hovering midair, being pulled towards the light, despite the hurricane force wind. The way Dagaa hung listless in the sky gave Madhava little hope for his brother.
Madhava was so shocked he didn't react fast enough when Providence pulled away from him. Much to his horror she quickly untied the rope around her waist then leapt towards Dagaa. Madhava felt his heart hit his stomach as Providence went over the cliff's edge. He desperately grabbed for her but she was already caught up in the strange force pulling everyone towards the unidentified ship above. Madhava ripped off his mask.
"Providence!" He screamed in desperation.
Providence pulled off her own mask and yelled something he couldn't hear over the roar of the wind.
Madhava shook his head vehemently.
Providence did something he didn't expect, she kissed her hand and then blew into it. She then smiled and pointed from him to the starship several times.
Madhava looked at her with wild eyes for another brief moment before he nodded solemnly and raced to the starship entrance as fast as the violent wind would allow him, pulling at the ropes to help reel him in.
Madhava witnessed Providence disappear into the massive looming ship as the hangar doors closed sealing him in.
The anguished bellow that erupted from his throat reverberated through the ship, causing all the Toufik females to cower in fear.
Madhava slammed his hand on the panel in the loading bay, cracking the glass, as he called the control room.
"Ashtoret get us out of here." Madhava snarled.
"Yes Sir!" Ashtoret replied sounding relieved.
Thankfully, although he'd damaged the small vid screen, Madhava was still able to call up the image of their take-off.
Madhava watched the unknown massive vessel as it took off into the atmosphere with a streak of light. Madhava huffed, a part of him was relieved that Providence was no longer on the damned planet, but now he had a new problem. Someone had his bonded.
Madhava gripped the walls as the ship shuddered and tossed while climbing out of the violent atmosphere. He made his way to the control room and strapped in next to Ashtoret. The warrior gave him a grim sideways glance as he fought to break free of the savage hold the planet had on their starship. Sweat poured down the male's face as he forced the craft to ascend at a sharp angle. Ashtoret let loose an exhausted, exuberant bellow when they finally pierced the hazy stratosphere, emerging into starlit space.
"Follow that ship. They have my bonded, Dagaa and Stone." Madhava demanded.
Madhava ignored his fellow Cadi vessels orbiting the planet, his sole focus on the one that had taken Providence and his brother.
14 Up Up and Away
Providence
Providence fought off the mild drowsy sensation that threatened to overwhelm her already exhausted body as she looked around at the familiar frosted glass walls. All around her the Toufik males were sleeping like babies. Providence didn't know why sedation didn't quite work on her. It made her more giddy than sleepy and generally she could power through it. At the moment she was glad for that fact.
Providence looked over to see Dagaa. She gasped as she took in the sight of his body.
"Oh god." She cried as her hand rose to her mouth. She bit down on her fist to keep from screaming in dismay as she scrambled over to him.
Dagaa's clothes were tattered and dirty. But that's not what had Providence trembling with rising panic. Blood covered him from head to toe. There was a bandage on his arm barely covering the gruesome bone that pierced his skin. Another one bound his leg, which lay at an odd angle. Providence gasped as she noticed the end of his tail was missing entirely. The gash and knot on his head looked pretty bad too. The way it bled, it was clear he needed stitches.
Providence held her breath as she reached out with shaking fingers and felt the side of Dagaa's neck. He had a pulse!
"Oh god!" Providence cried in thanks and desperation. "Hang in there handsome." Providence begged him as she kissed his forehead.
Providence jumped up and ran to the glass wall.
"Cila, Zer if you are out there I need your help." She screamed as she pounded the glass.
The silhouette of a figure appeared and the wall split in two. Providence didn't recognize the pale female that greeted her, but thankfully Cila rushed towards them from across the domed cargo bay.
"Providence it is you!" Cila cried out as she ran towards them.
"This is the human you were looking for?" The other Miran Sona female asked as she looked Providence over.