I try to jump out of the way, but I can’t breathe and the tunnel spins around me and Pious’s arms clamp around me, with the tip of his laser pushed up under the bottom of my chin. He’s dragging me back, pulling me flush against the cold steel of his chest plate. “Go ahead, parasite. Scream for him.”
I can’t take a deep enough breath and my vision swims. I struggle and twist in his grasp, but I don’t scream. I’m not able to. I’m too busy hyperventilating in Pious’s arms.
My leg stomps back and I try to jerk free, but he pins me against the wall, one hand at my throat and another like a vice grip around my chest.
“Unhand the girl,” a voice grounds out from one of the shadowy tunnels ahead of us.
I force my head up and I meet Rune’s gaze. His expression is dark, murderous. Standing next to him is Jex, weapon drawn at us.
My knees buckle. Pious grips me tighter and a small dark laugh bubbles up from his throat. “The female is mine,” Pious says, low and harsh. His words fall against my skin like icy air.
“Unhand the girl and take me instead,” Rune demands. “I’m the one you really want.”
Jex’s head whips in his direction, eyes wide.
I’m just as stunned.What is he doing?He can’t give himself up, he’ll get killed.
“General Rune, sir—” Jex stammers.
“Sentinel, if you take your shot, Kate will die.” His eyes fall on mine and they pierce deep into my soul. “Pious, let my sentinel return the girl to her planet and I will go with you without a fight.” His mouth tightens and his voice sharpens. “She means nothing to either of us and she tells me you have more than enough females in the preservation lab for the Caelum population enhancement. She needs not be one of them.”
“She means nothing to us?” Pious chuckles darkly.
Fire burns across my chest and up my throat. I’m going to throw up.
“Nothing,” Rune repeats. “Nothing but a bit of an annoyance.”
“Yet, you are willing to sacrifice your life for her return home, brother.”
Jex shifts forward, but Rune holds out an arm to stop him.
Pious hums out a deep sound and slides his face against mine, running his nose and mouth along my cheek. “Oh, but you’re wrong, she does mean something to me. You see, Rune, I’ve chosenthisfemale to mate with.”
Behind me and Pious, dozens of Caelum step out of the shadows, filling up the small passageway, each one drawing their weapons to fall on Rune’s surprised expression. Tears fill my eyes, and my head shakes on its own volition. No, no, no. This can’t be happening.
“Guards. Secure Rune and his sentinel,” Pious commands.
The guards march forward menacingly. Jex puts up a fight but within seconds, the guards are on him, shackling him with strange metal chains and thick black rods. Rune’s eyes linger on mine as I watch his friend and protector get dragged away by the enemy.
Pious shoves me forward, “Move, girl.”
He pushes my shoulders hard, making me stagger ahead, as the rest of the Caelum restrain an unresisting Rune, shackling his ankles.He was ready to sacrifice himself for me.He was willing to give up his life, without a thought, to get me back home.
I’m not someone easily replaceable to him, am I?
He wanted me to be here for more than breeding. That’s why he was so angry with me. That’s why he stormed ahead without me. I didn’t get it, I didn’t get it until now. I was so preoccupied with my own fear of losing my sister that I couldn’t see what Rune was feeling.
Rune watches me carefully.
I pause in front of him and push back on Pious’s arms, struggling to free myself. I lunge toward Rune and he catches me in his arms, both of us tumbling back.
I bring my lips up to his ear. “You lied to me,” I whisper.
He pulls his head back and narrows his eyes at me. The guards struggle to untangle my arms from his.
“You know what that word means,” I whisper, trying to find a hold on him. Whether his affection for me is just a friendly emotion or more, I don’t have time to wonder. But what I do know for certain, laying your life down for someone means you know something of what the word love means.
Pious’s hands pull and grasp at me, yanking me away violently.
