Chapter 20 – Kerra
“What’s the matter,Tok?”
He opened and shut his mouth several times, completely uncharacteristic of the brave warrior I knew so well. Running a hand over his hair and down his quills, he began to pace in front of me. “I have something to tell you. You might want to sit down first.”
Motok had led us back to our room about ten minutes ago, pulling me away from the scared human girls all huddled together in a row of rooms on deck three. I’d spent time in each one and explained as much as I could, hoping to alleviate their concerns. Most of them just wanted to go home. Several were so traumatized they weren’t speaking. A few did nothing but cry. It was the most emotional and exhausting hours I had ever spent in my life.
None of that was a concern now. I sat down on the edge of our bed, eyeing Motok with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. He was making me nervous. I rubbed my palms over my knees and took a couple of deep breaths, hoping to chase the butterflies in my tummy away. Nausea had been fleeting and I wasn’t sure if it was the pregnancy or the shock of finding so many girls sold and abused.
“Please tell me. I’m getting anxious.”
“Valtus found a girl about to be raped. He stopped Senator Rymar before he could complete the act.”
Nodding, I swallowed hard. That was a little too close to home. “Is the girl alright?”
“She passed out, probably from exhaustion.”
That explained why I hadn’t met her yet. “Is she in the medical bay?”
Motok approached slowly and sank down on the bed next to my side. “Yes. Valtus personally carried her there and has refused to leave her side.”
I wasn’t surprised. Valtus mentioned his past briefly. I knew he had personal experience with the slavers. “I see. I’m glad he’s with her. She would trust the man who rescued her to keep her safe.”
“I agree. It would be a good idea if you spoke to her but there’s something you need to know first.” He cleared his throat awkwardly. “What I’m about to say next is going to be a shock. I want you to know that I had no idea. No one suspected that Rymar had kept a captive separate from the others for his own personal use.”
“What did you find on Cryton, Tok? This sounds bad.”
“We destroyed the settlement, just so you know. I gave the order about two hours ago. Nothing remains of the facility, even the lower levels. It would take severalspanto rebuild. I don’t anticipate the slavers returning any time soon.”
“Okay.” Tilting my head to the side, I tried not to be concerned about his hesitancy. “I’m glad. What about Rymar?”
“He’s in the detention block on level one. High security. He won’t be leaving his cell until he arrives back on Vindar for trial.”
“He doesn’t deserve a trial. Neither does Bly,” I spat with venom. “Those men are vile.”
“They are, myVenya. Justice will be served. The Braxthar people will demand it.”
“I’ll take the witness stand if I need to, just to make sure they are both convicted and sentenced to death. Exile is too lenient.”
“Of course,” Motok responded with a smirk, “but we must protect our child. That is our first priority.”
“Is that why you’re being so hesitant with me now? Because I’m losing my patience,” I admitted, squeezing his hand as it held my own tightly. “Time to spill it.”
“Spill?”
“Just say it, Tok.”
“I believe the female we found today,” he announced with a slight pause, “is your sister Kacie.”
For a full ten seconds I didn’t blink, didn’t move, hardly dared to hope. “What? Say that again.”
His hands cupped my face, tilting it upward. “I think we found Kacie alive.”
