A pang of guilt twisted in Cael's gut. Although the facility didn't seem overly large at the moment, stacks of building materials laid nearby, no doubt intended for expansion. Lord Krissayr was growing bolder with his uncle's help, planning to house even more slaves stolen from across the galaxy on the Equus moon. Cael gritted his teeth. He was determined to put a stop to it once and for all.
Cael strode forward confidently, his disguise helping to mask his nerves. Two sentries stood at the entrance to the slave detention center, blasters holstered at their hips. As they approached, a guard held up a hand.
"Halt! State your business."
Cael lifted his chin, putting on an air of authority. "I'm here to speak with the commander. There's been a?—"
"That's one of the human females everyone's been searching for," the other guard said, wide-eyed, his finger pointing at Midori. "How did you?—?"
"Like I said, I'm here to see the commander. He will obviously be interested in what has been retrieved from the mountains."
The guards eyed him skeptically. The one who had spoken narrowed his gaze and lifted his chin toward the Zebran tribesmen standing behind Cael.
"What do they have to do with this?"
Cael pulled Midori close, a little rough for show. "They're the ones who retrieved her and have come for their reward. Now, do you want to keep the commander waiting?" He leveled the guard with a hard stare.
The guard seemed to falter under Cael's scrutinizing gaze, shifting uncomfortably. "Fine. But they'll have to relinquish their weapons before entering."
Cael nodded, and the tribesmen handed over their spears.
"Very good," the guard said, satisfied. He turned to open the gate, granting them entrance.
As soon as his back was turned, Cael struck. His four arms moved in a blur, two grabbing the guard and spinning him around into a choke hold while another hand snatched the guard's blaster from its holster and leveled it at the second sentry who was frozen in shock.
"Don't move," Cael growled, his tone low and dangerous. He didn't want to hurt these men. He knew they were only following orders from his uncle, but if they put Midori in danger, there was no telling what he might do.
The first guard struggled against Cael's iron grip, his face turning purple. "Wh—what is this?" he sputtered.
"It's a rescue mission," Cael hissed in his ear. "These men would very much like to have their women back."
The second sentry's eyes went wide with fear. He raised his hands slowly in surrender as Zephryn and Jessa rushed forward to restrain him.
"Please . . . don't kill us," the first guard wheezed.
"Do what I say, and I won't have to."
He tightened his grip until the guard's eyes rolled back, his body going limp. Releasing his hold, the guard crumpled to the ground, unconscious.
Jessa had the second guard pinned, snarling in his face, "Where are the holding cells? Where is my mate?"
The man trembled, panic written across his features. He raised a shaking hand and pointed deeper inside the compound. "Th-through those d-doors and down the hall."
Cael looked to Zephryn, who gave a curt nod and motioned a signal to the hidden warriors to come join them. Tucking the second guard's blaster into his belt, Cael turned to Midori. His heart clenched at her worried expression, but he tried to convey reassurance.
"One of the Zebrans will take you back to wait with the gronklins for our return. Your part here is finished."
"Cael, I'm not leaving you. If there are more guards, you'll need to use me again to get past."
"It's not safe."
"Every moment we argue is a second wasted. I'm staying. Let's move."
Gah! This woman is as headstrong and stubborn as she is brave and beautiful. How did I get so lucky to have her come into my life?
Cael wanted to force her to safety, but she was right. If they were lucky, they'd be in and out in mere minutes. And if they weren't lucky, they might have to use the same ruse again.
Cael nodded, and together they pushed into the compound.
