The first time she’d seen him, he’d been with Njkall when they came to the ship to escort them into town. The sight of the two huge males should have terrified her, but then Njkall had crouched down in front of her, talking to her in that deep, calm voice, and somehow made her feel safe. She’d taken his hand back then and she’d been taking it ever since. She’d learned since then that Baralt was one of Njkall’s closest friends, that he worshiped his human mate, and that his dry humor hid a fierce protective streak for anyone under his care.
He still looked terrifying, but she’d take a Hothian male over any other alien male. And most human males, for that matter.
“Two visits in one day, Njkall. I’m honored,” he said dryly. “It’s nice to see you again, Polly.” His gaze moved to Tess and stayed there. “You’re the one who escaped the ship?”
Tess’s chin came up. “What gave it away? The obvious trauma or the way I’m eyeing your claws?”
Baralt blinked, then laughed—a low rumbling sound that shook his chest. “Fair enough. I’m Baralt. I run law enforcement in this town, such as it is. Do you want to sit down, or do you prefer standing?”
“Standing,” Tess said immediately.
“Fine by me.”
“I’ll get you all something hot to drink.” Izzie was already moving towards the kitchen. “Sit, all of you. Or stand. Whatever makes you comfortable. I’ll be right back.”
She found a chair near the fire, angling it so she could see both the door and the window. Njkall stood next to the wall behind her, close enough to reach, and she could feel his attention onher like a warm hand at the small of her back. She’d asked for that, and he’d given it, and gods, she hadn’t known how much she needed it until right now.
Baralt settled back into his chair and pulled out a tablet. “Can you tell me about the ship?”
Tess’s jaw tightened. “That’s what I’m here for.”
“Good. Start from the outside. What did the hull look like? Shape, size, color, any markings you remember.”
“It was—” Tess stopped and swallowed, her hands curled into fists at her sides. “It was big. Not as enormous as the cargo haulers out there, but big enough. Dark hull. Grey, maybe, or a very dark blue—it was hard to tell in the lighting. The shape was…” She made a frustrated gesture. “Blocky. Not sleek. Like someone had taken a box and added engines to it.”
“Modified freighter, probably. That fits with the fake registration.” Baralt made a note. “Markings?”
“There was something on the side near the airlock. Numbers, I think, and a symbol—like a circle with lines through it. I only saw it once, next to the outer door of the cargo hold.”
“Can you draw it?”
Tess hesitated, then nodded.
Baralt handed her the tablet with a stylus. Polly watched as Tess bent over it, her face tight with concentration, and sketched with quick jerky strokes. When she was done, she thrust it back at him as if it had burned her.
“That’s the best I can do.”
Baralt studied the image. His expression didn’t change, but something that might have been recognition shifted behind his eyes. “What about inside? Layout, crew, anything distinctive?”
“The hold was cold. Always cold. There were—cages. Eight of them, I think, though only four were occupied when I was there.” Tess’s voice had gone flat again, that terrible controlled blankness. “But the cabins were… luxurious. Soft carpets, and silk coverings on the bed. Fancy food that was too good for us. Unless we earned it.”
Baralt’s expression had gone grim. “Not a standard slaving operation, then. Those don’t waste credits on silks and real food. What about the crew?”
“Most of them were about my size, with blue scales and yellow eyes. But there were three… enforcers. They were big, almost as big as you.”
Baralt asked more questions. Specifics about the route, about the other captives, and about Tess’s escape. She listened and tried not to let the details drag her back to her own memories—the hold that had been dark instead of cold, the cages that had been smaller, the hands that had grabbed her and the voice that had told her to stop screaming because no one could hear her anyway.
Different ship. Different planet. I’m not there anymore.
Izzie returned with cups of something that smelled spiced and sweet. Polly took hers gratefully, focusing on the heat seeping into her palms, the curl of steam against her face, and the sweet sharp taste when she took a careful sip.
I’m here now,she reminded herself. In a warm house, with Njkall a few feet away, and Tess being brave beside her.
“That’s enough for now,” Baralt said at last. He set the tablet aside and gave Tess a respectful nod. “You’ve got good eyes and a good memory. That’s not easy, remembering details when you’re scared.”
Tess’s mouth twisted. “Fear’s a hell of a teacher.”
“It is.” Baralt glanced at Njkall. “I have an idea about the ship. A few captains have been flagged for suspicious activity in the past season, and one of them matches the general description.” He turned back to Tess. “I need to investigate before I can confirm anything. But if I find something, you’ll be the first to know.”
