Page 51 of Red Marked

“With actual flushing toilets.” Savanna smiles.

Koa and Savanna are in T-shirts that fall to their knees. Caldera is still naked, her shirt clutched to her chest. We’re in an unused apartment earmarked for my new team member when I get around to hiring him…or her.

For now, it will work well as somewhere for the three females to stay until they are fetched. I’m hoping Magma can get a team out here in the morning. The less contact these three have with individuals from the facility, the better.

Koa squints up at the ceiling light as if she’s forgotten what one looks like. Savanna and Caldera stay close on either side of her. The three of them have been touching each other in some way since we left the mountain. A hand on an elbow. A shoulder against a shoulder.

Thankfully, I got very little pushback after we arrived. I got them into this apartment soon after that.

I put the clothing I took from the supply room onto the sofa.

“I found some more things you might need.” I put a six-pack of water on the table. “It should get you through the next few hours. There are also some basic toiletries. I’m sorry I couldn’t get much at this time of night. There are a few toothbrushes, toothpaste, and some body wash. Although…” I frown. “I don’t think you will have any towels.”

Savanna grins. “Body wash. Did you hear that?” She nudges Koa, who nods.

“We haven’t had anything to use in months,” she says. “I call dibs on taking the first shower.”

Caldera giggles. “I’m second.”

I smile. It’s nice to see them so happy. Especially Koa.

“There are blankets in the closet,” I tell them. “The bathroom is through there. The water takes a while to run hot.” I point at each door as I go. “Get some sleep if you can. I’ll bring you breakfast myself in the morning. Nobody else will come through that door tonight. I’ve put two guards on it and two outside. They’ll patrol, so don’t be frightened if you hear them or see them. They’re the males we flew in with, and they answer to me.”

Koa touches my arm. “Will you fetch Star soon?” she whispers.

“I promise I will fetch her and bring her back safely.”

“Will you bring her here?” Caldera asks, pulling some blond hair behind her ear.

“No.” I shake my head. “I will take her back to my apartment, where I know for sure she will not be seen.”

“Star is a good female,” Koa says. “Scarlet can act all tough, but she is good too. Thank you for helping her and the others, and for bringing us here.”

She keeps thanking me when I don’t feel like I’ve done much of anything.

“I will take good care of Star and do my very best to help her and the others,” I promise the three females.

“I know you will. You are a good male.” Koa starts to tear up.

“You’re safe here,” I tell them. “I know it doesn’t feel like it yet, but you are.”

Koa lowers herself onto the edge of the sofa. Savanna sits down next to her and takes her hand.

“Before I go, I need to hear it one more time. I’m sorry. I know you’re tired.” I crouch so that I’m not towering over them. “Where were you?”

“In the jungle,” Savanna says. “We don’t know where. It was dark when they took us, and we were kept under the trees.”

“Who kept you?”

“A male.” Caldera’s voice is steady. “He wasn’t one of the ones who took us. He found us and kept us alive. Fed us. He didn’t hurt us. When your team landed, he ran.”

“And the rest of it?”

Koa’s eyes lift to mine. They are red-rimmed and enormous in her thin face.

“We don’t remember,” she says. “We don’t want to talk about it. I will cry if they try to get anything out of me. It won’t be an act. I always do.” Her lip wobbles.

“That’s all you have to say. Anyone pushes for more, you tell them exactly that, and you look at me. I’ll deal with it.” I hold each of their gazes in turn. “Nobody here is going to question you. I won’t allow it. By this time tomorrow, you’ll be on Draig soil.”