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Chapter 10

Georgia grunted andgritted her teeth as Ash raced through a stunted copse of trees back to the ship. Every movement was agony as pins and needles dug into her skin and made her want to tear it off. How had she gotten sick so quickly? This must be one nasty toxin working its way through her system.

“We’re almost there. I’ll get you on the ship, pump you full of meds, and you’ll be fine. And if not, we’ll use an energy transfer. That’ll see you right,” Ash said.

Georgia shook her head. An Apexian energy transfer was incredible at healing human injuries, but every time she had one, she grew closer to Ash. A transfer lowered her barriers against him and made her want to be around him all the time. It was usually a temporary side effect, but recently, it had stuck for longer and made her want Ash in her life more and more.

“I won’t need an energy transfer,” she whispered. “I’ll get antibiotics, rest, and be fine by the time we get back to the Apocalypse. You’re worrying about nothing.”

“I have every right to worry. You’re my partner. And you shouldn’t keep secrets from me.”

“The scratch wasn’t a secret, more an omission,” she said. “I didn’t think it was anything to worry about. It was only when it started to itch that I realized there was a problem.”

“I can see the ship.” Ash’s pace increased, and she clung on tight.

The banty was now clamped to her leg, occasionally making a squeak, most likely because of the speed they were going. Ash was flying along, and he was barely out of breath.

The boarding ramp was already lowered, and he raced up it and headed to one of the few private rooms on the ship.

Ash placed her on a small cot in the corner. “Don’t move. I’ll grab the medical supplies and be right back.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead and raced out of the room.

Georgia was so surprised by his tender touch that she didn’t try to protest. It felt great to be someone’s priority. Ash cared for her.

Her whole body shuddered. She really must be sick if she was getting gooey over Ash’s concern. They both knew the score when it came to having a relationship.

The banty scurried up to her face and sniffed it.

“Hey, buddy. You were amazing out there,” she said. “You whipped those birds’ butts. You saved us.”

He bobbed his head up and down as if he understood her then gave her cheek a tentative lick.

She raised a shaking hand and petted his head. “Okay, you can stay. You’ve more than earned your place on the ship.”

Georgia’s head pounded, and her vision blurred. Where was Ash with those meds? Every second, it was getting harder to breathe.

She shifted her head and blinked slowly. Was she hallucinating, or were there five more banty sitting by the edge of the bed looking up at her?

She glanced back at the banty beside her. They were here for him. Was he their leader?

Ash barreled back into the room. He raced to the cot and lifted Georgia out of it.

She squirmed against him, but his hard arms kept her close to his chest. “What are you doing? Stop carrying me around everywhere.”

“There’s no time. Rexx thinks our ship has been spotted. There are two unmarked ships closing in on our location. We need to strap in and get the hell out of here before they get any closer.” He raced along the corridor and placed Georgia into a seat before reaching for the straps to fasten her in.

She closed her eyes to ward off another wave of dizziness. “Who’s after us?”

“We’re not sure.” Eden appeared and strapped herself in opposite Georgia. Blaze was right alongside her. “They’re cloaked but giving off an odd signature. And they’re using something to mask the ship’s identifying number.”

“Are you sure they’re interested in us?” Georgia said. “They could just be passing by.”

“Yep. They’ve changed course and are heading straight for us,” Eden said.

The ship’s engine roared as Daisy and Rexx got them into orbit.

Georgia groaned and squeezed her eyes shut as her stomach churned. It wasn’t the speed they were going that was the problem. It was this damn scratch on her hand messing with her.

Ash sat in the seat next to her and took hold of her uninjured hand. “I’m giving you an energy transfer.”