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“Is saying gallop too much of a risk?”

He looked back at her and then at her hands.

“Oh! I get it. You want me to hold on.”

Brutus chuffed out what sounded like a laugh.

Sloane’s only option was to lean forward, wrap her arms around his neck, and hold his fur. She clamped her thighs around his solid middle. “Will that do?”

He stood, paced a few steps, wriggled about as if getting comfortable with his extra weight, and then set off at a fast walk.

Sloane let out a startled laugh. It felt like being on a horse, but she was lower to the ground. She felt every muscle bunch and retract as Brutus hurried along, not seeming to mind carrying her. The grunts he made even suggested he was enjoying himself.

“I’m so glad we found each other.” Sloane scratched her fingers through his thick fur. “You’re perfect.”

He grumbled as if he agreed with her and sped up.

Sloane could do nothing but cling on as they followed Dallin. It looked as if he was heading to a mine entrance.

They were able to keep to the trees, and hadn’t spotted anyone else, but they needed to be careful as they got closer.

The trees slowly receded, so it was easy for Sloane to keep Dallin in sight. He was setting a punishing pace as he continued to head for the mine. He also wasn’t being discreet. Anyone could see him.

She swallowed, anxiety biting into her. Whatever Dallin had planned, he didn’t think he was coming back from this. Was this a suicide mission?

“Hurry, Brutus! We can’t let Dallin do something stupid.”

They were only half a mile from the mine entrance, when the trees gave way to scrubby grass.

Sloane patted Brutus’s side. “I need to walk from here.” She bit her lip as she slid off his back. “You shouldn’t come with me. I don’t want anyone getting the wrong idea and thinking you’re dangerous.”

He shook his head and continued to plod along beside her.

“Okay, but when I say hide, make sure you duck. Whoever is running that mine will think it odd there’s a human wandering around with a grimlin.”

He grumbled and huffed.

“I don’t think you’re odd. I think you’re beautiful.” She kissed his head.

Brutus beat his chest and panted.

“You’re such a good boy.” Sloane ducked as she heard a vehicle approaching. She wrapped her arms around Brutus’s neck and tugged him down too. He slumped to his belly, his eyes narrowed.

Sloane only had to wait a minute before a large green all-terrain galaxy cruiser with the words Calsec Mining Corporation flashed past.

Was that why Dallin had come here? This company was mining a mineral they’d discovered in the poison. Did Dallin think he needed to analyze this component?

She shook her head. He had everything he needed from the waystation sample.

Sloane pulled out a mobile scanner and scanned the area, focusing on the mine. It took a few minutes to process, then the data streamed in. She studied the readings.

Sloane opened the analysis of the Siblet poison and set the information side-by-side on her tablet. “This is it! This is the missing piece of the puzzle. These mines produce salnite, that odd looking mineral in the poison. Is this what’s making it so deadly?”

She looked back at the mine and licked her lips. Her throat was dry and her eyes burned with tiredness. She wanted to rest and close her eyes for a while, but she had to keep moving.

Sloane packed away the equipment and went to stand. But her vision blurred and she had to lean down, sucking in deep breaths to stop the world from spinning.

Brutus was instantly up and leaning against her to give her support.

“Thanks, sweetie.” Sloane raised her head. “What’s Dallin planning to do?”

She hadn’t been able to get a good look at him, but he was carrying something as he’d headed to the mine.

Worry flickered through her as her head continued to throb. “We need backup. If I collapse, I won’t be able to stop Dallin from doing whatever the hell he’s planning. Would you be up for stopping him?” She glanced at Brutus.

He cocked his head as if he understood her, but his nose wrinkled.

“Let’s see if we can get some help from the Apocalypse.” Sloane waited a moment, but her comm link wouldn’t connect to the ship.

She tried again. Still no answer. “They must be within range, they’re heading straight for the waystation. They’re probably almost there by now.”

Her gut clenched as worry poured over her like ice cold water. What if everyone was too sick to respond? Had they run out of time? “No! Not yet. I’m not giving up.”

She petted Brutus one more time and pulled herself upright. “We’re on our own. But Sloane Harper doesn’t go down without a fight. Not when my guy could be involved in doing something stupid.”

Brutus grunted an approving noise and licked her hand.

“And it looks like neither do you. Let’s go.”