Page 67

***

Sloane’s heart jumpedinto her throat as a huge flash of fire shot out of the entrance of the mine. She froze to the spot, her hand on Brutus’s head as dozens of Siblet raced out.

She jumped as one side of the entrance collapsed, leaving a huge gaping hole where flames flickered out.

Brutus growled and lowered his head.

“Dallin did that,” Sloane whispered. “But where is he? He wouldn’t stay inside while he blew up the place.”

She couldn’t risk being out in the open any longer. Despite the chaos from the explosion, she’d get noticed.

Sloane dashed toward the mine, ducking now and again when a Siblet appeared, but they were too confused to notice her.

“Get out of here,” someone yelled. “The center of the mine has collapsed. The rest could go any minute.”

“We need to get everyone out!”

“Where’s Captain Ghal?”

“The last time I saw him, he was in the staff area, questioning the prisoner.”

“Then he’s probably dead.”

Prisoner?Sloane’s heart raced. Had they captured Dallin?

“Brutus, we need to find out where Dallin is. We have to get him out of that mine,” she said.

Brutus shook his head and growled, stamping his feet on the dirt.

“I’m going to need your help. How about we play a game of fetch the Siblet?”

He cocked his head.

“That sounds like fun, doesn’t it?” She pointed at a lone Siblet racing around, not seeming to know where the hell he was supposed to go. “Go get him. Don’t kill him, just bring him back here so we can get some answers.”

Brutus raced away and leaped on the back of the Siblet.

The Siblet fell to the ground with a yelp, and Brutus stood on him, pinning him down, his mouth clamped on the back of the alien’s head.

“Good boy.” Sloane hurried over and petted Brutus’s head. “Hey, there! We need to talk. I’m missing one Apexian, and I need to know what’s going on here.”

The Siblet struggled in Brutus’s grip, but the primate shook him, and he stopped struggling.

Sloane pulled off the breathing mask the Siblet wore. “You must mine something toxic if you need this. What are you doing in there?”

The Siblet glared at her.

“Brutus! This mean alien doesn’t want to talk to me. How about you take one of his arms to chew on?”

“No! Don’t let that thing eat me.”

“Then talk. Or Brutus will yank off your head. Understand?”

The Siblet grunted.

“I didn’t hear a yes, ma’am. Brutus, try the left arm.”

“Stop! I’ll talk, ma’am,” the Siblet squeaked.