Cavas (The Vorge Crew Book 5) Read online

  “Crath wouldn’t have abandoned a slave. We’re protective of females. Did you happen to see any scars on him?”

  She gave a nod. “He had one on his neck.” She reached up and pointed at her own to show where it was located.

  That seemed to excite the lion guy. “That’s my brother. What happened next?”

  “We ran. He told me that he had a shuttle hidden to get us off the planet, and he’d take me somewhere safe. He also said my timing was perfect, since they were just about to move him to a more secure location. Only…we didn’t make it. A group of aliens caught us. We both fought, but they shot him with some kind of knockout darts. Me too. Next thing I knew, I woke up in another cell. There were two green aliens that looked like toads in the cell with me. They wanted to know if I was ‘the Tressie’s life-lock.’”

  “Tryleskian.”

  “Sorry. I’m new with alien names. That sounds right. I told them I didn’t know. Then they asked me where he was taking me. I lied, saying I wasn’t sure. I had hoped that he’d escape a second time and maybe he’d come back to take me to his shuttle. He was my only hope.”

  “I’m sure Crath would have come back for you if he were able. Are you his life-lock?”

  “I still don’t know what that means.”

  “His mate?”

  Jill was stunned. “No! I mean, we said like twenty words max to each other. If even that. We were running for our lives.” A memory surfaced. “He mentioned his brother!” She stared up at him. “You?”

  “What did he say?”

  “‘My brother will help you stay safe.’ I think those were his exact words.”

  The tall male sighed. “That makes sense. Crath must have meant our older brother. Cathian and some males on his crew have life-locked to human females, including our cousin. You’d call it marriage. We’ve joked that The Vorge has become a human sanctuary for females. Do you know where they took my brother?”

  She tried to think, focusing on being locked in that tiny room where she was questioned. Something else clicked. “They said I might see him again if he won me in a fight. They laughed, saying that was the most likely outcome since the overlord would find weaker males to go against him to make sure he stayed alive. I was pretty beat up and not feeling well. Then the toad aliens took me to another place. It was a dark cell, and I was shivering from the cold. One gave me a blanket. I passed out, sure I was going to die. And then…I woke here.”

  Cavas stepped forward and offered his hand once more. “Let’s get you cleaned and fed. Did you ever hear of something called the pits?”

  She’d taken his hand to ease herself off the tall med bed, but froze at his question, staring directly into his eyes. Jill nodded warily.

  He leaned in, getting close. He did have beautiful eyes. The shape and golden color reminded her of the eyes of a lion. She didn’t fear him…but she did fear the memory of Cia’s stories.

  “What do you know about the pits? It’s important.”

  “Cia said our master was a regular at the pits, which is also called the arena. That was another reason never to make him angry. It’s somewhere deep in the desert, where arrested criminals are sent if they’re sentenced to die. The prisoners are forced to fight each other to the death to entertain the rich. They bet large sums of money on the outcomes. Cia insisted all the men who go bring one or two of their sex slaves to the fights. It’s like a status thing, to show us off to their friends…but she warned that sometimes, it’s also how owners get rid of slaves they grow tired of or angry with. Owners bet on a fighter and offer their slaves as rewards, extra incentives to the criminals if their wagers win.” Jill shuddered. “She also told me what happens then. If it’s true, it’s a nightmare.”

  He helped her off the table to stand. “What?”

  She gazed up at him, craning her neck because he was almost a foot taller, and he stood so close. “The slaves are thrown into the arena from the stands. Only one person ever walks out of the arena alive. That’s the rule. The women are raped and then murdered by the criminals who win the fights. If they make it extra entertaining for the audience, by prolonging the abuse, they’re offered more incentives…extra food, time off to heal before their next fight.”

  He snarled.

  She snatched her hand of out his. The sound he’d made was terrifying.

  Cavas backed away. “My anger isn’t directed at you. Apologies. The idea that Crath might have been taken to fight for his life…that’s what upsets me. You’re in no danger. I give my vow.”

  “You believe they took him to the pits?”

  “It fits. Tryleskians mostly run that planet. To have one fight would draw spectators. My brother is an excellent fighter. The criminal who took him might want to make some money off Crath.”

  She nodded hesitantly. “I’d really like that shower and clean clothing now. You said there are other humans here? Could I meet them?”

  He nodded. “Of course. Follow me.”

  Cavas tried to get a handle on his boiling rage. Had Beltsen Vellar known how sick and twisted his old friend Trevis had become? What had his father been thinking by putting Crath’s life into a criminal’s hands?

  He opened the door to the guest cabin next to his and waved the female inside. “You never told me your name.”

  She entered, openly gazing around. “Jill. This is very nice.”

  “It’s your new home for now.”

  She spun quickly. “I live alone? No one is going to bother me?”

  “Yes, alone. This is your private cabin. No one on The Vorge will harm you in any way. As a matter of fact, all the male crew members, besides the Pods, are already life-locked to females. It means they would not have an interest in you.”

  “The Pods?”

  “Small white aliens.” He demonstrated their low height with a motion of his hand. “The Pods don’t take mates or have sex with others. When they reproduce, they just decide to, and they have little Pods on their own. I should also warn you that they can read minds. It’s not something they do to invade your privacy. It’s just as natural to them as us seeing or hearing with our senses. They don’t share what they learn with others, unless my brother has concerns. Cathian might ask them to scan your thoughts to make sure you’re not a threat to his crew or this ship.”

  That stunned her. “Me? Is that a joke?” She wanted to snort. Then Jill remembered that she’d already told him she’d killed the alien who’d bought her. “The bug alien’s death was self-defense. I can’t say I’m sorry he’s dead, but I didn’t want to be raped.”

  His expression softened. “I’m glad the slave owner is dead. No one here would think badly of you for that. Truly. If you’re unsure whether I’m being honest, or believe this is a trick to falsely earn your trust, maybe thinking of doing something rash or trying to escape…there’s no need for that. This ship is a human sanctuary. All the females willingly agreed to life-lock with the males they’re with. They have deep feelings for each other. Tryleskians with honor do not believe in slavery or rape. We abhor it. Cathian is the ambassador who represents the residents from our home world. He’s also my brother. We have honor, Jill.”

  She stared at him with trepidation. It reminded him of how fragile her race must feel around aliens that were bigger and stronger. Humans didn’t have sharp teeth, claws, or even the muscle mass to defend themselves against most alien kind.

  “You’ve been through a lot, from what you’ve shared with me, including your own planet Earth betraying you.” He reached up and touched his chest. “I give my solemn vow that everything I say to you is true. The Vorge is a sanctuary. On your planet, does that word translate into a safe place to live, where no harm befalls you?”

  “Yes.”

  “No male will force anything on you. You are not a slave anymore. This is your home.”

  She opened her mouth, then closed it.

  “My cousin’s life-lock, Lilly, has family on Earth. It’s not safe for her to visit but my brothe