Cavas (The Vorge Crew Book 5) Read online

  “Let me put something on.” Jill moved around them to grab a shirt and pants from the pile before rushing back into the bathroom, where she dressed fast. The clothing was a little baggy but it was clean. She took a few deep breaths before returning to the women again. They were nice, if not a little overwhelming, and so far, she liked them.

  She felt a little self-conscious taking a seat at the table, but hunger drove her to dig into the food. It was a blue rice with purple veggies, and cooked meat that tasted like beef. It was pretty good. The women hesitated before sitting at the table, too. Sara poured her a drink of water from a pitcher on the table.

  “Thank you. Sorry if I’m being rude. I can’t remember the last time I ate.”

  “Don’t worry about it. Do you have any questions?”

  Jill looked up and held Nara’s gaze. “So many. I just don’t want to be ungrateful.”

  “You won’t be. That’s why we’re here. Ask away.”

  “Are we really safe on this ship? Are you really…um…free?”

  Nara didn’t look offended. “I’ll be honest with you. There are tons of shitty aliens out in space, and a lot of them think women are only good for being sex slaves. It’s not like that with any of the people on this ship. We’re not going to spring any nasty surprises on you. We’re like a family. You may be considering going back to Earth or finding somewhere else to live, but it might not be safe. At least our guys protect us.”

  Sara agreed. “Most aliens would try to kidnap you for sexual slavery. Some just hate us for being human. Earth doesn’t have the best reputation with some of them. Without going into detail, let’s just say some Earth ships have done some bad shit. The people on this vessel, even though they’re aliens, are some of the best you’ll ever meet.”

  Jill wanted so badly to believe them. “Cavas said it’s a sanctuary for humans.”

  Nara chuckled. “That’s a good description. He nailed it.”

  “What’s the price, though?” Jill glanced between them. “To eat your food, for this room, the clothes? Nothing in life is free. What are they going to expect in return?”

  Sara reached over and gently patted her arm. “We help out where we can. That’s it. Nothing nefarious going on here. I just kind of sit around talking to people who are on duty, now that I’m pregnant. No one wants me to lift anything or stay on my feet for long.”

  “I’ve been trailing Mari and helping her keep parts of the ship working.” Nara shrugged. “The guys don’t really expect much from us, to be honest. We’re not as strong or big as them. Just don’t offer to help Midgel in the kitchen. She’s our cook, and she’s territorial as hell.”

  Sara chuckled. “She looks as if her mom might have been a mouse and her father a short human. Don’t be shocked—or mention it. She also gets upset if you ask her about ever getting married. She’s kind of anti-man, and has sworn to stay single forever.”

  “In her culture, women are used as breeders. She’s had to do that a few times,” Nara added. “I don’t think it was a great experience, and she never wants to do it again. That’s why she works on this ship. She’s safe from her males forcing her to have their babies. Our guys would kill anyone who tried to snatch her. She’s protected here.”

  Jill glanced between them again, skeptical. “You’re saying I can live on this ship, and no one is going to make me have sex with them, or something equally bad? I just want to know what to expect.”

  Nara’s expression softened. “Every man on this ship who’s interested in sex has a wife, except for Cavas. Our alien guys don’t cheat. You’re safe. No one is going to touch you or do bad things to you. Just help around the ship, treat everyone like you’d wish to be treated, and that’s it. We have the room, and you’re safer here than if we dropped you off on a planet somewhere. Humans become targets on their own. Some slaver would grab and sell you. Or worse, they’d just steal you for themselves. Either option wouldn’t be good, if you want to avoid being sexually abused. The Vorge is the sanctuary Cavas told you it was.”

  “It’ll be nice to have another human aboard.” Sara leaned closer, holding her gaze. “We’re not lying, Jill. I totally know what it’s like to get screwed over and dropped into a bad situation. Our world leaders did that by selling me to aliens. We’re totally on the level. Just help out where you can around the ship and that’s all that will ever be asked of you. I swear. We all work as a team.”

  “We’re just like a family.” Nara looked and sounded completely sincere. “A tight one. We all care about each other.”

  Jill finally relaxed slightly, blinking back grateful tears. “What about Cavas? Do I have to worry about him? You said he’s not married.”

  “He’s an honorable Tryleskian,” Nara explained. “They don’t believe in forcing women into anything. Most of their race are good guys. They’d kill a male for hurting a woman in any way. Rape is a death offense on their planet. Of course, there’s always some bad mixed in with the good. Cavas isn’t normally a part of our crew. Do you want to know why he’s here?”

  Jill nodded.

  “Cathian, Cavas, and Crath are triplets, but not identical. Tryleskians have multiple babies at once. Their father, Beltsen, is a major asshole. He’s not honorable.”

  “Understatement. He’s a rich, powerful politician type. Earth style.” Sara made a dirty face. “You know what I’m saying. You can’t trust him as far as you can throw him. He’s as corrupt as they come.”

  “We have some blackmail material to keep Beltsen Vellar from trying to take this ship from us.” Nara hesitated. “Let’s just say we don’t follow the orders he gives because he’s a total douchebag. Cathian is their world’s ambassador. This ship goes with the job. The Vorge is our home. We’re not losing it just because we won’t break laws when he orders us to. Anyway…Beltsen asked Cavas to come after us to get the evidence we have. When he refused, their asshole father had Crath kidnapped, and he’s being held on the planet you were just rescued from. Beltsen is basically holding his own son’s life over this crew to get that evidence.”

  Sara cradled her rounded belly. “We have zero expectations that Beltsen won’t kill one of his own sons to get what he wants. We need to find Crath. Cathian has already reached out to all the other siblings to let them know what’s going on and warned them not to trust their father, so more of them aren’t used against us.”

  Nara nodded. “They’re pissed at their father. It insults them all that he’d do something this shitty. It’s dishonorable, and even shocking. You’re supposed to love your kids. Not have one kidnapped to try to force your other son into doing bad shit. The siblings know we’re searching for Crath to save him. That’s how you were found. Cavas and Dovis were searching for Crath in those cells, but found you instead. They weren’t going to leave you down there. You’re a human who needed help. It’s what we do.”

  The alien man with blue eyes who’d helped her escape flashed through Jill’s mind. “I think I saw him. The brother.”

  Nara met her gaze. “Cavas told us. Both of you were recaptured before Crath could get you to his shuttle. He would have brought you to us if you’d managed to get off the planet. We’ll find him, though, and when we do, then we’ll deal with Beltsen Vellar. Otherwise known as worst father ever and a major asshole. This shit has got to stop. He keeps screwing with us. This time he’s gone too far.”

  Sara leaned in, adding, “The other siblings are working on removing him from power on their planet. We have to find Crath, though, before they can really go after him. Beltsen will order Crath killed in retaliation for sure. Once Beltsen is kicked off his throne, as they say, one of the brothers in the next litter will take his seat. We’ll no longer be given orders, and we won’t have to worry about losing our home.” She tapped the table with her finger. “This ship.”

  “Litter?” Jill frowned. “Is that what you said?”

  “Tryleskians have litters. Multiple births with each pregnancy.” Sara patted her stomach. “I’m gla