Planet Athion: The Complete Series by Angel Lawson

29

Dimka

Kai madethe call and there’s nothing we can do now but prepare and wait. Our superiors have given us permission to focus on Mercy’s recovery—all the equipment, spacecraft, and supplies that we need. We’d be gone if we had a location, but we don’t, and won’t, because that auction ship is like searching for a black hole.

Needing some air and distance, I walk down by the lake where Mercy and I had shared a quiet moment. I recall her smile. Her scent. The gentle way she’d held my hand. She’d been the first woman I’d ever bonded with.

The first to make me feel like a man.

I stare at the fountain, water trickling down into the pool, and fight the ache that consumes me.

I know my brothers worry about me. I’ve mostly fallen silent since Mercy was taken, the ball of fear growing in my stomach with every passing moment. The thought of her in his clutches—in his grip—makes me nauseous. I’ve had my own fears about the Master finding me again. It never crossed my mind to worry about Mercy’s fate. Not with the three of us watching.

Kane.

The thought of the Tradrych being right under my nose makes me livid. He’d taken his time, flaunting his charismatic personality and handsome face. No wonder Mercy had been taken with him. She was the perfect prey in the perfect environment. We’d failed her.

I’d never been on the ship myself but knew about it from the pits. Being sold is bad enough. Being rejected is worse. Men head to the mines, the fighting pits, or worse. The women? They’re slaves in the truest sense: body, mind, and soul.

My data pad buzzes on my wrist.

Kai: Where are you?

Dimka: Getting some air.

Kai: Well, get back to the office.

Dimka: You have news?

Kai: Yep. Come back. In person.

I sign off—knowing that none of this can be discussed online or anywhere someone could hear. The measures we’re taking to get her back aren’t exactly on the books. Our contact’s deep undercover. We’re risking everything to get her back.

Even lives.

But she’s worth it. We all know it.

And we’ll do whatever it takes.