Hope for the Alien Warrior (Treasured By the Alien #12)

Chapter 8

CHAPTER EIGHT

L uxor carefully guided the small flyer through Triguera’s thick atmosphere. The false identification code he’d programmed blinked steadily on his console—a cheap forgery that would fool no one who actually checked. But no one on Triguera would check, which was one of the reasons it was such a popular port for those who wished to avoid notice.

The red dust of the desert world swirled past the viewscreen, coating the ship as it would coat everything and everyone who landed there. The port sprawled below, a maze of landing pads and rickety structures that housed everything from spare parts to flesh trades. It was not a safe place, and he frowned as he thought of his passengers. If he’d had any other alternative, he wouldn’t have brought them here, but recovering his ship was for their safety as well as their comfort.

“I didn’t expect it to be so big,” Felicity said from the co-pilot seat, Nina dozing in her lap. “So many ships.”

And so many people who might harm her. His tail lashed anxiously at the thought, but he swore to Granthar that he would protect them.

“Most of them are not worth the metal they are made from, although a lot of credits flow through this place in one way or another.”

Most of them created by dubious transactions. He fought back another wave of guilt and adjusted their trajectory, aiming for the far corner of a smaller landing field where shadows still clung despite the rising sun. The landing struts groaned as they touched down between two derelict freighters. Their hulking forms would help conceal the smaller vessel, but they couldn’t stay here long. With any luck, they wouldn’t have to.

He powered down the engines, scanning the immediate area for any signs of movement but all was quiet. He’d judged the timing correctly. At this hour of the morning, many of the occupants of the port would still be sleeping off the excesses of the night before. It wasn’t safe—it was never safe on Triguera—but it was the best he could do.

“My ship is on a private field a few miles from here. I need to verify that it is still there and safe before we transfer over to it.”

Her eyes widened.

“You mean it might not be? You didn’t mention that possibility before.”

“It is a very small possibility, but I have learned to be prepared. I will not take chances with your safety. With the safety of any of you.”

A flicker of movement from the landing field caught his eye and he tensed before he realized it was only a port worker. Fuck. There were too many eyes here, too many things that could go wrong. When he was by himself he simply accepted it as part of the cost of doing business, but now? His nerves were on edge, his instincts screaming at him to get Felicity and the others off the planet as soon as possible.

He rose and automatically checked his knife, along with the other weapons that had been hidden in the cargo hold. Several of them were more decorative than he would have preferred but it was better than going unarmed. She shook her head as she inspected his fully equipped weapons harness.

“Do you know how to use all of those?”

“Of course.”

“You look very intimidating.”

“Good. It is those who appear weak who are preyed upon.” He hesitated, then cupped the soft skin of her cheek. “You are not intimidated by me, are you?”

“Of course not. I know you would never hurt me.”

His tail pulled her closer and he bent his head to kiss her, but then Nina blinked awake. As much as he wanted to kiss his female, how could he regret the interruption when the little girl smiled up at him and held out her arms.

“Up.”

Another word. Felicity gave him a watery smile as he took Nina, carefully cradling her against one of the few areas on his chest that was not covered in weapons.

“Good morning, little one.”

He waited hopefully for a response but she only wrapped her tiny arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. Patience , he reminded himself. She would speak when she was ready. He carried her back into the main cabin, Felicity tucked under his arm. Carla was already awake and she gave him an anxious look as she took in the display of weapons.

“I know I agreed we should do this, but are you sure it’s safe?”

“I am familiar with this place. I will not take any unnecessary risks.”

She didn’t look entirely convinced by his response, but she nodded and took Nina from him. The little girl’s mouth trembled and he had to force himself not to snatch her back. His tail gave her a gentle pat before he hurried to the airlock, Felicity still at his side.

“Stay inside,” he ordered. “Lock down after I leave.”

“Is there anything I can do to help?—”

“The predators here walk on two legs and carry weapons. They’d sell you and Nina before you could blink.”

She bit her lip and nodded.

“Please be careful.”

“I will.”

Unable to resist, he pulled her closer and brushed a far too quick kiss against her soft little mouth. Then he forced his tail to release her and slipped out into the dusty morning air. As soon as he heard the locks engaged, he strode away, his boots silent on the cracked permacrete. The familiar stench of fuel, unwashed bodies, and fried foods wafted from the sprawling market beyond the landing field.

A group of Sassid merchants shuffled past, their crystalline bodies catching the light. He kept to the shadows of the derelict ships, avoiding the main thoroughfare. His size made him conspicuous enough without drawing extra attention.

The market was already starting to come to life. Merchants spread their wares beneath dusty striped fabric awnings as customers began to drift through the narrow aisles. A few of the merchants called out to him, promising bargains and wonders, but he ignored them all. A small figure rushed by, trailing a portable grill which emitted the tantalizing scent of grilled meat and his stomach rumbled, but he ignored that as well.

The sooner they were away from this place the better, even though he knew Nina would have loved the prismatic butterflies fluttering in their cages, their wings worth more than most ships. Felicity would have been equally fascinated by the herb-sellers with their rows of healing plants from across the galaxy. Perhaps someday he could take them to another market…

His stomach clenched. Would there be another day? Or would he lose them both as soon as Felicity found her friend?

Forcing himself to focus on the present, he ducked between two food stalls as a patrol of port security passed. Their uniforms were clean, which meant they were on someone’s payroll. Best to avoid finding out whose.

He followed the familiar route to his landing field through the winding stalls, keeping a brisk business-like pace. The sooner they left Triguera, the better.

He relaxed a fraction when he spotted the familiar silhouette of his ship through the razor metal fence. The sturdy vessel sat untouched in its berth, exactly as he’d left it. He’d paid the dockmaster enough credits to keep it there for three months, but money didn’t always guarantee security on Triguera.

Using the retinal scan to open the security gate was a minor risk, but he didn’t think anyone was that desperate to find him. He circled the perimeter of his ship, checking for any signs of tampering with the hull, but there was nothing. No boot prints in the dust. No security feeds aimed in its direction. The neighboring berths held only a rusty hauler and an ancient shuttle—perfect cover for their transfer.

An empty berth two spaces down would be the ideal spot to land the flyer. Close enough to his ship to move quickly, but far enough to avoid attention. The route between them offered plenty of shadow and cover.

He pressed his palm against his ship’s scanner. The lock clicked open, confirming no one had tampered with the security protocols. The familiar smell of recycled air, spices, and metal welcomed him aboard and he breathed a sigh of relief. His ship was the closest thing he had to a home. But as he moved through the empty spaces, confirming that no one had been on board, it felt strangely empty. He’d grown used to the cramped quarters of the flyer, to the constant presence of Felicity’s sweet scent and Nina’s giggles.

He was a solitary being. He did not need company. Yet the idea of returning to his life of trade and travel felt lonely and empty. I have not lost them yet , he reminded himself as he ran a quick systems check. Power levels normal. Engine core stable. No tracking devices or bugs. He allowed himself a small nod of satisfaction before sealing the ship once more.

The activity in the market had increased and it took him longer to make his way back to the flyer, despite his increasing anxiety. The sooner they made the transfer, the better. He’d seen two separate slave traders prowling the market, and the thought of them getting anywhere near Felicity or Nina made his tail lash angrily.

He was almost back to the flyer when a familiar voice drifted through the dusty air. Fuck . He raced around the corner of a storage container and saw Felicity, her hands moving with practiced efficiency over the bloody leg of a Turian trader. The male’s grey scales had paled from blood loss, his mandibles twitching with each touch.

His relief that she was unharmed only added to his anger.

“What are you doing out here?” he snapped. “I told you to stay on the ship.”

“I’m almost finished.” She didn’t even look up as she tied off a makeshift bandage. “He collapsed against our hull. He has a compound fracture, but I managed to set it.”

“This is not a medical facility. You are exposing yourself, exposing Nina-”

“I’m doing my duty.” She met his gaze, those blue eyes steady and unflinching. “He would have bled out.”

The Turian groaned something that might have been thanks, and some of his anger faded. As much as he hated the fact that she’d exposed herself to danger, he understood the need to help someone who was injured. Of course she’d risk herself to help others.

“And the others?” His voice came out rougher than he intended.

“The children are safe with Carla. I made sure of that before coming out.” She wiped her hands on a cloth and smiled up at him. “I’m a doctor, Luxor. I can’t just ignore someone bleeding to death outside our door.”

He nodded, but his tail began to twitch as she bent back over her patient. He shifted his weight, scanning the dusty alleyways between the storage containers with growing unease. Every moment they were exposed added to the risk.

He also didn’t like the way the Turian was watching them, his mandibles clicking in a way that set his instincts on edge.

“We need to go. Now.”

He reached for Felicity’s arm, but she yanked it away.

“I’m not leaving until I’m sure the bleeding’s stopped.” She shot him a fierce look that made his chest tighten. “Two more minutes.”

He nodded abruptly, forcing himself to wait patiently despite the unease prickling his spine.

“There.” She finally sat back on her heels and smiled at the Turian. “That should hold until you can reach proper medical care.”

Before she could say anything else, he wrapped his tail around her waist and pulled her to her feet.

“Time to go.”

“But—”

“No.” He guided her firmly away from the wounded male, keeping his body between them. The Turian’s eyes followed them, far too alert for someone who’d supposedly been near death minutes ago. “We have children waiting. Remember?”

She bit her lip, then nodded.

“Thank you,” the male called after them, but he was already leading her back towards the flyer.

“You’re being paranoid,” she protested.

“I am being careful,” he growled as he thumbed open the hatch. “That Turian was more interested in us than his own injury.”

“Please don’t lecture me. I get it. But I had to try and help him.”

He could hear the weariness in her voice and he sighed, giving her an apologetic hug with his tail as they entered the flyer. There was no time for more. His instincts were screaming at him to move.

“Fasten your harnesses,” he ordered as he hurried to the controls.

The engines thrummed to life immediately, and after a quick check to make sure everyone was secure, he lifted the flyer off the ground. He banked the ship in a wide arc, taking them on a winding path that would hopefully confuse any watching eyes.

He made several more evasive maneuvers before the empty berth appeared ahead, tucked between two larger vessels. Perfect cover. He eased the flyer down, transmitting the forged credentials he’d prepared. The automated system accepted them without question—typical Trigueran efficiency.

The landing struts touched down with a soft thud, and he powered down the engines.

“We need to move quickly,” he told the others. “My ship is three berths over. Stay close to me and keep quiet.”

Carla nodded, her face pale. She already had Bobby’s hand in hers. Felicity scooped up Nina, who gave him a wide-eyed look. He reached out to stroke her hair, trying to reassure her. He could feel the tension in the small body and he wanted to tell her everything was going to be fine. But he couldn’t—wouldn’t—lie to her. Not even to make her feel better. If anything happened…

“Stay close,” he repeated, and opened the hatch.