Chapter 17

THE HOLDING bay reeked of sweat, fear, and despair. Winn huddled on the cold, metallic floor with the other women, her body aching, her spirit battered. The air was thick with the harsh scent of oil and sweat, the dim lighting casting flickering shadows across thebay.

The low hum of the ship’s engines reverberated through the floor, mingling with the distant clanging of tools and the occasional barked order from a Marauder. Every sound felt like a harbinger of doom, pressing down on Winn and the other women like a suffocating weight.

The Marauders had herded them, adozen terrified Earth women, into a corner of the bay, while awaiting their ultimate fate. Beyond the crude barricades, asmall group of buyers—aliens—stood in clusters, their expensive attire clashing with the grim surroundings. Their low murmurs and occasional bursts of laughter cut through the tension, acruel reminder that for them, this was a pleasurable business transaction.

At least the women were no longer in a cage, though it didn’t do any of them much good when faced with the heavily armed Marauders.

Just hours ago, she had been tight in Jo’Nay’s embrace, their whispered words a fragile comfort amidst chaos. Now, she was ripped from his arms, her future uncertain, her fate hanging by a thread. She glanced around at the other women, their faces pale and drawn, their eyes mirroring her own fear. Elara, her newfound friend, sat beside her, her shoulders slumped, her gaze fixed on the floor. Winn reached out, her hand finding Elara’s, their fingers intertwining in a silent pact of solidarity.

“We have to get out of here,” Winn whispered, her voice barely audible above the murmuring of the other women. “Before they transport us.”

Elara nodded, her eyes meeting Winn’s, aflicker of defiance burning in their depths. She shoved her glasses higher on her nose. “Or sell us. But how? We’re trapped. They’re armed. We don’t stand a chance.”

“There’s always a chance,” Winn insisted, her voice firm, though her heart trembled.

She thought of Jo’Nay, of his unyielding strength and his promises to protect her. If the apple seeds he’d eaten healed him and he regained enough energy to escape his cell, they could get out of here. She had to believe that. She could only hope what she’d given him was sufficient and would kick insoon.

“They’re auctioning us off,” one of the women whispered, her voice trembling. “The buyers are here. Rich buyers. From all over the galaxy.”

Winn’s gaze shifted to the group again. Their faces, lit with a mix of boredom and anticipation, made her stomach churn. She had overheard one of them earlier, discussing the “value” of Earth women as though they were commodities to be appraised andsold.

A cold dread seeped into Winn’s bones. The slave markets. Afate worse than death. The Marauders had taken delight in sharing stories of women sold to the highest bidder, their bodies treated as commodities, their spirits broken, their lives extinguished.

She had to get to Jo’Nay. He was their onlyhope.

She glanced around the holding bay, searching for a way out, an opportunity. The Marauders, their attention focused on catering to the buyers, weren’t paying much attention to anything else, probably assuming the women were sufficiently cowed to not cause trouble.

Winn nudged Elara, her gaze fixed on a group of Marauders lounging nearby, their weapons slung carelessly over their shoulders. Her eyes locked on Skarrp, the hulking brute polishing Jo’Nay’s sword. Awave of revulsion and anger churned within her as she watched the Marauder’s clawed fingers slide over the blade.

That weapon, asymbol of Jo’Nay’s strength and protection, now mocked them in Skarrp’s hands. The gleam of its Vettian design seemed to taunt her, acruel reminder of how far they’d fallen and how much they stood tolose.

“Of course Skarrp would have Jo’Nay’s sword,” Winn whispered in disgust. “Somehow we have to get it away from him.”

Elara’s eyes widened. “Are you crazy? They’ll kill us!”

“We have to try,” Winn insisted, her gaze unwavering. “Without that sword, Jo’Nay is powerless. With it, he might stand a chance. He might be able to save us.”

Before she could formulate a plan, the heavy bay doors opened with a hiss. Agroup of Marauders entered, dragging Jo’Nay between them. His movements were weak and staggering, each step betraying immense pain. Blood streaked his tunic and power manacles locked his arms behindhim.

Laughing at Jo’Nay’s weakness, the Marauders kicked his legs out from under him, forcing him to his knees. With a groan, he straightened, his gaze flashing in Winn’s direction.

And then to her disbelief, he winked.

Skarrp’s single blood-red eye gleamed with satisfaction, the sinister glow accentuated by the jagged scar running diagonally across his face. His hulking frame radiated menace as he loomed over Jo’Nay, every movement deliberate, apredator savoring his dominance. The gleam in his eye was not just satisfaction—it was the cruel delight of a man who thrived onfear.

“What a prize,” Skarrp crowed and gestured to the women. “Behold, females, the infamous Intergalactic Warrior, Jo’Nay,” he announced loudly, his voice carrying to the buyers near a stage centered in the holding bay. Aripple of interest stirred among them, and one of the wealthier-looking bidders stepped forward, inspecting Jo’Nay with a greedy glint in his eyes. “This warrior will fetch a fine price alongside all of you humans.”

Winn’s breath caught. Seeing him there, battered but alive, sent a surge of both relief and fury through her. Relief, because despite everything, he was still alive. Fury, because his presence here—bound, bloodied, and humiliated—was a stark reminder of their captors’ cruelty. She could only hope his wink meant the apples had worked.

Her heart ached to reach out to him, to offer comfort. She started to rise, but Elara grabbed her arm and yanked her backdown.

“Don’t,” she hissed. “There’s nothing you can do and you don’t want to attract attention.”

Skarrp sauntered closer to Jo’Nay, his single eye gleaming with malicious amusement, one clawed hand caressing the hilt of the Vettian sword hooked to his belt. He gestured toward Winn with his other hand, his voice a venomous growl. “You’re coming with me, human. Time for a little chat.”

Before Winn could react two of Skarrp’s men, their movements swift and brutal, grabbed her, dragging her from the group of women. She struggled against their grip, but their hold was too strong.

“Let go!” she cried out, fighting them every inch of the way. “I have nothing to say.”

Skarrp, sensing Jo’Nay’s fury, laughed, aharsh, grating sound that sent shivers down Winn’s spine. He shoved Winn forward, his hand gripping her arm, the gleaming Vettian sword pressed against her throat.

“Tell me, Vettian,” he drawled. “Do you think your comrades will come for you? Are they that loyal? Or have they abandoned you to your fate?”

Jo’Nay’s gaze burned with defiance. “You know nothing of loyalty, Skarrp.”

Skarrp chuckled, his laughter grating. “Oh, Iknow plenty. And I know a warrior like you is worth more alive than dead. But if you refuse to cooperate, Imight change my mind.”

He turned to Winn, his gaze predatory. “And this one. She’s special to you, isn’t she? Ican see it in the way you look at her. Tell me what I want to know, and I might let her live.”

Winn’s heart pounded, but she met Skarrp’s gaze with unflinching defiance. “You won’t get anything from him,” she said, her voice steady. “And you’ll regret underestimating him.”

Skarrp’s smile twisted into a snarl. He grabbed Winn’s arm and yanked her in front of him. Jo’Nay surged forward, but the bindings and the Marauders’ weapons held himback.

“Let her go, Skarrp,” Jo’Nay growled, his voice low and dangerous. “Or I will make you regret it.”

Skarrp smiled, acruel, mocking expression that twisted his scarred face. “I don’t think so, Vettian,” he said, his voice a silken whisper. “I think you’re in no position to make demands.”

He tightened his grip on Winn, the sword digging into her skin. “Now, be a good little warrior and tell me what I want to know. Or she suffers the consequences.”

Winn closed her eyes, her body trembling, the cold metal of the sword sending shivers down her spine. She had never felt so helpless and vulnerable, so utterly terrified.

“Where is your unit, Jo’Nay?”

“I have no idea. We went our separate ways in preparation for our Final Flight.”

A low growl rumbled deep in Skarrp’s throat. “I might consider that a possibility if you were showing any signs of your Final Flight. But you are not. Your hair and eyes are those of a full-fledged warrior. Explain that, if you can.”

“The physical change isn’t the only sign of an impending Final Flight. I’ve been experiencing heat flashes. That’s why I left my unit.”

“If you were truly facing your Final Flight, then how are you able to recover from wounds that would kill any other creature?” Skarrp pressed, his voice a menacing purr. “Tell me, and I’ll let her go. Lie to me, and she dies.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he insisted defiantly.

It was a gamble, Winn sensed. Adesperate attempt to buy time and find a way out of their impossible situation.

Skarrp’s eye narrowed, his grip on Winn tightening. “Don’t play games with me, Vettian,” he bit out, aharsh warning underscoring his words. “Your recovery is nothing short of miraculous. How is it happening?”

“I do not—”

“Enough! Iwill get the information out of you one way or another.” He tapped the gauntlet he wore. Arow of buttons blinked ominously. “And I have an alternate plan should things not go my way.”

He leaned closer to Winn, the sword pressing harder against her skin, drawing a thin line of blood. “You’re a beautiful creature, human,” he murmured, his voice a sickening caress. “It would be a shame to waste such… potential.”

Winn’s mind raced. She had to think of something, anything, to defuse the situation. “The buyers,” she said quickly. “They’ll pay more if we’re unharmed. If he’s unharmed. You know that.”

Skarrp hesitated, his greed momentarily overriding his cruelty. With a growl, he shoved Winn back toward the women. She stumbled but stayed on her feet, her gaze locking with Jo’Nay’s, steadfast and reassuring. “Don’t tell,” she mouthed.

Jo’Nay’s expression softened, just for a moment, before his focus returned to Skarrp. “You’re a coward,” he said, his voice rising. “You hide behind hostages and your men. Face me like a warrior.”

The challenge hung in the air, and for a moment, the holding bay fell silent. The Marauders exchanged uneasy glances, their confidence shaken by Jo’Nay’s unyielding presence.

“Very well,” Skarrp said, his voice dripping with malice. “But only after I’ve taken what I need from you. Guards, take him to the platform. The buyers will want a closer look.”

As Jo’Nay was dragged toward the auction stage at the far end of the bay, Winn’s mind raced. She had to act soon. Their time was running out, and the odds were against them. But she had seen Jo’Nay fight, seen the fire that burned within him. Together, they would find away.

They had to.