Ren by Starr Huntress

Author:Starr Huntress [Cummings, Nancey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Menura Press

Ren

The emergency pod was not designed for a Mahdfel warrior. Despite being the runt of the clan, Ren needed to hunch his shoulders, or he’d bash his head against the roof. A one-person capsule, the pod did not have much room for a person to make themselves comfortable.

The seat was too narrow. The safety harness was too tight. His tail had no room at all. Environmental controls were locked, and the pod was too cold.

At least he would not have to suffer the conditions for long. Pre-programmed to target the nearest habitable planet or station, the capsule selected Sangrin Station as its destination.

All he could do was wait and replay his mate’s words.

He had lied. His words had been truthful. He regretted sending Emmarae away, even though it had been the logical decision. Logic, experience taught him, had little impact on emotions.

The warlord had been out of control. Remaining in the clan was too dangerous for Emmarae. Ren already had a target on his tail. Add a vulnerable Terran mate to the situation?

No. Reasoning with himself did no good. He had once been furious with Havik for being allowed to keep his Terran mate and then tossing her aside like a spoiled prince—or so Ren erroneously thought. Havik had been as manipulated by the warlord as Ren. The warlord told Havik that his mate had died, and Havik, being a trusting soul, believed his father.

In retrospect, Ren was amazed that Kaos sent Havik’s mate back to Earth. He could have easily killed her, and no one would have questioned it. Such mercy from the warlord was unknown. Perhaps it was lingering sentimentality Kaos held for his son that he allowed the female to flee.

Whatever the reason, Ren did not think the warlord would spare another male’s mate.

He wished he could explain this to Emmarae.

Words. Useless words.

He needed deeds, not words. What had his actions shown her? That he had chosen his clan and his mission before her. Again. That she was, at best, a fortuitous coincidence. But he had not sought her out on Pashaal’s ship. He tried to avoid her because she was a complication to his mission.

Ah. The worst-case scenario.

He would make this right. Somehow.

The pod’s computer chirped, and the lights dimmed.

“I know I repaired the pod,” Ren muttered. Havik would not allow the ship’s emergency pods to be in anything less than top condition with his mate on board. Despite the physical discomfort of the size and the temperature of the pod, it was mechanically sound and more than capable of making a short journey.

Engine failure was impossible.

The pod lurched.

That was not engine failure.

Ren slammed his hand on the control panel. He might not have been able to adjust the pod’s course or environment, but he could check the engine’s readings.

The computer made an angry noise, and the power cut out. Gravity failed. He drifted up, straining against the safety harness.

Another lurch and he understood that the engines had not failed. Another ship intercepted the pod. This was a rescue or a capture.

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