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while the other maintained its brutal hold on the cable. “Still,” he wheezed, water welling in his eyes.
    Her head lifted and she stared at him, their faces inches apart. “You’re hurt.”
    Arak smiled grimly. Hurt was a mild word for the storm that held siege on his body. “I’ll be fine.”
    They reached the transport in seconds and the doors slid open. His fist transferred his grip to the runner as he swung his legs in a rocking motion and managed to get both of them inside without letting her go. Hands immediately grasped him at the shoulders and pulled the both of them through. Pushing back the pain, Arak made quick work of undoing the belts and safety clasps keeping them together. He stood with a grimace and helped move Sylvie away from the entrance.
    The automatic winch whined behind him and Kyele’s head appeared followed by the woman in his arms as he leaped with familiar agility into the shuttle and set his cargo on her feet.
    The two women embraced one another as soon as they could reach out. When they parted, Arak directed Sylvie to the row of black leather jump seats bolted to the floor along one wall. Kyele helped Joni so the women sat next to one another. Further down, the Vesuvis huddled together in their seats, eyes taking everything in.
    Arak’s hands fumbled a bit with the buckles, fingers trembling.
    A soft touch brushed back hair made damp from his hood. Arak glanced up and got caught in the web of a steely blue gaze. “Thank you.”
    He could only nod, unable to explain his unusual reaction to her but he continued to be thrown off by the visceral need to nuzzle into her touch as her fingers glided through the strands of his hair before dropping to her lap.
    Arak stood after making sure the safety harness held tight across Sylvie’s chest and made his way to his seat directly across from the women. He slumped back with relief. Sweat dripped from his brow and his body was one mass of quaking muscles and pain. Kyele pushed at the other woman’s hands despite her complaints and did up her harness as well before taking his seat beside Arak. Faruk joined them and dropped into the chair with a grunt, while Jaron argued with the shuttle pilot.
    “What happened out there?” Faruk asked, white-blond hair in spikes as if he’d run his fingers through it.
    Kyele’s nose curled and he answered before Arak could. “There were two of them. You reported they’d left.”
    Faruk paled, blue eyes wide. “Sensors didn’t pick up anything. They left on hover bikes. Jaron and I both saw the Marenians depart.”
    “Then your eyes need checking,” Kyele snapped.
    Arak closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the seat. His wound had moved from burning to throbbing and he had to grit his teeth to keep his cat from taking over and lashing out with pain. The heated conversation drew Jaron’s attention.
    “Faruk’s right. Nothing indicated they’d circled back, let alone set explosives to the place.” The team leader used the overhead rail for balance as he made his way to the back.
    “He was supposed to scout and add cover. Where was he?”
    Kyele’s demand forced Arak’s eyes open. The leader for Team Two flinched. “I checked the back. Laid low once I realized there were Marenians inside. Then the communicators went down and there was no way to warn you.”
    It happened. There were times on missions when everything imploded and there was nothing for it. Nothing anyone could do except shift to a secondary plan and hope your brethren had your back.
    “Did you find the females in the basement?” Jaron asked, shooting an inquisitive glance in their direction once he took a seat on Arak’s other side and fastened his cross-chest harness.
    Kyele’s green eyes darkened as he folded his arms over his chest. “There was nothing in the lower level except death. Those two are from Earth.” He nodded at the females. “Torkel needs to know.”
    Jaron leaned toward Arak and whispered, “We’re