Page 11 of Star-Crossed Captive
She watched, her breath caught in her throat, as a red light passed over the men one after the other. Then they were escorted through doors on the other side, disappearing from view.
It was her turn. Mace moved her between two columns of red lights. They pulsed over her body, then turned off. A sexless, disembodied voice announced, “Positive on a necklace.”
Her chest tightened, her bound hands flying to her sternum.My locket.She needed it if she was to be rescued.
A man in gray coat, a matching satchel over his shoulder, came toward her, his face a mask of grim determination under his white-blond hair. Panic clawed through her.
“No.” She pressed her bound hands against her breastbone, protecting the locket her mother had given her.
“If you don’t cede it willingly, we’ll take it by force,” the man said, features pinched as he jerked his head to the warriors near the entrance.
Mace stepped in front of her. “That won’t be necessary.” His naked back blocked her view. The air around them crackled. She held her breath, uncertain of what would happen if the warriors challenged him. Then, finally, Mace turned toward her.
His brow was furrowed, but his eyes were soft. “It needs to be scanned. If it checks out, it will be returned.”
But would they find something? Or was it scan-proof like her mother had insisted? She kept her hands where they were.
“I promise,izar.”
Promise.What was the word of a Tellusian? The two warriors behind him shifted their positions until they were on either side of her. Mace tossed them each a scowl. They hesitated, then stepped back.
Swallowing, Nia lowered her hands. He moved behind her and she closed her eyes. The hair at her nape stirred, his fingers handling the clasp. The chain skimmed against the bare skin of her throat.
When she opened her eyes, the blond man placed her necklace in what looked like a reclamation chamber inset in the bulkhead. Her heart lurched.
“It will be fine,” Mace asserted from behind her.
She shook her head, doubting his words. Already she missed its weight and pressed her bound hands to her sternum. The red light of the scanner pulsed over her body once more.
“Negative,” came the same monotone voice from overhead. “Please proceed.”
Mace’s hand settled on her shoulder.
“Commander,” the blond man stopped before them. “Would you like to see someone from medical before we carry on?”
“I’m fine,” Mace replied.
“He needs a blood transfusion and hydration,” Nia contradicted.
His fingers twitched. “I can deal with it later.”
The man lifted a brow looking between the two of them. “Very well. And your vambrace?”
Mace hesitated, then said, “Lost.”
“I’ll order you a new one.” Turning, he cast a glance over his shoulder. “This way.” He opened the door, revealing a long corridor.
Her feet wouldn’t move.
“This needs to happen,” Mace said, his voice rumbling through her. “I don’t want to force you, but I will if I have to.”
Chapter five
Mace’stoneroseherhackles. Shaking off his hand, Nia lifted her chin and strode forward. The bulkheads of the narrow corridor closed in on her. Panic renewing, she stepped backward and—smacked into Mace. The door swished closed behind them.
Her heart rate accelerated. Terminals and panels ran the length ahead of her. A low hum echoed emanated from behind the bulkheads, accompanied by an occasional click. How many people watched this process? Were weapons pointed at her?
The blond man turned with a long metal rod in his hand. She stiffened, ready to bolt, when Mace’s hand settled on her shoulder, holding her still.
