But she couldn’t think of anything to do or say—her mind was a blank as Commander Rarev took her gently by the arm and drew her a little way from the cell.
“Guards, be ready,” he commanded and the two Monstrum guarding the cell got into defensive postures. Both of them drew their weapons, which looked like long, extendable sticks with needles on the end. Presumably, they would poke Roarn to inject the tranquilizer and then drag him out of the cage and put him in a shuttle bound for the prison planet.
I can’t let that happen—I can’t! Christine thought.
But how could she stop it? She was powerless here—just an unarmed woman who had failed in her mission to bring back the male she loved.
No, I can’t think like that—I can’t! she told herself. The Kindred Goddess herself told me I would have a chance to save him.
But maybe she’d had her chance and it hadn’t worked. After all, Roarn didn’t seem to recognize her at all. Why didn’t he know her?
Christine looked down at the lovely red wrap dress and the black heels she was wearing and suddenly Dr. Liv’s voice echoed in her mind—“You look like a whole different woman!” she’d said after Christine had put the new clothes on.
Suddenly, she knew why Roarn didn’t recognize her.
“I need another chance,” she told Emilia urgently. “I know what went wrong now—I know why he doesn’t recognize me!”
The other woman shook her head sympathetically.
“I’m so sorry, my dear, but it didn’t seem like he knew you,” she said gently.
“Of course he didn’t—because I don’t look like myself at all,” Christine told her. “Just look at what I’m wearing! I never wore these kinds of clothes when we were together. I was always in either scrubs from work or jeans and a sweater!”
Even her hair was different—was it any wonder the big Monstrum couldn’t recognize her while he was in the grip of the Fury?
“Please,” she begged again. “I just need one more chance!”
“I’m afraid we’re all out of time. Look at the lock.”
Emilia pointed to the holding cell and Christine saw that there was a cube about as big as an orange fixed to the top corner of the door. Up until now, the cube had been glowing a steady dull red. Now, however, it was slowly turning yellow.
“Pay attention!” Commander Rarev barked at the guards. “The moment the Time Lock turns green and the door unseals, I want him tranquilized. We’re not risking another death.”
“Yes, Chief Commander!” they growled in unison.
Every eye was on the Time Lock cube, which was slowly turning from yellow to a very pale green…
“Hey, hello! Here I am! Sorry I’m late!” a voice called from behind them.
Everyone—even the guards—turned to look and Christine saw Commander Baird jogging towards them, an apologetic look on his face.
“Did I miss it?” he asked, panting a little. “Sorry, the carpet-wole I rode on had been overfed so the bastard had no motivation to go anywhere. Took it fuckin’ half an hour just to get up the hill above the Sacred Grove.”
“You didn’t miss anything,” Rarev told him. “Though you are very nearly late. The Time Lock is just now opening.”
They all turned back towards the door, which had begun to slide open…only to see it snick shut again. And the Time Lock—which had been glowing a steady green—was now bright red once more.
Rarev frowned.
“What just happened? Did the Time Lock reset itself?”
“And where is Christine?” Emilia asked, looking around. “She was just here beside me a moment ago.”
“Never mind that—where’s the prisoner?” the first guard asked.
“Still in the holding cell, so don’t worry.” The other guard sounded relieved as he pointed to Roarn’s orange and black striped hide.
But then Emilia gasped.
“Oh God—oh no!”
“What?” Baird demanded.
“What is it?” Rarev asked at the same time.
Emilia pointed a shaking finger at the closed and sealed holding cell where a flash of red fabric could be seen, crouching behind one of the larger plants.
“In there—Christine’s in there!” she exclaimed in a trembling voice. “She’s trapped with him—with Roarn!”
“Goddess preserve us, he’ll tear her apart,” Rarev growled.
“Get her—get her out!” Emilia demanded.
But the Monstrum commander shook his head.
“No one can open a Time Lock before its preset time. I am afraid that your friend will have to find some way to survive for the next solar week in the holding cell with Roarn.”
“But she can’t!” Emilia exclaimed. “You said it yourself, Rarev—he’ll tear her apart!”
Rarev shook his head gravely.
“I am sorry, my l’eeja, but there is nothing I can do—Christine is in the Goddess’s hands now.”
FORTY-FIVE
Christine stood slowly and straightened her dress. She was aware of the anxious faces outside the holding cell, but she didn’t spare a thought for them—right now she had to focus on Roarn.
She had seen her chance when everyone was looking around at Commander Baird. The Time Lock had been green and the door was just beginning to open.