Fear coursed through her, but she would not display weakness in front of anyone. She prayed to whoever listened that the opportunity would arise and she would be able to escape. Buying a ticket off of Kat’aki was so expensive only the wealthiest could afford it.
She had been lucky enough to find a place to sleep that cost her next to nothing, but it was a hole in the wall with animals nearly her size that roamed right outside her door.
None of that matter because it provided a roof over her head and walls on four sides.
Turning toward the cracked mirror that hung haphazardly on the stained wall, she felt deflated at the reflection that stared back at her. Her auburn hair was knotted at the nape of her neck, and a few loose strands fell around her face.
Dirt smudged her cheeks and made her pale blue eyes seem to stand out, but her appearance right now didn’t matter because Maximo would pay to have his employees groomed properly before the warriors came. He would make sure his product was perfect and buyable. The thought made her grimace in disgust.
Taking out the tie that held her hair in a bun, she sighed in relief when the long strands tumbled down her back. She finger combed the layers as best she could and tied the heavy weight atop her head once more.
Her outfit was nothing more than tatters of material, but it didn’t matter on Kat’aki, not when everyone on the wretched planet wore the same thing or nothing at all. The apron tied around her waist was stained, and holes littered the thin material. She was a sight, that was for sure.
She could hear Maximo barking out orders, and her anger rose. Hatred for this planet and everyone on it was a tidal wave of fire inside of her.
If it was the last thing she did, Luna would escape.
ChapterFour
ERAK
Erak stepped off of the space carrier, Genet and Raimi following closely behind. Kat’aki was not their final destination, but they did need to refuel and had been traveling for a week’s time now.
Solid ground, even if it was on this planet, was better than nothing.
“I’ll put the order in to have the craft refueled while we grab something to eat and a few supplies from the merchants.” Raimi stepped up beside Erak, who glanced around the barren, red planet and grimaced.
He did wish he could have stopped at another planet, but this had been the closest one, and priority overruled preference. Although the landing dock was situated in the desert, a thick line of half-dead shrubs was in front of them and towering mountains all around them.
The lights from the rundown town ahead shone dully.
The bright orange sun blazed in the sky, and sweat started to coat his skin. Covering his brow with his hand, Erak stared at the main city of Kat’aki, a playground for common scum, whores, and anyone who wanted a little illicit activity, and now, currently, the Asek brothers.
Back in the day, they had come here for a little fun, but that had been ages ago, when they were adolescent warriors. They hadn’t come back since, and he remembered why now. The stench of desperation and need hung thick in the air.
He didn’t doubt their arrival had caused a flurry of action because they most definitely thought royals would spend a hefty amount of currency.
“Let’s just get what we need and get out of here. I still don’t like this place.” His brothers murmured in agreement, which he thought somewhat surprising. They really were taking this “finding their mate” seriously.
It made him proud.
The landing dock was filled with spacecrafts. Beings from all over the galaxy docked their ships and made their way into the main city. Creatures from Atheta, Linnea, and even the primate-like giants of the Primativa planet all made their way toward the city.
Erak knew Kat’aki was known as one of the lowest and dirtiest planets in the Ban’tash galaxy, but it was also known as a party planet, a place where one could do what they wanted when they wanted.
Despite the appeal that knowledge held, the planet itself was a wasteland.
“I hope the city has improved from the last time we came here.” Erak stood back and watched Genet and Raimi step off the loading dock.
Various other beings milled around. Some cast menacing glances at him, stupid creatures that didn’t know the kind of warriors the Aktulla males were, while others kept their distance because they were smart enough to realize that Erak and his brothers could kill them with one, expert move.
Most of the creatures appeared human, but Erak knew better. While the Aktulla were similar in appearance to humans, they were anything but and a far superior species.
Erak grabbed his pack and followed his brothers, hoping this wasn’t going to be an experience he would regret but knowing that was probably a guarantee.
ChapterFive
LUNA