Chapter 38

Collective clicks invaded Relda and her crew's space.

"Should I kill them?" A voice cracked.

He spoke from a place just under Relda's shoulder.

"No, son," his comrade said. "Wait a moment."

Another shock induced a scream. Tears gushed from Kylen's eyes.

"Please! Stop!" She begged.

"Kylen," Annika cried.

She propped her forehead against the wall.

"You don't know her," Shilah pointed out.

"She's coming home with me," Annika said. "I can tell I'm supposed to adopt her."

"Treatment of subject complete," a femine, cheerful recording echoed overhead.

A Dialorian let himself in through a back door, entered a code on a pad, and the electric bolts darkened. He released a moaning, limp Kylen from the straps. The medic grabbed her by the shoulders and slammed her against the aluminum flooring.

"Where are they taking her?" Annika demanded.