The limper looked up at the
vent as if he heard the intake of breath. His bluish-purple gaze met hers, and
Cassidy’s heart nearly stopped.
A slow grin spread over his
face. “There you are,” he said in English.
He jumped at the vent. Whatever
made him limp was no obstacle to his leaping prowess. Cassidy emitted a little
scream and scrambled backwards as the Kalquorian yanked off the vent cover in a
screech of metal.
She crawled frantically for
the main shaft, hearing a growling chuckle behind her as the Kalquorian entered
the vent. Her head scarf caught on the overhang of the smaller conduit as she
clambered into it. The scarf tugged free, but Cassidy paid it no mind. Only
escape mattered, and she scrambled down the tight confines as fast as her hands
and knees could carry her.
Not hearing pursuit, she
paused to dart a glance over her shoulder. The Kalquorian stared at her from
the wider shaft several feet behind. Too large to follow her any further, he
could only watch as she fled.
In the dim light, she saw the
glint of his teeth as he smiled at her. He seemed amused rather than angry that
she’d slipped out of his clutches. He held her head scarf in his fist and
raised it to his nose. Cassidy heard him inhale.
“Aren’t you a clever girl? That’s
twice you’ve eluded us. I congratulate you on your resourcefulness, pet. Enjoy
the freedom while you can, because I will have you, my little Matara. You may
be sure of that.”
Cassidy was startled to hear
him speak her language with only the barest slurring accent. His voice was low
and thick, almost an animal’s growl. She licked her lips as the full import of
what he’d said struck her. I will have
you. Spoken with assurance, and as if he was making her a promise.
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