He ended the transmission and we all stared at each other. It' wasn't like we had a lot of options. We could have fought, but it was likely that we'd die. Even if we gave ourselves up, the Athions could've killed us later if we became too dangerous to their reputation. I scoffed at the thought. Since when was pride more important than a life, Athion, human or Trad?
"Let's put it to a vote," Raf finally said, his mouth a grim line. "The options are fighting or taking the pods. We can try if one of us can squeeze in with Wren. If not, we need to draw lots."
"I'll stay," Kili interrupted. "It has to be me."
"No, Kili, you can't-" Kion tried, but his friend brushed him off.
"I almost killed Wren. Planned to kill the Trads. I have the most on my conscience. I'll distract them, hold them off. Give you time to make it off the asteroid and to the pirates' ship."
"No," I protested.
Kili looked at me in surprise.
"No,” I repeated. "Either we all leave or none of us. Kili, you said my brainwaves would be less detectable if I'm asleep. What if you use anaesthetics? Put me in a coma or something like that?"
Vuk sucked in a breath but didn't say something. I hoped he understood that I was serious. I wasn't about to let one of us stay behind. We were a team now, brought together by the most unlikely of circumstances. We'd only survive if we stuck together.
"It would be dangerous," Kion hedged. "Our drugs aren't made for humans. What if your breathing fails halfway to the ship? What if-"
I cut him off. "I don't care. If this is a chance, then we have to take it."
They all looked like they were about to argue further, but I didn't let them. "We have to go. Now. Where are the suits? Kili, show us. Kion, you get whatever drugs you need to put me under. I doubt we can take any supplies with us; those pods don't sound very big." They stared at me until I clapped my hands, breaking their stupor. "Hurry! We don't have time to dilly dally."
I walked out of the room; confident they'd follow me.
"When did she become the one in charge?" Raf muttered behind me, but there was pride swinging in his voice.
I smiled. If this was the day I was going to die, I'd do so with my head held high.
The suit was too big for me, but luckily, I wouldn’t have to walk in it. I hadn't put on the helmet yet. I didn't want to. The air in the ship was recycled and a little stale, but this might be the last fresh air I'd ever breathe. Kion held a syringe that would put me to sleep. If everything went pear-shaped, I might not wake up. This could be my last moments.
I was aware of the time ticking past though. The Athion ship would be here any moment now. I took a deep breath and faced the guys. None of them had put on their helmets yet either. I knew they didn't want me to do it. I also knew that any of them would volunteer to stay behind. But I wasn't going to let that happen.
I walked to Vuk. The spacesuit was making it hard to move, but I somehow managed to reach up and plant a kiss on his lips. I moved on to Raf, kissing him too. Those weren't passionate kisses. No, they were promises of more. Once we'd survived this, I would make good on that promise.
Raf reached out for me, but I gently pushed him away. There was no time for more.
The next was Kion. I looked up at him, not sure what to do. In the end, I gave him a peck on the cheek. Even though it hadn't been a real kiss, he blushed a deep blue. I smiled and turned to Kili.
"Thank you for not killing me," I whispered, causing him to choke with laughter.
"You're welcome."
I returned to Kion and eyed the syringe. I breathed in deep, relishing the feel of the cool air inflating my lungs. I'd miss this feeling, if I died. Well, if I was able to miss anything after I was dead.
I met Kion's eyes and nodded. "I'm ready."
I bent my head to one side, exposing my neck.
"Are you sure? You can still bow out." His voice was pained, as if he had to force himself to do this.
"Do it," I said. Before I change my mind. But I didn't say that out loud. I had to be strong. For the guys.
When the needle pierced my skin, I clenched my fists. He'd said the drug would take effect almost immediately.
Icy liquid entered my body, rushing through my veins.
I blinked up at them, all four men.
I was going to see them again.
Darkness took me, embracing me like an old friend.
THE END
Wren’s story concludes in Chosen By Them, the third book in the Between Rebels trilogy.
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And if you’re in the mood for more sci-fi reverse harem, take a look at the Mars Diaries.
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About the Author
Skye MacKinnon is a USA Today & International Bestselling Author whose books are filled with strong heroines who don't have to choose.
She embraces her Scottishness with fantastical Scottish settings and a dash of mythology, no matter if she's writing about Celtic gods, cat shifters, or the streets of Edinburgh.
When she's not typing away at her favourite cafe, Skye loves dried mango, as much exotic tea as she can squeeze into her cupboards, and being covered in pet hair by her two bunnies, Emma and Darwin.
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Also By
Find all of Skye’s books on her website, skyemackinnon.com, where you can also order signed paperbacks. Many of her books are also available as audiobooks.
The Mars Diaries (Sci-fi RH linked to the Drowning series)
Alone
Hidden
Found
>> Box Set
Catnip Assassins (urban fantasy reverse harem)
Scratch
Purrr
Hisss
Lick
Daughter of Winter Series (Paranormal reverse harem)
Winter Princess
Winter Heiress
Winter Queen
Winter Goddess
>> Box set
Mother of Gods (prequel)
Demon’s Revenge (spin-off)
Samhain Goddess (spin-off in an anthology)
Seven Wardens (Paranormal RH co-written with Laura Greenwood)
From the Deeps
Into the Mists
Beneath the Earth
Within the Flames
Above the Waves
Under the Ice
Rule the Dark
Prequel: Beyond the Loch
Spin-off: Through the Storms
Claiming Her Bears (Post-apocalyptic bear shifter RH)
Rescued by Bears
Protected by Bears
Craved by Bears
>> Box set
Stolen By Them
Guarded By Them
Chosen By Them
Defiance (contemporary dark RH)
Abandoned Heart
Broken Princess
Stolen Soul
Infernal Descent (paranormal RH based on Dante’s Inferno, co-written with Bea Paige)
Hell’s Calling
Hell’s Weeping
Hell’s Burning
Academy of Time (time travel academy standalones)
Norsemen Academy
Pandora’s Academy
Highlander Academy
Queen’s Academy
Standalones
Song of Souls – fairy tale retelling
Their Hybrid – steampunk RH
Highland Butterflies – lesbian romance
Anthologies and Box Sets
Hungry for More – charity cookbook
Kilts and Kisses – a Skye MacKinnon starter library