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During the Betrayal, when the Invaders had lined up everyone in her settlement, including her, and demanded they choose one being to die, to serve as an example, she had stepped forward, thinking that would be her opportunity to show her gratitude.
But the Invaders had laughed at her. She was a female and, in their primitive culture, that made her worthy of nothing, except being the recipient of brutal fucking and other humiliating abuse.
The Cancri male they targeted was gentle and kind and good. He had treated Roshini as he treated his sisters. And she loved him as she imagined a sister would love a brother.
He had accepted his fate bravely, with strength and resolve.
She and his sisters, his mother, his father, and the other residents of the settlement were then forced to watch in horror as that beloved male was killed. The humans they had, moments ago, warmly welcomed, the strangers they had generously given beverage and nourishment, riddled his face and body with projectiles.
They had been told, if any of them fought back, if any of them moved, they’d all be killed, every male, female, child. Not even the babies would be spared.
And they knew, by the gleam in the Invaders’ eyes and the glee in their voices, the enemy wouldn’t hesitate in that slaughter.
So they stood silently, stunned and in shock, grieving and confused.
The horror, however, had only begun.
Before the Invaders left, one of them grabbed Roshini by the hair and told her they would be back. The males would be sent to the mining tunnels, where they would work until they died. The females, including and especially her, the sole human, would be used. Thoroughly. Roughly. In a variety of vile ways.
The residents of the settlement dispersed that rest cycle. A couple of the families had offered to take Roshini with them. But she couldn’t risk their lifespans by accepting.
She’d seen the attention her being human had garnered.
Now she would use her unique situation to drive the Invaders from their planet. They wouldn’t suspect a betrayal from one of their own kind.
Especially not from, what they viewed as, a weak, useless female.
Roshini’s lips curled upward.
“Do I want to know what you’re thinking?” Cyra narrowed her eyes at her.
“No.” And Roshini preferred not to talk about it. “I’ll have extra pills.” Since she wouldn’t live as long as they originally expected. “I’ll leave them in your working chambers.”
There wouldn’t be a next appointment. It would be too risky.
“There’s no need to leave them anywhere.” The medic waved her right hand. “I haven’t located a medic to take over here.” Her lips twisted. “It seems no one wants to live in a place that’ll kill them within a couple of solar cycles.”
“That will change.” Roshini hoped that would be the truth. “I should go.”
The longer she stayed in the facility, the higher the probability she’d draw the enemy there.
She moved toward the door.
Then she paused. “Thank you, Cyra, for… everything you have done and will do. The beings waiting outside are there because your presence gives them hope. You’re making and will continue to make a difference.”
“I could say the same to you.” The medic summoned a smile. “Though few beings will ever realize they owe some of their hope and all of their futures to you.”
Roshini’s face heated. She preferred the anonymity. It kept everyone safer, including herself.
She slipped out of the chamber, moved along the hallway, and exited the facility by the same door she’d entered.
The moon was still high in the sky. The line streaming from the front doors had grown longer. The elderly male was now sitting on the rock-covered ground. Someone had covered his shoulders with a blanket. The female with the baby rocked back and forth while softly singing a Cancri lullaby. The tears glistening on her cheeks reflected the light from the burning torches erected along the pathway.
Roshini wanted to help them. But that wasn’t her role. It was Cyra’s.
And if she contacted anyone, she could put them in danger.
She gazed at the beings for a moment, noting every face, and then she turned and ran silently and surely through the settlement.
