AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She was standing in a dangerous, decrepit back alley, wearing nothing but a tight, thin shift that would leave a whore feeling exposed. She had no cash, no comm, and no weapons.
Then she heard sounds echoing down the alley. Gianna froze, hoping they would go the other way.
They didn’t. The noises got closer. It sounded like casual talking, a bit of laughter. It didn’t matter who it was. She’d spent enough time in bad neighborhoods to know she looked like prey right now—very tasty,easyprey.
Trying to keep her breathing under control, Gianna ran around the corner and found a huge dumpster. Without hesitating, she hurled herself into it. It wouldn’t be the first time she’d done something like this, and if her life continued the same pattern, it certainly wouldn’t be the last.
Whimpering, she dug down into the garbage, throwing aside plastic panels, cracked screens, and twisted lines of cable. When she’d made a small nook, she nestled into it and pulled as much of the garbage on top of herself as she could.
Even if they opened it to look inside—and most people wouldn’t bother unless they were specifically dumpster diving—they probably wouldn’t see her.
Theprobablyworried her. She hadn’t gotten a lot of breaks lately. Maybe for once, lady luck would be on her side.
The late hour was Kozien’s friend. He had no idea what this complex was, if it actually had a purpose or was just a front for the crime lords. Either way, it was mostly deserted, and he was grateful.
Kozien stayed away from the higher levels, reasoning that if any business was going down, it would most likely happen upstairs. He tried to catch Gianna’s scent again, but he could only find the slightest hint, and it did nothing more than drive him insane.
Am I even smelling it or just imagining it because I want to see her so badly?
Kozien jogged down another long hallway, peeking into doors at random, when he was suddenly hit by Gianna’s scent. He hurried into the room, shutting the door behind him.
“Gianna?” he whispered. Even though her scent was strong, he was pretty sure no one was in this room.
A bolt of inspiration hit him, and he pulled out his comm, checking the trace from before. His heart leapt as it confirmed the signal he was tracking was in this room.
He ran over to a long bench and tried to contain his disappointment when he saw her clothes in an untidy pile with the wrist-comm on top. Even though he was crushed that she wasn’t here, at least he knew he was in the right place.
Kozien picked up her clothes and held them against his face. He immersed himself in her scent, comforting himself for a few moments. There was no blood, no sign of a struggle. There was a good chance she was okay.
Kozien stuffed his pockets with Gianna’s things, heading back out into the halls with fresh hope. She was here somewhere. All he had to do was keep looking.
The hallways were fairly well lit, wide, and bare, which made him feel horribly exposed as he had no quick place to hide if someone came along. He considered ducking into random doorways, but some of the rooms had strange sounds coming from them.
Don’t know if it’s a torture chamber or an orgy, but I don’t want to find out.
Kozien realized he was going to have to move to the upper levels and risk running into Jorvlens or D’Narvius. He had no choice if he wanted to find Gianna. Making his way carefully and quietly, he took a stairwell to another level.
This place is a fucking maze. I wonder if they did that on purpose?
It was an interesting thought, but not a new idea. Many cultures made their structures so complex that enemies couldn’t get in, and prisoners couldn’t get out.
Didn’t think the Jorvlens or the D’Narvius were that smart.
He was so distracted that he rounded a corner and saw a D’Narvius only a few feet away. Instead of turning to go back the other way, he charged forward and knocked the guy on the back of the head before he could raise the alarm.
Kozien took the guard’s keycard and opened the nearest door. He’d been hoping for a weapons store, but he just found stacks of cardboard crates. Kozien dragged the guard inside, plucked the blaster off of him, and left him there, locking the door behind him as he left.
He knew he had to move swiftly now. If bodies began to pile up, they’d realize he was here and corner him. The smart thing would be to leave, regroup, and try another approach. Kozien was far too stubborn, though.
I am not leaving without Gianna!
Kozien jogged down the hallway now, listening intently for anyone approaching. He kept his nose high, hoping to scent his mate and track her. With every step, his desperation grew.
Where is she?
A sudden shout around the corner chilled him. Clumsily, he leaned into the nearest door and shoved it open, ducking inside.
The sound of running feet echoed down the hallway, right past where Kozien hid. He crouched down behind the door, ready to fight anyone who came through.
