Free Midland Refugee (Ultimate Passage Book 3) by Elle Thorne Page A

sacrificing his life for hers.
    “I intend to return home.” She took Finn’s hand. “With my baby and with Finn.”
    The Elders looked at her. “Is it just that simple, human?” one of them asked.
    Finn stepped forward. “Her name is Marissa. She believes it is that simple.”
    Marissa fought back the smile at Finn’s defense. She knew he wasn’t convinced about Saraz and what Saraz would do. Finn didn’t believe anything Saraz said, and yet, he believed in her enough that he would defend her. She wanted to wrap her arms around this man. Her hero. Her own personal savior.
    “When my baby is delivered and Saraz can see that it is not who or what he thinks it is, he will release us from Kormia by creating a portal.”
    “Is it that simple?” Raiza translated again, but it was clear from the huskiness in her voice that her emotions were involved.
    Marissa opened her mouth to answer the Elder, but was interrupted when Raiza stared straight at her and said in English. “It is not that simple. My man will be the collateral. My man will pay the price for her freedom.” She pointed at Finn. “And you are doing nothing to stop your father from sacrificing.”
    Finn looked down at his hands in the face of this very personal assault.
    Then Raiza said it—or something—in Kormic. Marissa looked to Norn and Finn to see if Raiza had translated accurately. Finn gave her a subtle nod, clearly getting what she was concerned with.
    Shit. This was so not what Marissa had planned. And it didn’t help having Raiza doing the translating at this point, not when she was emotionally invested. But to be fair, Marissa didn’t blame Raiza. She’d do the same thing in the same situation. Hell, she’d do more—worse—more drastic. But still, she and Raiza were at cross-purposes, and Marissa was fierce in her desire to leave Kormia.
    She looked at her friend. “I know this is not easy for you. But I have to take care of my baby, my family.”
    “As do I.” Raiza responded, not translating.
    “Will you still be able to translate objectively?”
    “Objectively? No. Truthfully? Yes.” Raiza answered. Her jaw set, her eyes resolute. Then she turned to Norn. “You had no right committing yourself to this cause without discussing it with me. Feroz deserves a father.”
    Norn took her hand in one of his. Then put his other hand over his chest. “I do not think it will be any consolation, but I believe that I will not be in danger. I’m convinced that the baby will not be what Saraz is hoping for. I know that Finn would not lie about Alithera having wings.”
    “You are not taking into account the uncontrollable in this formula.” Raiza turned away from Norn, her posture stiff, proud head held high. She said something to the Elders.
    Marissa looked at Finn for an explanation. His face a deep blue, he translated. “She’s offering them lunch. It seems they will not be leaving any time soon.”
    Raiza screamed.
    Marissa’s mind went to the worse, a jungle cat, something lethal. What she did not expect to see, striding out of the forest, his wings beneath his black cloak, his grayish-black skin gleaming, white teeth flashing in a brilliant smile—Saraz walked toward the center of the camp.
    Feroz was in his arms. The little boy was chattering, and talking to Feroz, while the dangerous, dark-skinned shifter seemed to be patiently allowing the child to pester him.
    Raiza had clapped her hand over her mouth. Norn and Finn ran toward Saraz.
    The Elders were still, their eyes glowing with the whiteness. A low drone was emitted by the Elders, as though they were chanting but not with words.
    Marissa had to do something to defuse the situation before it became explosive. Finn would overcompensate his reaction toward this intrusion on Saraz’s part. She feared he would draw a weapon, and when Saraz saw that . . . all hell would break loose.
    And to compound matters, Saraz was holding an innocent child in his arms. She could not allow