Free Mission by Viola Grace Page B

Four of the fighters are my species and they want a playmate. That is what the blue gown denotes.”
    There was something in Shivohn’s features that indicated she was not telling the truth. “Why you?”
    Shivohn sighed. “It is my husband. He is the reason they came for us. They weren’t sure which one was which, so they grabbed all the female peacekeepers. I got them to give you a different assignment.” It came out in a rush.
    “And the others?”
    “They are being ransomed back, but if you perform well, you will be allowed to work here the same way you did at the base.”
    “Why separate me?” She cocked her head.
    Shivohn took her hand. “Because I needed to give him something to apologize for my absence. I chose you. I didn’t think you would mind.”
    Jewel crossed Shivohn off her possible friend list. “Why did you offer me?”
    “Because not all fighters can be given sedatives, and you can be the one to keep them calm. If I am back in this life, I want someone that I can trust, that I can call upon. Will you help them?”
    “I can’t help but do what I do. It doesn’t matter to me where I do it.” It was a lie but no one could tell. No one could ever tell.
    Shivohn stood and went to the glowing, transparent wall of the cell and tapped on it. A grim-looking set of guards walked up to the wall and looked at her. The one on the left jerked his head. “Come with us.”
    Shivohn stepped toward the wall and they held up a hand.
    The man was grey and resembled a flat-faced rhino. “Just her. If she doesn’t do what you have promised, Jermino will discuss it with you. If she works out, you will be taken to your husband in an hour.”
    Shivohn scowled. “I was told that her cooperation would reunite me immediately.”
    “And it will, when she cooperates. Come with us.” He beckoned to her with his right hand.
    Jewel shrugged and got to her feet. She swayed a little but straightened and headed to the opening in the cell wall and past Shivohn. The guard gripped her arm firmly but gently. She was placed between the two men, and after her former associate had been locked in, they walked her through the halls filled with women and young men all wearing colour-coded clothing.
    They walked through halls where display screens showed two fights and countdowns to the next fight.
    She was escorted to medical.
    One of her guards growled, “How close do you need to be?”
    “Twenty feet. I can’t control it, so I will calm the medical team as well.”
    He nodded and led her into the medical unit where men were being patched up and injuries tended. She heard the shouting before she saw him.
    He flexed and fought as the medics tried to hold him down. Jewel noted the horns on his head and his agitation. She stepped toward him and her guards let her go.
    She approached and the waved of calm ran over the room. The man straining with the gagged wound in his abdomen slowly relaxed and the medical team calmly went to work.
    The horned man turned his head, and she met his dark amber gaze with her own. He nodded his head slightly, and she returned the gesture.
    “What did you do?” The guard spoke softly.
    “What I always do, I calmed things down.”
     

Chapter Two
     
     
    After the man on the med bed had been repaired, Jewel was returned to the cell.
    Shivohn was taken away and a food dispenser, tiny toilet and sink, and privacy shading was added to Jewel’s space.
    “I guess they like to reward people immediately.” She worked out the dispenser and summoned a hot meal, carrying it to her bunk to eat. There weren’t any utensils, but she managed to work on her finger-eating precision.
    She watched an endless parade of guards collect and deliver women and men. The women didn’t seem too upset by their situations, and she could hear a few of them bragging.
    Jewel heard the word chosen being thrown around a lot, but since she had no frame of reference, she just tucked herself in and got some sleep.
    A hand shook