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  Yet another shrug was his only reply, but his gaze shifted around the tiny room, darting here and there even though there was nothing of interest within sight.

  She knew guilt when she saw it, and it wasn’t just this unbelievable lack of judgement. “What aren’t you telling me?”

  His throat worked as he struggled to swallow. “They got one of ours.”

  Her brows drew together as she struggled to comprehend his vagueness. “Who got one of our what?” Now she sounded like the lackwit. This was exasperating.

  “The Outcasts captured one of my new team members.”

  “Unbelievable.” It was the only word she could form for a long, tense moment. “Was this team member harmed? Did the Outcasts kill him?”

  “He was alive when last I saw him, but the white-haired one was really angry.”

  Her eyes flew open wide and she glanced at the captives. “Do one of those females belong to the white-haired one?” She looked at the women more closely. No. Neither of these were the mate of the white-haired invader. Thank the Deities for small favors. She had seen that female while communicating with the white-haired one.

  “I don’t think so.”

  He had risked even that. Again the only word for this catastrophe was unbelievable. “Do you have any idea what a mess you’ve created? All of my plans are useless now. You have set our feet on an extremely dangerous path.” He just glared at her, clearly undeterred by her anger. “Let me make this perfectly clear.” Her gaze bore into his with all the power and authority at her disposal. “These females are not to be harmed in any way. Our best hope is a prisoner exchange, and that is only possible as long as these females remain alive and well. Do you understand?”

  “I understand what you’re saying, but I disagree. I think—”

  “I don’t give a damn what you think!” She motioned to the women and switched to their primitive language. “Come with me.” She’d learned several Earth languages from her grandparents who frequently visited Earth. Knowing the foreign words allowed Isolaund to study the human texts her grandparents compiled down through the years. She also monitored Earth’s entertainment and information streams. If it hadn’t been for her grandparents, she wouldn’t have been able to communicate with the white-haired invader.

  Most considered her obsessed with humans. Her brother frequently complained about the time she spent focused on the distant and barbaric world. Isolaund simply thought it wise to understand one’s adversary.

  Without hesitation, both captives struggled to their feet and followed Isolaund from the dank chamber.

  “Not that I’m complaining, but why are you helping us?”

  Isolaund whipped her head around and found that the dark-haired human had dislodged her gag. “I saved your life because it was strategically beneficial to do so. Make no mistake, human. I am your enemy!”

  Next up in the Outcast Saga:

  Featuring Xorran and Sara

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