Red (ePub)

"Check in there," a male voice says. "I'll check that one."
"Be careful," another man says, and he sounds soothing and elegant, his voice soft.
There's the sound of a sword being drawn and a small click right outside her door. The door swings open, and light floods her cell. Squinting, Xela looks up and can barely make out a young man dressed in a black jumpsuit through the haze. In his hand is a silver sword gleaming in the light with Nevarian blood. The man's eyes widen, and he drops to his knees in front of her, calling over his shoulder.
"Azir! It's a young woman!" The man puts a hand on her shoulder, and Xela hisses at him in pain, causing him to recoil, remorse filling his face.
"What?" A man dressed in matching black comes over and looks down at Xela. "Who are you? Are you a prisoner of the Nevarian?"
Xela attempts to speak but succeeds only in coughing up more blood. She wants to scream, "No shit I am!"
"We can't leave her, Azir," the first man says, biting his lip.
"You're right. Carry her, Reed. I'll cover you."
Reed nods and leans down to scoop Xela up. She cries out in pain as he lifts her, and she struggles against him. His touch burns her; she doesn't want to touch a male. He holds her tighter, and she's so weak she gives up. "I'm sorry," he murmurs, looking down at her, as he hurries after Azir, who takes off down the hall.
Unable to respond, she closes her eyes and lets Reed and Azir whisk her to what she can only hope is safety.
*****
Captured and tortured by the Nevarian Empire for a month, Xela is unexpectedly rescued by two members of the Black Fighters rebel group. Friendships form and soft love blossoms. But there's an epic fight raging as untold secrets come to light, old and new enemies step forward, and the war for the safety of the universe begins.