Cavas (The Vorge Crew Book 5) Read online

  Cavas

  The Vorge Crew – Book Five

  By Laurann Dohner

  Cavas by Laurann Dohner

  Career military man Cavas Vellar has joined his older brother, Cathian, aboard The Vorge for one purpose—to rescue their youngest littermate. Their father has resorted to having him kidnapped to hide one of his most vile secrets. They need to go down onto a planet full of criminals, find Crath, and rescue him. This mission is the most important one Cavas has ever led.

  Jill was betrayed when Earth sold her into alien slavery. She owes her life to Cavas and the Vorge crew for taking her out of a cell and to their ship. When she learns why they were on that planet to begin with…she feels it’s her duty to help them find their missing brother. Even if it means losing her recently gained freedom.

  One determined alien on a mission. One woman who notices how sexy he is. This is their story.

  The Vorge Crew Series List

  Cathian

  Dovis

  York

  Raff

  Cavas

  Cavas by Laurann Dohner

  Copyright © January 2020

  Editor: Kelli Collins

  Cover Art: Dar Albert

  eBook ISBN: 978-1-950597-08-6

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal, except for the case of brief quotations in reviews and articles.

  Criminal copyright infringement is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is coincidental.

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Cavas – The Vorge Crew – Book Five

  By Laurann Dohner

  Chapter One

  Cavas took in The Vorge crew members as he entered the dining hall. He’d gotten a debriefing on each one of them from Marrow before they’d exchanged places.

  Every face he glanced at showed surprise, except for those of the three Pod aliens. The small beings were a telepathic race with strong mind-reading abilities. He’d been talking to them by broadcasting his thoughts since the moment he’d boarded the vessel, asking for their silence. It seemed they’d heeded his request.

  Cathian, his older brother by one minute, rose to his feet. “Cavas!”

  “It’s good to see you. I’m sorry for the early-morning shock.”

  Cathian lunged forward and opened his arms, hugging him tight. Cavas chuckled, giving his brother a bracing squeeze back.

  They parted. Cathian stared intently into his eyes. “What’s going on?”

  He hesitated in answering. “I need you to remain calm.” Cavas stepped back, making eye contact with each of the crew present. “I need all of you to remain calm.”

  “Cavas…” Cathian reached out and gripped his arm. He wore a confused expression.

  “I think it’s best if you and Raff come with me to have a private discussion. This is a family matter.”

  Raff lifted a small female with black hair off his lap and rose. It had to be his life-lock, Lilly. Cavas had heard about her…and how his father hadn’t been pleased with their cousin finding a human.

  Cathian released Cavas and motioned for Raff to halt. He scowled. “We don’t keep secrets from each other. Tell us why you are here. How did you even get onboard without us being alerted?”

  “Marrow helped me,” Cavas admitted.

  Cathian glanced around. “Where is she?” He started to reach for his ship com to call her.

  Cavas stayed his hand by gripping his wrist. “She won’t answer. Currently, she’s on the shuttle I arrived in, on her way to Rave station.”

  A snarl ripped from his older brother. “She’s not military! You gave her orders? I won’t allow you to use The Vorge for one of your operations. It’s not happening. We have females now. One of them is pregnant!”

  “Calm,” Cavas snarled back. “I resigned from the military, Cathian. I’m not taking over your vessel or your crew. I asked Marrow for a favor. She agreed after I told her what was happening. She shouldn’t be in any danger. Just hear me out.”

  The rage eased from Cathian’s face, surprise taking its place. “You resigned? You live for the Tryleskian military. It’s who you are.”

  “Not anymore. We really should have this discussion in private.”

  Raff came forward.

  Cavas tensed, prepared to defend himself against an attack from his cousin. He had learned everything he could about Raff once he’d become aware of his existence. He respected Raff for surviving all that he had…but his cousin was an efficient killer. Cavas would be stupid to forget that.

  Raff halted a few feet away, studying him from head to foot.

  “I’m no threat to you,” Cavas assured him. “You’re partially why I resigned. I want that clear before we speak. I was outraged when I heard what our fathers did to you. You have my loyalty above them. My word.” He tapped his chest, holding Raff’s gaze. It was a silent vow of loyalty and honesty. “We are family.”

  Raff gave a sharp nod.

  Cathian’s shoulders sagged. “What has Father done now?”

  It was Cavas’s turn to be surprised. “I thought I’d have to convince you to believe me when I tell you he’s done something dishonorable.”

  “I deal with Father often. Also, you quit the military and snuck aboard my ship. You wouldn’t do either unless he’d done something terrible, and it probably somehow involves Raff, the person he currently hates most. Tell us everything.”

  Cavas kept most of his focus on Raff. That’s where the threat lie. “I was ordered to pick five of my most trusted soldiers, fly here to board The Vorge by force, and arrest Raff. Then I was to personally interrogate him, using whatever torture necessary, to retrieve unknown documents from him that could harm our family name. After that, my orders were to dispose of his body. I refused.”

  Raff didn’t show a hint of expression or move but he did blink a few times. Then a cold smile curved his lips. “I would have killed all six of you.”

  “We’re blood,” Cavas reminded him. “I would never follow those orders.” He touched his chest again. He turned his attention to Cathian. “Father wasn’t pleased when I told him no. I also pointed out that he’s made many enemies in the military, so if he sent another team, they’d use any documentation they obtained to destroy him. I’d thought I was very convincing. Six days later, he showed up on my ship to have a private word with me.”

  Rage almost choked Cavas as he remembered that conversation. He took a calming breath. “He said if I ever wanted to see Crath again, I’d assemble that team and do my duty to protect the Vellar name. He was counting on my bond to our youngest littermate being stronger than that with my cousin.”

  Cathian paled.

  “I immediately reached out to Crath. I couldn’t locate him. He’s missing, Cathian. Father has done something to him.

  “I immediately resigned and fled Tryleskian airspace. I flew my private shuttle to Rave station, took on a false identity, and bought another shuttle. I came here right after. No one knows that but Marrow, and now the people in this room. Marrow is going to pick up my shuttle and lead Father on a false trail. I’m sure he’s tracking it. We need to go find Crath before Father realizes I’m looking for him. He was last seen on Flax Colony.”


  Cathian threw back his head and roared in rage.

  Cavas understood; he had already done that a few times now. He turned his focus to Raff. “We’re going to need your skills, cousin. Flax is run by Yorlian Trevis. He’s a Tryleskian who bought the planet twenty years ago. He has childhood ties to both of our fathers and is a known criminal. If Crath was on Flax, Trevis could easily snatch him, holding him as a favor to my father.”

  “I’m going to kill our father,” Cathian snarled.

  Cavas gave a nod, not surprised. “I wanted to snap his neck as he stood before me threatening our youngest littermate, but I refrained. Crath will stay alive as long as our father believes that he can use him against me. Right now, he probably figures I’m taking advantage of the bars and pleasure houses that make Rave station popular. I also had Marrow take some of your systems offline to prevent him from finding out I’ve joined forces with you and your crew. He might be monitoring your main computer, Cathian.”

  “I’m in,” Raff growled.

  Cavas wasn’t surprised. “Thank you.”

  Dovis and York came forward to join them. “We’re all in,” Dovis said.

  Cathian nodded. “We’re going to get our brother.” He turned, gesturing to a long-haired human female. “Mari, I know I usually ask you to keep things in great working order…but get rid of our transponder, shut down all exterior communications, and tear out anything that will help us be tracked. Shut down anything you need to, even if we go all manual.” He pointed at York. “Change course once she’s done. You heard where we’re going.” Then to Dovis, “Start preparing for battle. Make sure every weapon is charged and ready to use.”

  The three of them rushed from the dining hall to carry out his orders.

  Cavas reached out and touched his brother’s chest. “We’ll get Crath back. We’re always strongest together.”

  Cathian gripped his hand, the touch helping their bond reconnect. “Always.”

  * * * * *

  During his research, Cavas had learned Yorlian Trevis had committed crimes ranging from murder to kidnapping for ransom to illegal slave ownership. He’d even been brought to trial, and should have received life in prison, or even execution. Instead, a wealthy family on the Tryleskian home world had intervened, then he’d been banished from ever returning to the planet.

  It had pissed Cavas off when he’d learned his father and uncle were the wealthy Tryleskians who’d aided Trevis.

  The criminal had fled and bought Flax, a small dirt planet far from the Tryleskian home world, where Cavas had just landed The Vorge’s shuttle. They’d painted it with a new name to hide the shuttle’s identity.

  Flax colony was the only existing city on the planet. It was loud, overcrowded, and had become a haven for outlaws.

  Cavas adjusted his tinted goggles that hid his eyes and part of his face, reaching up to shove his dark blonde hair out of the way. It annoyed him, but a nearly shaved head indicated he was military. The medical android on The Vorge had helped him rapidly grow it a bit, injecting simulation shots into his scalp. He wasn’t used to having a mane.

  The male on his left looked equally uncomfortable. Dovis usually traveled in his furry form. To avoid them being recognized, the shapeshifter had stayed in skin. Another growl tore from the male’s throat as he adjusted the loose sleeves over his arms.

  “I understand,” Cavas muttered. “I hate their clothing, too. They wear them four times too large. And I’m already sick of the dust flying around here.”

  “Why do they dress this way?”

  Cavas hid his amusement over how annoyed Dovis sounded. “They think it will keep all the dust from getting inside their clothing and becoming trapped. I never said the people who live here were smart…but we need to fit in.”

  “I hope the others are having better luck than we are.”

  They’d separated into two teams when they’d landed on the surface. Cavas had paired up with Dovis. Cathian stuck with their cousin Raff. York had stayed on the ship in orbit to protect all the females, in case The Vorge was attacked. He’d been chosen because his mate was pregnant, and Cavas had easily agreed. The Parri male might be an excellent fighter but he had a family to think about.

  Cavas understood the need to protect family. His younger brother by two minutes was being held against his will.

  They needed to find and rescue Crath.

  Life sign scans hadn’t helped locate him. They also hadn’t been able to bring down one of the Pods to scan for his littermate’s thoughts. Pods were valuable on the black market. There were over three hundred Tryleskian males on the surface, and few with integrity would work for someone like Yorlian Trevis. Pods would be too tempting to steal on a planet of thieves.

  That left the four of them walking aimlessly around the colony, searching for information on their own.

  They entered Yorlian Trevis’s favorite bar—which he owned—taking seats on opposite ends of the long counter. Rumors implied there were hidden holding cell somewhere on the premises.

  Cavas ordered the strongest drink they served. All his years in the military gave him an advantage. It had become almost impossible for him to get drunk.

  He hid a smile, thinking of the friends he’d grown close to who loved to buy drinks for their superior officer, trying to get him wasted, to no avail.

  Anger followed. That life had been taken from him. He could never return to military service for his planet. His father had made certain of that.

  A green female approached him. He couldn’t identify her race, but he recognized traits from a few. She was probably a blend of many. It was common for multi-species breeding on outlaw colony planets. He’d visited several of them over the years.

  The woman took a seat and flashed her orange teeth. “Buy me a drink?”

  “Sure.” He motioned to the bartender, who hustled over, as if expecting it.

  Cavas made note of that.

  “What’s your name? I haven’t seen you here before.” Her light, flirty tone belied the sharpness in her yellow eyes.

  “Jorgan.” He had false identity to back up the name. “You?”

  “Pree. What brings you here?”

  He lifted his drink. “To get drunk.”

  She laughed, the braying sound grating on his nerves. “I meant to our little colony.”

  “I’m between jobs and seeking work.” He let his gaze trail over her body, playing his part. “Do you know anyone hiring?”

  “It depends on what you do.”

  “Anything that pays well.” He shrugged, taking another sip.

  She accepted her drink. “Looking for some fun in the meantime? I’m available for a price.”

  Cavas took in the details of her dress, the flashy jewelry she wore, and his suspicion piqued. She looked too high-quality for a dive bar.

  Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted two bouncers inching closer.

  She worked there, all right, but Cavas didn’t think it was for sex. He’d been in situations like this before. She was testing him.

  He’d play along. “How much? I have to watch my creds.”

  “A hundred…but nothing violent.”

  He forced a smile. “That sounds good. Do you have a place nearby we could go? I doubt you want to follow me all the way to my shuttle, but I’m game if you are. I really want to see you out of that dress.”

  She downed the contents of her glass. “You know what? I forgot I need to be somewhere.” She speared a barely noticeable glance at the bartender, shaking her head subtly. The woman strolled toward the other end of the bar.

  Cavas sipped his drink, having assured the female he wasn’t an undercover authority. If he were, he’d have arrested her for propositioning him, or at least turned her down flat.

  The bartender approached, wiping at the counter.

  “I overheard what you said. I might know of a job.”

  He sat up straighter. “I would appreciate it.” It might help him gain information, especially if he we
re to work directly for Yorlian Trevis. Everyone on the colony seemed to in one way or another.

  “What did you do before?”

  “This and that.”

  “You’re not very talkative.”

  “It pays to keep my mouth shut. I like creds more than conversation.”

  The bartender nodded. “Let me talk to someone. I’ll be back.”

  He noticed that Pree had strode up to Dovis, who was rapidly shaking his head. Cavas wanted to groan. The male was mated, of course he’d instantly say no to sex. Amarains like Dovis bonded to one female for life.

  The response was swift. One moment Dovis sat on the barstool, and the next, the two bouncers were on him.

  Cavas remained still, torn between helping him and keeping his cover. He needn’t have worried. The head of security for The Vorge was a good fighter, even in skin. Dovis took down both bouncers fast, standing over their unconscious bodies in seconds.

  The bartender jumped over the counter and tried to take him down next. Dovis turned and punched him in the face. The sound of bones breaking was loud.

  Cavas slid off his seat and leapt forward.

  Dovis spun, fists raised, and snarled at Cavas.

  He lifted his hands. “You just took out someone who might get me a job. Leave or I’ll knock you out, stranger.”

  Dovis frowned momentarily—then attacked. Cavas dodged his fist easily and swung, pulling his own punch at the last second.

  Dovis yelled out as if in pain and flew backward though, playing along. He crashed into the bar before sinking to his ass, pretending to be down for the count.

  It was tough not to laugh. Cavas liked Cathian’s crew. They would have made excellent soldiers. He stepped over Dovis’s legs and helped the bartender up. Blood poured from his broken nose.

  “Are you good?”

  The bartender glanced at the unconscious bouncers, then at Dovis, still pretending to be unconscious. “You’re hired. Pick that traitor up and carry him downstairs. We have holding cells.”