Mated with the Cyborg Read Online Free Page A

Illiteracy had kept her complacent. She was marching toward a torturous death, believing it her duty.
    He fulfilled his duty by letting her.
    Preventing her death is not my mission . Hunting down the reclusive leader was. Executing him to halt the spread of terrorism was.
    Some might have cheered Mariska’s impending demise. The organization’s brutality had incited a backlash of negative sentiment against all its members. Many espoused the notion that the only good Lamis-Odg was a dead Lamis-Odg.
    Kai couldn’t buy into that. Mariska had been no party to the actions of her father or Lamani. She was vulnerable. Innocent. But not stupid or cowardly. In the month he’d spent observing her, her quiet fortitude and inner strength had impressed him. Even before he’d caught the shocking glimpse of her face, he’d been struck by her beautiful eyes. A rich shade of melted caramel, fringed by dark lashes. Expressive in their attempt not to be. She didn’t trust him.
    Her wariness pierced him in a way it shouldn’t. She was a person of interest, and her emotions shouldn’t impact his decision-making. And, in fact, she was wise to be suspicious. Obido had bugged her quarters and employed spybots to keep tabs on her. While Kai wouldn’t intentionally harm her, he would manipulate her to obtain whatever information he could on Lamis-Odg.
    The reign of terror had to be stopped. Direct intervention in Mariska’s fate jeopardized that goal. Doing nothing was the right thing to do. Sacrifices had to be made for the greater good.
    Why did he feel like he was no better than Obido?
    When they approached the gangway inside the small cargo transport bay, one of the smaller shuttle ports on the station, two Lamis-Odg guards drew their weapons. “Halt!” one of them cried.
    “It’s okay. He’s with me,” Mariska said.
    While one guard leveled his weapon, the other scanned him. “The android is not authorized to board,” the guard said.
    “He’s not boarding; he’s loading my luggage. He’ll disembark after he carries it to my stateroom.”
    “Negative. He shall remain here.” The guard motioned. “Leave the cases.”
    Kai set the bags down, and the sentry scanned them. “Clear,” he announced. He jerked his head at Mariska. “You may take them now.”
    She dragged one toward the craft.
    “My duty is to serve the daughter of Obido. Allow me to set the bags inside the door. I shall not enter,” Kai said.
    The two guards glanced at each other and shrugged. “All right.”
    Under armed watch, he deposited both bags inside the portal. There was nothing else he could do. He sought Mariska’s gaze. Don’t go . “Have a safe flight.”
    “Thank you.”
    She boarded. Kai stomped down the gangway.
     

Chapter Four
     
    When the shuttle door shut, the spacecraft hull seemed to shrink and close in. Sweat dampened her temples. Mariska leaned against the wall and fought to draw air into her spasming lungs.
    Was she sure about going to Katnia? What kind of a question was that? Of course she desired to go—this was her opportunity for a new life. Perhaps the Ka-Tȇ will ignore my deformity, and I can earn their respect. I shall pass the test, Father, and make you proud of me.
    She closed her eyes and inhaled to calm her nerves. Then she squared her shoulders and pushed off from the wall. Once I get to Katnia, everything will be all right.
    She reached for a bag then sensed a presence. An android stood there.
    Despite their heavy metal composition, robots could move soundlessly. R981 did. Often she’d assumed she was alone, then she’d turn around to find him observing her.
    Her heart hitched. I’ll never see him again . It should have been a relief to travel without a spybot reporting on every action, but, although she didn’t trust him, oddly, she felt safer with him around.
    Nervousness made her fanciful. She focused on the android staring at her. “Hello,” she said. “I’m Mariska.”
    “I am Q257,” the droid