Page 63 of Through Uncharted Space

Ralu had turned his back on them, hurrying toward his shuttle.

Something inside Dakota exploded. She was tired of people taking everything from her. Usually, it was things, just like this man. And sometimes it was other things. She glanced at Dare. Like trust.

With a frustrated yell, Dakota sprinted forward toward the lava river.

“Dakota!” Dare roared.

She leaped into the air, flying across the flow. She landed, just inches away from the molten rock, and rolled. Then she sprang to her feet, sprinted across the rocky ground, and tackled Ralu.

She could hear Dare shouting, but she ignored it and focused on fighting. Ralu looked young, but he was strong.

But Dakota was pissed, and she was mean.

She hammered a fist into the man’s blue face, ignoring the pain that flared in her knuckles. They rolled, both fighting to get on top. Ralu slammed an elbow against her jaw and Dakota tasted blood in her mouth.

She got a knee into his gut, and heard him groan, and then they rolled again. Rocks struck painfully into her side and back, but she gripped the man’s shirt and refused to let go.

She aimed another punch to his stomach, and blocked one of his hits.

He heaved and they rolled again across the rocks.

“Dakota! Watch out!”

Dare’s urgent shout made her glance over. Her heart stopped. They were dangerously close to the lava. She felt the heat pouring off it.

But she wasn’t giving up. She managed to get on top of Ralu and pounded him with her fists.

“No one takes what’s mine. Not unless I choose to give it.” She smacked him again.

They skidded a few inches across the rock and she smelled something burning. Ralu let out a scream.

“My boots! It’s burning my boots.”

Then, hands were hauling her off him. Dare yanked her backward, and Rynan swooped in and pulled a groaning Ralu to his feet. Rynan yanked out some electro-cuffs, and cuffed the man’s wrists together behind his back.

“Dakota, are you okay?” Dare ran his hands over her body, patting her down. “Did the lava touch you anywhere?”

She shook her head. “I’m fine.” She probed her face where it was stinging.

He cupped her cheeks. “You have a few scratches.”

“Not the⁠—”

“First time,” he finished for her.

Their gazes locked, and she forced herself to turn her head. She saw Rynan leading Ralu over toward their shuttle. Justyn was beside the shuttle, on his feet now, although a little wobbly.

She pulled away from Dare. “Let’s get going.”

“This is yours.”

His quiet voice made her glance back at him. He was holding out the orb.

She stared at it, then took it. She held it for a second, then slipped it over her head.

“I’m sorry,” he said.

“For what?”