Page 76 of The Pregnancy Pact

Chapter 43

Lorelai

Ifigured I’d feel at loose ends, drifting about my new mansion, while waiting to hear from Ellax.

That wasn’t what happened.

Instead, he’d barely left when chimes sounded, announcing one of the mechas at the door.

I was still wearing only Ellax’s shirt, but waved the robot in anyway.

“Lady Lorelai,” Fertis intoned. “Lady Sirena is here to see you.”

“Lady Sirena?” I echoed. Of all the folks I’d have expected to show up, she was the last. Weren’t her machinations enough for her? I couldn’t believe she wasn’t glorying over Ellax from a safe distance. This made no sense.

“Did she say why she’s here?” I asked, my mind spinning in a million different directions.

“She did not.”

“Okaaaayyy…” I drew the word out doubtfully. “Tell her I’ll be right down,” I said, already moving towards the box of clothing the mechas had brought up at some point yesterday. Where they’d come by the clothes, I didn’t know. I’d wondered if they’d belonged to Druea, Ellax’s first wife. Or if Ellax had sent out for them. Whatever the case, I pawed through the box, bypassing luscious gowns and pretty dresses, seeking something blunt and practical. That’s how I felt now, facing Sirena. I wasn’t going to put on the act of a nobleman’s wife. I was Lorelai, I was pissed about what she was trying to do to my planet and my species, and there wasn’t going to be any pretense about it.

Plain black slacks, sandals, and a cream blouse later, I felt prepared. I’d also brushed my hair and drawn it back into a ponytail, not bothering with anything pretty or elaborate. Now wasn’t the time.

My clothing felt like armor as I marched down the hallway, only taking one wrong turn, before I located the same sitting room where I’d met with Sirena yesterday.

Progress.

The Asterion female had also forgone an elegant gown, wearing a tight, jet-black pantsuit that brought out the silver of her skin and the gold of her eyes. She looked very powerful, actually, I was forced to admit. And she'd somehow shown me up—again—without even trying. Nevertheless, I was determined not to let her see my weakness as I marched into the room, arms swinging, head held high.

“Lady Sirena,” I said cooly. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”

She lifted her chin, smiling coldly. “I expect you were not. Ellax is gone, I take it?”

“I’m sure you know he is, or else you wouldn’t be in our home.”

“True,” she agreed, not even bothering to dissent. “I’ve had his home observed since he returned.”

This stopped me in my tracks. “You’ve been spying on us?”

“Watching you,” she corrected. She stepped towards another vase, brimming with flowers. “You see, when I enact a plan, I like to ensure everything goes as planned.”

I couldn’t bear watching her destroy any more flowers. Couldn’t stand her fake act anymore. Furious, I marched over to the vase, plucking it up and sweeping it away from her grasp.

“Cut to the chase, Sirena,” I snapped. “Why are you here? If it’s to tease or torment me, that’s not going to fly. Say what you have to say, and get out of here. I’m waiting to hear from Ellax. And I’d rather not wait with you, no offense.”

Sirena’s mouth twitched. She’d chosen a pale pink lipstick today, which stood out sharply against her skin, her black bodysuit. I couldn’t tell if her lips twitching indicated anger or humor. Whatever expression she was trying to hide, it fell away into stark hatred.

“I am not here to pass words with you, Lorelai,” she said. Her voice was as hard as glass. “I’m here to fetch you.”

“Fetch me?” I shifted the vase to my other side, balancing it on my hip. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

I should’ve been watching her hands, I guess. Paying attention to the bag slung across her chest and hanging by her thigh. I hadn’t expected any danger in my own home. Being an Elder’s wife, I’d simply assumed I was safe.

Sirena shattered my assumptions by reaching into the bag and pulling out a stagger. I heard my sharp intake of breath as she raised the weapon, aiming it directly at my chest.

“It’s unfortunate for you, Lorelai, that you and Ellax made that drunken mistake. That you made that foolish pact. That you had your mecha witness it.”

“H—how did you know about that?” I demanded, dismayed. We hadn’t told anyone about the pact.

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