Page 69 of I Married Amreth

“The Raithean mentioned something about a Marilia. I suspect it might be Marilia Hesper. You may want to look into her.”

The enigmatic smile she gave me, laced with a hint of triumph in her dark brown eyes hinted that she was already onto her.

“Noted,” she replied in a noncommittal fashion. “Maeve out.”

Although she ended the communication, I knew the Enforcers’ top hacker was currently scrubbing every single piece of data from the ship including their communications logs. Anything that could be gathered wouldn’t escape her.

As soon as I joined Aku by the prisoners, he turned his attention to the human, who was conscious and furious. Judging by the general stillness of his body, the paralytic still affected him.

“Who sent you?” Aku demanded, having apparently waited for me to be done before beginning the interrogation.

“I want a lawyer,” the human said with arrogance.

“You’re on Kestria, yousmarva! Here, you do not get a lawyer. This ismyworld, and you will followmyrules.”

“I don’t care about your rules, you stupid monkey. I’m not talking without a lawyer,” he spat, lifting his chin defiantly.

The fool didn’t seem to realize how precarious a situation he was in. He foolishly believed my presence provided him with some kind of protection. On any other world, that would have been true, but not here.

Aku tilted his head to the side, and a menacing grin stretched his lips.

“You know, we recovered the little rocks your friend dropped in the sacred waters of Svast Temple earlier,” he said in a sickly-sweet voice. “As we Kreelars believe in treating others as they treat us, I’m feeling rather inclined to give you a bath with them. Our friend Ciara mentioned something about warm water speeding up the experience. Tell me human, what would you prefer? A hot bath or a friendly conversation?”

With each of his words, the human grew a little paler. He had the tanned skin of someone used to working outdoors. He appeared to be in his early to mid-forties, with greasy black hair to his shoulders, a two-day beard, beady blue eyes, and a crooked nose that indicated it had been broken at least once or twice. Tall and lanky, he struck me as the type who promptly tried to resolve issues with a blaster, but who would run from hand-to-hand combat.

“Torture is illegal,” he hissed, trying to sound brave despite the fear seeping into his voice as he turned his attention to me. “Tell him!”

“I have nothing to tell him,” I replied nonchalantly with a shrug. “You’ve heard him. This is his planet. Therefore, we observe his rules.”

“But you’re an Obosian! You are sworn to uphold the laws!” the man exclaimed, his panic steadily growing.

“Exactly. And his people make the local laws. I will abide by them. If the Kreelars authorize torture, there’s nothing I can do about it.”

“You’re bluffing!” he shouted, clinging to denial. “This planet is a member of the UPO. We perform trades with the Sangoths!”

“This planet isnota member of the UPO,” I corrected. “The Sangoths have a limited agreement with them, but it does not extend to any other species here. This is the Dead Zone. The United Planets Organization has no jurisdiction here, nor do the Enforcers or the Peacekeepers. So, unless you want to see your guts turn into mush, I suggest you start speaking. Because I assure you that Aku will be more than happy to give you a taste of what you had in store for his people.”

This time, the seriousness of his situation finally sank in. He licked his lips nervously, his wheels spinning as he attempted to come up with a reply. He glanced at his companion bound next to him only to find him still unconscious. The Raithean would be awakening any minute now, not that he would be of any assistance to him.

“I don’t know anything,” the human said at last. “I’m just a hired hand. This was one of many contracts. My job was to fly him around so that he could drop his shit in three temples and in the wells if needed.”

“Why?” Aku snarled. “Why would you do this to us?”

The human shrugged, his movement barely noticeable due to the lingering paralysis. “It’s pretty damn obvious. They told us to exterminate the monkeys and scientists.”

A blinding fury swelled within me, not only because of the continued disrespect towards the Kreelars, but also the callousness with which he expressed his intention of murdering an entire species alongside with my mate and her colleagues.

“You would do well to watch your tone, human,” I hissed. “You’re in no position to talk down to people that are far better than you ever will be. Now answer the blasted question. Why were you sent to kill them?”

“I don’t know, and I don’t give a shit. They were offering a nice chunk of change, and I just wanted to get paid. Why, and who gets hurt in the process is not my fucking problem,” the man replied belligerently.

“You lie!” Aku ground through his teeth.

He was right. A quick glimpse at the man’s aura confirmed his deception, and also something else. Treachery came to mind.

What is he up to?

A powerful wave of psionic energy startled me. Not even a second later, the human screamed, and blood started trickling out of his nose. Teeth bared, and a vicious expression on his face, Aku was staring at the man with a hatred that sent a chill down my spine. It took every ounce of my willpower not to intervene. I didn’t believe in torture. But then, as an advanced species, I enjoyed many benefits from technology that helped loosen certain reluctant tongues. I wanted to believe that my companion wouldn’t push things to a point where I would have no choice but to step in.

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