Page 19 of Pursued By the Dragon Alien

“The females you were taken with.” His voice was lighter now, not pressing, just…curious. “You left a settlement behind, right? You had people there.”

Lilas hesitated, then sighed. “Yeah. Sevas, Fivra, Nena, and Cerani. I grew up with Sevas and Fivra, but Nena and Cerani were brought to the settlement. We were all taken together.” Her fingers dug into the edge of the table. “Turi was supposed to be taken too, but she didn’t come. The overseer kept her.”

Vedd nodded, listening. “You were very close with these females?”

“They’re my family.” Her voice came out quieter than she intended. “We weren’t related, but we survived together. Looked out for each other.” She looked away, her jaw tight. “I plan to find them again. Somehow.”

She caught the flicker in Vedd’s expression—just a flash, but it was enough. A shadow over his usually easy demeanor. Lilas narrowed her eyes. “What?”

“Nothing,” he said too quickly, dropping the scanner to his side.

“No, not nothing.” She swung her legs off the table. “Tell me.”

Vedd hesitated, then forced a smile. “You’re fine. Scans are clear. No implants. No tampering.”

Lilas stared at him. “Vedd.”

But he was already stepping toward the door. His expression was too light, too easy. She pushed off the table, arms crossing tight over her chest. “You know something.”

Vedd paused, but he didn’t turn around. “I know a lot of things,” he said with a silk to his voice that gave her a hint of the ruthlessness that ran below the surface. “It’s why they keep me around.”

Lilas’ stomach twisted. She wasn’t stupid. She knew that look. Knew the way people sidestepped truth when they didn’t want to say something out loud.

Her heart thudded once, heavy in her chest. “Are they—” She swallowed. “Are they alive?”

Vedd finally looked at her, and for the first time, there was no humor in his face. Just something quiet and knowing. “I truly don’t know.”

That wasn’t a no. But it also wasn’t a yes. Lilas clenched her teeth. “Vedd—”

“You’re clear,” he said firmly, stepping through the door. “Off you go, Lilas.”

She barely had time to process before he strode away, leaving her alone in the strange, sterile room.

Lilas inhaled slowly, staring at the space he’d just been standing in.

There was something he wasn’t telling her. And she wasn’t going to stop until she figured out what it was. The next time she saw Razion, she’d ask him about it. He’d tell her. He had to.

Except, shedidn’tsee him. He didn’t return to the cargo hold while she worked, didn’t pass through the dining hall when she was there. No chance encounters in the corridors, no fleeting glances across the room. It was as if he had deliberately faded into the background of the ship, placing an invisible barrier between them. And the more she noticed his absence, the more she couldn’t ignore what it meant—Razion was avoiding her.

Yet, despite this distance, Razion had designated one of the crew members to teach her reading each cycle, ensuring she wasn’t entirely left to her own devices. She appreciated that, and was, indeed, learning to read better with every passing cycle. And the cyclesdidpass. About twenty of them, and during that time she only caught glimpses of the Darkslip’s captain. It was amazing how someone could manage to make himself so scarce. The ship wasn’tthatbig.

The crew members talked as they worked, sharing stories and laughter, and although Lilas still felt like an outsider they were getting used to, it was getting easier. She didn’tneedRazion for anything. The crew in the cargo hold could tellher anything she wanted to know, butfekit, she missed the big, winged bastard. There had been something…interesting between them, and now it felt like that spark, that connection, was snuffed out and replaced by an unease that churned inside her.

After her duties, she found herself lingering in the common areas, waiting for a chance encounter with Razion, some excuse to draw back that familiar bravado, to challenge him the way she had before. She knew he was there. She could practically sense his presence like a storm approaching on the horizon. But each time her heart hoped to see him, he remained elusive.

One cycle, she finally decided to march to the command deck, pushing the possible consequences of confronting him out of her head. She reached the door, her heart pounding with determination, but when it slid open, she found Razion deep in conversation with Krask, their expressions serious. She paused, anxiety creeping along her spine as she figured out if she should interrupt.

Razion caught sight of her. The moment their eyes locked, something shifted in his expression, but it was like a dam had closed over whatever warmth had existed between them. He turned away, refocusing on Krask as if she were invisible.

A wave of disappointment crashed over her, twisting in her chest. Lilas stood frozen in the doorway, trying to make sense of the sudden ache that spread through her. How was it possible that a mere glance from him could elicit such a visceral reaction? Her heart thundered in her ears as she hesitated, debating whether to step inside or retreat.

Krask spoke next, his gaze turning to her. “You’re not authorized to enter the command deck.”

The words sent a jolt through Lilas, and she instinctively stepped back. Her hand gripped the metal frame of the door. “I wanted a word with Razion.”

“The captain is occupied,” Krask said coldly. “Please leave.”

She turned to do just that as heat flooded her face. What had she been thinking? He obviously didn’t want to see her. She spun to the door, but before she could fully retreat, Razion’s voice sliced through the air. “Lilas—”

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