Page 319 of Hunters and Prey

Chapter 11

Roman

Skye Palace

Planet Anarr

The Hai System

Roman studied the files he’d been given. Finding the Neprijat spy felt impossible when he had no idea what to look for. All they’d been able to accomplish was weeding out those inhabiting Drakesthai bodies. And then taking back what outposts they could before Adelina gave the order to attack outright.

It didn’t make things any easier that he was completely distracted with his thoughts all over the place.

Chiara had asked him to sleep in her bed and he couldn’t stop thinking about it. Not only that, she hadn’t tried to surgically remove one of his vital organs when she’d woken up. Instead she’d unclasped his pants and sucked his already hard as a rock cock.

It had woken him up and Roman had been so surprised and turned on it took him barely a minute to come. The smug look on her face was akin to a small cat after hunting its breakfast. Then she’d proceeded to tease him about the fact that at least they knew everything worked properly.

But Chiara had been fascinated the most with what made him different from the males in Draga that she’d been with. She’d asked him a thousand questions about the nub on top of his cock, right at the base. Was it always hard, or only when he was? What was it for?

When he’d told her it was for female pleasure she’d stopped her endless questions to get dressed in a rush. If he had to hazard a guess it was so she didn’t take him right then and there. Roman grinned and rubbed his chin. He was hard again just thinking about it. It was about the fifth time this morning too.

Everything in him pushed to take her, to seed her as much as he could. That was the biology talking – he knew that. But Roman still wanted to give her endless pleasure, and that was definitely one way to do it.

They would wait until she was ready though. Once consummated, it wasn’t something one could take back.

“At this rate we’ll clear the planet before we find the spy,” Leo snapped, tossing his shreve onto Roman’s desk as he walked in.

Roman cleared his throat and crossed his legs. “Perhaps he’s covering up the mark somehow.”

“If it was something as simple as makeup we would know,” Leo argued. “I think he might still be in the palace.”

That was concerning. Roman frowned. “What makes you think that?”

“The city and the palace have been combed through twice. But these Neprijat can move into different bodies and once they’ve left the marks fade with time. What if he’s moving around but still on this island?”

“What would be the purpose of that?” Roman asked. “To what end? And wouldn’t we know if they were, since they’d no doubt report the Draga presence here. Not to mention our eradication of the Neprijat overlords in the outposts on the planet?”

Leo sighed and flopped down into one of the armchairs. “Yes, but I can’t think of any other possibility and I’m not willing to accept defeat. The queen trusted us with this task and we can’t fail her.”

Glancing down Roman saw that he was no longer in an embarrassing situation and took the opportunity to stand and pace. “The Neprijat supplant false memories when they depart a body per the full report Adelina sent us. We can question everyone and see what they remember. Any gaps in memories or inaccuracies can be indicators of the spy.”

His brother perked up at that. “It will be time consuming, but I think that might work. We can make a list of questions and ask those who’ve already been vetted to help so we can speed this along.”

“No, I believe having them answer a questionnaire should be sufficient. We can send it to every communicator and shreve. They respond, and we go from there.” Roman went back to his desk and started typing up questions.

“You don’t think that’ll make the real spy suspicious?”

Roman looked up and tapped a code into his desk. A holo popped up and he grabbed the display and threw it against his wall. “We can watch as they receive and answer. Between you, me, and Alexei we can manage all the cams. Maybe Eduard will help us if we ask.”

Leo grinned. “I like this plan. We should have a few to arrest and question in a solar day or less.”

“Precisely, now help me think up the right questions.” Roman checked the last encrypted message he’d received from Hai Delta and the Council. “What is this?”

The message beeped in warning and Roman checked the time. “Damn it all, we’re supposed to be in another meeting in two minutes. How did I not know about this?”

Leo jumped up from the chair, eyes wide. “I missed it as well. That’s where Alexei got off to, the bastard. Could have warned us.”

The two of them practically ran through the palace to their mother’s study, wings tucked in tight as they picked up speed. They burst through the door right as a holo displayed the queen in a glorious suit of armor.

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