Page 322 of Hunters and Prey

It was difficult because Chiara really wanted to study them herself, but she’d had to settle for studying Gia’s reports.

“A bit,” Gia admitted. The other female crossed the room and rifled through the items on one of Chiara’s desks.

She frowned, not liking how messy things were getting. “I have those in a specific order.”

“What I’m about to tell you will be worth the irritation, Doctor. Now look.” Gia picked up one of Chiara’s medpacks. “This one is small and for the field so it can restart a heart, yes?”

Nodding, she wondered where this was going, mind already racing as she considered the thousands of possibilities.

“If you put the electrostimulation over one hundred thousand volts and press it to the back of the neck I am almost positive it will dislodge the Neprijat from the host.” Gia handed her the medpack and grinned. “I can’t wait to test it out.”

“How did you come to this conclusion?” Chiara asked, studying the medpack in her hand like she’d never seen one before. Tucking it in her pocket she decided it was now going to be a part of her arsenal, just in case.

Gia tapped her shreve and then handed it to Chiara. “I compared the Drakesthai brain before and after an upload. Based on the changes I was able to work out the wavelength required to penetrate another consciousness. Then I tested ways to disrupt that wavelength.”

“Like the sound waves used to counteract their persuasion,” Chiara murmured. “How fascinating. This might actually work.”

Gia shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal, but it was. “I hope so. I’ve yet to have an opportunity to test it though.”

“I’m cutting your workload on the cure in half,” Chiara told her. “I want you to focus as much of your time and energy on the Neprijat Snatcher in stasis, and the dead Drakesthai host as possible. I imagine there is a lot more they can tell us that we’ll be able to use in the future.”

The other female grinned. “I look forward to it, Doctor.” She bowed slightly in recognition of the difference in their rank and then left Chiara’s office without another word.

That was why Chiara liked her the most. She was minimally annoying and very concise. It was easier for Chiara that way which was why everyone now went through Gabe and Gia before anything came to her other than reports.

It was much more efficient this way.

Then there was another knock on her door and Chiara thought she might lose her temper. “It better be important,” she snapped.

The door slid open and revealed Roman. “Is this a bad time?” he asked.

Chiara sighed and waved at the couch. “No, but if it had been anyone other than you I might have thrown something at them.”

“Bad day?” he asked as he sat.

Eyeing him she could tell something was off. He seemed more…subdued than he had been that morning. “What’s wrong?”

Roman seemed surprised she could tell by the way his eyes widened – and she could feel it slightly through that small thread connecting them. “Nothing is wrong per se. I just found out that Adelina and Kaiden said their marriage vows in secret.”

Well, that wasn’t exactly surprising. “The queen does a lot of things in secret,” Chiara told him, taking out the syringe she’d prepped for him that morning. “She was probably just thinking ahead. A full royal wedding wouldn’t make sense right at this moment and she clearly loves Kaiden. This is how she can protect him. He’s a Draga royal by marriage now.”

A quick jab and Roman was inoculated.

“Which brings me to the other thing,” Roman said, rubbing his arm ruefully. “I just had a meeting with your queen and the Council and everyone else involved in this madness. We will be moving on the Neprijat much sooner than anticipated. Tonight or tomorrow.”

Finished with most of her work for the day other than more studying and testing formulas for new subjects, Chiara decided she had time for a break. She sat down beside Roman and let her knee brush against his.

“Are you frightened?” she asked.

He took her hands in his and stared into her eyes – something deep and unreadable was there and for the first time Chiara wished she was more normal so she would know what that look meant.

“I’m not frightened of battle,” Roman told her. His words were soft, and quieter than normal. “I’m afraid for you.”

“Why?” Chiara frowned. She may not be a warrior but she could hold her own if necessary. “The palace is cleared and on a floating island. Other than debris falling from space – which you have no control over – I shouldn’t be in any danger.”

“I simply worry. I won’t be here to protect you during the fight. It’s not that I don’t believe you can take care of yourself. You nearly gutted me with a scalpel, I’m sure you’ll be fine. But there are situations where you won’t be. Like if we lose.”

Chiara studied his face, noting the worry lines and the fear in his eyes that she could feel through the thread between them. “We won’t lose.”

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