Page 31 of The Devil's Embrace

“Yeah, really. Royal Titus Mercer, Director of Hopeful Heart Hospital, is a Connect, and a pretty high-standing one, if my instincts are any good.

“All Connects are high standing,” he reminded.

He’d never met one in person before, but they’d learned about them at the Academy in their beginner's courses. Those who went on to study to become Inspectors like Troya might have gotten a more extensive course, but the fact that Connects,even at a basic level, were taught to all cadets meant they were important and fairly high up the proverbial food chain.

One of the oldest documented species in the universe, Connects were a regal and secretive bunch. Though their home planet, Tenor, was still occupied, due to dwindling populations, many Connects had dispersed throughout the galaxies in search of mates.

“I guess that helps to explain the weird vibe I got,” Troya said, though it was obvious by his tone that he was uncertain of his own words. “Connects can live for centuries. Maybe he’s just old and was looking down on me or something like that.”

“What do you mean? What vibe?”

“It was…chilling? I don’t know, man.” He tossed the pillow back at Cal, clearly embarrassed. “It sounds stupid when I say it out loud like that. He just had weird energy, okay?”

“He made you uncomfortable?” Calix had seen Troya talk his way out of a demerit with their captain before. If he was saying someone unsettled him, it was worth paying attention to.

“Yeah, but I’ve never met a Connect before. Maybe that’s just how they are. They have all this built-up energy, after all. That’s why they need to create pods. Each Connect needs to find two mates before the age of one hundred or they risk losing their mind. The influx of energy within them eats away at the brain first.”

“They must have trained you about Tenor in case we ever needed to take a case there,” Cal said, unable to help his curiosity. “What else did they tell you? I don’t know much, just the basics.”

“Pods are traditionally created with at least two of their own kind,” Troya told him. “In recent years, they’ve had to make due with taking mates outside of their species. It’s a great honor to be chosen by one, it’s supposed to make you set for life.Connects all have generational wealth that would allow them to live comfortably without ever having to lift a finger.”

Cal tilted his head. “And yet Titus has chosen to not only work, but oversee an entire hospital? Sounds stressful.”

“That’s not all,” Troya added, unable to help himself when gossip was thrown into the mix. “He was an infamous brain surgeon up until two years ago. But that’s not even the most interesting part! He’s only worked for the hospital for a decade. He’s thirty-five!”

That was pretty young to be made the director of a hospital of Hopeful Hearts stature.

“Do you think it’s because of his skill or because of his station?” Troya thought it over. “Maybe both?”

“What I think,” Cal drawled, “is he’s only nine years older than me and he’s already got his shit together. Lucky.”

“Says the guy who’s about to retire at twenty-six.”

He shrugged. “It’s not like I can go the rest of my life without a job. I’ll have to find something else to do.”

“Going to stick around here?”

He snorted. “Are you kidding? After the warm welcome I received? No.”

Calix didn’t want to think about the night of the reunion.

“I know you hate causing trouble, but you really should have reported them for jumping you.”

“Bruce said the same thing. But it’s not going to happen. Let’s just call it even and move on.”

“Even with what?” Troya shook his head. “You keep saying you were innocent back then, if that’s the case, there’s nothing to get even with.”

“Whether it was an accident or not—”

“Whether it was an accident or not, it’s time to fucking grow a pair and move on.” Troya rolled his eyes and stood with a flourish, practically stomping over to the mini fridge. He stuckhis head inside and pulled out a bottle of local beer. “Can I have this?”

“Whatever, it was already in there.”

“What?” Troya frowned. “That’s seriously messed up. My fridge has water and soda in it, that’s it. Why are you getting so many upgrades? I’m taking this up with Freya in booking once we’re back. This is bullshit.” He twisted the top off and took a swig as he headed back to the couch.

“Want to trade rooms?” Cal offered, only for his partner to get even more annoyed with him.

“Quit doing that shit. How many times do I have to tell you, it wasn’t me.”

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