Page 54 of Orin

When Orin moved in with me, I thought our life together would be blissful. I’d been deluding myself. Until now, I felt ignorance was bliss and was so done with succumbing to fear every time something bad happened. I just wanted to live my life with the guy...alien, I loved.

The alarm stopped, and the palace was quiet.

The last thing I needed was to devolve into a terrified mess like I was when I was first abducted. If it weren’t for Grace’s kindness and patience with me, I doubt I would be as okay as I am now. I pinched my eyes closed unable to shake the feeling winding its way through me.

What if the Krilex decided to attack the city? I rubbed my forehead with trembling hands.

I needed to talk to Grace and find out what’s going on. I wouldn’t go against Orin’s advice and leave the apartment, but I couldn’t just stand here and wait for news, either.

After much pacing, I gave in and swiped the panel by the door. When it glided open, a palace guard stood smirking at me. I grimaced at the guard, knowing it was likely Orin told him to expect me to try to leave. But I couldn’t help myself. I would only worry if I was alone.

“Miss Olivia, it is advisable for you to remain in your suite.”

“Why? Are the Krilex in the city? Am I in danger?” I gulped.

“It is only a precaution. We want to make sure you are safe.” He gave me a polite nod.

I moved my head back and forth. “Can I please talk to Queen Grace?”

She would know more about what was going on and besides, I didn’t want to be alone right now. I’m sure she didn’t want to be either.

After nodding in acknowledgement, I waited for him to reach out to someone. When he was finished, he spoke. “Queen Grace is being escorted to you right now. Please step back into your suite. I will let them in when they arrive.”

I sighed and wrapped my arms around myself, then stepped back into my apartment without a word. Still shaking, I tried to tune into Orin to sense if he was okay. The only response was more stress.

Frowning, I took a seat, tapping my fingers on the table.

Grace arrived, and I could see lines of worry on her face, which didn’t make me feel any better. I hurried to her, and we both walked into the food prep area to make some tea. It was an automatic response for both of us.

“Do you know what’s going on?” I asked.

Grace reached into the cupboard, pulling down two cups while I prepared the tea.

This was the only way I could think of to stay calm for the baby’s sake. My tummy was in knots, but the tea usually did the trick to help calm it.

Grace’s lips down-turned. “Trex heard a call came from the Fruner mining village reporting that the mining supervisors had been taken hostage by the Krilex.”

Hostages?“Wait, all the mines here are controlled by AI, aren’t they? The Krilex would have to bypass the advancedtechnology to gain access to the mine’s materials.” This much I knew from reading about the planet when I first arrived.

The corner of Grace’s mouth twisted. “Yes, every single one of them is automated. But there are at least a dozen males at each mining sight who oversee the operation of it. This particular mine is for cerium, and lanthanum, which is pretty valuable, apparently.”

A sigh escaped from me. “And our mates have gone to stop the Krilex from stealing these minerals?”

She nodded her head. “Yes. And to free the hostages. I’m unsure of the number, but there are other warriors accompanying them.

“Do you know how many Krilex are at the mine?” I wasn’t sure I wanted to know, but I couldn’t help asking.

“Trex only mentioned that he’s assembling a group of warriors to confront them. I told him as King, he shouldn’t go, but he said that is the reason he should.” She threw her arms in the air, looking just as upset as me.

Trembling, I held my tea cup and prayed for Orin’s safe return.

24

Orin

WE ARRIVED AT THE FRUNERmining facility with a group of warriors to see four Krilex stationed at the front entrance, armed with blaster pistols. Careful to stay out of view Trex ordered two of the warriors to secure the nearby Krilex shuttle.

“Is there another way inside?” one of the warriors asked.

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