Page 43 of Adtovar
“I did not know Yaard enjoyed gladiator games,” Ako said drolly. After his criminal deeds and several attempts on Duke Ako’s life were exposed, Ambassador Yaard topped the Alliance criminal list.
“He doesn’t,” Bozzo snorted. “He was there picking up thecuddwisgdevice I procured for him.”
Thecuddwisgwas holographic disguise technology, basically outlawed by Alliance regulation. I glanced at Ako, who took a step closer to Bozzo. His eyes narrowed curiously.
“A necessary tool to avoid capture by the Alliance, no doubt,” Ako said the words like he didn’t believe them. Neither did I.
Bozzo leaned his head back and laughed. A deep, gurgling sound that seemed to echo with foreboding and sent a faint chill down my spine.
“Yaard didn’t want it to avoid capture. He wanted it to blend in at his next destination.”
The chill seemed to deepen, wrapping around me like an invisible, icy shroud. My gaze darted from Bozzo’s smug demeanor, his lips curling into a self-satisfied smirk, to Duke Ako. The Duke appeared visibly shaken. A faint tremor ran through him, his eyes wide and unsteady, as if the very ground beneath him trembled.
“What is his destination?” Ako’s voice seemed shaky.
“Do we have a deal?” Bozzo’s yellow gaze narrowed. At that precise moment, a shift occurred. It was as if Bozzo sensedthe invisible threads of control weaving into his grasp, and a knowing arrogant satisfaction spread across his expression.
With a deep breath, Ako straightened, squaring his shoulders, and lifting his chin. Any shock or hesitation that had gripped him evaporated like steam. In his place now stood a confident leader, his eyes focused and determined, exuding an aura of authority.
“It depends on the next words out of your mouth. “Ako’s slow, gravelly tone carried a threat.
Bozzo remained completely unfazed. His smug demeanor seemed to grow with each passing second as if he were savoring a triumph.
“Earth. Yaard travels to Earth. He heard your mate is hiding there.”
I reacted without thinking, taking a step forward and driving my fist squarely into the middle of Bozzo’s face. His squeal pierced the air, a shrill cry that echoed through the cells. Short, stubby hands flailed wildly, grasping at his face where his gelatinous features seemed to collapse inward. The force of the blow sent him, along with his chair, toppling backward with an unceremonious splat.
I turned, expecting to encounter Ako’s disapproval, but he was already gone.
Chapter 18 - Maddie
The medi-unit scanning over my body was a far superior model compared to the one I used while in Bozzo’s pit. It glided effortlessly across my skin, emitting a series of deep, rhythmic beeps with lights holding a steady glow, either deep green or rich purple. I took this as a good sign.
“How do you feel?” George hadn’t left my side. He was small and slender, with skin a muted shade of gray with a faint blue tinge, and almond-shaped eyes so dark they appeared obsidian. Despite his apparent skill, he looked young to me, perhaps the alien equivalent of a teen.
“Fine, better than fine,” I answered, giving my body an all-over shimmy to make sure the status hadn’t changed in the few minutes since he’d asked before. “I do have a slight headache, though.” I hadn’t mentioned it prior, simply because I didn’t think the dull twinge at my temples qualified as an actual headache. Honestly, I couldn’t think of a time when I’d felt better. Or looked better. My skin no longer held the ashy sheen, and my curls felt and looked like ringlets of dark silk.
George tilted this wide, hairless head and gazed at me, a faint purse to his thin lips. “The headache is a side effect of your time in the Healer. It should diminish shortly.”
“How long was I in the... Healer?” I glanced at the machine in question. It made me think of a bullet... a long, silver bullet. I awoke within the confines of the conical room, sprawled on a surface so luxuriously soft it felt as though I werefloating on a cloud. The air held scents reminiscent of tea tree oil and lavender while the gentle hum of air circulating added to the serenity. No sooner had I blinked the sleep from my eyes than the door swung open, revealing George. He introduced himself and assisted me in stepping out of the machine. My legs trembled initially but gained steadiness with every stride. The bed I now sat upon resembled any hospital bed I’d ever seen, but with a lot more bells and whistles.
“Ten days,” George told me, switching off his hand-held medi-unit. His lips twitched into something that might have been a smile. I wasn’t sure. He hadn’t smiled before, that I’d noticed so I had nothing to compare it to.
Ten days.
I cast my memory backward, sifting through the jagged shards of pain and blackness that clouded my thoughts. My last vivid memory was the desperate act of hurling my final two bombs at the Uglyhead, praying the explosion would be enough to kill the beast. The memory of Adtovar calling my name echoed in my mind, then—nothing.
I was fairly certain I’d woken aboard theHistoria. Yet, a knot of unease settled in my stomach, leading to an unsettling question:Where was Adtovar?The realization of his absence hit me like an icy wave, sending a sudden jolt of panic through my veins.
“Where’s Adtovar?” My voice trembled, each word heavy with fear and longing. Desperation clawed at my chest as I reached out and clutched George’s arms, the salty sting of tears pricking my eyes.
His name barely had time to escape my lips before the door whished open, and Adtovar strode in. He appeared completely unscathed—thank God—wearing a navy and hunter-green uniform that fit him like a second skin. His pale skin didn’thold a single sign of trauma, and he’d woven his straight, snow-white hair into a braid that cascaded down his back.
His pale blue eyes spotted George initially then flickered to me, widening with surprise when he noticed me awake and smiling. In the brief second it took for me to inhale, he was at my bedside. Strong, muscular arms gathered me close as he buried his face in the curve of my neck.
“My mate.” He inhaled deeply, moaning in contentment as my scent enveloped him.
“Adtovar,” I breathed happily, letting myself melt into his embrace.
