They were a force to be reckoned with. Though Rynar had met some human ones that could hold their own against the entire Deruzian elders’ council. “They’re quite ruthless.”
“More ruthless than our Wednesday department meetings?”
“A bit more civilized than that.”
“Ah, that’s no fun. You’ll have to get someone else to kill you, then.” She adjusted her glasses. “And get them to copy your personal documents next time, too.”
Rynar was rarely surprised when Alissia wasn’t involved. This was the first time she outright refused a task. “Why?”
“Because I work as a paralegal forAlien Inc. I don’t work foryou. And you have an assistant.”
Ah. He’d offended her. Without meaning to, because he thought she was the only one he could entrust with this. It was as simple as that. And he’d finished looking over the shipment contracts in her place, so she wouldn’t have to work overtime.
He was missing something. He could ask her about it, but he felt he’d reached his self-imposed question quota for the day.
“Liliana is new,” he said instead.
“You can trust Lily,” she said. “I wouldn’t have recommended her for the job otherwise.”
“She might prove herself to be. But you’re the only one I truly trust in this office.”
His proclaiment hung in the air, giving it more power than Rynar had intended. Perhaps he had exaggerated. Then again, maybe not, because Alissia didn’t answer.
She huffed a laugh and turned her gaze to the huge library shelves on the wall, a bitter smile on her face.
“What is it?” There he went again, with the questions. Nines.
A few more seconds passed, the tension heightening. Finally, Alissia took a deep breath. “I always find it funny how some people–and apparently Deruzians–always seem to ask too much of the ones they feel are closest. Or more trustworthy, in this case.”
Then she turned on her heels, heading straight toward the door again.
Rynar tensed. “Wait.”
She stopped, a breath away from the exit, but didn’t turn around.
“I will not ask for anything similar again. From you.” He was at a loss of what else to say. But he’d obviously made a mistake.
“Good.” She looked at him over her shoulder. “But we’re still discussing my pay raise next week.”
Then she walked away, taking her fire and that sweet perfume of hers out of his office. It suddenly felt empty.
With the door sliding shut, he couldn’t avoid the inevitable any longer.
He looked at the documents as if they’d sprout fangs of their own and bite him.
He shook his head, a curious human habit he’d picked up, and tried to focus.
He’d upset Alissia. An outcome he hadn’t anticipated. He would have copied them himself, but when the home world called, all Deruzians answered.
If Alissia would have known what was on these pages…
Rynar’s entire future–and his history.
His family history, at least.
He reached for the papers. Then hesitated. These were the last documents his father had touched before his passing, three years ago.
It had been a difficult time, softened only by the certainty that he would be reunited with Rynar’s mother. Since her death, his father had survived a half-existence. Always talking about her, always wanting her by his side. That was the curse of true love. Of having a fated mate perish. Blissful existence that could only end in agony if the couple didn’t have the good fortune of dying together.
