Page 14 of Secretly Mated To My Monster Alien Boss
“The party’s going to go splendidly, don’t worry. The worst has already happened. I didn’t anticipate contraband getting in,” Darcy went on. “So Deryg can just chill. Nazyn’s been worried about him. Then again, he worries a lot.”
“Why’s Nazyn worried about Deryg?”
“Oh, you know, the whole–” The rest of Darcy’s words were jumbled and scratchy. All Kiara heard was something about Deryg’s brother and Deruzia before the line got completely jammed by whatever super secret tech they had down here. Or maybe it was the elevator playing pranks on her.
Deryg had abrother? He had mentioned something about issues with his family, but Kiara’s mind had instantly jumped to his parents.
Come to think of it, he hadn’t really discussed them either.
Disappointment swelled inside Kiara. Were theyreallyfriends? Sure, they had their inside jokes and could always count on each other, but he kept so much of his private life hidden. Then again, Kiara hadn’t exactly told him about the psychological warfare that happened each time she talked to her mom.
The elevator doors slid open, dragging her back to reality.
Kiara startled and stared at the hall in front of her, mouth hanging open and not caring.
“What in the?—“
A freakishly long corridor stretched before her, its ceiling higher than it had any right to. Okay, that was good. More space meant her heart wouldn’t beat itself out of her chest, trying to escape back to the surface.
So this was Alien Inc’s security department. Deryg’s famous Domain.
It was…well, it wasn’t what Kiara had expected.
The long hallway didn’t seem to have an ending to it, only darkness awaiting her at the other end. The ceiling was flecked with small lights that twinkled like stars in the sky.
Kiara stepped forward hesitantly.
Instantly, a gust of wind blew over her, wrecking her low bun for good. A red light scanned her from head to toe in the blink of an eye.
Finally, a beep resounded in the deserted hallway, echoing away from Kiara. It sounded curiously welcoming.
Okay, so she’d passed whatever check point that was. Unnecessary, since she worked here, but okay.
She rolled her shoulders back and pushed forward. She had stuff to do, even as the walls seemed to inch around her.
Kiara shook her head. Just her mind betraying her again, like it always did in dark places. And this hallway seemed to suck in all the light.
Her footsteps bounced off the bare walls. The place was barren except for the occasional alcoves flanking her on either side, spindly columns at their edges. Some were empty, some had paintings or tables in them.
The further she walked, the more apprehensive Kiara became. This hallway was imposing. It felt like she was in a museum. No. A mausoleum, walking to her death.
If it creepedherout, innocent and all, she could only imagine what that Kevin guy must’ve felt being dragged here.
Wherewaseverybody? Deryg’s department was one of the largest in the entire company. And where the hell was Deryg? Someone must’ve told him she was coming down, right?
Did he want to avoid her? Was he more than mortified because of the kiss or–
Kiara stopped in her tracks.
The other alcoves she’d passed had been simple curiosities, but this one, she couldn’t ignore. There was a simple tabletucked inside it, a single potted plant perched on it. A begonia, very similar to the one she had back in her office.
No, not similar. Identical.
Her mind might’ve been playing tricks on her, trying to find familiar ground in a place she felt like a complete outsider, but this place wasdark. No begonia, no matter how sturdy, could be as plump and vibrant in this environment.
Maybe it was made of plastic. Kiara stretched her hand toward one of its leaves; her fingers went straight through it.
Kiara flinched back.
