Page 21 of Stealing the Star Stone
After the day he’d had, he was done.
A scream like a peacock snapped Eli’s eyes open.He blinked at the bright white ceiling, his mind struggling to register what he was looking at.The bed was ultra hard, and his back pulsed in agony.He moaned, raised his hand to rub his face, and stiffened.
Delicate blue-stained fingers moved as he commanded.
He squeezed his eyes shut then opened them.Had he been drugged?Was he dreaming?He snorted, and ice drenched him.That sound!He snorted again.Nova was here?He sat up and gaped at the white-walled cell.Beyond a shimmer trailed sec officers and their prisoners.None spared him a glance.
What the fuck?
Why was he in a cell?He stretched out his legs, reality slow to dawn.Tiny booted feet?Shapely feminine legs?The red uniform was the clincher.He fluffed the pony tail then slumped, his mouth opening and shutting with but a squeak slipping out.
“I’m dreaming,” he muttered, then jerked back at Nova’s husky voice speaking.
Panic flared to life, a roar climbed his throat, and he leaped up, needing a doctor.
“Officer,” he yelled, striding toward the shimmer and stopping short of it when the hem of his coat sparked and burned.“Officer, please.”Each word pierced him, confirming he’d gone insane.“A doctor!”
“Oh, good, you’re awake,” Orien said, striding toward him.
Eli almost sighed in relief.If there was anyone who could ‘fix’ this, it was Orien.“Yes, Vex, I need—”
“Who gave you the right to use my name?Do not speak it, you witch.”Fire blazed in the older man’s eyes.
Eli stepped back, his eyes widening.He’d be an idiot to reveal his current predicament to this madman.The fool might not believe him, or worse, his tests could be lethal.
“What do you want?”Eli demanded, folding his arms across his chest and resisting the urge to stare at Nova’s amazing cleavage.
“I’m here for an…apology.”By Orien’s wince, speaking the word hurt.
“I accept.”Eli arched a brow.“Will that be all?”
“No,” Orien spluttered, “you say sorry to me.”
“For what?”Eli smirked, loving channeling her sass.“Three of us touched your stupid rock.Did you ask Eli for an apology?”He narrowed his eyes.“Or did you just assume I had a hidden agenda?”He strode backward and sank onto the bench.“Neither of us had even heard of your exhibition until we arrived on Messis.”
“Regardless, the evidence proves this was your doing.”
Eli hummed, unraveling his arms to stroke his chin—his mind marveling at her silky skin.“Something tells me you have mommy issues.That women frighten you.”
Orien blustered.
Angering this idiot wasn’t wise, but it was oh so enjoyable and exactly what Nova would do.Eli could honestly get behind this woman’s attitude.
“And here I was going to offer you a truce.”Orien glanced at his goons guarding his back.“Come with me to Lethara to find another stone.Eli has most generously funded my expedition.”
Eli stilled.Was that the name of the planet?Rhymes with ‘pinata’ he’d said.But this about-face had him on edge.Sure, he’d reminded Orien that the stoneandNova would lead to more breakthroughs, but still.The man had hardly looked convinced while sulking over his brandy.“Why should I?”
“I’ll drop the charges,” Orien continued as if Eli hadn’t spoken.“A luxurious escort to the jungles covering the Lerathi temples.”
“Why?”Eli waited, his gaze fixed on Orien.Last night, he’d been determined to have Nova killed or experimented on.What had changed?
“Eli Thorne suggested you be there when I find a replacement.”
Right, pass the blame.Eli shifted on the bench.Her backside was soft, making anything almost comfortable to sit upon.
“So it can shatter again?No, thanks,” he said.Slipping into her personality was so much easier than had she been an imaginary character he had to portray.
“Have breakfast with me.”Orien flashed a charming smile, making him appear grandfatherly.
