Page 14 of Bound to the Alien King
Mosely reared back his meaty fist, a clear threat that made even me reconsider all my life choices.
“All right, fine.My name’s Jorran.That’s all I told the purple guys.”The dim light shone on the Pelikr’s—Jorran’s—sweaty, shaky smile, which turned malicious.“And that’s all I’m telling you.”
He was brave.I’d give him that.I doubted it would last once he saw what other tricks I hid up my sleeves.
“I disagree,” Mosely told him.“You’ll tell us who hired you, or your tats will look more like Monet by the time we’re finished with you.”
“Who’s Monet?”Jorran asked.
“Oh mygod, dude,“ Mosely said, clearly disgusted.
“Like I said before,” Jorran replied to me, cold as ice, “I’m not telling you or your bald friend or any purple thing nothing.”
“Then enjoy the rest of your miserable existence, Jorran.”Without breaking eye contact, I dug into the duffel bag I’d brought with me and handed Mosely a scalpel I’d “borrowed” from Doc for just such an occasion.“Mosely, crack his head open and see what’s inside.Hell, give him a lobotomy while you’re at it.”
“Wait,” the Pelikr said, throwing up his hand.“Jorran Dennis.”
“That’s not the question I asked,” I fired back.
“You aren’t cutting into my head.”His eyes darted nervously between us.“I pass out at the sight of my own blood.Honest.If I do, then I can’t tell you anything.”
Well, shit.I wasn’t sure if I believed him, but if he was telling the truth, that would definitely slow us down.
“All right,” I said casually.“How about this?You tell us one small detail—anything—and we’ll let you walk out of here.”
“Really?”Jorran raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement playing across his face.“That’s your grand strategy?Bribery?”
“Call it what you want.”I shrugged, my tone light.“But think about it, Jorran.One tiny piece of information could save you a whole lot of trouble.Even save you a lobotomy.What do you think, Mosely?Is it worth it?”
His glare unyielding, he stuck another toothpick into his mouth from his pants pocket.“I’d rather do a lobotomy.”
Jorran bounced a single shoulder and crossed his arms even tighter across his chest.
Okay, time for a different approach.“What else brought you to this part of the galaxy, Jorran?”
He stared at me with those cold, calculating eyes, seeming to weigh his options.Finally, he sighed, as if he were humoring me.“Just passing through.”
“Really?”I replied, trying to sound genuinely interested.“And how long have you been traveling?”
“Long enough.”
“Must be lonely,” I mused, watching him closely for any change in his demeanor.“Spending all that time by yourself.”
“Maybe for some,” he said, smirking.“But I’ve never been one to crave company.”
“Uh-huh.So, what do you think about when you’re out there, all alone in the great expanse of space?Must give a Pelikr a lot of time to reflect.”
“Sometimes,” Jorran admitted, his face impassive.“But mostly, I just focus on what’s ahead.”
“Ah, always looking forward.”I nodded, trying to draw him out or wear him out.Whatever came first.“A good quality to have.But tell me, what drives you?”
“Survival,” he answered without hesitation, his eyes locked on mine.“It’s a dangerous universe out there.If you don’t adapt, you die.”
“Truer words were never spoken,” I agreed.“Now, speaking of survival, I can’t help but wonder how you managed to fail at killing the princess.Someone as good as you?”I shook my head, attempting to stroke his ego.“Even the best slip up sometimes, but what went wrong this time?”
“Nothing,” Jorran said, his voice steady and unwavering.“I’m right where I want to be.”
“Right,” I said with a laugh.“You’re locked in an interrogation room with us because you planned it that way.Makes total sense.No, she fought back, didn’t she?A warrior princess who you mistook as a little slip of a girl.An easy target, right?How many of those wounds did she give you herself?”
