Page 55 of Lhora
Scooting backwards until he reached her chair, he drew his arms around her legs and kissed her knees. “You know I am. You’re just too tired to realize it right now. Trust me, my love.”
She reached down to run her fingers through his hair. “You know I always will.”
26
Counteroffer
The soldier guarding the clinic was surprised to see her when she arrived. He also noticed she wasn’t in uniform, which told him this wasn’t an official visit.
“Esstiss? I wasn’t informed you were coming.”
“Where is the Coltrosstian prisoner being held?”
“He was transferred out a short while ago.”
Lhora narrowed her eyes at him. “He was? On whose orders?”
“By the physician, Cha Rusp.”
By the physician? She knew he had the authority, but...
“Was the Sarpen sent to the dungeon?”
“I assume so.”
“Assume isn’t good enough! Check the logs!” she snapped. She immediately regretted her sharp tone, but she needed to keep these men on their toes. At no time while they were on duty could they slack off or grow indolent.
The man jerked to attention and went to read the last few entries. “Yes, Esstiss. The Coltrosstian prisoner was transferred to the dungeon…” He glanced at the clock. “Less than an hour ago.” A funny expression crossed his face, and he looked up at her in disbelief. “He’s the Sarpen?”
“Yes. Thank you.” She abruptly turned to hurry out of the clinic. The guard who’d accompanied her there didn’t say anything, but she sensed his curiosity.
She led him to the stables. Throwing open the wide doors, she went straight to the first available coach and climbed up into the driver’s seat. The guard stared up at her.
“You can ride up top or inside. Your choice,” she told him.
He chose to hoist himself up next to her. She noticed he didn’t ask where they were going. He knew he’d eventually find out.
She pushed the coach, passing the late-night traffic in a rush. When they reached the outskirts of the city, Lhora opened the throttle all the way, and they bounced along the roadway at a rapid pace.
They made good time getting to the dungeon. As they approached, she noticed how similar the building was to the Coltrosstian dungeon. But instead of the offices, the interrogation rooms, and the holding cells being spread out behind the main entrance, they were on the second and third floors.
First the battlecruiser. Now the dungeon. So much alike, yet different.The resemblance made her wonder how much more alike their cities, their buildings, and more importantly their ships were.
She parked the vehicle in front of the barred double front doors, hopped down to the ground, and jogged to the entrance. Realizing her shadow wasn’t behind her, she looked back at him.
“I’ll remain here until you return,” he stated. He knew she’d be safe inside among the dungeon’s security.
She waved an acknowledgment. “I won’t be long.”
The soldiers on duty behind the front desk looked up in surprise to see her there. “The Sarpen. Take me to him,” she ordered. The man grabbed a key, when she stopped him. “Tell me. Is there an underground tunnel leading from the lowest level of this dungeon to an open field or someplace that the guards can escape in case of an emergency?”
The guard didn’t waver. “Yes, Esstiss.”
She pointed to the key he was holding. “Does this open every door in this place? Including the door outside the emergency exit?”
“Yes, Esstiss.”
She muttered an obscenity. That little matter would need to be taken care of as soon as possible. “Mark the logs. Have the guards tomorrow morning call in a locksmith. Have them issue a different key and lock to every cell door in this place.Andto the emergency exit door.”
