Page 25 of Tornn's Mate
“In the brig,” I reply, then quickly add, “she has not been harmed.”
He sighs and gives me a thankful nod. “She didn’t want to do it,” he says. “We were in bed, preparing to mate, when she suddenly gave me an apologetic look and told me she was sorry, though I didn’t know what she was talking about until I felt the tingle of the hypospray on my neck.”
“Captain Varll informed me as such,” I reply, “though he says Sheila is keeping quiet in the brig. She won’t answer any questions. In fact, she hasn’t uttered a single word since she was taken there.”
Paddax reaches for a mug of water with a shaky hand. I wait patiently as he drinks and sets the mug aside. “I suspect someone on theJansonnacoerced my mate into harming me. A human—or perhaps a group of them—who don’t want our alliance to succeed. If our scientists hadn’t been quick to develop a vaccine, a deadly plague would’ve swept through theHaxxal.”
“I agree.” I glance around the medical bay, but no one is standing close enough to overhear our conversation. “Did your mate speak about her life aboard theJansonnaat all? Did she tell you anything about herself or her family? Anything about the job she had on the worldship?”
He shakes his head. “No, nothing. She didn’t talk much but seemed very excited to mate, so I immediately took her to bed. I realize now her eagerness was a ploy to catch me off guard.” His jaw tenses, and I can’t help but wonder what Paddax will do with Sheila once she’s returned to his custody.
“Doctor Lorzz says I’ll be well enough to leave in approximately ten to fifteen days. I promise I’ll personally question my mate and get answers from her. I’ll make her confess every last secret she has.” A look of resolve crosses his face.
“As you know, it’s protocol for our security officers to question her multiple times a day while she’s in the brig. That will continue, however if she remains uncooperative, I have faith that you’ll be able to extract the answers we need.”
Paddax grabs my arm. “No one touches her.” His eyes flash with rage. “No one touches her but me. If I find out anyone caused her physical harm or threatened her, I will challenge them tolahhkda. She’s mine to deal with.Mine.” His eyes widen as he looks at his hand that’s still clutching my arm. Then he quickly releases me and glances away.
“I give you my word that no harm will come to your female, Officer Paddax. Be well.” I understand his anger and his possessiveness toward Sheila. If I were in his place, I would be furious with my mate but also eager to have her back in my keeping, where I could ensure her safety and also question her until she made a full confession.
It's in the best interest of my people to investigate the matter concerning Sheila in private without alerting Captain Warren or his command team. Just in case any of theJansonna’sleaders are involved. If they are, even all twelve Star Gods won’t be able to save them from our wrath. My people won’t take kindly to the alliance being broken.
I exit the medical bay and venture to the bridge, where the captain is waiting with the most recent report on the probes we’d deployed to investigate various planets of interest.
I stand at a scientific panel near the back of the bridge, scanning the report with a critical eye. One out of six planets we sent probes to investigate are suitable for humankind. Hope rises in my chest. The planet in question is sixty-eight percent water, has breathable air, and contains several large continents that are teeming with life.
“What do you think, Admiral?” Captain Varll asks with an eager gleam in his eyes.
“Alter course for Planet 58-Zallnanis,” I say. “Inform the entire fleet.” I continue to study the readings as the captain hurries off to follow my commands.
Indeed, 58-Z is perfect. I swipe through a series of images of the planet’s surface and feel an instant wistfulness for the Darrvason homeworld. But our planet is gone. Destroyed by our greatest enemy.
As I examine the report further, I realize 58-Z is large enough to share. Could I convince Emperor Radakk and his advisors that we should settle on 58-Z with the humans rather than keep looking for a second habitable planet to call our own?
Many of the emperor’s advisors have already spoken against sharing a planet with humankind—claiming it could lead to eventual war, particularly if the humans ever make significant advancements in their weapons technology—but an idea is already forming in my mind. An argument the emperor won’t be able to ignore.
The longing to create a new home outside the confines of theHaxxalis so strong, I envision myself murdering any advisor who dares to speak against the idea of settling on 58-Z.
I transmit the data, including all the images of lush forests and fertile grassy lands, to Emperor Radakk. He responds almost instantly, asking me to join him in his quarters.
There’s a shudder as theHaxxalfalls out of hyperdrive. I glance at the viewscreen and count the other ships in our fleet. Fourteen. Well, fifteen if theJansonnais included. As I make my way off the bridge, I listen as Captain Varll continues barking orders and crew members rush to set a course for Planet 58-Z.
The lights in the corridor dim for a brief moment before I hear the familiar hum that indicates theHaxxalhas just achieved hyperdrive. Six moon cycles. That’s how long it’ll take to reach 58-Z, assuming we don’t run into any difficulties along the way. A growl rumbles from my throat when I remember the attack on Paddax.
I start to compile a mental list of urgent items as I approach the emperor’s quarters. Later today, I will make a quick, surprise trip to theJansonnato threaten Ellie’s uncle and ensure the repugnant male leaves the families of the Darrvason brides alone. I’ll take my personal shuttle for that meeting, and dark pleasure rolls through me as I imagine the captain’s face when I threaten his life.
Strict boarding protocols must also be put in place before we take possession of the next wave of human females. And the alliance with the humans must be renegotiated, which means I’ll have to meet with Captain Warrenandhis command team soon, though that meeting will need to be scheduled in advance. I must bring reinforcements to that meeting as well—the tallest, most fierce looking Darrvason security officers and advisors to better intimidate the captain and his pitiful command team.
Before I can add additional items to my list, a thunderous snarl echoes down the corridor I just passed.
My senses on high alert, I spin on my heel and run toward the sound of an enraged male. Just as I reach the corridor, a golden-haired human female bolts past me. Understanding dawns, and I don’t make a move to touch her or stop her, though I don’t resume my travels to the emperor’s quarters just yet. If another male touches the golden-haired female—a male who isn’t her mate—thenlahhkdawill likely be decreed and the corridors will fill with blood.
The woman’s mate barrels around a corner and surges past me. He’s only half-dressed, wearing a pair of black pants but nothing else. No shirt or boots. I don’t recall his name but recognize him as a security officer who recently transferred to theHaxxalfrom one of the smaller ships in our fleet.
The male sprints faster and catches the female before anyone dares to touch her. He tosses her over his shoulder, turns around, and stalks in my direction, presumably taking his errant mate back to his quarters to face a reckoning. His eyes widen as he notices me for the first time, though his steps don’t falter.
“Admiral,” he says in a respectful tone, inclining his head briefly.
“Officer,” I reply with a nod of my own.
