Page 19 of Zalis
Wow. That went over like a lead balloon.
“You don’t believe me,” she said, slumping back into the bed.
“No,” Ren said.
Emry quickly said, “I believe you, Gemmy-bean.”
“Perhaps you saw another species. There are some who bear a passing resemblance,” Ren reasoned.
“I know what I saw. Most were Sangrin, but at least one of them was Suhlik. He was picking us out like puppies at the pound, taking a few and leaving the rest of us behind,” Gemma said, fighting the urge to shiver. “I got the impression that we were a special order.”
“The Suhlik do not purchase people. They slaughter, nothing else.”
“He knew who I was. He knew I was a twin.” Just speaking the words made her voice quiver. Now that the threat was long gone, the terror of being recognized sank in. This time, she didn’t fight the shiver.
Emry gasped. “What the hell?”
“You think there’s anyone from Earth who doesn’t know what the Suhlik look like?” Gemma asked, directing the question at the red jackass. Annoyance slipped back into her voice. Better. It was so much easier to be angry than to be scared.
“You have never seen one in person. Seeing one in the flesh is different from seeing a broadcast or a photograph,” Ren explained.
“How do you know I haven’t seen one in the flesh?”
“Because you live,” he snapped. “They do not leave survivors, and they do not take prisoners.”
Tension crackled in the room. Gemma looked to Emmarae, silently beseeching her for support.
Ren scrubbed his face. “Apologies. My tone was unnecessary. You have suffered greatly.”
“Oh, don’t pander to her,” Emry said.
“I do not pander, but thirst, hunger, or exhaustion can impair the senses.”
“I know what I saw,” Gemma repeated. “That cop didn’t want to believe me either. This is exhausting.”
“The Suhlik spoke to you.” It wasn’t a question, but the doubt in his tone was evident.
“Yes.”
“Wait, wait,” Emry interrupted. “How did you understand? You don’t have an implanted translator.”
Gemma touched a spot behind her ear. “They stuck one in me. Here.”
“Can the other females confirm what you heard?” Ren asked.
“I think I’m the only one they gave the implant to. They knew who I was and wanted me to understand.”
He huffed. His face was set in a scowl, like he wanted to continue being a stubborn ass, but maybe Gemma wasn’t good at reading alien body language. Cultural differences were a thing. Maybe that huff and scowl meant,“I hear you and acknowledge that you have made an excellent point.”
Maybe.
What Ren actually said was, “Rest. You have surgery tomorrow. When you are well enough to travel, we will journey to theJudgment. The warlord will want to hear your observations.”
Close enough.
“I’m staying with Emry,” Gemma said. Might as well push her luck.
Ren was slow to respond.
