Page 8 of Owned

Flora looked around, rocking up to the balls of her feet in an effort to increase her field of vision. “I’m not sure. I talked to her really late last night, but I haven’t seen her yet this morning.”

Was it morning? It was easy to lose track of time in hyperspace.

He had no reason to think there was a problem, but he still felt uneasy. As soon as he got his sister settled in her quarters he would find out where Raina was and who was guarding her today. Cylex wasn’t scheduled to return to his post until tomorrow.

He introduced Flora to his sister, hoping it would make Anias feel a little more at ease. Anias had spoken with Cara and Shalia extensively on the way back. Hopefully, the older females would continue to befriend her.

Anias tugged on his sleeve. “Can we please go?”

“I agree,” Laidon stressed. “None of us is in the mood for a party. Let’s get out of here.”

Cylex looked at Anias’ pale face and large, haunted eyes. “Laidon’s right. Let’s get you out of here.” Renewing his determination to traverse the crush of people, Cylex and Laidon used their size with more aggression and maneuvered their way through the crowd.

“Excuse us,” Cylex said over and over as he urged others out of their way.

Laidon didn’t bother with apologies; he just shouldered his way toward freedom.

A shrill whistle rent the air, snapping Cylex’s attention to the other end of the corridor. Zevon, president of the Citadel, stood there looking fierce and intimidating as always. Cylex wasn’t sure how Zevon had made the obnoxious sound but it had gotten everyone’s attention.

“The party is postponed for a bit, people,” Zevon shouted. “I need a word with the rescue team. Flora, you come too. Laidon, take Shalia and Anias to your quarters. Cylex will join you shortly.”

Trepidation sent a tingle down Cylex’s spine. What could Zevon possibly have to say that couldn’t wait for the crowd to disperse? Cylex had no idea what was going on, but it couldn’t be good.

Cylex looked down at his sister. “You seemed comfortable with Shalia on the ship. Do you mind going with them for a short while?”

“It’s fine,” she assured him with a hesitant smile. “Don’t worry about me.”

“We’ll take good care of her,” Shalia added, wrapping her arm around Anias.

“Thank you.” Cylex turned to go but his concern for Anias lingered. Doubtlessly, his sister would need a confidant after the ordeal she had just been through. Shalia seemed calm and confident, but her captivity had been much longer and more harrowing than Anias’. He wasn’t sure Shalia was the right person to counsel Anias but it made sense for them to become friends. He trusted Shalia, and Zevon said this meeting wouldn’t take long, so Cylex pushed his concerns aside and hurried after the others.

The crowd moved off in one direction as the rescue team followed Zevon in the other. He led them to one of the freight elevators and they went up two levels. The Citadel might be the headquarters for the most powerful beings in this star system, but the facility was old and shabby. An outdated design and worn-out esthetics reflected badly on the organization’s legitimacy.

“What is this about?” Flora asked. She was the most outspoken of the cousins, which wasn’t surprising. She had been part of a power triad the longest so she was more comfortable with all the changes.

Zevon glanced at her, but didn’t respond.

They entered a flex-space. The multiuse rooms were scattered all over the upper levels of the Citadel. This size could be used for training, as an office, planning center, or conference room.

When Flora saw her mates waiting for her, she burst into tears. “What the hell is going on? Did someone die?”

“Where’s Raina?” Cara asked sharply as she realized who was missing.

Without answering the question, Zevon moved to the far end of the table and sat down. Everyone followed his example and chose seats around the table. Once everyone was as comfortable as the tense situation allowed, Zevon explained, “Raina was kidnapped about three hours ago. There is no definitive evidence supporting my theory, but I think the rescue mission was a decoy. Raina was his target all along.”

“You think Jevara has her.” Understandably, the possibility horrified Cara.

“It’s an educated guess,” Zevon replied.

“I can’t do this right now,” Flora sobbed, burying her face in her hands. She sat between her mates and they were trying to comfort her. “My life was just starting to make sense again.”

Cylex’s heart thudded in his chest, but he did his best to remain calm. As they flew away from Torret with the hostages, everyone involved in the rescue had commented that the mission seemed too easy. They quickly talked themselves out of the pessimism, but their instincts had been right. The mission had gone so well, because that was what Jevara had wanted.

“Why did you exclude Laidon?” Tov wanted to know. “His perspective was valuable during our mission. Do you have reason to suspect him now?”

Laidon was one of the rebel leaders plotting to overthrow Jevara. He had come to the Citadel hoping to establish an alliance and the rescue mission had been a sort of test. Cylex knew Laidon well enough to dislike him intensely, but Tov was right. The insights Laidon brought to the mission would be just as valuable now.

“He is not a suspect,” Zevon assured them. “I thought it was more respectful if Cara and Flora were surrounded by members of their households as I revealed what has taken place.”

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