Page 88 of The Pregnancy Pact

“If they think they can ignore me,” he said, his eyes twinkling with amusement, “they are more than welcome to try.”

I considered briefly, then nodded my head.

“Fair enough,” I replied.

His intimidating presence might be precisely what I needed to have my message heard, my vote counted.

“Sir, would you prefer me to use a little…persuasion?” he now asked the Admiral, rolling out his shoulders in a way that inferred he was not above using his prodigious size and strength as an intimidation tactic. Even to arguably the most powerful people in the entire Coalition.

My gaze darted between the hulking Major and his commanding officer. His face was hidden by his helmet, of course, yet I could have sworn something in his posture and the angle of his head betrayed humor.

“Whatever you feel is best, Major,” he replied. “Whatever you think is best.” To me, he added, “We will face the issue of a potential traitor as soon as the threat to your wife is removed. The Major will remain in the meeting chamber to be certain no one leaves and no one communicates with anyone on the outside until he hears from me.”

He turned his helmet to face his subordinate. “You have my full permission, Major, to utilize the squad to carry out my orders. If they complain, tell them exigent circumstances permit it, and all will be explained as swiftly as possible.”

“Duly noted,” Barak agreed. Then, “Let us be on with the message.” He flicked open a shield on his wrist. Beneath was a communication device. Lifting his arm, he twisted his wrist to aim it directly at the two of us. “I’ll record and share your message with this. Let’s get on with it. I have a species to protect. You have a female to save.”

Mentally, I raced to rehearse the words I would speak to the Council. I’d had no time to directly prepare my speech, but this was far from the first time I’d had to deliver an impromptu message. Nothing had ever hinged more heavily upon my powers of persuasion than this, and yet…there was a strange peace in knowing I would have my say and then leave it in this officer’s hands and the will of the stars.

My mate needed me.

And I would go to her.

Hold on, Lorelai, I thought, even as I gazed directly into the small rectangular screen, surrounded by the shiny green body armor on the Major’s wrist. I am coming.

I am coming.

Chapter 51

Lorelai

Sorry wasn’t going to cut it. I’d come too far to be thrown back to the wolves now. Doctor Natusha had probably lost her life to set me free. I wouldn’t let her sacrifice be wasted now.

“I’m sorry too,” I said. And I was. The officer had been kind to me, insofar as it went, but I couldn’t let that derail me now.

One life had likely been lost already.

Many more were at stake.

Including my own.

And that’s why I did what I did.

When I replied, “I’m sorry too,” the Asterion’s face betrayed her bewilderment. Her confusion offered me a sliver of opportunity to catch her off guard. Which I did, lashing out with my foot, kicking her squarely in the stomach. Ordinarily, my efforts might have been laughable, especially against a trained officer of some kind. With me hyped up on Doctor Natusha’s tonic? The female Asterion went flying backwards and I jumped into her transport, shouting,

“Go, go! Head for the spaceport!”

Luckily, transports were mindless machines, with no loyalty to their owners. While some required a driver, others, like this, sported automated systems. The system kicked into gear even as the officer rebounded on her feet, yelling at the machine to stop. Sirena dashed up to the edge of the sidewalk, screaming so loudly that her cheeks turned a red hue beneath the silver.

Too late.

The door slid shut, right in Sirena’s face, and the transport whizzed away.

I collapsed onto the floor, overwhelmed with an incredible sense of relief. Not that it lasted long.

The officer can probably call in reinforcements, I reasoned. Sirena certainly can. I’ve got to get off this transport. Maybe they’ll track it instead of me.

Clambering up on my knees, I pressed my face against the glass, staring out, trying to ascertain how close I was to the spaceport. It was difficult to say. Tall buildings soared upward in clusters while the mountains, green and verdant in the distant background, guarded the city of Korith. Nothing was familiar until…

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