Page 86 of The Pregnancy Pact

An idea struck. Time was passing. Those goons would be after me. I couldn’t stand here arguing with her.

“Take me to your station,” I said, reaching out and clutching her arm. She stiffened, but didn’t try to free herself. Transports buzzed by in the streets. Foot traffic surged around us. A few Asterion folks had stopped to watch this extraordinary scene with solemn expressions of surprise.

“We can call him,” I offered. “Please, get me out of here. Clearly, I’m in trouble.”

“I cannot call Ellax Pendorgrin,” she practically gasped.

“Okay, you can’t call him, but you can get me out of here. The people who did this to me…” I waved a hand down my front. “They’ll be after me soon. If they find me…”

I let the sentence trail off. I didn’t have to say more. Clearly, I was in a bad way. And I was terrified. If Sirena happened to show up, if she spun the right story, that I was crazy and had done this to myself, and she was trying to rescue me and get me back to Ellax, would this stranger comply and turn me over? Sirena was a powerful figure in Asterion politics, after all. Not merely in this city, but the entire damn planet. I wouldn’t stand a chance.

“Please, just get me out of here,” I tried one last time.

The woman’s golden eyes flashed. Abruptly, she’d made up her mind. Waving her free hand, she bid the onlookers to step back.

“Come,” she beckoned to me. “This way.” To the bystanders, she said, “Nothing to concern yourselves with. I am taking this stranger to the station for questioning. Out of the way, please.”

Thank the stars, the spectators parted, allowing us through. The Asterion pressed a button on her watch wristlet and a transport, parked a dozen feet down the sidewalk, hummed to life. She led me to it, her steps swift. The door opened, anticipating our arrival. Even as I felt relief wash over me, I heard a familiar voice behind me, one that filled me with absolute dread.

“Stop!”

I froze, half in the action of climbing into the transport.

Sirena!

“That female is not to be taken anymore,” the shout continued. “She is under my authority as an Elder on the Asterion Council.”

My eyes sought the stranger’s. Whoever she was—a police officer, a security guard, a bodyguard—I didn’t know, but Sirena undoubtedly outranked her.

I didn’t dare turn and see how close my enemy was. Freedom beckoned. I was half in the damn transport! If I could just make it inside and close the door, I’d at least have a head start.

“Please,” I begged the stranger. “Don’t send me with her. Please. Get me away from her. She’ll kill me.”

The stranger’s golden eyes flickered between me and the approaching Elder.

“I command you to stand down,” Sirena shouted. “Do not let her escape!”

Sympathy filled the other woman’s face. “I am sorry,” she murmured.

Chapter 50

Ellax

What could I do?

My mind whirled as I spun to walk away.

“Sir?”

The Admiral’s voice was so full of authority that it sliced the fog of my mental confusion, halting me.

“Allow me to assist you, sir,” he said.

I heard a faint creak, caused by the moving joints of his body armor. Full body armor worn by the Elite was marvelous technology indeed, offering protection from stabs, shots, and even falls. Wearers had been known to survive some blasts and explosions, depending on how close they were to the discharge. Every joint on the armor moved with the full capability of the wearer’s body. However, there were always the slightest noises. I heard them behind me now.

“Elder Ellax,” he insisted. “If you are in a straight, there is no one better to assist you.”

I stood there, gazing firmly at the blank wall, my lips shut. I wanted to speak. I wanted to unburden myself and request help. He was right. He and his crew were experts at this sort of thing.

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