Page 18 of Sublime Target

Not yet.

Kainan stood and offered her a respectful bow in the Kordolian fashion. “I’m Kai. Advisor to the Darkstar Corporation on human-related matters both legal and financial.” He nodded in Mavrel’s direction. “This is Mavrel Atavan. Technology and intelligence. And most importantly…” He turned to Jerik, a hint of amusement curving his lips.

Jerik shot him a baleful look. Was it now the case that even humans were getting amused at his expense?

“This is Jerik. He’s in charge of… many things.”

Her eyes widened ever so slightly as she met his gaze once again.

Jerik felt he had to do something; he had to acknowledge her at the very least, so he offered her a slight nod.

Her eyes lingered just a moment too long, and he wondered whether that was a good sign or a bad one.

Then she smiled, and Jerik was glad he’d had the foresight to take the precaution of wearing the respirator.

Without it, he feared he would have succumbed to his most primal instincts.

How did they do it? The warriors that had come before him… those First Division bastards. How had they managed to secure their mates without terrifying them… or breaking them?

He was also somewhat relieved that the mask partially hid his expression right now.

Clarissa returned Kainan’s bow, but the entire time, she was looking at him. “Kai, Mavrel… Jerik. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Now, if you will just excuse me for a moment, I’ll be upstairs moving heaven and earth to facilitate this meeting for you.” She chuckled softly; a low, throaty sound that triggered a strange, pleasurable kind of tension within him. “Although I’m sure it won’t take that much effort. I’m sure Mr Garner will be more than happy to oblige. I won’t be long. In the meantime, please make yourselves comfortable. Help yourself to whatever you like from the beverage bot.”

And with that, she was gone, her heels clicking on the polished floor in a rhythmic, mesmerizing cadence, leaving Jerik to contemplate his next move.

NINE

Clarissa rode the elevator up to the thirty-seventh floor.

It stopped at several levels, letting people on and off. She exchanged pleasantries and smiles, hiding the fact that she was shook.

At last, she reached the top. She waited a second before the doors opened. The AI needed to check and confirm her presence—her and only her. This was Garner’s floor, and only a handful of approved individuals were allowed into his office.

Clarissa didn’t seek out her boss straight away. Instead, she went to her own office—a small but light-filled room in the corner of the building, with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out across the city and the harbor beyond. She put her bag on her desk and sat down, leaning forward, dropping her face into her hands.

She took a deep, shuddering breath.

“Oh, my god,” she whispered. Adrenaline rushed through her before dumping itself like a wave, leaving her shaking.

I can’t believe I just did that.

She’d been alone in a room with not just one but two Kordolians.

Actual aliens.

And one of them was called Jerik Garul.

The Jerik Garul, who had appeared last night as a grainy, indistinct, and altogether menacing figure on her holoscreen.

Former High Commander in the Kordolian Imperial Military.

Before the Kordolian Empire had been dissolved, Garul would have been an extraordinarily powerful figure. Second only to Tarak al Akkadian in terms of influence.

And he probably still was.

What was that guy doing here?

Her unease intensified. What if they’d really caught her snooping on them last night? What if he was here to deal with her?

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